So it's two days late...

Well, I said tomorrow.. But it turned out to be on Thursday... oh well..

So now I'm completely done 1st term. Today I officially finished my last duty as a TA. I proctored the 395 listening test and then marked 350. Woopee! So yeah.. I'm done... now I can spend time relaxing in London and such. It was beautiful weather today (22 degrees) which caused much rejoicing. And my evening with a new lady friend went really well.

Easter weekend was terrific. Lots of relaxing, just too much food. And bad food... Destroying my gym progress. In fact, I'm for sure going to miss my gym this summer. I'm missing it already despite the fact that I still have at least a few more days where I can use it before I leave London (and it expires April 30th anyways). Easter weekend was nice though, saw some friends, and family. Enjoyed some relaxing by the dock at my Uncle's place on the Lake Simcoe Canals and some fish were caught (but thrown back because it's not fishing season yet). I watched the entirety of the pilot of Battlestar Galatica last night with Taylor while drinking a bottle of ice wine and enjoying fancy fruit, smoked salmon and creamy havarti cheese. I have never had a better bottle of ice wine. It was like juice, liquid ecstasy (not that I've ever tried that).

The weekend also included a delicious gigantic All you Can Eat Brunch with Catherine who was home from BC for Easter. Always excellent to catch up with and old friend and see what's happening with mutual friends (and to discover that we are the only two who actually keep in touch to begin with). As well Monday was a trip to the Metro Zoo with Jen where much fun was had and many animals were seen. The only unfortunate part is I burnt my head (the crappy part of thinning hair).

I'm considering getting my hair cut short. Opinions?

Here's some zoo fish:

A Quick Update

Been super busy, but having a super good time.
Battlestar Galatica truly does rock.
Back to London tomorrow (more exciting post tomorrow).

Sunset on Grad School Year 1

So at 10:15 tonight I officially finished all of my work for the 2005-2006 school year. I know longer have anything to hand in/do. I still have TA duties but as for my own work, it's gone. This is a new feeling. It hasn't set in yet, partly from shock, and partly because tomorrow I have a concert of two of my works so it still feels like there's something to do. But I know there's not. It will be very surreal to go home this weekend for Easter and not have ANYTHING to do. Nothing. Zip. Zut!

This means that all that's left now... Is a thesis. .... Eek! But I've chosen to ignore that thesis thing till May 1st. As of Today, I am officially on vacation from school work for the remainder of April.

Looking back, I can't believe how much I have accomplished and how far my work has come since I started. Grad school has been a harrowing but a rewarding experience.

This photos comes from a collection of photos I took tonight driving on country back roads south of London. It is that perfect kind of spring day that puts your mind at ease. It also gets you ready for summer.

I'll be bouncing between Kingston, Toronto, London, Ottawa and Port Hope over the next few weeks so if anybody needs me, call my cell phone.... And then May 1st, I move to Kingston for my job on the 1000 Island Cruises.

Almost Done! Almost Done! ALMOST DONE!

There is exactly a week left of school as I post this. This means only 1 more composition lesson :( and one more counterpoint class :)

Actually I've gone from feeling ridiculous unprepared for the end of term and 3 weeks later I have very little left to do. I have to fix some mistakes in my counterpoint assignment, and just hope both my pieces go well in performance on next Tuesday. And then, I'm done, no more classes ever!!! I WILL NEVER HAVE TO DO A CLASS AGAIN (unless I do doctoral work... And that's still up in the air, because I keep thinking: I'll have been in school for 6 years straight at the end of this program.. Do I really want to do another 4 years?.... Part of me says "hell yes" because I can see myself better at what I do, and I love what I do... And the other part says "hell no" because I'm sick of school and kind of want to do the "real life" thing... Though I hear that can be often crappy as well. Never the less, in a weeks time I'll begin the big push that will last till I finish on my Thesis... The premiere of my short opera on Dieppe. Woohoo! I can't wait... Too bad I have lots to do still.

Denis was up this past weekend to see Daniel's recital and basically to drink. Exciting highlights include, drinking, soul cal 2, and going to an undergrad music kegger. It came to my attention while I was standing there, chatting, surrounded by 17, 18 and 19 year olds (for the party was mostly 1st and 2nd year students)... That I'm far too old for this kind of thing now. How sad... I suppose it would have been different if I'd known more people... Yet at the same time... There was like a 7 year age gap with some of the people.... How strange.

That being said, next time I'm in Kingston I won't hesitate to go to a kegger or party providing I know who's throwing it.. Or providing I'm too drunk to care... Bring on the boats and there guarantee of post cruise drinks at Margaritaville.

Yeah! Year is almost done! I am Excited.