So the Dalai Lama visited MIT on Thursday, and I decided to attend his talk (via telecast since the tickets were sold out super quick and without any advertisement too). So I was doing my regular fast paced walk without a care at all for my surroundings down Dorm row, and as I approached Kresge from behind, what did I see? A train of 5 or 6 black SUVs preceeded and proceeded by lots of police motorcycles. So as oblivious as I usually am, I'm like wtf, and continue walking. Then something clicked, and I'm like so fuck, that's the Dalai Lama train! I quickly ran to the back of Kresge to where they parked and here's what I saw within 10 feet of me:
Yea, the Dalai Lama himself, his Holiness. You see, I normally take the anti-free-Tibet stance, but I threw away his bias, because he seemed really friend and nice, as I walked to 10-250 to listen to him. And he was phenomenal. He was at the same time absolutely hilarious and super zen and wise. He was the grandpa you wished you had. He talked about human nature, inner calm, the global community, the economy, etc. It seemed like the usual stuff, but it was nevertheless really interesting. I still can't believe how chill he was. What an awesome person. How the Chinese government call him a devil, I really don't know. FYI, I'm really nationalist (mainly to combat the rampant anti-China sentiment), but I can't help but agree with him that the Communist government is narrow minded. In fact he said he himself was a Marxist. Didn't regret seeing him at all.
Another thing he said was that to succeed in the real world, one had to be realistic (I'm probably butchering what he said, but I believe that was the gist). That was the reason, he disapproved of Bush even though he loved Bush's personality; he thought Bush's policies were unrealistic. And in many ways, what he says is true. But he does leave out the satisfaction part. Could one live all his life as a complete realist and be happy and not feel shallow? There are also counter-examples of what he said in the short term. Let's talk about Friday.
This Friday was probably one of the toughest Fridays yet. I had 18.03 pset, 14.01 pset, 18.06 test, and UROp work all due on Friday. And in the end, I finished everything, and despite only studying for about 3.5 hours for 18.06, I think I did well. How did I do it? I don't know the complete answer, but I think one part comes from what I call the stupidity/ignorance factor. The factor that's anything but realist. Basically I had some stupid fantasies (not that kind) and wishful thoughts that were unrealistic. Yet I think it was those that gave me that last bit of resolve and push to complete what I had to do. Like my usually motivation-lacking self would have fucked up really bad on Friday and been in both mental and physical anguish. But instead I'm just sleep deprived and mental sound (relatively speaking).
But in the long run though, I think one ought to aim for realism. Let's be blunt, this past school year has been painful. I really didn't accomplish anything significant academically or socially, and thus I almost feel like I wasted 1 year of my "prime" (maybe I'm a late bloomers, who knows?). And I know this can't keep going for 3 more years. I really need to grow up, or else I don't think I can acheive true satisfication or success. Like one thing I need to do is find a non-mtg related, girl filled extracurricular. Yea... MTG is such a huge money sink :(, but so fun and a nice escapism mechanism (read: it keeps my sanity).
So... this is my first decent/content filled blog in a long time. I should try to keep blogging a weekly activity.
btw congrats to Sandra on being off the market, sorry I didn't get to meet the lucky/unlucky (jkjkjkjkjk) guy today, was busy cooking leftovers.
P.S. There are a bunch of crazy drunk girls yelling and singing loudly outside. wtf. Seems like they're having fun though, but kind of obnoxious.
Update: I just won the Alara Reborn Release party hosted by Yang. Got 8 packs; no good rares though :( but it was really fun. I think I have had enough Magic to last me a while...
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