I've read my application essay so many times that the words look fake. Every version says I want to help people, which I do, but literally anyone applying could type that. The part I actually remember from the hospital visit is a tech explaining the machine to someone who was scared, without making them feel stupid for asking. I tried writing that down and it sounded much more like me until I started replacing normal words with impressive ones. My twin says stop doing that. Easy for her to say, she knows exactly what she wants to study. I left the plain version open tonight and didn't delete it, so that's where we're at.

One of the deli regulars remembered I was applying for radiography and asked how it was going, then waited for an actual answer instead of just taking her ham. I was weirdly touched, and also embarrassed because I still haven't sent the application. Said I was finishing a few things, which is technically true if staring at a paragraph counts. She told me her husband had a really kind X-ray tech when he was sick and she could picture me doing that job. I made a joke about it having fewer cheese options, because of course I did. Kept thinking about what she said all through closing. Didn't even tell my sister until we were in the car.

My sister talked me into the batting cages and I spent the first round missing pitches I was already convinced I'd hit. My hands remembered where to go faster than the rest of me did, which was honestly insulting. Once I stopped swinging at everything I got a few solid ones and could feel the ball right through the bat, that really good clean hit where your arms don't sting. I wanted another round immediately. Now I'm home trying to take my sweatshirt off without lifting both elbows at once, so apparently retired softball star is the correct job title. My sister keeps offering to help in the most annoying helpful voice possible.