Thank god daylight saving. I am sat up waiting for my mum to ring from the UK and this daylight saving whatsit makes it a bit more manageable in terms of having to get out of bed in the morning. The UK is now only 9 hours behind... actually, that means it's 2pm over there... so where exactly is my mum? Probably out cavorting around the shops with Ian and Chippy (our dog, not an unfortunately named sibling) or something. Meanwhile her only daughter sits in the dark with just a candle to.... haha I'm joking, but seriously it's just rude not to have called by now ;P
Haha I'm in the most fantastic mood! I went to the Queen Vic market today and got - get this, you will be shocked and delighted- :
- Strawberries
- 5 potatoes
- A pear
- 3 Bananas
- An onion
ALL FOR $3.50!!! I'm sure they undercharged me... But oh well. I am over the moon Jim! Haha, it says something about my social life that the highlight of my day is relating the cost (albeit a mega bargain) of my shopping on a blog whilst waiting by the phone... for my mother. Oh well, my 5 a day is going to sky rocket this week... I feel thinner and more energised already. I also got some hot cross buns ($6 for 6) which were delicious and have resulted in me singing 'hot cross buns, hot cross buns, one a penny two a penny hot cross buns' all day. Ok so they weren't one a penny, even the QVM (ooh QVM get me with the abbreviation know-how) isn't that good.
Anyway I am going now to mourn the (now) lack of hot cross buns in my fridge and seek out some strawberries.
Love Natty x x
I just came back from Run for the Kids. Great fun! =)
Apart from the fact we were running short of energy drink.
Some people got really pissed at us (read volunteers).
Don't tell me why. OK, they ran 14 kms but still.
DO THEY KNOW HOW PRECIOUS WATER IS?
Their reactions were like:
"Oh, you only got water?!"
"Naa, I want that green stuff!"
I say: GET OVER IT!
Last night I watched The Melbourne Model: The Musical, a very thought-provoking and entertaining show. All of a sudden, my role and my unimelb voice was brought into new light. In one aspect, the production made me “dream large”-r.
Do you see yourself as a potential student or learner?
I will argue there's a main difference in how we define this.
If I, Olle, see myself as a potential student, I am somehow putting myself into a hierarchial structure - student, teacher, headmaster. I am making someone else responsible for my learning. This is not the case at uni.
If we instead see ourselves as learners, we will automatically become more responsible for our own learning. This is the main difference between high school and uni.
If we compare the verbs to study and to learn we find out why this is.
To study carries a slighly negative meaning, as in something we have to do. I have to study!
It also sounds so serious: If I don't study, I won't go to uni. If I don't go to uni, I won't get a job..
Our focus is primarily “to study”, not to actually learn something.
Is it only me who still think of studying as a I-have-to-memorise-everything-of-what-it-says-before-the-test? Doesn't that sound a bit like the 50's? You be the judge.
In stark contrast, learning is something good.
It carries a positive meaning. It somehow brings me back to primary school where everyone told me: Wow, you're so good! You've learnt how to spell your name today! Here's a free cookie =)
What I wonder is, what the hell happened to the cookie?
They sort of randomly disappeared after I learnt how to read and write.
That's why, as a learner, I have to give myself a free cookie from time to time.
I would therefore advise you to skip studying and reward your learning. Because learning will take you places.
Keep learning!
/O
PS. I just realised I didn't teach you anything. How about this:
IKEA is an acronym which stands for Ingvar Kamprad (founder's name) Elmtaryd (where he grew up) Agunnaryd (his home county - Småland, South Sweden)
God, I love this blog! It's so important to keep multiple lines of procrastination open.
Right now, I should be preparing for my super exploratory dissection prac for next week. It's 6 hours (in lots of 3) and involves... well... you get a dog corpse and then cut it open to see if all the theory you've been shoving into your brain is correct. Apparently it's quite revelatory, in a 'Oh my god, I've been studying cat bodies instead of dogs!' and 'Hey, the stuff we are learning is actually pretty useful and applicable!' kind of way. It's scheduled quite early in the semester to see if, A). you're cut out for cutting and B). you're actually heading in the right direction with your study.
When you first meet second year vet students, they say that first year is 'confronting'. You're not quite sure what this is supposed to mean... until you step into the third level of the main building for the first time. Suddenly you're surrounded by 1cm transections of sheep bodies and feeling lost and queasy. The queasiness continues into your first dissection, where you explore the amazing insides of real horses and cows and dogs. The smell is absolutely revolting (for the first three minutes, until your nose shuts down in protest) and the sight isn't particularly nice either (...especially since you keep getting the sneaking suspicion that you may be somewhat similar on the inside).
Vets need to cut open real animals to practise their surgical techniques and acquaint themselves with animal anatomy. On the other hand, most people become vets because they love animals. They think they're gorgeous and cuddly and like real people.... except /better/. This results in a kind of... nasty internal conflict, where you feel guilty, and excited, and a bit sad and fascinated all at once while you're pulling away the skin of poor Fido. The use of real animals in teaching is a highly controversial issue, covered more thoroughly by far better writers than me. But it's true that when you become a vet student, you have to reconcile your love of animals with the need to open them up. You have to think about whether you're ready to do this, or if you feel able to put an animal down. Because it's going to happen, eventually, and it's not going to be fun.
(You'll never be the first to faint in class.)
Oh man am I tired from the term. I cannot wait for next week to be over. Even though I am an Art's student I've been so exhausted by just.... everything, talking especially. I don't feel like the O-week introductions are over yet, I mean sure I know people in some lectures and in tutorials but then I'm always meeting someone new or meeting friends of friends or just making a good impression. So the 50 words or less first impressions are still being pelted out. As a side effect I'm very sociable to sales attendants.
However, mwhahwahahahah. I can also say that I've been tired from stripping paint... off the walls of my house. That's right I'm painting the house albeit slowly but steadily. So hoorah for that. It's pretty time consuming and manly, so I can make good conversations whilst boasting of my ability to do time consuming house chores to people, making my weekend's surprisingly unique. Most peoples' reply of "nothing much" will be blown away by the pure awesomness of activity and uniquity of the job. No one else in their right mind is doing it, so you get to look eccentric. So on weekends do crazy things that way your conversations will be at least 100 times more awesomer than nothing much.
Looking back on the all important uni everything is generally awesome for most of my subjects (H2H, Creative Writing, Jap, Infomatics (read programming). I've done all the assignments so far for each subject so I'm still looking good as a student (although at the same time I'm bringing the Art's cred down due to doing the work a week or two beforehand). So yeah university life is great, but tiring in it's existence. I swear those science students are sapping the strength from the art's faculty in an effort to keep the Melbourne Model alive, through unholy ritual! (<-This is me expressing, very poorly that I wish to see the Melbourne Model play but ultimately forgot about it).
Oh now I know! I'm tired because of the lack of trains, trams and buses from uni, the use of my legs and the inclusion of thunder and lightening (very very frighten-ing). Today was what most people in Australia would want of a day, rainy, for Melburnians it was just plain Melbourne weather, which while awesomely bi-polar leaves you with a kinda dissatisfied feeling after any major temperature change. I mean in Queensland when it rains, it pours. Here rain is the equivalent of a leaky tap. So with the inclusion of a two hour storm/ one hour storm today, and lightening (which I was at least 50 meters away from) the trains stopped (keeping up Connex's public image) and I walked down Sydney Rd. My feet hurt, but that's ok.
Also here is a recommendation of a new show: "Lawrence Leung's Choose your own Adventure," it's on ABC, watch it, it's funny and local so therefore awesome. (You could dangerously, like I have apply this logic to the entirety of the ABC's program lineup to only be disappointed by Parliamentary Question time, which when you were 5 was the lead up to Sesame Street and especially funny when the men in suits started yelling. Ok scratch that apply this logic to everything on the ABC.) It also reminds me of the entire point (for me) of uni, making your own track in the world, or generally "Choosing your own Adventure," I mean woah, we or rather I'm 18 technically I can do whatever I want (within the boundaries of social expectations, no pant's parties) and so being an awesome writer, a chilled out random guy in a park reading a book, an exercise conscious runner, batman and/or even (do I dare to even cross the boundary) a political activist (eep) is all within my grasp.
Yet for some reason the more I grasp at one thing I want to be I lose the others (notably Batman but he's no great loss) and feel sad about having to limit or narrow my choices. Sniff* no more Jack of all trades for me. Good thing I'm doing Art's, I get to progressively narrow my choices down. A bit silly considering how much you gain from doing the things you want to do ..... except when doing everything you want to do is impossible and then you have to choose resulting in a civil war killing thousands over the benefits of Creative Writing. Oh well my own personal w(h)ineing. Feel satisfied in the knowledge you don't have to do everything.... much like I'm not doing at the present moment.
Confession!
I love Creative Writing, and despise the Rowden Library's choice to include half seasons of Angel. I HAD TO GO OUT AND RENT THE SECOND HALF. It's a surprisingly good setup for addicting people to a series and then causing sadistic rapid withdrawal tendencies. Or in my case helpless addiction. Anyway Creative Writing is the best, people are awesome because they want to be there. Unlike some classes....... but I'm pointing a lot of fingers, reel back. Why do a course if you don't want to contribute or actually do it? I swear discussion is the catalyst for learning because I always want to get started with Creative Writing, and or anything else I have a good discussion in. The brief, enjoy subjects, even if you're mute!
Ok huff* puff* I think enough words for now. My place among blogging people should be assured and placated with this slavish text (which should be an enjoyable read, don't hate me). So with that I bid thee Adieu.
Oh wait! Speaking of not being able to do things, the Pimp my Egg was on the other day ... I had classes and a sick sister to go to. Get into the activities if you can they're cool. Like next week. It's Member’s week.
Adieu! Ja ne!
Yoddeuss
I’ll start by saying I had an amazing time on Wednesday night and I love creative writing and Melbourne, and honestly, there are hundreds of bonus to being here.
But…
Melbourne isn’t quite home. It sounds rather like the start of a poem for Creative Writing or something, but it’s so true. I can’t wait to go home at Easter. In fact, if I didn’t have two rather substantial essays due next week, I would be asking to skip a week of uni and get on the plane.
I was talking to one of my friends yesterday; she’s moved here from out of town too and is feeling the same as me.
Six weeks into university and I’ve begun to notice things I never thought I’d miss. I really miss having friends who actually know me. Not a six week old version of me that has been trying so hard to be interesting and confidant; who hasn’t actually had a good laugh in two months because no-one here knows quite my sort of joke. It’s kinda stressful, never being totally relaxed with someone who actually understands what you’re all about.
That sounds more down than I am – I’m just all out of reserve energy supplies. I’ve been skipping lectures and tutes this week (which I feel pretty guilty about).
And, honestly, I feel left out at college, because no matter how hard you try and be involved…if they older students don’t like you (or think you’re hot/interesting), you don’t get into any of the groups. Which sounds bitter, I know, but I’m yet to see evidence to the contrary. I can go and ‘support’ all I like, but it doesn’t make you part of anything more senior.
It’s kinda like all those things I thought I could get away from with a fresh start are returning now the start isn’t quite so fresh.
Now. That all sounds very pessimistic. In truth, it’s not all that bad. It’s just…wow. I need a holiday. The rain is nice, though.
In her uplifting 1969 book On Death and Dying, Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross (or maybe it was Dr. Phil; I don't know) identified the five stages of death. I would propose that a similar process is experienced by first-year university students. I don't mean you die, literally or figuratively; I mean you can delineate separate phases in your transition, even in these few short weeks.
At first, you're massively overwhelmed and pretending not to be. You're horrified by public transport, the cost of maintaining a regular coffee intake, and the sheer number of people on campus, 99.4% of whom are completely unfamiliar to you.
Then you settle in a little more, and you start feeling better because you know where your classes are, where the bathrooms are relatively clean, and maybe you've met a few people. (Note: at this point, having to use the library's SuperStupid SuperSearch system to find a peer-reviewed article may result in a backward step, and you wanting to shed tears of blood. It happens. Move on.)
I think I'm heading toward the third stage. Nothing revolutionary; it's just another level of transition. You adjust to the pace, you've completed a couple of small, introductory assessment tasks, and you have acquaintances that you could tentatively call 'friends'. I mean, you've added them on Facebook, so you're probably BFFL or ROFLCPTR or something. I don't know; I don't care for abbreviations. My thirteen-year-old sister said "OMG" out loud the other night at the dinner table. I sent her a text message that read, It wouldn't have cost you any extra syllables to actually say the entire phrase. XOXO, Gossip Girl. Just kidding. Why would I waste twenty cents on a text message when I could throw a piece of broccoli at her and reach the same effect? Again, I kid; I like broccoli, and I like my sister, even if she does say things like "My bad" and "random" and "OMG".
So I finished my first Democracy assignment, which was an annotated bibliography. Less than 600 words commenting upon the usefulness and reliability of each source, in preparation for a (somewhat longer) research essay in a few weeks' time. The highlight of this exercise was getting to use the word 'monomania'. Shazam. I believe that my employment of the English language has actually gone backward since finishing Year 12. Actually, since 50% of my classes are in a language other than English, this would not be surprising.
My French assignment was markedly more daunting. I have discussed before the proficiency of my fellow frogs, who I privately refer to as 'Pierre' or 'Gigi', depending on their sex. Obviously they have English names, which they use in day-to-day life, but I remain convinced they're all harbouring baguettes, berets and French lineage.
This quasi-schedule that is an Arts degree leaves plenty of time to catch up with friends (or alternatively, to watch Dog the Bounty Hunter, depending on how social one feels). Tonight's plans include vodka and dancing to The Wombats at my friend Xena's house. Again, shazam!
In summary: to quote the inimitable Patti Smith, "I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment". Granted, my 'adjustment' is far less mind-blowing than Patti's 'Because the Night' and her ensuing rock 'n' roll shenanigans, but whatever. I only know about five quotes, and, you know, Voltaire seems a little hyperbolic for a blog.
if you weren't lucky enough to see the singing 'Melbourne Model' students hand out flyers for the second season of their show a few weeks ago - you missed out.
Having said that, a few of my friends and i were just a tad exited about the prospect of a musical devoted solely to the educational institution in which we now form part of (okay, i lie. we just really respected the balls of these students singing in north lawn), we decided to go along. It was seriously one of the best wednesday nights i've had in a while. The cast was amazing, the lyrics were so clever and the set was fantastic. This sounds like such a free plug (promise: i'm in no way affiliated with the musical!), but i'm just really impressed with what came out of it. I don't wanna give - much away, so i wont - but if you've got spare time either tomorrow or saturday, go along - its really good. And bring your friends, ha, trust me...many jokes will be made throughout the evening and i'm sure you'll end up like us, sitting in a corner of the uni bar at 10pm laughing hysterically while drinking a pot of crap beer (thats my general opinion anyway...beer-yuck!).
In other news: one more week of school left. i never thought this mid-point would come *dances*.
Who went along to the study abroad/exchange expo today? it sounds fantastic ! who else wants to study overseas at some point?
- Nik =]
It's always easy to forget how fortunate we are.
Many people across the world cannot even read this message. Is there something wrong perhaps?
I know we do our best not to think about these things. We watch charity events, we throw a dollar in a can and we go puhh. It's just too much out there. Have a feel for these words:
POVERTY
STARVATION
GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
GLOBAL WARMING
INEQUALITY...
Well done, humanity! We tend to leave quite a mess after ourselves, don't we? So what we can we do about this?
The answer is simple: we do what we can.
That's why you'll be seeing me in a volunteer shirt for Run for the Kids this Sunday. The race raises (that's an unexpected tongue twister) money for the Royal Children's Hospital. Next year you should be there too. It'll be great fun!
I could go on about this subject, but I'm afraid it'll sound too cute, too "cliché" (which, in arts terms, apparently is something insulting). So I'll stop right there - for those uninterested...
For those who keep scrolling down the page, I'd recommend:
http://www.hug.org.au/
HUG - Help Us Grow.
And Run for the Kids.
I'm feeling skittish... I've just written the first drafts of three poems and feel like I'm in the creative writing twilight zone or something. La la la. I love it when you can just sit down and write for a couple of hours and everything just sort of comes in an easy stream of imagination. Fantastic!
I've been feeling really fed up the past few days because my cold got worse and I just sort of felt miserable. Anyway, in being all pathetic and sorry for myself I missed all of tuesday at uni which in turn made me feel worse because I missed lectures and blah blah blah. I was genuinely ill so I don't mind that I didn't go in but then I spent all of today panicking about the work I missed. Anywho thanks to that amazing online thingy called lectopia I've now listened to some of the lectures I missed so I'm feeling a little better about it. Woo hoo go time management!
It's nearly the Easter hols, I can't believe it! How are we already half way through week 5? Does anyone else feel like time has flown by whilst a comparatively small amount has been devoted to study? :s I think I'm on track.. It's hard to tell sometimes, how much work do you other arts students do in a week? I probably do about 2 or 3 hours a day on top of lectures but that's not nearly enough according to the readers etc. Ooops.. maybe I should plan how I'm going to catch up over easter. Equally does anyone have any crazy plans involving weird and spontaneous road trips to far away places? Oh wait, they couldn't exactly be spontaneous and planned, and 'roadtrip' suggests only so far away but you get my point.
A highly stimulating and intellectual post from me as usual... I will try to channel some of my creative writing energy into my blog next time to keep you all entertained.
Love Natty x
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