These sandals are made for walking

I'm excited.

    I just ordered a new pair of sandals.

    So, I can walk 

    and explore 

    and enjoy the outdoors.

    I'm looking forward to a great summer.

        Finally.

Weather Patterns

Anyone else feel a bit gloomy tonight? I think it's all the rain.

pass knowledge on

stacks of books i read 

as an undergraduate 

dust covered forgotten 

i boxed, bagged

and shipped off

to a local thrift store

so someone else could 

fall head over heels 

in love with learning.

What's in a name?

My name (melissa) means "honeybee". 

©Daniel Prudek/Shutterstock.com

According to Jennifer Gaeng, "Honeybees are perhaps one of the most important creatures that we have here on earth". They produce honey. They are extremely significant pollinators, valued in the agriculture industry. The beeswax they produce is used in science and medicine. 

What does your name mean? Share below.

Earth Day

“If every day were Earth Day we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in.”                         — Neil deGrasse Tyson

Photos taken by melissa fockler, 2012

tis' the season

Cool places in Toronto

Looking for a cool outing? Check out Evergreen Brickworks. Click here for more information. 

Cows, pigs, sheep, horses, goats -- Riverdale Farm! Don't underestimate the cuteness of the goats. 

Medieval history, the bat cave, dinosaurs... I'm talking about the Royal Ontario Museum. Oh, the bat cave! 

Other cool sites: University of Toronto's St. George Campus, City Hall, Kensington Market, Toronto Reference Library, Art Gallery of Ontario (AG0), Hockey Hall of Fame 

Add to this list. Comment below.

Music Monday

Nick Drake's "Northern Sky"  

Sing along optional: 

Would you love me for my money?
Would you love me for my head?
Would you love me through the winter?
Would you love me 'til I'm dead?
Oh, if you would and you could
Come blow your horn on high

nature wins, again

nothing rivals the smell of rain

except the scent of burning pumpkin 

[breathe it in

soak it up

let it linger].

i was invited to a wedding

today,

i pruned a tree 

painted a chair

and accepted a last-minute 

invite to a wedding: 

now i have an excuse to

put on a dress and heels.

Thanks Céline

A new, powerful song by Céline Dion. 

Jurassic World - The Exhibition!

Jurassic World - The Exhibition is opening in Mississauga April 21, 2023. Are you going?

I have to say, I'm intrigued. I like everything to do with dinosaurs and of course, the Jurassic Park movies. But the ticket prices for this exhibit are overly expensive. Also, the exhibit seems to weigh more heavily on entertainment value than education. I'm going to sit this one out. 

For more information, and a video walk-through of Jurassic World, watch the video below.

Happy Easter/Bunny Day!

“Even the smallest one can change the world.” 

- Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter

 

Photo credits: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3. 

I'm single...

... but Scotty McCreery is so right... it matters. 

Sing along optional: 

When you pull her in close
When she's had a bad day
When you shut up and listen
To what she has to say
When you tell her she's stronger
Than the storm blowing in
When you're there when she just needs a friend

It matters to her
It stays on her mind
When you put her first
Every single time

When you think she don't see
When you think she don't care
When you think she don't notice
What you're doing there
Every little look
Every single word
Oh, it matters to her

University of Waterloo: Teaching and Learning Conference 2023

I'm happy to announce that I will be presenting at University of Waterloo's Teaching and Learning Conference 2023. If you're interested in learning more, or registering for my session, click here. 

Mental health is worth protecting

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, mental health is "a person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being". 

Mental health is no laughing matter. For 10 years, as a graduate student, I struggled with mental health issues. Emotionally I was overwhelmed. Everyday I felt like I was drowning. I experienced intense fear of failure and low self-esteem. In many ways, I consider myself lucky to have survived, to be alive today.

It is well documented. Graduate students are struggling. There is a mental health crisis in higher education. Puri (2019) states:

A recent Harvard study concluded that graduate students are over three times more likely than the average American to experience mental health disorders and depression. 

When you feel yourself slipping, reach out to your friends and family. Find ways to support your own mental health today, so you can see the sun shine tomorrow.

Being on the other side, having graduated, the anxiety and stress has lifted. I feel like a whole new person... or rather the person I was before I went to graduate school. I'm happy and hopeful again, and it feels really, really good.