Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Utopia

For those who have known me long enough, I was involved with an utopia text simulation game called Utopia for quite a few years. I was addicted to that game like a drug addict to drugs, spending hours simulating strategy before a new round, spending hours at night to find the perfect target to hit for land, and even not sleeping just so I can login each hour to build during the start to get a good start. Why am I bringing this up? Because I regret losing touch with many friends I've made through this experience. Once a leader of a great alliance for a year, there were numerous people who became close to me, even with a few who attempted to backstab me. Now you ask why I put so much effort into an online text simulation game. It was just a text simulation to those who played it, it was a community where friends were made, spouses were found (4 in total from those I know so far, one more coming summer), and relationships extend beyond the game. Many gatherings have taken place at various place around the globe for those who dedicated themselves to the alliance, with many laughters shared between the members. Why am I looking back at these great time now? I guess it is because only recently have I realized how some of these friendships and relationships were more genuine that those we make in person. I'm not implying this statement to the many friends I've made, but more to the relationships I see between others in this world. Tune into any reality shows and you will see fake smile, broken promises, all for glory and fame. During that time, it wasn't about who was leader and who was a new joiner, it was about working together towards achieving greatness. To this day, 3 years or so after I unexpectedly quit the game, I still miss the many friends I've made, some have continue to play the game, but some have moved on, but the times I've shared with those great people, and even the occasional enemy, has made my a mark in my life which won't be forgotten.

So now, after writting for 10 minutes, what was the point of this post? I don't know. What caused me to write it? I don't know. But one thing for sure, it certainly was a blast while it lasted.

Good night!

Friday, September 23, 2005

Frosh Week

Frosh week, a week of wasted morning, relaxing afternoons, and fun evenings. If I didn't throw away my frosh week schedule already, I could probably do a complete recap of it for you. But seeing as it is already thrown away, it seems the best way to go is a summary.
Started with the move-in day, very hectic with the lineup for keys, lineup to go to the unload zone, unloading and moving stuff into the room, and then getting everything unpacked etc etc. A morning that started thinking "jeez, I'm bringing so much stuff" became "jeez, these people moved their whole house here". I saw people carrying a good 8-10 bags of stuff into a room that is the same size as mine! But then again, they don't have the luxury of being so close to home. After the move-in, had "the last lunch" with my parents =D After dropping me off back on campus, they went on their way to meet my uncles down in the States, while I remained here, meeting various floormates and housemates. To be "surprise", my whole floor, with the exception of myself and another person, are all either in computer science, or engineering! Either way, had dinner with a few people (including my don) the first night, and just got to know some of the people I will be spending my next 8 months with.
Monday came along, and more people started moving in (mainly other areas of campus). So I decided to go and lend a hand to my friend who was moving in that day, which killed the afternoon. The night consisted of our floor meeting, and meeting everyone in our house, which followed by the official kickoff of our frosh week. The various activities which were initiated to stimulate interaction had mixed results. There were those who were met so many people that they didn't have enough time to put the other person's name to their face before moving on, and there were those who stood with their hands in their pocket chatting with the same person from their high school the whole night. While meeting quite a number of new people on the same day, the vast majority of those I am still in touch with are those in my house.
The other days of the week consisted of various faculty events, such as meeting the profs, campus tours etc etc. I will admitt I did not attend majority of them, but still attending the highlights. The play "Single & Sexy" is easily one of the best part of this frosh week. While the day were dominated by faculty events, the nights were more relaxed and party events. Variety night was held, a time which you find performances by a hypnotist, a martial arts stunt show, an outdoor movie, along with other activities such as salsa dance and veach volleyball took place. Also, a Monte Carlo Night was hed, where the campus transformed into a mock casino. That night, I headed straight for the Texas Hold'em tables, placing first, and second twice in my 3 table appearances, while breaking even playing blackjack.
As Saturday came, I headed back to Toronto, while those who remained behind had a fun day at the university stadium watching a football game, as well as spending the night at a toga party.
While orientation week consisted of activities targetted to ease the transition from high school to university easier, it also accomplishes its other goals, of having activities that will allow people to meet new friends, as well as introducing them to university life. At the same time, some activities did cause me to walk away to do my own thing due to the nature of the acitivity. All in all, orientation week definitely has its highlights.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Frosh week + First week of uni

I will probably blog about that this weekend. Stay tune.

Tracker

MTD: 0
YTD: +70
Live: +89

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Moving in

So...moving in tmr...dood do do...