So I haven't written in a week and already got different people reminding me that I need to update everyone - so I guess I will let you all know that the blog will be updated once a week from now on (unless there is something really really important to report)
This week was the first time I entered the lab to join a guy in his measurements. This was fun, since I have not worked in the lab for a long time. But this week was more of an "understand where you are" week. I went to several talks during the week and I found out, that unlike my previous university, here going to talks is sacred. Everyone shows up on time (even the professors), no one leaves in the middle (not even during question time at the end) and everyone listens to every word the speaker says (AWAKE!!).
And again the Israeli card got me some good stuff - an Israeli professor came to give some talks at MIT so several of us, Israeli postdocs, got an MIT credit card and were sent to have lunch (where ever we choose no matter the cost) with the guest.
I also started knowing my group a lot better. The people are really nice, and the boss (although he is not around most of the time) is a real fun guy. We had my first group meeting and we had, on the table, 2 bottles of beer per student (that's 72 bottles) plus snacks, later we had a group party where beer was a total water substitute and people got wasted (including the boss and his secretary). But this only shows me that people who work really hard and are very smart (and trust me - these guys are) can also have fun.
From all I was told ahead of my arrival I thought that MIT is a very cold and unfriendly place. But, I guess I have reached a very friendly group, and things look good in that sense.
I finally got myself a MacBook Pro 13'' beautiful, fast, smart, sexy, light, durable, hot computer!!! It arrived in the mail 4 days ago and I hardly had time to play with it. But the very first thing I did when I got it was the most American thing I know - I took it down to Starbucks and had a coffee while surfing the web.
As for my getting settled in - yesterday was the "shopping" day. I had to get to the cable company's office, since I don't have a social security number and a credit history (remember that - it will come up again later), I had to present myself in person and leave a $50 deposit for my cable/internet/phone connection (all are coming on Tuesday - Yay!). On the way back I stopped at a furniture store and got a sofa (that opens into a bed - for all you guests) and a TV stand, they told me They'll deliver it in 1.5 hours, but when I got home after 30 minutes it was waiting for me already. So I assembled my new (and quite cheap - money wise not quality) furniture and left for the next errand.
I went grocery shopping with my new shopping cart - yes, like the old ladies. It is very comfortable to carry food this way and I was able to get a whole week's worth of food home. But I couldn't rest yet - If I'm getting cable and internet on Tuesday I need several things for that...
I took the T to Best Buy and bought a 26'' HD LCD TV, a wireless router and a phone. Luckily for me Thanks Giving is just around the corner and the holiday sales already started in most places.
Then I rested in my new living room, TV, sofa and all.
Today I decided to get a cell phone contract, that's because I pay too much for calls. So I went to a verizon store and checked a deal of a Blackberry Storm touch screen phone that allows me to get another phone for free, and both will have a family plan (don't forget - Or will join me soon, and we need to get everything ready for her). So I got all the details and started signing up, when all of a sudden the clerk (who knew I was a foreigner) asked me about my credit history (AGAIN). This time, since I have no history (yes, for most American companies I was born as a 33 years old with no money) I had to leave $800 deposit. NO WAY, I left without a phone - but just across the street was an AT&T store. I went in and tried to find out if their pre-paid phone lines are cheaper than what I'm paying now. $60/month for unlimited talk and text was their offer... But hey... Verizon offered me 2 phones with a 2 year contract at $120/month for 900 minutes... I guess I have showed them :)
So now I'm home, after a home cooked meal (almost - clam chowder [from a can], rice [in a bag], freshly squeezed orange juice [from a box] and asparagus [which I really prepared]), the laundry is done. And I can sit here with my new MAC (and internet from the neighbors) and write you all.
That's all for now.
P.S. You quickly learn that Israel can never be like the US. Here, when you order small you get big, in Israel it's vice verse. Here people in the street ignore you or just smile and nod their head, in Israel they cannot help themselves acknowledging you for better and for worst. Here, even the city animals (sparrows and squirrels) are calm and don't mind as you walk very close to them, in Israel they are as neurotic as the human population.
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