so…. new to wordpress. I like it- the interface is nice, no annoying ads with scantily-clad women, and no strange men hitting on me [at least not so far]. I just moved from Chicago to Philadelphia, and figured a new blog was in order. I’m a new PhD student at a large research university here in the city, and we had our department orientation for the newbies on Monday. One of the more memorable moments of the day went something like this:

Department Chair: “…so, it takes the average student 8.6 years to finish the program here.”

All new PhD students: [looking at one another] ………….     o_0

8.6 YEARS??? oy. This is not exactly what I signed up for. We were told 5-ish years. I’m curious as to where those extra three years appeared from. sigh. Maybe it’s just that other students have been slackers and have taken foreeeeeever to finish their research? So I, being the exemplary student that I am [hah], should definitely be able to finish in a shorter amount of time if I plunge in full speed ahead, right? Right? ugh. I guess we’ll see. Maybe I’ll just drop out of school and open a yarn shop.

Speaking of yarn, we have several all-day meetings this week, mostly of the sit-in-a-chair-and-learn-nothing-you-didn’t-alread-know variety. Thus, I’ve been bringing my knitting along, and have knitted half a sweater so far. hah. My goal is to get it done by the time classes start next week.

I finally took my bike out today- I’ve been a little nervous about riding in the traffic around here. But it really wasn’t too bad. I went to the library and got a card, yay! [I know, what I nerd I am…] Also went to the pharmacy to pick up a few things. On the way to the pharmacy, I passed this little fresh market place, and ducked in to see what was what. I was a little bit hungry, so I grabbed an “organic, locally-grown white nectarine” for $1.02. A little steep if you ask me, but I tell you, it was one of the BEST things I have ever eaten. It turned into one of those perfect moments- I was walking down the street of my new city, having finally started to get out of the apartment and explore a bit. Biting into this sweet fruit, juice dripping everywhere, new poetry in my backpack, walking down the sidewalk past bistro diners and begging music-makers. I think I like it here.

-Alexandra