Fun Things to Do While on a Conference Call*

*But for me, "Fun Things to Do While Drinking Coffee and Having a Break Between Tasks"...lord knows I don't need anymore spaciness while on the phone.

Anne tagged me for this, and I aim to please. And I really like the idea of a quick break in an otherwise hectic day, so it's an easy sell.

Three Names You Go By
1. Rachel
2. Rach (or as Albert liked to spell it phonetically "Raytch")
3. Ellie

Three Parts of Your Heritage
1. Scottish (one assumes, based on the last name?)
2. German (SO MANY Germans)
3. Um...probably some English in there too, we'll go with that

Three Things That Scare You
1. Large rats (several hang around my workplace...shudder)
2. Heights (specifically those in which there is the slightest possibility I might fall off)
3. Most recently, the bad guys in Serenity (suggest not watching while your roommate is gone and it is very dark and quiet)

Three of Your Everyday Essentials
1. lotion
2. mascara
3. NPR

Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. Lime green cardigan with white polka dots (today's "preppy" day, didn't you hear?)
2. Brown wedges
3. "Philosykos" by Diptyque (yum!)

Three of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists (at the moment)
1. The Weepies (obvious, I know)
2. Coldplay (particularly Viva la Vida)
3. Feist

Three Things You Want in a Relationship (other than Real Love...
was the "Real Love" Anne's addition or in the original?...also, how dorky do I feel answering this one?)
1. Lots of laughing
2. Ability to be myself
3. Terrible, terrible poetry written in my honor (a song would work too, preferably on acoustic guitar, bringing us right back to #1).

Two Truths and a Lie
1. I have never been to Disney World.
2. I can scarf raw oysters by the plate load.
3. I really enjoy sappy love poems.

Things about the Opposite Sex that Appeal to You (again with the dorky teenage angst prompts...)
1. Friendly, open face (smiling helps)
2. Good cologne or smell in general
3. Oy, I don't know...having "the smarts" as Roxie would say...

Three of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. Knitting/crochet
2. Dancing
3. Movie watching

Three Things You want to do really badly right now
1. Leave as though it's Friday even though it's Wednesday
2. Find a quiet sunny place with a little breeze to finish my book
3. Eat lunch (tummy is growling)

Three Places You Want to Go
1. Boston (and more of the NE in general...Boston in November for sure though!)
2. Quebec (tentative 30th Birthday plans, who's in?)
3. Tunisia (or any of the other North African/French speaking countries, aka Maghreb)

Three Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Become conversant in a non-Western language
2. Visit the seven natural wonders of the world
3. Drive across the U.S.

Three Ways that you are stereotypically a Chick/Guy
1. Rarely leave the house without some form of makeup on
2. Scarily good at shopping
3. Can talk on the phone with other girls for HOURS about very little

Three people I would like to see take this quiz
1. Ebony (I'm totally going to guess at your answers ahead of time and see how many I get right)
2. Joi (because you tag me for everything, and turnabout is fair play :)
3. Stephanie (you haven't updated in a while...good excuse!)

So Yesterday

I started off the morning with a little research on adoption in the U.S. - honestly nothing too interesting, mostly just how adoption agencies receive their licenses (still no idea, really). Somehow that led me to foster homes in the U.S., and then to the recent FLDS case in Texas (some of you will know of my ongoing fascination with this, I can't even explain why). Then I jumped to the Southern Poverty Law Center, because apparently they list FLDS as a "hate group," which struck me as sort of odd, not because I am any sort of fan of the FLDS and the underage marriage of vulnerable girls, but they always seem like the sort of folks who keep to themselves, and in my mind, a hate group implies at least some interaction with the hated groups in question.

So then there is a map on the center's page where you can see where the groups they list are located, and of course I have to check out both Texas and Virginia. I get most of the categories, but was baffled by a few before reading (Christian identity? Radical traditionalist Catholic?). I'm also a little surprised by the apparent ideological differentiation in skinhead groups, although sadly not too shocked at the number of them.

Then I had a meeting, in which I found out that in Hot Springs, Arkansas, there's not only a gangster museum, but also a Mid-America Science Museum - a title which also puzzles me a bit. Because they're in the middle (sort of)? Because they present science in a manner to be understood by "middle" Americans?

To round out the day, I read this article, which then led me here, to look at the idea of "feral" children.

Then I got an email from my boss that included a link to a Congressional testimony in which the organization I work for is repeatedly mentioned, and not in a happy way. It's not a big thing really, but it's still a bit odd to be singled out, when normally we just lay low, do the work we do, and generally receive some occasional praise for the attempt to create better understanding between different cultures. We've also apparently been featured in a Robert Ludlum novel that alleges we train spies here along with other illicit activities and clandestine meetings, which while it would be cool, is unfortunately not at all true.

Such an odd day.

**Edit: It occurred to me later that the above wasn't terribly clear in a way: I think the SPLC is pretty awesome and does good work - I even heard one of their people give a speech when I was at a work conference in Huntsville, AL. So any of the confusion related to what exactly denotes a hate group would be my issues, not theirs :).

Some random thoughts

I like online personality quizzes as much (okay, more) as the next person, but I've noticed two on facebook that I absolutely refuse to do: the "Which Jane Austen character are you?" and "Which Green Gables character are you?" I don't think I would ever truly recover if they told me I wasn't Elizabeth Bennet or Anne Shirley. I mean, I could probably engineer them to get the right answers since I've read both those books like 20 times each, but it's not really worth the risk, you know?

Gina watches Iron Chef America a lot. One thing that gets me every time is the beginning "Allez cuisine!" What the hell is he trying to say, exactly? Because "Go cook!" should be "Allez cuisiner!" and "Go the to the kitchens!" would be "Allez aux cuisines!" At least I think so. I have actually spent time looking for answers to this on the internet. If anyone has any help, I'd appreciate it. In other news, I'm still a giant dork, be it in English or French.

Anne and I signed up to take an Intro to Modern Technique class in July. Awesome blogging to come, promise. I'm excited at getting to throw myself around a la Martha Graham.

Critical Mass

On the train yesterday to BWI, cleaning out my purse to ensure it passes TSA's security standards:

A ziploc bag full to the brim of cancer sticks. This is my public record reminder that I do not need to even consider purchasing lip products for the next decade or so.

I've been listening to music I want to try out by having you tube videos play (but I'm not really watching...I find music videos sort of boring). The interesting thing is that many of them are actually clips from TV shows (Grey's Anatomy, Prison Break, etc.) that people have put together with the song in the background. And there are thousands of these - apparently lots of people make montages of their favorite shows with a sort of related song. What's up with that?

Hmm

I have never participated in a strike. I don't really have much of an opinion on them, to be honest. I assume that the people striking feel that they have one or many grievances that need to be addressed, and that they would like to be taken seriously.

So why, I ask you, do they do very silly things while striking? I was also listening to NPR this morning on the way in (as I admit to doing every morning...my nerdiness was established long ago on this site, so no shame) they were covering the writers' strike in LA. And what do I hear in the background? Singing. And not just any singing...I'm thinking I've heard this before...ah, yes, the song from "Remember the Titans" (everywhere we go...people want to know...who we are...so we tell them...). Granted, one of the picketers probably wrote that song, but it still didn't come across as particularly dignified. And the chants are usually stupid too (hell no, we won't go!). I mean, really.

In DC, they have this huge inflatable rat that they camp out in front of the building where I assume the Man and his friends reside. But it's like a communal union rat, because I've seen this same rat all over town, and for different unions and causes. I wonder if the AFL-CIO headquarters keeps this rat and then lends it out, like a library book? I wonder if they'll let me check it out?

Hola Paco. Que tal?

I just finished tutoring a Spanish student, and man is my brain fried right now. Couldn't even figure out how to do the upside question mark up there (don't judge me, okay...I KNOW it's wrong) which I swear I used to know how to do.

I would like to point your attention to one of my favorite websites to frequent: postsecret.blogspot.com. I know this is old news, and it was so the rage like a year ago or something, but I am drawn with tractor-beam force to the site every Sunday. The confessions are mesmerizing...sometimes disturbing, sometimes graphic, sometimes sort of foreign, but it's always worth the click.

I often muse as to what secrets I could send in. Some are bitter and hateful (and as such, will not be shared in this oh-so-not anonymous setting), others are proof that I am crazy. Most are just silly. For instance, I often catch myself deciding on what perfume I will choose for the day based on the perfume bottle's coordination with my outfit. Like the smell has a color? But I associate it with one, and as such would prefer everything to match. Maybe this is a crazy indicator as well as a silly thing. Anyhoo. There are others that I can't summon right this minute, but you get my point.

I love the silly non sequiturs into other people's brains. But then are those tidbits really all that irrelevant in the end? Is it possible that they reveal something really important that "deep" conversations don't even touch? Answer: I have no idea. But I like to let the thought roll around in my head a little.

And with that, bedtime.

Happy Valentine's Day

Now, let me be upfront. This is not my favorite "holiday." It's not that I am sad or lonely because of it, but mostly because I think Valentine's Day is silly.* Silly in an oversaturation of diamond commercials and 1-800-flowers ads, how does one express one's love in relation to chocolate sort of way. I've mentioned this before, so I won't belabor the point.

But on the other hand, I am all for the food holidays. Christmas and Thanksgiving are of course included in these, as is Halloween (candy!) and Easter (my dad makes this killer chicken with walnut sauce...). I suppose St. Patty's is included, if you consider green beer a food, and don't forget 4th of July, which usually involves some sort of barbecue with lots of sides, at least in Texas. All this is to say, I enjoy eating, and eating for an occasion - well, I do enjoy theme parties too. So Valentine's Day: everything is either pink or red (love that) and there are many scrumptious treats everywhere you turn. For instance, I am going to a little get-together tonight, where there will be fondue (mmm...melted cheese to dip things in...) and other treats. I made red cupcakes with a creamy, fluffy icing. I'm sure there are many people planning to go out to fantastic restaurants for a romantic evening. So despite all of the hype and ugly heart-shaped jewelry running around, Valentine's has my approval for celebration (as if it needed, right? But I give it nonetheless).

So bon appetit, mes amis, and have a delicious Valentine's Day!

*In the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that I do not have a Valentine, so perhaps my views will change when one appears. Somehow I doubt it.

irony

I have applied to a lot of random jobs. Some, I would have given my eye-teeth to just be asked back for an in-person interview (I am great in person, over the phone not so much I think). Others were sort of in the "why not" category - I was either over or under-qualified for them, they don't really relate to my skills set, etc. But usually they were related in some way to international development work, which is what I think I want to do when I grow up.

So today I get a call-back for a job I applied for in November (!) and it's with some policy council that deals with agriculture and international trade. Even I can't figure why they want to interview me for this...I have NO experience whatsoever with either agriculture or international trade. The closest I think I have come to agricultural experience is the cows that would graze on our back acre at my parents' old house. That, and the occasional hayride at Halloween. Maybe they think all Texans are farmers. Whatever.

But I'm wondering, why a call-back for THIS position?! There have been some places that look SO great, that I was SO VERY qualified for the position. Now I can't even find the original job description for this one anywhere, so I don't even really know what I'm interviewing for anymore. I'm still going, because primarily I think any interviewing practice is good for me, and also because I know so very little about what I have in fact applied for, that it could very well turn out to be something interesting. As interesting as international agricultural policies can be, anyway.

Sigh.

Yesterday, also known as "Polygamy Day"

Seriously, I had like four conversations or instances with random people yesterday about polygamy. It began at lunch. Granted, I was at lunch with representatives from five francophone African countries (Niger, Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire, Congo, and Chad, to be exact) and they asked me about marriage in the U.S. Whether or not we can get married wherever and by whomever we want. The concept of getting married in a garden or on the beach was really weird to them. They also wanted to know if men could be married to more than one woman at a time. Not legally, I said, at least that I know of. Actually (and I didn't say this) most of us find it a bit creepy to tell you the truth.

But then they started talking about the tribal societies in their countries. And how women have very few rights if they are unmarried, and how illegitimate children in their countries have no rights at all, even as adults. So in some ways, because there are other greater issues in the society, polygamous marriage is a bit of quick fix. I still am unclear how this works because it seems to me like there would always be a shortfall of women to go around for all of the men if each guy gets two or three wives.

So then last night I was flipping channels and saw a special on "Inside Polygamy" on A&E. So I thought, why not? And it was exactly what I thought it would be: women with long, bad eighties hair and long dresses, passels of kiddos trailing behind them, all talking about how great their common husband was. I think the whole system is complete crap, and I can't even believe that it still happens. But part of me feels really sorry for them, because even if I haven't personally experienced marriage, I least know that they are being cheated out of something, forced to share their family with other women.

But then, this only seems true when love is a factor. C, who used to work with me and as such was fairly heavily featured in other posts, also lived in Mali, and once told me that if she was in an arranged marriage, she would prefer that the guy also had other wives. That way, at least you would have friends. And you wouldn't have to deal with the husband all the time. The whole thing is a bit weird to think about, if you ask me, yet for some reason it keeps coming up in conversations. So I'm thinking about it. The concept that is, not becoming someone's third wife.

Oh, ice princesses

Um, Canadian chick? The instrumental version of "Like a Prayer" was a bad choice. Seriously.

To my right, Gina informs me that the number reminds her of her 3rd grade talent show, in which she lip-sanc (lip-synched?) to either "Like a Prayer" or "Cherish" - she can't remember which one. She tells me to at least take into consideration that she was not the only lip-syncher.

***

Does anyone, when they think of Puccini's gorgeous aria "Nessun Dorma", also think slightly-slutty-hot-pink-outfit? Anyone? Anyone? Yeah, me neither.

***

Unrelated: I still can't distinguish between what's bobsled, luge, skeleton, etc. But two man luge? Looks a little uncomfortable. What is the point? To see how fast you can hurtle down the track with someone on top of you?

So wrong, yet so right

Earlier today at work, my cell phone rang. It was a "202" number (DC area code) but I didn't recognize it. Thinking perhaps it would be an annoying question from an interpreter that didn't understand the concept of calling my office phone during office hours, I let it go to voice mail.

A few minutes later, I checked my voice mail box. The message was from a woman who had apparently gotten my number from a mutual friend. She said that I had left her a message about job possibilities a few months ago, but that the message was hard to understand and she wasn't able to get more information about me until now. Also, she said she never received my resume by email.

Okay, now I have sort of applied around to change jobs, but have never called someone. Ever. I don't have any contacts to call, really. So I decided to call this nice woman back and let her know she has the wrong Rachel. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hi, this is Rachel. I received your message, but honestly I have no idea what this is about."
Her: "I am SO sorry - I got your number from Jane* but she must have given me the information for the wrong Rachel."
Me: "Oh, it's no problem. It was such a strange thing - but I have been sending out resumes, so I thought maybe it was for me. Out of curiosity, where do you work?"
Her: "At [insert name of really great development organization I totally want to work for here]."
Me: "Um, well...um, I would actually also like to do international development work, so would it be totally out of line for me to send you my resume as well?"
Her: "Sure, why not. It's been a few months anyway, so this new Rachel may already have another job."

FINALLY the Rachel mix-ups have happened in my favor. And I totally submitted my resume for someone else's job possibility. A little sketchy, I think, but if I get the job, it may be the just about the best story ever.

*Not actually her name. Don't really know anyone named Jane, so seemed a safe bet.

Advice: To give or not to give?

Last night I was catching up with a friend who was recently married. I got all of the dish on the wedding, the planning, the parties, etc. In the course of conversation, she mentioned that she had had a bit of a tiff with a friend of hers from college. Apparently this friend had questioned the fact that she was getting married. My friend (let's call her K, to avoid confusion) didn't think that the friend brought it up very nicely and felt a bit attacked. In the friend's defense, the wedding was planned in a rush and the couple have only known each other since June or so, but K (quite obviously) and many other people see the reasoning behind the quick planning (and no, it isn't a baby...). Not to mention he is a really great guy and they are super-cute together.

But this whole conversation got me to thinking: is it possible to offer similar advice or opinions and have them well-received? Eb and I have definitely had this worry: if one of us was pretty serious about a guy that the other saw some fairly red-flag sort of issues with him, would the other one accept those opinions gracefully or would she get and stay mad? I have already had one friend get married to a guy I was less than excited about, but I only hinted at it, because I absolutely knew that she was going to marry him anyway, whether or not my worries were well-founded. I think most of the time we choose to keep our opinions to ourselves because we know our friends will pick the boy over us. And yet if we're right (even just up to point) and we let our friend marry a man that will make her life so much harder than it needs to be, or a man that won't love her like he should, or a man that is clearly not able to take care of himself much less another person (or people!), are we liable to some degree? I know that it will ultimately be the friend's decision, but still...

So here's my question: does anyone know of an actual situation in which someone was deadly serious about a not-so-good guy and then her friends told her their worries and she actually listened? Because I sure don't know of one, but deep down I really want to believe that it could happen. And I also want to believe that, should the circumstance arise, I would listen too.

Why...

do people clap at the end of movies? It's not like the actors are there to hear you, or take a bow or anything.

do people feel the need to say things like "oh, that song is about..."? The whole point of music is that you get to interpret it for yourself.

do I always wonder when I'm singing along to music (with my headphones on) in my car, "This would sound pretty terrible if my phone accidentally dialed someone and they heard me singing this rocker song a capella right about now..."? Like that would ever really happen.

There's something just wrong with this situation:

I was listening to NPR on my way to work this morning (see earlier post re: me being a nerd) and there was this heart-wrenching story about the Pakistani earthquake and how horrible it is and how practically none of the pledged money from the international community has been received. Then they cut to the telethon fund-raiser that's been going on for what seems like YEARS, and ask again for money to support their programs, with apparently no sense of irony or shame. And I'm thinking: hmm, starving babies in Pakistan or radio programs? No brainer.

Hmmm

It seems when I'm watching mindless TV, like "While You Were Out" on TLC or similar, there are an inordinate number of commercials for things for cats. I hope this isn't indicative of anything. Thank goodness I at least have plans to be social, otherwise I might worry a little :).

Cause Célèbre

I find it interesting that for many of the campaigns for global change - i.e. One or Make Trade Fair - they spend considerable space listing all of the famous people that support the cause. I can't decide whether I like this or not. I don't really have problems with famous (not to mention ridiculously wealthy) people getting behind a cause, I just find it sort of distasteful that the support of a celebrity is necessary to get us "normal" folks involved in something. I mean, shouldn't the cause itself be enough to get our attention? I can't really blame the celebrities for using whatever means they can to support a cause...but then I'm not moved to pray and act for an end to poverty in the developing world because Bono told me to (even though I do think he is awfully dreamy!). Maybe it's a greater commentary on society, I don't really know; that we need the cool people, the hip crowd, to tell us what we should support, what is important to us. Maybe it's just a fine line between creating visibility for a cause and making the cause more about its celebrity supporters than the people they try to help. I certainly don't have any answers...nor am I criticizing the aforementioned websites for their content, it all just strikes me as being a bit odd.

Reality TV

I kind of hate reality television. Not only does it leave me with a sort of icky feeling, but it's really just not even all that interesting.

Until "Supernanny." I think it's releasing all those pent up frustrations within me, the ones that I had to bury when watching other people's horrible children for money. Most of the kids I watched were actually pretty good, but there were enough of the bratty ones to be memorable. And on "Supernanny" you watch kids throwing fits and being disciplined. I can't tear myself away from it.

Things that might make me wary of you

**This may come off as a rant, but it's really meant to be more contemplative**

Overuse exclamation points (i.e. !!!!!!!) for very small things. If you're going to pretend to be all excited about something insignificant, what will you do when something really monumental happens?

Tell me how smart you are, or ask me how smart I am. Especially if this involves some sort of quantitative number, like a GRE score. Seriously, are we in grade school? That is none of your business and you should know that the number is a reflection of nothing. Some of the smartest people I know do not do so well on standardized tests.

Not look at my face when I am having a conversation with you. I'm particularly disturbed when you always seem to be looking behind or around me, as if you are waiting for someone or something more important to come along.

Talk about your pets as though they are your children.

Be one of those girls that is always "not that hungry." Food is good, you should eat it.

Be really, really into video games in addition to being in your twenties (or thirties).

When will I be a grown-up?

I am still coming to grips with the idea that I might actually be an adult. That may sound a little strange, but considering there are many days when I feel like have all the social wherewithal and self-confidence of a thirteen-year old, it's not really all that bizarre. So I started thinking, what are the milestones, what really makes me a grown-up?

1) The ability to walk in high heels: Check (most of the time...). I've been pretty good with the heels since high school though, chalk it up to many years of ballet lessons. Although this morning I came very close to falling down the servant quarter-like staircase at work because I lost my balance and my hands were full.

2) Drinking coffee: Check. I probably drink more than is good for me actually. And I'm talking about real coffee here--I get up every day and grind it and brew it myself, I don't go to Starbucks and get some icky sweet creation that is more milk than coffee.

3) The ability to hear someone describe me as a "woman" without making a face: Um, no. I can't do it yet.

4) Knowing what I want to do with my life: No idea at all.

5) The ability to take care of myself: Debatable. I'm not much of a cook, although I can feed myself. I try to be responsible and save money and things, but then I see something cute and splurge. I owe a ton of money in student loans that I have barely made a dent in paying off.

6) Having a husband or child: Hah! Like I'm even close.

I realize this list is not exhaustive. Suggestions for additional criteria?