Last time I checked in here, I was depressed and bordering on suicidal due to essentially being trapped in a local homeless shelter.

I had no job prospects (because Rescue Mission staff members have literally spent years poisoning the well for potential employers, so much so that very few people are willing to hire Rescue Mission residents,) and no hope of getting housing (because you can't get a regular apartment without a job, and the Housing Authority continually bumps Rescue Mission residents to the bottom of the list because - surprise, surprise - the Rescue Mission's directors tell them that residents have "stable residence, shelter, and food" while they're there... which is, of course, a lie...)

I literally, quite literally, had to beg to get the money necessary to move out. And while a one-room efficiency is hardly much to write home about, it is home and it's a palace compared to that reeking hellhole of a homeless shelter.

And, in the past three weeks, I've had two job interviews, with more lined up. Amazing, what happens when the address on a job application isn't that place.

Obviously, I still need money to carry me over in the interim, but I'm working on that.

The only major downside to the past month is that I'm sick, but the doctors don't know with what. They took five vials of blood from me, ran a full battery of blood panels, all of them supposedly came back normal... So now I have to see an OB-GYN next week to determine if I have cysts on my ovaries =/

But still. I'm out, I'm surviving, that fact pisses Darlene (the women's shelter director) off, and that amuses me endlessly. A little illness can't ruin that at least.

hey. i don't know you, but i want to thank you posting this positive update on your situation. some people really have no idea how much some little things like this can improve somebody else' day or evening. for me, reading that something good happened to people is a very positive thing. and helps me feel better, even if for 5 minutes or so. i hope your situation continues to improve.

ps. we have the same hair-do ;)

Keep pushing forward! I'm very happy for you! And I don't know you, but from your story, I'm proud of you also! KEEP PUSHING!

CONGRATS YOU! :D I don't even know you and this makes me absurdly happy. I guess you just hear so many stories of people who never 'make it out' and hearing that you did is like a ray of sunshine. I'M PROUD OF YOU!

(And I also find it amusing that that woman's name is Darlene. I knew a woman like that once, also named Darlene, who hated when people did well on anything or were happy. She was a bitch.)

- That is one heck of a roller coaster you've been on! Hopefully you have finally gotten off of the ride and can move on. What you've accomplished so far is amazing--show that shelter director!

Congrats and keep moving forward one step at a time! Good things sound like they're coming for you! :D

Congrats to you for getting out of your situation! And good luck with the future -- not just getting out of the situation, but to make it even better :)

You're a strong individual. :) Congratulations on your success so far.

First off, I just want to say thank you to all of you :) :) :) All of these responses.... spirits, I really didn't expect them and you've all managed to make me smile ^_^ Thank you <3

I did get some not-so-okay news today - got a "soft diagnosis" of polycystic ovarian syndrome with comorbid metabolic syndrome... have to go back to the OB-GYN next week for an ultrasound, plus I have to see a dietician and a psychoanalyst...

I kind of feel like I'm... kicking a window out of a sinking car right now. Yeah, it's the only way to get out, but when all the water starts rushing in, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, even if it does mean finally getting back to the surface...

But being able to come home (home... heh, that word still feels strange to say XD) and read these sweet things makes it all seem so much less daunting and even though I don't really know any of you, I still love you for that :) Thank you all so much <3 <3 <3

I think that's a great analogy. Just remember: you ARE making progress! As overwhelmed as it may get, every step no matter how small, is worth it. You deserve to be happy and healthy. You can do this.

A friend of mine is going through a rough patch, and it hurts knowing there's nothing I can do to help her because she continues to find herself at the same junction of the same infinite loop. I think we all sort of go through that in our lives -- like serpents, eating ourselves.

-- I hope you get a confirmed diagnosis and are better able to handle the symptoms you're going through every month :( Sometimes having lady-bits is NO FUN.

Well, diagnoses round 2 led to me being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder w/Agoraphobia. Which... honestly explains a lot of what's happened to me over the past few years.

At least the therapist wants me to keep coming in so we can work through these things, and he let me talk without cutting in with "Well, you just need to forgive them!" like Darlene loves to do when she's playing counselor. So hopefully that helps =)

On the other hand, the job I had lined up has apparently fallen through because the manager has turned out to be a rude, disrespectful flake. I'm not even mad, I've got four more weeks to sell artwork/find another job with a manager who isn't crazy, so... Time to knuckle down again and try not to let the anxiety eat me like I used to...

- I'm so glad you're back and mostly okay. I missed seeing you around the forums, and was hoping all hadn't exploded in on you. Getting anything out and moving up is the biggest step when you're in the bottom of the lowest rung of life and society. Now, you can only get better. Go go go :)

Also fuck Darlene. Fuck her.