hey everyone,

So today was my second day of school and . . . . . . . I LOVE IT. School is so much fun, and it is almost weird for my to say that! There are two teachers who trade off teaching days and they are both great, really easy going and nice and really want everyone to achieve their goals. There are 17 people in the class right now because one of person never showed up. There is a huge range of ages from over 50 to one guy who just finished high school. There are only four girls in the class but I kind of expected that. The entire class seems easy going and it is interesting to have such a range of ages and experiences and goals. Most people have worked for a number of years or pursued other forms of education before coming to this class. The shop is amazing! It is huge with lots of different tools and machines. We got trained on a number of machines today including the table saw, the radial arm saw, the portable power saw, the jointer and the thickness planer but with each new technique we will learn more about each piece. Today we started our first project, it is a simple side table with a seven plank top. It is a total class project and we are only doing to get used to all of the machines. We have been divided up into four groups and each group is making one section of the table, the legs, the side rails, the end rails and the plank tops. Then we will each assemble our own. Our next project is a little tool case that kind of looks like a wooden briefcase. We will get into dove-tail work and independent work for that one. I have seen some of the other classes work around the shop and it is just so beautiful and it just astounds me that I will be able make stuff like that soon. Really over all the class is exactly what I wanted and I am looking forward to spending every day there. It is kind of like a treat instead of something I have to do! Well I guess that is about it. I will try and take some more pictures of my work and I create it. My teacher also told us on the first day that companies etc. Actually call in and make a list of places that graduates can get a job, so it looks like work will be no problem when I finish the program. This year is also special because the Furniture Society (http://www.furnituresociety.org/) which has annual meetings all over North America is having this years meeting in Victoria during the last three days of class in June. This means that we will not only have our final project on display in front of some of the best furniture makers in North America but we will get to mingle with them and meet them. It is very exciting but also kind of scary. Well I hope everyone is doing great back home. Cheers until next time. . . .