Blame it on the lack of an umbrella.

Me (bitter about the Groundhog Day results): Damn groundhog.
Dad: Blaming it on the animal, eh?
Me: Well, yes.
Dad: If it had an umbrella, it wouldn't have been scared by its shadow. So don't blame it on the animal, blame it on the lack of an umbrella.

It's safe to say I'm fed up with it being winter. Words cannot describe the hatred I have for snow and I'm really hungering for summer to get here... or at least warmer weather.

There is nothing good about snow or winter.

• It is wet, cold, and slippery.
• You have to shovel it.
• It can lead to frostbite.
• It makes the bottom of your jeans all wet.
• It makes your socks wet.
• It makes your lips chapped and hands dry.
• If you're planning to travel, excessive snow can ruin your plans.

So, what are the advantages of snow? Snow is nice to look at for most people, and you can ski or snowboard. THE CONS OUTWEIGH THE PROS, PEOPLE!

There is way more to look forward to thinking about the summer, than the winter. Can you argue that? No. You know I'm right.

I guess I look forward to summer most because of the summer camp I work at, Mira Pines Camp. I was a camper at this particular camp for seven years and when I was too old to go there, I volunteered. I've worked there my past two summers and I absolutely love it. If you've never worked at a summer camp, it's an experience worth living.

Even if you've never done the whole camp thing before, you should do it! There's a camp in Pennsylvania I applied for last year online. It's called Tyler Hill Camp. I got a call back two days after I applied and they ended up hiring me. I didn't have the heart to leave Mira Pines so I turned it down. But if you're interested in working at a summer camp, you should look into Tyler Hill or its companion camps. They cover your cost of everything (fight, food, etc.) and if you watch the video clips you'll be blown away.

I definitely suggest seriously thinking about it and applying! There's no better feeling than knowing you've helps kids have the best summer of their lives. A lot of people don't want to "sacrifice" their summers because you "work" everyday.

This was the issue with my best friend, Dan. He was interested in Mira Pines because he'd heard me talk a lot about it and he was thinking about applying; however, he was worried most about giving up his whole summer. I promised him that if he worked there, it would be the most memorable summer of his life. He was also worried because he had never gone to a camp before, nor had he worked at one. I told him that he'd catch on quickly and learn to love it instantly.

Dan, in the middle of a waterfight at camp.

It was also his first time in a canoe!

I was right. Dan will tell everyone that the summer of '08 was the best summer of his life, because he was introduced to camp. At the camp that we work at, you go home Friday, have Saturday off, and go back on Sunday. It's like this for the whole summer. Last summer was the most memorable summer for me because it was the year the camp staff was the closest. We became best friends and when we weren't at camp, we were hanging out with each other on our days off. We couldn't get enough of each other and it was terribly sad when we had to part at the end of August. But even today, we're still all extremely close and call each other best friends.

My boyfriend and I met at Mira Pines. Here's us and our campers.

Half of the staff hanging out on our Saturday off. We couldn't get enough of each other!

So, I've decided that next groundhog day I will be waiting outside the groundhog's little hut with an umbrella to shield the sun...

The Thoughts of a Turtle are Turtle.

OK! So, I told you I was going to show you the painting I'm submitting for "The Sweetest Little Thing". Here it is. Its title is, "The Thoughts of a Turtle are Turtle."

I have grown a somewhat obsession with turtles lately and I decided that I want to paint them. So, I started here.

If you check on The Sweetest Little Thing website that I posted two entries back, it's there and currently stands at a bid of $10!

scarves, scarves, and more scarves

Let's say you're that kind of person who gets excited when the lights flicker at night while the throbbing wind beats against your window, mid-storm. It howls while blankets of snow fall from the sky, decreasing the visibility to zero. You peak outside your window and shiver, inevitably envisioning yourself in this blizzard. The weatherman casts warnings all over the television, internet and radio... and you can't help but to get your hopes up that perhaps the following day will be a snow day. You can't help but to think that maybe, just maybe, classes will be canceled and you'll be able to sleep a few more precious hours.

If you are that kind of person, I suggest you change. Classes will never, ever, ever be canceled as long as you're in university. Ok, I won't say never. SELDOM! Throughout my three years here at MtA, classes may have been canceled twice.

So, before you head off to university you should probably buy some snowshoes or ridiculously high snow boots to assist while you truck through the snow. While you're at it, perhaps you can also buy a shovel so you can shovel your path on the walk to class. Oh! Don't forget salt. You don't want to trip and fall, so you should definitely have salt to sprinkle in front of you before each step.

You think I'm being hilarious and for the most part, I am. But there is some merit to what I'm saying.

Classes will "never" be canceled - this is true. Also, the walkways will never be shoveled and the ice will never be salted. OK, I won't say never. SELDOM! (at least not before 8am, anyway). If you're one of the not-so-lucky ones like me, you'll be cursed with 8:30am classes every morning. I can easily say that campus is NEVER shoveled or salted when the early birds have to fly to their early classes. So, if you happen to be one of the early birds, make sure you take extra precaution.

If you do happen to come to Sackville for school, you can never have too many scarves. Sometimes the temperature drops to minus forty with the windchill. It gets so cold that your eyes inevitably tear up, causing them to freeze. I've walked to class with my eyelids freezing together. It gets so cold that the moisture in your nose freezes. Scarves come in handy to wrap around your face, neck, head, etc. I repeat, you can never have too many scarves!

I'm an overall bitter person when it comes to the cold and especially winter. I was never a child who was really into sledding, snowmen, and snowball fights. I've always hated the cold. In fact, that's a number one reason why I always thought Halloween should've been in the spring or summer. I don't remember one year where I enjoyed trick or treating. I absolutely hated having to walk from house to house while the freezing cold October breeze stung my face. I'd wince in pain while I begged my older sister to take me home.

So, while people get excited about the first snowfall of the year I desperately want to cry. While people pray and beg for a snowstorm, I cringe because all I can think about is walking to classes the next day in two feet of snow. While people happily trot through the snow, playfully throwing snow balls at each other, I concentrate very hard on teleporting into my warm house.

Let's go over essentials for university:

1. drop the 'when it snows, school is canceled' mentality
2. buy snowshoes, or tall winter boots
3. get a snow shovel and ice salt
4. scarves, scarves, and more scarves

The Sweetest Little Thing

Well it's almost that time of the year again, folks!
The day that is equally loved and hated. Valentine's Day. Some people may argue that it is a day that is too forced and over commercialized. I agree that the idea behind Valentine's Day is overall nice, but its hype has inevitably led to a loss of romance. I, for one, would better appreciate a flower or card from my boyfriend on a random day, rather than on a set day. A random thoughtful act, in my opinion, is much more appreciated and far more romantic.

However, Valentine's Day has a love-love relationship with people here in Sackville. Every February 14th there's an event held at the Owen's Art Gallery called The Sweetest Little Thing, hosted by Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre. It's open for everyone: faculty, staff and the community. Making it a priority for me to attend the last two years, I can promise you it is a lot of fun!

As soon as you walk into the gallery doors, your eyes are bombarded with reds and pinks that people dress themselves in. Some people get really creative with the Valentine's Day spirit and dress vividly. It's a silent art auction with little art pieces, donated by artists, hung along the walls; You simply jot your name and bid price down next to the artwork that you'd like to buy! Artworks can be donated by the third year Fine Arts students at MtA so that means this is my year to submit a piece. I've started working on one, so once I finish I'll be sure to post a picture to show you.

You can read all about it here.

You can also view the submitted artworks online and even bid online! So be sure to drop by the website and check back for my piece or any other artworks that might catch your eye.

At the event, there is also a cake walk with some of the most creative and fun cakes you'll ever see that can be won! There's music, candy, drinks, and lots of fun to be had. So if you ever find yourself in Sackville for Valentine's Day, be sure to come by the Owen's and check it out.

Despite the pros and cons tied to Valentine's Day, I'm a ridiculously sappy person; therefore, this is the kind of holiday I inevitably get soaked up into. You can show appreciation and love for your Valentine without spending a dime. It's so easy to browse the shelves at stores and pick out a teddy bear or box of chocolates. In fact, it's too easy. Don't get me wrong - I, as well as most girls, will easily be swooned by a cute stuffed animal or Hallmark card stating how beautiful our eyes are; however, it can take less effort to make me feel smitten. I'm
going to lead you back to the website, www.lovingyou.com because it has so many creative ideas without having to spend a dime.

So, remember to check out The Sweetest Little Thing if you find yourself in Sackville this year or any other year. Also, remember to check back for my submitted artwork.

Also, remember that Valentine's Day is just another day. So, don't feel down if you don't happen to be spending it with someone else. The idea behind it is to share it with someone you love, so who better to spend it with than some of your closest friends? Get some friends together and go out for a night on the town!

Walk a mile...

The transition from high school to university was, in many ways, refreshing. It was like the slate was wiped clean and I could be whomever I wanted to be. I didn't have to worry about any more drama erupting which so often happened in high school. I didn't have to worry about cliques, or bullying because none of that exists anymore. That's what I hated most about high school - the constant "grouping" of people and how people thought they were superior to others. To me, popularity doesn't exist and never has... but it wasn't always that I saw life in this perspective.

***

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

She stood in the cafeteria line, conscious of her surroundings, yet wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. She shifted her weight from foot to foot. She kept her head down and continuously coughed to rationalize her silence. I watched as she tried to make conversation with a group of girls in front of her. I could tell she worked up a lot of courage to get words out, only to get shut down. They rejected her, thinking they were superior and this girl didn't live up to the privilege to be talked to. I watched this girl and my heart ached for her.

I had seen her in the hallway, alone. I had seen her eating lunch a few times, alone. So here she was again, in the lunch line, alone. I tapped her on the shoulder and smiled, "I really like your sweater! Where'd you get it?" She looked down and stuttered over her words. I could tell in her voice she was emotionally damaged. I continued to make conversation with her and she left the lunchline with a smile on her face.

I was glowing inside, knowing that I shon a little light on her day.

So what is popularity? Why do people feel superior than others? Why do people look down upon others? So, some people wear hand-me-downs, and maybe don't wear makeup. Is that any reason to snub them in the hallway or bully them?

I think I just realized this recently. I mean, everyone realizes it but never does anything to make it better. So, how about not being one of those people who look down at others? Why not partner up with that person in Biology class who sits in the corner? That person who always gets picked last for teams... why not pick that person first? Why not go out of your way to smile and say hi to a person who looks like they need it. It could make their day a whole lot better, maybe even their life.

So before you make fun of that person who doesn't quite seem to fit in, put yourself in their shoes... and maybe you should talk to them, instead of talking about them. Let them know you care.

I care. Do you?

A Little of This & That

It certainly feels good to have the slate wiped clean and start fresh this semester. After my first week of classes, I'm feeling enthusiastic and motivated to stay on top of things. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy all my classes, as long as I keep up with the work.

It can be extremely easy to fall off track, and sometimes it can be even easier to stay off track, than to go through the effort of getting back on again. When you're in university, you're not under the constant supervision of your parents (or other guardians), so you inevitably feel tempted to do things you may not have been able to do when you were still at home. You may feel tempted to watch an excessive amount of TV, go out and "party" more often than you should, stay up late, and sleep in late.

It's extremely important that you don't get caught up in all of that and that you keep in mind why you're in university in the first place. You're there to get a degree, so keep focused on that goal. There's nothing wrong with watching television, partying, staying up late or sleeping in, but make sure you get your work done first. You'll enjoy your "extracurriculars" so much better when you're not trying to repress your stress due to the work you haven't done yet!

Putting aside an hour each day to do your work, is much better than leaving it go until the weekend and rushing to get it finished before your class. You'll feel great having done it way in advance!

***

I signed my lease for my apartment next year. Leah (my current roomie) and I are living with my other friend, France. I'm excited because it's about seven minutes closer to campus than where I am at now, and it's also a short walk to the grocery store. We took a tour of the three-person place and we fell in love with it instantly. It's perfectly cozy and we're anxious to move in. It's also a lot cheaper than my rent now and everything is included in the monthly fee; therefore, a lot of my current stress will be diminished because I won't have to worry about dishing out money for separate bills every few weeks.

It'll be May before we know it and I'll be moving in to the new place. I can't believe the first semester is over already. I'm so much closer to entering my last year here at Mount A. Spring break will be flying around the corner in no time; although, it's technically not "spring" break because it's still winter. So, I'll refer to it as "reading week" as that is what it's officially known as. I have no big plans for reading week, but I do know that I'll be going home to the Cape.

***

I'm going to do something a little different for my next blog. It will be a "pictorial blog" where the whole thing will basically be narrated in pictures. I'm doing this, so you'll get a better idea of what my life is like here at MtA, and really get a feel for it through my eyes.

Take care, folks!
Remember to e-mail me if you have any questions or just want to chat.

Long Distance Relationships

Whether you are thinking of coming to Mount Allison specifically, you may have to deal with saying goodbye to the one you love and making the difficult transition to a long distance relationship.

There are many different opinions about LDR's; you'll find 50% of people who are for them, and the other 50% who don't feel as though they work out. You can't really base your own relationship on other peoples' previous ones, or even your past relationships. It's important not to draw associations between the person you're currently seeing, and past failed relationships.

LDR's are more likely to last nowadays with the multiple opportunities available to strengthen the relationship even though you're separated by distance. I'll give you a little advice on how to help you and your loved one pull through what can be a really tough time. I'm currently in a long distance relationship, so I'll give you an inside perspective on something that may very well be imminent for you. The first thing you have to do is sit down with your partner and establish if you want to continue on into a LDR. You have to decide on whether it's worth it. Maybe reading what I've written will help you draw that conclusion.

I'll tell you the first thing that is vital and that is positivity. If you go into the LDR with doubts, then that's all you're going to be concentrating on and it will cause strain on your relationship. There's really no reason for it not to work out, so if you think positively, your thoughts will be rewarded. The second thing that's important is 100% of effort from both you and your boyfriend/girlfriend. It's not fair for one person to be putting in all the effort while the other is not. It's something that's hard on both of you, so you need each other to pull through it.

The third necessity is trust. Due to the distance and being separated, your behaviors can't be monitored, therefore a higher degree of trust is required. So, before you part, make sure you sit down and have a talk about the trust in your relationship.

The fourth condition is communication. Technology has made it possible for couples to keep in touch, through phone calls, texting, online chatting, web cameras, e-mail, etc, so this is something you should take advantage of.

So, now that we've gone over what's important, I'm going to give you specific ideas to help you through it.

1. Date Nights - even though you and your partner may live hours away you can still go on dates. My boyfriend and I have webcam dates, where the prep is as normal as a regular date. We'll state a specific day and time, and then we'll "meet". We do different things such as play online games, or watch videos together. Even though we are apart, we're still sharing a moment together.

2. Express Your Feelings - letting your partner know how you feel and how you feel about them is vital in order for your relationship to grow and stabilize, as well as strengthen. This also provides reassurance for your partner, showing that you're committed to them and to making the relationship work.

3. Care Packages - a surprise package is always something special to let your partner know you've been thinking of them. It doesn't have to be something you do often, just occasionally. Some ideas you can include are:
- Books
- Music
- Phone card
- Stuffed animal
- Hershey's Hugs & Kisses
- Flowers
- Poem or letter
- Picture of you

The list is endless, and there are websites that give you many ideas. One website I often refer to is www.lovingyou.com. The more personal you make the gift, the bigger affect it will have when it's received.

4. Never Assume - always be clear about your feelings for one another and never make assumptions. Making assumptions can add stress and potentially ruin your relationship. Always share your feelings and encourage your partner to do the same. This will allow you both to strengthen your communication skills and allow you to grow closer together.

As much as there are negative aspects and challenges to LDR's, it can really be a positive situation as well. You will appreciate your time that you do share together more, and you'll inevitably grow stronger. Just think, if you can conquer this difficult time together, you'll be able to do anything!