The weekend has flown by and it was a great one. Friday I flew in and caught up on all my German online studies. Evidently, there is also a workbook in addition to the lab book you were supposed to purchase. If I was a younger student, I would have known these things. But, thankfully, one of those younger students filled me in and told me what to do. After three hours of tasks, I was done!

Yesterday was a day for catching up on my rest. It was nice to relax but I still found myself getting in my car and driving to campus to go to the library. I really didn't even need to go, just felt the urge to be there. This library is not your typical library full of all the latest fiction books. In fact, there is very little fiction books there. The entire second floor is devoted to books pertaining to every area of study here. I got a little lost in the literature section. There were so many books on Thomas Hardy alone! I'll have plenty to read if I ever get the extra time.

Last night, I went to a poetry reading downtown. It was held in a quaint old building that was the size of a small parlor. They serve nice wines and beers there. The crowd was interesting and it was standing room only. I would have enjoyed it and would have like to have stayed longer, but there was no air conditioning. Keep in mind, the heat and humidity make the temp outside seem even hotter. With that small space and all those people, I felt as though I would faint. Maybe another time. Neat gallery though.

I also discovered that downtown Wilmington has some interesting characters just like every town. Some very creative panhandlers as well. Guess times are tough for everyone.

Today, I toured the Screen Gems studio. This studio was started in the early '80s by Frank Capra and Dino de Laurentiis. Over 300 films have been made in NC as well as many tv shows . We got to go on several sound stages and sets. You really got to see how it all goes down 'behind the scenes'.

I hope one day I may be fortunate to contribute in some way to that industry.

Now the day is winding down and it is time to hit the books. Tonight I have a German Fairy tale to read, poetry to read and the biology can wait til tomorrow.

Wow. My first full week of school. I already feel like it has been a month. But that is a good thing.
I've met lots of new people and am fitting in just fine.

There are a lot of bright young people out there folks. It restores my faith in the future. For the most part they are polite and have a lot to offer in class. I still don't get that guys don't take their hats off in class. Hugging the skateboards to their chest like it was worth a mint and sitting it by their desk is unique. Me and my cane and the skaters. We make a great pairing!

I had my first Biology lab last night. It is being taught by a very bright young lady with double majors in Biology/Marine Bio minor in environmental science. She is doing her thesis on 'some kind of water bio' to quote her.

In biology and the lab we are focusing on genetics. I told my lab partners -- who were all of 18 -- that the last time I took any kind of bio we were only dissecting small creatures. Advances in DNA was yet unheard of in the classroom. They were amazed and helped me patiently with my labwork. Other than needing a pot of coffee in the classroom, it being an evening class, I think I'll do ok. I picked a really savvy group of lab partners. You know. The really smart ones.

And I am relieved to report that I made an almost perfect score on my German test! Actually out of a total of 50, I really would have made a 44 but then I got 5 extra points for doing well on an extra credit question. So I am very pleased with that result. There weren't many of us that did so well. Then I found out I had not gotten all the materials needed for the class. I had bought the book and the online lab manual but there is also an online workbook. So I had to come home today, purchase and complete the first chapter of 18 activities that were due by midnight. It only took me 3 hours!!

I would say I deserve a nap. It is a little overcast so the beach is out. Perfect time for a nap.

Tomorrow night I will take the young roomies to their first poetry reading downtown!

Thank goodness the German test is over! I studied til I couldn't study anymore and I was still one of the last students left in the room trying to figure out all the answers to that very difficult test. She at least gave an extra credit problem which was to write a dialogue in German of two or three people meeting on the street and what their conversation might be. I think I did okay in that one. I will definitely need the extra points. I did get high marks from her on my online work. Myself and two others were the only ones that completed successfully the work. Which I found hard to believe because online it gives you a second chance to correct your work so there is no reason to not get a 100!

Today there is a job fair on campus. I plan on attending before Biology. I have already posted my qualifications online so hopefully I can pick up a job on campus.

I purchased my laptop yesterday and the HP won out. I decided not to get the Apple only because of cost. I really wanted it but as Arielle said with a motherly look, 'there will be another time for the Mac.' She is wise.

Having a laptop, any laptop, is cool. The freedom it allows you is wonderful. I still find myself taking pencil to paper though. I'm so old school. If it ain't broke, huh?

My poem is completed and ironically enough, I'm not happy with my last line. I hope we get to mine in class today so I can get feedback on other endings. Maybe I'll post here sometime.

I also have my first German test today and for some reason I am having a hard time preparing for this one. The teacher's style is slightly different from any I have been accustomed to before. She speaks almost entirely in German and this is Introductory German. No one in the class has ever had German before. I at least have had two years in high school but that has been 30+ years ago!!

I can remember phrases and words but it is the sentences that are giving me the most problems. She speaks so fast and when we tell her to slow down, she says she is speaking slow for us:) I still enjoy the class. We are all able to laugh at ourselves. Our southern accent speaking those German words are just too funny.

I got so antsy trying to get it in my brain, I finally put it down and went out to the beach. Now we're talking. I just stared at that ocean for an hour and breathed in that salt water and cleared out my fuzzy brain and I was good to go!

Then I came home and put on my pjs looked at my German book and told myself, 'i'll study in the morning.'

Was studierst du? Ich studiere Deutsch. Guten Tag!

At least all the teachers give plenty of extra credit that I will plan on taking advantage of.

We were given an assignment yesterday in poetry class to take the last line from any poem we wanted and incorporate it into a poem we compose and bring to class tomorrow. I have found my line but so far the rest of the page is blank. I'm hoping to get some inspiration between now and tomorrow so I can complete my assignment. The line I chose is from a poem written by Czeslaw Milosz. Milosz was born in Poland in 1911 and by the age of 21 had already been published. He was also a member of the Polish 1930s avant-garde literary movement. From the Poem 'My Faithful Mother Tongue' the last line is "for what is needed in misfortune is a little order and beauty."

I just know there is another poem in that! I'm sure it will come.

I am still reeling about my oldest's engagement news. I will have a son-in-law. One who is very handy around the house. One who didn't flinch when I told him I would have a job jar on the counter just for him! One who I know is going to take very good care of my daughter.

Now I must go and study for my first German test. She emphasized no multiple choice either!

Auf Wiedersehen!

I haven't written over the weekend because I spent Saturday catching up on homework and rest and Sunday enjoying seeing Hannah and James and old friends Carl and Jan.

It was a wonderful weekend. No stress. Come to think of it, I really can't remember the last time I felt stress. I don't think the traffic is bad here so driving in it is not bad. I-77 prepared me for that! No, I've been feeling pretty zen since I've been here. Must be the ocean hypnotic lull. Whatever it is, I like it!!

On a different note altogether, my oldest daughter called me late last night to inform me she was 'officially' engaged! My reaction to this news was pure joy. I do believe she has found her one and only and I like the guy. I don't think a wedding is anywhere in the near future, but I sure would like it to be on the beach. Simple, did I mention not much stress involved...

I have just had two full days at campus and what a two days they were!

For starters, the campus is buzzing literally and figuratively. Lots of kids on bikes and skateboards zooming around, many talking on their cells or listening to ipods, and me in the middle of it all just taking it all in!

I was very intimidated when I first got to campus. All those days I spent going early and preparing flew out the window because when I got there on Wednesday, it was overwhelming just trying to find a handicapped parking space!

I went to my once quiet library only to discover every computer taken and loud noises coming from the corner!! No, it wasn't what you're thinking. No freshmen in the stacks making out. There is actually a coffee shop, more like a large kiosk, in the library!!

Well, my nerves finally got the best of me and I just had to sit down. I read the local paper and regrouped. I felt better just inhaling the coffee fumes. I listened to all the jumbled conversations. I heard one obvious freshman calling her mom to tell her she had just gotten her id and was ecstatic and her nerves were finally starting to calm down. I wanted to get up and hug her!

Then it was time to start my first class. There I saw a guy that I had met back in the summer at orientation. He motioned me to sit beside him. What a relief! A friendly face! He also was in my second class and walked with me to the next one. It made the walk seem half as long plus he knew exactly where to go. I had already lost my bearings again!

We discussed writing, the poetry of John Donne and 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' on our walk. I thought "how lucky am I"!!

Well, I have the first day of school under my belt. And what a first day it was. Of course I woke up at 5:11a.m.! Really wished I could have slept in til at least 6:30 but I was just too excited.

I tried my best to fill the morning with mundane chores but by 10:30, I was leaving for campus. I didn't have to be there until noon, but I just had to get there.

What an amazing site. All those days I had been going, there weren't too many people around but today, there were hundreds of young people everywhere. Many were on bikes and scateboards with ipods in their ears or talking on the phone. So much activity and noise it was exhilirating.

I must admit I was a little overwhelmed at first. Once I got my wits about me, and calmed myself down, it got easier. When I made it to my first class, I saw familiar faces from this summer's orientation. That made all the difference. Two of the people in that class were in my second class and we walked together to our German Lit course. A nice young man from that same group then walked me to my third class even though he wasn't even going that way.

I felt such a sense of accommplishment that I even made it to the classes on time with everything I was supposed to have.

I came home very tired and went to bed. Now I'm going for a pot of coffee and back to the campus for fireworks and fun!!

Another beautiful sunrise, another beautiful day.

The day before school is to begin.

My stomach has butterflies. It's not nerves but excitement. Sheer joy at the start of something great.

I got my nerve up and sent an email to my German professor, in German! She had written all the students one in German and surprisingly I could understand the entire email. I replied back in English but then after thinking about it all weekend, I thought how cowardly of me. So with what little memory I had of the correct adverbs and verbs, I penned a short note back to her in Deutsche yesterday. Haven't gotten a response. Hopefully, she could decipher it!

Yes, I have no fear. I am definitely having to leave that at the door. I think having MS enabled me to be able to do that a long time ago. Who knew that would turn out to be a blessing?

So today, I'm going to get things in order. Load up the trusty old bookbag. It is actually a messenger bag I carried in my racing days. Jeff Gordon once told me it looked like a First Aid bag. I was offended! I like my old green bag. It holds lots of memories and will continue for many more. It has that worn in feeling. Kinda like me! We both have lots of miles on us so we fit together great.

I have a composition notebook, pencils, pen and a highlighter. I suppose the professors will tell us if anything else is necessary. My daughter reminded me last night I will need a flash drive. Oh, the computer. The last time I was in college, we didn't even have them hardly. I think my one computer course I took was data processing or something!

As much as I hate the computer, it is a necessary evil in our everyday use, especially on a college campus. Oh, well. I can manage. There are plenty of young people around me to help with the technical issues. They are all so bright when it comes to that stuff. It is like second nature to them.

I'll end the day with a quick trip down to the beach. I wonder how difficult it will be to do homework at the beach. Hmmm.

TO DO LIST:
check out laptops that are durable in sandy environments

Last night I went to hear a lady speak on campus about diversity and acceptance to a group of incoming freshmen. She had a good rapport with the young group and comes with quite a background in diversity training.

She touched on issues that hit home to our kids generation like eating disorders and suicide. She asked everyone in the audience to stand up who knew someone that had the disorder or who had tried to commit suicide. I could not believe that each time, over half that room stood up! Then she asked those to keep standing if the person they were standing up for had died, and hardly no one sat down. I almost was brought to tears.

For the students that were in the room, the speech was about pay attention to those around you. Be kind to one another and if you know someone has a problem, try and get help for them.

But for me, I was a mom last night. It was heartbreaking to hear. I have two college-aged children, both whom I believe are pretty well adjusted and for that I am thankful. I cannot imagine if your child hurt so much, he or she felt they had to hurt themselves or worse take their life.

It was an eye-opening experience for me.

So be kind to one another. If you know of someone that needs help, reach out to them. Life can be difficult but it can be made a little easier for someone if they just know that someone out there cares.

Another day, another adventure.

I awaken each morning down here almost like clockwork, at 5:12a.m. Don't know why the odd time, but then I am odd! Before Wilmington, I almost always took Tylenol PM to get to sleep but now I fall asleep by 11:00p.m. with nothing. I don't even need the tv on like I used to have to do to quiet my mind. I do so much during the day here that I am really tired by lights out! That is a a really good feeling.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to start my classes. I have been to campus everyday for two weeks. Getting the lay of the land so to speak. I know where all the buildings are that will house all four of my classes. I've been to the library almost daily. I've learned how to use their computers and send a document to the print center from any of the campus computers, which by the way, is not always right by the computers. I don't know why, they just aren't.

I met with my advisor last week who is a very helpful and patient person. He will be a great sounding board for all my silly questions.

I also took baked key lime tarts to my guardian angels in admissions and financial aid offices. They were a big help in my getting into this place! Of course they were surprised. They said that not too often did a student bring them homemade delights.

My german professor sent the class an email in german about the class and I could translate the entire email!! I haven't had german since 1976. I think I'll do ok. In packing up the attic, I found my old notebook from the class with all my notes along with my English/German dictionary! Sometimes it pays to be a packrat!

Tonight I'm going to campus for an event for students that is just a general welcome and let's have a good year kind of thing. There is also a beach blast, an art opening and fireworks. All this before the start on Wednesday!

I hope my two 19-year-old roomies will join me on campus for some fun. Their classes begin at the community college tomorrow. They have already started working at their jobs. I am so proud of both of them!

I can see the sunrise from my bedroom window to let me know it is going to be another beautiful day at the beach. Now where is my floppy hat and my beach mat...

If you have wandered upon this blog, welcome! Hopefully, you will read something you like and be inclined to come back again and again.

Why 'The Bird's Nest'? Well, for starters, my last name is Lark, so that is a given.

Anyone that comes to my home can look around and see my affinitiy for all things birds. Bird nests, bird eggs, glass birds and my daughters' fav, the noisy bird clock!!

Can you believe that when I recently moved they actually tried to leave the beloved clock?! Thanks to my dear old bro Jim, he had my back and loaded it up for me. We birds of a feather...well, you know the rest.

And of course, the fact that I moved away from home to begin life over at college. I have flown the nest to start over. The old metaphor 'empty nest' doesn't really apply here. My oldest and youngest are both in college but I'm the one that left the nest!

I am spreading my wings and flying high into the unknown and loving every minute of it.

I will try and detail my findings and foibles on a regular basis. Classes begin this Wednesday and I am sure my time will be at a premium with all the reading and studying and writing I will be doing.

So jump aboard. Take this wild ride with me. I know I couldn't have gotten here without all the love and support from all my great family and friends.