a delayed reaction
Whenever I find myself packing my bags to leave Dartmouth, I find that I often do it under stressful conditions, and these past few days have taken the cake in terms of stress. I’m taking four classes this term (one more than the usual 3), so in total, I have 3 finals and 2 final papers (and two presentations if you count that). In addition, my internship in Vietnam really wants me to arrive by June 5th, and technically, final exam period does not end until June 6th. I chose to schedule my flight for the morning of June 2nd, so I could get to Vietnam by June 4th. I figured a solid day to recover from jet lag would be necessary. Therefore, the past few days have been filled with hardcore studying and cramming. I slept four hours total in the past 48 hours, and I have managed to cram my student life into two boxes to put in Dartmouth’s ORL storage for the next 5 terms. Well, I can say mission accomplished.
But now it hits me. I’m going to Vietnam to WORK. Although I was jumping in joy a month ago, at the moment, I feel a strange mix of excitement and anxiety, surprisingly. After all, it has been seven years since I’ve been back to Vietnam, and this time, I’m returning as a full fledged adult. This time, I’m working at a German e-commerce company, and already, I know one of my task is to make an employee handbook. When did life turn out so…peculiar. I almost miss those summers where I could just lie around doing nothing. Well, I technically worked out a lot whenever I had nothing to do, so that was good. Speaking of weight, I feel like spending the next 6 months in Asia will spell disastrous news for my weight. Japan alone last summer added 10lbs to my weight. Sigh.
I’m going to be away from Dartmouth for 5 terms. It’s hard for non-Dartmouth students to understand that, but I will be spending my Junior year almost entirely abroad. I honestly have no idea how I ought to feel about that. And AHH going back to Vietnam and everything. I apologize for the crumbling of my prose, but I think the adrenaline is finally fading away, and the fatigue has returned for its vengeance on my body. I have a long flight ahead of me, and I will definitely enjoy sleeping for most of the flight. Hopefully, my erratic sleeping schedule from the last few days might cancel out some of the jet lag.
OMG VIETNAM. OMG WORKING AT A JOB. OMG REALITY. Yes. I am fortunate. Definitely not gonna even try to deny that. I wonder where the next six months will lead me. Actually, I might need to worry about just Vietnam first because I transition to Korea. Oh the reaction I was talking about? It’s this weird, almost grotesque amalgam of emotions that I confront whenever I find myself leaving Dartmouth. Simplistic way to explain it would be to say it’s anxiety and excitement, but I think this is an understatement. Well America. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. don’t get overrun by zombies without me there!


