Week 2: Winter is Coming

On Thursday on my way home from class I caught two red squirrels playing (I think they were fighting over territory but it is much twee-er if they were playing.) When the clash was over, the remaining squirrel began burying a nut for winter. The next morning, Montreal had changed, we have gone - genuinely overnight - from scorchingly hot 30 degree days to crisp, fresh autumn. Clearly, the squirrels knew something we didn't.

So, the shorts are away and scarves are beginning to be donned. It really is no bad thing - quite a lot of international students I've spoken to have all agreed we're breathing a little sigh of relief. Now autumn (Fall) has hit us WE HAVE THINGS TO WEAR. We all had a token pair of shorts with us, but definitely weren't prepared for a fortnight of mid-summer temperatures!

Apparel aside, now two weeks of the semester have passed work is really getting into the swing of things. I've had to play around with my schedule a bit so I actually moved into a new class today - I'm so glad I've moved, it is much more appropriate for our academic level and I also love the subject area. Postcolonialism, yay! I've got a fair bit to catch up on, though. Last week I felt much more confident in class too, knowing when to talk and what to say etc. I prepared my first piece of work for grading over the weekend as well; fingers crossed I got the right end of the stick . . .

It is much easier to balance my work load now I have an established routine and know my way around, I've even had time to do some more 'playing.' I did a whole bunch of my friends' face paint for a 'Rep your Flag' party for international students and climbed Mont-Royal with Evey on Sunday evening. Here's a snap of my face once Helena had finished painting me - super cool:

Mont-Royal was really beautiful, and really relaxing. I've lots of exciting plans coming up next week too, including an international students' reception with university and city dignitaries. There is also the now annual free lunch for students hosted by the Vice-President of the university and my first Best Buddies meeting of the year. My old flatmate and dear friend Faye is visiting us at the weekend too - I haven't seen her since May so I CANNOT WAIT. I just have to get through all my work before the weekend - challenge accepted!