My team lost :( but the weekend was good

Hayley and her friend Cayla came down and we had the best weekend, okay, well I did. We got in late Friday night, hung out, had some laughs, and watched "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". (<- I lmao) Saturday we got up and went to the game, it was a good game (very cold) but we lost in overtime. I'm not a big sports fan, but was sincerely disappointed and lucky for me, Hayley and Cayla were able to make the loss not-so-big-a-deal. We had some fun!

Lately, I've been studying for Electrical, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Materials, it sounds lame, but it's totally awesome. Tonight I was working on the principles of dielectrics. Tomorrow I got to sharpen up my magnet and LASER skills [which should actually be LOSER -> Light Oscillating (they had Amplification) Stimulated Emission Radiation ] Anyway, I thought you should know. And he posted a practice exam and I'm pretty stoked to get started on that, but I have to finish some physics homework first, boo.

Current Obsessions:

-"Lemonade" by Chris Rice
-"Hey Ya" by Obadiah Parker
-Wintermint Orbits gum

One of my loves...

Sorry Am, I just couldn't not steal this.

Wish I was there...

When I say there I mean Senegal, with Poe. I've not been home for six months and I'm ready to go again, but Africa would be different. A different set of challenges, a language barrier, and so much more. I got four letters from her the other day, the first ones since she's been there and I am ready for more. She called me about two weeks ago and I MISSED it. I was very unhappy about this, especially since I always have my phone with me. I was on a date (I use that term loosely) with some guy and I left my phone in my car. I should have realized then and there that it just wasn't going to work out for us.

She sounds good and I can't help but feel completely jealous of her adventures.

This is actually my first post since I've been back from London, wow-zers.

Not much has changed, it's still school, school, school. LAME. I'd rather talk about what Pity is doing, but I have to go study for an exam. Boo.

PITY, if you do happen to read this, I had mad mush. cheesy bread last night and totally thought of you and the good ol' days. Miss you more than EVER!

A great adventure and a great year

Today I walked to the park and enjoyed the sweet summer sun. It never ceases to amaze me when I walk through Hyde Park. The grass is so green, the air is so fresh, and there is always something to see. It could be an old man letting his puppy run wild, a couple in love resting in each others arms, or maybe just a mother of three watching her kids in awe. But no matter what the instance there is always a peace that fills the air, almost as if it was encased in an untouchable bubble of sweet delight. I will miss this.

With only a few more days here, I've slowly been attempting to organize my things because I know the day I leave will come before I know it. My room has transformed from walls filled with pictures of family and friends and posters of inspiration to the stale color of off-white. Shelves filled with library books on electron microscopy, alloys, and other materials related writings are now empty. Drawers full of school papers are cleared out and a two-feet high stack of class notes and papers sit on my floor. There are a couple bags full of "get rid of" items, which include clothes, bed sheets, electronics I can't bring back with me, like an alarm clock and curling iron, and other odds and ends I just can't keep. As I stared at the blank walls I couldn't believe my eyes. After months of longing for home, I was finally staring right at it.

Without noticing it I've grown to love the city. I love riding the red double deckers, watching skaters in the park, and gazing at the beautiful glow of the city after dark. I no longer hear the sounds of the city as a pesky noise, but rather the music of the life here. The gloomy skies have made me cherish the beautiful sunny days. But these things I've come to love don't begin to compare with people I've come to care about.

Of all the things I've done and seen, my greatest accomplishment is the friends I have made. Some I may never see again, but there are some memories I will never forget. I wonder how I got so lucky.

The sweet smell of freedom

YAY!!! I'm done and I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself. Upon completion of all these exams it's really got me thinking, I've been concerned with what my grades at the end of this year would mean for me, but what have I really learned from all this? Here's what I've learned:


-In rugby you can only pass the ball backwards

-I suck at boat-races

-Americans don't know how to down a pint

-Look right first, then left

-Pants means ladies underwear

-To use the term "off my face" instead of drunk

-You can walk down the street with an open container w/o being arrested

-Hangovers are for amateurs

-Nobody likes the British

-It's 12 o'clock somewhere

Greatest of the '90s

This movie rocks and I sincerely wish I could watch it, instead I've been listening to the soundtrack as background noise for studying.

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”

~George Iles

I'm so exicted for you Poe!

Burned out...

My brain doesn't work anymore. I'm so tired of studying and the stress of the exams ahead. While my best work was done with my lack of experience in courses where one final makes up 100% of your final grade, I'm not sure how I stack up against my peers. And although I am afraid to admit it, a couple less than passes might be on my next progress report, *sigh*. On one exam I was sure I had until 1pm to finish, turns out it ended at noon, afterwards it took everything I had to keep myself composed as I walked to the computer lab. Let's just say that one didn't go so well. And prior to one exam that I found particularly challenging some the boys were discussing how most of it was "common sense". Rage and envy filled within me. Perhaps I don't "have what it takes" to make it at this university, but I like to believe that what I lack in intellect I make up for in imagination and determination. Exams have never been my strong suit, unless it's something I find truly interesting, and this year the winners go to Nanomaterials and Metals Processing (welding, casting, etc.). Who knew? And Nano, the course I fretted over the entire year, I am confident I did better in than most of the other exams (9 in total). And there is one little stinker left, but I just can't find the will or inspiration to dig deep into it and it is only three short days away. Maybe I'll get lucky, ha ha ha, I doubt it. So, here I sit praying for some spark of ambition to get me through to the next exam. My less disciplined self is ready to return home to the school where finals are, and rightfully so, 30-40% of your grade, and courses where throughout the year you know where you stand, but even though I am far from these warm thoughts I will persevere. Send me some inspiration.

Amsterdam

It must be love, oh oh. No, but seriously, Holland is amazing. Sitting in Amsterdam right now and all is well. I had my rugby tournament two days ago in Delft and the whole thing was absolutely amazing. Well, the tournament was with schools from all over Europe and it was fun with the greatest sportsmanship I've ever seen. Good times. Plus, there so MANY bike/bikers here. I love it. And they even have their own little road, SO jealous of the people of Holland. Times up, but I'll fill you in soon. Paz.

I may buy a small diaper for your chin because it looks like a baby ass

Not much new here. Well, I am going to Holland for rugby in a few day, so, I am suspecting that will be pretty awesome. But other than that I have just been attempting to hit the books, but I have not been as successful as I had originally hoped. I do love my metal processing course though, which is funny because originally I thought it would be kind of lame, but recrystallization, welding, casting, etc. has somehow struck my fancy. Then I also have engineering alloy course which is interesting because in part of the course we get two case studies which reviews the crash of two airplanes where the cause is narrowed down to the microstructure of the metal parts. It's fascinating what a tiny little defect can do.

There has also been a update in regards to our epic marathon, the latest Glee episode has been added because of its ultimate greatness and Moulin Rouge was switched out for Nine, leaving us with:

Movie marathon (revised):

Glee (Bad Reputation) 44 min <-everything wonderful in the world of television shows
Sandlot 101 min <-comedy
Breakfast Club 97 min <-classic
Someone Like You 97 min <-romance
Last of Mohicans 112 min <-action/adventure
Shutter Island 138 min <-suspense
Top Gun 110 min <-80's
Peter Pan 113 min <-family
Legends of the Falls 133 min <-drama
Nine 118 min <-musical
Beauty and the Beast 84 min <-Disney
My Sister's Keeper 109 min <-tear-jerker
3:10 to Yuma 122 min <-western
Gone With the Wind 238 min <-oldie but goodie
Back to the Future 116 min <-sci/fi
Paranormal Activity 86 min <-horror

Anyone interested is seriously welcome, facebook me ;)

I'm going to continue on with my interesting studies of rolling steel. Paz. (Tritter informed me the other day, that it means "peace" in Spanish)

It's official

I have my flight home and will be back in the United States on June 9th. I can't believe it, time has really flown by. I swear that's the fastest 7 months of my life (minus the week with 3 exams and 2 ten page papers due).

I close my eyes, oh God, I think I'm falling...

The "Power of Madonna" episode is still with me and I'm jamming to Like a Prayer, Glee style. What's not to love?

My nano exam was earlier to today, and I hope/think it went well. And the best part is that it's over, I feel like a major weight has been lifted. I still have 6 more exams (3 down), so, I still have plenty of time to freak out about those, but this one was making me particularly anxious, so, it's real nice to have it over. My next exam is in 12 hours, woo hoo! Hopefully that one goes well.

The light at the end of this tunnel is the ultimate movie marathon, my sister, Poe and I have been compiling. It is going to be amazing. After weeks of planning and discussion we have decided on:

> > > > > Movie marathon:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Sandlot 101 min <-comedy
> > > > > > Breakfast Club 97 min <-classic
> > > > > > Someone Like You 97 min <-romantic comedy
> > > > > > Last of Mohicans 112 min <-action/adventure
> > > > > > Shutter Island 138 min <-suspense
> > > > > > Top Gun 110 min <-80's
> > > > > > Peter Pan 113 min <-family
> > > > > > Legends of the Falls 133 min <-drama
> > > > > > Moulin Rogue 127 min <-romance
> > > > > > Beauty and the Beast 84 min <-Disney
> > > > > > My Sister's Keeper 109 min <-tear-jerker
> > > > > > 3:10 to Yuma 122 min <-western
> > > > > > Gone With the Wind 238 min <-old-time
> > > > > > Back to the Future 116 min <-sci/fi
> > > > > > Paranormal Activity 86 min <-horror

Originally, it was only suppose to be 26 hours (real marathon = 26 miles) because we didn't think we could call it a marathon with anything less. Then after we collected the essential movies we ended up at 30 hours, and we didn't think we could get rid of any of films because if so, we would be lacking substance, they are ALL essential to this project.

More good news! We decide to meet at Chans (12 hour drive for poe, 14 drive for me) because it would be the best meeting spot. And she wants to partake in this marathon (I think she was more excited than Meg and I, lol). Can't wait!

Duty calls, I'm off to study.

You Tell 'em Rachel

Best line from this week's episode:

I was going to get you one, but I don't like you.

All work and no play makes for a lame Easter

Dear Guozhong Cao,

Thank you for writing "Nanostructures and Nanomaterial" because I am clearly the worst note-taker in the world and when combined with the lecture notes of unmentionable Prof. R****, the consequences are dire. Because of you I am beginning to understand localized surface plasmon resonance, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Yours truly,
A grade-A slack off student

Sometimes it seems there is too much to do and not enough hours in the day, those are the days I long for summer when I will finally be free. Ahhhhh. Hopefully, I will make it out okay.

P.S. Em I will post photos soon.

Save the Planet: Eat Peanut Butter and Jelly - Food - The Atlantic

Save the Planet: Eat Peanut Butter and Jelly - Food - The Atlantic

These tomatos are nostalgic

I bought these tomatos from the store about a week ago, but when I first ate them they were a little too tart. I am eating them now and they are delicious and they remind me of way back when. When my parents used to make me and my siblings help can tomatos from our home grown garden. Anyway, these tomatos reminded me of the time comsuming days of canning tomatos, good times.

Stonehenge

I LOVE MAIL!!!

Keel, I got your postcard, so exciting. It makes me feel so important. I'm sure it's sad how excited I get by mail, but I absolutely love it! :) It's the small things that make me happy.

P.S. Keel, that "...stupid sexy Ned Flanders..." comment was intended for you, slightly disappointed you didn't comment.

The most painful exam, ever!

I had a rugby match yesterday, making that two hour exam literally painful, in every sense of the word. I played loose-head in the scrums yesterday, meaning, the back of my neck was constantly being banged by the shoulders of some beefy ladies. And today was, by far, the most sore my neck has ever been, along with some other parts, arms, leg, back, fingers, calves, feet, etc. Anyway, looking down at my exam caused some serious throbbing in the neck region. Not sure how I did on the exam though, it definitely wasn't my best work, which is disappointing because I had SO much to say on the topics, but my poor, slow, sweaty hand couldn't keep up. It was one of those three-essays-in-two-hours kind of exams, which is fine, but I always run out of time, even though know I know the answer. (stupid sexy ned flanders!) My hands were profusely sweaty, too, I don't imagine that help with the hand cramps either. Are the exercises you can do for that? I wonder if there are competitions for speed writers...

Last Day of Class

Today was my last class of this academic year and it feels a little bit odd. Don't be fooled though, I still have 9 exams and two papers in front of me. I need to get studying because I have two exams next week, but I really don't want to. I think I might procrastinate a bit longer before I actually start studying.

What's been going on with me:

-A couple weeks ago my parents came to visit me and it was a great time (we saw Stonehenge!)

-I started a three week Vegan Challenge and I am currently on day 19 and I feel great. More physically energized and greater mental clarity. My housemates are always making fun of the food I eat, but I'm okay with it. The other night I made hummus, tomato, and lettuce toasties and Kuba, my housemate, got a kick out of that.

-Volunteering is going wonderfully. The kids are hilarious and so genuine.

-Went running with a friend, who kicks my a** everytime we run, but not the other day, I totally won. (Yeah we keep track...we're a little competetive)

-St. Patty's Day was Varsity (all teams play each other, medics vs. non-medics) and I played the most amazing game of rugby, and we lost, but it was incredibly fun. Later that day I might have had a little bit too much alcohol, but enjoy watching a great game of men's rugby by Imperial's medics vs. non-medics, again, non-medics lost.

-Spent time in my kitchen last night making vulgar jokes, eating, and laughing with housemates. Good times with housemates.

-Finally, the greatest thing happened today. Today was the last day of class, so, I went out with some friends to celebrate, well, this was my first time "going out to eat" since I started the vegan challenge. I was a little nervous about this because I was thinking if ordered vegan food it would taste "boring" (a.k.a. like crap), but when I got my food it was delicious! I got a falafel burger with chips (no salt) and it was so yummy. Granted, it wasn't the most healthy food I've eaten on this challenge, I am just so proud I didn't cave, I thought for sure I would.

humility is my middle name

Not by nature, but experience. It's the usual, me, the library, and 3:54 in the morning. In the attempts to pump myself up (I've been reading academic journals for-e-v-e-r) I decided to jam to Heart, oh yes, the one and only, "All I want to do is make love to you". Well, I'm sitting in one of the back rooms of the library, by myself, and I couldn't refrain from a little bit of lip-singing. Coincidentally, some dude happened to be walking by the glass wall and he gave me "the look". You know, the look where they're not really sure if they should be embarrassed for you or if they should just laugh.

Pick my box.

-Your mother is my father.

-Guess who broke up?

-I will set you ablaze.

-Woof.

-You know when you say that you're actually insulting yourself.

-And I say, 'Sally you need a break, let Bob pick up the kids from soccer practice.'

-You guys can stay, I'm just going to go.

-Have you ever seen a bald eagle?

-We are siamese...

-See what I mean, Sam?

peanut butter toasties are like heaven on earth...

...which would explain why I'm out of peanut butter and bread. Today's been a lovely day except for that nagging pain that comes once a month. I soooo didn't want to get out of bed this morning.

Not much going on here, just reading a little bit of this and a little bit of that (like academic journals on neuro science that are over my head and nutritional tidbits, also looking at a couple accident reports I have to read for one of my classes, but the reports are like 300 pages and I'm really hoping he's not expecting us to read all of it, so I emailed him and am waiting for a reply). I'm going to try to study for a bit, stop by home and get something to eat because I'm hungry and then I have a volunteering meeting later. I'm all pumped up for some reason and I didn't even jog today. When I woke up this morning I thought about jogging and then I laughed.

My New Hero

Hyde Park is lovely

Currently on a high from a nice little jog through Hyde Park. I went three miles but my time was so terrible I didn't even bother to check it, but I feel good. I love the endorphins I get after a run, they get me all pumped. The run was nice, I didn't feel too winded, surprisingly, but it was colder than I anticipated. After I take a quick shower I think I'm going to dedicate some time for studying. I started "Steels: Microstructure & Properties" yesterday and its pretty bad-*ss, so, I might read a little more of that and of course, my pride and joy, "Solidification".

And my Challenge = FAIL. I was tired or reading last night and I caved and watched, "Law & Order: SVU". What can I say it's my weak spot? Not sure how to proceed, I feel so...so...so...defeated. I'll wait for my wounds to heal and I'll try again.


Current obsessions:

-The Weepies, still
-Overall and complete health
-The fact that I can't sit in a hot bath and read a book, boo
-Missing the pleasant view of corn fields

The more things change the more things stay the same

Today my insomniac ways were the cause of me being late for "History of Medicine", shame on me. On a positive note, I'm to 18 hours of being television free, and the challenge presses on.

So in class today our professor was describing a case in the late 19th century about a woman who was surgically sterlized because she was deemed "feeble minded". Apparently such an operation was legal for medics in the United States (shocking!) and the Scandinavian countries. It's such a violation of the basic human rights that I find it appalling. Then it got me thinking about the lack of humanity in the world today. Exploitation, starvation, trafficking, and the devaluing of individuals, but as Rene Debos would say, as long as there are young rebels in our midst there is hope. So, I am hopeful.

Current obsessions:

-The Weepies, still

A lazy Sunday

Yesterday I spent most of my day at Body & Soul which is an inspiring place for those with HIV/AIDS or are closely affected by it. It's a place where they can go for therapy, assistance, and support. I've been trying to volunteer there for months, but it's been a slow process and I hopefully I'll be working there soon. After a day of training I realize how misunderstood HIV is and how hard it is for them, but it is encouraging that they have a place like Body & Soul. The atmosphere there is so positive and lively and I look forward to being a part of it.

NEW CHALLENGE:

One of my many addictions is.....television. So, I will attempt to refrain from watching it and I'm going to try my best to go as long as I can without it. It degrades the mind and turns it to mush. Boo. Right now is a really important time for my mind and I need to get it into shape. Anyone who has the same problem can feel free to join in. :)

Currently obsessed with:

-The Weepies, I keep listening to their musics, over and over, but the lyrics are soooo good and so inspiring

-Biomaterials, not so much obsessed at trying to learn it all

Other than that there is not much new to report. I suppose I should be out an about exploring the world, but I do what I can. I was so exhausted from yesterday I didn't have it in me to do much today.

All the things I haven't told you and the reason I didn't see you for Christmas

It's 3 AM and we just had a fire alarm. Seriously? I suppose I would have been more upset if I actually was sleeping. Yes, I am such a night owl. I suppose it's in my blood, a few of my siblings have the same gene.

Lately, I've been busy with school, rugby, and friends. I've been finding myself quite happy here in the big city. But recently, I've realized that I need to focus more on my studies if I want to do well on my exams. So, I spent about six hours at the library this evening, I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, but it's a start.

Over Christmas break I visited Rome, Dublin, and Scotland where I finally was able to fulfill my yearning for adventure and excitement. And what an adventure it was. I found it to be one of the most exciting things I have ever done and hopefully it's just the beginning.

Here's a synopsis:

Before I departed for Rome, I had to pack my bag and make sure all my ducks were in a row because it was the first time I would be traveling around Europe and I was on my own. And as usual, I was pressed until the very last minute. Before I know it I am literally running back to Wilson at 4 AM so I can make my flight on time. In my defense, the website I need to print my boarding pass from was "malfunctioning"...for several hours and without my pass I was s.o.l. So, there I am sweating my ass off, at who knows what hour, and running around Hyde Park to get to my dorm as fast as possible. Yes, I said around Hyde Park, not through. You see, if I were able to go through Hyde Park I wouldn't be running because it's only a half an hour walk, but since it was past midnight I had to haul my ass all the way around the park, which was a good hour or so. It was possible to cut through the park, but at night that's a bit of a risky deal, if you don't want to get jumped, that is. So, I'm just jogging along and minding my own business when out of nowhere a fox appears. I jog past him and he jogs past me, and for a moment it was as if we were thinking the same thing, "WTF?" A fox randomly walking along the streets of London??? Some girl going for a jog in the middle of the night with her bookbag on??? Needless to say, it was an odd sight.

Fast forward, I'm sitting there waiting for the shuttle to the airport until I see it approaching and it just keeps on driving. I'm wondering what just happened and I start to panic. If I don't get to the airport on time, I'll miss my flight, and then I'll miss my other three flights, and I'll have to spend Christmas doing nothing and be all alone in London. I feel a lump in my throat and I am about to start crying. I tell myself to calm down. I start walking, no where in particular, I am just walking about and trying to figure out what to do, and I'm not sure at that point. Finally, I flag down a taxi. He can tell that I'm about to burst into tears and he offers to give me a ride to where I need to be to catch the shuttle. He drops me off, I pay him and thank him. Once I get on the shuttle I feel a huge surge of relief and I pass out until we get to the airport.


Somewhere over France on the plane ride to Rome as excitement ran through my veins


My first view of Italy and when I started to feel a little nervous


I made it from the airport to the city centre, okay I can do this


Yay, my hostel! In just a few hours time I would be crashed up in my assigned bed, I was exhausted at this point


The best pizza in the world!


This was my first day to roam around Rome and one of my favorite pictures from my trip


Don't be fooled, I froze my ass off this day, along with every other day


A beautiful view of Rome


Huge! Me, right outside the Pantheon


I was very excited by this, I totally did not know that this was a real beer.


Oh my gosh, I will never forget this! I was on the way to the Colosseum with a friend I met in our hostel and it was cold and rainy and the one day I didn't take my hat


I love this one, it was when I was just wandering around taking snap shots


This was a garden that totally creeped my shit out, nobody was around and I thought I was going to get murdered here, it was eerie but I was curious, needless to say, I didn't stay long.


This is reminiscent of the most romantic date I've ever had and an evening in Rome I'll never forget


Me out on a pub crawl in Dublin with my new found friend


Streets of Dublin before the dawn


When I first got to Edinburgh and was totally taken by it all


These baked potatoes were glorious


Street view


Traditional meal of haggis and beer, and it was lovely


Edinburgh was the home to some of the first skyscrapers


This makes me wish I was there, *tear*


One of the New Year's celebrations, a bunch of people with torches. Then we went to the top of a hill and lit stuff on fire, it was awesome


I got to hold a torch! I felt like it was 200 years ago and I was in a mob of angry townspeople


A night on the town with my amazing Aussie mates and it started snowing


The highlands I want to move to


See, it's like I belong here...now I just need a Scottish guy, hmmmm...


The word "beautiful" doesn't do it justice



A WWII monument which the Scottish people hold a great respect for


My heart broke a little when I had to leave