You mean there’s life in college? Sure thing—I wake up in the mornings, shower, eat breakfast, go to classes, have lunch, attend more classes, run some errands or do some chores, complete my assignments, study (couldn’t leave that one out could I), have dinner, watch some TV, study a bit more, and then go to bed. That’s a typical day, and of course sometimes, it gets very humdrum, but that’s the way it is. I did allow myself some leisure time too, otherwise I’d go nuts. I remember frequenting the Gallagher Theater on campus to watch movies—it was cheap then, about $2 per movie. And it’s only $3 now!
Other times, I’d be in the games arcade, killing some aliens or joining a friend in a game of pool (I was actually getting pretty good in this). Or I’d go to the bookstore (after its refurbishment, the SU bookstore was a pretty nice place to while my time away) or the Main Library—no surfing the web in those days, so I’d read a lot, be it my own studies or other materials. I remember subscribing to TIME and Newsweek magazines—the US editions were far superior to the International edition that I get here in Malaysia.
It was also the time where I had to do some ensemble performances. I remember hooking up with a guitarist by the name of Jeff Williams for some Jazz Combo credits. It was fun, there was this one time we played at a place called the Sawmill and other friends dropped by to lend support. And the tip jar—now that was an important thing! How I wish I could have one in the hotel where I play now. Those were good days, earning some (tax free) pocket money.
The American university system also required me to take elective classes, especially during my freshman and sophomore years. So I did, with subjects like Atmospheric Sciences, Geology, Sociology, Psychology, Oriental Studies, etc. Plus I had to do two semesters of PE and I opted for Golf, of all things. Nice thing about this was the fact that I could head off from campus to the Tucson Golf Course (I hitched rides with another student who was attending the same) and I’ll never forget Coach Tatum. Oh, he was funny, and he was always picking on me. He’d say stuff like “Phil, watch the ball, not that pretty girl beside you.” Coach Tatum, if you’re reading this, kudos to you!
I also worked as a busboy (a restaurant employee who clears away dirty dishes, sets tables, and serves as an assistant to a waiter or waitress) at one of the teachers’ restaurants for a semester or two, since I learned that it was tax-free and foreign students were eligible. However, I recall that I was taking a massive 21 units of classes, but I persisted, because the minimum wage wasn’t so bad, and again, I had money in my pocket, my own hard-earned money (I think my parents were proud too). My boss at that restaurant was a middle-aged lady of German origin, Hilda. She was a kind soul, and I got along very well with her and the other student employees. There was one week when I was having a really bad cold—she told me to take a day or two off but I stubbornly refused, because that is one busy restaurant. As a busboy I worked non-stop right from the moment I clocked in until I clocked out. It was tiring at times but it was a terrific experience for me.
I now had my own circle of friends, so I wasn’t feeling too lonely. I attended quite a few study groups, usually with other music students. It was fun to study, debate, ask questions, and someone would always bring along a huge pot of coffee and cookies (yay!) At this time too, I was singing or playing for the University Community Chorus group—it was a mix of college students and people from within the Tucson community. It was great fun then, to just chill and talk to people who were so friendly. This is a far cry from what you see on TV or the movies. Interacting with real people from the community, I liked that.
The Spring semester was coming to an end. My parents decided that it was better for me to take a break and return home for the Summer, rather than paying for accommodation, meals, etc. in Tucson (which would actually cost more than my return airfare) It was nice to be able to return home to Malaysia and relax for a while. Before I left, I asked Joan at the International Student Office whether she’d kindly mail my Spring semester grade report to me and of course she said yes. So one fine summer’s day, I receive this note from her in the mail, together with my Spring ‘81 grade report:
It turns out that I scored A’s in all my classes with the exception of one, where I obtained a B. Nevertheless, my GPA of 3.8 meant that my Scholarship would continue for the following academic year—yay!!
Tags: college, Tucson, University of Arizona
You did very well in your studies and you worked hard too. As a busboy. Did you play any sports there?
Yup, I sure did. See my edited post.
The best part is the coffee and cookies (of course I had a long night and I’m very tired so anything with coffee sounds good to me.) The actual studies? Hmmm….I thnk they sound a little too tiring for my liking. 21 credits AND a job? How did you manage??
Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? No tip jar at the hotel? Every pianist should have a tip jar! Tell them that I said to get you one
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Doris, even till today I don’t know how I did that (the 21 credits and a job thing) Must be the java that I keep chugging into me.
pr, I dunno how they’d take it over here if I asked for a tip jar. Maybe when I pluck up enough courage…