Today was the first day of classes. I had one from 12:00 – 1:30, Operating Systems. I have it again on Wednesday. This is a class that would be quite difficult at Mines. Here, I think it covers the same general content, but will be much easier. The grade is mostly exams, and there is one project that is coding optional. The Mines equivalent has 8 difficult coding projects.

I was supposed to have my psychology class from 6:00 – 9:00, but it was cancelled for this first week. The 90 minute class was still a long time sitting in one place, so I will need to be ready for each of my classes.

I contacted my independent study professors today, and should meet up with them tomorrow to get started. I want to try to get ahead in those classes and really get in the zone early so I don’t have to worry as much. I have no class tomorrow, so that is the plan for most of the day.

Yesterday I met with Demetris, who will be my paragliding instructor. I have wanted to learn to paraglide for a long time. My plan was to do this in the Boulder area this summer, but I have the opportunity to do it sooner. In Colorado, the paragliding season is only April to October- but in Cyprus they can fly year round. Yesterday Demetris drove me to the area where they take off, and we talked about the conceptual aspects. He also sent me a book. We will start with ground handling of the paraglider wing, then move to takeoffs and landings, then turns, then cliff edge soaring, then eventually more advanced flight. We were going to start ground handling yesterday, but it started to rain. It is possible we go out tomorrow. I need to get a good pair of boots. I found a pair in a military-esque shop for €50 today, I’m not sure if I can find a better deal but they looked solid.

There was an earthquake in Turkey last night, and aftershock here. It was at about 3am my time. Everyone here is fine, but we’ve been hearing a lot about it. I think the total deaths are over 2300 now. I didn’t wake up, but people said they felt the building shake and it sounded like loud wind. I am fine, as is everyone I know. Some of the guys are talking about trying to go to Turkey this weekend to help.

Before this happened, I had already booked a trip to Budapest for this weekend. The group I have been hanging out with mostly included Evan (Miama U of Ohio), Eric (Mizzou), and Steph, Abbi, Erin, Lauren, Zoe, Aubrey, Alique, and Kate (all Clemson). Additionally, there is Erick (also from Mines), Zakee and Dylan (Farmingdale State), and Jackson and Jocie (Mizzou). There’s another big group of guys and girls from all over. Everyone from Clemson is in the ‘SIX’ residence building, and most of the rest of us are in Unihalls. Because of this, I’ve been in a really great position of getting to meet and hang out with a lot of different people, since the excursion busses and tour groups are separated by building.

I’ve been struggling to keep my room clean, and feel on top of things. Conversely, I’ve been struggling to adjust to ‘Cyprus Time’, which is the very leisurely pace that things tend to go here. When I look at my to do list, I know that I am in a good spot and can go with the flow- but I’m naturally inclined to freak out a little bit. Yesterday I was planning to do my chores and just didn’t get there (so I feel like a mess), and honestly I think it is acceptable for me to relax about it. I’m going to take another crack at it all right now, and keep moving.

I’m most worried about being unable to form consistency and habits when I am traveling 4 days per week. I typically need days to switch back and forth between different modes, so I am interested to see how it goes. I think I may get enough on my plate where I work hard, stay busy, and do good at it all- while also having a lot of fun. I think it is likely that a lot of the things “on my plate” will be busy fun, so I think I can get to a critical level where I’m can get into gear and not stall out. 🙂

I want to post the recaps from last week’s day trips while they are still fresh in my mind- I expect to get around to it tomorrow. I’m going to do dishes, laundry, and see about a pork chili. I’ve been spending a lot of money, so I’m trying to be aware of that, but I am still determining what patterns will look like this semester.