#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!)

#32 a dream come true

Hey hi hello,

Yes I finally have the time (and the courage) to start writing on what an amazing experience this has been so far. In less than two months, my life has completely changed. I breathe, eat, sleep, live differently. I think, talk, behave differently. It has been the time of my life in California, and today I take a break from all that goodness to write about it.

I've traveled quite a bit around Los Angeles and San Diego, and I'm already overwhelmed. You'd think you'd want to cover all of SoCal and move on to NoCal before the rest of the United States, but trust me, it's going to take awhile. (Good thing I have 3 years to go!)

Most of the pictures here are of my travels, I promise to write about what I have been up to here at San Diego State, but for now, I just need to rant.

I have the best bunch of international friends on exchange. Here we go. There are two Australians, three Spanish, one French (he's naturally the best looking asshole, love you John), one Dutch, one Turkish, one English (who doesn't watch football!), one from Faroe Islands and us two Malaysians! The best thing about hanging out with a bunch of international students is that they're all BIG into exploring, being touristy and are all excited about everything American. We've also got a couple of Americans in the mix to make sure we don't offend, get killed or end up in Tijuana alone.

I've also been so in love with my housing on campus. The building is literally in the middle of everything. We take the trolley and bus everywhere. The people I meet here make me smile everyday. Every time someone asks me (which is pretty much everyone) how I like it out here, I only have one response, "It feels like I'm living in the movies." It cracks them up every time, but I'm not even kidding. It really does feel like it. 

The beach may be my one true love here, but my housemates are a close second. The bond that was built and escalated exponentially between three of us has been amazing. We'd sit in our living room with nothing but music and food, and on special occasions, one of us teaches the others how to twerk. Slang is my new best friend too. Who'd think American English would be so hard to understand when you have friends from Chicago, Compton, Los Angeles, San Francisco, other parts of NoCal and SoCal and even Mexico. Don't even get me started on online shopping and free shipping (think Urban Outfitters, Karmaloop and all the other goodshit that doesn't deliver to you). Obey Propaganda actually means something to me now. 

My days have been absolutely carefree, I'm up to something different every weekend. Sometimes we're at the beach with a book in hand, other days we're messing around Downtown and all it has to offer (bars, boobies and more bars). Some nights we stay in and sing the nineties, most nights we're out looking for a party. Frat parties are real, guys. Free alcohol and cheap sex exists. I see buttcheeks and boobs all over campus. People suck faces and blast music from their rooms. You can walk into a strangers home on campus and you'll end up with more friends. White boys on different-sized skateboards buzz past my window every evening. People greet you in the morning and you can't sneeze without a blessing in return. Other times people are mostly drunk and/or high (but who's complaining?). People actually care that you're foreign (maybe they just think it's hot) and ask cute things like "Omg you speak English there?!" and "Where is Malaysia?". Shopping in Walmart is an experience America has to offer. You see things there you'll never see any where else.

There's so much this place has opened my eyes to, and I know it has so much more to offer. I am truly grateful and lucky to be here. It has been nothing but a dream come true. 

I'M LIVING IN CALIFORNIA!

#31 pacific coast highway and 232s

Hey hi hello,

I'm in Los Angeles! Well, the Southern part at least, in a city called Torrance. 

America is fun! People are nice, and the women say "dude" all the time. Things are relatively cheap, but my breath still catches after the conversion rate. The weather is hot like back home where the sun is borderline scorching, but the wind compensates. My first meal when I arrived was at Yoshinoya where I had rice and chicken teriyaki and Panda Express for dinner. Asian food on both occasions and it felt strangely normal. 

Torrance is actually pretty far from Downtown LA or the more well-known areas. It would take about 2-3 hours and a few transfers between bus routes to get there. I'd have to drive through the free way and a cab would cost about $60+. Will probably go down to Long Beach instead, before heading down to San Diego on Monday morning. 

Here are some of the first few shots taken. More to come!

I'm just taking in all the sights and sounds that are foreign yet warmly welcoming. I went on a tiny adventure on my second day here, while waiting for Sofia to arrive, to Del Amo Fashion Center by taking the Metro buses. I saw things like convertibles blasting Usher and Gangsta's Paradise and huge men on huger bikes. There was an old homeless man who came by the bus stop to have a conversation with me on how he just exited the hospital and that doctor told him to stay away from double cheeseburgers and KFC. And he dispensed this information to me twice, as if I didn't hear him the first time round (although I did reply). Strangers went out of their way to help me find my way around. A guy whom I asked for directions from doubled back while I was waiting at the bus stop to give me his bus route map that he had since he first arrived in Torrance. Such nice people. Everyone just wants to have a conversation with you. 

Some thingamajigs I bought at the mall.

I'm not sure if the fact that I'm finally in America hasn't sunk in, or it has and I didn't notice. I feel like the foreigner that I am yet there's a peculiar sense of belonging. Anyways, I've got myself an American number, but I'm reachable via Whatsapp on my Malaysian number. Drop me a message if you'd like my number :)

Till the next post.

#30 anyeong sayo!

Hey hi hello,

Good morning from Seoul, Korea! 

I'm currently in the middle of a nine hour transit at Incheon airport and I'm on a Lazy-boy doing what I do best (not blogging but being lazy). Nine hours is not easy time to kill and so far, I've ate some bad airport Korean food (never liked the cuisine to begin with), bought myself a camera, took the time of my life taking a dump and deliberately walked around the terminal looking like a lost sheep so that Korean people will come talk to me.

Sadly, I still think that most Korean men/boys look alike, but I've seen some really pretty cute Korean girls. Some are friendly, some not at all. Most speak bad, bad English. I almost bought the camera for double the amount I wanted to pay just cause I couldn't grasp what the saleslady was saying. Nevertheless, lets hope my impulsive shopping habit does not end up in a pool of regret caused by broken Korean-accented English. 

I know this post is really random, the last I blogged was a completely different time(zone). During my six hour flight from Korea, I cried a half hour for each of the people I had to leave in Malaysia. I'm being separated with people that are such major characters in my life, and I was probably the worse person to sit next to on a plane, because I kept bursting out every five minutes. Despite the waterworks, my flight was bearable, even though I couldn't sleep a wink and my sinus was going haywire. For an aspiring traveller claiming to be consumed by wanderlust, airplanes and I sure don't go to well together. 

I already can't wait to hear from everyone else back home. My sister gave me a letter, although it was more of a lecture and "baby sister to big sister advice" piece than a farewell one, but it still made me cry and wish I never left her to fend for herself. Love you, Sammy. Leaving my mommy was also the toughest thing I ever had to do, but I know I've left her in safe hands and that she's got plenty keeping an eye out for her. Also, thank you all who came out to send me off at the airport, I love you all so much. 

My new life begins hereafter a nap, of course.

Annyeong.

#29 miserable at best

Hey hi hello,

Well what do you know. The best month of any year is over, and here's to a rocky if not sombrely boring start to August. Writing this as The xx finishes their performance in Singapore and I'm miserable at best. Also didn't go for Chelsea x Malaysia XI because I got into a fucked up accident the day before. Double whammy should be my calling card.

Quite a bit has happened in half a month. The amount of times I sat thinking about going to the States and wondering if it was the wrong decision, considering the circumstances regarding people around me and my financial situation has undoubtedly made things difficult. I'm slightly lazy to write today (and I'm about to watch a movie with forever guy) so here's a quick list (don't we love lists):

• I've got exactly eleven days to go before I leave. Will be in the area of Korea that is less likely to shoot me (South) for about nine hours before making my way to Los Angeles, and will be there for three days before my final destination, San Diego.
• I have yet to start packing (plus I have two bedrooms to clear out) and at the rate I'm going, I'll probably end up taking only my pillow and a bag of fresh undies.
• Money has been a real enemy lately. I've had about 4 panic attacks because the money is coming in so late and I've probably exhausted every human (uncles & aunts) that I can take a financial loan from. 
• A supposedly close friend to the family decided to turn down my sponsorship/loan request because she thinks I don't need to go to the States to finish my degree- a local one would suffice. Sadly, because her sizeable bank account is the only reason why I put up with her, I (very politely) told her that going to the United States is an opportunity I simply can't let slip away- and as much as a local degree is achievable, I can't settle for any less than experiencing life away from home. So thanks for nothing, ***** (in case my mum reads).
• I will also probably end up eating cucumbers with salsa sauce the entire duration I'm in the US because I can't afford anything else, but hey, I've got salsa sauce.
• To be completely honest, I'm petrified. I'm in denial of how soon I'm leaving- I just want to stay in my jammies all day in Sepang with my mother, taking videos of my dogs sleeping eating breathing. 
• Then again, I can't be bothered to chase down and keep asking people to meet up before I leave- I don't have time for people who can't make time for me. 
• Someone give me money, please

Till the next post.

#28 suspended

Hey hi hello,

I don't even know where to begin. From the short time between my last blog post and today, I'm in a completely different place. Not physically- more of my state of mind. As I type this, my brain screams exhaustion and my eyelids are failing me, but I'm not physically tired. Lethargic maybe, but not sleepy. I don't know. Blame dehydration, irregular sleeping and eating patterns, stress. Whatever it is, I don't feel right.

For starters, I sadly gave up the The xx tickets. As much as the self-proclaimed concert junkie in me is disappointed, the timing just isn't right. It wasn't an easy decision to make, mind you.

*//edited on 31st July 2013

Found this post written halfway and decided to post it up anyways. Not sure why I didn't finish it or what I was going to say, but there you have it.

#27 let me live that fantasy

Hey hi hello, 

I've decided to change my blog name from 'a recipe for disaster.' to 'Corals & Concrete'. I'm not entirely sure if it will stick as long as the former, but its an ode to my love for travelling and foreign places. Its the direction I'd like to take my blog towards- and ultimately my life- dedicated to wanderlust and new experiences. 

I know its wishful thinking at an extreme, but I've actually put some serious consideration into my whole "backpack around Europe with nothing but 400 dollars" thing. And realistically looking at my timeline; expected graduation and the time I have in between that and being consumed by the corporate society, it could actually happen. I don't want to get ahead of things, but I really can't see myself ending this life without seeing the beautiful world we live in. Or at least try to.

I can already imagine roadtripping and hullaballu around the United States with my friends, and that would probably be momentary gratification. I can't wait. 

Back in reality, I'm officially unemployed for the first time in about three years. In that time span, I've tutored, bartender-ed, waited, barista-ed, sold clothing, interned and worked at countless other projects and events. It feels strange to have no work commitments (it's completely different from school commitments if you didn't know) at all and I actually have too much free time on my hands. It sucks that I probably will have no extra cash and be forced to watch less movies, eat cheaper (and healthier) food, spend less on material indulgences, and actually depend on my parents to survive (who even does that?). 

Doesn't help that I will be going to Singapore to watch The xx in August. Wait, did I even say that? YES YOU HEARD ME BITCHES, I'M GOING TO THE XX!! I thank the heavens for having such a cool boss because he let me have the tickets even though I don't write for Juice any more. I guess being a goody-two-shoes intern has its perks (yeah, sure). Now I need to book flight tickets and lodging, and the fact that I'm lazy to do it probably says a lot about my vagabond dreams becoming reality. (this is why I need Daena Marissa.)

Also going for Chelsea x Malaysia XI this Sunday even though I wasn't expecting to. Bryna (Iloveyou) was such an angel for getting them for me as a belated present, why am I so blessed? 

Till the next post.

#26 birthday behavior

Hey hi hello,

Been wanting to put up this post since forever, but I've been kept dutifully busy by work. I've still got a pile of articles waiting to be put down from thoughts into words, but I decided I couldn't wait any longer to post this. 

So I turned 21. I celebrated my birthday weekend in quite a laid-back fashion, with absolutely no regrets. I went to Barsonic on Friday night and had the time of my life, then spent the day out on Saturday with Danielle, shopping and embarrassing each other in public like we do best. It was a little awkward on Sunday because Juliet joined me for the pole-dancing class I signed up for. I haven't seen her since she left to the US, and that was about a year and a half ago. Nevertheless, I managed to make a complete fool of myself throughout. Clearly all I that I am meant to be in this life is an peculiar potato when I am forced to dance, saying that I have two-left feet is an understatement. However, learning the basics of contemporary dance made me realize how much I regret giving up ballet when I was younger, and that that would have been a path I would have loved to take. Sadly, I think it's a little bit too late; I am probably doomed to a life of non-flexibility and failed pirouettes.

Oh, did I mention that the pole-dance was cancelled? I ended up taking jazz, hip hop (don't get me started on how funny it was to watch myself pretend I had swag), contempo and bachata (not for the fatfainthearted). Good fun, it was. 

Dinner was with the people I loved most, I could barely contain my excitement catching up with old faces and meeting new ones. I was skittering here and there, trying to get involved with every one that I have missed so much. Thank you, those who came, and know that you all have a special place in my heart. I love you guys.

It's all about that chocolate stain.

Obviously my sister outshines me, again! x

Couldn't resist posting up my hunky best friend. For casting, contact me.

Blessed.

Seriously, how blessed am I? The rest of the photos can be found on my Facebook, and the rather embarrassing ones (involving massive amounts of cake being stuffed into my face and other unflattering poses) shall never see light of day. 

I honestly had the best 21st, and I really wouldn't have had it any other way. Well, having forever guy with me would have been the ultimate, but I guess one can only ask for so much. Besides, I don't think I could have handled too many hugs, kisses and love in one evening. 

Till the next post.

#25 july july july

Hey hi hello,

July is definitely my favourite month of the year, besides obvious reasons. Good shit just happens and nothing bad ever does. And so far, it hasn't disappointed. 

I've managed to RSVP for a pole-dancing class (as dictated by my 21things bucket list) in Plaza Damas. I Googled "pole-dancing in Hartamas" and it was the first result that came up. Here's the thing though: it's completely free, and available only on the day before my birthday. If that isn't fate (for lack of a better word), I don't know what is. Naturally, I didn't have a choice, so I signed myself up for imminent humiliation and doom.

I'll be having my cosy birthday dinner party after, and it's cosy because I only invited twenty of my closest friends. I realised I didn't need over a hundred people in a cramped space expecting free booze and members of the opposite sex because ain't nobody got time fo' dat. Since papa Chang is not in KL and mama Chang is having mobility difficulties for now, the closest thing to family would be my indispensable friends. 

However, if you'd like to see me this weekend, I'll be at Pestle & Mortar's Summer Collection Launch at Lust KL on Saturday. Feel free to crash their party and make it our own. 

Anyways, my internship here is drawing to a close, and I've got a month after that to settle prep for San Diego and meet up with everyone that I'll definitely miss. 

I'm bored with this post already so I'm just going to end with images of me being my conceited self. Adios.

Till the next post.

#24 june in a thousand words

Hey hi hello,

Here's the monthly Instagram recap, because posting selfies only once is never enough when you're a narcissist. 

+ Four conceited photos that definitely don't need any description.

+ The photo on the left was taken with my childhood friend and Godsister, Chloe Ann, who's one of the most beautiful girls I have in my life. Taken at Disneyland, God knows when.

+ Second photo was probably taken a little later, also at Disneyland (or some other theme park). The girl on the left was my neighbour, Chanelle Looi.

+ Three photos of work at Epiphany. Note that I am fond of the tobacco counterpart, as the bosses at Epiphany can be quite anal about their coffee quality- and since I'm only part time, they have a full timer to work that shit. I guess it's a good thing.

+ Last photo was taken when I was asked to roll as many cigarettes as I could, and for convenience sake, I used the rolling machine. Hand rolling is an art, not  for mass output, yo! I think I made almost 150 cigarettes that day /clapclap.

+ A throwback photo of Danielle and I, someone I used to love dearly. Still do, but not so much since she abandoned me for her boyfriend and new coursemates :)
+ Didn't actually post this photo, but rather it's a shameless way to show off forever guy. Follow him on Instagram here. Yes, he's the atypical black guy that likes cash money #yolo

That's it for June folks. Hopefully July will be better. Raise your hands if you think I should upload more Instagram (can't be fucked though).

Till the next post.