Friday, August 29th 2003, 23:15
That's the end of the first week of classes! I am feeling quite settled now, with a few companions and everybody else basically doing their own thing. I guess that's what state universities arelike - everybody's very individualistic, and competitive. The smart kids that got into Chicago but couldn't afford it, are all here. Ready for some Ivy League level competition in UIUC!!!
Too many little stupid mistakes already. I better stop making them.
Life is both boring and tough. Studying's hard, all the walking is hard, and knowing friends is harder than ever. But I also have much more freedom now, to realise my own dreams and plansin life, whether I succeed or not, whether fate allows me to do so or not, or even whether I have the will power to realise my dreams or not. Freedom - that's what counts. I'll see what I can make out of it in the next few years.
Wednesday, August 27th 2003, 20:38
First day of classes. University education is indeed of a higher level, something that I will learn the painful way in the near future.
Monday, August 25th, 00:02
edit: After some funny encounters, I got 24 credits from the international admissions and records department, but in return my advisors forced me to take 3rd year course to "proof myself", instead of the 2nd year ones that I wanted. Also, I still have to take two proficiency tests from the physics department to make it 30 credits. I wished for it, I got it. Now I have to really catch up on the material, somewhat like Vto's situation.
As they say, be careful what you wish for.
Finally got everything sorted. It was 5 hours of sleep everyday and a dad to contend with, but he's gone now. Now it's partying until they 27th, when lessons begin. I am in an extremely weak physical state right now, so don't expect me to update often.
Too much to talk about. I'll brief it through:
- This place is desolate. It's flat, filled with wooden housing and corn fields. The whole place doesn't have anything, except for a few superstores in the suburbs. The only thing for this town is the large university of 37000 students, standing like an oasis amidst the desert, fighting a losing war to save this place from become a ghost town. But with this sadness comes beauty, with sorrow singing from beyond the barreness and ruin, and the sorrow in my heart. This place really is beautiful though.
- NO GIVEN CREDITS. You have to test yourself by taking proficiency tests for every course that you deserve to be exempted from. Having different syllabus, and a whole summer of forgetting, these series of tests will be very hard. I AM GENUINELY WORRIED, ANDFOR GOOD REASON.
Take AP exams, seriously. They give you so much credit so easily. My roommate has 23 credits to boot.
The people here are so innocent and nice. They are more scared of you then you to them. But academically, they are very smart. I'd be lucky to maintain a GPA of more than 2.5?!?!?!?!?!
Sunday, August 17th 2003, 00:22
I'm leaving today. I'll update asap, in a few day's time.
Thursday, August 14th 2003, 13:46
A-level results.
Wednesday, August 13th 2003, 21:08
I don't use Xanga precisely for this reason.
It's like my friends calling me stupid for bringing an umbrella whenever I go out, even when it isn't raining. What if it does?
edit: See? Xanga's STILL down!!!
Monday, August 11th 2003, 23:30
My last week in Hong Kong. It's be a busy week. I might update later this week if I feel like it ( ==> I might not). Either way, I won't have internet access between the 17th and the 20th.
Today: went to karaoke, and had one of the worst lunches of my life. Almost frozen from the aircons. Then bought various computer utensils, including a webcam, along with an mp3 player that my auntie gave me as a parting gift. It's an 890$ beauty that can record sounds, listen to the radio, and other functions. Looks like fun!
Thursday, August 7th 2003, 23:10
My mother, being the chairlady of the Hong Kong skanky shop-a-holic association, insist's that her son learns how to shop for clothing items properly before he leaves. The course includes:
- Pricing and purchasing locations
- fabric and quality control
- matching them together
- buying for others
- keeping up with the newest fashion
And I'm having difficulty with the practicals ATM! The only two chapters that I'm good at is "fashion jewellery" and "bargaining"! Therefore...
WANTED: A personal shopping tutor!
RATES: negotiable, but if you chip in more hours, I'll treat you to a better lunch!
On a more serious note, it looks as if most of us are lacking the survival skills that are common amongst 18 year olds. This is worrying. If I don't learn fast, I might suffer once I get to the US. More worries, more worries...
Wednesday, August 6th 2003, 10:43
*waves goodbye to everyone that's looking this way*
If you leave early, you'll have to face the painful moment of saying goodbye to everyone. If you leave later, you get to avoid that shock, but instead you'll have to say goodbye to your friends one by one, until eventually you are all alone. Am I lucky for leaving on the 17th of August?
I haven't gained as many friends as I could've, or should've, during my stay in KGV. But that also means my sadness is not as poignant as other people's, as long ago I've put my dreams and hopes in university, however foolish I know it is. It seems that growing up for me is always slower than others. I was three and a half before I could speak 'mama', 7 before I made my first friend, 9 before I could catch a ball from two feet, 11 before I first talked to a girl, 16 before I could properly hit the ball with a racket, 18 before I bought books myself. I still live in childhood dreams, and I'm still too young to understand why my friends are thinking about how to make the most money when they graduate.
I thought the traditional or proper way of thinking is what you want to be, and if you are successful then the money will follow! Is it outdated, or merely long forgotten? Why is it that 30 years ago, during our parent's generation, people were actually more idealistic and less practical than today, when they had far less opportunities than ourselves?
I could wait, and lag behind everyone for 6 years as usual, but I'd rather someone answer my question (thanks)!
Sunday, August 3rd 2003, 19:23
It's really hot today.
And when the weather gets hot, so do people's temper. I said something stupid today, and was almost tempted to do so just then, when I realised it wasn't the correct thing to do. I'm sorry if I've offended you, alright?
Saturday, August 2nd 2003, 23:59
{Censored due to possible legal problems}
Friday, August 1st 2003, 23:30
Updated archives as usual.
Went on a "Joy luck club" styled speedboat excursion around the Sai Kung waters today. There were 5 families, making a total of 16 people. Unlike Joy luck club aunties, they were very active, and won't leave until they have all had a taste of banana boats, kayak, sailing boat, speedboat, water-skiing and tons of swimming (they almost wanted to play 'Catch on fire' treading water, but it was near dinner time, so they thankfully abandoned the idea). Please remember that they are almost triple my age. Which leaves me quite tired, and I'm sure it will also leave them half-dead tomorrow morning.
We have photos, but they're usual family stuff that won't be of much interest to you anyway. Oh, and the seafood was very good, but the cooking was bad, so it was a bit lacking in the end but I don't really care. I never enjoyed water sports in the first place.