Arrival and Settling in

My program is at Montana State University, located in Bozeman, MT.  A few weeks before the start of the program, I got my airline ticket and information about arriving and settling in.  I was so excited because every step brought me closer to Montana and the program.

I was flying from Milwaukee to Bozeman, with one layover in Denver.  Despite all of the excitement that led up to my departure date, I had a very groggy morning.  I had some personal things on my mind that were bringing me down.  I nearly missed my flight, getting nasty looks from the flight attendants.  I sat next to a woman going to Texas to visit her family.  A very nice conversation that lasted the whole flight. The second flight was delayed by two hours, but I did not care too much.  I slept as much as anyone can sleep on a plane.

A very beautiful set of clouds seen from the Denver terminal

When I landed and walked out of the plane, it suddenly hit me.  A rush of excitement and a beautiful view of the mountains greeted me at the airport that day.  I must have been obvious, because Dr. Brendan Mumey found me nearly right away at the baggage claim.  Once we found the other student we were picking up, a student in the transportation engineering REU, we went directly to the dormitories.  After getting my key, I went right up to my room - room 419.

Right away, I really liked the room: a comfortable bed, a fridge, a nice view from my window, and plenty of space.  Most other pods are twice the size of my room with two beds.  But I really like where I am.  I have never really lived in a dorm before.  At UWM, I live in an apartment with my sister.  In Taiwan, I was in a four-person room with one other person for three weeks.  But this time, it would be ten weeks, and I have the place all to myself.  It is small, but I really love it. 

My dorm, after settling in

The view from my room - notice the mountains

This dorm has a kitchen, a piano, and a rec room.  Anything you want can be checked out at the main office.  Each floor has a washer and dryer which you can only use with a Cat Card.  Unfortunately, the card office is closed until Monday, so no laundry till then.  The bathrooms are shared, but every time I have taken a shower, it has been completely empty.

After arriving on the first day, I showered and went shopping for all of the liquids they took from my at the airport.  I also got some fruit and milk.  The store is two parking lots away from the dorms, so the convenience can't be beat.  We had dinner at a Mong place near the dorms - the food was excellent with plenty of leftovers.  Then I went over to the union and talked to information for a long time about things that go on in Bozeman:

• Music on Main: several blocks of Main street are blocked every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 for people to gather round and listen to local musicians play and bar-hop.  June 28 - Aug 16.
• Shakespeare in the Park: free performances of  Hamlet (June 20-23) and Twelfth Night (June 27-30) at 8:00 pm.  Did I mention it's free?
• Sweet Pea Festival: Artists show off their work on main street (dates not yet determined)
• Recommended Restaurants: Over the Tappas has great Plantains and bacon-wrapped dates.  Bachuss Pub serves pasties and spiced peaches.  Plank has good wine and cheese.  All of these are on Main.
• Free Bus Rides: There are four bus lines that will take you around for free.  It's even possible to get the arrival times via text message.

That night, of the other girls in the same REU program as me (Sabina) and I played a game of Yahtzee.  I finished off the day with a few phone calls.  The next day was very calm.  Our group met for breakfast.  Then I blogged and napped.  And we met again for pizza and games.  The rest of the time I called a few people, texted with Adib (a baha'i student here in Bozeman), and blogged.

Tomorrow is the first day.  I plan on getting up early and getting my CAT card.  Then off to orientation at 9:00 AM.  Although other REU programs have been taking place for years here, ours is brand new and I expect a few rough edges.