To those who may be wondering where "Chris at the Campus" has gone:
I deleted the blog due to the fact that it was no more than a diary to me and I already have one in my hard drive. If you'd like me to keep you posted, go to my profile and feel free to visit any of the blogs registered under this ID. That should give you some idea what I'm doing these days.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, April 21, 2008
The End...
My adventures in England and Europe ended as the date of April 11th. Now that I've gotten used to Vancouver slightly once again, I bid you adieu and hereby declare this blog Chris and the Castle is officially over.
As a parting gift, I give you a very over-due set of photos: MIDTERM TRIP!
Sanctuary Wood (WWI Memorial) -> http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692685
Brussels, Belgium -> http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692723
Paris, France ->http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140050791780
It's been a pleasure bickering over small pains and filling this space with self-indulgent articles. I plan to have another blog open shortly as soon as I enter my 2nd year at university. It should be fairly interesting to go to my home university as a sophomore without knowing anything about it and I'm sure I'll spend a long time bitching about any small inconvenience and discomfort I may come in contact with. I have yet to come up with a name for that blog but when I do I'll let you know the opening here and via email.
Well then, au revoir, mes amis.
As a parting gift, I give you a very over-due set of photos: MIDTERM TRIP!
Sanctuary Wood (WWI Memorial) -> http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692685
Brussels, Belgium -> http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692723
Paris, France ->http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140050791780
It's been a pleasure bickering over small pains and filling this space with self-indulgent articles. I plan to have another blog open shortly as soon as I enter my 2nd year at university. It should be fairly interesting to go to my home university as a sophomore without knowing anything about it and I'm sure I'll spend a long time bitching about any small inconvenience and discomfort I may come in contact with. I have yet to come up with a name for that blog but when I do I'll let you know the opening here and via email.
Well then, au revoir, mes amis.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Less than a week left
I'll open this posting with an old cliche: "I can't believe how fast the time flies." There's exactly 6 days left until I go home. I never thought I would say this but I'm beginning to have mixed feelings.
Naturally I thought I would be very thrilled and happy to go home but for some inexplicable reasons, there are some parts of me that want to linger here a little bit longer. I even thought of wanting to stay here later in upper years... but I'll have to see how my mind wanders later on.
It makes me sad to think I won't be able to go to London for the weekend or plan trips with my friends to exotic destinations. I guess I'll have to take comfort from the fact that I've finally been to Paris, the city of my dreams and fantasies.
No more small classes, a castle in the middle of nowhere, sheeps bleeting outside, ducks disturbing lectures... even the castle food, which I always call horrible and barely edible, will be missed and I know it.
I should count myself lucky because all of my friends are from Vancouver area and we can meet up during breaks. But it will be hard indeed to find new people in UBC and try to establish brand new connections.
How funny it is, that I should find myself a bit hesitant to go back home after all the incidents that brought my hope in the mankind even further down, after complaining how inconvenient it is to live here, bitching about every possible excuse that might make people back at home sympathetic of me.
This is oddly reminiscent to the last scene of G. Orwell's 1984, where the narrator describes Winston's final state of mind: "He loved Big Brother."
And I love the Castle.
Naturally I thought I would be very thrilled and happy to go home but for some inexplicable reasons, there are some parts of me that want to linger here a little bit longer. I even thought of wanting to stay here later in upper years... but I'll have to see how my mind wanders later on.
It makes me sad to think I won't be able to go to London for the weekend or plan trips with my friends to exotic destinations. I guess I'll have to take comfort from the fact that I've finally been to Paris, the city of my dreams and fantasies.
No more small classes, a castle in the middle of nowhere, sheeps bleeting outside, ducks disturbing lectures... even the castle food, which I always call horrible and barely edible, will be missed and I know it.
I should count myself lucky because all of my friends are from Vancouver area and we can meet up during breaks. But it will be hard indeed to find new people in UBC and try to establish brand new connections.
How funny it is, that I should find myself a bit hesitant to go back home after all the incidents that brought my hope in the mankind even further down, after complaining how inconvenient it is to live here, bitching about every possible excuse that might make people back at home sympathetic of me.
This is oddly reminiscent to the last scene of G. Orwell's 1984, where the narrator describes Winston's final state of mind: "He loved Big Brother."
And I love the Castle.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Clubbing
I went clubbing last night for the first time in my life (wow that sounds so naive) and I've become enlightened about a few things about it (at least such in the U.K.). But first, let me regale you with the course of the night... and possibly lead you to forget the fact that I've been delaying my Paris pictures and whatnot.
The whole thing started when one of my corridor mates came up with a plan to transport around 10 people in a minibus for a cheap fee. And since I'd never gone clubbing, and my friends said it's not a bad experience, I decided to try and signed myself up.
On Friday we had our end of the term ceremony and I danced for 3 hours in high heels so my ankles and legs were killing me but by 11:30pm I felt slightly better. My friends were dressed in moderate (but not dorky) clothes whereas some people really went all out and looked a bit funky. I think when we got to the club it a little after midnight.
The club was in Eastborne and called "Functionroom." I was told that it had prettier, younger people than Atlantis, another club nearby. We had some first-timers amongst us besides myself so I felt a littler better. After a bit of hassle with security, I got into the club. (They held me longer than others for some reason even though I actually had a genuine, valid ID issued by the Canadian government. I didn't risk taking my passport but carried my citizenship card which, apparently, they hadn't really seen before. They bought my friend's fake ID but they held me longer. Really promising!)
We checked in our coats and went down to the dancing floor. There were lots of guys but none really attracted my attention. I'm, by no means, into hooking up at night clubs because I think it's just the lowest, the most unreliable way to get to know the opposite sex. Anyways I went to dance with my friends, feeling slightly awkward and out of place. But once I got into a sync it felt pretty okay.
But I must say I was very very creeped out when this old guy (when I say "old" I mean he's obviously older than myself, and I can't really give you the estimate of his exact age. But I can tell you right now he wasn't in his early 20's.) tried to dance with Ryiko and she just went with it. There was no physical contact, thank god, but I and my friends were freaked out and pulled Ryiko out of his way, saying that I needed a drink.
I was told that clubs totally rip you off when it comes to drinks but I was really really thirsty so I got a Smironoff Ice. But I had a bit of a surprising encounter beforehand. I was waiting boringly on the counter, eyeing the bartender that I'd been there for quite a long time. But he served this girl who had come after me. And that's when this random woman popped in and asked me if I'd been served. I shook my head and she shouted at the bartender: "You know this girl's been here for like 10 minutes and you served HER first. That's not right. Is this how you serve people around here?" And she was a bit angry too so I wasn't really sure if I should raise my voice up too. I was rather embarrassed but I was really thankful to her. I must say she helped me restore a bit of faith in humanity. (How ironic that I should have this encounter at a night club.)
When I had finally gotten my drink and was on my way to approach my friend, that creepy guy touched my shoulder and gently flicked through my hair. I was SO SO SO SO creeped out but I just kept going toward my friends. SWEET JESUS F'ING CHRIST. I'm just glad it just stopped there. Whenever someone tried to approach the girl group, we stayed tight together and allowed no one in. I think having Alex with us was pretty convenient because I could use him as a bit of boundary... however not-intimidating he may be.
Some of the ISC girls were really out, making out with the guys at the club that they had never seen before but I guess that's their choice.
I was a bit surprised when the girls all had a glass of champagnes with them. I was told later that the club gave us a free bottle because we were the biggest group there. I had a sip from my roommate's glass.
I'm happy to tell you my night ended at 3:30am without any significant malfunction. Sure I was felt up by a few creepy guys but their attempts ended in failure because I did what I do best: being a icy cold bitch. (Well maybe not the "bitch" part because all I did was just ignoring them all night long.) I had fun but I don't think I'm one of the people who really like clubbing and like to go quite often. I'm not sure what it's like in Vancouver and if I can round up the right crowd, I'm willing to try clubbing in Canada. But otherwise... I think I'll stick to good ol' hanging out fun.
Or at least until I secure a boyfriend who can protect me from those creepers.
The whole thing started when one of my corridor mates came up with a plan to transport around 10 people in a minibus for a cheap fee. And since I'd never gone clubbing, and my friends said it's not a bad experience, I decided to try and signed myself up.
On Friday we had our end of the term ceremony and I danced for 3 hours in high heels so my ankles and legs were killing me but by 11:30pm I felt slightly better. My friends were dressed in moderate (but not dorky) clothes whereas some people really went all out and looked a bit funky. I think when we got to the club it a little after midnight.
The club was in Eastborne and called "Functionroom." I was told that it had prettier, younger people than Atlantis, another club nearby. We had some first-timers amongst us besides myself so I felt a littler better. After a bit of hassle with security, I got into the club. (They held me longer than others for some reason even though I actually had a genuine, valid ID issued by the Canadian government. I didn't risk taking my passport but carried my citizenship card which, apparently, they hadn't really seen before. They bought my friend's fake ID but they held me longer. Really promising!)
We checked in our coats and went down to the dancing floor. There were lots of guys but none really attracted my attention. I'm, by no means, into hooking up at night clubs because I think it's just the lowest, the most unreliable way to get to know the opposite sex. Anyways I went to dance with my friends, feeling slightly awkward and out of place. But once I got into a sync it felt pretty okay.
But I must say I was very very creeped out when this old guy (when I say "old" I mean he's obviously older than myself, and I can't really give you the estimate of his exact age. But I can tell you right now he wasn't in his early 20's.) tried to dance with Ryiko and she just went with it. There was no physical contact, thank god, but I and my friends were freaked out and pulled Ryiko out of his way, saying that I needed a drink.
I was told that clubs totally rip you off when it comes to drinks but I was really really thirsty so I got a Smironoff Ice. But I had a bit of a surprising encounter beforehand. I was waiting boringly on the counter, eyeing the bartender that I'd been there for quite a long time. But he served this girl who had come after me. And that's when this random woman popped in and asked me if I'd been served. I shook my head and she shouted at the bartender: "You know this girl's been here for like 10 minutes and you served HER first. That's not right. Is this how you serve people around here?" And she was a bit angry too so I wasn't really sure if I should raise my voice up too. I was rather embarrassed but I was really thankful to her. I must say she helped me restore a bit of faith in humanity. (How ironic that I should have this encounter at a night club.)
When I had finally gotten my drink and was on my way to approach my friend, that creepy guy touched my shoulder and gently flicked through my hair. I was SO SO SO SO creeped out but I just kept going toward my friends. SWEET JESUS F'ING CHRIST. I'm just glad it just stopped there. Whenever someone tried to approach the girl group, we stayed tight together and allowed no one in. I think having Alex with us was pretty convenient because I could use him as a bit of boundary... however not-intimidating he may be.
Some of the ISC girls were really out, making out with the guys at the club that they had never seen before but I guess that's their choice.
I was a bit surprised when the girls all had a glass of champagnes with them. I was told later that the club gave us a free bottle because we were the biggest group there. I had a sip from my roommate's glass.
I'm happy to tell you my night ended at 3:30am without any significant malfunction. Sure I was felt up by a few creepy guys but their attempts ended in failure because I did what I do best: being a icy cold bitch. (Well maybe not the "bitch" part because all I did was just ignoring them all night long.) I had fun but I don't think I'm one of the people who really like clubbing and like to go quite often. I'm not sure what it's like in Vancouver and if I can round up the right crowd, I'm willing to try clubbing in Canada. But otherwise... I think I'll stick to good ol' hanging out fun.
Or at least until I secure a boyfriend who can protect me from those creepers.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Milan & Brussels
Sadly I haven't updated Paris pics (which may be the most important, for which I apologize) but here are some incentives to keep you waiting a little longer.
MILAN and BRUSSELS pics!!
Milan: http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048691298
Midterm Trip Prelude:
Day 1 - http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692685
Brussels:
Day 1 & 2: http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692723
To those who haven't noticed:
You may be able to view the pictures a little earlier by going straight to my Korean blog [http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom]. The menu is described in English and you can flip through "UK '07-'08" section to see what you might have missed.
MILAN and BRUSSELS pics!!
Milan: http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048691298
Midterm Trip Prelude:
Day 1 - http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692685
Brussels:
Day 1 & 2: http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom/140048692723
To those who haven't noticed:
You may be able to view the pictures a little earlier by going straight to my Korean blog [http://blog.naver.com/chris84bloom]. The menu is described in English and you can flip through "UK '07-'08" section to see what you might have missed.
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Sims
The Sims is, to this day, #1 selling game in the history of PC games. I've gotten in many troubles because of it. Today, because I just feel like it, I'd like to unfold my thoughts on this unique game. Since this has nothing to do with my life in the U.K., those who are more interested in my exotic tales may want to skip this article.
To those who have never played this game: The Sims is a bit of a universe-controlling game in which a player directs various kinds of individuals to perform basic necessities such as eating, sleeping and using the toilet, not to mention getting a job. The player may choose to help a sim achieve a very happy life or may choose to, even, kill him/her. In 2003 the Sims 2 was released in a wonderful 3D format and with more freedom regarding building the house, etc. (Now they can really "breed"... if you know what I mean.)
No one, even the closest friends and family, has understood my passion for this game - which is, ironically, understandable. To me the Sims, the first of the series, has a very great nostalgic value to me. It was the first game I put my mind since I got to Canada. (It even helped me forge new friendship.) I've had countless nights going overboard with this game. I even stayed up to 6 a.m. when the sun was rising. I remember waking up at 10 like nothing had happened. After playing the Sims 2, I can't really have much fun playing the original game because it has too many inconveniences for me. Even so, I cannot help but like this game still.
The soundtrack used in the Sims is, I dare say, magical. Not that many game musics have succeeded to catch my attention and I've fallen in love with that of the Sims in the instant I heard it. I even managed to track down the source and burned the music on a CD so I could hear it even when I wasn't playing it. Many people found it rather strange that I would go that far with a mere game soundtrack. But the songs recorded in the Sims are much more than simple music. Each of them has a very unique tone which all somehow get in sync when used in one main theme. The music played in the neighborhood scene are soft, sultry jazz while building mode music has a variety of new age piano. No wonder the Sims has such a miraculous record that hasn't been broken for almost a decade. (I think this is pretty amazing especially in PC game category because more people have access to computers than to PS3 or other consoles, thus allowing anyone to buy any game.)
But something more came to me when I purchased the Sims Complete Collection which has every single expansion pack released - meaning, it had Makin' Magic. I knew anything dealing with magic is quite interesting but the music linked with this expansion pack just blew my mind away. They were reminiscent of a bohemian French music, mainly involved with soft arcodians and waltz rhythms. They all had certain melancholy tunes - which I adore dearly. And today when I, out of curiosity, clicked to see the credit of the staff, I found a secret track. It was, again, had melodies of arcodians and quite nostalgic. I wish I were more articulate so I could tell you how beautiful it is. You'll have to listen to it yourself - no words can do the justice. (If you're interested, let me know by email so I can send you the music files.)
These musics, unfortunately, don't come with titles. I visited iTunes shop but it only had a few. So I took a liberty of naming them myself. I think I did a decent job of it. Some of these titles include "A Cloudy Day" "What will happen?" "Kiss Goodbye" "Dark Ally Waltz". I named the song from the staff credit "Fading Memories". You may understand when you get to hear the music.
I have a curious tendency not to like anything that is liked by a bunch of people. But apparently it wasn't clicked when I got to the Sims. (This may have some effects on my parents, who may as well hate this game for taking my attention away from academics in the past years.) I will love this game always. It's a piece from my childhood memoir that I'll cherish along with other things.
I guess I love this game so much, mainly because - I was happy when I was playing this game. I mean, not because of the game - because that was the last time I remember I was truly happy and it's something that I can't reach, ever.
Like so many other things I suffer nostalgia for, I only desire what I cannot have. The time when I first met the Sims is one of them.
To those who have never played this game: The Sims is a bit of a universe-controlling game in which a player directs various kinds of individuals to perform basic necessities such as eating, sleeping and using the toilet, not to mention getting a job. The player may choose to help a sim achieve a very happy life or may choose to, even, kill him/her. In 2003 the Sims 2 was released in a wonderful 3D format and with more freedom regarding building the house, etc. (Now they can really "breed"... if you know what I mean.)
No one, even the closest friends and family, has understood my passion for this game - which is, ironically, understandable. To me the Sims, the first of the series, has a very great nostalgic value to me. It was the first game I put my mind since I got to Canada. (It even helped me forge new friendship.) I've had countless nights going overboard with this game. I even stayed up to 6 a.m. when the sun was rising. I remember waking up at 10 like nothing had happened. After playing the Sims 2, I can't really have much fun playing the original game because it has too many inconveniences for me. Even so, I cannot help but like this game still.
The soundtrack used in the Sims is, I dare say, magical. Not that many game musics have succeeded to catch my attention and I've fallen in love with that of the Sims in the instant I heard it. I even managed to track down the source and burned the music on a CD so I could hear it even when I wasn't playing it. Many people found it rather strange that I would go that far with a mere game soundtrack. But the songs recorded in the Sims are much more than simple music. Each of them has a very unique tone which all somehow get in sync when used in one main theme. The music played in the neighborhood scene are soft, sultry jazz while building mode music has a variety of new age piano. No wonder the Sims has such a miraculous record that hasn't been broken for almost a decade. (I think this is pretty amazing especially in PC game category because more people have access to computers than to PS3 or other consoles, thus allowing anyone to buy any game.)
But something more came to me when I purchased the Sims Complete Collection which has every single expansion pack released - meaning, it had Makin' Magic. I knew anything dealing with magic is quite interesting but the music linked with this expansion pack just blew my mind away. They were reminiscent of a bohemian French music, mainly involved with soft arcodians and waltz rhythms. They all had certain melancholy tunes - which I adore dearly. And today when I, out of curiosity, clicked to see the credit of the staff, I found a secret track. It was, again, had melodies of arcodians and quite nostalgic. I wish I were more articulate so I could tell you how beautiful it is. You'll have to listen to it yourself - no words can do the justice. (If you're interested, let me know by email so I can send you the music files.)
These musics, unfortunately, don't come with titles. I visited iTunes shop but it only had a few. So I took a liberty of naming them myself. I think I did a decent job of it. Some of these titles include "A Cloudy Day" "What will happen?" "Kiss Goodbye" "Dark Ally Waltz". I named the song from the staff credit "Fading Memories". You may understand when you get to hear the music.
I have a curious tendency not to like anything that is liked by a bunch of people. But apparently it wasn't clicked when I got to the Sims. (This may have some effects on my parents, who may as well hate this game for taking my attention away from academics in the past years.) I will love this game always. It's a piece from my childhood memoir that I'll cherish along with other things.
I guess I love this game so much, mainly because - I was happy when I was playing this game. I mean, not because of the game - because that was the last time I remember I was truly happy and it's something that I can't reach, ever.
Like so many other things I suffer nostalgia for, I only desire what I cannot have. The time when I first met the Sims is one of them.
Monday, February 25, 2008
A few updates
RE: Midterm trip...
- Brussels was nice but also was just what I expected - mildly interesting.
- Paris, on the other hand, was fantastic. For those who speak French fluently, Paris could be the best place in Europe. It would be for me, at least, if I could do so...
- The photos are coming...
And other things...
My laundry got stuck in the washing machine today for the first time. Very frustrating and perplexing. I got them out and put them into a new one but because of it, and also because the dryer didn't do the job well thus forcing me to spend more money for the second run, the laundry took the whole day. And not just that - I tried to iron my shirt I got from Esprit and it just ripped. It seems like the heat was too hot and it pressed it like a sheet of paper. It ripped along the stripes on the shirt. It's actually painful to look at - It looks like I put it into a shredder. I sewed some parts of it but it still needs some work.
So exhausted. Don't wanna do anything.
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