Dear Employer:

I can't believe you are making me WORK ON A MINE for FOUR MONTHS while living in a hotel room in total isolation somewhere in the middle of Nevada. While my bank account will appreciate the massive amounts of overtime that working 12/7 will accumulate, this really puts a dent in my personal life. I'm sure that my boyfriend and my bike will not remember what I look like upon return. After all, they only had two weeks to get used to the idea. Please, reconsider your decision to destroy any desire that your young female scientists have to work for you.

Sincerely, me.



Dear Me,

I really encourage you to have the guts and perseverance to follow the career that you really want to have. Yes, getting into school is tough for this career. Yes, you do have to quit work first to take the classes you need to apply for grad school. Yes, you may not make it. Sure, you feel like your mid-twenties were wasted on getting a degree that you aren't going to use anymore after four months is up(see above letter). But I applaud you for figuring out what kind of life you want to have, and what is really important to you. You only live once. Oh, and if you don't take this chance, you'll be stuck working on drill rigs, housing developments, and mine sites for the next thirty years. Your choice, babe.

Love, Me.