In the past few weeks there have been some seriously good things that have been happening here in Morgantown.
· I got a job!: After waiting for several weeks to hear whether or not I’d gotten a job at the university with one of my professors, I finally found out that I was totally unqualified. However, my professor, who bears an amazing resemblance to Santa Claus (seriously), offered me a job as a graduate research assistant on a state health project. Apparently I’ll be writing a small part of the state’s burden report on cardiovascular health (a burden report basically uses epidemiological information from different data sources to describe how a particular disease/condition affects the health of a state). The best part is I get free tuition and a stipend for the semester. Hallelujah!
·We got a kitty!: Some of you who are on Facebook may have read my little rant a couple of weeks ago about how someone had abandoned the cutest, sweetest little gray kitty in our apartment complex. I was really upset because this cute little kitty, whom we had made little kitty friends with, was howling and crying outside our door to be let in during a really ugly wind and sleet storm about to weeks ago. I’m a huge sucker for cats, and it was unbearable to listen to her cry. So we adopted her (it wasn’t quite that easy—I had to wear Scientist down). We found out yesterday that she’s a) indeed a girl, b) not spayed c) never had kittens and, to our surprise, d) more than 4 years old (Scientist, myself and the vet all thought for sure she was a lot younger than that). We’ve named her Sophie and we’re getting her fixed ASAP.
·We hired a wedding planner!: Next semester is going to be damn busy given that I’m taking nearly as many hours as I did this semester, plus I have a job and a fiancé I would like to see every so often. So, I bit the bullet and hired a wedding planner. I feel kind of silly doing so given that we’re only having about 75 people attend the ceremony, but I just don’t want to deal with being out of town and trying to plan everything.
· Some asshole hit our car!: Okay, this isn’t exactly great news, but I thought I should include it in the list of exciting things that have happened lately. Some shithead hit our car and cause $2100 worth of damage to the bumper and rear left door. Lovely. It happened in our parking lot, during the day and, no, they didn’t leave a note. I’m sure it was someone who lives in the parking complex though.
·I will be home from December 16th until December 30th. If anyone is interested in hanging out, let me know.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Pre-Thanksgiving blues
This past month has brought new meaning to the word "busy". I am mentally and psychologically fried due to the tremendous amount of homework, tests and reading I've had to complete over the past few weeks.
At least I'm learning a lot and doing well in my classes, although I've discovered that there are stupid graduate students here in West Virginia too. I get so incredibly frustrated with fellow grad students who do things like chew gum while giving a presentation or refuse to do their part in group projects that make people. I recently had to play the part of 'group nag' by forcing other members of a group project to actually do their part of presentation.
Thus is life in graduate school, I guess. I'm actually going to take some time off and hang with my mom this week. She's flying into Pittsburgh this Saturday and we're going to find some (hopefully) good shopping, food and cultural things to do over the weekend there and then head down to Morgantown for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, due to the irresponsiblity of my fellow group members in the aforementioned group project, I will not complete all my work before Thanksgiving break so I'll have to spend some time writing a paper for my public policy class.
At least, my beloved Project Runway is on tonight. Long live Tim Gunn.
At least I'm learning a lot and doing well in my classes, although I've discovered that there are stupid graduate students here in West Virginia too. I get so incredibly frustrated with fellow grad students who do things like chew gum while giving a presentation or refuse to do their part in group projects that make people. I recently had to play the part of 'group nag' by forcing other members of a group project to actually do their part of presentation.
Thus is life in graduate school, I guess. I'm actually going to take some time off and hang with my mom this week. She's flying into Pittsburgh this Saturday and we're going to find some (hopefully) good shopping, food and cultural things to do over the weekend there and then head down to Morgantown for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, due to the irresponsiblity of my fellow group members in the aforementioned group project, I will not complete all my work before Thanksgiving break so I'll have to spend some time writing a paper for my public policy class.
At least, my beloved Project Runway is on tonight. Long live Tim Gunn.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
I Asked for It
Sometimes, when I'm in class, I almost get a rush. I love virtually everything about what I'm studying here in West Virginia (except statistics). For example, right now I'm taking a class in health policy and the health care system, and other than it further confirming the fact that the scariest thing about the state of health care right now isn't that no one really knows what to do to fix it (which is true) but rather that all anyone is willing to do is fight about what to do, I feel like I'm actually getting something out of my classes. I feel like I'm actually starting to see the bigger picture of how health is as much a reflection of who we are (i.e. our lifestyle) as it is the environment we live in. I know this makes me a giant nerd--which I'm totally okay with--but I like getting excited about my classes.
Unfortunately, though, right now I'm not feeling as excited about class as I am rather overwhelmed. I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks which really sucks. Mainly because all I really want to do right now is a) go to Pittsburgh and shop and b) hike.
Unfortunately, though, right now I'm not feeling as excited about class as I am rather overwhelmed. I have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks which really sucks. Mainly because all I really want to do right now is a) go to Pittsburgh and shop and b) hike.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Knoxville
I'm heading to Knoxville for a wedding this weekend. Scientist and I will be literally minutes from Smoky Mountain National Park and the 1600 black bears that supposedly live there. Maybe I'll get mauled by a bear for my thirty-first birthday, wouldn't that be cool?
Speaking of being old, I will officially be in my thirties come Monday, September 24th.
Speaking of being old, I will officially be in my thirties come Monday, September 24th.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Yuck
I just re-read the last entry I posted a few days ago and wanted to apologize for all the terrible typos and generally awful writing involved with it. I have fixed the numerous mistakes I made, and now it is much easier to read. I apologize for any pain it may have caused.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Our Arrival
Because yesterday marked our one month "anniversary" in Morgantown, and I still have yet to publish anything about it, I'll refrain from a blow by blow rehashing of our fourteen hour plus trip. Instead I'll just hit on the highlights, along with the things we learned on the way:
1. As I mentioned before I was sick when we left CR. Then, I was still sick for a week and a half after we arrived. It sucked. A lot.
2. It is really expensive to move...
3....But buying new stuff if you (kind of) have the money is fun!
4. I found out that my application sat on someone's desk for two fucking weeks because this certain someone had a "sick" child. This person was not apologetic at all and made up a bunch of excuses and then had the gall to LIE to me about when I would find out about my acceptance just so I would leave her alone. Nevermind that I didn't find out that I'd been accepted until a day before classes started and it screwed up my financial aid, or that I still have no idea how to get an ID or, say, insurance.
5. Scientist got to see me honestly and truly flip out and start yelling upon this happening. He said it scared him and he considered hiding under the bed in hotel we were staying in when it happened.
6. I felt a little ashamed of myself for getting so angry. But, hello! Who doesn't ask their colleagues to take over for them if they are going to be out for a week. And besides, this person said they'd been "in and out" of the office all week, not that they'd been absent completely. Thus, they were just being plain old lazy and dodging any accountability whatsoever.
7. Morgantown is beautiful!
8. Morgantownians are super super nice.
9. The undergraduate population at U of Iowa is way cuter than the undergrad pop here. Sorry, but it's true.
10. The School of Public Health at West Virginia is much higher quality than the one at Iowa. It pains me to say that because I love Iowa so much, but, again, it is absolutely true.
11. Professors actually want to train their students to become knowledgeable, thoughtful practitioners of public health, not just promote their own research agenda or advance their career.
12. A professor actually told me that they wanted to mold their program into a research based program exactly like the one at Iowa.
13. I found out that the person who said that they had a sick kid and thus ended up totally delaying my acceptance (which led to me almost being fined $40 because my financial aid application was accepted super late and I barely paid my tuition on time) gave at least two other people the same song and dance two different semesters when they were in the process of applying. Apparently this person lies to everyone! Isn't that comforting. I guess incompetent people keep their jobs everywhere.
13. We got a new couch and chaise! They're cinnamon red.
14. Better yet, we got a washer and dryer. The best inventions ever.
15. We went to Pittsburgh.
16. We went to D.C.
That pretty much sums up everything that has happened since mid August.
1. As I mentioned before I was sick when we left CR. Then, I was still sick for a week and a half after we arrived. It sucked. A lot.
2. It is really expensive to move...
3....But buying new stuff if you (kind of) have the money is fun!
4. I found out that my application sat on someone's desk for two fucking weeks because this certain someone had a "sick" child. This person was not apologetic at all and made up a bunch of excuses and then had the gall to LIE to me about when I would find out about my acceptance just so I would leave her alone. Nevermind that I didn't find out that I'd been accepted until a day before classes started and it screwed up my financial aid, or that I still have no idea how to get an ID or, say, insurance.
5. Scientist got to see me honestly and truly flip out and start yelling upon this happening. He said it scared him and he considered hiding under the bed in hotel we were staying in when it happened.
6. I felt a little ashamed of myself for getting so angry. But, hello! Who doesn't ask their colleagues to take over for them if they are going to be out for a week. And besides, this person said they'd been "in and out" of the office all week, not that they'd been absent completely. Thus, they were just being plain old lazy and dodging any accountability whatsoever.
7. Morgantown is beautiful!
8. Morgantownians are super super nice.
9. The undergraduate population at U of Iowa is way cuter than the undergrad pop here. Sorry, but it's true.
10. The School of Public Health at West Virginia is much higher quality than the one at Iowa. It pains me to say that because I love Iowa so much, but, again, it is absolutely true.
11. Professors actually want to train their students to become knowledgeable, thoughtful practitioners of public health, not just promote their own research agenda or advance their career.
12. A professor actually told me that they wanted to mold their program into a research based program exactly like the one at Iowa.
13. I found out that the person who said that they had a sick kid and thus ended up totally delaying my acceptance (which led to me almost being fined $40 because my financial aid application was accepted super late and I barely paid my tuition on time) gave at least two other people the same song and dance two different semesters when they were in the process of applying. Apparently this person lies to everyone! Isn't that comforting. I guess incompetent people keep their jobs everywhere.
13. We got a new couch and chaise! They're cinnamon red.
14. Better yet, we got a washer and dryer. The best inventions ever.
15. We went to Pittsburgh.
16. We went to D.C.
That pretty much sums up everything that has happened since mid August.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Touring
About a week before Scientist and I left on our farewell tour, a friend of mine commented on how "romantic" it was of Scientist and I to drop everything and move to West Virginia with nothing. While, on one hand, I totally agree with her--there is something romantic about giving up most material possessions and leaving all family and friends behind all in the name of "love"-- the older I get (I'll be 31 in almost exactly a month) the more I think its just crazy. That and I'm not really a romantic as much as I am sarcastic and cynical. Romantics and idealists usually become hard, bitter people once they've been around the block a few times, so I just skipped my idealistic stage and went straight on to being skeptical of everything.
But I digress.
Once we had all our stuff for our initial trip to Missouri packed up and ready to go (the remaining stuff was sitting in my mother's garage), Scientist and I headed to St. Louis for a few days. Unfortunately, we managed to hit STL in the midst of a nightmarish heat wave that lasted the entire 13 days we were in Missouri. In fact, when we arrived in STL it was a balmy 95 and then proceeded to rise up to 100 degrees (the heat index was actually 109-114 the last few days we were there) by the time we left.
The good news is Scientist's sister, Teacher, took me to David's Bridal where I found the Gown of My Dreams (as a bride this is what I'm suppose to call my wedding dress). Okay, so I didn't know it was the Gown of My Dreams until I came back to CR and tried it on for my mother, but whatever. It is beautiful and, most importantly, will look beautiful on me: its form fitting, strapless, and has a bit of color. I love it. I don't want to give anything else away because some of you who are reading this will actually be at my wedding next August.
Once we left STL we headed down to Springfield, where we hung with Scientist's cousin's family and his wonderful 91 year old grandma. I had been to Springfield once, a long time ago, but hadn't really gotten a chance to do much. Since Scientist knew the area so well, we were able to find lots of cool stuff to do. We even found a gym to work out at (I know, we're obsessed).
On Saturday we decided to visit Scientist's friends in Kansas City. I was really looking forward to walking around KC, but after about an hour or two of dragging ourselves around the main plaza where all the cool stores and fountains are, both of us were sweaty and thoroughly exhausted. Scientist's friends were cool though and it was interesting to meet people that knew him when he was in college.
Sunday and Monday we spent packing up our stuff and tying up loose ends in Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, I also started to feel icky Monday night. My ickyness would turn into a cold/upper respiratory/sinus infection from hell would drag out for about ten days and which I'm still getting over.
That brings up to our time in Morgantown, which I'll attack in a later post.
But I digress.
Once we had all our stuff for our initial trip to Missouri packed up and ready to go (the remaining stuff was sitting in my mother's garage), Scientist and I headed to St. Louis for a few days. Unfortunately, we managed to hit STL in the midst of a nightmarish heat wave that lasted the entire 13 days we were in Missouri. In fact, when we arrived in STL it was a balmy 95 and then proceeded to rise up to 100 degrees (the heat index was actually 109-114 the last few days we were there) by the time we left.
The good news is Scientist's sister, Teacher, took me to David's Bridal where I found the Gown of My Dreams (as a bride this is what I'm suppose to call my wedding dress). Okay, so I didn't know it was the Gown of My Dreams until I came back to CR and tried it on for my mother, but whatever. It is beautiful and, most importantly, will look beautiful on me: its form fitting, strapless, and has a bit of color. I love it. I don't want to give anything else away because some of you who are reading this will actually be at my wedding next August.
Once we left STL we headed down to Springfield, where we hung with Scientist's cousin's family and his wonderful 91 year old grandma. I had been to Springfield once, a long time ago, but hadn't really gotten a chance to do much. Since Scientist knew the area so well, we were able to find lots of cool stuff to do. We even found a gym to work out at (I know, we're obsessed).
On Saturday we decided to visit Scientist's friends in Kansas City. I was really looking forward to walking around KC, but after about an hour or two of dragging ourselves around the main plaza where all the cool stores and fountains are, both of us were sweaty and thoroughly exhausted. Scientist's friends were cool though and it was interesting to meet people that knew him when he was in college.
Sunday and Monday we spent packing up our stuff and tying up loose ends in Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, I also started to feel icky Monday night. My ickyness would turn into a cold/upper respiratory/sinus infection from hell would drag out for about ten days and which I'm still getting over.
That brings up to our time in Morgantown, which I'll attack in a later post.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Morgantown
In Morgantown. Have very bad cold with horrendous sore throat. Will write complete update on entire glorious trip, including 14 1/2 hours in car as soon as I feel better.
God bless.
Oy, I feel like ass.
God bless.
Oy, I feel like ass.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Road Trippin'
We'll be on a road tripping across Missouri for the next 12 days or so, visiting Scientist's family. I may or may not be able to post anything during this time.
I hope everyone has a great couple weeks. I promise to post pictures and wacky anecdotes once we get to Morgantown.
I hope everyone has a great couple weeks. I promise to post pictures and wacky anecdotes once we get to Morgantown.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Weekend Festivities
This weekend was pretty great. Scientist's defense went smashingly well: his presentation was very good, and his committee passed him without any trouble. Now, he just has to add/change some things to his thesis and he is totally done with that fucking thing (I feel some animosity towards Scientist's thesis, considering how much of a HUGE pain in the ass writing it has been over the last, oh, six years for him). All corrections should be finished up this week in the midst of packing and cleaning our retched apartment.
On Saturday night we had a fantastic little party at a local bar in town. I was actually really surprised at the number of people who showed up. Of course, not everyone who said they would did, but still, it felt like a real going away party. Thanks to everyone who made an appearance! I will miss get togethers like this one once we move.
I'm starting to get really nostalgic and sentimental about leaving Iowa City. I shouldn't be surprised: I knew this would happen. As a lot of you know, I've traveled and lived all over the world, but no matter what I've always come back to the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. I know everything here, and even if I don't feel like I've made a bunch of friends since I came back to IC from Ukraine (after I alienated a group of "friends" I had made the previous two years), I know a lot of people.
Nevertheless, at first I was a little apprehensive about leaving IC. Then, I wanted to get the fuck outta here as soon as possible. Now, I don't know. Honestly, the thing I think I'll miss the most about this area is my mom. She's my rock. I love her to pieces. I also worry she'll get lonely and bored without me; we spend a lot of time just hanging out and doing stuff together. Who is she going to do that stuff with once I'm gone?
Other than missing my mom and a handful of other people/things,ultimately, I'm ready to go. I've lived here far longer than I ever hoped and I think there are much better opportunities waiting for both of us. This is our new start together.
One of my friends kept saying what we were doing was so "romantic". I'm not looking for romance as much as I am stability; I'm not at the point in my life where adventure and constantly moving is something that appeals. It isn't that I want to settle down, get married, buy a house and grow fat and old in the hills of West Virginia, but having something other than some clothes, a bike and a bunch of public health textbooks would be nice. I would like a desk and a car that runs. I would like to continue working on my degree. I would like to be in a public health program that is not totally disorganized and does not seriously suck in some ways. These are all reasonable things to want when one is about to turn 31. Don't you think?
On Saturday night we had a fantastic little party at a local bar in town. I was actually really surprised at the number of people who showed up. Of course, not everyone who said they would did, but still, it felt like a real going away party. Thanks to everyone who made an appearance! I will miss get togethers like this one once we move.
I'm starting to get really nostalgic and sentimental about leaving Iowa City. I shouldn't be surprised: I knew this would happen. As a lot of you know, I've traveled and lived all over the world, but no matter what I've always come back to the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. I know everything here, and even if I don't feel like I've made a bunch of friends since I came back to IC from Ukraine (after I alienated a group of "friends" I had made the previous two years), I know a lot of people.
Nevertheless, at first I was a little apprehensive about leaving IC. Then, I wanted to get the fuck outta here as soon as possible. Now, I don't know. Honestly, the thing I think I'll miss the most about this area is my mom. She's my rock. I love her to pieces. I also worry she'll get lonely and bored without me; we spend a lot of time just hanging out and doing stuff together. Who is she going to do that stuff with once I'm gone?
Other than missing my mom and a handful of other people/things,ultimately, I'm ready to go. I've lived here far longer than I ever hoped and I think there are much better opportunities waiting for both of us. This is our new start together.
One of my friends kept saying what we were doing was so "romantic". I'm not looking for romance as much as I am stability; I'm not at the point in my life where adventure and constantly moving is something that appeals. It isn't that I want to settle down, get married, buy a house and grow fat and old in the hills of West Virginia, but having something other than some clothes, a bike and a bunch of public health textbooks would be nice. I would like a desk and a car that runs. I would like to continue working on my degree. I would like to be in a public health program that is not totally disorganized and does not seriously suck in some ways. These are all reasonable things to want when one is about to turn 31. Don't you think?
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
We're Moving....No, really....
So, as most of you know, there have been plans in the works for Scientist and I to move since Christmas. And finally finally finally we have a decision. We are moving to Morgantown, West Virginia...in less than two weeks!
Scientist had originally applied for a job in St. Louis (which, as luck would have it, he was offered almost immediately), where he would've been working for Saint Louis University as a post-doctoral fellow. Now, this job wouldn't have been so bad: I really like STL ( no matter what anybody says about it), Scientist's entire family is there, it isn't that far from my Mom and the School of Public Health at SLU (Saint Louis University) is very good. It's in a really shady area in which I was forbidden to walk through alone at night, when most of my classes would've been, but whatever.
Scientist's job in Morgantown, however, is SWEET. He'll be working for a branch of the CDC there, studying cool stuff like "black mold". When we went to Morgantown about a month ago Scientist met with a lot of people in the department, who all seemed cool, and gave a seminar about his work.
The School of Public Health at WVU isn't as old or well established as the one at SLU, but I was impressed by how unbelievably nice and welcoming everyone was towards me. The faculty member I met with was super super cool and very nice, and once I told her about my background etc., there seemed to be no doubt I would get in. Another bonus is she laid out an academic plan for me that allowed me to graduate in summer 2008, which is nice. That means I can plan and have my wedding in peace, without worrying about going to school, plus we can go our honeymoon, which will be overseas and awesome in September after all the tourists have left (more about the honeymoon in a different post).
When we got back from Morgantown we really agonized about what to do. We didn't want to base our entire decision on money, but the job in Morgantown paid $16,000 per year more and the cost of living would be considerably less than in STL. Still, the idea of moving to STL was very alluring; Morgantown is nice, but it doesn't have a lot going on. It actually reminded me of IC before the hospital began building facilities like crazy: the downtown was small, had mostly inexpensive stores and restaurants and a little on the boring side. That and it is a little isolated.
So, we deliberated and deliberated. Then, I got my financial aid notification from SLU. It was $9000 short of the estimated cost of attendance. That meant we would be living in a much more expensive city (rents aren't cheap unless you want to live in the 'hood), with a lot less money and barely enough dough to cover my tuition. So, we decided to move to West Virginia.
I'm very excited. Very. It will be nice to finally, once and for all, get out of Iowa City and see a totally new, not to mention absolutely beautiful, part of the country. We will be three and a half hours from two of my favorite people (Ellen and Brian), not to mention 5 hours from a good friend of our going to grad school in Charlottesville, VA.
I've got a good feeling about this!
Scientist had originally applied for a job in St. Louis (which, as luck would have it, he was offered almost immediately), where he would've been working for Saint Louis University as a post-doctoral fellow. Now, this job wouldn't have been so bad: I really like STL ( no matter what anybody says about it), Scientist's entire family is there, it isn't that far from my Mom and the School of Public Health at SLU (Saint Louis University) is very good. It's in a really shady area in which I was forbidden to walk through alone at night, when most of my classes would've been, but whatever.
Scientist's job in Morgantown, however, is SWEET. He'll be working for a branch of the CDC there, studying cool stuff like "black mold". When we went to Morgantown about a month ago Scientist met with a lot of people in the department, who all seemed cool, and gave a seminar about his work.
The School of Public Health at WVU isn't as old or well established as the one at SLU, but I was impressed by how unbelievably nice and welcoming everyone was towards me. The faculty member I met with was super super cool and very nice, and once I told her about my background etc., there seemed to be no doubt I would get in. Another bonus is she laid out an academic plan for me that allowed me to graduate in summer 2008, which is nice. That means I can plan and have my wedding in peace, without worrying about going to school, plus we can go our honeymoon, which will be overseas and awesome in September after all the tourists have left (more about the honeymoon in a different post).
When we got back from Morgantown we really agonized about what to do. We didn't want to base our entire decision on money, but the job in Morgantown paid $16,000 per year more and the cost of living would be considerably less than in STL. Still, the idea of moving to STL was very alluring; Morgantown is nice, but it doesn't have a lot going on. It actually reminded me of IC before the hospital began building facilities like crazy: the downtown was small, had mostly inexpensive stores and restaurants and a little on the boring side. That and it is a little isolated.
So, we deliberated and deliberated. Then, I got my financial aid notification from SLU. It was $9000 short of the estimated cost of attendance. That meant we would be living in a much more expensive city (rents aren't cheap unless you want to live in the 'hood), with a lot less money and barely enough dough to cover my tuition. So, we decided to move to West Virginia.
I'm very excited. Very. It will be nice to finally, once and for all, get out of Iowa City and see a totally new, not to mention absolutely beautiful, part of the country. We will be three and a half hours from two of my favorite people (Ellen and Brian), not to mention 5 hours from a good friend of our going to grad school in Charlottesville, VA.
I've got a good feeling about this!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Story
I should have known something was up.
About 3 1/2 weeks ago I came home from hangin' with my mom to find Scientist cleaning the refrigerator like a man possessed. Now, Scientist isn't a slob, or even a sloppy guy, but, like me, he's not one to take on big projects like cleaning the fridge for no reason. Especially on a really beautiful day. But he was, and figuring I should help, I decided to pitch in.
After we had finished, we started preparing some dinner. Since what we were making required us to marinate the meat for awhile, we decided to go for a walk at Kent Park, a park we started frequenting right after we met. It had just rained, so we figured there would be less people out there than usual.
Seeing as how I was totally stinky, I changed into something clean. Scientist did as well, changing into a nice clean navy shirt and some new shorts. I thought this was a little strange, as we were going to be gone for just a little while, but figured we had been cleaning, so he probably felt grungy or something and wanted to get into new clothes. He grabbed the camera and we headed out to the car.
Then, just as we were about to leave, Scientist said he needed to go get a CD, jumped out of the car and ran inside. When he came back, however, his hands were empty. He made some excuse about how the CD he was going to get was a "good" CD, as opposed to a burned one, and he didn't want to ruin it by putting it into the car stereo (for some reason, the car stereo eats CDs, so we try to only put burned ones in it, lest we lose it forever to the car stereo gremlin living there). I shrugged. Then, finally, we were off.
Once we got to Kent Park we started on our stroll. It had rained earlier, but the sun had come back out and it was late enough in the day that it wasn't humid and sticky, but rather pleasant.
Kent Park is unusual in the number of bridges it has. It has a lake where people fish, along with a beach and 4 or 5 bridges that surround the perimeter. There are always a lot of families with little kids running everywhere. It's very Midwestern.
At one point we stopped on one of the bridges and started doing cute couple stuff like making out and gazing into each other's eyes. After a minute though, Scientist said we should continue on to "our bridge". Like I said earlier, soon after we started dating we would go to Kent Park to relax and be together. The first time we ever went to Kent Park we took a bunch of pictures on this one bridge; this bridge, of course, gained some sentimental significance to both of us as our relationship progressed, and we considered it "ours". Disgustingly cute, I know.
But as we got closer to the bridge, we noticed it was occupied by three people with fishing poles and an extremely excited dog. When I pointed them out to Scientist he snapped his fingers and exclaimed "DAMN IT!" with far more annoyance than necessary. I was kind of surprised at his reaction, but he seemed to get a hold of himself and said something about how we could just stop on the bridge we were on.
That was when Scientist started in telling how much he loved and cared about me. Then he broke away and asked me to come stand away from the side of the bridge. I was a little confused by the way he was acting at this point, but followed him anyway away from the water.
That was when he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him. After I had recovered from the shock of what he had just asked me, I told him yes.
We had talked about getting married for a quite awhile, but I had figured we wouldn't get engaged for at least another year, what with all the stuff that's been happening lately (my grandmother's death, his thesis, being unsure where we're moving to in the next few weeks, our impending homeless beginning on July 31st). He had gotten the ring on Monday and had been hiding it in various places, like the toolbox in the car and in his backpack, all week trying to figure out when the best time was to ask me. After he explained it to me it all made sense: him changing clothes, grabbing the camera, getting excited about people being on our bridge, etc. He had wanted me to stand away from the water because he didn't want to drop the ring in the water out of nervousness.
I'm extremely happy. We both are. The wedding should be sometime next year, probably in August.
And that is the story of how I got engaged.
About 3 1/2 weeks ago I came home from hangin' with my mom to find Scientist cleaning the refrigerator like a man possessed. Now, Scientist isn't a slob, or even a sloppy guy, but, like me, he's not one to take on big projects like cleaning the fridge for no reason. Especially on a really beautiful day. But he was, and figuring I should help, I decided to pitch in.
After we had finished, we started preparing some dinner. Since what we were making required us to marinate the meat for awhile, we decided to go for a walk at Kent Park, a park we started frequenting right after we met. It had just rained, so we figured there would be less people out there than usual.
Seeing as how I was totally stinky, I changed into something clean. Scientist did as well, changing into a nice clean navy shirt and some new shorts. I thought this was a little strange, as we were going to be gone for just a little while, but figured we had been cleaning, so he probably felt grungy or something and wanted to get into new clothes. He grabbed the camera and we headed out to the car.
Then, just as we were about to leave, Scientist said he needed to go get a CD, jumped out of the car and ran inside. When he came back, however, his hands were empty. He made some excuse about how the CD he was going to get was a "good" CD, as opposed to a burned one, and he didn't want to ruin it by putting it into the car stereo (for some reason, the car stereo eats CDs, so we try to only put burned ones in it, lest we lose it forever to the car stereo gremlin living there). I shrugged. Then, finally, we were off.
Once we got to Kent Park we started on our stroll. It had rained earlier, but the sun had come back out and it was late enough in the day that it wasn't humid and sticky, but rather pleasant.
Kent Park is unusual in the number of bridges it has. It has a lake where people fish, along with a beach and 4 or 5 bridges that surround the perimeter. There are always a lot of families with little kids running everywhere. It's very Midwestern.
At one point we stopped on one of the bridges and started doing cute couple stuff like making out and gazing into each other's eyes. After a minute though, Scientist said we should continue on to "our bridge". Like I said earlier, soon after we started dating we would go to Kent Park to relax and be together. The first time we ever went to Kent Park we took a bunch of pictures on this one bridge; this bridge, of course, gained some sentimental significance to both of us as our relationship progressed, and we considered it "ours". Disgustingly cute, I know.
But as we got closer to the bridge, we noticed it was occupied by three people with fishing poles and an extremely excited dog. When I pointed them out to Scientist he snapped his fingers and exclaimed "DAMN IT!" with far more annoyance than necessary. I was kind of surprised at his reaction, but he seemed to get a hold of himself and said something about how we could just stop on the bridge we were on.
That was when Scientist started in telling how much he loved and cared about me. Then he broke away and asked me to come stand away from the side of the bridge. I was a little confused by the way he was acting at this point, but followed him anyway away from the water.
That was when he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him. After I had recovered from the shock of what he had just asked me, I told him yes.
We had talked about getting married for a quite awhile, but I had figured we wouldn't get engaged for at least another year, what with all the stuff that's been happening lately (my grandmother's death, his thesis, being unsure where we're moving to in the next few weeks, our impending homeless beginning on July 31st). He had gotten the ring on Monday and had been hiding it in various places, like the toolbox in the car and in his backpack, all week trying to figure out when the best time was to ask me. After he explained it to me it all made sense: him changing clothes, grabbing the camera, getting excited about people being on our bridge, etc. He had wanted me to stand away from the water because he didn't want to drop the ring in the water out of nervousness.
I'm extremely happy. We both are. The wedding should be sometime next year, probably in August.
And that is the story of how I got engaged.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Early on a Friday morning, just a few days before Memorial Day, I got a call from my Mom. I knew immedately something was wrong--her voice sounded strange, there was a lot of noise wherever she was and it was 7 am. My mom never calls at 7 am.
Apparently, my 89 year old Grandma had had a brain aneurysm. In fact, she had 2 by the time they transported her from my hometown to the University of Iowa hospital. My mom told me to get to the hospital soon, because it didn't look good.
Over the course of the next few days my family pretty much watched over my Grandma day and night. The neurosurgeons, neurologists and physicans in the Pallitive Care Unit at UIHC were shocked that she made it past the first 24 hours and even more shocked that she made it through the weekend and ended up being transferred to a hospice where she lived for about a week..
Luckily, I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandma. I was able to talk to her and tell her how much all of loved her. I was able to apologize for not sending her a thank you card for something she sent me a few weeks ago, but most importantly I was able to just sit with her.
On Sunday, June 3, 2007 she passed away in her sleep. She lived a full life and will be missed by her family, friends and church.
Apparently, my 89 year old Grandma had had a brain aneurysm. In fact, she had 2 by the time they transported her from my hometown to the University of Iowa hospital. My mom told me to get to the hospital soon, because it didn't look good.
Over the course of the next few days my family pretty much watched over my Grandma day and night. The neurosurgeons, neurologists and physicans in the Pallitive Care Unit at UIHC were shocked that she made it past the first 24 hours and even more shocked that she made it through the weekend and ended up being transferred to a hospice where she lived for about a week..
Luckily, I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandma. I was able to talk to her and tell her how much all of loved her. I was able to apologize for not sending her a thank you card for something she sent me a few weeks ago, but most importantly I was able to just sit with her.
On Sunday, June 3, 2007 she passed away in her sleep. She lived a full life and will be missed by her family, friends and church.
Friday, May 18, 2007
So I've been meaning....
So I've been meaning to post something on this blog for the last few months, but somehow, never seemed to get around to it. I always get behind in posting, and then I want to write about all the stuff that's happened over the last few months, but don't because I have no idea where to start. So then I don't write anything and people stop reading my blog...but then when I do decide to write something, no one reads it because they think I've stopped posting for the time being.
Really, nothing major has happened in the past 6 weeks or so since I last blogged.. It looks like we are not moving to Atlanta-- Scientist's job didn't come through, and Atlanta is just too expensive to up move there without a job or any prospects, really, whatsoever. So, for now, we'll be staying here. Although, that may change in the next few weeks. We'll see.
Really, nothing major has happened in the past 6 weeks or so since I last blogged.. It looks like we are not moving to Atlanta-- Scientist's job didn't come through, and Atlanta is just too expensive to up move there without a job or any prospects, really, whatsoever. So, for now, we'll be staying here. Although, that may change in the next few weeks. We'll see.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Atlanta?
I know its been something like 4 or 5 weeks since I've posted anything. However, since no one has e-mailed me bitching, I figure y'all understand I'm a very busy graduate student and after acquiring my cool new job I've had very little time to do stuff like blog.
So, as some of you may have guessed from the title of this blog I WAS ACCEPTED TO EMORY! I think I'm still in a little bit of shock--this is one of the best public health programs in the country, and I got in.
Unfortunately, since nothing is ever easy anymore, I'm not sure if Atlanta is in the future for us despite my acceptance into such a phenomenal program. Scientist has to get a post doc or some other job, and then we'll very seriously consider moving.
See, Emory would cost me $40,000 plus per year, so before we pack our shit up and head down there I need to be absolutely certain that the advantages of transferring there will out weigh staying in Iowa, which may, in fact, be the case. The Center for Disease Control is in Atlanta (its even physically located next to the Emory campus), so, in theory I'll have more opportunities for both internships, which would help out financially, and jobs post graduation. That, and the curriculum, not to mention the tremendous number of resources, at EU make Iowa pale in comparison. Here I can't really specialize in anything--all I do is take one fucking required course after another-- and at EU they have course after course dedicated to STIs, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, immigrant health....IT'S AWESOME.
So, there will be some major decision making being done in the next few weeks. I'll keep you all updated. Promise.
So, as some of you may have guessed from the title of this blog I WAS ACCEPTED TO EMORY! I think I'm still in a little bit of shock--this is one of the best public health programs in the country, and I got in.
Unfortunately, since nothing is ever easy anymore, I'm not sure if Atlanta is in the future for us despite my acceptance into such a phenomenal program. Scientist has to get a post doc or some other job, and then we'll very seriously consider moving.
See, Emory would cost me $40,000 plus per year, so before we pack our shit up and head down there I need to be absolutely certain that the advantages of transferring there will out weigh staying in Iowa, which may, in fact, be the case. The Center for Disease Control is in Atlanta (its even physically located next to the Emory campus), so, in theory I'll have more opportunities for both internships, which would help out financially, and jobs post graduation. That, and the curriculum, not to mention the tremendous number of resources, at EU make Iowa pale in comparison. Here I can't really specialize in anything--all I do is take one fucking required course after another-- and at EU they have course after course dedicated to STIs, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, immigrant health....IT'S AWESOME.
So, there will be some major decision making being done in the next few weeks. I'll keep you all updated. Promise.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Wow
It has been three weeks since I posted anything. I promise to change that, like, within the next few days. See then I'll have time and everything, it being Spring Break and all.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Two Good Things
Two big things have happened since the end of January (and my last post).
First, I GOT A JOB! Actually the job 'got' me. I had applied for a regular, low level, student position at the University and had been told by the department secretary that I would "definitely be someone they would like to interview". Anyway, a week passed, and one day I got this e-mail from another guy in that office saying the position I had applied for would be filled soon, but there would be another position, as a research assistant, that I might be interested in.
So, to make a long story short, I'm now working at the university as a research assistant in global road safety. I'm helping my boss, Glasses, both find material for a course he'll be teaching on the same subject this fall, as well as shape the curriculum. It's completely autonomous, which is kind of nice, and allows me to read and think, unlike my other jobs.
The second big thing that's happened is I'm having my ear drum repaired in a minor, outpatient surgery on the 23rd. Despite the fact that this will be the third surgery on my ear in four years, I think this is actually a good thing. I'll feel better and hear a LOT better. I still hate surgery though, and I'm trying not to think about it.
Not much else is really going on. I need to start writing shorter posts; that way I can post more often. I hope.
First, I GOT A JOB! Actually the job 'got' me. I had applied for a regular, low level, student position at the University and had been told by the department secretary that I would "definitely be someone they would like to interview". Anyway, a week passed, and one day I got this e-mail from another guy in that office saying the position I had applied for would be filled soon, but there would be another position, as a research assistant, that I might be interested in.
So, to make a long story short, I'm now working at the university as a research assistant in global road safety. I'm helping my boss, Glasses, both find material for a course he'll be teaching on the same subject this fall, as well as shape the curriculum. It's completely autonomous, which is kind of nice, and allows me to read and think, unlike my other jobs.
The second big thing that's happened is I'm having my ear drum repaired in a minor, outpatient surgery on the 23rd. Despite the fact that this will be the third surgery on my ear in four years, I think this is actually a good thing. I'll feel better and hear a LOT better. I still hate surgery though, and I'm trying not to think about it.
Not much else is really going on. I need to start writing shorter posts; that way I can post more often. I hope.
Monday, January 29, 2007
War or Health
I won't bother to tell you things have been crazy, because, really they haven't been all that crazy; Scientist and I actually went out and did something social as opposed to sitting on the couch and arguing over who's cuter, so I was actually busy this weekend. Other than that, I've been too lazy to write.
My classes are going pretty well thus far, although I'm a little wary of Global Health and Human Rights class. The subtitle (I guess that's what you'd call it) of the class is 'War and Beyond'; the course is suppose to examine the effects of war on health. I say suppose to because thus far we've not spent a whole hell of a lot of time discussing the impact war has on health, but instead my classmates and one of my professors (there are two) have made it abundantly clear that they want to 'discuss' how bad war is and how we should not be in Iraq and that Bush is a total fucker.
I have multiple problems with the way this class and it's subject matter are being handled. Firstly, I think it's pretty obvious that war is bad (DUH), therefore sitting around and repeating that very idea over and over again in different ways seems like a waste of time. It doesn't bare repeating--we all know war is "bad".
Secondly, this is not a political science class, nor a politics class, so discussing the validity of the war and why we entered into it in the first place seem irrelevant. If I had wanted to take a class about the second gulf war, I would've signed up for that. One of the professors seems perfectly content to let this go on, and in fact encourages it to a certain extent.
Thirdly, and most importantly, it upsets me a little that we're wasting valuable time discussing Iraq when we could be discussing things like the effect of civil war or ethnic cleansing on the health of the general public in warring countries. I took this class because I thought we'd be discussing the impact war--ALL types of war, not just the war we're in--on those living in affected countries. Ideally, I would like to work in an organization that helps the international community/immigrants with healthcare issues. I originally decided to enroll in this class because I thought I'd learn a lot of valuable information that I could later use to understand some of the people I'd be helping over the course of my career.
Instead I've learned something that actually drove me away from applying to graduate school years ago: Academics are completely out of touch with reality and have no idea how the world really works. They also have their own agenda, and even though I'm liberal, and I really dislike Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld, Inc., I'm sick and tired of having this academic fantasy world shoved done my throat. I also find it very difficult to take any of the undergrads serious (I'm also one of three grad students in the class, another surprise I discovered on the first day).
Last week I listened to a presentation given by a young man who said 'fuck' over five times along with 'shit', as well as slammed the army and called some of them psychopaths. I was offended.
So, my strategy to get through the class is this: I'm reading a book for a presentation that has NOTHING to do with Iraq. It is about Chechnya, a subject much more relevant to what we're suppose to be studying, and something I've studied before. Hopefully I can just put my head down and involve myself in my own work for the rest of the semester.
My classes are going pretty well thus far, although I'm a little wary of Global Health and Human Rights class. The subtitle (I guess that's what you'd call it) of the class is 'War and Beyond'; the course is suppose to examine the effects of war on health. I say suppose to because thus far we've not spent a whole hell of a lot of time discussing the impact war has on health, but instead my classmates and one of my professors (there are two) have made it abundantly clear that they want to 'discuss' how bad war is and how we should not be in Iraq and that Bush is a total fucker.
I have multiple problems with the way this class and it's subject matter are being handled. Firstly, I think it's pretty obvious that war is bad (DUH), therefore sitting around and repeating that very idea over and over again in different ways seems like a waste of time. It doesn't bare repeating--we all know war is "bad".
Secondly, this is not a political science class, nor a politics class, so discussing the validity of the war and why we entered into it in the first place seem irrelevant. If I had wanted to take a class about the second gulf war, I would've signed up for that. One of the professors seems perfectly content to let this go on, and in fact encourages it to a certain extent.
Thirdly, and most importantly, it upsets me a little that we're wasting valuable time discussing Iraq when we could be discussing things like the effect of civil war or ethnic cleansing on the health of the general public in warring countries. I took this class because I thought we'd be discussing the impact war--ALL types of war, not just the war we're in--on those living in affected countries. Ideally, I would like to work in an organization that helps the international community/immigrants with healthcare issues. I originally decided to enroll in this class because I thought I'd learn a lot of valuable information that I could later use to understand some of the people I'd be helping over the course of my career.
Instead I've learned something that actually drove me away from applying to graduate school years ago: Academics are completely out of touch with reality and have no idea how the world really works. They also have their own agenda, and even though I'm liberal, and I really dislike Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld, Inc., I'm sick and tired of having this academic fantasy world shoved done my throat. I also find it very difficult to take any of the undergrads serious (I'm also one of three grad students in the class, another surprise I discovered on the first day).
Last week I listened to a presentation given by a young man who said 'fuck' over five times along with 'shit', as well as slammed the army and called some of them psychopaths. I was offended.
So, my strategy to get through the class is this: I'm reading a book for a presentation that has NOTHING to do with Iraq. It is about Chechnya, a subject much more relevant to what we're suppose to be studying, and something I've studied before. Hopefully I can just put my head down and involve myself in my own work for the rest of the semester.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Goodbye Job!
Today is my last day of work. I'm pretty happy about it, although I am actally going to miss some of my co-workers. I worked with my favorite co-worker yesterday and felt sort of sorry about leaving.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Last Day
Jeez, I guess I didn't realize I hadn't posted in two weeks.
So, I sent my manager my letter of resignation on Sunday and haven't heard anything from her since. I'm sure this means that she's pissed at me. Gee, I guess this would mean something to me if a) I had done something wrong, but last time I checked I had the RIGHT to quit and b) I cared. However, since neither of those things are true (I didn't do anything wrong and I do not, in all honesty, care if she's pissed at me), I guess I'll just write this job off as another experience.
I decided to quit for several reasons. First, I'm tired of working crappy shifts late into the night or at the butt crack of dawn for very very little money. Second, this place is managed horribly. Third, and I know this isn't going to sound very nice, but I'm tired of working with undergraduates. Correction, I'm tired of working with some of the undergraduates I currently work with. I actually like the people at the JH branch I'm currently working with a lot better than the ones at the JH I used to work at. I don't think I'm better than they are, or smarter--I'm not that obnoxious--I'm just in an entirely different place in my life. That and I'm more mature and it makes dealing with their drama and temper tantrums (I'm thinking of one particular employee, especially) much much more difficult. I'm also tired of some of my co-workers taking their bad days out on me (see above comment about maturity). I used to have to put up with shit from other volunteers when I was in Peace Corps (where it was much more understandable because of the constant stress we were all under), and I'm frankly tired of having to deal with it. My tolerance for that is much lower than it was before. Sometimes, if you're nice and try to be understanding and empathetic in these sorts of situations (i.e. thinking to oneself, "B is being a total dick, but he's had a really bad day so I'm going to turn the other cheek and give him a break....like I did last week and the week before that.") you end up getting stepped on repeatedly.
So, I'm done. I mailed my boss my letter of resignation last Sunday and haven't heard anything since. I assume, knowing her, this is because she's pissed at me, which only proves the aforementioned point I made about the management. Last time I checked, I had a right to quit my job. I gave her two weeks notice, so what the fuck is her problem?
I still haven't decided if I'm going to get another job. I applied for one at the University that's a bit more in my line of work and will be a good resume builder, but I haven't decided if I'll be disappointed if I don't get a call back. I guess I should just shut up and enjoy my free time.
So, I sent my manager my letter of resignation on Sunday and haven't heard anything from her since. I'm sure this means that she's pissed at me. Gee, I guess this would mean something to me if a) I had done something wrong, but last time I checked I had the RIGHT to quit and b) I cared. However, since neither of those things are true (I didn't do anything wrong and I do not, in all honesty, care if she's pissed at me), I guess I'll just write this job off as another experience.
I decided to quit for several reasons. First, I'm tired of working crappy shifts late into the night or at the butt crack of dawn for very very little money. Second, this place is managed horribly. Third, and I know this isn't going to sound very nice, but I'm tired of working with undergraduates. Correction, I'm tired of working with some of the undergraduates I currently work with. I actually like the people at the JH branch I'm currently working with a lot better than the ones at the JH I used to work at. I don't think I'm better than they are, or smarter--I'm not that obnoxious--I'm just in an entirely different place in my life. That and I'm more mature and it makes dealing with their drama and temper tantrums (I'm thinking of one particular employee, especially) much much more difficult. I'm also tired of some of my co-workers taking their bad days out on me (see above comment about maturity). I used to have to put up with shit from other volunteers when I was in Peace Corps (where it was much more understandable because of the constant stress we were all under), and I'm frankly tired of having to deal with it. My tolerance for that is much lower than it was before. Sometimes, if you're nice and try to be understanding and empathetic in these sorts of situations (i.e. thinking to oneself, "B is being a total dick, but he's had a really bad day so I'm going to turn the other cheek and give him a break....like I did last week and the week before that.") you end up getting stepped on repeatedly.
So, I'm done. I mailed my boss my letter of resignation last Sunday and haven't heard anything since. I assume, knowing her, this is because she's pissed at me, which only proves the aforementioned point I made about the management. Last time I checked, I had a right to quit my job. I gave her two weeks notice, so what the fuck is her problem?
I still haven't decided if I'm going to get another job. I applied for one at the University that's a bit more in my line of work and will be a good resume builder, but I haven't decided if I'll be disappointed if I don't get a call back. I guess I should just shut up and enjoy my free time.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
My Last Graduate Application Ever!....I really mean it this time....
As some of you may know, Scientist is graduating (God-fucking-willing) with his Ph.D. in Immunology. Essentially this means he's sort of keeping an eye out for jobs in his field. Right now he's looking for stuff in Iowa, but he's also found a postdoctoral position at Emory University in Atlanta.
Now, one of the many reasons why I adore this man is because he's so considerate....and he adores me. When he first started looking for postdocs he said that, upon finding one, the first thing he did was check out to see if said university (postdocs are always with universities) had a college of public health. If not, he wouldn't considerate it and it was taken off his list of possible post doc positions. Isn't that nice? See what I mean about him adoring me?
Anyway, so he found this fabulous post doc at Emory. It's not just any old post doc where he'd spend the majority of his day conducting experiments: this position matches postdoctoral fellows to historically black colleges and allows them to teach hard sciences there. It wouldn't be full time teaching (I think he'd only be teaching 1/3 of the time and the other 2/3s he'd be doing research), but it would be enough so he'd get good experience. Scientist is not wild about spending his life locked up in a lab, killing mice and analyzing results. He's much more interested in teaching--he's got some experience at doing this and, given his disposition, I think he's much more suited for it. I'm in full support of him going after this post doc.
And it also doesn't hurt that Emory has an unbeatable program. Seriously. I know I've said that various schools I've applied to have had great programs, although not all of them have been in public health (remember I applied to Carnegie Mellon--and didn't get in-- along with Marquette--and did get in, but not with a fellowship--for non-profit management), and it's true, but this one....Is fabulous.
The Center for Disease Control--the mecca of all public health organizations--is in Atlanta. Emory does a tremendous amount of HIV/AIDS research. The Global Health program offers students the option to go overseas and conduct a research project. It's in the south!
So, of course, now I'm all excited about applying to this program. Yes, I know, I've already been accepted to the U of I program but, well, I might as well give it a shot. Besides, I doubt I'll get in....although, my stupid fucking math GRE score looks a lot less ugly now that I have a B+ in Biostats to put next on my transcript.....Still, I won't get in. I have to try though.
When I e-mailed a former Peace Corps volunteer at Emory (did I mention they have a Master's International program with PC?) she told me that they would pay close attention to my essay, and, incidentally, that my GRE score was just one tool they would use to measure my 'aptitude'.
So, as dorky as this is, here is my essay. Tell me all what you think (NOTE to those of you who read my Carnegie Mellon essay--it is very similar but not identical, especially the further you read).
Now, one of the many reasons why I adore this man is because he's so considerate....and he adores me. When he first started looking for postdocs he said that, upon finding one, the first thing he did was check out to see if said university (postdocs are always with universities) had a college of public health. If not, he wouldn't considerate it and it was taken off his list of possible post doc positions. Isn't that nice? See what I mean about him adoring me?
Anyway, so he found this fabulous post doc at Emory. It's not just any old post doc where he'd spend the majority of his day conducting experiments: this position matches postdoctoral fellows to historically black colleges and allows them to teach hard sciences there. It wouldn't be full time teaching (I think he'd only be teaching 1/3 of the time and the other 2/3s he'd be doing research), but it would be enough so he'd get good experience. Scientist is not wild about spending his life locked up in a lab, killing mice and analyzing results. He's much more interested in teaching--he's got some experience at doing this and, given his disposition, I think he's much more suited for it. I'm in full support of him going after this post doc.
And it also doesn't hurt that Emory has an unbeatable program. Seriously. I know I've said that various schools I've applied to have had great programs, although not all of them have been in public health (remember I applied to Carnegie Mellon--and didn't get in-- along with Marquette--and did get in, but not with a fellowship--for non-profit management), and it's true, but this one....Is fabulous.
The Center for Disease Control--the mecca of all public health organizations--is in Atlanta. Emory does a tremendous amount of HIV/AIDS research. The Global Health program offers students the option to go overseas and conduct a research project. It's in the south!
So, of course, now I'm all excited about applying to this program. Yes, I know, I've already been accepted to the U of I program but, well, I might as well give it a shot. Besides, I doubt I'll get in....although, my stupid fucking math GRE score looks a lot less ugly now that I have a B+ in Biostats to put next on my transcript.....Still, I won't get in. I have to try though.
When I e-mailed a former Peace Corps volunteer at Emory (did I mention they have a Master's International program with PC?) she told me that they would pay close attention to my essay, and, incidentally, that my GRE score was just one tool they would use to measure my 'aptitude'.
So, as dorky as this is, here is my essay. Tell me all what you think (NOTE to those of you who read my Carnegie Mellon essay--it is very similar but not identical, especially the further you read).
Challenges in Healthcare
“Your Russian is excellent, really. You barely have an accent at all,” said the slightly plump, middle aged sex worker. I blushed. I always blush whenever someone compliments my Russian, because it makes me uncomfortable. Secretly, though, I love it.
I was gathering my things after meeting with a group of orphans at Unitus, an NGO located about 3 hours south of the small town in
That sex worker, like the other nine or ten sex workers that gathered at the center that day, was one of many that Unitus had educated about HIV/AIDS and STDs through their outreach program. My extensive knowledge of Ukrainian culture and Russian also provided me with the opportunity to work with Unitus for about a year and a half, translating a 16 page report from Russian into English, in addition to meeting with the orphans.
My experience with Unitus was beneficial to me on both personal and professional levels. It opened my eyes to the explosive infection rate of HIV/AIDS in
The challenges that the healthcare field now faces, both internationally and domestically, are enormous and frightening. How do we prevent further infection? How do we identify those at risk? Where do we choose to allocate resources—to areas within the
Both international and domestic communities challenge the public health system in unique ways. Working within immigrant communities in the
In addition to creating prevention programs in the U.S. and abroad, government and grass roots organizations must be equipped to deal with more than medical issues to effectively combat the spread of HIV. All too often programs targeting the international community fail to understand cultural responsiveness to issues both directly and peripherally related to HIV/AIDS. This is an understandably complicated task for any NGO, or employee of an NGO, to undertake. As a Peace Corps volunteer, I needed to learn about Ukrainians’ attitudes towards a whole host of issues like drug use, contraception, and homosexuality in order to better understand the spread of HIV in Ukraine. I then used that knowledge to correct common misperceptions about prevention of infection. By implementing programs that strive to understand immigrant communities and their perceptions of issues related to HIV/AIDS, we can better treat those already infected as well as better prevent further spread of the disease.
My education at the Rollins School of Public Health will focus on the study of design and implemention of more effective programs to meet the needs of underserved communities Over the next two years, I hope to strengthen my project management skills in order to be better able to create culturally appropriate prevention programs. While at Emory I plan to expand my knowledge in areas such as needs assessment, reproductive health, and infectious diseases affecting immigrant communities and the developing world. There are also other areas of the public health sector in
One of the most attractive features of the Global Health Program at the Rollins School of Public Health is the overseas experience that students are encouraged to undertake while pursuing their Master of Public Health degree. I believe this experience will benefit me enormously by providing the opportunity to return to Eastern Europe and use the knowledge I have gained at Emory to design and execute an
Completing the Global Health program at the Rollins School of Public Health will provide me with the appropriate tools to make a significant contribution towards solving the immense healthcare problems that international and immigrant communities now face. Ultimately, upon graduating from Emory, I hope to be better equipped with the knowledge, experience and skills to help women like that sex worker, who unknowingly set me on this path towards a career in public health.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Another Set of New Year's Resolutions
Last year I managed to accomplish 4 and 1/2 of 6 of my resolutions (I only missed on number 4 and somewhat on number 2, so I'm adhering to resolution number 3 and cutting myself some slack), and consequently have decided to make a whole new set for 2007. They are as follows:
1. Enroll in, and complete, a boxing or kickboxing class.
2. Lose 7 pounds.
3. Run 5 miles in a week (this will be a huge coup if I do it).
4. Write and apply for a grant (to then be applied to my overseas internship in Summer 2008).
5. Get health insurance.
6. Eat at least one-two servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit most days.
7. Be better at keeping in touch with friends, especially those in Ukraine.
8. Study Russian once-twice a week for 1-2 hours at a time.
I think these are all accomplishable goals. I've wanted to both run and enroll in a boxing class since I arrived home from Ukraine just over a year ago, so that will be fairly easy. If I lose 7 pounds I'll be back at my college weight, which would be awesome. Applying for the grant will probably be the most frustrating of all--I have no experience writing grants, and do all that stuff you need to do with budgets sounds highly irritating. Health insurance is something I'm definatley going to need considering I'll probably be having surgery to repair my poor little eardrum sometime this spring. Number 6 will probably be the easiest to accomplish given my love of our new food steamer/rice cooker. And the last two.....I've just been really bad at these last few months.
What are everyone else's resolutions?
1. Enroll in, and complete, a boxing or kickboxing class.
2. Lose 7 pounds.
3. Run 5 miles in a week (this will be a huge coup if I do it).
4. Write and apply for a grant (to then be applied to my overseas internship in Summer 2008).
5. Get health insurance.
6. Eat at least one-two servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit most days.
7. Be better at keeping in touch with friends, especially those in Ukraine.
8. Study Russian once-twice a week for 1-2 hours at a time.
I think these are all accomplishable goals. I've wanted to both run and enroll in a boxing class since I arrived home from Ukraine just over a year ago, so that will be fairly easy. If I lose 7 pounds I'll be back at my college weight, which would be awesome. Applying for the grant will probably be the most frustrating of all--I have no experience writing grants, and do all that stuff you need to do with budgets sounds highly irritating. Health insurance is something I'm definatley going to need considering I'll probably be having surgery to repair my poor little eardrum sometime this spring. Number 6 will probably be the easiest to accomplish given my love of our new food steamer/rice cooker. And the last two.....I've just been really bad at these last few months.
What are everyone else's resolutions?
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