My unofficial anti-graduation photo courtesy of Cry School Yearbook: I often think of a quote I came across by Pico Iyer in Room Magazine that began with "we travel most when we stumble." The writer expanded on the phrase, saying…
1, 2, 3, 4. My four-person seminar class
My favourite class this semester has been the severely underpopulated one. There are four students and one professor, so it's actually a five-person class but four sounds so much more impressive like The Beatles, or ABBA, or ABS 496! And…
Note to Self: Why I Don’t Mind Sharing My Notes
"Hi there. I've been away the last couple of classes. I was wondering, can you send me your notes?" We've all been there (if we've been regular attendees at school). You know who I'm talking about (maybe you are the…
Undergraduate Research Grant Advice
Last semester, a group of students fell in love with the English seminar course "Cook the Books". If you're a regular reader, you might remember me blogging about some memorable class adventures and mishaps. We were so enthusiastic and passionate…
Academic Idol: Taiaiake Alfred
It's not often that I turn into a super fan and become tongue-tied but that happened when Kahnawake Mohawk scholar Taiaiake Alfred came to U of T. My professor, Cheryl Suzack, with the help and support of the Aboriginal Studies…
I Belize in Student Exchanges
Dear lifeatuoft readers (I still feel like I'm writing postcards), Over Reading Week, I had the opportunity to participate in a Human Biology and Aboriginal Studies student exchange in Belize; ten students coming from different interests and fields of study,…
Am I the Indian You Had In Mind?
At least twice a year, I reread Thomas King's The Truth About Stories, which is an academic staple for students in my field, Aboriginal Studies. I've noticed every year, students tend to reference and gravitate towards the story "I'm Not…
Celebrating Aboriginal Awareness Week and the Indigenous Writers Gathering at U of T
One of my favourite times of the school year is Aboriginal Awareness Week. It sort of feels like a holiday soiree happening between classes, when surprises, feasts and fun are around every corner at First Nations House. On Tuesday, I…
Double Double: Why two professors are better than one
This year, something amazing has happened in three of my courses. My teachers have multiplied, meaning, I've had a number of classes with co-professors/instructors. Yes, two for the price of one. This seems highly unusual and has never happened to…
To be sick, or not to be sick, that is the question
Last week, I was sick. Upon coming home from school, I walked to my bed and passed out. Physically-deficient and mentally-drained, my poor health was legitimized by a doctor's note saying that I would not be back until this week.…