Professional vs Personal: A Tale of Dueling Personalities

It's as if I'm flipping a switch.

Once I walk into work I am no longer me. Instead I become a deadline driven, no nonsense working girl. I become this tense mess who worries whether or not items I asked for the previous day have been delivered or if I will need to harass someone until I get the said items.

But once I walk out those doors, turn on my car and begin driving home, I return to my easy going, laugh-it-off self.

Why is it, that I can be so assertive, driven and intrepid at work and yet avoid confrontation and slack off in my personal life?

Example: I recently got new neighbors (renters to be exact) who would let their dog poop all behind my fence and on the side of my home but never near theirs. This irritated and disgusted me so you know what I did? I wrote them a note. And one day, I made a special trip home at lunch so I could tape the note to their door. I couldn't do it in the morning or after work, they might catch me and I although I'm not afraid to let you know what I'm thinking, I would just sometimes, most times, rather not.

But at work, you ask me and I'll tell you exactly what I'm thinking and I don't think twice about it.

In my personal life if things happen, great! If not, no biggie. At work if things happen it's because they're supposed to and if they don't, there's hell to pay.

Maybe you need that balance. Maybe if you were a go-getter 24/7 you'd have a heart attack at a young age and be on blood pressure medicine by the age of 28. Or maybe some of us are just more confident in our professional lives than we are in our personal lives?

Me & My Shadow

Presley had her after surgery check-up yesterday and everything is right on track! The vet took her Staples out which I posted pictures of and says she's doing amazingly well. Her knee is healing and the vet says she should have full mobility by mid to late February, just in time for her birthday :)

With January almost here, she'll only be my shadow for another month and a half. Let the countdown begin... 50 days!

Presley's Patella

My two, almost three-year-old Carkie, Presley had patella surgery Thursday, December 17 and it's been an exhausting ride since.

The reason she had surgery is because she was born with a luxating patella which means her knee cap pops in and out of place. The vet told me it's common in small dogs and easily fixed. It's been 11 days since her surgery and she's doing really well, even walking on her leg.

The vet sent me home with multiple pages of instructions on how to care for her which included, no jumping on or off things and no climbing stairs. This is where the exhausting part comes in. Most days she's like a flying squirrel; jumping, climbing and bounding on and off things. It has been difficult to keep her still and even more difficult to keep her from doing those activities she normally loves.

I don't know what it's like having a new born, but I can bet it's similar to having a puppy that isn't supposed to run, jump or climb on things. She's been my shadow for 11 days and will be for at least another two months.

Merry Christmas!

As promised, my Christmas Card. The scanner cut off the message that read:

"Hoping you get all your heart desires this holiday season."

Love, Dianna & Presley

My 2010-ish Top Ten List

With 2010 right around the corner, I've been hearing a lot of Top 10 of the last 10 years, Best of the Decade type lists so I thought I would make my own.

The past decade has been a time of learning for me. From turning 18 in 2000 to turning 28 in 2010, a lot has happened that I never counted on and almost everything I was sure would happen, has yet to.

This list is something I would give to ambitious young women preparing to broaden their minds with a higher education, or myself 10 years ago.

10. You really won't have everything figured out when you're 28. Yes, it seems far away, but in reality it's not.

09. College is important and getting your degree is a must, but you shouldn't stress out about grades. You'll do fine but leave room for random Wednesday night fun.

08. Talk to the cute guy in the student center, it won't hurt and only gets harder to meet qualified men the older you get.

07. Be nice to your siblings, they'll get you out of a lot of tight spaces in the years to come.

06. Friends are nice to have around, but you have to live with yourself everyday, be true to you first.

05. Your career is important, but never turn down a trip to Paris with your Mother & Sister because you don't want to ask for the time off work.

04. Good girlfriends are hard to find.

03. You don't always have to say "Yes" and it is okay to say "No".

02. Don't' think you're too good for any job, "You'll do it and you'll like it." - quote courtesy of Meredith (one of my good girlfriends)

01. A little confidence goes a long way, believe in yourself and watch everyone else follow!

The #1 reason I can't put my iPod down

Video credit: Youtube & Airborne Toxic Event

What does the "Good" in Good Deeds mean to you?

The other day I was in a conversation with a group of people when someone brought up the topic of good deeds. She listed several reasons why they don't give to charities or to those less fortunate during the holidays or any other time of the year. Her laundry list of "why not's" was valid because it's her opinion but it made me question why people do them at all.

Is it because they want to improve the world, because they feel they should be nice or because their friends, family or co-workers asked them to?

Let me just take a moment to interject my personal beliefs here and say that I find the "why not's" absurd. If you are so blessed that you never go to bed hungry, have clothes to wear and have a roof over your head, then I see no feasible reason why you wouldn't help your neighbor. Let me also take a moment to say that I know not everyone can give to everything, I would never ask or expect that, but good deeds can range from opening the door for someone at the post office to volunteering at a local senior citizens center to as easy as donating money.

As I explained my point of view to the woman who told me that "too many people know how to work the system and that they often get more than they need" she told me the reason I do good deeds is to make myself feel good.

Huh.

I had never thought about this before but a quote that hung on one of my professor's office doors at Colorado State University that said, "It's better to have a bleeding heart than none at all" came to my mind. My professor posted the quote to let her way-left, liberal thinking be known, but I find it appropriate here too.

When I do what I consider to be good deeds, I do them because yes, it feels good to help those who are less fortunate but more importantly, I do them because I can. I remember my childhood and how lucky I was to have two parents, in the same home, who loved me and let me know they loved me. I think about how many children don't have what I had and if getting a Bratz doll for Christmas makes them smile, then it's the least I can do. Also, I would hope that if the roles were reversed, someone would be there to do the same that I've done.

In some respect, yes, we all do good deeds because they make us feel good but if that's the only reason then, that's sad.