It’s late, my eyes itch, the assignment I pretended didn’t exist hasn’t disappeared and my pieces are not learning themselves. But I did build a new veggie patch with my Dad today so that’s something. I say built, but really there’s just a big, soon to be muddy, mess.
Anyway. The point is this page is active, you’re on it (hello there) and I’m on it (woohoo!) posting about my life studying a Bachelor of Music at the Con. That’s short for Conservatorium of Music, don’t worry, I had no idea the first time either. Turns out musos love having fancy names for things that are actually really simple.
There are a bunch of other jaffy's posting on this page as well, which is great, because this Covid world has been completely isolating. It's nice to know that those voices I hear coming from blank Zoom screens actually do belong to real people.
So, hey there! How’s it going? I probably should have started this way, but the stuff I write up here will rarely be thought out and it might not be relevant or even mildly interesting for you. I hope it is, even just a little. Point is, I’ll write it anyway, so feel free to check in anytime.
Tonight’s listening: ‘If I Never Say a Word’ by Matt Corby. Or anything by Matt Corby really
Like all my essays, I don't know how to start this post. I suppose that's the hardest part of writing. You know what you want to write about, perhaps how to end the whole piece, and definitely the purpose of what you're writing. But the start always gives me grief. However, I suppose I should start with myself this time.
I am a Bachelor of Arts student, undergoing my second semester. Currently thinking of doing a double major in Sociology and in Media and Communications, but I don't want to commit to any decisions yet. I am stuck in Melbourne, with our rigid Stage 4 restrictions.
I did not think that I would start my university life in such a way, though I suppose no one did. It's a first year experience that no other year has likely had before. I was lucky enough to spend exactly two weeks on campus - no, I did not get used to the extensive grounds and find my way around campus. I have, however, become a master of Zoom meetings.
Okay, that's a lie. I contribute more than I have in the first semester, to my own surprise - I actually engage in discussion (sometimes carrying it) in break out rooms! But I still find myself leaving my camera off, closing myself off from the others to some extent. It's not some anxiety-ridden purpose, at least not this semester now that I've gotten used to things. I leave my camera off (now) because I can't be bothered putting on makeup or changing out of my pyjamas - a side effect of isolation, I'm afraid.
But I digress, I'm meant to be introducing myself.
I like books. I think that's really what's been getting me through this lock down. My intake of fiction hasn't increased, as I've had the habit of reading before I sleep since I was in primary school, but reading has given me the adventures that I cannot have during this lock down. I say 'adventures' as if I've been reading Lord of the Rings or anything, but really my genre is historical books, or romance, and especially historical books with romance in it.
I like baking. Not as much as reading, though. It isn't like I bake every week, or even every month. I tend to bake the most around Christmas time as it's become somewhat of a tradition to make cookies and give them to the children of our church. At first I wanted to help my little brother (still in primary school) believe in Santa Clause by baking cookies, but someone forgot to eat them and drink the milk at night so that fantasy died quickly. I try to change the type of cookie every year - last year I perfected shortbread. Not sure what to do this year.
(They looked something like this, but a little uglier)
I like music, as everyone else does. I tried to teach myself how to play the piano during lock down, hoping that my dad's talents have passed down to me. I haven't become a master - to become one, you can only be taught by masters. My dad tried to teach me when I was younger but I was too shy and afraid to mess up. Now he doesn't have the time but that's alright - I can play a simple tune at the very least and that's fine enough for me.
I'm still trying to find new hobbies, not just because of lock down but because I thought that this year (and onward) was the time to try and figure out who I am exactly. VCE has a way of stripping your identity, or at least ascribing one to you in the form of a number. Perhaps hobbies are the way forward.
That's pretty much all about me - an extensive introduction, I think. I'm starting to feel narcissistic! Truth is, I could probably write forever. If you are ever so unfortunate as to befriend me and engage in a conversation, I'd probably talk forever too.
Now I don't know how to end this. Goodbye? See you in the next post?
I'll get better starting these posts and signing off, I swear. But for now, I need to get started on my assessment.
It's week 6 and the craziest one so far. Assignments are due but that's not a problem for me. What's giving me panic attacks is I have no background in some subjects and am learning everything right from the programming language it is written in, to the actual stuff they talk about in the lectures, tutorials AND somehow make sense of it all in the assignment.
I just ran out the tuts and still hyperventilating. Maybe some buttered toast will fix it. Food's my goto to solve all the problems in life, maths or otherwise 😁
It will all turn out alright after a while, when I have spent more time with the study material than I have with any of my boyfriends ever, and known them inside and out 😜 ... the study material, I mean. But, till that happens, toast will have to do.
It’s a pretty nifty thing to have been chosen to be a blogger for the First Year Diaries, though I can’t say that it didn’t hurt just a little to see that it’s no longer The Jaffy Diaries :(( but the sentiment remains, and here we are, in the middle of an incredibly wack year !!
COVID has made 2020 something else entirely. I didn’t think that I would be learning/reading/writing/crying from the comfort (although sometimes it feels like a constraint) of my bedroom, nor did I expect to be spending upwards of 11 hours a day on my laptop, or witnessing my lecturer stare down her dog (lovingly, admittedly) whilst talking about the United Nations. I’ve not yet experienced the wonders of Egg Sake or more than three weeks on campus (poor Monash kids lol), but I have had more awkward experiences on Zoom than I’d care to remember, and have shed more tears than I’d thought I would (definitely not Arts essay-related!!!??!).
However, what has somewhat redeemed the shocker that has been 2020 is UMLL— the heart of UniMelb, surely, particularly amidst a global health crisis. I’m not sure whether it’s normal for UMLL posts to fill practically the entirety of one’s FB newsfeed, but they do, and I’ve very little reason for complaint, especially with the privilege of a Top Fan badge (clearly thriving).
Also thriving is my Spotify playlist and my Netflix watch history—one such song that features is Cookie Chips by Rejjie Snow (certified bop); would also recommend mid-90s on Netflix (Jonah Hill’s direction is something else—interpret that how you will).
Mid-semester is fast approaching, though mid-semester break is not (logic/10)—I hope that everyone’s looking after themselves, and not applying TOO much pressure to the wounds (the presence of 10-hour Study with me videos in my YouTube suggestions isn’t rlly helping though).
Day after Tomorrow dawned too early. No complaining, just saying.
I was in a state half the day. The other half, preparing my presentation and figuring out ways of not making a fool of myself. When the moment finally arrived, I was much relaxed than I had expected, thanks to the live guitar pre-presentation session. Now all I remember is me talking, cat making a guest appearance and deciding that stock markets are not her thing... still into management, I guess. More of me talking and trying to figure zoom out. Team helping with it and The End!
I am still looking like 😲. Will take a while to get back to normal.
It's autumn in Melbourne in the Southern Hemisphere in May. The golden leaves fall slowly from the trees like butterflies, scattered on both sides of the road. Probably because of the epidemic, the campus is surprisingly quiet. I gently stepped across the fallen leaves, accompanied by the sound of footsteps, leaving deep and shallow footprints.
Follow the road and cross the trails, and you will be at the racecourse. That, where I used to stop. I love the small raised hills there, so you can overlook the campus as well as the blue sky. At this time, all kinds of emotions are suddenly relieved. A restless heart calmed down.
Sit down slowly, gazing at the grassy racecourse, meditating. Once, thousands of horses galloped and the dust was flying here. The galloping horse hooves hit the ground; the glued scores hit people's hearts directly.
Now, all this is quiet. Only the breeze was left, and the warbler sound mildly. In the distance, a few pigeons are walking towards me. The pigeons here are never afraid of people. No matter when, they are so carefree and "cooing" happily. Their singing adds a touch of holiness and peace to this quiet campus.
Time slipped away quietly, and the warm sunshine slowly moved away with the breeze. As the sun sets, the sky seems to be smeared with a layer of orange paint. A beautiful and soft silk ribbon floats in the air.
Going down the hill and passing through the ancient corridor of wind and rain, I seem to have traveled to the time more than 100 years ago. The saints dressed in holy robes, holding the heavy Bible "New Testament", strolled by twos and threes. Several gray-haired professors gathered around the lawn, waving the parchment in their hands, and debating fiercely around a certain topic. A student glanced at the pocket watch in his hand, probably because he was about to be late, and ran in a hurry. But the long robe restricted his running speed. So, he rolled up a corner of his robe and ran again.
The old clock tower appeared before my eyes. The brownish-yellow appearance, combined with the scarred wall tiles, gave rise to a sense of dignity in history. I caressed the rough wall tiles, feeling the vicissitudes of history.
It's five o'clock. The bell rang. The ancient dull bell, accompanied by five heavy beatings, resounded over the campus. The frightened birds fluttered their wings one after another, flapping their wings in groups to fly in the blue sky.
The afterglow of the setting sun spreads on the South Lawn, putting a golden coat on this noisy grassland. That touch of golden, beautiful and moving. This situation and situation made me suddenly think of Master Hong Yi’s "Farewell" song:
Outside the farewell pavilion meanders an ancient road,
Into the horizon lush grass has sowed.
amidst the even breeze and fading flutes dance the willows,
while the setting sun drops below the sea of hills.
…………
I hummed softly. Unconsciously, my eyes have been moist. But I understand that I will keep walking, walking in that one person's University of Melbourne.
——Written in Melbourne during the COVID-19
(Note: all pictures are took by authors via phone)
12:31am, Singapore. Just finished watching a lecture (which I understood precious little of, whoops), and trying to convince myself that everything will miraculously solve itself out and all will be well (now I'm really wishing my life were like a Disney film). At the same time, I'm wondering how to (properly) begin this post, so here goes!
To whoever is reading this right now: Hello, I'm Charlene! Nice to meet you. A year ago I won't believe myself actually saying this, but I'm a freshman at the University of Melbourne, doing a Bachelor of Arts and majoring in Media and Communications. I have a year of advanced standing, which honestly scares me sometimes as I feel there's lesser time to catch up to the pace of learning.
I'm passionate about many things, but in particular I would say mental health issues as well as anything related to education. In my free time, I like scrolling through Tiktok, it keeps me occupied during this pandemic (honestly I'm so addicted to it, someone save me please). I particularly like the recipe videos!! Not gonna lie, for a noob like me, Tiktok recipes are the best way for me to feel as if I'm some professional chef. Take for example this sunflower potato which I discovered and couldn't get enough of (it's so good, I highly encourage everyone to try it out!! It's literally just slices of potato with an egg in the middle and cheese sprinkles on top, hence the name)
Here's the photo that no one asked for:
This was my first time making sunflower potatoes. Yes, the presentation definitely needed work, and it was slightlyyyy undercooked, but it's the effort that counts! :))
On a more serious note, I'm really happy to be one of the bloggers for the First Year Diaries. I hope I can play a part in making this community a safe, inclusive and positive one-- this pandemic is making us all feel crummy, and I think many students wish they were leading a normal campus life right now. I hope my posts can lend a bit of sunshine to anyone that reads it.
I hope to strive for relatability in my posts, because I mean--we're all in this together! I hope to be able to reach out to you guys effectively.
Dare I say, this also serves as a mini life diary for myself as well-- I can imagine my future self reading through these posts and laughing at how silly Freshman Charlene was back then. It serves as a way to document these memories down (the good, bad, and chaotic ones)
Feel free to leave a comment about yourselves too! Would love to get to know all of you :)
Hey there fellow readers, can't wait to meet you on this platform. Sharing with you what I have seen and thought in my college life is really exciting.
Just a quick introduction about me. My name is Yuxuan Guo(preferred name: Jack Guo). I am a current first-year bachelor of commerce student at the University of Melbourne. With curiosity and enthusiasm for western culture, I left my hometown of Nanjing to study in Melbourne.
A new world is slowly unfolding before my eyes. Excitement and anticipation occupy my heart. The University of Melbourne is a world-renowned institution, studying here has always been my ideal. Here, History and modernity meet, youth and dreams resonate.
Having experienced the baptism of China’s failure in the college entrance examination, the University of Melbourne’s openness to me touched me a lot. Cherish this hard-won learning opportunity, I feel deeply.
In the next few months, I will accompany you all through this particular epidemic period with beautiful words
With lyrical brush strokes, I would like to show the meticulous beauty in daily life. Besides, I will also tell you about the experience of studying commerce as an international student at the University of Melbourne. Lyricism and practicality are my writing style.
I will try my best to bring something novel to you.
Impressive, meaningful, and exciting.
That is all for my introduction.
Let us embark on this journey together and exchange ideas in words.
A lot's been going on at Uni, even though I don't attend the campus. Virtual is easier to manage because I don't have to travel. Never been the one to dress extra special to classes, but attending workshops in PJs is unbeatable.
I had a demo of my first presentation this evening and it wasn't very smooth. But I am working with some really cool people and they make things seem very easy, even the goofy bits are funny. The real one will be in two days and I better get my speech sorted and my diction perfect. Can't slur like a drunk when you have an audience. My cat never minds it, but then she is more interested in listening to the management lectures than me talking. I am pretty sure she wants to be a manager when she grows up. She even starts cozying up to the laptop when the prof's on zoom. Talk about sucking up to the professors 😒
I'll worry about her career ambitions later, I got to focus on the day after tomorrow! Reminds me of the movie, just hoping my big day doesn't turn out the same. It's about something I have a huge interest in... yeah, Money $$$ and I get to talk to people about my work in Finance and Investing. How cool is that! Now, just to remember not to forget my words 🤣
Yes, yes I know. It feels like years since I last updated. Past two months have been insane! So much has happened and I don't where to begin.
Just kidding. Things were pretty ordinary. I got caught up with procrastination and it took me a while to wake up from the daze.
My exams got over in November and I was occupied with my freelance work and other things. I've been planning to update for a while now. It took me two weeks to finally login.
I'm here to let y'all know about a little something called the Live Project. It's open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students at UniMelb. I believe there are two intakes every year. This project helps you learn to develop a business case and pitch your ideas to a client, lets you collaborate with students from different universities across Melbourne and assigns you under an industry professional for mentoring. Honestly, it's an amazing opportunity. So you're put into a group with 5 students from different universities. Then the team is assigned to a real-world client who is facing a challenge in their business. The team will assume the role of business consultants and come up with ideas to solve their challenge. You get three weeks to work on it. Stage 1- Planning; Stage 2 - Researching; Stage 3 - Final presentation.
The team I was a part of, had an amazing mentor who was willing to guide us at anytime of the day. The team was indeed a good one. But I dropped out after week 2.
Here's why. Group projects! *groans*
The team work requires everybody to work. But the team that I had worked with, although an enthusiastic bunch during face-to-face meetings, stonewalled the WhatsApp group after going home. Hence, the work fell into the hands of the few people who took the initiatives. I get it, we're on vacation and we have personal commitments but the whole point of a team work is to work together as a team. Sigh!
Even when the weekly report is shared on the WhatsApp group asking the team to look for gaps or suggestions, all you can hear is crickets chirping. So, when the client gives you suggestions on the report, the feedback feels personal and the fact that some of these issues could've been solved if everybody had participated leaves you disappointed and extremely dissatisfied. Therefore, 2 weeks into the project, I quit. Granted, the project was 60% complete and I'm a person who sees a commitment till the end. But my patience was running out at an alarming rate and I quit. Do I regret? No. Maaaybe, a little. But the fact that everyone gets a certificate of completion because of the hard work done by a few in the group feels more unfair.
I don't mean to paint a grey picture of the Live Project here. It's an amazing opportunity, indeed. It offers you real-world experience, you get to make new friends and work with veterans. If you get a dedicated team, then you're lucky. If not, you better have a lot of blood, sweat and tears to spare. Okay, it's not that terrible. You know what I mean! The Live Project is certainly a good addition to your CV and helps you to grow your network. But if you get nightmares about group projects like I do, then just don't do it.
Now, I've celebrated Christmas during Winters all my life. Melbourne weather's burning passion for Christmas is heartwarming. Maybe a little too warm for my liking, to be honest. But that doesn't seem to stop the people from humming carols or being a little extra with Christmas lights and decorations. I guess it's all about the Christmas spirit here. You know what's funny? I never knew that something like a Summer Christmas even existed before I moved to Melbourne. Winter = Christmas, okay? But I'm curious to see how a Summer Christmas is going to turn out.
I wish y'all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
(They looked something like this, but a little uglier)
