twenty-five -- observations

It's funny how surprised we are at the little things, like holding open a door for someone. The couple I opened the door for almost looked shocked. What? A Liberal, Self-Absorbed (or absorbed in the Self, haha, get it?), College Student taking the time to open a door? Wow. It's almost a sad commentary on American society. Imagine how much we can surprise people only if we did something like hold open a door... an act which only takes a few minutes.

As usual, since returning from CHYK camp, I've had plenty of time to reflect on certain things. After all, there is only two weeks remaining until we leave to India... nothing much can be done in terms of a job, so on. But as I may have mentioned before, I'm trying to be diligent about meditation, reading, journaling, and cleaning. And, of course, longlong walks and listening to my iPod. I feel it's easier to unclear the clutter of thoughts that way.

Today, I'm in Ann Arbor and living in the Fishbowl (computer lab) until it's time to go... See, I had an advising appointment and an internship interview. Yeah, the advising appointment was to make sure I'm on track for my basic requirements and to see if yeah, I could really take Indonesian and Hindi both. Turns out I can, and that's a big relief. The interview... well, I think it went well, but I don't want to say anything before they let us know.

I really love this campus... it feels nice and I really do not regret coming here, though I do sometimes regret not applying to some other schools. But, oh well, right? I am content where I am. I hit up one of the contacts for the UM chapter of CHYK... so I hope they are active this coming year, because I'd love to help make this a great discussion group -- a consistent, insightful, and enthusiastic chapter.

anyway, that's all I have to say for now... time to go back to playing ridiculous typing games..!

twenty-two -- ahhhh, summer.

Getting through my Indonesia withdrawal, I am now very much enjoying my summer at home. My days have, at least this week, been filled with regular exercise, actually doing things with friends, and plenty vegging at the computer, catching up with my Google Reader, TIME.com, and other news sources. Sometimes, with everything going on in the U.S., I'd rather unplug from the rest of the world, but I can't go back to school without knowing about anything that happened in the States this summer... after all, we are the center of the world.

Regardless, I feel very healthy (well, I'm still working off the pounds I gained in Indo) and happy (well, still working through post-break up emotions, but whatev). In fact, a day or two ago I hit up the public library that I usually go every summer to pick up a stack of books. It's really satisfying to come home with a stack of books. I brought a mixed bag of books, ranging from books on Bali, East of Eden, Satanic Verses, Good in Bed (blatant chic-lit), and so on. I love books and it lets me strain my eyes over paper rather than a computer screen. I'm thinking of checking out a bunch of books before we leave to India..

Few things I need to improve on: drinking water, spending less time at the computer, adjust my sleeping schedule to go to bed a little earlier and wake up earlier, finish cleaning the nuclear wasteland that is my bedroom.