The Devil Wears Prada... Really

When I first saw the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, I thought there was a bit of over exaggeration of how scared employees were of their bosses. People would shake in their boots whenever she would come around. I understand that it takes a tough person to run a major corporation or sector of a company,but I really did not believe that people were scared of their bosses. I mean, everyone is human, right?

I have never been introduced to the hierarchy or business really until now: in my parents office, they owned it, so I never really noticed anything- their employee's were free to ask questions and approach them without making a scheduled appointment. My job through college, my bosses were our friends, yes we respected them and knew our limits, but they turned into my parents away from my parents. I have carried these thoughts over to my new, real life job- why should I be afraid to ask my boss (also the head of the entire digital department questions (epically if its a question about a task for her)?

I received an e-mail from a co-worker, he explained that he was working from home and got an urgent e-mail from our boss that she needs a packet put together- he asked if I could do it as soon as possible. He also said that he is not sure which sheets she wanted nor what kind of binder she wanted the sheets in- so I was in a bit of a dilemma. My first plan of action was to find the sheets she was referring to and find nicer paper to print them out on. My second plan of action was to find out what kind of binding she preferred. I first asked her assistant if she had any idea what I was talking about- and she was no help. So instead of doing the project completely wrong, I called my co-worker and told him I was almost done, but just needed to hear back from our boss. He said, "Wait, you e-mailed her? Why did you do that? I only e-mail her if it is an emergency." This thought process shocked me. He was genuine in his response- he would have rather done the project wrong than ask. Clearly, I am not one for doing things wrong- so why go ahead and do something if you don't know its right? Everyone has different work ethics, and that is just my preference.

Well, surprise, the task was not urgent at all, he just had a bit of a freak out because it was sent to him from our boss so he thought it had to get done asap. She is out of the office until Friday and needs it then- not Monday afternoon at 4 when my coworker sent me the S.O.S. Why is he so afraid of our boss? I understand the respect lines- there has to be a clear definition that she is our boss, but she is also a person- as are all of us.

Lesson Leaned:

Even the president is a person. Yes- the president is busy, but a person without doubt.

Peace, Love and No Devil cold ever wear Prada,

B

Pay Day- For the Government

I finally got my first working girl paycheck! The thrill of opening it and seeing what I was being given for my hard work is indescribable. But, what is describable is the feeling of after initial shock of being so excited- the turn to, 'oh shit, this isn't enough.'

My plan of living here is to be able to move to Manhattan at least by February/March. I figured by then I would have enough saved up for 3 months rent and some extra money in the bank for security. Then I had to factor in my student loan amounts, ok fine, I can swing that. Then I had to factor in living expenses- utilities, food, transportation, things that just come up. After adding all these up, I came to the conclusion that I need a second job. How I will figure this puzzle out is still up in the air, but I have to do it. Who knows, maybe I will be sick of the city by then and want to move back to Atlanta, or to the beach and work at a bar (which I have always wanted to do), or who knows, but I will make bank. There is no option not to. I am not going to work this hard to succeed.

Something I have noticed about myself in the past few weeks, I am not ok just being in the middle. This quality I know comes straight from my parents, but I never thought it dwelled in me. My brother has always had the will and desire to make as much money, where as I was concerned with making enough to be ok and spend it right away. But now- in my life, being in the middle (for me) is just not where I want to be. The top of where ever I am, whatever industry or challenge is going to be my spot. Just gotta get there. But mission one: Student loans gotta go. I knew going to a college out of state came with a price. My parents sat me down and explained this to me multiple times, but not until you actually graduate does it set in. I do not regret them for one second, because Indiana was amazing- but now is the fun part, where I take everything I used those loans for to pay them off. Just another challenge.

Peace, Love and Salle Mae,

B

It's my life. If I want to sleep...

This weekend was a whirlwind. My best friend came in to visit from Chicago and boy did we work the city. We went into the city on Friday morning with everything we could possibly need all weekend and were bag ladies together. It was nice to not be a bag lady alone- homeless people are just happier traveling in packs. We went to a roof top bar after I got off work- to a friends apartment to get dressed and went out to a bar downtown. Notice, there is no dinner anywhere in our plans. Skipping dinner when we were suppose to go to a Yankees game the next day was not a good game plan- but oh well, it all happened.

Because I do not live in the city, we had plans to stay at a friends place.... Well, lets just say that the plan did not run smoothly and I am in need to move into the city (mainly for social reasons) as soon as possible. Just having to rely on other people is not always a good route to take when alcohol is involved. Judgement get blurred and thinking of responsibilities disappears. Either I need to have a spare set of keys to where ever I am staying, or handcuff myself to the resident of where I am staying to ensure not to get left behind. But this is not the point. That is a different story for a different time, which will be following very shortly.

After the crazy Friday night- it was time for the Yankees game at 4. They lost, which was a little bit of a buzz kill, but fun none the less. After the 4 hour game in the perfect fall day complete with sunshine and a breeze, we all went back into the city for dinner. I was sitting at the table, with a beer in front of me, and could not keep my eyes open. 4 hours of sleep and sitting in the sun all day does not make a good combination for going out the next night. I tried everything to give myself an energy boost- drinking soda, food, more beer and nothing helped. My mind was holding on for dear life- I wanted to go out, but my body just wasn't having it. They were on two different radio stations and the frequency of my body won, I just gave in. When we left the restaurant, everyone was discussing the groups next move, I finally opened my mouth and told what my next move was- bed. I explained how sorry I was to the visitors and gave everyone hugs and kisses (we are all going to see each other in 3 weeks for homecoming anyways, so it does not even matter) and sent them on their way.

Now, there are some people who can party all night, every night- I use to be one of them in college, running on empty was my style and my body could last for 2 weeks on sleep deprivation, but not anymore. One night a weekend because I want to be able to function the next day. I enjoy going to street fairs or art festivals on the weekend without feeling like I got hit with a truck by a hangover. Some people do not understand that. My friends from college who were visiting totally understood, they could see it in my face and respected me for it. But there are some people in this city who do not understand that I don't care to go out every night.

It is my life- and I can decide when I go out and what I deem as cool. Heres what happened (by the way, sorry for the extremely long post, it was a long weekend!): I have made this new friend, he is very nice and I enjoy talking with him, but what I do not enjoy nor appreciate is when I am peer pressured. I moved on from 7th grade. My dad was our peer pressure advisor in elementary school and did a very good job at teaching us to stand up for what we want to do.

I was laying in bed, basically passed out when my phone started vibrating. Typically, I set my phone on complete silence when I am sleeping so it does not wake me up, but since the visitors were out and about, I left it on just in case they needed me. But the vibration was not set off by one of my visiting friends, it was my new friend- he was at a bar down the street from where I was staying and wanted me to come out. I explained through text that I was exhausted and sorry, but there was no way I was going out. He proceeded to say "don't be a bum" and "just throw on some jeans." Now, 1 or 2 encouraging texts is fine- but when they keep coming, enough is enough for me. I do not care that everyone else is doing it and everyone else is having a great time- I needed my sleep and get very cranky when people stand in my way of getting it. No one can tell me what I think is cool or a good time other than myself- it is my life and I am a big girl, I can make my own decisions. Although all his texts were out of encouragement and he was just trying to get me to come out (it is nice being wanted, everyone knows that)- there comes a point where I just do not care and he tapped right on it.

Moral of my story:

Once you get out of college (or even still in college)- it is ok not to party hard every night. If theres something the next day that seems cooler- its ok not to stay out till the wee hours of the morning. Everyone likes different things and defines a good time in different ways- thats what makes the world go round.

Peace, Love and 8 hours of sleep,

B

Bendels, Channel, Oh My!

I worked my first sales event today with Hearst. We rented out the 3rd floor of Bendel's on 5th avenue and had a hair station, make up station and of course food. My assignment was to wait on the first floor and direct attendees to the elevator. I was stationed right next to the Channel counter where every product of Channel makeup was displayed. While waiting, I took a gander and explored their make-up line. Even though the prices are out of this world, there is no harm in looking and dreaming. While I was browsing, the woman behind the counter asked what I was doing and I explained the event up stairs.

As with every random person I speak to, my story of how I just moved here and got a job came up. Immediately after hearing my story she said, "Girl, you are going to make it in this life time, I can tell. But you will not make it in this city if you don't get some make up on your face!" Now, she didn't realize that I had been in the office since 9am and do not carry make up with me(which I probably should now)-and to be perfectly honest, I have never worn a lot of make-up, I am just too lazy. But I let her do what she wanted- a little eyeshadow, a dab of blush and a smattering of lip gloss. She looked over my face with a satisfied look and handed me the mirror. She was right. With just a little touch up of color, I looked ready to go- like my day hadn't even started yet.

This woman gave me some very valuable advice- she said that in New York, its not enough just to turn heads, you have to make them stare. What a concept- I never thought about it that way. I figured to get people's attention, I just had to get them to notice, but she is taking my thoughts one extra step- I need to get people to be memorized.

So what did I learn from my little trip to Bendel's:

It is not enough to make people look and take one glance, In my life, I am going to have to make people stare, and really take that second look.

Peace, Love and High-End Lip Gloss,

B

Not enough hours

So, I am apologizing right now for the lack of easy-read posts about my insane life. Because there just aren't enough hours in the day to fit in an hour or so to write about the every day occurrence that happen: like my current attempt to be on Good Morning America as their new advice guru. I will just have to save up my stories up in a bank (aka the pink notebook I carry around and jot notes down) and cash them in on the weekends to share.

But a new advance- I joined the New York Sports Club, and trying to get myself back on track. I know my body is thanking me! This weekend should be amazing as well- many adventures with my best friend coming to visit.

Lesson Learned: I am really finding out what is important to me when 24 hours just doesn't seem to be enough. Just like Jersey Shore-- there are 3 things that are important: Gym-Work-Friends (Jersey shore is Gym-Tan-Laundry, but tanning isn't typically my thing and laundry, eh, it can wait.).

Peace, Love, and extra hours,

B

Tornado's...Miss me.

When I left the south, I figured I was leaving behind the threat of tornadoes as well. I have been through a good amount of terrifying tornado threats, where when the siren would ring, we would run for the basement and a room with no windows. Here- in Forest Hills, New York, there are no such things as tornado sirens. But, for me, I didn't even see the storm. I did not see the winds, feel the rain or hear the lightning of the terrifying storm- why? because I was still on the E train coming home from work. Here's the story:

So, on Thursday afternoon around 5:00, I checked the weather.com- I knew it was suppose to storm at some point in the afternoon, but the timing was a little iffy. The radar said rain around 6:00ish- so I figured If I left the office at 5:15, my aunt could pick me up from the subway if it was raning. I said bye to my office mate and headed for the tunnel. The sky was eerie in Manhattan, and the weather was muggy, but I thought nothing of it. I did't care if it stormed in Manhattan, I am going to Queens, so off to the E train I went. There was nothing out of the ordinary. My i-pod was pumping, I finished 4 easy puzzles and the man next to me reeked of BO and was standing a little to close for comfort. Again, like I said, nothing out of the ordinary.

Once the train landed at 71st Street- I walked towards the South side exit- there was a bit of commotion and a man directing train riders to go to a different exit because there was glass on the ground. This did not phase me, maybe a homeless man dropped his shopping cart of bottles or something like that, so I headed for the other exit.

When I emerged form the tunnel to the outside street- at first I did not notice anything because my eyes were directed at the ground (I was in flip flops and did not want to step in anything), and then I noticed glass- and my vision extended- more glass, then I saw a building sign on the ground, and I finally looked up and Fores Hills looked somewhat like war zone. Building signs were everywhere- glass shards scattered all over the streets- the bank's door was bent- tree branches lying in the middle of the road. I was puzzled. A girl about my age was standing next to me and I asked her what happened and she said she had no idea. We over heard a man walk by us saying there was a tornado. A TORNADO??? I did not even know those existed in the north east.

This tornado ripped apart my aunts neighborhood- I mean, trees down in streets to the point were even trying to walk in between them was unsafe. The second everything processed in my brain, I called my aunt to make sure she was safe- which she was. Then she insisted on coming to pick me up. I explained to her how bad the damage was and she wouldn't be able to get to me by car- but she is a little stubborn and told me where to stand and she said she would be there. She also informed me that she could not find her cell phone- which in times like these, a cell phone is necessary. So she was off to save the day. I waited for 45 minutes for her... and she never showed. I called her cell phone (even though it was pointless) and her house phone and no answers. I decided it was time to head back to her house- dark was setting in, the temperature started to drop and honestly, I was getting tired and a little fed up with waiting.

The walk that typically takes 8 minutes, ended up taking 45- because of all the debris, broken glass, glass hanging from apartment buildings, a lot of the streets were closed and foot traffic was basically a maze. Finally, once I made it back, my aunt was waiting for me at the corner. Her first words to me, "It was insane to drive, I couldn't get anywhere." All I could think was DUH, I told you that! But some people don't know unless they experience.

But all in all- My main point- Tornadoes happen as rare as blizzards happen in Atlanta, and of course, when I move up here, the supernatural happens, I guess they just like to follow me..

So lesson learned: Be prepared, bring an umbrella.

Peace, Love and We are safe,

B

E train thinking

3 days into my job and things are starting to get rolling. I know it'll take awhile to get into the swing of things and for me to really know what my role in this huge company is going to be- so for now, I am doing everything possible to learn everything possible- even things that I will probably never need to know, but I feel like understanding what everybody does to contribute to get the ball rolling is important. Important for understanding and important so I can do my job better. All in good time.

But this is not the point for me right now. My point is that I get a lot of deep thinking done on my commute. There is no point in my day where I feel as alone as I do when I am crammed into a packed E train car with the rest of Manhattan. I become surrounded by people- yet so alone. While I was in my state of solidarity today, I began to wonder- whats my purpose? Whats the purpose of the woman reading the New York Times next to me? What will the purpose be of the twins sleeping in their stroller with their mom watching them like a hawk?

In school, they prepared me for everything that I ever though would be important, until now. What teachers and education do not prepare us for is the jolt of real life. When it hits- there is no 'extra credit' study session to attend , no 'office hours' or 'make up tests.' Real life is either you sink, you swim, or you just float. 17 years of my life were spent in school. 17 years I studied for tests that I only scored mediocre no matter how hard I studied. All those math and spelling tests, were they necessary, of course. But was it worth all the time I cried about studying and all the times my dad every yelled at me because I couldn't remember how to spell a word after 50 times of repeating it? I'm sure they all contribute to who I am today and to where I am going- but honestly, there is not class to prepare you for life, no syllabus to tell you when the next test to be- or when you get a break to just go home and do nothing.

It is a strange sensation to be having these deep and profound (or at least what I think are deep and profound) thoughts surrounded by people who I think can hear everything I am saying in my head. I know that they have no idea what I'm thinking, for all they know, I am thinking about what color underwear I am wearing, but I like to think they know. I like to see the other people in the subway as my audience- and the smartest people on earth, who hold all the answers to my question- but just will not, because they know better than me. They know that I will have to figure out the answers myself.... This is why I feel alone, because I imagine they can speak back to me and hear me, but refuse to talk, making me feel alone.

What deep thoughts the E train provided me with today- who knows what it'll give me tomorrow. I do know one thing: there is a purpose for everything, and I have a purpose in life- I have always though that I am suppose to do something bigger than myself in life, its just finding what that something is. But I have a feeling, one of the silent people on the subway know my answer- just got to get them to tell me.

Peace, Love and screaming silence,

B