Really, Mr. Fortune Cookie? REALLY?

Right after I got hired at my current place of employment, I went to lunch with some of my new co-workers. I think it was my second day of work...you know...first week...when you're still looking for validation and needing just a kick of self-confidence.

We went for chinese.
And got the typical complimentary fortune cookie.
I opened mine.
All these year and I've never forgotten it.
Well, you don't forget "fortunes" like this.
It said (and I quote):

You struggle for self-improvement and it shows.

I'm not kidding.
Now, I'm sure the original CHINESE translation said:
Laurel, we can really tell you work hard to always better yourself and we, the people of China, congratulate you.

But, in English all I read was "yeah, you're a girl who really struggles."

And, well, I've had a "love/hate" relationship with those concoctions of sugar & flour ever since.

I've gotten some good fortunes.
Like once on a date, I opened one to say:
Stop looking for happiness. It's sitting right next to you.

But, well...let's just say that for the most part, I've seen mostly UN-fortunes in my cookies.

I am working on my thesis...
really more of a "capstone research project".
And spending every waking hour either with work or school.
So, it's been hard to feel like I have a life.

But, I have a date next week...and actually two if I can fit the other in.
Now, that should not be news.
But these aren't "set ups".
These are legit.

So, when I stopped at Pei Wei (gotta love the cheap version of PF Changs. I highly recommend going for the Ginger Broccoli w/ Beef (ask them to cook it crispy), brown rice) for some thesis-writing sustenance and opened my fortune cookie, and it said (and I quote):

A tantalizing new prospect will come your way.

YOWZERS!
Well, it was like the fortune cookie and I came together again.
We let bygones be bygones.
I mean, the cookie said "tantalizing" for crying out loud!
That's good, right?
Do you know the definition?
Let's take a vote right now.
All who think "tantalizing" is generally a good thing, say "aye".

The definition reads (and I quote):
Tan-ta-lize [tan-tl-ahyz]
–verb (used with object), -lized, -liz⋅ing.
to torment with, or as if with, the sight of something desired but out of reach; tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed.

Yeah, just go ahead and read that again.

Really, Mr. Fortune Cookie?
Really?
You didn't learn your lesson with the "you really struggle" cookie back in the day?

And that, my friends, is why we will be finding time for ONLY ONE date next week.
Just one.
Lest we get "tantalized" twice.
(is it just me or is my life funny?)

And now, back to the thesis...
and the "tantalizing" masters degree.

(Life is good...I'll just be glad when Dec. 15th has come and gone with a turned in paper and maybe a great date or two as well...PS. the book IS finished. Thanks for the "you can do it"s. You people are WAY better than fortune cookies!)