Orientation Day 2: Going Gray at 22

Today was another crazy-busy day.  We started with breakfast at 7:30.  I got to talk with some of my roommates and a few of the guys in the program.  After breakfast, we got our pictures taken for our U-passes, which were then distributed to us.  These passes give us unlimited access to CTA transportation (which is totally awesome).  My picture is hideous, but all the other girls were ashamed of theirs too, so I didn’t feel so bad.

Next we had a seminar about how to prepare and deliver a good interview for our internships.  I have an interview tomorrow afternoon at 2pm for the Lifeline Theatre company.  The theatre is in Rogers Park, about a half hour to 45 minute commute from the hotel.

We then had a seminar about how to get around and how to find out where you are going.  Needless to say, I am so envious of people who have internet and gps on their phones, because I cannot read a map to save my life!  Also, I am not great at figuring out North, South, East and West.  I feel like I need a compass to carry around with me!  Figuring out how to get everywhere is going to take some time, but I hope I don’t get too lost too often :/

After that, we got an overview of the different housing options and a chance to chat with our potential roommates.  After seeing the space, and the utility benefits, my two roommates and I decided to try for one of the flats at Wheaton College Urban Studies Center, which can house 6 people each.  We asked two more girls to live with us, and said we would see how the “housing lottery” turned out.

When I say housing lottery, it works like this: the firector would draw names at random.  Whoever got called was able to say where the wanted to live, with whom, and what time tomorrow they wanted to look at the apartment and sign the lease.  Luckily, Jacqui (one of my new roommies) was called in time to select one of the 3 flats available in Wheaton.  I will be living with Cassie D, Kailee A, Jacqui R, Cara G, and Jenny H.  Although it’s only been a day, I have a really good feeling about all of these girls, and I think that they will be fun and easy to live with.

I know a lot of you are thinking, “Wow, six girls in one apartment?  Why would someone do that?”  Well, here is why: the flat has three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, furniture, a fully stocked kitchen (with utensils and a dishwasher), a computer in the living room, free internet access, free laundry, and 2 free spaces for parking (if someone drives up for a visit).  As you can tell, there are a lot of benefits to living in this space!  We will be going tomorrow afternoon to check out the space, and will move in on Friday afternoon.

After this, each of us had a time slot to go on a “practice interview” to help us prepare for our internship interviews.  My interview was with a woman named Melissa, and she told me that I had some great responses and included important details in my answers; so I felt more affirmed.  She is also one of the instructors of the Fine Arts in the City seminar that I will be taking this semester, and she promised that I will enjoy it so much and learn vital information for someone who is interested in a career in the arts.  Yay!

The hotel offers free wine and beer in the main lobby around 5pm, so me and some of my future roommates decided to take advantage (don’t worry folks, we are all of age).  After this we split up into more small groups and went to different ethnic restaurants.  My group went to Thai Aroma, and had some really good and interesting Thai food.

Obviously, today was a very full day full of stress and fun.  I am hoping that after I have my internship set and have moved into my apartment that I will feel more settled and at ease.  I still feel a little lump in my throat when I think of home and all of my family and friends that I wish were here with me.  I know, I sound like such a baby, but I guess after living so close to everyone you love for so long you don’t realize how hard it will be to leave them until it happens.  I miss you all and ask for your continued prayers, especially tomorrow as I interview for a potential internship. 

I miss you.  I love you.  Always.

~ Julie ~