Times have changed to the worst.

The other day, I overheard someone said that she had to work three jobs to live.  While I do not know what this woman's personal circumstances were, holding three jobs at the same time can be a very demanding proposition which is harmful to our health.  This also reminded me of my days attending a State-funded university.

Like many of my school mates, during the summer months of those learning years, by necessities I had also taken on extra work to help defray the tuition and living expenses for the coming semester.  And I did find the experiences of juggling a couple of jobs at the same time stressful and exhausting.  But when comparing with what this person's taxing employment arrangement, my multi-job day for a couple of months was a breeze.

First, in those good old days, finding a summer job was not difficult at all.  Then, tuition fees at State colleges were almost free.  At that time costs of living in general were also more manageable than it is now.  We might have attended a few home-coming football games between semesters.    Most of my fellow-students and myself had neither the time nor pocket money for any other extra curriculum activities on campus.  We neither smoked nor drank.  None of us could afford an apartment by him or herself.  We all had to work extra hours during the summer months.  And yet all of us had managed to graduate as planned without a cent of debts attached to our well-deserved diploma.

Now, let us hope this poor woman will manage to get out her job doldrums soon.  -  Ayee