...it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness."

Certainly a dramatic opening to my post, though illustrates best my relationship with the world at the moment.

Are you in that place, between waiting for a response in your Inbox from a recruiter, searching for ways to make the most out of your job search tactics, maintain a sense of self, survive the cost of living—and yet—be incredibly grateful, in some ways, for the new awareness of self that seems to come along with this roller coaster? The highs and the lows?

What's been your coping strategy? Do you wonder about your Plan A, B, or C? Do you ever feel alone or perhaps believe it's better to silently suffer until some stability comes about? Do you ever just throw up your hands and say, "Well, I don't know!"...and then the next day, you're full of clarity and awareness?

My mind has been in a state of tug of war lately, with all that's our world today, I feel wrong for even mentioning my woes or desires. This feels vulnerable, but I would appreciate your input, I think that perhaps someone can point me in the right direction.

I gained acceptance into a 3-month plant-based culinary program abroad that begins in January, which is life changing level exciting, but due to unemployment and tumultuous times, it's like this dream I'm chasing (I enjoy making raw vegan desserts and this training would give me the boost to start my gourmet pop-up bakery for the health/ingredient-conscious), that's oddly got a deadline for next month. The total cost is $6000, which is achievable to me, but I've hit a wall, and maybe it would serve me well to diversify my approach.

I could go into all the details and onion layers (which includes recently having a moment to Micheal Bolton's Go the Distance after being rejected from Taco Bell)...but I digress.

I'd actually like to ask, if anyone might know of any educational grant sites, institutions/foundations that might offer educational grants, or any other resources/ideas/perspective that might be helpful to pursue. My sleeves are rolled up and I'm ready to at least try other approaches, etc., while continuing to search/apply for seasonal/side gigs to make this dream come true.

Thanks for listening! 🌿🙂🥧