I decided my first week back in July that an unpaid internship is probably the worst thing in the world. It's your first big 'job' where you are learning about computer programs you have to use and irritating people that don't return calls and you get in trouble for things you didn't even know you were doing wrong. I work my butt off at my practicum, and what do I get in return? The friendly reminder e-mails that paychecks are in for all the other people who actually get paid. I will never see a dime from this agency and I do just as much work as the rest of them.
Working for no money can make a person feel really crappy. Especially when it's holiday season and gifts are expected to be purchased for others. As the years have progressed, I have become increasingly poor (isn't is supposed to work out, oh... I dunno... the OTHER way?!?! Isn't a person supposed to make more $$ the longer they have been in school??? But I digress...). This year in fact, I'm more broke then ever and seriously considered canning Christmas altogether.
Things turned around this afternoon as I got a call from an overly-excited co-worker that the gifts for the severely under-served families I work with had in fact come in and I could in fact pick them up!!! I trotted to the office (I l'trally had a skip in my step) and arrived to a ginormous box full of HotWheels and books and board games and Barbies!!!! These families can barely afford rent let alone gifts for their 6+ children. It was like Christmas for me! So I scooted home and stopped by my neighborhood Rite Aid where I picked up ribbon, bows, labels and tape to get wrapping.
70+ gifts later my back is killing me and I'm exhausted, but it was all worth it. I got to spread a little holiday cheer and these families will be so appreciative, so much more thankful then I probably ever was or ever will be at Christmas. And even though I couldn't afford gifts for everyone I wished I could buy for, I (with the help of the county of Sacramento) gave the gift of Christmas to at least 2 families.
Now do you really need to buy that $200 sweater for the Aunt you talk to twice a year? Get off your fanny and go volunteer people!
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1 comment:
yay! that is the greatest thing ever! My family got stuff too- and I was so relieved that it all worked out. I was worried the agency wouldn't get their act together, but they did! Merry Christmas my dear- I am home now and was just talking to my mom and sister about the bridal shower- and they are super excited! You rock! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas/Hannukah Mrs Einhorn hahahaha!
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