Avoid Boring People

Get it? It means two things! It's also the title of a book by the former president of my graduate school, The Dr.

Grad school has been an experience so far. I've been here for a week and a half, and I will say that while they treat you really well (UNBELIEVABLY well if you're a fan of mediocre Long Island pizza), you'd better be willing to work hard. And go to dinner parties. No, I'm not joking.

Our first official week of classes started off with orientation and me wishing for my car to come already. I got a fancy ID badge, a permit for my yet to have arrived car and a lease for my room. It's a great room. Cheap, comfy, furnished and when I wake up in the morning, I get a view of the Long Island Sound (a name that would probably be the best thing about whatever band decided to call themselves that). I'll try and post a picture soon. We also got new laptops! So I'm writing this entry on my brand new MacBook Pro that comes with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, loads of scientific software, Microsoft Office and a free laptop case (they capped us at $100 and I took them at their word). This computer is easily worth about 4 or 5 months rent at my old place. We then had a welcome party at the lab's bar. If you've seen me at open bar, you'll know I always stop drinking one drink too late. This time was no different. I was tipsy (not drunk), stumbled home and napped. Lovely way to start the grad school. Tuesday they took us out for a cruise on the bay in the afternoon where we got to see Billy Joel's house (guesses on which song paid for it?) and get sunburned. I took advantage of both. Wednesday my baby (ahem, car) came and I promptly took it to Ikea to get a bookcase for my room, which did not have a place for the 6 boxes of books I shipped from home. Years from now, my wife will complain that I never throw anything out, but for now, I'll enjoy being a pack rat.

Thursday the fun began. After assembling the bookcase and napping, I cleaned myself up and headed out to a wine and cheese on the lab president's lawn (beer), then sat for dinner for an hour and a half (more beer) where a friend of mine pointed out that every course (there were three of them, enough to notice a trend) lasted exactly one half hour. Except for coffee, which lasted an hour. At 8:15, I jumped in my car, sped to my cousin's wedding just in time for the main course (steak and wine!), stayed for too long again, then got back at 1:15. I had to be up for class the next day at 9, so I set my alarm for 7:15 AM (there's only so many times I can press snooze before I just give in to the clock), got to class, got to the recycling center, which recycles styrofoam too, and then to the bank and groceries. The grocery store made me wish for home, where shopping wasn't like being in a zoo. I was hoping to join the fam in Teaneck for Shabbos, but the first year students were invited (it's worth noting that the lab "inviting" is like Don Corleone "asking for a favor"-saying no isn't really an option), to a concert and dinner at The Dr.'s house.

The redeeming thing is that the classes themselves so far have been really good (further proof I am a nerd among nerds) and everything here is gorgeous. And the other first year students are very cool. The only problem is when you're one of four Americans in a class of 15, you feel kinda bland. I might have to start faking an accent to make up for it.

Next week R comes back and it's been long enough. I miss her more than I thought I would and it looks like she's found a place to live, so when she gets to NYC, the move won't be as tough as it might have been. I'm just happy she's almost here. I'll be thrilled when I can pick her up from the airport :-)