Yesterday was my first day of classes. Right now I'm only going to two during the day, because I am going to do one independent study that we are still working out, and my fourth class is part of a sort-of-minor program that will start in another week or so.
I went first to history, and sat in the classroom for a while. There was one other girl there who was on the phone and then left. I was able to get ahold of my friend XiXi who is in that class, who told me the teacher is on leave, so no class.
I then went to Philosophy, where I was given candy by the students, but told to go to a different philosophy class by the professor. My other philosophy class, Introduction to Indian Philosophy, looks like it will be interesting. The professor is nice, though it is difficult for him to get through an idea without someone interrupting to ask a question. After that class, he gave me the information for the textbook, and said we would work out some time to have a make up class for the introductory classes I've missed. I asked a friend where the class would be tomorrow (as they change rooms often), and she said it would be on the syllabus. Another girl said she would lend me the syllabus, and then walked away. But it doesn't really matter that I don't know where my class is, because I have a meeting during that time today anyway with the International Programs office. So I'll worry about that on Friday I guess...
For the first time since arriving, I ate what, when taken off the bones, my first spoonful of chicken since leaving home.
Friday, I am planning on seeing Cowboys vs. Aliens with my friend Mitchri at citywalk mall, which apparently is humongous. Normally I wouldn't be up for it, but its both familiar and something to do with friends, so I am looking forward to it.
The mornings are the hardest I think. I get up early to meditate and call home, but I also wake up missing home, and worrying about what I have to do during the day (how will I figure this out, I need to go to Delhi to get more passport pictures, I need to get this form from her, did I do this right?). In the morning, only I am awake and there is little to distract me from missing the comforts of home, the simplicity of familiarity. At home, to get passport photos, I would take mom's car, drive five minutes to the Kinkos that I know, it would take ten minutes to print out several photos, and then I would go home, the experience being full of english speaking peoples and clean stores and roads. Here, I need to find out where to get passport photos, how far away is it, enlist a rickshaw driver or auto who doesn't speak much english, negotiate with him, find the place, get the pictures from someone who may or may not speak english, and go through the rickshaw process to go back to campus. Right now, that option is a lot more scary and stressful than at home. And once I get the pictures, I need two other letters, one of which I have, one of which I need a copy of, then get my study abroad coordinator to sign my bank account application, then we hope that they weren't lying when they said I can open account even though I'm from the US, and then I have to figure out how I'm getting money in it, and then finally I can pay for the residence hall.
Lets just hope this all works. Logistically, this place can be overwhelming.
But I've made some friends so they can help me. But I miss home. I still go back and forth throughout various emotions throughout the day.
I went first to history, and sat in the classroom for a while. There was one other girl there who was on the phone and then left. I was able to get ahold of my friend XiXi who is in that class, who told me the teacher is on leave, so no class.
I then went to Philosophy, where I was given candy by the students, but told to go to a different philosophy class by the professor. My other philosophy class, Introduction to Indian Philosophy, looks like it will be interesting. The professor is nice, though it is difficult for him to get through an idea without someone interrupting to ask a question. After that class, he gave me the information for the textbook, and said we would work out some time to have a make up class for the introductory classes I've missed. I asked a friend where the class would be tomorrow (as they change rooms often), and she said it would be on the syllabus. Another girl said she would lend me the syllabus, and then walked away. But it doesn't really matter that I don't know where my class is, because I have a meeting during that time today anyway with the International Programs office. So I'll worry about that on Friday I guess...
For the first time since arriving, I ate what, when taken off the bones, my first spoonful of chicken since leaving home.
Friday, I am planning on seeing Cowboys vs. Aliens with my friend Mitchri at citywalk mall, which apparently is humongous. Normally I wouldn't be up for it, but its both familiar and something to do with friends, so I am looking forward to it.
The mornings are the hardest I think. I get up early to meditate and call home, but I also wake up missing home, and worrying about what I have to do during the day (how will I figure this out, I need to go to Delhi to get more passport pictures, I need to get this form from her, did I do this right?). In the morning, only I am awake and there is little to distract me from missing the comforts of home, the simplicity of familiarity. At home, to get passport photos, I would take mom's car, drive five minutes to the Kinkos that I know, it would take ten minutes to print out several photos, and then I would go home, the experience being full of english speaking peoples and clean stores and roads. Here, I need to find out where to get passport photos, how far away is it, enlist a rickshaw driver or auto who doesn't speak much english, negotiate with him, find the place, get the pictures from someone who may or may not speak english, and go through the rickshaw process to go back to campus. Right now, that option is a lot more scary and stressful than at home. And once I get the pictures, I need two other letters, one of which I have, one of which I need a copy of, then get my study abroad coordinator to sign my bank account application, then we hope that they weren't lying when they said I can open account even though I'm from the US, and then I have to figure out how I'm getting money in it, and then finally I can pay for the residence hall.
Lets just hope this all works. Logistically, this place can be overwhelming.
But I've made some friends so they can help me. But I miss home. I still go back and forth throughout various emotions throughout the day.
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