The Last of Firsts

For a while, anyway. Today I started my classes at the university where I haven't taught before. I was fortunate to catch my friend, the one who recommended me, in his office between my classes. We had a nice catch-up chat and spent some time bemoaning the situation at our former common university and our respective departures. That time and my class times were the best parts of my day. Well, I have to say that getting a badge and a parking pass was much easier than I had expected, taking maybe ten minutes at most. Everyone I have met on that campus is so kind and helpful. I'm trying to adjust; it's been more than a few years since I felt that way about my place of employment.

This morning, my internet went out. I plugged in my printer to have an actual connection so I could just copy some documents. It wasn't happening. I reset my wireless network (twice) but it still wasn't working. Okay, I give up. I'll make my copies at work. I needed note cards, and while I know I have some around my house somewhere, I'm having a hard time finding anything until I can unpack the boxes. So I went to Walgreen's and picked some up. Again, no big deal. Then my car's AC system stopped working. When I got to campus and had picked up my badge and parking permit, I went to look for a parking space. Every lot was full -- except the one a half-mile away at the bottom of a steep hill. I almost cried. I know you'll probably laugh when I say my bursitis has been acting up (yes, I know it sounds funny), but it's no joke. If I step or stand wrong on my left leg, pain shoots through my hip so bad I feel like I might pass out. I have both pain meds and muscle relaxants to take, but do you think I want to take them and drive? Or even stand up in front of students on our first day of classes and make no sense? In case you're not sure, the answer is no. I bit the bullet, parked far away, and took the hill slow and steady. It wasn't so bad.

My cabinets are in, but my contractor is busy for the foreseeable future. I'm going to ask my helper friend how much of the work she thinks the two of us can do on our own. I don't have forever to wait for the contractor, and my friend knows how to do a lot of handy-person-type stuff. Also, I'd save money if I helped. I just don't want it to look like crap. Through all the annoyances of the day, including the contractor work, I've been doing my best to let them roll off my back and not let them obscure the good moments. I know from experience there's no point in worrying; it will all work out eventually.