September 2006

Sweet Mother of Moses

Subject: Sweet Mother of Moses

Date: Thursday 9/28/06 3:30:00 AM

Music: Mama’s Room-Under the Influence of Giants-Under the Influence of Giants (Bonus Track)

Whoever gave me what clearly is a stomach bug, is going to get a beating…no, I’m serious…I’m out for blood. I don’t mean to be offensive, but my rear end feels like it’s on fire and it isn’t in the least bit pleasant.

At this point, I’ve come to the understanding that it would behoove me to take out some shares of stock in Charmin. I’m seriously considering it…that way I can make some of my money back.

After today (which was mainly spent staying as close to the commons as possible, since I have a key to the private bathroom – it’s amazing what happens when you make nice to the Janitor) I have to say I think one-ply toilet paper should be outlawed from this country entirely. Yes, I know, I know…more important legislation first…but dammit this should make it into the hopper one of these days, a quick thumbs up or thumbs down vote would suffice. I’m carrying my own roll with me tomorrow (in all of it’s soft, comforting goodness), I don’t care how much of a freak this makes me look like. It’s the little things in life that bring comfort.

I love Alice (maleficentseyes)…she’s the only one other than Carrie (irenefinlay) where most of what I tell her doesn’t enter into the TMI category. True friends know all about you…and still love you.

I didn’t make it to my 11am class yesterday, as I made mention of, however I did make it to my 7:00-10pm class. I received the grade on my first paper. 95/100 (or a 95%). It’s good, but I can do better (and will do better) on the next paper. At one point in the class the Instructor, the kid who sits diagonal from me and a girl in the back of the room got into a three-way disagreement which was entertaining to listen to.

They just kept on confusing each other until it reached the point of absurdity (this was about two notches down from the Mattress-Spoon Incident in Sorin’s class five years ago, Freshman year). All three (the Instructor, diagonal kid, and the girl in the back) walked away more confused than when they entered and I think that they walked away each thinking they won the argument. Though none was entirely clear on what they were arguing about (in reality, it was three different arguments, none really related), they all argued with incredible conviction, it was wonderful to see that kind of passion – it was the kind of passion that makes watching Anne Coulter vs. Anyone Who’s Sentient wonderful.

Class is getting more interesting.

I have to say he’s getting more entertaining to listen to now that he’s getting into topics that he cares about (he does have a dry sense of humor, which I appreciate). We’re just starting Syntax, and the stuff that we do to practice in his class, I think has great potential to become some kind of Sudoku-esque craze. Maybe a puzzle book (I may make a *.pdf one in Word over December break if I get bored enough…making things like this into games is great practice for exams).

My paper for Paauw’s class is good…really good (I think, obviously the grade willt ell). It’s totally unbiased as far as explaining what’s going on between the social groups I’m writing about (this is for his Sociolinguistics Course) yet, it still packs a punch against militant ignorance. I like it. I think I’m going to make a cup of green tea and then give it the final touches that it needs.

I’m not going to my 9am committee meeting, when my first class is at 3:30p and I’m not feeling well. Besides, I want to share this bug with as few people as possible…I don’t think Buffalo’s Sewer System has the capability or capacity to handle more than a handful of people coming down with whatever this is.

Okay, time to make some tea, do the last edit, pack my back and thenattempt some more sleep.

Peace all.

– Me

Sweet Mother of Moses

Subject: Sweet Mother of Moses

Date: Thursday 9/28/06 3:30:00 AM

Music: Mama’s Room-Under the Influence of Giants-Under the Influence of Giants (Bonus Track)

Whoever gave me what clearly is a stomach bug, is going to get a beating…no, I’m serious…I’m out for blood. I don’t mean to be offensive, but my rear end feels like it’s on fire and it isn’t in the least bit pleasant.

At this point, I’ve come to the understanding that it would behoove me to take out some shares of stock in Charmin. I’m seriously considering it…that way I can make some of my money back.

After today (which was mainly spent staying as close to the commons as possible, since I have a key to the private bathroom – it’s amazing what happens when you make nice to the Janitor) I have to say I think one-ply toilet paper should be outlawed from this country entirely. Yes, I know, I know…more important legislation first…but dammit this should make it into the hopper one of these days, a quick thumbs up or thumbs down vote would suffice. I’m carrying my own roll with me tomorrow (in all of it’s soft, comforting goodness), I don’t care how much of a freak this makes me look like. It’s the little things in life that bring comfort.

I love Alice (maleficentseyes)…she’s the only one other than Carrie (irenefinlay) where most of what I tell her doesn’t enter into the TMI category. True friends know all about you…and still love you.

I didn’t make it to my 11am class yesterday, as I made mention of, however I did make it to my 7:00-10pm class. I received the grade on my first paper. 95/100 (or a 95%). It’s good, but I can do better (and will do better) on the next paper. At one point in the class the Instructor, the kid who sits diagonal from me and a girl in the back of the room got into a three-way disagreement which was entertaining to listen to.

They just kept on confusing each other until it reached the point of absurdity (this was about two notches down from the Mattress-Spoon Incident in Sorin’s class five years ago, Freshman year). All three (the Instructor, diagonal kid, and the girl in the back) walked away more confused than when they entered and I think that they walked away each thinking they won the argument. Though none was entirely clear on what they were arguing about (in reality, it was three different arguments, none really related), they all argued with incredible conviction, it was wonderful to see that kind of passion – it was the kind of passion that makes watching Anne Coulter vs. Anyone Who’s Sentient wonderful.

Class is getting more interesting.

I have to say he’s getting more entertaining to listen to now that he’s getting into topics that he cares about (he does have a dry sense of humor, which I appreciate). We’re just starting Syntax, and the stuff that we do to practice in his class, I think has great potential to become some kind of Sudoku-esque craze. Maybe a puzzle book (I may make a *.pdf one in Word over December break if I get bored enough…making things like this into games is great practice for exams).

My paper for Paauw’s class is good…really good (I think, obviously the grade willt ell). It’s totally unbiased as far as explaining what’s going on between the social groups I’m writing about (this is for his Sociolinguistics Course) yet, it still packs a punch against militant ignorance. I like it. I think I’m going to make a cup of green tea and then give it the final touches that it needs.

I’m not going to my 9am committee meeting, when my first class is at 3:30p and I’m not feeling well. Besides, I want to share this bug with as few people as possible…I don’t think Buffalo’s Sewer System has the capability or capacity to handle more than a handful of people coming down with whatever this is.

Okay, time to make some tea, do the last edit, pack my back and thenattempt some more sleep.

Peace all.

– Me

Okay, I’m taking a half a sick day.

Subject: Okay, I’m taking a half a sick day.

Date: Wednesday 9/27/06 5:15:00 AM

Music: Meri Lanetzach-Ivri Lider-Caress

Okay, let’s review:

My stomach is still cramping up on me, which is why I’ve been up doing work while watching dvds on the laptop because I can’t sleep because I’m uncomfortable and rather than toss and turn, I found it more productive to do work for Paauw’s class.

I’m short of sleep, and in general not feeling well.

Class Participation is 20% of the grade, and you’re allowed 3 absences.

I’ve only used one absence.

Homework assignments (which I previously thought was best 4 out of 5 is actually best 5 out of 6 which is even better because it means that I have a totally clean slate to work with).

Today’s class exercise is what I did my independent study on, and what Prof. Paauw just reviewed with us AND is the same thing we’ve been reviewing over the past two weeks in my Wednesday Night Class.

Homework Two (which I’m counting as homework one) isn’t being assigned until Friday…and it’s transcription…what we’re going over today is non-English Phonetics…which won’t be on the homework, because the homework is transcribing our own speech.

All handouts (or around 95% of them) come from the textbook).

: .

There is no Guilt…I’m not feeling well, I’ve had a headache on and off for the past two days, I’m taking this morning off for medical rest, and I’ll go to my night class at 7:00; and will feel much better because of it and folks will just have to deal. I’m on the ball in all my classes, I know the material, I’m not behind on any assignments, rather I’m ahead…I just hate missing class, but…sometimes shit happens. This would be one of those times, such is life.

Okay, I’m taking a half a sick day.

Subject: Okay, I’m taking a half a sick day.

Date: Wednesday 9/27/06 5:15:00 AM

Music: Meri Lanetzach-Ivri Lider-Caress

Okay, let’s review:

My stomach is still cramping up on me, which is why I’ve been up doing work while watching dvds on the laptop because I can’t sleep because I’m uncomfortable and rather than toss and turn, I found it more productive to do work for Paauw’s class.

I’m short of sleep, and in general not feeling well.

Class Participation is 20% of the grade, and you’re allowed 3 absences.

I’ve only used one absence.

Homework assignments (which I previously thought was best 4 out of 5 is actually best 5 out of 6 which is even better because it means that I have a totally clean slate to work with).

Today’s class exercise is what I did my independent study on, and what Prof. Paauw just reviewed with us AND is the same thing we’ve been reviewing over the past two weeks in my Wednesday Night Class.

Homework Two (which I’m counting as homework one) isn’t being assigned until Friday…and it’s transcription…what we’re going over today is non-English Phonetics…which won’t be on the homework, because the homework is transcribing our own speech.

All handouts (or around 95% of them) come from the textbook).

: .

There is no Guilt…I’m not feeling well, I’ve had a headache on and off for the past two days, I’m taking this morning off for medical rest, and I’ll go to my night class at 7:00; and will feel much better because of it and folks will just have to deal. I’m on the ball in all my classes, I know the material, I’m not behind on any assignments, rather I’m ahead…I just hate missing class, but…sometimes shit happens. This would be one of those times, such is life.

Research Proposal Complete…and other things.

Subject: Research Proposal Complete…and other things.

Date: Wednesday 9/27/06 4:39:00 AM

Music: Nip/Tuck: Season 1, Disc 5

I completed my research proposal for Paauw, and it’s hot. It’s very hot. I hope he likes it…because I think when I’m done with it, I may very well have something that I can submit to a journal to be published (*cross your fingers*) and this now puts me ahead of the class; given that the due date for the proposal is November 7th with a rough outline and data set due on the November 16th. Of course, now I have to figure out how I’m going to do all of this research that’s entirely based on a population thats only existent in Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn and Long Island (I’m thinking I’ll need to use some true blue credit I’ve acquired for free flights and one hell of a Metro Card).

I finished watching the first season of nip/tuck – it was totally amazing; what an ending.

I had stomach pains all of yesterday evening through this morning (as it’s now 4:09am) and I think, listening to my body, that it’s stress related which mean, for the time being, I’m on an organic, vegetable and rice diet to settle my stomach down, that and lots of green tea.

I haven’t been so much stressed as hormonal recently (with an already active libido increased) and lacking in sleep (which I’m sure isn’t helping) but I’m driving home with Eli and Kim this Friday at noon for Yom Kippur (and more importantly…for me, the Kol Nidrei service on Sunday; which I’ve been waiting for with great anticipation).

I’ve been having intense nightmares lately but that’s an effect of not meditating daily like I’m used to…and I’ve had headaches for the past two days, on and off.

My apartment remains at the brink of just where I want it; and once I’m done writing this paper tomorrow for Paauw I think I’ll be able to do the final touches.

All of my balls are in the air right now…but fortunately I have the confidence and foreknowledge to know that none of them are going to drop.

I’ll say this, when I’m in a relationship there is far more incentive to go to bed than when I’m single…not that I’ve ever had a ‘defined’ boyfriend relationship, but I think you all get what I mean.

I got to talk to Ali’s Mom today, which was cool. She shared her recipe for dirt cake with me which is awesome, because that’s how I’ve been tempting 72 undergrads to come to the initial meeting of the UB Linguistics Society, since it’s on Friday, October 13th I’m making theme snacks. I co-founded it and am co-chairing it with my friend Aaron who I sit next to in Arabic Class – Aaron is half Japanese, Half Jewish (we call him our Ninjew), and speaks Japanese fluently…he’s an impressive, impressive person.

Speaking of Arabic: today…Prof. R. paid me a high compliment today, but I still need to reflect on it…every day I sit in his class my confidence grows, as does my reading comprehension…I just need to get my prefixes and suffixes down and I know I have what it takes to master this language. To be asked a question and to be able to fire back without missing a beat is just within my grasp…it’s getting to the point where I can taste it…where I can feel the change (anyone who’s truly studied a foreign language knows what this point feels like).

In random news: I’m a huge dork, and I have Ivri Lider on my Top 8 MySpace Friends (you have no idea how excited I was when I found out he was on MySpace…for those of you who don’t recall, he’s the gorgeous man behind the מרי לנצח lyrics). He’s going to be in Toronto giving a concert (I don’t think I’ll be able to make it, which while disappointing is no where near the end of the world) and I casually remarked to Eli that “it’s one step closer to marrying him” (I’m currently in a fight with Iwan…my Lebanese Pop Star) and Eli was like “no you’re not, you’re both the woman…” and I was like “God Damn, Crush my dreams why don’t you!”

Really, no one likes a pessimist.

~ me

Research Proposal Complete…and other things.

Subject: Research Proposal Complete…and other things.

Date: Wednesday 9/27/06 4:39:00 AM

Music: Nip/Tuck: Season 1, Disc 5

I completed my research proposal for Paauw, and it’s hot. It’s very hot. I hope he likes it…because I think when I’m done with it, I may very well have something that I can submit to a journal to be published (*cross your fingers*) and this now puts me ahead of the class; given that the due date for the proposal is November 7th with a rough outline and data set due on the November 16th. Of course, now I have to figure out how I’m going to do all of this research that’s entirely based on a population thats only existent in Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn and Long Island (I’m thinking I’ll need to use some true blue credit I’ve acquired for free flights and one hell of a Metro Card).

I finished watching the first season of nip/tuck – it was totally amazing; what an ending.

I had stomach pains all of yesterday evening through this morning (as it’s now 4:09am) and I think, listening to my body, that it’s stress related which mean, for the time being, I’m on an organic, vegetable and rice diet to settle my stomach down, that and lots of green tea.

I haven’t been so much stressed as hormonal recently (with an already active libido increased) and lacking in sleep (which I’m sure isn’t helping) but I’m driving home with Eli and Kim this Friday at noon for Yom Kippur (and more importantly…for me, the Kol Nidrei service on Sunday; which I’ve been waiting for with great anticipation).

I’ve been having intense nightmares lately but that’s an effect of not meditating daily like I’m used to…and I’ve had headaches for the past two days, on and off.

My apartment remains at the brink of just where I want it; and once I’m done writing this paper tomorrow for Paauw I think I’ll be able to do the final touches.

All of my balls are in the air right now…but fortunately I have the confidence and foreknowledge to know that none of them are going to drop.

I’ll say this, when I’m in a relationship there is far more incentive to go to bed than when I’m single…not that I’ve ever had a ‘defined’ boyfriend relationship, but I think you all get what I mean.

I got to talk to Ali’s Mom today, which was cool. She shared her recipe for dirt cake with me which is awesome, because that’s how I’ve been tempting 72 undergrads to come to the initial meeting of the UB Linguistics Society, since it’s on Friday, October 13th I’m making theme snacks. I co-founded it and am co-chairing it with my friend Aaron who I sit next to in Arabic Class – Aaron is half Japanese, Half Jewish (we call him our Ninjew), and speaks Japanese fluently…he’s an impressive, impressive person.

Speaking of Arabic: today…Prof. R. paid me a high compliment today, but I still need to reflect on it…every day I sit in his class my confidence grows, as does my reading comprehension…I just need to get my prefixes and suffixes down and I know I have what it takes to master this language. To be asked a question and to be able to fire back without missing a beat is just within my grasp…it’s getting to the point where I can taste it…where I can feel the change (anyone who’s truly studied a foreign language knows what this point feels like).

In random news: I’m a huge dork, and I have Ivri Lider on my Top 8 MySpace Friends (you have no idea how excited I was when I found out he was on MySpace…for those of you who don’t recall, he’s the gorgeous man behind the מרי לנצח lyrics). He’s going to be in Toronto giving a concert (I don’t think I’ll be able to make it, which while disappointing is no where near the end of the world) and I casually remarked to Eli that “it’s one step closer to marrying him” (I’m currently in a fight with Iwan…my Lebanese Pop Star) and Eli was like “no you’re not, you’re both the woman…” and I was like “God Damn, Crush my dreams why don’t you!”

Really, no one likes a pessimist.

~ me

So that update!

Subject: So that update!

Date: Tuesday 9/26/06 2:05:00 AM

Music: London Bridge-Fergie-London Bridge – Single

Linguistic Analysis:

The class is wonderful; incredible graduate student for an instructor (she’s Chinese and listening to her speak is wonderful, I love her accent). I made a stupid mistake on the first paper for which I’m kicking myself, I passed…just not with the flying colors I’ve become accustomed to. However, the best 4 out of 5 papers count so we’ll take this one and consider it null and move on from there. I’m an A student and I don’t take kindly to myself when I make a mistake. Anything less than an A is unacceptable; I’m better than that and it bothers me that I made that mistake…it won’t happen again.

The final exam is a three hour open book/open notebook exam. The last time I sat for a three hour exam was for a professional certification. This should be fun to study for (I mean that, seriously. I love exams).

In other class notes, I throw off her transcription because I transcribe my Lawngiland accent which has some weird diphthongs…she got into it today though when we were transcribing in class; I was glad there was another Islander to back me up though…otherwise she’d have thought I was crazy (now she can think we’re BOTH crazy!) but she enjoyed it because it was different, so it was chill.

Language, Society & The Individual (or as I like to call it, Linguistic Analysis II)

This class is okay; certainly not my favorite but every person has their own teaching style and I’m not a fan of his. This doesn’t mean he’s not capable and competent (he’s clearly both)…he’s just no Jaeger, Paauw or Roustum (all three are incredibly tough acts to follow). However, he is a fan of Pixar, so he can’t be all that bad.

I’m fairly certain (though I’ll receive confirmation on Wednesday) that I received an A on the first paper.

The final exam is also a three hour open book/open notebook exam.

Sociolinguistics:

With Scott Paauw is just amazing; we’re almost done with our training to do fieldwork and we’re about to be sent into the field to collect data and analyze it (in the hopes that we can also send it with our grad school applications of an outstanding paper we’ve written). I’m both incredibly nervous and incredibly excited all at the same time, I have a paper I need to finish for him for Thursday (an analysis, but no data collection). I’ve done all the readings for it and I’ve marked up the pages so I know what I want to say (always write in your books and on your handouts kids, it saves you time later when you need to prove that you’re brilliant) so I’ll write it in the morning with a cup of coffee.

I received a 120% on the first quiz (short answer). I’ll judge my position in the class when I get my first paper back. I think I’m close to the top, but it’s hard to say. I’ve missed no class and I always participate which counts for a lot…again, I’ll judge when the first paper comes back.

Arabic III

With Prof. R. is amazing; it’s going slowly…like it should. We’re doing more conversation and more writing and we’re adding to our vocabulary bank which is wonderful. I’m getting better at site reading, but not where I want to be yet (which is, fluent…but that’ll take about another seven or so years – in all seriousness). There’s a Mid-Term and a Final (both in-class) which, while not coming up soon, I do need to start studying for (there’s no homework for this class). After Yom Kippur, I think that’s what Sundays will be dedicated to.

Hebrew

Is currently on self study mode and is going as far as I have time for. It’ll go better towards December when I have more time to study on my own.

Grad School

So I have (at my count) about eight more classes until I graduate…four next semester, two over the Summer, two in the Fall (I can’t wait to deal with the insurance nightmare that I just know is coming). So I apply to Grad Schools this coming fall and I’ll take the GRE’s next semester (so I can study for them all but the ten days over December when I’m in the Middle East). I’m incredibly nervous and incredibly excited. To combat the nervousness I clean the apartment and sell belongings that I won’t be bringing with me wherever the next leg of this journey takes me. This is doubly productive because the apartment gets cleaned and I get cash…this is a deficit because I’ve had to explain to people “no…I’m not suicidal (apparently getting rid of stuff gets people concerned), I just REALLY hate packing and I don’t own a lot of things that I consider precious and I swore to myself that the next place I moved to, I’d only be moving with a backpack…do you need a vase? Space heater?”

As I said in an earlier entry, I’ve pretty much solidified my grad schools (with of course, the provision that everything is always subject to change).

Berkley would be cool, for many reasons. I’m a little iffy on California (it’s not like I don’t know people there, Tae, Kara, Nikki, Greg, and the list goes on) mostly because I’m so connected to NYC. However, I’m willing to give everything a try and who knows what I’ll find I like…I mean, I’d also have to do something like find Berkley on a map…(Geography and I have ‘issues’).

UB would be lovely for my Masters. I’m comfortable here, it’s close to NYC, and most of my friends haven’t graduated yet and more importantly…I can afford it; which really is a huge factor. I think I’ll have an easier time obtaining my Ph.D. if I already have my Masters and can work. However, I think I’m also looking for a new start (though one I’m willing to delay for a bit). In all honesty, I’d be happy either way (and I know I’d be more comfortable not having to totally uproot yet), though if I go here for grad school I’m moving Downtown for sure. The heights are far too suburb-y for me and I’d rather have a flat as it is anyway.

Tel Aviv University could be amazing (and Tel Aviv, as a city, is my backup plan if I’m not accepted anywhere).

Boulder could be awesome. While I’ve never been there, I hear Colorado is gorgeous…benefit: my family (all of whom Ski) would visit me often. Deficit, my family (all of whom Ski) would visit my often…I’m just kidding, I do love my Family and they’re always welcome wherever I am.

I’m a little iffy on Ohio…I’d have to see the University. I don’t know much about Ohio, other than the fact that a fictional character who I’ve been enamored with since middle school fictitiously grew up there.

Australia right now is on the same level a Tel Aviv in the list. While it would be nice it doesn’t make sense to move to a place where I wouldn’t be financially comfortable; one I have my Masters I’ll look at the issue again.

“Trust me honey, being on Alimony is NOT unemployed”

Holy Good God, I love Nip/Tuck…what an awesome, awesome, awesome show.

So that update!

Subject: So that update!

Date: Tuesday 9/26/06 2:05:00 AM

Music: London Bridge-Fergie-London Bridge – Single

Linguistic Analysis:

The class is wonderful; incredible graduate student for an instructor (she’s Chinese and listening to her speak is wonderful, I love her accent). I made a stupid mistake on the first paper for which I’m kicking myself, I passed…just not with the flying colors I’ve become accustomed to. However, the best 4 out of 5 papers count so we’ll take this one and consider it null and move on from there. I’m an A student and I don’t take kindly to myself when I make a mistake. Anything less than an A is unacceptable; I’m better than that and it bothers me that I made that mistake…it won’t happen again.

The final exam is a three hour open book/open notebook exam. The last time I sat for a three hour exam was for a professional certification. This should be fun to study for (I mean that, seriously. I love exams).

In other class notes, I throw off her transcription because I transcribe my Lawngiland accent which has some weird diphthongs…she got into it today though when we were transcribing in class; I was glad there was another Islander to back me up though…otherwise she’d have thought I was crazy (now she can think we’re BOTH crazy!) but she enjoyed it because it was different, so it was chill.

Language, Society & The Individual (or as I like to call it, Linguistic Analysis II)

This class is okay; certainly not my favorite but every person has their own teaching style and I’m not a fan of his. This doesn’t mean he’s not capable and competent (he’s clearly both)…he’s just no Jaeger, Paauw or Roustum (all three are incredibly tough acts to follow). However, he is a fan of Pixar, so he can’t be all that bad.

I’m fairly certain (though I’ll receive confirmation on Wednesday) that I received an A on the first paper.

The final exam is also a three hour open book/open notebook exam.

Sociolinguistics:

With Scott Paauw is just amazing; we’re almost done with our training to do fieldwork and we’re about to be sent into the field to collect data and analyze it (in the hopes that we can also send it with our grad school applications of an outstanding paper we’ve written). I’m both incredibly nervous and incredibly excited all at the same time, I have a paper I need to finish for him for Thursday (an analysis, but no data collection). I’ve done all the readings for it and I’ve marked up the pages so I know what I want to say (always write in your books and on your handouts kids, it saves you time later when you need to prove that you’re brilliant) so I’ll write it in the morning with a cup of coffee.

I received a 120% on the first quiz (short answer). I’ll judge my position in the class when I get my first paper back. I think I’m close to the top, but it’s hard to say. I’ve missed no class and I always participate which counts for a lot…again, I’ll judge when the first paper comes back.

Arabic III

With Prof. R. is amazing; it’s going slowly…like it should. We’re doing more conversation and more writing and we’re adding to our vocabulary bank which is wonderful. I’m getting better at site reading, but not where I want to be yet (which is, fluent…but that’ll take about another seven or so years – in all seriousness). There’s a Mid-Term and a Final (both in-class) which, while not coming up soon, I do need to start studying for (there’s no homework for this class). After Yom Kippur, I think that’s what Sundays will be dedicated to.

Hebrew

Is currently on self study mode and is going as far as I have time for. It’ll go better towards December when I have more time to study on my own.

Grad School

So I have (at my count) about eight more classes until I graduate…four next semester, two over the Summer, two in the Fall (I can’t wait to deal with the insurance nightmare that I just know is coming). So I apply to Grad Schools this coming fall and I’ll take the GRE’s next semester (so I can study for them all but the ten days over December when I’m in the Middle East). I’m incredibly nervous and incredibly excited. To combat the nervousness I clean the apartment and sell belongings that I won’t be bringing with me wherever the next leg of this journey takes me. This is doubly productive because the apartment gets cleaned and I get cash…this is a deficit because I’ve had to explain to people “no…I’m not suicidal (apparently getting rid of stuff gets people concerned), I just REALLY hate packing and I don’t own a lot of things that I consider precious and I swore to myself that the next place I moved to, I’d only be moving with a backpack…do you need a vase? Space heater?”

As I said in an earlier entry, I’ve pretty much solidified my grad schools (with of course, the provision that everything is always subject to change).

Berkley would be cool, for many reasons. I’m a little iffy on California (it’s not like I don’t know people there, Tae, Kara, Nikki, Greg, and the list goes on) mostly because I’m so connected to NYC. However, I’m willing to give everything a try and who knows what I’ll find I like…I mean, I’d also have to do something like find Berkley on a map…(Geography and I have ‘issues’).

UB would be lovely for my Masters. I’m comfortable here, it’s close to NYC, and most of my friends haven’t graduated yet and more importantly…I can afford it; which really is a huge factor. I think I’ll have an easier time obtaining my Ph.D. if I already have my Masters and can work. However, I think I’m also looking for a new start (though one I’m willing to delay for a bit). In all honesty, I’d be happy either way (and I know I’d be more comfortable not having to totally uproot yet), though if I go here for grad school I’m moving Downtown for sure. The heights are far too suburb-y for me and I’d rather have a flat as it is anyway.

Tel Aviv University could be amazing (and Tel Aviv, as a city, is my backup plan if I’m not accepted anywhere).

Boulder could be awesome. While I’ve never been there, I hear Colorado is gorgeous…benefit: my family (all of whom Ski) would visit me often. Deficit, my family (all of whom Ski) would visit my often…I’m just kidding, I do love my Family and they’re always welcome wherever I am.

I’m a little iffy on Ohio…I’d have to see the University. I don’t know much about Ohio, other than the fact that a fictional character who I’ve been enamored with since middle school fictitiously grew up there.

Australia right now is on the same level a Tel Aviv in the list. While it would be nice it doesn’t make sense to move to a place where I wouldn’t be financially comfortable; one I have my Masters I’ll look at the issue again.

“Trust me honey, being on Alimony is NOT unemployed”

Holy Good God, I love Nip/Tuck…what an awesome, awesome, awesome show.

Jocktraps…

Subject: Jocktraps…

Date: Monday 9/25/06 12:26:00 AM

How in the hell did I acquire so many? I mean, these aren’t even my designer ones…just like, work out ones…

…as you can tell, I’m doing laundry. My Month Wrap Up before I go to bed tonight, cross my heart.

Laundry time!

And quiz_boy, that photo post IS coming soon, I swear!!

Jocktraps…

Subject: Jocktraps…

Date: Monday 9/25/06 12:26:00 AM

How in the hell did I acquire so many? I mean, these aren’t even my designer ones…just like, work out ones…

…as you can tell, I’m doing laundry. My Month Wrap Up before I go to bed tonight, cross my heart.

Laundry time!

And quiz_boy, that photo post IS coming soon, I swear!!