It feels like I am the only one in the world when it’s this early and there’s no one in the building or even remotely close to this building on campus. I look out my window at the sun just starting to fall on the road, the trees that cover walkways to dorms and classrooms, and I see no one. I will be very glad when schools begins. Although I can – and have learned to – appreciate time that I get to spend with myself, I am definitely more comfortable when I know students are rushing to get to the other side of campus, TAs are preparing their daily lesson, and professors are, well, doing whatever it is they do.

As an aside to the idea of feeling safe in company, I admit that I can fall asleep much faster and with more ease if there is someone in the room, preferrably doing something other than sleeping. When we lived at Woodgate, some of my best nights of sleep were during times when Ash and Chris were trying to beat Halo. They sat on the edge of the bed, mowing down aliens, and I slept peacefully for hours until the TV was turned off. I don’t know if this makes me weird but it’s something I have come to realize about myself in the last couple years.