Sitting in the student union, waiting for my chemistry class to begin. I was going to review my notes, but I don’t feel like it. Maybe it’s the long drive that kills my spirit.Sometimes I look around the union, seeing if anyone will make eye contact. It’s my daily goal: to try to get someone in Seattle to get out their shell and engage, at least for a second, with someone. But, no. People here, they prefer to stare at the ground when I walk past; they utter “hello” very quickly if I say it to them first; if I catch someones eyes on me, they dart them away as fast as they can so I won’t notice. No wonder it’s hard to make friends in this town- and I have been here for 10 years! Don’t get me wrong- I have friends in Seattle, but not many close friends like I do in other parts of the world. Maybe I’m the one that is closed up; I’m willing to consider that. Well! Time to go take my seat and learn about triglycerides and esterification, shall we?