first week is over!

thank god the first week is over!

what an insane week! nonstop seminars: some mandatory, some not, some just for fun, all important for bonding. getting to know most people. forming friendships and watching them form between others, and then shift. it’s all so crazy! i met with my adviser and he’s brilliant. i met him the first day of orientation and asked him if the students call their professors by their first names or by title. he suggested i take the “adapting to paris” seminar (isn’t that hysterical?), saying paris is formal in that way. when i had my advising appointment with him, i pointed out my age and he (after asking how i managed to look so young (monkey gland injections) admitted to being younger than me and that he would call me “madame s” and that i could call him by his first name. of course he was joking, but we both found it funny.

i avoided going out last night to get rip roaring drunk with the kids - really, i have been in that state before and do not particularly enjoy the next day. besides, i have way too much to do today, like clean the apartment, purchase hangers, get over the horrible jetlag, make my first breakfast here (finally!), etc. i just need to be settled for monday’s classes at 9 (thank goodness i am only 5 minutes from that particular building!).

i have avoided doing the stairmaster for the past few months, and i am now living life on the 5th floor; yes, there is an elevator, but i do not have the key for it. it’s great for my cardiovascular system; my former trainer would be proud.