More than coincidence...

So, as you probably have figured out, I did not pass the dang strength test... again. This means, once again, I cannot start work. It's super frustrating because it is not my NBCOT scores, nor is it my state license that is preventing me from starting work, but my strength. I have done everything I can think of to pass this test. I've gone to the gym 6 days a week for the past month. I am stronger, just not strong enough. The test is based on BMI. So the more a potential employee weighs, the more they are required to lift. Somehow this method doesn't seem effective to me. Because I weigh more than someone who can pass this test with a lower BMI than I do, doesn't change the fact that we both will have to transfer patients that are the same weight. The people in the HR department don't seem to understand that therapists don't "lift" patients- that we transfer them with a combination of body mechanics, gravity, and momentum. If you are interested in what this test is all about, you can watch a video on it here.

Either way, I'm unemployed and have bills. I'm currently looking for new OT jobs to apply to. I have a few leads, but if nothing develops I am left to apply to jobs at restaurants to pay the bills until something new turns up. Because I've taken the strength test 3 times (yes, three...) the job offer has been retracted, the job has been reposted, and I'm only allowed to take the strength test one more time. I'm not sure that I'm going to.

While I am (extremely) frustrated to have been in Myrtle Beach for 6 weeks and still not have started work, I'm strangely not upset to not be working at THAT hospital. I am okay with the fact that I probably wont work there, and I think that in itself is a reason to apply to new jobs. I think everything happens for a reason, and everything will work out. What will be, will be. And that was the inspiration for this:

On top of that, I feel fate has once again intervened. I was supposed to have a phone interview with a job recruiter today at 10am. The phone rang at 9:58 with a number I didn't recognize, and I assumed it was the recruiter. I answered and quickly realized that it was a different recruiter, one that I had not yet spoken with (and didn't realized I applied to). She has a prospective job opportunity for me, and submitted my resume for that position in a skilled nursing facility. While I was on the phone with her, the original recruiter called, and I missed the appointment. I called back about 2 minutes later and left her a voice mail, and have yet to hear from her (almost 12 hours later).  ((One of my favorite TV shows is How I met your Mother-- and my mom was quick to point out that I should keep track of all these divine interventions to have a documented trail of  "How I met your Father" for my future children)) :)

On another positive note. When I moved to MB I bought new living room furniture and got it financed so that I would make monthly payments for a year. I have yet to receive a bill for it, 6 weeks after having bought it. I called La-Z-Boy for the second time to make sure it didn't get lost in the mail and that I wouldn't have to pay late fees etc for it. She called headquarters and found out that it processing was delayed on their end, and I won't get a bill for at least two more weeks. Another blessing since I don't have a job.

I want to begin canning vegetables, but don't have a pressure cooker. Anyone want donate one to a poor college grad?

That's all for now...