oriented

Today was my graduate school orientation. I am now oriented. It’s a sort of weird process though, especially when you break into small groups. I hate sitting in a circle of strangers and sharing my first grade memories, or whatever. In that situation you can always tell right away who you are going to end up hating. The know-it-all girl, the smug dude. It’s all vaguely competetive and awkward. But I sat next to a couple of really nice ladies, which was heartening. And Dusty and I sat together at the luncheon, so I had to opportunity to talk a little shit and have a laugh. It was cool- Dusty and I grabbed an empty table and the Dean of the Graduate School came and sat with us. Nobody else joined the table, so it was just the three of us for half an hour or so. Usually this would be a sort of uncomfortable situation- lots of small talk and whatnot. But he was really cool! We talked about our families a lot, marvelling over the wildly different life choices members of the same family can make. The conversation flowed very naturally, and it just pumped me up.
The other Dean (I don’t really get that either- maybe he’s just the Dean of my program?) gave an amazing speech in the chapel. He called for all of us to Follow our Feelings! Value them! He commanded us to be courageous reasoners. We are not to Regret pursuing a career with a modest financial reward. He commended our commitment to a life of service, especially in these sinister, greedy times. He was soft spoken and kind. I love him now. I wish he was my uncle or something.
So all in all I’m thrilled. Classes officially begin on Monday, and then it will be a 13 month whirlwind out of which I will emerge a Master of the Art of Teaching. Holy shit.