Hey there. I am sitting in the library of my university, studying Spanish and checking the TV.com "Lost" forum. School is going really well these days. I am getting good grades, and keeing pretty focused on my assignments and tests.

I am still waiting to hear back from the Canadian Armed Forces. I called the recruitment office yesterday, and they told me that my file has definitely been sent to Ottawa. I guess I just need to be patient and wait for them to call me back.

I have been thinking a lot about my goals with university, and I think I have made up my mind. I want a French Major in order to teach, as well as a Math Minor. I also would like an English Minor, for my own purposes. As for Spanish, I think I will just take the minimum number of courses I need in order to earn my French Major. I was thinking about pursuing a Spanish Minor, but I don't think it would be a beneficial investment at this point in my life. Besides, why spend six years in school when I can spend five,simply for the sake of speaking fluent Spanish? I can become fully fluent in Spanish later in my life.

Well, I guess I don't have much news to write about. I had better get back to my studying. TTYL

Hey there! Things are going well for me these days. Here are my updates in life:

(1) My car accident has been resolved. My parents are helping me out a lot with the costs. I am really fortunate to have them because I know they have my back when I need help. It's really a testament to how good our relationship has become, and how much we have evolved as family members. I will never forget the opportunities they have provided for me, and I can't wait until the time when I can somehow return the favor.

(2) School is going amazing! For some reason, I am doing really well on my tests and assignments these days. I have gotten straight 90's in Calculus, Spanish, English, and French for the past few weeks. It is surprising, but I guess it is because of all the studying I have been doing lately. I am very happy with my grades! I even applied for a couple scholarships. I may not win them, but I at least threw my name in the ring. Who knows? Maybe I will outshine the other candidates, and get some extra money for school.

(3) I finished all my military tests (the CFAT, physical test, medical exam, etc.),and now Iam waiting to hear back from Ottawa. I REALLY hope to start my military experience thissummer. I am really excited by the possibility of becoming a soldier, and exploring any opportunities that being in the military can provide for me.

That's all my news for now. TTYL

Hey there. Last night's hockey game was a great accomplishment for Canada! I was really proud of Crosby, especially since he comes from my home province. I was almost convinced that Canada would lose after the States scored their second goal, but it was great to see my boys pull through during overtime. Luongo definitely gets my respect for holding out so long during the third period; he was the most valuable player during the gold match along with Niedermeyer and Crosby.

My car is fully repaired, and it looks like the accident never even happened. I am still patiently waiting to hear what I owe for the other driver's repairs. In the meantime, I am really thankful the car accident happened. First of all, it taught me to become a better driver. Secondly, it showed me I really do have people who care about me enough to help me out when I am in financial trouble (it has not come to that, but three important people I was not sure I depend upon offered to help me out, and I will always be grateful to them). Third of all, and most important, was my mother nearly made the same mistake I did. Had she not remembered my accident two seconds after she checked her mirrors, she would have completed a lane change and been struck by another vehicle... well, that's what she told me, anyway. I think it would be great if my accident helped her stay safe.

BTW I got a new phone, and I have unlimited texting now! It's great, but addictive LOL.I also had my Armed Forces medical test and interview last Wednesday. This Wednesday, I have my fitness test. I have stepped up my work out by adding in a half-km run, which seems to making me leaner and giving me more endurance. I used to run every day until school started, when I just stuck with weights and strength training. Combining both is putting me in better shape.

TTYL

Hey there. This week is Reading Week, so I do not have any classes all week long. To celebrate, a friend and I decided to go to Nova Scotia for a weekend getaway. It was a great time, but I ended up getting into a minor car accident with another vehicle.

I was trying to make a lane change, and I suppose I did not check my rear view mirrors carefully enough. I crashed into an SUV. The SUV was only minimally damaged, but my entire front left headlight was destroyed. I exchanged my information with the other driver, and tried to salvage the rest of my trip.

Unfortunately, repairing my car will cost me about $1,600-1,700. It is currently in a shop right now, and should be fully repaired by tomorrow or Thursday. I am paying for repairs out of my pocket, to avoid my insurance rates increasing (however, I did report the accident like I was supposed to do).

On top of my own vehicle repairs, an adjustor has been in contact with me about the accident. Chances are that I will be seen to have 100% fault in the accident, since in a situation like this one the driver making a lane change is typically seen to be at fault. This means I will have to pay for the other vehicle's repairs, and possibly for the rental car the other driver may need while their vehicle is in the repair shop.

The ordeal sucks, but I am working through it. My parents offered to pay for half the expenses, and I will pay them back over time. As for my half, I am just going to take it out of my school savings. It really sucks to imagine all that money going toward something other than school, but I know I will be able to put more money back as long as I keep saving like I have been doing all along. Also, this may provide me with the drive I need to apply for more scholarships and bursaries.

I won't let this ordeal shake me up too badly. It really sucks, but I need to be mature about the whole thing. After all, I have impotant things to do these days: school, studying, my military medical and interview tomorrow, work, church, etc. I can't let a problem like this one, and the amount of money involved, distract me from what is really important.

TTYL

Hey there, guess what? I wrote my military aptitude test (CFAT) on Tuesday. Based on my results, as well as the fact that I am a university student, I am eligible to become a MARS officer. Compared to the title I was originally going for (communications), I can earn more money and have better oppurtunities in the future, as long as I stick with the Canadian Forces.

I am going in for my medical and my interview next Wednesday. I am really pumped! If everything goes smoothly, this means I will be going to British Columbia for my two months of basic training in the summer. That's sick!

On top of that, my reading week -- a week long break from university -- starts the week after next. I am trying to organize a road trip, which has been going... uh, not smoothly. I found one good friend from my Spanish class who wants to go, and another long-time friend who also wants to go. Turns out the second friend only wants to go because a good friend of hers lives in the city, Halifax, we were originally going to! I feel like a glorified taxi ride. Anyways, I am having trouble finding friends who are able to stay overnight in Halifax, so now I am asking if people mind whether we go to Moncton for just one day instead. It is cheaper and closer... the second friend basically told me she is not going if she can't go to Halifax haha, she doesn't even want to stay in the hotel! Then she said her BF can come too. I don't know her BF, why would I want him in my car for six hours when they are not even coming to any of the stuff we would be doing in Halifax?

Pfft, I hope my road trip turns out good though. I am sure it will, as long as I find the right mix of people. TTYL

Hey there. I am very involved in my church, I work really hard at school, and I volunteer all over the place. I have a steady job, I work out every day, I don't party, smoke, or do any recreational drugs. So here's my question... can you be TOO much of a goodie-goodie?

Basically, I was recently tempted to take up smoking again after having quit two years ago. In the end, I made the right decision and passed on that dirty habit. However, I had grand images of a "Bad" version of myself coming out from hiding, and stretching his malevolent legs. On the surface, I am such a preppy guy! Is there a badass hidden somewhere deep inside? The badass from my high school days, when I used to smoke, party and drink way too much?

I don't want to go back to my old ways, of course. I am happy with being a dedicated university student. Sunday School teacher, and volunteer. I am in great shape and I have a lot of goals. I guess, in the end, there are no "Good" or "Bad" sides of a person. There is only one identity, and you can not deny that to yourself if you want to feel good in your own skin.

So I am a goodie-goodie, prep, whatever... and that's OK lol. TTYL

Hey there. So far, my year has been turning out pretty good. School is going great, as is Big Brothers mentoring, teaching Sunday School, my job and working out daily. I am still waiting for CFRC to get back to me, but considering their massive costs at the Olympics this season, I would not be surprised if they are not recruiting new people until spring. I will just be patient and wait for a little while.

I got back a Math 152 quiz today. It is worth 8% of my final mark, and I made a mistake I KNEW was wrong lol. It cost me 9 marks out of 50. I knew better, and I would have earned a 96% had it not been for that one oversight. Anyways, I still ended up with an 80% so I am grateful for that grade, especially since it means I am well on my way to staying in the Dean's List.

I have a Spanish 102 test tomorrow. I am pumped, because I like Spanish a lot and know my vocabulary pretty well. I also have a Math 152 assignment due on Friday, an English 101 assignment due on Monday, and a French 222 test on Thursday. This will sound weird, but all of these things actually excite me. I love school! I must be a nerd lol, but I really like the feeling I get when I work hard studying, and then succeed.

So far, things are going great. Outside of my little world, though, I pray for Haiti and the challenges Haitian people face right now. I pray that they find the comfort, strength and resources they need to rebuild Haiti. I hope Haiti comes through this ordeal, stronger than ever before.

As for my personal life, I hope the year keeps up being this good. TTYL

Hey there. Things are going great with school, work, and volunteering. I am still waiting to hear back from the CFRC, but I am patiently waiting to find out if my application to join the Navy has been accepted yet. In the meanwhile, I am busy with all my classes, homework, work, teaching Sunday School, working out, and doing Big Brothers Big Sisters.

I have a confession, I used to smoke about two years ago. I was a pretty light smoker I guess, because I only smoked three or so a day. However, I smoked for two and a half entire years before finally quitting for good. However, lately I have been having strong urges to smoke. It is kind of funny, because I can not even remember getting a single urge in all of 2009.

I don't want to smoke again, because it smells bad and costs too much money. I also do not want smoking to age my skin, yellow my teeth, and rot my lungs. However, I have not had strong urges to smoke like this for a LONG time. I never thought I would get them again, at least not after two entire years of being a non-smoker. I do not spend time around other people while they are smoking, and I have not been more stressed out than usual... why then, am I getting these urges?

I really hope I do not give in, and go buy cigarettes. They are so expensive, and I know I would regret it later. Maybe I need a new "addiction" LOL

TTYL

Hey there. I just got back from downtown, where I handed in my passport application. Sure, now that I am not going to Nicaragua anymore, I do not really need one. However, it would be nice to have it just in case. After all, airport security can be pretty tricky these days. When I fly to B.C. to visit my sister and nephew in the summer, it would be nice to have a travel document with my face on it.

A new semester has started at university. This semester, I am taking English 101, Spanish 102, French 222, and Math 152. I am looking forward to both Spanish and French. My English class seems very easy, and the only reason I am taking it is because you need it in order to progress to English 201 and higher. The professor seems very annoying because she likes to talk a lot LOL but I am sure I will get used to her after a couple weeks. My new math professor seems a LOT easier to understand than my previous one, although the previous professor was a REALLY nice guy. I will miss my Math 151 professor... oh well. The new one may be easier to follow, which will help me with my learning.

The last season of LOST starts in February. I am very excited! That is only less than one month away. I can not wait to see what happened after Juliet detonated the hydrogen bomb. I just REALLY hope they do not kill Sayid after he was shot in DHARMAville. He is definitely my favorite character. Sawyer rocks too.

Also, I passed in my application for the Navy Reserves. Hopefully, I will hear back from them before too long. I am pumped for my military career to begin. I pray that I really stick with it, because it seems like it could open a lot of doors in the future.

Have a great week. For everyone returning to school like myself, good luck with your courses! TTYL

Hey there. I had a great Christmas, and I am enjoying my break from school. My final marks came in, and I am pretty satisfied with myself. I got a 90 in my French class, a 93 in my Spanish class, an 82 in my Global Issues class, and a 76 in my Math class. I hope I pick up my Math mark in Math 152 next semester, but overall I am happy with how I did this semester.

For Christmas, I got a lot of really cool gifts. I got gift cards for the UPEI Book Store, which will help me out a lot next semester. I also got LOST Season 5 on DVD, some new shirts, socks, and scarves, some useful gift cards, and other good stuff. I spent time with everyone I wanted to see, which was great as well.

Happy holidays to anyone reading this. Talk to you later!