I have had a lot of interactions in the past few days that make me wonder how good I would be at robbing a bank. Okay, so I have really been wondering how different I can really look from day to day and only just came up with the bank robbing idea now. But seriously, if I could rob a bank and get away with it, that would be a pretty good Plan B if grad school does not work out.
Anyway.
Saturday I went skiing with a group of people. I knew my friend, her husband, and another friend's husband/boyfriend/fiance (long story). Then there were four people (men, in the event you find their observation skills relevant to the story) who I have never met. When you ski, you try to stay all warm with hats and big coats and gloves and ski masks and you cover your mouth and nose if possible. You do not see a whole lot of the actual person with whom you are skiing. BUT, in addition to skiing together, we hung out getting ready and packing up without all that gear on, and we had dinner together when we got back to my friend's house.
Then, as I conveniently live about 0.3 miles from her house, I ran home to shower and change before the rest of her birthday festivities that night. THREE PEOPLE with whom I had spent a significant amount of time that day did not realize that I was the same person. One woman who had joined us for the dinner part introduced herself to me again, and I explained we had met 2 hours earlier (nicely, of course, because I thought it was funny); one guy talked to me for a good 20 minutes before I referred to skiing and he realized who I was; the third guy actually did realize I was me quickly. A little bit to their credit, I had blow-dried my hair and was wearing my glasses and was no longer wearing goggles...or a hat...or ski clothes that make me look twice my size.
I actually did not think much of it, as I had only just met these people. Tonight I went to a Dean of the College-sponsored faculty lecture. The Grad Dean, who I see nearly weekly and communicate with frequently due to my position in the graduate student government, did not recognize me at first, or for about 30 seconds following at first. She was like, "Oh! Jenny! I didn't even recognize you!"
Ummm...Why not? I did recently get a hair cut, but it is the same style that I have had for months; I am not wearing my glasses today; this woman sees me frequently. I should take pictures of me in different states and then poll my readers, but I do not have the time or energy tonight.
I guess chameleons change their skin color and blend in. Is there a creature that changes its appearance without necessarily blending in? Apparently, that is me.
31 March 2008
30 March 2008
A history of BFFs
Sparkling Red did a friend recap not too long ago. It always a bitter-sweet thing to think about where some friendships have or have not ended up. Here goes nothin' (with some modifications).
Best grade school girlfriend: She and I were INSEPARABLE in elementary school. In 6th grade, there were town-wide 6th-grade dances to start forging ties among the elementary school students who would all come together in middle school. I was really shy and did not make new friends then; I think she did. I still remember the first day of 7th grade. She did not talk to me. I had no idea why, but she seemed to have a new group of friends already on that first day. It was not until sometime in high school when we started even saying hi to each other in the hallway. I always feel sad about this for my 7th-grade self.
Best Middle-School and High-School girlfriends: One of my oldest friends is from 8th grade - we would braid each other's hair in science class. She and I have had our ups and downs, but always manage to reconnect just before the friendship seems like it is over for good. Although we do not talk frequently enough to know everything that goes on in each other's lives, I like to think we still share all the big stuff and are there for each other when we need to be. I also added a close friend a few years older than me in high school from concert band. Her son is my godson. Then there is one other friend I lost track of in high school when I started dating my boyfriend at the time. She and I drank together. :) My dad recently ran into her and her baby, got her email address for me, and now I need to make the time to reconnect with her.
Best University girlfriend: I do not know how to choose! The four women I lived with my senior year are probably the ones to whom I would turn first in a crisis and they are of course always there. Thanks, Molly, KHC, and Carolyn (and Dr. J if you check in once in a while). We'll call the fifth friend from college Zika. She and I had a falling out senior year but now live in the same city and it is nice to see her somewhat regularly.
The woman I met at my first post-Uni job: Well, I was a research tech for a couple of years before grad school. I am really grateful for all of the strong and intelligent women I met and am friends with from that time. That's how I know Danielle! :) There are also two of those women who I am still extremely grateful are in my life - I live with one of them and I used to live with the other.
Best girlfriend from grad school: Probably my lab mate. We got off to a rough start because I was used to being really independent, in control, and essentially coordinating a project as a tech. We are pretty good now! I am DREADING her graduation.
Worst girlfriend from grad school: I do not have any bad situations really, just some women I am closer to and some I am not.
Best grade school girlfriend: She and I were INSEPARABLE in elementary school. In 6th grade, there were town-wide 6th-grade dances to start forging ties among the elementary school students who would all come together in middle school. I was really shy and did not make new friends then; I think she did. I still remember the first day of 7th grade. She did not talk to me. I had no idea why, but she seemed to have a new group of friends already on that first day. It was not until sometime in high school when we started even saying hi to each other in the hallway. I always feel sad about this for my 7th-grade self.
Best Middle-School and High-School girlfriends: One of my oldest friends is from 8th grade - we would braid each other's hair in science class. She and I have had our ups and downs, but always manage to reconnect just before the friendship seems like it is over for good. Although we do not talk frequently enough to know everything that goes on in each other's lives, I like to think we still share all the big stuff and are there for each other when we need to be. I also added a close friend a few years older than me in high school from concert band. Her son is my godson. Then there is one other friend I lost track of in high school when I started dating my boyfriend at the time. She and I drank together. :) My dad recently ran into her and her baby, got her email address for me, and now I need to make the time to reconnect with her.
Best University girlfriend: I do not know how to choose! The four women I lived with my senior year are probably the ones to whom I would turn first in a crisis and they are of course always there. Thanks, Molly, KHC, and Carolyn (and Dr. J if you check in once in a while). We'll call the fifth friend from college Zika. She and I had a falling out senior year but now live in the same city and it is nice to see her somewhat regularly.
The woman I met at my first post-Uni job: Well, I was a research tech for a couple of years before grad school. I am really grateful for all of the strong and intelligent women I met and am friends with from that time. That's how I know Danielle! :) There are also two of those women who I am still extremely grateful are in my life - I live with one of them and I used to live with the other.
Best girlfriend from grad school: Probably my lab mate. We got off to a rough start because I was used to being really independent, in control, and essentially coordinating a project as a tech. We are pretty good now! I am DREADING her graduation.
Worst girlfriend from grad school: I do not have any bad situations really, just some women I am closer to and some I am not.
29 March 2008
Once a year
I only make it skiing about once a year right now. A friend convinced me I needed to go today, and I had not been this year. I am glad I skipped out on something else I thought I was obligated to do to ski instead. :)
28 March 2008
The 3 lists I have going
I have a planner that I go through periods of using a lot. When I am really busy, I do plan ahead in it for lab to use my time efficiently; I also write down what I have done that day in case I need to know.
In the front, I have three big sticky notes. They have lines and are great for keeping track of non-everyday things I want to do. I have been known to put grocery shopping on there just to cross it off though. One is for Lab, one is for student council stuff, and one is for Life.
My life list is the longest. Sad but true. One of the things on that list is to finish my photo album/scrap book from the year I spent in China. I have been back for almost SIX full years now. I was thinking if I got my butt in gear, I could do a page, scan it, and post it. I still have not gotten that far. Here are some fun pictures though. I did not have a digital camera at the time, but another teacher did and was really great about taking pictures of me and emailing them. This first one is me ordering one of the best street food snacks ever. It was a thin crepe-like pancake with an egg, a crunchy thing, scallions, and oyster sauce.
This is me in my qipao I had made. I also paid a lot of money to have it remade when I got back and it is gorgeous. I have only worn it once - to a friend's black tie "optional" wedding. The roses were given to me by a friend for my birthday. That blue top Nalgene I bought in Australia and has also been to Africa with me.
This is a picture of the street outside of our building with the big sandstorm that came through that year. I lived in Beijing and the sand made it all the way to Taiwan.
My roommate and her boyfriend are yelling at me because they started a movie and just stopped it for me and found out I'm posting and not sending a very important email. Gotta go!
In the front, I have three big sticky notes. They have lines and are great for keeping track of non-everyday things I want to do. I have been known to put grocery shopping on there just to cross it off though. One is for Lab, one is for student council stuff, and one is for Life.
My life list is the longest. Sad but true. One of the things on that list is to finish my photo album/scrap book from the year I spent in China. I have been back for almost SIX full years now. I was thinking if I got my butt in gear, I could do a page, scan it, and post it. I still have not gotten that far. Here are some fun pictures though. I did not have a digital camera at the time, but another teacher did and was really great about taking pictures of me and emailing them. This first one is me ordering one of the best street food snacks ever. It was a thin crepe-like pancake with an egg, a crunchy thing, scallions, and oyster sauce.
This is me in my qipao I had made. I also paid a lot of money to have it remade when I got back and it is gorgeous. I have only worn it once - to a friend's black tie "optional" wedding. The roses were given to me by a friend for my birthday. That blue top Nalgene I bought in Australia and has also been to Africa with me.
This is a picture of the street outside of our building with the big sandstorm that came through that year. I lived in Beijing and the sand made it all the way to Taiwan.
My roommate and her boyfriend are yelling at me because they started a movie and just stopped it for me and found out I'm posting and not sending a very important email. Gotta go!
27 March 2008
I guess I am social
I have told many friends recently about the following conversation I had with my Mom...
It is always curious to think about what people say when they talk about you. No matter who you are or what you do or how (un)important you think you are, someone talks about you.
Anyway. I guess my parents do not need to worry about me, per se, but it is not like I wouldn't rather have some partner or something to be social with. That does not make sense the way I wrote it. I have great friends. I like to hang out with them. Unfortunately I do not also have a special someone with whom I can hang out. [Or is that out with whom I can hang?]
I am social though. Let's take this week:
Monday: Spontaneous dinner and errand running with friend who I have not seen in a couple of months who lives literally less than half a mile away. She told me she loved my hair and that I looked like I've lost a ton of weight. I obviously love her.
Tuesday: Gym. Work tutoring drop-in hours.
Wednesday: Gym. Dinner out with two of my my former roommates.
Tonight: Dinner in with another former roommate (hi KHC!)
Tomorrow: Gym. Maybe drinks after work.
Saturday: Help out at grad student research symposium in the morning. Skiing with a group in the afternoon as part of the birthday celebration for the friend I saw Monday. Party following skiing.
Sunday: CLEAN, DO LAUNDRY, DO LOTS OF WORK
And there is one weekend in April that already looks like this: Dinner with parents, morning birthday party for niece (and sorta me), first-night barbecue seder that night (I've never been to one and I'm running out of chances!), bridal shower, marathon party. ALL IN ONE WEEKEND.
And I want to defend my dissertation in a year? I need to slow down on the social life.
Mom: We just want you to be happy.I guess it is true. I just wonder how it all came up in conversation. I am sure one or both parents expressed concern about my relationship status and general state of (un)happiness in grad school, and my sister assured them that I am fine. Which I am. But it is still weird to think they talk about me.
Me: I am happy right now.
Mom: I know. Your sister tells us not to worry about you, that you are very social.
It is always curious to think about what people say when they talk about you. No matter who you are or what you do or how (un)important you think you are, someone talks about you.
Anyway. I guess my parents do not need to worry about me, per se, but it is not like I wouldn't rather have some partner or something to be social with. That does not make sense the way I wrote it. I have great friends. I like to hang out with them. Unfortunately I do not also have a special someone with whom I can hang out. [Or is that out with whom I can hang?]
I am social though. Let's take this week:
Monday: Spontaneous dinner and errand running with friend who I have not seen in a couple of months who lives literally less than half a mile away. She told me she loved my hair and that I looked like I've lost a ton of weight. I obviously love her.
Tuesday: Gym. Work tutoring drop-in hours.
Wednesday: Gym. Dinner out with two of my my former roommates.
Tonight: Dinner in with another former roommate (hi KHC!)
Tomorrow: Gym. Maybe drinks after work.
Saturday: Help out at grad student research symposium in the morning. Skiing with a group in the afternoon as part of the birthday celebration for the friend I saw Monday. Party following skiing.
Sunday: CLEAN, DO LAUNDRY, DO LOTS OF WORK
And there is one weekend in April that already looks like this: Dinner with parents, morning birthday party for niece (and sorta me), first-night barbecue seder that night (I've never been to one and I'm running out of chances!), bridal shower, marathon party. ALL IN ONE WEEKEND.
And I want to defend my dissertation in a year? I need to slow down on the social life.
26 March 2008
Must not fail now
Sometimes at the end of the day I think, "Gosh, what can I possible post about now?" And I have no idea, but I have to post SOMETHING because I have to post every day, right? This is one of those times. Don't feel the need to comment! Seriously! I just had a great dinner with my current roommate (our third year together) and my former roommate (one year with she and her now fiance; my current roommate and I are both in her wedding). We had a great dinner (chicken, pear, and brie sandwich) and lots of catching up (which does not happen nearly enough) and I have already written off the gym because I want to start an experiment before my 9:00 Thursday morning meeting and I have to set up for the lab course I TA and it is after 10:00 already and...
...G'night.
...G'night.
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