After the BBQ last night, one of the faculty joined a group of us in the dorm for cocktails– general merriment ensued. A late night led to a delayed start in the morning and I was late to the program’s Welcoming Session. General announcements, policies, etc. Short break then straight into a poetry craft-talk followed by lunch on-campus (they offer locally grown salads and vegetarian options). After lunch, a fiction craft-talk then a presentation by an editor of a literary magazine.
We broke early today so that the new students could attend an orientation session. My roommates BBQed outside and the weather, surprisingly, cooperated. From 7:30-9:30, we attended a reading by three of the faculty, one poet and two fiction writers. There was a catered reception afterward w/ wine and such (Pacific University really treats their students and faculty well) but I didn’t stay– wanted to get some work done back at the dorm.
Like last year, the first day of Residency was fairly relaxed. The full-on schedule of craft-talks and workshops starts tomorrow.
Akopos 
Terrific blog