Caro tutti! So, tomorrow I depart, once again for the country of my birth... USA. All my bags are packed and I am ready to go! However, I am dreading the flight; both coming and returning. I have never been more uncomfortable on an airplane when flying. The plane is old, uncomfortable, and the attendants are snippy, caddy and rude. What I am trying to say is that the service could use a slight tweek! Honestly, in passing through the first class section which looked anything far from first class, I said... this is like flying coach on Continental. Continental is by far the most comforting. Warmer cabin, and better food. But it's only a 9-10 hr flight! Lots of time for movies, books, studying, and sleeping! To make matters even more agitating, Delta, once again overbooked the flight... oddddiooooooo!!!!! (good-grief)
The purpose of my return is not confidential, so I will tell you all! My mission, this time, is to return yet again to the Italian Consulate of NY to request the VISA to stay until September. This time I have all the documents plus more in the event they press my buttons. I am more aware of how to deal with them... I am not leaving until I get something, or they kick me out. I made it this far, and managed to obtain all the required documents. It's on their website, so if they begin to bust my balls again, I can simply just produce this print-out.
All of my colleagues and people within the institute are all pulling for me! They were very happy when I told them I received the document that would allow me to get the VISA. However, I shouldn't get to excited, because the consulate still has the final say, but I it's looking pretty positive.
My days (this week) have been spent on packing, studying for the GRE, (but honestly, how much vocab and math can I study,) and working on graduate schools...Right now I am really pushing John Hopkins. I have been looking into their Neuro and Immunology programs, but have been taking a recent interest in NF1/NF2 and Pediatric Neurology... Perhaps I can somehow tie in Pediatric Neuro with neurofibromatosis types I and II. It's a thought.....Speaking, of neuroscience, I am reading a cool book on the study of human obsession entitled "This is Your Brain on Music" It's very interesting, right now the author is going into depth on the musical background. Luckily I have background in this having taken a course in Music where we studied the technical applications and music history of Western Art Music. Loved it! Great way to start the morning....
I find that I can spend the majority of my brain power on neuro based applications, and less for other things! I guess that's a very good sign, and I am already heading in the right direction by choosing something neurologically based. Interesting enough, if you check out my facebook page, you see how much of a nerd I am by looking at my video upload on Auditory Transduction. This was one of my favorite pathways apart from the Visual pathways.
Well, until next time!
Ci vediamo ed a presto!
