Post the Fourth - I'm a Stranger Here Myself

I am completely anonymous here.

Well, I suppose, I’m not completely unknown here. I have a few friends from Newfoundland who’ve made their home, some temporarily, in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. But on campus, aside from my room mates and a few girls I’ve met so far, I’m essentially The Invisible Man on campus. And I love it.

For the last six months of my undergraduate degree, I really felt exhausted. Not only was I tired from school work and the late nights and coffee highs that come along with it, nor was I just tired of working two or more jobs in addition to a full course load. I was tired socially. I know that sounds weird or ungrateful or pretentious, but hear me out: People are my drug. At MUN in my classes and various jobs, and especially at the Writing Centre, I found people who nourished me mentally, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. And, like an addict, I threw myself into my substance, my people “crack,” if you will. I loved it. I loved seeing someone I knew every two minutes, grabbing a coffee during every 30 minute break. It was a high for me. I was hyper-aware of my surroundings, waiting to see who I’d run into next and catch up with over a $4.99 Starbucks latte.

But as everyone knows, you eventually crash from your drug high. My last semester at MUN, I crashed hard. I was drained in every possible way a human can be, and I needed out. I needed a fresh start. I needed to be able to walk around, sit on a bench, and have an hour of complete aloneness. I honestly can say that before this week, I can’t remember the last time I sat in a public place and actual focused on what I was reading without looking up every minute to see if I knew anyone in the building.

So being here at UBC is such a pure, unadulterated beginning for me. The weather is nice, the campus is beautiful, there is the unmistakeable air of academic anticipation. I’ve only had two classes so far, but I am intrigued by them. My class on children’s literature is my only English class this semester, and I’m glad I have it because I’m already missing being an English student. The professor has the historical knowledge of Loman and the wit and edge of Lokash, so I am in safe hands with her. I’m also taking a course about literary theory and criticism in relation to teaching children’s lit, which promises to be a class filled with excellent discussion, plus the prof is sweet and gentle. This is what Michael Scott would call a Win-Win-Win situation.

As promised, I shall post some pictures of the new pad for y’all. This is my bed, complete with socks and tissues:

And this is my desk. As you can see, I've been enjoying myself some Extras:

This is the shelf that I put together all by myself with a screwdriver, a laundry basket, frying pan, and a flip-flop:

My closet, neater than it's ever been at home or ever will be again:

A poster that my dad bought me. It says "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." So true, Samuel Johnson. So true.

And, lastly, this is the view of my room standing by the closet and facing the window:

It's a fairly dandy room, all in all. I'm happy with how it looks and it feels cozy. All I need now are Millie and my entire book collection to feel fully settled.

Goodnight, etc.
Jillz