11:38pm

11:38pm. Flashing lights. You think you're having an epileptic fit, they're so bright. Then "FIRE IN INTERNATIONAL HOUSE. EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY. FIRE IN INTERNATIONAL HOUSE. EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY."

It wasn't too loud, so I thought maybe it was just my alarm malfunctioning again. It's had to be replaced cause it went off for no reason several days in a row. Anyhow, I go down the hall, look in the kitchen window, and the top half of the room is black thick smoke. I couldn't see any flames, but it was pretty damn scary. I ran up to my RA's door to let him know where the fire was, since we don't have an RA living on our floor.

We all bundled up in our coats and grabbed shoes, and then 160 people were huddled on one side of the street. We knew there was no danger, so it kind of became funny. You looked up at the building, and you could see flashing lights going off in every room. Some rooms were dark, some had lights on, some had the blinds down, but one way or another you could see the flashing lights. It was kind of beautiful.

After half an hour of standing in the snow, we had a security guard let us into the Law building so we could stay warm. Everyone was chatting and laughing.

We finally got called back in at 12:28. First floor people clamoured at the kitchen door, not daring to go in as the Fire Investigators looked none to happy. Can't blame them. The whole back of the stove is burnt. Some of the cupboards are pretty charred. I feel really bad for the girl who accidentally left the pan on the burner. I know she's upset about it, but shit happens. It's a good story to tell, and truth be told we all had a bit of fun. Not one single person was hurt, so that's definitely positive.

I don't think I'll ever forget those flashing lights though.