Over the years, you either learn who you are as a person or you don't. I've learned that when you have the right people in your life everything will run smoothly. There might be a couple of bumps along the way but you learn to keep going. There seems to be at least one bump which turns into a freaking insurmountable obstacle you don't think you can get over.

My insurmountable obstacle came when I worked to a large retail store who could give a flying f$*K about there employees. When I was hired for a full-time position, I had plans for the money I'd make to help pay bills, loans, and rent. Imagine my surprise to arrive my first day and told I was no longer be full-time but part-time. Needless to say, I had better days. Miffed at the revelation, I kicked myself for having passed on another job offered to me. I wanted to quit on the spot but chose to stay because no one else was hiring at the time.

I was able to keep my head above water until the store tied an anchor around an ankle, I felt myself begin to sink. I've never struggled like this in my life while working a job. If it weren't for my family, I would've been evicted from my apartment because I couldn't pay my bills, school loans plus the rent with the money I was making. I actively looked for new work but to no avail. I'm normally a fun loving person but I became ornery and distant. This place literally sucked away who I was as a person and I didn't like it. When the opportunity came to work in the merchandising department for a major university, I jumped at the chance even though I thought I had no chance. I sent in my resume and cover letter, not expecting to hear from the university. I was wrong. Two days later, I receive a phone call wanting to setup an interview because they liked what they saw on paper. All I had to do was sell myself in person and the job was mine.

The interview was a scary one. I'd never had the need for a job the way I needed this one. I didn't let my job at the time dictate that that was where I would be stuck at for the rest of my life. I walked in with my gorgeous smile and didn't look back. They hired me on the spot! They liked my enthusiasm and my past experience in selling merchandise at retail level. I've worked at my new job now for only three weeks but I'm no longer drowning from an anchor around my ankle. I'm floating along now.

I'm unbelievably tired because I work 40+ hours a week. I hardly have time to write the way I used to but I'm constantly writing down notes and ideas while at work. I'm hoping to write properly on my days off. For those who follow my stories, please know that I've not abandoned them in anyway. My new job is keeping me busy but I hope to have new chapters to you in a couple of weeks, hopefully.

Here's my wish for my 38th year and every year after: to not have that type of financial struggle from my 37th year. It took a toll on my body in a way I hadn't realized until I left my other job. In the three weeks since I've been at the university, I've dropped 20 lbs. Yay, me! I plan on living it up more. I was so focused on the money aspect of my life, I let other things fall to the wayside, like my love life. I mentioned a crush I have on a co-worker in a past blog. I plan on taking the bull by the horns and making something happen. I pray I don't get hurt but how will I know if I don't take a chance.

Well, I'm off to enjoy my birthday. I plan on staying in bed for two more hours before I head over to Starbucks for my free birthday drink (trenta iced tea) and a slice of pepperoni pizza w/ extra cheese for lunch. This is my treat to myself. I can't go crazy because I actually have to work early tomorrow morning....