So I went to Uppsala last Wednesday morning and came home late Friday evening, which meant that Thursday and Friday were my first days to get up and go the office just like any member of the workforce. I have to say that, after nearly twelve years at home with kids full-time, and two years studying, it felt pretty good. It’s kind of silly to say at my age, but I felt so grown up.

As it happens, we brand-new Ph.D. students don’t have a whole lot to do at the moment, so I had plenty of time to drink coffee and chat with my colleagues and decorate my workspace, as well as to have a meeting with one of my supervisors and attend a doctoral seminar. Even though I’ve sometimes felt at loose ends, it’s good to have this time to settle in, because in just a few weeks I’m going to be taking three courses: an introduction to Ph.D. studies, classics of history, and a beginning Latin course. I’ve seen the reading lists, and there’s plenty there to keep me more than busy.

As I mentioned earlier, I also got the key to my Uppsala apartment on Wednesday and so far I’m very much in love with it. I had time to do a bit of decorating there and my mind is awhirl with ideas about how to make it my own space. I confess that I was a little sad to leave after just two days there, but my soon-to-be-increasing workload will mean that I’ll have plenty of time there in the near future. The kids are all eager to come and visit my new home away from home, of course, and I’ve already got tickets for Tage to accompany me the second week of April. I’ll probably take Lydia later in the spring, but the littler girls will have to wait until they’re old enough to occupy themselves while I’m working.

I’d post some pictures of my little sanctuary, but it appears that our server is having some issues and my pictures aren’t showing up just now. As soon as that situation is rectified, however, I’ll be sure to share!