A generation of entitlement.......

I am not one to voice political or societal opinions because I am a person of reason and believe that everyone has something to say and the need to be heard.  With that said, these rallies happening around the country have me shaking my head.  I come from a long line of hardships.  I was not handed anything to get where I am today, nor did I expect a handout.  I grew up on a farm.  At an early age years, when little girls were discovering the world through play, barbies, and innocence to life's hardships, I was learning about losing a parent, bankruptcy, and the fear of wondering if we could afford food.  My family did not sit back and wait for someone to take care of us, nor did we expect anyone to take responsibility for the misfortune that fell upon us.  We learned to do whatever it took to work hard and survive.
During my college years, I fell ill.  The disease progressively got worse, however, I still worked, attended college classes, and put myself through school.  I am one of those people who are making an excellent living and one of those people who those protestors shove their signs in my face.... expecting an easier life. This is what I call the disease of entitlement.  It makes me sick to see NYC filled with people who expect others to make it happen for them. I have overcome bankruptcy, the loss of a parent, my own life threatening illness, and many other hardships along the way.  What I just don't get is, if I can do all of that, why do others expect an easy path to the top??  Because I chose to work hard and sacrifice, why am I expected to pay for those who choose not to exercise drive and motivation to make it happen??
This blog post may really hit a sore spot in friends, but to be honest, all this protesting has disregarded what it takes to make it and achieve the "American Dream"

It's the Little Things.....

In a city that never sleeps, has 18.9 million people cramed into 6,720 square feet, and is known for it's obnoxious cab drivers, one would think that the little things mean absolutely nothing.  Wrong my friend, it is the little things that mean absolutely everything to me in my day.  From the newspaper guy at the Ferry Terminal in Hoboken who is obsessed about sports and will always lend an ear to a gal from WI because the Packers are AMAZING, to the construction/security worker on 57th and 2nd who always has a Good Morning for me as I walk by in the wee hours of the morning on my way to work, that is what makes NYC feel like home.  It is the familiar within such an unfamiliar, impersonal city that makes me feel like I belong, like I am home. 

Ok, enough day dreaming.... it is time to get back to the grind!

Cheers :-)

Old Friends... New Friends...

As I am coming upon 3 years in my diggs, I am realizing that the people I meet here are nothing like the people who I grew up with.  There is something about growing up in a small community (which has its advantages and disadvantages) and sharing those life milestones that shape you as an adult.  To my surprise, the relationships that I left in Wisconsin, have only grown stronger since moving.  As social networking sites have emerged, keeping in touch is now at my fingertips.  The new people I meet here have no idea who I am unless I tell them.  The people who I grew up with shared those life experiences with me and words are not needed.  This poses a challenge for me.  I long for those in my new life to know me, however, have not experienced the real shaping events that took place in my life.  I find myself feeling disconnected and sad at times because most people here just don't "get me".  Whether I tell people I lost my father at a young age or survived a horrific life threatening illness, I find that I truly miss being surrounded by those who shared those experiences.  Telling and sharing are completely different.  The reality is, I have moved and started a new life here in NYC, but old friends have not been forgotten. In fact, I now treasure those people even more.  I continue to make new friends and share adult life milestones here in my new home, but I no longer view it as a fresh start.  I am beginning to see it as a continuation of the life I am blessed with. :-)

A Decade Later..... We Reflect.....

The famous words... "Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?" resonate inside my heart and outside my window.  I do ask the question, "where were you"?   As I reflect on 10 years ago, I am reminded that things do not stay the same.  I was fighting for my life as innocent people lost theirs' instantly.  I now live in the very area where this tragedy started.  I look outside my window and I see New York City.  I now make the same commute as many of those who lost their life that day.  On this day as  we all remember, reflect, and shed a tear for the lives lost and the miraculous survival stories, we privately ask ourselves, "why?" Why was I spared?, why did this happen? or why does it feel as tough our country/government has lost sight of this tragedy?   The "whys" of this world are rarely ever answered.  As I listen to the names of all who were lost, tears fill my eyes.  I see pain, grief, and sadness from the family members as each of them announce. with honor, the names of the fallen. The reality is, we will never be the same, we will never forget, and we will stand against hate and terrorism.  An unsaid resilience exists in NYC.  A resilience that speaks grief, strength, and perseverance. In the honor of all who have been lost, may we as Americans remember to live each day filled with faith, love, and hope.  The greatest being love.

We Will Never Forget
-9/11/2001

Blessings, Blessings, and MORE Blessings!

As I reflect on the last week, I think, "wow, what a whirlwind!"  A week ago, I was on my way to my family reunion in Lomira Wisconsin.  During my really quick visit home, I was fortunate to see many loved ones.  I also had the opportunity to make peace and let go of past memories.  I was able to let go of all the hurt and move on.  What a blessing that was.  I was reunited with  many aunts, uncles, and cousins who I haven't seen in 10 or so years.  Thinking of how blessed I am to have a family full of color and personality brings a tear to my eye.  I had my first dinner with 2 of my sisters.  We sat and told stories, laughed, and loved each other.  This not only brings a tear, it brings a well of tears.  My sisters are one of the most important things to me in this world!  To be sharing time with each other has BLESSING written all over it!!  Sunday morning was spent kayaking, coffee, and breakfast with close and dear friends.  I then hopped on a plane to come back to the east coast only to pack up my remaining things to move into my dream condo!  A few minutes ago, I opened the last box.  As I write, I sit on my couch gazing out across the beautiful view I have of the Hudson River.  I ask myself the question,  "What on earth did I do to be so blessed in this life?"  I love and feel loved, I have success and happiness in my grasp.  I have come to terms with the past and now soar towards the future.  My story is of inspiration and hope.  When all odds were against me, I challenged those odds and am so thankful I did!!

My Family

In a matter of 1 hour I received news of an upcoming Family Reunion in my home state of Wisconsin and had my ticket booked.  I stopped to think for a moment how this would effect me financially, as I had to put it on my credit card, but it didn't matter.  I truly believe that my priorities are in the right order and I will reap many more benefits spending time with those I care about.  I haven't seen many since I had been really ill 10 years ago and our reunions seem to happen only at funerals.  I am so excited to go to the farm I have dear, yet, distance memories of from childhood.  I look forward to the laughs we will have, tears we will shed, and love we will share.  I also look forward to being around those people and places I shared with my father.  I know he will be with us in spirit as will the other family we have lost.  My love to all my family near and far!!!

If I weren't me, would I want to be like me...?

As I sit here at work and reflect upon the day I have had.... believe me, its been a day, I asked myself the question, "If I were not me, would I want to be like me"?  Lately, I have been what I would call a disaster.  I don't feel on top of things and at times and feel as though someone has taken a bat to my knees knocking me off balance sending me tumbling to the ground.  After a bit of grumbling, I pull myself back upright just to have the same thing happen again.  Life experience has taught me that I am not the only person to experience this patterned torment.  In other words, I am not one only person out there with the title of "Manager" in the world.  Over the years I have had my share of "bosses", some good, some not so good and some down right nasty.  On a side note...True story... I had a boss who, years later, wrote to a regional church organization accusing me of having an affair with a particular individual who was happily married.  After the fact, I found out she had some sort of sickly fatal attraction to the man and was jealous I was friends with him..... ya, I know what your thinking... COO KOO!!!  Anyways, back to my thoughts.... My question to myself is, am I the type of manager I myself would have respect for?  Do I handle situations with a quiet, yet strong leadership intent?  Do I resonate fear of challenging tasks?  Bottom line, being a manager is tough stuff and doing it respectibly is even tougher.  After my day today, I don't want to be a manager, but I think after a night of contemplation and reflection, I may wake up tomorrow with a new perspective and understanding of who I am in the world of managment:)