I'm on a new Journey and I'm liking it!

I arrived in Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon, earlier than planned, after driving through some beautiful country.  Those fantastically green rolling hills and brightest blue skies comforted my sacred heart.   

When I got into town, I stopped at 2nd Street Coffeehouse to have a London Fog - enjoyable place .  My Admissions Counselor called and had made arrangements for me for the night so I didn't have to spend any extra money on a motel room.  Thanks Sheer-el!!! 


I got all moved into my dorm and started the "orientation" process on Wednesday.  We had quite the busy schedule for the first few days...tiring, but I'm so glad they have this introduction and welcoming process because it helped to provide information that would not have otherwise been understood so quickly, while providing social opportunities as well.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the cafeteria during those first few days...it reminded us of HOGWARTS (except not so elaborate) since there are all these new student from all over the world joining together to get the same kind of education; lots of free-flowing energy and love; deep conversations and similar thought process.  It really is a beautiful place! Even a little magical  =)

There are a number of us from the February Visitor Weekend attending this Fall.  I think at least six of us - pretty cool to see familiar faces right from the start.  

February Visitors group (parents included)

To give you an idea of Hildenbrand Hall, where most of the female dorms are located...we have a phone room, an ironing room, TV room, a laundry room, study room, a regular-size refrigerator on each floor and a full kitchen in the basement.  Guys are not allowed in the halls or rooms, there is one lounge area they may spend time in while visiting one of the ladies.  There is a window A/C unit in each room,gas heating panels for the winter.  

If you are interested in a bit more about the student campus housing - go HERE 

Hildenbrand Hall

It became apparent that my room started inspiring others from the start when quite a few girls would stop by my open door, peek in, and go "ohhhhhhhh!  nice!!!"  I have moved so many times in my life that I have the ability to NEST pretty quickly.  It's my home, so I want it to feel like that all the time.  The first day, after I'd unloaded my stuff, the Hall Security woman totally pegged me as a work-a-holic.  Shucks!  Is it that obvious?  Well, yes.  I shall embrace that part of me....

Here are some pictures of my dorm room

bedroom

kitchen & creative arts area

changing area

study

I landed a work-study job pretty quickly and feel lucky about that.  I started training on Tuesday evening and will work two-hour shifts, three days a week.  My job is at the REC Center here on campus, which resembles the Family Sports Center in  Kerrville where I worked for two years when I was 21 years old.  My current job entails customer service (front desk), as well as organization and janitorial duties.  I'm happy I'll be meeting some new faces there! 


Homework is something I'm still struggling a bit with.  We have it every evening.  It's something I haven't done in many years.  But I do my best and try to do it early enough in the day that I can have some down time without having to worry about "work to do."
     


TRAINS!  yes...there are 70 trains that pass through Fairfield every day and night.  Sometimes they wake me up at night, but most of the time I sleep right through them.  

  Saturday morning I went to the Farmer's Market in the park.  Lovely veggies, baked goods, arts/crafts, raw foods, juices, and free kittens!  The walk was nice and the people were friendly.  I hope to make it down there before class on Saturday mornings  :)


Wednesday (tonight), I'm going to audition for a community play.  I'm having a lot of fun re-capturing all the things I let go of when I got into Emergency Medicine. 




I must end with sharing this last piece...I continue to be simply AMAZED about the ways God has been preparing me for this part of my journey.  I'm not surprised (because that's the way It works), but have so much gratitude that I can now see & partly understand what's been taking place.  The possibilities of my future are endless!!!

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; 

but it is the journey that matters, not the end.”

                                              ― Ursula K. LeGuin