(Untitled)

[aelise]

So, uh, I'm thinking seriously about living in Atlanta for five years. Ignoring the white campus for a second, at least the admin lady who showed me around picked me up in a car covered in "Anybody but Bush" type bumper stickers. The city can't be that bad, right? It's only five years. More rationalization to come...

Comments

[mrmcgrath]

here's a quote that Kathleen overheard in a clothing store the other day (read in a southern accent)-

lady: They don't have stores like this in Atlanta. I think people might think it was sinful

other lady: mmmm hmmm!

[abumponthehead]

you left the best part out: I was in urban outfitters

[aelise]

oh wow.

[aelise]

sigh.

i wish i had gotten more time to look around. i didn't get to see the city at all.

[remitmeruit]

from what i've heard, atlanta is an island in the south, like chicago is an island in the midwest. they have a black female democrat elected as mayor, after all. and a reputation for being one of the least homophobic cities in the united states.

i say go for it, if you're excited about the school and the research

[maladie]

i second that.

[aelise]

of course I start writing and just can't stop. there will be a response to this comment posted as a full entry shortly. but otherwise, i've heard the 'liberal island' comment too, and i'm crossing my fingers :)

[miguelberta]

just stay in the city...

In the interest of being open-minded and knowledgable about the world...

[huffines]

The reason why Atlanta would be a good thing:

Cultural EnlightenmentIt would be a very good thing for you. Seriously. And a great challenge, a completely disparate place than the one in which you grew up. You're already a friggin' genius. This will just give you a bit more wisdom

Re: In the interest of being open-minded and knowledgable about the world...

[naughtsauce]

i second all of what josh said. there are cool things everywhere, and any place can become home if you can find something you enjoy about it. it would be hard to hate EVERYTHING in a city as big as atlanta. you'll learn a lot, get a tan, and go to a good school. all good things.

Re: In the interest of being open-minded and knowledgable about the world...

[aelise]

oh man, i could sure use a tan.

Re: In the interest of being open-minded and knowledgable about the world...

[aelise]

aw, man, you're the best. thank you! i'm going to read this ten times before sending in my acceptance letter. :)

[life_with_alger]

5 years is a long time to be somewhere you don't love. I agree with Josh that it would be an interesting experience in a different culture, but five years is a long time. I think after the first 6 months the novelty would fade and if you don't love where you're at than it might become tough to be there.

All in all though, I think if anyone could make it in Atlanta it would be you. You're very open to new experiences, laid back, and able to find love & enjoyment in the simple things (laying in bushes and staring at stars, for example).

I don't necessarily LOVE new york. But I love the work that I get to do here and that makes it bearable. If anything else being in a place that isn't a perfect fit for you might allow you to focus better on your research.

[aelise]

thanks stevie b. your mention of staring at the stars makes me all nostalgic. if i end up in atlanta, you better believe there will be copious roadtrips up the coast. be forewarned!

also, you make some good points... i feel really lucky to have such good friends who have gone through this sort of thing already. at the risk of going through my entire rationalization here (i think that's coming soon) i'll just say that i've been thinking the same sort of stuff and it's helpful for me to hear that new york is good for you even if it isn't perfect.