Ironically, about 48 hours after the "you look tired" comment, I received another completely contradictory compliment.

The other afternoon, I was visiting my friendly neighborhood housewares store — buying water filters and inquiring about boxes, as the time to start packing is now. Okay, so it's actually next week — or the week after... whatever.

So I am standing there chatting up the owner when these two women burst onto the scene. They are talking so fast that in my ridiculously fatigued state I can't even register what they are going on about. After a few moments, I catch on — they're sisters and lifelong residents of the neighborhood, who also happen to be a bit klutzy, and have to replace things often. Today's trip to the store marks another day when one of them had knocked something over.

They immediately approach the counter where Bob (the owner) and I are standing. They acknowledge my presence, and I theirs. One of the sisters stops rattling on long enough to turn and speak to me.

"You are absolutely gorgeous." Turns to her sister. "Isn't she gorgeous?" The sister agrees. What I really was: embarrassed. Why? Who knows? Other than the fact that I don't like people making a big fuss over me, there was no reason for me to be embarrassed.

I thanked them profusely for their compliment, made a joke about needing to leave my apartment more often, paid for my water filters and went along my merry way, with more spring in my step than when I arrived.