Hey, Everyone!

So it’s my first OU blog, and I’m sooo excited!  I’m really glad you’re here, reading what’s going on in my life and on campus.  Oh, yeah, who am I?  Well, my name’s Katie Parker.  I’m a professional writing senior…that’s right, I graduate in May!  Crazy, huh?  Real world here I come…ugh, I’m really jealous of all you juniors.

So, here are some little ‘me’ details.  I’m a complete girly girl.  I love things like shoes, puppies, Victoria Secret, giggles, polka dots, and date nights.  But I also love things like camping, the ocean, fall weather, and football games.  Then there’s my random love of musicals, eating healthy, Frank Sinatra, and most importantly my love for living in Norman and being an OU student.

I constantly find myself in boy dilemmas or idiotic scenarios like running into a door (did that one last Tuesday) all while trying to get my degree and have a great time on and off campus.  I hope with my blog, you’ll get an inside look at the university with lots of laughs and fun!

Below is what I’ve been thinking about today.  Enjoy!  And feel free to comment.

So my friend and roommate Lucy has a problem.  Don’t hold your breath, it’s not as drastic as I’m about to make it seem.  I mean, we’ve all probably experienced this situation and not realized it.  The good thing though is that Lucy’s typing speed has gone up incredibly within the last week.

You see, Jack has fluffy blonde hair, green eyes, and preppy look that could make any sorority t-shirt loving girl buckle at the knees.  She was introduced through another mutual friend and the romance started off slow, but then things rapidly sped up via the text message.

It’s amazing how many profound complex conversations you can have via the text message.  Phrases like: yeah, okay, later, xoxo, and my favorite ‘k’ are plentiful.  I remember when I was dating this artistic boho guy with a love for slushies; my text message box had to be deleted every day.  At the time I didn’t think about it, but he never called.  And when I say never, I mean he could have been locked up in jail and his one phone call would have been turned down in lieu of a freakin’ text!

Why do I sound so fed up?  And what brought on this revelation?  Oh, Jack.   First he texted Lucy on Monday, which was sweet how he just wanted to say, “Hi, smiley face”.  Then he sent a text Tuesday afternoon to see how class went.  Wednesday was skipped by without a word.  Lucy jumped every time her phone sang “touch my body” Mariah Carey lyrics.  Thursday another text late at night to finally, yes, our entire apartment had held our breath, ask her if she wanted to go to the movies Saturday.  And so it went.  They’ve now gone on dates for approximately two weeks.  So what the hell?

Don’t think that I don’t like technology.  I’m just as addicted to texting as the next person in line for a frappacino with their blackberry.  But what about a courtsey call?  When did it become so taboo to actually use the telephone for which it was invented: calling?

Is it easier to not hear the other person’s voice, have time to think, ponder even your response before pressing send than have a legitimate conversation with emotions that don’t lead to the debate of whether or not that text was sarcastic or angry?  If relationships weren’t hard enough, texting adds another layer of constantly reading between the lines.

Lucy says it doesn’t bother her.  At least that’s what she said the first week of dating.  I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I randomly asked, “He’s never called?”  Or if it’s that a day after a new manicure when her predictive text was being difficult and a push a little too hard caused a broken nail.   Whatever the reason, she’s obsessed now with the fact he hasn’t called.  But of course, she won’t ask him.

Does she need to?  I know, I know, I’m asking more questions than resolving any issues, but that’s because I don’t know the answer.  So, here’s the upside and downside:

Pluses:

1. Sometimes a text is all that’s needed to figure out things quickly.
2. A text can be great when you’re trapped in class.
3. There’s not as much pressure, a.k.a. you don’t have to respond.

Negatives:

1. You don’t have to respond…the most frustrating answer-silence; I’ll take a bullshit reply any day compared to silence, and I hate bullshit.
2. How can you be serious through text? Really?
3. What are we afraid of?

I hate to admit that I myself have fallen into the pattern of only texting.  And once I realize what I’m doing, I become afraid of crossing an invisible line.  What will he think if I just…call him?  Silly, yes.  Irrational, hell yes.  But does it stop me, no I press send instead of dial.

How can I be angry with Jack for not having the decency to have a conversation with Lucy if I’ve done the same thing?  Maybe I can’t.  Instead I should chide everyone for forgetting.  Forgetting to show the boy or girl you’re seeing you care enough to call and hear their voice.  And Lucy’s problem is easily solved.  She’s got to be brave and call Jack herself because if he’s really worth it, he’ll want to talk, laugh, tease, listen.  And do more than just press ‘k’, he’ll call her back.

(All names have been changed for privacy purposes)

**This weekend, I’ll give you a Lucy update and I’m going to Dance Marathon, the University’s philanthropy, Friday the 6^th.   Hopefully, everyone will go and support the Children’s Miracle Network.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.  XOXO

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Dance Marathon, Dating, Mariah Carey, Phone Call, Relationships, Texting