One year down - eternity to go

Super-hubby and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on Sunday in the only place I hate more than Jackson, MS. - Lafayette, IN. Unfortunately, my BFF D planned his wedding on that weekend, so there's was no choice but to go. But, I think God felt sorry for us having to spend our anniversary weekend there so he blessed Lafayette with gorgeous weather (in the 80s and sunny!) and all the friends I have left were in town and available for drinking/playtime/hanging out/watching football. So, a good time was had by all.

Ironically, we celebrated our anniversary by going to see "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?". LOL! It was a great movie, though and we had a fun, low key, sweats and jeans date night.

Last night, we dug into our thawed cake top. And boy was it delicious. It took me nearly 30 minutes to wrap that thing, so I was going to be extremely pissed if it tasted frost-bitten. But, it was in perfect condition! We gorged ourselves, because it will probably be rotten by the time I get home today. Even Figaro got to eat a piece! It was the least we could do since he couldn't make the wedding...

Anyhoo - Happy Anniversary, babe!

New flash! Bigotry exists in academia! - Tell me something I don't already know.

A colleague forwarded me an article that was recently published in a UK newspaper that quoted Dr. James Watson (won the Nobel Prize for discovering DNA double helix) remarking that [he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours – whereas all the testing says not really". He said there was a natural desire that all human beings should be equal but "people who have to deal with black employees find this not true".]

*blink. blink*

Check the article out through the this link. Some people may be BAFFLED by his statements and will immediately try to rationalize why he couldn't possibly have meant what he said. However, this is the kind of attitude that I have to deal with often as an educated black person. Once people get over the fact that they should address me as "Dr.", then they act like I'm some kind of prodigy. An exception, because blacks can't possibly achieve anything other than being rappers and baby-makers.

To illustrate - I was at a Big Brothers/Big Sisters event with my Little Sister a couple of weeks ago. We were introducing ourselves around to the other guests and the following conversation took place when I introduced myself to an older white woman. For the record, I was the only black Big Sister in attendance (that's a whole 'nother topic for another day).

White Lady: So, what do you do?
Me: I'm a scientists.
WL: Really? You mean like a technician in a lab?
Me: Not quite. I am an independent researcher at [high profile research institution].
WL: Do you have a four year degree (looking at me suspiciously).
Me: Yes. And a Ph.D.
WL: Really?! In what?
Me: I'm a cancer biologist.
WL: And you work at [high profile research institution]?! Where on earth did you get your Ph.D. (her exact words - no kidding!)
Me: At Purdue University.
WL: Really?!
Little Sister to WL: My Big Sister is so smart! What kind of degree do you have?
WL: Oh, I...um...I...I chose to raise a family (this was said in a very small voice).
Little Sister: Well, that's okay, too. But I'm going to college!

LOL! And this type of converstation is not as abnormal as some of you might like to think.

Apparently bicoastal marriage is the new black

My husband just got a great job offer in Seattle (which by the way is 2400 miles from where we are now). So, we decided he should take it. Meanwhile, I'll hold it down here in Tejas until I find something - no need for us to go broke trying to fulfill some "I stay at home while my husband works" fantasy of mine. Funny thing, I did an internet search on bicoastal marriages and found that a lot of couples are finding marital success this way. Sure, most of them are movie stars and moguls. But, hey! If Naomi and Sting can do it...

I've started applying for positions already. Hopefully, I'll get something soon. In the meantime, I need to decide how to break this to my boss. Did I mention that I just got tens of thousands of dollars in grant money and spent a thousand of his grant dollars on a (work) trip to ATL? Could be tricky.

But, since I don't have any calls for interview, I'll just keep it to myself. No need in getting him all excited for nothing, right?

Now some people would be appalled that we'd choose to live separately. But, you know what? I have a Ph.D., dammit and I deserve to only leave my great job for a fabulous job. Our marriage is solid and I have the loving support of my hubby. I plan to enjoy my time of independence - I can only hope its brief. ;)

I'll keep ya posted...

Which one of your friends...

...is most likely to post your bail?
...is most likely to need you to post their bail?
...is most likely to "take one for the team?"
...is most likely to be famous?
...is most likely to be infamous?
...is most likely to be elected for public office?

Note to Chops - you have to answer this about people at work. LOL!


Okay, here are my answers for my friends:
post bail - Jewel
need bail - Erica
t.o.f.t.t. - she knows who she is - don't want to incriminate anybody
be famous - DaVida
infamous - Lorna (she has a wild streak)
public office - why, Josey, of course!

my answers for Chops:
post bail - Pammy
need bail - pick any of the animal technicians
t.o.f.t.t. - Gloria. LOL!
be famous - Ron da don
infamous - Gloria. Bad girl!
public office - DiG...I know, right?