JANUARY 1, 2008



For some odd reason, I have a harder time re-adjusting to time zones when I return from Asia. Well, something I have to live with. The flight was alright. We left 20 minutes late initially because Japanese airspace was too crowded and they had to plot a route through Japan. This was strange because in America, where airspace is always crowded, a route always exists. For once, I guess, Americans can do something better than the Japanese. Anyways, after all that was done, we left the gate... only to return to it. It was further delayed about 1.5 hours more because the Shanghai airport put a few cargo containers destined for another aircraft into ours. So they spent the time fishing out what's not ours and putting in what is. Anyways, aside from that, the flight was quite enjoyable really.



A happy new year to all of you, and for all you uber-conscious of Chinese cultural stuff, a happy Year of the Rat to you. If you are my age or if you were born in 1996, congratulations-- it's your year. I don't think anything special happens. For me, this year is special enough. 2 comprehensive examinations and a master's thesis to complete. Oh yes-- special enough.



And so I come home with a heap of stuff to do. The house needs to be cleaned, bills need to be paid, and the list is not stopping. I hope to finish all this by the weekend so I can begin studying for my Microeconomics comprehensive exam coming up the first Friday of the semester. 4 hours of everything that you've learned over the past year in Microeconomics. Mmmmmm... "fun". Normally, my parents would be the one with the heap of stuff to do, but with my parents not living with us anymore, someone has to be the parent... and my brothers are not raising their hands.