(not so) anonymous

A Chill Day

2011-05-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Love 'em. Worked from 6:30-11:15am so I had the whole day to just chill on the porch with my friends and am now spending the evening watching movies with the roomies.

I started a new blog on this account where I discuss films I like, hate or just want to discuss. I find myself always wanting to talk about films but since I usually only watch them before I crash or others have never seem them it usually falls on deaf ears.

So here I am with an update! I was going to start a third blog to discuss life - but why no just continue on this one? I debated starting a new one if only because this blog was mainly for the contest with the university, but I started it a bit before that and have continued it a bit since.

So what's new?! I'm graduating in June! Convocation is on June 9th and then I'll be starting a new chapter in my life. I have an interview this week for a teaching job in Japan, around the area I used to live. Strangely I'm not too excited about it. I think I want to just take a year off and relax, but the thrill of another adventure is tempting as well. Not to mention the payroll.

Surfing the Net (ReBoot-style)

2009-09-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

I finally have internet back! Do you have any idea how long I'm going to spend on Youtube today? I'm a loser, but it's been months, I deserve it.

Switching It Up!

2009-06-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Change of plans, I'm moving! No, not back in with "the parents" though that was a possibility when I started stressing financially, but I've come to the conclusion that moving back in with them is not really an option anymore. Too much freedom and I couldn't give that up, even if it did mean financial freedom.

I'm moving out just for a laugh. This will be my 25th move in my life and I'm not even close to that age! I need to switch it up, I love my roommates, they've been my friends since highschool but I guess it's hard to live with friends sometimes, right? So to solve this issue I gave my notice for August 1st, found an amazing place and am moving in with another friend.

'Cause that makes sense. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Calling In

2009-06-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

I forgot it was Monday and had to call work to cancel the shift I picked up a couple of hours earlier. While talking to my boss I became distracted and said, "I can't work the shift I picked up because the mermaids are coming for dinner tonight." I'm pretty sure my boss thinks I'm on drugs ...

It'll Cost How Much?! (FLOSS YOUR TEETH!)

2009-05-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

I had planned to save up money this summer. It was going to be great. I'd have my credit card paid off by September (so that way I'd have my entire OSAP loan to myself) with even a couple of hundred already in the bank and in my R.R.S.P's.

I made a financial plan, I was keeping up with it, it was going to work. Then I went to the dentist. I have four wisdom teeth that need to be removed. Needless to say my financial plan didn't expeect this and is now resting in the garbage bin.

Don't we have a plan for being students? Now that I'm over 18 years old I'm no longer under my parent's benefits so there has to be some sort of break for us that don't get coverage from work.

I also kind of don't want to be put to sleep. They did that to my dog once and he never woke up ...

Summer '09

2009-05-08T01:59:00.000-07:00

I hate making choices that determine how my summer is going to play out ... especially if those choices have to be made within a few hours.

Thank You! (Forgot My Password!)

2009-04-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much to everyone who voted my blog for "Best NU Moment." To say I was stoked when I saw the message would be an understatement. I went straight for my cell and texted everyone who goes to Nip.

The lack of updates? Did I figure that since I managed to fill the requirements of the blog contest that I was finished? I'll be honest, yes and no. I'd hoped to make a few more entries during exam time but I forgot my password to the blog! I was going to do the password recovery option, but everytime I went to go for it, I became less interested in writing a blog at that particular moment.

I'm not sure if I'll be updating this much anymore as I'm not sure how many other Nip Bloggers will be sticking around, I'll have to keep my eyes posted. We'll see how it plays out from here and I still have a few ideas for some blogs so keep coming back!

Also, if there are a few of you who follow this blog that are not apart of the contest or are even going to the same university and you have a blog of your own, please add the link to your blog in the comment section and I'll make sure to add you and check for updates every once in awhile!

But again, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I definitely appreciate the fact that you guys voted for my blog and I can't thank you enough!

Take care, everyone!

Caught In A Mousetrap

2009-03-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has been up to the university in the last while has probably seen the posters for "The Mousetrap." It's a production put on by Students On Stage, their second one this year.

The first production was "The Girl In The Mirror" which was an awesome play, though I'm partly biased. It was a story of a girl who had tried to commit suicide and the affect on people connected with her. The second one, the play I saw last night was "The Mousetrap." It was extremely entertaining. The actress playing Paravicini was halarious and I LOVED Mrs. Boyle. The play is a murder-mystery (think of Clue, the boardgame) where you have to figure out the murderer.

If anyone is up at the university around 2pm today (and you happen to read this before then) you should go see it.

One Of Those Moments

2009-03-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Ever have one of those moments when you think you know someone in the hall so you shout out their name, but it wasn't actually them? Well, have you ever mistaken them for a good friend and jumped them to the ground?

My apologies to the guy I ran up behind and tackled to the ground, it was personal, just not to you.

In other news, I hate deadlines.

Getting Up & Going

2009-03-04T00:44:00.000-08:00

I want to runaway.

Before you get any thoughts of this sounding remotely troubled, stay with me here. I want to just get up and go, take whatever money I have and just go to another city for a few months without a plan. Without telling anyone until I've left and only to let them know that I'm okay once I got there, while staying away from the specifics of where I am. I want to be lost, on my own and surviving without anything material except what I really need.

I know, this sounds unoriginal in the sense that I'm sure everyone gets this feeling. But what if you actually get enough guts to do it? After exams I have no real responsibility for the summer. Why not just take off for two or three months to see if I can do it? To see what would happen?

I miss living on my own in a foreign country. Away from everything and everyday being something new. I've done it before so I know I could do it.

I'm going to do it again, if not in the next few months then soon. After all, we only have the summer before returning back to university, let's not waste it!

I'm A Bad Blogger

2009-02-26T21:23:00.001-08:00

My lack of updates is horrifying considering I'm an English Major.

Mid-terms are over and returned. I'm happy with the results which eases the stress of finals but doesn't do anything for the essays which are a constant annoyance. I realized why I'd always leave it to the last minute, it's because then I would spend days arguing in my head over a thesis and would just write one! I'd worry over completion rather than quality and in the end I'd then go and fix it up with the remaining days (or hours) I had left to turn it in. Now that I've started weeks in advance it like a drawn out torture.

Life on my own isn't bad, I'm already just about two months in and I still have my head above water, though I'll have to pick up shifts soon to earn extra cash. The only hard part is that even though I'm thankful to have moved out of my family's house and experience a new kind of freedom, it can be very lonely. I wasn't expecting it, if only for the fact that I have two roommates and I enjoy the quiet when I'm not partying. The problem is that my two roommates have chosen to hook up which leaves an awkward situation for me. It seems like now they have this bond that is hard to break into and I'm not really sure I want to break into it. It's something they share and all day long when we're all together, they're together and I'm just the third person tagging along, even if the event is organized by me.

Getting away from that, spring is almost here! I can't wait until I can just go outside on the porch and laze about in the sun or even go jogging again. I'm almost always trapped inside unless I can find someone to have snow fights with (and trust me, they're hard to find) I'll also be happy when my extra-curriculars will be finished for the year. Not to complain but I'm ready to just relax! This year has gone by fast though ...

1st Year vs. 2nd Year

2009-02-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

I'm coming close to the end of my second year and in a moment of reflection at the bus stop a few days ago I've come to a conclusion, my 2nd year was a lot better than my first.

First year was stressful. I didn't know how to write a well organized paper in MLA format (it's still hit or miss at times, haha!) Not a lot (if any) of my friends were going to Nipissing and everywhere I looked people clung to groups of people they knew. Making a friend took serious effort. I managed though and the friends I made in first year became people I could see myself keeping in touch for life. They become more than those people you know and talk to in the halls and never really make plans outside of lectures.

Second year, you're more relaxed. The best way I can describe it is by comparing it to high school. Being a grade nine in a school you knew nobody compared to being in grade 11 where you're completely relaxed with little stress. You know people, professors and places. You have a non-committed routine where you do what you want without worrying about the unknown of university.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed first year, but I'm told that first year is the year most people drop out of school. I can understand why but if you can make it into your second year, you're pretty much set.

I'm here!

2009-02-15T21:24:00.000-08:00

My last entry was January 28th?!

REALLY?!

It's been really busy the last couple of weeks. I just got out of uni at 11:30pm tonight (and it's Sunday - the day before Reading Week!) I want to say next year I won't be involved as much with extra-currics, focus more on my studies but it probably won't turn out that way.

I had an amazing time in Pennsylvania last weekend with NUSA (Nipissing University Student Amabassadors) The conference was a blast, the experience for a first-time travel to the States was memorable and the people I met were hilarious! The downside? I returned with a nasty infection. Non-contagious, just a fluke that it settled by my heart. Not serious anymore though! I was hospitalized, released and given these huge horse pills that I have to take 3 times a day.

It's all part of the experience I guess.

I've also been hardcore into "Your mom" jokes recently.

Just thought I'd update.

Playing A Game

2009-02-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

I find myself playing the "anywhere but here" game. I could be so many places ...

An Unfriendly Reminder

2009-01-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

I received the annual reminder from OSAP today of how much my student loan has climbed, along with an estimate of what my monthly payments will look like once the time comes to repay.

Damn.

I had better get a good job after university or I'll be moving back in with my parents!

Construction at Nip U

2009-01-27T14:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wish I were a first year so I'd have never known about the hallway leading from the cafeteria to the H-Wing. I miss it.

Passionate of being passionate? (Self-analysis warning!)

2009-01-22T20:29:00.000-08:00

*A warning, this entry contains elements of self-analysis (meaning it may be very boring if you're not me)

I have a slight problem. I've been questioning some issues I'm having and trying to determine what's wrong here.

The best way I can explain it is by comparing myself with the Duke Orsino from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. In it he is obsessed with Olivia, a Countess. He seemingly ignores his responsibilities and duties of his title for this woman (no, my dilemma I face is not over someone else) See, it turns out he was in love with the idea of love.

I like to think I'm passionate over school but lately it's not enough. I'm currently studying the Victorian novels in my British Literature lecture, a subject I should be thrilled about focusing on! Am I? Not so much. The lectures are interesting, my professor is extremely knowledgeable and gives insights that make the novels more intriguing.

But I'm not feeling it like I want to.

Am I passionate about being passionate? Is that a problem? I know I love the Victorians (I'm a nerd like that) but what happens when you're not enjoying something you love? Sure, life complications outside of school have been more distracting lately, but I always thought I could fall back on what I really enjoy to cheer me up.

These seem like harmless questions on the surface but when I start to dig deeper in this self-analysis I wondering if I even should be in school at the moment. I don't want to go to lectures for a good grade, I want to go to be passionate about literature. If I'm not at the moment should I take a year off, or will this pass?

Shakespeare lectures, however, are AMAZING. But one three credit course can't be the tie-breaker in an important decision. I was thinking of repeating second year. Can you repeat a course even if you already have the credit? I know it's not the greatest way to spend money but if it helps to become passionate again it might be worth it.

A Couple

2009-01-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid and I first discovered that "a couple" meant two, I disagreed. I agreed "a few" equals to three, a single object was one, but "a couple" wasn't two.

It still bothers me. In my head "a couple" is four. Two groups of two. That's a couple. I know, it doesn't work in the sense that when two people get together they're referred to as a couple, two people. I've heard the arguments and I still don't agree.

I also disagreed with the way my grade one teacher spelt "apple" one time and we fought over it until she realized that she was actually wrong! Maybe that screwed me up, the fact that it's proof that when I think I'm right, I usually am. I'm usually not by the way, but at this age I thought I was quite often. This was around the time that I learnt "a couple" was referred to as two, so I was probably in that mindset and haven't been able to shrug the stubbornness of the topic off.

If it gives me credit, I agree that it's universally accepted that "a couple" equals two, I just don't agree.

Diseased

2009-01-06T16:35:00.000-08:00

Somebody infected me recently. I don't know who. It could have been the faceless cough in my Shakespeare lecture. It could have been someone sniffling for an hour in the OSAP line. It could very well have been a professor. Either way, I'm not impressed.

I'm feeling much better now though. I woke up this morning with a horrible headache and a sore throat which led to a hacking cough. I thought I was going to cough up a lung! Either way, I wasn't going to miss lecture today. I figured I could suppress the cough for an hour.

The thing is, when you don't want to cough, it's all you think about. You don't want to be that person who is hacking for the entire lecture. I refuse to be that person. So, when the tickle in the back of my throat urged a cough, I thought I'd let a small one out, unnoticed. It worked. But that cough only allowed for another tickle to arise much fast. I wasn't going to let it out. I held my breath and swallowed.

When you cough, you exhale. I had held my breath for a bit over a minute before the urge became too powerful to ignore and before I could stop it I coughed. Well, it was like a cough. I had to breathe in the same time I coughed so what came out, not only hurt but made a pretty disgusting sound. It was sort of like letting a large breath out underwater.

So this is my open apology to my fellow students in my lecture. I know only a few people around me heard it and politely ignored it, but I apologize for being "that person"

67/228 - Evelyn Waugh 'A Handful of Dust'

The Last Day Of Winter Break

2009-01-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

Guess where I am! That's right, sitting in my bedroom in my new apartment which doesn't include the parentals.

Okay, I'm done with the move blogging now, I'm sure the lead to it would have been more exciting if you were ... me. I'd put up picture but I won't post picture of where I live on a site which anyone can view.

Onto something new. I've been getting a lot of questions of what my New Year's Resolutions are for this year and I can't really answer them. When I was younger I was taught not to do it since resolutions at the new year are most likey doomed to fail and that's been my perspective ever since. Instead, I was taught to pick a random day (eg. Sept 27th) to kick a bad habit. As for trying to accomplish a goal I was always told to "smarten up" since I should be doing that all year.

If I ever have children, I think I'll encourage a resolution from them at the beginning of every year, even though I'll be the hypocrite and not do it myself. Yes, resolutions on the new year are doomed to fail if only because they are made out of a random urge to better oneself on a whim of the cateloged date and not given much sincerity after the weeks have passed, but it's good to at least try and commit "some" effort to bettering yourself before the urge has passed.

Damn, now I have to think of a title for this blog.

22/228 - Evelyn Waugh 'A Handful of Dust'

Two entries in one day?! What?!

2008-12-31T18:12:00.000-08:00

I noticed that after I posted the previous entry I'd have an odd number of blogs for the month and ... yeah.

I tried for it not to bother me. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, changed. I couldn't get it out of my head. So I figured if I just waited until tomorrow then there would be nothing I could do about it! It would be done and out of my control. That did more damage than good.

So here I am, writing this extra entry! Ending the month with an even number of blogs.

See everyone in 2009!

Happy (soon to be) New Year!

2008-12-31T17:30:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are at the very end of 2008!

I feel rushed to post this entry! I'm sitting in my room, surrounded by packed boxes, getting ready to go out tonight. I have an hour and a half before my ride arrives but for some reason I feel like I'm running short on time. Ironic I guess since this is our last hours in the year.

I don't have anything to add, just wanted to say that I hope everyone has an awesome time tonight. Stay safe and I'm just going to say it - don't drink and drive!

The F Word (Fail)

2008-12-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

Ever have an academic-related nightmare? It can mess you up.

I woke up the other day in a panic, mixing up my dream with actual reality. I had dreamt I was at the university and had found out that all my changes I had made to my schedule in early September never went through! I was enrolled in classes which I never attended and the papers and assignments I had written were for classes I was never properly enrolled in. I went to the Registrar's Office to explain, but of course (being a nightmare) there was no sympathy. The window had closed of when I could drop classes so I was stuck with the zeroes and all my assignments that had been completed didn't account for anything.

Now, what's worse than having a nightmare is having one that lingers when you wake up. The anxiety is still there and even though I knew it was a dream, I still had to check webadvisor just to make sure everything was in order.

Anyone else have these kind of nightmares lately?

I'm terrified of finding out I'm enrolled in a class that I can't get out of because the window of opportunity to drop out has closed! I' m sure I'm doing well in my classes, but being enrolled in all 6 credit courses I have yet to learn my marks to ease my paranoia.

The nightmare got me thinking. Assuming I'm doing worse than I actually am (always looking at the glass half-empty) what's the worst that could happen? Try to ease the pain of failing by telling myself there are worse things and that the situation isn't as bad as I think. Well, I fail I take the course over again. Not so bad. A waste of time, but not the end of the world! I mean, on a scale of one to ten, if failing a class is nine on the list, I'd have to wonder if you're priorities are in order and where on a scale an unfortunate death or illness would rank.

Nothing is as bad as it seems after the initial shock. Here's hoping it stays a nightmare and not a warning of things to come!

I like changing the glass from half-empty to, ... well, not half-full, more just in the middle.

Counting the days away

2008-12-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

I'll regret the days missed later ...

The countdown is at 4 days until the big move and besides the fact that my mother has me almost convinced that once I move out my new house will go up in flames and I'll possibly die, I'm really excited! I think this huge change will allow me to see a lot of things in a new form. Everything will change, some slightly, others a lot. I'm sure that my perspective on a lot of things I've shrugged or taken lightly will play more importance, while things that seem to control my attention will finally be able to not seem like such a huge deal. Or I could be wrong. I guess I'll find out soon enough!

Besides moving out I have two other major countdowns at the moment. One being to a trip the U.S. for a conference with other members of a student organization I'm with in February, and the second, is to Reading Week when I'll throw myself in the horrible situation of acting infront of a large amount of people! I figure I think I'd like acting, even though I don't like any kind of attention focused on me ... so I auditioned for Students On Stage last October. Sensible enough, right?

I'm off to bed! Early shifts are killing my night plans. The upside to the end of the winter break is that I don't have to work! Hope everyone is well!

A Wish Worth A Risk?

2008-12-25T21:00:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Or if you prefer, Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is enjoying this time of the year either way! ... as opposed to all other periods of the year when I don't particularly care. Haha, kidding!

I was spending the day with family, as I usually do at Christmas, and tonight we had our turkey dinner when I noticed the wishbone was set to the side. As a child I held in the superstitious belief that came with the wishbone. One person takes one end, another person takes the other, they make a silent wish and pull. When the wishbone snaps, the person with the biggest part at the tip wins their wish! And I started thinking, when I was a kid I thought of it in a different light than I do now. When I was little I believed that I was risking a wish. If I made a wish while committing to the procedure, that wish was at risk. Only one person wins when snapping a wishbone, so obviously one person loses!

If I lost, I believed that because I put the wish that I made out there in the void (where it would wait to be answered by some magic) that if I lost, that wish would be lost and would therefore not come true. In my mind, it was hit or miss. Was the wish worth the risk of having it not answered? This wasn't some birthday cake wish, here you were in a competition and only one wish was going to be answered. Was the wish I was risking worth not coming true? Or should I hold off? 50/50 chance.

Just something I thought about this Christmas, the inner superstitious thoughts of my mind as a child.

Time For A Change

2008-12-15T23:12:00.000-08:00

I'm still not used to being on winter break.

It's 2:13am (currently) though I'm sure when I post this entry the post time will be set back a few hours (anyone know why?) and I work in less than two hours. Technically I have appx 45 minutes to sleep before my alarm goes off, thirty minutes after that to get ready and another thirty to walk to work.

I'm not a fan working and going to school, but having depleted all my money, I have no other option until the next OSAP installment. Why not live without money for a few weeks? I've already purchased all the Christmas gifts I have to buy! Simple. Are you ready for this?

I'm moving out of my parent's house!

I know, right?! It's about damn time. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but when the offer from two of my friends who were in need of a roommate for the New Year came along, I had to take it! I've been out on my own before, I lived overseas for awhile, but this is different. I knew the time overseas was only a temporary event until I was to return for university, in which case I'd be back with the parentals. Why wouldn't I? Free rent! Free groceries! But it's time for another big event. This should do for now.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!

0/544 - George Eliot 'The Mill on the Floss'
(Starting it this week!)

Winter!

2008-12-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

(pictures removed)

Winter is here full force and I can finally enjoy it! I don't normally go out in minus-celsius weather in a t-shirt and shorts, but when joining minds with another bored friend, we thought it would be funny to take pics of it. A quick description, the second pic is of me jumping backwards into the snowbank just infront of the sign of lower Res, only to trip over a shrub hidden in the snow causing me to fall back (third pic) I'll admit, at that moment I questioned my intelligence.

0/544 - George Eliot 'The Mill on the Floss'
(I'm not going to insult you with a lie ...)

Time For A Holiday!

2008-12-02T20:04:00.001-08:00

Guess what!

I'm done my mid-terms! I've officially started my winter break! My plans?! Working for cash 'cause I'm starving and reading the novels assigned for next term in my English classes. Let's see if I actually stick to it and get them finished so I don't have to stress it last minute! I have four novels I have to read, I'll leave a count at the bottom of each blog so you can silently judge my progress. I figure if I do that (I won't lie in it either, I'm not impressed by people who lie and just cheat themselves, besides, what do I get out of it?) ... I forget where I was going with this. Oh! By leaving a count at the bottom I'll feel guilty if I don't actually make any progress. I feel like whatever I write in my blogs about goals I have an obligation to keep up with them, whereas if I just say it to myself I probably won't.

I swear guys I've actually written more in this blog than what's actually posted! I have a bad habit of writing stuff and just saving it as a draft with every intention on continuing it, yet don't, if only for the fact that I have thought of something else to post or don't feel like adding on to it.

That being said, I can't think of anything else to say.

(insert 5 minutes of blank thought here)

You can tell I was actually thinking because I didn't want to waste that five minutes with nothing to show for it in writing!

I think I'm just going to leave it at this. I'll be posting more since most of my time will consist only of working and reading. Well, that and hanging out with friends, partying, watching movies, blowing spit bubbles ... but I will update!

Later!

0/544 - George Eliot 'The Mill on the Floss'

Ahhh! Mid-terms!

2008-11-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yeah.

Well, these next two weeks are going to be a ride. Just finished two presentations last night, one more to go along with mid-terms and then ... holidays! I have so much studying I have to do, as well as readings I have to catch up on.

What am I doing over the holidays? I'm making the leap and moving out of my family's house over the Christmas Break with two good friends, well actually for January 1st. Scared? Pfft. Okay, yes. I lived overseas for half a year when I was seventeen so it probably won't be that big of a deal, but this time it's more permanent.

I don't have a main direction for this blog (because I've had a direction and plan for all the other ones [sarcasm]) Guess pretty much, good luck with mid-terms/finals, try not to stress too much and ... enjoy winter!

What's everyone doing for the holidays?!

Extracurriculars Defining My (University) Life

2008-11-20T09:42:00.001-08:00

I think it might be from the lack of school spirit I had in high school, I never really had the "pep" that spurred in everyone else before a football game, or even the annual East-West. Now, however, I can't seem to stop.

Last year (my first year) I started with Frontier. It's an organization where we help promote literacy by helping out with one-to-one tutoring or homework clubs in elementary schools around the city. This year I made it as an executive and help organize and plan everything, something I love doing, if only for the fact that it makes you feel more involved. I'm also debating going into teaching so this is valuable experience to add to the list plus it helps with the decision of whether or not this is what I want to do with my life.

As well as Frontier, in my first year of University I became involved with NUSA (Nipissing University Student Ambassadors) Pretty much we represent Nipissing by helping out the community in tons of ways.

All these (and more, I just didn't want to bore you too much by listing more) plus classes and I still find myself looking for more. I can't understand those who don't do anything. I mean, why just pay for an education? I have friends that go, "I really should do this," and never do! Then they complain that they're bored or tired of not doing anything! It annoys me!

Make something of you're university life 'cause if you don't, you'll regret it. I wish I was more involved in high school, thankfully I have another chance in university. Don't waste this time! Getting involved really is fun, you meet tons of people, some who will be your friends for your entire life and you gain experience and a few contacts.

I think Beetlejuice would be a good option at the moment ...

2008-11-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

"Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice ..."

I've thought about it and I don't think I favor the end of Novembers. Period. Please note that this doesn't have anything to do with the current snowfall, as winter goes, it's definitely in my top four seasons. It just seems to not be a good time of the year for me, and not just '08! Past years have showed similiar results.

You'd think I'd go into examples right now to back that up. But I won't. I'm just going to end that point here and expect you just to take my word for it.

(Not So) Anonymous

2008-11-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not very anonymous anymore, which is probably for the best.

I've noticed there are a few people out there that have figured out that I have a blog in the contest, and by process of elimination, here I am! I guess it opens me to saying a lot more without trying to stay anonymous by being able to state what events I'm taking part in at Nipissing. A kind of shift of my blog.

Why do you care? You probably don't, but I thought I'd share this (somewhat) liberating feeling.

OCD'ing

2008-11-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

I have a problem.

Actually, it's not really a problem since I think everyone should have a bit of an obsessive compulsive disorder. Mine varies, I'm not terrified of germs but I like things organized and clean. I can let things get a bit messy, but after the activity which caused that mess is done, it needs to be cleaned up. My binders are organized, my music files in my computer or separated into folders by genre and playlists and I can't write on a paper that is crinkled or has a crease that isn't symmetrical. Actually, I'm compared a lot to Monica from "Friends," but I'm nowhere near that controlling.

My OCD even plays a part with this blog, I guarantee you once I post this (even though I proof read) I'll have to edit this entry about five times before I'm okay with it. Then once I am, I have to leave it alone and am afraid I'll find other mistakes with it.

Last year in a History of the Modern World seminar, I pulled my text book out of my bag and noticed the front cover was creased. A flood of emotions ran through my mind and a look of shock (as though I just had my arm sliced off) froze on my face. After it passed I checked the the price tag to see how much I paid for so I could go buy another one later that day. My friend came to the rescue and traded books with me to which I was extremely grateful (after I had to check the book to make sure she didn't highlight anything)

What I hate is when people find this out about me and test the waters with it. Back in grade 11 a friend of mine found out and grabbed my binder and quickly took a handful of noted inside and squeezed them together to make them all crinkled. I'll admit I wanted to cry, but I didn't because the anger came on too quickly after the shock lifted.

Does anybody else have an OCD? Something that you have to do, not because it's required but because you can't continue without doing it? I think though often OCD's hold you back from completing a task more quickly, it does make the job more efficent and is just a way to strive for some sort of perfection.

What's so wrong about that?

Willing To Take A Bullet?

2008-11-09T22:47:00.000-08:00

I like to think I stand up for what I believe in to a point where I'm willing to take a bullet if it could help the world progress further.

What do I stand up for? The basics: people who can't help themselves because of violation to their rights, the environment, animals and anything else that I believe in! Granted I've never tied myself to a tree or anything too radical compared to what others have underwent, but if I had the chance to in a situation, yeah, I would.

I heard about Proposition 8 about a month ago, it managed to find its way to my ear through some way ... I want to say the news but I could be wrong. Not important. What is important is that I was disgusted with the fact that after making the leap to allowing gay marriage, the state of California took it back!

There are many things I could say right now, but an example when I went looking for it was best expressed by a singer, Melissa Etheridge. I logged on to my computer today and a bunch of headline popped up and one was a link to her statement on her opinion of Prop. 8 (which if you're unsure, Prop 8 was a proposition to make same-sex couples unable to marry in the state of California, and to not recognize all the same-sex marriages licensed already issued)

In her blog, Melissa brings up the fact that she shouldn't have to pay taxes as she is not given the same rights as a citizen. Granted, this is taking it far, especially if she's serious and intends not to give the state any money come tax season, but I have to congratulate her on this one! Instead of just attacking the proposition she actual made a point which hits, if the state won't give her the rights of a person, what right do they expect to impose a tax on her?

I'm a strong believer in same-sex rights and am thankful to be living in a country where citizen's are given more freedom than a lot of places in the world.

Edit - If anyone would like to read the blog, here's the link to what I've read: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-06/you-can-forget-my-taxes

A Childish Game

2008-11-06T00:14:00.000-08:00

Sorry, this is to branch off my last blog, "Consequences of Knowledge."

I was thinking about how life changes. How it would be great to be a kid again. Ever play that scenario in your head where you wish you were back in grade one but with the mind you have today? Only if you were given that, then the only thing it would cure would be that Peter Pan complex. You'd have your opinions, you'd have your knowledge of the world around us. Sure the homework would be easier but not life. The only reason why it was so great to be a kid was because of ignorance that we had of the world. If you could go back to grade one I don't think you'd want the mind you have now. I'd want the ignorance back, but then I'd just come to this same conclusion once I was able to open my eyes to the knowledge I'd seek out ... which is pretty much inevitable.

Consequences of Knowledge

2008-11-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

Ever know something but then regret figuring it out?

Almost like when we were younger and we saw clues to the possible non-existence of Santa Clause? We'd hunt out for information, set out traps ... well at least I did. But when it came to actually obtaining the information, even though we wished we were wrong, we still had to prove what was true? Why?!

Why can't we live without curiosity?! 'Cause let's face it, 9 times out of 10 were going to come across something we wish we hadn't. It'll change our view point, sometimes on the entire world and are we happier for it? Can we take that knowledge and apply it to change something bigger than ourselves? Not if it's not in our control. Not if it's going to 'cause more pain.

Here's the kicker - what if before you found out it wasn't hurting anybody? Do you still try to obtain that information knowing the pain it will lead to?

Happy (Early) Halloween!

2008-10-30T00:04:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we're at the end of October! Where have I been?!

It's Halloween this week!

I'm not a fan of dressing in costumes, I never was, but there was always something about Halloween that got to me. I think it's the interaction with strangers. It's a night where you can just talk to people and feel the community working together (in an indivual sort of way) I don't like how things today are weird around interaction with others, you pretty much have to be weary of hugging a neighbour's kid that you've known for years in fear of a lawsuit! It's sad we have to take precautions from the people around us. I'm surprised we still accept candy from strangers!

I'll be going door to door collecting canned foods with my little cousin (who in her own right will be collecting candy) then moving on to some parties, so I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

Not so much has changed in the last two weeks, I've turned another year older! Actually, ignore that exclamation point. I've started the mid-life crisis ... okay, not yet but I'm starting to get to the point where I'm no longer thrilled at birthdays. I thought that just happened to older people! Haha, guess I'm there! Is it wrong to think turning 22 is so tragic?

Autumn is well on it's way through the city, we've even had snow! How awesome was that? All my papers are pretty much done, one more in mid-November and then we move on to mid-terms! Forget that though, I'm sure everyone has had their share of that stress to want to be reminded of it.

That's it, just another update. I've been getting ideas for blogs but it ends up failing once I get to the computer. I find myself online and thinking, "Maybe I should write a blog," and that's how one is formed, whatever's on my mind as I start typing takes over any pre-planned entries. I'll get more organized with this!

I think I've said that before.

Reading Week (Can't wait for it to be over!)

2008-10-11T00:11:00.000-07:00

Financial burdens. I'm pretty sure we're all there, if not then at least a high percentage of us.

Not receiving as much as I was given in the estimate, OSAP was kind enough to cover tuition ... and that's about it. Now, here I am working during my week off, something I had been looking forward to enjoying. By enjoying of course I mean catching up on my reading and having Thanksgiving with the family. Granted I'd probably not catch up on my reading, but the intention was there!

I hate my job. I want to look for a new one but the security of great hours are with my present job and am afraid to give that up in case I need them.

I'll have a break on the 14th! I'll be working the polls at election as a DRO, helping democracy! Oh yeah! I know, you don't have to say it.

I hope a lot of students end up voting. I know lots of my friends don't, not because they're disinterested (though on some level they are) but because they don't feel their vote matters. To be honest, it's rare when one single vote matters nowadays. But one single vote put with another single vote (and so on) makes a difference! If all the people out there who didn't vote got out there, it would show in the polls. Hopefully you use your right as a citizen and vote for who you think would be a good candidate, I know I will.

So yeah, hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving week off! I hate to say it but I hope this week actally goes by faster that what I'd hoped it would have a few weeks ago ...

A Wasted Attempt

2008-10-08T00:32:00.000-07:00

I can spend all day writting it here and still the words don't seem to come out the way I want it to. I can organize my thoughts, come to a final conclusion, yet somehow in the end I fail at it.

I'm not talking about a school paper, or any paper in general. I don't even think I'm talking about this blog! Ever get insight on something you can't explain? Ever manage to realize that insight is about yourself?

I'll try to explain. I'll try to say it without deleting it!

I failed.

IT'S A LIE! (Referring to a Hyperbole)

2008-10-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

I've often been plagued with the thoughts of whether or not I was cut out to be an English Major. It's not that I couldn't do it, I just didn't know if I had ... spirit for it. I was glad to come to the realization that I did so I though I'd post this conversation I had with a good friend of mine in the cafeteria:

Sarah: Your an English Major, right?
Me: Yep.
Sarah: What's a hyperbole, again?
Me: (yelling) IT'S A LIE!

Now, I'm usually a quiet person. I like to be outgoing, but rarely loud. This being unexpected, as my yelling was loud enough for most of the caf to look at me with a contempt look of being annoyed, she let out a sudden laugh which caused her food she was chewing on to go from her mouth, up and lodge in her nosal cavity. Sort of like when you puke and it comes out your nose ... yeah. So she jumped up, panicking of course, 'causing me to laugh, her to flail about. She called me up hours later to let me know the last of the lettuce was finally retrieved.

Granted, it was one of those 'You-had-to-be-there' moments but I wanted to share 'cause ... I could.

*Please note, a Hyperbole is a lie! I've never met someone who could eat a whole horse and I've never come across a pile of books that weighed anywhere near a ton!

A Goodbye To The Unofficial

2008-09-28T00:16:00.001-07:00

My last unofficial blog before the contest begins.

It is at this time I'd like to say goodbye, not that I'm leaving of course, but a goodbye to the safety net that has always been here. Since the blogs before the 1st of October don't count I was always carefree, loving and understanding to the other bloggers. Gloves are off. Vindictive, rude, shallow, all these things and more are what I'm about to become. The game has finally started and I'm going to win!

Please note, this is sarcasm. My sarcasm is hard to catch in actual conversations, which leads me to look narcissistic and like a jerk, so I can image what I'd look like if I didn't actually point out the sarcasm in this blog.

No, seriously, good luck to everyone in this, have fun and hopefully by blogging - by writing stuff down (meaningful or not) you'll find something to take from all this.

Later!

I'm Late ... (w/ my updates)

2008-09-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

Damn, I forgot to check what my last blog was about so I don't rant about something I already talked about in a previous blog.

I do know it's been longer than I usually take to update. I know, I know, every morning after you wake up and every night before you go to bed you check to see if I updated. It's flattering and I'm sorry I kept the wait a bit longer than what your used to, I apologise. (I'm not actually this conceited and feel I have to point out my sarcasm in case your taking me seriously.)

Well, what have I been up to you ask? Well, I spent a ridiculous amount of time dedicating myself to Club Daze, when was a blast but I'm thankful is finally over! Hope everyone is getting involved with something they enjoy instead of just studying and partying.

I'm loving my classes, stress and all! I could do with a lighter reading load but I don't think my Prof's will hear me out on that one. With all the extra circulars I'm involved with I'm going to have to manage my time more effectively. It's hard to just sit down and read though with the weather. I love hiking and just going outside whenever I get the chance. I find myself going outside in my backyard to relax, even sleep! Yet whenever I pull out a book the distractions arise and I can't help but blame the amazing weather! We need snow, something that will isolate me inside (when not being tempted to a snowball fight or seasonal activities)

That's all I got, the contest officially starts in about a week! I'll try to update once more before October 1st!

Later!

... and it starts w/ a bang!

2008-09-07T18:07:00.000-07:00

Well? Everyone enjoying the new school year? Expectations met and needs fulfilled? Thought I'd ask.

I'm just happy it's here! Friends have returned, goals to be met and already I'm back in the swing with organizations I'm involved with, which were put on hold for the summer. I have a life outside work!

I still find myself censoring what I write here, though. I know you guys don't know who I am and I have to reason to do it ('cause I'm not censoring anything illegal) I just find myself trying to not complain. Not about anything important that you would care to read, but just everyday things (OSAP for an example) or stuff I could get off my chest. I can't seem to complain to people. Well, unless it's mixed with sarcasm or humor. What's the point of staying anonymous if I don't let myself be myself in an area where I can just rant? I feel like I'm trying to keep up a certain appearance. I don't know if I'm saying this right.

I guess though we could say that was a complaint in a mild rant! Good on me, huh?

So blogs for the NU contest I mentioned in an earlier post (the main motivator for this blog) don't constitute as part of said contest until October 1st, so I guess I can keep trying to get it right until that time. I've browsed the other entries and was going to put them on the side for quick easy access for everyone ... but then I remembered I was tech-stupid. Hereditary I'm afraid. I gave up on it and just saved all the links to my fav's on my list ... that you get when you hit the star by the browser. See, I used the term browser, there's hope! I'm OCD anyways when it comes to organization and how things look so it's probably for the best.

Where was I going with this blog? I really have to plan these things out before the 1st.

Later!

September!

2008-09-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

It's about damn time!

For Lack Of A Better Title ...

2008-08-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share this, it happened to me last year (during my first year) at Nip. I wrote it in a note on Facebook and figured it would be ok to post it here ...

I'm part of NUSA (Nipissing University Student Ambassadors) and as a member I do a lot of volunteer services for the school, one such event is being part of the Phone Campaign where we call students who have applied to Nipissing. We call them, make sure everything on their application is ok, and then answer any questions they have.

This one day (the last day of the campaign) I was extremely tired as I put in a 12 hour day of lectures/activities and forgot it was the last day. I called a house and my luck I got an answering machine. Not pretty. I hate answering machines. The beep goes off, I swallow and begin to talk. I guess I swallowed too hard 'cause I had that 'I need to cough feeling' which I ignore. I keep talking, but my voice became extremely strained. This was the conversation (not exactly word for word):

(answering machine beep)

Me: Hey, my name is (enter my 'real' name here) and I'm calling from Nipissing University (my voice becomes strained) and I'm calling for (insert name here).

Everything after that was distorted and not able to tell what I was saying as I was hacking/coughing/choking. I hung up. Nobody had to know, right? Somebody else would call. Wait, wasn't this the last day? I go and talk to Heather, the person in charge and she states that contact information has to be given.

Damn. I had to call back. I could ignore it though, put the file away and 'forget' to call back ... No. No, I can't.

(answering machine beep)

Me: Hey ... me again (laughs because of nerves) from Nipissing University. Yeah, sorry about the coughing, I had something in my throat, I'm not very good with answering machines, because I tend to ramble, which I'm doing now, so I guess I should stop and I will. Anyways, yeah, sorry. I was calling for (insert name here) and just wanted to say that we're calling to answer any questions, but your not home obviously, unless your screening, but I don't think you are 'cause why would you screen when its a University calling that you applied for, but I'm going to stop now. It's the last day so we won't be calling back. Bye.

NO! CONTACT INFORMATION! GIVE THE CONTACT INFORMATION.

(answering machine beep)

Me: Me again. Yeah, I lied. 'Cause I'm calling back. I forgot to give you our contact information if you did have any questions. I'm really embarassed. My e-mail is (insert school e-mail here) well, not MY e-mail 'cause that would just be awkward (I start to laugh because of my nerves again) and the phone number, the schools that is, is (insert number here) and call if you have any questions, and thanks for bearing with me, and sorry. Our English program is better than what I make it out to be by me ... talking? haha, ok, I have to stop talking now. Bye.

That was pretty much how it went. The better story went out to those who I told it to right away. But let it be known, I don't leave messages on answering machines.

While I'm finishing this up I should say something about NUSA. It's a great way to fill time! It's really fun, you get to meet a lot of people and it's mostly all volunteer activities, suchas the Christmas Parade ... sort of like a spirit committee (only not). If you sign up at club week you'll get e-mails often of when they could use your help and you only have to help out when you can, no pressure or obligation! Well ... unless you say you'll help out for a certain event, then your committed and it's not cool to back out after that.

Later!

Why Can't I Think Up A Name?!

2008-08-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well, the summer of 2008 is almost over so I did what anybody in my situation would do - I took a week off from work to enjoy it! I've been working all summer with little to no time to do anything really worthwhile. I've been counting down the days to school but now that we only have two weeks left (give or take a day or two) I found myself in need to enjoy the summer. My plans until the 28th - calm down, relax and enjoy the weather! Granted it's not the most exciting week, but I plan to enjoy it anyways! Once the week is over I'll only have 4 shifts left!

Again, I have no direction with this blog. I sat down at my desk, started listening to a song I had stuck in my head (if anyone cares it was 'Everyday' by Bon Jovi) and thought to myself, 'I need to post in my blog before the week is up.' I'm trying to stay consistant by posting once a week but if I keep with that I'll probably run out of things to say by late September! I'm going to start sketching out an outline for my blogs ...

So! I went up the the University the other day and paid for some books! My list, however vanished. I discovered this as I was roaming the shelves, second guessing myself on what books where actually on the list. With a finacial burden on my shoulders at the moment, well at least until OSAP comes to the rescue, I only felt confident in one bundle which I picked up for British Literature. I arrived home and found the list on my desk. I don't know how that happened ...

Oh! I found out that Stuart McLean will be performing at the Capitol Centre on October 23rd! For those of you who don't know, Stuart McLean is the the author of the Vinyl Cafe, awesome stuff! Definitely a night well worth the pricy tickets. Here's a link if you want to check it out (you have to select 'Stuart McLean in the performance option):

http://www.capitolcentre.ca/Performances.aspx

That's all I've got. Enjoy the last bit of your summer!

6 / (1 - (3 / 4)) = amount of days left!

2008-08-10T01:18:00.000-07:00

With only a little over three weeks left until lectures start I've found myself going through the annual devoted promises I usually make. The ones where I say I'm not going to procrastinate, make extra effort in areas where it lacks and even improve on certain aspects of my life. Will it happen? Probably not.

I did have a huge scare last year with procrastinating though, which has helped me. I was in first-year with two papers due during the same week, one for History of the Modern World and the second for Intro to English. I had only thought up a thesis for my history paper and had yet to finish the novel for English with only a week left until the due date. I was still fine though, seven days is a long time, right? Not when your trying to keep up a life. It was three days before the deadline when I started to panic. I had to finish 'Life of Pi,' the novel we were reading but to be honest, I wasn't that into it. It was a great book at the start but how long can you stay interested in a novel where the setting for the majority of the book is on a lifeboat and the two characters cannot carry a conversation 'cause one is a tiger? I was glad to finish it, nothing against Yann Martel but to me survival stories tend to lag in the middle.

With the novel finished I felt exhausted and I hadn't even started the paper! I was two days to the deadline and I was going through the 'I'm never going to do this to myself again' stage. Two days, two papers. I could do it!

I got sick. A full on flu hit me. At first I thought it was all in my head, trying to give me an excuse to not have to devote more time to my papers, until the fever took away what little time I had left. Monday arrived, the papers were due. I had finished my history paper but I wasn't confident about my thesis (a bad habit of mine) and my English paper only had an introduction.

I hate handing something in late, it makes me feel guilty. A day later I handed in my English paper, that agonizing feeling before the confrontation with the Professor as I had to admit that I didn't make the deadline. In all though I received good marks in the 70's for both papers but they could have been better if I had taken the time, obviously.

So I'm not going to procrastinate this year! Pinky promise, haha!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer breaks and the answer to the equation, for those of you who don't care to figure it out is 24!

Later!

An Introduction

2008-08-04T00:20:00.000-07:00

So, I'm blogging! A warning now, this is just a quick introduction. I've been meaning to start this for the NU Blog competition but whenever I tried to start one I drifted to other things. I'm staying anonymous for the simple fact that if nobody knows who I am, I'll be honest. I need that. I rarely have an opportunity to express myself without filtering what I'm saying and when I do I get uncomfortable talking. I start to go through this awkward series of events which start with rubbing the back of my neck, avoiding glances and finishes off with a stutter. I prefer to be a friend than to have one, if that makes any sense. I'm here because I need this, to say what I need to without having to go through those stages. Also for the contest, of course!

I'm a 21 year old student going to university. I want to say that my major is English, but then my spelling and grammar will be judged by people who do that.

Blogger: I thought you were an English major.
Me: I am
Blogger: Your last entry had twenty-two spelling mistakes and you ended a sentence with a preposition.
Me: (editing blog) No, no I didn't. Go check for yourself.

That's just not cool. I'm blogging on the internet, not writing an article for the New York Times.

I have no idea what kind of style I'm going to do. I doubt I'll just be talking about my life in general, that would bore even me! I don't know yet. I don't even think that's proper etiquette to discuss. Forget it. I could delete it, but then the last ten minutes of me staring at this computer screen trying to make this entry a bit longer would have been in vain.

I'm off, later!