abaculus

The Wild Things Are at the Norm

Posted on 18 January 2010 | Comments Off

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At least, they were yesterday!

Yesterday was the first time I went to the Norm to watch one of the Film Soc’s screenings (I’d been there before for events like Mental Health Awareness Day). The Norm is nice and comfortable, and tickets are cheap: $2 for members and $4 for non-members. (Membership is $10.) Some quick calculations at the beginning of the year told me I wouldn’t watch enough movies to get my money’s worth were I to get membership — I’m not a movie buff — but the Norm’s still an excellent way of getting the cinematic experience while paying less than the usual $10 fee.

I didn’t really mind waiting to see Where the Wild Things Are; I suppose the movie’s only interesting to those who grew up with the book. It wasn’t one of my favourite picture books, but I definitely wanted to see how it transferred to the big screen. My thoughts? It was surprisingly depressing. But judging by the incessant commentary coming from a group of three children behind me and my friend, it was probably much funnier and more interesting for them.

P.S. You can find the Film Soc’s schedule of future screenings here.

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Posted in Around Campus, Recreation

Think Change – Press Play

Posted on 5 January 2010 | 6 comments

Sounds familiar? If not, it’s time to register for the annual Student Leadership Conference, held this Saturday.

I admit, I was thinking of not going. After all, I’ve attended for the past two years running. I can do something else with my first weekend back. Something different. Something productive. I mean, the rest of my weekends this month are already booked up; I won’t be able to do anything for myself until February. That’s too long.

And then I thought about all that a little more. Seriously, what could I possibly do on Saturday that would be more productive than attending the SLC? And is this “to do” list in front of me a list of things I actually want to do or things I think I should do?

Yes, I’ve attended the SLC twice in the last two years — and it’s been my first big highlight of the winter term each time. Each year, it has reignited my commitment to involving myself with my community, and pulled me right out of this black hole of moping and homesickness that I inevitably wallow in at the end of every winter break. I’m pretty sure it’ll do the same for me this year, because I’m already excited and feeling a little more energetic since I finally made myself go through the pamphlet listing all the featured presenters and workshops — and what amazing, exciting ones there are! I’m only a little sorry that I didn’t register sooner, because two of the workshops I wanted to do are full.

Worth the $30 registration fee? In my honest opinion: Yes, absolutely. Of course, everyone differs on this point, but I think the only way you can find out (if you’ve never been) is to try it, just once.

This is definitely what I want to be doing with my first Saturday back.

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Posted in Involvement / Leadership

Bookstore Bonding

Posted on 5 January 2010 | Comments Off

Third year, second term — that would make this my back-to-school post x6.

I rock at maths. Speaking of which, I should think about refreshing my maths in preparation for the GRE, which I really should take this summer. There are so many things I should do, it’s hard to keep track of them all.

Like finding a second part-time job, finding a co-op work placement for this summer, learning how to drive, independent research so I can finally decide what I want to write for my Honours thesis next year, and so on and so forth.

Plus school.

Which is looking really good at the moment! I just had my last class I was deciding on today, and it looks just as good as I was hoping it would be, or better. I’m very excited for all the texts that I’m to read (again, I am taking all English classes in my efforts to finish up my requirements) — that is, if the Bookstore would stock them.

I was at the end of the massive, massive line that is the UBC Bookstore at 3:30 PM on the first Monday back at school when it struck me this is probably one of those few, rare times when UBC students from all faculties get to be together again since the IMAGINE pep rally. Arts meets Sauder, Science meets Engineering, LAFS meets HKin. Vanier residence meets Burnaby commuters. (Face it: the SUB is dominated by commuting kids.) All of us cradling in our arms (or baskets) the books and course packages showcasing our departmental pride. Imagine the kinds of interdisciplinary conversations we could have if we just turned around to the person behind us, pointed to the giant five-hundred white paged book they’re toting about, and asked them about what they do and why.

But you’d better hurry and turn around if you want that kind of conversation — there are a lot of better book deals going on in other places, and students won’t be sticking around the Bookstore for long. (I spent a happy hour finding cheaper ones on Amazon this morning.) Unless, of course, you’re waiting in the massive, massive line that is the UBC Bookstore Buybacks in two weeks’ time.

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Posted in Academic, Faculty

Happy Holidays!

Posted on 25 December 2009 | 1 comment

stockings by samiicons

And oh, they are so happy!

For those of you who celebrate it — Merry Christmas! I’m not a religious person, but I do so love Christmas in all its commercial glory.

I’m back in this childhood city of mine and it’s actually Boxing Day as I type this, but I’m too lazy to change my timezone on this blog for just a few days. It’s always lovely to be home, but it’s been extra exciting to see all my secondary school friends in the same place at the same time — that hasn’t happened since we graduated two years ago! At the moment I’m spending time with my parents — which is another reason why I like Christmas: one of the few times in the year when I get both my hardworking parents to myself.

The only fly in my ointment at the moment is the fact I’m studying: I’m taking a year-long distance-ed course that has an essay due at the beginning of next term, so I need to tackle that around all the socializing and family-bonding.

Oh well, at least I am studying!

1 Comment

Posted in Recreation

Picture Love

Posted on 10 December 2009 | 2 comments

Ahem.

LIFE HAS BEEN TOO SERIOUS TODAY.

You know those really long days when something bad just keeps happening? Yup, just had one of those.

So in an attempt to redirect this course I’m on, I’ve been looking at all the pictures I’ve been collecting on my computer. I have hundreds of them and it’s easy for me to find more (I’m so glad there is always going to be more beauty and humour than what already exists!).

Here are a few selections chosen for no particular reason:

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