As of today, Max and I have been together for one year. I am the single luckiest, and happiest person in the world from that fact alone. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been fun. I love him more than I ever thought I could love a person, and I owe it all to UBC, and Blog Squad especially.
Then:
Now:
I can honestly say that I have never been happier.
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!
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.
Well, my nineteenth birthday has come and gone, I am now an adult, as well as a registered second year (though technically first year until I earn 3 credits) UBC student. Here are my classes:
First Semester:
Creative Writing
Anthropology: Culture, Health, and Illness
Art History: Art and the Visual Environment in the Modern and Post-Modern Periods
English: Poetry
English: Prose Fiction
Second Semester:
Introduction to Cognitive Systems
Introduction to Physical Geography: Climate and Vegetation
Introduction to Physical Geography: Water and Landscapes
Philosophy: Contemporary Moral Issues
English: Literature in the United States
Yep, I got my second year english problems sorted out thanks to the awesome Judy Brown, who made me realize that it wasn’t anything to freak out about, and that UBC is on my side. This is a very nice thing to know. I am more excited for my first semester than my second, though Max and I are taking everything but my lit class the same second semester. We are hoping this will make attendance easier to accomplish, since both of us will have to go to the same class.
On Monday we leave Toronto for Washington DC, we are taking the train there to see my mother, and, on our return trip, we are stopping over in New York City! I am so excited. Seriously.
Anyway, onto packing!
Max and I have now found ourselves in Toronto, nestled neatly under the CN Tower, in a narrow little gingerbread house that Max is happy to call home. After our arrival we spent little time getting our bearings, and moved quickly into working on the attic, the room which we have decided to take as ours, since it’s about the biggest room in the house, and had only been used for storage. It took about two weeks, to take all the junk out, bit by bit, paint the room two different colors (green and blue!), get a futon, and move things around. It’s still not complete. We have yet to replace the bare bulb with a shiny new lighting fixture, get a new window air conditioner (it gets rather hot up there), and set up the television, so we don’t have to take up the living room to watch The Daily Show. Give it a month, and the attic will be our hang out, not just our room.
Other than that, we’ve been pretty lazy. We go on adventures every now and then. Toronto is a really amazing city, it’s so big with so many different neighborhoods and amazing restaurants. Though, we don’t see tons of it, due to severe financial lacking and an overpowering urge to be lazy bones. I just hope that my summer spent in Toronto is everything a first year summer experience should be, something I can look back on with a smile.
Oh and, 2 weeks to my 19th birthday. Woot!
[NOTE: I apologize that this entry is so terrifyingly long. Storm the Wall was truly epic for me, and I wanted to cover everything that happened from my point of view. This blog may take awhile to read, but, in my opinion, it is worth it. Not because I wrote it, but because of the amount of guts, love, and courage that went into that Wednesday afternoon.]
So last Wednesday was Max’s birthday, I bought him a Swiss Army Knife among a few other things. Following a happy birthday morning, Max and I left for Brock Hall and Storm the Wall.
Our team was made up of four bloggers: Jimmy, Miranda, Victoria, and I as well as the Blog Squad leader, Angeli. Victoria had the task of swimming, Miranda sprinting, Angeli biking, Jimmy running, and me, well I was the wall person…that was all I had to do, just storm the wall. As a background, when the blog squad meeting was happening and Storm the Wall came up, I did not raise my hand to be a part of the team. Blessed with an acute fear of heights and a not-so-prepared-to-storm body, I was completely assured that I couldn’t be an asset to the team. Cory said he was game and they had their five, so I didn’t really think about the issue any further. It was only when the emails circulated later that week saying we needed a sub, just in case someone dropped out. No one volunteered, and I thought to myself “Well, I suppose I could make it over that wall, I mean, they have a system in place for getting over it, and it’s not like anyone is going to drop out anyways.” so I volunteered. It was over the course of the next week that several scheduling conflicts arose and Cory was unable to do it because he had class, it was then that Angeli called me. Next thing I knew I was going to the clinic, and learning the secrets to storming the wall.
To be honest, I wasn’t all that worried about it in the days that lead up to Wednesday. I thought little about it, and when I did, it was just small waves of nervousness, followed quickly by my own reassurance that it wasn’t so bad. I picked out my storming outfit and thought nothing of it until I walked into the student development office that fateful afternoon.
Lucky for us, our Blog Squad t-shirts had just got in, so we all changed into them proudly and posed for a group shot. I asked if I had time to grab a burger from the nearby BBQ, as I hadn’t eaten anything that morning, and found out it was too late, we had to walk to our check in station. “Oh well,” I thought, “the whole race should take like, half an hour, I can get something to eat after that.” Once we checked in, Max and I headed to the wall. All I had to do was wait there for the rest of the team to finish their parts of the race, so I spent my time watching people get over the wall, listening to the guy who was announcing the whole thing, and winning a tiny flashlight from BC Hydro for suggesting using power-saving appliances to conserve energy in the home. As you can tell, I was pretty laid back.
As time moved forward, my teammates began to arrive at the wall. Max took photos and we all hung out, starting to get pumped about the task at hand, the final storm. Soon the four girls had assembled and we all stood about, waiting anxiously for Jimmy to arrive, as soon as he did we all dashed to the wall.
I think Miranda was first over. Yeah, and I was one of the bases. I pressed myself against the wall, trying to be as sturdy as possible as she climbed from our thighs to our shoulders. As soon as she was up we joined together and pushed her feet up, in no time she was over and we all looked at eachother thinking, “We can do this!” Next was Angeli, and I was a base again, she climbed, thigh thigh shoulder shoulder up and over. I was really proud of us. We entered this event as complete amateurs, none of us were all that sporty, yet here we are, getting eachother over that 12-foot wall. It was at this point that it was my turn.
My bracers got up against the wall and I followed the pattern, first the thighs, then the shoulders. I reached my hands up and grabbed Miranda’s wrist, we counted and I was pushed skyward. This is where everything got rather scary, as soon I was hanging by both my hands, feet dangling and kicking against the wall as they tried to hook my arms up top. My biceps burned as I frantically tried to hook my elbows at the top of the wall, as we were trained, but it was all to no avail. Miranda urged me to try and throw my leg up so she could grab it and I just couldn’t. I was in so much pain and was shaking so hard, I begged them to put me down, and they did.
Feeling intensely humiliated I took my place at the bottom and watched as Jimmy was helped over. I then served as a brace for Victoria, but was so shaky and sore that we wound up dropping her. It wasn’t a very long drop, only 2-3 feet, but I felt horrible. Angeli said I should try again and I wanted so badly to make it up to my team, these people that I was so proud of, that I nodded yes.
It was the same song and dance. Thigh Thigh Shoulder Shoulder, I grabbed the wrists of those above me as I was lifted into the air against the wall. There were countless people around me, telling me to be stiff and straight, and I tried, god, I tried, but it still hurt so much. I got so close, throwing my leg as high as I could three times, before I was shaking so hard, that I just wanted to be on the ground. I made the mistake of begging the people up top to let me go, and I slid a good eight feet down the wall before I was caught at the very bottom. I felt like shit.
Now trembling more than I think I ever have in my entire life, I watched as Victoria, our fourth member, made it over the wall, leaving only me to have not made it. Angeli asked me if I wanted to try one more time and I just broke down. Through one of those sobby faces where your chin wrinkles I replied, “no, no.” We then crossed the finish line, and I sat down, crying and apologizing to everyone. I felt hopeless…we were disqualified because I couldn’t make it over. I know that we were just playing for fun, but I wanted so badly to make it over. All I could do was cry and hope that Max would make it over to the finish line soon from where he had been taking pictures.
It was in this bleak and sobby moment that I was approached by a rather large, muscular man who was wearing one of those bright orange safety vests. He worked for UBC Rec, and it kills me that I am unsure of his name…I think it was Dave, and he asked me, “Do you want to get over this wall?” He told me that not one has not made it over the wall yet, and he didn’t want me to be the first. I mustered up all my courage and love for my team and said, in a rather timid voice, “Okay.”
Everything flew by, soon I was at the base of the wall, and the amazing man in the orange safety vest asked me, “Can you hear my voice?” “Yes.” “Good, cause from now on, mine is the only voice you will hear, any other voice will be God’s and that will be because we have dropped you, but we’re not going to do that.” “Okay.” I followed his voice and the pattern, thigh thigh shoulder shoulder, and before I knew it I was locking wrists with the helpers on top and swinging my foot onto the top of the wall.
There was a pause as soon as I got up there, it was probably only a second or two, but all I can remember is not hearing anything at all and thinking “Holy crap. I just made it over the wall.” I climbed down each and every rung down the back of the wall, and hit the ground with such happiness that my knees felt weak, I looked to my right and saw Max behind one of the barriers, smiling at me all proud. I think that made me the happiest.
Following the epic challenge that was Storm the Wall, we reconvened for Strawberry Milk and I finally got a look at my bruises. Thick, purple bands marked the undersides of my arms, where I had tried to hook my elbows and support myself. There were distinct footprints on my thighs and shoulders, and my entire body ached and I couldn’t stop shaking for a good ten minutes. We took some happy end pictures, then headed to lunch.
All in all, I’m happy I did it. I feel a lot closer to my fellow bloggers and UBC itself because next year, and every year after, I’ll be able to look at that wall and know I made it over it. Though I don’t really think I’ll be doing it again.
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?
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.
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.
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:
Those are some of my victories that lead me to have hope for 2008. All that said, I have some resolutions:
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!
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