I am so tired and achy. Someone finally hired me. Not because I'm a qualified person or I have a good personality. I didn't even have a real interview. Nope. It's because they had four people quit and were hard up for workers. After all the dozens of applications I've been filling out to everything from department stores to universities, I was hired by Kroger to work in the deli/bakery -- I'm not sure which; I'll be training in both. I worked the deli this weekend. This was the one job that involved no fear of rejection. I'm not sure if it's worth it, but I can't afford to be picky.

I felt so out of place. Like that episode of "I Love Lucy" where Lucy and Ethel get jobs. But I did my work well. I watched people do things and then did them myself. I now truly know what it means to be "on your feet all day." And my feet didn't like it... Not with nearly 300 pounds to hold up. (My back didn't like it either since I carry a lot of it on my chest,) My hands hurt from handling cold chickens too. Still, I'm glad to be working and interacting with other people again.

I'm calling it human experience. I have a masters degree and hope for a career with a salary, not an hourly wage. But I decided I need to be humble and not shun a hairnet and name tag. It pays the bills. And I wonder if it's part of God's plan for me to have this experience (since I most definitely could get no other job). I have provided my services in various fields to "clients and to "students," and now I work for "customers." I believe some day I will land my dream job, working in a zoo or museum with "visitors."

Until then, I will don my nametag and enjoy (to the best of my ability) this part of my life experience. Life's journey is supposed to be a little rocky, and one can either complain about the potholes or enjoy the scenery. I've chosen to do the latter.