I failed an exam today. The last time that happened was in seventh grade, and I had gotten a C (which at the time was considered failing, and to my slightly OCD self still is...). Shocked, I called my mom in tears from the pay phone outside the middle school gym.
Therefore, given my academic history and my dramatic tendencies, I can't quite explain why my reaction to the entire trauma that took place this morning is so mild. Sure, I walked out of the exam completely baffled. And yes, I bitched with my cohorts about the exam immediately afterwards (how could he ask that and who the hell does he think he is?). But in the end, I'm not too upset about it. As a matter of fact, I'm disturbingly calm about this whole I've-got-finals thing going on right now.
Meanwhile, Kathypath and I went out to a Mexican joint and had a few margheritas this evening. I haven't drank those in months. At first we were just going to meet up for a drink, but we ended up deciding to extend it to dinner once we started discussing all the passersby and their choice of attire. How can you not want to do that for hours on end? We saw some truly hideous fashion. Once we decided to eat, we were sent to the basement, so no more people-watching. No worries, we extended it to the big screen by making up a list of Hollywood people we love and hate and hate to love and love to hate. The evening, overall, was the equivalent of eating popcorn and watching some mindless movie - I just let my brian relax for a few hours. It felt good after such an insane day.
And in the end, I walked home from the restaurant in a good mood despite this morning's poor performance. My thoughts: it's over, and I can't do much about it. Now it's time to look towards the future.
So here's my list for the top five things to do by 2005. We will see, come... oh... I dunno... March 2005, if I actually manage to get this stuff done. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Start playing volleyball again. I gave up because it was so traumatic in high school, but I had been pretty good before those little snobs started intimidating me. I like to think I'm past that now, and that I could be good once again. So I'm going to look for a team. First stop: the Sorbonne's intramural sports assocation.
2. Buy myself a bike and use it to get from A to B. This will hopefully be taken care of tomorrow, when the 14th arrondissement's mayor holds a huge, huge bike sale. I hope I get one with a basket. And maybe a bell.
3. Write a kick-ass thesis. Just, you know, something that really rocks.
4. Work part-time in publishing or radio. If my assistantship job really does fall through, which is a possibility, I hope I can pull this off. I miss working in the newsroom, and I figure there has to be some shit job entry-level position for an anglophone who can actually write (I realize you wouldn't know it by reading the shit I publish on the blog, but with effort, my writing doesn't suck). I'm going to contact my journalism profs manana.
5. Continue learning Arabic. This appears to be a sealed deal, but the carpet always seems to get pulled out from under me in France when I least expect it.
I'm setting a little alarm clock for myself. Let's say March 30, 2005, I'll do a little update. If I forget, faithful readers (who are you, anyway? There's Kari and Lottie... anyone else?) - remind me. The day has already been circled in my planner, my friends (all two of you).
How realistic do these goals seem? I think they're actually do-able. The trickiest are 1 and 4. Wish me luck.
So who are the actors/actress you love and hate, or love to hate or hate to love?
I can't think of any actors/actresses I love and hate etc. right now, but I have had a bit to drink... I'll try again in the morning.
i really, really hate cameron diaz and i do not know why. nonetheless, the sight of her face makes me want to find sharp objects. but i love kevin spacey!
Lottie - did you drink margaritas like me?
Madhu - Cameron Diaz made the list. Nichole's on there too, because she bugs.
Lee - Don't *think* so... Incidentally, my last exam is today. I'll be freeeeeeeee!
A reason to hate Cameron Diaz: She always seems to end up singing (badly) in her movies. I think I've seen something like four movies where she sings badly!
I hope you got a bike with a bell!!!
Srah! Another faithful reader.