And here I am!

If you are reading this blog, you probably know me and have at least a rough idea what I am doing in Philadelphia. But, to explain briefly:

Many Whitman students do one semester of off-campus study in their junior year. Most of these go to other countries, but some choose domestic programs. I am spending my spring semester on a program called The Philadelphia Center (see tpc.edu for more details than I'm about to give you). The program is internship-based and helps students find internships in pretty much any field you can think of. The internship hunting begins after arrival in Philadelphia, so I do not yet know where I will be spending the semester. Students also take classes at the Center one day a week. Housing is "independent city living"--one spends one's first week in Philadelphia finding roommates (other kids on the program) and then a place to live.

So--ready, set, go! The program starts on Sunday, but I am in Philadelphia now, staying with very kind cousins. My cousin Margie and her son Brian picked me up at the airport and we drove through Center City on our way home. And, though it was dark, I discovered that Philadelphia is beautiful. There are so many places I want to visit, so many concerts I want to attend, so much I want to learn! (The first thing I learned was how to say "Schuylkill River." I almost have it.)

So, I'm tired, and I'm gushing. Future blog posts will be more interesting, hopefully. I will be able to talk about where I'm working, experiences of living in the big city, concerts, potentially controversial matters, etc. Perhaps I will periodically subject you to poetry I like (but nothing by me; don't worry!), or art. Anyway, for all I've already seen of Scenic Philadelphia, all I've photographed so far is this adorable dog belonging to my cousin Mary and her husband Dennis. So here is Frankie.