IS THERE LIFE WHILE MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL TERM?

Initially written in March 1998 and revised in 2009:

Post the holiday period of 1997, I had many things on my mind while trying to accomplish the journey of my first year of re-education, returning to university, telling myself, “it’s time to finish this journey via McMaster University”. Having to move again from one’s comfortable but expensive apartment to a cheaper basement apartment; was not the best way to achieve ones academic goals so early into the second term. Finances demanded that I do this, even with a student loan to off set my costs. The place of residence was excellent and cheap for my then budget to accommodate. However, the stress that this move caused me was not one of my most brilliant ideas!

Re-entering the saddle after twelve years being away from scholarly writing (although I had been writing for sixteen years for many arts organizations (in PR and as Marketing Specialist in September 1996 – 1997) I decided that it was the right time to come back to the “ivy walls" and attempt the process of finishing my degree.

This was not a very good time for me; I was dealing with custody issues with my daughter and my ex-wife was very difficult to deal with. As I look back, knowing within my own spirit, that I had a learning disability (as ADHD would formerly be diagnosed in my second year of 1997) trying to pack in all of these strategic movements to stay ahead of my studies. As well as packing and boxing up my belongings as well as, trying to throw out so much accumulated paper. Realizing that I had to keep up with my studies, was also an emotional roller coaster ride for me during this move! I remember telling myself, that I had many pages to read “before I sleep”. Being a mature and created arts student, my emotional reflexes and physical adult body was just beginning to settle into, somewhere, that was unfamiliar space for me, it was called the “academic zone”.

The best way to describe this feeling is like that of the middle ages actors or the “jongleurs” that we had been studying in first year drama courses; about their customs and the formation of the performers and "art guilds” in the middle ages. “How many balls or areas of concern, can I juggle,today? Or I ask myself, “Am I really like the King of the Fools,” for not recognizing that this would be a stressful experience and ride attempting to move at the end of January 1998? Especially, during my first academic year back in school..what was I thinking? Oh yes, I needed to save money and that was my goal on my student run budget!

I never imagined that it would take such detail, military precision and or strategy, to move one’s belongings from a two bedroom apartment (in the West Hamilton) into a spacious basement apartment on the outskirts of Dundas, ON. Stressful thoughts partly due to my ADHD, kept crossing my mind as I would think “I should have re-organized of this stuff months ago”, became my daily mantra and or vocabulary, as I was stuffing more paper and crap into boxes. Then reflecting on my own silent confession and torture having to do this now! Especially when dealing with family, close friends and or perfect strangers; whom were called or hauled in to help with the move at the very last minute!

These individuals were moving my personal belongings; and you receive comments such as: “my, you have a lot of books” or “have you read all these books? And lastly, “do you use all of this stuff? Your next thoughts are to crawl under a rock and not come out. At least until all of these items and boxes from the move have been unpacked. Your stress levels are right up there to almost 100% and you visualize yourself at this particular time and space going for a “Nestea Plunge” in a warm heated pool, wouldn't that be just the ticket right now? Even though in reality it’s the end of January, it's cold, however, thank God that it is not snowing!

You are grateful that many have helped you achieved this military operation of getting you from Point A (old location) to Point B (new location). Then there are areas of pleading “mercy and grace” to one’s professors as a mature student. As you have asked or sought permission from them to provide for you an extension on all assignments due. The feelings of “emotional exhaustion” zaps your nerve endings, and for the first few days as you are surrounded by boxes in your new home, misplaced furniture, and you are not sure where the other part of your computer terminal or stereo system was placed by your “friends and family.”

No, this is not an infomercial for the local US/Canadian Telephone Company promoting for you to join their special “friend's network.” It is your text books calling your name rather loudly! The only problem is that you’re not really sure where they these books were last placed, in or what boxes they’re under? Finally, normalcy starts to settle in, food has been re-stocked in the new fridge, towels and bedding have been found, boxes have begun to be unpacked and furniture is arranged. You can say to yourself “it’s beginning to look like home again?”

You place that familiar and beloved painting that was created by your Great Aunt upon the wall and think to yourself: “This place is just right, the carpets, and the painted walls and coverings match the colors of my furniture and my artwork! What a divine place in time for me to be here? Perhaps God was listening the day that I found this place? “Just right” as Goldie Locks from the fairytale story would comment.

While listening to some relaxing Mozart choral music, to calm your nerves as you are unpacking yet another box; you suddenly remember that you have better get “cracking” on that last extended paper which needs to be completed, in three days from now, to be exact! Yikes! Back on the emotional treadmill you go, bravely stating in your subconscious “that you would not wish this amount of stress of moving at this time of the year on anyone.” This is definitely one of life’s experiences that you will remember in your post university years!

Mental note to me, in the future! When you accomplished this feat of stupidity, you were making a family memory and you had to deal with all of these circumstances. You also had a loss of “memory” when you allowed yourself to accomplish moving at this particular time of the new year. However, you remind yourself to instruct your children, grandchildren and if you live long enough, your great grandchildren; never attempt a move heading into second term with one's exams pending, while trying to keep up your academic studies. I wonder what Andy Rooney of CBS’s 60 Minutes commentator, would say about all of these matters?