Coming to a new town purely to work, not knowing anyone else, has been a learning experience. How do you make new friends with the people you live with in shared accommodation in an unfamiliar city? Start by learning their names.
I knew my flatmates existed, as they both leave their keys in their doors in the hospital accommodation that was assigned to me a few days after I started work. I went a whole night hearing their voices on the phone in their rooms (a much more positive sign than what I was seeing at work!), but went to bed alone and un-talked to.
But then, a breakthrough! As I walked in the door from work on Monday, I met 31B! She was Indian, a doctor, and she briefly introduced herself as she flew out the door. I remember thinking, "I'll never remember that name." I even asked her to repeat it so that I would remember. After all, it wasn't like Kate or Sarah or anything normal.
But, I thought, hopefully an opportunity will come up in the next few days when I can cleverly say something like "so how do you spell your name?" or something similarly subtle that doesn't scream "I forgot who you are, even though I live with you". Either that or I would stalk her on the paediatrics wards where she is a doctor, and deftly ask a nurse, "so who was that doctor who was just here? I've seen her before. Oh, Dr such-and-such. Do you know her first name?"
Alas, I have no need to go to the children's ward, and I doubt I'll ever need to spell her bloody name.
Then 31A introduced herself last night. I remember thinking something like, "Don't do what you did last time, remember her name! Remember, 3 syllables. Sounds like 'chux wipe'."
The three of us had a great night, baking choc chip muffins as a way of them procrastinating having to write medical presentations due the next day. Its soooo weird living with 2 doctors, who in my professional life would probably treat me completely differently. But living in the same house means being able to laugh at the muffins they made that rose on a sharp diagonal, looking somewhat like mini skate ramps. I went to bed sooo happy that I have finally found someone (actually 2 people!) who talk to me in more than 2 or 3 words.
So I've woken up this morning, AND I FORGOT BOTH THEIR NAMES. In the kitchen, I did the whole, "hey, how's it going?" as if nothing were amiss. All I could think of was "good morning Chux Wipe." Not a good way to maintain a friendship.
Oh no! They might think I'm weird if I can't say their names! This might be the only chance for me to make friends in this town! Imagine them deciding I was weird, and deciding between them not to talk to me. That would be the end of my chances!
Never fear! I found a solution!
Using the previously mastered technique of stealing mail in an attempt to work out my address, I managed to get home before either of them, and GENIUSLY 'borrowed' the mail once again, in order to write down their names. This time I didn't take it into my room, and successfully left it looking pretty much untouched. I learnt from my previous mistake of actually taking the mail. Mission accomplished!
Yes. I really am that clever.
And for the record, it doesn't sound like chux wipe, it sounds like Handee, as in, Handee Ultratowel. So close. Its a good thing I didn't mutter something like Chux Wipe to her in the kitchen after all.
I knew my flatmates existed, as they both leave their keys in their doors in the hospital accommodation that was assigned to me a few days after I started work. I went a whole night hearing their voices on the phone in their rooms (a much more positive sign than what I was seeing at work!), but went to bed alone and un-talked to.
But then, a breakthrough! As I walked in the door from work on Monday, I met 31B! She was Indian, a doctor, and she briefly introduced herself as she flew out the door. I remember thinking, "I'll never remember that name." I even asked her to repeat it so that I would remember. After all, it wasn't like Kate or Sarah or anything normal.
But, I thought, hopefully an opportunity will come up in the next few days when I can cleverly say something like "so how do you spell your name?" or something similarly subtle that doesn't scream "I forgot who you are, even though I live with you". Either that or I would stalk her on the paediatrics wards where she is a doctor, and deftly ask a nurse, "so who was that doctor who was just here? I've seen her before. Oh, Dr such-and-such. Do you know her first name?"
Alas, I have no need to go to the children's ward, and I doubt I'll ever need to spell her bloody name.
Then 31A introduced herself last night. I remember thinking something like, "Don't do what you did last time, remember her name! Remember, 3 syllables. Sounds like 'chux wipe'."
The three of us had a great night, baking choc chip muffins as a way of them procrastinating having to write medical presentations due the next day. Its soooo weird living with 2 doctors, who in my professional life would probably treat me completely differently. But living in the same house means being able to laugh at the muffins they made that rose on a sharp diagonal, looking somewhat like mini skate ramps. I went to bed sooo happy that I have finally found someone (actually 2 people!) who talk to me in more than 2 or 3 words.
So I've woken up this morning, AND I FORGOT BOTH THEIR NAMES. In the kitchen, I did the whole, "hey, how's it going?" as if nothing were amiss. All I could think of was "good morning Chux Wipe." Not a good way to maintain a friendship.
Oh no! They might think I'm weird if I can't say their names! This might be the only chance for me to make friends in this town! Imagine them deciding I was weird, and deciding between them not to talk to me. That would be the end of my chances!
Never fear! I found a solution!
Using the previously mastered technique of stealing mail in an attempt to work out my address, I managed to get home before either of them, and GENIUSLY 'borrowed' the mail once again, in order to write down their names. This time I didn't take it into my room, and successfully left it looking pretty much untouched. I learnt from my previous mistake of actually taking the mail. Mission accomplished!
Yes. I really am that clever.
And for the record, it doesn't sound like chux wipe, it sounds like Handee, as in, Handee Ultratowel. So close. Its a good thing I didn't mutter something like Chux Wipe to her in the kitchen after all.
Lindsay, this is brilliant!
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