Travels and learnings

Someone stole my brain...

2007-11-25T23:13:00.000-04:00

I think it might be in a jar, in a room...somewhere. Most likely on a shelf with a little label on it "Shortstopicus Brain, very rare and very tired. Replace at the end of term."

Finals are nearly upon me and try as I might the motivation is lacking. I sit down to study and I immediately see something far more interesting to do - like make little paper aeroplanes. It's happened before and generally I get a surge (ooer missus) of work ethic 72hrs before my first exam and start stuffing the information into my head. In the meantime, whilst waiting for this, I sit...and I ponder...and I read nonsense on the internet.

Tomorrow I call Glasgow and ask them if I have an interview. They've sent letters out, but the post it taking up to a month to get here - so I think a phone call is in order. If they say no I will do my best not to sob down the phone and wail "Whhhhyyyyyyyy??!!".

It's cold here right now. Very bloody cold. Like, fingers so cold you can't feel them until you accidently hit them on the metal part of your seat belt and then they hurt like hell on earth.

I think my problem this term is that I've been...bored. A terrible thing to admit, but I think it's true. My courses haven't exactly grasped me and they contain no new information to me. Next term will be different - a host of new courses and much, much, much work! It will be madness...of my mind...

2007-08-24T20:25:00.000-03:00

Did my world cave in? Was there a nuclear strike? No - I just totally forgot to update my blog. Awesome.

Ok, so I have 1 whole year of Uni under my belt. I have a GPA of 88.5% and I've received awards, scholarships and general praise. Let's all take a moment to allow my ego a moment to itself.

Lovely. Now I'm about to embark on my 2nd year of pre-veterinary medicine and I'd like to think I'm wiser and more responsible than I was a year ago. Thinking and reality are two very different things.

The summer has been long, it started well, was very good in the middle and became a little rocky towards the end. Now I have to see what the future holds. I'm writing my UCAS application and that will wing its way to England soon. I wave goodbye to someone on Monday and will learn what it means to miss again. They're coming back, but who knows where my brain will be when they do.

I don't feel my brain has died too much over this summer and I'm very ready to return to school. I miss the structure and the goals to aim for.

I'm fitter and healthier than I've ever been. I had a scare last term and I've learn from it - and I don't want to have to learn from it again.

Things I have learnt as a student

2007-02-20T00:32:00.000-04:00

In no particular order (although at this precise moment, number 1 holds a special place)

1) You can make 1 pizza last three meals. Mmm...re-heated pizza. It tastes better with each round.

2) If a nice man at the check-in desk announces "We are looking for volunteers to get off this flight in return for compensation." - you run. You run like crazy to that desk (elbowing old ladies if necessary) and you grab that man and you say "Me! I will take the money!!"

3) If your roomate goes away you do NOT let the cat into their room. The cat will find bad things and bring them out. Bad kitty, bad.

4) It is possible to survive on mars bars, diet coke and all-season crisps during high pressure exam times. You may develop scurvy, but you will be alive.

5) The prospect of getting a summer job is highly over-rated. Work like a b'stard for 8 months - take the damn summer off!

6) When someone looks at you and says "Oooh, you look a bit stressed and peaky." - you are. Stop and listen and for heavens sake have a lie down.

7) It is perfectly ok to sleep until 11am during spring break. Absorb the pleasure....mmm....pleeeasssure. Enough of that - disgusting.

8) Learn to love your fellow lab partners. Not too much. Just enough so that you think twice about smashing them over the head with a microscope or inserting a petri dish somewhere painful.

9) Don't trust your lab partners. They *will* smash you over the head with a microscope and insert petri dishes somewhere painful. Dog eat dog, i tell thee.

10) There is nothing to compare with British Chinese take-out. Nothing.

Danger! Sheep!

2006-11-03T21:34:00.000-04:00

Little fluffy sheep. How cute are they? Not so damn cute, I can tell you. This week I've been:

1) Pinned against a wall by a ram. Trust me, they are strong!
2) Thrown to the floor by a miffed ewe
3) Had sheep vomit splatter on my boots (sorry!)
4) Sliced my hands numerous times on sheep hoof clippers.
5) Had my wrist twisted round about 360 degrees by a grumpy sheep.

The last item in my list saw me take a visit to the emergency room, where I sat for 4 hours before being seen by a hacked off doctor. I was shoved through to x-ray...where a woman was in the queue before me. I'd like to break here to say she was a far more deserving case than me. She'd just been run over by a train. She was remarkably perky despite this fact.

The x-ray showed no breaks (according to hacked off doctor, though he said he would get a radiologist to double check...ah confidence!). He then shipped me off to the pharmacy for some lovely painkillers and a bizare wrist splint contraption.

Sheep - they may look fluffy, but they're damn 'ard!

Bad me. Bad, bad me.

2006-10-18T23:29:00.000-03:00

Poor little blog. Abandonded and unloved by its creator. Shed a tear with me now, if you will.

Ever since getting back to college my life has been on some weird kind of fast forward. Time has totally flown by and I'm slap bang in the middle of...well...midterms. The workload this term is intense - lab reports due every week, papers to be read, notes to be made, exams to study for. Just as you get through one set of exams, there's another just around the corner waiting to bite you.

It's been a good term though (sort of!). Met a bunch of new people who I either didn't know existed last term or I was so blind I never saw them. Makes quite a difference to have people to do projects with, write lab reports etc. Also good to share a damn good moan about Profs with other students!

Slowly I'm begginning to decorate the house - but on a strict timescale. In other words, I don't have the time! Christmas holidays is when that's all going to start - with major work being done over the summer next year.

That'll do for now, it's way past my bedtime and I have to be at college for 8:30am tomorrow. The utter disgrace of it all!

Oh brain, where for art thou?

2006-09-14T22:00:00.000-03:00

EDIT - This post has spelling errors in it. It's past my bedtime and that means they're gonna stay!

I'm back in Canada and therefore back in college - and whoa, who stole my brain? The four months off have seriously eaten away at the old grey matter. However I have learnt one thing in Genetics about this very fact. Your brain creates brand new neurons (previously it was thought you didn't get any new ones as time went by) - but tests show that if you don't exercise your brain, they die! They did the tests with apes aparantly - give them food and provide everything for them...neuron death. Make them hunt for the food and generally make their lives difficult - neurons live! So there you go - my neurons have been dying like flies in a gas storm this summer.

I snuck out of the UK last week - apologies to those I didn't see...I was under time constraints and I also didn't fancy the goodbyes again. ;o)

My house, here in Canada, is still in a state of chaos. I've tried to create a mini study within my study. I attempted to build my desk, got it horribly wrong but will have to make do with it for now! It has a top to it and a vague drawer unit (ok, there are no actual draws in it and it's upside down) - but it's functional.

Grand plans for decorating have been put on hold and the lawn looks like a wheat field. My timetable this term doesn't allow for all that much domestic stuff! I've also taken on a tutoring job which means I do 6 hours of teaching a week - all to the same one individual, but it pays well and helps me with my learning. I'm also marking Chemistry assignments this term - which will be a joy!

The cats are here and safe - having flown across the day after me. I sat in customs for 3 hours waiting for them to come through, getting more and more irate as time went by. No reason was given for the delay, but I was very glad to eventually get them. They were generally fine and have settled in well. Ruoert has developed new (and very annoying) thieving techniques. I came home the other day to find cake wrappers strewn across the floor. He'd got into a cupboard and scoffed the lot! I'm going to have to kitty proof the kitchen. Shortstop has spent his time trying to find holes and found one that leads into the wall cavities. Thankfully I saw him in time...just before he was about to clamber in.

When my brain comes back online (let's not hold our breath) I'll get some piccies up of the house and how it currently looks - i.e. messy.

All good things...

2006-08-06T17:38:00.000-03:00

apparently must come to an end! To this I say - pah!

My summer in the UK is nearly over. I've got just about 2 weeks left here before I jet off to New Zealand for 2 weeks...then I'm back in the UK for a matter of days before I head back to Canada.

It's absolutely flown by. Well, that's not entirely true - it seems ages ago that it was April and I was flying home! The first part went by slowly, but now it seems to be flying. It must be because it's near the end.

I've seen, done and experienced quite a lot this summer. Some good, some bad, some sad. To list but a few...

1) Worked at a hawk conservation park. Top rate experience. I battled with a tiny owl that wanted to eat me rather than the tasty chicken morsel I was offering. I now bear the first scars of what will no doubt be many throughout my career.

2) Spent time alone (and not always alone) in Scotland. Met some great people and had some great nights out. Got to know a friend better and now understand his goals more than I ever did. A committed man :o)

3) Experienced a funeral that, for the first time, really hurt. A remarkable woman tried to fight but had to relinquish her flame far too soon. I saw groups of people moved by what they were experiencing and realised that I was one of them.

4) Met some wicked people in London and got drunk with my brother. The journey home was long and perilous as I had to stop him from trying to depart the train too soon! Photographic evidence is available...if blogger actually worked!

5) Welcomed two new people into the world - my friends are all having babies. One made quite a dramatic entrance, but is going strong now. The other delayed his entrance but makes up for lost time now.

6) Decided to sell my car. Gutted.

7) Bought my house in Canada - flew back to check all was ok and remembered why I'd chosen it. Perfect home. It also now has a lovely car sat outside the front of it.

8) Spoke at a dinner for my Godfather - never been so nervous in all my life. Kept the emotion in check until the very end...

9) Remembered that I love Superman and found joy again.

10) Got my cats back (hurrah!)

A list of ten will do. I'm looking forward to going back to Canada. It's going to be different to last term. I'm living off campus, I have a full class schedule, a job to do, I'm the marker for Chemistry and most likely a tutor too. I've had time to reflect on the people I met last term and what that will mean for the next.

But best of all...oh yes the most wonderful thing...I am no longer a newbie. My place is taken by fresh fish and it will be my job to terrify them. Especially if they're in the Chemistry class I mark!

Sun and fun in good ol'UK

2006-06-17T07:39:00.000-03:00

I've been back in the UK since the end of April - Canadian Uni's only have 2 terms a year (Septmeber to December and Jan to April) so I have the entire summer off!

There's lots to report, but I'll be updating next week because the computer I'm on at the moment is very ropey! Suffice to say I'm working to earn cash, I'm getting lots of work experience and the sun is shining!

The wheels on the bus...

2006-04-21T17:59:00.000-03:00

go round and round!

I've passed my Nova Scotia driving test! Well, I say passed...it wasn't really that hard. We drove around a few suburbs and then went back to the test centre. We were barely on the road for 5 mins! The examiner said "Can't see why they make you do this, you've been driving for 12 years! Let's just go round the block to make it legal!" Of course my license picture is awful...

I fly home next week...time has flown by. I'm in the middle of trying to decide what to take home and what to keep here. Obviously bringing no winter gear back with me - bet it decides to be freezing cold on the day I land!!

Things that I miss...

2006-04-12T20:36:00.000-03:00

Now that the time is fast approaching for me to return home for the summer, my mind is travelling to the things I have missed - apart from the obvious friends, family and me cats!

You'll notice a food theme to this list!

1) Bovril on toast. White toast with loads of butter and then a light covering of Bovril
2) Anchor butter.
3) English potatoes. Don't ask me why but they taste different here!
4) Chinese food - deep fried shredded beef...
5) My car and the freedom it gives me.
6) My own place to live - living in residence has been fun, but I think I've had enough of sharing a stinky bathroom now.
7) My own kitchen - who would have thought?
8) English sausages
9) Heinz Baked Beans!!!
10) Heinz Tomato soup.

And now, things I don't miss.

1)Chavs - and all general English scum types.
2)England's weather. Here it is either cold or hot and with both the sky is generally crystal clear blue. Nothing grey here!
3) The cost of everything in England - houses in particular.
4) Road users in England. If a horn beeps here it generally means a greeting.
5) The ever increasing whinging attitude of British people. We expect too much.

What do I like most about Canada? The feeling of freedom it's given me. The blue sky. The outdoors being on my doorstep. The possibilities of exploration and travel. People smile at you in the street. Strangers have conversations with you in the supermarket (and they're not mad and they don't want anything). People's never-ending wish to help you - lifts here and there, advice on how things work over here.

The fact that I could sit down by the river this afternoon and type up my English notes whilst watching a Muskrat (think otter and you're there - not at all rat like) pair swim back and forth, three ducks paddle about and two male peacocks attempt to win over a bored looking female. Photos at the end - you might need the eye of faith to see the Muskrats!

Things I've realised over the last month:

1) It's much better to spend money on decent tea than buy a supermarkets own brand...
2) Cook - it's a good thing!
3) Eat breakfast - stops you falling asleep by 11am.
4) Walk - it's good for you and lets your brain wander.
5) That I really, really do want to be a vet and for the first time it's starting to feel as if it's possible. :o)

PS - Just got an email from my English Prof about my latest essay and he says "I enjoyed yours very much." Aw shucks *blush*. I'm still not taking his class next term though! ;o)

This photo doesn't really do the little fella justice. They're quite cute to look at really.

Parp! Parp!

2006-04-12T17:09:00.000-03:00

Should I look behind me?

Don't worry folks - there was no train behind me. This is a picture of a bridge we cross to get into town. The trains, when the do appear (one every 3 weeks or so) only go at about 10mph...honest ;o)

Bloggity blog...

2006-04-07T00:51:00.000-03:00

It's 1am. I can't sleep. Therefore I am sitting at my computer slowly getting obsessed with little internet surveys. They feel that they can look into your soul and spew forth some in-depth information about you. Here are some of the answers - no giggling now.

My personality
You are pure, moral, and adaptable.
You tend to blend into your surroundings.
Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends.

You believe that you live a virtuous life...
And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye.
As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

Yeah...I'm pure, moral and live a virtuous life...

My temperament is apparently melancholy.

My sleeping position tells me that:

You are calm and rational.
You are also giving and kind - a great friend.
You are easy going and trusting.
However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.

And finally if my life was a movie it would be in the genre of Film Noir.

Ok - who here just feels really chipper now, eh?!

Blindsided 101

2006-04-06T01:35:00.000-03:00

If things are going good, you should always keep checking behind you. Chances are something is about to sneak up on you and knock you off your perch.

WWA

2006-04-05T11:30:00.000-03:00

Hi, I'm here today because I have a confession to make. I stand before you to admit I'm an addict. That's right I'm addicted to "The West Wing". Thank you allowing me into West Wing Anonymous.

Agh - it's terrible. It all started after my brother sent me the first three seasons for my birthday. I've often watch the programme, but never really followed it. Now I'm watching the episodes back to back and drooling for more! Disaster struck when I realised the second disc of season one was corrupt and I can't watch the season finale!!

Thankfully I've gained exemptions from three of my four final exams...more time for the West Wing!

Salmonella, cockroaches and a stomach that will take a nuclear bomb

2006-04-01T17:24:00.000-04:00

Living in residence means you have to share a kitchen. Currently, 7 of us cook here.

There is a cleaning rota - which means that one person is responsible for the over cleaning of the kitchen each week. They have to do a complete clean of the entire area. Mop the floor, clean the microwave and scrub all surfaces. This brings two problems...

1) The person on duty last week hasn't done a thing. It's possible to stick to the floor in some places. The person on duty this week is refusing to do anything until the person from last week cleans the place...confused? The upshot is we have a filthy kitchen right now. Everyone is glaring at the person responsible and refusing to even go anywhere near the mop. We have a war of attrition on our hands.

2) A few select people feel it's ok to not clean up after themselves. In other words, someone is on duty...they can do it. This results in various sticky substances being left on the worktops. Crumbs get brushed onto the floor. Bits of carrot find their way to every possible crevice. Let's not even start about what may be down the side of the cooker. A new life form is possibly putting together a kitchen coup from behind the fridge as we speak - probably in cahoots with the fridge population.

Today we have guests (to go along with the "guests" that come out at night from behind the work units) - namely some students cooking a turkey. One of our number has offered out the kitchen for cooking. This in itself is fine - but those doing the cooking don't look like they've washed for a few weeks so I doubt the kitchen will get much of a clean up.

Personally I am not afraid. After 3 months of living here I have developed immunity to every known food bug going. I must have, I cook in filthy conditions - if I was going to die, I would have died by now. But, it's gross and I can take it no more. Tomorrow morning I'm going to attack that kitchen and make it gleam. The floor will once again be white, the cooker silver and the worktops will not have added bits...

No doubt next week we will all be vomiting due to cooking in clean conditions. Our bodies won't know what's hit them.

It was bound to happen one day

2006-03-26T21:34:00.000-04:00

There I was minding my own business at the party - quite happily munching on some chilli, when an excited Chinese student started poking at my arm. "Oooh, you have Chinese tattoo! Can I see??" Obviously at this moment I was nervous because I was certain he would look and pronounce that the top one meant snot (as opposed to fire) and the one below ugly (as opposed to ice). But, no - I'm in luck. They do both mean what they're supposed to mean!

That's the good part...he then decided to tell me how to pronounce them both in Chinese.

Fire - Whore
Ice - Bing

So I have "Whore Bing" written on my arm. Now imagine, if you can, saying those two words with a Chinese accent...adding the emphasis on Bing...

Words fail me.

Whore Bing!

Things I now do...

2006-03-22T23:37:00.000-04:00

...as a student.

1) I use ALL the shampoo in a shampoo bottle. Even if it means standing the bottle upside down for an extra 5 minutes before using it...I use every last drop!

2) I do my washing and then sit surrounded by it in my little 10x10 room.

3) I work late, I get up late - just happens.

4) I work more hours in a day than I did when I was working for money...hmm...

5) I don't get very stressed. A little stressed in the run up to exams, but nothing like when I was working.

6) I look at the price of everything - then buy overspend anyway!

7) I watch rubbish tv on occasions - Oprah rules my world. She so more classy than Trisha...

8) I say things like "Wow, back home this pint would have cost twice as much!" and "Do you have chavs here?"

9) I make lists that should reach 10, but only manage 8...

On a seperate note I've applied for 2 jobs on campus and have one more application to get in. They are sure to further my career prospects...not. One is a security job (baby sitting undergrads when they're drunk), Bar Tender (supplying the alcohol to get the undergrads drunk) and Library assistant (wonder where all the undergrads are on a Sunday morning when they should be in the library - see jobs 1&2). I might also apply for a Peer Educator role in Health Services but that one might actually take up too much of my time. Need to balance out the money vs study time etc etc. As an international student I'm limited to how many hours and where I can work (20hrs a week and it has to be on campus). The library job appeals the most because other people have said there's a lot of quiet time when you can study. If someone wants to pay me to study, I'm not going to stop them!

2 days till my birthday...woohoo! Oh hang on, I'm going to be older...boo...

**Stop Press** - My maths midterm was reviewed and raised to an 81% - tra la la!!

Mmm...skittles

2006-03-21T22:16:00.000-04:00

My birthday is fast approaching and there's gonna be a party! Invited a bunch of people down into our residence area on campus - we(my flatmates and I) supply a bowl of chilli and our guests supply the alcohol! Grand plan.

I've made some alcohol though...oh yes...that's right, I've made some. 3 weeks ago I took a full vodka bottle and emptied a packet of skittles into it (minus the yucky green ones). Now, it's a beautiful orange colour and *very* fruity smelling. I filtered it tonight - a complex process involving coffee filters, a funnel and a jug. It will need to be guarded on the night for fear of someone quaffing the entire lot!

Looking forward to the party, but I can't go too mad. Midterms start that Monday and I need to be on the ball. Studying lots this week and will review it all on Sunday (with a bit of a sore head!)

Clean up.

2006-03-19T15:24:00.000-04:00

I've realised that quite often I'll post something here and never conclude it. So, for that reason, this entry is a tidy up one!

1) The cat was never found. Although a number of people agreed that there was a cat trapped in the ceiling, it was never found and the me-owing has now stopped. Either it escaped or...

2) I'm now the President of the International Student's Association. It involved keeping my image squeaky clean and generally waving at internationals students around campus.

3) I'm pretty much back to being healthy. I still got the sniffles, but I have energy back! Heading to the gym tonight so we'll see what that does...

Midterms are fast approaching. One week and they begin. No comment on how I feel about them yet.

Finally...

2006-03-15T14:36:00.000-04:00

...we have our Math midterm back! There was a sorry state of affairs earlier in the term that saw 95% of the class fail the math midterm. Myself included. Thankfully we were given the option to re-sit...which we all did!

However the marks have taken forever to get back to us. When they duly arrived today I flicked through my paper to see that the marker had obviously been either asleep or on drugs when doing mine. He'd taken off marks for 100% correct answers!! Currently my mark is sitting at 71% but is under review and should hopefully go higher.

This was also my first full day back at lectures...I'm absolutely exhausted. My brain is still working though - which is a good thing! I was looking over my notes from Monday's class (when I was REALLY sick) and they're nuts! I've put really weird calculations down so I'm thinking my temperature really was quite high...

Tis but a sniffle...

2006-03-14T12:52:00.000-04:00

It's a sniffle that has mutated into a beast that wants to claim my life. This is a whinging post. I feel like hell. I got a weird bug about 3 weeks ago that made me feel generally a bit below the weather. This then became a really, really irrating cough which lasted a week. Now I have a cold - hell, no it's not a cold. I have flu. Not a sniffly nose, not a slight head cold. Not even a heavy cold. It's the damn flu.

I walk to the kitchen and I have to stop when I get there to rest. I can't walk down to town for anything - sleeping on the side of the road is frowned upon here. I dragged myself across to lectures yesterday morning - great plan that was. I succeeded in getting the notes but then slept for the entire afternoon. I'm now trying to study and my brain is refusing to work. Honestly, lifting the pen to write something is taking extreme effort. Coughing exhausts me. Pathetic, ain't it!

My body is telling me to crawl back into bed - but I can't. I'm worried that if I miss much more study I'm going to fall behind. One could argue that I should just get better and then give it 100%, rather than keep going now and only give it 50%. I never was one to listen to arguments...watch this space for the impending death of a pre-vet student who was too stupid to stop and get better.

Ack...ack...;o)

Da boys...

2006-03-05T16:42:00.000-04:00

...are happy :o)

Shortstop still poses for the camera like a pro.

Hark on yonder...me-ow

2006-03-04T01:31:00.000-04:00

During a fascinating maths lesson this morning the students of Math 50, all four of them, were slowly drifting into unconciousness. Friday mornings are never good seeing as Thursday night is correctly named "Party Night". Obviously yours truely was tucked up in bed at 9pm on the previous night, however that didn't stop me from also leaning towards the land of sleep.

Imagine if you will the following...

Math Prof "So, x=g and if you substitute in x you will find g. Got it?"

Class "Mmmm hmmm...."

Cat "Me-ow, me-ow"

Class "Wha?"

Prof "Huh?"

Cat "Me-ow, me-ow"

Prof "Who's making cat noises?!"

Class "Erm...a cat? Is this a trick question? Does the cat equal x?"

Cat "Me-ooooooow, Me-ow"

Prof "Holy cr*p, there's a cat in the ceiling!"

Class "Oooh, you said a rude word."

You get the general idea. So, yeah - there's a cat trapped in the ceiling above our maths class. Cool, eh? Well...not really. You see it is believed that said cat has snuck up there during some recent building work and now can't get out. All interested parties have agreed that it's definately there, but no-one can think how to get the poor little thing out. My suggestion of smashing a hole in the ceiling and taking a look didn't go down too well.

If the poor thing is still there on Monday, I'm going on a smashing rampage...

Election fever - a vote for me, is a vote for er....a badge!

2006-03-02T19:35:00.000-04:00

There are two types of fever - and I've got them both.

The first being that my temperature has rocketed skywards and I feel like warmed up death. I'm not alone - the evil beast that is illness is creeping through the residence building. Tis a tricky beast too, it hides as a headache, then maybe a stomach upset or perhaps just a feeling of heat. Then it hits you with all three at once and throws in a nasty chest cough to floor you like a sack of spuds. *cough cough* ;o)

The second is a sweeping rush of excitement about an impending event. First we have the Student Union elections about to happen. Speeches were held tonight with rampant students begging for votes and spouting their "truths" in an attempt to win over the eager crowds. After the speeches I received a spam email from one of the candidates reminding me why I should vote for her. She spammed me - she gets no vote from me! How evil am I?

The other election fever I have is due to the fact that I've been nominated for President of the International Students Association. Crumbs Chief! Swifter than a little swift thing on St.Swifts day I've called my comrades to arms and I'm in the process of forming a running team (snigger). I've picked my Vice-President, and I believe I chose well seeing as her first words were "We'll need badges!"

I will be patrolling the campus in search of fellow international students and attempting to secure their vote, and of course giving them a little badge to wear. I do, actually, have a belief in the association and would very much like to lead it for the next college year. It needs to be more than just a social organisation - it needs to work closer with the college to aid international students and promote their worth. I also plan to help incoming international students settle in and generally get the "executive" to get off their behinds and help them out!

Do I have your vote yet?

Ah - curses!

2006-02-27T18:35:00.000-04:00

The dates for our second round of midterms were decided today. They start on March 27th (Maths), 29th (Physics) and 31st (Chemistry). The week after my birthday weekend. Not fair!

There's then only a 1 week break after those until the final exams. They start with my two terror subjects - Math & Physics!! Annoyingly I am probably on course to get an exemption from Chemistry final exam - but that's not until 20th April. If I get the exemption then I could have flown home earlier. Ah well, didn't know when I booked my flights!

Only 5 weeks left of classes - how scary is that? It's flown by! Still, March is generally going to be busy. English essay due, 2.5 novels to read in 5 weeks, midterms and then final exams. Ouch.

On the plus side I had a chat with my math's prof today about my choices for next semester. Basically I don't need to take Maths & Physics to satisfy the Uni's back home - I just need to take one of them. She suggested, strongly, to me that I concentrate on Physics. This is taking into account my current progress (!!) and the Prof that teaches next semester. Will be visiting the UK Uni's this summer to confirm everything...but fingers crossed! If I can kiss goodbye to Maths...then what a wonderful day that will be!!

Agh! Evil physics!

2006-02-24T14:03:00.000-04:00

I got my mark back for the physics midterm - 77%. Am I happy? Sort of.

Two days before the exam I was totally lost in a world of inclined planes, velocity and force. The day before it all clicked and I finally understood it. However a note back with my mark says I've made the same error on every single question which, and I quote, "you will find annoying". In other words I've made a grade one stoopid mistake everywhere. So on one hand that's ok - because silly mistakes I can fix (flog myself daily so I live in fear of every doing it again), on the other it's disappointing as to lose marks for silly mistakes is just plain annoying. Note the use of the word "silly" everywhere.

So - it's better than I was expecting 2 days before the exam. It's lower than I would have liked it to be, but it was the first physics exam and I can still drag an exemption out if I continue to do well on my assignments etc. All fingers are crossed.

Still waiting for the maths mark to come back. Don't think that will be a happy day...

Bbbbrrrr....

2006-02-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

Two pictures of the local river - frozen. As per the usual theme, it's cold!!

Chasing the golden GPA

2006-02-17T13:06:00.000-04:00

Well, if the whole science and veterinary world doesn't take me then I think I'd do ok pursuing an arts degree (booo!!) - got English midterm back and I got a 95%. Yep, I feel damn pleased with myself. Seeing as English is the only course I'm taking this term that will go on my transcript - I'm definitely glad for the mark.

English is weird for me. It's a very painful process to go through writing the essays and working through the exams and I never feel like I've done a good job. However, the marks tell a different story - so something's working!

Today also marks the start of study break, aka half term. Woohooo!!! Whole week off. Sleep will feature highly. Sadly I have to do some work too. But right now, it's Friday and that means play day...!!

Competition heats up

2006-02-16T23:25:00.000-04:00

There are some who attend classes who appear to be there for no reason other than to get their parents off their back. Most of the time they don't show up and when they do, often they can be seen sitting at the back of the classroom with their headphones in. Assignments are something that have to be done so they don't get kicked out of school (though that would never happen, the college needs the revenue!)

Then there are those who turn up to every lecture. Notes are taken and interaction actually takes places between student and Professor. Assignments are handed in on time and from that moment on the student will pester the Professor for a returning mark.

There is no in between. You're either one or the other. Those who fall into the second camp generally tend to be pre-veterinary students...

It may seem like quite a sweeping statement but my observations are as I see it. So, we can remove the first type of student from the equation and package them up on a shelf. The second type...now the second type need watching carefully. They are, after all, the competition. Maybe for me they are not direct competition as I am not aware of any who are applying to vet school back in the UK but all the same a feverous menace is starting to spread through the pre-veterinary classes.

The competition for places at the Atlantic vet school here is fierce. Worse still it's very difficult to predict what grades you will need to get in order to obtain an interview. They need to be high, this is known, but the exact percentage is unknown. The reason for this is simple - it all depends on the marks of those that apply. So, let's say this year there is a vast proportion of applications that apply with 95% GPA - that means the cut off level will be 95%. You could be a 94% GPA student (which is damn high) and you won't get an interview. The next year the vast majority GPA could be lower - say 84%, and so the level drops.

All this means that towards the end of the semester I wouldn't be too surprised to see students trying to "accidentally" scupper the chances of their fellow classmates in their plans.

Of course I jest about the malicious intent of students (maybe), but it all means that you push yourself so hard to get the high marks. I need to get high grades, maybe even higher than normal just because I will be presenting myself as someone who left the UK to study for pre-vet - an oddity in itself. I need to blind them with academic brilliance (ha!).

To this end I have been flogging myself over my marks. Generally they're high, with the exception of Maths. Maths is the subject I need to work on, but it can be done. Not wanting to brag (yeah right), my GPA currently runs at 80%. Take off Maths and it screams up to 92% - so yeah, maths is my killer right now. It will be overcome...if I've cracked Physics (and I *think* I have) then I can crack Maths. Hell, I've cracked Chemistry which is a miracle - so it has to be possible!

Oh and normal communication services will be resumed shortly. I have been completly immersed in studying for the midterms, which are now over (hurrah!) and once my brain is back I will be able to form sentances of worth. Sadly there are more midterms fairly soon after study break. Such a con that word "midterms". Lies, damn lies.

Gooood Mornin'

2006-02-07T22:14:00.000-04:00

The results are in - first Chemistry exam has been taken and passed! 86% Looks like there are a few brain cells left in there after all. Got maths exam tomorrow morning, that'll be quite a test of the brain. Been studying away all day and now I'm full! 11am tomorrow will be the hour of reckoning.

Other good news - I got the house. Offer, mortgage etc all went through and it will officially become mine on 29th June. I'll need to fly back to Canada for that week in order to have a walk through of the place and get some furniture in there.

Currently heading back to the UK on 26th April, back end June, then back to the UK...before heading back here at some point in late August. No other plans are concrete yet! Of course - the cats are coming across with me in August...scary times!

Study break (half-term) is coming up on the 18th Feb - looking forward to that after all this studying! Get a week off in which to sleep...sleep and maybe sleep! Also going to try and get my theroy test booked for drivers license over here. Pass that (I bloody hope!) and then get the road test booked. Want to have license before I come back in August (or maybe even June) so I can get a car sorted. There is, rumour has it, more to Canada than Truro and I'd quite like to see some of it whilst I'm here!

Madness will be taking place this Friday night - the International Students Association are putting on a show....a sort of variety show and my job (with others) is to round up the poor victims who will be performing on the night. No idea how it's going to work yet (hey, we have 3 days left still!) Fingers crossed it all goes ok on the night!

Tis but a little storm.

2006-02-01T18:02:00.000-04:00

Today was the day I was supposed to have my first midterm exam - Chemistry. I received an email from the Prof saying that, despite the weather, the exam was still on. Cue putting on more layers of clothing than physically possible and stepping out into the snow covered wilderness that was the campus.

It's generally a short walk across from residence to the lecture building but this morning I had to battle against deep snow, strong wind and quickly damp ankles. Generally cars stop at the crosswalk midway through Campus and wave you over. They were doing the same this morning...but there was a hint of distrust among the students that the cars would actually be able to stop! Frustrated drivers were waving them across frantically as they slowed their vehicles down - all students were stuck like glue to the pavement waiting for the cars to come to a dead stop...else they would be dead.

I arrived at my first class to find my Prof standing on one of the tables peering out the window...not a good sign. Strike one, I was the only one who had turned up to class and thus class was cancelled. Same Prof was due to oversee the Chem exam - I bid her farewell and went off to do some last minute revision.

The allotted time arrived and off I went to the Chem classroom - I was alone...slowly other students started to arrive but we were 2 down. All the students from on-campus residence had made it in, those off ...hadn't. The Prof had no choice but to cancel the exam...I was both thrilled and gutted. Thrilled as I could do more revision, gutted as I was *ready* to take the exam!! It's now on Friday...

Math was also cancelled later on - although I did get a class credit for at least showing up (yay!) and English had been off since early morning...free day! Mmm, free day spent inside as the snow was now darn deep and the wind rather fierce...

This weekend I'm due to head up to another Uni called St of Xavier (or something like that...) for their Chinese New Year celebrations...I am curious as to what will occur. Also..finally, yes finally, it looks like Brokeback Mountain will be coming to the local cinema (another yay!), so a trip to see that this weekend could also be on the cards. That and lots of studying...

Thar be snow...

2006-02-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

After they decided that the best place to pile up all the snow was outside my window...

Early morning - check out the splatter on the far wall.

Truck carrying some extra weight there...

Excuse the poor quality of the pictures - the snow has made me lazy today and the thought of bundling on a thousand layers to take piccies didn't really appeal! I may change my mind tomorrow...

Looks can be deceiving...

2006-01-23T23:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon the sun was shining, so I decided to go for a nice walk in the fresh air. Bad idea. The sun may have been shining, but it was -8, with a wind chill of about -15. That, believe me, is cold. It was so cold after I'd gone about 12ft my face hurt. I battled on, determined to get a dose of fresh air. I made it round the block once before I scurried back into my room and hugged my little electric heater. That's the coldest I've experienced yet - but thankfully my new coat, which pretends to be a sleeping bag, arrived a couple of days ago. The bits it covers feel toasty warm. My face, however, will need another plan of attack!

This evening it's a bit warmer and the snow is falling. I don't know if it's because we don't get much snow back home but it still has a magical quality to it - especially when it's falling at night. It's coming down quite steadily and I reckon we could have maybe 6-8 inches by the morning. Just looked out the window - we're gonna have more than that!

Tomorrow is work hard day. I've got an essay to write and loads of notes to tidy up. My first midterm is on 1st Feb (Chemistry), then 8th Feb (Maths), 10th Feb (English) and finally 15th Feb (Physics). Thankfully Physics is last as this is the one subject I'm having a few issues with at the moment! My poor student tutor is pulling her hair out! With all the subjects I just have to keep my brain in gear and not panic under time constraints. At the moment if I have a time limit my brain freezes! I've been practising time limited questions and slowly I'm getting better at them! I just have to pass...

More random

2006-01-13T17:39:00.000-04:00

Random

2006-01-13T17:13:00.000-04:00

Oh joy of joys

2006-01-12T22:16:00.000-04:00

I discovered a wonderful and beautiful thing today. A local store sells Cadbury's chocolate. I need say no more.

What a difference a day makes

2006-01-09T19:41:00.000-04:00

It started snowing last night and this afternoon I took some more piccies. Quite a difference!

The view from my bedroom window - yup, it's the car park!

Same view from over the bridge, but with snow! You can't see it too well in this picture but there are actually lumps of ice floating down the river!

Not a pretty picture, it's of a bunch of electricity pylons but I thought it demonstrated the snow quite well...

The definition of cold

2006-01-08T23:32:00.000-04:00

When I went out earlier today I thought it was bloody cold. When I returned back to residence I remarked as such to one of my roommates. "Oh no," said she "this isn't cold! Trust me, you'll know when it's really cold."

I'm starting to worry now. If your face half freezing and your nose sealing itself up in an act of protection, isn't cold...then what is?

It's snowing outside now so I wonder what it's going to look like in the morning. Difference here is that it's below freezing so the snow settles - unlike the UK where is lands, whimpers and melts away. The snow here is very butch.

One minus point has come to my attention. My hands are suffering badly in the cold. Excuse the graphic description but basically I have cracked and bleeding knuckles. I currently look like I've gone 10 rounds in a bare knuckle fight. Various creams have been applied, but they is looking ugly. I may resort to a 24hr soak in moisturiser at this rate!

So, what does it look like here?

2006-01-08T16:49:00.000-04:00

A few pictures from around the campus and "town" of Truro. Don't let the lack of snow fool you - it's really cold!

Farm - distant view of the farm buildings. Lambing season is coming up and the pre-vet club go down to help, hopefully I should get a chance to do this. I've heard that it's extremely popular though!

Cummings Hall - the main admin building, where I had to pay my fees :o( This is also the place where graduation (eventually) takes place.

Cox Building - this is the place where I have all my lessons. It's like a rabbit warren on the inside and I've got lost on a number of occasions.

Where's Arnie?! Some will understand this reference...others won't! For those that don't, it's a water tower. Exciting, eh! For those that do - many a long hour on the journey from North Carolina to Florida was interrupted by the yell!

Bridge from Bible Hill to Truro - the view from the bridge I have to cross over whenever I want some food! You can just about see the residence halls up on the hill in the distance.

Random fire hydrant - more exciting pictures.

Bible Hill - The bridge sign marking the town boundary...

View behind residence - the town of Truro as seen from residence.

View behind residence II - more views of Truro

View behind residence III - final view of Truro.

New lodgings

2006-01-07T23:43:00.000-04:00

Hmm - apologies but the formatting on the last post seems to have gone a bit weird. I've tried to fix it, but can't. The post is too long to re-type so you're just going to have to muddle through it (you being all the thousands of enthralled readers of this blog :| )

In the meantime, here are some lovely pictures of my new room. It's teeeeeny! The desk is where I sit as I type this and also where I'll be doing all my wonderful homework. Aren't the curtains just beautiful?

Currently the radiator in my room is broken and I've got a little two-bar electric heater. Ah, just like home!

I plan to take some pictures around campus tomorrow and put them up here. I'll also write a bit more about my first few days over here. Contain your excitement now...;o)

Journey to Canada

2006-01-07T23:42:00.000-04:00

So here I am in Nova Scotia. Is it cold? Oh my good grief, yes it is! Bodily it’s not too bad at all – but it really gets to your face! It’s not the same as cold back in the UK though, which is a bit weird. It’s not at all damp in any way, but it’s not exactly crisp either. However, all stores and restaurants crank their heating up to max so when you walk in looking like the Michelin man you start to roast immediately. Cue the newly termed “disrobing dance”. I tend to hop about on the spot trying to get my outer coat off, generally getting caught up in the process – resulting in a dramatic spinning round on the spot in a vain attempt to get my arms free. Such effort for a simple cup of tea and chocolate chip muffin. Mind you, for the muffins sold at a place called Tim Hortons the effort is most definitely worth it. They are…wonderful. I have a feeling that many a study break will be spent running down the road to the local branch and stocking up on the little beauties. A definite weakness.

I’m sat waiting in my hotel at the moment waiting for my taxi to take me up to Truro from Halifax. Most locals tried to persuade me to take the bus, but when they then saw my four bags (two huge, two not so huge) they agreed with my taxi plan. Hey, 10 years into 4 bags ain’t bad! It’s really rather relaxing sitting in the reception area, as a hoover blasts along the mezzanine level behind me…not.

The initial journey here wasn’t quite so relaxing…

It technically started at about 2am on the morning of 1st January 2006. Whilst sitting in my friend’s parent’s house we all looked at the clock and one of my friends suggested that perhaps I should think about getting some sleep, seeing as I had to make my way home at 6am to finish off my packing. My flight was at 11:40am. Good plan, thought I. My bed that evening was some sofa cushions scattered on the floor – it was actually darn comfy and as soon as my head touched the pillow I was out like a light. All too soon my alarm was beeping me awake at 6am. I sat for a few moments realising that it would be quite sometime before I would be spending any time in that particular house. A strange feeling.

However, time was tight. I gathered up my things and wandered outside in the still dark morning. I looked across round the back of the house and, I kid you not, saw a beautiful sunrise. Not a bad way to start my journey. Once I arrived home I was greeted by my mum sitting at the kitchen table looking a little bleary eyed – but up and ready none the less to whisk me off to the airport!

Everything was going perfectly. I’d stuffed the last of my belongings into my cases. One of which I had purchased just days before for a bargain £35 in Edinburgh. All the cases were lined up by the door and we were ready to start packing up the car. Then, disaster. My lovely new case had split! Let me stress that this was an expanding case, and it was by no means over packed! I ran up to the loft and grabbed one of my old bags. However, all my other bags were smaller than the one that had now split open. I was going to have to do an emergency re-pack.

Items of clothing, notepads and chocolate (hey, it’s my emergency supply) were now strewn across the sitting room. Two hastily made piles were put together. One contains essentials, one not. Nothing in the non-essentials pile made it into the new bag. Everything in the essentials did. Success.

Time had ticked by and there was no chance that we were going to be able to drop my car off at its new home. Swift phone calls were made and apologies blurted. Sadly it also meant I wouldn’t be able to see my cats for a final time before I went. However, two nights before I’d seen them and given them each an extra scratch behind the ear ;o)

The car was packed and we were off! I was grumpy and stressed and the start of the journey was quiet, but I slowly became more relaxed and calmed down. The roads were totally empty and we made record time to Gatwick.

Once parked we located a trolley and loaded up all my bags and went off in search of the Zoom check in desk. Being a budget airline they only had two check-in counters! One was for premium economy, which thankfully I had upgraded too. I stood in the queue with mum and we both read the ominous sign at the same time. “Maximum baggage allowance 30kg, excess charges will apply. Hand baggage maximum 5kg, no allowances – staff may ask you to re-pack items.” Oh crikey…

The moment arrived and we walked up to the desk. “Hello,” said the lady “Do you have any hand baggage?”

“Yup.” says I (as I attempt to lightly lift it up to show her, sadly I broke into a sweat)

“Right, can you please put it on the scales for me?”

“No problem,” I breeze as I delicately place it on the evil weighing scales.

18.1kg. My hand luggage weighs 18.1kg. I smile weekly at the lady.

“That’s your hand luggage?!” she enquires.

“Uh huh…”

“Ok, let’s take a look at your other items and see if they come in below 30kg”

Nervously I put the first bag on the counter.

22kg.

“And the next one please.” She smirks

25kg

I’m sweating even more now.

“You appear to have 65kg of luggage madam. Your limit is a total of 35kg, 5 of which is designated to the cabin.”

“Ah, well you see I’m going to University. I’m leaving the country.” I smile my bestest ever smile when I say this. Mum stands beside me nodding and smiling too. I may even have fluttered my eyelashes.

“Ok, here’s what I can do. I’ll charge you for 20kg excess baggage but you’re going to need to go and buy another bag and transfer what you want in the cabin into that…and it must be below 5kg. Then we’ll check in your other bag into the hold.

“Thank you, a thousand times” I say.

Off we run to pay for the excess baggage. One hundred pounds lighter we then go off in search of a bag shop. Funnily enough we find one called “Excess baggage”. Cheeky. I see the bag I want immediately and part with 15 quid. There follows a ridiculous re-packing of important items, laptop being the main one. We run back to the check in desk and I deftly place the new bag on the scales.

8.5kg. Damn it!

I take out my pencil case.

8kg. Agh!

I take out my wash bag

5.8kg. You’re kidding me!

I take the battery pack off my portable DVD player

5.1kg. Ah ha! The check-in lady nods and allows it through. Phew.

We then go round the corner and I put everything I just took out back into the bag. Stoopid system.

Time is running out but we stop for a hot chocolate where I promptly burst into tears. All the stress of the past few days finally makes me cave.

It’s time to go. We wander down to the passport check bit before the departure gates with me sniffling away. There’s a massive queue so mum stands with me while we make our way forward. At the bit where she has to leave me we have a huge hug and I snivel some more and she sheds a few tears. She says “This is the biggest thing you’ve ever done.” I cry some more. I might even be sniffling a bit as I write this.

There then follows a truly hilarious situation. I bravely wave mum goodbye and make my way forward, only to find myself in one of those windy queuing systems, like you get at the post office. So mum is standing there trying to wave me off and I keep re-appearing…each time a little further away, but still on the same side of the damn barrier! It certainly lightened the moment somewhat.

Finally I get to the passport bit and turn to wave bye to mum. Then I’m through.

I obviously look highly suspicious as I get pulled through the metal detector and given the thorough frisk. I hadn’t even set off the beeper machine so I’m a little wary of the security lady. She spends a lot of time fiddling with my boots and I’m tempted use one of them on her as my flight is being called…

Satisfied that I’m not a nutcase I’m let through and I realise I’m going to have to run to my gate. Of course my gate is miles away. Wonderful. Strangely my new boots seem to have inbuilt springs in them and I sort of bounced my way along the ground making good speed. I did scare a little old lady on the moving floor type things as I yelled “Scuse me!” and dashed past her.

I make it in time and within moments the place is being boarded. The upgrade to premium economy was worth it as there was loads more leg room and less people in the cabin.

The flight was fairly unadventurous but I did notice a new high-tech security measure in place on the plane. It goes by the name of “curtain”. If the curtain was drawn across to the front galley, you were not allowed to pass through it and queue on the other side for the toilet. You were allowed to go through if the toilet was empty, but not if it was occupied. I was told this was to protect the pilots. From what – weak bladdered nutters?

I’ll continue with more in the very near future…

Kittens new home

2006-01-07T23:13:00.000-04:00

Rupert and Shortstop are settling in well to their new (temporary!) home back in the UK. I got sent some pictures today and I think you'll agree they're doing fine. Apparently Shortstop played up for the camera and posed away.

2005-12-12T07:04:00.000-04:00

Curious - how do you squish 10 years of your life down into 2 suitcases? Got a real catch-22 situation. I'm only going to be away for about 2 years, so I don't want to get rid of the basic stuff (kitchen things, tv, hi-fi)...but where do I put it all?!

Do I flog it all now and then buy when I return? Not a great idea as all my funds need to be kept locked up for tuition and living expenses! I begrudge that I've got all this stuff together over the years and now I might have to get rid of it. Need to dis-associate myself from the "stuff"!!

I'm currently living in one room and I'm surrounded by bits and bobs. About to start sorting through it all and will be quite mercenary.

The cats have gone to their new home. Quite a thing to go through really...Rupert is doing fine and is a total tart. His new best friend is his new "owner". Shortstop is taking a little longer to get used to things. Quite nervous. Problem is they were both inside for about 3 months prior to going so they got very used to human company, which isn't a great thing for an independent kitty. Fingers crossed they'll both be fine - then they get the trauma of going on a plane with me next September. They're gonna love me for it...!!

I keep having moments of extreme deep thought - wondering what it's going to be like when I go. What I'll miss, how I'll miss it. What will it be like coming back in the summer...won't know until it happens. Looking forward to going, that's 100% for sure.

And so it begins...

2005-11-23T06:32:00.000-04:00

House is sold. Plane ticket is booked. Last day at work is set. It appears as though I'm heading off to Nova Scotia! I fly out on 1st Jan 2006 with classes starting on the 4th. I've decided to go out a couple of days early to get over the jetlag! Will be staying in a hotel down in Halifax for the first two days before heading up to Truro and into residence. Still waiting to hear exactly where those residence will be...

I've registered for all my classes. Going to be doing Chemistry, Maths, Physics and English. American/Canadian degrees work a little differently in that you have to have a smattering of "liberal" classes...hence the English. It will be a crime if I fail English! Apparently we will be studying "The Novel". Quite what that novel will be I don't know just yet. Hopefully it will drag my GPA up to the level I need. If I can get over 80% across the board in year one then I automatically get a scholarship - which will mean a reduction of fees from international levels to home student levels. That would be a saving of about $6000 a year, or £3000 - I'm going for the 80% !!!

My timetable seems quite light at the moment - 10-3 on Mon, Wed & Fri. But, I shouldn't forget about the amount of studying I'm going to have to do outside of these times. Going to be weird settling back into a routine where it's only me who can make things happen...if I don't study the information isn't going to magically stick in my head.

At some point I'm going to move this blog thingy onto a more "designed" site. Chances are that will never actually happen, but if I write it down the chances are increased by 2%.

So, the clock is ticking again. Feels very unreal at the moment. I imagine it will hit home on 1st Jan when I'm stood at the departure gate. Crumbs chief!

Pangbourne Piccies

2005-11-01T12:37:00.000-04:00

To remind me of home once I'm on the other side of the pond...

Squirrel-o-rama in London

2005-10-19T07:19:00.000-03:00

I saw this guy in St James's Park, London - the squirrels were just all over him! He was able to call them from across the park and they would run over like a dog and then leap up to get food from him.

Not at all happy with the quality of the picture, but it took me by suprise and my battery was running low - so I just snapped away like a mad person!

There were quite a few squirrels all around the parks...they're bloody annoying when they're in your attic, but leaping about the park they look kinda cute...Assume the pose people...!

Pic-tastic

2005-10-10T18:08:00.000-03:00

Canadian pics III

2005-10-09T13:10:00.000-03:00

More Canada Pics

2005-10-09T13:06:00.000-03:00

Cue spooky random shed in middle of woods...

Canadian Piccies...

2005-10-03T18:03:00.000-03:00

A start...the rest will follow shortly!

Must find new photo subject...

2005-09-05T12:45:00.000-03:00

It really is about time I took piccies of something other than cats...!

Boxes, boxes, boxes

2005-08-28T18:49:00.000-03:00

They're everywhere. Boxes with stuff to keep in them, boxes with stuff to give to charity, boxes with stuff to throw out. How can one person have so much stuff?!

It's weird, because i'm only going away for 2 years - but I need to get rid of so much. I seem to have developed a strange emotional attachment to random bits of furniture and refuse to pass them one though. They'll be snuck into people's houses...only for me to return and claim them as my own again when I come back!

My friend Piers moved to New Zealand a couple of months back and I helped him sort through all their stuff...at the time I thought he was mad, to be honest, at the amount of stuff he was keeping. But now...now I TOTALLY understand! It's insane how many things people are capable of hiding away in cupboards, attics and under beds. Surely if you haven't seen the stuff in years, you're not going to miss it if you throw it away? Oh no...you'll miss it, can't quite bring yourself to throw it away!

I've been quite good and got rid of quite a bit, but there's still *so* much that will be livining in little, white, plastic crates in my mum's garage. I'll probably never open the crates again...but it's all safe and tucked away. Bonkers mad.

I've also developed the "moving country, do you want it?" phrase. If anyone comes into my house and so much as looks at an item of furniture, picture, small bit of fluff on the floor I'll leap in and whisper quietly to them "Do you like it? Do you want it...? It's free...take it..." Some people are now afraid to come round to my house. I'm very tempted to box up some random items and send them to New Zealand...you know who you are...;o)

Ten years of my life being squeezed into little boxes. Ten years of my life being pruned back. Ten years of my life causing my a lot of bloody agro right now!

The cats have been for their first Pet Passport vet visit. Both now jabbed against Rabies - I swear Shortstop dribbled a bit and looked a tad mad that night. They both go back for blood tests in about 2 weeks to check the vaccine has worked. Turns out Rupert may have a bit of a dodgy ticker - irregular heartbeat and slightly slower than normal. They're going to monitor it and if it's still going "flip flop" next time they may do an ECG and see what's going on. Decisions will need to be made in regards to him flying on a jet plane...

Flights, accomodation and large jeep are booked for 22nd September when I disappear off to Nova Scotia for a week to check the place out. I also plan to camp out in the college registry office and not leave until they give me an answer. If they say no then I will chain myself to the desk and sing a rousing campfire song, involving bears and moose. Worse case scenario is that I get dragged away by a Mountie...ding dong...;o)

I was tempted to include a picture of my sitting room in this post - but it's rubbish. Imagine many boxes (as previously mentioned), my bike, a pot plant, many suitcases, a table full of copper coins, empty shelves, Albert the in-destructable standing in the corner mocking me and for some weird reason a duvet in the corner. That's my sitting room.

When i'm finished with this University maddness I'm going to buy a lovely, lovely house and I shall live in it forever. I shall never move and I will fill the attic with all my stuff. I will have shelves upon shelves of books and comfy chairs. I will have a dog called Harrison and I will admire my degree certificate that will be framed upon the wall...

This post is dedicated to the person who always says the right thing and reminds me often why I'm doing this. The person knows who they are and I miss the hugs that go with the advice. :o)

2005-08-12T10:28:00.000-03:00

It's all about the time...

2005-08-05T18:21:00.000-03:00

Everything is my life now feels like it's dictated by time.

I got my official letter from Vancouver, which set my mind into a bit of a buzz as to when I should go over to Canada and check everything out. Randomly decided that it would be best to go *immediately*...

Quickly decided against that decision as I need to move house in the next 3 weeks - not a small job either seeing as I need to dispose of all my furniture before then. Not just move it! After much changing of my mind, a frantic call to the Canadian embassy (quite how frantic it was in reality I'm not too sure...I was listening to a recorded voice...still paced about the car park like a nutter though!) and near misses on expedia... I've decided to stick with the original plan and head over at the end of September. I'll have all the necessary certificates by then and the study visa should only take about 10 days to process (at least that's what auto-Canadian lady told me). Nova Scotia should have responded by then too - so I'll be able to make a sensible choice between the two. If Nova Scotia haven't responded by then...I think I'll just strike them off the list regardless!

Annoyingly things are going well at work at the moment and it's taking quite a large chunk of my time and brain power up. Very strange place to work though - one minute you're bottom of the heap and the boss couldn't care less...next day you're golden and the best thing ever...weird.

I would like to mention at this point that I have successfully begun my Squash fightback. After being nearly thrown out of the "league" with a disastrous showing leaving me 7 games to 3 down, I've clawed my way back to now be 8 games to 5...still down...but not over yet! First to 10 and I aim to get damn close. Hurts like hell afterwards...tend to be chucking the odd ibrupofen now my throat at the half-time break - but...bah!

There was one scary moment when my opponent, who for certain reasons shall remain nameless, was directly in the way of my upcoming shot. A small voice in my head said "Show no mercy...". So I didn't. I got the point and said opponent picked himself off the floor and calmly said "Seriously...quite happy to just give you the point if it protects me!" In return I suggested that maybe he should move faster next time...;o)

Rupert

2005-08-01T18:59:00.000-03:00

About time I included this evil monster...

The clock's ticking

2005-08-01T18:37:00.000-03:00

Wow, loads has happened over the last few days.

The survey is being done on the house on Thursday 4th August. If it goes all ok I've got a feeling I could be moving out at the end of August. Good news is that I've found somewhere to rent short-term. Going to be living in a converted stable (nice!) until I need to head over the pond. Started creating the list of things to sell from the house and another list of things which I will need to store (i.e. dot around kind people's houses and collect again in a few years time!!)

This evening I got the official letter from Vancouver (ok, Kamloops!) - Thompson Rivers University saying I've been accepted into the pre-vet programme. This has prompted me to chase Nova Scotia and ask for a decision as soon as they can. Now plan to visit both places, probabbly during the week 13th August. I need to make my decision fairly quickly due to needing to get an application in for a student visa.

Working on the cat situation...good news is that I've found out there's no quarantine going or coming from Canada. There's no way I'll take them out in Januaray, but if things go well then I may consider taking them for the next semester. All too early to tell at the moment, but I really can't consider leaving them for good...

Starting to look into all the day to day things - like bank accounts, money transfer and loads of stuff! Trying to do one thing at a time and not get too stressed by it all. First things first - choose the Uni, confirm the Uni, move house...breathe...start to organise a trans-atalantic move. No worries...

House

2005-07-29T07:59:00.000-03:00

Well then.

Had an offer on my house, which I've accepted. Cash buyer. This is all going to happen quickly.

All so mad. All so very, very real!

Need to find somewhere to live now...hmm...!!!

House sale

2005-07-28T11:13:00.000-03:00

Obviously my house is on the market due to my anticipated move to Canada...

Had a viewing this morning and the lady is apparently keen and will be returning for a second look with her mother. Planning on buying as an investment. Fingers crossed.

It's a bit odd as I think I'm more emotionally attached to the house than I thought. The prospect of not having a "base" of my own is a little un-settling, but I need to keep looking at the bigger picture. Maybe I should buy a camper van!? The house has, potentially, served its purpose - in that it's increased in value and means I can now afford to go to Uni full-time and study for what I really want.

Another issue is my cats. I don't want to re-home them forever, but I can't initially take them over to Canada as I'll be living in Halls. I need to find someone to foster them for a short while (1-2 years!)...someone I'm happy with taking care of them!

It's all becoming a bit real now, and while I'm totally happy about everything...it means it's...well...real!

Scary biscuits.

Pre-vet

2005-07-27T12:33:00.000-03:00

Just got an email from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops - Canada.

They've sent a pre-acceptance letter in the post to me...

*faint*

Damn...

2005-07-27T10:23:00.000-03:00

I realised this morning that I'd made a mistake with my requests for duplicate exam certificates (GCSE & A-levels). I hadn't requested my History A-level from the board I did the exam with...this means another month of waiting before I can finish my applications to Canada. Know idea what I was thinking (or not as the case may be) when I put the request in...stupid, stupid.

I spoke with the board on the phone to see if they could rush the request through. Got a flat no as an answer.

Planning on contacting the Uni's in Canada to see if they can at least give me an indication of my application progress, without the certificates - they know my grades, but they keep saying they want the official "transcripts" before they pass comment.

Aaaagghh....i'm having to learn extreme patience!

London Underground

2005-07-26T21:31:00.000-03:00

It's off theme - but to hell, if I stayed on theme then this would be bloody dull (no comments from the back that it's dull anyway!).

Had to go up into London today for work. My original plan was to get a taxi from Paddington and not use the tube, but on seeing the taxi queue go on for about 8 million miles I decided to leap on the underground. Yes, I did give it a second thought as I ran down the stairs. I gave it a third thought as I bought my ticket and when I got on the train on the Victoria line towards Stockwell I gave it many thoughts. My destination was Vauxhall, one tube stop up from Stockwell and two up from the Oval. For those with poor memories - Oval was the destination of one of the failed bombs on 21st July and Stockwell was the station where the Brazillian, Jean Charles de Menezes got shot by police in error on 22nd July. I have to admit I was glad to get off the tube.

I then had to walk past the M15 building down near Vauxhall, past armed police and on towards my eventual destination. I got a taxi back to Paddington after my meeting...

Snake?

2005-07-26T21:23:00.000-03:00

I just created my full profile and it says my Zodiac year is "Snake". Seriously? Who made that up? And who am I directing all these questions at...?

Obviously the cat to the left is not a snake. That's Desmond. He turns the grand old age of 17 on August 4th this year. Thought I'd better keep up with the cat theme...crazy cat lady person...

Desmond has the qualities (!) of a grumpy old man. Sometimes he doesn't even recognise me anymore - sort of just stares and tries to work out who the hell I am. So long as I have a can opener in my hand, he's happy. Open the door to a bedroom though and he's got the speed of a kitten on ...well...speed enhancing "things"...straight in, on the bed, asleep and unmoveable in under 5 seconds. Legend.

A better explanation!

2005-07-26T15:07:00.000-03:00

So the last...and first...post was a little vague, was it not? I was explaining the name of the blog "Shortstopicus" rather than the proper title - which is "travels and learnings". It's a good thing my spelling has improved or the blog could have been called "travels and leanings", which would have been a whole different blog indeed! ;o)

Right - why "travels and learnings"? Simple really. I currently have applications in to pre-vet school over in Canada. I live in the UK and hope to be heading over the pond in Janurary. A few hicups so far with the application, namely I lost my darn exam certificates. Clever, eh?! I plan to learn a lot, travel a lot and fingers crossed and brain power holding - qualify as a veterinary surgeon sometime in 2010/11. Wow, seeing it written down sure does make it real. 2010...that's forever away! Mind you, if I don't do this now then it will never be there and I'll still be ambling around wondering what on earth I should be doing - all the time knowing. I should be training to be a vet!

I hope I haven't jinxed myself by creating this blog - don't know the results of the application yet! *jumps on the spot, spins round a few times and wiggles nose* That should hold off the bad luck...! Ahem...moving on...

I'm not going to tell anyone this is here just yet, but if/when/pleeeeease I get a place then I'll expose it to all...the blog...the blog!!

Why the name...?

2005-07-13T18:51:00.000-03:00

That's why...

And now after comments saying I didn't offer a good enough explanation...

Shortstop is the name of my cat. The one seen above, falling off a chair. Therefore this blog is called Shortstopicus...an advancement on his name...