Nov updates

Well well its been awhile, hasn't it? As my pageviews decrease everyday, I'm thinking it should be time for another post. I've had two friends ask me if I'm ever still on blogger and the answer is that I want to write posts like before except its hard to keep up with all the social media around me! And I've become too lazy to put words into coherent paragraphs. 

Ever since getting the iphone 5, I've became (although I used to dislike how people are so attached to their phones) increasingly dependent on it. I use it to take quick shots, play bejewled (hahaha I will get to 400k...one day), and text. Its hard to imagine when I used to keep my pink samsung in my backpack the whole day and only take it out to set my morning alarm. What used to be a weekly phone charge has become a daily phone charge. During dinner today michelle, who doesn't have a smartphone, pointed out that whenever we're out, erika and I (both iphone users) are always on our phones using fb or instagram. I'd like to think that I could still function sans my phone because I'd hate to rely so much on a piece of technology. Except its awfully convenient. Some of my favorite features include: 1) notes because its a quick way to write something down and easily come back to it. 2) camera because I never bring my digi with me anymore! 3) weather because its always nice to know when its going to be sunny in the 604. 4) calendar. my exams schedule/major assignment due dates are all there. 5) picstitch. I always feel the need to "collage" this. 6) bejewled blitz, but thats a given. ;-) 

This is the last week of classes (and then exams till the 18th) and I'm seriously wondering where in the world did the time go?! These past 3 months have really passed by FAST. I remember many things from the first few days of my arrival...the phone call from my MUG leader to tell me where to meet for my orientation...writing my first sticky note on Erika's door wishing her a good first day...exploring the campus for the first time over labor day weekend...and now whattya know, it's the end of the semester as a college first year. The journey has been fast but also so so great in many ways. I've taken the unhealthy liberty of skipping classes I don't learn in (namely e..c..o..n..) which is not necessarily what my mom would approve of but I learn nothing from the prof but by self-studying in that class. Living independently has taught me many things. (I now know to clean the dryer with a paper towel before throwing clothes in!) I've been blessed with a compatible, slightly weird (she bursts out singing sometimes and gets high off of prawns) and oh so amazing roomie. Both of us don't like to party or drink but we manage to have a good time by exploring a new restaurant around Van every week. A great part of why the 3 months flew by so quickly was that I was comfortable with my living environment.  The majority of my high school friends are commuters and to be honest, I can't say the college experience has been the same for them. I feel (and could be wrong) that college is just an extension of high school, only bigger campus.

Work has had its challenges and being a program leader puts me in a completely different role than when I used to be a volunteer at day camps. I've had one really crappy day where I felt like I screwed up my job. My supervisor unexpectedly dropped by when we had gym time and the kids seemed to be all over the place at that very moment. It looked like I had no control over the kids. I had a headache, bussed back to rez and went straight to bed for 10 hours. But most weeks are rewarding. I've gotten to know, on a personal level, all 12 kids I work with. My batch of volunteers are always super helpful. Last week, the principal phoned my supervisor saying what a great program it is and how thankful he is to us for running it. I guess I must be doing something right! 

Michael, I've been thinking about you everyday since watching the youtube video that was uploaded on Halloween. I was really supposed to be studying for my econ midterm but I watched the whole hour of that video. I met you along with Jason and for the longest time I had to keep asking mel who was who even though you two look nothing alike! We were far from close friends but I knew you. You went to my school. And now you're no longer here. Except your impact lives on. I've told my friends here about your story and you've impacted people in unimaginable ways. I'll remember you always.

I've gotten back in touch with someone who meant a lot to me from the beginning of high school and as surprising as this sounds, this person still means a lot to me nearly four years later. Hes become more mature with most of his focus on school/work but I'd say we're still pretty darn similar from way back then. I'm pretty sure our feelings for each other aren't quite the same but I know that he values our friendship in the same way. He makes me smile in ways that are incomprehensible for most people but whatever, he makes me happy whenever I talk to him and I'm glad we're still a part of each others lives.

Of course it hasn't all been great. My grades in my courses aren't what I'm most proud of. I'm still struggling with finding my work/study habits. The courses for this semester haven't been all the most engaging. I still find myself falling asleep at least once a day in lectures. And my circle of friends in my classes consist mainly of people I used to know, rather than new people. it's not a bad thing because I enjoy my old friends' company except I'd like to get to know more people. With the professor lecturing the majority of the whole 50 minutes and then rushing to the next class in this huge campus, its a little difficult to engage in conversations. Plus by the end of September, everyone usually has picked their designated seats for the rest of the semester. I look forward to the new year/semester and hopefully to new friendships!