Service and Socks

Greetings from the University of Limerick. The campus is coming alive with arriving students and graduation is also occurring this week. The University seems to have a very efficient way of handling graduation. They hold the event over four days with two ceremonies a day. Apparently about 2,000 students are graduating this week and so I imagine that the ceremonies are more intimate and personal than one large graduation. It was great to see everyone dressed up and students and professors in caps and gowns. Graduations are always quite exciting and while they mark culminations, they also mark new beginnings. While in many ways this is a new beginning for me as well, I feel more as if I am continuing my journey and formalizing my work around chant. I am looking forward to my orientations next week and to meeting my classmates and other international students.

Speaking of which, the staff of the UL International Education Division are the best. They are warm, welcoming, concerned, and helpful. When ever I have needed anything, staff members always make the time to speak with mere, answer my questions and point me in the right direction. I just want to publicly thank them for their cordiality and professionalism. In all the years I worked in administrative positions and with all the work I have done in leading values based patient care and customer service efforts, this wonderful group of people are a fine example of what it means to be service oriented.I would say exactly the same thing about the Thomond Village Reception staff. They are also a very welcoming and accommodating group. I am appreciative to you all for making my first weeks on campus so pleasurable.

Tomorrow is moving day. I am mostly packed and looking forward to really settling in. It is amazing what you can accumulate in less than four weeks:books, walking shoes, groceries,storage baskets, and oh yes, let us not forget... six pairs of socks. I have worn one pair so far, twice. I am saving the other five pairs for special occasions.