No. 65: Whistle

No. 65: Whistle while you walk to class.

So, it wasn't on the way to class, but on the way to the bus stop from my exam, still counts though, yes?

As I walked across the quad that's still layered with about 5" of glistening snow I began to whistle to this song... (probably one of my favourites at the mo!)

The Civil Wars - Eavesdrop

Beautiful song right? Gorgeous lyrics!

Anyway, I was whistling and then I saw my bus, so... I tentatively sprinted, (there's sneaky ice patches hidden under the lovely white blanket!)

So yes, that's number 65 crossed off.

C.

No. 2: Ice-hockey

This weekend myself and Vince, (shout out to my 104 '"buddy!") headed to U of I's ice-rink to watch the University team play ice-hockey. I can officially cross that one off my list.

I imagined it to be fast, furious and unforgiving and on the whole, I found these to be true.

In my head there were going to be a lot more players, but surprisingly there were only 5, or maybe 6 on each team?

Fast, it definitely was, you'd be watching one end and in the blink of an eye the puck was being fought over on the opposite side.

Dangerous, is potentially another adjective I'd choose to describe the game. Hockey sticks could easily be branded as weapons in the fight for the puck! There was actually a slight scuffufle between two players in which the ref had to intervene, but in his gliding across the ice towards the disagreement, he himself tripped and flew into the arguing players landing fiercely onto the ice, inches from the wall!

A lot of my time was spent gasping or squealing, eagerly watching (and hoping!) the players would get back up again after their tremendous falls. Although it has to be mentioned just how skilled these guys are, they zoom around like Pigwidgeon when he's just been let out of his cage!

However, despite this mishap, our team actually won, woohoo! (#goillini)

It was a lot of fun. Especially since the students here really get behind their teams and support them. Every time we scored and therefore their goalie missed, they would stand and chant and point at the poor guy shouting: "You suck!" over and over.

But hey, team spirit I guess?

C.

Final Twin Fun.

The dreaded week of finals is here.

Final meet-ups. Final meals. Final walks. Final drinks. Final chats. Final hugs.

Oh, and also the pesky finals themselves.

Since myself and my twin room-mate are procrastinators to the CORE and actually don't want to be editing, writing or redrafting silly papers on finals week, this is what ensues...

Rolling around the living room carpet wrapped up in quilts; what else are you to do with your evenings during finals week?

Here are some photos of our late night fun! (okay, so it's only 10.30, cut us some slack!)

"I'm a burrito on the floor."

"Burritos don't have to write papers!" 

"Burrito's don't have to take finals"

"Seriously, I'm a burrito."

"Actually I feel like a mermaid"

Oh how I'll miss this goof.

C. 

P.s Hope you feel better soon Jen, wrap up warm like this! 

No. 48: Go to class in your pyjamas

Hello!

So yes, I officially completed mission go to University in your pyjamas! I was joined by three wonderful friends (who I'll miss lots and lots!) also strutting their stuff in glorious sleeping attire!

At first it felt weird leaving the apartment in the comfort of your pyjamas, like I was forgetting something, i.e getting dressed. And yes, there were some vacant, blank and confused stares with head turns, but... who cares!

Because:

A) Pyjama's are super comfortable.
B) You'll probably never see half those head turners again anyway.

Of course, here is some photographic evidence... also known as friends in pyjamas, out in the snow! (special shout out to Kaitlyn repping the no-coat look in the snow!)

"We look good in pyjamas!"

C.

No. 67: Ice Skate & No. 34: Go to an a capella concert

So yesterday felt extremely Christmas'y. What with waking up to snow, going ice-skating and then attending a Christmas Carol Choir concert (look at that beautiful alliteration there!) I couldn't help but fill to the brim with Christmas cheer.

Ice-skating. I used to go ice-skating with some friends when I was in secondary school almost every Friday night. I was never the most elegant, or the fastest but I could at least maintain a good speed and not have to waddle around like an uncoordinated baby penguin.

Oh, how things have changed.

The minute I stepped onto the ice I suddenly couldn't remember what you had to do, therefore I resorted to clinging with all my might onto the side frames and doing the all important shuffle.

However, it wasn't too long until my brain remembered how to kind of skate, (mostly motivated by the shame of seeing 3 and 4 year old's whizzing , zooming, tumbling and bouncing back up again!) Myself and my friend managed to begin to glide around (almost smoothly) there were of course  few hiccups here and there, but all in all it was very fun, and thankfully no bruises or broken bones were incurred.

Then we met another friend and headed to the Christmas carol choirs at the Krannert Centre. It was a lovely way to end a Christmas'y afternoon, even if Silent Night wasn't sung! (I know right, how weird?!)

Looking forward to crossing some more off of this list soon!

C.

No. 6: Volunteer

Hello!

So today I can officially cross off number 6 off of my list! I volunteered at the U of I's study abroad session for US students going to England.

It was so much fun! We had to wear bright orange T-shirts (of course, it's the school colour!) and stand at the front of a large group of anxious students and answer their many questions.

It was so interesting to see preparation for travel and studying abroad from the other side, as it were. Of course a lot of the questions were similar to the ones I also had plaguing me before I arrived on the shores of the Land of the Free.

But what was most interesting for me was actually answering these questions. Being asked direct questions about your own culture and then attempting to clearly advise someone else on how to navigate this system was illuminating for yourself, since it caused you to be reflective and question your own ways.

I also met a couple of lovely girls who will be studying next semester at my University, it was so nice to meet them and to feel able to help them with their questions in their preparations!

For the first time, I think ever, I actually didn't feel nervous about standing in front of a large group of people and talking! I know I've done it plenty of times before, but there's always been that niggle in the pit of my stomach. Today however that niggle was absent, and was replaced with calmness, I really do think the relaxed attitude of some of the American students I've got to know has rubbed off on me... WIN.

Anyway, here is some photographic evidence of my volunteering... also known as silly poses.



C.

15 days...

Hello!

So since the last time I posted I've been to Washington DC and NYC! (I know right, insane!) however those posts will have to wait since they'll be meaty and will need some time.

But! Since I only have the grand total of 15 days left in Champaign, (yes, insert sad tones, sighs and possible tear'y eyes here!) I'm attempting to cram in everything I wanted to do whilst I was here while also studying for those pesky final exams.

This results in me basically accepting every invitation people give me to do crazy things as well as me roaming the streets visiting coffee shops and museums galore.

The first of these crazy invites was from my house mates, for one of their education classes they've had to learn to play the ukulele, I know... crazy, but they invited me to their recital/presentation at a pub in downtown Champaign. It was so much fun!

The pub was really quaint and super chilled with everything wooden. I got the pleasure of watching my house mates play along with this local band, it was cool and also hilarious; one of my house-mates very clearly would have preferred to be anywhere else than there playing a ukulele, however she was great! Go Serblin! :P

Anyway, there's a short anecdote for now!

P.s I have made arrangements to fulfil numbers 6 & 48 off of my list of things to do, watch out for more!

C.