(no subject)
I think tomorrow makes a full week in Madison. Monday I stopped in the math office to find out what I missed at the Summer Enhancement Program orientation day. Turns out I missed a lot! I got employment paperwork, a mailbox, an office, keys, an email/computer account, and my picture taken for the website. Of course I'm still way ahead of the game compared to the people who aren't showing up until regular orientation. It's weird having all this grown up stuff to deal with, like choosing health insurance and having an office. Speaking of my office, it's shared, currently with three other people, though there is a fifth desk, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone else turned up eventually. After I was given all my paperwork and stuff, I went to check it out and there were three 'real' grad students talking and writing stuff on the blackboard and looking annoyed at me for interrupting, so I put my name tag on my desk and ran away and haven't been back since. I am going to try to force myself to go down to my office after class tomorrow, though that was the plan for today, so we'll see.
It's been quite an adjustment, not to Madison, but to being someplace where I don't really know anyone very well and I'm not leaving anytime soon. I've been doing pretty well all things considered. Socializing with my roommates as much as possible. And I actually talked to someone in my class today. Just trying to keep busy in the meantime, I figure I'll meet lots more people once the semester starts. More non-scary first year grad students. Not the scary third, fourth, fifth, etc, year ones.
The class itself is ok, but I can't wait for real classes to start just so I know how hard this is going to be. Seeing all these serious mathematicians is convincing me more and more that I am not cut out for it, or just don't care enough, I'm not sure. Either way I am becoming more certain each day that I am just gonna stay for my Masters and run.
Other then math stuff, life's been pretty mundane. Finding grocery stores. Bought an awesome new (used) bike, and all the accompanying accessories. And I jumped on the netflix bandwagon. I am going to a knitting group at a yarn/coffee shop on friday. And Ben Lee is playing at the (Wisconsin) Memorial Union Saturday for free! Though, there is the distinct possibility I will be going alone.
And last but not least, long distance relationships via crappy cell phone reception suck. But are proceeding as well as could be hoped for.
It's been quite an adjustment, not to Madison, but to being someplace where I don't really know anyone very well and I'm not leaving anytime soon. I've been doing pretty well all things considered. Socializing with my roommates as much as possible. And I actually talked to someone in my class today. Just trying to keep busy in the meantime, I figure I'll meet lots more people once the semester starts. More non-scary first year grad students. Not the scary third, fourth, fifth, etc, year ones.
The class itself is ok, but I can't wait for real classes to start just so I know how hard this is going to be. Seeing all these serious mathematicians is convincing me more and more that I am not cut out for it, or just don't care enough, I'm not sure. Either way I am becoming more certain each day that I am just gonna stay for my Masters and run.
Other then math stuff, life's been pretty mundane. Finding grocery stores. Bought an awesome new (used) bike, and all the accompanying accessories. And I jumped on the netflix bandwagon. I am going to a knitting group at a yarn/coffee shop on friday. And Ben Lee is playing at the (Wisconsin) Memorial Union Saturday for free! Though, there is the distinct possibility I will be going alone.
And last but not least, long distance relationships via crappy cell phone reception suck. But are proceeding as well as could be hoped for.