I made it.

I survived the first year.

But it was every bit as demanding as I'd been led to believe. Harder, even. I've never been so busy in my life.

A few things learned:

1) The politics at USC are real. They're subtle, but they're real.
2) It's easy to take yourself and the program too seriously.
3) The name of the game is taking everything you can get, while finding happiness within the inherent limitations of the system.

More in detail -- or retrospect -- about year one to come in the following days.

I'm back!