Blog Topic #6: A Hike in Tution

The University of Alberta has announced a tuition hike of $550 for the school year 2010-2011. Clara Ho from the Edmonton Journal stated that particular studies like Medicine could expect a tuition increase of 60%, which translates to approximately $4000. As of March 26, 2010, students can expect the increase of medicine and dentistry to drop from a $4000 hike to about $3400 and for undergraduates a slash of $160 of the old proposed increase (Stolte, 2010). I find that the increase of $290 is less of a drastic change as opposed to $550. The increase of $290 will be effective for the next two years. In four years, I plan to apply for medicine. Knowing that tuition was already expensive, I did not predict the tuition would increase by $3400 each year. Governments across North America stated countries are in need for medical doctors. The demand for doctors is also due to the government’s inability to fund medical students. It takes a large amount of money to allow one student to graduate. Students demonstrated how they felt about the increase in tuition on Thursday by marching to the Legislature. Elise Stolte stated that the government would cut of $20 million to fund the University of Alberta. This cuts school activities, lay-offs for professors, and less spots in courses.

I do not think the unequal distributed tuition amounts are fair. There should be a certain amount (percentage) in which the University can increase each year. The percentage should be consistent with each faculty or degree for which the individual applies to. In Canada many students cannot afford secondary education because they are restricted the amount of money they possess. “Every person has a right to be educated” is what makes Canada a country with rights and freedoms. However, the increase in tuition might have citizens wondering if that is the case. I believe the government should put aside a greater percentage of the budget into education. By doing so, students are willing to consider medicine as a potential career and more students can be accepted into the faculty.

There are other ways of subsidizing the deficit of the University of Alberta. Fundraisers and school rallies can help aware individuals of a particular topic and help collect money for the school. This is not the greatest idea, but it is a start.

The road ahead is a long one, so make the best out of it. The hard work a student goes through in University is difficult. And remember that the money an individual puts aside for University is not that easy to gain. Therefore, study hard and the reward will eventually pay off the debts of University.

Blog Topic #5: The Lady of Shalott

Gazing out her window, she admires the vast scenery that surrounds her. It seems as though the Lady of Shalott was waiting for someone – a knight perhaps. Time is on her hand as she describes vividly about the road to Camelot; the river and the village that it goes by. The Lady of Shalott watches the knights go by "two and two" but they were not the one she desires. She periodically glances at her mirror, hoping that someday "the curse" will break and that particular someone will come. Miraculously one day, a knight by the name of Lancelot rides down that road to Camelot. She left her tower and flowers bloomed, but the curse was still upon her. The mirror cracked. The love she had for Lancelot is something that she did not experience in her lifetime. With four stanzas describing Lancelot's physiques, the Lady of Shalott describes him as charming, handsome, and bold. It seems though as if Sir Lancelot fell in love with another individual. The impact of this devastated her. Leaving that night to a boat, she sings a song and dies.

This was a great read, and I think that the relationship between the Lady of Shalott and Sir Lancelot would have been successful if they had given it a chance. Seeing, as she had never experienced this kind of emotion with any other knight, the love that she had for Lancelot is truly pure. The curse that Tennyson puts on her character made her imprisoned to her tower. The first few stanzas shows how much she wants to see the actual world beyond her four grey walls. Within the first few stanzas, Tennyson uses imagery that the Lady of Shalott sees outside her tower. She hopes one day that she can turn those images into reality.

This poem has value to society. An individual's mind can alter by how they interact with society. Since the Lady of Shalott is "trapped" within her tower, she doesn't have the opportunity to see much of the world. The critical struggle within the Lady of Shalott is parallel to the artist's struggle.

The structure of the poem has no particular rhyming pattern. However, most of the stanzas end with the line "Lady of Shalott." It is significant because it reminds the reader the emotions and actions the Lady of Shalott feels. The poem is a bit confusing at first; I had to take it slow. It doesn't mean that I think it's not a good poem, but there is more analyzing and interpreting in this particular piece than any other pieces we've read so far this term.

Blog Topic #4: Vancouver 2010

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are spectacular. The week started out with the mogul skier, Alexandre Bilodeau, winning gold. It’s our first gold medal on Canadian soil! During reading week, I spent most of my days watching the Olympics. For me, winter sports are thrilling; going to the mountains and skiing for two to three days. I believe the emphasis of the medal count on CTV is not “that” overboard. Dr. Greg Wells, a physiologist of the Winter Olympic Games, stated that the pressure and the constant reminder of medal counts help athletes to focus and achieve their goal. He also mentioned that athletes use different techniques, such as talking to oneself, tuning out the crowd, and thinking about the specific routine are ways to calm the nerves. Though the constant reminder of the number of medals Canada has gotten so far is a bit tedious; comparing us to the United States, Canadians seem a bit… depressed. In a recent CTV news broadcast, VANOC’s “Own the Podium”, a organization which funds Canadian athletes for these games, states that Canada catching up to the US in medals in near-impossible. Has Canada given up hope? Even though Canada’s loss to the US in medal count is a bit discerning, I think that as long as Canada tried their best it is already an automatic win. Olympic is the opposite of boring. The heart-beating events keep viewers on the edges of their feet… literally!

The struggle between the United States and Canada in the hockey match was overwhelming. The US got their first goal in the first few minutes of the first period; Canada picks up their first goal to tie up the game shortly after the US. One goal became two and two eventually became three, and it was 3-1 US. Canada buckled down and made two goals in one period, though the United States scored another, making it 4-3. In the third period, an empty net was seen on the Canadian’s side, with one more shot from the US, the game ended with a 5-3 win for the United States. A bit of disappointment there, but that feeling quickly dissipated when Canada beat Germany with 8-2. Hockey was not just the only thing that made the Olympics fun to watch. The pure laughter and cheering heard among the streets of downtown Vancouver and Whistler made it “the place to be.” As mentioned, Alexandre Bilodeau, the mogul skier, won the first gold medal at home. During winter, I like to spend my time skiing. Watching Alex ski inspired me to ski more frequently this year. I like the fact that not only is skiing exercise, but you can take time to look at the scenery. Skating is another sport that I would like to improve on; not figure skating though... I think the Olympics help inspire kids to take up the sport and it shows that determination does pay off in the end.

Crowds chanting the national anthem, hundreds of photos taken per second, and the anticipation as you see someone representing your country getting a medal is exhilarating; it makes you feel proud. However, some “anti-organization groups” believe that the Olympics Games are a waste of money as funding could have went to homeless shelters. These protestors went up to the streets of downtown Vancouver smashing and vandalizing windows of the Hudson Bay Company, sponsor of the Olympics Games. However, these acts did not stop Vancouverites from supporting their country.

The noticeable flaw in the opening ceremony was upsetting; with the hydraulic system for the cauldron didn’t rise, many spectators sat with confusion. Even though there was an error in the program, the fact that the games were held in our country will always be a memorable moment in our lifetime.

Go Canada Go!!!

Blog Topic #3: Apple’s iPad or Sony’s Reader Digital Book?

The innovation of an iPad can help us through our lives, but the concept of an e-book reader had already been developed by other companies such as Sony. From Sony's website, the Reader Digital Book displays downloaded and purchased e-books on a 6 inch black and white screen. Apple's iPad is not as "portable" as the Sony's e-book reader since Sony's reader is slimmer, and lighter.

The iPad serves as a multipurpose "portable" electronic device. Many consumers would like a device that has all the basic accessories such as: a music and video player, a photo gallery, wireless internet (WIFI), and even gaming software. Well the iPad can do all that and more! As technology enhances each year, it is hard to keep up with it. Almost every day you hear about new innovations on the television that are more sleek and aerodynamic. But can you actually keep up with it? For one, the iPad is not that different from the iPod touch. The iPod touch has all of the same functional applications as the iPad, except for the e-book reader. As many of us consumers already have purchased iPod touches, I do not feel the need of buying a product which has all the same functions and application that the iPod touch, which I have already owned. Buying a device with just an e-book function is not worth another $600. So why not just keep using my iPod touch and buy an e-book reader from Sony which costs less and is more portable?

For now, I find Apple's iPad is more of a way for the corporation to gain money from consumers. I really do not believe people would find it convenient to carry a massive 9 inch e-book reader just to listen to music. Why don't they just buy an iPod touch which functions the exact same way that an iPad would? (Minus the ability of reading electronic books of course…)

However, I do find e-book readers useful. They are eco-friendly as they provide relief for the poor trees that gets chopped down. With fewer books printed, forests will have time to rejuvenate and our carbon footprint will shrink. Textbook printing companies, like Pearson, should provide an option for consumers to purchase an electronic version instead of the hardcover book. Prices for the electronic version should be less expensive than the hardcover books to promote putting a stop to destroying natural forests. Buying e-books can be beneficial to students because we would not have to lug those massive thousand paged books on our backs! In fact, by purchasing an e-book reader, we can reduce the percentage of people getting back pain from the less weight that we carry around each and every day.

It may take time for North America to adapt to this leap in technology but it will be very useful indeed. The world is constantly changing and by using these new gadgets we can improve our standard of living. New technologies which help to make our lives simpler sprout each and every day. So as of right now, I think I am going to stick with my 16GB iPod touch and listen to some good old music.

Blog Topic #2

I believe eighteen year olds should not be kicked out until they feel confident to adapt to the outside world. From the two articles, Mr. Brunetta, a former “bamboccione”, suggests to the Italian government to propose a law, which states individuals who are over the age of eighteen, should be kicked out of the house. Personally, I do not agree with Mr. Brunetta. Individuals who do not have a steady income, or are not financially ready should not move away from home. Reason being is because this action might cause an influx of homelessness. With not enough money to pay mortgages and rent, it may cause bankruptcy to an individual and eventually losing their home. Most people do want to move away and become independent however due to personal reasons.

Although I do not promote the law Mr. Brunetta is proposing, but I also do not believe people who are capable of living on their own should still live within their parent’s house. Living on your own is a big responsibility as there is no one to “make the bed” for you. Doing your own laundry, making your own food, and keeping the house nice and clean is a daily routine. Seeing that Mr. Brunetta lived with his parents for thirty years, he should not criticize other people who are doing the same action as he did in the past. With a decline in the economy, it is harder for individuals to find or maintain their current jobs. Statistics shows how a greater amount of citizens has been using the food bank on a weekly basis than in the past. Instead of forcing children to leave their parent’s house when they turn eighteen, the government should be focused on improving the economy as well as eliminating or at least lower the percentage of homelessness.

Living at your parents until you are forty is a bit on the extreme side. However, I believe it is better for them to live under a roof than on the streets. Instead of living off their parent’s money, they should at least pay for groceries, and possibly rent.

In the future, I will eventually purchase my own house when I feel confident and ready. Although, I would invite my parents to live with me as I do worry about their growing age. Seeing how they have raised me for these past eighteen years, I think I should do something for them in the future.

Blog Topic #1

I believe Mr. Buwalda's death was traumatizing to the community. Seeing as he resides in a rural community, the law does not state keeping large animals in captivity is illegal. However, many are trying to appeal to have a law restricting residence of raisng exotic animals in their backyard. Mr. Buwalda has been keeping animals for years and he kept his feline friends in a professional cage which contains glass, steel bars, and was made out of concrete. He has been raising animals for numerous years, since he previously has provided his animals to a zoo. It is unfortunate that Mr. Buwalda died in the cage while feeding his tiger. The carelessness and his actions lead to his death.

Mr. Buwalda has compassion and love for his animals. His neighbors paints a portrait of him with his large feline animals as if they were his close friends. This symbolizes how much dedication he takes to raise his animals. Some believe he does not communicate to the human race as well as to his exotic animals. Not only Mr. Buwalda keeps tigers, panthers and cougars, but he also keeps deer and other roaming animals at one point as well said Constable Carlson. This enforces how Mr. Buwalda has previous knowledge how to raise wild animals.

The policeman who was interviewed described how he did not feel he was in any serious danger at that time, unless the tiger was released out of its cage. Although the animals were kept in zoo-like cages, I believe these exotic animals should not be allowed to be kept in residential areas. These animals can be potentially harmful to humans and can attack without warning. I believe these animals should be given to local zoos where they have more professionals handling the tigers. Because humans cannot predict the animal's motives, there is a sense of danger and vulnerability.

It is not fair to both the animals nor to the residents to live in these conditions. Animals should not be held captive as they were born to live in the wild in the open forests and not in cages. Residence within the town has a potential risk of a tiger, a panther, and/or a cougar roaming at night. Mr. Rawson who lived in the vicinity of Mr. Buwalda has heard the growl of his animals before. This is not fair to others living in the neighborhood as animal noises might be distracting and irritable.

I think that this story provides awareness to pet owners and to residents to stay away from large animals as they are unpredictable.