A Disney Experience

Yesterday, I took a leisurely walk to the drugstore, which is about twelve blocks from my apartment. It's a very pleasant walk, because I get to walk through neighborhoods the whole time. There are pretty houses, and St. Gertrude's church, and lots of beautiful trees the whole way there. Well, on my way back from the drugstore, I stopped and noticed the squirrels.

Now, usually I don't get too excited about squirrels. I've seen enough of them in my lifetime that the novelty has pretty much run dry. But yesterday, something about this squirrel made me stop. In fact, the squirrel literally made me stop, because he would not get out of the way until I was about an inch away from stepping on his tail. Such boldness made me pause, which then made him pause. He looked up at me, sniffed my shoe, and then looked at me again. Suddenly, he stood up on his hind legs, leaned gingerly against my pantleg, and smelled my jeans. I couldn't believe it. I was experiencing a Snow White moment. This little guy seemed perfectly at ease as he explored my knees, and luckily I don't get nervous around rodents. The whole thing was a little surreal.

Now, if only I could learn to charm the birds out of the trees, I could be a genuine Disney character.

A Taste for Unagi

Of all the things that Travis has made me acquainted with since I moved to Chicago, I think that I am most grateful for my divine introduction to... sushi. Good heavens, I never would have guessed that raw fish could be so unspeakably delicious. And, to top off my amazement, I find that I like unagi (freshwater eel) best. Eel! To think that I could eat such a hideous creature, and find it so euphoric, is amazing. Good brother of mine, to expand my horizons in so delightful a way!

Things Are Lookin' Up!

Two wonderful things happened to me in class today that have propelled me to the heights of happiness.

First, I did well on my presentation on "Holy Relics in the Middle Ages". I even drew a visual on the chalkboard, albeit a poor visual. I'm a terrible artist, but using the chalkboard always makes me feel so scholarly. During the halftime break, the professor told me I did a good job, which felt like the greatest compliment on earth at the time.

Second, joy of joys, I got an A- on my paper on St. Chrysostom's interpretation of John 9! Hooray! This feels like a confirmation that I actually do belong in grad school.

It is a little unnerving that my outlook on life is so dependent on my success in school. Just this afternoon, before my class, I was sitting despondently in a coffee shop, doubting my academic abilities and wondering why on earth I decided to attend grad school immediately after a mere two years of undergrad English. Now, after a good presentation and a good grade, I'm beyond the moon with excitement. I hope my feelings won't always be so volatile. It doesn't seem very mature and scholar-like to waver so easily between despair and ecstasy.

The Apartment

At last, the moment you have all been waiting for. I never was a good photographer, but this will give you a glimpse of where I live. Enjoy in moderation.











Pretty cool, huh? It's a good little apartment, perfect for a grad student.

My Present Mood

Spring and Fall: to a young child, by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep and know why,
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed;
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.