Things are getting pretty scary at my place of employment. Just yesterday, in an effort to avoid layoffs, everyone's hours, wages and benefits were cut. However, if business doesn't pick up soon, layoffs will happen and I fear that I will be one of the folks let go. Which, obviously, has me pretty freaked. I mean, Slurpees and nekkid lady trucker caps just don't pay for themselves! And dammit, it's Girl Scout cookie season!Throughout my school years, my mom kept all of my pictures, report cards, memories and such in an album which she handed over to me this past Christmas. Each year, along with the information such as my teacher's name, my best friend and my favorite subject she also documented what I wanted to be when I grew up. In Kindergarten I claimed I wanted to be a nurse. What the hell?! Clearly that answer was the result of my having eaten too much paste.
Even stranger yet is the answer I gave her from grades one through five. Apparently, until I was 10 years old, I wanted to be a teacher. Again, what the hell?! I must've been infatuated with red ink. Or perhaps I was giddy with the knowledge that a teacher has the power to label a person as satisfactory, below average, or my personal fave... a failure. And they're able to state those facts in glorious red ink!
Luckily, by the time I hit Middle School, I'd realized that women could be more than just nurses, teachers and ballerinas. They could be anything! So from that point on, my school album reflected such career choices as archaeologist, fashion designer and journalist.
As I think back on all the jobs I've held over the last 40 years, not a single one of them, however, is a career that I'd listed in that school album. So far in my life I've worked as a:
Shake Shoppe Girl
Movie Theatre Concession Stand Girl
Pizza Delivery Driver
TCBY Counter Chick
Airport Gift Store Attendant
Tuxedo Rental Store Clerk
Hotel Front Desk Clerk
Hotel Night Auditor
Hotel Director Of Sales
Newspaper Paste-Up/Layout
Accounts Payable Clerk
Accounts Receivable Clerk
Receptionist...
and currently I'm a purchasing agent. Cross your fingers this one sticks for a bit longer. Well, at least until my shipment of Thin Mints arrives. But seriously, look at the list. Where's my archaeology? Where's my fashion designer? Where's my journalist?
Sure I've gotten older, but did I ever grow up? Oh my gosh! Am I freakin' Peter Pansy?! So I have to ask myself, what do I want to be when I grow up?
.jpg)
Posts
9 comments:
Huh. Archeology sure would be a change of pace, eh? Instead of burying bodies you'd be digging them up!
ps. I had the same exact book filled with all the stuff you talked about but can't find it anywhere. I've been looking for months and finally think I might have left it at the ex-bf's when I moved out six years ago. Big. Fat. Bummer.
pss. I also left my roller skates with the red wheels and pom poms. I'm pretty distraught over those too.
I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I don't think I'd want to do that now (dont want to deal with pet owners!), but I'd still love to work with animals.
You've done a lot of neat stuff for jobs! Newspaper Paste-Up/Layout sounds cool!
Seriously, good luck and I will cross my fingers too that nothing bad will happen at your current job. =P
I think you are a flippin' fantastic writer and should totally look into your journalism stuff more. ;)
OMG you crack me up Julie! I just want to say that I really enjoy reading your blog, you are hilarious. I also wanted to wish you well with your job situation, I know how you feel I have been laid off for a month. Although I know I will be returning to work I still worry that someday things may slow down even more and I may be laid off permanently. Good Luck and thanks for the smile you put on my face when I read your blog!
Again...you crack me up. Even under pressure you find humor. I get to see you in 2 weeks...time flies!! YAY!!!!
Julie, your posts always brighten my day!!
Hope the job situation doesn't get any worse. Bummer for sure!
I think you should explore your writing options...you definitely have a gift!!
Should have been a teacher...cause I get to be a lot of the things you listed in your book disguised as a learning opportunity. Too bad scrapbooking can't really be a career, cause you are pretty good at that :) Hang in there - the market is going to turn.
Love reading your blog and love supporting Florida-based bloggers (as I am one, too!). This is the first year in several years my daughter has not been selling girl scout cookies. Which means those 7 pounds I lost in the last month will finally stay gone!
Only you would have such a great sense of humour over this situation Julie!....somehow you always find a way to make us smile. Hope this is just a temporary set-back and that you get all your pay and benifits back soon. xx
~Gabi :)
Post a Comment