Day 90: It's a beautiful day...

...in the IU-hood. Days like today make me wish I could walk to campus instead of taking the bus.

Day 89 {First Day of 17th Grade}

I absolutely love the first day of school. It might be my favorite day of the year. This one was a little (okay, way more) daunting than the first day in years past. Even if I only spent two hours in class, I still survived my first day a history graduate student at Indiana University! This is my celebratory frozen yogurt from Red Mango. We had to brave the swarming undergrads, but it was totally worth it!

Day 88 {Saved By Grace}

Ephesians 2:8-9 = My reason for living.

To live is Christ.

Happy Sunday, y'all!

Best Food Ever on Day 87

Dinner at Farm with the other U.S. History ladies. All local and organic food -- hands down the best in Bloomington. Bison burger all the way!

Day 86 (It's Friday!)

The arrival of the last official day of orientation had us all humming Rebecca Black's horrendous song. Five things I did on Friday:

1. Sat in the most uncomfortable chairs in the SLIS auditorium.

2. Picked up the rest of my books. I feel like they are just sitting on my bookshelf laughing at me.

3. Went to a History Department potluck where we didn't get very lucky with the food choices.

4. Got real food from Scholar's Inn. And free cookies since they were getting ready to close!

5. Hung out at The Atlas. Apparently it's where the polite grad students go. And with all the maps on the walls, I was in heaven!

Day 85 {Night on the Town}

1st Year MA/MLS Students' first night out.

A trip to a Bloomington institution: Nick's.

We were home by 9:30 -- Orientation is taking its toll!

Day 84: Orientation Day 3

Meet my new (and window-less) home for the forseeable future -- the Herman B. Wells Library.

Day 83 {A Red Letter Day}

This is where I started my day on campus. With an iced coffee and the school newspaper, looking out that wall of windows onto a beautiful campus. Today was definitely a red (or should I say IU crimson) letter day. I finally got my ID card (and can now ride the city bus for free)...and...I have a job in the University Archives!!!

On My Own on Day 82

The first day of orientation was a success! I met some awesome people, registered for classes, and bought my books. Then I headed home and set up my printer -- all on my own! This birthday message to my sister was my test page. Success! And happy 18th birthday, Hannah!!!

Day 81: Exploring Part II

A successful Sunday. I found a church. Ate a free lunch (Sorry, there's no picture of the sandwich...I had already eaten it all by the time I thought to take a picture. Stocked the fridge. Cooked my first dinner in the apartment. Figured out the bus system for the trip to campus tomorrow. Not too shabby for the day of rest!

Day 80 {New Apartment}

First breakfast in the new apartment = frozen blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple.

I have a big kid bed for the first time ever. No more sleeping on a twin! And as you can see, Happy made the journey safely and he is quite at home on my new bed.

My favorite feature in the apartment: the floor to ceiling bookshelf in the living room.

Exploring on Day 79

My sister and I went on a walk to explore the area and found this cute little park not far from my apartment.

Loading the Car on Day 78

Old Gracie Lou is packed to capacity and ready for the drive to Bloomington!

Day 77

I stopped by my grandparents' for lunch this afternoon. And snapped this picture of my grandpa's grapes before I left. They look so good! All I can think of is I Love Lucy and her trip to Italy!

Road Trip on Day 76

Road trip along the Mississippi to Galena.

I climbed these steps. All 215 of them. Nope, that's not a type-o. Two One Five.

This view was my reward. Beautiful.

Day 75 con mi hermana

First (and probably last) trip to the root beer stand...

...then to see Glee in 3D. They gave us hats to commemorate the experience...who has ever heard of such a thing?

Later that afternoon, I hit the open road to visit some friends in Bloomington. Illinois, that is.

Day 74 {Summer Sunday}

Lemonade at my grandma's.

Day 73 {Wide Open Spaces}

"And her soul is a corn tassel kissing a west wind..."

Being at my grandparents' brings the beautiful words of Carl Sandburg to mind.

My boy Nuisance. I really wish he could come to Indiana with me.

At the Movies on Day 72

Yeah, I know. It's the most popular book in America right now. Everyone's talking about it. Including my grandma. I'm ashamed to admit that haven't read it yet. My sister and I took her to see the film version. And I cried. And I cried. For the whole movie. As someone who has researched the 1960s, the film was especially moving. It is so poignant and extremely well done. I can't wait to read the book. Hopefully I have time in the next week or so before my free time runs out.

To the Dreaded Dentist on Day 71

To me, going to the dentist is like going to detention (which I only did once, by the way. And it was for losing a golf ball in P.E. sophomore year. For the record, I think if you hit your ball too far and can't find it, you should be okay). But I digress. I hate the dentist with the fiery burning passions of a thousand suns. Make that a million. BUT...for once in my life, I didn't have any cavities! I just sat in the chair dumbfounded, not knowing what to do until the hygienist handed me this crazy pink bag full of stuff and said, "You better run before he changes his mind!"