Unemployed Again...

Yep, I am unemployed...again. No, I didn't get fired. I quit. I didn't even last the whole day! I tried...I really did. And I only had 30 minutes more to go...but I just couldn't do it. It was horrible. The worst job I have ever had. I mean, I knew it wasn't going to be a fun job...but I had no idea it was going to be that shit. I actually felt ill. I thought I was going to pass out. It wasn't especially taxing, although it was to me since I've been out of work and sitting on my ass for 10 months, but there were lots of people there doing it just fine. It was just a combination of standing on my feet in one spot all day, racing to put cookies in a box...over and over and over and over...all day. It was a cross between a sweat shop and hell. And yet there were lots of people there doing similar jobs and getting by just fine. The mind boggles. It makes me wish I were back working in Reasor's...on a Saturday...during graduation...by myself! 

So, back to the drawing board. I'm applying for more jobs. Not heard anything from anyone else. I did one of those online courses on Customer Service though and added that to my CV. I don't know if that will help or not, but it's worth a shot. What else have I got to do with my time while I'm sitting on my ass? I'm planning on doing some others too. I wish I would have found this site a long time ago. It may not help me in the job hunt but it's free information. Learning anything is always good. I've made a list of all the courses I want to check out. Who knows? Maybe I'll find something that I'm so interested in that I want to pursue it further. 

I've been contemplating trying to do something at home to make a little extra money. I'm thinking about starting a little business of selling the mega delicious caramels I make. Everyone who's ever tried them raves about them. The last batch I made I used treacle in them and one of Phil's coworkers said they were the best ones I've made yet. So, I know they're good. I know people will like them. It's just finding a place to sell them. Actually, it's a lot of other things as well...but finding a place to sell them is top of the list. I'm thinking about making some soon and taking them around to some of the local shops and seeing if they would mind if I put a display there. I need to do some serious thinking about it though. I need a business plan of sorts. I've already figured out costs of making them, time involved and even looked up some info about packaging. I need to see what sort of a percentage I can offer the shops that sell them for me though. I also need to see if I'm going to need any sort of license to sell them in those shops. I may just start out with trying to sell them in Rumbletums. I know those ladies there would help me out. I really need to at least try. I think I'm going to go talk to them about it tomorrow. All they can do is say no, right? I don't think they'll do that. 

I'm feeling in pretty good spirits at the moment. Phil wasn't bothered about me not keeping the job...said he expected me to feel that way...and it's such a relief that he hasn't given me a hard time about it. I felt bad enough about it anyway. Poor man, he's having to do all the work and pay all the bills. I hope I find something soon so I can help out. I would hate to totally run out of money and have to ask him for some. That would really make me feel like shit. I would quit smoking before I asked him to buy tobacco for me. I feel like such a mooch already.

I guess that's about all that's been happening here. Wish me luck on the job hunting!

Ciao for now

Time Flies!

Yep, I forgot all about my blog again. From 3 weeks to over 9 months! I've been in England 9 months now! So much has happened. Well, for starters, I got married! Obviously, since that was a requirement for me to stay here in England. September 5th. We actually had to rush a bit since it wasn't until later on that I learned that I had to submit another visa application, which cost 600 pounds (I don't know how to get the pound symbol on my American computer) and I had to have it sent in before the time limit expired on my fiance visa. We had to be married before that happened. It all worked out and I am now good for 2 1/2 years...when I have to do it all over again.

I'll catch you up a little on what's been going on...a whole lot of nothing! Not completely, but mostly. We have taken some holidays, we went on our touring holiday to Stratford upon Avon, Bournemouth, Torquay, St. Austell and Bath and had our trip to France...Nice, Monte Carlo, Monaco and Antibes. We also went to Warwick to visit the castle and see a gig in a nearby town. Phil and I went to York again to see Steve Hackett and company perform Genesis songs and then we went to Whitby...beautiful place! I know, doesn't sound like nothing, does it?

Trust me though, there has been a lot of time spent here at home, sitting on my ass, day after day, with no place to go and no one to talk to. Trust me, it gets depressing at times. I'm hoping that's about to change though. I got a job! Seems like it's going to be a shit one...boring...but you never know. At least it's something...and I get paid! I need it. Being without a job for 10 months takes a toll on the bank account. I got this job just in time, while I still have money to pay for the bus to get me there!

Some of the things I've learned since I've been here: Train travel. I've become quite comfortable taking the train. I've taken one to Manchester many times and I've gone to Liverpool and Preston as well, both lovely places. I have to say though, I like Manchester best. There are still many things I want to check out there. I've also learned my way around Wigan a lot better. There are still lots of places I've not explored...I have to keep it to places I can walk to comfortably...but I feel like I know where I am in relation to other places. I'm not a fan of buses, but since I have to take one to get to work that may change. I took one the other day to get to my interview and it wasn't so bad. I've learned how to check my route and the bus I need and what times it runs and I feel more comfortable about using one. I would really be lost here without the internet...the information it can give you is invaluable.

Speaking of information, you'd be surprised what you can find out when you have all day to sit on your ass. I've not taken advantage of all that time I'm sorry to say, but recently I've done a lot better and my searching has turned up a site for free courses online and another for free language learning. I've started a course on some basic Excel learning and while I've not tried anything from the language learning site, I have spent more time on the Italian language learning program that I already have on my computer. I'm up to 403 words now. Just a drop in the bucket, I know, but I'm learning. That's the important part. Every word is one less to learn. I've also decided to learn more about the world I live in and made a list of all the countries. I'm going to read about each one. I've started with Poland. The overview doesn't make it sound very interesting, but maybe wikipedia will be better. I just want to try and keep learning things. Sitting at home doing nothing made me realize just how fast time goes by and how easy it is to waste it. You can't get it back and if you don't spend it wisely it's such a shame.

I would like to say that Wigan feels like home, but it doesn't yet. It's amazing but it doesn't feel like home. I miss my family, my friends, my job, my car and the familiarity of what my life was like there. I miss the stars at night. I miss driving down a deserted country road at night with the windows down and the radio on. I miss sitting outside with my Mom and listening to her babble on about all her church friends. I miss hugging my boys and being their taxi. I miss decorating cakes and joking around with my friends at work. I don't have any of those comforts here. I feel very alone sometimes. I try not to dwell on it too much though. It serves no purpose and only makes me feel like shit. I realize it just takes time to adjust to new situations. I've had some rough times with it but I think it's getting better. I'm hoping the new job helps.

I don't regret moving. I know it might sound like it, but I have had lots of amazing experiences here. I've learned so much. Just being submerged in a different culture, you have to learn something! It makes me see the world differently and I feel like a different person. Even living with Phil has been a learning experience. It's way different than being on my own and different than any other relationship I've ever had. It teaches you new things about yourself and new things about relationships.

Well, I guess that's a quick look at what's been going on. A very condensed version. It will have to do for now though. Hopefully, I'll do better with my blogging in future...but then I always say that...LOL.

Ciao for now