Grad school is the coolest thing ever!

[katekat]

Ok, well, I don't know that for sure quite yet.  BUT.  I do know that orientation was fricking fabulous.  There were people to talk to, and even a Ph.D. student who is doing similar work (he promised to read some of the theory I like and he's going to give me names of Japanese writers who are doing cool things that I just can't find here).  Oh, and I'm going to make him give me a copy of his Masters thesis. Because I can.

It was sooooo much fun!  Cookies and orientation stuff.  Yeah, I know, that sounds oddly dull, but for me it's been this delayed thing - two years where I wasn't actually doing this stuff that I got rid of my vaugely corporate job to do.  Two years where I've had to wade through undergraduate science requirements and restrain myself from taking all of the I really wanted to take.  So I'm feeling like I'm finally, finally, finally getting to start the real thing!  The real academic thing.  The one where I do research for things I'm interested in.  The one where everybody in the room actually had research interests.

And, besides, it was nice not to be the oldest person in the room for a change.  I mean, I pass for a girl in my mid-20s, but when I was taking classes with 19-year old undergraduates that doesn't really level things out. 

Comments

[mishloran.livejournal.com]

Your entry makes me happy. Not only because you are happy and have found a niche and an enjoyable thing to do, but because it means I'm not the only geek around here ;)

[that_mireille]

Yay! I'm glad it went well.

[kikucutie.livejournal.com]

Yay! I can't imagine what it must be like for YOU to be in those pre-req classes when I'M sometimes annoyed at being in those same classes with 18 year-olds. You can just smell the fish.

On a side note (if I don't talk to you before Wed.), my Perception class before Aida-sensei's class is in NOA, and Aida-sensei's class is in MEZ, and I'm thinking there's NO WAY I can power walk that kind of distance in 10 minutes. If I'm a little late and she starts taking role, could you maybe mention that I have to come from clear across campus and that I might be a minute or two late? I'll run if I have to in an effort to avoid that, but on the first day of class you never know if a professor is going to let you out super-early or super-late.

[katekat]

heeee. I am a *total* geek!!! You are so not the only one. Ever! We are rocking in our geeky-ness!

[katekat]

Thank you lady! It was a relief for me too.

[katekat]

lol - it's been interesting at times. And then at the same time, I hate being the token old person who can't keep their mouth shut, you know? And I'm sure I've been equally kind of annoying in my own way.

No problem about Wed. I will mention it to Aida-sensei if I don't see you waiting... (and you're so right about the first day of class being either or. grr inconsistency!)

[kaffee-spinne.livejournal.com]

That's great! Of course, not to be a kill-joy, but there will be certain requirements (history, etc.) that depending on faculty offerings that semester...you might end up having to take some that are for undergrads but that you'll take as a grad student. I had to do this for...at least four classes. [One lit, one Anthro, one Art History, one Modern History].

You will generally be exempt from any quizzes/tests, etc. and instead will be expected to write huge 25-pg. papers. I was only able to take 2 actual-grad-level seminars (3 if you count the one I audited from another dept. while working on my thesis) while in Asian Studies grad program. I hope there's more seminar opportunities for your experience.

[kaffee-spinne.livejournal.com]

Heh....Nihongo sensei's are notoriously unforgiving on principal re: lateness. ;) I would try to leave your other class early on the first day and then ask Aida-sensei about it. Maybe you could get a bicycle. ^_^

[kikucutie.livejournal.com]

Seriously, though, what is with there always being a token older person who can't keep their mouth shut? Well, at least you're guaranteed to be way better than the token 18 year old who can't keep their mouth shut. Did I ever tell you about metaphor/simile girl?

And thanks.

[kikucutie.livejournal.com]

This is true, and I plan to do that for the rest of the semester if I need to (as I have had to do it in the past), but it being the FIRST DAY and all.... I don't want to make a bad impression by shoving off early without giving my PSY professor a reason why I HAVE to shove off early.