Final Two Weeks

It's crunch time. Time to hammer out long, irregular hours of school work and money work. Trying to fit in eating and working out is hard, but I always make time for church and bible study. And knitting. Tonight I made a spectacle of myself at the Beehive Woolshop here in Vic after hours. Next steps in knitting - a felted Christmas stocking. I added stitches three times and even ended up knitting with the short end - the wrong end. I even started with not enough to cast on.
I need to be asleep in one minute if I want to clock some hours of nightime shut-eye before I begin the cycle of classes and schoolwork again.
I know. I was on a long hiatus.
Laziness. Travelling. Laziness. I'm working on getting rid of the outsets.

Shanti, Shanti, and Shanti (Peace, Peace, and Peace)

I never get as much homework as I plan to on weekends. But they are ALWAYS eventful. My room can now be a hospitable place for house guests. I can see my desk and actually work on it now. Made the complete effort to attend mass and stayed for Soup and Soul afterwards, a super intersting one for me since our guest Fr. Jai gave a talk on the Indian Yoga System. It's not just a posture practice after all. There's cleansing, focus of the mind, control of breathing, stages of consciousness, sheets of the self... so much. I'm not sure that I can really call myself a yogi anymore, not until I get the whole fascinating big picture. It takes an eternity to cook meals, which is why I only do it on the weekends, and do as much as I can to make sure I can get myself through the week. Today Mom suggested Chicken Aliozcaldo, which turned out more like Lugao, but was absoulutely delicious - and I have my housemate to vouch for that as I still cannot taste everything for what it really is with my sickness. Punctuated my constant stirring of my soup with knitting, my new, obsessive hobby that Sarah has gotten me into. I'm warming up for my Thursday night shawl-making class by working on a scarf. Got a lot done this weekend, and I have to leave it at that as it is now time for serious schoolwork.

Useless?

I wouldn't say that I am boring. In fact, I know that I am not. But it does not excuse that at times I feel pathetic for someone of my young age. Like right now. My housemate boys are at what looked like an awesome kegger from the outside, but I walked the rest of the way home and am sitting on my floor drinking my last Bud Light Lime. A year ago today I would have been kicking butt at WCURCs, and could have again this year. But I'm sticking to my decision and life has changed.
Only a four day school week, but it was rather brutal juggling all the labs, midterms, and assignments while being sick a coughing up blood, so to say I survived is a feat on its own. Allowed myself a sleep-in today. Wrote my Spinning exam (definitely got at least 40/50 minimum). Took Elizabeth to the gym. Spent an eternity with Sarah at BeeHive picking out my expensive bamboo knitting supplies and wool. And, the highlight of the day: watched Harry Potter 6 at the Cinecenta while enjoying and then spilling their awesome awesome popcorn.
This was the Ultimate Day of my sickness recovery and Day 1 of finally being back to normal again.

Three Cups of Tea

It is Thanksgiving weekend and two missed ferries and three actual ferries later, Duke Point to Tswassen, Horseshoe Bay to (wherever we were), (wherever we were) to Earl's Point, Earl's Point to Powell River. Gave me lots of time to finish the book I am now recommending to you.
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. Fantastic story of an American man who totally changes the course of his life to build schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His story is an excellent model for the change that we each can pioneer in this world, and are called to act upon. Now one of the people I would most like to meet in the world. And I completely support the view of many others that he should one day receive the Nobel Peace Prize. I hope that my life's work and my own personal story may take this sort of direction, although I cannot yet imagine the kind of selflessness and purity of heart it would take to make the kind of sacrifices and take the kind of risks that this man has had to.
Please read it for yourself: www.threecupsoftea.com

Lady in the Making

Lola Inang and Mom are going to be so proud of me when I come home in November. I can officially multitask housekeeping and kitchen duties. After returning from my single Thursday morning class with $24 dollars worth of banana bread making groceries from Thrifty's (I only had one of the 7 required ingredients you see), I proceeded to do two loads of laundry, change my bedding, hang my posters and tidy up my room, AND bake two recipes of banana bread.

The baking was the big deal for me. Physical proof that cooking is something I can manage and enjoy. What made me do it? Our Global Medical Brigades bake sale that I am manning for one hour tomorrow. My first batch was a no sugar added because I forgot to add the 1 cup of sugar, not because I intended it (that would be cruel). So those two loaves are coming with me to Powell River this weekend for Thanksgiving with the B.C. portion of the Laquian family.

The second batch will be consumed by hungry and stressed students tomorrow, as it is the heat of midterm season right now. That one I forgot to line the pan with butter on, but it was effortless to pry out. So overall, a success. And the housemates love their share, so I feel good.

Although my homemaking self was productive, my student self was not really. I napped. Did not go to the gym due to the inability to escape certain seeking coaches and athletes. Dropped my iPod in the middle of the McKenzie intersection when I was running across over the last 10 seconds of the crosswalk. Read my Three Cups of Tea (non-academic textbook) during work. Transcribed half of my cellular physiology notes while talking to my mother and sipping my 3.00 London Fog in the biblioteque. Taking 1 hour to get to Brit's truck to get us home because we missed our second bus and walked all the way from Hillside up Shelbourne to McKenzie, with a stop at Tim Horton's on the way. I am getting better. My grades are proof of that. But this entire week has been characterized by consecutive nights of short sleep punctuated by one of decent sleep. It's the life of a student, I suppose. I've just never truly had to subject myself to it until now.

Yes. I. Can.

A little twist on the Yes.We.Can. phrase that seems to be popping up everywhere as a way of empowerment. By everywhere I mean Jane Gooddall's lips at We Day Van and on a poster in the UVic Access Office. So it looks like it can be done. Surviving classes. Studying often and well. Attending a club meeting. Getting a workout in. All while remaining on campus all day, and packing enough to not go hungry or insane.

The only downer was having to call Brit to pick me up from the bus stop, where I was freezing in my gym t-shirt and shorts, waiting for the bus that would inevitably be 20 minutes late. A colossal waste of an hour, well, not really. I studied some more.

Because I had no pockets on my sweat-drenched, and thus freezing, t-shirt, I used my shoes to transport my iPod, flashcards, and muffin (eww, I know - it was wrapped well ok!). I guarded them with my life.

The Verdict

Remeber way over a month ago when I "sprained" that pinky? First, I was told at Health Services that it was just a sprain that would take several weeks to heal and that I would no longer need to tape it. Three weeks later, I was seen by another two doctors in one session, as my poor little pinky was rather swollen and obviously crooked (not so good for progress). I was given the go ahead for an x-ray which brought me to today.
Apparently, I had broken my finger, but it has healed incredibly well given the circumstances. Now I have a beatiful copy of the x-ray to study my bone modification section of anatomy with.
It's probably far too late to file an incident report at work, now that I finally know what really happened to me. I'm just thankful I did not have to get the little digit reset. Not the kind of painful study I had in mind to follow the ones I have already subjected myself to so far.

My cafe mocha and sudden overt-alertness may actually get me through my cramming for a midterm tomorrow. I do not know how I managed to be like this last year while rowing. I also don't know what I'm trying to prove here at university. I'm certainly not just along for the ride. This has got to be meant for something.

Day of Unrest

I believe the trend with me is that I only take a nap once a week. It is a one hour nap. And it occurs on Saturday sometime between noon and 5pm. I have easily let my friends convince me that Friday night and Saturday must NOT be days of homework.

So today is my day of unrest. And it starts when I sign-off. Somehow I must attempt to do a bit of everything in every course today. But the priorities will be those with midterms and pertinent labs, which narrows it down to 4 courses of 6.

So remain uninterested in how my day may unfold here. There will be a trip back to Inner Harbour to find a birthday present for my mom, maybe pick up those boots I eyed yesterday, and see if my favourite Craft Market has not closed up for the fall yet.

Otherwise, here's some pics of Beacon Hill Park, where I had an awesome , healthy picnic with my volunteer companion yesterday. The last time I was in this exact area was my first time taking the bus last year from downtown home. I went the wrong way, then got lost. At Beacon Hill.

I've also decided that I actually take most meats medium, not medium rare as I had thought. It was not you, The Keg, it was me this time.

Just Another Lab Rat

I participated in another lab study again. Subject 12 is my title. However, this time it was not invasive - no muscle taken from my quads that I will never get back. No scars to remember the process by, only a long-sleeve tee from the RehabNeuroLab at UVic.
It was a success. Certainly uncomfortable at times; time really does seem to stand still over 7 minute intervals where every second is calculated and punctuated by nerve stimulation of both of your soleus' (the muscle running underneath your gastrocnemeus, the calf).
My advice: probably not a good idea to go and attempt hot yoga later in the day after your leg muscles have been overstimulated for 40 minutes. Don't be surprised when your legs fail you.

The many things, like this study, that I have been getting myself into and putting myself through over my time as an undergrad. certainly characterize my attribute of being a wanderer.
But I'm really feeling the pressure and angst now to figure myself out. Who do I want to be? Where I am going? Because my life right now has a very unknown path. I have no idea what I'm setting myself up for. And although it should be exciting to let everything fall where it may, I cannot shake the senses of doubt and failure that certain individuals have been throwing my way.

I also can't help but feel that I really am "getting older" now, that life with all its inconsistencies, let-downs, anguish, and brutality is starting to rear its head. Friends moving. Friends dying. Friends lost. Tough love. Grudges. Enemies. Why? I'm learning how to deal.

Today We Change the World

Yes, it is not even the break of dawn yet but I am sitting here in the dark so as not to wake up my cousin Ate Laura's best friend Laura. Yes, you may have to read that last portion again to wrap your head around it. How is it that people are not only drawn to individuals that are so much like them, but also have the same name too?
I purposely (although I did bring it) did not do homework during the retreat this past weekend because it was intended to be a time of spiritual reflection (which homework does not achieve, not at all).
Thus, my 4a.m. wake up so that I can continue with the campaign of completing my homework at awkward hours since there are no other options for me right now with my busy weekend. This is the first time this month I have actually been successful with getting up within the minute after wake-up and doing exactly what I intended, so bravo for me today.
In 50 minutes I walk out this door and bus to the GM Place, where 16,000 students (and likely more) will attend WeDay Vancouver planned by Free the Children. This is one of the groups I wish I had been a part of in high school - children helping other children through education. I will be selling WeStyle and Free the Children books and CD's today to youth who could educate ME about all the FTC and W2M does. I may walk away from this event more inspired by their commitment and passion for change, perhaps even more inspired by the music and messages their honorable guests will have to give. I hope that these youth are the ones "the world has been waiting for." I also hope that it's not too late for me to be the same (perhaps I can do better now that I am older and getting better at knowing what I want and can be passionate about).

My final comment, my highlight of last night (aside from Purple Yam Gelato at Casa Gelato, Vancouver....mmm, delicious):
being 30m away from Jason Mraz during his soundcheck. Although he was under the weather and could not sing everything, he was just as into his music as he was at his concert last month. Only I could see without looking at a screen the expression. It really was artistry to the core.
Of course these are the moments where you wish you had your real camera (not the camera-phone, which I did try to attempt taking video with, but deleted of my own ineptness with my own phone -security will be happy). But I dare you to take those moments to really experience all there is when you are somewhere outside of your norm - don't take pictures, be in the moment and see what that does for you, instead of experiencing it through your pictures when you get home.
And my final comment to my final comment:
It's pretty awesome to now be going to school across the country, living in a city that is much like the hometown in that it is so cute, green, artsy and hippie-like, and is also so close to a major city - Vancouver. I trade Van for T.O., and T.O. for Van whenever I come and go, and if it is over the right period of time, I can have the opportunity to check out people and events twice over. For example, Jason Mraz Gratitude Cafe Tour last month in T.O., and now soundcheck last night in Van. (I would have been happy just seeing his performance from behind the curtain in the 300 level today). I never thought I'd be able to do his Dynamo of Volition dance (real simple, the everyday American and Canadian can master his three awesome moves) under his leadership again, but I guess I shouldn't live in such doubt.
The countdown of this likely exhausting day begins. And I won't be surprised if it continues into tomorrow with ferry rides and homework in every form.

My Retreat to Thetis Island (not the lake in Victoria, THE island)

I just want to set things straight before anyone reads on with this. I went to Thetis Island, the Thetis that takes a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to get to, not the Thetis that you miss when you blink along the Trans-Canada, barely outside of Victoria. Ok? Ok.

I got myself into and out of a lot of things this week. Global Medical Brigades. Neuroscience study. ASL classes. NO chem lab. Those would be the highlights.

I would not say that I'm being random right now. I'm simply allowing myself the liberty to actually do many of the things that my former over-acheiving self would have been interested in. And although it makes me seem wayward and absent-minded, it's very much where I am at with myself right now.

I'm beginning to think more and more these days that I initially came to B.C. for the wrong reasons, but that I was meant to find my way here and stay for a while.

So I went on a spiritual retreat with UVic's Catholic Student Association. Comparable to Bible School for those not of the religious nature. Everything always seems to exceed my expectations here, and this was no exception. Food was great. People were awesome. Weather a little unpredictable, but scenery cozy and amazing - look at the pics in wonderment, just as I did in the real physical space.

Still accident prone this month. Cut my knee open and grazed the whole lateral side of my right shin playing soccer. But all in good fun. I really do love sprinting- so perhaps that's the way I'll train with cardio.

Started reading my Green Bible and Three Cups of Tea. I'm very much into learning more about sustainable living and humanitarianism. I hope this is not some tree-hugging phase I'm going through because this could really direct how I complete my time in academia and attempt to direct my future.

It appears that I have forgotten most of the little filipino I actually know. I couldn't remember the Hail Mary for our rosary in different languages. Thus, we had no filipino representation. Forgive me.

Beachcomber

That is what I have become. It's simple, although you tend to forget where you are and why you really came out to the shore - the view of the ocean, the mountains! I end up looking down and not really ahead most of the time, which is not the way I lead...

I have discovered Wii Fit and I love it. Not exactly a way to max out but great for a day forced indoors, and especially for this place, where the ocean IS my background.

But I must return to my duties on the island. School, work, volunteering, (rowing)....? But I have plenty of enough there as well, especially with all of the stuff I have accumulated new AND second hand over here avec the Bittles.

When I finally have a real place of my own I must have a garden (and this is after I've mastered that cooking thing). Produce in your own backyard - convenient and makes meals interesting and flavourful I'm sure.

Miss Bella here is currently singing to my feet - their budgie that is more spoiled than most beautiful babies and more obedient and lively than a dog.

A wonderful and rare find in a pet.

I hope to come across some seal again, like the three I just caught hopping into the water as I reached the rocks I had to climb over due to the tide. They were a curious bunch - bobbing up every couple yards to stare at me again and again. But eventually it was time to walk away and not look back - leaving them behind until I visit Powell River again.

This Is Why I'm Here

For the past two hours I have watched the sunset above the ocean outside my cousin's close-enough to waterfront home in Powell River, B.C.

Scary start to the day, waking up 5 mins. before I intended to call my cab to get me to the closest stop to the ferry. But all ended well as I am here after all - three ferries with two windy interludes between gorgeous mountains later.

I have always had issues using chopsticks. I've had many mini-tutorials from family, friends, and classmates at a variety of respective restaurants with a variety of types of chopsticks, yet my performance has not been consistent. Until today. Apparently all I needed was a three-step instruction (with photo accompaniment) provided conveniently on the chopstick wrapping - which I have generously shared here.

Tonight I must make up for my lack of sleep (3.5 hours only last night as we took housemate Ryan to Sticky Wicket, Victoria, for the first night of many enjoyed downtown).

Tomorrow will be an exploration of this 10.000 populated town/village.

At a disadvantage

Sprained my pinky finger yesterday at work when it got caught in the chain of the back door I was trying to lower. Big ouch! I think I've sprained this one before, as I knew exactly what was happening to me as the pain set it, the skin swelled, and the colour began to change. It's really rather unfortunate that it had to be my left hand, and for that matter, my hand at all, as writing and typing are quite regular formalities for me (let's not forget texting, as I seem to do that far too often than I would prefer). Thus, I have forced myself to, yes, reply to my semi-urgent emails right now and even take some notes here as practice makes perfect, and I really how no idea as to how long I will be in such pains.

Today was day 2 and a half of my return to Victoria. New place, new roomies, a real new start of kicking on my own.

Turns out that Tuxedo Dr. as the landmark for when to signal my stop on the bus is quite flawed, as it appears twice on my route - once too early, and once right on the mark. So last night I thought I had undershot, and ended up walking almost all the way to Pat Bay highway. It made me kranky and depressed as I just wanted to sleep in my new, comfy, queen size mattress (far more than a person of my height and size ever needs). On the bright side (which I tried desperately to find on my backtrack) it gave me time to think about life sans Vikes rowing, which I would rather not comment on right now.

I think I'm going to get carple tunnel in my right hand - it's doing so much more work in compensation for my maimed left.

It's really too bad that I cannot use this sweet injury as an excuse for undercooking my pasta tonight. My cooking skills are a whole matter of their own- another disadvantage of mine.

Home, Sweet, Home

Not really sure what to do with myself, as I sit here and wait for my belongings to arrive at my new address. Sitting on the floor of my beatiful room, sans my queen sized bed which is arriving tomorrow. Settling on the couch for tonight instead.
I seem to not be content with the option of not having anything to do right now. Yet I do not want to get to more pressing tasks, like my homework, as that would require unpacking my things onto the shelves and hangers that I do not have yet! And even if I did, I would just be leaving for Powell River anyways on Wednesday.
Spent a week in Van before finally takingn the ferry trip over here to reunite with my housemates and see my new place for the first time.
Definitely a big city girl. I like the hustle of a busy town with a flurry of people heading in all directions. I like the availability of places to see and things to do - the availability of transit that goes hand in hand with a overpopulated place.
Or maybe I do just truly like it out here on the West cooast

The GRC, GRC, and more GRC

A beautiful day at the rowing club. Balmy weather and a buoyed course to row on. Coached some rec. crews this morning, then came back and killed a glorious half hour chilling with some obnoxious geese and writing in my favourite (and only) waterproof notebook of rowing wisdom.

Back again in the afternoon to save our Head Coach from being stranded in the middle of the lake as our LifeTaker decided to take it's own life. Sun-kissed headshots for our bulletin board.

Days end at 11p.m. Way past my bedtime for a 4:30am wake-up call.

Widget

Hottest Day of the Summer

This one is about 6 days early as scheduled on the calendar. My solution: lots of cold water and keep the door open while keeping the bees out. It may be too sunny even for a 7p.m. run, but Moksha yoga's Summer Solstice night will definitely have me in attendance. 75 minutes of yoga with live beats and spoken word - a bit untraditional, but i'm down, and ready.

Nap and Night Freak

I have completely messed up my sleep schedule. The last time it was this terrible would have been two falls ago - first year + rowing - up till 12am, then up again at 5am.
I just cannot sleep before 11p.m. So for three weeks now I awake at 4:30am for 5:15am practice, arrive home past 7:30a.m., nap for 1 or 2 or 3 hours, eat work or workout or clean another tenth of my room, and then repeat.
Just when I've finally managed to finish a school year without allowing myself a good two hour nap every morning or afternoon, I actually NEED them this time around.
If anything good can come of this, this syndrome has helped me differentiate between feelings of completely exhaustion (so a necessary nap) and feelings of overtiredness (so get up baby!). Yet I still must be affecting the longevity of this life in a negative way (knock on wood, please).
It's past my scheduled bedtime, but I am wide awake.
Funny how I can blame everything on rowing, yet everyday I come back to it.

Exam Fever and Degrees of Procrastination

Here I am at the UVic Library. Open till midnight, but I'm only here for one more hour. Not enough time to go back home, because I'll just have to come back for my pick-up at 7:25p.m. for Easter Vigil. I haven't been to church in weeks (months actually), and since this has always been my favourite "special" mass of all the special Christian occassions, I should experience it in Victoria.
Finished one of the three essays I've been working on not too long ago. So ready to move on the next, since it took a lot just to get me here. I can't help it if I've wanted breaks between the three exams I've already written, and the six chapters of Financial Accounting readings I did yesterday.
But of course, I brought all the materials I needed to get the work done, except the assignment outlines- again. But I believe the worst essay is over.
So to pass the time over this next fine hour, I'm reading Breakfast at Tiffany's. Always sold out at bookstores when I've gone to buy it. Always on loan at libraries when I've gone to borrow it. Except for today - my lucky day, I guess.

Week to End All Weeks (Part I)

Craziest week of the semester. Week 12 - last week of classes. 3 finals, one of which was today. 2 papers, due over the next two days. April Fools, but nothing surprising at all. 2 rowing banquets, one of which was today - my 2 hour break from this academic chaos. Legs are killing me right now - my Monday strength training circuit involving unilateral leg pressing, jump squats, and box jumps has made all mobility today strenuous.

A pic from dinner - all the littlest coxies from both mens and womens program, somehow ended up at the same table.