12/19/12

My heart just melted.

Playlist:  The Frames – Lay Me Down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNxxGKPCxrg

Wilco – I’m the Man Who Loves You

The Beatles – Girl

I’VE JUST discovered this wonderful Facebook page that someone at UBC recently created, through which people at our school anonymously post positive messages directed at an individual or group.

This page gave me such great reassurance that despite what I’ve heard/experienced about Vancouver being somewhat of a “cold” city (in regards to the way people interact with one-another – ie. waving goodbye rather than hugging/kissing on the cheek), UBC is filled with kind, loving and compassionate individuals.

Anyway, this page is something you’ll have to see for yourself. Even if you’re not affiliated with the school, the heart-warming posts are sure to brighten your day.

It’s called UBC Compliments. (:

Love,

Nirel

 

Edit: I mean, I don’t want to give you the wrong idea about Vancouver – the people here are overall very nice and polite. It’s just that the “warmth” that exists in some other cultures (ie. in Latin America) doesn’t exist as prominently here.

Edit x2: I should give credit where credit is due! As I found out after writing this, Queens University in Kingston, Ontario started the whole “university compliments page” trend. Thanks, Queens U!

 

12/7/12

I hate silent hours.

And I don’t use that word lightly. It’s pretty much 24-7 quiet hours in first-year residences during finals. While I understand and respect that students should be comfortable studying in silence in their own rooms, it’s just not for me. Growing up with 3 younger siblings, my house has always been loud and crazy and fun. I like it that way.

That is why I’ve come up with a solution to silent hours. A few, actually:

1. Discover practice rooms. I don’t know if upper-year residences have this, but Totem Park and Place Vanier have a couple practice rooms in their respective commons blocks. Take a study break and GO SING/PLAY YOUR HEART OUT. I brought my guitar and djembe drum the other day and was in there for two hours.

2. Have a silent dance party in your room. What you’ll need: an mp3 player loaded with your favorite tunes (you can even use your laptop, as long as you don’t mind the limited range of dance moves you’d be able to exercise) and a pair of headphones. Plug in and silently dance your heart out!
This can be done by yourself or even with friends – just make sure each person you invite brings his/her own mp3 player with headphones.

3. Go to a concert. Check websites like Songkick and Ticketmaster (and subscribe to their e-mail list if you want to make it easy!) to see what major concerts are coming up around the area. Note: If you’re looking for smaller, more intimate shows, websites like LiveVan and The Georgia Straight’s website are great resources. Many of the shows they advertise are super inexpensive, too! ($5-15 for a show)

Hopefully that’ll help you create an outlet (or multiple!) for those urges you have to BE LOUD during these next couple weeks.

Love,

Nirel

PS. Playlist: My brother’s playlist (which includes artists like Lupe Fiasco, Chiddy Bang & B.O.B)
ALSO GUESS WHAT I GOT TICKETS TO SEE ALT-J!! EEEP SO EXCITED.