thankful for
1) online lectures.
MIT freely distributes a lot of the video lectures for its classes.
I've been listening to their calculus lectures,
and it's surely better than trying to re-read the textbook.
2) care packages.
thanks mom,
I now have enough sugar to last me through the new year.
3) small talk.
while it might feel like a breach of privacy/space for those unaccustomed to the culture
(not to mention the high chance of awkwardness),
I believe that the passing of small talk is one of the key characteristics of American culture.
as long as both parties are comfortable,
it becomes one of those moments that show that American culture is friendly in its roots.
anyways,
as I was waiting in the post office to get my package,
this lady/girl who was standing behind me started talking to me.
"so what are you waiting for?"
I tell her it's a package, from home.
"and so am I! I'm getting a present!"
asked her if it was for Christmas.
"no, birthday present! my birthday is this friday."
so much details, no?
asked if she ends up getting only one present because of the proximity of the days.
"no, I get little things over the course of the month, and I like that!"
she continues
"you know what I like the most? the socks I get for Christmas!"
something about that warmed my heart,
being excited for the little things.
"oh, I wish I'm getting socks!"
then again,
it could be that she's getting some sick silk socks.
couple more exchanges continued until I received my package and wished her well.
