ruthless.

ok, so i took some time off. i had to write grad school applications, written sample, blah blah blah.

it would be easiest to say that i made a mistake when i studied an ma in literature, but that would also be a mistake. it was not an error; it will help me in the future; it was expensive.

all those statements are true. of course, i could also say i have blown off three years in mexico, but that would be incorrect. because of my time here i have figured out a better idea of what i want to do in the future. surprise surprise. it involves going back to school. nothing like 5 more years of graduate school. why have just one master's degree when you can have two? and a doctorate. i have to be accepted first before any of this happens, but i should know in the next three weeks or so.

worst case, i sit tight here and apply to more schools in january (cornell would be at the top as well as a few schools in europe). on the other hand, there is something to be said for going to a cheaper school, cornell is outrageously expensive, and simply working my ass off to make my time there worth it.

so then a question: is the name of the graduate school that important? or, can you go to a somewhat lesser grad school and simply become a prolific reader and writer as a way to advance at the next level (post doctoral degree)? i am hoping on the latter.