Taryn O’Connor: That Week 8 Grind

I think the appropriate way to open this column is to mention that it was originally meant to go up last week, entitled “That Week 7 Grind”, but I didn’t get the chance to finish it because, case & point, week seven is when life starts to get real hard, real fast.

The first few weeks of term are deceptively low-key- you make new friends, catch up with everyone you missed over the summer, get excited about the classes and activities you’re in, and most importantly, you lull yourself into a false sense of security.

Remember how you were going to go running everyday, cook all your Pinterest recipes, keep up with the current season of New Girl, and not stay up all night to meet essay deadlines? How’s that going for you?

If you’re anything like me it means you’ve already pulled an all-nighter, stopped buying any food that can’t be cooked in a microwave, and you’ve started to believe your running shoes just look better in your closet. You’re probably also shockingly up to date on Winston’s new puzzling habits (and when I say puzzling habits, I mean habits regarding the act of constructing puzzles, not habits which baffle me- just so we’re all on the same page).

There have been some new relationships formed by this mid-semester buckle down, though. I now belong to Taste. I love coffee as much as (okay, probably more than) the next person, and while it used to be that a 9pm stop for coffee was me playing it pretty fast and loose, I’m now unfazed by a nightly stop for espresso and one last dose of human interaction before staying up till ridiculous o’clock trying to sort out my deadlines (also my life in general).

I live with three other busy students who flutter between meetings, rehearsals, lectures, and- here’s the thing, I’d say sports, but that’s an absolute lie, none of us play sports. Regardless, we’re all out of the house for the better part of every day, and I realised yesterday after asking ‘How’d your meeting about such-and-such go?’ that someone I live with had a meeting on Friday and I just HAVEN’T. SEEN. THEM. SINCE.

I’d love to say we just lose the days because of our reckless nights out, but I’m too busy to go out anymore except for events I’ve preemptively planned for (thanks, beginning of term, Taryn), and pretty much only attend because a friend is involved in it, or because it’s Christmas Ball which endearingly hands out free hot chocolate and appeals to my love for all things encouraging Christmas cheer. On that note, I’ve already started playing Christmas music in my flat- don’t lie to me, I’m very aware that you have too (It’s that Michael Bublè album, am I right?).

I can only imagine that if I’m feeling this busy, and I haven’t even hit that Honours storm yet, everyone else must be booking it around town, only eating things that can be consumed raw, and drinking by themselves (too real?). If this description fits you in any way, shape, or form, may the short-loan section be ever in your favour, and I’ll probably see you tomorrow at Taste.