So yes, it's been 2 years since I last wrote anything online, and I am trying to fix that. I actually have been writing into a notebook (with a pen and everything. How archaic! I know but I enjoy it) every thought and feeling I've been having for the past year or so. I am considering post dating all my entries onto here but I am still unsure.
The main reason for this post is because I need to say something about a few things that really upset me this evening that I just could not keep quiet on but do not feel needs to be posted on say Facebook or Twitter.
First off, I heard about a devasting incident that happened right here in the city I love. A man apparently dragged a woman and a child in a stroller with his car. Now I couldn't read the whole news piece because of other matters that came up but I am shocked. In the last couple of days the increase of vehicles running over or dragging people in and around the city has been deplorable. Especially when several of these incidents are hit and runs. But when a child is involved? An innocent child! How can someone be so cruel? I really hope something is done to stop this and that the people involved are caught and sent to jail. As for those people and children hurt by these callous or careless crimes, I hope they are alright.
Secondly, I understand everyone is entitled to their own opinion and is free to express that opinion in whatever format they feel like and to who ever they want to express it to. BUT I DO NOT understand or agree with attacking innocent children over the internet because you do not like their parents or agree with their parenting styles or choices. I believe there is a special spot in hell for people like you, and wish you much happiness there.
I cannot believe I once counted this person as a friend. I have not spoken to them in several years and never felt bad or regretted the friendship fading away because people grow apart. I honestly believed the powers that be brought us together to learn from each other and move on. But now that I think about it the only positive that came from that friendship was that I met the man who I have come to call my boyfriend and love of my life, my sister met and fell in love with her husband and they had my gorgeous nephew. Other than that she was nothing but trouble.
This latest incident is deplorable though. She all but names my nephew in a harsh and hurtful message, calling him names, saying he is doomed and should have never been born because he will never amount to anything because his parents and family are a bunch of redneck idiots. Saying that my sister, who is proud and loves my 8 month old nephew, should stop posting on pictures and videos documenting his life because he's not something to be proud of.
Well excuse me, but who made you the queen of Facebook?
I have a lot of friends who post about their children, (flesh and blood or the quadruped variety) because they are proud and love them, and want to share that with others. That is what the internet is about nowadays. Do I agree with this obsession to post every little thing? No. But I also don't make comments about someone else's happiness. I am happy that my friends are living fulfilling lives and are willing to share a bit of their happiness with others. And I don't think it is my place or business, or anyone else's for that matter, to tell them to stop posting or how to be a parent. I believe that if you do not have something nice to say don't say it. I also believe that if you do not like what a person posts on Facebook that you should unfriend that person and keep your comments to yourself.
As for me, I have unfriended that person and expressed my thoughts and feelings here. I don't know if that is hateful or harsh but it makes me feel better because I know I am not hurting anyone. Just expressing my intense hatred for people who attack innocent children for no other reason than they are unhappy people with no family of their own.
It's you who people should feel sorry for, not my nephew because he at least is surrounded by a large number family and friends who love him and will help him become a much better person than you are.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Mob Mentality Taking over the Streets of London
I was absolutely shocked to have discovered about the massive destruction and rioting happening for the last few days in London and the surrounding cities. And like many people who do not watch the news or keep up with current affairs everyday, I was taken for a loop when a few friends and celebs began tweeting and posting on facebook about the riots. So for some reason (maybe it's the fact that researching and commenting on current affairs is something I enjoy immensely) I feel as though it is important for me to write about what is happening. My hope is that more people will learn about what is happening, so that when the riots finally stop and the cities and citizens begin to pull their lives together, we as human beings will be able to pull together and help them in their time of need. Because a whole lot of cleaning, construction, medical care, and economic help will be needed when this is all over.
I've been doing some research (Okay, so I've been flipping through news reports I found on Google) and from what I've read, the riots started as an innocent protest against the fatal police shooting of a 29 year old father of four. According to what I've read, sub-machine gun toting officers from Scotland Yard's Operation Trident (apparently these guys are a special unit who deal mostly with the drug related gun crimes among the black communities) on last Thursday evening stopped a minicab carrying Mark Duggan. The exact events that happened leading up to the death of Duggan are a bit hazy, but the results are undeniable. Duggan was shot and killed by a single sub machine bullet to the chest and the unmarked gun (believed to be Duggan's) did not appear to have been fired.
So why was this man shot down without significant facts? Were there actual facts that are not being announced to the public? Or is this another terrible police shooting that will eventually be covered up so as to make the police look less responsible? No idea. But the response from the citizens of London and the surrounding areas is simply atrocious.
The fact that a simple protest, which should have been innocent and non violent, turned into a huge scale, multiple city, ultra violent affair. It started in Tottenham (where Duggan died) and has since spread to other areas of London (Croydon, Brixton, Enfield, Notting Hill, etc) as well as numerous other U.K. cities (Nottingham, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, etc). Now unless you've been to London and are actually aware of these cities and areas, you will not realize that these are not all luxurious areas. In fact, it seems as though the rioters are not being biased about where they attack. They are attacking well to do areas like Notting Hill, as well as the poorer sections.
There is actually a really great article about the riots from a generational viewpoint. You can read it here.
What happens in this kind of riot? Well like any good Montrealer knows, many businesses are going to be broken into, windows will be smashed, fires will be started, fights will be started and then police will be called and hopefully, (at least here in Mtl) some people end up in jail overnight but most go home and return to life as always. While for the most part this is true, but the last bit is unfortunately not. They're actually on their, what, fourth day of rioting and even though police have been able to calm things down a bit, I don't see it ending before the week comes to an end. And that is what is really sad here. Not only are innocent lives being damaged and some lost, businesses are left to rubble with the owners left to pick up the pieces, But the fact that the whole meaning behind the original protest has been officially lost. A father of four was shot and killed by police without being taken in for questioning or proving whether or not he is innocent or not. I read a report about the victim and how his friends and family saw him. And according to the report, Duggan was not involved in any mob activities, nor did he know anyone in a criminal organization. Then again, if Scotland Yard is stating that Duggan was connected via social media to several mob members, who knows what is true.
I just saw the numbers that are connected to the riot, and I am simply shocked! As of August 9th (so today) 5 UK cities had riots break out. 525 arrests happened, (the youngest person arrested was 11yrs old!) 99 people have been charged. 1 man has died (26 year old man was shot) and 14 civilians are reporting being injured (just reported! so that does not even take into account those who are not heading into the hospitals and are actually injured) and 44 police officers are reported to have been injured. The numbers also show the fact that on August 8th (Monday) 6,000 police officers were on duty in the rioting areas, and then on August 9th (Tuesday) that number grew to a total of 16,000 officers on duty. Another staggering increase in numbers over the last few days include the number of calls made to the London Fire Brigade (2,169 on Monday) and to the London Metropolitan Police Service (20,800 on Monday). [Check out the article I got these numbers from here]
Now when I was taking a psychology class in CEGEP, I learned about Mob Mentality, and I have to believe that it is one of the core reasons behind what is happening in London right now. If a group of people are doing something, whether it is good or bad, more people will join in to feel that sense of community. So, much like the riots in Montreal during the NHL playoff season, people are going to join in on the action if they see several people doing something. So let's say people start throwing trash cans into store windows and then looting that store. Well chances are good that other people are going to see this happen and then either join in on the looting of that store, or they will start in on another store. Now it may be true that you will find a few people who are able to maintain their full faculties and realize the fact that what is happening is wrong and will not join in, but the majority of people will join in regardless of their morals or ideals. Obviously the whole Monkey see Monkey do concept applies here as well.
I feel terribly sorry for everyone in London right now that are being effected, and hope that the police are able to get everything under control fast before the violence escalated any further.
What can we do? Honestly, I do not believe that there is much that we can do right at this moment in time. Unless you happen to live in the London area and are willing to help at a call center to help with the overflow of emergency calls that are being received, or work as a police officer or military officer and can help in that way. Or maybe you're a doctor or nurse and wish to help with the injured officers and civilians. However, when the rioting does end, I believe that any support the rest of us can send to London will be greatly appreciated. What do I mean? Well the civilians and business owners are going to need help cleaning up not only their streets but also their homes and businesses of all the trash and destruction that happened. This will mean that cleaning crews will be needed, as well as construction crews as well. The London hospitals might need help as well after all is over. And then again money might also be helpful because of all the repairs and cleaning that must be done afterwards. I do not believe, however I could be wrong, that the British government will pay for the damage done to the homes and businesses. And I do not believe that many insurance companies offer coverage for damages caused by riots. With the economy the way it is, the fact that these businesses are going to need cleanup, repairs and restocking, might just end up closing a lot of those businesses.
Until the time we are needed to help our neighbours from across the pond, the only thing we can do is show our support and pray that they come out of this dark time without further causalities and damage. We can also educate ourselves and our children so that the same thing does not happen in our towns and cities.
My thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of London in this their time of need.
Peace, Love and Happiness to all ♥
I've been doing some research (Okay, so I've been flipping through news reports I found on Google) and from what I've read, the riots started as an innocent protest against the fatal police shooting of a 29 year old father of four. According to what I've read, sub-machine gun toting officers from Scotland Yard's Operation Trident (apparently these guys are a special unit who deal mostly with the drug related gun crimes among the black communities) on last Thursday evening stopped a minicab carrying Mark Duggan. The exact events that happened leading up to the death of Duggan are a bit hazy, but the results are undeniable. Duggan was shot and killed by a single sub machine bullet to the chest and the unmarked gun (believed to be Duggan's) did not appear to have been fired.
So why was this man shot down without significant facts? Were there actual facts that are not being announced to the public? Or is this another terrible police shooting that will eventually be covered up so as to make the police look less responsible? No idea. But the response from the citizens of London and the surrounding areas is simply atrocious.
The fact that a simple protest, which should have been innocent and non violent, turned into a huge scale, multiple city, ultra violent affair. It started in Tottenham (where Duggan died) and has since spread to other areas of London (Croydon, Brixton, Enfield, Notting Hill, etc) as well as numerous other U.K. cities (Nottingham, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, etc). Now unless you've been to London and are actually aware of these cities and areas, you will not realize that these are not all luxurious areas. In fact, it seems as though the rioters are not being biased about where they attack. They are attacking well to do areas like Notting Hill, as well as the poorer sections.
There is actually a really great article about the riots from a generational viewpoint. You can read it here.
What happens in this kind of riot? Well like any good Montrealer knows, many businesses are going to be broken into, windows will be smashed, fires will be started, fights will be started and then police will be called and hopefully, (at least here in Mtl) some people end up in jail overnight but most go home and return to life as always. While for the most part this is true, but the last bit is unfortunately not. They're actually on their, what, fourth day of rioting and even though police have been able to calm things down a bit, I don't see it ending before the week comes to an end. And that is what is really sad here. Not only are innocent lives being damaged and some lost, businesses are left to rubble with the owners left to pick up the pieces, But the fact that the whole meaning behind the original protest has been officially lost. A father of four was shot and killed by police without being taken in for questioning or proving whether or not he is innocent or not. I read a report about the victim and how his friends and family saw him. And according to the report, Duggan was not involved in any mob activities, nor did he know anyone in a criminal organization. Then again, if Scotland Yard is stating that Duggan was connected via social media to several mob members, who knows what is true.
I just saw the numbers that are connected to the riot, and I am simply shocked! As of August 9th (so today) 5 UK cities had riots break out. 525 arrests happened, (the youngest person arrested was 11yrs old!) 99 people have been charged. 1 man has died (26 year old man was shot) and 14 civilians are reporting being injured (just reported! so that does not even take into account those who are not heading into the hospitals and are actually injured) and 44 police officers are reported to have been injured. The numbers also show the fact that on August 8th (Monday) 6,000 police officers were on duty in the rioting areas, and then on August 9th (Tuesday) that number grew to a total of 16,000 officers on duty. Another staggering increase in numbers over the last few days include the number of calls made to the London Fire Brigade (2,169 on Monday) and to the London Metropolitan Police Service (20,800 on Monday). [Check out the article I got these numbers from here]
Now when I was taking a psychology class in CEGEP, I learned about Mob Mentality, and I have to believe that it is one of the core reasons behind what is happening in London right now. If a group of people are doing something, whether it is good or bad, more people will join in to feel that sense of community. So, much like the riots in Montreal during the NHL playoff season, people are going to join in on the action if they see several people doing something. So let's say people start throwing trash cans into store windows and then looting that store. Well chances are good that other people are going to see this happen and then either join in on the looting of that store, or they will start in on another store. Now it may be true that you will find a few people who are able to maintain their full faculties and realize the fact that what is happening is wrong and will not join in, but the majority of people will join in regardless of their morals or ideals. Obviously the whole Monkey see Monkey do concept applies here as well.
I feel terribly sorry for everyone in London right now that are being effected, and hope that the police are able to get everything under control fast before the violence escalated any further.
What can we do? Honestly, I do not believe that there is much that we can do right at this moment in time. Unless you happen to live in the London area and are willing to help at a call center to help with the overflow of emergency calls that are being received, or work as a police officer or military officer and can help in that way. Or maybe you're a doctor or nurse and wish to help with the injured officers and civilians. However, when the rioting does end, I believe that any support the rest of us can send to London will be greatly appreciated. What do I mean? Well the civilians and business owners are going to need help cleaning up not only their streets but also their homes and businesses of all the trash and destruction that happened. This will mean that cleaning crews will be needed, as well as construction crews as well. The London hospitals might need help as well after all is over. And then again money might also be helpful because of all the repairs and cleaning that must be done afterwards. I do not believe, however I could be wrong, that the British government will pay for the damage done to the homes and businesses. And I do not believe that many insurance companies offer coverage for damages caused by riots. With the economy the way it is, the fact that these businesses are going to need cleanup, repairs and restocking, might just end up closing a lot of those businesses.
Until the time we are needed to help our neighbours from across the pond, the only thing we can do is show our support and pray that they come out of this dark time without further causalities and damage. We can also educate ourselves and our children so that the same thing does not happen in our towns and cities.
My thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of London in this their time of need.
Peace, Love and Happiness to all ♥
Monday, August 8, 2011
Now for Something a Little Different
It's Monday!
Okay, honestly, I am not as excited about the fact that today was Monday as an exclamation mark usually implies. Just think of that exclamation mark as if it is only a half exclamation mark. I'm happy that it's Monday because that means a new week has started and Dad's back at work and out of my hair. But I'm not happy that it is Monday because that means that it is the start of another week where I am jobless and still waiting to hear back from the companies that I applied to. Oh and I actually applied to a few more companies and positions, so fingers crossed that something actually pans out for me!
As promised, I've been considering trying a little something different from what I usually write about. Meaning that I'm actually going to stop moaning and groaning about the goings on in my life and focus on something else. And that, at least for me, means deciding on a Hunk of the Week. :)
For me, and for this week especially, that Hunk could be no one other than the incredibly hott Model, Actor, Producer, Philanthropist, and the 2011 Choice TV Actor in a Fantasy/Sci-Fi show at last night's Teen Choice Awards. Yup yup! I'm talking about none other than Louisiana native,
Ian Somerhalder!!!!
This man is simply amazing! I mean not only is he incredibly gorgeous to look at (well honestly, who merely looks at the man. It's more like he is incredibly gorgeous to stare and attempt not to drool at), but he is also a great actor, who has an almost magical way of drawing an audience in and making them care about a character even though said character might be incredibly devious and full of ulterior motives. He even makes being a brooding, dark, dangerous and emotional undead vampire seem even more compelling than they normally are. :) All in all, I have to say that this man, just with his acting abilities alone is an exceptional choice for my first choice of Hunk of the Week.
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| But it gets even better when he takes his shirt off :-P |
Not only is he a fantastic actor, but as a person he is even better! He is actually using his fame and celebrity status as a way to get people involved in helping those around them and the world around them. Not only was he one of the first actors to go down and help with the oil spill cleanup back in 2010. He also posted and filmed PSA's and was constantly tweeting and asking his fans and fellow human beings to get involved in any way, shape or form that they could.
This summer, some are deeming Ian Somerhalder as one of the busiest men in Hollywood. In addition to filming his role on the CW's hit tv show The Vampire Diaries (season 3 set to air onSeptember 15th at 8pm ET, followed by another L.J. Smith book series turned Drama The Secret Circle.) But he has also started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, (which is a conservation foundation whose mission is to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects in order to positively impact the planet and the creatures who inhabit it.), filmed a series for Planet Green's Blue August (A week-long series the explores the wonders of the ocean and aquatic life. Hosted on air and online by Ian Somerhalder, and premiering August 21st). He also spoke in front of Congress urging them to fund wildlife conservation, and he later urged his twitter followers to contact congress and express their own desires for wildlife conservation funding.
All this and he still somehow managed to lose to Justin Bieber as Choice Male Hottie, and R.Patz as Choice Vampire.....
Geez What is the world coming to if the current generation of Teens do not recognize Ian Somerhalder as the simply amazing and influential hottie that he is! :-D
Sneak Peak: I'm currently working on posting something tomorrow about the terrible riots currently happening in London and the surrounding areas. I was greatly troubled to hear about the riots, currently on their third day, especially since there are a lot of innocent bystanders being effected by these riots. My prayers and love goes out to them all!
Peace, Love and Happiness to all! ♥
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I should really stop watching reality television shows.
Everyone knows how squeamish I get around people who over react and are uber emotional for no good reason. Well apparently every single over emotional person on the planet has decided to sign up as competitors on reality tv shows this summer. Every reality tv show I seem to watch this summer (Food's Next Food Network Star, Fox's Hell's Kitchen, CBS's Big Brother, and Bravo's Top Chef - Just Desserts) seems to have a crier in the cast. And guess what? Surprise Surprise! Even after weeks of being on tv, the criers are still on the cast, even though they drive me INSANE!!!!!!
I guess it's true. The world doesn't revolve around me. Well at least the world of reality tv doesn't revolve around me.
Every single time someone on tv ends up crying I always remember the classic line from "A League of Their Own". The one Tom Hanks character says when, ummm Madonna's character I think, ends up crying every time he yells at her. "There's no crying in Baseball."
I've been changing that line, to fit my needs, and saying "There's no crying in Reality Tv". But now that I think about it, the original quote works so much better. Because I discover how come "There's no crying in baseball". It is because all the crying has been used up for Reality TV!!!
Oh. My. God.
I'm really tired. And honestly I think that I should just stop watching Reality Tv all together. I'd at least have less to complain about, that's for sure.
That's it for tonight I think. I'm watching Rookie Blue. Which I have to say is A-MAZ-ING!!!! And I am so happy that Andy finally realized how much of a major Ass-hat Luke is. I'm hoping that she opens her eyes even further and jumps (literally) onto Swarek.
Also, I'm thinking of starting something that a whole bunch of blog writers are doing. I know it's cliche, but I'm thinking of writing each Monday on a different hunk. I'm going to aim for one each Monday, but to be honest. I'll be totally happy if I end up with a different one for each month. :)
Peace, Love and Happiness to all :)
I guess it's true. The world doesn't revolve around me. Well at least the world of reality tv doesn't revolve around me.
Every single time someone on tv ends up crying I always remember the classic line from "A League of Their Own". The one Tom Hanks character says when, ummm Madonna's character I think, ends up crying every time he yells at her. "There's no crying in Baseball."
I've been changing that line, to fit my needs, and saying "There's no crying in Reality Tv". But now that I think about it, the original quote works so much better. Because I discover how come "There's no crying in baseball". It is because all the crying has been used up for Reality TV!!!
Oh. My. God.
I'm really tired. And honestly I think that I should just stop watching Reality Tv all together. I'd at least have less to complain about, that's for sure.
That's it for tonight I think. I'm watching Rookie Blue. Which I have to say is A-MAZ-ING!!!! And I am so happy that Andy finally realized how much of a major Ass-hat Luke is. I'm hoping that she opens her eyes even further and jumps (literally) onto Swarek.
Also, I'm thinking of starting something that a whole bunch of blog writers are doing. I know it's cliche, but I'm thinking of writing each Monday on a different hunk. I'm going to aim for one each Monday, but to be honest. I'll be totally happy if I end up with a different one for each month. :)
Peace, Love and Happiness to all :)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Just a quick update
Salut fellow Bloggers and Blog enthusiasts
I don't have much time to write tonight, but I just want to update everyone on the job hunt and degree front. So that is exactly what I'm going to do, and I promise that within the next few days I will definitely post some in-depth stuff on what's been going on within my head and some topics that have been bugging me. Let's say that you can look forward to some major discussions on current affairs as well some discussions on current reality tv going ons. Because we all know how much of a sucker I am for some good reality tv, and lately it's difficult to actually find some on.
Okay, so I've received a call back from one of the jobs I applied for, but I wasn't home so the human resource woman left a message with my father to have me call her back as soon as to discuss matters. This happened last Wednesday, July 27th. I called back within an hour (Dad had Manda call me right away and gave me the deets) and got the answering machine. Made sense because it was close to 5pm, so I left a message giving a phone number where she could reach me and awaited a call back. Next morning, Mom suggested I call again around 10:30, so I did and same stick. Answering machine, left a message, and wait. Friday I called back, but this time I forgo leaving a message, figuring that two is more than enough. Spent the weekend fretting over the whole ordeal, but tried to get it out of my mind and looked hopeful to the beginning of the week. Such a bad idea, because Monday equaled no word either, and no answer on her phone. That brings us to today. Same thing. But I left a message again, giving my number and stating the fact that I am looking forward to hearing back from her and detailing how and when she can reach me. I am really excited about this company and am really hoping she calls me back because this is exactly the kind of job I'm looking for. I don't want to go into details because I don't really want to chance jinxing anything but it's right up my alley. :)
Now as for my degree, I received an email from the school, stating that I could apply (late) for the November Graduation, that I have all the required credits. Only problem is I either have to drop my minor OR take another Classics course in the Fall semester. So I'm going downtown sometime in the next month or so, (need to make sure the Classics office is open) and request my minor to be dropped. I'm really sad about this, but am not feeling too down because of it. I loved having Classics courses and would adore to have it listed as my minor BUT I really can't afford to take another course and would much rather just drop my minor. Having it listed on my diploma does not really benefit me in the long run anyway especially since I just want to write for a living. I could always just bring up the fact in an interview that I have a strong background in Classics and am one credit away from having it as my minor. I'll have to ask if I can eventually take the course and have it added at a later time.
That's it for today. Night guys!
Peace, Love and Happiness to all!
I don't have much time to write tonight, but I just want to update everyone on the job hunt and degree front. So that is exactly what I'm going to do, and I promise that within the next few days I will definitely post some in-depth stuff on what's been going on within my head and some topics that have been bugging me. Let's say that you can look forward to some major discussions on current affairs as well some discussions on current reality tv going ons. Because we all know how much of a sucker I am for some good reality tv, and lately it's difficult to actually find some on.
Okay, so I've received a call back from one of the jobs I applied for, but I wasn't home so the human resource woman left a message with my father to have me call her back as soon as to discuss matters. This happened last Wednesday, July 27th. I called back within an hour (Dad had Manda call me right away and gave me the deets) and got the answering machine. Made sense because it was close to 5pm, so I left a message giving a phone number where she could reach me and awaited a call back. Next morning, Mom suggested I call again around 10:30, so I did and same stick. Answering machine, left a message, and wait. Friday I called back, but this time I forgo leaving a message, figuring that two is more than enough. Spent the weekend fretting over the whole ordeal, but tried to get it out of my mind and looked hopeful to the beginning of the week. Such a bad idea, because Monday equaled no word either, and no answer on her phone. That brings us to today. Same thing. But I left a message again, giving my number and stating the fact that I am looking forward to hearing back from her and detailing how and when she can reach me. I am really excited about this company and am really hoping she calls me back because this is exactly the kind of job I'm looking for. I don't want to go into details because I don't really want to chance jinxing anything but it's right up my alley. :)
Now as for my degree, I received an email from the school, stating that I could apply (late) for the November Graduation, that I have all the required credits. Only problem is I either have to drop my minor OR take another Classics course in the Fall semester. So I'm going downtown sometime in the next month or so, (need to make sure the Classics office is open) and request my minor to be dropped. I'm really sad about this, but am not feeling too down because of it. I loved having Classics courses and would adore to have it listed as my minor BUT I really can't afford to take another course and would much rather just drop my minor. Having it listed on my diploma does not really benefit me in the long run anyway especially since I just want to write for a living. I could always just bring up the fact in an interview that I have a strong background in Classics and am one credit away from having it as my minor. I'll have to ask if I can eventually take the course and have it added at a later time.
That's it for today. Night guys!
Peace, Love and Happiness to all!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Torturous Reality - Applying for Jobs
There comes a time in every person's life where they have to grab life by the horns and take charge of the way their life is headed. For many, especially for University Grads like myself, this means actually applying for jobs in their field of study. Then again for some, okay so maybe for most, there are no openings in their field and they are therefore forced to apply for basically anything. I am currently faced with having to go through this torturous activity and it is not only causing me to re-assess my life and career goals, it is also incredibly discouraging!
As you may or may not know, I have recently received all of my credits in order to receive my B.A in English Literature and Classical Civilizations from Concordia University, and am currently a few payments and reviewing processes away from receiving said degree. And for the past couple of weeks, okay so for the past couple of months, I have been in major denial over the whole thing and have been continuously postponing the whole job application process. This evening, however, I reached my boiling point and decided, with the help of my best friend, to write up my CV and start searching/applying for jobs online.
The process of creating a CV (a resume) is incredibly daunting. Especially for someone with literally no paying job experience! Instead I had to write about all of my volunteer work that I did on summer and Holiday breaks during College and University, and the work I did in the clubs during College. So basically my CV is incredibly short and consists of the fact that I am a hard worker, fast learner, semi-bilingual, and have volunteered as a Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant, Elementary School English Exam invigilator and correcter, helped Special Needs students with Video/Audio projects, and was a club secretary in charge of meeting minutes, membership, and event planning and organization. Oh and of course, as a Summer tutor in multiple subject.
So all in all, my CV basically screams the fact that I have been accomplishing nothing in terms of my career in writing and editing, and have in fact been helping my immediate world learn the read and write better English. Hopefully this fact is something that will interest my future employers because it is all the experience I have! I am so incredibly discouraged by how I've been living my life until now. I mean, I have no job experience that actually counts, and the list of references that I will supply upon demand should theoretically consist of the principal and teachers of the elementary school I volunteered at and the people I tutored during the summer. Well I have no idea how to get into contact with said teachers and principal anymore, since I strongly believe that they have either retired or changed schools. So no go there. And the people I tutored, were my cousins, and I was actually a stay at home Nanny and tutor. So that volunteer work was for my Aunt. Who I know would be willing to be a reference for me, but I mean she's my aunt, and does that really count?
The next process on this tumultuous ride was actually searching for an English Writing job in the Montreal Area. Anyone who knows Montreal, knows that, despite being a multicultural city, it is predominantly a French province with tons of job opportunities for those who are exceptionally fluent in French. I am, despite growing up in the Montreal area, am predominantly English with a moderate level of French knowledge. Basically what I mean is that I can read and understand written French with little problems, I can fumble my way through a French conversation, and with the help of a French dictionary or Translator I can write in French with little problems. But my abilities in French is NO WHERE near the kind of experience one needs to survive in the job world of Montreal.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been periodically scanning the job postings on several websites (Craigslist, Monster, Careerjet, Jobs Montreal etc) and have noticed that most of the jobs in my area are requiring their potential employees to be fluently bilingual and have prior experience. I have neither.
Luckily, this evening I found some great postings for experienced and semi experienced English writers in the Montreal area. And all I needed to do was to email in my CV along with some sample writing pieces for them to look at. Of course, being an avid writer and English Lit Major I had a tremendous difficulty finding suitable pieces to send in. (Mostly because I am probably my own worst critic, as well as the fact that the piece I am the most proud of is a work in progress that I hope to get published one day and don't really want others to see and potentially steal). But I was able to chose three or four pieces that I've written and am happy about and submitted 3 applications this evening.
YAY ME! lol
I am incredibly worried now. I have no idea if I will be getting a call back from any of these companies, and if they do call back what I'll do, what'll happen etc. And if they don't call back? What then?
O.M.G. I'm so nervous!!!!
Nope, scratch that whole thing. I am an incredibly positive person, and as such I strongly believe that they will all want to hire me because I am ultra fab and perfect for their companies. ;)
That, however, is not going to stop me from applying at more positions tomorrow and the days following until I have applied everywhere I possibly can and have officially accepted the job of my dreams! or at least the job that'll best help me pursue those dreams.
I think that's it for tonight. I basically just wanted to express how torturous the whole application and searching process is and how troubled I've become because of it. If you have any tips on how to make this process any easier on myself, or if you have any tips, advice or information about the Montreal job Market. I will really appreciate all the help I can get!
Peace, Love and Happiness to all!
As you may or may not know, I have recently received all of my credits in order to receive my B.A in English Literature and Classical Civilizations from Concordia University, and am currently a few payments and reviewing processes away from receiving said degree. And for the past couple of weeks, okay so for the past couple of months, I have been in major denial over the whole thing and have been continuously postponing the whole job application process. This evening, however, I reached my boiling point and decided, with the help of my best friend, to write up my CV and start searching/applying for jobs online.
The process of creating a CV (a resume) is incredibly daunting. Especially for someone with literally no paying job experience! Instead I had to write about all of my volunteer work that I did on summer and Holiday breaks during College and University, and the work I did in the clubs during College. So basically my CV is incredibly short and consists of the fact that I am a hard worker, fast learner, semi-bilingual, and have volunteered as a Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant, Elementary School English Exam invigilator and correcter, helped Special Needs students with Video/Audio projects, and was a club secretary in charge of meeting minutes, membership, and event planning and organization. Oh and of course, as a Summer tutor in multiple subject.
So all in all, my CV basically screams the fact that I have been accomplishing nothing in terms of my career in writing and editing, and have in fact been helping my immediate world learn the read and write better English. Hopefully this fact is something that will interest my future employers because it is all the experience I have! I am so incredibly discouraged by how I've been living my life until now. I mean, I have no job experience that actually counts, and the list of references that I will supply upon demand should theoretically consist of the principal and teachers of the elementary school I volunteered at and the people I tutored during the summer. Well I have no idea how to get into contact with said teachers and principal anymore, since I strongly believe that they have either retired or changed schools. So no go there. And the people I tutored, were my cousins, and I was actually a stay at home Nanny and tutor. So that volunteer work was for my Aunt. Who I know would be willing to be a reference for me, but I mean she's my aunt, and does that really count?
The next process on this tumultuous ride was actually searching for an English Writing job in the Montreal Area. Anyone who knows Montreal, knows that, despite being a multicultural city, it is predominantly a French province with tons of job opportunities for those who are exceptionally fluent in French. I am, despite growing up in the Montreal area, am predominantly English with a moderate level of French knowledge. Basically what I mean is that I can read and understand written French with little problems, I can fumble my way through a French conversation, and with the help of a French dictionary or Translator I can write in French with little problems. But my abilities in French is NO WHERE near the kind of experience one needs to survive in the job world of Montreal.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been periodically scanning the job postings on several websites (Craigslist, Monster, Careerjet, Jobs Montreal etc) and have noticed that most of the jobs in my area are requiring their potential employees to be fluently bilingual and have prior experience. I have neither.
Luckily, this evening I found some great postings for experienced and semi experienced English writers in the Montreal area. And all I needed to do was to email in my CV along with some sample writing pieces for them to look at. Of course, being an avid writer and English Lit Major I had a tremendous difficulty finding suitable pieces to send in. (Mostly because I am probably my own worst critic, as well as the fact that the piece I am the most proud of is a work in progress that I hope to get published one day and don't really want others to see and potentially steal). But I was able to chose three or four pieces that I've written and am happy about and submitted 3 applications this evening.
YAY ME! lol
I am incredibly worried now. I have no idea if I will be getting a call back from any of these companies, and if they do call back what I'll do, what'll happen etc. And if they don't call back? What then?
O.M.G. I'm so nervous!!!!
Nope, scratch that whole thing. I am an incredibly positive person, and as such I strongly believe that they will all want to hire me because I am ultra fab and perfect for their companies. ;)
That, however, is not going to stop me from applying at more positions tomorrow and the days following until I have applied everywhere I possibly can and have officially accepted the job of my dreams! or at least the job that'll best help me pursue those dreams.
I think that's it for tonight. I basically just wanted to express how torturous the whole application and searching process is and how troubled I've become because of it. If you have any tips on how to make this process any easier on myself, or if you have any tips, advice or information about the Montreal job Market. I will really appreciate all the help I can get!
Peace, Love and Happiness to all!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Important Things In Life
With so much negative energies floating around in the world today it is incredibly important to set aside those times when you just get it all out and forget about it all. Spend a few hours or even days, if you can spare the time, and just get out of your head and embrace the positive side of the world and, not to sound corny or too much like a Disney Movie, but ♫ Forget about your troubles and your strife ♫ lol
Tonight was one of those nights for me. I've been, obviously, so caught up on the negative side of things that tonight I welcomed the time out. My best Girlie called me up around 8pm tonight and asked if I wanted to chill with her and I thought, What a fantastic idea. I always have a great time with her. We usually spend the time discussing our favourite Romance novels, movies, television shows, or simply chat about life or how insane we both are. All in all Good times are had by all when we're together. Although a lot of our guy friends end up needing copious amounts of alcohol to deal with us together, because things tend to get really crazy!
So we decide to hit up the local DQ because we both are hot and dying for some ice cream. Okay, so I'm dying for some ice cream, and she (being lactose intolerant) is dying for some Rae time lol. Right so since my cell is on the fritz, we agree to meet up halfway between our houses and then walk to the DQ, which is right across the street from her place. Well an hour later, after showers and getting ready, she phones my place and tells me that her bf will be joining us and he's decided to drive and pick me up instead of walking. Cool with me because it's kinda dark out already and the Father is already starting to drive me nutzoid about me being a girl and walking outside alone after dark. As if we live in a bad neighbourhood or something. geez! lol anyway. So five minutes later I'm in the back of her car and on the way to DQ :)
During the ten minute drive I catch her up on all my drama, to which she delivers a huge "Told you so", which I gracefully accept. And then it's on to our normal discussions of books, tv, daily life etc. Get to DQ and I order a Large Xtreme Chocolate Blizzard with Reese Chunks added, two spoons and her bf gets a soft vanilla cone dipped in chocolate. We grab a booth and begin out two plus hours of just chillaxing, eating ice cream and talking about everything and anything.
I honestly cannot remember the last time when I have ever laughed so much or so hard in such a short time frame! I had a blast! and totally forgot about everything negative. Only positive vibes were getting through to us and it was incredibly fun! I really enjoy those times when you just kick back and bust a gut laughing about anything and everything. And one of the most important things to laugh about is......Yourself.
Tonight was one of those nights for me. I've been, obviously, so caught up on the negative side of things that tonight I welcomed the time out. My best Girlie called me up around 8pm tonight and asked if I wanted to chill with her and I thought, What a fantastic idea. I always have a great time with her. We usually spend the time discussing our favourite Romance novels, movies, television shows, or simply chat about life or how insane we both are. All in all Good times are had by all when we're together. Although a lot of our guy friends end up needing copious amounts of alcohol to deal with us together, because things tend to get really crazy!
So we decide to hit up the local DQ because we both are hot and dying for some ice cream. Okay, so I'm dying for some ice cream, and she (being lactose intolerant) is dying for some Rae time lol. Right so since my cell is on the fritz, we agree to meet up halfway between our houses and then walk to the DQ, which is right across the street from her place. Well an hour later, after showers and getting ready, she phones my place and tells me that her bf will be joining us and he's decided to drive and pick me up instead of walking. Cool with me because it's kinda dark out already and the Father is already starting to drive me nutzoid about me being a girl and walking outside alone after dark. As if we live in a bad neighbourhood or something. geez! lol anyway. So five minutes later I'm in the back of her car and on the way to DQ :)
During the ten minute drive I catch her up on all my drama, to which she delivers a huge "Told you so", which I gracefully accept. And then it's on to our normal discussions of books, tv, daily life etc. Get to DQ and I order a Large Xtreme Chocolate Blizzard with Reese Chunks added, two spoons and her bf gets a soft vanilla cone dipped in chocolate. We grab a booth and begin out two plus hours of just chillaxing, eating ice cream and talking about everything and anything.
I honestly cannot remember the last time when I have ever laughed so much or so hard in such a short time frame! I had a blast! and totally forgot about everything negative. Only positive vibes were getting through to us and it was incredibly fun! I really enjoy those times when you just kick back and bust a gut laughing about anything and everything. And one of the most important things to laugh about is......Yourself.
All three of us laughed so much about ourselves. Okay so maybe it was just laughing about me and her. (her bf is really kinda shy and quiet.... kinda weirds me out when people are quiet actually) But I realized another truth about myself that people don't really know unless they are close to me........
I cannot seem to breathe and think at the same time.......
HAHA.....
Incredibly funny right! But it is Sooooo True!!!!
When I'm really concentrating on something, I just stop breathing. I have no idea why but it really happens. And there are times when my brain completely just shuts off and I go completely blank, truly thinking of nothing at all except Inhale. Exhale. ...... Or Breathe In. Breathe Out. .............So embarrassing but I laughed so much because of this!
I truly believe that it is important to laugh about yourself and the stupid things you do or say because then it doesn't hurt so much when someone else does it to spite you. It won't hurt if you make a joke out of it. And that is totally what I did:
A blonde walks into the hairdresser with headphones on. She asks the woman working there for a haircut. The blonde sits down in the chair. The woman takes the blonde's headphones off and cuts her hair. At the end, the woman asks how she likes her hair but, to her surprise the blonde is dead! The woman picks up the headphones and listens. She hears: " Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out. "
lol The general consensus was that I am totally like that blonde! Well that and that I have a guy brain. I can either think of absolutely nothing at all. OR I can think of like fifty different things at the same time. And if someone were to ask me what I was thinking about Or What was on my mind, my response would have to be "Nothing " because it is just easier that way instead of explaining everything. Also if I were to respond with "a whole bunch of things " that would open up specific questions about what kind of things and that would just be too annoying to go through the list and answer it all... SO Nothing is a much better answer lol
Yeah so all in all a Tres fab night, Good times were had by all. And we're going to hang out again possibly on Sunday and most definitely next week! More than likely to laugh out loud tons about anything and everything!
Peace, Love and Happiness to All! And remember to smile and Laugh!
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