A Return to Reality

Much like the Christmas spirit came to me early last semester, so did the feeling of having too much work this January. This was due in part to my having had a particularly light schedule in the fall, my methodology class having ended just past November’s mid-point, the sole one I had in the semester. It also had to do with the evening I attended at Carleton University to commemorate the fall of the Soviet Union… the commemoration taking place more than one full month ahead of when the event actually took place, that is to say, on [Catholic] Christmas Day 1991. Even if it is not the most holiday-oriented event, it was still more than enough to put me in the mood for Christmas carols.

Thereafter, I spent the next three and a half weeks preparing to go back to my hometown, Quebec City, where I would remain for the entire period of the Holidays, and then some. I was thrilled I would have more time for partying, seeing my friends, and going around town shooting than the last time I was there in August. Then, I spent most of my time sitting in my dentist’s chair, copiously taking advantage of my dental insurance. I had not seen my friends for nearly a whole year, and as sappy as it sounds, I must admit I missed them.

So, after a quiet Christmas Eve and evening with my family, I spent the following night partying with my friends at our traditional ‘St-Job’ party, and then again on New Year’s Eve. Not to mention the party I went to right after getting off the train on my arrival. Plus the multiple dinners in between Christmas and New Year’s. All in all, I spent a pleasant and lazy time at home during the Holidays.

Now, looking at my overcharged schedule, I almost regret the work I did not do when I had the time for it! Thankfully, I was to able I did not need to take two electives this semester, especially considering that this would have meant six joyous hours of seminar on Wednesdays, starting at 8:30 in the morning, accompanied by a double helping of weekly readings. Instead, I made the rational decision and dropped the course with the least interesting content and the earlier scheduling!

Now that the administrative side of the new semester has been taken care of, I can finally concentrate on getting some work done, including the academic year’s last scholarship application in a week and a half, and then I’ll be 100% free to work on my thesis project and my general coursework. Despite the ordinary-sounding nature of this, I’m still filled with hope that the upcoming semester will be so much more interesting and exciting than the previous one!

Denis