Santa strikes back!

(So about two months ago, I wrote a letter to Santy Claus. You see, I'm having somewhat of a quarter-life crisis, trying to figure out where I belong and what I should be doing in this wide, weird world. Since I already know what everybody else expects of me, I decided to seek unbiased advice from the jolliest of advisors: Santy Claus. Today, he wrote back.)

My dear little friend Girl on the Corner,

Well, I just turned on my computer a few minutes ago, and lo and behold, there was your email! It's so nice to hear from you.

Are you looking forward to Christmas? We certainly are. It's the most magical time of the year. We're all very busy you know-Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer and, of course, Santa himself. Ho! Ho! Ho! Everyone's working together to make sure this is the best Christmas ever for boys and girls all over the world.

We had our annual Christmas concert a few days ago. The Elf-Time Singers sang all my favourite holiday songs, including "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." The North Pole Prancers treated us to some great dancing as they sailed across the stage, up into the sky and then back down again in a flurry of fur and antlers. Guess what everyone had for a treat at intermission? Snow cones!

Well, dear little friend, thanks again for your email. I'm always so pleased to find messages like yours in my inbox. Please remember to email next year!

Love,
Santa

(So I think Santy called me a ho. Three times. I also think he didn't actually read my letter, and may be one of those selfish bastards who only yammer on about themselves. You fat Kringle bastard. Okay, I take that back. I still love Santy. But I think I know what I have to do now.)

-Girl on the Corner (is going to consume a snow cone)

My Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I know my letter comes a little early (or later than it used to considering I haven't written you since I was nine), but it snowed here yesterday and in Edmonton, that's an admission that Christmas is here.

You'll probably crumple up my letter now, because I'm 25 years old and haven't yet asked about Rudolph or Mrs. Claus. (How are they by the way? I do care, really). The only thing I want from you is just a few moments to read my letter.

I'm 25 and I'm aware that you "exist" in the hearts of children and as the great, kind spirit of giving and love, so even though this service is for a lot of little ones hoping for Barbies and Transformers (not unlike when I was a kid), I still think you have a good message to share.

I wasn't really having the most satisfactory year, like a lot of other folks. All this past year, I've been torn in my professional life as I watch others forced to make tough choices or jump bravely into new challenges. I've been conflicted with three choices:

-Do I stay at a workplace that I'm not particularly fond of and makes me feel trapped with fear of not finding another job in this pitiful economy?

-Do I head back to school for a program I only like (not love) to throw myself back into debt, part-time jobs and my parents' basement?

-Do I march out of my comfort zone, whereby I exchange financial security yet corporate toe-lining for creative freedom yet instability?

Santa, I just don't want to play another year of "what do I do?" High school and college were all about "accomplish these things in this amount of time." Now I'm flying without a plan. And I'm a person who needs a plan. My wish this Christmas is for a clear path. What do you advise I do?

Yours,
Girl on the Corner (all she wants for Christmas is the man with a plan)