24 March 2011

The 10 or so rules for surviving your first semester of University...and a Zombie Apocalypse.

You may be asking yourself - how on earth can these two things relate? Don't worry, you're not alone. I was just as surprised when I came to this realisation.

Let's rewind to mid week 3. I had just found out about this blogging opportunity and was trying to think of some clever, creative entry to submit. Alas the answer came from an unlikely source - my dad. He just turned 50 and one of the presents he got for his birthday was "Zombieland" on Blu-ray. So we decided to watch it that night and amidst the laughing and snacking the idea came to me...

Columbus' rules for surviving a Zombie Apocalypse can be applied to university life.

I know you're thinking WTF, but bear with me.

For those of you who for some unknown reason are yet to see this hilarious movie, here's a brief synopsis from the movie's IMDB page:

"The horror comedy 'Zombieland' focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss -- but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying' bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies."

From various zombie experiences, Columbus creates a list of rules on how to avoid becoming a "human happy meal".

When you really think about it, these rules can be applied to not only his situation but also everyday university life.

So in saying that, here's the list:

Rule #1: Cardio
Unfortunately for us, both university campuses are rather large and so you find yourself having to go from one end to the other to get to class and if you're at Kelvin Grove then you know how much of a pain this can be with "the hill". Although it is fairly obvious, exercise and keeping fit can massively make a difference to getting around campus. I know myself 1 year ago and 16 kg's heavier the 5 flights of stairs from the bus stop weren't the easiest things to conquer but now I'm finding them 10 times easier and it makes a massive difference.

Rule #2: Double-tap
No, I'm not talking about this in the movie sense - owning a firearm is not only dangerous but illegal. I'm referring to your assessment. I have heard dozens of stories about students losing marks for not taking the extra time to double check their work and making silly mistakes that might not have happened had they had another look.

Rule #3: Beware of bathrooms
You may be wondering - what's so bad about bathrooms? All I'm going to say on this topic is that they're used by hundreds of students every single day and you don't always know how hygienic the person before you is. Plus there are a lot of germs in bathrooms and being sick at any time during the semester really isn't fun and your work and therefore your results suffer.

Rule #4: Seatbelts
This one doesn't really apply to university but it's just a good general safety tip and if you've seen the movie you'll know why I'm mentioning it (remember the scene with the mum and the little girls?). Make sure you and your passengers always wear one. It's illegal not to.

Rule #7: Travel light
There's nothing worse than having to lug a heavy bag around university, especially if you're there all day. If there's a text book you don't need to bring, then don't bring it. Do you really need your laptop for this tutorial? Plus the people on the bus will thank you when your bag isn't occupying a seat.

Rule #8: Get a kick-ass partner
Having a friend or two in your course is always good. If you find your friend isn't doing the same subjects as you that semester then don't be afraid to make friends with someone who is. They're feeling exactly the same and it'll help both of you in the end. Makes doing assignments and group work a lot easier.

Rule #15: Bowling ball
I don't mean take a bowling ball to uni and just start a game on the lawn with your friends in your break but more the general idea of just having fun. Don't let university assessment take over your life because in the end you won't really be having a life and you don't want to look back at these years and wonder why you never enjoyed the other aspect of university - the social part. Get together with a few people after a lecture or tutorial and just relax and unwind. Doesn't matter what you choose to do for fun but make sure you put aside the time to do it.

Rule #17: Don't Be a Hero
Don't be afraid to raise your hand and answer a question in front of a few hundred or so strangers, even if you think it's wrong, you can only learn from your answer and the ones that are sure to follow. Contributing to discussions gives you a better idea of the topic and will help you with other things associated with it.

Rule #18: Limber up
Much like rule #1, being limber is somewhat important, especially when climbing those five flights of stairs or "the hill". You sit for hours listening to other people talk so when you have the opportunity to move your body you should. Maybe take the stairs instead of the elevator - get your heart pacing just a little bit faster. Every step helps.

Rule #22: When in doubt, know your way out
The transport system can be a little daunting, especially in the first few weeks. I have found myself at a different stop or five in previous semesters. Don't panic. Most phone plans now include internet so just use yours to look up a solution. If you can't do this then either ask someone or go back to the very beginning, the very best place to start...sorry, this is an entry about zombies not Maria and the Von Trapp family.

Rule #32: Enjoy the little things
Whether it's a funny mishap in a lecture or getting your first 7 on an assignment or exam, especially one you worked really hard on - enjoy it. It's these little things that make up the best memories of our years at university and the things you don't tend to forget. Ask your parents about their time at university and they'll tell you about all the things they did with friends (well maybe not everything), the memorable lessons with their favourite lecturer's or the semester they spent abroad or doing work experience and travelling the world.

One last thing before I complete this post - don't be afraid to talk to other students or to teaching staff - they're not man-eating zombies!


- Beth

18 March 2011

2010 New Years resolutions...resolved?

So I was going through my New Years resolutions from last year and I figured I should probably actually check if I for once managed to keep any of them.

#1 Lose weight
Done and done :) 16.5kg to be exact!

#2 Get a job, save money and travel
Tick, tick, tick.

#3 Do more things with my friends
Oh, this was definitely done. A trip to the USA and Canada to top off the year too!

#4 Do well at university
Well I did better in semester 1. Took the second semester off so I guess I kind of kept this one.

#5 De-clutter my room
Definitely did that. Did it a few weeks ago again too.

#6 Read more books
I did in fact read more books (Go me! I'm on a roll!)

#7 Try harder to resist urges/impulse eating
With the exception of the black hole that was my life during the Winter months I think I succeeded pretty well with this one.

#8 Keep my room tidier
For the most part - yes.

#9 Help more around the house
I have done a lot of running around for Sarah/Mum the past year plus I have a considerable amount of QANTAS points from my Woolworths card. So I count this as a tick on the list, even though technically it wasn't at the house but it helped out with the home functionality.

#10 Be more constructive with my time
I think so.

So for once I actually managed to successfully keep my New Years resolutions!

Let's hope I can do the same for 2011.

Fingers crossed,
B xoxo

09 March 2011

Fast. Fresh. Simple.

That's Donna Hay's cooking philosophy and it's now become mine.

I never thought in a million (okay -- bit of an exaggeration, maybe a few) years I'd find a better brownie recipe then the one that I currently use. I've tried others before but none have been as good as my go-to recipe.

That is until today.

I decided to see if there was a simpler recipe in one of the many cookbooks that inhibit the bookshelf. Luckily I was able to find one in the first cookbook I went to - my signed copy of Donna Hay's "Fast, Fresh, Simple".

Surprisingly for a recipe with only 6 ingredients - it was delicious (yes, that was a stab at you '4 Ingredients' ladies). It took next to no time at all to prepare and it cooked in 2/3 the time as my other brownie recipe.

So I've blabbed on and on about this fantastic recipe so I guess I should share it with you (you being the few friends of mine that read this or my random twitter followers).

Ingredients:
  • 150g butter
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup self raising flour
  1. Turn the oven on fan force and to 160*C
  2. Melt butter in a pan on the stove.
  3. Add the sugar and cocoa and stir until combined. Remove from stove and allow to cool slightly.
  4. In another bowl whisk the 3 eggs then add the chocolate mixture whisking/mixing quickly so the egg does not cook.
  5. Add in the self raising flour and stir to combine.
  6. Pour the mixture into a greased/baking paper lined 20x20cm (or there abouts) tin and bake in the oven for 30-35 mins or more if you like it a bit more cakey.
Of course you can add whatever you want to them to make them the way you like. Some suggestions - white and/or milk chocolate chips; macadamias and cranberries; orange zest (odd but trust me - chocolate and orange is an amazing combination); or pecans/walnuts/really any kind of nut that you like.

Donna Hay says this recipe makes 16 squares but I like to cut them into 24 squares so each serve is about 100 calories.

If you like your brownies fudgey then store them in the fridge otherwise store them in an airtight container on the counter or wherever you keep your sumptuous temptations.

Hope you enjoy :)


05 March 2011

4 Months, 27 days...

...or

150 days, or
21 weeks, or
3600 hours, or
216,000 minutes, or
12,960,000 seconds...

That's how long it's taken me to lose 16.5 kg :)

In this time I've faced a few eating obstacles:
  • Mum's Birthday,
  • Sarah's Birthday,
  • Trip to the USA and Canada (where I still managed to lose .6kg - how?),
  • Christmas (to be fair I was sick for a few days from Boxing Day),
  • New Years, and
  • Em's 21st Birthday and party
Its been a challenging few months but the hardest part is still to come when I have to maintain the weight.

I really think 2011 will be a great year even with a few minor bumps in the road.

Just a few thank you's:
  • Mum and Dad - for supporting me financially and emotionally in my journey and for being there for me,
  • Em and Sarah Kate - for encouraging me and for all the tough love,
  • Kaity, Liv and Sarah - for "cheering" me on and giving me words of encouragement and support,
  • Mel and Nikki - for sharing your journeys with me and helping each other get through them, and
  • To everyone who has said how good I look - thank you very much, it means a lot to me.
Can't wait for the gym to finish being rebuilt post flood damage and for me to get back in there and maintain this fabulous (egotistic much?) new me.

Love you all xoxo