New Year's was, in a word, great

New Year's 2013, I was standing in the crowded streets of Times Square in an attempt to catch Taylor Swift live. Unfortunately, I saw and heard nothing. However, at least now I have the experience of standing in a crowd and trying not to think about the biting cold to add to my list of stories to tell my future children. The point is: I did something pretty cool last year, and I followed up this year with an even better experience: spending the entire New Year's day in the city with my boyfriend. 

So maybe I didn't stay up until midnight the night before to get my New Year's kiss. That was never the plan. One of my friends suggested going to New York on New Year's Eve and then finding somewhere to spend the night so that we'd already be in New York on the first, but... that was a no go. Dealing with expensive (and most likely fully booked) hotels and protective parents just for the sake of a midnight kiss? I don't think so. In fact, I'm glad I didn't go to Times Square on New Year's eve. Because I watched a brief clip of the New Year's performances live, I caught a glimpse of the Disney store that I might not have noticed otherwise. So I guess in retrospect, staying home that night only added to my experience on actual New Year's day. 

Our New Year's shenanigans included Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Toys R Us, and, of course, the Disney store. After getting our fill of the glorious tourist trap that is Times Square, we headed over to see Annie the musical. After falling down a couple stairs (hey, no pain, no gain, right?), we went to see the famous Rockefeller tree, where we witnessed a proposal and basked in some more of New York's magic. By the end of the night, we were worn out and ready for bed (well, I was, anyway. Can't speak for both of us). 

Long story short, I definitely had a great kick start to the new year. It's going to involve insane amounts of academic credits (maybe), getting heavily involved in theatre things, breaking some new year's resolutions, and an adventure book, but I'm looking forward to it all. Happy New Year. 

This is kinda a religious post. If you don't like it, don't read it.

It's funny how drama makes you think. I don't know about other people, but lately, I've been channeling this anger through writing and expending energy. Somehow, all this energy -- I can't tell if it's positive or negative -- has trickled into all aspects of my life, but especially my religious life.

Don't get me wrong. I have never been a particularly religious person. In fact, I only barely practice the religion that my parents have instilled in me when I was little. However, in light of recent events, I've been feeling like the only other place for me to turn was toward religion.

Let me say this now: I am a Buddhist, but in no way am I bound by that title. I don't know what kind of Buddhist I am. I cannot recite every single mantra ever to be created in the religion ever. I cannot name all the Dalai Lamas, nor do I have a personal connection to any of them. I just wanted to get those assumptions out of the way before I said anything else.

I'm starting to realize that what I like best about Buddhism is that I am neither required to believe in one authoritative higher being nor am I required to attend religious services. I believe that Buddha exists; I believe that with a deep devotion to meditation and kindness, one can reach nirvana, a state of pure bliss. What I like most about Buddhism is that it advocates peace with everyone, regardless of their religious background.

Some of the Buddhist quotes that I've started to adapt to my life are:

"Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to let other events or people control your emotions."

"Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."

"We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us, and make us kinder. We always have that choice."

I go through a lot of phases; some superficial and shallow, others not so much, like this one. I sincerely hope this "phase" sticks for a very long time. It has helped me come to terms with the fact that, quite frankly, haters gonna hate.

Since when did 'unbiased' actually mean 'biased'?

I had a meeting with my roommate, RA, and head RA today. It was supposed to be a completely unbiased meeting, where my roommate and I would talk things out and discuss our conflicts in an effort to come to a compromise/resolution. I was willing to do that; what's a few tears here and there for a final compromise?


Apparently, my definition of bias and the others' definition of unbiased were two completely different things. The head RA was completely and totally sweet, offering advice and comments when she felt they were necessary. The other two, however, seemed to subtly team up against me. Whenever my soon-to-be-ex roommate would say something, my RA would jump in agree, and then continue to point out my flaws. During this meeting, I have been called:

A liar

Judgmental

Irrational

Unfair

Untrustworthy

My roommate? Well, the only things that were said against her were:

She is hard to live with.

That's it. I would have gladly been told that I was hard to live with over the pile of insults that I was handed instead.

I will admit that I am an emotional mess right now. However, I'm working on that. I came across a Buddhist saying earlier today, and it really struck a chord with me.

From now on, I will try to live by it. Until I have successfully done so, I will continue to fake smiles and friendships so that I can avoid situations like this in the future.