Forums / Readers Write / APRIL 09 - READERS

HAVE YOUR SAY

THE OBAMAS ARE IN
Thank you for your special feature on President Obama and his wife Michelle. Thanks to them, the White House and America will see a change. I admire them greatly. I am a chef and have worked with many high-profile clients. My dream is to cook for them someday, even if it is for a one-day event. It would be such an honor!
Jonathan W.
Pacific Palisades, CA

Michelle Obama is classy, accomplished, dedicated, and makes a wonderful mother and wife. She will bring a whole new character to the White House. She is being compared to previous First Ladies, but I believe that she is in a league all by herself. History will have a story to tell about her. She will be the greatest First Lady that this country has ever had.
April M.
Stamford, CT

I subscribe to your magazine, and I fail to see what all the fuss is about with the Obamas. We have a new president in the White House, and that’s all there is to it. He is not the first President of the United States of America, nor will he be the last. They all come with wonderful promises of change, but as far as I am concerned, presidents are politicians, and all they can do is be self-serving. Please stick to issues that really affect us in this industry.
Charles R.
Norfolk, AL

WHAT A RELIEF
I read your article “Home Base” (Jan/Feb issue) with interest. I, too, am a transfer from the corporate world to the household-service industry. I worked in an executive position in a big corporation and was not familiar with the great opportunities available in this industry. My job was unrewarding, extremely stressful, and humdrum. I was in my late forties, and a chance meeting with an individual who told me about these types of jobs changed my life. I did my research, started looking around cautiously, and, to my astonishment, landed a job as an estate manager for a very wealthy family. I have never looked back since then. A different world has been opened up for me, and I love every minute of it. In the eight years that I have worked in this position, I have met and seen dignitaries and celebrities that I never dreamed I would ever be in the same room with. I have been introduced to a lifestyle that I did not even know existed. I am very thankful for where I am today. To top it all, the salary is amazing, even with the recession.
Keith S.
Los Angeles, CA

MOVING ON
I agree with E. Hayes who wrote “Bad Fit” (Jan/Feb issue). You can take only so much abuse from a boss. I have been a personal assistant for 12 years and have had great bosses, but also some really awful ones. I used to be afraid of making the decision of quitting because of the fear of not being able to find another job. However, when it got to a point where I would go to bed afraid of facing the next day, I knew it was time to make a bold move. In this line of work, if you do not take care of yourself, nobody else will. I have never disrespected an employer, but I know my worth now.
Sandra T.
New York, NY