Patchworked.

I deem today my ~last day~- my most difficult final is done, and I only have one left, which is next week, on the 28th. I figured that was enough reason to slack off a bit without feeling guilty. :)

And thus, I blog again. I… I feel a lot of things right now, what with the all “Oh wow I just finished my first year EVAH *___*” feeling and all other mini-feelings that go into this feelings-of-awe pie. Fellow Blog Squaders have written great entries about it, and honestly I feel like they took many of the words I would type out of my mouth. SO THIS ENTRY? IT’S MAINLY PICTURES. :D

First, a ramble:

Me… I’m a commuter student (as if I don’t rage about it enough…), and of course, this means my UBC experience has been vastly different in contrast to those who chose to live in 1st year rez. I’m not gonna lie- it has led to moments of frustration and regret that I didn’t accept my housing offer. Making friends is not instantaneous and events and meetings can be difficult to focus on when you’re worried about missing the last bus. I also have to admit that I’m still learning to adjust- I can’t claim yet that UBC has changed my life, that ~*IT’S THE BEST DECISION EVAR*~ (first half of Grade 12 year, UBC was the last uni I wanted to attend), or that I’ve made best friends that I’ll never forget.

HOWEVER. I can claim that I’m slowly finding my niche, even breaking out of my usual comfort zone in the process. I can claim that I’ve found a place that I like to be in, a place that I feel can really bring out my potential. A place where I’m often inspired and motivated by my surroundings, by the people around me. I have felt more confident and proud of myself in the past year than before, and I have shared heartfelt laughs and tears with people who are not BFFs, but might very well be, given the chance.

I am still an awkward turtle around most people, and no, no housing for me in the near future. Here’s to hoping that slowly, but surely, this would change. HERE I COME 2ND YEAR after my History final.

And underneath the cut is a series of GIFs that depict various moments in my 1st Year at UBC. Perhaps you can relate to some of them as well.

WARNING: This will load quite slowly.

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So. What are you procrastinating on? :P What work do you still have to do over the next week or so?

Let’s use this post to rant your heart out, sigh with relief about that one paper you finally finished, and release some of the tension from all the work you still have to do.

Okay, I’ll start.

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While Yiruma’s works span a great range of emotions, his happier pieces are the ones I immediately resort to when I’m in need of more positivity in my life.

In this latter half of midterm season/beginning of term paper season, I highly recommend listening to the album this song’s from, First Love. It’s good background music for studying, or taking a break from your work. :)

– Jennine

P.S. I’m SO excited for Yann Tiersen on Friday (anyone coming?)!

I’m a weird one, but for me, piano music and such types of instrumental music is the best music to study to (that and Les Misérables for History, but that’s another story). So from now on, I’ll only be sharing such type of music in this blog. Just click on the “study music” tag for the rest of ’em.

This piece will sound familiar to anyone who’s watched the French film Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain or just Amélie. This is from the film’s soundtrack, which was composed by the amazing, amazing Yann Tiersen. He’s coming to town in March, and I BOUGHT TICKETS TO SEE HIM, and I’m really, REALLY EXCITED. While the rest of the city is spazzing about Katy Perry, I’m spazzing about him.

Before you think I’m a nutso, click play and you’ll see why I have done such spazzing. He is terrific, seriously. ♥

This is preposterous. For the past week, yours truly has managed to go into random bouts of sleep on her commute to school. Usually, this never happens- I’m way too paranoid that I’ll wake up and find myself in the middle of nowhere. Alas, it seems like my sleeping cycle is finally catching up with me.

This post does not contain any of the content I said I’ll be updating with. Instead, this post is for: UBC: A Constant Learning Process aka new things I keep finding out as a uni student (the unofficial first installment: here).

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And this is why I’m one of the few who loves the constant rain in this place.

Or, you know, continue. I started this post Friday but am only getting around to finishing it today.

I am in the middle of preparing for my various midterm examinations and essays and such; I have been my usual hermit self in my heated bedroom with a netbook on my lap and an assortment of textbooks, worksheets and two Mukmuk plushies (I love them dearly) surrounding me.

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And the question is, “Is to have had and lost / Better than not having at all?”

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to discover the song and realize how brilliant it is. It’s a great, great collaboration, first of all- one that restores my faith in good music and the fact that two such different musicians can work well together. I also appreciate a good rap, and Jay-Z delivered; his part might actually be my favourite in the song, haha. I can’t get over the actual music, too. The hip-hop vibe of the beginning and the gradual transition back to the music that makes Coldplay, well, Coldplay. I keep saying it, but I must say it again: brilliant.