Of list-making and Russians.

It's 6:22 pm (exactly 4 minutes later than usual), Tuesday night and I walk into Lecture Hall 1017, I do my routine skim around the room (just to make sure my seat is open) before I head down the first aisle. Glance. Continue walking. Stop. Wait a second. There is someone in my seat. The perfect seat. First row, slightly to the left side of the room, but directly in front of the professor. SOMEONE IS IN MY SEAT. My friend who sits beside me mouths "Sorry! But you were late!". The blessed seat that has accompanied me thus far through this semester of exploration through the ideologies of American Politics. Snatched up from underneath me, and by the somewhat rude girl who sits beside me every week. (If we are contemplating motive, I believe it was to hit on the guy sitting beside me.) Appalled would be the only word fitting for my feelings at that moment in time. Yes, I like gaining new perspectives, but I also like control. Power. Politics is all about power, and I was feeling like quite the politician at that moment in time that seemed to stand still. 'I must think on my feet, create a new plan of action to adapt to the situation at hand.' Ran through my head like a bullet-train, trying to convince myself.

The closest available seat is front row, dead center, which is decent, were it not for the infamous ADD prolific list-maker sitting beside it. I sat beside her 3 classes ago. She is dressed in a t-shirt, sweat-pants, and old tennis shoes just like last class, and the class before that, and the class before that. But this is not where the problem lies, and don't misinterpret me, she's a decently nice girl. BUT, the entire class period she makes lists. Now upon first impression, one might not be too concerned about this quirk. I mean, if I'm completely honest, I go through 10 or so lists everyday. I am surrounded by 7 of them at this moment actually. But perhaps this will give one a fuller painting of this lively picture...

She sits with her legs crossed at the table, leaning most of her weight against it, legal pad and pen in hand. Franticly, as if her life depended on it, she starts scribbling

6: 29 pm. "Closet: Organize shoes, label boxes, buy new laundry hampers, color code hangers..."

RIP (out comes that page.)

6:32 pm. "Refrigerator: Label leftovers for babysitter, organize by expiration date, wipe out shelves..."

RIP (there goes another)

6:33 pm. "TO-DO on Friday. Wake up. Get dressed. Make Bed. Eat Breakfast. Go to work. Eat lunch. Go back to work. Come home. Eat dinner. Do homework. Go to bed." (are these things that you forget to do on a regular basis or something???)

I cringe as I hear another "RIP" as I think to myself, perhaps she would benefit from my Environmental Science class.

6:36 pm. "Tell Babysitter about: bibs, feeding times, bottle mixing, food, nap time, diapers, pacifiers, bath, soap, medicine, walking dog, ..."

RIP (Remember to plant a tree in her honor to make up for the one she killed just now)

I do not feel the need to continue this little exercise, but needless to say, that was just 7 minutes of the never-ending hour and fifteen minutes one must endure sitting beside her.

I glance to the seat on the other side of the empty seat to find the Russian. (who I later find out is named Christina) I had really wanted to start a conversation with her, but hadn't been afforded the chance. To sit or not to sit. Oh, the decisions we must make in this life. So I conclude that to deal with the obsessive doodler might just possibly be worth it.

Indeed it was. Not only did I get to talk about Russia, but I also found out that Christina is also an IA (International Affairs) major! When she asked me how I knew she was from Russia, I went with the safer answer of "I overheard you say so" rather than the more true, you act Russian (I can pick up the Russian vibe from miles away. I'm secretly envious. Very envious.)

I'm not sure exactly if there is a moral of the story, or if I really had a certain purpose in writing this at all, but that is what happened this evening. Slightly dramatized (but its how it appeared in my mind!) but in every element, true. Oh the adventures in the simple, every day, possibly viewed as mundane, aspects of life.