some great advice to keep us afloat during finals..

I called my mom this afternoon freaking out about my research lab. No worries, life is good and was good.

Anyway, she told me to give 100% and get your job done to the best of your abilities and then just let go and be carefree. So true. So, that Biochem final? It's going down. But after 3:00pm, I am partying hard. Haha.

Good luck everyone!

Broken English

Again, it has been a while since I last wrote anything here. It's crazy how fast time flies!

Lately, I've been trying to balance my life more. Work harder, exercise, read books for fun, listen to music... and I'm pushing myself to visit my professors more often. Reach out. It is pretty much the last couple days of the semester, but you have to start somewhere, right?

Something I was sad about: I read my old college application essays because I was helping Koki with his. In almost all of them, I preached (pretty much.) the importance of science with humanities--that we cannot practice medicine or work in a lab without remember the people the DNA belongs to or the art and culture they have. I still believe this now, but what do I have to show for it? I have not picked up my clarinet in almost 6 months although I do play piano whenever I go home. And, when was the last time I wrote something that I felt completely comfortable with? Lately, my writing has been things like "2.0 g of benzaldehyde WAS DESPENSED in the 3-mL vial." I mean, gross!!! Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross.

I promise to try harder to keep music and writing in my life next semester. It's important to branch out (hence the exercising =P and maybe the ball room dancing) but some things are too important to let go. So please, if you have left something important that is really so much a part of you behind, don't forget it. Pick up the clarinet and let the music flow.

Updates..?

Dork that I am, the first time that I update in months, I update in the research lab. Haha.

So, life is moving quickly recently. Medlife is hitting the ground running; we are in the process of planning a spring break trip to Peru, fundraising for a hospital in Lima, and recruiting new members to get involved. Research lab is going slowly. It's taking me a lot of work to adjust to the way research is set up, but I think I am slowly getting the hang of it. Classes are not that bad. The only thing is I am my usual lazy self, so this week I've made a crazy schedule and am following it hard core. It's a little over the top, but I need it to get back on track.

So now that everyone thinks I'm crazy...

Have a great week!

Identities

Anthropology is an interesting subject. It is the study of humans, the different populations, our origin, our identity. Right now, I'm reading a whole bunch of articles on human evolution and the ancient species we are related to such as the Australopithecine and the Neanderthal. Every article searches for some form of modern human uniqueness, something that sets us apart from the cavemen, from the animals. Many articles report our lack of identity in that we share Neanderthal DNA and have some of the same cultures as these other species. But, doesn't it make sense that we are all the same? It's humbling, and it blows my mind.

Perspectives

It's funny how things relate to each other.

For example, this week I found related themes in Anthropology, yoga, and college life. In anthro today, we discussed what Anthropology actually is and how it is used and applied in society. Look at the picture below:

Looking at it without prompting, the picture appears to me to be a young girl. However, if you shift your focus on the picture and point your eyes at the girl's chin, an old woman suddenly appears on the screen. What does this have to do with the study of humans? Obviously, there are multiple sides to every story, every culture, every person.

It's Ramsey free week at UGA, so my friends and I decided to go to yoga. While holding the infamous "downward dog" position, I noticed that everything and everyone was upside down. Okay, duh. But then I felt we were on the Earth and it was round.. it's hard to explain, and I must sound crazy, but the experience and the realization that everything is actually tilted 24/7 was really cool.

Finally, this year, I am living on the opposite side of campus from where I lived freshman year. It's a completely different atmosphere and much more isolated and peaceful than dorm life. Living this way is like experiencing a whole other college, and it's weird but good at the same time.

Changing perspectives once in a while helps us see more of the world and understand life a little better. It reminds us that there's always multiple sides to one issue, making life complicated and crazy yet beautiful and interesting at the same time. Really, we shouldn't let bad news (thank you media) get us down because there is so much to live for--you just have to refocus the picture and look around.

Recovery

Hi everyone. Needless to say, I haven't updated in the longest time. This hectic summer is finally winding down. I feel relieved yet ambivalent. My cousin left yesterday for Shanghai; he's probably visiting the World Expo for a day before heading home with his dad. Getting along with him has been a struggle, mostly because I was nearing the end of Orgo 1 and he was bored out of his mind from staying at home all day, every day. Obviously, therein lies the problem. Orgo 1 ended with me burning out. It's hard to believe, but I've been taking classes non-stop (except ~2 weeks in between semesters) since last August. Just thinking about that exhausts me. I'm not sure why I did that; I'm not THAT nerdy... but maybe I am since I did it. Anyway, I really need to just take this week and try to recover some brain cells/sanity.

I was supposed to spend this week at D.C., but the flight was delayed 5 hours, and in the end my dad and I just decided to cancel it. It's a long, obnoxious story, but the result is that I will not go to D.C. this week. Instead, I'll stay in Georgia, prepare for the next semester, and do absolutely nothing--something I did all last year but absolutely need for sanity's sake this summer. I can't complain about this summer. It truly has been amazing. I went to England, met new people, studied Orgo in the city, taught kids music, spent a month with Junki, took care/tried to deal with my cousin, and got to live at home. What more can I ask for?

Sometimes, I just want to do so much all at once: just jump on everything and get it all done. Maybe it's my dad's genes showing up... or a remnant of that competitive, anal retentive high-school version of me resurfacing. Either way, I always have a need to feel useful, to contribute to something bigger. That's why I am so excited about starting Medlife at UGA with Kelsey. It is such an amazing opportunity to contribute and build something that I care about. But there is a balance. If I throw myself in too hard, I will burn out. Yet, I cannot just go through the motions. In the next week, I plan on finding a balance--one between my busy, ambitious self and the lazy, procrastinating counterpart. It probably won't happen. I may end up drugged and in bed as a result of wisdom teeth removal, but I'll give it a shot.

Waiting for the Drops

Patience.

That is one word I lack a lot of. I guess it is typical flaw for people our age, considering we live in such a fast-paced, instant-gratifying, work-obsessed crazy society like America. But still. Maybe we all need a reminder of what it's like to wait for a pen pal's snail mail or how much better real food tastes than fast food. Not trying to pump the stereotype, but I think being an only child makes this flaw worse. I'm not used to waiting for the bathroom since I have my own, and it's just weird having to wait on other people for a turn at my house.

The past two weeks have been a challenge for my short temper. In orgo lab, for example, we must figure out the identities of two unknown solutions in a binary mixture via fractional distillation. Let me just set the record straight: I've done the stupid distillation FIVE (count them), FIVE times. Basically, what you do is spend 2 hours boiling this solution in a flask and then condensing it in 20mL fragments split between 25 vials. Sounds boring? YES. And the drops take FOREVER to come out. The first week, my boiling point was way too high for what the instructions told us to do, so I basically sat in lab wasting time for 2 hours. The next 3 tries resulted in dirty products, so I had to recombine all of the little vials and repeat the distillation process. Despite all this, I still enjoy going to lab, which must speak very loudly to nerdy-science part of my brain.

The second thing that's driving me crazy: my cousin is visiting us, at least until school starts, and I have to babysit. I'm not used to having a little sibling running around the house, prying into my life. And now, here he is. Looking after someone else is a big responsibility. Sometimes, the kid may not even be doing anything wrong, yet they just are really annoying some how. Taking care of kids takes patience. Our volunteer coordinator at camp is so good at this. She is amazingly patient with the kids and spends a lot of time talking to them and explaining things to them. I struggle to follow her example, but sometimes it's very difficult. It's not so bad having a little sibling like person in the house, but it takes a lot of patience and getting used to.

I meant to write/reflect a lot more on this post, but it is 12:15am, and I am falling asleep. So, here's to bed. I hope everyone thinks about increasing their patience.

One More Month

Wow! Summer is already 2/3 over... or on the up side, we still have a month left! =)

This summer has been great. I'm pretty busy every day, so I'm not online much and don't update that often anymore (which is really sad, and I'll try to fix it). I think I'm getting back to that point in my life when I filled my schedule up with things to do. Which is great.

The sad side about this all is that by the time I get home, I'm too pooped to blog or to think deep thoughts. =(

I miss blogging though and will get back to it very soon.

the crack is where the light shines through

Hi everyone.

I've been really busy lately going to class, lab, and volunteering. Today was super crazy because we went to the Eclipse midnight premier (it was good. seriously. very surprising.) and then I woke up for an exam within 3 hours. Haha. But, then I got to pick up Junki from the airport, which was super awesome. =)

I've been thinking a lot lately about everything I am doing compared to what I want/need to do and how I never get it to balance out. Everything feels like it is hanging by a thread, and, sometimes, no matter how hard I work, I just can't follow through. On one hand, it is very frustrating---you know, having an endless list of goals that keep reappearing because they are not reached. But on the other hand, isn't that what makes life interesting? Isn't the possibility of making each day better, whether it is crossing something off our lists or helping a child learn music or holding a band together right before festival, the thing that drives us, makes us "go hardcore" (haha, Sumi) and love this life?

Whoever Leonard Cohen is got it right: "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

Long Time

Ahh!! It's been way too long since I lasted blogged. Everything has been pretty busy, and other than OChem, there really hasn't been much time for deep thoughts. Hahaha. My aunt and her family is staying with us until next Tuesday, so there's two babies here, a whole lot of screaming, and a load of food. Sounds good? Sometimes.

As for Redcoats, there is only a free spot on tenor sax, so I will be trying that out. If I can play it somewhat well enough to march, I'll go for it (Timmy). And, as for OChem, I haven't really started digging into it, but that's what this weekend is for....!!!!!!! (EXCITED FACES!)

Being back home is pretty nice.

Impulse

Here it goes. This whole year has been kind of a battle between my "brainy," academiac side and my musical side. Let me explain. After senior year, despite how much I loved conducting and clarinet and everything, I was really burned out. So burned out in fact that whereas during first semester I was dying to go to UGA and join Redcoats during second semester I was running away from band as fast as I could. When I applied early action to UGA, I had two reasons for going: the fellowship possibility and BAND.

So who won? Academia. And how did that turn out? Ehh.. all right, but could have been better.

ANYWAYS. Point of the rant: I am considering joining redcoats. Of course... this all hinges on whether or not Robinson will let me since I didn't go to auditions, but maybe Magner can help me pull some strings? haha. :D

Other than this---I'm home!!! Finally. Oxford was amazing and fun! But it is nice to be back in Lilburn.

The Trouble with Conclusions

11:11! Make a wish. =)

---

This is it. I have just finished my last tutorial paper! I am so pumped! Summer, here I come!!! (For a week.) So, when I was thinking about making a new blog post, I couldn't help but realize how perfect writing my paper was to this update. Let me explain. The hardest part in a paper for me is the conclusion. Those last words are so hard to come by: how can I say something clever while looking towards the future while reflecting on the ideas in the paper while sticking to the topic but deviating just enough to make it interesting without being cliche? But here it is. The conclusion of Oxford and a great Maymester. I can't say that every part of this trip was fun and exciting, but I can say that it was definitely worth it. Being around a new group of people not only made me realize how sheltered I was in college (which, in reality, I have no problem with) but also taught me to be open to others. It's really hard to describe, and I am kind of hitting a writer's block here. But, overall Oxford was a great experience.

I apologize for the chopped off updates in the past month. I think the reading and writing of my class is getting to me, and I don't want to spend more time doing it than I have to. =P Haha!

No Longer an Academic All-Nighter Virgin

Well, I guess for some of you the initial response is something along the lines of "about time." But seriously, I have never pulled an all nighter for class except last...this..morning? Anyway, it was sort of ridiculous the essay I had to finish by... now. But, I'm done. =)

There isn't much going on right now, and I'm obviously not one for deep thoughts at the moment. So... yay!

Good night soon.

Emily

Scrambled Brains

Hi there. =)

This may be one of the most ADD/shallowest posts I ever put up here. (Junki, I think you will appreciate the deviation from the normal "Emily's Deep Thoughts" topic.) So, let me proceed found-poetry like and tell you about my recent life adventures. Honestly, excuse me. It's 3:30am, and I feel like writing about my feelings.

Today, I turned in my first tutorial paper. To tell the truth, I feel like I did a lot of work, but I am not sure I made a valid or clear argument. I'm not sure what that means right now, but I will write a better essay for next Tuesday.

...Speaking of next Wednesday (wait what?? whatever. I'm too lazy to fix that bloop), I might go visit Courtney in France for a day! Isn't that so romantic and whimsical? She has a 12-hour layover in Paris, so if it works out with my class and bus/plane-scheduling, I may be headed off to France next Wednesday!!! :D

Right now, the class of 2010 at Parkview is graduating. Oh, graduation was such a happy and exciting moment. Congratulations to all of you!!! (Even though you don't read my blog.)

So after turning in that paper on Roman history/virtue and Shakespeare/Elizabethan politics.... what a mouth full... I went to London with two friends to see Ingrid Michaelson play at Shepherd's Bush. She was brilliant! Her voice is so pretty and melodious, and her music is amazing. She is such a volatile (eh?? what's the word for able to perform many different styles???) singer and performer. Also, she showed us how loops work, and it was very very cool. <3>

What else??? Oh! I am going to Dublin this weekend with 5 other people. We are living in a hostel (group hotel room) and have no definite plans. This sounds like an adventure for sure!!

Okay. So, lots of things to think about, and lots of cool stuff going on. It's hard to organize my thoughts when my eyes are closing, so I hope this wasn't too difficult to read, but if it was, who reads anyways? Besides a couple of really loyal readers. Thanks you guys, I love you...unless you happen to be a creep stalking my blog. Then, please stop.

Goodnight.

Or shall I say good morning?

Emily

Summer Challenge 2010.

Okay guys.

This is it. I am going to do this.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/wayne-harley-brachman/diner-style-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/index.html

Thoughts on Traveling

Today we visited London for an excursion! We visited Westminster Abbey and saw Poet's Corner along with all of the famous people buried there such as George Eliot, Mary I and Elizabeth I, Issac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer, and George Frideric Handel. It was sad that we were not allowed to take pictures but still really amazing to be able to see proof that these myth-like people were actually real. After touring Westminster, Downing Street (Parliament, etc.), and visiting Harrods (apparently, this is a world-famous department store?), I wandered away from the group--shh! don't tell my dad--and visited Notting Hill. So, I won't hide it. The main reason I wanted to see Notting Hill and Portobello Market is because I read about it in one of those Mates, Dates,... books. I know. I am so cultured. But, it was pretty cool; the clothes, instead of being 1000 pounds like they were in Harrods were about 10 pounds. Score. I didn't buy anything, but, still, it was fun.

When I first came to England, walking around Oxford City (something like a fancier version of a college town) in a group made me feel nervous. I was afraid of getting run over by a bus when I looked right instead of left (that driving on the left thing is really confusing, by the way) or getting mauled by some crazy drunk student. True, these things can still happen, but it's easier to deal with it and work around it after wandering the streets a couple of times. Walking around London alone, where there were more people, buses, and chaos, really helped ease that anxiety for me. I realized, after all of my worrying this past year about how things have really diminished since high school in terms of my involvement and network at UGA that it really is okay. In a new situation or even a new country, we are all weary of something be it buses or getting lost. But, taking a new perspective on the situation or trying it in a new light makes the previous seem not so bad. Also, adjustment comes in steps. It's not like we're going to get to college and everything is going to click. I mean, I am still young. How am I supposed to know the rest of my life? I haven't even fully developed as a person.

So, in retrospect, I am glad that I had a relatively chill (except again, math3500) first year. It's good to have time to take a step back and evaluate the situation. This way, I can truly find the things I love in life and dedicate myself to them. Also, it is an opportunity to find new things that I would let to include in my life and a way of developing personal growth.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Besides, would it even have been as worthwhile as it was if it were? (Oy. I really need to work on my Engrish. =P)

Pretending to be British is fun

I haven't been updating this lately since every time I get in the mood to write, I'm not near a computer, but once I get near one the feeling is gone.. =(

But.. freshman year is over and we are (finally and unbelievably) at OXFORD! It's been only about a day, and everything is starting to feel like home. We live on a cute little road called Banbury (so British, eh?) and share a huge house with 30 other people. It's ridiculous.

So there are a ton of books piled up on my desk waiting to be read, lots of streets and shops waiting to be explored, and a shower waiting for me to finally wash away that gross airplane feeling (uhh... Mary Rose, it's day 2 =D). I better get on that.

I hope everyone has an amazing start to their summers.

By the way, please support our new blog: www.stircrazy2010.blogspot.com

The Details About Ramen

I never knew that something as simple as Ramen noodles could tell so much about people's personalities. It isn't so much as what flavor you are choosing as how you are preparing the noodles. For example, Junki makes delicious Japanese Ramen (haha, you know you do). Whereas mine.... are just okay. What is the difference? Apparently, he follows the directions on the packet step-by-step, measuring cup and timer included. Isn't that crazy? I mean... who does that?? Am I the only one who just throws in some water, heats it up until the boiler screams, dumps in all the sauces, and eat it when I can't stand waiting anymore?

I've never been much of a details person. Okay, so in high school I was a bit OCD about my school work, but, overall, it's actually (despite what people think) very hard for me to focus on details. I'm not someone who would study instructions before attempting something or even reading the Physics chapter before I do the assignment. The thought of spending the rest of my life in a research lab or getting a PhD scares the crap out of me. I'd rather look at the big picture---how does the noodle taste after dumping all of those ingredients together?

But to a high degree, details matter. I guess I have known this all along, but it never dawned on me that I was the kind of person to ignore those things. (Apparently, Junki says it's obvious that I'm like that...) So, I really need to stop slipping by Chemistry, making good grades without actually spending time on the material--this would never have worked in Dr. Okor's class, so why I am slipping down to this level now that I am in college?? It just does not make any sense. And, I really need to make sure I know how things are going to work once I'm at Oxford.

We can't just, live life in one big blur can we?

----

Something funny:

Focus ADD

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am pretty easily influenced... not in a bad way, but in a way that makes me really unfocused. It's like those times when I wanted to pick up guitar or sing in an a capella group or learn tennis or go to prom again. I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing. I mean, definitely, it can get a little ridiculous, but isn't it better to have a million ideas running through my mind than to be blank and satisfied with doing the same things forever? Doesn't it just add a little serendipity to life?

I think yes.

Therefore, I keep coming up with crazy random ideas.

Service

I've been thinking about service a lot lately. Not only for my HPSC interview and starting MedLife with Kelsey, but also in my own life and towards people I can directly influence.

Take my dad, for example. He is such a motivated and diligent person who cares a lot about doing the best he can at work and improving his skills. He has struggled with English ever since he came to the U.S. over fifteen years ago, and, until this day, he still works really hard to make his writing flow. I've always just laughed it off and made fun of his "Engrish," as I am sure many people do. (Which, actually, pisses me off, by the way. Like that one time when Brian overheard this old redneck person at the gas station say "stupid Ayzhuns who can't talk English"..) I've only recently realized that I am skipping out on an opportunity to really help someone I love and change their life for the better.

Now, I am taking his emails about helping with paragraphs more seriously and actually responding in a timely fashion (so fast that he'll respond within 5 minutes of my last response with yet another paragraph---so, he's taking advantage of this.. but you know what? good for him). I will do everything I can to help my dad improve his English and be a little more on par with those Harvard PhDs at work.

Is that not insane? All these years, I've always been concerned with helping the children at the children's shelter or helping the community co-op when, really, my family and friends who may have needed my help were just sitting on the side.

So, think about service from a different angle. It isn't just reaching out to resource-less children in urban communities. It isn't even just helping Promote Africa. Service is about doing our best to reach out to someone, even if he lives in our house (or used to), even if he is our best friend or boyfriend, to change his or her life for the better.

SO 2010 and Day 1

Okay, weekends do not count on the whole one-hour-a-day blogging/thinking/reading thing. I mean, who needs to wind down on the weekend any way?

So, this past Saturday, Sumi and I volunteered at the state Forensics competition for Science Olympiad. The timing didn't work out, and our event ended up disqualified... which was really a bummer, but I can't really describe the feeling right now since it's been a couple of days since this happened. But anyway, we feel really awful about it and will definitely improve things for next year. Like my parents say, we are just reliving the high school memories. =S

On a happier note, Parkview is 1st in state for SO and headed to nationals! Congratulations, guys. =)

---

On to something more insightful--today I interviewed for the Honors Program Student Council, and it went pretty well. I said everything that I had planned on saying/thought about, and I think they really liked my ideas for possible future programs. Still, nothing is a given, and I won't know for sure if I made it or not until next week.

Although I've been to multiple interviews before, I always manage to feel nervous about them right before I go in. But, the important thing to remember out of all of this is that I am pushing myself to expand my comfort bubble. It is all about challenging myself and pushing myself to go beyond my expectations.

Oriental Meditation

Hi everyone.

I haven't been blogging a lot lately... and I really do miss updating this thing with interesting ideas and stories. So, I'm taking time every day to reflect on the day's events and write about them... also, I will be reading my stack of books during that hour period. It'll be like a meditation period... Oriental only in the sense that I am Asian and that Southerners call Asians Oriental... (uhh, weird story about that.. but anyways).

Here it goes.

Emily

----

I've just spent the last 15 minutes or so reading through some of my past thoughts. It was really strange just looking at how everything has changed in the course of a year. I feel like I need to do a little better job of documenting 2010 or some of the details and interesting facts will just melt away with the sun (inspired by spring?). I don't know. There's a lot that I've been thinking about lately, but nothing really comes to mind right now.

And the meditation continues...

Much missed, much needed Beachisms

It's been a long time since I've sat in high school band class, so, naturally, I cannot specifically regurgitate a life lesson that we learned while waiting for the low brass to get it together (haha, just kidding!). But today I vividly remembered one of these lessons and realized the truth in what the directors lectured us about two years ago.

All through high school, I was shockingly (yes, shocking because it was so different from what I am now) competitive. Freshman year, I almost kicked myself in the face for being ranked 15 and was totally upset over any grade lower than a 95 (well, except that 93 in gym, I totally accepted that :P). How ridiculously lame is that?! There was always someone I aimed to beat--always someone ahead. Over the four years, I calmed down quite a bit but was still completely driven to do better than other people.

Now, at UGA, in a class of almost 6,000 people compared to the mere 500 of high school, I feel utterly overwhelmed trying to think the same way I used to. I feel as if my high school competitive personality just isn't me anymore. How can it be? Who can I even begin to compare myself to in such a big place? With this new attitude, life is, for sure, a lot more easy going. But, my accomplishments seem to be slipping. I'm not doing as well in academics as I know I can, and I'm not getting things that I want to get (extra-curricular stuff). I definitely haven't changed. It's not like I got any dumber after summer 2009... (maybe inhaled too many toxic chemicals in China..) and it's not like I've lost all motivation and hope in accomplishing my goals.

---

Anyway, point is: you are your greatest competition. Take that Beachism and run with it, folks.

Blast From the Past: Inspiration

Most of these days, I sit around dreaming about the future: what new style I will add to my wardrobe this summer, where Junki and I will go hang out and relax in July, what I am doing this summer, what books I want to read (and need to finish--grrr!), what classes I'll take next fall, which medical school I see myself at in three (what?!!) years, and what country I want to travel to when I have finally made it into the health profession. I don't remember ever thinking about so much at once. It's true. I have always been an idealist... and most of the times one not restricted by reality (hence the forever unfinished--aka unstarted reading list, the goals concerning the UGA Wind Ensemble, etc., the occaisional lists that pop up on blog updates, etc., etc.,). So, Sumi put it to me this way: why not make realistic goals?

Here is my attempt. This summer, I will study at Oxford, learn to cook out of a cook book and practice my Asian cooking, take Organic Chemistry, volunteer at least once a week, read, and spend time with friends. That is not too much to ask is it? After all, two summers ago, I juggled 3 camps, 1 job, a blog, and CP Government online.

This never finishing anything habit? I'm breaking it.

"Be great in act, as you have been in thought."--- William Shakespeare.

P.S. Super sorry for all of the I's. =(

Something to Talk About...

Hello there. =)

It is the weekend pre-SBX (Spring Break 2010 for all you laggards who have no idea what the X means), and I am sitting in front of the computer wasting time. Haha, as usual. My mom and I just watched Julie&Julia, which was really cute by the way, but not the most amazing movie I have ever seen. Julie had this adventurous blog where she wrote constantly about her cooking project and how her life was going in between recipes. That is so cute and so inspiring! I think, I would like to learn some new recipes this summer, not only because I plan on not being on meal plan next semester but also just to learn. It would be fun and exciting!

So, again, lots of plans, little execution (so far, still 4 books to go). I guess Julie and I have more in common than I thought.

Emily

College Bucket List: 20 things to do before I graduate, Part I

Because I found a burst of inspiration after finishing my HPRB midterm today, here is a list of things I want to do before I graduate!

I can't really think of that many right now, but here are some of them---

1. Volunteer at a hospital

2. master independent living!-- ie. cooking, cleaning, bills, etc.

4. make and perform in the Wind Ensemble

5. Run an Atlanta Race for breast cancer

6. do research on music therapy

7. visit Cornell

8. Help provide healthcare somewhere in Africa

9. take a crazy/random humanities class such as African drumming or... photography

10. take pictures with the Uga statues around Athens

Oh, the future awaits! =)

Good luck pursuing your goals.

<33em

Crazy Blinker

The past month has been a fight between me and lethargy. There was nothing to write about and nothing to look forward to (so it seemed in the mix of the conclusion of an amazing winter break, math3500, and the beginnings of an easy(ier) load of classwork). And somehow as a result of those feelings of release, that motivation in me that has been running overtime for the past four and a half years flickered.

I fell into a pit of nonchalance and was even afraid that the flicker has just plain been put out. But then, I went home last weekend for Chinese New Year and saw my dad, home for four days from D.C., lugging a load of PMP books for his upcoming licensing exam. During the time when most adults have a complete emotion breakdown also known as the mid-life crisis, my dad is humming happily along filled with goals and drive. Though he had lost his job just this past summer, he never gave up searching for a new one--if not Atlanta, then elsewhere. Somewhere an opportunity awaits him to carry on. And even when he got the job and flew out to his dingy little apartment (well, kinda cozy I guess) in Virginia, he still didn't stop there. This passion for living life to his full potential inspired me so much... but I just didn't know how to bring myself back to that level of motivation.

Having had enough of my lazy bum-ness, I declared last week diligence week, enlisting some friends to help with the accountability (hooray for helping relationships! yeah public health. :D) part. I tried my best to stay on top of what was going on, and somehow, I stopped questioning myself. Instead of wondering why I wasn't moving my lazy butt or what the point was in this dumb film critique, I just shut up and did my work (thank you, Junki). Yet for some reason, it worked.

Tonight, on the way to Rusan's, I turned on my right blinker--the one that is super spastic and blinks 3 times the rate of a normal blinker. Kelsey said she loved the blinker because it seemed so enthusiastic about turning right (HI!! I'm turning right! I'm turning! Okay! Now... wait.. NOW!). Maybe this is the motivation I need... we all need. Through a happy, enthusiastic attitude for the little things--time in between blinks, a commitment to read the NY Times every morning, studying a little for each class every day--we will slowly begin to understand the big picture and go boldly towards the rest of the world.

Love,

Emily

I love my dad.

Enough said.

Dad, I love you. Thank you for all your amazing advice and wisdom.

Free Time

Finally, I feel like I have my life back. This semester has been so much more relaxing and happy! Maybe it's because I have a good group of friends or I am not taking that math class... whatever the reason, I will not waste this. I'm going to spend more time truly learning Chemistry and Physics. In the past few months, I've realized that I really really do want to be a doctor, so I am going to use all this extra time and read interesting books about medicine or life or whatever that interests me. And definitely getting more involved on campus. Maybe get some guy friends. Haha!

Have a great week everyone!

Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year!

RESOLUTIONS:

1. Be organized and on top of things going on in my life.

2. Read more: the newspaper and books for fun

3. Think more about others and how to help them before helping myself.

4. Cut down on candy and soda

5. Stop riding the UGA bus and exercise every day.

6. Spend more time catching up with family on a weekly basis.