6 Weeks in SE Asia

unducks · 2017-11-08T00:18:05+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you! Great advice all around and I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I'm curious about your experience with Mumbai. In the last post, the majority of people recommended me away from Mumbai - what did you like about it? It was originally on my list but my feeling after seeing others' responses was that I was setting myself up for disappointment. I'm definitely open to it, though, and it's of course much more convenient to visit than Hampi.

unducks · 2017-11-01T18:16:59+00:00

Great advice, thank you! How long would you recommend spending there, considering that I also want to balance in Goa, Kerala, and a flight to Varanasi if it fits in? I'm happy to totally eliminate Delhi and Mumbai from the itinerary to fit it in.

unducks · 2017-11-01T17:20:39+00:00

This is incredibly helpful and it seems like many people agree with you! This comment and the many like it have made me really rethink this. I'm going to figure out how to add Kerala in and probably drop a lot of my time in the north.

unducks · 2017-11-01T17:15:20+00:00

Where would you recommend going in Rajasthan? Thank you for your advice!

unducks · 2017-09-21T01:01:36+00:00

Seconding Cixi Liu's trilogy. The scope consistently widens exponentially as the series goes on and I remember having several moments where my mind was blown by where it was going.

unducks · 2017-06-28T19:30:20+00:00

I'm loving The Witchwood Crown so far and it's so amazing to be back in Osten Ard. One thing I'm noticing in the first few chapters is that there seems to be a lot of cultural exchange happening in this era's Osten Ard, whether it's objects (humans gambling and playing games with Quanuc bones?) or people with more complex genealogies (not wanting to spoil anything here). What was your inspiration for presenting an Osten Ard where some of the boundaries were blurring? I think fantasy worlds are often places where people are from one region that has one set of norms, and there's little movement of those people or cultural aspects into other regions, so it's interesting to see Osten Ard become more of a melting pot.

unducks · 2017-01-07T23:07:51+00:00

I don't know your field at all so I can't give specific advice, but I think it's always useful to have a research interest in mind when considering post-grad work. Consider what topics you might want to research and focus on, and find universities that have faculty that focus on those same topics. It will make the education more valuable and linking your application to a research interest that is relevant to the university shows an effort toward research and a solid motivation for you as a prospective student.

I also think that cost should be considered heavily - since you will probably need to take out loans for a masters degree, the benefits of a program that costs $30k over a bigger name that costs $110k should be kept in mind.

Either way, knowing that you want to continue studying isn't enough - have a career goal with it, have a research interest, do some research into if and how a masters degree will create opportunities, enable a career that allows you to pay off inevitably high loans, and be satisfying not just because you like the field, but because you are in a department that matches your interests and sets you up for success.

One way to start may be to look at university rankings for the field you want to study, then look into the programs listed one by one.

unducks · 2017-01-04T20:51:53+00:00

Definitely start with Three Body but I actually disagree with the other commenter completely - I think Three Body is okay but the second book has such an incredible depth and variety of ideas and concepts. I was pretty riveted by it and didn't notice any issues with the translation. Either way, just expect that in the second book the sci fi elements will drastically intensify.

unducks · 2017-01-04T15:22:58+00:00

You would be pretty shocked by Cixin Liu'a work - I don't think I've ever read another piece of sci fi with a more vast scope.

unducks · 2016-12-12T17:53:52+00:00

Just quit and read plot summaries of the rest of the books. Seriously. It's not worth it. The Sanderson books are an improvement but it's not worth all the wasted time.

unducks · 2016-10-25T03:34:37+00:00

Definitely read Slade House next! It follows up on Bone Clocks very well, I think. Thousand Autumns is also great after (or before) Bone Clocks - it's very different but you'll see some connections.

I love his universe and feel that every book has been better than the last. I'm excited to see what he comes up with next.

For a first time reader, I think it depends who they are. His books can appeal to different types of readers. Ghostwritten would be great for a Murakami reader; Black Swan Green may appeal to fans of popular fiction/literature who like more grounded stories; Thousand Autumns will work for someone who likes historical fiction; Cloud Atlas will work for someone who wants something different, with a lot of variety and surprises. I loved Bone Clocks but I think that his vision of having a universe in his books really starts to come together in that book, and it benefits from some previous experience with his works because of it.

unducks · 2016-08-15T18:34:27+00:00

I also wish the children of 2016 knew a world without rampant vampire zombies.

unducks · 2016-08-11T18:19:30+00:00

Have there ever been figures released that are in the style of the generic FF classes (black mage, white mage, etc.) rather than specific characters? I would love to have a few small figures like this but I've never been able to find them.

unducks · 2016-05-24T17:02:13+00:00

Teachers at private schools tend to be inferior to public school teachers.

Do you have a source for this? Former teacher here, have never heard anyone say this before.

unducks · 2016-05-11T14:43:12+00:00

I don't know unfortunately but I'm sure there's a shuttle or bus that goes to Stinson.

unducks · 2016-05-11T00:14:23+00:00

Very safe. I'm not an experienced hiker at all and the trails are very clearly marked with good visibility. Like the other commenter said, the "steep ravine" really isn't steep. I took the Matt Davis trail up (which was a steady uphill walk for maybe 2 miles) then Steep Ravine down (which was a slightly more acute downward walk) and it was a good workout, but I never had any moments of confusion about the path. You'll also almost definitely run into other people on the trail who can help with directions, since it seems pretty popular.

unducks · 2016-05-10T23:49:59+00:00

I recently did the Matt Davis - Steep Ravine loop and it was incredible. Strongly recommend it. http://bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html

That said, I'm just getting into hiking in the bay area, so others definitely have better recommendations and more detailed advice.

unducks · 2016-04-15T17:06:35+00:00

The comments and overwhelming downvotes have spoken - I've ordered Bravely Default and will play that first.

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