Educationally Blonde

Someone asked me today if I was ready to go back to school. In reply, I asked if she remembered the scene in the movie Legally Blonde where Elle (Reese Witherspoon) arrives at her first class unprepared and is promptly asked to leave despite her polite explanation that she wasn't aware of an assignment. That is my worst nightmare... I only hope that should it come true, there is no *itchy Vivian (Selma Blair) to add insult to injury.

Side note: for true fans like myself, don't worry (as if you would)... there is ZERO chance that I'll show up to anybody's cocktail party dressed as, ahem, a bunny. For those who haven't seen the movie, I'll just mention that she wasn't dressed as the Easter bunny.

On the other hand, no one could fault Elle's sense of style when it came to her back to school fashion choices or her school supplies. When she realized her heart-shaped notebook and fluffy pink pen weren't going to cut it for law school, she upgraded to a Mac laptop. I cheaped out and got a PC. But I have already told people I might get non-prescription glasses because it will make me feel smarter. (I know someone who actually did this in college.)

I did pick up some school supplies last week. It's the season for great deals, as anyone with kids in school will tell you, which means that one might be able to keep the arm and only sacrifice the leg to get the kiddos outfitted. Being the one who now pays the bill for school supplies, I understand why mom may have dreaded the back-to-school shopping: "But mo-om!" - always two syllables when it's life-or-death - "All the cool kids will have folders with Hannah Montana/CARS/Spiderman on them!!! I have to have it!" I was tempted by Hannah, but in the end opted for the loss-leader 5-cent spiral notebooks. I wonder what the cool grad students will choose?

And don't even get me started on what to wear. I can't decide if it should be designer jeans or business casual for the first day of classes. Probably I'm going with the dressier option, assuming it will be better to be over- rather than under-dressed in this scenario. Besides that, I'm sure the cost of designer jeans these days means I'd end up delinquent on tuition payments.

So, am I ready? No idea. But only one way to find out... pray a lot and leave home really early on day one - so I'm not late to class over finding a parking spot. The $135 I forked over for a parking permit does not guarantee a place to park... only that I may park in an empty space should I find one. A topic for another day.