Two international students talking over lunch, one attempting to impart wisdom on living in the US to the other:
"What does 'Buffalo' style mean?"
"Oh, it's another term for Tex-Mex. Like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, you know."
"There's a good place to buy organic food that's cheap. It's Joe's...something. Uncle or something."
It took all of my willpower not to turn around and correct the guy. Actually, it took all of my willpower not to fall on the floor in a fit of laughter.
Showing posts with label georgetown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label georgetown. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
An open letter
Dear Prospective Georgetown Undergrads,
Hello. I am a 2005 graduate of the fine university you're considering attending. I am also a prospective graduate student for the fall, and spent the day on campus for an open house. As such, I'd like to share some things with you:
Good Lord, are you all a spoiled bunch.
Now, please don't take that personally. It's just that, after seeing the changes that have happened in the four years since I graduated, I can't believe how the University is coddling you. Have you seen the food court in the Leavey Center? I bet you were all, "Oh, huh, a Taco Bell, KFC, and Subway. That's kinda cool." I, on the other hand, thought, "JESUS CHRISTMAS! They have a KFC now?!? WTF?"
You see, when I was an innocent freshman, the food court had two sandwich shops (not Subway), a pizza place selling the exact same pizza found in the dining hall, and a Taco Bell express. My sophomore year, they got rid of Taco Bell, and replaced it with an empty space. NO ONE ate here. Maybe some campus visitors who didn't know any better, but if we had to be in Hoya Court we made sure to get something from Vittles or Uncommon Grounds. And you had to get to Vittles early to make sure you got something decent. Now I hear rumors of a Cosi?!? You know when I first ate at Cosi? When I was 22 and an alumna, that's when! If we wanted Subway, we had to walk 1/2 mile both ways, uphill, in the snow, to Wisconsin or M. Burger King? Rosslyn. KFC? HA!
Moving on. The on-campus bar. The one mere steps away from where I lived my sophomore and senior years. The one that used to be a dining hall that wasn't open on the weekends. Do you know what we had to do if we wanted to drink at 5? We walked across campus to the Tombs, the way John Carroll intended. Yes, it was cold in winter, and, yes, the campus is one big wind tunnel, but so much greater was the joy of arriving in the basement of 36th and Prospect. Sure, we could have gone to Hoyas, but who the hell went to Hoyas?
Anyway, I just wanted to share these thoughts with you. Oh, and please turn your music down and get the hell off my lawn.
Thank you,
M Slash
Hello. I am a 2005 graduate of the fine university you're considering attending. I am also a prospective graduate student for the fall, and spent the day on campus for an open house. As such, I'd like to share some things with you:
Good Lord, are you all a spoiled bunch.
Now, please don't take that personally. It's just that, after seeing the changes that have happened in the four years since I graduated, I can't believe how the University is coddling you. Have you seen the food court in the Leavey Center? I bet you were all, "Oh, huh, a Taco Bell, KFC, and Subway. That's kinda cool." I, on the other hand, thought, "JESUS CHRISTMAS! They have a KFC now?!? WTF?"
You see, when I was an innocent freshman, the food court had two sandwich shops (not Subway), a pizza place selling the exact same pizza found in the dining hall, and a Taco Bell express. My sophomore year, they got rid of Taco Bell, and replaced it with an empty space. NO ONE ate here. Maybe some campus visitors who didn't know any better, but if we had to be in Hoya Court we made sure to get something from Vittles or Uncommon Grounds. And you had to get to Vittles early to make sure you got something decent. Now I hear rumors of a Cosi?!? You know when I first ate at Cosi? When I was 22 and an alumna, that's when! If we wanted Subway, we had to walk 1/2 mile both ways, uphill, in the snow, to Wisconsin or M. Burger King? Rosslyn. KFC? HA!
Moving on. The on-campus bar. The one mere steps away from where I lived my sophomore and senior years. The one that used to be a dining hall that wasn't open on the weekends. Do you know what we had to do if we wanted to drink at 5? We walked across campus to the Tombs, the way John Carroll intended. Yes, it was cold in winter, and, yes, the campus is one big wind tunnel, but so much greater was the joy of arriving in the basement of 36th and Prospect. Sure, we could have gone to Hoyas, but who the hell went to Hoyas?
Anyway, I just wanted to share these thoughts with you. Oh, and please turn your music down and get the hell off my lawn.
Thank you,
M Slash
Monday, March 9, 2009
Stamps, anyone?
As I've heard back from schools, I find it interesting to compare the acceptance letters, particularly how they choose to treat the economic aspect of graduate school; always a concern, but especially so now. American and NYU sent huge packets of material, with annual reviews, course lists, syllabi, and invitations to visit. American made no mention of finances, except for the usual aid letter. NYU turned its actual acceptance letter into a three page missive that said, "We can't give you funding, but please come anyway! Other places will help you! Promise! Read about them!" and then sent another packet two days later with more the same information in greater detail. It was just short of writing, "We know the economy sucks, and there's almost no way you'll come to a notoriously expensive city with no help, BUT WE NEED STUDENTS! We'll let you in and show you how to get money from other departments! It'll add to your education!"
As for Georgetown? They notified me the same way they did when I applied for undergrad. A thin envelope with two pieces of paper: an acceptance letter and a form to send back with my decision (and check). And no return envelope. They don't like to be too "enthusiastic," preferring to keep us guessing if they really want us or not, just like those women who swear by The Rules.
As for Georgetown? They notified me the same way they did when I applied for undergrad. A thin envelope with two pieces of paper: an acceptance letter and a form to send back with my decision (and check). And no return envelope. They don't like to be too "enthusiastic," preferring to keep us guessing if they really want us or not, just like those women who swear by The Rules.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
21 days!
Well, I've found one must-see place for my return to Argentina! From Frommer's:
Best Restaurant for Kids: Garbis, Scalabrini Ortiz, at Cervio (tel. 11/4511-6600), is an Armenian restaurant chain, with what one British expat friend of mine loves to call a "jumpee castle" where she can bring her kids. The best one is in Palermo Soho, and adults can eat in peace while the kids entertain themselves on the indoor playground.
Seriously, if they had this in the US, I probably would have eaten some Armenian food besides pilaf as a child.
On an unrelated note, I've realized that Georgetown's collapse this season is not due to talent, coaching, or luck, but rather to my return to the University. You see, I was part of the lucky class of 2005, whose 4 year career at Gtown was sandwiched between two Sweet Sixteen appearances. What occurred in between? Well, my freshman year, the then-coach declined an invitation to the NIT. The next year, he accepted it, and they lost in the finals. My junior year saw the Hoyas make the impressive achievement of not making the Big East tournament. Nothing of interest happened my senior year, but there was no NCAA appearance.
Hoya Saxa, everyone!
Seriously, if they had this in the US, I probably would have eaten some Armenian food besides pilaf as a child.
On an unrelated note, I've realized that Georgetown's collapse this season is not due to talent, coaching, or luck, but rather to my return to the University. You see, I was part of the lucky class of 2005, whose 4 year career at Gtown was sandwiched between two Sweet Sixteen appearances. What occurred in between? Well, my freshman year, the then-coach declined an invitation to the NIT. The next year, he accepted it, and they lost in the finals. My junior year saw the Hoyas make the impressive achievement of not making the Big East tournament. Nothing of interest happened my senior year, but there was no NCAA appearance.
Hoya Saxa, everyone!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Whew!
I am officially grad school-bound! I got an acceptance e-mail from Georgetown today! Their program was my first choice, so I'm feeling pretty good right now.
Yay!
Yay!
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