Last Monday was Labor Day, which hopefully meant a nice day off whether or not you're currently working from home. In honor of that we have a selection of stories about work and the daily grind:
José Dominiguez
10.31.2019
Looking for Work Mexican Style
I cannot speak about how all Mexicans seek for job but I can speak about how I tried to use a traditional way of looking for a job in Mexico. All happened when after I decided not to spend my precious energies doing a boring dissertation for my doctoral degree and I found myself with an income less than the standard. (Meaning that I was broke.) But, I used to be acquainted with Carlos Yates. A lucky one, doctoral companion who had very good relations in my hometown Ciudad Juarez. I supposed we were close and in a way, I thought, he was my friend, and assuming that, I asked him for help to find a job. He acted very cool and professional and explained me how to write a successful resume. My gosh! I was expecting a more Mexican response such as: I will speak with my friends or let my look with some important people I know but giving me a class of how to promote myself was nonsense. It was an easy way of get rid of me. Carlos never lose composure and continue lecturing me, saying “By the way Pepe you have relationship with very powerful persons in the political system. Why don’t you go with them?”
“Like who?” I asked surprised.
“Like Lu Carrillo Doran. He is a high politician and millionaire and he is your relative.”
“Lu Carrillo Doran” I repeated loudly, “No I can’t go to him.” I said.
“But why?” He insisted.
“Because the last time I saw him in my father’s house my father as usual was very honest and very straight. And among other not so nice things, he said to my politician guest ‘Lu Carrillo Doran: You know…all politicians are thieves, they enter to politics only to fill they pockets with money!’”
Carlos Yates changed his face expression and said: “Well Pepe we shall better continue with your resume.”
Joyce Woods
09.12.2019
The Return to Caitlin & Our Story Telling Class At Last
During the summer I began my volunteering in a program for teenagers who were being trained this past spring on planting vegetables, weeding, harvesting and a host of other interesting jobs done on an urban farm here in Philadelphia. Upon beginning this volunteering I began on all Saturdays of the month. I didn’t realize once the training ended I would be working three days a week instead of one. The hours were three days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays six and a half hours a day; our class day Thursday too. I guess I could have just taken Thursdays off but I felt I would miss something so I stayed on for the duration of the summer. I became addicted to nature and also became fond of our staff which consisted of our lead teacher and farmer, our two chefs, and our eleven students. Everyone is back in their various jobs and school and now I am back with you.
Philip Pai
09.12.2019
Story About Money
I have a friend who come from Taiwan. She told me she worked hard and saved some money for her children. She expected someday her son have good education and become a senator or president. One day I met her husband. He point to his son and said This young kid will be a command in chief in the country. Both of them love their boy very much. In order to help their son to study in the United States. Even buy a house for their son, but their son didn’t study as well or work. The couple very sorry for their child. When they talk about their son they always cry! Meanwhile I saw a lot of my friend when they come to United States. They were very poor, but their kids work hard and they also study hard. Years later, they have their own business and get Masters or PH degree. Every year they earn money and send to their parents who were in mainland China. The parents they are very proud for they have such a good child. Sometimes I think money can make people happy, proud or make a family cry. It depends how you use it.
We also had one more story from older bud Myra, about how she won a vacation to Hawaii for her family by representing her union in Philadelphia. So keep an eye out for that in the coming weeks.
And don't forget to maintain contact with the older buds in your life. If you can't be there in person, please call them, email them, or message them on social media. And if they're using teleconferencing or remote events for the first time, give them a call and help them set things up. Check in on them to see how well they're getting used to these programs. Buy them a computer or an internet package if they don't have one of their own. It's a human right, after all.
Curated by Caitlin Cieri