My 2nd last undergrad exam schedules have come out this week – as much as I’d hoped, I’m not going to have an early winter vacation this year. Almost! – but no cigar – two exams on the first and third days of exams, and then one on the second last day. That’s almost 2 weeks between my second and last exam! Well, you won’t catch me being grumpy for too long, as I’ve made the conscious decision to complain less, with Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend.

Lots to to be thankful for, and lots to complain about, but here’s to hoping that the former will tip the scale in its favour. Much studying and reading this weekend instead of spending lots of time with family. My dad came back today though from a 2 and some-week long trip in China for a 30 year -reunion with university buddies. So nice to have family together for special times like Thanksgiving.

My priorities are in such conflict though – I dream of being a Science Scholar again this year, but don’t know how it will be possible. It has been nice living off the glow of an amazing previous year, with scholarship surprises and such, but the plugging on of the current one is hard. Expectations and competition are so high within others, and I must admit, myself. Competitive swimming when I was a pre-teen has really stayed with me, ha! But the stakes are higher and my ambitions are greater now that I’m older and just a little wiser.

With that said, I know I can only do my best and see where my fortunes fall. Now knowing my exam schedule, I’m fantasizing about a trip to see another horizon. To see the aurora from the Isle of Skye, or in the Yukon wilderness? To bask in strange winter sunlight in San Francisco or Australia? Adventure is good for the soul.