Power to the humming bird!

Isn't this just Peachy

Research shows that the first year of college or university ranks up there with some of the most stressful years in a person’s life. (Just under divorce, actually.)” Now it all makes sense.

Visit: Candid Transitions - First Year Student Blogs - http://candid--transitions.blogspot.com/

Bad Karma - I do reflect...

This year has been a tough one and I do not pretend specifically that karma chose me out of all first year students to mess with. Although I must admit that when I found out we would all be required to construct a blog, I secretly smiled to myself. Finally, we were all being picked out by karma silmultaniously. Living proof that I am not the only one to experience bad karma. This year I have developed an interesting and new bad habit... everything that goes wrong, i will, without a doubt, find a way to somehow link it back to bad karma. Spilt soda, a disgusting zit, bad break-up or even a severe case of "dronk-verdriet" or as they call it here; "a mare". All of my life and everything in it has happened because I am a bad person. But okay, seeing as this is a reflective piece, I shall reflect and admit that maybe my "bad-karma vibe" has kind of become my excuse of choice when it in all actuality boilied down to the bad choices that I have made in life.

Missing the first few lectures on blogging was another one of those bad choices which resulted in me spending countless hours trying to figure out how to do this, also known as "bad karma 101". When I eventually figured out how to accept the invite from my diligent group members and actually join the blog, I looked like a little wooly sheep surrounded by hungry wolves. Everyone had a plan on how to do this and formulate that, I personally had no clue what so ever. Countless hours spent trying to find common place ground and time for all of us was not so great and the "bad karma" our group had to endure when two of our members were unfortunately no longer able to participate in the blogging process due to family matters, made it all the worse.

Overall, I am very proud of all of us. We were productive when the pressure was felt and our team turned out to be very creative. Our technicalities was mostly handled by Meez, a Microsoft genius in the making while Missl'tee and myself tried to come up with a few ideas here and there. We had established early on that we would treat our audiences as friends and siblings rather than isolating them, this had a definite impact on our writing style and story ideas and impacted a few ethical issues such as how exactly to handle issues of alcohol abuse etc. Our meetings were often brief due to mostly unforeseen circumstances, ie. everyone is too busy and different and simultanious times to always meet for an efficient period, but we got through somehow. Personally, I can reflect that ultimately this course has been a productive one. A course which requires participation and zest and creativity as well. I have been afforded the opportunity to be myself and enjoy my writing. My initial thought of how blogging can be perceived as journalism has completely changed. I enjoy the fact that no longer does journalism have to be confined to writing informative news paper articles, the world around us is changing and it is part of the duty of journalism to adapt to that change constantly.

I found that because of the type of journalism we were dealing with, people were more than willing to talk to us and read about us. When something is handled on a much larger scale such as this, there is a lot more pressure not to sound like an uneducated and challenged human being which I found can be rather difficult considering my rants. Ultimately I can admit that ths has been my favourite course the whole year. I truly enjoy practical participation in a course, something which has formed the back bone of this term.

As exams approach, I say a cheery "goodbye" to bad karma and hello to karma about to be made.

Post on Procrastination on the web

Liz Strauss has a website that deals with the effects of procrastination and how it may be overcome. Visit the site here to see my comment.

All the best
Meez
xx

Cyanide and Happiness...The quirkiest cartoon on the net

While perusing through my favourite anti-pc, at times down-right sick cartoonists page, I stumbled across many a cartoon which made me chuckle (muttley style for anyone who has witnessed this). Unfortunately for you guys, most of them I find a bit too audacious for this here space.

But-all is not lost! An article in the Oppidan press this week entitled "Sleeping on Service" highlighted that some of the security guards on campus are sleeping on the night shift. THE NIGHT SHIFT, PEOPLE! Night, where things are dark and creepy and things dissappear, like your wallet, or worse, your dignity at the Rat. Yes.

To be fair to those at the CPU call centre- Of all the times that I have relied on them, they have been there. These guys are literally one call away, no matter what hour of the night. I am sure many bear testament to the fact that if you need an escort, they are more than happy to walk you safely back to your res. This is invaluable in light of the increasing rape and mugging cases on our campus.

That is not to say that the article does not hold any merit. On the contrary. Investigation was done on the guards stationed at various checkpoints on campus - and the findings were less than comforting. These are the hours where we would potentially need the most protection. It is not fair for our security to be compromised-especially not because some did not get enough shut eye. Do your job, and do it properly.

Strictly Delayed

Procrastination is the First Year FASHION!

I strongly believe that first year for any individual is a trying time where life’s biggest and worst habits are bred, harvested and cultivated. One of the more prominent and common habits we initially pick up, or rather perfect is the art of procrastination. Hence, first years do their assignments the day before, of which are generally very slack. Most chant “I work best under pressure”, or “there’s nothing like the adrenalin rush of the last minute”. This, ladies and gentlemen is simply a defence mechanism created by the first year student who lacks a sense of time and discipline. The definition of slack according to my online definitions assistant is “not showing enough care, attention, or rigour.” This translates into the results of the assignments with ranges of 40 percent to 50 percentages. I am surely for the generalised opinion that [we] first years have a problem with meeting deadlines before they are dead. Who does that in this century?? This is the testimony for my motion: as I rant about this procrastination fashion, I burn the laptop keyboard, punching in letters at a ferocious speed: reason being that I too am rushing to beat a rapidly pending deadline. Need I mention the mole hill of work that has evolved into Mount Kilimanjaro? I dare not.
My opinion is backed by Nicolette Saulez, a BA Law student who is also doing her first year at Rhodes University. “I am the biggest procrastinator. In fact, I’m renowned for that. I can’t exactly pin-point the reason my condition exists, it’s just that I get so easily distracted, and having ‘Facebook’ at my disposal is of no help whatsoever.” For a split second, I thought my condition was an isolated diagnosis. However, my affected fellow punctuality hermit assures me.” Oh no, I have a large group of first year friends, and neither of them are diligent “before deadliners”. I doubt it’s because of our hectic social lives; I mean it’s not like I go out seven days a week, but I’m always tired. I find myself sleeping in the wee- hours of the morning but realising I have not done a single thing,” confesses Saulez to a very understanding pair of ears. I believe that the binding factor of this unproductive ‘disease’ is a lack of motivation. The drive, will, passion, enthusiasm to work...call it what you will is in constant absenteeism in these lives of ours. Could this be that since it is our first year, with courses that take three to four years, excluding the fact that most have aspirations to study further makes our dreams seem like a distant reality? I would that say seeing the results of the fruit of one’s labour in a period of an approximated seven years would be demotivating for anyone, including the Einstein’s of our time. Or we could perhaps simply have a serious condition that needs a prescription.
First year students will side with me in saying that, in the case that an assignment is due in three weeks; this particular scenario brings about no sense of urgency we ask ourselves “what’s the hurry? In that same light we answer ourselves saying “after all, tomorrow is another day.” Indeed tomorrow is another day and it will continue being another day, until we face the dawn before the deadline. A reasonable person with a reasonable mind would rationally start to see red lights of emergency flicker. Do these red lines trigger in the mind of a reasonable student? Is there a reasonable first year student? Especially when time is concerned? I have serious doubts. After all it’s only the dawn before the deadline right? As I rant about this procrastination fashion, I burn the laptop keyboard, punching in letters at a ferocious speed: reason being that I too am still rushing to beat a rapidly pending deadline. It’s too minutes before the dreaded deadline. I therefore rest my case.

A loser complex

Grahamstown- a hub of incompetant hillbillys

As young people who have had to survive under our parents supression for so many years, the word "yearn" does not fully encapsulate the burning desire and craving we have for freedom. when i got my car on my 19th birthday i promised myself that i would look after my new Coco with all my heart and soul. six months later, "drinking and driving" became an act of inconsequentialism... i now longer worried seeing as i had done it so many times and nothing had happened. And so i went on for a year, partying and getting home on my own time. then the 17th of September happened.

I dont remeber driving, nor do i remember hitting the large, yellow pole outside of BP and causing my car R13 000 damage. I knew I coldnt tell my parents... they are 'those' kinds of parents, the ones who would without a doubt pull me out of varsity on the basis that i am a raging alcoholic (not true, but irrelevant). And so the plan began, I was lucky enough to find a friend who was willing and able to lend me R9 500... just about four grand short and with a month to go, who knows how i will raise that kind of money. I fully accept the responsibility and this is not a cry for help, i can manage thanks.

However, what i cant manage is the absolute incompetance of service in Grahamstown... Three weeks later i am still waiting for the parts only to find out that they havent ordered them... thanks for letting me know. apparently, a R9000 deposit is required before the parts can be ordered. Yet, due to incompetant and undertrained staff, I am still waiting for banking details. I have that sickening feeling that my car wont be ready by the end of term in which case i will publically attack the autobody shop who say that it will only take a week.

As exams draw near, considering the fact that i write four in a row, i am stressed. I am even considering attaching a blinking banner to my head which screams cusses at anyone who tries to approach me. this is a sensitive time my friends, lets hope for the benefit of the autobody shop, no one gets hurt.

Procrastination ? Get off your bum - moss is overrated.

Here you are, for the umpteenth time, slurping copious amounts of coffee while trying to construct coherent sentences together at 4am to submit that notorious assignment. Take a sip of coffee-type. Wash your face with freezing cold water- and continue typing.

Why soldier on like a zombie? The work needs to get done, and it’s not going to magically appear in your hand. Never mind that it may be of less than your best quality, the realities of your amazing procrastination techniques are biting you in the bum - again.

“Procrastination”- the word has Latin etymological roots. Pro meaning “forward”and crastinus -"belonging to tomorrow”. You get the drift.

Believe in it, revel in it, and you win…..an unproductive and unsuccessful life!
This all depends on the severity and frequency of your procrastination, of course.

The causes of your procrastinator state could be any one, or combination of the following.

Psychological psyche out: A fear of failure, low self esteem, perfectionistic “all or nothing” or an already defeated mentality may become an extremely real obstacle in getting down to work.

For all you Journo’s and English folk – writers block: Again, this can be attributed to the aforementioned psyche babble. One upside – you probably really have this luxury when you have an essay you haven’t started due in 2 hours. Nor will you have it when you churn out story after story in the newsroom.

Here it comes, the epiphanic moment. Time doesn’t really care about any of that stuff. It’s still going to move on, even though you may have come to a dead halt. Get yourself moving. Jump around and get the creative juices flowing.

How to overcome this is relatively simple – change your time paradigm. A paradigm is best described by Sean Covey in his book “7 Habits for highly effective teens”. In a nutshell, your paradigm is your viewpoint, the glasses of your life. Either your vision is better with them, or they are warped and blurry.

The truth is, especially in first year, there is enough time to do all your work and still have a decent social life. It all boils down to priorities. My reality is that I have a “time is abundant-it can wait till tomorrow” mentality. The first part of my statement is calming in the sense that people who constantly live with a “time is scarce” mentality may be prone to constant and sometimes unnecessary stress, which in itself is a form of procrastination. The latter part is where the problem lies.

Putting things off till the last minute is like cruising along down a road, and then having a big fat pig fly into your windscreen. You never see it coming.

Change your mindset. Be more aware of the time you have available to you. Get a diary. Plan a little, and be open to the notion that one day… pigs will probably learn how to fly. Life will throw you curveballs that you don’t expect. Try on a pair of a “can-do-now” paradigm specs, and learn how to eat an elephant – one bite at a time.

Exam Blues and Hues: 1

Stamp-her original

Nonqaba Stamper, if she was a piece of clothing, would be her gorgeous grass green summer coat with large buttons down the front, makeshift lanyard flailing behind her on a ridiculously long pink and blue ribbon. Effortlessly chic, grounded, warm, approachable – with a quirky, whimsical touch. Chatting with her till 4am led to a multitude of discoveries, two of which really stood out.

Discovery 1: You can’t box this

When arriving at Rhodes, one issue that stood out was the stereotyping people were subjected to. “I wouldn’t say B.Comm. to a bungy – immediate stigma”. The clean slate that one thinks they have when coming to Rhodes is immediately drawn on by others.

Judgment of people before she gets to know them is something Noni does not subscribe to. “Boxes really mean nothing. By stereotyping others, you miss out on a lot of who they are, and change your perception of them to how you think they should be”.

Escaping stereotypes, not quite fitting profiles, and showing individuality can prove a difficult task at University. Having to start over and move to a new place, we may find ourselves in social situations that may not be ideal, but grapple onto anyone at first, because anything, even if it’s the wrong thing, seems better than loneliness.

When finding your feet in this quaint little place, by all means try on new masks- but try and not let them become you. Take some of Noni’s advice. “By being yourself, and not stereotyping others, you transcend stereotypes in the sense that their possible judgement of your personality is not internalised, so it’s like water off your back”.

Discovery 2: Taking a breath, and then its DONE!
Noni has a blazer gilded so richly with badges that one can hardly see the fabric. This is a memento from her year away in Finland, where she was effectively a youth ambassador for South Africa, through the Rotary exchange program. She was a Duracell bunny, filling up every moment with meetings, extra school courses, trips, and jols.

This year, she consciously decided to take a bit of a more chilled outlook, and has learnt to say no. “I needed a filter and took a step back to do the things that I really want to, the things I feel are really worth my time”.

An opportunity arose with a manifesto clear, pure and full of potential. DONE! Is a youth mentorship programme that chose Nonqaba. “My dream and hope for myself is to be there for the benefit of other people. God put my empathy on overdrive!”. The programme selected 16 youths from around schools in Grahamstown, and hopes to be the voice in their head that says, “Yes, you can do it, believe in yourself”. Nonqaba is one of the people that encourages and helps them realise their dreams. “Come as yourself, and there you are, there for them”.

From boxes, to friends, to chill pills and the power of humanity, this conversation is among many I’ve had, and many more I’ll have with this majestic lady. Lucky me.

Check out Noni’s FB profile here.

Nicola Baily... The SuperStar*

Whilst some students inspire the masses with their wit, contribution to the community or sporting achievements, Nicola Bayly inspires with her savvy. Yes, Nicola is a “poppie”, one of those Prada treading, Vuitton carrying, Gucci decking “poppies”. How does such a seemingly unaware being inspire you may ask, well, the list is endless. Society often chooses to acknowledge only the conventional, conveniently successful human beings that are constantly praised for gracing us with their presence, see “Jock Awards”. Nicola Bayly was strategically placed on this campus to inspire the fashionably challenged, and why should she not receive recognition considering the distinguishable elements regarding an inspirational member of society. She is the Regina George of Rhodes, that in itself is inspirational. Proving “Legally Blonde” to be not just another teen movie, but a career encouraging documentary which is responsible for the epiphany experienced by Nicola, the epiphany which resulted in her choice of degree, law. Gracing us with her presence at the pool each day, or for those in the know, “The Hub”, Nicola is not only known by the uppercrust of students but also the unknowns. This is an awe inspiring move, not often experienced by the average numbers which make up our society. The thing about Nicky is that she is nice. A terrible adjective as regarded by the English department but the honest truth when it comes to Nicky. It has become a rarity as the decades have progressed to find someone who is generally nice. Often spotted tanning on the decks of various stream lined yachts on the outskirts of Port Alfred, this beacon of awe is never alone. Whether surrounded by farmers in the Eastern Cape, amazed by her cooking skills or built-in Woolworths Foods radar, or that one specific old, Afrikaans farmer donning a “Weigh-Less” shirt she confused for her boyfriend in Prestons that one time, Nicola is a magnet for good karma. Whenever you need a friend she is there, whenever you need a drink, she is there and whenever you need a partner in crime, Nicky is still there. Her unwavering loyalty to anyone who needs it is inspiring. Why does a cause or outcome have to be inspiring when an individual herself may be. This promises continuous inspirational moments as opposed to one great achievement. Individuals such as Nicky are often over-looked as everyone is regarded as partially pleasant or successful, Nicky unveils the hero within everyone whether it be in a materialistic, mental, physical or emotional way. We need to redefine our views of what inspirational is and who can achieve this status. The process starts now by assessing various individuals that are slightly unconventional in their methods but inspiring in their outcomes none the less.

Dear Michelle

The grapevine has it that you have been reminiscing about the good days of olden times. Get your head out of the sand! How are you old friend?
It has been a while! I guess life doesn’t stop for memories.
It makes them along the way with progression. Rhodes is a blast ‘Chelle, but I will attest- first year is a shocker!

Fill in your application and join me in this crazy world.. This is not high school and bonding with your books is a relationship you can’t break off from. Exams are around the corner; denial will not get us anywhere. I think the fact that I’ve stopped running from this reality shows an inch of maturity. Its funny how we would day dream under that marula tree, imagining a ‘top billing’ life and how one truly starts living in university.

Oh, life certainly happens; amidst the drinking and partying. Bask in your new found impending freedom, but let me remind you ‘Chelle that degree will not say: Honours in clubbing. Trust me. Varsity and studying- I know, I mentioned the dreaded word. Yes...say it with me...“studying”, the two exist in symbiosis. Don’t say I never warned you.

We had good times didn’t we? Life was so carefree! I can’t stop smiling when I think back to the shenanigans we would get up to. But we were dreamers’ u and I. I still remember how my dad’s hair would turn grey every time he saw the phone bill.

The hours spent talking about corporate ladders and power suites driven by imported power steering German sedans. It all starts somewhere. That dream. But it should not end there. Mrs Leigh always said girls don’t sweat. They glow. So never stop dreaming, but remember to glow your way to success. It begins with initiating a long term relationship with your pen, textbook and neon highlighter.That pot of gold at the end of the rainbow has our names on it. The path is carved and the journey awaits you. Prepare while others are day dreaming and study while others are sleeping.

I’ll see you at the end of that indigo coloured rainbow stripe and we’ll soar together to an indigo sky.

Love, your good old friend

Check out Ms Ltee's original post with comments here

A letter to my younger self

My dear other half
It has been a really rough couple of years hey! You’ve had to deal with your parents’ mistrust and their over protectiveness. Oh, and you know you can’t forget the time that your innocence got snatched away from you…
Now that you are in Matric, I need to warn you about certain university encounters. You won’t find this kind of information in the university information booklets. You have just started partying and drinking, but I can tell you now that parting in Grahamstown really sucks!
There is one major aspect that I know you would really want me to advise you on: Overwhelming Change.
Obviously you know that you need to grow as an individual and that change needs to happen but, it’s extremely overwhelming at Rhodes! Ok fine, it’s like Louis Trichardt but damn girl… it’s only one campus and the people here are just so… weird. The workload is hectic and then they give you tut work on top of all the assignments. Oh and the best part is that they make tut work essential for your DP purposes, which allows you to write exams, how ridiculous! The Grahamstown environment can be perfect if you will really focus on studying but knowing you, you’ll want to explore instead.
So now you’re wondering what to do huh?
Well… Firstly you need to breathe! Secondly, you need to prepare yourself for hard work. It’s really hard to get grounded and to find yourself at Rhodes but you know what sweetie, you are a strong, beautiful young woman with an amazing personality and I know that you’ll overcome all the challenges. Oh and by the way, you don’t need a guy in Grahamstown because you are happy with Mulalo!
Best of luck with your Matric exams, I know you’ll pull through!

From your loving and caring other half

Check out Nun-Amen's original post with comments here

Dearest Cim, if you only knew then what you know now...

Dearest Cim

I know how excited you must be for the year ahead and yes, I know your little secret about the reason behind choosing Rhodes; I think your dad does as well. There are three main things I would like to call your attention to and if you are able to heed my advice on these three topics, I think you will find first year less of a battle ground and more of an “opportunity to grow”. By the way, nice line for the parentals although, yet again, I hardly believe that dad is that gullible… I think he might suspect that “opportunity to grow” translates perfectly to “I heart Christopher forever”.

Firstly and most importantly, I know you love Chris. Eventually he will know as well, but it is imperative that you maintain a sense of the relationship from a more logical and mature perspective or it will become the main repetitive volcanic eruption throughout the year. It is going to be a bumpy ride but ride the wave, you may find that after various “Oh my soul, life is no longer worth living” moments, you will actually live through it and actually learn something. Stick it out and think before you tantrum, as you may learn in anger management later on this year, you don’t throw the tantrum, it throws you. Chris is just a bit on the slow side, eventually he will realise, as will you. Keep calm and stay focused on the things that matter, like your own happiness, not everyone else’s.

Secondly, just say no. Cimone, you can be such an idiot sometimes. Don’t disappoint yourself by getting involved with stupid things you know you should stay away from. You might think that you are a party veteran, trust me, you will discover a whole new extreme within yourself which will push you to the breaking point physically. It is really not worth it. Neither are the numerous car accidents you will have when you “thought you were okay to drive” but then you weren’t. Be mature for once in your life and realise that after all these years, dad, yet again was right. There truly is no happy medium for you. Well now would be the time to find one or you might just discover that sharing a beer with a homeless man on the side walk is really not as far out of your league as you might have previously thought. So to sum it up, everything in moderation except for drugs of course which really will mess you around – keep that defiant head of yours, it really will come in handy this year.

Finally and ironically this encapsulates the above two issues. A simple question to help explain; what do you get when you take a severely agro Cimone and add an idiot boyfriend and about two six packs? Yeah, I thought so. Both of the above, Christopher and alcohol abuse will lead to your ultimate break down. It really is not as serious as you think it is.

As usual, you will probably spend the year being as high-strung as ever. I would like to suggest yoga? Be happy, it is not half bad. Get up every morning and attempt a lecture or two, if not do the things that make you happy like midnight flower stealing sprees with friends. It really does work out in the end.

Love from a much more high-strung and maybe slightly more mature
Cookie

Check out Cookie's original post with comments, here.

Babylon

A letter to my younger, more naive, self.

Dearest Plakkie


Fitting all that I would like to tell you in one letter would be like squeezing on a pair of your “thin jeans” when you were 10. Impossible.

It is nearly the beginning of a prospective new adventure. Prepare yourself for sensory overloads, all nighters, copious amounts of coffee, junk food, life changing conversations and an initial acute awareness of yourself and your surroundings, which will give way to that rollercoaster we call life, and more personally, your unique first year experience.

All your trepidation about the “small town bubble” factor of growing up in Grahamstown and coming to Rhodes is appeased by the fact, (albeit Grahamstownian advocators) cliché that the experience is refreshingly different. No longer feel claustrophobic.

If the occasional mild cabin fever sets in, take yourself back to the train ride, David Gray’s “Babylon” streaming through your Ipod, afternoon sun on your face and blue sky above you. The epiphanic moment when striving to become a journalist became part of your being. You’ll feel a lot better.

You won’t steal your parents’ car to go clubbing at EQ and get caught. Your drunkenness won’t leave RAFSOC in the red. No fun, you think? On the contrary my friend.

If first year is like a circus, your forte is that of juggler extraordinaire. Time, there never seems to be enough. Know when to catch the ball, and to next throw it in the air, balancing work and play.

The key to becoming a master juggler, and a successful one at that, is if you can look back and say “I pulled that off – really well”.
One day you will learn how to work hard and party smart – all without severe negative consequence (mild hangovers excluded, the remedy for which is Cream Soda – a gift from the gods). Until then, revel in the fact that you’re young, passionate and driven – chin up, head on your shoulders. Now, fly.

Good karma heading your way.

All my love,
Moi