The Masochist's Institute of Technologyanecdotes of an ambitious MIT student

At times it’s hard to believe that we’re already nearly halfway through the semester! I’ve experienced some drastic changes to my academic schedule, along with getting more active in various organizations on campus (including but not limited to: AXO, SEBC, NSUW, UEA, and a variety of other lovely acronyms). I’ve rearranged my four-year plan (something I like doing on a weekly basis it seems – there’s just too many good classes to take here); I’ve run numerous succesful practices with MITADT, I’ve taken time to reflect on why I’m here and where I’m going…

And you know, despite some major troubled times the past month or so, I think I’ve finally got things under control. To celebrate, let me share with you a few pictures I took the past few weeks (there haven’t been many chances to do so…)

A few weeks ago, when I was feeling absolutely miserable, my AXO mystagogue Yuri sneakily dropped by my room when I was taking a nap and dropped off a bag of goodies for me! In addition to an adorable get-well card, the care package also included tea, fruit, cough drops, soup, crackers, chocolate, and more. And this isn’t just exclusive to me and Yuri either – many of the AXO girls are super nice and always support each other through thick and thin. I feel a little bad since I’ve been way too busy (and sick) to attend a lot of the events, but as initiation approaches, I feel like I will definitely try to devote more time to getting to know this amazing group of girls. We get our Big Sisters sometime in the coming week or two, which is something to which I’m really looking forward =)

Ever since I’ve gotten sick, I’ve been trying my best to eat healthier. Yesterday, after dance rehearsal, I decided that I would go down to Next Dining and make use of that Preferred Dining plan in which we’re forced to participate. Instead of getting a cheeseburger or a quesadilla or stir-fry, I made my way over to the salad bar and load up on some veggies! My salad consisted of some crunchy greens, lots of cucumbers (there were no tomatoes, unfortunately), carrots, a pinch of cheese, lots of fresh eggs, and just enough lowfat vinaigrette dressing to give it a deliciously sweet-yet-sour taste. Needless to say, I love salads and I was very glad to devour one yesterday; I’ll have to make trips down to Next Dining more often! But now, to finish up my entry, here’s a…

Summary of my fall semester:

• 14.02 – Principles of Macroeconomics
• 15.301 – Managerial Psychology Laboratory
• 18.03 – Differential Equations
• 21F.107 – Chinese I streamlined
• AXO – Alpha Chi Omega
• MITADT – MIT Asian Dance Team (captain)
• MIT Concert Choir (soprano II)
• HKSS – Hong Kong Student Society
• NSUW – Network of Sloan Undergraduate Women
• SEBC – Science and Engineering Business Club, Marketing focus group
• UPOP – Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program
• IM Badminton B League (for Next House)
• RAship at Harvard Business School

This also means that on an average day, my calender is extremely full. I extend my fullest apologies to anyone who’s been trying to reach me for a quick lunch/dinner – I end up eating at really strange hours due to my busy schedule!

The past week has been hectic as ever. In addition to finishing my move-in process (I finally have a raised bed!), helping out with some REX (Residence Exploration) events, representing MIT Asian Dance Team at the Activities Midway, going through sorority recruitment, attending a few Rush events, and finishing a last-minute batch of data for my job at Harvard Business School, I’ve barely gotten any time to rest!

What my room looked like before I tidied it up…

Thankfully, I did manage to take some time out of my busy schedule yesterday to play some Mafia and Apples to Apples. Seeing all of our old White Rabbit Lounge bunch together again made me rather nostalgic for last year, when we could just sit in the elevator lounge doing nothing at all – a time when p-sets were more a social function and grades didn’t matter that much; a time when we were still learning everyone’s quirks and personalities; a time when secrets were shared and friendships forged. There will never be anything quite like fall of freshman year, and I look back on it with extreme fondness every single time.

Alas, I am a sophomore now, and I suppose I should really be sitting tight and prepping for my upcoming semester. It’s hard to imagine that tomorrow is actually registration day! Here is my proposed schedule:

As you may see, I definitely have a conflict with my Japanese I class (21F.501). I have decided that I will be taking it during IAP instead of the fall, in order to make sure my schedule works. I also plan to add a 6-unit seminar (15.821) which counts towards the Marketing concentration in my Management major. It only lasts for half of the semester, so it shouldn’t be too bad!

In other news, I’m starting on Regina Leeds’s One Year to an Organized Work Life program:

This super handy-dandy book basically leads you through a 52-week program to improve your work life. Even though I’m not actually a working girl (yet!), I find that the tips and activities presented are applicable to student life as well, especially at a university level. Since I’m starting in September, though, I’m shifting the entire program nine months, so that I start out on the first “lesson” – January 1st. This, combined with my list of resolutions for the new semester, should help me work better overall. I will make progressive posts each week detailing my progress =)

Coming up soon on a blog near you:

• Sorority recruitment – how it works, and how MIT sororities defy the stereotypes
• First-hand look at some of my sophomore classes (complete with photos!)
• Backdated post about my fabulous 19th birthday! (see above comment!)
• Equally backdated post about the Britney Spears concert I attended!
• Ranting and raving about East Asian dramas – I’ve slipped back into a phase..