UTSC and Art - The Untold Story

Hello world! This week we shall be highlighting UTSC and our love for the arts. When I tell most people that one of my majors at UTSC is Studio Art it is usually accompanied by a confused expression. Something akin to, 'So like... do you draw and stuff?' is usually subsequently said. Studio Art, for those not in the know, at UTSC offers a wide array of training in conceptual practice whether it is digital art, performance, video, sculpture, drawing, painting or photography. So yes, I do 'draw and stuff' sometimes. Mostly I look for excuses to use all those awesome saws and drills in the sculpture studio. Power trip anyone? Do not fear. I was trained. No limbs or body parts have been involuntarily separated from me, yet ...

Here are a few shots I took of art work I found:

Shadow art, yes it is a genre

Fun Fact: Did you know the AA building, aka the Arts and Admin building, actually is where the studios are? Apparently most people I talk to do not. The drawing studio is especially epic because we're constantly being serenaded by the music studio next door.

Teddy <3

Fun fact #2 : There are two galleries on campus. One is the DMG (Doris McCarthy Gallery) which has established artists' shows and the second is the student run Gallery 1265. Visit our work please. We need an audience.

Is it wrong that I thought of the Lion King?

 

Rita McKeaough's, 'The Lion's Share'

Fun fact #3: You did not need to be a Studio major to contribute to Artside Out! Freedom of expression is universal and we'd like to think UTSC is becoming a larger contributor to that platform.

Here is a video of a live performance:

There was also a kawaii (Japanese for cute) cosplay fashion show:

For a walk through of the DMG exhibit click:

I think we can all safely say that ASO was a huge success in the sense that it brought life to our campus. Let us hope more events like this keep happening all year! As a note to the organizers though it might be better to do it in the middle of the second semester. That way studio majors like me can participate with work, as opposed to contributing in the summer when some people are traveling. Just a thought, not to detract from the wonderful efforts of the organizers and volunteers!

Thanks for reading and stay beautiful UTSC!

Zarish

For more information visit:

http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~gallery1265/

http://www.aeplive.ca/index.php

http://www.artsideout.ca

So You Have A Smartphone?

Now that the Thanksgiving weekend is behind us, students everywhere can rejoice because for most of us it's the start of MIDTERM SEASON!

I just want to start off by hoping that you guys had a wonderful/relaxing Thanksgiving with your family and friends because this next month for most of us is going to be a killer. Now that I have some experience under my belt, I won't have to deal with the anxiety of midterms coming around for the first time. For the first years that are reading this, my best piece of advice would be to take it easy and not get too stressed. If you get a bad mark on your midterm, it's not the end of the world. If you're used to getting easy 80s and 90s in high school like I was, prepare to be extremely shocked when you get your first mark back (It's UofT so it's bound to happen). Anyway, to help you guys with your battles I thought I'd tell you some smartphone apps that could assist you in your battles.


Blackboard

 
Everyone knows about Blackboard so there really isn't much for me to say. A program used throughout all of UofT and many other institutions doesn't need an introduction. If you're a student that wants to stay on top of all class updates/announcements/notes/grades, this is the app for you.


WolframAlpha

If you're a math student or have ever been a math student, you know how much this app helps. Ask it any math question and you will get your answer. Ideal for late night WebAssign assignments.





SpringPad


This is classified as an organizational app but it does much more. You can use it to jot down ideas and share them with others, record voice notes, take snapshots, and save important articles you might need.





Twitter


Some of you probably think I'm losing my mind by putting this on here but I'm actually serious about this one. We live in the social network generation. Almost everything you will ever need you can get from social networking. Jobs, information and even friends. Now most of you probably consider this to be the biggest procrastinator of life but hear me out. If used properly, Twitter can help you connect with more things on Campus than anything else. Using twitter to follow UTSC accounts will help you constantly stay in the loop of what is happening at our wonderful school. I always tell myself, grades are just the half of it -- get your thoughts and make your mark out there. Get the whole university experience.


FYI: The UTSC AppStar mobile app development contest has chosen it's finalists and will decide the winner very soon. I might even do a review for the winner of the contest so stay tuned!

More information can be found on their website: http://blog.utsc.utoronto.ca/appstar/

Until next week guys,
Peace and love.

How to Beat the Fall Blues!

Hello, Everyone!

Although I previously stated that I was the Wednesday blogger, I have now switched off to Friday! So if you don’t have a date or any plans on Friday…grab a bowl of ice cream and read my blog post ;) (I jest). Now I’m sure most of you have woken up to a cold autumn morning … and have at some point in the morning dreaded coming to school...(lucky me, I have no school Friday! ) I was the same last year and well ... cold fall mornings put me in early hibernation mood. So I’ve decided to help my dear readers stay warm and cozy the new changing fall/winter weather.

First of all it’s pretty obvious to layer up and stay warm, but you will sometimes be surprised by the lack of appropriate winter attire some of our fellow students have … wear a proper jacket! And please ladies we all want to look fashionable and have our hair out to gently cascade to the cold winter wind … but just wear a hat! As a child my mother would drill in to me to wear a hat but I wanted to look cool … nevertheless an ear infection quickly changed my mind. So wear a hat or earmuffs in the least!   

I also find Tim Hortons to be a great cozy place in the winter. I enjoy the couches in the meeting place and the couches in the TV lounge if you are waiting for a bus. Also just the body heat of all the people in the student center definitely help to stay warm and toasty. The library, despite how noisy it is, is a great place to study during the fall. At least for me I find that a lot of other people give me more security than private and secluded places in the University that may not be as safe.

What I mostly love about UTSC is the raw natural beauty that it encompasses. Especially during winter, if it ever snows I urge you all to look at the changing colors of the leaves in the patio outside the market place and the beautiful winter wonderland in the back of the school. Having seen it once, it is truly breathtaking.

Now as the cold fall winter weather approached so do *evil music*… exams! I know a lot of us go home to study for exams but I personally do a lot better in the library where there are no family distractions, The best part of this is also that there is free food! Yes you heard me free food! During exams time, groups like MESA and SCSU usually hand out free coffee and sometimes food! One of the other reasons I urge you all to to come to campus or stay a little bit longer longer rather than heading back home and staring into your computer screen is that as cheesy as it sounds there is some great holiday spirit on campus. Last year there was pumpkin carving and a ton of end of the year Christmas and Eid Parties. So come out of the events -- they are definelty worth your time.

Sadly this is the end of my blog post :( So which place in campus is your favorite winter hangout? Which holiday parties are you planning to attend? 

Till Next Time Take Care,

Romana Tariq :)

30 Things I Wish Someone Told Me in First Year...

We meet again folks. The assignments have begun to rise from their graves and return to haunt us all. Not to mention it is flu season and every third person on this campus is sneezing, coughing and looking generally miserable. I myself am just coming out of a bout of a horrendous flu.Tea, honey and friends that make you laugh are the cure.

On to this week's topic! 

'30 things I wish someone had told me in first year'

Your undergraduate career is unlike that of any other academic enterprise you have or will embark on. Fresh out of high school in all your wide-eyed glory you either feel like a master of the universe or like a measly ant, lost in a giant farm. Well luckily I am here to tell you a few things that will help you navigate through this labyrinth of decision making.

1.  Be happy and true to yourself. An identity is what you make of it. People will like you, just give them a chance to.

2. Do not be late for class. You will miss the announcement about the midterm or assignment.

3. Make the most of campus clubs and events. Socializing will never be this easy again. Ever.

ALL THE THINGS!!!!

4. On that note, do not get involved in too much too fast. Quality over quantity is vital.

5. Say things in class. Awkward silences are for cemeteries.

6. Professors are human beings too. The more you talk to them the more interested you'll be in each other.

7. Bring food from home occasionally because that line at Subway is a killer.

8. Hang out at Rex's Den. The food is pretty good and it's nice.

9. Talk to everyone regardless of colour, creed and clothing. Diversity is one of UTSC's strengths; you will learn lots.

10. Take courses that will challenge you. I did a third-year course in second year and got my first 'A'. Miracles happen.

Worst case scenario?

11. Know all your school can do for you. Free dental, medical coverage and movie tickets are all things you will get as easily later.

12. Have a picnic in the valley. It is gorgeous.

13. Do not go to class sick. You will infect others. Being cured is better than prolonging your illness.

14. If you are mentally exhausted talk to someone about it. Burning out is a brutal process best avoided.

15. If your laptop is distracting do not bring it. I mean you, dude in GGRA30 with the gaming. Pokemon is distracting to us all.

16. Today my prof said, "If there is one thing you learn in university it is that you do not know everything". Socrates once said, "I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."

#truth

17. What happened in high school should stay in high school. Grow up.

18. Make schedules. They are not just for control freaks. It is the difference between waterfalling a drink and using a glass.

19. Money is not the most important thing in the world. Do not prioritize a minimum-wage job over your academic career.

Harsh but it could be me in a year

20. There is nothing wrong with having an opinion even if it is wrong. Arguing is a learning experience.

21. Sing, dance, eat, pray and love. At least once a day remind yourself about why you are human.

22. That video game you play with your buddies is not going to help  you on tomorrow's midterm. Put the controller down.

23. There are innumerable major+minor combos. Don't be afraid to merge art and science or business and philosophy. Learn what you love. You'll have to read a lot about it.

24. Try brainstorming your assignments as soon as you can. Wait too long and you may feel like this:

25.Go to class. Go directly to class. Do not pass Tim Hortons and collect a bagel. Bagel < class time.

26. Do not stop dressing up because you are too lazy or depressed. Looking good helps you feel good.

27. The Library is a zoo, study in the comp labs.

28. Nothing ever goes according to that five-year plan you made in high school. Don't worry though, change is good! Or make it so. 

29. This would be a good time to decide on what you want out of life. Old enough to make a reasonable decision, young enough to change it.

30. Ultimate-ground-breaking-jaw-dropping word of advice: Do not be afraid to be the awkward, slightly strange or just plain weird person you are. High school had about 1000 other people, UTSC has 10,000 and the job market has hundreds of thousands more. There nothing wrong with standing out. YOU DO YOU!

This week's stylish entity is:

A first year Health Sci major again this week! Med school is going to be looking pretty jazzy with all these fashionistas walking around.

White lace is my personal fav material

As always stay beautiful UTSC! 

Happy Thanksgiving + Everything !

Zarish

University and Nourishment

Hi, everyone!

My name is Jasun (pronounced like Jason), and I’m a new writer for UTSC Pulse. I’m a second-year Journalism student, and I’m very happy to be here. Stay awhile. You might find something entertaining, or something that you didn’t know about UTSC, your home. Either way, you’ll find yourself deeper in the campus experience. Belonging here is, the way I see it, more important than your GPA.

Now the important part. Pay attention. 

We all eat on campus. The food options surrounding the campus are slim, and often far too inconvenient to travel to. There are delicious things on campus, no question, but eating here is rarely a question that you weigh in your mind. It’s not a question of either/or. You just eat here. Maybe the question of how healthy you’re eating never comes up, because there’s no other option.

But aren’t you curious? When you’re stuffing that HERO burger into your mouth, does a little part of your mind (it’s called the superego, psychology fans) wonder how healthy it is for you?

There are ways to find out, but it’s circuitous and difficult. UTSC’s business development website lists a few nutrition sheets, but doesn’t even come close to covering all of the food options on campus. Most chains put their nutrition facts on their websites, but some (like La Prep and Spring Rolls) don’t.

For your convenience, I’ve compiled what can be found right here. A few notable dishes are in nutrition tables, just to give you an ballpark idea of what you’re eating at each place.

Subway:

Six-inch steak and cheese (nutrition facts are obviously doubled for foot-longs)

Six-inch BLT

The rest can be found here.

KFC:

Regular (12 oz) chicken bowl

2-piece chicken meal (drumstick and thigh) with individual fries

The rest can be found here.

Pizza Pizza:

Two cheese slices

The rest.

HERO Burger:

Hero burger

Tim Horton's:

Banana nut muffin

Breakfast sandwich: sausage, egg, and cheese (note how it’s worse for you than even a Hero burger)

The rest.

Bento Sushi:

California roll

The rest.

The nutritional info of the remaining establishments is up to guesswork. La Prep has ostensibly healthy food, but they don’t list their nutritional information anywhere, and wouldn’t answer my email requesting that information*. Bhoj’s food shouldn’t be too bad, but Indian food is inherently salty.

And if you’re looking to eat healthy on campus, I’d avoid Bene Pasta (whose rich alfredo cream is almost assuredly fattening), Bonfire and Grille (typical burgers-and-grilled-chicken affair, whose meals usually come with fries), Asian Gourmet,  and, devastatingly, Spring Rolls (a Toronto Star article found its Pad Thai to have a whopping 1,400 calories).

Remember that UTSC has a gym for a reason, which you’re already paying for with your course fees. If you’re truly health-conscious you should bring meals from home. Eating out, no matter where it is, is never the healthier option. UTSC has some good, fast, cheap food, and, just as long as you know what you’re getting in to, you’re free to enjoy it as much as you please.

Over and out,

Jasun

*Edit: La Prep promises to put its nutritional information on its website by next year.

My first intramural game on a men's hockey team

There are four men's hockey teams here at UTSC:

• Tri-Campus (very competitive contact hockey)
• B-Team (very competitive non-contact hockey)
• C-Team (competitive non-contact hockey)
• R-Team (competitive non-contact hockey)

As mentioned in my last post (Tryout hangover), I made the B-team! YAY! I was so proud of myself to be able to compete and keep up with the men's team, that I had a constant smile on my face for at least two days. 

Growing up with brothers and playing competitive hockey all my life, I've never been the "puck bunny" type. I'd rather strap on the skates and compete with the guys, rather than drool over their missing teeth and wild helmet hair in the stands. As a result, I looked forward to playing my first game with the new team. I felt confident in myself that I'd be able to keep up, rather than make a fool of myself and get benched. 

On Saturday (game day) I was calm and composed......until I entered the arena. 

It was then I saw a glimpse of the other team. They had guys triple the size of me. I started to doubt myself quietly in the change room. Will I be able to keep up? Will I be laughed at? Will I fit in with the team? These questions started racing through my head. 

Being a female player on a male hockey team isn't always easy. Even though I've had success playing in mens leagues, I've had my share of inappropriate comments off and on the ice by other male players. I've heard it all. 

"Girl's can't play hockey!" "You're just a pylon!" "Is she a joke?" "Figure skating's the next arena over!""Don't pass to her!"

I usually block those comments out and play my game, but they all came rushing back as I stepped onto the ice to warm up. I've never felt so nervous. 

When the game started, I got into my groove. My defence partner was amazing and we worked incredibly well together. I started to notice that shift after shift, I was improving. I was just as fast, my shots were just as hard, and my passes were just as accurate.

We were leading 1-0 at the end of the first period. 

At the start of the second, I received the puck at the blue line and took a slap shot right at the goalie. To my surprise - it reflected off the other team and WENT IN! I couldn't believe it! I scored a goal! All my teammates and coaches were super supportive and congratulated me. I didn't feel like a girl on the ice, I was one of the guys and they treated me as such. 

The game ended with a 2-0 win for us. All the doubts and nerves I was thinking of beforehand seemed to have enticed me to work harder and prove that a girl can be just as good as any guy on the ice. Myself and two other amazing girls on the team seem to prove this theory well. 

Our next game is against UTM on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. - Varsity Arena.

If you're a female athlete, do you have a similar experience? How do you deal with hurtful comments? If you're a male athlete, what are your thoughts of girls playing on your team? Comment below or tweet me @Jessica_Moy!

How do I balance school and sports? It gets hectic, but I do have some advice, click HERE!

Ambition

Hello everyone on this fine Monday morning. If you're anything like everyone else in this world you probably dread waking up at 7 am and getting ready for school/work/etc., especially on a Monday. I'm here to tell you ... it gets better ... Actually, I have no idea what I'm saying I just didn't know how to start this post so I decided to be mysterious and motivational but that CLEARLY failed. Anyway, today I will be touching back on the topic of goals I talked about during my first post and sharing some of my goals with you. This way hopefully I can inspire at least one person to go through with their goals and maybe you guys can inspire me with yours.

With that said, I want everyone who reads this to comment one goal they would like to accomplish this year and share how they go about trying to make it happen. It's okay to be anonymous, no goal is too small or too big. Our minds are capable of doing whatever we set them to. If you want to stop eating so much junk, perfect. If you want to meet new people, go for it. Man, if you want to be a world renowned artist, I believe you can do it and you should too.

To inspire your dreams, ambitions and goals I'll share some of my own and keep you updated regularly on my progress or lack thereof.

1) Cut all sodas and soft-drinks from my diet
I've been doing this since the beginning of summer and I can feel that my body definitely appreciates these past 5 months of no carbonated drinks.

2) Go above and beyond
I don't want to miss any opportunities. I would be able to live with myself if I knew that I tried my best and I failed. But, if I felt as though I could have done more and worked harder I would never let that go. This includes school, working out/exercising, work, this blog, etc.



3) Schedule every single thing and follow it to a T.
Anticipate the unexpected. Even the most unexpected events only last for no longer than a day. The important thing is to jump back on as quickly as possible.

4) Join one UTSC athletics team this year
Probably basketball.

5) Start writing again
I’m a big fan of spoken word and used to write pieces like it was nothing back in high school. I want to get back to that, great way to get your mind off stress.

6) Just live
Take some time out of the day, turn off your laptop, turn off your cellphone and close all your books to just think and self-reflect. Maybe go out for a walk and appreciate all the fall leaves. Take advantage of this season as not many other countries get to experience it.

On that note, don’t forget to share some of your goals with me. Hopefully I have and will continue to inspire you to accomplish something this year.
Peace and Love,
Moiz