Over pasta at Ask today, Meena and I pondered the differences between equilibrium and inertia, stability and monotony, and we kinda concluded they might well be two sides of the same coin. It was a nice lunch, and since I'm here, big thanks and hugs to Peishan for Lincoln lunch last Wednesday and Meena for Keble Hall on Tuesday. This term has been full of girlie teas, lunches and chats that have helped preserve my sanity in the midst of all the 3rd year hurly-burly. Can't wait for Maison Blanc on Thursday and La Boheme next Wednesday! It's been a bit of a hiatus, last week was rather insane and things are good now. In fact, term should end right now because I can't bear to do any more work. Have so much to look forward to, week 8 is going to be awesome, despite 3 tutes and 1 more China essay.

Feminism had been on my reading list for both papers last week, and it's been a bit of an epiphany, giving me one of those 'question and relook everything in your life' blitz. Briefly chatted to P about it and am looking forward to more. Got really absorbed in the readings, feeling a great sense of indignation at many points, in addition to the smatterings of 'oh-my-god-why-have-I-never-spotted-this'. Tutes for both papers were a load of fun; a guy in China class defiantly asked 'why should I even care about gender' and received proper retribution for his misdeed. Chauvinist bugger. Quite the opposite happened for pol theory, where my tutor (Israeli male) had to continually convince my tute mate (British female) that her views were testimony to the fact that gender roles have been internalised. I sat through tute arguing against her instead of with her, and at the end, I felt a bit sad that a fellow woman could not share the solidarity, nor felt the need to demand for the equality that women deserve. Heh but no, I've not turned into a raving feminist overnight though I remember a particular pol sociology tute on gender, where I sat through the hour annoyed and indignant, with males for tutemate and tutor. Oh but I did order de Beauvoir's 'The Second Sex' in my fit of righteousness and justice...

In other news, Zara has finally opened its doors to receive Oxonians, after ages of those tempting 'Coming Soon' signs, thank god!

Chin up love, things aren't as dismal as you imagine. Sometimes it's best to stop thinking.

Finally, shout outs: Happy 21st C! and early 21st greetings to P too, all good ol' adults now aren't we? ;)