tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29767023531680415382024-03-05T18:43:14.020-08:00Je suis une anglophone qui parle FrançaisBritneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-41386837076047386252020-07-22T18:25:00.000-07:002020-07-23T08:59:10.932-07:00Harry Potter KnittingThe whole world has been thrown into chaos since March 2020 with the COVID-19 virus. One of the few things that has helped me keep my sanity has been the Harry Potter series. For the last few months I have been re-reading the books and rewatching the movie series (a couple of times). While very nostalgic because I was the same age as Harry as the books were released, they have also offered me something that I can be sure of and anticipate what is going to happen.<br />
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In the spring I finished a Harry Potter cross-stitch for my classroom, thinking we would be returning in a few weeks. This did not happen. Pattern available from HardKnotLifeStudio on Etsy. Pattern: Muggle Teacher. I added the different house scarves around the outside because I felt there was too much blank space on my white aida cloth.<br />
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My most recent project has been to knit my house scarf. Several years ago I went on Pottermore (now the Wizarding World) and got sorted into Ravenclaw. Admittedly I should have known that it would be my house, given that the three adjectives that describe Ravenclaws are Wisdom, Wit and Creative. Sadly there are not many Ravenclaws represented in the books outside of Cho Chang, Luna Lovegood and Filius Flitwick. However I am proud to represent a house that isn't Gryffindor.<br />
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Frustratingly the colours of Ravenclaw in the book are blue and bronze, while in the movie adaptation they are blue and silver. So when I went about looking for yarn colours for my scarf, I opted for the movie colours as those were the ones that were visually seen by audiences and therefore the most recognizable.<br />
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There were many patterns for Ravenclaw house scarfs, but I opted for the ones seen in Prisoner of Azkaban, with the smaller alternating stripes (which seemingly are worn by upper year students) rather than the large block striped scarf seen in the Philosopher's Stone. This was the free pattern I ultimately settled on (but made my own adjustments as noted below): <a href="https://svyet.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/harry-potter-prisoner-of-azkaban-gryffindor-scarf/">https://svyet.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/harry-potter-prisoner-of-azkaban-gryffindor-scarf/</a><br />
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Obviously I changed the yarn colours from those of Gryffindor to those of Ravenclaw. I opted for three skeins of Dark Country Blue and one skein of Grey Heather from the brand Caron: Simply Soft.<br />
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I particularly liked this pattern because it is done on circular needles, so you just knit all the way around, creating a wide tube of stockinette stitch. There is no counting individual stitches, no purling; you can just put your mind on auto-pilot and away you go. You do have to count the total rows as you knit to ensure your stripes are the same size, but it is a very easy project to do while watching Netflix.<br />
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I cast on 120 stitches. The circular needles I had were a bit too long for only the 100 sts called for in the original pattern, but I figured a little bit of a wider scarf wouldn't make much difference. I did like the measurements in the original pattern - 30 rows of the main colour, followed by 4 rows of the secondary colour, 4 rows of the main colour, and then 4 rows of the secondary colour again. It did create a really neat look, just like the movie scarves.<br />
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The original pattern featured a photo of a scarf with 14 secondary colour striped pairs of lines, but I stopped mine at 10. I stand about 5'5'' and even then the scarf was taller than me and therefore plenty long enough. Because I made my scarf a little wider, it is a pretty thick and hefty garment. Knitting in the round creates a tube of knitting, so to finish off the open ends, I added tassels. Because grey wasn't the main colour, I opted to alternate blue and grey for the fringe. This was pretty simple to do with the help of a crochet hook. I used four pieces of yarn for each piece of fringe.<br />
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In total this scarf took me over 70 hours to knit. While incredibly time consuming, I am thrilled with the final result :)<br />
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<br />Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-40765088934637689742019-07-03T16:27:00.003-07:002019-07-03T16:56:06.775-07:00Life ChangesI am a couple of weeks from turning 30, and my life is at a crossroads. To put it mildly, I'm overwhelmed. ***I apologize in advance for the negative tone of this post. I just realized how many things I had been ignoring and suppressing so now it's coming up like word vomit*** I get angry when I get vulnerable, and currently I feel very insecure about my future and out of control.<br />
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I just completed my 2nd year teaching in Ottawa and this much I know:<br />
- I'm over city living<br />
- I need something different<br />
- I feel completely disconnected from everyone and am seriously lacking any sense of community or sense of belonging<br />
- There is nothing keeping me in Ottawa<br />
- As a French teacher I can find work virtually everywhere - this in particular has made the options of where to move to endless<br />
- Due to the fact I don't know what my exact plans are, I have been unable to communicate this to anyone and have been suffering in silence<br />
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I have always been a planner - a very type A person. To this point in my life I have attempted to map out and control the direction of my life. But despite my efforts, if you had asked 20 year old Britney where her life would be, this would not be it. I saw myself at 30 with a husband, a couple of kids and a house.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I don't hate my life. I have a career that I love, hobbies I enjoy, pretty good physical health, and a stable and supportive family. However my very low tolerance for drama and stress has (this year in particular) forced me to cut many people out of my life. My work situation was similar; due to the fact that I was covering a one year maternity leave, I didn't see the point in investing time and energy into those relationships - as I knew I was leaving. I also know myself well enough and as an emotional person, I suppose to a certain extent I was looking to make my departure easier on myself at the end of the school year.<br />
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I am almost 30, and I honestly didn't see myself with such an unclear future. I have few romantic pursuits (I could go on a tangent about the waste of time that is online dating), very few friends I am motivated to see and hang out with, and in general am feeling very helpless at the state of the world and current events in the news. I am incredibly frustrated with the housing market. As a single woman who makes a pretty decent income; I can't afford anything. What pisses me off the most is that I feel I logically did things right: I went to school, I got a job in my field of study, and irritatingly the inflation of wages did not increase at the same rate as the housing bubble. The only way I'll be able to own a home is if I have a dual income (partner), win the lottery, find me a doctor, or buy a tiny home. Many days I just want to go off-grid, get myself a tiny house, and travel the world.<br />
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As the end of the year trip, my Grade 8 students got the opportunity to go to Quebec city. I came back from the Quebec trip with a sore throat, that quickly progressed to a head-cold, to a fever, to laryngitis. It has now been a week, and I am still battling the throat soreness and loss of voice. I quickly realized that my throat pain and illness is most likely related to stress and the pressure I am currently under to figure out what to do with my life in the next few weeks.<br />
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My initial plan months ago was to move to Prince Edward Island. I have traveled there on several occasions and to me it is the most beautiful place on the planet. I went through the hassle of getting a PEI teaching licence (Canada irritatingly requires a different provincial licence for each region you wish to teach in) only to discover that there is a housing crisis on the island and virtually nowhere to live. So I have work, but no housing. This sent me back to the drawing board.<br />
The current state of education in Ontario is not ideal under Doug Ford, with massive cuts to Special Education funding and increases in class sizes so I don't particularly want to stay in this province.<br />
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My current thought is to move to British Columbia, which has presented it's own set of challenges and things to think about. I would have to go through the process of getting a BC teaching licence, which for whatever reason is far more laborious than the PEI one. Trying to choose a city is also up in the air. I have a few friends in various cities, as well as family on the West Coast so there are many options. Most school boards are hiring French teachers as well, which bodes well for me. But for whatever reason teachers in BC have the lowest wages in the country - which considering the high cost of living seems pretty counter-intuitive. BC is also quite a hike away from Ontario - a 8 hour plan trip one way, so transportation is also another factor.<br />
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I am travelling to British Columbia starting next week, so I am hoping that my time there will help bring some clarity and decisiveness to what I will be doing in September. Sending good vibes to everyone out there :) <3<br />
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~BBritneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-415665448907495882017-10-20T19:40:00.001-07:002017-10-20T19:57:02.752-07:00Judgement and Changing the Stigma of AddictionI remember starting a diary when I was about 8 years old. Admittedly most of my entries comprised of my food consumption for the day (ah the life before drama and stress). As I got older my entries were much more honest and forthcoming. Many things I confided in writing, I never told my parents or friends in person. I enjoy having a blog because it keeps a certain lvel of privacy while at the same time baring my soul<br />
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So here it is. I am in love with an alcoholic. I can feel the judgement already. And I can also understand why. For those of you who are aware of my personal life over the past couple of years, you will know that I dated someone very seriously, who I did not know at the time had a drinking problem. I was very much in love with him by the time I understood the magnitude of the situation and you can't really just "unlove" someone. So I tried to stick it out. But after a few months I quickly realized that I could not fix him, and I couldn't just "love" him until he was better.<br />
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I made the very painful choice of stepping away from the relationship and spent September 2016-March 2017 focussing just on myself. During those eight months I decided to become a yoga teacher. Something that I truly believe changed my life and my outlook on many things. During the program many aspects of human health were discussed, including mental health and addiction. I should preface this with the fact that prior to meeting S I had no prior experience with addiction. Amidst all the group discussions and sharing of personal stories, I came to realize that all the women in my yoga teacher training group had been touched by addiction in some form, and how prevalent the problem is - particularly alcoholism.<br />
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I realized many things during my eight months while learning to be a yoga teacher - namely that I can be an incredibly judgemental and critical bitch - towards myself but also at others. When it came to S addiction I had a very black and white mindset. "Why doesn't he just stop?" "Doesn't he understand that all the negative things in his life are a result of alcohol?" "If he truly cared about me, he would stop drinking.". All of which I discovered is complete and utter bullshit, and contributes to the stigma of addiction.<br />
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<b> No one wants to become an addict</b>. They are not supid or weak. Most addictions are the result of trauma, an incredibly painful experience. Humans have a natural aversion to pain, we want to feel pleasure. Unfortunately for most addicts, they don't have healthy coping skills, or good roles models in their lives (many have parents who are addicts) and result to the "quick-fix" method to numb the pain, to not have to feel. It is a temporary solution that unfortunately quickly becomes a pattern. because they don't have any other alernative. Addicts are not weak, often they succumb to addiction after being strong for too long. Many have anxiety or depression or other mental health issues. By drinking or taking other substances it silences their minds and gives temporary relief to their thoughts.<br />
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Many addicts (particularly alcoholics) also suffer from low self-esteem which also helps fuel the cycle of addiction. They feel bad about themselves, that they aren't worth anything, so they use. Then they feel guilty for using, berate themselves again, and use to forget and block out what they have done. Repeat. This cycle of addiction also tends to run through families/generations.<br />
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That being said, the brain is very malleable. Some habtis and thought patterns are useful, so that we automatically do things without thinking; brushing out teeth, driving our car, etc. It's the unhealthy patterns that are created in the mind that are much more detrimental to our healh.vNo one becomes an addict overnight. It takes years of thought patterns and habits to create "grooves of the mind", but the same can be said for reshaping the way our brain thinks and the way we act. As much as we can think our way into something, we can also "rewire" our brain to think our way out of it. This of course takes time. The brain controls everything, so mental health is of the most importance.<br />
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Since meeting S this has became very evident. When our relationship ended in 2016, he sought help. He attended a month long in-patient program, attended AA meetings on a weekly basis, started addictions counselling and even spent a month in rehab in Northern Ontario. He has been an alcoholic for roughly 5 years, so it will likely take that amount of time before he is fully on the road to recovery. Despite all the work he's done, he still has occasional slip-ups. This i now acknowledge is to be expected and not something he should be berated for. It's like someone who is on a diet and accidently has a cheat day. Does that one cheat day erase all the good choices they've made? Of course not, but it's how they get back on track after a relapse that is the most crucial.<br />
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I never stopped loving S. I tried to delete him out of my life - unfriended him on Facebook, deleted his cell number out of my phone, and trash-talked him at every chance I got (which I now realize was to convince myself that I was right and he was a "terrible" person for doing this to me.) But despite my efforts, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I would send him emails every one in a while and he would respond. I would get angry and emotional and sever contact again. I reached out to him again on a more permanant basis in March 2017. I could see he had been making much more effort in his quest for sobriety and I found myself falling in love with him all over again. It was like the S I dated at the beginning of our relatioship.<br />
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We are currently seeing each other long-distance and he is looking at moving into a sober-living facility for a year. We have talked about a future together, but right now his mental health and sobriety is top priority. Nothing can come before that. Without your mental health you have nothing. So judge S for being an alcoholic. And judge me for choosing to stand by him. Feel free to judge me when you're perfect.Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-12393265763127191202017-02-08T13:22:00.000-08:002017-02-08T13:24:39.138-08:00My go-to knitted hat pattern (free!)I actually created this pattern myself, combining several concepts from other knitted patterns I've come across. I've made about 20 of these tuques in various colours for my students. This hat knits up in about 2.5 - 3 hours. I've also included how I make pompoms (optional). This tuque fits the average 10 year old.<br />
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Use bulky (5) or chunky yarn (6) and size 9.0 mm (US 13) needles<br />
Cast on 40 stitches (sts)<br />
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Knit 3 inches of ribbing in Knit 2, Purl 2 (K2, P2)<br />
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Knit 5 inches in stockinette stitch (knit one entire row, purl the next row, repeat - this will create a right side (RS) and a wrong side (WS) of your tuque.<br />
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Begin decreasing to create the top of the hat:<br />
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Row 1: Knit 5, Knit 2 together until the end of the row<br />
Row 2: Purl<br />
Row 3: Knit 4, Knit 2 together until the end of the row<br />
Row 4: Purl<br />
Row 5: Knit 3,Knit 2 together until the end of the row<br />
Row 6: Purl<br />
Row 7: Knit 2, Knit 2 together until the end of the row<br />
Row 8: Purl<br />
Row 9: Knit 2 together across the row (9 stitches)<br />
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Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Using a darning needle, sew through the 9 stitches remaining on the needle. Draw up and cinch it tight. With the wrong side facing out, sew the two sides together. Use the cast on tail to sew through the ribbing. Turn the hat right side out and turn up the cuff.<br />
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To make pompom (optional)<br />
Wrap your yarn around a coaster or small book. I chose a small Beatrix Potter book. I loosely wrapped the yarn 100 times. Cut the yarn<br />
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Cut a piece of yarn approximately 12 inches long. Carefully slide the wrapped yarn off the book/coaster and set it in the centre of the 12 inch piece.<br />
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With the two ends of the 12 inch piece, cinch and knot it tightly around the middle of the wrapped piece. I tend to double knot it on both sides.<br />
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With a darning needle and the ends of the 12 inch piece, sew through the middle of the pompom, back and forth a couple of times. This secures it better and prevents it from coming unraveled.</div>
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Hold both ends of the 12 inch piece, use scissors and cut all the loops you have created. </div>
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Starting small, trim the pompom into a more circular shape, rounding it off until you achieve the size you want.<br />
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Using the two long tails on the pompom and a darning needle, attach the pompom to the top of the hat, securing it firmly.<br />
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Wear your new tuque with pride :)<br />
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<br />Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-73108758831176077482016-12-23T18:44:00.001-08:002016-12-23T18:44:14.988-08:002016 - The Year of Letting GoTo summarize 2016 is difficult. The first half was incredibly challenging. But the second half was a journey of self-discovery and exploration.<div>
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The year 2016 was the year I learned to let go - of toxic people, of expectations I had of myself, of expectations I projected onto others, and preconcieved notions I had of myself that limited things I was willing to do or try. I have channeled my inner Elsa and am learning to "Let It Go".</div>
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Everyone has an energy, and it's whether you decide to surround yourself with positive or negative ones that ultimately influences your own. Unfortunately for the first half of this year, someone who was very sick and with a very negative energy was one of the closest people to me. I have never been so exhausted and stressed out in my life. After removing him from my life, positive energies and people started to fill that void he left. It was really amazing to see the shift, and how the situation started to balance out. It's OK to let go of people that do not serve you in a positive way. Life is too short to deal with the negative presence of toxic people.</div>
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I have always been a planner. I love check-lists. Post-its are life. For the most part, things that I have planned to do in my life - I have achieved. With the exception of my love-life. If I had things my way, I would have been married with a child already. This year has totally reversed that opinion. By me setting milestones such as marriage, or having kids, or purchasing a house with a specific year in mind, I am setting myself up for disappointment. There is no deadline for these things, and I have come to accept that when the timing is right (if/when that occurs) then it will happen. I have also come to grips with the fact that these things may never happen for me, and I am starting to be OK with that too. Prior to this year, I pinned so much of my identity to my relationship status. I have been somewhat of a serial monogamist since I was 19, going from one long-term relationship to the next, without alot of breathing room in between. Being single was not acceptable.</div>
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Being single can be lonely sometimes, but nothing is worse than being in a relationship with someone who makes you feel alone. I would rather be single, and I will never put myself in that situation again. I have embraced my singlehood in a way that I never have before <3 I have learned this year that happiness is an inside job, and I can't rely on others (particulary men/ romantic partners) to give it to me. I consider myself I pretty successful person and I am happy with the vast majority of what I've done in my 27 years. Being single I always saw as a blemish on my otherwise pretty solid resume - that somehow I had failed, that I wasn't good enough to be chosen by someone as their partner. Now it is something that I have embraced. Being single leaves me open to so many possibilities. Being unattached has it perks - I don't have to factor in anyone in deciding what I want to do with my life, I do what I want. I wanted to take pole fitness classes, so I did. I wanted to brush up on my Spanish, so I registered for college classes. I wanted to learn to snowboard, so I went and bought a board, boots and bindings. I am able to grab life by the horns again, after feeling for the better part of this year, like I had no control at all.</div>
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2016 really tested my inner strength in the face of difficult situations and really made me re-evaluate my persception of myself. I am so proud of myself and thankful to my support systems of family and friends that got me through the first half of this year. I think I came out stronger and wiser than I was before. My attitude about my relationship status has also shifted into a positive one. Bring it on 2017!</div>
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Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-83208612770238199862016-12-18T08:45:00.003-08:002016-12-18T08:45:55.713-08:00Yoga in School<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
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<u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yoga in Schools<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> In
my four years of experience teaching in a handful of different schools with diverse
ethnic and socio-economic populations, the majority of students are rajastic
(energetic) and need assistance grounding their prana (calming themselves.)
Most educators are quick to coin these students as "unregulated" or
"lacking self-regulation". In most cases this is true. Young
children, unless they are explicitly taught, have no idea how to calm
themselves down and control their words and actions. The notion of being
present is usually an elusive one, and many students experience anxiety anticipating
"what's next" and trying to predict future events. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> My
childhood was the epitome of ideal. Two parents who were happily married, two
siblings, a stable home environment, an involved family unit and great support
system. And yet I was anxious. I remember having night terrors often as a
child. Horror movies rendered me unable to sleep properly for days. To this
day, feeling scared is not an enjoyable one. I am most definitely not an
adrenaline junkie. School for me was just as stable as my home life and I
remember feeling safe and secure at school. I was always a good student and
felt I could control my marks and what activities I was involved in. I always
loved school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> My
memories as a student in elementary school however do not match the types of behaviour I am now seeing in classrooms. Every
classroom seems to have at least half a dozen "behaviour" students;
ones who can't emotionally control themselves, who are "runners" that
will just take off out of the classroom without warning, who need to be bribed
with iPad time in order for them to do any school work, who are prone to
outbursts, who have difficulty keeping their hands to themselves or who are
aggressive, volatile or use profane language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> I
believe there are three major factors that are contributing to this epidemic of
unregulated behaviour (prana): the overuse of technology, the overconsumption of sugar, and the lack of
mental health education in the school system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"> While technology is a
great tool and has benefits, especially for students with learning
disabilities, the overuse of technology has a negative effect on the nervous
system. The overstimulation of the brain and sensory organs creates agitation,
anxiety and a type of addiction. With their brains being accosted by images and
sounds and overstimulation, the removal of said devices results in students
that have low attention spans, that don't seem to know how think for themselves,
be creative or to simply "be bored". It's as if their brains always
need something to do. The notion of "downtime" or "quiet time"
is not familiar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"> The amount of time spent
on technological devices has also put a dent into the amount of time being
spent outside in nature. Instead of being outdoors, immersed in the best source
of prana, students are often alone, anti-social and indoors where they have
access to the Wi-Fi. The internet only came around when I was in Grade 4, but
even afterwards, my parents would always send us outside to play; badminton,
tag with the neighbourhood kids, manhunt and basketball. Unfortunately for many
busy parents, technology is seen as an easy way to keep kids quiet and engaged,
with detrimental side-effects from overuse. While sticking an active child on a
device may seem like an easy solution, or a quick-fix, it is really just adding
fuel to the fire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"> Due to technology we live
in a society where everything is quicker and things are expected
instantaneously. According to a paper published by Bentley University, "The
pace of ever-changing technology is setting us up for an anxiety-ridden
society. In this constant state of change, without giving us a change to adapt,
it negatively effects our sense of self." Everything is now, now, now. Even as an adult,
when I don't get an instant response to an email or text message, it can cause
me anxiety. What are they doing? Why can't they answer? Why are they not
replying? Depending on the time of day, I can also be caught compulsively
checking my phone and Facebook/Instagram for notifications. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"> This instant gratification
response I've noticed has had a direct impact on the amount of student patience
as well - many of them have none. The idea of waiting for something is a
foreign notion - whether it's for a laptop to
start up, or a webpage to load, they easily get annoyed and frustrated
that it takes any time at all. In addition to lack of patience, I have also noticed
a lowered attention span. Unless their brains are being bombarded with flashy
images or text, they disengage and lose focus. It's as though they have a psychological
reliance on technological devices; a different type of dopamine (the pleasure
hormone) addiction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> In the book "The Marshmallow Test," psychologist
Walter Mischel describes a research study conducted at Stanford University in
the 1960's. Young children were presented with a dilemma. They were presented
with a reward (a marshmallow) that they could have right away, or they could
wait for up to 20 minutes, and receive a larger reward (two marshmallows). "This
idea of delayed gratification unexpectedly turned out to predict much about
their older lives", states Mischel. The longer they could wait, the higher
their SAT scores, the better their cognitive function in their teens, the
better they coped with stress, the
better their self-worth, and the less likelihood they had issues with addiction
or obesity. This research study was conducted in the 60's, long before the age
of technology, and I would be interested to know the results of the average
wait-time of kids today. I imagine the times would be shorter, given the age of
instant gratification we live in. Short-term techn</span>ol<span style="font-weight: normal;">ogy looks like a wonderful
tool, but long term is it wiring the future generations for failure?</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Taoist Lao Tzu is quoted
as saying, " “If you are depressed you are living in the
past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at
peace you are living in the present.” I believe the overuse of technology, both
at home and in the classrooms is creating a generation of anxious kids. They
are always looking for what's next, and the wealth of information and images
that flash before their eyes that they don't have the time to process - their
brains are on overdrive. The instant gratification response technology is
fostering only exacerbates the problem. More, more, more. Now, now, now. Faster,
faster, faster.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> We have to teach
them to "unplug", quite literally and figuratively. It's somewhat
confusing as well, because the link to anxiety and technology has been firmly
drawn in the sand, but the push in education seems to be towards using more technology,
not less.</span></span></h1>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Another major factor involving children and unregulated prana
is the lack of mental health education among educators. As a teacher, it may
seem surprising, given our line of work, but there is no mandatory psychology or child development courses you
have to take in order to work with students. As a result, very few educators
have any background knowledge in mental health. Most of my knowledge of mental health has
stemmed from my own issues with anxiety, working with counsellors, doing yoga,
and reading literature on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Because of this void of information, from an academic
standpoint, as part of our training we are taught about classroom management and
punitive measures to curb unwanted
behaviours. Sadly however, this does not deal with the root of the problem. In
his book "Lost at School", Ross Greene talks about how students are
doing the best they can, with what they know (this can also apply to adults).
If students could do well, they would.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Greene refers to how emotional regulation needs to be in
place, before any academic learning can occur. This book really shifted my
perspective on children and their needs. There is no way they will be able to
take in any new information, if their brains are being all
"monkey-minded" and running in a dozen directions at once. If a
child's mind is all over the place, typically their body is too - because the
mind and body are so intertwined. All behaviour has a root cause, and taking
the time to understand their mental/emotional needs goes a long way to
facilitating and monitoring improvement. Unfortunately this method requires a
lot more legwork and time. Given the demands of educators today, there simply isn't
the time to sit down and have a
one-on-one counselling session with all the students in your classroom. The
"highest needs" behaviour students get the priority, and sadly many
students fall through the cracks and get overlooked. Case in point - me. I was
always a "good student" but because my behaviour didn't warrant any
addition time, my issues with anxiety went unaddressed for years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> As with any school subject, mindfulness needs to be taught.
According to Ministry of Education documents, students are allotted 200 minutes
a week of French, 300 minutes a week for Math and Literacy,100 minutes for
Health and Physical Education, 100 minutes of
Music/Visual Arts and Drama and 200 minutes to be split between Science
and Social Studies. I can only speak for the classrooms I've taught in, but not
1 minute was spent being mindful, doing breathing exercises, or doing yoga. Why? Because of the
time constraints. The Ontario curriculum is so packed, there is no possible way
to cram it all in during the 10 months of the school year. There simply isn't
additional time or consideration to factor in managing student energy. Teachers
are so busy juggling the curriculum expectations and content they need to
teach, prana management takes a backseat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Knowing what I know now, it's shocking to me that such a
crucial part of the mental health puzzle has been put on the backburner and
swept under the rug. Sadly, due to lack of information/knowledge very few
educators are aware that implementing a yoga club, or mindfulness minutes
during the school day could do wonders to prevent unwanted behaviour. Collectively
in the education system, the correlation has not yet been made to positive
behaviour in students and being mindful. There are some studies out there, but
they have not gone mainstream. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Most
recently there was an article by the Huffington Post in mid-2016, discussing Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in
Maryland, that replaced detention with meditation. Instead of sending
misbehaving students to the principal's office, they would go to the Meditation
Room, to do breathing exercises, do yoga and calm down. Since this strategy was
implemented, detentions have gone down and attendance has increased. While not
all conclusions can be based on this one case, the science of yoga, and the
mind-body connection cannot be ignored. Schools should be encouraged to follow
their lead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">The current state of
student mental health is dire. The combination of excessive technology, diets
full of excessive sugar, and a lack of awareness from front line educators, has
made the school environment a recipe for disaster. Meditation and mindfulness should
be taught in all schools as an antidote to try and balance the current
situation. We can try and limit the amount of technology, we can try and alter
our diet, we can try to be more aware of mental health issues in children, but
we can also try to bring mindfulness, meditation and yoga into schools, because
it is a powerful tool to rewire the nervous system. Teaching them this means to self-care is essential. Being able to manage your
mind is just as important as cramming information into it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Books Cited<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lost at School, Ross Greene<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Monkey Mind,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My Age of Anxiety<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Western Body, Eastern Mind, Anodea
Judith<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Marshmallow Test: Why Self Control
is the Engine of Success, Walter Mischel<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">http://www.upworthy.com/this-school-replaced-detention-with-meditation-the-results-are-stunning</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-35933655737164677662016-10-03T18:26:00.000-07:002017-04-03T18:56:24.737-07:00EON project - 10 yoga classes with 10 different teachers<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">E: Experience<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">O:
Observe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">N: Note<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">As a
component of the 200 hour YTT (yoga teacher training) I`m doing. I have to
attend 10 different yoga classes taught by 10 different teachers. While very
exciting, I find it somewhat daunting. As humans we are creatures of habit, we
stick to what we like, and avoid situations that make us uncomfortable. I
personally have my favourite classes and teachers, so the notion of having to
do something that I`m not entirely comfortable with is aggravating. I can admit
to the fact that I`m a bit of a control freak - I think I always have been. I
am very independent and assertive, and sometimes don`t take too kindly to other
people telling me what to do. I`m anticipating that feelings of frustration and
anger are going to come about during this process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
1:Wake Up</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Samatva</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Mahaya</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: October 1st 2016 at 11:00am</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I have
been to several `Wake Up` classes taught by other teachers. I`m not entirely
sure why, but doing any core-work, stokes an internal fire and makes me very
angry (digesting emotions perhaps?) Coupled with the fact that I was
anticipating a different style of class and the positions we would be doing,
changing the routine totally through me off. I dislike feeling unprepared.
Again, that's my own issue to sort out, not the style of class or the teacher.
There was quite a bit of abdominal poses and being the type-A that I am, likely
pushed myself too far (even a couple of days later my tummy is tender). It was
a more vigorous class than I initially thought with planks and core work, and
mentally I wasn`t really able to shake that. I went in with a certain
expectation, and once things started progressing and my expectations were
totally off, I mentally tapped out. I`m also not entirely sure why, but for a
`wake up' class, I found it made me tired. Yoga in my experience doesn't
energize me. It grounds me (maybe a little too much) and I often find myself
sleepy afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
My Takeaway: I'm much more of a morning person when it comes to going to class.
I would rather get up and start my day off with yoga, than have to try and drag
myself to a studio after work. Though I prefer the 7am classes to the
mid-morning ones.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
2: Yin</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio
: Samatva</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Justine</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: October 3rd at 5:00pm</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I have been a
regular attendee of Yin classes for the last couple years, once I discovered
what it was. For a go-go-go person like myself. I need Yin classes to bring
balance back to my mind and body. As an elementary school teacher I am on my
feet all day and am constantly putting my energy into others. Yin classes let
me slow the hell down and re-center. While I dabble in running, these classes
are great for stretching out the tendons in your legs, particularly your thighs
and calves. Admittedly though I'm more bendy, sitting in a posture for
5+minutes provides ample opportunity for meditation and to just "be".
With poses held for longer periods, the emphasis on watching the breath helps
in learning to let go. Yin is the yin to my yang and brings balance back to my
sometimes chaotic life. Complete with shoulder presses (these minor
enhancements I live for) and lavender oil aromatherapy, there are a multitude of
reasons that this is my go-to class. I know what to expect with Justine, having
attended numerous classes of hers before, so there is no anxiety and no
curve-balls to anticipate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: Yin yoga is the yin to my yang. It is my medicine and antidote that
lets me find equilibrium again. It's difficult to venture out into different
venues once you find something that works.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
3: Kirpalu</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Janati Yoga School</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Aileen</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: October 12th at 4:00pm</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I wasn't
even aware of what type of class this was going to be when I showed up, so I
had absolutely no expectations. Mona sent all students an email, making us
aware of a free class if we were interested. So I bit. I'm quickly realizing
that I need to start letting go of expectations. I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>always</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>set them too high, and then when
things don't work out the way I want them to - I get disappointed. These cycle
has repeated itself many times. Particularly with romantic interests/
relationships. Logically I know that not expecting anything specific is the
better way to be. It allows you to go with the flow and just accept it for what
it is. But realistically this idea of getting rid of expectations is a
relatively new concept and a challenging one for me to overcome. I've always
been so goal-oriented, the idea of putting time and energy into something (and
perhaps not getting the result I want) and just "letting it go" is
both baffling and frustrating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This
was my first ever Kirpalu class, which comprised of an hour of quite a bit of
core work (planking and leg lifts), and isometric static stretches. Kirpalu is
a branch of Hatha yoga, so it wasn't too intense. I rather enjoyed it, but I
also think that is partially because I went in not knowing what to anticipate.
Normally core work fills me with rage, but today I was able to just do it,
without any attachment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: Start saying "yes" to new experiences more often, you just
might like them. New opportunities give chances for growth. Nothing changes if
nothing changes.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
4: Hot Ashtanga</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Samatva</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Frederique</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: Thursday October 18th @5:30pm</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I was really
dreading this class because I have always associated Ashtanga with difficult.
Throw in the heat of a hot studio, and it was the perfect combination of
everything I avoid. I give a lot of energy in my day-to-day activities, so I
look forward to gentle classes to help me unwind. This was my first ever
Ashtanga class. Ashtanga is very regimented with specific breathing counts (to
4) and structured poses in sequence and intense strength needed with all the
repetition. There were plenty of verbal reminders to stay within the limits of
your own body, as some participants were pushing themselves to possibly the
point of injury or hurting others (i.e. headstand). It struck me as a more
"competitive" form of yoga. I recently found out that the style was
originally created for 14 year old boys as a way to manage their prana. As a
curvy woman, there were many poses my body simply couldn't do, so I had to sit on
my mat and wait for that series of poses to be over before I could rejoin. I
left the class feeling somewhat defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: My life off the mat already resembles the practice of Ashtanga with
its rules and regimens. While I can totally see the appeal it would have for
some people, I think I'll stick to my gentle classes.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
Class 5: Lunar Flow and Restore</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Samatva</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Tracy</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: October 22 @7:30pm</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I rarely take
classes this late, I tend to take classes first thing in the morning, so it
took concerted effort to go to this class, but I'm glad I did. It was calming
and gentle and cooling. As someone with a Pitta-dominant dosha, I am a very
intense person. Not surprisingly, I tend to choose yoga classes that are
cooling and slow, as a antidote to counteract my type-A personality and my
hectic life. The inner perfectionist in me responded very well to verbal
assists to check alignment and remembering to breathe. The power of the moon
was really highlighted as a cooling, calm, but powerful force. As a Cancer
zodiac sign, with the moon a governing planet, this notion really resonated
with me. I really enjoyed the cooling, gentle flows and the quieting effect it
had. I definitely slept well that night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: A wonderful cooling flow for fiery times or if you're looking to
wind-down before bedtime. I learned a whole new pyramid sequence too.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
Class 6: Hatha Yoga</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Kingston YMCA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Royah</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: February, 17th @9am</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">This was the
first time I took a yoga class at the YMCA in several years, I wasn't sure of
what to expect. It was a pretty typical hatha yoga class, starting with
pratapana (lots of gentle warm up poses) including head rolls, shoulder shrugs,
side bends and forward folds. There were some standing poses including mountain
pose, warrior, reversed triangle and plank. It was a great gentle class to
start the day. I particularly like when teachers read quotes or passages during
integration, which was the case in this class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">It was
during this class that I realized how much I am uncomfortable with silence. I
am always surrounded by sound. In the car I listen to music, at work there are
usually kids talking, and at home I had episodes of varies shows on in the
background. I'll have to ponder why silence makes me so uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: Seamless transitions from pose to pose make the class flow smoothly
and time passes quicker. You're able to stay in the moving meditation easier
and more sustained periods.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
7: Hatha Flow</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Kingston YMCA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Brian</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: Wednesday March 1st @9am</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">After my
second yoga class experience in a fitness facility like the YMCA, I definitely
have a preference for a strictly yoga studio space. The etiquette is completely
different and some students attitude towards the space is very lackadaisical,
coming and going when they want. I personally find this very distracting. I go
to yoga to block out distractions, not to be surrounded by more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I also
noticed that I was somewhat uncomfortable with there being a male teacher
instead of a female one. I'm not entirely sure why this was, other than perhaps
my preference and "normal" routine of having a female teacher. He,
unlike every other teacher, didn't even have a mat because the room was so
full. He wandered around the room and demonstrated poses in many different
places. I wish I had that confidence. I hadn't really considered the impact of
teacher voice until this class. No issue really with the sequences, but I
realize my mind was not really present during the class because it kept
wandering to the way he was talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: The importance of teacher voice, intonation and tone can totally
impact a class.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
8: Inversions: Lift off</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Janati Yoga School</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Kathy</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date
and Time: March 27th @5:30pm</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I have wanted
to be able to do a headstand for the last couple of years but recognize there
are many pre-curser poses to perfect before being completely inverted and
putting your entire body weight on your neck and head. I have always loved
inverted poses, I find them very grounding (when your feet/hands are on the
ground) such as forward fold and downward dog. I have struggled to find the
confidence in my own strength regarding what my body is capable of doing. Not
having the confidence has often prevented me from attempting certain poses for
fear of looking awkward and uncoordinated. This class was the smallest class
I've ever attended - with only 3 participants including myself. This allowed
for a lot of one-on-one attention which I think is crucial when working on
inversion poses that involve changing blood flow to the brain and a higher risk
of injury. The class started with gentle pratapana and the "So Hum"
mantra which I found very empowering. The second half of class was working on
shoulder strengtheners and practicing putting some weight on the head with the
use of props. I came out feeling much more confident and it strengthened my
resolve about working my way up to headstand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeway: Be more confident in what your body can do. Fear really is the only
thing limits us.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
9: Power</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Janati Yoga School</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Adrienne</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date:
April 1st @10am</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I am
now reminded why I never do Power classes. They make me angry, which is an
emotion I don't like feeling. As someone has a Pitta dominant dosha, which is
based in the fire element - I hate heat. I dislike the summer (ironic because I
was born in the middle of July) and sweat like crazy. Power classes which work
the core and generate a lot of warmth in the body, just add more fire to my
fire element, resulting in an even bigger fire. I already sort of knew
that I disliked power/fitness classes, but now because of my yoga teacher
training I am more clearly able to define why. I choose classes that balance
out my fiery dosha and personality - I do not go to power classes if I have the
option. I know we aren't supposed to have preferences - but I do when it comes
to the types of yoga classes that will be more beneficial for me. I found it
incredibly difficult to concentrate and stay present because I was trying to
just sit with my feelings of rage and being uncomfortable. Adrienne gave us
lots of positive feedback and that helped my temper a little. That being said,
I love how I feel after a power class - it does make me feel empowered and
strong, but the feelings that are evoked during the class somewhat negate that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My
Takeaway: if you want to build core and upper body strength. or are looking for
a more fitness style class, power is the route to go.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Class
10: Kundalini</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Studio:
Janati Yoga School</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Teacher:
Sarah</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Date:
April 4th @5:30pm</span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">So I
got a sampling of what it's like to be a beginner in a yoga class again. First
ever Kundalini class. Similarly how I associate Ashtanga with strength. I knew
that Kundalini was very breath oriented. There was a sequence of 10 different
postures, most of them seated, and done using the Breath of Fire (very intense
and quick inhales and exhales). Who would have thought that breathing would
have been such a workout. Sarah was really supportive of us sticking with the
forceful breathing, encouraging us and counting down how much time we had left
in each pose. Typically my yoga classes ground me and mellow me out, but all
the intense breath work moves all the energy up towards the head. I left the
class feeling high and tingly all over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Kundalini
is so very different from any other yoga class I've ever taken. The vast
majority of my classes involve linking gentle breath with asana. Kundalini is
very forceful breath work (pranayama) and the asana really takes a backseat.
Integration was also done in virtually the pitch-black (curtains drawn and
everything) and after a very intense lung workout was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><br />
My Takeaway: If you want to get your prana moving in a very forceful way - this
is the class for you!*Probably not the best option for Vata types</span></u><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-40526690205399355672016-08-27T21:56:00.001-07:002016-12-12T15:41:59.586-08:00Dating an Alcoholic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I terminated my relationship with my alcoholic boyfriend a few months ago, and am still shaking my head that it took me so long to see his addiction for what it was. I kept making excuses for his behaviour and taking him back, regardless of how terrible his addiction treated me.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We met online and chatted for months before meeting in person. When we met I thought I had hit the jackpot. I should have know that if it seems too good to be true - it probably is. I had no idea he had a drinking problem until he moved in with me.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been a fan of the TV show <i>Intervention </i>for years. I guess I never realized that addiction would hit so close to home. As a result of this experience I have educated myself more about the roots of addiction, but I don't think I will ever understand it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">I am an educated woman with 2 degrees, but I still refused to acknowledge the severity of the situation and the havoc he was reeking on my life and my inner peace. I want to blame my "stupidity" on my career choice. As a teacher I try to see the best in all of my students, even the difficult ones.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">Dating an alcoholic I will summarize as dating Dr. Jekyl and Mr Hyde simultaneously. He was kind and sweet and generous, but on the flip side of the coin, he was obviously battling many mental demons that he tried to silence by drinking. When he was drunk he would get depressed and moody and drank to the point that he just passed out.</span><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">After each drinking binge I knew he felt embarassed. He would apologize profusely, but the behaviour kept repeating itself. Unfortunately this cycle of emotional abuse continued for months. His apologies grew to mean nothing and I stopped trusting anything he said.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">I came home from work on multiple occasions to find him asleep on the couch, with the apartment a disaster. He would be so drunk that he would knock things over, spill food or injure himself. It became a regular occurance to find empty vodka bottles and beer cans hidden all over the apartment. And yet I stayed with him. He would replace the water in water bottles with straight vodka. And yet I stayed with him.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Family and friends who were made aware of the situation warned me to leave. And yet I stayed with him.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> I had to call the police on three seperate occasions because he drunk and refused to leave my apartment. That was the last straw. I did not know what I was signing up for - and I wanted out.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">Eventually I just accepted that my love will never be enough to make him better. He has to want sobriety and recovery for himself. I grew tired of watering a dead flower and caring more than he did about getting better.There comes that pivotal decision, to either try harder or walk away. It felt like I was the only one trying. It was not an easy decision, but for my happiness and well-being I had distance myself from this toxic person. I wish him the best, but he's a very sick person who needs some serious help in dealing with his past trauma.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">Months after the fact I am still very resentful of the hurt he brought into my life. I had no prior experience with addiction or alcoholism. He was active online dating, trolling for some poor girl, knowing damn well that he was sick (I found out that his drinking dates back about 5 years, when his athletic career ended). I just happened to be the poor girl who fell for his facade. Based on what he posts on social media and how he portays himself to the world, it makes me angry because I know the truth. Fake people have to put on a face, real people don't care. He came into my life like a wolf in sheep's clothing, wreaked havoc on my life and left me to pick up the pieces. He put me in hard times and he left me in hard times. He's drinking himself to death, and as much as I tend to see the world in rose-coloured glasses, I don't see things changing anytime soon.</span></span>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-50357483219172572802014-05-16T15:51:00.003-07:002014-05-16T15:52:51.828-07:00Science Resources Plans - Les êtres vivants (premier année)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-11958291563212759062013-05-12T04:52:00.000-07:002013-05-12T05:07:51.809-07:00Starting Supply Teaching 101I am officially finished my B.Ed. Degree :) It was a long time coming but right now I'm thrilled that I am temporarily done school. I would like to go back to university in half a dozen years to get my Masters in French Literature, but right now I can focus on work, and family and my social life.<br />
<br />
While I knew having a French degree would be a major advantage, and I can't believe how many opportunities are out there for French teachers (especially in this area). I've already had the opportunity to supply teach a couple of French Immersion classes (Grade 1 and Grade 6/7 respectively), and I have a new found respect for occasional teachers. I was encouraged multiple times to have a "supply kit" ready, filled with games and ideas to take to the classroom when you are called in to supply. I didn't really have that option. I graduated on Friday, and my first supply gig was four days later.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFsIJLue_r16oygVUOE-Ql1o2jtl2jZHk4OudLLLBoWmdBBK4GHGlg_xC4yltTn13aQmss_91REGgllUXhhXH3kawgLeU0MWhaF9aDlrbi5KoFCs0eiGwXSATJvI2sUglod8R0DyPL0J3/s1600/Frazzled-teacher-from-Jonesapalooza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFsIJLue_r16oygVUOE-Ql1o2jtl2jZHk4OudLLLBoWmdBBK4GHGlg_xC4yltTn13aQmss_91REGgllUXhhXH3kawgLeU0MWhaF9aDlrbi5KoFCs0eiGwXSATJvI2sUglod8R0DyPL0J3/s320/Frazzled-teacher-from-Jonesapalooza.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
Supply teaching is incredibly stressful and chaotic. You get a call from the secretary of the school in need, possibly less than 30 minutes before you to start, so you grab your stuff, hope you've gotten up early enough to have showered, eaten breakfast and brushed your teeth. You have little or no time to pack a lunch. Once you get to the school, you introduce yourself to the principal and try to remember the first name of the teacher that you are replacing.<br />
<br />
Once have finally found the classroom in the maze of a school, you frantically scour the binders and notes the homeroom teacher has left for you, from the day plans to the seating plan of the classroom. You hope and pray that they have left detailed enough plans that a monkey could follow them (and so far this has been the case). It is an assault on the brain all this new information that you need to read and try to absorb, from the typical morning routine, to learning all the students names as quickly as you can. You run to the photocopy room, printing all the handouts/ worksheets you'll need for the day, praying that technology will actually work in your favour and that you'll complete all your prep work before the morning bell rings.<br />
<br />
The kids file in, and the whispers of "it's a supply teacher" and "where's Mrs./ Mr. ___________?" fill the room. You greet the kids as you walk in and observe the funny looks they are giving you. Students are very aware of the typical classroom routine and won't hesitate to tell you the order that things should be done in. You constantly refer to the day plans, because you forget what time each block is ending, and making sure you covered the material required. Other teachers pop their heads in and offer their assistance should you need it and are very friendly in the staff room. I didn't realize that if a supply teacher cannot come in, classrooms will have to be merged together; so instead of having two 25 student classes, one teacher could get stuck with 50 students of possibly different grades.<br />
<br />
You run around panicked most of the day but manage to adhere to the vast majority of the teacher's lesson plans, usually understanding the material you are teaching, and the kids are becoming more accustomed to you. Classroom management is a whole other ball game; depends on the classroom dynamics of course, but some classes are far more challenging than others. You help the kids out to recess and when the final bell rings, out to their buses as you feel a trickle of sweat trace its way down your back. One day down, X more to go...<br />
<br />
Then the process repeats itself, with each classroom being its own unique entity. Perhaps with time it will get easier. Supply teaching in my view, is like a rite of passage. Teachers start their careers supply teaching, then are able to build rapport with multiple principals and through other interviews acquire LTO jobs (long term occasional in teacher-speak). From there you build entitlement and may end up eventually as a permanent teacher, with your own classroom and group of students. I am very fortunate to have started this process already, having graduated merely two weeks ago. Who knows what September 2013, the beginning of the next school year will bring?Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-77677722305671863542012-10-26T20:42:00.002-07:002012-10-26T21:22:07.691-07:00Teaching 101<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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October, 12/ 2012</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I've survived my
first four days of placement, and I've really enjoyed it. The staff were
incredibly warm and welcoming, my associate teacher included and I feel very
much at home.</div>
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I have learned a lot in just the last few days, and still
have piles more to absorb. I haven't really worked with children this young
before, so it's been an enlightening, if not challenging experience so far.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being in a
kindergarten class poses its own set of challenges; not so much the material
being taught, but things such as having to break lessons up into smaller pieces
because they can't sit still for an extended period, and all the physical
things they need assistance with (i.e.: opening their snacks, zipping up their
coats, etc). Another added challenge is having to learn twice as many names as
any other class, because kindergarten students are only in school every other
day, and alternating Fridays. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszpnaKbcgmmGGf4J0Rj0J8cJi4NAp8ke_S3atk_xd6O-uDQ8IZnvbIuavQvz2YKQer5E9-ZLuHeJuOrZFj6ua5kQHC03oK7U3YMZK0nYTjqbChPq6Y1qasn-TvSoQFpX6TnHdyOiB8dei/s1600/teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszpnaKbcgmmGGf4J0Rj0J8cJi4NAp8ke_S3atk_xd6O-uDQ8IZnvbIuavQvz2YKQer5E9-ZLuHeJuOrZFj6ua5kQHC03oK7U3YMZK0nYTjqbChPq6Y1qasn-TvSoQFpX6TnHdyOiB8dei/s320/teacher.jpg" width="320" /></a>My associate teacher is well versed in this age group and is
a wonderful teacher. I've started making notes of all the great ideas she has,
in the hopes of incorporating them into my own teaching/ classroom management
style. We planned the entire second weeks lesson plans together, and I will be
teaching science, math and art which I'm looking forward to. We went on a field
trip to the apple orchard and corn maze all the way in Picton for the afternoon
on Thursday.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've gotten to experience the entire day's routine, from
coming in during the morning and hanging up backpacks and having a snack, to at
the end of the day when we walk all the kids to the buses.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">October 19th/2012</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It's been a very
busy week in the kindergarten classroom so the days have flown by. I
got the opportunity to teach art (tissue paper apples that I put up on our new
bulletin board outside the classroom), science (nature themed doing leaf
rubbings with crayons) and math (measuring objects in the classroom with a
balance scale) this week; all pretty basic lessons but challenging to a certain
extent to organize. I have discovered that group management is essential in a
classroom of young children because they haven't really learned to
self-regulate yet. They tend to be impulsive and need constant reminders to
stay on task, to remember to change their shoes, etc. The majority of the kids
have finally learned my name and approach me frequently with questions and
concerns.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">While I enjoy working with the kids in the
classroom, I think I have realized that I don't think I want to teach
kindergarten. While I know this level of education is essential, I just don't
think I'm cut out for it. There is minimal time to have breaks, I have been
spending a huge amount of time stapling papers, making photocopies, assembling
personalized key rings with letter sounds and/or sight words for each child,
etc over the last week. This isn't a complaint per say because I love being
busy but I feel that the amount of preparing required for a kindergarten class
is higher than average. The level of the material being taught is not really as
difficult like I would like it to be, and I get slightly frustrated when some
of the kids are unable to identify the letters of the alphabet that are in
their own name. I also think to a certain extent that so much more has to be
prepared and planned when you are a teacher in a classroom of young children
because they are unable to do a lot of things themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My associate teacher
has been putting me to good use over the course of this week, running errands
for her because she is unable to leave the classroom. I really have no idea how
she does it and she really goes above and beyond what is expected I believe as
a teacher. She is very much a hands-on kind of person and exposes the kids to a
variety of new experiences within the classroom. We made apple crisp this week
for both the A and B day classes, getting the opportunity to use an
old-fashioned apple peeler and slicer, measuring the ingredients, and finally
at the end of the day, being able to sample what they had created. I don't ever
recall doing that when I was that age.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">October, 26/2012</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wow, it's my last full day for
the first block of practicum already! It's been almost a month but its flown
by. I think I have come to the realization that I'm very much looking forward
to the new year when I will be placed in one of the Junior grades (4-6). Not
that I dislike kindergarten by any stretch of the imagination, it's just not an
age group I have a lot of experience working with or that I think have the
patience for long-term. They are cute as buttons and for the most part quite
wonderful to work with. It is rather obvious though which ones are going to be
the ones with social and academic issues in future grades. It's also
unfortunate to see which ones are likely not getting any academic support at
home. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Before my little
brother, sister and I went into kindergarten, mom made sure all of us could
read. That being said, she was a stay-at-home mom and she had one-on-one time
with us which was critical (more so in the case of my brother who had a hard
time focussing in a classroom with other kids). This one-on-one time spent with
each student is pretty much non-existent in a kindergarten classroom, when you
are being pulled in 18 or more directions at once. There isn't really the
opportunity to sit down with one child and work on their sounds/letters in
their name until they understand. I can't remember how well I could write in
kindergarten, but I know that I could identify letters and what sounds they
made. It's very frustrating to me that there are several children in the class
that are unable to even identify the letters in their own names. Admittedly I
acknowledge the learning curve between the ages of 4 & 5 is massive, so
even though some of the JK's may not be able to spell or read their names now,
they possibly could at the end of this year. Teaching children is a long and
slow process for sure.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I had the
opportunity to teach a guided reading lesson on a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Clifford the Big Red Dog</i> book, work with small guided groups on
word awareness activities, help paint, dress and build wooden scarecrows, as
well as cut out hundreds of assorted fabric squares for our math unit on
patterning and building quilts. While I love the child-oriented material being
taught, I feel to a certain extent that I'm "dumbing myself down"
with what I'm teaching. Obviously you talk to a 4 year old very differently
than you would a 9 year old. Most of the experience I have working with
children has been with kids between the ages of 8-13. It sounds awful, but I'd
much rather be teaching more difficult material. Also, although I am in the P/J
(Primary/Junior) B.Ed. program, I plan on getting my certification to teach
older grades as well. With my undergraduate degree in French it will definitely
help open up more job opportunities.</span></div>
Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-55102637391987491892012-07-18T17:16:00.002-07:002012-07-18T17:20:17.437-07:00Top 10 Things That Scare Me<br />
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">mercredi le 18 juillet 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus; font-size: 14pt;">Being someone who has always been
a relatively anxious person, perhaps I have more fears than most, but I thought
10 was a solid number, so here they are – my greatest fears…and no one better
take advantage of this >.<</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0Gy9u1DyHhSAMT7RBDBeVHIghycgIN35mfKhzI2RfjLRQm57kx8vHJUjGME3kbTNyb_kV_Npvb-a3iN-vXa9QPVDeSjfpO55U_nEDAtph86L6VXxtVfyxyQ7gKoERyu4MK1hDGk7wC7o/s1600/220px-The_Scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0Gy9u1DyHhSAMT7RBDBeVHIghycgIN35mfKhzI2RfjLRQm57kx8vHJUjGME3kbTNyb_kV_Npvb-a3iN-vXa9QPVDeSjfpO55U_nEDAtph86L6VXxtVfyxyQ7gKoERyu4MK1hDGk7wC7o/s400/220px-The_Scream.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Andalus;">1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Death/ Dying
prematurely</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – until relatively
recently this fear didn’t really surface. It was only after I was diagnosed
with G.A.D. that this was the underlying cause for much of my anxiety. The idea
of not being able to control when and where your life will end is a crippling
fear for me. It’s not even so much just the thought of me dying, but also the
possibility of having those closest to me pass away that is terrifying. I know
it will happen eventually, and I have no doubt my reaction will be far from
pleasant. I hate change, and death is a permanent change that you can’t undo. Most
of the time I’m able to keep these thoughts at bay by keeping my mind busy and
not allowing myself to dwell on these thoughts. I’ve already written a full-length
post on this topic so feel free to read that…I won’t waste my time re-writing
it and repeating myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Being
Alone</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – not just being alone in
the sense of being home alone, but also being alone in life aka without a
partner/husband/significant other. As a huge extrovert, I thrive around people
and loathe being alone. While time isolated is both necessary and healthy, I
don’t particularly enjoy it. Even as a child when I had to spend time alone, I
would often talk to my mirror or my stuffed animals. Who am I kidding? I still
do that :P</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Sharks</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – my fear of sharks started when I was 8 or 9
years old, after watching the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Flipper</i>.
Yes, I know Flipper is about a dolphin and is also the source of my crush on
the actor Elijah Wood, but back on track. There is a hammerhead shark aptly
named Scar in the movie, and in a particularly vivid scene that I still
remember over a decade later – the protagonist mistakes a dorsal fin gliding
through the water for that of Flipper, when it is actually Scar. For nearly a
year and a half after watching that film, I was terrified to have any part of
my limbs dangling over the bed for fear that a mouthful of teeth would chomp
them off. I remember having to go to the washroom in the middle of the night,
and launching myself as far away from the bed as possible so that the “shark”
that lived under the bed wouldn’t get my feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">4)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">The Dark</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – it isn’t so much the dark that scares me, it’s
what is in the dark – the unknown. I remember having frequent night terrors as
a kid, thinking that there was some big scary man lurking outside my window
waiting for me to fall asleep so that he could pounce. These thoughts led to
many sleepless nights as you can very well imagine. Watching countless episodes
of American Justice, Cold Case Files led to multiple panic attacks thinking
that I was going to get attacked and murdered in the shower or at night. I have
always have had an overactive imagination and the fact that those TV shows were
based on true crime cases didn’t help quell the horrible scenarios in my head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">5)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Horror
films</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – I have always been a
visual person. I believe what I see, so when I see one of these films logically
I realize that they are filming it on a set somewhere with actors, but because
I visually see it – I am unable to shake the images in my mind. Coupled with
ominous music, horror movies have been the cause of many nightmares. I have
only ever seen maybe half a dozen horror films in my entire life – including 28
Days Later and FearDotCom – almost all of which were at slumber parties when I
was in my early teens. I have never been much of a fan of being scared. It’s
not an emotion I’m a fan of. I tend to watch mostly comedies. I love laughing
and am very easily amused…plus reality can be scary enough at times, having to
constantly hear about the terrible things happening in the world (ie: war,
child soldiers, honour killings, serial killers, pedophiles, etc.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">6)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">My
boyfriend lol….</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> While I am not
serious about this one, a couple of my friends have claimed that my boyfriend
scares the hell out of them :P No idea where this one comes from, but a friend
of mine claims he has a “dark aura”…whatever the hell that means. Meh, I adore
him anyways…despite the pain in the ass he is</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">7)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Failure</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – a pretty common fear I suppose, though this one
doesn’t surface very often. I hate failing at anything, whether it’s a test I
studied hard for, or getting a new job, or perhaps the newest romantic
conquest. The feeling of inadequacy is not a pleasant one, and I’m sure I’m not
the only one who has battled feeling like they weren’t good enough. I want to
be successful and the thought of not being able to reach that goal scares me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">8)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Losing /
Forgetting Things </span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;">– While this has
rarely ever happened to me, the thought of forgetting my keys or wallet or perhaps
a doctors appointment has struck my sub-conscious during dreams. I have woken
up in a cold sweat in a state of panic thinking that I have forgotten to study
for a final exam that morning, when in fact there was no such thing. There is
also that mini-heart attack that occurs when I cannot find my cell phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">9)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Fire </span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;">– While I love candles, the thought of leaving
burning candles unattended fills me with anxiety. Ironic I know, when people
light candles to relax, and in my case it just ends up stressing me out more.
Even when I know that there is nothing in the immediate vicinity that can
possibly catch on fire, my imagination goes to work again and thinks up the
worst case scenario. I’m not even entirely sure where this fear comes from –
I’ve never had anything catch fire before, or had a house burn down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus;">10)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Andalus;">Aging/
Growing Old</span></b><span style="font-family: Andalus;"> – How very appropriate
considering today is my 23rd birthday. I have often been told that I look young
for my age, and I’d prefer to keep it that way. However, like almost everything
on this list, aging is something I can’t control. The thought of being wrinkly
and saggy one day both disgusts and saddens me. I know it’s a gradual process.
I know I won’t wake up one morning 25 years older but the thought of my body
and mind changing with age is a disturbing thought. I recently watched the
movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take This Waltz</i> where the theme
of the movie was “The new always becomes old.” While this was pertaining more
to the romantic plotline of the film, the theme holds true with the human body.
New relationships eventually lose their excitement and skin loses its firmness.</span></div>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-90917976702643927412012-06-03T14:05:00.002-07:002012-06-04T07:07:07.265-07:00June: A Month of Zen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A-3lVMN7hedxJFp2e5ch7XyoDKkuleEoUoH_1YcbaYakZpzgGOJSxcpmnxBgMhZobLII6WiMLRNv5kG7cac5kZexm_qsi02rl8NH2m_87FMbKKpc9d9P4ELjL4gN_I09vOHTW6pZgz93/s1600/buddha-wallpapers-photos-pictures-h2o-lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A-3lVMN7hedxJFp2e5ch7XyoDKkuleEoUoH_1YcbaYakZpzgGOJSxcpmnxBgMhZobLII6WiMLRNv5kG7cac5kZexm_qsi02rl8NH2m_87FMbKKpc9d9P4ELjL4gN_I09vOHTW6pZgz93/s320/buddha-wallpapers-photos-pictures-h2o-lily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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I can’t believe it’s June already; the halfway point of
2012. </div>
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I am officially all moved into the new apartment. I actually
got to move in a day early because of the weather forecast, which was
shockingly accurate. It’s been three days in the new place and despite the fact
I currently have no internet or television, I’m greatly enjoying it (I’m
currently typing this from one of the many public libraries in Kingston).
Everything is more or less unpacked and I’m still getting used to the fact that
my two roommates and the three guys who live in the apartment upstairs won’t be
moving back in until September.</div>
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Even though the move is over, there are still plenty of
things on my to-do list. I need to re-apply for OSAP for the upcoming school
year, get my police check done for teacher’s college, register for classes in
July and eventually get the internet installed – just to name a few. It still
hasn’t hit me yet that I’m going back to school in the fall. This past year has
been the first year since I was in kindergarten that I haven’t been a student.
While I have enjoyed my year off from studies, I’m relieved to finally be
finishing up my schooling this year. I’m excited to be headed back because of
the social aspect as well. Many of my friends I met in classes and through
clubs while I was at the University of Ottawa, and when I left I had the added
challenge of meeting new people here. I’m one of 450ish students entering the
Education program at Queen’s and only one of maybe 25 looking to be a French
teacher. I’ll be playing Quizbowl again this year, am hoping to keep playing
intramural badminton and perhaps join a French club.</div>
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The boyfriend and I are getting along famously. He’s been
over a couple of times since I moved and because he was unable to help with the
move, he shall be meeting my parents hopefully in the next couple of weeks :P
He’s such a doll. This weekend we had a pizza and movie date night. Movie of
choice? The newest film adaptation of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Three Musketeers</i> – don’t even get me started about how awful it was. As a
massive fan of Alexandre Dumas, the screenwriters butchered the hell out of it.
Storyline was similar I suppose, but three of the characters didn’t die like
they should have according to the novel. The biggest part that threw me was the
technology that seemed to exist during 17<sup>th</sup> century France –
airships and security systems? I don’t think so. It just didn’t jive with the
time and rest of the story. Perhaps just a pet peeve of mine as well, but they
anglicised all of the names, most notably “Aramis” with a strong emphasis on
the “S” when it is supposed to be silent. Personally if a name is French, it
should be pronounced in French. Milady de Winter wasn’t portrayed as even half
of the evil conniving bitch she was supposed to be. All in all, a pretty big
disappointment but it was made better by the fact it was with my new squeeze –
he makes many things tolerable. Unlike me, he didn’t mind the movie…but having
read the book I was fuming the entire time.</div>
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The French Open is currently underway in Paris (one of the
four Gland Slams on the ATP tennis circuit for those of you who don’t follow
the sport) and as expected I’m rooting for Nadal. Upon moving into my new place
I have one entire wall covered with exclusively photos and posters of the
tennis player, which I have aptly called my “Nadal Wall”. Rafa is a 6 time
winner of the event and if he wins this year, he will have the record for the
most number of wins at that event in the Open Era. Both the boyfriend and I are
massive fans and have been following it since it started. Currently on the
men’s side they are in the round of 32. Nadal is still in contention. It’s
funny to be dating a tennis player and fan – prior to him, none of my friends
played or gave a damn about the sport :P He no doubt knows more than I do and
it’s awesome to be constantly learning things. It will only help my trivia
knowledge for tournaments this upcoming year when I play Quizbowl for Queen’s
University.</div>
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I started reading the highly controversial new series <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Fifty Shades of Grey”</i> a couple of weeks
ago. I didn’t realize it was a trilogy until I poked my head into the local
Chapters bookstore. Currently I’m 70% done the second book. While it’s a pretty
easy read, I can see why the book is raising some eyebrows. Not to give the
whole plot away but to summarize it’s about a wealthy businessman in the US and
how he falls in love with a woman he wants to be his sex slave (submissive). It
is definitely geared towards a mature audience with all the detailed erotica.
While I understand that sex is the underlying theme of the novel, after a while
the detailed sex scenes get repetitive and lose the desired effect. I’m to the
point now where I’m just skimming over them. Only the rest of the second book
and all of the third to go.</div>
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I landed a fulltime job for the summer here in Kingston
working at the YMCA so I’m relieved my job hunt is over and I can look forward
to the rest of the summer. On top of working this summer, I will also be
celebrating my 23<sup>rd</sup> *gasp* birthday in mid-July and going to the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Roger’s Cup</b> (tennis tournament) in
Toronto early in the month of August with the boyfriend. He hasn’t been since
2006 and I’m pretty sure he’s more pumped than I am…well maybe. I had to miss
last year because of my job last summer so I don’t want that to be the case
this summer. When I did go in 2010 it was with a friend who lived in the
Toronto area but who didn’t follow tennis at all. I think it will be a lot more
fun with a fellow tennis fan/ my significant other :P</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Signing off for now – I gotta grab a shower and run some errands. À la
prochaine! </span>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-24525408301946649192012-05-20T18:03:00.002-07:002012-05-20T18:50:16.223-07:00May: A Month of Tranquility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCam4qdSIN0VNwjaa11yvOANQBqSyJO-xgG8QT-fSUONULgrnvyrWc21rRfCQNttkFvQkjP_zg7prRZaSv71Ueqo0TdeexEUaKd4UDqoFQ_g8LUFoxU6VRyxTNz8e5LHj3Q1bBErD5mhU/s1600/Tranquility_Beach_Moonrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCam4qdSIN0VNwjaa11yvOANQBqSyJO-xgG8QT-fSUONULgrnvyrWc21rRfCQNttkFvQkjP_zg7prRZaSv71Ueqo0TdeexEUaKd4UDqoFQ_g8LUFoxU6VRyxTNz8e5LHj3Q1bBErD5mhU/s320/Tranquility_Beach_Moonrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Upon looking up the word tranquility, one will discover that the word is synonymous with calmness. According to Buddhist texts, it is linked with a connection to the natural environment.<br />
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Because of the gorgeous weather we have been experiencing here in Kingston, I have been reaping the benefits by traveling everywhere by bike. I'm kicking myself for spending any money at all on a monthly bus pass :( Biking has got to be one of my favourite things. For one, you can get everywhere 4 times faster than walking. It's also an awesome workout! While Kingston as a city is pretty flat, there are occasional hills which definitely get your heart rate going and lungs working. My body is in a way built for biking. I've always had thunder thighs and using my legs so often has only built more muscle and toned my legs. I've been biking to and from work, doing groceries and sporadically visiting the boyfriend who doesn't have his license either. Biking also runs on fat and saves you money, and parking is a non-issue. The only real downside to biking is that miserable weather can make for one miserable bike ride. I've been taking advantage of this mode of transportation to explore Kingston and take piles of pictures.<br />
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All this additional time outside has tanned my legs and arms a little and I have a smattering more freckles on my arms and face. I have decided that I would like to work towards biking a marathon (well the distance of a marathon aka 42km ) around Kingston over the course of the summer. I've been making a lot of goals...this one will be a fitness/personal goal.<br />
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I'm moving to my new apartment in just under two weeks, and I will be starting the purge and packing process tomorrow on my day off from work. I have a pile of stuff to throw out and a bunch of clothes to donate. I figure the more I can get rid of, the less I have to move. I'm super stoked about the new place.<br />
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It's also been a month today since the bf and I have been together. I know a month isn't much of a milestone...but damn it went by fast. He's a doll and because he's a tennis player...I have learned far more about the ATP circuit than I thought I would. I've also decided to start doing a fantasy tennis pool as well, although based on my luck with the recent NHL hockey pool I did at work...I clearly suck at picking winning teams. Every single one of the teams I picked got ousted in the first round except for the New Jersey Devils.<br />
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I'm very happy with where life is headed and living in the present. There is so much to look forward to in the upcoming months, which has left me with a feeling of peace and contentment (gosh that sounds so corny:S). I'm just blissed out and so grateful for everything that has happened/ come my way in the last little while.Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-5767922369388380502012-05-14T06:48:00.002-07:002012-05-14T07:20:03.202-07:00My favourite things ....continued, part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO9mti4vW7jfHlBnSlwNpciKGTBn3BxtBFG0duBOvuy57D8TQWSAY0A7o7TQI2VXRj9cH9G7O8Xyu4Bti9oMALqgp7LBULf8DprV5KrZhFWSr_aAarS-wmH5pecGG6dqMYS66jgkxHmzl/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO9mti4vW7jfHlBnSlwNpciKGTBn3BxtBFG0duBOvuy57D8TQWSAY0A7o7TQI2VXRj9cH9G7O8Xyu4Bti9oMALqgp7LBULf8DprV5KrZhFWSr_aAarS-wmH5pecGG6dqMYS66jgkxHmzl/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
As an educated and relatively health-conscious individual, I like knowing what I'm putting in my body - both internally (food) and externally (body products, soaps, shampoos, etc). I, like millions of others around the world, shower, moisturize and primp. But how many people actually know what they are putting in their bodies? Skin is the largest organ of the body. Anything that is applied externally gets absorbed into the skin and as a result into the bloodstream. As a general rule, if you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin. I find it ironic when body lotions and various other body products carry the disclaimer "For external use only" when it winds up getting absorbed internally anyways.<br />
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Back in the Roman Empire, bathers would slather themselves in olive oil and then scrape it off. They didn't use soaps. It amazes me the amount of chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients in cosmetics, lotions and even hair spray today. Like what is "PEG-2 STEARATE" or "PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL" or better yet "DIHYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUMCHLORIDE"? It really is mind blowing how these products have managed to get approval to sell in supermarkets and drug stores across the world. And you wonder why rates of cancer have spiked over the last several decades - look at the amount of toxins we are exposing ourselves to on a daily basis.<br />
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It is difficult to find any shampoo, laundry detergent, or soap that doesn't contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This is the ingredient that causes the lather that most of us are accustomed to. It is also however a carcinogen, hormone alterer and causes ulcers, skin irritation, decrease in male fertility and PMS symptoms, just to name a few. <a href="http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html">http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html</a><br />
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At <i>P'lovers</i> (the organic/environmental store in downtown Kingston I blogged about a few months ago), I discovered a local and healthy alternative to the perfume laden and chemical filled products at Loblaws. <b>Shiva's Delight</b> is the brainchild of Casey Boyce, a young mother in Kingston. In her home, she manufactures and mixes soaps, body butters, body oils and serums, all with natural ingredients which are filled with good things for your skin. And imagine this - all the ingredients you can pronounce! From Olive Oil, to Shea Butter, to Sunflower Seed Oil all her products are chocked full of natural moisturizers and no foreign ingredients. I personally have purchased the Tangerine Chocolate Body Butter (the only thing that worked on my peeling and calloused feet), The Exotic Lime Body Oil (makes a great massage oil, or after shaving), and a bar of Chocolate Swirl Soap. They not only smell good...they do good for your skin. While shopping around her home, she also threw in a couple of Bath Bombs for showing her a couple of receipts from P'lovers and a free sample of Bog Mud Facial Wash.<br />
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As expected, <b>Shiva's Delight</b> is slightly more expensive than the products you would find in a Wal-Mart. But they are nothing ridiculous. I bought the Tangerine Chocolate Body Butter before Christmas for 15$ and I still have more than half of it left. Did I mention it smells like Terry's Chocolate Oranges? It's a small price to pay, knowing I'm not filling my body with unneeded toxins.<br />
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In addition to all of the wonderful bath and body products, she also has a large selection of beautiful sterling silver and costume jewellery. While she does have all of her products at her home, the general population can find her products at P'lovers (123 Princess Street) as well. Feel free to check out her website: <a href="http://www.shivasdelight.com/">http://www.shivasdelight.com/</a><br />
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For those of you in Kingston, or who will be in Kingston on a weekend should check out the local Farmer's Market at the Memorial Center. <b>Shiva's Delight</b>, and dozens of other local vendors will be there with their natural products and produce. On Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/427777240574939/"> http://www.facebook.com/events/427777240574939/</a><br />
<br />Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-51166964442004061432012-05-11T10:09:00.002-07:002012-05-11T11:15:16.985-07:00My favourite poems/ quotes :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAPWzL8T8VQ8wjaJpF_CJXFEliNqY0McSArxLBgE-wmJ_lBfLXxYgnEV8A52B2CnaiW8a96EYDtwLwnfKq9gwKHmmN8KyhneK8CMmOLEHjMVdVJoEuUOBz-0GLfdKRGmW-bquO1YdYYD-/s1600/chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAPWzL8T8VQ8wjaJpF_CJXFEliNqY0McSArxLBgE-wmJ_lBfLXxYgnEV8A52B2CnaiW8a96EYDtwLwnfKq9gwKHmmN8KyhneK8CMmOLEHjMVdVJoEuUOBz-0GLfdKRGmW-bquO1YdYYD-/s640/chocolate.jpg" width="629" /></a></div>
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<br />Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-90655815055607511512012-04-26T07:17:00.000-07:002012-04-26T10:44:55.156-07:00April: A Month of Clarity<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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And...sure enough, just like last month, I have been so occupied that I haven't taken a moment to blog. Gosh I really am bad at keeping on top of this. Life has only gotten more chaotic and more exciting as April has progressed.</div>
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I have finally figured out where I'll be living over the summer and into the Fall when I head back to university. I am absolutely taken with the apartment I found and can't wait to move in in just over a month. It's less than a block from where I currently work and right downtown in Kingston.</div>
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I also have a new significant other in my life :P Through a weird series of events we ended up seeing each other. I'm completely smitten and has only given me something else to look forward to and enjoy in life. He's a keeper and I am one very lucky girl. I shan't go into too many details as I don't want to bore you with my love life haha.</div>
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Now I'm on the job hunt for something full time for the months of July and August. All my plans for the summer I thought were finalized, but I have realized that things are rarely ever set in stone and I've been learning to deal with letting things go. Letting events unfold has never been something I've been good at. I like planning, organizing and to a certain degree controlling things that happen in life. But as I have recently learned, things happen for a reason.</div>
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Had I not started working for the Y, broken up with my ex, and moved back to Kingston...I would have never met my new squeeze. Acknowledging that I don't have control over alot of things is pretty overwhelming but this month has really opened my eyes to just letting things happen. In a way it's less stressful too..not even trying to steer and just letting go of the wheel. It's scary but exciting at the same time.</div>
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I've been altering my long term to-do list as the months progress, now I have it narrowed down to 5 things I'd like to accomplish by the end of the summer.</div>
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1) Learning Spanish <span style="color: red;">I really need to start making more time for this...less TV and more language learning is in order!!</span><br />
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2)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Write fan mail to a tennis player <span style="color: red;">I have had even more desire to do this as in all likelihood I will be headed to the Roger's Cup this summer at York University. (Did I also mention the new boy in my life is a tennis player?? :P)</span><br />
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3)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Check out Racquet Science (tennis/ badminton store) <span style="color: red;">I visited the store a couple of weeks ago after a doctor's appointment. A tennis/ badminton/squash players dream!</span> <span style="color: red;">The tiny store was covered wall-to-wall in racquets, bags, tennis apparel and strings. I wound up buying some red grip tape to match my red badminton racquet and ended up getting an enormous tennis ball magnet for my fridge as well.</span> <span style="color: red;">Apparently the store is owned by some guy from Edmonton, but he had pictures of himself at the French Open a few years ago, and I was instantly envious.</span></div>
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4)Work on my Renoir 1000 piece puzzle<span style="color: red;"> Similar to #1, I really need to start poking along with this...I may start this afternoon. </span><br />
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5)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span> Start blogging en Français<span style="color: red;"> Comme beaucoup des choses dans la vie, il n'y a pas assez de temps pour faire tous ce que je veux. </span><span style="color: red;">Malheureusement</span><span style="color: red;"> mon écriture en français a besoin plusieurs heures de pratique . J'ai appris il y a une semaine que mon chum a essayé d'apprendre la langue française pendant qu'il était à l'université en Pologne. Les leçons de français pour lui peut-être?</span></div>
<span style="color: red;"></span>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0Cochrane District, ON, Canada51.253775 -85.323213941.069067499999996 -105.5380579 61.4384825 -65.1083699tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-80179092815511066562012-04-08T05:22:00.004-07:002012-04-08T05:59:53.735-07:00March: A Month of Vitality<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lHpUNzKBxwzbw3WX6EcqQyJEgeHQgC3jOTMjrzia_VXGm9K4JdBXvQDt9QDCj7ouKVz_jckqHSS_VRPWTxwJhCF719uvJ4dUetagC2b9BwLC4IBXuiauourP0TC5Mlh30e7_LzCJ2uSP/s1600/symbol.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lHpUNzKBxwzbw3WX6EcqQyJEgeHQgC3jOTMjrzia_VXGm9K4JdBXvQDt9QDCj7ouKVz_jckqHSS_VRPWTxwJhCF719uvJ4dUetagC2b9BwLC4IBXuiauourP0TC5Mlh30e7_LzCJ2uSP/s320/symbol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729009516786010882" border="0" /></a><br />I know, I know it's April, but I've been so bogged down with work and lots of exciting things happening that I haven't really had the time to sit down and type. I currently am at my parent's place for the Easter long weekend, and just got in from a brisk morning bike ride. We're having our big traditional dinner/ lunch today...Pumpkin pie here I come!<br /><br />I can't believe it's April already. 4 months into the year of 2012 and it's gone by like a blur...at least to me. Only 1/3 into the year and I already have so much stuff to look forward to.<br />Firstly...just a week ago, I found out that I was accepted into Queen's University to pursue my Bachelor of Education this fall! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 12 years old, so the fact that this is becoming very real is hitting me very hard. Now I'm on the apartment hunt closer to the university campus.<br /><br />Life is keeping me busy as usual...with work, badminton, trivia, yoga classes, chess club, working in the french classroom, and tutoring to boot. Now I've added volleyball to that list. I played when I was in Grade 8 on both the girls and co-ed teams and was a pretty decent player. To get back on the court is pretty nostalgic for me, and I don't think I'm doing too bad. I'm definitely not the worst one out there that's for sure. I have no idea why, but all the extra-curriculars I join are ALWAYS male dominated. I'm one of maybe 4-5 girls in any of the above activities. Now don't get me wrong, I love men haha, it's just difficult when you're one of the only estrogen-filled bodies in the entire gym.<br /><br />I am headed back to the all-girls summer camp I worked at last summer, starting in late June. I will no doubt be wishing for some of that testosterone while I am there.<br /><br />Back in February I made a list of things that I wanted to try and accomplish. Let's revisit that list shall we?<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>learn HMTL (I'm pretty horrible with technology and need to fix that) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Totally didn't get around to doing this lol. It's not practical for me, so I'm going to change this to: work on my Spanish</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>write fan mail to a tennis player (I'm thinking Canadian Peter Polansky, his mailing address is on his facebook page) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Haven't gotten around to doing this either haha, but it will be easy enough. I just have alot on my plate.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>start collecting French postcards (I have seen some gorgeous ones of Paris, and just in general I love anything French)<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Again, I have the best of intentions, I really do...but it's kind of been put on the back burner.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">4)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>write reviews about Racquet Science (tennis/ badminton store) and Le Chien Noir (French restaurant)<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> I will be visiting Racquet Science at some point, likely this week to buy grip tape for my racquet/ a possible restringing. I have been to (and blogged about) Le Chien Noir...I was VERY impressed with the restaurant<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">5)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Ask out the guy I have had a crush on since Grade 11<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> I did shockingly do this. When you have a crush on someone for that long, your brain kinda fills in how you want them to be, rather than how they actually are. This was very disappointing and I wasted alot of time thinking about this individual lol.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">6)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Work on my Renoir 1000 piece puzzle (I need something quiet to do that doesn't involve the television)<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> It's still sitting in it's box, unopened. Oops. I shall get on this.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">7)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Start blogging en Français (since moving to Kingston I don't use my French enough, and writing is definitely my weakest area)<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> I've been reading more in French, but still have to work on the writing area.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">8)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Read at least 3 novels (I have definitely put off reading to watch more TV)<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> DONE. and done. I have been reading much more recently. Currently I am in the midst of Beloved by Toni Morrison.<br /></span></p>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-73141681719019272552012-03-27T20:37:00.005-07:002012-03-27T21:07:34.521-07:00Eat. Pray. Love.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtkvMlhjxO8Sid_E63RCNxJJvwqNr6ltCw97sVAaDX3gsp3mQxUbCQXQqG2XiCRAM0vzdXWp-f3KBiFaurmOcx1i6JI0givURJ8w2rZGo180QZqdpSUIg7UhIYHPD2yyxQ_OqJHi_ANpF/s1600/930118804_79000e3610.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtkvMlhjxO8Sid_E63RCNxJJvwqNr6ltCw97sVAaDX3gsp3mQxUbCQXQqG2XiCRAM0vzdXWp-f3KBiFaurmOcx1i6JI0givURJ8w2rZGo180QZqdpSUIg7UhIYHPD2yyxQ_OqJHi_ANpF/s320/930118804_79000e3610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724794650642129570" border="0" /></a><br />This is the most recent novel that I completed. As cliché as it sounds, it really is an incredible novel. Told through the eyes of a thirty some year old women who is going through a painful divorce and is attempting to rediscover herself by traveling to three different areas of the world (Italy, India and Indonesia). What really struck me about this book was the similarities between Elizabeth Gilbert (the author) and myself:<br /><br />a) a love and passion for a foreign language and country (Italy for her, and France for me)<br />b) being a control freak<br />c) being a devoted yogi (practicer of yoga)<br />d) recently having a long term relationship ending (yes I know a divorce is not anywhere close to the same as what I went through, but many of the same emotions are there: anger, sadness, etc)<br />e) the same birthday: July 18th (this I found very eerie when I discovered it in one of the last chapters in the book)<br /><br />The book is divided into three sections - one for each country that she visits. While in Italy most of what is mentioned is all the culinary delights she discovers while there. The descriptions are enough to make your mouth water and want to reach through the pages and devour what is in front of the author. I've never been to Italy but want to visit eventually. My passion has been French and anything French-related for many years. If and when I ever have the funds, I would love to spend 4 months in France and do nothing but enjoy all the French cuisine from all over the country. Dishes vary depending on the region you are exploring. While in Italy, Ms. Gilbert also signed up for Italian conversation classes as a way to better communicate and enjoy her stay overseas. I am already fluent in French and would love the opportunity of several months to do nothing but eat and explore the amazing country that has captivated me for years.<br /><br />While in India, Ms. Gilbert endured hour upon hour of meditation and self-reflection at an ashram (a more or less glorified yoga school). The idea of attending one of these meditative schools is very appealing to me, but apparently the criteria for admission is very difficult to obtain. Reading this section was very much like a mirror looking into my brain. I have always had an overactive brain and a wild imagination...which is hard to keep at bay. Having a calm mind is a constant challenge, which is why I go to yoga classes three times a week...to keep me sane and allow my brain an opportunity to void itself of thought, even for 10 minutes at a time.<br /><br />While in Indonesia, the author met the man that she would eventually call her husband, completing the title of the novel with the final section - Love. What she learned during her time in Italy and all the self reflection that she underwent in India allowed her to fall in love on her own terms, not out of desperation or the need for a man in her life.<br /><br />The novel is an awesome read. I greatly enjoyed Ms. Gilbert's writing style and her witty comments thrown in randomly. Her frank and forward way of speaking is something that I admire and it felt like either a very blunt best friend recounting their life, or perhaps your conscience, telling you things you really didn't want to acknowledge about yourself.Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-16042427314414011532012-03-19T18:34:00.009-07:002012-03-19T19:28:55.039-07:00My Favourite Things...continued 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhxNidJLqX-I8TTu5Tl4DLW-eR4PAgkWclSywEq1VjLH2sjlZ86xpCIthP2StVDYkq0K28yPo57iRn03s8iPkexEeYlu8OmW9ypi-TQ7bb7K7MxtIhh0KRnbVWRqlyiyM94nnQt9PGyvG/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhxNidJLqX-I8TTu5Tl4DLW-eR4PAgkWclSywEq1VjLH2sjlZ86xpCIthP2StVDYkq0K28yPo57iRn03s8iPkexEeYlu8OmW9ypi-TQ7bb7K7MxtIhh0KRnbVWRqlyiyM94nnQt9PGyvG/s320/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721796670733267970" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaL562agZyHQtrjds6K1jHOarH7t00kF2JsuhcCAjWngyJnEl8GY3PONZ1NH1OlyepBg4aJTXNXYML_F3hZl5960wwZPa9V-Dn3hwmy0U8fvdoI8EZnyhCAwoWUYMUMks18Ee_1HIyQWi/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaL562agZyHQtrjds6K1jHOarH7t00kF2JsuhcCAjWngyJnEl8GY3PONZ1NH1OlyepBg4aJTXNXYML_F3hZl5960wwZPa9V-Dn3hwmy0U8fvdoI8EZnyhCAwoWUYMUMks18Ee_1HIyQWi/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721794481152991282" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNNFLNWwdnqxF5jd9NWYFWegxJ2iEfA88147YaL0RDUwtIVMfzDbmXUZkzuyeTZbb18_SbcbBjY2zVSwEj2lbzvcMlmaIkwIjLHElL7_GRym_BI3Z5-REIMAsNXNVZFGqDDxNJApzTnfl/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNNFLNWwdnqxF5jd9NWYFWegxJ2iEfA88147YaL0RDUwtIVMfzDbmXUZkzuyeTZbb18_SbcbBjY2zVSwEj2lbzvcMlmaIkwIjLHElL7_GRym_BI3Z5-REIMAsNXNVZFGqDDxNJApzTnfl/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721792691573098018" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYnaX079PeETIq85ln2J8FbiQORVyhrndmrDGu55zNECgll3fSgEuTfgu2EZQXD0UeqJMTiwFYJtIGpnM_7CrLUPViK8oq8KqKPcU0q93VqaOGFR9YKzRDpCU2nL95JvLIOmoUZfGQe-4/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYnaX079PeETIq85ln2J8FbiQORVyhrndmrDGu55zNECgll3fSgEuTfgu2EZQXD0UeqJMTiwFYJtIGpnM_7CrLUPViK8oq8KqKPcU0q93VqaOGFR9YKzRDpCU2nL95JvLIOmoUZfGQe-4/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721790973215388482" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeKJWMAkMIuAKizaU1VooFvHlkuxJJKemogauc7oXGbUd8IxyEQFoh1ZB6JWWrn54iGw-oWusxklJf69KZ85SMN8ctwLSrv7sX9rnO1xLH_cK5j_Zzc97YNg1qgv7AtT1xBXMjhoWqwfq/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeKJWMAkMIuAKizaU1VooFvHlkuxJJKemogauc7oXGbUd8IxyEQFoh1ZB6JWWrn54iGw-oWusxklJf69KZ85SMN8ctwLSrv7sX9rnO1xLH_cK5j_Zzc97YNg1qgv7AtT1xBXMjhoWqwfq/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721789805611160018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Le Chien Noir</span>, one of the only french restaurants in all of Kingston, was definitely a must-see for me, being the Francophile that I am. Located at 69 Brock Street, this relatively small eatery serves mainly traditional French cuisine, with the majority of the dishes loaded with eggs, cream, cheeses and rich sauces. <span>They also have a variety of traditional Quebecois dishes. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Le Chien Noir</span> also has one of the largest wine selections of any restaurant I've seen.<br /><br />The building is decorated with gorgeous tables and chairs, and all the walls are covered in French posters. The ornate ceiling and chandeliers reminded me of the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. The atmosphere was incredible and this was before the food was even served.<br /><br />I ordered a glass of Merlot ($8.75) to start (I've always been a big fan of red wines) and got to nibble on some crusty French bread and butter before the main course. For the main dish I opted for the Poutine ($16), thin cut fries smothered in gravy, shredded duck meat, and huge chunks of brie. It was absolutely incredible! Brie is a much richer and creamier cheese than the traditional cheese curd. *As a side note, I am a vegetarian, and did not realize that there would be meat in the dish as it wasn't stated on the menu*<br /><br />For dessert I chose the Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake ($9). It was a very unusual presentation - comprising of a scoop of green tea ice cream fried in a crispy layer of tempura (the batter normally on veggies and shrimp), served on top of a layer of lemon cake, sitting on top of a creamy raspberry mousse. Devine. J'adore Le Chien Noir! I will be revisiting this adorable <span style="font-style: italic;">restaurante française</span> in the future :)<br /><br />Check out their full menu on their website! <a href="http://www.lechiennoir.com/">http://www.lechiennoir.com/</a>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-7744515372273714452012-03-02T11:02:00.003-08:002012-03-02T11:24:01.063-08:00Eating Animals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBBURPAZNE4b5gsAFEwsPNZKCZYBOPfjtge5W6EM9umtniu3Fk6Zlnd-tUSRSZrusi-YcwjtudqFCJDrYT87uaPd8gtFH8xWjL8HvPx6FjGvGbginlHrvhyphenhyphenKS-gnDrwwRZwaAKA3JdnFE/s1600/vegetarian-argument.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBBURPAZNE4b5gsAFEwsPNZKCZYBOPfjtge5W6EM9umtniu3Fk6Zlnd-tUSRSZrusi-YcwjtudqFCJDrYT87uaPd8gtFH8xWjL8HvPx6FjGvGbginlHrvhyphenhyphenKS-gnDrwwRZwaAKA3JdnFE/s320/vegetarian-argument.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715380898721539362" border="0" /></a><br />This novel is the most recent one that I have completed, documenting the treatment and slaughter of animals (namely cows and chickens) in the United States. It was incredibly enlightening and disturbing. I was also pleasantly surprised as well to note that the novel has a philosophical slant, asking questions like:<br /><br />Why do we eat cows and pigs, but not dogs?<br />What does free-range and organic mean?<br />Why do we justify the slaughter of animals? Purely for the taste?<br /><br />The author Jonathon Safran Foer is himself a vegetarian and has many convincing arguments, justifying his choice of diet. While I live in Canada, the evolution of the farming industry in the US is astonishing, with over 99%of the meat coming from factory farms: animals living in unhumane and unsanitary conditions, unable to access the outdoors, and pumped so full of chemicals that the consumption of these animals is hindering human medicine to cure certain ailments.<br /><br />I wasn't particularly aware of the proximity of humans to animals, but when you're consuming them on a regular basis you sort of become immune to it. The Spanish Flu that decimated an incredible number of people was a type of avian flu.<br /><br />Other reasons to support a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle include reducing the effects of global warming (animal agriculture is the biggest culprit) and discontinued support of these factory farms and slaughter houses. They continue their practices because people continue to purchase the meat from them.<br /><br />I was a vegetarian for a couple of years, a couple of years ago. It wasn't for health or moral reasons at that time. Now I have very real health concerns about the consumption of meat, and I will resume being a veggie again.<br /><br />For those skeptics out there, pick up a copy of the book and educated yourselves. Or watch "Meet your Meat" <a href="http://www.chooseveg.com/meet-your-meat.asp">http://www.chooseveg.com/meet-your-meat.asp</a> People are in denial about where their meat comes from, making consumption of it far easier. Family farms are no longer the rule, they are the exception. To keep up with the demand of consumers, corporations have turned traditional farming into a production line, compromising both the quality and the health of meat being produced.<br /><br />***Caution, the video is not for the weak of stomach***Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-70620573463556898862012-02-19T08:15:00.001-08:002012-02-19T08:24:37.073-08:00February - A Month of Balance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YZWsSR9VejInVLHNrOp6QzY6U5SEUa5YWOWCFsUw_cg6R2gOge8P3qdfFGQCnn_kZtONhbdibzlpMuPeEKWnChBjVuFF94mqiaJUx88_SskqI7l9r73PeajNivU7oBKnTJds0IQXhF3h/s1600/article-find-spiritual-balance-bach-flower-remedies.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YZWsSR9VejInVLHNrOp6QzY6U5SEUa5YWOWCFsUw_cg6R2gOge8P3qdfFGQCnn_kZtONhbdibzlpMuPeEKWnChBjVuFF94mqiaJUx88_SskqI7l9r73PeajNivU7oBKnTJds0IQXhF3h/s320/article-find-spiritual-balance-bach-flower-remedies.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710881478931243458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzfElUvH_L0BC33xoW5i8e3hoxbTfmzDcS3qiuN0UcJwjoituy_d2-mJ5p9p47hvJJDd61SKdGWGGyW3UHOJdbX4TfJ_SWUiDyBx307CeeslvKAvmus3JACftxCVixJMzv1YkTLtFJCbR/s1600/balance.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzfElUvH_L0BC33xoW5i8e3hoxbTfmzDcS3qiuN0UcJwjoituy_d2-mJ5p9p47hvJJDd61SKdGWGGyW3UHOJdbX4TfJ_SWUiDyBx307CeeslvKAvmus3JACftxCVixJMzv1YkTLtFJCbR/s320/balance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710881271536885058" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">February is the month of balance according to my “Calendar of Tranquility”.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Balance by definition implies having a healthy mental equilibrium and enjoying equal amounts of work and play. It means having healthy relationships with family and friends, as well as balancing what you’re eating. Too much of anything is not a good thing.<b> </b><span style="">When balance</span> is disrupted and tipped to either extreme it can be hard to correct.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This has become all too important for me. I know that I tend to do too much. I’m happiest when I’m busy and it’s hard for me to relax and take a day off. I’m up every morning at 6am, work my morning shift, come back home and watch whatever happens to be on <i style="">A&E</i> (usually <i style="">CSI: Miami</i>, or <i style="">The First 48</i>), I head back to work, and follow up with an evening of badminton, trivia practice, yoga or some combination of the above. I’m not home most nights until at least 9:30pm.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A couple of weeks ago, my body was clearly angry with me. I was fine in the morning, but as the day progressed, I started to get a fever and it was eventually too painful to even stand as all my joints and muscles ached. I managed to drag myself to yoga class, but had to opt out of going to badminton afterwards. I walked all the way home (about 30 min), made myself a cup of Neocitran, and passed out until I had to get up for work the following morning. The fever had broke thankfully, but it was kind of a wake-up call from my immune system.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Because I am currently not in school, my brain has this active desire to constantly take on new projects to fill that void. New things to try over the next couple months:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>learn HMTL (I'm pretty horrible with technology and need to fix that)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>write fan mail to a tennis player (I'm thinking Canadian Peter Polansky, his mailing address is on his facebook page)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>start collecting French postcards (I have seen some gorgeous ones of Paris, and just in general I love anything French)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">4)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>write reviews about Racquet Science (tennis/ badminton store) and Le Chien Noir (French restaurant)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">5)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Ask out the guy I have had a crush on since Grade 11</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">6)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Work on my Renoir 1000 piece puzzle (I need something quiet to do that doesn't involve the television)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">7)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Start blogging en Français (since moving to Kingston I don't use my French enough, and writing is definitely my weakest area)<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style=""><span style="">8)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Read at least 3 novels (I have definitely put off reading to watch more TV)</p>Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-6943576320487552672012-02-18T05:33:00.000-08:002012-02-18T05:58:58.797-08:00My Favourite Things...continued<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHk_MxRUXwYjmLKMEsbkWJksnfNy6ekldvJW8_ozCHy44gIRZJrPLDr5OBXicr5ryy_y8qVLjUnIkNfRzQMnQpalCZXiRQjrDMzWW3t6TTAoVDqbu87hAQyUfzbc6talNa9A_0R7CpQP3/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHk_MxRUXwYjmLKMEsbkWJksnfNy6ekldvJW8_ozCHy44gIRZJrPLDr5OBXicr5ryy_y8qVLjUnIkNfRzQMnQpalCZXiRQjrDMzWW3t6TTAoVDqbu87hAQyUfzbc6talNa9A_0R7CpQP3/s320/064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710472012363761394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvpYjDQFzIqs8Q4I1_Eq1ctCSoIyzIF_adQwVldpQSOnJLWpSVA6Q6xbIUB4gGe-JQGAlp9EZyoiXfPmwpS7T3WAtpQLM5TAdxYvONltA1VLZV5Zm7jyBOThoKglIleULQXp1bfAMKHvE/s1600/065.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvpYjDQFzIqs8Q4I1_Eq1ctCSoIyzIF_adQwVldpQSOnJLWpSVA6Q6xbIUB4gGe-JQGAlp9EZyoiXfPmwpS7T3WAtpQLM5TAdxYvONltA1VLZV5Zm7jyBOThoKglIleULQXp1bfAMKHvE/s320/065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710468895510656386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have now discovered my second "favourite place" in Kingston. Tucked right downtown, across from city hall is a quaint little coffee and dessert place, cutely named <span style="font-style: italic;">Sipps.</span> I had seen listings on job sites advertising for this little shop, as well as a couple of kids at work mentioning the name of it.<br /><br />I have always loved the smell of coffee, even though I don't drink much of it. I've never needed caffeine to function, but I do enjoy a really fancy schmancy coffee from Starbucks maybe once a month.<br /><br />I took a stroll downtown yesterday morning because the weather was gorgeous and I've been meaning to take a pile of pictures since I've moved to Kingston. I decided to pop in.<br /><br />Unlike Starbucks, Second Cup, or even Timmies...the shop was quiet. There were only two tables in the tiny cafe that were occupied; a pair of businesswomen in the corner with their laptops, and a pair of girlfriends catching up.<br /><br />As I mentioned before, I am not a coffee drinker, so instead I opted for a hot chocolate (they have 5 varieties) and a tempting lemon square. Both beverage and dessert were piled high with whipped cream - I definitely felt like I was getting my money's worth. Grand total? Around $7.<br /><br />Sipps has a huge variety of coffees, teas and other assorted beverages. They also have a wide range of delectable desserts. For someone like myself who has always had a sweet tooth, it was difficult to choose between brownies, slabs of assorted cheesecakes, biscotti, slices of banana loaf, etc.<br /><br />I will certainly be making visits to <span style="font-style: italic;">Sipps</span> a more regular occurrence.Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-12417311503362273552012-02-07T10:08:00.001-08:002012-02-07T10:37:03.453-08:00My Favourite Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0AEU9L6uUDhgydrEJuN-ieKXTipeaTROZy-Yk7CCmyWtwhuxD11jeWkNAtp1WlrMjANYRsU_CnrbugI3fXD22cEDV7o0CCiEwS4dQCQbP4C_T7Lf3hlQyGuF95Ity4NL0-vYOkTeAzGo/s1600/DSCF0081.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0AEU9L6uUDhgydrEJuN-ieKXTipeaTROZy-Yk7CCmyWtwhuxD11jeWkNAtp1WlrMjANYRsU_CnrbugI3fXD22cEDV7o0CCiEwS4dQCQbP4C_T7Lf3hlQyGuF95Ity4NL0-vYOkTeAzGo/s320/DSCF0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706462953012291186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk69c5uSEzAJFhED4wQf-Y6j2tPg1aaLW5QUyzijHG-V09x9hoLRgeCYAcSF9tTQfo-4riSJ81zEb4plu1Z80PqAoNJDIq8D8lOX2700G9MGRbip3pUuC7xPmzquPI_-bIWG4NRWjvXEjH/s1600/DSCF0085.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk69c5uSEzAJFhED4wQf-Y6j2tPg1aaLW5QUyzijHG-V09x9hoLRgeCYAcSF9tTQfo-4riSJ81zEb4plu1Z80PqAoNJDIq8D8lOX2700G9MGRbip3pUuC7xPmzquPI_-bIWG4NRWjvXEjH/s320/DSCF0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706461446949637762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvOe1F-2yoddnBsVlGrAcKIhUBFI3EJB6XQ687M4sZLkyYDOrMdnADlITIvPavF7MpnRrwCTjDKdpeiBpDsjarumf1qZqYN1QRH45WUDxvdyAIhQy1mqU4jBXezYcWLhHn8HzvvA9-V3u/s1600/DSCF0087.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvOe1F-2yoddnBsVlGrAcKIhUBFI3EJB6XQ687M4sZLkyYDOrMdnADlITIvPavF7MpnRrwCTjDKdpeiBpDsjarumf1qZqYN1QRH45WUDxvdyAIhQy1mqU4jBXezYcWLhHn8HzvvA9-V3u/s320/DSCF0087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706459024432746834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyrRmhOyELFjTaTOUxg1YdilaFBWgK7CvYyUpoNFnz5WLmi7ok0E8WUNvrVkD9ECXmxujmhxu-38AftO6sEWS8SR55Aasf1Yl26_nxr5GsK6ssBx0HH_u6ni1xuf8xZ-nW6fNXvtuspKx/s1600/DSCF0083.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyrRmhOyELFjTaTOUxg1YdilaFBWgK7CvYyUpoNFnz5WLmi7ok0E8WUNvrVkD9ECXmxujmhxu-38AftO6sEWS8SR55Aasf1Yl26_nxr5GsK6ssBx0HH_u6ni1xuf8xZ-nW6fNXvtuspKx/s320/DSCF0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706458787670462114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_0fPvwSbbddwsCxGp1GR7N-NVmZKLj9XjMHZQbq74hYtNXLmLqBMX3Mba0iWk_wX9iqM_iG5haXk6wmY97ac2G8MEE3lcmTelAK9PTTwtOPlwYd3RfVIS1P861EcuJgTXz_0ra5eGWZo/s1600/DSCF0080.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_0fPvwSbbddwsCxGp1GR7N-NVmZKLj9XjMHZQbq74hYtNXLmLqBMX3Mba0iWk_wX9iqM_iG5haXk6wmY97ac2G8MEE3lcmTelAK9PTTwtOPlwYd3RfVIS1P861EcuJgTXz_0ra5eGWZo/s320/DSCF0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706458145798868770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWKjq_6Iy1YZbhkgAuligF4IU6kYII_95tFsLkqkatd-eeOCJfRfGQv_0unToZAZ1ajrS5etmFBTtZz7vDn5x1CO_WSYxO3VHh3DI3HcMpulzj6NRxk4oSFXJ-bs14AF0SqjD7fs5N0WI/s1600/DSCF0079.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWKjq_6Iy1YZbhkgAuligF4IU6kYII_95tFsLkqkatd-eeOCJfRfGQv_0unToZAZ1ajrS5etmFBTtZz7vDn5x1CO_WSYxO3VHh3DI3HcMpulzj6NRxk4oSFXJ-bs14AF0SqjD7fs5N0WI/s320/DSCF0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706457530575903986" border="0" /></a><br />Since I have moved to Kingston, I have discovered one of the most original and exciting stores. P'lovers, located downtown, a stones throw from the Queen's University campus is filled with organic and all natural products. From beeswax candles, to soaps, to clothing made of hemp, to paper made of elephant poo, there is a large variety of products to choose from. The smell is absolutely devine when you walk in.<br /><br />One of my best girlfriends from elementary school works there so I have a personal friend advising on me what works well and things to try. Personally I have purchased a beeswax candle, orange blossom toner and a really cool bracelet made of tree nuts that have been dyed with organic pigments.<br /><br />As some of you may have read in my last blog post, I have been trying to purge toxins out of my life (from chemicals in my body products, to people who have had a toxic influence in my life). There are soo many wonderful scents available in the soy candles (see photo second from the top) to the bars of soap. Pop by the store to check them out! I can't even try to describe the aromas. I also discovered bars of soap that are shaped like slices of cake (complete with icing swirls on top). Products are pretty evenly priced and with the added benefit you know that they don't contain harsh chemicals.<br /><br />Check out their website: http://www.ploverskingston.ca/Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976702353168041538.post-71661627829370309752012-01-26T09:44:00.001-08:002012-01-26T10:31:37.858-08:00January - A Month of Reflection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34V_BsXgnqz2hjzkuufIhjikyFCxJhc4PDtMGvxxz05BmCByJYg3HvcksB-9zDPEjuoIwjqCRxvvxMvd76JVsbTDnYBmXcqgGhLhFZ-hJPn3QqxxJMfBUjLgzWb7CiN6o3DYk9bryB2Wy/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34V_BsXgnqz2hjzkuufIhjikyFCxJhc4PDtMGvxxz05BmCByJYg3HvcksB-9zDPEjuoIwjqCRxvvxMvd76JVsbTDnYBmXcqgGhLhFZ-hJPn3QqxxJMfBUjLgzWb7CiN6o3DYk9bryB2Wy/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701998281415258546" border="0" /></a><br />For Christmas, I got a 2012 calendar from my mom, titled "A Year of Tranquility". Each month has a different flower with a different thought. I figured, as it is nearing the end of the month, to reflect about the new year so far.<br /><br />I have been happier over the last few weeks than I have been in many many months. Life is great. Work is fabulous as usual and all the volunteer hours I'm doing are keeping me more than busy. As of right now, I'm assistant coaching a badminton team, teaching badminton, teaching/ running a chess club, working in the french classroom, along with all the trivia related stuff I do.<br /><br />There are a few badminton tournaments coming up in the next few months so I am getting back into competitive shape. I haven't played in a tournament since 1st year of university and am very anxious about getting back out onto the courts to compete.<br /><br />I went back to Ottawa last weekend to visit. You don't realize how much you love something until it's gone. Ottawa is my home away from home. I love the city, the people, the location and the comfort I feel when I'm there. Ideally after teachers' college I would get a job there. Ottawa is like a comfy worn-in pair of jeans - it fits me well and is comfortable. I miss the transit system, and the bustle of downtown. I got inked again, got my alumni card from the university, hit up the Lululemon Warehouse sale and saw a handful of friends. I miss it already.<br /><br />I patched things up with the ex, and now we are civil. I realized that staying pissed at him will accomplish nothing but make me bitter and resentful. Clearly he has moved on, so must I. I'll be seeing him in two weeks at the sectional tournament (him as a player and me as a moderator)...we'll see how that goes. I'm still happily single and actually loving it. It's still kind of a weird scenario for me - with Valentine's Day coming up, this will be the first one in the last 4 years that I'll be single. I haven't gone on POF in over a month and refuse to actively search for anything because things are going awesome and I don't want to screw things up by throwing testosterone into the mix.<br /><br />I've been keeping up with my photo-blogging without so much as a hitch. You don't realize how much you do in a given day until you're motivated to document it. The only issue I'm having is remembering to keep the batteries charged so that my camera is always ready.<br /><br />I've been trying to avoid using cosmetics and body products that contain SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) and parabens. Damn those chemicals are in everything! I did manage to find a great smelling brand of shampoo called <span style="font-style: italic;">Bee Natural</span> - the berry one is divine. I also picked up some Organic Orange Blossom toner from <span style="font-style: italic;">P'lovers </span>downtown. My skin looks great! <span style="font-style: italic;">Kiss My Face</span> has a great Vitamin A&E body lotion that I have been using, as well as a Citrus and Wild Mint shower wash that is a great "wake-me-up" in the morning. I also have been using aluminum-free deodorant. Everything I've read leads me to believe that aluminum based deodorants cause breast cancer and I'd like to avoid that at all costs. All these products smell incredible and aren't full of nasty chemicals.<br /><br />Doing what makes me feel good and not having to factor anyone else into that equation is awesome. It's very liberating. I have always been an independent person, and am only now realizing I don't need a guy in my life to make me happy. I'm quite self-sufficient and resourceful as it turns out :P All of this must seem very cliché to those of you reading. It's very difficult for me to explain how much more aware I am of life in general and trying to live it to the fullest. I have seen the light I suppose haha. There are just so many things to look forward to on a daily basis and am staying motivated to continue on the path I'm on.<br /><br />I have a to-do list that is constantly evolving and I never have enough time to get everything done. Currently I'm reading 3 books (La bête humaine par Émile Zola, Gerald's Game by Stephen King and House Rules by Jodi Picoult), keeping up with the photo blog, sorting out the remainder of the details regarding the two trivia tournaments next month and trying to finish the second crocheted fingerless glove in the pair. Sigh. And this is on top of everything else. Thank goodness I was blessed with great time management skills.Britneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14904777545418224644noreply@blogger.com0