A Year In The Making

Do you know what you were doing a year ago, tomorrow? Yup, January 23, 2009. I will tell you that I went to work on a cold January morning, and later in the afternoon, collapsed in tears on the carpet of my parent's living room. Yes. A whole year ago.

I try not to think about those early days of unemployment. Those highly embarrassing times when everyone found out. The huge amounts of anger, the sad despair, the dwindling bank account.

I found some relief in the spring. Maybe the economy had bottomed out? Maybe people would be hiring again? Happily my EI payments slowly started trickling into my bank account. A person is a lot happier with gas in their car, and food in their stomachs.

But scarily spring turned into summer and all I had to show for all of my tedious employment search was a couple of interviews and a handful of rejection letters. Family and friends who had once been involved and concerned about my job prospects, knew the answer was the same, I still hadn't found a job.

By summer I had started looking for a job, any job, widening my search to new countries and cities. Six months was way too long to be out of work. But sadly nothing. Not even the many, many retail jobs I had applied for called.

By the fall, I had already given up. I was a 28 year old wash up. I applied for most of the jobs that came my way, but only halfheartedly. By now I knew that enthusiasm was futile. Soon fall faded into winter, and I became convinced that I was just unemployable.

I woke up early in January 2010, and decided to breathe some fresh air into my life. Sure, maybe 2009 hadn't been my year, but this year was going to be different. I was going to be lucky in 2010, hell or high water.

That was until early on in January, when I had to have this conversation with Service Canada, regarding my EI.

Me--"I can't seem to log on to my EI account."

Service Canada--"Let me just check that for you." After handing off a ton of personal information, including my mother's maiden name, Service Canada came back with this answer.

Service Canada--"It seem as if your claim has run out."

Me--"Oh. I thought my claim was good until February."

Service Canada--"Nope. December. But at least you have a job, right?"

Me--"No, I don't. Hmmm...can I apply for an extension?"

Service Canada--"No."

After what felt like hours of silence, my unhelpful friend finally spoke.

Service Canada--"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Me--"I guess not."

I again collapsed in tears on the carpet of my parent's living room. Why wasn't life being fair to me?!? How could getting a job be this difficult!

Angry with not only myself, but the world in general, I decided to paper an already papered city. I applied for everything with gusto! I nervously watched my bank account running out, silently cheered when the government handed me my quarterly GST cheque. And started packing to move home, surprised I had been able to live like I had for so long.

That was until one strangely warm January day. When suddenly it seemed as if my life had turned around. Just like that.

So,why not have my horoscope fill you in on what's been going on the past little while?

It may seem as though a burden has been lifted, and this in itself is a reason to celebrate. Mercury has turned direct in your joint financial zone, which means you can now go ahead and sign those financial agreements. You can also make major purchases, such as buying a car or computer, since everything will flow smoothly from this point on. Jupiter has moved into your career zone, where it will stay for some time.

Real details to follow soon. But I figured you would appreciate this victory a little more with the background story.


Phew. Breathing more than a sigh of relief.

Thanks to everyone, near, far, and even heavenly for all of your support and love.

As Always,