i cant really tell you how much fun im having. maybe a little too much fun. but im getting my work done, and im sleeping, and those are the only major things i must see to outside of having fun.

yesterday i woke up late (i force myself to sleep in on weekends to make up for lost time during the week) and i went for a run and i cleaned my apartment a little. and then i went downstairs to watch the tennessee game at a friend’s apt. which then turned into me going to the grocery with three people in my program to get the food for the dinner party one was planning. and then we got chairs from home and spices and other things and convened at another apt and made roasted chicken and mashed potatoes and a spinach/pear/blue cheese salad and asparagus with romano cheese and butternut squash soup. and everything was so good. and the dinner party that began with a plan of 5 grew to 25, but we had gotten enough food figuring this would happen. and there were about 20 bottles of wine between us. and we sat around all night chatting and laughing and listening to _great_ music from itunes (does anyone listen to cds anymore?). so fun. i cant tell you all the details (it would bore you more than this already has) but it was fun.

new haven feels like home. i havent really gotten homesick yet, although i think once i go home i will have trouble coming back here. i think this place will feel more foreign. just today, as i was walking back from the art store, i began to feel like this really is a northern city. it’s getting colder here. and the people are different than they are at home. and the buildings are taking on a new tone. but it’s good, still. the kids i spend time with are still great. and the work is still good. and the professors are still good. i dont really know how to describe it… i really think i am the happiest i have been in years. i am being coddled here… i can walk everywhere, and i dont have to go to work (yet i have money to live on), and beer is cheap, and i live by myself, and i have hardwood floors, and my apartment is affordable, and i have an office space in the loft with all of the other grads. it’s just wonderful spoiling.

i have neglected to be in good touch with some people who are close to me. which makes me sad. i want to stop by dc sometime to hang out and see people. i miss them.