For many Brescia residents, mornings have started rather early during the past few weeks. With finals around the corner, this doesn’t seem surprising…until you look out the window.

Where there once stood a garage and parking lot, there is now a full-blown construction site! I have been shocked to see the transformation of this space to the foundation of Brescia’s new residence, slated to open September 2013.

While my room is in a prime location for creeping the construction process right from my bed, the only “resident” that has been displaced during the work so far has been Boris, the groundhog (pictured below beside the picnic table).

The Brescia community will be formally celebrating the groundbreaking for this exciting new venture next Tuesday, April 3 from 11am-1pm. I hope to see you there!

-Christine

On Saturday, I came home from the gym only to find a crowd of 35 people outside of my door.

As I awkwardly made my way through the mass of people and opened the door to my room, I heard a unanimous “oooooooo”…

Then I remembered that Saturday was the March Break Open House, and only eager Grade 12 girls could be that excited to see my very small, but very cozy room.

As I invited the prospective students into my room, I got a chance to chat briefly with them and their parents about their day so far.

After being asked about Brescia’s greatest advantage (my response: the community),  one parent responded that I must be telling the truth, because every other person that she had met on campus that day, from faculty to students, had responded to the question similarly: Brescia’s supportive community was it’s greatest asset.

I didn’t think about this comment too much until this morning when I went down to the cafeteria for breakfast, and the cook asked me if I wanted my usual order of eggs. After eating my breakfast, I came to study in the library, only to be reminded of my outstanding library fees by one of the librarians. As I stare out the Beryl Ivey Library window writing this blog, two of my professors waved at me as they came inside.

This all happened before 11am.

When I tell prospective students that I love the community at Brescia, it is because of mornings like these that remind me that I am much more than just a number when I’m at school.

So my answer to that parent’s question was the truth, because a true community atmosphere is not something you could fake, not even for a day.

As a resident assistant, one of the proudest moments is when you realize the first year students on your floor are well-adjusted to their new home.

Roommates and teammates

I had one of those moments tonight as I watched two of the residents on my floor compete in the Ontario University Athletic (OUA) Finals as rookies on the Western Women’s Hockey Team.

Sam Nastiuk #27

Brittany Clapham #86

Although the Lady Mustangs came up short tonight at Thompson arena, they walked away with a silver medal as the second place team in Ontario-and that’s nothing to sneeze at!

Sam receiving her medal from Terese Quigley, Head of Western Athletics

Brittany receiving her silver medal from Terese

On behalf of the Brescia community, I would like to congratulate Sam Nastiuk and Brittany Clapham on a game well played and a fabulous season.

On a personal note, I am in awe of the amount of time and effort these ladies have put in. They were my first residents to move in (they trained for a week prior to school starting) and it was amazing to see them on the ice tonight representing our floor and our college so well!

Even though tonight’s game didn’t give them the results they were hoping for, I could not be more proud of their achievements.

Your resident hockey correspondent,

Christine