It has been exactly 106 days since I left home. Studying abroad is not the same as going on vacation. After much thought about returning home for summer, I decided against it, because there is really nothing back home for me except my family and friends. What I mean is that for future growth, Malaysia just isn't for me anymore. The opportunities here are limitless. The American dream is true, although discrimination does affect everything, but your effort and dedication can always counteract that.
School has been really good. One would think that AAU is a joke, because of its 100% admissions rate, but let me tell you, my class has gone from 20 people to 10. People are dropping out like dead flies and it is only the first semester. The workload can be intense but with proper time management and hard work, it is manageable. I can still visit museums and binge watch 3 movies in a day.
The amount of concerts here are amazing. In the span of 3 months, I've already seen Bombay Bicycle Club, Childish Gambino and The 1975. There are still a lot more to go, I can sense it in my bones. Not to mention, Outside Lands and possibly Coachella if I play it right. House parties and dorm parties are mediocre. State schools are much better party wise if you are into binge drinking and beer pong.
Assignments are very hands on in art school. Photoshop skills come in extremely handy, especially for notebook pages and presentations. It seems that my internship with TiC came in super handy in the long run. Internships are a great stepping stone for a lot of careers. In America, everyone expects you to have experience, so you need to get what you can now and start working towards it.
Meeting Julian Casablancas was unexpected. I missed his concert as I was on my way back from Reno. On the day that I met him, I found out that he was having a signing over at Amoeba on Haight. My lovely roommate ditched her class in order to accompany me because my phone was fried and thank God she did because I would've been stuck in the middle of nowhere thanks to the switch of MUNI tracks.
Drawing class field trips are fun because we don't get to sit around in a room for 6 hours. We get to see and sketch beautiful places. Take the Japanese Tea Garden for example. Art school is amazing, because this is what I like to do and even though it is a lot of work, I enjoy doing what I do. That's what counts in the long run, I would like to think. So much has happen and there are so many more adventures ahead. I'm grateful to be here.
Reading on the fire escape as the sunsets, walking in the city when it is foggy, visiting new places with great company and just seeing a whole new world at your pace can be liberating. Homesickness comes in waves, but ultimately, I wouldn't go back home if given the chance. I like it here.
This has been an update of sorts. I'm reviving this blog because I'm ready to start documenting my adventures here. It's gonna be one hell of ride, it already has.
Till then,
Talk to you soon.
