JOB HUNTING & THE JOURNEY TO GREATNESS

I graduated approximately two years ago and there is no greater feeling than wearing that gown surrounded by family and friends who have worked their asses off to see you through it all. Graduation comes with the obvious high expectations of employment. Getting that dream job and practicing what you are most passionate about. Unfortunately for most graduates....the world out here is a lot harsher than we anticipated.

Job hunting is a very trying time. It requires patience and will power to keep pushing even when you feel like you have been pushed to your limits. Its a time when one will contemplate a lot of things...some even illegal just to make that dollar (I have considered some heavy stuff...like poaching..just a one time thing....please do not take me seriously, just saying).

I was lucky to have had a job by the time I graduated but sadly that did not last too long. By the end of that year...the company had gone under and we were left out in the cold. On top of that, we had not been paid for a number of months and it was the festive season.

I was used to taking care of myself. Not having to bother my mum with issues about pocket money. Going back on all that progress and having to ask for money for airtime, leave alone anything major like new shoes....it was hard.

It is hard, waking up in the morning, knowing you have no where to go all day. It is hard knowing your peers are out making money and you have no choice but bum. It gets worse when frustration sets in. There is something about frustration that makes one feel for lack of a better word, useless. You start feeling like you are a burden to everyone else. At this point you are beating yourself up so much, you can longer recgonize yourself in the mirror leave alone your potential. You become a shadow of your once bubbly self.

The sad bit about all these is the culture that has been allowed to thrive in almost all industries. That you cannot simply be employed on your own merit. That you either have to have connections....which is a good thing....but again it locks some people out. That you must be willing to 'toa kitu kidogo'....that you must be willing to drop your pants for the manager for him/her to give you a position that you are fully qualified for.

Worse still is when you finally get that job interviewe to that dream job....or at least that job that could easily lead to your dream job. Interview goes perfectly...and in your heart and mind, you have no doubt that you nailed it. The panel was giving you all the hints that they were impressed....they even insinuate that they will see you soon.

You go back home and you wait for that call that says, "Congratulations, you got the job, please come on this date to sign your contract." That has to be the most nerve racking period of all. Week one goes by with no call. A little voice in your head tells you to let go...move on...but there is another voice that is a bit louder that tells you to be a little more patient...that the call will come. Week two...week three goes by. Reality sets in. They should have called by now and just like that...you are back to square one...frustration and all.

I don't know if this just happened to me but at some point....you take a break from job hunting. You really do not care what opportunity passes you by.....it is a moment to recollect and make sure you are still sane.....that the disappointments have not completely sucked the life out of you. I have to admit...this particular period is quite serene....you are at ease...but just for a little while. The trick is in realizing when to bounce back.....when to get back on the horse after it dropped you head first on the ground.

It is a trying time but I am a strong believer in there being something out there for everyone. You just have to have a little faith while searching for it. It might take a lot longer than you thought and you might break a few glasses out of frustration along the way but giving up is definitely not an option....at least not for me.If plan A does not work..go to plan B....use up all the letters of the alphabet if you have to.

I have heard stories of people who for years had no 'proper' job but eventually they got there. I am not where I want to be yet and am still going through the struggles of job hunting..the long journey to self actualization or something close to that and despite the unbelievable number of disappointments....I am still pushing on.

Every time you want to let go...listen to that little voice that says, "Just a little bit longer"... Trust me, you will get there.

IN LAWS

I know you all missed me. I missed you more darlings. So I have been up and about ( I exaggerate) living and loving life and I recently finally met my in-laws. It was not exactly the official meeting where beau introduces me as the wife to be but hey. It was still a very huge deal; especially because I was finally meeting his mum who according to stories had fussed over the girl he would bring home. That he had to be sure she is the one.

To people who know me well, I sometimes have this "I don't care what anyone thinks" attitude but in all honesty, I was very worried what mum-in-law would think. You see...this young man who knocks my socks off is a mummy's boy (he will not be caught dead admitting to this) and I needed the mum to like me.

I have interacted with beau's sister and brother and they both like me (at least that is what I tell myself). I met the dad once but we were not in a position to interact or talk more but I was not very worried about him. Turns out we have a lot in common (according to beau). Let me explain.....again from stories...seems daddy-in-law enjoys reading the same kind of books I am into. I love memoirs and I bought this book called A long way gone by Ishmael Bear. He talks about his life as a child soldier. I gave the book to my baby and his dad happened to read it....he loved it. That is just one example of what we have in common with daddy-in-law. It would be a great conversation starter if you ask me.

I am not a politics junkie but I have opinions once in a while and a few times I have voiced those opinions to beau and funny thing is; he says the dad shares similar sentiments on those particular issues. Second great conversation starter ;-).

Having never been told anything I have in common with mum-in-law....you can imagine my worry and fear that we might not click. He always told me not to worry because mum would love me but hey. So on his big day, graduating from his engineering class...I met the mum.

I could see her smile as soon as she spotted me. She said hey to me like we'd known each other all our lives. I am almost certain that the relief on my face was palpable. I know she had seen pictures of me on his phone but....She said that she would have recognized me anywhere if she ever saw me.

She was warm, and bubbly and talkative, just like someone I know all so well. I felt at home and friends to the family also played a role into welcoming me to the family. I am not sure if it is too soon to say I have a new family, one that is full of life and love. They love to laugh...and I love laughing so...that must be like ten points to the whole experience. I think....wait....I hope it will only get better from here.


Maybe one day I will officially be part of this beautiful family. Or maybe me voicing all these 'feelings' about being accepted was too soon?? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

The Njoroge's.