temple update

Temple experience thus far: orientation on Friday was an hour of "getting to know you" and a catered lunch on the 11th floor (guess which room?). We had our first happy hour that evening at a bar in Old Town, where I realized all at once how very sexy I find historic districts. (Evidently, colonialism = hot?)

Grad professors are hilarious and vulgar, though maybe that's Philly. Additionally, we're all guaranteed A's as long as we're producing work that furthers our thesis work. Awesome. My four classes each meet once a week, and each class requires 3 papers of 5-10 pages. Add a thesis due in the Spring and an hour-long translation exam in November, and boom goes the dynamite: M.A. 2010.

So I have interesting, not over-strenuous work weeks and four-day weekends. This is awesome: in addition to the many visitors I anticipate (open invitation to you all), there is so very much Temple U and Philadelphia to get to know better. Peter said it best: "Philadelphia is one of those cities you have to discover for yourself."

I'm learning the same is true of Temple. I can tell you the campus is way hot, and the weather beautiful, and the gardens refreshing, and the people sweet ... but it's hard to communicate that via blog.

If I have to convey something, this is it: it's good times, you guys. Good times. Oh, and I need to put more unnecessary pictures on facebook. Damn.

[Side note: the shuttle driver was wearing a Michael Jordan jersey on my first day. Points to those who guess why that's hilarious. Also guess which bus line is the Temple bus line (hint: same answer)]