I live in a small town in central BC with my husband and my dogs. I love to get outside whether that is hiking, kayaking, taking the dogs for a walk, or spey fishing for steelhead. I have had the privilege to complete several backpacking trips from the historic gold rush Chilkoot trail in the north, the Brazeau Loop, to the West Coast Trail and many in between. I have also made the trip around the Bowron Lakes circuit a couple times and fully intend to go back.
When I am not escaping to the bush I am working as a Literary Intern, bookkeeper, social media advertising, and working on my own creative writing projects. I love learning about the publishing industry and the intricacies that work within it. I love working with agencies and being able to see the publishing world from their perspective. As might be assumed by now I am an avid bookworm and I am always working on building up my own collection. Some of my favourites include Suzanne by Anais Barbeau-Lavelette translated by Rhonda Mullins, Ru by Kim Thuy, The Vegetarian by Han Kang, and I could go on.
A friend recently posted a question on Facebook asking people’s opinions on the changes happening to the national anthem. By the time I saw it there were already half a dozen answers. All but one suggested that this change is, “pure bull-shit” and people are being “too sensitive” or the grand leap to, “where will… Read more »
As I write this the last group of students is getting set to walk through the crowd to the sound of beating drums. The drums that sent chills of excitement down my spine as I walked down that red carpet only a couple days ago. I watched the live stream last year and I couldn’t… Read more »
As I prepare to leave for graduation I find myself feeling a bit nostalgic. There is a rather unusual similarity between my first day of kindergarten and my first day with AU. I started both in a cast. I remember making my “grad” speech in grade seven as we nervously prepared for high-school. I don’t… Read more »
From where I’m writing, Athabasca, Alberta, is 12 hours away, or 1,174 km. The days are counting down to when I will be making this long journey to Athabasca University. I will be taking my first steps on campus, not nervous as a new student, not wondering what campus life will be like, or looking… Read more »
When I first started with Athabasca University I was unsure on how many courses I should take at once, or how long each course should take me. I tried to plan out my program without the necessary experience to understand these basic things. I see this question often in various AU social media platforms. And… Read more »
I have seen people selling their textbooks online. With many courses going to the e-text model, it has meant a lot of people are looking for the physical textbook. When I see these I, albeit briefly, consider whether I should move some of my textbooks from my shelf to someone else’s. But I’m a book… Read more »
The stories of people fleeing Fort McMurray started to pour in. I constantly refreshed my twitter to get the latest news and watched the reporting of the efforts in “Fort Mac”. It is a devastating point in time for every single person displaced from their home. My heart aches for those who were forced to… Read more »
As I adjust to life with no school-work deadlines, I have been able to reflect on some of the non-traditional lessons I learned while attending Athabasca University. What I learned from the courses is indispensable, but those lessons were the ones I was going to school for. I have found that there are many other… Read more »
I have watched many videos, read many articles and blogs, and researched many options in an attempt to decide which master’s degree I want to pursue. Or, do I want to go forward with a master’s degree at all? I suppose the final question is the one that I will have to answer before I… Read more »
