changing habits.
when i first got here, i had to adjust to taking showers in the night. no time. i end up staying up so late at night (either on the phone or working or wasting time); i barely had energy to take showers in the morning. unfortunately, the fact that i could literally roll out of my bed and walk next door for my classes didn't motivate me to wake up any earlier. i've mastered the art of looking rather decent, AND making to classes early by simply waking up 15 minutes before the start of the first class--yeah, the self-conscious me! either this is a reflection of me getting comfortable with the idea of not caring how hideous i may look or i'm just not all that hideous after all. thanks, thank you very much....

but look, it's 8am, AND i'm blogging. haven't done it for a while, actually, and i really should stay off of it for the time being. my mother had recently sent me some chinese ointment for my back and wrists; boy do they STINK! but yes yes, they DO work and so i've tried to use it in the evening, when i've allowed myself to retreat from social life. i really wouldn't feel comfortable having my new friends here smell and think i'm working up a "distinctive" BO. and so, i also had to get up early to take a morning shower. ugh. and guess what? the weather is really crummy....it's supposed to storm up like a mother, but for some strange odd peculiar reason (okay can i use any more words from the thesaurus?), i woke up feeling rather, refreshed? even after taking that morning shower, and getting very little rest, i've had more quality qt in the morning and i've allowed my radio to do its work by playing nonstop the michael w. smith cd. i even went downstairs to grab a bagel and coffee. i know this is something i shouldn't be totally proud of, BUT i've discovered the concept of using a pack of hot chocolate and dissolving it into coffee...with a clever disguise, they only charge you for hot chocolate....heehee. so despite everything that points in the wrong direction right now, i feel A-okay. =)

the lounge outside of my room on my floor has begun to be somewhat of a social hangout place. sometimes it's okay, if the noise doesn't distract me from my studying. but one good thing is that it's forced me to get up and out of my chair and work station to stretch and relax my muscles a bit. i've been on high-stress earlier and it's about time to let my muscles go. it's otherwise a really bad form of posture. i've also become somewhat of the "food-lady." somehow sharing pocky sticks did get me a few friends. =)

so a friend once said, to find a friend, go out and be one. a rather simple concept but definitely difficult to maneuver. my room had been such a safe haven from all my social awkwardness and energy-consuming activities outside in the busy and "exciting" world of new haven. my unlimited cell-phone minutes and ethernet connection had been God's best inventions since i've arrived. but look what happened....look what my wrists and back are telling me. certain habits are meant to change. and well, being creature of habits, maybe change is a good one. but then again, are certain goals and passions of my heart going to or already changing as well? God has been so clear lately; no doubt, He will be continue to be faithful---an idea that is inexplicably intangible, but strikingly powerful.