orientation and exhaustion

I'm back from orientation. I can't say it was very informative, but then again, I've been through the masters program already.
I missed the bus this morning, so Jeff took me to school, and I was way early, but a lot of people were there early too. We sat at tables with our cohorts. I overheard someone say there are 10 PhD students new this year. I met 4 of them, so only half of us were there. Something a bit odd, but I was the only girl! Not used to being outnumbered by men in class. Nice guys though. Keith is a retired prosecutor, James is ex-Navy, with a newborn son and got his masters at IUP, Jason is from WI, and Avbi (or something) I didn't hear too much about. Met one of my teachers, and another PhD student who is also a teacher's assistant. Apparently there is a party for us crim students tomorrow, but I won't be going since I have no way to get there. On September 14th, Dr. Myers, Tibbetts friend and the doctoral advisor, will be throwing us students a lunch party. The masters students seemed a lot more lively, like they'd be more fun to hang out with, which makes me wonder if I'm less mature than my cohorts. I found myself somewhat dreading being in a room with a bunch of academics because it becomes a big show of how many big words we can use, and big egoes.
I found myself a bit homesick again, mainly because I miss my school friends and actually miss my school, and my teachers. As much as I complained about classes and administration there...it is so different here, so less organized. At least only 1 of us so far has the advantage of knowing the faculty here.
Then...I don't know what the deal with the busses is today, but apparently they weren't running to the stops inside the school. So after talking to a bunch of girls at the bus stop who had been waiting for an hour, I decided to walk home. Now the walk itself isn't too bad, but combined with the humidity, I'm wiped out. Not to mention I've been awake since about 3am. I plan on laying on the couch for the rest of the afternoon with the a/c on. I think I'm going to treat myself to a banana split later on though. We might get some showers around 5 or so though.

update

The weather here today was warm and humid. The neighbors said we have 100% humidity, but no rain. It's supposed to be cooler tomorrow, high around 88, and continue to cool down through next week. Yesterday we had a tornado warning, but I didn't know that until today. Chance of thunderstorms, but for now, the sky is clear.
I have orientation tomorrow from 9am to probably 2ish. It's going to be a draining day. I remember orientation for the masters program, which was a lot shorter, but it's stressful when you know no one (at least last time I knew the teachers!) and you have to be friendly. At least it is stressful for me. Everyone here says I'm really nice and friendly though, so perhaps I'm changing my ways. Sunday I plan to be super lazy, as it is my last day of freedom. Then tuesday or wednesday next week, I'll be going to the fair with Debbie and Carroll. And of course, starting my classes.
This heat is absolutely killing me. It's just after 7 and I'm ready for bed, although I know sleeping will be uncomfortable tonight.
I will write tomorrow after orientation. Hopefully I meet some nice people. I'm sure I will.

day with the neighbors

I missed the bus this morning, but Jeff happened to see, so he offered to take me to the Dollar Tree because he was going there. So I went with him, Carroll and Debbie, and because I had a vehicle I could use to transport things, I shopped for more than what I would have, but that's ok because I still needed it all. Just stocked my pantry some more, got some school supplies, and a couple of frames. Then we went to the Goodwill, and I found a platter and a smaller tea jar. I found a black metal rocking chair I really liked that would have gone great in my room, but they wanted $40 for it, which seems like a bit much. Then we went to McDonald's and I treated, because they've really helped me make the transition here. They were so thankful and told me "we were just being neighborly!" How different from California!
So then I showed them my place, since I had managed to clean it all yesterday, and today, now actually, it is a mess again. They liked it.
Finally told the landlord my oven wasn't working, and he told me to watch Debbie and Jeff and not to loan them money. Uh..thanks for that warning. Then I met the old man in number 3, and his wife Margaret. They talked my ears off, but they are sweet. He's got lung problems and she has dementia. And then they told me to watch out for Carroll, because she can be a trouble maker and not to tell her too much about myself. Great...small town politics. So now I'm a bit worried about being too friendly with everyone. I'm friends with everyone though.
Met Tracey and Jeremy too. They are my age, yay! She's a math teacher, and she and I started talking about teaching right away. I think it would be a good idea to get to know them better.
My plan was to just relax today, but that has yet to happen. It's going on 5, and I have been doing this and that around the house and chatting with neighbors all day. Just wanted to check in though.

sad news

Today started out as a scorcher. 83 and humid by 11am. I was dying. Ended up cleaning upstairs though. I like my neighbor Debbie the grandma, but she's a lousy cleaner. I had a lot of wall scrubbing to do in the bathroom. But I got it all clean (except the floor, never did do that), and finally, FINALLY got my bedroom clean, so now all that is left up there is to vacuum. Which I was going to do, along with the kitchen, until I got some sad news.
I went onto myspace, and had a message from someone I didn't know, but I read it anyway. She is a friend to a friend of mine, Gina, who I worked with at Ned's for awhile. She moved to Chico in 03 I believe, so I haven't seen her for awhile and she was always difficult to track down. Well, apparently, her fiance, and the father of her baby, passed away just recently. I never even knew she was pregnant! I had heard about the fiance though.
So I called my old boss and friend, Diane, and she said, "oh funny you should call, Earl was just in here with some shocking news." Earl is Gina's dad and a longtime customer at Ned's. He was upset and crying, but told them the news. Apparently he went to bed one night, and just didn't wake up. The baby is a month old. The funeral will be in Chico, but then Gina's moving back to Rialto. I just feel sick about it. Poor Gina. So Sheryl said she might go by, and my mom said she'd send flowers. I have her number, so I might call, but I don't want to bombard her.
I just don't feel like finishing my housework now. It started to rain, and it's a hot rain. Lots of thunder too. I just feel so blah now.

my new boss

Today I met Dr. Martin, my advisor and boss.

First I started my day exhanging the shirt I bought for Noah at the Hub. Then I hiked up to Dr. Martin's office, and just sat in the oak grove for awhile cooling down from my hike and reading a book. A girl walked by and asked me for directions, and I had to tell her I was new too. I must look like I belong though, which is great. Finally went inside, and got added to payroll, yay for paychecks! That took awhile because the guy helping me didn't know much. Then I made my way to the 4th floor to see Dr. Martin. What a beautiful building, with chandeliers and big oak tables to sit at to study, it's awesome.
So then I went to his office and my first impression was he is a jolly looking man. When he smiles he purses his lips together, it's just funny. He's probably around 50, bald like my dad, wearing shorts and a t-shirt like Tibbetts would wear. And the grad student, Jeff, that I met earlier, was there too. I'll be seeing him a lot I guess.
So first he gave me keys to his office and the building that the department is in. I'm a geek, but I was so giddy over that! Then he ran down my job really quick. Ready for this? I get paid for 20 hours of work a week...to mainly grade discussion papers for ONE of his classes. Big wow. Although...I didn't check to see how many students are in this class...but I don't think it's one of the large ones. I also have to photocopy some stuff to put in the library on reserve, and I might be helping with his research on ethics (not fun). That's about it so far. He told me, some weeks he'll not have 20 hours of work for me to do, some weeks, he'll need 25. I think I can do that. And no advising center, woohoo! So I'm pretty darn happy with my job.
As for Dr. Martin, I think he's pretty cool. I would say a lot like Tibbetts, but even more friendly. He's into animals, like Parsons, and is looking for a pet sitter. Can't say I would do birds and lizards and a snake though, ick! He told me places to go see, and eat, and do. And he's known for supporting the "odd" dissertations, so he's probably going to end up as my mentor. I couldn't be happier.
I went to financial aid, and boy they aren't organized here. Then I went to the health center, which isn't free like cal-state. $30 for them to give me antibiotics for this staph infection. Then I missed the bus and had to hang out for an hour. Needless to say, I was exhausted when I got home.
I was just about to go over to the Meadows to get ice cream for the first time, and Carroll called me over to see her place. Wow...it is jammed packed with knickknacks. Stuff on her walls though, so I decided oh yes, I'm hanging things in my place. Her kitchen is yellow too, so I'm tempted to paint. She gave me her number, and we've decided to go to the fair together next week. Then I got to see Jeff and Debbie's house, much less crowded, and Jeff gave me a peach scented candle as a house warming gift. I have really great neighbors.
Haven't gotten to the Meadows though. Debating going there now before dinner. Made tuna casserole in my little toaster oven, and froze half for another night. I think it'll be an early night tonight. At least it was a good day :)

solo walmart trip

Highlight of my day today was going to walmart all by myself on the bus without getting lost. I bought myself a toaster oven, since my oven isn't working and I've had the urge to bake. I got screws so I could finally finish putting together my dresser, and got some more hangers, plus some food supplies, oh and a phone and phone cords! When I got home, I plugged in the phone, and it worked. However, when I called home, a different number came up on caller ID so I'm going to avoid using it until tomorrow.
It poured all night, but luckily this morning it stopped. It just now started to rain again around 1:30, so I got to do my errand without getting wet. Tonight I'll work on getting my room straightened up, and tomorrow I get to meet my new boss/advisor. I'll finish up my school errands tomorrow too.
Had my first experience of homesickness this morning. The rain woke me up and for some reason I thought it was my dad getting ready to leave for work, and I thought, oh it's a good day to sleep in...and then realized, oh yeah, I'm not at home. I've been having a lot of dreams about Christmas too, so obviously my subconscious is feeling it. But really, I'm okay and I'm surprised at how good I'm doing.

new home pics

Well here are pictures of my living room and the kitchen (which is dark I know). That's as good as it will get until it stops raining and I have better light. Bedroom and office will be awhile, although my office is almost "clean." I have little stacks of things in my closet that until I get some more organizing drawer things, they will be piled on the floor.

Got some mail today. You have no idea how thrilled I was because I got a school book, all 3 of my netflix and stuff from my new bank. So now at least I have something to watch tonight, and I could technically start reading this book, because it's a novel, not a textbook.

the bus 2 continued

Back from the bus!
My neighbors are really sweet. Having them ride the bus with me was so wonderful and helpful! Now I feel 110% better about everything, especially getting around town. The bus does stop right here, and I think it takes about 15 minutes to get to school. It takes about an hour to get to walmart though, which I need to go up there. Mainly for an umbrella!
It is storming here. I mean sheets of pouring rain and I just heard a huge clasp of thunder! Kind of neat though. I have my front door open and am just watching it come down. Of course, my tv is going in and out, and I have laundry in the laundry room. My neighbors say our basements flood too, so I have to keep an eye on it.
It really is hard to believe it's August!

the bus 2

I'm so excited right now! Jeff, Debbie and Carrol are going to take a bus ride with me! I'm sooooo happy, it's such a relief! Jeff knows the bus schedule by heart, so it will help me out so much. And it does stop right in front of my house, thankfully. It's been drizzling on and off still. So it will help that I won't have to get drenched walking places. Woohoo! I won't be house bound for long!

Is it winter?

This morning it is drizzling and cold. Well not cold, cold, but enought to snuggle with a lap blanket and know I can drink coffee all through the day. Bums me out though because I was going to walk down to the grocery store or attempt the bus again. It'll have to wait until tomorrow, if it's not raining then, which I think it might. I'm already bored with the tv, so I guess I'm going to have to work upstairs today. One more week of free time though and then it's back to the grind.