there'sanappforthat

Gobble, gobble.

saaay waaaah? Did you finally get the snail mail that they have been claiming we would receive this week? I haven't been home yet, so I may well have. I had almost forgot about that, but I had been wondering if they would meet their deadline.

Surely someone will hear today......

Wonderful!!!! Congrats!!!!

Haha, thanks!! I'm feeling better. I'm glad you at least heard SOMETHING, but that still not optimal. It must mean you should hear soon, though!! If I still hadn't heard at this point, I think I would have to be put in a straightjacket to keep me from pulling out all my hair or something. This is insane!!

So, I was not feeling well yesterday and didn't check the board. I just wanted to give a big congrats to anyone who heard, and a big hug to anyone who did not get the news they were hoping for!! If you got alt status, all is not lost! There have been a good number of people who were bumped, so you never know, your luck could change! If you were turned down, I'm so sorry!! Hang in there, and make sure to reapply! This was my second attempt, and I can't stress how much more confident I felt going into the application process the second time around. If you are serious about going, you can make it happen! Also, look for any other scholarships or grants you could apply for! Like DAAD for German applicants, and I'm sure there are other options for other countries!

NOO! I thought for sure you would get it...you are too awesome!! Keep the faith though, as we have seen a decent number of alts get moved up!! I am rooting for you!!

AAAH!! YAYYAYAYAYA!! CONGRATS!!

If it makes you feel any better, my SO is not thrilled I'm leaving. I think we can make it work, though.

Definitely communication, and normally at least once a day, if not more. Usually if more than once a day, one of the conversations is not very long, just checking in, really. And yes, there are definitely days where you just have to say, Sorry, but not today. Especially when you are in school. That tends to happen more around finals or midterms!

Haha, I always like to commiserate with others who have gone through LDR. It is definitely a trial. I still have to deal with naysayers, like the ones who think it's a bad idea for me to be leaving for a year. Whatever, though. I can only live for myself. I am saving up, too, but to buy my SO a plane ticket to Germany, as he has never been abroad. I hope everythign works out for you, too, and I think it sounds like you two have a very good shot! It sounds like you both have plans you are working towards, which probably somewhat better than if it was just one of you who had to be away for education all the time. Good luck to you, I have my fingers crossed for you to go to China!!

I only mentioned that it was my second time applying. I did talk about how I had evolved, but I don't think I said directly that "this is how I have changed since the last time I applied". It probably couldn't hurt though.

I think that may be the first time in history those words have been uttered...

So, I really have no advice to give you regarding postponing your PhD, but I just thought I'd mention that I, too, am in a someone "not raaght" relationship. I've been with the same person for almost 8 years as well; people don't ask us quite as often when we will get married, but they still do. We did long distance for four years while I was in college, and I have moved around a fair amount, so I can relate. We have been living together for the past 3 years, so a lot of our friends are pretty skeptical of me moving away for a year. I'm like.. gosh darn it.. we've made it this far, why do you have to be so pessimistic?! Anyway, just thought I'd offer my solidarity, although you sound like you are much more of a pro at this than I. Your lady must be pretty special to be able to take everything so well in stride. I admit my inabilty to stay in one place for long have been a source of contention in my relationship at times.

For what it's worth, my advisor highly suggested that I mention that I was reapplying for the second time and that I planned to reapply as many times as it would take. I think it can make a difference to whomever is reading your application to know that this is something you have put a lot of thought into, and it's not just something you are doing on a whim.

Congratulations!! I've always wanted to visit Singapore, I'm sure you will have an amazing time!! That's wonderfull, great job!

I pretty much rewrote everything. I mean, I did use some of the same ideas that I had written about in my first attempt, but those were mostly relating to my background and why I thought I would be a good ETA candidate. My first time applying, my essays were very shakey. I knew I wanted to go to Germany, but none of my justifications were very solid. I really thinkg getting rejected helped solidify my desire to go - and solidified my essays. The second time writing my essays was sooo much easier and I felt like I really knew what I wanted to say. I would recommend talking to your advisor or whomever you may have had proof your essays. You very may well be able to keep some parts of your essays, or at least the main ideas. I think an advisor would best be able to help you decide whether or not you should keep portions of your essays or not. If you are really serious about going to whatever country you applied for, I would highly recommend reapplying. I took a year off in between my first and second attempts, mostly because I had accepted and moved for a new job. I can't stress how much easier the process was for me the second time around, and how much better I felt about my essays once I hit the submit button. I'm so sorry to hear you weren't accepted, but maybe if you are anythign like me, it will just help you next time. To be honest, I'm probably in a better place for this sort of experience right now than I was two years ago, anyway! I don't believe in predetermination or anything like that, but I still can't help but think that things often happen for a reason!

Hell yeah!! Congrats!!!

Amazing!! Congrats!!!!

No problem! Glad I'm not the only one attached to my smart phone!!

LOL. I can't actually listen to it as I'm at work but,... RE-LAX-ATION! RE-LAX-ATION!

How cheap is super cheap?

I started working on my application around May of last year.. someone was saying how we have been waiting for 6 months, but really it's probably been closer to a year for some of you guys ><

This link might be helpful! http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

ooh - thanks for pointing out Google voice. That is definitely a good idea. Not that too many people leave me messages anyway.