So. Strange things have been happening in my life lately. To give you all a little backstory, 2 years ago I took training to become an electrician. I was surprised to discover I really liked it, and I looked forward to working. Everyone (school, government, employment office, etc etc) was telling me that I would be such a sho-in, as I was in a trade in high demand, AND a woman. In my province in Canada, there is a big push to get women in the trades, because we're still a little backwards about some things. So needless to say, I had a very positive outlook. There was a LOT of construction going on, and I graduated 3rd highest in my class, then starting sending out resumes and making calls.

That was 2 years ago. I haven't had a single interview. I have called people, asking if they were hiring, was told nope, no hiring, to discover that less than a WEEK later, they would go out and hire 12 or 13 apprentices. This went on for 2 years.

I was very depressed. I honestly felt that God, or Fate, or whatever, had it out for me. I couldn't get work anywhere. I lucked into a seasonal part time job at a museum, which I LOVE, but it's only 12 hours a week. For the last year I haven't been making ends meet at all. I had to sell some things, and give up a lot of my hobbies. Luckily I never drank or smoked, and I think that would have been terrible. The only "luxury" or whatever you want to call it, that I kept, was my internet. And I had to keep that so I could keep doing job searches.

I got a call from a local retail store (no names) that wanted to hire me for a month. This would cut into my work at the museum, so I had to tell them no. Things went downhill after that.

I sent out some new resumes before Christmas looking for anything. MacDonalds, donut stores, anything.

Last week, I got a call from a big box store, looking to hire me for a clerk. Now I have NO experience as a clerk, which means I'm going to have to train. And to be honest, I'm s*itbaked. I tend to panic when I have to learn new things while STANDING IN FRONT OF SOMEONE. But I thought, no, I need this job so badly, I'll take. I had the interview, and they told me they would get in contact with me.

Two days later, they asked me to come in AGAIN for some more questions. Me and 3 others. The head manager asked me questions, and when all was said and done, he said he wanted me on their front line, said I was just what they were looking for, responsible, mature (I always want to ask, how old do you think I am? I'm not 'mature', I'm old. I just look a lot younger than I am!), friendly, blah blah blah. So I had the job.

Went home feeling pretty darn good. Still shitbaked, but good.

That afternoon, I get a call from the local Electrical Union. The woman in charge said that she was going to try and do everything she could to get me a job at the biggest construction project in my province. So now I'm thinking, "Well crap. Now I'm going to have to decide. 2 years with nothing, now 2 at once. But given the choice, I'll go with the electrical project. Much more money."

The NEXT day, I get a call from the retail store. Want me to come in that night for training. Now I was locked into something and could NOT get away until 2 days time. Absolutely no way out. I explained to the caller what happened, and that I was available as soon as that time was up.

"Oh. Ok. Thanks for applying. Bye." And hung up.

So I was left thinking,"Well, I guess I really don't have to choose now after all." But I felt a little let down. The manager in charge had praised me up so much, even though I was terrified about the training.

An hour after that, the electrical union called. Nope. No job for me. I wasn't a REGISTERED apprentice. (For those of you not aware, to be registered, you have to be hired. But no one wants to hire an unregistered apprentice. The old job -> experience ->job circle). So I was left with nothing.

I had never felt so low in my entire life.

Yesterday, I got a call from the retail store. Can I make it on monday for training? Yes, yes I can! Ok, good, we'll see you then.

Ok, so a LITTLE hope. STILL shitbaked, but I'll do what I have to do.

An HOUR later, the union called. Oh, don't worry about not being registered. WE'LL do that for you, and call tonight for a list of the jobs and make sure you apply.

So.....I have literally come full circle. As of right now, I once again have a possible 2 jobs to have to choose from, and yes, I am STILL shitbaked about having to learn to run a cash register at a big box store. My head is spinning.

Holy God what a week!

:P