Date: Thursday March 3^rd, 2011

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel

Time: 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Cost: $30

Style and the City is UBC’s premier branding conference that integrates corporate and personal branding concepts to provide students with a holistic glimpse of the topic, attracting over two hundred students from all concentrations.  It will feature top leading professionals from a variety of industries including CEO and President of Blenz Coffee George Moen and workshops featuring KPMG recruiter Roopa Dave, image consultants from Operation Style, Founder of 2020 Communications Heather White, and Personal Impact’s Kimberly Law to name a few.

The night will be completed with a 3-course dinner (valued at $50) accompanied by a business etiquette professional and a business fashion show featuring French Connection.  As an added bonus, Style and the City 2011 has secured dozens of business delegates. This is a great opportunity for students to network with top marketing and HR professionals to secure summer internships and explore career opportunities.

Purchase your tickets online now at http://styleandthecity2011.com or come out to the booth at Henry Angus tomorrow (Wednesday) from 10-4!

I just got back from the commerce social committee ski trip a couple of hours ago. I went with two friends to Sun Peaks for the weekend and I had a lot of fun. There were altogether about 60 or so of us and I met a bunch of people, which was nice, seeing that we’ll be together for the next three-four years of our lives.

Honestly, I’m struggling with school work and keeping my grades up. It has been pretty difficult the last few months trying to adjust to the fact that while I used to easily get As and Bs in high school, I’m only getting Cs here at UBC even after putting so much time and effort into studying and homework. I’ve talked to student advisors in the CUS, questioning if Sauder really is right for me because I do want to do well in school, and not to just merely get by like I currently am. But then I attend these events, like the ski trip and POITS and just being in the Henry Angus building, and I realize there’s no where else I’d rather be. The people here challenge me to be a better student and a better thinker. Daily. I’m surrounded by these ridiculously brilliant, intelligent and dynamic people who will write business plans and give elaborate presentations in the day, and then get dressed in tight and bright spandex at night to go clubbing at Mackdaddy’s in Sun Peaks.

Really? Yes. Only in Sauder. I’m sure.

This is the second weekend in a row where I’ve studied at the Henry Angus building, it’s the only place where I’m actually productive. I’m in a study room with my friend Topaz and we’re listening to depressing music and trying to get through financial accounting. The purpose of this blog is to talk about two main things, both relating to being involved with Sauder and the commerce undergraduate society, which I’m absolutely thrilled about.

1) Last week, I interviewed for a position in the planning committee for the Style and the City conference. I got a call today from Parm, one of the executives, saying that they wanted me on their team working for the logistics component of the conference. I’m really excited because this combines many of my loves and interests. I’ve wanted to get involved in Sauder, I love style, and I hope to have a future career in event planning. And on top of it all, Topaz will also be a part of the team, working on the fashion side of things. I can’t wait for this to begin. As Topaz says, “We’re now style agents, bitches.” Ok then.

2) This weekend is the commerce SoCo ski trip at Sun Peaks! I’ll be going with three friends, Topaz, Anoud and Ecem. I’m terribly excited for this as well. We have midterms (Spanish and accounting) the week we get back, but I feel like I deserve this break, haha. The four of us aren’t big skiers (as in, we don’t.) But we’re up for new experiences and can’t wait to get away from Totem Park!

The International Student Initiative has put forward a proposal on capping tuition increases so that new, incoming international students have a guaranteed tuition set for 2011/12 and for three subsequent years through to 2014/15.

Come out to a student forum  organized by the International Student Initiative, International Students Association and the International Student Commissioner which will start out with a presentation of the proposal to the students, followed by a Q&A session whereby students will get the opportunity to voice their opinions on this matter and ask the financial representatives questions about the proposal.

It’s TODAY (Jan 18, Tuesday) from 6-8 PM at IKBLC Dodson Room (302).

Check out their Facebook event site- http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118302481576815&ref=ts

Just got back from UBC’s Got Talent. It was so amusing. UBC does in fact have tremendous talent. Seriously. PS can someone please upload a video of UBC President, Professor Stephen Toope’s, and AMS President, Bijan Ahmadian’s duet ASAP? Please and thank you. Edit: I found it on Youtube. Hahaha.

It’s been about a week and a half since I’ve been back at UBC. I went to Shanghai for Christmas to visit my family, and had a really nice restful break in my own bed in my house. Yes, Totem Palace is great, but it’s not home. A week ago today, I attended the Student Leadership Conference. Like many others have blogged before me, the conference was really insightful and I was especially pleased to listen to The Buried Life. Yeah, I’m a huge fan. I’m pathetic, moving on. The opening speaker, Drew Dudley, was exceptionally inspiring. Here was my favorite part-

So, lollipop moments. I’ve been thinking about them lately. And in my first few months here at UBC, there have been so many people who have done or said something that have affected me in a great and positive ways, and I’ve never really acknowledged or thanked them for it.

I don’t think many people really realize how much our teachers and advisors do for us. For many of my friends and me, one of the commerce undergraduate academic advisors has created an extraordinarily large impact on our lives. Whenever we’re feeling uncomfortable, upset, or doubtful of the way our classes are going, or the grades we’re getting, we run to Jamie Tooze. He’s the best. I met with him for the second time today and explained to him that I was really disappointed with my term 1 grades and needed to see what other options I had. After a ten, fifteen minute chat with him, my day literally got so much better. I dropped HIST 106 (uh I’ll give global environmental history a try next year instead. Maybe.) and learned exactly what I needed to do in order to stay in Sauder. Also, the sun came out and I think we have Jamie to thank for that. He’s a miracle worker, I swear. My friends Anoud, Topaz, several others and me are the co-founders of his fan club. True story.

Also, I can never seem to post something without somehow mentioning how much I love the friends I have here. I was so upset to leave my family and home after winter break, so the day before getting on a flight back to Vancouver, I called up Topaz and told her how I felt and that I dreaded going back to UBC. She cheered me up, and since arriving back in Vancouver, I haven’t felt lonely or sad at all. A few of my friends and I went out to see Black Swan (which was an incredibly beautiful movie, but so scary. So scary omg.), threw a surprise party for another friend, went to the Student Leadership Conference, and bussed down to Granville Island the weekend I got back. In my Blog Squad application last year, I had to write something about what I wanted to get out of UBC, or something similar to that. And while I’m here to get an education and expand my mind and all of that, I wrote that I was here to make connections, meet people, and create friendships that will last for many more years after UBC. As I sat in the Chan Centre today for UBC’s Got Talent, thinking that in less than four (or five) year’s time, I will be in that hall graduating from school, I realized that while I’ll eventually have to move on from this place, the friends I’ve made in the last six months will be the friends that will be by my side when I get my first job, get married, etc etc. In my application, I also wrote that I wanted to make friends that I can sit in bed and watch Grey’s Anatomy with 24/7. And while it has been more like “studying accounting 24/7”, I have made friends that I can call up to watch TV with and just cry to. And for that, I am so so grateful. I’m not good with words, or talking about feelings, but I just want my friends to know how much they mean to me and that without them, there is no way my first year at UBC could have ever been as good as it is now.

My first final is in about 10 hours and I’ve started playing this insane and extremely depressing video game I Wanna Be The Guy. My roommate Mandy, her friend, Simran, and I are literally just sitting in bed in our room playing this horrible, horrible game. It’s draining physically, emotionally, mentally in every way possible.

…so yeah. Just wanted to share with you my study methods. In all seriousness though, I need to learn how to study. Sleeping from 6:30 AM to 2 PM and studying in the hours before and after that is not okay. I have my OB exam tomorrow and this is not healthy. I think I’m prepared for it, though. I don’t know. I’m literally exhausted all the time and Mandy and I have legitimately become nocturnal. Bad.

That’s it for now. BYE.

1) I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One on opening weekend. It was amazing. Don’t try to argue with me. No jk, I just love Harry Potter so much. Leading on to point #2.

2) Come join UBC Quidditch. We’re playing again this weekend on the Totem Park fields at 1 PM. Be there or be square. Or join our UBC Quidditch group on Facebook.

3) Oh, yeah, I went to Whistler this past weekend with five other girl friends of mine. It was the most amazing thing. And no, we didn’t ski nor snowboard. We went to a bed and breakfast where we cooked, baked, slept, ate, watched movies, and spent hours in the hot tub.

4) Presentations aren’t that bad. Really. Last week, I had presentations in my Organizational Behavior, COMM 101 and Public Speaking class. Fingers crossed, but I think I did alright.

5) Finals are coming up. My first one is in 6 days. LOL WHAT IS HAPPENING.

6) I signed up for the Student Leadership Conference. I know it’s going to be amazing and all, but for right now, I’m just telling everyone that the only reason I signed up for the SLC is to see The Buried Life speak. I’m such a huge fan it’s not even funny.

7) I started watching A Very Potter Musical on Youtube. Addictive. Great plan, you know, especially with finals just around the corner and all.

8) Studying at Henry Angus is the best. I love being in that building. It’s seriously the only place where I’m actually productive. I love Totem Park and Nootka and everything, but no, I don’t get anything done in my room. It’s always so warm in here. I nap often. Slash all the time.

9) The workload has been pretty insane. It’s gotten better now that I’ve handed in my case 3 assignment for COMM 101, but I still have another assignment to do for it. Some mind-map. Awesome. To be honest, I strongly dislike that class. I’m so glad it’s almost over. I like the concept of the class and I appreciate the atmosphere that the professors and course coordinators are trying to create, but it just isn’t for me. Leading on to my final point…

10) I met with my academic advisor Jamie Tooze last week. He’s the best. I’ve heard so much about him, and I finally understand why everyone loves him. Last week, I was struggling with pretty much everything. I thought that I’d fail math and econ and eventually get kicked out of Sauder. However, after my chat with Jamie, I understand the grading criteria and the marks that I need to get to stay in the faculty of commerce. I also know what my options are in case (knock on wood) I do fail a class. Turns out, it’s not that bad. Also, Jamie asked me what I thought about Sauder and I now, more than ever, firmly believe that this is where I need to be. I simply cannot picture myself in another school, or another faculty. I NEED TO DO WELL ON MY FINALS. I have a math tutor that’s amazing and I have my study schedule all set up. So I mean, I guess what this point really comes down to is this: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling or have any sort of doubt in your mind about your place here at UBC, talk to your academic advisor. Or RA, or search for a tutor as soon as possible. It’ll make life so much easier.

Good luck on your finals, dear readers. And have a very happy holiday season. You deserve it!

UBC Quidditch is now an official AMS Club. Yaaaaayyyyy! This is the first year that Quidditch is a club here at UBC. Founded by first-years and run by an awesome executive team of eight first-years, we want YOU to join UBC Quidditch. You can play, be a referee, or just come out and support Quidditch players by forming a UBC Quidditch Cheerleading Squad.

What is Quidditch?

Quidditch is the premier sport of the wizarding world. It was developed by J.K.Rowling for the Harry Potter series. The sport has been adapted for the non-wizardry (muggle) world. In the United States, teams from more than 200 colleges are affiliated with the International Quidditch Association and play tournaments.

Why join UBC Quidditch?

We strive to provide a place for students to build relationships, make friends, and be active while participating in the growing collegiate sport of Quidditch. Most importantly, it’s going to be an insane amount of fun. Come join us for some all- around good times. Do it for the lawls.

YOU can now join UBC Quidditch by coming out to the Place Vanier commonsblock next Tuesday, November 9th at 7 PM. We will be there to happily sign you up. AND it’s only a $5 membership fee. Or, check out and join our Facebook group.

Because I can’t bring myself to do anything actually productive, I bring you a list of things that are currently on my mind. Enjoy.

1) Sauder sucks. No, just kidding. Welllllll… My economics, calculus, and organizational behavior midterm grades were returned recently. Haha. Hahahaha. I’ve always been a pretty decent student. I made As, Bs. Average, yeah? Suddenly, I’m barely passing and struggling in the majority of my classes. Um. What? This is a joke, right? Apparently, I need a 65% average in my “core” classes aka English, Math and Economics. And 60% averages in my other classes. I’ve gotten myself a math tutor and I’ve started legitimately reading for economics and OB. I WILL NOT FAIL OUT OF SAUDER. SORRY BUT NO IT IS NOT HAPPENING, DEAN DAN. Thanks. But really, being in the faculty of commerce constantly challenges me to keep striving for the best. My classmates are ridiculously intelligent and just being in this fiercely competitive atmosphere is driving me to work to the best I can. Still, a break every now and then and a few easier assignments would be very much appreciated. A quick sidenote- to all fellow math 104 and 184 students: Webworks is currently the most tragic thing in my life. Am I right or am I right?

2) Apartment/house hunting for next year. My friend and I have decided that we’d prefer living off campus next year. Trying to find a place that’s not too far away that fits our “criteria” with an affordable price is kind of difficult. Suggestions would be nice! I’ll bake you cakes and cookies in my new kitchen next year. I promise.

3) Halloween is coming up. My roommate, her friends, and I went to Fright Night last weekend. It was fun! I don’t do well with amusement park rides, or anything scary. So I was scared out of my mind last weekend, but I still had a blast.

4) I turned 18 this past weekend. Whatttuppp? Receiving letters, cards and packages in the mail is the best feeling in the world. That is all.

Me.

Hey guys, I’m so sorry for the lack of posts. Classes started and then midterms happened and now I’m experiencing Short-Term Post Educational Assessment Euphoria, thank you Kelvin Choi. It’s absolutely CRAZY how this year has flown by. A lot of my relatives ask if I miss home, but honestly? I haven’t even had the time to sit and think about how much I miss my family and beautiful Shanghai. Being in Sauder has been insanely intense but I’m loving it and can’t imagine being in any other faculty. By the way, I have to keep a regular blog for one of my classes so if any of you lovely readers are interested in what we do in Comm 101 (business fundamentals) and would like an insight into the faculty of commerce, check out my blog.

We had a short Thanksgiving break last week before midterm week for me, which was nice. With about 18 of my other international friends, we went to a Thanksgiving dinner downtown at Cardero’s. It was so, so much fun. Vancouver allows us to do so much. Having lived in the suburbs for a while, I wasn’t used to taking public transportation and literally being able to go anywhere, anytime.

So anyway, in keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving, here’s a list of things that I’m thankful for since arriving at UBC two months ago for Jump Start. (Has it only been two months? Seriously?)

-Friends.

From my Jump Start friends and classmates to floormates and roommate, I’ve met an incredible number of wonderful people. I’ve met some people within Nootka house who are always there for me when I need homework help or a good pep talk. Even our RA and my neighbor, Victoria, is a great person to go to for help or just to chat. I’m SO thankful to have Mandy as my roommate, as well. I have to admit that when I found out that I was going to get a double room in Totem Park, I freaked out. What if I had a weird person as a roommate whom I just couldn’t get along with? Magically, stars aligned and brought me Mandy from Coquitlam. We listen to the same music, watch the same TV shows and eat the same Asian snacks. I even get along with her friends which is awesome. While most/all of my friends have singles, I’m really glad that I have a roommate.

-The Sauder building. And the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.

During midterms week, I spent a lot of time in those two buildings studying. Sauder is freaking beautiful. And Irving is open till late and their cafe has pretty decent food that we can pay for using our UBC card. Yayyyy.

-Vancouver public transportation.

My friend Anoud and I bussed to Metrotown in Burnaby yesterday and did some intense shopping. While we’re madly in love with the UBC campus, getting out every once in a while is amaaaazing. We’ve made a bunch of trips downtown as well as to the nearby Sasamat Street for banking, grocery shopping and dining purposes.

-Skype. (And Facebook.)

Without it, I am nothing. Lol no jk. It’s so useful especially with family living an ocean away and friends scattered over a number of continents. Thank you, creators of Skype. And Facebook.

WELL, that’s all for now. Mandy and I ordered take out food from the Village and we need to go pick it up from the commonsblock.

Until next time,

Andrea