TIme on Christmas day seems different then other days -I can't believe how quickly the day goes. It seems almost like you wake up, are awake for an hour and then it is time for bed again. The whole last couple of weeks has gone like a blurr and it is time for a much needed update.
The fun all began last weekend with the scuba course I took with Mike. It was really fun but surprisingly intense -5 hrs on Friday (3 in the pool), 12 hrs on Saturday (5 in the pool) and 8 hrs on Sunday (2 in the pool). We covered all the basics from what equipment you need, how to check it, maintain it and put it together to more complex maneuvers like sharing air with a buddy if you run out and snorkeling with weight belts. The instructor knew her stuff but was a bit odd from the start. Mike and I were a couple of minutes late for the first class and we hadn't even sat down yet before she started telling us she was an excellent matchmaker and were we dating?! Luckily she seemed to normalize after that and by the end of it she was kind of cool to talk to. The other people in the class were from really different backgrounds, there were six other people besides Mike and I. Two were pipefitters, one had a wife that already knew how to dive so he was supposed to learn as well, the other, Bob, was an interesting character who both amused and scared us several times over the weekend by asking redundant questions and almost drowning Mike by refusing to share his air. Lisa, works at an oil company in Olds AB, she was cool and hopefully we can stay in touch and do some diving together down the road. Lastly there was a family of three learning to dive for their trip to Mexico. Highlights of the whole course were definitely the first session when we were breathing underwater for the first time -so cool!! The regulator makes the neatest sounds!! Also, when we were allowed to just play around at the bottom of the pool with neutral buoyancy, we were doing the astronaut rolls and hovering -very very cool! Last highlight was the final, I got 100% so hopefully I'll be able to keep myself safe when it comes to the open water dives. So I am hooked on the sport and have started looking into dive shops down in Grenada. I've found at least three near my dorm and the third one has discounts for SGU students. I'm hoping that because I get to school a week earlier then orientation starts that I'll be able to get some diving under my belts. All the dive shops seem to have all the PADI courses, even the more specialized ones like using the mixed air, rescue diver and divemaster... I'm very excited to see how far I can take this.
Saturday night of the same weekend I went to the Uncas Christmas party. Because the class had run so late and Mike was driving he came too and it was really neat to show him where I've been working the last couple of months. The food was soo good and It was fantastic to see everyone all dressed up and have a chance to talk to them, I only wish we could have stayed longer:) The clinic has been such a big part of my life this fall, I feel like I've made a whole new family and I've learned sooo much. Everyone there is really friendly and they go out of their way to help each other out and they have fun! I've never been to a clinic with the same kind of atmosphere, you feel at home as soon as you walk in and everyone is just amazing at their job! I hope they'll have space for me to come back and work with them this summer:) I'm looking forward to Jan 2nd because I'm taking my Grandma's kitty, Sheba, in to be spayed and Figaro has his health check for our trip, it will be great to see everyone because I'm already starting to miss them.
The day after the scuba course was Christmas eve and I spent the day with Vicki at WEM. I'd have thought it would have been busier but luckily everyone had thought the same thing so it was pretty quiet. We went for a yummy breakfast at Alberts and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping at all the good stores. Vicki is so much fun, I've really missed her since she left this fall but I am really proud of her, making it into vet school is tough and it sounds like she is really excelling. She has the most discipline of anyone I know, hopefully I can follow her lead. Christmas eve I spent with Keith's family, they had some company over and way to much good food. It was a bit bitter sweet because I won't be home for Christmas eve next year. Next I went home and family friends, the sylvesters and some of my parents friends came over. We played catch phrase, kind of like charades but you're allowed to talk and it was hilarious to see how stressed some people got when it was their turn to have us guess the right word.
Christmas went FAST, I got to sleep in a bit which was awesome and spent the morning with family opening presents and eating french toast and fruit salad- yum! Keith came over to open his presents, and then we went to his place to open mine:) I got spoiled rotten with clothes for school and keith got a new computer with a webcam! I'm most excited about that because now I'll be able to talk to him more often and we won't seem so far apart.
Boxing day was in a word stressful. Spent the day packing for school, trying to fit bedding, kitchen and bath stuff, cat stuff, textbooks and clothes into 4 small 50lb bags. My mom was wonderful, she helped me decide what would be crucial to take and when. Luckily my parents have decided to come down to visit about a month after I leave for school and they've graciously offered up half their luggage. I don't know how kids who go to this school and don't have other peoples luggage allowances do it?! I'm getting pretty excited about going but i'll be even more so once all the organizing/packing and paperwork is out of he way!
Merry Christmas everyone!
