#33 foreign affairs

Hey hi hello,

I've finally managed to take some time off pretending that I'm always busy and crashing for exams the night before. (Parents, please don't take me seriously, everyone else, carry on.)

So after heavy-duty munching on a bowl of instant Taiwanese pork noodles (that I found when I died and went to Asian Market heaven), I sat down and decided to write about what I've been up to here at San Diego State.

Looking a bit chubby, I must say.

Academics and all that grades

I've been doing fairly well here in school. I'm not about to brag about Dean's List or 4.0s just yet cause I think I'm slipping slightly. The expectations we have about Americans being (not as) smart as Asians and that us Asians would do well is hard to live up to. Clearly I'm the wrong kind of Asian.

I'm doing Anthropology which has elements of my sworn enemy since I was introduced high school, Biology. I must say I'm doing slightly better than I expected but am failing at a subject I knew I was going to do badly in (Introduction to American and California Government and Politics, even the name is a bloody mouthful).

I also have a Social Media class which is fun because I get to legitimately stalk cute classmates for legitimate good grades. I also get to show of my Twitter account and follow weird Americans. The other classes I have are meh, including English Literature which studies a part of the vast genres of literature that I am not fond of. The only saving grace is that the lecturer is actually from England and has that y'know, that sexy Brit accent (he's also young and pretty hot, just saying).

I'm doing a double major in Journalism and English. Yep. Lots of writing and reading. Lets just pray I survive this semester before thinking about the next 3 years.

Work and being all professional

I somehow managed to charm two or more employers in the university to hire me. I am currently tutoring and peer editing term papers and writing for the Equal Opportunity Program for minority students on campus, contributing to the news section of the campus newspaper, writing a weekly blog column for it's online counterpart and an administrative (sort of) intern for the International Student Center (I get to decide if your i-20s get sent to you or not, just kidding). Phew.

The fortunate thing is that I'm only allowed a maximum of twenty hours of work a week. Knowing my tendency to want more money, it's more pay if I work more hours, but it is also at most 4 hours of work per day, besides going for classes and trying to survive life itself. I actually intend on having a life here.

Basically, I would be spending most (if not all) of my time writing, studying or working; not very different from life back in Taylor's.

The fun stuff you want to hear about

Put away those stilettos because they are of no use here. It's all about red solo cups and beer pong, kicking back and practicing your flirting skills. Well, the first few weeks at least. When campus is in full swing, frat parties are on everyone's to-be-at lists. I've only been to three, and most of them constitute of sucking face or trying to suck face. I must say alcohol is definitely way more accessible here, with most parties giving out free alcohol and people drinking beer every other day.

I've also loved going to the beach! I try to spend every weekend there but I have to be realistic and quietly settle for twice a month. My friends and I have taken an adventurous road trip to Los Angeles, but I'm sad to say I haven't been to any raves (yet).

I went for a Passion Pit concert and will be going for Drake on Thanksgiving weekend. I'd like to be going for a whole lot more (I missed out on Disclosure and Arctic Monkeys is performing soon), but money really doesn't grow on trees, not even the United States. I still have time though, and I promise to make it the best three years of my life. (psst, I have Coachella!)

It's honestly been a complete one eighty degrees change in my life. I worry about different things and I'm constantly reminded that I am not from this part of the world. I'm still learning the nooks and crannies of an entirely different culture, while protecting the chinks in my armor.

Till the next post.

(I've got a lot more to write about, so I promise to keep updating regularly. Send in comments and talk to me!)