The End of Summer

I think this is the first time in 2 years that I've been this late for a post. In fact, I just realized that I missed my 2 year blogging anniversary several weeks ago. Oops. So before we begin this post, happy 2 years to me. I fully intend to keep on blogging (when the time permits) and hopefully will be able to keep visiting everyone.

Thanks to everyone who's joined on me on this ride so far. It's much appreciated.

I'm secretly a corgi and I've fooled you all.

There have been two reasons why my blog has taken a backseat this last week. First, I'm no longer able to stay up until 3AM (or later) in the morning checking up on everyone or writing posts. No a problem, just do it before midnight like a sane person would.

And I would, except summer is coming to an end, and with that, it means that everyone who is returning to school in the fall is going to get busy or fly across to the country back to their campus. This is pretty much the last time I can see them again before things get too hectic.

It's really disconcerting actually, considering that for the last 18 years or so of my life, I've been going back to classes in the fall. Not that that's a bad thing. I used to pay to suffer from sleep deprivation and stress, now, I'm being paid to deal with idiots. It's a good trade in my eyes.

A drink after a long day of work is acceptable, not so much for classes.

There was a 5 year reunion recently as well and about a third of my graduating class showed up. That's the great thing about only having 100 classmates I guess, you know everyone and luckily, most of us get along.

It's strange, 1 of us has already gotten married, another got engaged. Someone has traveled the world while many of the others are on their way to becoming successful doctors, engineers, and teachers. A few are even working on their PhD's in the fall. I didn't expect anything less from my peers though I feel like I've fallen a bit short. The Psychologist who has taken some time off to work in an unrelated field.

At least I'll have money and not be in debt.

Went out for many dinners and many drinks. It'll be a while before I see some of these guys again. Maybe in a few years I'll head back to school in the fall but it'll most likely have to be at an out of province University, especially considering that the University in my province announced additional budget cuts.

For anyone wondering about my new job, things are going well and I'm almost done my training. They tell me that I'm amongst the fastest (if not the fastest) learner they've had so far, which is a good thing I think. I already have a few stories to share though it's going to be a challenge, spreading out my evening hours between sleeping, blogging, and my projects.

How about something less depressing?

I noticed that all the posts on my blog so far have been pretty depressing. I don't want to come across as a Karla the Complainer so how about I discuss something a bit more positive today.

Rainbows for everyone!

One thing I've been trying extremely hard to do this summer was meet up with old friends and acquaintances. Even after being out of high school for just 3 years it's scary how fast your social circle disintegrates. You don't see anyone anymore due to everyone being in different courses, faculties, Universities and even countries. And even if you're taking the same things everyone is so busy and tired and stressed that they don't want to do anything.

The only person I still consistently see is my girlfriend and that's because I push to spend every spare possible moment with her. People that I would talk to all the time now I'd see maybe, once a month? And that's because we bumped into each other while grabbing coffee. I mean, these weren't just your average friends either. I'm referring to friends that you would run to when you're panicking and stressing out, and they'd slap some sense into you. The kinds of friends you would call at 3AM in the morning to talk with because you had no one else to talk with.

And this is what we've been reduced to. Random coffee buddies who exchange small talk every few weeks due to happy coincidences.

Creepy or sweet? You decide!

It's easier for me to arrange things as I wasn't able to find a job this summer. My schedule is mostly free. But most of my other friends are either working full-time, on vacation, taking summer courses or preparing for the MCAT/LSAT/etc.. Even my girlfriend I see her maybe once a week? I still talk with her on Skype and stuff but it's just not the same. You can't replace physical human contact.

But fortunately I've been mostly successful. I got a chance to meet up with nearly everyone that I wanted to at least once. Even if it was for a quick lunch or dinner to catch up. It's nice to see what they're all up to. Physicists, doctors, investors, engineers and pharmacists, most of them aren't stuck in this stupid limbo of uncertainty like myself so I'm kind of jealous in that aspect. But at the same time, my summer has been a lot more relaxing than theirs.

And I have to push to see them now. Most people don't take the initiative to meet with their friends while they still can and then regret it when they're older. I've seen the patterns, I've listened to the stories of old people not seeing one another for years upon years, except at funerals. I have trouble getting in touch now, I can only imagine how bad it'll be when we graduate or get real jobs.

Or maybe I'm being too pessimistic.

So I make the effort, while I'm still young and we're relatively free. Because I fear that soon, I probably won't see them unless I accidentally bump into them in line at a Starbuck's downtown.