Time to say goodbye.

Well I survived my summer of I-Core, and it feels great!

I actually have had the time to stop and take a breather and time to stop and reflect.  Looking back on my whole summer it was one of the most memorable summer I've ever had, filled with great people and unforgettable experiences to go along with it. But, as to all great things, it must come to an end.  

My lease is almost up, and I'm slowly moving my things out of my apartment, getting rid of things I don't need.  It's always a little sad to see your whole life all packed, but what's worse is the physical packing and moving.  My lovely roommate left for home before me, leaving with me to do all the cleaning and sweeping. Thanks Alec! 

I've got a couple of more days here in Bloomington, then it's home for a couple more days, and then off to China I go.  Its interesting how I want that day to get here quicker but at the same time I don't want to leave just yet.  

Saying goodbye is never an easy task, but I've learned that its better to live in the moment than to dwell on the past.  As a child, I would get so hung on the fact that a show was canceled or ended (Power Rangers).  It would eat me up inside, but maybe after the death of my father I really learned to let go. Granted, I don't always and I still have my weak moments, overall saying goodbye to friends before leaving for this trip is somewhere of a happy occasion. First, I get to see friends I haven't seen in months and in some cases years. Second, I gives me a sense of urgency and makes time go by much faster.  

I would like to thank a particular person, someone who made this summer the most memorable and wonderful summer I'll ever have.  I can honestly say, without this person in my life it would not be as happy and fulfilling.  Kindness and love is what she constantly gives and never expects anything back, except the once request for flowers :).  From the bottom of my heart thank you. 

Well, this is my last post in this blog for a long time or some time, depending how you view it.  I'll be posting in my other blog designated for China called Oh Herro China! I'll do my best to post as often as I can, and hopefully start a weekly or bi-monthly Vlog.

Thanks everyone, enjoy the rest of your summer!

-MC

Stop! It's Case Time

Hello everyone,

I might be a ghost for the next week or so.  My I-Core case went live today, and I'll be busy busy busy. This will probably one of the last posts before I leave for China and move to my new blog, but I'll be sure to have one last post on here before that happens.

I got some of my final results back, and lets say one of them was not good... This semester has been absolutely horrible for my GPA.  I'm slightly worried, but GPA is only a small,small part of me, so no need to fret too much.

Only a less than two week till China, just got to weather it out.

-MC

Red River Gorge Trip and I-Core winding down

Hello Everyone,

I know I said I would write more frequently, but maybe I'll do a weekly post instead so I have more to talk about.

This past week I had the wonderful experience to go camping and rock climbing with group of friends. I must say I was never an outdoorsy or camping person, but this trip really has changed that.  As my roommate said, "I've caught the 'bug'."

Anyways, it was my first time rock climb ever, a good test of my fitness level, and let's just say my first day was pretty pathetic.  Rock climbing is a pretty technical sport, it's not all about brute strength and force, granted it helps.  Rock climbing is a lot like relationships; the more energy you put into holding on, the more tired you get, instead find right one and holding on seems effortless and natural.  So taking that advice, the second day went a lot smoothing, I actually manage to make it up a couple of bolts.
*Side note, I have never eaten so well on a camping trip, and I'm pretty sure everyone at the campsite was jealous of how much food we had.

So now that I had my little mini-vacation, I just need to finish the rest of my finals for I-Core and then finish the case, and off to China I go. 20 more days and counting.  Remember, for those who read this, I'll be moving to my blog specific for my year abroad in China.

Bests Everyone,

-MC

This is the group of friend I went with: from L-R Alec, me, Sunny, A-Mei

Runner's High: It really does exist.

Hello everyone,

It's been awhile since I've posted anything lately, apologies.

The weather in Bloomington has not been the most cooperative in terms of running conditions.  I don't mind a little rain during a run, I actually prefer it, but when it is heavy down pour it really puts a damper on my day.

My training schedule this past week has been a little out of whack, so in attempt to combat the weather I tried indoor run on the treadmill... I ran 2 miles and felt motion sick. During the week my mileage wasn't on schedule, so by the weekend I had to make up about 2-3 miles from the week (this week is also a tamper week to bump up the milage for the coming week.)

The long run for the weekend, I normally take a 1 minute walking break between every 3 miles, but this past run I decided to push through the pain and just run the whole thing, and around mile 4-5 I could feel the pain slowly disappear and I felt relaxed.  This is what runner's high must feel like, the spirit of Forest Gump inside of you.  It was first time I've ever experienced this type of feeling, and I'm only craving more now.

So a little update on what's coming up.  I have my finals coming up next next week, so this week I have to buckle down and start studying.... But, since its 4th of July weekend, I'm going with a couple of friends to Red River Gorge to do a little bit of camping and rock climbing.  I'll be studying during the drive and during the mornings and evenings. I've really be fortunate to have such great friends during a time when I was feeling a little down.  Needless to say, I haven't been this happy better yet content in a long time.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone, I'll post some pictures of my mini-vacation when I get back.

-MC

Caught in between a frozen dessert love triangle

Hi everyone,

It's official summer, but it's felt like summer in Bloomington for awhile now.  What the best thing to do during summer? Why of course eat ice cream!  Up until this weekend, my favorite place to go for ice cream in Bloomington was Hartzell's, but I recently went to the Chocolate Moose and got their homemade vanilla blizz with heath bar... I feel like I cheated on a girlfriend, it was so sinfully delicious.  I go out for ice cream a couple times a week, and normally I'll go to Hartzell's and pray they have green tea ice cream (I highly suggest trying it also the cantaloupe sorbet !).  

I was talked into going to the Chocolate Moose, and fortunately I got there in the knick of time before closing. I got a note saying you are the last person in line, but I felt so bad for people how came after me so I just kept passing the note back to the person at the end of the line.  I didn't want to be that guys that say, sorry no ice cream for you.  I'm not the ice cream nazi. 

It looks like I'll be in a happy, yet fat asian kid this summer.  What are your favorite ice cream places or flavor? Comment below. 

-MC

A change of flavor, and two personal bests

I'm about 45 days away from leaving this country, and I've realized that my Chinese has really gone downhill.  I've decided to blog a little in Chinese just to get more practice.

所以开始啦。。。

这暑假认识不少的中国人，尤其是中国女生。跟她们沟通有时候会有问题，因为我好久没练中文。学如逆水行舟，不进则退，所以从天开始要复习中文，否则到了南京中文更糟。

I think that's enough for today.

So this week for my marathon training, I set two PR's for the routes I've been training on.  My goal for the marathon is to average a 8:45/mile, so I'll end up a sub 4 hour marathon.  So on my 3 mile run this week, I went a little intense and ran a 7:45/mile and then on my 5 mile run not only did I not take a break, I kept marathon pace.  I'm really getting into the habit of running, granted it's killing my knees, but I'm young.

Stay cool everyone, and if you have any good routes or stretching tips please share.

-MC

Ripped Jeans and Marathon training week 2

Happy Sunday everyone,

I had a very interesting night last night, or better put an eventful weekend. I was fortunate to have a 3 day weekend this week due to midterm and what not.  I was paid to eat lunch and a watch a movie on Friday which is probably never going to happen after this job ends.  (I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but I am a program assistant for a summer Chinese intensive language program.) 

Last night made me realize what a true friend is.  Lets just say, I was being a smart ass and someone attempted to throw a drunken punch at me, luckily I ducked and dodged it.  Under the impression I was hit, my roommate tackled the drunkard and got a revenge hit for me.  It was a touching moment for me, it was the first time someone has stepped in and had my back.  Roommate love. ha.

Tomorrow will mark the second week of marathon training, the previous week had been a lot of condition running and route testing.  I'm actually looking forward to this training, it will be the longer commitment I've ever had (I'm excluding cell plans because they don't count).  Bloomington is great place to train, a lot routes to run, and the B line trail is a great place to do my long distance runs. 

Does anyone have a story of someone having your back or a commitment that you endured all the way? Please share. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and has a great start to the week tomorrow.

-MC

Sore Knees, Sore Body, Week 1 of Marathon Training

Hello everyone, 

So the last post I mention I started my marathon training, well I'm still with it.  I think it's going to be harder than I thought.  I'm turning into an old man, my knees are constantly sore and I've been taking pills to help with the soreness.  I'm like one of those guys on the Aleve commercial :). Too bad this week was technically a conditioning week for me. I don't really start the training schedule until next week.

On a side note, I finally got a watch to help me keep pace/ actually know the pace I'm running at, and today I was kinda proud of myself a little faster than an 8min/mile. I'm setting my goal for my marathon to be under a 4hr marathon, so the pace needs to be faster than a 9:09min/mile.  

If there are any runners that read this, please comment on some of the things you do on your rest days.  I mainly swim to do my cross training, and also what about weight lifting, especially lower body lifting.  Also, suggestion on running song/playlist. I'm really into upbeat/house/techo-y songs to help keep the energy up.  

-MC

China Marathon Training

Hello hello,

It's been a hectic week for me, midterms and studying.  The most difficult part as been that I have no motivation to study, but luckily I've been pay attention in class and took good notes.  Today, will be my second to last midterm, and then I have a three day weekend.  Maybe go buy some camping stuff or a down jacket, or go to Cedar point who knows.

So from the title, I bet you can guess what I've started.  I've been considering doing a 10k or mini for a couple of weeks now, but since I've been slowly getting back into shape, I thought hell why not a full marathon.  I'm starting a 15 week training program, which I'll have to adjust for when I might be doing any serious races.

Why would I consider doing a marathon you might ask? Well if you didn't know already, I'm going to China for a year, and well I think of this year as a year to push myself to experience as much as I can before I come back to school to finish my degree and begin working.  Having all these experiences will no doubt give me an interesting conversation starter to any job interview.

Well today marks day 1 of marathon training, and only 55 days more until China.

-MC

Crazy weather in Bloomington

Hello everyone. It's been sometime since I've lasted blogged. Summer is just really getting to me or I'm just getting lazy. 

So what's been going with me recently is mainly summer school and what not. I've been going to the gym pretty religiously since summer started and well before that as well, but I've now decided to intensify my workouts by doing two works outs a day. Afternoons focuses on strength and condition and the evenings are primarily for cardio. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before but my goal is to get back into shape and get abs again all before I go to China. 

Speaking of China, I have less than two months before I'll be leaving the good old US of A, for the motherland. It's pretty exciting times. I've been looking at where to travel and sight see. Korea and Singapore were just too expensive for a couple days travel, but luckily I have a friend who is interested in maybe going to Macau later in the year so I'm looking forward to that. 

Other that school and working out, I have a job now. I'm working the flagship Chinese institute as a program assistant. The kids just all moved in, so I'll be helping them out though their 8 weeks here at IU. 

I hope everyone is a enjoying their summer and staying safe. Let me know what you're up to or have interesting summer activities to share. 

-MC

Quarry Excursion

Hello hello,

So I've been pretty lazy with keeping up with the blog, hopefully I'll be better about it as the summer continues.

Yesterday, a few friends and I decided to go to the quarry to go check it out and jump off the cliff. After getting lost going there, and taking the wrong path to get there, we get stopped by the fire department person.  Luckily he just gave us a warning, but I really wanted to jump off the cliff. It's been over 4 years since I've cliff dove. 

Besides that, I went to game 6 between the Pacers and Knicks on Saturday, pretty exciting game. I'm glad that Pacers are doing well, my favorite team even though I hate the NBA.  I pray they smash the Heat.  Lebron is garage, not his talent, but his actions of moving to the Heat. 

Anyways, I'd really like to know what everyone else doing with their summer, so I can have idea of what to do next.

-MC

Summer in Bloomington...

So I'm in my 2nd week of summer class, 10 more weeks to go.  One word that describes Bloomington in the summer: dead.  I would guess 95% students are gone for the summer, its good and bad.  Good in the fact that when I go to the library that there is always a computer available or a work station.  The bad part is that, aside from being boring beyond belief, they scale down the internet in the library and other building.  The internet is shotty at best in some place.  

After the fact that Bloomington is lifeless without the students, it also the perfect time to get in shape! The gym rats and muscles head are for the most part not here anymore.  I don't have to feel self-conscious anymore when I attempt to lift weights.  It's been a personal goal to get back into shape for a multitude of reasons. I've really let myself go after high school, and now I'm starting to take control over my body again.  

So if you in Bloomington this summer, and especially a student, come to the SRSC and get your sweat on.  Its all a bunch of asians and skinny white boys trying to get big in the gym, so no pressure or awkward looks. :)

-MC

Summer time, time for summer school

Hello hello,

It's been awhile since I've been writing.  Finals were a pain in the ass, but I survived.  I failed two finals yet one class I got an A- and then the other a B, so I can't be too upset.  I had a small break after finals about 3-4 days, then I started summer school. I really want to do well in summer school since it's ICORE.  For those unfamiliar, ICORE is the foundation of business skills all wrapped into a semester long session. 

On a happier note, I bought my plane ticket to China, and got a great ticket too.  I'm flying business class from Chi-Town to Shanghai.  I'll actually enjoy the flight, a feeling I haven't felt since I was kid riding an airplane.  I've been doing a lot of day dreaming of where to travel and what to do, since I'll be in China before most of my friends get there.  I was thinking Singapore, Seoul, then maybe Taiwan.  It would be great kick start to my year in China.  Counting down the days now!


-MC

Distressing weekend, stressful mondays

As a good little Asian boy, I spent the majority of my time last week getting all my shit together and finishing some assignments.  What do I get rewarded with? Being done early, so I rewarded myself a nice night out at the bars with social/club/team what have you. I can call it a successful night, I finally let loose and had fun actually.  The next day wasn't the best, but I can't complain too much.

So then it was Saturday, I decided that since I had a great night out at the bars on Thursday that I would continue the fun at friend's surprise 21st birthday party, and once again bars. Besides the drinking and games, I had the most delicious cake I've ever consumed.  Green Tea Cake with some kind of icing, literally I fell in love with the baker of the cake.  I want to marry her, so for my birthday every year I can have this cake.  Literally if you like green tea ice, you will love this cake.

After a weekend of fun and delicious cake, I had to come to the reality of finals, and getting ready for a presentation that I'm sure that sucks and my research was not thorough enough. But, on the bright side I'll be leaving in exactly 3 months, the countdown begins.

Good luck with finals everyone! 逢考必过！

-MC

Down the final stretch

So if you weren't already aware its dead week, which means only one thing. Massive Cramming at the library.  I've been here everyday since Sunday, its been packed. How packed you may ask? There are not any parking spots, besides the handicap or reserved spots.  Yesterday I actually stole a parking spot from someone else.  I felt kind of bad, but I signaled and according to my drivers ed class, I think I'm entitled to the spot because I followed the rules. 

This week has been the 3 P's: papers, projects, and presentations.  Anyone in Kelley will tell you dead week is the worth cause everything seems to get piled up this week, aside from I-Core kids who are already finished for the semester. 

China is a little over three months away, and I can hardly wait for it get here. Finals and I-Core, then China I go.


Good luck everyone with all your presentations, papers, projects and finals.

-MC

Dead Week, you mean Death Week.

Dead week is near approaching, so what's that mean?  Technically its the week before finals, where professor just review and go over what going to be on the final.  WRONG!  I think they believe dead week is myth; papers, projects, quizzes, tests, etc. are assigned during this week.  If all department have this mentality of  "Oh, its dead week, I can give out a quiz cause no one else is going to assign anything." Guess what, you're wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong (Dr. Cox voice).   With this new concept of "dead week," finals week seems to be extended an extra week.  

I bring this up because I planned ahead this year, out of pure necessity and lack of interest to participate in little 5 activities. I've used little 5 week as my dead week, seeing that students don't go to class and teachers know it, so they sometimes lighten up the load for the week. With that being said, it still isn't enough to get everything done. Especially, when you have to pick up the slack for teammates who want to go out and drink and party.  I don't want to brag saying I have a much heavier workload, but if you look at my class schedule it all upper level classes.  

I think I'm done with my rant now.  I wish everyone good luck with their studies and finals.

-MC

Bathroom Dilemma: Man Law

Guys have you ever ran into the problem where there are only two urinals, and someone is already at one of them.  What do you do? Break man law/code or what have you, or you go to the stall?  It such a tough call sometimes.  On hand you don't want to be the weirdo creep, that might be trying sneak-a-peek, but on the other hand you don't want to coward man-boy that uses the stall.  What am I getting at? Opportunity cost.

Everything can be associated with an opportunity cost, and I think most of us don't think in terms of opportunity costs.  If we do think in terms of opportunity, we tend to think of the immediately costs and not long term.  So what do you do?  Well, in the case of the urinal, just go with the flow, but much more serious decisions we can't be so impulse.  We need to be calculated and well thought-out.

This is something I'm trying to implement into my daily routine, to think like an economist!  

So in the spirit of my topic today.  Thank you for choosing to read this, among the infinitesimal other alternatives you could have chosen.  Again opportunity costs.

-MC 

The Green Light

Hello hello,

It's Little 5 week, so that means I'll have the library all to myself! (haha)

If you love American literature or you're a fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald or just that awesome, you'll understand my headline.  For those who don't get it or didn't read their 11th grade assigned readings.  

The Green Light is a symbolic element in the book The Great  Gatsby, my all time favorite book.  It symbolizes a dream/goal that we all are chasing after in life.  I saw a that the new movie is about to come out and I thought about the book and what it means to me.  Gatsby's green light was Daisy, and doing whatever it took to achieve that dream.  Gatsby was wrong to embody his green light into a person. Why? Because people change, and how can you follow something that is changing, you'll never be on a straight path to your dream, your goal.  

I'm sure all of us have done something like this before put our dreams into a person, but once we realize we've been misguided or lost, we can always find a new green light, within ourselves. We can stir the course of action into what we deem most appropriate and never be lost or misguided again.  Find the green light within yourself, whether that be a career goal, retirement, or what have you, just make sure it's something you can control and that you are the only one who can influence how bright the light glow and how it will direct you.

Happy Little 5 week,

-MC

Inconsistency: Bloomington Weather

Hello

For those who live in Bloomington, or understand mid-west weather, you'll get the title.

The ever so changing weather in Bloomington has really taken a toll on my health, if it makes sense I have season changing headaches from warm-cold and versa weather patterns.  Its a very Chinese way of looking at sicknesses.  I hope everyone is a taking the appropriate precaution in staying healthy for the little 5 weekend.  

Speaking of little 5, I will not be partaking in any of the events or the typical events of drinking and partying. For the fact that I have a presentation on Monday, 2 papers, and a getting ready for finals.  I may have a day to myself and go grab a drink with a couple of friends but nothing hardcore.  I got that out of my system my freshmen.  I've learned my lesson.  For those who are partaking in the glorious week of wonderfulness.  Three things to keep in mind: 1. Look out for undercover cops 2. Don't skip all your classes. 3. Don't be stupid.  I think those are simple rules to follow.  I hope everyone enjoys your little 5 whatever you choose to do.  

China Update:

So I've been so excited about my year aboard in China, I've been looking at potential flights. I think I'll be leaving July 31ish. I'll start a new blog then, even though I think only 2 people really read this. I'll also be starting a Video blog (Vlog), so be on the look out for that.  

Stay healthy and be safe everyone in the upcoming week,

-MC

China Progress and Current Troubles

Meow meow,

So good news, I got funding to go abroad next. Its just one step closer to leaving ole America for the land of new opportunity.  The only thing that is separating me from the land of my ancestors is 1. Finals and projects, and 2. I-Core, then its off to Shanghai and who knows some in country traveling?
 I also got a position at my Chinese program, as a program assistant I believe. I'll be in Bloomington spending my entire summer going to school and working.  Fun Fun.

So off on a tangent...

How is it that someone who says one thing and decides one something, trying to find the "middle road," can just switch gears and do something completely unpredictable.  I guess it my fault for not seeing it earlier.  I should have gotten out while I had the upper hand, but how she draws me back is completely unknown to me.  Maybe it pretending to be vulnerable and needing me.  I think its bull, she's obviously really good with her words and even better actor.

I just can't comprehend how twisted and mess up has to be to realize how much someone cares for you, but you just throw it away like its nothing.  Its like a love value-added chain, but not the good kind.  I'm at the end, so I'm the one who gets hurt the most?  I think I'll cut my losses now, so I think I'm done now.  This is my proof and evidence that I'm done.

Yeah, that's what's been going lately in my life.


-MC

Duke-UNC CLS and Update

So this past weekend I was at the Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit, in the three days I was there I was in the car 23 hours, but it was well worth.

The Duke-UNC executive team it a extraordinary job of coordinating and organizing the event, overall I can't say how impress with the professional-ness of the event. I feel extremely fortunate to have heard so many great speakers discuss a sustainability in China, something I'm extremely passionate about.  

It was a good opportunity for me to network, and meet many like-minded individuals.  I would highly encourage everyone who see this to apply next year.  

The only drawback to attend this meeting is that I came back to a pile of homework and projects. I've never been so stressed in school.  It is honestly the hardest semesters I've had here at IU.  Luckily, it almost over then I'll have a 3 day break until summer school starts (yay!), and after all that its China time!

-MC

Business School: What I feel like I'm lacking

Hello Hello,

Yesterday was a April fools day, and a fool I was.  I seem to be spreading myself out too thin lately, physically and emotionally, but I was really fortunate to have listen Dr. Vuylsteke talk about Americans working abroad in China, and really work in general.  

It really got me thinking that as a business student, what can I really do? Spreadsheets, simple modeling, t charts?  I've been worried this past year about that I'm learning in B-school, all the hard skills that most business kids know now a-days, I feel like I don't know.  I'm not cutting-edge, and I really don't know what I'm going to do.  It's never too late to learn they say, but I just feel like I'm way too behind.  

The one thing he focus on wasn't these hard skills, well besides that most people in business wish they knew more accounting, but rather soft skills and interpersonal skills.  I feel like there is where I can excel at, because 1. I think because I can control my nervousness, and being quick on my feet speaking and communication comes easy, 2. I can easily relate to people, and 3. I really am kind of that typical person, or maybe broad interests kind of guy.  I think if I can maintain these skills or traits, that business maybe wasn't a bad choice for me after all.  

I wonder if anyone else has had the major panic-scare?

-MC

Capstone Acceptance

Greeting and Salutations,

So this past Friday, I receive the good news that I will be in fact going to China for a year study abroad.  I'm ecstatic that I'll be in another China studying, learning, and working, but I always have mixed feeling about leaving.

This has been my dream for last three years.  I've worked my ass off to get here, I've put my heart and soul into learning Chinese, and it's finally paid off.  The language and culture as really influenced me a lot, mainly in the selection of picking potential girlfriends....

I would never say that I've had "yellow fever,"  but recently I've been thinking, I just might have it.  (If you didn't know I'm also Chinese/Asian) This year, I met this wonderful girl, beautiful and just wonderful person (she's from China).  I'm not into fate and destiny kind of things, but for some reason I think she's the one, or just perfect for me.  I think my definition of a perfect woman comes from my mom. Progressively, every girlfriend I've dated always seems to be getting closer and closer to who to my mom wants me to date and get married.  Well, looks like I might have found her.

I know I veered off-course, but this are the things that are most on my mind these days.  China and her.

 So question: what is true love?

-MC

UNC-Duke Trip

Hello Hello,

So what's happened lately is lots of homework and projects, this is by far the most demanding semester of my college career.  On a happier note, I was recently accepted to the UNC-Duke Chinese Leadership Summit, and on a scarier note, I'll find out this weekend if I'm going to China for a year.

If I don't get in, I'll feel like the last 3 years were a big let down, and that I didn't do enough.  I've planned my whole college career around this. Invested countless hours of studying, traveling, and learning Chinese.  I can't regret the past 3 years though, I've meet a lot of great people, experienced many wonderful memories, and most of all I've gotten in touch with my cultural and heritage.  If I do get it, its going to be a great end to a wonderful journey.

What's something that you've invested a lot time into that ultimately didn't work out in the end, but didn't regret a single moment of it?

-MC

Update

It's been a long time since I've blogged, but since I could be leaving this August for China for a year, I thought it was be good to try and get into the habit of blogging now. 

So some updates, I'm a junior now trying to go to China this coming fall.  It's a big step, but should be fun and exciting time.  I've spent the last 3 years devoting myself to Chinese, I'm praying that I get into the program.  Either way, I'm happy with how my Chinese skills have progressed. 

On somewhat related news, I've found myself a nice Chinese girl (my mom is happy about this), relationship in a different culture (I consider myself as American rather Chinese) is a lot different.  Cultural, language, and customary difference is a bit of a challenge.  The good news is that my Chinese has gotten a lot better. 

Anyways, this is just a short update to get the ball rolling for a habitual blogging.

-MC