Planning for Grad School

Today was a good day. The morning is a bit of a blur (I spent a lot of time looking through Chinook Book coupons), but I eventually motivated myself to bike to Fresh Flours to "work on stuff" -- quotations because before I got there I wasn't sure what, exactly, I was going to work on. After ordering a sandwich (which I've been craving often lately) and a cappuccino, I sat my ass down.

From there I began researching, once again, what it would take to apply for an MPA at UW. Several phone calls to ETS led me to track down my previous GRE score, and browsing the net led me to realize that my scores aren't as terrible as I think they are (though still less than ideal). I also have a timeline in my head as to when I'm supposed to get shit done, but I think I should probably should start writing things down.

Deadlines (loose for now)
-- Tomorrow, after hearing back from UW, register a date to re-take GRE
-- End of the week, brainstorm what, exactly, I want to do with an MPA.
-- End of the month, contact my references.
-- End of the month, order a transcript from Iowa State
-- October 10, draft a statement of purpose
-- October 13, re-take the GRE
-- October 15, visit UW to learn about the program.
-- October 18, draft a personal statement
-- December 15, send in application material

Good news! Things are starting to seem tangible :)

This evening, Mitch and I made a healthy dinner from our CSA box. Using kuri squash*, leeks*, kale*, sage*, cauliflower*, garlic, lemongrass, fresh chili, fish sauce, stock powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne powder, we made a very delicious soup, very loosely following this recipe. Some differences are obviously the addition of cauliflower, spices, and lemongrass, and also that we first roasted the squash and cauliflower until they were half done. It was so good! I'm glad I've developed a taste for spice. Thanks Indonesia.

With our soup we drank a bottle of Big Black Jack, an imperial chocolate pumpkin porter brewed by Oakshire Brewing. I prefer not to drink a lot these days, however, so I drank only a small tiny tulip, about 4 oz... It was more than enough.

We also finished the second season of Legend of Korra, which was creative and funny, a huge improvement from first season.

Total meditation time today: 20 minutes.


* provided by the CSA box