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Saturday, July 03, 2004

Off.

I've had this cosy little blog for a week now, and already I'm lagging behind.

The story of my life, really - I just lose interest in things once I've had them a certain amount of time. I'm not saying I've lost interest in this blog, mind you! Not yet.

Anyway, time for a new post, and this is it - you're reading it.

Today is the first day of my summer vacation. I had to hand in some stuff yesterday (the aforementioned paper on Oscar Wilde), and I still have to hand in my Bachelor's paper on August 1st, but, in my book, my summer vacation has started! Oh joy!

It's funny how the summer vacation has ceased to be the centre of my life. I remember, when I was about 8, or 9, or 16, that my entire life revolved around two things, a minor and a major thing. The minor thing was the festive season, starting at the beginning of December, with Saint Nicholas (a Dutch national holiday, which concerned giving loads of gifts to kids), and ending halfway through January, with my birthday; and, of course, Christmas and New Year's, right smack in the middle of that period. Having two full weeks off from school, eating all kinds of things you weren't allowed to eat the rest of the year, and receiving truckloads of gifts - brilliant!

But that was just the build-up, the appetizer, the opening act, the pre-show brunch. The best was yet to come, about five months later. Summer! A month and a half off from school, brilliant weather (with any luck), off on vacation, how could this be anything but the best time of your life. I'd actually start counting the days about two months in advance. The last day of school was always the best - the teacher always knew we were all giddy about the impending freedom, so he'd (surprise, surprise!) cancel classes, and think of all kinds of games to play. But in spite of this day actually being a fun day, time went oh so slowly.

And then, the schoolbell. The best three seconds of the year - the ensuing month and a half would undoubtedly be brilliant, but it's those three seconds, when that final schoolbell is ringing, that are the best. You could feel it running down your spine; you knew this moment was coming - hell, you were counting the seconds, but it still surprises you; and, as if in slow motion, everyone's face would form a wide smile, the teacher would shout something, but no one ever listened - his voice always seemed to be muted at that stage; people would start getting up, grabbing bags, slow motion-walking towards the door, towards the bright sun, towards freedom.

Those were the days. But admittedly, it still feels darned good to know that I have the next two months off. The downside is, tuition for next year at the university is already pressing down on me, so at least half of those two months will be filled with work, work, work. The disadvantages of adulthood.

Ahhh, to be young again.

Cheers

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