Monday, August 30, 2004

These are some pictures...

I have posted 14 pictures here for all to see where I'm living and going to school. Click here to see all the pictures at once.

More sun and people studying outside on the main quad Posted by Hello

A sunny day on campus Posted by Hello

Some Navs at Matt Hudson's house. Matt is in the foreground on the right in the black shirt. Posted by Hello

Some of the Navs here playing Halo on XBox :D From left: Christine, Forrest, Wookkyun, Ben Posted by Hello

The Foreign Languages Building where the Linguistics department is located. Posted by Hello

Some linguists getting a tour of the library from a kooky tour guide. Notice his arm expression! Posted by Hello

Interesting doorframe at the library Posted by Hello

The lake just behind where I live! ^^ Posted by Hello

The Illini Union Posted by Hello

This is the main quad Posted by Hello

Taste of the Illinois campus Posted by Hello

The house is a little blurry :-P Posted by Hello

The backyard Posted by Hello

My room Posted by Hello

Saturday, August 28, 2004

Classes and Computer

So, my classes have started and things are settling down a slight little bit, but I still have a lot to do. I'm taking 3 courses and auditing one. They are all good so far. I'm liking my living situation, this town, and the university(University of Illinois) a lot. It's a fun place(for me) and there are lots of interesting people I'm meeting.

I've started doing stuff with the Navigators group serving this campus. It's comparable to UMD's group in terms of activities, size, and focus. I'm glad I have this group to lean on just as I did at UMD. I've already gone to a barbeque where we played frisbee, gone to dinner, gone to a movie, played Halo, etc...I imagine the Bible Studies will begin soon.

I just bought a notebook computer off of ebay. It's a Toshiba Satellite M35-S320, brand new, supposedly. It doesn't have exactly the specs I wanted, as the processor is a bit slower, and the hard drive a bit smaller, but it's an excellent deal($1400) and the seller has a good record. So I'm happy with my purchase.

I also ordered the data link for my cell phone, so when that gets here I'll post some pictures I have on my phone.

Friday, August 20, 2004

Arrived In Illinois

I'm finally here in Champaign, Illinois! I'm starting a PhD program in Linguistics here soon. I like the town so far. I've taken some pictures with my cell phone and I'll post them as soon as I can figure out how to transfer them. I'm working on getting everything squared away before classes start on Wednesday. I've got most things done, but getting a driver's license and registration in Illinois is proving to be a pain, even though it is probably the most important thing on my agenda.

I'm living in a small 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath townhouse which is well-kept by a Chinese guy named Rick. He's pretty cool and is being pretty helpful. I just got hooked up to the internet today and I took a walk around campus. I've been to the Foreign Languages Building, where the Linguistics department is located, and I've also been to the Illini Union, which is pretty nice, warm and cozy with plenty of ammenities. There are a couple art galleries there, and in one lounge there's a piano and a guy was playing a slow calming piece on it. I also walked down to the art building and took pictures of that, but I got there too late to go in. There's an art museum/gallery adjoined to the department's building by a sun-drenched lounge.

My Dad visited for two days following my arrival. We spent time together taking care of errands for me and sampling various restaurants in the area. The night before he left, we ate at a little Thai Cafe near campus. It was very cute and pretty decent. The cafe was painted in a lime green and bright orange, with little artsy touches everywhere.

Very cool. That's all for now.