This week..

Wednesday evening after a long day in the library, I smooshed on to the D train (rush hour is just the worst), sidled up to a little old woman holding on to the pole, and glanced up. And there staring down at me was the greenest, most beautiful grasshopper. I have no idea how he got up there, or where he might have been going, but he made my day. I wanted to scoop him up when I got off, but I was afraid that he'd make a break for it and land on someone's head. A grasshopper freak-out on a crowded train didn't seem like thing for the grasshopper, or the people. So he traveled down to Coney Island where I can only imagine he got off , grabbed a hot dog at Nathan's and took a stroll on the boardwalk.
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This weekend Glenn is out of town picking up his new car! and visiting some friends on the Cape. I'm here with the furry family....

two of the loves of my life....

trying to get ahead of the game for school next week.

It was also a tough week here school-wise. My mentor is very sick, and there is talk of her going on leave this semester which, as one might expect, is hard on several levels. So as much as I miss Glenn when he's away and wish I could be visiting home this weekend, I'm thankful for the time to regroup and sort out all of what is happening.

Rent-a-pup

I'm dog sitting for a co-worker of Glenn's this weekend. My little black fuzzy buddy is named Slider, but he's way cuter than the tiny hamburgers that share his name. (Don't worry Beemer, you're still my favorite.)
So I was up bright and early with the pup today and we walked for about an hour before heading over to the dog park. I love the city early in the morning. The streets are quite (not like now--9:30 0n a Saturday night.) and peaceful. There are a few other people out, mostly with dogs or exercising. Slider ran around for a while in the dog park and then we headed back to the apartment. Incidently, this apartment is fantastic! It's not as big as our place in Brooklyn, but the location is just amazing. It's across the street, literaly, from NYU, which works out just perfect for me.
I also found that having a dog makes people want to talk to you. In just 24 hours, I've had more random conversations with folks on the street than I have in 2+ years. Quite the people magnet, this little guy.
We had a busy day, 3 walks so far, with one more to go, though right now, he's passed out on the couch. So another glass of wine for me, and then a quick walk in the drizzle before bed.

Back to school

According to Glenn, yesterday was my 19th first day of school. But then, that seemed like an awful lot of years to be buying notebooks and pens, so I counted for myself, and found that it's actually my 20th first day of school. (That 5th year at Penn State had to be counted somewhere, I suppose.)
And yesterday morning I felt just as nervous as I did walking into Shepherd Hill to start 7th grade. A tiny fish in a big pond. Then I went to class and realized that I can do this. It's what I've been preparing my whole life for (though I didn't know it)--the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the world.
This afternoon I don't feel very nervous anymore; my desire to be successful far outweighs any apprehensions I may have. And perhaps I feel this way because I know that the people I've surround myself with will help me when I inevitably stumble or have a massive meltdown, which ever comes first.
So now that I have spent the entire day being productive in the library, I'm going to meet Glenn for a drink and celebrate my 20th first day of school and the promise of a few more.