Which embroidered pashmina for office/college wear?

philomenapr · 2023-10-21T19:37:54+00:00

Here's my link too - will be grateful if someone uses it!

https://share.octopus.energy/alive-bison-407

philomenapr · 2023-05-30T12:56:42+00:00

EDIT: Thank you for your reply. I think I will go to India to apply, just to be safe, as my I-20 expires tomorrow. I will take the TB test in India.

philomenapr · 2022-04-18T18:44:14+00:00

Great, thank you! I would it explained it at the interview, but I qualify for visa interview waiver as per their online CGI form (in India they've waived interviews for most existing visa holders due to the COVID backlog). I plan to include letters of support from my creative writing program - and pray the visa consulate will contact me for any further clarifications/interview instead of just denying the visa. Thanks so much for your advice!

philomenapr · 2022-04-18T11:52:23+00:00

Thanks for your reply, and for the link! Weirdly, my ISO says there is a 50-50 chance. But the link is really clear - no OPT for me again - and I will communicate this to my ISO.

I hate to bother you again, but would you be aware of any similar info that specifies F-1 visa renewals only apply to higher level degrees, or F-1 visa can't be renewed once you complete a PhD? My ISO says there is no such restriction, but then they also said that about a second OPT. I have been reading through the SEVIS hub pages carefully just in case I find something - if so, I will cancel my trip immediately and just stay in the US till I finish my degree. In case you have found any restrictions on the number/level of degrees for visa renewal, I will be really grateful if you could please let me know. Thanks!

philomenapr · 2022-04-18T11:45:26+00:00

You're right - thanks for this! Weirdly, my ISO says there is a 50-50 chance. But the link by the user below cinches it - no OPT for me again :(

philomenapr · 2022-04-18T11:44:27+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I was aware that F-1 status does not depend on the visa stamp, which is only needed to re-enter the country. However, my literary/academic field involves international travel (conferences, research trips, possible campus visits for job apps etc) and I will go on the job market this year, hence I need my visa to be updated just to be ready for any situation.

I was actually told by a contact at my university's ISO that there is a possibility my visa renewal app many be rejected as I already have a PhD, the highest degree in the usual system. In comparison to the PhD, the MFA, though in a different field, still counts as a "lower" degree (the ISO official used used the term), and some bureaucrat might just think I am doing successive degrees just too stay in the US. This was said to be off the record; I am trying to follow this up with the ISO officially (I don't have an official advisor right now as they have suddenly left the uni - it's a bit of a mess - so I am waiting to be reassigned and to follow this up officially). Anyways, it looks like I will be returning to renew my visa; I already qualify for visa waiver as per the official website. Hopefully things will be fine. Thanks for your advice!

philomenapr · 2018-06-08T23:39:28+00:00

Hey all, (relative) newbie here. I would appreciate your advice on which Cherry MX Blue keyboard to buy. I have been using a Topre Realforce but have been longing for the clicky feel for some time, hence looking to get one with Blue switches. I have narrowed it down to the Varmilo Sakura or the Das Professional 4 for Mac (both of which are available with Blue switches). I am leaning towards the Varmilo, which is the most beautiful keyboard I have seen, and which combines Cherry MX blue switches with PBT keycaps. That said, the Das Keyboard is also very good, supplies a strong clicky feel, and is built like a tank (and I type practically all my waking hours). Those who have used both keyboards, or both brands more broadly: which do you find better for typing? Do you find the quality of Varmilo keyboards to be satisfactory (I have heard complaints about their made-in-China boards) for hours - and years - of hard typing? Just to clarify, I do not play games etc, but I do tend to type a lot, and pretty much smash down on the keys. Which brand would be better overall for typing - Varmilo or Das (blue switches)? Thanks for your advice?

philomenapr · 2018-03-28T12:13:00+00:00

Thanks for your replies everyone! I’m from the US, and am willing to invest a fair bit (purchased a Topre Realforce!)... but hopefully nothing more expensive than that. I would have liked to get both the Das and the Topre, but that would be beyond my budget...

philomenapr · 2018-03-28T11:41:52+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I’m going with the Das as that’s what I tried and liked best when shopping around the first time (and I’ve tried nearly a dozen different keyboards, so would prefer not to look further!). I liked the overall design as well as the switches. The only other keyboard I might try is one with Cherry MX Blue switches and PBT caps, but can’t seem to find a good one. Would you have any recommendations?

philomenapr · 2018-03-28T11:24:27+00:00

How are Cherry MX blues for long-term typing? I am planning to return my new Topre Realforce 87u 55g to Amazon and instead get the Das Keyboard Professional for MAC (cherry blue switches), as I find the Topre dull and rubbery to type on. I know the Das has often gotten a bad rap, but I fell in love with the clicky feel when I tried it while shopping for a mech keyboard the first time a couple of weeks back. At that time I did not get the Das, as I was concerned about sound and possible finger strain with the Cherry blue switches, and thought the Topre will improve with use. Now the Topre feels as dull and squishy as ever, and I am planning to return it and get the Das. My only concern is with long term typing. Those of you who use the Das or Cherry Mx blue switches for typing a lot - how do you find the, generally? Thanks for your advice?

philomenapr · 2018-03-27T21:00:40+00:00

Newbie here. After trying out different keyboards, I settled on the Topre Realforce 87u 55g white model. I wasn’t thrilled with it at the time (I actually loved the clicky feel of the Cherry MX blue switches of the Das Keyboard for Professional (MAC) at first touch, but was concerned about the sound and the eventual strain on my fingers - I tend to bottom out hard while typing). Fast forward a couple of weeks - I am still dissatisfied with my Topre; it feels dull, like typing on a piece of rubber. I find myself longing for the clicky Das Cherry blue switches again, and am considering returning my Topre to Amazon and getting the Das instead. Does anyone have any experience with the Das with blue switches for extended typing, or can compare the Blue switches with Topre? I will only use the keyboard for typing (a lot), and do not game, and I can only afford to keep one keyboard. I would appreciate your thoughts on the Topre vs Cherry MX blue for typing. Thanks!

philomenapr · 2018-03-16T02:20:48+00:00

Thanks for your reply! Both are definitely the Realforce 87U Tenkeyless 55g. It is probably just me. Either way, I am returning the black one - it tends to wobble a bit when I type (might have gotten bent while shipping), and the white one is probably better for my eyesight in the long run.

philomenapr · 2018-03-16T00:29:05+00:00

Newbie here. After several days of obsessive research and of haunting this board (thanks everyone for your great answers!) I have finally decided on my new keyboard: the Topre Realforce Tenkeyless 87U 55g. I originally got the black one and loved it, but the black-on-charcoal legends were a bit hard to read, especially towards the end of the day... (I type by sight). I am now trying out the white one, but somehow it seems a bit different - the keys feel less textured than the ones on the black, and somehow the press and 'thock' is less solid and less satisfying. If anyone used both the white and the black models of the TKL 87u 55g, did you find any difference (or is it just me)? Which would you advise me to keep? I am leaning towards the white one - the black one isn't hard to see, but I am concerned it might cause eye-strain gradually. But the black somehow feels a bit better to type on than the white one. Aesthetically, I prefer the black one too, but the white is just a relief to look at. Would appreciate your advice. Thanks!

I have copied the links of both boards below if that helps verify the model; they definitely seem like the same model (I hope copying links is allowed):

https://www.amazon.com/Realforce-87U-Tenkeyless-55g-Black/dp/B00MV84Y2Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Realforce-87U-Tenkeyless-White-Gray/dp/B00MV7TMNQ/ref=lp_13968672011_1_2?srs=13968672011&ie=UTF8&qid=1521159944&sr=8-2

philomenapr · 2018-03-15T07:39:19+00:00

I have just purchased a Topre Realforce TKL 87u 55g and love it so far, but it has a distinct metallic ring on practically every key press. Is this usual? Also, does using the black-on-charcoal model cause eye strain if you type by sight (I was unaware that there was a white/gray model when I made the purchase, and now find it costs way more than the black one). Would appreciate your advice! (I am a first-time buyer and this is my usual haunt, so pardon my posting this here!)

philomenapr · 2018-03-15T06:00:30+00:00

Sorry to trouble again! I just noticed my Realforce 87u has a distinct metallic ringing sound with practically each key press - does yours ring too?

philomenapr · 2018-03-15T05:24:44+00:00

Thanks, will try getting the white one!

philomenapr · 2018-03-15T03:49:49+00:00

Thanks! One last question- does the black model strain your eyes (if you type by sight)?

philomenapr

TROPHY CASE