My Job

For those of you who don't know, I found a job! By the time I've gotten around to writing this, though, I've already put in my two week's notice. So what do I do? I work on an assembly line. I know, way to put my BYU education to good use, right? Most desirable places to work are either laying people off or on hiring freezes and after searching for months, this is the best I could find.

I work full time, first shift at a place called Marianna Industries. We put together kits for those going into beauty school--kits consisting of manikin heads, blowdryers, irons, razors, perm rods, scissors, etc. I've been blown away by the many choices of each of these products--seriously, what's the difference between the ten different brands of 3/4" curling irons? I'm at the beginning of the conveyer belt, meaning I have the biggest (and heaviest) things to put in (why is it the smallest person always gets stuck with that job?)

Our supervisor is a slave driver. She's a redhead with a mullet that goes past her butt (who wouldn't be scared of her?). What's annoying is that she sits in her comfy chair bossing us around and telling us that we're not efficient enough (I hate how she sits--we're not allowed to sit on the job). Now I can understand the feelings of resentment towards management.

So I essentially sweat for 40 hours a week. I am also the unlucky one who doesn't have a speaker [which has the radio going] nor a fan nearby (oh, the warehouse is not air-conditioned by the way). Adjusting to this work has been difficult. At first my feet were tired and aching (and no I have not purchased good standing shoes because I knew I wouldn't be here long enough to spend money on it-yes I suppose sometimes I'm too frugal). My arms and legs have many bruises from the sheer weight of heavy boxes breaking my blood vessels. My forearms have rashes from reaching into the boxes and luggage. My fingers (especially around my fingernails) bleed and my thumb is always sore from excessive box cutter use. Not my idea of fun, but I don't complain to Jeff because his response will be quit your job. I'm sure he doesn't like feeling like he's not providing for me (he does, really).

Despite how much my job isn't fun and I'm making the least amount I've ever been paid since high school, I have been blessed in many ways. I'm blessed to have a job at all and this is the first time we've had an actual income besides student loans (yes, I was working in Lincoln, but it was just enough to break even with the $4.00 gas spent on commuting daily to Omaha). I've also been blessed to have the energy I've needed to come home, make dinner, do the housework, and study (though I'm finding it hard to stay motivated to study). I tell myself every day this is why didn't stop at my bachelor's but am going on to grad school. I'm grateful that I am married to a wonderful man who believes in education and will be able to provide for me so I can stay at home with the kids. And I'm grateful that school will be starting up soon and I'll never have to work a job like this again!