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September 21, 2004

Midwestern Expatriate

I got two e-mails from my school account requiring me to read up on some warning sent out by the State Department, which apparently affects any and all American students traveling abroad this year.

"This Public Announcement is being updated to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and anti-American violence against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated April 29, 2004 and expires on March 10, 2005.

"The Department of State is deeply concerned about the continued threat ofterrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad, as well as thepotential for demonstrations and violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. U.S. citizens are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur at any time. In reaction to the execution of hostages in Iraq, there have been demonstrations and associated violence in the hostages' country of origin. While Americans are generally not the targets in such incidents, U.S. citizens could be caught up in the violence. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

Well, that's just peachy, isn't it? Not exactly the "bon voyage" message I would've expected, but still. As if I didn't know that there's an entire freaking planet out there that doesn't like Americans as it is, and that I should be careful of what I say and do while living outside of my element. Those people at the State Department are really on the ball.

Maybe this would be a good time to call the school's Office of International Education and remind them that I decided not to go to England this year? I sent them an e-mail last spring explaining that I couldn't find a way to dig up $30,000 to pay for the trip (Especially with the younger brother starting college this year), but I guess that didn't phase them too much. I'm still on their mailing list. Last week, they sent me an e-mail reminding me to bring my passport and "other necessary means of identification" with me at all times. Oh well. So long as I don't get a huge-assed bill written in English pounds at the end of the quarter, I guess it doesn't matter.

School officially starts tomorrow. Yes, finally. I'm really excited to spend more time in the classroom instead of hours and hours on end with Bitchypoo at work. The woman used to get on my last nerves, but now I can actually laugh at the evil bigot. Last week, she made a point to tell me all about the ribbon cutting ceremony she attended for her socialite friend, and how the Mayor (The city's first Black mayor ever) was going to be attending the shindig as the guest of honor.

"The Mayor really is a politician, and in every sense of the word," she told me confidientially. "He knows how to work the crowd and talk up a storm, you know? And what surprised me was that he was so nice. And I won't hold it against him that he's a Democrat."

A Black Democrat? Really? How observant Bitchypoo must be. Now if she could only see that behind that plastic, blonde head of hers lies a dormant Neo Nazi in waiting...

Sometimes she really irks me. When I first got the job, I happened to tell her that I was a college student, and she acted entirely surprised. "Oh, really? Do you pay for your school by yourself?"

"Well, sort of. I got a full-ride scholarship that pretty much pays for everything."

"Well, that's nice. Was it an athletic scholarship, or..."

"No. It was entirely academic," I said flatly. Athletic, my ass. Why is it that people like Bitchypoo seem to think that no Black person can ever make it into college unless they're playing basketball or running track? I busted my butt for thirteen years just so I could go to school on a scholarship, not so I could shoot hoops or run hurdles until it was time to apply for grad school.

"An academic scholarship? How did you do that?"

"I got good grades," I told her honestly, thinking about all the times my Dad shook his head at report cards dotted with "Bs" instead of "As." "I graduated in the top ten percent of my class."

"Oh," said Bitchypoo, and that was the end of that.

What an ignorant woman.

Today's Soundtrack: "Culo," Pit Bull

Best Part of the Day: School starts tomorrow!

posted at 12:02 p.m.

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