Sunday, June 10, 2012
I've noticed that some people are wondering how I'm doing. Some say that I only post when I have drama in my life and I suppose that they're at least partially correct when it comes to recent posting activity.
The good.
I graduated. I've been looking for a job and have few prospects that are looking promising. In the meantime, I'm still working full time to bring in enough to feed my sister and I. We're living in a camper van that someone loaned us. It's not as bad as it sounds. It suits or needs perfectly. The only real issue is that it's getting hot here! The camper van has to be running gas to run the AC and gas is expensive.
The bad.
We're living in a camper van.
The ugly.
This life.
However, all is not lost yet. There's always the possibility that I'll get a better paying job. Maybe someone will want to publish my blog as a book? I know I'm helping other QF/ATI girls see a light at the end of a tunnel.
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Congratulations on graduating! I too just finished up and am awaiting grad school approvals with bated breath.
ReplyDeleteInvest in a couple Chillows (they're cheap on Amazon) and keep hydrated! Best of luck to both of you in your future endeavors, hopefully Darth/drama-free.
Congratulations on graduating. I hope you can find a job that will allow both of you to get out of the camper van. I am sure you have contacted places for assistance. Don't be shy about getting foodstamps and anything else that is out there.
ReplyDeletehugs
amulbunny
Congrats to you on graduating! It was a hard road but you did it!!!! Hooray.
ReplyDeleteYes, stay hydrated, and if you can spend your free time in places with free AC. I hope Rachel is going okay an adjusting to life post ATI and giving birth. Im glad you have each other.
You could definitely think about pushing a book project. You should write to agents and publishers and see if they are interested--explain your story and your circumstances (in a well-edited, well-designed document), do some research on movements similar to ATI, connect it to Anderson Cooper's interviews with the Pearls, really "sell" this as an important and urgent topic. Since your experience isn't one that is known by a mainstream audience, you will have to do some legwork. But you are a good writer and have a compelling story.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to publish your blog as a book, you cannot stay anonymous. I think your story is very powerful and could help a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteShe can publish under a pseudonym.
DeleteCongrats on graduating! I'm sorry to hear that you're essentially homeless. Best of luck in finding a job and getting back on your feet!
ReplyDeleteJust remember, one of the biggest hurdles for people from profoundly dysfunctional families is recognizing that they have something to offer people - both in terms of relationships and jobs. There are employers out there who will be thrilled to find your unique combination of talents, knowledge, maturity and responsibilities. And there will be many who won't have any use for it. The latter doesn't validate any of the insanity you grew up with. It just means you have to keep going, believe that you have something valuable to offer and keep looking for the place where you belong.
Please also remember that you will be competing with other members of your generation who have been coddled and helicopter parented to the n'th degree - which often makes them entitled and irresponsible in the workplace. Although it sucks that you have been through what you've been through, it has probably given you a level of maturity and responsibility that would be very refreshing to hiring managers. Again, you have A LOT to offer!
I'd love to see you pursue writing a book. Again, you have a perspective on the world that is quite inspiring to those who hear it. Check out some of the self publishing options. I don't know much about them, but you might be able to publish under a pen-name and keep your family's identity private.
Are you parked somewhere where there is shade on your digs all day long? That can really help keep the place cooler. And, if you park it so that when you open the windows to get a cross draft and air moving across the width, that will help too.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your graduation!!! THAT is an incredible accomplishment. You did it!
Any chance you might move to an area where jobs are more plentiful...even out of state if necessary?
Hugs to Rachel. Be gentle with each other, but keep moving forward.
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ruth! No matter how hot it gets in that trailer, I suspect it's better than living with your parents. At least you can leave the trailer whenever you want, or change it in any way you like.
ReplyDeleteGraduating from college is HUGE, so a big congratulations on that! :D
ReplyDeleteI hope the better of your job leads work out, and a full-time job is within your reach. And, as Montana Wildflower said, sometimes looking outside of your immediate area helps...If you have any interest in North Carolina, my next apartment might have two bedrooms available (for a pretty good rental rate) -- but that's better for a private e-mail, and I think I have that visible in my profile.
If you can find a publisher for your story, go for it! You might have to go "public" (or choose a pen name), but it might be worth it. Memoirs are a big thing right now.
Yay! Congrats! And sorry about the heat. A tip from when we lived in Europe with no A/C--sit with your feet in a bucket of cool/cold water. It brings your temp down fast, and really makes you feel a lot better!
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted. :) And I hope you find a better job soon!
Congratulations! A fan (I think you can get battery powered ones if you don't have electricity without the van running) blowing over cold water or ice helps cool things down, too.
ReplyDeleteWow, I hope you guys find some place cooler soon!!! There's a thread on the FJ site about a QF family in Oregon, Anna Duggar's sister Esther and her husband and.... 7 kids! living full time in a pop out camper van. I thought you'd find that of interest as you know the difficulties that living with just one other person brings and it really exemplifies many of the things you've written about in terms of the QF lifestyle and the seeming disregard for the ability to care for children.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. I hope Rachel is looking into community college or vocational training as well. I guess you two have the advantage of not having ties that bind you to your current location so you are not limited geographically in seeking your new home.
Question: Have you had any contact with Harris?
Another Question: How is Ellie doing? I couldn't understand how open the adoption was from your posts (and the comments sections make my eyes swim!). I hope she and her family are doing well. I suspect she will grow up thanking Rachel for her sacrifice and I hope that she's able to have a relationship with you two and your future children as part of her lovely extended family.
Your story really inspires me on many levels, including but not limited to, the fact that I had to delay my education and only started my graduate degree in my 30s. My fiance has also started a masters in his 30s. Somewhere I read that the greatest people have not had a straight line path through life, they have meandered. If you ever get insanely depressed about not having had the "typical" college experience or being "too old" just think that there are others of us out there who are also "too old" and "weird" :-)
Would it maybe be cheaper for you guys to buy a window air conditioner, maybe secondhand, than to keep buying gas to run the AC? I know that doesn't work if you don't have the immediately available cash for it, though.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the apartment or house thing you were "supposedly" living in when "rachel" went into labor?
ReplyDeleteThis story is starting to sound like one of those Nigerian money-grubbing email stories.
Seriously? Why go there? If you don't believe Ruth, just don't read the blog.
DeleteGee Mary, it is unusual for peoples circumstance to be very iffy when they don't have much money, or not. You apparently haven't read the story. Ruth was living in the dorm, seeing as she graduated that is no longer an option for her and she could never have her sister there and her sister was staying with some nice people during the end of the pregnancy.
DeleteNow please prove you are an actual person because I don't believe you...
Interesting that your profile is not publicly available.
DeleteCould you be a troll, perhaps?
The apartment Rachel was in was only covered for so many weeks post birth by the adoptive parents. They had no obligation or responsibility to pay beyond a point at which Rachel was medically able to work.
ReplyDeleteRuth, don't waste your time thinking about people who feel they have the right to decide anything about your life. You do not owe anyone an explanation besides any explanation you provide would never be enough.
DeleteGlad you are still around and kicking!
ReplyDelete