At exactly 5am I turned off the alarm and read through my presentation again. I was one of the lucky five who were short listed after 5weeks of internship. We were appointed with different task to present. It was my first time presenting, since I joined the team at 'Dior decor'.
I made a few corrections, memorized a few lines and rephrased some. It was so obvious I was nervous. It's a common sight to have people specialize in fields that is in no relation to their field of study and I was no exception.
I said my prayers and plugged in the water heater. I walked into the bathroom, towel in hand and ran the shower down. The water was cold but not cold enough to calm my tensed nerves.
I recited the memorized lines as I dressed up, I wore a navy blue suit. I never wear trousers it was against my believe as a Baptist, the cloth fit my petite body quite well and then the issue arose, I had not a single heel in my wardrobe; never worn one and never bought one. I hated the idea of wearing heels, worse the discomfort that accompanied wearing it.
But I have a massive collection of sneakers, I am a big fan of 'sneaks' and I could never resist the temptation of not acquiring more.
I wore a rainbow inspired Adidas sneakers, it was my latest purchase. It was a limited edition and I had emptied my savings account to buy one on eBay.
I made a cup of coffee, I needed all my senses at their topmost function this morning.
I left before the staff bus arrived, I needed to make a good impression today not just at the conference room.
Nobody at work gave me the usual look they give me each time I wore sneakers to work, it was either they were used to seeing me wear it or they were all tensed as I was. Not only was I having a major presentation, but a new senior VP was coming in from the headquarters, to inspect the office, oversee our presentation and choose the best candidate to fill the only available position as Content contributor.
'Dior Decor' happens to be the leading advertising institute in Abuja, with lots of recommendations and remarkable achievements.
At exactly 9:30am, I went into the restroom to powder my nose for the umpteenth time. I chewed on some Orbit and checked to see if I was ok. All this mattered, the success of my presentation determine if I will take another step up the success ladder or remain a landlady at the rookies corner. I was still starring at my V-shaped coffee colored face when Vero, a senior colleague, walked in.
"it will be fine" she said as she stretched her hand and carried my compact sized brown powder.
"that's rude, she should have asked... ew! She's even using my powderpuff" I thought within. She wear the most expensive clothes and spoke of how flamboyantly she lives but can't afford a powder.
She doused some more powder on her face.
"we've all been there, and from what I have seen, you are good. Forget your Biology degree o, you are a major asset in this field. I have heard you chip in ideas and seriously, I duff my hat for you" she said as she brought out a blue lipstick and applied it on her lip.
seriously, blue lip stick. Isn't it bad enough that the shade of powder she had used was out of place and now blue lipstick, with this her 'Coca-Cola body and fanta-face'. I nod off the thought and focus on myself.
She had given a good appraisal but I needed to hear this stuff from the boss herself. Her opinion matter a lot to me.
"But this your shoe! Aaah! Na wa o! If you no get heels you for borrow nau, if you dey form big girl wey no fit borrow, why you no buy ballet flats..." she said mockingly as she looked at my sneakers.
I ignored her and adjusted my skirt again. The last thing I wanted was a peeve. Afterall, they will be looking at my face not my feet.
"You no even cum wear black, na multicolor! na wa for u o..." she continued to speak as I left.
At exactly 10am the meeting started, seated were 6 Executives from various regions and branches of 'Dior Decor'. It was the moment I had to defend my passion and show how much I have always wanted to work in the Advertising Industry. It is what I was born to do.
I was more tensed than I was few years back when I defended my project in Biology at a state institution in the west.
I remembered vividly that day, after months of research and facts gathering on the adverse effect of kolanut to the human system, I had mastered and memorized various scientific terms and jargons, I had spoken so well that the supervisor had given me an heart felt applaud. But today was different, I wasn't speaking in scientific terms, I wasn't speaking from years of learning but years of nursed passion; to play, match and organize colors in forms and fashions, years of drawing out patterns and shapes. Taking pictures, making designs and building archives of ideas.
I heard my name being called to the podium and I walked up smartly, like a school girl with my laptop in hand. At the end of the presentation, I knew I had presented well, shown the right slides and delivered a far better presentation than the project I defended in the university.
I got applauds from staff members and colleagues who had come to watch the presentation but not from the one person whose applaud mattered.
Others also presented and we all excused the panel.
The panel had a brief closed door discussion and deliberation which lasted for 30minutes.
I was so confident in my performance, I knew the job was mine.
I was called in last, the senior VP looked at me sternly and said.
"Come Bukola, let's reason together, you have delivered well and proven yourself to be a wonderful asset to us but you have failed at an area. That area has a mark attached to it and each of us has awarded you a zero in that area..." she paused,
She looked less stern and continued "...If I were a doctor who loves to wear heels, It will be against my professional ethics to wear heels to the theater to perform a surgery. If I were a soldier I won't wear heels to the battle ground, it's not allowed. If I were a footballer I wouldn't dare wear heels to play a game.
At every stage in our lives their are certain things expected of us, it may not be convenient but it's necessary. And if I have to wear sneakers to safe a life, I will. If I have to wear boots to win a battle, I will. If I have to wear soccer boots to win a match I will,
And, if I have to wear flats or heels to get a job I will... It's not about doing it easy, but doing it right."
I looked at her and chewed on the last statement. It's not about doing it easy, but doing it right. I knew my shoes were out of place but I felt comfortable in them.
"We all feel comfortable doing things our own way, and if the world was without laws and every man was allowed to live as he please then the world will be in chaos."
She paused to observe my reaction, but I had none, I was nursing within some regrets,
'I should have worn ballet flats' I thought within.
"You are perfect for the job, but we are not just looking for someone who can fill the space but for someone who is willing to honor the terms and conditions of this Institute. We ought to let you go but we will give you one more chance to go through our internship program again and reapply for the job."
I didn't know if I should be relieved or sorry, or maybe I just got lucky.
I know the next time I will be in this room I will definitely be on flats... Ballet flats I mean. But ' I love sneaks' I yelled within.
"But I love this job more"
Come let's reason together, it's not about what you can't do without but what you need to do without to get what you want. If you need to get rid of a bad habit you do it as long as you get what you need.
If you need to quit smoking to save your deteriorating lungs, won't you? unless you have a death wish.
If you have to quit alcohol to save your liver wouldn't you? If you have to quit worrying to enjoy peace wouldn't you?
So what are you not willing to give, leave, wear or do without to get a spot in Heaven?
Remember, it not about doing it easy, but doing it right
-JOO
Impressive
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