Author Archives: Kamryn Hamagami-Postill

The Highs And Lows Of Working With Your Mom

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Have you ever had to work with your mom before? Well I have. It was an experience for sure, neither great nor bad. But it happened. Whether this was your choice, a random coincidence, or the result of a desperate job hunt situation, if you’ve ever worked with your mom before, welcome to the club (extra points if you still lived at home while working with her). Working with your mother is one of those experiences that can range from “this is the best thing ever” to “I am about to throw a stapler across the room.” But before you start to draft up that resignation letter, I’d like to point out that it’s not all bad, there can be some pretty good positives too. 

Office

So around 2 years ago now I was employed at the same company as my lovely mother. She actually got me the job. And although we worked in different departments it was a super small company and office space with about 10 employees and she basically oversaw everything I did. It honestly started out great, things were going fine, we tried our best to leave work at work so when we came home she only played the role of being my mom and not my boss. But to be honest, it wore me out quickly, and for a college student living at home while all of my friends were off across the country at college, working with my mom was kinda just the icing on the cake. Long story short I left, buttttt it was a good time while it lasted, and if you’re in that same position that I was in there are definitely some perks to it all.

Carpooling 

Let’s face it. Gas is crazy expensive and parking around Vancouver is just a disaster. If you’re not paying upwards of $15 a day you’re probably just getting towed, but that was all eliminated when I got to drive with my mom to work. I mean yes, sometimes she’s yelling at me to run out the door because it always seems like I’m making her 10 minutes late and yes she likes her car freezing in the morning to wake her up (gross right) but it saves me from paying crazy parking prices, and let alone the actually parking part (me and parallel parking are not a match made in heaven). On good times she sometimes even lets me have the aux cord:)

Lunch Breaks

To be real, I’m not the best at making new friends. I’m just a bit lazy when it comes to the whole meeting new people small talk thing, but I don’t like to be the person who spends their lunch break alone, or worse, hiding out in the bathroom, eating with my mom solved this all. I liked eating lunch with her but I think she was secretly annoyed all along. Sometimes her department would go out and I’d always just be tagging along and having nothing to add to their financial analytic conversation, but hey I think I made it fun. 

Coffee Stops

I love going for coffee. A good Starbucks latte or matcha just hits sometimes. But you know what doesn’t hit. The amount of money it costs and how it seems to just add up so fast! But like mother daughter, we share the same coffee and matcha addiction and 6 out of 10 times, it was on her! I mean hey don’t get me wrong I’m not a freeloader, she was offering and I’d slip in the occasional coffee run offer too, but all in all let’s just say we got our hands on a good amount of caffeine throughout the week. 

#coffee

The Comfortability Factor

I don’t know about you but I despise having to start out a new job. I mean it’s just the worst. You feel so out of place, it’s hard to get into a good rhythm and flow, and you feel like such an outsider. But when I started at this new job the whole settling in process just felt a lot easier. She introduced everyone to me, showed me the ropes, and even where the office kitchen snacks were. I felt super comfortable within the first week on the clock but it probably would have taken me a lot more time to reach that point if I was working elsewhere. 

Don’t get me wrong. It was not all positive there was quite the fair share of negatives that came with it. I mean it was kinda bound to happen, I just turned 20, I was living at home, not in school, and worked with my mom, while everyone else my age was out living on their own and figuring their lives out, I just felt a bit…. well… trapped. 

No Escape From Mom Mode

To get things straight me and my mom were not in the same departments. Actually in quite different ones, but somehow, someway, even on just the smallest slip up, she found out and she was mad. And not like a boss mad where it’s a sit down conversation, she was mom mad. Now I know she practically got me the job and I can’t let her down but c’mon everyone makes mistakes from time to time right?

Personal Business Was Not Personal

During my time at this job I was actually going through a breakup. And when I tell you the whole office knew every little detail. The whole office knew every single detail. I get she’s my mom and if I wasn’t working there she probably would still be talking about things going on in my life (as moms do) but this crossed the line. For weeks I had random people checking in on me, telling me everything was going to be okay, and offering me snacks when all I wanted was to be left alone. There was really no escaping this one either. It was awful, miserable, and I was hysterical.

What’s Work Life Balance?

There was no work life balance. Home came to work, and work came home. This is obviously not a healthy mix. Work life balance is the key to not getting burnt out in my opinion but this just really wore me out. We’d always bring up little things about work at home and visa versa and it felt like I was just always “on”. 

Working with your mom is not for the weak. It’s not the easiest thing but it’s also not the hardest thing. I don’t regret it at all and I actually was able to learn a lot about her and I got a lot of experience working in my first corporate-ish job. It was fun to see the work side of her (especially the work side of her at the Christmas party…)  For a while I felt a little bit behind my age group for working with my mom but honestly at the end of the day work experience is work experience and we had some pretty good times. Do you think you could ever work with your mom?

Katy Perry Is Going To Space?!

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Picture this. You get an email from NASA, Space X or one of the crazy private space travel companies and they offer you a trip to space. No strings attached. You get to hop on this spaceship and go into space. What do you say? Do you take the chance and go? I mean it is a once and lifetime chance right? Or do you play it safe and keep yourself grounded on earth? It’s the final frontier, the infinite void, and the place where billionaires go when they get bored. To be honest, I do have a lot of fears but one of my top 5 worst fears is space. Everything about. I’d never even considered going into space, it’s a thought I don’t even want to think about but recently I was scrolling through Instagram and I saw that Katy Perry along with some other notable female celebrities, are hopping a jet and heading into space. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the post, but to be fair everything is so insane these days I feel like I’ve become numb to all of this crazy celebrity info. But it did get me thinking more about my fear of space and just Katy Perry going in general. Like doesn’t that just sound so insanely random to you? That is just an insane out of this world risk to me. And she has kids! Doesn’t she want to protect herself for her family at all costs? Or is this just something that’s an absolute no brainer “I have to do it” thing for some people? For centuries, since the beginning of time the curiosity of space has always been there for people and I guess this year we will get Katy Perry’s take on space. 

I don’t know about you but I had this understanding that only astronauts could go to space. I used to think of astronauts as the peak of human intelligence and training, brilliant scientists spending years studying, physical conditioning, and eating weird vacuum-sealed food just for the chance to float in zero gravity and collect valuable information to bring back down to earth Now it seems to me If you’ve got a fat enough wallet (or the right connections), you can book a trip to space like it’s an all-inclusive resort. Since when did space travel become so accessible and acceptable? I honestly for the life of me cannot wrap my head around this. Katy Perry is going to space. I feel like I’m viewing space travel as a trend right now, it’s kinda just like the Cyber Truck to me. Something that people want to take a ride in just to say that they have done it. It’s some sort of weird validation thing I think. Everyone is always looking to be first in something or have things that other people don’t and I think going to space is a pretty unbeatable way to one-up a crowd right? It’s the ultimate way to get ahead and show that you’ve done something that other people can only dream of. Or maybe I’m looking into this too far and Katy Perry is just truly interested in going into space and seeing what that whole zero gravity thing is all about. 

All jokes aside, why is Katy Perry even going anyway and why does it matter and why am I so enthralled with it? This will actually be the first all female group to go to space in the last 60 years. 60 years since an all female group has gone past the Kármán Line (which is the internationally recognized boundary of space). The last recorded female flight was actually done solo by Valentina Tereshkova who was also the first woman to go into space. Alongside Katy Perry will be Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez (who also just happens to be engaged to Jeff Bezos). These ladies will be jumping aboard a Blue Origin rocket making it the 11th human flight. And if you are anything like me and panicking at the idea of these ladies heading into space without any NASA people on board don’t worry because they will be joined with bioastronautics researcher, Amanda Nguyen, NASA rocket scientist, Aisha Bowe, and movie producer, Kerrianne Flynn. The exact flight date has not been named yet however you can expect this all to happen sometimes in the Spring. 

I guess putting all my fears aside I could say I get the appeal. You’d get to float around in zero gravity, look out the window, and see our beautiful blue planet from a view that only a handful of people in human history have ever experienced. I bet the feeling once you’re looking down is just a surreal moment. Everything would get put into perspective too, on earth you’re really just a tiny human wandering around, and besides planet earth, there is so much to explore. To be honest I have wondered what floating around in zero gravity is like so I guess that would be super cool to experience. Just drifting through space floating around weightlessly next to Katy Perry, sounds like a once in a lifetime chance to me. It’s the closest thing to being a superhero, and it looks like pure fun. I grew up (still am) obsessed with Harry Potter. Like so obsessed. So you can imagine my reaction when I went to visit Harry Potter land in Universal Studios in California. I was in my element, probably one of the happiest days of my life, I was shocked, amazed, and just so happy. I know there’s people out there who feel the same about Star Wars so maybe space to them is just how I felt about being at Hogwarts. 

So back to my first question, if you got that text from NASA, would you choose to go? When you weigh all the pros and cons, the answer really depends on what kind of person you are. If you live off of adrenaline and taking risks it could just be a no-brainer yes for you and totally worth all the risks that space travel brings. But if you are someone who gets nervous at just the thought of a roller coaster, then it might be best to sit this one out. To be quite frank, my answer would be a hard no. I don’t even have to think about it. I literally have no desire to go to space and experience that. And yes, while I agree it’s cool and interesting, I just wouldn’t want to willingly put myself in a scenario where I feel that level of risk to my life accompanied with high levels of my anxiety and my heart probably beating out of my chest. So, would you go? 

Immortality? Yes Or No?

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When I was younger I used to be so afraid of dying. I’d think about my death, how I’d want to die, and hope that it wasn’t painful. I thought a lot about the afterlife too. Is there a heaven? Or is it just nothing? I think a lot of these thoughts stem from my Catholic school upbringing. I mean really it’s most of what we talk about, living our best Catholic lives on earth so that when we pass on we can go to heaven and have the “eternal happy life” I was taught about. But as I’ve grown older and come to my senses, I’m not too afraid of dying anymore. I mean it happens to everyone at some point right? So why fear it? Me and my friends like to chat about this subject from time to time, maybe we’re weird but we always come up with a good ol’ pros and cons list for immortality. Like if you really could, would you want to live forever? It’s honestly a pretty complex topic, but also maybe it’s not for you. Maybe you’re completely set against it or on the other hand maybe you’re constantly researching new technology and following all the latest health trends to make your life longer. Either way it’s an odd topic but one I just can’t put down and I’m always super fascinated to hear what other people have to say about it, but here’s what I have to say about it all. (And I will play devil’s advocate here and go on either side of the picture.) 

DEATH

How many times have you heard the phrase “Life is too short”. I bet a ton right? Maybe everyone who says this is right – maybe life is too short. Having a never ending lifetime would mean the possibilities are endless. But if the possibilities were endless and you had 365 x infinity days to learn every language, try every sport and visit every country then would you even be motivated to get it done? If there is no time constraint then maybe you would get lazy, maybe you wouldn’t make the most of your days and you’d take life for granted. Having a limited amount of days means you need to make the most of the time you have, I think having no pressure would just make you less motivated to try new things and live your life to the fullest. 

But if you had the rest of forever, think of all the cool stuff you’d get to see. I always think about how my grandma grew up without phones or internet and now she has a full on Instagram account. She got to see a whole technological growth right before her eyes, but it would just keep getting cooler and more interesting as time went on. You could see the rise and fall of entire civilizations, geographics change, and watch the whole world grow right before your eyes. That could either be really cool or really scary. What if everything is going to start to change for the worse and right now is your primetime of life, would you really want to watch the world go downhill and live to be a part of it? 

You know that feeling when you finish a TV series and suddenly don’t know what to do with your life? It’s like the one thing you were really into at the moment and now what do you do? You have to find a new show but at the moment you feel like nothing can compare. Now imagine that feeling on a universal scale. After you’ve done everything, seen everything, and experienced everything, what’s left? What if eternal life just becomes… dull? Would life lose meaning if you had unlimited time? Would you begin to take it for granted or would you still live everyday with a positive attitude. I feel like your attitude towards it all has to do with a lot of it. If you’re going into it with a positive vibe everyday then I guess that would make it less dull but if you have the mentality of “ughh here we go again another day” then I think after a while it would wear down on you. 

One point that I always keep going back to is how you’ve seen first hand just how much the cost of life has risen, so if it just keeps going up and up would you have to keep working forever? And what about the retirement age? Technically that wouldn’t affect you cause you wouldn’t be physically aging and still in good working condition. Say you’re going to be 33 forever. And you’d have to work the same day job forever until you die to afford to live. I’d not like that one bit. I’d much rather work till I’m 65 and be able to retire and live out the rest of my days in peace spending time with family and friends. Wouldn’t the 9-5 life become extremely mundane? I mean for the most part a lot of people in the world are eagerly anticipating the retirement age, so if you never got to reach that would you really be enjoying your life? 

What if it was only you who got to live forever? I think this one single point has the power to change the whole debate. It’s totally different if everyone got to live forever. Then you’d all be in the same boat and it’s all you know. But if it was just you living forever alone I think that would be so hard. You’d have to watch so many people come and go. Generations of friends, family, and loved ones pass away. Over and over. How many heartbreaks could you go through before you start emotionally detaching from everyone? Would relationships even feel the same if you knew they had an expiration date while you didn’t? I think this one point is my deciding factor. You’d get to watch so many nieces, nephews, grandsons and granddaughters be born and just know that one day you’ll have to go through the heartbreak of losing them. I’d rather not have to deal with it and be content with knowing that we’re all on the same cycle of life and I won’t be the only one left alone time and time again. 

So, if you had the choice to live forever would you do it?  It’s tempting, especially when you think about all the unfinished business you have in life. And of course if you have a big fear about what comes after life, I guess it would be nice to avoid that fear entirely right? But would it really be worth it if we had to watch everyone we love disappear, or if we ended up feeling like a relic of a past world? I think that’s what’s special about life, that it is limited. That makes us want to live everyday to the fullest and get out there and make those special memories. You don’t want life just to pass you by So, what do you think? Immortality, yes or no? And more importantly, how would you spend your extra centuries if you said yes?

Spending The Summer In BC

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Summer is just around the corner. Well, not just around the corner, you do have to get through spring first buttttt time flies and before you know it the sunny weather will be here. As a college student I always like to make the most of my summers. I mean us students are practically locked in a library and glued to our computer screen for 8 months out of the year so when the summer comes I’m ready to get outside and go away. Throughout the year I’m always patiently waiting for the summer. Dreaming of the days I can shut my textbook and write that last final and just be carefree for the summer and go off on adventures. But then the summer comes around and what money do I have to spend for these adventures? Basically none. It makes sense though, I had barely any time to work and the little money I did make was spent on textbooks, tuition, and caffeine. But as a third year college student living in BC I’ve cracked the code to making summers fun within the province. And even though my TikTok and Instagram feed is always filled with people living out their Euro-Summer dreams once June rolls around, I’ve learned to make BC summers just as fun. I think the recipe for making the most out of a summer are weekend getaways. Just little trips you can do for a change of scenery are the best. I mean BC is such a beautiful province and there is so much to discover. 

Victoria 

Taking the ferry to Victoria for a weekend getaway, or even just a day trip, is always a  cool experience. The city has so much to offer, and what makes it truly special is all the different vibes it has. For those who love the outdoors, Victoria has a laid-back island feel, with stunning beaches. You could easily spend an entire day wandering along the shore and exploring all the beaches. Some of my go to’s Willows Beach and Spiral Beach. 

If you’re more of a city adventurer, downtown Victoria has a vibrant energy with its mix of charming boutiques, lively pubs, and good eats serving everything from fresh seafood to classic comfort food. The Inner Harbour is a must see, where you can watch street performers, check out the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, or hop on a water taxi for a different perspective of the city.

Victoria is also rich in history and heritage, giving it an old-world charm. If you’re fascinated by history, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings are a great thing to spend the day exploring.You can take a guided tour, or even just standing outside and catching a glimpse while sipping on a coffee is super cool too. 

BC Parliament, Victoria

Tofino

Since you already took the ferry over from the mainland, why not extend your trip? One of my favourite places in the world is Tofino. It really is the “Hawaii of Canada”. Whether you’re looking to catch some waves or just walk along the beach with a good book, nothing beats the Tofino vibes. 

If you’re looking to embrace the laid-back island lifestyle, Tofino’s beaches are the perfect place to start. Long Beach, Chesterman Beach, and Cox Bay are all stunning spots where you can spend the day walking along endless stretches of sand, getting a tan, and watching the surfers carve through the Pacific. 

Beyond the beaches, Tofino is a dream destination for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. You have Pacific Rim National Park right there which is honestly breathtaking. There are so many trails to explore and it’s unbelievable how gigantic the trees are, simply stunning. 

Tofino is so quaint and has so much charm with amazing local restaurants, coffee shops, and markets. Whether you’re grabbing a famous Tacofino burrito, warming up with a cozy cup of coffee from Rhino Coffee House, or enjoying some craft beer from Tofino Brewing Co, the food and people are unbeatable. 

No matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, an outdoor adventure, a peaceful escape from the city, or a mix of both, Tofino offers a one-of-a-kind experience that will make you want to return again and again. There are loads of amazing campsites and hotels scattered along the coastline to choose from.

Tofino Seas

Bowen Island

Continuing with the island vibes, Bowen Island is the perfect place to get away from the city if you’re just looking for a day trip. There’s so much to see and do but it’s small enough you can get away with seeing it all in just a day. Bowen is so quaint and cute you find so many cute shops and cafes to wander in and out of, grab a nice meal, and if you’re feeling adventurous and wanting to get some steps in there are so many trails around the Island, and of course you can’t forget the beautiful beaches. 

Whytecliff Park

Wanting to stay local but still looking for a relaxing escape? Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver is the place to be this summer. It’s absolutely gorgeous with a main beach, grassy field, cliffs to jump off of, and when the tide is out there is even a rock you can walk out to and climb up and explore, it’s super cool. If you’re lucky you might even be able to catch a couple of whales splashing around the ocean, I’ve been able to see some orcas a few times there. 

Lynn Canyon

If you’re looking for a chance to cool down this summer Lynn Canyon is my favourite spot for a cool dip. The water is so clear and so refreshing there’s no better place to go for a dip than Lynn Canyon. There are also a lot of spots where you can climb into the water too, just walking up and down the trail along the river you will be able to find a good little spot to get in. My go to is always bringing some snacks and spending a hot July afternoon at the canyon with some friends, the perfect North Vancouver summer afternoon. 

Spanish Banks

If you love a good sandy beach then this is the beach for you. Spanish Banks in Kitsilano is probably the best sandy beach in Vancouver. If you love to skimboard or even just want to get into it then this is the perfect spot to break the board out and give it a go. There are a lot of concession stands for those snack breaks as well. I love to throw a football or toss a volleyball around with friends, play some cards, and get a tan on. It’s really just a slice of heaven in the city. 

You have to admit, BC summer’s are pretty unbeatable, I mean we got it all. Whether you’re staying on the mainland or adventuring out to the island there is so much to see and do. So once June comes around and you’re looking for summer activities to get there and take in the sun before Raincouver comes back, then check some of the ideas out and I’m sure you’ll be having a great summer. 

 

Dissecting Taylor Swift Lyrics: Part 2

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Two weeks ago I wrote a piece on dissecting lyrics. Sometimes I only listen to a song for the beat. If it’s catchy and fun and puts me in a good mood then maybe that’s all I need from it. But from time to time I’ll be listening to a song and the lyrics really hit me. “Did they really just say that? They are a mastermind!” I love the process of going through lyrics and lines in a song and uncovering what they are really trying to say. Getting in the brains of other people is fun right? I think so. Trying to uncover secret meanings and get inside the mind of artists is so interesting to me. One artist in particular really makes it fun to dissect her lyrics for me. This artist has 404 songs, that’s a lot to cover, obviously I wasn’t able to get that done in one piece. So welcome back to Dissecting Taylor Swift Lyrics: Part 2. 

Taylor has always been prominent in pop-culture but In the past couple of years she really has taken off, releasing 4 brand new albums since 2020, going on tour for her iconic Eras Tour, with 149 shows spanning 5 continents, and of course, she’s in the spotlight in the sports world for dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. From a non-Swiftie perspective I can (sorta) see why there can be a misunderstanding with the type of artist she is. You may know her from “Love Story” or “You Belong With Me” but I’m here to show you that she has evolved a lot since those days and her lyrics are more meaningful then “it’s a love story baby just say yes”. 

Along with dissecting lyrics I’ll also touch on ones that are just clever. Lines and lyrics that make me think “how did she even think of that”. The ones that bring me chills because how can a person create such interesting and engaging lyrics to relate to everyday feelings. Basically I want to prove to you that Taylor Swift is more than just a pop artist who sings about breakups, she is a lyrical genius. 

DISCLAIMER: I will use the word presumed because obviously we cannot get into the actual mind of the one and only Taylor Swift, this is just what is presumed.

Last April, Taylor Swift released her latest album The Tortured Poets Department. The title of this album matches perfectly with the music. It’s a melancholy feeling yet it is so poetic. So it’s only right I start with some songs from this album and the first song I’m going to touch on is one that really gives me chills and is so clever to me “How Did It End”

“Say it once again with feeling/ How the death rattle breathing/ Silenced as the soul was leaving”

Have you ever had something happen to you that leaves you literally breathless and trying to catch air. It’s like when you find out or see something that you didn’t want to know and it leaves you so shocked your system can’t keep up with your brain. How Did It End is a song that looks back on the past really questioning what went wrong and how did it all end? It’s also almost like a goodbye, with the “silenced as the soul was leaving”. 

When I was little with friends a core memory is singing those rhymes “Jessi and Daniel sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G” it used to have us laughing in tears after, to little girls it’s hilarious at the time. I grew up listening to Taylor Swift, so as she has gotten older and the music matures so have I. When I heard this next lyric in How Did It End, it kinda left me with my jaw dropped and an anxious stomach. 

“My beloved ghost and me/ Sitting in a tree/ D.Y.I.N.G”

These lines are nostalgic almost and it’s an odd feeling to look back on with growing up and how time flies so fast. One day you’re on the swings singing about your friends in grade 4 kissing and the next you’re a young adult listening to heartbreaking songs that you only wish you didn’t have to relate to. It’s a line that leaves an odd taste in my mouth. I love how clever she was with that rhyme change, but really Taylor, you didn’t have to make me that sad and nostalgic. 

 

Continuing with the Tortured Poets Department, I think one of the reasons I love this album so much is because it’s still predominantly about breakups and relationships but it’s a completely different take than her previous albums. This album is not at all those “Shake It Off” vibes where she’s going through the breakup in a light fun way, you can tell with this album she took it in a mature way, showing that these feelings were painful. 

Have you ever been really into someone or maybe even in a relationship with someone where everyone just disapproves of that other person? It’s an awful feeling and you feel the judgement so hard. I mean after all it’s someone you really value yet other people are just not seeing those same sides of the person that you see. But afterwhile maybe you begin to see why these people feel that way about that person. Maybe they aren’t so good for you, the relationship is thrilling and seems so good to you, you just can’t take that step away. Taylor’s song “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” kinda emasculates those feelings perfectly. 

They shake their heads saying “God help her”,/ When I tell them he’s my man/ But you’re good Lord doesn’t need to lift a finger/ I can fix him, no, really I can.

The dopamine races through his brain/ On a six-lane Texas highway

Taylor is talking about being with someone so exhilarating and exciting but in reality they probably aren’t the best for you, maybe deep down you know it, but everyone around you can definitely see it. 

 

The feeling of getting old to people is something that I know a lot of people can relate to. Once you’re not this new shiny person anymore and people get to know the real you and see your flaws and quirks, if they aren’t your true friend they can get scared and pull away. Taylor hits these feelings of fear of abandonment in her song “Nothing New” right on the dot. 

“Lord what will become of me/ Once I’ve lost my novelty?

So have I proved to you that Taylor Swift is a lot more than just basic song lyrics? I mean I think I’ve laid it out all pretty good right here, she is the lyrical genius I said she was! Even if you aren’t a fan, I think it’s still fun to dissect these lyrics and get into her brain, and who knows, maybe once you check these songs out you’ll be a new found Swiftie. 

Social Media: A Double Edged Sword

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Social media is a double edged sword. On one hand, it’s good. It keeps us connected, keeps us creating, informed, and entertained. But on the other hand, it can make you feel bad, really bad. One minute you’re scrolling through Instagram liking your cousin’s engagement posts, the next you’re wondering if you need a nose job and spiarling into a pit of comparison, dread, and jealousy over your high school bully being accepted into law school. It’s no secret that social media plays a huge role in your daily life, it’s just ingrained in us now, almost a part of us. I bet the first thing you do when you wake up is check your social media accounts. And hey, to clarify, I’m not judging, because this is what I do, I wake up, actually not even fully awake, and I’m already scrolling through Instagram. What a nice wake up call right? Be honest, social media doesn’t leave you feeling any better than you were when you got on right? So are you putting yourself into the position of endlessly doom scrolling into stress and self-donut? Or do you get off social media feeling like this new and improved best version of yourself?

The phones

Before I completely trash social media and tell you that it’s doing you absolutely no good (and I know, I know, I use it too, I’m guilty of all of this) I can give it credit for the good things about it. As someone who’s family lives all over the world, social media is a way to connect us. I get to see what my little cousins are up to from their parents’ social media, or what my crazy uncle has been re-tweeting, it keeps me in the know of their lives from quick day to day scrolls. It feels good not to be totally cut off from them and be able to see what’s going miles and miles away. Social media can also be an educating thing. Whether it’s mental health awareness, political movements, or social justice causes, social media platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok have changed how we can get in the know of important things going on around us. It’s also such a great way to get creative and connect with people. Podcasts for example, there creative, educational, and inspiring 10s across the board from me. 

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Social media can be extremely harmful for you and you might not even notice it. It’s a trap. It sucks you right in and you get addicted to scrolling and you just dip yourself into a hole deeper with each swipe and click. Scrolling through Instagram can make you feel like everyone has a better life than you. Someone’s on vacation in Greece, another person just graduated from college, and your high school crush is getting engaged. Meanwhile, you’re still trying to figure out how to fold a fitted sheet properly, let alone put it on your bed first try without realizing you got the wrong corner. It’s the comparison trap. You start by comparing lifestyles, then maybe you compare material items, like other people’s bags, clothes, and jewellery, and then you start to compare your physical image to others. You just wish you were them, and it sucks but you just can’t put the phone down. But what you have to realize is Instagram and social media is just a highlight reel, that perfect couple you see posting all the time is probably in some stupid argument all the time, and that person vacationing Greece could have a lot of stuff going on behind the screen that you just don’t see.  They’re not showing their bad days, their financial struggles, or the 100 attempts it took to get that “candid” selfie. Everything can be edited so you have to remember, you aren’t seeing the photo be taken right then in person, so how can you be sure it’s real? Social media can force you to compare your life to other peoples and create some serious FOMO. Even if you’re perfectly happy staying in on a Friday night, one look at a Snapchat or Instagram story can make you feel like you’re missing out on the best night of your life. Seeing other people constantly doing fun things can make you feel like your life isn’t exciting enough, even if you were totally fine five minutes ago. It gives you that feeling that you’re doing life all wrong, that you need to be living by other peoples standards and ways of life to truly be fulfilled which is all so wrong. 

Social media doesn’t just affect your mental health by way of comparison, there’s doom scrolling too. Ever spend an hour reading bad news and then feel like the world is ending? That’s doom scrolling, and it’s a major problem for mental health. Social media is great at keeping us informed, but the constant stream of negativity can make the world feel way more chaotic than it actually is. This just brings you to feelings of crazy anxiety, stress, and a feeling of helplessness. It’s like your finger is stuck on auto pilot, just swiping and finding the worst each time, it’s an awful cycle. But it’s not entirely your fault, social media apps are literally designed to be addictive. The endless scroll, the notifications, the random rewards of likes and comments, it’s all meant to keep you hooked. There has even been research done on the colour of the buttons and notifications on which ones get the most clicks. It’s absolutely insane, no wonder the whole world is glued to a screen, social media was built for us to become addicted. 

Debating School Social Media Policies

The internet can be a brutal place, but people just feel way more comfortable and confident behind a screen, but with this comfortability, it can lead to people just feeling way more comfortable to be mean behind a screen. Cyberbullying is a massive issue, from comments under posts to direct messages cyberbullying is out there more than you know. Even if you haven’t been directly affected by cyberbullying I’m sure you’ve seen a comment under a post once or twice that is just so appalling and unnecessary, you wonder who could ever say those things. 

Like I said before, social media is a double edged sword. A blessing and a curse. It can connect you but at the same time isolate you.. Inform you, but at the same time overwhelm you. It can entertain you, but at the same time, it can really drain you. Again, I’m no saint and I really should be listening to what I’m saying, but it’s addicting, it’s hard to stop. But the trick is to use it as mindfully as possible, which isn’t the easiest task. So, next time you find yourself deep in a TikTok hole at 2 AM, ask yourself “Is this actually making me happy?” If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to put the phone down and go catch some probably, much needed Z’s. 

 

Getting Ghosted

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If you haven’t been ghosted, consider yourself lucky. But I mean we’ve all been there at one point or another right? Maybe even a job. You send in your resume, you get the interview, you do the interview, andddd you never hear back. You got ghosted. How about a great first date. You think it goes well, you guys plan to go on another, you text a bit and then one day, no response. You got ghosted. It stings, and it’s a universal experience you’re more than likely to go through at one point or another. 

Ghost.

It’s an odd feeling. Whether you were close to this person or not, being cut off without an explanation can leave you with so many unanswered questions. Not getting closure makes it basically impossible to move on, afterall, getting that closure, those last few words for understanding is what helps you heal. So not getting that makes healing a whole new game. Usually, it’s for the best, if they didn’t even have time to write you a quick text (at the bare bottom minimum) then good riddance to them, time to move on. But if it’s someone you really valued as a person and maybe even intended for whatever that relationship was to carry on way into the future, then ouch, ya it stings. 

Ghosting has really taken off in this digital age. I mean it makes sense, there’s so many platforms out there and with people hiding behind the screen they just think it’s easier to break things off by literally just breaking the conversation. In highschool, SnapChat was the biggest culprit. To be honest and real there were many times in highschool I got ghosted, most of them I didn’t even care or think twice, but some, wow you would’ve thought I was engaged to them, I was a full blown mess. But rightfully so, I mean it sucks to have a connection with someone (or so you think) and then just be thrown off a cliff the next day. At a young age too, when your brain is not at all developed it leaves you with that “well why wasn’t I good enough” feeling when in reality, that person just sucks and doesn’t have the courage to write a simple text. Good riddance. It’s the ultimate disappearing act. Ghosters should just go to the circus and do an act with a magician where they disappear right off stage and are never seen again (probably the only thing they’d be good at ever too).  If you’re on a dating app then I’m sure you know the struggle. You think you and this person could make it off the app into real life, the banter is great, the conversations are deep and thennnn they vanish into thin air. 

Ghost

Being ghosted is like riding an emotional roller coaster that you didn’t sign up for. One minute, you’re feeling on top of the world, texting back and forth, planning your next hangout, and getting excited for all these future possibilities you’re building up in your head. The next minute, you’re staring at your phone, wondering if you’ve said something that sent them running. It’s a feeling of denial. You’ll probably check your phone a million times, grabbing your phone at every single buzz, ding, and ring, hoping you got it all wrong, and maybe they just got hold up at work. You go to bed, then wake up and realize, oh, this is happening. 

Once reality sets in and you come to the terms that wow, this person really did ghost me, you will probably feel angry and frustrated. How did you let this person who is wayyyy out of your league do this? Then you’ll start asking yourself questions. “How did I let this happen to me?” “Was I not interesting enough?” and of course the common one “how could they just disappear?”. It’s a confusing time, you thought this person could’ve been end game (probably just a second date) and now poof, just like that, gone. 

Then you’ll bargain. You’re trying to figure out ways to fix it. Maybe they’re busy, right? You start drafting follow-up messages, trying to write out the perfect text that won’t seem too desperate but will still get them to respond. You’ll convince yourself that one more message will do the trick. Or maybe their birthday is just around the corner so you wait for their birthday, send them a text and wait. The harsh reality is that they probably won’t respond. I mean the hardest part they had to do is already done already, they ripped their band aid off by stopping the conversations, why would they put themselves through that again. But who knows, maybe they are in a good mood, feeling friendly, you get a response back! This is everything you wanted right? Maybe you guys will banter back and forth for a bit and then shocker, if they did it once, they can do it again. I hate to say it but you did this to yourself my friend. Now you just have to start the healing cycle from the beginning, so maybe next time, leave the happy birthday text out of the equation. 

Being ghosted is never fun, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s tempting to send a “Why did you ghost me?” message, but it’s usually not worth your time. Why would you give someone your precious time when they didn’t even have the human decency to give you literally 1 minute of theirs? I promise after sometime you’ll come to terms with it. The feelings will come and go. After some time and a little self-reflection, you’ll realize you’re better off now. You realize that their silence isn’t your fault, and sometimes people just aren’t as invested as you are. At this point, you can either move on or just laugh about it because, honestly, it’s kind of funny at the end of this, this person was that immature they couldn’t just pick up the phone and type out a simple sentence, so I said it once and I’ll say it again, good riddance! 

 

Cramming Chaos

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If there’s a collective thing all college students are good at, it’s procrastination. No matter how many times we tell ourselves, Next time, I’ll start studying early.  You always end up in the same place, frantically flipping through notes at 2 AM, fuelled by caffeine, stress, and the distant hope that sheer willpower can replace actual preparation, and if all else fails, just fill in C on the scantron. It literally happens to me every time, I walk into a midterm, ready to bolt the other way, I take it, and then I walk out with the same response “at least we have the final we can study and do well at”. Sounds familiar right? 

It always starts the same way: absolute denial. Maybe you forgot about the exam. Maybe you convinced yourself there was still plenty of time. Either way, reality hits and bam, next thing you know the exam is tomorrow. “Are you ready for the test tomorrow?” Cue the five stages of academic grief:

  1. Denial – No way it’s tomorrow. How did this week fly by?
  2. Anger – It’s not my fault I skipped so much class!
  3. Bargaining – If I study all night and skip breakfast, maybe I can cram everything in, I got this.
  4. Depression – There’s no way I’m passing. Maybe I should just drop out.
  5. Acceptance – It’s in God’s hands now. 

But us college students don’t give up. We are paying our life savings (literally) in tuition and we cannot afford to (financially and mentally) fail this exam. Cue the caffeine. No all nighter is complete without coffee, energy drinks, matcha, whatever it may be to keep your brain firing and awake, or even just alert enough to absorb some sort of information. Beware of the inevitable caffeine crash, though. There’s nothing worse than powering through an all-nighter only to get to the exam and be struggling to keep your eyes open, this happens to me far too often. 

Since time is not on your side with the last minute cramming methods, efficiency is everything. Forget deep learning, this is about getting as much information into your brain as humanly possible in the shortest amount of time. Even just slightly touching on a top topic so if it comes up in a multiple choice question you’re ready to go. Here’s how:

The Skim & Pray Method 

Read through your notes at light speed, highlighting everything that looks important.

The YouTube Crash Course

Find a 10-minute video explaining the entire semester’s worth of material. Preferably with animations. Khan academy is always my go to for quick math explanations

The Group Study Hack 

Meet with friends who actually studied and let them summarize everything for you. It’s a win-win situation, they get to study by repeating back to you and you get a sense for what will be on the exam! Perfect!

One thing about me is that I’m not built for an all nighter life. I’m a girl who needs her sleep. 8 hours minimum. Regularly, I’m in bed by 10 and ready to count some Z’s but those 2 times a year (midterm and finals). It’s go time for me. Surviving an all nighter and taking an exam the next day is not for the weak. It’s something that requires practice and serious skill. You need to get to know yourself and know how your body works before you master the all nighter. But there’s always that inevitable wall you reach around 3am. The wall that makes you question if this all is really worth it. But you can always push through. 

  • Set Study Goals – Break down topics into 30-minute chunks so you don’t get overwhelmed. To be honest, there’s no way you’re going to learn a whole college course in one night, keep it realistic and focus on things you know will be on the test. 
  • Use the Pomodoro Technique – Study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break. Repeat until your soul leaves your body. I found this method on TikTok and to be honest, it does the trick for me. 25 minutes is just enough where I’m locked in the whole time. (I know I know, this generation has a horrible attention span)
  • Snack – Having little bites to eat here and there, keeps me awake. My other hack is to find a small sweet treat you like (mine is skittles) and give yourself one each time you get a question right or move on to the next chapter. This always keeps me motivated to keep on keeping on. 
  • Move Around – Every hour, stand up, stretch, or do jumping jacks. This keeps your brain from melting. It gets hard but what’s harder, failing your exam? Or moving around a little to stay awake? 

Of course, the time will come when it’s time to sit down and write this thing. If there’s 2 things I took away from elementary school then this is it. 1 skip a question if you aren’t sure, you can always come back to it (unless it’s an online exam where your teacher has it set to one question at a time and once you answer then you can’t go back, then good luck) and 2, take a breath, in the grand scheme of things, this is just one single exam you will take in your life. It’s not going to be the end of the world. There’s probably more exams and assignments to come that can boost your grade anyway (and if this is the final and you need a 92% to pass the course, then good luck). But there’s a couple more things you can do to feel a bit better about this exam.

Skim Everything Again – A last-minute review can maybe point out a couple multiple choice answers right?

Fake Confidence – Even if you have no idea what’s happening, answer questions with conviction. Teachers can smell fear. Fake it till you make it right! You are so ready for this! 

Guess Smart – If all else fails, go with C. It’s not scientifically proven, but it feels right.

Cramming isn’t ideal, but let’s face it—it’s a college tradition at this point. At one point or another you are going to have to deal with this, if you didn’t then are you even human? Will you ever learn your lesson and develop better study habits? Probably not. But as long as caffeine exists, last-minute studying will always have a place in academia.

Good luck, fellow procrastinators especially just in the midst of midterm season. You got this, and hang in there. 

The Wrath Of Group Projects

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I strongly dislike group projects. And of course, for starters I should mention how I know they do prepare us for work life, collaborating with your co-workers and all that, but having these group projects in school just drives me up the wall. At least in a job you are all there hopefully because you enjoy what you do and because it makes you money. But in school, you and your classmates probably all want to do different things post grad, just can’t get on the same page, and probably have different work ethics. But if there’s one universal thing that I think students can bond and be on the same page on, it’s hating group projects. 

Library, Jordanville Technical School, July, 1965

Every group project consists of the same seven archetypes of students, no matter what the class, the teacher, or the assignment. It’s like the universe itself has decided that these roles must exist in every academic group work setting. If you’ve ever been in a group project (which, unfortunately, you have), you’ve met these people:

The Overachiever (in other words the group leader)
Ok to be completely yes, I do like taking the role of the group leader on, but not in the controlling scary way, I just like to know that what I want done will get done, I don’t mind taking a little extra on to ensure a good grade, but let me stress, I’m not crazy. But let’s look at the scary overachiever, the one that is relentless, and at times, a bit too forward.  They send the initial text, create the Google Doc, write out the plan, and—by the end—probably just do the whole thing themselves out of sheer survival instinct. They are fuelled by rage, caffeine, and the knowledge that their entire GPA is riding on people who haven’t responded to a single email. They will plan pointless group meetings when at the end of day, probably could’ve all just been sent with a quick text or email. You’re either happy you’re in their group cause that means a little bit of free riding or you’re dreading the unneeded stress that’s about to come with this. 

The MIA

Then at the opposite end of the spectrum we have the person who is always missing in action. You probably have seen them a couple times at the beginning of the school year and then never again. They were technically assigned to your group, but are they real? Do they exist? No one knows. They’ve never responded to a message, never shown up to a meeting, and if they did, they just nodded in the Zoom call while playing video games in another tab. The night the project is due they either pull it together and hand in a masterpiece or that parts get a zero.

The Control Freak

The Overachievers’ evil twin. This person insists on approving everything, assigns way too many deadlines, and rewrites your entire section because they “just wanted to clean it up a little.” They send seven follow-up messages in the group chat at 2 AM. They have no faith in the team and they will make sure that you know your part of the project is bad. Every little detail or suggestion you bring up is immediately shot down because they think that you will never be at the academic level that they are. 

The Disappearing Act 

This is the Ghost’s more chaotic cousin. They show up in the beginning, make some confident claims about what they’ll contribute, and then vanish until the night before the project is due. Suddenly, they resurface with an excuse and a hastily written paragraph or something you can tell is 100% Chat Gpt’d. Their work is so bad that the Overachiever has to redo it anyway.

The Bare Minimum

This person has mastered the act of just sliding through the cracks. This person technically contributes, but just enough to avoid outright failure. If they’re assigned a slide in a presentation, expect a single bullet point and a blurry image copied straight from Wikipedia. Their favourite phrases are “What do you guys need me to do?” and “Can someone check my work?”. They will do what they need to do, but never expect much out of them. 

The Hit Or Miss

Maybe you’ve had this person in a group project once and they completely blew your expectations out of the water. They hit the mark with everything, got it done ahead of time, and maybe even helped out some other members. Then you get them in your next project and they are a complete trainwreck, a real hit or miss. They are willing to put in the work sometimes if it’s something they are really interested in, but if it’s not up their alley, they tune it out. 

The Ideal Member

And of course, there is the ideal member. They just get it. They want to get it done right, they strive for good grades, they don’t need all those pointless after school meetings, and they are able to get along with everyone. They know what they need to do, and they do it right. They come to the group with a positive attitude and bring some great ideas. A solid 10/10.

But the group members don’t just make or break the group flow, there are a lot of outside factors as well. For insistence, the group chat. The group chat is where all the suffering begins. The Overachiever starts it off with an enthusiastic, “Hey guys! When do you want to meet up to start working on the project?” Silence. Crickets. Absolute void. Then, 48 hours later, one person finally replies with, “Oh sorry, just saw this! I’m good with whatever.” Translation: I will be of no help. Three days later, someone else says, “Same!” And another, “I work a lot, so I’m not sure when I’m free.” Congratulations, your project has already failed. Of course the ideal member will chime in here and there suggesting that roles get assigned and you guys get on it, but the control freak will have none of that, they are relying on this meeting. 

DSC03170

After the meeting that probably never happened gets sorted out, (probably just a quick zoom call where everyone is over it and zoned out) it’s time to get to the actual work. Once it’s clear that barely nothing is getting done right, the Overachiever caves and starts putting everything together. The Bare Minimum finally submits their part, and it’s riddled with typos and looks like it was written by a third grader who just discovered Microsoft Word. The Ideal Member gets their part done right and now the control freak is comparing their work to everyone else’s. It’s a mess. Everyone is frustrated. The Disappearing Act is really just nowhere to be found and it’s due at midnight. 

Then of course, presentation day comes along. The control freak and the ideal member take over while the overachiever is in the corner having a panic attack. Then it’s over, you probably won’t talk to them again, you’re traumatized, and then bam, 2 weeks later, the teacher assigned another group project. What do you think about group projects? Are you over them just as much as me? 

Your Vancouver Weekend Itinerary

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I don’t know about you but this week flew by for me. Like what are you saying it’s already Friday?! This is what usually happens for me the week after a long weekend. You start off a little out of sync on Tuesday, trying to shake off that long weekend mode, and then by the time Thursday rolls around, you’re finally finding your rhythm and getting into the groove of things. And just when you think you have a handle on the week, bam! It’s already Friday. It’s like the universe just fast-forwards time as soon as you start feeling productive. But hey, I’m not complaining, bring on the weekend! But the only problem with this is you were probably so focused on getting back on track this week that you had no time to plan out your weekend! But don’t hit the panic button just yet, lucky for you, I’ve got this weekend in Vancouver covered with some awesome ideas, spots, and plans I think you should hit up this weekend. 

Vancouver Sevens

Starting off with a bang, guess what starts today. The Vancouver Sevens better known as the Rugby 7s. This isn’t just your average rugby tournament. It’s a rugby party. If you were wondering why you’ve been seeing people walking around Vancouver in wild costumes, this is why. These games are basically just sped up intense rugby games with only seven players per team (instead of the usual 15) and in short 14-minute matches. This makes for jaw dropping action the whole time. Off the field, BC Place kinda turns into a zoo. The drinks flow hard and fans are known to get a little bit rowdy. You can expect a little bit of everything, it’s a mix of die-hard rugby fans, casual sports lovers, and people who just love a good excuse to party. The energy inside BC Place is unmatched, you’ve got fans singing, dancing, and making friends with complete strangers. The famous “South End” of the stadium is where things get particularly rowdy, with fans bringing the chaotic energy you love to see all day long. This year, teams from around the world, like New Zealand, Fiji, and South Africa, will be battling it out for the title. Canada will also be hitting the field, hoping to make some noise in front of the home crowd, (hopefully our good Canadian energy from last night’s Four Nations win will carry on into Rugby). To be honest I’m actually not sure where the costumes come from but all I know is that it’s just the dress code, so if you’ve got that old group Halloween costume collecting dust in your closet this could be the perfect time to pull it out. The Rugby 7s start today and will continue on through Sunday. You can buy 1 day passes into BC Place but if this sounds right up your alley and you want to spend the whole weekend partying it up while watching some rugby, 3 day passes are available too. 

Bowen Island Day Trip

Rugby and partying not really on your ideal itinerary this weekend? No problem. I think a lot of Vancouverites forget just how close to Bowen Island we are, and if you got a free day this weekend it could just be the perfect opportunity for you to escape the city and go be an Island dweller for a day. You can hop on the ferry from Horseshoe bay and in 20 minutes you’re there. No car needed, you can explore the island by foot. If you’re in the mood to hike and explore the outdoors Bowen has so much to offer, but if you want to avoid the rain there are so many cute shops and coffee shops that you can pop in and out of. It really is the perfect day trip if you’re looking to have a mellow weekend away from the craziness that Vancouver brings. 

Bryght Bowen Island FamilyCon 30July2005 - 98

The Art Of Banksy: “Without Limits” Exhibition 

If art is your thing, then you should 100% check this out. I went last year and I thought it was one of the coolest art shows I’ve ever been to. It’s an impressive street art exhibition of Banksy’s greatest works, with over 200 pieces! You can see original artworks, prints, photographs, sculptures, installations, murals, and more. Located right in Gastown, this is something you don’t want to miss and it’s also the perfect thing to do with this rainy weekend ahead of us.

Guilt and Co

Keeping in the Gastown area (hint: maybe this is something you do after the Banksy exhibit) head over to Guilt and Co to catch a live music show. This cozy underground joint offers 2 early shows a night, (an earlier act and a later act). They serve up delicious food and drinks making it the perfect late night Friday or Saturday spot. I will point out that there are no reservations and it’s all first come first serve so make sure you’re prepared to either wait in a line or head over earlier to save your spot. 

Granville Island Market 

Nothing screams a Vancouver weekend morning to be more than the Granville Island public market. This market is a food lover’s dream. You can grab everything from fresh produce and seafood, to delicious pastries and donuts, and even some awesome sit down restaurants. Local vendors offer everything from handcrafted cheeses and charcuterie to fruit and veggies, even handmade art pieces and jewelry. And let’s not forget the coffee, because every great market adventure needs a solid caffeine boost. The views are stunning too, overlooking False Creek and if you want to get to the other side of town you can hop on the Aqua Bus for under $10 and it will take you straight Downtown. 

Granville Island Part 2

Jerry Sienfeld

The Sunday scaries are real, and whether you’re dreading going back to work or hitting the books after a great weekend of fun, there’s no reason to stop the weekend flow Sunday morning because of a little case of the scaries! Jerry Sienfeld will be doing 2 shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre! This show presented by Just For Laughs Vancouver is the perfect way to close off the weekend and get your mood right for the week ahead. 

No matter what you’re into or what you’re feeling up for this rainy weekend, Vancouver has something fun going on for you. Whether you decide to catch a couple of games and get the party vibes going at Rugby 7s, or want to explore Granville Island’s food scene, or maybe even feel like a calming day on Bowen is the move, there’s no shortage of things to do. So grab your friends and make the most of it! And hey, if all else fails, there’s always a good coffee shop or brewery waiting for you. Whatever you choose, enjoy the weekend, Vancouver never disappoints!