-- Insert witty title here --

Argh. I just wrote a really tough email. Remember how I said finding a grad school was like dating? Well, it's easy to say to yes to a school that wants you; I find it hard to say no. It's nice to be wanted, but part of me is a real "people pleaser" (not to be confused with purple people eater) and I do have a hard time saying no. It was a difficult decision between two really good programmes and, surprisingly, I found myself accepting the offer from the school I almost didn't apply to.

So I am going to grad school! I had the official visit yesterday and it's starting to sink in. It is rather scary and to be perfectly honest a part of me is thinking "WHAT HAVE I DONE???" But that's usual, I guess, when you're starting a new adventure with new challenges and lots of changes. Not the first leap of faith I've taken and it sure won't be the last.

My summer study tour is shaping up nicely, despite some initial planning anxieties. I have the movers and storage booked for the 27th of April for my flat, then the cat and I will head to the folks for a few days. I fly from Toronto to London overnight on the 30th and will spend the 1st and 2nd of May in London-- predominantly examining the Greek artifacts at the British Museum. There are 12 rooms of Greek artifacts and I want to see them all as closely as possible; after all, I am off to see the places they were taken from!

From the 2nd to the 5th of May I will be staying with my very dear, very wonderful friend I have known for something like 12 years or so but have only visited twice. On the 5th I fly to Istanbul, which gives me time to relax and sleep and rest before the tour officially begins at 5:00 pm on the 6th of May.

My plans following the tour are still a little fuzzy. At this point it looks like I will head from Istanbul to Kos, spend a day or two there then head to Athens to visit a select few sites (the Akropolis, including the Asklepion, the agora, the National Museum, and a few other monuments in the area). I am investigating a quick trip to ancient Epidauros, the site of a famous ancient Asklepion. Given that I'll be investigating Asklepia during my MA, I want to see as many as I can. If I can hit the four key sites I'll be quite happy.

And yes, I really am looking forward to spending three months on the farm. I have my car so I can go up to TO and visit friends there a few times and I'll be heading out to find a new apartment for August and will likely have to visit a university a few times for library books for research projects. But I see spending this time with my parents as a real gift, and I plan to enjoy it as much as I can. I just hope the cat manages to enjoy it a bit, too.

Anyway, it's super late and I have class in the morning. So I am off for the night!

Be warned, dear reader, whoever you are, that posts will likely remain infrequent with all this busy-ness!