Kinsley works at a nursing home and I’m an RA.
We exchange stories of crazy residents.
And wonder what it would be like if hers mixed with mine.
Worn, creased faces beside fresh, acned ones.
We laugh at the thought.
-Scary Realization:I care a lot about these girls and genuinely want each and every one of them to succeed.
-This kind of emotional investment was not in my contract.
I feel like a failure when girls move from my floor or like I threw in the towel when Sheltered Princess moves down the hall to get away from Blunt Elitist.
I’m learning not to take it personally.
The best part of this gig is the built in support system of the staff. They get me through the hard days and convince me repeatedly that I’m worthwhile. They’re a wonderful bunch.
But I have my favorites, I’m not going to lie.
I bought the ticket on a whim after Cody had invited me to the concert.
Going to concerts always makes me nervous. I never feel quite cool enough.
Brand New, Manchester Orchestra at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.
The Windy City.
It took us hours to get there.
(four of them)
I drove them all. This is a huge personal accomplishment.
Once we arrived, paid twenty bucks to park, and hit up a starbucks, we found ourselves in a head shop listening to a stonned Kevin Smith Replica talk about a “sack of tatoes”.
Also, for the low, low price of two dollars I rescued a sunny yellow hat from a dreary army supply store; but my favorite purchase of the day was a worn Edith Wharton novel from a cutesy used bookstore.
The concert was a madhouse. Manchester was mind-blowing and Brand New stirred up passionin the crowed that I didn’t know existed.
I can’t believe I’d forgotten how much I liked getting shoved around by horrifyingly hugemasses of sweaty, intoxicated people.
It was late once we headed back toward home. Our eyes got droopy and as the driver, I knew we wouldn’t make it the whole way, so we parked at a truck stop and napped for a few hours.
It was freezing.
I’m astonished that we didn’t get murdered by a serial killer.
This weekend was:
~
The RA job is getting harder as my duties don’t mesh well with the expectations I have for myself as a student.
Friends make it easier.
Attitudes make it harder.
The basic necessities of life are starting to become a hindrance that I don’t have time for (eating, sleeping, breathing).
But I’m really starting to love it. “It” being where I’m at and what I’m doing.
I’m learning something new every day and I feel like I’m being prepared for future challenges.
I can’t wait for real life, but for now, this is a decent substitute.
