Weekend Adventure in Philly

Blogging Fail again! Arg >_<

Well anyway, this weekend I attended my first ECAASU conference (East Coast Asian American Student Union). So I hopped an Amtrak train out of Providence, set up a weekend campsite in the freshmen dorm known simply as "The Quad", and braved being plopped down with over 1200 Asian/Asian American students with no idea how it was going to turn out.

Things I've learned about traveling:
1. Plan each outfit for a weekend trip. I know I love choices, but I always end up overpacking.
2. If staying in a dorm, DON'T FORGET SHOWER SHOES! And if staying with strangers, don't forget shampoo, soap, AND A TOWEL. I learned this the hard way. Thank goodness UPenn was on spring break because I basically made that bathroom my own personal changing room.
3. Pack a weather friendly coat that can be dressed up or dressed down and easily layered!

Things I've learned about Asians (and people in general):
1. There are an unbelievable number of students in Asian frats/sororities...who knew?
2. It takes at least 3 separate meetings of the same person to remember their name.
3. Asians display intimidation by numbers--but individually they're not so scary at all :)
4. NEVER volunteer to pay for the alcohol is you already know that you're a) not going to drink much of it and b) if you're too shy to ask for people to pay up.

Things I've learned about clubbing:
1. MOST IMPORTANT - Have at least 1 predetermined "Club Buddy" who you must either leave together or contact before leaving to ensure that you're safe. Having a preset meeting place (such as next to the bathroom) when you lose one another is also a good strategy.
2. The default time to dance with someone is 2.5 songs--any more than that and a guy gets too clingy thinking that you want more. Any less than that and both parties know to move on.
3. FLATS with COVERED TOES - saved my feet from pain and being hurt from getting stepped on...and there are too many shorter guys out there anyway that being shorter isn't actually a bad thing.

All in all, a very nice weekend!

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