25.9.08

From Facebook

You have to be in my network on facebook to see this. Either St. John's or Memorial University

I love this!

http://www.new.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=37075624174&id=789625211&index=0&

24.9.08

Looking For Youth Interested In Research

I'm looking for young people of all different backgrounds that would be interested in participating in a research group focused on youth empowerment and leadership in educational change. The commitment level of the group depends on how much you want to contribute, it's totally up to you. We'll interactively, creatively, and openly engage in discussions around what empowers youth to take action and be change makers in their learning environments. There will be workshops held focusing on different areas of this topic, depending on the interest levels. We will be able to express our stories in the education system through a variety of multi-media activities such as art, music, drama, or whatever you can think of! SWASP funding is in progess, which means whoever wants to commit will be able (if they wish) to receive 100 dollars a week for 8 weeks and a 1500 tuition voucher at the end of the year. There will be all different types of things to participate in, all at your leisure. Such things include retreats where we go away and focus on a specific area of interest, community building activities such as camping, bowling, etc. We will be working on a publication (perhaps a book or film) of our stories as advocates of educational change, struggle within the system, or whatever else we like. This group is completely flexible, and allows you a free space to be who you are and express your ideas. Everyone's stories' and opinions' are valued and heard. It's the differences of each of us that makes this research so rich- our experiences, feelings, stories and thoughts are the contributions we make and they everything that goes on in our day-to-day lives is relevant in some way. So check it out! No obligations- you can attend as much or as little as you like. Come and explore your ideas of educational change, and your evolving role as an educational change maker.
The first meeting this year is tomorrow, Thursday, at 11:30am at The Murphy Centre. Ask for Ann's room. You can call me, Linda, anytime if you have questions or would like more information or to set up a one-on-one chat with a group member to familiarize yourself with the field we are interested in! The possibilities are endless!

Hope to see some interest! I joined last year and it has really contributed to my future path and has opened up a whole new world of understanding to me! I am making a difference right here, right now, and you can too.

My number is 579 8509 or you can reach me by email at tellalikelystory@gmail.com or on facebook!

Cheers!

17.9.08

MUN

Ah. University. A breath of fresh air, a kick in the guts, and a 740 spinning out of control. There's so much going on, but so little at the same time. Everything I think and feel agrees with parts of me and disagrees with part of me (mind you, not equal halves). It's a whole new world. It makes you feel like a kid again. I didn't have that opportunity in high school, and now that I've reached a higher point of maturity in my life I can relax and start feeling like a kid again. Weird isn't it? That's not all that's weird. The academics are easy- phew. Breeze, they are. BUt you know what's hard? Making friends. The homework and studying and reviewing critisizing reflecting.. all EZ PZ. But interacting with others? Oh god, i need a manual or a tutor for that area of expertise. I do know a lot of people here, which is nice. I've been able to spend time with old friends which is wonderful. I think the best part about it all is that I can be myself. I didn't think so for the first week- I didn't feel like myself. And sorry to day, myself isn't really all that it's cracked up to be. To be myself, I enjoy sitting in the Breezeway, having a beer, studying, reading or simply ranting on about school. I can sit here and have a beer and listen to good music WHILE I'M BEING PRODUCTIVE??? It's like my two worlds collided into one, a merge of my favourite things in life. Books, and beer. It may sounds like an odd combo, but as long as I have these things which I love I think I'll do good here. I still want to move away, I still want to go to the Soo, but I think I will stay at Memorial forever. Perhaps spend the ENTIRE 2009 summer in Sault Ste Marie, babysitting my cousins and hanging with my family, but as of right now, I like it where I am. I like getting up in the morning. I like working after school. I like staying up too late watching House and then waking up at 7:30, I like how on Tuesdays and THursdays I can sleep until noon if desired. I like how there are fun things to do here. I don't feel pressured. I don't feel guilty. I feel great. I'm starting to feel thinner. I feel like I belong somewhere, as I sit here at a table by myself while everyone else is around mingling. I can sit by myself and feel like I belong, and that's an amazing thing.