Robsky http://blog.case.edu/robsky/ my perspective on random things en-us Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:41:36 EST Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:41:36 EST robert.alinsky@case.edu robert.alinsky@case.edu http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Movable Type v3.121 Good times and Good people make for a Great night http://blog.case.edu/robsky/2006/11/21/good_times_good_people Sometimes it's nice to go out, and go to a pub for dinner and a few drinks, but not to... http://blog.case.edu/robsky/2006/11/21/good_times_good_people Time case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:41:36 EST Sometimes it's nice to go out, and go to a pub for dinner and a few drinks, but not to over do it. It's not restraint, but a wanting for something calmer and more relaxed. tonight was this, it was fun and laid back without getting drunk nor staying out late. I hope to have more of these in the near future, but it isn't always easy to find the time and the people to do so.

]]> End of the Semester http://blog.case.edu/robsky/2006/11/20/tired_of_wonderful_things So there are only a few weeks left in the semester here at Queen Mary, but to be honest i... http://blog.case.edu/robsky/2006/11/20/tired_of_wonderful_things Time case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:37:03 EST So there are only a few weeks left in the semester here at Queen Mary, but to be honest i am happy. This experience was one of the best that i have had, but i am ready to be done. I feel as though i am 'tired' of it here. I am getting exhausted from simply being here and dealing with the differences in life, instead of adjusting to them. I am not trying to keep my ways, but i am having trouble adjusting to the way of life in that i tires me out. This must sound silly, but after so long, the excitement wears off and where reality should set it, but is replaced with discontent. I am not truly feeling relaxed her, i always feel as if i need to be on-edge. I guess is what i am looking for is a feeling of being home, which i get at school after a few weeks. But here, it is completely different, and after the rush of a new country fades and after the thrill of making new friends takes the back seat, what’s left is an empty feeling. This results in me not feeling homesick, but being 'over' with this experience.

To clarify, i guess i am not 'thrilled' with London. It is a fun city, with tons to do, and never a dull moment, but when i am at school, i don't always want that. If i were here, living and working, and making this home I’m sure that i would not be feeling the way i do. The thing is, when i go of to school there is a certain percentage of me that wants some boring moments, where all i can do is study. There are too many distractions here and all too often i put work aside as i think to myself, "well i will only be here for so long, so enjoy it." That attitude is not very good when you actually have classes that require some degree of attention and when you have papers to write.

So to be honest, i would recommend that if someone where wanting to study abroad, i would suggest going to a school outside the city where you are not constantly bombarded with activities and events and booze(well that’s everywhere). Because then you could come in for the excitement whenever you wanted it, but it would not be in your face.

So end, i would say that this does not feel like school, which is why i feel 'over' this experience. Instead this feels like a really long vacation. Don’t get me wrong, i love vacations, but after a while i want to get back to my life, as it tires me out.

]]> First Post http://blog.case.edu/robsky/2006/11/20/friends_what_are_they_to_me I think that one of the most valuable things that i have learned in my experience studying abroad has been... http://blog.case.edu/robsky/2006/11/20/friends_what_are_they_to_me People case cwru Case Western Case Western Reserve University Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:16:16 EST I think that one of the most valuable things that i have learned in my experience studying abroad has been how i make new friends. I have never really give much thought to actively choosing friends, they just become friends without my active knowledge. For some reason, this has changed all of a sudden and people who i once thought was a friend, i am now second guessing. There is one person in particular who i was friendly with, whom i now can't stand. i never really saw this coming but looking back, i don’t know how i could have ever wanted to be near them. I guess i take people for granted and give them more faith than i should. I often overlook characteristics in people that are negative as i either think nothing of it, or something. But now i seem to be much more critical of the people i choose to spend time with. I feel this is a positive change. Before i have ended up being in a group of people, half of whom i am not fond of. Now i am much more selective and can come across as meaner i guess. I do not care if people see me this way in most situations now, as i do not think that this is a negative trait. If i want to cultivate a relationship, i will do so with those who i feel comfortable with, why should i subject myself to making friends with those why i do not care for?

This of course only applies to people who i wish to be friends with, not everyone i meet. Co-workers for example is a different arena, and i cannot use this attitude as it will result in a negative environment.

I think that this change has come about with the creation of completely new friends whilst here in London and with some reflection of my friends at school at home and my fraternity brothers. I do not know why i started thinking about this, but once i did, it was a snowball effect and i will never return to making friends in the same fashion again. I realized that friends are called friends for a reason and i have the absolute power in choosing them.

I now decide who 'is' a friend based on a long list of factors that i constantly scrutinize over and it takes much longer for me to clearly define who is a new friend vs. just someone that i know.

I feel satisfied with my change of attitude and approach to friends as it is healthier for me to be more critical as from now on, my friend base will be getting smaller, so i want "true friends" to be the ones that i keep relationships with, rather than empty friends who i could never rely on.

]]>