The First Week

I guess my life is full of firsts now. First apartment, first job, first day, first time really living out of Ohio...

So last week was my first week, though this is really my first full week, since we didn't start classes till last Tuesday. If I had to sum it up in one word it would be: exhausting. I am still extremely tired, though I didn't get as much sleep as I was hoping this weekend. More on that later. But yeah, things went well, considering it was the first week and everyone was still settling in. Both of my classes (Latin I and II) are pretty good, though Latin II is a bit rowdy and might cause some problems in the future. I'll just have to bring down the iron fist. Cuz I'm so mean. I did have a few moments (ok, more than a few) where I stopped talking and faced a classroom full of blank faces staring at me like I was a three-headed alien. During such moments, I would pause and ask, "Did you all get that?" and they all slowly nod, like their in a trance or something. I try pretty hard to get a response out of them, but some days it just ain't happening. Hopefully as they become more familiar with Latin, they'll loosen up a bit and be more responsive.

As far as other aspects of CA life go, I have a hard time finding something to complain about. Everyone is very friendly still, always asking me how things are going. Even the students are friendly, and the student heads of the house I have duty in are positively divine. I really love the close student-teacher relationships that form here-everyone is a mentor, every teacher takes a real, personal interest in the education and general well-being of their students. It's great. I just hope that someday I can be that meaningful to someone. Ok, that was really cheesy.

Anyway, this past weekend I went into Boston to see Bryne, Scott and Chris, who just moved up last Thursday. We went out Friday night and had a wonderful time dancing at a club that was surprisingly on the upper floor of a Chinese restaurant. It was weird, but fun. On our way back to their apartment, Chris thought a skunk was a kitten and almost tried to pet it before he realized his mistake. It was one of the more hilarious moments I've ever had. Saturday was spent shopping and wandering around before coming home and "helping" Bryne cook a spectacular dinner. During the cooking and eating of this delightful meal, the four of us consumed about three bottles of wine. It was fantastic. Sunday I woke up earlier than I would have liked, which didn't help, since I was so exhausted from the past week. Oh well. We discovered that the MFA was free that day, so Scott Chris and I hurried over and spent a long time drooling over the ancient art collection. hehe.

I'm really glad that things are setting down so nicely. I am often struck by how incredibly lucky I am, to have landed a job that I really like (so far) in a town I really like, with people whom I really like. I mean, how did I get this lucky?!?! I just hope that I continue to love it here, and continue to love teaching. Thus the second week commences...