Killian's Blog/Website/Whatever

At this point, you are all well aware that I am applying to grad schools. The number of hours spent on research, applications, and crying measures into the millions*--so what happens when I get back a bunch of rejections? Or if, for some reason, moving is suddenly not an option? Things like this happen. I'm primarily concerned about the first of those two, that dreaded "R" word. How does one steel herself against the pain that comes with that word, the sentiment that clearly reads "you are not good enough, we do not want you"? I'm already setting myself up for a lifetime of this feeling, so I can't say I'm particularly thrilled about the idea of schools --which I would be attending in order to improve myself--turning their backs on me as well. There are two things I have done to protect my pride: 1. Gave it my damnedest effort. 2. Made a list.** The first needs no explanation (I should hope). The second probably does, so here goes: I have a pr...

PERSONAL STATEMENTS: THE LEADING CAUSE OF THROWING THINGS SINCE THE CHURCH INVENTED HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE MAN INVENTED APPLYING FOR IT.

If you can't tell which one is me, then we have probably never met. Nice to meet you: I'm the otter with freckles.

We're back stateside, y'all. Have I already said that? I don't remember. This past week (almost a week?) has been a blur of Welcome Back!'s and sad goodbyes and lots of jet-lagged drinking and living room re-organizing and angry throwing of to-do lists. SO MANY THINGS. Daniel is going to blog, some time this week or next, with the last bits of our trip. I have other things to talk about! Like this: 1. I miss already superduper miss Stacy and Jon, who moved back to California this past weekend. Stacy (who writes this blog ) and I have serious lady bromance (is there a better term for that yet? I'm too tired to be clever and think one up--and "homance" just won't cut it), and it makes me shed a million tears to know she's not a few blocks away from me anymore. But this gives me further incentive to travel, and she'll be back for business trips. Thank freaking goodness. This little consolation is the reason I haven't spent every minute cry...

And if, for some insane reason, you do them within five minutes of each other, you will most definitely experience a full-blown existential crisis.

Hey all. Yesterday was a nice break from losing my mind over these applications (why is a personal statement really necessary?)--instead of working, which I probably should have done, I made a Halloween costume. Speaking of: Happy All Saints! And Happy Day-Before-Dia-de-los-Muertos! This is my favorite three-day stretch in the calendar, bar none. Go ahead, make assumptions about my character (you're probably right). Anyway, back to my story: I made a peacock costume using (a) clothes that are part of my limited, travel wardrobe, (b) tape, and (c) post-its that I found in the flat. The whole thing cost me 99 pence (the cost of tape from the Grog Shop across the street). Though it was no Wolverine--I totally outdid myself last year--it ended up being preeeeetty awesome. Sure, I was the only person dressed up at Daniel's office party, but whatever. I'm comfortable with this. So here's how you make The Cheapest Costume Ever (Peacock used for this example): First, assess...