Girl and City

Every time I do not get a job, I wonder what I did wrong. It’s not unlike being rejected for a second (or third or fourth) date, except in this case, “It’s not you, it’s me” doesn’t fly¹. Sometimes I think it’s because I didn’t prepare enough for the interview, or I wasn’t energetic enough, didn’t let them see how passionate (read: desperate) I was about getting the job. But most of the time, I settle on the idea that they saw right through my charade, that I wasn’t really in it for the long run, I just wanted to be paid for the summer.

But is it really that bad to not know what I’m meant to do when I’m twenty? I mean, isn’t that the point of these summer internships – to figure out if it’s really for you? And yet if you tell an interviewer that – that you’re not sure if this really is what you want to do, you’re just testing out the waters – they’ll be yelling out “Next” before you can say “Give me a chance.” So, I play by the rules and pretend that I have wanted to be an accountant/financial analyst/marketing specialist/advertising assistant since kindergarten, when every other (normal) kid wanted to be a policeman/woman or a firefighter.

So, inspired by Jamie Ann, I have decided to put together a list of jobs that I know I would enjoy:

• Ice cream/gelato taste tester. With my abundant experience (over six years) in consuming ice cream of varying flavours (from ginger to hazelnut to strawberry rhubarb), I am sure I can discern what will be a hit or a flop. Although, how could anything sweet and creamy be a flop?
• Food critic. Dining at fine restaurants and then ripping into their cooking skills? I can do that. I practically do already. I just need to be paid for it.
• A permanent judge on the Japanese Iron Chef. I’d be much better than those amateur foodies (actors/actresses, voice actors/actresses) they bring in.
• Personal shopper for Carrie-Bradshaw-esque girls. Buying beautiful clothes and shoes and accessories with someone else’s money? And getting paid to do it? Hells yeah!
• Part-time driver. You know how cars don’t function as well if they’ve been sitting idle for a long time? This is of particular concern to people who own fancy little sports cars or expensive manual cars of the European variety. I can drive them! I mean, these people never own less than four cars, so once in a while, I can come by and take one of their cars out for a drive.
• Exclusive purse promoter. Need me to subtly introduce your new limited-stock high-end purse to society (in other words, wear the purse to select shopping meccas in the world)? I can do that. Fab purses, airfare and accommodations to international locations, and the potential to meet some very good-looking people included.

Know anyone who’s hiring?

1. Except when they tell you you’re over-qualified, which hasn’t happened to me yet since I do not even have a bachelor’s. [↩]

For a girl who refuses to wear make-up and owns a total of one presentable dress, I’m a pretty big fan of romance-comedies. My rebellious nature does not cover the romance category I guess. In any case, I’m a huge fan of British romance-comedies in particular, simply because I adore their sense of humour. And having a funny accent doesn’t hurt, either.
My absolute favourite romance-comedy has to be Bridget Jones’ Diary. I am in love with the character of Bridget Jones. And I don’t think I’m alone in this. I think the reason Miss Jones appeals to the modern-day woman is that she is the real deal. Nothing about her is perfect. Even her imperfections aren’t perfect. Her diary lets us peer into her innermost thoughts – unabashed hopes, embarrassing fantasies, and the inevitable disappointment when illusion fails to make the transition into reality. (more…)