i was in the park the other day, just like trying to get some fresh air between lectures, and i saw this young mom, you know, just sitting there while her baby slept in the pram and all these other parents were chatting and laughing. and i just kinda… felt it. not like it's a big deal or anything, but i remembered all those times i just sat there, my kid asleep, listening to the playground noise, and just feeling SO disconnected, like an alien observing a different species. and i guess i still feel that sometimes, even now, in these new classes, like maybe i just missed some essential memo on how to... interact. it's stupid, i know.