Is this post an update to Saturday's or is Saturday's a precursor to this one? In either case, I have the conclusion to both of the unfinished items I mentioned.
The apartment situation worked itself out, though not exactly as planned. and his parents decided that he would be better off in the "graduate housing" on campus. The rooms are small singles and doubles, but they have bathrooms and the students cook their own food. It amounts to living about halfway between dorms and true apartments. Lee is happy, and it works out for and me. We signed for a top-floor double earlier today because neither of us could think of a third person to replace Lee on such short notice, and, besides, the triple we wanted was gone. Here's the funny part: our apartment is right next door to Mel and . Eric loves the idea of living next door to his girlfriend. It should be interesting.
Speaking of girlfriends*, Laura came up yesterday as planned. I took her on a better Purdue tour, walking all the way out to just shy of the apartment building where Eric and I will live. Then, we did something unique: we went to work out together. "So many people..." Laura said in awe as we entered the fitness center. She normally works out late, late at night, so what was a small crowd for me was huge for her. Just as we found a bench, one of the workers walked up to Laura and said, "I'm sorry. We can't allow you to work out unless you have a shirt with sleeves." She was wearing a sporty tank top and flannel pants; certainly appropriate workout garb anywhere else. Pointless, bureaucratic rules aside, we had no choice but to return to the dorm to get a t-shirt. I felt terrible for forgetting that the Rec. Center had a dress code. We returned and made a light rotatation around the gym without any further incidents. Laura never did get comfortable with all the people.
For the rest of the evening, we just hung out and enjoyed our fleeting time together. Dinner at the restaurant below The Apartment; a squishy feel-good DVD; some video games (I have learned Laura is very good at fighting games); and a stroll through the brisk fall night. While walking, we noticed the shining to the north. We rushed back into the dorm to get my camera and tripod, and I managed to capture part of the amazing display. It was a beautiful end to an enjoyable Sunday with Laura.
* If we had to describe our relationship using value-laden junior high social constructs perpetuated by The Man (or, I suppose, The Woman), Laura and I would agree that "girlfriend" and "boyfriend" would do the job well. That, and I like saying "I have a girlfriend and here is a picture." Surely this comes as no surprise after reading between the lines these past few months.
Update
The internet is abuzz with news of the Aurora Borealis and the causes thereof. Links: , , , , , and more as I find them...