Guide work, day one

Hi Everyone!
This will be a quick post, because Jim and I are both ready for bed after a long but great day! It started at 6:30 AM when we woke up, after that, I fed and watered Jim and made my own way down to breakfast. Meals have been some of my favorite times here when we're not doing guide work. I sit with two really fun classmates, Rebecca and David, and we spend every meal laughing about something or other.
After breakfast we went into the lounge to practice some basic obedience training, which Jim did really well with. I was very impressed with how quickly he obeyed my commands, considering I've known him for a bit over 24 hours.
When we were finished, it was time to harness up our dogs and get on the buss to go to downtown San Rafael. Jim loved his harness, and was delighted to get on the bus. When we got downtown we waited in the downtown lounge, which is this building that GDB has downtown where students can hang out and wait until it's time to go on route. I was the last person to go, so I spent some time talking to a classmate and listening to some music on my iPod while I waited my turn. Finally, the big moment arived and my instructor came and got us. I picked up that harness handle, gave Jim the command "forward" and we were off and running. He walked very well, and I love his pace and pull. He is a fast walker, and so am I, so we make a great team. He did a good job at turning, and I did a good job at reading him. We're working with him a bit, because he's stopping short on some curbs, instead of stepping right up to them to indicate to me where they are.
When I was finished, it was time to return to campus for lunch, and after lunch we harnessed up and went back downtown to do a second route, similar to the first one. He did really well again, and this time, he stopped to show me curbs better. I absolutely love working him, he's a great match for me in terms of his work and the things he likes. My instructor told me that she and one of the training class specialists, who's also blind decided for sure to match us together last week when they took him on a route in Berkeley and he loved navigating the crazy hectic environment. She said that they turned to each other and said, "Jim, Olivia!" So I thought that was great.
This evening was pretty laid back. I made some phonecalls, let Jim play with my friend Rebecca's dog Dorris, and Dorris, Rebecca, Jim, and I had another video session with my Mom on Skype with the help of our nurse here, Catherine. She was able to get the camera in a perfect position so that my Mom saw the dogs playing. It was a lot of fun. After that, I helped Catherine download skype and showed her some other things on her new mac. I really enjoyed this, and it made me even more excited to go home and start work! :)
I ended my day by going outside and sitting with six of my classmates on a bench. We laughed a lot, hung out with our dogs and each other, and had a great and relaxing time.
Now, I'm here with my laptop, lying in bed with Jim sacked out on his rug beside me. I can't believe I've only known my boy for 24 hours or so. I feel like I've had him for ever, he's just such a natural fit for me and I absolutely love him already! I love his work, how he plays, and how we interact together. I am looking forward to many great years together!
And, with that, I'll leave you for the day. I hope you are all doing well!