September 21, 2006

Today's pace was slower and I'm more relaxed, but it was a good day. First, we officially registered. Then we had the technology presentation and took a tour of the library, which is actually the United Library and is on both the Seabury and Garrett campuses. Elizabeth Butler talked to us about the Development Office but made it an amazing discussion about attitudes toward money and time. She also asked us to donate to Seabury. My immediate reaction was a knee-jerk "say what?" but it's something to think of seriously. After lunch we had a marvelous retreat with Dan Prechtel that was very calming and helpful to all of us, a good way to end the week. Tomorrow is a fun day. We're going downtown to Billy Goat Tavern, an architectural tour of Chicago, and Millenium Park. Should be fun.

September 20, 2006

The day began with a discussion about academic fears with the faculty. More of the same, but I'm not so nervous anymore. We also met the entire staff including maintenance people. Everyone really knows everyone else. It does seem to be a very caring place. I put in a request that the tile in my bathroom get fixed and that I get a new curtain. They came right away and fixed the tile and made a small adjustment in the curtain. Unfortunately, not good enough. I'll have to ask about it again. After lunch we had an excellent discussion about diversity with Frank Yamada leading it. We then had high tea and a scavenger hunt designed to get us more familiar with the faculty and staff. I learned a lot of things. Frank is sort of afraid of grass -- the green on the ground kind. Liz Donohue worked in a circus. Lots of fun stuff. Our group finished first and got everything right, but I don't think we get anything. Unfortunately, all the professors had sweet treats in their offices and I ate and ate and ate. Feeling sick. But, before the carillon concert in the evening, Kuni came over and looked at my computer and got me online in about 5 minutes. He is awesome! The carillon was amazing. Really beautiful. I kept wanting to walk out to Sheridan Road to see if any of the Northwestern students had stopped to listen. I hope so.

September 19, 2006: Karen's Birthday

Wow. Talk about an up and down day. Bought my books: $525 with two still left to buy and about $250 already spent on books. The stack of books was downright scary. Yesterday, two students talked about reading just first and last paragraphs of a chapter and first and last sentences of paragraphs. That's ok for a self-help book I just read, but I don't know about these texts. I began to get worried. I'm so accustomed to close reading of texts. Don't know if I can break that habit. Angst set in, big time. Had my advising appointment with Frank Yamada. What a nice guy. Advising with him will be flexible. He encouraged me to be as out of the box as possible. That's dangerous.

Then, I went out and bought my books. After lunch the faculty came and talked about their courses and expectations. Kuni had his pile of books and all I could think about was that each of the teachers expected us to read every word. I started to have doubts. I'm older. Do I have the energy to sustain this? Will I really be able to do ANY marketing work. Anxiety. Anxiety.

Then came everyone's questions about "writing" and style manuals -- and they all talked about it to death. Then, thank God, we had a Taize service. Peace. I went out to Costco for some retail therapy to get paper and also bought a down comforter and some fresh mango. Then, I started going through the books, stamping my name in them, looking them over. They're not so bad at all. Some are downright entertaining. The Liturgy books are lovely and the OT books are amazing. I feel much better. The roller coaster has slowed down. I just need to enjoy the ride.

I couldn't resist adding the picture of Eli.

9-18-06 Night

What a day! Seemingly slow-paced, fun, and relaxed, but we were all so tense. It's going to be a tough week. Elizabeth went home early with her long commute. Younger ones were dead tired, so I'm feeling fine about my tiredness. Lots of frank talk about stress in this program. Got a bill for $7,990 today. That's stress inducing! I know all the names of the juniors (first years). Made myself memorize them. Went to 3 services: morning prayer, Eucharist, and Evensong. Didn't make the 4th -- Compline. Frustrated because my computer isn't connecting to the Internet and I think it's because it can't find my IP address. Also, my new printer has an extra part that isn't pictured in the directions and the whole thing just isn't working right. It should be easy, right? It's plug and play. I need to get to a computer to see how much I'm eating and if I'm getting enough protein. I'm sure I'm fine, but you never know. I'm exhausted.

First Day at Seabury

9-18-06

I had a somewhat restless night. A new place. A new bed. New sheets. A fan blowing on me. My annoying CPAP. Drinking caffeinated tea until 11 pm. A new beginning. I'm a very little bit nervous. But only because I was looking for it and talked myself into feeling SOMETHING! My apartment is great. It's a cool fall morning. I guess we'll be somewhat pampered this week. Looking forward to it. Nothing profound to say.