The school year is officially underway. I have three of 4 (the one-hour seminar on Friday doesn't count as a 5th in my book) classes underway as of a week ago. I've already had one assignment due, another on Wednesday, and a third on Friday. Two of them aren't at my school, so I'm the lowest priority to get into the class. I'll know on Friday if I'm in them or not.
I'm trying to be much more methodical and organized this year, particularly after what felt like a crash and burn spring and then a recuperation summer. So far so good. Having a dedicated working space in the apartment really helps (pictures forthcoming). I also think that I'm in classes that have a really specific purpose insofar as what I want to do. That I'm interested in them beyond knowing I need to know the material is a bonus. But more than anything, I think I'm less tolerant of my own procrastination than I was even three months ago. There's something about being in a country where you can't sit behind email all day and work passively that is a nice kick in the butt to be more active in my own life.
Remember: this is only week 1. There are something like 13 more downhill yet to come. And just because things on the whole are better at the moment, not everything is great on that front. The shoebox with new running shoes sitting in the corner unopened since their purchase is a prime example. On that at least, I think I'm going to start going to a running club I used to go to during the week to build in some routine and accountability to get me going.
One of my most favorite recent routines--since April or so--is going to Haymarket on Saturday mornings for produce. It was great then (and now) because it's cheap, but now more than ever, it reminds me of Malawi. The produce section of the grocery store just isn't the same. You don't get the seasonal variation (I'm still not sure what the hell you do with figs, so I've been avoiding them), or the urgency to cook it before it goes bad. There's also a wonderful cross section of people there, which you don't often find in this city--tourists, young people, older people, families, people of color, non-Americans, etc. Plus it just feels like a really natural way to eat--you get what's there and have to find ways to use it all. I found big avacados there this week, which is what made me particularly reminiscent.
I'm trying to be much more methodical and organized this year, particularly after what felt like a crash and burn spring and then a recuperation summer. So far so good. Having a dedicated working space in the apartment really helps (pictures forthcoming). I also think that I'm in classes that have a really specific purpose insofar as what I want to do. That I'm interested in them beyond knowing I need to know the material is a bonus. But more than anything, I think I'm less tolerant of my own procrastination than I was even three months ago. There's something about being in a country where you can't sit behind email all day and work passively that is a nice kick in the butt to be more active in my own life.
Remember: this is only week 1. There are something like 13 more downhill yet to come. And just because things on the whole are better at the moment, not everything is great on that front. The shoebox with new running shoes sitting in the corner unopened since their purchase is a prime example. On that at least, I think I'm going to start going to a running club I used to go to during the week to build in some routine and accountability to get me going.
One of my most favorite recent routines--since April or so--is going to Haymarket on Saturday mornings for produce. It was great then (and now) because it's cheap, but now more than ever, it reminds me of Malawi. The produce section of the grocery store just isn't the same. You don't get the seasonal variation (I'm still not sure what the hell you do with figs, so I've been avoiding them), or the urgency to cook it before it goes bad. There's also a wonderful cross section of people there, which you don't often find in this city--tourists, young people, older people, families, people of color, non-Americans, etc. Plus it just feels like a really natural way to eat--you get what's there and have to find ways to use it all. I found big avacados there this week, which is what made me particularly reminiscent.
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