Fall Term 2012, Week 1: Fast and Furious

After a week of frustration, we finally got internet installed at our house off campus. That is why I haven't been able to give you any updates. Well, that and the fact that my homework load has been through the roof this first week of classes. I was pretty overwhelmed until about Thursday, when I started to get things under control and started to get back into my groove.

So far, I like all of my classes and my professors, especially my Immunology professor. She is very funny and intelligent, so she's a really great person from which to learn an admittedly detail-heavy subject. Biochemistry is going to be a challenge, but it's nothing compared with Organic, so I'm not too worried at this point. My other classes are generally going to be very manageable--Physics, Personal Finance, and Cadaver lab. I and my partner are doing the thoracic region on our cadaver, and I basically spent all of the lab time on Thursday cleaning fat off the pectoralis major muscle. Yes, my life is utterly glamorous, and it's okay for you to feel a little jealous. It happens. That was obviously sarcastic, but you get the idea.

Now that I am back in my element, it is so good to be back at school, seeing all of my friends and doing something productive with my time everyday. Not that summer was a waste. It's just that I was only actively doing something about three or four (or maybe five) days a week at most, and that tends to wear on me and drive me crazy after an extended period of time. Anyway, I'm sure you're dying to see some pictures of the house, so I will gladly oblige and show them to you.

My comfy reading chair.

My work desk.

My dresser and flat-screen TV with built-in DVD player (yay for movie nights!)

My lovely bed.

Our living room.

Our kitchen/laundry room.

Our dining room, which is basically the same room as the kitchen (just 180 degrees turned around from the last picture).

The view from the window in front of my desk.

Let me back up a bit and give you kind of a story of this past week. On Saturday the 18th, I woke up around 5 AM to leave by 7 AM with Mom and Dad to come down and move in. It was quite the production, and long story short, we arrived close to 2 PM. It took a long time to set up, and I would have to say it was one of the most difficult days of my life because I was so tired and I felt bad about dragging my parents through it, too. For dinner that night, we went to Arthur's Deli with my roommate Danielle and her family. Then, we went to Hy-Vee to buy me some starter groceries--thanks, Mom and Dad! My parents stayed overnight at a bed and breakfast called Top O' the Morning, to which they want to return when we come back in May for my graduation ceremony. On Sunday morning, we went to Target for some last-minute things, then I said goodbye to my parents and finished setting up my room.

Later that evening, I went over to Devon and Sarah's apartment after a Circle K meeting and talked with them for a little bit before dinner. Devon gave me an awesome coaster as a very late birthday present, and I already love it! I like to drink tea a lot during the colder months, especially in the evenings when I am working on the computer, so it will be just perfect. To be honest, talking with them really made me miss living with them in Heimdall. I like my roommates, but I guess I didn't really appreciate how nice it was to be roommates with Devon and Sarah until they were taken from me. I'm just glad we can still hang out and stuff. Like I've said before, I was so blessed to meet them and become friends with them, and I know that all of this happened for a reason. That's what really helps keep it all in perspective.

Devon drew on the back of the coaster: Hunger Games, Big Bang Theory, and Heimdall! Dedicated to all of our great memories from last year. :)

The front of the coaster.

Monday was busy with my new classes plus having to go to the Office of Advancement to sign a thank you card for the donor of one of my scholarships. Monday was a great day, though, because Hannah came over for dinner. We made veggie fritatta (my first attempt), and it was delicious! I really enjoyed talking with her, too. She has such a good outlook on the world and life, so I always get a lot out of our conversations.

Love that face!

 Tuesday was the first official Circle K meeting of the year, and we had 91 attendees! Most of them will probably not continue on with the group, but such a large number is promising. I am excited to fulfill my duties as Fundraising Co-Chair, and I'm also excited that this year, we get cool membership baskets just for paying the $20 dues like we normally would.

I was happy to learn that Aerobics classes are being offered again this term on days that really work for me--Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30. I went to the first class on Thursday, and it was so much fun! I can't wait to go again on Tuesday.

On Friday, I went over to visit Sarah and Devon again, this time to watch The Hunger Games on DVD because Sarah had just bought it at Target. We also played the Big Bang Theory trivia game, which Sarah dominated at because she's a freak like that. Just kidding. Anyway, yesterday was pretty great, too, because the three of us plus Hannah went to a dueling pianos show. It was really a lot of fun, and everyone really got into it, singing along with all of the songs and dancing. The best part was when one of the pianists played "The Circle of Life" complete with the African-yelling intro. You know that I'm talking about!

So, that pretty much brings us up to speed with today. I just wanted to quickly fill you in on everything that has been going on. I'll have more time next week for more details about my classes and things, but for now I have to go make myself some dinner and then do some computer-based homework (I feel that it's necessary since I don't have an excuse anymore).

Have a great week, and I'll catch you on the flip side!