It seems like a long time since I last blogged. And its come to the time where my stint at UCLA is almost officially over. And it really seemed like yesterday I just moved into Hilgard, whereas I'll be checking out soon.
Finals Week came and went. I did pretty well on the exams I've gotten back thus far, they are really efficient in churning out results and grades on exams. Gets it out of your system fast so you can spend your winter break either playing in glee, or trying to forget terrible grades, whatever rocks the boat.
I've heard the UCLA jazz combos and jazz ensembles putting up free concerts in school, and I must say they sound pretty good. There's always opportunities here to allow you to express yourself, I guess something I'll miss when I'm back home.
I guess I finished off my stint participating in another UCLA tradition, the "Undie Run", hahaha, I'll leave it your imagination what goes on, but its hawtttt, I tell you.
So saying my goodbyes to the ppl at Hilgard, having a little party, just hanging out, and closing the chapter on UCLA.
Its been awesome.
Friday, 14 December 2007
Monday, 3 December 2007
Santa Barbara
Drove up to Santa Barbara to visit Justin and to see Santa Barbara. We thought it'd be the good thing to do, to kind of return the favour and also to see UCSB and how he lived in SB.
I thought that Santa Barbara was really a quaint little town. Bustling where its supposed to be bustling, quiet where its supposed to be quiet. Its really different from LA where there is lotsa hustle and bustle almost all the time, whether in Westwood, or Hollywood etc etc. It seems really more relaxed in SB, plus the air smells fresher too.
This is the second time in the space of the week where I kinda experienced apartment living, with Singaporeans. Food wasn't like the meal plan that I have here in LA living on campus, they usually cooked. They live about a 10min bus ride from school, ordinarily a luxury for living in Pasir Ris me, but the convenience of Hilgard from school is unbeatable. Living in an apartment with 4 other Singaporeans, must be an interesting experience. Although I wouldn't know if it was for the better or the worse. I'm thankful though, living in Hilgard, knowing Americans and other international students have made it easier for me to hang out, and look for fun stuff to do!
There's this vast space in SB that Justin spoke about, and that I finally kind of realised that was lacking at home. There's this freedom to think, to live, and to go out and just be overwhelmed by the grander aspects of life. Looking off the coastline from the top of a mountain, or just staring at the vast expanse of the ocean, somehow it just fills you with a sense that there is so much out there, something you cannot find back at home.
Visited UCSB, downtown SB, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Missions, and St Mary's Seminary on top of the mountain. Got quite alot of stuff done in a short space of time. But lets not kid you, amidst all the quiet serenity that I have described, SB is a party town at night. People thronging the streets, jacked up, going house partyhopping and all. I don't know if that's a good balance, but it sure makes for an exciting life if you indulge in it.
UCSB Lagoon
Rim Walk UCSB
Santa Barbara Missions
Coastline off the Highway
The setting sun, epitomising my time in the U S of A.
I thought that Santa Barbara was really a quaint little town. Bustling where its supposed to be bustling, quiet where its supposed to be quiet. Its really different from LA where there is lotsa hustle and bustle almost all the time, whether in Westwood, or Hollywood etc etc. It seems really more relaxed in SB, plus the air smells fresher too.
This is the second time in the space of the week where I kinda experienced apartment living, with Singaporeans. Food wasn't like the meal plan that I have here in LA living on campus, they usually cooked. They live about a 10min bus ride from school, ordinarily a luxury for living in Pasir Ris me, but the convenience of Hilgard from school is unbeatable. Living in an apartment with 4 other Singaporeans, must be an interesting experience. Although I wouldn't know if it was for the better or the worse. I'm thankful though, living in Hilgard, knowing Americans and other international students have made it easier for me to hang out, and look for fun stuff to do!
There's this vast space in SB that Justin spoke about, and that I finally kind of realised that was lacking at home. There's this freedom to think, to live, and to go out and just be overwhelmed by the grander aspects of life. Looking off the coastline from the top of a mountain, or just staring at the vast expanse of the ocean, somehow it just fills you with a sense that there is so much out there, something you cannot find back at home.
Visited UCSB, downtown SB, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Missions, and St Mary's Seminary on top of the mountain. Got quite alot of stuff done in a short space of time. But lets not kid you, amidst all the quiet serenity that I have described, SB is a party town at night. People thronging the streets, jacked up, going house partyhopping and all. I don't know if that's a good balance, but it sure makes for an exciting life if you indulge in it.
UCSB Lagoon
Rim Walk UCSB
Santa Barbara Missions
Coastline off the Highway
The setting sun, epitomising my time in the U S of A.
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Beat SC Parade, Bonfire and Rally
BURNINGG...
Attended the Beat USC parade, bonfire and rally yesterday. Hordes of students thronged the streets in school to catch the floats and parade down to the center of school for a huge bonfire and rally in anticipation for the biggest game, football, UCLA vs USC at the L.A. Coliseum this Saturday.
Its been Blue and Gold week here at UCLA and there's been many interesting activities this week lined up to show how you bleed blue and gold! There was a "trojan" car smashing event, trojans being USC, there was a "get the red out" blood drive, exchanging red tees for blue ones, an even a Bruin Bear security force for the whole week in case those stinky USC students came down to vandalise our mascot!
I think these are great traditions to have in the school, and what makes studying more fun and enjoyable, that identify that you have as a Bruin, irreplaceble I guess. Hahaha. Running down the streets trying to catch photos of the marching band in the parade, masses of ppl screaming Beat SC, f*** SC, etc etc. drunk ppl, sane ppl, fun ppl, just hanging out, screaming for the Bonfire to burn.
And so it did.
And now for Santa Barbara!
Attended the Beat USC parade, bonfire and rally yesterday. Hordes of students thronged the streets in school to catch the floats and parade down to the center of school for a huge bonfire and rally in anticipation for the biggest game, football, UCLA vs USC at the L.A. Coliseum this Saturday.
Its been Blue and Gold week here at UCLA and there's been many interesting activities this week lined up to show how you bleed blue and gold! There was a "trojan" car smashing event, trojans being USC, there was a "get the red out" blood drive, exchanging red tees for blue ones, an even a Bruin Bear security force for the whole week in case those stinky USC students came down to vandalise our mascot!
I think these are great traditions to have in the school, and what makes studying more fun and enjoyable, that identify that you have as a Bruin, irreplaceble I guess. Hahaha. Running down the streets trying to catch photos of the marching band in the parade, masses of ppl screaming Beat SC, f*** SC, etc etc. drunk ppl, sane ppl, fun ppl, just hanging out, screaming for the Bonfire to burn.
And so it did.
And now for Santa Barbara!
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