It was nice to go to the work holiday party yesterday and see men and women be themselves and be happy. The sexes are working together (or at least partying together) just fine. And I don’t necessarily identify with all of these studies where women have trouble getting ahead. Of course I can never really know how I’m perceived, but I know people see me as good at my job, nice but no-nonsense, not willing to take shit from people, speak like an adult, dress appropriately. I’ll be okay. Women and minorities have more options than we’ve ever had in history and people genuinely want us to succeed. So there. I worry more for the woman in our group who leads meetings and always looks so nervous like she’s about to cry. Be more assertive!
Anyhow. . . I also feel better about this stuff after going to a relative’s funeral recently. My mom started crying remembering how humble this woman was. If my being empathetic or emotional or too self-deprecating and not self-promotional enough prevents me from winning the CEO race, who the hell cares? I don’t want to be CEO anyway unless I found the company myself. I want to be a good mother and have people cry at my funeral – all of this workplace stuff isn’t that important. Play that “hallelujah” song set to a montage of sad scenes from ER and drink wine while you read this post. You’ll be crying too. The wine was a gift for one of my recommendors and then she insisted she didn’t want a gift. So I’m drinking it myself and getting her a starbucks card instead.
I’m feeling super full of perspective about Wharton now that I’ve gotten in somewhere else. It was probably too big of a school for me and the focus on finance isn’t really me. But it also seemed like an awesome school with a million opportunities so congrats to the admits! And to the Duke/Chicago/Tuck people. It must be super exciting. And sorry for the dinged people. Especially to the Kellogg dings who got the acceptance e-mails. That must sting. Hopefully you’ll get in somewhere.
Got an e-mail from Kellogg today about financial aid. I was hoping it was a scholarship but no, only instructions. I’ve been thinking more about money lately. I’m thinking I could fund living expenses out of my savings/internship money and borrow tuition.
Also, to continue my longest post, I wonder what I want to do next. I told my boss when I started that I would commit at least a year, which is through July. Maybe I’ll talk to her about leaving end of June instead. I’d like a little break, but I also want to keep making money, especially since I like going to work and having the social/accomplishing something outlet and a few family members (yes, a few!) have been laid off so I want to make money in case they need to borrow. I want to travel but it seems a bit frivolous in a recession, especially since KWEST is traveling. But why would I learn languages otherwise?
I signed up for spanish classes starting in January. I wanted to be advanced, but the guy from Spain assigned me to intermediate so I can review grammar. It was nice that he was very impressed with my accent/skills considering I haven’t studied since high school and only went to spain for 2 weeks since then. I do try to read El Diario and talk to random people, but guess I’m also good at retaining languages. Go me. I figure it’s good to improve language skills now while we’re young and have the time. A friend recently got an advertising job partly porque comprende espanol. Es muy importante.
Whew. Long post! I’ve been sick so I have a lot of time to sit at home and read and think:) I’ve gotten through 2 books by George Eliot and Jane Austen this weekend. It’s so funny to me when you guys are reading random business books for fun. Um, unless someone assigns them the me, no thanks. Obviously I’m in the wrong profession.
p.s. I never use emoticons or !!! at work. So there.
Read the full article: Stuff part 2