The last song of summer

Dahlias in the garden

Locarno beach, Vancouver

Golf at Henderson Park

Suddenly the nights are cool, the leaves are falling, and kids are moaning about going back to school. Where did the summer go?

I'm looking forward to the fall though, especially since I hope to (finally) finish the thesis. I haven't written as much as I had hope - one never does - but I'm about half way through, and things are looking up. Besides, I have to finish by December because...it looks like I may have a job! I don't want to jinx it, but I have a job lined up at the Immigrant and Refugee Centre where I volunteer, working as an employment counsellor. One case worker is going on maternity leave as of December, so I'll be taking over for her.

My plan was to teach English for a while until I needed a break or a change, and then move on to this kind of work, but I can't very well turn down this amazing opportunity. I'm really lucky to get this job, especially considering that I don't have any experience or relevant education. It's such a relief to have something lined up for when I graduate, even if it is just for a year.

Unfortunately this job means that I'll have to live in Victoria at least until December 2007. I really had my heart set on moving to Vancouver, or going abroad, but it would be silly for me to move there for no reason. I'll just get a place of my own here once my coffers fill up again. Besides, Vancouver will still be there when I finish, but this job has magically landed into my lap and who knows when I'll get an opportunity like this again?

And now for something completely different...

Some light end-of-the-summer reading: funny quotes from stars (credit Mike Devlin from the local paper). Happy laughing!

• "Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean, I'd love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff." -- R&B singer Mariah Carey, also a Make-a-Wish Foundation spokeswoman.
• "The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." -- ex-NFL quarterback Joe Theisman, apparently no Norman Einstein.
• "Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." -- Brooke Shields, after becoming a spokesperson for an anti-smoking campaign

• "On the road, hooking up is kind of like Burger King: you have it your way. You won't feel good about it afterward, but it will get the job done." -- Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, classic as always.
• "(Wheel of Fortune letter-spinner) Vanna White said since her son has been born, she wants to work less. Vanna, you turn tiles for a living. If you worked any less, you'd be the triangle player in K.C. and the Sunshine Band." -- comic Dennis Miller, so good before he became a Republican.