Since I’m on the road just about every other week for my job, I’m very familiar with what I’ll call the “2-minute BFF.” This person is the one you meet in the grocery store, who is trying to also reach for the same random item, but is equally short and can’t seem to grab it either. Or the girl also trying on shoes in Marshall’s, who is also walking around in a pair of heels to try them out before buying. And also that smiling waitress/cashier/barista/whoever that you come in contact with throughout the day. You chat with them a little, probably share a laugh or two, and then go on your merry way, smiling happily after hanging out with the 2-minute BFF.
I recognize these people easily, as I am frequently one of them. As an extrovert, I tend to keep an eye out for people that I can have these exchanges with. I used to marvel at my grandmother as she made a friend everywhere she went. In my own way, I do the same thing – especially when I’m travelling. Although I love it, there is something lonely about being in a strange place. I use my GPS to head all over the place after I leave campus and find myself in little random towns. And when I come across the people that I interact with, I oftentimes just want to hug them after the 2 minutes. I want to say, “I’m actually not from around here…yes, I’m travelling for work….I know, I’m ready to retire too, haha…thanks, I love my coat too….no, you’re prettier…” You get the point.
It’s nice to know that even if I have a long day on campus or spend an office day holed away in my apartment or the library – I can depend on my 2-minute bffs, who are scattered around me. I know they’re out there and our run-ins are always spontaneous. But I want to give a shout-out to them and let them know, you make my 2 minutes worth it, every time. So thank you and keep being your cheerful selves. I look forward to our next chat :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Change
Change is never a good thing…
And I, right now, am a living example of that little phrase right there. 4 months ago, I uprooted myself from my job, my apartment, my life – to a new place an hour away. “Away” meaning from my family, friends, favorite hangout spots, away from everything. Knowing that I’m an extrovert, I figured it wouldn’t be long until I made new friends, found the man of my dreams, and settled in. Not quite.
Instead, I’m lonely, tend to spend each night alone in my apartment, converting recipes that serve 4 to serve 1 (just so I’m not eating the same foods every meal, for a week), etc. My job right now is less than desirable and I wonder every single minute why I was so crazy to leave everything behind…and for what exactly?
Flashback to 4 years ago – this same girl eagerly dropped everything and left it all behind to spend her spring semester (18 weeks!) to live in a “Royal Borough” of London. She knew no one, had not a clue how to get around, and even though the Brits speak English, it’s certainly not American English. After a lonely month, suddenly she had friends. She knew her way around, including in other countries, and was so happy, the thought of leaving brought tears to her eyes, rather than crying that the departure day on her ticket home was so far away.
What happened to that same girl? In my job, I crave change. I convince professors that the best thing for them (obviously if they’re not using my product) is to change. Their lives will be easier, their students will love them and the new book/media package – the benefits are endless. So what is my problem? I get to spend everyday outside, hot, cold, rainy, snowing, sunny, etc. I can appreciate all around me, especially as I drive through the countryside of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. However, most days I spend crying. I know that God is sending friends my way, who will arrive at just the perfect moment. Nigel will arrive, also at the perfect moment. Even though I know these things, I have a hard time believing them.
Each day brings change and it did even when I was in my comfort zone back in the Big City. If I made it in London, 3000 miles away, I can certainly make it in this new phase of my life. And pretty soon, I’ll be able to preach the good things that come with change!
And I, right now, am a living example of that little phrase right there. 4 months ago, I uprooted myself from my job, my apartment, my life – to a new place an hour away. “Away” meaning from my family, friends, favorite hangout spots, away from everything. Knowing that I’m an extrovert, I figured it wouldn’t be long until I made new friends, found the man of my dreams, and settled in. Not quite.
Instead, I’m lonely, tend to spend each night alone in my apartment, converting recipes that serve 4 to serve 1 (just so I’m not eating the same foods every meal, for a week), etc. My job right now is less than desirable and I wonder every single minute why I was so crazy to leave everything behind…and for what exactly?
Flashback to 4 years ago – this same girl eagerly dropped everything and left it all behind to spend her spring semester (18 weeks!) to live in a “Royal Borough” of London. She knew no one, had not a clue how to get around, and even though the Brits speak English, it’s certainly not American English. After a lonely month, suddenly she had friends. She knew her way around, including in other countries, and was so happy, the thought of leaving brought tears to her eyes, rather than crying that the departure day on her ticket home was so far away.
What happened to that same girl? In my job, I crave change. I convince professors that the best thing for them (obviously if they’re not using my product) is to change. Their lives will be easier, their students will love them and the new book/media package – the benefits are endless. So what is my problem? I get to spend everyday outside, hot, cold, rainy, snowing, sunny, etc. I can appreciate all around me, especially as I drive through the countryside of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. However, most days I spend crying. I know that God is sending friends my way, who will arrive at just the perfect moment. Nigel will arrive, also at the perfect moment. Even though I know these things, I have a hard time believing them.
Each day brings change and it did even when I was in my comfort zone back in the Big City. If I made it in London, 3000 miles away, I can certainly make it in this new phase of my life. And pretty soon, I’ll be able to preach the good things that come with change!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Searching for my own inner Julia
It all began with a friend telling me that she was listening to My Life in France, which is Julia Child's account of, well, her life in France. Basically she tells the story of meeting her husband Paul, how they ended up moving to France, how she began taking cooking lessons at Le Cordon Bleu, and then how she ended up creating and working on the famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I began to read it as well and quickly became hooked. Julia is a great narrator, with calling her cooking lessons "cookery teachery" and the whole cookbook project "cookery bookery," she has this ability to be so cute (despite the fact that she's like 9 feet tall).
At work in the city, everyone was nosy about what other people were reading. So of course, a friend noticed I was reading Julia Child's book and mentioned a book she had just finished reading called Julie and Julia. This book is about a 29-year-old woman, who is having a personal crisis approaching her 30th birthday. Half inspired by Child's famous cookbook and her husband's suggestions, Julie Powell devotes the next 365 days to cooking all of the recipes in MTAOFC, capturing all of her triumphs and frustrations in a blog. Within this year, she somehow finds herself, finds sanity, and accomplishes her goal, while also being on TV, in the NY Times, and landing a book deal and after, a movie deal starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I picked up the book, only got about halfway through, and had to return it to the library. I recently just got it out from the library again and devoured it whole.
Yesterday, while perusing the "Buy 1, get 1 1/2 off" books at Border's, I noticed a book called The Sharper the Knife, the Less You Cry. Of course, it is a woman's account of how after losing her job in Corporate America, she cashes in her savings, moves to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu, and not only finds herself, she finds love.
OK.
I don't believe in signs. I believe in God and his plan for me. HOWEVER...I'm single, hating my job, and love to cook. Translation? Keep reading these books! I've been to Paris twice already, have no interest in learning French and meeting some French guy and having to stay over there? Aucun merci (French for 'no thanks'). I'm still counting on meeting my darling, fully British Nigel (who loves the States and whose parents still live in the UK) -- and Frenchy would just get in the way. I can live vicariously through others and cook here. Done and done.
And P.S. Does anyone know of any other books like these? Clearly I'm going through a phase...
At work in the city, everyone was nosy about what other people were reading. So of course, a friend noticed I was reading Julia Child's book and mentioned a book she had just finished reading called Julie and Julia. This book is about a 29-year-old woman, who is having a personal crisis approaching her 30th birthday. Half inspired by Child's famous cookbook and her husband's suggestions, Julie Powell devotes the next 365 days to cooking all of the recipes in MTAOFC, capturing all of her triumphs and frustrations in a blog. Within this year, she somehow finds herself, finds sanity, and accomplishes her goal, while also being on TV, in the NY Times, and landing a book deal and after, a movie deal starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I picked up the book, only got about halfway through, and had to return it to the library. I recently just got it out from the library again and devoured it whole.
Yesterday, while perusing the "Buy 1, get 1 1/2 off" books at Border's, I noticed a book called The Sharper the Knife, the Less You Cry. Of course, it is a woman's account of how after losing her job in Corporate America, she cashes in her savings, moves to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu, and not only finds herself, she finds love.
OK.
I don't believe in signs. I believe in God and his plan for me. HOWEVER...I'm single, hating my job, and love to cook. Translation? Keep reading these books! I've been to Paris twice already, have no interest in learning French and meeting some French guy and having to stay over there? Aucun merci (French for 'no thanks'). I'm still counting on meeting my darling, fully British Nigel (who loves the States and whose parents still live in the UK) -- and Frenchy would just get in the way. I can live vicariously through others and cook here. Done and done.
And P.S. Does anyone know of any other books like these? Clearly I'm going through a phase...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
"I'm guessing you commute a lot"
I'm a sales rep. That's my job. I'm the image of the 1950s man with a suit and a briefcase who moves from door to door, knocking and hoping that he'll be invited in to display his fabulous products. Except I am not a man and this is not 1950. With the sales rep territory (ha! get it? I said "territory" -- a little rep humor...sorry.), comes loneliness. Since moving to the countryside 4 months ago, I have yet to make a friend. ME! The queen of extroverts, who used to walk up to people and say, "Hi, I'm Miss Extrovert, want to be friends?" And they always said yes. Until now, when I'm suddenly shy.
One thing that is nice about the country? The librarians. They're my friends.
My oasis the day I moved into town was the brand new, fully stocked, public library. The librarians are sweet and helpful (the polar opposite of those in the city) and they recognize me. They even chat a little with me. For example, tonight I was checking out 389403 audio books for my trip this week, plus a music cd and 3 books. The librarian looked at me with a smile and said, "I'm guessing you commute a lot." I smiled back and said, "how'd you guess?" But then I wanted to shout, "YES! I AM CONSTANTLY COMMUTING AND HAVE YET TO MAKE A FRIEND! BE MY FRIEND!" And then when he would be startled after my outburst, I'd apologize by saying that I know he's married and 55 and it probably wouldn't work out between us. Then I'd have to awkwardly shuffle/run away and not return. So instead, our conversation ended there. Yet, it's just being around all of those people who also love reading and use it to escape from their own lives, that makes me feel like I'm at home. I wouldn't trade any city library for my country one.
One thing that is nice about the country? The librarians. They're my friends.
My oasis the day I moved into town was the brand new, fully stocked, public library. The librarians are sweet and helpful (the polar opposite of those in the city) and they recognize me. They even chat a little with me. For example, tonight I was checking out 389403 audio books for my trip this week, plus a music cd and 3 books. The librarian looked at me with a smile and said, "I'm guessing you commute a lot." I smiled back and said, "how'd you guess?" But then I wanted to shout, "YES! I AM CONSTANTLY COMMUTING AND HAVE YET TO MAKE A FRIEND! BE MY FRIEND!" And then when he would be startled after my outburst, I'd apologize by saying that I know he's married and 55 and it probably wouldn't work out between us. Then I'd have to awkwardly shuffle/run away and not return. So instead, our conversation ended there. Yet, it's just being around all of those people who also love reading and use it to escape from their own lives, that makes me feel like I'm at home. I wouldn't trade any city library for my country one.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
We're off on an adventure!
If you looked at me from afar -- I think I would resemble a Country Mouse.
I've traded in my heeled boots for Clark's brand sneakers. I've lost my sophisticated H&M coat to the more practical 'puffy vest' or a more rugged North Face shell. No more need for a shoulder bag, the messenger bag slung over my shoulder holds my stuff while supporting my neck and shoulders. And finally, I've traded in my city driver's license and little city car for the big 4wd SUV, complete with LL Bean boot magnet (just so I can find my car among its numerous twins out there). I've even gotten beeped at twice this past week alone for not slamming the gas pedal to the floor the second the traffic light turned green. Sheesh!
Most days I do feel more comfy in my low-key outfits, jetting off on foot to grab coffee from the local java spot (heaven forbid I actually go to the Starbucks). But then there are the days when I wish looking more glam was part of the initiation to this more countrified state. I suppose when my bethrothed and I are wandering around in matching ski parkas, it will look cute. And eventually I'll be more adept at mixing and matching my city mouse and country mouse outfits. But for now, I secretly love and appreciate that I can dress like I'm ready for some big adventure -- hiking, skiing, or apparently just going to the grocery store.
I've traded in my heeled boots for Clark's brand sneakers. I've lost my sophisticated H&M coat to the more practical 'puffy vest' or a more rugged North Face shell. No more need for a shoulder bag, the messenger bag slung over my shoulder holds my stuff while supporting my neck and shoulders. And finally, I've traded in my city driver's license and little city car for the big 4wd SUV, complete with LL Bean boot magnet (just so I can find my car among its numerous twins out there). I've even gotten beeped at twice this past week alone for not slamming the gas pedal to the floor the second the traffic light turned green. Sheesh!
Most days I do feel more comfy in my low-key outfits, jetting off on foot to grab coffee from the local java spot (heaven forbid I actually go to the Starbucks). But then there are the days when I wish looking more glam was part of the initiation to this more countrified state. I suppose when my bethrothed and I are wandering around in matching ski parkas, it will look cute. And eventually I'll be more adept at mixing and matching my city mouse and country mouse outfits. But for now, I secretly love and appreciate that I can dress like I'm ready for some big adventure -- hiking, skiing, or apparently just going to the grocery store.
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