New kid on the block!

Coming to a new campus is once again becoming the new kid on the block.  I feel like a freshman all over again.   You have to figure out how things work, where classes are, how to use the printers, etc.

Thursday, I ventured into the library to look for a school book.  I tried to log on to the computer but it wouldn't let me.  Finally after several attempts with multiple computers I went to the front desk for help.  The man led me back to a computer and asked me to log on.  I did as he said expecting it not to work.  And just my luck,  it did work.  I quickly explained I had definitely tried the exact password.  Then he realized that I knew nothing about the domain.  You apparently have to make sure you are logging on to the right domain.  Confusing.  But now I know!  I also tried and failed to log on to Blackboard which is a school program teachers use to post things for their students.  The first time you log on you are supposed to use your student number and "password."  I tried this several times but could not log on.  I again went to the front desk and was told I needed to go to IT.  I guess I will do this next week.

Yesterday, I went to the book store, located in the student center, for the first time.  To enter you must wait in line to check your bag.  Once in, I spent quite a while searching for my french book until I realized that there was an upstairs... fail.   Once I found my french book I got in line to get a lab coat.  I'm not sure why, but you must bring a print out of your class schedule and they have to look at it to make sure you need a lab coat.  Who would buy a lab coat if they didn't need one and why would it matter so much if they did???  The lab coat was expensive!!  210 pula!  So I stood in line and waited and waited and waited.  I was only the 6th or 7th person in line but the man behind the counter was taking his sweet time.  Now, I've been trying really hard and I believe exceeding at being patient for African time.  But at that instance I was pretty annoyed.  I could see the lab coats and I really just wanted to go pick one up.  Finally I got to the counter, received a lab coat that was too big because that was all that was left, and was escorted downstairs in order to pay cash at the registers.  (The students here receive stipends to pay for books, so they all use their student id card.) The security guard bypassed the line to pay.  I felt guilty because I knew people had been waiting forever.  They were probably all thinking... what's so special that this white girl just jumps the line...  I hate drawing attention to myself, but it was indeed nice to save an hour of standing in line. 

Another first that occurred yesterday, was changing my sheets.  Every Thursday you can take your sheets to the side of the laundry building and trade them in for new ones.  To be honest, I did not change my sheets frequently at home, but here I think I will!  I'm thankful that I don't have to battle with the ordeal of doing laundry in order the wash my sheets.

Along with "freshman" comes the "freshman 15."  Now I don't know if it exist here but I could see where it would be easy to gain weight.  Each meal is mostly starch, fries (chips) are always available, and fat cakes are EVERYWHERE.  Walking past the equivalent of  funnel cakes/elephant ears on your way to class each day is very tempting.  I've been doing good and have only had one fat cake.  I'm continuing to be aware of what I eat.  Eating in my room, is helping me a lot.  I mean how ironic would it be if I went to Africa and gained weight!

And finally, being the new kid on the block means finding classes.  I never received a campus map so I'm always just guessing where things are.  The buildings are numbered but that doesn't mean that 238 sits anywhere near 239.  Numerical order can not be trusted.  This morning I went out in search of my Dynamics of Savanna Ecosystems lab in building 234.  I knew where 235 was so I ventured that way.  After asking five people and still not having any luck I ran into two of the exchange students in my class and they luckily knew where it was.   Instead of being upset, I was finding it amusing.  I knew I would make it there eventually and since being on time isn't a huge deal here there was nothing to stress about. 

Now I am sitting in my room, eating a bowl of oatmeal, and packing for my trip this weekend.  We are off to Johannesburg, South Africa where we will be staying with a lady in her home.  It will be great to escape from dorm life for a couple of days.  I am very excited!  The bus leaves at 3:30 and arrives around 9:30pm.  Six hours in a bus will be interesting! I finished a book last night, so I will be starting on a new one today.  Please feel free to leave me suggestions on stuff to read!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend!  Mom, kick butt in Montana!