Toronto Days

I have been feeling a little strange lately. Yes, my life has changed a bit considering I moved from my suburban home in Kitchener to a place in "the City"  a.k.a. Toronto. Instead of rushing off for classes in the morning on the Grand River Transit, I've been taking a combination of buses and subways to get to my cubicle in the downtown office. When I come home, there is no smell of fresh bread or cookies. No murmur of Polish shows on TV. No questions about my day.

Hey, I'm not lonely. I have friends at work and regular girly dates out on the town. I've gone to movies, to cafes, to malls, to sushi bars. I joined the gym at the office. At home I cook, I tidy up my room, do the groceries, the laundry. No, I'm not bored.

The entire time though, I feel like I'm living someone else's life. The looks that I get on the street, on the subway, in the office. They are so cool and calculating, so judgmental. What are they thinking? A girl playing grown-up? Because truthfully, that's how I feel. A little girl wearing her mom's shoes and lipstick.

Will I grow into this role?

Exam Studying Techniques

Ssssooooo....

Writing a post probably isn't the best way to study for an exam but I figure that maybe I can help someone else out while dealing with personal weakness.

1) Make a study schedule:
 This is especially useful when you have exams close together and you have to study for a few courses at once.

2) Get off the computer:
 Some people can do study on their computers and do not get distracted but it is very difficult for me (point proven). If you have typed notes, print them out. I know that this seems like a waste of paper but it will keep you off facebook, skype, tumblr or whatever your weakness is.

3) Make study notes:
 Many people are kinetic learners, so writing notes out again, or better yet, condensing them, is the best way to study. Read your notes out loud if possible when writing down information so that you are better engaging the body.

4) Go over your study notes:
 So now you have all the main information in one place...where now? Elaborate it out! Annotate your notes, highlight them, sticky note them, whatever works for you!

5) Take short breaks:
 Go make some tea, go for a short walk, do some push ups, just get some blood flowing. Reward yourself for concentrated study with some time off. Watch an episode of your favorite show. Creep your crush on facebook. Whatever floats your boat.

I'm counting this as a "reward" believe it or not, people! Now back to work...:(

See you on the other side.

Christmas Gifting

Tomorrow is December 1st and kids (and some adults) will each the first chocolate from their chocolate advent calenders. The beginning of the last month of the year also means that Christmas season will begin in earnest and the invasion of the gift shopper will commence. Even the lazy guys that make their mothers buy them everything because they cannot stand shopping make their way to the mall to pick something for the most important lady in their life ( yes, still Mom).

I do not like malls much, and I like crowded ones even less but I know that there is no way to avoid them unless I buy every single gift online. The biggest issue though is WHAT rather than HOW. The worst are guys, they are impossible to get anything for. Brothers, Fathers, guy friends, boyfriends, cousins etc. I am plumb out of ideas.

Help?

Co-op decisions...

 I'm enrolled in a co-op program at my university and after completing second year, I spend every other term in school or at work somewhere. I spent last summer working at a nuclear facility as the Emergency Preparedness Assistant and loved it! The only problem is that it was in the middle of no where. Tiny town of 4000 people and no public transportation. What they DO have is bears, wolves, and intense snowfall. As exciting as it would be to experience a "real" Canadian winter, I do not have a car and I'm not sure if I will be comfortable with being 7 hours away from family and friends with no way to visit.

So now I received an offer to work in Ottawa for a placement that is not exactly related to my future goals, or work in Toronto doing a job that seems more applicable...

So since yesterday I am officially moving to Toronto in January to work a very bureaucratic job that is exactly in downtown. I should be ecstatic but to be honest, I am a little nervous. The work environment seems very strict and cold and the job will involve very little "hands-on" projects. And life in Toronto...I'm not sure that T.O. and I will get along. I just spent 4 months in a tiny community in northern Ontario and now I am to move to the biggest city in Canada?

I feel like such a country mouse.

Thanksgiving Memories

I know that Thanksgiving was 2 weeks ago ( well here in Canada it was), but I thought that I would share some of the recipes that Stef and I used to make our Thanksgiving meal truly perfect. Our parents were away for the weekend and came back Monday afternoon to a beautifully prepared Turkey Dinner. We made candles out of miniature pumpkins that we bought the day before and had colour co-ordinated napkins and table menus. Unfortunately all the pictures look strange because of a failure on the side of the photographer ( Stef).

We started off with an appetizer of bread and crackers with a homemade spinach dip that I was afraid that my mom would not even try but ended up loving.

For the main part of the meal, we had turkey (duhhh...) with stuffing and cranberry sauce with a side of butternut squash. This made for a very colourful plate and everything was truly delicious and super healthy.

We followed that up with still warm apple crisp topped with butterscotch ice cream, sprinkled with walnuts and  drizzled with caramel sauce. Orgasmic.

So now for some recipes:

Zuza's Butternut squash

You will need:
-a butternut squash
-2 tablespoons of butter
-2 garlic cloves
-a teaspoon brown sugar
-salt

As you will probably notice, your squash has a hard rind and let me tell you, you don't want to eat it. Therefore,  we will boil said squash until the skin is easily penetrable with a fork. Now that the skin is soft, peel it off the squash and cut the squash in half. Take out all the seeds and gunk in the middle. Cut the squash into big chunks and put in a baking dish. Mince the garlic and spread it on top along with the chunks of butter and sprinkle the sugar and some salt. Put it in the oven for 25 minutes at 325 Celsius. When the squash is ready it should be soft.

ENJOY!

A Polish Sunday with my Family

8:00- Mom rolls over in bed and turns on the Polish community radio show
8:30- Whoever needs a shower contemplates getting up now or waiting until other goes. " My hair needs to dry, but it's so warm here, uh oh, I think Tata is going for it!!....wait, false alarm that's him going out to walk the dog. But I should get up..." etc. etc.
9:00- Anyone that is either a) really hungry b) wants to suck up to the parents, starts making breakfast which usually constitutes of just setting out all the ingredients for, wait for it......KANAPKI (sandwiches, which in Polish families constitutes 50% of meals). So the table is covered with jars of jam, tubs of *Polish* cream cheese, packages of fresh deli slices bought at the *Polish* stand at the farmer's market, and bread that my dad made himself (new obsession). Mama has been feeling unlike herself lately and the occasional plate of french toast or eggs has found its way to the table.
9:30- Everyone finally make their way to the kitchen table and gorge themselves. When everyone is stuffed Mama brings some cake out and everyone enjoys that with a cup of lemon tea.
10:15- The rush for the bathroom round II starts because:
                    a) There are 4 girls in this family
                    b) There are only 2 bathrooms
                    c) This is the one day a week my Dad shaves
                    d) Polish people at church judge, therefore you must have impeccable hair and makeup
10:15-10:50- Everyone is getting ready to look their Sunday best. If you don't, Mama will make you change. You cannot look:
                   a) frumpy
                   b) skanky
                   c) casual
                   d)  too trendy
                   e) poor
                   f) scandalous
                   g) be wearing any type of denim
10:50- The shoe issue.
10:55- Everyone piles into the mini-van where Mama quickly turns the radio to the Polish station. "What if we miss something important?!"
11:10- We are at the Polish Church way too early, but I guess it takes a while to walk from the parking lot in these heels and "a little time to prepare never hurt anyone"
11:30- Mass starts. All the Polish ladies make sure to register exactly who is and isn't there. Who trickles in late, who leaves during the Mass.
12:15- The line to Holy Communion becomes a catwalk where everyone evaluates and judges the outfit, size, hair colour and shoes of the devotee. And woe on whoever doesn't get up to go receive Communion, everyone is thinking of all the horrible things you must of done to bring your soul to such a state.
12:30- Mass end and everyone groups up to talk, gossip, and make coffee dates.
1:00- The family finally gets in the car and drives home.
3:00- Early dinner that everyone MUST be present at.
3:45- The cake is gone and the cups that were filled with coffee are empty,
4:00- "Is there a new episode of _________________( insert name of Polish show)?" "yes, I think so!" They invade the basement to watch their fill of tv on full volume so that I cannot focus on the homework I have been attempting to do.

Pros and Cons of Student Life at Home

This is my 3rd year of university and I have spent every school term at home ( and every off-term as far away as possible). My sister is applying to universities for next year and is making up every excuse to flee the family nest. Apparently I look so miserable all the time, it makes her want to shoot herself...

There are some pros and many cons to living at home when studying at uni and keep in mind that they all also depend on your family and you yourself.

Pros (include and are limited to):
-You save some SERIOUS CASH! The bill for your education will be literally halved if you live at home and do not have to pay for rent and groceries.
-You get ready made meals. This is not really true for me but it is for many of my friends that live at home. What I am glad to have though, is a fridge full of a variety of foods and I do not have to worry about how much it costs or how long I can leave it in the fridge for.
-You know where everything is in town. The best bars, the hipster restaurants, the cheapest grocery stores, the bus terminal etc. I mean who wouldn't be lucky to be friends with you when you are practically an expert on this place!
-You probably already have a bigger group of friends than your out-of-town counterparts.
-Use of family vehicle for travel
-clean bathrooms

Cons (include and are NOT limited to):
-Parents and their rules. I know you are older, but you still live under their roof...
-It is more difficult to make new lasting friendships. You meet a lot of people in your classes and if you are not shy you will have no issues sparking up a conversation. If you are shy, living in residence or with new friends you are forced to get out of your shell and be sociable.
-You are probably further away from the university which means that you will not be coming home between classes. Therefore you live at school. * tip: find a lounge with couches and a cheap coffee place.
-It is loud. I have 2 younger siblings that don't understand that I need perfect peace to understand the theory of communicative rationality.
-Group.Projects. I don't know what you want to get into, but in my program (Planning), there are A LOT of group projects. This means long and unconventional hours. Which means you missing dinner. And the last bus. And being stranded because you do not live in the student neighborhoods/on campus.
- People never come over because it is weird for them.
-You never go over anywhere because it is weird for your parents that you are never home and they are hurt and think you are ignoring them.
-Your friends think that you are ignoring them but you simply have no time because you are either 1) at home 2)going home 3)doing work 4)working a part-time job.
-You do not have a chance to clean your slate. Chances are that many of your high school friends are in the same boat as you and labels tend to stick...

If I had to chose again, would I chose differently? Better question. If I chose differently, would I be someone else?