Autumn Term and Chocolate

And so the Autumn term has begun here in P-town, and the first week of classes has proved, yet again, to do what it has always done: clamor my long-time empty to-do list with too many things to reasonably complete in a week's time. Though, as much as the first week of classes always frazzles me up a bit, I completely and utterly love being in college. I love riding the bus here and being downtown. I love being on a campus that holds so many diverse people. I love studying in the park blocks when the sun is shining (the "park blocks" are a line of blocks that spreads the length of the city and are dedicated to grass, benches, statues, and very large trees, similar to, though not as romantic as, Central Park). And, I love learning. Yet, there are two things here at PSU that I have come to find will probably be the death of me: second-hand smoke and textbook prices. Both of these agents for my death that plague Portland State seem like a giant that can't be beat. PSU is known for commuters riding their bikes to school, saving gas and the planet from harmful exhaust emissions. Yet, so many people smoke within 30 feet of most building entrances that I've begun to have this yearning desire to bring a gas mask with me and put it on before I go outside. I guess we'll know if it affected me 30 years from now when I have lung cancer. That is, if I don't die from hunger first, being that all my money right now is going to textbooks. I will, Lord-willing, graduate in three years with a degree, but at the same time I'll also most likely be living on the streets begging for food. Ha.

On a lighter note, I had a nice walk yesterday. There's this great little chocolate place called Cacoa here in Portland, and on my walk yesterday after class, I discovered that they have a second, more convenient location (that's closer to PSU). Upon finding it, I burst in the doors, only to have the warm, glorious smell of chocolate wafted onto my face. This place is the best. They serve what they call "liquid chocolate" that is, for lack of a better word, divine. It's not hot chocolate, though it is hot, and it's not like chocolate syrup, though it is rich. It's something that cannot truly be described unless experienced first-hand. And for a girl especially, this place can be quite a comfort during certain periods of time in the year. 

Anyways, so I spent a good ten minutes in line to get a cup of this stuff. I was so excited, but then came to my senses and remembered that I am on a VERY tight budget right now (refer back to section on textbooks), and after a 2 or 3-minute brawl between my mind and my stomach, I finally decided to walk out. Yet, I had spent so much time in line and sewed so much into my excitement of getting this drink, and it was now my turn to order with people waiting behind me, I settled for asking the lady behind the counter what the hours were of Cacoa and if they were open on Sunday in a British accent. I love talking in a British accent with my friends to just be silly, but doing so in public with no one who knew me around, watching the sales lady's eyes perk up a bit upon my speaking, seemed to humor and satisfy me greatly...

All this nonsense to say, the year has begun!

(ALSO: I just bought Jared Anderson's cd called "People of Troy"...there's only ever been one cd that I can listen to over and over and over and it always seems new, and that's Chris Thile's "Deceiver." Yet, since I bought "People of Troy" on Monday, I haven't been able to stop listening to it, and, like Thile's music, there is something new I discover in each song every time I listen. If you were wise, you'd buy it on itunes NOW).