Shopping (for classes)

So, the process of finding classes has continued. After a week of attending macroeconomics (officially known as Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory), and spending a small fortune on the three textbooks for the class, I dropped the class last night. On Friday I discovered that all of the homework will be calculus based, and me, the good philosophy major that I was at Bethel, took Creative Problem Solving at Bethel. So, after contemplating the prospect of pulling out my hair for several hours in the attempt to teach myself calculus to complete the homework that was due today-- I dropped the class and signed up for International Trade Policy instead. Thus far, that seems like an incredibly wise decision. The class so far is interesting, and the professor is so genuinely excited about the material that I have seen her jump up and down in class.
While I feel somewhat guilty about dropping a class rather than living up to a challenge, it was pointed out to me that really, I am just taking classes that meet my strengths, rather than one's that magnify my weaknesses (like my lack of calculus knowledge). So, I am adjusting to this prospect. Statistics so far is good (which I wasn't expecting), and the Community Development seminar seems cool. We are actually taking a trip to Newark, NJ for Community Development, and it's even over Valentine's Day and the weekend. Woo hoo! Nothing like spending time in Newark for a romantic weekend (particularly because I will be there without Cody).
And, on another note which is somewhat related-- I think I am going to NYC at the end of February-- there may not be as much free time as I am hoping for (it's a trip though my program, which is looked at as a professional development trip), but I am looking forward to it. This whole grad school thing has been an adjustment, but so far this semester is looking to be much more interesting than last semester, which is a good sign.

Worky

I am slowly settling into the routine of having a job. I will admit that it is really hard for me to relax when I am not at work, mainly because I got so used to always having the job search hanging over my head last semester, I don't really know what to do without it. Basically, whenever I sit down at home, I feel like there is something I am supposed to be doing, and that I am probably slacking off. Oh well, if that is the worst I have to deal with, its not so bad.

So far I am enjoying my new co-workers, it was a little odd to run into one at the Laundromat earlier this week, but that is due to the fact that I am not used to knowing people around here. The increase in human interaction has been a definite plus.

Oddly enough, the whole having a job thing has allowed me to evaluate my status here in Ithaca in a new light, and I find myself incredibly homesick. I miss the ability to hang out with friends alot. I am sure I felt this last year after we got here, but most of the time I probably wrote it off as anxiety about the job search. Don't get me wrong, the people I have met here are great, but there is something to be said for friends who have known you for years. I miss the ability to have a truly amazing conversation over a quality pint or a chipotle burrito. Not to mention the ever-present disc golf companions.

That said, I miss you all greatly. It was a true blessing to see so many of you over Christmas and I can only hope that someday I will get the opportunity to live near you again.

A New Semester

So, second semester started today. Cornell's not much on respecting national holidays, which is too bad, because I particularly like Martin Luther King Day. Oh well. Cornell has a policy of much freedom with class registration-- I went to three classes today, and decided to drop two of them. So, it will be interesting to see what tomorrow holds. This semester should hopefully be a good mix of classes I need to take (also known as macroeconomics and statistics) and classes I want to take: Community Development Seminar and Ethnicity and Identity Politics. In spite of the cold weather here (I realize that it isn't as bad as MN, but walking from building to building across a large campus that isn't connected internally, on top of a hill where it is really windy), I did walk out to the Moosewoods restaurant on campus (good vegetarian food for those of you who don't know, and its ideal to go without having to force Cody) for some Moroccan stew, and later over to visit him at Starbucks when I had finished classes for the day. It will be interesting to see what the rest of this weeks classes hold-- to see if my schedule stays as it is, or continues to change. The only downside of the current schedule is that I am taking macroeconomics with almost entirely (in a class of 60) college juniors who either a) don't seem to be very mature, or b) are econ majors who intimidate me and my lack of knowledge when it comes to matters of economics.
On a different note, Starbucks is extending their hours this week, so it will be interesting to see what the semester holds for each of us, as it could be very scattered if we end up on opposite schedules!

3 Days Down

I have now completed 3 days of work at my new job. So far, things have been pretty slow going. I have mostly been training and reading training manuals. The co-workers are cool and my boss seems like a good guy. The location I work at is on the South end of Cornell's campus, so it is really slow right now. Classes don't start for another 10 days, so I am thinking that things will start picking up towards the end of next week.

So, if you find yourself in Ithaca any time soon, come by the store, and I will attempt not to screw up your drink. Oh, and the most complicated one so far was last night. Venti 9 pump Chai, 1 pump Peppermint Soy Chai Latte. I didn't make it, I just had to ring it up. Good times.

Addendum

Pray that I do well waking up in the morning. I am super nervous that I won't feel well. I am serious, I have a track record of getting sick in these situations. Long story, I won't share it cause I am going to go try to sleep now.. BECAUSE I HAVE A JOB TO GO TO!!!!!!!

Good news for a new year!

So, this will be a very brief update (with I'm sure more to follow later). But, CODY HAS A JOB! Which, he starts tomorrow morning at 7:00. The position is a shift supervisor at the Starbucks in the Collegetown neighborhood of Ithaca. The store called just a couple of hours ago to offer the position, and he starts in a few more hours. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers for an early morning tomorrow! There will be more of an update later when we have more info. We love you all and are super excited!
--brianna

2008 (hopefully not as eventful as 2007)

Well, as you all are well aware, we have now moved into a new year. And, thus, it seemed a good time for me (brianna) to hijack cody's blog. Maybe not hijack so much as borrow from time to time. Our New Year's Eve was incredibly uneventful, and seemed like the proper ending to a rather insane year (we fell asleep before the clock struck midnight). Today has been spent sleeping, watching television, playing video games, and doing a little unpacking. It was mostly recovery from a wonderful and crazy busy trip back to Minnesota.
I woke up this morning thankful for the opportunity to go back home for Christmas, and see so many of you, but also thankful to be back in New York. Life out here has been quite an adjustment, and the chance to see family and friends made it a lot easier to come back to our everyday lives, which at times seem both incredibly dull and insanely busy. Thank you to all of you who are a part of our lives, and who we got to see over the past several weeks-- it was great!
Anyway, being back in Ithaca-- I am beginning to wonder what we are going to do with ourselves over the next few weeks. I don't start classes again for a few weeks yet, and don't go back to work for awhile, so hopefully we will be able to spend some more time exploring where we are at (and sharing with you). Although, Cody is looking forward to spending some time with the Xbox and Half Life now that we are back as well. My goal is to try to make it to New York City at some point in January (maybe as part of a birthday celebration)-- now I just need to convince Cody that this is a good idea. I am sure that we will both keep you updated over the next few weeks and months as to how life progresses. Happy new year to you all! Oh, and the picture is of Cody and I with my nephew Christopher-- the three of us spent quality time together over Christmas.