My Life Lately

(A crane near my school. Pete and I have such a fondness for cranes! We sometimes send pictures of them to each other as a pick-me-up.)

It has been a while since I have last posted. There was a time where I was just really scared about what was going to happen next.

My depression and anxiety flared up again, seemingly out of nowhere (but most probably related to nausea and stomach sickness). I missed so much school, and didn't have the "courage" to email my teachers to explain. 

Fortunately, when I did return, despite still being anxious, I managed to sort things out. I am so absolutely grateful for how incredible my teachers and coordinators are for being so forgiving. They have rearranged so much for me, and made a lot of allowances.

I do not take this granted. I look forward to the day where I can be a regular student (or worker) without worrying about these sorts of days, or weeks. While I like to think I am much better at this point in time, I have still planned ahead by applying to do roughly 85% of my course online. This means I can work from home, or at the library (just somewhere generally less hectic than the classroom!) I can also work in huge chunks as I feel better, taking days off as I start to relapse, which will be the most crucial component of my success as a student.

I also don't take it for granted that the last few months have still been above average in terms of mood. It really is getting better everyday, with the occasional short relapse. I didn't know life like this was even possible. Depression is not the be all and end all disease I thought it was.

I am so lucky to be getting better, so soon.

(My school on one of the last days. Despite the sun, it was freezing. Regardless of the weather, it is hard not to appreciate such an old, incredible looking set of buildings like this).

In other news, last last week, I got my L's (and had a little drive around in a carpark, after hours).

I finished the first semester of library studies (just barely! I really screwed up things up by having those weeks off...)

I finally went and got myself listed as a disability student, in case I go fully bipolar again (but, it is just a precaution, I am sure this semester will be far more super than the last!)

I applied to do the next semester online. I plan to use this as an excuse to go to all the libraries in Sydney I have yet to visit, for a day of study and book browsing.

I started volunteering at Hurstville Library Gallery Museum, which I plan to write more about later.

(When I went to the disabilities building, I discovered this rooftop garden for the very first time... It is the same building as the library, but you can't access them from the same point, they occupy the front and back respectively. I think I will be making a lot more use of this as time goes on... It is so tranquil, and has the most excellent views of Sydney!)