Land of the Free

I love the guys I work with. They take good care of me. We had a four hour process improvement meeting today. Twenty people, mostly engineers, four VPs, several directors from engineering, finance and marketing, and a handful of managers. I was the only female. Rarely do I notice this but today I did. Most of my boss’s staff was present. I was seated next to my favorite two co-workers of the same name. One calls me Princess. Mostly because he knows I am spoiled and often get my own way. But also because he is Italian and well, most Italian women are Princesses…at least to their dad’s. The other same name co-worker is Greek. The three of us get along great. We poke fun of each other and of another co-worker who is dumb as a box of rocks. I know, we are immature and not very nice.

Today the meeting was a bit hellish. We were allotted two breaks. During the first break, we went for coffee at the “flava” machine. I picked decaf (stomach still a bit off, you know) hazelnut. The Italian points it out and says, “OMG, that’s a chick drink.” Ahem, what do you think I am? He looks at me and says, “Well, you and Eva (another female engineer), you know, we aren’t quite sure.” I told him if he kept that up, I’d break his legs. He said, “my point exactly.”

After the first break, the Greek and I had finished our coffee. We were told the second break would be cancelled because we were running behind. The Greek said he needed more. I handed him my cup and said, “Get me some too, bitch.” He said, “What?” The Italian said, “The princess would like you to bring her back a cup too.” He did and brought back an extra fake sugar, just incase he hadn’t made it right. They do spoil me.

But they also listen to me and respect me. After the meeting another co-worker asked for my opinions and help with a project. It made me feel valued.

There is something about being a female in this ugly world. If I were born in a developing country, my brain would not be valued. Depending on where I grew up, I’d most probably have been taught to keep my mouth shut or suffer abuse. Men would treat me like a second class citizen.

But, instead, I was brought up in a country where women can be treated (not always but for the most part) like men’s equals. They are partners and yet spoiled. I can’t say that I don’t love the ambiguity that exists and how lucky I am. I try to take time to give thanks for being brought up here.

I love my country. I think our nation’s leaders make mistakes but they are human and that is expected of the human condition. But in general, this country is great. It allows me to exist in a way I couldn’t elsewhere. It is America the Beautiful. It is the land of the free and the home of the brave. I respect it and am thankful for it. I am truly blessed.