April 15

Katy Perry Went to Space for 10 Minutes and Is Now Basically an Astronaut

Pop star Katy Perry has returned to Earth after an epic, life-altering, and very, very short trip to space. For a few glorious minutes, she and the girls floated in zero gravity and marveled at the moon, which, just to clarify, they were nowhere near, before shrieking joyfully as the parachutes deployed. Space really brings out the squeals.

Girl power in zero gravity!

What did humanity gain from this? Still unclear, but I can say that I’m thrilled to live in a world where watching celebrities bounce around for ten minutes is considered groundbreaking. I really can’t stop hate watching the coverage.

Back to Earth; I had a rather uneventful week. I am touring apartments, going on long runs, and constantly battling imposter syndrome. I feel like an understudy in my own life, waiting to get yanked off stage, only the stage is UVA’s medical school. I went to another health system event and hid in the back because of how smart everyone else was. Then I went back to my office, chatted with my students admitted to Harvard, Yale, and Duke for graduate school, and interviewed high school valedictorians to be student interns in my office. alf the time I’m learning, the other half I’m just praying no one asks me a follow-up question.

Let’s hear it for personality hires all over this country!

What I am reading this week

Despite my constant complaining about being the dumbest person in each room, I just can’t bring myself to read something non-fiction or educational. I started The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella. Updates to come.

What I bought this week:

I spent my Friday pretending I was a millionaire. I bought a l'occitane hand cream and a few other self care goodies. I stopped in my favorite consignment store here and dropped $80. Then I made the mistake of going to Trader Joe’s, which just reminded me that I apparently have beef with 90% of their food. The frozen meals seem convenient until I remember that I have to spend the rest of the day feeling like a microwaved version of myself. I won’t be back for a while.

I also bought a summer pool pass for Charlottesville CIty pools starting in late May and I am so excited. Go local government!

Sorry I don’t have any pictures of anything. It’s Monday night and I am too tired to give my best.

What I am listening too:

More of the same - Ariana, Gaga, Kacey.

I usually don’t fall in love with viral tiktok songs, but I found an exception. Love Me Not by Ravyn Lenae was my top song this week. It has me bopping and swaying along all the chorus that I just can't stop humming. These love songs have me up but also down bad.

Also, Coachella looks unreasonably fun this year. I’m hoping it extends Brat summer, because while y’all were party girls bumpin that, my face was the size of a bowling ball and I spent more quality time with LinkedIn than with actual humans.

Running Update

The half marathon is in 12 days and I’m honestly feeling very strong. I ran 10 miles at a sub-8 minute place this weekend and probably could have done a few more. My shoes still don’t work (I am on my 3rd pair from this running shop) so I am slightly stressed that this close to the race I don’t know what shoes I’m wearing but I am resilient! If Gayle King can go to space for 11 minutes then a man can be slightly uncomfortable running for 13 miles. Ok, I love you all so dearly. XOXO

(I am rereading this and it’s way less fun without pictures. Sorry)