Happenings

I decided that while I have an undisclosed amount of free time in my period of "job searching," I should do something worthwhile. 

Now, don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with spending time being educated by the likes of Regis and Kelly, eating a leisurely breakfast at 11 am while my mom begins preparations for lunch, and retuning books and DVDs to the library, just to check out new ones. 

It's not a bad life, really. I almost have my library card ID number memorized. 16475101...something. The last 6 numbers always get me. At least I have a handy key chain version of a library card, it makes the whole process so much easier. 

Between my busy life at the library, I've also spent entirely too much time at home cleaning. I had to devise a chore chart for me and my sisters to ensure the fair and equal division of labor. It was getting out of control for a while. That's all I'll say about that.. just in case Mother reads this. ;-)

All of those factors combined with my urgent desire to DO SOMETHING for the good of others had brought me to this new season in my life. 

Volunteering. 

Before you think anything, let me just clarify that I have spent lots of time volunteering in the distant and not so distant past, but it was always in conjunction with whatever else was going on in my life. 

So let me explain. 

I feel like my thoughts lately have been consumed with and fed lines similar to, "Get a job! Get a job! Need money! Empty bank account! Move out! Almost 25! Get a job! Get a life!" As much as all these thoughts have been true, it's not all that is true. What else is true is that while I'm moping around, waiting for a job to come up, I'm wasting precious time that could be spent helping others. What else is true is that I'm blessed to live at home, where bills are few and meals are free. So I'm going to start volunteering to pass this time of interim wisely and with purpose, regardless of a paycheck.

Anyway, volunteering should take my mind off of me and focus it on others. That's always a better place to be, isn't it?

I am in the application process for volunteering at Covenant House in Atlantic City. I'm super excited about this opportunity, as it resonates closely with the work I've always wanted to do in the Dominican Republic with street kids. Covenant House is an outreach program directed at homeless youth in the Atlantic City area, and provides safety, shelter, food, and a number of resources for establishing healthy adult lives off the streets. I had a tour of the facility last week and loved it. I can't wait to start! If you'd like more information on Covenant House, look at the links I've posted on the left. 

I'm also going to be helping my pastor out with some note/sermon typing. That is probably the last thing I'd think of as far as helping out at church, but I'm a fast typer and not a huge fan of nursery duty, so why not? 

Now, I know that it is easy for me to get an idea and run with it, spreading myself thin and ultimately crashing and burning that idea to a premature end. So I'm going to try to avoid that, and take it easy in the beginning. 

With that said, I am also the official medication dispenser for my grandfather, whose pill boxes requires refills every two weeks. And not to mention part-time chauffeur, to and from doctor appointments and CVS runs. (I have to say, I've never used a shopping cart at a CVS before escorting my grandfather there. He means business.)

So, until I have a bona-fide paying job, I'm going to pour myself into these tax-free jobs (that's one way to look at it, right?) with just as much dedication. Who knows what doors they might open?

I can't wait to see!

PS... if anyone was still curious about the aforementioned "Secret Plan," I kept it a secret for this very purpose: it's not happening. The timing was off and it's not going to work out. At least for now!