My last paper is still being reviewed right now, but essentially I'm done with the first semester of grad school! I absolutely cannot believe I survived and at the same time getting an A in one of the classes. It's been hard. You can tell by the fact that our home is a mess due to all my readings and research strewn everywhere. I still manage to pick up rock climbing though, so at least I'm not going insane being enclosed at home writing and readings papers day in and out. I've written four 15-20 pages papers so far this semester, excluding ones that were collaborations with classmates. I am so sick of writing them! Sooner or later, I'll have anxiety attacks just by opening up Word. Haha. The one class that I was super nervous about ended up being the easiest class (thus, the A) and the one that I thought I could pull off was the one I had a hard time understanding plus the fear of failing that class. I hope he'll give me benefit of the doubt for the piece of sh*t that I wrote in my final and let me pass!!!
Other than that, I'm super excited to be finally enjoying a holiday! Thanksgiving was horrible because I had papers due before and after, therefore, I didn't actually have much time celebrating it. I can at last do some arts and crafts, clean up our home, apply for residency, and welcome Willbe to our place!!! Yaaaaaaay~ (O, and also watching tons and tons of tv plus Korea drama...)
Happy holidays!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
I love school
I don't think I'll ever say this, but I seriously love school at the moment, albeit, this is only my second week into the semester (technically third week, but who counts the first week with just the syllabus as real school?)
Most of my classes are discussion based and in order to participate, we have to read a lot. By a lot, I meant 30 pages of readings in average and we have 4-5 assigned to us every week for every class. This also excludes the supplemental suggested readings that we're meant to read. (Honestly though, who reads those?!) I had a hard time following, let alone participating, my first week's class. This week though, discussions seemed way better and I could actually say what I wanted to say, and that what I said was useful... an important point when everyone around you seemed to have read 300 more books than you did.
I've had people asked me what is the point of studying Anthropology. It's not exactly what that person asked, but basically that's what s/he meant. I... think it's because it's such a philosophical yet so practical field of study that most people think it's pointless. Yes, we can technically study anything and make an argument out of it, but, isn't that what the fun part is? It makes you think!!! Why just sit there and type numbers and reorganize documents? I know you earn more than I do, but ask yourself truthfully, do you feel useful about yourself?
We discussed leading contemporary Anthropologists in class today and the name Graeber came up. David Graeber wrote a lot of radical articles and was one of the first supporters of Occupy Wall Street. He was denied tenure at Yale basically because of what he wrote didn't fit well with Yale... but of course the university denied that. Anyhow, I think his articles are worth reading and below is the link to his latest one, which basically talked about everything I felt while I was a trainee. I also think it's a slap in the face for the 10% of people from our high school graduating class that became lawyers...
Enjoy!
On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs
Most of my classes are discussion based and in order to participate, we have to read a lot. By a lot, I meant 30 pages of readings in average and we have 4-5 assigned to us every week for every class. This also excludes the supplemental suggested readings that we're meant to read. (Honestly though, who reads those?!) I had a hard time following, let alone participating, my first week's class. This week though, discussions seemed way better and I could actually say what I wanted to say, and that what I said was useful... an important point when everyone around you seemed to have read 300 more books than you did.
I've had people asked me what is the point of studying Anthropology. It's not exactly what that person asked, but basically that's what s/he meant. I... think it's because it's such a philosophical yet so practical field of study that most people think it's pointless. Yes, we can technically study anything and make an argument out of it, but, isn't that what the fun part is? It makes you think!!! Why just sit there and type numbers and reorganize documents? I know you earn more than I do, but ask yourself truthfully, do you feel useful about yourself?
We discussed leading contemporary Anthropologists in class today and the name Graeber came up. David Graeber wrote a lot of radical articles and was one of the first supporters of Occupy Wall Street. He was denied tenure at Yale basically because of what he wrote didn't fit well with Yale... but of course the university denied that. Anyhow, I think his articles are worth reading and below is the link to his latest one, which basically talked about everything I felt while I was a trainee. I also think it's a slap in the face for the 10% of people from our high school graduating class that became lawyers...
Enjoy!
On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs
Friday, August 16, 2013
Picking up bits and pieces
Been back in the States for around 2 months now. Orientation starts next week and then school starts a week later. I'm already frustrated by the International Student Office and school books prices. I just don't understand why International Student Offices have to be so unhelpful when we need the help most. I seem not to be able to find the right people or ask the right question or something because I do know others that swear by them... Whether it was at Penn State or here, I felt so rejected at the office and they seemed so unhelpful! I didn't know the time for grad int'l students orientation because they gave conflicting information and didn't let the students know. Even after I asked, they only gave me a start date and time. Hello, I asked about all the locations and time. I'm pretty sure you're not just going to fit everything in on one day! Argh~
My school's orientation will be on Friday. Kind of scared about it but at the same time I'm interested in meeting my classmates. I wonder whether I'll be much older than my Masters classmates since a lot of kids in my field go straight to grad school after graduation from undergrad these days. I am excited about class, but at the same time, why are books so expensive!!??!? I'm trying to borrow books from the school library at the moment. Not sure how long their borrowing time is and whether I'll need to give them back mid-semester. *sigh* These things happen when I don't have income and am no longer supported (heavily) by parents. I am, very grateful, that I don't need to pay tuition, again. However, I will need to support myself outside school, which I think is fair, considering I did work for 3 years and saved a bit.
Currently renovating our home one small step at a time. By renovating, I meant moving furniture, throwing out (lots of) stuff and hopefully being able to fit two people worth of junk in a tiny apartment. So far, we've successfully did the living room and now it's the closet. May be I'll take some pictures later.
My body-clock's been all kinds of messed up but I don't think anything I do will fix it until I go back to school. I've been setting my alarm to wake up earlier, but I just keep snoozing it. I know at the back of my mind that I don't need to wake up as there's really nothing important to do, so, I don't wake up. O well~
My school's orientation will be on Friday. Kind of scared about it but at the same time I'm interested in meeting my classmates. I wonder whether I'll be much older than my Masters classmates since a lot of kids in my field go straight to grad school after graduation from undergrad these days. I am excited about class, but at the same time, why are books so expensive!!??!? I'm trying to borrow books from the school library at the moment. Not sure how long their borrowing time is and whether I'll need to give them back mid-semester. *sigh* These things happen when I don't have income and am no longer supported (heavily) by parents. I am, very grateful, that I don't need to pay tuition, again. However, I will need to support myself outside school, which I think is fair, considering I did work for 3 years and saved a bit.
Currently renovating our home one small step at a time. By renovating, I meant moving furniture, throwing out (lots of) stuff and hopefully being able to fit two people worth of junk in a tiny apartment. So far, we've successfully did the living room and now it's the closet. May be I'll take some pictures later.
My body-clock's been all kinds of messed up but I don't think anything I do will fix it until I go back to school. I've been setting my alarm to wake up earlier, but I just keep snoozing it. I know at the back of my mind that I don't need to wake up as there's really nothing important to do, so, I don't wake up. O well~
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Guilt from a dream?
Is it weird that I felt a little bit guilty after waking up from a dream?
In my dream, I was dating my coworker, I think. I'm saying I think because I can't be sure whether we were really dating or not, but definitely had affections for each other. I felt guilty waking up because I definitely wanted to keep dreaming that dream. I felt like I was cheating on my husband, indirectly. If this happened like a week before, I would feel even more weird because I would see my coworker at work and then I wouldn't know what to do around him, especially when he's one of my good friends at work. Actually, I just remembered something like this happened to me before too when I was still at Jockey Club. Hm.... I really should stop dreaming about my coworkers...
On a side note: I'm now unemployed! My last day was this past Friday and it seemed surreal to have left a job I held for 1.5 years. I'm not ready for the academia either. I'm so nervous having to go back to school!!! *runs around home* ahhhhhh!
In my dream, I was dating my coworker, I think. I'm saying I think because I can't be sure whether we were really dating or not, but definitely had affections for each other. I felt guilty waking up because I definitely wanted to keep dreaming that dream. I felt like I was cheating on my husband, indirectly. If this happened like a week before, I would feel even more weird because I would see my coworker at work and then I wouldn't know what to do around him, especially when he's one of my good friends at work. Actually, I just remembered something like this happened to me before too when I was still at Jockey Club. Hm.... I really should stop dreaming about my coworkers...
On a side note: I'm now unemployed! My last day was this past Friday and it seemed surreal to have left a job I held for 1.5 years. I'm not ready for the academia either. I'm so nervous having to go back to school!!! *runs around home* ahhhhhh!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Random rants
I was going to write a post about regrets... but, I thought of my regrets, cried a little about them and let them go (or as much as I can let go). My most recent one is about not being able to take pictures while wearing the Chinese wedding dress with my friends and family. First world problem. I know. I think I'm mostly just jealous. Jealous that Pete's family got them and my family and friends didn't. Jealous because I felt like his side dominated the morning when it should be how I wanted it. I think this kind of jealousy won't end because Pete would never stand up to his mom and I would always have to compete. Every time I see his parents, my stress level increases by 100%. It sucks. I think if we ever get a divorce, it'll be because I can't stand his parents anymore.
Next topic.
I must say, I know that I'm really fortunate to be born in Hong Kong and had been to other parts of the world. Since I went to Penn State, which is in the middle of Pennsylvania, I've met people that had never left the States. To me, that's weird. How could you NOT have been to any other country and how small is your world? I'm glad I got to explore, I'm glad I knew people from many different countries and I'm glad that I'm not stuck in the middle of nowhere's-ville and settled down to have a life like that for the rest of my life. At least I saw some.
Next topic.
I want to help you, Debbie, I really do. But, this tiny bit of technicality called geography is keeping us apart and making this traveling thing kind of difficult. I wish teleportation exists. I wish you would've talked to us when you were here even though you decided to hide in the end. I also wish that you would've listened to your heart in the first place and came back home from the very beginning. You need help. Get help.
Next topic.
I CAN SLEEP IN!!! (Read the last 50% of LOTR by tonight??? Maybe???)
Next topic.
I must say, I know that I'm really fortunate to be born in Hong Kong and had been to other parts of the world. Since I went to Penn State, which is in the middle of Pennsylvania, I've met people that had never left the States. To me, that's weird. How could you NOT have been to any other country and how small is your world? I'm glad I got to explore, I'm glad I knew people from many different countries and I'm glad that I'm not stuck in the middle of nowhere's-ville and settled down to have a life like that for the rest of my life. At least I saw some.
Next topic.
I want to help you, Debbie, I really do. But, this tiny bit of technicality called geography is keeping us apart and making this traveling thing kind of difficult. I wish teleportation exists. I wish you would've talked to us when you were here even though you decided to hide in the end. I also wish that you would've listened to your heart in the first place and came back home from the very beginning. You need help. Get help.
Next topic.
I CAN SLEEP IN!!! (Read the last 50% of LOTR by tonight??? Maybe???)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
C25K!
SUCCESS!
I finished my first 5k last night. I wasn't going to run since it was slightly drizzling but just like a quote I came across somewhere, there will never be perfect weather. Thankfully I did run because it's raining tonight! I didn't start running to join any competition but it was more than what I've ever ran in my life. I started using one of the c25k running programmes and just listened to the music and sessions that people made. It took me longer than the suggested 9 weeks to finish this 5k training since I had surgeries and traveling and such. I realized that the hardest part about 5k for me is that running itself gets so boring if you're running along a track. My mind started drifting and I wasn't concentrating by the end of it. Haha. How can people run marathons!? Yay to one accomplishment this year!
I finished my first 5k last night. I wasn't going to run since it was slightly drizzling but just like a quote I came across somewhere, there will never be perfect weather. Thankfully I did run because it's raining tonight! I didn't start running to join any competition but it was more than what I've ever ran in my life. I started using one of the c25k running programmes and just listened to the music and sessions that people made. It took me longer than the suggested 9 weeks to finish this 5k training since I had surgeries and traveling and such. I realized that the hardest part about 5k for me is that running itself gets so boring if you're running along a track. My mind started drifting and I wasn't concentrating by the end of it. Haha. How can people run marathons!? Yay to one accomplishment this year!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Technology is cool!
I'm always amazed by technology we have and are improving at the moment. About a month ago, I first saw the 3-D printed ear (here's the article for the ear if you're interested)and now there's a tool where you can check out someone's heartbeat and breathing without touching! Check this video out!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Period and Sex
Do you remember your first period?
I found out I was menstruating after a disastrous ballet exam (which I failed). I was alone at home and called my mom for help. I learned how to use pads over the phone and found out I used the wrong ones 4 hours later after asking my mom why there's so much blood... Haha I guess everything was easier for me because I have an older sister. Even though I didn't know exactly what's going on, from daily interaction, I have a vague idea that I would bleed monthly. However, I don't exactly remember learning how to use pads in school. It was even sort of taboo to talk about it. Now that I think about it, that's kind of weird, especially since I went to an all girls school. Wouldn't think that teachers would openly talk about menstruation?
Found out today that there's something called leparcel where you get a box of supplies monthly for your period. You can customize the brand, type and amount of pads, tampons and liners you'd like. Isn't this cool? I would order it for my daughter as like a right of passage.
On a related topic, when did you learn about sex?
I honestly don't remember. Haha. I think there was an introduction to sex during our PSE lesson one time. But I don't exactly remember what we learnt then. I don't know how I learnt about sex nor do I remember how to protect myself. I'm lucky that my mom's pretty open about using protection, so from early on, I knew what condoms are and why we need to use them. I'm a big supporter of sex-ed and not abstinence only. Teenagers are at the stage of life where they're fearless and most curious. I think it's really important to let them know how to protect themselves rather than telling them just not to do it. What's the point of creating this whole 'elephant in the room' when they're going to try and find out by themselves anyway? Are parents really that naive to think that as long as they don't talk about it, kids will not find out?!
I think I'll start talking about sex with my kids when they're 5? I'll probably use this book along with it.
I found out I was menstruating after a disastrous ballet exam (which I failed). I was alone at home and called my mom for help. I learned how to use pads over the phone and found out I used the wrong ones 4 hours later after asking my mom why there's so much blood... Haha I guess everything was easier for me because I have an older sister. Even though I didn't know exactly what's going on, from daily interaction, I have a vague idea that I would bleed monthly. However, I don't exactly remember learning how to use pads in school. It was even sort of taboo to talk about it. Now that I think about it, that's kind of weird, especially since I went to an all girls school. Wouldn't think that teachers would openly talk about menstruation?
Found out today that there's something called leparcel where you get a box of supplies monthly for your period. You can customize the brand, type and amount of pads, tampons and liners you'd like. Isn't this cool? I would order it for my daughter as like a right of passage.
On a related topic, when did you learn about sex?
I honestly don't remember. Haha. I think there was an introduction to sex during our PSE lesson one time. But I don't exactly remember what we learnt then. I don't know how I learnt about sex nor do I remember how to protect myself. I'm lucky that my mom's pretty open about using protection, so from early on, I knew what condoms are and why we need to use them. I'm a big supporter of sex-ed and not abstinence only. Teenagers are at the stage of life where they're fearless and most curious. I think it's really important to let them know how to protect themselves rather than telling them just not to do it. What's the point of creating this whole 'elephant in the room' when they're going to try and find out by themselves anyway? Are parents really that naive to think that as long as they don't talk about it, kids will not find out?!
I think I'll start talking about sex with my kids when they're 5? I'll probably use this book along with it.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Joy of knowing bits of the future
Hey! Hey look at me!
I can finally leave my job!!! Hahaha. I already have my resignation letter typed up the day after I received a letter from GWU accepting my application. Yay~ Going to grad school~ I'm still waiting for UMD to reply but that won't happen till the end of the month. The only down side is that GWU didn't provide me any fellowship and financial aid. If UMD does, I'll definitely be going there... Yay for hard work and nay to worrying over my pathetic GRE and still getting into grad school.
How's everyone's Chinese New Year? I had a much needed break and it was mostly great. At least I didn't have to worry about work, weddings, trips planning etc. Stayed at a place that didn't have internet was refreshing. I just wish the holiday was a bit longer, but hey, can't have everything, right? But being on this semi-family with friends attached trip made me realized how picky a traveler I am. I also need to follow a schedule, not to a tee, but at least there needs to be a schedule of some sort. My metabolism got super hyped up after the trip and now I'm eating snacks every 2 hours at work. Argh. Running low on snacks.
Have a great weekend people! Meeting with my wedding planner after work to sort out the final invitation details.
I can finally leave my job!!! Hahaha. I already have my resignation letter typed up the day after I received a letter from GWU accepting my application. Yay~ Going to grad school~ I'm still waiting for UMD to reply but that won't happen till the end of the month. The only down side is that GWU didn't provide me any fellowship and financial aid. If UMD does, I'll definitely be going there... Yay for hard work and nay to worrying over my pathetic GRE and still getting into grad school.
How's everyone's Chinese New Year? I had a much needed break and it was mostly great. At least I didn't have to worry about work, weddings, trips planning etc. Stayed at a place that didn't have internet was refreshing. I just wish the holiday was a bit longer, but hey, can't have everything, right? But being on this semi-family with friends attached trip made me realized how picky a traveler I am. I also need to follow a schedule, not to a tee, but at least there needs to be a schedule of some sort. My metabolism got super hyped up after the trip and now I'm eating snacks every 2 hours at work. Argh. Running low on snacks.
Have a great weekend people! Meeting with my wedding planner after work to sort out the final invitation details.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Keeping Calm
My mantra to myself for the coming months:
“If you create a really meaningful wedding ceremony, you can put less effort into the rest of the party. If your guests are on an emotional high after basking in your love and wiping away their tears, they are much less likely to notice that the centerpieces never showed up.”
“If you create a really meaningful wedding ceremony, you can put less effort into the rest of the party. If your guests are on an emotional high after basking in your love and wiping away their tears, they are much less likely to notice that the centerpieces never showed up.”
Monday, January 14, 2013
Gnawing my nails
Ugh.
Thought I hired a wedding planner to take the stress out of planning my wedding. But turns out, it is still stressful since your wedding planner cannot take care of relatives relationships. She can do all the practical stuff, but it's the in-between stuff that's getting to me.
I was looking at the countdown and it's already less than 100 days till I get married. I still haven't gotten anything together... other than I have my dresses and shoes (please emphasize on the 'I' part because the groom's part is completely not ready for I have no idea what suit/tie/shoes he'll be wearing and I also need to take him to the Chinese wedding gown shop the moment he lands to hopefully fit him into a Chinese groom gown :/)
Should have eloped.
The only thing that kept me from it was my love for the 'combing hair' ceremony before I get married and the 'getting the bride' part of in the Chinese tradition. Other than that, I would've chosen to elope. I never had a fantasy about my wedding or getting married because it was instilled in me since I was young that I don't need to have one to have a good family/life. My parents had a lot of headaches with theirs so they never wanted me to go through the same trouble. At the same time, I was heavily influenced by the commercial wedding industry that I 'have' to have it in a certain way. I'm so torn to keep it small but also trying to entertain everyone as well. So to find a balance in between, I chose to have a small wedding/reception (mind you, it's small since it has less than 100 people) but it's still more work than I expected.
Thankfully, while I felt really stressed last week, I stumbled upon a site called 'A Practical Wedding' and their site is full of posts and advice on how to combat these feelings and stay true to yourself. Reading what others wrote about their difficulty to fit into the wedding industry's mold gives me comfort to know that I'm not alone.
Making a to-do list for now to calm myself.
Thought I hired a wedding planner to take the stress out of planning my wedding. But turns out, it is still stressful since your wedding planner cannot take care of relatives relationships. She can do all the practical stuff, but it's the in-between stuff that's getting to me.
I was looking at the countdown and it's already less than 100 days till I get married. I still haven't gotten anything together... other than I have my dresses and shoes (please emphasize on the 'I' part because the groom's part is completely not ready for I have no idea what suit/tie/shoes he'll be wearing and I also need to take him to the Chinese wedding gown shop the moment he lands to hopefully fit him into a Chinese groom gown :/)
Should have eloped.
The only thing that kept me from it was my love for the 'combing hair' ceremony before I get married and the 'getting the bride' part of in the Chinese tradition. Other than that, I would've chosen to elope. I never had a fantasy about my wedding or getting married because it was instilled in me since I was young that I don't need to have one to have a good family/life. My parents had a lot of headaches with theirs so they never wanted me to go through the same trouble. At the same time, I was heavily influenced by the commercial wedding industry that I 'have' to have it in a certain way. I'm so torn to keep it small but also trying to entertain everyone as well. So to find a balance in between, I chose to have a small wedding/reception (mind you, it's small since it has less than 100 people) but it's still more work than I expected.
Thankfully, while I felt really stressed last week, I stumbled upon a site called 'A Practical Wedding' and their site is full of posts and advice on how to combat these feelings and stay true to yourself. Reading what others wrote about their difficulty to fit into the wedding industry's mold gives me comfort to know that I'm not alone.
Making a to-do list for now to calm myself.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
HAPPY 2013!!!
*poppers*confetti*fireworks*sparkling wine (since I can't use the word Champagne unless what you drank was from Champagne)*
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I can foresee 2013 to be a year of stress and excitement at the same time. Good combo though, rather than the not so enthusiastic one I had during the latter part of 2012.
How did you spend your new year's eve? Whether it's a quiet one or with a large crowd, I hope you were happy during that day and I wish you all the best!
My new year's resolution is to give handmade gifts for people I care. This is an excuse for me to create those arts and crafts I've seen from blogs *twitchy fingers*. So far, I've given two... hopefully more to come!
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