Posts from — December 2010

Get ready for my picspam! These, my friends, are the highlights of the best school term I’ve ever had. As the actual year comes to a close, the school year forges forward. In the  past three months I’ve made friends that are now family, had countless enriching experiences and kicked butt in all my classes. So without further ado, here’s my term in just a few images.

Outside the Vancouver Aquarium with Mer and Lindsay

Nao's birthday party with Arielle and VCho

Vow of Silence with Vancouver MOB.

Vanier Olympics with the best girls ever.

Lights' concert.

Just trolling with Arielle and Carlin. NBD.

Graffiti Night with OK 2.

First floor dinner!

Day of the Longboat. (We kicked butt, btw)

Wreck Beach with Arielle and Kirsten

A random photo that's artistic-looking.

And with that, I say adieu first term of first year. Here’s to an even more fantastic second term!

In true Krystal fashion, I’ve waited until the last possible minute to blog about my first, fabulous term at UBC.  There are a few things that I wish I did differently, academically, but either way, I ended my first term of university pretty content. Here’s the lowdown:

ARTS ONE: It’s not over, no, but I’m halfway there! If there was one thing I wish I did differently, it was taking Arts One. Not because the program itself has any problems, but because it took up 6 other courses I could have done. I love writing, and I love reading. I like philosophy and literature and history, but I signed up for Arts One not knowing what I wanted to do. I have a better idea now. I don’t regret taking it, because when I survive it in April, it will have changed my university experience. Who knows what my term could have been like? And I have made the most awesome friends ever in my seminar. So really, no regrets.

My professor is amazing, really. I like going to her seminars and she’s really intelligent. Her grading baffles me sometimes, but I’m determined to not let it rattle me. Some of the books are classics, some I’ve read before, others I haven’t. But the lectures are almost entirely pointless, and the profs can be a little dry.  There’s almost no point in going to them, but I do, because, well…I’m me and I can’t not go to class.

I don’t have a final result for this program, but of what has been marked so far, I’m doing pretty well.

PSYCHOLOGY 100: My second favourite course. My professor is still rad, and the content is still interesting. My grades have been pretty decent, some blips that I am disappointed about, but it’s a full year course so I’m not too worried. One thing is true about students who take even one psychology course: you start to notice and apply all the information you’re learning. It’s pretty cool. Other than that, I don’t really know what else to say about this, so, moving on.

WOMEN’S STUDIES 101: THE BEST COURSE EVER. Although, I’m sure there will be more. This course blew my mind. Continually. Every book we read, every lecture, and discussion opened my eyes and my mind to completely new concepts. I see the world differently now and the people I interact with. I don’t know if everyone took away the same message or perspective, but this course is what I was expecting from university. I wrote my first 10 page term paper in this class, and I kicked butt. I worked the hardest in this class. My final grade was awesome too, so that’s a bonus.

And that my friends, is my first term course overview and I hope I provided some sort of perspective or something.  Continue having an amazing break, and I’ll try to get one or two more posts in before the New Year. Peace!

How has my exam break been? Between studying, eating, sleeping and more studying, here’s what I’ve been up to:

ONE: I started training at my job at the bookstore. I swipe your credit cards and scan your books/mugs/UBC clothing/pens. It’s fun. My last shift before Christmas break is Monday and I do like fun conversations when things are slow, so come on by.

TWO: I wrote my first university exam: Psychology 100. I studied my butt off, and I think it went well. We’ll see when marks are posted, but I definitely passed. To everyone who has already written one, I hope they went well. Or if you have yet to write one, or still have more to go, the best of luck. I’m sending good vibes to you all. Christmas break is just around the corner. I, myself have one more exam to do on Tuesday, and then I’m heading to the airport to go back to Ontario (eigdyafdyfaid!! so excited!).

THREE: I registered for Student Leadership Conference and I’m super stoked. If you have a chance to go this year, please do. It looks like it is going to be amazing! The keynote speakers are awesome (hello! The Buried Life?!), there are over 80 workshops/activities to do, so you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy, and it should overall just be an awesome day of leadership building. It’s on January 8th and if you want to register, visit the website here.

FOUR: I volunteered at a homeless shelter yesterday with the Vancouver MOB. It was fun to give back, especially around the holidays when a lot of people are caught up in the hype of shopping and wants and lists. I helped stuff bags filled with goodies that some very awesome people will receive.

FIVE: I also went on the Christmas train and to The Naam again last night. Both were just as amazing as the first time. It was raining (of course, what’s new?) but I still felt an abundance of Christmas cheer. The train is still on until sometime in the beginning of January. If you’re around in Vancity for the holidays, I would totally check it out. It’s only a few dollars and it’ll make you feel like a kid again.

Well, I guess it’s time for me to study…or go to Chapters with Nicole…yeah. Ciao!

Enjoy!

I love discovering new parts of Vancouver, or revisiting places and experiencing something entirely new. For example:

Exhibit A: Stanley Park. My friend Kirsten and I decided to get off of campus right after class on Wednesday, since my last assignment was handed in that day (YES!). We got to see pretty trees, flowers and a wonderful memorial for fallen Air Force soldiers. This was all amazing of course, but nothing could prepare me for  the awesome, cool Christmas Train! No word of a lie, it was one of the best things ever. There were totem poles, and polar bears, and little elves and snowmen. I felt like I was four years old again. I will always love Christmas, it’s wonderful and magical, and includes awesome beverages like hot chocolate. I also tried Blenz hot chocolate for the first time, and not being a big regular, milk chocolate fan myself, I got the Belgian white chocolate. So amazing. Seriously, I don’t lie about food. (Did you like my sneaky segue there?)

Blenz Coffee's Belgian White Hot Chocolate. Delissshhh

Pretty purple flowers in the Air Force Memorial Gardens of Stanley Park.

Mr. Grinch chillin at the Bright Nights exhibit.

In front of a lovely pond-thing.

Kirsten and I in our regular getup.

Exhibit B: The Naam. Tonight my dear friend Kirsten (do you see a theme here?) and I went to The Naam, a 24 hour, 7 days a week vegetarian restaurant. It is amazing. Hands down,  the best. The Naam nachos are a crazy dance party in your mouth, they’re seriously that good. If you ever have a chance to go to The Naam on W 4th Ave, do it, do it, do it. You won’t regret it.

Coming up this weekend: thrift store shopping on Main St, Granville Island Market and the Christmas Train x 2. Hope everyone has a killer weekend, and studies hard for all their exams!