I did not have a paying job as a teenager and I do not remember that any of my Argentine friends worked. It was either an unknown concept, or there were no opportunities, or school was our work. I cannot imagine being able to do anything besides school studies. I was even exempt from home chores, for the most part.How old were you when you got your first (paying) job? Did you work during the school year? What stipulations, if any, did your parents put on spending, saving, etc.? What types of jobs did you have before you were, oh, 21 or 22? Did you go to college or a technical/trade school? If so, did you work while you were pursuing your post-high school education? What were your favorite -- and least favorite, if you wish to share! -- jobs? What did you learn from those early jobs?
Consequently, I hardly had any experience with money (spending or saving) until much later, nor did I receive an allowance that I can remember.
My first paying job was probably as a waitress. (Was it when I was in college or seminary or both?) The Westminster Hotel in Winona Lake had a smorgasbord. I worked for a cranky cook, Mr. Tucker was his name I believe, but we got along. During my one year at Grace Seminary, I also helped serve banquets.
I had another part-time job, whether at the same time or before or after or for how long I cannot remember--secretarial work for Dr. Toirac at Spanish World Gospel Broadcasting. He was from Cuba and passionate about getting the Gospel out to his fellow countrymen.
Oh, I also attempted to teach Spanish at a Christian school in Warsaw. Looking back on that is very embarrassing. I had no clue how to teach language at the time and had no curriculum, textbook, or guidance of any kind. Poor kids!
So, what did I learn? Lots. I had so much to figure out about life in general and the American culture. I am still learning!
This reminded me that I didn't include the summer I worked as a church secretary!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing how there are different cultural experiences.
i'm sure they learned a lot from you...very real things that they could use each day. God provided! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I would have loved having you for my spanish teacher!!!
ReplyDeleteThe drawback to the luxury of not having to work, is not learning the value of money or how to manage it wisely. I trust you did get those lessons later in life, but they might have been easier to learn as a child when your parents were still paying the big bills.
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the armory. I think I probably would have dropped the flowers and ran like the dickens!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend
R
It would be great to have some long term memory, it wasn't your blog that shared the story about the armory, but then that was a full two minutes ago that I read it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
What's my name again????
Oh yea
Robin
Have you been to the Westminster Hotel since it was renovated? Gorgeous! They have a nice museum room there too, detailing the history of Winona lake.
ReplyDeleteI have only vague memories of Dr. Toirac (Ivan did a little translation work for him early on in our marriage). Have you read his book, "Pioneer Missionary in the 20th Century"? We had a copy but it got loaned out and never returned. Interesting autobiography!
Thanks for sharing these stories. Flashback Fridays are a great way of writing down snippets of memories :-)
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI was sure I had that book, I know I did at one time, went to look for it and it's gone. :(