morning muddles.

Chocolate chip muffins often disguise themselves as lemon poppyseed muffins. It is a terrible thing to realize that, as you are going for the oh-so-anticipated first bite, that the tiny black specks staring back at your are not poppyseed, but chips of chocolate. What makes it even more woeful is how there are not returns at the Caf here, and money is precious. Your pretty much required to eat whatever is on your plate, or you will be scrapping away money into the trash can - a nightmare for the starving student. I'm a little perturbed that the one time I choose a muf. for an AM fuel up that I'm blindsided by it's disguise, then forced to consume 25+ chocolate chips before the first class. BLECH.

As you can probably tell from my listless post, I'm half asleep. I've unearthed a gem of a website, allowing me to access any TV episode of all my favs, including HOUSE and Heroes. So I've developed a sick routine was of watching the latest via my laptop, before catching my zzz's. Downside? I'm -45 min of sleep. Upside? My dreams are filled with medical mysteries, and world-saving characters. Not a bad combo.

T-minus 10 days 'till I'm home. Not that I'm counting or anything... but I've come to realize how much I really love my family, and how much I miss the little things - like always eating dinner together. Every night we all eat together, which I had always assumed to be the norm for everyone else too. Turns out, it's not. My famjam is one of the odd ones in our society.

Psychology is wacked. Who thinks of dissecting a cat's skull to play w/it's brain in hopes to make it move: while being alive?! Honestly. I have a hard time connecting with this class. It's full of weird thoughts, weird theories, and even weirder people.

ANYWAYS. It is another chilly day in the land of the lower mainland. There was frost everywhere, and enough chill to make your nose hurt. But it's a perfect way to start my day, regardless of the early morning chocolate chips.

D.

hip hip horray for rain!

I love love love rain. And cold weather.

Everyone here tells me that after two weeks of down pour I'll be sick of it, but bah. I don't think they realize how much I despise heat.

Rain makes a great hair day, clear skin, and allows me to choose what scarf it shall be today. I can wear my moccasins, my jeans, and any shirt I want: swoob and swass are nowhere near on these days.

Heat is just sick. The hair gets frizzy, the face gets shiny, and I always forget to shave my stupid legs on the hottest days. The best activity there is is standing still, hoping your being doesn't just melt away into a pool of liquid. Blech.

BC is beautiful for this: in the morning you can see your breathe, the air is crisp, and you can see the sun YET still feel cold. 'Tis glorious.

Next weekend I'm home for the big Turkey feast. I am so so pumped. Pumpkin Pie. Gravy. Turkey. Mountains o' potatoes. Wonderful. Hopefully I can go out w/the Momster to stalk up on scrubs as well: I really despise the full printed Tinkerbell ones. Unless I'm assigned to ped's, or another ward requiring obnoxious prints, I see no reason to waltz around as a giant wall-papered nurse. Although I claim this now, I'm sure that when I'm old and grey I'll find simple happiness in the prints of Disney Princess and Snoopy, and recollect on how much I once wanted to look 'cool' in 'ma scrubs.

Peace.

D.

a good day!

[ This is from last Thursday! Sorry for the delay - it took me a few days to finish in the midst of homework. ]

The best day of my life as a student - ever!

First things first. If you would have spoken to me within the last few days, or have been following my blog, you would know that I've been a tad homesick. Not the crying-weepy kind, but the discouraged, what-am-I-doing, a few hot tears, kind of homesick. More like a feeling of insignificance, simply longing for a reason to be here.

So this morning, my momma sent me a text, telling me to check my email 'cause there was something cool in my inbox. During my Nursing Research & Theories lecture, my mom had sent me the online receipt of a ticket home for Thanksgiving. I couldn't believe it - I was sitting in the midst of a non-desrcript lecture, fighting back tears and a massive grin for about 5 minutes, trying to take notes all the while. But I felt kinda bad - my parents had given me this opportunity to go home, yet my brief visit would've been plagued with the fact that I had to leave, yet again. So I mulled it over, and considered staying here, just in case seeing my fam-jam made it harder to return.

(Obviously there is more to this story!)

Then, later this afternoon, during a nursing lab, everything came together. Finally.

Our lab was on a basic/general physical assessment, followed by the evaluation of gastrointestinal (stomach) sounds, and then bedmaking. I moved through the motions, just doing what I do, when my instructor pulled me aside and asked if I had ever done this before, or was from a line of nurses. I was like, uh - no, kinda frightened that I may have missed the sarcasm in her voice. (BTW - my lab instructor isn't the warmest of gals. She's been around the nursing industry for years, and knows how things are should be done - and expects them to done properly the entire time, students or professional.) Anyways. Turns out, she was impressed with me. She remarked on my efficiency, my ability to do the lab in the alloted time frame, and take control of the situation. Then, she told me that she would love to have me as her nurse when her time came. I was floored.

She picked up on a character trait that has been a curse, and a blessing, to me. As a kid, I was bossy - the Queen Bee. I was always the Teacher during games of 'School', and the Doctor when I played 'Hospital'. In high school, I tried to down play this quality, although it was impossible. It changed from bossiness to efficiency, and only grew with intensity during group assignments, presentations, and competitions. It has become a part of my character to such an extent that I don't even notice it anymore. It shows up in places that I am not even aware of, and surprises me more often than not. So, not only did I hear the confirmation I had been searching for, but she highlighted a trait of mine with a positive note. Now that I not only a student, but a name and a face to a professor, and one who gave me a feeling of success and potential, I finally feel at peace here. The words of one professor 'sealed the deal' for me. I know I am supposed to be here. I just needed a few words of encouragement, and a status of high expectation to fight for.

To me, her comment made a world a difference. I feel as if a massive burden has been lifted from my chest. If the post didn't make much sense, or the dots were too scattered to connect, just know that I am finally honestly, and genuinely joyful to be here. When I see my famjam in October, it will be a visit full of happiness and thankfulness - far away from any though of homesickness or regret. It gives me goosebumps to think how all of this came together on the last day of Add/Drop Classes week, and how everything always, always, comes together.

D.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

hi morning blog time.

Here's to early morning blog time. And only 10 min 'till I gotta jet for class. But hey, it's better than nothing right?

My best friend's mom came to visit me yesterday. It was the highlight/lowlight of my day. HIGHLIGHT: Jo, the BFF, put together an amazing photo frame, all with memories of our last day together. And she threw in two tubs of sour gummy worms: just my favorite candy of all time. LOWLIGHT: Mrs. Jo reminded me too much my mom, and too much of Jo. I wished she woulda just mailed the darn gift so I didn't have to get so sappy and emotional.

D.

yo.

I've finally found a second or two in my day that I can give, everyday, to the internet. A section of my soul, really. In the morning, I like to be ready early - whether that be to organize, chow down some cereal, or read a book. SO, I shall continue to do this, but add in my lovely addiction in as well.

I've found that numerous 5-min FB checks add up to way more time than I originally estimated. Also, I've come to realize the time consuming nature of iTunes browsing, and song sharing. FB and iTunes are an irresistible vortex of time wasting.

Hopefully, through am-internet surfing, I can reduce my pm-net time, therefore increasing my net study time. Oh dear, that sound's like an equation.

Anywho. The beginning of my week was rough. Really bad, actually. Monday came with a double-wammy of a Biology lecture+lab, and left my mind swarming in terms and concepts that you can't even pronounce. After a lab that was overwhelmingly difficult, I felt exhausted and overwhelmed. I had never given so much thought about switching my major until that day. It was awful - the pride of working so hard to get here, and the feelings of being so excited to finally make it were utterly lost in the face a single frustrating day. At the end of the night, I decided to keep at it, seeing how I am still in the very beginning of things. I went to bed, after lots of prayer, motivated and full of heart to keep going, but realizing after a few hours, that it was going to be one of those sleep-less nights. For whatever reason, I couldn't catch a single z for much wanted snooze time. With a class at eight, my frustration only grew as I tossed and turned all night. I must have drifted off to sleep sometime, because in the midst of my usual 'flailing' routine, I slept right until 830. Yup, I was late. For those of you who know me, or my mother, being late is one of the biggest of our pet peeves. It's right up there with getting lost - on a good day, when we can take it in stride, it results in yelling, horn honking, and hysterical laughing. But on bad days, it's just tears, frustration, and anger. To me, it's completely unacceptable: I am admitted into a program that takes great pride in their students, and holds their eduction at a standard of high excellence. To be late is to be no better than the students who boasted an all-nighter pulling pranks, then rushed off to class, 1/2 hour late, with blood shot eyes and unbrushed teeth. (Ok, maybe it's not that bad. But I did take it pretty seriously.)

But I made it through. A tiny blessing in disguise was that it was only a Healthy Lifestyle course, where all you needed to know is that exercise is good for your health. A monkey could pass it, honestly. But still. I was late for my first quiz, but managed to squeeze that in before the end of class.

I get it - poopy stuff happens. But when you are already feeling a tad low, it's not helpful. This morning however, its a new day. And fabulous thus far. Cinnamon raisin bagels are my new friends, along with french-pressed coffee and multi berry yogurt. So I am taking it on with a honest grin, (oh dear, how cheesy!) and looking forward to every moment.

Peaaaaaace out.

D.

my mind.

The weekend has come and gone, yet my homework pile seems to remain the same! Oh dear.

I have discovered that it is impossible to do it all. There is no way to memorize every term/concept in Anat. & Phys. while reading literature for English, understanding the mind in Psych., and studying theories in Nursing. Bah. It hate admitting it, but it's true.

This weekend I also seriously reconsidered what I am doing for my major. Can I really handle all this science-stuff when I can't wait for English class? How will I survive bed making? Geriatrics? Not being my own boss? Maybe I am on the wrong path.

Or, maybe my perspective is wrong. I have experienced only had one week of Bio. Clinical's haven't started yet, and I'm sure only a select few enjoy learning the legalities of nursing. Plus, it's a world apart from high school - a huge transition. And my time management deserves a failing grade. (Although it is still better than some!) Facebook is the reason for F's in school, I swear - who knew that stalking profiles made 2 hours seem like 15 minutes? I've been ready to ban FB altogether from my system, until I've noticed someone's interesting Status Update, or Relationship Status. It's pitiful, really.

So I'm sticking with it. Nursing is a path full of opportunity. I will find success, and failure - highs and lows. And I know that by plowing through the tough stuff at the beginning, I will find an amazing end.

Cheers!

D.

LOL.

"A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Dodge SRT-4 when he spotted a well-known cardiologist in his shop, who was waiting for the service manager to take a look at his car. The mechanic shouted across the garage, 'Hey Doc, want to take a look at this?' The cardiologist, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the SRT.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag, and asked, 'So, Doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take the valves out, repair any damage, and then put them back in, and when I finish, it works just like new. So how come I make $39,675 a year, a pretty small salary, and you get the really big bucks, $1,695,759, when you and I are doing basically the same work?' The cardiologist paused, smiled, and leaned over, then whispered to the mechanic

'Try doing it with the engine running.'"

What is Nursing?

This is what we talked about this morning in Nursing Concepts.

What is the profession that I am aiming for? Primitive definitions include a 'person who provides services a patients illness or injury while faithfully reporting to a doctor'. Others describe a nun's devotion to her religious order calling her to care for the wounded and ill.

The odd part is that, after the entire class, I am still entirely unsure of what exactly a nurse is. Sure, I see the nurses on ER and Grey's run around with perfect hair, saving patients left and right, while dating Dr. Hottie on the side, but seriously - that's utter rubbish. I'd like to know, straight up, what is Nursing?

My prof. said the following: "...nursing has been around forever; the Nursing profession was initiated by Florence Nightingale in the 1800's; nursing involves medicine; Nurses can practice Medicine and Physicians can practice nursing."

Thank you for such clear words.

According to the definition provided by the TWU School of Nursing, 'Nursing is the study of human health and illness processes. Nursing practice is facilitation, supporting and assisting individuals, family, communities and/or societies to enhance, maintain and recover health, and to reduce and ameliorate the effects of illness. Nursing's relational practice and science are directed toward to the explicit outcome of health related quality of life within the immediate and larger environmental contexts'. That's quite the job description. Am I ready for that to my job description?

The world of Nursing is so vast, I will totally admit I can't even comprehend it. Last year, a graduate student from TWU became a flight nurse, working for rescue teams way way way up north. How sweet of a job would that be? But that is in such a contrast to the public health nurse who administers traveler's immunizations from 9 to 5 every day. So how could Nursing be defined definitively, or even defined in three sentences or less? It's a lot to think about, to mull over.

Love, D.

what's this? free time?

Honest truth: I am loving university.

Since my classes have started and I've gotten into this regular routine, I've been literally bounding out of bed in the morning because I am genuinely looking forward to my classes. I am such a nerd, it's frightening.

My favorite class so far is English, but only because it's been a life-long interest of mine. My professor is a bit of a wacko, but very intelligent and excessively talented within his field of study and teaching. But a close second is my Nursing Concepts class, which is only a slight snooze due to the fact I have a whole semester of 'federal health care' and 'health care policies' to learn before my clinicals in January. Speaking of which - I am now the proud owner of a purple stethoscope and an uber snazy, pearly white lab coat. Yes, I have indeed officially crossed the line over into the science world. 'Tis wonderful, but a tad geeky.

Biology is absolutely terrifying. I love anatomy and physiology, but the amount of topics combined in a class combined with the speed makes a terrible combination. I'd say that I am a rather swift learner, but this material is just nuts. We've covered anatomical positions, regions, sections and cross sections, major body systems (complete with their functions, major organs, and respective hormones), cell structures - complete with the various organelles, fluids, and concentration gradients, and basic microscope work. And we've only had two lectures and one lab. Wow. I am still in utter amazement at the amount of material I've had to cram into my head these past few days. Grade twelve now seems like a snap.

Hilarious lab story. For the first laboratory lab, we were assigned to set up a cheek cell under our microscope. Easy enough, right? Take swab, place on slide, dye blue, and protect with cover slip. But the part where I fail, and will always fail, is when blue dye comes in to the story. Sometime between high school and now, the coverslips changed from flimsy, bendable plastic to 'non-bendy' plastic. But no one told me this. So with the drop of ink on my cell slide, I tried to gracefully place the slip on top. But it snapped into shards and sent the ink flying. I stained the majority of my once-white work area a lovely shade of royal blue, and my entire right hand. A bottle of bleach and many apologizes later, I tried to honestly warn my instructor that these sorts of events happen all the time whenever I am given something permanent, hot, or breakable. She wasn't impressed. But she'll realize one day that my warning was from an honest heart. I am just praying my next 'moment' doesn't involve fire, or a live test subject.

Despite the lecture overload and laboratory fiasco, biology is dandy. The learning will never end, regardless of long I am in school for or how long I practice for. But it's just so doggone neat.

Anyways, that's pretty much it. My free time on this lovely Wednesday is coming to a close as my monstrosity of a nursing textbook is beckoning me to its homework. Plus, my mother sent me brownies. And they have to be eaten before they mold, right?

Peace out, folks.

D.

ps - if you really, really love me, record the HOUSE season premier and send it to me via Facebook. Thanks, friends!!

things I have discovered.

Seeing how I am wasting far too much time on Facebook, not devoting any of my free time to this blog, and completely neglecting my homework all together, I decided to keep this post short & simple. But oh so honest.

Things I have discovered thus far.

- being poor is the new trend. $10 is a lot, regardless of who you are.

- boys at university are not as cracked up as they seem to be. Ones that I've picked out so far are all dating, or either married WITH CHILDREN. Honestly, how do I do that?

- having a room mate encourages cleanliness, and regular laundry-room trips.

- BC is the land of the fit and healthy. It is rather ridiculous.

- an ice cold shower is the best best BEST way to relieve stress on a hot day.

- coffee is my dear, dear friend.

- everything I have learned in high school biology is now regarded as simple. Concepts that took a week + 1/2 to learn are now mere bullet points of required knowledge.

- being timely and prepared for class is something everyone does now. Not just me.

- it's not just me who looks nerd-tastic in a lab coat. Everyone does. Or at least, everyone in the science center...

- males in HKIN are the ones with the bicepes.

- Spartan athletes ONLY talk to other Spartans. And also never change from their Spartan sport wear. Do they even own 'normal' clothes? No one knows for sure.

- color coded schedules are beautiful. So are sticky notes, highlighters, and pens that come in red, black, and blue. Did I forget to mention sticky notes?

- Never have a cookie from the Caf. Once you have one, it is all you will ever want. The cookies are the devil in disguise.

- Spoons is a violent game, resulting grass-stained jeans, scraped knees, and excessive competition.

- Facebook was created for the sole purpose of distracting students from their studies. Pft - "An online social network where friends meet"? Notta chance. Solely designed for sucking students into its vortex of Status Updates, Friend Requests, and the plethora of network gossip.

That is all for now - I do apologize for the lack of posting as of recent. It is the first full school week for me, so I am in the midst of juggling things and figuring out how everything works. But bear with me! Regularity will come soon! But I may need more help than just Bran Buds.

Love, D.

life, and it's lessons.

Huh. So, my last post was from Thursday, & now it is Saturday. Within that mild time frame, I got a message from my dearest mother telling me that I needed to update my blog as it has become a favorite read during coffee time for some. Cheers for you, readers! Honestly, it means a lot that my recreational blogging has become a source of something for your day, whether be a laugh or a recollection of the past. I'm glad that I can be a part of your day, and I am so thankful I can make you part of mine.

But enjoy of that mushy, feeling whatnot for now.

Today was the epic Banana Challenge, a day in which all Trinity alumni remark as being the highlight of their freshman career. Well, I don't know what they were smoking, cause all I got was swoob, swass, and a head ache from the enormous amount of people diving into a pool of oatmeal in a hopeless attempt to find a banana with their teeth. Alright, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but the Orientation events seem to never end. Seriously, folks - how long can you force us to socialize? I swear this past week has traumatized me into a life of hermit-hood and solitude.

Just kidding. Orientation Week has made the adjustment into the student-life a lot easier, and opened the doors for many new friendships. Just, for the socially inept it is a week that couldn't go by any slower. But the socially inept just need prayer during this time of socializing - prayer, and a lot of cookies from home.

SPEAKING OF COOKIES FROM HOME! As usual, things go dastardly wrong when I plan meticulously. I'll just cut to the chase - my 'wireless' printer needed a cord. Someone lied when we bought it. So the famjam back home sent me out a package with this vital cord. Meanwhile, my first bought of homesickness was coming on. My face plus the climate doesn't make for confidence, heat eliminated half the wardrobe I brought, and a little amount of sleep is the right ingredient for a morning frenzy. Wanting just a bit home, I bounded off to get my package that had been shipped that day. BUT, through a serious of unfortunate events and stupid delays, I arrived at the mail room one minute late. They had closed already. Completely distraught, and really wanting a taste of home, I moped back to my room. However, to my surprise, I had devised a brilliant, and rather devious, plan to get ahold my package. My sister, as you may know, is Type 1 - aka Juv. Diabetes. She wields that to her advantage, however, and has successfully removed herself from terrible gym classes, tests she was unprepared for, and general unpleasant situations. No one tells a diabetic child what to do. So, as my sister would do, I called Security and told them that my package containing items 'vital for my dietary concerns' was locked away in the warehouse. Immediately they met me at the warehouse, unlocked all 'Employees Only' doors, and allowed me to rummage through every single package. At long last, I found my parcel and sprinted back to room. Finally, here is the part where the cookies come in - not only did my 'rents send me a USB cable, they sent two containers of my favorite oatmeal cookies, a tub of quarters for laundry, a bit of cash for adventures, and a personalized card (with cartoons!) from Pops to keep me company. Right on time, comfort from home arrived when needed the most. A little bit of everything. I was astonished how dead -on the timing was - definitely guided together on purpose. Thanks God.

I have been here for a week, and am going to admit it straight up - I'm battling a bit. I feel out of the loop on the social scene, cause it isn't my forte, and one hundred percent out of my comfort zone. And, it seems like more often than not I am complaining or grumbling, especially when I'm posting here. I came with a positive attitude and open mind, but am feeling a little run down as of late. I'm hoping it is just a weird transition time for me as the first week of classes hasn't started yet. I'm praying that Monday will change some things around as routine is reintroduced into my life. So, it's my goal now to take things one baby step at a time. I am brand new at this. I'm taking my mornings one by one, planning out my studying around my socializing, and chiseling away at the organizing of my room. I will greet my days as they come, and strive to meet each one with the best attitude I have, cause I know it will pay off soon.

Thanks, and take care.

D.

first day: finito!

I've given up on trying to look like I know where I am going.

I've fully embraced the wide eyed/mouth open/aimless wandering characteristics of a typical freshman.

I've also come to realize, once again, that I do not fancy large social gatherings, or forced social interactions. I wouldn't call myself a hermit, but I do enjoy time to myself. And when I'm told to be social, that's when the psycho side emerges.

However, the redeeming factor of my sanity is the fact that classes officially began today. At the crack of 8am I was seated and chomping at the bit for my first Nursing class ever. NURS 121 - Nursing Concepts. The book for this class will not only fill my mind with the legalistic foundations and fundamental values of nursing, but will also add 5 inches of muscle to my bicepes as it weighs like a small child. I can't get over the sheer size of it, honestly. Anywho. That class came and went like a breeze. My professor is a wonderful woman who has done some pretty rad jobs around the world - she's worked at various Outpost positions, been to Africa on numerous occasions, and is currently working with Canadian woman who serve as missionary nurses in China. It's very interesting to learn about the backgrounds of each faculty member, and how they have developed their own passions within the nursing realm.

Following NURS 121 was English 103, with a professor so odd, my impression of him changed every 30 seconds. First, I was rolling my eyes as he introduced himself in a voice so smooth and eloquent, I was sure he should be reciting his poetry at a bar downtown somewhere. Then, he made a subtle wise crack about something so random, the whole class was shocked into silence by his surprising sense of humor. All in all, my english prof. is one of a kind, for sure. He has an odd appreciation for heavy metal music, a deep theological yearning for God, and a vibrant interest in cultural body modifications and tattoos. On top of all that, he puts his family before anything else, and frequently emphasizes his passion for them. He's a cool cat, and definitely defies any cultural box he is placed in.

With the first day behind me, I am still as pumped as ever for the next few weeks here. I know it will fly by - I already have a midterm in 4 weeks and know the dates of my final exams. I still have my first class of Biology - Physiology & Anatomy and Psychology to get to, but it's nice to have an 'easy' introduction into the world of academia.

Al and I have fallen in love with Lord of the Rings - it's our mission to complete the entire trilogy before Christmas, whether we veg all night or watch it in 20 minute increments. What an amazing film - the story alone is fabulous. Maybe when I have free time again, I'll start working away on the books. But I do believe that's a project for another time.

That's all for now, folks.

D.

she's aliiivvveee!!

So? I am still alive! Not going to lie - a few times over the course of my whole 3 days here, I've felt utterly lost and bamboozled. Not too often though, may I add. But enough times to still feel a little shaky as I wake up in this new place every morning.

I am so anxious for class to start. Really, I can't wait! All good 'nerves' though - my textbooks are nestled nicely in my wardrobe, all organized and ready to fill my head with "nursey" information.

Speaking of nurses. Every freshman is divided into a 'University 101' group, which is basically a collection of about 7-10 students within your major. So, my class - D39 - consists of myself, and 11 other nursing students. It is a rad way to get to know other people prior to the start of classes, and a even more rad way to find your way around the campus, known the 'ins & outs' of campus life, and just find other people to socialize with.

Speaking of socializing. I'm almost at my limit - this whole 'meet as many people as you can within the 5 days of O-Week' thing has really rattled my brain. The girls on my floor and wing are great, however I much rather focus on getting to know the 15 girls here, than the 9382385845-209340-29342 freshman in Douglas and Fraiser (the other resident buildings). But that's just my preference.

Back to nurses. I've met some rad (yes, I've said it twice!) first years, those whose will be floating my boat with me. One girl is South Africa and grew up only knowing the living conditions of a third-world country. As a missionary kid, she came to the conclusion that the only way to truly help an impoverished village would be to return as a nurse. So that's her plan - she even admitted her distaste of Canadian/American nursing as our country is over blessed and full of resources. Not saying she won't give her heart as a nurse here in Canada or over in the States, but just saying that her true passion lies in the country she was raised in, and all those similar to it. She is a cool cat.

Another chum of mine loves to sail, and was in school the past year completing this outdoor/wilderness-type certificate. Very rad. She is down to earth, friendly, and genuine about the connections she makes. On that note - when people introduce themselves to you just for the sake of 'popularity', it's obvious. But when people seek to know more about you, and are interested in more than just your major, its a major warm-fuzzy starter. It's cool to know that some people care. They are the ones who will make great friends, and even better nurses.

Moving on. My room is blast. NW 333B. Al and I have hung curtains and pasted on our decals. Photos, and maybe a video will come soon. Her mom's baking is laying around everywhere, and the amount is shrinking by the moment. Hopefully Mrs. Aly sends more out soon! My tea is exploding around my Mac, and my cardboard boxes fill every corner. It is cozy though, and is beginning to take on the stature of 'home'.

My day tomorrow, once again, is jammed packed with socializing and an overwhelming amount of icebreaker activities. (Speaking of which - there was a freshman class tournament of Spoons. I came in 5th, which I must brag about. It is quite the feat! ) With that being said, my blog is concluded for the night. Will most definitely write later.

D.

ps - watch UP! It is the cutest movie in the scope of eternity.

and so it goes.

Here I am! An official university student.

Wow, I have waited so long to get here. I remember looking forward to this part of my life even as a young kid. It is a little surreal.

So this morning. After hauling my suitcases into the car, and realizing a second trip to the hotel was definitely in order, Mom and I took off to TWU for my first experience as a freshman. As we pulled into the main driveway, we were a tad startled as we were greeted by several leadership students sporting Hawaiian shirts. The startling part was that their level of energy and enthusiasm was absolutely unreal. Really, it was quick shocking. They quickly surrounded our vehicle, leaping and bounding every which way, eager to point us to the right building and parking lot. After surviving that mild mob, the mom unit and I began the first of many, MANY trips up to my room.

My roommate, Aly, is fantastic. She's really chill, easy going, and quite hilarious. And very simple, when it comes to packing. A few bags here and there, a backpack of books, and single jump bag of clothes. I sure felt the heat rise to my cheeks when I realized that my clothes alone accounted for more space than her entire collection of personal items. This is a serious note folks - I didn't realize how much poop I had brought with me, and how I still have this feeling to shop more. It is sick. I hope to seriously downsize by the end of this year. Bah.

I now reside in NW 333B - third level, room thirty three. I now possess a room key, building key, & mail key. I feel very distinguished. Sort of. The best part of this entire transition is that although I am in a strange place with stranger people, there bits and pieces around me that are solid reminders of home. For example, in my suitcase I found a box of chocolates for my 'tea time' from my dad, and a humorous card with Golden Oreos from my sister. Also, having my dear mom right by my side all day helping me unpack and prepare added a touch of home to my new life.

Now it's just me and Al, occupying this once-drab-now-comfy room of ours. Parents have left and freshman remain. There are cardboard boxes all over the bathroom, and my suitcases are stacking at the end of my bed with random odds and ends rattling around inside. I still have drapes to hang up, decals to paste, and knitted flowers to stitch. (yes, I bought crochet flowers to sew onto something. please, don't ask. ) Despite my mild chaos, I know I will love it here. This week, known as Orientation Week/O-Week, will test my social skills, set up the foundation for great new friends, and help me adjust my head properly as I look to be independent in the academic world.

A few times over the course of my time in BC, I've been hit with the sudden realization that I will be completely on my own, and independent from my home. It is quite the startling epiphany. But I am doing well, I do believe. No tears yet, no sudden panic attacks, no bed wetting. But there are many nights ahead of me still, so time will tell. Focusing on my desire to be a nurse, and to be the best I can is my driving force right now - I know without a doubt this is the place for me to be at. So with that in mind, I'm off to bed. Goodnight, folks.

Love, D.

today is the day!

Today is the first day of residence - registration begins in two hours.... I am sitting here, in my hotel room, completely ready go. Oh, the downsides of the being efficient.

I have quite the assortment of luggage, purses, and grocery bags to haul around with me today. Mom and I managed to purchase every last item from my List of Doom, including Bounce Sheets, an alarm clock, a phone, backup toiletries, and random decor. We have about 4 hours to move in and make 333b my new home. It shall be interesting!

FUN FACT. My mother, who is the definition of organized, has a funny quirk. Every trip she goes on, no matter where or for how long, she will forget something essential. Like her entire makeup bag. Or toothbrush. Pajama's have been forgotten too. It is bizarre - my mother has the capability to run the entire country, and the skills to organize every member in our family, yet overlooks the simple things required for herself. Oh Momma.

Well, next post I will officially be moved in - hopefully I can get my kettle working right away and have some tea. It has just started raining, and will continue to do so until further notice. Welcome to BC!

Peace,

D.

toot toot!

British Columbia in a nutshell:

- beautiful. Seeing the mountains behind every building is something else, let me tell you. I hope I never take it for granted.

- traffic. The highways, although surrounded by the hugest trees I've seen, are CRAMMED at 1 pm, and just nuts. While the mom-unit and I were cruising a long Highway 1 towards Abbotsford, there was a massive accident from the opposite direction. The STARS were called, medical personnel were everywhere, and police cars where stationed at every intersection: the entire opposing highway was at a dead stop. And they must have been like that for at least an hour, as people were out of the cars just strolling around, walking their dogs, or entertaining children. Seriously, it was crazy to see. But once your stuck, there's no moving.

- friendly! Shout outs to all the friendly people I've meet thus far: the taxi driver, the waitress at OG, the photo tech at Shoppers Drug Mart, and the TWU bookstore lady. No joke - it seems like everywhere I am, 90% of all employees are pleasant beyond belief. It is such a stark contrast to Alberta. Kudos for customer service.

- wet. need i say more?

- and never a dull moment. Okay, though a tad cliche, it rings so true! Just yesterday as we were bombing up this hill by my home-to-be, a dude was flying past us, down this gargantuan hill, sans shirt, sporting a red do-rag to keep his flowing locks behind his back, atop a lovely long board. (For those of you who don't know, it is a long skateboard. ) It was the definition of mental. Look it up in the dictionary. You'll find it. ALSO, I discovered a place I affectionately call Hell. It is a place in between here and Vancouver, by IKEA, with NO COFFEE within a 100 mile radius. And believe me - boy, did I look for one! My mom and I were shrieking, actually yelling, in our Cobalt, as were tripping out on a caffeine withdrawal, in the midst of nutso traffic, getting sandwiched in between large semi-trucks with scary old male drivers. It was a Kodak moment, at 9 in the morning.

I've been a resident of this province for just over 24 hours, and so far I just love it. I've had a grand old time! I've spent the most I ever have on books before ($735, to be almost exact), and will be framing the receipt of my largest purchase to date: $1,000 towards my tuition. Goodbye quadruple digit bank balances: hello Mc Donald's! Just kidding - Timmie's is the cheapest I've resorted to... yet.

In case you happen to be a faithful reader of my rants and raves, here's the plan for tomorrow, seeing how if you've read up to here, you must be pretty interested.

My mother and I will be hitting Walmart for our final go at school supplies & necessities bright and early. For example: gum, Tide, soap, Purelle, makeup, and so forth. Then, we will toodle through our mid morning/afternoon around places like White Rock (the parent's old hometown), Bellingham, Fort Langely, and possibly Vancouver, just seeing what there is to see. Expect photos, all you Facebook Friends. Afterwards, we are meeting with Mom's old boss and wife at good ol' Swiss Chalet for a hearty meal and good reunion - Mr. Boss used to be the Dean of Academics at TWU, while I was still a kickin' in Mom's belly. BTW, that's WAY LONG ago, for those of you who are mathematically challenged.

That's about all for now - I will be blogging like a mad woman during my first few days living at res as the beginning week is all orientation for us shiny new students (aka, freshmen). Thereafter though, I will try to tear my brain away from 'Mosby's Medical Dictionary' long enough to throw out an update here and there. Meanwhile, stay tuned! Thanks for reading.

Cheers,

D.

ps - the 'toot toot!' title comes from my Mom's new found habit of honking the horn of our car twice whenever she feels compelled to so so. For example, a 'gangster' drove past us in his low-riding truck, with sub-woofers you could hear from Nova Scotia. After I groaned about his 'gangster-ness', she went 'toot toot' for gangsters! She proceeded to do so for the blue PT that passed us, my home-to-be building which you can see from the highway, and for fresh fruit. Oh dear. Plus, the horn sounds like a child's toy. It makes for large laughs, and even larger stares.

can i see your ark?

H'okay, so I am officially in BC! Snaps for my new hometown. It's absolutely gorgeous here - mother and I already checked out TWU, amazing as per usual, and are currently snug as a bug in our hotel room. BUT, what is a trip without it's complications?!

So first, literally 30 seconds after arriving in the E-town airport, the handle to my pick suitcase got jammed, sticking up. Instead of putting all my luggage on the normal carry on carousel, it was 'oversized'. Extra lines up are so much fun. At the end of the day though, the handle managed to close, thanks to the luggage guys, however.

After arriving in BC, the mother and I proceeded to get our vehicle. So a nice old man, closely resembling my Uncle H, drove us to our Car Store in his taxi. No problems. Until we got into our rented vehicle and drove away. 30 seconds into our drive, we realized we had no air conditioning. Bearable in Alberta. But did I forget to mention it was almost 30 degrees? Talk about swack, swoob, and the infamous swass! Sick of bathing in our own sweat, we wheeled around, and exchanged our crap bucket for a cute Cobalt. Not a bad carb though, I must admit.

It's pretty fun just bombing around in BC, seeing all the sights, cruising around. But because of our crazy day, my Mom and I hadn't eaten a meal for hours. As we were cruising along, we noticed the how awfully hungry we were and decided to stop at an Olive Garden somewhere between here and there. PAUSE. The OG here in Langely is SPECTACULAR compared to the one back home. Utterly amazing. Moving on. While stuffing our belly's full of their heavenly Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, we happened to notice a very, very cute waiter. So we stalked him, from our booth. All we, or I, could discover, is that his name is Noah. So my mother told me I should ask to see his ark. Oh my. The craziness has begun.

Peace out, y'all.

D.

i'll be missing you.

I will miss home.

I will miss my mom, her love & her patience.

I will my my dad - his stories and his presence.

Most certainly I will miss my sister, her face scrunches and hilarious imitations.

I will miss my brother: his bright blues, laid-personality and smart wise cracks.

I will miss my Jo, her contagious and head-turning laugh are loved.

I will miss my Moonbelly. May her love for the earth, people, and God never end. What a hippie child.

I will miss Alyssa - her honest heart and true, genuine spirit. You go girl.

I can't wait for university.

I am looking forward to learning, for an education, to a challenging environment.

I am looking forward to meeting new people, doing crazy things, and making great memories.

I am looking forward to understanding the world more, getting out there, and seeing more of life I have been given.

I am looking forward to what God will do for me, and how is plan will unfold in my life.

I am looking forward to starting my future: accomplishing my goals & meeting my dreams.

I am looking forward to life.

Isaiah 26:3: "He who trusts in the Lord will have a steadfast mind - He will remain in perfect peace." Thanks, Pops.

Cheers,

D.