Still Here

With classes having started, but still only taking up at most a few hours a day, and Vera no longer there to fill up every second of my time, the reality that I'm here in Asia for the next five months is beginning to sink in. This campus is so damn difficult to navigate, and it's impossible to have a meaningful conversation with most people. In addition, I'm feel out of place, being often one of the only white people around. Oh well, I guess this is what minorities back in the States feel like as well. This video made me feel better though

I can't decide whether I am currently happy or sad that I came with a group of friends I had before. While it certainly is nice to have familiar faces around, the trade-off is that it makes it more difficult to make new friends when you're always with that group. And you can't hang out with the same 3 or 4 people for 5 months. 

On the up side, had my first Life and Buddhism class today. It's taught by a real live Buddhist monk in a Buddhist monk robe and everything. The class was really fascinating as well. The whole way they approach the human condition and condemn blind faith as ignorant really fascinates me. I can sense many a meditation on the Noble Truths and Eight-Fold Path in the near future. 

A random wander down around the Kennedy district ended with a nice Japanese meal, and early to bed today, for soil mechanics and Cantonese await me next wednesday.