Bye Bye Birdie...

YEP I'm now considered one of the 66,000+ registered at the DOL as unemployed and claiming benefits. I was in shock as I received my glossy grey packet (not blue like UP in the AIR) but same information.

It threw me for a loop when I first got the news that my company of 2+ years no longer needed me or my team after completing a successful project ...I had mixed emotions at first just as you get when you start the incline on a roller coaster..should I laugh or should I cry!!!

I wanted to cry when I realized I would be losing my health insurance if I didn't pay the $919 cobra fees..then I wanted to laugh because I was told they could reduce it to $321 since I was a single mom or some other requirements I met...but couldn't even afford that!

First things first,  I had to stand in line at the DOL. Luckily my local office is only 10 mins away so the commute was a quick one. My time there however took 4hours.

I waited in line to say WHY I WAS THERE, then I completed my paperwork, then I waited in line to turn in my paperwork, then I waited for my Orientation Workshop, then I entered in my info on the computer (I guess saving them some time).  I then signed up for a few mandatory workshops on Networking, Resume Writing and Occupational Choices. Then drove home in silence..looking at the road ahead and it seemed like a long one.

The biggest thing I noticed was that EVERYONE was there..not just young black mothers (which is what I thought the unemployment office would look like). Boy was I wrong. I saw every age, every race equally divided among men and women, Its all of us..we are all riding this boat together...

I should get my first check in about 3 weeks and for that I'm grateful.

Thanks Georgia Dept of Labor for all your help in keeping us thru this tough time.