I talk to strangers…

All the time.

And I like it that way.

But what did momma used to say?

“Don’t talk to strangers”

And for good reasons too, there are some really sick people out there.

It works on children because they are relatively innocent and inherently trusting.

But assuming that if you are reading this, you are already college-matured…or at least aspire to be.

So is that maxim still beneficial?

The majority of people (especially those who live in sprawling metropolis) still has this belief ingrained within. Walk down any street and you’ll discover people

with glasses so big they look like bugs

or

Proud ipod groupies

or

Mr. I can text so fast you won't even know what hit you.

Are you one of them?

And you wonder why you are lonely

You've seen them. They'll fiddle with their Treos every two minutes while rocking their Ipods with eyes downcast; creating this invisible shield around them. They panic when you so much as to smile at them, hoping you'll just pass them by because...

Oh, momma told them not to talk to strangers.

The average Joe live in solitude. Don't believe me? Go on craigslist personals section and search up the word

"lonely".

The average American wake up, eat, work, sleep. Repeat. Maybe the occasional restaurant scene on the weekend. They cling to their families and cliques like drowned rats to a wooden plank and refuses to venture out. And yet at the same time they long for that spark of spontaneity, that rare encounter.

Everyone from the busy Strada bar girl to the hot shot investment banker to the content janitor are really living in this endless cycle.

Are you sick of it? Living in the same predictable, routine life. Talking to the same people, doing the same thing everyday, having the same old banter. That is why divorce rates in America is so high, people want a spark of life, something unpredictable.

So talk to people.

(but use your brain, if you are walking on Telegraph Ave 3am in the morning and a gang hoods is coming your way.... RUN)

Talk to people?



Why should I? They'll think I am off my rocker! No one talks to strangers!

Precisely, no one talks to strangers, but everyone wants a little bit of human touch. Why do you think people spends hundreds in massage parlors when pilates does the same thing? Its a little bit of human touch.


But most people want to be left alone!

Do you want to be left alone? If you are happy with your current crop of friends then by all means do so. If you are content, you are one of the lucky few.

But I know that many of you out there are just dying for a little human touch, but the idea that you have to approach a complete stranger decked out in

This

absolutely terrifies you.

So how do you start? There is no one around!

Really?

Where do you go get your morning dose of caffeine? The paper boy? The grocery clerk? The awkward intern at your office? (Hire me! Raises hand) The person suffering next to you in a crowded Bart station? The neighbor that you have never talked to?

Now when you start, thread lightly. Remember that while you've overcome your barriers, the other person still has hers up in full force. Start out with something light:

"It is sweltering in here!"
"How long have you been waiting for the Bart?"
"What do you recommend? Americano or Lemonade?"
"You come here often?"
"Cal is so going to cream Tennessee"
"Orange, what an unfortunate color"

And see that person's face light up because for the love of everything holy you are the first person to acknowledge their existence today.

Even if he/she doesn't speak to you for the rest of your stay, that smile is worth it.

Well, for me at least, it is.

*I try to live my own advice, thus you'll probably find me either 1) studying or at gym 2) at school clubs or 3) chatting with random people. This blog is for my own reflections and realizations. Although I can give your average geek a run for his money in terms of computer knowledge, I love people more.
*Stay tuned, I'll still update regularly! But please understand that this blog is not my life, but a mere vestige of it. Comments make my day :)

K, CAL GAME IS NEXT!

Have a wonderful day.

I Promise to Be Interesting!

Some of you might know me as The Girl Who Wanted to Play Golf

Other simply know me as the masochist who took way too many classes last semester.

Either way, I'll be happy to entertain you.

My desire to golf put me in touch with a few kind hearted golfers whose responses really brought a shine into my life. The responses are honest and creative and everything in between.

There are those that tried to pet me in the head and say "Hon, you have no idea what you are getting yourself into". Sir I know...but try telling my brain that.

Others tried to get me to play tennis with them.

Sawree...I already have way to many tennis partners on my speed dial. A occasional wack or two is agreeable...or you can try the Hearst Court Thursday or Saturday evening and look for the girl who likes to make people run.

That’s my partner.

"Hey! That was a cheap shot!"
"99 cents special baaaaby"

Some are generous enough to take me shopping with them for "cute golf attire". Thanks! But I don't even go shopping with my friends. My mother is more honest.

Picture this:

"Dani, does this dress make me look fat?"
"Of course not! You look like a million bucks!"

But my mom favors the British.

"Mommy, does this dress make me look fat?"
"Sweetheart, you look like a million pounds!"

And then there are the rare few and between that took pity on me. Some even offered to start right away when I get back to Cal.

I thank you, I thank you, and I thank you.

As time pass, I promise to strive to be more of a golfer and less of a gopher.

I promise to make your contributions worth your while, soon enough you'll have a full fledge hacking partner with you.

There are a few that wanted to help, perhaps taken by my desperateness. And then came to their senses and go "why am I doing this? For all I know she might be a serial killer"

I promise that I am not. I don't have time for that stuff. I don't even know why I am starting this blog when I am cramming way too many courses and barely hang on to sleep.

But I do know that many of you are having it worse than me.

And a little entertainment goes a lonnnnnnnng way

So if you think that this worth it, give me a shout out by clicking on that tantalizing button underneath. Comment away, I'll try to get back to all of you. Understand that it will take time, but I'll try.

For those who are media shy, email me at joannablogging@gmail.com

I'll still get back to you...eventually.

So let’s recap, my name is Joanna. A Cal Bear who is taking on golf while updating this blog (once or twice a week) with funny golf stories or my daily life in Cal. Mostly about my life in Cal. That and my culinary conquests.

Yes, stick to this blog and I'll guide you through midterms and hangovers.

And yes, Stanford students are welcome too.


Really, we're a friendly lot.

I ask of nothing more than a simple comment to know that I am entertaining you.

This makes this worthwhile.

Oh, for those who are worried about being posted here if you are already associated with me, worry not. I highly respect everyone's privacy and will ASK before posting anything about you.

For those who are worried about my sanity / willingness to let people into my life because I'll get stalked....well....

I genuinely believe that most people you'll meet in life are good people, as long as you let them be. Or at least this is what I hope, for I don't want to live in a world that I can't pretend I believe in.

So anyone is welcomed: golfers, gofers, college slaves, alumni, those who aspire to attend college, worried parents who want a glimpse into college life other than stalking your kids on myspace. The occasional day laborer.

Welcome aboard.


Oh before I go, if anyone is interested to put a face to this lunatic, this is me when I was 8.


Didn't change much, use your imagination.

* Oh yes, guys who are confused as to how to answer the "does this make me look fat" question, stick around. First I got my final to deal with.