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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

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.

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