Happy! Happy! Happy!!!

So today I was soooo excited because the Soph apps came out! They are pretty much the ticket to making sure the newbies have a blast. I had such a good experience with my sophs that I hope to pay it forward!

Today was just an all around good day. We discussed the novel Jungle Book, which was interesting because there is quite a difference compared to Disney's rendition (more raw animal nature)! We watched clips from the first Harry Potter and discussed its critique on society today, as well as how it promoted reading in a world that reads way less than the past! I shocked my prof with the response that I'd gladly run down people who thought I was the odd duck in society! Happiness comes and goes, and I'm so thankful to King's for being the source of mine this year!

Don't worry be happy now,

Karli

What's in a Name?

I've been seeing all over that Western is changing its name to Western University. Of course all over the web, there has been mixed reviews ranging from OMG how could they!? to Big deal! I have to say, I agree with the latter.

As long as you're happy where you are, and doing what you want to do, a name means nothing. What does matter is the people you meet, the experiences you share, and the mark you leave behind..I have to say I'm quite pleased with my accomplishments, experiences, and friends I've met so far! Even if it was called the University of Platypus, I would still proud to go here.

Karli

Lazy Days

I woke up this morning feeling like I didn't want to get out of bed.  I tried listening to some of my favourite music, in an attempt to pump myself up.  No use.  I tried to work on my Soph Creative and was bored 10 seconds later. I’m surprised I’m writing this right now. You know, it sucks when your drive is equal to the weather outside. I just feel like eating half of my house, and not feeling guilty about it.  I went to school for two hours today, and the only thing I felt motivated to do was buy brownies from the King's bake sale.  That was about the only good thing that happened today.

On days that I feel unmotivated, my favourite remedies are shows like Dr. Phil, and the Jeremy Kyle show.  I feel almost embarrassed to admit it, but it's true.  Whenever I watch the Dr. Phil show, I look at the people on there, and I think to myself that my issues could be a lot worse than being buried in books.  When those TV shows don't cut it, I resort to my favourite foods like cookies, spaghetti , and fries. Whatever happens, I just keep Rollin'

Here's hoping tomorrow proves more productive,

Karli

Forever Young

Yesterday I went to celebrate my friend Dominique's 20th birthday at Winks. Of course she had already done a fair amount of pre-drinking beforehand so by the time I got there, she was already pretty far gone.  I didn't mind at all, because that's to be expected on your 20th birthday, and it was a free source of entertainment.  I laughed when she wrapped her arms around me, and started wailing...

I DON'T WAAAAANNNNNAAAAAA BEEEEEEEEEEE 20!

It was a very funny sight to see, but it reminded me of my own fear of growing up.  Responsibility seems to jump on you when you least expect it, and sooner or later you have no choice but to grow into adulthood.  So far, on my journey I have had many ups and downs, and I assume there will be many more.  However, if I continue to meet people like my friends at King's, adulthood will only get better.  There may be increased responsibilities, and increased stress levels but I know I'm not alone.  No matter how old I get, and no matter how busy life makes me, a part of my heart will always remember the memories I am making today.

                 

Forever Young,

Karli

Inspiration?

Last night I stayed at King's to hear Luca Lazylegz Patuelli speak and perform a breakdancing show.  I found his show was amazing.  He told us about all the obstacles he had faced on the way to becoming a professional breakdancer. He was born with Arthrogryposis, which affects the muscles and bones in his legs, making them tight and hard to move.  He has had over 16 correctional surgeries, and was told by doctors that he would be confined to a wheelchair.  Yet, yesterday there he stood with crutches and the ability to take a few steps without them.  It was very inspiring for me to meet someone with a disability, who had reached their dream and even surpassed it.

One of my friends told me that I was just as inspiring as him.  Though I was flattered, I can honestly say that I've never thought myself to be inspiring at all.  Yes, I have struggled through a lot to get to King's and yes I am the first person in my family to go to university, but I've never stopped and said that those were amazing things.  I just continued because it felt like the right thing to do.  Isn't it funny how you can so easily find something inspiring in others, but are so hesitant to see the same in yourself?

Maybe I should give myself more credit, but it's not as easy as it seems...

Karli

I Swear the Janitors Must Hate Me

Winter is the worst time for people in wheelchairs. For me, I'm cooped up inside a lot and have to rely on para transit if I wanna get around. Not only does it do a number on my mood,but also poor Chuck (read last post). Chuck eats snow, dirt, and salt very much to my disliking, as my house never stays spotless for more than 5 seconds. I feel even worse for the King's janitors, because no matter how much they clean I always instantaneously destroy their neat job. I've actually stayed at the school long enough before, to witness them bring out the giant mop machine, and like I said destroy their job. At previous schools I've been I always felt pride in the destruction Chuck caused, because THOSE janitors were downright pricks who had it coming! The janitors here are nice. The people that need work are the elevator maintenance guys, but that's another story…

Bringing destruction to a public place near you,

Karli

Fixing "Chuck Norris"

Who else can say that they had to miss an entire day of school for wheelchair repairs?  That's how I spent my day today.  It was an uneventful day because I had no choice but to sit and wait for the repair guy.  I was unsure if he was even coming because the secretary said that the schedule was full.  To be honest, getting your wheelchair fixed is much like taking your car in.  As I mentioned above, I had to wait the majority of the day for him to decide whether he could fit me in, and then when he got here it was an abundance of awkward conversation; such as "oh, hold on let me put on my Boston Strangler gloves, but don't worry I only do that on the weekends."  It's funny because the repair guy seemed to think he was seriously a comedian.  It's like they think this conversation will make the experience goes smoother, when in fact they're making it worse.  Then he felt the need to walk me through the process and told me everything that he was doing.  I actually appreciate that part, because I learn how to properly describe the issue the next time my chair breaks; but of course he continued making "funny" jabs at how I was so destructive to my wheelchair.  After I got through all the awkward conversation, he starts to fix my chair (which I call Chuck Norris because it's awesome) and he finishes up. Then he pets my cat for 5 minutes, and is on his way! The one issue I've had with Chuck, is that it seems they took many shortcuts in the manufacturing process. For example, using super glue to hold the buttons in place and being lazy when making sure screws were on tight. I thought no one was supposed to "fuck with Chuck," but someone clearly did!

This message was Chuck Norris approved,

Karli

Craving Adventure

So many of my friends are currently on great adventures, and I can't help but feel jealous.  With one friend in Sweden, and many other friends planning tropical getaways for reading week, I have a strong longing for my own adventure.  I feel like I've turned into a zombie.  Wake up, go to school, come home, eat, do homework, shower, sleep, and repeat.  My weekends aren’t much better, alternating between parents houses when I don't have a school obligation or in an insane amount of work.  I do hang out with friends as well, but even the activities I do with them seem repetitive, they come over, play video games, watching movies, talk, and eat food.  I love school, my friends, and my family, but I'm in serious need of something new.

It doesn't have to be a tropical getaway, because logistically that's hard to plan for.  A tropical getaway would be easier if I went with my parents, but I’d love to go somewhere with friends, and friends alone.  That's why I was thinking of a weekend of sightseeing in places like Ottawa or New York. The only problem with that is, I always feel bad when I ask my friends for help. London IS the City of Opportunity, if you’re looking to turn into a lifeless zombie. I need to be more, see more, DO more... I gotta get outta here!

Craving Adventure,

Karli

Scare Tactics

Have you ever had that ONE teacher who just scared the shit out of you? Making you feel like nothing you do is right? Until just recently, that was me. Yesterday I had 2 hours of English 1020, which is basically an introduction, mixed with (much to my displeasure) a crap-load of poetry analysis.  The professor was not happy with the class average of 66%, so she started the class with a lecture.  She essentially said that if our marks continued like this we would not make it in the real world.  She even went as far as to say that with our standards right now, we didn't deserve degrees.  After the incident I mentioned in my last post, this made me laugh.  Compared to last Monday, this professor's criticism was as nice as getting roses.



I didn't take it as an insult, because everything she said was true.  Until recently, I would have said that the professor was out to get us and blame it on something like being sick.  The truth is, we do get sick and we do have bad days.  However, we can no longer blame poor performance on sickness among other things.  The funny thing is that the professor kept telling us that she didn't care what happened to us.  However, I think deep down, in some twisted way she did.  Maybe it wasn't because she cares about us all individually, but good grades look good on her.  Secretly, I think she's hoping that we all pass; so when it comes to fourth year she will have people to invite to her Christmas parties.  Students need teachers, and teachers need students.  The scare tactics are a teacher's way of secretly expressing that they care.  In my opinion, I prefer them more than being told I can't have a notetaker.  Instead of bitching about how rude and unfair her judgment was, I choose to rise to the challenge and blow her away.



Chuck Norris, I mean...





Karli

Even Teachers Could Stand to be Educated

Ok so after too long of a hiatus, let's get this thing rollin' again...

Second semester has started, and I'm happy to say I've found my groove gradewise! I'm finally pulling off high 70s, which is good because I was nervous that I really wasn't cut out for university. However, last week brought an experience I wasn't expecting to face at UWO, a place which boasts excellence in education standards. I was more than ready to believe that, until Monday when I started my new Writing half-course. At first my only problem was the size of the classroom because my wheelchair made me feel like Andre the Giant trapped in a Genie lamp, but I found a way to fit. I even liked the teacher, with a prim and proper British accent and quite a hefty teaching resume, apparently having taught in several parts of the world. Then it came to in class assessment time where we had to write to see where our skills were. So I asked the professor if I could either take it home and hand it in next class, or go with my notetaker Jess to a quiet room and type it.  The teacher's response was that if she helped me type it up, it wouldn't be my own work.  I was very confused by this because every other professor I have understands that a notetaker is like an extension of my pen and my ideas.  When I need help writing, she puts down nothing but what I tell her to and to even think of cheating would be consequential to the both of us.  So I tried explaining just that to the professor, and she wouldn't hear any of it.  In essence she told me that having a notetaker was a form of cheating and not permitted in her classroom.

What a lot of people don't understand is that people with disabilities fight to receive an education from the very beginning.  Back in the 90s my parents had to fight with countless principals to ensure that I was even placed in a "regular" class.  As time went on I had to face it on my own.  I could tell when teachers wanted nothing to do with me, because I'd be secluded from the rest.  If I had questions they would be casualty brushed aside.  Not all my experiences with teachers have been negative, but the reason I bring this up is because last Monday it felt like after years of fighting and trying to prove myself, I felt like I had went backwards.  I'll admit that there are some who use our disability as a cheat or a free pass, but that's their choice, and their choice alone.  I am a student at the University of Western Ontario, I have worked from the ground up to get where I am today, and I don't intend to fall back down.  We are in the year 2012, and we should be well past the point of assumption and fear of the unknown.  If you are teaching it in the year 2012 without an open heart, and an open mind then perhaps you should go back to school.  No matter what your teaching credentials are, if you cannot see past a disability, you should not be teaching... especially in a place like Western..

We are all able, open your mind

Karli