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Wanted: Space.

Is it just me, or is the world closing in? The US has one of the highest population growth rates in industrialized countries, averaging about .89% (according to the United States Census Bureau), with nearly 25% of the population being under the age of 20. I feel like the entire growing population is concentrated right here in Boston. Actually, right here next to me as I watch this awkward Asian slowly close in on my study space.
This seems to be a re-occurring theme with me: losing space.

This is the second time some awkward little Asian has decided to move in on my domain and invite himself to sit at my table. The first time was at breakfast right before an exam (PS. why is it scarring dining hall experiences always occur right before a stressful exam?)

I was eating my omelette, minding my own business reading my notes and he just sits right down at my table. Right down across from me. And eats his eggs in silence.
It's like he didn't even notice I was there.
Umm...hi??? There are only about 300 other tables in this EMPTY dining hall you can spread yourself out at. And you choose mine?
It's okay, he got up ten minutes later and left. Nice breakfast, good chat. We're best friends now I think I might invite him to a party sometime.

On the T two weeks ago I sat down to find myself literally closed in by five guys high out of their minds for fifteen minutes. Then, as they all got off the T, they all patted me on the head. I have never wanted to wash my hair so bad in my life.

On the T the other day I was death gripping a pole trying not to fall on the T which, by the way it was creaking along the tracks felt like it was built no sooner than the industrial revolution, and found myself quite literally being HUGGED by some guy who decided he needed a little more lovin' in his life.
Get. Off. Me.

And now. I'm trying to study for my philosophy exam I have tomorrow and BAM.
Another awkward Asian sits directly across from me. Can I point out there's an empty table two rows away?
He smells like Purina cat food and is eating a tuna sandwich. My nose is NOT pleased...on the up side, suddenly I'm not very hungry.
Should I introduce myself?
Well now this is awkward because I feel like I should say hi but it's already been five minutes so that'd be weird if I all the sudden just blurted it out. Then what? Awkward, casual conversation about the weather? Maybe I should ask him if he has a cat.
Or is a cat.
...maybe if I really want to get him to leave I should bark at him. But then I'd be the barking girl in the GSU, and I already filled my week's "make an ass of myself" quota yesterday when I yelled pussy in my phonetics class.

Projected game plan:
-Do not make eye contact.
-No sudden movements.
-Stare at my computer until he leaves.
-Pretend it never happened.

love love love,
Katie

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