The Octopus and the Graduate

I have finally graduated from University! (It's taken five years, so beleive me, to a perpetual student this feels like a big deal!) I now have a BSc in Biology from the University of Victoria (also known as bunnyland). My ceremony was very exciting. (I got a cold the day before, so I was a bit dozy the whole day) We were paraded into the auditorium, and everyone in the audience claps, and waves and takes pictures of you... you feel a bit like a celebrity. Then you sit for an hour until they call your name. You walk across the stage with a big grin on your face, the chancellor bops you on the head with a hat (it's true), and then you go back to your seat!
It's over! Just like that! You have a degree! (well, maybe there was a bit more pomp and ceremony than that)
I am so thankful for my family and friends for their support over the past five years.

What's next for me? Well, there's always a Master's Degree program down in New Zealand...BRING ON THE SQUID!

The Octopus goes camping!

I will start by saying that I am not a camper! However, I thought I would give it a chance.
We journeyed into the Mountains, and found our campsite. From there we put up our tarps and tents (this took several hours... in pouring rain). The octopus helped us chop wood so we could get a fire going, at which point we cooked hot dogs and marshmellows. I found out that during camping you spend alot of time sitting on your butt under a tarp, or playing cards (under a tarp), or eating dry cereal (this is also done under a tarp!)
I didn't even last 24 hours before calling it quits. I'm told by avid campers that it was just a bad weekend to go, and I shouldn't let it ruin my opinion of sleeping in the great outdoors. I actually don't think it did, because I always start laughing when I think back on my sad attempt at camping!

The Octopus travels to Kamloops!

The octopus and I travelled up to Kamloops to watch my friends convocation ceremony. (Congrats again, Katie). The morning, of course, started with Timbits, and then a three and a half hour drive from Maple Ridge to Kamloops. The drive is extremely scenic; moving from the coasts temperate rainforests, to glacier covered mountaintops (we saw snow by the side of the road... in June!), and finally to the deserts of the BC interior!
The ceremony was held outdoors at Thomson Rivers University, and consisted of approximately 120-150 grads. It was really exciting for me personally, because I will be crossing the stage at my own convocation in a little over a week! (Fingers crossed I don't trip!)
And of course, my faithful cephalopod will be joining me at the due!