1 done, 539 to go

Pre-acupuncture class, the school was a bit annoying, I've got to say. I turned up early to get my books and parking pass, and the admissions lady wasn't around. The finance lady seemed annoyed to have to tell me that the admissions lady was in the clinic. Umm, but where was the clinic? So I ambled around aimlessly, and actually found the admissions lady in the library when I walked in to ask someone where the clinic was. So I got my parking pass, and she said she'd meet me in the clinic after I moved my car. And her response to my question of where the clinic was was a vague wave and an "it's just through there" statement. But "there" seemed to involve a classroom where students were sitting. Anyhoo, I moved the car, came back around to the front door, and noticed next to the front door a brightly colored, well lit clinic, with its own separate entrance. How could I have missed it the first time? But it does appear that the door from the clinic to the rest of the school goes through a classroom, which seems a tad inconvenient. I bought the rest of the books I needed, and then went and schmoozed with the finance lady while handing over a sum of cash (OK, I actually handed over my credit card, but whatever).

On to my class - 12 people turned up. I'd been told it was a class of 15, and one of my classmates who I spoke to during the break had been told it was a class of 8. So I guess 12 must be right! Everybody seems pretty friendly, and it's a super interesting mix of people. There are 3 honest-to-goodness, actually born here, Americans, 3 Colombians, 1 Ecuadorian, 1 Argentinian, 1 Haitian, 1 Bulgarian, 1 Burmese and 1 Brit (moi). And I have to say it, it tickled me that the only white American is a chick with dreadlocks - sometimes I hate South Florida, and sometimes I just love the fascinating mix of people you get down here - last night was definitely a "love" night. Two were physicians in their home country, and still work in some type of healthcare job. 1 is a trainer/yoga teacher and is too stick thin if you ask me. Most of us haven't done anything in the healthcare field. 3 are young (in their 20's), 2 or 3 are in their 30's, I'd guess, and everyone else is probably in their 40's. 1 is a fashion-plate model type. There are 8 women and 4 men. Some have never had an acupuncture treatment, but most have had it done and thought "wow." Some want to help others, some are looking for that next business opportunity.

All in all, I'm pretty excited about what's to come!