It feels like this week is never going to end! I think this has been one of the busiest weeks yet. Even though I didn't have much homework, I had a lot of rehearsals and practicing! Today for example, I have class from 8:30am-9:30am, 10:30am-11:30am, a performance at lunch time, dress rehearsal, and a concert tonight! At least I'll be kept busy!!

Thank you to Heather who so kindly brought me my yearbook from Calgary!! There are some great pictures of everyone in there! I was so excited. People here are amazed by the number of people at Beav. My friend Steph had a graduating class of something like 50 people or so.

I'm so glad it's almost a weekend. I have a music history assignment to start, and a clarinet lesson to teach, but other than that, I plan on getting some well-deserved rest and practicing for my recital next weekend.

It snowed early this morning!! I was surprisingly very excited!! It wasn't very much......it was even hard in some places whether it was frost or snow, but it was enough to remind me of home! When I come home, will someone build a snowman with me, and jump in the snow drifts??? PRETTY PLEASE???

Well, I must go.....I have to change into all black (so unlike Jacqui) for my performance at lunch time! Fare thee well!!

Later Gator!

Jacqui

Hello Again! I'm bored so I'm going to write in here a second time today. I had quintet coaching for the last hour and it went pretty well. Our whole quintet is first years except our bassoon player, who is actually only in grade 12 at a local high school. We have a good time, and most often don't play in rehearsal, because we get laughing too hard.

Sarah and Kristen.....you'd better count me in for a movie day when I get home!! I own Finding Nemo!! I'll bring it back to Calgary with me. My family bought it for me and sent it out when Sabrina and Brad came to visit. I tend to watch DVD's on my computer, and since my mom and I went to see it together, it makes me think of home!! Ah home.......cozy bed, REAL food, no flip-flops in the shower......you guys can't possibly understand how excited I'll be for the lack of flip-flops in the shower! I'm really not kidding!

If you read Sarah's blog, she explains the current situation of my room back home! They've tried to replace me with a multitude of Christmas, light up lawn decorations! I guess my dad has replaced our shopping trips with buying excessive amounts of Christmas decorations.

Sarah.....you'll be back on your feet in no time if I can help it! As far as I'm concerned, you play the flute with more heart and soul than any of the first year flute students here! I don't know how on earth they didn't see that in the first place! I'll make you feel better at White Spot (dessert's on me), and I may even be willing to show you....AND ONLY YOU....the dance that I've learned in hip hop class.....you'll get a good laugh at how much of a tool I am when I do hip hop!!

Gotta run.....so many rehearsals today......LATER GATORS!!!

Jacqui

I miss home so much. I never thought I would say it but I miss the snow! Sometimes I just look out the window ad hope that suddenly I'll see the sparkling white flakes. All I can remember are the days when I would stand at the bus stop with Cori, Sarah and Ryan, waiting for the bus that ended up being 45 minutes late. I miss that! I also miss all of the school events, like the awards night. I'm so sorry I wan't home to see everyone last night, but my Mom and Dad were there to watch you! They say congrats to everyone!! The worst part is going to be not being home for the good ol' Beav Christmas Concert. It was always my favourite....I'm never going to forget those memories. It's going to be weird when I play my first recital on the 30th of November, and no one will be there to see me. I'm so used to at least someone I know being there.

29 Days.....I'm hoping they'll go quickly. I can't wait until I come off the plance and see my Mom and Dad for the first time in 4 months. Some people here don't talk to their parents very often and I always wonder how they can do it! They think that UVIC is their home instead, and kind of lose contact with their actual home. I could never imagine that. Calgary is my home.....that's where all my friends are, and it's going to break my heart when I have to leave Calgary to come back here after Christmas!

I still live it here though. The program here is great, and the people here are great too! Whenever I'm down they cheer me up, and when they're sad I make them laugh too! When we're all sad, we resort to the always sucessful sweatpants and tubs of ice cream ritual. Nothing solves problems like being a sob and eating ice cream.

Sarah, I know you're feeling like you're not ready to jump into the world of UVIC, but don't let it get you down. I'm here for ya!! If you have any questions or just want to talk, give me a call, or write me and I can give you a call! You have so much potential....I know you and you strive for the best...ALWAYS!! I miss you and hope you're feeling better! SMILE!

To everyone else, write me sometime, or give me a call.....it will help the time pass!!

Later Gators!!

JAcqui

The rain finally stopped......though I'm sure it's only temporary. My theory class was cancelled today too, because my prof was sick. If only I knew in advance, I would have stayed in bed longer. So, I sat in the McLaurin building for the last hour, talking with some of the people in my class.

ONE MONTH UNTIL I COME HOME!! It's too bad I fly into Clagary at midnight! It's kind of annoying, but it was the only good flight I could find, so I could come home as soon as possible. I just have to figure out what to do here for ten days between my exams. I have Music History on the 8th, English on the 9th.....a ten day break.....and Theory on the 19th! I have a small performance on the 11th, but other than that, I plan on sleeping, eating, and practicing...THAT'S IT!! My friend Stpeh wants to take a road trip to Nanaimo to see her friend play hockey, but I think I'll pass. Nanaimo just doesn't thrill me that much. The hockey game would be fun though. I went to a BCHL game earlier this month and had so much fun. The games so fun to watch. Everyone here is obsessed with the Canucks too, so we end up watching quite a bit of hockey.

Kristen, you have me booked for Slurpee and Pop Rocks night! I can't wait. Jenny, I'll so be at your party the next night! I'm so excited. Sarah....three words......WHITE SPOT LOUNGE!! It's you and me hun!! You choose the time! Anyone else who wants to book me, just let me know! We can organize our plans during my ten days of nothing during exam time!

Well, I must be off....things to do....people to see!! (Not actually, but I think I'll go back to bed for a half hour before my next class)

Later Gators,

Jacqui

Its nice weather...IF YOU'RE A DUCK!!! Why on earth does it have to rain so much?? Soon I'll have to build an ark....don't doubt me....I'll do it! An area by my building is flooded, so it's a pain in the butt walking to and from class. I've already changed once today because I was covered in mud, and it's only like 10:00am!! I'm going to have so much laundry to do, and so little money to do it with. Like Kristen said....don't be too surprised if I look like a total grub this week! It's sweatpants for me this week.

Only 31 days until I come home!! I'm so excited. I'm having so much fun here, but I miss everyone back home so much. It's hard to imagine that when I come home, I'll be seeing everyone for basically the first time in 4 months. That's a long time!! Start making plans people....I only have a short 2 weeks, and so many people I want to see and do stuff with. People here keep asking me what I think the best part about going home is!! They're always surprised when I say that other than seeing everyone again, I really want to have a shower without having to wear flip-flops!! In rez, you risk catching the plague if you don't wear flip-flops! I guess I'm exaggerating, but I personally wouldn't touch the tiles without my soles being covered.

I already had one class today, but I have a long day ahead of me! I only have one other class, but then I have a lesson, big band rehearsal, wind symphony rehearsal, and chorus tonight! I'll finally be ready to crash at 10:00pm, however because of my new found insomnia, I'm sure I won't get to sleep until late! Maybe I'll watch some TV! That's something I haven't done a lot of since I got here. We have a TV in the lounges in our building, but both smell pretty bad. The downstairs one got puked in, and has encountered occasional popcorn burning. There's also an added stench from the guy in our building who tends to have an odor problem. He sits in the lounge for hours at a time.......I swear he's left a perma body indent in the couch.......and stinks it up.

I guess I should run.... I have to venture across campus now to go to music history....FUN FUN!! Wish me luck.....hopefully I won't drown on the way.....if I don't update this or a while, send a search party to look for me on my ark!! Just Kidding!!

Later Gators!!
-Jacqui

So this is the deal! I'm tired, cold, and I'm sick of RAIN! I guess it could be worse. I think I'm becoming an insomniac. Even if I go to bed at 9:00pm, I still can't fall asleep until at least 1:30am! I guess it didn't help that my roommate spent her evening flipping on and off various lights in our room as I tried to catch some shut-eye! Grrrrr......*Jacqui's got her angry face on* Oh, and then she left our door open for a while, so I could hear the lovely SCREAMING coming from the girls in the hallway. Apparently there was a spider out there....I never could have guessed from the high pitched squeals coming from outside my door! So, when Ali (my roomate) finally decided to crawl into bed I thought I was home free. NO SUCH LUCK! She decided to turn on her stupid halogen lamp.....THE ONE WHICH SHINES DIRECTLY IN MY EYES!! So being the kind person that I am, I rolled over to face my wall and proceeded to sleep the night with a pillow over my head. Lucky Me, hey??

It could be worse though. I am enjoying it our here. Even though it's raining at least it's not snow. I guess I shouldn't complain about the cold either, but it's a different kind of cold from Calgary!! Because of the humidity it feels colder than it actually is. I hate to say it, but sometimes I miss the snow. (I Know....you think I'm crazy)

I can't wait to come home for Christmas!! It was great to see Sabrina and Brad over reading break, and it'll be even better when I come home and can see everyone......PLUS JACQUI IS 18.....YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS! I'm kinda homesick. I miss everyone, and my parents seem to miss me. My dad especially. I never realized how much of a Daddy's Girl I was until I came here. You'll see what I mean when you see our outside Christmas decorations this year. He has replaced our shopping trips together with shopping for light up reindeer and the sort, so now if someone doesn't know where I live I can tell them to look for the beam of light from South Calgary and you'll find me there!

I'm sure there's something productive I should be doing, so I better run!

LATER GATORS!
-Jacqui