I biked on over the Education Building where it all began. We played an Ice Breaker called Electricity. Not my favorite Ice Breaker. It's pretty simple and didn't really "break the ice" but we all kind of know each other already by now.
Part one of the day was pretty much getting to know the mission, faculty, professional development, and all that jazz. Then we registered for classes, which was the easiest registration process I've ever had! I just had to sign up for 3 classes and they were all pretty much decided for me.
Part two was the fun stuff. We had lunch at Wilkie Hall and learned about IUSPA which is pretty much the HESA way of orienting and recruiting new HESA students. They also publish grad student papers in an academic journal. I'm sure we will become big in that as 2nd years next year. I can't even imagine being publish worthy right now. Then we learned all about what it means to be a Hoosier. We learned the history of the school and the program. This school has so many parts to it, it's quite overwhelming. Then we analyzed our Myers and Briggs personality type. While I thought I was more logical and guessed I was an ENTP. My results showed I was an ENFP. The Inspirer. (Extravert, Intuition, Feeler, Perceiver).
When that was over I relaxed. It was a little gift I gave myself for my birthday. I didn't want to think about anything. Especially book prices!! AH!! I finally gathered some change together and did my laundry which was well needed. So I spent most of the evening washing and folding my clothes.
On Friday it was back to work in the office. I settled in a little more reading some things and getting my office all set up (partially). I finally learned the full details of my compensation. It's pretty nice as far as getting health and dental insurance and I get a nice check each month. I guess it's also pretty nice that they pay over $9,000 of my tuition however they still leave with with about $900 of fees to pay. Not so good to hear. Not so good to have to tell my dad. :-( I may need to consider student loans now. I hate that L-word.
Then I had lunch with Doug. Oh Doug... I just adore him. He is so nice and so personable. He bought me lunch at the Bagel Company in downtown Bloomington. It was a pretty cool place known for its community outreach.
That's Doug on the table there. The pictures on the wall and tables are all customers who have participated in service and that the restaurant has had a helping hand in.
Doug then was so nice to drive me to the HESA annual potluck that evening. Before that I got to see his house and meet his partner Marty. They have the cutest house and cutest life. Marty is a professor and I just think the two of them are so adorable.
The potluck was awesome. Full of people from faculty, to Ph.D students, to us mater students. There was so much amazing food!! And of course we got to have some famous cookies from Martha, Danielle's partner. Another freaking cute couple. It's just amazing.
After the cute gathering, it was party time for us grad students. We went to Nicks bar and everyone was there! I had a blast! I never thought I could get such a kick out of a college bar setting, but this place is just so neat.
We played a beer game I'd never heard of before. You take bucket of beer and place an empty small cup inside:
Then everyone has a glass of beer to drink in front of them. We all take turns poring a small amount of beer into the small cup. The first person that causes the cup to sink to the bottom and overflow has to poor the beer from the cup into their glass. The hardcore players play it where if you sink the cup 3 times in a row then you have to drink the bucket. Haha! We weren't attempting to get drunk by any means. It's just a fun college bar game. I had my fair share of sinks. I was pretty surprised with myself. Beer usually isn't my thing, but I think I'm acquiring it quite well.
It was so fun to hang out with all the HESA gang. I felt like this was the time we REALLY got to know each other. I'm looking forward to many more gatherings throughout the year. That is of course IF the time permits.
I got a rude awakening in many ways. Not just financially (which I honestly don't know how I'm going to handle at this point) but also academically. The 2nd years were telling us about how we are going to get whipped the first day. The readings will be harsh and the expectations will be rough. It's a whole new level. I'm way nervous, but I know I'm going to try my butt off!
Today for my Saturday I got up at the ass crack of day to go to the Hoosier to Hoosier sale which allowed me to buy some WAY CHEAP stuff that the Residence Halls sale from people leaving it behind at the end of each year. It was a good thing I went early because a ton of people where there and it got cleaned out. I got myself a microwave, pots and pans, cutting knife, cooking utensils and materials, and a nice little TV. All for $19 dollars!! What a steal.
Fortunately Michael was there with his ride and was so kind to drive me and all the stuff back to my house. Brittany, Laura, and Paul were all there too and we all were out of there by less than a half hour. It was that efficient. Paul helped me carry it inside to my apartment. Then Leslie came by to drop off her TV stand and bookcase that she didn't need anymore.
All of these things that people have done for me have been amazing. It's truly remarkable to see such a spirit of kindness. I have been offered so many rides, so much advice, and help with everything. I'm really starting to see that Indiana and IU has a hospitality like nothing I've seen before. I'm really going to love it here. :-)
Then I spent the whole rest of the day cleaning up all the boxes and garbage to reveal my new and improved and mostly finished appartment. Since my desk came, I now have the cutest computer set up.
What can I say. I love orange and green. And best of all, I've really done well to get this all as cheap as I can. I'm living life as frugal as I can because I'm gonna need all the financial help I can get just paying for school, rent, and life.
Next week is Welcome Week so hopefully I get much more acquainted with this HUGE university.
Smiling as always,
Cameron
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