Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Emily Post, where are you?
I received a wedding invitation from a co-worker! Help!
I just started this job one year ago (August 25). The gal that is getting married started just shortly before I did. We were sort of thrown together on the office Christmas gift buying, as the "new person" is assigned that glorious task (which I still say is some sort of professional hazing). But anyway, we chatted during our Christmas gift fun...and still talk when we see each other if only to say, "Thank God there are other "new people" in the office this year so we will be spared a repeat of that agony." I generally ask about her wedding plans and how she's holding up under the stress. But I wouldn't say we are friends by any means.
So Ms. Post...do I RSVP yes or no? I see advantages and disadvantages. If I say yes, I would be encouraging a friendly relationship with this co-worker by acknowledging that her wedding is important enough to me to attend. However, what if it was only a courtesy invite and she never really expected me to attend? Will I be creating a grudge...by obligating her to provide me with meal and drink on that day (when all she really expected was a gift)? I just don't know! Do I respectfully decline and risk offending her? Do I decline and send a gift? OY!
I received a wedding invitation from a co-worker! Help!
I just started this job one year ago (August 25). The gal that is getting married started just shortly before I did. We were sort of thrown together on the office Christmas gift buying, as the "new person" is assigned that glorious task (which I still say is some sort of professional hazing). But anyway, we chatted during our Christmas gift fun...and still talk when we see each other if only to say, "Thank God there are other "new people" in the office this year so we will be spared a repeat of that agony." I generally ask about her wedding plans and how she's holding up under the stress. But I wouldn't say we are friends by any means.
So Ms. Post...do I RSVP yes or no? I see advantages and disadvantages. If I say yes, I would be encouraging a friendly relationship with this co-worker by acknowledging that her wedding is important enough to me to attend. However, what if it was only a courtesy invite and she never really expected me to attend? Will I be creating a grudge...by obligating her to provide me with meal and drink on that day (when all she really expected was a gift)? I just don't know! Do I respectfully decline and risk offending her? Do I decline and send a gift? OY!
I signed up for the Induction Ceremony Reception at our law school (this Friday) and now I'm having second thoughts about attending. I imagine I will be the only public/governmental attorney amongst a bunch of expensive suits who work for high-priced law firms. I suppose I should go and wish the class of 2007 well...and maybe have a drink while I'm at it...but it's not like I have many friends from law school. And I doubt there will even be anyone there I know. But still...it's good to network, etc., so I feel an obligation of sorts. Oh what to do...?
I generally don't like Yahoo News because their writing style is so elementary that I get bored while reading the first few sentences. But here is a good article about the female vote in the 2004 Presidential Election.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Yesterday I suffered through that moment every mom dreads.
We were working on cleaning the gutters, my husband on a ladder and me at the foot of the ladder patiently waiting and praying to god that I could dial 9-1-1 from my cell phone. I happened to mention that I needed my work gloves or my hands were going to get all "hurty." (Yes, I say baby-words still, despite my son being 2 years old.)
Anyway...my son looks up at me and says, "I get gloves...barn...right back...stay here." He walked all the way to the barn by himself, looking back occasionally to reassure me that he was ok and I would "stay there" (in fact, he pointed and hollered..."stay there" several times just to be sure).
As I watched him walk, I was torn between a slight giggle at his obvious purposfulness and willingness to help with mundane chores like cleaning the gutters...and tears for the independence that I knew would one day appear. As I watched my little boy walk toward the barn, I couldn't help but think of they day we brought him home from the hospital...so helpless and needy. And here he was, directing me to stay put so he could take care of things.
He returned from the barn with my gloves with a bright smile and a twinkle in his eye and said, "I did it!"
He probably hasn't been a baby for a very long time...but now I have had that moment of realization and I recognize that he is indeed a little boy. I'm sad to see the baby days go...and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a little afraid of what is to come. But I love my little boy and the outstanding person he is...yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
We were working on cleaning the gutters, my husband on a ladder and me at the foot of the ladder patiently waiting and praying to god that I could dial 9-1-1 from my cell phone. I happened to mention that I needed my work gloves or my hands were going to get all "hurty." (Yes, I say baby-words still, despite my son being 2 years old.)
Anyway...my son looks up at me and says, "I get gloves...barn...right back...stay here." He walked all the way to the barn by himself, looking back occasionally to reassure me that he was ok and I would "stay there" (in fact, he pointed and hollered..."stay there" several times just to be sure).
As I watched him walk, I was torn between a slight giggle at his obvious purposfulness and willingness to help with mundane chores like cleaning the gutters...and tears for the independence that I knew would one day appear. As I watched my little boy walk toward the barn, I couldn't help but think of they day we brought him home from the hospital...so helpless and needy. And here he was, directing me to stay put so he could take care of things.
He returned from the barn with my gloves with a bright smile and a twinkle in his eye and said, "I did it!"
He probably hasn't been a baby for a very long time...but now I have had that moment of realization and I recognize that he is indeed a little boy. I'm sad to see the baby days go...and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a little afraid of what is to come. But I love my little boy and the outstanding person he is...yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
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