de muchas y otras cosas

Tengo el corazón en la garganta, en esa forma tan extraña que pasa sólo cuando tengo miedo, nervios, felicidad y tristeza, todo junto, revuelto, al mismo tiempo. Me siento un poco como cuando viajo de Vancouver a Guatemala o de Guatemala a Vancouver. Siempre sé que lo que me espera es hermoso, que me va a hacer felíz, pero tambi én sé que lo que estoy dejando es igual. Me siento un poco así. Otro poco es diferente. Porque voy a un lugar desconocido, sola, por un camino que no conozco. Esta vez la ecuación tiene un poco más de miedo.

Acabo de pasar dos semanas demasiado lindas con Sara, Nico, Isola y el bebé que todavía no nace. El lugar: espectacular, como siempre. Ellos también. Fuimos a unos festivales de arte callejero y musica rock en pueblos que tienen más años de los que me puedo imaginar. Fuimos a nadar a playas rocosas de agua cristalina. Comimos. Sopa toscana. Pasta. Pasta. Pasta. Al pesto. Bianca. Fresca al pomodoro. Sudice. Vino. Olio di oliva. Higos recién cosechados. Pan sin sal. Quesos (s) (s). El campo de olivos, la casa vieja, la vista al mar. El almuerzo que dura tres horas: el pan, la pasta, los quesos, las frutas, el café, la digestión. El desayuno de galletas mojadas en el caffélatte. Dormir hasta tarde. Hacerse tatuajes de crayón. Ponerse calzoneta y vestido, y estoy lista.

Escribo esto y me tranquilizo un poco. Voy a Roma.

As it turns out, the University of Florida’s mascot is the Gator. And they’re really into sports. So into sports that they have a football stadium for 90,000 people! And it’s always full during games!

I’m in Gainesville, Florida, and as a student ambassador at UBC (and because I have nothing to do for 2 weeks) I was curious to see the UF campus and go on a tour of a university as big as UBC.

I was surprised to notice that a lot of the things are very similar on the tours. Their tour guides highlight the same things we do about big schools – all the student groups, involvement, opportunities, resources… etc. They also have 12 libraries, and class sizes are about the same. Also, they have the exact same emergency pole system!

What I liked the most was the campus – it’s green and lushy (is that a word?). All their buildings are made of brick, which makes it kind of nice. I guess I also liked the school spirit -it’s all Gators and everything is blue and orange- but I’m not a fan of school spirit coming from violent sports.

The tour guide was very friendly and approachable (as I hope we are!) and people go to class in dresses and flip flops. However, even though it was a great tour and it seems like a great university, I wouldn’t think it twice if I had to decide between UF and UBC.

While Gainesville is a nice town, it doesn’t even compare to Vancouver. Our online systems seem to be much better (library/ssc/vista/websites), and I don’t see how I could concentrate in academics with such a humid and stuffy weather! It doesn’t seem to be as multicultural as UBC, or to have as many international experience opportunities.

I guess it’s a good sign that after two years I’m still in love with UBC  :D.

Why didn’t I know about this place before?

This Friday I went with some friends to Capstone Tea, an amazing place on Robson St. They have bubble teas, normal teas, milk teas, cheese fondue, and all-you-can-eat chocolate fondue! It was absolutely delicious, although we probably should have stopped at the third pot of fondue…

We’re only a few weeks away from exams and I feel like there are way too many things ending. Friends are graduating, I won’t be back in Vancouver for more than a year, my roommates and I will be saying goodbye (to each other and to our beautiful fairview home).

However, I do have a happy feeling inside of me telling me that it’s all coming together in a perfect way.

I thought last year was the best year I would have at UBC (meeting all those new people, doing all those new things) – but I was wrong. This year blew my mind. So many things happened at the same time that before the end of this term I will try to write about them to keep them close.

Academics

Not many people consider academics something that makes them happy. However, this year I have been even more convinced that human geography is simply the coolest thing out there.  Almost all of my geography classes have been engaging, eye-opening and, most importantly, inspiring. Here’s a small note on them…

Cities (250) – who knew there was a class called Cities? If you take this class do it with Prof. Wyly. He obviously loves cities and he loves teaching about them. There’s nothing else to say, that should be enough.

Introduction to the Changing Landscapes of Latin America (395) -  If you’re tired of the everyday hegemonic interpretations and understandings of Latin America, take this class! Juanita Sundberg is critical and engaging and expects the same from her students.

Introduction to Political Geography (329) - le Billion talks a lot, but once you get used to his pace the topics he covers are very interesting. It was nice to start understanding issues that I sometimes shy away from.

Geography, Modernity and Globalization II (122) – This class is very broad, and I probably should have taken it last year (or at least before taking 300-level classes!). Still, I have found it to be a really good overview of what the UBC department of Geography does. If this is a major you’re considering do take this class.

Geography of Canada (290) – I have to admit that I wasn’t very happy to know that I HAD to take this class. However, I am now enjoying it a lot. It’s great to actually know a little bit about Canada. Also, the class focuses on themes that I have been able to apply to other classes, which is always helpful. Finally, I love it when professors encourage you to be creative and give you the opportunity to do visual projects instead of final papers.

** BTW, a project I did for an ANTHRO class last term is being displayed in the Explorations in Practice Conference in the Anthropology building. Most of the pieces displayed in the ANSO basement are amazing, try to check them out if you happen to be there! **

Geographies of Migration and Settlement (353) – this class is really interesting. There are a lot of readings, but it’s worth it.

Like Lillienne, this week I went skiing for the first time. My roommate and I decided it was crazy that we have been in Vancouver for one and a half years and hadn’t done this yet, so we went to Grouse Mountain on Thursday evening.

My thoughts? Terrifying.

There was a fun part (the bunny hill, the shapes of the snow and the tiny kids skiing) and a VERY SCARY part. The VERY SCARY part can be broken down into two categories: “our fault” and “not our fault”

our fault: for thinking it would be a good idea to do the big hill after a few fun tries in the bunny hill. Also, for thinking we could just do it without a teacher. Result = bodies that hurt all over.

not our fault: for being stuck in a lighting snow storm (who knew those existed?) that caused a mountain blackout while we were in the lift. Result = 45 minutes of freezing with absolutely no visibility and three lift-mates who were scary me to death with talks about jumping from the lift.

Even so… I have to admit that it was fun. Next time: Seymour !