Hey everyone!

My last post was a little..somber. However, it is now May 15th, which means that yesterday grades were submitted and finalized. Because I spent a lot of this semester posting about how stressed and overwhelmed I was, I wanted to come forward and share with everyone my end of the semester report.

Math 100: A

Honors Genetics: A

East Asian Studies: A-

Chinese 202: B

Ahhh!! I am absolutely thrilled with how my grades turned out and have realized that all my handwork was not in vain. Should I now come forward and say I didn't study for Chinese this semester?  

With my grades having turned out the way they did, I am not only on the Dean's List for another semester, but I am also still on track to take Chinese 301, which I will admit, I am not very excited for. However, I am going to use this semester as a guide on how to better my studying habits for the years to come. This semester was not easy, and I am shocked at the grades I was able to receive. Not saying I did bad in these classes all semester, quite the opposite, but I am shocked at how my handwork paid off. 


Ironically this semester was also when I realized that grades are not everything. Realizing, through the rigor and heavy workload that was Chinese 202, that grades were not the end-all-be-all, was something that took quite some time, but was also what I needed to know. In high school grades are a huge part of your academic career, and I would argue that it's not what you accomplish outside of the classroom that matters the most, but how you perform inside the classroom. In college, however, I learned that grades are not the most important thing there is. To me, while I'm attending UH for the academics, I have also come to learn that there are a number of other things that are also important. For example, and you've seen this coming, maintaining a healthy group of friends is important to me. But this is just me. Everyone's case is different, so while the social aspect of college is also important to me, having a job might be important to you. Again, everyone is different. The main takeaway is that grades are not the most important thing in college.

In addition to finding out my grades, I also wanted to share that I decided to change my schedule for next year. I originally registered for: 

Chinese 301, Oceanography, Korean 101, Political Science 150, and Political Science 110. 

I chose these classes because I wanted to a) finish up my gen ed's, and b) try and find another major (hence polysci). However, I felt a little off about my schedule, and when I really thought about it I realized that it came down to Korean. Yes, I have said for months that I wanted to learn Korean. And I meant it. I have wanted to take Korean for a very long time, and having to remove it from my schedule to make room for another class was a little painful.

If there's one thing I hate about language learning, it's putting off learning the language. 

In my case, once again I have had to sacrifice learning Korean, a hobby, mind you, in leu of another class. Here is what my new schedule looks like:

Chinese 301 (no surprise here), Oceanography, Political Science 110, Economics 310, and Accounting 201. 

Now wait a minute- where did these two classes come from and why did I drop Korean for economics, of all classes?

Because I realized that, in the case of PolySci not being something I want to pursue, I needed a backup. And yes, while business is not something I want to pursue, I figured that the least I could do would be try out two of the pre-reqs and, if it turns out I want to pursue an international business degree, I will have taken at least two of the pre-reqs. 

My absolute last case scenario, if both of these turn out to be subjects that don't click, would be communications. I'm not a fan of this major, but I would probably do something along the lines of journalism, as an example. I'm not saying I'm majoring in journalism, but as an example I would try and find an area within communications that I feel fits well with me. As an example, journalism would be that area. 

It has been half a week since returning back to the mainland, and there have been quite a few adjustments to be made (on my part). I've also had to get used to some things, such as the freezing cold temperature that has reduced me to wearing ski socks and snow boots.  I have also had to consider time zones when talking to my friends, as they live all over the country. I have also had to come to terms with the fact that I was wrong; there is nothing to do where I live. No really, without a car I'm honestly SOL. 

Today I plan on going to H-Mart, eating as many Korean waffles as I possibly can, and exploring some more of Denver. For the record, it is currently 45 outside and we're supposed to be getting snow tomorrow. I plan on wearing layers of fleece and hoping I can find my arm warmers. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their time off. I plan to work beginning June 1st, so until then I will be kicking my feet up and enjoying the company of my two cats. 

Until next time,

Aislinn 

Hey guys!

This is a post that I did not want to make, nor did I want to happen. 

Yes, I have officially left Oahu and am back on the mainland. 

It feels very strange. Being the first of my friends to leave made it all the more upsetting. I was fortunate enough to see them all before leaving, and am glad that I was able to move everything to storage, clean my room, and catch my flight, all within 24 hours. 

Looking back on my year, there are quite a few things that stand out to me. One of these things is my overall feeling about Manoa. When I think back to first semester, I think about how I had no regrets. I was able to see much of the island and make many new friends. When I think about second semester, I feel a little regret. I feel like I wasn't able to get around the island as much, which was really just because I was working. However, something I would like to point out is that the friends I made became that much closer to me. I am especially thankful to the times I was able to leave campus and go to new places, such as China Walls or Stairway to Heaven. 

I hate goodbyes, and saying goodbye to my freshmen dorm room, as well as my friends, was not an easy thing to do. Similar to leaving the island for Christmas vacation, the second I got in the shuttle I knew I did not want to leave. Given it's my new home, Oahu has such a special place in my heart that makes it all the much harder to leave. 

My biggest hope is that this summer is an enjoyable and relaxing one. As much as I want to return to campus and see my friends, I know that these next few weeks off will be something I need. From working constantly, to studying nightly, I need this break. As much as it hurts to say goodbye to a place that has grown to be so special to me, I know this is something I can not put off. 

But, as promised, I will now tell you guys which tower I was in. If you remember from one of the very first posts on this blog, I withheld sharing what tower I was in for the sake of privacy. Well, the wait is no longer over. The tower that I called, and will still call, home is: Lokelani. 

Lokelani is a beautiful tower. If you ask anyone on campus what they think about the dorms, you'll soon find that people either love the dorms or hate them. Me personally, I loved them. It's hard to say what exactly I liked about it, but there was something so special about living on campus that I can't explain. There is absolutely nothing else like living on college. I absolutely loved living in such close proximity to my friends, from being in the neighboring building to the girls, to being just floors away from Eric. I loved having such a unique floor, where the girls never showed their faces but the guys invited me to go around the island with them. Yes, my floor was probably what I complained about the most, but knowing what I know and having done what I've done, I would most definitely go through the tedious application process for living on the floor. 

If I've taken anything away from this year, it's how little I knew before coming to college. How little I knew about myself, even. As I leave Oahu and return home, I'm coming back with such a different perspective that it's, in a word, exciting. It's exciting to go back with all the knowledge you've now acquired. 

I know I've been rambling, with no real direction of this post, but I do want to share that unless you've lived on campus, or even been to college, you cannot truly relate to this post. If you are an upcoming college undergrad, get excited! There are tons of things to look forward to, and college in Hawaii is an experience like no other. 

Here are some pictures of the views you get everyday while living in Lokelani. 





In the last two photos, the city in the background is Waikiki. At night, the skyline looks beautiful with it's small, dim yellow dotted lights. 

I hope you enjoyed this (short) post. Enjoy the next two months, everyone! We have all earned it.

Until next year,

Aislinn

Hey guys!

I'm halfway done with my finals, and with the none to take tomorrow I decided to use this time and post about my trip to the Shangri-La, as promised! 

Before I start, I would like to preface that this was only done possible with the Kama'aina Deal. For those of you unfamiliar with either the word or the day, let me explain.

Kama'aina means 'Child of the land'. Typically if you're looking for a "local" discount, you would ask if a shop has a "Kama'aina discount". In similar fashion, some places, like the Shangri La, advertise a Kama'aina Day, where you get free admission if you live in Hawaii. 

After applying for the ticket (what, did you think it was free?) I was notified shortly after that I had been awarded one ticket to the museum during the time of 1:30 pm. I was instructed to check in at the Honolulu Museum of Art no later than 1:15, as shortly after I would be shuttled to Doris Duke's house. After taking the bus (I recommend the 13 to Franky Fresh, then cross the street and take the 1 to the Kalihi Transit Center, but getting off at the Museum) I checked in and wait. In total, there were about 20 of us going to the museum. We were the last tour of the day, as there had also been one at 9:30 and another at 10:30. 

Before arriving to the Shangri-La, all I knew was that Doris Duke had turned her home into an Islamic art museum. In fact, there was actually a short video we were all shown on the way to her house. It was nice at telling us the history of the home, but nothing beat pulling into her driveway, driving past security, and waiting outside her white villa. 

I apologize in advance for the lack of pictures. Turns out you're not allowed to take pictures inside the house, so I was limited to only talking pictures of the outside areas. Here is what I could manage:

Her backyard. This was the view you had if you were facing her bedroom. There was, of course, a guesthouse to the left accompanied by a 30 ft. deep pool.

Up close on the detail of some of her art.

The wall you see immediately following her foyer. The yard behind it has a mural and is where she buried some of her 18 German shepherds.

The view of her backyard adjacent to her patio furniture. I think this angle is absolutely stunning. Whats more- she built this entire plot. Believe it or not but her yard used to actually lead into the ocean.

Sorry if the photos were disappointing. I would have taken more if permitted, but it looks like the interior of the house is kept very hidden. If this is something you're really curious about, I would recommend being on the lookout for what the guide referred to as "a video all about Doris Duke". Apparently just the other day Google flew to her house and filmed an entire something inside, but what that something is I just don't know. 

I hope this gave you a better idea of the Shangri-La museum and inspired you to maybe look into the Kama'aina discounts while you're on island! They're not advertised, but if you ask you'll most certainly find some. 

I have to go study for finals now, talk again soon.

Until next time,

Aislinn

Hey guys!

Wow, has it been a minute!

Is it shocking to anyone else how was have already reached one of my last posts as a freshmen? For those of you have that been reading since the beginning, which is insane because I feel like I just posted that "First Impressions" post about Manoa, congrats! Just like myself, we are a mere week away from being absolutely done with freshmen year. 

I'll spare you all the sappy montage of "favorite moments from the past year" and instead opt for telling you how I've been spending my last few days. 

Let's start with classes.

Since having dropped my sociology class (surprised?) I have been left with closing the semester off with, hopefully, good grades in my four other classes. This week in particular, appropriately titled Dead Week, is when my classes officially ended and one final already completed. 

Similar to the fall semester, the final I had first was my Chinese 202 oral. Exactly like the midterm, we were given 13 different questions to answer individually, and then 3 prompts we have to memorize with a partner. On the day of, the partners would then select a card which would have any one of the prompts on it, and from there we would have to almost act out our script. In my case my partner and I drew card #1, which meant we would be discussing the first prompt, which involved arguing about whether or not we prefer traveling as part of a tour group or alone. (This was material from a previous lesson). 

Overall I think the oral went pretty well. It could have been better, naturally, but I did the best I could and for that I'm glad. 

After Chinese I had a good two hour break before going to my last East Asian class and Honors Genetics. 

And so, in the meantime, I decided to go speak to the Political Science department at UH. Lately I've been wondering if I should either change majors or simply minor in Chinese. 

After talking with the Political Science Undergrad Advisor, I have decided to continue with taking a global politics class in the fall. It's not so much government that interests me, but international relations. By the looks of it, the program has quite a few classes on global law and relations, so hopefully this program will be something that clicks.

After the advising I went to my East Asian class and my Genetics class. 

For our last day of instruction in East Asian, we learned more about North Korea (which our knowledge of, go figure, is very limited) and touched on Taiwan. 

In Genetics we finished up presentations on our 10 page papers. After class the professor announced that he would like to speak to each individual person about their papers, and when it was my turn to speak with him I was shocked at what he told me.

In short, he commended me greatly on my "strong voice" in my scientific paper. He made a point to tell me that my paper was one of the only ones he has read that has had such a unique voice (in his words, "You have a voice that is not often found in scientific papers, simply because it doesn't usually work. However, your style of writing made it so that, interestingly enough, your voice fit very well with your paper. While a scientific paper, reading it did not feel like so. I have never read something like this. It's amazing.") and that I should seriously consider a career in writing. We concluded with me telling him I was thankful for the class and hope to take a class in the future on immunology. 

After class I met up with the girls and went out to dinner with one of their moms. The restaurant, called Sabrina's, is a very small Italian restaurant with big prices. I don't think it matters, but if you plan on going its BYOB, and the wine store is up the road near City Mill. 

After dinner we got boba (again, courtesy of Jade's mom) and called it a night. 

Because the next week is Finals Week, we once again had Thursday and Friday off as time to study. Or, if you're like us, go to the beach. 

My next post will be up soon, but I have homework to do so you will have to wait a bit. 

Until next time,

Aislinn