Canada

After waking late (I'm saying that a lot now aren't I?!), I had a quick shower, breakfast and some final packing before leaving for Frankfurt Airport.

Up until this point I'd only seen a small part of Frankfurt airport and it really didn't impress me. Now I got to go exploring a little and it's really quite expansive - all glass and open space! Very German though in its layout - everyone in it's place and a place for everything.

I also managed to weasel my way out of paying extra for the 43kg of luggage I had. So far, so good

The actual plane itself was really really new. It was an Airbus A340-600 and had all these strange amendments that actually made it far more comfortable for long-haul flights than Economy should be. Aside from the wanker flight attendent who wanted to ID me! What's up with that - it's a German plane, therefore the legal age is 16, and I don't look 16 do I?!?

But yeah, this plane had really 'natural' lighting, a 2-4-2 seat layout, cup holders in the back of the seat in front (which saves having the table down all the time), curved tray tables (so you can shimmy into your seat without lifting them completely), and all the toilets placed together downstairs, with its own little waiting area. There wasn't an in-seat entertainment system (which I think Lufthansa will have to change rather soon!), but the central screens were huge and really clear. The only downside was they spent the entire time screening crap like the gymnastic 'comedy' Stick It (with such gems as "It's not called gym-nice-tics!") and Take the Lead.

And before I knew it I was in Vancouver waiting for my luggage to come off the plane!

First impressions: everything is bilingual, there are loads of different nationalities speaking in Canadian accents (such a good thing!), really nice airport and really friendly people!

I met Mike (from Nottingham, UK) at the airport waiting for the UBC shuttle (complimentary!) and on the shuttle I met a Dutch girl, a Singaporean guy and a Chinese girl. So international already - although we all live in different rez'.

And onto Gage (the residence ('rez') where I live: my room is quite large, with a much much more comfortable bed than in Singapore. Gage itself is made up of 3 17-storey tours, with each floor holding 24 students (in 4 'quads' with 6 rooms in each). This means it's HUGE, but still quiet at the moment, as most local students don't move in to Sept 2 (this coming Sat). My linen failed to arrive on time (no bother, the 24-hr front desk gave me spares), but we have a TV, which more than makes up for it!

After a quick dinner (at McDonalds I ashamedly admit) with Mike, I went to bed. Considering that I had actually been up for 20 or so hours, I think I was running completely on adrenaline and endorphins!

After much umming and aahing over what to study next semester (see post below: Planning On Studying Overseas), I sent in my 12 preferred options, and received the results.

You see, UBC enrols students based on quotas, with students being assigned a date to enrol based on their marks the previous semester. Essentially, each course has a limited number of places, and the most popular ones are essentially restricted to the best students. If you received excellent marks last semester, you are allowed to enrol in subjects earlier than those with lower marks, thus giving you a better chance to get the subjects you want.

As exchange students, we were allowed to enrol second, with the International Office even offering to do it for us! So I just logged in yesterday and found that I got my top four preferences! (This is particularly good as I had been forewarned that Political Science units were really hard to get into at UBC, and I had 3 PS units in my top 4 preferences!).

My four units are:

• HIST252: Modern Caribbean History (well, why not :P)

• POLI321A: China's Government & Politics (1949-2006)

• POLI370A: Asian International Relations (India & Pakistan)

• POLI365A: Issues In International Conflict (War Crimes)

On our trip to the casino's nightclub:
Ella: "I don't gamble but I'll use your money"
Tris on Ali: "Fabbag"
Ali on Ali: "She's got her jacket. She's composed. Let's fuck this puppy"

In Victoria:
Ella: Respussy
Glacier Girl: "If only all hairy beasts were this easy to tie down"
Amanda on Mighty Moose: "Is it imprisoned?" (her accent changed "is it a present" to this)
Natasha's new nickname: Hakuna Natasha

On the bus back from clubbing one night:
Ali: "He's from Swiss"
Claire: "Team Budget Saver": It's quality, don't knock it!"
Ali: "Have you got a baby in the oven."
Swiss: "I'm going to make a masculine animal ... like a swan"
Tris: "You don't think I'm gay do you? Oh, nice shoes!"
Tris: "Come smell me I smell like a bathroom!"

On the bus to Grouse Mountain:
Bus driver: "Please quieten down at the back there, you're having too much fun!"

At Natasha's 19th:
Tris to Ali: "Your chest is moulting"
Natasha: "I still have a nipple in my pocket"
Swiss: "Where's the fucking limo"
Tris: "ssh! hot chocolate"

Rescuing Natasha (from the evil Fairview) w/Claire
Natasha: "Bailee and jacki are going to longboat, are you? I mean the swiss. I mean the SUB."

At Wreck Beach:
Natasha: "Damn my Asian legs"
Tris: "Damn your Asian bowels"
Ali:"It was all cooked penises"

In the Rockies
Amanda (To Tris): "You have a hairy nipple"
Amanda: "I want to go to that water coloured blue"
Claire: "Afraid Chicken"
Amanda: "Men'o'Plenty"
Lem: "We have a night to sleep with each of us (guys). I'm excited about that."
Daniel: "It's just jolly"

Canadian Football Rules & Regulations
"Necessary yardage"
"Unnecessary roughage"

UBC Chants
Korea-UBC House: "K What? KU! F What? Fuck You!"
At the Shrum Bowl: "FU SFU"

In Germany:
Bec:"I had a really embarassing explosion on one of the trains"

In England:
West Ham supporters (to Liverpool supporters): "If you've got a job, stand up"