It smells like fall now.
Still a LOT of unpacking and organizing to do. Still unsure when I'll really have time to do it, now that the semester has started up again in earnest, and I am spending my time communiting and running around between libraries xeroxing stuff.
That said, some happy things:
1. I quite like being on campus, especially in the day during one of the times all the classes are letting out, and myriads of students overrun the quad, when I am all prepapred and not actually worried about assignments I have to do. Now I just get to relax and enjoy the sunlight and the university atmosphere!
2. Although I wanted to move away from being surrounded by college kids, it is kind of fun to see the sheer diversity of them on campus, after the fairly barren summer. Many girls are dressing up for class and I enjoy seeing their styles. There are girls who look like they should be in an American Apparel catalogue (long wavy brown hair loosely held to the side of the face with pins in front, 80s style oversized hornrim glasses, prim but sheer blouse, high-waisted linen shorts, oxfords), girls who sport a pin-up inspired look, punk girls, mainstream-trendy girls, etc. (Boys, as usual, are unfortunately boring.)
3. I am no longer TERRIFIED right before class. I do still tend to have a stressful tight ball of nervous energy inside, and after each class I get an euphoric rush of relief, accompanying by a brief burst of energetic giddyness. Best of both worlds, I guess?
4. Although Friday was busy, I got a fair amount accomplished, and even got to be all MPDG-ish, which is something I like (even if thegreatmissjj does not :-P). Last time I was at Goodwill, the guy at the counter struck up a conversation with me about my Bowie shirt, and I said I'd give him my "Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture" VHS, as I had no more use for it. When I came by to drop it off, he was not at the store (I was told he would be), so I left it with another cashier. The cashier asked if the guy would know who it was from, and I declined to leave contact information, but took a pen and wrote "From Jack" on the bag, and then drew a little cartoon of myself, so hopefully he will enjoy that.
5. Still love West Philly. When I feel overwhelmed, I go for a walk around the neighborhood, and it makes me happy. For instance, the other day, I overheard one guy declaring to his companion, with great earnestness and intensity: "I have recycling! I want to recycle! I am going to compost." And people are so friendly and community-oriented. Saturday there was an honest-to-goodness block party one street down from mine! And I got to read in the park and ride my bike.
(I plan to explore Center City soon, but only after I unpack.)
6. There are lots of cats on the street, and they are friendly too. I get to pet cats all the time without owning any. Considering I can't have a cat right now, I can be content with that. (An entry solely on cats to be coming soon.)
7. I have got some cool new things! I got a picnic basket at Goodwill for $10, so I can properly go picnicking in Clark Park. And blackwell had a costume sale, to which I came a day early, but she was still gracious enough to show me in. Thanks to her I now have some fun geeky things, some fun stockingy things, a black pleather coat, and a beautiful corset I need help to actually put on. But it is gorgeous. Now I just need to resolve my camera situation, as my new room should be great for self-portraiture. And I want to introduce more photos to my lj in general.
For now I am in Maryland, and hope all of you on my flist are planning to have a smashing Labor Day weekend.
That said, some happy things:
1. I quite like being on campus, especially in the day during one of the times all the classes are letting out, and myriads of students overrun the quad, when I am all prepapred and not actually worried about assignments I have to do. Now I just get to relax and enjoy the sunlight and the university atmosphere!
2. Although I wanted to move away from being surrounded by college kids, it is kind of fun to see the sheer diversity of them on campus, after the fairly barren summer. Many girls are dressing up for class and I enjoy seeing their styles. There are girls who look like they should be in an American Apparel catalogue (long wavy brown hair loosely held to the side of the face with pins in front, 80s style oversized hornrim glasses, prim but sheer blouse, high-waisted linen shorts, oxfords), girls who sport a pin-up inspired look, punk girls, mainstream-trendy girls, etc. (Boys, as usual, are unfortunately boring.)
3. I am no longer TERRIFIED right before class. I do still tend to have a stressful tight ball of nervous energy inside, and after each class I get an euphoric rush of relief, accompanying by a brief burst of energetic giddyness. Best of both worlds, I guess?
4. Although Friday was busy, I got a fair amount accomplished, and even got to be all MPDG-ish, which is something I like (even if thegreatmissjj does not :-P). Last time I was at Goodwill, the guy at the counter struck up a conversation with me about my Bowie shirt, and I said I'd give him my "Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture" VHS, as I had no more use for it. When I came by to drop it off, he was not at the store (I was told he would be), so I left it with another cashier. The cashier asked if the guy would know who it was from, and I declined to leave contact information, but took a pen and wrote "From Jack" on the bag, and then drew a little cartoon of myself, so hopefully he will enjoy that.
5. Still love West Philly. When I feel overwhelmed, I go for a walk around the neighborhood, and it makes me happy. For instance, the other day, I overheard one guy declaring to his companion, with great earnestness and intensity: "I have recycling! I want to recycle! I am going to compost." And people are so friendly and community-oriented. Saturday there was an honest-to-goodness block party one street down from mine! And I got to read in the park and ride my bike.
(I plan to explore Center City soon, but only after I unpack.)
6. There are lots of cats on the street, and they are friendly too. I get to pet cats all the time without owning any. Considering I can't have a cat right now, I can be content with that. (An entry solely on cats to be coming soon.)
7. I have got some cool new things! I got a picnic basket at Goodwill for $10, so I can properly go picnicking in Clark Park. And blackwell had a costume sale, to which I came a day early, but she was still gracious enough to show me in. Thanks to her I now have some fun geeky things, some fun stockingy things, a black pleather coat, and a beautiful corset I need help to actually put on. But it is gorgeous. Now I just need to resolve my camera situation, as my new room should be great for self-portraiture. And I want to introduce more photos to my lj in general.
For now I am in Maryland, and hope all of you on my flist are planning to have a smashing Labor Day weekend.