Things* Diana Likes

By far my FAVORITE part of autumn is squash (even above favorite my second autumn item: red and yellow leaves on the trees!).

On Sunday morning I went running at 7. I ran through our little down town, which isn’t much more than a few streets lined with little shops. I ran past the coffee shop, and looked in the bright windows as I passed, catching a glimpse of the other early birds. I ran past the bakery, which always smells like sweet bread, and has up-turned chairs on all the tables. I ran north along the river, under the bridge, to the edge of town- it was misty over the water, and the sun was just starting to shine through the dense clouds. There were shafts of light coming over the roof of the boat house, highlighting the masts of the boats and the tops of the trees. It was a beautiful sight to behold, made more beautiful by the knowledge that I alone was bearing witness. I turned back towards town, my lungs full of fresh, clean air, and I was content.

Tonight has been a good night. I feel calm and content and happy- let me explain why:

I went to spin class, and it was great. The gym here is the GYM OF THE GODS- epic in proportions, shiney and new, and utterly imposing.

I came home, and my extremely kind and helpful roomate did something extremely kind and helpful- he helped me customize (read: cut up with a hacksaw and fix back together) these mudgaurds (aka fenders) for my new bike. He did a remarkable job- the back fender had to be mounted over the top of the back break, because it wouldn’t fit under it, and the back wheel had to be aligned. The front fender had to be sawed in half and tied in place with zip ties. This process involved power tools, patience, and a few ‘old Indian tricks’. I’m so lucky to have such a philanthropic roomate!

After the bike clinic I came inside and worked on my Systems Pathology stuff for tomorrow, and discovered that it’s neither as difficult nor as time-consuming as I’d imagined. What a relief!

To top it all off, I made a pleasent summer squash and tempeh stir fry with my favorite peanut sauce, with extras left over for lunch tomorrow. Yipee!

I’ve been working on this book of crossword puzzles that is much too hard for me. I am a realist, especially regarding my intellectual abilities, so after filling in the one or two clues that I can actually answer myself, I resport to Wikipedia and Merriam-Webster to help me out with the rest. Here is the fruit of my most recent puzzle:

‘The kid’ was a Charlie Chaplin film starring a child actor named COOGAN.

Majorca’s chief city is PALMA.

An Egyptian sacred bull is APIS.

‘Auspices’ has three meanings: 1) under the benevolent patronage and guidance (I operated under the auspices of Dr. X); 2) a (usually positive) prophetic sign (the sun was shining auspiciously); and 3) observation by an augur (a prophet in ancient Rome) especially of the flight and feeding of birds to discover omens. In this puzzle, ‘auspices’ took the first meaning, and the answer was another word I didn’t know, AEGIS, which basically means auspices or sponsorship.

Pirogue is a kind of boat, like a CANOE, used by day fishermen off the coast of West Africa and Louisiana.

I shall call him Peter Parker, because of the spider on his frame.

I’m full of nervous energy. I am looking forward to getting to know my roommates and meeting my future classmates. It’s easy to get preoccupied with the details- getting a cell phone, ordering cheques, integrating my blender and waffle iron into the kitchen- and forget the larger picture: I have moved from Edinburgh to Corvallis, changing schools and time zones.

In the past- when I went to Santa Cruz for a summer during undergrad, for example- I adjusted to new towns in a breeze- I was self confident and happy and utterly content with my lot in life. I had no experience with the murkier paths life can take, and no fear that things wouldn’t work out.

Things are different now. I’ve returned from Edinburgh with few material goods but a heavy weight on my shoulders.  I’m afraid- afraid I’ll get stressed out and depressed and buckle under the pressure of vet school like I did last year. I’m worried I’ll be lonely, like I was in Edinburgh.

I’m also excited, though, and hopeful, despite my small misgivings. I hope that this university will be welcoming and challenging. I hope it will afford me a place to get to know my teachers and get to know the clinics. I’m looking forward to making study buddies. I also want to forge some connections in this region with large animal vets, so that I can get a better picture of what rural large animal practice is like in the pacific northwest. I hope to become part of the community here, in the vet school, the town, and the veterinary field alike.

A small part of me wants to run out and join as many clubs and extra-curricular activities as I can. However, Edinburgh also taught me to avoid overextending myself, so I will endeavor to find one or two really good groups to join that I can be committed to. (I’m thinking of the Triathlon Club and the student-run organic garden.)

I’m pleased to be in this new town, although I haven’t done much to explore yet. My new house has a warm yellow living room and green sheen curtains. There’s a piano, a fireplace, and wood floors. There’s an oversized couch and an orange chair, and a few small pictures hanging on the wall. The dining room is a continuation of the living room, yellow and green, and the kitchen is bright green and small.

This is the view from my bedroom window-

When I was little, my Grandmother has a list on the side of the fridge titled ‘Things To Do’. When we were at a loss for something to do, we used to refer to the list and usually could find something interesting or fun on it with which to occupy me. (I believe my favourite thing to do was go to the pet shop- huh, and look where I am now!)

On the train down from Cambridge yesterday I was trying to think of things I could do this year to keep me busy, and give me something to do outside of vet school.

Things To Do (for a 22-year-old)

Practise the guitar

Yoga or Pilates

Horsebackriding

Roller derby

Triathlon

Babysitting

Dance classes

Make collages / left hand pages

Sculling / rowing

Rock climbing

Gardening

Swimming

Weight lifting

Writing

Baking / cooking / canning

Knitting

Get a part-time job

Design teaching materials / tutor 1st year students

Things to acquire or improve:

1) Panniers

2) A bike computer

3) A cushy seat cover

4) Must get my cleats sorted- they are loose

5) Cycling gloves

6) Must get front wheel trued

7) Desired but not essential: a little Italian cycling cap!

Desired but only to satisfy my morbid curiosity: Tri bars