Still looking for a trapstar...

I'm pretty sure I have gotten every form of sickness in the world. I have been through having an abnormal birthmark, having asthma, having a heart problem, having swine flu, having pink eye... twice, having a cough that lasted all of high school, having blood that is weird, along with countless other medical problems. So, it should be no surprise that I'm sick again. I think it's just a cold and hopefully I'll feel fine soon.

Today was so-so. I felt pretty sick the majority of the day and I just wanted to sleep, but then when I tried taking a nap, it didn't work. In sociology, I swear the professor took the whole 50 minutes to explain the same concept 394234235 ways. Are you serious? It's ok though because he's old and the tests will probably be easy... at least it should be.

It rained like crazy too and I got soaked. I hate hate hate hate rain. I know some people like the rain and to just curl up in bed and relax, but I wish rain would die and leave forever. I picked up my Women's Studies' final research paper and I got a B-. Fuck that shit. No further comments...

Biology was good. I like it when I understand things especially in biology. Mythology was so boring. I started out good and took down notes, but I almost fell asleep towards the end. I'm so ready to be done with intro stuff.

After that, I hung out with Alexa and Berit for a few. It was nice to relax after a day of school. I did my laundry, ate dinner, and attempted to do some work. I hate homework. Why was it invented besides to ruin my life? Oh, except I read this really interesting article for sociology about vagina exams. Who knew that so much thought went into looking at vaginas?

Ugh, I have so much fucking work/reading/applications to do before time runs out. Instead of doing things, I just hung out in Dobbs with a few friends before getting in bed. Hanging out > homework/sleep. Actually... I kind of like sleep. So maybe hanging out > sleep > homework. Regardless, I'm probably going to be tired tomorrow. The cycle continues.

Oh hey, at least I have dance tomorrow.

xxjohnny.

I'm back, bitches.

Location: Turman VIP Apartment
Time: 10:11 PM
Date: January 22nd

Forgive the vulgar title, but I believed that was the best way to announce my return. In true Johnny fashion.

I haven't even been in school for a week and I am already drained as fuck. Lord knows I feel like I've been back in school for infinity years... I thought my classes would be easier this year, but I'm kind of guessing they won't be. Idk. It's weird. Last semester, I took two sciences (bio and chem) before I ended up dropping chem, and 2 non-sciences (women's studies and music seminar), which was a lot of fucking writing. Then the science labs and irrelevant classes... health and pace.

I thought this semester would be easier because I wouldn't have chem or chem lab. But I just don't know.
Here's a breakdown of my classes so far:

Sociology: After getting over the fact that my teacher was old as balls, I actually don't mind this class. I think this will be my favorite class of the semester. All of the readings are really interesting, even if we have to read a lot. My only problem is that it's my earliest class (9:35).

Biology: We all know I have a love/hate relationship with biology. I have the same teacher, but last semester, our class was smaller than it is now. I liked the small class better. We're also talking about stuff that I've never learned before so it's more confusing and blahblahblah. I hate it.

Mythology: I don't think it'll be that bad. It just is now because we're going over the boring introduction stuff. I'm just ready to get into the myths and talk about all the different Gods/Goddesses. I'm also pretty sure half of Emory is in that class. Our teacher is also interesting... but in a good way, I think. Oh yeah, our first day of class, she assigned us with 81 pages of reading...

Music: Fuck my life. This is my worst class. First of all, there's only 4 other people in this class... one of whom is a retired teacher from Emory. Second, since there's only 5 of us and it's an hour and 15 minute class, we obviously have to participate every day. Not sure if I want to drop it or just rough it out yet.

Indian Dance: Oh my god. I changed my mind. This is my favorite class. Dance is so fun and I'm obsessed with Indian dance. Of course, it'll be hard and challenging, but I feel like I'm going to have tons of fun in this class. The only bad thing is that I have this right after music so I can't have a break or anything.

So yeah, that's what I'm taking this year. Sociology and dance will be pretty fun. Mythology won't be that bad except for the reading. Biology will just be biology. And I will fucking hate music, but it is what it is.

Aside from that, it's great to be back at school! I've missed all of my friends and being able to do whatever I want whenever. Of course, a ton of stuff have already happened. The most important is probably my friends' room being invaded by rats and them having to move in an apartment-styled room. I've basically been bumming it there and it's the equivilance of heaven.

Besides that, my friend and I went to Lennox Square yesterday and got left by the last shuttle back to school... We ended up going to Target to get some things and taking a cab back. My hall has also been working on a 1000 piece puzzle that RUINED MY LIFE. I literally feel like I've spent at least 4 hours working on it... I'm happy that I was one of the ones working on it that helped complete it. Or at least what we could complete, seeing as how there were pieces missing.

Another fun thing was trying out for AHANA Dance again on Friday. Keep in mind that I have no dance experience. At first, I wasn't going to try out, but my friend was going to try out and she doesn't dance either and she wanted me to come. The whole time before going, I was freaking the fuck out. I got there and we started with the hip hop routine to Rack City. IT WAS SO FUN. I totally was into it and I had a blast learning it and performing. I did way better than I did for fall auditions and it was all for fun. I was going to attempt to stay for jazz, but that shit was impossible so I peace'd out. I didn't make any of the dances, but I can say I tried and that's the important part.

I've also been overdosing on Grey's Anatomy. I've made my way up to season 6. I literally can not wait until I'm working in a hospital. I know life won't be like that, but I mean, how different can it be...? Most of the time they're working on cases anyways and it's inevitable that personal drama will happen. Anyways, I still have like 8 years before I get there...

I need a job or a project or to join a club or something...

Anyways, tomorrow begins the week. 5 days of classes and breakdowns and poop and depression. I am not prepared.

Oh yeah, can I like go out this weekend? Just saying.

xxjohnny.

Stripping sounds like a good alternative at this point.

Location: The deepest pits of Hell
Time: 12:41 AM
Date: July 19th

I am not one to listen to a Katy Perry song and feel a connection to it. As hard as I try, I never quite feel "like a plastic bag drifting in the wind" or "like a house of cards, one blow from caving in." I mean, don't get me wrong. This is clearly a lyrical masterpiece worthy of winning a Nobel Peace Prize, but somehow, I just don't ever feel like it's speaking to me. That was until yesterday, as I drove to meet a friend at lunch to discuss how to fix my life falling apart. There I was, listening to the radio and then I heard it: "If you only knew what the future holds, after a hurricane comes a rainbow. Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed, so you could open one that leads you to the perfect road." Katy Perry, what is this?!?! Did you reach into my soul to pull out that verse? I know perfectly well what my future holds. EMORY. SUCCESS. HAPPINESS. LITTLE ASIAN KIDS RUNNING AROUND. BEING A SURGEON. Paying for college will be my hurricane, but I know that a rainbow will come after it. I just gotta rough it out, y'know? Doors closed or not, I will blow everything out of my way and everything. will. be. fine.

That being said, I did ride four hours to Atlanta to go talk to the Financial Aid office. Uh, aid? More like abuse. I thought the point was to help me pay for college. They pretty much told me I was SOL because I didn't do the CSS Profile. Like, what even? Not only did both of my parents not go to college, but let's add in the fact that they're not even from this country. Oh, and let's add the fact that I'm an only child and I have no idea how to do any college stuff. Does it look like I knew I had to fill that junk out? To be fair, I TRIED filling it out, but apparently, I need to petition and waive to prove to Emory that I don't know my dad. Girl stop. I am so beyond offended at this point. Oh well, I just finished filling that out and I will forever pray that I will get some sort of money from it. If not, I'll still be fine. I still have to apply for a loan and after that, life will be fine and I will be fine and everyone will be fine and the world will be fine.

So, these past few days have been crazy/hectic/hell for me. Little did I know a few nights ago that my world would practically be flipped upside down. I was expecting a quaint little night watching a movie on Netflix and then BOOM! WHAT? WE CAN'T PAY FOR COLLEGE? SHUT UP, YOU LYING. And although, that problem is still being situated, it's much closer to being fixed. This is where I will give out shoutouts to everyone who have listened to me complain/bitch/moan/whine/cry/yell. Thanks Hatel for telling me everything will be fine in the end and enduring me turning into crazy Johnny, where all I do is yell and hate the world. In the end, we didn't get "DA MONEY," but I will be fine! Thanks to Fantasia for spitting out knowledge about loans like a pro and helping me get my life on track. Girl, you know I'm Chinese and I don't know anything about this stuff. Thanks to Beth for being my goon and listening to me be Ghetto Johnny where my speaking voice is a constant scream and making me laugh when I felt like forever crying. Thanks to Heather for listening to me talk about the randomest things, including America's Got Talent and past crushes, instead of focusing on more pressing matters, like my life. Thanks to Erin for being the wonderful little hipster she is and being there for me. AND THANKS TO AMAAN FOR BEING THE FREAKING BEST ROOMIE EVER. EMORY AIN'T READY FOR US. "DA ROOMIE." LMFAOOO. You guys are really the best and I would've been an emotional wreck without you guys!

If I was Harry Potter. Paying for Emory is Voldemort. AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT STORY ENDED...

xxxjohnny.

Confessions of a broke and soon to be in debt college student.

Location: MY HOUSE
Time: 1:54 AM
Date: July 17th

Okay life, let's have a talk. Where should we start? I know we struggled a bit about applying to college. Not only do I not know what I want to do with my life, but I also didn't know where to go. In the end, I figured I would be fine with UGA. Right? WRONG. You had to introduce me to Emory... well, to be fair, it was more of my parents' fault. So, here I was, applying to Emory. Now, I knew not to get my hopes up. I mean, Emory is a pretty bad ass school full of smart people, practically the hardest in Georgia (no offense to anyone else). I mean, I'm smart, sure, but I am definitely no genius. You're talking about the guy who spends half of class painting people's nails, doing hair or secretly watching Youtube videos on his phone. I admit, 95% of me was expecting to get a "BOY, SIT YO BUTT DOWN AND GO TO UGA." response from Emory. After getting my acceptance letter from UGA, I no longer had shame in my game. Here I am, ready to live it up in Athens.

BUT.... you accepted me. After pooping my pants from shock and celebrating, I felt amazing. I felt like everything I had worked for paid off and this was just a sign to show it. After being on the Emory website at least 123,593,403 times to make sure I was prepared, finishing a schedule and picking classes that took days to do, and countless other things, I was ready to take on the world. A little over a month left and my life would begin...

No. That's what you decided to toy with me. All of a sudden, you want to make my parents say "WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR COLLEGE. LOL, GO BACK TO UGA." What kind of games are you playing, life? Does this amuse you? Because I am anything but amused. Suddenly, you gave me the fate of whether I go to college or not. So, here I sit, researching everything I can about student loans and aid. You may think you have won this time, but you will be proven wrong. In case you forgot, I have conquered many tasks. Let us not forget how I beat out 7 people in a semester to be third in my class, or that time I got my IB diploma after two years of Hell, who else was it that made "poop" an acceptable word amongst friends? And Y2K? Yeah, you're welcome, world. The end of the world was no match for me. So, miracles do happen. And I consider this just one more task to accomplish. Pssh... $50,000 a year? Do better next time. How about $5 million a month along with my firstborn? Life. You. Are. Going. Down.

Maybe, I'm over-reacting. Maybe this is all just a part of Post-Potter Depression. Maybe, I'm just too busy mourning the loss of Lavender Brown, but trust and believe that I will win in the end.

So, in conclusion, everything will be fine. Even if I have little meltdowns along the way.

xxxjohnny

Goodbye is the hardest part.

Location: Incheon, Korea (Incheon International Airport)
Time: 7:57 AM
Date: July 5th

Hi, my name is Johnny and I like to boohoo cry when I leave people. Ok, so I didn't boohoo cry, but I was doing that awkard thing where I wanted to cry, but I was trying not to cry, but I ended up tearing up anyways.

It's funny that my first post ever of my vacation took place at this airport! Because Koreans are kind people who love giving out free wifi. However, I did not appreciate the 5 hour flight from Vietnam to Korea where I felt like I was going to die on the plane, but then the feeling went away leaving me to wonder if I was even awake or if it was just a dream... My life.

I spent the last week chillaxing in Vietnam. Nothing really crazy or out of the ordinary happened. It was just to be able to relax after doing tours back to back to back in three different countries. Leaving is such a bittersweet family. I got used to living with my family and basically doing nothing all day. The only downside was not having my phone or hanging out with people, but it was also a nice break to clear my mind and get refreshed. It's weird to think that I've been out of the country for five whole weeks. I've missed so many big newsworthy things and events, but I experienced things that I'm sure many people won't ever get the chance to experience.

Things I'll miss: my family, being forced to go play badminton, Star Channel and Channel V, waking up way earlier than I would at home, being able to stay home all day, actually eating 3 meals a day at the table, doing more things a day than I would in a week, having the shower consist of the whole bathroom, riding taxis and motorcycles, being in a room the same temperature as Antarctica.

Thins I won't miss: SQUAT TOILETS!!!, no A/C, death traffic, cars honking, not having a cellphone, slow internet, being up when everyone in America is asleep, having to sneak around the house when I wanted to poop, being able to stay home all day, eating way more than I would normally, spending 24/7 with my mom (or close to  it), the world falling apart when I'm gone, flights, feeling like I'm about to die at the randomest times.

Overall, this was a crazy and amazing journey. I had so much fun, met tons of people I'll never forget, and to see what it was like to live in three different countries. Will I do it again? Definitely. Except with different countries of course. Traveling is way too fun for me not to. However, it feels TOO good to be going home to America. I know we may have had our problems, but I truly see how amazing you are and I would not want to live anywhere else. Irony that I'm returning home on July 4th. Funny how things work out!

So, this is my last journey. The forever long flight to Atlanta. Hopefully, I will make it! Heck, if I can survive China, I'm pretty sure anythin is possible at this point. I have TOO much to do when I get back, especially preparing to leave for college. Crazy to think that in about seven weeks, I'll be moving out and living in a different city.

Fact: I'm totally old now. Where's my cane?

In conclusion, It's been real, Asia.

xxxjohnny.

Ni hao, Kai-lan! (Part 3)

Location: Outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Time: 10:34 AM
Date: July 3rd
Day 5
We flew over to Hangzhou, which I have never even heard of before that day, but Gwen lives there right now! So, that's pretty cool even if I didn't get to see her. The first place we went to was the West Lake (Uh.. I think.) I was super, super tired that day and I wasn't really paying attention to anything. They took us on a little boat and drove us around and showed us interesting things. I was kinda half asleep, but it's all good. The lake was really pretty and so were the surroundings. I do remember the Baochu Pagoda though, which was made for prayer.

After that, we went to the Yue Fei Temple, which was a little walk away from the West Lake. The temple was built in honor of Yue Fei, who was a famous general and the model of loyalty in China. There were huge statues and elaborate wall paintings there and it was interesting. When we were done, it started raining and we had to walk all the way back to the bus. Repeat of Beijing, much?

Next, we went to go have tea. I don't remember much about this... So, it must've not have been exciting. It was one of those show and sell things. After that, we went to see a show called The Romance of The Song Dynasty, located in this little theme park looking area. I was this close not to going because I was really tired, but I went anyways and am I glad I did. It was one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen. The props, technology, costumes, acting and everything was just so on point. There were scenes when half the stage turned into a lake and rain came from the sky and scenes were actors literally would appear out of nowhere from all directions. I die. Definitely worth going to. After the show, we drove a few hours to Suzhou to sleep for the night.

Day 6
The first place we went to was the Lion Grove Garden which housed several cool artifacts, but the main exhibit was the crazy pretty gardens. The coolest part were all of these rocks that intertwined with eachother and created this sort of maze that you were able to go into and climb around to take pictures. It was super fun.

Next, we went to a temple but I don't know what it was called. I think it might've been the Hanshan Temple, but I'm not sure. I just remember there were religious stuff everywhere and it was really cool. I also remember a bridge... if that helps.

Next was a show and shop place. Silk is the major producct of Suzhou, so we went to a place that showed how they got silk, how it's used and the products

After that, we left Suzhou and went to Shanghai. Shanghai is ridiculously beautiful and have the biggest and most elaborate buildings ever. I fell in love. The first thing we did in Shanghai was go shopping. First, we went to this one section that had the main typical Beijing stores and restaurants. People were everywhere. It was so crazy and I was getting a headache just being around everyone. It was similar to the US, nothing too different about it. After that, we went to a different section that was more tourist-oriented with less brand stores and more cheap stores. I managed to get a ton of stuff there because I went to the equivalent of the dollar store. Oh, there was also an H&M. There were also a bunch of people peddling their goods on the street. It's so annoying because they harass you until you buy stuff or until you snap on them. It got old quick.

At night, we rode a ferry around Shanghai and saw the city as it lit up. It was super beautiful.

Day 7
Last day in China!

First, we went to the Jade Buddha Temple. It had some of the coolest statues ever. The grand hall had like 30 giant statues in it. The jade buddha was also incredibly cool. Next, we went to a show and sell place, but this time, it was for pearls. They showed how to tell the difference between real pearls and fake pearls (apparently, real pearls are not all perfectly round.) and then people got a chance to buy stuff. This one lady got a pearl neclace for $500. Crazy. Next, we went to this scenic area where we looked out over this lake and got to see the city. It wasn't anything special, but it was still nice.

Once again, we went to another show and sell place. This one took forever because it was jewelry but the guy that was showing us around kept on giving discounts on the products. One bracelet was like 135 yuans, but he sold three for 100 yuan. He also marked down two necklaces for 100 yuans and people lost their shit. People were just buying things left and right and idk, money was flying every which way. It was kind of hilarious. I got a few bracelets to give as gifts.

More show and sell, this time it was at a steel place that did a lot of kitchen appliances. I felt like I was in heaven because I'm weird and I love watching those late night infomercials where they sell you 543249 different types of knives and demonstrate how to use it. They basically did the same thing here. The knife place was also hooked onto this other building that literally was like a maze of doom because it was one long hallway of products. It was seriously the longest walk ever of people just trying to sell you stuff. I thought it was just chocolate at first, but then it was coffee, toys, clothes, disney stuff, makeup, etc... I was like wtf?!

Finally, we flew home with a transfer in Shenzhen. At this point, everyone was tired to death to the point where we were all sprawled on the floor with our shoes off. Touring is draining!

Currently, I'm chilling in Vietnam and I'm coming home in a few days!

xxxjohnny.

I hate squat toilets... (Part 2)

Location: Outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Time: 11:33 AM
Date: July 1st

Happy July! I have officially been out of the country for a whole month! That seems crazy to even think about. 1/12 of the year has been spent in a whole nother continent. Well, continuing on with my adventures in China.

Day 3
The first thing we did was visit this military museum thing... except it wasn't anything big. We just talked about the building and looked at some pictures. Then they took us into a room and try to sold us stuff..... except it didn't have anything to do with the military. It was statues of this creature that's supposed to bring good luck and stuff. My mom ended up getting one small statue for like a thousand dollars. Wtf!!! But then she also got me a necklace, but it wasn't that expensive.

After that, we went to this park and saw the stadium where the olympics took place! The stadium was pretty amazing architectually and it's called the Bird's Nest. If you've never seen it, you should definitely google a picture. Oh yeah, I also took a picture with Mickey Mouse at the park. It was pretty legit.

Next, we went to a tea house where we tried tea and they sold it to us. Tea is a big thing in Asia, so I guess that's where that came in. I don't really enjoy tea, but I could possibly get into it. Who knows? They also had this cool teaset with a dragon design on it that changed colors when you poured in tea. It was badass. At this point, I started feeling super tired and a little faint. It wasn't as extreme, but later that day, we would have to walk a really long distance.

After tea, we headed over to this medicine place. Once again, another show and sell place. They even had "doctors" who would give you a free check up and prescirbe you medicine to take. I decided to go because I figured I should try whatever they suggest for being faint all the time. They said I had liver problems (wtf?) and I ended up getting some pills to improve it.

Next, we had to walk across the street to the Forbidden City. It's basically a city preserved inside of Beijing. In the past, it was the government center and the home of the emperors and stuff. It is gigantic. Like... word scan't even begin to describe how huge this city is. 980 buildings. I'm surprised people don't get lost in there... or maybe they do. It was like a maze to maneuver around. It was really impressive though and it was cool to see all of the different buildings, rooms and artifacts of the past. The buildings were also huge and ornate. It took forever to walk around just a small section of it and finally it was time to go.

That's when all hell broke loose. The bus couldn't come pick us up outside of the palace, so we basically had to walk to dinner. Well, rain clouds were starting to gather and it was only a matter of time before it would rain. We went outside the Forbidden City and saw the iconic Mao portrait on the outside of the wall of the exit and took a restroom break. It started raining in the middle of the break so we went down into the subways to cross the street. When we got out, the rain had stopped and we were at Tiananmen Square. the famous square where many protests were held. Minutes later, it started raining again. This time was even worse. We had to wait in a little open building that I guess was a security room because it had the x-ray machine. We were there for what seemed like forever and the rain didn't let up, so we decided we might as well just go in the rain because it was pointless to wait. We all grouped up under umbrellas and crossed the street to wait under another building. This time, there were people selling umbrellas for the ones who didn't have any. My mom decided to get 2 for $20. Well, the person we gave the money to was selling 1 for $15. But we didn't know that, so we were like "2! 2!" But she didn't give us two and then started saying god knows what. Then she totally went crazy and started yelling at us and we were like dude, wtf. We ended up getting one and $5 back and buying another umbrella from another lady for $10. Then, we crossed the street again and walked all the way to the restaurant in the rain.

After that, we went shopping on this street, but it kind of failed because of all the rain. We finally were on our way home and it shouldn't have taken more than a few minutes because it was literally down the street. However, the streets were flooded like crazy. I didn't think the rain was that bad, but cars were literally stuck in the water and people were walking in water that was up to their knees. Luckily, we were on a big bus, so we didn't get stuck. The only bad thing was how bad and crazy the traffic was. It was literally how I imagined the end of the world to be like. Everyone being crazy in the streets. After about 2 or 3 hours, we reached our hotel. Afterwards, I saw how bad the flood was because there were trees broken all in the streets and people had died.

Day 4
We were supposed to fly to a different city today (what city? I still have no idea.), but because of the storm, the original flight was cancelled. Our tour people decided to book a different flight later that day. We ended up spending the majority of the day waiting at the airport for the flight, only to find out that that flight got cancelled too. We ended up going back to the hotel and planned on trying again tomorrow. I went to this little shopping center by the hotel and got a shirt, and then went to the other one and got another shirt and some food. When I was buying the shirt, the lady kept on saying something and I had no idea what she was talking about. I gave her my money, but she wouldn't take it and then eventually, she just took it and gave me change. When I went to pay for the food, literally everyone in China was waiting in the lines because the store was about to close. By the time I went to the hotel, I was delirious, tired, and I don't think I was even all there. One of the elevators didn't go past the third floor and another one was broken. (The same elevator I rode and it got stuck for about five minutes.) There was only one elevator to take everyone up and down the hotel. I ended up laughing histerically while in the elevator because of everything that had happened, and everyone stared at me. Haters gonna hate.

Ok, this post is long enough! I'll do one more after this to wrap everything up!

xxxjohnny.