So, if you didn't know, faithful readers (Hello? Are you out there somewhere?), I started school up again! Yay!!! Graphic Design at InterDec College. Hence the lack of blog posts and my inability to watch the last 3 episodes of Big Brother. Team Lane!
I won't lie, my first impressions of the institution where I'm presently undertaking my diploma were.... well, pretty harsh. They definitely made me question the decision to take out two loans in order to finance this endeavour.
Out of the 5-6 people who I've dealt with within the Administration, half of them have mislead me, half of them seemed confused, and the majority have prominent lisps. Not to mention that they file documents (I'm talking serious documents here) in paper file folders which get passed around between seemingly incompetent individuals. Obviously I'm prejudice since I am of the generation of constant computer usage and a non-stop, hook up to some form of technology; nonetheless, having my precious documents just floating around in file folders, makes me rather nervous. Electronic signatures anyone? I'm also rather worried about them loosing my documents since a close friend who attended Lasalle warned me that the administration has a reputation of "misplacing" important forms...
I dealt with a man at financial aid who was pushy, condescending and who appeared full-on bothered to be answering my simple questions. According to him, the answers were very apparent and I was the one who should figure it out. I spent a couple of weeks tormented trying to figure out my loan situation, calling the government's (incredibly crappy) financial aid office and leaving phone messages for the jerk who help me (that were never answered).
All in all, I was a little worried right off the bat, my sense of cognitive dissonance was strong due to the cost of the schooling and I wanted to feel secure in my decision and have faith in the people who were tending this next step in my educational career.
I jumped the gun a little with the negativity, I hadn't yet started school after all!
Day one:
Ok, so Interdec College is connected to Lasalle College, which means fashion departments, marketing/administration departments, esthetics departments, food/service departments, and finally, the design departments. All in all, some serious cliques and some serious styles. Literally 40% of the school is rocking the highly trendy and disturbing "half shaved head". Judgmental looks all around. Double kisses going off left and right. Leggings, leggings, leggings, oversized salvation army sweaters, glasses without lenses, fake combat boots and many, many, many, gay boys. I was a little intimidated.
Classes throughout the first week were slow to start off. Alot of explaining, reading of outlines, discussing needed materials, going over cellphone usage rules. There are so many rules at this school! Almost felt like I was back in highschool,... well, a much more stylish highschool. You'd think that students who are paying such a high fee to attend the classes would actually act as if they want to be there. I quickly learned that there are several of my colleagues who just don't give a f____. Texting away, facebooking, not listening to explanations, not understanding simple directions, not knowing how to use a ruler (???? seriously people?!). And after all that, turning to me to find out the specifics of what needs to be done - ummm helllll no! Needless to say, I definitely stand out and I know, with confidence, that this is an opportunity for me to shine. There will be no timidity from me, thank you very much! I'm not going to hold back from answering every single question asked by the professor.
And so week one began, me sitting at the front of every class, chatting up the professors on breaks, answering all the questions directed to the class and basking in the positive after effects of my marketing degree: the knowledge, the marketing mindset, the terminology, the ability to multi-task, the ability to study/complete homework on time/still have time to relax, the ability to follow directions and read assignments before asking questions, all of which aided in my "star" status in classes. All in all, not to gloat (although, why not gloat? I have worked rather hard to get here), but I feel as though I am far ahead of a few of the other students.
Now on to the positives of InterDec, because I do feel rather thrilled about how these past two weeks have gone!
Firstly, the teachers:
Approachable, positive, happy to be teaching, professionals in their field, eager to give advice, encouraging of creativity/thinking outside the box/controversial artwork, eager for participators, welcoming of conversation with students. I truly feel as though I have a lot of learn from these people and hopefully, some valuable contacts to be made as well.
Secondly, the classes:
Creativity, Colour Theory, Design Rules, Page Layout 1, Maquettes and Mock-ups, Image Processing!
Although I may be a little ahead in the theory of some of these courses, I'm enjoying every step of the learning process. I don't want to miss a thing! Gotta get back to the basics. Feels incredible to sit down and draw for 4 hours and have that be my class. Pretty much my heaven.
A homework assignment I've been working on this week for my creativity class - Draw a Volkswagen Beetle with these 5 following personalities: Irreverence, Pain, Confused, Athletic, Bored, Pain.
Also exciting about the classes, throughout the 1st semester, the majority of our work is done on drafts tables. The Profs want us to feel inspired by our own creativity and brainstorming rather than by google search or the computer design programs. It's enlightening. It's made me realize just how much I turn to the internet for inspiration with projects.
All in all, it's starting to pick up and it's really starting to be fun, super fun in fact. I'm enjoying all aspects, even the most mundane (measuring, aligning, drawing boxes). And I can already feel my creativity flowing beyond my school projects, I've been taking pictures, drawing, coming up with ideas for art, coming up with ideas for my T.A.-ing.
I feel great!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Pa-Pa-Pa-Patterns
I was reading Lake Jane.
A blog for the curious at heart, girly-girls, procrastinators, nail biters and eternal dreamers.The most recent topic blogged about was the Dwell Patterns by Heath Ceramics. These vibrant, funky tiles would give life and rhythm to any space yet not overburden it. These are not like other tile patterns, these were a product of the design company Dwell which creates goods for the modern home. And truthfully, they've done a beautiful job with these tiles - they are futuristic yet as a whole, not angular (as you would naturally envision something futuristic to be). The design background of the creators is definitely apparent. The patterns allow the eye to meander within the grout and slates, finding different repetitions and rhythms. It's all very architectural, yet, somewhat natural. A tile collection that speaks to Gen Y - half of them on drugs, a large percentage fancying themselves artists, the vast majority wanting to break away from the confines of previous generations, all of them looking to make their mark and establish themselves as individuals.
Check out the full collection for a visual trip right here!
And if you want to kill some time, happily perusing or need to find a gift for a fellow Gen Y'er, check out the Dwell site.
Speaking of patterns.... and visual trips.
Check out The Limits of Control. A film by Jim Jarmusch who did Broken Flowers and Coffee and Cigarettes.
I saw this film maybe a year ago... and it still haunts me. The visuals swirl around in my head. Virtually every scene provides splashes of colour and patterned backdrops - a film set in contemporary Spain, so the vibrant setting is to be expected to a certain extent. This piece is truly a work of art not only due it's cinematography but also the riveting story-line and incredible acting. Listen, I'm no film critique, but I do know that this film was beautiful and different and it drew me in. Truly inspiring for someone interested in the arts, philosophy, and with a strange sense of humour.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Calm Before the Storm
School begins in exactly 3 weeks! So this is pretty much the lull before the big bang. And this also feels like pretty much, the end of my prehistory. The end of my prologue. After this, who knows. This next year will change everything! The next year will start my new chapter.
I cannot wait to be submersed in an intensive graphic design program with passionate artists surrounding my everyday! I feel so happy and assured. Definitely not the feelings I had when I initially made the decision to go back to school. A few weeks ago, the fear of being beyond broke (with a massive loan over my shoulders) greatly overshadowed the excitement. The truth is that this is an investment in my future, albeit, a very large one. But forget the money, this is the necessary step. This is what I gotta do to get where I wanna be! The professor I'm assisting's words are ringing in my head: "Go for the jugular, don't be passive, don't think about the money - just focus on putting yourself where you need to be, who do you want to be in 20 years?". She gives me lots to contemplate. And she's right, if you want to be somewhere, you have to envision it and just go for it.
So before I get into the craziness that is September, I've been taking advantage of working from home, streaming Big Brother, making trips to Atwater Market, hanging out with girlfriends and making delicious meals with my lova. Last night we had a dinner of gourmet cheese (Camenbert from Quebec and France, Brie, spicy Gouda, Quebec Goat, aged Cheddar - accompanied by blueberries, olives and grapes), fresh bread, yummy salad and some lemon dark chocolate to top it all off. DELECTABLE and mouth watering as I think of it now.
September will mean my second trip to the Gaspe (to celebrate my Dad's 58th and his retirement), the filming and editing of promotional videos for JMSB undergraduate courses with yours truly as the Art Director :), the start of my graphic design studies, some fall camping and a weekend of PodCamp.
I feel so satisfied and positive about my choice! Cheers to the beginning of the rest of my life...
Friday, August 6, 2010
Appalled at JMSB's Curriculum Committee
I was recently informed by one of my former professors that the John Molson School of Business's curriculum committee has considered merging three highly influential and integral courses within the marketing curriculum into one course. These courses are Direct Response Marketing, Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications. For anyone whose taken even one of these, you understanding the detriment and negative consequences of merging 28 weeks of in-depth learning and development of hard and soft coveted skills into 9 weeks of force-fed theory.
What is the curriculum committee thinking???
This is a major step down for the school as a whole and the students who will have to suffer because of it. As a recent graduate, I feel that I have a duty to voice my opinion and represent the students who will follow me. I urge any JMSB graduates who have been fortunate enough to benefit from either of these three courses to SPEAK UP! Let the curriculum committee know how incredibly dense they are being.
Here was what I wrote to my professor when he asked for former students' opinions on the matter:
What are your thoughts on the proposed discontinuation of Marketing 460 (IMC)?
As a recent graduate from JMSB in Marketing, I can say with confidence that IMC was the only class which truly prepared me for a career in marketing. The IMC course gives the students a realistic view of what completing a real marketing project entails. Furthermore, I am shocked that this course’s validity and importance are being questioned since the trends in marketing point entirely toward integration of communications. This is the only class that allows students to grasp this trend and its implications.
Another trend that this course allows students to become knowledgeable about is that of experiential marketing. In order for companies to stay at the forefront of marketing, they must move towards experiential. How can JMSB boast “real education for the real world” if they do not offer students a course which teaches them about the aspects which are most important when moving into a career in marketing?
Employers are looking for recruits that are aware of the changes in the industry and who will bring a forward-looking and innovation-focused mindset to the company. JMSB allows graduates to have that advantage over other recruits by offering IMC. Discontinuing the IMC course would hinder the students’ development, their future success and the school’s reputation as “a business school focused on the real world and the students’ success”. In fact, discontinuing IMC would completely negate JMSB’s interest in their students’ success and their focus on the “real world”.
What are your opinions about combining advertising, direct marketing and IMC into one course?
Merging these three courses would remove the opportunities that students studying marketing at JMSB have to gain coveted knowledge and skills for their future career. These courses and their material test and educate the students in ways that other marketing courses do not.
Merging these courses would overwhelm the students with information. All of the highly important details would get lost. Further, these courses allow students to learn of different specializations within marketing; a merge of the three courses would be completely un-real world. The students are not paying thousands of dollars for their education to have this information shoved into their brains in 9 weeks. The students want to benefit from the courses and want to learn everything that they can. They do not want “speed-learning” they want a “real education for the real world”!
Advertising and IMC allowed me to gain a realistic perspective on what creating a campaign actually entails. Because of these two courses, I gained insight into the marketing world that I would have otherwise no been privileged to. I have entered into the work force a more knowledgeable, prepared, aware, confident and skilled individual because of the advertising and IMC courses.
If the curriculum committee does decide to go ahead with this merge, they are outwardly stating that they care more about budget, more about bureaucratic disagreements and more about their own agenda than the STUDENTS’ WELL-BEING and EDUCATION. The curriculum committee should be ashamed of their ignorance. I worry about the future of the students’ that have yet to pass through JMSB since this curriculum review makes it apparent that their best interest is not being taken into consideration.
What do you believe will be lost or gained by these proposed changes?
If these changes are in fact instated, JMSB as a whole and the graduates will be less coveted and less reputable. The skills developed because of these 3 courses are without comparison. This curriculum change will nullify the entirety of the committee’s interest in the students’ futures.
Therefore, what will be lost:
- JMSB’s reputation as an institution that cares about their graduates’ success.
- JMSB’s reputation as an institution that offers “real education for the real world”.
- The students will loose the opportunity to study at an institution that is at the forefront of business education.
- The students will loose the opportunity to learn of specialization within marketing.
- The students will loose the opportunity to develop coveted soft skills such as: communication skills, self-confidence, ease in group settings, listening skills, learning how to be effective and valuable team members.
- The students will loose the opportunity to develop coveted hard skills such as: developing presentations, developing campaigns, developing their cv and cover letter.
- All around, the students’ diplomas will be less valuable.
What will be gained:
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that cares less about their students and more about their budget.
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that offers speed-learning rather than in depth education.
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that is not interested in the forward-looking trends within the marketing industry but as an institution that is comfortable offering an outdated education.
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that offers a “one size fits all” education, with no real specialization and no real-life experience.
- The students will learn that cramming for exams is better than taking the time to learn.
- The students will learn that an outdated, theory-focused education at JMSB is as costly as an education at other business schools that actually offer courses on specialization, real-world knowledge and a focus on the actual trends within the industry.
Is JMSB not supposed to be focused on a real education for the real world? Is JMSB not supposed to be focused on their students’ education and their graduates’ success? Does JMSB not want to be at the forefront of business educations? Does JMSB not care what their students think or want? Why, after all the up-roar from the professors and the students involved in these courses, would the curriculum committee even consider implementing this change?
I am extremely disappointed and hope that future JMSB students can benefit from the institution that I benefited from; an institution focused on the future and focused on what was best for me.
Erin Willett
B.Comm, Marketing
What is the curriculum committee thinking???
This is a major step down for the school as a whole and the students who will have to suffer because of it. As a recent graduate, I feel that I have a duty to voice my opinion and represent the students who will follow me. I urge any JMSB graduates who have been fortunate enough to benefit from either of these three courses to SPEAK UP! Let the curriculum committee know how incredibly dense they are being.
Here was what I wrote to my professor when he asked for former students' opinions on the matter:
What are your thoughts on the proposed discontinuation of Marketing 460 (IMC)?
As a recent graduate from JMSB in Marketing, I can say with confidence that IMC was the only class which truly prepared me for a career in marketing. The IMC course gives the students a realistic view of what completing a real marketing project entails. Furthermore, I am shocked that this course’s validity and importance are being questioned since the trends in marketing point entirely toward integration of communications. This is the only class that allows students to grasp this trend and its implications.
Another trend that this course allows students to become knowledgeable about is that of experiential marketing. In order for companies to stay at the forefront of marketing, they must move towards experiential. How can JMSB boast “real education for the real world” if they do not offer students a course which teaches them about the aspects which are most important when moving into a career in marketing?
Employers are looking for recruits that are aware of the changes in the industry and who will bring a forward-looking and innovation-focused mindset to the company. JMSB allows graduates to have that advantage over other recruits by offering IMC. Discontinuing the IMC course would hinder the students’ development, their future success and the school’s reputation as “a business school focused on the real world and the students’ success”. In fact, discontinuing IMC would completely negate JMSB’s interest in their students’ success and their focus on the “real world”.
What are your opinions about combining advertising, direct marketing and IMC into one course?
Merging these three courses would remove the opportunities that students studying marketing at JMSB have to gain coveted knowledge and skills for their future career. These courses and their material test and educate the students in ways that other marketing courses do not.
Merging these courses would overwhelm the students with information. All of the highly important details would get lost. Further, these courses allow students to learn of different specializations within marketing; a merge of the three courses would be completely un-real world. The students are not paying thousands of dollars for their education to have this information shoved into their brains in 9 weeks. The students want to benefit from the courses and want to learn everything that they can. They do not want “speed-learning” they want a “real education for the real world”!
Advertising and IMC allowed me to gain a realistic perspective on what creating a campaign actually entails. Because of these two courses, I gained insight into the marketing world that I would have otherwise no been privileged to. I have entered into the work force a more knowledgeable, prepared, aware, confident and skilled individual because of the advertising and IMC courses.
If the curriculum committee does decide to go ahead with this merge, they are outwardly stating that they care more about budget, more about bureaucratic disagreements and more about their own agenda than the STUDENTS’ WELL-BEING and EDUCATION. The curriculum committee should be ashamed of their ignorance. I worry about the future of the students’ that have yet to pass through JMSB since this curriculum review makes it apparent that their best interest is not being taken into consideration.
What do you believe will be lost or gained by these proposed changes?
If these changes are in fact instated, JMSB as a whole and the graduates will be less coveted and less reputable. The skills developed because of these 3 courses are without comparison. This curriculum change will nullify the entirety of the committee’s interest in the students’ futures.
Therefore, what will be lost:
- JMSB’s reputation as an institution that cares about their graduates’ success.
- JMSB’s reputation as an institution that offers “real education for the real world”.
- The students will loose the opportunity to study at an institution that is at the forefront of business education.
- The students will loose the opportunity to learn of specialization within marketing.
- The students will loose the opportunity to develop coveted soft skills such as: communication skills, self-confidence, ease in group settings, listening skills, learning how to be effective and valuable team members.
- The students will loose the opportunity to develop coveted hard skills such as: developing presentations, developing campaigns, developing their cv and cover letter.
- All around, the students’ diplomas will be less valuable.
What will be gained:
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that cares less about their students and more about their budget.
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that offers speed-learning rather than in depth education.
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that is not interested in the forward-looking trends within the marketing industry but as an institution that is comfortable offering an outdated education.
- JMSB will be seen as an institution that offers a “one size fits all” education, with no real specialization and no real-life experience.
- The students will learn that cramming for exams is better than taking the time to learn.
- The students will learn that an outdated, theory-focused education at JMSB is as costly as an education at other business schools that actually offer courses on specialization, real-world knowledge and a focus on the actual trends within the industry.
Is JMSB not supposed to be focused on a real education for the real world? Is JMSB not supposed to be focused on their students’ education and their graduates’ success? Does JMSB not want to be at the forefront of business educations? Does JMSB not care what their students think or want? Why, after all the up-roar from the professors and the students involved in these courses, would the curriculum committee even consider implementing this change?
I am extremely disappointed and hope that future JMSB students can benefit from the institution that I benefited from; an institution focused on the future and focused on what was best for me.
Erin Willett
B.Comm, Marketing
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Oh life projects! How you bring me joy!
Aug. 2, 2010 - I'm writing to you from the future!! Haven't blogged in a couple of weeks now, things have just been so busy! I'll write something soon that fills the cyber world in on my happenings from the last 2 weeks - there are many momentous ones that absolutely must be mentioned!
So here's a post I've had saved in my drafts since before I went to the Gaspe... oh ya, I went to the Gaspe :). Left on July 19th, a much needed week of tranquility, great food, laughs, family and time with Rox... But anyways, Blogger was testing my patience and not working with me properly so this post of projects is certainly not up to date. I honestly cannot wait to put down in writing all that's been happening. This blog has truly become a place for me to contemplate, solidify thoughts and find clarity. In moments of big change/decision making, I long to blog it out in order to figure it all out!
I was feeling inspired from the article I'd read about the little arcs and big arcs of life (view below), so I decided to track some of the recent "small arcs" I'd accomplished.
July 18th, 2010 - "I'm just about to watch the new True Blood episode, loading as we speak, so I don't have the time to fill in the details about said small arcs - so here are a few pictures! They speak for themselves..."
New fridge colour
Breakfast time
Verdun exploring by bike (I've yet to find a name for it)
So here's a post I've had saved in my drafts since before I went to the Gaspe... oh ya, I went to the Gaspe :). Left on July 19th, a much needed week of tranquility, great food, laughs, family and time with Rox... But anyways, Blogger was testing my patience and not working with me properly so this post of projects is certainly not up to date. I honestly cannot wait to put down in writing all that's been happening. This blog has truly become a place for me to contemplate, solidify thoughts and find clarity. In moments of big change/decision making, I long to blog it out in order to figure it all out!
I was feeling inspired from the article I'd read about the little arcs and big arcs of life (view below), so I decided to track some of the recent "small arcs" I'd accomplished.
July 18th, 2010 - "I'm just about to watch the new True Blood episode, loading as we speak, so I don't have the time to fill in the details about said small arcs - so here are a few pictures! They speak for themselves..."
New fridge colour
Breakfast time
Verdun exploring by bike (I've yet to find a name for it)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Mind Moves the World
To design is to plan. Look around you. Where are you? What are you wearing? How do you feel? What are you looking at? What are you listening to? What are you doing? Whose plan is this? - David Barringer
Accomplishing the little arcs that are planned in order to get to the larger arc that define you and shape your life's path... Interesting.
Tiny pre-planned steps that lead to big moves!
Check out the full article. Rather inspirational for those stepping into the real world and needing a reality check when it comes to the job search and daily life "chores".
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Adding colour
I've been feeling spurts of lethargy these past couple of weeks. Did I mention that in my last post? I apologize for my faulty memory but days have been blending into themselves. In reality, I've been pretty busy for a young woman without a full-time job. I know that eventually, this jobless state will become a routine in itself but since I'm just starting off with the whole "unemployed" thing, my old routine is calling to me. My old routine laughs in the face of this new non-routine! I'm missing the 9-5, missing the course assignments, missing the group work.
To be frank, simply by typing out that last paragraph, I've annoyed myself. The annoyed part of me is thinking,
"Enjoy the freedom, discover your new path and grab life by the balls! This is the time to do it! So what if your a little broke - put a smile on and be happy, be adventurous, embrace the spontaneity!"
The other side of me, is fearful and wants the comfort and stability. And... honestly,... I doubt myself at times. I'm assuming that wispy remains of the pressure felt throughout my undergrad from colleagues and certain comrades are floating around within my thoughts and causing me to question my newly discovered sense of self, artistry and my "throw-caution-to-the-wind" attitude.
Again, my annoyed side, (my confident and gutsy and sure-fire, smart-mouthed, cocky side) is moaning in exasperation! "Boohoo! Quit being a debbie-downer... Put yourself out there - you got the talent!"
The truth is that being jobless has been rather inspiring. It was surprising at first to think that doing "not much" would encourage such a vivacity of imagination. However, my list of creative to-do's has been growing exponentially.
I've been embracing the little things that open my eyes to the creative around me. I've been biking more, reading blogs more, checking out people's art more, taking more pictures, reading more, DIY projects with Peter, conceptualizing my newly thought-out comic (or BD for the frenchies), thinking up other blogs.
Slowly but surely, my spurts of lethargy have been replaced by spurts of glowing and vibrant, love of/for creation.
The truth is, I'm realizing that being jobless is adding colour to my life. Allowing me to slow down and actually notice the colours - Allowing me the time to create more colourful writing and colourful art - Painting the fridge a funky colour and choosing colourful accessories for mine and Pete's bikes - Giving my skin colour while I enjoy the outdoors - Giving me time to cook more and create colourful dishes for loved one - Opening my eyes to the colours around me... in architecture, in scenery, in people's art, in shows I watch.
At the root of it all, being jobless is making me feel more vibrant and more alive. I don't feel as though I'm wasting time. I feel as though I'm gaining perspective and learning about myself. In the mean time, I'll enjoy all the beauty and colour and life and experiences and introspection that the free time is permitting me.
To be frank, simply by typing out that last paragraph, I've annoyed myself. The annoyed part of me is thinking,
"Enjoy the freedom, discover your new path and grab life by the balls! This is the time to do it! So what if your a little broke - put a smile on and be happy, be adventurous, embrace the spontaneity!"
The other side of me, is fearful and wants the comfort and stability. And... honestly,... I doubt myself at times. I'm assuming that wispy remains of the pressure felt throughout my undergrad from colleagues and certain comrades are floating around within my thoughts and causing me to question my newly discovered sense of self, artistry and my "throw-caution-to-the-wind" attitude.
Again, my annoyed side, (my confident and gutsy and sure-fire, smart-mouthed, cocky side) is moaning in exasperation! "Boohoo! Quit being a debbie-downer... Put yourself out there - you got the talent!"
The truth is that being jobless has been rather inspiring. It was surprising at first to think that doing "not much" would encourage such a vivacity of imagination. However, my list of creative to-do's has been growing exponentially.
I've been embracing the little things that open my eyes to the creative around me. I've been biking more, reading blogs more, checking out people's art more, taking more pictures, reading more, DIY projects with Peter, conceptualizing my newly thought-out comic (or BD for the frenchies), thinking up other blogs.
Slowly but surely, my spurts of lethargy have been replaced by spurts of glowing and vibrant, love of/for creation.
The truth is, I'm realizing that being jobless is adding colour to my life. Allowing me to slow down and actually notice the colours - Allowing me the time to create more colourful writing and colourful art - Painting the fridge a funky colour and choosing colourful accessories for mine and Pete's bikes - Giving my skin colour while I enjoy the outdoors - Giving me time to cook more and create colourful dishes for loved one - Opening my eyes to the colours around me... in architecture, in scenery, in people's art, in shows I watch.
At the root of it all, being jobless is making me feel more vibrant and more alive. I don't feel as though I'm wasting time. I feel as though I'm gaining perspective and learning about myself. In the mean time, I'll enjoy all the beauty and colour and life and experiences and introspection that the free time is permitting me.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Job-Search
Week two of job-search 2010 has commenced!
May the Great Job land in my lap with little effort! (....suuuuuure)
Week one was actually rather productive considering the fact that I have been taking great advantage of some free-time, sleeping in, reading and streaming far too many online shows. But hey, I'm giving myself a little break and not stressing the small stuff. I may be searching for a while so I don't want to be self-deprecating. I deserve some good-for-the-soul time, and by gosh, I'm going to take it!
Accomplishments from week one include but are not limited to:
- Prettying up my C.V.
- Adding "Creative Assistant to Assoc. Marketing Prof. Michele Paulin" under my list of work experience.
That reminds me, forgot to mention that I got a position as a teacher's assistant for an inspiring, driven and at times frighteningly, hard-working associate marketing professor at JMSB. Yay me!! I've already jumped into assisting her in the innovation of course content, outline and pedagogy as well as the creation of dynamic promotional tools for her classes. I will be assisting a Marketing of Services class and a Business-to-Business Marketing class at the undergraduate level. I must say, I feel rather proud of myself! And, I owe this position entirely to the fact that I stuck my neck out in her class last semester and decided to stand out and make a name for myself in my final semester as an undergrad. (Much of my gusto last semester was encouraged by this blog, by the way.)
Back to my list of accomplishments from week one...
- Contacted a head hunter to aid in my search of a creative job!
- Applied to 4 positions. The most interesting of which were: Social Media Marketer and Graphic Design Blog Manager.
Oh and...
- I got a bike!
This last one is rather important to me, not just for the savings on transportation and also not because of the physical benefit of the work out.
Although it was great to relax a little last week and have few responsibilities, I found myself feeling extremely lathargic around Friday afternoon. I realised just how much I love routine and schedule. This bike means a set, daily or weekly, trek that's bon pour le morale, that keeps the endorphins flowing and that's all around positive for my mental (and creative) stimulation. A constant recharge for my mind and body.
I told myself last night that I would start week two off with some POSITIVITY! No wallowing on facebook about other peoples' day jobs and summer activities. I took an hour or so bike ride along the Lachine Canal path. I was sweaty, red, exhausted... and I felt so great! The wind from the canal and Fleetwood Mac in my ears, what an amazing way to start off the day.
The bike ride also reminded me of what had been so important while in Italy - observation, taking time for yourself, enjoying with all your senses... I stopped and drew for 5 mins along the way. I had forgotten last week how good that felt.
No, I haven't sent out another C.V. today, but I feel good. I feel positive and I accept that this might take awhile. Afterall, I'm not looking for a quick fix, I'm looking for the perfect niche!
May the Great Job land in my lap with little effort! (....suuuuuure)
Week one was actually rather productive considering the fact that I have been taking great advantage of some free-time, sleeping in, reading and streaming far too many online shows. But hey, I'm giving myself a little break and not stressing the small stuff. I may be searching for a while so I don't want to be self-deprecating. I deserve some good-for-the-soul time, and by gosh, I'm going to take it!
Accomplishments from week one include but are not limited to:
- Prettying up my C.V.
- Adding "Creative Assistant to Assoc. Marketing Prof. Michele Paulin" under my list of work experience.
That reminds me, forgot to mention that I got a position as a teacher's assistant for an inspiring, driven and at times frighteningly, hard-working associate marketing professor at JMSB. Yay me!! I've already jumped into assisting her in the innovation of course content, outline and pedagogy as well as the creation of dynamic promotional tools for her classes. I will be assisting a Marketing of Services class and a Business-to-Business Marketing class at the undergraduate level. I must say, I feel rather proud of myself! And, I owe this position entirely to the fact that I stuck my neck out in her class last semester and decided to stand out and make a name for myself in my final semester as an undergrad. (Much of my gusto last semester was encouraged by this blog, by the way.)
Back to my list of accomplishments from week one...
- Contacted a head hunter to aid in my search of a creative job!
- Applied to 4 positions. The most interesting of which were: Social Media Marketer and Graphic Design Blog Manager.
Oh and...
- I got a bike!
This last one is rather important to me, not just for the savings on transportation and also not because of the physical benefit of the work out.
Although it was great to relax a little last week and have few responsibilities, I found myself feeling extremely lathargic around Friday afternoon. I realised just how much I love routine and schedule. This bike means a set, daily or weekly, trek that's bon pour le morale, that keeps the endorphins flowing and that's all around positive for my mental (and creative) stimulation. A constant recharge for my mind and body.
I told myself last night that I would start week two off with some POSITIVITY! No wallowing on facebook about other peoples' day jobs and summer activities. I took an hour or so bike ride along the Lachine Canal path. I was sweaty, red, exhausted... and I felt so great! The wind from the canal and Fleetwood Mac in my ears, what an amazing way to start off the day.
The bike ride also reminded me of what had been so important while in Italy - observation, taking time for yourself, enjoying with all your senses... I stopped and drew for 5 mins along the way. I had forgotten last week how good that felt.
No, I haven't sent out another C.V. today, but I feel good. I feel positive and I accept that this might take awhile. Afterall, I'm not looking for a quick fix, I'm looking for the perfect niche!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Feels as though it's been years...
A smidge over 2 months now since my last post. Not due to a slip of mind but due to a complete mental, physical and spiritual submersion into what I was doing (and that entailed disconnecting from the internet and technology). There were several moments however, while on my emotional and artistic and life-altering journey in Italy, that I thought " I'd love to blog this right now!". I wanted to freeze frame my experiences; encapsulate the scents, grasp the depth of the emotions and translate (to the best of my ability) the magnitude of energies floating around me. What a trip. Its effect on me will come in waves, I'm sure. The things that I've seen will be in the back of my mind for.... ever? I feel so moved, inspired, touched and connected to what I experienced that I don't think it will ever stop affecting me.
This trip has shaken my life up. It has twisted me around. I'm still spinning and dizzy from all of it... Where will I exit from this whirlwind and how will it shape the path I get sent onto?
A few pinnacles I have taken from this journey:
A certainty in my love of creation and capturing. A month of drawing from observation, taking pictures, re-creating sights-seen. A month of absorbing the breathtaking objects, views, people, places around me and putting them down on paper... with my own subtleties, my own sensitivity, my own passion and my own soul directing the pencil, has left me awestruck at the power of my eye, the skill I possess and the beauty of everything around me if I take the time to notice it.
I need to focus on me. Not by being egotistical and self-centered, but by being self-aware and realistic about my abilities. I need to embrace what I love and what I am good at and let go of the distractions that bring with them only negative sentiment. I spent too much time throughout my undergrad, focusing on the successes of others around me, on their talents and their paths and the expectations of society and the university. I felt jealous, pressured, stressed. My vision of myself and my future was blinded by my colleagues' and comrades' visions for themselves. I need to focus on myself, especially during this life-changing transition period, in order to be intuitive, focused, positive, forward-thinking and unique in my choice of path.
There's something bigger out there. I am by no means a religious person. I have realized, however, that I am very spiritual. I felt more in contact with myself, with the world, with the people around me than I've ever felt while in Italy. I felt smaller also, than I've ever felt. Smaller in the universe and smaller in the history of everything. I didn't realize how much of a bubble I was living in. My travels made me realize the beauty, magnificence, shear size and power of history, culture, religion and belongingness. Elements that were outside my bubble while living in Montreal only 2 months ago.
Prior to this trip: History was something that existed only in textbooks. Culture is diverse in Montreal, it is a mish-mash. I felt disconnected from it. Religion was a notion created by man to control the masses and impose. Finally, belonging.... I belong to my family and my small tree of relatives. I didn't feel as though there was a greater community that I belonged to.
In Italy, the history, culture and religion are intertwined throughout all members of society. These elements all supplement and superimpose eachother in a continuous growing spiral. A force that does not get questioned and simply is. The history, culture and religion is rooted in all and gives them a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before. The faith and brotherhood was astonishing and I was envious of it. No, I do not believe in a god, but when millions of people throughout centuries and milleniums have been brought together for a common goal and with common beliefs, I have to believe in something greater: The powers that unite us. Seeing how the Italians belonged made me realize how I belong, and how we all belong. The belonging as humans and as energies and as specs throughout the story of humanity, earth and the universe. This belonging is all-encompassing and is greater than can be fathomed. Feeling smaller than I'd ever felt made me feel more connected than I'd ever felt to everything around me. It gave me a sense that all that is around us has a purpose and is driven by a common force... whatever that force may be.
Truthfully though, the beauty of Italy alone was astonishing enough to make me believe in a higher power.
Love > Money. I know this one seems incredibly obvious. Haven't I been ranting this whole blog through about the fact that I want to do something I love? Yes. But I didn't really get it. Although I had some truly high points during my university career, creating, being imaginative, being a leader and especially during my Telus project as head of creation, there was always a sense of panic, fear of judgement and control from outside forces. In a sense, I was partly driven by negative forces.
While creating in Italy, there were several moments when I felt ENTIRELY connected to what I was doing: mind, body, soul, emotions, spirit, aspirations, all molded together and working as one unified force. I'd never felt that before. I was doing something that I loved and I was so, so happy. It allowed me to be carefree, confident, driven, positive. It allowed me to be ME. I was completely driven by positive forces.
I will always be tempted by my business side and I will always aspire to money. This is a part of me and a part of my "truth". I understand that fully and won't fight it. Italy though, has given me a new direction and a new purpose, one that is based on what I love and what makes me feel whole.
On June 3rd, I walked away from my final critique with my inspirational drawing teacher, Michele Delisle, 7 sketchbooks in arm. A wave of everything that I'd seen and done in the past month swept over me. Emotions high and PRIDE higher than ever. My drawings, not technically perfect, but perfect encapsulations of what the month meant to me and how the things I'd seen had touched me. What a great accomplishment and an incredible step. I will cherish this experience wholeheartedly. I know already that I will look back at this moment and think, "That experience was a turning point for me. It changed my life".
Last Tuesday, I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the John Molson School of Business. My loving family and boyfriend beside me, my sense of belonging high. A great accomplishment and an incredible step. An accomplishment I am truly proud of. I have not taken the path that other John Molson graduates have... but I am confident, more so now than ever, that this is the right path for me; One based on education, passion, art and soul.
My sister accomplishments: my drawing experience in Italy and my bachelor in Commerce. Complimenting one another and major steps in forging the future me.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
So near the end...
Haven't made an entry in over two weeks now. But haven't forgotten about my blog and I'm still intent on tracking my progress. There's much to track!
Everything is coming to an end around me and I'm forced to keep on trucking to finish at a level that satisfies my want to stand out during my final semester of undergrad. I'm exhausted but I want to finish this off with shining colours! I want this semester to be the one that changes everything and opens doors. I'm feeling good about it and proud of myself right now.
I set out in January, ready to make my mark and establish myself in a lasting way within JMSB. I want to leave a ripple of me resonating throughout the school once I'm done. I want to be recognized for my hard work. Only now do I finally have the confidence to back up my work and accept the recognition. It feels great to have stood out and represented myself and let go of the self-deprecation and comparison to others. I feel confident entering into the "real world" with a solid foundation and wide variety of coveted hard and soft skills.
This final project is taking up more time, more mental, physical and emotional energy and more drive than I've ever given, or been able to give, to anything in my life. I am completely absorbed by it. And not because I have to be, because I want to do this in the best way possible. My team will deliver on Tuesday and blow those judges away. I can't help but think about the possibility of a win....
I'm eager to let this chunk of my life go and move on to the next big step: the move with Peter. I've been so involved in this project and Italy that I don't feel I've given him the enthusiasm, support and excitement that he deserves. For the time being, however, I have to put those future thoughts aside and focus on the now - focus on the project and focus on bringing it to its highest level of potential... Once that's accomplished - I will be all about the move, my Peter, and the home we will create.
Let's daydream of my return in June for a quick minute before getting back to reality and work work work:
What if we win? What if I get home and this campaign is actually implemented? What if my designs are used??? Beyond the project though, I will be in a blissful artistic state on my return from a month as an artist in Italy... coming back to a loving home with Peter and the kitten friends.... free from my current job and ready for the unknown... ready for the heat, excitement and vibrancy of Montreal in the summer.... celebrating with friends... attending my university graduation.... wooooowwwwwwww...... the sun is shining and I couldn't be more excited for what lies ahead.
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