Last summer, I thought it would be awesome to start a Roth IRA account to save for retirement. I made enough to have money that I can save and I wanted to let this money grow more aggressively. This was all great, until I did my taxes
While preparing my taxes, I found out that the stipend I received was not considered "compensation". You can only contribute to an IRA if you had "compensation". What is considered compensation? Anything with a W-2 form.
If I didn't take the money out, I would be penalize 6% on the amount that over the contribution limit for every year that it is lying in the account. In my case, that would be everything I put in, which is a couple of hundred dollars. Now, If I take it out, I would be penalized still, but to a lesser extent.
So, now, my retirement plan is shot. I have to take it all out.
I think it's unfair. Everything rested on such a technicality of a W-2 form. I'm getting taxed on my stipend, but I can't put it whatever is leftover towards retirement. That just doesn't make sense to me. Who the hell cares what I do with my money, especially after it's already taxed!
The deadline is creeping up and I'm scrambling to get everything done in a timely fashion. I hope it all works out.
Meanwhile, I'm going to try and look at a tax-deferred account for my school, but I could imagine running up to th same problem.
I knew I've condemned myself to poverty by going to graduate school, but I always thought it'll only affect the next six years. Funny how I've screwed over my retirement too.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Recommended Music
I'm getting a bit bored with the constant overplay of Panic! At The Disco on my playlist.
So I've found some new(er) music. So far, the only new found music that I'm rocking is Mika's Life in Cartoon Motion. I love the sound. It's fresh and retro at the same time. For whatever, it invokes this cross of Beatles (Across the universe), Scissor Sisters, Imogen Heap, and Postal Service. I love the range of sounds from this album.
Young Love isn't panning out as much as I'd like it to. Yes, it is very reminiscient of Panic! at first with "Find A New Way", but none of the other songs are close to being good.
Oh yeah, Shout out to Dave for the awesome music he's been hooking me up with. I've enjoyed every song he's given to me. Keep them coming.
So I've found some new(er) music. So far, the only new found music that I'm rocking is Mika's Life in Cartoon Motion. I love the sound. It's fresh and retro at the same time. For whatever, it invokes this cross of Beatles (Across the universe), Scissor Sisters, Imogen Heap, and Postal Service. I love the range of sounds from this album.
Young Love isn't panning out as much as I'd like it to. Yes, it is very reminiscient of Panic! at first with "Find A New Way", but none of the other songs are close to being good.
Oh yeah, Shout out to Dave for the awesome music he's been hooking me up with. I've enjoyed every song he's given to me. Keep them coming.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Tapas
Went to Tascos in Brighton for Tapas. There were 5 of us. We each ordered 2 dishes and shared it. Even though the portions are small, we were all really full by the end. Good eats and good company makes a good Friday night.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Anti-aging animals...Now in Polar bear flavor
So, I've already unveiled my plan for an anti-aging panda puppy. Post 8/31/06 Now after seeing this video, I am thrilled to announce a follow-up. The ANTI AGING POLAR BEAR.
Just think of the possibilities!
Just think of the possibilities!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Work and Snow
1) I have a lot to do with work and such
2) It's snowing soooo hard right now.
Sum Effect? I will be inside and won't get to frolick in the snow on St. Patty's Day.
SUPER SAD PANDA
2) It's snowing soooo hard right now.
Sum Effect? I will be inside and won't get to frolick in the snow on St. Patty's Day.
SUPER SAD PANDA
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Beware the Ides of March
Cute email from my friend, Sharon.
Hi Syl,
Happy Ides of March!!! I hope your day is wonderful and not full of trouble and death as it was for Macbeth. (maybe if he has a spine and stood up to his wife, it wouldn't have been half as bad)
Love,
Sharon
Hi Syl,
Happy Ides of March!!! I hope your day is wonderful and not full of trouble and death as it was for Macbeth. (maybe if he has a spine and stood up to his wife, it wouldn't have been half as bad)
Love,
Sharon
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Painful Discussion
Elaine Elion has always been someone that I've feared.
Not because she's a tough professor, a ball buster of sorts. That, I can deal with. She's the opposite.
My first impression of her (and only one prior to today) came from beginning of the last semester. It was an organizational meeting and she was the course head. The course itself was designed to critically read and discuss papers. Of course, being newly admitted students, we had no idea what to expect. We had a lot of questions and was a bit intimidated by the format. We went to the meeting hoping that it will provide some clarification as to what's expected of us, logistical details, etc.
Man were we wrong. Personally, I only learned one helpful thing during that meeting -- Elaine Elion cannot do anything because she doesn't have an assistant. Since the class basically comprised of reading 2-3 papers per section, one student had asked if she can just xerox all of those papers into a handy little packet for all of us. It took Elaine 10 minutes to explain to us that she can't do it...because she doesn't have an assistant. Now, half an hour after class, we all receive an email. Apparently, one of our classmates had printed out the papers and made the copies for us. It's already ready for pick-up at the BBS administration office.
So today was my second encounter with Elaine. For the discussion, we were assigned two papers to read about telomerase. These are classic papers. One showed that overexpression of telomerase was required to immortalized cells and create tumors. The other had knocked out telomerase and showed that it wasn't required for cell line immortalization and tumor formation. On the outset, these papers are supposed to generate a lot of discussion. It's rare to find papers that take such pointed approaches and have such diabolically different results. Based on these papers, we're supposed to argue if telomerase makes a good target for cancer therapy.
So Elaine lead the discussion, and the activity level was dominant negative! (har har, bio pun completely intended) It was so quite. Now, my group is normally pretty active. This time, we were so quiet.
A good discussion leader will asked thought-provoking questions, that are open-ended. This way, others in the group will talk and there will be some verbal volleying. Elaine, on the other hand, asked VERY pointed questions, but in a very passive-aggressive manner.
Worst of all, there are moments where I think she has literally fallen asleep. There would be these pauses that are just way too long. Completely awkward silences. Ones where the sound of breathing may be too disruptive.
I can't deal with people like Elaine.
Not because she's a tough professor, a ball buster of sorts. That, I can deal with. She's the opposite.
My first impression of her (and only one prior to today) came from beginning of the last semester. It was an organizational meeting and she was the course head. The course itself was designed to critically read and discuss papers. Of course, being newly admitted students, we had no idea what to expect. We had a lot of questions and was a bit intimidated by the format. We went to the meeting hoping that it will provide some clarification as to what's expected of us, logistical details, etc.
Man were we wrong. Personally, I only learned one helpful thing during that meeting -- Elaine Elion cannot do anything because she doesn't have an assistant. Since the class basically comprised of reading 2-3 papers per section, one student had asked if she can just xerox all of those papers into a handy little packet for all of us. It took Elaine 10 minutes to explain to us that she can't do it...because she doesn't have an assistant. Now, half an hour after class, we all receive an email. Apparently, one of our classmates had printed out the papers and made the copies for us. It's already ready for pick-up at the BBS administration office.
So today was my second encounter with Elaine. For the discussion, we were assigned two papers to read about telomerase. These are classic papers. One showed that overexpression of telomerase was required to immortalized cells and create tumors. The other had knocked out telomerase and showed that it wasn't required for cell line immortalization and tumor formation. On the outset, these papers are supposed to generate a lot of discussion. It's rare to find papers that take such pointed approaches and have such diabolically different results. Based on these papers, we're supposed to argue if telomerase makes a good target for cancer therapy.
So Elaine lead the discussion, and the activity level was dominant negative! (har har, bio pun completely intended) It was so quite. Now, my group is normally pretty active. This time, we were so quiet.
A good discussion leader will asked thought-provoking questions, that are open-ended. This way, others in the group will talk and there will be some verbal volleying. Elaine, on the other hand, asked VERY pointed questions, but in a very passive-aggressive manner.
Worst of all, there are moments where I think she has literally fallen asleep. There would be these pauses that are just way too long. Completely awkward silences. Ones where the sound of breathing may be too disruptive.
I can't deal with people like Elaine.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Coming Weekend FUN!
Tomorrow is the second recruitment weekend for the BBS program. I'm acting as a day host to two people and I'm so looking forward to all the free meals.
Tomorrow night, we're taking the recruits out for dinner. On Friday, I get a second dinner at the Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center. It's a restaurant located on the top floor of the tallest building in Boston. It's the tall building to the right in this picture.
On Saturday, there will be a reception at the Museum of Fine Arts. I am super excited for this, since last year, I went to the first recruitment weekend, which had its reception at the Harvard Natural History Museum.
To add to the excitement of all this broohaha, Holly is in town. I miss her so much. I don't know what we'll be doing, but she's coming to the MFA with me!
Following all these packed awesomeness is the Cell Biology Retreat. We'll be spending Monday and Tuesday at Cape Cod. While it's supposed to be a chance to learn more about the department, it's really another way to get myself fed well for two days and catch up on some HW.
With schedules like this, it's hard to be bored and aimless.
Tomorrow night, we're taking the recruits out for dinner. On Friday, I get a second dinner at the Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center. It's a restaurant located on the top floor of the tallest building in Boston. It's the tall building to the right in this picture.
On Saturday, there will be a reception at the Museum of Fine Arts. I am super excited for this, since last year, I went to the first recruitment weekend, which had its reception at the Harvard Natural History Museum.
To add to the excitement of all this broohaha, Holly is in town. I miss her so much. I don't know what we'll be doing, but she's coming to the MFA with me!
Following all these packed awesomeness is the Cell Biology Retreat. We'll be spending Monday and Tuesday at Cape Cod. While it's supposed to be a chance to learn more about the department, it's really another way to get myself fed well for two days and catch up on some HW.
With schedules like this, it's hard to be bored and aimless.
Restaurant Week II
Just came back from a wonderful dinner at Lineage in Brookline.
I had fried Maine Shrimp, Sirloin, and a chocolate tart. It was wonderful. The food isn't exactly fanciful, but it was still very good. Luckily, the portions are just right. I am so full from it. I love going to different places!
I had originally organized the dinner for about 12 people. However, about half backed out. While it was a pain to call and changed the reservations, it was nice to have a dinner with 6 people. It seemed to be the perfect size for a dinner party. Everyone can hear everyone else. In a table of 12, there would too many conversations to keep track of and often, there will be separation between the two ends of the table.
I had fried Maine Shrimp, Sirloin, and a chocolate tart. It was wonderful. The food isn't exactly fanciful, but it was still very good. Luckily, the portions are just right. I am so full from it. I love going to different places!
I had originally organized the dinner for about 12 people. However, about half backed out. While it was a pain to call and changed the reservations, it was nice to have a dinner with 6 people. It seemed to be the perfect size for a dinner party. Everyone can hear everyone else. In a table of 12, there would too many conversations to keep track of and often, there will be separation between the two ends of the table.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Boston Restaurant Week!
This is why I love Boston.
Every year, the expensive restaurants of Boston get together on one week to serve a 3-course prix fixe meal for $30.07. It may sound steep, but normally, that's the price of a single entree.
Being the piggie that I am, there's no way I'm passing up this opportunity. Last night, Adrienne and I went over to Upstairs at the Square with her coworker and roommate. I was told that this is one of those places that you go when your parents visit because they'll be around to pay for it. Definitely a great place to try. The portions were perfect, but of course, it was so delicious, I wanted more.
On Wednesday, about 12 of my classmates and I will be heading over to Lineage in Brookline for another dinner. Another well known place. We'll see how it goes.
With snowboarding, impulse shopping, a plane ticket home for spring break, and all this food, I am so broke this month. Worth EVERY penny, though.
Every year, the expensive restaurants of Boston get together on one week to serve a 3-course prix fixe meal for $30.07. It may sound steep, but normally, that's the price of a single entree.
Being the piggie that I am, there's no way I'm passing up this opportunity. Last night, Adrienne and I went over to Upstairs at the Square with her coworker and roommate. I was told that this is one of those places that you go when your parents visit because they'll be around to pay for it. Definitely a great place to try. The portions were perfect, but of course, it was so delicious, I wanted more.
On Wednesday, about 12 of my classmates and I will be heading over to Lineage in Brookline for another dinner. Another well known place. We'll see how it goes.
With snowboarding, impulse shopping, a plane ticket home for spring break, and all this food, I am so broke this month. Worth EVERY penny, though.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Snowboarding!
No pictures, but I did go snowboarding today. This is my second time and there is definite improvement from my first time about 3 years ago. This time, I managed to get down this beginner slope without falling at all. This is in contrast to the first time, where I just got a great upper body workout because I was so busy pushing myself up after falling.
So, I'm getting comfortable with snowboard, but I still need to work on it. The problem is that I'm doing well the toe side in stance. It started with just not fearing falling on my stomach. I can't do heel side in at all. For whatever reason, I can't seem to adjust my body weight on my heels as I can on my toes (naturally). Obviously, since I can't do one of the stances, I can't interchange between them with ease.
My right calf and ankle are super sore as a result. I've been on my tippy toes all day. It started cramped and hurting on the first run, but I was reassured that it happens. I kept on going. I can't imagine what sort of pain I would be in tomorrow.
I also kept on stopping by falling forward onto my knees. If i get an epic bruise, I'm gonna blog that.
After a full day of snowboarding. I'm tired out. Even though there are plans to go out to a dance club to celebrate a friend's bday, I just can't imagine standing on my feet any longer. I'm going to take a nice night in and catch up on a movie.
I'm glad I'm actually getting better. I think there's serious potential
So, I'm getting comfortable with snowboard, but I still need to work on it. The problem is that I'm doing well the toe side in stance. It started with just not fearing falling on my stomach. I can't do heel side in at all. For whatever reason, I can't seem to adjust my body weight on my heels as I can on my toes (naturally). Obviously, since I can't do one of the stances, I can't interchange between them with ease.
My right calf and ankle are super sore as a result. I've been on my tippy toes all day. It started cramped and hurting on the first run, but I was reassured that it happens. I kept on going. I can't imagine what sort of pain I would be in tomorrow.
I also kept on stopping by falling forward onto my knees. If i get an epic bruise, I'm gonna blog that.
After a full day of snowboarding. I'm tired out. Even though there are plans to go out to a dance club to celebrate a friend's bday, I just can't imagine standing on my feet any longer. I'm going to take a nice night in and catch up on a movie.
I'm glad I'm actually getting better. I think there's serious potential
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