now I'm excited

I have fruit in my fruit bowl, dishes in my cupboard, and a plant on my window sill. There are schedules scribbled in my agenda and class notes saved on my laptop. And -- a true indication of permanence -- I have my very own internet connection.

It took three trips to IKEA and some phone calls to tech support, but I am starting to feel settled. My shoebox studio in Res has improved from downright drab to passably dreary, with my messy-haired plant and red pillows putting the cement/brick walls and rougher-than-loofah carpet to shame.

But even all the muddy-coloured curtains in the world couldn't block the ray of sunshine that is following me these days. Being back at university, shielded from the hardships of maturity, is a constant source of bliss. Every core of my being wants to be here, in my little room, looking out at the wilderness that is this part of ULB's campus. It helps that the real sun has been shining, too. That the people in my programme are fascinating. That friendships are so easily forged. That the big decisions are whether my last elective should be museology or architecture and scenography.

All the classes so far -- even the ones that drag me to campus at 8 am -- have been fabulous. My french is in boot camp, but it is the good kind of pain. I am counteracting the nostalgia I feel whenever my Québécois friend speaks by adding daily to my dictionary of beligicismes.

I have so made the right decision.

Now I'm excited.