posted by Sabrina

We are in the homestretch here on Western's campus. Only 2 weeks left and even less for some! It is so hard for me to comprehend that the first year is practically over...whenever I thought of college when I was young, I always had this idea of college as being something grand and amazing-don't get me wrong ..it is-but at the same time college is just life. When I talk to people about college and all the experiences I've had here, people always tell me that college was probably the best part of their lives.
Now that I think about it...being in college for another couple more years doesn't actually sound too bad. But then again, just yesterday I was thinking of taking time off (or quitting) for a little while to 'discover' myself....but I can't just put a hold on life to figure out who I am...because it is those experiences in life that help me figure out my identity. Also, my identity is something which changes everyday....it is effected by each day's new experiences.
So anyway, moving on- I guess what I'm trying to say is that life is just life...just goe with the flow and live. Have fun! do what makes you happy- don't get too caught up in making other people, family members, friends, enemies happy. Ultimatley, you are the one responsible for your life and your own happiness....there are so many people who go through life complaining about not having a fulfilled life, about being unhappy etc....yet they do absolutely nothing about it....don't allow yourself to do that- find something you are passionate about and make it a part of your life. Let your life happen, let your life live.



posted in Adjustment

posted by Sabrina

Hey guys! It has been a long time since anyone has posted on this....but too much has been going on for me not to share.

I am in this really exciting science class where we talk about all of these amamzing current issues. ie. hurricane katrina, the USA's dependency on oil, etc....Anyway, it got me thinking about our planet and how we are using it. Are we being good citizens of planet earth? What are we doing to preserve it? Today, in class there was a debate on whether oil should be drilled for in ANWAR (a wildlife refuge in Alaska). Personally, I think there are better options out there...I mean just look at Western, we are the second public instition in the nation to be on 100! renewable energy...and frankly once the cost is split up among the student body it doesn't seem to be that huge of a sacrifice to make..paying a little extra to have a healthier environment. I don't know, I just feel as if we are abusing our privelege to live on earth. What do you think?

I don't if you guys know this but on campus we have this thing called the outback- ok frankly, I don't know very much about it- but it got me thinking- wouldn't be totally amazing if Western were able to cultivate its own produce (fruits/ veggies)...it could cut down on costs...I mean look at our meal plan issue- it is so expensive! We could even have science classes that could work out in the 'outback' cultivating the produce for their class ie class involvement- ok, well, frankly i highly doubt anything along these lines would really happen..but it would still be cool!

Well, let me know what you all think. But I think our environment is really important and we should be more aware of how we are affecting it. til' next time I guess :)


posted in Adjustment

posted by Caitlin



To whom it may concern:

Actually, this is practically for any 19+ on WWU’s campus.

Isn’t it lovely that Canada is only a hop, skip and a jump away from us in all of it’s glory? The lower drinking laws, the good times, the great culture! I know that’s one of the reasons I decided to attend WWU. Well, it’s not solely based on that fact; I am Canadian, as a matter of fact. I’ve discovered it to be interesting that people seem to believe that the great city of Vancouver is directly across the U.S./Canadian border. But once they do finally make it to the city, I also notice how their jargon immediately spots them out as punk American tourists. Canadians will not hesitate to poke fun at any of our neighbors to the South, especially if their young and under 21. Also, Vancouver can be a dangerous place if one does not know the area. So I though it may be a good thing to those who plan on visiting my great country any time in the future to make a list of helpful hints. I know you will, so here are some tips to blend in and survive with the Canadian crowd.

A) Language
1. Washroom: Rather than “where’s the bathroom,” simply replace it with “washroom.”
2. Pardon?: Instead of “WHAT?” when asking someone to repeat a sentence. Canadians tend to find “what” extremely harsh and rude (and American).
3. Two-Four: When picking up an extremely over-priced twenty-four case of beer, refer to it by it’s proper Canadian name.
4. Mickey: for a pint of liquor
5. Eh?: It is a very acceptable phrase, if used correctly. Best for asking for reassurance on a statement you’ve already made. For beginners, it’s best to use it in a sentence such as “I know, eh?” or “Get a load on the prices here. It’s ridiculous, eh?”
6. DO NOT ridicule a Canadian while in Canada. Not only will this perpetuate the belief of the "Ignorant American," but a group of Canadians can easily kick your butt, which would certainly put a damper on your holiday.

B) Traffic
1. Traffic is HORRIBLE in Vancouver. Always be on your guard, especially when driving with friends and loud music. Seriously, as much as I hate to admit it, Canadians are very inconsiderate when driving. They may apologize when you step on their foot, but they will not hesitate to cut you off on the road.
2. It is nearly impossible to make a left-handed turn anywhere Downtown Vancouver. Avoid them at all costs, unless you enjoy sitting at a green light while people are honking behind you, and then attempting to safely screech through an intersection at a yellow/red light.
3. That blinking, green light? It means that it could at any time turn into a yellow light. The pedestrians have the right-of-way on any street with a blinking green light.
4. Ugh, here’s one I still don’t quite understand. There are signs before an intersection that will light up about 10 seconds before the amber “slow” light turns on. My Vancouverite friends tell me it’s just a handy signal to speed up before the light changes…ha.
5. Parking in Downtown Vancouver can be a nightmare. Don’t be surprised if you’re towed after the meter has ran out. They’re ruthless. Make sure to keep an eye on your meter, or park off of the Downtown streets, either in your hotel’s parking lot, or take the sky-train. Information can be found at a hotel concierge desk. Also, when riding the sky-train, be sure to pay the ticket price. If you are caught without a ticket, you can face a hefty fine if caught.

B) Alcohol
1. Alcohol is very expensive in Canada. This is because the taxes they place on alcohol pays for things such as the building and maintenance of roads for the province. Plus, Vancouver is preparing for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Hey, it’s a big country, but there ain’t a lotta people in it.
2. Have two pieces of I.D. handy. Your driver’s license and passport can work in a pinch. If you’re not confident on carrying your passport around with you, or don’t have one, it is safe to assume you’ll only be asked for one piece of I.D. If for some reason you are still not accepted inside, there are plenty of other places to go to. It is Vancouver, after all.
3. Be prepared to drop a lot of money in one night if you’re going to a club or bar. A regular shot of any liquor costs between $6 to $7.50 Canadian. A beer such as Corona can cost up to $5.75. However, there are some places that sell $10 pitchers of beer, or a toonie per pint ($2). Then again, those places are usually not the best quality or safest.
4. Make sure to exchange your American money if you’re planning on going to a bar or club. Many places only accept American money at face-value, so make sure you know how much you wish to spend, and exchange it beforehand.
5. Clubs and bars close at 2 a.m.
6. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. In Canada, drinking & driving is a federal offence.
7. I realize many RA’s have already explained this, but do NOT still be intoxicated when passing through the border. Even if you’ve come from Canada where the drinking age is 19, you can still be given a DUI or MIP in America if you’re over the legal limit (which is very low).

C) After-Hours

1. Make sure that you find somewhere to stay that is relatively nice. However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find somewhere that’s safe and reliable.
2. Take advantage of your hotel concierge. They usually have great suggestions of places for young students to visit.
3. I would suggest that you DO NOT visit Chinatown at night. Because of the high gang violence in the city, it is best to stay away from Chinatown within a two-block radius.
4. I would also advise that you DO NOT stay or walk on East Hastings Street, especially at night and early morning. Dangerous homeless people and drug dealers are a given. If you must walk through the area, be sure to be on your guard and keep money and passports and other valuables out of sight.

I believe that covers most of it. Just be sure to be safe, keep belongings at your side, but most of all have fun! Anything you think I’ve missed, just let me know.

posted in Dorm Life

posted by Sabrina

I don't know about you all, but this quarter has been exceptionally long, rainy and lackluster. My days seem to consist of waking up, trudging to classes under buckets of rain and (if you can believe it!) inches of snow even-then off to work for a couple of hours and if I'm luck (only on Mondays and Wednesdays)a two hour long evening class.....ZZZZZ- it's enough to put anyone to sleep.

I think I can count (with one finger) all the sunny days we have had since the beginning of this quarter. Ok, Ok,...I should def stop griping about the weather...not because everyone else is thinking the same thing, but because my griping doesn't change the weather- besides everyone else complains about it- I def don't need to be adding to it. On to more motivational topics: umm....they would consist of...well, I honestly can't think of anything right now...unless you all want to hear about the history essay I am supposed to be working on right this second...ZZZZ - I didn't think so :)



posted in Adjustment

posted by Stephanie

Since coming back from winter break, I'd have to re-adjust myself to everyday college life. There's something about sitting on the couch all day eating Doritos and watching Jerry Springer that appealed to me.

Everytime I come back I get a little more dis couraged though. I want college to be over, and a piece of pretty paper in my hands saying I can get a cool job. But with a new set of classes (non of which are art by the way, how scandalous!) I feel a bit stressed not knowing what I'm doing. Sure, I can read the books and do my math but the only thing that I really enjoy right now is Japanese. Everything is still the same here at college, while back home it's different.

My close friends are all living on their own, making ends meet, and trying to get into a college. Yes, it would be nice to have total independence like that, but I know I can't live off of $10 an hour when I like to shop for $200 shoes. There was this AMAZING pair of white Tuk dress shoes at this store in Seattle that would look ridicolous on me.(No mom, I havent wasted any of the money you have been giving me for books. Don't worry)

Finding a job is hard too.I don't like not having my own money and rather spending my parents. I could easily work at the dining halls but 1) I don't want to get my food permit and 2) No way am I going to wear a Pilgrim hat during Thanksgiving. Those people died a long time ago, I am not going to re-live history for other people's enjoyment.

But I guess I will just stay cooped up in my dorm, talking to friends, writing essays and painting dinosaurus. It'll be over before I know it.

posted in Adjustment

posted by Sabrina

So on MLKjr. day I spent a couple hours devoted to reading to little kids about MLKjr and his influence in the world....it was quite interesting to say the least.

For the most part, I don't think very many of the kids really understood what I was reading about- so, I veered away from historical books and focused on more simple books- the ones talking about people having different skin colors, different hairstyles, different ways of life,...you get the picture.

I remember, at one point, I was reading to a little four year-old boy about how everyone is different and special in their own way...and he pointed to me and said 'you are special and I am special' it was so cute! I also began to feel that perhaps what we were doing was having some affect after all....it is hard to say though- he was only four- but at the same time what matters is that he has had that exposure- that kids understand that regardless of our skin color, our ethnicity, our background- we are all equally unique individuals who have something to offer to this world.

This experience was really unique in that it opened my eyes to yet another facet of our world- the world of children. I began to realize that what we say, what we do, how we act has ahuge influence on how we are percieved by children- our words and actions shape so much of a childs life....that is so amazing- at the same time it can be dangerous if children are not surrounded in a healthy environment...but I digress.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in becoming involved within the community- the Center for Service Learning (located in the Wilson Library- 3rd floor) is a great way to do so!

I have felt truly blessed to have been able to participate in promoting the beliefs of MLKJr.- His vision of equality for all men is a great one and one which I try to strive for as well.

posted in Extra-curricular

posted by Zach

Wow. I can't believe I am actually typing one of these out while I'm at home, when I could be out and about with friends or family, enjoying the free time resulting from an utter lack of homework and stress, performing such joyous activities as watching a movie, or bowling, or playing pool. But nope, I decided to write a blog.

Because you - yes, you, the reader: you are worth it.

Or because I'm bored. One or the other.

Primarily, though, I'm just tired. I've taken to calling this the "let-down reflex": you know, the feeling when you realize you can safely crash in the comfort of your own home; I have, however, been informed that this terminology should be used sparingly and only in certain company, as a second meaning is more commonly applied. If you are unsure of this meaning, the internet is the answer to all. Wow, tangent. At any rate, the ability to sleep in my own bed, shower in my own shower, and eat real food is something I am treasuring, but instead of reenergizing me, I find myself caught in a cycle of just wanting to lay around and do nothing. Listen to some music, watch some football, play some videogames (if you were a Pokemon fan back in the day, go play it again - it's awesome, even if it's only the nostalgia speaking)...these, plus food, could comprise a full day and I would be perfectly fine with that.

I miss college, a lot more than I thought I would. I miss my friends and the fact that I could walk down the hall and joke around and laugh with them. I miss the rec center and the routine of my workouts. I almost miss classes. I miss the things that take my energy, because I have energy when energy is demanded of me. I excell when my options are limited, when I am required to perform some task or achieve some goal, if that makes sense.

I enjoy being scheduled, and never realized that until just recently.

Christmas was fun, family is cool, old friends are great, but all in all, I want college back.

posted in Adjustment

posted by Sabrina



Here is a picture I took-I'm hoping to get some photography time in over the break! YEAH!

The quarter is winding down: but no one sleeps due to the intense all-nighters pulled days in advance of the looming finals. This is exactly what my last couple of nights (and days) have been like....as I'm sure many of yours have been as well.

I've had three finals down and only one to go....yuck!

Anyway, in reflection of this past quarter---I have to say that I have learned more from college than I expected but at the same time I didn't learn as much as I expected. I came into college expecting to learn about amazing topics in my classes,expecting to write tons and tons of amazing essays (I haven't had the chance to write a single good essay- we haven't really had ANY assigned! Sucks- only 'cause I love writing), and finally I really and truly expected to become really involved in my class's (i.e. lively participant of a class discussion)- considering none of these happened for me- you might be wondering how/why I learned more than I expected.
Well....I learmed more about life and people than about the subject matter of all my classes combined. I learned that people really make differences, that friendships help you through the rough patches in life, and that life really comes down to what you make of it. And that is my challenge to you: make your life what you want it to be. Don't just be passive- grab life by the handles and start driving! This is your opportunity- I know for me, the time has come to do this same thing.

posted in Adjustment

posted by Stephanie



I think I snirted all my brains out for finals week. Doesn’t that non-sense word make you think of ancient Egyptian embalmers pulling brain’s out threw noses? Well, that’s what I just thought of. So, I’m a lil more creative than most. Anyways, studying really comes as a last minute chore to me. Lately, I’ve felt like watching the food network in my oversized bean-bag chair while gorging on butter toffee popcorn than getting off my butt to study artists who decide to shoot themselves in the arm.


I’m sure I don’t have to study as much as most though. I spend most my time drawing whatever I feel like. My friends are jealous since they’d rather do that then memorize equations. But I did my share of hitting the books. I took 3 hours to memorize tons of Japanese grammar and vocabulary resulting in my brain hurting. You know, it’s not quite a headache because you feel like your brain has retained to much information than water or something. But it paid off since the final was easy and I hope I can be all smug with the highest grade in the class.

And now everything is starting to get festive for the holidays (since saying Christmas is not politically correct anymore). Our hall had our holiday care-package party a few nights ago. I was excited because I turned the corner to see hundreds of gifts wrapped up for everyone. What I didn’t know is that our parents got mail saying to make a care/gift package to send to us on that night. As my roommate unwraps hers, I notice it’s from her mother. Mine wasn’t. Not fair. Does mommy not like me anymore? Ha-ha. The next day I called her and asked about it. She forgot to send things but still loves me. And my roommate’s mom is more perfect than mine. (Insert pouty face here) I’m just kidding mom if you are reading this. I’m happy with my loads of mint hot chocolate to keep me warm.

College does seem to go by fast, as Zach mentioned. But I don’t feel like I’m gonna miss anything if I close my eyes for minute. I’m enjoying being on my own, learning new things and making some close friends. I would rather have the pace go by fast than slow because then it’s just a step closer to starting a new chapter in my life. Being able to live independently, having a career that I’ll love and free time without homework, appeals to me immensely. So, college is like the last small obstacle left till I reach the top of the stairs.

To finish things of for the quarter, I hope I’ve done well in my all my classes. I want to see A’s for the start of my college career because I don’t want to get an earful from my parents when I go home. Oh boy, another trip on the wonderful train. I’m going to have to pack up all my artwork and my goldfish in a water bottle again. Hope he doesn’t freak out and start swimming upside down.

posted in Adjustment

posted by Zach

I've been debating with myself about what to say in one of these blog things. I already used up one of my few this-has-nothing-pertaining-to-college-in-it entries, so I probably shouldn't do that again for a while. Unfortunately, college is slowly developing into a part of my life, rather than the entirety it began as. However, I believe I have stumbled onto something worth both my time, and yours.

There is a trite phrase in common circulation concerning time: it flies when you are having fun. I am not sure just how time would fly, per se, but I can certainly agree that time does appear to pass much more quickly when you are enjoying what is around you. However, time has been zipping along at an uncomfortable pace since school began, and rest assured, I have not been having fun the entire time. Rather, this is merely an expression of concern: that if I don't enjoy every moment while it lasts, I will miss something irrecoverable.

While there is some truth in that concept, it is also entirely unreasonable. No person can sincerely live every moment like it was his or her last - that would simply lead to insanity. Still, though, dead week is here already; I'm just about done with 1/16 of my college age. It doesn't seem like much on paper (well, on the internet... whatever), but if it keeps this up, this experience is going to slip by entirely too quickly. The education, the fantastic friends I am lucky to have (yes, friends, you better read this entry), even the tragedies: I don't want to lose any of it.

I would give most anything to get time to slow down for just a while, just long enough for me to catch my breath and truly appreciate the things I have been so fortunate to receive.

posted in Adjustment