TOEFL

The most unpleasant customer experience ever! I guess that's what you can do when you're having a monopoly on stupid expensive standardized tests.

Problems actually start with trying to find the login screen for registration and your online ressources! Do they want you to sign up for this or not?!?!?!?

Try booking a seat online, not only does it not allow you to search a region or a range of dates, it also doesn't show you what's available resulting in you clicking on dates and locations forever just to magically hit an available seat after 35 attempts... (or not, that's when you finally call them, go through the same long procedure with someone at the phone - at least they're stupid enough to screw their employees the same way as their customers - if you're lucky they'll find one for you)

Try adding score recipients. I do online shopping all the time, I research for papers online, I write on my blog, I check my email, I read through application procedures for grad school, all of them kind of logical, all of them much more userfriendly than the stupid TOEFL side. No normal thinking person would click on the links necessary to find the spot to enter the free 4 score recipients you get with your signing up for the test. I guess it's some kind of business strategy to just have an obvious button for the scores you're paying for, but none for the ones you should get for free. Too bad that all their customers really need this, wonder how much anger and frustration that has caused already.

So after playing with that aspect of their website I give up and call them, you'd expect that person to just help you out, enter those stupid 12 digits in their database and say something nice like "thank you for calling TOEFL today".... BUT surprise surprise all they do is talk you through their website to find that secret hidden button and do the work yourself. "we prefer you to enter that information yourself"... WTF? Then why don't you build your website in a way that I can find this myself?

Wonder if behind all these complicated steps there is at least an efficient way to send out scores...

YES!!!! :-))))))

Case Status
Receipt Number: EAC0000000000

Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status:

On December 13, 2005, after approving your application, we ordered you a new card. Your card will be mailed to you as soon as it is ready.

I'm such a wimp!

Cut myself while trying to cook some yummy dinner. Of course I used that great sharp Japanese knife, usually it's a lot of fun cutting stuff with it because it just goes through all kinds of things as if they were butter, unfortunately that's true for my little fingers as well....

Looking at the blood coming out, feeling that the cut is a little deeper than the usual little kitchen accident I already feel it coming...

Seconds later I sit on the bathroom floor in front of the tub and get yelled at to wake up again. I HATE fainting! Well, fainting isn't that bad, but the waking up part when you feel all drowsy and week and disoriented and sick to the stomach, even worse if you just wake up, walk a few steps and again... This time I get told my honey was close to slapping me in the face to wake up, just yelling at me didn't really seem to do the job. Same thing again, drowsiness, being completely disoriented, everything is turning, nothing makes sense, feeling week, crying, panic,...

And all because of a stupid little cut in my finger! Last time that happened was when they were taking blood for some stupid test. Seems I can't see my own blood. I'm definitely a HUGE wimp!

Wonder what happens when you're fainting and noone is around. I guess you just wake up after a while...

Germany for Christmas

Just booked my flight to Germany, and my spot for the GRE. I'll fly over next Sunday, can't believe Christmas is coming up already! This year was definitely crazy!
Looking forward to the Christmas market, mulled wine, Lebkuchen, the typical German christmas smells!

BOS - FRA December 18th
FRA - BOS January 12th

One good thing about still not having the work permit or a job, I can travel! :)

Funny, how websites are often just made for the US user! Expedia would not let me use my German credit card, so picking a random other country did the job; the ETS website is horrible, but had no problem accepting my US format address for the German reservation, wonder how Germans would fill their address in.... Lots of work for geeks out there!

Anyone else in Germany for Christmas or New Years? We'll be in Cologne for New Years.

Our new apartment

Sitting in the middle of boxes, bags, suitcases, bubble wrap, broken flower pots, empty shelves,...
But it feels great to be in a new place. Lots of windows, so it's really bright, nice wood floors, and finally no 2 hour commute anymore! :)
Felt really weird to leave our apartment in Providence, but the new place is great and finally has lots of space for visitors! When are you coming?