We've wined, we've waited, now it's time to celebrate 2016

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

Sometimes I forget that some programs actually have masters programs! In physics, most schools don't even allow you to apply just for a master's - it's PhD or bust. 

[Neist]

19 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

Sometimes I forget that some programs actually have masters programs! In physics, most schools don't even allow you to apply just for a master's - it's PhD or bust. 

Those of us who are going to get degrees in disciplines that only typically demand MAs are pretty lucky, I think.  

[MarineBluePsy]

19 hours ago, hippyscientist said:

Who the heck had the audacity to tell you that?! I'm livid!! If anyone gives you a hard time you can say "my friend hippyscientist is an only child, with a single mother and she's upping and leaving the country and not bringing her mother with her". Agh. That's horrible that anyone would even consider asking that. Way to rile me up this morning!

 

I know right?!  Last I checked my mom is a grown woman perfectly capable of functioning on her own or not, her choice.  I haven't even gotten into the thick of the move and I'm already bonkers.  My program still hasn't provided any details so I reached out to my advisor today to inquire and she said info is on its way soon.  So is that like end of the week soon, next week soon, or next month soon?  Because I will not be rushed!

[ihatechoosingusernames]

Did anyone else know that it's National Moscato Day?!? Well, happy National Moscato Day! 

Does anyone have any good podcast recommendations? I'm getting ready to go on a cross-country road trip and I need something to keep me occupied  Bonus points if they're psychology related!

[Neist]

17 minutes ago, ihatechoosingusernames said:

Did anyone else know that it's National Moscato Day?!? Well, happy National Moscato Day! 

Does anyone have any good podcast recommendations? I'm getting ready to go on a cross-country road trip and I need something to keep me occupied  Bonus points if they're psychology related!

I am a podcast connoisseur.  I've listened to tens of thousands of them.

What sort of podcasts do you like?

[hippyscientist]

@Pink Fuzzy Bunny yay! Congratulations on a successful move & graduation.

@Need Coffee in an IV congratulations on your graduation

I forget that not everyone is going on to do a PhD. I'm so glad I did my masters year, it's helped so much in refining my interests, developing skills and really focusing on specialising for a year made me realise I do love my subject.

All this talk of moving. I'm excited to get into my apartment but the thought of moving all my stuff, with my dad, just, no. I'm kinda regretting asking him to move me in a funny way. If I was going on my own I could pretend that it was just another travelling adventure, instead I've got dad who will be questioning decisions that I make, remarking on how expensive (or not) things I buy are and be fairly emotional. This is the first time I've felt even slightly apprehensive about moving. I don't like it. Bring back the excited about everything feelings!

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

9 hours ago, hippyscientist said:

All this talk of moving. I'm excited to get into my apartment but the thought of moving all my stuff, with my dad, just, no. I'm kinda regretting asking him to move me in a funny way. If I was going on my own I could pretend that it was just another travelling adventure, instead I've got dad who will be questioning decisions that I make, remarking on how expensive (or not) things I buy are and be fairly emotional. This is the first time I've felt even slightly apprehensive about moving. I don't like it. Bring back the excited about everything feelings!

The excitement will return I'm sure! I thought I'd have the same issue since my parents helped me move as well, and by the time they left I was ready for them to be gone (though I love them dearly), but you have no idea how useful it is to have someone else around to help! Even just small things like "hold the end of this table while I screw the legs in" or "stay here in case my landlord drops by while I go get groceries" make the move 100x easier. Yes, he may comment on the quality/cost of things you buy or the way you choose to do things, but even though I don't know your dad I'm sure he'll be thinking the whole time about how proud he is of you, so keep that in mind. And with all of the travelling adventures you've had, it might be fun to share them with him

I didn't feel excited to move before I did so... I was just sad to leave my old apartment as well as my friends/family/professors in Illinois. Getting in the car to leave was hard. I didn't get excited until I was about 12 hours into my 14-hour drive to New York. And if you were excited before, just wait until you touch down on the tarmac in the US!! 

[Neist]

14 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

The excitement will return I'm sure! I thought I'd have the same issue since my parents helped me move as well, and by the time they left I was ready for them to be gone (though I love them dearly), but you have no idea how useful it is to have someone else around to help! Even just small things like "hold the end of this table while I screw the legs in" or "stay here in case my landlord drops by while I go get groceries" make the move 100x easier. Yes, he may comment on the quality/cost of things you buy or the way you choose to do things, but even though I don't know your dad I'm sure he'll be thinking the whole time about how proud he is of you, so keep that in mind. And with all of the travelling adventures you've had, it might be fun to share them with him

I didn't feel excited to move before I did so... I was just sad to leave my old apartment as well as my friends/family/professors in Illinois. Getting in the car to leave was hard. I didn't get excited until I was about 12 hours into my 14-hour drive to New York. And if you were excited before, just wait until you touch down on the tarmac in the US!! 

As someone who's moved an apartment of furniture by himself before, this is so very true.

Moving something like a mattress with two people isn't too horrid, but moving it by oneself is terrible. Or a couch. Or a desk. Or even the box of a desk before you build it in your apartment. 

Also, did you do the 14 hours in one go? That's quite a grind!

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

1 minute ago, Neist said:

As someone who's moved an apartment of furniture by himself before, this is so very true.

Moving something like a mattress with two people isn't too horrid, but moving it by oneself is terrible. Or a couch. Or a desk. Or even the box of a desk before you build it in your apartment. 

Also, did you do the 14 hours in one go? That's quite a grind!

I couldn't imagine moving my mattress/couch/table by myself! It quite simply wouldn't have been possible. Plus, my parents are packing pros, so most of my furniture wouldn't have even made it here without them. 

Yep, one go. I left right after graduation (actually, I got my diploma, acted like I was sitting back down for the rest of the ceremony then stealthily snuck out ) which was at 7PM, so I drove all night and ended up getting here about noon on Saturday. I love long drives (especially at night!) and with enough caffeine to fuel the world I was okay. 

Also... here's Murphy! He's a bit sneezy so the shelter is keeping him for another couple of days to make sure he's healthy, but I should have him this weekend!

[ihatechoosingusernames]

14 hours ago, Neist said:

I am a podcast connoisseur.  I've listened to tens of thousands of them.

What sort of podcasts do you like?

That's a lot! I'm relatively new to podcasts. I started listening with the first season of Serial, and went from that to Undisclosed. I also listen to the TED Radio Hour, This American Life, Invisibilia, and The West Wing Weekly. I've loved all of those so far, but I think Serial and Invisibilia are my favorites. 

[hippyscientist]

58 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

The excitement will return I'm sure! I thought I'd have the same issue since my parents helped me move as well, and by the time they left I was ready for them to be gone (though I love them dearly), but you have no idea how useful it is to have someone else around to help! Even just small things like "hold the end of this table while I screw the legs in" or "stay here in case my landlord drops by while I go get groceries" make the move 100x easier. Yes, he may comment on the quality/cost of things you buy or the way you choose to do things, but even though I don't know your dad I'm sure he'll be thinking the whole time about how proud he is of you, so keep that in mind. And with all of the travelling adventures you've had, it might be fun to share them with him

I didn't feel excited to move before I did so... I was just sad to leave my old apartment as well as my friends/family/professors in Illinois. Getting in the car to leave was hard. I didn't get excited until I was about 12 hours into my 14-hour drive to New York. And if you were excited before, just wait until you touch down on the tarmac in the US!! 

See you'd think so right?? But no, he leaves a week before I move into my apartment so I have to do all that crap by myself anyway haha! I'll be right, just having a good vent to the internet. I'm pretty excited, although I was working out my time-frame today for the two weeks before classes start. 1 week is half taken up with mandatory international orientation, then the next I start my TA-ship. Literally zero time to sort out the stuff I want to sort out. Blinking mandatory orientation, I already want to skip it!

Sheesh, 14 hour drive. That's tough to do in one whack, I think the longest I did was 12 hours and I was starting to go a bit crazy by then. Cute cat, although I don't know why but he looks a bit like I'd imagine Sheldon Cooper to look if he was feline. 

My research actually worked today I managed to match my skeletons! Now to repeat that 30 times...I definitely don't have 60 days to do it in so I hope I get faster.

[Neist]

51 minutes ago, ihatechoosingusernames said:

That's a lot! I'm relatively new to podcasts. I started listening with the first season of Serial, and went from that to Undisclosed. I also listen to the TED Radio Hour, This American Life, Invisibilia, and The West Wing Weekly. I've loved all of those so far, but I think Serial and Invisibilia are my favorites. 

If you like the format of Serial, but you don't necessarily require that it's factual, I highly recommend Tanis, The Black Tapes, The Message, and Limetown. They are docudramas, like Serial, but they are fictional docudramas. I'm a huge fan of this emerging genre. If you want something non-fictional and possibly true crime or mystery related, you might look into Real Crime Profile, Criminal, Unresolved, Sword and Scale (fair warning with this one, it can be disturbing), and Astonishing Legends.

As for Invisibilia, that's a little bit more difficult. but you might look into Radio Lab, Mystery Show, The Specialist, The Memory Palace, 99% Invisible, Freakonomics, Lore (which is getting turned into a TV show, apparently), Imaginary Worlds, and a Life Well Wasted (this one hasn't been updated in ages, but the episodes are very good). There's aren't necessarily exactly like Invisibilia, but I think they tickle the same part of the brain.

Let me know if you want any other suggestions.  

[pterosaur]

@ihatechoosingusernames. My go-to podcasts are Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Planet Money, Freakonomics, You're The Expert, 99% Invisible, Hidden Brain (the most psych related), Radiolab, Startup, Reply All, and Surprisingly Awesome. Also, if you'd like something with a bit more plot, check out Welcome to Nightvale.

[vonham]

Just got word of funding for the first time! Apparently I'll be TAing next semester. A bit nervous about that, since I didn't expect to be TAing my first semester, but I'll take funding wherever it's given obviously. 

And I finally booked my flights! After buying round trip Israel --> NY tickets to visit my parents so many times, it was so weird getting a one way ticket. I'm stopping in NY to humor my parents for the weekend and then off to Tucson! I'm going to be so exhausted/jet-lagged! I really hope I manage to pack everything (literally my whole life) in 2 suitcases instead of 3; it'll really cut down on the cost. 

It's going to be a very long summer...I'm only really finishing my current degree about 2 weeks before I fly, so I'm on overdrive to get it all done. And then utilize those 2 weeks to wrap up my whole life, and say goodbye to my best friends, who're really more like family. 

[hippyscientist]

4 minutes ago, vonham said:

Just got word of funding for the first time! Apparently I'll be TAing next semester. A bit nervous about that, since I didn't expect to be TAing my first semester, but I'll take funding wherever it's given obviously. 

And I finally booked my flights! After buying round trip Israel --> NY tickets to visit my parents so many times, it was so weird getting a one way ticket. I'm stopping in NY to humor my parents for the weekend and then off to Tucson! I'm going to be so exhausted/jet-lagged! I really hope I manage to pack everything (literally my whole life) in 2 suitcases instead of 3; it'll really cut down on the cost. 

It's going to be a very long summer...I'm only really finishing my current degree about 2 weeks before I fly, so I'm on overdrive to get it all done. And then utilize those 2 weeks to wrap up my whole life, and say goodbye to my best friends, who're really more like family. 

I'm with you on the short turn around. It's a lot of pressure huh? It's really tough wrapping up a life, I have a few really needy friends who keep demanding to see me. I want to, but I also gotta finish my degree! 

2 suitcases? Yikes! Good luck - remember you can take 2 hand luggage bags too, and sometimes it's worth paying the oversized bag fee (less than an extra suitcase) to fit more in. Jetlag sucks! I get into NY about 7pm local time after 8 hrs flying, and then have to turn around and do a 5 hour drive. So I feel your pain and sympathise!! At least you'll get to see your parents

[vonham]

1 minute ago, hippyscientist said:

I'm with you on the short turn around. It's a lot of pressure huh? It's really tough wrapping up a life, I have a few really needy friends who keep demanding to see me. I want to, but I also gotta finish my degree! 

2 suitcases? Yikes! Good luck - remember you can take 2 hand luggage bags too, and sometimes it's worth paying the oversized bag fee (less than an extra suitcase) to fit more in. Jetlag sucks! I get into NY about 7pm local time after 8 hrs flying, and then have to turn around and do a 5 hour drive. So I feel your pain and sympathise!! At least you'll get to see your parents

Yeah definitely. When I moved here alone from NY I had just graduated high school and it wasn't tough for me at all because I had no friends, no life. So for me it was like going to start my life. I definitely have a life here, and people who are very dear to me, and it'll be tough to just up and leave. Thankfully my best friend is getting married before I leave, so it'll gather all the girls together. I think they're also planning a goodbye party for me before I leave. I told them from now that I will be too busy to plan goodbyes, so they should do it. 

With the suitcases I'm more concerned about weight, rather than space. I'm donating/giving/throwing out most of my clothes because they don't fit me and I didn't have much to begin with. I'm planning on doing major shopping when I get to the US since clothing is so expensive here. My main concern is that I have some books and ornamental pieces that are very dear to me and I absolutely have to take. Now that my brother moved back to Israel I can give him some stuff that I can personally part with but would rather stay in the family, but the rest I have to take. It's not big stuff, just heavy. And easily broken. 

The most baggage fees come from the domestic flight. I might just move only my clothes to Tucson, and leave the rest with my parents to pick up the next time I go visit them. That way I only have to pay for one suitcase domestically. 

The more I think about it the more stressed I get. Especially thinking about all the stuff I need to do when I get there like opening a bank account, and the worst; learning how to drive. I'm terrified of driving. I've never needed to learn before, but the time has come. 

[hippyscientist]

37 minutes ago, vonham said:

Yeah definitely. When I moved here alone from NY I had just graduated high school and it wasn't tough for me at all because I had no friends, no life. So for me it was like going to start my life. I definitely have a life here, and people who are very dear to me, and it'll be tough to just up and leave. Thankfully my best friend is getting married before I leave, so it'll gather all the girls together. I think they're also planning a goodbye party for me before I leave. I told them from now that I will be too busy to plan goodbyes, so they should do it. 

With the suitcases I'm more concerned about weight, rather than space. I'm donating/giving/throwing out most of my clothes because they don't fit me and I didn't have much to begin with. I'm planning on doing major shopping when I get to the US since clothing is so expensive here. My main concern is that I have some books and ornamental pieces that are very dear to me and I absolutely have to take. Now that my brother moved back to Israel I can give him some stuff that I can personally part with but would rather stay in the family, but the rest I have to take. It's not big stuff, just heavy. And easily broken. 

The most baggage fees come from the domestic flight. I might just move only my clothes to Tucson, and leave the rest with my parents to pick up the next time I go visit them. That way I only have to pay for one suitcase domestically. 

The more I think about it the more stressed I get. Especially thinking about all the stuff I need to do when I get there like opening a bank account, and the worst; learning how to drive. I'm terrified of driving. I've never needed to learn before, but the time has come. 

Oh I am so with you on all the stuff to do once getting to the US. I'm feeling really pushed for time in that aspect. I arrive literally the night before I have to start induction so there is no time. I need to go DMV, sort out a phone, buy furniture, check out my apartment, buy some respectable clothes for teaching in (I'm not sure I'll get away with sports bras and leggings...), sort out insurance, get my drivers license, buy a car etc. I just wanna get started haha.

Driving - you'll be fine! It's pretty straight forward, just remember the power at your finger/toe-tips and you'll be safe. Luckily the US has some of the easiest driving ever - roads are big and relatively empty (in comparison to some places in the world) and if you're not learning in rush hours you'll soon get the hang of it. I'm nervous about taking my driving test - I've got in some bad habits in the 7 years I've been driving legally and I really haven't a clue about stopping distances and stuff in feet. 

Regarding the packing stuff. Books and ornamental pieces - try to carry as much as you can in your carry on (ornamental more so than books). Luckily that you can leave stuff with your parents, they can deliver it to you when they come see you in Tucson? When I moved to Australia, I barely took anything - just the sentimental stuff and a few expensive electronics. It made life a lot easier. 

[Levon3]

5 hours ago, vonham said:

The more I think about it the more stressed I get. Especially thinking about all the stuff I need to do when I get there like opening a bank account, 

You can open a bank account before you get here. I did that on ally.com, then just changed my address once I had a US address. Online banks also tend to have lower fees.

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

4 hours ago, hippyscientist said:

Oh I am so with you on all the stuff to do once getting to the US. I'm feeling really pushed for time in that aspect. I arrive literally the night before I have to start induction so there is no time. I need to go DMV, sort out a phone, buy furniture, check out my apartment, buy some respectable clothes for teaching in (I'm not sure I'll get away with sports bras and leggings...), sort out insurance, get my drivers license, buy a car etc. I just wanna get started haha.

Driving - you'll be fine! It's pretty straight forward, just remember the power at your finger/toe-tips and you'll be safe. Luckily the US has some of the easiest driving ever - roads are big and relatively empty (in comparison to some places in the world) and if you're not learning in rush hours you'll soon get the hang of it. I'm nervous about taking my driving test - I've got in some bad habits in the 7 years I've been driving legally and I really haven't a clue about stopping distances and stuff in feet. 

Regarding the packing stuff. Books and ornamental pieces - try to carry as much as you can in your carry on (ornamental more so than books). Luckily that you can leave stuff with your parents, they can deliver it to you when they come see you in Tucson? When I moved to Australia, I barely took anything - just the sentimental stuff and a few expensive electronics. It made life a lot easier. 

Wow!! There really is no time for you. I know some of that stuff can be sorted out on weekends but not the DMV! And UGH, INSURANCE.

Regarding driving... I'm not sure what the process is for international students, but be sure to pick up a "Rules of the Road" book for whatever state you'll be in. Just memorize the statistics/numbers in there, that's exactly what's on the test. 

Frankly, a short turnaround was probably best, at least for me. A week ago I was just starting on my last exams, and now I've been here in Ithaca for 4 days. I left directly from graduation for New York, but I have a week here to get settled before I begin working on research. That's the way to do it, I think... no time to think about how nervous I am to move or how sad I am to say good-bye (because I thought I'd be an emotional wreck!), only time to do, not think. 

Also, on a side note, why are international students not allowed to be in the US (from what I understand) before August 1? Wouldn't they need the most time to get oriented and get things together?

[hippyscientist]

Just now, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

Wow!! There really is no time for you. I know some of that stuff can be sorted out on weekends but not the DMV! And UGH, INSURANCE.

Regarding driving... I'm not sure what the process is for international students, but be sure to pick up a "Rules of the Road" book for whatever state you'll be in. Just memorize the statistics/numbers in there, that's exactly what's on the test. 

Frankly, a short turnaround was probably best, at least for me. A week ago I was just starting on my last exams, and now I've been here in Ithaca for 4 days. I left directly from graduation for New York, but I have a week here to get settled before I begin working on research. That's the way to do it, I think... no time to think about how nervous I am to move or how sad I am to say good-bye (because I thought I'd be an emotional wreck!), only time to do, not think. 

Also, on a side note, why are international students not allowed to be in the US (from what I understand) before August 1? Wouldn't they need the most time to get oriented and get things together?

Haha I have the PA drivers license theory app on my phone - I keep taking the test and passing so I should be alright! I agree a quick turnaround is good - but maybe having a week would be nice! 

Intl students are allowed in no more than 30 days before the start date on their visa (which is the first day of classes). Unfortnately, my program requires me to be there 2 weeks before classes start, and so I could only enter the US 2 weeks before that (but I can't because still got to finish my MSc). I think it's something to do with funds - we're FULL-TIME students, therefore we have to be in school full-time, and a month is long enough to do all the stuff to organise ourselves without having to resort to illegal activity (I'm assuming this is their thinking). I don't know, it's frustrating, but a month would be amazing to have time to organize everything. 

Please don't talk to me about hte DMV. I'm not looking forward to that. 

Ugh also I've realised I've bastardized both US and UK english - I keep flipping between the two. This is not cool!!!! 

[Neist]

8 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Ugh also I've realised I've bastardized both US and UK english - I keep flipping between the two. This is not cool!!!! 

Eh, it's fine. Most people will care little if you add an extra 'u' here or there, or refer to 'z' as zed.  

Canadians share a lot of UK English practices, so it's not terribly uncommon, I think.

Edited May 11, 2016 by Neist

[hippyscientist]

1 minute ago, Neist said:

Eh, it's fine. Most people will care little if you add an extra 'u' here or there, or refer to 'z' as zed.  

Canadians share a lot of UK English practices, it's not terribly uncommon, I think.

Oh I'm not worried about being in the US and acting English it happens, but I'm concerned about writing my thesis because my laptop doesn't tell me it's wrong! Lots of search and replaces coming up in the next few weeks I envisage.

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

13 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Haha I have the PA drivers license theory app on my phone - I keep taking the test and passing so I should be alright! I agree a quick turnaround is good - but maybe having a week would be nice! 

Intl students are allowed in no more than 30 days before the start date on their visa (which is the first day of classes). Unfortnately, my program requires me to be there 2 weeks before classes start, and so I could only enter the US 2 weeks before that (but I can't because still got to finish my MSc). I think it's something to do with funds - we're FULL-TIME students, therefore we have to be in school full-time, and a month is long enough to do all the stuff to organise ourselves without having to resort to illegal activity (I'm assuming this is their thinking). I don't know, it's frustrating, but a month would be amazing to have time to organize everything. 

Please don't talk to me about hte DMV. I'm not looking forward to that. 

Ugh also I've realised I've bastardized both US and UK english - I keep flipping between the two. This is not cool!!!! 

If it makes you feel better, I went to the DMV a couple of days ago and they were actually helpful, and no lines. So sometimes you get lucky!!

You can't change the dictionary on your computer to use a US dictionary? I'm not sure, but there has to be a way!!

[hippyscientist]

Just now, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

If it makes you feel better, I went to the DMV a couple of days ago and they were actually helpful, and no lines. So sometimes you get lucky!!

You can't change the dictionary on your computer to use a US dictionary? I'm not sure, but there has to be a way!!

It's kinda absorbed both as correct. I give up lol. Ooohhh, helpful and no lines? What is this sorcery?! I literally need to turn up, take the theory test, take the practical test, get my license and go. That's it. No faffing. But it's the DMV so faffing will be involved. My familly are starting to take bets on how many times I'll have to go back and forth to the blinking centre! 

I just bought Bakewell Tarts. There is a reason my cut isn't working. But sugary, tasty deliciousness. 

[Neist]

8 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

It's kinda absorbed both as correct. I give up lol. Ooohhh, helpful and no lines? What is this sorcery?! I literally need to turn up, take the theory test, take the practical test, get my license and go. That's it. No faffing. But it's the DMV so faffing will be involved. My familly are starting to take bets on how many times I'll have to go back and forth to the blinking centre! 

I just bought Bakewell Tarts. There is a reason my cut isn't working. But sugary, tasty deliciousness. 

What day of the week will you show up? DMV busy-ness varies greatly by city, but I'd avoid any DMV on Saturday, if possible. 

Besides, State College isn't too huge. It might not be very crowded. I find DMVs (at least in the US) to be similar Post Offices, the bigger the city, the more unpleasant they become.