Category: ResidenceLife

Happy Heart Skips

So, wow. I have a lot to say.

First off, I love the new blog system. It all looks so cool and sleek! I heart blogging, so I am tres excited.

Secondly, Max and I have had a change of housing! We were originally all set up to be in Marine Drive, but thanks to the wonderful Janice Robinson, we’ve been moved to Fairview, where we can persue our dreams of year round housing and just a little bit more privacy. We move in tomorrow and I can’t stop smiling just thinking about it.

Thirdly, if it wasn’t obvious already, I got my loans. Yes, I am now, happily in debt and ready and able to pay for my second year.

Fourthly, I am completely psyched for year two. My classes look amazing and challenging, I am finally 19 and old enough to go to ALL the first week events, Max and I are going strong, and Vancouver is, most certainly, where I belong.

Speaking of Max and I going strong, our 1 year anniversary is Monday. This whole year has felt like the flash of a polaroid camera, a lifetime contained in an instant. I love him dearly and can’t believe how lucky I am. I’m not sure what we’ll do to celebrate (outside of going to thrift stores to find some dishes for our new home) but I know it’ll be great.

Stepping off the plane after arriving in Vancouver, I felt my heart skip a beat. Just the feeling of that cool air in my lungs let me know I was home, and I got that happy, skippy feeling that reminded me that I was an adult. I was on my own, in a commited relationship, heading towards my school, and my new home, and my future, and damn, I felt alive. That’s what UBC has done for me, made me feel alive.

So I know that that spirit may soon be squished by exams and work and chores and, well, life, but I know it’ll still be there, under the surface, making me realize how happy I am to be here.

So, hello, if you haven’t met me yet. It’s been too long, if you have, drop me a comment or facebook me, and I’ll show you the town. Let’s go year two!

Personal Recreation ResidenceLife

Internet Itinerary

So while I have been spending most of my days waiting for my loans to process, I have also been applying for on campus jobs (via the fabulous UBC Careers Website), as well as scholarships (via Fastweb), while all of that is fine and dandy and neccessary I have also been spending some time on a few random websites that are worth a visit if you are stuck in the boredom of the pre-school wait. They are as follows:

Not Always Right (http://notalwaysright.com/) – This is basically a collection of funny/stupid customer quotes gathered from the workers of the world. Many of them are rather funny and it is quite easy to spend an hour clicking through their archives.
Improv Everywhere (http://improveverywhere.com/) – The concept of this site is a little difficult to explain, so I’ll just quote the “About Us” on the site: “Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 70 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City.” Basically, they gather a bunch of performers to do Improv in the streets of New York. Here’s my favorite mission so far: Frozen Grand Central.
Moodstream (http://moodstream.gettyimages.com/) – I am still not entirely sure what Moodstream is, but I can contest that it is inspiring. The basic idea is you enter how you are feeling and it presents pictures, videos, and sounds to match your mood. You can also have it pick you up or calm you down…it’s quite fun to play with.
Tontoko Family (http://www.eyezmaze.com/eyezblog_en/blog/2008/08/tontoko_family.html) – This is just a really strange game that is kind of like guitar hero, but with little people…again, hard to explain but worth checking out.
And, finally, The Girl in the Window (http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/article750838.ece) – this isn’t a game or a cool website, it’s the story of a little girl who was discovered to be a “feral child” at age 7 after being found in a very abusive home. It is sad at times, but very well written and ends on a hopeful note. Well worth the read.

In happy news, Max and I have accepted an offer to live in Marine Drive Residence, in a studio unit. It is a bit small for two people (it comes with a twin bed) but I think we can find a way to manage. So soon you’ll be hearing what that’s like. This should be fun.

Academic Financal International Personal Preparing for UBC ResidenceLife Wellness

Money Matters

In the past month my family has come upon hard times concerning money and my UBC education. See, it costs a lot to go to UBC as an international student. Just this coming year is going to set me back just under $20,000 dollars, and that is without the cost of living. Last year was just about the same, but I had two separate loans which covered it, and life was good. Only recently have we discovered that those loans do not renew, and we have to reapply for them. Now, if we do and they come through, life is again good, but if they do not, well, I’m looking at a world of difficulty to try and fund my education. This could all result in having to pack up my things and return to the States to attend college where it is more affordable. It is my truest hope that this does not occur, that the loans come through and I can join everyone back on campus once again, but I have to be aware of the possibilities, and I want to tell as many people as I can to do the same.

When it comes to funding your education, at UBC or anywhere else, make sure you put a lot of though into how much money you will need and where that money is coming from. Don’t forget the cost of housing, on campus or off, of food, books, and anything else you may need. If you receive a loan make sure you know the parameters of the loan, whether it depends on credits or grades, if it renews or not. Know how you will pay for everything.

And don’t make the mistake I made. Don’t take your parents or their money for granted, appreciate the opportunity they are giving you, and do all you can to make sure that that opportunity is not in vain. Study hard, don’t give in to too many parties, and work if you can.

It is my dearest hope that things come through for me and for my life at UBC, this has been my dream for quite awhile now, and the last thing I want is for it to disappear. But, if it does, I will be forever thankful for the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met. I can recover from this. Better people than I have experienced the same situation and moved on to a different life, but a good life nonetheless.

I have hope for the future, and I’ll update about it.

Academic Personal Recreation ResidenceLife

Done Done Done

Yesterday I went to my last Arts One seminar. We reviewed for the test, then chatted about what we were doing this summer, next year, when we leave UBC. As I walked out of that seminar and met up with Max, I realized I was done, and while I was proud that I made it this far, I wasn’t all that happy. This was weird for me. Usually, on the last day of school, I am freaking out, making summer plans, getting creative, or at least rewarding myself with an awesome dinner or something. I didn’t do any of that yesterday. I think I figured out why.

I hated high school. It was the bane of my existence. I was pretty good at it, but I only saw it as jumping through the hoops to get to college. We’ll now I am here and I love it. If anything I am sad this year is over because:

I’ll miss all my Totem friends! I mean, they are practically my family now that we have lived so close, I am going to miss not hanging out with them this summer.
I’ll miss exploring Vancouver. It’s basically one of my favorite cities in the world, of course I am going to miss hopping on the bus to try out a restaurant or window shop.
It wasn’t like we worked towards the end of this year. I could have sat at home, missing every day of my classes, and still be able to celebrate this year coming to an end. I’ll be happier when my finals are over.
This summer and next year represent a large degree of change for me. I’ll be living with my boyfriend and his family in Toronto this summer. That’s huge! And come next year, Max and I will be finding an apartment and bring my dog up here to live with us. From here out, it’s a whole new adventure.
I’ll just miss UBC. I’ll miss the campus, the people, the classes (believe it or not) and the attitude. My heart belongs to Vancouver.

Any way, as Genevieve mentioned in this post, this is the last weekend before silent hours kick in, and I plan on living it up to the fullest! Congrats everyone!

Personal ResidenceLife Wellness

Samantha’s Sonnet

I think this is going to be one of the points in my life which I will look back upon and note as one of the times that I was ever truly free. I live my life like a sonnet, broken down by rules and mandatory qualities, (one must pay bills, one cannot do too poorly in school, one must do laundry and clean one’s room and be on time to meetings) but within all those rules, all those necessities, I posses unlimited artistic freedom. I can sleep when I wish, just so I am physically capable of making it to class, I can eat what I wish when I wish, though pizza won’t deliver after 3am, I can do my laundry at 5am or 3pm, no one will care. I spent the past two days doing nothing but lying about my bed, stretched out in front of open windows, next to my boyfriend, doing nothing but playing Pokemon Diamond (for me) and Pearl (for him) as well as ordering food from Swiss Chalet, and visiting friends from another house. I have an essay due tomorrow, so I am writing that now, in our house lounge, and after completion I shall retire to my modest little room and play Super Smash Bros. Brawl, not sleeping until I am tired.

I realize that this is not a perfect portrait of responsibility, that some may argue that I should get up at a set time, exercise and study during these days off, but this is my college life. I am taking good care of myself, I am doing pretty well in school, and fulfilling all my responsibilities, who can complain if I do it in my own manner?

ResidenceLife

Chair Despair

A few weeks ago the Nootka House Lounge was shut down because, overnight, the lounge chairs came into this position:

To be honest, I thought it was one of the most interesting and creative ways to make a lot of people upset with you. The lounge was locked up and chairs stayed like that for a good ten days, I am still at a loss as to how they got them down. Oh, residence life, you couldn’t get this kind of stuff anywhere else.

ResidenceLife

Erroneous Expectations

Today I woke up knowing that my only real responsibility for the day would be running over to the Wood Theatre and picking up our props for Grease. I was excited as I always find props fun, especially when I get to discern which lamp will match the bedspread and that sort of thing, but I was also just a tiny bit nervous. See, in order to pick up the props we need to use a van, and in order to use that van we need to have someone from housing, and that someone was Miss Joanna Waggott, the Residence Life Manager (basically, head honcho) of Totem Park.

I don’t really know why I was nervous, it’s not that I am a bad resident, no, I wear my flip flops in the shower, and turn my iPod down at 9pm. I think it was just the position. This is the person most rule-breaking residents fear, she is at the top of the ladder, and gets the final say on just about every problem in Totem Park. I wasn’t really all that sure what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I was wrong. She’s actually really cool.

Let me elaborate on cool. She wears Vans, and not just plain old Vans, super cute polka dot ones. She loves music (just like me!) and introduced me to a new band, Vampire Weekend, (which are AWESOME, by the way) all while riding in her cute little car. She has a chic little apartment in Kwak, (who knew Totem had a chic little apartment!?!) and declares that she will always be a hipster. She is sarcastic and funny and nice and everything I never expected. Seriously, this is my kind of lady.

I am quite certain I will only see her from one side of the desk, as I have no plans to get in any fights or break any Totem rules, and I realize some people aren’t so lucky, but I want to get it out there that she is actually a really cool person. I think we tend to develop a sort of “us versus them” mentality in rez when dealing with higher ups, but throughout the course of this year I have been happily surprised to find that most RA’s, RC’s, and even Miss Joanna Waggott herself, are pretty awesome, laid back, and welcoming people. The point I am trying to get across is, when living in rez, don’t fall for the stereotypes and expectations that follow a job, because that big scary person at the top, is really just a hipster with a love for Vans.

Academic Personal ResidenceLife

The Responsibility Train

Yes, I did neglect two Saturdays and an entire week of blogging, but I have my reasons, and that is laziness. That’s right, over reading break I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and it was GLORIOUS. But I am ready to hop back on the train of responsibility and I know that means updating regularly, going to class, and fulfilling many other random tasks. (Such as picking up a plethora of props tomorrow for the Totem Musical)

Oh, I didn’t tell you, I’m the Props Manager for Totem Park’s production of GREASE! Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of Grease, but I am the biggest fan of props management. I love working backstage. Something about making a show happen is intensely rewarding and makes my heart happy.

Speaking of heart happiness, Max and I will have been together six months on March 1st. I won’t get to ooey gooey or anything, but I am really happy. It’s weird to think about how our friends have never known us apart, but I like to think that we function pretty well as a couple. We already have plans to spend the summer in Toronto, and then move in together next fall. Come the start of next school year, it will be a year. I never thought I would find a relationship as soon as I got to University, I actually didn’t really want that, but I am so happy I did. He is amazing, and I love him completely. Funny to think that we first met over Facebook.

Ah well, back on the responsibility train I go…toot toot.

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.

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.