Hey girl,
This week, I was so happy to be in Philadelphia. After an extremely difficult Monday (you know, you actually got a phone call about that stuff), my week quickly recovered, and I was reminded how lucky I am to get the opportunity to live here. This is an experience I always wanted, but never really thought I would get, and here I am, go figure. (Now, don’t get me wrong- I do have a countdown calendar until I fly home for Christmas….. but I am happy here). Anyway, a couple of random/funny things happened this week that I wanted to share.
Tuesday: I'm sitting on my floor sorting my laundry (the laundry that I pay $7 a week to do in the sketch basement of my apartment building) and I realize that a pair of my clean underwear is ripped! Immediately, I think, "I swear..... I do not have the money or time to go and buy underwear" (haha, sad but true) But then, as I hold up the pair to survey the damage, I realize.....that is not my underwear! Somehow, between the washer, dryer, and back up to my apartment, I collected a stranger's underwear. This is not a "Northern phenomenon" by any means, but this also never happened when I lived in NC..... not to mention.... I miss having a washer and dryer! I miss a lot of things (like a kitchen….I went to study at a friend’s apartment, and when I saw she had a real kitchen I just fell in love with the place) but anyway, this is not the time to be listing what I miss. Random underwear collection, check.
Wednesday: For my NP class this week, we had debates, meaning we had to dress professionally and “look the part.” I even splurged on the city bus ($2) to take me to class, since I was in heels (fancy). I was sitting with my group, as we were discussing how different it was to come to school in full business attire, when one of them commented, “But Courtney, you are always ‘dressed’, you never come to class in jeans or looking rough.” At first, I took this as a compliment, because I do approach grad school as my job right now, and I do believe in dressing at least business casual when I am dealing with patients (for example, this week I did my first pelvic exam….whoot whoot, and if I were a patient, I would want whoever was in my nether regions to at least look the part of a professional). Plus, I only have three full days of classes, only two days when I am in contact with my NP program directors, so I figure I can wear khakis for two days a week (Patho days, Fridays when I have lecture from 9:30am-4pm....yeah, those are jean days). Anyway, all of this is beside the point…. then, one of my group members said, “Yeah, dressing nicely for school is a Southern-thing, like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.” (pause for reaction)
Tuesday: I'm sitting on my floor sorting my laundry (the laundry that I pay $7 a week to do in the sketch basement of my apartment building) and I realize that a pair of my clean underwear is ripped! Immediately, I think, "I swear..... I do not have the money or time to go and buy underwear" (haha, sad but true) But then, as I hold up the pair to survey the damage, I realize.....that is not my underwear! Somehow, between the washer, dryer, and back up to my apartment, I collected a stranger's underwear. This is not a "Northern phenomenon" by any means, but this also never happened when I lived in NC..... not to mention.... I miss having a washer and dryer! I miss a lot of things (like a kitchen….I went to study at a friend’s apartment, and when I saw she had a real kitchen I just fell in love with the place) but anyway, this is not the time to be listing what I miss. Random underwear collection, check.
Wednesday: For my NP class this week, we had debates, meaning we had to dress professionally and “look the part.” I even splurged on the city bus ($2) to take me to class, since I was in heels (fancy). I was sitting with my group, as we were discussing how different it was to come to school in full business attire, when one of them commented, “But Courtney, you are always ‘dressed’, you never come to class in jeans or looking rough.” At first, I took this as a compliment, because I do approach grad school as my job right now, and I do believe in dressing at least business casual when I am dealing with patients (for example, this week I did my first pelvic exam….whoot whoot, and if I were a patient, I would want whoever was in my nether regions to at least look the part of a professional). Plus, I only have three full days of classes, only two days when I am in contact with my NP program directors, so I figure I can wear khakis for two days a week (Patho days, Fridays when I have lecture from 9:30am-4pm....yeah, those are jean days). Anyway, all of this is beside the point…. then, one of my group members said, “Yeah, dressing nicely for school is a Southern-thing, like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.” (pause for reaction)
That my dear, is when I just started laughing (after the initial shock of the comment wore off- seriously I could not make this stuff up). Not that they think I am “Elle Woods” but it was so funny to hear them think I dress nice for class, because I am from the south! They clearly did not know me in college! The conversation then turned into a barrage of things like “Southern people always dress nice for things, they see it as a matter of respect, they are so traditional,” and a lot of other generalizations that are just too funny. I spent a little time correcting these mislead opinions, but in the end, if they want to see Southerners as traditional/nice dressing people, why not? It beats them picturing all of us wearing overalls and raising cows……oh wait, maybe that is me.
Thursday: After getting out of class at 8pm, I was talking on my cell phone on the bus (I normally don't do that, but I was talking to my grandparents, they make the exception) and when I hung up, the girl beside me said, "Honey, where are you from?" Now, if anyone up here refers to me as "Honey" I know they are about to make fun of my accent, so I wasn't too excited about sharing my origin. However, when I gave the cute little southern girl smile and said, "North Carolina" to my surprise she said, "I know...I am from Florida!" Haha...I love that she said "she knew" like all of us Southerners know each other (not to mention I secretly exclude Florida from the South, seeing that all of the people who live there are just Northern transplants, but whatever, she was nice). She then proceeded to tell me where in the city I could find grits, and that there was a Chick-fil-a within walking distance of my apartment. Again, I love that those are the two things she thought would fulfill my soul, grits and fried chicken :) She may have a point. We had a conversation about how much we miss biscuits and cakes (homemade from our grandmothers). Then, sadly, I had to get off the bus at my stop, and my Southern connection was severed. It was really nice.
So those were the highlights of my week- stranger underwear and southern mis/connections. Good times. How are things down south? Traditional? Dressy? :)
I told some friends this week, that when I come home for break, I will probably have culture shock. But, I think the food, family, and the fact I will have a couch to lay on, will help my adjustment, haha
Hope you have a great weekend,
Miss and love you.
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