In which the Communist Monkey makes a reappearance
Well. I survived yet another semester from hell. And, mirabile dictu, I didn't bomb the Greek exam. Though it sure felt like it at the time. I love having my neurotic predictions of ominous outcomes disproved. Although I think that perhaps I beat myself up about Greek and Latin more than is strictly necessary. What can I say? Self-flagellation must be my thing. After all, one has to be at least slightly masochistic to study the classics willingly.
I've been bumming around since the semester got out, and treating myself to great gory amounts of Proust and my bio of Wittgenstein. On the very first day of the break, I woke up and my first thoughts were about how I finally had time to translate Latin purely for fun, and with no prof setting me deadlines. My second thoughts were about how I am, incurably, a Loser. But we all have our own poisons, yes?
The summer is shaping up to be quite busy- I'm off to Germany in 10 days, and I'm all a-squirm with anticipation. Right after high school, I promised myself that by the time I graduated from college, I would speak, or have studied to a satisfactory amount, ten languages. German checks in at number eight. And when I'm back from the Deutschland, I'll be working full-time at the dean's office by day, and playing in my garret with Joyce by night. And brushing up on my French grammar. And ploughing through The Aeneid. I decided that I need to complete at least the first six books by the end of the summer. Maybe this is the perfect excuse to buy the $300 Latin dictionary that I've been lusting after.
And, in the fall, language number nine is to be checked off on the list-- I convinced a professor to teach me Sanskrit next year as an independent study. He'll be on sabbatical, but we've worked it out so that I'll take the train down to his place twice a week for classes. I can't wait to delve into the comparative grammar of Sanskrit, Greek and Latin! Yes, it's been said. I am a Dork. But as this prof (crazy British guy, very cool) said to me, "People get turned on by different things. I get turned on by Sanskrit."
Meanwhile, I'm playing with timetables and schedules for the fall semester, since--comme toujours-- I have way too much on my plate than is advisable. Plus ca change, etc.
It's a gray day, and presently, I shall curl up with Proust. The Communist Monkey is at peace with the world. (Pippa Passing, anyone?)