ad-just-ment (noun): a small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result.
The transition from rolling backpacks to standard backpacks was a game-changer for many of us growing up. Why use two-straps when one-strap was the way to "act cool"? Furthermore, the rocks (aka. the huge textbooks that no one bothered to read) in our bags continued to weigh us down as we headed home from school. We were the ones submerged into the various stratifications of today's society and it was up to us to swim up to the surface but oftentimes, this called for adjustments. Regardless of the extent, we continued to make small changes and these small changes make us who we are today. I thought I excelled in adjustments: having an "Eleanor-Young" mother, embracing English as a second language, sacrificing my time to volunteer a thousand hours, and of course, making study guides so we do not fail AP English Language. However, my first year as an undergraduate student proved me wrong.
Leaving Los Angeles left me with excitement for I was preparing my next four years in Madison, Wisconsin. It soon became a running joke with my friends that I would not survive the cold, harsh winter (let's hope that I do). The promising research opportunities and academics became my decision to leave the city and become a Badger. As daughter of two Japanese immigrant parents, familial values was of its utmost importance. Weekdays were reserved for my time with friends but weekends were off-limits to family only. End of story. Before leaving, I knew that my connection to my two siblings would not change regardless of where I was on the planet of Earth because that's just how it was. Being only given the opportunity to see my father every weekend due to his work hours, I understood that my father and I will continue to maintain a relationship through text and phone calls. My mother was the one I was not sure of. Our relationship is "weird" to say the least. My close friends know how much my mother and I roast each other on a daily basis and we always share laughs as I became her English interpreter for the ongoing nineteen years of my life. It left me an empty feeling as she left the parking lot outside of my residence hall. For a brief moment, it made me understand why I was the last person in my entire graduating class to obtain my driver's license... It was in those car rides at six in the morning each day of the summer to take me to work where memories were created as I tried to maneuver through the morning traffic. While I miss the physical presence of my mother and the abundance of support, she continues to call me each day. Quite certainly, she continues to roast me over the smallest aspects of my life but that's just who she is.
There's no specific guidelines in regards to adjusting to college. There never has been and most likely, there never will be. There are always minor tweaks that come into play in our everyday actions as we adjust to society. Adjustments will never have an end and I am kind of glad for that. Each day is something new for me and it isn't even just the thirty degree difference in weather from California and Wisconsin. Two months in and I am finally starting to adjust to life in Madison. Currently, I am on an ongoing rollercoaster of adjustments with no finish and there will certainly be days when I want to be home with my family. I am not looking for some desired results with my adjustments but that's okay because this is my own set of guidelines. I heavily resonate with the kid who is transitioning from a rolling backpack to the battered-up standard backpack. So join me on this rollercoaster ride because adjustments take time - all it takes is patience and embracement.
This is just a small aspect of my life as you explore three different worlds in this blog of Crazy Asian Foodies: California, Paris, and Wisconsin. This blog will cover our lifestyles, food adventures, and lastly, advice and suggestions. Thank you for the endless love and support that we received in continuing our journey as two friends who love to share stories. While it may not be @op_rants, this is the start to a new journey. Thank you.
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