I am: a nerd

In this time of transition - from one continent to another (and then another, and then another), a time of uncertainty about the future, and letting go of all I once held dear - I have been doing a bit of self-discovery.

First, I wrote about a loss of identity.

Then I posted my first finding: I am: third culture

Today, I will post a second finding...

Finding #2 - I am a nerd

When I was a PhD student taking a masters level housing policy course I was always the student who read EVERY thing. I came in with questions. I did the homework. I ruined the curve for the masters level students in my course. One of the guys in the class called me on my behavior. I think he meant it as an insult, but he said, "you are such a nerd!"

My response, "of course, I am a nerd! I am in a PhD program. Duh! Who else does that? Only nerds apply."

I have owned that title proudly for a number of years (not always the case in my younger years). If I could, I would be a life-long student. I'd love to get a second masters degree and have a long list of courses I'd love to take for fun. I am usually reading at least two books simultaneously and finish dozens a year. Learning is a sport to me. I absolutely love to learn. I love spreadsheets and enjoy statistical analysis (though I prefer someone else calculate the tests, deviations and co-efficients).

I have caught myself many times in recent years repeating the same mantra, "I am a nerd." I know it. I embrace it. I am not ashamed of it. It is part of me. When entering a book store or library, I am like a kid entering a candy store.

As a side note, this nerd still prefers thumbing the paperback version of books over an electronic reader, and brick and mortar shops for purchase over the e-stores.

just Sheri, acknowledging the truth of my social status

The "Don't Quit" Poem

Recently I was browsing a card shop and found a book mark with a poem titled: "Don't Quit." I didn't buy the book mark, but I should have as the message spoke to my soul. I post it here hoping it will encourage you.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don't you quit. 

Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- You may succeed with another blow. 

Often the goal is nearer than, It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up, When he might have captured the victor's cup, And he learned too late when the night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown. 

Success is failure turned inside out-- The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- It's when things seem worst that you must not quit. 

- Author unknown

just Sheri, trudging along

cherry blossoms blooming

People come from miles around to see what is now in our back yard...cherry blossoms in bloom. Want to see a sample of what you are missing?

just Sheri, loving the beautiful trees

bits of my weekend: road trip to Pittsburgh

This weekend I headed out of the office to Union Station in DC to pick up a friend, Lily. 

We had a road trip planned to visit the wonderful Whitlocks in Pittsburgh. 

I have become a fan of road trips - no security agents, no weight restrictions on luggage, delays are chosen rather than mandated...road trips are fun! The Whitlocks are still wonderful and I also got to see a new location in the USA. I'd never been to Pennsylvania before and now I can cross Pittsburgh off the list. 

just Sheri, a fan of road tripping

confession: I tried a neti pot

The sun has peaked out a couple of days recently...tempting us that spring might be coming. It also seems to be tempting the blooms. Cherry blossoms are a common sight theses days - so pretty. Well, the other thing that seems to be in full bloom is my allergies. Ugh!

I cannot recall EVER having allergies like this. Yes, cats make my eyes itch and my sinuses clog, but that's it. Mom, correct me if I am wrong...but I believe this is the first time that I have been so clogged that I snore like a freight train in sleep and during waking hours I can only breath through my mouth which doesn't seem to be working as well since I cannot seem to catch my breath. One day as my eyes were watering like I'd just cut an onion, my nose was so clogged it felt swollen and I was breathing like an asthmatic my co-worker said, "Sheri, you need a neti pot."

S: A neti pot? what's that?

Well, apparently while I was away in another country Oprah and Dr. Oz introduced America to a tea pot used to pour a saline solution in to your nasal passages to drain them. Pour the water in one nostril and the ooze comes out the other. Though the product had received the Oprah stamp of approval, my only response was YUCK!!! I quickly forgot the suggestion.

Days later, after I'd tried over the counter options and continued to suffer the neti pot was suggested a second time as a remedy for my allergic woes. This time it was my friend Angela, who I suspect was tired of hearing my heavy breathing and nose blowing. Angela took it a step further. She took me to the nearest store, purchased the neti pot for me and then proceeded to force me to use it. You should have seen me, I was squealing like a little child. I have always been too afraid to use nasal spray - why would I pour a saline solution up my nostril? WHY?!!! She is a mother, thus she is used to this kind of behavior and before I knew it she was forcing the issue. When it was over the most amazing thing happened - I could breath. I took many deep breaths and was sold.

I am now the proud owner of a neti pot and would like to say that if your sinuses are backed up it is just what the doctor ordered and you can still trust the Oprah stamp of approval.

I am told that this is only the start of what is to come in a Virginia spring. Supposedly there are days when it gets so bad that there is a layer of yellow pollen on your car and if you open a window in your home it gets on everything. If that is true, then the neti pot is going to be my new best friend.

Have you tried it?

just Sheri, an allergy sufferer