A Day in the Life of

Montreal, July 2008

It’s 12:45 a.m., Monday morning. In six hours, I will have to drag myself out of bed so I can look decent enough that I don’t scare people when I walk outside my house. The minute I get out of bed, Henry, my eternal shadow will also rise, climb down his miniature stairs and start his morning ritual by going to inspect what’s going on in the backyard through the window. He’ll let out a couple of barks, making sure that whatever might be out there, be it invisible or not has heard him and his stern warning to stay away.

The truth is, I’d much rather stay in bed tomorrow morning than go to work. It’s not so much work as it is getting there, and I’ve complained about Los Angeles traffic so much here that I feel like a broken record and  I’d rather not think about it any longer. And it’s not just the traffic. It’s the heat. The unbearable heat that will not leave this city alone.

I can’t take it anymore. I mean in two days, we will be in October, and still I couldn’t get anything that I really wanted to accomplish, accomplished because the heat made me so lethargic. I’m not asking for much, I’d just like some cool breezes and moderate weather. Mostly, I want to take out my sweaters and boots and coats and scarves. Los Angeles, I know you’re vain, so if for nothing else, please get cold for the sake of fashion.

I have a full week ahead of me. On top of dealing with writers and articles at work, I must attend a screening of the film, “Happy-Go-Lucky” on Tuesday. I’m actually excited because it’s a film about the life of a North London school teacher, and my boyfriend is from around there. On Friday, I have to venture out to UCLA to cover the Kronos Quartet perform at Royce Hall.

In between all that, I am trying to fit in time to study for the GRE, as well as develop some other projects I’m working on. Unfortunately, last Thursday, the edible gardening show that I co-hosted came to an end. It was a sad day for me because the show was one of the things I really look forward to every week. It allowed me a chance to take a break from the daily routine I have and also to contribute and be creative. I’m developing another radio show at the moment, however its only exclusive to writers.

There is so much to do in such little time. At the end of the month, I take my GRE test. By December, I have to submit applications to the schools I am applying to. The stressful part is that it’s not just an application. It’s an application, plus three letters of recommendation, plus samples of my work, plus a possible essay. I just hope I don’t faint during all of it.