A Proposal, a Graduation, an International Move

It is Halloween and the eve of this year's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month...every November...30 days and 50,000 words). So, I thought before I plunge into the depths of my literary imagination, I'd stretch my fingers and awaken my very lazy Inner Writer. So much has changed since I set out with this blog and I'm struggling to grasp it. I set out with this blog as a graduate student and on this past Wednesday, I stood in a black robe on Ryerson Theatre's stage to be hooded and handed a Master's diploma. What I set out to do I accomplished, which became quite obvious as I proudly sang the Canadian national anthem (and yes, I know all the words). I set out for an adventure in Toronto...and I got one.

But all good things come to an end.

Such a great part of my Northern adventure took place because I crossed paths with Shannon, the Australian, who quickly became my friend and then my boyfriend. Toronto was an adventure for him, a year abroad, complete with a proper frozen winter. I even followed Shannon to Australia for several months, beginning another adventure in another country. I returned to work on my thesis and I flew back to the US with a draft and an engagement ring. Little did I know when I came to Toronto that underneath those city lights (and out front of a Pizza Pizza) I would find my future husband.

And he wasn't Canadian.

Now, with a diploma in hand, I plan to move in January 2009 halfway around the world to a country that is also a continent and make my life there. I'll be planning a wedding that will take place in July and settling in. Who knew that when I first left the country I would continue to leave over and over again? This has sparked my wanderlust apparently.

And so Wednesday I made some tearful goodbyes to my city campus and my old favorite haunts (Futures and Hemingways). I will see them again someday and meanwhile, I will remember every day in Toronto fondly. I went there for an adventure and found it. All that was left was to receive my diploma and say goodbye.

But, like I said when I started this blog, from every ending comes a new beginning.

And once again, here's to new beginnings. Still under bright city lights.

Cell phones are an excuse for people to be rude

It's true. I can't tell you how many people complain about the degradation of customer service--it's all "pretty soon we'll be talking to computers and not people"--and yet there are always a lot of people in my line at Wegmans talking away on cell phones. Half of them don't even acknowledge my existence. Some get off their phones. Other times people pick them up midway through the sale and them make me wait because they are too distracted to pay ot get our their ID for an alcohol sale.

But you know what, I can almost forgive those people. I don't know them and I really don't care about them. It's my friends that really drive me crazy. I go out with them and they spend half the night either on their phone, texting on their phone or checking their phone to see if they have a missed call--which seems highly unlikely since they leave the phone on the loudest ringtone possible and keep it on the table or bar in plain sight.

I've seriously watched my friend check her phone several times while I was talking. And then when it is her turn to talk, she's still checking her phone. Best part is, when they answer their phone, they leave you sitting by yourself for the next 20 minutes while they chat to someone. No, "I'll call you back" or "I am with someone." It really ruins the conversation and the entire concept of quality time. I feel like I would have a more meaningful and useful conversation with the wall.

I don't have a cell phone and many people who know me know that I am not very good at answering them. I tend to leave them in bags or on silent or in the other room where I can't hear them. Either way, I tend to miss more calls than I get. But, I can at least say that when I have one, I don't spend my night out with a friend on it. I give my friend my attention--unless the phone call is serious. And even then I cut it short.

In short, cell phones have given people a reason to be rude. Some one needs to write about cell phone etiquette. Perhaps someone should notify Miss Manners.

Long Time, New Year

The more I have to do with photographs, the more I miss ships.

I have my thesis advisor. However, it is possible that I might need a new thesis.

Figaro gets bigger by the day, but he still plays with the same toy mouse.

I have been having chest pains. My life is so disorganized. I work about 30 hours a week and yet make about $150. It's pretty tiring I suppose. Maybe stressful. When I have down time, I usually worry about my next paper, deadline or shift.

And I'm supposed to be applying for jobs. Yet, I don't know what I want in a job anymore. I would like something that leaves me happy or satisfied, but more importantly, one to pay the bills.

I don't have a five year plan. I should have a five year plan. I have been having anxiety attacks because I am a couple of months away from being done with classes and yet I have no plan. None. I have some part time jobs and a bed at my mother's house, but no plan. I know I shouldn't wait, but I do. I wait for things to fall into laps, for people to get their acts together. It's me who needs to get my act together and find something anywhere in the continental US that will work for me. Because honestly, what else can I do?

Welcome 2008. Reality.