Let me not so much seek to be learn-ed as to learn?

Ok I have alot of catching up to do here. I'm going to do it in chapters.

Chapter 1: Moving

In one week I left my life in Mississippi (physically, not emotionally as that is proving harder to do) moved to NJ, gathered some stuff and moved to Princeton. During that time there was a road trip with two of my best friends from home, my Birthday, a welcome home party, and frantic gathering of things.

Somehow I managed to get myself together though to move in on July 6. The first thing I noticed was how laid back everything was. This could be only because it's the summer and everything is laid back in the summer, but I hope it lasts. For instance, I was preparing myself for a big to-do because I didn't have the money to pay for summer housing because I was applying for a loan. Instead when I told them that they were just like, Ok that's fine. As my Mom pointed out, at Emerson, it sometimes seemed like they didn't really want you there from all the hoops you had to jump through.

Then we got to my room. I closed my eyes and opened the door and...it was really nice! Big with lots of useful furniture. I moved all my stuff upstairs (by myself with no elevator) and Mom and I unpacked. Then after a fancy smancy lunch in Princeton we drove home so I could get ready for camping.

A funny side note about moving in...the first people I ran into in my building were these extremely tall, built women with athletic gear on...all of them. Hmmm...I thought to myself. Not what I expected from seminarians but alright I guess I'll be bulking up. Turns out the school was renting some rooms to the Women's National Rowing Team, some of whom are Olympic bound. That was good to hear since I don't like running or lifting so much. The other women on my floor are much more "regular" looking.

Chapter 2: In which I go camping and am attacked by a table.

My brother, Rebecca and a myriad of other folks go camping in Lake George every year. This was the first year I have been able to go, although it was only for one night. The weather was a little dodgy and we had some car issues but it was fun overall with a campfire, ice cream, games, and some beaching.

The first night we were there we were playing some games around one of those huge wooden picnic tables. Brett, Dave and myself were on one side winning, of course. When we decided to go to bed, everyone on the other side got up and I guess the table was on enough of an incline that it tipped over throwing the three of us to the ground.

Now what makes this hilarious (read my sarcasm) is that there were lit citronella candles on the table. I was sure I was in shock and just couldn't feel myself burning as I lay on the ground. Dave was completely covered with wax (not burned though) and Brett took an elbow to the head and was feeling quite sick. I was in fact not on fire, and miraculously neither was anything around us. I did walk away with a nasty bruise on my calf.

Who knew camping was so dangerous?

Chapter 3: It's all Greek to me

Within the first hour of Greek (required for PC(USA) ordination in order to translate the New Testament- read: I am not taking this out of my own freewill) I realized I would not be able to bullshit this. Sigh.

In general, I am learning Greek but I don't enjoy memorizations or things that mimic math- for instance, word A plus Ending C * object of a preposition= your sister. I'm dying for something creative. Not here I guess.

Luckily, the professor is awesome and hilarious and the preceptor (small group teacher) is also great.

Chapter 4: Could Princeton and Gulfport BE more opposite?

Princeton- Very wealthy
Gulfport- Not very poor everywhere, but the wealthy of Gulfport could not touch the normal people here.

Princeton- Liberal and Educated
Gulfport- Conservative and largely uneducated or educated in the bubble of the South

Princeton- Snobby
Gulfport- Warm and Friendly

Princeton- Contained and walkable
Gulfport- Huge with no sidewalks

Princeton- has no one I know
Gulfport- has too many people I love to count

Princeton- No fast food chains due to ban within city limits
Gulfport- You can't go outside without tripping over fast food places.

Chapter 5: Big Woman on Campus

I'm adjusting to life on campus, but it's eerie and quiet here now. There's only class and studying. We went to a party the first week we were here which was like the only thing on my planner for that week.

People are nice, I'm getting close to the women on my floor, and learning how different people here are from me. I know that sounds obvious but there's already been lots of "You believe that? Huh. Really."

There's also alot of academic one-upping going on. I think in undergrad we didn't want to seem nerdy so there was always some playing dumb happening. Not here. Alot of people are only too happy to list their degrees and trivial knowledge to you. Not always a ton of real life experience seems to accompany that though. I have to remind myself that I'm smart alot and that I deserve to be here. I just wish someone would start a conversation on 20th century theatre and/or education policies so I could prove it!

I'm going to try to be more up to date with my posts. Keep reading!