New, Used Tops and the First Day of School

School started up again August 21st. So far, I love my classes. My first one, an upper level Chinese history course, is taught by one of my all time favorite professors, Elvira Hammond.  The great thing about Mrs. Hammond is her enthusiasm. If you sit in one of her classes, you will quickly learn how much she loves China.

 

When she talks about it, her eyes and her mind wander off, like she’s remembering everything from her old workplace to the way the air smells. She loves the country itself, the culture, but especially its people. Actually, Mrs. Hammond is just plain passionate about people. She is one of those professors who will learn your name and remember for the next several semesters as you take more classes from her. If you fall behind in her class, she will do everything in her power to help you resurrect your grade. She is one of those people who absolutely will not give up on you. I cannot say how much I love taking history from this woman!

The work load is a little heavier than I’m used to, but it’s almost a 500 level class, I can’t complain. It looks like I’ll be turning out a short recap paper on the class readings every week. One of our textbooks is basically a collection of Chinese documents translated into English….The stuff historian drool is made of.

 

The only other class I had that day was Music Appreciation, which I’m taking just to fulfill a long procrastinated Art requirement. It’s taught by a small wisp of a man, who is very soft spoken and, for the most part, monotonous. Since it’s a 101 course, it’s full of freshman. He recognized this when he said, “I know a lot of you are new to this…college experience. Sometimes I get (no change in his tone) enthusiastic. I will try to calm things down so as not overwhelm you.”

 

After class, I came home, spent some time with the husband, ate some (awesome) lunch and text messaged Sofia to come sweet swappin’ with me.

Sweet Swap is my favorite thrift store, for you Albuquerquians, it’s just like Buffalo Exchange. You take in used clothes, they pick the ones they like, and you can get store credit to get new, used clothes.

Sofia and I got some new, used tops.

Then we bought some Boba Tea.

Then we spent the next three hours at my apartment talking.

It was a productive day.