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

[sjoh197]

7 minutes ago, Neist said:

@sjoh197, I'm cool with spiders, as long as they aren't the "I'm gonna knife you!" sort of spiders. My dad nearly lost a leg to a brown recluse.

In other news, the letter for the assistantship was addressed to me in error. Womp womp! They offered to match the 12-month appointment as they've already produced the offer in error, but I'm not going to hold it against them, so I've declined and will settle for the TA'ship that I originally suspected. Annoying, yes, but I'm not going to strap an already financially strapped department.

My gut told me it was a mistake, and it was.  I have no hard feelings.

That really sucks... But at least they were good enough to offer a match rather than just say... "Our mistake" and drop it.

[Neist]

18 minutes ago, sjoh197 said:

That really sucks... But at least they were good enough to offer a match rather than just say... "Our mistake" and drop it.

Yup!

To be honest, I'm not as disappointed as I would have imagined. As I stated, I suspected it was incorrect, and besides, I know that I do good work when left to my own devices. They're a million and a half projects I want to complete between now and the end of next summer, and the GA-ship would have taken more time than a TA-ship. Neither situation was completely unattractive.

Back to cleaning my desk space and organizing my bedroom.  

[hippyscientist]

11 minutes ago, Neist said:

Yup!

To be honest, I'm not as disappointed as I would have imagined. As I stated, I suspected it was incorrect, and besides, I know that I do good work when left to my own devices. They're a million and a half projects I want to complete between now and the end of next summer, and the GA-ship would have taken more time than a TA-ship. Neither situation was completely unattractive.

Back to cleaning my desk space and organizing my bedroom.  

Gosh you're so much calmer than I would have been! Colo(u)r me impressed. That's really good of the university to offer to match their mistake though. 

I just read a really interesting article on The Atlantic over the shifting atmosphere on US college campuses, it's got me thinking I might just need duct tape over my mouth the next few years to not put my foot in it! 

[fernandes]

Hey @hippyscientist, how it is going? Did you also get your visa with an expiration date before your program end date? I'm a little confused about this...

Edited May 29, 2016 by fernandes

[Neist]

8 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Gosh you're so much calmer than I would have been! Colo(u)r me impressed. That's really good of the university to offer to match their mistake though. 

I just read a really interesting article on The Atlantic over the shifting atmosphere on US college campuses, it's got me thinking I might just need duct tape over my mouth the next few years to not put my foot in it! 

 

I have many displeasing attributes. My wife will readily testify to that.  However, I do have a few traits that I will coyly boast: I'm honest to a fault, I'm patient, and I greatly value integrity, both for myself and in others. 

I know that it was a mistake, and I know that people are probably pretty embarrassed by it. We all make mistakes, and I'm not going to begin punishing others for theirs, especially when they were made without malice or ill intent.

[hippyscientist]

12 minutes ago, fernandes said:

Hey @hippyscientist, how it is going? Did you also get your visa with an expiration date before your program end date? I'm a little confused about this...

Hiya! My visa is a 5 year one from the date of issue so I don't have the same problem you appear to. However, my understanding is the visa is valid for the duration of your program provided you maintain full time status. It may be a case of just applying for an extension of you haven't finished by the date on your visa. Might be worth a chat with your university's international office to double check though. 

@Neist that's a pretty cool outlook regardless ☺️

[fernandes]

2 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Hiya! My visa is a 5 year one from the date of issue so I don't have the same problem you appear to. However, my understanding is the visa is valid for the duration of your program provided you maintain full time status. It may be a case of just applying for an extension of you haven't finished by the date on your visa. Might be worth a chat with your university's international office to double check though. 

 

Thanks for the reply, mate. Yes, I will double check with the office of international students. I hope that I don't need to pay more fees to extend my visa in the future.

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

@sjoh197 I know, I normally don't kill spiders or bugs. I just scooch them onto a sheet of paper or something and put them outside. I tried to put that guy under a huge Tupperware container or garbage can and then do the same, but he just moved too fast and jumped really high. I'm sorry, but having a wolf spider that large when I have a small kitten is just too dangerous, and given the choice of spider vs. kitten, the decision was obvious. Wolf spiders are venomous, so I wasn't taking the chance.

 

@Neist Nooooo!!!! That's really rough... I would be furious, and like others have said,, you're being amazingly calm about it!

[Cat_Robutt]

@Neist I'm so sorry that happened, and your outlook on the whole situation is amazing...that kind of emotional self-awareness is brilliant. How did you get to be where you are today in that regard, if I may ask?

[sjoh197]

4 minutes ago, Cat_Robutt said:

@Neist I'm so sorry that happened, and your outlook on the whole situation is amazing...that kind of emotional self-awareness is brilliant. How did you get to be where you are today in that regard, if I may ask?

Having kids and being poor are usually the 2 fastest ways to get there lol.

[Cat_Robutt]

Just now, sjoh197 said:

Having kids and being poor are usually the 2 fastest ways to get there lol.

I could see that....and yet, there are so many adults who have a myriad of responsibilities and yet cannot seem to handle difficult situations with a sense of poise/purpose. There are definitely times to get upset when appropriate, and also times to remain calm when appropriate; I've met many who can't seem to navigate that. Having taught interpersonal communication, I love hearing people's stories about how they have come to communicate in the manner they do––are there situational similarities? Familial or cultural similarities? Or is emotional awareness and maturity seemingly random? Is it adversity or age? And so on...there are infinite stories and styles about one's own communication and how it changes.

[sjoh197]

12 minutes ago, Cat_Robutt said:

I could see that....and yet, there are so many adults who have a myriad of responsibilities and yet cannot seem to handle difficult situations with a sense of poise/purpose. There are definitely times to get upset when appropriate, and also times to remain calm when appropriate; I've met many who can't seem to navigate that. Having taught interpersonal communication, I love hearing people's stories about how they have come to communicate in the manner they do––are there situational similarities? Familial or cultural similarities? Or is emotional awareness and maturity seemingly random? Is it adversity or age? And so on...there are infinite stories and styles about one's own communication and how it changes.

True... There are many paths in life, and many will not reach any form of poise or self control.

All someone has to do is make popcorn and I lose all self control.

[Neist]

28 minutes ago, Cat_Robutt said:

@Neist I'm so sorry that happened, and your outlook on the whole situation is amazing...that kind of emotional self-awareness is brilliant. How did you get to be where you are today in that regard, if I may ask?

 

Much of my childhood was incredibly emotionally draining. If I hadn't become comfortable with myself and resilient of obstacles, I probably would have suffered a moderate mental break. I'm also somewhat of an optimist.  

23 minutes ago, sjoh197 said:

Having kids and being poor are usually the 2 fastest ways to get there lol.

Haha! That definitely helps! As far as I'm concerned, any funding from any graduate funding is a golden paved road of dreams.  

Thanks for the kind words everyone! 

[sjoh197]

21 minutes ago, Neist said:

Much of my childhood was incredibly emotionally draining. If I hadn't become comfortable with myself and resilient of obstacles, I probably would have suffered a moderate mental break. I'm also somewhat of an optimist.  

Haha! That definitely helps! As far as I'm concerned, any funding from any graduate funding is a golden paved road of dreams.  

Thanks for the kind words everyone! 

I jumped around like a cat who just got bacon for breakfast when I got a TA offer. Any funding is a step towards my ultimate goal and I have no qualms putting in the time and work required to be a TA if it means that I get to fulfill my life and academic goals.

Edited May 29, 2016 by sjoh197

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

@Neist I do wish that I could have your, as Cat said, poise and purpose. Had I gotten an e-mail saying that it was a mistake, I would've been incredibly passive aggressive about it and complained to anyone who would listen. You are the person that I strive to be.

Also, this is a weird question... but has anyone considered joining the Peace Corps after getting their PhD?

[Neist]

5 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

@Neist I do wish that I could have your, as Cat said, poise and purpose. Had I gotten an e-mail saying that it was a mistake, I would've been incredibly passive aggressive about it and complained to anyone who would listen. You are the person that I strive to be.

Also, this is a weird question... but has anyone considered joining the Peace Corps after getting their PhD?

 

Thanks!  I'm flattered!

And I had, yes, but wife and kid make that impossible, or close to it. I'd seriously consider it if I was single.

[Need Coffee in an IV]

I could never be a buddhist since I kill all the bugs and spiders. My rule is if you enter my apartment, you die. I have too much stuff and I've decided that I will be an uncluttered person from now on. Or at least until we are done moving! I just finished binge watching gilmore girls and now ready for the revival!

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

Just now, Need Coffee in an IV said:

I could never be a buddhist since I kill all the bugs and spiders. My rule is if you enter my apartment, you die. I have too much stuff and I've decided that I will be an uncluttered person from now on. Or at least until we are done moving! I just finished binge watching gilmore girls and now ready for the revival!

YESSSSS I'm so excited for the revival!

[Need Coffee in an IV]

Just now, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

YESSSSS I'm so excited for the revival!

Me too!! I'm nervous/excited, I hope its good. I'm not sad that sookie won't be in it. I never really liked her character that much. Please don't throw your apartment spiders at me!

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

2 hours ago, Need Coffee in an IV said:

Me too!! I'm nervous/excited, I hope its good. I'm not sad that sookie won't be in it. I never really liked her character that much. Please don't throw your apartment spiders at me!

No apartment spiders coming your way. I didn't really care for Sookie either, I found her character a bit annoying. To be honest if they would've just cast Lorelai, Rory, and Luke, that would've been sufficient for me

[Need Coffee in an IV]

1 minute ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

No apartment spiders coming your way. I didn't really care for Sookie either, I found her character a bit annoying. To be honest if they would've just cast Lorelai, Rory, and Luke, that would've been sufficient for me

Its like that person you know and they haven't done anything "wrong" but their personality is like scratching Styrofoam. Michele is my favorite side character along with Jess. So I'm happy with the cast thats returning! I'm sad about the actor who played richard, he was so great.

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

2 minutes ago, Need Coffee in an IV said:

Its like that person you know and they haven't done anything "wrong" but their personality is like scratching Styrofoam. Michele is my favorite side character along with Jess. So I'm happy with the cast thats returning! I'm sad about the actor who played richard, he was so great.

I FORGOT ABOUT MICHELE. HE IS ALSO MY FAVORITE. I can't wait to hear his sarcastic comments again... and Jess was pretty great too although kind of an asswipe at first. And I forgot about that actor dying, it really is a shame.

[Need Coffee in an IV]

1 minute ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

I FORGOT ABOUT MICHELE. HE IS ALSO MY FAVORITE. I can't wait to hear his sarcastic comments again... and Jess was pretty great too although kind of an asswipe at first. And I forgot about that actor dying, it really is a shame.

ISN"T HE THE BEST?! I would make him be my best friend . Honestly all of Rory's boyfriends suck, Jess just sucked the least as he got older. Yeah I actually cried a little when I heard the news, my boyfriend looked at me like I was crazy. I'm expecting my ugly cry face to appear when we finally get to see the revival.

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

4 minutes ago, Need Coffee in an IV said:

ISN"T HE THE BEST?! I would make him be my best friend . Honestly all of Rory's boyfriends suck, Jess just sucked the least as he got older. Yeah I actually cried a little when I heard the news, my boyfriend looked at me like I was crazy. I'm expecting my ugly cry face to appear when we finally get to see the revival.

Yeah, and honestly I liked Jess more than... didn't she date someone who was less of an asshole? I don't remember. Jess was a good guy deep down though. What are your feelings about Paris? I kind of loved her towards the end, she's hilarious  

[Need Coffee in an IV]

3 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

Yeah, and honestly I liked Jess more than... didn't she date someone who was less of an asshole? I don't remember. Jess was a good guy deep down though. What are your feelings about Paris? I kind of loved her towards the end, she's hilarious  

Paris is my spirit animal . I could only hang out with her in small doses, emotional intensity kinda drains me lol. Dean and his stupid floppy hair were my least favorite. I liked Marty but the writers ruined him.