I think I did. While I didn't make it to 9 am yoga, I did manage one running session at the gym. I ran a ton of overdue errands. After weeks of conflicting schedules, I made it out to grad night dinner, a weekly tradition in my (now former) graduate program. Amazing. I adore those people. Everyone is kind, funny and smart and any time we gather, it's a night of loud talking, belly laughs and strange looks from other dining patrons. (Fuck 'em!)
But getting shit done is in my nature. It's not totally surprising. What DID surprise me was presents. Birthday presents from friends I rarely see, to be specific. Since my birthday is over Thanksgiving weekend and less than a month before Christmas, I never expect presents from friends, ever. Hell, it's a struggle to even give my parents a list. (This might also be partially because they whine about the contents of my list.) I just...I have lots of *things.* At the moment, I share a small house with three other people; the last thing I need is more *things* to take up our precious space. Birthdays in my family are not really big gift-giving occasions.
People say I'm incredibly hard to buy for. (Lies I say! I have many interests, I just don't have space!) So, imagine my shock when I gifts from friends, two of whom don't even live in the same state. Even a stranger, a waiter at my fancy birthday dinner with the BF, put a candle in our dessert plate. I realize that is part of his job, but it caught me off guard and seemed so sweet. After years of not really celebrating my birthday (thanks grad school, I forgot how old I was turning this year), I had forgotten what a birthday could be. I am so deeply touched and I feel incredibly loved and lucky to know such nice people. It made my day.
(As an aside- the two out of state friends are both people I've met at metal fests/online. I love how shocked my mom gets when I tell her things like "My metal friend from OK just sent me an incredibly thoughtful gift." I
But it's not all about what I received. I also took my thesis committee members gifts- fancy red wine and dark chocolate. And of course, touching heartfelt notes. That's just how I roll. My advisers seemed genuinely happy to get gifts. My chair even hugged me and offered my job advice. Another adviser offered me some freelance copy-editing work- editing HIS work. Awesome. I love that The Committee liked their gifts. I just wanted them to know that I appreciated their wisdom, their experience, their feedback and their patience, above all. I know I made them proud, but that wouldn't have even been possible without their guidance. Although my university might not be the most prestigious, my department has some of the most outstandingly brilliant faculty, and I feel I received a great education. The least I can do is get them drunk.
Sometimes it is better to give things and to receive love. This feeling, it's like being hugged by the whole world.
No comments:
Post a Comment