Gooseberry High

The quiet around campus is simultaneously nice and unnerving. On the one hand, I am sleeping very late and very deeply and being awakened only by a silent sunrise. On the other hand, it's really eerie late at night being in the middle of the woods with far less noise than usual. You wouldn't think that having so many fewer people would make that much of a difference, but every year it does.

It also makes falling asleep a lot more fraught with tiny noises that seem enormous.

Every time I start to think, "You know, Iris, maybe you should get out and enjoy the natural setting of your school more," something like this mistletoe happens and convinces me that, nope, I'm good hiding inside by a nice, warm fire with a nice, hot cuppa and nice, cozy blankets.

That said, did anyone ever join me in noticing and/or figure out what happened to all Elmasry's pics in the lodge? I half favor the stalker theory myself, not out of ill will for the poor lamb but because it makes more sense than anything else.

And THAT said, how is it possible that today's going by even more slowly than yesterday? Can it be break already?

Well. That certainly happened.

I think I'll be brewing my own tea from now on.

[Laurel]

I am so. So very sorry. Not for what I said, but because neither of us had much choice in the matter.

[Laurel]

So we're both still here and I still feel the same and everyone else is gone.

I think that means this is really real, but I don't want to jinx it by saying so with certainty.

Don't get me wrong--I'm very happy to have tomorrow off from classes and about the idea of a massive feast--but even after three years over here, I still can't understand why Canada and the United States don't celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time. It's unnecessarily confusing.

Also, why turkey, of all the foods? It's very big, yes, but it's such a dry bird because it's so big and it has to cook for so long, so why not switch to something that cooks for less time and stays tender longer? Like maybe chicken or even (gasp!) pork?

Just a thought. This holiday needs a revolution desperately.

Congratulations to everyone that made the Quidditch teams. Even if I don't play, seems like something one ought to celebrate. I'm counting on you, Coppertale. How well have you lot done in the past?

I really ought to remember that I write here. I always get so caught up in the first few weeks of school, and it seems it's even worse when you're new. I think I have a steady groove going now, so hopefully I'll remember to come up for air more often. Though I doubt it

Good luck to everyone that tried out for something!

I'm in Ribbonfin! Which is brilliant because green is one of my favourite colours and everyone's been so nice in helping me get settled in my cabin. I'm not entirely sure I know my way around yet since my orientation was a bit disorientating but at least I got to see a lot of the woods! I love that the forest here isn't forbidden. That does mean it's safe, right?

Oh and I have a question for my fellow trouts --

wait do we call each other trouts? That doesn't sound very flattering.

That was a very interesting sorting ceremony. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, there's a lot more to it than simply having a hat on your head.

Hello, everyone. I'm Iris ShackShacklebolt.

( ARRIVAL )