Relatively new...

Admittedly, I've been lacking a little in the blogging department. I'll use the same excuse as every other busy person out there and blame it on the holiday season.

Actually, all my spare time has been consumed with creating handmade masterpieces for my first marketplace sale. Ok, maybe not masterpieces, but various goods that have been labor-intensive and demanding of my attention.

The marketplace day is among several holiday traditions we take part in where I work. Since I have been at my current employer for under a year's time, it will be my first go-round with each festive event...something I'm reminded of often by self-proclaimed "office veterans."

I cannot count how many times I've been labeled as "new" in the past month, an occurrence which had died down up until recently. In the beginning, after just starting a job, you expect the "new" tag to be constantly linked to your name; it just comes with the territory.

I've held this position for seven months now, SEVEN MONTHS! Seven months is a long time to me; I mean, in seven months the seasons change three times, and you could be over two-thirds of the way through a pregnancy. Which brings me to my most recent nagging question...when will I no longer be a "new" person at work?!

While being "new" has its advantages, like more leniency for your mistakes, the "newness" of being "new" wears off quickly. Each time someone mentions my infancy at the company I feel invalidated, and I become frustrated with the classification. I would much rather be labeled the "trustworthy employee" or the "hard-working employee" instead of the "new employee." After seven months, I think I have paid my dues as the newbie.

I wouldn't dread being called out on my less-than-a-year status if the labeling came across positively. Each time someone mentions that I, or any other recent hire, is "new," it's almost used as an excuse, like "Don't mind her, she's new." To which I'd like to respond, "Do mind me, I've been here for SEVEN MONTHS, and I know a lot about what goes on in this place!"

I'd like to think that no one intentionally uses the "new" word negatively, but I still can't wait until antiquated office politics deem it less relevant in association with me.

Until then, I am still in my twenties, still trying...and apparently...still NEW.

Risking to be bold...

I'm back with a vengeance! After a short hiatus for the holidays and a little down time for a Black Friday-induced cold, it's time to jump back into blogging. Here goes...

I've had one particular subject weighing on my mind for quite sometime now. In the midst of my "quarter-life crisis," the topic of risk-taking keeps bubbling to the surface. Thoughts of when to dive in head-first and when to sit back have begun to consume my time and energy.

Hats off to a new acquaintance that is doing anything and everything it takes to achieve his dream, including moving across the country to take part in the competitive and prestigious NBC Page Program. It's incredible to meet someone that is so driven and focused in their twenties. I have little doubt that his big risk will pay off tenfold in the future, and I look forward to the day I can brag that I knew him when it all began.

I find myself becoming both jealous and excited at hearing of others taking leaps into the great unknown. I read about old friends that have moved to New York City or started their own businesses, and I feel left out, left behind. Why am I not moving to the big city or making bank off of a creative endeavor? I envy the sheer will it takes to risk it all; or even a little.

An old standby quote comes to mind: "You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try," signed, sealed and delivered by Miss Dolly Parton herself.

Blonde hair and massive body parts aside, she has a point, you won't fail if you never try, but you won't succeed either. Isn't the mere possibility of success, of greatness, worth a little risk? Fear can be so paralyzing that it glues you to your seat, stuck exactly where you are. But, if where you are isn't where you want to be, it's about time to kick fear's ass.

I can sit here behind the safety of my computer screen and try to pen something profound about risk, but what would I truly know without actually taking the plunge. So plunge I will...next Friday (stay tuned).

I'm deep into the journey of figuring out who I am, and answering the question of what I want has become much easier. I know that I want to be in business for myself. A business owner of what? That question is more complicated.

After years of hearing that I should bake professionally, photograph professionally, write professionally and so on, I've decided to do just that...I'm going to work toward becoming a professional Jill of-all-trades.

Next Friday, December 10, I will take part in a marketplace day where I will sell some of my creations for the first time...ever. I will sell my stuff for actual money! The thought terrifies me, and while the risk may seem minute to others, it's more than substantial to me. I'm going to give it a go at working for myself...even if it is just for an afternoon.

After all, Virgil said, "Fortune favors the bold."

Bold and in my twenties I will be. And, always trying.