Summer vacation started already in spring

And at the moment I’m engulfed in that childlike joy, because in May I was able to close out my semester with an “A-” grade point average. Sure, I don’t pay too much attention to grades; what’s important is to fight to make it to the next school year. But I have to say not getting a single “C” made me really happy.

The summer semester, which had started paradoxically in the winter and ended in the spring, went by at the speed of light. I didn’t even have time to memorize my schedule. Of course during my studies, I experienced lots of pleasant things, such as listening to radio plays, enjoying excursions to the TV Nova and Radio Beat stations, or shooting and then processing a video. Finally, as best I could, I learned to edit video, add subtitles and music to it, etc. I did have to embrace it as self-study, and editing a ten-minute recording took me the whole weekend, but the things I learned are sure to help me in the future.

I may have my very last summer vacation just before me. If I earn my Master’s degree already in June of next year, I won’t be enjoying the summer vacation but rather starting work or job hunting. And if by chance it doesn’t go well the first time, I would have to retake the state examinations in September, and I would be burning the summer days by studying. So I better take full advantage of these coming summer months. But I would also like to fulfill a promise that I made to myself – to write the theoretical part of my thesis by the end of September. I have a supervisor and a topic as well: Preparing Children in Children’s Homes for Adulthood and the End of Institutional Care. I have been in a children’s home since I was thirteen, so I know plenty about this issue. In theory however, I will have to base my work on facts from technical literature, so it’s off to the library with me.

I have no great plans for the most beautiful time of the year. The European Under-21 Championship in football is set for June. That means only one thing: secure plenty of popcorn and other treats, get a drinking regimen going, occupy the best spot on the couch and stay glued to the TV. But since the tournament is playing out in nearby Poland, my friends and I are heading right to the stadium in the city of Tychy to watch a match featuring the Czech representatives. After that I will be staying close to home. I have to improve my driving skills, so I will take advantage of the hot days to enjoy outings to local castles, chateaux or zoos. For years I have been missing out on cultural monuments, and I have such jewels close to home as the medieval Bouzov Castle, Úsov Chateau or the Mladeč Caves. There are plenty of places to head out to with family or friends, so I have a lot to look forward to.

Dear readers, I wish you a carefree end to your school year and to enjoy the summer vacation or a peaceful holiday somewhere.

On the job.

On a trip to Poděbrady