Monday, June 6, 2011

Workin' 9 to 5


This is the story of how Kathryn – sorta – got her groove back.  I’ve never worked for a company that had much more than 1,000 employees, so imagine my cultural shock working at an organization that has just shy of 30,000.  There is a cafeteria!  Omlettes and pancakes to order after the morning commute!  A gym!  (With laundry service no less!)  I work in a skyscraper!  (Well – a Philly skyscraper so let’s not get too excited.)  My cube has tons of space and even a visitor’s chair and a coat closet.  A coat closet in a cubicle, I say!  I have a window view (never mind my view is directly into another skyscraper and I have to turn around to see it, but I get to control the window blinds!)
 
Look, I went to school in Manhattan, had internships in Manhattan, and am not some Podunk hillbilly (well - not fully), but this girl has been living the suburban life a little too long.  There is nothing more exhilarating than the crush of the morning commute as I get off the train with headphones on: warm bodies rushing every which way, coffee in hand, street lights to be abided.  Now, I know the novelty of my commute will wear off.  Like, probably by tomorrow.  But right now, when I shut down for the night, turn up my music, and hop on that elevator, I am elated.  I am buoyant.  There is no better feeling to know I am making my way in the world – I am earning a living and standing on my own two feet – and I don’t need anyone’s support (unless it’s killing spiders).
 
And it’s not about being a bigwig with a bloated salary (both of which I am exceedingly far from), but it’s about buying the aged cheese, or the fancy lipstick (or at least having the option to).  It’s about saying, hey, I can afford to increase my 401(k) contribution and maybe we can pay this mortgage off in fifteen years in lieu of thirty.
 
Perhaps with a child my priorities will change, and we’ll decide on cutbacks so I can stay home or work closer to home.  A commute into the city with a job that requires extended travel is a lot, but it’s not worth thinking about now.  So this past week – as overwhelmed as I am – I just turn my headphones up as I push through the building’s revolving doors, face up, sun shining.

5 comments:

  1. This is beautiful, K! Your view is spectacular! Your spirit is heartwarming! Not that it isn't always, but I'm so very excited for you in this contrast to unemployment. Worth waiting for? :)

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  2. Snazzy! Enjoy working in such a posh environment!

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  3. Congratulations!!! A cube with a closet?! I've never heard of such a thing. I'm sooo jealous! And very proud of you!

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  4. Jenni,

    The cubicles at this place are like the cadillacs of cubes...well, I think so. Matt said I just had a tiny cube at my last company so anything is bigger! You know, it's the little things!

    Thanks girls - hopefully the job pans out beautifully, but regardless, it's good to work!

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  5. So glad to hear the spirited Kathryn I know and love!
    Nancy

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