back to work...

So it's back to the grind here at UEA, but I can't really complain seeing as though I only have two more classes before the semester is up; then it's a month long period of exams... I don't know why they spread it out so much here, but I hope to do lots of traveling during it and squeeze in studying where possible. It's terrible that I've been so unmotivated with school this semester, both because I don't really like my classes and because it feels like a 5 month vacation here! I do still have a fair amount of work to get in by next week, but after that it's just studying. I say "just" as if my exams aren't worth 50% of my entire grade... Oh well. I'm thoroughly disenchanted with the world of academia in general and over the past few weeks I have decided that I'm not ready to go straight on to do post-grad work and my Masters after next year. What I'll do, I haven't decided yet, but I'd love to teach abroad (teaching English as a second language, or working in a school in a developing country, or teaching at a missionary school, etc), join the Peace Corps, apply for Teach for America, or do something similar for a year or two in "the real world" before going back to school. I have too many other decisions to make right now though so that one is going to have to wait awhile.

That all being said, I'm not failing out of university or anything, though one might think I was considering that I got a 67 on the essay I just got back. However, while this would be pretty close to failing back home, the marking is quite different here. Failing is a 35 and a 67 is considered "upper second class honors" and is equivalent to an A- back home. So don't worry, I will at least pass this semester and secure myself a place at UMass for my senior year.

I'm gong away this weekend as part of the HOST program where you apply to stay with a British family for the weekend. I'll post an update on how it goes when I get back. As for pictures, they're coming. Good news= I received the cable from Hong Kong; Bad news= despite its description, it's not compatible with my computer...