My first day of school

(when I was little, my mom took a picture of me for every 1st day of school.
She took this the other day, so it should still count.)

I can say that I have survived my first day as a graduate student. If today is any indication, I will be spending the next year stubbornly pursuing what I want, as I am both inspired and exhausted.

Today started with me nearly spilling my coffee all over my tiny kitchen floor, before heading over to a 9AM meeting of all graduate students and department heads. It was good to see the whole crowd of us, as well as actually review some of the names I have pulled off the website and picnic on Sunday. I was really excited to hear that the student organization had agitated for more money from the general fee slush fund to be given to the Arts. Although we didn't get it, we did get some pacification money which is being used to make most arts events free to students. Which is great for so many reasons, not the least of which I can see alot more stuff. Also, the bigger goal is to make the arts accessible and attractive to non-arts students. When I was a senior in college, there were 3 shows in one month that attracted new audiences (including mine), which I consider one of the greatest accomplishments.

Met with my advisor no less than 3 times. Chased down professors and syllabi. Will be taking an absurdism class, reading some of my least favorite playwrights (damn you Pinter!) with my advisor's encouragement to fight and read against type. Hello Maria Irene Fornes! This means I will be turning down a class on the ethnography of performance, which, while interesting is only potentially useful and would definitely kick my ass. (I was having problems just getting through the syllabus).

The most frustrating part of my day was trying to dot all the i's and cross all the t's for my basic grad student stuff, like financial aid, registration, and such. I was pretty much pinballing between two buildings across College Green. But I think everything is as taken care of as it can be for now. I will give it another 24 hours before poking at it again.

Got to go home for about an hour of refuel, rest, and an episode of Scrubs before rushing back up the hill for my film class. And now I just sponge internet before heading down the hill again.

Being out of school for a while, it is funny to observe everyone else. The other MA confessed to being nervous, which I found cute. Can't say I was nervous, probably because I was so focused on getting stuff done. And because I have been preparing for this for so long. I do feel a bit senior amongst the other 1st years, but not impossibly so. However, I feel ancient compared to the undergrads.

on iTunes: "Mais un Lamento" - Ceu