It's been a bleary week. That's the best word I can think of to describe it. My sinuses are stuffed up because of my allergies and the cold, wet weather. That plus the new "getting up early" routine and the job have made me bleary. But I do like the job a bit better now that I've had the chance to adjust some and met some other coworkers. The work itself isn't particularly hard for the most part. I am a quick learner which generally helps me in new jobs and I've found that to again be the case in this job, especially considering the many different duties it entails.
I have enjoyed not taking this new job home, but I must admit I miss the great ups and downs I experienced in teaching, and that wonderful feeling that I was really doing something important. And, of course, I miss the students and colleagues.
I still find that I am very over-educated for the job and that I am quite young for a porter, but my other cowokers, particularly a gent named Lou who is about 65 and looks a bit like Santa, are very kind. I've also enjoyed the more relaxed working environment and rules you find in the UK. For instance, I get a 30-minute tea break each day even though I only work from 8-12. Pretty good! I do miss sleeping in and so far haven't gotten to write at all because Andrew has a paper due and has needed the computer. I can't wait for him to get his own, but for now I know his work is more urgent than mine. ::sigh::
Today we received our first issue of Entertainment Weekly. Several of our magazine subscriptions have been forwarded over here. This is the issue of EW we've gotten. I opened the envelope excitedly (yes, they put it in an envelope to ship it here) and discovered it was the September 27th issue! It probably hit newsstands the same day we left Orlando! ACK! So we'll be perpetually 6 weeks behind I suppose.
Last night (Thursday) we enjoyed the other half of the Exchange Dinner with Linacre. This time we Hertford MCR folk trekked a few blocks to Linacre College, an all-graduate college. We spent what seemed like forever socializing in their common room/bar before finally heading to the basement where their dining hall is located. The food, as promised, was spectacular. Four courses of YUM! The quality exceeds Hertford exponentially! It was easily the best meal I've eaten at the university since we've been here.
Tonight (Friday - I'm posting this just after Midnight) we went to the All Soul's Day Eucharist at the Hertford Chapel. We attend evening prayers usually several times per week and often go to other services as well. We particularly love the young, kind Chaplain. Anyway, after the service he invited the congregation (just about 10 people plus the choir) to dinner at the Senior Common Room (SCR). This is a big deal (a pre-planned big deal - it wasn't a spur of the moment invitation, but one we've been planning for a week) because the SCR is just like the MCR but for faculty instead of graduate students. Normally we wouldn't be able to get into the SCR, let alone eat there. It's much smaller than the regular Hertford dining hall, and, of course, more richly appointed. We had an okay-tasting dinner of curry, but did enjoy the fact that the food and drink were free! Plus we enjoyed the company. The choir was really enjoying the free wine when we left. Undergraduates!
So this weekend will be relaxing (I hope) for me as I plan to sleep in, do a little housework, a little shopping, and hopefully some writing. For Andrew, it will be another weekend of frantic paper-writing.
For those of you concerned about my mental health, it's quite good. I'm feeling ever-more confident in our new place and really longing to write, write, write. I have had the opportunity to somewhat re-invent myself. I am reading more. But generally I'm the same, happy me. Just in England and with a bunch of cool new stuff to learn and experience.
Posted by Erin at November 2, 2002 12:07 AM