"Does she play Bridge?"

And so begins the long, hard push toward the holiday weekend. I've been pretty much running non-stop since this time last week, trying to organize and attend meetings, finish homework, schedule classes and get things on track so I can relax after tonight. I have an oral argument tonight for Argumentation; my in-class partner and I are debating the pros and cons of the economic stimulus package. I wrote a ten page argument in favour of the Act a couple of weeks ago and now I've turned around to make the opposite argument. After tonight? I'm done until the weekend. I'm looking forward to going home for the holiday. I think I'm going to get a haircut, too.

I met with my Creative Writing professor on Monday. He asked me to do just a little more for the end of the term than my classmates, owing to my status as a graduate student. So, instead of a 5-8 page short story, he's asked me to write one that's 10-12 pages. I'm not worried. I had planned on writing a pretty lengthy story to begin with. The additional requirements would be different if they were for a class that, say, I didn't enjoy. But now, as long as I keep getting inspired ideas while I'm in the shower, I think I'll be okay.

And then on Tuesday, I met with my academic adviser about classes for the Fall term. I'm pretty pumped. I've got two English classes scheduled, plus the final credit requirement for TESOL. I'll also be taking a comparative studies class -- run by the dean of my department -- about the differences between American and Chinese landscape paintings. I was telling north_of_you yesterday: they have a seminar for everything here.

All right -- back to it!