What I did last night made me feel so old. I'm on the computer quite a lot lately, reading online stories and news and whatnot. However, I found that I kept changing the text size to just one setting larger.
I finally cracked and changed my laptop's screen resolution last night. I went from 1400x1050 pixels to 1024x768... But I have to admit, the new size was driving me up the wall - it was too big. So this morning I changed back to 1280x1024 pixels. It's moderately better.
I just feel old having done so - whenever I visit home, I always change my parents' monitor from 800x600 to the largest resolution... But now I find myself lowering to their level. LOL
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Technology is grand
So in an attempt to improve my productivity levels, I did a quick search on how to temporarily block websites.
I found a delightful Firefox extension that allows you either block websites in their entirety, or to block them after a you spend a certain amount of time on them. I quickly installed my new toy, inserted a random password so I wouldn't be able to cheat my way back into access of my sites easily, and yay! It seems to be working. (Of course, to disable my blocks, I could just uninstall the extension, but hopefully I'll never get that desperate.)
So far I've decided to block my fave websites so that I can access them for 30 minutes every 6 hours... I hope this will ensure that I surf them quickly and not get caught up in stalking people on facebook, or rereading the same comics over and over.
I found a delightful Firefox extension that allows you either block websites in their entirety, or to block them after a you spend a certain amount of time on them. I quickly installed my new toy, inserted a random password so I wouldn't be able to cheat my way back into access of my sites easily, and yay! It seems to be working. (Of course, to disable my blocks, I could just uninstall the extension, but hopefully I'll never get that desperate.)
So far I've decided to block my fave websites so that I can access them for 30 minutes every 6 hours... I hope this will ensure that I surf them quickly and not get caught up in stalking people on facebook, or rereading the same comics over and over.
Stupid technology
Argh. I was woken up at 7am this morning by my cell phone ringing with a strange phone number on it. When I finally fumbled it open, I had the immense pleasure of listening to an automated message telling me I had a message for "IT Telecom" and asked if I was an operator, and if so to press 1 now...
I hung up.
Apparently my cell rang 15 minutes later while I was out getting breakfast. And now it just rang again at 7:30. This time I listened to the message in its entirety. It ended up giving me the option of telling the machine that "IT Telecom" was either away for an extended period of time, or could not be reached at my phone number.
Grrr. Oh well, at least I'm awake and can get to an appointment on time.
I hung up.
Apparently my cell rang 15 minutes later while I was out getting breakfast. And now it just rang again at 7:30. This time I listened to the message in its entirety. It ended up giving me the option of telling the machine that "IT Telecom" was either away for an extended period of time, or could not be reached at my phone number.
Grrr. Oh well, at least I'm awake and can get to an appointment on time.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Not the smartest cookie
I had a "moment" yesterday.
I was walking down Bank St. with Lauda while looking at stores. We passed a porn store and I glanced at the name. It was called, "One in Ten."
I was confused and told Lauda, "Gee, that's a weird name for a porn store." Lauda gave me a strange look, but didn't bother saying anything.
Not even 5 steps away I suddenly stopped and said, "OooooH! I get it!" Lauda just laughed.
I was walking down Bank St. with Lauda while looking at stores. We passed a porn store and I glanced at the name. It was called, "One in Ten."
I was confused and told Lauda, "Gee, that's a weird name for a porn store." Lauda gave me a strange look, but didn't bother saying anything.
Not even 5 steps away I suddenly stopped and said, "OooooH! I get it!" Lauda just laughed.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Being one of the big kids
I'll admit, I was getting a little worried about how grad school and I were going to mix. I have three classes:
My Conflict and Development class was pretty intimidating for the first two lectures. The prof seemed to expect us to already be experts on the subject, and me, with my Canadian/European History background was certainly not feelin' the topic. Some of the readings made sense to me, and even enlightened me, but overall I was still feeling out of my depth. Talking to my classmates though, I realize I'm not the only one. A lot of people were freaked out by how intense the first lectures were. I'm heartened by this.
As for my Indigenous Peoples and Cultures class, I was a bit leery as to how much I'd learn in it. Our prof has admitted that he's an economist with next to no background in the subject, and that he's only teaching it because he was the one who suggested the course and therefore couldn't back out of it. He does seem amiable to new ideas and is interested in what the students have to say though, so that's a plus.
I did make the mistake of self-identifying as a Native Canadian though. And I made it clear (or so I thought) that I have no real ties to my culture, and that many people know more about Native life than me. Unfortunately he seemed to gloss over this fact and in the first lecture, kept asking me random stuff about being Native. I mostly made up answers or told him flat out that I didn't know the answer. LOL
My last class though, Human Security, is making up for everything else. I'm specializing in Human Security and Development, but to be honest, when I chose that specialization, I didn't really know what it meant. Our first "real" lecture was spent discussing just exactly what Human Security was. (FYI, the general definition is "The freedom from fear, and the freedom from want and need.")
Our prof is hilarious and speaks really really fast when he gets excited (which he seems to be all the time). His summary of the lecture was to go over his conspiracy theories of what's happening in the field of Human Security. He generated a lot of student discussion, and made the process easier by paraphrasing what we're trying to say. (That's a huge lifesaver for me, because sometimes I'll be trying to make a point, but I get confused and start rambling on, so he's able to get the general point I'm trying to make and clear it up.) He set us against one another, because it seemed like there were three different camps of thought in the classroom (and I created one of them).
Oh, I'm also amused to note that I only read 3 of the 4 readings for the Human Security class. While I was waiting for the class to begin, my classmates were complaining about the fourth article and how it was confusing and weird. As we nearing the end of the class itself, our prof suddenly mentions the article as well and says something to the effect of, "What did you guys think of that Brysk article? Wasn't that the most useless, ambivalent, and stupid thing you've ever read?!" Ha ha, glad I didn't waste my time with it then.
So yeah, those are my thoughts about my classes thus far. They're scary, but manageable I think. And I have to admit, I do look forward to that Human Security class.
- INAF 5209 - Conflict and Development
- INAF 5606 - Indigenous Peoples and Cultures
- INAF 5704 - Human Security
My Conflict and Development class was pretty intimidating for the first two lectures. The prof seemed to expect us to already be experts on the subject, and me, with my Canadian/European History background was certainly not feelin' the topic. Some of the readings made sense to me, and even enlightened me, but overall I was still feeling out of my depth. Talking to my classmates though, I realize I'm not the only one. A lot of people were freaked out by how intense the first lectures were. I'm heartened by this.
As for my Indigenous Peoples and Cultures class, I was a bit leery as to how much I'd learn in it. Our prof has admitted that he's an economist with next to no background in the subject, and that he's only teaching it because he was the one who suggested the course and therefore couldn't back out of it. He does seem amiable to new ideas and is interested in what the students have to say though, so that's a plus.
I did make the mistake of self-identifying as a Native Canadian though. And I made it clear (or so I thought) that I have no real ties to my culture, and that many people know more about Native life than me. Unfortunately he seemed to gloss over this fact and in the first lecture, kept asking me random stuff about being Native. I mostly made up answers or told him flat out that I didn't know the answer. LOL
My last class though, Human Security, is making up for everything else. I'm specializing in Human Security and Development, but to be honest, when I chose that specialization, I didn't really know what it meant. Our first "real" lecture was spent discussing just exactly what Human Security was. (FYI, the general definition is "The freedom from fear, and the freedom from want and need.")
Our prof is hilarious and speaks really really fast when he gets excited (which he seems to be all the time). His summary of the lecture was to go over his conspiracy theories of what's happening in the field of Human Security. He generated a lot of student discussion, and made the process easier by paraphrasing what we're trying to say. (That's a huge lifesaver for me, because sometimes I'll be trying to make a point, but I get confused and start rambling on, so he's able to get the general point I'm trying to make and clear it up.) He set us against one another, because it seemed like there were three different camps of thought in the classroom (and I created one of them).
Oh, I'm also amused to note that I only read 3 of the 4 readings for the Human Security class. While I was waiting for the class to begin, my classmates were complaining about the fourth article and how it was confusing and weird. As we nearing the end of the class itself, our prof suddenly mentions the article as well and says something to the effect of, "What did you guys think of that Brysk article? Wasn't that the most useless, ambivalent, and stupid thing you've ever read?!" Ha ha, glad I didn't waste my time with it then.
So yeah, those are my thoughts about my classes thus far. They're scary, but manageable I think. And I have to admit, I do look forward to that Human Security class.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I beseech you!
I'm going crazy. For an hour now, I've been searching the internet, trying to find a place to buy some makeup online, and I'm out of options.
When I was in Hong Kong, I bought an Ingrid Millet Perfect Eyeliner Pen. I fell in love with the thing, but for the past several months, it's been wearing out. (I use it more out of habit - often you can't even tell that I have eyeliner on now.) It seems to have completely disappeared, and I'm going crazy without it!
So I put out the following request - SOMEONE PLEASE BUY ME SOME! I have no idea where to get it. I've searched the internet, looked on ebay, and nada! If someone from Asia reads this, contact me - I'm willing to pay for some and have you send it to me! I'll pay the shipping fees and everything! (Err, don't forget my birthday's coming up though. LOL)
Once again, I'm looking for some Ingrid Millet Paris Perfect Eyeliner Pen. I don't care if you get it in black or soft black. I just want my eyeliner!!! :(
Speaking of gifts... I've updated my wishlist for Christmas/birthday shopping. It's located on the right hand side of my blog.
When I was in Hong Kong, I bought an Ingrid Millet Perfect Eyeliner Pen. I fell in love with the thing, but for the past several months, it's been wearing out. (I use it more out of habit - often you can't even tell that I have eyeliner on now.) It seems to have completely disappeared, and I'm going crazy without it!
So I put out the following request - SOMEONE PLEASE BUY ME SOME! I have no idea where to get it. I've searched the internet, looked on ebay, and nada! If someone from Asia reads this, contact me - I'm willing to pay for some and have you send it to me! I'll pay the shipping fees and everything! (Err, don't forget my birthday's coming up though. LOL)
Once again, I'm looking for some Ingrid Millet Paris Perfect Eyeliner Pen. I don't care if you get it in black or soft black. I just want my eyeliner!!! :(
Speaking of gifts... I've updated my wishlist for Christmas/birthday shopping. It's located on the right hand side of my blog.
Monday, September 10, 2007
From Russia with tardiness
According to my roommate, apparently Friday night after I left the room, the girl who was supposed to live here finally showed up... Only to discover all my stuff lying around.
Her name was Ekaterina and she had just flown in from Russia. Can you imagine what a shock it would be to fly half way around the world and discover you had no place to live?! Nasrin said that the girl started to cry. Our don had to phone Housing Services to find out what was going on.
I hope she found a place to sleep!
Her name was Ekaterina and she had just flown in from Russia. Can you imagine what a shock it would be to fly half way around the world and discover you had no place to live?! Nasrin said that the girl started to cry. Our don had to phone Housing Services to find out what was going on.
I hope she found a place to sleep!
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Life as a grad student
So I've been at Carleton University for a grand total of 7 days. It's been fraught with activities and problems already. There's nothing like starting your graduate career off with a violent rape the day orientation begins as well as a strike by the administrative staff.
On our first night of orientation, all the grad students went for a Haunted Walk tour of Ottawa. I forgot how much fun those things were! We had a really good guide named Margo who made the evening really fun for us. Afterwards we all tromped over to a pub for a meet and greet.
Other fun activities have included campus tours (and yes, I classified this as fun), pizza parties, more pub activities (I don't think we've had a single activity that hasn't included alcohol), trips to Dow's lake, movies, BBQs, and so on.
Last night was the "highlight" of orientation week - it was a boat cruise along the Rideau River. It was so much fun! We had free food and could buy alcohol. The top floor was reserved for dancing and boy, did we dance! They even had a contest to find the worst dancer, who then won $500 in dance lessons. (The contest was done to "Dancing Queen" by Abba.)
After the three hour cruise, we ended up moving to the Byward Market to a bar named Helsinki. The place was uber-swank, but also expensive. :S It was nearly $9 for a martini! (Mind you, they were absolutely delicious!) By this time, I was losing my voice and getting tired of having to repeat the whole spiel of, "Hi, my name is so and so, this is my program, etc."
Another grad student, Clarissa and I ended up leaving the bar and going to a salsa club nearby with some of her roommates and their friends. I had such a blast. The place was called Rumba, and it had a terrific live band!
Luckily the bus system here runs really late, so I was able to catch a bus home around 1:15am. Huzzah!
On the academic side of things, life has been a bit chaotic. Because of the strike, students in my program cannot add or drop classes. Therefore people (like myself) are locked in classes they don't want to take, and can't find out if there's even room in the classes they do want to be in.
I went to my program's resource centre to try and get some of the readings that I are due for tomorrow's classes... That was such an ordeal! You have to photocopy the readings, and the only way to photocopy is to use your campus card... Which I don't have.
You see, technically I'm not registered with Carelton University yet. They still need to see my official grades from Waterloo which won't be available until September 21. So until then, I can't register for courses, get student bus passes, access the wireless networks, my school email accounts, do laundry, or anything! It's such an ordeal.
So that's what I'm dealing with right now. I guess I should go and finish my readings for class tomorrow. Wish me luck with my first day of classes as a graduate student!
On our first night of orientation, all the grad students went for a Haunted Walk tour of Ottawa. I forgot how much fun those things were! We had a really good guide named Margo who made the evening really fun for us. Afterwards we all tromped over to a pub for a meet and greet.
Other fun activities have included campus tours (and yes, I classified this as fun), pizza parties, more pub activities (I don't think we've had a single activity that hasn't included alcohol), trips to Dow's lake, movies, BBQs, and so on.
Last night was the "highlight" of orientation week - it was a boat cruise along the Rideau River. It was so much fun! We had free food and could buy alcohol. The top floor was reserved for dancing and boy, did we dance! They even had a contest to find the worst dancer, who then won $500 in dance lessons. (The contest was done to "Dancing Queen" by Abba.)
After the three hour cruise, we ended up moving to the Byward Market to a bar named Helsinki. The place was uber-swank, but also expensive. :S It was nearly $9 for a martini! (Mind you, they were absolutely delicious!) By this time, I was losing my voice and getting tired of having to repeat the whole spiel of, "Hi, my name is so and so, this is my program, etc."
Another grad student, Clarissa and I ended up leaving the bar and going to a salsa club nearby with some of her roommates and their friends. I had such a blast. The place was called Rumba, and it had a terrific live band!
Luckily the bus system here runs really late, so I was able to catch a bus home around 1:15am. Huzzah!
On the academic side of things, life has been a bit chaotic. Because of the strike, students in my program cannot add or drop classes. Therefore people (like myself) are locked in classes they don't want to take, and can't find out if there's even room in the classes they do want to be in.
I went to my program's resource centre to try and get some of the readings that I are due for tomorrow's classes... That was such an ordeal! You have to photocopy the readings, and the only way to photocopy is to use your campus card... Which I don't have.
You see, technically I'm not registered with Carelton University yet. They still need to see my official grades from Waterloo which won't be available until September 21. So until then, I can't register for courses, get student bus passes, access the wireless networks, my school email accounts, do laundry, or anything! It's such an ordeal.
So that's what I'm dealing with right now. I guess I should go and finish my readings for class tomorrow. Wish me luck with my first day of classes as a graduate student!
Introducing Rosemary
My mother is beyond warped.
I would like to introduce everyone to Rosemary. Rosemary is a creepy ugly doll that my mom purchased at a garage sale for the grand total of $1. Why did she waste her money on this atrocity of a toy? So she could torment me.
I came home after her shopping expedition and entered my bedroom. On my bed sat Rosemary. Upon meeting its beady blank eyes, the only thoughts that coursed through my head were, "What the fuck?" I assumed it must have been Cara's toy (as they were visiting at this time). Then I hear my mother's snickering from behind me.
She bought the toy for me and me alone. I don't know what possessed her to do so, but even she acknowledged its hideousness. I have a thing against creepy dolls, so now the family persists in trying to bug with with Rosemary. The thing has been snuggled under my blankets for when I go to bed, it has been hidden within my suitcase while on trips to Toronto, hung on the back of a bathroom door to scare the hell out of other family members, and now, it sits on the top of my shelves here in Ottawa.
For the curious, the doll became known as Rosemary because it seemed appropriate. You know, the movie, "Rosemary's Baby?" Yikes, just typing about her is making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
I would like to introduce everyone to Rosemary. Rosemary is a creepy ugly doll that my mom purchased at a garage sale for the grand total of $1. Why did she waste her money on this atrocity of a toy? So she could torment me.
I came home after her shopping expedition and entered my bedroom. On my bed sat Rosemary. Upon meeting its beady blank eyes, the only thoughts that coursed through my head were, "What the fuck?" I assumed it must have been Cara's toy (as they were visiting at this time). Then I hear my mother's snickering from behind me.
She bought the toy for me and me alone. I don't know what possessed her to do so, but even she acknowledged its hideousness. I have a thing against creepy dolls, so now the family persists in trying to bug with with Rosemary. The thing has been snuggled under my blankets for when I go to bed, it has been hidden within my suitcase while on trips to Toronto, hung on the back of a bathroom door to scare the hell out of other family members, and now, it sits on the top of my shelves here in Ottawa.
For the curious, the doll became known as Rosemary because it seemed appropriate. You know, the movie, "Rosemary's Baby?" Yikes, just typing about her is making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
You've got (a) mail(ling address)
I have a place to live! Yahoo!!!
As mentioned, I had been living on people's couches/air mattresses for the past week. I stayed with a high school friend, Sara and her boyfriend for the first couple of days. Their apartment was ridiculously convenient for accessing the school. They were also super helpful in helping me learn the bus systems and whatnot.
Then on Tuesday I migrated over to my old roommate, Lauda's apartment in downtown Ottawa. I had such a blast with Lauda. It was like we had never moved apart. Crashing at her place made me feel so much better. I have to admit, I was beginning to feel a little homesick (I was stressed over having to make new friends, figure out course registration, not having a place to live, etc.). However, within 30 minutes of being at her place, it was like being back home. Thanks Lauda!
Thursday was the residence room giveaway. Housing Services was giving away the rooms of people who didn't show up to claim theirs. So I had to go to the residence commons area and wait with like 50 other girls in hopes of getting room. I was so nervous, but thankfully grad students were the first to be given service.
Apparently there were only two empty female grad rooms, and when the housing services lady asked how many grad students were in the crowd, I was the only one. Yahoo! I just about melted with relief!
I ended up staying at Lauda's for one more night because I was too lazy to wrangle my suitcase on the buses over to residence. On Friday morning, I packed everything up and went to my new home.
My roommate seems nice so far. I've barely had a chance to get to know her. Her name's Nasrin and she's from Iran. My only complaint with her right now is that her dish soap is ridiculously perfume-y. Seriously, I feel itchy just smelling it, and that's all you CAN smell in the kitchen. If that's the only issue I have with her for the next 8 months, I think I'll survive. :)
I'm mostly unpacked right now. There are still some odds and ends lying around like my tupperware and spices because there's no room for them in my cupboards.
As mentioned, I had been living on people's couches/air mattresses for the past week. I stayed with a high school friend, Sara and her boyfriend for the first couple of days. Their apartment was ridiculously convenient for accessing the school. They were also super helpful in helping me learn the bus systems and whatnot.
Then on Tuesday I migrated over to my old roommate, Lauda's apartment in downtown Ottawa. I had such a blast with Lauda. It was like we had never moved apart. Crashing at her place made me feel so much better. I have to admit, I was beginning to feel a little homesick (I was stressed over having to make new friends, figure out course registration, not having a place to live, etc.). However, within 30 minutes of being at her place, it was like being back home. Thanks Lauda!
Thursday was the residence room giveaway. Housing Services was giving away the rooms of people who didn't show up to claim theirs. So I had to go to the residence commons area and wait with like 50 other girls in hopes of getting room. I was so nervous, but thankfully grad students were the first to be given service.
Apparently there were only two empty female grad rooms, and when the housing services lady asked how many grad students were in the crowd, I was the only one. Yahoo! I just about melted with relief!
I ended up staying at Lauda's for one more night because I was too lazy to wrangle my suitcase on the buses over to residence. On Friday morning, I packed everything up and went to my new home.
My roommate seems nice so far. I've barely had a chance to get to know her. Her name's Nasrin and she's from Iran. My only complaint with her right now is that her dish soap is ridiculously perfume-y. Seriously, I feel itchy just smelling it, and that's all you CAN smell in the kitchen. If that's the only issue I have with her for the next 8 months, I think I'll survive. :)
I'm mostly unpacked right now. There are still some odds and ends lying around like my tupperware and spices because there's no room for them in my cupboards.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Greetings from the Nation's Capital
Hello everyone!
I am now in Canada's capital city. My parents and I drove up on Thursday and we've had a relaxing weekend. Here's the situation for those of you who haven't heard.
I'm homeless.
I've been staying with my parents in their hotel for the past three days while we did the tourist thing and visited Carleton U for last minute purposes. However, now my parents have left a few hours ago and I'm homeless!
I'm hoping to get into graduate residence, but I've been wait listed for a room. I'm staying with a couple of friends for the first week until I can find out if I can get into residence. (On Sept. 6th, they're handing out the rooms of people who didn't show up for registration.) So until then, I'm at the mercy of my pals (one of whom I haven't seen since last year, and the other since high school!)
Tonight I'm hopping on the bus to go downtown and go on a Haunted Walk tour with other grad students and then we're going to a pub. Tomorrow's plans include tours of campus, pizza parties, and more pubs. (Hey, I'm in school, I have to drink!)
That's all for now I guess. I've been talking with my friend's boyfriend for the past couple of hours. He's been super helpful giving me tips and whatnot about the transit systems.
Miss y'all!
I am now in Canada's capital city. My parents and I drove up on Thursday and we've had a relaxing weekend. Here's the situation for those of you who haven't heard.
I'm homeless.
I've been staying with my parents in their hotel for the past three days while we did the tourist thing and visited Carleton U for last minute purposes. However, now my parents have left a few hours ago and I'm homeless!
I'm hoping to get into graduate residence, but I've been wait listed for a room. I'm staying with a couple of friends for the first week until I can find out if I can get into residence. (On Sept. 6th, they're handing out the rooms of people who didn't show up for registration.) So until then, I'm at the mercy of my pals (one of whom I haven't seen since last year, and the other since high school!)
Tonight I'm hopping on the bus to go downtown and go on a Haunted Walk tour with other grad students and then we're going to a pub. Tomorrow's plans include tours of campus, pizza parties, and more pubs. (Hey, I'm in school, I have to drink!)
That's all for now I guess. I've been talking with my friend's boyfriend for the past couple of hours. He's been super helpful giving me tips and whatnot about the transit systems.
Miss y'all!
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