Females in Construction #Amilikey

     

    Hey my beautiful followers I have so much to say because obviously I have been working like a dog in day laboring since the end of July till right before Labor Day. The irony right, major Lol because I was exhausted and slightly hurt. So, in short summary I started with one of the temp services that has the most transportation because that gives you a greater probability to be placed on a ticket. Before I get into some details into the events that unfolded let me layout the process for those who have never had the pleasure of going into day laboring in construction or in general. You have to be at a temp service at 5AM in the morning and there is already a line so technically get there even earlier than that to add to the odds. Once you sign in, the waiting game begins: the people that have a repeated ticket get dispatched first obviously and whatever tickets remain that's when the selection process begins. If the staff is familiar with you, they will more than likely select the ones that are consistent in attendance and will not cause them any problems. People with cars always get priority because it makes dispatch simply and direct. The agencies provide basic PPE and equipment for the job site clean-up which 98% of the time involve a broom & shovel. In construction/day laboring, men will always get first priority because the jobs generally involve heavy lifting and construction is dominantly a man's world, so men will choose men over working with a female that has restraints in terms of what they can physically complete. Given this very important fact, men will be chosen first before women unless it's for a simply light cleaning. 

    Now that you have a better idea on how the system works, let's explore how I have experienced it. I am not new to this temp service work, because I have utilized if before for the same reasons of unemployment and needing to have fast cash for immediate bare minimum sustenance. I worked in construction day labor for the first time back in 2019, when the salary was a whopping $8.00 an hour. I am currently getting paid $14.00 an hour, and no that is not enough to make a living but to scrape by and live to see another day. Since I had previously done this line of work, I had good standing at multiple location agencies, and everyone knows my work ethic so selecting me as a worker to send out is never an issue. The work is basic and simple; however, I always give it my best and employers always appreciate that and award me with repeat tickets. I do not mention that to brag, but showcase I am an excellent employee no matter the industry I am working in at the time. For all those years I was deprived the right/opportunity to work -- I have definitely made up the hours and workload. 

    Once I was placed on a steady ticket, the site supervisor had my number, and she could call me to get things done as it was a 10-story huge luxury apartment complex. I worked diligently Monday through Friday and also volunteered on Saturdays as well because yes, I was in need for that overtime payment. As a result, after almost two months of working 6 days a week, my right hand started cramping up from overworking it and I had to take a break. I honestly was also dissatisfied that the supervisor mentioned I was the best worker, but the compensation did not match that recognition. While other coworkers literally goofed off and they got extra hours for not working, so clearly favoritism was compensated verses actual work completed thoroughly. Another aspect of this line of work is that the majority of people relying on this work do have a criminal history and have substance abuse. In other words, the people you have to work with are not the easiest to deal with and it constantly becomes irritating because they gave a motto of do the bare minimum and "I don't care" attitude. Coworkers constantly reminded me that I was working too hard and that I was getting paid by the hour and not the actual work completed, but I never adhere by these remarks because I am not like them and I have higher standards to live by. I work honestly and hard because I come from a long line of strong-hard-working women in my family, so it is in my DNA. 

    I thought I could find more factory tickets that would change up the workload and environment, but apparently those are now rare/scarce. So, I went back to another temp agency whose manager I knew, and he knows my work ethic and sent me out right away. He has saved me from not having any groceries in the past as well, so I appreciate him more than words can ever explain. This particular agency has tickets that are different and with the variety I was seeking. It has only been less than two weeks, but I got the break I needed, and the tickets have been really good ones. Overall, I am glad I took some days off to recover and switching locations was a great outcome for me personally. Without a doubt I am sure my former coworkers are referring to me as a traitor, but to that I say, "I don't care". I did what was in my best interest and I owe no one an explanation or loyalty -- at the end of the day these are daily jobs and not a regular job (people come and go as they please). 

    Now, to the main topic of discussion I selected to also highlight given I am a female in construction, when it comes to women in construction since my last rodeo with this industry a lot has changed. When I went to purchase my steel toe boots at the store, I was surprised to see that there was a greater selection and in larger quantity. Which means that there are a lot more females working in construction than before. But don't be alarmed, we will never overtake the industry, and it will always be male dominant. Women have now gained access to titles such as supervisors, PM (Project Manager), and a lot more trade skills like electricians, plumbers, carpenters, drywall finishers/installers, etc. In that aspect, I feel happy for other women that have reached that milestone and are taken more serious other than "oh yeah you are a woman -- you can do the cleaning" notion. We may never physically have the same brute strength a man will always have over us, but what we lack in physical strength we compensate in brain power aka intellect. Men get easily flustered at any situation, instead we women always have the let's solve this issue and find a solution with creative ideas. For example, at a landscaping gig I was doing last Friday, while the men relied on the operating machine to bring over the pallet of mulch because the roadway was blocked. I took the initiative to look where the pallet was and it was literally around the corner, so I suggested we take the wheel barrel through the building to access the mulch and bring it back through that path. On our way to the mulch, I found a cart which was a lot better and allowed us to bring even more mulch per trip, and it took a woman to figure out a way to continue the work while men just stood there waiting for the road to be cleared because honestly, they didn't want to do all that walking and lifting. 

    Again, I am not implying women are better than men, but we do have a sixth sense to working around the problem without our macho ego getting in the way and that is what keeps the workflow steady. All in all, men should give women more credit for evening trying to be part of the industry that has everything we do not like having to endure like being sweaty all day; constant loud noises; those awful portable bathrooms; the disturbing smells from either trash or paint, etc. I am proud of all the females kicking some ass and taking names in construction, because only women know how much it really takes to stay in the game without being eliminated. My journey continues and I will have a lot more stories to tell my future children/grandkids/other people's kids. Major Lol. Last little fun fact, I am happy that I have gained more definition in my biceps and hopefully shed a few extra muffin top pounds. 

    So with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!

Xoxoxoxoxoxo, 

Ana :)

    

Chapter 7 Officially Closed #Amilikey

 

    Hey bloggers!!! I have been MIA for reals this time and as always, I excuse myself, but also realistically -- is anybody really missing my writing? No. I treat this blog more like a public diary and therapeutic output. I come from time to time to update thee on my whereabouts, but overall, nothing like monumental comes from my posts. I still daydream that somehow someway the right person will come across this page and see my potential. In terms of a future partner or an incredible career opportunity, that this humble blogpost would attract that person in power/position to facilitate that opportunity for myself. I know I am a relatively good writer and apart from my articulation skills, I also am the whole package in terms of creating a successful businesswoman. 

    My experience is not as vast as others out there; however, I have resilience that comes from my tenacity not to ever give up again in pursuit of being a contributing member of society for the greater good. I genuinely feel that because I have lacked a few things in life, no one has ever genuinely given me the right opportunity to blossom and showcase my true talent in the workforce. Would I be able to take on a leadership role right this second? No, I am not exactly at that stage in my development, but I am definitely past the entry level tedious tasks, and I am more than capable of doing and intermediate assignment. I do not need constant monitoring to get the job done right, and I am someone you can rely on to fulfill the required project. So, with all of this highlighted it is with a bittersweet sentiment that I once again admit failure in choosing the correct employer in my lifetime. 

    Hindsight is 20/20, I now see that I broke my promise and allowed the red flags to go pass the inspection stage of the employer validation from me. I honestly said it in my own head at some point of the interview, "I will never come back to this place" those were my exact words in my mind. I mean if you can't listen to that warning, then it really is on you to blame for the outcome. The facility lacked structure from the start, and the interview area was outdated/non-functional for a clinic. In the past, I had belonged to an urgent care that had the same issue, and I vowed I would never work in a place where there was no actual breakroom. Then there was literally only one bathroom for over 10 employers at any given day. The equipment on both ends was embarrassing to say the least, how can you provide adequate service to patients when you are working with old/rusty equipment. I kid you not, the floor was literally broken at the front desk, and they were still using plastic drawers as storage. 

    This is a multi-million-dollar company with over 200 locations in several states, and this is how you operate your facilities. It is astonishing to fathom that a clinic bringing in literal thousands of dollars each week can't be adequately taken care of in terms of its infrastructure. I mention all of this as a genuine constructive criticism and not to "bad mouth" this entity. People need their physical therapy treatment, and it would be nice to be able to say they're getting the service they actually paid for in all areas. Several patients constantly complained about the service, and I absolutely agree with them 100% because they are right. If you are being charged for a service and given an actual time frame, why can't it be serviced as promised? Let me take a wild guess, because the delivery method doesn't take into consideration what is best for the patient but only what will yield the most profit. Instead of properly scheduling patients for a one-on-one session for 30 minutes, you would rather schedule four people for an hour without constant monitoring because that means you charged 4x instead of 2x 30 minutes sessions. 

    As one provider put it lightly, "At Cora we do not thrive, we just survive" those were their exact words, and this is coming from a provider who is doing the actual work. I definitely should have googled the reviews from past employees and seen that it definitely makes sense when they refer to this clinic as a mill factory just putting out sessions without the proper care just for more profit. The clinicians are burn out because the expectation of seeing so many patients without being able to truly give them the undivided attention is overwhelming. I tried my best to fit in and accommodate to the crazy environment, but it was just too much chaos and no true compensation. I always wish them the best, but it sucks to have had to endure something that didn't yield much benefit for me. 

    I definitely learned a hard lesson; it is always better to wait a little longer to attain something worthwhile than to take the first offer out of desperation. My manager was very kind to me, and I will always be grateful for that kindness she extended to me, but the company needs a better overall system. Overall, I truly discovered I am tired of entry level positions; answering phones/making phone calls is not for me. I may not have utilized my B.A. in geography; nonetheless, it is still proof that I am more than capable of learning a new trade above entry level. I do not want another front desk either, attending to incoming clients is exhausting and overall direct customer service is particularly irritating for me because a constant dealing with people's judgement/reaction towards my "pretty" face aka burn scars. 

     So with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!

Xoxoxoxoxo, 

ANA :) 

Momma, Mommy, Mami #amilikey

 

   Good evening beloved bloggers!!! I have been waiting to produce a blog piece unlike no other. This piece is going to be the very best I’ve produced in a long time. I wish there was a way to bring up a subject I didn’t have to interject myself, but that’s very hard to do in order to give it my best. 

   A mother is one of the most beautiful titles a woman can hold, but more than that it is a lifetime commitment and responsibility even after their children become adults. I have the honor of being able to say God gave me the top tier of mothers. She has shown unconditional love beyond what is normal and thus exposed herself to even domestic violence just to keep us safe and out of the streets. You may think this compromise is ironic; however, if you knew how she was raised and how much she lacked then it all makes sense. My mother grew up in absolute poverty where there was no running water, indoor plumbing, electricity or any standard structure. Her home was made up of two squares joined together by metal roofing and wooden rustic doors. I know this because it’s the memory I’ll never forget as I went to her home as a 6 year old. 

    It’s not my story to tell in full detail but she ran away from home because she was in dire need of basic human necessities. In short, she was denied the opportunity to earn a basic education and she had to start working since she was only a preteen just so she could survive. My Mumi as I dearly call her has been through serious life hardships I wish upon no one. She may not have been able to give me a lavish lifestyle or even the common “comfortable” American lifestyle, but her unconditional love for me is what has kept me alive through my darkest days. 

     It’s hard to admit that after everything she has sacrificed and done for I failed her on many occasions as a daughter. She has done her very best to teach me right from wrong since I was a child. I still chose to do wrong out of my own disobedience and rebellion. I broke every promise on things I said I’d never be a part of because I knew how detrimental they were if I partook. Even after she knew my failure, she never stopped loving me and welcoming me back with open arms. I know no one in life is perfect, but as a believer it hits ten times harder when you slip away and fail to keep the promises you made your mother. 

     My mom is my hero and my guardian angel here on earth. She has kept me alive since I was just a fetus and my abusive biological father came home drunk and wanted her to abort me. He would purposely hit her in her abdomen hoping she would loose me, and against all odds she kept me safe while enduring the physical abuse. As most of you already know she too rescued me from the flames that were burning me alive without caring if she got hurt herself. When I was going through a severe depression in 2014 thinking my life was over because I could not find a single paying job: she was there through it all and helped me get through it/out of it. 

   My mom taught me how to ride a bicycle even though she can’t do it herself. She always tells me I am beautiful because she’s the only one who can see past my scars and even finds beauty in them. The most important gift she has given me is her unwavering example of what it means to have faith in the Lord. Time after time, it has been her faith in God that has gotten our family through trials and tribulations. I always tell her she has plenty of hours in Heaven’s bank because she prays so much and is so consistent. I admire her bravery and courage to face life with gratitude and positivity. My Mumi is God’s constant consolation and without her I don’t know where I’d be. I thank the Lord every day for giving me my mother even if I disagree with her ways of thinking sometimes and get annoyed on how much she sometimes loves me that she smoothers me. 

  Today and everyday whatever the situation may be appreciate your mother and reach out to her today. I hope this blog can bring some much needed encouragement and hope of how much love God pours into moms. Motherhood is one of my greatest aspirations and I hope that I can come to endure it soon enough. May the Lord bless all the moms and the ones to be and comfort those who couldn’t birth but chose to adopt and be a mom nonetheless!! Thank you for listening and remember, “You are not a mistake, because God is perfect and He has a purpose and plan for your life.” Please feel free to leave a comment and check out my YouTube channel using #amilikey. 

Favor of the Lord #Amilikey

     Greetings my beloved beautiful followers/bloggers!! I am on a continuing journey of growth and discovery of becoming the woman God called me to be in this cruel world. I know that no-one here on earth is entitled anything from anyone, but there are those few individuals like me that are truly deserving of a little compensation for all the hard work we have put in throughout the years. I get so upset that the only people others ever feel like are deserving of a reward are the people who are dying of cancer or some other terminal disease. I am not saying they aren't a candidate for a great charity cause, but they aren't the only ones. People who have had to endure many trials and have overcome them through effort and self-sacrifice, these too are so worthy of being rewarded with exotic vacations and paid in full homes. 

     So, with that introduction, I have never really been a recipient of a large reward of that magnitude, until just recently I received a phone call informing me that the Lord touched someone's heart and they are willing to sponsor by Invisalign treatment in full. It is an approximate cost of almost $5,000.00 and that is something I cannot afford even if I worked three jobs. I always thought something like this could happen to me, but I never actually believed it would actually come to pass. My smile is nice, but it definitely could enhance by doing this straightening. I am beyond excited to start the process, because I know it will last a few months plus I am ready for a new and improved smile. I give God all the glory for this blessing that is given on to me by such a courteous person. 

    I hope one day I can pay it forward to so many others in need, and that they aren't dying or expecting a handout. I want to reward those that have earned it through their work ethic and diligence to move forward in life through obstacles. So many times, people just need that fishing pole to catch their own fish if people were willing to provide it and teach them how to fish as well. We live in a self-absorbed world where people only think about themselves and can't spare not even a few minutes to help their neighbor. Kindness comes in the form of many ways, but there is always a way to show someone you care in the smallest of ways. Step outside of your bubble and do something nice for someone else without expecting something in return. 

    This blog was nice and short for your convenience, and I hope to continue sharing things in my life that motivate you to keep pursuing a life with God given purpose. If you haven't already seen the new book release my pastor Lorenzo Magwood published recently make sure you also stop by his page and check it out!! 

      So, with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan, and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!   

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo, 

Ana :)

Crowning Moment #Amilikey

 

    Greetings my beloved followers!!! I know I never keep my blogging consistence, but I assure you that I have been working hard behind the scenes to walk the talk. I encourage people on here all the time, and what hypocrite would I be if I did not put my own words into practice. 

    So last week officially on April 15th, 2026, at around 11:30AM I passed my driving road test I had been neglected from being able to take because there was a mysterious error in the system, and none of the two driving schools I went to could pull me up. After countless times of contacting the DMV and administration via emails and phone calls; their own resolution was to attend the road test in person at the DMV. The whole point of going through the driving schools was because I did not have a vehicle to take to the DMV for test taking. Nonetheless, I shifted my focus on finding a school that provided the lessons, but also allowed for borrowing their own vehicle at the DMV. After several searches, I thank God Ravie's school came up and he made the process easy and ensured we practiced right before the test enough times to feel confident I had it down. 

    I have dreamed that this day would come for years and years. I hated having to admit to fellow coworkers and other people in general that I did not know or had a valid driver's license. It was such an awful embarrassing discussion each and every time. Having to explain why something so common was not already a part of my trajectory; it made me feel so insignificant and like I was not a real adult. People constantly accusing me of being afraid to drive or assuming I was incompetent because I wasn't already driving. It was so infuriating to have to deal with that on a daily basis, and knowing so many people crossed my path with the time and resources and never pitched in to help me get to this point. 

    As an adult, I am fully aware we are now all responsible for ourselves and not even our "family" has the obligation to assist us in life with reaching goals big or small. However, if people actually cared about me like they constantly claim that they do, they could have reached out and helped me learn to drive without me having through go through this dreading process of being ripped off hundreds of dollars through driving schools to be able to get my license. Nonetheless, I never gave up on meeting that goal that was a million bricks over my shoulders. 

    Now, that the road is literally open for business in my favor, I am praying the Lord will provide me soon that nice used vehicle that is safe for me to drive 24/7. I know I am literally just a baby driver with zero experience other than the lessons I paid for and the weekends my stepdad has let me practice with him around the neighborhood. But I promise to always drive safely not because I fear a speeding ticket or ticket in general, but I truly cherish the privilege to being a licensed driver. When something takes this much time and effort to accomplish, you take care of it like a fine porcelain because attaining it was not easy in the least bit. I still look forward to the other crowning moments when I drive through a drive-thru and order something. The moment I drive alone will also be so surreal and I cannot wait for all those moments to come to pass as well. 

    I am forever grateful I can finally put this burden behind me and whenever anyone asks I can say, I don't have a car yet, but I do have my license. One more notch on the belt of lifetime progress that make me really happy and proud of all my hard work. A lot of people still look at it like, wow you just now finally got it - unbelievable! The only reason my journey to driving has been so prolonged was because I had the wrong mindset on how things work. I thought that unless I had a job to support a car there was no point in getting a license if I could not afford a car. Little did I know that without a car becoming employed is so much more strenuous to get in the first place. I could have always worked with a company that provided the cars had I at least had my driver's license. But all that erroneous thinking just caused my delay amongst other factors in my life. 

    Again, I am over the moon, to finally start a new chapter in my life of being a driver and having that freedom to transport myself from point A to B without the need for a shared ride or walking or the bus. When I purchase my car or someone amazing gifts me one, I will pinch myself as a momentous way to celebrate it! Thank you for those that support my blogging and hopefully I can continue to bring you wonderful new news in my journey to overcoming my life's obstacles. Thank you for your time and cooperation. So, with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan, and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!

Xoxoxoxoxoxo, 

Ana :)

March Madness #Amilikey

 

    Hey my beloved followers!!! So I am officially half of 72!!! I know it sounds crazy but it is true. I do not like college basketball, but I thought it was very clever to call this blog March Madness. March has started with a little hurdle I had to overcome coming down with a bad cold. I went to work almost all week with a stuffy nose and a cough, and had to bail on the last day because my asthma flared up. I wanted to crawl under a rock when I started coughing uncontrollably and the phlegm wanted to come out. I wish that upon no one, because it is so embarrassing and awful to make that scene in front of all those people. Anyways, I guess it's part of being human and enduring all that life brings the good and the bad.   

    I have scheduled my driving lesson for the end of the month, to get that process finally started and finalized. I am so sick of people looking at me like I am disabled or stupid for not having a driver's license at my age. As if that was an unbearable attribute to have or be in as an adult; although I never wanted to prolong this process for this many years. I know I should have prioritize this when the time was right, but I kept waiting for an employer to give me the opportunity for employment and that itself took an eternity. So, I will successfully get back on track and make this my final driving school. 

     I also have to train for my 5k like a mad woman because this month is all the time I have left to train and that really puts me in a time constraint. I want to improve from last year, and that is always the main goal each year. Coming in April I also booked more appts for my family and me with dental work. I like to keep myself busy and I just don't want to burn myself out. So this is my "march madness" schedule coming up in the next few weeks. I am happy again to have an employment I can do successfully without that burden I previously had at my old job. My patients are nice and friendly and I am happy to be able to make a living doing something I like and I am good at. Respectfully, I am still learning and I am getting better and better each day! Last Saturday, I was able to come in for that bonus shift and I loved it. 

    Still single like a lonely pringle. Major Lol. I know people don't expect much from me in terms of updating my status, but I'd figure I'd ease the wondering eyes. Anyways I hope your year is starting out right and you are working on your goals to better yourself and your future. Thank you for your time and cooperation. So with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!

Xoxoxoxoxoxo, 

Ana :)

Welcome to February #Amilikey

 

    Hello my beautiful people I just want to say that I am forever grateful to this new year, because it has started out so freaking great!! Like I have no other way to express my gratitude than with a big shout out Hip Hip Hooray!!! Major Lol. Okay, seriously I want to genuinely thank everyone who is constantly supporting my vision and platform on social media. I have been astonished at the progress in just a few days that my YouTube channel has gained so many new subscribers. I just started making short reels and didn't think much of it. All of a sudden, the views started pouring in like a lot (well at least to me reaching over 100 and even a 1,000 views is a big deal) with likes and comments too. 

    As most of you know by now this month is one of the most important months because it is so special to me. I get to celebrate another year of life and that is a huge accomplishment for me and a blessing. I always like to create a mini itinerary for the celebration, because I usually have a few days off of work; however, this year I am starting a new accrual of PTO and I won't be able to request any time off for my birthday! So I will be proactive and celebrate on the Saturday before my official birthday. I have a fun day planned for me, a way of telling myself how much I love you and appreciate you. I know as an adult I have zero expectations of getting any presents from anyone, because I barely get a card or notification congratulating me anyways. With that in mind, I make sure I gift myself the most I can and make the memory last with a beautiful cake/dress picture. 

    Apart from my wonderful birthday celebration, I want to encourage you to celebrate February with some volunteer hours to help society and spread the human love we all have to give. I know I haven't been able to get myself involved in volunteering lately, but it is a passion of mine and I hope once I am more accustomed to my new schedule I can put that in place too! Another great option is obviously the state fair in Florida and the upcoming strawberry festival in Plant City. It is also bitter sweet to realize my 36th birthday will yet again be without a husband or kids of my own. I do not know what hurts more: the constant questioning from strangers as to why I am not married yet or have kids or my own disappoint that the waiting season has yet to end. I do have faith that the Lord has a man separate only for me, but that the timing is just not right for both parties. It scares me with my biological timer over expiring and that is a real concern, plus I don't want to be an old mom which at this point it's already starting that way. 

    Thank you for following and reading my humble blog, I genuinely pray that whoever comes across this writing is blessed abundantly and any strongholds are broken in the name of Jesus Christ Amen!!!  So with all of that let me get back to my main goal of spreading encouragement and reminding myself and others you are not a mistake because God that created you is perfect and He cannot make mistakes. You are here for a plan and a purpose so allow Jesus into your life and discover that plan for your life to be fulfilled. Thank you and remember leaving a small comment or feedback is always welcomed!!

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo, 

Ana :)