Day 2 - First Impressions

Sunday the 22nd of July is a quiet day as I ready myself for the evening when I will meet everyone for the first time. I walk the campus and explore the nearby streets. I shop for groceries and I mail my first postcards home. All my activities are mini-adventures as I slowly become more comfortable with my surroundings, realizing that there are subtle differences in language and custom. I took an undergraduate course in anthropology and it has had a lasting effect on me, in part that I wish I had taken more anthropology courses.

In the afternoon, I ready some of the Library 2.0 activities that we are doing at my work. I am only into the 4th week of Helene Bower's gift and it is making me rethink how I do so many things. This blog is just one example of the changes.

Around 2 in the afternoon, I go online and check the SJSU blackboard site. (By making the links in these posts, I will be able to jump to the site quickly as this blog progresses.) I reread the introductions of those in my cohort and I feel somewhat overwhelmed... MBAs, lawyers, professional journalists, technical writers, PR whizzes, managers of libraries that see more circulation in one week then my library sees in a year. Once again, I understand the "imposter syndrome" that Brookfield writes about in his work. (BTW - While looking for an appropriate link, I found this Invisible Librarian essay online.)

I read the strengths that others had posted. I wondered why some hadn't posted. Because I saw a value in sharing the information, I considered the motives of those not communicating.... were they more independent.... was this course going to be an intense competition... (Later, I would learn that some just resented being pigeon-holed, some had not had time... etc.)

I changed my shirt, put on a tie and walked to the 4:30 open house. My arrival was delayed due to the fact that no cabs happened to came my way and I began my journey at 4:45. I had assumed that it was "come and go" as people arrived in San Jose. Now, I have learned to check with others.

My brisk walk left me damp with perspiration, the San Jose warmth encouraged my body to shed more moisture and I entered the building wringing wet. Most had already had the buffet dinner and were now listening attentively to Ken H.'s welcoming speech. There goes my opportunity to make a good impression.

Brooks S., one of my future professors, offered to get me a drink and Joe M., my graduate advisor, obtained it so as to not bother her. (Strike two on the first impression checklist. I was on a roll.). I sipped my water, wishing it was a double scotch.

My cohorts seem honest and interesting and everyone was kind as I blundered through a recount of my border experiences. I have a lot to learn about choosing appropriate moments. Very quickly, the evening ended and we all drifted away.

I walked back with one of my fellow Canadian students, the closest in geographical proximity, and someone with whom I had a bit of prior knowledge. Her reputation as a skilled and creative leader was known to me through acquaintences and friends in the library community. I was offered a bubble tea and I accepted knowing that it probably would challenge my new Atkins efforts and hopes of shedding some of the thirty plus pounds that I have packed on since returning to school full-time. I didn't want to seem rude and refuse her kind offer. I didn't want to seem unadventurous. I watched as the vietnamese woman poured scoops of powder into a container and I feared the sugar content. And I spent the time blithering about my past.

But the day was done... no significant damage. I went to bed knowing that the first day of classes would be upon me soon. The members of the second cohort at the dinner had shared their knowledge. I was dreading the next day.

Note: The bubble tea is very tasty! (I had assumed that it was a traditional South-Asian drink, but it is only a few decades in existence.)