Earthquake

We had an earthquake couple of days ago, I guess it happened last Friday at 5:30am. I was in deep sleep and even didn't feel anything. It was a 5.2 magnitude earthquake, not a big one, and the center of the earthquake was in Illinois, so it didn't give us any damages. This is the first time I've been in an earthquake in my life, and I didn't know IN has the possibility of earthquake, kinda scary~

Recently, I am too tired and stressed out for my finals and comprehensive exams. If I couldn't pass that damned exam, I have to be kicked out of school, which is really bad. Everyone is working extremely hard now, which makes me more nervous. Could anyone tell me a way to get rid of my stress?

Game Theory

Recently, I am trying to play all different kinds of games, from chess to cards. Sometimes, I have to play those games until midnight. Not kidding, overworked graduate student play games until midnight. Actually, it is not that difficult to play those games as long as you don't have to think about the theory behind those games, such as those subgame perfect equilibrium, sequential equilibrium, and etc. Once it gets to that point, it is not funny to play anymore. Sometimes, my brain refused to work whenever I put the game out. Oh, "game" theory~

Pressure!

Recently, a lot of pressure hits on me, both from academic world and personal life. Although I am working like a machine, things are still a little difficult for me, and somehow I've gotten too nervous to get through. Peronal life is not going on very well either, maybe because the pressure of acadmic world makes me much easier to freak out. I become less forgivable, less patient, and more demanding. I sort of lost my confidence though. I guess I am back to human being again. That's how life it is, isn't it? Well, as always, life has to move on, and tomorrow is another day.

Freezing cold~

Bloomington is very cold recently. It is only 1 degree today, even colder than NH. I thought midwest should be warmer than northeast based on the geography. Now I understand why one of my friends said she would like to stay in the east coast, and afraid of midwest. Make sense, cause midwest always has some bad weather, such as tornado, snow storm... kinda miss northeast now. At least, I didn't feel this freezing cold in winter even during snow storm, and not hot and humid in summer. Midwest pretty much gets everything, cold, hot, humid, windy, etc.

I am currently quite busy, working like a machine. Can't believe it is only the beginning of the semester. I have classes nearly everyday, and also I have to teach 2 hours per week. Teaching is really stressful, especially after a whole day class. Really miss my time in Germany last Christmas. It was so relaxing. Oh, well, I have to return back to my "Lucas Critique". His critique seems easy at the beginning, but once it comes to the deeper sense, it is not that simple as it seems to be. Maybe I should write him an email, subject "Yinster's critique~ why not making things easier?"

Frankfurt am Main

Christmas market in Frankfurt, where German National Team celebrated their victory after World Cup 2006.

I guess this is the river called Main. That's how Frankfurt am Main comes from.

My flight finally landed in Germany after staying in Amsterdam for nearly 4-hour delay. Germany is so cold, but not snowing. Weather is still nice, but freezing cold. I went to Frankfurt am Main couple of days ago, it was a very beautiful city. I had nice German snacks in its Christmas market, and got some hot wine to warm me up. I saw the European Central bank with a big euro sign out there, but I had no euro sign in my pocket, quite unfortunately. Pictures will come out soon.

Finally, I am done for my finals~

Oh, this entire week is hell. I had four exams on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I was so tired and stressed out last couple of weeks. Now I am done, although I didn't do well for my finals, anyway, it is over now. I feel relieved. After a nice Thanksgiving, I worked incredibly hard, like a machine, trying to get everything done within two weeks. I even went to Chicago for my stupid visa application right before my finals. Chicago was freaking cold at this time of the year, really "Windy", but Michigan Avenue is still pretty. One of my friends supposed to give me a ride to Chicago, but he trapped into an emergent situation right before our trip, so I had to book my flight one day before I went. It was so bad, not only the price of the ticket, but also my mood. I was so freaking out at that time. I can't blame him because he's got some emergent things, which he didn't expect to happen; but it also sucks.

Finally, I am done. Cheers! I am going to Germany this winter break to visit my friends there. They are so excited now, and so I am. I've always wanted to go to Europe, but never get time and chance to go, now here I go. Piggy, "Devil" is coming, be careful. I will rob every nice thing in your animal zoo. lolz~ I will keep my trip updated if I have time.

First Snow in Bloomington

It is snowing now, in Bloomington at the beginning of December. Oh, I don't know why I get so excited as I already lived in a snow state for nearly two years. Anyway, I am currently freaking out for my final exams, cause I've got too many things to do, but too few time left, and I have no idea on one course at all. I don't know how I could manage to pass. Woo, the snow is getting heavy now, tomorrow will be nice, hopefully.

Here is the conversation between one of my friends and me:

Y: Hi, it is snowing here, in IN, can't you believe it?

Friend: Oh, it is midnight, already.

Y: It is snowing, I am so excited.

F: Oh, it is not my business.

Y: Hey, snowing is beautiful, why don't you feel any excitement.

F: I only feel sleepy. Good night!

Hang off the phone. Can't you believe my terrible friend~

Thanksgiving Turkey

We made the turkey by ourselves during Thanksgiving break. It tastes good, especially with wine and mushed potatos. Cheers~

My mid-semester summary!

It is already at the end of Octorber. I went through the first half of my tough first semester here. First-round midterms ended last week, and the second round will start soon. Exam system here is weird. Professors try to make the exams as difficult as they can, and the average points for each one is around 40 out of 100. It is kinda frustrating to see your scores are all below 50, after a long time hard working. I don't know how the finals will turn out, and how the final letter grades will be, but currently, those exams make us feel disappointed. My classmates are making fun by saying that maybe we could only get 100 points for the sum of 3 midterms.

Last Wednesday, I went to one of my midterm exams for Metrics, that was my first time to sit in the exam without knowing what I could write there, except my name, of course, that is the only thing I am sure I wrote it correctly. Based on my professor's words "Those exam questions are EASY if you know how to do it." Thanks for the nice encouragement.

The busy life made me keep forgetting things. I left my coat in the computer cluster, and finally found out after 2 or 3 days. I forgot to return the recalled book to the library last Saturday, and finally did it last Sunday. It is insane that the library charged me $25 late fee for one-day delay. I returned the book back only one day late, and I've got $25 fine. How ridiculous it is. I mean I expect to get some punishment because of my fault, but $25 is insane. Library shouldn't rob poor students' money like this. As a punishment, $5 to $10 fine is reasonable, but $25 is too much. I really want to ask them how much fine they will ask for if I return it back 100 days late, isn't that $2500? I could buy hundreds of books for $2500. Anyway, it is a good lesson for my bad memory.

Fall season TV shows update!

I don't want to talk about my busy life, because it seems everybody is tired of hearing about it. Fall season TV shows started couple of weeks ago, which gives my life a little bit entertainment. New season Prison Break is disappointed. Michael has to break the prison again, same story, well, happened in different country. Sarah is dead because she might get a new contract for another TV show, and has no time to attend PB anymore. Desparated Housewife is on its 3rd episode, but unfortunately, no time to watch it yet. Brothers and Sisters are pretty good, a lot of fun things and sadness, just like our lives. I guess I need to find some more new TV shows to fill out my time slots.

Econ Graduate Student Theorem

ECON THEOREM

Sept.18, 2007, 7pm

Bloomington, IN

Consider the "basic" function

F(B(c; h; w; l), G(x))

where c=class time, c is between [0, 60] hours per week;

h=homework time, h is between [0, 10080] minutes per week;

w=GA time, w is between [0, 20] hours per week;

l=lost or leisure time, l is between [0, 10080] minutes per week

Note that Function G is the level of genius, determined by random variable x.

Then,

Max F(B, G)

subject to c + h + w + l = 10080

Function F(B, G) has a maximum, where l, c, w equal to 0 and h = 10080 (minutes per week).

Then theorem can be interpreted to mean, basically, being an ECON graduate student sucks.

Corollary: take first derivative of the Basic Function with respect to B and G, subject to the time constraint, which is equal to "Nothing Fancy" or "Piece of Cake". Prove the theorem and corollary, please do it as an exercise, due next Monday in class.

Over-worked graduate student

Yinster is exhausted. This is only the fourth week of the fall semester, and I've got so tired. I have to take 4 classes this semester, from Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 7pm. I also have review sesssions on Tuesday and Friday. I've got 2 office hours, bunch of gradings for my GA job, and 4 homework assignments each week for those classes. Phew, graduate school is tough. I need to find something to compensate my academic busy life.

Orientation at IUB

My department Wylie Hall. I will spend a lot of my time here from now on.

Sample Gate. It means you've got into IUB's territory.

It is amazing that I've already been at IUB for more than two weeks. During these two weeks, I was running around everywhere for my orientation, document checking, health insurance, English exam, department meeting, and etc. Life becomes busier and busier, which makes me realize that I am back to school again, not relaxing at home anymore. I will start my busy, stressful academic life from next Monday. It seems that I haven't mentally and physically prepared for the new semester. Well, life is like a box of chocolate, you'll never know what will happen next, that's why life is good, isn't it?

Midwestern world is so hot and humid recently, which kinda makes me miss northeastern's cool air. My campus is big and pretty, I guess the view during fall season will be more beautiful. Graduate coordinator already warned us of our busy life ahead, and he even told us that we may not have time to see the view at all. Oh, my God~Couple of my friends asked me why I decided to pursue Ph.D here, well, I really don't know. I guess somewhere in my heart, I still like academic busy life, although sometimes it is stressful. Well, we'll see how far I could go.

Back to school ~

I haven't written anything on this blog for couple of months. It is not because of my laziness, but because I couldn't get onto this website in China for a while. Now I am back to school (US) for my Ph.D, so I also get the access to this website. My trip is safe but kinda exhausted. Now I am busy for settling down in this new town. Just a short notice here. I will write more when I get more time.

My friend's nephew, fish, and hot weather

My friend's fish and nice environment she created inside her fish tank. Superb! Sorry, this picture is unauthorized, so let me ask her permission here, hope she wouldn't mind it.

He was playing volleyball at York beach. Oh, happy kid with fashionable clothes.

Lazy Yinster is coming back, finally. Rush to Yinster's theater to see the new update. Recently, I was really busy, meeting all my friends, enjoying the new movies, food, concert, and chatting with friends abroad. Life is busy but colorful. My friend sent me the pictures of his nephew, who is nearly 3 years old and looks so cute. Oh, kids are lovely.

Another silly friend of mine did a good job. She bought a fish tank and 5 tropical fish. I always had doubts about her ability to take care of the animals, well, at this time, she not only bought all the utilities for those fish, but also put a lot of efforts on them. Her fish are so pretty, which makes me kinda want to get some fish too. See the pic above.

The weather in my hometown is really hot. It is generally hot every summer as it locates in the southern part, however, it is still unusual that it has already reached 90F in the middle of May. Woo, after staying in the cold place for more than 2 years, it is really difficult for me to get used to the heat here. I guess after 3 months, I may become the tropical fish as the one in the pic above, but of course, more lovely. lol~

Friend's wedding ceremony!

Before the bride and her groom walked on this red carpet, we came in advance to experience their happiness, and wish ourselves could move towards it.

Right before the wedding ceremony, we went to the room in Shangri-la Hotel (where my friend rented her wedding place) to see the bride.

Shortly after I went back home, I got a 7-day Labor Day holiday, and two wedding ceremonies. Cheers! Awesome, hum? It seems that it is the time for us to get married, cause recently, a lot of my friends got married. Last month, one of my best friends from high school got married, and another two friends got married on May.3rd, and 4th separately. I attended these two ceremonies, one was in the church, completely western way and romantic; the other was in the hotel, half western and half Chinese. Before that, I never attended wedding ceremony for my friends, mostly for my cousins, relatives. Friend's wedding is different, because you could feel you are part of it. and fully share the happiness with them. You could see their lovely happy faces, which is so cute.

The atmosphere at the wedding ceremony influenced me a lot. I did want to get married when I saw the bride walked towards the groom, especially when the groom made the commitment to his bride, promising to take care of her and love her all of his life. I was touched when he said so. I always thought I was not a traditional person, and didn't care marriage that much as long as I had a stable relationship, but it seems not the case now. Marriage needs enough courage, responsibility, and love for both people finally get together and make their serious commitment, which is not an easy thing. Boyfriend could give you the love you need, but he would never give you that kind of commitment. Just as one of my friends told me about husband "He may not be the best one, but he is the one for you." Oh, well, I guess I get a little bit affected by those continuous wedding ceremonies, so if you are not sure whether you want a marriage or not, just go to attend a wedding ceremony, you will find the answer. Pictures will come out soon!

Back home at last~

Memoir of my best friends in NH. We made dinner together and had a party in the middle of March, 2007.

It takes me a long time to get onto this blog again, and it is nice that I finally made it. I guess my internet server at home has some problems, well, anyway, I am back home, real home in China. It was a tough trip, I left Boston on April.3rd, and then went to Detroit to change my flight, then Tokyo, and finally Beijing. My flight delayed in Tokyo airport for nearly 2 hours because of the thunder storm, so when I got to Beijing, it was already nearly 11pm, April.4th, Beijing local time. When I left NH, it was raining heavily as it usually did. Whenever I left NH, it was raining, sometimes, my friends made fun of me, and said that NH missed me. No matter whether it is true or not, I love NH, and raining made my leaving sad. Nearly 3 years' experience changed my life. I cherish this experience, and thanks God giving me this opportunity.

It is sweet to get back home, meeting my friends and parents. Just like my "Dad" said, it was a mixture of sweetness and sorrow. My hometown changed a lot, becoming more and more international and beautiful, but right after I got back home, I was sick. I lost my appetite, and I also had a fever for couple of days. Now the fever is gone, but my nose is still running, and my throat is pain. Until now, I haven't fully enjoyed the good feeling of going back home. Haven't been home for 2 years, I find I changed a lot during this period, the way of thinking, life style, and etc. I kinda Americanised. I don't know whether it is a good or bad thing, but I need time to adjust to my current life. Anyway, China is my country, I still feel comfortable and happy to be at home, because it is my soil. I did see a lot of progresses going on everyday, and I feel proud of it. Now my cell phone bill is greatly increasing, because of the international phone call. One thing is good that my parents couldn't understand what I was talking on the phone and even who was calling me. lolz~ See, how naughty I am. Still miss my friends and "parents" in U.S, wish them all the best.

Leaving~

Departure time is around the corner, and spring is coming to NH eariler this year. Yesterday was so warm and sunny, I went to my campus to enjoy the coffee and spring with my friends, suddenly I started missing my life in the graduate school a lot. Even though studying is stressful, but you could share those painful feelings with your classmates, friends. When I discuss my last days' schedule with my friends, suddenly realize that there are so many people I want to meet, and a lot places I want to go. Well, time is not enough now even by cutting short of my sleep. I think if you give me one more year to be here, I will still feel short. By using my friend in Chicago's words "It's time to go." Let this experience become the best memory in my life. I will cherish it in my heart. Thanks for all my friends, "parents" here. You make my life.

Yinster is sad today!

Back from Chicago~

Chicagian Bean. It is one of the most famous architecture in downtown Chicago, near Michigan Aveune.

I am in the beach of Lake Michigan, downtown Chicago is at my back.

Finally, I got back from Chicago. Our flight delayed last night, so I got back home around 2am this morning. I am completely exhausted after this 4-day trip, but it was splendid. Chicago isn't that cold as I was told. When we arrived at Chicago, it was nearly 60F, feels like spring. Everyone there worn only long-sleeve shirt, we were looked like from Alaska. The next couple of days were cloudy and even raining. It was a little bit chilly, but not that cold. Yesterday was completely sunny summer, we only worn T-shirt, but still felt hot. My friends were making fun of us, he said "You guys came in spring, then experienced winter, and left in summer, so you went through three seasons of Chicago within 4 days, but not in the right order."

Chicago is the 3rd largest cities in U.S. It is called "Windy City". It isn't because Chicago is windy, but because Chicagians were talkative, never shut up, so New Yorkers gave Chicago this name. I like Chicago a lot. It is totally different from NYC and Boston. It has its own Chicagian culture, accent, and pride. We went to several museums, restaurants, and shops there. Lake Michigan is quite impressive. The water in the lake looks so blue, like ocean. At the beginning, we thought it was ocean, but based on Chicago's geography, it can't be close to the ocean. Then we guess it might be a man-made swimming pool, but it is too big. The color of the water is so beautiful, even during raining day, it is still blue. I went to Erie before, which is one of the 5 biggest lakes in north America, but compared to Erie, Lake Michigan is more like an ocean, and they even brought sands near the lake and made a beach around the lake.

Chicago River went through downtown with several different style bridges above it. Chicago is famous for its architecture. If you walked around downtown, you could see all different kinds of skyscrapes. They were built in various styles, Sears Tower is the tallest one. I am not fond of buildings, especially after living in NYC for more than 6 months, but Chicago's tall buildings are impressive. Chicago's food was great too. We got Mexican, Latin American, Chinese, Italian, and Chicagian food. We also went to a blues bar to enjor typical Chicago blues, such as "Sweethome Chicago". We could strongly feel Chicagian's pride of their city. Pictures will come out soon! Thanks for my friends' guide.

Chicago!!!!!!!

I will go to Chicago tomorrow morning at 9:55am from Logan Airport. Always heard about this city, but never got chance to see it, now it is my turn. It is the last trip before I leave U.S. My friends in Chicago are quite exciting now. They already made bunch of food menu for us, as they knew how much I like food. If I am lucky enough, maybe I could meet my favorite guy Wentworth Miller in PB. Cheers~