Friday, September 15, 2006
School. Work. Blah.
So I'm having a few real issues lately, both to do with work and school.
As you all know, I'm currently enrolled in an Animal Care Worker program with Georgian College in Newmarket, Ontario. Now for those of you in another country and have no clue where Newmarket is in respect to Hamilton (where I live), it takes roughly an hour and a half to drive one way on highways, going speeds upwards of 110 km/h.
That's far. But I thought I could handle it because my friend Jen lives there.
Well after doing some calculations because I'm worried about my finances, it has come to my attention that the $20 left in my bank account isn't going to get me anywhere, especially when I don't get my first paycheque from the bank for another 3-4 weeks, and it will only be a measley $75 or so.
Not only do I have no money for food or rent, but at $50 a week for gas on going to Newmarket for school ALONE, it will end up costing me upwards of $2000 by the time I finish this program, and I found out that I am not even guaranteed a spot in the specialization field that I want, unless I drive another HOUR out of NEWMARKET to get to the class I want.
This poses a very big problem, since I don't have any money at ALL right now. PLUS with my Saturdays (bank) and Sundays (church) already taken up, I would have to approach any employment potential with the request that I don't work Mondays or Tuesdays EITHER. And working 3 days a week at a supermarket or something isn't going to pay my bills. It really makes me frustrated because I felt like everything was going to work out perfectly and it all seems to be going to crap now.
I am still going to pursue some form of animal care education somehow - I just need to take a different avenue at this point. I just have come to the conclusion that I can no longer continue to pursue it at this particular school. At least this way I know that I will have a better chance of getting a job by saying I'm available every weekday.
So I'm feeling pretty discouraged.
Also, it is both flattering and overwhelming that everytime I return to my home church, I get approached by half a dozen different ministry leaders to ask me about getting involved in their program. Here's the breakdown:
Junior High Programs (ages 10-13): 'BLAST' (outreach) and 'BLAST OFF' (discipleship)
Senior High Programs (14-17): 'AXIS' (outreach), 'FUEL' (co-ed discipleship), and 'BECOMING' (girls discipleship, created by myself and one other friend)
Now, I have already been asked by the Blast, Blast-Off, and Axis leaders to get involved in helping to lead those programs. I was also casually approached about Fuel and since the girl that created Becoming with me is no longer living in town, the senior high girls are begging me to start up that program again because they miss their Girls Nights.
I also have been asked about joining the worship team. Blaaargh.
One of my weaknesses is the fact that I spread myself too thin and burn out quickly. I need to seriously pray about what God wants me to do in this situation, because I know that (as much as I want to) I can't do it all. There is no way I'll be able to handle that while hopefully working full time and volunteering at the animal shelter.
So as I said...it's flattering that so many people are excited to ask me to help lead their ministries (plus it'll get me some good practical experience), but it's overwhelming when it's too much.
Sorry that this is a significantly longer entry than usual - I just had to get that off my chest. Please continue to pray for a job and for clarity about the future - as it seems that it was an illusion that it was all sorted out before I left NZ.
Goodnight.
As you all know, I'm currently enrolled in an Animal Care Worker program with Georgian College in Newmarket, Ontario. Now for those of you in another country and have no clue where Newmarket is in respect to Hamilton (where I live), it takes roughly an hour and a half to drive one way on highways, going speeds upwards of 110 km/h.
That's far. But I thought I could handle it because my friend Jen lives there.
Well after doing some calculations because I'm worried about my finances, it has come to my attention that the $20 left in my bank account isn't going to get me anywhere, especially when I don't get my first paycheque from the bank for another 3-4 weeks, and it will only be a measley $75 or so.
Not only do I have no money for food or rent, but at $50 a week for gas on going to Newmarket for school ALONE, it will end up costing me upwards of $2000 by the time I finish this program, and I found out that I am not even guaranteed a spot in the specialization field that I want, unless I drive another HOUR out of NEWMARKET to get to the class I want.
This poses a very big problem, since I don't have any money at ALL right now. PLUS with my Saturdays (bank) and Sundays (church) already taken up, I would have to approach any employment potential with the request that I don't work Mondays or Tuesdays EITHER. And working 3 days a week at a supermarket or something isn't going to pay my bills. It really makes me frustrated because I felt like everything was going to work out perfectly and it all seems to be going to crap now.
I am still going to pursue some form of animal care education somehow - I just need to take a different avenue at this point. I just have come to the conclusion that I can no longer continue to pursue it at this particular school. At least this way I know that I will have a better chance of getting a job by saying I'm available every weekday.
So I'm feeling pretty discouraged.
Also, it is both flattering and overwhelming that everytime I return to my home church, I get approached by half a dozen different ministry leaders to ask me about getting involved in their program. Here's the breakdown:
Junior High Programs (ages 10-13): 'BLAST' (outreach) and 'BLAST OFF' (discipleship)
Senior High Programs (14-17): 'AXIS' (outreach), 'FUEL' (co-ed discipleship), and 'BECOMING' (girls discipleship, created by myself and one other friend)
Now, I have already been asked by the Blast, Blast-Off, and Axis leaders to get involved in helping to lead those programs. I was also casually approached about Fuel and since the girl that created Becoming with me is no longer living in town, the senior high girls are begging me to start up that program again because they miss their Girls Nights.
I also have been asked about joining the worship team. Blaaargh.
One of my weaknesses is the fact that I spread myself too thin and burn out quickly. I need to seriously pray about what God wants me to do in this situation, because I know that (as much as I want to) I can't do it all. There is no way I'll be able to handle that while hopefully working full time and volunteering at the animal shelter.
So as I said...it's flattering that so many people are excited to ask me to help lead their ministries (plus it'll get me some good practical experience), but it's overwhelming when it's too much.
Sorry that this is a significantly longer entry than usual - I just had to get that off my chest. Please continue to pray for a job and for clarity about the future - as it seems that it was an illusion that it was all sorted out before I left NZ.
Goodnight.
# posted by Just Jaq @ 8:49 PM 
