Monday, September 7, 2009

First week of classes

Monday and Tuesday passed off pretty quietly. The big difference I could see around the place was the increase in numbers. All the undergrads were getting back. Bascom Hill was full of colourful shirts, shorts and skirts stretching out in the sun, playing power frisbee and having fun.
Wednesday was day one for classes in the University. The Department was brimming with activity, classes were running full, the bell assumed more meaning, office staff became busier and the knowledge cycle gained the yearly acceleration. We got our first weekly homework in the first class and having struggled with it for three days, I have had a satisfying learning experience working it out. Till very recently, a homework used to mean copying a set of notes blindly. Thursday was an easy day while Friday meant I would be facing the set of students I would be TAing for. The discussion scheduled for 50 minutes got done in 20.
Labour Day meant that I had a long weekend ahead. Saturday went in house cleaning, lazing around and the bi-weekly shopping stint at Woodman's. Vinod and I started our confectionary consumption duo, our home finally got a trash can, and we had masala dosa for dinner.
Sunday and Monday flew away with the homework assignment. Most of the town seemed to be getting back from the hangover of the Friday football game. The town is basking in the pleasant sunshine and the mornings are getting cooler. Sriram is diving ever-so-deeper into his books. I am getting increasingly convinced that he will end up as a brilliant, mad mathematician in one of the topmost mathematics institutes of India. Vinod has been attempting to teach Sri the beauty of Bollywood music. Raja came home for dinner yesterday and has gone back with a recipe for masala dal. What else... we also got an interesting visit by our neighbours who were looking for a bulb that would fit into the a/c vent.
Tuesday is working day here but I don't have any classes. Its funny with these holidays. Americans do no labour on Labour Day (sorry.. that is as far as I can get). For a first week, its been steady. I have my first lab on Wednesday. Hoping that everything goes well.

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