The weather here in Kent has taken a nosedive into the 50s and 60s; when I have to pull out the comforter because my blanket doesn't keep me warm throughout the night, it's definitely fall. Normally I wouldn't be upset about this. I love the pants and jackets and the not sweating everywhere I go. But alas, this is fall in northeast Ohio, and it just rains and rains and life becomes grey and sunless, foreshadowing wintery mix...

School's started. I'm taking The Arts of China and Intro to Photography. This will be my third intro photography course since high school. But surprisingly, it's an all digital camera class. Apparently one of my friends took the very last wet photography class this summer (where you develop your photos in the darkroom), and they've converted the entire VCD and JMC programs to digital. I'm not even sure they offer wet photography to any students at Kent anymore. I understand the reason behind it; digital is the way to go, especially in the fields of graphic design and journalism, and that is why I am staying in this class in hopes of learning something new. But I don't think they should take away the option of film; there are so many things you learn when you're in the darkroom, like dodging and burning. And when you're taking photos with film, what you see through the viewfinder is what you're going to get. With digital cameras, you can crop and edit anything; there won't be a need to have a trained eye when you're out on the field. It's just so much less... personal. You didn't actually create the photo; a printer spit it out. I don't know; I am torn between the past and the future. Which, hey, is the story of my life - I revel in my childhood and obsess about my life after college.

The Arts of China class - all I have to say is that my first homework assignment is to trace a picture from the book, and that one of our projects is to go to a Chinese restaurant, attempt to use chopsticks, and write a few paragraphs about our experience. Needless to say, I am the only Asian person that class; perhaps the only minority. Siiiigh...

So my life's just been work and school. I've gotten some sort of a wrist injury from scooping salsa and rice at a ridiculously fast pace, and now I can barely rotate my hand. Oh well. What's been great lately though, is that I have a car! I technically only get it for two weeks, and I have to give it back when I go down to Lexington and Louisville this weekend. I couldn't keep it because with residency, I would have to change the titles and plates and would have to pay for car insurance. But ho ho ho, I've decided to quit trying for residency! After going through way too much trouble just to save money on tuition, I've come to realize that now is not a good time for me to be financially independent, and that I should appreciate my parent's generosity and just try to graduate. Which is what my parents really want anyway. I still feel awful that I will be in school for forever paying out-of-state tuition, but maybe when my life is more stable, I'll attempt residency. So back to the beginning, maybe I can keep the car?? Eeeeh mom and dad? ^_^

Before I wrap this up, I'd like to highlight a movie that I just got from Netflix. Eat Drink Man Woman is an Ang Lee film about three daughters and their chef father who live in Taipei. It talks about family, relationships, old age, and the culture of food. I appreciate this movie a lot because my father is a chef, and I am just recently understanding that my parents won't be around for forever (which, honestly, depresses the hell out of me). And of course, food is my life, and I love how it is such a large part of my Chinese heritage. I've been checking out Eating China for some traditional recipies (though annoyingly it hasn't been updated since May); I've been making xi fan a lot lately :) Aaaanyway, if you can find this movie at Blockbuster or wherever, you should give it a watch; if you liked The Joy Luck Club (book or movie), you will love this movie.

Alright, time to make it a Lazy Sunday, maybe make some more xi fan. Enjoy the long weekend - bbq and wear as much white as you can before it's illegal :)

Listening: DJ Shadow - The Outsider
Playing: New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
Watching: Beerfest