So basically, I do not feel like doing any more practice quizzes for a bit so I'm here to update. Things have been...well...going. My final review was great (one of the best I've had, got some really helpful feedback, and actually enjoyed presenting). We had prize money with our studio, I did not win, but I am super proud of those who did. They really did have great projects and deserve the credit. I did, however, get the runner-up prize of being nominated to present at the Design Excellence Awards. It was exciting for me, even though I was going up against the first place people from other studios. Again, I didn't win, but I didn't really mind, it was great to see everyone's projects, have a beer, catch up with old professors, hang out with friends, and help my friend C cater the event (she's a killer cook). I've been beyond busy with finals and other things no one really cares about so I won't bore you with the details. My last exam is tomorrow and it's the LEED AP BD+C exam. I've been studying...lots. You basically need an 85% to pass and it's one of those scary computer based exams you have to drive far away to and go through some crazy security screening to enter the testing room. Ugh. However, by 4:30pm tomorrow I will be done with my second year of graduate school.
Enough with the school stuff, I leave in 5 days. Yesterday I spoke with my contact at Veritas, Z, who gave me my housing information. I'll be living in an area that is a good mix of locals and expats alike, so I won't be in some compound where expats live extremely sheltered lives (if you don't want to change and learn from others, why leave? Seriously people, you're missing out). I will have 2 roommates and I'm really excited to meet them. They are both women around my age and one of them (who shows up in June) is going to be working with me so I'll have a buddy for my daily commute. It will be me, a local (not sure if she's originally from MY or not), and a girl from South Africa. I think I'm going to like this worldly set up. The apartment is on the 19th floor and apparently has a killer view of the city. I'll be outside the city center, where most people live, and close to the commuter rail. There is a pool and the facilities look really nice. Rent is also, in comparison to what I'm used to, dirt cheap for such a place. If I choose to tell my roommates what I pay at home it will be laughable. Then again, I'm making local wages so the lower rent costs are very helpful (just makes me feel like I'm being ripped off a bit here in Denver). The only downside is I have to wait until the 26th (I arrive in KL on the 20th) to move in. I'll be doing a home stay though (either with a friend of a friend from CS-see below- or someone from the office). I'm not upset about the home stay aspect. I actually think I could gain a LOT from living in someone's home for a week. Plus, it will be a great opportunity to try out my language skills and maybe even learn to cook. It's just the fact that me and my big 'ol suitcases will be in someone's way for a while and I won't be settled in as soon as I would like. However, I see this as a great opportunity to experience real Malaysian life and it definitely beats sharing a bunk with 20 ppl in a hostel.
I recently joined the CouchSurfing network (CS from here on out). I figure it will be a great way to meet people from all over the world and make a few friends outside of work. Plus it is a great way to find travel buddies and engage in a cultural learning experience when I travel. I doubt I will be able to host people, but I plan on going to events and such in KL (I joined the local group), as well as surf when I leave town for weekend trips. I have a friend who has been CSing all over SEA and her experiences led me to join. It's a great network that allows you to take part in cultural exchanges with people from all over the world, as well as gain valuable local knowledge and insight to a place, something that is hard to come by if you don't know where to find it.
Anyways, it's back to the books for me. I hope everyone enduring finals is surviving! We're almost there!
Until next time...
-M
So basically, I do not feel like doing any more practice quizzes for a bit so I'm here to update. Things have been...well...going. My final review was great (one of the best I've had, got some really helpful feedback, and actually enjoyed presenting). We had prize money with our studio, I did not win, but I am super proud of those who did. They really did have great projects and deserve the credit. I did, however, get the runner-up prize of being nominated to present at the Design Excellence Awards. It was exciting for me, even though I was going up against the first place people from other studios. Again, I didn't win, but I didn't really mind, it was great to see everyone's projects, have a beer, catch up with old professors, hang out with friends, and help my friend C cater the event (she's a killer cook). I've been beyond busy with finals and other things no one really cares about so I won't bore you with the details. My last exam is tomorrow and it's the LEED AP BD+C exam. I've been studying...lots. You basically need an 85% to pass and it's one of those scary computer based exams you have to drive far away to and go through some crazy security screening to enter the testing room. Ugh. However, by 4:30pm tomorrow I will be done with my second year of graduate school.
Enough with the school stuff, I leave in 5 days. Yesterday I spoke with my contact at Veritas, Z, who gave me my housing information. I'll be living in an area that is a good mix of locals and expats alike, so I won't be in some compound where expats live extremely sheltered lives (if you don't want to change and learn from others, why leave? Seriously people, you're missing out). I will have 2 roommates and I'm really excited to meet them. They are both women around my age and one of them (who shows up in June) is going to be working with me so I'll have a buddy for my daily commute. It will be me, a local (not sure if she's originally from MY or not), and a girl from South Africa. I think I'm going to like this worldly set up. The apartment is on the 19th floor and apparently has a killer view of the city. I'll be outside the city center, where most people live, and close to the commuter rail. There is a pool and the facilities look really nice. Rent is also, in comparison to what I'm used to, dirt cheap for such a place. If I choose to tell my roommates what I pay at home it will be laughable. Then again, I'm making local wages so the lower rent costs are very helpful (just makes me feel like I'm being ripped off a bit here in Denver). The only downside is I have to wait until the 26th (I arrive in KL on the 20th) to move in. I'll be doing a home stay though (either with a friend of a friend from CS-see below- or someone from the office). I'm not upset about the home stay aspect. I actually think I could gain a LOT from living in someone's home for a week. Plus, it will be a great opportunity to try out my language skills and maybe even learn to cook. It's just the fact that me and my big 'ol suitcases will be in someone's way for a while and I won't be settled in as soon as I would like. However, I see this as a great opportunity to experience real Malaysian life and it definitely beats sharing a bunk with 20 ppl in a hostel.
I recently joined the CouchSurfing network (CS from here on out). I figure it will be a great way to meet people from all over the world and make a few friends outside of work. Plus it is a great way to find travel buddies and engage in a cultural learning experience when I travel. I doubt I will be able to host people, but I plan on going to events and such in KL (I joined the local group), as well as surf when I leave town for weekend trips. I have a friend who has been CSing all over SEA and her experiences led me to join. It's a great network that allows you to take part in cultural exchanges with people from all over the world, as well as gain valuable local knowledge and insight to a place, something that is hard to come by if you don't know where to find it.
Anyways, it's back to the books for me. I hope everyone enduring finals is surviving! We're almost there!
Until next time...
-M
So basically, I do not feel like doing any more practice quizzes for a bit so I'm here to update. Things have been...well...going. My final review was great (one of the best I've had, got some really helpful feedback, and actually enjoyed presenting). We had prize money with our studio, I did not win, but I am super proud of those who did. They really did have great projects and deserve the credit. I did, however, get the runner-up prize of being nominated to present at the Design Excellence Awards. It was exciting for me, even though I was going up against the first place people from other studios. Again, I didn't win, but I didn't really mind, it was great to see everyone's projects, have a beer, catch up with old professors, hang out with friends, and help my friend C cater the event (she's a killer cook). I've been beyond busy with finals and other things no one really cares about so I won't bore you with the details. My last exam is tomorrow and it's the LEED AP BD+C exam. I've been studying...lots. You basically need an 85% to pass and it's one of those scary computer based exams you have to drive far away to and go through some crazy security screening to enter the testing room. Ugh. However, by 4:30pm tomorrow I will be done with my second year of graduate school.
Enough with the school stuff, I leave in 5 days. Yesterday I spoke with my contact at Veritas, Z, who gave me my housing information. I'll be living in an area that is a good mix of locals and expats alike, so I won't be in some compound where expats live extremely sheltered lives (if you don't want to change and learn from others, why leave? Seriously people, you're missing out). I will have 2 roommates and I'm really excited to meet them. They are both women around my age and one of them (who shows up in June) is going to be working with me so I'll have a buddy for my daily commute. It will be me, a local (not sure if she's originally from MY or not), and a girl from South Africa. I think I'm going to like this worldly set up. The apartment is on the 19th floor and apparently has a killer view of the city. I'll be outside the city center, where most people live, and close to the commuter rail. There is a pool and the facilities look really nice. Rent is also, in comparison to what I'm used to, dirt cheap for such a place. If I choose to tell my roommates what I pay at home it will be laughable. Then again, I'm making local wages so the lower rent costs are very helpful (just makes me feel like I'm being ripped off a bit here in Denver). The only downside is I have to wait until the 26th (I arrive in KL on the 20th) to move in. I'll be doing a home stay though (either with a friend of a friend from CS-see below- or someone from the office). I'm not upset about the home stay aspect. I actually think I could gain a LOT from living in someone's home for a week. Plus, it will be a great opportunity to try out my language skills and maybe even learn to cook. It's just the fact that me and my big 'ol suitcases will be in someone's way for a while and I won't be settled in as soon as I would like. However, I see this as a great opportunity to experience real Malaysian life and it definitely beats sharing a bunk with 20 ppl in a hostel.
I recently joined the CouchSurfing network (CS from here on out). I figure it will be a great way to meet people from all over the world and make a few friends outside of work. Plus it is a great way to find travel buddies and engage in a cultural learning experience when I travel. I doubt I will be able to host people, but I plan on going to events and such in KL (I joined the local group), as well as surf when I leave town for weekend trips. I have a friend who has been CSing all over SEA and her experiences led me to join. It's a great network that allows you to take part in cultural exchanges with people from all over the world, as well as gain valuable local knowledge and insight to a place, something that is hard to come by if you don't know where to find it.
Anyways, it's back to the books for me. I hope everyone enduring finals is surviving! We're almost there!
Until next time...
-M
So basically, I do not feel like doing any more practice quizzes for a bit so I'm here to update. Things have been...well...going. My final review was great (one of the best I've had, got some really helpful feedback, and actually enjoyed presenting). We had prize money with our studio, I did not win, but I am super proud of those who did. They really did have great projects and deserve the credit. I did, however, get the runner-up prize of being nominated to present at the Design Excellence Awards. It was exciting for me, even though I was going up against the first place people from other studios. Again, I didn't win, but I didn't really mind, it was great to see everyone's projects, have a beer, catch up with old professors, hang out with friends, and help my friend C cater the event (she's a killer cook). I've been beyond busy with finals and other things no one really cares about so I won't bore you with the details. My last exam is tomorrow and it's the LEED AP BD+C exam. I've been studying...lots. You basically need an 85% to pass and it's one of those scary computer based exams you have to drive far away to and go through some crazy security screening to enter the testing room. Ugh. However, by 4:30pm tomorrow I will be done with my second year of graduate school.
Enough with the school stuff, I leave in 5 days. Yesterday I spoke with my contact at Veritas, Z, who gave me my housing information. I'll be living in an area that is a good mix of locals and expats alike, so I won't be in some compound where expats live extremely sheltered lives (if you don't want to change and learn from others, why leave? Seriously people, you're missing out). I will have 2 roommates and I'm really excited to meet them. They are both women around my age and one of them (who shows up in June) is going to be working with me so I'll have a buddy for my daily commute. It will be me, a local (not sure if she's originally from MY or not), and a girl from South Africa. I think I'm going to like this worldly set up. The apartment is on the 19th floor and apparently has a killer view of the city. I'll be outside the city center, where most people live, and close to the commuter rail. There is a pool and the facilities look really nice. Rent is also, in comparison to what I'm used to, dirt cheap for such a place. If I choose to tell my roommates what I pay at home it will be laughable. Then again, I'm making local wages so the lower rent costs are very helpful (just makes me feel like I'm being ripped off a bit here in Denver). The only downside is I have to wait until the 26th (I arrive in KL on the 20th) to move in. I'll be doing a home stay though (either with a friend of a friend from CS-see below- or someone from the office). I'm not upset about the home stay aspect. I actually think I could gain a LOT from living in someone's home for a week. Plus, it will be a great opportunity to try out my language skills and maybe even learn to cook. It's just the fact that me and my big 'ol suitcases will be in someone's way for a while and I won't be settled in as soon as I would like. However, I see this as a great opportunity to experience real Malaysian life and it definitely beats sharing a bunk with 20 ppl in a hostel.
I recently joined the CouchSurfing network (CS from here on out). I figure it will be a great way to meet people from all over the world and make a few friends outside of work. Plus it is a great way to find travel buddies and engage in a cultural learning experience when I travel. I doubt I will be able to host people, but I plan on going to events and such in KL (I joined the local group), as well as surf when I leave town for weekend trips. I have a friend who has been CSing all over SEA and her experiences led me to join. It's a great network that allows you to take part in cultural exchanges with people from all over the world, as well as gain valuable local knowledge and insight to a place, something that is hard to come by if you don't know where to find it.
Anyways, it's back to the books for me. I hope everyone enduring finals is surviving! We're almost there!
Until next time...
-M
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