April 27, 2009
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Thankful For The Recession
***EDIT***
Here’s a link to missedout_onlife’s wonderful post inspired by this post. Honestly, I think her post was even better than mine haha. Check it out!
***EDIT***This past Friday, I went on my fourth job interview for the USTA (can’t blame me for not being persistent enough!). I felt very good about how the interview went and hopefully I’ll finally get it this time, although I honestly wouldn’t be surprise if I lose out to an older, more qualified person as I did the other three times.
On the long drive back home, I started thinking about the life I’ve lived this past year and whether I should be ashamed of anything. Going through the memories, I can think up numerous times I was screwed by the economy Gods as I tried my best to land a decent job after graduation. It was quite a rough period and even though I had a lot of confidence in my abilities, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling just a tad discouraged everytime I drew up the short straw.
Despite those setbacks, I feel really happy with the way my life turned out since graduation, even if it wasn’t exactly how I planned it. Because of those “setbacks”, I ended up taking on a whole new path filled with experiences and opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise. What are some of those things?
Family. I’ve gotten a helluva lot closer to them, especially my little brother. While in college the past four years, I didn’t get a chance to hang out with him as often as we would have liked to. Now that I’m out but still in the area, we have bonded so much. His grades has risen ever since I’ve begun tutoring him and his tennis skills are increasing exponentially. You know what’s the best part? I never force any of this on him. He willingly spend as much time (that I could allow) with me, even as far as waking up at 4:30am in the morning so he can come to work with me. The connection I gained with with my brother was quite a gift, and that alone would have have made up for all my misfortunes.Tennis. Perhaps I actually needed this time to build up my tennis credentials, which certainly has increased a lot. Not only did I become more well known with people in the tennis industry (and thus increase my connections), I’ve also grown more knowledgeable in my tennis crafts i.e. stringing and coaching. I didn’t originally picture myself working at the club I’m at now, but it very well may be one of the best things that could have happened to me.
Travel. No way I would have been able to take off for all the trips I ended up going on had I gotten one of the jobs I pursued from the beginning! Being able to experience different places and atmospheres was wonderful and I definitely haven’t got rid of the traveling bug just yet. What a pleasure it was to visit places I’ve been meaning to go to all my life and getting a chance to meet up with people I otherwise wouldn’t have met (like a lot of my fellow bloggers on here!). That actually brings me to the last experience that might not have happened had things been different -
Xanga. Did you know the reason why I initially started to spend more time on Xanga was because of the free time I had during my period of unemployment? Had I gotten the jobs I wanted, I know I wouldn’t have had the time to read and write all that I have and I probably would have abandoned this site altogether. I most likely wouldn’t have been able to connect with almost all of the people I’ve gotten to know over these past months. Now, wouldn’t that have been a terrible shame? Seriously, Xanga is filled with so many brilliant, smart, charismatic and funny people and I feel quite priviledged to say I’m a part of this community.
Sure, perhaps had my path been different it could have led to even better experiences, but let’s not think about those coulda-woulda-shouldas for now. All I know is that I’m grateful for the experiences I did end up gaining and I kinda have to owe it to this crappy economy. While you haven’t been too nice to me over this past year, you had inadvertently given me so much priceless things that I didn’t realize I wanted. For that, thank you
Comments (49)
stay optimistic. i’m glad that you’re seeing things in a positive light. good luck with the USTA!
It’s nice to see people that put a positive aspect on things in life. I always figure that feeling bad for myself isn’t gonna change anything so I might as well think positive, sounds corny I know lol. I very much believe in fate when it comes to the bigger picture of things, even though something seems bad it could turn out to change your life for the better down the road. Good luck with getting a call back!
this is why i’m on xanga 20 hours a day.
I hope you get that job! I never used Xanga until after college (four long months ago). I mean, I had an account and I wrote entries, but I never really chatted with other people, read the topics or even knew there was a community here.
Glad to read about the more positive side to things. Good luck with getting the job! :)
They say that everything happens for a reason and the further I get in life, the more I believe this is true!
Good luck with USTA, hope you get your dream job. Until then, keep on blogging!
don’t worry you’ll get the job! Maybe this period of unemployment is to make you realize a thing or two about yourself. like the whole family thing and encourage you to be more on xanga
jk. but yeah.
If you really xanga-ed more because of unemployment, then I’m glad you were unemployed because your blogs are truly inspirational. =)
After I lost my job in July, I started to blog more as well. It’s amazing how something so simple has helped me cope.
I stopped being a spoil greedy bitch to my family.
Okay, i wasnt THAT GREEDY. i was unintentionally spending family’s wealth. I mean, i didnt think too much, and i was just spending a little on this and that. Nowadays, i barely spend any money from family.
at the same time, i have became more uptight and responsible in general from grades, school, people, work ethic, and trust issues. the economy have made things really complicated and competitive, so i have to be the best to find the best opportunities.
survival of the fittest!
this is such a sweet post, I’m glad you’re closer with your family, I think that’s really good haha
Aww, it’s like a sweeter version of counting your blessings =]. Very touching post!
@fLiPgUy31O - Being a realistic optimist has always been a characteristic of mine. I’m glad I have that
@Drugsy - That’s how I try to see things; even if they’re bad, I feel there’s a reason for it to happen. I have change for the better mostly due to bad experiences in the past, and I’m sure I will continue doing that.
@azulpreciosa - Psssh, that’s it?
@mycontinuity - I was exactly like you haha. I didn’t even realize the scope of this community until I started visiting the front page and those sub sites. If you ever look at my entries before say August 2008 you’ll see what I mean.
@karen0z - Thank you. Yeah, if we look around I think it’s surprising how much positives there really is in the world.
@randaness -
@TheCheshireGrins - Same here chica!
@GaMeGurLsH - I sure will try to! Hopefully I won’t lose my ambition to write in here
@babyblue5201314 - Ah, if only I could get paid to write on here haha. A dollar per page view? Yes please!
@wynnw - Coping is a good word to put it. What job did you have before and how did you lose it?
@iso_whiteSnow - That really good to hear! You know I didn’t really think about that aspect. Even since these troubles, I have noticed I don’t spend as much money on non-essential things like clothes and games. However, I still treat myself every once in a while (like my upcoming trip to SD) . Ah, I don’t think I will be going on another big trip any time soon haha. Need to save money.
@JetaimeMing - Family is very important and I just realized it more over this past year. I’m so glad I did!
@xxthatsmexx - Thanks! Yes, counting my blessings is a good way to put it. I’m lucky in a lot of ways; I just gotta make sure I don’t forget that.
@Roadlesstaken - yeah I guess so but at times they drive me nuts! but yeah that’s very good =D
Well I wish I have more time to bond with my family like you did with your brother. I’ve been doing so much traveling that I need to feel grounded and spend more time with them. Good luck with the USTA.
aw, big props on looking at the glass half full!
I’m glad you posted a blog like this, talking about the good things that came out of the bad. I’m pretty sure even the small families out there were hit hard and didn’t think as positively as you did! I’ve also stayed with Xanga because of cool people I meet like you.
Good luck with USTA! I have no reason for why you shouldn’t get that job. = )
Sounds like you are on the path to enlightenment
good luck
and im glad that you’re constantly optimistic and honest!
it’s really refreshing to reading something honest and cheerful :]
Glad to hear things are going well (:
Best wishes with UTSA!
awe such an interesting take on things. admirable of the optimism
@GoldSilk - Yeah, you have been away for a while. Do you work everyday or something?
@angelwhite99 - Aw thank you. Yeah I’m definitely qualified; the downside is that I’m a young guy. From the look of things a lot of the staff tend to be older people. I just need to get one foot in and then I’m set
@x_onholiday -
@strawberries_and_honey - Haha sounds so philosophical
@RciindiiR - Yeah I don’t like being the debby downer haha. I always have hope for the better
@MuchoMahal - Things will go super well if I get the job
. If not that’s okay; I have been rejected 3 times before haha. I think I’m desensitized to it now
@indiechaos - Between being pessimistic and optimistic, I choose the latter choice as often as I can
Its refreshing to hear some good news (: Its true though, this recession has done quite a bit of good to most people. It helped us reel in some of our spending and stuff, which is good, because holy hell, i spend like crazy.
Goodluck with the job search and everything
ooooo….layout change….i likes:D:D
not everyone feels the same way about the recession though….but at least you’re optimistic:D:D:D
plus….it’s true…you really couldn’t do all those things had you been working a super taxing 9-5 job.
Omg I cannot believe you know how to string and I don’t *bows* lolll Teach me :p
You know, I did this list also while thinking that things happen for a reason and most of the time we are better off than if we did the things we had planned in the first place (like getting those jobs you wanted). I was thinking about my breakup and what good came out of it…because I always remember thinking how horrible my life would be if he wasn’t in it, that I’d never be happy without him. Turns out I was completely wrong. I think this will be my post for tonight…I wanted to tell you the good things that happened but I guess you’ll have to wait for the post :p hhaa
OH and that’s what you meant by 4th time’s the charm on facebook! Hope you got the job!! With your connections, maybe you can find me a sponsor
haha
kudos for being so persistent! hope you get in this time! oh coulda-woulda-shoulda!!! i so miss how i met your mother!
@AzureRecollections - Exactly, there’s definitely an upside to a lot of “bad” things. A lot of the time the positive things don’t get enough focus!
@sabbygurl - Oh believe me, I would have rather not have graduated right when the US got hit by one of the biggest recessions in decade haha. Still, I’m happy that through this unpleasant reality comes a lot of bright spots.
@missedout_onlife - Stringing has definitely saved me a lot of money, as well as made me a lot of good side cash. Cool, I’ll enjoy reading that post later
. Who would you prefer to be sponsor by? I’ll keep that in mind haha.
@tollyyjoy - The fourth season needs to go on DVD like now so I can enjoy it all at one time! I miss watching it.
You’re really optimistic ^_^ That’s a great thing to be. Everything does happen for a reason ^_^. And the post you recommended “Thankful for my break up” helped me out a lot. I’m glad I logged on when I did.
@RaquelHiggins005 - Ah I noticed your comment on there. I’m happy her post made a good impact on you!
@Roadlesstaken - ya and i need my dosage of it somehow. argh. its so ex to buy on amazon and loading from some china site means missing episode.
somebody save me!
I definitely enjoy reading your blog
and in the fall I have to take a P.E. class for college and tennis is one of my choices. I totally thought of you 
@B1ANCACACA - Tennis is a great choice
. I approve!
I envy you. I wish I have a brother.
@reckless_eagle - Are you an only child? Brothers can sure be interesting to handle
wow that’s a really great way to view it….so glad you’re staying up-beat through this!
@shatterFocus - it’s how I do
Im spending most of my time on xanga ..reading those blogs.. and im pretty enjoy reading urs…too.. =)
so how’s ur interview at USTA???
anyway, Good luck in everything you do ya!
i read this a while ago when it was featured, but i wanted to come back and comment because.. i basically went through/am going through the exact same thing. i think it’s great that you have such a positive outlook. i’m always looking for anything inspirational to read in order to keep my spirits up, so i’m glad i stumbled across your page
. best of luck to you~
@lil_joycie - Ah, you must be talking about my Major post since that was the one that got featured, but this post is sort of like a follow up. I’m glad you enjoy my post and I’ll definitely try to keep my spirits up!
@Roadlesstaken - hm.. i was referring to this post. maybe it wasn’t featured, but a top blog? haha i dono.. but somehow i managed to click on it~
Wow. It’s so wonderful that you, unlike so many others, have found optimism and the good side to this time of woe.
I applaud you!
@fallenxangel64 - Thanks
. Hey, why be sad when you can be happy?
I’ve interviewed at places and they seem so optimistic about hiring me and then never even reply. -.-
But then again, who wants to hire a college kid that’s only got one year of school under her belt?But, since school’s out and I’m unemployed and likely to stay that way, I’ve had a pretty similar experience with being home. It’s been pretty awesome.
@Rhia_Pyrithea - Yeah, I say we are somewhat lucky in that we’re still young and probably don’t have bills upon bills to pay. For now, we will just have to weather the economic storm.