To Tucson!

[D_Martin van Burden]

Dear LPSG,

I'm taking an evening flight into Tucson, AZ for the weekend. I'm leaving today on the 27th and flying back on the 30th.

I am blessed to put names and faces together for the sociology department I will be attending this upcoming fall. I have a lot of people and a good number to thank as well; and I don't forget those from LPSG who showed support in my application process. I'm very excited. I can't wait to get on the plane.

I have a rather packed itinerary, but I just thought I'd send a heads-up anyway. We're doing happy hour at a few places, and I'm meeting a girl from Craigslist who wanted to rent a house near campus.

Take care,
Dee

P.S. I'm not sleeping in Atlanta.

 

[B_dumbcow]

Have a nice time, Dee :smile:

 

[tripod]

Enjoy the weather and your future sociology professors and mates. Wait 'till they get a look at your handsome self... hearts will be breaking!!! :smile:

 

[Pecker]

I hope you have a designated pilot.

Good luck, Dee. Have a great time.

 

[SpeedoGuy]

If you get a chance, go for a walk up Sabino Canyon trail on the northeast part of the metro area. Nice trail. Beautiful scenery. Or you can visit Saguaro National Park.

 

[SurferGirlCA]

Wow, so you're going to UA for grad school? Tucson and the surrounding desert/mountains are soooooooooo beautiful. I love it there (even though I grew up in Phoenix and Phx-Tucson have that LA-SF thing kinda). Good luck and have fun!

 

[Lex]

Good luck, Dee. Remember that these programs are marathons and not sprints. They test your endurance more than anything else.

I hope to finally finish my doctorate by the fall.

 

[B_Hung Muscle]

Dee, good luck to you. You're going to thrive there.

 

[D_Martin van Burden]

Okay, a quick report. (I got stuck in Houston and have to make up for it with a ton of laundry to do now that I'm home.)

I had a great time. I was pretty surprised at the greenery. I really had stereotypical visions of Arizona being utterly and completely barren. Had a good time with the department. Way more drinking than I thought. Good bunch of people, and I found out that there are maybe 10 of us total who have committed to going there in the fall.

I didn't do a whole lot of sightseeing, but I visited the San Xavier du Bac mission south of the city and I ended up supporting my indigent brethren by losing $20 at a tribal casino thereafter. I also met up with two people I encountered on Craigslist, and I have a house ready for me in the fall. I signed the lease. Paperwork processing on their side and I'll be moving in August 1. Very close to local downtown entertainment and a good walk from where I need to be on campus (hence, even more accessible drinking).

I have to get my kidneys and liver in shape, don't I?

Everything went rather smoothly except for a layover in Houston. I didn't have to sleep at the airport this time, thank goodness, but be warned for flights often overbooking past capacity. It just seems exceptionally bad this season. So, if you can afford some flexibility, you'll pick up a few free flights, I'd imagine.

 

[camper joe]

Glad almost everything is going smooth Dee.

 

[ThickAZGuy]

You got to Tuscon at a beautiful time of the year, Dee. All the Brittlebush and Creosote is in bloom now. Plus we had some decent rain this year; the blooms are abundant.

 

[D_Martin van Burden]

Sigh. I hate it when I speak too soon.

Everything else is a go. Oh, and I lucked out; I earned a fellowship within the department, so I get a little more money each month and less of a work load -- 10 hours, not 20 hours per week. Super excited about that. But I get a frantic call this evening from the roommates that I just signed with. One of them graduated and doesn't want to stay in Tucson, so I said that I wouldn't be comfortable getting stuck on a lease without a definitive third roommate. I'm not upset or pissed, just a little frustrated because I have to go scouting for places again.

(Even if this all works out, I want a Plan B, you know?)

 

[deleted49120]

awesome, congrats Dee! Good Luck with everything!

 

[D_Martin van Burden]

Oh. Forgot to tell you guys. I found a studio apartment pretty close to the university, and the landlady is really sweet. Used to attend UA, so did her husband, and they're sweet on renting to students. Got a good deal for it, checked 'em out, and sent the holding deposit. If anyone's in Tucson come mid-July, let me know and we'll go have a beer.

 

[B_lamdellboo]

Congrats, sir. :]

 

[highboiLV]

ur neighbor nevada welcomes you!

 

[Mr. Snakey]

Glad you had a good time. Arizona is beautiful. I will be going back soon.