Blogging is my reward for finishing homework

Hiyas again...

The reality of how much I must study has hit. What's funny is that I have a similar workload to what I did in undergrad but don't remember ANYTHING!!! I have spent my entire weekend working on my controls homework and am finally done! This is going to be really rough, but it will have to happen one way or another.

In my computer science class we have a group project to design some kind of robot but aren't going to physically build it. It's going to be modeled in this linux based software that a group of the professor's PhD students developed and if the project takes off enough during the semester then we can build it. I had to install linux on my computer to get the simulation running and that was a trip! Really awkward at first but later you realize that most of it is meant to be intuitive.

However if you've never run linux I highly recommend it because everything runs so much faster. Even something as simple as surfing the internet is enhanced. It's not even that difficult install, and if you are a visual snob then you'll be happy to know it looks similar to Mac OS.


So that this doesn't get too long, here is a quick synopsis of the fun activities I did in the past week:

-Road my bike downtown with a new girlfriend from class (She is exactly me 6 years ago... which is very strange)
-Checked out the FIDM scholarship store (designer clothes for as low as $1, mostly damaged items but I got a lot of great stuff!)

-Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo http://www.automobiledrivingmuseum.org/index.html
-Got to ride in a Studebaker!!! This one! http://www.automobiledrivingmuseum.org/Carpages/page_1963studebakeravanti.html


..and an 89 Porshe Speedster. Unfortunately was not allowed to drive. They circulate cars that they give rides to every week, so all the cars in the museum except a few are exercised every 2-3 months. This was an amazing museum. The docent gave a 2 hour tour of the place and had all kinds of stories about nearly every car.


I am trying to figure out a way to continue getting past my homesickness, I thought I was over it but I still find myself randomly really upset about being here. It's really weird because my logical side keeps trying to convince myself that this is good and important and I set out to do this for a reason, and the other half of me just keeps hashing all the reasons that this was a hasty decision that I should not have gone through. I should have appreciated my friends, family, and job more while I had them. It's not that I did not, it's that I felt like something was missing and I wasn't able to give my life my all. Anyway, when I figure it out I will let the world know.

BUT! Here is my address. I love mail :)
2660 Menlo Ave, #5
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Good
Night

1 Month Evaluation

So today marks my being here for one month. Yesterday was the first time I felt comfortable with being here, otherwise I've been extremely homesick. Forcing myself to call new friends and go out makes a big difference because it's really easy to sit in my apartment and just wait for time to pass.

Anyway! I went surfing today with one of those new friends! Renee and Jason are from Hawaii and have the most interesting background since they are from the Air Force. They were kind enough to let me tag along on their "Surfing Sunday" tradition. It is such a workout, but really addicting. I will rent a few more times and if I feel like I am improving at a good rate then I will buy a board.

Pictures!

Here's a teaser, click link for album!

Yes Detroit! The Feeling's Forever

I can't sleep. Its okay because I don't have class until 2.
A couple things about SoCal weather that are bugging me:

-Migraines appear with a vengeance because of the sun
*not as crippling because the weather is dry

-I can't find comfortable things to wear
*clothes makes me sweat, being naked makes me sunburnt and, well, naked
*showering 40 times a day is a little ridiculous

-My skin is so freaking dry, I had to actually buy lotion!
*Plus Side!! My skin has cleared up because of it! wooo!

Today I went to the Tigers vs Angels game and was lucky because I got a ticket for 5 bucks! It was a great time too! I sat by a group of kids who were at day camp and we discussed my oozing poison ivy leg. I can't cover it up because it needs to dry out and will just soak through my pants. I decided to move to a closer seat later in the game and got really nasty looks from some shitty old super fans every time I cheered. Why do people hate Detroit so much? Sorry you're only happy because you have good weather all year and hate when we beat you the rest of the series (yeah whatever we lost today!)

Actually I was pretty nervous because this guy got really mad when I cheered for Inge and wouldn't stop staring at me. Man I thought he was seriously going to kick my ass... Anyway that made me have second thoughts about my plans to later go to Laker's games wearing a Detroit shirt alone until I meet people. I'm sure Laker's fans are way more arrogant and into their stupid team than the Angels.


Kris left last night and that was really hard because we started to fight the last week he was here. We can't spend 3 weeks of stuck in one room with only the internet to entertain us after the beach closes/crazies come out at night. I think that's typical for any betrothed-but-practically-married couple. I felt really bad that we wasted the last week that way but it made me appreciate the three weeks he was here.

Woops..this post might get long if I keep going, so I will stop. Goodnight!

First Day of School

The Factual Part of the Post:
Today was my first day of school. This doesn't mean too much because I only have one class on Mondays - My robotics sensing and planning course. The professor wasn't there today but his TA lectured. The majority of the research they are doing is marine glider based- AHHHH!!! How awesome!!

It is mainly a group project course. Oh and guess how many girls are in the class :) One other and myself. I haven't met her formally but hopefully she will want to work together.

Saturday night I went out with a friend I made who is in the ME department. We (Kris and I) went out as a group with 3 other students. Let's just say it was an interesting time. Kris and I were not drinking but one of them was a little too heavily. OH TO BE A YOUNG GRADUATE STUDENT! We went to a venue called the Roxy to see a band. The Silent Years (my friends) are going to be playing there Sept 8th!

The Emotional Part of the Post:
I am finding myself rather lonely and bored here even though I have Kris here until tomorrow. It's just tough to find things to do that aren't a huge production. Everything is a far drive, about 10 miles or more. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it takes a long time to get to places. It's really a crippling feeling too knowing that I am going to burn at least 5-7 dollars on gas for each outing (more for parking sometimes). I thought I would be able to ride my bike or take the bus more often.

Things just seem so much easier in Michigan. Places are closer and more freely accessible. I can't imagine being here permanently. There aren't many homes with yards unless you live in the hills and are a plastic surgeon. I can't imagine not having a yard! Not many people have garages. I have no where to play with my car, no where to wash it (a summer favorite of mine). It's actually killing me right now. I am so cooped up inside my place. I can't really sit outside and I am on the first floor so its weird to have my blinds and windows open (people are constantly walking by). I wish I could escape to the beach more easily as well. That is a about a half hour away but the parking can be tricky.

I hope this doesn't sound petty. It will probably get easier once school is in full swing and I can better navigate this city. Right now it is conjuring up these feelings and fears that I might be a boring person and am unable to take advantage of my situation. That might be true, but I am having a hard time changing that. What's even worse about that possible fact is that I set out on this little adventure not only to get my MS, but also to do a little soul searching. So far I feel even more lost than I did before. But, I am trying this new thing called "Being Positive", so I am *CONFIDENT* that I will get there!

Anyway, these should be short and I've exceeded my personal limit. Hope everyone is doing well!

San Francisco Pictures!

We are back from San Fran! Actually it's been a couple days.

Anyway instead of posting the pictures in the blog I've uploaded them to a site:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Crystal.Nassouri

It was really hazy and foggy on the way up, so we didn't get the quality of pictures we hoped for. Regardless they are good.

Enjoy!

Picture Post 2 - Sorry I keep changing formats, last one couldnt view pictures

School pics!

Picture Post 1

Apparently confused at the hostel in venice


Venice canals






Santa Monica






Apartment

Post T(h)ree

I wish I could update this thing more often but I don't have internet at my apartment yet. I was hoping to make friends with someone so I could split the wireless bill but no one is ever outside...

Anyway, I moved in Thursday and there was a free bed from another apt. Kris and I spent the past few days shopping for food, sheets, and other neccessities. We also bought bikes and a bike rack! Tomorrow morning we leave for our big San Francisco road trip too!!

Yesterday we went to Malibu after our shopping and while driving down highway 1 we spotted dolphins! Kris' brother said sometimes they come up to you if you are in the water.

Today we went to Zuma beach and played in the waves. The water is extremely cold but once you get in it doesn't feel that bad. It's probably because your body gets numb. We are actually sitting at a starbucks right now.

Another cool thing about this place is the wildlife. We saw/heard a flock of blue crowned conures being chased by a hawk. What is special about this is these kind of birds are pet birds that have escaped and started their own colonies. I can't wait to go to San Fran because there are TONS of these and other conures all over the place. People actually try to kill them because they are so noisy and destructive.

People are probably curious about that whole school thing too. About that: I decided to do Controls and specialize in Robotics. Oh man, the robotics program is so awesome here. I'm taking three courses: Linear Algebra (easy), Linear Controls (easy), and Robotic Sensing and Planning (hard). I need to take the two easy ones because I don't remember anything from undergrad.

Oh and for those who are looking for my address, it's going to have to wait because I don't have a key to my mailbox yet.

Some guy called me 8-mile

Hey everyone,
I am still alive out here, everything is considerably better for the moment. Kris got here last night and we decided to stay in the hostel rather than inconvenience his friends. Previously I was staying in a 6 bed girls room but I checked out on the assumption that Kris and I might try his friends, but rechecked into the same hostel. We ended up getting two bunks in the 30 bed dorm hall.

It's crazy! It's a huge room with 30 bunk beds. It smells very weird and moldy. I climbed into my top bunk last night to put the sheets on and found an empty can of Barbasol (this is Barbasol) and a lighter crammed next to the wall. This morning I woke up and saw a used q-tip stuck in a crevice of a bunk. Kris has wet boxer briefs and socks draped over his bunk ladder. That smell I mentioned? I think it can be identified as the smell of weird euro traveler guys.

I spent the past three days in Santa Monica because the bus line goes straight there from the hostel. It's only 75 cents each way! The buses are punctual too. Oh so different from D-town.

Tomorrow morning I leave the hostel and move into the apartment...then I will post some pictures of the place and from the week! Also on the agenda tomorrow is a finally (but probably not really final) attempt to get my security deposit back from the trash jerk ghetto town place. If I don't get the deposit back, I am going to demand a key for the place anyway because I've paid for 2 months rent! So if anyone wants a weird random studio in a slum for some strange unknown operation, contact me.

OH! Funny story for those who have first hand experience with my sleep apnea. When I was staying in the girls dorm, I had a top bunk with an angled ceiling directly above me. My Dutch roommate was directly below me. The other day when I went to get coffee with her, she said she could not sleep until about 4:30am because one of the Italian girls in the room was snoring so loud. She said she was snoring like a man. I asked her if she was sure it was one of them and she said she was sure because it sounded like it was coming from the other side of the room. I'm sure you can figure out how a slanted ceiling saved me from embarrassment..

"Don't do anything weird", says my boyfriend

OKAY so I am here. It has been interesting.

Thursday- Car was supposed to be picked up by shipper in West Bloomfield on Wednesday but they never showed and the driver said he wouldn't be able to make it until Friday. Frankly I didn't trust my family to take care of it to my liking so I went with another shipper at the last minute. Thursday morning I met them at a Costco and said goodbye to MyVR6 (my car)

Friday- Plane ride went smoothly, picked up my rental and drove off to get into my new apartment. I spoke to the lady who set up my rental last Sunday, also the lady I sent $1000 last month, and let her know I was coming on the 31st. She told me to talk to the manager on the first floor. 1:30 pm, I get to the place, which is in a eeeeehhhh so so area (borderline ghetto but I can deal with it). Knock on the manager's door, no answer. Call the woman, no answer! Walk around, talk to locals, get a feel for the neighborhood (more ghetto the more I speak to people) and still can't get ahold of this woman. WHERE THE HECK IS SHE??!!

So after a few minutes of panic I decide to go to the store and buy soap, shampoo and a couple other things. I'm starting to realize that I was mislead about the location of this apartment. It's not in a good area. I can't ride my bike or take the bus safely. This isn't good... 3pm still no answer from the woman. I decide to start looking for other apartments and drive around USC. 7pm FINALLY she answers the phone (I left SEVERAL messages).

I go back to the apartment for someone to let me in (the woman called the managers family) and they don't speak a lick of english. They have no idea I am moving in. "Today? You are moving in today?" YES TODAY, NOW!!! They dig through a bucket of keys for 20 minutes and finally find a key but can't find a bathroom key. At this point I am fuming and have already decided I don't want to live there. I call the lady back and throw a fit. Plus the apartment is even smaller than I thought and there is junk still in it like a bed and stereo. This place is truly a slum.

My head is spinning and I go stay in a hotel. I call the lady back and demand my deposit back and let her know what kind of inconvenience she's caused me. I probably won't get my $1000 back. I'm pretty sure I am going to die broke out here.

Saturday- Wake up, call the lady, who still doesn't know if she can give me my deposit back (yes I have been harassing her). I found a place on Menlo (map it) which is a couple blocks from school. It is a studio, and I met the owners and they are honest. I have a good feeling about it, but that doesn't seem to matter because I had a good feeling about the other place. It is 900 a month and I get a parking spot. It's close enough to walk!!! AND ITS NOT A SLUM. However, I can't move in until the end of the week becuase they were painting, cleaning, and repairing the place.

I am still unhappy about the way things are and am still convinced I am going to die alone and broke in the happiest place in the world. My stipend only really covers $600 bucks a month in rent and I still have to eat. I won't be able to get a job taking 4 classes.

Saturday night I end up at a hostel that's $25 bucks a night right near Venice Beach until Kris gets here on Tuesday and we can either go stay with his friends in Koreatown or go camping until my apartment is ready and my car gets here sometime during the weekend.

Sunday - I made some great friends during my hostel stay so far. There is girl who I am sharing a room with from the Netherlands. I took my rental car back and took the bus to the beach. There was a Hare Khrisna fest today.

So I always wondered how brilliant and smart producers and writers must be to come up with the kind of shows and movies that they do, but in reality, they are living in the Los Angeles area and there are enough freaks here to provide several lifetimes of good material.

After eating a bunch of free vegan food we walked down the beach and found a massive 300-400 person drum cirle. It was a big hippie fest with a bunch of high on's banging on drums. Actually it was very cool. Some drunk guy dressed up as an eagle was dancing on some platform and fell off. I'll post some pictures later.

I met some guy from Jersey and that was actually a breath of fresh air because frankly I miss the midwest/east coast. People here are actually pretty nice and most of them are from out of state so its easy to make friends. Maybe I won't die out here but I will probably still end up being broke.

First Post!

Hi!
I just started this blog to document my Grad School adventure at University of Southern California. More posts to come.

Crystal-