Obviously.

With the recent Japanese earthquake disaster, specifically its damaging effect on nuclear power plants, I cannot help but think about the radiation exposure risks.

Therefore, I cannot help but think about the risk of birthing Godzilla...

You Know...

I've been thinking about why I have been hearing bad news from Grad Schools recently. It is not a surprise I got rejection letters from top economics programs, but even rejection letters from some programs I thought I had a decent shot of getting in to? On top of that, I do not have any definite grad program plans right now and everything is a tightrope act. I am going to a school next week and hopefully I can talk to a few professors and convince them to let me into their school with substantial financial aid.

(Un?) fortunately, I've also been working on job applications. This was not my primary plan and really hope that I do not have to postpone my graduate plans. Even then, can doing research work really help me out again for grad school? I feel like I've basically crossed a river on a one-way boat ride and am unable to earn enough money to take the boat back the other way.

I haven't heard back from all my schools yet, so here's to some hope!

Anxiety and Looking for ... ?

Got into UCDavis, unofficially, of course. They are going to recommend me for admission to the Graduate Admissions Office. So there is a slight chance that I won't actually get in. Naturally I shouldn't hear good news so early. But I am more anxious about my future plans in terms of finding something to do this summer. Anyone looking for a newly graduate who specializes in research methods.

Three exams next week. Econometrics on Tuesday, History of Battle on Wednesday, and Public Health on Friday. History of battle is turning to be a lecture version of a History Channel special, so I have been (unconsciously?) very attentive in class. The only bothersome part is where I have to identify locations on a map. Really? A map? I thought the important parts of history were not memorizing the locations and dates but instead understanding the rationale behind events, (insert critical analysis things), etc. I am not too worried about the exams themselves, just that I have three next week.

Realized last Friday that I have to write my thesis. "Realized" is a soft way of putting it - I was actually startlingly reminded by my Thesis co-Chair that I have to churn out a draft soon. Whoops... currently on page 6. Should finish the theoretical section today and start reporting some numbers and charts by the end of next week. Wait, exams next week. Okay, the week after that then...

Neighbor oh Neighbor

So I have some new neighbors.
Well, I know that they play some really loud music. I know that a bedroom is adjacent to my bedroom, so I'm not sure why they have to play music in the bedroom instead of the living room. It is a very curious choice of location and I am suffering from it - I can literally feel the music and clearly hear the lyrics through the wall.
Not sure what possesses them to do this, or what sort of construction so easily lends itself to this but...

Positive Externalities

Thank, brave students of Cornell who walk to class in the early mornings when the paths have not been cleared of snow yet. Your commitment and energy is the most commendable.

and thanks for making the first steps in the snow so my feet get less wet.

Indecision

With the PSP2 and 3D DS announced, I can't help but feel like I am unable to keep up with the prolific gaming industry. Just as there is a peak performance age for athletes, is there a peak age for gamers to keep up with new games? Gone are the days I chewed up video games are insanely fast rates and now I am struggling to pick up new games, especially when they are offered across different consoles. Here's the list:

Nintendo DS:
FFVI
FFV
FFIV
FFIII
FF Tactics Advanced
FF Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

PSP
FF Tactics: The War of the Lions
FFI
FFII
FFXIII Type-0

PS3
FFXIII (still have to do all the hunts)
FFXIII-2
FFXIII Versus

So is it worth buying a PSP for just three games? Perhaps now, but I really want to play FF Tactics before I attempt any of its sequels. Looking at the list of games now for the DS, I think the DS really was an excellent investment considering that it cost much less than a PSP.
And I have just been reminded that I am missing out on Metal Gear Solid 1 - 4....  this could be a life long adventure.

Aside from video games, cooking has been looking down. I am all for trying new things, but I am still too lazy to get new ingredients. Is there just a set of recipes I that share the same ingredients? Too lazy to compile it huh...?

Really Really Cold

Oh, and it was really cold today.
really cold. -15 degrees in the morning, and now it's 12 degrees. I decided to wear pajama pants under my jeans today, and the same stroke of genius must have stuck many others because when I (sheepishly) admitted fro my friends what I had done, they told me they had done the same!
Nonetheless, really cold.

Snow tonight... ! and tomorrow.