Firstly, the exam schedule came out today. It's really weird how this happens. When you start the semester you have no idea when your exams will be, except for the fact that they will be sometime between the 26th of April and the 28th of May. Yes, an entire month-long exam period. People complain all the time if they have two exams in one week, let alone four like most Americans are used to. So, for better or for worse, I had no idea what fate would hand me. Luckily enough, I found out today that my three exams are back-to-back-to-back. From the 18th to the 20th of May. This is great for many reasons--primarily because I have five full weeks off. Not time where I actually have to study, but five full weeks between the end of classes (26 March) until I need to think about studying (sometime at the beginning of May).
For one reason or another, being able to plan out the rest of my time here, since I now know when I have to take my exams, is very liberating, but it also tells me how little time I have left. Before I know it classes will be over. Then it's off to Spain and Italy. Then I'm back here for a while. Then I'm off to Ireland. Then I study. Then I take my exams, and then it's the end of May. Yes, maybe that's oversimplifying things a bit, but considering how fast time has been going whilst I'm in classes and going through the boring academic drudgery, I can only imagine that more unstructured, vacation-esque time will go ever faster.
Then there's the weather. I mentioned earlier how it smells like Spring is in the air. That trend has definitely continued. Ironically it's still 10 or so degrees colder than Maine--mostly the mid 40s during the day--but the seasons are definitely shifting. The grass is green, the sun is much warmer, and you just get that sense that things are going to start exploding into blossom any day now. This change in mindset also makes you really excited. Despite the lack of snow in Scotland, you still get cabin fever. You get tired of walking in the cold--having the wind whip your face. But now the breeze is lighter and more refreshing. People are starting to shed the old winter jackets for fleeces; some even wear shorts around here. Seeing the end classes near and having the change in the season is really a deadly combination if you're trying to stay calm.
The bottom line is that I feel as if the best part of the experience is about to come. I feel that once classes are over that I can take off the chain and start being free. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I feel that the opportunity to travel and relax will make the end of the journey that much sweeter.
Until then, I can just enjoy the flat. We went to a club last night--one on campus. It wasn't that special, and besides the great chance to go out with the guys I can't say that I'd want to do it again. It was like a college dance with booze and strobe lights and while it was a fun experience it's not something that I would want to do on a regular occasion. However, the weekend was capped off with a huge roast dinner: lamb, potatoes, peas, Yorkshire puddings, fudge cake, and Tom's amazing hot pot. Despite the fact that the lamb took a good six hours to cook (should have defrosted it first) the whole thing turned out really well and it seemed to be a great bonding experience for all of us. While I definitely feel that there is a significant amount of difference between me and the rest of the guys, I genuinely enjoy being around them, just hanging, sharing laughs, even going out to the club or the pub. It's those sorts of friendships that you hope you'll be able to bring away from all of this.
Anyway, three weeks of classes to go. I laughed in February when someone told me that it would be March before you knew it. I guess they were right. And while I do yearn for home many a time--especially because my house is about to be sold and I have no idea where I'll be living once I return--I hope that I'll be able to savor every minute that I have left. I have definitely hit my stride, I can only hope that I keep a good pace and am able to smell the roses as I pass by.
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