iComplain - off to a bad start

While I'm sad to be back in the classroom, I'm glad I get to
visit the Exchange District everyday - how pretty is this view?

I was dreading going back to school. I felt I didn't have a super fantabulous holiday like most of my classmates would have. I crashed my car and it was written-off (thank ice), I missed work because of a subsequent concussion so I didn't make as much money as I had planned to, and I didn't get to spend as much time with my family as I had hoped. I mean, a lot of good stuff happened too but being the pessimist that I am I didn't see it as a "successful" holiday break (although now looking back I guess it was better than alright).

Monday was awful. I was still riding the "Christmas break sucked" train. The early wake-up call did not put me in a good mood, as I now had to transition back to going to school during the day after mainly working night shifts in the newsroom. As I was getting ready, I stepped in something sticky. It was also a weird grainy texture. As I looked down I saw it - my cat had coughed up a hairball during the night and smeared it on the floor. After gagging and holding down stomach acid, I cleaned up my foot and the floor and continued to get ready.

The innocent, apologetic look Eugene gave me after
I stepped in his hairball (it's hard to stay mad at him)

When I got to school, it was immediately time to begin a four-month long group project. I don't do group projects well. I often live by the negative mantra that I can't trust anyone but myself. I think this project will help me get over that self-righteous lifestyle. Luckily, I was placed with three other very intelligent and talented individuals and the road ahead seems less bumpy.

Students in the Creative Communications program are divided in to three sections. In the first semester I was in section three. We spent hours everyday together and created close bonds. With the new semester came new sections. We were split up. Forced into new groups and torn away from our best friends. Lunches and our seminar became a section three reunion. We couldn't and can't let go. It seems like many of us are dealing with the separation anxiety. It's like the "thing" still holding us together.

Also in this first week we were told we had two weeks to choose our majors and next year's electives. So that was another stressor.

This past September I met my now-boyfriend, James, on a bus (that's a long story for another time). Turns out we are both Red River College students going to the same campus. This term he began his paid work co-op, which means he is now working in the industry for the next term and no longer goes to school. It's a strange transition; having gone to school together and now being separated as he works full-time and I go to school. I feel it puts us on different levels professionally and mentally and it's a strange divide that we are now working to overcome together.

In addition to some of these larger challenges, I was faced with meaningless irritations:

• I temporarily lost my student card, meaning I couldn't buy a bus pass (which I really need considering I totalled my car...) - thankfully I found the card and bought the pass (small victory)
• I don't have time to take care of my home - my room is a disaster, my kitchen and bathroom need cleaning, my storage closet needs organizing
• My busses are ALWAYS late, which means I stand outside for periods of time in temperatures that feel like minus 40 thanks to the windchill
• Today I was pouring coffee and my toaster popped, scaring the crap out of me and causing me to spill my coffee all over the counter and the floor
• As I was buttering the toast mentioned above, I dropped it butter-side down on the floor which needed sweeping (#dirtykitchenproblems - also mentioned above)
• I still get daily headaches, which I assume are still stemming from my concussion

Since this blog is an attempt at looking at the glass half full, I meekly am relieved to say tomorrow is Friday. As long as I make it to the end of tomorrow I'm happy.