So, you know what I'm dreading? Friends; not having them, of course, but making them. The thought of having to introduce myself, get to know people, and figure out which relationships are plausible is just overwhelming... as is the sincere hope that mostly everyone will like me. When you're going to be living somewhere new for an extended period of time such things matter. And frankly, I'm simply daunted by the desire to keep in touch with the amazing friends I already have.
These are a few of the many ways my "new friends" could possibly perceive me:- a woman: crazy, impractical, emotional, weak, can't wait to commit
- the oldest: bossy, perfectionist, tightly wound, responsible, conscientious
- a college sorority girl: needy, promiscuous, dependent, superficial, dumb
- a New Yorker: rude, stressed, unfriendly, relentless, sophisticated
- a twenty-something: entitled, lazy, idealistic, techie, immature
- an American: materialistic, ignorant, fat, egotistical, loud
Yet the above assumptions are extreme and entirely unlikely. I'd like to think the other globally-minded graduate students like myself will not only have interesting things to say but also be interested in befriending the real me. It's still unsettling to think about though, even if I know for certain I'll be fine. Phew.
Now, my darlings, I'm off to embark on an adventure my friends claim to have expected of me: I'll fly out of New York City tonight, arrive in Reykjavik early tomorrow morning, explore Iceland for three days, and wake up in Paris, France on Friday, August 31st. I'm nervously excited, please wish me luck! À bientôt.
