I have a few very important things on my current “to-do list”. Even though there aren’t that many things, they are all pretty big and crucial tasks. I am trying to accomplish all of them by August 28th – the day I start school – so that I can be set for success. Hopefully I can do them all!

1. Get my driver’s license.
I have never been enthusiastic about learning how to drive. When I was 16, I had zero interest in getting my permit or license. Now at nearly 21, I realized that my very independence relies on my ability to drive. My father said he would buy me a car, but I have to get the license first, of course. I have a lot of anxiety over driving. I am hoping that will be calmed when I actually get behind the wheel.

2. Get a job.
I have no income of any sort, so I am practically broke 99% of the time. I have some money in savings I am not going to touch, so I need some sort of cash flow to help me out with future living expenses for when I hopefully move out. Unfortunately for me, the economy in my area isn’t that great. It seems like no one is hiring except for retail, which doesn’t pay that well. I am willing to take a job in retail, though, if that’s what it comes to. I am hoping for something more.

3. Move into an apartment.
I’ve lived in a dorm with two other people, as well as lived in an apartment with my sister. Thus, I think I will be OK on my own in a studio or one bedroom apartment. I crave independence. I yearn for it and I enjoyed it when I lived in a dorm 800 miles away from my hometown. Apartment prices are coming down a little, but studio apartments are harder to find in my area for a reasonable price. My parents are willing to pay a certain amount per month for an apartment for me while I am jobless, but it’s tough finding a place for that amount. I keep looking every day for apartments around here, but so far no luck.

I am hoping to finish all these things very soon. It’s all up to me now, so I best get them done!

As a lot of you know, I’ve gone through some major life changes in the past year and a half. I’ve switched colleges several times, gone between Anthropology and Web Design as my major, and have moved 800+ miles between Arizona and California. Some people have criticized me for “never sticking to my plans”, but that greatly offends me and is quite a falsity. Sure, I’ve had my share of changes of heart, but that doesn’t mean I don’t stick to my plans. I have stuck to my plans, but decided some weren’t the best things for me in the long run¹. I stick to what I want. No one can tell me I do otherwise.

My plan this year has been to get a job and go to school at a local community college. My schedule for fall semester is pretty open, so I thought a job would be great. However, due to the economy and my lack of formal education, I haven’t had much luck finding a job. I’ve searched high and low, applied to about a dozen places, and no one has gotten back to me. It’s frustrating, but I haven’t lost hope. One day, I was thinking about what I really wanted to do. I thought about how I’ve always enjoyed helping people. I want to help people now, as well as in the future, both here in my city and possibly around the world. I’m an extremely happy person on a day-to-day basis and very personable in general, so I thought, “How could I use my qualities to my advantage right now?” That’s when it hit me.

I want to get a job in child care or senior care as a nanny, companion, caregiver, etc. I can’t afford certification via a year-long program of any sort, so I think being a recurring nanny and/or babysitter for a family or two would be amazing. Also, I would enjoy working with seniors who need a little help around their house and whatnot: someone to brighten their days and give them friendship.

I’ve signed up with a few online listing sites to advertise my nanny/babysitting/care giving experiences and services, so I’m hopeful I will get a job sometime in the near future. Of course, in this economy, you never know. I don’t expect a high wage, but I’m still hoping for some money. Some income is better than no income, and I would love to interact with a baby or elderly person.

Anyway, if any of you have experience getting a job as a nanny, babysitter, or caregiver, please let me know how it went! I’d love to get some insight on how your hiring went. I am debating signing up with an agency, but of course, that will require a little work on my part. Hopefully I can keep things in the classifieds or somewhere for free. Wish me luck!