A Winter Trip in the Sunny Borderland

Jan. 4th

I walk on the street, wondering why this happened. I could not believe only one top university gave me the interview. Nothing is important to me now after I finished this interview this afternoon. It is really a pleasure to find a 7-11 near the motel I am staying at. I bought purified water and some nuts as snacks. Tonight I would like to watch the old movie hands of the ripper despite tomorrow's interview is waiting. My boldness comes from my preparation and self-confidence.

It is afternoon as I arrive San Diego

Silent Night

This Christmas I got a Christmas card. If my memory is correct, this is my first Christmas card. Maybe it was because I am the only Asian in the church, or maybe she gave a card to everyone. Whatever, it is good to receive blessings from others in the holiday season.  

North Cary Baptist Church

十字路口

下個月初到San Diego參加美國經濟學年會暨面試，我不知道自己是否已準備好，甚至如何準備。這次，我犯了一個大錯，就是幾乎放棄美國的機會，押了七成機會在大陸的學校。希望有更多的學校或企業能提供我面試的機會，否則就得在這裡多留一年了。有想過回台灣的大學工作，但是歸鄉之路太窄，身上包袱又沉重。非我不願意奉獻所學，而是那裏不缺我一人。所以不管是何處，只要能付出公平薪資，即便需遠赴東歐或中東，我都願意接受。不少離開此地的人都說，沒有地方比美國的環境更適合人居的。的確是如此。然我終歸是個異鄉人，時間到了就得再拖著行李，往他處而去。我心欲定，無奈現實如冬風，我只得如落葉般漂泊。

A Thanksgiving Day

Today is Thanksgiving Day. The library and the gym are closed as well as grocery stores. In a particular day like today, I try something different. First, I made a breakfast.

French Toast, Sausage (No Preservative) and Hot Chocolate

The Beginning of the End

I completed the oral prelim on Friday. Joe said he had not heard anyone who can complete it in two hours. Even so, I don’t feel relaxed. The job market is open, but I haven’t finished my job market paper. I don’t know why I did not figure out this last year so that I could finish it in this summer. The oral prelim is just the beginning of the end. Challenges are still there.

Chapel in Duke University

 

Cowardly Lion

While stepping out of the gym, I found it is raining.The heavy rain refreshed the air. Now it smells fresh and cool. But I remembered the clothes hung on the garment rack in the balcony might get wet. It really irritated me. I kept my life simple to move forward with papers for the doctorate degree and the job. But there are always bad surprises waiting. I've cancelled any trip in this year. I thought I could go to visit New York and watch the opera in Broadway in October. Now all are put off.

 

The private study room in the library is my sancturary.

 

All about Supply and Demand

Last month I searched for apartments with one-bed rooms or studios in Raleigh and north Cary. Most one-bed rooms were not available, especial those with reasonable rent rates. Those that were vacant have steep rates. The leasing companies didn't need to worry about that since lots of perspective customers would come to Raleigh soon. Raleigh is growing so the housing cost increases year by year.