Sunday, January 07, 2007
I crashed the car.
Over the weekend I did a really stupid thing. I drove into a tree...
It's a really good thing I discussed accident liability with Tom before it happened. Although we had no formal agreement about accidents, I knew that I wouldn't be financially responsible for it.
I simply did not see this tree. I was doing a U-turn and pulling over to park on the side of the road, parking between two cars before going on a hike a couple miles from my house. I was looking carefully at the other parked cars and the traffic and didn't see the tree until it was already in the grill! Yikes!
It was a little tree--and camouflaged perfectly with the forest. Luckily the car came out with very little damage. The front right bumper is bent, but it's going to be a quick fix. I'll take it into the shop tomorrow to see how much this is going to cost.
I worried about having to tell Tom today. He was in NY for the weekend and came back tonight. He took the news very well though. He didn't even go outside to see the damage--just said it was no problem.
*Sigh of relief!*
Other than the tree, I had a wonderful weekend! The best since I've come to Boston. I met a friend on craigslist and we hit it off immediately! I've been thinking recently that I need more friends in the city 'cause I'll go crazy if I spend all my weekends alone or in the house! So, after some internet banter during the week I spent Saturday with my new friend. It is entirely possible--even likely--when meeting a stranger off the internet to have moments of awkwardness, but I never felt uncomfortable in anyway! (Except for maybe when I hit the tree. ...yes, he was in the car with me.) But conversation flowed easily and we're planning to hang out again! I feel like a social life is starting to fall into place!!
And Saturday evening I was super lucky because I got to hang out with the wonderful, and very busy Nathan! We did what I love to do more than anything--and cooked a superb meal together! Since I had the house to myself for the weekend we were able to take advantage of the space and the silence. Of course it wasn't very quiet during my victory dance after kicking his MIT bum in a couple games of pool!!! (I have to gloat when I have the chance; I doubt I'll ever this this opportunity again.)
Lastly, I've been encouraged this weekend! I realized I've been approaching graduate school all wrong. I've been applying to positions at the university through human resources, and what I should be doing is talking to admissions officers and program advisers. Okay, kinda a "duh" moment.
When I first learned about tuition remission and was told I shouldn't have to pay for graduate school, I thought I needed a secretarial position and to work full time for university. However, I should first be asking to work as a teacher's aide or research assistant for professors in my program. I would be working fewer hours, and actually working in my field, while still enjoying the benefits of tuition remission. There is an open house at Lesley in a couple weeks and I can't wait to go make some contacts! I was starting to get discouraged, but maybe I can start something sooner than I expected!
Tomorrow's a new week! I couldn't be happier in my new situation and feel so blessed to have good friends, family and health!
It's a really good thing I discussed accident liability with Tom before it happened. Although we had no formal agreement about accidents, I knew that I wouldn't be financially responsible for it.
I simply did not see this tree. I was doing a U-turn and pulling over to park on the side of the road, parking between two cars before going on a hike a couple miles from my house. I was looking carefully at the other parked cars and the traffic and didn't see the tree until it was already in the grill! Yikes!
It was a little tree--and camouflaged perfectly with the forest. Luckily the car came out with very little damage. The front right bumper is bent, but it's going to be a quick fix. I'll take it into the shop tomorrow to see how much this is going to cost.
I worried about having to tell Tom today. He was in NY for the weekend and came back tonight. He took the news very well though. He didn't even go outside to see the damage--just said it was no problem.
*Sigh of relief!*
Other than the tree, I had a wonderful weekend! The best since I've come to Boston. I met a friend on craigslist and we hit it off immediately! I've been thinking recently that I need more friends in the city 'cause I'll go crazy if I spend all my weekends alone or in the house! So, after some internet banter during the week I spent Saturday with my new friend. It is entirely possible--even likely--when meeting a stranger off the internet to have moments of awkwardness, but I never felt uncomfortable in anyway! (Except for maybe when I hit the tree. ...yes, he was in the car with me.) But conversation flowed easily and we're planning to hang out again! I feel like a social life is starting to fall into place!!
And Saturday evening I was super lucky because I got to hang out with the wonderful, and very busy Nathan! We did what I love to do more than anything--and cooked a superb meal together! Since I had the house to myself for the weekend we were able to take advantage of the space and the silence. Of course it wasn't very quiet during my victory dance after kicking his MIT bum in a couple games of pool!!! (I have to gloat when I have the chance; I doubt I'll ever this this opportunity again.)
Lastly, I've been encouraged this weekend! I realized I've been approaching graduate school all wrong. I've been applying to positions at the university through human resources, and what I should be doing is talking to admissions officers and program advisers. Okay, kinda a "duh" moment.
When I first learned about tuition remission and was told I shouldn't have to pay for graduate school, I thought I needed a secretarial position and to work full time for university. However, I should first be asking to work as a teacher's aide or research assistant for professors in my program. I would be working fewer hours, and actually working in my field, while still enjoying the benefits of tuition remission. There is an open house at Lesley in a couple weeks and I can't wait to go make some contacts! I was starting to get discouraged, but maybe I can start something sooner than I expected!
Tomorrow's a new week! I couldn't be happier in my new situation and feel so blessed to have good friends, family and health!
