IndU on a snowy day

What's up with the bad weather following me? Apparently Bloomington, Indiana never gets more than an inch of snow... but the day before I get in it dumps a few feet.... go figure!

UARK on an icy day

2nd interview was today. Actually it was more like a series of 5 conversations, which was pretty low-key. The prof was nice, and from talking to some other students, sounds great to work with. The down side is due to my low GRE writing score, I am not eligible for the 30k stipend, despite having my GPA and GRE scores WAY WAY above the cutoff. Apparently the Dean thinks the writing scores are important, UNLIKE ANY ADVICE I HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN GIVEN (which basically was, the writing score doesn't matter much). So let that be a lesson to us all: When WallyWorld is involved, you never know what you're gonna get.

Oh yeah, and there is a huge ice storm. Really. It rains ice here. We're getting an inch tonight, and I had to change a flight. In the first photo (the second is the psych/landscape architecture building--really, they combine the two in the same building), the truck is driving in the grooves because he can't control himself otherwise. People here don't know what they're doing with the slippery roads. On the way home people were sliding all over the place. I even nearly slammed into the side of a semi. Hah, maybe I'm not much of a driver either.

Oh yeah, number 2: Hertz wants to charge me $100 to knock a day off my car rental reservation. Wow.

UCSB on a rainy day

Had my first interview today, at UC Santa Barbara. It was 30 minutes with 2 profs asking me fairly predictable questions, which I responded to with alternating witty, and unwitting answers, with a few points where I had no idea what I was saying. Hopefully it came off well. They did like my TMNT-themed personal statement though. 

The prof I want to work with there was avuncular and laid-back. Finances seem a little iffy, but I talked to a current student who had a pretty good set-up. Apartments are pricey, and there are no 3 bedroom apts. in the MUCH cheaper family housing, and in-unit washer/dryers are almost unheard of.

3 more interviews to go on this trip.

Also, spent some time with an old friend (and her husband) whom I had not seen in 5+ years.

5 courses... not

Tonight after day 2 of the training I signed up for a so-called "5-course meal" and book signing. First course: salad and a roll. Second course: a stuffed pepper. Third course: Chocolate Mouse... apparently I missed something because I thought the pepper was the appetizer, and was expecting a steak or something. In fact, the three green beans and two tablespoons of mashed potatoes were a course as well, as was the non-Mormon coffee... and the dinner was $40. Deceived!

arrived in San Diego

After a very nice break in Utah with mine and Nat's families, I came to San Diego today for a 4-day training from Monday to Thursday. It's kinda lonely (the other people who were originally planning to go have all backed out... dang economy!). The hotel I'm at is somewhat north of the city so I don't really have access to anything other than Office Depot, Jack In The Box, and a giant golf course, which I'm sure is nice. On the plus side, it was 50+ degrees today, which is almost hot in comparison with the rest of the winter!

moving personal stuff here

I am moving my personal stuff and life updates (i.e. things that don't apply to a general audience) here. More forthcoming in the near future. :)