Stop and smell the roses

I am very happy today. Regardless of the fact that it’s Zombie Jesus Day, aka Easter, and all my family is 7000kms away celebrating together over wine and flapper pie. Regardless of the fact that I’m in the middle of researching and writing essays with the due date in exactly 2 weeks. Regardless of the fact that this current essay topic is deathly boring — only the EU can make one of the most complex and fascinating conflicts in the world seem incredibly dull. And most of all, regardless of the fact that I opted out of going to spend the day in the medieval city of Brugge and at the beach, in order to get my research done.

Why am I in such great spirit this morning? Perhaps it’s because I spoke to Chavdar a couple of hours ago when he landed in Brussels and he should be home soon. Perhaps its because Belgacom and Mobistar are finally coming to install the Internet tomorrow. Perhaps its because Marlene and I leave for London on Thursday, and I get to see Alison there again, and stay with her for free. Perhaps its because I found someone I know to sublet my room while I’m in Switzerland, saving me tons of money. Or perhaps it’s because I learned that Vera got accepted to Erasmus Brussels, and will be moving here end of August. I don’t know..

What I do know is that I’m sitting here in my kitchen, the sun is shining, a cool breeze at my face, looking across at a 200 year old church. I have the fortune to be in Europe, studying in one of the best programs across the world for conflict, learning from an amazingly cynical and sarcastic woman who is one of the leading experts in her field. This last paper I just wrote was quite possible the best essay I have written to date. It is definitely the only essay that days after I finish I’m still going back and making little changes to improve it. All the others I finished, corrected, printed, and never looked at them again. This one I actually love what I wrote. I love what I’m researching and what I’m doing. In this apartment, with this gorgeous weather, I’m even starting to love my days at home alone researching and writing. It just feels like one of those moments in life, where you are reassured that you’re on the right path, and this is what you are supposed to be doing.

+ I just reread this post, and I think this means that my relaxing/de-stressing techniques are working… +

++ Chavdar brought me back this little handmade traditional Bulgarian figurine with rose oil inside :) ++