I have officially started work in the computer science department. Why they required all new teaching assistants to start a week before school is beyond my current comprehension, but I dutifully arrived Monday morning, started some paperwork and spent the afternoon learning from my advisor which was the only thing that necessitated the five-day-before-school arrival. I can’t complain, though, since my paycheck would be adjusted if I didn’t come in to work this week.

I can now ride my bike to work and not have to worry excessively about manic car drivers, because there’s ample bike lanes here. Nothing when compared to Amsterdam, Utrecht or any other Dutch city, but there’s a complete nascence. The true boon, though, is seeing many other bikers using the bike lane system; it lifts up my weary heart.

Over the course the week, I’ve seen a steady increase in the number of folks on campus. The other day, a huge influx of bleary-eyed freshman arrived, as the dorms opened their doors. The sight of hundreds of confused freshman walking around the student center lifted my lips to a smile and provided ample afternoon entertainment after a boring teaching assistant workshop. And they seemed so small and young; I must be getting old. Somehow, I’ve started anew at three universities now and each time has been quite different. When I started at Wyoming, I didn’t care what direction the classroom building happened to be; I only cared to find the party. I’ve grown up a bit I suppose, as I really don’t care too much for hardcore partying anymore, namely due to the aching body pain and the sharp stabbing in my head the next day. Starting school in Utrecht, The Netherlands, was a bit different, as I quickly learned where my classes would be held, but was more concerned with basic things like buying groceries and books, not to mention I kept getting lost anytime I went anywhere at all. So this adjustment is probably the least drastic of my three college starting experiences thus far. In some ways, not being in Laramie smarts right now. I do miss all my friends a little bit north of here, though I can accept that change always happens and that they won’t be in Laramie much longer either. Moving around keeps things fresh and new, that’s for sure.

And tomorrow, I start classes once again.