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I woke up this morning, slightly groggy from the diminishing pile of homework. I begin my daily ritual of finishing the touch up to the assignments I’d done from last night and to catch up with the latest news.

I’m still shocked from the news. Amused, maybe. Obama definitely lifted the hopes of many Americans and perhaps those abroad during his presidential candidacy but I could not see how he could be nominated for this year Nobel Peace prize.

Frankly, it’s just much too early. I haven’t see what contribution did he made to the world. I’m waiting for time to change my opinion, but as of now the Nobel committee is ridiculous. Past winners are judged based on their contribution to the world, not judged in hopes of future efforts. Less than a year into office and already a Nobel Prize winner, looks like Obama mania still haven’t subsided  down.

(Chicago, Illinois) Look at all the different faces.

Ever since young, I dream of remodeling myself. Shaping my whole personality, actions, gestures, facial expressions into someone I’m not. When I watched “The Pretender” when I was young, I used to think how cool it was to be able to transform into another person and fool the whole world with it. It was through this that I wished to be whole, to master and know a bit of everything. I wanted to be able to enter one day as a doctor, supervising the charge of another life and then, as a pilot the next day, planning my great getaway into the unknown. I recalled in a comic book that what gave Batman his edge was his ability to constantly rebuild his character. Breaking down and molding back something new.

It was a dream I suppressed for a while, only to relieve it when I watched Leonardo DiCaprio in “Catch Me If You Can”, an adaptation of real life story of Frank Abagnale Jr.. This character was indeed the great pretender, forging everything from checks, pilot license to a Harvard Medical School degree (or at least that’s what the movie showed). He was shown to have fraud around 4 million USD (real value at 2.5 million USD) at a time when converted to current dollar, is significantly larger amount. All these charges from when he is between 16 to 21 years old. I lived through most part of it with nothing that significant in my resume and wonder how far would I go by the time I’m 21. Now, Frank’s free from serving his time, and is a rich leading security consultant who works with the FBI.

It saddens me sometimes when I can take the path few took. I could be the next real life story of a person who is anyone. The only thing holding me back right now is the law and my conscience. I still dream of the dream, where I could slipped in and out of uniform and be anyone I want.

Americans love their alcohol. I discovered this when I was shopping for some alcohol too. Perhaps it is the last minute festive season purchase but the alcoholic beverage store seems to be thriving amidst the current economic situation. Those whom I meet are purchasing beers and wines to complement their Christmas dinner. Wines are cheap relative to the income over this side of the globe. So, it might not be a big deal for the average Americans to splurge over wines as compared to those with lower purchasing power relative to income. I learned a thing or two about wine tasting and the specific taste according to brand. It was still hard to get used to the taste. These alcoholic beverages gave off burning sensation and I doubt whether my tongue could get used to such abuse. Perhaps, with more tasting and new found preferences for more exquisite luxuries, I may find myself during a dinner with a glass of red wine on my hand and flaunting my wine knowledge to like minded individuals.

Plus, I learnt another observation as well. It’s an alternative way of measuring the people’s economic power. The type of food the typical consumer had more frequently when dining out revealed the society’s perception on current economy. For example, during economic hard times like recently, the average consumer will prefer more filling food like steak etc. Whereas on sunny days, the average consumer can settle on more luxury and dainty food which aren’t as filling like sushi etc. It is just a matter of responding to incentives. Although, if times were really bad, people wouldn’t even dine out in the first place.

(Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Ending our discussion too quickly during a period of class, my group members of three instead switched the flow of conversation to their background and environment where they grew up. They shared with me their experience of growing up in some of the most dangerous and gun infested cities in US.

They put how the teachers usually look tense when there’s a gang riot which broke out near the school. And how their school days would be cancelled because someone spread a rumour that gun fights will happened near the school, which turns out to be true but it was in the afternoon after the presumed non-existent school time. I wonder how it is to have a childhood like that.

Perhaps, banning guns will be good for this nation future, after all.

(Putrajaya, Malaysia)

I went to a recruiting session held by a major financial institution recently. I’m not so much as interested in the recruiting session but rather more to the buffet style dinner that goes along with the session. I was running late for it since I just completed one of my midterm as well.

Alas, my free dinner to be was not to be mine after all. I reached the information session and was swamped my what lies ahead of me. I saw a large gathering of presumably college student wearing identical black corporate suit. Aside from their identical shade of black suit, majority of the males sport the same hairstyle with gelled and cropped up short hair, something which I was initially hoping to style my hair into. As for the females, there is a variation between tied up ponytail or just let loose, but the differences also amount to that much.

Dozens of unique individuals, each with their own glorying achievements and persona, appeared out to me as drones sporting the same costumes and frankly the same monotone conversation topic, as tough they are programmed from a factory with standard requirements. This is common cultural convergence, where the aspiring group assume the lifestyles of the intended group which they wanted to belong to. However, what scares me was the rapid acculturation of which this is happening.

I feared, I pondered whether several years down the lane, I will be one of them, sporting the exactly same executive suit, with matching iron pressed shirt and a tie, trying to adhere to a the common wisdom. My own hair cut out short and cropped up with some styling gel, discussing economic and business issues with whomever cared to show the slightest interest in it.

Tom Welling. Courtesy of David Gray, the CW Network

Back to the session, I was neither in any corporate suit or formal wear at that time. All I had on me was just blue jeans, blue t-shirt and a striking red jacket, strangely similar to Tom Welling’s character, Clark Kent of Smallville fame, The social solidarity was too great and I turned back before reaching the gate. The buffet table was clear in sight, but ah, I think I will just go and grab a burrito.

…

I head on to another economic symposium after that, but also mainly for the dessert. Same case of corporate cultural convergence, the same formal wear and hair styles. Later, when I was heading back to my crib, I saw some of the students in corporate suits, each with burritos in their hands. Maybe, I’m already had my feet in the boat after all.

(Ann Arbor, Michigan) The sun is setting, but my path had just began.

I’d been trying to figure out which pathway I should take to continue on my educational route. I’m at a loss now looking ahead as the decision I made today will influence me in years to come. On one side, I wanted to try and apply into the business school, thus prolonging my stay in college for another year. assuming my  financial funding is able to allow it. After all, college experience does come but once in every lifetime. On the other hand, I might want to finish off my degree early or as Albert puts it, “We will graduate by the time we reached 20 years old.” I calculated and think that I can manage to graduate comfortably within two and a half years.

I don’t think it is not befitting to think of grandeur ideas in the future, but for now, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I-” am still trying to look past the fog surrounding the paths.