[insert exciting title here]
Despite the sound of the title, I really am excited about grad school. I go between apprehension and nervousness, and excitement, to be honest. Excitement always wins out, though. I spent some time tonight browsing the website for the SOIS and found more things I didn't know. I also happened to come across statistics from the incoming classes and whatnot for the past two semesters, to get an idea about what size the program is. If I'm interpreting the numbers right, last fall they admitted 267 students, and this spring semester they admitted 117. So, I can assume the size of the incoming class (MY CLASS :D) will be somewhere in there. That's a pretty big gap, but at least it gives me some sort of idea what to expect. Then there were more numbers.... (be still, my brain!) Again, if I'm interpreting correctly, there were 159 new graduate students for Fall 2009, and 81 new graduate students for Spring 2010. Which gives me another good ballpark estimate.
Orientation is on Friday. I was pretty nervous about it, but then I bought my train tickets (one way free, courtesy of Amtrak Guest Rewards :D), and spent some more time familiarizing myself with their website, and bingo. Back on the train to excitement and grand adventure. The only thing I'm really not looking forward to is how long Friday will be. 6 am train.... orientation from 8:30a - 4:30p, then train back to Chicago. LONG. DAY. But [hopefully] worth it. I'm debating having dinner in Milwaukee for a bit of culture and adventure after orientation, and before the train leaves, but that will partly depend on whatever Drew decides.... [hint, hint, if you're reading this... :P] I think there's a brewhouse/pub of some sort relatively close to the train station, why not check it out? You know me... [almost] always up for a quality beer. ;-)
Completely unrelated to grad school excitement:
Nicole and I went on a lunch/library outing today, which consisted of a Shamrock shake and deliciously over-salted fries courtesy of McDonalds, and then sitting on the floor in the knitting/crochet section of the library and looking at pattern books. We're such old ladies. I love it. I also picked up three books to browse through.... (not like I need any more distractions from that honors paper I should be writing):
Griffin-Grimes, Kristeen French Girl Knits
Kandis, Mags Folk Style (and)
Parkes, Clara The Knitter's Book of Wool.
I already have Parkes' The Knitter's Book of Yarn, so this one should be good. Actually, I found a shawl pattern in there that I want to make eventually. Whoo- branching out into lace knitting! :P
Other than that, I need to get going on my research, and outlining... And then acquire a decent amount of sleep before working again bright and early tomorrow AM. This week is certainly turning out to be the week of early rises. Blargh.
Orientation is on Friday. I was pretty nervous about it, but then I bought my train tickets (one way free, courtesy of Amtrak Guest Rewards :D), and spent some more time familiarizing myself with their website, and bingo. Back on the train to excitement and grand adventure. The only thing I'm really not looking forward to is how long Friday will be. 6 am train.... orientation from 8:30a - 4:30p, then train back to Chicago. LONG. DAY. But [hopefully] worth it. I'm debating having dinner in Milwaukee for a bit of culture and adventure after orientation, and before the train leaves, but that will partly depend on whatever Drew decides.... [hint, hint, if you're reading this... :P] I think there's a brewhouse/pub of some sort relatively close to the train station, why not check it out? You know me... [almost] always up for a quality beer. ;-)
Completely unrelated to grad school excitement:
Nicole and I went on a lunch/library outing today, which consisted of a Shamrock shake and deliciously over-salted fries courtesy of McDonalds, and then sitting on the floor in the knitting/crochet section of the library and looking at pattern books. We're such old ladies. I love it. I also picked up three books to browse through.... (not like I need any more distractions from that honors paper I should be writing):
Griffin-Grimes, Kristeen French Girl Knits
Kandis, Mags Folk Style (and)
Parkes, Clara The Knitter's Book of Wool.
I already have Parkes' The Knitter's Book of Yarn, so this one should be good. Actually, I found a shawl pattern in there that I want to make eventually. Whoo- branching out into lace knitting! :P
Other than that, I need to get going on my research, and outlining... And then acquire a decent amount of sleep before working again bright and early tomorrow AM. This week is certainly turning out to be the week of early rises. Blargh.