We're here!

We've made it to the end of our first week - an activity-filled period of orientation, chapel, food, information, meetings, talks, receptions, drinks, social events, and pieces of paper.  It's known as BTFO: Before the Fall Orientation (theologians spot the pun).  

Yale Divinity School has been extremely welcoming.  In fact, I have lost count of the number of times we have heard the world "welcome" (usually deployed with a broad smile and an expansive open-armed gesture).  I'm impressed by how much care and attention has been given to the incoming students, and the recognition that this marks a dramatic transition in people's lives.

"Everyone is welcome to all of the events this week.  When we say 'everyone', we really do mean that - students, your spouses and partners, children, family, friends - anyone who is here to help you make the transition to being at YDS.  If there's anything unclear about the word 'everyone' ...?"

In some ways it has been a bit like Freshers' Week as an undergraduate - except that here there has been a higher ratio of ice cream parties to drinks parties (ice cream being a fundamental part of university life).  Every time we have stopped a meal has been produced from a particular eating establishment in New Haven - salad bars, sandwich bars, pizza, barbecue, Italian, Thai, Mexican. 

The sun is shining, my apartment (yes, apartment!) is well-furnished and air-conditioned, and all seems to be going well.