Vancouver: Finals

Given the partying of the last few weeks, you’d be forgiven for thinking that I had finished term already. Hah! No such luck. This week was finals, and I had one on Tuesday, one Thursday, a paper due on Friday and one more to go – next Monday.

Tuesday’s exam was always destined to be the hardest. POLI370A – International Law and Politics of Military Force – with Michael Byers was always an interesting class. Full of personalities and an egotistical Prof, the course content was really interesting and engaging, but it should never have been taught with 260 people. Byers always raves on about how it ‘worked’ but realistically it never did. A few people dominated the talking and serious debates could not take place. It NEEDS tutorials! The final was half MC, half essay. Both were worth equal amounts, which was ridiculous. The MC tested most aspects of the course and were fairly rigorous. Actually, scrap that, they were really specific! The essay was nice and broad.

Thursday’s final was POLI365 – Asian IR. Like the course it was fairly descriptive, and fairly derivative of the midterm. I got to talk about the whole course though, which is surprising for a final. Went out for a great debate and beer with some mates from that class afterwards though – that was fun!

Friday’s paper was mammoth. 3500 words for HIST402 on the effect of the media on violence and trauma in Bosnia, Rwanda and East Timor. REALLY interesting to research and write, but I didn’t start early enough and the result will show that I fear. I mean, it’s done and all, but it wasn’t my best work

Friday night I took a break and went to Bright Nights at Stanley Park. This place is a winter wonderland – loads of lights, a petting zoo, a miniature train and fake snow! So much fun – what Christmas should be! We went to Tim Hortons afterwards (obviously!) saw the Gingerbread House competition at the hotel next door (Marriot?).

On Saturday a small group of us went to Richmond for Yum Cha and shopping. The Yum Cha place had awesome food, but no trolleys. And really, that’s half the fun. So we ordered all these Dim Sum dishes from a menu! That’s not right!! And I ended up being the only one who bought anything shopping. I got 2 sets of thermals, 2 gloves, 2 scarves and a hoodie! Such a good day! Oh, and all of it was on sale!

Monday was the last final (the final final if you will), for POLI321A – Chinese Government and Politics. This class was a lot of fun, and I met many cool people in it! The content was always interesting and I learned a lot. The final was a bit so-so. I think I answered everything correctly (although in the short answer I had to bullshit a bit), but the main problem was we had too much time, so I waffled in the essay. Hope they don’t notice!