This crazy week (month, really) is drawing to a close, finally. Very long workdays have turned into very long weeks, and now I just have two major events (a choir concert, a worship service) and a few meetings left before the end of The Craziness.
I am starting to regain a little perspective.
Things are slowing down enough that I am noticing the details again... details like how sweet it was of the Hausmeister to bring me lunch just because we're both working a holiday (we are an equal-opportunity center here - we ignore German AND American holidays!).
Details like how dusty my office floor is (after falling on it in a strange, slow-motion drama involving my lunch and my rolling desk chair, wherein I think I sprained my right hand).
Details like how during one-on-one conversations, people look me in the eye at least twice as often and for twice as long when I am wearing my contact lenses. Except when I am wearing one particular shirt, in which case it's definitely not my eyes they're looking at.
Details like the fact that I really, really enjoy one of the pieces we're singing in this concert this afternoon. I have been singing, whistling and humming this tune nonstop for days.
Details like the three visitors I will be having within the next two weeks. Three! It is so nice to remember that I do have friends in Germany, even if they live far away from me. And even if one of them broke my heart.
Monday, October 31, 2005
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5 comments:
I entertained myself for quite some time envisioning the "strange, slow-motion drama involving my lunch and my rolling desk chair."
Thank you for providing me with some much needed amusement on this blechy Monday.
Jess, I hope your hand is okay.
I wonder what the connection is between contact lenses and increased eye contact. Maybe because once they can see your eyes, they feel compelled to maintain eye contact?
In Japan, people don't look each other in the eye when speaking, so as a result, both parties' gazes are like little moths, constantly fluttering all over the place but determinedly not landing anywhere near each other.
Completely off topic, but are you aware that people from all over the US will be praying for you tomorrow? When I saw it I had to brag about you to my secretary.
Mark, I am so pleased to have offered you quality entertainment. My whole right side is still brusied. :-)
Rachel, hi! I think that must be it - people can see my eyes now, instead of their own personal reflection in the glare of my coke bottles. Also, I just look way better without glasses, and a sad fact of life is that people look longer at people who look better. Or maybe it's because of me - maybe I look people in the eye more now, so they return the favor. Who knows? :-)
I think I would be uncomfortable in Japan for that reason (at least at first).
Amy... no, I wasn't aware! Why? This is very interesting. Also, it could not possibly have come at a better time. :-)
Yeah, it's one of those "pray for these people this day" that the ELCA puts out.
It says specifically, "Remember diaconal minister Jessica (Last Name), who serves as managing director of (your work place) Wittenberg, Germany. Jessica helps ELCA members explore and engage the Lutheran tradition in order to inform, guide, and renew the church's mission today."
I know people in what I would term my 4 areas of the country (MN, WI, WA, and TX) who regularly remember to pray using these suggestions.
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