Blame it on the ec-ec-ec-ec Economy...

Generation Y (that’s us) was taught at a young age that you were to graduate from high school then proceed on to higher education. This is the conventional route in pursuit of receiving a distinguished piece of paper. This eminent certificate is the golden ticket into the professional world filled with opportunity. Well, so we thought... Not only does this piece of paper cost you four plus years of your life, but hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mind you, through loans, grants, your parent’s pockets and minimum wage jobs it is possible to one day be able to reach the stage and shake the hand of the person you’re giving your money to. Nonetheless, it is still ridiculous to pay this exorbitant amount for processed wood fibers. Yes, you have gained an education, life experience and extra time before you have to become an “adult”, but all of that could have been done without attending a formal institution, right? Of course not! This is the proverbial yellow brick road leading to the American dream of financial security, a home, a spouse, 2.5 kids and a dog. Well that is after you payback your debt on top of bonus interest. Ultimately though, this is a solid plan with an infallible checklist: High School- Check, College- Check, Job-? Wait a minute, job question mark? After all the blood, sweat and tears to obtain a degree, you get nothing? What? You are left defeated, jobless and broke. Where did you go wrong?

You can blame yourself all you want, but really that is not going to do any good because it’s not your fault. Apparently, the economy missed the memo about the order of operations. As soon as we graduated college it decided to plunge into a recession. Typical, the system failed us. We were under the impression that everything would work out accordingly if we just followed the plan! Graduating from a University is supposed to be an amazing accomplishment with an ending reward of a well paying job. Lies, all lies and completely erroneous. Those people who you believed to be your “connection” to the professional world decided to changed their contact information including; work phone, cell phone, e-mail, they even blocked you on Facebook! And all those tedious unpaid internships that you thought would be your gateway “in” or, you at least thought they would make your resume look better, failed you as well. Then you fall back onto plan B. The times have changed and people no longer search for employment through newspapers or by inquiring within about help wanted signs. The infamous Craigslist.org is now the element between your ends to a means.

You could literally spend hours searching through post after post of jobs all over the US. And believe it or not, there are diamonds in the rough. I know some people who have actually landed their dream job through an undisclosed listing. This does not mean that you should throw caution to the wind, there still are predators waiting to make their move. You just have to think optimistically. Although, if something sketchy like that were to happen, hopefully Chris Hansen would jump out of a closet and scare the bastard away.

Other than the weirdo’s who post on Craigslist there is another problem with using the website to search for jobs. The problem is that EVERYONE and their mothers are using it too. It’s so accessible and has gained a tremendous amount of popularity over the course of its existence. For every decent job listed on the day that you have applied to, there are over 300 other people who have applied for the same one and probably at the same time. Not to mention that over the course of the week more people will continue to send their resumes to it as well. Craigslist has turned into another rat race that you have grown accustom to. All due to the false promises made by the system.

In the grand scheme of things this is only a minor bump in the road. If you look at history, eventually, the economy will get better and the job market will pick up again. When that happens you can look at your diploma with a smile and thank it for still carrying its credibility… Well, hopefully. ;)

Lunch

The best part about the workday is that little window of opportunity where we are reserved a certain amount of time to break. This “break” that I speak of is most commonly referred to as lunch. The most glorious meal that falls in the middle of each and everyday! It’s provided for you to ensure you obtain daily nutrients, increase energy and maintain a healthy regimen. For some, it is your first source of substance for the day (besides your beloved coffee). In which case I choose lunch as the most important meal of the day! Doctors and dietitians say breakfast is most important because it jumps starts your metabolism and helps burn fat, blah, blah, blah. I say fooie to those people who went to Medical school, studied the body’s functions, nutrition and how it all works together. I champion lunch! Not only does lunch enhance your ability to function when the java buzz has worn off, it also allows you a release from the grind. Anything that the Department of Labor deems necessary in a productive work schedule must be vital.

Deciding what to consume during this period of relief from annoying customers, demanding bosses and slow Internet connection can be most frustrating. While your stomach is gargling with demands for provisions your head is flustered by countless selections. Your thoughts race through your mind in search of the perfect antidote to subside your twisted tummy. Quickly think, OPTIONS!:

• The family owned deli across the street. They have those freshly made subs that you crave so often. Although, the small Asian women who makes them freaks you out. She hides in the back for what seems like too long to make a sandwich. X-ray vision is the only thing that would prove to you that the utensils she uses are sanitary and that the rating of B (which is placed in the front window) should be upgraded.
  
• The Sushi place down the street. This craving for spicy tuna cut rolls and edemame is usually due to being on an exercise streak or raw fish just sounds too good to resist. Either way what kind of “healthy diet” that allows you to add extra sodium?
  
• The Crazy Chicken restaurant three miles away. That damn “el pollo loco” (that’s what you get for five years of Spanish) always makes you stop and consider it. “They” say it is the healthiest fast food offered, which is why you consider those three miles. Apparently though, everyone else received that memo too because the line is always out the door and around the corner.
  
• The small vegan place two blocks up. Yeah, about that…
  
• The smoothie joint right next door. You can smell the sweet scent of watermelon, strawberry and banana from your cubicle. You figure three thousand calories is not really that bad, well, if it is the only thing you eat for the day? You could also add a Parmesan pretzel to the mix, although, that might just push the limit.
  
• Lastly, the other dreaded Fast Food establishments on every single corner. You tend to save this choice for Friday. It’s the last day of the week; you’ve eaten pretty well throughout, so it’s a little treat you like to give yourself… Lets be honest, you love fast food Friday because it is the day after your “wine” night with the girls. It’s the only remedy that cures your lingering headache.

Your hunger is only suppressed by whatever “totally hits the spot” for that meal. But the joy that your “lunch break” itself gives you is indescribable. It does not matter if it is a burrito, salad or sandwich that takes you away from the nuisance of employment, because they all do the trick.