Kids, Crafts and the Carolinas

I have successfully survived the first year of my "big" move to South Carolina. Looking back over the past twelve months, I can't believe that I really did it. I packed all my s#@t and moved away from the comfort and stability of my family and friends. I wake up every day and I'm in Rock Hill, South Carolina! There is a moment everyday that I think: This is really my life now.

After saying goodbye to my family at the airport, I returned to my empty airport and cried. I cried because I was alone, I cried because I missed my family and I cried because I was scared. The future seemed bright but very uncertain. After collecting myself, I got on the grind. My days were spent at the library searching and apply for jobs. Initially, I applied for every bank teller position I could find. I figured with my experience getting another bank job would be no problem. I was beyond wrong, I got one phone interview but no job.

I wasn't worried because it was still early. The situation looked promising because I was getting callbacks and going on interviews at least twice a week. I thought me and my makeshift business suit were killing it! The only thing that was getting killed was me. My self-esteem was taking a huge hit with all the rejections. I wasn't applying for Chief of Surgery, just a customer service position at Sprint. I took the disappointment and looked even harder. Anyone looking for a job will agree that it's a full time job.

In March, I caught an occupational break. I applied for an after school program in Charlotte and they hired me. The director at the agency kept asking me would I be okay with working part-time. I wanted to say, "It's not my dream but it's a start". I took the job because I love working with children and I would be one step closer to my dream. Finally, my life seemed to be moving in any direction. I actually had a reason to shower and comb my hair, woo-hoo! While ironing my uniform, I imagined how I would walk through the door and the children would instantly love me. I was beyond wrong. Those kids worked me up one side and down another. I wasn't sure if I was out of practice or if they were descendants of Satan. I spent three months enduring fights, meltdowns and insubordination. I survived and before I knew it school was out for summer. Goodbye crazy kids it's been fun, Ms. Johnson loves you.

I continued to look for a fulltime position with no luck. Summer was coming and I needed a job and fast. Fortunately, my employer asked invited me to work at their summer camp. The most high definitely ordered those steps. My experience at summer camp was awesome. If I had not been working the camp, I would have wanted to be a camper. There were ice skating, rock climbing and other amazing activities enjoyed by both campers and staff. Those seven week were awesome. I was being to feel like I was creating a life in the Carolinas. Sadly, summer came to an end and it was back to reality: I still needed a JOB!

I was fortunate enough to go back to my after school program and I scored in the friend department. I absolutely die for my co-workers; they are the best people on the planet. I'd love them more if we were together for eight hours instead of four. I was super happy but financially retarded and something had to change quickly. Otherwise, my fate would have included panhandling at Rock Hill's busiest intersection (which would suck because I'm not that good at sales). The occupational Gods smiled on me again: enter Hobby Lobby.

I had not heard of Hobby Lobby until I moved south. I went in and found out it was a crafts store (the cousin of Michael's twice removed). I became a stock girl/cashier because I was only there a few hours during the week. They were gracious enough to work around my one o'clock after school program schedule; yes school gets out at 1:45 in North Carolina. In the beginning, I didn't think I was going to make it. My main responsibilities were to put back the merchandise that people returned or decided not to buy. No big deal, right? Wrong! When you are walking around to put a calligraphy pin back the layout of the store feels like 50,000 square feet. I felt like a blind idiot half the time because I could never find anything. When I wasn't feeling stupid I was feeling isolated, all I had was the nonstop stream Christmas songs to keep me company. After about a week instrumental Christmas music makes suicide look attractive (kidding).

Once I learned the ropes, I really liked going to Hobby Lobby. The people were very nice and I learned that were a few Michiganders in the group. The customers were wonderful. They were southern and charming and usually the high points of my day. I had no social life because I was working every weekend but I was making money! We worked long hours but were compensated with Olive Garden, Zaxby's, Papa John's and a 15% discount on grossly over-priced Christian inspired merchandise. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. We said goodbye to the holidays and rang in the New Year with uncertainty. The manager made it known that everyone would not continue working at the store. He kept paging people to his office for "the news", it was the most nerve racking scenario I've endured in my life! I couldn't take it anymore so I went and asked. I was lucky I wasn't getting cut that day; I would be staying until inventory was completed in mid January. My life was instantly surrounded with fear and panic. Oh the horror! I would be the definition of poverty again. What was I going to do?

Stay tuned............