like like Like Like LIKE!

Let me set up a scenario for you, you are sitting in class, lets say this class is a political science class on the Canadian Government. Lets say that it is the first day of classes and the Professor asks the class to divide into two groups and the task is to come up with one or two sentences that sum up the situation of the Canadian Government today. Here are the sentences from the two groups, word for word:

GROUP 1
"Stephen Harper is like the Prime Minister of Canada, which like means that the like Conservatives have like a majority in the like House of Commons. The Government is currently a like minority government with the like Liberal Party as the like official opposition".

GROUP 2 (shockingly they thought of the same two sentences!)
"Stephen Harper is the Prime Minister of Canada which means that the Conservatives have a majority in the House of Commons. The Government is currently a minority government with the Liberal Party as the official opposition".

Now, let me ask you something. Which of these statements sounds more intelligent? Group 1's or Group 2's?? I hope that you answered Group 2!

The point of this scenario is to point out just how unintelligent people sound when they litter their sentences with the word 'like'. I understand that in the English language this word is a 'filler word' much like 'um' and 'uh' and that sometimes it will be used but there has got to be a limit!! When a student is trying to get a point across and every third or fourth word is 'like', their point becomes less and less interesting and more and more frustrating. I cannot stand the constant usage of this word! It makes classes frustrating for me to the point that I would like to interrupt these people and ask them if they are aware that they are in University and that they are currently sounding as though they should either be back in High school or worse, not in school at all. If I am sounding harsh, good. I mean to be harsh about this because I know that the people who use this word in my classes are generally not unintelligent and do in fact deserve to be there. What they are failing to realise is that they do not sound as though they belong there sounding as though you belong in University is just as important as their ability to receive good grades. Can you imagine the presenter from Group 1 in an interview for, say, Law School, talking to the head of the criminal law department saying, "I think I would like really enjoy working in the courtroom. I like believe that like everyone deserves a like fair trial and I hope to like help provide that." Rejected! I would not want that person representing me let me tell you that!!
The bottom line is that using the word 'like' in your sentences in places that it does not belong makes you sound EXCEPTIONALLY unintelligent and it makes people around you not want to listen to what you are saying.
So, PLEASE stop doing it!!

Clerks II

Last night, Lucas and I finally got to watch Clerks II and I must say that I liked this one a lot better than the first. I laughed more, the conversations were more engaging, the new characters were full of life and exceptionally quirky, especially Elias. Kevin Smith is awesome and never ceases to amaze me. I loved the story line of Clerks II, there were more dynamics to it for sure. It was awesome to see that Dante and Randal hadn't changed at all. They were hilarious. Anyway, I could go on and on I'm sure. The point is, you should see it. If you loved the first one and were reluctant to see the next one, don't be afraid, it does not disappoint.

Pan's Labyrinth

Yesterday afternoon Lucas and I went to see 'Pan's Labyrinth', a Spanish Language film about a young girl who escapes the trials of her life through her vivid imagination. She enters a world full of fairies, a faun whom you're not sure is out to get her or help her, demon-like creatures, and giants toads, this is a world in which she is seemingly the princess. Parallel to this story is the story of what is going on in her real life; her mother is pregnant and remarried to a captain in Franco's army, an absolutely vial man, she misses her father a great deal and wants nothing more than to leave the captain's house and go away with her mother.
I enjoyed this movie a great deal, I was very glad to have Lucas there to bury my face into during some frightening and graphic parts of the film. It is a wonderful story and is full of amazing visual effects. I think this is one of the best movies to come out in a long while. It must must must be seen on the big screen!! A TV will give the visuals very little justice. This movie is worth seeking out and seeing, it is not playing at major theatres yet but is playing downtown. Hopefully it will be released to those theatres soon and you can all go see it because it is very very worth it!!

Surgery Date, FINALLY!!!

I am finally going to be getting rid of this silly plate in my ankle. My doctor's office called me this week with the lovely news. It is a really minor surgery compared to the first one and should only keep me off my feet for a couple weeks at the most. It is truly time for celebration. Perhaps this time next year I will have nothing to complain about and can enjoy the snow like everyone else. February 15th is the day and I cannot wait, 32 days and counting!!!

My Last First Day

Today is an odd day for me, today in my last first day of school at SFU. I cannot believe that I am finally here. My first first day at SFU was in September 2002 and I remember being so scared on the bus ride up and pleasantly surprised everyday since. To be honest, I think I'm more scared today then I was in 2002. Throughout the last five years I have grown to realise that a university degree is simply not what it used to be. Unfortunately, almost anybody can get one which means that graduates are no longer a class of their own. Employers know this as well and are thus scepticle of you despite the letters behind your name. Further training is what is needed now, further training and really taking the extra step to prove yourself. The favourite question of all who learn that I am graduating in June is, "What are you planning to do AFTER graduation?" The dreaded question all of us graduates fear the most. Why do we fear it? Well, because I'll say roughly 90% of us have no answer to this question. At one time university was the place where you figured that out, you took classes that trained you to become your chosen profession. This is simply no longer the case. Today, university is just another step in the right direction. It is a step towards knowing what you want to do. And, in the worse case, it is nothing but a step, a step that is not always in the forward direction, but sometimes sideways, or backwards even. For me? Well I think it has been a step forward and to the side. I'm pretty certain only other graduates will understand what I mean. I do not want to sound as though I am advocating NOT going to university, I wouldnt trade the last 5 years for anything. I am just saying students should be wary of what they expect to get from university. The cold hard truth is that there is no wonderful job just waiting for you after you graduate. You are not yet qualified for high paying, high profile professions. Your degree does not mean that you are more intelligent than anyone else. Your degree will get you one foot in the door and it is up to you to prove the rest. 95% to 100% of us will need further education for whatever it is we want to do next. Do not however, let this get you down, because getting to the next level is half the fun! So today is the beginning of the end for me and I am happy to say that I have no disillusions of what the end is or means. I am going to thoroughly take the time to enjoy every second of the end because it is my first and last opportunity to do so.

Welcome 2007!

Kelly, Shawn, Lucas and I brought in 2007 in the most relaxing way. Sharing drinks, laughs, and playing games the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007 was completely stress free.

Just before midnight the four of us rushed to the art gallery to celebrate with all the others who found themselves on the streets of Vancouver to bring in 2007. We didn't make it to the art gallery and ended up having our new years kiss on Robson and Burrard, equally as wonderful. The bottom right photo is to document Lucas wearing his awesome pink floyd pjs out on the streets of Vancouver. :)

The four of us at the Vancouver Art Gallery

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!