N-n-now that that won't kill me...

...Can only make me STRONGER

Realize that I have posted thrice in a row and this is my fourth posting in one day. Why? because I can. Why? because I have all the time in my hands... and WHY?

I have been sitting in front of the computer blogging since 9 a.m. this morning and the time now is 12.05 p.m.. 

To answer that question above, I am supposed to be in England, getting ready for my summer school adventures at this very moment as I blog but nope, I am sitting in my friend's apartment looking out the window with a view of freezing cold, gloomy and rainy Chicago this morning, eagerly waiting for 3 p.m. to arrive. Nothing much to do.

The United Kingdom Border Agency recently changed their immigration rules. As a Malaysian, I have to apply for a student visa to study in the UK this summer. I submitted my applications to the British Consulate in Chicago with all relevant documents before I left for Texas about 3 weeks ago, waited and waited, praying hard that I will hear from them soon enough. Few days before I left Texas, I received an email telling me that my visa is ready to be collected. Of course I was excited to return to Chicago.

Unfortunately things didn't go that smoothly. I came back to Chi-town to realize that my visa got denied and it doesn't attract a full right to appeal. The reason it got denied was not quite clearly stated in the refusal letter and I was not allowed to question their decision. I was stuck. These past few days have been quite a mess for me. I've booked my air tickets, paid for tuition and accommodation in England and now... I honestly did not quite know what to do. I just wanted to break down and cry. It is during times like this that I felt the importance of having my family with me. Being halfway around the globe from them, alone in this foreign land, I felt absolutely helpless. I talked to my parents over the phone and there is just so much that they can do to help. They were worried but there's nothing they could do. I was left all by myself. Its time to be INDEPENDENT. Good thing my best friends from high school were around. They stuck with me and I couldn't thank them enough for their support and all they have done to help me get through this. 

For the past few days I have been running in and out the Wrigley Building - that's where the British Consulate is located, and communicating with my school in England. Apparently, there was nothing wrong with my visa applications according to my school and I am convinced that I did everything right. My visa should not be refused. I was supposed to fly out yesterday evening but because of an erroneous assumption by the entry clearance officer, as found out yesterday morning after an argument with them, I had to cancel my flight and paid an extra $100 flight cancellation fee. Today at 3p.m I will find out if my visa is ready to go. (fingers crossed)

So, yesterday evening, instead of sitting comfortably in my flight to London, I ended up following a friend to her volunteer site in Viet-Town. She works with an after school day care program at the Chinese Mutual Aid Association on a weekly basis. Seeing those little kids, listening to their laughter and cheeriness immediately made my day 5 times better. I had tons of fun in the evening despite realizing the fact that I could be on my way to London then..

It was shocking and unexpected yet a great learning opportunity for myself as I learned who are those friends who truly cared when a crisis like this happens. I learned how to stay strong and not collapse in times of trouble. Most importantly, I learned how to be independent. Its hard being away from home, but at the same time, the lessons learned and the experiences gained are invaluable. 

I'm glad I chose to study abroad. If you ever have the chance, don't be afraid to spread your wings and fly... I chose to do it and I have no regrets. I am sure you can do it too.

Check this out: http://www.units.muohio.edu/internationalprograms/index.php

 

Just Me.

So, I haven't really introduced myself. My name is Qiao Wen Tan. I am an international student from Malaysia and I will be a third year senior at Miami University next year. I am a Chemical Engineering major, but I am studying this course, not because it is my one and only passion, but only because I knew that I wanted a technical background in science for myself. 

In fact, I do not really know what I intend to do in the future. I have a broad scope of interests - I love music. I love performing. I love arts. I love the media and communications studies. I am interested to learn about finance, economics and the stocks market. I love to travel and learn about the world... and of course, I love math and sciences.

Yes, I am not ashamed or afraid to admit that my parents had some form of influence in that decision when I first picked my major and I am sure the same goes for many of you high school seniors out there. 

You know what? Sometimes, it is okay to heed advice from your parents, especially if you know that the decisions they helped you make have been shaping you and helping you grow in the right way in the past.  After all, parents are the experienced ones. Well, of course, mix and match it up a little - follow your heart, follow your instincts, but at the same time, it is definitely okay to listen to what others have to say and then re-evaluate your decision. Talk to people. 

My mother always wanted me to be a doctor, but I knew I can't (not because I do not enjoy biology but because I know that I have a phobia for blood, wounds, dead body, needles and things like that in general - I don't think I'll be able to handle my patients). We sat down and talked about it, weighed the pros and cons, took into consideration what I enjoy studying and what I do not and finally, I've decided that I want to go into the biomedical field, thus Chemical engineering with a concentration in biomedical/biochemical background. I am still keeping my options open this way. I know that in a few years time, when I grow older, if I decide one day that I am not afraid anymore, I can still apply to medical school anytime. Else, I can apply to a business school to earn my MBA or continue my studies as an engineer in a graduate school... law school? mmm not so much, but still a possibility. Otherwise, I can always graduate, get a job as an engineer or if not, continue pursuing my passion in music, as a performer, a music teacher, or an audio engineer.

 

However there's one thing I know for sure - I want to go to graduate school after Miami because I believe an undergraduate degree is no longer sufficient in today's world. Simply throw a rock at any direction, chances that you hit a person who owns a college degree with that rock is probably very high. So what makes you outstanding and competitive in the future? 

I like to explore and to keep my options open. That is why I love the fact that Miami offers the Miami Plan Courses. It allows me to study something outside of my major. It gives me an opportunity to be a well rounded person. In fact, I am extremely excited that I will be studying a couple of liberal arts courses this summer - history, world politics and architecture. They are nothing close to what I am good at, but I am not afraid to attempt and to force myself to do it because I know I will learn a lot.

Whichever field you choose to settle in, whatever major you pick, give it a 110%. I am a firm believer of the power of positive thinking. "If you can't you must, if you must, you can" - Anthony Robbin. 

To read widely is my second piece of advice. Do not only focus on your major. I must admit sometimes I struggle to find time for that because I am not a speed reader, but be rest assured that in doing this or making this a habit will only put you at an advantage. Remember: Pop the bubble, think outside the box.

Anyways, that was a really long introduction. Good Luck!

Love and Honor

Oops. Its me again!

So, visiting friends in Texas means I get to visit other universities in the lone star state. Not many. Only three:

Rice University, Texas A&M in College Station and the University of Texas in Austin.

Picture paints a thousand words... I have more than one. So, you be the judge. These schools are unique in their own ways...  but hey, if you ask me I'd tell you, I still love Miami the most! Love and Honor. Nothing can be compared to the beautiful red brick architecture here at Miami. After all, poet Robert Frost once described Miami as "the most beautiful college there ever was". That's a winner right there. ;)

but yeah! Nothing much to say, just a few pictures to sum up my "university-hopping adventures" in Texas...

RICE UNIVERSITY

Lovett Hall

McNair Hall of the Jones Business School

_______________________________________________

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

The Engineering Quad

The Academic Building

George Bush Presidential Library

Unfortunately, I only managed to catch a glimpse of UT Austin because we did not have time to explore. I owe you pictures for that one.

...Peace and until next time.

To Infinity and Beyond...

Ever wondered how our lives would be in 20 years time? What tremendous changes science and technology would bring to our daily routine? 

Perhaps, flying to the moon or even Mars in 2029 will be as easy as traveling to another country in 2009 - Just hop on the space shuttle!

I was in Texas about a week ago, just traveling around and visiting a friend. Well of course, I did not miss the opportunity to visit the NASA space center in Houston. 

It was in fact, an eye opening experience. Never have I imagined the hard work behind the missions and space station researches, the training the astronauts have to go through until I got to see it for myself. Its just like the movies! 

The mission control room, where astronauts call home from space, the training grounds where the conditions are being set to simulate outer-space and et cetera... As an engineer, I stood in awe looking at those high technology devices and facilities, perhaps, ready to be utilized by any one of us in the near future. Isn't that amazing?

Think about it, 20 to 30 years ago... airplanes and computers ain't that common but in today's world, it is almost close to difficult to survive without them. So, who's to say in another 20 to 30 years, the dream of traveling to outer-space in a space shuttle and living in a space station will not come true, eh? 

This reminds me of Buzz Lightyear and his favorite quote "to infinity and beyond..." I believe anything is possible.

Interested? For more exciting stories, don't hesitate to visit NASA's home page at: www.nasa.gov

WHEW!

WHEW! So us SOULS just finished our first week of orientation and it was...phenomenal!!! I've only only had 4 small groups so far, yet I feel like I've learned so much about myself and others already. Each group is so different and I love it because they're neither better or worse than another--just different. I was definitely running on adrenaline for the week and so it's been awesome to have the weekend to SLEEP!!! (lol), regroup, and reflect. I know all 1st Years go through orientation, so you know what it's like. Therefore, I wanted to give you all a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of the lives of the people in the red polos;)

SOUL chant: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh SOUL!!!!!!!!!!

Dancing in the reflective pool:)

Group masages!!!

Christine and I jammin in the basement (well, Christine was at least--I was singing and watching!!)

Steff, Laura, Rachel, Tim, and I on a team cell phone scavenger hunt! 

Matthias, this was NOT nap time!!;)

Jacqueline, Sarah, Marissa, and I hangin Uptown

LOTS of planning!

 

Junior Scholars Program!

I suppose I should start with what I'm doing this summer. After spending the last two summers with the summer orientation program helping graduated high school students begin to understand what their new home(Miami) would be like, I have moved on to helping rising high school seniors understand what college is all about. This summer I will be serving as the head resident advisor for the Junior Scholar Program, which is a program designed for rising high school seniors who apply to come here for a six week experience in which they take 2 college classes as well as partake in numerous extracurricular activities. In the past we have taken students to the World Piano Competition, the Dayton Air Show as well as this year Bengal's Spring Training camp. We also provide a series of seminars on different aspects of the college admissions process from financial aid to the honors program. If students perform well in classes as well as achieve a certain score on standardized testing they are automatically admitted to Miami, but those details and more information can be found on our website, http://www.units.muohio.edu/jrscholars/. If your are a rising Junior or younger in high school getting a really early start on looking at colleges this is definitely a program worth checking out.

Until I start that program on June 26th I have been back and forth from Oxford preparing as well as checking in on the orientation leaders. I chose to work for the Junior Scholars program this summer because I love working with students. At Miami I have been a tour guide, a member of the student foundation, a member of a fraternity founded at Miami, an orientation leader as well as student coordinator for orientation, a resident assistant and now the head of the Junior Scholar program as well as a blog participant! I point those things out because through my experiences at Miami I learned of what I am truly passionate about, generally working with college/high school students, and more importantly gone after opportunities which have allowed me to really understand what this field is all about. There have been so many learning experiences and I have been blessed by having so many wonderful people help me on my journey to becoming just who I want to become. I look forward to updating more about how the Junior Scholars program is going and feel free to post questions if you have any.

Daniel MacKenzie

Startin' Summer!!!

Hey all! I first want to say TGIS (Thank Goodness It's Summer)! I kind of made that up, but it sounds nice, right? Well, anyway, I would be happy to share my summer plans with you all including a couple of things that I've already started doing.

First off, I think it is important to know that I'm taking summer classes here in Oxford. Though it has sort of a different atmosphere than it does from August through April, it still is Miami...fun people, cool profs and a beautiful campus; I'm enjoying it the same. Ususally, when I tell people that I'm taking summer classes, the ask, "Are you trying to graduate early?" I'm going to answer that question with a loud, "NO!" I will never want to rush out into that scary economy; I want to stay here as long as I can (despite what my mom's checkbook wants). The following question is, "So, why are you taking summer classes then?" Now, that is a valid question. I've already been at Miami for 2 years now and I've been loving my Marketing major. The whole time, however, I was battling with an ever bigger passion; education. I came to terms with myself over the last month and cahnged my major to Middle Childhood Education (Math and Social Studies) and these few summer classes will bring me where I need to be. I'm taking EDL 204 and MBI 131 this session and I will be in HST 111 in the third session. Classes are going well too. I love summer classes because I don't mind sitting in class for 2 or 3 hours, I just don't like going back for 15 weeks!!

*For the record, I am still involved in business since Economics is my minor.*

Also, I work. I am a campus tour guide for the summer, which is really fun. I love talking to people and you can never look at this campus too much...it really is beautiful. Besides, I like to think that I have a part in helping students decide if Miami is a good fit for them. If you happen to visit Miami this summer, request me! You would have to come for the 11:00 AM tour Monday-Thursday...I'm busy all other times; bummer :(

Moving on, I don't have classes on Fridays or work, so it's WONDERFUL! Well, that is until I realize that I have another obligation on Fridays 9-5. I have an internship with a U.S. Senator in his downtown Cincinnati office. It is giving me really good experience and some exposure to some stuff that all adults should know. I've only been twice, but as fun stuff happens, I'll make sure to share it.

I know of a couple more things that I'll be doing this summer, but I don't want to tell it all on the first blog! I guess this is like my little cliff hanger...that's assuming that I'm at all interesting lol.

Really, keep checking up on me. I hope to tell you some funny stories about touring or something that I found out about government stuff or better yet, any embarassing summer stories like losing my trunks in the pool or anything else that I don't really want to share...I'm sure YOU won't tell anybody :P