fly away home

Casual summer nights with the bestest friend a girl could have.

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:00 -0700

Casual summer nights with the bestest friend a girl could have.

But Actually

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:22:02 -0700

I can’t remember the last day I went without having a drink soo….

Here comes a 7 day break from the alcohol.

Lets see how that goes.

all of these thinspo “cleans” and...

Sat, 18 May 2013 20:10:08 -0700

all of these thinspo “cleans” and “diets” where they eat 400 calories a day are just ridiculous. I drink that much in wine a day. And I can’t live on just wine.

But really, everybody is beautiful the way they are. Starving oneself is really not the answer. I wish Tumblr would stop letting this be promoted.

A Battle.

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:48:12 -0700

I catch a glance of my reflection and I groan. My thighs look like hams, my hips are overflowing over my pants. I stop and stare for longer than I should have.

Those thoughts, they’re back. It’s useless, your fat. You need to lose weight. Remember those models, the ones that always look so good? How could you do this to yourself.

You should feel bad.

I look down and I see the empty bottle in my hand.

I remember my priorities.

And I continue on my way to the wine store, and then for good measure, I by myself a cheesecake.

Because fuck societal norms.

Happy Friday.

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:59:16 -0700

Happy Friday.

Just Hanging Around Debating an Acceptable Time to Drink My Wine

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:18:12 -0700

2:15 is definitely late enough yes?

…#yolo?

Just a casual wednesday, shopping and a gorgeous sunset

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:57:03 -0700

Just a casual wednesday, shopping and a gorgeous sunset

Jennifer Lawrence Needs to be in a RomCom so then when I don't know what else to watch, I watch that.

Fri, 10 May 2013 21:02:33 -0700

I Cannot Handle Having an Unorganized Computer

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:33:56 -0700

I dont know how anyone manages like that.

Maybe it’s just my overly organized tendencies, but if I’m going to be on my computer as much as I am, and rely on it as much as I do, I can at least take care of it by keeping it clean and organized.

Having things all over your desktop is possible the worst possible thing. It makes me cringe.

Planning my courses for 3rd year, and I have 1 class outside of buchanan all year. I dont know if...

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:47:54 -0700

Planning my courses for 3rd year, and I have 1 class outside of buchanan all year.

I dont know if you can tell but, i’m an Arts students

University Pro Tip #4

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:17:56 -0700

Keep Your Mind Open

It’s easy for someone to tell you to keep an open mind, and it’s easy to say that you understand, but it’s something that’s generally disregarded or forgotten.

However, going into university you have to remember that you are going to be barraged with new people, traditions, hobbies and way of having fun.

There are going to be some people who want to drink, there are going to be others who will have just as much fun NOT drinking. It’s a level of respect to the people around you. Don’t try and force someone into doing something they’re uncomfortable doing, and don’t think that they won’t have as much fun as you even if they’re doing it their way.

I’ve been to this club 4 times, none of which I’ve drank for, and this is my favourite club in the city.

But this isn’t just about respect, it’s about doing new things.

Sometimes I think a really good policy is to “never say no to any chance”. This might not be the BEST advice ever, but there is some truth to it. Never say no to someone giving you the chance to try something.

Two years ago when I went to Montreal, my friend took me to an Indian Holiday called Holi, which involves a large amount of colourful powdered paint.

I also participated in UBC events like Day of the Longboat and Storm the Wall, because if someone gives you the chance to try something, don’t turn it down.

Being embarrassed or self-concious can be a problem for some people, but if you remember that there are 40,000 people at this school, it’s sounds hard, but many people are never going to see you or remember you. And you can’t like these types of things slow you down. If you want to participate, don’t hesitate, just sign up. Then you’ve committed yourself and you can’t change your mind.

As Nike would say i guess “Just Do It”

File this under: Elissa finally got an SLR camera, and is now...

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:57:39 -0700

File this under: Elissa finally got an SLR camera, and is now having THE best time using it.

Also, I’ve downloaded Lightroom (to go with my photoshop) so now theyre all organized in there. Shame Lightroom can’t connect with Tumblr like it does facebook, but oh well.

I want to go back to frolicking in the ocean again. This was...

Sun, 05 May 2013 21:31:07 -0700

I want to go back to frolicking in the ocean again.

This was last year, during my first year at UBC, and it was a fan-freaking-tastic day. I can’t remember anymore how we ended up down at the beach, but it was during exam time and a bunch of us felt like giving up on studying and actually enjoying the (rare) sunlight.

Four of us actually froze attempting to go swimming, in Canada, in the ocean, in April.

It was cold.

It was somewhat impromptu for me as well, and I wasn’t even wearing a swimsuit. And when I saw impromptu, I mean I got picking up and walked into the ocean.

There are some days I don’t really want to forget. And this is for sure one of them

At Home

Sat, 04 May 2013 20:14:15 -0700

Moved my dad into a new house

Got drunk with an ex-boyfriend (and others, it wasn’t like that. it was a party).

Gardened with my mum (don’t ever put periwinkle in a garden. just don’t do it).

Cost my mother over $1000 for a bottle of wine (it may have included my car hitting another car in the LCBO parking lot. the wine was good though)

Got kicked out of a bar.

I’ve ran almost every day since i’ve been home (with strength training as well!)

And now I would like to sleep. For a while.

Ohhh my body hurts

University Pro Tip #3

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:52:53 -0700

GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY YOURSELF.

There are 40,000 people at this school. There is going to be one person, at the very least, that you will bond with. You just have to look for them.

Please please promise me you wont be that person who sits on Tumblr and complains how awkward they are, and how everyone else is out having fun and they’re just sitting at home.

No seriously.

The only person you are hurting is yourself. All those thoughts about you being a loner, and you being different, are in your head.

I’m not saying that you’re the same as everybody else around you, but I would bet my life that there is someone else who feels the exact same way.

UBC allows you to drink in residence. This is a fact. Please do not sit around and complain about it. Do not think that you are high and mighty by pointing out how it is illegal. Because UBC allows it.

GO OUT AND MAKE FRIENDS.

Just start talking to people.

And don’t message me and say you are shy or scared, because I felt the exact same way. But walking out into that hallway and talking to the people there can lead you to meeting the most important people in your life. That’s how I met both of my very wonderful (and almost ex-) roommates. That’s how I met my boyfriend. It is not as hard as you think to go and say hi.

Social awkwardness has become a socially acceptable trait, but do not believe that you are special and yours alone is the worst. It sucks for everybody. Every social interaction CAN cause anxiety or stress or worry, but the relationship you make are worth it.

Trust me.

So please, do me a favour and get out there and have fun!

My best relationship with another human being right now is the friend that messages me hilarious sloth pictures.

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:00:41 -0700

University Pro Tip #2

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:21:18 -0700

Always dress up for your exams. Dress up for studying even.

The more you wear sweatpants the more you feel lazy. If you get ready like any other day you give yourself less reason to slack off.

I find that if I put on sweatpants and wear them when I’m trying to study I get less done.

For exams, looking good gives you that extra bit of confidence, which definitely won’t hurt you when your writing them.

Plus, when you have early morning exams, the shower for sure helps wake you up.

Case in point: me for an 8:30 exam.

University Pro-Tips

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:53:49 -0700

Now that second years is coming to an end there are one of two things I’ve learned since starting university, things that I wish I had learned before I got out here.

1. Accept that at times, you don’t love it.

There are times when I really hate UBC. I hate the rain, I hate my profs, I even hate how damned big the campus is. I hate having to bus to the campus because their are no off-campus housing that’s not a bus ride away. I hate how much competition there is for good marks.

BUT I do love it. In some ways I love the rain, I love the people, I love my classes, I love how damned beautiful my campus is.

I just had to learn that despite not liking it sometimes it didn’t mean I had made the wrong choice.

2. You will be homesick. And you’ll be okay.

I moved really far away, and sometimes I really miss home. Sometimes I get angry when people post about how homesick they are, when they can go home any weekend they want to. I miss my mum cooking for me, I miss being able to see my friends at home, I miss the my home town. I miss my brother and my dad and the chill summer dinners we have on the deck.

But it’s not the end of the world. And when I’m at home I miss my life out here. I miss my friends, my freedom, and sometimes even the rain. Sometimes.

3. Do the research.

I didn’t know there were requirements when I chose to come out here. The science one, language, and literature. I had no idea how long it would haunt me. I’m going to be taking Spanish all next year, but it happens and I’m going to get through it.

But I would have done so many things differently if i had some foreknowledge. My sciences would have been done, and my languages. I wouldn’t have taken some of the courses that I did. But I’m learning and adjusting and I will get there. In four years even.

4. Dont worry if you don’t do well

I’m going to a university with 40,000 people. That’s a lot of people, and even more competition.

It was hard when I went from getting A’s in high school to getting C’s in university. Part of me still can’t accept that those were my marks.

BUT the challenge was one of the best things I’ve ever faced. I realized that I am not in the top 1% naturally, even though we all think we are. I learned that the hard way, and I learned how to make up for it.

Throwing myself into studying and working hard for my marks became more satisfying then just getting good grades without trying. My mark increase this year has been amazing, and it was worth it.

5. However, there’s more to it than school.

Don’t lose your social life for school. It’s not worth it. Having friends is amazing. Going out with those friends and having a good time is even better.

There are so many experiences to have in university, don’t limit yourself to just the responsible ones. This year I joined UBC REC and met new people, helped volunteer for campus wide events and help run one of the athletic leagues. I go out with my friends, I have a job and I really enjoy my life out here.

The school is not bad too, but I would go crazy without the other things as well.

This was the biggest thing my parents taught me and I’m glad for it. It’s not just about the school, it’s about the whole experience.

6. Fuck I Love University

I love the people, I love the classes and I love the challenge. I love being at the campus, I love that it took me out of my comfort zone and motivated to do more with myself.

It’s pushing me to do more, to think further ahead. I want to travel after university, meet new people and see new places outside my comfort zone. I want to go to grad school to study journalism. I’m just so excited now.

Four years is definitely not long enough.

Planning

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:48:33 -0700

Planned my major and my minor for the next two years (oh hello history and classics)

Planned the classes I need to finally finish all of these damn requirements (goodbye spanish, it’s been fun. hello holocaust literature, thank you for completing that silly literature thing)

Planning on where to take grad school now (UBC I wish I could afford to stay out here because you are so fun and lovely, but Toronto is cheaper, especially because papa lives on the subway line. Ryerson here I come)

WHY IS MY LIFE FALLING INTO PLACE IM SCARED THIS SHOULDN’T BE HAPPENING.

It’s weird to think how quickly this semester has gone by. I make one of these posts probably...

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:41:38 -0700

It’s weird to think how quickly this semester has gone by.

I make one of these posts probably every semester, especially since coming to university but damn every time it’s true.

Valentines feels like not that long ago, reading week even shorter. The trip I took to Seattle, when my mum came to visit.

It all feels like it’s happened in the past week.

Now I’m cramming for exams and trying to find a new place to live for the summer. I’m going to be living with my boyfriend for 7 weeks (OH WAIT WHAT?)

Term paper came and went and I still don’t really know if I can comprehend that.

I’m done my full year course. I went to block party this year. I party hard, lost my phone, bought a new one.

I’m now officially planning my mini-euro trip for the summer.

Why does life progress just so quickly.