As a design mentor, one of the things I encounter constantly is the stark difference between how some men and women speak of their own competencies. “May you be granted the confidence of a mediocre white man” is a phrase I utter at least twice a week. This morning, waiting for my local coffee spot to open, I saw a common occurrence of that level of confidence: somebody walked in before it opened, saying that, if undesired, the baristas would kick him out anyway. He returned three seconds later. I mused out loud, in front of him and two other friendly regulars who are themselves mediocre white men, that I was thinking about the thing I say to all my female and non-binary design mentees. I feel that my ability to do so in this social context proves that I, too, finally have the confidence of a mediocre white man. All this being said, though, I’m beginning to develop an appreciation for this alternative: “May you be granted the confidence of a disabled queer Muslim woman who, despite everything, dances in the rain.”

1. I can remember what was taught in my Applied Linguistics class by the shirt my professor wore.
2. My biggest secret is an unending fascination for the Momversation in which mommy bloggers discuss motherhood.
3. Some people in my Dutch Language and Culture program are bad at spelling. All of them want to be writers.
4. Times a day I realize I probably don’t want kids: 17.
5. I’m terrified of failing University. During the day I’m scared, and when I’m not scared, I’m asleep. I’m a 4.5 GPA.
6. Sometimes I miss Frédérique Huydts.
7. Annual occasions that prompt a re-reading of Bridget Jones’ Diary: birthday and New Year’s.