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Showing posts with the label reading

Teacher's Influence: Rediscovering Passion

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Growing up in the culturally diverse Province of Quebec during the 80s and 90s provided a unique and challenging upbringing for me. Being born to a French Canadian father and an English-speaking mother meant I was exposed to both languages and their respective cultures, creating a fascinating but sometimes conflicting experience. In an era when dual-income families were becoming more common, my parents adhered to traditional roles. My father was the sole breadwinner, working tirelessly to support our family, while my mother took care of the household. Looking back now, I deeply appreciate the sacrifices my father made for us, even though it meant I didn't get to see him as much as I would have liked. Despite his demanding schedule, he always made time for me, demonstrating his unwavering love and dedication. When I entered Highschool, my dad pulled me out of the French school system and I went to an English school but I was in a bilingual program with advanced French classes. This

Old School Appreciation

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A couple of years ago, I made a life-changing decision to purchase a Kindle, which I believed was the epitome of modern innovation. The convenience it offered was unparalleled, as I bid farewell to the hassle of searching for bookmarks, and the built-in backlight made late-night reading a breeze. The exceptional battery life further solidified my admiration for this digital marvel. However, as time went on, I discovered that my love for physical books remained unyielding. There was an inexplicable allure in the tangible experience of holding an actual hard copy, immersing myself in its unique scent, and relishing the satisfaction of turning the pages with my hand instead of a mere flick of the finger. A vintage-looking copy of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein (Book Outlet) When I embarked on my university journey, I decided to put this preference to the test. I alternated between reading digital copies of my textbooks and using traditional hard copies. Inevitably, the latter won

Healing Journey: Depression to Joy

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Around this time last year, I found myself at the lowest point in my life. My heart was broken, and depression consumed me, causing me to spiral out of control. Every day felt like a battle just to keep my head above water as I struggled to crawl out of the pit of despair. I spent months confined to my bed, lacking the energy or desire to do even the simplest tasks like showering or cleaning my house. But as time passed, I began to slowly pick myself up from the darkness. Usagi Tsukino, Sailor Moon (1992) Like a phoenix rising from its ashes, my journey of healing commenced with a life-changing event: receiving an acceptance letter from Concordia University. I was ecstatic to be admitted into my first-choice program, English Literature, even though I missed the deadline for the Fall Semester, and my studies would begin in the Winter. This opportunity motivated me to reignite my passions for reading and blogging, which brought genuine happiness into my life once again. When school star

Summer Time Reading Challenge or Method To My Madness?

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As I eagerly await the start of classes in September, I am utilizing this summer to indulge in my passion for reading. Recently, I completed Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon," a weighty novel that took me on an extraordinary journey. However, I have decided to embark on an even greater challenge: reading J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Silmarillion." If you are familiar with Tolkien's works, you'll understand the demanding nature of this particular book. Personally, I find it to be excessively descriptive and occasionally tedious to read. This sentiment resonated with me when I delved into Beowulf for my Medieval Literature class last semester. However, by the end of that epic poem, I found myself thoroughly captivated by the story, and I hope to experience a similar transformation with "The Silmarillion." Additionally, I anticipate that this novel will provide greater depth and insight into Tolkien's other renowned works, such as &qu