Hi everyone! How are you all?
Last week I attempted to send a huge box of stuff home. It only weighed 10kg, but it was an awkward size. I wanted to send it via surface mail, so it would be less expensive, and I don't care how long it takes. My suitcase for Contiki has to be under 20kg, so I have to get rid of some stuff before I leave here! Unfortunately once we got there, they said that the box was too large to send via surface mail. My only option was to send it via priority air mail, which would have cost me $480!!! That's insane! Kurtis carried it all the way there and back for me, and I felt so bad. I had to put it all into smaller boxes from Canada Post. Clara is awesome at packing and managed to get it into 2 boxes. Only one was completely full so I decided to send it this week. It was 7kg and I carried it all by myself to the post office. I got to send it via surface mail, so Nan and Pop, expect a delivery in 6 to 8 weeks!
On Wednesday I went to dinner at Mahony & Son's with Sally which is an Irish pub on campus. I had mushroom marscapone ravioli and it was amazing. So much better than caf food, but then again, it's hard not to be better than caf food! We then went back to Sally's room in Gage, which is an apartment style residence on campus. She's on the 12th floor, so I got to see her views! We booked a multi-activity day tour for our trip to Whitehorse, Yukon. It includes dog-sledding, visiting a wildlife preserve, soaking in the hot springs, and viewing the Northern Lights. We also booked a half-day snowmobiling tour for the next day. I am so unbelievably excited for this trip!!! It's going to be amazing.
The past week our building hasn't had proper hot water, so we've had to run across to the all girls house every night just to have a hot shower! Luckily our hot water is now back on though :)
On Friday night we went to the men's volleyball game. It was UBC Thunderbirds vs. Regina Cougars. It's the first time I've ever watched a volleyball game and it was fun! UBC won all 3 sets! Woo! There were no hot players though, how disappointing.
On Saturday night was Vanier's Winter Formal. I had been looking forward to this night for so long! That afternoon we were all just so excited to get ready. I loved getting ready on my floor with all the girls. Everyone shares, helps each other out, and gives advice on what looks good! It had been so long since I dressed up, and I loved it. Everyone looked so gorgeous.
Kurtis was my date, so we got some photos together too.
We then all went to the caf together. It looked completely different with decorations, balloons, candles, and even an ice sculpture. The food was free, and it was actually pretty good. We got roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gavy, salads, and bread. Then there was also a selection of desserts.
Afterwards we went downstairs and took more photos with the girls :)
We then went to Casino Night! We got given $10,000 in Place Vanier money, and tickets to write our name on and put into the raffle. You could play poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and bingo. We all played a game of bingo where we had to bet $5000 each, and Clara won! I haven't played that game in so long. We each put quite a few tickets in the raffle, and guess what? I ended up winning! I got to choose my prize from a selection and of course I chose the big box of Lindt Lindor milk chocolates, my favourite :)
The night was so much fun. My feet were absolutely killing me by the end of the night because of my super high heels, but I stayed classy and didn't take them off until I got back to my room!
The next day Kurtis and I travelled to Grouse Mountain again to go ziplining. We were lucky because the weather was absolutely gorgeous! We had booked for 5 lines on the ziplines, but because it's now winter and the extra 2 lines are higher up the mountain, they are now frozen. So we only got to do 3 lines, but that was okay! We had to line up to get a refund for the price difference. The line at guest services was huge and we were worried we wouldn't make it up to the top of Grouse Mountain in time for our scheduled zipline. One of the managers came up to us in line and asked if we were buying tickets. We said no and explained our situation, then he said he can help us and invited us into his office. He got us the refund, reprinted our tickets and told us we were getting a private tour, just us and the guides!
We got the skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain. I was so incredibly excited to see snow. I hadn't seen snow in 10 years! I was pretty much like a kid in a candy store. As soon as I saw it I just had to touch it haha.
We went and saw the real life reindeer!
Then we went to the flight centre. We signed our waivers, and got suited in our harnesses and helmets. We went with our 2 guides, who were so nice. The first zipline wasn't that long, but it was so much fun. It was the greatest feeling flying like that. People were below you looking up amazed! It was especially awesome, and gorgeous, ziplining in the snow. The second line was a lot longer, steeper, and therefore faster! It was so exhilarating. The third line wasn't as long, but you could pick up momentum and go pretty fast. We went so fast that when we braked on this line, it was too fast on the springs so we bounced back like halfway! Then we had to swing ourselves back to the landing haha. It was soo much fun and we both had a great time. You could not wipe the smile off my face!! Unfortunately we don't have any photos of us ziplining though, sorry guys!
We had some lunch and saw really awesome gingerbread houses.
We then walked around in the snow and I sunk in the snow! It was awesome!
Kurtis threw a snowball at my scarf
I put on my newly purchased ski pants just so I could sit in the snow. Everything looked so gorgeous.
Kurtis wasn't wearing the right shows so he slipped over a few times. It was hilarious.
We also found a random snowman, and I decided to lay in the snow!
We went and had some hot chocolate, and watched the sunset. You can see downtown Vancouver and UBC in the distance :)
It was an amazing weekend :)
This Tuesday night we went to the Robson Pageant. Robson is one of the all male houses in Vanier. It was like a beauty pageant where they show off to an audience and judges, and then the winner is crowned Mr Robson. A group of us girls went to watch. The audience was pretty much all girls! First they performed the Jingle Bells Rock dance from the movie 'Mean Girls', wearing just boxers, suspenders, and Santa hats. It was so hilarious.
They then had a casual wear catwalk, and answered questions. They each had to perform their talent. One guy played piano, another recited an original poem, a few sang and played guitar, some danced, and there was also a rap battle. One badly sung and danced to Livin La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin. It was so funny and at one point he threw lots of little bits of paper into the crowd that had his phone number on them! After that, each guy picked a girl from the audience to serenade and dance around on stage. None of us got chosen though! They walked the catwalk again in formal wear. A socially awkward and really adorable guy was named Mr Robson.
Today I handed in my last two essays! I just have four final exams to go. Friday is my last day of classes and then I'm leaving for Whistler that afternoon with the Exchange Student Club trip! I'm so excited! Especially to see more snow. I'm going to learn how to ski. I'm kind of nervous about that! I just know I'm going to fall over flat on my face the whole time. My first final exams aren't until next Thursday, and then next weekend is our trip to Whitehorse, Yukon!
My time here has gone by so quickly. I only have 3 weeks to go :( but I'm staying positive and making the most of every moment!
I love and miss you all so much
Love,
Emily
