Hello, Indiana

On Thursday morning, before the temperature was able to hit a million degrees in Topeka, Andrea and I headed east in a little black Ford. We drove and drove all day until we reached my new home of Bloomington, Indiana. Sometimes I can't remember why on earth I chose Indiana, but somehow it was chosen for me.

Anyways, here I am sitting at my little white desk, surrounded by all of my Chinese mementos. In fact, I also seem to be surrounded by Chinese people. I almost want to laugh. As Andrea and I have been out and about yesterday and today, 90% of every person we see is Chinese! I can understand a lot of what they're saying, and I feel like I'm in China. White Americans are a rare sight at the moment, which is fine with me. Classes don't start for another couple of weeks, so apparently only the Asians hang out here all summer. I'm excited to make some Chinese friends!

Actually I'm excited to make friends in general. I met one of my neighbors who is from Wisconsin, and about the same age as I am. We also happen to be in the same grad school program. Everything's feeling a bit more like home. Andrea is staying with me for a few days, and I'm so thankful for her company and help! She's been hanging curtains, cleaning stuff, and just being an eager beaver about life.

Yesterday we went around town, browsed through an Asian food market, and finished putting together my baby apartment. I must say it's looking pretty nice. I'll have to take some pictures in a few days. This whole town and college are a little overwhelming. The town is really nice and diverse. People recycle, bike, do artsy things, and eat ethnic food. And the campus itself is a million times more beautiful than I could have expected.

After dinner Andrea and I trekked to campus to see where I'll be taking most of my classes. We took a path all the way by an old farmstead, under some still-used train tracks, past some prairie, and by a lot of Asian noodle restaurants. And there, upon a tree-lined hill, is the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. It's a decent 30 minute trek. Thank goodness Bloomington has great public transportation. I anticipate taking the bus a lot.

Then this morning we went to the farmer's market, which was very Americana. I wanted to buy everything, but didn't. Then we went to campus again to explore some more. The buildings are gorgeous and old. There are even forests on campus! It's like a movie.

Thanks as always for your thoughts! I will leave you with just a few pictures to peruse...


A giant cross in the middle of Illinois.


A meadow in the middle of campus.


A cool bridge with trains that go right over.