I suddenly realized I have subscribed PhD comics at three different places. Isn't this PhD life a little bit too overwhelming?
I still don't feel it, about the courses I am studying now, the research project, and getting along with others. Seems I am the kind of person that does a lot of contemplation yet always wishes there is more time to think. And now everything just rushes in a haste, making me breathless. It's just like the way I feel about life: desperately want it to be perfect by time slips away leaving no chance even for the most awkward performance.
Starting with both a new school and new culture definitely brings exotic experiences. It is like the sensitivity and curiosity of a child are aroused again and getting new stimuli every day. My eyes are wide open whereever I go. I often wonder how native kids see this PhD thing, but probably it's a lot less exciting or confusing for them. Maybe they don't even really care, there life was less distracted than that of a stranger in a strange land. As back in Tsinghua nobody really cares about the foreign students, they are just foreigners, good to have some new spices around but they never hit the main dish.
But, damn, it's good to have some friends around. Kan complained about his twisted ankle lately. It was worsened because he had to take two hilly walks for a TA class, while nobody would cover for him or lend a helping arm. However, it was the most common scene to see someone with white bandage and crutches in Tsinghua sitting on the back of their buddy's bike and offload their schoolbags to other friends. Loneliness out of the culture barrier is pathetic but could be very true. Though I still believe there is a way to walk around.
