STILL AROUND?

A conversation that took place at my office before a meeting started this morning:

Guy1: Wow! you're still here.

Me: Whaddaya mean?

Guy1: You're still with the organization. You've passed the sixth month mark already, haven't you?

Me: yeah.

Guy2: Ya la...None of the previous heads of "that" department ever lasted more than six months. Too much pressure.

Me: Really? Hhmm..

Guy1: I have a theory on your staying power.

Me: Shoot. I wanna hear.

Guy1: Because you're a woman. I seriously think women in general, handle pressure better than men.

Me: You think? hahahaha!!! (I'm sure BEM begs to differ, since he's my reluctant "punching bag")

Guy1: And you're more gutsy than the person previously holding your office.

Me: Geez... thanks. I don't know whether it's good or bad, but I shall take it positively.

Seriously, I think this guy is just sucking up...simply because he has a vested interest; he wants to make sure I'll prepare the documents that he wants soon. Cheeky @#$!&*!

Regardless, I'd like to think it's true; that women handle pressure at work with much finesse compared to men. I know many men out there would vomit blood after reading this post. But in my organization at least, the statement holds a lot of truth - the women are more firm, efficient and less emotional.

VULNERABLE

Dear mom is terribly ill. It's heartbreaking to see her helpless, losing ability to comb her hair or put on her clothes. Looking equally helpless is dear dad. At times like these, I wish I can do more to ease the pain. Tears (sometimes morphing into sobs) trickle down my face often, but never in their presence. There's this need to shelter them from my own vulnerability. Instinctively, I know I must be strong for them. But sometimes, it is just oh-so-hard...to hide the ripple of emotion.

I'm afraid to lose dear mom or dad for that matter.