Relaxing In The Country

Well geez, I guess there's not really much to say. That's why I haven't updated in, what, a week? We've been having some weird weather out here on the Island. There was a huge warm front that moved in off the Atlantic ocean over the last few days. While everyone else in North America was getting pounded by snow, we just had some rain, high winds, and very warm temperatures. The thermometer is starting to drop back into seasonal temperatures, though, so I guess that's a good thing. Unseasonable weather always makes me kind of nervous.

So I've just been running around getting errands done and that sort of thing. I submitted my thesis proposal to my prof on Saturday morning - the first draft - and I have yet to hear back from him. I'm a little nervous, because I didn't think it was very good but I couldn't figure out how to make it better, which is why I sent it to him, but he's usually hyper-quick about getting back to me, so I don't know if he's in exams or just can't figure out where to start with the comments on my paper. Eek! So I'm a little anxious. But I'd really rather just get this out of the way so that I can get going on the writing process.

And I got to ride a horse on Saturday. My sister goes riding to exercise a couple of fat horses most weekends. But one of them has bad eyesight, so my sister likes to lead the horse around the field a few times before she gets on her, that way the horse is less nervous and easier to handle. So after the first walk around I asked if I could just sit on the horse while my sister led her. So I did. I can't ride horses properly - I'm a little scared of them, and I don't have the magic touch that my sister has because she's been around horses her whole life, plus if I sit on a horse for too long my hips and knees start to hurt. But it was nice to be up there getting led around at a gentle walking pace. I'll have to go back again sometime.

Back-a-lack.

This is a brief post, because I'm in the library desperately trying to make myself finish my thesis proposal so I can get it in ASAP. But I am back in Canada, and not a day too soon. I did manage to lose my awesome book in the JFK airport in New York on the way here (the same place I lost my McGill hoodie on the way there), and I miss my awesome roommates. But I am glad to be home, even though I've never really lived here, and to see my family and sleep in my comfortable bed, and cuddle the cats even though they make me sick, and enjoy the peace and quiet and slow pace. I'm going to have to see how this little plan of mine goes - I do have the option of going back to Montreal for the winter and spring to finish up what I need to do, but if I can make it work I'd rather stay here. At least, that's how I feel now. Maybe I'll feel differently in a month. But I'd really like to give living here a shot, and if I can do it without being under pressure to find a job, all the better. Summer vacation doesn't count.

And the best part? There is no snow or ice on the ground yet! Yippee!

Boarding School

Oh man, we are in so much trouble!

We came back more than an hour and a half past curfew. In fairness, we thought we were okay, because the numerary (lady who works in the house) who was supposed to lock up tonight was with us, so even though we hadn't asked for a "late night" (which is what you are allowed to do, as a group, once a week, if you ask) we thought we were fine. So we got back and the door was bolted. I thought the numerary was going to shit her pants, she was so scared. We called our friend (who had left early and was totally sleeping) to let us in, but we hadn't realized that the door being bolted from the inside also meant the door being locked, with a key (that we couldn't locate), from the inside. We were so screwed.

So, we got someone to unlock the downstairs window, and we climbed in. The only other alternative was to go back to town (by taxi? the buses aren't running this late) and get a hotel room.

We totally climbed in the window.

What am I, sixteen?

I never did shit like this when I was sixteen.

On the same note, when I was a kid, I always wanted to go to boarding school. Part of the allure was that I could have adventures with comrades-in-cahoots - like this. Who knew I would be having to behave like this at age 24?

Whatever, I'm leaving this whole mess behind in 30 hours. (!)

And they still don't know that I have internet in my room. =D

Enough's Enough

It has been snowing for six days straight now. Since overnight Friday, there have been intermittent yet constant heavy snowstorms, complete with the occasional very close lighting and very loud thunder. Oh, and gangs of punk guys-who-are-totally-too-old-for-this-nonsense targeting passers-by unawares with dozens of snowballs as they walk down the street.

I want the snow to stop. I had planned to spend this week outside enjoying Dublin, since I spent the whole semester inside and working so hard. Now, when it gets rights down to it I'm still glad that that's how I spent my time, because It's really nice not to be feeling rushed during my last week. But between the buses barely running, the icy sidewalks, and having to walk around like a hunted animal because you never know when you're going to get pelted with hard wet snowballs thrown by some guy from his second-floor window or roof, it makes going out really unpleasant and difficult. I've already seen quite a bit of what I wanted to see though, so it's not like I'm missing very much. It's just at times like these that I really wish our rez was downtown and not in the 'burbs. Then I could just go out for an hour, do something, and come back when I got cold or hungry rather than having to plan out my entire day around whether I will be here or not here.

Tonight my roommate and I are going to see the Palestrina Choir from the Pro-Cathedral give their annual Christmas concert downtown at the National Concert Hall, and we'll have to go out for dinner beforehand. So that, at least, is something. And tomorrow I'll probably just go out anyway, maybe go see a museum or something. I'm getting bored hanging out in my room, which is the only moderately warm place in the house - the heating is broken and/or the windows are large and drafty everywhere else, so you can't hang out in the sitting room or anything without a blanket and a hat.

Grump, grump, grump. I'm really excited about going home on Monday morning. Dublin has been lots of fun, but I really just need to go home now. Soon! Yay!