Two Weeks In

Yes, hard to believe I've actually been in SLC for two weeks. I talked to my main advisor today, and sounds like he will take it pretty easy on us the first year, research-wise anyway. He said he wanted us to focus on classes, and it would mainly be side projects to work on, or stuff related to his synoptic class.

I was laying in bed the other night, and something caused me to start taking stock of stuff I had at home that I don't have anymore. This isn't meant to be a depressing post, but more reflective. You grow up in an area and become used to things, possibly taking them for granted, and then you move away, and they're gone. I will obviously meet new people, have good times, and become accustomed to new living environments. But some things will never be the same, and I will still miss:

• Obviously, my family.
• My friends, their unique personalities, and the happiness and enjoyment they brought to my daily life.
• Not having to always cook for one person.
• Southerners.
• Strangers waving to you when they pass you on the road.
• Back roads.
• Virginia's stop lights and road signage.
• The country.
• Tree-covered hills.
• Being 3 1/2 hours from the ocean (although I only went once a year).
• TV shows coming on at their "normal" times.
• ACC games on TV.
• Going to Wal-Mart and running into people you know.
• Food Lion, Belk, Goody's, Sheetz, Bojangles, Cookout, and K&W.
• Merita Bread, Wise Cheez Doodles, Maola Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches, Yuengling, NC BBQ, and Jesse Jones Hot Dogs.
• And so on (I know I probably forgot a lot, or haven't realized it yet) ...

I'm Here

I'm still settling into my place. The trip was smooth and fun. Pictures have been posted. Finding an apartment was much more complicated. I've told the story to a lot of people, and it's really long, so if you want to know that bad, contact me. If you want to know more about what I'll be doing at school, well you probably still know about the same amount that I do.

Being across the country from everyone I know, I could easily go off about how much I miss everyone, etc. But that would make me sad. I could also talk about what fun times I had over the summer. Also sad at this point. So how about a rant.

I really cannot stand the drivers here. EVERY time I go out, I end up yelling "JERK!" at someone. I've never been much of a horn blower, but I'm about to start. And people make up their own rules here, like forming turning lanes where there aren't, and thinking "Left Turn Yield On Green" means "I can come across and get in the left lane, because you are turning right, and that means you're getting in the right lane." May technically be the law, but it's a bad assumption to make, and scares the crap out of me... they don't even pull that mess in Pennsylvania where the stoplights suck. Speaking of PA, I also have seen a couple "Pittsburgh Lefts" (turning across traffic a.k.a. not yielding as soon as the light turns green). The signage is also subpar sometimes. Lanes will end without notice, the speed limit will drop 10mph without a "Reduced Speed Ahead", there are 4-way intersections without any stop signs. I guess it's all part of getting acclimated. At least the scenery is great!

I will type more as I feel like it or events warrant. But I'm going to bed now. It may only be midnight here, but my body still thinks it's 2am.