Nic Narrates

Gas mileage: on family vacations (yes, we drove everywhere) I saved us the most on gas, and I’m still skilled at making every gallon count—even in city traffic.

Literary analysis: ever since I read The Canterbury Tales in Middle English for fun while a sophomore in high school, I not only get literature, but can argue with the best of them on why my perspective is worthy, and publishable.

Baking: I make kickass homemade bread, Christmas cookies, pumpkin pie, and birthday cake—even better than my mom who is an amazing cook (the kind who doesn’t measure or write a thing down, but miraculously knows how much of this or that at what temperature and for how long will make for home-cooked awesomeness).

Letter writing: I can turn a phrase. Whether it’s a “strongly worded” complaint, a letter written on behalf of the CEO, or a personal letter conveying gratitude, sympathy, or love; I get it done.

Direction sense: I never get lost. I head whichever way I need to end up and figure I’ll arrive there eventually. How I get there isn’t much of a concern–I always find my way sooner or later (wow- huge metaphor there!).

Mind over matter: whether it’s earning a degree, getting a new job, impressing a guy, “investing” in a pricey handbag, being published, or traveling alone to foreign locales; if I set my mind to something, I make it happen (see- who needs The Secret?).

Wardrobe building: I have a knack for color, texture, accessorizing, and body flattering fits. I know my style and am good at helping others find theirs (my new classes are a perfect…fit).

Sales: I’ve hawked cell phones over the phone before their cultural tipping point, 65K worth of fine jewelry a month on commission, and entire cookie sheets of Jello shots at a time during house parties in college. I can close.

Believing in people: I’m a closeted optimist (I am too!). I believe all people are inherently good and just want to be loved and accepted. And people who do inexcusable, horrible things to themselves and to others do so from their pain and anguish. Hurt people hurt people.

Running in heels: I live my life in 4 inch stilettos, kitten heels, strappy sandles, wedges, stacked heels, slingbacks, d’ orsays… I run for the bus and the train in heels, drive in heels, dance in heels, work in heels, and will even walk 9 city blocks in heels (which all explains why I need so many pairs and why 12 of them are sitting at the cobbler even now).

Everyone has talents on which to pride themselves. Maybe yours is mental math or ironing a crisp white shirt or coaching soccer or the lost art of penmanship or selecting reliably ripe honey dew. I don’t know.

The point is, I don’t think any of us can afford waiting around for someone else’s praise. Sometimes, you just have to let yourself know why you rock…and then trust it.