Today was an interesting day. Only a few know the extent of what happened and it should be kept that way, but it was a good struggle for everybody. Maybe I'll just list off stuff I learned or relearned today so I hopefully will not forget it all.
Sitting with a friend even without talking to them is comfort enough.
Everybody has some sort of advice to give
power naps are awesome!
mental illness is a serious issue people
running without shoes is so awesome
coincidences can cause some bad chain of events
when something is revealed, a lot more comes out alongside it
There are some people in this world I struggle having conversation with
a dorm is crazy when school is canceled
knowing who you surround yourself with is crucial
Some people are too normal for their own good
sometimes people are forced to trust people they wouldn't usually trust
I'm horrible at time management...
yeah a strange list because of a strange day. A good and revealing day that I actually felt like I lived. I deserve a nice, long rest after this. Who knew that staying at the dorm all day could actually be interesting.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Sonnet for Class
Title explains it. Had to write a sonnet for class. I didn't really follow the typical path of a sonnet. Expand upon idea in second, change tone in third, finish with some strong point. I did use the "but" on the 9th line like one is supposed to and I tried to follow the format, but I don't know if is close enough.
Dealings
Dealings
The flow of present batters fragile minds
Like rivers
that converge to center point
The brave
who jump act mighty, but are blind
The
unprepared men always disappoint.
The ones
that understand their chosen path
Spend years
preparing ships for going down
and taking
knowledge so the mighty’s wrath
is turned to
power. Willing gets the crown.
But some
like I don’t seek the paths just named
Instead are
pleased by dipping in the stream
The time so
small to not be shamed or maimed
But not
enough to move, progress, or dream.
The joys of
life, though seem to never leave
Flow faster
than a stream one could conceive.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
What You Get for Going to a Smart School
People always said to me "Oh when you hit college you will not be the smartest, top student and you will feel shocked when everybody around you is just as smart." That statement is pretty simplified, so maybe in this post I'll explore the aspects of that.
First to say, yes I was smart in my high school. Just because I was smart doesn't mean I was the top. People did clubs, activities, joined organizations, branched out. I never did many of those that I put my heart into. And just because I was smart didn't mean I was on top grade wise either. My goal was that 4.0; people got better grades on test and quizzes. It didn't shock me that I wasn't the top. So in this instance, I never understood when people told me the statement that I will be shocked.
At UVA there are a lot of brilliant people. I'm more shocked at their extracurricular than their stellar performance in the classroom. They come in with knowledge that I feel is more important than stuff memorized in the classroom. In that aspect of the statement I can agree.
In the 2016 class I'm not the smartest kid. But that isn't a shock, actually it is pretty refreshing. There is no stigma, no need to maintain a lofty air. I can do what I wanted to do and chill in the shadow as others go crazy and compete. As long as I get my 4.0 I'll be happy.
There is one thing with knowledge that does shock me. In high school I was in all the advanced classes, so I had a broad knowledge base. In the library I could hear people talking about a subject and most of the times I knew what they were talking about. In college that isn't true at all. I can walk by a whiteboard filled with information and not know what the heck it is saying. I can hear a conversation about some obscure anthropological subject and not know what is being talked about. It is strange not having that broad knowledge and being sectioned into a few subjects in preparation for a major.
So in some aspects I am shocked, some I'm not. I'll say that very simplified statement sort of encapsulates how people will feel in college.
First to say, yes I was smart in my high school. Just because I was smart doesn't mean I was the top. People did clubs, activities, joined organizations, branched out. I never did many of those that I put my heart into. And just because I was smart didn't mean I was on top grade wise either. My goal was that 4.0; people got better grades on test and quizzes. It didn't shock me that I wasn't the top. So in this instance, I never understood when people told me the statement that I will be shocked.
At UVA there are a lot of brilliant people. I'm more shocked at their extracurricular than their stellar performance in the classroom. They come in with knowledge that I feel is more important than stuff memorized in the classroom. In that aspect of the statement I can agree.
In the 2016 class I'm not the smartest kid. But that isn't a shock, actually it is pretty refreshing. There is no stigma, no need to maintain a lofty air. I can do what I wanted to do and chill in the shadow as others go crazy and compete. As long as I get my 4.0 I'll be happy.
There is one thing with knowledge that does shock me. In high school I was in all the advanced classes, so I had a broad knowledge base. In the library I could hear people talking about a subject and most of the times I knew what they were talking about. In college that isn't true at all. I can walk by a whiteboard filled with information and not know what the heck it is saying. I can hear a conversation about some obscure anthropological subject and not know what is being talked about. It is strange not having that broad knowledge and being sectioned into a few subjects in preparation for a major.
So in some aspects I am shocked, some I'm not. I'll say that very simplified statement sort of encapsulates how people will feel in college.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A Month Done
So everything is starting to settle down. Works is more systematic. Friend groups are pretty much established. People sort of have a plan for their day and know when they are doing what.
It seemed before the wonders of college were right in your face. At the beginning everything is always new and exciting. But I guess that is how a new environment is supposed to be. You get swept up in it. Now since things have calmed down, I have to pursue things to find those wonders.
Now I'm not talking about big things at all. Like yesterday I decided instead of working on my Comm assignment I went to Clemons Media Room and watch TV on the flat screen. Today I went into student health to get some bandages and saw that there was a full hospital at UVA. Just stuff I haven't noted before are wonders.
Too much to explore but so little time. No, not so little time, no motivation. Maybe I should make some trials and actually do them. For example, one week I have to go solely on Meal Exchange. I can't eat at the dining hall, only have to know when I can get food from the local eating places using my meal swipes. Another is using the bus only for a week.
Why would think to torture myself like this? Because I will not learn any other way. Knowing when I can get food from somewhere other than a dining hall or knowing if I'm going to be late I can catch this bus to go to that place is important. But at the moment I never need to know this knowledge so I don't care to learn it. Only if I force myself will I actually learn.
Back to (not) writing my essay.
It seemed before the wonders of college were right in your face. At the beginning everything is always new and exciting. But I guess that is how a new environment is supposed to be. You get swept up in it. Now since things have calmed down, I have to pursue things to find those wonders.
Now I'm not talking about big things at all. Like yesterday I decided instead of working on my Comm assignment I went to Clemons Media Room and watch TV on the flat screen. Today I went into student health to get some bandages and saw that there was a full hospital at UVA. Just stuff I haven't noted before are wonders.
Too much to explore but so little time. No, not so little time, no motivation. Maybe I should make some trials and actually do them. For example, one week I have to go solely on Meal Exchange. I can't eat at the dining hall, only have to know when I can get food from the local eating places using my meal swipes. Another is using the bus only for a week.
Why would think to torture myself like this? Because I will not learn any other way. Knowing when I can get food from somewhere other than a dining hall or knowing if I'm going to be late I can catch this bus to go to that place is important. But at the moment I never need to know this knowledge so I don't care to learn it. Only if I force myself will I actually learn.
Back to (not) writing my essay.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Blogging
Taking precious time from my homework time to blog. Let's make this quick.
On week three I've finally feeling the pressure of my new way of thinking. Being in so many clubs and hanging out with friends takes up almost of all of my time. Homework has been done whenever I can.
Now for most this seems normal. In high school most people did clubs and hanged out with friends a lot, so this idea is pretty obvious. But I never did those things. My days were filled with huge gaps of nothing. Now I was pretty content with that so don't feel sorry for me; alone time is always nice.
Now I'm thrust into this crazy world of college. Since I didn't learn the skills required in high school, it is all an experiment from here. This means I'm getting sloppy in my dealings with people. I'm more apt to categorize people now and deal with them based on my whims. This ends up causing some tension, which requires more time to fix. I'll need to get more efficient.
I've wondered if I miss my old way of life. Sure if I had time I would love to read or watch TV, but I'm also happy with me running across the grounds from one event to the next. People have different views on how college should be. I say that college should just be a whirlwind of awesome. There is no need to reflect at the moment, just keep moving forward
And just for a record, for those who think that "you learn more out of the classroom in college than in it" is bull, then you are sadly mistaken. I've even ended up using the knowledge learned in class to my life, not only the subject at hand. I'll leave that vague as I end it. I have a huge amount of homework due...
On week three I've finally feeling the pressure of my new way of thinking. Being in so many clubs and hanging out with friends takes up almost of all of my time. Homework has been done whenever I can.
Now for most this seems normal. In high school most people did clubs and hanged out with friends a lot, so this idea is pretty obvious. But I never did those things. My days were filled with huge gaps of nothing. Now I was pretty content with that so don't feel sorry for me; alone time is always nice.
Now I'm thrust into this crazy world of college. Since I didn't learn the skills required in high school, it is all an experiment from here. This means I'm getting sloppy in my dealings with people. I'm more apt to categorize people now and deal with them based on my whims. This ends up causing some tension, which requires more time to fix. I'll need to get more efficient.
I've wondered if I miss my old way of life. Sure if I had time I would love to read or watch TV, but I'm also happy with me running across the grounds from one event to the next. People have different views on how college should be. I say that college should just be a whirlwind of awesome. There is no need to reflect at the moment, just keep moving forward
And just for a record, for those who think that "you learn more out of the classroom in college than in it" is bull, then you are sadly mistaken. I've even ended up using the knowledge learned in class to my life, not only the subject at hand. I'll leave that vague as I end it. I have a huge amount of homework due...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Stuff to say before the first day of classes and first day of classes
Thought I would list some stuff without really describing them.
College is obviously new to everybody, so it is really cool how everybody is open to see if friendships will work or not. I don't know how constricted that will get in the next few weeks, but for now you can walk up to anybody and they will not brush you aside. Still, the majority of people still are hanging out with the friends they have. When classes and clubs start, everything will change.
This openness means you feel a certain connection. Like for example, the people on my floor have a connection so feel more obligated to be friendly to each other. Same is probably true with all the asians I've been hanging out with. Probably will change later, but the sense of obligation is prevalent the first 3 days.
So this is stuff from the first day of classes. Wow, I didn't realize how much work I'll be doing. Only the first day and I have so much homework. Japanese was a small class and we just went over basic greetings. Econ was huge with 500 people and the professor just introduced stuff. The same is true with the 250 person commerce class. It is college, I should have expected this. More classes tomorrow, so even more homework. What fun...
College is obviously new to everybody, so it is really cool how everybody is open to see if friendships will work or not. I don't know how constricted that will get in the next few weeks, but for now you can walk up to anybody and they will not brush you aside. Still, the majority of people still are hanging out with the friends they have. When classes and clubs start, everything will change.
This openness means you feel a certain connection. Like for example, the people on my floor have a connection so feel more obligated to be friendly to each other. Same is probably true with all the asians I've been hanging out with. Probably will change later, but the sense of obligation is prevalent the first 3 days.
So this is stuff from the first day of classes. Wow, I didn't realize how much work I'll be doing. Only the first day and I have so much homework. Japanese was a small class and we just went over basic greetings. Econ was huge with 500 people and the professor just introduced stuff. The same is true with the 250 person commerce class. It is college, I should have expected this. More classes tomorrow, so even more homework. What fun...
Sunday, August 26, 2012
First Day
Only time I will completely describe my day, so be happy.
So got to UVA at 11. Was crowded but didn't hinder me at all. Moved my stuff all upstairs. My roommate Ryan had a ton more stuff and I don't know how it is all in this dorm. My table is a complete mess with all my random crap on it. I'll organize it tomorrow. Our power plugs were not working. Other Anh (I need a better name for her) was a greeter and I met her as she just came in to check to see if I was doing ok.
Then I went to O'Hill for lunch with my parents around 12. After eating random breakfast food, I said goodbye to my parents (wasn't that tearful at all) then went to my dorm to get my bag. Started to lightly rain. There I met my RA Mark. He showed me his room and it is big compared to ours. Drums sets everywhere. He showed me how to sent up internet and send a work order for the power.
After that, I hit the streets to see what was happening. It was getting close to 1 and the president was addressing the student body, but I saw Abhinav and Patrick walking the street. I joined up with them to go to Thatcher's dorm. Small but livable. We chilled there until 2.
From there I went to the Engineering food activity (cookies and lemonade). Took 5 min then walked to another address. Got bored during the address in 5 min so I explored the music building. I saw the pianos downstairs and messed with one for a while.
I went back on the street and met up with Abhinav and Patrick again. We walked all the way to Patrick's dorm and sat around there until 3:30. He has a suite so a single room, which is nice I guess. From there I had to walk all the way from that distant building to an ice cream social for international students in a downpour. (You may be noticing I invade socials I shouldn't go to). Other Anh, Arden, and I ate ice cream while listening to a cello and harp duet.
From there we went to other Anh's dorm. Being a second year and living in Brown, her dorm was nice. At 5:30, Brown was having a cookout so we went to that and ate good food (compared to O'Hill). I had to be back at my dorm at 6:15 so I ran back in the rain.
We had icebreakers and talk about drugs; typical RA stuff. At 9 there was a concert so our dorm went. I'm not a big fan of concerts so after about 20 min I left. I joined up with some Warrenton campus students to go to the blockparty. Just to observe what a real UVA party is like.
Literally the whole block was just filled with drunk people. All the building were full and people were in the streets even in the rain. I thought it was pretty funny and scary at the same time.
At 12 I got back to my dorm and went into my senior resident's room. Her room is huge. A whole kitchen in there! She had food so I ate some and talked to the RA that were in there. She decided to go to sleep so I came back to my dorm. End of an eventful day.
So got to UVA at 11. Was crowded but didn't hinder me at all. Moved my stuff all upstairs. My roommate Ryan had a ton more stuff and I don't know how it is all in this dorm. My table is a complete mess with all my random crap on it. I'll organize it tomorrow. Our power plugs were not working. Other Anh (I need a better name for her) was a greeter and I met her as she just came in to check to see if I was doing ok.
Then I went to O'Hill for lunch with my parents around 12. After eating random breakfast food, I said goodbye to my parents (wasn't that tearful at all) then went to my dorm to get my bag. Started to lightly rain. There I met my RA Mark. He showed me his room and it is big compared to ours. Drums sets everywhere. He showed me how to sent up internet and send a work order for the power.
After that, I hit the streets to see what was happening. It was getting close to 1 and the president was addressing the student body, but I saw Abhinav and Patrick walking the street. I joined up with them to go to Thatcher's dorm. Small but livable. We chilled there until 2.
From there I went to the Engineering food activity (cookies and lemonade). Took 5 min then walked to another address. Got bored during the address in 5 min so I explored the music building. I saw the pianos downstairs and messed with one for a while.
I went back on the street and met up with Abhinav and Patrick again. We walked all the way to Patrick's dorm and sat around there until 3:30. He has a suite so a single room, which is nice I guess. From there I had to walk all the way from that distant building to an ice cream social for international students in a downpour. (You may be noticing I invade socials I shouldn't go to). Other Anh, Arden, and I ate ice cream while listening to a cello and harp duet.
From there we went to other Anh's dorm. Being a second year and living in Brown, her dorm was nice. At 5:30, Brown was having a cookout so we went to that and ate good food (compared to O'Hill). I had to be back at my dorm at 6:15 so I ran back in the rain.
We had icebreakers and talk about drugs; typical RA stuff. At 9 there was a concert so our dorm went. I'm not a big fan of concerts so after about 20 min I left. I joined up with some Warrenton campus students to go to the blockparty. Just to observe what a real UVA party is like.
Literally the whole block was just filled with drunk people. All the building were full and people were in the streets even in the rain. I thought it was pretty funny and scary at the same time.
At 12 I got back to my dorm and went into my senior resident's room. Her room is huge. A whole kitchen in there! She had food so I ate some and talked to the RA that were in there. She decided to go to sleep so I came back to my dorm. End of an eventful day.
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