Because I Know You're Curious.

Started Tuesday-
Another whole day off! I can't believe my luck. At first I thought Environmental Issues in Forestry was going to be a boring class, but the community project we have to do for it has given me two days off, two weeks in a row. My group is currently linked up with the MNR and is doing a project on the red spruce in the area. Trees aren't really my thing, but research and investigating totally is. I'm really excited to get on this project, but alas now that we're hooked up with the ministry I assume there will be more waiting because government agencies aren't known for there quick action. I can't wait till they let us run with it!

It's now Wednesday, and I've spent all day working on my room (Except for the two classes I had this morning. I can't wait to move back in. Tonight I had to cut my work short, so I could finish up a prelab for inorganic chemistry and do some studying for anatomy. Thursdays are such long days, but alas tis the life of a student. This week has been so long. I can't wait for the weekend to come around. I'm heading down to Hamilton for my uncle's birthday. I'm not actually sure how old he's turning, but it will be nice to go away for a few days nonetheless.

The room looks alot smaller now.

I love the colour. The trim around the window will be an off white colour, I'm adding trim around the floor, and the door will be replaced with a white one. So tired right now. The saw is down in the basement, so at the end of every row I have to run down stairs, and you can't premeasure and cut the pieces because each row ends in a different spot on the laminate... Well I have to get after my prelab.
Take Care.

Renovation Meets Reinvention

It's the weekend, and after the week I had I'm ready for some R&R, but of course there is no rest for wicked. I'm tearing apart my room... not that it wasn't already in quite the disheveled state prior to starting...




The clean up took about 3 hours, but the removing of the wallpaper took another pain staking 2 hours. I HATE wallpaper. The creator of it was obviously a man, because it takes two seconds to get up, looks horrible, and getting it off is really messy.
I'm never going to wallpaper anything when I get my own house. It's going to be nothing, but paint and textured walls. I don't have any pictures of the removal of the wallpaper. You'll just have to imagine me with a spatula and steamer removing it piece by piece.


This picture is of all kinds of history under my bed... I hope I'm not going to be a packrat like my parents when I grow up, but this picture isn't helping me think otherwise... Most of this stuff, if not all of it, came back with me when I moved back from St. Catharines, so there are alot of good times here.



This is a picture of ancient hieroglyphics I found after excavating the bunk bed. I'm not sure if you can see it because I tried to eraser it after I realizing that I wrote on the wall! It's a dude with a kite next to a house. I know it's pretty classy. I think I was like 10 years old when I did it... hopefully younger.



So this is just the beginning, but I'll keep you posted how it goes. I can't wait to get the paint on the walls and a new floor down. I'm really excited. My room has been the same thing for at least 15 years, and that carpet is older then I am. A change is definitely in order. I'm staying in the spare room for now, but that should give me incentive to get my room done.

Oh, and I'm trying to incorporate that skimboard somehow maybe put it on the wall. Any ideas comment me.
Thanks for reading

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning!

Okay today was totally suppose to be a study day, but my dad has been after me for like a month to learn how to plow snow. His logic is that when they're off to Florida for most of March(Party at my house!) I can keep our driveway clear. The vehicle he uses is an International Scout 800A Series. Sounds pretty sweet, right? Well the part I left out was that it's a 1969. That's older then the Canadian Constitution, but luckily it doesn't look a day older then 100. It actually reminds me of Mater (You know like T-mater) from Cars.

He promised it would just be a quick lesson, so I obliged. I went outside and dad went through the intricate steps it takes to start it. 1) Take off the air cleaner, 2) Pour gas into the carburetor. 3) Sit in the drivers seat and press down the gas just enough so as to allow the choke to set when you pull it out as the gas pedal is pressed. 4) Turn the key and at the same time push in the choke in half way; all the while holding down the clutch .5) Put the air filter back on and close the hood after it starts. (Apparently back in the 60's nobody had anything better to do then spend their day starting their vehicles)

After about 5 attempts of following these steps, the monster came to life with a pretty impressive rumble.
The wheel shakes in your hand and the engine has a low steady rumble that you can feel in your chest, and the fumes are intoxicating. It's a pretty sweet ride all in all.
I made three passes up and down the drive way, and had a pretty good handle on driving and raising and lowering the blade when I was done.

I didn't actually recognize the lightheaded-ness till I sat back down on my bed to try and continue studying. I couldn't even focus on my notes anymore because those oh so intoxicating fumes coming from that beast where in fact carbon monoxide (the experience seems almost nostalgic now). As the lightheaded-ness faded it was replaced with a steady ache which i'm nursing now. I have to get back to studying, but I figured I wouldn't be able to absorb any facts until my oxygen stats came back up, so I figure I'd share my experience.
Your Welcome

Day Off!

My Tuesday lab was cancelled this morning sooooo I have the whole day off!
I haven't had a day off from school since... well about a month ago, but you get used to it, and you want it all the time.
I need today to be a study day. I have two tests Thursday and an impossible anatomy quiz on the same day. I figure if I just do alittle bit of everything else eventually I'll run out of excuses to not study. I actually really like anatomy and inorganic chemistry, so studying it won't be that hard to do.. I just have to start it...

I'm starting to understand why my ex-girlfriend used to call me pro when we first started dating. I always that it was a short form for professional, but I'm starting to think maybe pro would better be placed on the front of crastination because I'm really good at putting things off till tomorrow.

So here's another thing done that won't get in the way of me studying in a little bit. After lunch definitely.
I'm really excited for tonight because I'm going to the Galaxy, and trust me the film isn't going to be the best part.

Catcha laters, Gators

Bathroom Courtesy

New and improved Dyson Airblade!
As of this year Nipissing has these new hand dryers that you stick your hands in and a steady stream of fast air drys them. I don't know anything about them, but I assume the fast moving air would lead to cleaner hands. I personally like the paper towel because then I have something to open the door with as I'm leaving, and of course a properly set up washroom has the garbage can by the door.. aaah my dream public restroom... anyways, so with the new Dyson Airblade, which sounds like a helicopter taking off when it starts up, there comes new etiquette to go with it.

Of course there's the basics in the guys washroom; Urinals on the outer edges fill first, Urinal in between otherwise wait your turn, No Talking!, and now I'd like to institute a new rule. This one steams from the common courtesy that male washrooms are known for.

When using the Dyson Airblade please run your hands through twice.

Now during cold season this is an obvious way to prevent the spread of germs since wet hands can spread pathogens much easier then dry hands. Bacteria thrive in moist environments and if your hands weren't washed properly then any germs still on yours will be passed on.

Now secondly and more to the heart of the rule. The loud noise produced by the Airbade is perfect to conceal the true goings on of the restroom. I sometimes find myself waiting for that perfect moment when the Airblade first turns on, so I can continue about my business. Under the shroud of rushing air I can rush some of my own, but often my attempts at secrecy are lost because the person drying there hands did a simple hand in, hand out motion. To often I've been caught with my pants down (totally intended the pun). The hands should be run through twice in order to allow for adequate time for the person in the stall to use the shroud of noise to there advantage, and since the no talking rule always applies we can't yell, "Was that long enough for you buddy?", so the rule of double drying needs to be in place.

So please remember this rule,and the other guy that it's actually for. A little common courtesy can go along way in this world.
(Unless your driving. Then follow the friggen rules already!)
Your Welcome.

Commuting Tips

Well if blogging is writing about what you know. I better start with driving to Nipissing because I know driving to Nipissing, and my wisdom can totally help all those other townies, that aren't really townies, get to school on time. I've traveled to North Bay at least 200 times since I started going to Nipissing, and I know; the way the stream of traffic flows in the morning, where all the massive puddles are on the highway after it rains (Like today! It's almost February and the road hazards went from black ice to hydroplaning!), and I know that the buses are turning down Fisher or Cassels at 8:15 in the morning, so don't get behind them!

Okay so the first thing you need to know is that there is always major puddles/possibly ice along the left side of the highway starting at the bottom of the small hill going into North Bay on Highway 11. This is just before the speed turns from 100km/h to 80km/h (both of these speeds are obviously suggestive when you're running late), so get in the right lane before the bottom of the hill. Now usually people stay in the left lane because cars are yielding onto Highway 11 from (I think it's) Highway 17 (coming from Mattawa or Corbeil). Getting into the left lane might seem like a good idea, but don't! Stay in the right lane. Now it's understandable that you will need to pass a few people if you enter the right lane from the bottom of the hill to avoid the water hazards, but the only thing you have to worry about is being in the right lane before the traffic comes to a stand still. Now I don't actually know where all these people are going, but about 50% of people coming into North Bay turn right on Seymour(checking out Fannies before a hard day at work, possibly?). Now stay in the right lane until you get to the Fisher lights. Once the light turns green, or by some miracle of god you get green already, change to the left lane for the remainder of your trip through North Bay. Once at Algonquin you can turn right and go up Tebow hill or proceed through the lights till Gormanville. I personal like to turn right because it's an easy transition onto Algonquin because a new lane is created just for you, which you can ride all the way up Tebow hill, and turn on Cedar Heights (The road with Mr Gas on the corner).

The major bonus of this route is that you don't have to wait for all those poor saps that haven't read my blog and are waiting to turn left, as we can simple make our right hand turn onto the campus.

Now please keep in mind that there are many things that could slow you down when taking this route. On obvious one would be that it's not between 7:30-9:00 in the morning; otherwise, the traffic flow would most definitely change. The second and one that is always unpredictable would be slow courteous drivers. These types always let people in when they're coming to a yield section, and please I know it's alot of responsibility, but the oncoming traffic will manage to merge with you. You just need to trust them, and I totally agree with letting one person go in front of you if traffic is at a stand still, but don't slow down to do it. Mind reading is not a prerequisite for getting your license so please follow the signs posted... The last and probably the most important crux to my route would be to not follow in the same lane as transports or big trucks. There slow and the best use for them through town would be to get ahead of them to conduct an easy lane change.

Another useful tool would be to crank Faction on the satellite radio just as the traffic starts to slow entering town. Just trust me. Okay I have no idea how helpful this was, but your welcome.
Safe Driving.

About Me

Hi Blogging world.
There's a new face in the blogging and it's mine. I never really knew anyone who did this on a regular basis until recently, and the way she made somewhat simple everyday stuff come to life made me want to try it. Now I know for a fact that I don't have the creative ability that most have because being in the biology program at Nipissing doesn't call for the independent thinking type, but I do take pride in everything I do, and this blog won't be any different. So if your looking for a good read, something interesting to tell your friends, or maybe just something to pass the time between whatever it is you do when your not in control of your life, look me up. I promise you won't be disappointed.

I'm 24 years old going to Nipissing University. It's actually my third time applying to go here. That's probably some kind of record, but not one that most would share. The first time I almost went here I changed my mind and thought Bible school would fulfill me better. I was sooo wrong. In the end it feels a little bit like a waste to have gone down to St. Catharines for 3 years of my life, and then learn what I've learnt at Nipissing. I totally would go for the shorter version if I had the opportunity. Now I'm an atheist in a Christian home. I'm back living with my parents as I go to school. Many heated arguments there which I don't want to get into in my first blog. The second time I tried to go to Nipissing I got into a bad tobogganing accident behind my house, and with the complication of Chron's Disease I was out of commission for a year,and I have the scars to prove it.
I'm in Nipissing now, and really excited to finally be in my third year as well. Biology has been everything i hoped it would be. I love the program, except for the random ecology courses dispersed amongst the way more interesting ones. I hope to go to graduate school after my four years are up and get into the medical field, so the ecosystems and forestry stuff seem out of place in my head.

I'm recently single (as of last month), and I've already had my heart squashed, but things are looking much better in that department lately. I find that you just have to put yourself out there. I used to run the public relations committee at the Bible school in St. Catharines, and the best way to get people to come to the school was to just let them know you exist. When you have a great product it just sells it's self. It's your job to let people know that you exist.

This blog is longer then I intended it to be, but I'm trying to give a baseline from where I'll be coming from for the remainder of my stay on Nipissing guy. I hope me in a nutshell didn't bore you too much, but from here on your stuck with me.
Thanks for reading.