Boston in the fall

In Boston it mists. And it rains sometimes too. But in my short observation, it mists about as often as it rains. Imagine those misting machines at amusement parks - you know, that they have at certain locations in long lines, mercifully blowing out soft mist to cool you down. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about, only on a huge scale. And it drizzles. Only once have I seen a good rain like the ones in Utah. But when it rains (mists) here in Boston, it lasts for a good couple of days or more, also unlike Utah. But I don't mind the mist - I just wish it didn't make the decision whether or not to use my umbrella such a difficult one!

I wrote that earlier this week, about an hour before the deluge struck. And it answered my query for real rain with REAL RAIN! As I walked across campus to catch the train, rivers ran under my feet, and I huddled under my umbrella to try to keep the rain at bay, but the wind was my fierce enemy. Not only did it sweep the rain up and under, it lifted my umbrella and threatened to pop it inside out (you know, like they do the the dad's umbrella in Mary Poppins). So I held it down tightly with one hand, while the streams of water trickled down my arm, into my shirt. Needless to say, I was soaked, top to bottom, with my hair the most dry. But I survived to tell the tale.

I'm in the full swing of things now. The life of a grad student is nothing less than academic insanity. I think of those movies like A Beautiful Mind or others where great academics go slowly insane. It's no wonder! I feel guilty because I don't dedicate as much time as maybe I should to my studies (don't get me wrong - I dedicate plenty of time), but I already feel myself hovering on the brink of insanity. As students get so deeply involved in their studies, I can see that they could easily lose the connection to reality. And then there is the time issue. I thought people were crazy, or lazy, for not working. Now I understand. I am the only person in my program I know who is working - that on top of being already behind in this course of study because there is so much I simply don't know. I started behind, and can't seem to catch up. I have so many disadvantages, that it becomes, in addition to the shear overload of work, overwhelming emotionally. I just keep praying that Heavenly Father will do all that I can't - literally. Make my mind understand in the short time I have the material that more experienced students take hours and hours to study; grant me opportunities to one day work in this field, so this whole effort, and the money involved, aren't a waste. He has taken care of me so far, and I keep giving all I have, so I trust He will continue to make up the difference.

Well, that's all for now. Looking forward this week to some friends coming. Sure do miss my friends.

The Sky is Falling

There is a very real danger that an acorn might fall from the sky and knock me in the noggin! Really and truly! I have narrowly escaped dozens of falling acorns - sometimes I think the squirrels, who scamper around with impunity, and whom I have seen grabbing at the acorns, and even eating them, might be tossing them down. I haven't actually seen them throwing them, but they do seem to like some friendly banter, so I wouldn't put it past the little buggers.

The other danger is that I could roll my ankle on the thousands of acorns littering the ground everywhere I walk. So, I dutifully crush with my heel every acorn I step on, so it is not a danger to poor souls with weak ankles like myself.

All over-cautiousness aside, I'm really enjoying the squirrels (unlike native New Englanders, who complain incessantly about the little pests) and all the acorns. It still holds its novel charm for me. What I'm not enjoying is the apparently allergic rash that has developed in my armpits. Yes, my armpits. I apologize in advance if this offends anyone's sense of decorum, but I am going to describe what may be one of the most unanticipated trials I have ever faced. Who would ever have thought my trial would be in my armpits! Not me.

So, a couple of weeks ago I began noticing that my armpits itched a bit more regularly than normal (no, they don't usually itch a lot, but on occasion - don't we all try to inconspicuously scratch there on occasion?). I dismissed it as simply a reaction from my backpack strap rubbing, but I soon discovered that the strap wasn't even touching the part that was most irritated. I tried various things - let me assure you, it was good and red, and extremely itchy. I finally went to the doctor on Saturday, and he said it was an allergic reaction, although he also implied that it might be stress-related (stress? How could it be stress? It's not like I have taken on loads of student debt, am desperately poor and trying to be independent, stay up late hours studying languages I really don't understand yet. stress?). I think perhaps, after experimenting with drinking the local water, that I'm allergic to something in the water here. It has given me a wicked headache a couple of times.

He prescribed a cream that I have been rubbing on the pits day and night, and it seems to be working. I can't tell you how grateful I am to sit here at a computer, thinking about what I'm writing, instead of concentrating on not scratching. What a blessing! Now, if I can just get that darn insurance situation worked out...

So, that's the latest from Boston. October is going to be fabulous. Not only will I finish my 30 firsts (whale watching!), I get to see a few friends who are coming to visit. And I'm moving, so I will be in a safer location, with a better commute. If I can pass my quiz on cuneiform Akkadian today, I'd say things are looking pretty good. If you want to see what that looks like, go online and do a google search for Akkadian cuneiform. It's pretty interesting. One day, I'll be able to read it!

Hurricane?

Have you ever been attempting to do the same thing over and over, to no avail, even though you know it can be done, and is not even hard, and gotten so frustrated that you begin making strange gutteral noises, trying to keep from screaming outright? That is what I have been doing for the last couple of minutes - this computer (Shirla's, my landlady) completely closes the internet each time I try to post a picture on the blog, or do anything that it considers a pop-up. So, I'm going to take a deep breath, and try this post again, and NOT scream. I'll post pictures later. (Big breath..."Serenity now...")

So, about this hurricane business. A great disappointment. I was rather excited to say I'd been in a hurricane, but it never quite made it up to us in Boston, and all we got out of it was an evening of rain - no wind, nothing! I've experienced much worse storms in Utah!

BUT, I do have some exciting new things to report. Actually, I realized I had left out some of my firsts! Silly me! We're getting really close!. But before I list them (I know - you're anxiously waiting, but hold your horses just a minute), I have to say that I'm not sure that one of my old firsts should count. I hope Boober will forgive me, but I just don't think my dressing up crazy and going out in public should count. After all, I've done that dozens of times, as each October 31 came around (when I was a child, of course...). And, when I was 17, I did it once with my Aunt Debbie - we dressed up as gypsies (actually, I was playing a gypsy for my neighbor's birthday party, and telling fortunes to the little girls. It was rather fun!) and went to the store and handed out candy to surprised and delighted little kids, with suspicious parents. And it wasn't even Halloween! My Aunt Debbie was so much fun that way.

So, I'm going back one. That's a good thing, as with the ones I have to add, it would equal 30 already, and I want number 30 to be a bang. So, please let me know if you have any suggestions.

26. I did, indeed, walk a cat. Two, in fact. They weren't happy about it - the little wimps couldn't handle being outside. (Late July, 2010)
27. I did, in fact, visit Niagara Falls, on our way out here. I forgot to mention that earlier. It was a spectacular experience, and we were drenched. When I can, I'll upload pics. (August, 2010)
28. I have begun grad school, something I have never done before. It is terrifying, difficult, and satisfying, all at once. (August 26, 2010)
29. One of my favorite experiences so far: I went with some of my new ward friends to Providence, Rhode Island to see Waterfire. It was very cool - and, again, when I can, I'll upload pics. The basic concept is literally a bunch of bon fires floating on the water, and a large festival-type atmosphere, except more sophisticated and romantic, as thousands of people just wander and enjoy the ambience. (August 28, 2010)
30. ????

So there we are folks. I'm counting on you to suggest a perfect number 30. It has to be doable, and cheap, and incredible, all at once! And my birthday is coming up in October...so let's start thinking seriously here.

That said, I'll be off - back to my studies (yep - I'm studying even on a Saturday. Ah, the life I have chosen to lead...)