New Year, New School

Today was my first official day of grad school. It started nicely enough, with an 8 AM class. I’m so glad that this class was Hebrew, because it was the same people (minus a few), same professor.  So, there was no fear, etc. And, we don’t really have homework. And, instead of multiple quizzes a week, we’ll have one on Friday.

Tomorrow is Rosh Hashanah, so I’ll be missing one of my classes, and one was cancelled. I’ll be going downtown to services with the congregation that I teach for. Tonight, I’m skipping services. Instead, I’ll be joining fellow Div school students in a dinner and viewing of the Last Temptation of Christ. How very Jewish of me.

This weekend was the end of orientation. Orientation was exhausting. I think the most exhausting part was the socializing. I just haven’t had to socialize much in the last two years. Considering that my most constant companion was my sister, and that I didn’t make “social” friends in Madison. I had good work friends. So, anyway, by the end I had a case of social paralysis. I didn’t know what to say anymore or what to ask. All I wanted to do was sleep and stare. When I was home I slept, and out at events, I tried not to stare into space.

There were fun things to do, however. I finally went on the Chicago Architecture boat tour, which was quite interesting. And we went out to a very nice restaurant in the Gold Coast, where we had a $40 meal for $10. We also went on a Southside bus tour. I found it interesting but boring. We stopped at the Bronzeville community center where a very angry man discussed Bronzeville with us. I understood the context, since I know, generally, what has been happening on the South side (with the Robert Taylor homes knocked down and the Ida B. Wells homesm and the gentrification, etc.). But, he name dropped and told us things without context. By the end I had a headache. Many people were unhappy with his presentation. Partially because the mostly-white crowd didn’t know how it pertained to them and partially because they didn’t understand what he was talking about.

I am now employed-work study-wise as a securirty monitor in the practice rooms of the music building. I have my own key even! I’ll work 2 nights a week. And I should be able to get lots and lots of work done. I’m looking forward to working in the music building because I love listening to it. I’ll also have to usher at concerts, which will be fun. I plan on quitting my senior citizen job in the very very near future. It’s not going to work out for many reasons.

So, I will survive on loans, sunday school, work study, and the odd babysitting job.

Friday 5

1. The week began with our final. I passed. That’s all. Moving on.

2. Then we began orientation. Lots and lots of orientation. And honestly, it’s boring. And honestly, although I know I need to meet people/make friends. It’s overwhelming.

3. If I have to have the “where are you from” “what are you studying” conversation one more time, I’m going to make up a laminated card and hand it to people. And I didn’t realize that I’d be on the later side of 20s than most people. I’m glad though that I waited until I was sure I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

4. In some ways, this week, I’ve had to reaffirm, mentally, my life choices. (cryptic I know). And it forced me to remember why I made certain decisions. It’s good to do that once in a while.

5.This week hasn’t been the best. Car incident on Monday, too much orientation the rest of the week. I can’t wait for school to start, so that I feel that it all has truly begun.

New School, New Friends

Next week, after my Monday final that I’m currently NOT studying for (ah, procrastination), begins orientation week for the U of C. Now, I feel like I have a leg up on the non-biblical language students coming in at the Div school. I know where the bathrooms are. I know how to get to the coffeeshop and that my drink costs $2.50 (so cheap!). I know where the other coffeeshop place is in Cobb Hall, and that you can use credit cards at the cafe with the bookstore. (not the seminary coop). I have my ID card, I’ve taken the bus to and from my apartment. And, of course, I’m luckily very familiar with the city and fairly familiar with Hyde Park.

I’ve met all the Hebrew students and chatted and studied together some. I’ve met most of the Greek students. But, I still feel like the new kid. I hate the process of meeting new people and making new friends. I’m never sure what to talk about, how to act. I tend to drop things because I’m nervous (or accidentally throw things). I seem outwardly friendly, because I am. But I also feel weird all the time and like I’m totally uncool. I’m always worried about being social enough. And, I used to be soooo shy, although now, I’m not as much. Thank you Starbucks. But, I worry that I’m still aloof, because I have that tendency to seem emotionally distant. I don’t know why. I think I just pull back.

I’ve been trying to comfort myself by remembering the beginning of other friendships. But, most began in the first year of college–8 years ago! I became friends Larn and Liz C. when we ordered Dominoes together during one of the first weeks. And Liz C. and Larn had become friends down in the laundry room, one teaching the other how to do wash for free (all I have to say is thank you KVD!). V was Larn’s roommate, and Mel was Liz C’s. And Mel and I had a class together almost every semester and went abroad on the same program. And, Liz S. was the roommate of someone I briefly dated, but we really became friends when her contact was stuck in her eye and I let her borrow my eyedrops! So, it was all coincidental. There’s was no forced quality to it.  But now, I don’t live in Lamont. I have a studio a mile from campus. I can’t just hope that someone wants pizza and I am in the mood to join. Or that someone is studying in the dining room when I am.

I’m sure it will work out in the end. But right now, as V said yesterday, it feels like I’m 13 again.

It’s Time for 5

I missed Friday, so here goes.

1. I have my Hebrew final on Monday, which means that I’ll be done with the intensive part of the class. I’m so glad, it wasn’t my ideal learning setting. I did like the teacher.

2. Today I went Northwest, to my old stomping grounds. First to Roscoe Village for a hair cut. Yay! although my sister says it looks like hers. Then to Targe and the old Logan Square house where we sat on the patio and ate dinner listening to the loud mariechi-esque music coming from across the alley. It was nice.

3. I’ve been wishing for my porch/deck this weekend. I’ve been trying to study and look down at the apartment’s side yard, wondering how appropriate it’d be to set up by the leaning fence with my books. Deciding no.

4. Last weekend I had a wonderful time with my sister. We did it all. We went to Chinatown and had a delicious lunch and walked around in the rain. We went to Millenium Park. It was raining so much that the water was just streaming down the stairs. She took some good pictures though. We met my friends at Borders, where we were able to watch the Joffrey dancers rehearse across the street. And then, she won $25 Wicked tickets. So, of course, we HAD to go. And we had amazing, 2nd row seats and it was incredible to watch everything so up close (last time it was so far away) and see the details. Loved it! And that was it. She hung my pictures for me while I was teaching. Thank you! And I miss her this weekend.

5. I went to the “famed” Medici this week. It was lovely on the patio. I walked a lot. I have not gone to the lake. And that seems strange, since I am so drawn to water. This coming week is orientation, so I’ll have more time.

forgot to say

I forgot to say that I got my library card (replacement, they charged me $1!) and Chicago card today. Now, I feel like a real Chicagoan! But, seriously, it definitely helps with mobility and acquiring non-academic information.

Also, I have a tendency to chat with the construction workers that are working on an apartment down the hall (they’re trying to remodel the apartments to make them handicap accessible). It’s always interesting. This guy told me I should move in, because it’s so nice. Another one chatted with me about doing laundry. And, I must commend this company (don’t know the name), because they are all nice. They say hello and have a nice day, ALL the time.

That’s all.

Friday 5

It’s that time again….

1. My sister is coming to visit tonight. Below are our plans:

2. Festival hopping (if the weather cooperates) on Saturday to the Chinatown Moon Festival and the Celtic Fest  were we’ll watch sheep herding in the afternoon and come back (or stay down) for The Great Big Sea at night.

3. Hopefuly checking out the band of our childhood friend (our parents were all in a havurah together). Last time I saw her (she’s a year or so older than me) was when I was 11 and a half. We sat in lawn chairs and discussed the fact that I was moving. (we had known each other all of our lives, basically).

4. We’re also going to have pancakes for breakfast…I bought blueberries and hang some pictures. I can’t wait.

5. Hebrew is chugging along. It’s not fun, but something I’ve got to do. I’m enjoying the smaller “get to know you” group that Hebrew affords. But, I’m looking forward to meeting everybody. (and for intensive Hebrew to be over).

Oh, and welcome to all of my new Div School classmates that have googled the school and landed on my blog. My life isn’t that interesting, but feel free to hang around for the ride.

it’s fall so it’s raining

Last week we had the remains of Gustav, now it’s just raining for raining’s sake.

I had a pretty good weekend.  I was able to run errands and discovered a near-ish by home depot and Whole Foods.  The Whole Foods is good because I can buy cases of soy milk  boxes (individual sized) for cheaper. I also managed to stock up at Trader Joes and visit a nice Borders (just to kill time).

Dinner was with friends in Lakeview at Pompeii Bakery. The restaurant hearkens back to the day when there was only 1 in Little Italy. It’s a nice place but their speed of service (for an order-at-the counter type) is pretty irregular. Allison and I went to the original in Little Italy a couple of years ago (when we saw Wicked). After dinner we wandered around the neighborhood, stopping in at both Borders and Barnes and Noble. What can I say, we like books! It was startling to realize that instead of the requisite Badger gear that I’m used to seeing around there was Cubs gear! Strange…

Sunday was a busy day. I had religious school orientation in the Gold Coast, so I took the bus and El from Hyde Park for the first time. I got down there on a Sunday in 45 minutes, which was quite encouraging. The orientation was fun. I liked that it included all the madrichim (high school aides) and the teachers. The teachers were all friendly and interesting. It was a much more social experience than I had in Madison. We did ice breakers and broke off into our teaching teams. I have 4 madrichim for my 24 kids, but only 2 were there. They’re both basketball players! so, in our “team” photo, I said that they should stand on each side of me like tall bookends. They probably thought I was weird. During the orientation, it was emphasized repeatedly that kids come to this congregation with varying degrees of Jewish experience and have so many different family structures (both dual/single parent/lgbt/adopted homes but also varying types of interfaith and nationalities). I really liked that emphasis. And there were role-plays done to illustrate what kids might think from what you might say. Good reminders all around. And, before going to orientation, I had already planned on making my first lesson about the diversity of observance/practice in Reform Judaism (the first denomination on our comparative journey). So, that was fun and the bagels/food spread were amazing.

At 5 (busy day!) I had my first rehearsal with Lakeside Pride (yay!) It was so nice to be cheerfully welcomed back. The band has changed so much, especially since they’re involved in search for a new conductor. I really liked the old one, but I understand that he needed to do other things with his time. The conductor team seemed to run smoothly and I got to talk to people I should have met before. My whole section changed while I was gone. Mostly, because people now have kids and are too busy for band. I like the guys in my section, they seem very nice and fun. The organization has more men than women, unfortunately, that’s the way it’s always been. There’s an “ok” amount of ethnic diversity, but the gender balance leans towards the men. My section used to have 3 women, not it’s just me! And the Trombones are currently even…tubas just guys. It’s fun to sit on the top of the risers and look down….

This week is more Hebrew and prep for my first religious school class. Now,if it would only stop raining…

Friday 5

I’m trying to get back in the saddle with this blog since I will be having all sorts of new experiences again.

1. Biblical Hebrew is taking up all my mornings right now and some afternoons. I like the teacher, but the subject, taught this way, is boring. It’s like math, and I don’t like math. I am swallowing it, though, since it is a means to an end (reading the Torah and understanding it).

2. Acquiring landline/internet is a continuing saga that has required multiple calls to ATT. My phone line wasn’t hooked up as promised…outside the building! Then the internet wouldn’t work. Now the internet works but not with the filter, so I must get a new one. And then, I need to see if I can get the wireless router to work with the modem as well. Such trouble! but it will be wonderful when it is all set up.

3. I’m sitting in my chair facing the window and really enjoying the fact that I had a tree in my window. It provides a pretend “I’m not in the city” feel. But, I do wish that I had more light in my apartment. This is the first apartment I have ever had with so little light.

4. I get to see my friends tomorrow night. Very exciting to have “real” friends again. looking forward to it, and looking forward to E (waves!) coming home from Paris too!

5. I almost walked to the lake today, but ended up at the grocery store checking out the prices (seriously!) and looking for quinoa.  I couldn’t find it. I’ll take a trip to Trader Joes tomorrow.

started Hebrew, getting it together

Began Hebrew today. Had a quiz. The room wasn’t air conditioned nor were there any fans. And, it’s one of the hottest days of the year (nothing compared to the usual, but still). Ugh. Hebrew is not going to be fascinating, not that I expected this. It’s a necessary means to an end–analyzing and interpreting text. I discovered that I may be best served by another sequence at the Oriental Institute. I have to talk to a professor about my options. We’ll see. We also had lunch and a short orientation. I enjoyed meeting a few of my classmates and hearing for the enthusiastic upper-class-people (is that what you call them?).

I’ve become one of those people. Yes, those. The kind that talk to pets over the phone. I’ve talked to Riley today and yesterday, in public, since I can’t use my cell phone in my apartment. I miss the puppy so much. I keep expecting him to be here when I open my apartment door. Many of my neighbors have pets…dogs, at least. Some even have 2. I wish I could join them. Maybe next year?

I found a Dominicks today, I drove over to 71st St. and stocked up on staples. I shouldn’t have to go shopping for non-perishables for a couple of months. Which is good. It makes me feel more settled to have eggs, flour, sugar, crackers, peanut butter, etc. I then went to the assignment office and got my parking space. Which was good too. It’s visible from my window!

Soon, I’ll have my own  internet service and maybe even a cell phone that works! Looking forward to it.

Back in Chicago again

Labor Day weekend, of course, has been the hottest days of the summer. Funnily enough, the “hottest” days this year were at 90 or below. I remember the Labor Days of yore…the “fall” of 2000 when I moved into Lamont at Smith, where all the dads had to go buy Smith shirts at the bookstore because they hadn’t brought extras. The move-ins I participated in in Des Moines, moving my sister in up the fire escape to her sophomore year dorm…the first year dorm wasn’t AS bad, but hot it was. 2 years ago, when I moved on Labor Day weekend, it was night-time and raining buckets. I lugged my few belongings up the stairs to my apartment in Portland, Maine.

This move was hot. But it wasn’t the worst. Although I feel like the trip from Madison to Hyde Park was the longest ever! We had the puppy, I was nervous about my bike rack ($10 on craigslist), so we made 3 stops. And my parents got lost because they didn’t put South in the street address on their GPS.

The puppy definitely made the move more fun, although slowly. I really am grateful that my parents have helped me move almost every single time. And this time, after nearly 2 years in Madison near my family, I’m sad to be apart. I’ll especially miss my sister and Riley, the puppy. But, grateful that I have family here as well. I’ve already received an invitation to the break fast out in the suburbs. And I think that I will be attending Rosh Hashanah services with my grandparents (visiting from Florida), Aunt, and cousin. Maybe even my uncle. Out in the ‘burbs as well.

Hyde Park is greener and quieter than Logan Square. But it lacks affordable grocery stores, and other conveniences. I took a trip to the South Loop Target today. My apartment is smaller, the bed (queen) dominates the room, but there’s plenty of room for my chair and desk and bookcases. The kitchen is big enough. And it has great closets. I like the building, although I miss a yard or even a balcony.

I walked to campus today, it is so nice and green. I start Hebrew tomorrow. And then, in a month, “real” school.  So off I go! On a new adventure. stay tuned…