1.) In the past few weeks, I’ve had a number of encounters with Uber drivers that left me with strong emotions.
Situation 1: I was stuck in traffic for over a half an hour with a woman who sang along to the music very loudly, criticized me for not having a TV in my dorm, and almost hit a police officer directing traffic.
Feelings: Annoyed, anxious, scared.
Situation 2: A driver was shocked I had come downtown from Hyde Park. I explained that I ran downtown with the plan to Uber back. He was amazed that I had run there (I walked some, too).
Feelings: Pretty proud of myself. Watching people on social media run 293 miles per week skews my perspective. Normal people don’t just get up on Saturday and run 8 miles.
Situation 3: Talking to a very sweet old Serbian driver and teaching him English words and basic American geography.
Feelings: Happy. I like talking to people and finding out their life stories.
2.) I finished Grace and Frankie Monday. I love it a lot. It’s funny and I want more. Now.
3.) Because I do have a lighter quarter, I needed something else to watch. (I mean, not actually… I could have done something else, but Netflix felt like a good idea. That’s a rarity for me, so I went with it.)
I’ve always been interested in 13 Reasons Why (the book), but never read it because the thing that terrified me more than anything else except real-life terrorism as a kid was the idea of suicide. Give me all the other violence and scary shit in media, but when people killed themselves, I’d be so affected by it that I couldn’t keep watching. The case that comes to mind is The Shawshank Redemption, which I now love. Anyway, that’s why I avoided the book.
But I decided that I’ve grown up enough to handle it, so I watched the first season of the show on Netflix in 3 days. I feel like a real college student now. Yes, I went to class on Tuesday, but I still managed over half the season that day. It was all-consuming and uncomfortable, but I want more. So many thoughts that I could write an entire post on (but I’ll probably spare you). Also, the music was excellent – and that’s from a person who doesn’t usually notice music in TV.
4.) Did I mention that the Uber driver criticized me for not having a TV? I think I can do enough damage with Netflix on my computer…
5.) My cognitive psych teacher gives a 5-minute break halfway through our 80-minute class and I love it. I have the hardest time sitting still for a long time, and 80 minutes has me stiff and absolutely itching to move by the end, but usually the only classes with breaks are 3-hour ones. The quick reprieve is incredible, though.
6.) After I finished 13 Reasons Why yesterday, I realized I could use my extra time to start learning French for the fall. I’m not going to become proficient before then, but I’d rather start off with some knowledge than none – and it feels more productive than Netflix, but still fun. Win.
7.) Since I stopped training for the half, I haven’t been as hungry, but yesterday I was so damn snacky. It was kinda annoying, since nothing really sounded good, but at least I had plenty of food around to try to fill myself up.
8.) Playoff hockey started last night! I love hockey a lot. But the Blue Jackets lost.
9.) My cilantro plant looks kinda wilty. Send it happy thoughts. I think it’s meant for more sun than it gets here. But I want it to live.
10.) And now I want to leave you with some of my favorite recipes & reads from the week.
- Perfect easy meal. –> 3-Ingredient Southwest Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- So much good stuff. So springy. –> Whole Grain Greek Yogurt Pineapple Carrot Cake
- I have intense love for deviled eggs. –> Toasted Sesame Sriracha Deviled Eggs
- It’s more than okay to ask for help. –> 4 Important Reminders to Ask for Help (Earlier Than You Think)
- All the respect for chronically ill people. –> Dear Bryan Bickell, from a Chronically Ill Hockey Fan
Your turn:
Any interesting encounters lately?
Do you speak another language?
Anything else I should know?
I thought for a hot second about doing Uber as a second pick up job (and had it suggested to me) and then I realized that i would have a few crazy riders. LIKE YOU ;D
I need to see you. I miss yo face.
Interesting encounters…. none that stick out to me, but I’ll be sure to get into a few before I see you. I don’t want to let you down!
Grace and Frankie is an incredible show. I need to watch the new season!
I wanna see you! Will text.
I’ve taken spanish and I’m semi-fluent- but I would love to learn French too! Uber drivers are a real pain sometimes… and I want to start 13 reasons why. I keep hearing mixed reviews on it!
I took Spanish, too. I’d love keep it up. Languages are so cool!
I’m glad you have a lighter quarter, and it’s funny how you had so many different Uber encounters. Where we live is pretty rural, so I’ve never done an Uber.
I would LOVE to be fluent in Spanish, but alas, I have been lazy about it.
Language takes practice, but it’s so fun!
Have you checked into Duolingo? I used it to boost my Spanish knowledge before my study abroad program in Spain and it totally helped! It takes no more than 10 minutes a day, and it’s a great daily check in, easily accomplished on your phone!
I actually just started the French Duolingo! I’ve always used it to keep my Spanish skills, and live that it’s quick and fun!
Nothing crazy exciting for me this week. I did secure an apartment (my first time to have one on my own!) that’s within walking distance of my new grad school, so I’m super excited to have that done. I speak some basic Spanish and I actually pick up languages pretty easily (according to my Spanish tests and teachers, anyway!). I thought about minoring in Spanish in college, passed into the second intermediate class and it turned out way too stressful, so I minored in Women’s Studies instead. 10/10 the right decision.
Yay for getting the apartment!!!
The time commitment is why I didn’t stick with Spanish, too. Language classes here meet every day of the week, and I didn’t have time for that!
Great blog! Glad I came by! Keep up the awesome work!
Thank you! So sorry I’ve been slow with the comments lately. I love having new faces around 🙂 Hope you come back!
Sooo I watched one or two episodes of Grace and Frankie ageeeeeees ago but I wasn’t a fan. Does it get better?! I am having serious Netflix FOMO haha!
Hmm. It might not be for everyone, but it’s a nice and lighthearted show that I enjoy!