Yeah, she lives in L.A. she flies to New York City
That woman’s been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky tonk
But you can’t take the honky tonk, take the honky tonk
Out of the girl
Thank you, Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn - wish you two would get back together...You are what you are, right? A zebra can't change its stripes. On Wednesday night the HR department held the last of a series of continuing orientation functions for new staff. Since I hadn't attended all the others and this one was being held on-campus in the building adjacent to my apartment I didn't have much excuse not to go.
(Just took a phone call here at home from my roommate who is out at the store; I'm helping him buy vodka. Earlier this year has been wine and cigars; I'm very proud of my corrupting influence!)
Anyway...yeah, the gig was next door. Plus, there was going to be pizza. Hey, after a long day I just wanna go home and feed my face and surf the 'net. The people here are very nice, but I work with them and live them; I need Jack time. In my defense, I've made myself do a lot things I've never done, or wouldn't typically do voluntarily. My nature is such that it takes me a long time to warm up to people, and this bunch is a very different demographic.
But, I'm glad I went. And not just for the Papa John's. Well, mostly. But it really was interesting. At this point, we didn't as much talk about what we might expect as much as we reflected on what we've experienced. I don't think I was ever overly shocked by anything. I think I've done a good job of jumping feet first into the experience and getting 'bout near everything I can from it. Given how I am, it could've been a complete disaster, and a few months ago it was an even bet. Now, I'm fairly comfortable and actually look forward to returning in the fall.
However, at the same time, I've clung tight to certain things. A student I'm close to gives me grief all the time about what I'm certain to get if I eat at the mall. Chicken McNuggets, fries, diet Coke. Yup, that's my comfort food. I'll have Indian, Thai, Chinese and others, too, but the Golden Arches is my go-to. And I wish I'd be able to watch more of March Madness, and the Phils on opening day, and a bunch of other things I've always appreciated, but now even more, if that's possible.
What I thought was the most interesting was something I hadn't even really noticed. We were told early on that here "it's all about relationships". Greetings are elaborate. It's rude to 'hit-n-run' when you see someone, if that makes sense. I hadn't realized I'd internalized that. Whenever I'm walking thru campus and encounter a couple of the security guards I'm real friendly with I will chat with them (as much as I'm to, at least). I noticed that I felt real bad when I was 'on a mission' and had to sort of blow them off and not take the time to have a conversation.
If you know me, I am an avid student of human nature and society. I love talking to people who come from a different perspctive about the world. Here, that can get real interesting. Like the 2 boys earlier this week who, um, didn't see eye-to-eye on the Syrian president Assad. One thought he was the greatest leader, the other hoped not only that he died but his whole family as well. I stayed neutral. My mama didn't raise no fool. 6th grade social studies classes have been fun, as we've learned recently about ancient Egypt and India, and the 2 girls from those places have enlightened us all with their perspectives. I often get more out of school than the students.
Hmmm...what other things have I learned lately? I should've listened to Danielle; a small, 1kg bag of instant couscous makes A LOT MORE than you might think - you wanna guess what I've been snacking on for days with no end in sight? Speaking of the metric system, I like weighing 110 kg, though I think standing 1 meter 90 cm makes me sound shorter. On a list of top 10 Moroccan sports, soccer would be numbers 1-8. Voleyball makes the cut. You know what rounds out the list? Badminton! Really. I'm a sports nut, but I still can't believe I'm following soccer. When inRome Casablanca...
Yeah, he lives in Casa, he flies to Italy
That man’s been around the world
You can take the guy out of New Jersey
But you can’t take the New Jersey, take the New Jersey
Out of the guy ;)
That woman’s been around the world
You can take the girl out of the honky tonk
But you can’t take the honky tonk, take the honky tonk
Out of the girl
Thank you, Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn - wish you two would get back together...You are what you are, right? A zebra can't change its stripes. On Wednesday night the HR department held the last of a series of continuing orientation functions for new staff. Since I hadn't attended all the others and this one was being held on-campus in the building adjacent to my apartment I didn't have much excuse not to go.
(Just took a phone call here at home from my roommate who is out at the store; I'm helping him buy vodka. Earlier this year has been wine and cigars; I'm very proud of my corrupting influence!)
Anyway...yeah, the gig was next door. Plus, there was going to be pizza. Hey, after a long day I just wanna go home and feed my face and surf the 'net. The people here are very nice, but I work with them and live them; I need Jack time. In my defense, I've made myself do a lot things I've never done, or wouldn't typically do voluntarily. My nature is such that it takes me a long time to warm up to people, and this bunch is a very different demographic.
But, I'm glad I went. And not just for the Papa John's. Well, mostly. But it really was interesting. At this point, we didn't as much talk about what we might expect as much as we reflected on what we've experienced. I don't think I was ever overly shocked by anything. I think I've done a good job of jumping feet first into the experience and getting 'bout near everything I can from it. Given how I am, it could've been a complete disaster, and a few months ago it was an even bet. Now, I'm fairly comfortable and actually look forward to returning in the fall.
However, at the same time, I've clung tight to certain things. A student I'm close to gives me grief all the time about what I'm certain to get if I eat at the mall. Chicken McNuggets, fries, diet Coke. Yup, that's my comfort food. I'll have Indian, Thai, Chinese and others, too, but the Golden Arches is my go-to. And I wish I'd be able to watch more of March Madness, and the Phils on opening day, and a bunch of other things I've always appreciated, but now even more, if that's possible.
What I thought was the most interesting was something I hadn't even really noticed. We were told early on that here "it's all about relationships". Greetings are elaborate. It's rude to 'hit-n-run' when you see someone, if that makes sense. I hadn't realized I'd internalized that. Whenever I'm walking thru campus and encounter a couple of the security guards I'm real friendly with I will chat with them (as much as I'm to, at least). I noticed that I felt real bad when I was 'on a mission' and had to sort of blow them off and not take the time to have a conversation.
If you know me, I am an avid student of human nature and society. I love talking to people who come from a different perspctive about the world. Here, that can get real interesting. Like the 2 boys earlier this week who, um, didn't see eye-to-eye on the Syrian president Assad. One thought he was the greatest leader, the other hoped not only that he died but his whole family as well. I stayed neutral. My mama didn't raise no fool. 6th grade social studies classes have been fun, as we've learned recently about ancient Egypt and India, and the 2 girls from those places have enlightened us all with their perspectives. I often get more out of school than the students.
Hmmm...what other things have I learned lately? I should've listened to Danielle; a small, 1kg bag of instant couscous makes A LOT MORE than you might think - you wanna guess what I've been snacking on for days with no end in sight? Speaking of the metric system, I like weighing 110 kg, though I think standing 1 meter 90 cm makes me sound shorter. On a list of top 10 Moroccan sports, soccer would be numbers 1-8. Voleyball makes the cut. You know what rounds out the list? Badminton! Really. I'm a sports nut, but I still can't believe I'm following soccer. When in
Yeah, he lives in Casa, he flies to Italy
That man’s been around the world
You can take the guy out of New Jersey
But you can’t take the New Jersey, take the New Jersey
Out of the guy ;)
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