college days
I feel like I'm in college again. It's probably because I have a scholarship app due tomorrow and I don't know if I am going to get it in on time, plus I have to pack for my retreat this weekend. Unlike my NU days, I refuse to pull an all-nighter. Tomorrow is going to be hectic though. I have an intense day of work followed by a church leadership retreat -- in addition to finishing my app and sending it in. ACK! It makes me question my grad school decision.
I also feel like I'm in college again because I've been keeping in touch with my college friends more. They remind me of good times, simpler times (which I often made more difficult with unnecessary drama). We're growing up!! I can't wait to see them at S&E's wedding... and P&M's wedding... ugh. I'm so po'...
I am also super tired. I'm not sure where all of my energy went. It probably went to worrying about needless things. I just realized today that I have less than 4 months left in the bay area. Crazy. I also realized that I really want to be intentional about spending those 4 months well. I'm not sure what that looks like, but it's gotta be better livin' than what I'm doing now.
4/30/2004
4/27/2004
4/26/2004
i don't think you're ready for this jelly
It's really hot in my room. When it gets hot, I can't go to sleep. And when I can't sleep, I stay up and think. And when I think, I think A LOT. So right now I'm thinking about how I've slowly developed the reputation of "telling it like it is", even though most of the time, I keep it all in and never end up telling anyone anything. I actually like this trait in other people (as long as they're nice about it) and I often try to be forthright in general, so hopefully I am doing an okay job of it. However, sometimes it backfires and people would rather not talk to me or are intimidated by me. Intimidated by ME? Sometimes I jokingly threaten to kick people's asses, but I'm just joking, really I am... And you know that my 5'0 frame would not stand a chance against 99.9% of the humans (and animals, although I don't really hang out with them...) that I hang out with. So does this mean that I can talk a good game? Or does this mean that I'm not a very nice person. Maybe a little bit of both. Is this a good trait to have or does it mean that I'm not compassionate enough? Should I be more understanding and less judgemental -- oh yes, definitely. Am I trying? Every day.
So I guess if you would like some honest truth from a friend that loves ya, give me a ring. I'm also good at telling you how much better you are than significant other/job/friends/loved ones/hair-cut/fill-in-the-blank. I'm also trying to get better at "oh no he did NOT say that" neck turns combined with the ever-so-popular index finger waving.
It's really hot in my room. When it gets hot, I can't go to sleep. And when I can't sleep, I stay up and think. And when I think, I think A LOT. So right now I'm thinking about how I've slowly developed the reputation of "telling it like it is", even though most of the time, I keep it all in and never end up telling anyone anything. I actually like this trait in other people (as long as they're nice about it) and I often try to be forthright in general, so hopefully I am doing an okay job of it. However, sometimes it backfires and people would rather not talk to me or are intimidated by me. Intimidated by ME? Sometimes I jokingly threaten to kick people's asses, but I'm just joking, really I am... And you know that my 5'0 frame would not stand a chance against 99.9% of the humans (and animals, although I don't really hang out with them...) that I hang out with. So does this mean that I can talk a good game? Or does this mean that I'm not a very nice person. Maybe a little bit of both. Is this a good trait to have or does it mean that I'm not compassionate enough? Should I be more understanding and less judgemental -- oh yes, definitely. Am I trying? Every day.
So I guess if you would like some honest truth from a friend that loves ya, give me a ring. I'm also good at telling you how much better you are than significant other/job/friends/loved ones/hair-cut/fill-in-the-blank. I'm also trying to get better at "oh no he did NOT say that" neck turns combined with the ever-so-popular index finger waving.
4/24/2004
names
Once again, ripping off my friends' blogs... I took the name test and here's what I got for Wai-Ling: "Take advantage of all opportunities. You must develop your creativity and talents. You are determined to prove yourself to others. You have a need to be up front. You are relatively demonstrative in your affections. You enjoy being stroked verbally and physically. You have a diplomatic flair to your nature. Equality and fairness are important to you. You need to learn to give and receive love for love's sake. You have a need to be assured of affection. You must learn to give 'wise' service and not be a martyr. You are a hard worker when you make up your mind to do a job."
What sucks about this is that it's almost identical to my friend's description... and his name is Benjamin. (Yes and I agree, stroked?? Weird.) My other names included much of the same "insight" as Ben's description.
It's lame that I'm drawn to these quizzes. I remember during freshman year in college there was this online quiz called "CUPID" that matched NU students to each other based on questions we answered. I remember minsoo making me fill out that quiz. I don't think he was even on my CUPID list of potential matches. Funny how things work out, huh?
Once again, ripping off my friends' blogs... I took the name test and here's what I got for Wai-Ling: "Take advantage of all opportunities. You must develop your creativity and talents. You are determined to prove yourself to others. You have a need to be up front. You are relatively demonstrative in your affections. You enjoy being stroked verbally and physically. You have a diplomatic flair to your nature. Equality and fairness are important to you. You need to learn to give and receive love for love's sake. You have a need to be assured of affection. You must learn to give 'wise' service and not be a martyr. You are a hard worker when you make up your mind to do a job."
What sucks about this is that it's almost identical to my friend's description... and his name is Benjamin. (Yes and I agree, stroked?? Weird.) My other names included much of the same "insight" as Ben's description.
It's lame that I'm drawn to these quizzes. I remember during freshman year in college there was this online quiz called "CUPID" that matched NU students to each other based on questions we answered. I remember minsoo making me fill out that quiz. I don't think he was even on my CUPID list of potential matches. Funny how things work out, huh?
4/22/2004
real age
I went to the realage.com site (courtesy of Nakji) to take a test that calculates your "real age" based on your health and work. It reported that I am actually 25.9, only 0.3 years older than I really am. Phew! And all this time, I thought that my real age would be something closer to 70 or 80.
Speaking of old people, I saw The Way Home today. I cried a lot. It was heartwarming and made me miss my grandparents. For anyone who has a special relationship with their grandparents or likes old people in general (I like old people), you will enjoy this movie.
I went to the realage.com site (courtesy of Nakji) to take a test that calculates your "real age" based on your health and work. It reported that I am actually 25.9, only 0.3 years older than I really am. Phew! And all this time, I thought that my real age would be something closer to 70 or 80.
Speaking of old people, I saw The Way Home today. I cried a lot. It was heartwarming and made me miss my grandparents. For anyone who has a special relationship with their grandparents or likes old people in general (I like old people), you will enjoy this movie.
food cravings
Last night, I read in two people's blogs about the cnn news article on food cravings so I had to check it out. I found one of the quotes really interesting: '"A cotton swab impregnated with the food was placed in their tongues so they could taste it," the researchers wrote.'
Impregnated?! Ew. Why didn't they just give the research participants bites of the real food? Did they create some kind of bacon-egg-cheese-sandwich liquid concoction (which was one of the favorite foods listed - weird!) and dip the Q-tip in it? Maybe they just used this word to make it seem more scientific.
Speaking of food cravings, last night was a pretty boring evening. I made minsoo accompany me on a mission to find my favorite lactose product at the store. We found it, did a little dance in the ice cream aisle, then scurried home to devour it. I think I've eaten almost 3 quarts of the green tea goodness in the past few weeks. I know, it's sick.
Last night, I read in two people's blogs about the cnn news article on food cravings so I had to check it out. I found one of the quotes really interesting: '"A cotton swab impregnated with the food was placed in their tongues so they could taste it," the researchers wrote.'
Impregnated?! Ew. Why didn't they just give the research participants bites of the real food? Did they create some kind of bacon-egg-cheese-sandwich liquid concoction (which was one of the favorite foods listed - weird!) and dip the Q-tip in it? Maybe they just used this word to make it seem more scientific.
Speaking of food cravings, last night was a pretty boring evening. I made minsoo accompany me on a mission to find my favorite lactose product at the store. We found it, did a little dance in the ice cream aisle, then scurried home to devour it. I think I've eaten almost 3 quarts of the green tea goodness in the past few weeks. I know, it's sick.
4/21/2004
sad news
My home church is like a family... no really, I mean, it's like my biological family. Most of the people are related to me by blood (not just Jesus'). If they're not related to me, then I call them "Auntie" or "Uncle". Our church is very tight knit. Anyway, the elderly father of one of our family friends (the family just recently left our church) died today. I consider them like our extended family and they attend many of our holiday family get-togethers. Anyway, the elderly father's death was quite a shock since they just found out he had cancer in his lungs last week. The doctors said he had 2-3 months left but tonight he passed away. He wasn't a Christian, but Sunday a pastor came by the hospital and the father accepted Christ.
I think this is significant because this family recently left our church to find another one with a bigger kids ministry. Unfortunately, they hadn't been going to church recently at all, mostly using the excuse of "no kids ministry" to leave our small church and the responsibilities they took on as part of the leadership. The husband (whose father passed away) grew up in our church and had been encouraging his older parents to come to church, but when they left, the parents had no incentive to come. So when his father was diagnosed as terminal, I think the salvation question was a huge burden for him. His mom is very anti-Christian and only went to church as part of a deal (long and complicated, won't go into it) and was against having a pastor come to the father's death bed and do a salvation schpeal. I think this tragedy is part of a process of encouraging them reconsider pursuing a more intentional Christian community and recognizing the gifts of the community/family they left. I know that they definitely did not treat my mother very well and ironically she's the very person whom they called right away and who has spent the past 2 weeks counseling them, praying with them and even notifying family friends tonight.
Why am I sharing this all? I don't know. I'm sad for my church family. Sad for their loss and for the suddenness of it all. It reminds me to focus on the eternal and not the temporal troubles and conflicts I'm so good at pondering.
My home church is like a family... no really, I mean, it's like my biological family. Most of the people are related to me by blood (not just Jesus'). If they're not related to me, then I call them "Auntie" or "Uncle". Our church is very tight knit. Anyway, the elderly father of one of our family friends (the family just recently left our church) died today. I consider them like our extended family and they attend many of our holiday family get-togethers. Anyway, the elderly father's death was quite a shock since they just found out he had cancer in his lungs last week. The doctors said he had 2-3 months left but tonight he passed away. He wasn't a Christian, but Sunday a pastor came by the hospital and the father accepted Christ.
I think this is significant because this family recently left our church to find another one with a bigger kids ministry. Unfortunately, they hadn't been going to church recently at all, mostly using the excuse of "no kids ministry" to leave our small church and the responsibilities they took on as part of the leadership. The husband (whose father passed away) grew up in our church and had been encouraging his older parents to come to church, but when they left, the parents had no incentive to come. So when his father was diagnosed as terminal, I think the salvation question was a huge burden for him. His mom is very anti-Christian and only went to church as part of a deal (long and complicated, won't go into it) and was against having a pastor come to the father's death bed and do a salvation schpeal. I think this tragedy is part of a process of encouraging them reconsider pursuing a more intentional Christian community and recognizing the gifts of the community/family they left. I know that they definitely did not treat my mother very well and ironically she's the very person whom they called right away and who has spent the past 2 weeks counseling them, praying with them and even notifying family friends tonight.
Why am I sharing this all? I don't know. I'm sad for my church family. Sad for their loss and for the suddenness of it all. It reminds me to focus on the eternal and not the temporal troubles and conflicts I'm so good at pondering.
4/19/2004
weekend diversions
This weekend was filled with much needed diversions. The first was a Giants game on Friday night. We lost. Barry hit 662. It was cold. I was almost clobbered by a crowd during a little Dodgers-Giants fan scuffle. I was walking toward the bathrooms when I saw a Dodgers fan fall (in slow motion -- probably drunk) and beer flying and people pushing me backward as they backed up to avoid the scuffle. I ran back to my group and made minsoo walk with me to the restroom. That's what we get for getting the cheap seats... or cheap standing area spots. I was also on the jumbotron (sp?) wearing my jeero hat. I think the cameras came to our section because I was next to these kids with their faces painted.
Hillary, one of my bestest friends from NU, came to visit on Saturday. I love the fact that we can sit down and talk about the really important stuff in our lives right away. She is one amazing woman and I'm blessed to call her a sister in Christ. It's amazing to me that when we first me, she wasn't a Christian. Now, I consider her one of my most trusted Christian sisters. Her visit brought me a lot of joy.
Sunday.... I really appreciate Pastor Frank's sermons and having a pastor in general. After church there was a little bit of drama as a woman in the Korean congregation fainted. I hope she's okay. We missed our usual coffee outing to wait for the ambulance to arrive. A group of us headed over to the east bay for a birthday. I was so tired and not feeling that social. However, probably not more than an hour after I arrived, Hillary showed up with her friend. She stayed at my place for the night, went to church in Menlo Park and was going to meet up with her friend who is from the east bay. Apparently, her friend was also a high school friend of the birthday guy. Small world. It was a fun surprise and nice to extend my visit with her. I didn't get to talk to her as much because I got sucked into a poker game with messy d, superchoong, beans and sue. It was really fun, but now I know who to watch out for next time I play. Thank goodness I wasn't using real money.
This weekend was really... well, nice. It was nice to be busy, to not think about my financial woes and to just to be in community. It was exactly what I needed. :)
This weekend was filled with much needed diversions. The first was a Giants game on Friday night. We lost. Barry hit 662. It was cold. I was almost clobbered by a crowd during a little Dodgers-Giants fan scuffle. I was walking toward the bathrooms when I saw a Dodgers fan fall (in slow motion -- probably drunk) and beer flying and people pushing me backward as they backed up to avoid the scuffle. I ran back to my group and made minsoo walk with me to the restroom. That's what we get for getting the cheap seats... or cheap standing area spots. I was also on the jumbotron (sp?) wearing my jeero hat. I think the cameras came to our section because I was next to these kids with their faces painted.
Hillary, one of my bestest friends from NU, came to visit on Saturday. I love the fact that we can sit down and talk about the really important stuff in our lives right away. She is one amazing woman and I'm blessed to call her a sister in Christ. It's amazing to me that when we first me, she wasn't a Christian. Now, I consider her one of my most trusted Christian sisters. Her visit brought me a lot of joy.
Sunday.... I really appreciate Pastor Frank's sermons and having a pastor in general. After church there was a little bit of drama as a woman in the Korean congregation fainted. I hope she's okay. We missed our usual coffee outing to wait for the ambulance to arrive. A group of us headed over to the east bay for a birthday. I was so tired and not feeling that social. However, probably not more than an hour after I arrived, Hillary showed up with her friend. She stayed at my place for the night, went to church in Menlo Park and was going to meet up with her friend who is from the east bay. Apparently, her friend was also a high school friend of the birthday guy. Small world. It was a fun surprise and nice to extend my visit with her. I didn't get to talk to her as much because I got sucked into a poker game with messy d, superchoong, beans and sue. It was really fun, but now I know who to watch out for next time I play. Thank goodness I wasn't using real money.
This weekend was really... well, nice. It was nice to be busy, to not think about my financial woes and to just to be in community. It was exactly what I needed. :)
4/15/2004
comforted by green tea ice cream
As I was helping Leslie with her taxes (a weeks-long process of encouraging her to find independence through the 1040), I noticed a fat mistake in my own 1040 (the form I proudly completed in January!). At 1pm I headed over to the H&R Block where the tax guy informed me that I had done most of it right and that there was no way I could avoid giving my first born child to the IRS. After a minor breakdown which included a call to my mom and some hyperventilating, I headed home (the tax guy didn't charge me because I had done most of the work and I think he saw the desperation in my face) to fix my forms. I had to max out my credit card to cover what I owe. The real world kicks my butt again.
After prayer meeting I was more at peace but still annoyed at some other issues going on, so minsoo and I headed over to Albertson's to find some green tea ice cream, which makes everything (except my digestive system) better. When I found the tubs in the freezer, minsoo did a crazy dance, shouting and making a scene. It made me laugh and for a moment, made me forget all of the things that were (and still are) bothering me.
breathe. breathe. breathe.
Can't forget the update: I'm going to UCLA next year. How I'm going to pay for it, I don't know. One step at a time.
As I was helping Leslie with her taxes (a weeks-long process of encouraging her to find independence through the 1040), I noticed a fat mistake in my own 1040 (the form I proudly completed in January!). At 1pm I headed over to the H&R Block where the tax guy informed me that I had done most of it right and that there was no way I could avoid giving my first born child to the IRS. After a minor breakdown which included a call to my mom and some hyperventilating, I headed home (the tax guy didn't charge me because I had done most of the work and I think he saw the desperation in my face) to fix my forms. I had to max out my credit card to cover what I owe. The real world kicks my butt again.
After prayer meeting I was more at peace but still annoyed at some other issues going on, so minsoo and I headed over to Albertson's to find some green tea ice cream, which makes everything (except my digestive system) better. When I found the tubs in the freezer, minsoo did a crazy dance, shouting and making a scene. It made me laugh and for a moment, made me forget all of the things that were (and still are) bothering me.
breathe. breathe. breathe.
Can't forget the update: I'm going to UCLA next year. How I'm going to pay for it, I don't know. One step at a time.
close call with the po-po
I was talking to my mom on my cell phone while driving to minsoo's house tonight when I noticed someone tailing me. I started complaining to my mom about the dumb car on my tail as I turned left onto minsoo's street. Then I noticed the flashing lights in my rearview mirror. Oh no. I pulled over, hung up the phone, gripped the steering wheel and put on my best "oh, no officer, what's wrong?" look. When the Sheriff came up to the car he said I was doing 50 in a 35mph zone. [Inner dialogue: Uh hello, I do 50 mph ALL the time on that stretch of road, everyone does, dude.] I just looked up and sort of whimpered "really??". He asked me for my license and registration. I slowly reached over and very carefully took out my info (as if I was totally new to this process). He asked me if I still lived in So Cal and if I was going to school up here. I told him I wasn't a student but was returning to school in LA. (Thank goodness for grad school.) I actually think I used my high pitch "I'm a little girl voice" when I answered him. My unaware and innocent young student act worked -- He let me off the hook with a warning. Phew, that was a close call. I managed to escape with my clean driving record intact. I wonder what he would have done if I had been wearing my hat with the little ears.
I was talking to my mom on my cell phone while driving to minsoo's house tonight when I noticed someone tailing me. I started complaining to my mom about the dumb car on my tail as I turned left onto minsoo's street. Then I noticed the flashing lights in my rearview mirror. Oh no. I pulled over, hung up the phone, gripped the steering wheel and put on my best "oh, no officer, what's wrong?" look. When the Sheriff came up to the car he said I was doing 50 in a 35mph zone. [Inner dialogue: Uh hello, I do 50 mph ALL the time on that stretch of road, everyone does, dude.] I just looked up and sort of whimpered "really??". He asked me for my license and registration. I slowly reached over and very carefully took out my info (as if I was totally new to this process). He asked me if I still lived in So Cal and if I was going to school up here. I told him I wasn't a student but was returning to school in LA. (Thank goodness for grad school.) I actually think I used my high pitch "I'm a little girl voice" when I answered him. My unaware and innocent young student act worked -- He let me off the hook with a warning. Phew, that was a close call. I managed to escape with my clean driving record intact. I wonder what he would have done if I had been wearing my hat with the little ears.
4/13/2004
my cousin
Recently I've been chatting with my cousin from Hawaii on IM a lot. He's probably 7-10 years older than me, but we're finally entering that stage when we're both old enough to carry on an adult conversation (I know, it's taken us that long!) Anyway, it's been cool to reconnect and ask for older-guy-cousin advice.
On his blog (he doesn't know about mine), he wrote up a review for the passion that makes me sad. In it, he mentioned that he left the church years ago and no longer claims to be Christian, which I didn't know. He also said that while he used to become emotional when thinking about Christ's death and sacrifice, watching movie didn't touch him at all. Now, I don't think that Christians have to cry when seeing that movie (it's just a movie, for goodness sake), but reading his statement about not being a Christian was really hard. I knew that he left the church for awhile and that he just recently started going again, but I never knew the status of his faith. Reading those statements really hit me hard, for many reasons. I love my cousin a lot and so I guess it's a reminder about praying for my family continually, wherever they are.
Recently I've been chatting with my cousin from Hawaii on IM a lot. He's probably 7-10 years older than me, but we're finally entering that stage when we're both old enough to carry on an adult conversation (I know, it's taken us that long!) Anyway, it's been cool to reconnect and ask for older-guy-cousin advice.
On his blog (he doesn't know about mine), he wrote up a review for the passion that makes me sad. In it, he mentioned that he left the church years ago and no longer claims to be Christian, which I didn't know. He also said that while he used to become emotional when thinking about Christ's death and sacrifice, watching movie didn't touch him at all. Now, I don't think that Christians have to cry when seeing that movie (it's just a movie, for goodness sake), but reading his statement about not being a Christian was really hard. I knew that he left the church for awhile and that he just recently started going again, but I never knew the status of his faith. Reading those statements really hit me hard, for many reasons. I love my cousin a lot and so I guess it's a reminder about praying for my family continually, wherever they are.
4/11/2004
He lives
Happy Easter. Lately, my life have been so grad-school focused, I feel like I haven't been really thinking big-picture. Jesus's resurrection is what makes my faith real, yet I spend most of my day focused on the little stuff.
Here's a quote on my calendar from Charles Dickens. I don't think he's talking about Jesus and the day of the resurrection, but I thought it was appropriate in celebration of today:
"...That was a memorable day for me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same way with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns and flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." -- Charles Dickens.
Happy Easter. Lately, my life have been so grad-school focused, I feel like I haven't been really thinking big-picture. Jesus's resurrection is what makes my faith real, yet I spend most of my day focused on the little stuff.
Here's a quote on my calendar from Charles Dickens. I don't think he's talking about Jesus and the day of the resurrection, but I thought it was appropriate in celebration of today:
"...That was a memorable day for me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same way with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns and flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." -- Charles Dickens.
more on the grad school visits
Wednesday morning: After battling the 405 rush hour commute, I arrived at UCLA and sped toward the parking structure near the public policy building. I pulled up expecting to purchase a parking pass (because that's what I did when I visited in the fall), but didn't stop at the visitor's kiosk where they sell the parking passes during school hours. The cars lined up behind me at 9am were not thrilled when I made them back up so I could find the visitor's kiosk and buy the stupid pass. After I purchased the pass, I returned to the parking structure entrance and discovered that the pass they gave me did not work. UGH! I had to get out of my car and ask the girl behind me to back-up. (Experienced another set of students' dirty looks.) The parking attendants forgot to give me the actual parking pass that you stick into the machine. Grrr. So I parked quickly and ran through the parking structure to the public policy building. I got really lost inside the structure and so I ended up wandering around for awhile until I literally saw light. I'm sure you know that I'm normally really punctual and I'm usually on top of things, but I arrived at the welcome day out of breathe and totally late.
Wednesday afternoon: Before the financial aid session began, the graduate advisor had some of us early birds introduce ourselves and share what undergrad schools we came from. I was one of two people who came from non-U.C. private schools. The grad advisor pointed this out. Then she asked if any of us were considering other schools. I mentioned USC and the other private-school girl nodded in agreement. Then, she started grilling me and the other girl about USC, with the tone of "Why are you considering USC when you're interested in UCLA??? Don't you know what they're about compared to our program?" I felt like she was putting me and the other girl on the spot so I blurted out "Um, to be honest, USC offered me money and they're helping me pay for my trip down here so I thought I'd check it out... just being honest." As if I was guilty of cheating on UCLA. She sort of hrumphed and went on. The private-school girl is my new friend.
Friday afternoon: Alumni panelist said that if he could do anything differently from what he did when he attended USC's UP program, he would have studied less. When he said this, Private-school girl and I looked at each other and said "Whaaa??" Another panelist said she was 22. I felt kinda old.
Lunch comparison: UCLA -- self-serve cold rubbery pizza on paper plates, warm soda. USC -- Ceasar Salad, Salmon, Cheesecake served by their wait staff on china with multiple pieces of fancy silverware on all three sides of my plate (good coffee!).
Student comparison: Every student I met that I enjoyed speaking with at USC was also considering UCLA. Most of the students I really liked at UCLA were considering UCLA or other non-Urban planning programs at other schools. Some of the prospective USC students brought their parents. One of the UCLA prospective students brought his daughter.
A piece of advice from a USC alumni: You will learn more from the people around you (your cohort) than any class you take. Ironically, I think this made me favor UCLA a lot more.
Number of times I heard the phrase "Trojan network" on Friday: gazillion.
A joke I heard from a UCLA grad student: Trojans are only good for one time, but a Bruin lasts forever. Hm.
Where would you go if you were in my shoes?
Wednesday morning: After battling the 405 rush hour commute, I arrived at UCLA and sped toward the parking structure near the public policy building. I pulled up expecting to purchase a parking pass (because that's what I did when I visited in the fall), but didn't stop at the visitor's kiosk where they sell the parking passes during school hours. The cars lined up behind me at 9am were not thrilled when I made them back up so I could find the visitor's kiosk and buy the stupid pass. After I purchased the pass, I returned to the parking structure entrance and discovered that the pass they gave me did not work. UGH! I had to get out of my car and ask the girl behind me to back-up. (Experienced another set of students' dirty looks.) The parking attendants forgot to give me the actual parking pass that you stick into the machine. Grrr. So I parked quickly and ran through the parking structure to the public policy building. I got really lost inside the structure and so I ended up wandering around for awhile until I literally saw light. I'm sure you know that I'm normally really punctual and I'm usually on top of things, but I arrived at the welcome day out of breathe and totally late.
Wednesday afternoon: Before the financial aid session began, the graduate advisor had some of us early birds introduce ourselves and share what undergrad schools we came from. I was one of two people who came from non-U.C. private schools. The grad advisor pointed this out. Then she asked if any of us were considering other schools. I mentioned USC and the other private-school girl nodded in agreement. Then, she started grilling me and the other girl about USC, with the tone of "Why are you considering USC when you're interested in UCLA??? Don't you know what they're about compared to our program?" I felt like she was putting me and the other girl on the spot so I blurted out "Um, to be honest, USC offered me money and they're helping me pay for my trip down here so I thought I'd check it out... just being honest." As if I was guilty of cheating on UCLA. She sort of hrumphed and went on. The private-school girl is my new friend.
Friday afternoon: Alumni panelist said that if he could do anything differently from what he did when he attended USC's UP program, he would have studied less. When he said this, Private-school girl and I looked at each other and said "Whaaa??" Another panelist said she was 22. I felt kinda old.
Lunch comparison: UCLA -- self-serve cold rubbery pizza on paper plates, warm soda. USC -- Ceasar Salad, Salmon, Cheesecake served by their wait staff on china with multiple pieces of fancy silverware on all three sides of my plate (good coffee!).
Student comparison: Every student I met that I enjoyed speaking with at USC was also considering UCLA. Most of the students I really liked at UCLA were considering UCLA or other non-Urban planning programs at other schools. Some of the prospective USC students brought their parents. One of the UCLA prospective students brought his daughter.
A piece of advice from a USC alumni: You will learn more from the people around you (your cohort) than any class you take. Ironically, I think this made me favor UCLA a lot more.
Number of times I heard the phrase "Trojan network" on Friday: gazillion.
A joke I heard from a UCLA grad student: Trojans are only good for one time, but a Bruin lasts forever. Hm.
Where would you go if you were in my shoes?
4/10/2004
Dial...up...is...so...slow
I'm at home. My school visits are over - Yay! I am completely exhausted and depleted from putting on my extroverted, assertive persona. I enjoyed meeting some really amazing and inspiring future grad students and even ran into an NU Alum and a friend of a friend. I am pretty sure that I've made my grad school choice. While UCLA had the passion, the idealism and people dedicated to social justice, USC put on a really amazing dog and pony show. From the fancy food and multiple silverware options, to the comfy lecture hall chairs, I kept trying to repeat Drew Shady's mantra ("I remain focus!") in my head. Anyway, I'm still deliberating, but I'm pretty close to making a decision. You'll find out on April 15.
On another note, apparently I have a twin somewhere out there. One of the potential MPL/MPA grad students approached me and asked if we had met. He was from North Carolina. I've never been there. Maybe it's because there aren't a lot of Asian people. Tonight, I was out with some high school friends and their church friends and a little high school girl said that I looked like a girl she went to school with -- a senior, who apparently is also Filipino.
I thought I'd give you an update on my trip. There were other interesting anecdotes that I will share later. I think those 3 cups of coffee are finally wearing off.
I'm at home. My school visits are over - Yay! I am completely exhausted and depleted from putting on my extroverted, assertive persona. I enjoyed meeting some really amazing and inspiring future grad students and even ran into an NU Alum and a friend of a friend. I am pretty sure that I've made my grad school choice. While UCLA had the passion, the idealism and people dedicated to social justice, USC put on a really amazing dog and pony show. From the fancy food and multiple silverware options, to the comfy lecture hall chairs, I kept trying to repeat Drew Shady's mantra ("I remain focus!") in my head. Anyway, I'm still deliberating, but I'm pretty close to making a decision. You'll find out on April 15.
On another note, apparently I have a twin somewhere out there. One of the potential MPL/MPA grad students approached me and asked if we had met. He was from North Carolina. I've never been there. Maybe it's because there aren't a lot of Asian people. Tonight, I was out with some high school friends and their church friends and a little high school girl said that I looked like a girl she went to school with -- a senior, who apparently is also Filipino.
I thought I'd give you an update on my trip. There were other interesting anecdotes that I will share later. I think those 3 cups of coffee are finally wearing off.
4/06/2004
monday tv
Baseball season is upon us. I watched part of the Giants game today and listened to the rest on the radio. I can't wait to hit up pac bell, uh, I mean, SBC park. Whatever.
On another tv note... Average Joe. COME ON! Dude, you got screwed over last time because Melana wanted hot boy. Now you're doing the same thing and choosing hot (but not really hot, just high maintenance) girl. Ew. It just proves my point that people never listen to friends and family when dating. Never. Lunkhead, why you gotta be like that?
I'm off to LA to visit grad schools. I'm so tired.
Baseball season is upon us. I watched part of the Giants game today and listened to the rest on the radio. I can't wait to hit up pac bell, uh, I mean, SBC park. Whatever.
On another tv note... Average Joe. COME ON! Dude, you got screwed over last time because Melana wanted hot boy. Now you're doing the same thing and choosing hot (but not really hot, just high maintenance) girl. Ew. It just proves my point that people never listen to friends and family when dating. Never. Lunkhead, why you gotta be like that?
I'm off to LA to visit grad schools. I'm so tired.
4/04/2004
boxcar
Today I saw a really powerful one-act play put on by a Chicano theater company on immigration called Boxcar. The play was centered around a group of men trying to cross the border by hiding in a train. It was based on a news story in 1987 about 18 immigrants who suffocated - only one survived - in a boxcar while trying to cross over. The play was really simple, yet powerful. It brought up so many thoughts in my head -- about how we continue to forget our own immigration history, how our "forefathers" escaped oppression and then oppressed and murdered indigenous people, how we perpetuate a culture of fear toward immigration and foreigners and how... well, there were a lot of things going on in my head. It makes me wonder how I can be obedient to him in the midst of seeing injustice in the world.
On another related note, my trip to LA was really good. I'm not sure what the other ladies thought, but it was surprisingly convicting. God is so much more faithful than I am to Him. I guess that's why he's God, right? I'll share more later.
Today I saw a really powerful one-act play put on by a Chicano theater company on immigration called Boxcar. The play was centered around a group of men trying to cross the border by hiding in a train. It was based on a news story in 1987 about 18 immigrants who suffocated - only one survived - in a boxcar while trying to cross over. The play was really simple, yet powerful. It brought up so many thoughts in my head -- about how we continue to forget our own immigration history, how our "forefathers" escaped oppression and then oppressed and murdered indigenous people, how we perpetuate a culture of fear toward immigration and foreigners and how... well, there were a lot of things going on in my head. It makes me wonder how I can be obedient to him in the midst of seeing injustice in the world.
On another related note, my trip to LA was really good. I'm not sure what the other ladies thought, but it was surprisingly convicting. God is so much more faithful than I am to Him. I guess that's why he's God, right? I'll share more later.
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