The Futility of Superhuman Expectations or, On Not Outwilling Jet Lag

My friend Trainor often tells me, "Ok, Kathryn, you are not that special." She tells me this when I am despondent and/or stressed out about not meeting the incredibly high standards to which I hold myself, but would never dream of holding anyone else. Also, I can't think of anyone who ever calls me "Kathryn" besides the woman who chose the name (who, too, is named Kathryn).

I am thinking about Trainor's wisdom right now, at 3:00 a.m. on a Thursday morning in Japan. Yesterday I was feeling so smug because I was certain I had outwilled the worst of my jet lag. I thought, for reasons I couldn't explain but didn't mind taking credit for, that I had managed to get almost normal sleep the first night in Japan and stay up doing normal things during the day. At 4:30, I told my mom that I was going to take a little nap until Mike got home from work and we'd leave for dinner in town at the most delicious Korean BBQ place ever. I vaguely remember her coming in to the guest room at almost 9:00 to tell me that she'd decided to make dinner at home instead. I finally woke up 20 minutes ago, after 11 hours of sleep.

So, once again, I am not that special. I get really bad jet lag traveling to the other side of the world, just like everyone else. I am glad I have Trainor to help me embrace it. It's actually kind of empowering.

Now I need to do something cool when I'm awake during the day because I know Serge wants some kind of travel post on Egomania Strike. Also, I am dying to hear more about Mattie's audition for his high school musical, which is 80s-themed. He was not alive during the 80s, which makes me feel old. I believe he told me on the way upstairs yesterday afternoon that he auditioned singing, "Good Old Fashioned Loverboy." He is one of my favorite people ever.