Brain Dump

Tuesdays are the worst here at the NUS business school. I start the day off with a two hour finance lecture followed by a one hour lunch break only to rush off to my three back-to-back tutorials (kind of like recitations). In the tutorials, all of the assignments are due making it my big homework day. After I get out of my last tutorial (like I just did), I feel like I need to take a brain dump.

I've quickly learned that the typical western style of asking questions seems a bit out of place here. Let me elaborate. So when we're back home, if you raise your hand and make a logical guess to a question, even though it may have been a stupid one, you're not stupid and just deemed as creative. Here, you're stupid. If you have something to say in class to the professor, you better know what you're talking about. I don't understand how the university can beg and plead their students to be more individualistic and creative when whenever they try, they get a blank stare questioning their legitimacy as a human being. Well, I know I'm a human being whether or not my professor thinks so.

But anyways. That's my Tuesdays and now I'm taking my brain dump by writing a blog post. The time is ticking before I peace out to Thailand. I'm starting to solidify places to stay and things to see. It feels strange that I've already been to Malaysia, have seen most of Singapore, and am leaving for Thailand in less than two weeks and I feel very behind in the typical study abroad travel "race." Some of my housemates have been to Malaysia, Indonesia... twice, and are planning to go Vietnam in two weeks followed by a weekend trip to Bangkok.... really? It seems everyone is panicking to get out and see everything. I've found it really nice here to do what I want. Nobody is grading me on my study abroad experience except for me. I guess I can give myself an "A+" for whatever I get to do, see, and experience. I've enjoyed spending one or two of my weekends at home, studying, reading, watching TV, you know? I don't feel like I'm wasting time at all or miserably failing at my abroad experience. Part of my experience that I have enjoyed the most is getting to know some of those part of the local culture by joining Crusade and the Swim team. I don't really need to travel to do that. It's pretty cool.

One thing I'm really looking forward to this weekend is the interfaculty games. I'm swimming on Saturday to represent the Business Faculty here (against the arts, music, engineering, environment... etc faculties). I haven't competed in over two years but have been training with the team since I arrived. I actually have a chance to take away the gold in the 50 meter freestyle. I'll be swimming that, the 50 backstroke, 50 butterfly, and maybe a relay or two. Afterwards, I'm headed to a lantern festival to see some more of the local culture. There will be music, food (Sat. is the mooncake day), and a lot of festivities. Unfortunately the event is sponsored by Hello Kitty... so attendees can foster the blossoming 5 year-old girl within.

So that's what's going on with me. I miss you guys a lot. I've talked with many of you via chat, email, skype and that has been a huge blessing. Thanks for all of your support. Much love!