bling

meeting all sorts of new colleagues in the PhD program. this is Elizabeth and her giant ring. it reminded me of plate armor or something with its interlocking little metal flaps. although you cannot tell from this picture, of course, but she looks like Jean Seberg from Breathless. Elizabeth, who is in the Master's program, is in two of my three courses this semester, as is Javier, who is almost complete with his Master's courses. yet another girl, Julie, is actually in all three of the same courses with me (she is doing the PhD track as well); she is only 24 and has been in college non-stop since she graduated high school. it is interesting and refreshing meeting all of these new folks who are going to be along for this intense academic coaster with me for the next few years.