October 2010 Archives

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's everyones favorite time of semester, the end. While spending this past 'study week' in the northland(region north of Auckland), I managed to relax enough to subdue all my exam and essay scruples. Nothing quite washes terms like 'Ricardian equivalence' or 'Philistinism' away like the ocean waves at Cape Reinga. Waikato uni seemed like a distant memory as a few other internationals and I explored the various landscapes of the northern reaches of Aotearoa. I may have strayed away from the NZ adventure in my last post, but after this trip, I can speak of boarding sand dunes, a harrowing car accident, the screams of "Fight for your blood!!!", and a brave few surviving on the likes of L&P and cookies. 

On Wednesday, I attended SMPD's showcase entitled Te Hokai A Hine-raumati, The Dance of the Summer Maiden.  It was my first experience seeing kapa haka live, as well as contemporary dance and taonga puoro.  It was amazing!  All the acts were unique in their own way, but they all represented parts of the Maori culture. 

Yesterday, along with some friends, we decided to catch the bus to Raglan and see what it was all about.  I had been told that Raglan is known as one of the most relaxing, calm places on earth and I was in definite need of releasing some stress.  I was also really interested in checking out the famous surf!  The bus dropped us off at about 11 AM at the edge of town and we wandered our way around for a bit.  I immediately got the feel of a small surf town where everyone knew everyone and the lifestyle was laid back and relaxed. 

هناء ... رابط يحمل الكثير من ثنايا الفائدة

من لا زالو في بدايات الغة .. هذا الشاب يتحدث عن هم وربما رعب

يقتحم مبدئين الدراسة

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جعلها في سطور السهولة وأنها تحتاج إلى تكنيك وتركيز معين

فا أصبح متداول أن الأيلتس رعب وخوف .. وهو العكس

أتمنى من الله أن يوفق الجميع

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPptbXvFmjQ&feature=related

ملاحظة  (( الرابط غير متسلسل على اليوتيوب )) ولكنها متواجدة  

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تغريد العويفي

This past Saturday, I went to the local Frankton Market.  It's a weekly event that features locals setting up tents along the street selling anything from fruits to blankets.  We got there at about 9:30 and surprisingly to us, there were already a lot of people walking around as if it had been going on for a while.  We started off at the Asian market closeby, which had a lot of the similar foods you'd find back in Hawaii.  We were in Heaven! Some of our favorite foods were sold for a reasonable price there... li hing mui seeds, calrose rise, manapua, just to name a few. 

Waikato uni has a campus magazine called Nexus that informs students about campus happenings, interesting NZ events, and other random commentaries. The last issue had a really interesting about Mescaline, the active hallucinogen in Peyote. For the record, I've never used the mind altering drug but the article made me realize that there is a lot more that a person can do to expand their consciousness than chemicals. For example, many Americans can diversify their world view by living outside the states for a while. Since this is the longest I've been outside the states, I definitely see the world in a broader sense than I had before. While I could probably write for days about new concepts I've been introduced to, I'll briefly touch on some of the more interesting ideas. 

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.