It has been a few weeks since my last Ten Thing of Thankful entry. As some people may already know, I was very busy with university and the exam period, which is why I was absent from this blog-hop for two weeks.

Anyway, if you enjoy reading about gratitude and gratefulness, you can find the other participants at the link-up.

Ten Thing of Thankful #4

First — as I already mentioned in my six-sentence story intro, I passed the math test. It was the one course that I was scared of not passing. However, somehow with the last test I managed to score 24 points out of 30 which, if you knew me and how bad I have been at math... is an achievement on its own (the first test two months prior was 9/40).

My mother keeps reminding me how, in the first grade during a math lesson, I had hidden myself under the table and yelled at the teacher that I didn’t want to do math, I wanted to draw... That was my first red note in my diary.

Second — the semester is over and I have passed everything but one course... I never thought that university could be this hard. Honestly, I have always been an overachiever, but university has humbled me a lot. I had to sacrifice my programming course. I truly thought I was able to do more than I actually was, which was a mistake on my side.

In the first semester I took extra courses thinking that because I had always managed to do well in school (except math), and because I wasn’t working, it should all be doable — but if I could go back, I would tell myself that math and programming will take most of your time, so be careful.

Third — university life itself. I am naturally a very laid-back person. I have trouble speaking under pressure or communicating verbally at times, and in the past I even collapsed during my spoken English exam due to anxiety.

But we had a course where I had to stand in front of the class every week and give a presentation. I never knew I had it in me because usually my mind goes blank even when I’m asked something I know.

Fourth — my family here in Tallinn. They have become a part of my life I never thought I wanted. It’s like having a second set of parents, and I’m so grateful for the room they have rented to me.

The new mom even decorated it with little knick-knacks because we share the same habit of collecting them. They are lovely people, and I honestly cannot imagine my life without them anymore.

Fifth — my mate, who has been very patient with me during the time I’ve been away from home. It’s not easy on him, I know, and sometimes I feel like I’m not present enough because of school, but he is a champ. This semester was easier on both of us as we are perhaps finally getting used to the new arrangement.

Sixth — the construction at home is finally nearing its end. I joked before school even started that they would come exactly during my exam period again and, yes, the heating system replacement happened this week... Of course it did. They should finish by the beginning of next month though, and then I can finally make my home feel like my home again.

Seventh — video games. Funny, right? Not exactly a people person, yet I have been playing MMOs for years. I don’t have much time for them while school is ongoing, but this week I returned and it was honestly one of the few ways I could fully relax.

Eighth — to the person who commented on one of my TToT entries that I should check out the dVerse Poets Pub poets: thank you. I have now participated in the OLN too, and lately I have been spending my evenings reading there. It feels like a little slit in time where I can simply sit, read, and not think about school or the construction at home for a while.

Ninth — Our new balcony is finally ready, and I can hang my laundry there to dry. It smells so nice compared to drying it inside.

Tenth — Summer is right around the corner, which means I can rest, travel a bit, and spend time at the lake. Aah.

Perhaps I could invite you to read more of my work:

If you like short stories I have them scooped up into one category (including the six-sentence stories).

Or perhaps I could interest you in poetry and refections or something more personal like the Blog.

I also happen to own an IT studies blog in Estonian and "Chaos in Spring" can be listened to on YouTube, Spotify and other streaming services.