I'll Be Back... In January

Winter break is almost here... Thank goodness because these papers seem like they will never end!

I will be in Massachuetts and Louisiana for the break. Some other Penn GSE students may still be blogging, so keep an eye out for what they're doing over winter break. On the other hand, I will not be back (blogging at least) until after MLK Day.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the holiday season!

Web Chat Tonight!

If you're interested in talking to GSE students (of different programs) about our experience at Penn GSE, join us for a web chat tonight from 8pm-9pm (EST)! Click on this link: http://www.gse.upenn.edu/admissions_financial then RSVP to the web chat event and you will receive an email link to check into tonight... See you there!

The Last Three Weeks

Since Thanksgiving break is over... It's the home stretch until Winter break. The next three weeks are going to be B-U-S-Y. The office is in a buzz over receiving new applications (the deadline is on December 1st) and students are also trying to get there schedules organized and papers done as well. On the other hand, it was so nice to go home to Massachusetts and relax for a few days... It was a much need break.

Also, it's the month of December which means, "Let the holiday parties begin!" A lot of work and a lot of fun are in store for the next few weeks... Winter themed decorations went up in the office today and everying looks festive for the holidays... I'm looking forward to some egg nog.

TV

I just realized that I never watch TV... and not because I don't want to. Although it was the best deal to get cable AND internet from Comcast (no, just getting the internet is not cheaper for some reason), I never ended up buying a TV to actually use the cable box that is nicely wired and sitting in my apartment. It's probably a good thing because homework may never get done otherwise. With that said, I am so excited to go home next week! Yes, to see my family and celebrate Thanksgiving... but also to watch some much need television. I especially miss the movie channels. I rent movies on iTunes and watch on my computer, but it's just not the same... :-/ One week from today, you can count on me vegging out on my parents' couch in a snuggie (j/k), with some hot apple cider, watching a movie...

Midterm papers + Completion = Happiness

These past couple weeks have been a little rough trying to get papers finished. But they're finally done! I'm in the clear for a couple weeks and it'll be nice to spend some time with my family this weekend (probably in the rain, since Philadelphia refuses to be sunny lately). It's hard to believe how fast the school year is going by. It's almost Thanksgiving, then really just a few more weeks until the semester is over... wow! It still seems to me like I'm settling into GSE and Philadelphia. I probably won't be ready to leave come May...

Month of the Turkey

It's finally November... and my favorite month! It's a good thing I don't have triskaidekaphobia (a phobia concerning the number 13) because my birthday this year falls on Friday the 13th and my age is double the 13s (26). My family is going to be in town from Massachusetts and it's always nice to have a couple of familiar faces in town. We're going to grab some good food and hang out in Philly... Hopefully the weather holds up for the weekend.

Also in November... Thanksgiving! Probably my favorite holiday of the year... maybe a tie with Christmas. Obvioulsy the food is the best part- and the leftovers last until I almost can't stand it anymore.

Gobble, gobble...

Halloween!

This past weekend I went back to Louisiana for a visit. The weather was great and it was nice to go to a football game... This week is already almost over at GSE and unfortunately, the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Since midterms and papers are looming right around the corner, it's proabaly for the best. Although, I have to say that I'm pretty excited about Halloween this year! It'll be my first in Philadelphia and I'm planning to set some time aside for pumkin carving tomorrow and dressing up on Saturday. I haven't decided what to be at this point, but this afternoon would be the best time to get to costume shops and pick one out...

The best part about Halloween for me is the pumkin flavored drinks and food. I simply can't have too much of pumkin spiced lattes, pumpkin bread, pumkin pie... and I can't forget mulled apple cider. Happy Halloween!

Time is Flying By...

This weekend was a cold and rainy one! It gave me plenty of time to catch up on school work, though... About half way through this first semester, I'm finally feeling completely settled in to the city and to GSE. Classes are moving quickly and it's hard to believe that November is approaching. I'm just realizing now that one year in a Master's program is not all that much time to get to know the area or the people around you. Getting together with friends can be a challenge most days because of homework or class schedules (which sometimes go late)... It's going by way too fast! Before I know it, it will be winter break, then graduation and having to say goodbye to all of the new friends I've made here. Who knows, though, Philadelphia is such a wonderful place to be, I could be in this city for a long time to come...

GSE Open House

This past weekend, we had our first Open House for prospective students! The event was a success and just over ninety students showed up to have some breakfast, meet division coordinators and professors in their program of interest (twelve faculty members came as well), and current students. Since the weather wasn't as good as we'd hoped, not very many people opted for the campus tour. But, everyone definitely seemed excited to be there and ready to ask faculty questions. We have one more on-campus Open House before New Year's which is on November 14th from 11am to 1pm. We also have Virtual Open Houses and several other events on the GSE website that you can RSVP at http://www.gse.upenn.edu/node/156.

Other than the Open House, the rest of my weekend was pretty relaxed. I usually go to a cafe and camp out for the day to read and/or write for my classes... In a nutshell, my weekends mean studying, drinking chai lattes, and eating chocolate chip muffins!

Phillies Weekend

This past weekend was my first Phillies experience! My family was in town visiting from Boston and the weather thankfully held up, too. Even though they lost it was great to just sit outside and enjoy a good game. Afterward we headed to South Street to La Fourno for some pizza, salad, and wine- great thin crust, personal size pizzas. Lastly, I made my way to the Northern Liberties neighborhood for a night out with some friends. Finnigan's Wake definitely brought back some memories of college with the live bands, warehouse-esque rooms, and pub bar areas. It was pretty cool to get out an do some different things, see different places this weekend. Since I'm usually around Rittenhouse Square and Penn's campus, I will have to go back to South Street and Northern Liberties again to get a better sense of the areas! So much to see, so much to do...

Living in Philly

Moving to Philly for graduate school has been a surprisingly easy transition.  I fall in love with cities that have great food options and culture; Philly is no exception.  Living in the East (Boston, New York), West (San Francisco), and South (Baton Rouge) has given me a good perspective on what’s so different about cities in the US.  In my book, Philly is completely underrated!  I think it has a soul like no other and really just feels so alive.  When I’m not in school or working, I enjoy exploring the different neighborhoods and restaurants; the best way for me to get to know a new place (although I feel right at home here).  Philly is like a combination of the different cities I’ve lived in throughout my life...  South Street feels a little bit like the Mission District in San Francisco while Boston’s Beacon Hill reminds me of Washington Square in Philly.

If you’re in the Rittenhouse Square area, check out some of the restaurants that line the park.  Another fun thing to do is to hang out at First Friday's in Old City.  There's always something to do in these areas... especially to eat!