Two weeks left..........

I can't believe it, only 2 weeks left until the finals... It sounds surreal to me because it seems that we just started this semester a few weeks ago, so to say that 3 months are almost over - kind of unbelievable for me. I thought it will be like forever in the beginning, I got used to go to the classes every day. Just imagine, in 2 months from now it is going to be totally different, we are going to study along with the native speakers ( hopefully all of us will pass this level). I feel scary and excited at the same time. I wonder what do you feel? Probably, we'll have more homework than we have now and it will be much harder because we will have to deal with so many things. We obtained our language skills in order to understand lectures and absorb information in our future studying. In fact, we learned so many useful things, so many strategies which I am sure will help us. I am really amazed by international students who just pass TOEFL and start studying without any preparation. There are so many rules we need to know as international students, I personally believe that if I had tried to go straight to my faculty, I would have probably failed everything. Now I feel more confident and know for sure that I will perform better. Also, I am amazed by the students who manage to study successfully and work many hours simultaneously. They deserve praise with no doubt. I have a great example - my sister. She is working full time ( sometimes even overtime), she has a child and a house to take care of, plus she is doing her Master Degree. I call her a super woman because I don't think I could do the same. I know there are many similar examples that show it is possible. I wonder what is the secret- strong mental or physical health? I know that sometimes there are cases that you don't choose, you just have to do it. Part time job I guess is OK, I had this experience before, I studied and worked, but I didn't have such intensive studying though. Hmmm, depends on many things, like how many responsibilities do you have? If you have too much, it is really hard to cope with all, only the strongest individuals can do that.

Four perfect seasons in Calgary!

Today I decided to dedicate my topic to the weather in Calgary. Since I've been here almost a year and had a chance to observe all 4 seasons, I can surely say that I am pleasantly surprised. I know that the weather could change unexpectedly, but even if tomorrow will be heavy snowstorm, still, I will say that I am happy with the weather. The thing is, before I came in Canada, I had heard many complaints about the climate in here. So I expected that it will be something like in Siberia. Instead, I found that it is mostly shiny and the air is dry, as a result lot's of sun and low humidity soften the severe cold in winter. In summers there are some really hot days, but not so many. This fall season - is the most beautiful and soft period I've ever seen in my life! I wonder, if this year is kind of an exception or may be it is indeed the result of Global Warming. Well, I am curious whether we will have -40 this winter or not? By the way, I have no idea if there is a rule that tells you to stay at home when it's too cold in Canada. For instance, I remember when we had something near -35 in my country, we remained at home because all our classes at school would be cancelled. Many of us wore special boots during the winter, I think in English they are called "felt boots" (from special wool), actually I really miss them, they are funny but so warm! Also, I remember that when it was too cold - wearing 2 pairs of gloves didn't always help me and the first thing I did when I entered home is running to the bathroom in order to put my frozen hands under the extremely hot stream of water for a few minutes. So, I haven't experienced such things in Calgary yet, may be I will , I don't know. In the meantime I enjoy the weather...Actually my main point is that despite everything we can always find beauty in every season and I am glad that they are changing 4 times a year in Calgary, otherwise it would be boring.

Vision or my new "eyes" !

This week was kind of difficult for me because my headaches increased, so on Monday I realized that I couldn't read nor could I look at the computer any more. I felt terrible pain and pressure in my eyes , mostly when I was reading or tried to focus on something for more than 5-10 minutes. I felt lucky that I had managed to do the most of the "due assignments" during the past weekend, and honestly somehow despite the discomfort I could hand in everything on time ( I just hate to postpone things). So , again, I felt no energy and was scared what is wrong with me, so I called to the ophthalmologist ( an eye doctor) who said that they cannot accept clients without a special letter from a family doctor. Ok, I went to see a family doctor who said that I need to see an optometrist - one who gives prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. So I called to a clinic to make an appointment and found out that the next available date is only next week. I knew that I can't wait any longer and kept searching for other places until I found an optometrist for this week (for yesterday). Unfortunately, I had to skip listening quiz, but I was so desperate, I couldn't relax, my eyes were so tensed and my brain couldn't think of anything else except this discomfort. Finally I was examined by a doctor who said that it could be migraines that caused the pressure as well as my vision decreased in one eye significantly. Eventually, I got new prescription and ordered new glasses. Actually, a sales person said at first that they should to be ready in a week or so, but seeing my reaction changed 1 week to 1 hour!!! Yeees, I was so happy! So I got new glasses, and I think I feel better now although it always takes some time to get used to the new pair of glasses. I don't know, may be I have to change lighting on my desk and stop reading in the bed in a horizontal position ? The one thing I know for sure, when I studying intensely I must let my eyes rest or make some special eye exercise every hour or two. Otherwise it will cause another impairment of my vision. People who have 100% vision - it is such a gift! You should be careful and follow all the rules in order to keep it. I wasn't following them and it turned out badly. The thing is I won't be able to study if I disregard these important things such as to keep a proper distance when you read ( at least 30 cent.) or sitting up when you read, etc. In short, take care of your eyes carefully, protect your vision! I know it's hard, especially when you read something interesting or surf the Internet ( you kind of forget about time), but we must remember how hard our eyes work........ I am so glad we have 4 days off and a small amount of homework because my eyes are still very tired and I'll just let them rest for a while.

Dreams!!!

Dreams.....so interesting! I had never thought about it so deeply until we started studying this topic in class.Now I know many versions why people are dreaming, how many times at night and what dreams can mean. Some people believe that dreams can predict the future. Others just associate images from a dream with the events that happened recently. Honestly, I looked at a dream-book few times, but all seemed kind of silly to me so I just dropped it. Moreover, many times it predicted me such terrible things and I thought if I read it, it might effect me and change the reality because I'll start to believe in it... So it is better for me not to turn to the dream dictionaries. In my opinion, dreams could mean unresolved problems and reflection of our daily life, or just the fact that our brains stay active during the night and try to select the whole information obtained during the day. Usually, if I think about something too much ,99% I will see it in my dreams . What worries me - why does my mam frequently see terrible things that related to me in her dreams( especially in the last year)? For example, in her dreams I emerge as injured or almost dying, or crying for help. She always calls me after these scary dreams and checks if I am OK, and also begs me to be extra careful. Why does she have these dreams? Does she worry too much about me all the time, or may be it is kind of warning? For sure, I don't want to search for the answers in the dream-books. They will probably foretell something unpleasant or frightening. Since I am really impressionable person, I would prefer not to know... But it is really interesting to write an essay about dreams , if someone sees fire in his/her dream is welcome to ask me about it because I am already an expert.....

Have sweet dreams!