College Orientation Day 2

So I know that I posted day 1 this morning, but in any case here is the second day.

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7:53 AM

Woke up at 6 and hit snooze for an entire hour. Tee hee hee. I only have a few moments to write, and as nothing has really happened yet today, that’s not a problem. I finally managed an internet connection (civilization! Yes!) and I uploaded to blogger my journal entries from yesterday. This morning started off smoothly. I ate breakfast (though I never do. I can’t eat right after I wake up. Just not hungry. Anyway, so I forced down some hashbrowns, bacon, and fruit and came out here to find my internet connection. (yay!) They keep warning us that today is going to be a very long, long day. Yesterday was long too… I suppose I better brace myself.

9:49 AM
Just finished a meeting about signing up for classes and a requirement for what classes the CAP program requires. It was good and informative… but man. All I can think about is how much my arms hurt! It turns out that playing volleyball for the first time without stretching or warming up or whatever is a bad idea. My shoulders are so tense you would think the muscles were replaced with rocks and I can’t stretch out my arms without cringing. Ow.

4:43 PM
The day isn’t yet done, and I am already ready to go to bed! I’m not suffering from Too Many People syndrome today, I even sat down and chatted with some of the girls I played volleyball with last night. I bought a frappaccino and they asked me if I wanted to sit and hang out for a bit. We attended a class (well, a neurobiologist lectured about the brain retains memories for an hour) and then we had a dance off (which was hilarious) and then watched a slide show and they talked… more.

6:25 PM
I got distracted by my roommates, who sucked me into a(nother) conversation about meal plans and housing. We ended up doing calculations to figure out what the best meal plan is, and eventually decided on one. And then we gossiped about leaders and other people here… because that’s what teenage girls do, of course. Found a really nice girl who I’ve been chatting with. She’s also into music and theater, and she’s a big-time soprano girl who has had voice lessons and everything. She’s got me beat, but we share a lot of the same interests. Perhaps I will actually have a friend here in the fall.

9:16 PM
Okay, so I have to take back what I said about the gay guy. He still bitches and moans about things a lot, but he’s actually a really cool guy to talk to. The evening was spent in one last, final (ahhh…) advisory lecture and right now there is a pool party going on outside. It looks kind of fun (ish) but I’m not sure that I’m going to go and spend a lot of time there. Tomorrow we have to meet with an academic advisor. I know that I’ll go, but I am scheduled at 3 pm.

10:16 PM
Okay, so I keep getting off track. I just moved outside into the courtyard of Chaparral, which is where the housing for the orientation is being held… which is also the only spot I get internet access at. No complaints. It’s the perfect night tonight. It’s about 85 degrees outside, not humid, the sun’s long set, and I am not holed up in my room. I’ve been trying to figure out how to occupy my day tomorrow until 3. I think that I’ll probably start at 9 or so (this depends on whether they will be serving breakfast until then. I have no idea… Actually, I just remembered. I don’t have to restrict myself to staying on campus. Doi.) So yeah. 9 sounds good. Then I think I will make my way leisurely around the campus, perhaps purchase a few things from the bookstore on campus, grab some starbucks on the wonderfully fully-functioning location on campus (I can hear the Hallelujah chorus. Can you?) And then depending on what I feel like, I’ll head on over to Yarnivore, my new LYS in San Antonio. I’ve been reading reviews and stuff online, and everyone’s given the store 5 stars and has had lovely things to say about it. Also, it’s about 10 minutes away from the campus. So perhaps I’ll yarn for a while, eat lunch at the stores across the street (Or back on campus. I’m not picky.) and then I’ll head on over to my meeting, register for classes, and then be on my merry way. I won’t have to get out of the dorm room until 6:30 at the latest (and then they start to fine us) so I’ll have plenty of time to put things back into my car in a leisurely fashion that won’t KILL my arms. Have I mentioned yet how much my arms hurt from volleyball yet today? I’m going to mention it again. I can’t stretch or fully extend my arms without PAIN. I complain, but… well, I’m thrilled, really. I used to love playing volleyball. It was so much fun. I was good, too. Not Club kind of good, but I really enjoyed it. And I had a killer overhand serve. I kind of feel like I’m doing my mom proud when I play. I know she used to play… and I’ve never been what she expected. She was a jock in high school… I was the theater geek. Total opposites. I don’t want to ramble on and on about the differences between my mom and I, but I guess what I’m saying is that I feel like I’m connecting with her on an entirely different level when I play a sport. I’m totally going to do intramural volleyball in the fall. It will rock, and I know it. And while I work on that overhand, I have a pretty badass underhand. Well, I think I’m going to check my email a last time, maybe watch a little youtube, make an appearance at the pool party, and then go into my room.

College Orientation Day 1

I'm going to introduce yall to a sort of diary of mine. Two years ago, when I went to Washington DC for 10 days with a youth leadership program, what I did to keep sane amongst the constant movement of the program was keep a sort of journal. I would whip it out and write down what I'd done, what my thoughts were, and whatever else came to mind at the time. I recorded the date and time at the top of each page and, looking back, I think that was the best thing I've ever really done. I recorded both my thoughts and my actions, and I cherish that diary that I kept all summer.

Well, it turns out that Freshman Orientation at UTSA is quite the same. A lot of movement, and a lot of thought going on in my head. So, while I have found an internet connection that totally doesn't suck, I'm going to type up my entries from yesterday.

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6/17/08
5:29 pm
Have to leave for the next round of activities in five minutes. Have been kept going since 8:30 this morning, with no free time (except for about half an hour before lunch… at 2:30.) Skipping dinner at the moment because I just can’t eat anything real right now… munching on popcorn, though. J I mean, it’s 5:30, I can’t eat 3 hours later. In any case, I’m suffering from Too Many People syndrome again. I’ve been in close proximity to many strangers for the entire day, and I’m ready to lose myself in an internet connection (which I can’t seem to make. So that opportunity is out the window) or a book (I haven’t got time to really read right now). All day they’ve been talking to us about placement tests, courses that you’ll take, things you’ll deal with, the police and counseling system… All of which I know that I’ll find useful in a few months, but that’s just it. It’s a few months away. Now I have to leave for a Team Huddle for Group A at 5:35.

10:01 pm
Turns out the plans they had for us wasn't so bad. A tour around the campus and rec center time! I played oodles of volleyball and had a wonderful time. And at the very end of the game (well, we weren't keeping score) I got my overhand serve!! I’d been doing really well with my underhand serve and when it stopped being competitive, I tried my overhand a few times. Failed up until the end. I haven’t got much to complain about, but some people are real bitches here. There’s one gay guy who is in my small(ish) group (of 30 people) who can’t seem to find the joy in anything. He just talks about how much he wants to get away from here and go shopping or clubbing. My roommates are great girls. Different enough from me to make me feel like I’m not quite part of things, but we share enough of the same opinions (as well as situation) that I can’t see myself disliking them. Right now I’m waiting for one of them (Leah…?) to get out of the shower so I can hop in an de-grunge myself.

6/18/08
12:20 AM
In bed at the moment. I just chatted with Leah and Lauren for about an hour and a half. Well, they mostly talked and I mostly listened. It turns out that I might be a good listener about other people’s stories better than I am at adding my own input. Weird, how you learn these things. Internet not working… Very frustrating. Am going to bring laptop to breakfast tomorrow morning (I’ll hit breakfast early, I think, and come back here and finish getting ready. That strategy worked at NYLC.) I heard that the internet connection right outside of the Roadrunner Café has a great internet connection. Perhaps I’ll bring my computer along with me tomorrow anyway. I have got my mom’s backpack with me. Oh, and that other bag in my car! I might get that one instead. Have to get to bed now. It’s 12:30 and as it is, I’ll only get 5 hours of sleep.

You'll just have to deal with it

Sunset from airplane

Fabulous Moon Picture

(Have I told you how much I love the moon? I'm going to take a million pictures of the moon with this camera. So deal with it.)

Sur La Plage

(Just that title makes me want to break out in song. 'Sur la plage' is a song that is in the musical The Boyfriend.)

This morning, we all woke up early and headed to the beach. Have I told you all my opinion of the beach? To be honest, I love the beach. I'm just not that fond of salt water. Or sand, when it gets in through the edges of your swim suit. Otherwise, I love the beach. It rocks.

The beaches at Long Island are some of the most beautiful. They aren't commercialized and there aren't hotels and a board walk bordering the side that isn't the ocean. There aren't planes toting advertisements (that often) and the grass sways in the cool breeze. We stayed at the beach for about two hours, until they got really crowded, and then we left. I took a nap in the sun, and I represented by Knitting in Public. (Today is World Wide Knit in Public Day). I only got a little sun burnt (Excellente!) and I totally got my toes wet, but not my entire body. The Atlantic ocean is cold. (Look at Barb knitting in public!)

After we came home from the beach, the day slowed down. Barb and I talked yarn and blogging, and the girls went swimming in a neighbor's pool. We ordered takeout Italian, watched the recording of Honk! and just chilled for the evening.

I fly home tomorrow. I'm not sure that I want to, but I know that I'll always have a family up here in New York. :)

Just a little blog

Okay, so this blog has nothing to do with me being in NY, or staying with the most amazing people in the world, or even knitting.

Remember that post about going to see Narnia? Saturday, May 17th and all that.

I've gotten four comments on that blog. All from the same anonymous person. It's kind of freaking me out.

Anonymous said...
it's actually 'deja vu' with an acute accent over the first e and a grave accent on the a. good try though lol. May 28, 2008 11:53 PM
Anonymous said...
Can't choose who I think is better looking . . . *sigh* May 29, 2008 8:03 PM
Anonymous said...
i went to school with will moseley lol - all the year 7s used to go up to him and ask for his autograph when the first narnia film came out... May 30, 2008 3:29 PM
Anonymous said...
omg they are both so adorable!!! I honestly love william and ben and i wish i could actually meet them personally...yeah like that'll ever happen. they are just both so dreamy.... June 14, 2008 12:27 AM

Is all of that strange, or am I just overreacting? I mean, I see no reason to comment on somebody's same blog multiple times.

Anonymous person, if you're reading this... I don't mind if you comment. Just find something intelligent to say, please.

(Oh, and get your stories straight. First you say you went to school with Moseley and then you say you wish you could meet him.)

Greatness in the form of an island

Today was lovely, too. (I just keep having all these wonderful days up in New York, I can't believe it!) I slept a little bit later than I did yesterday and I said goodbye to Barb's parents. I took a shower (Ahhh...) and I went with Barb to Jane's school to see their Flag Day presentation. It was a series of patriotic songs that when sung with a 1st grader's voice sounds so much cuter than any other choir.

After that, Barb and I went and had lunch and then found Barb's local yarn store!! I'm so happy to have found this store with her, because I was worried that there would be less yarning for her than in Texas. And I know how fond she is of yarning. She said that she's been driving all over the island looking for a good yarn store and hasn't been able to find one yet... And today she (well, I) did. (Thank you, googlemaps.) Ana came with us because we picked her up from school early. That girl has severe senioritis, except that she's in fourth grade (and I'm not sure it's right to have senioritis in fourth grade.)

I bought yarn. Barb bought yarn. It was a good day. (Barb bought me the lovely blue/yellow Claudia yarn. Thank you Barb!!)

After we yarned, we came back to the house, had a rest for about an hour, and then Barb went to pick Jane up from school. At about 5, I took Jane and Ana to the festival at Jane's school, where there were games, a magic show, a karate exhibition, and lots of junk food. It was fun for the girls and for me to just watch.

(Isn't Jane beautiful? She and Ana amaze me every day.)

We came home, had dinner, watched Bee Movie, knitted a bit, and then retreated to our respective rooms. It was a great day. I know I keep saying that, but I just feel so welcome here and everyone is just so nice. (That's the sock I'm working on. Claudia Hand Painted, Fingering weight, the flavor Marigold.)

Tomorrow, we are going to the beach. Tomorrow is also World Wide Knit in Public day. (Get ready, world.)

Into the City... And out again

Today was another fabulous day.

My day started off waking up at 8:30, which is odd, because I've been sleeping in until about 10:30 at least lately. Won't question it, though. I was Up and About to see Jane off to school (Not Ana, though. Her school begins at 7:55. Hahaha. ;)) I ate a muffin for breakfast and got ready to go into the city.

I went with Barb's s dad on the train into NYC itself. The train ride took about an hour, and it was fine. I chatted with Jerry the entire way there. We talked about traveling, and Europe, and music, and a lot of other things. He is one of those classic Old Men who, when they get going, don't stop. I didn't interrupt, and let him speak. He's one of the most interesting men I've met, and yet so simple a person. The more he spoke, the more I realized how similar I was to him. We talked about art (We share the same taste in art and music. Except he likes classic rock and I don't really. And I like modern rap/pop and he doesn't) and he even stuck around while I spent about 40 minutes looking at yarn. He says it's comparable to him in a CD shop.

After we got into the city, we went to the Museum of Modern Art. It was a fabulous building, beautiful, and a great use of space and design. However, what was in it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I find myself drawn more towards the Renaissance and Romantic periods when it comes to art than the modern stuff. I can appreciate it, but I don't understand it. Rather how I feel about books like the Red Badge of Courage and 1984. I can appreciate them for the books that they are, the great messages that they portray and the impact that they had on the masses... But they're not the books for me.

After we walked through one of the painting galleries, we had a light lunch in the cafe in the museum. I have to say that the turkey on rye sandwich that I ate was one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. It had the right spices, tomatoes, turkey, and bread combination to make it perfect. I had a latte as well, and then I went on my way out into the Wide World while Jerry stayed in MoMA because he wanted to see more of the exhibits. (I was all museumed out at this point).

I got lost (Of course) and finally made my way up to Columbus Circle. I thought about shopping 5th Avenue, but I haven't been there much and didn't really feel comfortable walking the area. I knew Columbus Circle from last year visiting NYC with Mom, so I headed that way. I had a smoothie in Whole Foods (I had to go to the WF, or I think my mother would disown me. ;) ) and then I went up into the shops above and spent money. I bought a movie or two in Borders and some makeup in Sephora, and by that time had pretty much exhausted most of my cash as well as energy. I picked up a copy of Interweave Knits in Borders as well, and headed outside to sit by the Columbus statue and wait for Jerry to arrive. (We'd agreed to meet at 4 at the statue, because it was pretty central to where he and I were.) We then made our way into SoHo to a yarn store, Purl, that I had been tipped off about by Staci at the Knitting Nest last Monday at Knit Night. It was the world's most tiny little shop, but it was lovely. As I said earlier, Jerry stuck around and waited for me to make my selections. After a time, I did and I paid for the yarn and left.

We made our way back to the house and had a lovely night relaxing and laughing and eating the remainder of the cakes left over from last night. :)

And I was a good house guest and offered to help at every opportunity. (See, Mother?)

I keep spelling things wrong at this point, and I'm exhausted. So I'm going to bed now!!