Well it's the first day of classes and it's pretty cool because unlike other times I've started semester, I actually already know people in my classes AND I know where I'm sposed to be going! There's a lot to be said for the whole living-on-campus-and-attending-orientation thing! This morning I got up super early to go and get my U-Pass, which allows me unlimited use of the public transport system here (which at $2.50 for one zone for less than 2 hours can get pretty expensive if you're out and about all day). I still had to wait in line for an hour, but I did meet a really cool girl from Quebec who's studying criminology and we became line buddies so that was cool. Afterwards I caught up with Jesse (a Canadian guy who's living with some of the Aussie girls in Townhouse 91) for coffee before heading back to rez to get some boring admin done.

It's SO good being on campus because it just cuts out so much travel time that I'm used to allowing for, and means I really take advantage of everything that's going on on campus, and actually get to know my way around. It's a little cloudier today, but on days when the sun's out there's the most beautiful view of the mountains all around from up the top of the Academic Quadrangle. I asked Jesse today if you can ever get sick of that view, considering that he's from Canada and thus has been surrounded by mountains all his life, he said no, it's not possible. I guess it's like the view of the river from my house back home…no matter how many times you see it, you can just never get over how amazing it is.

Gah, I'm living right across the corridor from some wannabe DJ who loves playing crazy dance music 24/7 on his super turbo speakers, often whilst leaving his door open so that the rest of the floor can share in the wonders of the base beat - hurrah. =l not that the door being closed makes much difference anyway to be honest, the walls here are paper thin and I'm feeling very very glad that I brought several pairs of ear plugs with me! Haha

Anyway, we're trying to organise to get down to the Fringe Festival in Granville Island to see a bit of local theatre in the next couple of weeks which should be cool, and there's an opening night festival party on tomorrow night that we might head down to after a few drinks at our local pub, the Shadow. Apparently Wednesday nights are all about heading down to the Shadow so I'm looking forward to heading down there tomorrow. We went down on Sunday night, but I don't think the pub was expecting so much business, because us SFU students pretty much packed the places out but there was only one bartender serving so Jesse and I ended up waiting for nearly 45 minutes for a beer only to find it was pretty much closing time by the time we finally got it!! Fortunately that was like a fun party line haha it's amazing the kind people you meet just waiting in lines…

Oo and we've just started to doing Monday night cook offs down in Town House 91 (where the two Aussie psych students, Emma and Jacqui live with Jesse). Last night Leah and Jesse made a curry and next Monday Jacqui's doing pad thai. It's cool cause I'm on the minimum cost meal plan so I have the flexibility to do several of my meals each week outside of that, so I can cook in the town houses or go off campus for dinner or whatever. There's a pretty good variety of food to choose from on campus too, and I'm totally loving the 30c cups of coffee you can get up at the Organic Food Market in the Cornerstone shopping centre on campus when you bring your own cup =D

Anyway, I have to head off to class now, it's my first "Close Relationships" lecture - sounds really interesting actually and they don't offer anything like this at UWA. One of our main assignments for the semester involves critically analysing a romantic relationship as portrayed in a film based on the theories we'll be learning about. Pretty cool huh?

More groovy updates soon =)

LIVxo

PS How are you all??? It's always so nice to get emails and facebook messages from people and I try as often as possible to drop people an individual hello here and there but I'm just so pressed for time! But I'd love to hear from any/all of you if ever you get the chance =)