Farewell Entry

It is unbelievable how quickly this semester has gone by. Although I am sad to be finishing up this course, I feel it has made me a better writer and given me skills I can apply to many of my other courses. English 1080 has taught me how to really evaluate poetry and fiction and how to infer many different meanings from the text. I have learned how to compose strong thesis statements and raise important arguments in my essays. I felt there was much accomplished in this course and much I will take away. This course was one of my favorites this semester and I truly enjoyed all of its aspects. I have no criticism to say about English 1080 other than I wish it could have lasted longer. I also enjoyed writing these blog posts every week. It gave me the chance to express my thoughts and opinions through a creative outlet and made the course seem that much more fun. I really felt that through my essay writing and the blog posts, I learned how to voice my opinions and organize my thoughts in a precise manner. I also found the essay writing workshops were very helpful as it was a good refresher and also taught me other things I was unaware of how to do; such as a works cited page. All in all I learned a lot from this course and I hope any other English course I take in the future will be as enjoyable and insightful. And farewell to all of my readers. It has been a pleasure to write a post each week and I am sad to say this is my final one. Thank you to anyone who has taken their time to read what I've had to say. This may be my last blog post but I hope this will not be the last time you hear from me.

Best wishes,

Chantal

How To: Study

I would like to think that I am an expert on studying so I thought a “How To” on this would be helpful. Nonetheless, here are some of my best tips and suggestions for succeeding in your studies.
 
1. Make studying a top priority. This doesn’t mean you have to lose your social life or stop having fun, but sometimes you need to compromise. On a Friday night when I want to go to a party but have an exam to study for, I do both. I will study for a couple of hours and THEN go to the party. I think setting priorities and then enjoying yourself after you get your work done is the best mindset to have while in University.
 
2. Use your planner and write the dates of your tests ONE WEEK before they happen. It is best to start studying for an important test a week prior rather than cramming a few days before. You will retain the information better and will be less stressed before you write it.
 
3. Don’t be around any distractions. I usually put my phone and laptop in another room because I think everyone is guilty of checking their phone for five minutes which ends up turning into thirty. Do yourself a favour and keep it out of sight, therefore it will be out of mind.
 
4. Take breaks. Everyone needs to take a break at some point. I usually like to take a break after each hour of studying. I find taking a break to exercise or go for a walk really relieves any stress and relaxes my mind.
 
5. Have designated study areas. I like to have two areas I can go to study that are quiet and distraction free. It’s nice to have more than one area to study because your butt will get tired of sitting in the same spot for hours.
 
6. Don’t study with your friends. Let’s be real - no studying ever happens when you are with your friends.
 
7. Develop your own study methods and techniques. I like to write out notes on information I know the least, make cue cards, highlight important sections in my textbooks and have neatly organized notes to review. If you find you are more of an auditory learner then it might be helpful to record your notes on your phone and listen to them.
 
8. Don’t stay up all night cramming. Yes it is best to study right before you sleep because you will retain the information better, but it is not smart to stay up all night and not get any sleep. This will most likely affect your performance on a test/exam. That is why it is better to start studying as early as possible to avoid cramming and then you can get a good night’s sleep. 

9. Don’t study in your room. It is easy to get too comfy and doze off. Also, since studying is often associated with stress, if you study in your bed, then that too may become associated with stress. And no one wants to feel stressed when they go to bed.
 
10. Don’t procrastinate. Just think, the sooner you hit the books, the sooner you can close them.
 
11. Reward yourself for a solid study session. Go hang out with your friends, or go do something fun. You deserve to enjoy yourself after working hard.

Monkey Meme

As some of you may have seen from one of my earlier posts, I shot this picture in Dominican last year on my Hero Holiday. I think these monkeys are totally hugging but I've gotten a lot of conflicting views... So I made this meme.

Don't quote me on this...

“Life is about people, not stuff” – Live Different

Live Different, a Canadian charity founded in 2000, is an amazing organization and my experience with them changed my life for the better. This charity is all about empowering youth to make a change in the world as well as in our own lives. To fight social justice issues, make a positive difference and stop the cycle of selfishness. I was so privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Live Different last Christmas when I participated in a Hero Holiday. I, along with 40 other Canadians travelled to the Dominican Republic and built three homes for families living in extreme poverty. I could write a novel on how incredible and life-changing this experience was, so rather than do that, I will link Live Different’s website to anyone interested in a Hero Holiday or more information about the charity. (Seriously, go check it out). This quote means a lot to me because it is so simple yet sums up what life is all about. I truly understand the importance and meaning of these words after my experience in Dominican, which also encouraged me to register for another Hero Holiday to Mexico, which I will be embarking on this Christmas.

http://livedifferent.com

“One should eat to live, not live to eat” – Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, as I’m sure we have all heard of, was one of the most famous Americans of all time. Writer, philosopher, scientist and inventor, this man is well known as one of the Founding Fathers who drafted the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States, as well as for his famous theories on electricity. I have to give it up to this man who born in 1706, said such words that are so relevant even in today’s modern society. Obesity and over-eating have become a huge problem in the world now more than ever. I think Franklin had the whole idea that we are born to survive and be healthy, rather than overeat to the point where one becomes overweight or obese. Obesity is such a huge killer in our world today, which I think is completely stupid because it is 100% preventable. This quote is important to me because I am a huge believer in eating healthy and taking care of our bodies. After all, we only have one body, and if we fail to take care of it and continue to put too many bad things into it, our quality of life will be greatly diminished and shortened in the long run. I think obesity is horrible and especially hate that our province has many sufferers of this problem. If only Benjamin Franklin had been a Newfoundlander…

“The happiest people in life don’t have the best of everything, they make the best of everything” – unknown

This quote, although from an unknown source, is very important to me. I received this quote framed as a gift and keep it on the vanity in my room. I like to glance at it once in a while to remind myself that my life is mine to make the best of. Sometimes it is hard to get motivated, but when I read this quote, I think that if I want it to be a good day, then I should make it a good day. Who cares if you don’t have the best of everything when you are out enjoying your life? This quote gives me a very positive outlook on life and every now and then when I feel things could be better, this quote is a good reminder to tell myself that it is up to me to make my life all that it can be.

Wash and BeWEAR

It was another freezing Thursday in Ottawa. February was always cold but today seemed to be exceptionally colder than normal. Michelle was used to doing her laundry every Thursday in the little Laundromat just three blocks from her third floor apartment. Her boyfriend Roger worked nights until they could finally afford their own washer and drier. He didn’t get off work until 11pm every night, so Michelle had to get used to spending her evenings alone in their apartment. After another cheap dinner she could barely afford, Michelle bundled herself up in her winter jacket, gathered this week’s dirty laundry and headed out the door.

She cleared the snow off of her little beige Buick and got inside. The car always took two tries to start (yet again another reason Roger had to work nights so they could afford a better car to go with a washer and drier). Her hands felt frozen and she regretted not taking her gloves when she left. She jimmied her key in the ignition a second time and off she went.

A light snow just started falling and the quiet streets seemed so peaceful. It was a small, unsupervised Laundromat and Michelle was surprised to not see Tina there tonight. Tina was always there on Thursdays, just like Michelle. Not thinking much of it, she took her clothes out of her basket and placed them in one of the washers. She was alone in the Laundromat tonight so she couldn’t make awkward small talk with anyone (not that she could be bothered with that anyways). She waited for her clothes, sat down in one of the chairs and took out the book she was reading. Six minutes passed and in walked a stranger. Michelle had never seen this man before, which was odd, as she always knew the usual people who went to this Laundromat. He was very tall, and had dark olive skin and long, dirty brown hair. He was wearing ripped jeans and a black leather jacket that matched his almost black eyes. He stared at Michelle not saying a word. Michelle immediately felt uneasy and she noticed he didn’t have any laundry with him. In her mind she asked herself, “Who comes to a Laundromat with no laundry?” He walked slowly towards her and smiled. Not that it was a sinister looking smile, because it wasn’t at all but Michelle got up trying to act nonchalantly so he wouldn’t notice her sweat-pouring forehead or racing heartbeat. She dropped her book on the floor without even noticing and grabbed her clothes from the washer, throwing them in her basket. They were sopping wet. She was sure she had probably left a few articles of clothing on the way out as she went from a brisk walk to a literal jaunt to her car, but she didn’t care. Her hands were shaking as she took her cars keys from her pocket and got in her car, immediately locking her doors. The man was still inside the Laundromat then he picked her book off the floor and walked slowly outside towards her car. Michelle couldn’t see him coming because her car was covered in a light layer of snow, which she had no time to clear off. She relentlessly jimmied her key in the ignition and of course, this would be the time her car wouldn’t start. Just like every classic horror movie. She sat there panicking as her car refused to start and terrible thoughts filled her head. She hated Roger for taking the night shift and making her go by herself to the Laundromat every Thursday. She hated the fact that he dropped out of school to “find himself” a.k.a work full-time making minimum wage for the rest of his life. She hated the fact that she had to put their wedding on hold until they could afford a washer and drier. She hated the fact that she drove a piece of crap Buick that would never start. She hated the fact that she knew something bad would happen.

Her eyes filled with tears, as she feared that the man was approaching her car. The shotgun seat was literally soaking wet from the clothes, which were almost frozen by now. Two minutes passed and she was still in her car, not knowing if the man was still there or had left. He approached her car, took his hand and slowly wiped off the snow on her car window. He pressed his face to the glass and his black eyes pierced right through her. She felt paralyzed. She could not move. He then showed her through the window, the book she had dropped inside and gave her a menacing wink.

11:17 pm and Roger returned home. He always walked to and from work. He took off his coat and boots, grabbed a Dr. Pepper from the fridge and turned on the TV. He called out to Michelle to tell her the news but heard no answer. He figured she must have already gone to bed. He would have to wait until morning to tell her about his promotion and that they would be able to afford a washer and drier in a couple of months. Even though he proposed two years ago, he could also afford an actual ring for her by March. He watched TV for an hour, and then headed to bed. He rolled over and felt nothing.

Roger shot up from the bed and panicked. He frantically called out to her but heard no response. He called her parents apologetically for waking them up, but they had no idea where she could be. He called her cellphone and heard a noise from her bedside table. She had forgotten her cellphone. Still in his pajamas, Roger threw on his coat and boots and ran out the door. He noticed the car was not parked outside their apartment building and immediately became furious with himself for never noticing in the first place. He realized it was Thursday, which meant laundry day. It was 40 below freezing, yet he was sweating as he frantically ran towards the Laundromat. He fell to the ground, partly out of breath, partly out of what he was visualizing in front of him - Michelle’s book in the red-stained snow.

A letter to "sum" up how I feel

Dear Math,

It is not that I hate you, or despise you, or never want to see you again. It is that you are complicated and your view of life is as though things are black and white. But the thing you don't understand is that life is more than just black or white, and right or wrong. There are always grey areas and more than just one right answer. You complicate life for a lot of people with your tough questions and you can create problems and stress for many students like myself. Why must you do that? I understand your value in life and how useful it is to have mathematical knowledge, but you are always changing and somehow get more and more difficult as the years progress. I want to like you, I really do, but I have to confess that once I finish my required math courses for my university degree, we will have to go our separate ways. I may think about you from time to time and sure, I will use you in my everyday life... But this relationship was not meant to last. To me, you are a cutie 3.14 but that it not enough to keep me interested. I need more than theorems, fractions, angles and equations. This relationship has too many variables and I can't always keep up. I'm sure you have much to offer other students and please don't take this personally, but you + me = no solution.

Sincerely,

A hard working math student

A Fat-tastic Read

My best poem of all time

Time.
It is always running out. So why is there never enough? Strange how time works. It always passes too quickly, or too slowly. And if you’re not careful it will pass you by in the blink of an eye. 

Time literally flies, and not only when you’re having fun. Time is endless, so why are we 

killing time? We are waiting for the time to pass but hope certain moments will never 

end. We have no time to lose. Time is of the essence. We think we have all the 

time in the world. Yet we forget to call our friends or make time for the little 

things. Half the time we are so consumed with how much time we 

have, that we miss beautiful opportunities. Timing. It really 

is everything isn’t it? How important it is to be in the right 

place at the right time. When time is on your side, 

it somehow gives you hope that your life 

happened for a reason. And for others, 

we are always ahead or behind time. 

But never on time. Either too early 

or too late. To be in time with the
music of your life. Timing. 

There is a time and place 

for everything. There is 

a time to be happy and 

a time to mourn. A 

time to live and 

a time to die.
Time.
Over time
we learn. All
we can do is take
life one step at a time.
One day at a time. Time
and time again we will make
mistakes. Time after time, we learn
important lessons that Cyndi Lauper failed
to teach us. Only time will tell if your life is
everything you hoped. How important it is
to live each day to the fullest, as it’s only a matter
of time before all of our time has passed and we can
no longer get it back. Every second, every minute,
every hour, every day is precious. Time is ticking and
will never reverse. Time is impatient. Always moving and
will never wait for you. Can you keep up? Time has limits. There
is not enough time to get everything done. So why did you waste all
of that time? There is a first time for everything. Those are the times
we remember the most. As time vanishes away, we sometimes forget.
But please don’t lose track of the time. We must take the time to recognize
that time holds the power to heal, and holds the power age us. Take your time.
You can’t rush your life. This is your time. This is our time. This is the time to speak 

your mind. Don’t take your time for granted. We will regret the times we didn’t say I love 

you. The times we didn’t take a risk. Time itself, may be the most valueable concept of all
time.

The "Naked" Truth

Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup is one of the best makeup products and by far the best foundation I have ever tried. It has a luminous, demi-matte finish, with buildable coverage. This is ideal because it allows your natural skin to shine through without completely mattifying it, and also enables you to build up your desired coverage (whether it be full or lightweight). It is free of oils, parabens and fragrances, which is also an asset. Since oils can clog pores, oil-free foundation is a must for me. Having a foundation that is fragrance and paraben (a.k.a preservative) free is also something I look for, with my sensitive skin. This product is a gem because it feels virtually weightless and gives you “natural radiance”. Another advantage is that it is packed with nourishing ingredients, such as Matrixyl 3000 (which helps to maintain a youthful appearance), litchiderm (for a more radiant complexion), green tea, and vitamin E (anti-oxidants to help promote smoother skin), and sodium hyaluronate (holds water for better hydration). (Source: https://www.urbandecay.com/nakedskin) Like their advertisements claim, this foundation has, “light-diffusing spheres for an ultra-definition finish”. It also has a wide shade range, with 18 shades in total varying from pink to yellow skin undertones. This makes finding your “perfect” shade much easier.

So this product sounds amazing right? It is, but like every product, it has its cons. The first being the price. It is $45 which is definitely a more high-end product. A lot of people would not be willing to splurge on this, when they can get Cover Girl foundation for $10. However, because this product is absolutely superb, the price does not sway my decision to purchase it and I will continue to repurchase this product. Another con is the large packaging. Although the package is visually appealing, very sleek and conveniently has a pump for ease of use, it comes in a very large bottle which makes it less convenient for travelling or toting around. Thirdly, this foundation applies horribly with a brush. Ironically, I really did not like this foundation when I first bought it. I applied it with a flattop kabuki brush and the foundation appeared streaky and flaky on my skin, which is not an appealing look. When I applied this makeup with a beauty-blender sponge however, it completely changed the look of the foundation to the point where it seemed like an entirely different product. I was amazed by how natural and flawless it appeared after using it with a wet makeup sponge. In my opinion, this is the best way to apply this product because of its extreme liquidy texture. The makeup has a very runny consistency, much like paint, and when applied with a brush it can look like a streaky mess. Using your fingers or a beauty-blender will definitely give you the best finish.

I have been a part-time cosmetician for over a year now, which has allowed me to try numerous different products. Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup is without a doubt my favorite foundation and I was overjoyed when I finally found one that works with my more dry and rosacea-proned skin. This product is so lightweight, yet conceals my imperfections and redness almost flawlessly. It never looks cakey and almost never needs to be re-touched throughout the day. It appears great in photos and is also very long lasting. I have very few critical things to say about this product. It works with my dry skin and would also work for any skin type or anyone who loves that look of being “lit from within”. This product standing alone is amazing, but is even that much better when applied with a primer underneath, and set with Urban Decay’s makeup setting spray and then a setting powder over top (that gives me the best look). I highly recommend this product to anyone and everyone, and for those wondering whether or not to splurge on such an expensive foundation, I say it is 100% worth it. I give this foundation a 9 out of 10, because like me, it is almost perfect. 

 http://ba.fimgs.net/system/pics/12745/large/urban-decay-naked-skin.jpg?1344600210

My humanitarian mission - more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Monkey Love

 Before I discuss this picture, I would just like to clarify that these monkeys are totally hugging and that is all. This is my favorite picture I have ever taken. I in no way claim to be a great photographer but feel this image could belong in National Geographic or some other type of nature magazine. I shot this photo last January in Dominican Republic while on a Hero Holiday. (For those who are unaware of what Hero Holidays are, they are humanitarian missions to help build homes for families living in extreme poverty.) It was the first day of 2014, and while on my Hero Holiday our group of volunteers went on an excursion to the “Monkey Jungle Adventure”. Being an animal lover, I was certainly in paradise and did not want to leave. The monkeys jumped all over us and we had a chance to feed and hold them. It was by far one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. I was so proud of this picture, that I set it as the background on all of my devices… No shame.

Peace from Dominican

This second photo is also from my Hero Holiday. I was amazed at how well the children were able to communicate with us considering the obvious language barrier, but also our cultural differences. All of the children in the community of Arroyo Seco, where we were helping construct houses, looked at us as though we were real heroes, and constantly wanted to get pictures with us. I feel bad for not learning this little guy’s name, but he was so cute. Even while living in a completely different environment, speaking a foreign language, and growing up in a different culture, this picture goes to show that the symbol of peace is the same all over the world. This picture means a lot to me because it signifies just that. My experience in Dominican, especially with the children, was the most incredible experience of my life. So much so, that I am embarking on another Hero Holiday this Christmas to Mexico! I can only hope I will have the opportunity to meet more cool kids like this one. He was my homie.

"It's too cold outside for angels to fly"

Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team” is without a doubt one of my favorite songs. Even though the subject matter is controversial and quite bluntly about the class “A” drug cocaine and a struggling prostitute, Sheeran manages to create a superb melodic piece and uses euphemisms to express his song so delicately. With just his acoustic guitar and soft voice, he is able to tell a very sad story in a unique and beautifully crafted way.

His lyrics are as listed:

White lips, pale face
Breathing in snowflakes
Burnt lungs, sour taste

Light's gone, day's end
Struggling to pay rent
Long nights, strange men

And they say
She's in the Class A Team
Stuck in her daydream
Been this way since eighteen
But lately her face seems
Slowly sinking, wasting
Crumbling like pastries
And they scream
The worst things in life come free to us
Cause we're just under the upper hand
And go mad for a couple grams
And she don't want to go outside tonight
And in a pipe she flies to the Motherland
And sells love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly
Angels to fly

Ripped gloves, rain coat
Tried to swim and stay afloat
Dry house, wet clothes

Loose change, bank notes
Weary-eyed, dry throat
Call girl, no phone

And they say
She's in the class A Team
Stuck in her daydream
Been this way since eighteen
But lately,
her face seems
Slowly sinking, wasting
Crumbling like pastries
And they scream
The worst things in life come free to us
Cause we're just under the upper hand
And go mad for a couple grams
And she don't want to go outside tonight
And in a pipe she flies to the Motherland
And sells love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly

An angel will die
Covered in white
Closed eyed
And hoping for a better life
This time, we'll fade out tonight
Straight down the line

And they say
She's in the Class A Team
Stuck in her daydream
Been this way since eighteen
But lately her face seems
Slowly sinking, wasting
Crumbling like pastries

They scream
The worst things in life come to free us
And we're all under the upper hand
Go mad for a couple grams
And we don't want to go outside tonight
And in a pipe we fly to the Motherland
And sell love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly
Angels to fly
To fly, fly
For angels to fly, to fly, to fly
Or angels to die

Like poetry, songs have some sort of form to represent a message to the audience. In Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team”, he uses rhyme, rhythm as well as stanza organization to tell his story. We see most of his rhyme scheme in the chorus, as the last word of each phrase has a similar sound, i.e., “A Team”, “daydream, “eighteen”, “face seems”, etc. This not only stresses importance but is also pleasurable for listeners. The rhythm throughout the chorus is also noticeable as we see a stress on the last two syllables of each line. This pattern is prevalent throughout most of the song as many of his verses are broken up into two syllable words with a pause in between or staccato pattern. This also relates to the way he organizes each stanza. His verses are broken up into three lines each with the first and last line containing two syllable beats. His chorus is broken up into a similar pattern with a clear accent on the last two syllables of each line indicating he wants us to pay more attention here. The form of his song, with choppy beats and stressed syllables, help to ensure the meaning of the song but also create a rhythmic and harmonious piece, that is exquisite both poetically and musically.

Throughout this song we also see many stylistic elements. Although it is hard to tell who the speaker is, you can hypothesize it is not the subject of the song but rather a third person outsider, who knows or can relate to the prostitute being referred to. Sheeran uses a subtle tone in his song to convey a controversial, yet relatable story. His use of euphemisms throughout his song avoids much bluntness, especially in the lines: “And in a pipe she flies to the Motherland/And sells love to another man”. Here we can detect Sheeran is referring to a prostitute getting high from a crack pipe, however his subtle tone masks his literal meaning. Because of his clever subtleties, we can also relate to his song in lines such as, “we’re all under the upper hand” and “we’ll fade out tonight”. Sheeran also uses poetic language such as imagery, similes and symbolism to tell his story. His first stanza, “White lips, pale face” immediately create a visual. He uses more powerful imagery in the second verse stating, “weary-eyed, dry throat”. The images Sheeran creates help us to visualize this striking person who we soon understand is struggling to make ends meet, and resorting to drugs and selling sex for money. “Crumbling like pastries” is a strong simile the speaker uses to describe a girl who’s face is coming apart, possibly even literally. Sheeran’s use of symbolism is also prevalent throughout his song, as we see his multiple references to angels. These angels could be symbolic of cocaine for example, being stark white; Or how a good person, like we imagine an angel to be, turned into a helpless being while turning down the wrong road in life.

This song, as I mentioned, is a heavy topic that many people do not even realize because of the way Sheeran is able to craft his message - softly with many subtleties. The content although controversial, says to me that life is hard, and terrible things do happen. Drug addiction, prostitution, and surviving with almost no income are very unfortunate things that happen to everyday people. Sometimes it really is too cold outside for angels to fly. This song is sad, but it appeals to me because of its honest and heart breaking story. Sheeran wasn't trying to write a song about getting “all up in the club” like many others, but rather tell the story of a girl who made a lot of wrong choices and ended up living a hard life because of that. Aside from its vulnerable nature that appeals to me, the song is beautiful musically as well, with its more stripped down acoustic feel. If other groups or artists covered this same song I feel the message would be similar because it is so sad and honest that it would be hard to express it any other way. Ed Sheeran definitely managed to tell a disheartening story in a beautiful way.

Check out his music video:

Sheeran, Ed. “The A Team”. +. CD. Asylum/Atlantic. 2011. 

http://www.metrolyrics.com/a-team-lyrics-ed-sheeran.html

Introduction

Hello to everyone and anyone who may be reading this.

I guess I'll start by saying my name is Chantal and I am a first year MUN student. I don't believe I am "hip" enough to have a blog but let's give this a shot anyway. As I said, I am a first year student, and am pursuing an Arts degree. I am very ambitious and love music. But that just about sums up most who are pursuing Arts degrees... So let me go a little bit more in depth about me. I am hoping to obtain a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Linguistics, minoring in Psychology and then hopefully a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology. I have been told this is a competitive field, but isn't every field?

I also love music. Whether it's listening, playing or performing. I have taken voice lessons for the last six years and I also play the guitar, piano and ukulele. I have performed in six musicals as well, participating in another one this November at the St. John's Arts & Culture Centre. I have a passion for musical theatre and am in awe of those who pursue it as a career while so many believe it to be a pipe dream. I hope to continue participating in musicals and theatre projects my entire life as it is a true love of mine.

Besides music, I also enjoy getting involved in my school community. I was student council Co-President in high school and as per usual, got involved in more than I could handle. I have always been a busy teenager and each year I tell myself not to get involved in too much, but I don't think that is possible for me. I am itching to join a club or society at MUN and the opportunities to get involved here seem endless. I can't wait. But before volunteering and joining clubs, I still think school comes first. I worked extremely hard all through high school and that is the plan for university as well. I always strive to do my best in everything in life. I don't think I can be any other way. University is a big step from high school but I am ready for the change. Being the hard-working, organized, and determined person that I am, I think I will handle the adjustment well.

Yesterday was the first day of classes and I would say from my flushed cheeks, sweat-pouring forehead, and overflowing bookbag, I screamed first-year student. I think most people are concerned about the workload that awaits us, but I however, am more concerned about finding my way. My sense of direction has never been good. I managed to lose my way from the science building to the arts building yesterday, which is pretty embarrassing. Even though I have an older brother and many older friends who also attend MUN that are more than willing to help me, finding my way around  has always stressed me out. But each day will get a bit easier and fingers crossed, I will be a campus pro in no time! (But don't quote me on that).

I feel that was a bit of rambling about my mediocre life but maybe I'll add in some random things about me so this will seem more like a blog than a personal essay. I am a big coffee drinker. I have an unhealthy obsession with trail mix. I love blazers and have a collection of them (17 total). I was that annoying person who did the announcements all three years of high school. I have a French name but can't speak French for my life. I am a part-time cosmetician at Shoppers Drug Mart. I will be going to Mexico this Christmas on my second Hero Holiday to build houses for poverty stricken families. So I think I did an okay job on describing who I am. And if you read all of this I will be shocked but also grateful that you took the time out of your busy day.

Either way, thanks and take care.


Chantal L