(no subject)
This was written a week ago, on 4/10.
I have had an insanely wonderful and miserable weekend. How else can I put it? As of a few weeks ago, I have heard from all of the grad schools I applied to, and the top three BIG CONTENDERS are Washington University in St. Louis, UPENN, and Columbia. Because I am so undecided, I got extensions from the schools, but even so I have to tell Columbia yes or no in FIVE days.
Over Spring Break, my dad and I visited Wash. U. Everything that school did for me was outstanding on the very limited 5 hours I was there. I just don't know if I can see myself there. The campus is beautiful, the students, faculty and staff are great, but St. Louis? I did not get a chance to see the city, nor have I ever, so that is one aspects I am unsure of.
This Thursday, I flew into Philadelphia to visit UPENN, this time with an even shorter schedule. I met my mom and my friend Steph who goes to Delaware, and we went to get Indian food and talked openly about Stehpanie's sexuality, which was great. Steph drove home and Mom and I got up bright and early the next day to check out Penn. I immediately loved the campus, and University City is a cool area. The staff was unorganized and did not seem prepared for me, though, so I got a bad feeling. My mom and I rushed to the train station in Philly to catch our ride to NYC.
I was having one of the WORST periods of my life, and as soon as we got into Penn Station in NYC, I threw up for quite awhile in the bathroom. One of those weird beginning-of-the-period symptoms. Finally, I got myself together, knowing that now we would be late to Columbia. On the metro to the second campus in just a few hours, my mom and I each had one headphone in one of our ears. We listened to classic Elton John, Donovan, and Cat Stevens until we arrived at the 116th Street station.
Of course, we had both forgotten how beautiful Columbia is, and there was a really cool international festival going on in front of the library, too! Even cooler. We made our way to the school of social work, where we met with an Admissions rep and a financial aid adviser. Then, we got to tour the building. OH MY LORD. The facilites were so outstanding compared to Wash U and Penn. My mom and I were grinning, looking at the student-run caucuses for different social issues, hearing about student activities. We had to leave to meet Rob after 2 hours with the woman from admissions. Well, Rob ended up not being ready, so my mom and I got kind of tipsy at a bar and made lots of friends. Walking back across campus, with my mom and I sharing slightly off-balanced footing, I felt very content.
I really just felt like writing about my visits to schools...but I will also say a few words about the rest of the weekend. The whole family (sibs and parents and I) went out to Burmese food in the East Village. Oh my lordy. It was tasty. We stayed at my sister's place in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where my dad and I stayed up late watching Six Feet Under.
The next day was a major bust: 38 degrees, rained-out Mets game, I hadn't slept much and had cramps from hell. I started to get really emotional thinking about my grad school decision and started to cry while we were leaving the brunch restaurant. After sulking for awhile riding around on the train in Queens (since we had nothing better to do), I realized I was actually having fun. We stopped at the end of the line in Little Taiwan and got some delicious almond tea. By that time, my family members from Jersey who had planned to see the Mets had arrived in the city, just finding out about the cancellation. So, we went back over to Manhattan and met up with the fam at the fabulous New York Public Library. We walked around and talked there for hours, just to stay dry and warm. Then, we walked around Times Square and said our goodbyes. My parents left for my Aunt and Uncle's house, and Kristen and I headed back to Park Slope.
Walking around Park Slope. Ordering pizza. Mini Cadbury Eggs. "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "The Squid and the Whale." Napping at 7:30 p.m. only to wake up again and watch more t.v. Picking K's new headshots. Playing with Mia the Cat. We had FUN. We went to Brunch at Dizzy's the next morning, and I got to see more of the neighborhood. It was a beautiful long walk. By the time I had to get in the car, I realized how badly I didn't want to leave. This gave me hope that maybe I COULD get used to the city life. How strange that I actually liked the pace, the crowded streets and loud, smelly subway stations.
Today
Since that weekend, I have decided to go to Columbia. I graduate in THIRTY TWO DAYS! I can't wait! :-)
I have had an insanely wonderful and miserable weekend. How else can I put it? As of a few weeks ago, I have heard from all of the grad schools I applied to, and the top three BIG CONTENDERS are Washington University in St. Louis, UPENN, and Columbia. Because I am so undecided, I got extensions from the schools, but even so I have to tell Columbia yes or no in FIVE days.
Over Spring Break, my dad and I visited Wash. U. Everything that school did for me was outstanding on the very limited 5 hours I was there. I just don't know if I can see myself there. The campus is beautiful, the students, faculty and staff are great, but St. Louis? I did not get a chance to see the city, nor have I ever, so that is one aspects I am unsure of.
This Thursday, I flew into Philadelphia to visit UPENN, this time with an even shorter schedule. I met my mom and my friend Steph who goes to Delaware, and we went to get Indian food and talked openly about Stehpanie's sexuality, which was great. Steph drove home and Mom and I got up bright and early the next day to check out Penn. I immediately loved the campus, and University City is a cool area. The staff was unorganized and did not seem prepared for me, though, so I got a bad feeling. My mom and I rushed to the train station in Philly to catch our ride to NYC.
I was having one of the WORST periods of my life, and as soon as we got into Penn Station in NYC, I threw up for quite awhile in the bathroom. One of those weird beginning-of-the-period symptoms. Finally, I got myself together, knowing that now we would be late to Columbia. On the metro to the second campus in just a few hours, my mom and I each had one headphone in one of our ears. We listened to classic Elton John, Donovan, and Cat Stevens until we arrived at the 116th Street station.
Of course, we had both forgotten how beautiful Columbia is, and there was a really cool international festival going on in front of the library, too! Even cooler. We made our way to the school of social work, where we met with an Admissions rep and a financial aid adviser. Then, we got to tour the building. OH MY LORD. The facilites were so outstanding compared to Wash U and Penn. My mom and I were grinning, looking at the student-run caucuses for different social issues, hearing about student activities. We had to leave to meet Rob after 2 hours with the woman from admissions. Well, Rob ended up not being ready, so my mom and I got kind of tipsy at a bar and made lots of friends. Walking back across campus, with my mom and I sharing slightly off-balanced footing, I felt very content.
I really just felt like writing about my visits to schools...but I will also say a few words about the rest of the weekend. The whole family (sibs and parents and I) went out to Burmese food in the East Village. Oh my lordy. It was tasty. We stayed at my sister's place in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where my dad and I stayed up late watching Six Feet Under.
The next day was a major bust: 38 degrees, rained-out Mets game, I hadn't slept much and had cramps from hell. I started to get really emotional thinking about my grad school decision and started to cry while we were leaving the brunch restaurant. After sulking for awhile riding around on the train in Queens (since we had nothing better to do), I realized I was actually having fun. We stopped at the end of the line in Little Taiwan and got some delicious almond tea. By that time, my family members from Jersey who had planned to see the Mets had arrived in the city, just finding out about the cancellation. So, we went back over to Manhattan and met up with the fam at the fabulous New York Public Library. We walked around and talked there for hours, just to stay dry and warm. Then, we walked around Times Square and said our goodbyes. My parents left for my Aunt and Uncle's house, and Kristen and I headed back to Park Slope.
Walking around Park Slope. Ordering pizza. Mini Cadbury Eggs. "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "The Squid and the Whale." Napping at 7:30 p.m. only to wake up again and watch more t.v. Picking K's new headshots. Playing with Mia the Cat. We had FUN. We went to Brunch at Dizzy's the next morning, and I got to see more of the neighborhood. It was a beautiful long walk. By the time I had to get in the car, I realized how badly I didn't want to leave. This gave me hope that maybe I COULD get used to the city life. How strange that I actually liked the pace, the crowded streets and loud, smelly subway stations.
Today
Since that weekend, I have decided to go to Columbia. I graduate in THIRTY TWO DAYS! I can't wait! :-)