Job
I work full time for Olympus America Inc. in the Repairs and Loaners department of the endoscopy division. I had been a temp in the technical assitance center for a year and 3 months, but I finally got hired as part of the permanent staff. It's not at all interesting, but it's pretty good money for someone without a degree, and good benefits and paid holidays. It kicks the temp agency's proverbial butt.

Spirit
For about 4 years (all together, not in a row) I volunteered to care for the littlest children (three and under) in the UUFH (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington) childcare program almost every Sunday, but almost never got to hear a service. The UU community was one of the only strong positive influences when I was 16 and somewhat lost. I started volunteering and strangers showed such deep gratitude and soon became friends. It was a paying position but I refused pay so the books showed me donating about fifteen dollars every week. Something about giving completely and selflessly resounded as so right and true and good somewhere within my being, I was able to find myself again.

To anyone lost out there feeling lost,
Volunteer for a good organization, it might help. If it is moral or spiritual help you seek, or are just looking for a good community, you might want to check out a few UUFH services. Everyone is welcome in our congregation.

I stopped volunteering childcare at the end of this past summer, because I have much less free time than I used to and need the opportunity to sleep in on Sundays if I so choose. Having to get up at 8:30 EVERY Sunday... is just... WRONG! So I'm taking a couple years off and going to service once or twice a month. When I have kids of my own to raise, I'll cart them off with me, and probably teach some of the older classes for a year or 2.

Free Time