Sayings I felt I needed to share....

It is only through letting our heart break that we discover something unexpected: The heart cannot actually break - it can only break open ...
To live with an open heart is to experience life
full-strength.

John Welwood

This one, when I read it, I thought of my Auntie La <3 <3

Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed -- that is human.
When you are born, where do you come from?
When you die, where do you go?
Life is like a floating cloud which appears.
Death is like a floating cloud which disappears.

The floating c
loud itself originally does not exist.
Life and death, coming and going, are also like that.
But there is one thing which always remains clear.
It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death.

Then what is the one pure and clear thing?

Zen Master Seung Sahn

So many things have happened in the past few days. I'll start from Thursday morning. I did my washing and while they were in the dryer, I looked for my phone and I couldn't find it. Later, I then realized that I had put it in my pocket after yoga, and found it in the dryer. Good job, Heidi. Brilliant, so now my phone doesn't work.
In the early afternoon, I got a skype call from my father notifying me of my auntie's death. We knew it was coming but I didn't want to acknowledge it, just like last time. I cried-I don't know for how long- but it brought floor mates to my door. I got comforted which calmed me and made me feel slightly better after letting it all go. But two feelings I remember feeling was sadness and guilt. I just feel so guilty, I remember, back when my dear Uncle John got diagnosed with his cancer, I was going to shave my head for him, for the second time, but because he said 'its okay' I didn't do it. When my Auntie La in New Zealand got diagnosed, she asked me and my mum to shave our heads with her, when she goes bald, but I said no. I just feel guilty. You never can know, if I had shaved my heads both times, maybe with the money raised they could have found a cure by now...and they wouldn't have passed away...

Auntie La taught me how to ride. <3 This photo was taken in 2007.

Around half an hour after, I convinced myself to go to class. It was only 1 1/2 hours so it wasn't too long, (although I don't remember any of it). Then the RA came to make sure that I was okay, and we went for a walk which was very nice and calming. Fresh. Lovely. We went to a park which wasn't too far away, much nicer than the trails I ran...so that's where I went running this morning. That evening, my floor mates came back and gave me a card which they had signed and sugary timbits to help me feel better. I really appreciated it! :)
Then yesterday morning, when I woke up, I never realized how dehydrated you get when you cry..because I was so thirsty Friday morning. I went to class- and honestly, I don't remember any of it either. I don't remember what I did yesterday, but this morning I went for a run and it was really nice and refreshing, I went to a park called Buttertubs Marsh which was the other park that the RA spoke about. It was really quite nice. Then I went grocery shopping, I walked down 20 minutes to the Quality Foods shop and stocked up on some items. Honestly, I don't know what I have for homework this weekend, but I'm sure I'll figure out what it is soon.
My thoughts and love are being sent to my family in New Zealand, I love you.

Yoga

Just another real short and sweet update. I had my first Yoga class here, and it was really different from what I'm used to. I'm used to slow but intense yoga, where we take the time to ground ourselves etc etc. This class, however, was fast and almost like aerobics. I almost didn't have time to figure out what some stretches were....and there were quite a few new ones too. But overall, it was a very good yoga class!! I love it haha. Even though it's so different. It seemed to me like this teacher wasn't actually qualified to teach yoga, but she ran all the other courses and obviously has history of yoga, so she was allowed to run it. But it didn't seem like a genuine yoga practice, but, nevertheless, it was a very good practice! I'm so glad I signed up! hah

Auditioning High!

I know I already did my post for today...but I JUST GOT BACK FROM MY FIRST AUDITION!!! AND I TOTALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DO DRUGS WHEN THEY CAN DO THEATRE? IT'S BLOODY FANTASTIC!!!
I just wanted to say!! Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know if I'll get it, but I had fun which is the main thing!! So much fun!! Lots of fun, muahahaha!

Quick Update

So today, Stella (the chinese exchange student in thea 111), this afternoon, introduced me to a Korean exchange student. Super nice fellow, haha, it was really funny to watch his expressions as he asked about the Korean music that I knew..hah lol. It was totally awesome haha. Um, this evening I have an audition for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead which should be interesting. This will be my first ever audition so it should be fun haha but we'll see lol So for the next hour I should be studying and then I'm off! AAHHH wish me luck haha

Wonderful Friends!

Wow. I had a small break from updating for a while, but now it's back to everyday lol
I guess that can be a good thing because that means things are happening to me hah! Anyway, I met up with Stella before theatre class to help explain an assignment, although I don't feel like a did a very good job. I had to explain a hamartia and parapitaya. haha, theatre words, hamartia is a 'fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero/heroine.' and a peripeteia is the reversal of circumstances. haha, it was fun. Then Stella gave me a gift which was absolutely amazing!!

It's a hairpin! It's soo beautiful, isn't it? I love it! Thank you Stella!

Such an wonderful gift and she's such a nice girl too! She's going to introduce me to 2 people, which is super awesome! Yay! More people! haha :)
This evening, I'm going food shopping! I'm running low on quite a few items so I better get moving if I'm to do that! Also auditions for the play were held this evening and then I heard from the professor that they are also held tomorrow night, so I'll be going then! Yay! I won't miss it!

Sunday Party

I had a blast today! Although it did start off a little...slow. haha. This morning I was supposed to meet Sam at her house for a party around 11 and of course, I had a blonde moment, so I didn't end up leaving until after 11 am...after getting a text saying where are you? oops. Good start. So I end up being an hour late, but once I got there it was super fun! I met 6 new people, finding out one of them has a class with me, my other theatre class haha. Yay! There were 3 Chinese students, I think they were either exchange or international, I'm not sure, the other 4 were Japanese students yay! haha, it was awesome. I love hearing the Japanese language being spoken it is super awesome. Anyway, so I arrived, and they were finishing cooking this huge delicious meal of Japanese food, it was super yummy!

Yeah, it was yummy!! be jealous! Delicious! After we just played games which was lots of fun and created lots of laughter! I definitely want to keep in contact with these awesome people! Here is another photo of us, with a couple people missing..

Overall, it was a super awesome day! I hope to do it again soon!

Saturday!

Greeting earthlings. Today was the bestest day ever..!! My cousin, Uncle Rob, came up from Victoria to visit me!! It was so very nice and refreshing!! We explored of what little of Nanaimo there is, and had lunch hah. Nanaimo is a tiny, sleepy little town, it's okay to visit for a couple days, but I don't like living here that much. It's tiny and there is nothing to do! But Uncle Rob and I went down to Parksville and Qualicum which is 1/2? down the road which were quaint and nice little places. There we had fish'n'chips for dinner, yay! and then we came back to campus. It was a very nice day where I could relax and just let loose for a while. It was very refreshing! It also made me notice how much of a difference there is between universities. The way that things are run, the mixers and party's, and how much is lacking over in this tiny university.
 Now about that acting class, Uncle Rob suggests that I take it because it's acting-what I came for. And I have fear and insecurity around this decision. I already kind of acknowledged that this class wasn't going to work out for me from Monday's situation, then it got thrown back at me on Wednesday, and now it's again coming on Saturday. I don't know what to do! My mind, on Monday, had been crystal clear that transferring wasn't possible. Wednesday I heard the class description and wanted to go, but didn't want to go. Now, I had come to the conclusion that I wasn't going to switch only to later be swayed once again to join the class. As I was reading this description again, (And I am very hesitant to actually trust what it says) is that only the first month is movement and improv and everything else is text analysis. Well, the first month-I only have a week left if I do join. These previous 3 weeks, they've been working on acting, improv, personal expression and all I get to do is the movement assignment performance and then we start text analysis. Is that really what I want to do? Text analysis? I don't know, I'd join acting class so I can act. I don't know. It sounds rather iffy to me. I think I'm just going to stay in what I am in, and not join the acting class. I will still audition for the theatre production I think-my first audition for anything- but I don't think that I will join the acting class...
Arg. I hate decisions.
Anyway
Tomorrow is Sunday and I have a party with my friend, an exchange student from China, so that should be fun. It's at her house, so all I have to do is find directions and figure out how to get there lol. Trust me, to leave that 'till the morning of. haha.
Well, so in a general summary, I am very content with today's outcome :) Thanks Uncle Rob for coming to visit me!!

Exploring

Hi, today is Friday and I had my liberal studies class this morning at 8:30 which was fun, I always enjoy discussing that class-it's brilliant. So the plan for today was to take a bus to terminal avenue to get to the post office. That was number one priority. So instead of trying out the bus I think would get me there, I asked a friend of mine Corine. She told me to take 4 and then transfer to the 1. At the bus stop I met another liberal studies classmate Lindy who is super nice, and she was taking the same buses and I was so we traveled together. Yay! Lots of story telling :) It was really nice! We swapped phone numbers and then I departed at where I thought was the closet bus stop which turned out to be the right one! (yes!) The post office was open! hallelujah and my student loan is now all good to go! After this, I found my way and a shortcut to the bank so I could take some money out, yay. Also, because it was Friday, the Farmers' Market was on! So I went to check that out, which was very quiet. Not many people about. I suppose it was because today is really overcast and looks like it's about the rain any minute now. I brought my umbrella but didn't end up using it. So at the farmers' market, I bought some bread which I was really low on, so now I can cross that off of my shopping list for Monday. I also checked out the Gluten-free section, thinking of my mother. And I tried a few samples, forgetting that today I had planned on fasting...oh well. I bought myself some cookies from that stand. Then I walked up to the Aulds or however you spell it, Olds...I dunno, that section of town where there's a really nifty little meditation awesome shop that is really cute. I just walked around there which was quite nice. Next I ended up finding myself at the bus station, so I hauled out my Riders Guide and tried to find a bus that looked like it might take me back to the University. So I got on one and ended up getting off a stop too early, so I had some walking to do, but it wasn't too bad. Now I'm back at my residence and I can't decided whether I should just forget about the samples and continue fasting or just give up and start again on Monday. We'll see I suppose.
Tomorrow is a super-exciting day! Uncle Rob is coming up from Victoria to see me, yay! I can't wait to see family!! That should be lots of fun, I can't wait to get out of here! Sunday, I got invited to a party by an exchange student from China hosted at her house which should be totally fun and wicked! I'm excited to see what that's going to turn out like! haha, um, Maybe life isn't so terrible after all. I'm slowly gaining friends-it's just residence I need to become more comfortable in, I do live here after all. Well, thanks for reading! I hope my writing isn't too dull ahah
Oh yes, I wore some ankle socks with a pair of walking shoes today, which turned out to be a bad idea...I got blisters...or starting of blisters..but either way, it's not too good. haha oh well, they'll go away soon! :)
I found some photos on my camera of meals..haha
This one is from last week I think: scrambled egg, fried onion on a potato.

And then this one below was tonight's dinner of coleslaw salad with fresh carrots and apples. Oh, and some raisins for...flavour? Anyway, it tasted real nice!

Difficult Decisions...

Good day, today I have a dilemma to announce. As some of you know, I wanted to be in theatre in University. I wanted to act in some manner, shape or form. But the classes that I ended up taking were history of theatre (thea 111) and exploring what goes on in a stage production-who's involved (thea 100) etc etc. Not exactly what I had in mind, but the classes aren't bad at all. Now, on Monday, I went and explained this to the department head and I asked if it was possible to switch into an acting class. He said yes, as long as it doesn't conflict with your timetable, there is room in the class. Go get the profs signature and off you go to registration. So off I skipped to the class, and the prof (my prof for thea 100) told me that it would be difficult for me to catch up and the class actually only has 22 spots and it is all filled up. So I understood, because it was the last day for dropping and adding classes for free. So off I went. Today is Wednesday and that prof came up to me in class and said Actually there is a spot in that acting class if you're still interested. I said for sure and he explained to me the assignments they were doing etc etc and so he said that if I went to registration and get a late registration form, he would sign it for me. Now I am at home and thinking. If I join that class, I'll be busy on Monday & Wednesday for 8:30-4:30, no break, and on Wednesdays, I have yoga at 5:30-6:30. It'll be really busy. Do I really want to do this? I spoke with my mum over Skype about it, she suggests I take the class-it's better to be busy that twiddling your thumbs. My bestest friend Lalaina said that I shouldn't get too busy. I understand both their points, and I don't want to be so busy that I don't have time to do anything! But I want to do the acting class, and if, on Monday, the prof had signed my form, I would've dropped thea 100 so I wouldn't have been so busy, but now it's Wednesday and I'll have to pay to drop a course. I don't know how much, the website doesn't say. And when ever they hide the prices I always get nervous because it's probably going to be expensive. So I don't know what to do! I consulted my pendulum which told me I should take the acting class, then it told me that I wouldn't be continuing here in January. I consulted the cards but they didn't give me a straight answer either, they said trust your true feelings, but I don't know what my true feelings are! I don't know what to do! Tomorrow, I'm going to see how much it costs to drop a class, and then I'm going to consult my parents again about it. Because if I can drop----I have a friend in that class! :( Friends are rare and precious right now. What do I do? AHHHH

Constantly Learning

Good evening. I used my fry pan..!! YAY! I cooked scrambled egg and onion in it, and it was really good hah. I also cooked some corn on the cob which ended up being underdone, in the microwave though, so that doesn't count as cooking. I have 6 more characters to memorize for Japanese before I know the whole hiragana table :D I have an essay to write for liberal studies, due Friday which I haven't started yet...eekkk.
I spoke with the study abroad manager about my exchange trip to Japan which seems expensive but not too bad. I guess, I'm going to see how expensive it is and see if i can do volunteer abroad instead if it's cheaper. So we'll see!
I did another load of washing, my sheets and things and found another lost soul, so I matched the two socks together so they're friends now! I hope I don't loose any more socks because otherwise it's going to become a problem!
Depending if my exchange is too expensive or not, will affect my decision on whether to stay here another year or not. I'm taking different courses next semester (my Japanese and Liberal Studies will continue) but I have digital media and creative writing. No theatre. So we'll see how this goes and if I don't like it, I'll switch to nursing. But so far, I like my classes, it's the best time of day. The only thing I like about residence is my bed covers, and I can sleep here. That's it. I'm not keen on the room or the kitchen or the location. I don't know many people in residence, but classes I know people, I talk to people and I learn interesting things! it's great. ahaha. Oh and I don't like the fact I have to get my own food, make my own food or do my own dishes. I have dining dollars now, but I haven't used it yet. I'm thinking of waiting until, you know, later. This Friday, I'm going to have an adventure and get on a bus and see if it takes me to where I want it to go, and get off where I want- the post office, and then see if I can get back on a bus that'll take me back to the university. If I can't find a bus, I can walk. haha, but for the bus ride, I need $2.50, and I don't have that at the moment. I have to go and get more change I suppose. :( I hate change. It's stupid. I hate the laundry-washing machines and dryes, one because they kill my socks, and two is because they only take quarters and loonies..BOO, get more modern! oh well, life goes on I suppose. we'll my dinner this evening was very uncolourful, stir-fried onion, scrambled egg, cheese all packed onto a baked potato. It was good don't get me wrong, but I miss my mummy's and daddy's cooking!

Accomplishments

So I got all my library stuff sorted out and I scanned the RESP form over to my daddy, um, I signed up for the next grocery bus next Monday and I found out where the club fair is this week...it's a good job I saw the sign, otherwise I would've missed it because it's not in the calendar emails...
So all that's left for me to do is to study Japanese, begin thinking about my essay and read Book Of Ruth, copy notes etc, and post my student loan and figure out what buses to take to get to that stupid post box! Um, today I've felt a little more at home in the Univeristy but not really in residence, it's still awkward. Oh well, I suppose I'll get used to it.
I am very glad that my mum works in the spiritual realm because it's helped me alot with these Bible interpretations from the books and stuff, trying to find connections and things from a literary perspective. I also felt like I had a few friends, like in my theatre 100 class, I got invited to a japanese party, I think it's for the exchange students or something, or they put on little parties and try to invite their friends and things. So that's awesome! An addition to my phone number list! XD Hmm, oh yes, and I've discovered from those dramas I watch, I actually learn from them, not just for entertainment purposes, I learn about people from these dramas and what to do in situations and stuff, haha :P that sounds bad, but I do learn from these things! haha
Well, I have to get studying now!

Busy, busy, busy...

So I have an entire list of things I've done today. I have been running around like a headless chicken... AHHH. So I got up this morning and went to my new liberal studies seminar class, it's so much better and it's awesome and smaller and no awkward silences and it was really good. I like that class much better. yay! Second after that, I went down to the registration desk to cancel my enrollment in a first-aid course that I realized I couldn't take. I got the RESP form signed and all I need now is to fax/scan it over to my daddy! But for that I need a library card...and stuff--boo. Of course, no one told me that while I was in the library so I have to now go and make a special trip. After the registration desk, I went to the gym to sign up for yoga wednesday's. so now I have yoga every wednesday from 5:30-6:30 pm yay! Next on the agenda was to talk to the head of the theatre department so I could switch into an actual acting class. He said there was indeed room in the class and I could switch if I wanted to. He then sent me off to the instructor of that class to get his signature so I could do a late registration for that course, but that instructor said no, I wouldn't be able to catch up, and actually the class is full. So that didn't happen. I'm still stuck in fake theatre classes. Oh well. Next on the list, was visiting the library to see if I could scan this sheet to my daddy, but as I mentioned before, you have to book to times for the scanners :( Then I went into the cafeteria to buy some dining dollars, so I get an additonal $10 on my $100 dollar card. or 10% off discount. That was fun. So here I am. I tried to book a scanner and then I made a call to the library that I actually have to activate my card so I can go and then book a scanner online...haha. I'll go on the way to theatre I suppose.
On top of all this, I did not sleep well last night! I kept on waking up and waking up and rolling over and waking up...so I'm quite tired. But at least I got most of my running around done. Now all I really need to do is sign up for another shopping bus, figure out the transit system so I can get my student loan to the post office on a weekday, and scan my RESP form to send it to my daddy! So still got alot to do, and I have an essay due friday for liberal studies, well, it's a draft of an essay haah.

I'm bald...

Good afternoon, it's 4:26 here in sunny Nanaimo and I've finally, after 3 and 1/2 hours of trying to figure out Songs of Solomon, I'm done my liberal studies homework! Yay! Before that I did Japanese until 12:30, then I started liberal studies and now I've just finished. Sad. I'm bald now...
Anyway!!
This morning I discovered that I sun-burned myself yesterday on my upper back and my face...I didn't realize it was THAT hot here haaha oops. It's not too bad I don't think. Not as bad as my head, after pulling all my hair out..haha
Oh yes, I've had to make a change in my schedule...unfortunately. Due to size numbers in our liberal studies seminars, I volunteered to make a switch from my 11:30 seminar to a 8:30 seminar. We'll see how it goes I suppose. Tomorrow is my first class I have to go to for the switch. I think if I hate that one, I'm going to ask if I can switch back into my old class. In a way, switching to an earlier class is good, because then on Friday, my only class will end at 10:00 am which leaves me the rest of the day to play! I guess we'll see how this goes though!
All that's left to do, is practice more Japanese and write an essay that's due Friday for liberal studies. I also have the Book Of Ruth notes that are also due on Friday....arg, I hope it doesn't take as long as today's notes did. I don't think they should be able to call them notes, because really they're not notes, I don't actually know what they are. But they're not notes, well Iguess they're sort of notes, but..
I'm going to stop now before I hurt myself.
I have a few errands to run tomorrow and I have my laundry to do as well--my sheets and towel laundry. Okay well, now I'm going to go and watch Brother Bear because I've been craving that movie. And it's going to make me cry, because it always does!
Oh yes, I just thought I'd mention, from my grande adventure yesterday, my shoulders and arm muscles are quite sore--haha oh well, at least I know it's a good work out!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Good after--evening! Good evening! I had a hhuuugggeee fun story to tell everyone today!! So this morning, I got up! Which is always a wonderfully good thing to do, I went for a run-well interval training anyway, and I discovered that there are really no nice parks that are long enough to run in, they both end up in residential areas, I want Bowness back or the backfield back! But it turned out to be nice anyway, it looked like a nice expensive neighborhood so it wasn't that bad to run in. Next, I came home and had a shower, and soon it was time to go. So I packed up my student loan, a sweater, my purse, helmet and off I went to get my bike. Now, getting the bike, there is a huge bike rack storage shed in the parking lot. The lock ate my key, it got stuck and it wouldn't come out. I had to go to the cedar office to get the guy so that he could get my key out...embarrassing, I'll tell you. But overall, getting it out was easy, and getting to the waterfront was easy too, it was mostly downhill, or flat in some perspectives with a very minimal decline. So getting to the Post Office was easy! And when I got there, I went in....and.....it was....locked. It's closed Saturdays and Sundays. What the heck? I said to myself, when am I ever going to do this? It's quite a ways, well not really, it takes about 15 minutes, but still!! So it looks like I'm going to have to go sometime during the week :( So then I said humph and went on my way, continuing to the waterfront. Now, because it's Saturday, and usually Saturday is the day for the farmers' market, I was excited. But it turned out to be the ferry craft market thing, where people come in from the ferry and have a market and then leave, but it's not food items, they're more like hats, jewelry etc. I found the restaurant I was supposed to meet my good friend Akina at, Penny's Palapa at 1 pm. I locked up my bike and walked back and forth along the waterfront, I wasn't pacing, I was dillydallying along, listening to people play music, wandering around the market until it was 1 pm, then I met Akina for lunch! This restaurant, Penny's Palapa, is a dainty little thing, right on the water, like on a floaty dock, and it's open air and it's really quite nice! It's Mexican, so we ended up eating a salad with tortillas filled with cheese and shrimp/chicken breast. (We split the shrimp and chicken breast) It was absolutely delicious! Usually I'm not too keen on seafood, but since I'm living near the ocean, I think it's growing on me, I actually voluntarily had the shrimp and it wasn't that bad. heheh! On the contrary, it was actually quite good! So after lunch, we wandered down the waterfront, and wandered up into another tented area up where they had a legitimate Japanese restaurant which we're going to next! ( :D Yay!)  We wandered around this area and listened to some real Western, country music on some banjo's and guitar. Then we wandered down into the Olde section of town where we found a few cute french cafes and the grand library. I think it's bigger than the one in Calgary..but I'm not sure. Um, next we wandered back around the mall on the edge of the waterfront and returned to the Waterfront where we conveniently had some delicious ice cream. As we were stuck between two flavours we shared a coconut, and a maple walnut. It was delicious!

  Then we sat on the dock where people sit to fish and we felt the nice cool ocean breeze on our faces and it was fantastic and soothing. Now it's around 4 pm, so we began to go back to the bus station where I put together my bike while we waited for Akina's bus. It was an amazing day! I definitely want to do it again! Now is the journey back to campus. This is what's not good about having the campus on a hill. 1. there are stairs everywhere, 2. if you ever leave campus, you're going to regret it coming back.  The ride back--let's just say, I was sweating when I got into the residence parking lot. Now I have to put my bike away, that's a whole story in itself. So I opened the bike shed and that was good. Now I realize that someone has stolen my spot in the bike shed, great. So now I'm looking for a new rack. It's full and many people have put their bikes in such a way that they take up two slots...Great. So I try to get in a slot that seems easier. It wasn't. My bike ended up getting stuck in such a way that I couldn't get it unstuck easily. The bike next door was sticking it's handlebars in my face and the tire of the other bike was locking my tire in place and I couldn't get it either put up or taken down. I fought with that bike hard and finally got it back down. Ow, I was sweating and now I have biceps. Okay, so I scan the bike room again, there is an empty slot in the corner of the shed, but it'll be difficult to get to...but after staring the other racks for 5 minutes I decided that it'd be easier than the others. So here I go into the corner. Then I wheel my bike halfway in and then I lift the front of my bike up and manage to hook the tire onto the metal hook. That doesn't look right...or very steady either, so I lift it higher and try to hook the neck of the bike onto the branch so that it'll stay, now the front tire is hitting the wall, and my finger is caught in the wheel which is now spinning and my finger is really hurting and hurting and owwwwwwww. I manage to balance the bike on my shoulder while I rotate the wheel and get my finger out. The skin is broken, i'm bleeding on my knuckle, and my fingers are all scraped and black..WAHH I WANT MY MUMMY! I'm dying under this bike and the tire is hitting the wall. Great! Now I stick my foot under the back tire and push it forward. SCRRAAAPPPEEEE. Oh shit, What was that? I put my bike down with effort, trying not to knock anything down or break anything. And it ended up being my fender scraping against the ground because my bike was as far forward as it could go. I sigh and groan and try again this time, I managed to hook the neck of the bike on the hooky metal branch thing and the I turn the handlebars so the tire isn't blocking the way into the wall. Okay, so my bike is hanging there, kind of precariously. Damn that other biker...why did he/she have to steal my spot? ARG. Now I'm trapped in the corner in between all the bikes and now guess what I see. A spider. OMG, how much worse could this get. I'm stuck in the corner with a spider with no easy escape route. I play mission impossible and manage to squeeze out without hitting my head on anything and grab my bike lock and lock the frame up in the shed. My hands are filthy black and my fingers are bleeding--- a little--and my face is red and sweaty and now I have to walk into residence and clean up.
Yay. But my day was fantastic and I guess if you have a fantastic day, there also has to be some downfalls. oh well.  

Stroke of Realization

So I've done some mulling over the thoughts that have been brewing in my head this past evening. And I'm just thinking about some events that have happened in the previous couple of days that I regret. I think I must have an issue with receiving, I love giving things to people but I don't much like receiving stuff from people. I was thinking about this yesterday and I think that because I don't openly receive things, I am actually on the verge of being rude, I didn't realize this until yesterday...kind of sad, don't you think? I feel bad taking things that people give me, probably due to some previous experience that I've had. I don't feel comfortable receiving anything from people unless it's my family or a special occasion like Christmas or a birthday. Any other day, I feel like I don't want to be a bother to the person doing the giving, so I refuse. And as time goes on, I realize that I just committed an act that I should never have done. I should never refuse a gift, because it's rude. Why haven't I thought of this before? Why is it coming to me just now? I've refused people's invitations to go see a baseball game today--why? I said no thanks to hanging out with people, I've said no when the RA on our floor came to give my a piece of freshly made chocolate banana bread. Why am I doing silly things? Everyone is being so nice to me, but why do I keep refusing their kindness? Does this make any sense at all? Why is this silly? Why do I feel uncomfortable with accepting gifts and invitations to hang out? And then, after all this, I complain that I'm lonely and I have no friends. Okay, sympathy for me, from me is all vanished. Evaporated. Poof.
Why am I like this? Why am I unintentionally rude to people? And why did this stroke of realization only come now? I should accept invitations, accept gifts, be more sociable. Whyy...?
People, readers, lovely people out there. Please help me, give me advice, can someone explain to me why I feel guilty when accepting things? I love giving things to people, and I hate it when people make a big deal over it, why am I being one of those people that I don't like? Why am I being rude? AHHH help!
Life's complicated.
What's that quote that mum always tells me? Uhh, it goes something like, "What we don't like about others is what we don't like in ourselves." I should learn.

Another step...

First off, I'd like to say that I just applied for my first job at Save On Foods. I can only hope that the store won't be too far away lol...

Secondly, we must all bow our heads in sorrow for my friend's lost soul mate who got lost in the washing....

Good Food Box YAY!

Bonjour mes amies! Today I received my good food box which contains all kinds of yummy vegetables! I got bag of russet potatoes, bag of carrots, 2 corn on the cobs, package of coleslaw, 4 bananas, 4 onions, 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 pears, 2 peaches...I don't know if I'm going to be able to eat it all! I'm very excited for the coleslaw, fresh food, fresh salad! YAY! However, someone is going to have to tell me how to cook the corn on the cob, I only have a tiny saucepan and they won't fit, so what do I do? :D I only have one class today, Liberal studies. And this afternoon, I'm going to do some laundry. I'm not sure if I'll have to do two loads, or if I can fit it all into one, but we'll see. Because I'm also including my sheets and towels so..that's what worries me. Um, I am also thinking of going into town this afternoon to find that post office so I can get my student loan all sorted, but that requires time and I get to use my bike, so we'll see. Uh, that's it for now!

Meeting People!!

Hiii, I just got back from the kitchen making spaghetti! It is very delicious by the way! I think because I was later than usual there were people cooking and such so I got to meet 4 new people who live on my floor which is totally wicked! I am very excited about that! Ali, Charlene and Danny(?) and another girl who I forget whose name is. But they were all really interesting and super nice so that's good!
I couldn't open my pesto jar though, so I had to ask the R.A who just happened to come it at the time, so that was good, and everyone was wondering where I was, or why haven't I met you yet, all these kinds of things. It was kind of, uh, how should I put it...awkward, because I have come into the kitchen, it's just at funny times so no one is there! Um, the two girls Ali and Katie said knock on my door anytime, so that's nice :) Um, they also said that they'd knock on my door. They have tried to knock on it before but when the time comes around, it's late and they think I might be sleeping and yes, I usually am sleeping around that time! I mean,  they say 'hang out in the common room sometime' and I'm like okay...and do what? I don't think it would be good to just sit there and stare if no one is around or a few people are around, it's weird, so I don't know. Tomorrow when I make dinner, I'll plan to eat in the common room :)

I love coffee..!

Good afternoon my good readers XD
 Today there was frosh 2012 event, which included a concert and free food, etc etc. I went. T'was very interestin'k.
Anyway, that's not really worth talking about

So, I had my first language lab this morning- it was fun! It's actually almost like Rosetta Stone but only with listening and repeating into a microphone. Of course, Rosetta Stone is so much better than the program they have here. I'll stick to Rosetta Stone thank you! After that, I went down the get my student loan sorted out, so that's all good, except all I need to do now is to go and find the closet postal outlet that I can get to on my bike with all my forms and such!
Next up is my Japanese class in which I have a hiragana quiz- should be good :) I hope I do well! I've studied alot and I know my characters that I've studied well enough!
This afternoon, I've enjoyed my large cup of coffee in a plastic cup and again it was delicious!! <3 Mmmmmm!!
So I have to leave for my class in 20 minutes or so!
Byebye

Rock The Boat- Gangnam Style

Hello everyone! I went to Rock the Boat event this evening. An event for the entire University which was pretty fun! They had blow up castles-bouncy castles- um, and you know those hamster balls that people buy so they're hamsters can have free range of the house if you know what I mean-they had people ones there. Those looked pretty sweet! They also had a human soccer table game, where all the players were attached to a rope-like the little guys on a soccer table, and played soccer. There was also free pizza, but, me, not knowing this, ate before I went, so :( Oh well. Then after 45 minutes of games, there was a dance off which was amazingly fun to watch! The first song they played was Gangnam Style by Psy--the first South Korean song I've heard played aloud in the West without student recommendation. Pretty awesome song if you haven't heard it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0

LOL

To wrap it up, I just wanted to say that this Hummus is the best there ever was!

Hiiii!! Everything is so exciting and stressfull, yippee. Tomorrow I have a hiragana character test and there are still 9 characters I keep forgetting!! But I finished all other Japanese homework...except for the language lab that I'm doing tomorrow morning, and the memorization of these last characters, I'm working on!!  I had a liberal studies lecture this morning which was....honestly...I don't remember most of it. About the Epic of Gilgamesh, interesting stuff sort of. I guess. There's the study in Florence, Italy, studying the Italian Renaissance in May 2013 which I really want to do! Sounds like fun! But first off, is the Japanese Exchange program which I have to get sorted out! XD fun stuff!!
Yesterday I made my first mug cake! It was absolutely delicious!!
Here it is, half eaten!

I only realized during the baking, that that mug wasn't microwavable, and was causing sparks...oops. AT least nothing bad happened XP
I have two classes in an hour so I should probably get some lunch and go!
I got my student loan papers, so I have to go to student services tomorrow to sort that all out! Yay! Saturday, I'm having lunch with Akina :)) Awesome and exciting stuff!  Friday I pick up my assortment of fruits and vegetables!! I can't wait- I'm going to get real creative with my food then! :D

Running and a Rainbow

I forgot to mention yesterday, I saw a hugeeeeeeeeee rainbow!!It was super bright and huuugggee!!! I don't think I've ever seen one so big and bright before!
This morning, I went for my interval training after fasting yesterday! Yesterday, I don't know what happened, but at around 8ish pm, my stomach started to hurt  I was so hungry, but oh well. I sucked it up and ignored it as much as I could, then it went away and then I slept, so life's all goood :)) This morning I totally wanted someone to run with *cough mummmyyy/Unni cough*** But I went by myself, and i discovered that the path is soo not long enough!! I think next time i'm just going to stick to the track. If the track is 400 meters, then I run around it 5 times in interval training. It's short and sweet.
For breakfast, I had scrambled egg on cheese bread :)) and I brewed some delicious coffee and made myself a choca-mocha! Mmmmm!
Yesterday evening at 9:30 pm, there was a knock on the door, I can never figure out if it's my door or not, because previously I thought it was my door, but then it wasn't, but I didn't answer it either way. So I just ignored it because I thought, who could it be? I don't know anyone living in this resident building. Then later, it came again. So I got down on the floor and tried to look under the door to see if there were feet pointing in the direction of my door. Super spy type stuff. But I couldn't tell. So much for that theory. So I continued what I was doing at the time which was studying my Japanese characters. When I got up to brush my teeth and get ready for bed, there had been a note slipped under my door from the RA. He said that he hadn't seen my in a while and to hang out in the communal kitchen sometime to meet some people. He said you know the greeting stuff like how are you doing, hope your classes are going well. My response to this note was I do go into the kitchen, just no one is there when I do! Or only a couple people are there...oh well. It was nice anyhow. :)
Well, I'm going to enjoy sipping my coffee until my class this afternoon!

I've started drinking coffee from the plastic cup because it's bigger than all my mugs... XP

Grocery Shopping- what fun!

This evening, I have a huge thing to tell everyone.
I
went
grocery
shopping.
it
was
lots
of
fun.
my
arm
was
hurting.
that's all. :)

Monday and RAIN

Sooo, it's Monday! I'm going shopping in an hour and I just got back from my run of 3 classes in a row. So far, Liberal Studies is the one that causes the most pain. We were discussing the Epic of Gilgamesh which lead me to discover that there was alot of parts that I missed, but there were still some things that I didn't miss out on thankfully. During that class, rain started pouring down, I was thinking-great. I didn't bring my rain jacket, or my umbrella. Good job. But by the end of that class, the rain had subsided a bit to more of a drizzle. I still got wet changing buildings, but for the most part, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Next class, was Theatre history. It ended up being interesting as my prof spoke about Aristotle and his Poetics on Tragedies. Sweet stuff. I've discovered I now have to read a Japanese play with lots of flowery language and physical aspects, but it seems to be worth it...but I guess we'll see when the time comes. Right after History of Theatre, I have another theatre class, that one has also history but it more focuses on the types of stages, actors and stuff, rather than Aristotle and the history and philosophy behind theatre. As this one progressed, it also seemed to get more interesting. At the end of the class, it was still drizzling, and on the way I started speaking with a girl, Sam, in the same class, I think she's also an international student, but I'm not sure where from.
I'm still practising my first 15 Japanese characters from the sections of a-ha of hiragana. I'm supposed to introduce another 15 characters today, but I want to continue focusing on these characters until I can look at them and know exactly what sound they are- no hesitation.
So that's Monday for ya!

The day I went to cook...!

So, I'll start from my walk! I went for a walk this morning, to find a running path, and I found one, but it wasn't spectacular. It was rather short, so next time at the fork, i'm going the other way! Then, for dinner, I actually got my saucepan out to make myself some soup!! Hey hey! I used the stove top! :) So I had dinner at 2:30 lol, combined with lunch so that's my meal for today! Tomorrow, I'm fasting, so the next meal I'll eat will probably be risotto. :)

Life's good.

Sept 9 and surprisingly early

Good Morning, last night I stayed up editing all my video blogging all the way until 12:30 am! (That's late for me...!!) And this morning I thought it would be like 1 pm because there was a huge amount of light comng from behind my curtains and so I got up, checked the time and it was only 8:14. Great. hah. Oops.
I checked my package this morning- my Fed-Ex package that my Dad shipped to me- a priority package, on Sept 6. So I could get it the next day. On Sept 7 it arrived in Sidney, BC which is an hour away from here, and it's been sitting there since sept 7 7:25 am. Now it's Sept 9, I could have biked to calgary to go back and get it by now!! I'm not too happy with Fed-Ex at the moment...

Yesterday's party, I didn't go. Hmm, I wonder why...oh well, I ended up finishing my liberal studies homework and I used the time to study Japanese instead. :P haha, I use my time wisely. :)

I'm going to go for a walk today, I don't know where. I'll look on google maps. Maybe I'll even get my bike out. We'll see!

Saturday Night

So tonight there is a dinner thing going on at 6pm. It's now 6:38 pm. I was finishing my Liberal Studies assignment so that's the reason it's this much later. The reason I'm not there is because I chickened.....I was convincing myself to go. I got my plate and I was standing in the door, I unlocked the door and went out, locked my door and walked down the hallway, then I chickened out and turned around and came back to my room. Am I pathetic or what? I told myself, Just go! Just go, there'll be lots of people there. Go and socialize! Be a social butterfly! And then, I said Fighting! And walked out the door, then promptly turned around and went back to my room. I'm so pathetic. It's depressing. I can't seem to convince myself to go and get free food. And meet people! My god, I've been complaining I haven't met anybody and here I am sitting in my room, too afraid to go to the building dinner. How pathetic am I....it's embarrassing. Why should I not go? Honestly..why? There's no good reason not to go. I can get free food, and meet people that live in the same building that I do! It's good! But why can't I talk myself into going? Someone knock some sense into me!
I should just go!
I should go!
I should go.
I should go!
Why am I not going?
AAGHHH, whyyyy??! i'm such a chickennn. Okay, *deep breath*
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
I can't do it!
NNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!
WWWWHHHHYYYYYYYY???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! why am I such a chickenn?? It's pathetic! No one is going to bite my head off...I don't think.... I should go! I should go. Let's go Heidi. It's 6:46 now. Let's do this thing!
...
...
Ah....I can't do it. What a pathetic chicken I am. Why can't I talk some sense into me?
OMG
I'm such a loser...go Heidi go! Gooooooo!!!\
It'll be good for me! It'll be no different from when I went to the theatre party on Thursday! No different!! Why am I so afraid?! I had fun that time, and I made friends! It'll be the same this time... why am I so shy...scared...nervous? WHAT THE HECK?!?
O.O
:((((( this sucks.
...
now it's 6:49....I'll be almost an hour late. Should I go? Why am I so indecisive? Someone tell me, should I go or not? It's a good opportunity to meet people...but...this sucks alot. Why don't I just go!!!

 :((((((((((

More thoughts...

Good Morning!! Or rather, afternoon! Today is my first weekend, and I have homework to do...and there is a Building Dinner this evening. I think I should probably go, but I'm not sure if I really want to. I probably will end up going, it starts at 6pm. I have a meeting with my Unni on Skype at 8 so I'll only stay until then I think! I should also probably go and see if my Fed-Ex package has arrived yet today. My package arrived in Sidney, BC yesterday at 7 in the morning, Sidney is only one hour away from Nanaimo and it's not here yet! WHAT IS THIS?
My fringe is getting too long, it's getting in my eyes--this means I have to find a hairdresser. :(( Oh well.
So I think tomorrow I want to go into Nanaimo and do something. Explore. But I'm not sure if I want to take the bus or bike or walk. Or if I should go with someone. Or not. I don't know! I suppose, that's one of the bad things about living at the top of the hill. It'll  be easy getting there, but not so easy coming back. We'll see, I guess.
Another thing, I don't like discussing books. I have an assignment from Liberal Studies, that we have to read The Epic of Gilgamesh and then write a seminar on it--which included thinking of  a question, then explaining how and why this question came up and why it's a good question. We don't necessarily have to answer the question either. Sounds interesting. I suppose. I should probably get cracking on it though! I've only read the 1st tablet out of 11, and I have to had read it and done seminar notes by Monday. Ew.
Guess what else is a re-occurrence, that thumping around upstairs. Oh my goodness, it was like heavy things were falling repetitively or that person was loosing his/her balance and kept falling heavily on their feet or something. It's huge, loud noises!! ANNOYING!. Well, byebye!

Ominous things I've noticed recently...

Soo, a few things I've noticed. There is an ominous thumping going on upstairs- either loud music or someone stomping up there......
That, and my bathroom mate sings and talks to herself in the bathroom all the time! I mean, I talk to myself too, but not in the bathroom. lol

The workload is starting to come...for Liberal Studies I have to read The Epic Of Gilgamesh for Monday. And do seminar notes on it for Monday. Also, for Japanese, i have to memorize 31 characters with sounds of Hiragana for September 13. I'm signed up to go grocery shopping on Monday in the evening as well! Yay!
My Fed-Ex package with the things I've forgotten and my loan papers haven't come yet...even though they were supposed to, but they should be here either later today or tomorrow morning at the latest. Tomorrow is the weekend, and I have no idea what i'm going to do, I kind of want to go exploring downtown but I'm not sure whether to take the bike or the bus. We'll have to see tomorrow I guess. I might not even leave campus, maybe I'll just to homework ;P

Yeah, so that's how life's going. I've handed in that cultural buddy program form, and I love that international building, my goodness! It's awesome! Okay, I guess that's all for now!

Exercising...in my room

Hi YYAYYY for all the comments and page views!! Thanks! I love reading comments lol! So as I mentioned, yesterday I was fasting and today I had to exercise a little but I really didn't feel like running, so I pulled out my yoga mat and did a mixture of hap ki do warm-ups and yoga, and even broke a little sweat! Yay! (That was probably due to the fact that it was way too warm in here this morning!) So now it's 9:02 am and I have a few hours to kill until my liberal studies class at 11:30! Then that's it for today, then I have 2 days off in which I'm hoping to go into town and do some exploring...maybe I'll sign up for the bus to Superstore too- instead of biking down to the closest food shop and then having to bike back up loaded with groceries, to me, that doesn't appeal much! Oh well, I'm glad they offer food-buses! :))
Yay, that's rreally it on the agenda for today...I had a shower this morning and for some reason, having showers always feels like so much effort, hauling everything i need into the shower, then hauling everything back out when I'm done...It makes me miss home..!
Remembering now that I have friends now, 2 of them have vehicles and one of them lives in Morden Hall, maybe she can take me once or twice! :)
Umm, that's it really, all I have to say for now...so byebye!

Theatre Partyy & New Friends!! xx

So, this evening there was a theatre mixer party thingy, in which all the theatre students gather and play games, even though I'm only doing a theatre minor...(as it stands right now), I was still invited to go! So I went and it was lots of fun! We played a challenger game in teams, there were 4 stations-lighting, sound, sherades (if you sound it out, I'm sure you've all played it at some point, I just can't spell...!), and costumes-where you have a bucket and you go through it blind folded and you have to put on clothes correctly and not inside-out etc. That was fun, and then we got to eat pizza-unfortunately, I couldn't because of my bad timing-I was fasting today....-but it was still fun! I saw my good friend again,  Sarah, and I also met 2 new friends-which I recieved their phone numbers- one was Cassie who I met once before who lives in the next dorm over, who's very nice, and then a Japanese exchange student :)) Akina who was awesome, but she's not in residence- she's in homestay, staying with a host family which is really awesome! She's stayed here for 2 years already and so, she probably knows her way around here better than I do! So now I have friends! Yay! None are staying in my dorm, but that's okay! And, so, that's really awesome, my perspective of this University has changed a little- maybe I will last until the end of the year!
Tomorrow, I have to do some kind of exercise in the morning, either running outside around the track or somewhere, or in the gym. I guess, it depends on what time it is. I have a liberal studies class at 11:30 tomorrow, which is an introduction to how seminars work. So the only homework I have so far is Japanese, which will definitely take time because I have to know 31 hiragana characters and know their sounds and then I have to write in roma-ji (english characters) what you would say in the pictures illustrated in the workbook.
Yeah, so sounds like fun! Akina said she would help if I ever have any difficulty or any questions about anything Japanese, which was really, really nice of her! :))
So I'm so happy I had friends! Yay!

Japanese Class #2

Today..oh man, what did I do today? Oh yes, I already spoke about the wifi...after that..oh yes! I did my laundry! What fun! Really easy! Yay! So now I have clean clothes! And pajamas! (I could swear that word had a y in it somewhere....) Then I went off to my Japanese class! Fun stuff, we learned how to greet ourselves and how to properly bow and stuff :) Sweet! Mmm, then as Furuta-sensei was talking about Cultural Connection Buddies and study abroad programs...I was like O.O, then :) and then :D YAY! so afterwards, I told her that I was oober-oober interested and so next class-she's bring me a brochure! So as I wandered back from Japanese class, I decided that I was also going to sign up for the Buddy thingy! So here I am filling out an application form and I'll hand it in tomorrow to the International Building which is just across the way. :)

YAY! My pathway to Japan has begun! Wohoo!! So, my feelings have perked up much, since this last class and now I'm going to study and practice Japanese! :D So see you all later!!

Fixing my WiFi

Good Morning, I got up at 7:30 to go to the Bookstore to avoid a huge long line which worked to some extent, if I had had to get all my books, I would've had to wait a huge length of time, but since it was quick and I only needed one book, I got in and out within 15 minutes! Then I came back to residence and ate and had a cup of coffee!!, turned on my computer only to figure out that my internet wasn't working!! I went up to the residence desk to let them know, and I also got some change for the laundry machines :)) So i'm going to do laundry tomorrow morning I think. Or today, not quite sure. Hmm, what else? Yes so my internet wasn't working, so I went up to the I.T. desk and they fixed it and apparently there was some authentication issue or something, but now I shouldn't have any internet connection problems at all- no dropping randomly either! Yay!
So, the rest of the day, I have Japanese at 2:30 and that's it! I think i'm going to do laundry this morning...it'll take 30 minutes in washing then 60 minutes in drying, so it should be done by noon if I put it on now!
Yeah, so that's it for now!
Byebye!

Dinner

The RA of the floor was not impressed with my meal, he refused to call it a meal and told me to enjoy my potato. Although, I admit I am missing a few food groups, it is a vegetable and not microwave-fast food, hah. SO Me with cheese and butter on my baked potato. Tomorrow, maybe it'll be rice or soup :))
Oh yes, it looks like I haven't spoken about the depressing experience with my theatre classes. These theatre classes sounded fun but in fact are textbook classes. No acting, no writing. One of them is History of Theatre which is okay-we read plays and do group readings and all that fun stuff, then the second class is a load of b.s. in my opinion. lol. truly though. it's TALKING about how people get from the page/script to the opening night-no books required just reviews on two plays. Mainly a course to take when you need the extra credit in an easy class, not exactly what I had in mind. Oh well, I mean, I guess---why did I come here again?? :((

Laundromat

I found the laundromat on the second floor (Just as I guessed!) and it's $1.75 /wash and $1.75/dry...but I have no money!! :(((
I spent too much today on books, and getting cash will mean I need to buy something with cash so I can get money for it... :(( Also, I have to buy a lab access card and the rest of my theatre books .... i'm so poorr!! poor students O.O

Me and my empty wallet :((

Liberal Studies Class & The Bookstore

Hello everyone, it's 11:19 at this precise moment in time. AM. and I've been to my first liberal studies class where we learn- ways of knowing: friendship and love...ooh, doesn't that sound interesting? Well, I strolled into the lecture theatre that was kind of small. You know, what was weird was that my math diploma prep course in calgary was bigger than my class today...I'm not sure whether that's normal or not. It was not a lecture theatre for 400 students, more like 50 I think, okay maybe it was 100, but the class was like 40-50 people. So around the same size as my classes in high school, which was weird. Same with Japanese, the class sizes are small! Which is good, but a little weird. I like the fact that everyone's course schedule is different and the times are all scattered and all that fun stuff, but it's really weird.

TO be honest, I think I should have listened to my first feelings about this 'next year' that I was thinking about all last year. I had no intention of going to school or being a full time student. I was going to work, instead of being in debt, and I was then going to travel to Japan and such, doing internships and volunteering. You know, find out a little more about myself before spending a whole tone of money on something that I might not even like doing. I think I should have listened to it and not gone to school this year. But, it is indeed done now, and maybe I'll enjoy it. But I'm thinking, if I don't enjoy it and I don't come back next year- all this money that I borrowed so I could go to school, I'll have to pay it back which postpones yet again my dreams to travel.... :(( I hope this year will not be a mistake. I was wondering..if I don't like it here, can I drop out from the second semester.??? I don't know... should be interesting I suppose, to see how this year moves forward.

My next class, actually, my next 2 classes are theatre. In the same room, starting at 1 going on until 3, then my next class starts at 3 and goes until 4. Interesting. At least they're in the same building, in the same room. Ah, well...

Last night was interesting. I went to bed, wasn't homesick, and lay there and eventually fell asleep. I kept on waking up and turning over and going back to sleep, waking up because I'm too hot, kicking my duvet off and going back to sleep. Then I got so boiling hot that I had to actually get up and open the window in the middle of the night, only spirits and fairies know what time it was, and go back to bed. But it's weird, I think I was kind of sleep-walking-ish because I don't actually remember doing it, but I do, so I think I was still sort of sleeping, but kind of awake if you know what I mean. It was weird.  Now that would be a cool class-- studying what levels of consciousness you are when you are awake and when you are asleep...ahaha!
Okay, well I'm probably should do something like look for the laundry now! i'm going upstairs!
I was about to say night-night haha but it's 11:31 now. I have to stay awake! It's almost lunch-time and then class time... :P

See you!!

Just a wee thought that came to mind

Oh yeah, I remember when people would talk to me about leaving for university, ask if i was excited and all that jazz...a few people said, i bet you'll be homesick for the first few days, my response was I don't think so because I've been away from home for a month--I think it'll be more or so after a month or so before I get homesick. But they were, undeniably, right. I was/am homesick the first few nights...I still don't really know anyone yet. And I hope it'll get better, I mean, today I had one class--and I did talk to a couple people, like I mentioned before, but still, I didn't walk or talk with them after class or nothing, it was more like 'Hi, I'm going to talk to you because you're standing there, so Hi!' That's really it. It kind of is a little sad. But oh well, tomorrow I have 3 classes so we'll see how that goes.

First Class..!

So today I had my first class at 2:30. It was Japanese. :)) Spoke to someone who was in a media class, so that was very nice...and she was from Calgary!! And not too far away from me either! In the NW!! so that was nice, however, she suggested that we swap phone numbers, and I thought "Yay! yes...oh...wait...what's my new number.....damn it." So I decided that tonight I'm memorizing it and going to give it to people but I'm going to tell them that my phone is dead and the charger is in Calgary, so I won't be on it for a week or two. haha, way to cut myself, unintentionally, from the rest of the world. Oh well, at least I have internet. Yesterday, during the few hours that I didn't have internet, I felt so lost! I was like, great, now I can't communicate with anyone. I still have no friends in the dorm, so I can't talk to anyone, except I felt better when I remembered I had my favourite drama series that I brought along.
Yesterday, during my moment of homesickness, I longed for a book for read. I didn't bring any books with me because everyone said that it would just take up space that I would need. And, yes, they were right, they would take up space that I didn't have, but I REALLY wanted a book to read last night! One that I had read before, comforting-like. But I'm sure, if I had brought one, I would be able to find space for it SOMEWHERE!
Okay, that's a lie. I did have one book, but it doesn't count because I bought it when we were camping in August. And it's true this book it somewhat comforting because I've read it twice, but it's not really mine, not one that I've read so much that the binding is worn. So it doesn't count. The book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - an excellent read, everyone should read it..or not. But it is very good! Totally recommendable!
Today, I've played scrabble with my Auntie Joyce on facebook and it's super fun! (I'm winning at the present moment with 156 pts to 98 pts, don't tell okay!?!!) No, just kidding, i'm just getting lucky ;)
I've also skyped my brother who is in Edmonton today and it's really nice to hear a familiar voice :) But unfortunately, skype is my only means of communication--plus facebook--because my phone charger is in Calgary and my phone is on it's last legs--1 bar :(( but oh well. As long as I'm connected to skype and facebook I feel like I can survive... wow that sounds terrible. I can survive...well, it's true. When I had that 4 hours without internet, I was so worried and my heart pounded, my face turned red, all that lovely stuff when you start panicking...My goodness, I didn't think I relied that much on the internet until it suddenly dropped in the middle of a skype call with one of my best friends in Ottawa! Scary stuff.
Well, I didn't think I had alot to say, but apparently I did!! :))
I can't wait until I get my first comment too, so don't hesitate :D (This is the highest number of people I've gotten to view my blog haha, it went up to like 40 viewers--just today! Although, maybe that has something to do with the fact that I put the website on facebook....but who knows?!!)

Companions for homesickness!!

Oh yes, and I was utterly homesick yesterday--it seems to me that at night is when I get homesick, but it's a good job, that I have my handy-dandy babu to cuddle with! And I sat watching the moon which was bright and absolutely gorgeous yesterday evening! Almost full but not quite. So this is babu and his lovely companion who I don't think has a name...hehe oops.

By the way, Babu is the big one with the brown patch on his chest!
OH YES, these bunny's do feel quite a home here in Nanaimo, as there is a huge wild bunny population here on campus. There is indeed a major infestation here, but they are really adorable so it's all good!

Morning #3

Good morning, it's 8:35 here in Nanaimo and the sun is shining, the wind is blowing and it's a gorgeous day! My first class-Japanese- isn't until 2:30 which is awesome for me. Yesterday, I was in the middle of skyping with a friend and all of a sudden, my internet failed and wouldn't connect anymore....and I got frustrated!! I turned my computer off and turned it back on, but nothing seemed to work, so I watched a drama series that I had the disks for instead, then I went to bed. For dinner, I ate baked beans from the can exactly as my mother had predicted I would!!

 For lunch yesterday, of apples and peanut butter, I stirred the peanut butter which turned out to be absolutely delicious.

So hopefully, today I'll meet some people and hang out with people after class which ends at 3:30. My room looks a little more lively, as I've put up my calendar and YB poster and..my class schedule...but mostly it's quite nice in my room... I haven't found the laundry yet, but I get the feeling, it's up on the second floor. I tried to book my next appointment for blood donating, but the sessions are 1/2 hour bike ride away, and there's no buses that go from here to there, the area at the end isn't covered by transit!! :(( And they don't have any morning slots, they all start at 12 or 1 pm...which sucks because all my classes are in the afternoon... oh well.
Yesterday, the dorm was quite mostly, all day! I even went into the kitchen 5 times, and 3/5 times were empty! The other 2 there were a few people watching TV but that's it. The RA on the floor introduced himself too, he was one of the ones on the last time in the kitchen to talk to me! I also knocked on my bathroom mate's door and she seems incredibly shy and boring. I mean, i bet she's nice and all, it's just she was awkward and didn't want to talk to me, but oh well. At least I did what i was supposed to do. I don't think she would've knocked on my door. So it's a good job I did it!
Well, I'm going to finish what I didn't finish yesterday!! So bye!

Morning #2

So this morning was really quite, I got up at 8 am and went for a run around the track that's just down the hill from residence. It was quite with few people so it was rather nice, the wind was up and blowing so I didn't get too hot either! Then I came back, had a nice hot shower and went into the communal kitchen to make myself some tea. And I found a rather surprising thing, it was around 9:15 I think and it was empty!! No one was there!! So I came back and drank it, watching my dramas that I've missed in the past month and then went back to get another cup and it was still empty!! No one is up yet I guess. I'm also waiting for my bathroom mate to wake up, it's still dark under her door from the bathroom and I haven't heard anything either, so I'm assuming she's still sleeping!! Oh well, but right now, it's really quite in the residence. It's kind of surprising, last night there was noise and I heard lots of people outside because my window was open...oh! There's my bathroom mate! We ran out of toilet paper this morning, so I put some more of mine in. Her turn next time haha! Okay, well, I guess I'll get to say hello this morning and introduce myself!
Well, I hope today will be more eventful and then I can maybe get a friend haha!
Byebye!!

Night #2

So, today I went to Victoria BC with the family and had a blast eating fish and chips at the Fisherman's Wharf in the warm sun!! Today I saw a huge, gigantic spruce tree which looks really really old, like it looked older than 800 years! Umm, what else...??
Tonight will be my second night in the dorm, and I'm going to force myself to go to the kitchen and make myself a cup of tea in the morning, and then I'm going to knock on my bathroom mate's door and introduce myself etc etc.
Oh and I might go for a run somewhere tomorrow morning and then do stuff like that. To get back into the swing of things!!
That's all for now I think!

30 Days Away & Moving into Residence

Hey y'all!! I haven't been on here foreverrrrr, but for quite a good reason--I've been camping for the past 30 days-no electricity, no internet and definitely no phones or computer! No showers (washing has been limited to a small amount of water in a bucket, and washing hair under cold taps!) although, I'm pretty used to getting brain-freezes under those taps because I've been doing it since I was knee-high to a grasshopper! So camping was hectic, quite the long haul. First off, when we started out, Eugenie (my france exchange student partner from 2008) and her family came over from France and rented a motor home, and we traveled with them for the first few days.  Communication was rusty and because my parents didn't speak french and her parents didn't speak english, it was up to the kids to communicate. But we ended up getting a few communication issues- for example, we were on the way to Lake Louise, we had spoken to them the night before and came to the conclusion that we would like to leave Calgary at 9:00 am, and so we'd arrive in Lake Louise at around 1pm and we'll meet them there. We ended up getting a text at 9:00 am saying that 'we're here! Where are you?" we were quite shocked as we actually hadn't left the house yet...!! but overall it was quite a nice little adventure. From Lake Louise, we went up to Jasper which is always a beautiful place to visit and after seeing 3 bears, thought it was definitely well worth the trip further up north. On the 7th of August, my brother and I returned to Calgary for a very special reason! the YANNI  CONCERT!!! yippeee!! I won free tickets and they were fantastic seats! On the first balcony in the front row of the Jubilee Auditorium!! THE CONCERT WAS SPECTACULAR!! I <3 Yanni very very much! I also couldn't resist from buying myself a Yanni shirt for a memoir of the once in a lifetime event!! okay, so after long hot showers, the day after the concert, we left for Nakusp with our sailboat to meet our parents and little brother. It was a long 8 hour drive + a short 1/2 hour ferry ride, but luckily on my iPod, I have 5.4 hours of Yanni music!! And the the remaining time, we listened to random stuff. We arrived in Nakusp that evening at around 7 pm. Our days in Nakusp were eventful-full of beautiful, warm, sunny weather, sailing and swimming all day long, reading 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami(best book ever!) and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (another fantastic book!), visiting the Japanese Gardens and Japanese Memorial Centre in New Denver, about the Japanese Internment Camps in the Second World War. Strong people, to put up with all that was done to them. Even though most of them were in fact Canadian Citizens, gives a bad outlook on citizenship, don't you think?
After those wonderful 2 weeks, we moved on to Englishman River Falls in Qualicum, Vancouver Island. We stayed there for 2 nights to await our reservation in Green Point, Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It was gorgeous there, and I absolutely love the sea! It was gorgeous all the sunsets--glowing orange and pink, and as soon as I get the photos I will make sure I share their beauty with you! Definitely one of the places to visit before you die.
So we stayed 7 days there, and one of those 7 days, I attended my university orientation, and moved myself (mostly) in and then I returned to Tofino and Ucluelet. And now, my family is staying in a commercial campground with both electricity and flush toilets and showers(!!), and me, I just slept my first night in residence! My room is small and cute. Last night, I felt utterly abandoned and I still haven't gotten the guts to go visit the communal kitchen to make myself a cup of tea or coffee this morning......but oh well. it'll happen sooner or later. However, I think I should have gone when I first woke up because I don't think there were very many people up which would have been a good time to go, I've heard a few people this morning since the clock hit 9 am. I haven't spoken to my bathroom buddy yet, but that'll probably happen later.
My dad just poked his head through my window, so I'll have to leave you now, because we're visiting Victoria!!!
Okay well, I hope you're having fun just like me!