Date Night

I think this is the part where I introduce myself.

I’ve never been really good at this part, first day of school trauma or something.

I mean I can say anything right?

Do our answers depend on what we think of ourselves, how we’re feeling that day, or simply what we think the listener wants to hear?

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Date Night

“Tell me about yourself”

Me: Well, I went to Penn State where I studied International Relations with a focus on Economics and African Studies.

Leyla, this is a date, not a job interview.

Him: “Okay I see you”

Please sir what are you seeing?

Me: Okay so I have two little brothers

Being an older sister is a character trait, a skill, like something we should be able to add to a resume.

Me: I work in consulting.

Hoping I don’t get asked what I do exactly because I honestly won’t be able to answer that.

When people ask me what my hobbies are I only say the things I’m good at. I know it’s a bit wrong but I don’t enjoy doing stuff I’m not good at.

Me: I love swimming, research, and poetry writing.

I love swimming and I love being underwater but I don't go out of my way to do so anymore. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to deal with my hair afterward or the fact that swimming in Philadelphia isn’t the same as swimming in Dakar.

I try very hard to ignore the fact that today my love for research is more about reminding myself that graduate school is still part of my plans.

My love for writing poems has turned into a desperate need for journaling my unhappy thoughts but no one needs to know that.

Him: “Are you a model?”

No, I won’t model for their friend's clothing brand.

Me: Lol...

Always start with lol. It serves as a “thank you “and “no” combined answer for me.

Me: “Lol, no it's just not for me.”.

It’s actually because I am so awkward in front of the camera. I don’t like the idea of changing in front of people. I can’t even imagine what that type of lifestyle would do to my anxiety.

Restaurants where they don’t give you bread and butter before your meal should be illegal by the way.

Him: So you said you’re from Senegal?

Me: Yeah I’m Senegalese.

Him: How is it like growing up in Senegal?

I take a deep breath because I’ll need his attention and not the fake interested looking smile on his face.

Me: Well, I was born and raised in Maryland. I also lived in Congo, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire...

Slow down Ley, it’s giving too much information and geography class.

Based on his confused facial expression? Advanced geography class.

Anyways, what are we ordering?

Fake looking at the menu as If I didn’t see the steak in the first three seconds the menu was handed to me.

I walk around thinking I’m mysterious, but as sad as it sounds I’m very much predictable.

It must be the thing I do with my eyes and eyebrows.

Him: “What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”

First of all, I have 2 Senegalese parents, in all honesty, I shouldn’t even know the spelling and meaning of the word “crazy”.

Me: Nothing, really lol. I don’t know.

Nothing is the answer. I strongly dislike this question because it always makes me feel like I’m living a boring life or worse -maybe what people think is crazy is just normal to me.

I hope this server isn’t coming back to fill my glass with water AGAIN - I am tired.

Oh- its the dessert menus

I wonder why restaurants think the more complicated the dessert sounds, the fancier it is.

No, I don’t want Almonds soaked in strawberry wrapped in French Vanilla with a dash of God knows what.

I have a habit of looking at the menu all interested so the server doesn’t think that I don’t want to order anything because the desserts are overpriced. I’m an overthinker like that.

Poor server, he is probably just looking at me wondering if my curly wig is my real hair or not. Or maybe my frontal is lifting. Awkward.

Me: I’m good, thank you.

I sit back up straight, make eye contact with homeboy, raise an eyebrow and then smile, while I mouth the word “what”.

Staring is rude, but I understand.

Oh no, here it comes...

Him: “I usually know how to read people, I can’t read you though”

Uber; 4 minutes away.