A day that is mine

Well I've been here for a week and a half and I finally started classes today. It was interesting. I went to one of the optional modules today not the one I think I am going to take but I thought I'd just sit in and see what it was all about. It was ok, but it was really a Developmental Psych class with an anthro professor who was pretty full of herself. So it was pretty much her views of how people develop, but since she is an Anthropologist she doesn't have to "prove" anything. Not really my cup of tea, I am kind of over the whole developmental thing, until someone presents me a more open minded view I am just go ahead and believe what I believe irregardless of the "data." It was good to go to class though, and see what was what. It was also good to do it in a class that doesn't really "count." Kind of a warm up. Got my mind jump started back into the old academic world.

Then this evening I took my first Mandarin class. It was great! I thought I was going to struggle more than I did. It's tough, no doubt, really really hard, but I definitely feel capable of it. And I think it is going to be a great addition to my studies. Not only from a purely academic and career oriented standpoint, but also just meeting and doing something a little different, and doing something more "practical" each week than sitting around talking about psychological theory.

Tomorrow I start my X-Cultural (that looks kind rebellious doesn't it? All with the big ol' capital X. I like it, I am a badass Psychologist) courses in earnest. And I meet the faculty and the rest of the students I will be working with. I hope it all goes well.

All in all I am doing very well. Walking home from Mandarin tonight was great, a cold autumn wind was blowing through campus and it was raining big hard drops. It felt like school. I felt good, powerful, and capable. I walked through campus with my head up. With confidence. I have been feeling a humble confidence lately. I feel very comfortable with who I am and where I come from. I feel capable, and like there is a lot to learn here, and really everywhere I am going. I feel like I finally found my gears again and I am slowly starting to gain some speed.

I feel strong.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly;
it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
I love the man that can smile in trouble,
that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection.
'Tis the business of little minds to shrink;
but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct,
will pursue his principles unto death.
-Thomas Paine-

P.S. I finally posted some pictures of my trip into the city, check 'em out down below.