The Life of Robyn

Starting Fresh

2007-03-23T22:02:00.000-04:00

So, i haven't blogged in over a year.

Why?
1. facebook- i developed an addiction that prevented me from blogging.
2. my mother told everyone in the world about my blog and i got shy about it. Seriously, she told my highschool teachers and my grandparents.
3. i wasn't feeling inspired.

So why am i back at it?
1. Keith (my boyfriend) linked me from his blog...even though mine hadn't been updated.
2. I need more procastination in my life...okay, so i don't but... at least this is better than creeping on people's pictures on facebook.

So over the next little while i plan on getting back into blogging. I can't promise it will be exciting but it gives you another 30 seconds of procrastination in your life.

All dressed up...

2006-03-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

Well, we all headed out to the cystic fibrosis semi formal last night, and while Aubri and Britt left early to set up..the rest of us, and Ashley's friend Vivian, had a photo shoot. Here are some of the better pictures. I love black and white!

Lent

2006-03-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

Well, its my second year going to an Anglican church and my first year of officially observing lent. So the question is, what do I give up? In the past I’ve thought about giving up something for lent like chocolate, junk food, sugar…but to me, these all seem to be for another reason…more dietary… so what do I take away that is something that I’ll miss but that I won’t be doing for another reason. The thing about lent is that it is supposed to be a time of introspection to realize that we are all screw ups and that we need to be forgiven. We give up something as a reminder of Christ's sufferings and what our true pleasures are as followers of Christ and as an act of sorrow over our sin. I’m having serious problems coming up with something. I’ve thought of the radio…but I need that for school (radio one forever), I thought of TV, but our TV is the central feature of the house I live in and giving that up would be like giving up my friends, I could give up coffee… but lent ends RIGHT before I have four exams in four days and goodness knows that I will actually require coffee to do well on those. So I don’t think I’m going to give anything up.
The other alternative is to add something for lent. I do evening prayers from my Anglican book of common prayer every night (which I love by the way, I got it at Christmas and I’m honestly in love with it) and so I think for lent I’m going to add morning prayers. As well, I’m thinking of memorizing some scripture…not sure what yet, I’ll figure that out tomorrow.
I think that many churches have been really silly in getting rid of so much of the church calendar. A lot of churches only really celebrate Easter and Christmas. There is so much else to celebrate. I really think that observing things like lent changes your focus and allows you think more pointedly about certain aspects of self, life and faith. The church doesn’t always focus so much on how sinful we are. Its so often lovey dovey, which, has its place, but is only one aspect of a much bigger picture.

A tree and some snow

2006-02-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture i took at home on Sunday morning after a rather large snow fall. i have to say that I truely love some good winter weather. its been cold here in kingston all week and i've loved it. i don't like a full winter of it but i have to say that if winter had gone by without my cheeks stinging with cold and the rush of a chilling wind, i'd have been really sorry. Winters make me feel tough. If i can walk to class in -40 windchill, i can do anything. Summer is for wimps, i mean honestly, those kids in Hawaii ...nothing. Anyway, i'm looking forward to spring now after my few good days of 'wow i live far from campus' even though i only live 3 blocks away.

Forgiving

2006-02-27T15:38:00.000-05:00

I realized over the break that I’m guilty of holding grudges. I was invited by some old friends to drop by someone’s house where some people were hanging out. So I brought keith with me and we went over to say hello. We didn’t stay long and it was kind of awkward as these sorts of things generally are (when you’ve gone away and others have stayed). When we left Keith and I were talking about it and he made reference to a guy who was there as ‘a good guy’…I said “no he’s not, Derrick is a jerk!”… keith looked at me funny. While we’d been there he had been nothing but kind…gotten us drinks, made conversation…then I realized that I couldn’t actually think of the last time he actually was a jerk to me.
It all started I think when I was in grade eight and he was in grade nine. I’d just gotten over a huge crush on this guy named Shaun and poor Derrick was my next victim. He was the older brother of my good friend but only a year older than me. Being young and silly I probably freaked him out and for the rest of my highschool life he was either ignoring me or being rude. And so, three years outside of highschool I found my self still not liking him b/c of this treatment. Three years changes a lot. So I’m realizing that there are a few people who I ‘don’t like’ b/c of what they did or how they treated me in highschool. And frankly I’ve come to the conclusion that no one deserves to be judged for life based on how they were on 18 or 19. So, all I can do is give people a second chance and hope that for all the bad impressions and mistreatments that I was involved in, I’ll be given a second chance too.

Valentines day

2006-02-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here http://www.flickr.com/photos/elvensilver/88913569/ is a link to a picture of my big sister and her lovely boyfriend. He is currently in Lithuania for the year and she's in Bangladesh until July. This picture is one that i stole from his blog and was taken at Christmas when she dropped in and visited him on her way around the world. I think they are possibly the most beautiful couple ever. Just thought i'd share on Valentines day.

The middle

2006-02-12T18:44:00.000-05:00

Did anyone else have that day when they realized that it was too late to be a child prodigy? I think mine came around the time of Tara Lapinski. I was in grade 8 I think and I realized that unless I shaped up soon, I’d never be that 16 year old in the Olympics. And well, I didn’t shape up and I didn’t make it to the Olympics but I’m not to upset by that. I’m more upset with the children who write books or go and save starving children in Africa before they’re even old enough to drive a car. Frankly, I don’t think they should be getting ANY of the credit for their actions as clearly, a 10 year old was not able to get his work published entire on his own and his very pushy mother probably had a lot to do with it. I’m getting to the point now when I’m realizing that if I’m going to peak at all, its going to be about the same time everyone else does…somewhere between 35 and 55. this is the time that I think I will be most likely to be featured on CBC or the globe and mail. Not that this is my desire, because I really don’t want to be famous. I just want to be good at what I do. I’m really not entirely sure what that is yet, but if I am going to be good at it, chances are that between 35 and 55 is when I’ll be at the top of my game. Its too late to go the Olympics, its too late to be the five year old on opera who can play the piano as well as Beethoven its even too late to be a brilliant student whose marks make people’s jaws drop. If I’d wanted that I’d have had to work way harder way earlier on. Frankly, I’m stuck here in mediocrity. I’m not horribly upset by it, they say its lonely at the top. There are lots of wallowing around down here enjoying the view. I’m glad I don’t have to get up at 5 in the AM to train, or that my mother hadn’t made me practice the piano for more than half an hour as a child. I’m glad that I have something called free time (not that much of it these days, but I do have some). I’m pleased to not be on top. That’s an awful lot of pressure… At this age anyway. But just you wait, somewhere between 35 and 55 it’ll be my time to shine…just you wait.

Moving

2006-02-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

Well, we’re moving next year. Or rather, this year, in may. Just a few blocks away but the move is still painful and largely unnecessary. We had thought that we would be staying in the same house next year but things changed and we ended up fairly late in the game looking for a new housemate and when that didn’t happen, a new house. So we’re moving in near A&P and since this is the internet…I won’t give the address. It’s a cute little four person house and I won’t be living in the basement any more. While the basement may seem kind of depressing to some, I’ve enjoyed my lovely large room and its cave like qualities. I think being above ground next year may be quite difficult. I mean, when I look out the window, I won’t see feet, I’ll see the tops of heads. Very strange.
Its very difficult living in a space when you know that its going to be someone else’s very soon. I’d rather just pack up and move now. But, we have 2.5 more months here. I guess I’d always kind of thought that when we moved out of this house we’d be dividing up our stuff and going our separate ways rather than driving it a few blocks and setting it up again. And since its only for a year, the temptation is to treat it like a long term hotel room feeling like I’m transient and not permanent. I think I’m a bit of security freak. I like to know that things are there for me. Ie. My house at home. I think the biggest trauma of my life will be when my parents sell that house. I’ve never moved houses and I think having my childhood home gone will be a big shock. But I think they’re waiting until I’m set up somewhere after university before they do that to me. I guess I have to stop thinking it of something they would ‘do to me’ and more as them moving on past the child rearing years.
So we’re moving. A new phase of life I suppose. And maybe a fresh start for our last year will be a good thing. A new setting, a larger kitchen, an upstairs bedroom…that’s exciting right?

Marriage

2006-02-07T20:52:00.000-05:00

I’m not married and I don’t plan on being so…for a while yet but I’ve thought a bit about of late and this article ( http://www.queensjournal.ca/vol133/issue31/features/section.php ) in the Queens journal brought it into a lot of my discussions today. Its interesting because Iits looking like i'm probably going to be married ‘young’ and I’m really quite amazed at the strong reactions people have against marriage.
I think there are a couple of reasons for this. First, I think that our society grows up a lot slower. Post secondary education is not seen as a time of growing up but instead as a continuance of youth. We don’t see ourselves as grown ups until we have a stable job and a few wrinkles. Secondly, I’m going to say that the raising divorce rate and the amount of my friends raised in broken homes has a lot to do with it. I failed marriages are seen as the model, then why would anyone want to get into one? Clearly from this point of view these decisions are to be made when one is ‘older and wiser’. Thirdly, I would say that the movement away from Christian morality (and other religious morality I think) has left no real reason to get married. I mean, if you can just move in with someone, have lots of sex, play house etc, why wouldn’t you? I mean seriously, I would. That is, if I weren’t a Christian. My faith has me waiting for marriage before I have sex and sure, that seems pretty crazy to a lot of people I know but its something I’m proud of. I’m not saying that sex is the reason to get married, I’m saying that its supposed to be one of the benefits.
Other benefits? Companionship, support, love, a shared bank account (boo yah), a sense of permanence, someone to start a life with, together, knowing that you’re both in it for the long haul…someone to grow old with. I know that marriage isn’t going to be easy, but I believe that once you make that commitment you have to make it work. I think in a generation raised on sesame street, where our attention spans are all of 30 seconds, the idea or ‘the rest of our lives’ seems really scary. Sure, you’re not going to be the same person you are today when you’re 50 and sure, your boyfriend may not be either. But in a marriage, when you both know that you have to work at it, when you both do, you might just grow together. You might just become closer, and of ‘one mind’. My parents are very much that way. I think they’ve probably had tough times like all other marriages when things weren’t’ perfect but they’ve worked at it. I have moments when I’m really afraid of getting married young. Its so…counter cultural and my friends will think I’m weird. But then I think about what I want out of life and I remember that having someone at the end of the day to come home to is one thing I really want. And if I’ve found him now, why wait? And what do I care if people think I’m weird…they think that already.

Sun Glasses

2006-02-03T17:57:00.000-05:00

When I wear sunglasses I feel like noone can recognize me. I’m not sure why. I think it might have something to do with a tinted lens being put between me and reality or that people in movies often wear sunglasses as part of a disguise. The other day a friend waved at me and I thought “she must be waving at someone else”…because I was wearing sunglasses. I didn’t wave back. I’m pretty sure she thinks I snubbed her but by the time I realized that she actually did recognize me and that my sunglasses only make me see the world differently and don’t make people see me differently, it was too late. I often wish that there actually were glasses or a hat or something that you could put on when you are having a bad day. This way you can just be unrecognizable. You can walk to class, go to the IGA, sit in a park and not have anyone to say hello to or to feel that you have to chat. I mean, don’t we all have days like that? Days when we are either feeling so gross that we don’t want to talk or when we look so gross (bad hair, a shirt you noticed was dirty after you left the house etc) that you would rather just blend in. I can’t drive with sunglasses on. It makes me feel like I’m in a movie, or a video game. I’d rather squint b/c I feel too removed from reality to actually concentrate. Maybe I just shouldn’t wear sunglasses. That way I won’t snub my friends or crash into a tree. I like mine though, they’re quite stylish and they stop me from squinting and getting wrinkles…and with my 22nd birthday fast approaching, I’m wondering if that is something I should soon actually start to worry about. So I think I’ll keep the sunglasses…but if I ignore you, if I don’t say hello, just remember that I don’ think that you can recognize me… I guess I’m just weird that way.

Buttons!

2006-01-16T22:30:00.000-05:00

i'm collecting Canadian party buttons. I need a block button and a Conservative button to finish up my collection for this election. i doubt i'll get a block one but i think my chances of hunting down a Conservative one are pretty good. all you need to do to get a button from canvasers is pretend you're interested and ask some bad questions... or just say, "hey can i have a button" and they might give you one. My personal favourite in my collection is my JACK layton one b/c its SO obvious that the campaign is focused around the individual, not the party and that they're trying to make him approachable by making his first name 14x bigger than the rest of the button. also, note the tiny NDP on the bottom. the liberal button is based on the individual of Peter Milliken, who has been the MP here since like 88. He's running on being who he is and not on his party platform. Its all about being a local man...i talked to him... i think he thinks that Martin is an idiot. the green party button is interesting b/c it just has the Party name on it. clearly these buttons are intended for multiple elections and were mass produced knowing that the leader could change and that they don't have any big names. anyway, i can't wait to get more buttons. if you have one i'd love. here are pictures of mine so far! also, i am quite aware that i am a giant nerd!

Them

2006-01-09T22:24:00.000-05:00

I’ve often heard of how referring to people as a ‘them’ is bad. The idea of being the other, of not being part of us, of being outside of a group isn’t something that I often feel. As a white female it is rare that I’m in a situation where a group of people are referred to as a ‘them’ and I feel included in the ‘them’ and thus excluded from the ‘us’. Today in my very first American government class we were talking about differences between Canadian and American political systems and the point was brought forward that the US has a sizable religious vote. The prof then went on to discuss Christians in a tone one might use discussing a vile parasite and referred to the number of ‘them’ in the US in a way that made ‘us’ seem extremely threatening and dangerous. Naturally, there were people shaking their heads in disbelief about the sheer number of Christians in the US. I personally wanted to nod my head approvingly. I was, however, feeling extremely isolated at the time as I looked around the room and realized that to probably 90% if not more of the class Christians are a ‘them’ to them. And this group is seen as a bunch of crazed fundamentalists (in the worst use of the word) out to blow up abortion clinics. I was frustrated b/c I feel that the prof wouldn’t have referred to many other groups as a ‘them’. Not women, not black people and not homosexuals…that’s just politically incorrect. It is okay, however, to isolate Christians as a ‘them’ as not part of ‘us’. I’m probably being over sensitive about this whole thing but it really made me realize today that I am a ‘them’ in many ways and I’m okay with that. I guess since I’m not a visible minority, and instead an invisible minority its easier for me to blend in… appearance wise anyway. But this invisibility of my minority status has meant that I’ve lived my life largely unaware of my fundamental differences. Its only when I’m reminded of who I am…a ‘them’ that I really remember that I’m different. And I’m okay with that.

Robyn Goes to Victoria's Secret

2006-01-03T21:32:00.000-05:00

Well folks, its official, i got a pair of Victoria's secret pajamas. Now i'm sure you're all thinking that this is some sort of sketchy post by me but frankly, these are some of the most fun pajamas i've ever had. Check them out!!!
okay, i'm going for a moon light swim!
(i'm home on Friday)

The "vacation" begins

2005-12-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

It’s a amazing where driving for 24 hours will get you. We left Bradford at 2:15 on Friday afternoon and arrived around 2:45 here at my grandparent’s house in Florida. It was a good drive, better than some we’ve done…mind you, I haven’t done this since grade 11, but the time this journey seemed to go by a lot faster than it has in the past. I think that has a lot to do with me doing more traveling for work and getting to school etc. Anyway, I got to do a lot of the driving myself this time. I drove for about 6 hours. From London to Windsor, most of Kentucky and from just about Ocala down past Tampa. I managed to get about 4 hours of sleep but when we got here I crashed and slept for a bit. Then it was a Christmas eve service at the first Presbyterian church and then back here for bed. I must say that my ideal vacation generally doesn’t include 2 weeks in a house with my parents and grandparents …but I think this time will be better than most. My last few times down I was in the middle teen angst and my parents pretty much vowed not to bring me down again until I’d grown out of it. When I walked in the door last night I had a sudden sense of dread. Nana started fussing like mad and I was suddenly quite aware of the fact that there is only one common living space. I don’t want to appear angsty so I can’t go into my room and close my door too much but sitting in the main room either means Nana fussing or the TV or both. So I’m outside by the pool on nana’s laptop with a nice humid breeze whisking by. Keith is coming down on Tuesday so he’ll be good company and we’ll be able to get out of the house. Until then though, its me, my parents, my grandparents and my uncle gary in rather close quarters. At least its warm right? I think I’ll have a good time this Christmas, I’m actually glad I’m here. Two weeks really isn’t that long and well…its free. So, I’m going to go watch the ‘very merry Christmas parade’ and then go be social. I’ll probably be blogging most days so keep checking back to see if I lose my mind!

A Day of Refreshing

2005-12-18T22:26:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning feeling like something was off. I felt as if I’d woken in a place that felt different. I don’t know why but I sort of had the feeling that something was going to be different about today. Today was a great day. I got up, got ready for church, and said good morning to my housemates. I checked my e-mail and had just received an e-mail from a prof friend of mine from church inviting me to dinner. I replied saying yes and headed out to church. In church I was feeling drained emotionally and spiritually. Exams tend to wear on me. even though I don’t have a lot this term the whole atmosphere of being in an academically intense environment with no way out makes my head spin after a while. So God had a plan. Today was to be my day of refreshing and of being filled. After church Val (my minster/priest) invited me over for lunch and playing in the snow with herself and her lovely five year old triplets. I accepted after momentarily hesitating to think of my studying. I’m so glad I went. I enjoyed a lovely lunch of soup and then out into a beautiful crisp day to build snow forts and slide down hills. I had so much fun. I love romping around in the snow but on my own it feels so silly but with a five year old with you… its just so much better….so three…well…that’s just even more fun. So I got home around 5 and then at 6:30 I headed over to they Lyon’s for dinner. I really love the Lyons. They are highly intelligent, generous, warm and caring. After a great dinner we sat in front of the fire and drank tea. It was a fantastic way to spend a day. I think that connecting to families is probably one of the most beneficial things I’ve done while at school this year. I love talking to adults, I love being in real homes, I love playing with kids. Its so refreshing to lie in the snow or sip tea by a fire. Today I planned on studying…I got none done. I’m okay with that though, I still have 2 and a half more days until my next exam and now that I’m feeling refreshed I know that I can study more vigorously feeling more alive in my work. Today when I woke up things felt different, I knew something was up…it was like God was saying, “today will be an adventure” it was, and for that I am thankful. I am refreshed and full of joy. And in the middle of exams, that’s a pretty rare thing.

Santa and Economics

2005-12-17T18:39:00.000-05:00

Gather close children, I have a story to tell. Its about Santa Claus and the high tech revolution. You see many years ago, before you were born, Santa’s elves made all of the toys. They sat around in work shops and worked for fair pay. They had a union and enjoyed benefits and adequate breaks. But then, Santa discovered outsourcing. Now, for those of you who don’t know what that means, it means that Santa discovered that he could get cheaper labour from hiring part time labour somewhere where the living expensive are lower and minimum wage doesn’t exist. For, as you know, the living cost is very expensive in the North Pole because everything has to be imported (well, except for ice). Anyway, Santa discovered that he could have inexpensive labour in Mexico and the Philippines make the products a lot cheaper. So, he phased out the elves, for the most part anyway. He kept them around to handle his finances and the his personal affairs instead of being creative and making individualized toys. The Elves were forced to work for very low wages if they could even get a job at all, because, as you know, its very difficult for elves to get immigration status in most Western countries. Now, out sourcing was going well for dear old saint nick ..but he discovered an even more inexpensive way of getting toys. You see, as technology increased, children were demanding brand name items. Increased advertising by transnational corporations had santa’s brand not flying with the kiddies. I mean who really wants a Lame boy or a Lettuce patch kid doll? Not me, I’ll tell you that. Anyway, Santa discovered something else new…internet shopping. He found out that he could order in directly from companies like apple and sony and gap without even having to leave his home. So Santa embraced the corporate world. The elves are now in charge of internet orders, shipping and receiving and yes, Santa now sports a new Nike pair of shoes and a red Gap jacket. You see, once you sell out to the corporate world…there are perks. So next time you hear reindeer on the roof, remember that they are sponsored by walmart and that that sleigh was bought on ebay. Remember that Santa only drinks coca cola and that his thermos is filled with starbucks…so don’t leave him any milk and cookies. In short my friends, remember that at some point its easier to sell out. At some point it just becomes more affordable, and makes better economic sense. So when you unwrap your lululemon bag, your uggs and wonder why you look exactly why everyone else at school…remember …it just makes better economic sense. And besides, you wouldn’t want to be different...at least that's the message Santa is getting.

Snow

2005-12-15T20:23:00.000-05:00

The nice thing about snow storms is that when you live in the city, close to your school, they’re nothing but pretty. Sure, they’re cold and you have to shovel the walk, but generally speaking, there is no better time to appreciate it than here and now. When I’m at my parent’s place, we live on a somewhat poorly maintained dirt road in a valley. Needless to say, when there is a snow storm, we often get snowed in. My parents tend to plan their lives around the weather and often as a teenager I was forced to cancel my plans because of road conditions. Here, at school, since I walk everywhere, it really doesn’t make a difference. I just stick on my boots, wrap my scarf around my head a few times and trudge out into the blustery barrage of swirling snowflakes. I mean, sure you need to watch out for the cars as they slide up to the stop signs but there really isn’t a down side for me with snow storms these days. If they take out the power that would be bad but I think that in general, I really like a good snow storm. At home I used to feel really trapped when we got snowed in. I liked snow days but when I was a teenager being trapped in my house with my parents and no way out was a little too much. But these days I’m not going anywhere. If anything it makes studying more pleasant. I can hunker down in the library watching the snowflakes kiss the window pains and fly memorizingly by the street lights. So hurray for the snow storm and hurray for the 30 cm we’re expecting tonight. I can’t wait.

Queens Girls

2005-12-14T23:44:00.000-05:00

What is a Queens girl? No, its not just a girl who goes to Queens, it’s a specific…brand. A Queens girl wears Uggs and a mini skirt to the library with a hoodie with perfect hair and perfect makeup. She may also choose to wear Uggs, sweatpants, a tight fitted shirt with perfect hair and makeup. She doesn’t wear a backpack…she carries a Lululemon bag. She comes to the library to study and meet up with her friends where they whisper yell about the injustices in the world while they sip their starbucks. A Queens girl must have at least one women’s studies course and a development studies course on her timetable to ensure that she has a forum to express how oppressed she is and the injustices of the world (as Queens girls are all about justice). She must want to be a lawyer. She must only wear designer. She may appear to be a shallow fluffy bimbo…but here’s the kicker…chances are, she write a darn good paper (probably about oppression and social justice but very succinct and cohesive). You can mock her, roll your eyes at her, mumble about how girls like her in high school got pregnant and dropped out after grade ten. The problem is that while you resent these models of frivolity and hypocrisy, they’re not like any of the other people you’ve ever encountered. These girls are going somewhere. Granted, they’re going in Prada and Guichi , but they’re going. They’re going to fend off oppression and injustice so that all women, around the world, may drive beamers, sip starbucks with their perfect hair and their perfect makeup.

Ali goes to Bangladesh

2005-12-13T12:11:00.000-05:00

Well, my sister has headed off to Europe for a month and then off to Bangladesh for six more. I went home this weekend for her send off (and Keith’s birthday). You can follow her travels at http://www.aliinbangladesh.blogspot.com/ which she hasn’t actually updated yet. She's spendig this week in England then she's flying to Latvia and taking a bus up to Lithuania to see her boyfriend Jared. Then the two of them are taking a bus/trian? to Austria. She's leaving Europe in January to go to Bangladesh. She's volunteering for a Christian NGO applying for government grants for them. Its all very exciting and makes my parents think that a month in Europe this summer is really not all that adventerous in comparison. Anyway, here are some pictures of me and Ali.

Hunger or Procrastination?

2005-12-07T14:53:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, especially during exams, I find that I have a great amount of trouble reading the signals my body is sending me. for example, I’ll be studying and then my body will say… “Gee Robyn, its been a while since you showered” and think, “oh my, it has been about 8 hours…maybe I should shower!” And so I do. Similarly, I’ll be studying and my body will say “Robyn, you have to pee” and I think “oh wow, AGAIN?” and so I go and pee. My body also tells me that I’m hungry, tired, thirsty, anti social or that my room is a mess… I automatically answer these urges and soon find myself munching on a piece of toast or plucking my eyebrows. The problem is…I think my body is lying to me… I mean, its not that I don’t trust my body, b/c I do. Sometimes its right about having to pee or being tired…but this time of year, exam time…I think…hey, wait a minute..how come by body has suddenly become so demanding? Why this sudden urge to shower constantly? I mean, we were into clean before exams …but now, the room must be spotless, my dishes must always be done and yes, my hair must look fantastic. So I’m thinking that I should probably stop listening to my body…well, perhaps not entirely as that may result in some unfortunate pant wetting incidents…or extreme hygiene issues …I just think that its time I sat down, with a cup of tea and studied hard. I just wish my body wasn’t constantly trying to convince me otherwise. Perhaps I should inform it that if I do not pass my exams there will be no degree, no job, no money and thus no soap, no toilet paper and yes, no room to clean. So now, to work…but first, I need to go and use the bathroom.

Cleaning my lenses

2005-12-04T23:20:00.000-05:00

A little rant...unedited...pretty raw...perhaps not logical....

I sometimes forget that I’m different, that I look at the world through a different lense than many people. As a Christian, I have a different understanding of the ‘meaning of life’ and what I should be striving for. Around here, in the realm of competitive academics, I find my lenses get a little fogged up. I somehow take on an ambitious persona, someone seeking personal goals of academic glory, success…prideful things. I have thoughts like ‘well, God didn’t give me this brain to sit around and pop out babies, I need to use it to my full ability.’ And yes, he did give me this mind to use it to the best of my ability but he gave it to me to use to His glory. And as such, I need to put aside my selfish little goals of wanting a career that fulfills my ideals (not say that God doesn’t want me to do what me to be happy…its just easy to be selfish). At some point I need to stop and think about what will be the best use of my brain for God. I get so entangled in my identity as an academic that I forget that it can so easily become an idol. It only takes a little twist of a good thing to make it very, very bad, to take an asset and make it a liability. But how do I use my brain to the best of my ability while keeping my focus on what really matters? How do I step back and realize that my ambition needs to be curbed? What is really important? I’m spending some time reflecting on this. What true happiness is made of. Its cliché to say ‘its not money or power or fame’…then why do we keep seeking it if we know its not what is going to make us happy. When I think of myself in 20 years, I know that at least two of those things tend to be part of my imagined scenario. And yes, money does provide a level of comfort and power does provide a level of influence but my happiness cannot depend on these things. There needs to be more. And the nice thing is that there is. Now in my imagined scenario, there’s a husband and a dog and a lovely kitchen with lots of counter space and a dishwasher…seriously though, I don’t want a job with overtime or scary deadlines. I don’t want to be constantly climbing the ladder or competing. I want to be content, not stagnant or stuck in a rut, but happy. I want to be curled up in the arms of a man I love as we read by the fire with a big fluffy dog. I want God to look at me and be proud. Around here I sometimes forget what I want. I start to look for my identity in my marks. I work on my papers and neglect my friendships. I start my days with essays and not prayer. I need to stop that. I need to get all that garbage off my lense and look at life fresh, understanding that I’m counter cultural around here. I see things differently.

Summer Plans

2005-12-02T13:49:00.000-05:00

I’m SO excited. My friend Hilary and I just firmed up our summer plans by booking our plane tickets to Europe! We’re headed over for about a month and we’ve started a blog so that people can keep track of us before we go and hopefully even when we’re there. Feel free to check it out and give us your input during our planning process. I can’t guarantee that we’ll take your advice, but we’ll at least listen!
www.robynandhilaryineurope.blogspot.com

A Cheesy Boyfriend Post

2005-11-29T12:20:00.000-05:00

Here is a cheesy boyfriend picture of Keith and me. I haven’t put one up in a while but I thought I should put one up. Its been nine months now and we’re still having a lot of fun. He continues to challenge me and support me when I need it. He speaks Truth to me about how I’m acting or when I’m wrong. That’s tough to take sometimes but, I’m thrilled to have someone in my life who speaks honesty with such love. He’s very good for me.

The Frontenac Feast!

2005-11-28T18:13:00.000-05:00

Well the Frontenac (American) Thanksgiving Feast went off without a hitch yet again this year. The menu included turkey and 'all the fixings' and of course, for Allison, Pumpkin pie! A good time was had by all! thanks to my housemates for putting up with me being the kitchen nazi and not letting them in it all day. I look forward to making the feast again next year!

How Ernie failed Bert

2005-11-24T08:41:00.000-05:00

Now you might wonder why I’m writing a post on two puppets from a children’s TV show. Well friends, this is because I think that their friendship has a lot to teach us. Putting aside any rumoured plot twists about their supposed romantic relationship, I would like to turn to a more surface level observation. You may notice from the picture that the two ‘best friends’ look very different. Esp. Bert. You may notice that he actually only has ONE EYE BROW…now, not to say that people should be obsessed or overly concerned with their looks, I just think that if God gave you TWO eyes, he also gave you TWO eye brows. Friends, a unibrow is just not cool. If Ernie really was Bert’s best friend he would have told him this. He would have told him that having a unibrow will cause potential employers to pass you over, girls to not give you a second glance and your own mother to airbrush family photos. There is no shame in plucking. Yes boys, I’m talking to you. It doesn’t take long, and yes, people may notice a difference…but THIS IS A GOOD THING. Don’t shave it, that’s dumb….waxing? only professionally…plucking only takes ten minutes and will make a huge difference. If Ernie had really cared about Bert he would have told him this. Because frankly, Friends don’t let friends have unibrows.

PS. Girls please leave a comment voicing your support for the elimination of unibrows so that all the boys who read this post don’t think I’m out to lunch. Thanks.

The Paper Lottery

2005-11-23T15:09:00.000-05:00

I handed in another paper today and somehow as I plopped it down on the Prof’s desk, I felt like it was all out of my hands. Which I suppose is true, to a degree. Once you hand in the paper, technically you’re not supposed to worry about it anymore because you’ve done all you can do. Unfortunately, the more papers I hand in and get back, the more I find myself feeling as though handing in a paper is more like entering some sort of bazaar lottery. You do what you can, yes, and generally you know that you haven’t failed it. but its pretty difficult to predict your mark inside of 10%. I suppose that’s the nature of arts papers, its all so subjective but somehow I feel that its all out of my control and that really, its almost luck. Is the prof in a good mood when they mark it? have they just marked a fantastic, publishable paper directly before mine? Is the prof experienced at marking? Who knows… all I see is the number on the piece of paper at the end of it all. Its rather scary I think to put your academic future in the hands of someone whose biases and marking tendencies you don’t really know. But there is no other choice I suppose. And so I enter the lottery again and again. And, like most games find myself winning some and losing some.

Eddie Goldberg stole my nachos

2005-11-22T23:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I suppose it might be important to tell you who he is first. Eddie Goldberg was Jean Chrétien’s Chief policy advisor for his entire tenure (except the last year or so when he was chief of staff). And tonight he was the guest speaker in my night class. It was probably the best lecture we’ve had all year in that class. Its been all guest speakers and as I like to say its all “boring talks from interesting people.” So anyway, after class we all went out to the QP ( which is becoming my après 310 haunt of choice these last few weeks…or twice before and probably next week). We all grabbed a drink and there were nachos circulating. Mr. Goldberg was chatting away with us about the Gomery inquiry and the Liberals and what we should do with our lives etc. There weren’t enough nachos and so my friends Bryana and Diane and I ordered our own. We were sitting beside Mr. Goldberg and he clearly didn’t notice that we’d paid for our nachos separately and so he started taking nachos from our basket. Well, what do you say? “No Mr. Goldberg, no nachos for you” so we just let him eat them. And so he did. So tonight, I shared my nachos with a man who helped Chrétien decide if we should help invade Iraq, a man who watched the 1995 referendum from 24 Sussex and a man who looked an awful lot like the mayor of munchkin land.

i could go for a little camp right now

2005-11-19T15:44:00.000-05:00

I just watched a little bit of the ‘illegal advance’ copy of the camp DVD that I have. I’ve gotta say, I could go for a little summer right now. Not just the beautiful sunny days or the hanging out with friend, I could also go for that kind of stress. The ‘stressful’ decorating and planning games, the intensity of needing to have 6 garbage cans filled with water in an hour …or just the craziness of the golf cart breaking down or Melissa falling off the stage. Officially, Cara, Melissa and Clare are all hilarious. I was watching the DVD and seriously, those girls are nuts. I miss GC prog right now. I’m probably not going to be back up at camp this summer which makes it even worse. I watch some of these videos and think about how tired I was making them or in them and looking back, it was totally worth it and totally fun. I could go for a little more lying around in the summer and a whole lot more sleep but camp has been fantastic. So many jokes, “hello, I’d like a baby in a cup” “my computer has a lot of ports” so funny. Also a song that I can’t quote on my blog as its not really appropriate but the tune is to “London bridge is falling down” and its extremely funny. (that one is for you min)
Anyway, I should get back to my essays and the gloom of november

Learning From The Best

2005-11-16T18:10:00.000-05:00

Well, I spent that weekend writing a group essay. We worked for about 40 hours this weekend and ended up finishing at 5 AM on Tuesday AM. We had all our research done when we started …it was just a really long process. Despite this, it was probably one of the most beneficial academic experiences I’ve been a part of. Not only was it intense in the time period and the amount of work we did but it was also extremely collaborative. The girls I was working with are extremely intelligent and motivated. Our paper was held to everyone’s highest standards and as such, we pushed each other constantly to pack each sentence with our full meaning. I learned a lot from them and I have some excellent ideas on how to improve my papers in the future. Generally I hate group work. I hate dragging people along who don’t put in the effort but in this case not only was it a good paper but it was also a surprising amount of fun. We were good at taking breaks and ate some really good food. I’ve never been to starbucks so much in my life but the combination of highly caffeinated beverages, good senses of humour and a drive to write the best darn paper that prof. Leuprecht has ever seen really made the experience worth while.
So, thank you to my group. Firstly for the anticipated A. Secondly for teaching me lots of new tricks, and finally for some new friends. (Which sounds entirely cheesy but is entirely true). I hope that I have the privilege of working with such sharp minds in the future b/c after an experience like that… I don’t think I could deal with anything less.

For Ashley

2005-11-09T23:59:00.000-05:00

A lot of my posts are results of conversations with my housemate Britt. Eg. Rapping 101. and I’m afraid that one of my other housemates, Ashley , is getting a little jealous. And so, in her honour, I dedicate this post.

A poem

My housemate rolls like thunder
Across my ceiling-her floor
And when my light fixture rattles
I know she’s shut her drawer

The phone is always for her
i rarely get any calls
Her laugh is loud and merry
And resounds through the walls

She screams when she drops things
Or when I walk inside
She sleeps with a teddy
Where Adam can’t reside

Ashley is my housemate
She is from Oshawa
And sometimes if she’s changing
She’ll walk around in her bra

But we still think she’s alright
In fact I think we’d say
that Ashley is a as nice
as a bright an sunny day

THE END
There Ashley, are you happy now? Are you? I mean, heck, I wrote you a frickin poem. I hope you like it. it took a lot of effort. I hope you appreciate it.
Goodnight

Rapping 101

2005-11-08T22:41:00.000-05:00

Well I have to say that I’ve watched an unfortunately amount of much music in my day and I think I’ve discovered the secrets that rappers employ in their success. Don’t worry friends, you too can be a rapper and no, it doesn’t take any talent what so ever.

Phase one "basic rap" (Kanye West freestyle)
Today I heard Kanye West rhyme shoulder, sofa and some other word that didn’t rhyme. The secret here I think is just to talk really fast and pretend like your words rhyme.
Eg.
Check out my bling
I have a sexy woman
Don’t hate me
Man, I have a nice car.

Once you are able to achieve perfect fast talking and pretending that your words rhyme, you’re ready for step two.

Phase two "easy rap" (sean paul style)
All you need to do here is add and A to the end of every word in order make it rhyme.

Eg. I like my furniture-a
I got it at a store-a
It’s made of dead cats-a
Sometimes I dance-a

And just keep going with that adding and a where needed and eventually you two will master the art of basic rap

Phase three "intermediate rap" (ludicrous style)
The secret here is just to go with one rhyming word. Generally ludicrous goes with his own name and runs out after ludicrous, ridiculous and conspicuous. Then you see him pop out the rhyming dictionary and puzzle for a few minutes. If you’re a beginner I suggest starting with something like BAT to rhyme.
Eg.
I like to have a bat
To hit my cat
And then make it fat
Or make it skat

Now, please note that it DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. This is pretty much the point. If you can actually make out a story line you are clearly beyond phase 3.
But that’s another story for another time. Until then, good luck with your rapping and maybe I’ll see you on much music.

The Jesus Macarena

2005-10-31T11:29:00.000-05:00

Now for those of you who are fans of contemporary Christian music, please do not be offended. I was raised in a Baptist Church so I’ve sung my fair share of cheesy worship songs, and not so say that there aren’t cheesy hymns… but my concern today is the actions that go along with Christian songs. Okay lets break this down. When you sing a catchy contemporary chorus, chances are there are some actions…and unless you know sign language they’re pretty simplistic…here is all you need to know to do actions to a Christian song.

God= point to the sky
You (in reference to God)= point to the sky
Jesus= point to the sky
Heaven= point to the sky
Lord= point to the sky
Lift = open hands and slowly lift them to the sky.
Earth= point to the ground
Here= point to the ground
Me= point to yourself
I = point to yourself
Cross= make a cross with your arms
The world= open hands in front of you and slowly circle them out very epically
A mention of a direction (ie. north, south east west)= point in that direction
Anything else = Clap

So basically modern Christian worship has turned into a slightly more complex version of “head and shoulders knees and toes.” And you either feel silly for knowing the actions or sillier for not knowing them. I mean really, does God really care if I point to the sky when I say his name? and theologically is that sound? Is God in the sky? And sure, maybe it is beneficial to some to do a lot of waving of their arms when they worship but frankly, if you are over the age of 12 and you aren’t at a summer camp then you shouldn’t be turning singing to God into the “Macarena.” I’m sure John Wesley would roll in his grave if I started to bust out some actions to his hymns. Seriously folks, where has our reverence gone? How about a healthy respect for the Almighty God. He deserves more than just the “hokey pokey.”

How to care for a housemate during Midterms

2005-10-24T22:58:00.000-04:00

Step #1 identify crisis.
If there are audible sobs coming from the room make a note of a ‘crisis’

Step #2 intervene
With tissues, warm drink, or mounds chocolate knock softly on the door and wait for an indication to enter to be sobbed.

Step #3 Enter
Upon receiving permission to enter. Open door and proceed in. If light is off, do not attempt to turn it on as it may cause blindness to your housemate. Also, try not to step on the papers on the floor. For while they may appear in disarray, they are actually hours of effort thrown down in frustration.

Step #4 approach
Walk up to your housemate and sit beside her on the bed. Present her with your gift(s). Place on hand on her shoulder and read the following speech.

Hello________,
How are you? I just dropped by to tell you that I think that you are wonderful and a great person. I know you are frustrated with school these days but I wanted to remind you that you are more than your marks. ________, you are a complete person without academics, you are more than a number, you are beautiful, capable and will be successful even if you fail this paper, not to say that you will, because you won’t, but even if you did, there is no guarantee that you will live in the gutter the rest of your life. In fact, even if you fail you may be successful. While one bad mark may mean that you don’t get into grad school that doesn’t mean you won’t be a great housewife or Tim Hortons server. _______, your life is more than school. Sure, you haven’t been out of the house in three weeks and I can’t remember the last time you washed your hair, but I’m sure that this paper is not worth being curled up in the fetal position sobbing. You can do it. Yes, yes you can. You are a smart, intelligent human being. I love and care for you.
Thank you.

Step #5 Listen
You may not be able to understand what they’re saying. Something about a paper or a midterm. Something full of sobs. Just nod and say, you can do it, I’m sure you can. If necessary repeat speech or portions of.

Step #6 Leave
After housemate’s sobs have decreased or she has passed out from not having slept in days, slowly back out of the rooms

Step #7 Get back to work
Then, return to your work, if necessary repeat speech to self, in head or out loud. Feel free to add arm motions. Perhaps do some stress eating as well.

The Library is NOT a picnic area.

2005-10-20T23:22:00.000-04:00

Honestly, when I was Frosh, I wasn’t that obnoxious. I mean, sure I probably had someone look at me one time or another and think, “yup, she’s frosh” but I sure wasn’t as bad as some frosh I’ve seen. Yesterday I was in the library studying for my midterms. I was sitting at a table and 3 girls came in and sat down directly in front of me. The first girl pulls out a book with a 100 course level title on the front. The second one pulls out a book with the same title and the third one …pulls out her lunch. Then they proceeded to whisper… and I don’t mean whisper I mean the good ol’ WHISPER YELL. I’m sure you know what I mean. “HEY AMANDA” “WHAT?” “WHAT QUESTION DO YOU WANT TO START WITH”. Group work? Are you kidding me? they’ve come to the third floor of the library during midterms, sat across from someone clearly working hard and they’re going to do GROUP WORK. I nearly lost it. but then, the third girl whisper yelled to her friends “I WISH I”D BROUGHT SOMETHING TO DO” …. WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE WITH OUT ANYTHING TO DO!! THE LIBRARY IS NOT A PICNIC AREA. (i don't mind people eating and working in the library...but JUST eating is a little much for me )and so she opened her pop and crunched on her salad as the other two whisper yelled at each other…the whole time I’m baring my teeth and praying for serenity. I wanted to say “hi guys, I heard a really good place to do group work was NOT HERE” or “Ya know, when you’re in 3rd year, working your butt off and stressed out and you have 3 obnoxious frosh come and sit across the table from you when you’re trying to study for the 2 midterms that you have in the next two days, I imagine you wouldn’t be to happy…wouldn’t you? WOULDN’T YOU!?!?!” but I didn’t. I just stared at the text book and read the same sentence 84 times. Finally after 15 minutes they realized that they actually didn’t have any work to do. And so they loudly re stuffed their back packs and headed off in the direction of the computers with the last girl chomping on her carrot in tow.
So, I recognize that not all frosh are loud in the library or generally insensitive to others but if you know someone who is….please tell them before someone like me jumps across a table in the library and strangles them to death.
Thank you.

Where Did Deuy Decimal go?

2005-10-13T22:53:00.000-04:00

So I’m researching a paper involving the Charlottetown Accord and I’ve got to say…its way more complicated than its supposed to be. By it, I don’t mean the topic. By it, I mean researching! Here’s what happens.
Step 1. First one must check the library online catalogues. This can be done in the comfort of your own home. You must navigate a series of searches trying to use the appropriate words to get what you want and you end up with a code. Something like JL 65 .1992 D64 1992 c.3 (seriously that’s a call number for a book on my desk).
Step 2. Go the library.
Step 3. examine the chart on the wall to see where the J section is. Its on floor 3.
Step 4. go to floor three…look for Js. …
Step 5. if you still can’t find the J’s in 10 mins. Take a break and try not to scream. Its possible you’re actually in the bound journal section (which is on floor 2 but you may have gotten confused and gone to the wrong floor)
Step 6. continue to search for Js
Step 7 once Js are located begin decoding process. If there was any reason for learning your alphabet or how to count, this is it. first follow the alphabet ja, jb, jc, jd….until you get to JK…then start on the next number, then the next number, then back to the letter, then the number again, then the date, then the letter and yes, the last number (I’m not kidding this is real).
Step 8. discover your book is not there
Step 9. try not to scream.

An alternative to this is when I forget the deal with the CA section. You see, I go through the whole routine up to the point where I’m on my hands and knees crawling through the library counting out loud or reciting the alphabet.. then I come to it, it looks like a book, in fact its supposed to look like a book, it isn’t though…it’s a cardboard book with a spine that says CA (Canadian documents) are located in the basement). ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?! Its like some sort of sick treasure hunt. So I have to go all the way down and go through the government documents. WHICH IS HELL b/c they’re all so thin that the spines don’t show and I’m guaranteed to be standing on my tip toes on a step stool or again crawling on the floor.

What happened to good old deuy decimal? (and is deuy (as in heuy, deuy and lewis) named after him) I remember spending hours in elementary school learning how to find books and then suddenly, university and the stupid American congress system. I don’t understand for the life of why/how its organized the way it is. Its barely linear and extremely confusing.
In deuy decimal, if you’re in a section that has say, the Meech lake accord in it, you’re likely to find the Charlottetown accord there too. But no, in American congress, its all the Canadian constitutional stuff EXCEPT the Charlottetown accord. On one end of this section is the American constitution section and the other end is something like Caribbean foreign policy. I still can’t find the Charlottetown accord section.

Another exciting alternative is Microfilm or Micorfiche and yes there is a difference. I gave up when I couldn’t open the filing cabinet drawer tonight. Clearly, the library gods area against me. in an hour of searching, I got 2 books.
Oh and for the record can I just say that people should title their books with relevant titles…like if your book is about the Charlottetown accord, perhaps put that in the title…or alternatively, if its NOT about the Charlottetown accord DO NOT put it in the title. While I’m sure that the children’s book in the educational library with that in its title is a riveting read, I find it extremely annoying to come across a book that is not about what I think its about b/c the title deceiving.

So…needless to say I’m not having much luck in the library these days. I’m actually having more success in the online journal department. I’m horrid at looking though journals but at least it isn’t as humiliating as crawling by someone three times reciting the alphabet to myself.

2005-10-11T15:38:00.000-04:00

me and my very first parking ticket

Sad news

2005-10-11T15:37:00.000-04:00

Well, I blame the neighbours. You see last night when I drove my dad’s car back to kingston there was a car parked in our shared driveway so I couldn’t get in to park. And so, I just parked on the street thinking that it was no big deal and I’d move it in the AM. So I got up early and went and did my volunteer shift at the hospital and when I came back, there it was... a parking ticket! I was not pleased. Its only $20 but its my VERY first traffic infraction. Maybe if I hadn’t been in such a hurry to help those poor people who are all alone in the hospital I wouldn’t have gotten it. It is because of my giving heart I that got it…oh who am I kidding, I probably would have slept in if I hadn’t been at the hospital. Oh well, there goes $20…. At least its going to a good cause right? Better roads? Better policing? More traffic cops to hand out parking and J-walking tickets? I HOPE SO!!

Its Hockey season!

2005-10-05T22:48:00.000-04:00

This just in...
i don't care.

Feminism

2005-09-29T10:58:00.000-04:00

Feminism is full of trash.
Don’t get me wrong, I like my rights- voting, speech, mobility etc. – but I really think that things are getting taken a little too far. Folks, I hate to break it to ya, but I’m 100% sure that women have a maternity instinct. I’m certain that men and women are different in more ways than just biology and I’m certain that this has led to us having different roles in the family and in society. I’m not saying that women shouldn’t do the taxes, make more money or even carry heavy things and open tough jars…I just think that people think that women’s reproduction abilities have left them at a natural disadvantage as men have dominated them. Yah, its not good that women have been doormats for centuries, I’m not a fan of that, but, I’m not a fan of removing the feminine from the woman. I’m not a man with breasts. I’m a woman. I have different instincts, different ways of thinking and yes, I can have babies…I was made that way. Not just in biology but also in my nature. I don’t want to be oppressed, but I sure as hell don’t want to be ‘liberated’ if it means that I can’t be feminine and that all my instincts are socially constructed. That’s just a load of garbage.

Homecoming ' a second cut'

2005-09-28T14:09:00.000-04:00

Lets get a few things straight about homecoming. #1 there were a lot of drunk stupid people out there . but #2 it was by no means a ‘riot’ or ‘drunken brawl’. These terms are generally associated with some sort of physical fight. Yes, ONE car was tipped over by some idiot student (apparently also lit on fire ) [notably, the student pictured atop the over turned car in the Toronto star was a KCVI student… a guy in grade 12…apparently his principal wasn’t impressed ] BUT that’s pretty much all that happened. Bad, yes, granted, but not a drunken riot. Drunken, yes. Riot, no. #3 it wasn’t just queens students out there. Apparently the Queens journal found that one in three students asked were not from queens. I’d say that’s probably even a little low. I’d say it was probably like 50% NOT Queens students out partying on Aberdeen st. Our house had 4 people staying at our house on Saturday night of homecoming. One from western, one from dal and I don’t know where the other two were from. They all partied hard on Aberdeen while 3 of my 5 housemates were home by 1:00. The media took one very bad picture and turned queens students into monsters. There were aprox 5000 people on Aberdeen. And if only half of them were queens students that’s a significantly SMALL fraction of the student population being GIANT IDIOTS.
I did walk by Aberdeen with my good friend Hilary about 11:30 and by then the cops had horses, fire trucks and yes, riot gear. The things that make tension build are when police officers start to get ready for something to ‘happen’. Then the drunks start to think something is going to happen…then the police charge through with their horses…so the students get mad….so the police come through with riot gear… so the students get mad…. They were just standing in the street being drunk and the police decided to be offensive. SO, I would def say that the student weren’t entirely responsible. Sure, they’re responsible for their own actions and for being drunk and breaking bottles but when police officers arm themselves unnecessarily…it makes people think that they should do something deserving of all that effort.
So now, the police are handing out lots of J-walking tickets on campus. Some sort of revenge I think. Seems rather petty really. Especially since such a small fraction of Queens students are REALLY THAT DUMB.

*NB* As a person who does not get drunk, I was not one of the people on Aberdeen, only a tourist, with a camera.

2005-09-28T14:08:00.001-04:00

A slightly blury picture of the corner of Johnson and Aberdeen. The police trying to keep people off the streets and onto the lawns

2005-09-28T14:08:00.000-04:00

A general sense of the crowds on the streets on homecoming saturday night. This pic is looking up Aberdeen.

Homecoming 'a first cut' (as my profs would say)

2005-09-24T18:21:00.000-04:00

Well its homecoming and i've put up a few pictures of the day. Some of you may not understand what homecoming is. Well, at Queens , one weekend a year is dedicated to the alumni returning and everyone getting drunk. While i don't get drunk, i do enjoy getting dressed up and going to the football game. Actually, homecoming always makes me feel like i'm in a movie. The parties are huge and everyone is drunk out of their minds and i'm a little island of sobriety as the world stumbles around me. So its interesting. i mean, if you ever want to feel out of place not drinking at home coming is certainly the place. I can't say i that i really love homecoming but its certainly an intersting experience. Tonight, the big night of partying, i plan on going to a pop and chip party then i'm hanging out with my good friend hilary. Hopefully i'll have some pics of our adventures in the ghetto (the student area at queens) for you all to see tomorrow.

2005-09-24T18:20:00.000-04:00

The Engineers slam their jackets at center field

2005-09-24T18:19:00.001-04:00

a close up of the crazy engineers on the field

2005-09-24T18:19:00.000-04:00

The engineers begin to rush the field at half time

2005-09-24T18:18:00.002-04:00

The five ladies of Frontenac at the game

2005-09-24T18:18:00.001-04:00

My housemates and in front of our house

2005-09-24T18:18:00.000-04:00

Here I am all set for the game

Who really solves the crimes?

2005-09-21T09:08:00.000-04:00

So as many of you may know, I’m actually quite a fan of crime shows. I like law and order mainly but I’ve been known to watch CSI and all its spin offs along with anything else that fits the general topic of ‘who done it’. I should also note here that my parents watch a lot of JAG and subsequently I’ve watched a lot of it as well. My question this evening is in regards to the various impressions these shows leave me with. You see, I don’t actually know who is responsible for solving the crimes. I mean, if you watch law and order, it seems that the police and the lawyers do it. In CSI it’s the forensics people. In NYPD blue it’s the cops. On Profiler, it’s a profiler. In some of the stranger shows like medium (which I’ve never seen, and don’t plan on seeing) it seems to be a psychic who solves them or a dog on some shows. I guess its just left me with a really false sense of who is actually in charge of solving the crime. You don’t even really see some of the groups in the some of the shows leading me to think that perhaps their role is overblown in other shows ( ie. There are no lawyers in CSI and no dogs in medium (that I know of)). So my friends…what is the reality? And do all crimes really end up tied up neatly with a witty line just before commercial breaks and the final credits?

Lunch time viewing

2005-09-13T14:21:00.000-04:00

My housemate Britt and I often watch family feud together while we eat our lunches and it seems that the advertising in this time slot is aimed at very specific groups of people. First you have the workers who are unsatisfied with their minimum wage jobs and are seeking a quick way to get farther in the world. There are at least 2 commercials for ITT tech and Devry every break. The second group is the group of people who are at home because they have been injured in an accident, in a car of work related. For these people there is a series of commercials by lawyers who do catchy things like rhyme their names with their practice “been hurt in a car? Call William matar” is my personal favourite. These lawyers claim to get what you really deserve for you. So pretty much they assume that anyone who is at home around 12 o’clock is either in search of a better life or injured. Britt and I often find ourselves marveling at the amount of people who must be in this circumstance if there is so much advertising aimed towards them. I suppose watching family feud is a good way to enjoy a lunch break with a friend.. I just wish that I didn’t feel such urge to apply to ITT tech or sue someone.

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Back to School

2005-09-09T15:43:00.000-04:00

Well, I officially stopped blogging for the summer as a result of my intensely busy schedule. I had twice as much work guiding this spring, which was nice but extremely exhausting. As well, camp kept me adequately sleep deprived. So here I sit 2 days from the first day of classes feeling like I haven’t even left for summer yet. When I came into my room that I’d abandoned minutes after completing my last exam, nothing had changed. My notes were still on my desk from a brief preexam cram. My four month erasable calendar still tells me what I did in January and interestingly, all the days are crossed off except for the last week. Apparently I was too busy to even cross them off. And so now 3rd year begins. I’m excited. I have a lot of potentially excellent courses and I’m pleased to have regained my independence and autonomy. Granted, I miss Kieth way too much but, such things can not be helped and I’m just gonna suck it up…b/c frankly, no one is going to read a blog full of sappy ‘I miss my bf’ posts. So there will be none of those. Instead, I promise you that this year will be full of all the excitement that last year’s blog held. So, thanks for tuning back in.

A little love on Parliament hill

2005-05-16T16:05:00.000-04:00

Well, I was in Ottawa for work last week and as I was chilling outside the center block waiting for my group I got to see some MPs coming in. My favourite moment was when Peter Mckay came in via car and stepped out. Shortly after one of the green buses that drive the mps around showed up and Belinda Stronach stepped out. McKay was waiting at the door and he saw her and said “why didn’t you stick with me baby?” in a funny little tone. She said something back but was so in awe of having seen them flirt that I almost lost it. Anyway, that was the highlight of my week! I’m off again Tuesday through Friday this week. Sorry my posts have been so sporadic.

Modern Families

2005-05-07T21:05:00.000-04:00

Okay, mini rant time
So I’m seeing some commercials these days for the “modern family sedan”. The commercials show things like daughters asking their mothers about how their sex life is with her latest boyfriend etc. apparently these things are to be celebrated by our culture. Hurray! Dysfunction! my mother is fornicating and i want to hear about it! That makes us normal! That is such a sad statement on society it isn’t even funny. When did we get to the point where we were all so messed up that we had to be messed up to be normal. Function in families is an oddity, an embarrassment, a sign of being in the past. Its ridiculous. I’m actually shy of my parents being in love after 25 years, of our quiet country existence, the morality deeply entrenched in me and the peaceful family environment in which I was raised (not to say that my parents or my home life are perfect…they’re both far from it). Why am I shy of these things? b/c its just not normal anymore. When my friends talk about their parents fighting or their parent’s splitting up with each other, I can’t empathize. Maybe I don’t want to say anything b/c I don’t want them to feel bad about being ‘dysfunctional’… or maybe dysfunction is to the point that I am ashamed of functionality b/c it is such an oddity. So what’s a girl to do? I shouldn’t strive for dysfunction simply to fit in or hide how stable my home life is just to avoid embarrassment ….i like functional families, I always want one. I don’t want any of this modern family nonsense. And I don’t want any of this modern family sedan nonsense. Its like you’re trying to sell a product b/c it doesn't work. That’s just stupid.

Blessed Are The Meek

2005-04-25T13:37:00.001-04:00

Well, I have one exam left (tomorrow) then I’m off to DC for my first solo trip down. Anyway, I just wanted to address my last post. Firstly, thanks to those who commented…you were all very nice. I actually wasn’t expecting such nice things to be said about me... not that I’m trying to sound self deprecating…Its just that often when people describe me I hear words like; feisty, aggressive etc. This seems very odd to me as I do not see my self in this light. I guess I’m just so used to being me that I don’t notice that I’m assertive or intimidating. I certaily don't see myself as the opposite though.
These days I’ve been thinking a lot about who I am and how I got to be who I am and who I want to be. And I think that looking at how other people see you is an important part of really making yourself who you want to be. Its no good if you're really trying to be something but others don’t see it.
I’ve been thinking for a couple of days about the word meek. Its listed as one of the fruits of the spirit and also “blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth’ (matt 5:5) Meekness is def. not something that is often attributed to me. I know that meekness doesn’t have to be weakness but sometimes I wonder how it differs from being a doormat or how it would work if everyone was meek. It makes me think of mice or dogs cowering away from you b/c they know they’ve done something wrong. I know that I’m supposed to want to be meek… but I don’t. maybe its b/c my definition is a little messed up right now. Maybe its b/c its not something that the world sees as at all beneficial and I’m getting sucked into that. Maybe its b/c I feel like its contrary to my personality. I’m not sure… I just don’t even know how I’d go about becoming meek if I wanted to.

A quick question

2005-04-19T22:01:00.000-04:00

So my friend Hilary and i were talking over coffee tonight (actually she had a cookie and i had a steamer) and we were discussing how you see your self and how others see you. And it often puzzles me how/why people see me as they do. So, just for the sake of my own curiosity please take the time to comment and describe me in a few words or sentences. i'm not asking for complements and feel free to not leave your name, i'm just curious.
thanks so much
R.

Thoughts on Washington

2005-04-13T21:25:00.000-04:00

So having spent some serious time in DC last week I thought I’d post some general impressions of the city and how it contributes to American culture and identity.
First off, the city was beautiful. Well laid out, beautiful architecture and the weather made things even better. Having visited Washington its really become very clear to me how so many people can buy into the whole “rah rah USA” stuff. I used to think it was total garbage and that only idiots couldn’t see through it. But when you’re down there and you’re standing inside monuments, that are reminiscent of Greek temples, dedicated to ‘great’ men like Jefferson and Lincoln its really no surprise at all. All the memorials tell the Americans how great they are and where they come from. They preach the ‘founding principles’ of the nation and point to the role of the USA as a city on a hill and a defender of rights. Even the holocaust museum, while being an excellent memorial to the horrors of Hitler, celebrated America as the savior of Europe and sort of spun it to point to the US as ‘needed to defend the weak against evil’. Everything is spun that way. Everything is so BIG, so ornate. You don’t see that in Ottawa. In Ottawa you have an 8 ft statue of a PM but no temple for him to stand in much less a gift shop and washrooms attached. I’m not complaining, I love Ottawa, I just think that the capital of the US really, really designed to sell to the American people an image of themselves that isn’t necessarily true. And it used to seem dumb to me, but after having visited, it makes sense…heck, for a moment there I almost wished that they were my forefathers and my fallen war Heroes. But then I walk through the security to get into every building and I see the cops on every corner and watch military choppers flying low over the city and I remember why I’m glad I’m not American. It’s a beautiful city- suitable for the capital of an empire- of the world even. It’s just so different in every way. Its so close to Canada but so very foreign. Basically, it’s a nice place to visit but I couldn’t live there…unless I was specifically representing Canada. That’s all I have to say for now.

Back from DC

2005-04-12T15:40:00.000-04:00

Well, I’m back from DC and I’ve posted some of my pictures. I’m pretty tired and I have a whole lot of studying to do but I want to post some general thoughts on my views on American nationalism after having visited their capital. I will do this but not today. So enjoy the pictures, I may post more later. It was like 25 degrees on our last day there! So insane! Also, it was the cherry blossom festival so I put up a pic of the cherry blossoms.

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Off to DC

2005-04-05T21:29:00.000-04:00

Well, just incase anyone is wondering why I am not around for the next little bit i thought I’d just pass along what I’m up to. I’ve been asked to start work early this spring. I work for an educational tour company. We do elementary school trips…grad trips pretty much. Last year I did trips to Ottawa, and this year they’ve asked me to do Washington DC trips too! So I’m off to DC for 5 days starting Thursday, to learn the city and everything about it. and all this, right before exams! Oy. Anyway, I’m really excited about it but it will make me ultra busy. So off to the center of an empire for an education in culture, geography and history. 10 hours on a bus either way, with free food and board. I hear the weather is nice there this time of year. I’ll post when I get back. I’ll probably have some observations on the city and its people. And I’m sure I’ll take some pictures. So that’s where I am. I have to go pack!

Today's thoughts (wow, thats a creative title)

2005-03-31T10:28:00.000-05:00

So i'm in the library wasting time between classes and here is what i am thinking about today. its not very coherent but just the random thoughts spinning about in my noggin today.

Why does it bother me when people say "how can i help you miss" or worse "ma'me"? Is it politeness on their part or am i somehow feeling guilt for the supposed class differences that it implies? If someone 2x my senior calls me miss, why do i cringe? When i see someone in their 50s mopping the floor that i dirtied, why to i shudder? Do i fear that, that will be me? Do I feel bad because i'm 'going somewhere'? How am i supposed to react?
I suppose that being polite is one thing. but i feel condecending. I feel patronizing. I feel like they see through my thankyous and resent me. I feel like when i give a friendly smile they roll their eyes when i leave. I just can't think of how to do it well, how to not come across as a 'rich university kid' looking down on them.
but maybe they are content. maybe they have a passion for service. i don't know.
i just hope that i'm not coming across as condecending b/c i really don't see people in service as any less.

Some Introspection

2005-03-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

They (who ever ‘they’ is) say that the habits you develop in your early 20s are the habits you keep for the rest of your life. They say that this is the time in your life when you really decide who you want to be. But I wonder how much I’m choosing who I want to be and how much of it is just a result of the evolution that is growing up.
I suppose to some degree I’m scared of being the same for the rest of my life. It worries me. I mean, I don’t eat healthy enough, I don’t run enough, I don’t do enough of a lot of things, and too much of others. Should I be more intentional with how I spend my time? Should I be intentionally developing habits that will lead to a well balanced life? Do I have enough discipline to do that? I don’t know.
I don’t want to change when I’m older though, well, I do…but not a whole lot. I’d like to grow in wisdom and patience. I want to age gracefully and stay current with the times (not in the 60 year old lady dressing like she’s 20 sort of way, but in the grandmas who know what the internet is sort of way). But I don’t want my husband to wake up one morning and realize that I’ve changed into a completely different person, a person who he wouldn’t have married.
So how do you change, and not change. How do you find the balance? How do you know if you get there? Do you ever get there? Are you supposed to? Is it more about the journey than the destination? I don’t’ think so. I think its all about the destination, I just think that you have to appreciate the various parts of the trip and try to work as far towards perfection as you can along the way. Sometimes I’m just not sure how to do that.
So should I get up earlier? Yes. Should I go to the gym more? Yes. Should I stop eating donuts? Yes.
I just don’t’ know if I want to and I’m not sure if that’s a bad thing.

A Little Self Pity

2005-03-26T18:36:00.000-05:00

So I’ve been rather busy these days with an evil political theory paper (comparing Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau and their conceptions of liberty inside and outside of political society) ANYWAY, I haven’t had all that much time to post. But since I’ve been working on it for pretty much two days solidly and all week sporadically and I know I’m going to be up late with it so that tomorrow I can hopefully enjoy Easter Sunday, I thought I’d take a few mins to post something.
And in the spirit of my political theory paper, I think I’ll simply tell you ten things I’d rather be doing.
#10. sitting on a dock on a warm and windy summer’s evening with a glass of something alcoholic watching the sun set.
#9 sleeping
#8 playing with a puppy and/or a small child.
#7 a hot bath with bubbles, candles and a good book (not my roman study notes like the last bath I had, that kinda ruined it)
#6 a crazy dinning hall dance party with Melissa Graham and other camp folk (strobe lights? Yes please)
#5 sitting through a Bradford town council meeting, b/c then at least you have something to laugh at or be passionate about, like how Bradford is run by idiots
#4 watching paint dry or a kettle boil
#3 slamming my head against a wall, concrete preferred.
#2 shaving my boyfriend’s eyebrows while he sleeps. (Keith’s got enough hair, he won’t miss them)
#1 anything ANYTHING other than writing this STUPID paper. Honestly the only joy I get out of it is when I get stuck and I have to go to the class web page for help. Then at least I get to see what a nerd my prof is as I watch his voice-overed slide shows that explain the Lockian proviso. I mean really? Who has this sort of time on their hands? Man if this thing wasn’t worth 30% of my mark I’d be outside in the sunshine, running through the park, jumping in puddles…or at least I would have been able to come home for Easter.
*sigh*
Back to work

Thanks Trudeau People

2005-03-22T13:01:00.000-05:00

Just and thank you to all the people that posted about Trudeau. I think I used everyone’s quotes or at least made reference to the opinions expressed. The conference went well despite my prof telling me [on Thursday] that he’d decided to extend the time I was talking from 3 mins to 15! I had a minor panic attack then I wrote my talk and it went just fine. So yah, the conference was as dull as anything but I had to go and food was free and plentiful.
Thanks again.
Word to your mothers.

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Props to Nana

2005-03-16T15:43:00.000-05:00

First off, thank you everyone who has been commenting on Trudeau for me! I really really appreciate it! I’m totally going to use all your comments. And for those of you haven’t commented yet, its not too late…you have until Friday! (if you’re confused see my last post).
Today, I would just like to give props to my nana who sent me a fantastic pair of socks that really made my day. As some of you who lived in res with me last year may know, I usually wear large wool socks instead of slippers. Unfortunately I wore large holes into them this year (probably from all the running and sliding I did in res). Anyway, at Christmas I told my Nana (my grandma on my mother’s side) how much I love the giant wool socks she knitted. Well, she told me she’d make me a pair and asked what colour I’d like. I told her she could use up all her scrap wool on them, the more fun the better. And so today they arrived all the way from Florida and brought a little bit of sunshine with them! I’m a firm believer that the socks you put on in the morning foreshadow the type of day you’re going to have so I try to have as many exciting socks on hand (or foot) as possible. So thanks nana, they’re great (not that she reads my blog). I’ll wear these socks until I get a giant hole in them. And to all my friends, if you want to make someone happy (esp. me), knit them a nice pair of colourful wool socks.
*NB* Keith Brooks is exempt from this because I really have no desire for him to learn to knit. Not that I’m against guys knitting, cause I’m not, I’m just against HIM knitting… especially for me… I think he should take up something like bear wrestling or mime. (sorry keith, didn’t mean to crush your dream)

Trudeau

2005-03-14T04:40:00.000-05:00

Alright Kids, its time to give Robyn a little helping hand. You see, next weekend (the 19th) I have to go to a Canadian Studies conference here at Queens because i'm taking a Canadian studies course. Now this is all fine and good except for one little thing, my prof has asked me and 2 other people to make presentations. I NEED YOUR HELP. i'm supposed to 'survey my friends and family' and find out what they thought of Pierre Trudeau. So my friends, I EMPLORE YOU, help me out? just post a few of your thoughts on Trudeau and/ or his legacy. Even if you write that you think he is good and one reason...that would help me out TONES!
So thanks so much. And hopefully i'll survive this month of craziness.
Take care.

Quote of the Day

2005-03-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Today's quote comes from my Ancient Humour Prof- Dr. Griffith. The comment was made while discussing the consumption of milk by the cyclops in the Odyssey as a sign of his childlike state. He said "We've been brainwashed by people like Montesori and feminists to believe that we should get in touch with our inner child and all that other crap. The Greeks knew better.

They knew that...

BABIES ARE IDIOTS!"

Well stated.

(hopefully this isn't one of those things that you had to be there to get...i think its pretty universal.)

The Road to Heaven is Dirt- Some Thoughts on Home

2005-03-09T22:08:00.000-05:00

I recently heard Dan Scott speak on the topic of heaven and home. He said that places feel like home because they reflect a little bit of our true home, heaven. I’ve been thinking a bit about this lately and I really think its true. There are 2 places I feel at home. The first is definitely where my parents live. I think it feels a bit like heaven because it is so peaceful. My parents live in harmony, its out in the country and comfortable. I can curl up by the fire and read, I can blast my music and most of all, I’m in a caring supportive environment. The other big place I feel at home at is Camp (Pioneer for those of you who don’t know). I’ve been going to camp by myself since I was 5 and its def. had a big impact on my faith. Since I’ve been on staff I’ve seen God do amazing things and he’s taught me a heck of a lot too. Camp is full of Christian community living. Now, this can be incredibly hard b/c , since I work at Girls camp, things can get caddy, and gossipy but it’s the times where things aren’t like that when I truely feel at home. Like I never want to leave. It’s the times when you live in harmony and love, speaking truth, working for God with each other that things just feel right. When I’m driving home to my parents house, and when I’m driving home to camp after having been away for a long time I can’t help but be excited. I drive down long dirt roads to get to both and as I bump along I anticipate the feeling of being home. I can only imagine what it’ll be like to bump down that big dirt road in the sky to the real thing. Real home.

Library Security

2005-03-04T14:47:00.000-05:00

Well, i'm sitting here in the library having a break from my essay research (its been 2 hours, i deserve one) . I wanted to comment today briefly on the state of the library security guards, or INsecurity guards. i call them this for two reasons.
1. The make me feel nervous.You see they walk by you and they stare and they seem to think that their duty is to make sure that you don't leave a mitten unattended or smuggle a coffee into the library in an inappropriate cup.If they do find that you've left something they either leave you a little note...or they take it. Thats right folks, i've had friends who have had to go and get mittens back. they don't just hand them over though, they make you sign for them AND show your student card.
2. they should also be called insecurity guards because they don't really keep this place secure. i swear that some queens recruiter goes to the mall early in the AM sees who the best mall walker is and asks them if they want a job. They slap a uniform on 'em, tell them to look scary, and sit them down with a newspaper. They're all ancient and generally bored looking. It seems their only joy is the random laps of the library they do in search of illegal coffees and abandoned mittens. Frankly, ithink i could out walk these guys. they're pretty slow and ... they don't even carry guns. maybe i'll try and steal something today...what do you think? a computer? a book? how about something from the "its free" table wher ethey put all the broken electronics hoping that some sucker student will take it home. i bet if i took the moniter thats on that table and slipped it under my jacket they'd think i was stealing it and then we'd really see how much security this place has.
Maybe i'm being a little harsh onthese guys. i mean, i'm not for manditory retirement or anything... but when i passed one snoozing on the way out of douglas earlier today i just couldn't help but wonder who would win in a 50 m dash.
i wonder if they have to complete an annual physical?
Thats all for now,
sorry for the spelling and grammer issues, i don't have time to reread it today.

A New Analogy

2005-03-01T16:11:00.000-05:00

So here is my new theory on relationships…or, I suppose, my new analogy.
Looking for someone to spend the rest of your life with is like shopping for books. You come into the store and browse. Occasionally a book might catch your eye and you might pick it up and glance at the cover. If that interests you, you might flip it over and read the back. [It’s like finding someone you’re interested in and then, getting to know them.] If you like the book you ‘pick it up’ and go around with it for a bit. You can’t read it yet but you can maybe read the first few pages or read the author’s bio. The thing is though, that since you’re only in there to buy one book, you might decide not to get that book, or you may see another that makes you think that perhaps the book you have in your hand isn’t the one for you. And so, you continue to shop. Some people like flashy picture books that are all glamour and no substance. Others prefer hard covered books of poetry from the dark rarely explored shelves at the back of the store. There are niche books, ones for people into street luge or botany. There are books that appeal to the general population that have a interesting stories but like harlequins or maxim magazines, not much depth. The thing about books is that once you read something, you can’t unread it. You can forget bits but you can’t undo what you’ve done. You have to be careful what you let yourself read b/c reading the wrong books can be bad for you [just like dating the wrong people]. Eventually you reach the point where you’re ready to buy the book. Sometimes you have to buy the book b/c you spill coffee on it or something but usually its b/c you want to keep the book and the book wants to keep you. In the book store of life, returns have become increasingly common. But when I buy a book, I’m gonna keep it. There is a book for pretty near everyone in the bookstore of life, it’s just a matter of finding it. Sometimes, (like in beautiful used bookstores that smell old and musty) the best books are the ones you have to dig around for back behind the stairs in a box. So my friends don’t give up and please, move on from the magazine rack.
A problem with my theory- one big one is that it appears to be very one sided and the book doesn’t have to choose you too….suck it up. It’s a good theory.

2005-02-27T20:26:00.000-05:00

Keith and Me

Feb 25 Somewhere near the Finch subway station

To The Friends of The Brooks...

2005-02-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

Well its 8:15 in the AM and I have a midterm at 10 so why in the world am I posting? Good question. It has a lot to do with a boy actually. I have recently become well acquainted with a certain gentleman by the name of Keith with whom I have exchanged romantic intentions. AND HE HAS DECIDED TO TELL PEOPLE TO LOOK AT MY BLOG! Oh gee, I sound like such a nerd! Well, maybe I am but …
Anyway, this AM’s post is mainly a welcome to Keith’s friends and an assurance that I am not (despite what he may say) addicted to Heroine, I have never plowed a field, and just b/c I’m at Queens …that doesn’t mean anything.
Oh, I thought that you’re all probably pretty nervous, I mean, you need to be protective of your friends…who is this Robyn Girl? So I thought I might list 10 reasons that I like Keith.
#1 He has a car
#2 He is 22 and lives at home
#3 He apparently rocks at ‘dance dance revolution’
#4 He goes to York (I hear the campus is beautiful)
#5 He knows Andrew Fulford…(and my parents love Andrew.)
#6 When his hair gets long he gets a rat tail (*smirk*)
#7 He lives in Bradford (and I’ve always wanted to be involved with someone from Bradford, just about as much as I’ve always wanted to be dragged behind a moving vehicle by my eyebrows while being pelted with flaming cinders.)
#8 I can school him in basketball (and very possibly lots of other things)
#9 His excellent vocabulary
#10 And in all honesty b/c I’ve never met someone who makes me laugh as long and loud as he does. (and I’m laughing WITH him… really)
Anyway, it’s early and that’s as witty as I can be with random facts about Rome spinning around in my head! So folks, I am not a creepy, ditzy or scary. And who knows, I may be meeting you all sometime soon.
*a note to my friends* -stop freaking out guys, I mean it! I know this may be the first you’ve heard of this but… cut me some slack here. I promise I meant to tell you… all of you. Really! Aw, who am I kidding, no one reads my blog anyway.
Maybe I should review my notes.
PS. Please leave a comment, i need all the dirt I can get on this kid!
PPS. If you need help pulling a prank on him....I'm your girl!

PPPS (i'm the hot one in the middle)

Monday Report

2005-02-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

So i'm a huge fan of Rick Mercer's show monday report (mondays at 8 on CBC) and they're having a contest right now for small town events. HOW COULD I RESIST! i mean, i know i just wrote about bradford in my last post BUT its carrot fest. So , i sent them off this little letter. i promise to not write anything more about Bradford for a while... people are actually going to start to think i like this place. Anyway, here's my letter. I hope i win. if i do i get a TRIP TO TORONTO (oooooooo, aaaaaaaaaa) and i get to see a taping of the show. (which i have a feeling is free anyway). Oh and don't tell me if there are any typos or anything b/c i already sent it and i'd feel silly.

Dear Mr. Mercer and the other brilliant minds of Monday report,
My name is Robyn Symons and I hail from the small town of Bradford Ontario. Now, while I may be away at university for 8 months of the year, my heart remains in my little town. You see, Bradford (more formally known as Bradford West Gwillimbury) is known for one great thing: Its carrots. Being situated directly north of the Holland marsh, Bradford is one of the largest producers of carrots in Canada (or at least that’s what I’ve been told and believe) and subsequently is the home of Carrot fest every August. Now I’m sure you’re thinking that this is just another forced and cheesy attempt to get some small town pride going…and boy, are you right. But, nonetheless, its quite an amusing festival. You can check out all the details on the web site (http://www.townofbradford.com/carrot/index.html) and I’d like to just highlight couple of things about it. Please notice firstly that while Carrot fest is held in August, this year’s plans appear to be WELL UNDERWAY (we take this festival very seriously apparently). As well all the events are carrot-centric please note the following events: A Carrot Cake and Muffin Contest, A Vegetable Sculpture Contest, A Vegetable Hat Contest, and of course, in the spirit of all things carrot , Unicyclist, Jugglers, Mimes and of course a Hula Hoop Contest. The festival openly encourages everyone to get involved and claims that you only need two things; approval of the committee…and insurance. (I’m not quite sure what can go wrong during a vegetable hat contest but…if they say its necessary, than you’d better get it.). I think probably the most exciting thing about Carrot fest is the annual appearance of the Bradford West Gwillimburry town mascot….a giant carrot named Gwilly. Now, Gwilly can be seen on the side of a barn at the hwy 400 and hwy 88 exit and on a sign coming into Bradford where he has a motorized arm that waves at you, but nothing NOTHING compares to the sight of an adult dressed as an oversized vegetable. So Rick and all you other people who read e-mails, Bradford carrot fest has all the quality of any high class festival. Sure, it may be a little hokey but I think the events motto sums it up nicely “Its not just about carrots, its about life”.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my e-mail, your show is the highlight of my Mondays.
Sincerely
Robyn Symons

A picture from the park

2005-02-05T14:28:00.000-05:00

I took this Picture this AM. All the trees were covered in these long crystal like bits of ice. I think the fog from last night froze onto the trees. Anyway, I thought it was very pretty.

If I Were The Mayor

2005-02-04T14:37:00.000-05:00

Now, don't take this as a cheesy elementary school essay. I'm serious! I could be mayor of Bradford. I mean, I'm not even at all sure that I want to live in Bradford when I'm done school but if I did here are some of my ideas.
#1 Limiting of big box stores. I'd make sure that it would be difficult for large companies to move into Bradford. And if they really really want into Bradford they're going to have to have stores that 'fit into the natural landscape'. ie. Not big ugly stores with giant parking lots. As well, they would need to be public transit and walking friendly.
#2 plant more trees
#3 maintaining Bradford small town appeal (yah I know, what appeal is there to a small town... But apparently there is).
#4 All new developments would have to a) not have a large garage on the front b) be more conducive to walking and public transit c) have lots of greenspace d) and trees e)also they would need to be unique in some way. ie. Not cookie cutter cheesy suburb houses. Bradford needs to have a unique feel. Maybe we could hire a Dutch architect or something.
#5 A community compost system
#6 No garbage
#7 mandatory carrot consumption
#8 No sleeping through council meetings OR eating candies loudly into the microphone ( I'm talking to you Frank Jonkman)
#9 a public transit plan
#10 more giant billboards with Gwilly waving, just so everyone feels welcome (and/or very confused)
#11 negotiating with the Canadian government to get CSIS headquarters to Bradford
#12 lobbying for recognition of the 'townie' as a distinct ethnic group
#13 more trees
#14 a percentage of drug profits made by teens in lions' park and the tim hortons' parking lots to go to the unwed mothers of Bradford
#15 getting rid of that porn store on main St.
#16 putting in an ikea
#17 more fire trucks
#18 more Go trains
#19 fewer people with low IQs
#20 flowers
#21 mandatory branding with a A hot 'Gwilly' Iron for all citizens of Bradford thus making Bradford citizenship as lucrative as Roman citizenship.

Okay, so maybe only a couple of those ideas were serious but in all honesty, its time for Frank Jonkman to retire. So lets keep Bradford from becoming just another Ajax and lets keep it special. And what's more special than your very own gwilly brand?

ps. is this the sort of thing i'm supposed to write in a blog?

A Letter to My MP

2005-02-01T22:05:00.000-05:00

So here is a little letter i've written to my MP. i haven't sent it yet b/c i'm not sure how coherent it is (mainly b/c of the medicine i'm on.) so please give me some feed back and i'll fix it up and send it ! thanks.
R.

Dear Ms. Guergis
My name is Robyn Symons and I am one of your constituents from the far south of your riding; Beeton. And while I am currently away at school, I have a request. I am writing to you today because of my great concern in regards to the Bill that was put in front of the house today. I am a strong opponent the legalization of same sex marriage [civil or otherwise] and would like my view represented in your vote. While I understand that many constituents may disagree with my stance on the issue I would like you to strongly consider voting against the Bill.
I have been very concerned lately with recent moves to abandon tradition simply for the sake of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While I recognize that the Charter is a well intentioned document, I would like to point out that it is a very young document that was not chosen by the people of Canada. As well, it was conceived quickly and crafted poorly in attempts to give Trudeau a legacy. I do not deny that the general concept of the Charter is a nice idea but really, with only a portion of our constitution written, what was the point of the Charter? Could conventions not have carried us through? And now we turn away from convention because the ‘holy’ Charter makes it seemingly ‘sacrilege’ to do otherwise. This document is not divinely inspired and needs to be looked at in this light. We are not Americans and do not need to worship our pieces of paper as they worship their constitution.
Secondly, I have great difficulty with the Supreme Court acting the way it has been. The function of the judicial review since the birth of the Charter has given these 9 judges FAR too much power. Suddenly the government policy is decided my appointed officials who appear to be infallible. But they too are human and should not technically be responsible for the direction the country heads. The Liberals have been using the Supreme Court as an excuse to put this bill through, and the Supreme Court has only to look at the Charter for its back up. However the base on which this whole thing is centered, the Charter, is flawed. Ms. Guergis, I entreat you to stand up for the morals of Canadian society that were not protected by the Charter. I respectfully request that as my representative you vote against the Bill legalizing same sex civil unions. The Charter is not sacred, it is not perfect and should not be treated as such. The collective rights of Canadians need to be stood up for just as much as the individual ones.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my letter and responding.
Sincerely
Robyn Symons

I'm tired of everyone living for love

2005-01-31T21:17:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wonder why the world is so romance obsessed. I've spent the last 4 days stuck in bed with some ridiculous bug that gave me a fever, a cough, stuffed sinuses and the sensation of being hit by a truck. And while I've been out of commission I've watched more than my fair share of movies and TV. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I like a little bit of romance and that the A&E Pride and Prejudice mini series (of which I watched the full 6 hours yesterday) is outstanding but I think a steady diet of this stuff is really unhealthy. Romance fills our music, our televisions and far too often our conversations. I guess to me it seems like part of the mass media distraction machine that attempts to remove our interests from the real issues, the things that really matter. And I know I'm a freak for caring passionately about politics but I really think that more people would care about politics if they weren't so concerned with romance. But who am I kidding, very few people [or maybe more specifically girls?]would choose the news over a movie with a romantic plot or sub plot. I guess this genre is so successful because if feeds into our very base emotions. We live vicariously through the characters on the screen and hope that tomorrow maybe we'll be hit by the car driven by the man of our dreams. Its this 'living through other people' thing that allows the world to be run the way its being run without much protest. As long as people are more concerned about what's happening in next week's episode than they are about the millions of aids orphan the less likely anyone is going to do anything about it.
If we continue to live our lives through characters or people we'll never meet [ie. Brad Pitt] we'll never be in touch with reality. I'm tired of watching people I don't know fall in love and live happily ever after in the span of two hours with perhaps one large obstacle to overcome. Real relationships, believe it or not, are not based on lust, are not easy and require some serious discussions along with all the eyelash batting, giggling, silliness.
Don't get me wrong. I think a girl needs to be brought flowers once in a while but I'm just sick and tired of people thinking that earthly love is the entire point of their existence. My story does not end when I meet my husband, that's just chapter two. I think romance is nice and has its time and place and I love the feeling that you get in your stomach when you really like someone. BUT, I will not center my life around waiting for my future husband. I will not pretend that the only thing I live for is that sort of love. The media practically shoves it down our throats and I'm tired of it.
So I suppose the point of tonight's semi coherent rant is two fold. 1. The media is insistent that Romance is the one great adventure in life. And 2. I don't buy it.

or maybe i'm just bitter?

Some Thoughts on Warmth and Fashion

2005-01-27T21:06:00.000-05:00

When i lived at my parent's house I used to catch the bus at the end of the driveway every day. In elementary school i caught it on my own and often amused myself in the winter by making paths in the snow and running around them as fast as i could to keep warm. But by the time i got to highschool i had to wait with my sister and my neighbours so we would just stand still and maybe even talk until the bus came. Often the bus would be 10-15 minutes late and by that time our inactivity caused our hair to be frozen and our teeth to chatter violently. Fashion ruled in high school. Girls didn't wear toques because they didn't want to mess up their hair and your jacket needed to look good and it didn't really matter if it was warm. There was no recess, no reason to go outside, only catching the bus or running to a car. So somehow we managed. (Personally, i failed miserably when it came to fashion, often resorting to going outside in -20 to catch the bus with wet hair only to discover that my hair became a giant ball of fuzz upon reentry into a heated building. However, i didn't really care what i looked like as some of you may be able remember.)
And now university. An entirely different phenomenon. No longer are the hair styles of the fashion elite hoodless and vulnerable to the cold. Now, such attempts to remain good looking at the loss of your ear lobe are deemed 'stupid' and 'pure idiocy'. Suddenly, we've reverted to our academic infancy. We trudge along in our giant snow jackets, hoods up, scarfs covering our faces with mitts as disproportionate as lobster claws. Suddenly warm is cool again and looking cool looks more stupid than having your scarf wrapped around your head three times. Function has won out over fashion. So sure, i may look like an oversized kindgarten as i walk past the highschool on my way to class. But, while i may not be cool, i'd rather be warm any day.
Robyn

So I'm starting a blog

2005-01-26T22:18:00.000-05:00

Funny, i've never actually read anyone else's blog {with the exception of Andrew's} so i'm not even really sure if anyone will read this. But i suppose just the feeling up putting things out there is kinda nice and it also lets people tap into my mind a bit if they really want to. Also, its an excellent form of procrastination. So some basic things to know about me-#1. i'm a horrible speller, and i'm probably not about to spell check so you're all going to have to suck it up. #2 i'm prety random so i'm not sure that anything i type will be coherent but, we'll see #3 i have no idea what this is going to end up looking like but...here we go!
anyway, welcome to my blog! please enjoy!
thanks!
Robyn