Golden Hours

Ugh. Another day, another mountain of laundry staring me down. And don't even get me started on the textbooks. I'm drowning in a sea of deadlines and to-do lists. Everyone keeps talking about "self-care" these days. Like it's some magical cure-all. But all I see are Instagram filters and spa days. Who has time for that?    I tried a face mask once. It just ended up drying on my face while I frantically searched for my phone. "Self-care" feels more like another chore to add to my already overflowing plate.   Okay, maybe I can do this. I actually cooked dinner tonight! Stir-fry. It was a disaster. The kitchen looked like a bomb went off, but I made it myself. No microwave mac and cheese. And you know what? It wasn't half bad.    Went for a walk in the park today. Felt weird at first. Just me and the trees. But then I noticed a little robin hopping around and this old lady with the sweetest dog. People smiled at me. It was nice.    Still battling the ur...

Where do I even begin? Today was my first English literature lecture. I felt like a tiny mouse entering a lion's den. The room was huge, filled with students who looked like they'd been reading Shakespeare since they were in diapers. Oh my goodness, Professor Hawthorne's voice could shatter glass! I practically melted into my seat in the back row.    He started talking about Hamlet, and I was completely overwhelmed. All those soliloquies and the philosophical musings... it felt like I was drowning in a sea of words. But then something shifted. Despite his intimidating presence, Professor Hawthorne spoke with such passion. He wasn't just reciting facts; he was bringing Hamlet to life, making me feel like I was right there in Elsinore Castle.    I know it sounds silly, but I actually found myself enjoying it. I'm still a long way from understanding everything, but the way the words danced and intertwined was mesmerizing.    Maybe this year won't be as terrify...