Midterms Round 1 and Winter Homecoming!

Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day everyone! Whether or not you have someone to share it with, I hope you treat yourself to some heart shaped candies and chocolate! I myself will definitely need some chocolate at the end of the week to celebrate my midterms coming to an end. Last week, I had two midterms and this week I had two more. As well, as we get closer and closer to the middle of February, I am constantly reminded of the fact that we are almost halfway through the semester and project deadlines are quickly approaching. So life on campus is still as busy as usual, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Last Monday night, I spent a record amount of time in the library, a grand total of 5 hours. I was there until the closing bell went off just before midnight! The next morning I wrote my biology midterm, which went really well. Shortly after that, I found out that one of my best friends from home got accepted into his first-choice university! I was so proud of him that I was telling all of my friends here about his acceptance! So even though he didn’t choose Bishop’s, I am super proud and excited for what is to come his way in the fall! 

In History, we finished our Paris 1919 Simulation and I am happy to report that France achieved almost all of our victory objectives. Our conference ended up producing very similar results to that of 1919, however our reparations and territorial adjustments were a little less extreme. This week, we are moving into the 1920s and our next simulation will be Bandung 1955. 

Outside of the classroom, there was lots going on as well. Last Thursday was the Bishop's Locks for Love event. One of the NoPo Team Coordinators (a type of RA) named Laura and some other students were cutting their hair and/or shaving their heads to donate hair to the Locks of Love Foundation. Laura, who is the head of my REC Committee shaved her entire head! In order to cut all of her hair, she put her hair into tiny braids and let all of her friends cut one off! After the shaving, she looked great and she, along with all the other donators, inspired us all with the gifts they are giving to a really great cause. 

Laura let me cut off one of her braids!

Thursday was also the SRC "Speaker's Night." This week we are having the elections for the SRC Executive for next year (Student Representative's Council).  The Executive is made up of the President and 3 VPs: VP Academic, VP Student Affairs and VP Social. My friend Jason is running for VP Student Affairs. At the Speaker's Night, each candidate was able to make a 2 minute speech and then there was a question period, in which all students were able to question the candidates. Jason is in the most contested category so I wish him all the best in the election and I encourage the BU Community to exercise their right to vote!

Jason giving his speech at Speaker's Night in the Gait!

After my bio lab on Friday, Elizabeth, Jocelyn, Hannah and I had a girl's day at the mall. We each had some errands to run and it was nice to have an afternoon with the just the four of us. While there, we spent way too much time in home decor stores picking out things that we need for our house next year (wishful thinking).

Saturday was an exciting day as it was the long awaited Winter Homecoming. The morning kicked off with a student debate tournament, with teams coming for Mount Allison, Acadia and St. FX to compete. In the afternoon, Bishop's hosted its first independent TEDx event (http://www.ted.com/tedx) which for those of you who don't know what this is, is a series of talks given by individual speakers with the theme of "ideas worth sharing" (don't worry, I didn't know what it was until it came here either). There were 10 different talks, with 2 students, 7 professors and the Chancellor of  BU each talking about something of interest to them. The ideas included: Women in Science, Poetry, Music, the benefits of liberals arts universities, the value of the undergrad degree and programs that different professors teach at their respective schools. My favourite was a professor from Acadia talking about a Motor Development program he runs for his students called KinderSkills. Hopefully, these will be posted online sometime soon so I can share the link with you!

Elizabeth, Gaby and I at the TEDx in Bandeen Hall.

The excitement did not end there as that night, CBC taped 3 episodes of their show "The Debaters" in Centennial Theatre here on campus. This was made possible because our principal, Mr. Goldbloom played on the McGill Hockey team with the current President of CBC! Again, I had never heard of this show before, but I went anyway (and snagged a front row seat, I might add) and it was an absolute blast. Some topics up for "debate" were: should university tuition be free, is debating a waste of time and are hobbits heroes, to name a few. Needless to say, I was laughing for a good three hours straight. Again, as soon as I know the date that any of the episodes will be aired I will let you know! 

My friend Sarah and me at The Debaters!

Following the debaters, I watched Justin Bieber host and perform on SNL with Jocelyn and Elizabeth. Then on Sunday, I went skiing with my friends Mike and Vicki and a new friend, Rob. We crossed the border and went to Jay Peaks, which is a mountain in Vermont. It was an amazing mountain! It was also a beautiful day for skiing and just an all around great time!

Vicki and me on the slopes!

So not much has happened yet this week, but I did have my two French midterms, one being on oral interview that I think went really well. I talked (in French) about my impromptu trip to Montreal last weekend and my prof laughed while I was telling the story, so I'm hoping that's a good sign. Today, there is a blood donation clinic happening on campus so wish me luck as I donate blood for the first time! Also, I got my exam schedule yesterday so Ancaster, I will see you sometime after April 26th! 

Happy Mental Health Awareness Week and Happy Valentine's Day everyone! All my love, Erica xoxoxo

PS To any current BU students living in rez that are reading this, go buy your formal ticket!