A moment of seriousness

This morning, I turned on the television and was watching the inane little happenings of local news, weather, and traffic, when I opened the int-R-web and the first thing to greet me was the headline 'Bhutto Assassinated' which had me scrambling to BBC World News where is was the only story in the news cycle. After about 30 seconds of sitting slackjawed on the couch, I collected myself and went into the bedroom to tell Rod the news that Pakistan is being plunged into chaos. I am still a political scientist by nature, and instantly my mind was racing with possible responses, outcomes, etc.

The Realist in me knows that this was inevitable. With the first attempt in October, there was no other conclusion to draw but that there will be other attempts. The Idealist in me wants to know just how much more madness to expect from the world.

I Thai-ed one on last night

Yesterday was supposed to be cleaning day. My folks are rolling in sometime today for the holiday, and our house has been badly (even grossly) neglected after the last month while I went into uber-finals mode, and Rod...just didn't bother, come to think of it.

So, there I was in grubby clothes, unwashed, wearing yellow rubber up to my elbows, and struggling to get the bathroom mirror spotless, when the phone rang. Private number. Hmmm...Rod's downstairs doing laundry, and usually I let him handle private number calls, but I answered anyway, and I was delighted to find Gail on the other end, inviting us out for supper, because she's in town for a few days this season. She suggested Thai, I wavered, and the quick phone call ended with a promise to call when details were better nailed down on her end.

So I nearly died cleaning the bathroom, hustled Rod and I into showers, and out the door we rolled, headed for the West End to meet Gail and Eliza. I was nervous about the Thai thing because I have several food allergies, a strong dislike of vegetables, a weak stomach at the sight of seafood, and no love for curries. Rod and I arrived first, and waited for the ladies to show up, and I had a chance to peruse the menu. It wasn't looking promising until I came upon the sweet and sour chicken. There! I *could* eat Thai after all!

We met Eliza for the first time, and I have to say, I so desperately wish I could have her wardrobe/accessories. I have finally met someone who not only understands my love of shopping for expensive things (She came to dinner with a bag I could only dream of), but goes me one better and can afford said expensive things. I think I've found my newest idol :)

Lots of good stories about travel woes and talk about what Australians do and don't do, and about 3 and 1/2 hours later, we made our way outside, where we chatted for another 20 minutes or so about wedding stuff, and Gail got off a couple of funny shots of Rod and I. We went our separate ways, and Rod and I made it home in time to catch the last half of 'The Holiday' starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz...Gail, 'Love Actually' is a bit on the "roll your eyes" side, but it's not bad actually; I advise you to stay away from 'The Holiday' because *that* is a bundle of atrociousness. Horrid dialogue, overacting by Jack Black, and Cameron Diaz...well, Cammy's crying is about the WORST crying on cue scene I have ever seen. Ever.

In other news, Holiday shopping done, prezzies wrapped, dancing about impatiently waiting for Boxing Day Shopping.

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Social Policy Issues from Simon Fraser University completed. Final semester tally: one A-, one A, one A+ for an A average, and a grand total of a 3.73 GPA or better than A-

Started temping again. Not pleased about this, but there is a reason. I am at the mid-application stage of my Grad School venture. My application and fee are in, my multitude of transcripts are snail-mailing their way downtown, and my references and self-submitted requirements are being formulated. So right now is not the time to be committing to a job or even a job search. After February, I'll know whether to keep temping and wait for September, or whether it's time to go out and get a real j-o-b. I almost had an interview with a health related organization, but that fell through.

So my next hurdle after Boxing Day (the third most important day of the year for me, after New Year's Eve and Hallowe'en), it's on to the end of the year, and what a year it has been! But that's better left for its own post. Season's Greetings from your friendly neighbourhood Atheist!

The End...again.

Yesterday, I walked out of my social movements final exam just after 6 pm, and I was done. Done the semester and done the diploma. It's a bittersweet moment for me.

When I finished my Bachelor degree, I was in only one class at the time, and even though I struggled with that class, there was a sense that I was starting to divest myself from the school experience because I wasn't in school everyday. This time, I ended my program a full time student, and after a stoopid-mad rush of papers and finals and projects, I am now left with...nowhere to go.

Of course, my string of A's and excellent feedback continued yesterday with the return of two projects. This is the hallmark of this diploma; one of my goals when I started out on this venture was to improve my GPA, and without question, I've done that, going from a 2.8 to, at least until this semester's grades come in, a 3.61, just a hair under an A- average. Mission Accomplished.

I also set out to gather a new set of references for my grad school applications because most of my old ones from the U of A have dropped off the face of the earth apparently. Well, without hesitation, three professors here agreed to be referees for me, and I feel very confident because they are all very accomplished, respected professors with impressive CVs. They all encouraged me through positive feedback time and time again, and that pushed me to do better and better. I'm beyond pleased that they would lend their reputations to back me up, and it makes me feel like I have a better chance at getting into grad school. So, again, Mission Accomplished.

I'm 2 for 3 now...my last goal was to see if success with this program would translate into a stronger candidacy in a highly competitive program. I think I've proved that I am intellectually capable of keeping up, and indeed coming out on top at times, and after all of this work, I think I've proven that I am dedicated to reaching my career goals, and I feel I haven't even yet reached my peak. So, Mission...ongoing.

I'm so sad that I'm done :( I feel like I'm on a roll, and I don't want to be done! I'm high on my surprising intellectual prowess! I'm SMRT and I want to show it! Can I call for an extension or a do-over?