All Good Things Come to an End

We all know that all good things come to an end. It is not always bad though. Change is a good thing. If nothing ever changed wouldn't life be really boring? No one wants the same job for the rest of their lives and no one wants to listen to the same style of music. Change allows us to grow and become better individuals.

On the topic of change I do have to announce some temporary sad news. I will no longer be keeping this site since I am moving to another domain. It has been fun updating you all on my travels across the pond but it is time to say goodbye for now but not forever.

If you still want to follow me you can read my new blog at www.hintonartculture.wordpress.com. There you can read my latest update/reflection on a piece of art or a review on an art book that I have read. From there I hope to be a well known art critique for an art magazine or newspaper and when I do I can look back on this wonderful journey I had with you all.

Thank you for the ride. It was fun.

S.R.H.

Have a Break; Have a Mental Health Day

As the fall term comes to an end and students are slowly gearing up for exams I took time this morning to think about how to manage stress levels during a stressful time like this. It is important to work as hard as one can but it is also important to make sure your mental state is in check. Coming from personal experience I have experienced what happens when your don't look after your mental self.

This morning I listened to a song written by one of my favourite artist Shakey Graves who wrote Bully's Lament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gc8J3FM_MI (Click the link. It's good music.)

I came across this song over facebook and I have a love for Shakey Graves ever since two summers ago when I went tree planting. My crew boss has a beautiful music library and played him while we were driving around northern ontario and it made the land that much more beautiful and free. I created a connected with Shakey Graves with my summer and I listen to him whenever I am stressed out and it calms me down.  He makes me think about the importance of happiness and feeling free even when stress levels are off the charts. He reminds me about the importance of mental health and finding ways to manage stress in order for personal success later on.

Mental health is an issue we should be aware of and as a university student post secondary education can get very stressful. It is really easy to overwork yourself until you come to a point where it is all too much. As exam season comes closer and closer make sure you take the time to take a break from your work and smell the roses.

The Do's and Don'ts of Political Behaviour

We are now aware Canada had a federal election around two weeks ago. The results came to an end as the CBC announced that Canada has a liberal majority government. Canadians including myself are all excited for what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has in store for our country and while most of us are on the edge of our seats there are some people that are not too impressed with the results. That is completely fine because as a country with a democratic political system citizens have the freedom to have different political morals but with being said I have noticed the bashing of our new prime minister in a poor matter in terms of how they are stating their view point. What I have noticed is the act of Canadian citizens attacking Mr Trudeau as a person and not basing their argument on the liberal parties mandate. I find this astonishing because this style of debate is an example of poor argumentative skills. To have a sound and valid argument is to have this formula:

This formula is called Modus ponens. In logic it is a formula that creates valid, simple argument form or rule of inference. How this is related to what some opposing citizens are saying is their 'argument' does not follow this formula thus, their argument is not sound. What they are actually using is a fallacy called the straw man fallacy. They are using the opposing political views, comparing to the liberal parties mandate and using it to attack Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a person and not towards liberal party mandate. They are bashing Mr. Trudeau on behalf that he is going to do a poor job running the country because he supports views/ideals that are not equal to the opposition. An example would be the legalization and regulation of marijuana. How they use this to attack him as a person is they found out his past work experience and the degree he received in post secondary school and combine all three to form an argument. They think that base on this ground he will perform poorly as a prime minister of Canada which in my personal opinion is not a solid argument. I can understand why people would think that he would not perform as well because having prior experience related to his new role would have a better outcome. What is I find unprofessional about this form of argument is Mr Trudeau has not have a chance to act as a Prime Minister of Canada. His views are very new and scary to some citizens but give him a chance to get comfortable in this new power position. I am not saying that the political morals of the opposition because I find no wrong in having different views politically. What I am proposing instead is the idea of having an open mind which is something that we all need to work on.

Having an open mind is a powerful skill to possess because it allows for the freedom to think freely and discuss various topics with the opposition in a civilized manor. It allows the prevention of possible racist comments towards minorities and/or majorities of any race, colour and gender. It allows for the prevention of oppression to happen within communities and it allows for the prevention of the act of positionally and bias to take place nationally and globally. In order for the country of Canada to develop on good grounds is to allow for our new prime minister to perform successfully as a representative of the liberal party and Canada is for us Canadians to not simply attack him as a person but to raise questions that we believe should be heard all under the umbrella of an open mind.

Playing and Planting

Last year was the year I went to England to study abroad where I met wonderful new friends, learned a lot about a new country and its culture. After I got back I went straight into the woods of tree planting with HRI and man, that was one hell of a a job. It was an experience I have never experienced in my life. Tree planting is a really hard job but once you get over the mental block it starts to become really fun where instead of work it starts to be more like playing in the woods. I really enjoyed myself because I learned a lot about my self and understood the lessons my mom was trying to teach me as I was growing up. I learned how to push my self to the limits even when my mind was yelling at me to stop. I learned how much fun it is to be in the woods and not have a phone that dings, pings, and rings all the time. Being in nature for three months of the year is really insightful and a great eye opener to the natural beauty of our world. We turn our attention to our 'brain melting' blocks of metal we call phones so we miss all the action happening right under our noses. After those three months of planting trees in Northern Ontario and Alberta I am going back to the the exact same thing. I am crazy to do it again but even though it will be hard physically and mentally I do miss it the crazy adventures and the Alberta Mountains. 

I used this blog in terms for communicating during my time abroad in England but I will use it in terms of my tree planting experience. I do get internet and cellular service on my day off so when I do I will post about my adventure so you lovely lads and ladies can stay informed. I don't know what this season of tree planting will bring but it will be one hell of a ride. 

Till Next Time,

S.R.H.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Here is your gift: Exams, Stress and More!

I will admit I have a bad habit of remembering to make a post once a week. I am a bit lazy to be honest but aren't we all?

To do what I should have done this past Sunday is to update you lovely people on my non exciting life as a
university student that you guys are all waiting to hear what will happen next. (Sarcasm). To be honest something did happen that is new and exciting. One Tuesday morning I was co-hosting the Indie Wake Up Call on Queen's/Kingston's local radio station. It was a lot of fun and it was my first time on the radio. Gladly and thankfully I didn't embarrass myself on air which was a relief but I spoke on live air. At first I was nervous to talk but after a while I got comfortable and spoke for a bit. Now it was a music show so it was mostly the host and I playing indie morning music but since there is a policy that we need to have a certain amount of spoken word we did exactly that. We talked about new music coming to Kingston, we talked about some of the bands that we were playing, we played some advertisements and pro mos for other radio shows happening that day and just had a blast. I think now that I am a volunteer at the radio station and have been on live air the ideas have been moving in creating a possible radio show. I might not have one this year but maybe the following year. Who knows.

I have finished classes for this semester so I have been studying for my exams. I don't have that many which is nice and once they are over I get to go home and not worry about having assignments due or anything at all. I am in need of a break because it is just that time where I want to be with my family and spend time with them. If I didn't have a break I would most likely have a mental breakdown and go crazy from the pressure and stress to perform. I understand the importance of getting good grades and the reward of getting those marks but pressure is unbelievable. I'm not saying that I don't appreciate of having an education but we are only human, we don't know everything. To be fair having the pressure on our shoulders is yes, a bit unbearable but it teaches the value of hard work and knowledge. I think the pressure is there to not only is to remind us of the value of knowledge but is there to remind us of how easy life will be once post-secondary education is finished. Most employment positions these days requires you to have not just to have completed high school but also a post-secondary/college degree. It was just a high school education but because of the process and production of technological demand and how we are now dependent on this new technology people need to be able to understand and use this technology which is complex and requires a high knowledge base to do just that. It is amazing that researchers of any kind are finding new ways to improve life but at the same time making it more and more complex. With that high complexity I know that I will be ready to enter the job market knowing that I have the knowledge that is required for my field of interest and because of that I will succeed. As of right now though, I want to stay in bed and binge watch Netflix but don't we all? That devil of a thing.

Not only are my fall semester classes are finished but it means that Christmas is just around that corner! HOLY CRAP GUYS! Get excited because I know that I am. I get to spend time with my loved ones, help my mom with the christmas baking and decorating the tree. I get to spend time with my dog that is so cute and I get to do exactly what I want to do: Lay in bed, lounge around the house like nothing in the world is worrisome. Since that is not the case as of right now, I need to go back to studying for my exams. I wish you all good luck on your exams, your work and good luck on all your endeavours.

Merry Christmas!

Till next time,

-S.R.H  

Head Stuck in the Realm of an Art Student

Hi guys! I know it has been a very long time since my last post and I apologize for delay or "dark" period of no new posts to read. Now you will have something to read if you are ever in need to read something.

I wanted to start writing again because :

• I have missed writing,
• It has been a while,
• I want to integrate my knowledge of Art and Philosophy into my blog so I can maybe get a job as a writer for an art magazine.

To catch you guys up to speed of what has been happening in my life since my trip to England is as such. I came back to Canada after my journey and looked for a summer job - how original. I did find a summer job as a tree planter for a reforestation company and let me tell you, what a job that was. It was hard but rewarding when my contract was finished. I learned numerous amounts of important life lessons that I will keep with me and pass on to the people I love the most. I got to be outside everyday where I got the time to reflect on myself and value the beauty and importance of the great outdoors. I got to observe how nature interacts with other living beings such as animals, plants and humans. I got to figure out the power of the mind and how it can push ones body to accomplish tasks that soar higher than the sky in value. From those experiences I came back a different person, a person that was happy and wanted to go exploring with speed and exciting under the umbrella of nature's competition. 

From that summer I am now a student again who is currently studying Art History and Philosophy as a double major. As to all students do I walk to class, take notes and put that knowledge onto essays with a purpose. I try to make meals for myself since I share a house with three other girls like me and magically make meals for my body to digest. It is a slow process but it is coming together as I look for inspiration. When that is lost I am saved since one of my house mates love to cook and is more than willing to makes meals. Bless her. I pay rent, study, clean my clothes and room, sleep. All of the magic happens at the beautiful educational institution of Queen's University. 

Queen's University is a beautiful institution in its architecture that breathes and impress students and visitors. The nature of the vines growing over the bricks of study halls, the trees that stand in accompaniment of the flowers and other plants gives a peaceful and happy atmosphere for the students to thrive in the studies happily. Looking back on the options of institutions I applied to I am glad I chose Queen's. It is where I know I will thrive successfully and happily in my studies of which I love with deep passion. Other than the variety of courses that can be taken here at Queen's the amount of what a student can get involved here is astonishing. One can volunteer at the campus radio station, the new arts centre, the choice of two art galleries to volunteer at and the numerous of groups/clubs that one can partake is just wonderful knowledge to know. Again, another reason why I am a happy student without the regret of choosing this post-secondary educational academy

It is late and need my sleep for upcoming classes that I need to attend but there is one more thing I would like to address. I would like to post on a weekly basis so hopefully every Sunday there will be an update on my adventures into depths of art and philosophy. 

Goodnight and till next time,

-SRH

Home Stretch; I Can Taste the Maple Syrup and Smell Tim Hortons

So since the last post I have made a lot has happened. On March the 14th I went to Belfast with two of my friends. It was fun but since I caught the flu it wasn't as great but I was well cared for. When I came back I was in a sick room for a week. That was LOADS of fun. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a chest infection just to put the cherry on top of the cake. I stayed in a sick room for another week, my infection has died down so I don't feel like I am dying which is always nice. I am now a lot better compared to two weeks ago and finally back in my dorm room. WOOO!

As you know it is the home stretch to my first year at university. I have an exam at 3 this afternoon, one on wednesday, another the next day. Then I have an exam next Monday and one the following day. Do you know what happens next? I get to go home. HURRAY! Tim Hortons, DQ, good food, family, friends, and memories to cherish. Don't forget the snow.

I am going to miss this place a lot. I figured out a lot about myself as I went on my travels and studied in an ancient castle. I was exposed to a different culture which opened my eyes to another way of treating people and interacting with them. I will miss the traditional English food, free admission to galleries and museums. I will miss the opportunity to see important and famous art pieces. I will miss all the friends I have made. I will miss the countryside and seeing sheep roam the rolling hills. It has been a peaceful place to live and I will remember it always. I might even come back to visit.

Time to go back to study.

Till next time!

-S.R.H.