International Relations and American Studies

This new Trojan has decided to double-major in International Relations (International Politics and Security Studies) and American Studies (Asian Americans).  How much more obsessed with Asians/Chinese can I get? This semester I'm taking the following courses:

1. Chinese III (didn't have to take a placement test for this....SWEET)

2. Language, Society, and Culture

3. International Terrorism and Liberal Democracy

4. Introduction to Asian American History

I'm happy with my schedule.  I was originally in IR210: International Relations: Introductory Analysis instead of (3), but I wanted to take the 2nd semester IR210 with Steven Lamy.  I've read some of his books, and they were amazing.  

I'm also considering minoring in Business or in Music Performance.  I HAVEN'T DECIDED YET.  I know it's possible because there were other high achievers who have quadruple-majored before....

Classes start in 24 days!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!! :D Excited about classes?? AM I CRAZY?!
(maybe a little). 

L'auberge chinois

A few days ago I got my roommate assignments for the USC school year of 2010-2011.  Immediately when I looked at their names, I knew they were Chinese.  All three of them; my roommate, and my two other flatmates.  Not to mention....they're all super pretty and two of them are majoring in neuroscience while the third is majoring in Business and Communications; in other words, they're also super smart.  I have no problem with this--this is exactly what I wanted.  Chinese roommates.  Last year, I could've only dreamed....

I hope we'll get along...I spoke to two of them over FB chat and they both seemed nice.  I feel like this is going to be a good year.  It has to be....summer is almost over, and I've got a good feeling about this :). 

USC'13!!!!!!!

Unnacceptable: Singers smoking, unless you're Carly Simon

What is wrong with this picture? The answer? Lea Michele.  I never really liked her character on Glee....I thought she was arrogant and annoying and ugly and pretentious and not as good as everyone was saying she was.  So she was in a musical that has a smaller fan base than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  I didn't put her on a pedestal like everyone else did.  "Oh, Lea Michele is a diva, but that's okay BECAUSE SHE'S THE BEST SINGER IN THE WORLD."...........No.

There is nothing beneficial health-wise from smoking, and the effect is at least negative when you're a singer.  x100 if you're a classically or musical-trained singer, Ms. Michele.  What kind of dumbsh*t singer smokes? BESIDES CARLY SIMON.  When I saw this picture (brought to my attention by my sister who likes the character of Rachel Barry/Berry/whatever-the-f*ck), my respect for her dropped to negative-4.  4 is a bad number, btw.  That may seem kind of harsh, but here's where I'm coming from:

As the outcast character of Rachel, annoying, badly dressed, but "blessed by God with the voice of an angel" and the work ethic of Atlas (he carries the world on his shoulders), Lea Michele is supposed to be a role model for young girls and the like.  So when I see her smoking, I don't want my younger cousins idolizing her...."If she smokes, she smokes." Ummmm, no.  Unacceptable.  Now I have even more concrete reason to dislike her, as a person.

Come on, guys....smoking is really uncool.

Afterthought: Maybe this "amazing singer" isn't as dedicated to her work as we all thought.  Hmmmm.

I'M GOING TO BE A TROJAN!!!!

The song that defines today: "Terrified" by Katharine McPhee.

On July 13, 2010, my sister came home from picking up my brother from SAT prep class.  I had texted her asking if she could make me a grilled cheese (food is kind of a big deal at our house xD it takes extensive planning and shiz).  So while I was lying on my bed, bored and waiting for my grilled cheese, I didn't expect her to suddenly yell my name, urgently.  I immediately thought of three things:
1. My brother had fallen and hit his head and gone unconscious.
2. My sister had burned the grilled cheese and fire was spreading around the kitchen.
3. My pet kitty was dead....

What I didn't expect was a fat envelope from the University of Southern California.  I ran downstairs and plopped down in front of the kitchen counter, when my sister pulled out from behind the edge of the counter THE ENVELOPE.  I definitely started crying--what I suspect was the result of many months of bottled stress and worry.  I cried like a flippin' baby.  Also, tears of happiness....

I'm going to school in L.A.....my home...I don't think it's hit me yet because I still feel that stressed out, stomach knotted sensation that I always got before I flew back to Boston.  I'm staying here!!! No more BU Terriers, no more racist comments, no more freezing in my room and scurrying around trying to get warm, no more East Coast stereotypes ohmygod.  NO MORE CLASSES THAT ARE SO EASY I FEEL LIKE MY HEAD WILL EXPLODE.  I'M GOING TO BE A USC STUDENT.  All that holding my breath and wishing in my head while driving through the tunnels on the freeway....I guess they paid off :P.

Also, all that time I spent studying until my brain hurt and getting good grades....that probably helped, too. 

I'M SO HAPPY I CAN SAY THIS:

FIGHT ON!!!!