Sometimes I lie.

Has anyone ever lied to a complete stranger for no reason and the whole time the lie is leaving your mouth thought, "What?!" Well, I have... it all started back in college when I was bumped to first class on my way back from working in a Costa Rican orphanage for Jan Plan. I was excited to sit in the lap of luxury but was much more at home in steerage. I end up trying to convince the flight attendant that there has been a mistake but she laughs and says, "Why don't you just sit down and relax?" So I do. In my sweat pants and ponytail, having not showered for approx. 48 hours, knapsack full of sand, books, and banana chips I embarked on my journey home. Sitting next to me was a large, suit wearing gentleman who had already removed his shoes (swell). He had a lovely gold Rolex and fancy leather briefcase at his feet. I smiled and pulled out a book.

"Visting?"

Startled. "Yes, well, I have a friend named Fernando that I stayed with but I was here doing some fieldwork at a Costa Rican orphanage."

A nice "aren't you cute trying to build a resume" smile. "That's lovely... I was here on vacation."

"OH? What do you do, sir?"

"I'm the CEO of a computer software company but I try to spend as much time as possible on my yacht."

Eeee.... really, though, I want to be back with the rats in steerage right now.

"Wow, that's crazy..." I muster. "So, you've traveled a lot?"

"Oh yes, all of Europe, Asia, the US, etc... it's a great life. So are you in school? What do you study?"

Well, sir, I go to Colby College where I study Spanish and Latin American Studies because I enjoy languages, culture, and all things beautiful. I plan on graduating and single handedly saving all the children by teaching them the alphabet and fun songs that I heard on Kids Rock and perhaps showing them how to make ice cream.

"Oh, actually, I'm finishing up at Colby with a degree in International Relations and I have already been accepted to law school at Harvard where I plan to study human rights law and one day work for the UN. I've already landed a great internship with UNESCO this summer."

Lie, lie, lie.

"Young lady, good for you! Your parents must be proud!"

Ya, I bet.

What possessed me to lie that day? I guess I felt intimidated. I ended up recalling this event to my cultural anthropology class one day a few weeks later and they got a real charge out of that. I'm sure my professor thought it was fascinating.

Sure enough, Saturday night, the lying continued. I'm out at a bar and the man next to me starts talking to me. Turns out he's a doctor from Harvard, finishing up his residency. What do I say to him?

"Wow, that's so funny, I am planning on going to med school to become a pediatrician. I just wanted to work a bit first to save some money and study."

"You know, you have to take the MCATs and work very hard. It's a lot of sacrifice."

"Yes, of course I know. I always sacrifice for the children. What of it?"

Hmmm..................and the saga continues. The hard part is keeping these stories in check if and when you see the person again. AWKWARD. Suerte with that one, Mariah.