It really feels like the recession is hitting a lot of us really hard.
Myself, I've been mostly unemployed for over a year. I do find odd jobs once in a while and I did get a job I thought would be a lasting one only to see that it didn't.
However this has given me the chance to finish up my college degree and even dream that I would perhaps go back to school.
Having run out of money it seemed my dream of becoming a pharmacist was definitely no longer an option. It is year-round schooling for 2 years, and a year of doctor-like rotations ... all while paying the grand some of forty thousand plus a year.
So I used my degree and experience to launch off a lab orientation career which hasn't been met with the most pay or opportunity ... at least not while I am not living in that major of a city.
I've recently inquired about starting a Master's Program. Options include a computer engineering degree, teaching credential, or bite the bullet and go back for biology. It may open up a few more jobs. I know all seem a little random compared to one another but they are where my strong skills lay.
Ideally, I'd love to just take all kinds of random classes like metal shop, computer programming, ceramics, or travel abroad. But at this point with no income that can't really happen ... well the classes can, but only after this semester.
The up side is that I passed organic chemistry's first semester. Let's just hope I can hang in this semester. I hadn't been back to school in almost 5 years so it was rough. Organic Chemistry is undeniably the hardest chemistry undergrad class.
Anyhoo, all is well. I've been geeking out on Yelp, Facebook, and sort of recovered from my addiction to Travian.
After I finished my lab today (based on organometals, a more environmental friendly approach) my roommate Ben and I went to a new place that opened up for dim sum in town. God I was sooo stuffed but it's just so good. Now that I've been a few times I'm finding dishes I really really love. For those that don't know ... dim sum is a tradition that evolved in China for passing travelers. The travelers would stop and stay at tea houses and eventually small plates of food were served, hence dim sum. It's sort of like tapas that originated in Spain.
Most dim sum places there will be carts that are moved around the patrons that are filled with all the dim sum small dishes. One can point and ask for a particular plate and a tally mark is penciled in for the table. At the end of the meal the tallies are totaled and a fee is paid.
This place regretably doesn't do the carts, but they do have a splendid sheet that is a menu of sorts that one can mark on and then the food starts to roll out as it is prepared. As is usual I always order too much food, but hey, it is really tasty so we don't mind if we have to bring some home.
My favorite are the pork buns that are baked. I also like steamed pork buns but the baked ones are much smaller and have a lightly sweet coating on the top that blends splendidly with the chinese barbecued pork.
We also ordered shrimp balls (often compared to sea urchins; the ones this place makes look more like octopuses with crazy extra arms), shrimp dumplings, pot stickers, and soup. Ben really loves shrimp.
After we ate we went to the asian market where I bought up three different types of mushrooms, now on a kick, knowing that mushrooms are really really good for you. Well, I started learning about it the first year I started college but only fairly recently realized just how good many types are.
We also got a bunch of random things like 100 count wonton wrappers, candy, groceries, and some staple sauces. I can not pass the isle with the candy and not get some of my favorite gummies.
Then we made a somewhat disappointing stop to the feed store on River Road. I was disappointed because despite having many top labels that were expensive for wet cat food none of them were actually good for a cat. They either had meat-by-products ... if you don't eat meat-by-products like lips, excess fat, and other things from animals that aren't used for human consumption I don't believe your pet should either. Also almost all of them had a grain derivative. Cats are not omnivores, they are strictly meat eating carnivores. Save the grains for your dog. I've actually taken up to buying Ben's cat dog food since many kinds are all meat. I know ironic feeding a cat dog food but it's actually more nutritious for the cat and slightly not great nutrition for the dog.
However Ben did find a decent cat liter for a good deal.
The people at the feed store offered to have some cat food special ordered. I left my name and number (the girl at the counter misspelled my last name ... who in their right mind doesn't know how to spell Taylor?) but they said I'd have to buy it by the case. If it's not too incredibly expensive I can probably swing one case. But I was trying to avoid shipping charges and all that so I guess we'll see.
Otherwise, I've just been going to the pub drowning out my sorrows on a pint. A friend has been encouraging me to come with him and he covers. It's nice of him but I feel a little awkward with him paying all the time. Hopefully I'll get another job soon.
