Well, isn't that just "dodgy"

August 16, 2009. I haven't written in a while, mostly because I have had a bunch of small-ish things going on for my trip and figured I'd wait a little while and then fill you guys in on EVERYTHING in one big shot. Turns out, though, that that "one big shot" is happening when I'm SO TIRED after a weekend out in the sun at my cottage, (all that reading, lake-swimming and sun-bathing really wore me out!) and I have to be up early tomorrow for my 3-weeks-from-being-over summer job. Anyway, I'll try to do my best, but if it starts to lose interest by the end, it's because I'm tired, not because I'm getting bored of filling you in on my life. So here we go: Last Monday (August 10th, which also happens to be my parents' anniversary), my mom and I traveled to Toronto to go to my student visa application meeting. I felt badly spending the day with one parent on her anniversary, but she told me that the alternative was being at work, and our adventure, including travel time, took about the same time as a work day, give or take half an hour, so she assured me that it wasn't a problem. We left just minutes before 8am (a real feat for me, who would have slept in past noon if I had my way) on the VIA train heading west out of Kingston. We arrived in Toronto shortly after 10:30 and met my aunt for a quick catch up over some coffee (aka a yogurt parfait on my part) before parting ways and heading over to the Eaton Centre. There, we grabbed some lunch in the food court (I opted for Thai) and did a minimal amount of shopping, before it was time to launch ourselves in the elevator up to the 25th floor of a nearby building (which I thought was pretty high until I looked out the window at the neighbouring building that was more than double the height where we were). We entered a room not much bigger than my living room with about 20 seats in 3 rows (in other words, very, very cramped). I signed some papers with a receptionist, put all my supporting documents (which I PRAYED were the correct ones) into a folder, and waited my turn to be called up to one of the wickets in the joining room. Eventually my number was called (I think I was 113) and I met the lady who would be helping me submit my forms, a gorgeous, dark girl with high cheekbones who had a pin on her blue suit jacket which was a British flag and a Canadian flag crossed at the flagpoles. I handed in the paperwork I had brought with me, but unfortunately, she wasn't much help at all about answering questions. She basically told us that she didn't really know much about them, and that their job at this application centre was so merely submit our forms and take our biometric details, not to proofread my forms. She said it in the nicest way possible, and was not at all rude about it, so I just filled in what I thought I should have, and then she took me to get my fingerprints and digital face scan done. I felt like I was Jennifer Garner on Alias...it was so cool. Praying that I had, indeed submitted all the correct documentation, I signed a few more forms and declarations, sent off my papers to her, and departed the office with a handshake from the girl. The thing that bothered me the most was that if, for some reason, my visa application is rejected, the office doesn't tell you! They simply just do not send it to you. It takes 5-15 business days for it to be processed, and Friday was day 4, so I'll let you know as soon as it arrives, which I'm assuming it will. Other than that, I've also received my accommodation offer! I was so excited to get it in the mail -- hard evidence that I will, indeed, be living at this historic university :) I couldn't help but smile at my name and the room assigned to me. I had been researching the residences for a while now, and applied to the ones that appealed most to me. I was given a spot in a residence house which is part of a giant student village housing over 2000 students. I liked the idea of being surrounded by people, in a village that had its own grocery store, music room, pub, et al. The only thing that was a big disadvantage was that it was a 20-30 minute walk away from campus. I wouldn't mind so much, especially having lived off-campus this year at Queen's, and walking around 15 minutes to class every day. But the thing that occurred to me is that, with Aberdeen's notorious rainfall, it might suck walking home in the pouring rain for 20 minutes knowing that I could have been in a residence right on campus. So, 'no harm in asking', I thought, and asked the accommodation office if there were any rooms available on campus. To my delight, on last Thursday (maybe it was Friday?) I received an answer saying that yes, a room was available on campus, although it did not have its own sink in the room (which I thought would've been convenient...). I only just answered her now, after deciding that I would like the on-campus res. It was a bit smaller, as well, than the other one, which I thought may be a good thing. It's also in close proximity to the library, my classes, another pub, and all university facilities. Let's hope I get that spot she offered me, and that it wasn't given away. That's about all the exciting news for now. I also joined a few facebook groups for what they call "Freshers" (Frosh) and another one for general information on the University. Once I find out what res I'm in, I'll probably also join a group for my res. I think the more people I can meet beforehand, the better, right? I already had some very helpful advice from one of the guys who has just finished first year at the University. It's weird to think I'm going to be living with people who are 2 years younger than me (that's practically my little sister's age!) But I don't think it'll be too much of a problem. I'm sure I'll be able to get along with them regardless. Speaking of getting in contact with that guy who was helping me out with some questions, that reminds me: I was wondering the other day about new words, phrases, etc I'll learn while I'm there. One thing kind of happened already. I used the word 'sketchy' in one of my questions, not thinking twice about it, until the guy replied, laughing, saying that they say "dodgy" over there, instead, refferring my word choice using the "I guess it's what Canadians use" reasoning. It's not like I've never heard the word dodgy...its just....SO BRITISH. I love it. Love it, love it, love it. Well, you know, I don't love it when IIII say it, but I love it when I hear it being said with a Scottish/British/Irish accent. I hope I don't just get over there and laugh when people talk to me...then they'll just think I'm being rude, when I'm really not laughing at WHAT they're saying, at all. Anyway, must be off, now. Bed time for this girl. Thanks for reading, Beckers :)