cadaver memorial, new apartment, J.M. Coetzee

We had the "Ceremony of Reflection and Gratitude" today to honor the folks who donated their bodies for our gross anatomy course. It was nice. A local preacher gave a 10-minute, rather incomprehensible sermon, some people from our class spoke about their experience, and an alumnus who's now a radiologist read a pretty good poem she wrote when she was in gross anatomy. I'd like to do a nation-wide survey and find out just how many first-year med students find closure by writing poems about gross.
After that, I went to sign my lease and move some stuff into my new apartment. It's TINY (just under 300 sq. ft. total) but pretty nice. The building's secure, there's a nice patio and pool area, and I have what looks like new carpet and a really good refrigerator and range. I think I'll like it there, if I can fit all my stuff in.
I just finished Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee. It was excellent, but I'm still trying to figure out if the main character ever really got anywhere. The book certainly lives up to its name, as the lives of the major characters seem increasingly to be exercises in humility. Belonging to a faith that values humility as a virtue, that aspect of it very much appealed to me. Also appealing is the effortless way in which Coetzee weaves his motifs and symbolism with his story. Nothing seems forced or pretentious. I guess that's why it won a Booker award and the 2003 Nobel prize for literature. I think I'll finish American Gods next, so I can make Carl happy with two books in a row. Then he'll just have to read one of the dozen or so books I've lent him. :p