A little town called Providence

I was extremely exhausted the morning I got up for my flight, but I think that kept me from feeling very sad. We arrived at the airport before the sun came up!!! I was able to upgrade myself on the flight, which was quite nice. I had a slightly strange seat that felt pretty uncomfortable, like someone had sat on the cushion too long! We taxied out, and as we're rolling alongside the runway, there was a strange abbreviated "ding" when the fasten seatbelt sign came on. The captain pushed the button 4 times in a row, and it did it every time. We taxied all the way out, were ready to go out on the runway, but went beyond it and taxied down. I turned to the guy next to me and we had a brief discussion which ended once they announced electrical problems and we would taxi out later (good start, right?) It turned out this was a known problem that had been poorly documented!!!! How annoying!

I arrived in Providence, which is an adorable town (city center pictures above). Ben Raphael, the professor with whom I'm working, picked me up from the airport and invited me to his home to have dinner with his wife, Pat. I instantly felt better about my visit! I met his daughter Lilly who is just a treat! She's so cute!!!! They made me a lovely dinner, and we chatted a bit, then we drove over to my new home! I have one of the "sample" rooms on the website for the housing for visiting scholars! It's a loft room. When we got there no one was home, and after Ben dropped me I felt a bit lonely. Thank goodness for the internet because I could chat with Ryan.

Here's a picture of the Bowen house I took:

The next morning I met some of my house mates the next morning on the way out the door (I got a wakeup call just after noon)!!! They were sitting at the table playing cards, all roughly my age, so that was promising! Ben picked me up and drove me to a coffee shop in a smaller area and we discussed the potential projects. Things were looking up even more since these were completely exciting projects, each and every one of them! I was so psyched! I headed back home, but no one was in the house at this point either. So I walked to the CVS pharmacy and picked up some necessities (water, granola bars, umbrella, and nail polish). I must say, in that temperature and humidity, lugging a 24-pack of water is not a good idea, especially not up the 2 flights of stairs once I arrive. Thank goodness my room has A/C!!!!

I sat on the stoop and painted my nails. The house is adorable, but it is old, and my room does not have good ventilation as I only have on window (it turns out I pretty much have the smallest room in the house, but it is still on their website so it must be nicer)! So I did my nails out there. It is so cute here. It rained a bit, and the neighbors looked at me a bit funny! After a while someone opened the door and came outside and looked a bit surprised but didn't mind too much that a stranger was painting her nails on his stoop. Then I introduced myself! He is my very next door neighbor (room-wise) and we share a bathroom (oh no a boy)! The top floor has 4 rooms and 1 bathroom. His name is Marcelo, he is professor visiting from Portugal studying Portugese and Brazilian studies for which Brown is the premier University in the US!

I later on met another housemate, Raoul, from France who is studying applied math. I somewhat forced him into dinner, but I think he was okay with it. I do tend to have an overwhelming personality. I also invited another housemate, Crystal, from Louisiana studying Clinical Psychology! We went down the street and had dinner at a little Italian cafe. It was quite cute. Crystal is unfortunately leaving this Friday, but it turned out they were all at a club the night I arrived, so that was quite promising for friends in the house!

The next day I had a meeting with Ben at 11 am. I woke up at 1:30PM!!!!!! I freaked out!!!! I thought it was west coast time, since I had set an alarm at night! Then I realized the time was being shown on the alarm, which is clearly not PDT!!! I ran out of bed, got ready, ran downstairs, and through the town to Brown (it's only about 6 blocks). I had a whole plan to get coffee, do some work, then head in to work! I got there and realized I had no clue what building! But thankfully Ben called me back and I found my way to his office. He showed me mine which was just huge and amazing! I also got an ID card!

I have been enjoying my new office, and I got a chance to meet a few people in Ben's lab! I spoke with him and asked about lab meetings, so he was inspired to have one! I met his PhD student, Anna Ritz, who is a great girl! She's so sweet! I wish she went to Stanford. She is extremely active in the program as well as in sports, playing softball, tennis and ultimate frisbee! She offered that I could sit in her office if I was lonely, which sounds fun, but I am afraid I would get no work done!

I also met other lab members, including an undergrad and a postdoc, and others Ben works with. We had a great indian food lunch. I must say the food overall has been quite good, with the exception of the sushi. It isn't that it tastes bad, but I had a bad experience. I have met a few more of my housemates as well, and a former "Bowen House" mate, Andrew, who actually grew up in Palo Alto! He was at USC, but moved to Brown with his adviser (also in Applied Math-those smart people)! He's a super funny guy, and reminds me a lot of Ryan's younger brother! Andrew went to grab some sushi with me on Tuesday night, and after we ate most of it, I saw that one of the shrimp was a funny color...which was a bit scary!!

Although Andrew has moved out of the Bowen house, he is around quite a bit. He even drove me and Crystal to the store to get poker chips, and offered to drive other times! We played some poker with him, and Raoul, and another housemate Reese who goes to Vassar (an Engineering student). Peter, another housemate who just arrived, said he would play in an organized game, as would Marcelo! We are setting one up for next week! Unfortunately I broke my phone! This will make things difficult for phone numbers (since I can't see my screen) and also for texting Ryan!!

After poker we walked down Thayer, the cute mini downtown street near Brown that I walk through to get to the university. It is a GREAT street. It has shops and cafes, bars and a bead store! I will have to make myself some jewelry! Marcelo, Andrew and I enjoyed some wine and beer and chatted. It was strange sitting outside and drinking wine, since this is not allowed in California. It was also really nice and relaxing, a totally different experience, very unique to a small town like this! The people are so great it's really letting me enjoy this experience much more.

Yesterday I walked to the train station (it's actually over a hill) to catch my train to New York City to see Ryan for his birthday (he is flying out)!!! I had a slightly strange experience at the Au Bon Pain where I grabbed some food before, where I was approached 3 times by the same man chatting to me. I figured he was just lonely and being friendly, but I am still getting used to this area! So I busily pulled my suitcase and carried my backpack up this hill. I had no clue it was there (the maps are all 2D)! When I got here I was a sweaty mess (see picture right at the train station), but so excited it really didn't matter. I studied a bit on the train, and played my pink Nintendo DS that Ryan bought me just before I left (he's so sweet). I played sim city! That took me back!

Once I got to New York City since Ryan had to make his way over from JFK, I decided to take the subway (I sort of remembered from last year). I figured things out, and arrived, and was very pleased with myself. I waited for Ryan and was so completely happy when he arrived! I waited while he checked in and he got a note from my mom saying happy birthday with his present! He had a special idea to get an upgrade for our room, but unfortunately it didn't work out, since they didn't have any available. Our room is quite nice though!

Waiting for Ryan to check in.

This was our crazy minibar addition that had sensors that could tell when we picked something up. It said we had "20 seconds" to look at the items on that little note!

Ryan looking out of the hotel room window the next morning, not a bad view!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!