When life gets awesomer

We knew last week would be a good one because at the end of it, we'd be adopting a cat from a dear friend. But half-way through the week, I also got my syllabus for my first ever literature grad course that begins on the 11th of this month. I've been very nervous about this class, mostly because intensive summer courses overlapping with my time working here leaves me wondering how and when I will be able to complete the work for every class, let alone do my normal home and work functions.

In the end, God is always looking out for me and sometimes he hands you gifts at random times, not birthdays or Christmas or even Easter. Nope, this was a random late-April gift. And here it is.

The course is called "Austen and Adaptations" within which we will read Emma and Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen, and then we'll watch 4 to 5 movie versions of these, as well as The Jane Austen Book Club. We will also read Sense & Sensibility & Seamonsters, one of those strange modern adaptations that adds some of the Gothic drama that Austen left out of her novels, but was popular at the time it was written.

We will have to write 5 very short essays and one research paper, as well as serve on a panel to present our papers (like a literature conference would require) to the class.

Oh, and the brilliancy doesn't stop there. During the month of May, when I was particularly concerned about work time overlapping with school time, we will have "virtual class", meaning I won't be driving the 1.5 hours each way to class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. June 1st, which begins my first week off of work for the summer, is when actual sit-in-class-in-Indy begins.

You've got to be kidding me. But I'm not. That's how I know God is good and looking out for me, and giving me gifts that I don't deserve. Content I am very comfortable with (Jane Austen), comparing film and literature (fun!), and practically no work-school driving conflicts.

The weekend rolled around, and I was beaming with excitement about my classes. I was able to see a couple of friends, and finally, we brought Quincy into our home. He wasn't sure about us, even though he's visited us before (and was not skittish that time). He stayed hidden for hours, but after the group left, he began to venture out and slink around to explore every room. By nightfall, he was no longer slinking. By morning, he was playful and wouldn't let me sleep. Last night and today, we've seen the extent of his insanity. He's still very much kitten in his attitude, even though this month makes him 1-year-old.

Oh, and get this. The day I ordered my school texts online, I got a call from my credit card company to say they had suspicious activity on it from the previous night and they had put a hold on the account. Despite a few hours of panic, in changing auto-bill-pay for some things and changing payment for the books I'd just ordered...everything worked out. They closed the account, are setting up a new one for me, and nothing is lost.