Vivek’s Blog

I’ve been on the look out for a new theme for my blog, as I mentioned before.  I’ve looked through at least a dozen websites but no single theme has jumped out and grabbed my attention immediately.  I’m trialling a few of the better ones I found and I may eventually go with one of these.  But I would really, really, really like to find the special theme that I can switch to with no hesitation.

Many good themes are ruined by abnormally large headers that serve no purpose.  Others are handicapped by a poor choice of fonts and/or colors.  Yet more are undone, in my opinion, by the relative lack of information displayed on the blog’s home page.  I can totally see why some people like simple, minimalistic blogs, but that’s not my preference.  I’d like something that presents a decent amount of information in a clear manner and with a dash of color.  I don’t know PHP but I can play around with the CSS code and modify themes to suit my needs.  I think this is what I’ll have to do eventually.

Also, one or more of my older themes will be deleted once I finalize the new theme.  Just cuz.

So it begins.  I’ve formally started researching graduate schools to apply to later this year.  I’m trying to come up with a list that includes some of the top graduate programs for Materials Science, but at the same time, I need some backup schools.  Places that I’m nearly guaranteed to get into.  During my undergrad college search, Adelphi and Georgia Tech were my backups and I got into both.  I need to do something similar again.

So far, my list includes schools like Northwestern, MIT, Standford, UT Austin, Caltech, etc. and I have to do more research before I can finalize this list.  I also don’t want to apply to too many colleges so top choices + backups seems to be the way to go.  If I get into any of my top choices, I’ll definitely go.  Otherwise, my backups should be good enough to make me want to pursue graduate study.

Of course, if I get into multiple programs, then things like financial aid will play a big role in my decision.  But wait a minute, all this is months down the line!  I need to first prepare and do well on the GRE exam and then send in strong applications.  Decision time is almost 10 months away.

I’m also going to try and look for a job.  If I can land one I like between now and March-end, then I might consider working for a bit before going into grad school.  We’ll see, I guess.  Also, just what the fuck is up with the weather in New York?  It’s far too cold for May!  Also also, it seems like the theme switcher is now working fine.  I haven’t worked on the theme or on anything else website-related today.  Tomorrow will be different!

Check off one more item on my summer 2008 list!  I updated my blog to WordPress 2.5.1 today and while not everything is hunky-dory, at least things are functional.  I’m having two issues right now - one, the theme switcher is not behaving properly, and two, some posts have additional text characters like the one here:

I’ve edited most of the posts to fix this problem, but I know it still exists on some posts.  I’m way too lazy to correct the problem in all posts, even though I have nothing else to do right now.  I’m going to look into the theme switcher problem too.

It’s also time for my now annual theme hunt.  The last time I changed my blog theme was last summer, after an intensive search for the perfect theme.  But themes don’t stay perfect for long and now I need a new one.  This time, I’m going to be less strict with my requirements.  I’ll accept any theme that looks good and is functional.  So far, I’ve come across a few good ones and I’ll be trying them out slowly.  If you see new themes pop-up in the switcher, feel free to explore.  But be aware that not all of them will have a switcher installed.  If you notice glaring problems, let me know.

Also, for anyone keeping count, I have now posted a blog entry a day for a month!  WOOOO!  Nothing has affected my determination - finals came and went without interrupting my updates.  Even an utter lack of comments and site visits have not deterred me.

(Not in any particular order)

• Get bored

• Do research

• Prep for the GRE

• Look at graduate schools

• Go to concerts

• Suffer in a small double

• Find new music

• Update WordPress to 2.5.1 + Change theme

• Think about shifting to new host

• Watch more movies

• Yearn for home-cooked food

• Stay cool

• Get enough sleep

• Be a little less anti-social

• Not worry about homework/classes

• Get bored

I think that just about covers everything. Let’s see how much I accomplish by the end of August.

In about 17 hours from now, I’ll be done with another semester of classes at Columbia.  It’s incredible to think that I’ve already been here for close to a year.  Time has flown past pretty quick.

The thought of only one more year of undergrad to go is somewhat scary, to be honest.  I have to spend the summer preparing for the GRE and hope that I can get into a decent graduate school next year.  Then, the cycle starts over, except this time, it’s less fun.  I think?

Countdown to Freedom:  16 Hours 23 Minutes