HAPPY BITHDAY, DAD~

Happy birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to dad, daddy, papa, father, paternal parent, male gene provider... (can't think of any other words right now)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Many happy returns of the day!
My best birthday wishes goes out to Samanatha and Melody too.
I miss you guys so very much.
XOXOX

Wednesday Thoughts

Skype is not being very nice to me right now. Since I own a MacBook and although it is equipped with all the gadgets, I am unable to use video/voice calls on MSN. So, I have signed up for Yahoo Messenger. Please search for me at "suemaefoo" if you wish to chat. I was chatting with Baileyna and Lucy this morning and it was "Grrreat!" Make my day, call me today!

*****

If you have nothing sincere or intelligent to say, silence is valued.
Don't advertise yourself as stupid.

*****

My crazy Wednesdays start today. (9:00-10:00) Japanese Tutoring (10:15-11:45) Financial Aid (12:00-1:00) Japanese lesson (1:15-) Lunch (2:00-5:00) Language Arts leaving at 3:40 driving out to Elgin Education Center (4:00-8:00) ELL Assessment (8:30-) Homework

I have a MOUNTAIN LOAD of assignments. Don't ask me how am I able to handle it, ask me after it is all over whether I have any sanity left.

Birthday Reflections

Birthdays are never a big thing for me. I guess I have conditioned myself not to make a big deal out of it. It is not because I think THAT less of myself, but I guess I just think that if I do mean something to some, they could treat me special everyday if they wanted. My birthday is just like every other day. For me, I just spend the day thinking about life, just like every other day, maybe more than any other day. I do enjoy spending time with those who really care about my journey of life.

LIFE came crashing at me. It is challenging. It comes with my pursuit of my passion, and thus even with all my whining, I will overcome and demand nothing but success. At this moment, I just wish that I have been training myself hard to deal with everything. It is not impossible, I am just tired and need more organization.

I was really stressed out Monday night after I left ESL Methods. My pile of coursework just mutated into a beast that takes pleasure in drowning my soul. It is not all bad, just a little too overwhelming as the time I wish to have to complete them is a luxury I do not have. Waves of emotions came crashing upon me. I miss having those who work magic on my rainy days around me. I retreated to a long hot bath and cookie making to cheer myself up.

Putting emotions to work is probably the best thing for me in times like such. Colleen asked me to proofread a very important letter of recommendation for the appointment of full professorship of a professor whom we both adore. The 2.5 hours spent on it brought back memories of translating paperwork at TCU, I get to see what a smart student's writing is like and compare it to mine, and I finally KNOW that my writing is not bad at all.

At midnight, B and Nemma came jumping out from the bedroom and scream-sang "Happy Birthday" at the top of their lungs. (It was a big thing as these two are the most mellow and passive people apart from me. That little activity possibly shortened another few years of Nem's life. It meant a lot.)

Today was just another full day of work and homework was the only thing on my mind. I did take my morning slow and reported in for work slightly past 11 bring Jamba Juice for my favorite Financial Aid people. They gave me a surprise of Dunkin Donuts and my 2nd b-day song. It was nice. I hid there for the rest of the day and took off slightly early for a date with my homework. While making dinner, Macchan called!!! Maaaa-bin called me and we caught up. Man! I missed that guy! We reminisced about the fun birthdays we shared to share.

I made dinner for myself and Nem, then brought it to her at the library. I made it back for HOUSE but was certainly not in the mood for homework anymore. The build up of annoyance just put me in the driving mood and I steered Colleen and B out the door for a drive. We drove around to the normal places we go and chilled at Dunkin Donut to wait for Nem to get off work. We picked her up at 11 and went to Denny's for more food.

There is no big deal about my birthday. I was hoping some people to ring me up or something, but I had fun replying the many Facebook messages received. Thanks, guys. Your prayers will sustain my day, semester, and year.

Celebrating My 5th Aniversary of My 21st Birthday

The phrase was borrowed from a close friend of mine. I guess most of us succumb to peer pressure thinking that revealing one's age is a taboo. It doesn't bug me that much anymore. I have been teased every year by friends and classmates in high school. It was kind of annoying; but hey, despite the age, they have been babying me a lot.

Anyways, I really don't mind being asked my age any more. People are not comfortable talking about their age simply because they are anxious about what people may think about them, what have the achieved or done with their life at their age. My confidence might have been built on the fact that I have been through a lot, and though it might not be success in the eyes of others, I think I am running the good race and doing people proud. If unpredictability describes me well, I guess I would be young in lieu of my mature side of going through so much in life for my age; on the other hand, my child-likeness allows for the element of surprise when people find out my real age and how well I have disguised my serious-self.

Embarking on my 26th year in life in another environment... I amaze myself by reminiscing past birthdays (a little scrolling action is required as direct access to the blog entry seem not to be working).

Happy Birthday, Suemae (2007)

Jinxed Out(?) (2006)

23 on 23 (2005)

Wow! I do see myself maturing, not only in thoughts but my writing too. I guess keeping a journal/blogging does help track one's growth. I notice the major improvements on grammar and writing style. (^ ^) My hopes are that they get better as time goes on, just as every aspect of my life in general. I look forward in anticipation to what the good Lord has installed for me.

Due to the difference of time and space, I have received many superb birthday wishes from family and close friends. Thank you guys for making me feel well loved. I do not expect much this year, but who knows what will happen? It might just be another day of work and dealing with homework. I will share my thoughts about this anniversary soon.

Chinatown Lunch

The International Student Office organized a trip to Chinatown today. Thinking that it would be an opportunity to mingle with the international students and participate in school activities once in a while, I decided to join them (thinking that it would be an opportunity to freeload on a trip downtown. We were treated to lunch, but the rest of the traveling cost was from our pocket).

It was a LONG day and I found out 2 things about myself. (1) I do not function well in crowds. It is not because I am intimidated, or that I am antisocial on purpose. I just have no interest to be best friends with everyone and I seriously don't care what they think about me. I do portray a mean and arrogant front, but I always participate in conversations in the company of 3 or less.

(2) My expectations for organization is very high, made worse with my experiences and 'training' in the Japanese setting. When trips are organized, the organizers should be able to communicate important information like costs beforehand, knows how to get to the place, made reservations, and at least have a tentative agenda.

Lunch was served at the Three Happiness Restaurant. It was by far the most awful Chinese cuisine I had in America. I am thankful for the treat, but my taste palate has been significantly ruined.

**************************

Nevertheless, I had my own kind of fun after lunch. I left the crowd of 30 and went shopping on my own on State St. It has been a LONG time since I have been 'shopping.' If memory serves me right, this is the 2nd time this whole year that I was actually shopping for my pleasure. I spent time looking through stores allowing myself to find something I like. I spent close to 4 hours doing just that and had a good harvest for a fashionable autumn and winter. I had to stop myself, or should I just went on and get a dress and skirt too? After all, this was my treat to myself. Okay, I might be giving myself a little too many treats. But look on the bright side, I might not have to go shopping for the next few months apart from a down jacket/coat and possibly that skirt from GAP. (itchy hands...... SLAP!) I found out another thing about myself, I am settled in when I am able to walk around the city, comfortably hitting places I want to go, on my own.

届きました〜

It arrived! It arrived! I was told to expect something in the mail, but it sure top it off that I received my 1st birthday gift in the mail today! Yay!
I love it. The sweet and simplicity of how things should be. It goes with the dress Megu-chan made. It definitely put me in a very domestic mode.

Things are sure getting better. I have nothing specific for the day apart from a meeting with the teacher in charge of the class I will be teacher aiding this semester at 4:30. Even though sleep was not sufficient for the night before, I was already content with my day being able to chat with a darling on the phone. I went out with Colleen for a bank run around 7 and decided to get some groceries to make our usual family dinner. Before we left, I was sorting out my paperwork and found out that I actually received a raise in my pay. My first pay check was calculated on the minimum wage (since I was new to this school and all) but from my 2nd paycheck I was given the pay of a "senior" student. Sweet. It is just a 50cent raise, but no more complaints about that.

Amidst all the joy, I was in the mood for cake. Strawberries were on sale and I wanted to have strawberry short cake after dinner. Getting all our foodstuff, Colleen and I went back and shared a scrumptious dinner of chicken-rice, stir-fried spinach, prata, lentil curry, and guacamole with chips with our roomies. Our weekly family dinner ends up being a feast while watching DVDs. We had dinner while watching Failure to Launch. Dinner was very much an inspiration from the gift. After we ate, the movie continued as I prepared dessert with the option of tea. The sequence was very much like having dinner at Okasan's. I assembled the cake, and viola!
My roommates have officially dubbed me crazy for this and I found out to what degree my obsessive compulsive perfectionist madness is. It was the layering inside the cake that impressed them. "Well, everyone deserves pretty things!" I had fun and was actually "high" from making dinner and enjoying it with great company. We had fun, slacked Friday night away with She's the Man, and ending it with Shawshank Redemption.

I love my Friday nights. お母さん、ありがとう！

Children's Literature

I have found my oasis for the crazy semester. This is the only class I honestly like and would actually put the extra effort to do well. The content of the class is fascinating in itself, but I guess it is the professor who makes the difference. No matter how tired or distracted I am with life, just sitting in this class for the past 3 weeks have calmed me down.

There are a few things about the professor that draws my attention.

1. His voice. He speaks clearly at a soothing pitch. He reads to us with enthusiasm and one can get lost in the story with his accent and life brougth to each character. We are reading Because of Winn Dixie and other picture books in class and I enjoy every minute of it. The other professor on my list to have mesmerized me by voice and diction was Inoue-sensei.

2. His passion for his work. I have always enjoyed children's books, especially the illustrated ones. Being in this class has given me the exposure to the many wonderful books out there that communicates life. Being in class is like being immersed into the sea of ideals transcended through writing. He has high expectations and demands professional standards in dealing with literature. I am inspired to give my best in the picture book read-aloud, being reading buddy to a student of the local school, and writing my own children's story (that has the opportunity to be picked, illustrated by the media arts students, and published).

3. His piercing eye-contact. There are a handful of people in my life who has the ability to pierce right through my soul when we share eye-contact while speaking with each other. It penetrates through everything, my raw self is exposed, and often I had to refrain my tears from betraying my usual facade. This professor has shared the spot with my mentor and my pastor. They have enough years and experience to look at the very nature of God's creation and love them as commanded. The cold steel of my spine melts and is readily strengthed by the influence of these great people.

"You have said nothing in class again today, Suemae. Is everything ok?" "You are participating and engaging in class. You have many great comments in your group discussion." "Please try to speak out in class. I am trying to raise the bar." I guess I did something right when I was called to answer a question during my first week of class. My choice to be an observer in my 2nd class, continued in the 3rd might be hindering my potential. Ok, time for my voice to be heard. I would go the extra mile. I would breakout of my comfort zone and hopefully say something good.

I am SO ready for the weekend

Hah! 1 class to go and I will be done for the week. Well, it is not like I have any fun plans to look forward to. It will be just the same ol' agenda fending off procrastination and the 'slack bug,' while desperately trying to complete all my homework.

I guess I am burning out, fast. I just wished that there could be more hours in a day and I could have the concentration of a hawk. Classes are setting its pace but the mini projects in every method class is driving me nuts. It is worse when these assignments are graded above the other load of coursework I have for the same class. Nevertheless, I have learn to find joy in classes and entertain myself with the little tasks asked to perform.

For example, my Language Arts Methods class can be overwhelming when there is just so much the professor wants to cover. Her speed in speech matches Melody and the load of information just comes crashing down. You would know that I am giving up and need a break when I start to doze off. Anyways, the lighter part to the class is that we get to do activities in building a learning community (something we are being modelled to that we can use in our future classrooms). I love the artwork and have fun with crafts. Yesterday we even had "listening cupcake" where our partners would give us verbal directions on how they would like us to decorate their cupcake. Prof. Stombres provided the material and I had tonnes of fun, just like a kid. Maybe that is why I would enjoy teaching the elementary classroom as I like doing stuff kids do. We can all learn and play together. Now, wouldn't that be nice?

Thought for the week: My focus for this semester would be developing skills and lesson plans for ESL and Language Arts. (I guess that would be my focused content area.) My classes this semester will support and prepare me for that. I need to find the connecting point to integrate all of my classes to work in order for me to be on top of the pile of madness. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

OMG! I Can't Believe that I am Jealous!

I need to pull myself together. I have tonnes of work to do and I have been having a headache since this morning. I seriously do not need something out of my control to occupy my mind and tease my sanity right now. Oh, crap!

***********************

The American college attire. Shorts, tank tops, flip-flops and a hoodie.
I would only wear this on days I care less about everything else. It knocks off years and I get to be a teenager again.

***************************

(9pm)
Arrgh! I have been waiting for this all summer. I know it starts today. I made sure that I was in close proximity of the TV. I waited for the time. House Season 5 starts today. I was ready to watch my favorite series at 8pm. To my horror! It was 8/7c .... meaning it started at 7pm central time!!! I only managed to catch the last 10 minutes of the show. Boo! Great! That made me feel SO MUCH better (over dose on the sarcasm).

Anyways, I did start cooking. I made maggi goreng and the nyonya dessert of tapioca, coconut milk and syrup. I do feel a little better now. What was I thinking doubting myself? It is ok. Life is not fair, but all I can do is make the best of what I can do. I just have to be myself... After all, it is supposed to be patient, kind, does not envy, and is build on faith and trust.

An All Nighter

Desperation had driven me to ask Colleen to take us out for coffee. I need to finish up my homework before classes today. The strong brew entered my system at midnight and I have not slept a wink since. I had 2 assignments for Children's Lit and another 4 for ESL Methods. Since we didn't really have to evacuate after all, the flood excuse would not suffice.

My brain must be deteriorating. I am taking far longer to finish up papers than when I used to. Either that my mind is not as fit as it was, or I am putting more effort into my work. It took me close to 6 hours to write a 2-page journal article response, in hopes that both content and writing mechanics are of superior standard. Good thing I just have to proof read the other paper for the same class, I was done with my homework for Children's Lit by daybreak.

My body was thrashed. It is telling me to sleep. I tried, but I can't. I ended up doing some reading but just could not concentrate. I had my encounter with Preeti Ratatouille. It was running around in front of the TV, climb on the the side of the love seat where B usually is, and did a back flip. Hmm, very entertaining at 6 in the morning. It was around 7 when I started preparing myself for the day. I was planning to get breakfast since I had to get to somewhere to wash up as the water was not back. By 7:15 creaks were heard. I turned the faucet and there was water! I ended up cleaning the apartment and went to work around 8.

It has been months since I pulled an all-nighter. (Ok, I cheated a little dozing off at work.) But I was like a wired robot all afternoon before taking dips in ESL class in the evening. (I didn't finish my homework after all and asked for grace for them to be submitted by Wednesday.) I got back to the room past 9:30, took a long shower and worked on some "emergency" emails. Sunil sure knows how to catch my attention. Anyways, I'd better hit the sheets before I come down with a cold.

Good night and sweet dreams! (_ _)zzzz.....

Sloppy Sunday

"In this 2 days, Suemae, I have seen more of your bu** than I would ever see in a year."

Don't you love how little disasters bring us all closer together? By now we could even monitor each other's pee counts. We all woke up around noon today. The water has resided A LOT but the water is still not turned on. We traveled to the fitness center again for shower bonding time. Since we were in the car, we conveniently went to grab lunch at Little Caesar's and watched Atonement as we ate. After the long movie it was time for potty break again. This time we went over to Lindner Tower. Yup, we are trying to use the bathrooms of all other campus buildings. This is getting a little out of hand, we are actually driving to use a working bathroom. Oh, how we take water for granted.

Anyways, I need to apologize to Miyoko and Masako. All the discipline acquired in dressing up before I leave the threshold of my room were flushed away when the storm came. I have been in my pajamas all day. I wore my Nike sweat pants with my DC T under my pink Uniqlo hoodie and have been strutting around in my flip flops to the Fitness Center, Little Caesar's, Lindner Tower, and even to the downtown Elgin grocery store. How much more sloppy can I get? Who cares? It is America.

So, Colleen is baking cookies right now and I should seriously work on my homework. I need to head to the library later to discipline myself. 5 assignments due within the next 24 hours. Go, bunny, go! I hope the water will be turned on this evening. My brain needs to refocus from the movies picked this weekend.

Could This Day BE Anymore Eventful?

"Hey Suemae, there is no water." What? I got up around my usual Saturday sleep in and was not too happy when I couldn't take my usual pampering shower. I heard the hum of the water pump outside and Colleen explained to me that the water supply was turned off due to the flood. Our option was to use the showers at the Fitness Center.

Annoyed, Nem, Colleen, and I did a little computer work before we started packing to hit the showers. When we step out of the threshold, HOLY COW! It has flooded indeed!!! Tyler Creek that runs through campus has turned into a white water river threshing through before our eyes. The pond was overflowing and water came right up till the flight of Volkman stairs. Although Plant Operations came to lay sand bags around the building, the basement was flooded. I was told that the flooding in the basement/sub-level was worse last year, but the actual swelling of the river and pond was far worse this time. We were declared to be in national state of emergency (due to extreme weather conditions).

B didn't want to get up so the 3 of us made it to the car after wading through the wet basement. We piled into the car when Colleen's door would not close. We tried and tried but it just seemed like the frame did not fit the door anymore. Wet in the rain, the annoyance just increased. We took the long way around campus to get to the Fitness Center as the bridge and roads connecting our journey immediately were not in use due the rushing waters. Well, the good part about our shower excursion was that I get to relive the ofuro scene again but with my current roomies. Naked fellowship brings us closer to the next lever.

We needed to get some food and water since we can't do anything in the room. But soon we were told that if the rain does not stop and if the water keeps rising, we have to be prepared for evacuation. In fact, we were encouraged to evacuate. This did not make any of the 307 residents happy at all. We packed up Colleen's car and people were starting to get catty. Well, experience something new that helps understand my roomies better again.

We went to the library, I got my card and we borrowed some DVDs. We then went to CiCi's as I was feeling like spinach pizza. We stuffed ourselves with the all-you-can-eat and picked up some water at Woodman's. The rain stopped and we came back to chill in our room. We soon learned that 2 more rain systems will come down within the next 24 hours and the water might rise again. The evacuation might be decided for sure now. Yet, we just decided to chill in our room... simply because we rather be here together than anywhere else. We popped in a movie and right about in the middle of the movie, the alarm went off.

"Oh great, tornado alarm!" We immediately went downstairs to the 3-inch flooded basement and was soon shuffled out of the building into the parking lot. It seemed that it was the fire alarm that went off and we were asked to move to the side of the building to let the fire trucks and other emergency vehicles come through. Nem, Colleen and I packed into the car again and just sat there doodling sadistic nonsense on the foggy windows. Could this day get anymore eventful?

When it was declared safe to be back in the building again, we continued our movie. We were thirsty and since we used most of our cups and glasses last night, we end up drinking shots of water with the teeny-tiny glasses I had for keeping used tea-bags. B returned and we popped in Sweeny Todd to watch. The borrowed DVDs started giving us problems so we moved from watching it on the TV to B's MacBook Pro. When we were done with the movie, all of us desperately needed a potty break.

We took a 5 minute walk to Upper Commons. We made the toilet excursion fun and stopped to stare at the threshing creek that turned into a raging river. Colleen thought we were raptured when she returned from studying at Jamesons'. She wondered where we went as she thought 11 would be time for dinner. A deer almost ran into our car on campus. We ended up with take-out from McD's. Great! Why am I spending so much just because we do not have water?

Although the water has receded much since this afternoon but things are still crazy over here. The water will still be out until the basement is no longer flooding. That means no plumbing till after the sun comes out, which is roughly mid-Monday perhaps. We watched another movie when we got back as it is impossible to get any studying done now. No worries I am safe, not very sound since I have tonnes of homework due on Monday. I wonder whether there is any madness left for tomorrow?

Snazzy Dinner

Fridays have been special for me. I have been looking forward to the weekend as long as I can remember. From the fun days of choir and Friday Evening English Time to simply ending the blood-sucking work week, from weekends of just hanging out at Yoyogi park to locking myself in away from an environment I dislike... Now, Friday wraps up my crazy week and I get to hang out with my roomies.

We had dinner downtown today. Nem and B had to get their biometrics done at the embassies and was downtown since morning. Colleen, Preeti and I were to meet them for dinner after we are done with our agendas on campus. Although it has just been gloomy and muggy all day, we were glad that we are making the trip together.

It is without a doubt that if you spend enough time with each other and experience events together, you will soon learn a lot about your companions. Ever since I arrived I've heard that we have a Chicago expert among us. However, we got lost last night taking a major detour of 1 hour's walk to the dodgy part of the city, walked around a chocolate factory, but finally reached our destination in the rain. Well, I knew we were going in the wrong direction, but since my guides were so sure, I just took it as a work out to work up an appetite. My jeans and shoes were wet, but if I can walk into a restaurant looking decent and presentable, I am not too bothered by it at all. Nem and B got a little annoyed waiting for us as they were trying to get us a table. Colleen and Preeti were just annoyed that Nem kept calling and that we were lost. You could imagine the whole scenario.

Anyways, we did arrive safe and the mood at the table lightened up after we got warm and were fed. We were at Big Bowl, laughed the night away, and the trip back was not bad at all.

The 5th Room Mate

B informed me this morning that we have a 5th room mate. I thought she was continuing with the joke started yesterday when the TV was left on when I returned to the room mid day. B was in but it wasn't her who turned it on.

Anyways, B said that she saw a little mouse coming from the back of the TV and sat right in the middle of the living room. Eek! Mouse! It was very small, she claimes. This morning we had a visit from Plant Operations and they help us set up 4 mouse traps. I was so looking forward to the typical mouse traps we see on cartoons, but we got the glue traps instead. Yuck!

B and I were wondering how did it got in. We definitely did not invite them as in my opinion, we are really neat and clean people. We live on the 3rd floor... Well, we definitely would not be the only room to be affected by it. Let's just see how the trap works through this weekend. Mouse I can bear, but when it comes to moles and rats... EWWW!!!!

Battle Royale

The student organization on campus hosted an all-campus "Capture the Flag" event. It began at 10pm and would last till 11:55pm. It was a serious affair and over 300 signed up to play. I thought it would be fun as we had acres of land, but then again, people over here tend to take things a little WAY too serious.

Battle Royale. What a name! It reminded me of the Korean Action Thriller of high school students end up killing each other for the sake of survival. I got to see some action right in front of me too. Participants are all dressed in the same T-shirts. The only thing to distinguish the two teams were the words printed on the same colored Ts. One was gold and the other blue. It was really confusing as one wouldn't know unless they walk right up to the other person. There were shouts, screams, "Hand me your beans!" and people tearing across the campus either in pairs or in groups. Even a non-participant like me could feel the tension and excitement.

Nemma, Colleen and I went out to grab some snacks at Dunkin Donuts. It was past 11:30 and no teams had any flags yet. I wonder how long would the game go and what the outcome would be. Anyways, I should be studying for my test tomorrow. Middle School Methods. I am so ready to burn my book.

Welcoming Another Batch

I was informed that the ACTS-es students will have their annual Welcome Party today. They will be celebrating the presence of the 8th batch of ACTS-es Freshmen and exchange students of Fall'08. Ah, good times. I have been thinking a lot about my juniors and have contemplated even more since my last trip to Japan. Can't help being myself, I have written a little something to share. Baileyna thought it was a good idea. I hope I did some help than harm.

I saw some pictures on the "Eyes of Alma Mater." If you have the opportunity, check them out too. How I wish I could take the day off and be there.

***** ^_^ *****

My dearest ACTS-es students,

Welcome to a new year at TCU. My warmest welcome to the ACTS-es Freshmen class and exchange students. I have seen your faces on Yanagisawa-sensei's web album and look forward to hear great things about you. My love goes out to the rest of the returning students. I missed you dearly. I hope you have had a great summer and all geared up for another challenging year at TCU.

Allow me to first congratulate all of you for being here. Each student in the program comes from an unique background and hand-picked in the belief that each of you would be equipped to do great things with the knowledge and experience gained during your time here. You might come with expectations, goals, and dreams. Through time, these will be refined or changed to better suit the new and improved you. I assure you that your time at TCU would be filled with excitement, joy, and challenges. There will be struggles and a whole lot of frustration too. Nevertheless, I pray that you would find lasting friendship, a shoulder to cry on, comrades to cheer for you, and a family away from home united by the grace who brought us all here.

You have seen the campus and have a taste of dorm life. I believe you have met the wonderful people who are closely associated with the ACTS-es program and I know you will meet more of the TCU community who would play an active role in your life here. I pray that you would spend time to get to know each and everyone in this room on a personal level for they will share with you essential tips to make your life in TCU and Japan a journey of a lifetime. Keeping it short, I will leave you with 5 suggestions for now. Consider them seriously.

1. Grow VERY close to your ACTS-es classmates. They are your immediate family for your time here. You will be each other's support as you mature.

2. Build a close relationship with the seniors of the program. They have experienced and know what you are going through and should know valuable survival tips to make things easier as you learn to stand on Japanese ground.

3. Be respectful to your professors. Put effort into your work and submit them on time. TCU faculty members are very nice people. Do not take for granted their kindness and generosity.

4. Be a part of TCU. Know your Japanese classmates. Join the choir. Participate in every TCU event. Pay your student council fees, attend every meeting, and join committees. You are a part of the TCU student body. You can make a difference in this school. Be responsible to make your college life as meaningful as possible. Your seniors have worked very hard to integrate the ACTS-es students into the student body to be able to enjoy every benefit. Don't mess it up.

5. Do your cleaning duties. Try to maintain the good reputation of the ACTS-es students that we are mature, intelligent, fun, and interesting. It forms discipline and builds character. Trust me.

As those who know me knows I have plenty more to say only because I share a strong love and deep passion for this school and program. An ACTS-es student is not just the average international student, you are a super international student. You will be busy dealing with cultural differences, your commitment to church, finding part-time jobs, etc. but I ask you to remember your choice in coming here and focus your commitment on your role as a student above anything else. Do everything as unto the LORD.

Feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you. I will pop by whenever possible. I will be contactable to answer any questions.

In Christ,
The crazy, loud and annoying Malaysian.

Roomie Nights

I love my room. My roomies rock. The place looks great and we have the best times. We went out for dinner last week at the Village Squire. This week it will be at home. DVD addicts, late night pot-sticker (Yeah, that is what they call gyoza here. A direct translation from the Chinese name of the food) pig outs, doing homework till wee-hours of the morning...

Presenting to you, one of a kind, Room 307.

Water Level on the Rise

The temperature took an almost 10-15 degree Celsius drop today. Okay, to be fair, it started to get a little nippy yesterday. The remains of what was Hurricane Gustav was over us and rain was pouring non-stop all day. Plant operations had to bring out the water pump to syphon rainwater out of the pond to prevent possible flooding.

Observation for the day: Umbrellas are not common over here. Students are all in their hoodies which puzzled me for they are of sweatshirt material. Doesn't it absorb more water? Students strut into class wet... Am I the only one or everyone else is comfortable in that? I had to change my socks twice... Well, personal preference.

I guess with more people around me I am starting to feel the pressure of cultural differences come crashing upon me since classes begin. I am in the same spot all over again and it is difficult not to let it get to me. Why do I put myself through all this? Why do I step out of familiarity and take on something I have to start from scratch? I am whining, just a little. I am not ungrateful about it, it is just that I guess I do get a little tired sometimes. "Do or Die" ... no, wait. The better expression I was taught this week "sink or swim." Yeah, that is very much me. Just keep swimming. Yes. That is me.

caffeine-weak-bunny

busy semester + loads of homework + tonnes of reading assignment = need for longer days

I found out that I have a weak tolerance for caffeine. It does it purpose in keeping me awake; however, to be exact, it mainly keeps the eyes open. The brain might be functioning at times, but no guarantees. If you wanted a fun-highly-wired bunny, give me a energy drink that is high in caffeine and nicotine. At any case, the after effects are similar to those who are on sugar-high or hyped up after a few drinks. IF you give me caffeine loaded drinks when not needed, you have to be responsible for it...

The kryptonite levels are as follow: (Ranking done according to the effects it has on my sleep)

1. Matcha (Japanese ceremonial tea)
2. Chinese tea
3. Coffee
4. English tea
5. Diet Coke
6. Japanese tea

Coke was added to the list just last night. Although my body was tired and I was sleepy, my eyes were like headlights at 2am! Hmm, I wonder should I get a caffeine fix this morning as I started my day at 7:30 and I hope to end it somewhere before midnight...

Protein Breakfast

It is just the 1st week of the semester and I am totally beat!

Coursework and reading assignments are already piling up and I need to organize my pile of work in order to start working on them. My nights are stretching and starting the day early is not as easy as I intended it to be. Where is the focus of my drive right now? Studies, work, and money seem to overlap so much these days.

I don't normally have breakfast, unless I have company or that I am certain that I will be working hard and long, or that I will not be eating for the next 5-8 hours. This morning, I was too tired to clock in early at work and decided to spent some time on breakfast instead. Since I got up late, breakfast in the room was the only option. After the usual wash up, I waddled into the kitchen and started throwing stuff on the frying pan. When I was just about to dig in, "My! Protein overload!" I had bacon, bratwurst, and eggs staring at me. Thank goodness Colleen gave me a pancake for that side of carbohidrates.

Well, I am still rather stuffed but I am no more awake than when I left bed. Trying to limit myself to only a dose of coffee a day, I will save that for after dinner. It will be a long night to complete more reading and some assignments.

Man! I should seriously start a better eating routine. I think a belly is showing itself soon.
(-_ -#)

Labor Day

Labor Day. I will definitely have more of these on a regular basis.

First week of school. One whole week and I survived, by taking in serious gasp of air. Am I getting to old for this? Am I putting too much on my plate? 16 credit hours of classes per week, at least 35 hours of practicum as teaching aid, assistant teaching in the Japanese lesson on campus, trying to clock in 20 hours of work weekly, out of class studying and homework... As time goes on, my schedule would be better defined. I hope I am able to pull through this.

Monday Tutor Japanese at 9. Walk 10 minutes to assistant teach at the Japanese class at noon. A close to 1km dash to the other end of campus for a 3 hour class right after that and hopefully manage to clock an hour in for work before dinner and another 3 hour class at 6:30.
*I am not a traditional student and am not required to be there. However, I have been there for every chapel for a week now.

Tuesday Hopefully a full day's work at Financial Aid. That will be 9 hours if possible.

Wednesday 3.75 hours at work (?) 10 minutes walk to Japanese class, but this time I have close to an hours break to make the distance to the other end of campus and hopefully grab lunch on the way. 3 hour class from 2, but a crazy schedule will start at the end of the month.

Thursday Hopefully another full day's work. 3 hour class from 6:30.

Friday Work. Japanese. Work. Possibly have a life.

Thank goodness I have the weekend for myself. There are late nights for studying and homework and I will not be idle during weekends. Don't worry, the schedule will pan out. I will know the details to my practicum within a week or two. My help in the Japanese class is for writing and after completing hiragana and katakana, I would only be there maybe once a week. I would be busy with other class requirements... With the amount I consume at meals, I guess it would be sufficient to fuel my mode of transportation. Things will work out... somehow.

It is a lot and I am exhausted. It is just the 1st week. I will get a rhythm soon. With your prayers, support, and encouragement, I WILL MAKE IT. It is my choice.