Performance Reviews And WhyThey Give Me Hives

Am I the only one who worries about what their annual performance review?

I mean no one is perfect, but don't you feel like when it comes time to put those reviews in the attorneys' hands, they get more excited about writing about the time you accidentally forgot to put their dry cleaning pick up date on the calendar than they do about arguing a big motion?

Seriously, I think I'm a pretty darn good secretary.  I'm not bragging but I've been doing this for a long time and I think I really try hard.

Yet, there's always one little thing that they remember (which you have completely tried to put out of your mind) that stops you from being the "superstar assistant" you could be. 

We just have to keep in mind that there's always next year's review (where they will once again, remember that tiny infraction).

I just like to know in advance when they're going to pass the envelopes so I make sure I'm wearing my big girl pants.

Book Review: "The Partner Track" by Helen Wan

"The Partner Track" A Novel by Helen Wan

Not sure how this one almost slipped past me, but happy that a co-worker told me about this 'chick-lit' which very realistically characterizes life at a large law firm.

I can't say that I've ever worked at a firm where they've had an in-house restaurant but there are many similarities to daily life in this one.

The story focuses on the life of one Ingrid Yung, a first-generation, over-achiever, who is on "the partner track."  

What I enjoyed most about the book is that the author doesn't just tell the story from the perspective of the attorney but she also has clearly paid attention to support staff with her realistic portrayals of secretaries, paralegals and others.

A bit "slow" in some parts, perhaps due to the fact that I work in a law firm and it was "every day life" for me.  Somewhat of a surprise ending.

Overall, an easy and enjoyable read.

Ingrid Yung's life is full of firsts. A first-generation Chinese American, the first lawyer in her family, she's about to collect the holy grail of "firsts" and become the first minority woman to make partner at the venerable old law firm Parsons Valentine & Hunt. 

"Ingrid has perfected the art of "passing" and seamlessly blends into the old-boy corporate culture. She gamely banters in the corporate cafeteria, plays in the firm softball league, and earnestly racks up her billable hours. But when an offensive incident at the summer outing threatens the firm's reputation, Ingrid's outsider status is suddenly thrown into sharp relief. Scrambling to do damage control, Parsons Valentine announces a new Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, commanding Ingrid to spearhead the effort. Only she's about to close an enormous transaction that was to be her final step in securing partnership.

For the first time, Ingrid must question her place in the firm. Pitted against her colleagues, including her golden-boy boyfriend, Ingrid begins to wonder whether the prestige of partnership is worth breaching her ethics. But can she risk throwing away the American dream that is finally within her reach?"

(From Amazon.com)http://www.amazon.com/The-Partner-Track-A-Novel/dp/1250056497

The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking by Lindy Dekoven

Available on Kindle and in Paperback

I just spent a week with four amazing women.  Kenzie, Gemma, Brynne and Sarita.

There's nothing that makes me smile like a good book.  And "The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking" by Lindy Dekoven is a winner.

I happen to believe that nothing is by coincidence and this book gave me hope that women can truly be good friends and support each other. Even though it often doesn't feel that way.

I chose it for my book club's selection this month and it's a real "feel good."

Sometimes you just need to end up in a happy place and know that you're not alone.  




A humiliating incident four years ago cost Kenzie Armstrong her pride and her marketing career, but now she’s making her way back at a run-down racetrack where she’s charged with increasing attendance. After a chance encounter with a storefront psychic, Kenzie begins secretly wishing that the fortune teller’s far-fetched prediction will come true.
Her best friend, Gemma, an outspoken extrovert and dreamer, has her own secret wish—finding the true identify of her biological father. But is it worth the risk? And at what cost?
Brynne is a powerful and bossy horse owner at the racetrack, with a seemingly perfect family and Bel-Air mansion to match. But her world is full of dark secrets, many of which threaten everything she has.
Sarita, a track coordinator by day and Goth singer by night, bristles under the expectations of her traditional Indian family. Underneath it all, she secretly longs for their approval and acceptance of her chosen life.
The Secret Life of Wishful Thinking is a warm and humorous tale about four women who forge an unlikely and supportive bond—and have the audacity to dream. (from Amazon.com)

It's March Madness Time - How Are Those New Year Resolutions Working For You?

Wow - where did the time go?

I had such big plans.  I was going to revert back to more paper instead of less paper (in the form of planners, calendars and the like), I was going to have all my work files "color coded," update ALL of my bosses' contacts in Outlook, make my workspace more "fung-shui-ey" and bring my lunch at least three times a week in 2015.

I looked up and it's already time for the office "March Madness" pool.

Looks like the only thing going mad these days is me.  With the ever-changing role of the legal secretary, a higher attorney/secretary ratio and longer commutes due to transit systems that are off-schedule, broken and other "unforeseen" obstacles, my resolutions are about 1/10th of the way complete.

Thank Goodness for Daylight Savings Time which means that I will have a couple of extra hours of light to get in some chores at home after work.

Who am I kidding?  I will just have more light to see all the things that still need doing.

I'll Take the Blame for That! The Proverbial Scapegoat

Is it just me who feels like the secretary is always the fall-guy/gal?

What about attorneys who wait until the last minute to meet deadlines?  When was the last time you heard one of them say, "Hey, Susie, that's my mistake.  I should have looked over that agreement before vacation?"

Don't hold your breath.

And there's something that many secretaries, yours truly, inevitably do and that is to take the blame even when it's not our fault. 

It might have something to do with the fact that we need to keep our jobs.  And the customer (i.e. attorney) is always right.

I'm really working on not internalizing it all.  Which is super hard for me to do.  Even though, I may know in my heart of hearts, it's not my fault, there's something about the way (women especially) are raised to shoulder the burden of whatever goes awry.

Thank God for all the wonderful vendors who have provided me with a nice collection of stress balls over the years.

Nothing Helps Me Overcome "Writer's Block" Better Than A Good Mystery Read

Long time, no blog.  I feel terrible.  It's already February, and I haven't posted one thing this year.  

It's just that whenever I got ready to sit down and write something, nothing really inspired me.  

I mean, I could babble about the "New Year" and "Resolutions," and "Eating Better," and "Better Work Habits," etc. but it just didn't feel like a "blog post."

However, nothing gets my creative juices pumping like a good mystery.  I just finished reading "The Cinderella Murder" by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke.  Confession:  This was my very first Mary Higgins Clark novel.  I have, of course, read several of Alafair Burke's books and love her.

Now, I'll add Mary Higgins Clark to my list of "guilty pleasures."

I mean, face it, when you work in this business under such intense, fast-paced and stressful situations, who doesn't need an escape?

I promise I won't stay away this long again!

Happy Hump Day!


In a first-time collaboration, “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark partners with bestselling author Alafair Burke to deliver a brand new suspense series about a television program featuring cold case murders.

Television producer Laurie Moran is delighted when the pilot for her reality drama, Under Suspicion, is a success. Even more, the program—a cold case series that revisits unsolved crimes by recreating them with those affected—is off to a fantastic start when it helps solve an infamous murder in the very first episode.  *From Amazon.com

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Or, Maybe Not

Okay, it's holiday time and you know what that means.

Office politics and more office politics.

Do you or don't you gift the boss?  Even though your boss makes about 20 times your salary - or more - is it appropriate to reciprocate with a small token?  That is presuming that she gives you a gift.  But that's another post for another day.

Do you or don't you gift your co-workers?  And would that include your cubicle mate whose loud perfume sends you home with a headache every day?  

Are you expected to attend the holiday party?  Even if you don't really want to see Suzy get on the table and sing karaoke while she's three sheets to the wind.  Should you skip it this year because last year you mistook the boss's husband for her son?

Do you give in to temptation and eat every holiday cookie, cake, lunch and dinner that's offered in the office or do you stick to your guns and call on your inner strength.  This one is a 'no-brainer' for me.  I'll take "cookie" for 500.

Do you decorate your cube like a giant gift box or do you simply opt for a small bow in order not to offend any religious beliefs?  

Whatever you decide, good luck because I can't help you.  I'm still trying to figure it out for myself.

Fa-la-la-la-la.