06 February, 2009

An introduction of sorts

Just like many bloggers before me, I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing here or how often I will be doing it. But I thoroughly enjoy quite a few blogs on a daily basis so I thought I would contribute my own.

Now for some explanation of my blog's title. Without getting too political, the recession our country is currently experiencing bloooooows. I have found myself in some pretty dire straits financially, and I'd like to chronicle my experiences so that one day, when I am sitting in the lap of luxury, I can look back and remember all the hard times and amazing times that being poor brought me.

I've always been a strong person, but quite reluctantly. Like everyone else I have ever met, I've had my share of rough times. I always come out of them alive and having learned at least one small something. But I don't think I've ever really embraced my hardships. I've never gotten to know them. I'm not sure that I've ever even accepted them. I've always just kept going, doing what I have to in order to get through them and survive. I'd like this time to be different. I'd like to take this opportunity to really experience what poverty is, to really learn from it, and to allow it to change me...in a good way of course! :)

My boyfriend, Levi, and I live together with the lovely Lily in a teeny tiny studio, with the ugliest emerald green carpet you'll ever see, in downtown Long Beach, California. I am convinced that the Bob Marley song Is This Love was pretty much written for us.



Lily stretching on ugly green carpet



me and Levi

I was going to school 40 hours a week (getting my Esthetician's license) when the recession really started picking up. I had saved a big chunk of cash in order to pursue this goal. It would have been just enough to get me through, but a few things happened along the way. To make a long story short, I ran out of money in October, and Levi has been supporting us both ever since. Levi works as a hairstylist, and let me tell you - he's amazing! He doesn't make tons of money (no commission - blah), so most months we juuuusssst squeak by. I have expanded my job search to anything due to the lack of open positions in the salon industry, but, so far, nothing has panned out. Jobs go really quickly around here.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County is 9.9% so the competition is fierce. So for now, I try to stay busy and take care of Levi and our home the best I can (speaking of, I really should be doing laundry right now). Despite less than desirable circumstances, I love my life. I'm even grateful for the financial hardships we struggle through. They've taught me to stress less and to appreciate everything I have.

8 comments:

  1. Hey Jazzi!
    I like your "blog"....don't quite understand them yet. I really think your perspective about where you are in your life is very healthy. If we don't embrace a situation that we find ourselves in and just move through it, we may not get the benefits of that place in life. Basically, concentrating so much on moving past it that we miss the special moments you so eloquently mentioned. You know...the whole smelling the roses thing, or don't let "life" pass you by.

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  2. you have a great and healthy perspective on things and as corny as it sounds I'm right there with you, especially since I'm in school and planning to move in with my boyfriend as well..... but reading how you deal with your struggles lets me know theres always a brighter side to things :-)

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  3. Thanks Jevi! That really means a lot to me! Sometimes it's just so nice to know that there are other people out there struggling, and that someone understands what you're going through. :)

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  4. hi jasmine! i agree with those above that you seem to have a healthy perspective on things. i got laid of of my entertainment pr job at the end of november and am still not working...though to be honest i'm not really looking. the unemployment rate here in ontario is, i believe 8.2% so it's really fierce. i'm trying to see the glass as half full and hope things will pan out. taking the time off to try and do things i always wanted to do.

    i'm certain things will work out for you!

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  5. thanks kay! i'm sorry that you're unemployed as well...however, after reading your blog it seems that you're enjoying your unemployment and finding plenty to do to keep you busy! :)

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  6. I love your blog already. So insightful! (There are so many great blogs out there, but so many are soo superficial. Don't get me wrong, I love those ones too, but yours in a breath of fresh air. Truly!)

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  7. Amazing! Some blogger has a quote on her home page that reads: 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us look up at the stars". It sounds to me that this was written specifically for you. I have suffered poverty (at times I did not know where my next meal would come from) for (by the Grace of God) a short time and when I now, many years later, think back to that time, I seem to only remember positive things and feelings about it... so yes, "embrase" this time of hardship and create some wonderful memories.

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  8. Hey Jasmine! I just stumbled upon your blog today and so far I like it - don't worry I'm not going to go back and read everything, but I thought it'd be fun to read your introduction! ;) I love that you embraced your poverty and figured out a way to persevere through it. It's very inspiring. :)

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