Life on campus

                                                Art as seen through the eyes of their creators.

 

On the 9^th of April, the third year students at the University of the Free State held an art exhibition in the Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery. This was a means for these students to showcase their art with the theme Oculus; circles found in nature and through the artist’s interpretation and representation of the shape that can be more complex than first thought. The eye was the focus, as a way to do with looking; the main sense we have of seeing art, and also about architecture.

The theme has the logo “Observe. Immerse. Experience” which is exactly how the exhibition went on this night. You could observe displays big and small on the walls of paintings and sketch drawings, each showcasing some image involving a round element like that of a human skull or the shape of a cocktail dress. Immerse yourself by gazing at strange hollow carved animals filled with coloured beads or petals or grains, floating in coloured liquid.

On the floor was a wooden puzzle play board where spectators could feel free to create their own images as they slide each block back or forth, sharing the experience of creating a form of art like that of the artist. More was displayed in glass, clay, stone and even books transformed into frames.

With the enjoyment of wine and mini cupcakes, all in circular shapes of course, the night according to host Beon Hodges, a third year student in charge of organising the event, thought it was “a great success” and that the “turnout was impressive”. A successful night ended with a few art pieces sold and the students buzzing with the anticipation of going to the next display which will be held on the 14^th of May.

Meet my friend

There is a unicorn in our midst. A young lady passionate about saving others through hard work and fine arts. Meet Janke Du Preez.

Third year Journalism student by day and dreamer by night. Miss Du Preez is greatly interested in the film industry, and though she would like to be involved with fantasy adventures or dramatic comedies, she is more interested in making a difference through film that are different from the norm. Cultural documentaries are her thing. A real people person, she states that “I would love to showcase all the different cultures of the world in my movies and show the public what is really happening to people we don’t usually hear about in the news.”

Her goals of becoming a film director and script writer were inspired by the works of several not commonly known directors, including that of Alejandro Amenábar, who opened her eyes to the world around her and how film can be a medium to “expose you to the cultural issues of the world and shed some light on aspects you didn’t know about others before”.

Through the money she gets from her films Miss Du Preez will then love to work for the UN and establish charities to help the environment, children and stop cruelty against animals. This young woman, now only twenty-two years of age, has a vision that many would think is impossible to achieve in this day and age, but that won’t stop her.

She isn’t just focused on serious issues but also wants to take the audience “on a journey” with her art of film and bring a lighter side to the fold. This she sees as her form of expression and even now spends her free time making mini slideshow movies about her own life; a small start to what could be owning her own movie company one day. Through hard work and focusing on her vision, she believes that she will achieve her dreams.

This driven ‘unicorn’ is confident that her dreams will come true and those of the people she wants to help.

My take on things

Zombies on campus!

This year the schedule for the Kovsie students took a turn for the worst in my opinion. The holidays, corresponding to those of the schools in the nation, were taken away from the students. I felt those glorious days of de-stressing ripped from my soul.

Those in authority claim that we don’t have enough time to deal with our mountains of work for our various classes and there was unconfirmed talk of Education students being responsible for signing a petition to give students more time to work.

They should have asked the entire student body their opinions about this drastic change. It took me by surprise and shock filled me as I checked it and saw that it will be reality. Now, close to exam time, the students and I are the walking dead on the UFS grounds. Without that week, yes just one week of getting back our bearings and recharging for the coming classes and exams, we have turned into zombies who use grunts as greetings and sluggishly walk to class we don’t want to be in.

The start of year energy and excitement was diminished by us not having our times off. Those students who complained about not having enough time for work could have asked for extra classes to catch up or perhaps used their weekends more wisely, either through the use of academic advice or planning out schedules in order to ‘tackle’ their work.

Along with the grunts are the complaints. They hang over campus like a fog; a toxic mist that spreads the disease of negative thoughts to other students and even their parents.

We do have a week off after Easter but it is in such a terrible place. Instead of using it to feel better about the academic year, it will be spent studying for the next round of tests and assignments that need to be done for right after our ‘break’. That doesn’t help much.

I want my normal long holidays back, ones that can be used for work and play without also having stress plaguing it constantly.

 

Fight the flab with friends!

Fitness as a trend on UFS campus?

The concept of joining a gym and jogging at night in the safe confines of the Kovies varsity has taken full swing on campus, quickly spreading its healthy roots amongst the students. Many students even go to class wearing their gym outfits, ready for those precious hours of flexing, sweating and grunting as they work on metallic monster machines.

This trend, according to students I caught on a jog, believe that the trend started because of the portrayal of beauty by the worldwide media. “You are accepted in society if you are a certain weight,” said psychology student Pamela Harris. “That’s why I am doing it. I’d rather be eating ice cream right now, but my friends and I decided to do this instead.”

Many students could then be feeling the same way as Pamela. But perhaps there is another reason as well, since now joining a gym is more desired if done in groups or with a partner.

Is it all about health then?

Franco, a first year drama student, believes that going to the gym is actually more for social interaction means than the actual workout. The gym is seen as a ‘social hub’ where people can ‘hangout’ and converse about classes and upcoming events.

Another student, Tsepo Kumala, had this to say: “The gym is for exercising, but every time I go there everyone is busy having conversations instead of actually doing the hard work on the machines.”

Lauren, a journalism student, has noted that some girls arrive in class dressed in full gym wear but also thickly padded in make-up and hair perfectly styled; “Looks more like they are looking for boyfriends instead of achieving healthier bodies.”

Most students, like Janke du Preez a third year journalism student, actually do go to the gym to lose weight, whereas others like Rogan Jones, a first year criminology student, sees the gym as an opportunity to form new friendships.

This concept of getting healthy while being in a social environment could mean there are distractions from the workout, thus a waste of money, or it could encourage those too shy to gym on their own to have fun while training with their social others.

Good or bad, this trend is booming across campus, even I am caught in its snare, and those who wish to have ice cream are subject to sweating instead.

Love in the Free State

Rain!

Is there anything more beautiful during the summer heat? Anything more breath taking than having a rainy day in Bloemfontein? And the funny thing is that it happened on a Tuesday! (refer back to Tuesday Terror post) What a way for Mother Nature to set me straight

I love the rain; the smell, the feel, the cold.

The perfect time to cuddle up in bed or on the couch (as I am doing now) with your favourite thing to do. For me that would be reading or writing. Right now it is watching series with my step brother, because:
1) I love Supernatural
b) my very serious case of laziness is acting up again and
tres) it is raining!

All students should take this rare time of cool content and just relax. Even if it is for an hour or a minute, just stop what ever it is you are doing, stare at the slate grey sky heavy with clouds and let go...

Let go of your fears, your stress and anxiety. Just for that one moment, let it all go and drift in the endless bliss of filling your body and mind with the smell of rain.

Feel better? I do, after having four tests and three assignments in one week. Yes, I feel like myself again, because trust me, zombie is just not my colour.

Enjoy the rainy day UFS students and remember...

Hi, my name is...*that is classified information*

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am an explorer and adventure seeker.
Vampire hunter and werewolf fan.
A baker with an unhealthy relationship with chocolate and a young girl with an obsession with Greek Mythology.
Confused yet? let me explain...

I am a writer.

Author of five published books, several short stories and two poems. That is probably why I call myself a vampire hunter. I am even the Alpha to a werewolf pack and can summon magic from the tips of my fingers. That is what writing is to me; creating lives and interesting worlds that even I can get lost in. I was a bookworm that began writing in primary school. What started as creative writing assignments soon led to novels published in the USA. My genre is YA paranormal with splashes of comedy, horror and yes, even romance.

I am a student.

Currently in my third year studying journalism with an extra class for Greek Mythology, since I am interested in their ancient culture and myths. Writing is my passion and with this I plan on becoming an editor for a publishing company. Oh the dreams...

I am a sister, daughter and friend.

My life has its ups and downs. I am afraid of heights, so this roller coaster ride does scare me at times; it makes me scream, shout, laugh, cry and sing. But it is all mine. I have a wonderful family with siblings that annoy me and parents that punish me, but they make my life complete. I love them and they love me. I am the crazy one in my group of friends, going through life as if high on sugar and talking to the characters in my head. Still, they love me and I love them.
Oh yeah, and I have two dogs who I can't live without.

So that is me. Perhaps not ALL of me, but just enough to make you think I am weird but cool.

Hi, my name is Leah

And if Chris Hemsworth is involved then I volunteer as tribute.

Tuesday Terror

Summer time, perfect sunny weather for the beach and perhaps a picnic with friends and the family dog. But for the student living in the Free State, the summer is known as The Terror.
Yes! the vile scorching rays of the shining monster in the sky. Summer time equals to the way we all feel when we wake up early on a Monday morning, groaning and moaning, not even having a chance to drink that one cup of coffee needed to lift up the spirits because it is just too hot.

 That is how I felt today, with the wicked heat licking at the back of my neck as I trudged to class, up and down it followed me and practically laughed in my ear as I felt the tightening of red burnt skin and sweat dripping from my worried brow.

Don't get me wrong, I love the summer. It does have its up sides: enjoying ice cream drizzled in choc sauce as it melts over my hand or swimming with my two dogs, laughing and splashing for hours on end.

But it is the enemy when it comes to going to varsity for classes. All of that walking up and down soon weighs me down along with my bag full of text books and even sooner, the sweat clinging to my body like a second skin, spirits dwindle to nothingness and concentration is lost with the approuch of a grumpy mood.

Summer time, you are awesome during the holidays and even weekends with a braai but I declare war on you during my student days. Nothing personal *insert evil laugh here*