You Know You're a PhD When...

• You're in the university bookstore and all the undergraduates look like children.
• You're in the university bookstore and everyone is with their parents.
• You're in the university bookstore and all the undergraduates' parents ask "Hey Joey/Sarah/Michelle/Tommy, would you like some Post-Its?" As the little undergraduate nods, you think, "I can't afford Post-Its."
• You're in the university bookstore and there are 6 books you need for class, but you can only afford 2. When you were an undergraduate, there were 2 books you needed for class, but you bought 6.
• You live across from party central- frat houses, sororities, 24 hour liquor stores- and you think, "If they get rowdy, I could call the police...or, if I recognise any as my students, flunk them."
• You're knitting outside on campus, and a handsome young man approaches. He says, "That's cool. My mom does that." You smile and nod. As he walks away, you think, "Biologically, he could actually BE my child."

On another note, the Thosamling Care Package arrived safe and sound. And Hari's baby is due any day now, so hopefully everything will fit the tiny tot.

The package arrived untouched, thanks to my offensive comments on the outside of the box.

It worked!

I've settled into my new home- a very pretty room overlooking a grassy area, in a lovely flat shared by 3 women. I've had a wee wander through the campus and have successfully located my department, the library and a burrito shack, and took the bus into town with a new PhD in Islamic Studies. We found a beach, a Marshall's, and a great veggie burger joint. Orientations begin this week, before I'll be in the full swing of things, but  I feel well organised.

And I also spent $200 on yarn. Online. My first day here.

Remember how I couldn't afford Post-Its? Yeah...