I can never think of what to name these posts...

     There are a few things in life that I do love avoiding to do until the last possible minute and that's packing and laundry. Maybe it's because I have been in charge of doing both of those things since I was relatively young.

     I have done almost everything (except for checking into my flight, which I can't do until tomorrow) in order to avoid the actual packing. I did a super-cleaning of the apartment (sort of as a nice thing to do for the boyfriend, b/c we are both students and this trip is costing him the financial benefits of a roommate...no one wants to live in our windowless spare room). I mean, I cleaned every nook and cranny of this place, not to mention Nina is shedding at a fantastic rate, so it was extra dirty. If that doesn't tell you how much I dislike packing, I even went to the extreme to put things that I needed that were out in a pile, to be dealt with later. In essence, I created even more work for myself that is how much I dislike packing.

     I can't emphasize enough just how nice it is to actually have the time to do things such as clean out the apartment. I've realized that after 19 straight years of school, I'm really tired. My undergraduate days nursed that 'work hard play hard' mentality that I love about being a Colgate graduate. Graduate school is more like 'work harder what's play?' It's exhausting. As it should be, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Don't get me wrong I love it, as corny as it may sound I have a passion for learning. However, I feel as if I haven't had the chance to apply anything to the real world. I feel a bit in limbo in graduate school and I'm well aware that the working world is not school. Professional schools tend to slap you in the face with this, but what good does it do if you don't know what they're talking about? My last office job was at an indie record label in Los Angeles. Hardly your typical office, not to mention I was in high school and knew nothing about the world. Needless to say, I am excited for this opportunity to go work at a firm in another part of the world.

     I'm also surprisingly not worried or stressed out about anything. This most likely stems from my last trip to Asia. Yes, I am going to a completely different part of Asia, but I know there is no sense in worrying about time or days or when things should happen, because my sense of time is about to be completely rocked ( the lose a day thing is still a mystery to me). I'm entering a culture completely different than my own, the best way to deal with this is to relax, listen, and go with the flow. I'm not stressed about the loads of things I need to get done before I because it honestly beats what was previously occupying my time, LEED. Passing that exam felt like a heavy concrete wall was lifted from both my back and head (not to mention I can get back to studying Malaysian).

     Just realized that most of the paragraphs of this post start with the word 'I,' that trend needed to end. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous or even afraid. I'm leaving the boyfriend for the first time since I lived in Denmark. We spent a month apart when I graduated and moved here, but we've been living together for almost 2 years now. It will be an adjustment. I can't deny the fact that my stomach concerns me (you also can't blame me either, the last time I left the country I found myself in an ICU because of extreme dehydration). I've been pounding pro-biotic juice like it's crack. Obviously there are other nerves as well. However, I want to do this, come what may. As I always say (and now actually believe) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and as my dad always told me 'being nervous means you're ready.' So I'm at peace with my nerves, if you know what I mean.

    So my last few days in the states will be with friends and family. I invited a small group of people over for 'make your own pizza night.' The boyfriend has a final the day I leave so it's just a few close friends with pizza and beer. It really doesn't get much more American than that - except if you were BBQing burgers and watching the SuperBowl - or NASCAR if that's what you're into (although I only know one person who actually watches NASCAR - my brother, go figure). So I guess the only thing that makes this even 'American' is the beer thing, I mean the pizza won't even be coming out of a box...so I completely take that back. It's also the last chance I'll get to see a couple of my friends before they too move over the summer. Should be a good night.

    Tomorrow I'll be packing and spending time with MB. I leave Colorado on Wednesday at noon. I'll be in LA with my parents on the 18th (getting my In-n-Out on). Then it's across the Pacific at 12am on Thursday. Lastly, something magical happens and I arrive in KL at 12:15. The plan is to get my things and take the train to KL Sentral where someone will be picking me up and taking me to my host's place for a week. I'll start work in a week.

-M

     There are a few things in life that I do love avoiding to do until the last possible minute and that's packing and laundry. Maybe it's because I have been in charge of doing both of those things since I was relatively young.

     I have done almost everything (except for checking into my flight, which I can't do until tomorrow) in order to avoid the actual packing. I did a super-cleaning of the apartment (sort of as a nice thing to do for the boyfriend, b/c we are both students and this trip is costing him the financial benefits of a roommate...no one wants to live in our windowless spare room). I mean, I cleaned every nook and cranny of this place, not to mention Nina is shedding at a fantastic rate, so it was extra dirty. If that doesn't tell you how much I dislike packing, I even went to the extreme to put things that I needed that were out in a pile, to be dealt with later. In essence, I created even more work for myself that is how much I dislike packing.

     I can't emphasize enough just how nice it is to actually have the time to do things such as clean out the apartment. I've realized that after 19 straight years of school, I'm really tired. My undergraduate days nursed that 'work hard play hard' mentality that I love about being a Colgate graduate. Graduate school is more like 'work harder what's play?' It's exhausting. As it should be, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Don't get me wrong I love it, as corny as it may sound I have a passion for learning. However, I feel as if I haven't had the chance to apply anything to the real world. I feel a bit in limbo in graduate school and I'm well aware that the working world is not school. Professional schools tend to slap you in the face with this, but what good does it do if you don't know what they're talking about? My last office job was at an indie record label in Los Angeles. Hardly your typical office, not to mention I was in high school and knew nothing about the world. Needless to say, I am excited for this opportunity to go work at a firm in another part of the world.

     I'm also surprisingly not worried or stressed out about anything. This most likely stems from my last trip to Asia. Yes, I am going to a completely different part of Asia, but I know there is no sense in worrying about time or days or when things should happen, because my sense of time is about to be completely rocked ( the lose a day thing is still a mystery to me). I'm entering a culture completely different than my own, the best way to deal with this is to relax, listen, and go with the flow. I'm not stressed about the loads of things I need to get done before I because it honestly beats what was previously occupying my time, LEED. Passing that exam felt like a heavy concrete wall was lifted from both my back and head (not to mention I can get back to studying Malaysian).

     Just realized that most of the paragraphs of this post start with the word 'I,' that trend needed to end. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous or even afraid. I'm leaving the boyfriend for the first time since I lived in Denmark. We spent a month apart when I graduated and moved here, but we've been living together for almost 2 years now. It will be an adjustment. I can't deny the fact that my stomach concerns me (you also can't blame me either, the last time I left the country I found myself in an ICU because of extreme dehydration). I've been pounding pro-biotic juice like it's crack. Obviously there are other nerves as well. However, I want to do this, come what may. As I always say (and now actually believe) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and as my dad always told me 'being nervous means you're ready.' So I'm at peace with my nerves, if you know what I mean.

    So my last few days in the states will be with friends and family. I invited a small group of people over for 'make your own pizza night.' The boyfriend has a final the day I leave so it's just a few close friends with pizza and beer. It really doesn't get much more American than that - except if you were BBQing burgers and watching the SuperBowl - or NASCAR if that's what you're into (although I only know one person who actually watches NASCAR - my brother, go figure). So I guess the only thing that makes this even 'American' is the beer thing, I mean the pizza won't even be coming out of a box...so I completely take that back. It's also the last chance I'll get to see a couple of my friends before they too move over the summer. Should be a good night.

    Tomorrow I'll be packing and spending time with MB. I leave Colorado on Wednesday at noon. I'll be in LA with my parents on the 18th (getting my In-n-Out on). Then it's across the Pacific at 12am on Thursday. Lastly, something magical happens and I arrive in KL at 12:15. The plan is to get my things and take the train to KL Sentral where someone will be picking me up and taking me to my host's place for a week. I'll start work in a week.

-M

     There are a few things in life that I do love avoiding to do until the last possible minute and that's packing and laundry. Maybe it's because I have been in charge of doing both of those things since I was relatively young.

     I have done almost everything (except for checking into my flight, which I can't do until tomorrow) in order to avoid the actual packing. I did a super-cleaning of the apartment (sort of as a nice thing to do for the boyfriend, b/c we are both students and this trip is costing him the financial benefits of a roommate...no one wants to live in our windowless spare room). I mean, I cleaned every nook and cranny of this place, not to mention Nina is shedding at a fantastic rate, so it was extra dirty. If that doesn't tell you how much I dislike packing, I even went to the extreme to put things that I needed that were out in a pile, to be dealt with later. In essence, I created even more work for myself that is how much I dislike packing.

     I can't emphasize enough just how nice it is to actually have the time to do things such as clean out the apartment. I've realized that after 19 straight years of school, I'm really tired. My undergraduate days nursed that 'work hard play hard' mentality that I love about being a Colgate graduate. Graduate school is more like 'work harder what's play?' It's exhausting. As it should be, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Don't get me wrong I love it, as corny as it may sound I have a passion for learning. However, I feel as if I haven't had the chance to apply anything to the real world. I feel a bit in limbo in graduate school and I'm well aware that the working world is not school. Professional schools tend to slap you in the face with this, but what good does it do if you don't know what they're talking about? My last office job was at an indie record label in Los Angeles. Hardly your typical office, not to mention I was in high school and knew nothing about the world. Needless to say, I am excited for this opportunity to go work at a firm in another part of the world.

     I'm also surprisingly not worried or stressed out about anything. This most likely stems from my last trip to Asia. Yes, I am going to a completely different part of Asia, but I know there is no sense in worrying about time or days or when things should happen, because my sense of time is about to be completely rocked ( the lose a day thing is still a mystery to me). I'm entering a culture completely different than my own, the best way to deal with this is to relax, listen, and go with the flow. I'm not stressed about the loads of things I need to get done before I because it honestly beats what was previously occupying my time, LEED. Passing that exam felt like a heavy concrete wall was lifted from both my back and head (not to mention I can get back to studying Malaysian).

     Just realized that most of the paragraphs of this post start with the word 'I,' that trend needed to end. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous or even afraid. I'm leaving the boyfriend for the first time since I lived in Denmark. We spent a month apart when I graduated and moved here, but we've been living together for almost 2 years now. It will be an adjustment. I can't deny the fact that my stomach concerns me (you also can't blame me either, the last time I left the country I found myself in an ICU because of extreme dehydration). I've been pounding pro-biotic juice like it's crack. Obviously there are other nerves as well. However, I want to do this, come what may. As I always say (and now actually believe) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and as my dad always told me 'being nervous means you're ready.' So I'm at peace with my nerves, if you know what I mean.

    So my last few days in the states will be with friends and family. I invited a small group of people over for 'make your own pizza night.' The boyfriend has a final the day I leave so it's just a few close friends with pizza and beer. It really doesn't get much more American than that - except if you were BBQing burgers and watching the SuperBowl - or NASCAR if that's what you're into (although I only know one person who actually watches NASCAR - my brother, go figure). So I guess the only thing that makes this even 'American' is the beer thing, I mean the pizza won't even be coming out of a box...so I completely take that back. It's also the last chance I'll get to see a couple of my friends before they too move over the summer. Should be a good night.

    Tomorrow I'll be packing and spending time with MB. I leave Colorado on Wednesday at noon. I'll be in LA with my parents on the 18th (getting my In-n-Out on). Then it's across the Pacific at 12am on Thursday. Lastly, something magical happens and I arrive in KL at 12:15. The plan is to get my things and take the train to KL Sentral where someone will be picking me up and taking me to my host's place for a week. I'll start work in a week.

-M

     There are a few things in life that I do love avoiding to do until the last possible minute and that's packing and laundry. Maybe it's because I have been in charge of doing both of those things since I was relatively young.

     I have done almost everything (except for checking into my flight, which I can't do until tomorrow) in order to avoid the actual packing. I did a super-cleaning of the apartment (sort of as a nice thing to do for the boyfriend, b/c we are both students and this trip is costing him the financial benefits of a roommate...no one wants to live in our windowless spare room). I mean, I cleaned every nook and cranny of this place, not to mention Nina is shedding at a fantastic rate, so it was extra dirty. If that doesn't tell you how much I dislike packing, I even went to the extreme to put things that I needed that were out in a pile, to be dealt with later. In essence, I created even more work for myself that is how much I dislike packing.

     I can't emphasize enough just how nice it is to actually have the time to do things such as clean out the apartment. I've realized that after 19 straight years of school, I'm really tired. My undergraduate days nursed that 'work hard play hard' mentality that I love about being a Colgate graduate. Graduate school is more like 'work harder what's play?' It's exhausting. As it should be, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Don't get me wrong I love it, as corny as it may sound I have a passion for learning. However, I feel as if I haven't had the chance to apply anything to the real world. I feel a bit in limbo in graduate school and I'm well aware that the working world is not school. Professional schools tend to slap you in the face with this, but what good does it do if you don't know what they're talking about? My last office job was at an indie record label in Los Angeles. Hardly your typical office, not to mention I was in high school and knew nothing about the world. Needless to say, I am excited for this opportunity to go work at a firm in another part of the world.

     I'm also surprisingly not worried or stressed out about anything. This most likely stems from my last trip to Asia. Yes, I am going to a completely different part of Asia, but I know there is no sense in worrying about time or days or when things should happen, because my sense of time is about to be completely rocked ( the lose a day thing is still a mystery to me). I'm entering a culture completely different than my own, the best way to deal with this is to relax, listen, and go with the flow. I'm not stressed about the loads of things I need to get done before I because it honestly beats what was previously occupying my time, LEED. Passing that exam felt like a heavy concrete wall was lifted from both my back and head (not to mention I can get back to studying Malaysian).

     Just realized that most of the paragraphs of this post start with the word 'I,' that trend needed to end. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous or even afraid. I'm leaving the boyfriend for the first time since I lived in Denmark. We spent a month apart when I graduated and moved here, but we've been living together for almost 2 years now. It will be an adjustment. I can't deny the fact that my stomach concerns me (you also can't blame me either, the last time I left the country I found myself in an ICU because of extreme dehydration). I've been pounding pro-biotic juice like it's crack. Obviously there are other nerves as well. However, I want to do this, come what may. As I always say (and now actually believe) what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and as my dad always told me 'being nervous means you're ready.' So I'm at peace with my nerves, if you know what I mean.

    So my last few days in the states will be with friends and family. I invited a small group of people over for 'make your own pizza night.' The boyfriend has a final the day I leave so it's just a few close friends with pizza and beer. It really doesn't get much more American than that - except if you were BBQing burgers and watching the SuperBowl - or NASCAR if that's what you're into (although I only know one person who actually watches NASCAR - my brother, go figure). So I guess the only thing that makes this even 'American' is the beer thing, I mean the pizza won't even be coming out of a box...so I completely take that back. It's also the last chance I'll get to see a couple of my friends before they too move over the summer. Should be a good night.

    Tomorrow I'll be packing and spending time with MB. I leave Colorado on Wednesday at noon. I'll be in LA with my parents on the 18th (getting my In-n-Out on). Then it's across the Pacific at 12am on Thursday. Lastly, something magical happens and I arrive in KL at 12:15. The plan is to get my things and take the train to KL Sentral where someone will be picking me up and taking me to my host's place for a week. I'll start work in a week.

-M