winter gray

In my opinion, it's been too busy this week, but I am too occupied with things to care very much. I worked at mom's store MTW, made bearable on M and T because Elisabeth was there and we could ride the bus together and exchange knowing smiles over the counter. W night I got to have dinner at Brixx with Eva, Tara, and Emily and we laughed and marveled at our changed lives: two of us at university, one about to enter seminary, one married. Paul, Patrick, and Troy joined us and ate dinner after we finished ours and then we all went to Barnes and Nobles and walked in aimless, food-heavy circles. I enjoy the safety and comfort of old friends; like Elizabeth said, being around people who know your history.

Seeing "new" school friends is good, too: Elizabeth and I did our Charlotte tour yesterday and it was so refreshing to spend time with her. She's so brave, hobbling heroically on crutches while navigating Tyvola traffic and the madness of I-77. She took me to a spunky bagel shop and a fine art gallery and then we came back here and saw the bookstore and coffee shop and had dinner with the family. I love Elizabeth because she isn't like anybody else I know; she possesses this great spirit that I can best characterize as compassionate eagerness.

I was planning on starting and finishing my study abroad application for Tokyo over the break but I haven't written a word yet. Figures. I'm just really stuck with this one essay in particular, which asks me to write an essay as if I were an ambassador elucidating on what Japan could learn from relations with the U.S. This is especially difficult for me. I think we "North American scum" (song by LCD Soundsystem) could learn a lot from Japan; I can't think of a single thing they could learn from us. If you have any ideas, I'd seriously like to hear them. Because I am clueless.

"Your mind is racing like a pro now..."

I like watching people talk to each other. Blink your eyes like dropped feathers. Smile insipidly. Your eyebrows are listening but your mind isn't. I am so often guilty of these tragic communication lapses. Too self-absorbed!

Best line of the day, courtesy of Michael Scott: "I just hate so much of what you choose to be."

Currently
Listening to: "Peace Beneath the City" - Iron and Wine; "The Other Woman" - Devendra Banhart (thanks, Eva)
Reading: Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris
Consuming: black tea and an everything bagel
Thinking: what a short winter day

Happy Christmas, friends. I hope you all have great peace and rest; I'm getting there!