debut intro
I woke up this morning in my new room! It is finally beginning to resemble something like what I feel it should have to begin with. I still don’t have sheets though. I think I also missed the bit trying to tell us to provide our own duvet. It’s been an interesting few nights, my one and only saviour being my lumo orange sleeping bag. Oh, but not to worry, it is truly amazing what a few scented candles, pretty plants and photos and posters from home can do, well what they can literally TRANSFORM your room into. I’m actually rather happy to be here.
Well I would be a lot happier if tomorrow wasn’t my brother’s birthday. Actually, that’s not right, I want my brother to have his birthday (it’s only fair), what I’d really like, though, is to just BE with him! My lovely beautiful brother! ABout 14 610km away in a roughly South Easterly direction.
So I guess now is a great time for an introduction since you already know two very important things about me, 1) South Africa (Cape Town) is my good home and 2) I have a lovely brother, Jared (turning 19 tomorrow). I have always been sure to make it known that I am in fact a year AND a half older than Jared. Only now, that that means I am actually 20… and a HALF…. I don’t think it will be a major point of focus anymore…
I’m not too sure what would be of great interest to any of you so I’ll just spill a few basics. I was born in Johannesburg, and lived there for a fair amount of time – only, at sporadic intervals. My family has moved around a LOT. All over South Africa with a brief stint in the UK when I was about 10. My entire high school career, however, was spent in Cape Town – in various different towns and schools, but CT nevertheless. I loved it there, but when I matriculated, my gypsy blood took over and I spent the next ±2 years traveling to some of the most charming places on the planet. I have definite scars and amusing traces of the mania associated with being bitten by the travel bug – it’s possible that my very own dad is in fact the travel bug… but I won’t get into that.
I came to realize though, that now was as good a time as ever to give myself a quick pep talk and start studying. Some people find moving and change scary – perhaps situations to avoid – but change (in my mind) is one of the most incredible and progressive aspects of life. Change is when I learn the most about myself. It’s when I am challenged to question myself and my decisions the most, with real honesty, and make new and better and somewhat more informed choices… and mistakes.
Though, I don’t think being here is a mistake. I am registered (finally) in Phil, Engl 120, CrWr, Psyc and Relg, however, I can already see that there is much to be learned outside of our lecture rooms – in the smiles of new friends, in the surrounding forests, in the mountains, in the ocean and in the unexpected joys in discovering faint nuances and stark juxtapositions in this beautiful city, Vancouver.
But I’m off for now. The Gala BBQ awaits.
Wish you all safe travels and smooth moves. x
4 comments
1 Humaira { 08.29.08 at 11:43 am }
Hey Tamryn!
I am so excited to meet you – I’ve been in Vancouver for 10+ years now, foraying only as far as Edmonton and Toronto in that duration… so I’m definitely going to pick your brain about all of your exciting travels! Maybe you’ll recommend some must-go places for when I pack my bags and explore a bit more globally.
Sorry that you had to miss your brother’s birthday, but I’m sure he knows he’ll always be 1.5 years behind =)
Hope you’re enjoying all things GALA…
~ H
2 Phoebe { 08.29.08 at 4:49 pm }
Ooo which Psyc class are you in?
I think changing schools and moving around is awesome. I went to 10 different schools in the last 12 years of public education so I feel weird if I stay in one place too long.
3 Mary { 08.29.08 at 4:59 pm }
Crazy! I love travelling too, and I’m telling myself to finish these years of university before setting off on some mad adventure because I know I’ll never knuckle down to study after I’ve seen the world 😀
4 Lizzy { 09.04.08 at 10:42 am }
Hey cool, I spent the last ~two years overseas (sometimes travelling, sometimes not) too! But then I decided it was time to settle down and hit the books a bit closer to home. We’ll have to trade stories sometime.
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