School Daze

So today is my very first day of school, real school. Not the school I've been doing for the past 3 years. That school was evening school, squeezed around my work schedule and plodded through one course at a time.

This is different. It's all school, all the time. I'm sitting in the library on campus right now trying to absorb the culture. It's been a long time since I've really been on campus, using the library, checking out the student union (hey- they have 2!), reading all of the posted fliers announcing this or that activity.

But I'm a commuter. No living on campus, rolling out of bed 5 minutes before class and dashing to my seat in my sweats. No hopping in the car with all my gear and driving 5 (maybe 10 in traffic) minutes to work, parking for free in the Fort Mason lot and skipping over to Safeway or Chestnut street for work. This morning I packed my bag with my computer and power cord (I'm going to try taking notes with it), a book I need to do some reading in, a pleasure reading book, lunch fixings (student budget you know!), personal gear and some extra bags. I waited for the bus, smashed in the aisle with my 20 lb. bag and careened down to the BART station. There I just missed the train I was shooting for. Had I realized that I didn't need to walk all the way across the station to go downstairs I would have made it just fine. But I took the next train and headed to the east bay. Got off the BART and got in line for the free shuttle to campus.

Totally different world for me. I've made a pretty conscious habit of not commuting for the past 8 or 9 years. I've typically lived within 5 miles of my work. And I so love my car that even on days when I could have take the bus, I still drove. A 10 minute car ride was a much better option that a 40 minute bus trip! Now I'm reversing that. I could drive to school in less time than it takes to use public transit. But even with all the standing, swaying and missing trains by "that much" I think I can get used to this.

If it's going to be a whole new world I may as well embrace it fully, with open arms, a giant school bag and a smile on my face to mask the sheer terror!

First day of school picture will follow soon!