I honestly didn't think that my graduate school options could keep getting better, but it seems that they do. I've now gotten into all of the schools that I applied to: UCSB, SUNY Stony Brook, Duke, and Cal. State Monterey Bay. Stony Brook was the first school I heard from and I was thrilled. Shortly after they told me about the amazing financial offer as well as being able to work with the professor (Dr. Ellen Pikitch) that I wanted and I was floating. They're hosting an accepted students weekend this coming weekend and the program sounds awesome. I will meet current students, other prospective students, my advisor as well as other prominent faculty and researchers. I also just found out that the seminar on Friday will feature Dr. Carl Safina, whose work is amazing. CSUMB was the last school I heard from and I was also very excited to get in there. The school was wonderful when I visited and I've had conversations with both of the professors I would be working with. Unfortunately, the funding is not yet guaranteed, they won't hear about grants until late summer and when I told them about my offer from Stony Brook they basically said I would be stupid to refuse it. So, it all comes down to this weekend. I hope I have not placed unfair expectations on it, but I honestly don't know what I would do if I don't like it. I find it hard to imagine that I won't given all of the great things so far, but you never know...

I've really been enjoying the spring weather, especially since I am now sans bike and must walk everywhere. I've been meaning to get my camera out and take some pictures of the beautiful sunsets and luckily remembered to on the same day I got a tour of my friend's new apartment. It's a gorgeous place on the fourth floor in downtown Noho and the views are amazing.

Tomorrow Faith, best friend from Michigan, is coming for a few days and I can't wait to show her around the valley. She's never been here in the 5 years or so I've been around (has it really been that long?) so it should be fun to be a tour guide. Also I'm taking 5 days off work so it's like a mini spring break for me.

I'm also really excited to visit Stony Brook at the end of the month. I haven't made a decision yet... I've gotten into Duke and UCSB as well as Stony Brook and am still waiting on CSU Monterey Bay, but unless it seems like a terrible place I will likely end up there, given their amazing financial offer and a professor that would be fantastic to work with.