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28.9.07
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I'm still breathing, just not through here
I have been flooded by an unsuspecting wave of schoolwork, extra-curricular activities and my lovely part-time job at Indigo. Not to say that I'm complaining, but I always end up at home tired and behind everything else that is needed to be done.
Frosh '07 was a blast! We took the streets for the UofT Parade on the 7th and rocked downtown, stopping traffic and gathering curious eyes. I was placed as a Management GL even though I hail from the Science department, but it was nice interacting with those kids. My throat got so sore from Day 1, and I don't think it has fully recovered weeks after. Pictures found here: 1 & 2.
Toronto International Film Festival '07 concluded on the 15th, and we managed to catch two films the nights before. My brother was a volunteer so he had free tickets. September was the first we caught: an Australian film focusing on racial segregation back in the 1960s. There was minimal dialogue and superb cinematography - yellow and pale blue from the vast wheat fields and open sky. A Jihad For Love was the last show screened for the TIFF'07 season. There was a high demand for the show so me and my sister had to queue in the rush line while Wil made it in first. While up front in line, a random man came up to us and asked us what film we were watching. When we said Jihad, he extended his hand and introduced himself as the director! It shocked us all, including two partners behind us who were also catching the same film. One of the characters of the film, who made it to Canada via asylum, was at hand with the director and producer. Literally meaning 'The Struggle for Love', the documentary centers on a few real characters and explores the taboo of homosexuality in Islam. It made me really appreciative of the same-sex policies Canada has, and how open and equal this country is.
ISC has become another home for me now. I have been spending massive amounts of time in the office or at home working on, first Orientation 2007, and second the Buddy Program. We had our first major Buddy event, the Mix & Mingle, last Friday. An unexpected turnout left us with little breathing space and scrimpy food servings. But we're moving forward with finalizing groups. How hilarious is it that all these while at UTSC I never meet any Singaporeans or Malaysians, but now just from BP alone, I have met 7 new people related to SingMa. On Wednesday, the ISC coordinators were unsuspecting victims in Melissa's sudden announcement of her departure in two weeks. No doubt we are happy for her, but this isn't what we were expecting when M said she needed to talk to us, especially after Bonnie's also-sudden move to greener pastures. Nevertheless, I wish her all the best and I'm sure she will be around for us to bug her.
School has NOT been fun. The commute to the campus from my new place is exhausting and dozing off ungracefully on the bus isn't something to be proud of. I've rushed out of the house running late, slept in small lectures where the profs stand close by, lost track of the topics covered by each course.. Many of them are similar; 2 of my courses have a major presentation and an essay (I wonder if I can use one to kill two beasts?), 2 of them are lab courses. Labs have been enjoyable for BGYC59. For the past two weeks we went out to the Rouge Valley near Toronto Zoo to survey very steep patches of forest: the type and size of trees, and their interactions with one another. I now view those thick trunks, varied bark patterns and leaf shapes differently.
Home is not fully done up yet though we are making it quite a habitat. Eversince school started, our attention to the aesthetic of the house has diminished. We're close to sealing the deal for a TV, and the internet is finally in place after a ridiculously long wait. Other pressing items are curtains and a microwave.
Work at Indigo is going on well. Sure, the long hours can be harsh on the soles of my feet, but time passes fast when I'm shelving or serving customers. I just got trained on cash as a backup for the second floor just in case it gets busy. Which should be soon, seeing how we're starting to gear towards Chrismas (and it's only September you say?!?). My home base is Fiction, but I've been rotating around sections to get an idea of how the whole store works. Also, I think I unknowingly interacted with Liv Tyler on Sunday. I knew I should know something when she was walking away from me, but it only came to me when I saw the latest picture of her in T.O. looking very familiar. She is gorgeous in person; flawless skin without any makeup.
Research Assistant with the Surface & Groundwater Ecology Research Group is now another volunteer position I hold. I know both researchers, Catherine (TA for BGYB52 last year, and this year's instructor for EESC04) and Jessica (TA for CHMA10/11 in my first year). There will be lab and field work involving analyzing the carbon concentration and transmission in aquatic ecosystems sorts. I cannot wait to start, though this is going to take up more time between classes.
I wish I could say I have the weekend to myself, but Saturdays and Sundays are work days now. It is about time I do some studying and begin my assignments. When, how and where, I don't have the slightest clue.
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Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to lie
Life taught me to die
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