Saturday, December 4, 2010

Tumblr!!

Hi all,

I just added a tumblr version of my blog. I can barely update one, now let's see how I handle two! haha.

I cannot decide if I want to make the full transition to tumblr. I will keep you posted!!

Until i make my final decision, I will try and post on both! I will only keep my grad app related stuff on here though.

Anyway, here is the link!

http://amusingsblog.tumblr.com/


Stay tuned!

- aMusingsBlog

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Doctor, how do you find the temperature of my WEDDING FEVER?!

I blame facebook. It is the root of all evil.

Everyday I am BOMBARDED by pictures of engagements, weddings, prego bellies, babies, first homes, etc., etc.! So, everyday I am reminded of all the things I am FAR from achieving myself in my own life. Don't get my wrong, I am happy for all of those people, but I can't help but be jealous!!

When I was in college, I was able to readily dismiss those things because I felt I was in my own little bubble. I was in college, of course those things wouldn't happen to me yet, I wasn't an adult (in my eyes at least)! Those days I was happy to spend my days and nights with Biff and friends, with no real care in the world.

Little did I know that graduating would bring a flood of feelings that just won't go away! Granted, I have only graduated for a few months... but I can't help but feel like an adult all of a sudden. I go to work 8-4 (my metaphorical 9-5). I do things adults do, right? I read the news now for goodness sake!

Now... it's feeling like I could do those things! What?! Weddings? Babies? ME?!

My rational mind says I don't want these things to happen for a LONG time from now... at least 5 years? When I am financially ready (but at this rate, will I ever be?), these things will happen with time. (Even in 5 years, I will be a poor graduate student!)

My crazy emotional woman-side is like, "I'm so JEALOUS! That's so cute, so fun!" My favorite part is looking at the men, with such love in their eyes! It is so surprising the men so young are willing to take the plunge and commit!! It's TOO cute.

Then my rational side comes back and says, "all that planning!! STRESS STRESS STRESS!!"

I was also blaming the fact that my cousin was getting married. Everyone was sending mixed messages about how cute the wedding was but that it was too fast and too soon! (He's 24) But either way... I couldn't help but get excited for my first wedding attendance!

I figured it would go away after the wedding was over... but my greatest fear has happened... it isn't going away!!!!!

Maybe it's just hard for me because all of these thoughts do not help in my missing Biff. I know if he were around, he would smack some sense into me. He isn't here to help keep my mind from wandering!!

Now I've already thought of all the fun details!!

Cake = red velvet
Colors = purple and teal
flowers = hyacinths (they smell really good), orchids, hydrangea, etc.

My wedding fever has even graduated to trying to work out the messy details...

Who is going to walk me down the aisle?
Church? Outside?
Who should I invite?
How am I going to pay for all of this?!
(esp. since my mom saying she isn't going to pay for it and is actually expecting money (chinese tradition) although she may be kidding (Gosh, I hope she's kidding), I do support it because I am worth at least $8,000 (which is what my dad paid my grandmother for my mom))
Biff says he is not paying... although I cannot say I blame him, but now I might have to pay for myself. haha

I guess I do have a long time to work out all these messy details... and more since I don't even know the many details that go into a wedding!!! What are all the traditions? What goes into it?

I thought watching Bridezillas today would help... It just made me angry because those women don't even deserve to get married!!!

I hope what my friend janimal says is not true... I hope wedding fever is not like herpes, in the fact that it never goes away... if so, I'm so screwed! I have a lifetime to wait!

I guess my biggest hesitation is that I also don't really want to be the first in my little cohort (including my older sister, older cousin, and younger cousin) to get married! But... I am also the only one in a committed relationship!!! GAH! I hope my sis and cousin find a man soon!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

This Month's Obsession... September Edition

This month, and possibly for the rest of the fall/winter season, I must say I am obsessed with JEGGINGS. you know... jean leggings or leggings that look like jeans.

Here are the reasons why I love them:

1. They are VERY comfortable
2. They are very thick and warm
3. They are easy to slip under boots
4. They look like jeans so they go well with everything
5. They are affordable (compared to jeans that can get expensive)

I love getting my pairs of jeggings through nordstrom rack!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Where Is The Love? The Neighborly Love?

Yesterday, I awoke to a note from a neighbor...

On a small piece of paper, located under my windshield wiper, was a practically illegible note due to its smeared ink from the morning's dew.

The note TOLD (not asked) me to not park my car on the street next to my house. The neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous due to what I assume was cowardliness, had apparently already filed a complaint with the home owner's association (HOA). The neighbor kindly signed the note "Use your driveway." I can't help but sarcastically thank them for the suggestion!

Normally I would not be so angry but this is just one of the incidences where a neighbor complained about my family. We have lived there less than a year! The drama about our trashcan (which apparently is an unacceptable eye-sore) had just wrapped up not too long ago. I still do not see why we cannot keep our trashcan on the side of the house (not facing the street)... Now our tiny little garage is over-run with trash cans, but I guess that's not the point.

Well I have decided not to move my car for a number of reasons. 1. It might force the person to approach me and let me know why I should move my car (I can be swayed by a persuasive argument), 2. There is more than enough room for everyone, 3. Other people park their car on the curb as well (I hope I have not been singled out), 4. It is convenient not to block in the rest of the cars in the garage, 5. The mere principle...

If the HOA does do something about it, I will obviously move my car... but not just because a cowardly neighbor left a note on it. JERKS.

If the HOA cannot do anything about it (which I think they can't) I too can play this little game of note tag.

Here is a draft of what I think I will write, passive-aggressively:

Dear Anonymous Neighbor,

Thank you for your note, although I do not understand the complaint you have filed with the HOA. I would love to discuss your concerns in-person about the location of my car, on the side of my home. I would like to understand your reasoning because I feel that there is more than enough space for everyone.

Love,
Thy Neighbor

This incident was just a little reminder of what I left when I graduated. People in a college town would never be so rude or even care where your trash can or car lie. I sure don't, to each their own!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

---------------------------------------------------------------------
**UPDATE**

The HOA said that the spot is in a public area (outside of their jurisdiction) therefore I have every right to park my car there.

I have still been parking there ever since the note, and have yet to receive another one.

I still count it as a small victory.

:)

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day Vacay

I just got back from a nice short vacation. So glad that I used my extra day off work to travel! (instead of what they call a "staycation") It was really nice to get away because I know if I had stayed... I would feel compelled to do grad applications. :(

The plane rides weren't even so bad! Luckily for me, flying was smooth and very short (about an hour each way). These were even little tiny jets! Hopefully one day I will be able to hop onto a plane without any hesitation.

This trip reminded me of what it likes to be back in college. Fun and care-free. I felt like I accomplished so much in the last three days. I reunited with Biff, I saw some good ol' friends, and even explored a new city! I was even not tempted to be my usual lame self and to go bed around 10/12 at the latest.

It was very hard for me to leave! I wanted to stay so badly!!! BUT... in the end it is for the best that Biff and I are long distance right now. My heart is growing fonder and we are both building a strong foundation for our future careers. We are both getting invaluable experience in opportunities that we could not find elsewhere. It was easy to relate to the new "going the distance" movie with drew barrymore and justin long (a pretty funny and good movie, fyi)

It feels weird now that I am back that I need to go to work tomorrow!!

Ugh... the last thing I want to do is do grad school apps... this trip reminded me of what it is like to be young and carefree. I cannot imagine being in grad school right now... with all of that READING and stress!!! I keep having this nagging feeling that I should wait an extra year... BUT at the same time, I should just get it over with??? oh what to do???!!!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Monday, August 30, 2010

Should I allow my Allowance?

Here is something I am trying to adjust to from poor college student to young professional... Now that I actually have money what should I do with it?

On the one hand, I feel an OVERWHELMING urge to save it all up. I know spending it is the easy part.

On the other hand, I want to buy all the things I couldn't while I was at school. (Mostly a bigger budget of clothing and shoes)

My current allowance is $100 a week. It sounds like a lot, right? It never feels like enough.

In the end... LIFE IS JUST TOO DARN EXPENSIVE!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

ALL ABOUT APPS - Advisers

I e-mailed potential advisers today. I wanted to make sure they were accepting students for the upcoming year.

So far, I have had many positive responses. It was quite surprising because I know I am e-mailing them way in advance since applications are not due until winter.

I know this should be an exciting time... I am excited, but yet I also can't shake this feeling of doubt. I can't quite put my finger on it... I may dedicate a post to my confused feelings.

We shall see how this plays out. I shall keep you posted.

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Wonders of "Private" or "Incognito" Browsing!

One of my favorite sites to frequent is Lifehacker.

I was really intrigued by one of today's post, mostly because I browse the internet pretty freely at work (like facebook, people.com, etc.)

Anyway, it was about how to use private browsing (in firefox) or incognito mode (in chrome).

Here is a link to the post:
http://lifehacker.com/5620502/nine-great-uses-for-private-browsing-that-dont-involve-porn

Anyway, it's amazing because now I can manage multiple google accounts at once! (especially since this blog has it's own google account) It will be nice once I really start posting frequently.

It's too bad my work computer doesn't have to latest version of firefox... so no private browsing at work for me!

Well, I hope it helps!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Saturday, August 21, 2010

ALL ABOUT APPS - My Stats

For those of you who are applying to doctoral programs in Clinical Psychology... I am sure you know what a seemingly impossible feat that may be.

Only about 5% of those who apply get accepted!!

These days, more and more are opting for graduate school since the job market isn't exactly promising either.

Anyway, I hope to dedicate some of my posts to my application process. I think it will help relieve some stress in the process for me and hopefully you other applicants will be able to empathize with me. :)

Today I wanted to give you a little bit of background about me.

MY STATS

I graduated last year with a good GPA from a good state school.
I had AVERAGE GRE scores of about 1200.
I had research experiences in multiple labs.
I wrote a senior thesis.
I did not have any publications, but I did do some poster and oral presentations.
I am now a full-time research assistant.

THE FIRST TIME AROUND....

Last year I applied to 13 schools. I spread myself pretty thin.
I applied to 6 Clinical, 3 I/O, 1 School, and 4 Master's programs.

I interviewed at two places (one clinical and one school psyc)
I was put on two waiting lists (one clinical and one I/O), but subsequently rejected.
I was accepted into the school psychology program and one I/O program (as a master's not a PHD)
In the end, the school psyc program was not for me and the I/O master's was too expensive.

That is where I am now... actively cultivating my research experience and giving it another try.

This time around, I will only apply to programs I will actually go to (no more school psyc for me). Half of the schools I apply for will be clinical and the other half I/O. I will NOT be applying to any master's programs. I feel that since I really love my job, it would be better to stay an extra year to get even more research experience and apply again, rather than to PAY for a master's. Either way, I will be just as well off in either scenario.

I learned a lot from the first time around. I have a good feeling about this batch of applications. I will share my tips in subsequent "ALL ABOUT APPS" posts so stay tuned!!! Feel free to ask me any questions! GOOD LUCK!!!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Friday, August 20, 2010

I'm Back!!

It has been WAY too long since I have written a post!  I recently decided, after some inspiration from a dear friend, janimal, to revive this blog.  Note the new header, as designed from janimal.  If you LOVE it as much as I do, I highly suggest you follow her design blog:

http://janimalprint.blogspot.com/

For all of who you may be wondering why my old posts have been deleted, it is because I would like to start anew.  Since I have given my boyfriend, aka Biff, my URL... I can no longer use this blog as a forum for the horrible and grave injustices that he submits me to ;) 

Instead, I plan to take this blog to another and even better direction.  Instead of focusing on my relationship with Biff, I will focus more on the other things that define my life, like navigating my first year out of college as a "young professional", transitioning from living on my own to living back with my mom (for now), and just things I love and enjoy (friends, food, clothing, fun websites, etc.)!!  Of course, for those who may be interested, I will probably still chronicle my relationship with Biff but not as often.  I mean we've been together for a long time... he's bound to creep in to my posts. 

I am also happy to announce that I will dedicate some of my posts to my clinical psych PHD applications, since they are a major part of my life. I will call it "ALL ABOUT APPS".

Lastly, I will also post more frequently so hopefully there will be a little something for everyone!  I hope you will continue to read and watch my journey unfold!!!  Thanks for the support!!!  For those of you who are new, WELCOME (and don't worry you haven't missed out on anything yet)

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog