Retail life

When I'm working my retail job, I have to remind myself that I'm not meant for retail. I had a refreshing interview at one of the big name bookstores, and my interviewer said, "Retail is retail." Yeah, retail is retail. As a customer and shopper, I enjoy the big retail establishment options -- I can get books, groceries, clothes, etc. But working retail is overall about customer service and sales no matter the place.

My interviewer had made retail a career. He ran a really great store but wasn't deluded into believing he was working for a greater good of books everywhere. He was realistic and honest. I think I would've liked working at that store.

My current job is also a well-run store with an upbeat and hardworking staff. I like working there for the discount and the overall challenge it presents me. I'm definitely more of a free form; I believe that the average customer is educated and researched. They know their bodies and can decide what to buy and not buy. From years working in customer service, I have a great customer sixth sense: I can tell when someone has a question. In other words, I wouldn't be pushing pieces and rewards.

However, that's not my job. My job is not to tactfully stand aside but to channel my inner excited Christmas elf to help "her" find not only only what she's looking for but an entire look. Make conversation to make it a great shopping experience. It's different, it scares me, and I'm not a natural. But the clothes we offer are smart and fashionable. And the service we provide helps women feel great in their clothes. That's something I do believe in and can work for.

So, I'll fake it 'til I make it (or don't). I'm not meant for retail. All I can do is show up and do what I do -- work hard. It's a good life lesson, working hard and not being good at something. Aaaand the experience will be helpful if I do ever make to sunny California to pursue my lofty film dreams. "Fake it 'til you make it," said everyone in L.A.

Lazy phones

Lazy texting makes me super upset. My unreasonable hostility towards people who send me lazy texts is unreasonable. I simply appreciate receiving texts that the sender has obviously taken some time to devise. That extra attention and effort makes it a real conversation. For me, it's as simple as a smiley face or an exclamation point here and there to show your enthusiasm.

I'm not a huge texter, but I have had some great conversations with friends through tap-tapping those fine little letters on my iPhone. It's a fun way to keep in touch and recite random thoughts to friends and family -- when done correctly. A "rule girl" myself, I sometimes wish there was a texting etiquette course. But alas, similar to basic table manners, texting etiquette relies heavily on family life and context. Delivery and audience is important, too. It's a finicky mode of conversation with loads of personal expectations and flare.

Ah, technology. So complicated but fine like the occasional piece of dark chocolate.

Borrowed fashion sense

This morning I'm excited about my brand new Lifefactory turquoise waterbottle. One of the Dinos has one in orange and I knew I HAD to have one.

I'm not sure whether my outfit works this morning, but that's the beauty of working in a preschool -- one is surrounded by the fiercest dressers around. There are some serious fashionistas spilling milk and flying down the slides at CLP. I aspire to be so bold and to care so little: they shop and dress with care but don't worry about life's messes when it comes to exploring and learning. They only stop in front of mirror to wave or make faces at their reflections.

Fashion. Icons.

Team Dino

I was a bit nervous when I got the schedule for this week, because I saw that I was going to be the lead teacher for the first four hours of the day. I had never opened the classroom by myself and I was worried about keeping the routine for the kids. Routine is an important part of a toddler's daily life and one of the many things I admire at CLP -- the classrooms are divided up by age, and as the kids gain a year and a new classroom, they build upon the foundation of that which they've already learned and experienced. Sitting together for meals, for example, starts when they are just babies and their table responsibilities increase as they get older.

Anyway, it's an amazing learning program and I didn't want to screw anything up. But the extra responsibility came in conjunction with spring break at the university, which meant a class half the normal size. The Dinos were awesome and I rocked the morning. I have to say, I liked it a lot. I increasingly have creeping thoughts about how I would run a classroom, the projects we would do, etc. The Dinos are a bright bunch, many with some raw musical and artistic talent.

I did miss the lead teacher. It's funny, teaching in a team, how one begins to rely on that other teacher. We tag team the days and work off each other's energy and style. It's the same in every profession: a good team with good communication and intuition is key.

In other news, I was too lazy to walk to the grocery store for milk after work and I dropped red pasta sauce on my roommate's dog (who has white fur).