It was summer 1982 and I got a job working at the Jafra Cosmetics and Perfume factory in Westlake, California. I thought, how hard can it be to work on a production line?! I'm smart and athletic...outta my way!!
I was put on the line where the spray tops are put on the perfume bottles. This is done buy hand...seriously...this skill is not in my wheelhouse. I started by watching this woman pop these tops on super fast...boink, boink, boink. Then travel to the end where another lady puts them in a box.
I've got this! No problem I am thinking. This is not like on I love Lucy where you can eat the chocolate. I do believe this job gave me my first panic attack ever. I lasted exactly 4 hours.
While I was eating lunch with my coworkers, they were telling me how they had been doing this same job for 5 to 10 years. I went to the manager and said this is not for me. I finished out the summer in the shipping department filling orders.
I worked my way through school, while raising a family and it took until 2000 to finish but I did it. Today I am finishing up my last two classes to sit for the CPA exam.
Thank you Jafra for lighting my path.
I found out I was pregnant with our oldest the week I finished grad school. Once she was here, I thanked God every day that I had not been trying to finish school and learn how to be a mom. I have real admiration for women who can do that simultaneously. So, kudos to you! I hope the exam goes exceedingly well for you.
ReplyDeleteI honestly look back and have no idea how I did it. It was divinely inspired. I love your site May! Thank you for visiting mine.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! And, good luck on your exams. I was propelled into school a different way, but it was the best thing I ever did, too. Like you. I was newly divorced with 5 small children. I had only two choices. Feel sorry for myself or make something of it. So, I made something of it. It took me 7 years to get my Masters Degree. It was a huge accomplishment and I grew in ways I never imagined.
ReplyDeleteYou should be very proud of yourself! And, you can be my accountant!
good for you..Stopping by from mama kats kelley at the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteI would have been stuffing the spray thingys in my pocket or down my shirt and it would have been much like I Love Lucy. I can totally envision it.
ReplyDeleteLike you, it took me awhile to earn my degrees but in the end, it was a fantastic journey. Thanks for sharing. M