Karen Vasquez Paralegal

I’ve had just about every job title you can imagine. Although as a child, I wanted to be a lawyer I never took it beyond a wish. God has granted me nearly every childhood wish. As soon as I get my hands on a law book, all of my childhood wishes will have been granted. There is truth to the saying, “make a wish”. God has been with me every step of the way. Wishes I never told anyone have been granted, like making soap at home with my son. I saw a commercial years ago of someone making soap with her son and I thought that would be nice. Never told anyone, not even my son and years later we are making soap! Check out my Online Botanica Natural Wellness Shop on Facebook! Nothing is for sale. I share Science, Nature and the word of God on that page and I am quite proud in how it has grown! God has been waiting on me to surrender and as of February 2021, I did. My blessings began immediately, though quite painful I am proud of myself and my children during this process. I had to remove myself from so many people I thought loved me. They actually hated me, why? Their unhandled trauma that’s why. With the grace of God I am now able to share my story. I have some funny stories to tell so I am ready to rock and roll! Storytelling time!

Today I bring to you a tale on how I became Karen Vasquez, Paralegal. You can catch this episode on The Vibe Podcast! Plug baby! Who doesn’t like a good plug from time to time?? Our Podcast is very Indie and the episode was recorded just as I got a job after being unemployed for three months with no income. Trying times indeed but we pulled through even through the wire. (Kanye West, Through the Wire) Music is everything to me! Hold me down in dark times and lifts me up when I need the boost. God bless my poets! I gave myself the title of Paralegal after many years of being a Manager, I thought why not just add Paralegal to the mix. In the early 2000’s, I went from humble beginnings at the Yonkers Hampton Inn & Suites. This was my first serious job and I began a career in Hospitality. After my beloved Ex, the Respectful Player who convinced me to get a real job I landed at the good ol Yonkers Hampton Inn & Suites. I was fortunate enough to be part of the opening crew at the hotel. We had to train and take a test for the hotel to open. We also had to clean rooms that were recently constructed. In other words, lots of cleaning up and lots of stories from that hotel alone! I went from being a Front Desk Agent to Night Audit. Then from Bartender to Night Audit. This was my hustle and flow, I was bringing in that dough. I may not know how to mix drinks quickly but I know how to show people a good time. That’s the entertainer in me, I’ll make you happy you came by and spent some cash. I got a lot of learning experience at that property eventually, I got the itch to work in NYC again. This time was for Hospitality and not the Strip Clubs. I was quite proud of mymyself for my accomplishments.

I was ready for NYC once again! Landed a Guest Relations Manager job at the Doubletree by Hilton Metropolitan over on 569 Lexington Ave. This is a landmark property where Marilyn Monroe took the iconic photo in her white dress. God bless Marilyn Monroe! I have lots of stories to tell! This is where I became... a Karen! No! Yes!

Unfortunately, I was in fear of losing everything I worked hard for.

My accomplishments meant the world to me at that time but unfortunately I had to deal with bullying at the workplace.

Bullying from my bosses, and although I have always been intelligent not being guided has caused me a lot of failures in life. It’s a miracle that I am alive and well today, the cruelty I have endured and witnessed is unreal and I am grateful to have survived and I am now able to write about my experiences in an effort to help others.

Now that I have learned all that I needed to learn in life I can say this, not one person out there can bully me and get away with it. I will teach kindness until the day I die. We must do better, look at the world today. We must do better and if it has to start with me so be it, I respect myself and so will you darling. Congratulations on your high ranking position but nothing gives you reason to be unkind. Your cruelty towards others will come back to bite you, your best bet is to be kind.

The Doubltree Metropolitan was my very first Union property.

Boy o boy do I have stories on that experience alone.

I’ll be writing on my experiences with the Union as well, over at the Doubletree Metropolitan is where I learned the term; “That’s not my job” Listen up new Managers, learning the Union rules is a must!

Check yourself before you wreck yourself vibes, God bless Ice Cube!. One random day after settling into this property, I get pushed into the bellman closet. One of the Pitbulls got a hold of me, was actually the AGM! And says to me, “You know you’re disposable right?” “Do you know that you’re disposable?” I had no idea what she was talking about nor did I know what I did wrong to deserve nearly being fired. Stick around with me, you will learn this is a common theme in most of my jobs. The good ol threaten me with my job but cannot tell me what I have done wrong= we have abusers at the workplace!

But at that time I had felt so accomplished, I did not want to lose my career right away! I had just worked hard for my life!! I didn’t want to lose my job and I wanted a career. One rule about me is, never kiss ass. I have always worked hard but I never kiss ass. I have busted my ass for bosses who were never really happy with my performance. Although I performed well, I’ve always had decent reviews. What I didn’t do was kiss ass and this has caused some tension I’m sure. Darling your title don’t mean shit! But if my employer wants more outta me, I give more. I work harder, I do all I can to excel but because I don’t kiss ass there has always been competence issues at the work place.. right-Bullies at the workplace I tell ya. But after the incident in the Bellman closet, I began to think of ways to improve as a Manager. I changed my look, I’ve always been a free Spirit. My hair has always been long and loose. Now I was putting my hair in tight buns. I was not sure but after the incident with the AGM, I knew I had to do better. So I suited up, much like the movie Rambo. He suited up for war, I suited up for the hotel industry. I became a Karen, and eventually promoted to Manager on Duty. My untreated depression elevated just as my career did. After a traumatic life, you must seek therapy or you will fail. I thought I was ok by simply having a good job. Wrong. I had unhandled trauma, though I excelled at the workplace I lost myself once again. In essence, I died again. There was no more Diana, now I was a full fledged Karen. I had the bun, the blazer and eventually big glasses. WTF! Selling out once again for paper, selling out might feel good temporarily but remember You Are Selling Out! I was a sell out for many years, although I moved up in the ranks of hospitality I was nothing more than a sell out in a suit. My wellness began to suffer and although I had a good job in New York City, the big Apple! I was lost..I was lost in the city that never sleeps. The person that I was destined to be was officially gone. I am grateful to have been baptized born again in 2017. I am starting my life over again from scratch. This time with knowledge as I also got on the deanslist at Berkeley College back in 2017, I know the truth of my father’s murder. With the knowledge of his murder, I have gained confidence. My father is my Guardian Angel, he would never let me fail so I have no fear. I have taken calculated risks and started my own company as a result! God is great! Stick around because of my life experiences I will be sharing lots of stories. You know the vibes! Karen Vasquez Paralegal Vibes! One day I wish to bring Karen to life via an animated series, the things I have witnessed must be seen! Right now it’s in concept phase, my son Gabe is sketching out the characters. This journey has been bittersweet but storytelling is making up for the pains of my past.

Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for more Karen Vasquez Paralegal stories!