Graduate

It's already been a week after graduation. I am still not used to the fact that there is no "next semester." Everybody is start to panic on what to do next. I was lucky enough to get the unexpected internship at Holly Hunt. However, the soon coming interview is already making me so nervous. Then, I have to worry about grad school applications. The same kind of fear from high school is coming back to me... am I going to get IN a school? If not what am I gonna do. Now I not only have to worry about myself, but also Alex. You know he's the very lay back type. It sometimes worries me. But he also seems to handle things fine eventually. I have confidence in him, I just need to losen up a little.

So, graduation went great. I was happy to have my family and my favorite professors there to cheer for me. We also had Patti Smith and Apichatpong as our guest speaker. Pretty bad ass. We also enjoyed the big family time in Chicago when my family was here. So much food. So much Love. So much fun.

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Oh and yea, my NYC trip was awesome too! We stayed at the Night Hotel which wasn't bad, but a little too small (they all say "well, it's new york"). Everything is soooo dark though. I went there for the ICFF. It was totally worth it. We also get to try a lot of really good food, and FINALLY went to MORIMOTONYC, which was another reason why I was in New York. The last time I was there was almost 10 years ago, and the only thing I remember is the Statue of Liberty and the giant M&M store. I did not have a very good impression of NYC. But this trip did change my concept about New York a little. It is more fun then I expected.

the night hotel

NYC street artist

organic breakfast place

morimoto NYC

guggenheim

DONE WITH COLLEGE

Yep! 4 years of college has come to an end. It wasn't easy but was definitely A LOT better than high school. Four years went by so fast. Now I look back, I did learn something everyday in the past four years (unlike high school, coz I learned nothing useful). And I am very proud to announce the success of our last project in college. The Museum of the Blues by the "dream team," me, Wenling, and Shu. Without them none of these could happen. I was SO lucky to have them girls with me the whole semester to create my last project for the school. I am proud of us! This project also brought me my third Year-End-Design-Award in the architecture department. I dare to say that I have no regret in SAIC!

The Dream Team

Museum of the Blues Final Proposal

Some of my FAV. profs.

Trying to Look Professional

When I come home from my presentation and french exam, I received the warmest and sweetest celebration from Alex, holding flowers when I opened the door. "I am so proud of you Bei...," he said. What a wonderful man. Thank you for going through some of the most difficult times with me, listened to me when I was frustrated, talked to me when I was down, and calmed me when I was crazy. I am looking forward to our many many more little adventures. The fun part has just begun!

After finals I felt very un-used to not staying at school from day to night, not seeing my girls everyday, and not eating deliveries at school. Alex and I have been looking into grad school in Europe, and China-Paris-London is probably the plan for the summer. I am started to miss Chicago... everybody is leaving... I am trying to do my best to spend as much time as possible with my favorite peoples in chicago. Including my favorite little person in Chicago, who is taking a nap right now to allow me to write you this blog entry.

KEEP PLANNING

Feeling a little relieve right now. The more research I do on grad. school, the clearer my plan is ahead. I was a little freaked out at the start of the planning, which upset Alex a little. But after all, he is right. "Planning the future together is suppose to be a happy thing. We suppose to be smiling at this. Why are you freaking out??!" he said. I changed my attitude and apologized, and we had a nice discussion on this at the end. I freaked out about everything ... which I know it's my biggest problem. I am trying to change you see..? or I won't be the one who apologize. Sometimes I think that Alex has his way to deal with me, may or may not be intentional, but no matter we fight or upset each other, my negative emotions never stay long. So I do have to thank him for his patience.

OK back to our topic. Grad School. I don't know how many I should apply. A friend told me that she applied for three, AND got in Cambridge. Are you kidding me. Three schools are not enough. I don't think I could get in any if I only apply for three. There are actually more choices now as I do my research. Still struggling whether to focus on architecture, interior architecture, or environmental design. I am also doing research for Alex's schools too. He has been too busy at work recently. I hope to make it the easiest for him to apply.

We are also planning to go to France for language school before grad school starts. I REALLY hope that's gonna come true.

By the way, some good cooking to share this week. My happiest moment is when Alex lick his plate after eating!

Egg Pudding, Egg White Strawberry Pudding, Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi

PEACE!

Plans?

After talking on the phone with a friend today morning, I feel so panic for all the plans after graduation.

I know that I am not "planless" and definitely not "goaless". It's actually the exact opposite. Too many plans for one determined goal. But I have not let myself really sit and write down THE PLAN. I need to plan myself from date to date like how I do everything.

There's only less than two months left before I graduate from college. I am REALLY starting to feel terrified. There are so much, too much to do and to plan for, that I almost don't want to start planning. The number one scary thing is the fact that I need to go back to China to actually live there for a while. I don't know how I am going to feel about that. I don't even know how I am FEELING about it right now just the thought of living there for A WHILE.

Then it's the problem of grad school. Right, I've been telling everyone that I am going to grad school. So I have to go to grad school, and most importantly, to get in one. I want to go to grad school, it's always in my agenda. But all these THINGS that I need to go through BEFORE grad school, or that awful few months before receiving acceptance letters are just SOOOOOO DISGUSTING. I have not even STARTED working on my portfolio, not to mention about applications. AND apparently, we've missed the Fall semester deadline (as I expected). I also am not sure whether they have spring semester applications either. I HATE uncertainties in my plans, and EVERYTHING is uncertain at this stage. SO frustrating.

JOB JOB JOB. To get or not to get?! The rough (like REALLLLY rough) plan is that we are going to China to visit my family, to spend sometime there and get familiar with places. Then we go travel (this is the most exciting part of the plan). AND THEN we get our acceptance notices, and we go to London, settle down, and start our grad school life. Hopefully find a job in london as well. But now we've missed the deadline. OR if we don't even get in the March session. Then we are likely to HAVE TO find a job, would it be a little to late to find jobs then?? My desire is to get everything ready, jobs and schools. So by the time when I am done with all the FUN, all I need to do is to pick JOB or SCHOOL, while both of them are ready for me.

Every time when people ask me what's my plan after graduation, I get the chills because of all the mess I mentioned above. Alex is soooo layback on all these matters. Sometimes I think that we have the most opposite personalities. He better be really getting serious about it all or I am so gonna kick his butt. HOWEVER, I am very happy that this alex person is actually willing to go through all these mess and new things and uncertain near future with me, well at least for now. He has been very supportive and on the same page and pace with me on these things, which I am VERY MUCH appreciated.

Anyways.... due to the amount of audience of my blog, which is "0", I can't tell anybody to wish me luck. Seriously tho... I really hope that things can be planned out asap, and be RELIEVED. So may god wish me luck.

Aiiiii.....