The more that I think about it, I am struggling with the idea of myself being a Teaching Assistant. Wasn’t it only 3-4 months ago that I was dressed in cap and gown receiving my bachelors? I was still an undergrad then, attending sessions led by TAs. Now I’m all of the sudden on the other side of the table–I will now be the one leading the discussion, giving the talk, answering questions and grading.
Perhaps this is just a “phase”, or an experience which many pass through? It’s simply hard to believe that here I am all of the sudden–a graduate student. I’ve moved up a level, and simultaneously, epextations for me have risen.
I hope this is simply a phase–a case of the butterflies–one that’ll pass quickly.
Here’s to a new beginning!
I found some articles and letters in the most recent issue of the Cleveland Jewish news presenting arguments from both sides why Jews should vote for their candidate.
Both pieces are syndicated from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA):
Bush has always followed his instincts on Israel
John Kerry is right for the U.S. and Israel
and here’s a set of letters that were run:
Democrats adored Moore
View Facts, vote Kerry
If I just may say so myself, what difference does it make if a candidate’s sibling is of the same religion as you? I think it’s silly.
The letter looks like one put out by the Kerry campaign or the NJDC imho.
In somewhat related news, Kerry’s Mid-East foreign policy team has once again fucked up big time—especially if they’re telling the truth. See what AllahPundit has up on the big gaff here—and visit the links he has. I could rant on and on about why the “Geneva accord” is a bunch of B.S. and is bad for Israel, but I’ll refrain from doing that for now.
I’ve got my first day of Graduate classes today, after one final orientation event,
It’s back to school I go!
Update: Well the orientation wasn’t as bad as the others have been. Somewhat repetative again….and long (9am-1pm) but it’s over with.
Problem is I found out that not only am I TAing a lab course, so I have to attend the lab lecture (which I expected). But I also must sit in on the physiology course itself two days a week! Blah! Jeers!
I’m happy to report that my first trip to the laundromat was a complete success! Another first time success *grin*
Okay, today’s TA orientation was brutally boring. I don’t think I really took anything away from the 2.5 hour morning blabbering session (except for the fact that the handouts they gave us were more informative than anything they said)
Then the facct that there wasn’t a non-meat option for lunch frustrated me (I deserve lunch!)
Then being stuck in two irrelevant talks for the next two hours–bleh.
The cherry on top has to be how (my classmates and I) were just informed today that we’ve got a specific biology orientation tomorrow morning at 9am…
(I just wish we could’ve had more advance notice, ya know?)
I think that this is definitely among the questions that most Americans are asking right now.
What the hell is a Swift Boat?
Slate Magazine has an answer
I heard that Kerry was on The Daily Show with John Stewart Tuesday night–and unfortunately, I missed it. Damn!
From what I’ve gathered, neither Kerry nor Stewart was very good during the interview–which is a shame.
But Stewart was said to have popped the question about Cambodia.
However, if I was John Stewart, a follow up question I would’ve asked would been:
“Now seeming that I’m Jewish, I partake in the “tradition” of eating Chinese food on Christmas eve (as they’re the only restaurants open)….do Cambodian restaurants also stay open on that night?”
Back to Orientation days I go (*sigh*)
Today it’s Teaching Asst orientation form 10-4; but that’s not going to be the highlight of the day for me. (Although they are promising free coffee this morning)
If I’ve not mentioned it before, I’m going to be a teaching asst for a 300-level [biology] physiology lab course.
Rather, today’s premier event is going to be my visit to the laundromat! It’s gonna be my first time at a laundromat in who knows how many years?
Off to campus I go….
With the RNC convevntion starting Monday, the kook protesters are already said to be swarming to town.
However, today these protesters were dealt a significant setback today, as their Bid for Central Park Protest Denied
If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t Mayor Bloomberg’s original reason for prohibiting the marchers on Central Park was b/c he was apparently “concerned” about the condition of the grass. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong)
At least they protesters are being given something better than the cage that they were given in Boston.
As promised, it’s time for me to reveal my new location….
Without further ado, it’s time to acknowledge that I’m blogging from (more…)
You’ve gotta love Israel–even though it’s such a young country, it is constantly on the cutting edge of technology and development in multiple fields.
The latest Israeli creation: Israel makes “skunk bomb” for Palestinian protests
Like I said, how can’t you love the Israelis?
Hey Da’ad–a Hebrew remark made in response to good news and/or performance.
When I was in Israel in 1996, the Olympics in Atlanta were taking place, Israel won its first Olympic medals, in Judo and Windsurfing. The two medalists were instantly hailed as national heroes, and were all over the newspapers and TV. One of the medalists was Gal Friedman, who won the first Israeli medal ever, a bronze in Windsurfing.
Well fast forward 8 years, and Friedman has achieved another two Israeli firsts. The first Israeli to win two olympic medals. More importantly Gal Friedman just won Israel’s first olympic Gold!
Hey Da’ad!
May this gold be just the first of many to come for Israel!
Hooray! The cable guy showed up this morning–and even much to my suprise he showed up early catching me by suprise.
All that’s irrelevant though–as all that really counts is that we’ve got Cable TV, Internet and telephone service here in the apartment!
Yay! Hooooray! Cheers!
So the cable guy was supposed to come to our apartment last night some time between 5-8PM. Since my orientation ended earlier than my roomates’ (they had their first day of Med school orientation) I was at the apartment starting at 4:30.
I sat on the couch by the window with a book and began to read/wait. Every time I heard some noise (usually of gravel, as our driveway is made of it), I looked out the window. I waited, waited and waited. It was as if I was a little kid waiting for Santa to come.
Finally 8:30 rolled around, and I was sick of waiting (as were my roomates who had come home earlier). I gave the cable company a call–and first they said they couldn’t even find our account order/number!??!?! We then called the company’s 800 number and after say 15-20 minutes of searching, the customer service person discovered that we did indeed have an order!
Turns out the installer had a family emergency, and the dispatch failed to notify uss about it (*sigh*–I wasted my evening). But at least we got a credit out of it.
The cable company is supposed to return tomorrow mid-day to finally install the cable, and then finall we’ll have TV andInternet access at the apartment! Yay! Woohoo! I look forward to it.
But I’ll be waiting for the cable guy again tomorrow.
And on a lighter side of things, I had a stomach ache last night, so I went to Path-Mark to get some ginger ale (they’re open 24 hours and have great prices!). As I’m walking out this group of 6 Israelis enters the store (I picked up on the Hebrew that they were speaking). One of ‘em turns to me and asks in English, “eh, how late are they [this store] open”.
I simply responded “lo sogrim” (They don’t close)–and I had to repeat myself, he was suprised to hear someone speaking Hebrew. Then he made a positive jesture and I just smiled and left the store.
Today was the department orientation here at school—much shorter and more interesting than the one on Friday. In addition to getting my schedule, I was also given a gift from the department and shown my new office space (it’s a carrol).
Now the department (in conjunction with the other life science departments) is holding a BBQ for all of us new grad students! Woohooo! More free food!
Hopefully we’ll get internet access in the apartment tonight, ’cause I had the chance to stumble on an event yesterday which is definitely worth blogging about!
I’ve received my new machine, and it’s simply awesome! I’m blogging live from a table at Starbucks cafe right now–and I must once again sing the praises of wireless internet access! It rules!
(I’m up here b/c we’re not getting internet access in the apartment until monday night, so I have to make-do in the interim; nor do we really have any TV access)
Not much else to note thus far. Got a bed in my room now and finished building a set of drawers. I doubt anyone really cares, but I felt like sharing anyway.
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get back online tomorrow–I’m thinking of running some errands, mostly returns.
There’s an absolutely absurd number of stores around where I live here, it’s almost nausiating. That is unless you love shopping–then you’d be in heaven.
And on Monday, I’ll reveal my new secure undisclosed location 
One word to describe today: BORING!
It’s also a beautiful day outdoors, making this even more painful to sit through all those talks (esp. “academic integrety”)
Had to wait 30-45 minutes in line to get my campus ID card picture taken–I’m so not photogenic.
Then had a nasty (small) lunch, yet it was free, then the lectures began. *Groan*
At least they’re giving us free food at a “Reception” at the end of the day. But nonetheless, it’s sooooooooooooooo boring here.
Gotta go back to hear another talk 
Today starts my orientation at Graduate School!
Unlike Brandeis, I’m not going to be greeted by a bunch of sleep-deprived over excited students in colored T-shirts [the ranks of whom I was among for 3 years] .
I’m not looking forward to sitting through the talk today on “Academic integrety”—I think my years at Brandeis have prepared me sufficiently for that. (Any other Brandeis students/alums agree?)
Today is the intro to the grad school itself, monday is the neurobiology department, tuesday is a picnic, thurs is TA orientation and a week from today is my first class! egads!
Of course I’ll be providing a wrap-up of how things go.
In other news, I continued unpacking yesterday, started building a set of drawers for myself, and continued to plan out my room. My bed is due to arrive tomorrow too! Perhaps I’ll then go to Ikea on sunday and get some furnishings.
More importantly, I’ve discovered where I can buy Kosher meat very close to my apartment!!!!! I’ve found hotdogs, cold-cuts and poultry between two grocery stores. Hooray! To mark this occasion, I’m making myself Chicken for Shabbos dinner.
I’ve also been told that I’ve driven past a kosher dairy and a kosher meat restaurant while running errands as well. More hoorays!
And I finally saw Kill Bill v. 2 yesterday–what an awesome movie! Now I wanna watch Vols 1 and 2 together uncut—that would be sooooooo awesome!!!!
Off to grab a cup of coffee before begining my new orientation. Gotta put my best foot forward, ya know…
Despite the lack of blogging the past two days, I wanted to re-assure people that I’m still alive and functioning.
I spent the last two days with my mother driving around the area/towns picking up stuff for the apartment (furnature, bed, cleaning stuff, desk…the usual) and learning the area. I’ve actually got a basic sense of direction around here now! (much to my suprise!) Nevertheless, I’m still keeping an atlas near by.
I’ve not had computer access the past two days, hence the lack of blogging. I’m still waiting for my new Zionist-infidel approved™ computer device to arrive. It’s going to be so awesome! I won’t give out the specs of it for now, but lets just say it’s a lean, mean computing machine (*grin*). Blogging will naturally pick up at that time–that is when my apartment gets internet service (gotta talk with the roomates and figure that out–or I go Wi-Fi wardriving).
Something I saw in a paper this morning that was laying around, USA Today has op-eds by Robert Reich (Clinton’s Sec. Labor and current Brandeis Prof) and Larry Lindsey (Bush’s former Treasury chief)—I didn’t read the pieces, but I’ve got a hunch they read like an episode of crossfire/hannity&colmes.
I’m spending today exploring my new campus–it’s huge in my eyes. Then again, compared to Brandeis most campuses are enormous (Brandeis’ size isn’t necessarily a bad thing though). I wonder how many Brandeis campuses could fit in this school? At the least, I’ll get a good workout from walking all around. I think I’m gonna go find the hillel next, and find out where I can get some Kosher foods in the stores.
Perhaps i’ll be able to blog later today, who knows? If not, orientation is tomorrow and I’ll let you people know how it goes.
I made it to my new destination!
Granted, I’ve not yet moved into my new dwellings, but I’ve made the drive to where I’m going to be at school….a location I”ll reveal later
(and don’t cheat by using referal logs–should I get to visit blogs! I’m at a public terminal now anyway!)