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9 . 2 3 . 0 2 Busy Busy, grad school is much more demanding than undergrad obviously. Been in a pretty hardcore study mode. domestic too. been renting some interesting movies I probably wouldn't have had a chance to watch otherwise. one was pretty good, I forget what the title was though. something about kissing Jessica or something like that. Khamphian recommended it. Also saw one-hour photo with robin williams, and Mod Fuck Explosion by Jon Moritsugu. The film scene here adds another level of stress outlets here in Madison. Although the Majestic shut down the Orpheum is still kicking. Theres a bubble tea place that opened in University square, need to check that place out. still holding out until the 1st of Oct. Keep running into random people I knew from way back, most of them are more surprised to see me back. Otherwise I'm still maintaining a certain level of anonymity. and its getting cold already. missing one winter will be more of a de-acclimating factor afterall - its only septemeber and I'm noticing the difference. Been watching a lot of TV lately, in between problem sets and what not. realizing the amount of crap that is broadcasted. I'd like to think that its gotten worse only recently and I just haven't been watching enough to notice. 9 . 1 1 . 0 2 Its been a year since by far the most memorable event the world has known in a while. being on campus for the 1 year anniversary is an experience itself. Got caught up watching documentaries and news coverages on TV the past couple days. last night there was a lecture by the new dean of the Woodrow Wilson school of international public affairs at princton. she talked about the post 9-11 world and the development of an international criminal justice system in light of the attacks. There is a bit of skepticism and cynicism about the nature of the world community that has hindered on the edge of the 1950s at the brink of the cold war. it was a cynical view of the world that came about after the advances of human rights following the atrocities of WWII - Nurremburg, Geneva, only to succumb to an era of fear and threat of nuclear holocost. The post-cold war era is over now, and the 9-11 era has begun. 1-year as a somber reminder. For me personally I can't say exactly how I have dealt with the changes in the world, perhaps a bit of my own coping styles but I do admit that I am still uneasy. Images of death and destruction have been burned into my memory and the glimpse of the future is unknown. The politicization of the tragedy of 9-11 has upset me the most. I can't see how human nature can continue to use the losses and suffering of others to further their own political or social agendas. And then theres a whole other area of intolerance that leads to hate. a vicious cycle. back home there are some disturbing news if one thing has been certain is that blame and emotion has not always been cast in the right direction. Maybe one day the world will be different. 9 . 4 . 0 2 Second day of classes and I'm even more inspired. Had a seminar on quantitative methods and a Poli Sci course on Judicial decisions and constitutional law. Pretty intense really, lots of reading and of a different caliber for sure. Downs is much different as a graduate prof for sure. as far as knowledge base he had a same reckoning of Judge. I'm picturing this class as being my outlet for Legal interests this semester. Stopped by and paid Nevers a visit, gave him an IZ CD, thanked him for all his support in my grad/law school adventures. There is a different feel to Madison in general as opposed to UH, I was walking home from espresso royale tonight and came across a bunch of street musicians, students hanging out, skateboarders, and some people flyering. I guess the activity in general, along with students that actually have some interests that are associated with this university, this place, this city. Although there are some levels of apathy among the student body, there is a sense of community or at least one of identity. Ran into David and Julie, and Ryan whom I met briefly at the end of the summer 2001. Khamphian is in town, hung out with her a bit last night at the Saz and Steep n Brew. apparently all Pheng, Koo, them are all over the place now, graduated, married, transfered, moved etc. amazing what change a year can produce. In many ways one associates places with people, kind of like songs with memories, scents with significant others. overall its good to be back. the leaves have started to change a bit, and the days are getting cooler. My classmates in LaFollette have a cheerful and driven demeanor, there aren't any lost souls still searching for a calling in life. I think the general passion to learn coupled with a sense of confidence rubs off. Been smiling a lot lately. Madison is definitely different this time around. 9 . 3 . 0 2 So school started today, got a chance to attend about 3/5 classes today, 880 applied Microeconomics, 874 Public Policymaking, and 799 Seminar. Tomarrow I got 818 Quantitative methods and 865 Supreme Court and Constitutional Law. So far I'm very impressed with LaFollette, the courses set up for the first year are pretty intense and very applied to real world problems. One of the professors has actually spent a lot of time out in the real world working on policy problems especially following 9-11. He worked on some of the regulations being proposed now with the Homeland Security bill before congress. both the econ and stats are building on the previous classes and applying the theories to real life problems. so far the classes are looking like what I have been looking for. |