I feel like I've been trapped in some sort of parallel universe. Getting up in the morning and reading my marketing book over coffee before hurridly throwing together lunches for DBF and myself and rushing to work. Coming home from a full day at the office and sitting right down to study until bed time. I'm not sure what exactly it is about this semester but it's been much more time-consuming than the previous two I took on this MBA path. A combination of lots of busy-work in the marketing class (not hard, just takes a lot of time) and really dense theory in the economics class. Last night after completing my marketing final in record pace, I came home and worked on another assignment for econ. That final won't be until Sunday night. So from today till then, I have to focus on memorizing four or five chapters of scintillating material on topics like unemployment, inflation and whatnot. Thrilling.
But on the positive side, I did get a new book in the mail (yay PBS!) and have been reading it in agonizingly slow increments as I find the time. This is a different way of reading for me. Usually, I sit down and devour a book in roughly an hour, maybe two. This time around, I'm just grabbing 5 or 10 minutes to read a chapter or two. So at least it will last longer. Which book? Ah yes, the incomparable Loretta Chase. The Lion's Daughter. I believe I put this on my wishlist after reading that Chase-a-thon over at Book Smugglers. Or maybe it was something else. I can't remember...just that I read that it was good and stuck it on my list and when it was available, the nice people at PBS asked me if I wanted it. So far it is entertaining. The heroine is teetering dangerously close to annoying, but she hasn't crossed the line yet so I'm happy about that. And the hero is funny and charming and reminds me a little of Rupert from the other book. Anyways, yay books. The cover makes me laugh.(see why I haven't been blogging...I really have nothing interesting to say. lol)
In other news, DBF and I will be staying home this weekend instead of going on a four day vacation as we had planned. The long story short is that we had made some plans with a group of three other couples to go to the beach and rent two houses, go fishing, relax, etc. We're not super tight with any of said couples, but we are acquaintances and thought it would be a good opportunity for us to get out and see another part of the state...do something we normally would not do on our own. A week before the trip, we were asked by the couple who has been planning everything if we would mind not sharing a room (mind you, said room had two single beds in it, lol) because they are hosting a European exchange student who had marked on her application that she is a Christian. And they are Christian (pretty religious too, but we've always been able to live and let live in the past) and didn't want to offend her sensibilities. Apparently the idea of me and my BF, a couple in their late twenties that have been together for five years but aren't officially "married" sharing a room (again, with TWO SINGLE BEDS) might offend her. or something. Anyways, DBF was so not pleased to be asked this question. Highly insulted and really upset. At first I just thought it was silly and was inclined to shrug and say, sure whatever, just let them have their way. But now I see his point. We were supposedly equal participants in this venture, were going to be PAYING for the privelege of our sleeping quarters just the same price as everyone else. Out of all four couples, why would we be asked to split up just for the sake of some stranger's potential ease of mind? And they didn't even know if this student would actually CARE (she's from freaking france, I'm sure she's been exposed to the concept of unmarried couples) AND she was going to be staying in the other house anyways and not in the house where we were. Even though it was a "request" and not a demand, we felt that we wouldn't be comfortable now with the group, so we cancelled. ugh. It was a big freaking mess.
so yeah, no mini vacation at the end of the summer term. :( We'll try to come up with something that the two of us can do cheaply and funly (heh) before the end of August, but it won't include random 'friends'. *sigh*
15 comments:
That guy looks like he's in a captain morgan commercial.
HEY YOU! Good luck, go study, 10 days, baby!
I am freaked as well: query, submission packet (should I include the flogger? IDK), summary, oh yeah, and that last scene I still haven't written.
And you did the right thing.
;)
Good luck with your final. All this hard work will be worth it when you are done.
I agree, you made a good decision. It was unfair and just wrong for that couple to ask that of you. AND if it was supposed to be like a couples retreat, why was the exchange student coming with. AND why would she know you guys are not married unless she was told that. Not all couples wear rings or change names. In France, most of Europe, they are much more open and accepting of sexulaity. There is not the same taboo as there is in the states. In all likelihood she would not have cared.
You will find something fun to do with DBF. Heck, it might be better, you can make all the decisions and not worry about other people in your group not enjoying the activities.
Captain Morgan, that's it!!! I knew he reminded me of something. lol. Thanks, lb. Now I'm even more desirous of alcoholic libations.
I have to admit...between your situation (query, et al) and mine (finals), I'm not sure if I would trade. That sort of stuff freaks me out. I would be procrastinating big time. So good on you for grabbing the bull by the horns. heh. yeah, grab that 'horn'. *ahem*
thanks, shannon. i sure am looking forward to having a short break from classes. heh.
My thots exactly, re the exchange student. I mean, we were all jazzed to have them (the two students...one of the other couples was also hosting a student, a guy) because DBF and I speak French and could potentially help translate if any complicated things came up. And like I said, any kid in France is highly unlikely to be all weirded out by unmarried couples sharing a room. What really gets me is that the room had two single beds!!! For godsake, clearly we weren't there for teh sex. (not that it would be anyone's business if we were, but f'real)
I grew up in a very conservative (repressive?) christian environment, so when they made the request I kind of reverted to feeling shamed and stuff and was willing to go along with it just to not rock the boat. It was only after DBF was like "o rly?" and got mad that I started to think about it and go...hey wait a minute. Why should I even be asked this question?
anyways, the whole thing just put a sour taste in our mouths. Funny enough, DBF is a devout muslim and prays 5 times a day. He really gets annoyed with so-called religious folk trying to outdo each other on the holier-than-thou contest. Him: "Why can't everyone just practice their own faith and respect other people how they are without trying to change them?"
And to think that most "christian" americans think that muslims are the intolerant ones...
/steps off soapbox
First: good thoughts on final
Second: If you haven't gone on vacation with that couple before, perhaps they were using the exchange student as an excuse to deal with their own discomfort?
Either way, really--it's just another facet of "equal but not quite so" you know? You pay and contribute like everyone else, but you don't have the same privileges. Bah!
I understand that people, in FRANCE of all places, have premarital sex! WOOT.
We shall make the captain our first bev in sf, yes?
Hey, with all my friends rallying behind me, I have to get this done. Also I'm obsessed.
Awesome book!!
Your friend sounds like my friend who just bought a house with her boyfriend. They have been together for 3 years and I believe she is still a virgin, well maybe no longer since they now share a bed in their new house.
Sula... see you in less than 2 weeks!!!!
Less than two weeks already? OMG! Woohoo! Are you taking tests before or after? Either way, good luck!
As for the fishing trip.
First off, it was none of their business. Who they heck are they to you to make such a request? Two, I think Azteclady could be right that they may be using the exchange student on purpose.
"Why can't everyone just practice their own faith and respect other people how they are without trying to change them?"
Yes!!!
Screw them! You have better things to do.
You'll do great on your finals...you're studying hard and from what I can tell, very dedicated to the cause. :)
You definitely did the right thing in cancelling the weekend. It's a bummer but they were taking it way too far. I'm a christian too, but that doesn't mean I freak at the thought of an unmarried persons sleeping in the same room. In fact my hubby and I lived together before we got married. Your aquaintances sound like they were the ones that were having issues.
I can hardly believe they asked that of you, especially since you would not even be staying in the same house. How ridiculous. I hope you and DBF have a great time doing something else. And good luck with your studies.
Well that's a bizarre request! I don't blame DBF for being on the upset side. But hopefully something better will come along for the two of you to do.
Hey well it's almost over and then a small break before you head back. GOOD LUCK!!!!
As far as DBF situation I had that with the ex. We were dating for 6 freaking years people and I'd still get the look of OH YOU WANT TO SHARE A BED WITH HIM? Um yeah I live with him and we share it at home why does it matter?
You will have more fun on a 2 seater vaca!
Hey Sula!
Too bad about the vacay! That just seems so outrageous and unrealistic, esp. since you were paying, too. And presumptive, because as you say, that poor student would probably have benefited from you there. I bet that unmarried things bothers SUCH a tiny percentage of Christians.
But it sounds like you are doing so great in your class. What a hard worker you are!
Sula..have you gone the way of the pig?
I just bought this book Saturday. :)
It was fun to meet you! That really sucks about your vacation. What a ridiculous request on their part. Hope you have a relaxing four days at home!
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