0-18...
For those of you familiar with the Myers-Briggs, I'm an ENFP *. I enjoy some time alone, but not much...and definitely not as much as I'm given on a regular basis.
My time in Salt Lake is marked by two very different experiences:
University of Utah...I originally moved to SLC to pursue my master's degree in geography. If I'm honest, I didn't take my studies that seriously and pursued personal relationships instead. I have good memories of this time period.
SLCC...After two-and-a-half years of study, I left the Wasatch Front for Peace Corps Uzbekistan. Because my stint was cut short (evacuated shortly after 9/11), I found myself in Utah once again this time teaching at SLCC. Life was different as many of my friends had graduated during that time and I was no longer an active member of the student body.
I bring this up because there was a marked difference in the amount of social interaction I had pre and post Peace Corps. Academia has not been kind to me in that sense. K-State was a marked period of alone time (although it's tough to complete a PhD in 4.5 yrs without) with Wyoming only intensifying a feeling of being isolated to a point that my mom was concerned about my well being.
A move to Colorado helped, but proved to be a bandaid in the larger picture.
My return to Kansas has me concerned once again about my isolation. Although I've had enjoyed as much people interaction living in Lawrence for 3 months as I did the previous 18 months in Johnson County (literally), I still spend far too many days alone with no one to talk to...and it's not for a lack of trying. This week I was 0-18 in finding someone to spend time with. With one exception (and maybe not even one), the reason was simple: family time.
Living in a city where one doesn't have family and doesn't know of anyone else who doesn't have family is rough...especially for an extrovert.
* The first link identifies Wash as an ENFP. However, those of you who know me well know I am Malcolm Reynolds to a fault (minus the religion aspect).
My time in Salt Lake is marked by two very different experiences:
University of Utah...I originally moved to SLC to pursue my master's degree in geography. If I'm honest, I didn't take my studies that seriously and pursued personal relationships instead. I have good memories of this time period.
SLCC...After two-and-a-half years of study, I left the Wasatch Front for Peace Corps Uzbekistan. Because my stint was cut short (evacuated shortly after 9/11), I found myself in Utah once again this time teaching at SLCC. Life was different as many of my friends had graduated during that time and I was no longer an active member of the student body.
I bring this up because there was a marked difference in the amount of social interaction I had pre and post Peace Corps. Academia has not been kind to me in that sense. K-State was a marked period of alone time (although it's tough to complete a PhD in 4.5 yrs without) with Wyoming only intensifying a feeling of being isolated to a point that my mom was concerned about my well being.
A move to Colorado helped, but proved to be a bandaid in the larger picture.
My return to Kansas has me concerned once again about my isolation. Although I've had enjoyed as much people interaction living in Lawrence for 3 months as I did the previous 18 months in Johnson County (literally), I still spend far too many days alone with no one to talk to...and it's not for a lack of trying. This week I was 0-18 in finding someone to spend time with. With one exception (and maybe not even one), the reason was simple: family time.
Living in a city where one doesn't have family and doesn't know of anyone else who doesn't have family is rough...especially for an extrovert.
* The first link identifies Wash as an ENFP. However, those of you who know me well know I am Malcolm Reynolds to a fault (minus the religion aspect).
posted by The Bearded | 12:05 PM
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