Recently by Declan Redman

Officially, as of Saturday, the semester is DONE. BAM. Finished, Finito, sorted. Time for a holiday. Sort of....

I get the same feeling at the end of every semester here in New Zealand. Its a mixture of a bunch of different things. Its a great relief, obviously, to have the weight of exams lifted, no more assignments, class, tutorials, stress.... whether you've worked hard and can be proud of the year, or wish you'd done more, its over, and I feel that every time. Its also kind of exciting - most people will go back home for the summer, move out somewhere, get a job - there's lots of exciting changes around this kind of transitional time.

Then there is all the awesome things associated with summer - bbqs, surfing or chilling at the beach, backyard games, great weather, long nights.

Mixed in with this is the strange feeling like it all happened too fast. I know for me the year was a blur - especially this last semester, literally just seemed to disappear before my eyes. I'm fairly certain that 5 months haven't passed.... but I could be wrong I suppose. For me, being here from Canada, I always get a bit home sick at this time of year. Especially because most of the kiwis I know are going home to see the family, and get some home cooked food, free room and board, all the best things in life. 

As well, being in the position I am in of being here for three years - the rampaging majority of other international students I meet use this time to travel, relax, and then they too go home and back to their lives, families, etc. - while I am looking for work, a place to stay, and generally continuing on.

I worked 27 hours in two days this weekend. I like my job, but that many hours straight after finishing an especially hectic study storm (thanks, land law :) ) meant that the fact that it is summer is just barely beginning to hit home....

In the end, its this time of year where we really feel the transition that has been slowly happening all semester, but reaches the tipping point all of a sudden.

Its all good though - I have the day off from one job, only a few hours work at the other - I'm gonna grab myself a coffee (a REAL one, i've been living off instant too long), sit in the sun, and maybe even play some guitar....

That's summer for yea :)

Its well into "that time" of year again.... University Exams are largely a unique and exclusive experience. Testing and assesment is relatively common, but University seems to have its very own special flavor to it. I for one know that I spend about 7 1/2 months for 30-35% of my course mark, and then in a three hour time frame, I attempt to scribble out the other 70%.... An interesting system, but nevertheless its common and its not going anywhere. Around this time people seem to employ all sorts of rituals, habits, "traditions" (if you will) in order to make it through this period of study before its "all over". I find that most of these are aimed at either maximising efficiency, or reducing stress. It can even be said that the former indirectly helps the latter.....

My go-to reminder is inspiration. It offers perspective, reassurance, and sense of camaraderie to realize that other people have successfully "made" it, or are working just as hard as you are. For me this sometimes takes an abstract form - as in I think about the position I am in versus a large percentage of the world (i.e. those employed by nike) who work way harder than me, for longer, and for virtually nothing  (and in the case of nike, I mean nothing almost quite literally). These folks just have to work. there ain't to two ways about it, or so they say. In that light, a few hours/days/weeks study is not so bad eh. Especially since we sign up for it, and pay the money for it, and reap the rewards afterwards.....

However, as its an inherently abstract undertaking (as I don't know any sweatshop workers), its not as effective as the second source of my inspiration.... Namely, specific people that I know that I admire or respect. there are only a handful that come to mind, and they share a common thread in their respective endeavors. These are namely - focus, determination, and effort. They put in the time, and they don't whine about it... They set goals, and work towards them. Usually this involves hardships and struggle, as most things in life tend to it seems.

Of this handful of people, one in particular jumps to mind... I just want to take a moment to show the love. This person works incredibly hard, all the time. She works part-time jobs (more than one), she studies, she is involved in her school. She manages to balance this with sports, interests, and a social life. In short, she is focused, and amazing. And its not as though this person has kayne's good life handed to her on a silver platter for the taking. She works for all that she has got. and is proud of it. That's something I really admire. The ability to take pride in working hard, and gaining what you got. That kind of satisfaction doesn't get much sweeter I reckon.

Whenever I feel like I don't want to do it, or feel the temptation of those around me that just don't have/want to put in that extra effort, I think of this girl - the things she does, her values, goals. the hard work. And I feel a sort of kindred spirit, and it pushes me to do more. It pulls me forward... I reckon its all about the influences you surround yourself with, and if thats the case, this girl is a force. ;-)

So next time you wonder why your in Uni doing these crazy exams, reach for a little inspiration, and get er' done.

Wonder Woman.

PEACE!

It seems like the library has been under construction for ever. Which is  true if you consider forever to be the last year and a half that I have been here. It's also true if you consider that I'll be at Uni until next November, and it will most likely stay under construction until then.

From what I can gather, most, if not all, of the new additions are complete and open for us students to enjoy. It seems like the new stuff has caused lots of debate amongst students - letters to the editor have appeared in Nexus all over the place - and I've heard heaps of students talking about it. Most people I know either love it or hate it. The most common complain I have heard runs somehwere along the theme of "they spent millions on a single staircase, mood lighting and sci-fi effects".

Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical. First, last year the construction made the library the noisest place on campus (quite a feat considering I live in Residence). Also the books were being moved around constantly, and for a while they were in the new addition, but you had to specifically request a book and wait for a librarian to get it... So, needless to say I started studying elswhere... BUT! recently I decided to give it a try, and I must admit, I really like it!

It is WAY more spacious feeling, thanks to the addition of copious amounts of windows. The windows also mean better, more natural lighting. This dimishes the dungeon effect that had previously plagued the library's interior. The use of white everywhere on the first floor (adding to the sci fi feel) feels kinda like a Mac Store to me, my mac loves it in any event. And the ceiling mood lighting adds a sweet, free distraction to my list of things to prevent me from studying while I try and study!

Seriously though - the new library is actually WAaaayyyyyy nicer than before, and I reckon I'll spend way more time here than last year from now on..... to bad its almost summer!

- I dunno what those crazy spirals are for, (maybe to block light?) but they don't reduce the refreshing feel of full glass walls. I love it.

Well, another Semester has almost come and gone…. When I was younger my parents used to talk about how time seems to just keep passing faster and faster the older you get. I thought it was a load… but I am re-thinking that these days, I think there is some truth to it. We are already into the home stretch of this semester. Another year almost done. Another round of exams, another spring, summer job search, flat search, etc etc.

This time last year feels like a lifetime ago, and yet all the same stresses seem to come up in the exact same order, about the same things…. Of course there are many things that set this year apart from last year, and a few special ones in particular that make this year probably my favorite on record. It’s been a good year.

On another note, Hannah if you read this, your wedding was awesome! DJ had such and epic suit, and who plays Jammin’ as they walk off?!?! You do, that’s who! And it was sick….

Talk soon ;)

Canada

Now I just gotta start writing these blogs semi-regularly ;)

Elli is the ultimate poor student car. She is big, beautiful, and has a whole LOT of attitude. Think foxy brown from Austin Powers mixed with betty white, and Barry white. She has been "in the family" for basically the entire time I have been in New Zealand.

Originally she was bought in Auckland from three Aussie girls who presumably took her all around the country. After she came into our possession, she went everywhere! The Coromandel, the Northland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, the Milford Sounds.... EVERYWHERE.

In terms of pure technical ability, she has an analog clog, a cd player that looks touch screen but actually doesn't work unless you press it just right. She also loves gas, and has a large trunk that doesn't stand up without the help of a long rod. She has space for many things including multiple surf boards, guitars, bikes, people, camping gear, once she even hosted a party in her trunk... Elli also possesses a mind of her own, turning down the volume, changing songs, refusing to start for no reason sometimes....

But Elli has more than just that. She has memories. Through her gracious hand friends have been made, adventures undertaken, she has taken friends to the airport when they leave, and picked them up when they arrive again. On my Mac I have a suprising amount of pictures with elli in them. These are from various travels, and are filled with old and new friends driving her and and taking full advantage of the fact that she takes us where we really want to go (i.e. Raglan).

In summary, she is more than a means of transportation, although she does take me to work and back, and to get groceries, etc. She is really and truly like an extra person on every trip, and without her my time here just wouldn't be what it has been.... Funny how inanimate objects can do that to you eh?

So its that time again, the end of semester whirlwind of tests, exams, and whatever other forms of assessment your respective professors can throw at you :)

This time of year always give me reason to reflect on and examine my own study techniques. Over the years I have perfected a few methods, from very good and proper preparation, to all night cram sessions, to "ill just take the test and see what happens". In no way are all of these methods valid, but I have worked hard at getting towards the first, proper preparation method....

I have found the most important thing when preparing for an exam, as I am at the moment, is to start early, make sure you aren't too far behind, and take study breaks!

Preparation is of the utmost importance, it greatly reduces your stress come exam day, it increases your confidence in your abilites, and you really need it to pass. Even though you may scratch by a few years worth of class based solely on natural ability, it eventually catches you. Trust me.

So, for example, make sure you look at what you need to study well enough in advance that you can figure you a timeline for study, one that is most importantly, REASONABLE!

yes you could probably stay up for 48 hours and do nothing but study, but life has a funny way of introducing really awesome distractions when you least need them.... I.e. when you are trying to study!

Secondly, make sure you study with the purpose of the EXAM/test in mind. If the teacher is kind enough to tell you what is being covered, don't focus on the other bits!

Last, take a few study breaks. Apparently the brain doesn't like to learn for more than an hour max at a time, so in keeping with the whole proper preparation thing, make sure you take a break! this could be a walk around the block, or some facebook time, or to watch a tv show, or do some pushups... whatever it is, you need it, especially if your are planning to be at it for a while, as the tendency to burn out and give up after a day of straight study is near impossible to avoid.

Lastly, you could also do what I like to occasionally do, and look at funny pictures.

Exhibit A below

One more suggestion, get a blog, as a nice hour break to plan and write a blog, and find a good picture to match, is both a good study break and productive! Trust me on this one, I speak from experience.

Good luck!

:)

Hamilton is for the most part a very beautiful city. The Waikato river, the stadium, Victoria Street, the lake, the Hamilton Gardens, even Uni Campus, are stunning. I love how in the middle of farmland and pasture you can find huge palm trees and water, it is very much unlike back home. It also provides a convienant escape from study and campus when you just really a short break and a little change of scenery.

However for me, there is a place in Hamilton that although not classically beautiuful, is one of my favorite places to go and check out. Its an old wall, located at the south end of a car-park, and sandwiched between the downtown Warehouse, near the central bus depot, and the Wintec Campus. What makes this wall so cool is that it is covered in constantly changing graffiti.

A couple years ago I had the idea of capturing on camera some of the better pieces of graffiti found at the local skatepark and around in Lehtbridge, like this one:

The thing about so called "urban art", is that most of it is unskilled rubbish, and in the rare occurence that someone produces something worth looking at, it is either removed by the city or covered by more rubbish.

The exception is a place like the wall previously mentioned. This wall is always covered only by very skilled art, done by what appears to be a small group of skilled artists. Every few weeks it seems one or two will change, and for a very long time, I had planned to go and take some pictures of it but just never got around to it. However Sally did one time while in town, and so I present to you a small sampling of this art for your appreciation, with special credit to the mad skills of the photographer.

Back home in Calgary, there are places around the city that have been more or less designated for graffiti, and the city just doesn't remove it as it does 'art' everywhere else. I am not sure what the Hamilton City Council policy is on graffiti here, but I am glad that this wall is allowed to be what it is. Providing a place like this is both good for controlling WHERE graffiti is painted, but also allows people like me to enjoy what I see as an integral part of city living. Here's hoping it continues.

So recently the family cat died. She had been extremely healthy for about 15 years until about two weeks ago when she started having seizures. My dad took her into the vet and they ran some blood tests and decided she likely had a brain tumor that had grown large enough to push into her brain, causing the seizures. So they put her down. That was kinda sad, but she had a good run of it. And she left us with lots of funny memories, like when I was younger me and my brothers would have nerf gun wars in the house when mom and dad were out. One time I pulled a sweet James Bond and burst into my brother Logans room guns blazing. I didn't get him but I shot the cat out of his second storey window by mistake. She made the funniest noise I have ever heard, fell into a bush, and by the time we ran downstairs to see if she was okay, she was as cool as ever, chillin in the grass like nothing had ever happened.

The whole situation made me realize how lucky our (my) generation is. Here I am halfway around the world, and I could keep in touch with my family throughout the whole process with zero difficulty. Relatively new communication innovations like skype have revolutionized both communications and travel. "Back in the day", you could only communicate by letter, or ridiculously expensive phone calls, or, I have decided, only by morse code and messenger pigeons. (I have no idea if that is historically accurate or true but it sounds good).

Now with Skype, and a cheap upgrade I purchase yearly, I can call virtually any phone in the world, at any time of day, and talk to whomever answers. This enables me to phone my brother on his cell, or call my parents at home, work, the cabin, in the grocery store... I can also use it to call travel agents, and sort out student loans, etc. Its brilliant, and it erases the distance between the people I love.

SO distance, considered yourself beat by communication. Until you try and fly home, that still takes ages....

VS

The last few days the good ol Tron has experienced, along with the rest of the country, the first real taste of the rainy winter I experienced oh-so first hand last year. I would assume more is to come, so here is a very short and brief survival guide to rain in the Tron.

The first thing you can do when the weather takes a turn for the worse is . . .. NOTHIN!

Likely the rain is going to pass, or do that thing where the weather goes rain-sun-rain- both at once…. The only important thing is to bring a jacket/umbrella or you’ll end up like me and walk all the way across campus in the brilliant sun, and then get stuck in the rain for the way home…

The above describes the vast majority of the ‘rain’ that we will get here in the Tron. It will come and go and it really shouldn’t stop you from doing anything… However, when the weather really gets nasty, i.e. Monday night, you need to adjust a bit.

1. Go for a run. – Seriously, running in the rain is epic, it is a great way to fight the building boredom of being stuck inside, and it shows Mother Nature your just not gonna take it.

2. Do a reverse rain dance. – Because you don’t want more rain, make sure its reverse.

3. Do an actual rain dance. – There’s a small chance you could upset the rain/sun continuum and it will become sunny again. Or you might cause a hurricane…

4. Watch a movie. – There is nothing better than sitting inside and chillin when it’s cold and rainy. A movie can be substituted for pretty much anything that is entirely indoors….

5. Drink Irish coffee – This is actually awesome at any time of day, but particularly if combined with 4, it will rock your world.

6. Study… but who wants to do that?

In all seriousness though, the rain is a fact of life here in New Zealand and once you get beyond the fact that for a few months it is just gonna be cold and rainy, its not so bad. At least its not -30 and your skin is going to freeze, as my mom always says.

So enjoi the rain, get over it and go do whatever you were going to do in the sun, or if all fails, get a lil irish.

Unless you see that outside, don’t try and dance that off, just hide.