I had a very nice week-end and today means back to work. It only hit me this morning that we only have 3 official days of school. That also means that all my work from this semester must be done and ready before the end of the week. I’m getting a little bit nervous but I just like to tell myself, as sooo many others have told me, it will all be worth it and done soon! I can’t wait for Christmas. The skin I have for my page makes me feel so anxious for Christmas. Every time I come on my blog, I get that nice little tingly feeling. Well, that’s all for now, I have to finish an essay that is due tomorrow.
University Orchestra Wednesday, Nov 28 2007
My thoughts 5:05 am
I just got back from my last orchestra rehearsal before the big concert next tuesday. I play second violin and am pretty excited about the concert. We are playing a repertoire from Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and Mercadante, I don’t know if any of you like orchestral music or if you really know what it is but if you would like to come see it, it’s on tuesday night at St Paul Cathedral on the corner of 12th ave and Mackentyre, I think. It starts at 8 o clock. If anyone is interested, you let me know and I’ll give you more imformation.
Go Riders Monday, Nov 26 2007
My thoughts 4:32 pm
I’m so glad it was our year, Finally! I think it wasn’t so much the fact that we won the cup, it’s the expressions of pride and of happiness that were on all the players’ faces. That kind of thing makes you realize how rewarding it is to put your heart into something for a long time. I’m also impressed by the fact that the players’ comments about their fans were immense. Go Riders! and Go Saskatchewan!
Crazy week Friday, Nov 23 2007
My thoughts 7:53 pm
So this was definitely a really hectic week and I’m still not used to not having a computer. I think that once next week will be done, I will start breathing again. It’s not fun to know I won’t be getting much sleep until the 4th. At least, people are getting into the Christmas mood. I have been hearing many commercials and songs on the radio already. It doesn’t feel like Christmas. Maybe because I haven’t had time to think about it. Once I’m done this semester, I’m definitely doing something for myself. I hope you all do the same.
Bad News for me Wednesday, Nov 21 2007
My thoughts 7:39 pm
When I thought every thing was finally falling into place, my computer proved me wrong. With a ton of things left to do specially for this class, I will have to try to work without my computer. It collapsed on me last night and I can’t bring it to the IT support center because the computer technicians are on strike. It will be a nice big challenge to try living without my computer until I find some place that can fix it for cheap. I also had some important work on there that will be of no use…so much time lost. And really, that’s the last thing I need to lose. Anyway, I think I’ll be o.k but I need to find the strength and the energy to redo some work and to come to school to use a computer….something which I haven’t done in a long time.
One laptop per child Tuesday, Nov 20 2007
My thoughts 6:33 am
XO laptop is such an innovative creation. It is a must watch!
I hope this video works because I found it on CNN news.
It would be in TECH, and it’s called One Laptop per Child.
Here is the website with the vision, that explains this type of laptop in case you cannot find the movie.
If you have the money, this would be a perfect christmas present!!
It’s time to vote! Wednesday, Nov 7 2007
My thoughts 5:30 pm
Voting advanced polls have been open for a couple of days but today is the official voting day. If you haven’t gone or you don;’t know where to go just find out what constituency your poll is and if you are eligible to vote. Here is the elections website if you aren’t sure. Saskatchewan elections
I’m quite excited to see who our new leader will be. The NDP party has been on top for 16 years and if they get elected again it will be a big 20! I don’t know if you guys follow politics but it’s interesting to see what parties have to say about tuitions. This affects us all as students and we should all participate in the debate. I’m going to be sort of the devil’s advocate in this blog. I’d love to get comments on what you guys think about it. Even if the elections are over pretty soon, it’s still something to think about for upcoming students. Here are a few other sites of each party and their platforms, but more precisely on the tuition ideas they have for Saskatchewan students.
The Liberal Party’s statement on student housing is very interesting, considering students pay more for rent than for school. It would be nice to see housing and rent go down a bit in Saskatchewan but since that is mainly impossible, the Liberal Party is willing to introduce a tax credit to students of up to 500 dollars for an academic year(full time)…..Not quite enough.
“A $5 million per year undergraduate teaching fund will be established for our two major universities. This teaching fund will be used to attract some of the best and brightest undergraduate professors from across Canada and around the world.” My question is where do the college students fit into this whole nice coated deal.
The Saskatchewan party’s plan sounds very convincing…However, students would need to stay in Saskatchewan for the 7 years following their degree to be affected by this nice money. Should students still be able to chose in which province they will work depending on their salary? I think so.
“The Saskatchewan Party would also designate $3 million annually for the creation of a Saskatchewan scholarship fund.” This is a great idea but it’s to hide the fact that they will not freeze tuition. It may go up by hundreds, even thousands. Both other parties plan to freeze tuition. -The NDP has already done it.
The NDP party seems the most convincing. It also seems to help a great load of cash for striving students on loans and rent. Tuition would be lowered by a 1000$, making it the lowest tuition cost in Canada. This seems nice, but the NDP’s goal is to equalize, to make all students the average middle class citizens. If you aim for high standards, this statement is deceiving.
I hope you have learned a bit on the politics of our day. These sites are great for debate and rise concern to all students. They also touch upon education in schools if you want to look at it. If any of you speak French I will be a panelist for the Radio-Canada television network and the radio network (93.5fm…i think) tonight, representing students and giving my opinion on some of these aspects and more.
Losing your phone Wednesday, Oct 31 2007
My Thoughts on Teaching and My thoughts 5:21 am
I have been listening to the conference presentation on cell phones in learning and it is funny that the subject of phones has come up once more because just this week-end, I lost mine. It’s crazy how dependent we can become on cell phones. They are our number mean of communication and of use on a daily basis. I use my phone for many things such as texting, keeping all my friends numbers, calendering, noting assignments and setting schedules, and most importantly, setting it as an alarm clock in the morning. Now, of course these are the basic things for me but now that I have heard Liz Kolbs presentation on cellphones in schools, it stunned me that, like 73% of high school students, I rely on my phone daily. It has become more than just a toy to me, and I know that to many students, it is a planner, a scheduler, and a tool. Although I don’t use the internet on mine very much, it is another effective tool that is offered with cells. This is a little insight that I had by listening to Liz.
Time? Wednesday, Oct 24 2007
My thoughts 4:47 am
If only there were 30 hours in a day, I would spend all that precious time blogging. I am really beginning to grasp the concept of blogging. It was just so foreign before, and I never imagined that I would have my own blog, let alone understand what it was. I really enjoy reading what everyone has to say on theirs and I just wish what I had was half as interesting but it’s a process. Soon, I will listen to the learning conference…when I have time.
World News from India Monday, Oct 22 2007
My thoughts 5:39 pm
I just thought this article was really interesting to see. It relates to the religion and beliefs of Hindus in India. Read it! If you are into animal rights, reply to me. If not, just let me know what you think of this situation. I also know that cows are overpopulating India at this point because they are sacred. My brother visited India and said the cows there are skin and bones, ugly, dirty, and so hungry they would eat truck tires. Is this animal rights?
