An Ode to the most important of important things.
I haven’t written in a really, really long time. An era… an eon… and I don’t know why. Or, actually, I do. I’ve spent the last months in the Fall 2011 semester. My life has been engulfed by Arabic vocabulary and the expansion of my French vocabulary, alongside copious amounts of political economy readings and depressing literature of women’s and children’s development issues. It’s been painful and my life has been full of anxiety. Yet, there are many things that have made this semester great and I feel that I should focus on these people today… those that have changed my life in the most profound way possible.
I wouldn’t be able to wake up every morning if it wasn’t for my roommate, Stefanie, who sits across from me right now flipping through her brand-new iPhone and picking at a delicious-looking blueberry muffin. She is sporting her favorite sweater today which she brought home from her trip to Oxford, which I hear about all the time. She just downed a cappuccino and is now putting on her scarf to leave. I will legitimately miss her now. And so here I sit, alone, at a table in Caffé Medici, thinking of our nerdbomber moments which consist of countless references to lolcatz, lord of the rings, and reddit memes. This past week we made a pact to not break anything else in our apartment (and succeeded - take that, dryer! take that, stove top which likes to set off the smoke alarm!). Our mornings usually consist of my pristine coffee making skills and iPad time. Stef is fatefully addicted to Angry Birds and I can’t seem to pry my mind away from the NY Times Crosswords. We talk of everything - or, excuse me, ALL THE THINGS - I love hearing of Stef’s family, dramatic friends, and her newest ideas for her short stories. Currently, she’s writing a 15+ page paper for her Lexicography class on Tolkien’s Elvish languages. She’s a badass and her cunning sense of humor can only be matched by the warmth of her heart. She’s truly wonderful and I couldn’t imagine these past months without her.
When Stef isn’t around I always have my faithful sister to pull me away from campus. We’re Medici addicts, Whole Foods connoisseurs, and I can’t imagine anyone else who I would love to wake up with at 5 in the AM just to run a slow 3-miler around Town Lake. She is constantly thinking of me, turning her baking creations into gluten-free deliciousness. I can’t think of a more selfless person to rival my sister (besides Stef…but Chelsy is older, so she gets precedence). It’s been a new experience not living with her this year and I can dare say that it’s allowed us to move apart on our own paths while also becoming closer in our relationship. She has taken on a new job which brings her the utmost happiness and I love hearing about how much she loves exploring Austin’s fitness classes. I swear, she’s tried everything. She is even convincing me into Bikram Yoga. Insanity.
To think I could write something about people who make my life bearable and not mention my boss …. that would be an atrocity. Nina is a saint. A wonderful person who I have been blessed to come across. She’s relatable on the simplest yet most important level: relationships. I can’t imagine talking to anyone else about my countless boy problems…I can only hope that he will remain friends.
Which leads me to the other person who I bear everything to: my trainer, Tom. He is a single dad to a wonderful little boy named Tommy. I was blessed enough to spend about 7 hours with this comic-obsessed 4th grader while Tom took his beautiful girlfriend to a wedding in San Antonio. Not many people can say they have a role model in their life, but mine is 100% Tom Krausz. He is strong, motivated, and wonderfully focused on the important aspects of life. Working out with him is ALWAYS a challenge yet he has also become my friend, which has allowed me to see life in a different way.
In last respects… I’d like to give an ode to Shereen, who is by far my soul mate in girl-form. To Tess, who keeps me sane in Arabic. To Tamer, who always wishes me luck when I study. To my mom, who still understands my needs for a mental health day. To my Dad, whose newfound strength has allowed me to believe in second chances and new beginnings. To Ally, who gives me hope for the future of teachers. To my cousin Michelle, who ALWAYS inspires me to follow my heart. To Dani, who convinces me to embrace every work of literature like the secret hipster I am. To Geoffrey, whose friendship has showed me that distance is by no means a bounds to a relationship. All of you have kept me sane these past few months and showed me the important of friendship. I love you all.
Leslie
