Friday, May 25, 2007
So as the pace of life slows down just a bit this summer, finally have some breathing space to bum around, to stone, indulge in time-wasting activities like TV and hanging out, and maybe squeeze in a little reflection.
On the whole interaction with people thing.
So I guess sometime along the way (i think it was in december) I decided that I should really make the effort to talk to people I dont know and am not comfortable with. I've come to the conclusion that forcing myself to be uncomfortable is a frickin difficult thing to do. Its so easy to fall back on the usual singaporean/asian social circle, with their Wharton-ish ambitions and high GPAs and hiphop parties and chinatown dinners. Which isnt a bad thing really, I love 'em. But being here has made me realize that there's so much more to life here. This whole exciting world of good conversations, euro trance music, crazy drunken nights, beer pong and high fives, picnics on college green, liberal arts discussions, Greek cultures, and perhaps, just perhaps, not planning it all from the start, but to make it up as we go along (to borrow a line from Pirates of the Caribbean 3, which sucked, btw)
I know friends who have broken out of the social stigma, and I've seen how they have completely assimilate themselves into the culture. Yet, its weird how, after years of having no problems talking to complete strangers in Singapore, I find it takes quite some effort to break out of that circle of comfort over here. I believe the clash of cultures/slangs/beliefs, the very basis for breaking out of the social circle, are also the same barriers to maintaining long term, lasting, diverse friendships.
There is hope on the horizon however: this summer, with so much less to worry about, I finally told myself to not think so much, and to just "f*** it". I've started talking to more americans, making random friendships both in and out of school. Perhaps, with a little more courage, and a little more effort, I could make this permanent, and I just might achieve what I came here for.
On the education
With every passing day I get more and more convinced that my decision not to do a dual degree with Wharton is the right thing to do. My GPA is sufficient to satisfy my knowledge that I could have gotten in if I had wanted to. But I came to college hoping to gain opinions, to learn how to converse, and to be a whole lot more interesting as a person. With every day that I'm here, its becoming clearer and clearer that a liberal arts education is the way to go.
A sit-in in an Intro to Comparative Politics class this summer opened a whole new world for me. I discovered readings on economics, on market reform, on revolutions, on developments.. it was like reading the basis of what forms up every Economist issue that I receive in the mail but never have time to read. Seriously contemplating a political science major along with my Economics major now, seeing how many of the classes interest me (and double count too!). Am also halfway through working my way towards a math minor (I know, right? Its absolutely crazy. I hope I know what I'm getting myself into)
But, to do a double major and a minor in 3 years would entail a sacrifice of many classes I've really wanted to try: figure drawing, photography, pottery, communications, pop culture... the whole works. Am I willing to give those up in return for a possibly hidden passion/thirst for knowledge?
Aragh, too much to think about. Am going to sleep now, maybe i'll think about it some other time. Doodoodoo..
he rocked the party at 1:25 AM |
