let lemons be angry

Suddenly, spending a quiet night at home seemed like the best idea in the world.

I've had a weekend and a day of adrenaline rushes, with hardly any time to reflect and juice each memory for what it's worth. The timberlux Flea Carnival was better this time round, because we were all prepared with our business cards and mass-produced goodies, we had a better stall location, there was a bigger crowd (on saturday at least) and we had two full days of floor space. The money earned was not as big a reward as seeing how many people picked up the Oriental Fan Bag and the colorful pebble clutch. Their impulse to buy, however slight, or handicapped by their unwillingness to pay, was a compliment enough. Despite our sniffles caused by the smoke and floor dust, we girls relished all two days of it. And the friends who travelled in search of the unheard-of blue warehouse to bring us food, take pictures and buy our stuff--unbelievable. I think Groundhog felt the same way too at the end of it all, as he talked with his Hokkien altered-clothes friends. Maybe his earnings weren't spectacular, but something of the creative and enterprising spirit was kindled in the very organising of the flea carnival, and i think that was his reward. I wonder if i could spend a lifetime dabbling in the wear of the uncommon folk. I would go blind in no time, but it would be a joyride.

And today--school! I tried my best to walk like i wasn't a freshman, but still had to ask for directions in the end. I wish i was staying in the hostel, if just for one semester! Hana's toaster oven and fridge, one's entire personality shrunk to the size of the personal desk and three shelves above it, the two beds that promise nights of endless talking, the late-night walks i could take without anyone knowing. It's like that scene in Woman Warrior where Kingston speaks of the one bed, the one drawer, the one shelf. You become mini, portable, individual.

We are all in love with the drawing studios with their "horses" and easels, the computer labs, the black doors and grey walls, the black-and-white tiled pantry, the shiny silver lockers, the very chic student lounge, and the fact that all this beauty is temporary. It'll be even better when our real building is completed. The dinner buffet was wow, and i made so many friends that i can point out the ones i haven't introduced myself to yet. Every person is interesting, every lecturer and student. There was a black and white movie that they screened during dinner, made silent so that it just provided ambience. And a harpist who played the harp in the corner. They're taking such good care of us that i have nothing to complain about. Even the cheesy combined Freshmen Welcome in the morning was fun because we laughed at the ceremony watching the close circuit version. I hate to sound like an overenthusiastic freshie still in honeymoon mode, but i really think that school will be fun.