I have been working for as long as I can remember. It is common for me to have at least 2 jobs, more like 3 or 4 at a time. I work one full time job and then a bunch of part time ones that fill in nights and weekends.
One day my friend Joe asked me how many jobs I have had in my lifetime. I was in my late 30’s and I decided to give this question some serious contemplation. I decided to make a list. A complete, thorough and accurate list, to the best of my ability. I even dug out old tax returns to remember some places of employment. If I received money for services, I put it on the list. Even if it was just a one time payment. The list was up to 109 places and counting. Then I moved to Oregon at the end of 2010. I have only added 5 jobs since. I am not dead yet and I don’t plan to live out the rest of my days in Oregon so it’s guaranteed the jobs list will grow longer (SMH).
Since I started working at a young age, it’s no wonder I have hit triple digits.
At 10 years old – I remember being motivated to sell the most Girl Scout cookies in my troop so that I could win the grand prize of a trip to Denver. I knocked on doors before and after school. I did it right away to beat the other kids. I used the weekends to go around to businesses in the area. It worked. I won!!
At 12 years old – I started finding ways to make money. I grew up in a poor household and learned early on that I would have to help myself wherever and when ever I could. In addition to babysitting gigs, I would shovel snow out of the neighbors driveways. I caught grasshoppers for the gentlemen on the block that used them for fishing.
At 14 years old – I got a workers permit. Then a very nice elderly gentleman gave me a job at small restaurant. It was called “Your Hearts Delight”. It was a one man show and I became his sidekick. I was the hostess, server, cashier and bus boy. I even learned how to make an open faced tuna melt sandwich. The type of healthy food he served was ahead of his time. After a few months of being open, his restaurant was featured in the local news and I got to be in the commercial.
At 16 years old – I got a paper route and a job at Taco Bell. I worked for El Pollo Loco where they made me wear the chicken suit to stand outside and wave people in. Working fast food was mortifying. Frequently I saw kids from my High School when they would come through the drive through.
***I will spare you the list of all the places I have worked. There were a lot of fast food places/ restaurants between the ages of 16- 18 years old.
At 18 years old – I started working in offices as receptionists and secretarial work. This would be the start of my 25+ year accounting career. It would also be the time I would learn that working for family owned business can provide extra challenges than regular places.
At 22 years old – I learned how to deal blackjack in Las Vegas. After returning to Austin, TX, this would be my part time job moving forward. I currently deal blackjack part time at casino parties all across the state of Oregon. I have been dealing blackjack since 1997. I love playing it. I love teaching it. It will be one of those jobs I do until I die.
At 25 years old – I will begin attending college. I am paying for it myself and on the part time plan. it would take 10 years to complete and I will work any random job I can find.
At 33 years old- I would deal blackjack and Texas Hold Em poker in a titty bar. This would be the funnest job I have had yet. I worked there for a couple of years. It would pay for the last two years of college. I borrowed the maximum amount allowed for an undergraduate degree. I had too much fun dressing up, drinking and gambling all for the sake of work. Some of my best friends will come from working here ❤
At 40 years old- I become an Airbnb host. This experience has inspired me to write a book and start this blog. I have hosted close to 800 people in just 2.5 years. This experience has also sparked the next dream job.
At 42 years old – I finally get to stop being a bookkeeper. I have a degree in International Studies with a minor in Spanish. I will pick up some transcribing work while figuring out how to make the dream job happen.
So that’s how I have arrived to the present moment. I am amazed when I hear stories from people who have lived in the same city their entire life. Amazed when I hear someone say they have held a job longer than 5 years. That’s the longest I have made it in one position.
They say variety is the spice. Apparently I like it spicy.
Next Stop: Opening up a Bed & Breakfast somewhere in Spain.
Julie-Noted 