First thing this morning, we had a "Breakfast Scavenger Hunt" which was basically going around the main campus building and meeting the different people who work there. There was different food/drink at each.
Today's Hyde Park Immersion was not exactly what I was expecting. The program said that we would begin at 9:30 and then the next thing on the schedule was at 4. I wasn't sure I really wanted to be walking for almost 7 hours and wasn't quite sure how we could spend that much time just in Hyde Park. ANyway. The walking didn't start until 11:30, we had Bible study beforehand. We broke into 7 groups, and each group was to explore a specific section of Hyde park.
My group's area encompassed 50th and Drexel. Which is the intersection where Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition is located. We went there and got a tour for about an hour and a half from the director of the athletic/academic program for youth. Then....we actually got to meet Rev. Jackson!! He came and talked to us briefly. They took pictures (with the cameras they had there....none of us students had a camera..) and we each got an autographed poster! What an unexpected surprise!!!!
Then we got to eat pizza and learn about security. The University of Chicago patrols our campus as well. They have 35 cars and their officers have the same training as Chicago police officers. He recommended that we call the University police instead of 911 if there is an emergency because they will get there MUCH faster than the Chicago police. We also all have whistles. If something happens, we can blow the whistle...other people will hear as well and they will blow theirs. On test runs, it took the UC police 84 seconds to respond to a whistle blow. There are also phones all over the place where we can pick up and they will know just where to come find us. They also have escort services who will make sure we get home/to our destination safely if we need them. He gave us safety tips, most of which can be summed up as PAYING ATTENTION.
Then the upperclassmen put on very funny skits for us. Then I came back to my apartment. Now I'm tired and ready for sleep. Tomorrow we get to learn about diversity training. Which I am finding quite interesting. There is LOTS of diversity in the Hyde Park neighborhood. There is even quite a bit of diversity in the LSTC staff/faculty. However, looking at this entering class.....there isn't much visible diversity at all. With very few exceptions, we all appear to be middle class white folk. The biggest diversity in our class is that about 7 of us are gay. But you can't really tell that by looking at us.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
August 28, 2011
Two more days in Chicago. Yesterday, Rebecca and I had brunch with my cousin Michelle and her boyfriend. She lives here in Chicago. It was so great to see her and to know that she lives so close (about 20 minutes). She took us to a cafe that helps some of the homeless with job skills. And the food was GREAT!!
Then Rebecca had to go home. :( But she made it home safely. :)
Last night I was able to spend some time with my roommates. One is in the D. Min. program, the other Phd. They are from South Korea and India. We chatted for about an hour, just getting to know each other. It was great :)
This morning, I went to church with my roommates. The Vineyard Church of Hyde Park uses the LSTC chapel for its services. Then at 1:00 the "Transition to Seminary Retreat" began. We spent several hours learning about the different people who work at the seminary. We also spent about an hour and a half introducing ourselves to everyone there. Then we went to chapel and then there was a cookout. Tomorrow we are having a 'Breakfast Scavenger Hunt" and then walking around Hyde Park all day. They warned us to wear walking shoes and proper clothing for the weather. Oh, and to bring a Bible. There will be Bible study at some point.
Then Rebecca had to go home. :( But she made it home safely. :)
Last night I was able to spend some time with my roommates. One is in the D. Min. program, the other Phd. They are from South Korea and India. We chatted for about an hour, just getting to know each other. It was great :)
This morning, I went to church with my roommates. The Vineyard Church of Hyde Park uses the LSTC chapel for its services. Then at 1:00 the "Transition to Seminary Retreat" began. We spent several hours learning about the different people who work at the seminary. We also spent about an hour and a half introducing ourselves to everyone there. Then we went to chapel and then there was a cookout. Tomorrow we are having a 'Breakfast Scavenger Hunt" and then walking around Hyde Park all day. They warned us to wear walking shoes and proper clothing for the weather. Oh, and to bring a Bible. There will be Bible study at some point.
Friday, August 26, 2011
First Two Days in Chicago
Today is Friday, August 26, 4:30 pm Chicago time. Rebecca and I are sitting on my back porch, watching and listening to kids play on the playset in my courtyard (named "Creation" because of a mural that is painted on the fence hiding the trash cans). Oh, and watching someone dumpster dive. My first two days here have been good. I've had some stressful moments, but overall, it has been wonderful. We got here at about 2:30 on Wednesday. I stopped by my apartment first. My two roommates were here and we met them and brought my bike inside. Went over to the main building and got my keys and signed my lease. Paul, the groundsperson, gave us a quick tour. I learned where the mailroom is, where laundry room is (the machines do not take quarters...they are run with cards that you put money on....) and where the underground bike storage is. Then we moved my stuff in.
Wednesday night we had dinner with a couple that Rebecca knows here in Chicago at Leona's - it was about three blocks away and had a large assortment of foods. If you come visit me, that just might be where I take you to eat! (no...that doesn't mean I will pay for your food...sorry...seminary student on a tight budget here!) Anyway. I have leftovers. I love leftovers.
Thursday we started the day by getting my ID made. Met one of my fellow first-year classmates. He and his partner have been here for a few weeks and live a few buildings down. We then spent the rest of the day walking...walking...walking. We found Subway, CVS, Walgreens. Also found some local grocery stores. Where I had my first stressful moment. We went to a store called Treasure Island. All the produce was very reasonably priced (not that I eat much produce, but anyway..) And then we found the cheese. Kraft American singles. That I can get at Kroger for about $3.00. Yeah....$5.29!! Heart attack!! And THEN...I found frozen Michelina's meals...that are quite often on sale for less than $1.00. $3.85!!! I about passed out right there in the store. Yeah...budget just got tighter.
But on Thursday we also took a very long walk down to the lake, passing the Museum of Science and Industry. I knew there was a beach at the lake. I just wasn't expecting it to show up when it did. So, had I remembered to bring a beach towel or a swimsuit, I could totally go lay out on the beach. At least for a few weeks until it gets cold. But I didn't bring either of those things. So we kept walking and you can basically follow the shore. So..needless to say, I saw some really beautiful views. Found lots of places where I can bring a blanket and do homework on the lake. At least until it gets cold. ;)
Thursday evening I cooked Velveeta Shells and Cheese for dinner. My first ever attempt at cooking with a gas stove. I am pleased to say that the building did not catch on fire nor explode. After dinner, we walked some more and found the used book store.
Thursday night I had another money panic attack (surprise!) After seeing food prices and learning that parking is NOT $60/semester as I had been told last year, but rather $$225/year (plus $35 deposit). But we talked and I was better by bedtime.
Friday morning I went and bought a parking pass for the McCormick garage. I do not parallel park. I have horrendous depth perception when trying and it is better for all involved if I just avoid it. Plus I don't want my car to be buried in snow when the snowplows come through.
We then got in Rebecca's Explorer and explored while driving. We found the closest Target, about 4 miles away. To my great, great, great relief....Kraft cheese was on sale for $2.99 (for a large package and a deal with a free loaf of bread). Michelina's frozen meals were the normal Louisville price of $1.02. Rebecca said I looked much less like I'd seen a ghost after I saw the normal prices. So we bought some groceries and now I have (non-Ramen Noodle) food to eat.
This afternoon we hung up my pictures. And my St. John 'check' - that I am more grateful for than you can probably know. Tonight Rebecca is going to cook some steaks for dinner and apparently there's a potluck type gathering in my courtyard. So maybe I'll meet more of my neighbors. I know that another INKY Synod Candidate that I met at the retreat earlier in August lives here, as does the couple Rebecca and I met when we visited a year and a half ago. So I know I'm surrounded by good people!
Which reminds me. I don't think I ever blogged about the Candidacy Retreat that was held the first weekend in August at Waycross Conference Center in Morgantown, IN (just past Lutheran Hills Camp). It was two days of worshipping with, talking with, and hearing from other candidates, the Candidacy Committee, Bishop Gafkjen and Synod Staff. I met two other beginning LSTC students, a few who are upperclassmen and a few people who I met at Trinity Seminary when I visited there last year. It was a good weekend :)
So..that's my first two days in a nutshell. I think I am going to like Chicago, especially walking and sitting along the lake. At least until it gets cold. I don't like cold. I like snow even less. But I like the environment. I like the people I've met. I like that I don't have to parallel park to get a spot on campus.
Checck back soon for more updates. The "Transition to LSTC Retreat" starts this Sunday afternoon.
Wednesday night we had dinner with a couple that Rebecca knows here in Chicago at Leona's - it was about three blocks away and had a large assortment of foods. If you come visit me, that just might be where I take you to eat! (no...that doesn't mean I will pay for your food...sorry...seminary student on a tight budget here!) Anyway. I have leftovers. I love leftovers.
Thursday we started the day by getting my ID made. Met one of my fellow first-year classmates. He and his partner have been here for a few weeks and live a few buildings down. We then spent the rest of the day walking...walking...walking. We found Subway, CVS, Walgreens. Also found some local grocery stores. Where I had my first stressful moment. We went to a store called Treasure Island. All the produce was very reasonably priced (not that I eat much produce, but anyway..) And then we found the cheese. Kraft American singles. That I can get at Kroger for about $3.00. Yeah....$5.29!! Heart attack!! And THEN...I found frozen Michelina's meals...that are quite often on sale for less than $1.00. $3.85!!! I about passed out right there in the store. Yeah...budget just got tighter.
But on Thursday we also took a very long walk down to the lake, passing the Museum of Science and Industry. I knew there was a beach at the lake. I just wasn't expecting it to show up when it did. So, had I remembered to bring a beach towel or a swimsuit, I could totally go lay out on the beach. At least for a few weeks until it gets cold. But I didn't bring either of those things. So we kept walking and you can basically follow the shore. So..needless to say, I saw some really beautiful views. Found lots of places where I can bring a blanket and do homework on the lake. At least until it gets cold. ;)
Thursday evening I cooked Velveeta Shells and Cheese for dinner. My first ever attempt at cooking with a gas stove. I am pleased to say that the building did not catch on fire nor explode. After dinner, we walked some more and found the used book store.
Thursday night I had another money panic attack (surprise!) After seeing food prices and learning that parking is NOT $60/semester as I had been told last year, but rather $$225/year (plus $35 deposit). But we talked and I was better by bedtime.
Friday morning I went and bought a parking pass for the McCormick garage. I do not parallel park. I have horrendous depth perception when trying and it is better for all involved if I just avoid it. Plus I don't want my car to be buried in snow when the snowplows come through.
We then got in Rebecca's Explorer and explored while driving. We found the closest Target, about 4 miles away. To my great, great, great relief....Kraft cheese was on sale for $2.99 (for a large package and a deal with a free loaf of bread). Michelina's frozen meals were the normal Louisville price of $1.02. Rebecca said I looked much less like I'd seen a ghost after I saw the normal prices. So we bought some groceries and now I have (non-Ramen Noodle) food to eat.
This afternoon we hung up my pictures. And my St. John 'check' - that I am more grateful for than you can probably know. Tonight Rebecca is going to cook some steaks for dinner and apparently there's a potluck type gathering in my courtyard. So maybe I'll meet more of my neighbors. I know that another INKY Synod Candidate that I met at the retreat earlier in August lives here, as does the couple Rebecca and I met when we visited a year and a half ago. So I know I'm surrounded by good people!
Which reminds me. I don't think I ever blogged about the Candidacy Retreat that was held the first weekend in August at Waycross Conference Center in Morgantown, IN (just past Lutheran Hills Camp). It was two days of worshipping with, talking with, and hearing from other candidates, the Candidacy Committee, Bishop Gafkjen and Synod Staff. I met two other beginning LSTC students, a few who are upperclassmen and a few people who I met at Trinity Seminary when I visited there last year. It was a good weekend :)
So..that's my first two days in a nutshell. I think I am going to like Chicago, especially walking and sitting along the lake. At least until it gets cold. I don't like cold. I like snow even less. But I like the environment. I like the people I've met. I like that I don't have to parallel park to get a spot on campus.
Checck back soon for more updates. The "Transition to LSTC Retreat" starts this Sunday afternoon.
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