In Acadia, I have made a few more friends, and people here are generally into their studies, and know when to be serious, and when to unwind, qualities that I sometimes lack. The slackness that many lecturers back home lets us get away with is practically impossible to achieve here, and I love that because it keeps me on my toes.

I have some tips for females wanting to come to Canada or any "snow-prone" country during the winter season. The first investments that you must make at the local Walmart are facial moisturizers, I recommend Nivea, both the night and day creams, and the nivea lip therapy. I tried the Blistex for the lips and that just added shine, nothing more. So imagine chapped lips with added shine... hmm not sexy. Even if you want to wear lipgloss, wear the nivea lip therapy balm prior to doing so. Wash your face with a soap that offers oil, like Oil of Olay, with warm ( NEVER HOT, it dries your face) water and rinse your face with the cold water. Pat it a bit with a drying towel, then add the facial cream. This is important or else, your face will dry up and BREAK OUT, trust me!

For your hair, do not wash it nearly half as often as you normally would. I don't care how curly and "mixed" your hair is, it WILL BREAK! Add oil moisturizers to the roots, and make sure the ends are either covered in a bun or put some product to cover and protect them from the harshness of winter. It is also best not to have any high maintenance-y hairstyle. Keep it simple. You're only coming for school, at least I'd hope so. For us, morenas, there are no hair salons, so come prepared.

In terms of clothing, if you're just going from dorm to classes/meal hall, you can wear any sleeveless or long-sleeved tops and a thick coat, it's up to you. But if you plan on walking "downtown" or go further away, double/triple-up, wear your thermal clothes, thick socks, and thick gloves. I find that no matter what clothes I am wearing, as long as my hands and feet are covered, I feel warm.

The people here are generally very helpful, and if you need any information, they will readily help you. Get familiar with your international student centre, that's always useful. That's how I was able to go to a ski trip last friday. Speaking of which, I fell so many times, it became embarrassing. One guy who was struggling even more than me was in my way, and we ran into each other, he was bleeding on his lips, supposedly also lost a tooth, not sure, and he was bleeding from the forehead. Would I do it again? Sure! But I want to try snow boarding next time. Just know that skiing is actually easier than snowboarding if you're starting out for the first time in this arena.

Anyhoo, this will be it for now. If I have more tips, I will make mention of them. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend, mine will be filled with studying :( .

Last night, well actually this morning at little bit after one there was smoke on the 4th floor of the dorm I'm in. So the alarm went off. It scared the crap out of me at first but I casually walked out of my dorm room as if nothing is going on. The alarm was so piercing that I wandered about in another section and that's when I saw some smoke and people walking out of the building. Naturally being on the 5th floor, I have to pass through the fourth floor to get to where everyone was at. Security was blocking our way to go down, and I quickly ran into my room, grabbed a coat that I had over my bath robe. Long story short, all the persons in my section found a way to get outside. It all happened on Valentine's Day (btw HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE) but I couldn't help but think about the deeper meaning of the situation: Everything is vanity. What if I had lost everything in room to the fire, and my travel mate would understand the loss we would endure if that was to happen. God has a way of showing you what really matters. All week my msn sign in name was " Some people forget what really matters" but ironically I did and this was proven last night. 

I had more or less a revelation and I'm not gonna allow myself to fall into the trap of obsessing over material things. Thank God that everyone is safe and I am more mindful that at the end of the day things fade away, and so do people but God will always be there.

On another note, of the same tone, one of my friends in Acadia, is Japanese. She is suicidal and I'm sure she was placed in my life for some reason, but right now all I'm trying to do and let her know that killing yourself over a guy that dumped you twice is not the solution. She would die and he would feel guilty, maybe a little, but then he'd move on and think of her as bragging rights, as in he is so good, a girl killed herself over him. He looks like the type. She said that she would do it during spring break... so I'm trying to keep her occupied to get her mind off of it, although it's not really working that well. She and I are gonna make Tiramisu so that should be fun.

Finally, I am enjoying my experience here, and I AM SO EXCITED TO BE IN CANADA. People don't understand my obsession with it. At least now I can check that on my list of things that I've done: studied in Canada. ^_^ 

It begins with:

 "Women moving up still strive to marry up. Men moving up still tend to marry down. The two sexes' going in opposite directions has led to an epidemic of professional women missing out on husbands and kids." 

and it goes on to say: 

"Most men, like Ms Dowd has correctly pointed out, want to “marry down”. I think it’s more like a security issue, maybe they are afraid that their more intelligent wife will dominate and overpower them. But when did marriages become a game of power play? It would be very sad indeed when love and mutual respect gives way to politics and power in a marriage. Anyway, in my opinion, a truly intelligent wife will know when to say the right things. She will never put her husband down in front of others and when “correcting” him, she will always do it in the gentlest manner so his ego will not be bruised. If a woman has to resort to a shouting match, sacarsm or nagging to “correct” her man, then perhaps her intellect is only good at the academic level, and not applicable to her personality.

Why marry up or marry down? Marry someone who is your equal in your intellect and you will always have meaningful and fun conversations together. Communication plays such an important role in a marriage, so I personally feel that it is important to marry a friend who has the same intellect substance as you do." Source: http://qqlibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/10/i-want-to-marry-someone-my-equal.html

I agree with this article and found it enlightening.  Communication is the key to a successful relationship, if we are alike in the way we think, we understand each other, have the same values, ethics, reasoning and won't feel that one surpasses the other, what one lacks in a field, he/she can make up in another. This does not mean that you must search for someone that agrees with everything you say, that defeats the purpose of having a relationship with another human being. 

I also think that finding your equal leads to mutual respect for each other and though there will be arguments, they will be settled in a mature way as opposed to someone just saying "I just know I'm right" or "I can't argue with you, you just don't understand." Effective communication allows a partner to know/understand/appreciate the other partner's wants and needs and that is EXTREMELY important. 

On the other hand :) School is coming along fine. I am broke. And because I opened my RBC account in Nassau, I cannot check my ATM card balance so I have no clue how much money I TRULY have which doesn't help the situation at all. Also, I cannot constantly ask my parents for money, both have given too much already towards this trip and really cannot afford to offer me any more financial assistance. The money that we are "supposed" to receive from the scholarship is here but I cannot spend a cent since I HAVE NO CLUE how much is actually mine. I can't even afford to buy a simple Nasonex spray for my nasal polyps, amongst other things, that the doctor prescribed for me, and that I actually need. This situation is really uncomfortable to be in.

Anyways... I missed the opportunity to go skating last night but it was for a good cause: midterms are this week. Which reminds me, I have some studying to do, so until next time, take care!