Oh Dana, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. *hugs* I hope that all works out for the best and that your health problems will soon be a thing of the past!

I remember reading this article and shaking my head in disappointment. Having attended a prestigious university, I recall that many of my classmates were like Mr. Nicholson — they felt that having had a degree from a top-10 college ENTITLED them to six-figure jobs right out of school. Many of them ended up like Mr. Nicholson, turning down job offers that many would kill for, bumming off parents only to go back to grad school to try to get higher-paying jobs afterwards.

I personally am glad that my parents are hard-working people who taught me to be grateful for everything I have, and actually threatened to cut me off when I couldn't find a job in the first few months out of college. I finally decided to suck it up and sign up with a temp agency. From there, I worked myself up...very slowly. My first two jobs had NOTHING to do with what I studied in school and I was pretty miserable (and I was paid little). However, I took advantage of every professional connection I could make and I MADE opportunities for myself (ie, studying up on subjects that interested me in my spare time, asking to take on projects that were outside my official responsibilities). Eventually I was able to build enough experience and professional references to find a job that suited me and paid very well, in a city that is touted by many as, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."

The entitlement generation really disappoints me and I hate to read stories like this.

This is something I learned just recently, but did you know that Monistat Chafing Gel is the SAME FORMULA as the Smashbox Photofinish Primer, but at 1/5 of the price? I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good replacement "primer."

I'm not sure about Canada, but Amazon U.S. carries them!

(Completely unnecessary side note: when I first read about this I bookmarked it so I can blog about it...and then I had a dream that I blogged about it and thought that I had in real life! When I realized the blunder I just get frustrated with myself and decided not to blog about it.)

My mother was a SAHM until we moved to the states (I was 7 and my sister was 5), and since then she's been working 60-80 hour weeks alongside my father. When coming home from work, she would still do the cooking, cleaning, etc. I don't know how she did it because I'm really not sure that I can.

I currently work two days a week outside the house and the rest is at home freelancing or just being a housewife. When we have kids I don't imagine that things will be too much different, or maybe I'll just quit working altogether for the first few years of my children's lives. My husband encourages this, and this is what I want too.

I just want to say that I completely agree with you. Thanks for writing this!

I pick C. I was born in Korea, have lived the majority of my life in the U.S., is a U.S. citizen and is far more comfortable with English than Korean, and married a Chinese man. But my parents have raised me as a Korean and when people ask what nationality I am, I say Korean.

I read about Lou Jing too earlier this week and my heart broke for her. I think racism and racial discrimination is far more prevalent in Asia because the countries are far more racially homogeneous than in other countries. It certainly is a problem (for example, there is a lot of press in Korean newspapers lately about discrimination against foreign teachers living in Korea) and I really hope that these cultures will make a turn for a better soon.

Dana, I gotta say...that was one of the BEST wedding videos I've ever seen! Seriously! The energy! The joviality! The beauty! And of course, the love!

P.S. - Did anyone ever tell you that you are a perfect cross between Rachel Weisz and Kate Winslet?

What a great post, Dana! I too, experienced many unexpected side effects just prior to my wedding. I could probably write an entire essay about this, but the biggest thing that pops into my mind was one particularly stressful/emotional day when I broke out into hives all over my body. I immediately went to see a doctor who attributed it to stress!

*hugs* Best of luck on the surgery and wishing you a speedy recovery!