Make 'em laugh, make 'em cry

Talked to the new students of my program today at their orientation. The professors set it up like a panel - it was me, a Ph.D. candidate in my year and another woman who'd already graduated. One professor asked us questions and we responded to them and apparently, this was to stop people from quitting. Hahaha. I don't know if I accomplished that or not. I was going to prepare some notes and things, but I got home late last night and was watching TV with my mom and just forgot, so I winged it. Basically what that means is, I made up a bunch of metaphors (all involving food, oddly) and just elaborated on them, without actually saying anything of substance. I got a few laughs, so it couldn't have been that bad, right? I've read that it's harder to make people laugh than it is to cry. I don't know about that - I've made people laugh and cry about an equal number of times. So, I think it depends on how much effort you're willing to invest. I think only those you love can make you do both. I've never done both - shed tears and laughed - for people I don't love. It's either one or the other, but not both, not unless I love them. In fact, I think the people you love make you cry more than anything - of course, a lot of times, they're tears of joy. That's always a nice feeling.

Final thought: We measure our lives in laughter and tears.