Memories I am afraid I'll forget

Day 37, A bit more work - emails wiped out

I almost had no energy or willpower to write this entry today. But I wanted to get it over with, as tomorrow is the first day in a long time that I do not have any plans (I mean any strict plans) and I have no intention of opening my laptop much. I sometimes just hate my poor beautiful laptop (it is not her fault, though). So tomorrow, no hikes, no trips, just hanging around, maybe doing a bit of cleaning and a bit of clothes' shopping.

But why would I need clothes' shopping? Well, I don't think I mentioned this to you just yet. I am a scholarship junkie, this one you knew already. But last year I won a US State Department Scholarship (SUSI = Studies of the US Institutes for Scholars) that took place post-covid, but still online. We had three intensive weeks of learning from Harvard, MIT, UMass teachers, while making friendships online with scholars from all over the world. I now have colleagues I know from Brazil, Argentina, North Macedonia, Ukraine and so on. The list is long, we were around 16 people participating, only one chosen person per country per program. We had fun, created podcasts, shared memories, and had a wonderful time. Except that this whole program was supposed to be happening in person, in the US, for 6 weeks. But now, it seems like our time has come. The State Department decided that our Capstone (in-person part of the) program is happening this fall! It means that in early November, I am embarking on a visit to the East Coast. Man, I need winter clothes I currently lack! This justifies my need to shop. I need a warm coat and warmer shoes than my Nike or Sketchers. So tomorrow, I'm trying to shop for these.

But back to today. I woke up at quite a normal time, so by 9AM, I was already typing emails Godspeed, sending out information, confirmation, and thesis work feedback. My brain was once again on fire. I cannot tell you how much I worked today, it was a bit overwhelming. This is what you get if you try to work periodically. But today, I also advanced with my Fulbright research. As we have just received the IRB approval, I now sent out my survey to Parinaz, who will help us get it out to SJSU international students. I also made a survey version available for international students at the University of Szeged and reached out to a local contact of mine for helping me out with a university-wide distribution of my survey. Cross your fingers for me, please. Next week, I'm starting to organize the in-depth interviews here in San Jose, from which I need about 20. As everything is progressing smoothly, I am relieved – at least about this.

I am a bit more furious about the situation back in Hungary, though. One dollar is now almost 440 (if not already) forints, a historic low point no one ever saw before. Good that I am in the US, nah? Before I get too moody and sad, I'd skip whining about this now.

Other good things that happened today: I fixed up a meeting with Mahesh for next week, we're going to have coffee and I would like to once again invite him to Hungary and foster any more collaboration between us. I also reached out to Parinaz to conduct research together and talk about future collab between SJSU and SZTE. I try everything in my power to help my home university while I am here. Who knows for how long I am still able to do that (for whatever reasons you might be thinking of rn).

Finally, in the afternoon, I met Susie, who I haven't seen since Monday. Even if we live just at an arm's length from each other. She was kind enough to accompany me to Trader Joe's, where I bought some unnecessary things, but now my fridge is full. Again. I think I could get by on this much of food for a month at least.

Getting home I just wrapped up my laptop and my smaller plans for tomorrow, binge watched Grey's Anatomy and here I am now, typing down what happened. I found a store (ok, actually 2) where I am gonna go tomorrow, but I have to give up on my plans to get a new phone, as it is mostly sold out everywhere in the area. Apple! Please prepare for the release date and manufacture more if you know how bad the demand would be. First world problems, though. Recession and inflation are much worse problems, and I promised not to whine about those either. So, I'll just wrap this up here and now.

Tomorrow's plans: light cruising around looking for warm clothes in 30 degrees Celsius.

Apartment update: My husband bought the lamps and chandeliers, tomorrow, they are assembling furniture. We are on the right track, yaaay!

30 September 2022