Afterall, I am the Kvetching Editor.

Sof sof (finally/at last), I'm back on campus in my brand new dorm room. I requested a change in rooms because my knees are horrible and schlepping up and down the stairs on rainy or snowy days was killer on my cartilage-free leg benders. So now I'm in a first-floor room, in what I'm guessing is a dorm dedicated to individuals with physical disabilities. I was stoked. First floor, easy entrance, my legs are feelin' good.

And then, well, the room I'm in is a mess. A mess because it smells like mold. Or feces. I can't decide which. I complained to housing and they sent someone here on Friday, they say they cleaned the carpet, leaving a big fan in the room that has been running since then, to dry the carpet. The carpet? Still wet. The room? Still smells. I even have a diffuser in here. I can't smell it.

Listen, I know, I kvetch. I should do more editing, but mostly I kvetch. But I've got a host of allergies and bucket full of history with asthma. Mold isn't good for folks like me. It's horrible. So I sent another email. I'm hoping that when I wake up in the morning, magically my room will smell like Vanilla Sugar or Cinnamon Sugar or whatever my little reed diffuser is supposed to smell like. And if not? I might have to take some drastic measures. I suppose the benefit of this whole ordeal is maybe I could slink out of my housing contract, get the money, get a place in West Hartford, buy a cheap-o car, and live Real Style. (Wishful and completely not-doable thinking.)

So this semester I am taking three courses: Hebrew, Midrashic Literature, and Sexual Politics (aka, women in Tanakh). I'm hoping Hebrew goes easily, that I get a new gig (maybe as a TA?), that I really focus and figure out what I want to study (precisely), and that I can land some stellar letters of recommendations and submit some outstanding applications to PhD programs. It's going to be a long and toiling semester, but I think that what I have lined up for myself personally and academically will keep me really busy and really stimulated. Wish me luck.

Oh, and pray for me. This room might kill me ...