A month and 9 days later...

Wow has this summer flown by. I have not been neglecting this blog on purpose. I always seem to hit a slump when first creating a blog. Lately, I have been bogged down with work, figuring out applications for graduate school, and preparing for GREs. My typical schedule was leaving the apartment at about 7:30am and not returning until 7:30pm at the earliest (most days of the week).

Since Monday, I have been in my residence hall. Tonight, I can say that I am mostly moved in, waiting for the arrival of my roommate and suitemates.

The last few days, I have been working International Orientation. It is always fun to work with international students because many of them have to make significant adjustments to get used to life in America; even more specifically, Connecticut.
Of course, there are a few Canadians, so their adjustment is quite minimal. Maybe I should let them know there is a Tim Horton's in Vernon. :) Some of the random things that have come up include: the definition of snorkeling, the definition of sass, and explaining America's obsession with pork. But maybe some of the most intriguing conversations I have had dealt with free speech (or the lack thereof in other countries). For instance, right now I could write on this blog about how much I hate President Obama (don't worry liberals...I don't) and not get in trouble for it. One of my students said that in a blog just like this one, if I were to write such a thing, I would be interrogated by the police. Scary thought if you ask me. At least they all seem pretty excited to come here.

[insert clever segway]

It's very possible I may become an international student. At least the possibility is certainly much greater than it was a few weeks ago. On a whim, I started looking at colleges in Canada, and found a music theory program at the University of British Columbia. I took the time to mail Dr. Roeder (the head of the theory program) just to ask what it was like there and was very surprised to receive the most comprehensive email response! Boy, do I love Canada! It would be a dream come true if everything works out in the future (then again, there are about 4 different graduate schools that I would have an equivalent response!) The prospect of being an international student is certainly an interesting one. I'm not sure if I would feel any different. I mean, it is only Canada. There honestly is no country more like America than Canada. (Though the subtle differences between the two countries do make them entirely separate countries!)

With GREs looming in the immediate future as well as graduate applications, starting 21 credits of hard school, starting a new job at the Registrar's Office, not to mention my two research projects...life could get very stressful over the next few weeks. In an effort to reduce distractions, my computer games have been left (mostly) at home. Although they are an outlet of reducing stress (they helped me get through 3 20+ credit semesters in the past), I am starting to believe they could prove a bothersome hindrance to a successful finish at UConn. So how will Devin blow of steam in the next few months? Three words: Socialize and SLEEP! One thing that certainly has lacked in my collegiate career is good restful sleep. While I'm still doing amazingly well, I figure that both socializing with my friends (old and new) and getting much more sleep than I have in the past will only fuel my future success.

In 9 hours, I begin my last day of International Orientation. Then I have a weekend...and then the beginning of the busiest 14 weeks of my life (up to this point.) Am I scared? Hell yes. Am I anxious? Hell yes. But am I prepared? Silly me! That's a silly question to ask any Eagle Scout!

Let the games, er, classes begin. This is one ride to hell where I absolutely expect to make it back...in one piece.

D