a testament to hairspray and competence

The last weeik has presented some interesting opportunities for me -- at school (inside the classroom and at large in the greater St. Thomas population) as well as at work, in front of clients and colleagues.

Frankly, I have had more than one moment over the past couple of weeks where I have been in the middle of a situation and suddenly, just like the song, I go: "My God! This is not my beautiful house. This is not my beautiful career. This is not my life -- is it?"

It is so interesting because let's be honest about it: I'm 27, which makes me, generally, young for the things I'm doing (grad school, my job, the 3-year-old I'm rearing). And while we're being honest, allow me to make a true confession: throughout my career, I've felt challenged on my competence, simply because I am young. Realizing that youth often equals lack of experience, I acknowledge the kernel of truth in that, at least to a certain extent. But I'm a smart cookie, and young or not, I do not like it when my competence is called into question (that's about the worst insult you can throw at me, in my humble personal opinion.)

But lately -- I'm gaining a reputation that I know my stuff. Which is a huge mindshift from constantly having to prove my competence.

Part of me says, "Finally!"
Another part of me says, "Oh my GOD, I need to make my hair as big as possible. Where's the hairspray?"

(PS -- I don't know why big hair equals comptence in my world. It just does.)