I'm sure you're all happy to get some life ramble from me too.

[aragarna]

No, really, sometimes, people...
I am currently working in a lab while actually being payed by my former lab, the one where I did my PhD. It was just a matter of getting the money where I can find it, while willing to diversify myself but man, what a mayhem that created.
For example, as I'm officially employed by my former lab, I am considered external guest at my actual lab, so I'm suppose to pay the external (very high) price  at the staff canteen. So I've been using some student's ID for 2 years... Well, at least I found that nice enough student that didn't eat at the canteen and who was kind enough to switch ID with me... So, for the canteen I have a Vietnamese name, which doesn't seem to disturb them too much.

Meanwhile, in my former lab...
They've merged with a bigger entity, and all the administrative stuff seems to have been handed over to someone else. Someone I've never met and who has no idea who I am. In the past months, no kidding, I've been asked 3 TIMES the same infos regarding my PhD, my current contract, dates I started, dates I finished... And also, by chance, if had the contact info of another student that doesn't seem to respond... That's the freaking 3rd time I'm giving the same info! And now I don't know who are the current students, I'm not the secretary. Oh wait, you are. It's all on Google by the way...

Also, I've been given a brand new email (that I didn't ask), which luckily remains attached to my old one. Except merger with a big entity means even more useless flood of emails... From a lab I'm not even working at!

Oh and did I tell you about my landlady who makes appointments to get the flat I'm living in appraised and only after making the appointment ask me if I'll be there? Too bad for me I won't. So some strangers are going to enter my place when I'm not there, and I need to leave keys to my nice neighbor so that she can let them in. Hopefully my neighbor will be there...

Okay, sorry for the rant. Just needed to get this out of my system. Now back to working on that presentation for my conference in 3 weeks!

Comments

[nieseryjna.livejournal.com]

Awww life rants! I knew about the lab situation but the canteen one is a surprise, sorry but that's funny that you have a Vietnamese name for canteen ;) But you know what? This mess is only for few more months!! And then Adieu!

Giant virtual hug! and confetti!

edited cos I forgot confetti... ;)

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

LOL yeah, the embarrassing moment comes when I forget my badge. Cause when you have it, you just pass it over that magical thing to pay, so the name doesn't really matter as long as I'm the one who put the money on it. But when you forget your card, you can just give your name... And it's definitely a Vietnamese name and I'm definitely not Asian at all. So I get some odd looks... ;-)

But yeah, in a few months, I'll be gone from both labs! (Think I should tell that secretary?)

[nieseryjna.livejournal.com]

As evil karma for asking you three times about your details just don't tell her anything, maybe she will catch up in six months... ;)

Lol I can imagine the looks... must be fun

[elrhiarhodan]

Hugs you tight.

Have some shirtless Tim to improve your day.



or maybe Tim in tux:



or simply Tim in a yellow tie:

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

heee thanks! ♥
The man is born to wear tux. Or nothing.

Not really big fan of that tie? Well, ties in general.

[elrhiarhodan]

Not fond of the tie either, but the chest underneath that tie????

And yes, if ever there was a man born for both formal wear and the most casual of sportswear, it's Mr. DeKay.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that chest we guess behind the clothes...

(Those gifs are hypnotizing...)

If he didn't have any talent he could have been model. And I feel like the WC wardrobe people felt he had too nice a body to hide it behind rumpled clothes, so that didn't last very long...

[elrhiarhodan]

You should hear the sound I just made.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

LOL full set is here, and worth a look (maybe take a seat first)
http://evacampbells.tumblr.com/post/84757879613

Also that one (just sit directly on the floor):
http://evacampbells.tumblr.com/post/84518819088

[leesa_perrie]

*hugs* Yeah, that sucks! But at least you can leave it all behind soon! Have a couple of cute red panda pics to help cheer you up!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

awww thank you!
That second one is awesome! That's totally me in that previous life where I was a red panda!

[treonb.livejournal.com]

Lots of hugs! (though that Vietnamese thing is really funny ;-)

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

thanks!
I know! :-) And I'm lucky they're not checking our ID badges anywhere else in the building, cause I'm not sure the security guard would believe I didn't steal that ID. And the other girl has left now, wih my own badge...

[sheenianni.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. *Hugs*

My cousin is in a somewhat similar situation - she's studying to be a doctor and there are only a few hospitals that have the sort of specialisation that she picked, and there was a hospital that would want her in that field but they don't officially teach (?), so now she's officially an empoloyee/student of another hospital that pays her the money that the first hospital normally would if the rules allowed it, even though she doesn't actually work there... From what I understood it's some sort of horrible legal mess, but the important thing is that she's getting paid and she's getting experience in the field she likes. *Yikes.

Good luck with lab, emails, landlady and presentation!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Yes, it gets a little complicated with admin stuff. But at least my new boss doesn't make my life more complicated and he's very willing to take care of me (I'm paid by the other lab but I'm working and spending money and material in his so... )

Thanks!

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

ăn ngon miệng!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

hmmm okay, I feel like you're making a vietnamese joke there...

[joy2190.livejournal.com]

"Bon appetit" in Vietnamese!

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

LOL thanks!

[sinfulslasher]

YOU ARE COMMITTING IDENTITY THEFT!!! ;P

But man, this sounds like a lot of really unnecessary stress. *hugs you*

Then again, I guess your life will be completely insane until you've finally moved to Cheese County in August...

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

damn, another White Collar crime...
Now that Neal's sentence is about to end, think Agent Burke would consider another CI?

Well, this is nothing compare to the admin nightmare I'm about to jump in: the American system... I'll be paid by my actual lab, but this time it's going to be a matter of nationality...
Step one: the University needs to process a J1-Visa demand for me. It takes 2 to 3 months. Which will land me in the middle of the summer...
Only then, with the precious paper from my American employer, I'll be able to go to the US ambassy in Paris (good thing I'm at least living in the capitale) to get my visa on my passport.

Step two: once there, trying to figure out the social security, insurances and all that stuff. Good thing, as a foreigner, first 2 years are free of taxes. Though I think I'll still have to fill those forms... And from the H&R Block ads, it seems rather complicated... ;-)

[sinfulslasher]

Hey, I used to study in the US. I know all about jumping through hoops etc to get a visa. O_o Though that was back in the 90s. I'm sure it's gotten worse by now. *hugs you*

The good thing is, social security card was easy to get - all I had to do was apply for it, show my visa and proof of residency, and that was it. I actually still have that card! :D

Insurance isn't a big issue either. Just make sure you pick a good one (not too expensive, good benefits). Ask the university if they are in cooperation with a health insurance. My college was for all students. That might help too. :)

And LOLOL re: the H&R Block ads. Love those!!!