Life is very very hectic, but in a good way. I moved into my condo which added extra things for me to squeeze into my spare time, like unpacking boxes and painting. I've gotten to the point where I have unpacked everything that I really need, and there are a lot of boxes lying around of stuff that I'll get to eventually. I'd like to get to them sooner rather than later though because it would be nice to have a housewarming party. I've put my office in the tree room and started painting the other spare bedroom. I've decided that I like the tree and it can stimulate my intellectual being as I sit beneath it and work =) Someday I may paint over it but I can't bring myself to do it just yet.
I have my first rowing regatta tomorrow. I'm stroke seat in the novice women's eight, which means I sit in front of everyone else and set the stroke rate. It's a lot of fun. I think I've found my new sport. I know I keep saying this but hopefully I can post some pictures soon. I guess that mean I have to get someone else to take pictures of my rowing, eh?

I have officially started my career as a graduate student. Yesterday was my first class, exercise biochemistry. I am only taking two classes and the prof for my other class, exercise endocrinology, is out of town until next week. I think the biochem class is going to be fun. It is primarily a lab. Yesterday we reviewed basic pipetting and weighing techniques. Very basic, I know, but important. Our homework for the week is to make chocolate chip cookies. We all got the same recipe, but the prof wants to demonstrate that even if you follow the same instructions the results can be very different. It will be interesting to see everyone elses results next Monday.
I'm teaching as well while I am here. My first class is on Thursday, and I'm starting to feel a little jittery. I'm teaching two anatomy labs and one fitness assessment lab. The fitness assessment should be fun. Anatomy on the other hand is going to take a little review throughout the semester!

I had to buy a bike bell yesterday. I used to think bike bells were really dorky but I've now decided that they are kind of fun, not to mention handy. From where I am staying right now it is a 10 minute bike ride to the university on a well travelled path. I was getting frustrated by having to call out to pedestrians when I needed to pass them and not having them hear me, so I stopped at a bike shop along the route and invested my five dollars. A worthy investment as I was told that if they catch you without a "noise maker" (the guy at the bike shop informed me that this could be anything from an official bike bell to jingle bells to towing empty beer cans) the city can fine you $50! So now I make my commute with my happy little bell and find it somewhat cheery to ring it at people.
Keep your fingers crossed for me as I have my first try out for the novice rowing team this evening. Tryouts run for 4 days and they announce the team at the end of next week.

Hi, Remember me? I am still here, really. I am now in Edmonton, getting ready for school to start next week. My dad and I drove down here a week and a half ago, and I have been running around ever since like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get my life organized. Things are finally starting to slow down a bit, and I now have one place to stay until I move into my condo on the 18th. I did have a nice break over the weekend and went to stay with my aunt and her family in Calgary. We drove up to Banff for an afternoon which was great. I'm looking forward to going back there to do some skiing later in the year. I'll post some pictures when I get my computer set up and find the cord for my camera. For the next few days I'm busy studying so that I don't sound like a complete idiot teaching anatomy labs, as well as trying out as a novice for the rowing team. Hopefully I will be able to post more regularly from now on...