Well that's interesting....
I spent almost two hours this evening talking to my mother on the telephone. And at the moment, after having consumed a beer and a salad, I feel unmiserable for the first time in 2 or 3 days now. I almost feel happy. Not quite, but almost. Cheerful though, certainly. For one thing, I know what I need for myself to make some important interpersonal matters work again. This is important, because although it doesn't mean that things are fixed, it does mean that I know what I need for myself and I can work towards accomplishing those things. (I'm sorry to be cryptic, but I have good reasons for it.) For another thing, I got my third and final paper back. While the professor wasn't thrilled with my work - and I didn't think he would be, for he's notoriously difficult and I certainly didn't feel confident about the paper - he was fair, and precise in his criticism. He also had some nice things to say, specifically about my ability to grasp concepts and to synthesize and integrate different ideas. He also said that I was properly ambitious in my scope, and that my observations are often first-rate. His criticisms were oddly heartening, in thathe felt I did a poor job of sustaining and sufficiently developing my analysis - which is basically the same thing my other less-than-thrilled professor said. This means that I displayed the same issues in both papers, and hence that my mistakes are fixable for being not quite so multitudinous. I know what to focus on in my writing in the future, and that is invaluable. While it was initially a blow to my ego to see these comments, the fact is that I'm getting exactly what I want out of graduate school - professors and work that doesn't let me get lazy, or arrogant, and which pushes me to be better than I am. I cannot help but celebrate that. I also spent most of my day on campus, in the company of my classmates, and their kindness and encouragment and sense of giddy adventure in the midst of all this work is indescribably heartening.
This morning there was no ballet because classes were cancelled due to inclement weather. This is sad, but it meant that I got to crawl back into bed and sleep for a few more hours, which was heavenly. cos came to comfort me last night and his hugs and listening ear made the dark hours of the night easier to bear. There will be ballet class tomorrow, and I'm excited for it.
I've had two of my three classes now, since school was cancelled on Monday due to the snow, and so far I have a very good feeling about this semester. I'm trepidatious about the amount of Mary Shelley I'll be reading come late March or so, but the rest of what I'm assigned looks absolutely fascinating. My professors also seem to be people I will be able to work with happily - and perhaps also to be a bit more comfortable with than the professors of last semester.
The new snow makes the old snow less dreary, since it hides the dirt and exhaust and dismalness of the precipitation we received this weekend. I'm fascinated by the etiquette that has sprung up overnight concerning how to deal with the suddenly one-lane only sidewalks. People have taken to graciously stepping aside for each other, and smiling as they do so.
This morning there was no ballet because classes were cancelled due to inclement weather. This is sad, but it meant that I got to crawl back into bed and sleep for a few more hours, which was heavenly. cos came to comfort me last night and his hugs and listening ear made the dark hours of the night easier to bear. There will be ballet class tomorrow, and I'm excited for it.
I've had two of my three classes now, since school was cancelled on Monday due to the snow, and so far I have a very good feeling about this semester. I'm trepidatious about the amount of Mary Shelley I'll be reading come late March or so, but the rest of what I'm assigned looks absolutely fascinating. My professors also seem to be people I will be able to work with happily - and perhaps also to be a bit more comfortable with than the professors of last semester.
The new snow makes the old snow less dreary, since it hides the dirt and exhaust and dismalness of the precipitation we received this weekend. I'm fascinated by the etiquette that has sprung up overnight concerning how to deal with the suddenly one-lane only sidewalks. People have taken to graciously stepping aside for each other, and smiling as they do so.