A waiting game

Time is my only nemesis.

I'm going to my final year at HKUST and I am ambivalent. The classes are gearing more towards real world applications.. engineering management, biomolecular engineering, process dynamics and control. But I'm optimistic. Today, I asked my professor from a my academic and professional development class (a 0-credit required course) to look at my resume and he did so without hesitation. He gave me helpful feedback on what to add and what to take away. And you know what? Even though there's a student deep down inside of me that is somehow afraid of asking my teachers questions and approaching them for life advice... I've never regretted doing it. They are always willing to lend an ear or a helping hand.

It's crazy to think that I was stepping into the unknown two years ago; what was an uncertainty then is still an uncertainty now. That with the added pressure of a "the real world" looming more formidably with each passing day. I wouldn't trade these experiences away. Ever. But after taking an unconventional path, I am in a transitory state. Will my venture in Hong Kong set me apart when applying for engineering jobs? Will it set me apart from other grad school applicants? Are all my critics justified? Will my supporters remain optimistic about my future?

These are the goals I've set for myself this semester.

1. Make the dean's list. (3.7+ GPA)
2. Attend/Land job interviews for at least two engineering companies.
3. Enjoy Hong Kong more! (Improve Cantonese and Mandarin)
4. Lose 15 pounds.
5. Take the GRE.
6. Apply to grad school.

As a side note, the best thing that I did in the U.S. this summer was have a candle-lit rooftop home-cooked steak and mashed potatoes dinner with an amazing date and KOST 103.5 playing in the background :).

A little bit of added happiness can make life so much more worthwhile.