Counting blessings... and hats

I'm lucky to have a family business to step into. It's not glamorous, but it's a good, productive business. We import hats and handbags from China, most of them made out of straw, and sell to wholesalers and retailers around the US and also some in Canada and South America. My dad's been at it for more than 15 years now, and now it's my turn.

That said, it was tough starting work even before I officially graduated from b-school. Three days before graduation, to be exact. People said I should have negotiated time off with the boss, or at least a bonus for starting work so early. To them I say, um, it's my DAD.

In about a week, I learned the ins and outs of our sales and accounting system. I've made mistakes, of course, but my dad has caught them all. I swear I won't make the same mistake twice. Besides staying on top of customer orders, I am helping with our big move. Our new location is all of 5 minutes away in downtown LA, but there are a ton of people to notify and loose ends to tie up so that we can operate without interruption. Looking forward to being done with the move, because I want to start working on some ideas I have.

Highlights of the past 2 weeks:

• Had the new office painted blue. Arctic Paradise blue.
• Lost 4 pounds - this is not a sedentary job. Plus the bento boxes from Mom make for very well-balanced lunches.
• Picked out some purses for myself - hey, hafta get familiar with the product
• Cute Fedex guy
• Makin' money again - yeehaw

Next stage

Yesterday was our graduation, or the commencement of our careers as MBAs. For most of us, it was also the last time we would ever be students again -- for real this time. So even though it was the celebration of an achievement, to me it marked the unfortunate passing of a happy era.

Life has always been divided into small, neat chunks, including the last 2 here in business school. From birth, 2 years in the US, 1 year in Taiwan, 4 years in France, 2 years in Monterey Park, 2 years in New Jersey, 2 years at Orange Grove MS in Hacienda Heights, 4 years at Los Altos High, 4 years at UCLA, 2 years as a reporter in LA, 3 years in Baltimore, 2 years at Anderson.

Every time I've moved on, I have always regretted leaving behind the people I got used to seeing every day. And then gradually, precise memories become a blur, and then I struggle even to recall names. But the faces and the impressions always remain, woven into this great tapestry of a life I have been lucky to live.