Tag: school

Categories
Recreation Uncategorized Wellness

Honours Degree in Biotechnology

Currently: Sending everyone I know a link to my mix on SoundCloud

This week, I was accepted into the joint honours degree program for Biotechnology between BCIT and UBC. I’m not sure how many students were accepted, but not a lot, I know that for sure. This program entails me going to BCIT for two years (for their more advanced labs), starting this September, then coming back for another two years of studying at UBC. The entire time, I have to maintain a average of 75%, which will be tough, but is definitely do-able. I am not looking forward to leaving the amazing UBC campus, but I’m sure BCIT will be just as good. It will be close to my cousin’s work place at EA Games, so I’ll be able to visit for lunch! But at the same time, It’ll be far away from all my best friends over at UBC, but fret not, I will most definitely come over to UBC as much as possible. I feel so fortunate to have done well in 1st year, enough to get into a honours program. Now to do just as well in 2nd year. I have to fill out a whole new application form for BCIT, I’ll be both a UBC Student AND a BCIT Student. WOWZAS.  Gonna be a very annoying process though, I have to go back and get a High School Transcript, and then also get a UBC Transcript… UGH. But all in all, I am proud of myself. When I found out that I got into the program, there was only one thing I could do…. Party.

With Summer School over… the only thing I can do is Party. Nothing to do at home! This week was Armin Van Buuren and Benny Benassi at the new Vancouver Convention Center. All I gotta say is…. WOW! What a amazing show, possibly the best party I’ve ever been too, and I’ve been to A LOT of parties. A little angry that it had to end at 1:30am because the Vancouver Convention Center Staff were ashamed to be holding a event in which people were doing illegal substances and getting drunk. Honestly, I feel like House, Trance, and all the Techno Genre’s of music are going to be the new Mainstream Genres. It is only a matter of time before all night Techno Parties become the only events young people will attend. DJs will soon be making much more money than singers and songwriters. All it takes is time, and the next generation to rise up!

Speaking of Techno Music, THE RETURN OF HOUSE MUSIK. I am going to be doing it again weekly, but this time it’ll come on Monday, and you don’t need to download it anymore! I made a account on SoundCloud which allows me to stream the entire set. Unfortunately, it will only allow me to save up to 2 hours of music. So I will only keep a mix up for a time period of two weeks, then you have to download it off my original site (I will post links). Tracklists will also be posted on SoundCloud. Here is a link to this weeks mix!:

House Musik – Episode 5

Enjoy! Hope you all are finally enjoying the good weather!

Categories
Wellness

Electronic Daisy Carnival 2010

Currently: Sitting in my room, contemplating on thoughts of cleaning it… but won’t actually act on these thoughts.

This past weekend was possibly the biggest Electronic Dance Music event in all of North America. The Electronic Daisy Carnival in L.A. brings in about 100,000 people from all over the world, along with only the best of the best in the Electronic Dance scene. It takes place at the Exposition Park and Memorial Coliseum… which is where the NBA Championship Parade usually ends. The mainstage area fits 100,000 people at normal capacity, and 60,000 people at this event! Multiple stages were set up, each fitting more than 5,000 people each at the bare minimum. Basically, this event is HUGE.

I’ve made it mission, to attend one of the upcoming EDCs (short for Electronic Daisy Carnival) in the near future. No matter how much work I have to do to go, I will end up going! If my blog is any indicator of how much I love Electronic Dance Music, then you know how badly I want to go! Alright, so there’s good music… but that’s not all! Believe it or not, there is a full amusement park ready for you when you get there to be used while the banging tracks are in the background. This is the place to be in June, that is clear.

As for life in Vancouver, let the partying begin. CHEM 233 IS FINALLY OVER! The after Chem 233 was over, I went to Library Square for 90s night (which is actually really really fun, and I encourage everyone to go to there!), Afrojack Live at Caprice (he is my idol), and on a Club Hopping night between Caprice, Republic, and the Roxy. All I gotta say, is that life is good right now. Tomorrow I am going to a couple of Pubs/Bars, getting a couple of free drinks, then going over to the Post Modern to party at midnight for Canada Day! It’ll be a good night.

Along with all the partying, I had to make a decision on the Major I wish to pursue. After a lot of careful thought and what seemed like years of debate with my friends… the winners are:

1st Choice: Honours in Biotechnology
2nd Choice: Major in Pharmacology
3rd Choice: Combined Honours in Chemistry and Biology

I think I set my standards too high… I think that I’ll be some genius one day… but yet I party instead of hardcore studying. Anyways, expect a mix soon, I have like 9 on my laptop just sitting there… I guess I’ll post one!

Song of the Week: Sept. 13th to Sept. 19th

So this week’s song of the week, is the an Remix of “Let the Bass Kick – DJ Chuckie”. This is the song that I played when the Frosh DJ let me take over for a little bit. I personally like this version better than the one I played at Frosh, therefore I decided to post this one as opposed to the Frosh version. Enjoy!

Categories
Faculty Recreation Wellness

Science Frosh 09′ Aftermath

Currently: Sitting on my couch, listening to Imogen Heap.

Science Frosh 09′ has its high points and its low points. For one, I think majority of the day wasn’t very organized (that’s from my perspective). For one, when they were explaining the activities, they didn’t have a way to amplifiy the leader’s voice so majority of us had no idea what was going on. The Scavenger seemed very disorganized, some of us even getting into trouble for going into Louis Vuitton and asking for a simple shopping bag. (In my opinion, they should’ve asked Louis Vuitton permission first) There was major construction on Broadway, so the buses were full and uncomfortable, which wasn’t a likeable experience. The Camera’s that were used to take the pictures weren’t very good, to the point where my group’s camera lost all its pictures.

But neverless, the high points outweigh the low points of Science Frosh 09′. The speeches from one particular Professor at the beginning of the day (can’t remember his name) was excellent. The Pizza was tasty, as what we’ve come to expect from Dominoes Pizza. The Scavenger was pretty funny, when we actually stopped walking and went to stations and did funny, obnoxious things in front of the adoring public. The Hot Dogs that were made by the SUS Executives were very good (Thanks for that!) and when we finally got to socialize as an entire group (instead of just out groups) I got to meet some interesting people. The Boat Cruise was the HIGH point of the night. The entire cruise was awesome, I was literally dancing from start to finish. The DJ even let me take over and do a couple of mixes! It was definitly good times, and I’m glad I didn’t miss it. If only I didn’t have to get up at 8:00am the morning after to go to school.

On another note, classes are getting intense, lots of homework. I find myself reading at least 20 pages of material a day from various classes. Also, for all you fellow blog squaders that submitted the Bio Information for the Koerner Library, you can find out pictures on the screen in the lobby area!

Categories
Academics Faculty

First Class Impressions

As the first week comes to a close (but Science Frosh awaits this weekend) I thought it’d be good to voice my first impressions on my classes and profs. So far, I’m loving UBC. The campus is so nice, the buildings are beautiful, there’s so many things to do, and the students around are just awesome. I’ve met a couple new people, and I am so happy to of met every single one of them, and hope to grow on our friendships. Although some people say that the First Week of UBC gives the first years a false impression on what UBC is actually like, I’ll just say that the impression worked on me.

Now to the main reason for this post, I want people to know how I feel about my classes. Me, being a Science Geek, I have some pretty heavy intense courses. The profs are still in first gear, and I’m awaiting the gear change. So the profs I LOVE now… may not be the case when they hit me with long lists of homework and exams. So let’s begin…

Chemistry 121 Section 110:
Professor: Lawrence McIntosh

I love my Professor, he’s a funny guy. He makes this course less boring than it actually is. (So far) The ONLY thing I hate about this course right now, is Dr. McIntosh doesn’t like to use Powerpoints too much, so he uses an overhead projector. His writing isn’t the best and can be hard to read. Also, the Chemistry Textbook (specifically made for Chem 121) is written in a very confusing matter. Other than those two things, this course is going very well.

Math 100 Section 103:
Professor: Wayne Nagata

Dr. Nagata definetly writes the best notes so far out of all my Profs. He has two overhead projectors and switches between the two, so that he doesn’t have to scroll up. So, for those slow writers out there, this means you won’t hate it because you have all the time you need. Dr. Nagata didn’t spend too much time talking about himself or the course, we dove right into things from the get-go. Some people may find this upsetting, but I didn’t really mind it. I rather learn what my parents are paying for me to learn than about other things.

Physics 101 Section 102
Professor: Brian Turrell

This course is in the nicest lecture hall on campus. (From what I’ve seen) The course is on interesting topics (As all Physics Courses are) and I am very interested in what I’m learning. Dr. Turrell always uses a powerpoint and a mic (He has too in that huge room). Dr. Turrell tends to go a bit fast when it comes to switching his powerpoint slides, so taking notes doesn’t really help. I tend to just listen to what he has to say, then write / print off the notes at a later time. (I can do that because Dr. Turrell points a PDF Format of his Powerpoint after the lecture)

English 110 Section 008
Professor: Larissa Lai

Dr. Lai is a very nice professor. She encourages discussion in the big lecture hall, and after you say something to the class, she always asks your name. She seems like the person who tries to remember your name to the best of her abilities. Her first lecture was very well planned, and got everyone thinking. There isn’t much to say about this class except “I’m excited about finding out what’s next.”

Biology 121 Section 122
Professor: Greg Bole

By far, the most awesome Prof ever. This guy made me laugh, and even give the silent “awwe” when he mentioned he just got married. He mentioned how he used to be an extra on movies like X-Men 2. He got me excited for Biology. He isn’t a Researcher, so he is strictly a teacher, and that means he’s good. We didn’t really dive into content that much, because we talked a lot about the Course Outline and Dr. Bole’s life. I’ve only had one lecture, but I expect great things from this course.

I hope the rest of you First Years (and all years) have had an awesome first week. And for all you Science’ers, hope to see you guys at Frosh!

Categories
Academics Faculty Recreation

Imagine Day 2009

Currently: Sitting at his new place, putting a new episode of Lost Season 3 onto his USB Drive so he can watch it through his PS3.

Today was Imagine 2009, and it was quite the experience. The day started off with me getting up at around 6:45am to go shower. Since today would be the first full day alone with my new place, I had to make my own breakfast. Due to the rushing nature of today, I settled with a bowl of cereal. It’s fast and easy, without losing out on the taste. I left my place at around 7:25am to go catch the “33” bus. I got on the first one that came by (surprisingly) and got to school around 7:50am. I quickly met up with some friends then went over to meet my MUG Group.

My MUG Group was “Astatine” (Yay Science!). At first, it was a very awkward situation to be in, but as the day progressed, it got less and less awkward. I managed to meet two new guy friends, and even have a class with one of them. It’s the first two people I’ve actually connected with at UBC, and I’m excited to meet more. After we did a couple of Ice Breakers, we learned our cheer. “WE ARE SEXY, WE ARE BLUE, WE WILL TAKE YOU ALL TO SCHOOL. WE ARE SMART, YOU WILL SEE, WE ARE SCIENCE UBC!!”, it’s a pretty good one, I like the one that our Squad 33 Leaders came up with. “We Are Science, What What!?, We are Science!, What What!?, We Are Science, What What!? Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha-Wha-What!? WE ARE SCIENCE!” At this point, I thought we stood no chance against Sauder (This was all about to change).

After our cheer lessons, we had a Q&A Session with our MUG Leaders and a Prof. It was somewhat informative, most of the stuff I already knew just from doing my own research. They gave us “staged” questions to ask the Profs and Leaders, and I happened to get one that read “Would you rather win the Noble Prize (without the money) or the Stanley Cup/ an Emmy?” This one was obviously directed towards the Prof. and he answered it beautifully. He told me that if he won the Noble Peace Prize for something that he’s worked all his life on, it would be worth way more to him than an Emmy/ Stanley Cup and the fame that comes along with it.

As the day progressed, we just went around walking and talking, taking tours of the Campus (You know, the boring stuff) But then it FINALLY came down to the Pep Rally… and I wasn’t expecting that many people. Thunderbird Arena was practically FULL. When it came down to cheering, they gave all the Science Faculty Students the long skinny blue balloons (Which kicked all the other balloons ass) I can honestly say that Sciences BEAT Sauder this year, Sauder’s cheering was weak. It’s okay Sauder, we know you tried. Overall today was just a really fun day, and It made me really excited to start classed tomorrow. I’m sorry I can’t upload the pictures I took today because I left my Camera’s USB Cable at my Mom’s Place. In the future I may edit this post and put them up!

COMMENT with your experiences of Imagine Day 2009!

Note: If you guys haven’t noticed, I added a Link on the sidebar there called “Beats Per Minute Song of the Week” I’ll be updating that weekly with a song that’s really stood out to me during the week. This week is “Raven (Crookers Remix) by Proxy” so keep checking it out for some good tracks from your favorite blogging DJ… DJ JD.

Categories
Academics Careers / Work

Not the Good Kind of Shopping

Currently: Sitting in my Uncle’s Basement Suite (Where I am going to be living during my UBC Years) and listening to “21 Guns – Greenday”.

We all dread those summer times when those frightening commercials air on TV. Old Navy’s Back to School Clothing, Staple’s Back to School Supplies, and Best Buy’s Back to School Laptops. Those commercials just lay the foundation for the harsh reality of going back to School. (Or in my case, “Starting School”) Looking back at this summer, it has to of been one of the most expensive summers of my life. But finally, I am completely finished the “Back to School” Shopping. Here’s a very simple Doughnut Chart that I constructed using Excel to show how much I’ve spent JUST on school supplies / textbooks.

Now, let’s anaylze each of these money “suckers”.

UBC “Fan” Gear:
I thought that since I am proud to be attending UBC, that I should show it off. I already have a UBC hoodie with my nickname “Jords” (From my Chemistry Teacher) on the Hood. Now it’s time to take it to the next level. It was actually just today that I bought the Black UBC Clipboard x 2($6.50), a Blue UBC Water Bottle ($15.95), and a UBC Thunderbird’s Lanyard ($9.95). I’m ready to show off my UBC Pride.

Electronics:
Some of you MAY disagree that an iPod Classic 120GB is considered under the “School Supplies” Category, but I beg to differ. I am one of those workers who works best with my some bumpin’ tunes in the background. Therefore, if I have some tunes to listen to while I work coming from my iPod, then I work harder, and I get better grades, and life is great.

School Supplies:
I was originally planning to use my Gr. 12 Binders for school this year. (I like to be organized so I have a Binder for EVERY class) BUT, today while I was browsing through Staples, I came across a sale that I couldn’t resist. I bought those 1 inch “Durable” Binders that a lot of my friends used last year. I also bought the usual Red/Black/Blue Pens, 0.5mm Lead Pencil, Erasers, 0.5mm Lead, Highlighters, White Out, Small Clear Plastic Rulers, and Lined Paper. (SPEAKING of Lined Paper, if any of you people need some, The Staples on Campus by the McDonalds has 150 Sheets for $0.24!!!! When you walk in, look to your left/right I can’t remember exactly but their right by the entrance.)

Textbooks:
Here’s the big one. I bought all my books Brand New, just because I like new shiny things that come in clear plastic. The first day I went, I managed to get all my Books (Including Optional Stuff) except for ONE book. (The Integrated Resource Package for Chem 121). That was fixed today, for the Discount Book Store on top of the McDonalds on Campus has it! So for all you people waiting til Sept. 2nd to go back to get it at the bookstore, FRET NOT, go to the Discount Book Store and pick it up.

Here is the finished product (Note: My Integrated Resource Chem Book isn’t a part of this due to the fact that it is being held for me at the Discount Book Store)

For all you people that have finished your Back to School Shopping, Comment on your experiences! For those of you who still have some to do, HAPPY SHOPPING!

Categories
Academics Commuting Faculty Uncategorized

The BB Adventure to UBC

Currently: Turning off my PS3 (was driving around doing stupid things in GTA4) and listening to my mom spazz that I’m going to see a movie at 10:45… apparently that is too late for a 18 year old kid to be out.

Before I dive into the tales of my adventure to UBC, let me give you some background information about the wonderful person I went with. She went to the High School of one of my cousins, and I finally met when we finally talked on Facebook Chat. We started talking and eventually arranged a shopping day (We both love to shop). We eventually found out that we were both in same Biology 121 Class  in Term 1(Bio 121 Section 122… Comment if you’re in the same class). From there, the nickname we gave each other is “Bio Buddy”, in short form “BB”.  We have pretty much the same schedule type (just different classes) and I’m glad to of met someone who will be experiencing the same hardship as moi.

Now back to our Adventure to UBC. As you all know, we had to go to the UBC Bookstore to get our UBC ID Cards. Me and my BB decided to head over together and get our ID Cards last Friday. We arranged to meet at the Broadway Skytrain Station at 11:00… but then she woke up late, so it moved to 12:00. Then, she texted me saying she’d be there at 12:30, but I was already on the Skytrain to Broadway from 22nd Street. It looked like I would be waiting for my BB. While I was waiting, something really strange happened to me. I was interviewed by a CBC Radio Interviewer, about “Critical Mass”. Critical Mass is apparantly about Biker’s who go and block roads all at once. The questions she asked were really vague, and more about breaking rules. I honestly don’t remember what I answered.

When we finally got on the 99 B-Line to UBC, we started timing how long it would take from certain spots to UBC. This is probably an innaccurate calculation due to the many variables that are more likely to occur in the morning then opposed to the afternoon. For those people who bus using the 99 B-Line from Granville Street, comment with a general idea of how long it takes to get to UBC.

When we finally got to UBC, we decided to go check out the Student Union Building… which meant a trip to the Starbucks. I got my favorite, a Tall Caramel Frappacino. Now, all you 2nd years and UBC Veterans may find this funny, but after that, we sat down and opened our UBC Map and figured out how to get to our lecture halls and the bookstore. We felt SOO lame looking at a map, for most of the day we tried to hide it. We got to the Bookstore, went through the process of getting our picture taken (I would post the picture of me on my ID, but its absolutely terrible) and then went straight to look at the Textbooks. I looked at some of the book prices, and thought to myself “I could buy four Stussy T-Shirts for the price of this book”.

For the rest of our trip, we went and looked in our lecture halls, and timed how long it would take to go from one class to another. My highest time was 8 and a half minutes to get from my Physics Lecture to my English Lecture, (walking at an above average pace) hopefully I won’t be too late for English. We started looking into our lecture halls, most of the time we were too scared to go into the buildings because the Geography, Math, and Chemistry Buildings look like medieval castles. The only one we could get a good look at was the Theatre at the Hebb Building. It was a surreal type of feeling standing and sitting in my future lecture hall. It’s going to be a fun (yet hard) year and I cannot wait to sit in that lecture hall with the 300 other students.

Hope to see you guys at UBC in 2 and a half weeks!

Categories
Wellness

Too Many Goodbyes

Currently: Watching someone set records on Deal or No Deal Canada.

This is the year in everyone’s life that is full of goodbyes. These goodbyes aren’t the typical “Hey, see you later” goodbyes you commonly say after a movie trip with your best bud. These goodbyes are the “I’m going to miss you” goodbyes you say when you aren’t going to see something/someone for a longtime, or even forever. I came into my Senior Year at High School knowing that these goodbyes await at the end, but I never would’ve imagined that they would be this hard.

Here’s a list of things I’ve had to say the “I’m going to miss you” goodbye too:

  • My High School, my second home (literally) for 6 years. (I went to my school in Gr. 7)
  • My years of very little responsibility.
  • My friends, going to school elsewhere.
  • My cousin, who went to New York for school.

All these things were hard to say goodbye too. Everyone says “It’s okay, there’s always Skype / MSN / iChat / E-mail / the phone”, but all those things aren’t close to the same. It’s also a big effort to use these various methods of Social Networking to maintain a relationship like the one you had before the “goodbye”. That effort combined with the UBC schoolwork, makes it virtually impossible. So try your best, but don’t stress over it. In reality, the things you said goodbye too aren’t likely going to return to the same way. It’s the harsh reality of life, and I felt like I had to share my revelation.

BUT! Remember for every goodbye, there’s an equally good “Hello”

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