Entry Log: My Humble Abode

To The People,

Leonard Hall is the building on the left in red.

As I have stated previously, my new place of residence come September is Leonard Hall. This quasi-unknown residence on the main campus is often overshadowed by the much larger Victoria Hall and the much newer Leggett Hall but rest assured that this place is a gem in an otherwise bland landscape of cubic zirconias.

According to the Queen's University website, "Leonard Hall was built in 1959 on land given to Queen's in 1923 by Reuben Wells Leonard (1860-1930) in recognition of the services of its graduates and students in the First World War. Both Leonard Hall and Leonard Field are named in his honour. Leonard Hall was one of several residences built at Queen's in the 1950s when a housing shortage caused by WWII prompted the administration to focus their building program on residences."

Another website calls it a tribute to the cinder block and linoleum temples of the past (I know what you're thinking but persevere!). All this being said, this does not leave the impression that this is a residence of grand standing or amusement of any kind but rather makes us think that this is an annex to the infamous Kingston Penitentiary... A disturbingly close neighbour. Alas! This edifice did receive great recognition from AskMen.com in which it gave Leonard Hall the 5th spot in the Top 10 University Dorms in Canada! Who would have thought? So take that all you non-believers and join the ranks of the faithful.

Yours,

T

Entry Log: Gone With The Wind Come Back With The Breeze

To The People,

Departures are always a difficult situation that one must deal with. You grow up with people that you learn to love and for better or worse shape the person you have become. But leaving and moving on to bigger and better things are a part of life and seem horribly natural when it comes to post-secondary education. I myself have a few friends leaving in order to study elsewhere. One of these people is someone with whom I have only begun to know recently. Yes, our unbreakable bond formed during the grueling and sometimes scary experience that was Cancun during March Break. Indeed, a friendship forged from a concoction of alcoholic beverages and tequila is one to stand the test of time! That being said, this person is moving away, far away to the southern state of Georgia on a full-ride scholarship for soccer. Snooki (I know, I'm guilty of a Jersey Shore reference but there is a story behind it) is hopefully going to bring with her a canadiana spice that will shake-up this somewhat stigmatized traditional southern state. Her flamboyant personality will most definitely rock the campus since, in the infamous words of Jersey Shore, hurricane Snooki is coming in! This will provide her, and anyone else for that matter who's going away for school, a great wealth of experience in which you can immerse yourself. New people, new sights to see, new culture and atmosphere... Imagine taking on the world and all its wonders! The simple thought of this warms my cockles... Oh how I wish to be a well seasoned world traveler but that will be for another day and another time.

Yours,

T

Entry Log: The Lottery

To The People,

Leonard Hall

As my departure to Queen's inches nearer and nearer, the bombardment with information and the ever elongating to-do-lists never cease to come to the forefront of my day. This past Friday though, a critical and much anticipated piece of information was finally made public: The residences! On that day, as the clock struck noon, I found myself helplessly on Qcard whilst still at the office. It seems as if the mouse had a mind of its own and found its way onto clicking the appropriate links to the page where I would be able to find which one of Queen's residences I shall find myself in come September. Upon opening the page, I see it, the name of my new home: Leonard Hall West. There was a slight and momentary feeling of disappointment about being assigned to this residence. It's not one of the newer buildings and has not been updated since what seems to be the 1950's. But, upon further researching this edifice, I soon realize that this is indeed something fantastical with plenty of perks to go around! It just so happens that in this very building is the new main campus cafeteria! Although the people (including one of my friends) from Leggett and Watts are probably laughing at me now, I shall be the one laughing when I see them arrive at the cafeteria one early Kingston winter morning with more layers on then the Michelin Man. I, on the other hand, shall take full advantage my predicament and shall wonder my way downstairs in a very cozy and yet conservative pair of pyjamas. Oh yes Leggett and Watts, we shall see who is laughing then!

On a side note, full knowing that this weekend marked the August long weekend, I found myself up at my cottage surround by family and friends. Amongst those friends are some who currently attend Queen's and shall be heading in to their second year and this great post-secondary institution. One of these friends in particular ask me where I have been assigned for residence since it is done by random lottery. I reply with Leonard along with my room number and wing. In an act of unspoken happiness and euphoria, he grabs me and shakes whilst announcing to me that I find myself on the same floor of the same wing of the same residence that he enjoyed the previous school year! Coincidence? I think not! Queen's has indeed conspired to make sure that I too enjoy one of the best years of my life!

Yours,

T