My syllabus is written and copies have been made. My notes for the “lecture” I’m giving tomorrow have been written and I’m going to go through them again at least once more before bed. I will be going over the syllabus and then teaching two sections (provided there’s enough time). First section is on lines (slope of a line, equations of lines, etc.) and the second section is on nonlinear inequalities (including a refresher on interval notation). Oh, and for you Ursinus math people who know what I’m talking about, I intend to shamelessly steal Gordon & Leah’s note card thing that they do. I know as a student some people hated that the cards were used to call on us at random, but now I think it would be extremely useful. So, thanks, guys!

I’m really excited! And I feel oddly grown up. I think it’s the distance from everyone I know. I’m living completely independently. I really love it. The apartment is working out really well so far and I am making friends in the department. Monday night after I met all the other (existing and new) grad students in the department, I was invited out with a group of them to get drinks after our whole day of meetings. It’s nice to be included in a group of people already, especially since I can see myself becoming good friends with a lot of them. Even the others (those for which I can’t tell yet if our personalities are compatible enough for real friendship) are very friendly. And I’ve met three of the four professors I’ll be working with this semester and of the 3 I’ve already met, they seem really nice and really intelligent, and I’m really looking forward to working with them. And I’m also getting settled into my office. Some of my stuff is there, I have a space that is my own. And my officemate seemed a little tired/out of it when I first met her on Monday but I saw here in the office today and she was a lot more friendly and open and inviting. So I’m off to a great start already!

I may actually just barrel through the rest of the stuff I need to organize/put away tonight since I’m already prepped for tomorrow. Then I’d be able to take and post pictures for those of you who may be anxiously awaiting such things.

Anyway, I’ll let you know how the first day goes! Hope all is well back in PA! Feel free to e-mail, text, or call any time! 🙂