Could I be more sporadic with my posts? Looking at places in Baltimore this weekend, hopefully finding the SATC movie Carrie Bradshaw post-Big equivalent. I've been collecting cute glasses, chandeliers, and scouring thrift stores and estate sales on an almost weekly basis now. Like the cute little elephant shaped salt and pepper shakers, adorable. It would nice to actually have an equally adorable place, instead of just bags of things to move. Safety first, of course. Mostly excited about the night in DC. I can finally be there comfortably--at least when I'm far from Columbia Heights.

In the car last night, I was talking about Natasha Richardson with Dad and the Boph. "What movies has she been in?" asks the pop culture deficient in the group. "The Parent Trap and Maid in Manhattan." "Who does she play in Maid in Manhattan?" "The alter ego," replies the Boph. WOW! Wasn't expecting that answer. Maybe I really don't give her enough credit. Since when is my baby sister a Freudian analyst? Am I old enough for this to be happening? Guess so.

After seeing Duplicity last night, I'm wondering how much of life is scripted. Like when the mailman comes into the studio to pick up the mail, we have the same "conversation" every week.
SRK: "Hi. How are you?"
MM: "Good, how are you?"
SRK: "Fine, thanks."
(Mail is exchanged)
MM: "Have a good weekend."
SRK: "You too."
I guess I only realize how similar all my conversations with strangers are when I mess up and respond with "you too" to something like "thanks so much!"

Seeing Stars

Started volunteering at the Orthopaedics office with quite the excitement. After a brief introduction to the rest of the practice staff, I shadowed the doctor as he saw patients. Not bad for the first day. First a casting, nothing too intense...just some fiberglass around a broken wrist. I probably looked like a fidgety mess; where should I stand? I'm definitely in the way. the doc thinks I'm an idiot? Am I smiling too much? Definitely, stop smiling. Don't make the patient nervous. Geeze, being someone's shadow is much more difficult than I thought. Several patients later and I've got the smile level down--I think.

Several patients later. Why do I feel as all the blood is rushing away from my head? Wow, when did it get so hot in here? Whatever you do, don't pass out IN the exam room. Visions of forever being "that Volunteer that passed out--more trouble than she was worth really" flew through my head. But how to leave? Phew, I made it into the bathroom. Let's just say I did mail the rest of the shift. Can you say embarrassing?

I have no problem with blood. The surgery scenes on Nip/Tuck are my favs--I enjoy them more than any other Christian Troy scene. So, of course, the incident sent my spiraling in a "what-am-i-doing-I'm-never-going-to-survive-Med-School" haze. Thanks JC for the much needed, "You're going to be a great doctor." Gosh knows I needed the encouragement!

A few from DC.

Terminally Single.

People watching in Dupont Circle. Despite the amazing weather--I can't believe I know consider anything above 50 to be good weather--I decided to judge through the glass of the corner Starbucks. I can't be seen and this isn't my part of town, that ends after Lucky Bar. Before I can think too much about it, crazy takes a human form and sits down next to me, ranting about her poor decisions of the night before. Histronic in demeanor, she continues to talk to herself even when her friend excuses herself to use the restroom. "I want to throw myself in front of a train. I can't believe I slept with her. I'm making a new rule for myself, I'm not going to sleep with anyone unless I'm in love with them." It's not my problem but I certainly don't mind being in a better place about my relationships than the person next to me.

Recession Proofing.

My most recent job interview.

MOM: "When are you going to get a job?"

SRK: "Why do I need to get a job? I already have an internship."

MOM gives puzzled, surprise, even jubilated look in SRK's direction.

SRK: "Well, I'm a mommy-tern. I'm learning how to become a domestic goddess, Mom. Like you. I mean, I pick up my sisters from school, go grocery shopping, run errands, decorate the house...It's not a paid internship or anything but I think it will really help me enhance important life skills. It's never too early to learn how to mother."

MOM: "In that case, can you drive SPK to riding?"

Brrrr.

Dear California, I miss you. Terribly. It's freezing outside, literally. This whole no-sun-during-the-winter-thing has got to go. Just the thought of bare legs and flip-flops makes my inner core salivate. Plus, pale is so not my look. Hmmm, faking it can't be that bad. Pros: Constant compliments and inquiries about my recent vacation to a locale with UV rays. Cons: Chemicals, $ and high probability that it will run while I soak up the heat in the sauna. Embarrassing orange towel will ensue along with streaky body. Zebra print is the new pale?

Average Weekend.

Wednesday night. In Poppa doing who knows what. Missed bowling and Pub, heart-breaking. The PPE blog posting was well worth it. Drunk neighbor stops by at 3:30 in the morning on a desperate search for cheese. Clearly, life without quesadillas is unimaginable.

Great PPEcon sesh on Thursday. Derivatives and indifference curves, nice refresher course. Did I really learn this at some point? Oh, right...that was three years ago! Then a fascinating discussion with my thesis reader. One parameter in my cost-benefit analysis has amazing philosophical assumptions built into it. Is life worth the same regardless of age? Are you more "valueable" as you get older? Food for thought...Playing in Poppa with thesis data seemed much more appealing than the superheros and villians TNC. I'm such a nerd.

Friday. Went to work an hour early. Whoops. One great interview later, walking back to the APTs in the 95 degree heat was pretty brutal. AWESOME dinner with the boys downstairs. Convinced all but one to join us at Walter's for happy hour. Highlight: packing eleven into the car on the ride back.

Toga on Saturday. But not until after an amazing dinner at WE's house. I'm obsessed with PPE! What's more exciting than marinating in red wine (spilt on you from a bag of Franzia) while wearing a cheap bed sheet? NOT smelling like red wine, sticking to whomever you hug, and normal clothes. I bailed on the Toga party after an hour of solid people watching.