Spring in Toronto (PTX, Cherry Blossoms & Doors Open Toronto)

Well, not being in school is pretty fantastic.  Spring has just "sprung" in the most bipolar way possible (34 degrees yesterday and 9 today...what the heck is going on), and already I've had the chance to do loads of fun things in the city.  

A couple months ago, I saw Pentatonix in concert again!  Last year it was at the Danforth Music Hall which was probably the best venue for an acapella group.  This year it was the Sound Academy which ironically has the lamest sound possible.  But anyways, Pentatonix....I used to watch the Sing Off on TV & on Youtube where I first discovered Pentatonix (before they became a viral sensation); so yep.  We lined up about 2 hours before the doors opened, because vertically challenged individuals have to do things like that if they want to see anything at a standing concert.  Ah well, I can confidently say it was 100% worth it!  

View from the Sound Academy

Then in April, the Cherry Blossoms erupted causing the entire city to gather in High Park.  Obviously I decide to go for the first time after I've moved far away from Bloor West...instead of the during 17 years I lived in the Village.  

This month was also Doors Open Toronto, which I've never gone to either.  I happened to be strolling around downtown for other reasons, but figured I might as well check out some buildings.  I ended up visiting the Canada Life Building (observatory), Osgoode Hall, the HOK offices, Knox College and the Coach House Press.  Twas cool....who knew the city had such neat buildings!?  

View from the Canada Life Observatory

-M

When I grow up....I want to be a Student Affairs Professional

"You work at the University?  So like...in administration?  But you don't plan on doing that forever right? With a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Criminology...I mean, you're much more educated than that....what a waste!"

Within ten minutes of meeting this guy, I can confidently say he wasn't quite making the best impression on me.  He went on to complain about the disadvantage that he (as a white male) faced with affirmative action laws, and went off on Toronto property taxes (how cheap they are compared to the suburbs) and how terrible the transit system is.  I didn't really argue or attempt to defend any opinions I had (and I did agreed with some of his points), it was just one of those conversations which wasn't worth wasting your energy on.  But he did ask the question which I suspect a lot of people have on their minds, they are just too polite to ask.  What is a "Masters in Higher Education" and why would you want to work at a University for the rest of your life? In part, I'm writing this post for myself - a reminder to why I have decided to pursue this field, and a perspective (in the beginning of this journey) to look back on.  

I started working in the University in my third year of undergrad as a casual staff. I'm now in my third year as a contract staff, and I identify myself as a wanna-be "student affairs professional" (which means very little to the average person).  I was pretty directionless in university, I switched majors at least 4 times, and even after graduation I still had no idea what I wanted to do.  It wasn't until my third position within the university when I realized what I enjoyed doing.  I enjoy working with students and playing a role in improving the student experience.  

I didn't have an amazing experience in university...my grades were lower than I hoped, I struggled a bit with the work/school balance, and as a commuter I felt I was missing the full university "experience".  Looking back, many of the close friends I made, and the things I enjoyed spending time doing revolved around student groups and organizations outside of the classroom. It turns out, the things I did outside the classroom - leadership roles, exchange programs, undergraduate research etc., were the things which set me apart from other students and have actually benefited me the most in my short experience with life after university.  

A Student Affairs Professional provides services and support for students outside the classroom.  Things like housing, accessibility services, leadership programming, career planning, health and wellness, academic support, mentorship programming....all of these things are run by dedicated staff who use student development theory to create programs. I guess this is what makes me so attracted to working in Student Life - I have the opportunity to help others, just like me, gain the skills which are needed in the "real world", skills you can't develop by being in a classroom.  I have the chance to help students experience a sense of community and perhaps make their experience a bit better than mine.   A Masters of Higher Education is a chance to learn about student affairs and programming, to learn more about the world of post-secondary institutions and to understand how to serve students better (and just to be clear - this is a discipline rooted in research and assessment).  

It's interesting how life turns out.  Four years ago if you told me I would want to work in a university, I would have laughed...hard...really hard.  Right now I'm still in a position where my future is unclear - I'm still on contract and I have no job after August.  Yet I have a goal and I'm surrounded by amazing people who just want to help other students.  Who knows, in ten years I might want to do something else...by then I might be a jaded crabby nutter.  But for now...yes. I will study Higher Education, I will work in a university, and  I will be a part of the student experience. 



-M

Winter Break

How did two weeks fly by so quickly?  Now that I'm in the "real world" doing grown up stuff, I always forget and take for granted how nice it is to be a student and have a real holiday.   Luckily, I happen to work at a University which means I still get my two weeks holiday (but I still envy my parents and their retired life).  Literally, those two weeks flew by in a blink of an eye!  I spent my time sleeping, meeting up with friends, more sleeping, lots and lots of eating, and some more sleeping.

Back before the Europe trip, my friend and I went to a travel show and she played a game and won VIP tickets to the maple leaf lounge at the airport.  I couldn't believe she won something, so I in turn entered every single contest there, whether it was for a free flight or for free yoghurt.  I happened to win two tickets to anywhere in the states but Hawaii, but my family's initial intent to use it during the break backfired when we realized there was a blackout period.  Since I had to go to work, my parents used the tickets and went to Arizona instead *sad face*.... this is apparently how Arizona looks in December.  

So. Incredibly. Jealous. I think I need to go enter some more contests.  

Well...actually okay, I did.  So back when this happened pre-May, after winning the tickets I got excited that I won something, and entered some (all) online contests.  Somehow I won a family pass to the new(ish) Ripley's Aquarium downtown! We used those tickets near the beginning of the break which was really fun...lots of fish.  We may or may not have gone for sushi after.... 

I also went to the Toronto Christmas Market for the first time this year which I probably should have done the past couple of years as well.  We made the mistake of going the last weekend before the market closed down (oops).  It was REALLY packed, we had to line up to get in!  Not making that mistake again!  Overall, I was really surprised, it was really nice, and bigger than I expected.  Definitely going again next year, maybe closer to the beginning of winter.  My pictures didn't quite turn out - I blame the crowds ;) 



And that was my break in a nutshell!  Happy 2015!!!!!

-M

Summer in the City

Really late post...but figured I needed one last taste of summer as winter is quickly approaching.  Although I spent the majority of my summer away from home, coming home was also really nice.  I managed to catch a couple festivals and events before starting a new full time job and school. 

Toronto Dragonboat Festival

Toronto International Film Festival! (The Riot Club)

Randomness in the TRL...No idea what's happening..

-M

Around Toronto

This week I had some time to rediscover Toronto (aka awkward tourist in my own city) as one of my friends from Japan came to visit for a couple of days!  Needless to say, I love Toronto...I mean how can you not!  From Koreatown, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Kensington, Little India....to the parks, malls, and theaters...no place like home.  



Ai Weiwei currently has an exhibit at the AGO, but one of his installations - Forever Bicycle (3144 bikes) was still hanging around from Nuit Blanche in Nathan Phillips Square.   
 
UofT's rare book library is absolutely gorgeous! For some reason I've never taken the time to check it out these past four years...so glad I did!

Grafitti alley off of Queen is a full kilometer of epic

I was really excited to check out the new Ripley's Aquarium which just opened beside the CN tower, but the lineup was absolutely ridiculous!  I think I might have to wait a couple months....

-M 

Digitour & October Hike

This weekend (between studying) I attended the Digitour concert and I went on a day hike with the Duke of Ed club!  Both were a lot of fun, and also reminded me why I love Toronto so much.  

Digitour is basically a number of YouTube personalities who do a couple shows in North America.  This year the British YouTubers I've been watching came for a show in Toronto, so my friend and I parted  ways with $50 each and got balcony tickets for the show at the Sound Academy.  In the end it was (obviously) worth every penny, and I'm so incredibly glad I paid extra for the balcony seats.  The main floor looked like madness, people were pushing so much at the front, that security guards had to lift people out of the crowd!  I also got a full view & I figured it'd be a bit more bearable being surrounded by 19+ aged fans rather than the crazy youngins downstairs. The YouTubers were awesome, they entertained the audience, and I still can't believe we saw them perform in person!  

Brit Crew <3  Caspar Lee!

& Jim Chapman!

LA YouTube Crew

View from the Sound Academy (which actually had terrible sound quality..)

So the day after that awesome show, I went on a day hike with the Duke of Ed club bright and early.  This year we went to Rouge Park in Scarborough which was surprisingly quite nice.  All the trails we hiked were very scenic considering it was in Toronto - not as difficult as other hiking trails outside of the city - but still a lot of fun!

Love the Fall!

Back to studying now!

-M