Tonight, I realized I was a SENIOR and had never thrown a butter pat at the ceiling before. Tonight, I also decided to remedy that state of affairs. -wicked grin-

10 (?) pats later, with roughly 4 on the ceiling (one made it partially and fell later), I was dumped with icy cold salt water with a roll floating on top. Wow, it's been a long time... I acted up so much during frosh year, never really thought about it, and for some reason in between then and now it just wasn't fun anymore. I think it was because of all the other drains at the time - I'm kinda surprised I made it through sophomore year without flaming or taking leave. I hope that's the only time in my life that I really let outside influences get to me and eat away at my happiness, my self-esteem, my dreams - on the up side, as a result I've learned how to laugh at things, to let the unimportant things roll off my back, and what my limits are. And if it was a learning experience... then perhaps the time and tears weren't wasted.

Those lessons have made life a lot easier in the present. Like the time I walked nearly a mile to the hostel a little ways out of Cashel because the bus driver didn't stop at the bus stop... or when I missed the bus out of Cashel because I was on the wrong side of the road... or when I managed to probe a bog the cheap and nasty way (instead of a pole, use your leg!). Laughing at the stupid things and taking life in a relaxed manner makes everything so much easier to deal with. It's definitely more fun to relax with a cappuccino and book in a coffee shop than fume on the street for the next few hours over a missed bus - and better yet, I don't get ulcers and severe stomach cramps from stress. ;)

No danger of any of that right now, of course... this is the easiest term I've had for a long, long time. I can't remember a time when I was happier with what I was taking - I'm practicing both german and latin, I'm reading about another aspect of history, I'm learning and coming to appreciate rococo art forms, which I'd hated with a passion for years, and I'm also being artsy with silkscreening and orchestra and chamber music. This is great! I love my life right now. But it's nice to know that I can and will get through future difficulties with greater ease, because I can relax and laugh at myself.

Aight, enough rambling. Time to go hit Ralph's for some groceries, and maybe watch a movie or do something else fun tonight.