Day after tomorrow, May 1st, 6am, my flight leaves for San Diego for my grand Californian adventure!! After a 5 day visit with my grandparents, I'll be flying to San Francisco (which only costs 40$ by the way, crazy!!), and meeting up with my elementary school friend Kathleen!!
The plan? Camping, and trekking our way back up to Vancouver somehow. I'm very proud to say that everything fit in my 50L back pack on my first attempt! The tent, the sleeping bag, pots, the math (yes, I'm bringing work on trip!), the clothes, shoes... A miracle I tell you!! Well, that's what I thought until I tried lifting my bag and walking a bit: muscles get ready for the ordeal ahead!
I'll try to keep a travel blog going, so if you're interested in our exploits and adventures check back here!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
2 down, 4 to go...
Summer is here, and school is out... unfortunately, part of being a grad student means that I'm expected to be around during the summer, doing research and moving forward with my thesis. Daunting task, especially as I've spent my last four summers dividing my time up between camp and traveling. 4 months of research is just a little too much for me to swallow right now, so I've spent the last week recovering from my final exams (both the marking of them and the writing of them), and in a couple of days I'll be off to California (with math in tow, not to worry).
Still, the semester is done: only 4 left to go! At first, I was a bit discouraged: I was under the illusion that I had finished half the work when it was pointed out that I was only a third of the way through (that's what I get for hanging around with math people all the time). BUT I'm done 4 out of 5 classes, so really I'm closer to the end... except for that thesis... right?
Honestly, I'm having trouble imagining spending three months coped up in my office, doing research (whatever that entails, I'm still a little unsure). Rationally, I know that expecting a 4 month vacation every year is insane... but it's a nice dream to have! Especially when you really live during those months. During my undergrad days, whenever I was discouraged with school, I would plan my months of freedom, the trips I would take, the experiences I would have at Ouareau, the days I would spend at the cottage. I just don't think I'm cut out for that 2-week summer holiday thing, which seems to indicate that I should plan a career in the academic world. But that would imply a PhD, which isn't in the cards for me, I think.
Seems that giving up my long, long, summers is just one more step on the path to adulthood... and it seems that I'll be taking it in baby steps, and digging my heels in, as per usual!
Still, the semester is done: only 4 left to go! At first, I was a bit discouraged: I was under the illusion that I had finished half the work when it was pointed out that I was only a third of the way through (that's what I get for hanging around with math people all the time). BUT I'm done 4 out of 5 classes, so really I'm closer to the end... except for that thesis... right?
Honestly, I'm having trouble imagining spending three months coped up in my office, doing research (whatever that entails, I'm still a little unsure). Rationally, I know that expecting a 4 month vacation every year is insane... but it's a nice dream to have! Especially when you really live during those months. During my undergrad days, whenever I was discouraged with school, I would plan my months of freedom, the trips I would take, the experiences I would have at Ouareau, the days I would spend at the cottage. I just don't think I'm cut out for that 2-week summer holiday thing, which seems to indicate that I should plan a career in the academic world. But that would imply a PhD, which isn't in the cards for me, I think.
Seems that giving up my long, long, summers is just one more step on the path to adulthood... and it seems that I'll be taking it in baby steps, and digging my heels in, as per usual!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
As Easy As Pi
Quick note: I know a movie star!!! On my flight to Montreal for Easter, I stumbled upon a 15 minute documentary called As Easy As Pi that was filmed at Waterloo University, starring... Lino! That's right, for those of you that know Lino and didn't know prior to this that he's been hiding that he's movie star, this is the time to get that autograph!!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Soft Ball
So what's the point of trying to hit a tiny hard ball with a stick and then running around in a circle?
That used to be my opinion of baseball. But then, when I was in Ottawa for Easter, I played soft ball with my little cousins and brother, and it was amazing!!! Ok, we weren't really playing by any rules, and I'm still quite scared of the ball, but it was so much fun! It was basically 5 kids on a street, throwing a pink ball around, using a bat made of a 10 year old, switching teams in order to always have somebody at bat, and having a marvelous time.
I have to admit, I didn't want to play, and I wasn't expecting to be able to hit the ball, but the first time that my bat connected with that ball, it was like a revelation! (Ok, that's a bit of an over-the-top-exageration, but that's how I am...!) And then off I went, trying to run with a sprained ankle and laughing at the same time!
Lesson: Don't judge before trying! And even if you've already tried it, and didn't like it, wait a bit, and then try again, it might be better this time around!!!
That used to be my opinion of baseball. But then, when I was in Ottawa for Easter, I played soft ball with my little cousins and brother, and it was amazing!!! Ok, we weren't really playing by any rules, and I'm still quite scared of the ball, but it was so much fun! It was basically 5 kids on a street, throwing a pink ball around, using a bat made of a 10 year old, switching teams in order to always have somebody at bat, and having a marvelous time.
I have to admit, I didn't want to play, and I wasn't expecting to be able to hit the ball, but the first time that my bat connected with that ball, it was like a revelation! (Ok, that's a bit of an over-the-top-exageration, but that's how I am...!) And then off I went, trying to run with a sprained ankle and laughing at the same time!
Lesson: Don't judge before trying! And even if you've already tried it, and didn't like it, wait a bit, and then try again, it might be better this time around!!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sunshine!!
This is the news you all have been waiting for... The Sun is Back in Vancouver!!! The 6 week rainy, misty, cold, snowy, cloudy times seem to be over, at last!! I've spent the last few days lying outside in the sun, on the beach, or my favorite hill near Science World, studying, and actually being quite successful! My spirits are up, and my motivation seems to be on the rise as well. I've almost been able to finally enjoy my backyard, studying in the sun once more... I like to believe that I tanned, but I've been told by a reliable source (my mirror) that it's all in my head. Soon!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Crosswords
Since my commute is quite long, I've discovered the miracle of the crossword puzzle. Time just flies by when you're concentrating on something... plus it's fun! I started doing crosswords a couple of years ago, one Christmas, in order to help "entertain" my grandmother. It was great because I realized (to my disbelief) that I was actually able to find a few words! Anyways, crosswords are now a part of my daily routine, and I'm most pleased to announce that today I completed my first Metro Crossword puzzle without any help!!!!!!! (well, except of Chelsea's one word "warp", and one Wikipedia help: Uraei = Asps, who knew? ... I probably would have gotten it in the end) This was a very momentous occasion for me, and it was only possible since I took the bus for ridiculously small commutes (because of my ankle) on the way to and from Yoga class, good Karma people!
Today I also had my first experience of a "laughter club", I cannot say that I enjoyed it too much, it was a very strange and awkward, to me anyways. I much prefer laughter to be unforced, and real. I also learned that the average human laughs on 15 times a day, whereas the kindergartner laughs 400 times a day. Where does out sense of humor run off to?
Today I also had my first experience of a "laughter club", I cannot say that I enjoyed it too much, it was a very strange and awkward, to me anyways. I much prefer laughter to be unforced, and real. I also learned that the average human laughs on 15 times a day, whereas the kindergartner laughs 400 times a day. Where does out sense of humor run off to?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)