writing 3.11.09

After hitting the pavement in the city, meeting with recruiters and making myself the best lunch eva, I wandered down to the Tea Lounge. I had every intention of being a good little writer and taking some notes, do a little reading, and work on this project I've been doing with Einav, but instead I ended up having this amazing conversation with an older Englishman. We talked about the recession (obviously) and how it really is a great opportunity for people who are laid off to get back to the things they love. And not only rediscover them, but really, geniunely enjoy them, because most of the time when we're working we don't have time to do that.

I've written about this very sentiment here multiple times over the past two weeks, so really it is the universe's way of yelling at me to get a clue and get on with it. So, instead of being upset that I spent two hours at the Tea Lounge and didn't get much of anything done, I'm actually quite happy. The gentleman I met was quite interesting and I love LOVE hearing people's stories. In our conversation I was reminded of what my Unkle in Germany said to me almost a year ago:

"Living your life for your job will get you nowhere, at the end of the day your job isn't going to be there for you - but your family and friends will."

I told this to the Englishman, and of course he agreed and then we both pondered at how Americans got to be so different from their European counterparts, especially when viewing work. I'm not sure where we went wrong, but as an American who longs to live and work in Europe one day, I think perhaps "my recession" should really be about finding that balance. Because, after all, my job isn't here to comfort me during the recession, but my family and friends have been there for me in spades.