carpe diem

This is my photoblog.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Things aren't looking so great on the job front. We faced some bad news.

A job opportunity we were hoping for in Berlin didn't pan out. We discovered that the project was cancelled and they wouldnt need Eric. On one hand, this isn't such a bad thing. Relocating to Berlin for three months and finding temporary living arrangements would have been tedious. On the other hand, this left us without a job to depend on or any income after next week.

So Eric trekked over to the job office and went to see if there were any temporary openings in our field. He left hopeful, but came back discouraged. He collapsed on the sofa and sighed. This is the basic gist of our conversation.

"So how did it go?"

"There were three job opportunities, The only temporary jobs available. none of them in our field. Since we're not technically unemployed yet, What they gave me was limited."

"Well still....three jobs... that sounds good"

Eric shook his head and pulled out some files. "Okay, The first one is for a night nurse. One week, 7 nights, 11 hour shifts", He said.

"Well, that's a possibility.."

"Stretched out over the span of 4 months" He added. "Which means 2 nights this month, 2 nights next month...", He said "And there is some training involved".

"Okay, we're not even going to be here for 4 months. next"

"Then we've got a job stacking shelves for Home depot type company. Mostly manual labour"

"Well..It's a job, only temporary"

"That's what I thought too, but here's the catch", Eric added "Requirement: Willingness to travel frequently. One of the locations was Switzerland"

"Switzerland?? Okay forget it" I sighed "Did you find anything for me?"

"Well, Since you're an American in Germany ..It was hard. Most jobs require fluent speaking and writing in German. Which you can do just fine, but not to the advanced level say..a full-time secretary would need.", He said "But there was an opening for an English teacher"

"I could do that"

"One hour a week, for four weeks. More or less as a private tutor", Eric added "It's not going to make us much money. Only 20 euros a week"

I felt discouraged. "That's IT?"

"Yep, 10% of the German population is currently jobless. There's nothing out there. We have some rough times ahead of us."

I glanced over at our bills.

I just hope Eric's Green Card arrives soon.

*****

P.S. A sincere thank you everyone that filled out the Johari Window. I'll type up my thoughts on the results tomorrow.

posted by Clarity25 at 4:38 PM

9 Comments:

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At February 16, 2006, Anonymous

Sorry to hear about the job. That sucks. Good luck in finding a temporary job. I hope your Green card comes soon!

At February 16, 2006, Anonymous

i know this has to be such a stressful time. but, things do always have a way of working themselves out. that's what i constantly tell myself when i am at the point i don't know where to turn. besides, you and erid are like the super-team :o) you guys will make it because you have each other.

At February 16, 2006, The Queen

Oh God, I know the temporary job route...oh my, it's awful. But, I was desperate, like I imagine you both are. Something is going to happen, I just know it. Eric's green card is going to come and save the day. I am hopeful for you both.

At February 16, 2006, Anonymous

That just sucks. Seriously sucks.
Something will come up.
The important thing is that you and Eric are together and you know what? as time passes you will be able to look back at this time, those first years of your marriage and have a giggle. And when you have grand kids you can bore them to death with stories about how you and Eric used to be so poor in Germany that you shared one pea and one crust of bread once a day.

I know things arent going your way but it will work out, there will be a turning point and youll feel things shift into a different gear.
Its just a matter of time.
Stay positive.(You too Eric!!)
Are there any temp agencies like in the US there?
OOH I just heard thunder because its raining in February..in Canada.

At February 17, 2006, Anonymous

:( SUCKS.

I know how you feel. Catch-22, no?

Either way... check your email :D

At February 17, 2006, Kathleen

Good luck. Job hunting sucks badly enough when you don't have deadlines hanging over your heads.

And to echo Alice, are there temp agencies there? What about an Internet Craigslist type thing?

I have old family friends near Hamburg, do you want me to contact them? See if they know of anything? *hugs* to you both

At February 17, 2006, Anonymous

Could either, or both of you face the thought of running an art class? Most towns and cities, there's a demand for evening or day classes for adults, surely?
Good thoughts going out to you...

At February 17, 2006, warcrygirl

Oh man, that does indeed suck. Sorry for the lack of comments, I didn't realize you were posting over here as often. Keeping my fingers crossed that his green card comes in SOON!

At February 18, 2006, Anonymous

Why don't you file for unemployment benefits. It's what everybody does in times of need. And at least Eric should be eligible to get it. But hurry up, you need to inform the Arbeitsamt about your upcoming unemployment or they'll withhold your benefits for a period of time. If you need more information or help, contact me! Love, Charis :-)

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