Comments | smallfrau: a matter of identity

smallfrau

a matter of identity

Apr 02, 2003 13:19

So right now at work I'm learning a new language. LaTeX. I am being handed a whole bunch of code that was already done by a machine, and I have to go through it and make it work right. I feel like a detective. I don't know much about the syntax of this language, so I am constantly finding new functions that I have no idea what they do. Figuring it ( Read more... )

Comments 2

rakish April 2 2003, 11:04:12 UTC

One thing about working with LaTeX. You have to handle it with kid gloves (latex...gloves...get it?).

The muscle in your hip. I think it's called. Uhh. The hip muscle?

As for the move to NZ, I wouldn't try to worry about the "American way of thinking" while you're there. Just try to be a good Kiwi. The second-guessing will probably go away after you've been submerged in their culture a while.

ex_midwinte April 2 2003, 12:12:57 UTC

I don't think wanting to move away makes you a bad American. It's neutral, you know? I think you're only a bad American if you hurt another American in some way, and then, you're really just a bad person.

As for the NZ: embrace your eccentricity! The years since I turned 25 have been one long lesson in the following:

1) I will never be cool and in fact, at times I am downright weird and/or freakish and/or dorky.
2) But that doesn't matter, and I am going to continue to think and act as I do with no shame.

Even if you are a square peg, who cares? You seem smart and nice enough not to make any major gaffes requiring embassy intervention. And your kids will always think you're a big dork, whether they have your nationality to pin it on or not.

If you love someplace, you should live there. My only concern would be your family here and how comfortable you'd be seeing them so rarely. But with email etc, even that sting can be reduced.

Also, you can always come back. :)