Let the Good Times Roll
Big news first - I got into NYU and got some kind of scholarship offer. I am not familiar with what a "24 point" award means, nor do I know if it is only for tuition or if it carries some kind of living stipend or some other special perk. I am doing my investigatory work now... but I still think I am leaning toward Madison and its bubble of good will and deep-seated biases against NYU's competitive and harsh reputation. Granted I have had several professors that are the product of the NYU system so it is capable of turning out quality scholars and it seems to offer more when it comes to avant garde stuff, but not when the pricetag means another hefty mountain of debt. No matter what, New York City alone seems to scream "hefty mountain of debt."
I did however find living quarters in Madison. Someone in the department no longer wants the efficency they signed for. It's the second floor of a house, has a decent size and separate kitchen area and is $485 a month including all utlities. It sounds a little slim on closet space, but I think I can get by. It is definitely "in my price range" and in my area of town (or what I want to be my area). If someone else was willing to live there and went through some comparison shopping, then I think it sounds like I can make due for at least a year (plus I get the added benefit of getting what I want and helping someone else). Once I square away what NYU is really saying, then I can commit one way or another. I think, unless this NYU is sweet enough to forgo all of the warnings I've heard, then I am ready to head West. At this point, it is still all confusing and moving quickly - but I feel like all signs pointing toward Madison are pointing in the right direction. First though, I need to translate NYU's offer.
Anyway, so a big day. Oh yes, I finally got my formal Gap offer and a measley salary. I am going in for orientation tomorrow at 1. I am sure that will lead to a tirade of its own. Last night I ended up watching the Iron Chef competition of kings or something - basically, it is the end of the series (still filmed in 1999 and might have been revived due to Food Network surging popularity) and they pit one Iron Chef master against another. Chen, the Chinese chef, championed last night over the young and rarely seen Iron Chef Italian. But all of the Szchuan dishes left me craving General Tso's - so I made my first trip to my beloved Sun Sun since I have been home. A nice homecoming it was - now, since I am full and it is going to snow 10" over the course of the afternoon, I am putting off my excersize regiment for one more day to sit and watch "What Time is it There." I figure since I start my job tomorrow, this is technically, my last day of "vacation" for a while... at least as a student I am assured some much-need breaks during the next decade.
posted by lmjasinski at 2:19 PM
