Author: Samantha Horton

Sam Speaks Saturdays: Music to My Ears

Post author By Samantha Horton
Post date February 2, 2008
4 Comments on Sam Speaks Saturdays: Music to My Ears

I have been (mentally) smacking myself repeatedly, telling myself to update more, so, in order to cure my own stubborn writers block and staggering inability to use this outlet I was so kindly trusted with I have decided to create my own little weekly bloggy things. Like, Sam Speaks Saturdays (I am a slave to alliteration!), in which I think I will disclose one little-known fact about myself and rant about it a little bit so you, whomever you are, are able to get to know me just a little bit better. Forgive me if I slip on a Saturday here or there, as I am a very genuine, but forgetful person. So, what will this Saturday entail? Music! More importantly, my favorite song, artist, and album.

Song: “Blackbird” by The Beatles

I have loved this song since I first heard it, back in grade 10, when one of my now best friends, Kevin, first handed me his headphones and told me to listen. It can bring me to tears in the right moment as it reminds me of several different people and points in my life. It has slowly become Max and my song, mostly because it was his lullaby growing up so it makes the both of us feel warm and fuzzy. I know the fact that it is a Beatles song makes it a bit cliche, but it is my favorite song and I am more than happy to say so.

Artist: Bright Eyes

Actually, to say that Bright Eyes is my favorite artist now seems kind of wrong, I don’t really listen to Bright Eyes much these days, I think it is because I’m happier these days. I don’t know how familiar you are with Bright Eyes, but lets just say that I have 146 songs of his in iTunes right now, all memorized, and only about 6 of those songs are truly happy ones. His lyrics are more poetry than anything, and I think why I fell so hard for him when I did (I was about 13 when this happened) was because I felt like he was singing my own thoughts to me. Nowadays I am more inclined to The Decemberists, whose music feels like reading a novel, but I can never neglect Bright Eyes as my true favorite artist.

Album: Death Cab for Cutie : Transatlanticism

I love to put this album on whenever I am alone and need to be okay with that fact. The entire album is amazing as a single work, and I can honestly say that each of its songs have been my favorite at some time. “The New Year” is my anthem for every, you guessed it, new year. “The Sound of Settling” never gets old, it always makes me want to dance, and “We Looked Like Giants” is about sex and love and it is so raw you can feel every beat banging in your heart. This is an AMAZING album.

I am a self-proclaimed music geek, and I can tell you that it is bugging me that I have mentioned so few artists in this post. My music library currently holds over 5,000 songs and SO MANY of them are brilliant…lets just say that this post is only the beginning of my music pimping.

I don’t know which facet of my personality I’ll show next Saturday, but lets hope this weekly updating will get me out of my head and back on this blog!

(PS: Like my music tastes? Want to stalk me see what I am currently listening to? Add me on Last FM!)

Tags Sam Speaks Saturdays

Personal Wellness

In Memory of a Great Man

Four years ago today the father of one of my best friends passed away unexpectedly. Although I personally never met him I know he must have been an incredible man because I have the great pleasure of knowing his daughter, who is one of the bravest, kindest, most understanding people I have ever met. Even though I never got to meet this man he has had an extraordinary effect on my life. He has made me so thankful for what I have.

I know that right now both my parents are working very hard and sacrificing a lot to pay for my education and ensure that I come out of these four years in as little debt as possible, and I love them infinitely for it. I really wish I told them that more often. I think we all tend to take our families for granted sometimes, especially in college, when it is easy to forget to call, or limit the communication to “more money please” and I really feel that that needs to stop. These are the people who brought us into this world, that fed us and held us and taught us, these are the people who helped build who we are now. I wouldn’t have an undying love for The Legend of Zelda or know the relish of a perfectly prepared steak if it wasn’t for my dad, and if it wasn’t for my mom I would have a much more limited view of the world, and of myself. I love my parents and I couldn’t ask for better ones, and I am so thankful that I know them.

So please, if only for the memory of my best friend’s father, call your parents tonight. Tell them about the snow, ask them about work, say anything…just realize that, as sad as it sounds, we have only so long to get to know these people who created us, and we should take every opportunity to do so. Even if you call and there is no answer, remember to tell them that you love them, because they probably don’t hear it enough and will really appreciate it. Do this for her father. Do this for yourself.

Thank You.

ResidenceLife Wellness

Stressful Server

I am starting to realize that I am one of those people that needs the world to be on fire in order for me to get anything done. Take this very moment, I am currently on top of my studies, I’ve been going to class, taking notes, reading the books, all that stuff that isn’t always fun, but is rather necessary if you want to do well. The result? I feel as though I am going out of my mind! I’m bored quite often, my room looks like a disaster from all my tries at creativity (like buying outdoor christmas lights on clearance that are too heavy to be held up by tape) and I genuinely feel like there is something missing in my life. That something? Stress!

So, to make my life just a little bit harder, thus more stressful, thus more interesting, I got a job. This job? Serving food at the Totem cafeteria. First off, let me just say that I sincerely doubt that anyone living in residence understands how much effort goes into the preparation and presentation of your food. Well, anyone outside those who work there. It’s all so hectic and complicated, and there are countless people doing five thousand things at the same time just to get that food in your stomach. I, having completed two shifts serving and cleaning in the cafeteria, have a new found appreciation for these people. What I find sad about the whole thing, about these people who do whatever they can to get the food to you fast and fresh, is that just wearing the apron makes me invisible to most people. Rarely does anyone (outside of my friends and fellow cafeteria workers) say thank you or even look me in the eyes when I am serving them. It makes the whole job seem rather harsh. So do me a favor, next time you are in the caf, getting a quick lunch before you head off to class, say thank you to your cafeteria workers. Better yet, try and get to know them a little bit. I can promise you that they are really interesting, really sweet people that you’ll want to know.

So is my new job the perfect cure for my stress-free life? I know it’s early, but I have a feeling it sure is.

International Personal

Winter Adventures

Walking back into Totem I realized how much I missed it. It really has become my home, and a wicked sweet home at that. I mean, where else can you live SO CLOSE to all your friends? Well, I suppose in ANY dormitory, Totem just has all of mine. :)

Anyway, I wanted to use this entry to write about my oh-so-eventful winter break, which I spent all over the place, beginning in Orange County, CA, (where I visited my best friends), then on to Washington D.C. (for a week with my mom) and then, finally, ending in Toronto, where I spent about 9 days with Max and his family. That’s right, I met my boyfriend’s family.

First off, Orange County. Max saw me off at the airport the afternoon after my last test. I cried most of the time I was in the airport. It was so scary, to cry as he saw me off. I’ve been flying alone since age 6, bouncing between parents 3 or 4 times a year, and I stopped crying at those goodbyes ten years ago. Now, all of a sudden, he’s saying goodbye and my chin is doing that involuntary wrinkle thing and I can’t call him while I am waiting at the gate because the sound of his voice will just make me cry more. It was awful. Actually, that whole trip was awful. My flights were delayed, I thought I lost my passport, I just felt entirely alone. Well once I gained some composure I managed to bury myself in a Chuck Palahniuk novel, Invisible Monsters. (I am a serious fan of Palahniuk, like, don’t even get me started on how awesome he is.) Once I arrived in LA I joined 3 of my very close friends and we went off to have IHOP, which was awesome. The rest of my stay in Orange County was spent shopping for Christmas presents, baking cookies, visiting friends, and knitting a scarf (one of my gifts to Max).

Next was Washington DC, I left the LA airport right around sunset, so as we took off I watched the sun sink low on the horizon and as we came around I could see the full moon reflected in the ocean just outside of LA. It was rather beautiful. Because of delays I ended up missing my second plane, so I got to sit in the Las Vegas airport for six hours, talking to Max, knitting, and basically just killing time. My second flight, across the United States, left at 11pm, we flew through the night. It was a horrible flight. I couldn’t get comfortable, my reading light was broken, and I was exhausted but I couldn’t sleep. I mostly just stared out the window into the dark, trying to recognize the cities below. As we came to land in Baltimore, VA the sun was rising, and I could see the same full moon glimmering in the waters of the bay. It was as though my evening had come full-circle. Mom picked me up at the airport and we drove in to DC. Once we got back to her house I fell asleep, actually I spent most of my first three days there sleeping. Once I was rested we went out and explored Washington, visiting the monuments, going to the museums, shopping a little here and there. I really love Washington DC, it’s a place that fits my mom extremely well.

Next came Toronto, and that whole flight was a blur. I mostly just listened to music and tried to keep from getting too nervous. This would be my first time meeting Max’s family. As soon as I cleared myself through customs I marched out into the airport and caught eye of Max and his mom. I threw myself into his arms, and introduced myself to his mom. She was as delightful as he had said she was. The rest of the Toronto trip was eventful. We went to all of Max’s favorite restaurants (and he has quite a few), saw a couple movies, met Max’s dad and his girlfriend Sera, went shopping, and basically just explored Toronto. But my favorite adventure was when we went up in the CN Tower…

Okay, so I have a fear of heights, as does Max, but I really wanted to see the CN Tower because I had never been to Toronto before, and Max was awesome enough to take me. It took us a little while to get there, but I got to have a Toronto hot dog from a cart on the street, which was really good. Anyway, after buying tickets we proceeded through security and up into the elevator. That dropped us off at the lookout floor. This was rather high up, but the view was fantastic. We could also go down some stairs to the glass floor…which is, literally, a glass floor. So you can walk on air. I was extremely nervous, but I managed to stand out on it for a little bit. Max refused. We then had a nice little snack as the sun set before heading up to the Sky Pod, which is another 50 stories higher than the lookout level. It was really amazing, to be so high up. It really did look like the world was at your feet. I walked around it once while Max waited near the elevator, the Sky Pod was too narrow for him. We headed down to the glass floor level again, ready to leave, when Max decided that he wanted to walk on the glass floor. We held hands and walked out on it before he leaned in and kissed me! We both felt rather proud of ourselves for conquering our fear. I think that was my favorite part of the whole trip.

Anyway, Max and I flew back to Vancouver together, and that’s where I’ve been the past few days. My break was awesome, but it really does feel nice to be home. :)

Academic Personal Wellness

Happiest of New Years

To start off, I must say that the year 2007 was an incredible one for me, probably my best year so far. I attribute this to many events and changes that occurred in my life, namely the following:

I graduated high school. This was the single biggest relief ever. I was not a big fan of high school.
I got into UBC, after getting my hopes dashed twice.
I made it into Blog Squad, bringing together my favorite school and favorite pass time.
I made a bazillion friends within that first week.
I got a boyfriend, my first one, and fell in love.
Through A LOT of hard work and all-nighters I managed to pass all my courses.

Those are some of my victories that lead me to have hope for 2008. All that said, I have some resolutions:

To not procrastinate so damn much. (I am already failing at that one, as I have an Arts One essay to write…)
To be the best girlfriend I can be.
To be proud of my marks.
To be more available to my friends and those I love.
To be more charitable.

Those all seem doable. I’ve never been one to make these sorts of things, but sitting here after one year of awesome hard work, and seeing what that hard work accomplished, I realize that I really should dedicate myself more to my own happiness and well-being, as well as that of others.

I am currently on the last of three winter break adventures, all of which will be recounted as soon as I return to UBC. Wish me luck!

ResidenceLife

Off-Campus Headache

So, as Lillienne stated, the housing lottery is currently up on the UBC Housing site. As soon as I found this out I got a small hurt in the pit of my stomach, I find this whole process a bit terrifying. I have never been all that good with lotteries. Sure, to get a spot on-campus would be wicked sweet, but with the possibility of getting denied daunting before me, I decided to explore my options. Namely, off-campus housing for next year. I think this a smart choice for anyone in this situation, because even though a good number of returning students WILL get a spot, there is always that little chance that you won’t.

So, with that worry in my mind I set out online to search for any apartment complexes that suit my fancy, or even houses and rooms for rent. Honestly I wasn’t being picky. I visited several sites, many recommended by UBC Housing, and found one thing: the online resources for housing in Vancouver are horrible.

I know for a fact that there are a lot of places for rent out there right now. This is obvious due to the countless FOR RENT signs I see just riding the 99 B-Line to Granville. Vancouver is a big, blossoming, city, it’s growing at an extremely rapid rate, and will continue to do so from here on out, what with the Olympics coming. If so many places are being built, then why are there so few resources just for finding one to rent?

In the States you can find countless online mega search engines for finding a place to live. There are nation-wide ones as well as city sites. They are helpful, easy to navigate, and will get you at least some kind of answer. The Vancouver sites I visited we out-of-date (boasting NEW COMPLEXES COMING IN 2005!), some would just tell me “no” when I entered my fairly easy request, and many just lead me to the same 3 listings. By the end off my search I had scratched every site of my list, more confused and worried than ever.

Don’t get me wrong, there were listings, though the largest number I received was about 10. Maybe I was just being too picky about my pricing or areas. I just find it rather hard to believe that this is all there is.

I am not giving up on my off-campus housing search, no, I plan to pick up a newspaper tomorrow, and even visit different complexes in person if I have to. I just wish there was a site that made the Vancouver listings more accessible, and I am highly surprised that there is not one already.

Personal

heeee

I currently feel as though I am in my own, personal snow globe.

…I don’t want it to stop snowing!

Personal ResidenceLife

A Day in the Life…

I doubt you’ve failed to noticed that it SNOWED today.

Oh, and it didn’t just wimp out, with those itty-bitty little flakes, it brought the pain…snow style, that is.

I really wish there was more to say.

Okay, since my muses are off frolicking in the winter wonderland I think I will just go through my day. Basically, one day in the life of a Totemite. Simple enough. Now, where do we start?

Ah! Waking! So I woke up today around 9am because it was rather cold in my room. Upon opening my shiny copper blinds I found that it was snowing, which was about the most amazing thing ever. I cannot remember the last time I saw snow, honestly, so I was overjoyed. So I called my two best buddies in Totem a million times (they had gone clubbing last night, so they were busy sleeping that off) and once they answered I screamed “LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW!” and they did and we were excited. Max and I just kind of laid about, looking at the snow for awhile. We then decided that we should do some laundry as tonight was the Totem Formal, and we needed nice things to wear, so we hauled our clothes down to the laundry room, threw them in, then made plans for lunch.

See, twice a week Max and I go to Suga Sushi (the place above McDonalds in the village). It’s kind of like our own little dates. We take turns paying for one another and we always get dessert at the Pearl Fever place (though I think we’ll be trying out Booster Juice next time). We decided that today would be one of those dates. So we bundled up in our most wintery of clothes and made the trek across campus. We were bundled, but obviously not enough, as the wind cut RIGHT THROUGH every layer. We had to take little stops at the Bookstore then Shoppers just to thaw.

Once we got to the restaurant we ordered. (I always get the Chicken Teriyaki, and Max always gets one of like, 5 dishes) Then sat about eating our favourite food. Seriously, Suga has become my comfort meal. We then walked about the village, eventually finding our way to the shuttle.

Once we got back to Totem Park we had awhile before the formal so we played Super Smash Bros. and took a nap. We woke up with half an hour to get ready. So picture me, a girl, running about frantically looking for something formal enough to wear while layering on make up, brushing my hair, and basically freaking out. Max wanders up to his room, changes, then comes back down to relax on my bed while I try and iron a million wrinkles out of my skirt.

Once I succeed I find out that a friend of mine wants me to hem her dress. I am quite good with a needle and thread, but we are already 20 minutes late to the formal. Well a friend in need is far more important than being on time, so I set to sewing just as fast as I can. Five minutes flat, we are on our way.

We walk AROUND the Totem Commonsblock, since we can only enter from on side, the far one, so we are basically trying not to fall down in the snow while feeling our legs starting to go numb. We make it inside, get in line for our food, and sit down.

They tricked out the caf like a winter wonderland, all our friends line a long table and we sit at the far end. There are pictures and laughter, then the lights come on as our cue to take the party back to our houses.

And that’s where I am now, though the Dene/Nootka dance is just about to start, and Max and I will be heading down there in a few.

I realize that this isn’t the most important entry ever, I just thought a little insight to a real, first year college life might be a little bit of a change before midterms.

Now, off to boogie! :D

Academic AMS Recreation ResidenceLife

Structural Secrets

I just finish writing an 8-page in class essay on Plato’s Republic. I am not all that sure how I did, but I both love and hate the feeling those sort of essays leave me with. Sort of a tired, hungry, but oh-so-productive energy. Carrying on my awesome productiveness (I cleaned my room last night, too!) I have decided to post an entry about some of the specific details of the UBC campus which lead to my decision to come here. If you haven’t visited any of those on this list, I urge you to, whether you are a current student, a prospective student, or even one of the many members of faculty and UBC work force that keep this university running. This is our home; we should know it as such. Anyway, the list:

The Nitobe Memorial Garden: First of all, it’s free for students. And those of you who aren’t (or aren’t yet!) a student, its super cheap (three to five dollars) I remember when I first came to visit UBC with my mom; we wanted to visit the garden but ran out of time. Well I made up for that within my first week here, dragging Max off to stroll through the garden with me. It really is beautiful, there are fish and flowers and a waterfall, not to mention the amazing trees. I am making it a point to wander about the garden once it snows, that will really be something.

That View, Down Main Mall, With the Canadian Flag and the Mountains: Ahh, the UBC viewbook. I memorized every page before I arrived, wondering if everything will look as vibrant and amazing in person. I remember one of the first days it rained here, I was walking to class, strolling across the lawn that lies in the middle of main mall, when I paused and looked to my right. There it was, the Canadian flag, blowing in the wind as the rain poured and I could just see the mountains fading into the mist. I was in complete awe. That view now does this to me almost every time I see it. Even today, it’s freezing outside but I can’t help the urge to sit down, in the middle of main mall, and gaze at the snow on those mountains. It’s really one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen.

The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre: When I took my first tour of the UBC campus our tour guide stopped in front of the windows on the far end of the centre, the one that faces Buchanan. She showed us the Library Robots that have access to a vast number of books, all stored in drawers along these long corridors, all viewable from outside. I was already amazed at the view; I had no idea then what a large resource and escape the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre would become. It is a library, but it is also so much more. I know you have heard me babble on and on about the Ridington Room, with it’s spiral staircase and comfy chairs, but it really is that valuable of a place for me. To be able to look at all the past Presidents of UBC in the soft lighting and silent atmosphere of that room makes me really feel like I can finish reading my mind-numbing textbook, not only that, but I can do well. If you have not yet been to this Learning Centre, visit it. Not only does it have a great many resources, but also some of the coolest views of campus.

Echo Circle: I am not entirely sure that this is the formal name of the circular monument in the middle of the intersection of Main Mall and Memorial Road, but that is basically its function. If you have never heard of this place, this is what you have to do. Go to the monument, look in the very center, see that big, gold, circle in the very middle of the cement platform in the center of the ring of seats? Stand on it. Don’t worry; this is what it was made for. Hop on up, stand tall, and say something. Make sure you speak up. Listen to your voice. The effects of the circle are pretty rad. Give it a shot!

The UBC Museum of Anthropology: When I first visited this museum I had never heard of the term First Nations and knew nothing of Vancouver’s native culture outside of the totem polls in Stanley Park. I left with a much greater knowledge than what I entered with. I highly recommend a tour, if you are as lost as I was. They are rather informative and interesting, and consist mainly of the tour guide telling you stories and legends and showing you how they relate to the artifacts. I was highly impressed.

The Forestry Building: (the Forest Sciences Centre) Seriously, this is one of THE MOST beautiful buildings on campus, in my opinion. It lies on the corner of Agronomy and Main Mall, super close to Totem Park for any Totemites who need a tranquil place to study, and it is worth the walk to anyone anywhere else on campus. The building itself exemplifies the Vancouver environment, with pillars made out of compressed lumber, (like tall trees in a forest) a ceiling made of glass, (so you can see the sky) a floor as solid shade of grey-blue, (the ocean) and many small motifs of mountains and forests. When I first saw the inside of this building I nearly cried. (I have a very soft spot in my heart for architecture; I get it from my mom) It is seriously one of my most favourite places to go to study or read.

I know that a campus as large as UBC can be kind of overwhelming and I assure you that every building on campus has a secret. Maybe it was in a movie or on TV, like the Buchanan Tower, which served as the FBI headquarters for the X-Files. Maybe it has a cool little feature, like the moving bookcases of the lower levels of the Koerner Library. Maybe the atmosphere just suits you, as in my case with the Ridington Room. These secrets aren’t going to just reveal themselves to you; you’ve got to find them. Don’t worry, it’s totally worth it.

International Wellness

MSP – Making Sam Poor

So you know that sore throat I mention in my last entry? It was the flu, and I found this out ONE DAY after my iMed insurance expired. I also mentioned in an earlier post how I had JUST sent in my forms for MSP…well I am now uninsured for an unclear period of time.

Let’s deal with the immediate situation first, as I had to last Friday when I made my appointment with the student health centre and found out that my visit would be costing me 60 bucks. I called my mom and she said that the cost didn’t matter, that I should just pay the money and get better. Well, those 60 dollars confirmed that it was the flu. I went out, bought some medicine, and spent most of the weekend asleep.

Now, for the bigger problem. I, currently, do not have health insurance. I was lead to believe that the “3 month waiting period for MSP” started from my arrival in BC, meaning I would be eligible for coverage now (I arrived in August). Well, the woman I spoke to on the phone from MSP as well as the receptionist at the Student Health Centre told me that the “3 month waiting period” is for processing my application. Meaning, I won’t be insured until February. This is terrifying! I was not aware that that simple little form was so pressing, and as I shared my news with other international students, they didn’t seem to know, either! I now have two American friends who still haven’t sent in their MSP forms, who are freaking out about getting anywhere near anyone who is sick, while I am wondering how much this is going to wind up costing me in the long run.

UBC needs to do something to show the gravity of the MSP form to International Students. I went to GALA, and it* did cover MSP, but I didn’t know it was so important. And what about all the international students who couldn’t make it to GALA? I wonder how many people are in the same boat as I am right now.

Well here’s your warning, international students. APPLY FOR MSP IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY! It’s a simple process, and extremely worth it.

To UBC, make it a requirement to apply for MSP. I am not completely sure how to do this, but it is a big deal, one that international students should not have to face as flu season rolls in. Someone needs to recognize this issue and make it known.

* The fire alarm in my res went off at this point in writing this entry. Oh, to live in residence.