Category: Uncategorized

Wow.     WOW.

I had no expectations about how Vancouver would react to this heavy snowfall, rainfall, slushy mess, freezing, melting, snowfall…. .. …

There are lakes and ice patches all throughout campus! I love the snow. I do NOT love the way people are simply not aware of what is needed in order to endure in this weather. Here are some don’ts and really don’ts of this funky weather (a little late, I know, but better late then never)

1. If your tires are bald .. wait.. ok, bald tires are tires that have little to no grooves in them.. anyways, if your tires look like that, don’t, thats right DON’T try to drive uphill! Your small Honda Civic has no weight and the bus is stuck in front of you. I have no idea where you get the idea that you can somehow go up a hill better than a bus (those things are tanks) but seriously, don’t bother! You are in the way of those with 4-wheel drive or those who have figured out the dynamics and physics of driving in the snow.

2. Heels? Uggs (AKA grippless sponges)? FLIP FLOPS!? All completely inappropriate. Your mom has been telling you for years. You’re in University, now’s the time to put those lessons into motion!

3. Shorts???? I…. I can’t even….no words.  *sigh*

4. I will let you in on a little piece of intell. If you want to make some serious dough, Rig a shovel to the front of your vehicle! The city apparently doesn’t own any plows themselves and just hires those who do. Make a killin’!    (ok.. so that’s a Do)

5. Lick the fence. I dare you! (ok, not anymore but that would be funny as hell wouldn’t it!?)  

That is all.

Do that many people here take ritalin or some other pill-form substance during exam time? I really want to know. I don’t know how I can get you to tell me anonymously, but I guess you could make a fake account and post (I know, time consuming) but if you know of someone who knows someone, let’s start talking about this.

Can you imagine if we had to pee in a cup before writing exams? Not that I think that this will ever happen or anything but I had no idea this type of thing went on. It’s soo hush hush and I have yet to make an opinion on the matter (Is it fair that some people, normally those with a little extra cash, get to use these drugs which statistically improve memory and focus? Is this a minor form of cheating? Should everyone have equal access to this technique and use it if they so choose? Is it really that bad?)

Let’s talk about it!! I really want to know people opinions on it so throw them my way!

… .. seriously??

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRkWebP2Q0Y&eurl=http://www.new.facebook.com/inbox/[/youtube]

This is why I don’t “do” politics. Really, not that this has to do with the clip but I feel that only the informed vote is a vote that ought to be made.

I have to say, I was reminded today about how ashamed I can feel about the society we have created for ourselves. I don’t want this schpeel to come off at preachy or even negative; this is not my intention. I simply hope to inspire you, perhaps, in your everyday, and maybe see what I mean.

We walk around everyday looking at the dirt missing tons of beautiful people around us. This is especially true when you start studying as it is soo easy to get caught up in the grind of things, that one can have a tendency to forget those small little matters like manners. I guess this message is for you who cannot somehow find a smile of compassion when you see the lady behind the counter really stressed.

My heart was broken today, though not surprisedly so, when, firstly, I realized how many of my own boundaries I needed to conquer just to comfort someone in obvious distress. It broke my heart because I could see the agony they went through to hide what they were feeling, and the shame that they were feeling this in front of everyone. All I wanted to do was comfort them and because of all of these self-imposed boundaries of whichI am not above, the ones found in this society, I was unable to do so and someones morning will forever remain one of guilt and sorrow.

I know that this might be an extreme case and I know that my words might exaggerate the situation because this is something I am very compassionate about, but on the other hand, there are sooo many little things we can do to avoid things ever coming to this. Thank your bus driver. Don’t be scared to look a person in the EYE! It scares me how difficult this is for most.

And don’t forget those little “common courteseys” named after the once common sight of them, but in the city, and school and work etc. etc., they have lost their commonality. I feel like I have just brushed the  surface of something here but let just start with this… deal?

As I am sure you have allllll been wondering where in the h*ck I have been since my last post… (hey now you blog lovers… no need for blasphemy!) But IM OK! Really.. I am!

 I survived Exams.

I SURVIVED EXAMS!

I guess Im kind of saying that for my own sake. I really find it somewhat difficult to believe. I am now having to fight further for my marks though. There have been mistakes on 3 of my 5 final exams paper grades… That I can tell that is though there are few profs that like to admit that this happens.

But remember: THE PEOPLE MARKING YOUR TESTS ARE HUMAN!   *and*   TO ERR IS HUMAN!

Im not trying to poo poo on anyone here ’cause I know mistakes happen, Im just trying to utter/grunt/moan/screech a word or two of advice: Double Check the Marking.

If you aren’t already in the habit of doing this (if you aren’t, its your own fault for being at a B+ average rather than that A- your probably capable of) START NOW! Profs/TAs ARE NOT: going to rip your head off, having it out for you the rest of the term, glare at you from across the room for the rest of the day, make voodoo dolls of your bodys sticking needles into areas no needles should ever go, etc. No! They really don’t mind and you wanna know why?! ‘Cause they are smart people! In case you didn’t notice, some of them even have a few diplomas or PhD’s which means that they too know the secret which I have just disclosed:

Everyone Makes Mistakes.

Is there anything more surreal than exam time. I don’t think anyone accept our fellow students really knows just what I mean by that statement.

 1. The vibration in your hand after putting the pen to paper at furocious speeds for 2.51 hours straight!

2. The daze and delerium (loss of balance, inability to focus, nausea) of exiting the exam room caused by starring at black and white for an extended period of time.

3. The lack of ability to effectively communicate anything vocally to anyone in your native tongue for a 3 week period.

4. The tolerance build up of all types of stimulants: coffee, tea, sugar, carbs, guarana, ginseng, etc.

5. The true inability to think (especially present after 4+ hours of straight studying).

6. Your life being the perfect example of the efficiency of polyphasic sleep (hey.. Da Vinci did it!)

And to top it all off, a row of exams starting at 8:30 in the morning? Who the heck planned that!?

So… its been over 2 weeks since my last blog already… I dont get it!

Am I really that busy that a week feels like a day, a month like a week? The more I think about it, the more I realize that maybe time, as we think of it, is speeding up. Or….

One of the most abstract but helpful things I can say to the students thinking about studying at university, or anyone in general; SLOW DOWN!

I know you have heard this a million times before but i am going to attempt to say it in a way that is really going to hit home for those who read this. You all already know that busy=stress, stress=sick BUT there are healthy ways to be busy. You all know that scheduling hours of your day to specific activities, LOOKS laborous but gives us more time, so DO IT!

Society is DRIVING us to do more in an hour than we ever have before but the faster we go and the more we get done, the less we tend to appreciate that which we are doing. Instead of making a mad dash for the bus as it pulls away; STOP, take a deep breath and thank the powers that be for the minutes you get to spend on yourself while you wait for the next bus.

Breath when you wake up in the morning. Cold air or is it REFRESHING?

Falling asleep while you are studying. Don’t you think your body is trying to tell you something?

“I don’t have enough time!” you scream to yourself/friend/family member. But what is it that you are really saying? WE created time in order to more efficiently conduct our affairs but we don’t own it.. its not something you can touch. Let your anger towards time go… there is no such thing as time.

Chew your food and TASTE it…. Dammit.. there a reason why we are eating! And it definitely aint JUST to get that knot in our stomach out…. taste it and feel the energy it is giving you? Are you feeling sluggish, tired, crappy after your eating? Your body is telling you something!

Stop ignoring the obvious because of this awful sense of time.

NOW… Step 2 for me?: TAKING MY OWN ADVICE!