my thoughts on unemployment and poverty...

I got my first unemployment check yesterday. It actually surprised me (and a few other people I told) how much money you can get while you're unemployed. It made me realize how lucky (blessed) I am that I live in a place where I can get more money in a week for doing nothing than many people in the world can make for a year of hard labor. I've learned/read a lot about poverty over the last few years, and I've seen a lot of it in my travels around the world, but somehow I always let it slip to the back of my mind and never think about it....so today I'm thinking about it for once. When I was at EMI one of the staff members gave a presentation on poverty during our week of orientation. I was just looking over some of the notes I took during that presentation, and the statistics are staggering. Approximately 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day. $1 a day! Another 1.5 billion live on $1-$2 a day. I get about 40 times that much each day just by being previously employed in the state of Washington. It's ridiculous. And here I am pouting that I can't get a new pair of jeans because I'm unemployed and can't afford things. I was feeling convicted about it today, and figured I'd share my thoughts with the general public. Hope you don't mind. Sorry if I made anybody else feel guilty for being privileged....I don't think we should have to feel guilty for it so long as we're using our blessings to bless others. Anyway, I'm not much of a theologian, so I'll stop preaching now....

So yeah, I got my first unemployment check yesterday. I'd rather be earning a real paycheck, but at least I'll have enough to live on until I can find a job....which looks like it might be awhile. I've been finding fewer and fewer places that are hiring lately and I'm started to get a little discouraged with the whole process. Please pray that something will work out soon. (Even just getting an interview would feel like an accomplishment!) I'm really starting to miss engineering stuff like drawing up plans, designing sewer lines, even writing drainage reports....the other day I was explaining to Jared what an NGPA area was (native growth protection area) and it really made me miss my old job....

I'm still enjoying being back in WA though. We've been having remarkably good weather lately, and I've been able to spend a lot of time with Jared which is awesome after nearly 5 months of only phone conversations. Last night he cooked for me again, and then we went to see the new Pixar movie Up. It was cute, and funny....I highly recommend it.

This coming weekend Jared and I and a few other friends are going on a rafting trip in OR with a group from his church. I'm pretty excited and hoping that the weather will be nice. Also, in a couple weeks I'll be making a quick trip to GR, so I'm looking forward to that as well. As long as I don't have a job, I may as well find other things to do with my time!

Not much to write about....

....but I thought I'd just let you all know that I'm still trying to find a job. I think I've applied for about 50 of them now. I'm hoping something works out soon because I'm starting to get bored sitting at home all day....though I must say this might be the first time in my life that I've actually looked forward to having dishes to do! At least it's something to pass the time. This past week I finally figured out the unemployment system, and I should be getting my first check tomorrow, so it will be nice to have at least a little bit of money for gas and groceries. That's about all I've got for now. Hopefully I'll have some more exciting news to write about soon!

Well, I have now been back in Washington for just over a week. It's been a good week too. This past Saturday Elizabeth organized a 'welcome back' party for me which was really fun. I got to see all of my friends again and the weather was gorgeous so we got to spend some time at the park. The weather has actually been pretty awesome ever since I got back here, so I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I've also been able to spend time with Jared finally which I really enjoy. He cooks me dinner and stuff which is always nice. I'm still searching for a job. There doesn't seem to be too many possibilities out there, but I'm applying for anything I can find. I'll keep ya'll updated if something works out. Other than that, not much new to report about. Hope you're all doing well!