I’m unsure how to begin this post.  It’s been so long since I’ve blogged.  It’s been so long since I’ve written anything that wasn’t university-related.  It’s a pity.  Ah, well.  Small steps shall lead me to my destination.  (My destination being regular personal writing.)

Having finally finished with my winter semester of doom, I was really looking forward to a relaxing ten or eleven days off before the beginning of summer semester.  I’m actually really looking forward to my summer courses.  More on that later.  Alas, tragedy struck on April 20th (the last day of my exams) with the disappearance of my boyfriend’s close friend.  After a police search and personal searches, his body was found on the 23rd.  He’d taken his own life.  

So the majority of my time off has been spent grieving.  Being there for my SO while he grieves.  We’ve both lost our direction for the time being.  Unfortunately, I’m getting rather tired of wasting these spring days away staring at my computer screen.  I’m left with little other to do at his parents’ house while he plays PS3 or goes here and there visiting or making arrangements.  It’s been raining cats and dogs, so walks are out.  I don’t really have a means of going anywhere or doing anything, in terms of both finances and transportation. 

I just want to do something creative.  Or inspiring.  Fun.  New.  Exciting.  I want to go for a picnic.  Bake something.  Go for a walk.  Fly a kite.  Head to the gym.  Bike.  

I’m heading back to campus tomorrow to purchase my textbooks for my summer courses and to wander around the area handing out resumes.  I’m taking Astronomy and also Intro to Vegetation and Soils.  Turns out they are both considered “bird courses” so I’m looking forward to excellent marks in each.  They aren’t required courses; I’m taking them so I’ll be caught up in the number of courses I should have under my belt by the end of third year.  

I’ve received the course outline for Astronomy and it looks to be a reasonably easy course.  Lots of reading and a fairly heavy lecture schedule, but totally doable.  Mostly exam and lab based, which is how I prefer it.  I’m not sure how Veg & Soils will be structured but I’ve heard it has plenty of field trips, which will be nice.

I’m really looking forward to spending spring in Toronto.  Campus is going to be gorgeous.  And I like Bethune residence.  I’ll need to start getting my butt to the gym, that’s for sure.  I always feel better when I’m getting regular exercise.  I’m happier.  

I’m working on making friends.  I have a penpal now, which is interesting.  I suppose what I really need to focus on is strengthening and nurturing the friendships I already have.  I’m absolutely terrible at it, though.  I’m rarely struck with the urge to be social.  And I’m often hesitant when others try to set up an event.  I’ve learned that if you refuse enough, people stop asking.  I don’t know what my issue is.  Therapy may be in order.  Hah.