Post-Orientation Fun

After a long day of training seminars that left Angela and I still lost and confused on campus, we found enjoyment in what Waco offers as a nightlife. The history department second year graduate students invited all the new students out to a local bar, "Cricket's." We found the place in a set of restored wearhouses in downtown, among the few businesses obviously open in that area. The group met on the balcony, with the temperature only in the 80's at night! We proceeded to have a several hour discussion over drinks with people our age. It was really nice to connect with other students like us, many of them new to the area as well and experiencing the same kind of shock. The best part of it was the chance to learn from those familiar with Baylor. In many ways, this meeting at the bar was much more beneficial than our day long orientation, run by the amazingly inept Baylor administration. Pleasantly surprising as well was the amazing drink selection found there. This place had beer on tap that is not sold in many parts of the world. One test of an area is how good the beer is, and for at least one establishment, Waco passed. In addition, alcohol is amazingly cheap here! We were there on a Wednesday, in which all drinks were 2.75! This outing made us feel more connected to the area and has eased our transition to Baylor. We plan on suggesting graduate orientations within department's themselves in the future.