Yesterday was the last day of orientation for international students at my school, and after being advised by our counselor about what subjects I needed to take, I was finally able to register for classes and pay my tuition (ouch). Now all I need to do is sit back and relax until the 22nd of September when school starts. So what have I learned the last few days?

A significant percentage of the Chinese student population  is here in California. Everywhere I turn I keep meeting kids from China, Hong Kong and Macau. I’m sure the students from these countries are wondering whether they left their country at all.

I can pass for a college freshman apparently, so there’s no need for me to wear my Winnie-the-Pooh and Cinderella t-shirts to fit in.

I’m getting a record number of zits on my face. My skin’s contribution in my desperate bid to reclaim my youth.

The sun is scorchingly hot and I can’t use my umbrella for fear of alienating people and repelling potential new friends.

Sunvisors? Forget it! I’m sticking to my shades. I can’t do anything about the freckles but I can certainly do something to prevent getting premature wrinkles from squinting too much.

The boys during orientation are exactly that, boys. I’m too ashamed to even find anyone attractive. I don’t want to be a cougar in my late twenties.

I’m excited about courses I’ll be taking next year such as astronomy, visual arts, geology, human sexuality, introduction to film/tv and music: rock from roots to rap. I wish I had courses like these when I was in college the first time around. It would have made going to school less tiresome.

School, work, volunteering. School, work, volunteering. School, work, volunteering. School, work, volunteering. School, work, volunteering. School, work, volunteering.

This is THE PLAN.