You’ve Gotta Be Kidding Me

                                           To

                                          To   Have you ever had one of those “you’ve gotta be kidding me” days?  Those days when even the smallest aspects of your life don’t go the way you intended them to?  When you’re convinced the entire world is deliberately trying to drive you crazy?  For me, today was one of those days.  Thankfully, as they often do, things turned out okay. For starters, I woke up an hour and a half late.  That may not have been a terrible experience if I only had a lecture to attend.  But I didn’t. I had a tutorial, during which we were supposed to write a quiz, complete an in-class assignment, and hand in a worksheet. Not my ideal way to start the day.  In a complete panic, I called my mom at work and bawled my eyes out.  She took an early and extended lunch break so she could drive me to class.  Out of breath and hair wild, I reached my tutorial in time to write the toughest quiz I’ve ever had the misfortune of taking.  Things could only go up from here, right? After my disaster of a morning, I met up with a friend for coffee during a two-hour break.  Sidney Smith was crowded as always but we managed to find a seat in the corner. An hour later as we prepared to leave, my day went from bad to worse.  In the frenzy of the lunch rush, a student inadvertently bumped into my friend, sending the lukewarm coffee in her hand flying through the air and onto my shirt. Just lovely.  I couldn’t help but feel like a sticky mess.  My friend, being the quick thinker that she is, remembered she had an extra shirt in her locker at the AC and I was able to change before my next class. I was at the end of my rope and just wanted to survive the day.  When I checked my e-mail, I realized that may not be happening. Apparently, the paperwork I’d submitted for a research-based course I’m taking wasn’t processed due to a missing signature. Whoops. I was asked to come in to the office by 4:30PM to have my request approved. I checked the time.  4:26PM. Oh. My. Goodness.  Looking like a madwoman, I ran as if there was a limited-time sale at the shoe store and reached my destination by 4:32PM. Probably out of pity and concern, the Undergraduate Coordinator agreed to process my form. I got on the subway in a funk. Annoyed and exhausted, I took inventory of the day.  My morning was not pleasant.  But I was unbelievably thankful that my mom was able to drive me downtown on such short notice.  My hair was a mess. But my TA couldn’t care less and I was able to hand in my assignment.  The quiz was hard. But it was only worth 1%.  I started to feel a little better so I continued with my inner monologue. Sidney Smith was crowded.  But we got a seat and the hour-long venting session was beyond therapeutic.  I had coffee spilled on me.  But it was lukewarm.  Thank God. I felt sticky. But my friend was able to rescue me from what was sure to be a ridiculously uncomfortable and embarrassing day.  My mood lifted a little more.  Things were looking up so I continued. I received an unwelcome email. But it was regarding a wonderful opportunity that is not available to students at other universities.  I had forgotten to sign an important document.  But the situation was not difficult to correct.  I reached the office after 4:30PM. But the Undergraduate Coordinator was kind enough to process my request.  All in all, my day wasn’t looking quite so bad anymore. We all have those days.  The days that make you say “you’ve gotta be kidding me.”  And it’s always nice to keep those days to a minimum.  But remember, a strong support system, including family, friends, and the staff and faculty on campus are often able to turn things around. Till next time, Ishita