Back From The USC Info Session

Back from my round trip to the USC Info Session.  I start sorting through all the notes tomorrow, but I'll say that I did get more than I expected.

For the curious, here's some numbers:

# of miles driven: 774
# of prospective applicants in attendance: ~100
# of dollars spent: $81.00 ($63.00 on gas!)

I ended up not listening to any audiobook during the trip.  I listened to podcasts the whole way.  (The Poker Beat and Nerdy Show).  I love the long battery life on my Asus.

The first pic I took with my new camera.  The

flowers in my grandma's family room.

I stayed over at my grandma's house, which to my surprise, was only just over 15 miles away from the campus.  (I didn't print out google maps directions before I left, because I finally had a GPS to use during my trip.  So much stress gone from the trip.)  I stayed there an extra night just to spend some time with her.  She wanted to cook for me, which I'm not going to turn down, grill me a bit, and then give me some encouragement.  It's good to appreciate times like that, so I made sure to not forget to do that.

I woke up and left the house at about 11am, and had some trouble finding the parking lot.  The problem is there were two parking lots "available in a parking structure on Biggy and Zonal".  The one advertised on the  website "for $8.00/day" is the one that's tied to the small yellow restaurant (The food from there smelled delicious by the way.  But I was already full, so I didn't try it.), and not the more typical parking lot that I was looking for.

Not this parking lot that's on Biggy.  Go to the yellow

one that's right before this, with the entrance on Zonal.

I know I was there early, but I had my computer with me to keep me entertained, and since I drove so far away, I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss the beginning of the Info Session.  I wanted to make sure I knew which building to be at and where to meet up.  And there happened to be a blood drive going on, and since I had plenty of time, I donated some of my O Positive blood, and picked up some snacks and a Subway gift card for my donation.

That's it for now.  Next post will start digging into the actual info of the Info Session.

Pre-USC Info Session - Part 2

Good News

I called USC about their info session, and making a reservation was no problem at all.  (Info can be found on their website.)  They didn't need my name, just said that they'll sign me in when I get there.  All in the information they really wanted was how many people would be coming.  (Just myself.).  The receptionist directed me to the website for info on parking and all that, and said I just have to check in before 2pm.  And that's it.  I'll be on the road tomorrow.  (Still have to decide which audiobook I'm going to listen to while I drive.  American Gods by Neil Gaiman, or Soldier's Son by Robin Hobb.)

Bad News

The time that I'll be on the road is the question.  I ordered my camera, but it won't arrive 'til tomorrow.  My departure time is going to be dependent on when it arrives.  Hopefully it won't be too late in the afternoon.  I'd prefer to leave no later than 4pm.  Can't do much to speed up the delivery process.  All I can do is just make sure I'm ready to leave as soon as it gets here.

Pre-USC Info Session

Good News

I bought myself a new camera.  My old one broke down.  (My really old one.)  I'm not going to easily go back down there to take pictures later if I wanted, so it was time to buy a replacement.  I'm not a picky person.  I just wanted something functional, that had a physical zoom (and not just digital).  All the extra features are exactly that.  Extra.

I also already had a Sony memory stick that I have no use for, so I pretty much went to amazon, and looked up cheap Sony cameras.  This is what I came up with.

I'm not as excited about getting a new toy as I would if I got a Palm Pre, but this'll still be fun to play with. =)

Bad News

Potential delay in my USC trip. I was just on the USC website to look up directions and any other important info I might need, and then I noticed this:

To make a reservation, please call the Office of Admission and Student Affairs one or two weeks before the session you want to attend at (323) 442-1466.

I did not make a reservation.  I left off some important info on my calendar.  I wrote down that the WesternU info session required a registration fee, but didn't leave so much as an asterisk to remind me about calling in for a reservation for USC.

Not much I can do about it now besides call in tomorrow and see if it's still possible to make a reservation.  If not, there's always Feb 12th and April 16th dates for me to check out.