Winter Greetings

Last weekend, on a Sunday morning, I woke up to a land of snow and mighty was I excited. I have held my bets that it would not snow until December and I was right. I just wanted it to snow when the season starts so it’d feel perfect that way.

I also had other exciting things planned to commemorate the start of December, such as wearing my down jackets as I made a vow to not wear them until then, and I laying out my rugs. I absolutely love my room now, it is pretty and cozy!! It would be nice to have a quilt that matches with the color scheme, but oh well it still is beautiful to my eyes

So wherever you are, I wish you a happy, warm and safe winter; one filled with hot chocolates, snuggles and delicious food.

Remember the view of fall from my window, well here is view of winter from my window

That’s the park I walk through on my way home from school.

But that wasn’t it for me. Yesterday on my way back home from school it was snowing plenty, big nice snowy flakes. I tell you there isn’t a greater feeling than walking while it is snowing. If you are wondering how you can put a smile on your face while walking then that is just it. The feeling is wonderful, I haven’t felt that excited in quite a while. Snow is so much fun, whenever you please and have the urge, you can dig into the ground for a handful of snow and play around.

Campus

look at how excited I am!

These are pictures of my walk back home from school. aahh, where is the side walk?

Pine trees look the best with the snow resting just perfectly on them.

You can finally see me with the winter clothing my loving mum got me, she knows just what I need. While I am out I am thankful every single time. So here is one the jackets she got me, along with boots and the gloves, they are the best! I couldn’t have enjoyed the snow without them. I love you mum!

And to be in accordance with the season, I have changed the look on the blog, it is of a picture I have taken, I hope you like it too. I tried my best to choose the best picture keeping it simple and not too crowded.

Some more pictures of the first snow fall! Enjoy

Land of Snow VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

York in the World presentation

Last month I got an email from York International, telling me about a new activity they are planning to launch for which they would like volunteers, someone with an international experience, the purpose of the presentations is to remind our students and let them know of the opportunities and options they have as York students through the York International office i.e. exchange programs, International internships, summer study abroad program, Emerging Global Leaders Program, buddy program and Letter of Recognition (International). However, the main element of going in there is for us to inspire the students by telling them about our experience in any of above mentioned and how significant it was. So last Wednesday, was another busy day for me; between classes and an information session I attended, I gave two presentations about York International, and I really enjoyed doing it. However, when I read the email from York International I felt mostly proud of the staff that is behind this idea and taking the initiative. It particularly reminded me of the time I wanted to go on exchange or do an internship and how limited my choices and resources of help from university were. I still remember having Gawish run around campus with me, from the main building to the engineering and back to the main building, because I was trying to get someone to talk to and figure things out. Thankfully, it all worked out well and I ended up going to Iowa and it was quite the experience. Of course, thanks to Professor Isaac, who set up information session and put up posters about going on exchange, out of his own initiative and lucky I was to be able to find him. I was especially shocked and frustrated with the fact the person who was in charge of the exchange programs did not know that the "exchange agreement" we had only worked one way, students from abroad came through but we didn't. That same semester, as I was communicating with professor Pernille,(a professor whom I whole heartedly respect and admire and need to email) about my endeavor in the going on exchange affair, hearing about my ordeal she asked me to print the email and send it to her husband who just then started a new position at the main building, in charge of academic programs. Earlier this year, as I was looking through the AUS website I got a nice surprise to see a link to the exchange programs and agreements that AUS has established and an International Exchange office as well :)

However, the email from York International was a like a déjà vu as upon my return from that summer in Iowa, Professor Pernille and I had a long fun and fulfilling chat about how everything went that summer; the experience, people, classes, culture and incidents. At the end of it she suggested that I set sessions or a talk for students telling them about my experience and the importance going on exchange adds not only to academic education but life skills. It was a great idea; I am passionate about helping others and particularly students, just making them have faith in themselves and be confident in challenging themselves, trusting that they will be up for it. However, unfortunately at the time, there wasn’t a way I could do that.

So, last week 2 years after that conversation I was able to give a presentation with the same objective, right here in Canada but as a York student. Of course it wasn't like a presentation that I would be giving in AUS to a class of 25 students; I gave it in a lecture hall that holds 100 some students and through a microphone. I will not tell you that I didn’t get a tad nervous when I saw the class I was getting into. The professor was extremely nice and friendly and excited about what I had come to tell the students. I think the most interesting part was having students ask questions and seeing the excitement in some of their faces, some came up to me by the door as I was leaving telling me about what their specific cases and what they had in mind, unfortunately I couldn’t answer all their questions as I was not to take up time from their class. I did leave them with York International fliers and bookmarks that had the office’s website, address and information. My second presentation was also to a big class, but of course by the second one I felt better prepared. However, I tell you, it is difficult having that many people looking right at you, I just didn't know where to look :p I wonder if professors get trained for giving lectures to a big audience.

I notice that I ended up giving you what looks like memo here and would better get going. Please share your thoughts and experiences, I like to know what you have in mind and you have been up to!

Closer than Skype could ever get :)

Mum, dad and Bibo came for a quick visit last Sunday and it was great. I've been wanting to show them my place and campus, forever and as sudden as their visit was, it worked out perfectly. I actually got to hang out with them for a couple of hours, they would have stayed longer, but Bibo had school the next day and so did I :p

and no matter how old you get, it is still so sweet when your mum loves caring for you. I was overwhelmed with how many things I got :D Of course I was supplied with winter clothing, which I will show you later AND food. The middle-eastern food that I have been craving. I am stocked up, it is such a nice feeling.

They liked my apartment and like old times, when we were all living together, the first thing my mum and dad suggested was to sit outside, talk and have some coffee. The neighbors across the street do that everyday, and looking at them just makes me nostalgic yet puts a smile on my face. I do miss living with my mum, sister and brother. Even if we're all busy, there is still someone close to talk/hang out with and be there for.

Hopefully my mum will be coming next time to visit me :)

My new home

I did tell you that I found an amazing place to stay off-campus and knowing how anxious you all are to see my place…(I like thinking that you are) here it is.

The white door is the entrance
to my place and the apartment
is right above the basement;
you can see Crystal's room from
this side, my window faces the garage.


Colours are not so coordinated, but will be soon. I love my room; it has LOTS of light opposed to the dorm room. I have attempted to clean my windows to the best of my ability :p

This is my plant in its perfect spot. I love it...it is beautiful and it had pretty purple flowers when I first got it. I guess they will bloom again next summer. It also has unique leaves; they are purple on the back.

Living room

The kitchen is my next favorite thing about the apartment after my room.

To the left is my room, Anne's is right in front and the bathroom is on the right, between the two walls. The door to the right of Anne's room is just storage space, mainly cleaning supplies.

Door to the apartment on the right. Storage/coat hanger closet on the left and Crystal's room in front.

What makes my place even more so great you ask??..There is a park close by, a community centre, my bank, the library, supermarket and Yonge street. It is 15mins walk to the subway station, 20mins by bus to campus (given that the bus is on time) and a 12mins bike ride to campus.

When I first moved in Crystal and Alicia were in the other 2 rooms. Amazing and fun girls. Then Alicia moved out and Anne moved in, and it was the three of us for a while. Currently Crystal moved out and it is Anne and I and we’ll be having Anne’s friend joining us for the month of August. And it is an international home; Alicia is French, Anne is Korean, Crystal is Canadian and our one month roommate is Japanese.

However, I also did promise some people to show them pictures of my Rez room and how their gifts helped make that room of mine a home for 8 months.

The papyrus is from Zol and the stone craving from Malik, they got them on their trip to Egypt summer 2008. The drawing below is by Malik, he drew it for me before I left for Canada. It was difficult finding frames for their actual sizes in Ikea, however these worked out fine, I just made the inner frames.

The placard here is from Malik, from his trip to the U.S., summer 2007 :)

I am planning to hang everything up in my new room, but I'm still trying to decide on where exactly they should go.