First Week... Such As It Is.

So far the first week back has gone well. The first day of the second year was way better than the first day of the first year. (Duh.)

I'm enrolled in two regular courses, a teaching practicum and a seminar, and in two directed studies courses. I'm also working in the department's VR Lab for the term. This decision was made largely because my adviser is one of two people in the program who haven't quite made the jump to digital yet. I suspect that my presence is intended to help her transition. The other person who hasn't made the jump to digital also has a grad student in the VR Lab this term, for what are likely the same reasons. (These Art History folks are sneaky.)

I had a great meeting with my adviser yesterday, although it included the stunning news that I was expected to turn in a rough draft of my thesis by "October." Eeep! Fortunately for me, a lot of what I'm doing this term will feed into that project. The directed reading course I'm taking in Japanese will be focused on sources for that project, and the seminar I'm in--dealing with the Silk Road in China, Korea, and Japan--touches on one aspect of the project as well. And I have it half written already, so that's alright. But still... shock!

The VR Lab supervisor is very cool. She's open and friendly and totally laid back about hours. It's pretty much call your own shots as long as you get the required hours-per-week done and keep the faculty happy. I'm planning to work a four-day week and leave my Fridays open. There's still a bit of a snag with my Japanese readings course at present... mainly dealing with Labor Day. It should be sorted out soon, however. I'm pleased with the day the teacher suggested for our weekly meeting, though.

And those're the boring details. More to come as more occurs...