asdfasdf, part II
I've made the decision. Carlson.
When I began making this decision there were plenty of witty ideas running through my mind on how to divulge it. But the fact is, this decision was difficult and serious enough that I feel no desire to make light of it. Monday I formally accepted at Cornell. I was sure that was where I was going. Some things changed in the following couple days and it became clear that I had to switch. I'm grateful I was able to, but am not excited about having to back out at Cornell. They are nice people there, not to mention they have that whole "Ivy league" temptation and they issued me one of the only 10 offers made to the 500 applicants. Brutally difficult decision I had to make. I don't feel a particular desire to expound on the specifics involved at this point, at least by means such as these.
But I am looking forward to the exciting research at Carlson and feel a tremendous weight lifted off my head, which felt like it was going to explode (literally) the last couple weeks. My goal for the PhD program is to solve all worldly problems our species faces and also to develop piano proficiency.
Thanks for your prayers as I worked through the decision.
When I began making this decision there were plenty of witty ideas running through my mind on how to divulge it. But the fact is, this decision was difficult and serious enough that I feel no desire to make light of it. Monday I formally accepted at Cornell. I was sure that was where I was going. Some things changed in the following couple days and it became clear that I had to switch. I'm grateful I was able to, but am not excited about having to back out at Cornell. They are nice people there, not to mention they have that whole "Ivy league" temptation and they issued me one of the only 10 offers made to the 500 applicants. Brutally difficult decision I had to make. I don't feel a particular desire to expound on the specifics involved at this point, at least by means such as these.
But I am looking forward to the exciting research at Carlson and feel a tremendous weight lifted off my head, which felt like it was going to explode (literally) the last couple weeks. My goal for the PhD program is to solve all worldly problems our species faces and also to develop piano proficiency.
Thanks for your prayers as I worked through the decision.
posted by Jordan at 9:44 AM
32 Comments:
Good for you, I'm sure you'll be satisfied with your decision. I am somewhat curious, though, what kind of research will you be doing here as opposed to what you might have expected at Cornell? Could you give a example or something, just curious.
woohoo. Glad you are coming back. Before solving earth's problems - you should solve mine. I have a lot and I feel like you could conquer anything after eliminating them. Cheers.
I'm so proud of you, Jordan. My brother, Jonathan, has a theory (and I think my other brothers have told me this too) that it is a good idea to make decisions by flipping coins. If the decision that you are forced to take by the coin flip makes you feel disappointed, you should do the other thing. Essentially, what this means is that making a decision helps you make a decision. So I'm glad (but not GLAD) that you made your decision, and am selfishly happy you will be in Minnesota. I'm also glad my dad could help you.
However, I have to say that, being as you were accepted into such an elite program, I was surprised to read this:
"Brutally difficult decision I had to make."
I may be wrong, but I don't believe that is a sentence. It is in the passive voice, for sure, which gives it a Yodafeel (yes, one word). That makes it sound different, but doesn't make it wrong in itself. However, without the indefinite article, I believe your sentence is incomplete. I only mean to point this out to better prepare you for such intelligent work (soon you will be officially smarter than me).
With lots of love and feelings of joy and excitement,
Chris
Hahahaha, you have a link to GLAD on your blog... sorry. I'm still proud of you.
Dominic,
There is certainly overlap, but Cornell's expertise is in theoretical, mathematical models whereas Carlson's expertise is in applied research to real problems that companies face.
Colleen,
When I finish the PhD maybe I can exchange my consulting services for your clothes-buying consulting. Let's talk....
Chris,
Once again, thanks for being born (even though you link to gay websites). Thanks for pointing out that I used a sentence fragment. I was actually aware of it but decided not to do anything. There is supposed to be an implied "It was a" at the beginning. The alternative, as you suggested, would be to include the indefinite article before "brutally." One nice thing about Latin is that there is no need for such articles. I could say "unus deus" (one god) but if I say "deus" it could be translated as "god," "a god," or "the god," depending on the context. It is very efficient.
Yeah, but I still think English is better than Latin, mostly because it is a conglomeration of many languages, and thus has much more diversity and robustness. And diversity is greater than ANYTHING.
Awesome, best of luck to you. Funny thing is, I may have to make a decision in those same terms but in the context of neuroscience.
Yay you're coming back! I guess I'll be making a batch of cookies.
it turns out that we are, after all, going to graduate school in the same city. thank you for helping me keep my promise. you have made us both trustworthy.
we will do our best to fatten you up as a reward.
also: we will be attending school in buildings adjoining one another. you get free issues of the new york times in yours and i... i have nothing to offer but to take that liberal rag off your hands :-)
let's do lunch. every day. for the next two years. if you're lucky, you can convert me and use your operational management skills to control me as your policy puppet to the ends of whatever company you choose to "mercen" yourself out to following graduation.
i'm out.
i was missing you... wondering if i had sent you mail yet or not... and know that you're a grown up and are at work.... unable but always willing to answer your phone, so i thought i'd check up on the blog. sorry i missed out on so much. it seems like i just talked to you! about 2 years ago... anyways. we'll have a phone date soon. i miss you. hope you're having a WONDERFUL day, future dr. from UMN! :)
Sam,
If you make them, it would be an honor for me to consume them....
Renee,
I am thrilled to eat lunch with you every day for two years. If you decide to stay on for a PhD let's make it four years. I also like the fact that you used "mercen" as a verb. If it is true that I get a free NYT you are welcome to it.
Swiemo,
You were on my short list of people to call. Soon you will be far away and such conversations will not be so readily available.... As far as my adulthood is concerned: I am confident that when I am back in school that that will be rescinded along with my income and my need to make life-changing decisions.
Jordan, aka cookie monster
Yes! I'm stoaked! We MUST have a little "Welcome Back" party for you. I'm envisioning Sam's cookies, Renne's cooking splendor, and all of our witty comments shredding some silly movie to shreds. Booyah!
I just realized I said "shredding to shreds". You can blame this poor grammer on my utter excitement about you coming back.
Thanks Laura.. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't catch anything wrong with shredding something to shreds until you pointed it out. You should just blame the mistake on something else, such as greedy corporations.
Congratulations on the decision! If I had been aware piano proficiency was one of your goals, I'd have cast my vote (even if it wouldn't count towards anything) for Carlson at the start... you'll be just a hop, skip, and jump away from some of the best pianists in the country. Seriously... the grad students give lessons - look into it if you're interested... studies have shown college students who are also musicians are emotionally healthier than their non-musician counterparts... for what that's worth!
I made my decision also: I was accepted at and will be attending the Colburn Conservatory in downtown Los Angeles starting this fall. SO excited!
YOU ARE A PAWN OF CORPORATE AMERICA, ABOUT TO GIVE YOUR VERY SOUL TO THE RACIST PROPAGANDA OF THE EVIL CAPITALISM OF INTOLERANCE AND OPPRESSION - TO THE GREEDY MEN WHO NEVER STOP SHEDDING BLOOD SO THEY MAY LINE THEIR POCKETBOOKS WITH GREEN SELFISHNESS! YOUR BIGOTRY AND HATE HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS WORLD, AND YOUR RIGHT-WING SEXIST HOMOPHOBIA THAT ENSLAVES YOU TO YOUR CORPORATE MASTERS IS MORE EVIL THAN EVIL ITSELF.
RACIST.
That is all.
love,
Chris
Thanks Nicole, and congratulations on your decision as well. How long is your program? Is this a masters?
Chris, thank you as well. You are beautiful, no matter what they say.
Jordan, you need to start a new blog entry.
Courtesy of blogspot.
Crap, I put Erik on top...uh...
Notice brought to you by Erik, mediator for all blogs on blogspot.
Hey Jordan,
I was just at the Starbuck's in Coffman Union and was reminiscing about the video we made for the Weekender retreat that one year. In it, someone stole your drink and you yelled in Arabic. Remember that?
Gosh - you guys are such racists!
your academic goals seem so much higher than your modest piano goals... lets look for some balance in life jordan.
congrats on your decision. sorry it took me so long to catch up with you.
Can we expect an "asdfasdf, part III" anytime soon?
Jordan - your lack of blogging for the past few wks is unacceptable. What am I supposed to do at work now?
Blog.
asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdf!
Colleen,
I just made a post with like 48,000 different topics (or maybe 7 or something, I don't remember). Anyway, you can read that while Jordan takes away our happiness by his lack of posting. There are pictures of a cute puppy, too, which always makes one smile.
Sorry I've been negligent of updates.
Sam,
Yes, I had forgotten about that. I distinctly remember the use of an Arabic phrase which sounded Italian. I believe we managed to offend two ethnic groups with a single utterance. That is talent.
Matt,
My lack of piano proficiency is actually one of the worldly problems facing our species. It should be taken care of along with all the others.
Chris,
No, no part III any time soon.... I think I'm done with asdfasdf topics for a little while at least.
Colleen,
I'm not sure if the last line of your comment was aimed at me or not...but you did manage to answer your own question....
Chris,
I agree with your last two comments.
with regards to your arabic phrase that was pronounced in an arabic accent, it was very funny.
the end.
erik
ok, I screwed that up. arabic phrase in an italian accent, that was funny. unlike my previous post.
Jordan,
Do you mean you agree with "asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdf!" and that puppies make one smile? I just want to clarify for posterity's sake.
Chris,
To clarify, I am in agreement with:
asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdf!
and:
Colleen,
I just made a post with like 48,000 different topics (or maybe 7 or something, I don't remember). Anyway, you can read that while Jordan takes away our happiness by his lack of posting. There are pictures of a cute puppy, too, which always makes one smile.
Wow, we agree on a lot, then.
I miss you, Jordan.
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