Bored and Killing Time

Only two weeks left before classes start up again. Winter break went by pretty fast, but after countless hours of playing World of Warcraft, and working I have to admit that I’m ready to go back. For some reason it’s always exciting to start out with a new semester. Only two more to go until I finally graduate! I can’t wait. Then I can get a real job, and pay off all of this crazy debt I’m in from student loans and such.

This summer I’ll be adding to my expenses though, because I’m planning a trip to Japan. I’ve wanted to go for a few years now, and the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) coming up in December 2008 gives me a good excuse to. I’m looking around at some of the different language schools there, so I can find one that’ll help me prepare for the exam. Phillip (my boyfriend) came up with the idea that we should aim for the Level 3 test, which requires around 1,000 kanji so I really need to start to do a lot of cramming, because right now I know around…3!

I’ve been toying with the idea of participating in a clinical study to help fund my trip to Japan. There is a medical place nearby that wants to test an anti-depressant on women who are currently taking Tri-Cyclen. I’m a little worried about the possible side effects, but $1,000 is hard to turn down. Anyone had experiences with clinical studies before? I’m sure everything would be ok, but I’m still thinking it over for a bit instead of jumping right in.

Free Burma

I’m a few days late with this, but as they say it’s better late than never. Please show your support and visit FreeBurma.org

こんにちは。

わたしは　けいこ　です。　はじめまして。　どぞ　よろしく。

I couldn’t resist showing off a little of my new japanese skills. I’m sure I made a mistake in there somewhere, so go easy on me Life is good, so I can’t complain. Midterms are coming up next week, so we’ve almost reached the halfway mark of the semester. I must say that it’s going a lot better this time than it was in the spring. I met a lot of new people that I hang out with regularly, and I just started to work again part-time. Now if I can just manage to keep my grades up all is good. I’m still a bit undecided about what to do career wise. As soon as I think I know I change my mind again, so I’m going to drop in and speak with Dr. Mann. I’m hoping she’ll be able to give me some advice.

Anyway, sorry to keep this short, but I just wanted to post so no one thinks I’m dead or anything.

University Blues…

I’m at a very difficult point in my academic life—stuck between choosing which major to finally settle down with. Philosophy seemed like a really great idea at first, because I got to study one of the things that most interested me: religion. Yet, despite how much I may enjoy studying it, theres no real solid career I could make from it other than teaching—which I’m not interested in at all by the way.

So then I had this bright idea that I’d change subfields and do philosophy/pre-law rather than religious studies. Problem is I’m really not that sure that I want to go to law school, let alone one day become a lawyer. So now I have a bit of a dilemma: Do I continue with pre-law and prepare to take the LSAT to hopefully get into law school? Or, do I change majors yet again, and possible end up in college longer?

I’ve been considering getting a degree in political science with a focus on international relations. I think that considering I’m stuck paying for this apartment a whole year anyway, I may be able to pull off changing majors, and still graduating at the same length of time. I’m just still not certain if I’m making the right decision. I know I’d like to be able to work for a corporation one day, go to conferences and travel, but I’m not sure if this is the correct field I need. I supose that’s something I should ask an advisor…but it would be nice hearing from someone going down a similar career path.

Labor Day Weekend

Family events are always very awkward. They’re even more awkward when it isn’t your own family, but someone else’s. Have you ever been in a situation where a friend or someone invited you over to one of their family gatherings that you couldn’t say no to? What exactly do you do with yourself while you’re there? How do they expect you to relax and mingle with complete strangers, let alone down a huge plate of food?

Well, I had one of those awkward family get-togethers today. My sister was there, but was running around so much that we barely got to say anything. When I first arrived all the women were bustling about in the kitchen, getting the food prepared and ready to be served. My sister motioned for me to sit over on a couch instead of helping, which was probably a good thing considering I would’ve gotten in the way. So here I am sitting quietly in the living room while everyone else is busy laughing and chatting, and have no clue what to do with myself. I watched as one lady played with a baby sitting in a high chair, before finally taking her out and letting her move around. And wouldn’t you know, that baby must’ve had some strange intuition, because as soon as the lady let go of her, she darted across the carpet straight for me. Now, I must say that I’m not exactly the best with kids–especially babies, because they puzzle me–but she grabbed my hand anyway, and stayed clutched to it for a good 10min before they pried her off me. It wasn’t unpleasant at all, but man I’m in trouble if I ever become a mother one day!

So, when the food was finally finished, everyone was called into the living room, and it was time to say grace. Everyone closed their eyes, and bowed their head in uniformity as it was said. Now, a quick question: If you’re an atheist, what is the most polite thing to do in this situation?