Category Archives: Health and Food

Got a flu shot yesterday!

Yay for tidbits about Courtney!

On Saturday mornings, I volunteer at a residential care centre in Burnaby called St. Michaels.  I’m part of the manicures program there, which basically means I get to file and paint the nails of the residents there.  Well mostly women, obviously.

Anyways, since I’m part of the health care service I have to take part in all the sanitary regulations.  This includes either getting a flu shot or wearing a mask around the residents.  I opted for the flu vaccination, because it was free and why not?

But now my arm is hurting and I can only lift it to about shoulder height.  I don’t regret it though, because I’d really rather not get sick when final exams roll around.  I feel invincible now!

A Guide for When You’re Feeling Alone

So it’s a Friday night and you’re all alone in your room.  You don’t feel much like partying (or maybe you have no plans), but you don’t feel much like studying, either. It’s one of those nights.

And then you decide to go on Facebook. You scroll through your news feed, and you see the ongoings of all your new university friends.  They’re cool people—and they’ve got the pictures to show it.  You go ahead and stalk through their photos (although you’d never ever admit it aloud), despite the fact that you’ve barely spoken since you met on the first day of school.

And then the sadness and loneliness hits you. You’re alone on a Friday night, with no company but the internet and a friend who replies sporadically.  You thought college was all fun and games and a neverending stream of friends knocking at your door.  Not a dim computer screen and feelings of saudade.

But you know what? It’s okay to be alone sometimes. You don’t have to be out and about all the time—sometimes you just need to take it easy.

Turn off Facebook. Right now. It only serves to make you unhappy as you compare your life to the lives of others.

Now take a deep breath.  In; out. That’s it.

Maybe it’s time to reconnect with your old friends.  And instead of turning to Skype, your classic one-on-one face conversation, try a phone call.  It’s old fashioned, but it forces you to make real conversation.  Even companionable silence can bring about a positive mindset. You’re not alone.  You’ve got friends, and people who love you.

You could choose to be productive, without the brain effort.  Clean your room, organize your desk, fold your laundry. Let it all out by writing a poem or a blog post.  Anything vaguely mindless will do.

Or you can indulge yourself in the best ways.  Stream a classic Disney flick, make a steaming cup of hot chocolate, look at cute cat pictures, wrap yourself up in your big cuddly comforter.  Feel warm and cozy, not cold and empty.

Just because you’re alone, doesn’t mean you have to be lonely.  Let those sad feelings pass.

The Freshman 15 has been revamped

We will call it the Cookie 15. Huffah!

PS. It is not advisable to eat your feelings like such.

Sunny music for rainy days

Y’know how it rains here in Vancouver? Y’know, like virtually ALL THE TIME?  Well! I found some songs that get me out of my bad weather funk, and might do the same for you, too! No guarantees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

10 rainbow-spewing ponies for anyone who knows in which cartoon the singer of Hey Ocean starred! Yay!

Have a good week, everyone! Don’t let the rain get you down!

ugh.

I read An Account of Sexual Assault at Amherst College, and then I read Amherst Sweeps Sexual Assault Allegations Under the Rug.

And then I read the comments on the latter article.  Notably, the ones by “Greenbrier”, “ACstudent” and “AxC4”.

I have never been more thoroughly disgusted.

Just, ugh.

Rape culture.  Go look it up, define it, vow to abolish it.