Another year! Did you think we'd make it?

[jrising]

I'm now in Salvador, the Afro-Brazilian capital of Brazil, after a few wonderful days at the 14,000 soul rave festival Universo Parallelo, after a few harrowing days of trying to get there. With the new year, every resident of Bahia wanted to drain the same ATMs and take the same ferries as me, and I don't want to dwell on the life lost standing in all those lines.

Universo Parallelo was incredible. Endless dancing, creative music, zany art, good beach and sun. And it's a lot more new-agey than I expected, with people meditating on the beach, energy workshops, and lots of tasty veggie food spots. If it's no Burning Man (I can't get anyone here to have a decent intellectual discussion, :(), it's far more than the overgrown child of the Brazilian rave scene.

Last night, I registered for the GRE, which I take in two days. I'm going to apply to Oxford for a masters in Developmental Studies. Wish me luck!

Comments

[veryhappykayla.livejournal.com]

I have a wonderful friend from high school who completed her master's in development studies at Oxford last year... want me to put you guys in touch? :)

[jrising.livejournal.com]

That would actually be incredible! I'm going to get in touch with some profs there real-soon-now, but getting the perspective of someone who's gone through the program would be really helpful.

[residualentropy.livejournal.com]

Developmental studies sounds perfect for you.

[jrising.livejournal.com]

Yeah, thanks! It sounds really wonderful, and Oxford's program seems particularly exciting.

[honeyartichoke.livejournal.com]

Good luck!