From our family to yours
DECEMBER 2018 | VOL. 8 NO. 3/4
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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ARTICHOKE
CONTRIBUTORS
Editor-In-Chief
Lamia Abozaid
Assistant Editor
Katherine Collier
Writers
Kelly Estomo Laura Bourbonnais Martika McLean MadFish Fisher Amy Fournier Anna Wilson Kabeer Garba Katherine Collier Brooke Dalton Rachael Henfery
Design Editor
Sarah Wong
Designers
Bri Coggans Kristina Pura-Cruz Zhen Li Joel Louzado Samneet Mann Sarah Manyoki Mars Quave Mirabelle Wang Livia Widjaja Michelle Young
Past Issues: issuu.com/artichokemag Submissions: wintersfreepress@winterscouncil.com Contact Us: Facebook.com/ArtichokeMag
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WINTERS
IN THIS ISSUE
FEATURE
ENTERTAINMENT
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Team Unbreakable - Running for Mental Health Amy Fournier
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Replenish Kabeer Garba
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27/11/2018-1:51AM → 30/11/2018-12:14AM Anna Wilson
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LIFESTYLE
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The Only Way Out is Through Brooke Dalton
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Mental Health: Tips and Outlets to Overcome Stress Laura Bourbonnais
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Take a Break While You Are In Toronto Rachael Henfrey
Darkness and Light Katherine Collier
CREATIVE
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throwing up Kelly Estomo
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An Ode to Home Laura Bourbonnais
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An Ode to the Holidays Laura Bourbonnais
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deal with it. Martika McLean
Which Type of Holiday Character Are You? MadFish Fisher
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ARTICHOKE
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
BY LAMIA ABOZAID
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WINTERS
CAN I SAY, semi-home stretch? Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, take a deep breath because we are literally half way there. Hang in there and it will all be over in a blink of an eye. Looking back at this semester, I realized how grateful I am for this college and its people. The love and support it has is unbelievable. I have to give credit to Katherine Collier, my lovely assistant editor for all the great work she does and how committed she is to this magazine - te amo Caterina. And of course, Madame president, MadFish. Despite how busy she is, she makes sure to check on me and Katie. She also contributes to every issue - we all wonder how you do it all to be honest. Maddy, thank you so much - we love and appreciate you. Without your love and support, Katie and I would not have been at this level of work. Our November/December double issue sheds light on how important it is to take care of yourself along with remembering that it is okay not to be okay. Our lovely writers wrote their tips and tricks to de-stress, things to do around the GTA, a little Artichoke “quiz� on which holiday character are you, and so much more! Now, have a glass of wine and enjoy reading. Lots of love, Lamia Abozaid
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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ARTICHOKE
A LETTER FROM THE ASSISTANT EDITOR
DEAR WINTERS, This is a love letter to you. This semester is nearly over and we are all struggling to keep ourselves afloat. Know that this too shall pass. As a great man once said “you are perfectly cast in your own life. I cannot imagine anyone but you in the role,� (LinManuel Miranda). The holidays are a tough time for those with no way to get home to family or without a family that supports them. Winters is family for anyone who needs one, and I am only realizing that now. I know I would not be where I am today without the wonderful people here. If you need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear, there will always be someone in Winters waiting and willing. May your holiday season be relaxing and filled with love, so when January hits, you can start all over again and make it through another semester and another new year. Katherine Collier
WINTERS
A LETTER FROM DESIGN DEAR WINTERS, May you all have a wonderful and relaxing holiday. Remember to take time to reflect back and celerbate all your accomplishments this past 2018. Most importantly, remember to treat yourself this holiday season as you have earned it! All the best for the upcoming new year. Thank you for reading. See you soon! Sarah Wong
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ARTICHOKE
BY AMY FOURNIER
Running for Mental Health
“Who runs for fun?” “Running is just not for me.” “I am too busy to run.” THESE ARE ALL things that I have both heard people say and have said myself. I never thought I would be the type of person to join a run group, and even push myself to go to goal races such as the 5K Bold and Cold at Coronation Park that just passed.
However, the endorphins that rush through my body as each step pounds the pavement is an ineffable feeling. I almost always go from a six to an eight on a scale of one to ten, after each run. It is not only the physical act of jogging that elevates my mood. The people who I have met through this wonderful club at York are inspiring, insightful, and kind. I never feel out of place, or intimidated and I love being surrounded by the diversity of students who are brought together by similar motives. People who just want to destress after a long day of classes, or take a break from the high demands of university.
FEATURE
Not to mention, the founder, coach, and leader of Team Unbreakable, Lindsay Keenan, does a splendid job of making sure that nobody gets left behind and everyone feels comfortable. She hosts all the meetings, organizes the goal races, and plans the routes for each run. She truly is an All Star. I remember when one of my coworkers first mentioned the run group to me. After procrastinating going several times, I finally decided that I would take a chance and try it out. I felt nervous because I had not run since high school and I was by no means a competitive runner. My coworker insisted that I would be fine, and that this
was a recreational run group which means that runners of all levels are welcome. She was right. Everyone was super friendly, smiley, and happy to see a new face! I am forever grateful to have found a small, but powerful coping mechanism for when I get overwhelmed with life. There is something so satisfying about running outdoors, with friends, after a hectic day. Even on the days when I feel the worst I know that by going to run group I will feel better after. Running cannot cure every problem but it certainly helps clear the mind. Next time you think that running is not for you, I challenge you to at least try it out. You might be surprised.
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ARTICHOKE
FEATURE
BY KABEER GARBA
THE SWEET SENSATION of shivers sent down a spine spin on my skin. Each vessel tingles through making cold music like wind chimes in winter. My body starts to curl into itself, protecting the warmth that I have so far harvested. I pray the heat inside me is like a cup of tea that never turns frost. Soothing and silky and slipping down my throat. I taste the sun, feed off the energy and shine. Only to be reminded of the seemingly timed state of frigid air. Stretching my body softens the blow to each inch attacked, while condensing my body protects what is important in sacrifice of what is not. “Replenish.” I can barely speak the word. “Replenish.” I beg to the world. “Replenish.” With each attempt the stain of dry rips off my lips, stinging the bee that is my faith. Each swipe of the blizzard grows stronger. The black ridden darkness of my eyelids is the safest place to hide. If I cannot see my fate, I cannot believe it. If I cannot believe my fate, it must not be true. The inside of my eyelids however cannot protect me from my heart. Though I cannot see, I can feel. I can feel the blood pumping through my
veins, I can feel the strain that blood is under and it thickens. The sea of red stops reaching and starts wrecking the tips of my being. The fire that once blazed its way through the maze of internal is now snow being pushed by shards of ice. The source itself, my heart, frozen. In my last beat of courage, I turn to face the enemy. I twist my body and pierce my previously stapled eyes. I see metal, metal with a cause. I see three curved blades molded by the most demonic Smith. Their purpose, their needs. Solely swaying while spitting a snowstorm into flurry. Just before I am able to regret this move, into flake, I see you. The daughter worthy of a queen. I see the fight in your skin. I sense the calm in your sleep. Suddenly, my warmth, replenished in full. Suddenly my heart, is it lava or love I am unsure. Suddenly my spirit, healed. This sparkle that lays beside me, this star. She sweeps feet and steadies minds. She warms cold and cools hot. Breath is taken from me; she is nothing short of stunning. She is divine. With my tea still as sun, I sense her calm for the night and rest with peace beside her.
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ARTICHOKE
27/11/2018 – 1:51AM → 30/11/2018 – 12:14AM
BY ANNA WILSON
I AM IN a committed, toxic, relationship with depression. It started out fast. We were young. I thought he was the answer. He proposed and placed a bottle of pills in my hand. I said yes and we have been together ever since. I lay in bed with him at night. He has this habit of telling me something cute before we sleep. “You are a worthless failure, good night honey.” I wake up in the morning. I try to go to work but depression pulls me back into bed. He says I do not have to go and that my presence does not make a
difference anyway. He is probably right. I mean, they survived without me before. Sometimes, I do not listen. I leave my bed, skip breakfast because it is the most important meal of the day. Depression walks me to work. “Remember to dwell on how you are not capable of doing anything, you will watch everyone around you grow while you stay exactly where you are, good luck at work, honey. Bye”. Depression leaves me outside, people do not like seeing us together. They think he is hectic to deal with, too sad. They judge us together, so,
I do not tell people me and depression are together. I have to pretend I am this single, strong, powerful woman that eats breakfast and easily gets out of bed in the morning. I joke, which is something depression does not allow me to do. People like it. I like it, too. Depression does not. Depression is powerful, so I do as he says. Lately I have been cheating on him. I ran into anxiety during Christmas and he just swept me off my feet, literally. He gave me everything depression could not. He made me
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FEATURE
“It is 1 am. Depression is sleeping but anxiety never does. He has nothing to tell me but he never fails to make me feel his presence.”
rush out of bed two hours before my alarm was set, because what if I miss work, what if my absence makes a difference, what if my absence makes them forget me, what if I do not want to be forgotten? Anxiety is... electric. Depression was confused the first time I got out of bed without laying down with him for an extra hour procrastinating on all the things I desperately did not want to do. “Honey, did you forget that the earth will still revolve even if you are not here?”. A second later, my phone rang. It is a text from anxiety. “OH MY GOD IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE NOW YOU WILL GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC. THEN YOU WILL BE LATE. THEN EVERYONE WILL NOT LIKE YOU, CAUSE THEY WILL THINK YOU ARE IRRESPONSIBLE. SOON ENOUGH THEY WILL REPLACE YOU WITH SOMEONE THAT IS ACTUALLY MORE QUALIFIED THAN YOU. YOU WILL NOT FIND A JOB AND EVERYONE WILL HATE YOU AND YOU WILL DIE ALONE. MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!!”. I tried rushing to work while resisting depression’s pull. I did not rip in half, surprisingly. See, anxiety can come with me to work because he just can not miss anything. He can not miss a chance of pumping adrenaline through my veins whenever I am faced with the slightest inconveniences. “YOUR PENCIL BROKE OMG OMG WHAT
ARE WE GONNA DO OMG” *sweaty palms, chest pain, numb limbs, difficulty breathing*. Anxiety is just... electric. It is 1 am. Depression is sleeping but anxiety never does. He has nothing to tell me but he never fails to make me feel his presence. As he gets closer my heartbeats get faster, breathing gets more difficult and my chest feels heavier. And just at the right moment, after enough torment of course, he disappears. Then I am left alone with depression. As I eventually fall asleep, thinking I will finally have some quiet time, depression lurks into my dream and reminds me of his existence. Yes, he is sleeping, but he is always present. He is the jealous type, you know? He sees me smiling in a dream and he gets irritated. Everything I feel has to be because of him. Depression does not smile. In the dream, I was happy with my family and friends. Depression walked in and earth trembled. His presence is very destructive and I am very weak, that is what made him love me. The minute he shows up in my dream, the world literally crumbles, not metaphorically. Have you watched 2012? Exactly that. After he makes sure that I feel as helpless in my dreams as I do in reality, he lets me go until another sleep cycle starts. However, anxiety did not let me get
that far. It is 7:30 am and anxiety could not wait any longer to see my beautiful, exhausted face. He woke me with his adorable panic attacks and an unexplainable sense of fear. An hour later, depression woke up too and wrapped his numbing arms around me, which scared anxiety away. Then we repeated the same cycle. Every. Day. It can be quite hectic, even confusing, being with two completely different, powerful men like anxiety and depression. One makes the world stand still for me, while the other is just… electric. But I do not want to fall for them any longer. I want to be this single, strong powerful woman that eats breakfast in the morning and easily gets out of bed. I wanna be free of their restraining attachment. I wanna crawl away from their grip and claim power. It has been years. They define most aspects of the person I am today. They took all my broken pieces and shaped me into something of their own liking. I look in the mirror and I see someone that does not even look familiar. Everyday I go to sleep thinking that depression might forget me this night, that maybe anxiety will not wake me up this early, but they never forget their parts. I am going to bed right now, still hoping they would stop. Good night.
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ARTICHOKE
DARKNESS DARKNESS IS A reprieve; a space where light and sound, sight and song, have no place, have no meaning. Most would find this terrifying, many find it safe. The light burns. It haunts. Creating elongated shadows of ourselves that are simply figures and falsities. Darkness is safety. It smothers fear and gives the soul a break, a peaceful place to think. Darkness is home, when sleep pulls you into its open arms at night. But sometimes all it takes is a get-away, a change of scenery to make you feel safe enough to breathe . . . and venture out into the light. And sometimes, that light isn’t as terrible as you thought. Those elongated shadows are true reflections, not the falsities that they seem. Darkness can be lonely, a place for just your mind and soul. Anxieties run rampant, with no one to stop them. The darkness can whisper sweet nothings in your ear, making you feel safe, just a moment before blowing on the embers of
FEATURE
BY KATHERINE COLLIER
your fears. Darkness and its Janus head, one face loving and warm, the other needing and wicked, for the darkness needs you, just as much as you need it. It will fight and claw at you, when it feels its grasp weakening, when it sees you venturing closer to the light. The light can change you. Where darkness makes you feel comfortable where you are, the light challenges you, forces you to change, and this is not always for the worst. Light brings communication and nurtures the soul to be what it can be. Light doesn’t shield you from your fears, but makes you face and overcome them. Darkness is the friend we want, but light is the friend we all need. I would like to dedicate this to all the friends I have made who have made me realize that the light isn’t such a scary place after all.
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ARTICHOKE
THROWING UP BY KELLY ESTOMO
NOT MEANT TO be emotional the anger; a tracking missile finds itself in my upset stomach now i feel like throwing up it hurts but i am playing for the team i will always be on your team i know if i had to step out You would play for me you chose me the most difficult puzzle 1000 tiny pieces the colours were pretty but you quickly became overwhelmed and gave up i understand i say that a lot “i understand� you must have really wanted to hurt me to say what you did i understand you do not feel watered you are not getting enough sun i understand you numb one thing you numb everything i understand
CREATIVE
you are mad so you say things you do not mean i understand it is like an outlet it is like the act of firing a gun but then my face is kissed all over with fresh air a cold breeze snakes into one ear and out the other my nose is red my lips are dry they would crack and bleed if i smile so i make a mental rule not to but that rule is suddenly forgotten when i’m with you i do not mind bleeding
i have bled so much for others but my strength or selflessness has nothing to do with how much pain i can take love should never be about how much pain you can take so what is it i do not understand i feel like throwing up why did my brain choose to tread on lava it is like i choose this over and over again you can play for me when this is over i know i am being emotional when i say i give up
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ARTICHOKE
AN ODE TO HOME BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS
THE CANDLES BLAZE night long, the laughs do not stop ‘till morning, together, we hold on to our memories in making. On numbing winter nights, or torrid summer days, string those sparkling spring lights in chilly autumn haze. All we have is ourselves, so we better be careful. Forgetting fights and yells with love that is more powerful. When lost, look to your chimney, can be fiction or real, no, streets are not used for pity, not all have place to heal. From birth to now, look ‘round, biology, adopted, It is not blood that makes sound, allows us to be rated. What matters lives inside, when looking ; hands to hold, people keep us alive and give our lives a mold. In nature or in city, natives like foreigners, all look to their own teddy,
‘An Ode to Home’ touches on the importance of family and where we come from, no matter where it is that we come from.
with love, hearts are immersed. Home is the safe place that when lucky will last, aim for dreams you chase, never forget your past. Cousins, parents, sibling, friends and those who matter, lead us to believing their presence is to savour. Home holds us together when all else may go wrong. Fighting storm with shelter allows us to stay strong. We are but a family with hope in hands to give. We are short of many humans happy to live. A candid song echoes in hearts ready to listen, before your skin shrivels, oh please keep your eyes open. To the beauty of trust, to the sincerest touch, to be close we all must, keep our smiles in our clutch. A bit of human heat, some childhood souvenirs, we are running to the beat, and away from our fears.
A meadow like a rainbow, a place for us to sleep, a person that is a pillow, when conversation is deep. To those who know us best, give our patience a test, whom give our hearts are rest, when we do not know what is left. To parents who inspire, and never cease to give, whom never ever tire, and allow us to live. I thank you for your gift, the values that we share, you give my heart a lift when I am in despair. Home is you and me, soon our future children. For now all we can be is thankful for what is given.
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CREATIVE
AN ODE TO THE HOLIDAYS ‘An Ode to the Holidays’ illustrates my love for this time of year and showcases winter sports I particularly enjoy ; skiing and skating. Also, since I am not from the Toronto area, I have recently
discovered the Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square and The Toronto Christmas Market, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.
A CAVALCADE OF lights, a towering fir tree. A child filled at the sight with sheer and utter glee.
A door open to all who need some chimney heat fall has left us all, has taken a backseat.
As day turns into night hold your dearest ones, as flakes dimmer like lights, be grateful for the sun.
Frosted frozen air soft, cool to the lips, small moments to share, couples hide and kiss.
We help amongst ourselves, whoever needs a hand, we act as real life elves because this is homeland.
For every day is luck, every memory well tucked and those souvenirs they stuck, a simple hockey puck.
Nathan Phillips Square packed and filled with sound. Bows are hung with care, students gone; homebound.
No brighter better place to celebrate with joy, let’s cut to the chase it is not in the toys. We’ve got all that we need under our very roof. Look to those in need, do not remain aloof.
A moonlit hockey game, with cousins of all ages in boots or rusty skates stayed on the ice ‘till late.
A stretch to skate and spin, more carefree every glide, the jingles become hymns, and cheer no longer hides. The Christmas Market swells, with shops and sales so sweet. Those far echoing bells, their laughs sway to the beat. Families so tight, distance won’t alter a home filled with light and constant belly laughter. A pair of stardust skis hot cocoa warms the feet, frost bitten but jolly, at home awaits a feast!
That very night I wished to always feel that joy since then I have not wished for a meaningless toy.
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ARTICHOKE
BY MARTIKA MCLEAN
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CREATIVE
BLANK BLANK BLANK smile BLANK BLANK BLANK deal with it BLANK BLANK BLANK you are not in pain BLANK BLANK BLANK get up and move on BLANK BLANK BLANK sleep it off BLANK BLANK BLANK it is not that big of a deal BLANK BLANK BLANK just smile BLANK BLANK BLANK do i not exist BLANK BLANK BLANK what i want does not matter BLANK BLANK BLANK what i need does not matter BLANK BLANK BLANK therapy would be nice.
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ARTICHOKE
Which Type Of Holiday Character Are You?
BY MADFISH FISHER
ENTERTAINMENT
THE HOLIDAY SEASON is upon us! We all have different reactions to that sentence. Whether it is joy, sadness, excitement or whatever you feel, it can be a challenging time no matter what. It is our time for a break from the biggest stress of all: school. Let us escape the stress and address what you need this holiday season! SO, which type of holiday character are you? Read through these for tips and tricks to survive the holidays and truly get a relaxing break! 1. Grinch: Are you someone who hates the holiday cheer? Maybe it is not the holiday itself, but the bullshit feeling of having to be happy no matter what during family dinners or the season itself. The holidays are not about happiness nor should they be! The holidays are about gratitude. This holiday season I encourage all the Grinch is out there to find at least 5 minutes out of your day during December to list 5 things your thankful for that day. Nothing too big; could be your coffee, could be your cat, could be your roommate, or anything you want to show gratitude towards! The sky’s the limit. Being sad or depressed during the holidays is actually a normal thing, so combat it by focusing your energy on acknowledging your emotions and finding those moments to say thank you. 2. Scrooge: Hate the holidays completely? Can not stand them? Well, it might be a little impossible to avoid the festivities, but never fret! There is a way to enjoy your days without it getting you annoyed. It might be hard, but put up some boundaries! It is okay to say no to the holidays especially if it will affect you negatively. Do not scream BAH HUMBUG in your families face, but if you seriously do not want to go
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to that staff christmas party, do not go! You are allowed to say no. Use those boundaries to have the best break you could dream of! If that does not work, I suggest going to Cuba. 3. Rudolph: Is something holding you back from fully enjoying the holiday season? Maybe it is time to take some action. Sure you can not control outside forces like not getting a seasonal job, your crush not liking you back, etc. BUT what you can do is start making tangible goals for yourself to really make the best out of holidays! Do not let anything stop you and live your best life this December. Whatever it may be, find your support systems and use them to your advantage. 4. Buddy the Elf: Is the holiday season everything you live for? It is the most wonderful time of the year for you which is amazing and you should embrace that. Go to all the hangouts; all the family dinners; all the tree lighting ceremonies; volunteer at a soup kitchen; DO IT ALL! Soak it up, this time only comes once a year. A word of caution though, being so in love with the holidays can cause serious burn out. Then next thing you know you are back to school not feeling well rested at all! Make sure you have a foolproof self care plan. Being selfless during the season is completely fine, but make sure you mental health is your #1 priority! Now, what is your favourite colour? 5. Krampus: Please do not murder anyone. That is against the law and does no good for anyone. Whoever you may be, make sure this holiday season is full of everything you need! Cheers, MadFish xoxo
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ARTICHOKE
THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH BY BROOKE DALTON
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! AS the holiday season approaches there is no denying everyone deserves a break, and everyone needs one! But what about before that break? This past semester I was experiencing all sorts of frustrations on top of the usual school stress. A lot of it had to do with dealing with the repercussions of the strike, not going to lie. I got out of it relatively unscathed, but I have noticed an attitude shift in several of my classmates, including myself. We are less willing to put up with nonsense. I think this has led to frustrations in some of my classes. What do you do when you do not feel you are actually learning in class? You do all the readings, you show up, and you feel like you are paying money to just sit in class and waste time. It is hard! And it
is unfair! But you cannot exactly stand up in the middle of a lecture and yell “YOU ARE WASTING MY TIME” at your professor… that would be inappropriate. Unfortunately, I feel like this experience happens to most university students at some point or another for whatever reason, but to get your degree this is something you need to get through. So, after one unfortunate breakdown in a stairwell I decided to try and take a different approach. I hope I do not sound cliché but I think the best way to get through a bad class is to accept that it is just going to be a bad class. Okay, bear with me; my Mom has said, whilst trying to comfort me, “you just have to play the game” and she was right. To get through a degree there are
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LIFESTYLE
“
The best way to get through a bad class is to accept that it is just going to be a bad class.
going to be classes that you will not enjoy, and professors you will not understand but at the end of the day you have to make it through. But try not to allow a bad class to wreck the rest of your experience. After allowing the class to bring me to tears and then feel fiery anger deep within my belly I looked into myself, metaphorically of course, and thought…wow, this class is actually killing me, and what for? What for? What’s the purpose of letting myself keep getting this upset? I mean, easier said than done, of course. I tried to keep my distance while still going to class and doing the work, by just holding on the acceptance that I just had to “play the game”. Do what you need to do, but try, try, try to let all the anger roll off your back like a duck coming out of the water. I found that when I allowed my
own personal expectation of the class to change, this class became an opportunity to learn how to get through without the excitement I might have originally come in with. I had to let go of my idea of what the class could have been. Dramatic? Maybe, but hey it worked for me. Do not let yourself go to the dark side, because it is not worth it! Make yourself your number one priority, do not let it under your skin. And if all of that fails a bowl of ramen always helps take the edge off. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and get some much needed rest and relaxation. And in the eternal words of Margaret Atwood in A Handmaid’s Tale, “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.” Happy holidays!
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ARTICHOKE
MENTAL HEALTH:
TIPS AND OUTLETS TO OVERCOME STRESS BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS
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LIFESTYLE
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START PLANNING OUT your work ahead of time Set deadlines for yourself Take breaks when you get too overwhelmed Example: -- Spend some time with your friends -- Go for a walk/run/yoga class/dance class
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Take the time to eat healthy meals
How I manage my time
How I deal with my stress
1. Wake up early 2. Allocate time to study for my various classes 3. Leave some time to eat, sleep, exercise and spend time with my friends
-- Go for a run with the Unbreakable run group on campus -- Put on my headphones and listen to Christmas music -- After a long day, if I have time, I watch an episode on Netflix -- Call my family to see how they’re doing
Find something warm and fun to do in Toronto (Take a Break!)
What I do during the Holidays
-- Toronto Christmas Market -- Nathan Phillips Square - go for a skate and admire the beautiful Christmas tree! -- Christmas shopping at the Eaton Center
- ---- --
Skiing at my cottage in Morin- Heights, QC, with my family Skating with my friends in Ottawa, ON Board games with my cousins Baking cookies Watching Holidays movies with my parents Visiting family
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ARTICHOKE
TAKE A BREAK
LIFESTYLE
BY RACHAEL HENFREY
DEADLINES? CHECK. EXAM prep? Check. Time for a break? No way, who has time for that? Well, stop right there because you are in Toronto, the city that has something going on all the time, especially during the winter months and you deserve to take a break. While you are up to your nose in readings, exam prep, and writing papers you should at least take time to enjoy yourself. Whether that is going downtown or chilling on campus, being sporty, or enjoying some down time you need to take the step of having some fun in the winter. Some great places to visit and events that happen during the winter time within Toronto are definitely the Christmas Market which has booths that sell everything from Christmas ornaments, articles of clothing (hats, gloves, and socks), and of course food and drinks, skating on the ice rink at Nathan Phillips Square where one can lace up there skates and move to music played by DJ’s during the evening, watching the Nutcracker Ballet at the Four Seasons Centre, and The Happy Place at Harbourfront Centre which will be open until January 1st,2019.
How to be sporty throughout these winter months is by going skiing, do not be fooled Ontario may seem flat compared to Alberta or BC, but we do have some good hills to enjoy the day at. There is Dagmar in Uxbridge (estimated 40 min drive from campus, if you use the 407), Horshoe Valley in Barrie (estimated 1 hour drive from campus), and Blue Mountain (estimated 2 hour drive from campus), which are just a few nice places to relax and enjoy a ski day with friends and family. Also, you could go walking and if you are feeling it go snowshoeing on a trail in a provincial park. Some ways to enjoy your down time are making friendship bracelets for your friends and family (they make great Christmas gifts), make a hot beverage of your choice and enjoy a festive movie (or any movie you fancy!) while lounging in comfortable sweats or pajamas, or do a fun workout class such as yoga. Whatever it may be, make sure you enjoy yourself during this cold time of the year because there is so much to do in order to keep you being the best you can be.
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