So it's been about a year since I graduated from UC Davis. It feels like it's been a year. The time hasn't flown by, nor has it dragged on.
Moving across the country definitely changed a lot of things in my life.
- For the first time since 1999, my brother and I lived within 10 miles of each other. This is one of my favorite things. Before this year, he and I never really hung out as friends, and that definitely changed. Even though my brother and I are vastly different, we definitely bonded this year and I'm thankful for that.
- I learned what good sushi tastes like. And good food in general. I don't think I can ever go to a chain restaurant again.
- For the first time EVER, the vast majority of my friends are not Punjabi. In fact, I only have one Punjabi friend at school. And he's not even that Punjabi. It's great being around people who don't always run late and who don't say one thing and mean another. But I also miss having people to dance with, having people to talk to in Punjabi when I want to talk some smack about someone in the room, and just having that Punjabi/Sikh perspective on the things that happen here.
- I thought I lived at the library during my last year at Davis... oh boy, here it's like my tuition is my rent. Except I'm paying rent too. Seriously, I'm at that place way too much. I've made friends there, and we're just one big studying family.
- I've been dancing bhangra since 1991, and of course competed all through college. This was my first year out of the scene. I haven't been to a bhangra competition since Nachda Punjab 2006 (more than a year ago!). Right now, my main motivation to go back to California is so I can rejoin my bhangra team. I miss them dearly. Dancing was such a big part of my life, and all of a sudden, once I graduated from college it just disappeared. I've tried to compensate by watching their videos and learning the routine by myself... but it's not as much fun alone.
- I have nothing going on outside of school. No internships, no volunteer gigs, no dancing, no job. Nothing. Just school.
- I'm a graduate student... what??? I swear I'm an eight year old mentally... I really get the sense that I'm growing up. That sounds so lame.
All in all it's been a great experience. I'm contemplating staying out here this coming year while I apply to medical schools. Why, you ask? It's probably going to be the only year where I am both not in school AND single. I don't want to spend that living at home. Also, it would be the first time that I carry a full time job and pay for my own existence. That thought is exciting. And it also might be the last time that my brother and I live in the same city, since he's graduating from law school next year and I don't know where I will be. Anyway, I have about 10 days left in what's been the longest academic term of my life, and I can't wait for it to end. After that, I will consider my decision more seriously...
Moving across the country definitely changed a lot of things in my life.
- For the first time since 1999, my brother and I lived within 10 miles of each other. This is one of my favorite things. Before this year, he and I never really hung out as friends, and that definitely changed. Even though my brother and I are vastly different, we definitely bonded this year and I'm thankful for that.
- I learned what good sushi tastes like. And good food in general. I don't think I can ever go to a chain restaurant again.
- For the first time EVER, the vast majority of my friends are not Punjabi. In fact, I only have one Punjabi friend at school. And he's not even that Punjabi. It's great being around people who don't always run late and who don't say one thing and mean another. But I also miss having people to dance with, having people to talk to in Punjabi when I want to talk some smack about someone in the room, and just having that Punjabi/Sikh perspective on the things that happen here.
- I thought I lived at the library during my last year at Davis... oh boy, here it's like my tuition is my rent. Except I'm paying rent too. Seriously, I'm at that place way too much. I've made friends there, and we're just one big studying family.
- I've been dancing bhangra since 1991, and of course competed all through college. This was my first year out of the scene. I haven't been to a bhangra competition since Nachda Punjab 2006 (more than a year ago!). Right now, my main motivation to go back to California is so I can rejoin my bhangra team. I miss them dearly. Dancing was such a big part of my life, and all of a sudden, once I graduated from college it just disappeared. I've tried to compensate by watching their videos and learning the routine by myself... but it's not as much fun alone.
- I have nothing going on outside of school. No internships, no volunteer gigs, no dancing, no job. Nothing. Just school.
- I'm a graduate student... what??? I swear I'm an eight year old mentally... I really get the sense that I'm growing up. That sounds so lame.
All in all it's been a great experience. I'm contemplating staying out here this coming year while I apply to medical schools. Why, you ask? It's probably going to be the only year where I am both not in school AND single. I don't want to spend that living at home. Also, it would be the first time that I carry a full time job and pay for my own existence. That thought is exciting. And it also might be the last time that my brother and I live in the same city, since he's graduating from law school next year and I don't know where I will be. Anyway, I have about 10 days left in what's been the longest academic term of my life, and I can't wait for it to end. After that, I will consider my decision more seriously...
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