I did something today that I have never done before-I actually made an honest effort to study more that a day in advance for an exam-and I succeeded. I know, I know, go find the balance you lost when the world stop spinning. Ok, seriously, I did study for almost two hours, which is a record for me. But then again, I love organic chemistry. It's like one big puzzle that I can solve if I understand all of the concepts. You might say that about any class, but it fits perfectly for organic chem. It's like math without numbers. Enough of praising organic chem - I think I am only praising it because it was my favorite class this past semester. I love my professor - she is the best professor I have ever had, and I have had some good ones. The material is not hard, and it has some very practical applications. But the thing that gives organic chemistry the most appeal is that it has very little to do with la pesta negra and physics, the two classes I hated the most this semester. Although, I am a bit scared of this final. It's a lot of material and I don't know how the final exam is going to be structured. That poses a particular problem for me because I fear the unknown to a crippling degree. So, I won't think about it until I wake up this afternoon.

I am currently watching (listening while I type) The Mummy Returns with it's heavenly bit of eye candy, Oded Fehr. I spent the entire day - the time that I didn't spend studying - packing up my room. I have accumulated a lot of stuff. It's amazing how much crap my drawers can hold. That last sentence was for Callie, who I have teased unmercifully every time she said the same thing. Anyway, I have spent two semesters making my room a veritable oasis of color and comfort and a shrine to the gorgeous male-forms of many a man. As I survey my blank walls and shelves, I understand why I made such an effort to cover them up. The room is so starkly barren now it's beyond depressing. I feel as if I've been admitted to some seedy asylum, with cold cinder-block walls covered in peeling paint, set off by cheezy and chipped wooden paneling and a dirty mirror. Can you tell that I am not so happy right now? I am so glad that my roommate covered her wall in various posters and pictures- I don't think that I would have survived with those barren walls. I don't know why - other people do just fine. But I have to have color and art and beauty all around in my space, I just have to.

I've been in this room for two years now, and I am coming back next year. It's grown on me - like my home away from home. I love this room (said defects aside). It has an excellent view and it is positioned to give great ease to the daily commute to class and the dining hall. Plus, it is on the second floor, right next to a staircase, which makes for great ease in taking my stuff in and out. And it's amazing how domesticated I have seen myself become while in this room. Periodically, I have found myself sitting in this very chair with needle and thread sewing something together or mending a tear. I sewed myself a headboard complete with padding while I listened to the superbowl last January. I've taken apart and repaired my vacuum cleaner with these two hands and a Phillips screw driver. I used the same screw driver to fix the dresser drawers on my roommates side of the room by prying a few pieces of wood out from the back allowing all the drawers to sit flush with the frame of the dresser. I have baked cookies in my toaster oven using a Chinese food tray and some cookie dough I bought in the C-store. I have dusted and vacuumed and done laundry and dishes with relish while procrastinating for various exams and assignments. Basically, I have become very domestic.

But it is now time to give that up, as I will be at home for the summer in less than 48 hours time. I miss the room and school and my roommate already. But I'll see them all again in August!