VISI, day 1

I am in Vancouver for the next three weeks, participating in the Vancouver International Song Institute summer program.  

... aah.

I am one of approximately 30 singers chosen to participate in the three weeks of masterclasses, lectures and performances designed to be a seriously intensive experience for 'emerging artists'.  I am living with three other VISI students; I have not met them yet, but I hope I will soon.

I flew from Winnipeg to Vancouver earlier today; the flight and the waiting were both uneventful, though the nerves hit me about an hour before boarding that this was actually happening.  (eek.)  

Once I got to Vancouver, I was then faced with the challenge of getting all my things (two large suitcases and two carry-ons) to my place of residence.  One suitcase and two carry-ons is not a challenge.  Two suitcases is.  Thank goodness for luggage trolleys ... and straps on duffel bags that allow them to be carried as backpacks.  (on a related note, my shoulders hurt a bit.)

My room is quite small, but cozy and comfortable.  I have a gorgeous view (which, alas, includes the top floor of a parkade) full of architecture and trees and sky.  Also there is a clock tower outside my window!  That is cool.  It rings on the hour, which is neat.  (It might drive me nuts by the end of the month, though.)

It is a bit surreal to be on my own with no friends around.  I know I will get to know people, but right now I feel rather isolated.  Thank goodness for the Internet.

After unpacking and updating the interwebz, I went on a search for food.  I was intending on grabbing a bite to eat at a cafe or something, but I ended up at a Shoppers Drug Mart so I just bought a few groceries.  Haven't found any Lucerne milk yet, so no milk, but I got rice and pasta and tea (and really that's all you need isn't it).  Oh and crackers, and juice, and a thing of soup.  I must remember not to buy any cans that need a can opener, because I do not have one and do not wish to buy another one.

When I returned to the dorm, I put my groceries away only to find ... that there was no microwave!  Now, I expected there to be a microwave, as that seems to me a very basic university appliance.  But, apparently not.  Now I must rethink my entire food plan ... but basically, all I need is a pot, and that will fix everything, so I will find a pot tomorrow.  

I also found out today that my reservation includes breakfast at the student union building, so that's nice.  I had forgotten that.  Now I don't need to buy breakfast food apart from tea.  Unfortunately this means I will not be eating my breakfast out on the balcony of my sixth-floor apartment in the sun.  Perhaps it will be a bedtime snack place instead.

I have now eaten my soup and crackers, and duly updated the Web with photos from today.  I will attempt to keep a daily blog of this particular escapade of mine, as it seems relatively interesting, and I might want to keep it in order enough to remember it better along the road.

I am tired ... it is ten o'clock at home, and I need to stay up a bit longer.  Oh well.  

Tomorrow is registration, hopefully some clarification as to the schedule, grocery shopping, and finding a practice room ...