A couple of weeks have gone been by since the start of school, and I think I can now accurately put down my thoughts as to how everything is going out here. My life can basically be split into 2 parts right now: studies, and running. Outside of these, I really don’t have much of a life (not that it’s a bad thing…I like how it’s worked out thus far).

As I had expected, University has proven to be much different than College. It’s not that the content is necessarily really hard, but there is a lot more regular work to do, and I have come to understand the importance of scheduling. It has taken a bit, but I finally feel like I am beginning to get a good feel for the academic portion of my life. I have 4 classes, 1 which is my hardest (Calculus), 1 easy one and 2 that fit somewhere in-between. I think it is a good and manageable setup as long as I stay on top of things.

That leaves the other part of my life out here: running. As I’ve mentioned in a few posts already, I’m pretty excited about how this is going. We have now completed 2 races: one in Seattle, WA and the other our home meet here. I have been more than happy with my results, and things are really falling into place. I have finished 7th and 6th on the team, and am running far better than I ever have. Our team is solid this year, and I must say, I am really proud to be an SFU Clan athlete. I can’t wait to see how things progress.

A friend asked me the other day “is it everything you expected out there?”, and I have to say, it’s everything and more. I think I’m really finding myself out here in many areas, and gaining enjoyable experiences and learning new things in the process. I know that before I left, I had a peace about coming out here, and that has really be realized.

On that note, I also have to say that I’m also really looking forward to my brief trip home this weekend, and being able to see my family and friends again. Despite the fact that I love it out here, I still miss everyone and certainly haven’t forgotten them.

If the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds true, I would argue that no matter how many photos I take, I could still not describe the beauty out here.

Last week during a light run I was introduced to what is now my favorite place on campus. From this park area, I can see Vancouver, the Burrard Inlet, Indian Arm and the Pacific Ocean. All of this with just the turn of my head.

Many of you have asked to see what the campus and area looks like, and I finally had a chance to take a bit of a walk around with my camera. I didn’t have the time to get everything, but do take a gander at some of the sights that I do see on a regular basis at http://picasaweb.google.com/trevor.feeney/AroundSFU

There are plenty areas from atop the school or it’s various patios to have absolutely stunning sights, and I am making use of these for work/study areas. Hopefully the pictures give you a small idea as to what it’s like where I am. The pictures honestly aren’t great in a photographic sense, but I think the views in them will speak for themselves.

The countdown has dwindled. Training camp is over. The students have arrived, and the nightlife is abuzz as summer comes to a close.

On Tuesday, my classes begin. I really am not sure what I think about that, or what to expect. Although I have 4 years of College under my belt, I expect that University will be vastly different than what I am used to. I am going in ready to work hard at every aspect while here, whether it be my running or my academics.

After numerous shopping trips (and by numerous, I mean way too many), I am fairly settled into my new home. I have learned that shopping without a vehicle can be a difficult task, as one can only buy what they can carry (and I have definitely overdone it a couple of times already). I never realized how many items are required to set up a household. Today was my first go at using the laundry facilities here (and it went smoothly).

Training camp was a super experience (and vacation of sorts), and it was great getting to know the team members who I’m sure I’ll be spending a lot of time with over the years…it’s also comforting actually knowing some people in the residences nearby. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am definitely excited about the upcoming season.

So after a year of preparation, waiting, fretting and trusting, the time for things to kick in has arrived. I look forward to posting my thoughts as I adjust to being back in school. For now, I’m enjoying some quiet time with a nice view of the Vancouver skyline at night…and I still can’t get over all of the spectacular views out here.

Saturday afternoon, after a light workout, the Cross-country/track team headed up to Whistler for our pre-season training camp. We are staying in a very nice lodge situated on the side of Blackcomb mountain. For me, this trip is an excellent opportunity to meet my teammates and get a feel for what the upcoming cross-country season might bring.

Now that we’re a couple days in, I have to say I am probably as excited as I have been about moving out here. Now, to clarify, this isn’t purely because I’m surrounded by runners and running activities; I had a couple of days to get settled in my residence back at Simon Fraser and spend a bit of time at the campus, which really got the ball rolling. I’ve been able to touch base with quite a few people back home, which has helped the transition as well. Of course, there’s also the fact that I’m surrounded by stunning scenery: mountains, rivers, lakes and oceans are no longer uncommon. I currently have no doubt whatsoever that I made the right decision to make my way out here. As much as I know I am going to miss the many close friends and family back home, I feel very much at home here already.

Training camp has been absolutely amazing thus far. I had a great long run Sunday morning: I was out with the team Capitan traversing the many trails around here, and we often popped out of the forest to a gorgeous view of lakes and mountains. The other members of the team all seem really great and are really welcoming and friendly to us newcomers (and there are quite a few of us). I have a lot of opportunities to chat with various members and get to know people better. Everyone is really excited about the upcoming season, and I definitely fit in that camp. The coach seems great, and I think it is going to be and excellent training environment for me. It is an intense week here training-wise, but we also have a lot of time to relax and recover. We have access to a heated pool and 3 hot-tubs, which also have a nice mountain view. It’s also been great getting together to socialize as a team: last night was a movie in town, and tonight was karaoke and Dance Dance Revolution in our room. It really feels like a strong team atmosphere, something like I’ve never really experienced when it comes to cross-country.

Again, I have to mention the scenery…both here and at SFU. It still really blows me away when I look around and realize this is my new home, not just a brief vacation. To get an idea of what I mean, visit my photo gallery at http://picasaweb.google.com/trevor.feeney/TrainingCampWhistler

I’m looking forward to the rest of the week, and once it’s done it’ll be time to gear up for class. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say once that begins.

If I were to walk into a room full of people and ask those who enjoy saying “goodbye” to those close to them to raise their hands, I doubt I would have many hands shoot up into the air.

It has been a good 7 years since I last went away on a long trip of any sorts; ironically, this was the first big trip out West that I enjoyed, along with my best friend. I remember that it really wasn’t until a couple of nights before we left that the reality of it set in. However, back then it was merely a long vacation, to be spent with someone close the entire time. Reality is setting in much earlier this time, with a much different air about it too.

The past week has been great in the sense that I’ve been able to spend some quality time with friends and family. It also brought on the first round of “goodbyes” that I have had thus far.

Yesterday marked the last time I will enjoy leading worship with the team that I helped form 3 years ago, and the last time that I will be able to be at my church until I am back home. My pastor and close friend formally announced my imminent departure, and the church voiced their support for me. I had to take a deep breath to keep myself composed; I have known a good portion of the congregation for a long time now, and they have been so supportive over the years, and continued to show that support by offering words of thanks and prayers.

The day also marked the last time that I will see my younger sister until I have home for her wedding at the end of September. I don’t think this realization will really hit until I leave again after her wedding, as that will present a great time-frame of being away (though, hopefully I will get to see here when I am back for Fall wedding #2 in October).

I think when the reality really hit, though, was after I left Grand Bend visiting my parents and older sister on Saturday at a cottage they had rented for the week. Though I still have some more time left to spend with them, it was a reminder that there isn’t a whole lot of it left.

The upcoming week is set to bring even more goodbyes, particularly on Wednesday when I have a mass party with a lot of close friends and relatives (all of which my parents have set up for me). I have come to realize that this will be a recurring event over the years, and that I just need to remember what lies ahead and take a deep breath. Having said that, it would not surprise me if I have some moment of breaking down before I leave. Only time will tell.