Sunshine!

Something amazing, unexpected and almost unprecedented happened today. Dunedin experienced sunshine. Anybody who knows anything about Dunedin will know that this is an occurrence which must be celebrated. The sun must be worshipped else it will become petty and sulk and never come back. Every Dunedinite knows this. The standard way students in these parts like to show their respect is to pretend that sunny means warm. This is never the case. Sometimes in summer. But almost never. So they shiver and chatter away in their miniskirts or shorts and jandals, pretending its tropical, subjecting the rest of us to vast (they’re well on their way to gaining their fresher five by now) expanses of white goose-pimply flesh that somehow makes it seem even colder.

I myself appreciate my extremities and all they’ve done for me. Hence I wrapped myself up very warmly on today’s planned excursion of sun veneration. I even wore jeans. This is almost as rare as Dunedin sunshine. I find pants restrictive. Or something. Anyways, my plan was to climb my favourite tree at the beach and do some readings and so it seemed more sensible to wear jeans than a skirt and tights in case I had to take my shoes off to climb. Or if it was actually warm enough for me to want to sun my legs. It wasn’t by the way. After getting into my jeans and other layers I realised there’s another reason I don’t like wearing trousers. Well, this is more specific to jeans really. Why on earth do they tell you to buy a size too small? Sure they stretch a little but not a whole size!! And if they’re a little loose you can wear a belt. If they’re too small though: instant muffin-top. Which is so not cool

I’ve had these particular pair of jeans (the last pair I bought and probably ever will) for years and I’ve never fit them. I’ve come close when stress and other things have caused me to lose a lot of weight but still not quite! And I’m certainly lighter than when I bought them so what on earth was the lady thinking in her advice for a size smaller?? And what was I thinking in listening??? Well, that’s easy enough to understand really. I’m a pushover. But you know what they say about the meek inheriting the earth. One day I’ll be sitting pretty you’ll see. Of course I’ll easily be pushed from my perch...

I actually got all my reading done in the tree though, surprisingly. I think I shall have to try the tree more often. It’s very soothing and no one knows where I am to have a chat or a coffee. Because I always say yes. I did realise though, that I have 4 and a half months, or.. 144 days, to finish my thesis and submit! That’s.. 113 (whew this math stuff is hard!) days to get my final draft done! Panic!! And so now maybe I should go do something productive feeling like make a detailed time table that I can ignore from tomorrow. Ah, postgrad studies, the best time of your life! ...