Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough…
Just when I thought I was getting better, “the cough” is back.
After a couple of nights of little sleep last week due to persistent coughing at 2:30 am that continued until 4:00 am, I finally slept this weekend. And now I’m not again. What’s with that? I’m coughing more during the day than I ever did when I felt really crappy. All I know is that when I’m sick, I’m sick for weeks. At least the worst is over before midterms.
As much as I’m enjoying my laptop (whose name is Jeremiah), I-tunes is proving to be a big distraction. Luckily some music I want isn’t available on it. Well, it is, but not in Canada.
I’ve just spent an hour reading various journal articles for my first political studies paper. Its thesis has changed several times, and it’s still a bit on the vague side. I’m going with a less controversial subject: the change in American foreign policy since September 11. I’m going to look at relationships with Europe, the UN (which is basically the world as a whole) and Canada. Then I’m going to analyze the reasons why they’ve changed and whether September 11 was the actual cause, or caused people to look at American policy more carefully. That should fit in 8-10 pages.
I am pleased to say that I’m a bit ahead of the curve in schoolwork these days. Well, in some respects. I’m 3 weeks behind my Women’s Studies class because I didn’t get the material until last week (online classes and changing addresses don’t go together). I’ve finished my essay proposal that’s due on Thursday, started studying for Thursday’s midterm on Monday and am hoping to start writing my paper on Thursday – a full week before it’s due. What is happening to me?
The first reason is because I’ve realized that I stress myself out needlessly and like to be organized. So, I have to suck up my perfectionist tendencies that keep me from starting tasks and just do it. And it feels a lot better. The second reason is that I actually like what I’m studying. I’m interested, and I want to learn. I mean, I was disappointed that I only had 4 pages to read for my European history class this week. The third reason is a general feeling of contentment. I’m almost afraid to write that for fear that contentment with suddenly fade, but I need to remember that I don’t have that kind of power. Only God does. And I think He wants me to be happy right now for all the unhappiness that has pervaded over the past few years.
So, I’m going to head home, have a nap, and then study for my midterm. And then it’s TV time. We have to fun sometime, don’t we?