Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Diabetes, you're just not fair...


I eat barley soup....

And you spike to 280 with rapid insulin two hours after eating? WHY? While I'm at it... What's with you being so darned high yesterday with two hours of walking after dinner?

Alright. I can't have two posts today about crappy blood glucose readings. So, in my fuzzy-headedness, I shall blab about something for you all. Umm...

MY JOB!

I have been unwilling to openly admit for some time just where I am employed. You know how I am a vegan for reasons of ethics?... You know how I wish the human race would have mercy upon lesser (animal) creatures and choose plant foods instead? Well...

I've been selling seafood.

I'm a vegan who smiles and tells people that I hope they enjoy their slab of tuna muscle.

At first, I didn't care. I refused to see any ethical dilemmas in my choice. Later on, I freaked, and wished I could somehow politely drop out of the scene. Now, some time after what was once "later," I have come to an odd conclusion....

It wasn't entirely wrong that I worked selling fish. Yes, I was supporting the slaughter of animals and the pillaging of the ocean (look into commercial fishing's impact on the environment!), and yes, I had to grin and bear it when people spoke of their love of meats and when I had to tell people that a certain product was well-liked by customers. But, vegan or not, I needed- and need- employment. I needed to gain some independence and some work experience. I needed some cash to help buy my "special vegan stuff" (which only amounts to like $10 a week). I needed money to save up for a method of transportation, for shoes, and, soon, for an insulin pump. Also, my employer- a family friend- needed some help and some friendship. Thus, I stayed.

Until now. Very soon I shall work my last day there. I work for a small shop, and am only needed once or twice a week. Now that my 18th birthday approaches (and now that I have stupid diabetes to contend with) I will need a job with more hours. I am happy that I can leave on good terms and that I will have new opportunities, but I feel as if I am betraying the trust and friendship of my employer... So even as I feel lighter and as if an ethical burden will be lifted, I feel a bit depressed and sad... As if one part of the me that has existed haphazardly for the past two years is dying (or experiencing the death of a good friend).

4 comments:

Marvin said...

What a neat job! Do you still volunteer at hospice? What kind of job do you think you'll get next?

I like your Things to Accomplish list. All are worthy goals. Smart to get an AA from a community college, then switch to a university and get your BA or BS. Make sure you do something in engineering, math, computers, chem, bio, physics, or other hard sciences. McDonald's can't absorb any more liberal arts/humanities majors.

Marvin said...

How timely: an article on the "wage gap" between men and women, and how a lot of that gap is a myth, because of the choices men make versus women regarding majors, jobs, and careers. You're a smart, driven person. You can do great things, but you have to make the right choices.

http://www.swifteconomics.com/2009/09/21/lies-damned-lies-and-statistics-the-wage-gap/

Lydia said...

Hey! I like humanities so much more than I like hard sciences... :( With that being said, however, I do believe I am going to pursue a degree in nutrition and then go on to become a certified dietitian. Hopefully, I might also have enough time and money to double major in psychology or English (both of which I love).

Also, that article is interesting. It should have been pretty clear to me before the reasons why "we" earn less, but I hadn't really ever thought of them.

Marvin said...

Certified dietitian... good goal! You can work in a hospital and have a good job and good health care. Good choice! But don't rule out the hard sciences... they will provide the best jobs in the future.