start and finish my masters

Oh monkey project! So close to being done yet so so so far. Goal this weekend: get at least 10 pages typed up to add to the other 2 already done. Stupid monkey.

This is the one goal that I wasn’t sure I would attempt. Since starting this one, my life has taken so many interesting twists and turns and the direction that my career is going… well I just wouldn’t have imagined that I would be where I am today. All I have to do now is finish writing this behemoth.

I can’t believe I’m almost done with this goal. It’s kind of a relief that I won’t have to write a thesis because I’m switching to course-based so I should be done by December. Hopefully I’ll be able to find a job. And hopefully it will be a better job than the one I left to go back to school.

Yay, I started classes today! I’m only going to school on a part-time basis at the moment but so far I’m really enjoying it. My first class was about human rights violations in the past in a country that is now democratically consolidating. It actually sounds very interesting. Not looking forward to studying 40 hours a week, but part of me is! It’s like heaven, having a piece of my dream come true. I can’t believe that I’m a graduate student. Wow, it’s sooooo exciting.

I have registered for two courses finally. Even though I’m doing my degree in Political Science, I have decided to take a Russian history course. The other one is a thesis component and I’m waiting to find out if I can take the Poli Sci course that fits into my work schedule. I also have to apply for student loans. Due to the fact that I just got my “official” letter of acceptance from the grad department, I’ve only been able to register for classes for about two weeks now. It’s actually pretty exciting that I’m going to be taking a 20 C Russian history course since I’ve visited that country twice so I’ll have better idea of the landmarks mentioned. Has nothing to do with my thesis though.

I just received my letter of acceptance yesterday. I’m elated and conflicted but mostly just relieved. It’s hard to believe that I’m actually going to be doing this. It might get deferred until the fall semester as my employment situation has changed and thus I am less financially able to pay for all of this. But I still have to talk to my grad supervisor (yes, I have a supervisor! Oh my goodness, this is exciting!) about my options at this point. My dad is super excited although he thinks that I shouldn’t defer. He said that they would be willing to help me out, and then I told my mom, and she said, “Really?” with her incredulous right eyebrow up. Anyway, I’m not expecting any help. That’s what student loans are for. Crappy, crappy, burdensome student loans. I can’t believe I’m going to grad school! Yay!

Well, the app process was disasterous up until the final minute and so far their decision is pending. I’m not holding my breath for this one but I remain hopeful, as always I remain hopeful. I really really want to start this already.

App deadline is Sept 30 for January 2007. I have sent off my reference form to one of my referees and now all I have to do is drop off the other two. And then the balls in my court and I have to write my CV, my proposal, and decide whether to write a whole new essay or scrounge through the old ones I have laying around (in my computer). Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’ve applied for my MA in poli sci (international relations) and I want my thesis to be something like education as a basic human right and the developed world’s obligation to developing nations to support this endevour. It’s part of the 10 year thingy that the UN signed (development goals for Africa). So far, it’s been great sound and fury followed by deafening silence. Time to get off my ass and do something.

Alright, I have a lot to do in the next little bit (month or so). Luckily, all registrar offices are open now so this should be easier. I need to:

1. Submit my finished app (again)
2. Contact all post sec. schools I attended, for transcripts
3. Recontact my refs and send forms to be filled out/letters to be written
4. Contact profs at the uni in which I want to study
5. Write my letter of intent/ CV
6. Write/ polish an essay to impress the pants off of the grad committee people
7. Pray to any diety/ god/ universal energy force that will listen to me that I get into uni on the first go (techinically it’s still the first go).

Better get my booty in motion. Oh the suspense! Oh the adventure! Oh what the h-e-double hockey sticks am I thinking?!?

I have postponed my application until later this year. In reality, it was going to be very difficult to get a proper application in by the deadline. And I was reading about how long it takes people to apply for the MBAs (I’m applying for my MA). A year! Now given that they have to study for the GMAT and everything, that does take some time, but I thought I could get all of the required materials together in 2 months. Sadly, I made the mature and sane decision not to wing this (as I do most everything) and actually put a full effort in. That way, if I don’t get accepted this time around, I’ll know that I put my full effort in and not just some half-assed effort. I want to use my whole ass! On the other hand, it does give me more time to save up to pay the tuition gods (they don’t accept sacrificed lambs anymore, and I’m a vegetarian so I would have had to sacrifice a tofurkey).

Anyway, wish me luck with this endeavour. I need all the luck I can get.

Cheersies!