Complete - U of C BComm

You may have noticed the lack of updates recently but I'm sure you will be happy to know that I have finished my last final exam at the U of C. I can finally add a Bachelors of Commerce to my list of accomplishments even though I hardly feel competent in either business or accounting.

This moment has been truly bitter sweet since I have been waiting for the day that I would no longer endure the stress of group projects, midterms, presentations, and final reports, but now that it has arrived, I don't want it to end. Shocking, I know since I've been the most vocal about wanting to graduate and rushing to start work but a part of myself can't help but feel upset that it's now all over. I still remember working at PwC only to realize that it was August and completely dreading the thought of going back to school. My sister's convocation was also particularly hard after watching people from my first year graduating without me. One more year just seemed like an eternity and once again, I felt depressed to have to suffer another year as a student. However, today I was was surprised to feel genuinely upset that my way of life for the past 5 years will be ending once I leave campus. Well, because of CASB I won't have to miss all those wonderful assignments and exams, but I won't have the opportunity to see my friends on a daily basis, learn new ideas, or even act immature because I'm no longer a student.

I guess the grass is just always greener on the other side and now I'm just spouting tired clichés about how time has gone by way too fast and that I really should have appreciated my time in school. But like all good advice, it's always wasted on the young and now I'm complaining about how this final year really went by in a blink of an eye.

I'm going to stop whining now since I'm also extremely excited at the moment because I'm able to start a new stage in life. I consider myself very lucky to be employed during such a frighting time for new graduates and the fact that I'm able to work for a company that has treated me so well for the last 2 years, I'm even more thankful. I just feel slightly overwhelmed because school is now over and I'm terrified to be working full-time but these points in life are always a good chance to reflect on what you have done and realize just how far you have come.

Complete - Nicknames

Seeing that my university experience is coming to an end, I started remembering some of the nicknames that I had for people over the past five years. Hopefully you can identify some of the names of the people who frequent Scurfield Hall.

• Steel Wool
• Pregnant Lady
• Wheelchair girl
• Louis Vuitton Guy
• Einstein
• The Ox
• British Guy
  
• Prince Harry
• Makeup Girl
• Caveman
  
• Skaterboy
• Stephanie's Lover
• Guy who tucks his sweater into his jeans
• Hat Girl
• Sara Palin
• John McCain
• Hiro from Heroes
• Angry Face Girl
• The OC Group
  
• ASA
• Model Girl
• Shadow
• Karl Naundorf's Twin
• Flat Face
• Old Man Murch
• Japanese Doll
• Old Lady
  

Try to name them all and if I missed anyone, let me know.

Complete - Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

I've always been a huge fan of the Olympics but I suppose that comes with growing up in an Olympic host city and witnessing the impact the games had on transforming this sleepy prairie city into the metropolitan it is today. An interesting fact was that I was actually absent during the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games because it was my first trip to Hong Kong. My mom said that there were so many people flying into Calgary during that time but we were the only people trying to leave, so I have never actually been present in a city when it hosted the Olympics. Fascinating, eh?

The design of the torch for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games had been released quite a while ago but when I first saw it, I was initially unimpressed and thought it was cold and bland. However, as I read more about the design, I have changed my opinion and learned to really love the simplicity and modernity. The torch was designed in collaboration between VANOC and Bombardier (very fitting), and was inspired to resemble the track marks left in snow by winter sports. The details are amazing and I expect no less from Bombardier. You cannot see this in the picture but the air intake of the torch is shaped in a maple leaf and notice that the flame is lit on the side of the torch, which will make the flame appear as a flag that flows in the air as the relayer runs across Canada. The idea is simply genius and very striking.

The uniforms of torchbearers have also been released and unfortunately they're not as inspiring as the torch. I didn't have high expectations for the uniforms since they will need to be practical because Canadian weather is notorious for being unpredictable and extremely cold during the winter. In addition, the uniforms will need to be flattering for all different body types so I understand that designs were probably limited. Thankfully, these uniforms are a huge improvement from the athlete uniforms worn during the Beijing Olympics, which were extremely garish and stereotypical. Apparently, Hudson Bay had hired the same team of designers from Roots that dressed both the Canadian and American team in earlier Olympic Games and created a sensation with their "poorboy" hats. Therefore, I don't understand why the outfits produced by the Bay look so awful but I do have high hopes that the team's uniform will be much better. I do approve of the mittens though.

Royal Bank in one of the official sponsors of the Vancouver Olympics and it will allow thousands of Canadians the opportunity to participate in the torch relay. I've always wanted to take part in the torch run and now everyone has a chance to experience the Olympic spirit by making a pledge to help make Canada a better place. You're able to select from generic pledges but I'm not one to accept mediocrity so this is my pledge:

By visiting more cities and towns in Canada, I will be able to view the many different landscapes of our nation and better understand the varying local cultures that are found throughout Canada. At times, our country can be divided by our regional sentiments but if each Canadian was able to travel throughout the country, then we will discover that we are one country. Our beautiful geography and our multicultural people help form Canada, so I pledge to continue exploring the many treasures spread across our country. Therefore, I hope my contribution will set a precedent for the future and truly make Canada a better place to live for the generations to come.

Man it sounds so corny but hopefully I will get chosen!! The deadline is July 15, 2009 so remember to make your pledge but just try not to pick the Calgary route so I have less competition.

https://www.carrythetorch.com/