day 9

First day at school yesterday. It really felt like being a freshman all over again: the rush to school not wanting to be late; the desperate search for the right lecture theatre; getting lost; easing into a classroom in which everyone seems to have friends – that is, everyone except you.

But other than the little bits of anxiety, first day went okay. I had geometry, sociolinguisitics, and world englishes. I figured I have a lot of work to do for geometry. So much of its bases sounds unfamiliar to me.


The lake in ucd

Linguistics was okay. I was surprised by the gender imbalance in class though. The girls outnumber boy by at least nine to one. And here I was thinking nus was pretty bad already.

It's just my gut feel here but I think this has a lot to do with a very strong gendered division of labour here. Even stronger than in Singapore. I noticed the same with how guys have nothing to do with the kitchen. And that they usually don't wear head-warming gear.

Classes here are all one hour long. I suppose that's good? I like the idea of one hour meetings because it keeps things focus, and people just can't pay attention for much longer. It seems most productive that way. I must admit this arrangement did catch me by surprise though.

The down side to my schedule is that I've got waaay to long a break in between classes on Mondays. One hour class, two hour break. I'll have to make the most of it. I spent my second break in the library yesterday. Quite liked that.

The lack of view from my corner in the library

I've also become more grateful of nus's smoking ban. Back in ucd the entrance to the building has been turned it into a smoke lagoon; there's really no choice but to pass through them.

After school I explored the campus a bit. Found the sporty corner of the school: gym, pool, rugby field. I also discovered where all the supermarkets in the area are. Bought some groceries last night, but I might head out to get a bit more later.

For now, I should be getting ready for school.

*

I'm back! I was very amused by my math class today. Everyone were like characters from a movie. Most of my classmates were scruffy and bearded and wore baggy jackets. 

My prof was the best: a slanting middle-aged man, balding and bed-haired. His eyes never seemed to meet anyones', yet he spoke at us with the confidence of a textbook. That magical language of mathematics. It always sounds the same, written or spoken. As such there was like double the charm when he wrote what he spoke on the blackboard. The whole scene just felt so archaic.

English classes are very different. For one, they are much larger, and as I mentioned before, female dominated. Even my profs are female.

And, I didn't quite believe it when Tim first told me, but the class really was a sea of copper, brass and gold. It feels strange to belong to a minority that is both male and Asian.

But besides feelings of oddness the classes have been fine. I don't feel ready to move back into the swing of school, but I'll have to move along with it anyway. At least most of the content for my linguistics modules seem largely familiar. Shouldn't have too much trouble with those. It's the math modules that I really have to pull things together for.

After school I spent some time wandering around the neighbouring neighborhoods. I found my way to Merrion, pish posh area. Everyone practically lives in castles there.


The random picture I took on my walk

Eventually I landed myself in Ballsbridge. Pretty okay place. It had some cafes I'd like to check out. I walked along a river/ stream there too. That was really beautiful.

But the catch of the day had to be Herbert Park, not too far from where I'm staying now. It doesn't have much to boast of other than a little pond, and large patches of green. Even so, it felt I had walked into an oasis from the rush and rough of the city streets. I'd definitely go back there, perhaps when I finally get my jogging gear on.

Later in the evening I tried to be sociable and went for an event thing at ucd. Met a few random exchange students and ate a decent share of free food. Not great, but at least I know a few people now.

I rewarded myself by cooking a steak and salad, finished with chocolate mousse. Credits to lidl for cheap groceries.

Going to head out now to get dishwashing liquid and clean up the mess I made.

Goodnight.