#gradschoolflashbacks

One thing I never mentioned in my entry about Yi's defense was that at some point, while we were moving Yi's food into another conference room, Danvir had to carry this giant carafe full of coffee.  We had to go up four flights of stairs, so Danvir elected to wait for the elevator.  To make matters worse, this particular building's elevators are about 29834723 years old and therefore will take their sweet time getting to you.

After what seemed like an eternity, our advisor came and started to wait with us at the elevator.  Two more minutes passed before I decided that I was going to take the stairs anyway.  Not wanting to be left alone with our advisor for who knows how long, Danvir joined me.  The trek up the stairs was a non-stop stream of complaints about the injustice of having to take stairs when there is clearly a working elevator in the building.

Soon after Yi moved, he started making his own wine.  Due to ennui apparently.

Me: I didn't even know you liked wine so much Yi: I do not!  It's just something to do Me: Then how come you're making something you don't like? Yi: Well, it's a scientific experiment. Me: Oh?  Do elaborate. Yi: Yeah, man, there are chemical reactions as well as biological reactions in wine brewing.  Ahhh, forget it.  It's too complicated for women. Me: Really. Yi: Yeah.  I'm sorry I brought it up.

Two days later, his refrigerator broke (he noticed it after the inside of the refrigerator was warm) and he was asking me if he could still use the meat he had in the freezer.

As Manjula and I were walking outside, I happened to be explaining to her the differences between sororities and fraternities (namely the gender difference) when she sees the Corps of Cadets marching along.

Manjula and her friend were in the lab talking when Zhong comes in and sits at his station.

Manjula: Zhong?  Did you say hello to Satya? Zhong: Uh, yes, I did. Manjula: No, you didn't. Satya: No, really, he said "hi" Manjula: Well, I didn't hear it. Me: Oh my God, Manjula, you sound exactly like my parents when they'd take me to their friends' homes as a kid. "Lillian, did you say hello to the grown-ups?" "Yes!" "Doubtful because I didn't hear it, so it must not have happened" Manjula: No, I didn't mean it like that... Me: Nope, it's too late.  You're Mommy Manjula now. Manjula: Oh come ON.

Two weeks later, we were all about to leave for some event and we met at Manjula's place before carpooling.  Right as we're about to leave...

Manjula: Lillian, do you need to use the restroom before we leave?

At this point, we all just stared at her because not once had I ever stopped a car ride because I desperately had to go to the bathroom.

Zhong is trying to talk to a girl Danvir has a crush on.  Sadly, Danvir has forgotten the name of his new crush, so Zhong attempts to get her name by introducing himself to her.  Zhong begins to recall the incident:

At a buffet:  

Manjula: I'm going to get the sushi! Me: You go for it!

Manjula seems a bit taken aback by my overenthusiastic response.  There is a slight pause before...

A friend of mine, Ronald, got a job at the same company that Yi did.  They both know each other through me so they decided to meet up.  After dinner, they went back to Ronald's hotel at which point I called to see how his interviews went.