Kachina's question gave her a moment of pause. They'd been sharing a light lunch when Yun Jin politely excused herself, explaining she had to practice for a show. Suddenly, Kachina asked her, "Miss Yun Jin, do you like your job?"
Yun Jin blinked. "For the most part, yes. Why do you ask?"
"Well, sometimes it seems you're unhappy with it."
Yun Jin conceded the point. "I'll admit it's not without its frustrations. But it's what I've done all my life and what I wish to continue. Every job has its drawbacks. Sometimes, I wish I had more time for myself and my friends."
"So, why don't you quit?"
"I suppose because the highs exceed the lows. I love opera and the routine my work gives me. Receiving external validation from happy audiences and my castmates makes it all worthwhile. The enjoyable part of my profession I find truly intellectually engaging."
Kachina nodded. "I think I get it. So, you gave up your free time so you could work more?"
"That's one way to look at it," said Yun Jin. "But that was a choice that I made for myself."
"Wow. Adulting sounds hard."
"It can be. But for me, at least, the joys are mostly worth it."