Thanks all. I actually popped in because I had a question, and I hopefully won't get too sucked in for bit. I really should be packing right now!

I emailed the head of the admissions committee at Arizona (which was my top choice), asking what I could do to improve my application for next year/whenever I reapply. He sent back a nice, but ultimately unhelpful e-mail. It boiled down to:
"It's not you, it's us. Any other year, we would have taken you in a heartbeat, but funding is down so we had to cut waaay back. Try to find a job in a research area. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but best of luck." It's the same everywhere, so I know it's not personal. It does make it that much harder to motivate myself to go through this process again, though. It's amazing how draining it is.

How's the new bike working out, zoom-zoom? Last time I was here I seem to remember you were stuck on the trainer.

By the way, Shannon, you set something off. I tried out a Dolce last time I was home. Love...though let's face it, I'd go with the Ruby.