EnTRENTched

It's back

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:41:40 -0400

Well it certainly has been a while since a post has popped up on here. It seems like now is the time to start it up again.

Over the last month and a half or so a lot of things have happened here on the campus. Of course there is the usual crunch time of essays, presentations, outlines and exams to keep all of us students on our toes. Outside of the rigors of the class room, the creation of community and creating dialogue appears to be at the forefront of many peoples minds. We had the annual Traditional Peoples and Elders gathering that hosted close to 600 students and community members. There were 9 elders who came to share their unique knowledge over two days. This was a reminder for me of the role that Trent plays in community involvement. As a student, I have the ability to engage in conversations that may not necessarily occur outside the walls of this institution. Many people do not have the opportunity to engage like we do. The involvement of the community speaks to the role that Trent plays in engaging those thoughts and bringing them to a larger audience. The participation shows the value and want for a chance to engage.

This past weekend we had The Agenda (the TVO show) setup in the Gathering Space. They provided a platform for a panel discussion about the future of Aboriginal education. Sitting on the panel were Ryan Decaire, Jennifer Henry and David Newhouse. Each adding a unique lens and opinion of what that future looks like. Judging by the crowd that showed up and participated in the discussion, it was another example of how Trent is looked at as a medium to convey thought and foster discussion. The community looks at Trent as a place that breeds discourse and offers a unique vantage point.

The other thing that has been happening over the last little while has been Trent’s Time to Shine. Essentially the program is looking at what makes the Trent experience truly unique. There was a mixture of students, professors and members of the community that took part. I had the opportunity to take part and was happy to see the unique perspectives that have been brought to the table. I know what Trent has meant to me and was pleasantly surprised to see that my experience has been shared by many. It was in this sharing that reminded me of the truly unique experience that occurs on this campus, no matter what your discipline.

Sticking with that theme of community, TUNA (Trent University Native Association) will be hosting a traditional pow-wow this Saturday March 16th in the Great Hall located at Champlain College. This is open to everyone. Come check it out. There will be an afternoon of traditional dancing and drumming followed by a potluck dinner at 5pm. Come and check it out. It is open to everyone and hope that those that haven’t had the chance to attend a pow-wow will take this opportunity to join us. See you all there.

"All history is current; all injustice continues on some level, somewhere in the world."- Alice Walker

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:41:48 -0500

One of the things that i struggle with as I take History is that very often the things that we are reading or studying about are not tangible. Instead, they are people, dates or events that can only be imagined in my mind. I realize that you can go to places where this history has happened but very rarely does the opportunity arise where you can meet someone that has gone through it; a first hand account in first person. I had that opportunity today. Max Eisen came and spoke to a group of students at Lady Eaton College. Mr. Eisen is a survivor of Auschwitz. An actual SURVIVOR of Auschwitz!

I must admit that I did not know what to expect when I was on my way there. The only thing that I could think was that there was no way that I was going to miss this. How often in your life have you had the chance to meet someone who has lived through one of the most notorious killing camps in the history of man kind?

Now, I am not going to get into his story because there is no possible way that I could possibly do it justice. All I wanna say is: WOW, am I ever glad that I had taken those 2 hours out of my life to share that experience. He spoke about something that I had only known through words on a paper. The words about that place on paper are striking enough, but, to hear it come from someone who has lived it, left me with goose bumps and small tears in the corners of my eyes.

Very rarely do I get the chance to connect with a piece of the past that has played such a huge role in the psyche and lives of so many people. I will never look at the horrors of WWII the same way ever again.

Thank you Mr. Eisen. You and your story are truly inspirational.

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live"- Flora Whittemore

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:55:29 -0500

When I came to Trent my goal was to be a teacher. I had an amazing 6th grade teacher, Mr. Wilson. I can remeber going into his class every morning and looking forward to what the day had in store for me. I loved the idea of learning, he made me love that idea of learning. As a result, I wanted to be that inspiration that he was on me to a new generation of students. However, after about 3 months here at Trent I was not so sure.

In those 3 months my goals and expectations had changed dramatically. It wasn’t that I had decided to be something else it was that I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher anymore. So, here I am in my second year with no idea of what it is that I want to be. Instead, I have focused on making sure that I leave every possible door open that I can.

I have talked to many students that are graduating and have asked them what is next for them. The majority of them have given me the same answer “I don’t know”. This is sort of a bit disconcerting. Here are students that have finished there time here at Trent and now seem llike they are stuck in some sort of pergatory, neither here nor there.

Having said that, I find that idea of the unknown to be kind of exciting. Sure it scares the hell out of me but at the same time I like that idea of not knowing. From the people that I have spoken with here at the school, many of them say the same thing. “Perhaps, that job that you will have in the future doesn’t actually exist yet”. I suppose that is why I took a double major. To keep as many doors open as possible.

The future is certainly unknown, but just the fact that you are student here at Trent means that you will at least have been given some of the tools that you will need to figure out exactly where your place in the world is. Besides, there is nothing worse than coming home turning the doorknob and realizing that you have no idea where your keys are.

Dear Mr. Flashing Cursor, You openly mock me. You make me feel worthless and stupid. Like some how...

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:38:23 -0500

Dear Mr. Flashing Cursor,

You openly mock me. You make me feel worthless and stupid. Like some how my thoughts are not important enough to even garner the act of writing them down or that my thought process is completely false and that I have no idea what I am talking about. Instead, you just flash, incessantly, saying “Come on now, anytime…” among other vulgar things that can not be repeated. I hate you Mr. Flashing Cursor. You just sit there at the end of my sentences and make me feel worthless and idiotic. I despise you Mr. Cursor.

Lately, I have been struggling with what some people would call writer’s block. I just end up staring at you, yes you, stupid Mr. Cursor. You just sit there idly by, flashing in the middle of my page. When I see that, I begin to question the validity of what it is that I am writing, which in turn erupts into questions of what the hell am I doing here and why I am going through with this process at all.

Unfortunately for you, there are people around that have suffered through this ailment as well. I went to these people and asked how they have dealt with this issue. They tell me things like: move on to another aspect of the essay or story that you are writing and come back to where you are later. Another, was move on to something completely different and just write… something, anything. My favorite, however, was just sit there for 15 mins and WILL yourself to move forward. This is what I have been doing. Unfortunately, it turns into a Mexican standoff with guns drawn and each one of us unwilling to flinch or budge. Instead of being proactive, you make me delve deep into to my psyche and recite reasons as to why I am unworthy of going any further. Damn you Mr. Flashing Cursor, damn you!

So, what this letter really is, is a plea to you and the dogma of the flashing cursor. I am willing to do anything. I will sacrifice a goat, I will smudge any kind of plant you want, I would even be willing to give up my first born. Just, PLEASE stop mocking me, PLEASE. That is all I ask.

Now, that I have finally grown a set and have confronted you on this issue; I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank you for cooperating in the future. I look forward to working with you in a symbiotic fashion and believe that we can accomplish great things from this day forward.

Sincerely yours,

Anonymus

"Be the change you want to see in the world"- Mahatma Gandhi

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:52:00 -0500

Today, I had the benefit of listening to Danny Beaton speak at the pine tree talk which took place in the gathering space at Gzowski college. This was the first pine tree talk that I have had the pleasure of attending. Danny spoke on some of the activism that he has been involved in like stopping site 42 and the experience that he had throughout the 4 month process that he and others have taken.

For me however, it was his idea of involvement that really struck me. I have always been one of those types of people that is content sitting on the sidelines and watching other people do their thing. That is until I feel that there is something that I can contribute, or in a selfish sense that there is something that will benefit me or the people around me. This could not be more true of my involvement here at Trent. Last year I spent the majority of my time on the sidelines. This year I have found myself a little more involved and it has had a drastic change on my perception of my academic experience here at Trent.

When I first came to Trent I was happy showing up for class and escaping quickly to my car soon afterwards. This year I have found myself taking in and participating in more of the events here on campus and even having a small part in putting them on. This has left me with a feeling of quiet contentment. This never would have occured had I not taken that time to get involved.

Danny spoke about the power of one person, that one person was capable of doing the work of 10 men or women; that if you make the effort then you can make change happen. However, if you gather with 10 people that share a common ideal than the power of those 10 people is raised exponentially and that is where change begins. His story of site 42 (a propsed dumpsite that would annihilate farms and be placed upon a natural water aquifier) was an example of this. It was a group of about 30 people that stood up to the government and the corporations and enacted change; an example of the power of solidarity and belief in a common ideal.

This made me think about my experience here. How it is important to be involved. I am not necessarily talking about chaining yourself to the chancellors door or having a sit in (although if that is what you feel will cause the change you are looking for then so be it). Rather, I am speaking about being involved in the happenings here at Trent. As students we are responsible for the student experience; not faculty, not administration it is us the students. We are responsible for shaping what that experience consits of. Don’t sit back and complain about what is wrong or how things could be done better, rather get out there and be the change that you want to see.

"How soon 'not now' becomes 'never'." - Martin Luther

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:31:27 -0400

The best part about reading week: Not actually reading anything. I realize the importance of the time given to catch up on all things scholastic. However, i find that that by the end of the week I have accomplished very little of the work that I actually set out to do.

Why is that? I mean I am well aware of my forth coming due dates. How come in those 7 days I just dont care? The week off ends up being “No big deal. I got the rest of the week to finish that or start this.”. All of a sudden Sunday night rolls around and that checklist of duties does not have nearly enough things crossed off. You head to school on the Monday with that hollow, sick feeling in your stomach of impending doom. “Why didn’t I get that done? Oh, S*%t I totally forgot about that assignment. We were supposed to read chapters 12 and 14 also? UH-OH.”.

However, I had a great week off. I got to see some friends that I had not seen in a while. Got to see a band that headlined the ACC then shared beers with them after in a small bar in downtown Toronto. I finally lived out my childhood dream of dressing up as Snooki for halloween (jersey turnpikes for everyone). Shared the perils of my beloved Leafs. Spent time having dinner with my mother and watching reruns of JAG with my grandmother. Actually now that I think about it maybe that is the beauty of reading week after all.

"A teacher enlarges people in all sorts of ways besides just his subject matter." - Wallace Stegner

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:49:00 -0400

My TA handed out our first essays yesterday and proceeded to tell us that no one in the class received a mark over 75. I thought to myself: “S*%@, this is going to be a long year”.

This is my TA’s first year at this position, they are no older than 26 years old and as far as I can tell, is on the verge of being too smart for their own good (I mean that as a compliment). Now, in what little time that I have been here at Trent I have had quite a mixture of T.A.’s; among them I have had the type that will coddle you, the one that will embarass you, the one that seems totally aloof and of course the hard ass. Having said that they all have contributed to what little success I have had here at Trent.

The coddler gave me the confidence to freely express myself and to be proud of what it is that I have to offer. The embarasser (not a word but that is the beauty of blogs) taught me to be analytical and to really take the time to think about what it is that I am saying or writing. The aloof one taught me that it is okay to live in your own little world as long as you enter the real world every once and a while. The one I disliked the most, the hard ass, was the one that taught me the most. This is university not daycare. Deadlines and failure are facts of life. Get used to it! I believe that this latest TA borders somewhere between hardass and brilliance.

Now, I was not the one that received the 75. Which means that I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am to maintain my average. Obviously, what I wrote was not what was required.This means I should be frequenting their office hours; after all that is WHY they have office hours! I mean why not complete the essay a week early and take it in and see what kind of feedback you get, essentially it is like handing in a paper twice, except the second is exactly what the TA is looking for.

TA’s are not there to make your life a living hell (although at times it may feel like it). The opposite in fact, each one offers their own life experiences and knowledge. Each one is unique and brings with them their own strengths and weaknesses. They will teach you things not only about the course but most importantly about yourself; your own strenths and weaknesses. I believe that there is no such thing as a bad TA, some just go about things from a different perspective.

I realize that this class is going to be a little tougher than I was hoping but at the end of it all it will have taught me a lot more than just what is in the textbook.

"A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years." - English Proverb

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:47:00 -0400

When did the simplicity of questions become so complicated? I can’t help but notice these days how something so simple as a question can turn into a single persons sermon. Now, I completely understand a person having a question to ask but why do people feel the need to take that time to hear themselves talk?

I was at a lecture earlier this year and a person proceeded to ask a question that took about two minutes to ask. The worse part was that the same question could have been asked in two sentences. It is time for a question, not a chance to stand on a soap box. The best part was the person that the question was directed at turned to the gentleman and said “Could you repeat the question? I have no idea what you are talking about or what you are asking.” I couldn’t help but to burst out laughing and it wasnt one of those muffled laughs but one of those totally inappropriate cackles that occur when you can hear a pin drop. This is university. Every person that attends classes here is intelligent in their own way. As a result there is no need to prove your worth at every available moment!

I feel like sometimes in this environment simplicity can totally be thrown out the window. Why does the way that people speak and interact suddenly change when they reach the classroom environment? I understand for presentations and essays that a certain level of academia must be mainatined but what about question period or just simply having a discussion? Why do we feel the need to change the tone and words that we would use on a daily basis? After all we are the same people that joke around with friends or family members. The idea of conversation and questions is to create dialog, not alienate people. So take your time, think about what you’re asking and simplify it. You’ll be surprised at how often the direct questions are the most productive.

"Procratination is like masturbation; you only end up f*@%ing yourself"- Unknown

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:11:00 -0400

Study habits? Due dates? What are those? Oh right, the things that I am absolutely horrendous at. Don’t get me wrong, I am usually on time with my assignments and usually have all my readings done for class. That does not mean that I am one of those people that slowly chips away at things and has everything in a nice little package when it is due. The opposite in fact. I am one of those people that is up till 3 in the morning putting the final touches on my essays or trying to read that last chapter through fuzzy thoughts and heavy eyelids.

I was lucky when I was kid, I never really had to study much. I was able to absorb enough by listening in class and asking a few questions. I could write an essay or cram for exams the night before and pull off a mark that kept my mother happy. Having navigated through my first year of Trent, I realize that the night before stuff just doesn’t work quite as well.

I always justify my last minute essay writing as “I work better under pressure” like I am some war hero going over the top or Jordan hitting a fade away three as the buzzer sounds for the victory. This is a load of crap! The only reason I “work” better is because I have to! I dont have time to put it off any longer. This is when my work becomes a muddled piece of jargon, full of run on sentences and misplaced commas. The two highest marks I have received for essays were ones that I spent close to 3 weeks working on. The rest were last minute things that a monkey with a typewriter could have handed in (it could be argued that that was exactly what occured).

That was my goal this year; to make sure that whatever work I do this year is well planned and not left to the last minute. After all, as much as I enjoy it, I am only really f&%#ing myself.

P.S. Single ply toilet paper in the washrooms? Really? Does my tuition not cover the cost of 2-ply? No one enjoys it when their finger tears through.

"Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery" - Bertrand Russell

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:44:28 -0400

Well it is the time of year that every Leaf fan dreams of. The start of another NHL season. Why are Leafs fans so excited? Cause this is the year that we end our 44 year old Stanley cup drought of course (well, at least make the playoffs for the first time in 6 years). As an optomistic fan here are the 5 reasons why this is our year:

1) James Reimer. Optiums Reim. The Reim Minister. Reimer carried the Leafs in the second half of last year. In 37 games, Reimer recorded 20 wins while posting a .921 save percentage to go along with his 2.60 goals against average. This will be Reimers first full season tending the twine for Toronto if he can average similar numbers for the course of the season he can lead Toronto to the playoffs.

2) The acquisition of Tim Connolly. For the first time in Phil Kessel’s tenure as a Maple Leaf he will have the opportunity to play with a play making center. Marc Savard, Connolly is not, but it is a vast improvement over Tyler Bozak (who would be hard pressed to be a 3rd line centreman on any other team). If the two can muster up some kind of chemistry it could be the factor that pushes them over the precipice.

3) The Defence Corps. This is arguably one of the top GROUPS of defenceman in the league. Anchored by Dion Phaneuf and shutdown defenceman Luke Schenn the leafs went out this off season and acquired power play specialist John-Michael Liles to relplace Tomas Kaberle. The group also has young puck moving defenceman in Carl Gunnarsson and the surprise of training camp Jake Gardiner. Mike Komisarek will occupy the final spot on the defence with new acquisiton Cody Franson watching from the press box.

4) The second line. Grabovski, Kulemin and MacArthur all had what appeared to be career years. If they can be as consistent as they were all of last season than it gives the Maple Leafs a second line that is as good as any other team in the NHL. The trio scored 80 goals last year and if that is any indication than big things are on their way this year.

5) Brian Burke. Now, I know what you are saying: “Just like a leaf fan… Counting on an overrated GM to help push them into the playoffs!”. Burke has shown in the past that he is unafraid to pull the trigger on a trade that he believes will put his team over the top. If the Leafs are in the hunt before the trade deadline then expect Burke to make that move that will help push them past the others in the final month.

I realize that all these things are huge IF’s, but this is the beauty of sports. Every year there is a dark horse, a team that comes out of nowhere that puts it all together and manages to make a run out of nowhere. Why can’t that be us? As Leaf fans we have paid our dues. It is our time to be that team… We have had our extreme misery.

"Health is not valued till sickness comes" - Thomas Fuller

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:14:00 -0400

I awoke in a cold sweat, laying on what felt like a swamp; my pillow completely saturated by my own drool. What the hell? I went to bed the previous night feeling completely fine. I awoke feeling like someone was stepping on my head. I was stuffed up and found out that I had acquired a nice cough to go along with it. Seriously? It has been 2 1/2 weeks of school and already I am sick? COME ON!

I rushed to the pharmacy and proceeded to spend $90 dollars on Cold f/x, Robitussin Night time, a bottle of vitamin C, a packet of Tylenol cold and flu daytime/night time, two boxes of Puffs Kleenex, a bag of Riccola cough drops, Neo-Citron and a bag of Skittles (just cause they are delicious). I returned home and spent the next 36 hours in a drug induced coma.

Now, I realize that getting sick is an inevitable evil; but seriously 2 1/2 weeks? Come on people! Cover your mouths, wash your hands! I mean if you are really that sick do everyone a favour and just stay home! No one wants to sit beside the person with the rudolph-red nose, the Kermit the frog voice (although that would be kinda cool), who is coughing like Snoop Dogg backstage.

I am aware that attending class is very important and neccessary for any kind of success, but do yourself and every one around you a favour and cuddle up on the couch with your favourite blanket, a box of kleenex and a bowl of chicken noodle soup; just lay there and watch re-runs of the Jersey Shore till you feel better. Your Profs will understand and your fellow students will appreciate it. I know I will.

"Be content to seem what you really are." - Marcus Aurelius

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:32:42 -0400

The lights are off in Nozhem, I am laying on my back and breathing deeply.

“You have just got off the elevator and you have reached a white room; in the middle of this room is a table. On that table is a red rose, on the other side of this table is a door. You walk through that door and walk into your special place.”

I am not going to lie. I questioned what the heck I was doing here. I had taken Intro to Indigenous Theatre (INDG. 2110Y) because well… I thought it would be easy. When I was picking my courses I thought why not have a class that would be easy. I mean, how taxing can a class based on performance really be? I thought I could just galavant through the 3 hour class once a week and be done with it. Wow, was I ever wrong. This course ended up being the most difficult course that I took last year. When I say difficult I don’t mean hard from an academia perspective. It challenged me in a whole different way.

I am very shy by nature (well, until I get to know you, then unfortunately I never shut-up). I spend more time listening than I do talking, I don’t dance, I don’t sing. When i’m forced to dance it looks like someone trying to escape a swarm of killer bees, when I sing it is often mistaken for a rendition of Rosanne Barr howling the American national anthem. As a result, I tend to keep that form of expression buried deep inside. Well, that is not an option in this course. You can’t hide in that class. It forces you to be comfortable with, well… yourself. This was something I struggled with, being comfortable in my own skin. I had trouble casting off the shackles of my own perceived self. I was my own worst enemy, little did I know how debilitating that was. How could I be the best possible me if I was burying pieces of myself? It took me almost the whole year but by the end of it I finally felt comfortable. Comfortable in my own skin, comfortable with what it was that I had to offer, regardless of whether they were strengths or weaknesses. It didn’t matter becasue it was me.

For me it gave me a space where I could create anything I wanted, a space where there was no judgment, it allowed me to be totally free, like a child with no preconceived notion of the burdens of the outside world. All that mattered was being, creating and living.

What I am getting at is that I highly recommend this course. I will never win an oscar, I’ll never perform on broadway but it changed me as a human being. I have taken what I learned in that class and applied it to not only my other courses at Trent but my life in general. I am a better person for having taken Intro to Indigenous Theatre and would hope that other people will walk to the edge of that cliff and jump. I promise all who take that leap will be pleasantly surprised where they land.

"Once more into the breach dear friends"- Shakespeare

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:54:21 -0400

<Inhale>. Where are my classes? How many people are going to be in my class? What is my prof going to be like? Am I going to recognize anyone? Do these jeans make my butt look big? So, begins another year of Trent and the usual anxiety that everyone feels (well, maybe not if your jeans fit properly).

Luckily, the first week of classes are over and I find myself a little more relaxed. I know where to go, I have met my fellow classmates, signed up for seminars, got my books, spoken with my profs and managed to see some familiar faces <and exhale>.

I came to Trent last year as a mature student. I had been out of school for a while (no need to get into exact times). Talk about being lost and nervous! Here was someone who’s only reading consisted of the sports section and who’s writing was limited to signing my name on the back of my paycheques. I was scared. What if i fail? What if I don’t fit in? What if I hate it? What if I am not smart enough? What if i’m so old that I can’t relate? What if…? What if…? Well, I got through it. No matter what problem i had there was always an outlet that had answers. Whether it was help with my essays, personal problems, or just questions in general. There is someone that can help you (yes, you). The best advice that I can give a new student is to ask. Their is someone that can answer it for you and if they dont have the answer they will find it for you. You are not alone! Here i am this year, one year down and three to go and no worse for the wear and if anything a better person for having done it. I had my ups and downs just like everyone I think does, but, that is part of the experience. If it was easy everyone would do it!

Fortunately, for me I have had two amazing people take a chance on me this year. They have given me this oppourtunity to create this thing that you are reading. A blog. I have never blogged before, I have barely written anything for that matter! However, I have been given this oppourtunity to be able to express, well… what ever I want! They have given me free rein to write. For that I am thankful. i have no idea what this is going to become, what form that this will take or the quality of work that I will be producing. Please, bare with me!