Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakout

My return to school has brought with it the return of my skin problems of yore. I trimmed my 'stache a bit, only to find a potentially mountainous zit hiding under the thin fringe. A quick glance at my cheek or under my nose reveals that the zits are sort of hovering under the surface, waiting for me to make one false move, then BAM! Massive breakouts will ensue.

It would be nice if I could stop stressing about the election, the economy, and the world at large. Also, I'd like to stop second guessing my decision to go back to school in the first place. For the most part, I'm learning a lot and meeting some interesting people. Still, I couldn't help but wonder if I'm just throwing money away, especially when I read Jennifer Wiener's advice to aspiring writers. (Granted, I've only read one of her books - Good in Bed - but I liked it a lot.) She just makes a lot of sense to me.

OK, deep breaths. I went out last night with a few of my classmates, which was fun. No one seemed to think I am a fucktard, so that is encouraging. Tonight I am giving a short presentation in my lit class on Edwidge Danticat, as well as handing in my first literary critique since I wrote a paper about all the menstruation symbolism in Jane Eyre in the fall of 1995. Fingers crossed, and I'm off to wash my face.

11 comments:

  1. Before every semester of my university life, I would have a little nervous breakdown and contemplate dropping out. Before (almost) every job I've ever begun, I similarly wonder not if but when my colleagues will realise I am a complete moron who faked her way through the interview. I am told both these fears, while irrational, are totally normal.

    Bad news, Suzanne. You're normal :-)

    [Although I think you should drop out of school, and move to London - but that's just my selfishness talking]

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  2. ps: pimples = oily skin = fewer wrinkles.

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  3. Man, I hear you on the job thing. It especially gooses me now that I am doing consulting and charging a fairly high hourly rate.

    And seriously, I really wish that I could join you on the other side of the pond. Although maybe after I finish school. We'll see how it goes in two weeks when my piece finally gets workshopped!

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  4. When I read the title, I thought you were writing about me.

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  5. There is so much dirt in the air in NYC I'm no surprised you break out. you should carry some nivea facial wipes or something like that and wipe yourself off a couple times a day. Whenever I go to NYC I'm always amazing at how much dirt comes off on the towel (I do that on purpose btw)

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  6. That's so funny because normally I have very clear skin. Maybe my skin reacts well to pollution but not pollution combined with excess anxiety? I really think it is the stress.

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  7. It's Sarah Palin. Her super-woman-ness is making extra hormones fall from the sky. If they can'tinfiltrate your brain, they've no place to go other than your pores. . . .

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  8. Heh heh. That's probably true. Although I thought you were referring to her as the cause for my anxiety, which is certainly true. It's scary times. Just incredibly scary.

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  9. Oh, she can do anything, our Sarah. Shoot a moose from a rifle, fry it up in a pan, clog your pores, melt the ice cream in your freezer, further alienate countries that think the US is on a Christian crusade, refer to her husband as the "first dude" with a straight face.

    If I sound like I am not taking the threat seriously, you've forgotten that I use bad humour as a defense . . . .

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  10. Dry humor and sarcasm are all we have left, my dear. It is always welcome!

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  11. go here for a funny bunny photo on the side

    http://deptofnance.blogspot.com/

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