Sunday, May 14, 2006

Anxiety of the future...

It growing...

First of all, it of this year.
In the first place, I set my targets to get my self some better social/acedemic experience and challenge, to pacify my feel of self-childishness. I'm trying to grow up spritually, be independent. So, I'm going to the states for summer research, and I'm doing all the main planing of this summer's ride trip (Wuling), then, next summer, arrange to go biking in Hokkido. OK, so, sweet and grand plans, sure challenging. Now comes the problems. As the plans pan out, the expenses sky-rocket. Let's see, summer ride trip: 4000; to the US: over 30000, I guess; summer housing: Not found, but may be as much as 30000; GRE: 6000...... (all in NTD) I feel like a money sucking tick. And then I saw in the NY times that gas prices in the US are incredibly high, talk about my need to go between LA and Rancho Cucamonga each week, maybe I should cut that. And I may need to get a new notebook and backpack for the summer.

So, I just canceled next week's class trip. Guess I'd also have to cut back on the lavish bedtime snacks. And I'd certeinly be tutering next semester. But hay, I still can't find housing for the summer in LA, ARRRG!

And then, I'd be homesick for bad in 2008. 'Cause after I graduate next year, my ARC/student visa would be expired for good. Next time I come back "home", I'm a "tourist". Taiwan is where I spent most of my life, where most of my friends are, where most of my memories are, but I'm not part of it, I'm just a damn-ol' "foreigner". And the immigration office wants me out of the country within days of my graduation. No time to celebrate graduation, no time for rest, no time for party, no time for saying good-bye; it's just "pack and flee". On to the "familiar, but not so familiar" US, where the officers smile at you and say: "Welcome home!" This all seems like a parody. The place where you set up your self-identity, wants you out of here fast, like you're some kind of pest or something.

OK, it's approaching. My last year in Formosa, the island of beauty. Starting summer 2007, I'm out of here, no longer a resident, away from everything I know, I love......

OK, I've made up my mind. Before I leave this country, I want to ride around the island once again, savor all that I see, all that I feel, and remember for good, the wonderful tropical island.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

won't you come back taiwan anymore?

roast said...

When do you have your round-the-island trip?
I've been planning this route also, but I wish it would be right after our graduation. (everybody is busy this summer)And classmates from different regions would take turn being the guiders. Just sketching,(astrogation had joined with me)we don't know whether we could make it but we'll try.

intellidryad said...

Well, I could come back there after, but I'd need to come back with a "tourist visa", feels alienated and awkward.

intellidryad said...

My next round-the-island trip should be either in the first week of this September, of the winter vacation of 2007.

If you want me to join you after graduation, guess what? I'm already not allowed to stay anymore. As I said in the post, this country is kicking me out right after graduation. You've finished your diploma? Nice, get lost! Wanna buy me a ticket back?

Well, my plans for next summer:
Graduate=>
Go riding in Hokkido=>
Come back as a tourist and pack=>
So long!

roast said...

It's amazing that there's a "fast trasition" between a Taiwanese student and American tourist!
(I would like to say "囧" but don't know whether there's a similar word in English)
Then you'll become our guest after gradution, wow! so interesting!