Avram's adviser decided that he would flip a coin to decide between the two of them, so Avram and he don't have to. That's right - Avram's entire financial future next year - a Teaching Position that includes a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a monthly stipend of $1256 all comes down to which way lincoln's head lies after a coin toss. We don't even know when this coin will be tossed - so we're also on pins and needles until further notice.
A couple nights ago, after finding this out, I had a dream that the state gave us bags and wheelbarrows of dirt for us to grow vegetables in. We had our own poor dirt, but they were shocked at how destitute we (either our dirt or our vegetables, I can't exactly remember) were. Then the dirt/state people wondered why we weren't on more government programs, and decided to sign us up for them. I think my subconscious does not trust that we shall be favored by random chance.
Also, a few weeks ago, I dreampt that Avram got a job that paid for his tuition and gave him a stipend. He was Barack Obama's personal secretary - but only for twenty hours a week. Obama was very accomadating of Avram and his school schedule. I was very happy with the position too - because we were able to afford the old and character ridden one bedroom apartment in New York City, where we and Obama both lived (along with many other millions of people). (We all lived in New York, that is, not millions of people living in our one bedroom apartment).
My dreams seem to indicate I should turn to the government in case the school does not deliver. Anyone know the number of the DFV (Dirt for Vegetables) program, or Obama's personal hiring number?
Posts
Peppermint Bark Fudge
5 days ago
Flipping a coin seems kind-of pathetic, but less pathetic than making the students decide among themselves. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteseriously? flipping a coin? Um that seems kinda jr. high, not high level college. Oh brother! I hope it works out that Avram gets the job.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think their adviser could at least have a Scrabble challenge or something to decide the fate. But maybe a coin toss will breed less hard feelings. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteIf he doesn't get the job, (or even if he does,) I'm sure there IS gov't help available. We qualified for WIC and for some parts of MediCal while Dean was in grad school.
My wife isn't being quite fair to my advisor. The coin flip is not being used as the final arbiter of our collective destinies. Rather, the name which goes on the position is only for paperwork purposes. Both myself and my friend, are still looking for other funding opportunities, including GTA positions in other departments. Also, the main library is reopening, and so a position in the library is a very real possibility.
ReplyDeleteMy friends and I are the first PhD students in my department, and the department is unused to allocating funds for PhD students. They expected, it seemed, one of us to get one of the fellowships offered in this University (which they have had done in previous years). The department is unprepared, but not malicious.
I appreciate my wife's worry, because not knowing the future can be a difficult thing, and it certainly is. I appreciate all of her readers indignation on our behalf. It's nice to know your cared for. I wished, however, to come, in some small way, to the defense of my department and my advisor.
Talk about nerve wracking! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteyou are officially in my prayers. I do have to say how much I LOVED the Obama comments - classic. Seriously the Lord is watching out for you. We love you
ReplyDeleteFunny, cute and clever! Government programs: we have had much truck with them. I say "meh".
ReplyDelete