Lost in Translation

So I discovered, today, that despite my fluency in both Punjabi and English, there are some things that do indeed, get lost in translation.

Scenario: I'm waiting in line at a drive-thru Starbucks (I know, ironic, given the post below) for almost 25 minutes with my parents. Being stuck in anywhere with my parents (i.e. our home) is very frustrating, but the confines of a car, along with the knowledge that we were boxed in this drive-thru line, was just too much for my claustrophobic nature. Anywho, I quickly got frustrated listening to them bicker, and said the following: "GODDD, what is it about being in a car with you two that just makes me want to kill myself?!"

I thought nothing of the event until just now, when my Dad comes to me, honestly worried, about why such a small thing as my parents bickering would make me want to kill myself. He goes on to tell me that he'd been thinking about it all night and all day today, about what could be bothering my young little mind so much that I would contemplate suicide.

HAHA. What I said was obviously an hyperbole (GRE word of the day, check!), but apparently there is no room for exaggeration in Punjabi.

Small city girl, big city dreams

As of two days ago, I have dived headfirst into GRE-land, and I'm noticing how different my study style is here in Suisun City versus in Berkeley.

Pro-suburbia
-I have a car, so weather and distance doesn't hinder me from going out to study
-Drive-thru Starbucks!
-'Cash-only' is an unheard of concept
-Mom makes me breakfast and dinner everday, and chai is available around the clock
-Because there are no universities nearby, libraries are never crowded, parking and/or desk availability is never an issue

Con-suburbia
-Library closes at 5pm (wtf?!)
-Because the libraries cater to elementary schools, are the desks and chairs are super low (nothing more awkward than looking up from my 'private booth' and seeing a 60-year old Asian man staring me in the face)
-Mom doesn't understand the concept of lunch; its breakfast, chai-break, dinner (how Indians are still so obese is beyond my comprehension)
-No T1 connection at library (I'd be suprised if it was even DSL)

On the other hand, I'm actually enjoying studying for the GRE. I know, shoot me, I'm a nerd. But maybe its because without school to worry about, I'm in a very relaxed, nay reposed, state of mind and the daily dose of mental stimulation is actually welcome.

4 months!

I moved out of my NY apartment on August 19th. Today I finally received my security deposit back. Almost 4 months later, and after many hassling emails and canceled checks and stories of stolen checkbooks and lost mail. I'm not sure what my subletter's deal was, but just a warning: If you're going to sublet a place that is far from your normal home, I would suggest leaving with the security deposit and/or money you are owed in hand. And a check isn't good enough, because as I learned, they can write a check and then cancel it.

On the bright side, I totally forgot about this money and feel like I just got gifted $500. Now where to blow it?