Asian American studies

This semester I’ve been taking a module called “Introduction to Asian American Studies”. I choose this module because I thought it would be helpful to my dissertation and I was not wrong. Not only this, but I feel that it has also taught me more about my heritage and experiences other Asians have undergone. Although I am not personally an Asian American, the themes and issues that we have studied are all too familiar even within the UK. The stereotypes and generalizations that many have of Asians I have seen and been measured against. Even though I cannot expect people not to judge me for my skin colour, eye shape or even height I know they will. However, after learning about other people’s experience I think I can be more proud and confident in who I am. I have to say before coming to Purdue, I was not as interested in learning more about my Asian heritage nor have I felt so Asian in my life. But I feel that because of the people that I met here and courses like ASAM 240 I appreciate and value my Chinese heritage far more than I did in the UK.  For me “Asian America” does not have a specific definition. For me it highlights the umbrella of ethnicities, cultures, languages, experiences and stories that they have. Their stories of immigration, assimilation and more will have similarities to one another but each different and unique in their own right.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
― Marilyn Monroe

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
-Walt Disney

What's in a name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

So at Purdue one module I have taken is Asian American studies. I thought it would be highly informative and interesting to take and I was not wrong. Each and every week we're set a weekly reflection and this week I based mine on the film The Grace Lee Project (2005).

I personally found the documentary The Grace Lee Project (2005) humorous yet insightful. Considering the amount of people that share that one very name is astounding and it is understandable that the director would feel that she was not as special or unique as she had previously felt. I found it quite ironic also that all the perceptions of “Grace Lee” were all similar to one another. The Grace’s they knew were all “petite, smart, softly spoken, reserved and quiet” and I agree with the director when she asks if in reality they mean passive? For if she really was all of the above, why have none of them kept in contact with her?
During the discussion, one person asked if anyone disliked their own names...personally I can I don't dislike my names individually but together it is an absolute pain to write. My surname has three components plus my first, second and Chinese name makes six! Trying to learn to write this as a child was absolute torture!! It took me years to learn how to write Tseung. But I think what is more annoying is people miss pronunciation my name. Even though they don't mean to, I can't help but get irritated but its a daily feature of my life...and I know for sure other people experience this.

The question of what is in a name and if it defines your personality to an extent has truth. I personally think names have an influence on a person’s character. Even though my first name is Jessica and my second is Melissa, I personally feel more like a Melissa and have a stronger association/ connection with this name. Likewise in terms of surnames Lee seems to be a highly common name among the Asian community, just like my own. Sometimes I feel a bit too common of a name. I remember once when I told someone my surname was Wong, they’re reaction was literally, ‘Oh another Wong?! What makes you different to any other Wong I know?!’ Even to this day I feel it’s a very good question to ask myself. Out of the all the people with my name, what makes me stand out from the crowd? Will I blend in like Grace Lee and be known as the “petite, smart, softly spoken, reserved and quiet girl that always got good grades?” I would like to think I’m different than all the others who share my name, but who really knows?
Lee. G, (2005) The Grace Lee project, A LeeLee Films Production

"There is creative reading as well as creative writing."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Back to the cornfields

I have to say, it is well over due this post and I'm really sorry! Its been quite hectic since I returned to Purdue for the Spring Semester.

I knew when I went home for Christmas that coming back to Purdue would be different and I wasn't wrong. Firstly, a number of my closest friends were also international exchange students from Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan and England. Not only did I appreciate the time I spent with them exploring and getting to know West Lafayette I also appreciated the fact I was able to be here for one whole academic year. I think if I didn't have this opportunity my time and experience here would not have been the same. By being here for one more semester I was able to take more amazing modules, meet new people, experience more of the erratic weather and even get a job!

Currently it's the last day of Spring break at Purdue. Although I wasn't able to do the stereotypical American thing and hit Miami or Florida I still managed to have a good break! Staying at Purdue allowed me to get to know the area more, explore and appreciate the "city" where I've been staying for almost a year. Even though it is small, it is a friendly and welcoming place that is easy to roam about. What helped even more is that the weather here has been amazingly HOT at 28 degrees Celsius! For March it is extremely hot and I can only imagine what summer will be like again..most likely 30 degrees or more just like when I arrived last August.

Today being the last day of break means its back to reality and the last hurdle of the academic year,  plus work! (I managed to get a job at one of the student restaurants and work night shifts which is only last 4-5 hours so it isn't as horrible as it sounds) I have to say, it was one of the best decisions I made here. Not only do I get to make some extra cash, the people that I work with are also students and they are amazing. The working environment is fun and friendly, so friendly that we even teach our supervisor (also a student) English Slang words and play pranks on one another. The people who work with me are mostly students and are in the exact same position as me. But what I find amazing is that many of them hold more than one job and yet still have time to study! I guess I have more to learn about time management ^^' !

Spring break also marks the middle of the spring semester which means my time here is almost over and dead week plus finals are fast approaching  :( I calculated that I have just under 7 weeks until I wave goodbye to Purdue. I honestly cannot believe how fast time has flown, I still remember the day I registered as a student and soon I will have to leave...but first I must survive the next few weeks before I even contemplate packing and booking flights to tour North America.

Luckily I finish my last exams early on the 3.05.2012, which means I have almost a month to explore America before I return home. I cannot wait to visit places like the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, LA, Washington DC, NY and Canada even though it will inevitably cost a bomb one thing an exchange student must do is T.R.A.V.E.L and E.X.P.L.O.R.E . I think those extra shifts and penny saving will be of use and totally worth it!

Weather in West Lala land!

Coming from the UK I'm pretty much used to the temperamental weather. One minute its sunny the next its grey and just about to bucket down with rain. I never leave the house without an umbrella no matter the season! However being here in West Lafayette or what has now become known as West Lala land, weather here is far more extreme and shifting than that of home. One person once told me that within one day, you can experience all four seasons!

14th November 2011, I experienced my first tornado! Here at Purdue if you hear a alarm sound outside you need to go in and head to the basement, if you hear the alarm from inside a building you head outside, pretty simple right? Well when I heard the alarm from outside me and my friend remained in our room believing it to be only a false alarm or  a test run =|  At this point in time I was preparing for my next class at 4:30 and looking outside the window it was ridicously windy, black clouds were apporaching and it had just started to rain! I did not want to leave my room at all!! It was only through Facebook I found out there was a tornado warning in West Lala land! Luckily enough my class was cancelled and I could watch the tornado pass within the comfort of my room :) (I should have really been in the basement though...)
15th November 2011, the day after my first tornado and the weather is sunny with blue skies yet a bit "nippy". Weather in this state and country is so confusing!

29th November 2011, SNOW!! Through the whole night all I could hear is the rain hit the windows...I thought great its going to be horrible tomorrow. When I woke up after 4 hours of sleep at 8am  it was still raining! After lunch me and my friend noticed it was raining hail!! How cold was it for that to happen? Within 20minutes it began to snow! I love it when snow falls and creates a white blanket on everything but I thought it was too warm for it to set....after my 1:30 class (about 2hours after lunch) it was still snowing and to my amazement it had set!! :) For many of my international friends this was the first time they had seen snow...some were happy others were not quite so pleased especially with their soggy shoes or boots! One thing for sure is that West Lala land is far more prepared for the snow that the UK..even though this is good, it means no more cancelled classes for a long time or if there is a mountain of snow, which is apparently a possibility!

30th November 2011, Can you believe that today is the last day of November? There are only 17 days left this semester - counting finals week! 4 months have literally flown by and thanksgiving break is a absolute 'tease'! It's just so close to Christmas I've become lazy and unmotivated yet this is the most important time of the year. The last push is always the hardest! Looking at the weather is a must here before leaving the room! What greeted me this morning on msn weather was 'Flood warning'. My face literally dropped =| but looking outside I see no signs of flooding...just yet.....