Although the semester seemed to fly by, week by week, each homework assignment to the next, it dragged. I am sure there were times when I could have committed more of myself, but I'm always wiser with retrospect. Looking back, I can't remember a time when I wasn't completely booked with meeting with usually crazy and occasionally frustrating, but always interesting and entertaining residents. RA's always had projects going on, all of which were impressive, as usual. We danced in the Japanese Garden, listened to Mariachi music, watched plays, and a million other things. I attempted to attend all of my club meetings on campus. I even started writing my first novel. (Someday, sure, but no, you can't read it yet.) Day by day, I tended to feel more and more guilty sleeping when there was still so much to do.
All the same, life continues. I had a roommate for a while, Paula, who came from Holland and experienced her first earthquake here! We've had a couple recently, actually. I think I might be developing a psychic ability for predicting them, but Jenette used to think she could hear earthquakes coming by listening to the floor of Auntie Freda's pool. Who knows. I still go to physical therapy, which I love. I'd heard from other people that it's horrible and painful, but I look forward each week to the exercise. I danced again for the first time last week, and while my legs were stiff and heavy, they welcomed the movement. My knee hardly ever gives me trouble, and my goal is to get into shape well enough to dance a championship hornpipe and reel without feeling like I'm going to collapse. I think I'll manage... in a few months... Baby steps.
I've taken a pretty huge step this week, though. I bought my very own first car! It is green and small. It has a tiny black steering wheel, and the dashboard lights are green and red like Christmastime. The blinker tocks more than it ticks, and it still doesn't have a name. I'm thinking something insect-y. Whatever I call it, after three days, I am already fiercely protective and completely committed. I woke myself up in the middle of the night last night, just to look out my window and make sure it was still waiting for me in Lot 20.
This summer has had a serious case of June gloom, and I am ready for some sun! I am moving this August to help CSULB start up a new Residence Complex about a mile off campus, and right off PCH. It's all very exciting and I can't wait to get everything started, but my new apartment won't have a backyard, so I am hoping the sun will come out to visit soon! Either inside or out, I still plan to read a lot of books and finish lots of projects. So far, I've read Flowers for Algernon, Where the Red Fern Grows and World War Z. Next up is Persuasion, The Sun Also Rises, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Any other recommendations, or invitations to book clubs, please send them my way!
After a short conversation with Chad, this entry's lesson is the following. According to The Phrase Finder, "to "play it by ear" initially referred to the playing of music without reference to printed notation. More recently, it is also used figuratively to mean 'handle a situation in an impromptu manner'" Now you know.
