San Pasqual Reservation

Many UCSD international students joined forces today to volunteer at San Pasqual Reservation. It was both an educational and fun-filled day, as we learnt a great deal about the history of the Native American Indians. I was slightly disappointed with the fact that not much culture or art were on display (I was for a moment expecting to see teepees and feather hats).

The reservation is an area of land where the natives could live in with sovereign policies. This meant that they in essence had their "own government", having their own rights and ownership of buildings, property, water systems, etc. It was interesting to hear that they don't need to pay taxes either. A large casino was under construction in the reservation, which will be a potential source of income for many future residents of the area. I was surprised at how desert-like the community was, yet some households had slick cars (a Mustang was seen, I must point out).
We took part in a community project which resembled "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", as we formed production lines, rolled wheelbarrows, shovelled woodchips, placed bricks, flattened out gravel, all on our way towards revamping a playground and re-creating a patio for one of the main buildings.

The coming week will have my first midterms. These are sort of like in-course tests of New Zealand, but since most classes have them (plus they are worth more), they are treated and dreaded almost like final exams. Pressure is on however, as I have realised that grades that I obtain here at UCSD may actually matter in the long run. With so much to see and do though, and time going by as fast as ever, I will have to become a master juggler.