Oh yes, I did.

I left in a spontaneous moment of strength (2 weeks ago).

(photo courtesy)

Of course there were reasons to stay.

I feel kind of bad just because I have some international friends that I won't be able to communicate with as easily, though otherwise life is better without Facebook.  It's just a distraction I don't need.  I mean, I'll admit that now my distractions manifest elsewhere, yet at least it's not by (harmlessly) stalking people or becoming morose from too much photo-reminiscing.  It is not to be interpreted as a personal vindication towards anyone, I am simply better off without it!
And I also need to confess that my first week, studious vigilance is on the treacherous decline, and I must bring myself back to those ways!  I'm just anxious because some of the papers and research that I'm writing this semester might determine things way ahead in the future.
Well, until that time comes, I'm going to continue writing my web page presentation for my travel enrichment grant that I did in France and wince in soreness.  On Saturday I went to Ottawa, Canada with my friends for the Winterlude Festival, in which we skated almost 8 miles on the Rideau Canal that goes through the city!  It was amazing, even though I fell 13 times!!!  Fantastic exercise, intoxicatingly blue skies, lots of happy faces despite the freezing temperatures, adorable small children learning how to skate for the first time (and ones that were better than me) and oh yeah, maple syrup taffy.  For the experience shared, ca vaut la peine.  If you'd like to check out more about what Ottawa has to offer this winter, click here.

I hope you're all staying warm and keeping your cool :)

Habitat

 

 

Relics of my room, my surroundings, my habitat while I'm away from home.

So much to do, so much to play.  So much work to overcome!  It's a bitter cold but we manage the daily trek sans complaint. 

A Habi Family

I've been back at school for a week now, startled a bit by being placed so suddenly amongst everyone again and doing school work regularly, but life is SO GOOD.  I've reunited with friends I haven't seen in 8 months, I'm President of our ASIA club (Asian Students Intercultural Association) and resuming activity in other organizations, and simply having a blast.  Rather than a dorm, I'm living in a theme house that's still considered campus property-- the Habitat for Humanity House!  There's 5 guys and 3 girls with me, and it's the work hard, party hard kind of lifestyle that I can get down with.  It also helps that the library is a two minute walk away because I'm determined to stay on top of my classes!  Last night we went to the Asian buffet in town because my room mate turned 21 over break and wanted to do sake bombs.  I couldn't participate obviously, but things were pretty rowdy and just continued when we came back to campus.

 Trying to look super-Asian with our ridiculous Chinese waiter that definitely enjoys getting college students hammered.

 

I've spent the entire afternoon doing work, so I can't wait to hang out with the 'family' tonight... Ohhh boy!