It's over...not quite

One quarter done. Finals completed. Grades are in. And yeah buddy...four weeks for winter break. It's a strange feeling. The quarter system goes by really fast. 10 weeks to cover the same material colleges on the semester system do in an entire semester (I would give you the conversion to weeks if I knew it. But I do not).  But despite the brevity of quarter, or perhaps because of it, I feel I have learned a lot. But not, as you would expect, from my classrooms. I don't know if I just lucked out,  took easy classes, or maybe I have an easy major or what have you. But my high school experience was much more difficult than the classes I took here at UCSD. Although we are a relatively prestigious university, I did pretty well with relative ease.  Without any real undue stress I was able to maintain my straight A streak (please allow this moment of pride). So I guess what I am saying is that college is really not as scary or as difficult as you think.

What I learned had to do more with social relationships and time management. It is so easy, when you have a lot of time on your hands, to procrastinate until the last minute. And it is hard, especially with a large group of friends (a.ka. the freshman xc runners) to maintain strong relationships with all of them (8). I have learned to be a mediator, a friend, a confidante, and support. But more importantly I have learned when is the time and place to step into those roles. I'm still learning. Of course. No one is perfect. But I am pretty happy with how things are going so far.

As for running, track is fast approaching. I'll be running the 10k. Which is daunting yet exciting. 25 laps buddy! Coach says he'll help me get through the monotony. I'm excited for track, despite my diagnosis of planters fascists, and am ready to have the great season I have never had on that red hamster wheel. I obviously still need time to mentally overcome my original dislike of the sport. I really want to be successful. But I have time. So that's good.

So break is pretty long. And I'm stoked to see/run with all my old and great friends. As well as have some of my new friends meet Temecula. It's a pretty great city whatever anyone might say.  So that's an update.

Love,
Alia