And the firsts continue

Today began with my first rainy class day and office hours, which went well and I actually had 2 students attend. Afterwards, I tried to work on recitation 2 for Thursday, since I had 4 hours until class... I might start coming home, except it's nice being around anyone and hanging out. My desk cube seems to be the favorite place to congregate if any of the 4 of us are there, and sometimes even when we're not :). I kind of enjoy it. And if I need to do work, I just turn around, put the iPod in the ears, and they scatter. Nice system. Topology finally happened, was rather boring and mostly review, then Olivetti Club talk (math grad student association, math grad students volunteer to give talks on whatever they want), in which I had a crisis of decision. I thought to myself, "What in the world was I thinking when I decided to come to grad school? I don't want to do this? We're making up things to study and then study them to make up more things???? But I rather enjoy it most of the time, I'm just tired of it... I need to do something other than math and be with math people. I could be with math people all the time at home, because we didn't talk about math all the time." And on it went. About 2/3 of the way through, the guy next to me finished his Sudoku puzzle and handed the one on the back to me, which was a lovely save. I could still learn about torsors and affine spaces, while having something to get the desperation out of it.
The answer to non-math activities came a couple hours later when I went to my first swing dance lesson at the Big Red Barn. It was a good lesson, and amazingly enough there were more guys than girls! Only by a few, so by the end of the lesson we had an even number. I don't think that's ever happened. We rotated different partners, and I must say that guys here are not afraid to lead like they are at home, and it makes my part so much easier. I enjoyed the lesson, and then the free dancing began and I danced almost every song! It was so much fun! Like dancing is supposed to be. I got to twirl around the floor and actually know a little of what I was doing. I only got stepped on a few times, because my lead wasn't paying attention to the people behind me, and got pushed into a wall once :-p. But other than that, it was great fun, and I learned a lot :). Then I got to go to the grocery store and get yummy food to make yummy food for the rest of the week. But sadness, I have found something that the super store Wegmans doesn't have..... midnight Milky Ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have the regular ones, but not the gluten free midnight ones!!! Even with their candy wonderland. I'm so sad. So, Luzianne Tea and Midnight Milky Ways, the two things I miss of the South. Next time I'm home, I will stock up.
I'm missing Moe's and my math girls (plus the token non-math girl ;)) so much. I tried to shop for stuff to make my own Moe's, I'm even going to try to make my own tortilla chips with my new deep fryer. But I think I've found a Moe's only 20 minutes from IKEA, so this weekend I shall have both. I miss hugs and feeling completely comfortable with people. It's always the challenge of moving to a new place where you don't know anyone. There are good days and bad days, and today was harder. It probably didn't help that it was a gray rainy day. But, the creeks are flowing so fast now, the waterfalls are impressive.
Funny enough, when I Google image searched for "rainy fall waterfall" one of the first pictures that came up was the waterfall right by campus, one I pass every day on the bus on the way to school :). It's so pretty to watch the water flow, and hear the water rushing as you walk over the bridge.
Oh, I saw my first real live skunk tonight too! It ran across the road in front of me (I did not hit it), so I was delighted. Haven't seen any deer, I haven't been up early enough on the edges of the town.
I should go to sleep now, since Analysis comes early at 8:30 am.