Hello again! I hope all your lives are going swimmingly. If you're in Vancouver, I hope you are getting to enjoy this lovely week we've been having. If not, I hope the weather is lovely where you are as well.

Chester is doing as great as ever. He's literally been running laps for days. Earning him the new name of Cheeseflash.

(Note the orange bouncy ball given to him by one of his fairy god-mothers.) When he takes a break, though, it's usually blocking some of my airway. Especially if I want to nap too.

All in all, he's leading a pretty happy life. I'm 95% convinced that his refusal to use his foot is solely because of the cold floor. We're working on finding a place with carpet for him. Because we haven't bent over backwards for his comfort enough yet.

Another notable update...Chester has somehow managed to find a way to pee on his right shoulder..multiple times. Neither of his parents can figure out how, and we haven't seen it, but we sure can smell it every few days. So, he may also be a contortionist kitty. Normal.

Just a housekeeping note. I think UBC has deleted my interchange email address. So the best way to reach me is at [email protected]. BUT I can only email out from that address when I'm on campus. Oh the joys of technology. Sorry if I haven't responded to you or if you received a weird notice from my email. I'm trying to figure out where all my mail actually is....But I do promise that you are all very important to me!

Sorry for the lack of posts last week. I assure you that you missed nothing exciting in any of our lives.
Chester's still doing great. His foot has even more hair on it, but I think it will always be patchy for the rest of his life. Gyan thinks that it's cold because he will walk just fine on carpet and things that cover the floor, but is much more inclined to keep it elevated on the wood floor of my apartment. They can't be that much softer, but they could be much warmer. Maybe I'll make him a tiny sock. His toenails are starting to poke through too.

Everyone told me that he would be a totally different kitty when this was all over. I never realized to what extent they would be right.
Not to sound too new aged - but he has a completely different spirit to him now. Before he didn't seem like my cat in any sort of fashion. He was more of this wounded soul who needed to be protected and cared for and cherished. Now he's an entitled, gets what he wants and deserves, playful, stubborn, and feisty cat. I don't know how to describe it better, but I hope you can sort of understand what I mean. He is just now what he probably always should have been. Which is wonderful.

But my constant snuggles and adoration are a thing of the past. Now he swats at my feet all night instead of sleeping on my face. And plays with every toy we long ago gave up on. And snuggles with me when he's hungry or I've been away for too long. I'm not entirely pleased by this, but I know it's the best sign I could ask for. I feel like it's homologous to letting my child grow up and be autonomous. He deserves to be a 3 year old cat finally. I can't imagine how much better he feels, even if I don't get to be his comforter anymore.
Chester has INSISTED that we cuddle the minute I get out of the shower for as long as we've had him. (like this)

However, today he wanted nothing of the sort. He wanted to play instead. I would be in mourning, but when I got home today he cuddled and slobbered all over my face for a good half hour. So I don't think he's ready to cut the cords just yet either. 

Chester has also gotten a new food/toy to play with. He is willing to give it a go, but He's not nearly as impressed as when I lay the food out in an easy to scarf down matter. But it does keep his whining and flailing on me in the mornings down