Found this hilarious:

Fear of the Gym

How many of you work out at a gym? Is it weird that I've never been to one? No, not because I hate exercising. I don't mind exercise...its good for you. I just limit myself to the treadmill in my basement.

The reason why I've never worked out at a gym is because I'm scared of the changing rooms.

I don't know how gym change rooms look like...is it true people just change in front of each other? I can't do that. I can't even wear a bathing suit without shorts and a swimming tank :/

I want to know more about these "mysterious" changing rooms because I'm tired of being scared (maybe scared is a bit strong...uninformed?) about them. I want to join a sport next semester and I need to know how going to a gym works.

So please share...
Also, any funny gym stories?

Commuting

Today, while I was begging for my dad to drive faster so we don't miss my train, I decided today's topic will be about commuting. I have made a pros and cons list based on my personal experiences. So go ahead and relate (or not...)

Pros:

- Amenities at home: free- home-cooked, healthy meals. The healthy is a big part as I've yet to encounter food at school which is as healthy as home.
 
- Don't get lonely: Assuming you don't mind your family and are not that great at making friends, like me, at home you'll always have someone to talk to.

- No residence distractions: Even if you don't live in a dorm, chances are you willing be sharing space with other students. This inevitably means parties, friends, loud noises etc that will keep you from your studies.

- Large, clean space: Compared to the dingy, unkempt and tiny areas you can afford near/on campus

- Privacy: This is aimed at the dorms. I really don't like the idea of sharing a bathroom with ten strangers.

- CHEAPER: biggest factor. Commuting only costs me around 250 dollars a month (excluding gas) whereas decent student housing can cost up to 1000-2000 dollars a month.

Cons:

- WASTE OF TIME: Everyday I have to spend 4 hours commuting. Everyday. 4 hours. That's like every month, I lose 5 days. >:(

- Family distractions: Unfortunately, family, while providing company, also creates distractions. They watch TV with high volume, come to talk to you, there are family events and they expect you to spend a lot of time with them.

- Less Independence: When at home, you live under your parents rules. You do not have the same freedom as you would having living close to campus.

- Follow others' schedules: I have to arrange when I will leave for school depending on my parents' work schedules. Its a hassle and another potential waste of time.

- Tiring and pointless: During my 4 hour commute, I am like a zombie. Virtually nothing gets done during those 4 hours. I can't concentrate on work. I can't relax and unwind..I'm too tense and this results in me spending time after my commute to unwind. I can read a book but only for 35 minutes maximum out of 2 hours. Commuting = 4 more hours I could have slept.

If you have anything to add, or feel like sharing, please do so.

P.S. If anyone knows any cheap off-campus places I could live near the University of Toronto - please share!! (I need my own bathroom though..big factor for me)

The Importance of Focus

I have a problem with making mistakes. Its not that I make them...its just that I never learn from them.

A few weeks ago I had a crappy week: lots of midterms, two lab reports, you get the idea. Every night I would stay up late (past 2 am) so I could get my work done. Problem was, I wasn't getting anything done. My mind wandered so much that I couldn't work..yet I couldn't sleep because I would feel guilty about my work.

End result: very tired for no reason, below-par work (and I mean very below) and a late, already bad, lab report worth 20 %.
This Friday, I did it all again. This past week, I've had a midterm, research paper and a lab report (yes! 20% for the same class!). Its not much compared to what other people have had this week (ouch!) but it was badddd.

I pulled 2 all-nighters and 3 semi-all-nighters. By yesterday night, before my lab was due today, I was so tired, 75 % of my energy was used to keep myself awake...resulting in my worst lab report yet.

I guess the point I'm trying to get across is that I failed, not because I was wasting time elsewhere like TV (although I did check facebook often), but that I wasn't able to focus. If I focused, I would have been able to complete all my work well and in record time.

I guess this is more of an internal clarification post for me.

The Law of Entropy - Disorder in our Lives

The Law of Entropy states that, technically, all chemical reactions are favoured so that the universe becomes more disordered. Anything which doesn't increase chaos in life is, therefore, not favoured and requires enery input for it to occur.

Remind you of something?

In my life, I feel I am constantly tired..putting in the work to keep everything order while my world seems determined to cause me to fall apart. Where do I get the extra energy from? (Please let me know).

In university, I come across some people just so put together. They don't procrastinate and are able to juggle classes, research, a job, sports and STILL have time for friends and look good. They also are so full of energy. I admire them...I want to be them. I am tired of being disorganized and everything falling into chaos. (This is going to turn into post about procrastination, isn't it?)

I never can do anything else except study because I promise myself I will study. however, during this said study time, I feel okay to procrastinate. So it takes me longer to do my work and in the meanwhile, I haven't accomplished much.

While I'm not accomplishing anything, my conscious is tearing me apart on the inside...blaming me, cursing me, absolutely furious with how I am behaving. This is when I feel out of control. I know what I need to do but I just can't do it.

Ever felt like that? Yea...its a common feeling.