Six days. I’ve been here for one day less than a week, but I can’t believe it. If time’s really relative, then I’ve actually just gone through a year’s worth of events and changes. I remember saying when I first arrived here, “it’ll take me months to realize this is actually my home”, and now I realize this isn’t true; I’m in a different place in my life now, and the person who said that isn’t me anymore.

I moved in to Dene House at the worst time. When I lined up to grab my pass, the line happened to be at its zenith. By the time I finished, there was no longer any line. My annoyance, however, soon turned into bewildered excitement when I saw my room: as the only guys room on the girls floor, our room was three to five times the size of any other Dene room, and came with a kitchenette, a TV, a fridge and a bathroom. My roommates, as I’ve learned over this week, are really great guys; one a footballer from Ottawa, and the other a DJ from Hong Kong.

That night we went to the Frat’s Toga party. Now I gotta say, I’m a little underwhelmed at the parties so far. Back in the Peg, (Winnipeg), parties started at ten, and ended at around three. Here, it starts at nine and dies out by at most one. Even crazier, the University organized events end at twelve—even my high school dances ended later! People-wise, the parties have none of the unity that a great party has; it usually degrades into a hookup session, which makes it little better than a club.

So I went to the Toga party, and, in brilliant improvisation, fashioned my Greek garb out of a shower curtain. This might have been fine, but I dropped the Toga early on in the party, and when I couldn’t find either of my roommates later on, I became a little nervous and left my shower curtain there. The next morning, when I had to wake up at eight, I went into my bathroom only to come to the grim realization—shit. So I sprinted back to the frat house, found my littered curtain, and shoved it into my backpack.

For the rest of day two, and the start of day three, I went to the Arts Frosh (or Fraush). Fraush, I feel, should have started sometime after noon. Most people had gone to the Toga Party, and therefore were exhausted and, most likely, quite hungover. Unnecessary icebreakers filled the morning, so most of the morning felt kind of, well, futile. However, after that things turned out for the better, with a great scavenger hunt across downtown Vancouver, then a club stay and night in a Hyatt hotel.

On Imagine Day, I finally realized I was home. I met with my Arts One team, and really liked talking to all of them; everyone I met in my massive class was smart and interesting. And my Prof seems great, which is always a good sign. The six-thousand person Pep Rally that afternoon blew me away, and I’m always a sucker for inspirational speeches. After the fantastic send offs by the Dean and AMS President, man, was I inspired.

I really feel like I am in the right place. The atmosphere here, with its mix between fun times and serious thought, seems catered to my personality, which most people found strange back in high school. On the one hand I really miss my old friends who are now like siblings to me, and I know that I couldn’t possibly join every club or be friends with every person (as with high school), but I know from my first week here that this will be a life-changing experience for the better. I can’t wait.