The concepts of getting a statement only through an ATM, of no interest whatsoever paid on your balances, of having a cash only debit card that cannot be used in shops...just very different than the standard offerings at a US bank. Does any one have any recommendations on banks that offer student type accounts?

Any suggestions appreciated.

I am soooooo confused about UK student bank options...I just had a meeting with a local bank to get information, and walked away thinking that as far as that one went, I am by far better off keeping my money in my US account, and continuing to make do with it. I realize OF COURSE that bank is highly regulated, now more than ever, and have no quarrel with that. I am just trying to understand what the different options are, and whether any of the ones I am eligible for are suitable.

I agree with Sillybilly on the value of breakfast. I never ever ever miss breakfast--I am starving when I wake up and breakfast ( with the start of the caffeine IV) is the first thing on my mind. I am finding a much healthier lifestyle in general because I do not have a car. I have to walk distances I would have driven previously, I make frequent and smaller purchases at the shops for food, I keep a supply of fresh fruit in my office to snack on during the day ( its too heavy to take home!!!). Ironically I would have walked for exercise at home, trying to build up to running again--somehow it feels like it doesn't count as exercise when its your mode of transport--but hey, walking is walking. Also because of the higher price of junk food, and trying to make do on my studenty budget, some of my previous junk food treats have gone by the wayside. Oh, if I could kick the latte habit...I have cut back...but ....

You could always offer any objectors the idea of my gap decade( decade and a half?) from the age of 18, in which case these dilemmas, if they do exist about women bearing children would be a non issue, or minimised, because of the timing of the gap decade! Why should you have to shoehorn yourself around some antiquated system and Neanderthal views on women? I think its well time for the system to change.

Your comment that they might expect to see a man made me laugh, picturing a pregnant woman coming into the interview--! I think that pregnancy should be a non issue. It is too bad that in this day and age it is, and that you have to walk around on eggshells about how to deal with what, HELLO, is part of the human condition. And the assumption that a pregnant woman or a mom does less than other women without children or men without any regard for whether they have children is just plain wrong. As said, in my own limited knowledge of this, pregnant women and women with newborns in my law school had the best marks on average.

This would also eliminate the horrible problems that face women who want to stay home with children and worry about career, or expenses. There would be no need to have to choose--if you were on your gap decade, it coincides with the prime child bearing years ( realizing that of course many women give birth after 35 without a hitch). This is a perfect plan, this plan of mine. Now how do I get put in charge to implement it!?

I have often thought that we have the entire plan of life backwards. You should retire from about 18-35--travel, party,get married and have children, whatever, on a pension, and then go and get your education or trade, and work until you are 80 or as long as you want. Education is wasted on young people to some extent who are more concerned with booze than books. But they could take advantage of broadening their horizons ( think of it as a gap decade) and then make more informed personal choices about career and work with some basis for the decision. How can you decide what you want to do in life when you have experienced none? On the flip side, it seems that people remain healthy and happy longer when they are busy and engaged with something, so why force people to retire at some arbitrary age, why not let them be productive as long as they want to and can?

Agreed that Google Books and Google Scholar are great resources. I have used Google Scholar to try to get a preview on a book and decide whether it was worth purchasing or finding at a library. And Google Scholar is great--it is a great way to get a lead on articles or books. Sometimes you just need that one article that can lead to others and you are off and running. And Google itself is good sometimes for just a lead on information! I think Google is an underestimated tool for research!

Olivia jamming out to bluegrass gospel...and of course you know that this puts me in the frame of mind for a trout meal...this one is so good it brings tears to my eyes!!! Bacon and Sage Panfried Trout--any recipe that starts with 24 pieces of bacon==yummy!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/11692

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/y/youneverevencalledmebymyname.shtml

The Perfect Country and Western Song! Why isn't there a smiley icon with a cowboy hat??!

After posting those Dolly Parton suggestions...now I just had a yen for bluegrass music, and HEY I FOUND an internet bluegrass station that I can access!!!!! and its JUST what I need to listen to--though hope no one comes in while I am listening.

Good ole Americana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BLISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.fishrecords1.co.uk/reviews/thegrassisblue.htm

no idea if this is your taste in music at all--but there is nothing better for listening ( and crying along to if you want) to when you have ended a relationship than this--Dolly Parton, Even the Grass is Blue. No I am not ( contrary to what appearances may be!) usually a fan of any sort, but oh, this album, its BRILLIANT!!!!

Good for you for starting back on article reading after such a traumatic weekend. I think it can be so hard to focus when your mind is obviously on other things...so good for you! You are gonna be JUST FINE!!!! Sometimes in sort of low moments, the message ( yes, this is sort of sappy but the sentiment works) from a Dolly Parton song, Hard Candy Christmas is good--times are tough, but she is going to make it anyway...here is a link to the lyrics if you want. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dolly+parton/hard+candy+christmas_20041836.html

me--well, I am terribly sorry, but I cannot help you.

Student--well, do you know who can?

Me-well, no, I am terribly sorry. Perhaps you can try back later and see if Professor Blogs is in then?

Student--relief on face--yes, that is a good idea. I will try that!

Here is my favourite question of the day, asked of me so far! I usually get very amusing and random questions by confused and lost students, who somehow seem to think that by sitting in an office, I have a lot more knowledge and power than I have!

Today--student--do you know anything about contract law?

Me-puzzled look as I unbury my head from other issues, Pardon?

student--I was just wondering if you know anything about contract law. Professor Blogs ( whose office is next door to mine) is not in. I thought maybe since your office is next to his ( he must be a contracts lecturer?) that you would know contract law.

Me--no--sorry, am just a PhD student, etc.

Student--standing in the doorway, unconvinced--but I have a question on contract law.