Rambles

I suppose I should be writing about the turbulence in the financial world and its global effect. Luckily, the sector I work in is still somewhat stable so I can sleep at night. My Wall-Street friends are pulling their hair off in attempts to decide what's next for them. Just a year ago they were convincing me that finance is the only elite industry that accepts the best and the luckiest.

Indeed, I was quite impressed with their bonuses and extravagant life style. I must admit I was contemplating the idea of switching to finance, yet, being on a rather conservative side, I did not feel comfortable with doing finance only. Perhaps, it is because I've lived through two economic collapses - crash of the USSR and the .com bubble burst - that planted a "cautious" seed in my brain.

Consulting, on the other hand, provides an opportunity to get engaged in various projects, activities, sectors, even countries. Constant learning is what I value the most about this type of work.

However, there is a price to pay for such a fun job. Typically, depending on a project, a consultant has no life. I suddenly realized it while sitting at the hair salon, getting my hair done, and working at the same time. My Spanish hair stylist (who is brilliant when it comes to my rebellious hair) looked at me as if I just came from the Moon.

"You work too much. Look at your face. Dark circles under your eyes. Not good for a girl. Guys won't like that."

She was right. While it was fun during past year to take my clients skydiving, skiing, dining in the best restaurants with the most delicious food, I could not recall a single minute when I had time to sit still. In the midst of this rush I forgot how to be a woman and not run through pedicures, manicures, massages, and facials. I even started shopping online to save time.

Even worse - I had no memories other than airports, suitcases, random faces and places.

Exhausted, yet hopeful, I am locking my notebook in the darkest drawer of my closet, packing a suitcase, and leaving to Europe for three weeks!

Life is too short to be lived like a marathon, when at the end there are no spectators waiting for you. Life is too grand not to be enjoyed. At the same time, I want to see how the old Europe handling financial crisis, and most importantly, what will my Alma Mater's future look like.