Andy and I, as I mentioned, went to campus yesterday.  I noticed that the lab lights were on, so we went over so that I could show him where I’d be based, if ever the need for coffee should arise.  My GA advisor was there, so I talked to him and asked when he wanted me to start.

"Can you start Monday?" Oh. Okay.  I haven’t worked a day since June 20, and August 15 will be my first day I have something to do. My position is only 20 hours a week, which is great, but I am a little nervous now that I start in FOUR DAYS.  But! BUT!  Since my appointment runs form September 1-May 31, and my EDD this cycle would be mid-May, starting two weeks early totally negates the worry of "what about those last two weeks?" and makes getting knocked up this cycle a total priority.  We’re amping up to a daily GOF schedule, because the timing would be REALLY REALLY GREAT.  Anyway.  Andy laughed when I explained that, because it only highlights my mental calculator of everything revoloving around possibly pregnancy. Hee.

We went and got our new MaineCards, and OH MY GOD. Mine is AWFUL. AAAWWWFFUUL.  I could have used my old pic, which I really loved (and used as my d-land icon on my profile page forever) but I figured I should get an updated pic so that I can use the ID for discounts for a longer time, like "oh, yeah, I guess this 35 year old IS a student, huh" instead of using the dated pic from when I was what, 25?  Anyway, my pic was HORRIBLE.  I burt out laughing, tears streaming down my face, and showed Andy who also got hysterical, and some random chick in the office was like "oh, it can’t be that bad!"  and oh, oh it was.  The aspect ratio or something got screwed, so my face is WIIIIDDDEEE. And because of the angle of the camera, it’s angled weird. As I told andy — after insisting that if I was ever killed and the news needed a picture, he could NOT let them use my ID card — "it looks like I’m in the fat-scooter at WalMart, leaning over to grab a bag of cheetos. And tha maybe I should be drooling."  Yeah. It’s bad.

But! When I tried to get my parking permit, I filled out the form and checked off the appropriate boxes: student & grad assistant, and when I went to the window, it turns out I needed a stamp proving I was  a GA, and I should go to the graduate school office and get that. Cool, no worries, a trip to the GS office saves me fifty bucks, it turns out.

Off to the GS office we go — a place I’d never been, because I’ve done all my paperwork through the college of ed or the internet or interoffice mail or whatever — and I talk to the lady there and say "yeah, I’m a GA, I need the stamp."  She starts looking for my paperwork.

And it’s NOT. THERE.

Mental freakout ensuing.  Andy said later that he was mentally preparing to reassure me from the inevitable tangible freakout, but after a few phone calls and panicked moments, all is well.  Basically, the typical education thing — the dean is on vacation, and will be signing the necessary paperwork on Tuesday and then I’ll be legal at the GS. But, I’m on the list, I will benefit from the stipend increase (yay!) and I will be able to get my free parking pass on Tuesday.  It’s no big deal, Andy and I were just trying to beat the crowds, which we did.

I’m excited. And nervous. I start GAing on MONDAY, people.  It’s fine, that’s cool — I will be banking time in case of pregnancy (please, please please) and I will be closer to the pick-up point for my new iBook. (ohpleaseohpleaseohplease)  But, I should probably enjoy the hell out of the next four days, huh?