First off let me apologize for neglecting to write anything since the end of March. I wish I could say that I was preoccupied with my studies and my thesis. Honestly I was goofing off and preparing myself to have a difficult month of May by not preparing for the month of May. That being said, I am currently in a Columbus coffee shop taking a break from working on my thesis. With that in mind here is a quick and dirty summary of the last month.
Since April I've been working on an event for the Ohio State Alumni Association to recognize graduating seniors who have donated money to the university at some point in their undergraduate careers. At the same time I was allegedly working on my literature review for my thesis. At the same time I was taking three classes. Though, really, it was more like two. One professor has been incapacitated and the corresponding class is now being taught by an administrator from OSU who is also a graduate of the doctoral program at OSU. Long story short, that class is completely FUBAR and no one in the program really knows what to expect. Although Tall Bear may know since he works with the new professor.
I mentioned that I spent April goofing off. I developed tendinitis in my elbows from climbing too much so I took some rest and took up Salsa dancing instead. I've gone to Salsa dancing twice with Tokyo Hip Hop and once with Mister Mundo. Mister Mundo really took to the dancing, telling me it reminded him of his childhood and home culture. One of the best parts of being with Mister Mundo is that he always has a good time, and Salsa dancing is no exception. I myself enjoy the dancing a lot. We pay $10 for a two hour lesson and then the dance floor is open until two am. So far I am 1 for 1. The first time I felt confident but the second time I couldn't quite hold the beat, resulting in several dejected partners (one of whom told me I looked like I was pouting because I was so irritated with myself). But I'm still going again. Redemption.
I got to return home for my father's surprise birthday party at the end of April. I really needed to return home as I spent my Spring Break working in Columbus where the weather couldn't decide whether to rain, shine, or be murky. Boise, thankfully, knew to shine heartily the whole time I was home! Being home was wonderful. I haven't seen my family since December and even though I've gone for far longer stretches of time without seeing them, I think that the physical distance (and the fact that I loath Ohio) made the visit much more poignant. My father's siblings and parents were also in Boise and I got to see them after nearly two years. Spending time with them was a warm reminder of where I have come from and the tradition I am a part of. I don't say this because my father's family is regal, but because it is beginning to dawn on me how much of myself I derive from being around my family and seeing how they have evolved from generation to generation.
I was able to see one of my oldest friends G-Off as well and got to hear about his graduate school visits and plans. He will be obtaining his Masters in Teaching in Colorado and couldn't be more excited. He'll be living in the desert where the primary forms of recreation are mountain biking and rock climbing. He couldn't be more disappointed. G-Off was who accompanied me on my drive across (most of) America to set up shop in Columbus. I'm very excited for him to begin a new adventure, and I am also jealous of where he will be spending the next year or two.
I did a spot of bouldering as well and was reminded just how much more difficult outdoor sandstone is than indoor plastic. Fittingly, after getting tendinitis, resting, climbing in Boise, and feeling fit I have decided to stop climbing for a time until I get my thesis under control. At which point I will likely be leaving for Wuhan so it won't really matter. That just means that I have the fall to look forward too.
It is back to the literary coal mine for me.
~AJ Yasuda
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