Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How I wore it: hittin' the stacks

Hi, all! First off, I wanna thank you guys for being so sweet about the pictures I posted as a young, mostly innocent grad student. When life was easy and my professors still thought I was the next big thing in Indology. (Now I'm a bum who "sold out" in order to actually make money by teaching her native language. No, I'm not questioning my life choices, why?) Aaaaaaanyway. For reals, thanks so much for your kind comments - you truly made my morning when I powered up my computer at my alma mater's library.

Speaking which, I spent a few hours in the aforementioned library doing research and reading some Saduktikarnamrta verses (don't worry about it). I met up with a young professor of Sanskrit whom I helped hire (I was the student liaison on the hiring committee - and the only Sanskritist), chatted with him for some time while he complimented me and made me wonder if maybe I do want to return to a life in higher academia. Then, while starting to head back to my hostess' home, I ran into a friend of mine whom I met FRESHMAN YEAR (1999, baby) and reconnected with senior year (we were in the same Hindi class), but hadn't seen since graduation in 2003. He's doing business school at our university. We had a long coffee. So, yeah, my day was slightly more productive than yesterday, but also very fun.

Are you having fun yet? Want me to, I don't know, start describing my meals in slow, excruciating detail? I could do that for you.

Anyway, I was able to sneak a photo at the South Asia reference room in the library. The lengths I go to for you guys:

Real-life PROOF of my scholarly pursuits!

Anyone else reminded of Hillary and her magical library pictures? Yeah, but I'm not as cool. And colorful. People, I am embarrassed to tell you that this is probably the most colorful outfit that I'll wear for this entire trip. On Saturday I looked at my suitcase and saw that EVERYTHING in there was black or grey, except for my Frye blue boots and my accessories. I packed the turquoise tights and green sweater out of shame. And, as you can see, decided to wear them together. Yeah, color! My Sanskrit buddy, upon seeing me, told me I looked like a junior art history major at NYU. I took it as a compliment. And then I reminded him that I was about six months away from thirty. 

(Whatevs, I still took it as a major compliment - who wouldnt?!)

Green cardigan: gift from my mother via Lord and Taylor, remixed
Black dress: Gap, remixed
Turquoise tights: Gap, remixed
Grey boots: Penny Loves Kenny, by way of DSW, remixed



14 comments:

  1. I'm so impressed with what you study - seriously cool, lady!

    And kudos for the library shot! I want to take some museum photos, but I'm always too scared.

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  2. Heh. Thanks. Oh, Sanskrit...

    Also, it took all my courage to take the library shot and I waited until I was alone in the reading room and until the scary interim librarian (our usual snuggly one that I've known for eight years retired) left.

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  3. Great library shot! Very scholarly. I hope the rest of your trip goes well!

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  4. Heehee! Doesn't it look like I know what I'm doing?

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  5. Can I just say that your hairdo makes me sigh with envy? So elegant!

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  6. Aww, thanks! You should join the whole "should I cut my hair or not?" debate!

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  7. Oh my gosh! This entire post was hilarious and fun to read.

    "I spent a few hours in the aforementioned library doing research and reading some Saduktikarnamrta verses (don't worry about it)."

    Ahahahaha. Seriously. I was like "wha?" So thank you.

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  8. I love the library shot! You look fantastic, and sometimes more muted colors, and neutrals, are just what you need.

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  9. Heh, thanks Erin! I was reading over the post and thinking, "Wow. I sound like a tool." Yay nerds!

    Thanks, Clare! I'm just amused that that outfit is the most colorful one I packed...

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  10. 1) Love the cardi buttoned at the top. And the necklace/tights pairing? Oh yes!

    2) Love the shot, so gutsy! I wish I could pull that off, but normally the stacks I visit are crawling with pre-vets...

    3) Get the tattoo, you will not regret it.

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  11. Hee, thanks for the tattoo advice. My husband also thinks it's a cool way to commemorate the years (over ten!) that I've devoted to South Asian studies. And thanks for the kind words! I was pretty nervous taking the picture, so that's why there's only one!

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  12. That's an awesome use of colour! I love the subtlety of the mix (hey, you know to me that's subtle!).

    I want to see these famous yellow boots! ;)

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  13. Why, thank you! And, yup! You found them!

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  14. Let the compliments sink in and gracious accept!

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