The Guilt

This picture says it all...

Last term, on one of the assignments for class, we were allowed to work in groups. I ended up working with two guys I'm quite close with, but there was also this lady who we'll call Z. From the beginning, Z started chatting up with me since we had one commonalty between us: an island where she had lived for the past 7 years and my family is originally from. And from the beginning, I didn't have a great affinity for her. She was loud, extremely opinionated and has a bit of a potty mouth. So, when we had to do the assignment, she had asked one of the guys if she could join in which he agreed. It's just say every time we met up at the library, we got yelled out because of Z's voice levels. After we turned in our assignment, we had our polite "hi"s then went on our way.

Two weeks ago, right before the start of break, Z emailed the guys and I about working together as a group on the next assignment. I purposely didn't respond to the email hoping that I was on holiday bumming around Eastern Europe the entire time and I didn't have a chance to check on my email as my excuse. And I know one of the guys told her he was going home (and requiring an trip on an airplane to do so) for the holidays, and therefore he couldn't work on it as a group. (It was a lie!)

Today, we had a study group for class. I was expecting the usual group of 5, but when I got there, there sat Z. I tried not to make eye contact the whole time and the guy who lied about his whereabouts had to do some backtracking to cover his butt.

In an ideal world, everyone gets along with everyone else. But sadly, it doesn't work like that. There is a reason why people lie: to hide the shame, to cover the truth. I did it because I felt guilty. I really wanted to be her friend, but at the end, I had to be as far away from her as possible. Does this make me a bad person?

How Draw Something Is Taking Over My Life

I was first introduced to this game about a month ago as a stress-relief. I've played this game in it's old-fashioned form called Pictionary. But thanks to Facebook and smartphones, I can play this game all over the world! I'm playing with former students in Korea, my brother in the States and friends around Europe. I draw as the last thing I do before going to sleep and the first thing I do when I wake up. (Although drawing right after waking up has produced some very odd pictures.) So, what have I learned from this game? Whether it be on a white board or in electronic form, I still suck at drawing!

Here are some of the more questionable drawings. The one in the middle is my masterpiece. What are the pictures? Enjoy!

Köszönöm Budapesten!

As part of my spring break extravaganza, I journeyed to Budapest with the intention of seeing the Danube, enjoying some classical music and spending some time in a public hot tub. Our first night, we soaked up some culture with a viewing of Don Quixote by the Hungarian Royal Ballet. I even dressed up in a dress (ok, I forgot my shoes so I walked around with a dress and black Converses.) I wish I read up on the story beforehand because I had no idea what was going on. But, it was a very interesting experience. Next time, I'll spring for non-nosebleed seats. The next day comprised of a stroll by the Danube... a very long stroll (and an eating tour!) The last day was spending some time people watching at Széchenyi spa. Kind of funny watching guys play chess in a spa, but when in Budapest, do as the Hungarians, right?

Trials and Tribulations

It's been a while since I actually wrote in this blog and with good reason. Being a graduate student is hard work! I can't remember the last time I've written so much in such a short amount of time. Now that all my assignments have been turned in and I'm one day away from the start of my holiday, I'll use this time to reflect. (Well, I'll give it a go. My brain officially shut down yesterday at 9:45am. Afterwards, I kept telling people it was the year 2010.)

Let's start with a picture that could sum it all:

When I first saw this, I laughed because it is so true. (Ok, maybe not the "What my mom thinks I do." My mom just thinks I write papers.) Sometimes, I question why I'm doing this and why specifically now in this point in my life. I had a pretty decent job and a comfortable life. Then, I gave it all up to live off sugar-free Red Bull while buried under piles of journals and books. Does this master's degree guarantee me my dream job? Does it even guarantee me a job period? I have no answer to that.

What I have learned so far is that things do not appear as they seem, and I'm speaking both from the point of view of a politics student as well as the average person standpoint. But I keep telling myself there is a reason why things have turned out the way it has so far. I just have to wait it out and go with the flow until it all comes together.

That's all I got for now. Let spring break begin!!!!!!!

The Fugitive

Not sure why but I just couldn't stop laughing...