P.S,
Day 43: Like an SOS Signal That’s Finally Gotten Some Attention
When I walked out this morning from the building, I felt like I was stepping out into Buenos Aires for the first time. The world seemed like a different place, but at the same time, there was something nostalgic about it. The air was the same, but the way it lingered was different; the buildings were all the same, but the way they glowed under the sun was different. Everything was a whole new uplifting experience. It was almost too unreal to be happening…
Something was waiting for me…
I had left in the first place in order to get some major housekeeping done for my program. Today was the deadline to turn in all final registration forms so that we can get our transcripts at the end of the semester. So, I had to go to FUC first to see if I can figure out the other professors’ names that I wasn’t able to get. Turns out, they didn’t know who taught what at the office, and I didn’t want to bother waiting at the student center to find out. So, I left and went to the copiadora to print out the form and find some materials for class.
Luckily, I was able to find a syllabus for the one class that was absolutely confusing me [where people were writing theses for evaluation and stuff]. So, I’m on par with that class now. Kinda…
I printed out the paper and went to look for my program office, which I hadn’t been to before. It was an adventure… big streets and all. Luckily, I ran into someone else from my program and so we found the place. It was like a regular office building…and really high-class ish and secure. So, I got all that done, turning in my form.
I was really tired by then, but I had class. So I got back to FUC and I was soooo happy to see that two other people from my program were in the same class. This is the one class that was supposed to be on Wednesdays, but the one commission I was in changed to its original schedule [to Mondays], so the other people were torn whether to take the Friday one or this one, so luckily, I had comrades.
This class was actually interesting. I’m really beginning to think that philosophy is easier to understand in Spanish, and it’s more interesting too. Or rather, maybe it’s because it’s about art and aesthetics. Soka should have more classes like that, concentrating on the arts. It’s important, you know. If filmmaking falls through, maybe I’ll get a degree in teaching art & philosophy at SUA. Hahaha. ONLY KIDDING.
Afterwards, I needed to find 2 movies that I needed to watch by tomorrow. La Ciénaga and La Niña Santa. It was REALLY stupid of me to leave this to the day before. When I went to Liberarte, supposedly one of the best video rental places in Buenos Aires, all the copies were rented out… I was shit outta luck. So, I tried looking online to find some bootleg copy. Angela helped me find a site that had a download for La Ciénaga pero half the links were expired, so I couldn’t get them.
I’m hoping I could suffice with just reading the detailed synopses of these, and learn from this experience…to never wait till the last moment.
Arg, today was a busy and tiring day. Too much to do, still stressing out, but still striving forward, I really thought my days would drag along like this for the rest of my study abroad. I didn’t know how I could even travel with an academic load like this. But, then I remembered, I have unlimited potential that I just need to unlock within me.
So, it’s been, give or take, a month since I’ve last gotten in touch with SGI here about trying to find a district that I can go to meetings for. Today, was the day I got the call. However, I can’t go because I have class. But, I was able to make a connection.
Literally…
Like an SOS signal that’s finally gotten some attention.
Something was waiting for me…
I had left in the first place in order to get some major housekeeping done for my program. Today was the deadline to turn in all final registration forms so that we can get our transcripts at the end of the semester. So, I had to go to FUC first to see if I can figure out the other professors’ names that I wasn’t able to get. Turns out, they didn’t know who taught what at the office, and I didn’t want to bother waiting at the student center to find out. So, I left and went to the copiadora to print out the form and find some materials for class.
Luckily, I was able to find a syllabus for the one class that was absolutely confusing me [where people were writing theses for evaluation and stuff]. So, I’m on par with that class now. Kinda…
I printed out the paper and went to look for my program office, which I hadn’t been to before. It was an adventure… big streets and all. Luckily, I ran into someone else from my program and so we found the place. It was like a regular office building…and really high-class ish and secure. So, I got all that done, turning in my form.
I was really tired by then, but I had class. So I got back to FUC and I was soooo happy to see that two other people from my program were in the same class. This is the one class that was supposed to be on Wednesdays, but the one commission I was in changed to its original schedule [to Mondays], so the other people were torn whether to take the Friday one or this one, so luckily, I had comrades.
This class was actually interesting. I’m really beginning to think that philosophy is easier to understand in Spanish, and it’s more interesting too. Or rather, maybe it’s because it’s about art and aesthetics. Soka should have more classes like that, concentrating on the arts. It’s important, you know. If filmmaking falls through, maybe I’ll get a degree in teaching art & philosophy at SUA. Hahaha. ONLY KIDDING.
Afterwards, I needed to find 2 movies that I needed to watch by tomorrow. La Ciénaga and La Niña Santa. It was REALLY stupid of me to leave this to the day before. When I went to Liberarte, supposedly one of the best video rental places in Buenos Aires, all the copies were rented out… I was shit outta luck. So, I tried looking online to find some bootleg copy. Angela helped me find a site that had a download for La Ciénaga pero half the links were expired, so I couldn’t get them.
I’m hoping I could suffice with just reading the detailed synopses of these, and learn from this experience…to never wait till the last moment.
Arg, today was a busy and tiring day. Too much to do, still stressing out, but still striving forward, I really thought my days would drag along like this for the rest of my study abroad. I didn’t know how I could even travel with an academic load like this. But, then I remembered, I have unlimited potential that I just need to unlock within me.
So, it’s been, give or take, a month since I’ve last gotten in touch with SGI here about trying to find a district that I can go to meetings for. Today, was the day I got the call. However, I can’t go because I have class. But, I was able to make a connection.
Literally…
Like an SOS signal that’s finally gotten some attention.
Day 42: Mental Stability
I’ve determined that I’m going to complete 500,000 daimoku [based on the chart I’m using, it’s like ~167 hours] before my study abroad is over. I have a 1,000,000 daimoku chart that I got from Heather, and initially I wanted to try to complete 1,000,000 daimoku during my study abroad, but realistically speaking, I’ve never completed any of the [1,000,000] daimoku charts I’ve started. So, instead I’ve decided that I’m going to do half now, and half second semester.
I’ve also determined that the second to the last night of my study abroad here, I’m going to chant 10 hours. Why? My program ends two days before my actual departure day, so I have to leave the apartment and get a hotel or hostel to stay in for 2 days. So, why not just use one day of that time to do a 10-hour daimoku toso since I have the time and place to be loud and vivacious. So, if you want to domei, awesome. Let’s have a worldwide toso. Whoa, that’d be sweet [good call, Angela]. I’ll send out an email when the date gets closer…
Yes, this past week alone has taught me a lot about my mental subconscious state, and how much it affects my physical well-being. Having the worst cases of hives this week to the point where my face was so swollen that I could only half-open my eyes was enough to show me that although I may be consciously calm, subconsciously my emotions are everywhere, and that stressed me out physically. I was searching, waiting for something, and it finally dawned on me.
Stability. Solidarity. Synchrony.
To be consistent and in rhythm, one with myself and the universe. There’s just no other way to be me, except the me I see right now in the mirror before me. I can never forget that.
This week has been one hell of a roller coaster ride. I had many negative encounters with people I didn’t even know, a wave of confusion and misunderstanding in classes, and being physically ill. Some days I just thought this would be my last week here before I got defeated by my fundamental darkness and the environment around me, so defeated that I wouldn’t be able to continue my study abroad here. But, somehow, with a lot of support, I was able to get through it.
From this moment on, it’s only going to get harder, but I think keeping in mind that I need to continue advancing will help me move on, and not get so stuck on the little things. I have a greater purpose now. I will reach 500,000 daimoku before study abroad is over, and I will complete my 10-hour toso. Michael Sasaki told all the YPG and March 22 meeting members to, “Make everything a faith-based activity.”
It starts with faith. If we strengthen our faith and do our best, everything will fall into place. There’s no doubt it will.
Just need to do my best. At this point right now I have to watch 4 movies and read about 150-some pages of material for this coming week. It’s insane. I watched 1 out of the 4 movies today, spending 20 pesos ($6-7) for a ticket. It was…a very boring movie. I can’t believe I spent money on it, but it’s for class so I’m sure it has some pertinence to something we’re learning… I hope…
But, again. I won’t be defeated. No more looking back at the past, and looking to home and SUA for answers. The answers are here…in my head.
Vacation is definitely over, around me, in my mind, in my body. It’s time to get to work.
“Stop and stare // I think I’m moving but I go nowhere // Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared // But I’ve become what I can't be, ohhh // Stop and stare // You start to wonder why you’re here, not there // And you’d give anything to get what’s fair // But fair ain’t what you really need // Oh, can you see what I see” – “Stop and Stare” by OneRepublic
End – Week 6: Vacation is Over
I’ve also determined that the second to the last night of my study abroad here, I’m going to chant 10 hours. Why? My program ends two days before my actual departure day, so I have to leave the apartment and get a hotel or hostel to stay in for 2 days. So, why not just use one day of that time to do a 10-hour daimoku toso since I have the time and place to be loud and vivacious. So, if you want to domei, awesome. Let’s have a worldwide toso. Whoa, that’d be sweet [good call, Angela]. I’ll send out an email when the date gets closer…
Yes, this past week alone has taught me a lot about my mental subconscious state, and how much it affects my physical well-being. Having the worst cases of hives this week to the point where my face was so swollen that I could only half-open my eyes was enough to show me that although I may be consciously calm, subconsciously my emotions are everywhere, and that stressed me out physically. I was searching, waiting for something, and it finally dawned on me.
Stability. Solidarity. Synchrony.
To be consistent and in rhythm, one with myself and the universe. There’s just no other way to be me, except the me I see right now in the mirror before me. I can never forget that.
This week has been one hell of a roller coaster ride. I had many negative encounters with people I didn’t even know, a wave of confusion and misunderstanding in classes, and being physically ill. Some days I just thought this would be my last week here before I got defeated by my fundamental darkness and the environment around me, so defeated that I wouldn’t be able to continue my study abroad here. But, somehow, with a lot of support, I was able to get through it.
From this moment on, it’s only going to get harder, but I think keeping in mind that I need to continue advancing will help me move on, and not get so stuck on the little things. I have a greater purpose now. I will reach 500,000 daimoku before study abroad is over, and I will complete my 10-hour toso. Michael Sasaki told all the YPG and March 22 meeting members to, “Make everything a faith-based activity.”
It starts with faith. If we strengthen our faith and do our best, everything will fall into place. There’s no doubt it will.
Just need to do my best. At this point right now I have to watch 4 movies and read about 150-some pages of material for this coming week. It’s insane. I watched 1 out of the 4 movies today, spending 20 pesos ($6-7) for a ticket. It was…a very boring movie. I can’t believe I spent money on it, but it’s for class so I’m sure it has some pertinence to something we’re learning… I hope…
But, again. I won’t be defeated. No more looking back at the past, and looking to home and SUA for answers. The answers are here…in my head.
Vacation is definitely over, around me, in my mind, in my body. It’s time to get to work.
“Stop and stare // I think I’m moving but I go nowhere // Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared // But I’ve become what I can't be, ohhh // Stop and stare // You start to wonder why you’re here, not there // And you’d give anything to get what’s fair // But fair ain’t what you really need // Oh, can you see what I see” – “Stop and Stare” by OneRepublic
End – Week 6: Vacation is Over
Day 41: From Culture Shock to Cultural Bang
The city of Buenos Aires held a 100 years celebration of Okinawa. I’m not too sure what exactly the 100 years part was, but I got to see something exciting!
I swear, I’d never seen this many people out meandering the streets of Buenos Aires. This celebration was a big deal. I’ve wanted to see some kind of parade since I’ve been here, and this opportunity absolutely came out of nowhere. I had just read an email from Mario about an Okinawan festival in Plaza de Mayo [3 train stops down from me], but I thought it’d just be another look-around-at-pretty-things. Not some huge extravaganza FESTIVAL.
It was fun though. There were people from everywhere. I don’t know what exactly it was, but there were Okinawans from places like Peru, Hawaii, L.A, China, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, etc. Oh, and from Okinawa, duh. It was so lively. They had really traditional performances like Okinawan drums, and TAIKO. It was fun! Afterwards, they switched gears and had a live tango show. It was so good.
Erika has established that people who aren’t on TV sing much better than those that do get one TV…mainly speaking about Latin American Idol, which have probably the most mediocre-and-below singers…
ANYWAY, Erika and I were trippin’ out when we saw L.A. and Hawaii specifically because we thought we would know someone. XD But, we missed them after the parade, so we could never know, unless we go back and start asking everyone person we know if they went to Argentina.
One thing I was disappointed about was there was no food. I was starving. XD But, I’m glad there are vendors outside who make caramelized nuts on the streets. I had my first pack of caramelized almonds, and they were bomb. SOOOOO GOOD. Perfect snack.
But, the festival was awesome enough that I could just forget about that. One day, I will visit Okinawa.
So, afterwards, Erika and I sought at Calle Florida which is said to be one of the most touristy and inexpensive shopping area in Buenos Aires. While looking for this street, we drew out what I would like to call the ping pong effect. We went one way, and back again, and then back once more to find it. It’s okay, it was good exercise.
And, it was no joke, this place was really cheap.
It was more amusing than at the Recoleta feria. Calle Florida is a pedestrian street so there were many, many types of vendors just on streets trying to sell stuff. There were many people who were making money being statues, selling paintings and magnets, playing harps and guitars, and stuff like that. There was this one guy who painted his paintings with his foot. His paintings were amazingly detailed and beautiful.
We ventured the entire street and made it out the other end which led us to Retiro. I had to buy a phone card for my phone. If you ever come to Buenos Aires, don’t get a Movistar phone, a lot of kiosks don’t sell Movistar phone cards so to save yourself some time, go with Personal or a different carrier.
But yea, today was very…culturally striking. I’ve realized I need to reach out more to the Argentine culture though. Maybe next week… XD
I swear, I’d never seen this many people out meandering the streets of Buenos Aires. This celebration was a big deal. I’ve wanted to see some kind of parade since I’ve been here, and this opportunity absolutely came out of nowhere. I had just read an email from Mario about an Okinawan festival in Plaza de Mayo [3 train stops down from me], but I thought it’d just be another look-around-at-pretty-things. Not some huge extravaganza FESTIVAL.
It was fun though. There were people from everywhere. I don’t know what exactly it was, but there were Okinawans from places like Peru, Hawaii, L.A, China, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, etc. Oh, and from Okinawa, duh. It was so lively. They had really traditional performances like Okinawan drums, and TAIKO. It was fun! Afterwards, they switched gears and had a live tango show. It was so good.
Erika has established that people who aren’t on TV sing much better than those that do get one TV…mainly speaking about Latin American Idol, which have probably the most mediocre-and-below singers…
ANYWAY, Erika and I were trippin’ out when we saw L.A. and Hawaii specifically because we thought we would know someone. XD But, we missed them after the parade, so we could never know, unless we go back and start asking everyone person we know if they went to Argentina.
One thing I was disappointed about was there was no food. I was starving. XD But, I’m glad there are vendors outside who make caramelized nuts on the streets. I had my first pack of caramelized almonds, and they were bomb. SOOOOO GOOD. Perfect snack.
But, the festival was awesome enough that I could just forget about that. One day, I will visit Okinawa.
So, afterwards, Erika and I sought at Calle Florida which is said to be one of the most touristy and inexpensive shopping area in Buenos Aires. While looking for this street, we drew out what I would like to call the ping pong effect. We went one way, and back again, and then back once more to find it. It’s okay, it was good exercise.
And, it was no joke, this place was really cheap.
It was more amusing than at the Recoleta feria. Calle Florida is a pedestrian street so there were many, many types of vendors just on streets trying to sell stuff. There were many people who were making money being statues, selling paintings and magnets, playing harps and guitars, and stuff like that. There was this one guy who painted his paintings with his foot. His paintings were amazingly detailed and beautiful.
We ventured the entire street and made it out the other end which led us to Retiro. I had to buy a phone card for my phone. If you ever come to Buenos Aires, don’t get a Movistar phone, a lot of kiosks don’t sell Movistar phone cards so to save yourself some time, go with Personal or a different carrier.
But yea, today was very…culturally striking. I’ve realized I need to reach out more to the Argentine culture though. Maybe next week… XD
Day 40: Sudden Strike of Culture Shock
It’s been 40 days…and I am now realizing how much of a culture shock I’m having right now. I guess I just have a really delayed reaction compared to other people.
Anyway, I’m very frustrated, and I finally see just how fortunate I am to be living in the U.S. Why do I feel and say this now? Yesterday, I had a slight incident in one my classes yesterday. I walked into the classroom and took a seat. The guy behind me starts laughing and says, whoa, there’s a China in here. Chino/China is what they call Asians in general, and it’s supposed to not be derogatory…
Now, I KNOW they told me that if I do get called this, they mean it in no offense, but me, coming from the background that I do [getting bullied and getting called Chinese all throughout grade school], I completely took offense. How could I not. It’s one thing to call someone “yellow,” I’d much prefer that because it includes all Asians, but to be called Chinese was so something that I was getting tired of.
Maybe I just want some political correctness to justify my side of the story, but I was really pissed. I’m still pissed. It might’ve been the fact that he was laughing about it, too, that made me mad, but regardless, I’ve realized that global education isn’t enough. To educate people about the world and to have them actually understand the world are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
I’ve determined not to lose here. But, this incident opened up a deep wound and dumped a whole shit load of salt on it. This is what culture shock is to me… It’s testing me. I know it is.
It made me remember my reason for coming to Buenos Aires in the first place. I’m here to study film. I’m beginning to see just how much I want to go into the film industry, how much I’m willing to deal with in order to reach this goal, how much I need to struggle to realize this dream.
On a much, much lighter note, I was able to buy GUM! Almost everyone knows that I’m a gum addict, a chain-chew gum, take a nap with gum in my mouth, etc.etc. So, when I first came here, all I could find was the local gum called Beldent [which was like mirror of Trident], cept it only came with five pieces of gum, and literally one piece was half the size of a regular Orbitz gum piece. So, it last like 5 minutes before I was just rubber that left a bad taste in your mouth and the entire pack was gone in 30 minutes.
But, I went to the grocery store today and bought chicken salad and a jumbo back of Wrigley’s gum that I didn’t know existed till today. I was able to satiate my craving for gum and vegetables. It’s interesting. I don’t recall eating much salad back at Soka, but for some reason, all I’ve been wanting since I’ve come here is salad. Curious.
Oh, and when I was lunching in my room, I turned the TV on and McCain was giving a speech, introducing his Vice-President?! A woman?! No doubt, this has to be a campaign move to gain more votes.
Yea…
So, yes. I’m going through the angry/frustrated stage of being homesick. Hopefully, I’ll get over it…soon. Well, I have a busy weekend, so I guess it’s almost guaranteed.
P.S, I’m thankful for every encouraging and inspiring conversation I’ve had with everyone. They’ve helped me get through so far. Note to all: bring your source of inspiration/encouragement [I miss reading English books]. There’s no doubt you’ll need it.
Anyway, I’m very frustrated, and I finally see just how fortunate I am to be living in the U.S. Why do I feel and say this now? Yesterday, I had a slight incident in one my classes yesterday. I walked into the classroom and took a seat. The guy behind me starts laughing and says, whoa, there’s a China in here. Chino/China is what they call Asians in general, and it’s supposed to not be derogatory…
Now, I KNOW they told me that if I do get called this, they mean it in no offense, but me, coming from the background that I do [getting bullied and getting called Chinese all throughout grade school], I completely took offense. How could I not. It’s one thing to call someone “yellow,” I’d much prefer that because it includes all Asians, but to be called Chinese was so something that I was getting tired of.
Maybe I just want some political correctness to justify my side of the story, but I was really pissed. I’m still pissed. It might’ve been the fact that he was laughing about it, too, that made me mad, but regardless, I’ve realized that global education isn’t enough. To educate people about the world and to have them actually understand the world are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
I’ve determined not to lose here. But, this incident opened up a deep wound and dumped a whole shit load of salt on it. This is what culture shock is to me… It’s testing me. I know it is.
It made me remember my reason for coming to Buenos Aires in the first place. I’m here to study film. I’m beginning to see just how much I want to go into the film industry, how much I’m willing to deal with in order to reach this goal, how much I need to struggle to realize this dream.
On a much, much lighter note, I was able to buy GUM! Almost everyone knows that I’m a gum addict, a chain-chew gum, take a nap with gum in my mouth, etc.etc. So, when I first came here, all I could find was the local gum called Beldent [which was like mirror of Trident], cept it only came with five pieces of gum, and literally one piece was half the size of a regular Orbitz gum piece. So, it last like 5 minutes before I was just rubber that left a bad taste in your mouth and the entire pack was gone in 30 minutes.
But, I went to the grocery store today and bought chicken salad and a jumbo back of Wrigley’s gum that I didn’t know existed till today. I was able to satiate my craving for gum and vegetables. It’s interesting. I don’t recall eating much salad back at Soka, but for some reason, all I’ve been wanting since I’ve come here is salad. Curious.
Oh, and when I was lunching in my room, I turned the TV on and McCain was giving a speech, introducing his Vice-President?! A woman?! No doubt, this has to be a campaign move to gain more votes.
Yea…
So, yes. I’m going through the angry/frustrated stage of being homesick. Hopefully, I’ll get over it…soon. Well, I have a busy weekend, so I guess it’s almost guaranteed.
P.S, I’m thankful for every encouraging and inspiring conversation I’ve had with everyone. They’ve helped me get through so far. Note to all: bring your source of inspiration/encouragement [I miss reading English books]. There’s no doubt you’ll need it.
Day 39: Sleeeeeeeeep
I woke up early today. In fact I woke up before the alarm clock twice today. Very curious. I wasn’t sure what woke me up, but you know that feeling that you overslept and all you’re thinking about is getting all your things together, dumping an excessive amount of mouthwash into your mouth and running like your ass is on fire. Yea, woke up like that twice, except I stared at the clock blankly wondering why I woke up at 4:00 and then again at 5:15.
I actually had time to make myself breakfast and take my time this morning… but thanks to the subway, being the way it is sometimes, it stopped at 9 de Julio [one stop before where I was supposed to get off] for a few minutes longer than usual to allow people who were running late to get on.
Well it’s okay. It’s Argentine culture to be late anyway…
I got to lit class…and fell asleep. Great, right? Yet, I still have a page of notes in my notebook, which still amazes me. I can multitask in my sleep… Wtf. Well, after class my friends and I stopped by McDonald’s to help us wake up. The McDonald’s here are not like the ones in the U.S. It’s like an actual café. I had cheese biscuits, 2 for 3,50 pesos which is equivalent to more or less a $1.25. It was good.
So, I brought my laptop with me today because we had to present a pictures/song/video representing New York for my second class today. It’s funny. Someone else brought their laptop also, but for some reason, everyone asked me to use my laptop to play their music or to find their pics on the net. The professor at one point told me I should charge them rental.
Ahh, I miss working. Poo. Too bad we can’t get jobs here. I miss it tanto mucho.
Speaking of rental…I forgot to return the DVDs I rented from Blockbusters. We’ll see how the late policy works here. X_x. Well, at least I was able to watch the movies again. They were good. I love them. It’s refreshing to watch light-hearted American movies.
I should really watch them in Castellano.
I had a third class today, too, but let’s just say that’s a forbidden topic to talk about at this point in time. All I can say is that almost everyone in there is a 3rd year [senior] and they were talking about writing theses in there. I was slightly aghast… “slightly” being a HUGE understatement. I’m just glad people in there are nice enough to talk to foreigners like me especially since I’m the only exchange student from my program in the class, because I intended to talk to the professor after class, but she zoomed out before anyone left. Felt like I was left out in the cold.
Which reminds me. It was really cold today. The weather here changes just as drastically as it does in Aliso Viejo. I thought I was going to freeze to death. I had to stop by a few kiosks on the way back to the subway just to warm myself up again.
Well [back to the topic of classes], I feel I can work with the load I’m working with right now. It’s a lot of work, but I have a lot of time. I’m not stressing about it anymore…or at least I’m not consciously stressing about it. I’m learning a lot and it’s a lot more interesting, too. Maybe it’s just because it relates to film that I’m more hyped to learn about it. I dunno…
I’m tired. I can’t write anymore. So, go read something else like this: Hikikomori
On a random side-note, it’s official, my sister is applying to SUA. W00t w0t.
I actually had time to make myself breakfast and take my time this morning… but thanks to the subway, being the way it is sometimes, it stopped at 9 de Julio [one stop before where I was supposed to get off] for a few minutes longer than usual to allow people who were running late to get on.
Well it’s okay. It’s Argentine culture to be late anyway…
I got to lit class…and fell asleep. Great, right? Yet, I still have a page of notes in my notebook, which still amazes me. I can multitask in my sleep… Wtf. Well, after class my friends and I stopped by McDonald’s to help us wake up. The McDonald’s here are not like the ones in the U.S. It’s like an actual café. I had cheese biscuits, 2 for 3,50 pesos which is equivalent to more or less a $1.25. It was good.
So, I brought my laptop with me today because we had to present a pictures/song/video representing New York for my second class today. It’s funny. Someone else brought their laptop also, but for some reason, everyone asked me to use my laptop to play their music or to find their pics on the net. The professor at one point told me I should charge them rental.
Ahh, I miss working. Poo. Too bad we can’t get jobs here. I miss it tanto mucho.
Speaking of rental…I forgot to return the DVDs I rented from Blockbusters. We’ll see how the late policy works here. X_x. Well, at least I was able to watch the movies again. They were good. I love them. It’s refreshing to watch light-hearted American movies.
I should really watch them in Castellano.
I had a third class today, too, but let’s just say that’s a forbidden topic to talk about at this point in time. All I can say is that almost everyone in there is a 3rd year [senior] and they were talking about writing theses in there. I was slightly aghast… “slightly” being a HUGE understatement. I’m just glad people in there are nice enough to talk to foreigners like me especially since I’m the only exchange student from my program in the class, because I intended to talk to the professor after class, but she zoomed out before anyone left. Felt like I was left out in the cold.
Which reminds me. It was really cold today. The weather here changes just as drastically as it does in Aliso Viejo. I thought I was going to freeze to death. I had to stop by a few kiosks on the way back to the subway just to warm myself up again.
Well [back to the topic of classes], I feel I can work with the load I’m working with right now. It’s a lot of work, but I have a lot of time. I’m not stressing about it anymore…or at least I’m not consciously stressing about it. I’m learning a lot and it’s a lot more interesting, too. Maybe it’s just because it relates to film that I’m more hyped to learn about it. I dunno…
I’m tired. I can’t write anymore. So, go read something else like this: Hikikomori
On a random side-note, it’s official, my sister is applying to SUA. W00t w0t.
Day 38: Perfectly Imperfect
You know, on days when your hair gels to absolute perfection, the way you want it, you feel that you’ve conquered all quarters of the world and that nothing in the world could possibly defeat you. Nothing could possibly ruin your day, nothing.
Mmhmm… Wish it were nothing.
I swear it was like a hurricane today. The wind was so strong, there were many, many, many broken umbrellas just rolling down the street side like tumbleweeds on a rainy day. So, needless to say, my flawless hairstyle went down the drain, along with my patience. I had a serious battle with my umbrella. I thought the top would just fly away, and just when I finally thought I got control of the damn bugger, a sudden gust of wind blows and I get slapped in the face with the stick of the umbrella. Ugh.
Umbrellas in the city are annoying. The sidewalks are too narrow and there’s too many people so the umbrellas get caught into each other, or you get slapped in the face with one. It’s quite “pleasant.”
At least I wasn’t the only one fighting. One of the things I was able to witness for the first time with my own eyes is someone’s umbrella go inside-out and then fly out of their hand [they had the strap around their wrist so it didn’t kill anyone, I promise]. Hahah. Yea, that was funny.
Which reminds me. In lit, we learned where the word “protagonist” comes from. “-agon” means to fight, and “pro-” connotes advancement. So, if we were to call ourselves the protagonists of the stories of our lives, we are people fighting to advance. Isn’t that interesting? Anyway, this was in Panorama de Literatura.
I think it’s impossible for some people to talk slower… it just can’t be done… For lit we had to work in groups of 3… But, my group consisted of 2, the other guy being new to the class. So, it was interesting: a person who could barely explain anything clearly and a person who didn’t know anything about what was going on because he had missed the last class. We made it through though. Yay, I guess?
…
Still shocked just how much I could not understand him.
Afterwards, I went to the café and tried to catch up with my reading for my next class. It was actually an interesting reading, far more interesting than what I would ever read in English [maybe it was because it was about film]. It was about interrelationship between film and philosophy. Very interesting.
There’s no doubt everyone in the film track, myself included, enrolled into the film track, thinking the world of cinema is in a totally different realm than that of anything we’ve yet to see. But in reality, film is very much close to home, interrelating different aspects of science, math, history, language, or in terms of SUA, humanities, social & behavioral sciences, and international studies. Cinema is much grander than just a means of expression and much more in touch with humanity that we’ve somehow lost in the other disciplines.
I came here thinking I’d be taking solely film classes (though I didn’t know what it would be like). After classes started, I was somehow disappointed when all the classes I signed up for were philosophically-driven and devoid of anything film-related. Then, I realized. The basic foundation of film starts with understanding the fundamentals of other disciplines, especially in the humanities [something I’ve been studying during my SUA career]. Who would’ve thought that liberal arts would actually help me with my future in film?
Philosophy is much easier to understand in Spanish for some reason. I don’t know why.
I found out today that I’m probably one of the few students in the program to be in the Butler program and having the grades counted toward their GPAs. It’s absolutely frustrating and stressful to know that how I do here is going to affect my GPA. It’s a big worry, because I really don’t know just how well I’ll do. It’s hard to predict.
Which also reminds me. My schedule changed AGAIN. The academic system is really starting to piss me off. It’s the same class that changed last time, too, which adds more to the fire. Luckily, for me, it didn’t conflict my other classes, as some of my other program mates had major problems to work out. So, goodbye 4-day weekend, hello 3-day weekend. I’m actually kind of glad I have some obligation on Mondays, since that’s when the maid comes.
Anyway… Argh. I want to scream.
Forced 8]
P.S., you know the Day count in the title of my posts and the Week labels at the bottom? I don’t pay attention to those… and when I hear today that we’ve been here for a over a month, I FREAKED. Shit. So fast, yet so slow.
Mmhmm… Wish it were nothing.
I swear it was like a hurricane today. The wind was so strong, there were many, many, many broken umbrellas just rolling down the street side like tumbleweeds on a rainy day. So, needless to say, my flawless hairstyle went down the drain, along with my patience. I had a serious battle with my umbrella. I thought the top would just fly away, and just when I finally thought I got control of the damn bugger, a sudden gust of wind blows and I get slapped in the face with the stick of the umbrella. Ugh.
Umbrellas in the city are annoying. The sidewalks are too narrow and there’s too many people so the umbrellas get caught into each other, or you get slapped in the face with one. It’s quite “pleasant.”
At least I wasn’t the only one fighting. One of the things I was able to witness for the first time with my own eyes is someone’s umbrella go inside-out and then fly out of their hand [they had the strap around their wrist so it didn’t kill anyone, I promise]. Hahah. Yea, that was funny.
Which reminds me. In lit, we learned where the word “protagonist” comes from. “-agon” means to fight, and “pro-” connotes advancement. So, if we were to call ourselves the protagonists of the stories of our lives, we are people fighting to advance. Isn’t that interesting? Anyway, this was in Panorama de Literatura.
I think it’s impossible for some people to talk slower… it just can’t be done… For lit we had to work in groups of 3… But, my group consisted of 2, the other guy being new to the class. So, it was interesting: a person who could barely explain anything clearly and a person who didn’t know anything about what was going on because he had missed the last class. We made it through though. Yay, I guess?
…
Still shocked just how much I could not understand him.
Afterwards, I went to the café and tried to catch up with my reading for my next class. It was actually an interesting reading, far more interesting than what I would ever read in English [maybe it was because it was about film]. It was about interrelationship between film and philosophy. Very interesting.
There’s no doubt everyone in the film track, myself included, enrolled into the film track, thinking the world of cinema is in a totally different realm than that of anything we’ve yet to see. But in reality, film is very much close to home, interrelating different aspects of science, math, history, language, or in terms of SUA, humanities, social & behavioral sciences, and international studies. Cinema is much grander than just a means of expression and much more in touch with humanity that we’ve somehow lost in the other disciplines.
I came here thinking I’d be taking solely film classes (though I didn’t know what it would be like). After classes started, I was somehow disappointed when all the classes I signed up for were philosophically-driven and devoid of anything film-related. Then, I realized. The basic foundation of film starts with understanding the fundamentals of other disciplines, especially in the humanities [something I’ve been studying during my SUA career]. Who would’ve thought that liberal arts would actually help me with my future in film?
Philosophy is much easier to understand in Spanish for some reason. I don’t know why.
I found out today that I’m probably one of the few students in the program to be in the Butler program and having the grades counted toward their GPAs. It’s absolutely frustrating and stressful to know that how I do here is going to affect my GPA. It’s a big worry, because I really don’t know just how well I’ll do. It’s hard to predict.
Which also reminds me. My schedule changed AGAIN. The academic system is really starting to piss me off. It’s the same class that changed last time, too, which adds more to the fire. Luckily, for me, it didn’t conflict my other classes, as some of my other program mates had major problems to work out. So, goodbye 4-day weekend, hello 3-day weekend. I’m actually kind of glad I have some obligation on Mondays, since that’s when the maid comes.
Anyway… Argh. I want to scream.
Forced 8]
P.S., you know the Day count in the title of my posts and the Week labels at the bottom? I don’t pay attention to those… and when I hear today that we’ve been here for a over a month, I FREAKED. Shit. So fast, yet so slow.
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