Don't use the word "deserve" but at the same time make it clear you are not feeling entitled to this. You know you have not been there long enough to have earned three weeks of leave in a row, but it is something that is super important to you, so if they can make it work you are ready to do what they need from you in order to make it work.

Shir, I definitely understand the confusion. I'm always confused when new people like me, especially if I like them. I don't know what they're basing their impressions on. I'm always afraid it's just ephemeral, and after the initial few meetings, they will decide I'm not really worth knowing.

Like the girl I met last week at Theater Pub that I got into Seven Against Thebes so we've been rehearsing together. And when I went to see her in the ChatRoulette Show on Saturday, she said, "It's good to see you." IT WAS GOOD TO SEE ME. But will it be good to see me after tonight? We shall seeeeeee.

I also think this guy realizes the school year is ending and he wants to keep you in his life.

That makes sense.

The taxi driver on the way to the grocery store kept addressing me as "little lady." The one on the way back handed me a Jesus pamphlet with my change.

I've been freaking myself out by reading about Etan Patz. I'm not sure why I keep reading this.

Thanks. I'll give it more time. I thought 3-4 weeks will do, but probably I'm not thinking straight with the test season and all and can't really relax to being natural, whatever that mean.

Oh well. One more case where I'm the weird one. Back to the books, for me.

P-C, good luck with the girl!

I really need to start getting up the nerve to use one of the electric grocery cart scooter things. I managed to keep my shopping relatively short today, but my ankle still hurts.

Really, really, thank you guys so very much for your advice with this. For one, just getting it out of my head has helped end the "you don't deserve this, so keep your head down and don't ask" from getting out of control.

It was stressing me out to a terrible degree, making it so that whenever the topic came up between me and Jon, inside I would panic and flip out like a mammal making it look like I wasn't excited to Jon, and making me unwilling to have a conversation. Sunday I was nearly in tears over something that should be really exciting.

It seemed insurmountable until now, and now, I really feel like I'm going to get to go! Thanks!

Buffistas: Pushing me to travel to increasingly far off places by walking me through one neurosis at a time.

I'm enjoying some of my last walking around naked time before I move in with family.

Jars and I had a tiny London F2F! That was very nice. Except I had to leave early and go home with migraine (bleugh). But, was lovely to meet her!

No, not about that part they have that moves on its own free will.

*snerk*

And I agree with Laga, Shir (not about walking around naked). He probably just wants to hang out beyond the end of the university year. If he does want more than that, is it a problem?

Much ~ma for talking to your employers about the trip, DJ!

I have had some pretty unreasonable employers, and I can't imagine any of them saying more than "be sure your projects are taken care of" in the face of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Why did my neighbor wrap my rosebush and the bush next to it in duct tape? I have been lax in cutting back the stuff that hangs over his driveway in this heat, but duct tape? Why?

Jars and I had a tiny London F2F! That was very nice.

Yes! Very nice!

And I came home to find that the tax office has FINALLY sent us the money we're owed from 2007.

looks at watch

Three years. Not bad.