An amusing occurrence while I was reading history in a quiet corner at Starbucks... a couple of guys, engineering majors from Pomona, asked if I went to PCC. When I replied that I was from caltech, and a history major, they looked rather stunned... And then, after a little more conversation, one gave me his email and suggested that if I was having trouble with math or science, he would be willing to tutor me. When I declined, saying that I'd already been through differential equations and quantum mechanics, I got that same stunned look. I don't know whether that was because he didn't believe that I had taken those courses, or that advanced math and physics courses were required for a history major here.

But the question remains of my friends: do I look stupid?? Why the automatic assumption that I'm from PCC rather than tech? Being female and blond does NOT automatically indicate lesser intelligence. Admittably, I'm not up to par with the scientific or mathematical genuises at tech that I interact with on a daily basis, but I believe I can hold my own in at least writing and music, if not other areas.

Anyway... didn't do much today, other than reading todorov and de las casas for h 97a. Oh, and going to the stable warming at 3D Farms this afternoon with Andrea and Yussanne for a little while - that was kinda fun. We got to see the clubhouse and barn in full daylight, got to see Davee (coolest instructor ever :), saw a couple of people who used to ride at TES (and some that still do, but hope to switch eventually). Looks like Yussanne and I will be riding every Friday at 4:30 from now until who knows when, and hopefully Yussanne will get enough sleep to come ride most Fridays, 'cause it's a lot more fun when you're riding with a friend.

Anyway, I've gotta get to writing. That's all for now, and I'll post sometime in the next couple days.
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(Stolen from the page of my riding instructor, Davee :)
THE INVITATION
Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Indian Elder

It doesn't matter to me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can hear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see the beauty even when it is not pretty everyday, and if you can source your life from ITS presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes."
It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children.
It doesn't interest me who you are or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.
It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Another thought-provoking piece, kinda like the Bob Dylan song I had in my profile for the last 6 months. -shrugs- Something else to think about in furthering my life and pursuing new interests...