Life can get you down, But even when you have been knocked down there is always a way to be able pick yourself up. As I look back, there was a time that I had hit rock bottom. At one time I had found myself to be living out on the street. I was struggling working and going to school, finding myself not able to pay rent, I found myself having to drop out of school and losing my place of resident. I managed to cling on to my job, which allowed me to at least make enough to eat, barely but was able to eat. Unable to find another job to add to my current job was impossible with no address and no phone number to put down on my application, I was to remain homeless because I was unable to afford a new place.

I worked at The Gap at the mall, every morning I would get to the mall before all the stores opened but the mall was open for the morning mall walkers. I would go into the bathroom at the mall, with my bag, I would get ready in the bathroom. I would wash my hair under the sink, and with paper towels wash myself. After I had cleaned myself up, I would change my clothe and would go to the back of the mall and hide my bag then wait around in the mall until I had to work. After work I would make calls on the payphone in hopes of find a warm bed to sleep in even if it was for one night, after no luck I would hang out at the mall just wandering around the mall until they closed, then I would wander the street looking for a place to sleep, often it was a church nearby that had a patio on the side.

Then one day after work when I was making my daily calls again and again at no avail, I grab my bag and started to head out the mall to look for a safe place to sleep. As I was walking out I ran into my uncle and my aunt, I was embarrassed that I was homeless so I just smiled and said I was heading to a friend’s house when I was asked what I was up too. We talked and I did everything to hide my shame of where I ended up in my life, too proud to say anything and ask for help. I did have the next three days off which I had mentioned, and they asked if I didn’t really have to go to my friend’s, why not come down to Calexico (a town on the border of Mexico located two hours outside of San Diego) with us and stay with us and visit. Of course I said yes because I long for a nice warm bed and even if it was a few days to fell normal again. Eventually I was found out of my situation, and they had asked to stay but because I was too proud I declined and went back to San Diego. As time went on I ended back in Calexico, and when I was there I started school locally and found a job at a local 7-Eleven. Well working at 7-Eleven I worked graveyard and then after I would go to school, so I had my usual customers in the morning. I got to know one of them and would strike up a good conversation every time. One day he mentioned that he had an opening with his company that he owned and even though it was an entry level position he felt I might enjoy the job and it paid more than I was making at 7-Eleven. I told him I was interested, and he proceeded to tell me about the job. The job was my first television job as Master Control Operator, which I would air the commercials at the times indicated to air during the shows. I took the job of course, and eventually that lead me into the Creative Service Department giving me all the skills and knowledge I have and found myself to love.

So you see, even though I was down I found a way to get myself out but I also learned that sometimes, just sometimes it’s okay to get a little help. I just have to say that never give up even when things look grim and always, always appreciate those people and things you have because you never know when it all may be gone.