long week

This week has been bizarre. Monday I made a wrong turn biking to work. I ended up way out of the way, in the country (also very hilly, I had to walk my bike in parts). So when I got to where we carpool at school, they were gone. I called and was told to take the blue truck to the farm.

At home everyone thinks of me as someone who doesn't drive. The Thursday before I left, before going to Peru, I miraculously passed my driver's exam and finally got my license. Of course I have hardly any experience still, but they don't know that. So, I had to drive by myself for the first time ever, in a huge blue pick-up truck. ("They let you!?" said Roman. "They made me!" I replied).

Backing out, I got stuck (I actually failed the 90 degree backing up part of the test--in part because I had almost never done it before). I thought, if I keep trying to pull out, I'm just going to mess up the car next to me. It was actually worse than that, because having the truck stuck out halfway was blocking a bunch of traffic. So I was going to go get someone from the Plant Sciences Building to help me pull it out, when some guy offered to help me. He was Cornell, I felt intuitively that he was genuine. So he did pull it out for me. He asked if I was going to drive it now, and I said, yes I had to. He said, okay, well, good luck. And by the way, you're beautiful. Just drop-dead gorgeous.

I was kind of baffled, being sweaty, tired, and in glasses--but the guy helped me out, and didn't ask for anything in return, so I was grateful. And yes, I drove the truck there without incident, without even getting lost. 15 miles, over highway.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other things... An older man (like 70?) at the coop who said, "Wouldn't it be easier for you if you left the bike here and I take you are your groceries home?" "What!? No."

And then another guy I met (my mom's age?) complemented me on my tan (in a non-suggestive way) and told me about how the sunblock industry has been working for years for proof that their product prevents skin cancer, that they would love to put it on a label, but they can't. They spend billions of dollars and there's no proof still that sunblock prevents skin cancer. I don't know that means that you shouldn't cover up with clothing (since I do believe that too much sun ages the skin), but it was an interesting point. He introduced himself and we talked about other things and I guy he's sort of my friend.

Who are all these different people I'm meeting? My life is a cartoon. For sure I'm more open than I've ever been.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roman finally came, that's a weird adjustment. He's getting to know the place and missing home, but I am physically and mentally tired from work and trying to figure out my Master's project. My research may be on looking at ways of reducing tillage with a cover cropping system, all organic. Details must be decided on this month so we can start planting right away in April.

I don't live by any close friends right now, except for Roman. It's strange. I like having lots of alone time but I like it to be interspersed with time with people I care about, too. It's not so bad though. I'm just tired right now.