Well--I have arrived! it's about 11:10 a.m. here.

Just received my orientation packet--the woman in charge is very energetic. Already able to get on the internet--I say this is a sign of good organization!

I have to take a moment to describe my dorm. You know--there are times in one's life when you know you're no longer a college student. And this morning, as I arrived at my dorm around 7 a.m., I was struck by the fact that perhaps I, Cindy Darling, have reached the age where I want some standards in my housing!

hehehe...

anyway--long story short--I am actually feeling more "at home" now that I have set up my room and put my clothes away, etc. But, I am staying in a dorm that is clearly a hold over from communism. That's a given. It's walls are bright yellow. The place has a feel of old communist architecture. I have a lock on a cabinet in my room--for safekeeping of things--if only the door with the lock on it didn't fall off on its hinges when I open it!

Regardless, the saving grace is that I love the view out my window--it looks out on a beautiful little park. And there's a place for me to perch on my desk and look out the window.

On the airplane, I met one of the teachers for the program. She's a woman in about her 60s who actually started here as a studnet in the program and then went through and got her MFA through the Prague Low Residency MFA program. She was great--and she got me excited about meeting all the different people. One of the main guys in charge here is a riot. I read his bio--and he has written all of these memoirs about growing up with a criminal father who was always on the run from the law...I am interested to hear his poetry...

I shared a cab ride to the dorm with two very sleepy Vassar College students. They were cute. i felt both like a college student and then also very aware that I wasn't a college student (which, I think i should remind myself now and again!)

anyhoo-- I am going to go for a walk to get my bearings...

ciao!