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| I guess I'm not the only person who felt like this about the HSR. Come on guys get it together. If an entire city is hating on you it's not a good sign. Hamiltonians are not happy with your service. This picture however made me HOWL! |
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Wednesday, 8 February 2012
HSR redux
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Self Assessment- Past, Present and Future
PAST
When I was a little girl I had the perfect family and what seemed like the perfect life. I was the oldest daughter in a family with four children. My sister was and still is my best friend and my brothers looked up to me. Of course in reality nothing is perfect and so fate stepped in and changed my entire life. My parents divorced when I was 10, we tried family counselling for a while but it didn't really help. The only good thing to come out of that was the counsellor telling me to write down my feelings, essentially to keep a diary. I had always been an avid reader but I think that was when I really discovered I had a love of writing as well. Looking back on old diaries now is hilarious. The things I thought were important, the life or death of every event in childhood, everything seemed so intense.
After the divorce my family struggled through a lot of hardships but we were always close and relied on one another to get through the tough times. I also found solace in friends. Some of my best friends today are the people I was best friends with when I was young. I was a very shy child so only those I was really close with saw my crazy side. Once we all became teenagers our interests shifted. I became very interested in music and have held that interest ever since. The place I felt most alive was at a concert. I always thought if I just had a little bit of musical talent I would/should have been a rock star.
When I was done high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I'd always pictured myself being successful but had no idea how to get there, or how hard it would be to make it happen. I was always interested in the arts but I didn't see a real future in it. I was no Picasso and I definitely was no Celine Dion. I just wasn't talented enough. The only thing left for me was writing, and luckily with writing the more you practice the better you can become. I loved writing but I was too afraid to apply to courses that might show me I wasn't good enough. I knew I needed a job that was more realistic.
I ended up just applying to a bunch of different programs that I thought I might be interested in. I was accepted into Legal Office Administration. After the first year I knew it wasn't for me, but I finished it anyways. I knew I needed to be able to use some creativity in whatever it was I would end up doing or I would be miserable.
My grandfather had always told me that I had a voice and that I should use it. He always encouraged me to do things that scared me. When I told him I was applying to journalism he was so happy and proud. I, of course, was terrified. I was still pretty shy and although I had a healthy interest in current events and had always done well in English at school, I really didn't know if I would be able to pull it off. I fell in love with it after my first week. That program changed my life. I went from a timid, fly on the wall to somebody who daily spoke to people I didn`t know and was constantly putting myself out there. I definitely noticed a change. If I got nothing else out of that course, that was enough. I am no longer deathly shy.
PRESENT
When I graduated from journalism I volunteered for a while at Cable 14 and also wrote some music reviews for View Magazine. There didn`t seem to be too many jobs for people just starting out, as I graduated at the height of the recession and a lot of media companies were laying off hundreds of employees. After a while I decided that I just had to work, so I found a full time job in retail and sort of became trapped in that. After almost four years I decided that this was not at all where I wanted to be.
A few friends from journalism had gone back to school for Public Relations and it sparked my curiosity. I had already gone to college twice, could I go back and would this time be different? School was never the issue for me. I was okay in school, I liked school. It was the real world, real life that is difficult. This time around I really just need to focus on getting that first job, gaining experience and getting my foot in the door, There's no excuses this time.
My family and friends were so supportive of my choice to return to school. They knew I was unhappy and they made my decision much easier. I would probably be living on the street if it wasn't for my mom. She has been there for me through everything and I just hope that when I'm done school (for the final time) that I will make her proud. Public Relations really is my last shot and I'm so glad that I decided to go for it.
I chose PR because it held a lot of promise. I had taken PR courses in journalism and enjoyed them. I also knew there would be a lot of writing involved. The fact that it was only a year long program appealed to me as well. I am anxious to get out in the real world and begin my career. After a lot of wrong turns and some bad choices I finally feel like I'm on the right path.
FUTURE
In one year I hope to have successfully found a junior PR job and will be working very hard to make a name for myself. Life has taught me a lot, especially determination.
In five years I would like to have some kind of standing wherever I am working. I should have learned the ropes and be fairly well established. I might even be thinking about starting a family...maybe.
In ten year it's hard to say what kind of doors will have opened or what paths I will end up going down. I do hope to be successful wherever I am. I will hopefully have made a name for myself in the PR world and done great work for my clients. Maybe I will have found time to work on personal, creative writing.
When I was a little girl I had the perfect family and what seemed like the perfect life. I was the oldest daughter in a family with four children. My sister was and still is my best friend and my brothers looked up to me. Of course in reality nothing is perfect and so fate stepped in and changed my entire life. My parents divorced when I was 10, we tried family counselling for a while but it didn't really help. The only good thing to come out of that was the counsellor telling me to write down my feelings, essentially to keep a diary. I had always been an avid reader but I think that was when I really discovered I had a love of writing as well. Looking back on old diaries now is hilarious. The things I thought were important, the life or death of every event in childhood, everything seemed so intense.
 |
| My sister and I at Easter. I'm the one in blue. My sister, Lindsay, is the one freaking out! |
After the divorce my family struggled through a lot of hardships but we were always close and relied on one another to get through the tough times. I also found solace in friends. Some of my best friends today are the people I was best friends with when I was young. I was a very shy child so only those I was really close with saw my crazy side. Once we all became teenagers our interests shifted. I became very interested in music and have held that interest ever since. The place I felt most alive was at a concert. I always thought if I just had a little bit of musical talent I would/should have been a rock star.
When I was done high school I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I'd always pictured myself being successful but had no idea how to get there, or how hard it would be to make it happen. I was always interested in the arts but I didn't see a real future in it. I was no Picasso and I definitely was no Celine Dion. I just wasn't talented enough. The only thing left for me was writing, and luckily with writing the more you practice the better you can become. I loved writing but I was too afraid to apply to courses that might show me I wasn't good enough. I knew I needed a job that was more realistic.
I ended up just applying to a bunch of different programs that I thought I might be interested in. I was accepted into Legal Office Administration. After the first year I knew it wasn't for me, but I finished it anyways. I knew I needed to be able to use some creativity in whatever it was I would end up doing or I would be miserable.
 |
| My sister, Lindsay. My best friend (since grade 3) Jolene and I at a formal in high school. Life was so easy then. |
My grandfather had always told me that I had a voice and that I should use it. He always encouraged me to do things that scared me. When I told him I was applying to journalism he was so happy and proud. I, of course, was terrified. I was still pretty shy and although I had a healthy interest in current events and had always done well in English at school, I really didn't know if I would be able to pull it off. I fell in love with it after my first week. That program changed my life. I went from a timid, fly on the wall to somebody who daily spoke to people I didn`t know and was constantly putting myself out there. I definitely noticed a change. If I got nothing else out of that course, that was enough. I am no longer deathly shy.
 |
| My grandpa and I at my Grade 8 graduation. He always encouraged my dreams. I wish he was still around. |
PRESENT
When I graduated from journalism I volunteered for a while at Cable 14 and also wrote some music reviews for View Magazine. There didn`t seem to be too many jobs for people just starting out, as I graduated at the height of the recession and a lot of media companies were laying off hundreds of employees. After a while I decided that I just had to work, so I found a full time job in retail and sort of became trapped in that. After almost four years I decided that this was not at all where I wanted to be.
A few friends from journalism had gone back to school for Public Relations and it sparked my curiosity. I had already gone to college twice, could I go back and would this time be different? School was never the issue for me. I was okay in school, I liked school. It was the real world, real life that is difficult. This time around I really just need to focus on getting that first job, gaining experience and getting my foot in the door, There's no excuses this time.
 |
| Class of 2008. Who would have guessed that only two people in this picture would end up in the journalism industry. |
My family and friends were so supportive of my choice to return to school. They knew I was unhappy and they made my decision much easier. I would probably be living on the street if it wasn't for my mom. She has been there for me through everything and I just hope that when I'm done school (for the final time) that I will make her proud. Public Relations really is my last shot and I'm so glad that I decided to go for it.
I chose PR because it held a lot of promise. I had taken PR courses in journalism and enjoyed them. I also knew there would be a lot of writing involved. The fact that it was only a year long program appealed to me as well. I am anxious to get out in the real world and begin my career. After a lot of wrong turns and some bad choices I finally feel like I'm on the right path.
FUTURE
In one year I hope to have successfully found a junior PR job and will be working very hard to make a name for myself. Life has taught me a lot, especially determination.
In five years I would like to have some kind of standing wherever I am working. I should have learned the ropes and be fairly well established. I might even be thinking about starting a family...maybe.
In ten year it's hard to say what kind of doors will have opened or what paths I will end up going down. I do hope to be successful wherever I am. I will hopefully have made a name for myself in the PR world and done great work for my clients. Maybe I will have found time to work on personal, creative writing.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
The Tree Of Life...or something like that...
There are very few places in Hamilton that really stir my soul. I rarely get that weak in the knees or gut reaction to a place. I guess the beauty of a steel city is not what I would consider...well...beautiful. There are of course its' hidden gems. From the waterfalls masked by beautiful woods to the liveliness of Gore Park to my favourite place of all time, the Mountain Brow.
I know. I know. It's so obvious. Everybody likes the brow. It's beautiful no matter what time of year, but I have a specific reason for it being my favourite place. It is because the park houses my all time favourite tree. You may not know this about me but I am a tree freak! I am just so drawn to them. I blame J.R.R Tolkien for making me believe that trees are more than just trees...but that they are alive ( I still believe this by the way). I have seen so many beautiful, ancient, wise, old trees but this one takes the cake. I can remember climbing its branches when I was little. I remember sitting in it and having deep life discussions with my friends in high school. I remember my dad taking me here and I remember making my family pose in this tree for family photos (family tree...get it?)
I feel safe in this tree and I feel like it's been there watching me while I grew up. I know that sounds crazy and I also know that that tree doesn't have thoughts...but what if it did? Would it know who I was. Would it know that it has been there for me through some bad times. Would it ask me to stop climbing it? Who knows, but these are things I like to think about. I know that that tree will still be around (hopefully) when I have children, and when my childrens' children have children. Trees are good like that. You can trust that they will never change (only for the seasons) and they will never leave. It's beautiful really.
I realize that this makes me sound like I'm massively sentimental about a tree...but I guess I kind of am. Somehow a piece of wood can create so many emotions. I love most trees but this one just speaks to me. I know it's not mine, it belongs to anybody who appreciates beauty in Hamilton, but I still call it mine, because for very short moments in my life it has been mine and I'm glad it will always be around when I need somewhere to go.
I know. I know. It's so obvious. Everybody likes the brow. It's beautiful no matter what time of year, but I have a specific reason for it being my favourite place. It is because the park houses my all time favourite tree. You may not know this about me but I am a tree freak! I am just so drawn to them. I blame J.R.R Tolkien for making me believe that trees are more than just trees...but that they are alive ( I still believe this by the way). I have seen so many beautiful, ancient, wise, old trees but this one takes the cake. I can remember climbing its branches when I was little. I remember sitting in it and having deep life discussions with my friends in high school. I remember my dad taking me here and I remember making my family pose in this tree for family photos (family tree...get it?)
I feel safe in this tree and I feel like it's been there watching me while I grew up. I know that sounds crazy and I also know that that tree doesn't have thoughts...but what if it did? Would it know who I was. Would it know that it has been there for me through some bad times. Would it ask me to stop climbing it? Who knows, but these are things I like to think about. I know that that tree will still be around (hopefully) when I have children, and when my childrens' children have children. Trees are good like that. You can trust that they will never change (only for the seasons) and they will never leave. It's beautiful really.
I realize that this makes me sound like I'm massively sentimental about a tree...but I guess I kind of am. Somehow a piece of wood can create so many emotions. I love most trees but this one just speaks to me. I know it's not mine, it belongs to anybody who appreciates beauty in Hamilton, but I still call it mine, because for very short moments in my life it has been mine and I'm glad it will always be around when I need somewhere to go.
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| My tree on December 26th, 2011. |
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| Me, sitting in my tree Dec 26, 2011 <3 |
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| My family tree in full bloom circa May 2010 |
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Laser Tag Is My Only Option? Really?!!?
Hamilton is a big city. Sometimes it is frustrating how for such a big city it has so little to offer. Not all the time. Mostly there's lots to do on any given day in Hamtown, but then I hear about something so amazing in another city that I get angry that we don't have it too!
Take for example my birthday party! There's not a lot of non-alcoholic adult party options around. I decided to make my friends go play laser tag and then go for sushi. It's going to be a lot of fun but....BUT...my friend just told me about this place in St. Catharines that would rocket laser tag out of the running!
http://www.4cats.com/stcatharines-parties!
Look at this place! AMAZING! Not only a party but you get a piece of art as well!! I'm so mad that I can't have my party there! We need more awesome places like this in Hamilton!
I guess for now I'll just have to murder everybody at laser tag!!
Take for example my birthday party! There's not a lot of non-alcoholic adult party options around. I decided to make my friends go play laser tag and then go for sushi. It's going to be a lot of fun but....BUT...my friend just told me about this place in St. Catharines that would rocket laser tag out of the running!
http://www.4cats.com/stcatharines-parties!
Look at this place! AMAZING! Not only a party but you get a piece of art as well!! I'm so mad that I can't have my party there! We need more awesome places like this in Hamilton!
I guess for now I'll just have to murder everybody at laser tag!!
I win! I win! You all LOSSSSEE!!!
Friday, 25 November 2011
Home is where the Hammer is.
You must be wondering why I compare Hamilton to all the places I've travelled? Mostly I just think it's interesting how distinct certain places can be. London has Big Ben, Paris has the Eiffel Tower. Hamilton has my life. To me Hamilton is home, as much as I may complain about certain aspects of it and even dream about taking off and travelling the world troubadour style, I know I will always come back here. I am literally nailed to the Hammer (okay not literally, but you get the point).
There may be things I don't like, stereotypes I wish I could break but there are so many wonderful things about my city as well. Things I wish I could share with other people. I hate when I meet people in other countries and they ask where I'm from and I say, "Hamilton". They have absolutely no idea where I'm talking about until I say, "oh it's near Toronto".
Hamilton is awesome on its own. We have a lot of talent, arts, culture and nature happening here. I mean we are the waterfall capital of the world (sigh). That's got to count for something right? Unfortunately most people sneer at our steel city but I think and hope that people will start to take notice of our citizens. Hamiltonians are awesome. I don't know if there's something in the water but in the past five years we've had at least four or five bands really break onto the Canadian and world music scene. People are bound to wonder what we have here that inspires all these artists.
I want to travel. I want to see new places, meet new people. Experience new and exciting things but I also always want to come back home. Come back to Hamilton.
There may be things I don't like, stereotypes I wish I could break but there are so many wonderful things about my city as well. Things I wish I could share with other people. I hate when I meet people in other countries and they ask where I'm from and I say, "Hamilton". They have absolutely no idea where I'm talking about until I say, "oh it's near Toronto".
Hamilton is awesome on its own. We have a lot of talent, arts, culture and nature happening here. I mean we are the waterfall capital of the world (sigh). That's got to count for something right? Unfortunately most people sneer at our steel city but I think and hope that people will start to take notice of our citizens. Hamiltonians are awesome. I don't know if there's something in the water but in the past five years we've had at least four or five bands really break onto the Canadian and world music scene. People are bound to wonder what we have here that inspires all these artists.
I want to travel. I want to see new places, meet new people. Experience new and exciting things but I also always want to come back home. Come back to Hamilton.
Arkells, a band that was born and bred with steel in their blood.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Holidays In The Hammer.
Just because it’s cold and blustery outside doesn’t mean that you should hide indoors for the whole winter. Hamilton has lots to offer to warm your hearts this holiday season. Whether you want to experience an old fashioned Christmas or you want to indulge in some modern art, Hamilton has it all!
If you like history you can harken back to days of yore by visiting Dundurn Castle for a Victorian Christmas. Decorated in the authentic way the castle may have looked for the MacNab family in 1855. Victorian Christmas runs from Saturday, November 26, 2011 to Saturday, December 31, 2011 (Closed Mondays).
For those folks who want to brave the outdoors you could visit Westfield Heritage Village every Saturday in December (except for Christmas Eve) from 5pm to 9pm for ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. It is a celebration of Christmas past and present. You can warm yourself with seasonal drinks and food while wandering around the historic village.
For the less traditional out there you can cozy up by the fire and listen to some Victorian ghost stories by candlelight. Haunted Hamilton presents An Old Man Young Christmas on December 18th at 8pm at The Parlour in the Historic Mansion at The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
If, like the Grinch none of these holiday events make your heart grow three sizes and you are on Christmas overload The Art Gallery of Hamilton is a good way to escape the hustle and bustle of the season. With local and world art that will help take your mind off the stress that the holidays can cause. Don’t miss the Masters of French Realism on until January 15th.
So as nice as it is to slip into your flannel PJs and hibernate on the couch in the winter don’t forget that there’s always something happening in Hamilton. For more winter activities and ideas visit http://www.tourismhamilton.com/.
If you like history you can harken back to days of yore by visiting Dundurn Castle for a Victorian Christmas. Decorated in the authentic way the castle may have looked for the MacNab family in 1855. Victorian Christmas runs from Saturday, November 26, 2011 to Saturday, December 31, 2011 (Closed Mondays).
For those folks who want to brave the outdoors you could visit Westfield Heritage Village every Saturday in December (except for Christmas Eve) from 5pm to 9pm for ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. It is a celebration of Christmas past and present. You can warm yourself with seasonal drinks and food while wandering around the historic village.
For the less traditional out there you can cozy up by the fire and listen to some Victorian ghost stories by candlelight. Haunted Hamilton presents An Old Man Young Christmas on December 18th at 8pm at The Parlour in the Historic Mansion at The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
If, like the Grinch none of these holiday events make your heart grow three sizes and you are on Christmas overload The Art Gallery of Hamilton is a good way to escape the hustle and bustle of the season. With local and world art that will help take your mind off the stress that the holidays can cause. Don’t miss the Masters of French Realism on until January 15th.
So as nice as it is to slip into your flannel PJs and hibernate on the couch in the winter don’t forget that there’s always something happening in Hamilton. For more winter activities and ideas visit http://www.tourismhamilton.com/.
Gore Park during the Holidays
(Photo by Kerry Wah)
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Canucks- How nice are we really?
Canadians are known for being nice. Everywhere I go people always guess that I’m Canadian, so I guess that means I’m nice too. The thing is that I’ve never really noticed it so much in my own hometown of Hamilton (which is located in nice old Canada). People here scowl at me on the street, rarely hold doors and just seem downright miserable most of the time. It might be because we have winter for about 9 out of 12 months a year, but considering Canada is known as the friendly country I rarely see any friendliness coming from my fellow Canucks.
In my travels I have met some amazing people! I have never encountered a rude person in my travels (save one bouncer in Paris). People in the Dominican Republic were so warm and friendly, I had great conversations with many Dominicans.
When I went to France I was nervous because I had only heard bad things about the people there. I had heard they were rude and that the men were sexist and all kinds of terrible things about the French. I was so pleasantly surprised when I got there. Most people that I came in contact with were very friendly and patient. I don’t speak great French but I thought I knew enough to get by. They would be patient while I tried to work out the French or they would try to help me, or if I got it right they would congratulate me. Thankfully I had a friend with me who went to French immersion school so she knew quite a bit of French so when I really didn’t know what to say I would let her go first and then just say “La même chose” which means basically “the same thing”. I would say after going to France I became very good at frenglish, which was my own version of French mingled with English.
Frenglish really came in handy when I went to Belgium as well. I went to a party while I was there and everybody spoke French. I ended up having an entire conversation about the Twilight books with one guy. He was so patient while he was talking to me.
Ireland was beautiful and the people there are also beautiful. The Irish are amazing! They really like to have a good time and they love including outsiders. We met up with some fun Irish people as well as some really amazing Welsh people (who I am still in contact with). They took us to some great bars and showed us some sights.
Some of the amazing people I met in France!
My Welsh friends in Ireland with a statue of James Joyce
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