I was at Harvard for a day-long interview. After lunch I walked towards the large cube-shaped "red death" building and boarded the elevator with one other [female] interviewee (we were both headed for the 7th floor).
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a third person (also female) jumped aboard and, noticing our attire, asked if we were interviewing. "Yes" we replied and I asked our newest elevator-mate to "give us her elevator speech" She said that she was working on her dissertation and was currently focusing on ***ex*** and the Brain. (***) are indicated because as she said that word, she was walking away from me and through the opening elevator doors onto the 3rd floor.
She turned and held the door to finish the conversation. . . I asked, "Oh, do you know the work of Anne Fausto Sterling at Brown?". . . "No" was the quizzical reply. . . "Oh, she wrote a fascinating book on the way in which gender is constructed and influences identity - it even gets into learning and learning differences. . . fascinating stuff.". . . The look became more quizzical. . . In fact, I continued, "I think that the book is called Sex and the Brain" . . . The look became quizzical to the point of ridiculousness, then a brief light of revelation gleamed. . .
She allowed the door to slowly close, and as it closed (leaving me alone with the other interviewee for our ride up the remaining 4 floors) she made eye contact and said, "Dyslexia and the Brain"
It seems that quizzical looks were catching. . . and causing me to blush with embarassment. . . I turned to my elevator-mate and stammered out an explanation/apology, "I really don't think that that was some sort of Freudian slip, or something, sorry ". . .
With a sly knowing glance, but an understanding tone, my elevator-mate said, "Not to worry, I thought that your topic sounded more interesting anyway."
The elevator doors opened onto the 7th floor and we went into our respective interviews.
ps. (Turns out I was wrong - It's called Sexing the Body.) but it none-the-less is a fascinating read.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Andrew is a "legacy" at Harvard
I was recently fortunate enough to be admitted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education Doctorate of Educational Leadership Program. My mother reminded me that I am not the first person in our family who has "been to Harvard." Both of my maternal Grandparents, Ruth Berthold and Wolfgang Berthold donated their bodies to the Harvard Medical School.
My mother tells me that my grandfather used to often say this, and I can vividly remember my grandmother repeating his words, "well, I never could get in there while I was alive, but at least I can go there when I'm dead."
so, I'm a legacy?
My mother tells me that my grandfather used to often say this, and I can vividly remember my grandmother repeating his words, "well, I never could get in there while I was alive, but at least I can go there when I'm dead."
so, I'm a legacy?
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