Caldwell College

Got to Newark airport and through to meet Tim Blattner who was sitting there holding up sign with my name on it at the baggage claim. Grabbed my gear and then we were off to Caldwell College which took about half an hour. I had slept all the way on the plane and was completely shattered but we got my gear up to my room and then I was given a short tour, got my hands on some lunch and headed off to get my ID card. Has to be the worst ID photo I have ever had taken I looked absolutely shattered and very red in the face but it gets me into my room so that is really all that matters. Took a trip out to Target and lined up some meetings and plans for the week. Met my new RA (also my suitemate) Tibi who is really lovely and loaned me her computer so I could email home. Couldnt get my internet going so gave it up for the day and went to bed early completely wiped out.
New day and it was off to orientation where we learnt a bit about culture shock and health care. Got treated to a brilliant clip about culture shock which is brilliant for anyone going overseas for a long time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPfB6GIjM9Q Straight from orientation to the Caldwells rotary meeting, very casual today just a service day. Got to meet everyone (who was there) and was invited to the districts Presidents Ball which should be pretty good fun. The club was very interesting and a great bunch of people. Main differences were that they have the pledge at the start rather than doing an anthem at the end, they also have something called happy or sad dollars where anyone who wants to gives a dollar for each sad or happy event they want to tell the club about. They get a choice of three items off the taverns menu for lunch and the meeting is only about an hour and a half long. Met a woman who is involved in DiveHeart. A group that trains divers to be buddies for disabled people and veterans so they can get the therapy and enjoyment from going scuba diving. Also read about the Lion King broadway show that was changing its show one matinee so that autistic individuals would be more relaxed to go along and see it without all the sensory overload. Really amazing how far out of their way people go over here for the disabled. Went and set up a bank account so I can buy the college asap and felt the 5.8 quake that shook Virginia. Kinda felt like the shake you get when a truck or train goes by and didnt think much of it until the other people in the bank started reacting. Back to Caldwell and got the internet online and its off to Tim Blattners for dinner shortly.