Work - Monday, September 8, 2008

The Carmel Valley in California is definitely on my short list of most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I never had big aspirations for domestic travel. I figured I would see whatever I would see and count my pennies for international trips when I could manage them. But for the past two years, I’ve spent a little over a week in California in September for the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle. It is apparently the perfect week to be there. The weather is perfect – long sleeves are necessary, a welcome change from what can be the oppressive heat of Miami. And while there, I stay at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, a place I could never afford on my own. It really is amazing.

But juxtaposed against this beauty and what should be a feeling of serenity is the most hectic work schedule I’ve ever had. I arrive on Sunday and spend most of the day unpacking and sorting through hundreds of boxes. I work late into the night every night catching up on all the emails and phone calls, confirmation number requests and hotel questions. And then wake up at 6:30 for 7 AM meetings. I spent Wednesday driving the 100 miles down to Cambria to check in with my duties there. The most amazing drive I’ve ever taken is speeding through the twists and turns of the Pacific Coast Highway. But I arrive back up to Carmel that evening with over 100 emails that all request urgent response and hit a breaking point (translation: eyes filled with tears) somewhere around 2 AM. I rest, breathe and push on…a coworker at my side. At least I’m part of a team.

I often waiver about whether my work for Best Buddies is worth it. I put in a lot of hours for a salary that is probably fair for my age and experience but definitely not sufficient for the many financial needs I have. I struggle with the constant shortfall and the impossibility of turning a dollar into ten and wonder if my husband and I will ever be “comfortable” with this sort of a start. I sometimes feel like I’m on the outside looking in – still not quite up to speed with Miami culture and often not understanding the decisions I see made. I see people get the short end of the stick despite their hard work and worry that I will suffer the same burn out and disillusionment I’ve seen and heard so much about. I long for a position with a company whose mission I feel more passionate about but I am also inspired by the stories I hear about and the people I meet with intellectual disabilities. And really there are quite a few positives. What other job would send me to California for a week, or challenge me in so many ways? What other job would allow little old me the possibility of closing a sponsor deal or executing a half million dollar auction? Would the Vice President’s door always be open if I moved on to something else? Would I get emails directly from the Chairman of another place and the opportunity to bring my ideas and creative side to the table? Would any other place give me the flexibility to have attended my brother’s high school graduation, visited the Dominican Republic when my new baby brother was born, spend a 3 hour lunch at a dress fitting or fly to New Jersey every time my mom needs me?