MY problems of yesterday like my uncooperative LAN internet, is resolved and LAN is now happily working OT at 1:18AM as I sit on the bed typing. So hopefully, apple will one day come to terms with Microsoft Exchange and allow me to push my HKU Mails on my god-sent Iphone.
Also proving this theory, I have my other problem that is now showing signs of clearing up. At least, clear enough for me to vocalize and describe my feelings of apprehension left over from Day 2's dinner and meetup. (Contrary to mum and dad's point of view: the people were nice enough and I was NOT socially inept)
For more elaboration, please see the below excerpt from a publicity email for a Freshmen Seminar, sent from the school's Welfare Council.
In this seminar, you will get the “right” information from the “right people” (our panel speakers). Their views and advice will definitely help you formulate your own answers to the following “frequently asked questions” by new students:
- When and how can I get connected to the HKU Family, especially prominent alumni?
- How will the HKU network be beneficial to my personal, academic and career life?
- How can I expand my social circle if I do not live in Hall?
- Most of my high school classmates go to different universities. I feel isolated and lonely at HKU. What can I do?
- What is “HKU persona”? What is the typical and ideal “HKU student”?
Having read the mailer, I finally found the perfect way to explain and clarify my feelings towards the HKU students and general climate in the school. Because seriously, the most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION is how to connect to prominent alumni? How to network? And only the last 2 questions sounds familiarly normal.
Maybe Mr M.M. is right about Singaporeans being complacent. In Sg, I used to hear that it is okay to not know every driving motivation towards the actions we take. Even about major things like University Majors. And for those who are "over"-achieving (not that it's bad from where I stand) and do know, we/they're always sneaky about vested interests. NEVER SO blatantly direct.
It seems I have come to the capital of pragmatism to learn how to lead a "in the moment" life.
Culture Shock aside, my new life have passed me my toughest test yet, as I learn to live within a isolating social environment (rejected by the locals in hall and invisible to my fellow floormates from the neighboring dragon state) AND share my space in the shoebox with my KOREAN roommate (which I will refer to from now as KR) whom I finally met after all that mystery.
Things could be alot worst. I could have a partying Caucasian OR be stuck with a half-neurotic P**. At least for that, there's cause for relieve.
On first impression, (not counting the awkwardly friendly return note from KR - which might have brought my hopes for a friend a little too high up) my roomie seems to be a unassuming, quiet, small korean town character. She's neat, probably good in maths (an accounts major) and definitely more academic than bimbotic (though she wears a floral wedge as a room slipper). But she has 2 other high school mates in HKU too, too high a statistic for a small town high school. And her English, too good for regular koreans, no matter how hard one can possibly work. So I'm still holding my opinions for now.
Another homework, to readjust and remember that social interactions is about statistics too. Not every one results in success. This on top of planning my next 3 (hopefully de-parents) days.
More shopping - more grocery and daily use than anything. Banking. And hopefully, i'll further the links set in place on Day 2 with the local seniors of the induction thingy. Shopping with seniors, that for sure will be a new experience.
I'll keep you posted.
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