It is mid-Tuesday morning, the one day where I get a period of longer than 2 hours to be free from classes or work. Yesterday I had the opportunity to labor on Labor Day. All of the students at IU had to go to classes, but all of the university offices were closed. It was strange.
But I didn't mind going to class; I actually look forward to it--even at 8 a.m. and on national holidays. I'm not taking being a student for granted. I just want to learn, learn, and learn! And I'm paying big bucks to be here...
One thing about living in a tiny town with a huge university, is that the traffic and crowds can be almost as crazy as China--not quite, but close. So although I'm living in America, I've still had the chance to stand in many lines, which brings me to my blog topic for today. :)
5.) Lines and Rules
America seems to love rules and order. The swimming pool at our apartment complex has something like 28 rules. The computer labs have about 15 rules. Everything and every place has a rule. And there are countless rules not even written down.
For example, even when there is no traffic, people do not cross the street until that "Walk" sign is illuminated. Yesterday I was walking with a herd of people and friends to class. I looked both ways before I crossed the street at a crosswalk, and made it to the other side. Then I realized I was alone. I looked back across the street, where everyone was still standing, dutifully waiting for that "Walk" sign to light up.
I don't understand all these rules. I also don't understand how lines are very necessary, especially when waiting for the bus. Lately I've been passed up by several too-crowded buses. I want to shove my way on to the bus, Chinese-style, but can't, because everyone is standing in an orderly line. Somehow the Chinese students always manage to get on the bus, but I don't. People think, "they're Chinese," and give them some grace. I look like an white American who ought to know the "rules," so I get no slack. When I try to inch my way up there, I get glares. They don't know that I'm really half-Chinese. :)
Another rule is that you don't invade an American's personal space, which is usually a bubble of about 25 square feet. If you happen to make it on to one of those crowded buses heading to campus, people will freak out if you accidentally bump their arm or hit their huge backpack sticking 8 feet from their back. I like to freak people out.
I'm quite comfortable now with sitting close to people. However, I have to remember that most Americans are not. A couple of times I sat right next to a stranger in a couple of different churches I visited. They automatically shift another seat away from me, while looking nervously at me. Oh, no!! I'm sitting by you! I might even talk to you, heaven forbid!
Hope you had a line-less Labor Day weekend!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Outsider Looking In (4)
Time just flies and flies and flies! How can it already be early September? This time last year I was battling H1N1 and starting to teach. Now I'm battling tons of heavy textbooks and learning how to be a student again.
So far my classes are super challenging, but really interesting. But why all the math? I'm doing calculus in Economics class; learning computer programming language in my Statistical Analysis class; and overcome with numbers and concepts in my Public Finance and Budgeting class. Only Public Management has so far proved to be math-free. But probably not for long at the rate I'm going.
I'm tempted to feel overwhelmed and inept with my classes, but I'm still feeling confident and fairly relaxed. Maybe that will change, but I just have a lot to be thankful for right now. For example, I work in a place that has real toilets. No squatty potties in sight. I count the little blessings.
A lot of people have also been thinking of me so I could connect with a good fellowship and other believers. Thank you! I've met up with an InterVarsity grad chapter on campus; and so far I just want to cry with thankfulness. They are intelligent, hard-working, easy-going, and really on fire for Him. Some of them have brains that are quite large (like one who is a 5th year PhD student in Economics), but they are still easy to connect with, especially since authentic Christians are few and far between.
I've still been seeing a lot of the city. This morning the weather was pretty chilly, but I biked downtown to the awesome Farmer's market I've managed to go to every weekend since I've been here. I just can't get enough of zucchinis and Mennonite people. My friends and I also went to an art festival downtown and ate Thai food on the sidewalk. Later, in between reading for classes, I went to another friend's cute little house and played Scrabble. It was great.
And now, on to my usual observations about an aspect of American culture.
4.) Volunteerism
I don't have much to say on this topic, but it's still such a noticeable part of American culture, that I have to mention it. In China, volunteering is virtually non-existent. The government takes care of most every facet of life, and that's the way the government and most Chinese people seem to like it. People take care of their immediate circle, but that's it. The poor, disabled, unfortunate, and the environment are out of their circle of influence. That's up to the government or nature; why bother to interfere? They're not heartless; on the contrary. However, that's just the way things are.
In America, everyone seems to be a volunteer. There seems to be a big passion for "causes" and fundraisers, many of which I'll be involved with through my master's program and work. You can volunteer to take care of puppies, children, gardens, wetlands, elderly people, etc. And there's a non-profit organization in America for nearly every cause in the universe. In fact, the government and a lot of non-profits seem intertwined. So that's sort of cool.
I'm off to plant a tree. Actually I think it's time for bed soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
So far my classes are super challenging, but really interesting. But why all the math? I'm doing calculus in Economics class; learning computer programming language in my Statistical Analysis class; and overcome with numbers and concepts in my Public Finance and Budgeting class. Only Public Management has so far proved to be math-free. But probably not for long at the rate I'm going.
I'm tempted to feel overwhelmed and inept with my classes, but I'm still feeling confident and fairly relaxed. Maybe that will change, but I just have a lot to be thankful for right now. For example, I work in a place that has real toilets. No squatty potties in sight. I count the little blessings.
A lot of people have also been thinking of me so I could connect with a good fellowship and other believers. Thank you! I've met up with an InterVarsity grad chapter on campus; and so far I just want to cry with thankfulness. They are intelligent, hard-working, easy-going, and really on fire for Him. Some of them have brains that are quite large (like one who is a 5th year PhD student in Economics), but they are still easy to connect with, especially since authentic Christians are few and far between.
I've still been seeing a lot of the city. This morning the weather was pretty chilly, but I biked downtown to the awesome Farmer's market I've managed to go to every weekend since I've been here. I just can't get enough of zucchinis and Mennonite people. My friends and I also went to an art festival downtown and ate Thai food on the sidewalk. Later, in between reading for classes, I went to another friend's cute little house and played Scrabble. It was great.
And now, on to my usual observations about an aspect of American culture.
4.) Volunteerism
I don't have much to say on this topic, but it's still such a noticeable part of American culture, that I have to mention it. In China, volunteering is virtually non-existent. The government takes care of most every facet of life, and that's the way the government and most Chinese people seem to like it. People take care of their immediate circle, but that's it. The poor, disabled, unfortunate, and the environment are out of their circle of influence. That's up to the government or nature; why bother to interfere? They're not heartless; on the contrary. However, that's just the way things are.
In America, everyone seems to be a volunteer. There seems to be a big passion for "causes" and fundraisers, many of which I'll be involved with through my master's program and work. You can volunteer to take care of puppies, children, gardens, wetlands, elderly people, etc. And there's a non-profit organization in America for nearly every cause in the universe. In fact, the government and a lot of non-profits seem intertwined. So that's sort of cool.
I'm off to plant a tree. Actually I think it's time for bed soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Outsider Looking In (3)
It was a little past 8 a.m. this morning as I hurried into my Management Economics course (sounds fun, right?) Since I live a good hike away from school, I usually have to take the city bus. It's amazing how city buses here can be just as crowded as Chinese buses! After waiting at the bus stop, I was only able to get on a bus after waiting for half an hour. And I made it to class just as the professor began teaching. I was a little mortified.
Although my free time of late has greatly diminished, I have had time to go to the gym here. In addition to this gym, I also sometimes worked out at the Y in Topeka this summer. "Going to the gym" is another foreign concept to me after being in China. So here are some intriguing observations on today's topic.
3.) Gyms
In China, at least in the region where I lived, gyms were not an option. If they were, they were strictly for guys. It's much better for Chinese girls to be non-muscular, and as tiny as possible, and maybe even a little frail. Now this didn't apply to every female, of course. The farming women and old grandmothers I saw were anything but frail. But, in general, "working out" was looked down upon for girls.
Knowing this, I chose not to appear extremely athletic as everyone in America knows I am. :) If I wanted to lift weights, I kept one in my room which I could use. If I wanted exercise outdoors, that was limited to acceptable sports like lethargically jogging, or smacking a birdie with a badminton racket. Chinese girls didn't even have somewhat sporty clothes. If they did jog a bit around the track, it was usually in jeans, incredibly tall high heels, and a very lacy, elegant shirt.
Now back in America, I have embraced this blessing to be able to exercise full-out. Although China's working-out culture seemed strange to me, America's seems just as bizarre. It still shocks me that men and women work out together! Americans have no modesty.
Anyway, so I went to the huge gym here on campus the other day. I was noticeably older and less model-looking than most of the girls there. Just like China, the girls were also glamorous even while exercising. Rows and rows of girls were working out on the elliptical. I had on an old NASA t-shirt and shorts that were longer than 3 inches. But everyone else seemed to have fashionable tank-tops, cute pink sneakers, and very long, blond ponytails. I was especially impressed with their concrete-like makeup that never seemed to budge. Was I the only one sweating?
As the girls furiously pedaled away on the elliptical machines, and the guys lifted their ginormous weights, they all had one thing in common--they looked at themselves in the huge mirrors encompassing the room. The abundance of mirrors in America also throws me for a loop, but perhaps that's a discussion best left for another day.
Not surprisingly, I didn't see any Chinese students there. :)
Although my free time of late has greatly diminished, I have had time to go to the gym here. In addition to this gym, I also sometimes worked out at the Y in Topeka this summer. "Going to the gym" is another foreign concept to me after being in China. So here are some intriguing observations on today's topic.
3.) Gyms
In China, at least in the region where I lived, gyms were not an option. If they were, they were strictly for guys. It's much better for Chinese girls to be non-muscular, and as tiny as possible, and maybe even a little frail. Now this didn't apply to every female, of course. The farming women and old grandmothers I saw were anything but frail. But, in general, "working out" was looked down upon for girls.
Knowing this, I chose not to appear extremely athletic as everyone in America knows I am. :) If I wanted to lift weights, I kept one in my room which I could use. If I wanted exercise outdoors, that was limited to acceptable sports like lethargically jogging, or smacking a birdie with a badminton racket. Chinese girls didn't even have somewhat sporty clothes. If they did jog a bit around the track, it was usually in jeans, incredibly tall high heels, and a very lacy, elegant shirt.
Now back in America, I have embraced this blessing to be able to exercise full-out. Although China's working-out culture seemed strange to me, America's seems just as bizarre. It still shocks me that men and women work out together! Americans have no modesty.
Anyway, so I went to the huge gym here on campus the other day. I was noticeably older and less model-looking than most of the girls there. Just like China, the girls were also glamorous even while exercising. Rows and rows of girls were working out on the elliptical. I had on an old NASA t-shirt and shorts that were longer than 3 inches. But everyone else seemed to have fashionable tank-tops, cute pink sneakers, and very long, blond ponytails. I was especially impressed with their concrete-like makeup that never seemed to budge. Was I the only one sweating?
As the girls furiously pedaled away on the elliptical machines, and the guys lifted their ginormous weights, they all had one thing in common--they looked at themselves in the huge mirrors encompassing the room. The abundance of mirrors in America also throws me for a loop, but perhaps that's a discussion best left for another day.
Not surprisingly, I didn't see any Chinese students there. :)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Outsider Looking In (2)
In between my terribly difficult classes, I managed to start working at City Hall this morning. I went in at 8 a.m.; 95% of everyone didn't come in until 9:30 or 10. Bloomington is very... relaxed.
The department I'll be working in is on the 2nd floor of the City Hall, which puts all other government buildings to shame. This place is beautiful. On the outside it looks like a restored warehouse (which it is), but the inside is spacious and artsy, with old walls, huge windows, and a lot of light. Overall, it's made a very good impression on me. Plus I have my own little cubicle! I'm official.
In other news, I'm slowly, slowly adjusting. Thank you for your continued thoughts! It's been a real struggle to reorient myself to America and school, etc. Hopefully I wasn't too critical in my last blog--those were just my thoughts. But I do realize that I'll become quite bitter if I focus too much on the negative stuff. America's another culture, just like China, and I'm here to be a light!
Here's another observation about another strange aspect of American culture:
2.) Public Libraries
In China, there's no such thing as a public library (at least where I lived). The only library I ever went into was the university library. It was a giant blue shell of concrete. It wasn't heated or air-conditioned; just like all the other public buildings.
Inside the library was like being in a cave or a tomb, with it's high ceilings and concrete floors. It was always rather clammy and surreal. There were way more shelves than actual books. The library people (I don't think I would call them "librarians" would stamp people's books as they returned them, and then they literally chucked the books onto a pile. Apparently someone would later return them to their shelves. The books probably had a very short life-span.
I also didn't see any computers, and some hearty students would sit on wooden chairs to study. As an avid reader, it was all rather depressing to me in China, as far as libraries go. Plus, there isn't such a reading culture like in America. People don't usually read books for fun in China.
In comparison, I waltzed into the country library here in Bloomington in extreme anticipation. The building itself is actually similar to the Chinese library. On the outside it is also a big concrete structure, albeit a little sturdier than its Chinese counterpart.
Inside, a blast of air-conditioning immediately hits you, and my feet hit the nice carpeting. Cheerful librarians are scattered across the cheerfully-painted rooms, helping somebody or carefully re-shelving books.
And the books! There are so many (in English!), and I practically want to cry from joy. You can check out car loads of wonderful, interesting books at a time--all for free! I'll never have time these days to read much for pleasure, but it still makes me feel better.
So while I practically danced along the book shelves, everyone else and their mother sat surfing the Internet at the dozens of computer stations, with their eyes all glazed over. A scant few people were actually reading books. A tragedy.
Happy reading!
The department I'll be working in is on the 2nd floor of the City Hall, which puts all other government buildings to shame. This place is beautiful. On the outside it looks like a restored warehouse (which it is), but the inside is spacious and artsy, with old walls, huge windows, and a lot of light. Overall, it's made a very good impression on me. Plus I have my own little cubicle! I'm official.
In other news, I'm slowly, slowly adjusting. Thank you for your continued thoughts! It's been a real struggle to reorient myself to America and school, etc. Hopefully I wasn't too critical in my last blog--those were just my thoughts. But I do realize that I'll become quite bitter if I focus too much on the negative stuff. America's another culture, just like China, and I'm here to be a light!
Here's another observation about another strange aspect of American culture:
2.) Public Libraries
In China, there's no such thing as a public library (at least where I lived). The only library I ever went into was the university library. It was a giant blue shell of concrete. It wasn't heated or air-conditioned; just like all the other public buildings.
Inside the library was like being in a cave or a tomb, with it's high ceilings and concrete floors. It was always rather clammy and surreal. There were way more shelves than actual books. The library people (I don't think I would call them "librarians" would stamp people's books as they returned them, and then they literally chucked the books onto a pile. Apparently someone would later return them to their shelves. The books probably had a very short life-span.
I also didn't see any computers, and some hearty students would sit on wooden chairs to study. As an avid reader, it was all rather depressing to me in China, as far as libraries go. Plus, there isn't such a reading culture like in America. People don't usually read books for fun in China.
In comparison, I waltzed into the country library here in Bloomington in extreme anticipation. The building itself is actually similar to the Chinese library. On the outside it is also a big concrete structure, albeit a little sturdier than its Chinese counterpart.
Inside, a blast of air-conditioning immediately hits you, and my feet hit the nice carpeting. Cheerful librarians are scattered across the cheerfully-painted rooms, helping somebody or carefully re-shelving books.
And the books! There are so many (in English!), and I practically want to cry from joy. You can check out car loads of wonderful, interesting books at a time--all for free! I'll never have time these days to read much for pleasure, but it still makes me feel better.
So while I practically danced along the book shelves, everyone else and their mother sat surfing the Internet at the dozens of computer stations, with their eyes all glazed over. A scant few people were actually reading books. A tragedy.
Happy reading!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Outsider Looking In (1)
I feel like I'm in a coma--from the culture, from classes, and life in general. I kind of wander around like I'm in a fog. After immersing myself in Chinese culture for 2 years, it is rather like I have to relearn America culture, a lot of which doesn't make much sense to me. This blog really helps me to process some of my thoughts...
One new development in the past few days is that I discovered my job for the next 2 years while I go to school. I'll be working in the Department of Family and Community Resources downtown at City Hall. It will be a great challenge as I learn and stretch professionally, I suppose. Some of the cool projects/events/committees I get to work on are the Homeward Bound Walk for the homeless, the Multicultural Expo, and the Commission on Aging. It sounds like I'll be in contact with a lot of different people, which I'm happy about.
And as I've wandered around in a daze, I've been thinking of some things in America that I didn't have in China and should be grateful for. But somehow I'm not all that grateful. I think I really miss the chaos and color of China. The next few blogs I thought I'd share about some facets of life in America that seem totally foreign to me.
1.) Churches
In Bloomington I've already been to two different fellowships (to use my old China language). But these aren't really fellowships; they are more like mega-fellowships in mega-nice-buildings. In China you have to worship in tiny groups or state churches, of which there only about 2 for a city of 4 million.
But here you can pick from about 4 million churches. There's a church for every denomination, preference, lifestyle, color, and mood. Do you like coffee? There's a church for you. Do you like wearing jeans and talking about social justice? There's one down the other street for you. Do you need to meet a boyfriend or girlfriend? Try that church over there. Do you like being at a rock concert with strobe lights? Go to the church I went to this weekend. And make sure, no matter which church you choose, that you immediately exit the church after the very brief service and run over all the other people in your haste to get out of the crowded parking lot.
So of course there are pros and cons of this church culture. It's an amazing blessing to be able to worship wherever freely. But it's sad that the churches aren't more packed. And how come nobody talks about faith in public? When I casually mention being a Christian now and then, people look embarrassed for me. But my heart breaks for them! They don't realize how they're missing out on true life.
In the Sunday school group I went to yesterday, all the believers are still being fed baby food, or as CNN put it, "cake." The leader talked about "quiet times." He asked, "Do you know what a quiet time is?" People just looked at him boredly, blinking through their eyes that are encrusted in 85 layers of eye-liner and mascara. (Sorry, now I'm just being petty!)
I wanted to pipe up, "We should be spending time with Him all the time. Why does it have to be a big deal? We can spend time with Him no matter where we are, not matter what we're doing." I don't think I'm smarter or superior, but when does following Christ stop being about us and start being about Him and other people? When do we grow up?
CNN actually had a good article in somewhat of a similar vein.
Just my thoughts, albeit a little cynical, as sort of an "outsider looking in."
One new development in the past few days is that I discovered my job for the next 2 years while I go to school. I'll be working in the Department of Family and Community Resources downtown at City Hall. It will be a great challenge as I learn and stretch professionally, I suppose. Some of the cool projects/events/committees I get to work on are the Homeward Bound Walk for the homeless, the Multicultural Expo, and the Commission on Aging. It sounds like I'll be in contact with a lot of different people, which I'm happy about.
And as I've wandered around in a daze, I've been thinking of some things in America that I didn't have in China and should be grateful for. But somehow I'm not all that grateful. I think I really miss the chaos and color of China. The next few blogs I thought I'd share about some facets of life in America that seem totally foreign to me.
1.) Churches
In Bloomington I've already been to two different fellowships (to use my old China language). But these aren't really fellowships; they are more like mega-fellowships in mega-nice-buildings. In China you have to worship in tiny groups or state churches, of which there only about 2 for a city of 4 million.
But here you can pick from about 4 million churches. There's a church for every denomination, preference, lifestyle, color, and mood. Do you like coffee? There's a church for you. Do you like wearing jeans and talking about social justice? There's one down the other street for you. Do you need to meet a boyfriend or girlfriend? Try that church over there. Do you like being at a rock concert with strobe lights? Go to the church I went to this weekend. And make sure, no matter which church you choose, that you immediately exit the church after the very brief service and run over all the other people in your haste to get out of the crowded parking lot.
So of course there are pros and cons of this church culture. It's an amazing blessing to be able to worship wherever freely. But it's sad that the churches aren't more packed. And how come nobody talks about faith in public? When I casually mention being a Christian now and then, people look embarrassed for me. But my heart breaks for them! They don't realize how they're missing out on true life.
In the Sunday school group I went to yesterday, all the believers are still being fed baby food, or as CNN put it, "cake." The leader talked about "quiet times." He asked, "Do you know what a quiet time is?" People just looked at him boredly, blinking through their eyes that are encrusted in 85 layers of eye-liner and mascara. (Sorry, now I'm just being petty!)
I wanted to pipe up, "We should be spending time with Him all the time. Why does it have to be a big deal? We can spend time with Him no matter where we are, not matter what we're doing." I don't think I'm smarter or superior, but when does following Christ stop being about us and start being about Him and other people? When do we grow up?
CNN actually had a good article in somewhat of a similar vein.
Just my thoughts, albeit a little cynical, as sort of an "outsider looking in."
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Getting started
I thought living in America would be a lot less crazier than living in China, but I'm starting to think that's not true. Or least in attending a grad program that is tied for #1 with Harvard. How did they let me in anyway? I thought I was an over-achiever some days, but my fellow students put me to shame. They speak 4 languages, spend their summers in Uzbekistan or Ghana, and are related to the president. At least I'm cute!
Our week-long orientation is nearly over. It's been a long, but good week. I'm realizing that I've really gotten myself in deep. I'll be taking classes like Public Finance and Budgeting, Public Management Economics, Statistical Analysis, and Public Management. And I'll also be working for a city department at least 10 hours a week. It will be great experience, but I'm not used to expending much effort of late. :)
I met some of my professors, who are really friendly and intelligent. However, they warned us, "You will not have a life. You will not have free time." We don't even get Labor Day or Fall Break off like the rest of the university. I guess I just signed up for boot camp.
One of the reasons I chose this school is that they offered a funded fellowship. Today and tomorrow I'm interviewing for jobs with the city. That called for the purchase of my very first, grown-up business suit, of which I am now a proud owner.
Overall, life is okay. It's still strange to be in America with lots of Americans. One of my lessons here is to learn how to love Americans! I already love internationals more than anything, but I've been convicted how I also need to love my fellow country people.
People take me seriously now.
Our week-long orientation is nearly over. It's been a long, but good week. I'm realizing that I've really gotten myself in deep. I'll be taking classes like Public Finance and Budgeting, Public Management Economics, Statistical Analysis, and Public Management. And I'll also be working for a city department at least 10 hours a week. It will be great experience, but I'm not used to expending much effort of late. :)
I met some of my professors, who are really friendly and intelligent. However, they warned us, "You will not have a life. You will not have free time." We don't even get Labor Day or Fall Break off like the rest of the university. I guess I just signed up for boot camp.
One of the reasons I chose this school is that they offered a funded fellowship. Today and tomorrow I'm interviewing for jobs with the city. That called for the purchase of my very first, grown-up business suit, of which I am now a proud owner.
Overall, life is okay. It's still strange to be in America with lots of Americans. One of my lessons here is to learn how to love Americans! I already love internationals more than anything, but I've been convicted how I also need to love my fellow country people.
People take me seriously now.
Friday, August 20, 2010
On my own
It is Friday and I have survived the whole week of "math camp!" Sitting in a freezing classroom for hours on end every day, relearning math stuff I forgot a hundred years ago or never learned in the first place, is just about as terrible as I expected.
However, I've quickly come to realize that I'm at a pretty legit university. There's a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm ready to embrace it! It's another extremely different culture for me.
Another bright note is that I'm meeting a lot of great people from my program! I've gotten to know some interesting fellow students. People are from all over the country, so I don't stick out as that awkward Kansan. At least a couple dozen of them have recently returned from the Peace Corps or stints overseas. One of my new friends just returned from serving in the Peace Corps in Morocco for 2 years. Another girl also just returned from teaching in China. Another worked with refugee resettlement, and another was in the Air Force. Another already has two master's degrees.
Some of them have tattoos; a lot of them ride their bikes to class; many are my age or older; a lot of them are vegan; a good amount of them don't wear make-up; most of them like to hike; the majority of them would probably identify themselves as "liberal"... And they all are incredibly bright and interesting! I'm excited to get to know them better.
I've also been getting to know this small, compact city better. Bloomington has a super high concentration of artists, so there is cool artwork all over the place. And I just can't get over the amount of people biking and taking the extremely convenient public transportation. I feel like I'm slowly becoming a part of this very new, strange culture. It's just a little strange to live by myself; I've never lived alone!
Overall, I'm just incredibly thankful to be here right now. Although I've only been here a week, I can tell that Bloomington is by far the most progressive, nicest town I've ever lived in. Everyone is so friendly, the place is so diverse, and the weather is awesome. It may get old after awhile, especially once I really put my nose to the grindstone, or whatever that saying is, but I'm enjoying it now.
Campus.
The gates to the school.
Little grad student.
Andrea, my guide.
Middle of campus.
Student union.
My bedroom/office area.
Bulletin board.
Kitchen.
My living room.
Andrea tied ribbon to my panda pictures.
At a nature park with Andrea.
In the wetlands.
However, I've quickly come to realize that I'm at a pretty legit university. There's a lot of work ahead of me, but I'm ready to embrace it! It's another extremely different culture for me.
Another bright note is that I'm meeting a lot of great people from my program! I've gotten to know some interesting fellow students. People are from all over the country, so I don't stick out as that awkward Kansan. At least a couple dozen of them have recently returned from the Peace Corps or stints overseas. One of my new friends just returned from serving in the Peace Corps in Morocco for 2 years. Another girl also just returned from teaching in China. Another worked with refugee resettlement, and another was in the Air Force. Another already has two master's degrees.
Some of them have tattoos; a lot of them ride their bikes to class; many are my age or older; a lot of them are vegan; a good amount of them don't wear make-up; most of them like to hike; the majority of them would probably identify themselves as "liberal"... And they all are incredibly bright and interesting! I'm excited to get to know them better.
I've also been getting to know this small, compact city better. Bloomington has a super high concentration of artists, so there is cool artwork all over the place. And I just can't get over the amount of people biking and taking the extremely convenient public transportation. I feel like I'm slowly becoming a part of this very new, strange culture. It's just a little strange to live by myself; I've never lived alone!
Overall, I'm just incredibly thankful to be here right now. Although I've only been here a week, I can tell that Bloomington is by far the most progressive, nicest town I've ever lived in. Everyone is so friendly, the place is so diverse, and the weather is awesome. It may get old after awhile, especially once I really put my nose to the grindstone, or whatever that saying is, but I'm enjoying it now.
Campus.
The gates to the school.
Little grad student.
Andrea, my guide.
Middle of campus.
Student union.
My bedroom/office area.
Bulletin board.
Kitchen.
My living room.
Andrea tied ribbon to my panda pictures.
At a nature park with Andrea.
In the wetlands.
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