Ignorance sure is bliss.

I don't usually like to blog about this stuff, but you know what? This is my corner of the internet world and I really need this sort of therapy to make me feel better right now.

So, on with it...

Yesterday my good friend S asked me about the possibility of fostering a dog and since my aunt has several foster dogs ALL THE TIME I knew we could easily find S a dog to take care of. So, in the span of about 3 hours we contacted my aunt, located a dog and headed out to the country to pick up the little guy. This is the fun part of my story... Now, on to the not-so-fun part of my story...

We met my aunt at a little restaurant in her small town, sat at the bar and had dinner and four a couple drinks along with some great conversation. My sister got off of work during that time and headed out there as well. So, the four of us were having a great time talking, laughing and sharing stories about our pets. Well, I happened to be talking to my sister, who was to my right, about something when I heard my aunt, who was to my immediate left, talking to my friend who was to my aunt's left about her degree.

I met S in college almost 10 years ago. We both went to ISU where S got a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and I got a Bachelors of Science in Fashion and Business. I heard my aunt asking S about where she went to college and just making small talk. Then I heard her asking what he degree was in, and she goes, and I quote, "You didn't get a degree in merchandising like this one did, did you?" and points towards me. At first I pretended not to hear her, but then I looked over at her and said, "What?" And, my aunt goes, "Your degree is in merchandising, you didn't get a Bachelor's, like S did."

I. was. pissed.

You probably had to be there, because as I go back and read what I wrote it sounds like a simple misunderstanding.

I corrected my aunt and said, "No my degree is a BS, it's the same as S's just a different area of study." She then starts exclaiming how she can't believe that, that degree is a BS and that she doesn't believe me and wants to see my diploma.

SAY WHAT?!

Then I was really pissed.

I don't usually get mad, but when I'm mad, I'm REALLY MAD.

I snapped, "Well, then do you want to pay the rest of the $25,000 I have in student loans? Do you REALLY think I went to school for FOUR years and got nothing out of it? Seriously? Also, how could I possibly be working on Master's if I didn't have a Bachelors?"

My sister starts tugging my sleeve to get me to stop talking but I was furious. I wanted to slap my aunt for continuing to challenge me after I explained her error. After a couple minutes though, I just turned my back to her and started ignoring her. I went to pay my tab, but my aunt had picked up the tab for all four of us. Which, only irritated me more. I can pay my own bill.

I know this seems silly, and it probably is, but for years I have felt inadequate. That, because I didn't get a degree in Finance or Business or Marketing or Advertising or any other silly label that I am not as smart. But, I took just as many Marketing/Advertising/Business/Accounting classes that everyone else did. I had the same gen eds as everyone else, my "area of study" was just as business related and required several areas of expertise that have helped me immensely, such as HR, PR, math and accounting, design and marketing principles.

I know a lot of my anger is stemming from my own insecurities, I get it. It has helped to write it out on here though. I knew it would. I was just so hurt, because she was basically making fun of me to MY good friend. It just reminded me of why I don't spend much time with her. She tears others down (her own family!) to make herself feel better. I worked hard for my degree and nobody can take it away, I know that.

I prayed about it last night, which helped a lot, and I'm putting it out on here, which will probably help as well. It's just still hurtful that not even your own family will brag about you like they should. Shouldn't she boast about her family, not tear them down...?

Ugh, do you have any family members that you just can't stand? (Don't we all?)