Well, today concluded my first full week of Fall Semester 2010. I am so far from “getting the hang of it”–it feels like I’ve started grad school all over again…and I’ve been here for two years already! I don’t know how the actual new TAs’ heads aren’t exploding.
Lena’s knee has put her out of commission for awhile, so we haven’t been doing much running lately. Fortunately, she was enthusiastic about meeting up for a beverage-and-work date at the local coffee shop. Actually, this photo makes it look like she hated every second of my presence, but really, I just caught her off guard.
Later, the boyfriend and I attended a cookout for students in the Linguistics department. I want to make friends with the people in my new program. Here are some new friends:
(Jin is Korean and offered to translate for me.)
I ate a hot dog that was fresh off of the grill. Holy crap. It was hot. I burned my mouth. 
Look who else showed up! Chris from the French department. I didn’t see his mug all summer, so it was good to catch up with him too.
Though I may come across as having a very outgoing and social personality on my blog, I actually sit out on a lot of social activities. Since so much socializing in college revolved around drinking, I never got used to going out. I don’t like alcohol, and being in situations that revolve around drinking makes me somewhat uncomfortable. I don’t have a moral issue with it. I just don’t enjoy it, so I don’t do it.
A few of the girls in the program want to get together to go out and show Jin some American drinking games. They invited me, but I feel somewhat awkward since (1) I don’t know drinking games and (2) I don’t like to drink. Nevertheless, I really don’t want to be the one who stays home all the time, as was often the case in the French department. Really, I just need to get over my discomfort and hang out with people more often because I’m sure they are all quite fun.
If you’re a non-drinker, what do you do when you’re invited to social drinking events? Usually, if we’re going to a bar, I just eat peanuts and drink water. (Really, I think Kim is the only one who understands what I’m talking about here.)
Ha, now that I’ve written this, my friends will probably see and stop inviting me to anything ever again. I sound like the least fun 20-something. Ever.
No related posts.
I still like you and share the sentiment towards alcohol.
I didn’t drink until I was 21, and I was in a sorority! (I quit when I turned 21, ironically.) Anyway, I would go to bars and social events and parties and wouldn’t drink. Usually I had a cup with water in it and no one really paid attention. I wasn’t too into drinking games so that wasn’t an issue. No one ever gave me any problems for not drinking…especially once they had been drinking enough! I know some people who don’t drink and therefore don’t go to ANY events that involve drinking, which I think is silly. You can still socialize and have fun without alcohol, and I’ve done that myself plenty of times, even now that I do drink.
i didn’t start drinking until after 21, but even then, it wasn’t a lot. i can’t really drink alcohol very well.
i just usually go because i know i’ll have fun regardless, especially since i’m with my good friends! i’m sure they’d love you even if you decided to drink tea!
I like your yellow nail polish a lot.
I have to be in the right mood to be a drinker, and it’s almost always with people that I’m really comfortable with – i.e. not any of the new people I know here in AZ. The whole noisy and congested atmosphere of a bar (or college party) just isn’t really my thing, but I make an effort to attend at times, because I really need to meet people and get out of the house. That being said, I’m never the one to suggest a bar as a location for an activity – I always try to suggest something more low-key and hope that people are interested in that.
I like beer.
I’m not a fan of drinking alcohol in excess anymore (though the prelim pics suggest otherwise!), but I still go to alcohol functions. Watching people being drunk and stupid can be fun, and then you get dirt to share later when you become friends. I’ll usually get a drink – something fun and tasty and girly – and just sip it all night long. That way I’m drinking, socializing, and not feeling like ass the next day.
I go through phases where I don’t drink at all, but still like to go socialize. I like it because I drinks lots of water, stay really hydrated, get to see my friends and hang out, save money, and still go home at a decent hour, get good sleep and wake up without a hangover!
I guess the part that takes the most getting used to is socializing with people who are drunk or tipsy when you aren’t. Tolerating their sudden goofiness or alcohol-induced extroversion becomes an art that needs practice.
As a sometimes-drinker, the more I practice being sober around my drunk friends, the easier it is, and the less I notice that people are drinking and I’m not.
Also, as stated in an earlier comment, no one really cares if you’re not drinking — they just care if you’re having fun!
In reference to “drinking games” … I don’t have a ton of advice at avoiding that. That’s purposeful binge drinking to get tanked, and now the brew-after-class relaxed drinking environment I usually associate with grad students. Soooo… good luck with that one!
ps: I was pissed we had to spend our pretty Friday afternoons grading! ;p
Ha ha. I wish I could eat peanuts with you in a bar! Or falafel (doesn’t have to be in a bar)!
Honestly, I sit out on A TON of social activities for the same reason. All of the people at work my age want to drink. And I rarely drink. When we met you at that bar in Champaign, I don’t think I had had an alcoholic beverage for a year. And as you can see, I was a bit… loud. And I felt okay the next day, but not 100%.
Anyway, I usually decline when the focus is going to be drinking and scandals, which it seems to be with the people I know. But I do know some people who just have a beer or two and are great about it! So with them, I don’t mind at all. But I still usually decline alcohol.
Your new friends look fun! I am excited to hear about your new adventures
I’m definitely not a huge drinker either, but I go to socialize usually. When my friends play drinking games, I have been known to fill up my cup with 7up or water.
I think it is unfortunate that so many social events must revolve around alcohol. You should just create your own events sans-alcoholic drinks!
i am a copycat and got that nail polish!!! i cant wait to rock it!!!!
It’s really gross how much I wish I was in grad school right now.
I don’t like beer AT ALL, and Ft. Collins revolves around it. Everyone I go out with always drinks, and I usually don’t. I just act m’goffy self, and everyone still has a good time! As long as the other people are drunk, you can learn a lot of new things about people that you wouldn’t normally be able to if they were sober! Haha