untitled

disappointment 

is like finding out 

the knitted cardigan 

you wanted and 

spent years 

combing through 

thrift store racks for 

is made out of 

coarse wool, itchy 

and dry-clean only: 

unwearable fashion.

Get involved, sign this!

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the music bible

crosby, sinatra, martin are the unholy wise men

bringing magnetism, swagger and cool: 

who needs frankincense anyway?

trend followers

i'm seeing more 

and more people 

taking their cats 

for a walk  

on a leash:

it doesn't seem right 

i want to run up

untether 

and set the cat free

run 

        kitty 

                   run. 

alumni letters

I received my alumni newsletter. Following the salutation, the first line reads: "We wish 2022 has been as successfull [sic] as you intended for it to be!" 

Wait. Let's talk about language for a minute.

How do you define "success"? How do you measure success? Do you consider yourself successful? 

I used to consider myself successful if I met certain academic expectations. Now I consider myself successful if I have: 

1. work-life balance;

2. family and friends who support and encourage me to be the best I can be; 

3. mental wellness; and 

4. daily happiness.

I challenge you to redefine your version of "success" and be your best self. 

She said

Behind the Scenes

Outtake from "Heartbreak School" blog post 

Fun fact: I don't use filters. I don't alter or photoshop photos of myself that I post on my blog. I'm not wearing any make-up in the above photograph. This is a picture of me with all my imperfections.

Outtake from "I graduated today" blog post 

Fun fact: The red doctoral robe is really heavy. It is made out of velvet and other fabrics. The hat is made out of cardboard, covered with velvet. The tassel is made out of real gold threads. Together, the hat and robe retail for about $750. It's also a medieval tradition to wear this hat and robe. I'm just glad no one followed the tradition of throwing tomatoes.

like a fly to honey

yellow and black strips

keep buzzing around me 

buzz, buzz, buzzing

landing on my hand 

and then on the patch of sunlight

kissing my leg

i whoosh away their wings

but they keep zig-zagging 

back to me

you’d think i was as sweet

as a red delicious apple

or as appealing as one 

Last Christmas

Yes, I should be writing about education workers striking. I support walkouts. But I attended a teaching conference for the past two days and talked a lot about pedagogy and education. So, instead I’m going to share with you a cover of "Last Christmas". It might just cheer you up and put you in the holiday mood! When I say "holiday mood", I don’t mean hitting the malls and maxing out your credit cards. I mean getting together with people you care about and decorating the tree. I missed years of tree decorating. This year I'm getting my tree decorating on! I'm also throwing out my Grinch and Scrooge persona and baking homemade gingerbread cookies. By the way, if you're looking for something fun to do in a couple of weeks -- I would recommend attending the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. I've been a few times myself and it's always a good time.

P.S. There are great screen adaptations of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. However, the book is wonderful too (one of my favourites). Pick up a copy from your local library and find out why!

drawing parallels

When the message you receive on your blog feels a lot like your life.