Just Another Day..

It is amazing to see how life here at Rhodes is similar to the world out there we would like to be part of in the future. Everything seems to be ruled by competition, from academics, to the social sphere. No one wants to, at any point be associated with failure, they want to always seem as the best, the only one who made it, regardless of the fact that not making it is a common trend among their peers. Wearing a pair of glasses is now a fashion statement, a competition of who has the most expensive and nicest frame. What happened to being a simple four-eyed, geeky looking individual, oh wait, that's now known as the 'serious look', and simple has now lost its true meaning. Getting to lectures on time is saved for only special occasions, like tests and important lectures, or if failing to do so will result in the loss of a DP. Actually making it to lectures is for some, not others. You'd swear they were taking turns. Chilling at the Kaif is way better, mainly because you ca arrive at any time, and still won't at all feel you have missed anything, especially if you come prepared. That means, arriving there with your cigarette already lit, or in search for a lighter, rocking your best threads, huge suglasses that barely show off your beautiful frame, and the oversized bag where you keep your wallet, diary, and maybe an exam pad, just to complete the 'I meant to go to lectures' look. This is the hot spot where you find out where you will be getting smashed this weekend, or who had the most hectic drunken blunder over the weekend. The diligent ones will wile away time not only by engaging in conversation, but by doing their tuts (it is in the next period unfortunately), and others catch up on some last minute studying. There is a lot of diversity though, you find the Hindu society having their daily meetings, the food critics who chill inside the Kaif, and will tell you about the day's specials, and whether or not the muffins are good that day. And then there are the smokers, you're lucky if you find your way through, and the glamour girls with their mirrors. Among the masses will be the few unnoticeable people, yes, I mean the girl in your tut. That's Rhodes on a normal day, nothing special really...

Our First Few Rands

OUR FIRST FEW RANDS
Leaving home for the first time is for most first years an exciting and liberating feeling. I agree. And only a few actually realize the implications of doing such. Yes, one is going to university, and will from time to time return back home, but it will only be for the mere ‘visit’, and not to stay. We are so distracted by all our hopes and dreams, what we plan on doing differently when not in the presence of our parents, when we have complete ‘freedom’, when we are independent, yet we fail to realize that this is the beginning of another journey. That is, the beginning of the rest of our lives.
Like most of my peers, I have been exposed to having a bank account, and actually keeping the bank card with me, giving me complete access to all the available funds. However, I do not think my bank balance has had the kinds of bank balances I’ve had this year! Money for textbooks, my monthly allowance, emergency money, and also for miscellaneous items is handled by myself, and I wouldn’t change a thing about that. Maybe I have always been to honest, or naïve as some may put it, but over-stating amounts of money I needed was not an option for me, but now it is.
One may think though, that this money is always put to good use. For instance, I’m saving up for a deposit for my first car, or the big gift I want to buy my parents, or my December holiday, but no, it is for now, and the rest of the few weeks until I need more, or luckily, if my allowance comes through.
The main point I am driving at is that, us first years may think we know how to handle our money, but very few actually do. The aim is just to have this money. It is alarming to know that budgeting is seen as something that only our parents should do, that is, include our allowances in their budgets at all times. This money that we want so badly is not at all spent on things that will in future benefit us, as I have already mentioned, but on useless items that that we really CAN live without, like that pair of jeans that’s on sale at Edgars, or that nice bag I saw the other day at Mr Price. I am not at all saying it is wrong to spoil yourself at times, but it must not be all the time. We scream and shout about the inflation rate, yet if anyone was to ask you the price of cereal at Pick n Pay as compared to Checkers, it would take a while before an answer is available. Although, if asked how much a court of Storm costs at Graham Liquors in comparison to Preston’s, an answer would almost jump out, the whole pricelist in fact, even one from Tops.
Judging from that, we cannot say that we are in any way ready for ‘the real world’ if our priorities are as distorted as they are presently. Many of us are fortunate enough to be from well-off families, and you’d think that we would at least lessen our unnecessary spending, review our family situations, and master the art of saving. But no, coming to university, has made many of us very irresponsible, careless, over-extravagant, selfish people, and oh, liars as well.
I then worry and wonder if we are ready to face actually having to work for our money, handling our own affairs, having only one source of money, once a month, or are we still a little rough around the edges? Who knows? But, for now it’s a bit understandable, though unjustifiable, that we are just first years that have recently moved out of home, and so we are merely abusing our privileges, for as long as they are available at our disposal.
It’s almost the end of first year, our year ruled by debauchery, but will our nasty habits outgrow us, or will they lurk around until we graduate. Or, will they, because we are accustomed to them, remain a part of us even in future?

soldiers(warriors)

This comment is not literally but figuratively in a way that these are very similar issues being a first year at varsity being referred to as a soldier or being on a ground field as a soldier on war, a very hectic one. Your mission as a soldier is to fight for your independence or life survivorship on a particular environment, being a soldier means that you are a conqueror and you are not scared of whatever obstacles you face as a living human being. As a first year at varsity you show that you are strong and looking forward to fight every challenge that comes on your way as well on a battlefield of soldiers fighting for a country’s independence or freedom. A combatant’s mission is to achieve whatever legitimacy or great wishes of his or her goals or a country. A living combatant is a soldier, a soldier is the person that is full of courage in life and they show hope that they will succeed
http://www.goarmy.com/life/being_a_soldier.jsp

It's me Bitches!!!

This is a shout out to all the ladies who have made this year a wonderful experience for me. To Paula, my first roommate, we were united in alcohol from the word “go”, and I don’t think any guy has the power to tear us apart, and I hope you know that you have become like a sister to me. Then comes Zama, the one I took my first flight with, the one I hated and now…not-so-hate. LOL. When times are “roff” I know to turn to you. Zizipo, my “fag friend” (get it? It means cigarette as well as lesbian), the one I could pour my heart to knowing that I would receive first-class advice without the common stare or side-glance. Then there is the ‘mlungu’ (white person), Zara you have taught me all that a first year needs to in their survival. Be it good or bad (don’t take offence), but know that you have contributed in enriching my life and assisted in the understanding of the world at large. Bronnie, tough I have not spent a lot of time with you; I feel that your presence eludes reality (in a good way), your positive vibes have helped me escape the harsh reality the life tends to throw at us. And finally, my girlfriend, who isn’t really my girlfriend any longer, NandiPHA through you I have learnt that aggression is not always the solution and not to fear that which I feel. What I felt for you was not a façade or stage, I just don’t think you realised how far it ran. And to all the ladies I have not mentioned…Ashleigh, Jojo, Kelina, Dianne and KG, I love you guys, all in all you have made my stay here a memorable one. No one can do it like the ANNEXE girls!

Similarities United

Often I find that people tend to over exaggerate about leaving home and coming to a new place with new people. Imagine first-year as a gas chamber, and the newcomers as the Jews that were gassed in the holocaust. The main objective is to survive and, although I found no blog that related to our blog character I felt that metaphors could be used to explain the connection between this blog and that created by holocaust survivors the and first-year students. In fact, I would like people to notice the deliberate over exaggeration as I depict the horrors one experiences in varsity, especially as a first-year student who is trying to adapt in a new environment. Of course, one cannot compare the hardships Hitler put the Jews through but I think I speak for most students when I say that dictators come in various shapes and sizes.

Just when we believe that we have grasped the freedom that we are entitled in varsity, there waddles a warden sitting you down and telling you that you consume too much alcohol. Just when will we escape? It makes question whether the freedom that people talk about is a reality or is waiting for someone to make it all come true. Who will become our Schindler? The fact remains that no matter how hard we try,we ought to appease a higher power in life. Although Hitler was a short brunette, he managed to brainwash a whole nation in the proposition of an Aryan(blonde and blue-eyed) race. This not only shows the stupidity portrayed by Germans but also that "struggle is the father of all things. It is not by the principles of humanity that man lives or is able to preserve himself above the animal world, but solely by means of the most brutal struggle. If you do not fight, life will never be won."(Adolf Hitler) Ironic,isn't it?that a man with fewer brain cells than my nephew could speak such powerful words, words that affected an army of Aryans...words that echo survival.

A.R.B

So I wake up this morning and notice an arb on my thigh. Although this made me laugh, I later realised that my laughing constitutes to my “don’t-care-attitude”. This is when it comes to my body and Alcohol-Related Bruises. In an attempt to make myself feel better, I thought about all the other times I have noticed arbs on my body. Or, more interestingly, how many times have you walked around campus and seen someone with arbs all over their body after a hectic weekend? The sad truth is that every Monday morning, I bare witness to the sad state Rhodes learner’s bodies are in. Gone are the days when I would post a blog that relates to surviving Rhodes life. I have come to understand that these people don’t want to survive. In fact, they engage in dangerous activities such as a night at The Rat & Parrot. And they occasionally find themselves in unsafe places such as EQ. So why provide a manual for future students who will probably fall into the same trap? There are “the crackling boys” (you know those boys in those school shorts, who wear vests no matter what the weather looks like) who join in Fraternities such as The Drinking Club. These boys get beaten up if they don’t finish a few bottles of alcohol to prove themselves as members. If that doesn’t ring any bells, these are the boys who walk around campus with an exam pad and one pen, walking OUT of each lecture hall and receiving LOA’s for being…themselves. How can I not mention “The union girls”, these are the girls who go to Rugby games not knowing who’s playing for what, and all they know about a try is when they’re TRYing to get into Friars for free. What never ceases to amaze me is that these girls have about R100 in their bags, yet they always go home with more than they came with. Of course, we have “the people from up the hill”, these people are the EQ-regulars, the ones who can turn anything into a club, and I mean anything…even the Kaif! Last but not least, we have the “Cantebury girls”, the land of milk and honey, the home of arbs, the makers of punch. If a Cantebury girl does not have a discount card for Prestons, chances are…she’s lying. So there we have it, ladies and gents! Who to blame when you have arbs? Why does it matter if you don’t remember?

First years prefer being at campus than at home

Basically what I’ve noticed being a first year is that first year student like to be at campus than being at home. I think the reason of this is that they feel independent here than at home because at home parents always give them rules and restrict them on doing things. What I’ve noticed merely is that first years like to be on their own rather being around their parents. My opinion will be mostly about my own point of view about first year’s preference to be at campus and I will look at the fact that why they prefer campus lifestyle than being at their homes.
At homes parents gives us policies to live our lives. Students are very grateful about their parent’s teachings and disciplines. It’s just the fact that they fill to be on their own at this age and parents always treat them like small children which that is what they do as wise. The independence they get at varsity is extremely precise what they want. First years at varsity usually go out each and every weekend; they don’t ask whose permission to do so they just do it. Compared when at home to do so they have to put pillows on their beds for the parents when checking them at their rooms and they go out by using a window and leave it open. Parents will always be parents even after matric they will always check on their children’s safety. When first years arrive at varsity, the day of arrival to them is like ‘wow’, I am finally on my own, my parents will only send me money and I will only see them during vacations. They become very happy in experiencing their freedom being out of their homes, they feel that they now have a second home, home away from home but they get to much comfortable in that, for example some first years even say when vacation is around the corner they don’t wish to go home.
Moving on, another fact is that first years can sometimes don’t know how to control their independency, they can party on and off two or three times a week and that can result on having bad academic results. They can get too over excited about their self-rules, some still live by their parents rules and teachings but some don’t. First years also like to experiment some ludicrous things, e.g. some can smoke marijuana or being a party animal just to experiment being a different character from what he or she used to be. The first year’s adaptation of the campus lifestyle appears even when there at home, the partying and not cooking. When their at home they usually get bored as they did not grow up there, they are now used in getting food from the dining halls those who stay at University residence, and those in digs cook whatever they want to eat. At home parents restrict things to use and what not to use. Most first years say that campus lifestyle rocks and studies can be maintained and sometimes not. To other first years the experience of being far away from home makes them sad but the majority is the opposite. Home sickness is not a particular thing to first years who have always wished to be far away from home. The choice to be at campus than being at home is very fond by the majority of first year Rhodes students.
To conclude, as I am also a first year but being the one who misses home, my friends and other first years I know prefer to be here at campus. They have strange moods when it comes to go home, they even lie to their parents that there extra activities occurring during the vacations so that parents can send them money to rent lodgings. I find it so strange when people don’t miss their homes or prefer to stay a weekend at their homes. Most of Rhodes first year students are happy to spend their time at campus, even during holidays but I guess they will change their minds at their second years.