so…

yesterday was Clark. I anticipated correctly. the interview went well, and I didn’t run out of things to say, or say anything too stupid… sat up straight, smiled, hit the high points of my academic career and got to talk about the impact that my travels have made on me. it’s in Worcester, and I like the area — not the high-brow part of town, but not a part that seemed unsafe at all, and think I would have a lot of fun exploring. the view they have on academics and community involvement/social change, etc., goes pretty well with my own. faculty to student ratio is 10:1 and average class size is 20. I think I would fit right in there.

I also feel pretty good about being accepted — all my test scores and such are within or above their student average, and I feel like I got to present myself fairly well in my application and interview… so. I’ll find out in May.

went to visit Emerson today. meh. I mean, location-wise, of course it’s great — downtown Boston. location was definitely a factor in choosing to apply there. I don’t know how I could not enjoy living in Boston. from reading about the school, I knew they were career focused, and I thought it was kind of exciting that they were so intent on giving students real-world skills. but with the information session and the tour, it all seemed really narrowly focused. for instance, I’ve often thought that I would love to be an editor (maybe children’s literature, or something of that nature). if I knew for sure that I wanted to work in a publishing house, Emerson would be the perfect place for me. but I don’t. the programs are so specified, that for someone like me who wants her options a little bit more open, it’s not good. plus I just didn’t feel as comfortable there. a little too cool for me, or something.

I was talking to one of my sweetest friends last night about the whole college thing, saying that I was a little concerned about the decision-making process. but, I said, God tends to make things easy on me in that regard –no voice from the sky or writing on the wall, but I think a shut door can be just as effective. true to form, I didn’t like Emerson. I don’t want to go there. of course, I’ll keep praying about the whole matter, and I won’t have any final decisions until May, when I hear back from everyone. but barring some lightning bolt from the sky, I can totally see myself at Clark next fall.

so pray for a lightning-free next few months.

… and Clark is only an hour away from Boston, so I can totally spend time there. yes.

today’s the day…

Becky graciously lent me a pair of pants that fit me. I’ve got the rest.

interview at Clark at 1:30. I’ve been trying to think about what I’ll say and such, for the questions I can anticipate; I don’t know if I’m anticipating the right kind of questions. but I’ll smile, sit up straight and keep my shoulders back. that should help with everything. ;]

the great white north.

well, kind of. it’s not Canada, but it’s practically next door.

currently sitting on Jared and Becky’s couch; all the lights are out and the cat is going crazy in the kitchen/under the table.

I managed to get ready in time — kind of. I always forget something on a major trip. I make incredibly detailed lists, but there’s always something… this time I apparently wasn’t thinking about my hair at all and forgot to pack a comb, shampoo, or conditioner. luckily that’s not really a problem, since these things are readily available. it could turn out to be problematic, however, that I completely forgot to pack nice clothes for my interview at Clark on Monday. I have nice boots and sweaters and such, but no pants besides jeans… I didn’t even think of it while I was list-writing. Becky said she has some black pants that are way too long for her (she’s 5′4, I think, and I’m 5′7) so I guess I’ll try those on tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes. otherwise… hopefully I can just charm their socks off and they won’t notice the denim.

I started a new book — War Trash by Ha Jin. I’m excited. historical fiction is a favorite. :] I saw it on the shelf in Taylor’s over a month ago and have restrained myself from buying it every time I’ve been in there — forcing myself to finish the book I was already reading. I don’t read nearly as fast now that I’m in school… I don’t have as much time to devote to it (obviously, since I’m doing super-important things like blogging) so I’m reading less. but the other day I knew I only had a couple more chapters to go and that I’d need something to read on the plane, so I bought the thing. so far, it’s well worth the wait.

there are a lot of things that I like about Charleston. there are a lot of people I like in Charleston. I just don’t think I can stay there for very much longer. it felt so good to get on a plane Friday morning; to be leaving. think it would affect my GPA to miss the second half of the semester?

I was talking to Jared on the way here from the airport and he said that even though he felt New England was a second home, there are more differences between the north and the south than he realized before moving here. nonetheless, he really likes it.

I know that wherever I go, it will be an adjustment. I don’t think I’ll be completely free of homesickness, or that it will necessarily be the easiest thing to live somewhere too far away for weekend visits. but, essentially… it’s time to leave.