When I was in School

It's funny how the music put times in perspective                                                                  

I was just looking through some old albums of my time in Göteborg, Sverige and I stopped to think about this picture taken from the #2 tram along the channel that leads downtown. It's quite a chance photograph considering I must have taken 30 or so of this channel trying to capture this moment. Most of them were taken hastily as I was taking out my camera, obstructed by marks on the tram glass, or blurred as I staggered during the quick turn across the bridge, or taken discretely as I tried not to be too obviously the foreigner that was taking annoying numbers of photographs of the everyday sights the swedes had seen 1000 times before. It's like they didn't see it at all, but I saw it in such an idealized way and sometimes got off the tram when it wasn't even my stop just to take a picture of something that looked interesting. It's so strange to see this picture standing still as it was always taken on my way to school in the morning when the sunshine made long blinding shadows that made the streets glow. The magic light makes the road look like its misty, and as if it had just been raining, but it hadn't. The skies are blue and the day if full of promise as I think about the heavenly chai latte I will stop to get at Espresso House. Seriously, I have never had a better coffeehouse beverage in my life. Maybe it was because it was so cold and crisp and beautiful outside, or maybe it was because I got to hear the sing song Swedish accents chatting with me. I distinctly remember the moment when I suddenly realized the secret ingredient was cardamom spice that made it so special. I learned to love all the new flavors that Swedish food had to offer. And I would think about what I was going to make for dinner on the tram ride home, as the sun was going down early and the night approached I was eager to try something new at the ICA stormarknad. To pull out my pink pots and pans with Asim and Nathalie and test out some new Swedish inspired Jamie Oliver recipe. I was most excited to just spend time in Asim's Kitchen with the best group of friends I could have ever hoped for: The Awesome Group.

It was legendary. I love you all for having so much fun, so many crazy nights that started and finished here, and all the stories, pointless debates and screaming like eagles, not to mention the home cooked food we ate. I can't remember such a loud time, it wasn't the music- it was Luis. I'll always remember how well we got along, despite being so different. I came to Sweden thinking I would make a lot of Swedish friends, but I made friends with people from all over the world. This trip was mainly for school and I would finish my degree requirements here, but it was a time of so much learning about who I am. And I indulged all of my passions for cooking and creativity. I spent many nights alone working on some cooking project or photography idea, and even carved a pumpkin.

 I am super thankful to Asim for always making this place available to us, for being an amazing host, and for being so inclusive. I came home with a brand new oven mitt from the group thanks to Markus organizing the Secret Santa- I wasn't even supposed to be in it and I got a gift when he forgot to put his own name in. I now take most of my silly Instagram food photos with the oven mitt in the picture to remember the Awesome group. And Alan, I am still laughing about some of the things you said, the quazi molestation you regularly inflicted upon all of us, and all the amazing stories you told. Bram, I always enjoyed talking with you, as you're the most European of the people I met, and were always so classy. I learned a lot of social ques from you. To the Irish Girls, when I could understand you it was grand listening to you and all that craic? Caomie you are the best sous chef ever, we made an amazing paella that at least didn't make Luis cry. And Niamh, you made the most heart-warming story book of our time in Lapland. And I also met the most amazing girl here, Nathalie, you made my time in Sweden better than I could have ever hoped for. I will always remember the times we spent together, and even now you make me want to do the best I can. Thanks to you all for the memories! As I text back and forth and stay up to date via the Whats App, I miss you all so much and as the weather gets nicer and nicer in Vancouver it's hard to imagine how snice the cold Swedish Winter was. I can now see summer around the corner, the light is coming in through the trees, and I feel the warmth all around me.

PS. HEYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEAYEA

Half Marathon

There is a poster in the Scotiabank branch where I work. A big red one with Mason Raymond on it supporting the Dr Peter Aids Foundation. Now if you subscribe to the law of attraction you'll know that if you focus on something eventually it will come into your life. One month and half into my first co-op I've commited to running in the Scotiabank Half Marathon on June 26 2011. The race is from UBC stadium to Stanley Park- Luongo's place of peace.

Following the Game 7 game in Vancouver as everbody knows was a terrible riot throughout downtown Vancouver. Having been an athlete on several teams in highschool and university I have been on winning and losing teams. One thing I always valued was sportsmanship and respect. I was so proud when Vancouver fans stayed in the arena to cheer on thier team even after they had lost. I cheered Go Canucks Go with my friends as we watched at Felicitas. When I turned the TV on later to see burning cars and reports of stabbing I was disgusted. The world class atmosphere we created during the Olympics was lost quickly as things spiraled out of control. Its easy to smile and celebrate your heros when they bring home gold. Its much harder when you are the losing team to shake hands with those who beat you. It was an insult to the great run the Canucks team had to trash the place with their jerseys on.

Scotiabank was pretty happy when I told them I was participating and would be wearing my Scotiabank shirt for the race. They unanimously pledged to support the charity the proceeds are going to. I decided to test myself and went for a run after work that day. I set off at 6 pm exactly following the route of the Oak bay half marathon. I had made it to half way through the course by 7 pm where I stopped to run up a World War II memorial for soldiers from the Oak Bay area. I felt so alive- my heart was beating- my spirit was soaring as I thought of my grandfather who was also a long distance runner. It went up and up this winding staircase to a statue of an angel and a plaque of names...I laughed as I hummed the rocky theme song as I panted at the top thrusting my arms in the air before continuing.

I kept going despite the pain im my legs, mental exhaustion from pushing myself and cold ocean wind. I made it home at 8pm crossing hampshire road exactly where my bank is. Synchronicity. I can't describe how hungry I was at that point. I had an extremely hard time not running into fairway market and just starting to graze in the produce section. Then I ran past Cobs bread and starbucks and well food fantasizing was never this great. I got home and made the mother of all omlettes with garlic toast to regain some carbs. Food never tasted so great- I guess the best spice is apetite. That being said I felt best about the fact that I challenged myself and succeeded. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make it all the way and start justifying to myself reasons to quit or turn back. The Canucks left it all on the Ice and I couldn't be prouder.

Running

Yesterday I went for perhaps the most beautiful run of my entire life. Second only to perhaps the run around ring road at this past year's UVic Undie Run which supports cancer research. That one was particularly meaningful for me as one of my closest friends had recently passed away from cancer and I dedicated my run and donation to her. It was really quite fitting as she lived life to the fullest- living by the motto: I can laugh at anything and I'm always smiling. Jill Vassalo was a huge inspiration to me, and I continue to try and live my life in a way that would make her proud.

It was the day before the Kool FM Oak Bay Half marathon and I had the crazy idea of entering it. I hadn't done any real training for it and it was completely spur of the moment when I got talking to the organizer of the Help Fill a Dream Foundation. I left the house at around 7pm and saw one or two people jogging as I headed down Oak Bay avenue. I stopped to talk one of the organizers who was running green duct tape across the road for the startline. The excitement grew and I felt like forrest gump as I skipped and jumped and laughed as I got into a good rythm. I ran through someones 4 front lawn sprinklers, feeling unstoppable. I raced down to Beach rd and took the scenic route down past some tropical looking houses along the coast. I breathed in the sweet ocean air and lush gardens as it threatned to start raining. I didnt care, the soft evening light and my own body heat was keeping me warm.

It very gradually turned into a downpour and I came to a great look out point where I paused to stretch and admire the wide open ocean. It was gorgeous. I touched the rough-cut stone like tag-you're-it and headed back home.

Go ahead and tell me its just an endorphin high- According to wikipedia 'They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.' - But as I jogged up the hill, my vision was blurred by the rain, the slick reflective streets couldn't feel more like home.

Music Students

Are awesome! I'm mainly referring to the ones I went out to Boston Pizza with to celebrate after their recital. They are just as close as my commerce cohort and really take the time to enjoy the good things in life. They celebrate the arts!  They play with a kind of joy and intensity like no other!

Karim hosted the after party and we celebrated a great night of Music. It was like the end of Oceans 11- beautiful music and a shared sense of happiness. Most people were probably sleeping, but for us it was as if we had really just pulled off a caper of epic proportion. Everyone was so warm and happy- just what I needed considering the snow outside.

As a student who took the famed listening and appreciation for music in first year as an elective, music has always been a significant part of my university experience. Whether it be waking up to get to early classes as my alarm clock softly wakes me up to Moby's 'Porcelain' or partying late at night to Duck Sauce's 'Barbra Streisand' my life is played out to some really great soundtracks. I listen to the classics in concert halls at the University and to electro at spin class. To quote Caroline Johnson, "The soundtrack to my life is played by those around me". 

If you haven't been to Friday Music, I highly recommend you do. I challenge you to discover a new genre you never knew you liked. My currently discovering ska.

Movember

I don't like facial hair. Its november first as I feel the crisp chill of a November day against my clean shaven face at 8:30 in the morning. Its a beautiful fall day- and so it begins a one month moustache growing fiasco for prostate cancer awareness. And I will admit im kinda curious what the end result is going to be. There was this other ginger in my philosophy class- who was like the young dumbledoor ginger edition- so all in all im decently frightened. But, Ive made a promise and I won't be quitting no matter what. As a commerce student im generally pretty clean cut and well my general grooming habits are conservative and boring. So I'm excited to develop an edgy look- that kinda beard that girls like Ke$ha like.

I am pretty happy that my efforts are going towards a good cause. As I'm young and don't have to worry about health issues its great to promote being conscious about ones health. On a more serious note some of my closest friends have been challenged by health problems in the past years. As a student I was very used to shock and awe style presentations on the dangers of driving cars, having sex, and of course bad music. I think this type of creating awareness is very important and meaningful as we take on this challenge together (with our bros beside us and our wingwoman to support us). As one cohort with one goal we look forward to having fun together.

Halloween!

Halloween was an epic three days of mayhem for Rob and I. With Movember looming in the immediate horizon, we were excited to make it a Halloween to remember. Day one included dying our hair black, lathering excessive ammounts of fake tan on our pasty-selves to get that perfect guido look. The product: a couple of badass wolf-pack wanna-be's who mainly got mistaken for Jersey Shore characters because our lack of clothing. It was pretty epic as Karim sparkled with delight as he stepped into his role as Edward Cullen. We didn't have a Bella to fight over, but we met many cute girls anyways. After a great night of running around campus we hit the showers to clean ourselves up and take off our plaid shirts for good.

Day two, Saturday, included having a party at our cluster house, getting our Native Warrior groove on, and busting out our latest party cd's. By Native Warrior Groove, it was really just an excuse to continue our lack of clothes theme that was taking hold of the weekend. Rob and I sketched in some fierce war paint and practiced our first nations dance as we got ready. Meara and Kevin had a great time getting to know each other ;) Claire Nicole and David showed up later... And Karim Rob and I partyed it up in the living room dance floor. Great times and many awesome visits from old friends. As students we know how to study hard and be serious, but also how to have a good time and not forget to be playful and silly.

I have been to many BCom social and networking events and always enjoy a wine and cheese. And after two days of rich Italian and suave Chilean spirit, we decided to take it down a notch with our final costume. Neither of us are med students but we had fun dressing up as House and Wilson.  Rob and I often joke about ourselves as if we are Holmes and Watson. Quick shout out to Jen as Cuddy lol. We decided to be Doctors, borrowing Jen's Lab coat and suiting up for the Trick or Treat Commerce students party at Boutique night club. Unfortunate ammounts of rain, and cold couldn't dampen our excitement as we waited in line, checking out everything from Ali-G to Elvis.

A clean shaven face is so enjoyable in the morning. I walked to class on a brisk autumn day. Ready to sign up for a 30 day moustache growing contest for prostate cancer awareness. I savored the last moments of it, as the lipscarf growing begins.

Autumn Aurora

Bronze
As students we are always looking for a good deal-Rob and I went out last night after a successful shopping trip to Wally World (Walmart) for Haloween costumes. After much hunting and gathering we came home with many delish groceries and the essentials for being the wolf pack from Twillight. Fake tan, black hair spray, etc. We already had black shorts and planned to carry around some random T-shirt to take off repeatedly. -all we need to do now is get jacked in the next week and we'll be all good. We figured most people will mistake us for the guys from jersey shore at which point we'll have a chorus of ITS T-SHIRT TIME!! oh and Karim is going to be Edward Cullen. Come at me Bro!

Rouge
OFFICE Ho's and CEO's was the theme. So we combed our hair and put on some snazzy business attire and walked out of our cluster unit feeling like P Diddy. We met up with Jessica and friends at Boutique night club and started the night off with energy drinks at each bar... Then with enough energy to rival powerthirst we hit the dancefloor, having a blast. Several of the BCom students were there living it up and other UVic students in their appropriate office attire, ;) The BCom teachers dont know whats in store for them if tonight was any indication of how good looking the BCom group is. So we stayed till the last song, danced all night long and walked out feeling like sunshine as it began to rain.

Auburn
We caught a taxi after a few minutes of wind and rainstorm... which was refreshing to say the least. Wearing a vest made me feel like Jane from the Menatlist and kept me mostly dry. Fall is such a great season, the colours resonate with me from golden yellow leaves to grey fashionable coats. People ride bicylces to class, and walk crisply through a quieter world. And now with monday morning approaching I awaken from a trance of a weekend ready to do a multitude of chores in no time flat. :) So far Im loving all my classes and wake up excited everyday.