Author Archives: Emma Christine Tierney

Doppelgangers and Saliva

Left home by 5:45am.

Through security by 8:15am.

Einstein Bagels spotted by 8:16am.

This is where it gets interesting. I decide to get a blueberry bagel toasted with strawberry “shmear” aka cream cheese aka delicious pink goo. I sit down by the gate where my flight will leave for Philadelphia. SPOTTED: first doppelganger of the day. This guys is the spitting image of Ray from Everybody Loves Raymond. Spitting image! This is where it gets embarrassing. As I sit in awe of Ray Romano sitting across from me while I continue munching on my truly delicious shmeary bagel, I lose all control of my saliva glands. I’m no longer focusing on keeping my saliva in my mouth where it belongs because of how delicious the bagel is, and apparently I suck at multitasking. (Even if it is just spotting doppelgangers and eating.) A nice drip of spit slips from my mouth and falls in between my legs onto the chair which I have claimed at Gate C1. I look around to see if anyone has noticed and low and behold, the gentleman sitting 2 seats to my left was starring right at me as it happened. I’m so unbelievably, uncontrollably awkward. At this point, I don’t even care what he thinks, so I continue to embarrass myself even more by licking the yummy shmear off my hands as I try to text my friend Olivia. He tossed a few more looks my way while I lick my fingers while texting with my pinky and ring fingers.

After the saliva incident, I decide it’s time to get up and make a fool of myself by wandering around somewhere else in the airport with the spare time I have before my flight takes off. SPOTTED: second doppelganger. This guy is a gate agent for a flight headed to Dallas. He is the spitting image of my 8th grade Social Studies teacher. I think it may have actually been his twin brother. You’re lucky if you find one doppelganger in a lifetime and I have found two in one day! I make my way back to the gate hoping the man who saw me drool has relocated. He hasn’t, but I sit down anyways. SPOTTED: third doppelganger of the day and it’s not even 10am! This one was a little boy who looked just like Brick from The Middle.

Finally, everyone boards the plane. The flight attendant finishes up her safety talk as we pull out of the gate. The plane pulls about 20 ft out of the gate, maybe not even, and the plane dies. It just dies. All the lights shut off, the A/C turns off, just dead. Everyone stops what they are doing and gives the flight attendant their undivided attention, unlike when she was giving the safety talk. She gives a look back that says “Don’t look at me, I don’t know what’s going on either.”  We start hearing a “ding, ding, ding nose door open” again and again and again coming from the front of the plane. The captain then announces that we are having electrical problems and we will have to be towed into the gate where we can get off the plane while technicians fix the problem. Everyone stands up as we ready ourselves to get off the plane. Before anyone has exited the plane, the pilot tells us that they “fixed the problem” and it was “a lot simpler than expected.” That’s like me driving a car, and it starts dinging because the hood of the car is open. I tell you we are having electrical problems and can’t drive anymore. I call AAA to close my hood and then tell you I fixed the problem. Yeah the problem is fixed but it makes me look pretty dumb and makes you concerned to drive with me. I can’t complain though because I did eventually land safe and sound in Philadelphia


Location: Baltimore, MD

I’m crazy.

I’m crazy. I’m actually certifiably nuts. Let me give you a little peak into the mind of an Emma, but you’ve been warned.

This story starts with me researching what I need to pack for my semester in Chile. This story ends with me looking up the Spanish words for asparagus and rape.

So I get back from work today and open up my computer. There’s an email from IES with the details for my new host family assignment (long story short…my original host family assignment has a cat and I recently discovered cats make my eyeballs feel like they need to be soaked in Selsun Blue). Along with my housing assignment was information on being picked up at the airport and a caveat to dress warmly due to the cold weather in Santiago recently.

Thought 1.) I should research what to wear. What do Chilean’s wear? Do I have to dress fancy? I don’t like dressing fancy? I like dressing like a slob. I’m a slob. I’m ratchet. I should shower. Meh, I’ll shower later.

I google what I should wear in Santiago, and after 2 truly grueling minutes looking at blogs written by the self-proclaimed tourist fashion connoisseurs of Chile, I come to one conclusion: Dress like a cake. Because in Donkey’s words, “Not everybody likes onions.”

Thought 2.) I really do love cake. Sugar is great. Maybe I should eat a cookie. Man, that cookie was delicious. Maybe I should work out more so I can eat more. Working out makes me sweaty. I’m gross. Ok, I definitely need a shower.

I hop in the shower and start mentally going through my wardrobe trying to think of layers for my cake outfit.

Thought 3.) Sweaters are good layers. Oooo my comfy purple sweater! But that looks like a Bill Cosby sweater. Do Chileans know who Bill Cosby is? What if I have to explain to my host family who Bill Cosby is? I don’t think I know the word for rape in Spanish. I need to look that up. My host family is going to think I’m crazy if I know the word for rape but not for something dumb, like asparagus. What if they ask me if I like asparagus and I say no because I don’t know what they’re asking me? Then I won’t have any asparagus! I do like asparagus. I like food. Maybe I should eat another cookie.

So here I am, writing this post to inform you all that the first 3 words on google translate for rape are la violación, la colza, and el estupro. Asparagus is el espárragos. There you have it. I’m crazy. And no, I have not decided yet if I’m going to pack my purple sweater.


Location: West Chester, PA

Dear Chile, please give me a visa.

Hello! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Emma,  but my friends call me Obnoxious. I am a Senior majoring in Undecided and am studying abroad in Santiago, Chile for the Fall 2015 semester.

Ok, time to be serious. I booked my flight to Santiago last night with the help of my wonderful mother. I know I’m running a little behind seeing that most other people who are studying abroad in the Fall booked their flights months ago. If I worked the beauty pageant scene, I would win the “Miss Procrastination” crown on the reg. But this time, my poor planning habits worked to my advantage. I was still able to get a decently cheap flight thanks to the wonderful people at Cheapoair.com. I’m from the Greater Philadelphia Area, but I’m flying out of Baltimore because it is cheaper. Here’s the kicker: My first connection is to Philadelphia. Good thing I don’t mind plane rides. Anywho, there’s only one last thing on my “To do” list before I embark on my adventures to the Southern Hemisphere (aka where toilets flush clockwise instead of counterclockwise). I have to get a visa. I know, I know. That’s kinda of really, oober important. Well, I was waiting to receive paperwork proving that I am actually enrolled at a university in Chile. Thank goodness, the paperwork is on it’s way now, and hopefully my visa will be processed in time. Wish me luck!

Adios for now! And I’ll get back to you on whether that toilet flushing thing is myth or fact.


Location: West Chester, PA