Thursday, December 20, 2012
My Attempt at Studying
I am one day away from finishing my first semester of Graduate School - wow! I can't believe how quickly the past 4 months have gone. Initially, I was looking forward to quickly finishing school and getting back to my career, now...I'm kinda loving the student lifestyle! Minus the studying, of course.
This is how studying went today...
"Ugh...I need a change of scenery! I've spent WAY too much time in my apartment, WAY too much time in the library, and WAY too much time at Ithaca Bakery! I need somewhere new to study.
"It's so nice out, I wish I could just go for a hike or run by the lake. NO! You have to study, one more day and then you're done - focus! Okay, okay...Oh! I know, I can park by the lake and study in the car. It will be SO nice, new scenery, calm, quite, inspiring - perfect!"
In the car.
"What's that sound? No way! There's an enormous (like 100 birds) flock of geese flying towards that field. Hey, there's another...and another...there's, like 5 giant flocks about to land in this field! I've got to stop and see this!"
Driving to the lake.
"I bet the waterfalls are looking amazing right now from all this rain. I've always wanted to stop and check out that one that's on the way to the lake. It won't take long..."
At the lake.
"Oh cute! There are baby ducks! Those duckling are so cute, I better go say 'hi'. Wow, look over there! I've never seen a duck like that before. It's so far away, I can't really see it very well. Oh well, I've got to get to studying."
5 minutes later.
"That duck is closer to this side of the lake now, I can get a closer look."
Two other ducks come on the scene.
"Those ducks are so little and cute! I've never seen ducks like that before! Oh, wow, they just disappeared - they're fishing! I wonder if they'll come up with a fish....The other duck just went under, too. I wonder where he'll come up. Here come two more ducks flying in - I've never seen ducks like that before! I wonder what kind they are. I could check with my phone....NO! You're suppose to be studying, go and study!"
5 minutes later.
"I have to go to the bathroom, I guess I'll go home."
This is how studying went today...
"Ugh...I need a change of scenery! I've spent WAY too much time in my apartment, WAY too much time in the library, and WAY too much time at Ithaca Bakery! I need somewhere new to study.
"It's so nice out, I wish I could just go for a hike or run by the lake. NO! You have to study, one more day and then you're done - focus! Okay, okay...Oh! I know, I can park by the lake and study in the car. It will be SO nice, new scenery, calm, quite, inspiring - perfect!"
In the car.
"What's that sound? No way! There's an enormous (like 100 birds) flock of geese flying towards that field. Hey, there's another...and another...there's, like 5 giant flocks about to land in this field! I've got to stop and see this!"
Driving to the lake.
"I bet the waterfalls are looking amazing right now from all this rain. I've always wanted to stop and check out that one that's on the way to the lake. It won't take long..."
At the lake.
"Oh cute! There are baby ducks! Those duckling are so cute, I better go say 'hi'. Wow, look over there! I've never seen a duck like that before. It's so far away, I can't really see it very well. Oh well, I've got to get to studying."
5 minutes later.
"That duck is closer to this side of the lake now, I can get a closer look."
Two other ducks come on the scene.
"Those ducks are so little and cute! I've never seen ducks like that before! Oh, wow, they just disappeared - they're fishing! I wonder if they'll come up with a fish....The other duck just went under, too. I wonder where he'll come up. Here come two more ducks flying in - I've never seen ducks like that before! I wonder what kind they are. I could check with my phone....NO! You're suppose to be studying, go and study!"
5 minutes later.
"I have to go to the bathroom, I guess I'll go home."
Sunday, November 11, 2012
The Golden Tickets
As many of you know, crossing the American/Canadian boarder can be a nightmare!
On one crossing, Bob and I were coming back from a bouldering trip and the guard asked us a million questions about our crash pad, bouldering, and why in the world we would want to participate in such a stupid sport. He then went on to ask Bob about his work and ended with, "Well, that sounds boring".
Needless to say, we were a little nervous about moving here with all of the future crossings we would need to do. However, we have had the exact opposite experience. We've started calling our VISA's "The Golden Tickets" because we get absolutely no hassles, barely any questions, and once in a while, we even get a smile!
We love our Golden Tickets.
On one crossing, Bob and I were coming back from a bouldering trip and the guard asked us a million questions about our crash pad, bouldering, and why in the world we would want to participate in such a stupid sport. He then went on to ask Bob about his work and ended with, "Well, that sounds boring".
Needless to say, we were a little nervous about moving here with all of the future crossings we would need to do. However, we have had the exact opposite experience. We've started calling our VISA's "The Golden Tickets" because we get absolutely no hassles, barely any questions, and once in a while, we even get a smile!
We love our Golden Tickets.
Monday, October 29, 2012
No longer "Bob" and "Colleen"
I had a great time with Bob on the weekend. He is settling in nicely at his new job and in his new neighbourhood. We had a hilarious conversation where we finally accepted that we are no longer "Bob" and "Colleen". No, we are now "Bab" and "Calleen"!
Counseling in Speech Language Pathology
The in-class section of my first clinic placement has been quite interesting and has given me many insights into the American side of the profession.
We've been discussing counseling for the last couple of classes and the professor has been referencing the following book. I plan to order it and read it over the Thanksgiving break. I can't say I recommend it as I have yet to read it but what we've learned in class from it thus far has been very applicable and useful.
We've been discussing counseling for the last couple of classes and the professor has been referencing the following book. I plan to order it and read it over the Thanksgiving break. I can't say I recommend it as I have yet to read it but what we've learned in class from it thus far has been very applicable and useful.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Don't Forget to be Awesome Today!
As I'm driving the streets of Ithaca and walking around the parking lots, one of my favourite things to do is read bumper stickers. Just about every car has a bumper sticker that shares a small insight into the car owners life and I find reading the stickers thoroughly entertaining.
My favourite sticker thus far has been, "Don't Forgot to be Awesome Today!". I may have to track that one down and stick it onto the old Civic!
Here are some others I've seen:
There are a few that I wasn't able to photograph that are worthy of mention:
"I break for animals - so stay off my back!!"
"If you kill a biker you will go to jail!!"
"Don't remove firewood - it bugs me!!"
Hee hee hee, so entertaining!
My favourite sticker thus far has been, "Don't Forgot to be Awesome Today!". I may have to track that one down and stick it onto the old Civic!
Here are some others I've seen:
There are a few that I wasn't able to photograph that are worthy of mention:
"I break for animals - so stay off my back!!"
"If you kill a biker you will go to jail!!"
"Don't remove firewood - it bugs me!!"
Hee hee hee, so entertaining!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Taughannock Falls
Another wonderful hike:
A very cool Red Back Salamander we found hiding under a log!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Canadian vs American Schooling
Ya - it's different.
In the U.S.:
A is 90% - 100%
B is 80%-89%
C is 70%-79%
D is 60%-69%
all else is a fail.
I'm allowed to get one C and then I'm on academic probation which would mean I'm only allowed to take part-time course work. However, for my VISA to be valid, I have to be enrolled in full-time studies. More or less, if I get two C's I get deported!
Since I was never a particularly strong student, this info kinda freaked me out.
However, as I became familiar with the American schooling system, I've been put at ease. I have learned that there are great differences in the American vs Canadian style of education. Those difference would appall Hedy McGarrigle, (was that her name?). I remember her lecturing us that we are now in University and we would not be spoon fed!
She certainly never lectured in the U.S..
I am barely 5 weeks into the semester and I have just finished my first round of exams. All but one of the 4 exams I wrote was preceded by a very detailed outline with sample questions. Not only that, at the start of most lectures, there's a review of last lecture with a bit of a quiz that is ungraded. If the class doesn't do well on these ungraded quizzes, then the information is reviewed again.
I now see why the marks are so high, you'd have to work hard to get a C with all of this support!
And - so far anyway - the exams have all been multiple choice. When I mention the dreaded essay question, "Describe the _____ Theory of ______" worth 20 marks, half a mark for each point, the other students look at me like I'm crazy! They respond with, "That would be so unfair! Dr. ____ would never ask anything like that!"
Sometimes, I wonder, is it American vs Canadian or Geeze vs not Geeze?
In the U.S.:
A is 90% - 100%
B is 80%-89%
C is 70%-79%
D is 60%-69%
all else is a fail.
I'm allowed to get one C and then I'm on academic probation which would mean I'm only allowed to take part-time course work. However, for my VISA to be valid, I have to be enrolled in full-time studies. More or less, if I get two C's I get deported!
Since I was never a particularly strong student, this info kinda freaked me out.
However, as I became familiar with the American schooling system, I've been put at ease. I have learned that there are great differences in the American vs Canadian style of education. Those difference would appall Hedy McGarrigle, (was that her name?). I remember her lecturing us that we are now in University and we would not be spoon fed!
She certainly never lectured in the U.S..
I am barely 5 weeks into the semester and I have just finished my first round of exams. All but one of the 4 exams I wrote was preceded by a very detailed outline with sample questions. Not only that, at the start of most lectures, there's a review of last lecture with a bit of a quiz that is ungraded. If the class doesn't do well on these ungraded quizzes, then the information is reviewed again.
I now see why the marks are so high, you'd have to work hard to get a C with all of this support!
And - so far anyway - the exams have all been multiple choice. When I mention the dreaded essay question, "Describe the _____ Theory of ______" worth 20 marks, half a mark for each point, the other students look at me like I'm crazy! They respond with, "That would be so unfair! Dr. ____ would never ask anything like that!"
Sometimes, I wonder, is it American vs Canadian or Geeze vs not Geeze?
The Grocery Store Post
So much to write...none of it interesting I'm sure!
I'm a student so I'm looking to buy what ever is cheap. Luckily, that is easily found here in the United States of America. "What", you ask, "is cheap? And, what kinda 'cheap' are we talking?".
Here we go:
Brown beans: $0.40
Can of soup: $0.40
Frozen Pizza: $0.87
Frozen burrito, etc: $0.99
Shampoo and Conditioner: $0.75 (each)
a gallon of water for $0.50
BEER!!!!: $19.98 for 30 cans - that's imported beer! (Well, okay, it's 'Blue' - but that's an imported here!)
I'm not saying that quality is good, I'm just saying it's a poor students dream!!
Other things that are cool/lame at the grocery store include being able to return pop cans and water bottles. They have this self-serve area where you just bring in your empties, put them in a hole, and then you get a print out of how much money you're owed. You bring the receipt to the cashier and you can put it towards your groceries or get $.
The grocery store is 24 hours (of course!) - imagine if we had this self-serve return center in Canada The bottle collectors would be in heaven! No waiting for the beer store to open-anytime they wanted they could just go in and cash in their empties. I wonder what kind of problems this would create? I think we should try it!
um...what else...oh, at the grocery store I go to, you have to weigh your own produce. So, I get bananas, put them on a scale, enter the code, and then a sticker prints out that I put on the bananas. (a bit of a pain, but whatev)
One final comment on the grocery store:
I'm pleased to see "Jones Soda" representing Canada in the Soda isle!
Happy shopping!
I'm a student so I'm looking to buy what ever is cheap. Luckily, that is easily found here in the United States of America. "What", you ask, "is cheap? And, what kinda 'cheap' are we talking?".
Here we go:
Brown beans: $0.40
Can of soup: $0.40
Frozen Pizza: $0.87
Frozen burrito, etc: $0.99
Shampoo and Conditioner: $0.75 (each)
a gallon of water for $0.50
BEER!!!!: $19.98 for 30 cans - that's imported beer! (Well, okay, it's 'Blue' - but that's an imported here!)
I'm not saying that quality is good, I'm just saying it's a poor students dream!!
Other things that are cool/lame at the grocery store include being able to return pop cans and water bottles. They have this self-serve area where you just bring in your empties, put them in a hole, and then you get a print out of how much money you're owed. You bring the receipt to the cashier and you can put it towards your groceries or get $.
The grocery store is 24 hours (of course!) - imagine if we had this self-serve return center in Canada The bottle collectors would be in heaven! No waiting for the beer store to open-anytime they wanted they could just go in and cash in their empties. I wonder what kind of problems this would create? I think we should try it!
um...what else...oh, at the grocery store I go to, you have to weigh your own produce. So, I get bananas, put them on a scale, enter the code, and then a sticker prints out that I put on the bananas. (a bit of a pain, but whatev)
One final comment on the grocery store:
I'm pleased to see "Jones Soda" representing Canada in the Soda isle!
Happy shopping!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The Sounds I Hear
I love the sounds of my new apartment. Since I've lived in an apartment building for the past too many years I haven't heard the sound of rain on the roof top. It's wonderful to hear it again.
I love the sounds of the crickets and toads as they sing at night and of the birds as they fight for territory in the morning. But, most of all, I love the howls of the coyotes...
I love the sounds of the crickets and toads as they sing at night and of the birds as they fight for territory in the morning. But, most of all, I love the howls of the coyotes...
Booyah!!
That's right! 97% on the first exam! Thank you Physics of Sound! Now, I must stop procrastinating as I will NOT be getting 97% on tomorrow's exam :(
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Barefoot Culture
So...there seems to be this 'barefoot' fad going on in Ithaca. There's an Ultimate Frisbee team that plays in bare feet and I've seen about 4 people just walking around town in bare feet. These people are not homeless and they're not carrying shoes - they're just barefoot. It's so weird!
My Schedule
This is my schedule for anyone interested. Ax and Measurement is the secret code they use for 'STATS' - boo!
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| 9-9:30 | Speech, Language and Hearing Screenings in the Community | Speech, Language and Hearing Screenings in the Community | Speech, Language and Hearing Screenings in the Community | ||
| 9:30-10 | 9:25 - 10:40 Fluency Job 161 | 9:25 - 10:40 Fluency Job 161 | |||
| 10-10:30 | |||||
| 10:30-11 | |||||
| 11-11:30 | 10:50-12:05 Phonology Job 161 | 10:50-12:05 Phonology Job 161 | 11:00-12:50 Ax and Measurement CHS 203 | ||
| 11:30-12 | |||||
| 12-12:30 | 12:00-12:50 Clinic 1 161 | 12:00-12:50 Clinic 1 161 | |||
| 12:30-1 | |||||
| 1-1:30 | |||||
| 1:30-2 | |||||
| 2-2:30 | |||||
| 2:30-3 | 2:35-3:50 Physics and Sound Center for Natural Sciences 206B | 2:35-3:50 Physics and Sound Center for Natural Sciences 206B | |||
| 3-3:30 | |||||
| 3:30-4 | |||||
| 4-4:30 | |||||
| 4:30-5 | |||||
| 5-5:30 | |||||
| 5:30-6 | 5:25-6:40 Ax and Measurement Job 161 | 5:25-6:40 Ax and Measurement Job 161 | |||
| 6-6:40 |
Robert H. Treman State Park
April and I went on a 5 mile hike to Lucifer Falls last Sunday - it was amazing! I think I might be writing that about all of the hikes I do around here! Although the hike mainly focuses on the main falls, there were so many beautiful spots along the way!
This is the beginning of the hike.
This is the top of the falls, you can see the creak turning the corner to spill over the edge.
These stairs are close to Lucifer Falls and gave us some amazing views!
This is Gary, he is a juvenile, red-spotted newt we met near the end of our hike.
This waterfall is at the very end of the hike, you can go swimming at the base of it! It's on the 'to do list' for next summer!
This is Lucifer Falls - the main attraction!
This is the top of the falls, you can see the creak turning the corner to spill over the edge.
These stairs are close to Lucifer Falls and gave us some amazing views!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
I'm a student
Everyday I thank God for my personality, it has really helped me figure things out these past 2 weeks. At least once a day I have to ask someone something or other related to finding a building, sorting out my Social Security Number, or who knows what.
This is how the interaction usually goes:
Me: blah blah blah
Staff: (look of total confusion)
Me: Uh...I'm a student.
Staff: Oh! You're a student, oh...okay then ....blah blah blah.
I'll have to try and start my questions off with, "I'm a student" from now on.
:)
This is how the interaction usually goes:
Me: blah blah blah
Staff: (look of total confusion)
Me: Uh...I'm a student.
Staff: Oh! You're a student, oh...okay then ....blah blah blah.
I'll have to try and start my questions off with, "I'm a student" from now on.
:)
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wonderful and Amazing Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private college. I didn't realize this when I applied but learned this information when I went for my tour of the department back in March. Being the naive Canadian that I am, I didn't realize there would be any differences between an American, private college and Brock University.
Here are the perks I've discovered so far:
Free printing.
(And I don't mean the free printing you get because you've discovered one of the copiers is a little broken and if you hit the start button at just the right time, the machine won't read your card. I mean free printing anywhere on campus.)
Free access to the pool.
Free access to the indoor track.
Free access to the gym.
Free access to the aerobics/yoga/weight classes.
Free towel and lock service.
Free soap from a dispenser in the shower.
And...the most wondering this of all:
Free parking for Grad students!
(And I don't mean free parking that is off in a field with pot holes so deep you could easily lose your car.)
(I would still rather be paying Canadian tuition fees...however, these things help)
Wonderful and Amazing Ithaca College:
Here are the perks I've discovered so far:
Free printing.
(And I don't mean the free printing you get because you've discovered one of the copiers is a little broken and if you hit the start button at just the right time, the machine won't read your card. I mean free printing anywhere on campus.)
Free access to the pool.
Free access to the indoor track.
Free access to the gym.
Free access to the aerobics/yoga/weight classes.
Free towel and lock service.
Free soap from a dispenser in the shower.
And...the most wondering this of all:
Free parking for Grad students!
(And I don't mean free parking that is off in a field with pot holes so deep you could easily lose your car.)
(I would still rather be paying Canadian tuition fees...however, these things help)
Wonderful and Amazing Ithaca College:
Monday, August 27, 2012
Buttermilk Falls State Park
My new friend April and I went on our first waterfall hike in Buttermilk Falls State Park. All of these photos are from one short hike - Ithaca is Gorges!
We saw so many people swimming in the sink holes! Next time...
We sound Rainbow Trout and Sunfish in the pools!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Old Geeze Moves
This will be a tally of 'Old Geeze Moves' I make:
#1
Not checking my student e-mail for 4 months. School hasn't even started yet, I had no idea profs would be e-mailing before classes start!
#2
Meeting with our Subject Librarian (that's right, we have a librarian specifically for the Health Sciences department) because I have no idea how to search for articles anymore AND THEN leaving my brand new iPhone in the library! I didn't realize it was missing for 2 hours, luckily the librarian had set it aside for me.
#3
Walking around campus in cute shoes for 2 days. My old lady feet can't handle that - sneakers tomorrow!
#4
I was listening to Bjork in the library on my computer with my headphones. When the fourth song started a guy comes over the points out that I don't actually have my headphone in the headphone port. That's right, the entire library was listening to Bjork, thanks to me. (So embarrassed!)
#5
Referring to PowerPoint Slides as "overheads".
#7
At the end of the Aphasia lecture that reviewed the anatomy of the brain I asked the Prof, "What happened to the 'oblingata' part of the medulla?" She responded with, "Oh, oh ya...wow, I haven't heard that term in years."
Meeting with our Subject Librarian (that's right, we have a librarian specifically for the Health Sciences department) because I have no idea how to search for articles anymore AND THEN leaving my brand new iPhone in the library! I didn't realize it was missing for 2 hours, luckily the librarian had set it aside for me.
#3
Walking around campus in cute shoes for 2 days. My old lady feet can't handle that - sneakers tomorrow!
#4
I was listening to Bjork in the library on my computer with my headphones. When the fourth song started a guy comes over the points out that I don't actually have my headphone in the headphone port. That's right, the entire library was listening to Bjork, thanks to me. (So embarrassed!)
#5
Referring to PowerPoint Slides as "overheads".
#7
At the end of the Aphasia lecture that reviewed the anatomy of the brain I asked the Prof, "What happened to the 'oblingata' part of the medulla?" She responded with, "Oh, oh ya...wow, I haven't heard that term in years."
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Getting Started in the USA
For weeks now I've been trying to figure out how to get auto insurance down here. In Canada, I use an insurance broker and all of the companies they are affiliated with are not willing to insure me for more than 12 months. I need 14, at least.
I went on-line and checked out a few forums and blogs, it seemed that the consensus was to call Progressive. The woman I dealt with was very friendly and helpful and the estimate she put together was incredibly cheap when compared to what I've been paying in Canada. She was all set to take my money and then the policy wouldn't go through. As it turns out, I called a week too late. Progressive just changed their policy to be inline with other companies - they now need a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to verify I am who I say I am.
I e-mailed the International Student Director at the college and she said she has found a way to get me a SSN. I was so relieved!
I get to orientation and on day 3 I finally get to find out how I will apply for a SSN. Here is they plan:
The only way for me to get a SSN is if I have a job. Because of my status I can only work on campus. Unfortunately, all of the sweet sitting-around-on-your-ass library jobs were filled last spring. You know what I get? I get to work an on-campus catering job for $7.25/hr.
The last time I made $7.25 was 1998...and by the way...that's less than minimum wage in my country...
However, there's a huge bonus to this pathetic little story:
I opened a bank account with Bank of America and they just happen to be having a 'bonus' going on. If I start automatic deposit within 90 days, they'll give me $100! That's right, $100 for free.
So you see, this little catering job is getting me auto insurance AND $100. Not bad really.
Introduction - Please Give Allowances
I'll start off by saying I'm not a writer. This blog will be full of spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, run on sentences and everything else us non-writers do when writing. As well, I'm a first time blogger so please give allowances for all of the major screw ups I will make!
I decided to start this blog because I wanted to share my adventures, experiences and observations with friends; but didn't want to be that annoying person on Facebook that posts every day and takes up way too much room on my news feed. Seriously, I don't need to know what you bought at the grocery store. With that said, I already have a post in mind about what I bought at the grocery store - reader beware.
I'll be sharing my experiences as a Canadian moving to America, as a 30 something year old returning to school, and as a tourist in the wonderful town of Ithaca, NY. Oh, and of course, there will be nerdy speech posts. By the way, do you like the font I chose? This is Verdana, the preferred font when working with people who have aphasia because the letters are crisp and well spaced.
Speech Nerd out.
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