I have not always been known as a very strong person. Okay, I've never been known as a strong person at all. I'm not weak, I just don't fight every fight that comes my way. I tend to float like a butterfly and... dodge things. Another favorite is to get internally angry, and vent to others, thinking that talking about it will help me figure the situation out. Hence, the blog.
But as I get older, I have started taking more tips from people close to me. Not that I surround myself with fighters, but I do like to be surrounded by strong people. Like my parents, my boyfriend... and now my boss, Perry.
For some reason, Perry thinks I am strong and stubborn, and that I always have been. For some reason, I like this. It's actually been getting into my head and is now becoming true...
Here are some examples I have noticed, just in the last week, of my new-fangled strength:
AT WORK:
I may have failed to mention this before; the parent company of Fancy Tile showroom, is a fabrication and installation company, for tile and stone. This is important to mention here, because recently, the parent company 'fired' their receptionist/purchaser. The owner, Karen (her and her husband,Paul, own the businesses together) decided that I could order materials for them, through Fancy Tile. So she will send emails or call me at the showroom to tell me which slabs she needs me to order, from what companies, what day to have them delivered and any other specifics I need to be aware of.
As you may guess, this takes up a lot of my time from my work at Fancy Tile. Karen is demanding, slightly scary and leaves something to be desired in her communication skills. Though she apparently likes me, I still feel intimidated by her and I focus really hard on Parent Company's orders, so as not to mess them up.
After few days of my attention being completely devoted to Parent Company's frustrating and lengthy affairs. I finally had a serious conversation with Perry. I said, "My purpose at this showroom is not to be a purchaser. I don't mind helping out, if it's needed but this type of job description was not why I started here. If it continues in this direction, Karen can go hire somebody who didn't pay a ton of money for college."
Perry agreed and said that he has my back, if this situation gets any more ridiculous...
(sidenote: I haven't been asked to order anything for Karen in the last few days)
AT BOYFRIEND:
Boyfriend will be renovating his house soon; kitchens, floors and bathrooms. We had talked about it a few times, and with each conversation, I had this strange feeling that he wasn't asking me for help.... the other day he brought up his kitchen again, stating that he really needed to start the process. Immediately after, he said that he was going to, "hire a kitchen and bath designer".
OH, no he didn't!!
I said, as calmly as I could, "I can't believe you would say that. You know where I work and what I do! Why would you hire a kitchen designer?! They are going to do the same thing I would do for you, but they will charge you a ridiculous amount to do it! I am immersed in interior design and materials, and I have contacts! You are in development, there's an in-house designer that works for you, and you have contacts! There are no two people more qualified to do this on their own, than you and I are."
He mumbled something about appliances and keeping an eye on the subs and I responded with, "Then look at some damn consumer reports for appliance ratings and hire a freaking contractor to watch the subs!"
I brought samples over to his house the other day so he and I could start the design process.
(sidenote: I am a little scared of taking this project on)
AT RANCH:
The owners of the ranch are out of town this week and the 'interns' are watching the ranch. Last weekend, the owner asked myself and the other volunteers which days we would be available to come up and help. I told her that I would only be able to come up Saturday, as usual, and no more... but I also said, "Don't you trust the 'interns' to take care of things while you are gone? I thought they've been doing everything perfectly?" (Please don't read that sarcastically, it was said in an honest, nice way)
She didn't really have a response... I guess she doesn't trust the 'interns' all that much. I also have decided to not stress so much about the ranch. It is, after all, only volunteer work, and I do have my own life to take care of. I will be working this Saturday, leaving early and I will not be working next Saturday.
(sidenote: there is no sidenote, that's just the way it is going to be from now on)
