Sorry-- just realized that I haven't written in a few days!!
As school started, things picked up all over the place!
My classes seem interesting and challenging--- my cataloging class seems more of the latter...
I'm also taking a great class about books and media for children-- which is right up my alley... and my other class is about the functions of a library.
I've met some great people in my classes...
Thursday- I started to explore the nightlife a bit-- I went out with one of the roommies and some girls down the hall... we live around the corner from a classic dive/ college bar.
Saturday- I was going to stay in and rest, since I have a slight cough, but when everyone suggested going to the beach-- it was too hard to resist--- we went to Waikiki beach.... it was nice to swim in the water--- but the bottom was really rocky... i need some good swim shoes...
and laid out in the sand for a bit... it was nice to get out and see more of Hawaii then just my apartment and college...
Hopefully, I will have more adventures to report!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Last day of vaca
Tomorrow I start classes... then I will actually have a purpose for being out here.
I am excited for a number of reasons-- but more importantly two---
One- to jump into my program and be back in the school environment
Two- to set in an AC classroom--- it is seriously hot in Hawaii... and I am not used to having no AC, I think I will need about 10 fans and at least 3 cold showers a day to cool off.
But, if this is the tradeoff for no snow, ice, or winter falls--- then I shall take it!!
Wish me luck-- I'll let you all know how it goes!
I am excited for a number of reasons-- but more importantly two---
One- to jump into my program and be back in the school environment
Two- to set in an AC classroom--- it is seriously hot in Hawaii... and I am not used to having no AC, I think I will need about 10 fans and at least 3 cold showers a day to cool off.
But, if this is the tradeoff for no snow, ice, or winter falls--- then I shall take it!!
Wish me luck-- I'll let you all know how it goes!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Settling In
It's hard to imagine that I haven't even been here a week yet... it feels like so much has happened in such a short amount of time.
Today, I was lucky enough to have the use of my roommate's father's car--- so I got to go to Walmart and get almost everything that I needed... hopefully, I will be done getting settled soon.
Then, my other roommate and I went for dinner in the suburb of Manoa-- which is above the campus--- it was gorgeous up there-- with lush, green mountains. This is the Hawaii that I was picturing!!
And we stopped for some ice cream around our apt-- tried these mochi balls-- basically some sort of sweet rice that is cooked down and blended-- it has a marshmellow-y taste and feel to it.... and inside is creamy ice cream. I had vanilla-- not too adventurous, and split a mint- chocolate chip. I will def. be getting more of those in the future!
I have one more free day before classes start on Tuesday--- hopefully, it will give me more time to adjust!
Pictures will be coming soon!!!
Today, I was lucky enough to have the use of my roommate's father's car--- so I got to go to Walmart and get almost everything that I needed... hopefully, I will be done getting settled soon.
Then, my other roommate and I went for dinner in the suburb of Manoa-- which is above the campus--- it was gorgeous up there-- with lush, green mountains. This is the Hawaii that I was picturing!!
And we stopped for some ice cream around our apt-- tried these mochi balls-- basically some sort of sweet rice that is cooked down and blended-- it has a marshmellow-y taste and feel to it.... and inside is creamy ice cream. I had vanilla-- not too adventurous, and split a mint- chocolate chip. I will def. be getting more of those in the future!
I have one more free day before classes start on Tuesday--- hopefully, it will give me more time to adjust!
Pictures will be coming soon!!!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Moving In!
I am now in my new home for the next four months.
So far, the place is not exactly what I expected, but it's close to campus... I get my own room- with a double bed (for all of you potential visitors), there is a pool, so that should be fine.
And, it's only temporary and brings me glorious internet, which I have missed dearly.
I'm procrastinating my unpacking a bit--- partly because I am me and lazy, and also because I think once I unpack, I will be reminded that I am actually doing this. And then maybe my breakdown will happen... and I will never be fully ready for that.
Plus- I need to buy sheets, a fan, hangers, and tons of other items that I won't think of until I need to use.
Alright, I guess I have to begin somewhere. Wish me luck!
So far, the place is not exactly what I expected, but it's close to campus... I get my own room- with a double bed (for all of you potential visitors), there is a pool, so that should be fine.
And, it's only temporary and brings me glorious internet, which I have missed dearly.
I'm procrastinating my unpacking a bit--- partly because I am me and lazy, and also because I think once I unpack, I will be reminded that I am actually doing this. And then maybe my breakdown will happen... and I will never be fully ready for that.
Plus- I need to buy sheets, a fan, hangers, and tons of other items that I won't think of until I need to use.
Alright, I guess I have to begin somewhere. Wish me luck!
same old Amy
The other day I had a series of Amy moments.
I woke up early to an odd email from my housing place saying they were missing my deposit check... so I panicked thinking my mail had been tampered with, desperately searched for internet to check my account balance, emailed her back, and waited.
Then I rushed off to the graduate school orientation... running to catch my bus, I tripped and skinned my knee. Doing a class fall where you know you're going down, and could maybe stop yourself if you had any sort of reflexes- but I don't.
Walked off the pain, caught my bus with a slightly bleeding leg, and arrived at campus- ready to face the room full of grad students--- only to discover that the orientation was 2 days from then.
I thought that all of these tail-spin circumstances would have me running to the airport, to pack it all up and call it a miss, go home and see my family, friends, and dog.
But, I prevailed. And got a boost of confidence for taking care of me.
And don't worry, they found my check, my knee is only slightly scratched, and I prob won't make it to the actual orientation because that is my move in day. But, it's okay.
I woke up early to an odd email from my housing place saying they were missing my deposit check... so I panicked thinking my mail had been tampered with, desperately searched for internet to check my account balance, emailed her back, and waited.
Then I rushed off to the graduate school orientation... running to catch my bus, I tripped and skinned my knee. Doing a class fall where you know you're going down, and could maybe stop yourself if you had any sort of reflexes- but I don't.
Walked off the pain, caught my bus with a slightly bleeding leg, and arrived at campus- ready to face the room full of grad students--- only to discover that the orientation was 2 days from then.
I thought that all of these tail-spin circumstances would have me running to the airport, to pack it all up and call it a miss, go home and see my family, friends, and dog.
But, I prevailed. And got a boost of confidence for taking care of me.
And don't worry, they found my check, my knee is only slightly scratched, and I prob won't make it to the actual orientation because that is my move in day. But, it's okay.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
New day, new me!!
Today was my Orientation.
I sat through many presentations about library and information science and felt more and more sure about my decision. Which is good considering today was the first day of my next two years.
During some down time I was chatting with another student about all the freshman walking around, thinking back on my years as a freshman RA, and recounting how dorky and awkward everyone seemed. I remembered watching everyone struggle to reinvent themselves, put their high school days behind them, leaving relationships, stereotypes, social habits at the door as they entered a whole new chance at life.
It didn't take me long to realize that I was in the same boat in many ways.
I am in a new place, a new career path, making new decisions, and figuring it all out on my own.
My reinvention? It's less harmful to my liver as the freshmans'. My reinvention seems to be allowing myself to be myself and take my work and my self seriously.
My advisor said that I seem like someone whom will do really well here, so I take her compliment and say it back to myself. I know I will do well, I am capable of great things, and now is the time to show it to myself.
I sat through many presentations about library and information science and felt more and more sure about my decision. Which is good considering today was the first day of my next two years.
During some down time I was chatting with another student about all the freshman walking around, thinking back on my years as a freshman RA, and recounting how dorky and awkward everyone seemed. I remembered watching everyone struggle to reinvent themselves, put their high school days behind them, leaving relationships, stereotypes, social habits at the door as they entered a whole new chance at life.
It didn't take me long to realize that I was in the same boat in many ways.
I am in a new place, a new career path, making new decisions, and figuring it all out on my own.
My reinvention? It's less harmful to my liver as the freshmans'. My reinvention seems to be allowing myself to be myself and take my work and my self seriously.
My advisor said that I seem like someone whom will do really well here, so I take her compliment and say it back to myself. I know I will do well, I am capable of great things, and now is the time to show it to myself.
Journeys
I'm sitting on a plane to Honolulu. It is my second ride of the day.
I started my day in tears; goodbyes are hard- ESP family ones. I expected the homesickness. But, I don't think that I really really that I will be living away for so long. I got that I was leaving, but somehow not that I would be gone.
I hope that as I complete each leg of my trip to feel more and more okay with my decision. As of now, I am still literally in transit about it. But, when I close my eyes to sleep, I see Amy happy. More specifically, a future Amy walking on a beach smiling in a vibrant turquoise dress. I guess for right now, that is enough.
I started my day in tears; goodbyes are hard- ESP family ones. I expected the homesickness. But, I don't think that I really really that I will be living away for so long. I got that I was leaving, but somehow not that I would be gone.
I hope that as I complete each leg of my trip to feel more and more okay with my decision. As of now, I am still literally in transit about it. But, when I close my eyes to sleep, I see Amy happy. More specifically, a future Amy walking on a beach smiling in a vibrant turquoise dress. I guess for right now, that is enough.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Aloha New Jersey!
Hello... or should I say, Aloha!
I leave for Hawaii in about 30 hours.... just writing that down makes me feel uneasy.
I am beyond excited to start a new chapter in my life, start on a new adventure, but it is almost impossible to begin a new phase without looking back on the one you are leaving.
It's hard for me because I am leaving a really comfortable and loving home filled with great family and friends that I would love to be around forever.... and it would be so much easier to leave a bad situation.
But, I think a wonderful life sometimes requires hard work. So, I shall persevere through it all, and hopefully succeed!
Follow me on my next chapter in life, and we can see together if I shall make it in Paradise!
I leave for Hawaii in about 30 hours.... just writing that down makes me feel uneasy.
I am beyond excited to start a new chapter in my life, start on a new adventure, but it is almost impossible to begin a new phase without looking back on the one you are leaving.
It's hard for me because I am leaving a really comfortable and loving home filled with great family and friends that I would love to be around forever.... and it would be so much easier to leave a bad situation.
But, I think a wonderful life sometimes requires hard work. So, I shall persevere through it all, and hopefully succeed!
Follow me on my next chapter in life, and we can see together if I shall make it in Paradise!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)