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.

Paris and Rome

It has been a busy couple of weeks for me so I haven't made an update on my travels. Since I need something to wake me up from writing papers I will give you a lovely update.

First of all I went to Paris on the 14 of February this year for my midterm trip which was organized by the school. On the way we stopped at important war locations. One stop was the beaches of Dieppe. The history professor gave a walking tour of the beach and informed us what happened. I thought it was insightful and aware what people did for the greater good. They had to arrive at a destination where the waves were

so loud they could barely hear their officers. They had to walk over wet rocks, maneuver themselves in clouds of fog, smoke and witness their friends drop to the ground like flies. Through out the walking tour I paid attention where I was standing, what information was being given to me. I was walking on territory where people lost their lives in a dark and dangerous battle. The professor took us up a mountain to give us a better view of the ground the soldiers had to cover. After Dieppe we were taken to Juno Beach. It was beautiful and again insightful to learn the darkness and brutality that war was put upon these soldiers. I felt myself a bit different now that I look back on those moments and I have a greater respect for what people went through. We were also taken to the War Memorial of Vimy Ridge. I was blown away at the effect it gave me. Soldiers names were written all over the base of whom fought on that location. It was beautiful and sad. I will never forget those moments.
Then FINALLY we were in Paris. I walked around the streets, went up to the Eiffel Tower and saw the
fastness that is Paris. I did however had many field studies that were mandatory but I didn't mind because I went to Paris last semester. I was very happy to be back in that country and eat the glorious food, see the paintings that I studied in class and to witness the beautiful sights and culture. It is a country that I will love forever.

Secondly I went to Rome right after the midterm trip and what a glorious time I had. I was there for four days and those four days were the best I have ever had. I walked into basilicas that are still in used today.

On the outside they are beautiful but wait till you go inside. The beauty that they hold blows your mind. You look up and soak up all the beauty. Every basilica that I went into was like that. I couldn't believe they were that gorgeous. I went to the Pantheon and ate Fettuccine Alfredo, my favourite pasta dish, drinking Italian wine with someone playing a guitar in the streets. The Pantheon was lit up. The tables were light up by candle light. That night was one I will never forget. It was like I fell in love again. I can't describe how beautiful and perfect that night was. It was perfection. To add on, I went to the Coliseum and walked around the beautiful Roman Forum. The sun was out and it was a perfect day outside. Through out my entire time there, there were people singing in the streets, the sun was out everyday, the architecture stood beautiful in the Italian air. Every part of Rome made your heart fill with love. I miss those for days and would love to go back. Maybe one day.

Thirdly, I am going to Belfast tomorrow morning! I'm excited because I have never been and always wanted to. Just going with some friends and going to have a good time. I will inform you lovely ladies and gents when I come back. Unfortunately I would have to start studying for exams but that happens.

Speaking of which, I am going to be going home in a couple of weeks! I will be permanently in Canada for a long while. I don't know what I am going to do without the English countryside out my window. I am going to miss so much. I am going to miss all the friends that I have made. I am going to miss walking in a Castle. I am going to miss the cheap prices for things. I am going to miss the opportunity to travel anywhere on the weekends. I do miss family but even though I am going to miss England, I will look back on those lovely memories and smile because this year was amazing.

Till next time,

-S.R.H. 

London Town

It has been two weeks since I first arrived back in England and some stuff has happened. I have had two field studies: Art History and Philosophy. I went to the National Gallery for Art History and I didn't realize how much I have missed walking through art galleries with my art history professor. I love learning about the story behind the paintings and also seeing paintings that I have studied in class. It makes me so happy and excited. I get giddy and I feel smart whenever I see those paintings because I know what they are about. Yesterday I went to the V&A Museum for Philosophy and that was really interesting. I will tell you this that whenever you are in any museum in London, be prepared for the amount of artefacts that they have. They have a lot. To continue on, the V&A was really neat to see and my goodness was it beautiful on the inside. I loved seeing all of the artefacts that have so much historic value. It was a mind opener.

On Friday night, I went to go see Swan Lake. I had the best seat since I was sitting front row which is right next to the pit band. I love sitting there. I loved looking up at the stage watching these talented ballet dancers while having the perfect view of the pit. I made friends with the harpist and talked to her in french. SCORE! I had good food, good music and good atmosphere. It was a good night.

As of now I am casually in my floors' common room, listening to music and working on my assignments. It is quiet since I am the only one and I find that comforting. I like the silence of my own presence. I can't really describe it but I find it calming to be working away in silence by my self. I have the chance to go into my mind without the worry of entertaining someone so they won't get the impression that I don't care about them. I'm not saying that I don't like being around people because I do like having company. They are fun and some make me laugh and happy. There are times where I like taking the time to be by myself and focusing on me.

I am going to go focus on my work but I just wanted to update you people from across the pond. I miss you and love you. Hope all of you are doing well.

Cheers,

-SRH

An English Home

I am once again reunited with my English abode. It's not much, just a castle that I walk down to every day for classes and food. No big deal. The grass is green, the sheep are roaming their fields and the rain greats everyone every now and then. It is nice to be home. Speaking of the weather, it is really nice. Right now it is 10 degrees outside! Ya! It's not freezing cold like traditional Canadian weather. I am a happy camper.

I am settling in and hoping my jet leg will go away soon. If I took a 'selfie' right now the bags under my eyes are horrid. Thought you guys should know. Anyway, my schedule is not too bad. Taking the same courses since last semester but instead of Effective Writing, I a taking Opera. I am soo excited. I can't wait.

My friends over here are nice. It has been a while since I last saw them. A happy moment seeing them again. Some ran up to me and hugged me, some has said hi and also hugged me. That gesture made me smile and really happy on the inside.

For trips this semester, I am going to Normandy and Paris for my midterm trip, going to spend a day in Cambridge, off to Ireland for St. Patties and Rome for four days. This semester is going to be a good one.

From the ladies and gents at home I bid you farewell from across the pond.

Till next time

-SRH