101 reasons why Joce is awesome (Joce)

When my mom was growing up she wanted to be an oceanographer. Rather than encourage her in her educational pursuits, the adults around her made her believe that women could only be two things: nurses or teachers. So, when she went to college, she studied to be a teacher. To this day she regrets that she didn’t have the nerve to stand up to those around her and really go for what she wanted.

When I was growing up, she told me this story as a warning: you can be whatever you want to be! Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t accomplish whatever you set your mind to. My dad did, too. He would feed me stories of Olympic athletes, pioneers and young entrepreneurs making headlines in the Wall Street Journal. At school it was the same thing. You could be President of the United States – any American kid could be President of the United States! We would sit in a circle and talk about how everyone was different but equal and wonderful and how we kids could change the world, one save the rainforest campaign and Amnesty International letter writing session at a time. I dressed up as Nellie Bly for Halloween. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_Bly

I grew up in the age of self-esteem. Add in a couple of afternoons of Oprah a week and I was thoroughly convinced that my future held success in spades. Champion ice skater! Millionaire by 21! First woman president? Very probable. I bought it all, hook, line and sinker.

I guess I don’t need to tell you that reality hit hard and fast. I couldn’t get the funding to go to my college of choice, so I floundered at state college and spent 7 years working full time at Rite Aid and Pizza Hut to pay my tuition. When I graduated, I realized that my Art/English/Anthropology degree was worthless in the job field. So, I went to grad school, which promptly put me $50,000 in debt and qualified me for an entry level job that paid $22,500 a year. So much for millionaire by 21.

I should mention that I also grew up under the spell of Disney romance, Seventeen magazine and Anne of Green Gables. True love will come to you, even if you are a high-spirited, red-headed orphan or a girl with a fish tail instead of legs. AND, not only will true love come to you, but he’ll probably be super hot and a prince, to boot. Just be yourself. That’s all it takes.

Yeah. So, that didn’t happen. And it’s been pretty damn depressing to realize, in writing this blog, that I’m the common denominator in all this failure. Predictably, my self-esteem, once so buoyant, has hit a new low. I know, with all the sitcom pseudo-psychology and Cosmo magazine that I’ve consumed, that no man is going to like me if I don’t like myself. Walk into a room with confidence in your stride and you’ll be handing out your phone number; believe in yourself and others will believe in you, too.


In honor of that, I’ve taken a page from the Oprah archive and I’ve made a list: 101 reasons why Joce is awesome. And, you know what? As corny as it is, this exercise has actually improved my attitude and made me more hopeful about the future. Maybe you should try it.

101 reasons why Joce is awesome

1. I seek out interesting things, people and places and love to share them
2. I’m capable
3. I’m not afraid of a challenge
4. I’m organized
5. I’m competitive but I’m not a sore loser
6. I’m tidy
7. I’m a great friend
8. I’m funny
9. I’m willing to admit my faults
10. I’m a good listener
11. I give good advice
12. I’m just as happy with a hot dog on the grill as a fancy restaurant
13. I’m not afraid of hard work
14. I’m healthy
15. I’m game
16. I’m hospitable
17. I believe in being a unique individual and appreciate differences in others
18. I’m a great cook
19. I don’t have a very good sense of smell, so if your place/car/office stinks, I probably won’t notice
20. I’m not vain
21. It doesn’t take me long to get ready in the morning
22. I have high standards, but hold myself to the highest standard
23. I am kind and compassionate
24. I’m empathetic and sympathetic
25. I’m clever and witty
26. I’m not afraid to laugh at myself
27. I’m a good writer
28. I’m a good editor
29. I’m book smart and street smart
30. I have a great family
31. I love to travel
32. I’m adventurous
33. I’m an open book
34. Good teeth
35. I’ll never let you leave in the morning without your coffee and something to eat
36. I’d be a good mom
37. I’m a good gift giver
38. I am constantly striving to improve myself
39. I’m adaptable
40. I’m flexible
41. I think it's okay to ask for help and to help others; go team!
42. Free wine!
43. I’m entrepreneurial
44. I’m well-educated
45. I’m not religious
46. I have your back
47. I think it's okay to make mistakes, we're all humans with sparkles and flaws
48. I’m dependable, never flaky and I always follow through
49. I have a good eye for design
50. I love animals
51. I root for the underdog
52. I’m discerning, not picky
53. I can take direction, I’m a good team member
54. I like making other people look good
55. I’m not afraid to take the reins
56. I have an opinion but I pick my battles
57. I like problem solving
58. I’m nurturing
59. I’m mostly practical
60. I’m a quick study
61. I’m supportive
62. I’m artistic/creative
63. I’m better than average looking
64. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt
65. I have an iron stomach
66. I have beautiful big eyes and full lips
67. I love a good deal
68. I’m persistent
69. I’m passionate
70. I’m loyal
71. I can be silly or serious
72. Big boobs!
73. I’ll always laugh at your jokes
74. I’m good at my job
75. I’m short but I have a big personality
76. I’m not a vegetarian
77. I’m a good correspondent
78. I’m not average
79. I don't care about keeping up with the Jones's
80. I can type 80 w.p.m.
81. I’m forgiving, I don’t hold grudges
82. I’m affectionate
83. I will defend my loved ones even at the risk of my own security
84. I’m responsible
85. Under a wimpy exterior, I’m tougher than most
86. When the shit hits the fan, I step up to the plate
87. I love to do outdoorsy stuff
88. I’m a good storyteller
89. I’m stylish
90. I’m friendly
91. I can sew
92. Any place I live is automatically a home
93. Old people find me charming (I can hold my own with bosses, parents, professors)
94. Need a good Halloween costume? I’m your man
95. I’m good at packing
96. I’m complimentary
97. I’m generous
98. I would do anything for you
99. I don't do drugs, smoke or drink excessively
100. I’m hopeful
101. I have a lot of potential