Maria Needs A New Job

During a recent Old Navy visit, I was patiently waiting in the after-the-holidays line holding a pair of Sweetheart bootcut jeans and my $5.00 Bucks Back coupon when I saw something that made me roll my eyes.

A young-ish blonde mother was in line ahead of me with her middle school-aged, UGG-wearing daughter and a Hispanic middle-aged woman. The blonde mother - let's call her Suzanne - was standing behind her cart with her arms resting on the handle.

When the sales associate called out, "I can help the next customer down at register 4", Suzanne pushed the cart just enough so she could walk around the cart and position herself in front. Her daughter - let's call her Ashleigh - was texting while she shuffled ahead. The full cart with one wonky wheel made it's way into another paying customer because no one caught it once Suzanne pushed and scurried around it.

When it hit the backside of the woman paying at register 2, Suzanne yelled at Ashleigh to let the Hispanic woman - let's call her Maria - push the cart.

So many things bothered me about this interaction at the store...

• Suzanne, why can't you just push the freakin' cart yourself?
• Don't blame your daughter for the cart accident; you're the one who pushed it ahead.
• Is it really necessary to have poor Maria schlep around the mall with you to push your cart.
• You seem like a capable and fit woman. You also seem like an annoying, rich, and entitled woman.

Maria, run for your life. Get out while you can!

2014: A Retrospective

It's amazing how much can change in a single year. The last thing I want to do is relive the shit storm that was 2013, but, at this time last year, I was in a really bad place. In sports terms, 2014 was a rebuilding year for me.

Early on in 2014, I started a new role at work and since making that change my whole attitude changed. This brandy-new, perfect-for-Trish position couldn't have come at a better time; I needed to move on for more reason than one. My current role plays to my strengths better than any other job I've had in this young lifetime, and it's good to see that my hard work is making a difference in the workplace. It's also nice to get the recognition and respect I deserve - FINALLY.

When I was offered the job back in January, Human Resources and I discussed the increased salary and benefits that came along with it. What they neglected to tell me about were the amazing colleagues that came along as a bonus. I am absolutely head over heels for my work family.

Okay, okay...shifting from professional to personal...

I have amazing friends. Nothing else needs to be said...except that I hope you smile when you think of me as I do when I think of you. Thanks to you all for getting me back on my feet.

Some things I've done this year (in no particular order):

• Showered Jocelyn, Jess and Kim to help welcome their adorable little boys (Mason, Connor and Tyler, respectively), and Alissa (and Jerry) and Kate (and Kevin) to celebrate their nuptials...AND took a tequila shot in honor of Jackie's (and Dan) upcoming 2015 wedding
• Donated pints of blood to the RI Blood Center, walked to raise funds for the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, and volunteered with Special Olympics of RI, Martin Luther King Jr Community Center, Birthday Wishes, PrideFest, and the RI Community Food Bank
• Poorly painted wall art while drinking, and finally bit the bullet by painting the walls of my condo with the help Nikki and good ole Dad
• Purchased my own wrist corsage and attended prom...stag
• Increased my appetite for sushi
• Took a limo with friends for some day drinking for Alissa's birthday, and the train to Beantown to celebrate Joey & Janice's Day of Fun
• Traveled to Manhattan to see my cousin Sarah's "Sars" dance performance
• Drank beers from a boot and shamelessly expressed my love for DEAN!, the lovely gentleman that delivers said boots
• Treated a four-year-old member of my fan club to a day at the Boston Children's Museum for his birthday
• Laughed while watching Book of Mormon, Aziz Ansari, and Avenue Q
• Got chills while walking into Fenway Park...again
• Wore an Hawaiian shirt and an ugly holiday sweater to work
• Celebrated the Summer of Jill in Newport and Boston
• Took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge thanks to Jackson
• Enjoyed a summer afternoon on the Farley's boat
• Traveled to Baltimore and Philadelphia to visit loved ones

Moving on...

I have big - BIG - plans for 2015, and I'd love for you to join me in the next chapter.