Today is a beautiful Windy day. I took a short walk past Queen's Park and was excited to find that Toronto the Grey, is no longer grey... For the moment it's coloured Fall.
Just before I came in the sky was lovely light blue with white clouds, and the trees - the trees were orange, yellow, red, green, auburn, purple.
The ivy covered buildings around campus reflect these colours as well - for the moment far from old and grey, instead - alive - with fire - colour.
I breathe, for the moment not smog, but crisp Fall air, brisk Fall wind.
For the moment Toronto the Grey is Coloured - Fall.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Sunny day
Hi ho
3 random thoughts:
1. I just discovered a pair of lined pants this morning - they made me very happy... so warm! who ever you are that gave them to me (Spart, was it you?) THANK YOU muchly.
2. I know I shouldn't complain, but I hate hate hate - getting my teeth cleaned (Spart, let me finish before you decide never to speak to me again) - I just went to the dentist yesterday and am about to go back - it's terrible - the high pitched wining of the machine, the sound of metal scraping teeth, the awful feeling of the scrape of sharp metal on teeth and gums..
.... or maybe I was just distressed to have someone that close to me (ok, so maybe I have a few "touch" issues). Don't get me wrong - I love the fact that my teeth are clean, and I guess if I'd been going on a regular basis it wouldn't be so painful - maybe. So I just wanted to send out my sympathies to you who have ever had teeth problems/issues (sappho and your wisdom teeth, Hun, C) - because it really is quite a distraction to walk around all day feeling that your mouth isn't right - So kudos to you who have done it and are doing it.
3. The dome on top of the Sac building has been painted white, with two black eyes and a mouth. - it makes me think of ROSI - our friendly repository of student information who is the school mascot that resembles a demented stick figure (oh those crazy roof-painting engineers!)
(heart) tulip
** 2 hours later
PS - just came back from the second half of the cleaning - it went much better than the first. They reiterated that if I go more frequently it won't hurt as much - I'll try to take their advice.
and I really am grateful for the oppurtunity to have my teeth cleaned - yay for clean teeth!
3 random thoughts:
1. I just discovered a pair of lined pants this morning - they made me very happy... so warm! who ever you are that gave them to me (Spart, was it you?) THANK YOU muchly.
2. I know I shouldn't complain, but I hate hate hate - getting my teeth cleaned (Spart, let me finish before you decide never to speak to me again) - I just went to the dentist yesterday and am about to go back - it's terrible - the high pitched wining of the machine, the sound of metal scraping teeth, the awful feeling of the scrape of sharp metal on teeth and gums..
.... or maybe I was just distressed to have someone that close to me (ok, so maybe I have a few "touch" issues). Don't get me wrong - I love the fact that my teeth are clean, and I guess if I'd been going on a regular basis it wouldn't be so painful - maybe. So I just wanted to send out my sympathies to you who have ever had teeth problems/issues (sappho and your wisdom teeth, Hun, C) - because it really is quite a distraction to walk around all day feeling that your mouth isn't right - So kudos to you who have done it and are doing it.
3. The dome on top of the Sac building has been painted white, with two black eyes and a mouth. - it makes me think of ROSI - our friendly repository of student information who is the school mascot that resembles a demented stick figure (oh those crazy roof-painting engineers!)
(heart) tulip
** 2 hours later
PS - just came back from the second half of the cleaning - it went much better than the first. They reiterated that if I go more frequently it won't hurt as much - I'll try to take their advice.
and I really am grateful for the oppurtunity to have my teeth cleaned - yay for clean teeth!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
University 101
this is supposed to be a quick post - it has been raining all day and my socks and shoes are soaked through - and cold! and my friend just yelled at me "TAKE EM OFF, u'll get foot fungus!" (so ofcoarse I instantly felt like my toes were starting to grow fungus...)
so I will try to be brief. but since I recently receieved an email from my dear long distance roommate telling me to blog - blog I will.
Over the past few days I've realised that there is so much about university that no one ever tells you - I think there should be a course when you start: Surviving University 101.
lessons would include topics like:
Procrastination:
inevitably it will happen - but try not to procrastinate on important stuff - like essays worth 30% of your mark! (I know it sounds impossible - and it just might be for some people - but hey - I just had to put it in there)
interesting example: In my entire university career I have missed several assignments, quizzes, even an essay (worth 30% :(_!!) - and I've figured that if I had just handed in all the things I didn't do (handed in, I'm not even talking aced!) - I could probably boost my gpa by half a letter grade. And together with all those assignments I handed in late - an entire letter grade. it seems like a small thing at the time - but it really adds up!
Completing your degree
Estimates put it at 4 years - but if you do the math (20 courses, 5 per year) - it's almost impossible! - unless you do summer school (I say "almost" because I do know one person who did it - at least I think she did - she may have done summer school) - because it does not allow for - failing courses or dropping courses which you think you might fail (an aside which could be devoted to an entire lesson called - "how to improve your gpa by dropping courses which are too hard the first time around"). It also does not allow you to change majors in second year (or third year... or fourth year), or have any extenuating circumstances (which really are beyond our control)
Graduating
don't let them wait until May of the year you plan to graduate in June to tell you that you're missing a breadth requirement! (they did that to a friend of mine!) ask questions! and then ask some more questions - it's ok to harrass people - that's what your paying them for!
Take advantage of your fees!
You pay them - know what they go towards - and make use of those things offered to you because of them (or because of money donated by others) eg gyms, free tutorials/ editing, bursaries, grants, scholarships, libraries, free food at events, events, clubs, lectures by famous people, lectures by obscure people who may be famous in 20 years, career information, resume clinics, did I mention grants and bursaries???
Etiquette
Don't EVER talk during lectures unless you are speaking directly to the prof - otherwise please leave the room - everyone else is there to listen to the prof - not to try to hear over your annoying whisper!
WAIT until the previous class has left the room before you barge in! There is only so much room in the lecture hall and the seats aren't going to run away before you reach them.
WAIT until the prof is finished before you start packing your stuff - especially if the class isn't over yet!
DON'T whisper in the library - your "ssss....tsss..sss...." is far more annoying than your regular voice would be (unless your regular voice is loud and obnoxious, in which case, don't talk!). and NEVER use your cellphone for convo's over 30 secs - if any longer please leave.
(ok, so these are just a few of my pet peeves that I think should be taught across the board)
LEARNING
get out there! explore! the majority of my learning did NOT happen in the classroom. the life skills I learned (am learning) -like communication (would you believe people used to think I was shy and quiet??), and empathy, love, strenght (<- clearly not spelling!), courage, thinking of others .....etc.... did not fit under the course discriptions for BIO 150 or GGR 310! there will only be one time in your life when you have so much freedom (hopefully you have freedom - I guess not everyone does....but if you do...) enjoy it!
and lastly (in the words of C) "its an adjustment for everyone, and no on really knows what they're doing either. just go with it, and ask for help if you need it"
Ok, so maybe I could have used this course myself - because I certainly didn't follow all the advice - but that's because I had to learn it the hard way!
Please add to this list as you see appropriate - maybe one day I'll run my idea by the University Board (of whatever it is that decides on what courses are taught).
yours, tulip
so I will try to be brief. but since I recently receieved an email from my dear long distance roommate telling me to blog - blog I will.
Over the past few days I've realised that there is so much about university that no one ever tells you - I think there should be a course when you start: Surviving University 101.
lessons would include topics like:
Procrastination:
inevitably it will happen - but try not to procrastinate on important stuff - like essays worth 30% of your mark! (I know it sounds impossible - and it just might be for some people - but hey - I just had to put it in there)
interesting example: In my entire university career I have missed several assignments, quizzes, even an essay (worth 30% :(_!!) - and I've figured that if I had just handed in all the things I didn't do (handed in, I'm not even talking aced!) - I could probably boost my gpa by half a letter grade. And together with all those assignments I handed in late - an entire letter grade. it seems like a small thing at the time - but it really adds up!
Completing your degree
Estimates put it at 4 years - but if you do the math (20 courses, 5 per year) - it's almost impossible! - unless you do summer school (I say "almost" because I do know one person who did it - at least I think she did - she may have done summer school) - because it does not allow for - failing courses or dropping courses which you think you might fail (an aside which could be devoted to an entire lesson called - "how to improve your gpa by dropping courses which are too hard the first time around"). It also does not allow you to change majors in second year (or third year... or fourth year), or have any extenuating circumstances (which really are beyond our control)
Graduating
don't let them wait until May of the year you plan to graduate in June to tell you that you're missing a breadth requirement! (they did that to a friend of mine!) ask questions! and then ask some more questions - it's ok to harrass people - that's what your paying them for!
Take advantage of your fees!
You pay them - know what they go towards - and make use of those things offered to you because of them (or because of money donated by others) eg gyms, free tutorials/ editing, bursaries, grants, scholarships, libraries, free food at events, events, clubs, lectures by famous people, lectures by obscure people who may be famous in 20 years, career information, resume clinics, did I mention grants and bursaries???
Etiquette
Don't EVER talk during lectures unless you are speaking directly to the prof - otherwise please leave the room - everyone else is there to listen to the prof - not to try to hear over your annoying whisper!
WAIT until the previous class has left the room before you barge in! There is only so much room in the lecture hall and the seats aren't going to run away before you reach them.
WAIT until the prof is finished before you start packing your stuff - especially if the class isn't over yet!
DON'T whisper in the library - your "ssss....tsss..sss...." is far more annoying than your regular voice would be (unless your regular voice is loud and obnoxious, in which case, don't talk!). and NEVER use your cellphone for convo's over 30 secs - if any longer please leave.
(ok, so these are just a few of my pet peeves that I think should be taught across the board)
LEARNING
get out there! explore! the majority of my learning did NOT happen in the classroom. the life skills I learned (am learning) -like communication (would you believe people used to think I was shy and quiet??), and empathy, love, strenght (<- clearly not spelling!), courage, thinking of others .....etc.... did not fit under the course discriptions for BIO 150 or GGR 310! there will only be one time in your life when you have so much freedom (hopefully you have freedom - I guess not everyone does....but if you do...) enjoy it!
and lastly (in the words of C) "its an adjustment for everyone, and no on really knows what they're doing either. just go with it, and ask for help if you need it"
Ok, so maybe I could have used this course myself - because I certainly didn't follow all the advice - but that's because I had to learn it the hard way!
Please add to this list as you see appropriate - maybe one day I'll run my idea by the University Board (of whatever it is that decides on what courses are taught).
yours, tulip
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Indignant
(an angry rant which may be spurred by my increasing sense of panic and indecision concerning assignments and my lack of sleep)
I'm tired seeing weight-watching ads on Yahoo and titles on the front of magazine covers:
lose weight quick; lose 7 pounds in 7 days; lose 10 pounds in 10 days; tuck tummy, vanish flab....
Who are you? and how dare you tell me I need to lose weight?!!! there's nothing wrong with my weight! maybe my eating habits could occasionally do with a face lift (i.e. more fruits, more vegetables, less chips from a truck [mmmmm but so good, whatever you say spart, still the best I've ever had!]) but weight loss is not the goal of my existence - knowing that I'm healthy should be. and how dare you (who ever you are oh media person who controls my interruptions - by ads on my TV, during my email checking, and my walks down the street) try to make me think or feel otherwise!
and here's the second thing
I'm running around from laundry mat, to library, to kitchen, to grocery, to volunteer, to choir, to rushed conversations with friends, to class. And I'm feeling guilty for all the things I should be getting done - all those emails I should write or pages I should read - not to mention class notes, applications for jobs and postgrad stuff..... and it's true - I should be a better steward of time but what I'm about to say is also true:
there is a little voice inside my head which keeps saying "you gotta do what you gotta do"
but Darn it! I disagree. I gotta do what I CAN do. and if what I can do is less than what I gotta do - too bad! stop making me feel guilty little voice - go suck a lemon! I value keeping contact with my friends and with myself - I think it's important to breath now, not later when I have the time.....
!
ok, enough ranting. got to go do work :). hope you are well, dear reader. hope you stand up to the voices in your head!
(heart) tulip
I'm tired seeing weight-watching ads on Yahoo and titles on the front of magazine covers:
lose weight quick; lose 7 pounds in 7 days; lose 10 pounds in 10 days; tuck tummy, vanish flab....
Who are you? and how dare you tell me I need to lose weight?!!! there's nothing wrong with my weight! maybe my eating habits could occasionally do with a face lift (i.e. more fruits, more vegetables, less chips from a truck [mmmmm but so good, whatever you say spart, still the best I've ever had!]) but weight loss is not the goal of my existence - knowing that I'm healthy should be. and how dare you (who ever you are oh media person who controls my interruptions - by ads on my TV, during my email checking, and my walks down the street) try to make me think or feel otherwise!
and here's the second thing
I'm running around from laundry mat, to library, to kitchen, to grocery, to volunteer, to choir, to rushed conversations with friends, to class. And I'm feeling guilty for all the things I should be getting done - all those emails I should write or pages I should read - not to mention class notes, applications for jobs and postgrad stuff..... and it's true - I should be a better steward of time but what I'm about to say is also true:
there is a little voice inside my head which keeps saying "you gotta do what you gotta do"
but Darn it! I disagree. I gotta do what I CAN do. and if what I can do is less than what I gotta do - too bad! stop making me feel guilty little voice - go suck a lemon! I value keeping contact with my friends and with myself - I think it's important to breath now, not later when I have the time.....
!
ok, enough ranting. got to go do work :). hope you are well, dear reader. hope you stand up to the voices in your head!
(heart) tulip
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