I cannot be the only person who has had this experience on more than one occasion. I’m sure you know what I mean: You and some other polite stranger are waiting in line for something—maybe at a busy Starbucks, or, like me, to board a plane yesterday morning for Texas—when you have something on your person that alerts this stranger that you are still a student. In my case, I was putting away my student I.D. after it had fallen out of my wallet.

Standing next to me was a really attractive elderly woman, with expensive Gucci glasses that I would’ve loved to have stolen for myself and perfectly coiffed white-streaked silver hair. Ever since my own hair tragedy three days ago, I’m envious of anyone who looks even marginally better than I think I do.

She gave me a smile and said, “Still in school?” I said yeah, I’m in grad school, actually. “For what?” Creative writing.

Then it happened, as it did every time. Her smile sort of faded and she said, “Oh, that’s nice,” and the conversation was over.

Yeah, I know, Cat. That was my reaction too.

Read more »

I want to do everything.  I’m in grad school, and I want to soak up as much as I can.  If I can take 18 credits, why not?  If I can do an internship or two or three, why not?  It’s a great experience.  But how much is going to be enough to shackle bricks to my feet and drown me?

Read more »