I'm a little too old for an identity crisis, aren't I?

We went to an interesting lecture last night-- at least it finished up being interesting, but the beginning was rather obscure and almost intellectual to the point of display rather than communication. Afterwards there was a wine reception, a bit similar to the wine reception they had to welcome all the new graduate and post graduate students. And there is an abundance of rumpled plaid, corduroy, and serious contemplative expressions among my new acquaintance.

I met a woman at our Wednesday playgroup whose husband works in a hotel in Brighton. We were chatting along just fine until she asked what my husband did. When I told her he was getting his PhD in history at the university, she actually physically drew back and said "Well, you'll be living in a mansion when he's done, eh?" I tried to explain that professors don't actually make a lot of money, but our conversation was stiff and quickly died away after that.

Wine and cheese? Conversations about rhetorical redescription and paradistole?

Who am I? I'm not one of those snobby turtleneck-wearing intellectuals, am I? To be honest with you, I'm not terribly fond of them. They tend to be very proud and self-important, boring others and making them feel small with their learned nearly unintelligible theories. Are other people going to be intimidated and uncomfortable because Brian has his DPhil for the rest of our lives? Is this going to be a stumbling block to building real relationships and sincere communication with others? I certainly hope not.

No one, including myself, seems to know where exactly I fit. A mommy on campus? It's a little weird. I don't quite fit in with the normal people who live in town and I don't quite fit in with the intellectual crowd-- and I'm not sure I want to either, though they've all been nice to me.

I think I may have met my first kindred spirit this week at our church's playgroup, which I plan on making that part of my weekly routine. Her name is Katy and she and her husband attend our church. She runs the toddler group along with the pastor's wife even though her kids are my age. She gave me a few much needed hugs yesterday and told me that she was praying for me every day. I hadn't said anything to her about being homesick, but she knew I was and she was so welcoming and kind. What a blessing. At least I know there is one place I always belong all around the world. With my brothers and sisters in Christ.

PS- Have I mentioned how thankful I am for the internet? It really enables us to keep up with the other side of the world. Thanks to everyone who has dropped by with an encouraging comment!