Treading Water

It's November! Life is feeling very fall-ish here. The majority of the leaves have fallen off the trees, and I've realized that leaving my winter shoes and clothes in China don't help me much in America...

Oh, and I was looking forward to being nice and toasty in my American classrooms. In China, there wasn't any heat inside, so it was literally the same frigid temperatures inside as outside. However, being a student in IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, our program has embraced the campus-wide "energy challenge." And, of course it turns out that our building is currently winning this contest. That means it's practically dark and freezing inside. So ironic and funny!

Although the weather's quite chilly and crispy now, it was quite warm for a couple days early last week. The "historic storm" that was all over the news passed through here Tuesday. Tuesdays are the only days I don't have class or work in the morning. Apparently six tornadoes touched down in the state, and the tornado sirens also went off here. I momentarily hid in my little closet, but figured that wouldn't help much, so I stood transfixed at the window, mesmerized by the torrential rain, 60 mph winds, and swirling clouds. Too bad I wasn't working at City Hall then. A lot of my friends and co-workers had a great time during the tornado sirens.

In other news, I feel like I'm truly beginning to understand the saying, "just trying to keep your head above water." I've never felt quite so overwhelmed by classes, exams, and projects. I feel like I'm average in my classes, which I'm fine with at this point. In managerial economics, the class average is a C-. Yep, that's me! It's sort of funny to see a class full of over-achievers get worked up about that. I've kind of given up caring. As long as I somehow pass!!

Although it feels like I'm about drowning, I have managed to carve out time to hang out with lots of different people. It also helps that I have to work with people in studying for exams and working on projects. I would be doing a lot worse if I couldn't ask my classmates for help. As an undergrad, I was independent and self-sufficient. I would fail now if I tried learning and doing everything on my own.

I've also been getting to know my Chinese friend, Grace, who has been coming to church with us. Please think of our relationship! She has already latched onto our friendship, saying I'm her "favorite American friend." Why do Chinese people automatically draw toward me, when there are tons of other interesting white people? I guess it's either because I'm half-Chinese, or it's a gift from the Father. Maybe my mom somehow raised my sister, Andrea, and I as Chinese. Andrea also has tons of Chinese friends, and is actually doing a Bible study with interested Chinese girls on her campus. Please think of them! :)

Here's some more random pictures of late:


At church with Grace.


Picture during church, courtesy of Grace.


Chinese pose with Jenn, who also happened to have lived in China.


Went to "Little Women" the opera with my friends. I love "Little Women," but it should not be made into a bizarre opera.