TED|Talks

In lieu of being eyes-deep in academia, I have to forage for other forms of intellectual stimulation.*

...Well, that's why Al Gore** made the Internet, right?

So, in case anyone else has been starving lately, I thought I would mention that I've been a fan of the TED conference talks for quite some time now. The moniker itself stands for Technology, Entertainment & Design. Through their website, http://www.ted.com, they host these innovative 20 minute talks in embeddable, linkable, remarkable video format.

Here are only my recent views, because it would be impossible to list all that I've enjoyed:

• Vilayanur Ramachandran on A Journey to the Center of your Mind
  
• Susan Savage-Rumbaugh on Apes that Write
  
• Jane Goodall's What Separates Us from the Apes?
  
• David Gallo's Underwater Astonishments

*Yes, yes. I've been reading voraciously, but even Michael Pollan, Malcom Gladwell & Richard Dawkins have joined the dark side.

** Actually, Al Gore made the Internet so he could give a TED Talk, even though it later causes him to become the butt of some well-intentioned jokes from Tony Robbins.

Grad School Blues

So, here I am.

I submitted all of my applications at the beginning of January, and now the period of time that stretches out before receiving my rejection letters could be no less insurmountable than a black hole. I waited with bated breath for the first few days, thinking I would hear more about this marvelous transformation that would occur as I left my corporate cocoon to become an academic butterfly.

Maybe I failed to get across just how much time, effort & thought went into the selection of a field, and the pursuit of relevant experience. The past year of soul-searching, volunteering, preparatory classes & exams has been the yin to my travel obligations, technical writing, curriculum development & corporate training job's yang. But, at this point, I think the only thing I have going for me are the 8 GR credits I earned while picking leeches out of my nether regions.

Even as I type that, I know it isn't true. I'm creative and dynamic. I'm terminally afflicted with perfectionism. (These things in combination are hilarious.) Throw in the fact that I'm analytical to a fault, and I am capable of some sensational work, but you're going to need a bigger carrot.

Hence, why, if silence turns to rejection emails (Emails, seriously.), I am blowing this Popsicle stand. I have thoroughly exhausted the living-in-Indiana-working-my-corporate-job lifestyle, and will be moving to greener pastures.

Then I get to start this whole process over again, preferably somewhere coastal with many cultural to-dos. Happy Happy, Joy Joy.

Deep Thoughts

Am I the only one on the interwebs that has ever desired to insert, "OMG!1 I <3 THS FIELD!1ZOMG!1!WTFBBQ!1!1!" into a statement of purpose?

Kuala Lumpur

Yes, folks. This is where preparedness comes in handy.

My connection in Seoul was too short. And, as much as I enjoyed the Korean Air attendant racing us all through Seoul International Airport screaming, "KUALA LUMPUUUURRRR," at the top of his lungs, I miss my luggage.

The Backpacker's Traveller's Inn is only for the most hardened backpacker. Yes, it is cheap (without adding the expense of toilet paper). Yes, it is air-conditioned (between 9pm and 7am). Yes, the staff is friendly (during the day shift). However, it not clean and frankly, reminds me of a squatter's in Cape Town. Needless to say, I have a bone to pick with you, Mr. Lonely Planet Guide.

I am simply happy, that I had my own wonderful permethrin'd sleeping bag and super squishy pillow to cocoon myself into until I could emerge somewhat recuperated from my multi-day multi-flight ordeal. Then, my shammy and solid soap bar (that not only survived the liquids check) saved me from that film of pressurized, recycled people germs that must congeal after the 11th hour or so of an International flight.

The only thing I am really missing, is a sarong.
Next Stop: The Central Market on Jalan Kasturi.

Preparation

My mother likes to refer to my state of being before any lengthy international trip as "catatonia."

I lose all responsiveness, facial expression (- even the famed "Hiestand Grimace" which, if you've ever seen any of our extended family portraits, is so pervasive, we'll probably all wrinkle the same way too) or sense of humor.

Personally, I prefer to think of it as maxing out my processor. Figuring out the delicate balance of preparedness vs. over-packed paranoia is no easy task. For example, reading guide books is a double-edged sword. Some of it is useful, good ol'fashioned advice, but most of it is constant, rattling of bones until you have that, "Gosh, I'm sure glad I bought this guidebook!" moment that makes the $23.99 price tag worthwhile.

However, the general rule is that you never really know until you get there.