Filed under: School, life... | Tags: awesome, coming home, nerd, robots, university
A few days ago I had the pleasure of meeting a family from church for the first time. My dad, brother, and I went to their home and ate dinner. It was my chance to define myself as something other than the far-away first daughter… that one punk from the pictures… or, as their oldest put it, “That tiny girl next to Angela (my sister).” I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I suppose that’s what happens when you hit that weird transitory stage where home stops being home because you’ve got all your socks in a dresser that is 750 miles away… and then you come back.
During dinner, I sat at the kids table, where I was the oldest by about 4 1/2 years. Most of the time eating was simultaneously spent answering questions about college and de-mystifying the weirdness of BYU. They were completely enthralled by my firsthand accounts of the university life. How cute is that? Yeah, I was one cool kid at that table…
Then, dessert came around and I decided to sit with the adults and put in my two cents about Google and dry parent conversation favorites. The conversation dwindled and they were ready to learn about what then heck I’ve done with myself for the past 4 years. The second Technology and Engineering Education slipped out of my mouth, a very glorious aha moment occurred as two colleagues in “the field” were realized. The dad then spouted forth a very enthusiastic and copious knowledge of robotics in education. The mom was clearly entertained as I’m guessing it had been a while since she’d seen her husband in his “zone” in front of houseguests. Admittedly, robotics is not my forte, but I might know a thing or two (let’s be honest, a half of a thing) about them. The kids filed in to see what the ruckus was, and noticed that the cool kid was talking nerd with their stepdad. The conversation was way over most of the group’s head, and of course, I became a subject of friendly mocking because I was in the know.
It was then that they and I realized the odd contradiction here. Designer jeans. Skateboard. Fine taste in music. Cool girl. Talking with dad about robots?!?! Solenoids… What??!!? Welding!?!? Full-on NERD. “Does not compute,” their puzzled faces said.
I was able to redeem myself by telling their oldest that my major was awesome because I don’t know of many other majors where you can light your classroom on fire doing something you shouldn’t be doing… and not get in trouble… and still get an A on the project. Break it, paint it, steal it now…. ask forgiveness when the A is in the book. In addition I tacked on that when it’s all said and done, I’m an artist. I learned the nerdy stuff because I had to. I also happen to like it, and I’m OK with being a nerd. I was cool again.
[RACHEL]
On Monday I was supposed to go to the dentist, but my sister decided she wanted my appointment instead. So, we traded appointments.
On Tuesday I went to the dentist, only to find that my appointment had been given to someone else. A small misunderstanding.
On Wednesday I went to the dentist, and it was for reals. I had a laughing good time, and was complimented over and over for my impeccable brushing and flossing skills. On my way out, the receptionist was like, oh yeah… you need another appointment. You have a cavity. And I was like huh?? OK.
On Thursday I took a rest from the dentist.
On Friday I went to the dentist, and they went straight to work on a tiny spot of decay. Bubblegum flavored topical anesthetic is not too bad… except for the part where it turns as bitter as a jealous ex-boyfriend. They proceeded with the real stuff, and I sat there, comfortably numb and waiting for the deed to be done. Dr. gets drilling and finds a “treasure chest of cavities” that was mysteriously invisible in the x-rays from Wednesday. So, he goes on and drills what feels like the grand canyon into the side of my tooth. I can’t feel a thing, save some pressure here and there, and my vision is scrambled and shaky from the vibrations of the drill. Weird. Did I mention that it tasted horrible? Anyways, he fills it all up, then we have a good laugh about my feet and how I should get a Hoveround so that I don’t have to be a posterchild for celebrating the golden-oldie years in my twenties… not that keeping a garden, reading, knitting, and sewing are geriatric lady activities or anything…
People always talk about how they hate going to the dentist’s office. I say it’s not so bad…
And now, for your viewing pleasure I present a Hoveround commercial. I know, it’s two minutes long, but you only need to watch the first few seconds to get a kick out of it!
What do you think? Should I get a Hoveround??!?!?!
[RACHEL]
ps. the countdown to New Hampshire has now entered the single digits… I love it!!
Every once in a while I find myself standing still. This isn’t like I’m playing statues or something. It’s more of a really weird internal standstill that has to do with my ability to express things creatively through design and the written word. I’ve got all sorts of feelings that are dying to be painted out, sketched out, or written out, but I have no idea where to even begin. This is not a bad thing by any means. On the one hand, I am enjoying having these tender impressions all to myself, to rewind and play at my mind’s leisure; but the other part of my mind is dying to create something to capture the beauty of what I feel… it just doesn’t even know what awesome thing to start with, and perhaps even fears an incapability of paying proper tribute to the passions of my heart.
It’s quiet, and all I hear is the dishwasher. The tired-out puppy lets out an occasional sigh from where she lies on the kitchen floor. The air outside is perfect, and the sun is nearly set. Truly, it is a crime to sit and take in an evening like this without the company of the one you love. That being said, I am the greatest of all criminals. Patience. A few weeks more… It’s not far off… My heart treasures this reminder.
[RACHEL]
