Day 1: The Start of New Rituals

The anticipation of a new semester woke me a few minutes earlier than my alarm did today. I laid in bed deciding whether to roll over for an extra five minute snooze or get up and squeeze in a quick run with Chopper before allowing my first day of school to begin. Chopper caught my glance, wagged his tail and stretched in preparation for a run. His enthusiasm convinced me. Probably the best decision I could have made because now, sitting in class, I am feeling great! I think this should become a new ritual before class that would allow me to spend some quality time with my pup, who doesn't understand why I must leave him for the entire day while I am in school.

He might not understand where I am or what I'm doing all day, but being back in school is very important to me. Now, I enjoy learning new things and setting goals for myself. Being motivated and organized can be rigorous, but what else do I have to do with my time? I took full advantage of relaxation this summer and now it's time to work just as hard as last semester. Finally, I feel that I am taking the right steps to adulthood. Yes, I know. I am already an adult, but I have been living the life of an extended teenager for too long. So as the days of taking it easy at the pool are vanishing, my to-do lists will be getting longer and more challenging.

I'm happy to report that I'm ready for the challenge! Bring it on!

It's Heating Up for Move-ins

Tempe is becoming more livelier as the temperature heats up! It's been a mild summer as compared to my four previous scorchers. And around town, the population remained low. Mill Avenue was a ghost town on most weeknights and a dust storm seemed to make an appearance at the same time each night. Even the weekends begged for more company to entertain us! We can only handle the bike cops cuffing homeless people and pot dealers on the daily for so long.

But now, it's official. Lot's of new people are in town and moving in as we speak! ASU is prepared with coned off parking areas and clear and concise signage right at the moment the newbie would begin to ask, "Where is it?". They have their act together this year. Maybe it's the extra tuition money, or the record number of times that Budget Rental trucks blocked off University Drive while students lug heavy furniture to their dorms.

Whatever it is... I like it!

It means that year after year the same problems occur with the move-in process of first time Sun Devils and the institution stepped up to prevent them this time. It's impressive. Good job, ASU.

Now, the question is... how long until the back to school madness occurs?

It may already have!