I had my English test today. The thing is I knew I would do well. But still there was the niggling thought, I havent taken tests exams for so long. What if I mess up and they throw me in ESL classes. What if after all these years, one forgets all the basic grammar rules. But I didnt and I passed. 95% .
Now I need to schedule one for Maths. Which I am dreading. I freaking hates Maths. HATE IT!
I also have a counselling session set up for Wed to explore further on this post. I still am undecided. A friend was looking over at the courses at the cc I am currently enrolled at and she said, do something I love.She sent me a course link. Getting an A.S in Floristry..the course description sounds so fun.
Contemporary Ikebana 1.5 units
HORT 425 Cut Flower Identification 1.0 unit
HORT 426 Sympathy Floral Design 1.5 units
HORT 427 Floral Design with Everlasting Flowers 1.5 units
HORT 428 Display Design for Florists
Fun right? But what am I going to do after I am done with that course? Work in a flower shop? Do flowers on the side? How will that put my kids through summer camp? Or save for a down payment on a house? We survived this long and this far on a one salary. But for how long? The expenses keep rising and the inflow of cash is stagnant. Summer camps..Extra lessons. The boys want to start sports crap. I want a Vitamix Sigh! Boy, that was depressing, coming back to the topic at hand.
I have been following M’s advice on the Sept post and have been looking at ads on job sites. Most seem out of my reach. For now. I am going to take baby steps and will work towards that dream “job” or career.
Will keep you updated on the Maths and the counselling session.
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Thats a good news and beginning of what seems to be a fruitful journey.
wish you all the best S.. this makes a lot of sense.
Me: Thanks Tara, a journey…One that my oldest is going to take, starting middel school, my 3rdborn starting 1st grade and their mum…all journeys.
I can give maths tuition!
It still is one of my fav subjects.
Hate hate HATE physics. HATE IT. die physics die.
Oh, your subjects sound very interesting! NICE!
Wow wow wow. Congrats. I know exactly how great you must be feeling. And do something that you think has potential for you. Like don’t take up accounts because you HATE maths, but maybe you can take up English and do copy-writing and stuff like that….. take your time, think hard, and don’t just jump. Love you girl. Keep it going.
S,
am honored that you actually remember, let alone follow anything I said!
The florist thing *sounds* pretty – but yeah, not very practical, IMO! I’ve seen the three local florist shops around my place close down in this past year alone, and a friend whose sister is a florist tells me business is really really down. I’ve never attended a career counseling session, but I would write down what you said in the previous post – your non-negotiables (no working around kids, no math etc.), subjects you are interested in, variables in terms of visa needs, childcare hours etc. – and then see what he/she suggest?
Good luck and keep us posted!
M
Me: Oh good point about writing down stuff or at least informing her what I am looking for.
Gosh, I must say you’re brave , S!! I would be totally freaking out if I had to take maths tests. Anyhoo, good luck for that too
The florist courses sound soo interesting and if it seems so to you too, why dont you check out the job options available for people with formal florist training before ruling out that option?
Congratulations on the English test. The floral courses sound so fun. Don’t beat yourself up. Things will work out
Why don’t you start off as a receptionist of something. Even if you got a job making $12-15.00 an hour, that’s more money in your pocket. There are a lot of part-time jobs also. How about a temp agency to start…they put you through basic testing, typing, ms office etc.
Do you know ms office? If not, you can take the tutorial online….
Or you can always just get a basic job at a retail store since you love to shop! We need to talk about this…
Congrats on the testing….i dread going back to school!
Me: I will email ya.
Awesomenes..! I love you for working towards your goal..Many years back I had the same dilemma..A very close family member of mine asked me to list down each career I wanted and go over the Pros and Cons and it helped to say the very least..!Let me know if you need Math help but im sure you will ace the test!..:)..All the best..Your readers are with you and am sure the trolls too:P
Me: I do the pros and cons thing about virtually everything in my life. The moving, the India trip..I love seeing everything all nicely written down.
You did Photography, then English and now floristry.. I suggest.. Take pics of your flowers and write about them.. charge people to view!!! Smart hoon na main!!
(I get a discount??)
Me: sticks tongue out.
I read your sept post now [ I had not discovered your wonderful blog then
] and want to tell you that CPA has very little to do with Math..just debunking accounting myths 
You’re awesome S ! Congrats and dont worry, Math will also be cleared as easily
Good luck !!
Now let me go back to that post you’ve linked
Congratulations!!
Don worry Maths will be a breeze
Me: HA! Easy for you to say
She’s talking about a flower shop but when I linked up the CC, I sent her to Horticulture because she already has a background with plants and they’re something she loves. Living in this area, you can make a living with this through event planners, interior designers, realtors, landscape design and all sorts of avenues that do not involve an actual floral shop. And, there are several high end shops where they hire designers. They can teach CAD and other technical programs too.
Me: Thats true. I clicked on the florist one because thats the one that jumped out at me.
People pay a lot of money here for landscape design. If she started out charging a third as much, she could build a client base and be doing something she’s interested in at the same time. It also gives her some flexibility with the kids.
Me: See now you made alot of sense. I am going to go to that meeting with the counsellor armed, with what I love and what I hate. We’ll see what she comes up. Most likely,she is going to kick me out of the room, saying I am too demanding.
But yeah, she can go do admin work for $12 or so but then why bother with the coursework? She’s already comfortable around computers.
If you’re going to specialize, then my other rec was some kind of specialized radiology technician person. Those certifications are two-year programs.
Me: That one is something I wouldnt go near at all.
I suck dude. You know I love using you as a sounding board right?
OMW…Congrats!..hats off to you..I personally detest exams and I,m planninb on doing a whole lot next year..wish me luck..thanks!Have you ever thought of a career as a “buyer” for some kind of store/chain?..you have a v.good eye..write well..and you’re the queen of multi-tasking..all the best with whatever you decide
Me: Good luck on yours as well.
Sunita I did a floral design course and really all I did it for was job placement. Historically in the floral industry one apprenticed and then eventually got a position, so I did the floral design course taught by a nationally recognized florist to skip that. a good course will get your foot in the door somewhere, but yes its not the highest paying job unless you work at a high end shop or do events…but its still not that much off the bat. I worked as a florist in Boston and I did freelancing for a wedding florist and that was very fun and eventually I did weddings on my own, out of our condo in boston which was challenging but super fun. I then turned to garden design and worked for a landscape designer in the affluent suburbs south of boston and then also did a bit on my own. You have to LOVE this work, you wont ever start out making a ton of money, but there IS money to be made esp Id think in your area. I can talk with you about the courses and what jobs are like if youd like, the thing about the floral industry is you are pretty much signing away holidays and weekends if you work in a typical shop, one valentines day i worked 11 straight 10-12 hour days leading up to valentines day! I think you would excel at floral design, you have a terrific eye and design sense and you clearly love flowers and plants. Call me if you want to chat about it!
hey, congrats! here’s wishing you all the best for everything you do.