To The Start Of A New Decade

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and I'd like to state some resolutions. Perhaps telling people about them will make me stick to them more than I would otherwise. Let me say also that I'm not making up resolutions just to have them; I normally don't. But who doesn't view the year's end (and in this case, the decade's end) as a fresh start? This time, I'd like to use it as an excuse to change a few things up.

Firstly, I want to blog more often. It's been a challenge for me to keep a steady flow of blog posts, as you can probably tell... I tend to take a few months off every once in a while. Perhaps I will devote one day of the week to blogging, that would be a way to remind myself to do it. I do enjoy writing and photography, I just have to remember!

Secondly, I would like to study a little harder this term. I let the reading of my textbooks slide a little last term, and though it probably didn't impact my grades too much, I would most likely have an easier time during tests and labs if I really applied myself, focused on the reading, did as many practice problems as I could, etc. I want to kick this term's butt! This may leave me with less time for myself, but it's worth it.

I will still have some free time, and apart from the times I'll be with my friends, I want to devote it to reading. I have so many books that I've only half read, or bought but not read at all, and they deserve to be read! I know they're all good books, to different degrees. And as I go through them, I'll put them on my Shelfari bookshelf (see the left column of my blog) and you can check out what I'm reading.

Happy New Year! A new decade is about to begin...

P.S. It'd be interesting to me to hear from whoever reads this blog! Feel free to comment on my posts, leave ideas for posts (I'll definitely need those if I'm going to do this resolution...) or books to read, anything! Of course, even if I don't have many readers, I'm going to continue... :)

Photo: An amazing work of art on the top of the mocha I got at a coffee shop recently. I wasn't expecting it, which made it all the more beautiful!

Snow! Or Not?

Life has been crazy, and only now do I feel like I have a breather from finals. I have one more week before my next one, so I have time to relax. I was happy to find out my finals were in decending difficulty order: math first, then computer logic, then programming. I was so happy to get the first two over with. I'm pretty sure I passed both of them.

I also get to go home next week! It's been snowing off and on, but every time it does, it melts away quickly afterward. Last night we got about a centimeter, but it soon turned to rain and it's all pretty much gone now. Even so, while it was snowing, I played some Christmas music and got a little homesick. But I'll be there soon!

While I have free time this week, apart from going Christmas shopping and hanging with friends, I plan to do a little gaming, a little reading, and a little playing around with my new netbook. I'm excited to use it next term in my classes, so I can take notes faster, without a notebook, and I can get free wireless internet almost anywhere on campus. The one place I can't get wireless is in our dorms, which is annoying sometimes. It's something to do with how old the buildings are and what they're made of.

Anyway, I hope your holidays are snowier than mine!

Photo: My friends and I took advantage of the snow while it was here. My Texas friend was particularly excited. Love you guys!

Poetry

De-stressing seems to be the one thing I've been doing the most lately. With all the exams, piles of homework, and things to do, it's easy to get overwhelmed. One thing that's helped me is listening to music. When I walk to class, I take my iPod along with me. I find that time the easiest to worry; I'm by myself and have time to think. The music helps me to divert my attention. Another thing that's helped? Finding out my next exam isn't until the week after I thought it was. That was a load off my shoulders.

On another note, I've been trying my hand at poetry for my creative writing class. I had the option to do prose, which is what I do the most, but I thought I'd give poetry a try instead. I've found it to be a bit more satisfying--you're done sooner, you can play with words and form, and explore a wider range of topics. Maybe I'll do more of it after this assignment.

Speaking of my creative writing class, I've been looking forward to today. John K. Samson from the Canadian indie rock band The Weakerthans and his wife Christine Fellows are coming to my class to talk about songwriting! I can't wait...

Photo: The gorgeous Nitobe Garden. Free for students. Can it get any better?

Hamber Happenings

Today is my first midterm for my Discrete Mathematics class. Sort of like logic for computer scientists. I feel as ready as I'll ever be, and luckily it's open note and open book. Although, that probably means if you don't know the stuff in your notes already, you're screwed. It's probably a long exam. It's the only class I have today, thankfully! I'm getting over a cold, and today I just have a bit of a cough. I'll have to keep the cough drops going, or I'll be annoying people during the test. I've also been wondering how strict they are about cell phones (only for telling the time and receiving important texts AFTER the exam!) and other things like tissues and cough drops. We'll see.

Tomorrow, I'm going home for the weekend! It's Canadian Thanksgiving, so we get Monday off. I'm sad I can't be home for American Thanksgiving, though. But, this means I have a short time earlier in the year when I can see my friends and relatives. I plan to have a sleepover, hang with the folks, and possibly go swing dancing. It'll be different staying in a house, and not a dorm, for a few nights. I bet I'll feel more lonely! But it will be great to see everyone.

Photo: Last night we had a Hamber House movie night. District 9. Powerful movie, I must say.

Busy As A Bee

Overall, university life is treating me very well. I've never made this many friends in such a short period of time, and I'm thoroughly enjoying hanging out whenever, wherever. Last week and the week before, we watched the Lord of the Rings (extended edition, of course) over a series of evenings. Watching them with people other than my parents was great; we all understand what's going on, we love the series, so we all laugh and joke about different parts in the movies. I think, if someone listened in on our running commentary, they'd be laughing their pants off. Now, I have a group of people who like to watch movies, so we will be watching many more in the future!

Today I came upon my first big snag. My first university test. In calculus 3, no less! I thought I was prepared... but about halfway through the test, I realized I wasn't. I did my best to start working on all of the problems, but I left many unfinished. After a brief freak-out in my room, I talked with some people, got my mind on other things, and managed to de-stress. That's the other great thing about so many good friends around; you can talk to almost anyone and feel better.

Photo: Who hangs out in a bare, white-walled lounge? The Queen Bees certainly don't!

Depths

This past weekend, I went on a photography spree around campus with a couple friends, and our first stop was Wreck Beach, a clothing-optional beach just a short walk from my dorm. While we didn't experience it "fully," when I neared the bottom of the 500-stair trail, I was struck by the smell of the sea. I was nearly moved to tears. I'd realized I hadn't been to the ocean in quite a while, and I was overcome with a strange powerful emotion.

It brought me back to a day at a beach/park in Washington, when I was there with my parents. I was sitting against a log of driftwood, sand in my toes, staring at the grey sea meeting the grey sky in the distance. I took deep breaths of the delicious salty air. I never wanted to leave. I can't explain it. I can't ever explain it to people, it feels like they'd never understand the depth of this emotion. I feel like I have a deep connection with the sea, with the salty water. Maybe a past life, I don't know. And a grey day at the beach is even more alluring than a sunny one, to me. Is it just from growing up in Washington, or is it something more?

Photo: One of the shots I took at Wreck Beach. It was such a gorgeous day!

First Impressions

I arrived in Vancouver two nights ago. It's been incredibly busy, so much so that I haven't had much time to just sit and gather my thoughts. Finally, I have a fairly free evening when I don't feel dead tired.

The first night, we had an amazing thunderstorm. I woke up at about 3AM to loud rumbles and bright flashes and heavy rain. At first, when I was still half asleep, the thunder was an annoyance. Then, I woke up enough that I could rest my head on my pillow and look out the window, appreciating the storm with quiet excitement. I'm not sure how long the storm went on, since I was too sleepy to stay up and watch much.

Tonight, I had dinner with my parents, and had to let my mom go. We went out to a great restaurant on Granville Island, I had salmon and amazing white cheddar mashed potatoes. Afterward, we saw a heron try to steal his dinner from a man preparing his fish down at the marina, from a view outside the restaurant. It was sad to see my mom go. It probably hasn't hit me fully yet; there is too much excitement to feel as sad as I thought I would. Dad will stay a couple more days to help me settle in and tie up loose ends.

Between the first night and tonight, I've been busy doing GALA International Student orientation workshops and other events. I was put in a group with about 7 other Computer Science students, and it's been good to meet people that way. I hope to get a little more spare time to myself, because I haven't really unpacked yet!

Not many people have moved into my dorm yet, but tomorrow is the official move-in day. I hope to meet lots of cool people! Tonight I stepped into my hallway, hearing laughter and talking. I went to the room where it was coming from; the door was open, so I mustered up my courage and went to say hello. It was a group of four second-year students, who had apparently all been friends last year. They asked me a couple questions, for example where I was from, what faculty I was in, etc. Nice people, I hope I will see more of them!

Photo: View of downtown Vancouver tonight, from the parking lot on Granville Island. My cell phone camera isn't amazing in difficult lighting, but it captures enough of the beauty that you'll get the idea.

Send Me On My Way

Two. The number of days until I leave. Things are moving at a fast clip now. My mom sold our extra car just a few hours ago. I'm glad I didn't name it and get too attached. This morning I also finished all the quilting I wanted to do with my machine before I left. The only thing left on my to-do list is packing.

Yesterday was my Farewell Ceremony and Party. It was great to see everyone one last time (not that I'll never see them again!) and remember the great support I have here at home if I ever get discouraged. They're all only a call, text, or IM away.

Good news: A week or two ago I sent in a few job applications, and recently one of them--incidentally, the one I was most interested in--emailed me back and asked me to come in for an interview! We set the time and date to be the morning after I move in. The job title is "Technical/Help Desk Support" and I'll basically be fixing computers. For the interview, he told me there will be a 15-minute technical aptitude test. I'm going to be crazy busy the next few days... but it'll be great, I know it.

This is likely the last blog before I leave. Next time, it'll be all about UBC Vancouver! I'll miss home, I know, but I'm ready for a new adventure. Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

Photo: A bench overlooking the Wallace Falls river. It was a great hike, and I'll miss hiking with my parents. It might be too cold the next time I come down to see them, so maybe next year...

Dreaming of Canada

This past week I've been continuing preparations for college, gathering things I'll need and finishing up paperwork. Today I bought a printer, since the school charges for printing and who knows when their printers will be broken down or not available. This one was fairly inexpensive, and small enough that I'm sure I can find a good spot for it on my desk in my dorm room. Going over my list of things to buy, I'm amazed at all the things I have to think of, from dish soap to rechargeable batteries to a hot water maker. Can't go without my tea!

I have two more weeks to buy things and pack. Right now, I think it's plenty of time, almost too much. I'm so ready to go--emotionally, if not physically. I went to an informal get-together with UBC alumni and other students who are going up there, all from around where I live. It was fun and informative, and great to meet other kids and parents who are going through similar situations, dealing with all the red tape and other complexities that come with going to school in Canada. It was like an appetizer to my orientations. I can't wait.

Photo: Chicken Pho that I ate for lunch when I did some tourist things in the city. I've gotta know more about my own backyard before I go exploring elsewhere! This dish made me think of all the great asian food I know they have in Vancouver. I've gone up there a couple times, and already have a favorite Japanese restaurant. Make sure to check out Kitsilano Sushi if you ever visit.

Past, Present, and Future

It has been quite a while. My life has certainly changed since I posted something... wow, nearly a year ago? In just about three weeks, I'll be leaving for UBC Vancouver. I'm super excited. This blog may be a good way to keep people updated about what I'm up to in the coming months, and be an outlet for my writing when I'm not up to working on my novel. That in itself is overwhelming, and a slow process. But like I've said before, I'm not giving up on it.

I am in an odd space of being very ready to leave home, yet terribly sad I have to leave all my friends. Leaving and saying goodbye to people I've come to know and love seems to be a theme in my life. I've never stayed at one school for more than two years, and I've moved quite a few times. This time is different, though: I'm going to a whole other country. Sure, it's only a few hours away, but it's farther than I've ever moved, and my parents aren't coming with me this time. I will be even more of a "stranger in a strange land." It's my own adventure. Bring it on.

Expect more from me in the coming weeks!

Photo: A gorgeous lily in my front yard. It smells amazing. There are three of these plants and they're just starting to bloom, so in no time our whole little garden will smell heavenly.