Life in LA - Take 2...

So I was reading a friend's blog about her adventures in Amsterdam and was inspired to start my own about life in LA and basically, making it out here Melrose Place-style. Is it really sad that I was inspired by Melrose Place to come out here and make a new life for myself? Well, the main reason at first, was law school. But after a little over half a semester (semesters are longer for part-timers, which I was), I realized that:

1) I was financially trapped. If I finished off law school, I would be about $100k (actually over $100k - b/c it would include my undergrad debt as well) in debt. And would not really be able to fulfill my dreams with that debt looming over my head.

2) I was not having any fun. I don't care if it sounds unambitious and lazy, but I LIKE having fun on the weekends, and I like having the weeknights to goof off online, read books, watch tv, go out for drinks, etc.. Working full-time and going to law school part-time was NOT allowing me to do any of that, and I was miserable as a result.

3) I didn't have a strong desire to be a lawyer, hence I didn't want it enough to make the sacrifices required of me.

4) I was in Los Angeles!!! There were so many *cool* companies out here I could work for and finally get my foot in the door of the wonderful entertainment industry. And I could do this NOW - no law school necessary!

5) Both law school and my old job made me realize a few things about myself. Glitzy executive/lawyer careers are great, but they are not for me. I value the time I am able to spend with friends, boyfriend, and family. I value getting dolled up and being able to go out with my friends. I DON'T value working until midnight every night or working mandatory weekends. That is just not for me, and it shouldn't be. Why is that expected of me just because I have above average intelligence - it's not fair to expect that just because.

So... this blog will cover my life AFTER I made the life-changing decision to withdraw from Loyola Law. Was it a good choice? Well, the three interviews I have lined up at prestigious entertainment companies tell me that yes, it indeed was (Wish me luck!).

Regarding the job interviews - first one being tomorrow... don't want to say where yet, but they are all very good big entertainment companies, so I am extremely excited. I was out shopping all day yesterday buying suits, so I hope to look snazzy. I got a black pantsuit and a black skirtsuit - now I'm just deciding what to wear where. Today, I will also go shopping to buy shirts to go under the suits and go for a drive to find the job locations so I don't get lost this week. I am going back to my old career - accounting/finance, so it's very lucky I have that to fall back on. It's better for me. I like to spend $$$ so it's vital that I have a good full-time job where I can grow and thrive. I really can't focus on school for some reason so I'm putting plans of an MBA on the back burner. Although I do want to sit for the CPA... but the cache 22 is I don't want to work long ridiculous hours, and usually CPAs have to. I want a normal 9-6 or 8-5 job :: pout pout :: I'm such a girl, but I don't care. It makes me happy. Plus now that I'm approaching 25 years, I am really thinking about what I want out of life, and what I do not want to be is some lonely 45 year old career woman who doesn't have anyone in her life and still gets s*** on at work - because sadly that is how it still is for women in the workplace.

It doesn't matter if you don't plan on having children as women are automatically assumed to pull the mommy track no matter who they are. I don't find this fair for the lonely 45 year old women who have to face the same exact obstacles as the non-lonely women. Hence, I don't want to be that lonely woman, because it's almost like a double-target, and it frankly sucks.

So anyways - I basically want to have the options in life many other women have. It's not fair to say "Oh, Sparkle is smart, Sparkle should forget about having a husband and kids and just try to focus on punching a hole through the glass ceiling." It's actually rather insulting. Other parents want their daughters to get married and are thrilled when their daughters announce their engagements. My parents don't. Hence, I know I will have to do elope and then tell them after the fact or they will try to talk me out of it - no matter who the guy may be. Now I'm not saying that ALL my parents should expect of me is to get married and have kids because that's equally unfair and not to mention, sexist - but is it really that hard to expect me to have a good solid (although NOT backbreaking/mentally exhausting) career and a family? Just my thoughts... but it is very sad that women can't have expectations like that. Like, MEN are expected to have both a good high-flying career and a family. If you see a rich successful man, you can bet that he has a wife and kids at home. Why is it so hard for women to have the same?