Financial Crisis - A Crash Course in Banking

So I started working for a bank about a month ago. Yes, I know. Smart career move. Perfect time to join the financial services sector.

Anyhow, as you may have guessed from the name of my blog, I am by no means a smarty pants serious banker type. Until I started working here, I honestly never paid a minute of attention to the stock market or anything financial in nature. I didn't do very well in econ class either. However, I have learned a lot in this very short amount of time.

If you've paid an ounce of attention to the news lately, you know our country is in the middle of a financial hurricane. My job = media relations for a bank in the middle of it all. Fun times. In my first month here, I have worked 13 hour days, been on multiple weekend conference calls, and witnessed heroic media relations efforts. I am in complete awe of the team I have joined, and am getting a serious crash course in all things banking, as well as first hand education on best-in-class crisis communication management. Does that mean I love my new job? Absolutely not.

Until things calm down (if things calm down), I can't do a whole lot. My job is really about promoting events and activities in specific markets to the media; however, given the fact that ALL banking/finance reporters are covering the Wall Street crisis, it is totally a waste of time to pitch anything else at this point. Not to mention we don't really want to right now. I'm bored. I can't help too much with the crisis stuff. I just keep my eyes on the media coverage in my markets and pitch in when I can. I sit in my new office, mostly in mute mode listening to conference calls. Job security is a big issue too - with all of these banks falling down around us, who knows who's next... aaaahhhh.... what did I get myself into?

Enough about work. I am sure it will work itself out. Until then, I am focusing much more on my creative work - stamping and scrapbooking. Loving that. I want to go on a scrapbooking getaway weekend sometime soon. My friend M and I have been going once a month to Archiver's Scrap Mania - love it! I highly recommend it. 6 hours of uninterrupted scrapbooking with the added benefit of as-needed shopping!! Had my Sept. stamp club meeting on Monday. I did all Halloween stuff - pretty fun projects. A Frankenstein candy bar wrapper, card using the new scallop edge punch, Pop Rocks card.

My parents are on vacation in California until Tuesday. I HATE when my parents go anywhere. I feel so stranded because of everything my mom normally does for/with me and my girls! Usually, she has my girls overnight every Thursday night and does stuff with us/them on the weekends. She does the girls' laundry. She cleans my house (I pay her for this with stamping stuff). She is always available to pick something up for me on the way home that I can't because I'm stuck in traffic or working late. Just all these things that are such hugely helpful tasks to my routine. I really miss her!! I know... I'm spoiled. But I really do appreciate her and everything she does. Believe me, I do show her my gratitude :) And, I think all of the hugs, kisses and "I love you's" from the girls are all she really does it for anyway!

On to the most important topic of all - Fashion. So, it's officially fall. My absolute favorite time of year. I LOVE the skirts and tights and sweaters that come with the cooler weather. I am feeling a bit inadequate on the work wardrobe front though. I went shopping a couple weeks ago and bought two suits, but I am returning one. I feel guilty about how much it cost, and I don't LOVE it enough for the money. The other one is pretty awesome though. It's more a professional dress than an actual suit - very Jackie-O. I have decided that there is really one designer of petite suits that I can actually wear - Tahari. All of the other petite suits are not petite. The pants are meant for someone at least 6 inches taller than I am. Anyhow, I am ready to bust out the wool A-line skirts and opaque tights. I am on the look out for a new plaid skirt - one that I can mix with different jackets and turtleneck combinations. And of course, I am always looking for shoes. I need to find a new pair of brown "school shoes" (as my friend Julie calls them) for the evenings/weekends romping around with the girls. There were a few pairs at DSW worth considering... will have to make a return trip. Maybe on Saturday while Jer is at a bachelor party! :)