Labor Day

I've decided that holidays are actually kind of annoying when I haven't been doing anything that I need a break from. In fact, what I would like a break from is this feeling of purposelessness that has haunted me since I arrived here. Oh, for school to start and life to make sense again!

Yesterday I braved the subway on my own and made it to Park Street for church. I went to one of the evening services, and taking the train back out was pretty crowded. After the service there was a "reception" for college students and professors so we could learn about college ministries in the city. I gave my contact information to the Real Life Boston group (Campus Crusade, essentially) so they can let me know when activities or Bible studies are going on. The service itself was pretty good. Nothing absolutely amazing, but enough to make me want to come back next week. The sermon was on the text of Jesus meeting the disciples on the road to Emmaus, which, in light of the book my aunt just had published, was enough to make me homesick again and almost cry in the pew. But, as I said, I think I'll be going back next week, though probably to a morning service to see what that's like.

I also met some of the people on my floor Sunday night. They're pretty cool people, and most of them are in my program. Most of them have also been here for at least a semester, so they can give me advice on classes, professors and the city of Boston. I need all the advice I can get at this point. Also, having people to hang out with and go places with would be nice. Then I could feel alright about leaving campus after dark, or coming back after dark, because I wouldn't be alone. I do carry my kubaton everywhere I go, but I'd rather not have to use it or any of the tricks Sherwin taught me. But I am living in a big city, after all. Yesterday afternoon I walked through a park on the way to the subway station. It was pretty, and there was a lovely stone bridge and gazebo. but when I went for a closer look at the gazebo, I noticed a homeless man sleeping in it. I ran away. Toto, I'm definitely not in South Dakota anymore.

I think I'm getting to know this little corner of Boston pretty well. Except for a mall (of which there are apparently only two in all of Boston), I can find almost anything I need in walking distance. Now I just have to see about a job, so I can continue to afford the necessities within walking distance. That is my project after advising day tomorrow, which will get me ready to jump into the program. At least, that's the theory. I'll let you know afterward whether I feel at all prepared.

Oh, one other thing. 80 degrees in Boston feels warmer than 80 degrees in SD. I think it's all the pavement and buildings reflecting heat and sunlight all over. Good thing I packed some shorts. Just walking to CVS today made me sweat, and I have more errands to run later. Fun times...

-Kim