Reminiscence

And so it ends. Another chapter in a story that's still unfolding, full of the typical ups and downs, parallels and dissimilarities, and the usual comings and goings.

My days are counted by school semester, so it's not odd that I'm reminiscing now. Having my last final tomorrow morning, then I'll pack and leave Des Moines in the afternoon. Not to return until mid-August. Gonna miss this city? Doubt it. Ironically, I hold more attachment to Ames (city where my boyfriend attended university, about 40 mins away from Des Moines) than this place, but it's the people in Drake that I'm gonna miss.

I started this academic year by transfering to a different university, leaving behind a college with unfinished business and bittersweet memories. It's amazing how quickly we make new friends and find our own niche in a new place. There are things about Grinnell that I still and will always miss, but in its place I've found other perks.

It's always when things are about to change that we realize how comfortable we've been with our routine. Late night suppers in Spike's, walking back to Jewett after supper with a close friend, loitering outside Jewett to talk just a little bit more, looking forward to Fridays when my boyfriend picks me up, eagerly planning new recipes to try over the weekend, snuggling together while watching movies, grumbling about having to wake up early the next morning... the list can go on and on.

An entirely different chapter is coming up. I'm excited, though I must admit that I have no idea what to expect, which undoubtedly causes a little nervousness. Summer would give me a taste of the life that I'll live soon enough, though with more spoonfuls of fun and variety, and less doses of tedium and financial worries. Once again, I'll make new friends and find my own niche in a new place.

And so it begins.

Quotes from Mandarin

Had a wonderful and satisfying dinner last night in Mandarin to celebrate Ryly's birthday.

A couple of memorable quotes:

"You know something's not right when you try to cut it and it runs away" [referring to a century egg (trivia: was one of the "exotic dishes" featured in Fear Factor)]

"I feel like I cannot finish chewing this thing" [said while eating the stalk of a "choy sum"]

And to top it off, my fortune cookie's quote:

"You make people realize that there exists other beauties in the world"

I still don't know whether to take it as a compliment or insult. Hehe.

跷跷板的感觉

什么时候来的忧郁？

你说我不应该忧郁， 你说我什么都有，你说我没有理由忧郁。 我跟你说， 过一阵我就没事了。 我其实想跟你说，我忧郁的理由， 你不能明白。

你怨我把你当作理所当然， 我死死的否认了， 心里却凉了一下， 你这样想，其实有点理所当然。

什么时候你开始纵我？ 让我靠近后又把你推掉。

什么时候我的不对都变成了你的？

什么时候我的刁蛮我的有要求你一一接受？

你要的100%， 我答应了你。 你做得到我不能， 却又无心否了你。

有些东西， 不是我不想说； 有些东西， 说了出来后和心里想的受的不一样。

解释了还被误解， 倒不如不解释的好。

Good People

I met a nice person yesterday.

As some of you might know, every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I wake up at 7 am because I have to get to work downtown by 8 am. It used to be 6.30 am when I first started my internship because I didn't know how regular the bus service was.

It turns out that the bus service in Des Moines is EXTREMELY punctual. So now I time myself so that I arrive at the bus stop about 1-2 minutes before the bus arrives. Sometimes, I see the bus coming while I'm crossing the road. That brief moment of panic when I think that I am going to miss the bus can be quite exhilarating.

Anyway, yesterday morning I dilly-dallied a bit too long in my room, and by the time I reached University Ave, the bus was already going to reach the bus stop on the other side of the road. Except this time, the stoplights were still green so I couldn't cross the road!

Now the panic was REAL. But I figured I couldn't do anything, plus I was pretty sleepy so I only stared at the bus when it passed. Didn't wave or make any sign at the bus driver. He glanced across the road and saw me, though. It crossed my mind that maybe he might recognize me and stop, but I didn't count on it. Amazingly, he did. I was still staring at the bus, and then I realized that he was waiting!

It felt really good that he was nice enough to stop and wait several minutes for me, even though I didn't ask for it. Yet another proof that there are nice people in the world, and goodness comes even when you don't expect it.

Thoughts on my Chicago trip

Been a while since I last blogged. Finally having a breather after the last few weeks of frenzy, with the standard college stuff like exams and assignments on top of some unique activities. Well actually one out-of-the-ordinary activity.

I went to Chicago last Friday. Nothing big. Just a get-together for all interns and new hires to meet up with our mentors, buddies and supervisors before summer. It was a very thoughtful gesture on the company's part. We went to watch a White Sox game (of all things, baseball?! *_*), but of course we spent most of our time talking to each other, knowing people just a little bit better.

I was a little anxious before the trip, since I know I tend to be more private when meeting groups of strangers. It turned out much better than I thought, though. Certainly helped that I had already met 3 people out of the crowd of 20-something-year-olds during my office visit. And the fact that we were all young adults really helped. I definitely wouldn't have been as at ease as I was if they were much older (i.e. age 35 and above).

On Saturday, we visited the building where the interns were going to stay during summer. Each of us gets our own studio apartment, complete with kitchen, bathroom and furnishings, another wonderful perk. The apartments were smaller than they look on the website, but the furniture was new and the rooms seem comfy to me. Am extremely looking forward to staying there now. I'm eagerly anticipating the dishes that I can make, provided I don't get tired out after working the whole day. Plus it's super downtown, so I can go shopping easily anytime I want. Oh and the Cheesecake Factory is just a block away! =D

I don't dread summer like I did half a month ago. Working full-time may not turn out to be as tedious as I thought. Especially if I become good friends with the people I work with, and the presence of other younger employees will be good. Even my internship now is more fun than before. I've been learning continuously since the first day of my internship, but sometimes new knowledge is not a sufficiently strong incentive to work, it's the people there that makes a huge difference. ;)

Time to face the Music

Been feeling off for a while now. And I can no longer attribute it to merely being in an "emotional down" phase. I wonder why I feel like this. After a brilliant March, I thought that April would bring more delight along with spring.

The first 10 days of April have shown no sign of that promise. Not that I'm going through an especially rough time, in fact, the days are no different than any other. I am happy, and yet when I'm alone, there's a kind of forlorn-ness in my mood.

I sense something ending soon. Sometimes I wish things don't have to change so quickly. I've barely enjoyed the best moments in this time, and now it's gonna end? Sure, the unknown future may be even better, but right now I choose to stick to what I know is good, thank you.

Is it just apprehension that's making me feel off? I don't dread summer, but it will be so different from what I'm used to. I'm excited, yet it's costing me 3 whole unproductive months at home. Thinking long-term, it's worth more than it costs. Doesn't stop me from wishing, though.

Anyhow, one of these days, I'm gonna face it. And finish up all the paperwork for summer that's piling up. Maybe that's the real reason for my mood. Procrastination. And its aftermath.

Ramblings

Phew! What a week! I'm glad this week is almost over. It's been an eventful 4 days, not entirely good, but not entirely bad either.

First off, Kitty and I got the room we wanted for next semester. =D The 2 days before room draw were pretty upsetting, mainly because we kept getting mis-information from people who ought to know better. Still, it all ended well. Already planning out all the slumber parties and cooking we are gonna do. Yay! It's gonna be fun having a living room and bathroom of our own. Not to mention a TV, M'sian food and bubble baths!

And I don't care what my MBTI score says, I'm definitely NOT an extrovert. Maybe I should be more open towards strangers, but ah well, that's just not me. Especially when it's a whole group of unknown people, no thank you. I feel so much more at ease when I meet one new person at a time. Otherwise, I'll stay in my own comfort circle.

I would also like to announce my humble opinions on 2 well-known phrases:

1) Honesty is not always the best policy.

2) Curiosity might not kill the cat, but it can sure hurt the feline.

I guess this week has not been particularly kind to me. Don't worry, this is the downward phase of my sinuous emotional cycle. Will be up soon!