Scratch that, reverse it....
Ah, sweet mysteries of life. Since my last post barely a week and a couple of days ago, situations have been completely altered, in a favorable sense, though it has been a bit hectic. Syracuse called on Friday, telling me that for unknown reasons (someone else dropped out? Massive donation? A moose fatally bit someone ahead of me?), they *were* able to offer me a teaching assistantship after all. Stipend is $12,490 (no cents), plus tuition for 24 credit hours per school year (though the apportionment is a bit odd), expected to teach 20 hours (time hours, not credits) per week (freshman comp, mostly).
Thus, hastening off to Syracuse in the morning (7:20 am). Or rather to Albany, since Southwest Airlines won't go directly to Syracuse, *then* drive rented car. There to look at campus and discuss things in person with the coordinator and anyone else who might for some reason actually be lingering post graduation, and most importantly, look for housing, which could be tricky, but I'm optimistic. (If absoultely *nothing* can be found, then it's back to applying and waiting all over again, as far as funding goes).
Downsides include adjustment to severe climate/culture change, cancellation of Comic-Con for this year, the fact that this limits my time in El Paso more than expected (have to cram in moments amidst planning and packing to watch old movies with Dad, catch up with my very few friends in town, time to transfer everything to Gmail account from bally AOL, etc.) Thus, I consumed Chico's Tacos today, and relished the cheap yet intriguingly irresistable sauce while I still can!
Plus sides: new opportunities, chance to see an entirely different part of the country, finally getting out of parents house (which also has financial upside, but though I love them, it'll be nice to get out), possibility of obtaining passport and going to Toronto either for animation festivals or to see m00se and wolverines, and the relative close access, via Greyhound, to NYC, and thus such enticements as the John Canemaker Collection at the Tisch School of the Arts Library, Broadway shows, public muggings (allegedly), and fresh bagel places.
So, we shall see what we shall see! More details as they arrive, and/or when we return!
(Also, for the record, please send all e-mail to blandings5@despammed.com, *or* blandings5@gmail.com, *not* to the AOL address, as I hope to finally be free from its grasping, writhing, covetous clutches which hitherto threatened to extend to the crack of doom).
Thus, hastening off to Syracuse in the morning (7:20 am). Or rather to Albany, since Southwest Airlines won't go directly to Syracuse, *then* drive rented car. There to look at campus and discuss things in person with the coordinator and anyone else who might for some reason actually be lingering post graduation, and most importantly, look for housing, which could be tricky, but I'm optimistic. (If absoultely *nothing* can be found, then it's back to applying and waiting all over again, as far as funding goes).
Downsides include adjustment to severe climate/culture change, cancellation of Comic-Con for this year, the fact that this limits my time in El Paso more than expected (have to cram in moments amidst planning and packing to watch old movies with Dad, catch up with my very few friends in town, time to transfer everything to Gmail account from bally AOL, etc.) Thus, I consumed Chico's Tacos today, and relished the cheap yet intriguingly irresistable sauce while I still can!
Plus sides: new opportunities, chance to see an entirely different part of the country, finally getting out of parents house (which also has financial upside, but though I love them, it'll be nice to get out), possibility of obtaining passport and going to Toronto either for animation festivals or to see m00se and wolverines, and the relative close access, via Greyhound, to NYC, and thus such enticements as the John Canemaker Collection at the Tisch School of the Arts Library, Broadway shows, public muggings (allegedly), and fresh bagel places.
So, we shall see what we shall see! More details as they arrive, and/or when we return!
(Also, for the record, please send all e-mail to blandings5@despammed.com, *or* blandings5@gmail.com, *not* to the AOL address, as I hope to finally be free from its grasping, writhing, covetous clutches which hitherto threatened to extend to the crack of doom).