Symptoms of life

So, if I were to start a new blog (since this blog is updated on a consistent basis) I think I would want to call it "Symptomsoflife.com" which is now available on Godaddy for the low price of 10.99! Often I find myself roaming godaddy thinking of clever domain names just to see if they are available and how much they would cost. Even though I an not really internet savvy and have no idea about webdesign for some reason I throgouhly enjoy looking up potential domain names to own. Since I am busy and very poor I know none of these ideas will ever come to fruition but I still enjoy looking.

Since this is blog number two of the week I don't think I can officially declare I am back on the blog train, but I am going to try my best.

Back on the blog train!

So here goes another attempt to blogging. Its been 9 months since I have last blogged and a lot has happened in that time span. I finished my degree (Hons. BK) at Lakehead, and moved back to Newfoundland to start Fast Track Nursing as MUN in the fall. I just finished my summer job yesterday, which was pretty run of the mill in terms of summer employment. That pretty much sums up the last 9 months in a nutshell. I am loving living in St. John's as many people I know are here, and I get to see Janet on a regular basis.

School is fast approaching and I feel pretty excited for this new opportunity. I feel as though it will be a lot of work, but in the end I think it will be a worthwhile degree to have, and I can actual put it to good use.

Anyhoo, for now I am going to try and tweak the layout of the blog, and hopefully think of more interesting topics to blog about in the future.

Library Revelations

So since finals are fast approaching, I find myself spending more and more time at the library, hunkering down within a cubicle and working away at my various tasks. I find it odd that I can go almost 3 months with never stepping foot into this building, now I feel compelled to come here every day.

It really isn't much different from working at home, I bring all of my books with me, my MP3 player, and my laptop. I usually have my MSN running and I bring my novel with me just in case I want a break. When I am at home I have the exact same things around me but I seem to be more distracted. I don't if its the quite area, or the confinements of a cubicle, but whatever it is I am way more productive when I step into this building.

The term is almost over, and I'll be glad to have another one in the books. One more left then I am finished with Lakehead University. I'm looking forward to coming home for the holidays as I know many familiar faces will be home, and it'll be nice to be reunited with the people I care about most in the world.

Catherine MacLellan - Long Way Home

USED BOOKS

As I stated in a previous post I have recently picked up the habit of reading. I know, such a novel (get it? HA!) hobby nowadays but I am thoroughly enjoying myself. Recently, I finished Fifth Business by Robertson Davies. This novel was recommended by my friend Adam Hollett a few years ago, and while I had it in my belonging for quite some time I never bothered to read it. I started it 4 days ago and I purposely stayed inside all weekend in order to finish it. Personally, I thought the book was a wonderfully written novel about the toil and triumph of a man throughout his eccentric life.

Being a university student it had led me to be fairly frugal with my money. To the point where I have contemplated taking toilet paper from the bathrooms at school, however I have never followed through with such a thought. It had come to my attention that books are expensive at your typical bookstores (Coles, Chapters, etc...) so I set out to find a used book store that could meet at my needs.

Seeing how this is a fairly new hobby, I had no idea what to look for in a used book store. In my many adventures around town I often drive by a huge sign that says "USED BOOKS". This was the first place that came to mind when I thought of used books (obviously) so I went there first. Pulling up to the store I realized that the building was fairly large, which seemed like a good quality becasue it probably had lots of books.

Upon entering the store I was greeted by an extremely friendly employee. Since I was rather hesitant walking in and carefully looked around to get a bearing of my surroundings he obviously knew it was my first time. He kindly asked if he could help and I pulled out my list (Yes, I had a list of books, I wanted to keep them straight). To my delight he seemed to frequently deal with customers who had lists and snatched the peice of paper from between my fingers while quickly scanning it.

"Robertson Davies!" he exclaimed. "I'm assuming you've read Fifth Business, boy was that ever an amazing book. If you liked the first I can vouch for the other two, they are fantastic novels!" Within minutes I was blindly following him through the store, still looking around to get my bearings. He took me to the Canadian author section and to my delight both The Manticore and World of Wonders were there....for the low price of 1.95 each! I was overjoyed that both books were there, but even more joyous of the fact that they cost so little. Within no time the store clerk was gone to the Classic section in search of the other books on my list.

Sadly, the store did not have any Nabakov but they did have Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell. While these books were a little more expensive (2.05 and 4.95 respectively) I thought that for 11 dollars four books was a fantastic deal. I was elated that I got these (hopefully) fantastic books for such a low price and I vowed to come back next week to check out their stock.

So this blog post turned out to be much longer than anticipated. But I guess that is bound to happen when someone is overjoyed with such a great find.

New Month

So it is November! Finally! School has been tres hectic as always, my research adviser dumped an ethics proposal on my lap this week, and wanted it within two days. Meaning Shannon and I (my research partner) had to pound out a 16 page ethics proposal within 2 days, right in the middle of a plethora of tests and presentations.

This academic year is much different from ones past. Firstly, everything is done in groups which makes for very frustrating/unproductive working sessions. People continue to tell us "You'll have to work in groups in the real world so get use to it". Although I find flaws in this logic because I think if I was in a working environment in which I didn't enjoy my co-workers, I have the ability to quit and find a new job. Unfortunately, assigned group work in university does not afford such a luxury. I am stuck with these people and thankfully in a few weeks it is all over. Until next term!

At least next term I have a few online classes, which there cannot be any group work. I look forward to hunkering down in my room and doing my work, all by my lonesome.

Outside of school things are pretty dull. Everyone is busy so it doesn't allow for much social time. However last night we decided to have some themed movie nights within the near future. Such as "Mel Brooks Night" "Bond Night" "Police Academy Night" and a few others that are still in the works. It'll be nice to watch some of those movie and devote a few nights to good friends.

34 days until I get back to Newfoundland and I am pretty jacked about that.

Joseph Arthur - A Smile that Explodes

Reading Goals

So I recently picked up reading as a pastime again and I must say I am elated at the fact that I can find time to sit and read. I think I am going to try and read at least 1 novel a month. I know its not a lot of reading but if I can commit to that maybe I'll try and bump that up to 2 books a month.

Currently, I am reading a novel titled "playing for Pizza" by John Grisham. Its his attempt at a comedy, but personally I don't find it comedic at all. In saying that I am enjoying it to a degree, and hopefully will have in finished by the end of the week.

Here is a list of books that I plan/hope/wish to read:

Fifth Business
Grapes of Wrath
Speaker of the Dead (By: Scott Orson Card)
The Alchemist
To Kill a Mockingbird
Catcher in the Rye (for a second time)
Lolita
Rant


Now I doubt I'll get through all those books anytime soon, here is hoping.

From a school perspective all is well, besides the plethora of papers due and the research report that I am totally lost on. Only a few more weeks left then onto my last semester as an undergrad.

Pete Yorn - Life on a Chain

Tommy Sands

I put on my total play list today (almost 4,000 songs) and Tommy Sands came on. I had not listened to him in a very long time, but I'm sure glad it came on! I immediately turned offthe shuffle and began the album at the first song. Right away I was singing along with every song like I just listened to him yesterday. That's the beauty of music, you can be away from it for a long time, but no matter what it is still with you. I love Tommy, I wish I had more of his music....I'm sure in time I'll get more albums.

Tommy Sands - Sudako