UBC 101

'T's been a while since last time, but these are dated, so it's not like that statement is necessary, nor is it necessary for those who have checked in during my pause. Regardless of this, and regardless of how long it may be before I post again, let's begin.

So, to bring you up to speed; I'm now attending the University of British Columbia (UBC) for engineering (applied science), living in its Totem Park residence, and surviving on my own.

From the bottom, I have a roommate (details not disclosed for privacy). We get along well although our lives are only connected by this room. I'm on the fifth floor of my building (Shuswap, shortened to "Shu"). It's co-ed, lively, and has many engineers. People on this floor are usually doing something which is great except for studying. My building has six floors total, each with its own lounge, except for the occupied sixth floor lounge, but none of those matter since we of Shu5 have made it our way to make our lounge the best, whether it be by our own wi-fi access, our decor, the constant battle between Shu5 and maintenance over our (many) couches, or our wild weekends. Lastly, we get our daily workout just from going up and down five flights of stairs all day because the elevators take too long.

From here in my room, the next place to study is the lounge, which is great for group studying, but better for distractions. There's a study room on the second floor with an almost cubicle style to it, which is way too quiet and eerie. The main floor has a large common room, but you never know what loud group will walk in the doors. The PPPP (first year engineering study room) is a short walk away and works well for finding people working on the same subject, it's great for slipping in to do some homework between classes. Then there's the main engineering hangout; the Cheeze. It's like a small run-down house with a pool table, free video games, cheap vending machines, comfy couches, people playing Starcraft and acts as a hub for all things related to engineering students. Too fun for work. From there it comes down to UBC's many libraries, parks, patches of forest, shops, cafes, benches, study rooms, quiet rooms, and classrooms.

My courses are easy to follow. This semester I have Math 100 (calculus), Physics 153 (thermodynamics), Physics 170 (vectors, forces and moments), Chemistry 154 (chemistry), and Applied Science 160 (computer programming in c). I'm doing well and am slowly trying to get ahead of the courses. I'm ahead in MATH 100, on par in PHYS 153, PHYS 170 and APSC 160, and need to do some practice questions for CHEM 154 (though I understand the concepts and the questions are not for points). I'm confident in my ability to do well, especially since some are already questioning their own abilities, but that is not what concerns me. I'm more worried about how I can do better, especially because I'm hoping to get into the most advanced area of engineering: engineering physics (which has the mechatronics option for those who are wondering). When I mention my hopeful specialization to other engineers, one of the more common reactions is, "you poor soul." This is because engineering physics (eng phys or eng fizz) is the ultra-hard-always-working-always-studying-working-on-problems-the-professor-with-a-PhD-has-trouble-understanding kind of engineering. In fact "fizzers" are told not to bother with advanced math because the physics work they do will involve more complicated mathematics (this has been true since high school where basic physics covers grade twelve calculus*).

Life outside of class consists of trying to study, getting food, trying to do work, trying to sleep, watching television shows (usually on computers), partying, more studying, and the occasional game of Starcraft. I do most of these well, although I need to learn better studying and work habits for when the game gets stepped up. I also need to get better at the partying. I arrive after everyone else is already drunk, and by then I'm too sober to enjoy it and don't see a point in almost killing myself to catch up.

I'm keeping track of my resources (financial, temporal, physical, digital, etc) with budgets, schedules, calendars, task lists, et cetera in order to keep tabs on my living expenses and to see what can be done to improve my management skills. Time is the most important and my weakest, while finances is by all standards my strong suit. I also need a filing system for those few non-digital course sheets. If I can get this down to a science, then I can apply and optimize my lifestyle. Of course, this begs the question, "do I want to?"**

Lastly, but surely not least, girls. There are a lot of girls here. A lot of very attractive girls. I'm living on my own, trying to live the life, and planning to enter a specialty that would end any social life. These put girl high on my list (below academics, on par with finances). I'd like a relationship, but I'll take whatever I can get (current score for geoffcard:zero/five). So far I haven't had much luck. My first advance has been cut short by the platinum rule (in this case: don't date anyone on your floor), which I'm hoping will be repealed. My second advance I've since decided against (and intentionally moved into the "friend zone"). I almost wish I was that kind of guy who went to those kinds of parties. Hoping for better luck next time.

Anyways, that should work for a summary of life here so far. I'll try to write again, but I make no promises. I'll also look into photos.

*d=vt+1/2at^2 is the integral of v=v+at

**Philosophical debate for another time, comment if you want me to cover it.