Searching for Jobs in the Net

Coming out of a great program such as the Creative Communicatins program at Red River College, prepares me for a promising career. At this point, I just finished my work placement. Now, it's full gears to finding that right job.

We've got the internet to rely on for the latest job updates. There are numerous job sites available and it's a matter of clicking on that button for that particular site to send you a job alert. If you know what you're looking for and you've narrowed down some of your choices, these sites can be really useful instead of annoying.

Here are a few sites that you can check for jobs. I find these very useful and it really keep me in the loop on what's out there

http://ca.indeed.com

http://www.simplyhired.ca

http://www.workopolis.com/campuses

http://charityvillage.com (a good site for jobs in the non-profit sector)

A good friend once told me that even if you found there's nothing out there (no job postings or anything that suit your qualifications), go out and pitch yourself. It wouldn't hurt if you 'sell' yourself to organizations that you'd like to work with, so long as you know how to present your best qualifications.

So in our search for that right job, keep it going and send out resumes. Give cold calls to organizations or companies, and ask if they have any job positions open. You would be surprised that some would accept your resume and they will keep it on file let's say, for the next 6 months.

I hope that I was able to help. All the best in your job search and let me know if the links I've provided are useful to you.

I Survived the Program with a Positive Attitude

Time definitely flies by so quickly and it's amazing to know that I'm on the final leg of my program. I'm currently on my work placement at a big telecom company here in Manitoba. All I can say is that I'm enjoying every bit of it and learning a lot of new things.

I have always told myself that wherever I work, there is definitely something new to learn. Keeping a positive attitude towards work and learning, is the key to a satisfying and successful career.

I knew of someone who was undeniably intelligent and he had proven himself to emerge from every conceivable debate there was with such enthusiasm and unimaginable wits. But one thing he lacked was the ability to appreciate learning from other people, wherein he thought that he knew it all or didn't need to be bothered hearing from what others have to say. This might be a case of opinion or preference, but his attitude most of the time got in the way.

This reminds me on how important it is to be flexible and have an open mind, especially learning from other people who have treasure troves of experiences and insights to share. We're talking about industry professionals who have 'been there' and have something to share to the rest of us, who are just about to embark on our professional careers as communicators.

I have worked in the advertising/marketing business (in addition to the several other industries I have worked for) for over 10 years but have decided two years ago to go back to school in order to upgrade myself. I have never regretted going back to school and I believe that my desire to continuously learn, helped me to be succesful in the program. I swallowed my pride so many times but realized earlier on that pride wouldn't do anyone any good at all- so why bother with it?... Throughout the course of my program, I learned so many great things from people who are both older and younger than me. It was such a smorgasbord of great and wonderful people- each one has something good to share.

A week from now, I'll be finished with my work placement and would have to scour the job market for an indefinite period of time.  As I prepare myself for my future job position, I believe that it's high time to get my resume going and put some 'finishing touches' to my portfolio.

Not Your Usual 'Pretty in Pink'

You've heard of J.Crew- an ever-growing clothing business in the US that includes retail and outlet stores nationwide and a profitable online and catalogue business. Just like other clothing businesses, it's busy tapping on its market, promoting the latest trends in clothing but what's the buzz all about? Well, it all started with a direct mailer ad that shows some pink toenails, not from a little girl but from a little boy.

Let me give you some background- J.Crew sent out a mailer on April 5 featuring it's executive and designer Jenna Lyons with her pre-schooler son, Beckett wearing a grey-and-white Coastline stripe pullover. The photo shows Lyons smiling and looking at her son with such adoration. At the same time she's also holding her son's feet painted in bright pink Essie for J.Crew nail polish. The ad had a quote from Lyons saying, "Lucky for me, I ended up with a boy whose favorite color is pink."

Since the mailers were sent out, different groups expressed their opinions regarding this. Frankly, there's quite a variety of opinions ranging from the subtle to the outrageous ones. I looked at the ad first time around and honestly, it didn't bother me because I knew all along that it's a clothing ad trying to make a sale and promoting a line of J.Crew products. It only dawned on me later on how this ad affected other people. Let me take one as an example from moms.today.com:

Culture and Media Institute is targeting a new demographic - "mothers of gender-confused boys." Writes CMI’s Erin R. Brown:

J.CREW, known for its tasteful and modest clothing, apparently does not mind exploiting Beckett behind the façade of liberal, transgendered identity politics. One has to wonder what young boys in pink nail polish has to do with selling women's clothing.

Brown adds that the ad is part of something bigger:

Propaganda pushing the celebration of gender-confused boys wanting to dress and act like girls is a growing trend, seeping into mainstream culture. NBC’s Today show on January 3 featured a segment on the ‘Princess Boy’ in which five-year-old Dyson Kilodavis was seen twirling in pink ballerina tutu, much to the delight of his mother Cheryl and host Meredith Vieira.

After reading this, I never thought that this seemingly innocent J.Crew ad had taken on such different meanings and interpretations. A creative and artistic person myself, I appreciate the visual being presented and just that. I think it's a creative concept but I think what blew the fuse out from some people is the fact that the ad used a boy (or what others had said, 'exploited') and had his toenails painted pink. Looking at the photo again, I think that the message of a mother and her son bonding with each other is more emphasized in this ad rather than the son's toenails being painted pink (at least that's how I see it). But of course, after reading Lyon's quote, some people would interpret it differently.

Personally, I know of someone (a male at that) who was simply soaked by his mother's adoration. He had a photo taken when he was two years old, wearing a girl's dress (in bold red) and had his hair tied in a ponytail (just like Pebbles' in Flinstones). No one would ever suspect that the baby in the photo was a boy. His mom was a very responsible and loving parent. According to her, she just thought of dressing her boy in a girl's dress just for the fun of it and just that. Of course, that 'dressing up' happened only once. Just like this J.Crew photo, my friend's mom was looking at him with such fondness and adoration. And mind you, this photo of my very close friend was taken in the 1960s!

So my point is, if my friend's photo was used for an advertisement for millions of Americans to see, it would surely spark some extreme criticisms (or much worse than what this J.Crew ad received). It's a photo taken for its face value and nothing more. But of course, I am in no way defending J.Crew's side. When they were asked for a commnent regarding this controversy, they simply didn't comment. From a PR perspective, they could have taken a position and simply told the media why they came up with such a photo or ad concept. I believe it wouldn't hurt if they had taken a stand and honestly tell the whole world the truth; that would surely quell a lot of those harsh criticisms around including accusations that this ad was indirectly promoting cross-dressing among young boys, if that were the case.

If Lyons and her son's photo was originally meant for their own family album, it wouldn't hurt. It would just be a sweet keepsake that would remind the mother and her son of their sweet moments together. But obviously, this was a photo meant for commercial use- to be printed on an ad for a direct mailer and to be consumed by millions for the sake of selling a product. That's when seemingly innocent photos especially of young children become sensitive in the eyes of many,  especially when it's taken differently or used differently for purposes of advertising and consumerism. I believe that's when the fineline should have been drawn out because we still have our different audiences to consider and bear in mind. That's when we still have to be sensitive of what the social norms are. But since J.Crew was said to be targeting a new segment of their market, they have taken a very liberal move to capture that particular audience if what CMI was trying to claim was right.

Going back to my male friend, he's every inch of a man. He may not be openly proud of his photo dressed as a girl, but he was surely touched by his mom's attention. That's how I see the J.Crew ad and not focusing on the products being promoted. For me, it was simply a touching photo of a mom and her child. We can discuss this photo in great lengths and talk about the supposedly underlying message (or even propaganda), and even talk about transgendered identity politics, its negative effects on the child, etc. So for you, what do you think about this ad?... Does it even bother you?...How about the pink toenails on this boy?... Is it outrageous?... What about the quote given by the mom?.... I'd like to hear from you so give me your comments or you can discuss this with your friends or family and see what they have to say about it.

A Laundry List & Some Sleep

I haven’t had a sleep in the last 39 hours. Several things took place before my last leg in the Creative Communications program wrapped up. Sounds crazy, right?...The first time ever I missed taking a sleep was in the first semester of my first year. I had two journalism assignments—one was to cover any Remembrance Day ceremony and the other one was to write a story on any war veteran. It’s not that easy as it seems. My interviews started in the morning and continued on till the evening. Both assignments have to be done and turned in at 8:00 a.m. the following day. I was able to get my stuff on time and submitted my write-ups without any delay. I felt good; but at the same time, very tired.

Yesterday was especially hectic. My oldest child was sick and so I had to stay home to take care of her. There was an event for the current students and graduates of our program in the late afternoon but my plan of going there was scrapped out. My sick child obviously took the lead in getting my attention. Children are always a priority.

I was planning of finishing my advanced creative writing stuff yesterday including the seven journals for my visual dialogue course. On top of my plans to finish my work, I also had to review for my visual dialogue test.

Being a parent and a student at the same time was a huge challenge. I’m proud to say that I was able to balance these roles (including that of a wife and homemaker) in the past two years. So apparently yesterday, I was only able to start working on my stuff at noon and it went on until 6:30 of this morning. Having to skip your much needed sleep is obviously something that I wouldn’t recommend. This morning, I wasn’t that alert that much; I had trouble comprehending others because of my lack of sleep. But of course, this was simply temporary and my senses will be as sharp as before, so long as I get my much needed sleep.

In most of our classes, writing a ‘laundry list” is discouraged. But somehow, I find it useful in sharing the major events of the day that took place today. So here goes my list:

-We had a memorable ‘last class’ in our advanced creative writing. We went to the Free Press Cafe on McDermot and our instructor Karen treated us to free coffee. At the same time, we had two of our classmates do their presentations on the last chapters of the book.

-Handed in my 29-page creative writing stuff.

-Test in visual dialogue!

-Submitted my complete journal assignments in Visual Dialogue

-And CPetty treated us to some sweet desserts—yum!

-Had a pizza & movie dinner with my family (The first time ever since i got into the two-year program).

And now, the only thing I’ve been waiting for is to—

S L E E P.

My Sentimental Spring

We're on the countdown until school is finally over and we'll finally have to decide on what we really want to do with our lives. For most of us, it's about getting a job in the communications field and who isn't excited about it?... Every second year has high hopes for the future especially that each one is armed with a treasure trove of immaculate knowledge and skills.

I would only have to attend my classes until next week. At this point in time, I am finishing off a few more assignments and I'll be done in no time. My work placement would come afterwards but that's already part of working in the real world. Somehow, I would miss school - the wonderful people I've met and made frends with, including those who just made our two-year creative communications program a very memorable one. There are amazing people in our program who can spark a bright light in our midst and can pull off with a really funny joke; with such wonderful people, there wasn't a single day without really laughing our hearts out. There would always be that bunch of individuals who I will remember even after I step out of the college.

Finishing the program would only mean that I will be able to devote more time to my family - something that I have been waiting for these past two years. Being in the program is no easy task; I was informed during my interview prior to entering CreComm that much will be demanded from me. Honestly, I took that very seriously. Having to manage a household; a family with children; and studying in a full-time program were enough to test my determination to succeed and put everything in order. It was a tiring journey but truly a very satisfying one.

As spring is almost here, I cannot help but be sentimental about it all. Leaving school very soon would be a bittersweet experience but I would always cherish the wonderful people I met and the great instructors who made my two-year life as a student simply wonderful.

A Child Only Has To Worry Being A Child

When one's rights are violated, it only makes sense to seek for justice- especially if the rights violated are that of a child's.

I had recently read an article in Reader's Digest (March issue) about a 10-year-old girl from Yemen who was forced into marriage by her own father because of extreme poverty. In their tribal culture and tradition, girls as young as 13 can get married and the husband-to-be will give the girl's family a dowry which usually comes in the form of money.

Nujood is just like any other 10-year-olds. She loves to go to school and plays a lot with her brothers and sisters. But all that had changed when her Aba (father in Yemeni) arranged for her to get married with a 30-year-old man. Nujood  was briefly told about this arranged marriage but she was in no position to question or even complain. Girls and women in Yemen are subservient to their male counterparts, as it is very untoward for girls to disagree.

The marriage ceremony took place and very soon, Nujood was fetched by her new husband who she just saw for the very first time. Life for Nujood changed for the worse. In her husband's house, she was treated like a slave cleaning floors, cutting vegetables, and doing errands for her mother-in-law and at night, she was forced to have sex with her husband. It was arranged between Nujood's husband and her Aba at first, that Nujood won't be touched until she reaches the age of 13 but all that was not followed and their marriage was consummated even from the very first night.

Nujood's story moved me and I felt so much great pity for young girls like her who live in situations like this where escape seems impossible. But not for Nujood- she was able to find a way to go to a court house and file for divorce. As strange as it sounds, filing for divorce even if she's just 10 years old is the only way to escape her horrific life. In the end, Nujood was divorced from her abusive spouse and she returned to her family. An international humanitarian organization is helping her now to get the education she needs and she has more time to play with her siblings. She's happy to where she is now and is more protective towards her younger siblings who might fall into the same trap. Should the same thing happen to her younger sister, Nujood knows exactly what to do- 'she'll call the police.'

Nujood's experience could be the perfect plot for a documentary film but the horrors she went through were unfortunately real. Young girls are given off by their families in marriage at a very young age in certain tribal villages in Yemen. Nujood's case was extraordinary as she was only 10 years old and the agreement made by both parties was not fulfilled. One may think that not only are her rights as a child were violated but as well as that she's a victim of rape under the hands of her husband. The trauma she went through was unbearable for a young innocent girl like her. Not only did she suffer too much pain but she was also beaten and physically abused by her husband and mother-in-law.

I could go in lengths rambling about the injustices suffered by children like her in a country where traditions seem not to protect the welfare of everyone esepcially girls and women. Traditions for one may be good to help preserve the identity of a certain population but if it's 'backward' and denies the very basic rights of its people, I think it's time for change. Easy to say but hard to do- I think that we will always have injustice in this world. People come from different backgrounds and are brought up in different cultures and traditions.

But I do hope that for young children like Nujood who is supposed to just enjoy being a young child can be out there to play as long as she wants; enjoy the presence of her family; and learn new things in school. The only thing she has to worry is how to be a child and that's all. For the rest of us who live in places where children's rights are looked after, let us also uphold the basic rights of children like Nujood.

Colours of Hope Leaves a Legacy

I went down to Siloam Mission yesterday to hand in the reports on my recently concluded Colours of Hope event. I was all prepped up for the meeting with the director, with all my receipts and documents in tow. The meeting went by very smoothly as we skimmed through the papers and ran down the list of donors to be receipted. After our 40-minute discussion, the meeting wrapped up with a visit to the art room.

The director shared so many updates with me that I can hardly remember each one. Everything that she shared had something to do with the impact that my event had generated. I may forget some of them but what remained within me is the great feeling that something really good came out of my hard work; those many long nights that I have endured just so I can stay on top of everything with regards to planning, coordination, and preparation.

As we entered the art room, I was amazed on how differently it looks now. Before it was more of a spare room to store various stuff like chairs and tables but today, the venue is more inviting and exhibits an air of inspiration with walls decorated with framed artworks done by the patrons housed within a board meant for this purpose. Shelves house numerous books as well as game boards, and topped with young plants in uniformed plastic containers.

The director continued on to share inspiring stories and developments. One of which is the joint venture between Siloam Mission and Red Road Lodge to conduct a common art program made possible by a grant recently awarded. Because of my event, many had registered for the art program and many more are interested to join. There are also several interests and proposals coming from the outside and one of which is the commissioning of the patrons’ artworks. Also, Siloam Mission may eventually turn this into a full-time program. There were other wonderful developments happening as well. Patrons were so encouraged that they are so proud and happy to see their artworks on display in the facility. At least for once in their lives, these patrons have something to be proud of which could help them regain their self-worth and eventually move forward from a life of homelessness to a life that is more productive. The place creates so much attention among interested individuals that it can serve as a starting point for people to sign-up for Siloam Mission's other programs.

Before I left the premises, the director pointed out to me the walls of their dining area decorated with artworks. I was so touched by the colourful display that it melted my heart. The director remarked to me, “You have encouraged us.” At that moment, it dawned on me that inspiration, encouragement, and hope were the lasting results of my event and anyone can see it as one walks in at the very area where the homeless come in to seek help and ask for a meal. The very area where people with broken hearts and broken lives, look for answers and find a little comfort from people who care. The colourful display of artworks including a huge heart made out of collage was meticulously created by the hands of the very people suffering from homelessness and poverty. The artwork created was a sign of hope to anyone, who may think that there’s nothing left in life but great despair.

As I left the building, the very faces of people who contributed to my event flashed in my mind. I left Siloam Mission with a big smile knowing that I live in a city where generous people live and where community spirit prevails.

Here are more photos of the art room that I was talking about. The last couple of photos show you the printed cards I received as a token from Siloam Mission in appreciation of my hard work. To Siloam Mission, ‘thank you’ for the great opportunity of serving you!

The Earthquake in Japan: The Aftermath and the Role of Social Media

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 in the Richter scale hit Japan on March 11th, Friday. The earthquake lasted for a few minutes but had also caused a ferocious tsunami as high as 10 metres (33 feet) which swept away cars, buildings, homes, and caused widespread fires in the eastern coast. This earthquake was the most powerful since records began.

Scores of people were killed and thousands have evacuated their homes especially those who lived near the nuclear power plants, in fear that the cooling systems were damaged. Many people were also stranded in Tokyo since the earthquake started. This catastrophe is so devastating that even though Japan is known to be the most prepared in an earthquake situation, the country is surely not prepared for this one—the severity of the destruction caused by this powerful earthquake is too difficult to comprehend.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan makes this his top priority. He would be visiting the places that are mostly affected by the earthquake riding a helicopter. It was reported that two nuclear power plants in Fukushima located north of Tokyo, were damaged by the earthquake. Tokyo Electric Power Co. had taken steps to release pressure from these plants.

As this devastation in Japan unfolds right before our very eyes, it makes me think now on the many communications crisis plans that are in place and are being enforced (or will be enforced) to deal with the many destructions happening all at the same time.

In a situation like this of epic proportions, I have read that Prime Minister Naoto Kan had ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents living within the 10-kilometre radius of the Daiichi nuclear power plant. Scores of people were being moved and this is a smart thing to do in order to make sure that in the event that a radiation leakage happens, people were already taken out away from harm’s way.

Naoto Sekimura, a professor at the University of Tokyo mentioned that a major radioactive disaster is very unlikely since the damaged coolants at the plants only mean a rise in temperature which also stops the reaction. If ever there would be a radiation leakage, it will be very minimal and won’t go beyond a 3-kilometre radius.

So far, the news that I have been reading give me the impression that the Japanese government is doing its very best to handle this situation. The staff or even advisors to Prime Minister Naoto Kan are certainly doing their homework and trying to anticipate the worst case scenario. Even if the professor interviewed from the University of Tokyo reassures that it is ‘unlikely’ for the radiation to leak beyond the 3-kilometre radius, the Japanese government is certainly not taking any chances of another potential disaster. Removing thousands of residents within the 10-kilometre radius may be a very big and overwhelming undertaking but it’s the best that can be done at this time to ensure that the lives of the Japanese people are not at stake.

The powerful earthquake that shocked the entire country of Japan puts everyone on their feet. I can only imagine now the many crisis communication plans that have taken effect not only on the government level but as well as for the many industries affected by this natural calamity. There were hundreds or even thousands of cars ready to be shipped to other markets but were destroyed by the tsunami making it look like a stack of corroded matchboxes. The person in-charge of the communications for that particular automaker might be doing his work at this time informing overseas customers with regards to this uneventful happening, informing them of delivery cancellations or orders to be put on hold (but it’s also possible that nothing is done at this time since everything was destroyed and communication lines were interrupted). Employees of this car company (and the many other companies affected) will most likely not be able to receive any kind of information from their employer because of the vast destruction caused by the earthquake and the tsunami. Everyone’s priority at this time is to survive.

The Role of Social Media

Once again, people all over the world are embracing the power of social media with regards to the devastation that happened in Japan. Expatriates and travellers in Japan use Twitter and Facebook to contact families and friends, telling them of the latest news. There is even a “Person Finder” web app to link victims with families. More than 7,000 records have been entered since this afternoon and the numbers just keep going. Even before the earthquake stopped, many people instantaneously pulled out their video cameras to take videos and photos, and share the scenes around them with the rest of the world. It was reported that there are more than 9,000 earthquake-related videos and 7,000 earthquake-related photos that have been uploaded to YouTube since the start of the earthquake ranging from first-person accounts to videos and photos taken by media representatives. There are also several fundraising efforts using social media to bring relief funds to Japan.

This land of the rising sun faces a long road ahead before it can finally recover. Not just months but it will definitely take years. This tragedy affects the lives of thousands of people—homes destroyed; industries affected; power plants in the brink of causing yet another disaster; and an economy that was shaken which will cause the nation to be indebted. The global community has certainly started to join forces in order to help. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are affected, and I do hope that the recovery and healing will take place the soonest.

(This is just one of the many videos you can watch. Go to YouTube for more.)

Artworks that Speak



A landscape artwork done by a patron-artist


I have started  blogging about my Colours of Hope event a week ago and I 'promised' that I'll be blogging more about it.

The logistics of putting up an art exhibit and art auction might interest you (and for sure, there would be people out there who would like to know how I put the nuts and bolts together), but let me talk about the 'humanity' behind the artworks that were displayed particularly the ones created by the homeless.

Portraits, landscapes, and symbolisms were common themes in the artrworks. Most of which were done in pencil and the others took a step further finishing it with watercolours.  The wide array of artworks done by the patrons of Siloam Mission and on exhibit during the week-long event at The Edge Gallery from February 18th to the 24th, showed gallery visitors the creativity of the patrons. A visitor to the exhibit once said that she was pleased to view such artworks because that made her realize that these homeless people are no different from the rest of us.

The wonderful artworks may have shown the artistic potential of these individuals but what was more touching were  the stories behind them. One patron-artist admitted that his artwork on display wasn't supposed to be the one included in the exhibit. Just a few days before the exhibit started, his painting was stolen. There was no clue on who did it and why, but that unfortunate incident didn't stop his determination to be part of a wonderful event. In response, he painted another artwork in just under two hours.What an amazing story! This homeless man wasn't cuaght up in that situation but rather, took a positive step and resolved the problem.

The art exhibit for these homeless people was a 'big' thing for them. Not many people may know about this but for anyone who is homeless, his sense of self-esteem and self-worth are missing. Preparations for the exhibit excited them, and the arts program at Siloam Mission provided these homeless individuals a place to create beautiful works of art that have therapeutic benefits and may usher in the healing process. So when the exhibit started, we had a steady flow of visitors to the gallery from different walks of life including people from the streets. I've seen most of the patron-artitsts visit our exhibit and 'everyone' of them shared his delight on being part of such an interesting endeavour. At least for once in their lives, they had a sense of pride for something that they have done and their artworks proved that point; at least that's the only thing that they can share back to the community.

The event may be over but I'm sure that the sense of pride and joy can still be felt by them. I am just hoping that this positive experience will help these patron-artists to move forward in life and take on an active step towards a life that is more productive. This may not take overnight (it may even take years) but at least a ray of hope can be seen.

Join Me in Cloud 9

Now it's Saturday, and I'm still in cloud 9 reminiscing the great week that I had.

My art exhibit called Colours of Hope is an awareness campaign for the arts program of Siloam Mission- a humanitarian organization that provides a variety of programs and services free-of-charge to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the city of Winnipeg.

The art exhibit started February 18 and went on until the 24th (but closed on Sunday) at The Edge Gallery on 611 Main Street. The exhibit had at least 200 visitors and they all came from different backgrounds and places. It's heart-warming to see the eagerness of these people who wanted to know what the exhibit was all about; but most specifically, curious of what our patron-artists (homeless artists) can do in the field of visual arts.

I had never thought that the exhibit would draw this much crowd. It attracted media attention and the event was all over the television, radio, and print. It was exciting to see that this was also publicized immenseley in different sites. Some of which I didn't ask to promote in the first place. Looking back, now I can remember that some of the people from these organizations are people I met long time ago.

There is a great sense of community here in our city and I am proud to be a Winnipegger. The event not only saw the artworks of patron-artists who have something to give back to the community, but as well as fascinating paintings by renowned local artists including Jackie Traverse, Patrick Ross, Jordan Miller, Lana Winfield, and promising artists Andrea Caron and Josie Hofer (a Hutterite).

The art exhibit concluded with an art auction night (it's only then that I realized that I was doing two projects) and it saw more than 60 people. I have all the names, and I am definitely sure that there were at least 60 people. The program was hosted by Winnipeg Sun's Laurie Mustard who charismatically handled the program with great ease. Bill Knight of Bill Knight Flooring & Carpets was our program's auctioneer. There were many heart-warming moments during that night's event. Frankly, it's not easy to hold an art auction; moreso, a LIVE auction. But we were successful because we were able to sell 7 out of the 11 paintings in the live auction and it made our featured artists really happy. What's so important about that very cold night (I think it was the coldest night this week) was the great expression of community among our guests. They braved the cold and the dark streets of downtown Winnipeg, just to show their support for the city's homeless and impoverished population.

I only have great words for each and every person who was there. I myself was so touched by the great support of everyone. I would be writing more about this in my next post. At the meantime, join with me in cloud 9 and have a sense of excitement building up; as even though this event is over, the impact it created will surely linger on and hopefully, will open to new doors.

Sometimes What People Need is a Second Chance

Anyone who lives in a very supportive environment can say that their success in life is brought about by the love and support of people around them. This is especially true for anyone who is surrounded by such wonderful people—but what about for those who hardly have any kind of support at all? For them, growing up was tough; every single day was mere survival; and the future didn’t look promising at all.


There are people in our lives who need a certain kind of support whether that be material, moral, emotional, or even spiritual. Sometimes it’s quite obvious to know if a person is in need of material support but oftentimes, it takes a lot of skill and a certain ‘gift’ to discern if a person is in genuine need.


I had my fair share of experiences with people who benefited from what I have to offer and there’s simply no complaining on my part—I understand the true meaning of giving without asking for anything in return. Once I was carried away by my feeling of discouragement and told myself that I won’t be ‘too generous’ next time around because of how certain individuals took advantage of my sincerity and generosity. But I’ve learned along the way that sometimes we just need to understand and give that unconditional love in the hope that the person concerned will be transformed. Most often we may not see any kind of transformation at all but if our efforts are all taken together to change people’s lives in our community, I think the idea of continuing our work is worth the risk.


For people who are broken and struggling with life’s challenges, they are the ones who need our help. For all of us who are in a better position, we just have to step forward and extend that helping hand. After all, sometimes what people need is a second chance to make it through and we can make that happen.

Appreciating Abstract

Art. What is it, really?

In my visual dialogue class today, we started discussing about sculpture as a form of art.  We had the pleasure of looking at photocopied pictures of several well-known and famous sculptures from the past by great artists like Michaelangelo and Rodin but our discussion focused around and gave an analysis of Michaelangelo's "David," which is a sculpted representation of the biblical hero of the same name.

I can discuss in great lengths why the particular version of David by Michaelangelo (which was carved out of marble stone) is very disproportionate in terms of its anatomy and on why we think (as discussed by our instructor) that marble may not be an ideal material to work on for this heroic sculpture.

Looking at art in a particular way is very relative- in a way that it is very subjective and quite personal. I like looking at sculptures and simply admiring the details put on by the artist, to best emulate the real thing. In paintings, you can see a lot of different subjects being used by the artists. From human portraits to skyscraper buildings, the choices are simply endless. But not all paintings or even sculptures depict their original subjects the way they are actually seen by our naked eyes. Abstract paintings for one relies on the interpretation of the artist. This doesn't simply fall under surrealism, but abstract paintings is categorized on its own. Look at the great artist Picasso's work, and you'll know what I mean.

In our exhibit "Colours of Hope--an art exhibit & auction event to benefit Siloam Mission," one of our Winnipeg artists by the name of Lana Winfield will show a few of her abstract artworks. Her paintings delve into  topics like women's issues, body image, global warming, depression, religion, and even history. A graduate from the University of Manitoba with a diploma in art, Winfield shows her compassion to our city's homeless by being part of this exciting event.

Winfield's untitled paintings can be interpreted in various ways. Just because that it doesn't give you a full picture of an actual thing, doesn't necessarily mean that her paintings don't depict actual life itself. In fact, I am challenged to look at abstract art in a different level and try to bring out the emotions and thoughts depicted through  the artwork.

If you are interested to have a look at a couple of Winfield's paintings, come to the "Colours of Hope" and experience our interesting array of original artworks from our different artists.

Be "Cherry" With Author Matt Duggan on This Friday's Reading Series

Whenever there is a new writer that comes along (at least for me), one question I would often ask is—what kind of stuff does he write? Before entering the Creative Communications program at Red River College, I was the type of reader who had ‘settled down’ to reading books that suited my liking. I preferred inspirational books and lots of ‘feel good’ books over murder-themed novels. I assume that you already have an idea what these books are!

In the past two years of being in the program, I have re-learned how to ‘expand’ the kinds or genres of books that I read from historically drawn themes to contemporary present day murder stories. To read such books brings me to a higher level of appreciation for such works of literature. Just like in gourmet food, reading books of different themes from different authors, enriches one’s palette and brings fullness to one’s soul.

On February 4, author Matt Duggan will be our guest writer at the CreComm Reading Series. The CreComm Reading Series curated by K.I. Press, brings writers of all genres to Winnipeg. Opening acts are current and former CreCommers with creative works-in-progress. Matt Duggan will be reading at 10 a.m. in Room P107, Roblin Centre at the Exchange District Campus, 160 Princess Street, Winnipeg. He will also be reading at 7 p.m. in Aqua Books, 274 Garry Street.

My fellow CreCommer Greg Berg, will be the opening act for author Matt Duggan. Greg Berg is an aspiring writer who is still working on his YA novel entitled, Our Glass, for his Independent Professional Project at Red River College. If everything goes well, Greg Berg plans to have his novel published by the end of this year. Greg Berg’s novel sounds very promising. It is one work that I will surely look forward to, and include in my collection of contemporary writings should it reach its publication.

But for now, Matt Duggan is someone that we should check out. He wrote a novel called, The Royal Woods, which is a tall tale for children set in a suburban subdivision of a prairie city. This was nominated for The Moonbeam Award and the Silver Birch Award. His latest work, Cherry Electra, is about a dirty cottage weekend that culminates in murder. Quill and Quire describe it as “satisfying bit of country-cottage gothic.”

Matt Duggan is a graduate of Churchill High School and currently teaches high school in Toronto. He is delighted to be back here in Winnipeg and have the opportunity to read his latest novel. So if you are in for a new journey in literary writing and would like to know more about Cherry Electra, come on down to either of the reading sessions at Red River College or at Aqua Books. Let’s give Matt Duggan the floor and let him read from his latest work. I believe that he has something to offer to anyone who would take the time to listen, and be more knowledgeable of the kind of writing he does. I have a good feeling that I will be in a for an interesting treat this Friday.

A heart-warmer in a cold winter's night

What makes a cold wintery day, warm? Well, there could be tons of reasons- a visit from a friend; a surprise gift from a loved one; or even a hot chocolate drink in your favourite mug!

Today is exceptionally special—we threw a celebration to a very special person who has made a difference in the lives of our children. All our kids were supposed to have their regular practices in the different programs that this wonderful lady has been leading in the past several years but all the moms (including me!) have something special to give to this person—a baby shower!

In the dark, we huddled—hushing the younger kids to be quiet; it was quite a feat but everybody else was trying their best to remain silent and keep their hands and feet to themselves. It seemed like the excitement was brewing and we simply can’t contain ourselves not until the door was unlocked and there comes our ‘director’. The lights were switched on and then we said “Surprise!” with such enthusiasm.

A program was given starting off with warm greetings and special prayers for this wonderful lady and her baby-to-be. Then we presented her a ‘gift’—a newsletter-magazine that we prepared which is a collection of our best wishes and blessings for this new family. I am happy to be part of it because I got to design, layout and edit the material. In fact, it was my idea to come up with this memoir that she’ll remember us by—a memoir of warm wishes and blessings from all moms to a mom-to-be and her hubby.

After the presentation of our gift, we had a couple of games for the kids. It’s amazing to see all the children having so much fun and the look of innocent anticipation from their young eyes. Many of the younger kids looked on while the others came close to our director and touched her growing baby belly. After the games, we said a prayer and soon right after, we helped ourselves with a buffet of various food and snacks. Most of the kids helped themselves with a plateful of sweet treats and chips, while the older ones grabbed some fudgy brownies and pizza slices.

The highlight of the night came when we presented to her a table full of gifts. It’s wonderful to see those sparkle in her eyes which reminds me of the time when I was about to open gifts from friends who care for the coming of a new member in our family. It took some time for our director to open all the gifts which range from baby clothes to baby carriers, and even a cute blue bathtub and baby bag which matches the taste of our wonderful mom-to-be. Right after the party’s over, I left the place with such joy in my heart. It’s a good thing to give our best wishes to someone who is expecting; for the coming of a new baby means life and the birth of a new hope.

It was a cold night but it was warmed by the love of all mothers who extended their love and warmest regards to a young woman who is about to take on the new journey known as motherhood.

Art is for everyone, even the homeless

For all of you who have been following my blog, I'd like to let you all know that I am organizing an event to benefit Winnipeg's homeless and impoverished population. Homelessness and poverty respect no one; it doesn't respect any background, gender or age. There certainly are many root causes to homelessness such as drug or alcohol abuse; domestic violence; sexual abuse; abandonment; loss of a job; and even the loss of one's support system.

My event is called "Colours of Hope"- an art exhibit and auction event to benefit Siloam Mission. Through this event, I would like to raise awareness on the issues of homelessness and poverty, and how Siloam Mission's Expressive Arts Program helps the homeless express themselves in a creative way (through writing, crafting, painting, etc.) which can be a very useful tool to help the homeless regain his self-worth and rediscover himself. The arts program could also help usher in the healing process.

I know that I am not alone in helping our city's homeless and underprivileged; we know that through the programs at Siloam Mission, one is not only given with a hot meal or a warm bed at night but as well as helpful transition programs that help the homeless get his life back together- but first of all, he has to get and know his self-worth.

Please help me in my campaign to support the homeless through Siloam Mission. Support my event by coming to the art exhibit on February 18-24, 2011 (except Sunday) at The Edge Gallery on Main Street. Donations (both monetary & in-kind) will be accepted at the gallery. This exhibit is for FREE. The exhibit is suitable for all ages. If you wish, you can also make a donation online to Siloam Mission. Please indicate "Colours of Hope" at the commnents box as your referring site.

A fundraising auction night event will take place on February 24th (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. at the same place. Artworks created by our supportive and compassionate Winnipeg artists will be auctioned to help raise funds for Siloam Mission. Tickets to the event are priced at $30 each. Proceeds of all ticket sales will go to support our beneficiary.

Three weeks from now, our event will start. Please support us and let's make a difference. Together, we can make change happen.

Just When You Need to Look For Hope This Christmas

Once before I saw a lady in the bus seated all by herself by the window- she looked so sad and her eyes weepy. I wondered what could be troubling her? After I looked at her, I switched direction and concluded that after all, it's not my business. I didn't even know her. That scene happened again, just yesterday. But this time, it's me who's looking so far away. It's like a case of déjà vu but the moment was real; clinging close to my chest; immersing me right into the moment. In as much as I didn't want to cry, tears were streaming down my cheeks; uncontrollably, silently, and shamelessly covering my face that I felt like it's so inappropriate at this time of the year to be crying. I should be happy, right?... Well, I can choose to be happy but at that moment in the bus, something within me just can't stop from expressing what I was feeling deep down into the very chambers of my heart. Once I was already aware that I was riding the bus and there were strangers around me, I quickly wiped the tears away with my favourite scarf that's been keeping me warm and cozy all throughout that cold afternoon. I tried to stiffen up a lip as if everything's just fine. Hopefully, everything will just be fine.

When I took off the bus in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, I was already walking in the midst of a myriad of different people. I can feel the happiness ensuing in the many shopping bags they were holding for Christmas but the sense of sadness was so strong; it's like it's floating in the air that I can almost grasp it with my hand but it's invisible. Why would I care to grasp it? Sadness is surely one thing that I wouldn't want to hold on to; but sometimes, it’s just there and it helps to acknowledge it.

People are so busy buying gifts for themselves and for their loved ones, and I already did my share, too. I'm glad that I've done my shopping already, at least I only have my hubby and two wonderful angels (and some friends), to give gifts to. Christmas cards were already given out and the 'joy' of Christmas is building up- I simply can't wait for it, and go about with our family tradition of baking our ever favourite fresh apple pie topped with ice-cream, some baked goodies, and cooking up some fave dishes for the season. As I think about these things, I feel happy and so blessed to have a family of my own- even though we're living far away from our parents and siblings, who would also want to be around us at this time of the year. Every single thing that we hear about this season from the people we love is good; but what if the news that you hear about yourself isn't?... How will you take it?... How will you react to it?... How can you explain it to the people you love? Will you simply deny it and go about with the merry-making of the holidays? Somehow, it's still there lingering in your thoughts. It's something that needs to be dealt with. How you handle it, really counts.

I have gone through personal tragedies in my life that I know how it feels to be in such situations. In return, my compassion for others who are suffering in a similar situation or feeling the same things that I've felt or have been feeling, simply increases.

These past two years of being a full-time student have given me the opportunity to be young again as a student who's flocked with other happy people who are so full of life and whose dreams and hopes for the future are something that you can almost touch. Frankly, it's like magic. But what makes me different from them is my load of responsibilities as a homemaker, a wife, and as a parent. Despite of my obligations, I am so blessed to have a husband who is so supportive. He's the one wearing the apron now so I can concentrate on being a student and attend to the rigours and demands of my full-time program. How could my life be possible without him? I simply couldn't imagine.

My coming back to school is not in vain but it's out of need. I already have my degree long time ago but I needed to upgrade myself so I can get a better job; not for me, but for my family. Like other parents, I have dreams for my family and for my children who also look up to me. It's also my responsibility to give them a better future and so I sacrificed my time with them; the many moments when they had their field trips when I should have been around to show my support, or in other activities which I used to attend to, before coming back to school but just possibly can't.

Our set-up now is just temporary, I know; and we just have a few more months to go before school is over. I know that I'm close to achieving my goal and I can almost feel it. The grades I got (most of it are As and one course is an A+) is something I am proud of not because I've 'achieved it' but because it's a reflection of our sacrifices as a family. It's the kind of teamwork that we've been doing since I started school in 2009. I can almost smile now because my late nights are paying off. The short sleeps I have (5 hours at the most) and some nights, I didn't get to sleep at all didn't happen for no reason. Whatever little successes I have as a result of my studies is a symbol of endurance and the unending support and understanding of my two little girls, who would often try to understand and comprehend, "Why does mommy have to go to school again?"... in their young minds, they know that I am doing this for them and not for myself.

We have our hopes and dreams as a family, and I have my own hopes and dreams for my own children but when the results came out that the possibility that it recurs again, (just a few days away from Christmas) is something that I need to put into perspective now. Once again, I have to look for that bright light that has been leading me all these years. It's hard to take but I am coping. I have been a survivor once (or have been a survivor in many instances) and I know that deep within, this is no time to give up. I have a semester to go and I'm close to getting my diploma; I have an art event coming up and I know that countless of homeless people (who are genuinely in need) will surely benefit from this event; I still hope to get a good PR job in the near future and will be happy to be working with great people; I still hope to have that much-awaited vacation with my family who's been beside me all these years.

Life still goes on, and I choose to be happy. How ironic it is that my event is called "Colours of Hope," but I am one person who has so much hope to share (and who is in need of hope at this time). But now since it's Christmas, it is my prayer to have many fruitful years ahead of me so I can be part of that hope for others to take.

Story on Sexual Ambiguity Goes Skin Deep in Winter's "Annabel"

Here is a book review that I did for my Canadian Literature course. We were told to choose and read a recent work by a Canadian author, who's nominated in this year's Giller Prize. Here is my book review on the novel Annabel by Kathleen Winter. A book which I chose to give a review on, and I think I wasn't disappointed. Read on and you'll find it interesting.

Books on the subject of intersex are not common. Annabel, a debut novel by Montreal-resident Kathleen Winter, devotes her strength trying not to explain the medical condition, but focuses instead on probing the dilemma and challenges of sexuality and self-knowledge in a world where there are fixed gender roles. It is a novel that revolves around the territory of human emotions and a person’s journey to self-discovery.

Set in the pristine and ethereal beauty of Croydon Harbour, Labrador in the 1970s and 1980s, Wayne Blake was born with two genitals.  His parents, Treadway and Jacinta, and their neighbour Thomasina, are the only people who know about the baby’s condition. Soon after the baby’s birth, Treadway decides to raise the child as a boy in the male-dominated hunting culture of Labrador. While Wayne is growing up, Jacinta and Thomasina nurture his female side in their own respective ways. Wayne’s true sexuality is unknown to him but his latent female side is manifesting and can’t be ignored. Already an adult, Wayne moves to St. John’s in his quest to rediscover his true self. Despite the odds and the pain he experiences, Wayne emerges to be more courageous than the people around him.

The novel brings its reader into the characters’ emotional journey and humanity. It is not a grave attempt to explain the medical side of intersex or the condition known as hermaphroditism, but it gives the reader an intimate portrait of a person struggling to live an identity which the society views as a big mistake. The story also covers other conventional issues such as the breakdown of a family due to a married couple’s lack of communication as seen in the life of Treadway and Jacinta; and the contrasting pull between rural and urban life.

Author Kathleen Winter was raised in Newfoundland and now lives in Montreal with her husband and two daughters. She loves to read since when she was a child and says that she wanted to be a writer from the time she learned how to read. Kathleen used to write a weekly column for St. John’s Telegram; wrote for television and CBC documentaries; and wrote segments and songs for Sesame Street. Although Annabel is her debut novel, Kathleen wrote her first book, boYs which is a collection of short stories. Winter’s debut novel Annabel is the only book nominated for all three major literary prizes in Canada for 2010: the Giller Prize, the Governor-General’s Literary Award for English fiction and the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize.

Winter’s Annabel is inspired by her first visit to North West River, Labrador while working as a journalist for CBC, where she learned of several people who were born with hermaphroditism. From that point, Winter wrote her thirty-page story. She revealed that she didn’t know so much about the subject beforehand but it was a constant discovery and learning for her while writing the book.

Annabel is written in such a fashion that it’s like a fascinating lyrical prose. Readers can vividly taste, smell, feel, touch and experience the uniqueness and raw beauty of Labrador. The words simply jump off the pages of the book, giving readers a rich perspective into the lives of the characters and their unique situations. The novel is a third-person narrative and started with a prologue that describes the mythical allure of a white caribou seen through the eyes of Annabel, before she and her blind father fell into the water and drowned to death. The incident sets as an undertone of what could be the possible conflict or goal of the central character. The white caribou is also meant to be a metaphor to suggest the self-discovery of Wayne, who is the central character in the novel. The story progresses at a slow pace, in which the author is trying to narrate every possible milestone in Wayne’s childhood days. There are a few scenes in the novel which I think wouldn’t matter if it were omitted because those few scenes hardly contribute to the development of the plot. The ending on the other hand stays away from the usual storybook formula where resolutions are given. Rather the readers are left to draw their own conclusions of what could be the fate of all the characters. Readers are left with a glimpse into the characters’ individual situations. Each one is constantly evolving and changing. Every character shows a glimmer of hope despite of a past that was painted with despair and the harshness of life.

Annabel is a novel that manifests a lot of the traditional conventions found in modern literature. It has a straightforward plot and there is an emphasis on the individual’s inner thoughts and feelings as seen in the character of Wayne and that of the other main characters including Treadway and Jacinta. There is also a good portion of the story where time is seen from the perspective of the character especially in the case of Treadway who spends most of his time in the terrains of Labrador. The story has an open ending which is more representative of what reality is. After reading the novel, readers will find that this story is a celebration of inner strength in the face of adversity.

Since Winter’s objective is not to give a full explanation of what intersex is all about, she achieves in drawing the emotions and humanity of the characters to her readers. As in the character of Treadway, he’s known to be an expert hunter and good provider, despite the fact that he’s silent and inexpressive of his emotions and thoughts towards his wife and son. But as the story progresses especially in the last few chapters of the book, one can see Treadway’s transition into a sympathetic and understanding father, who finally accepts his son for who he really is.

Adult readers who find how people handle adversities and their personal struggles interesting, might find Annabel just the perfect book to read. Readers don’t necessarily have to have prior knowledge on intersex in order to understand the book. It has always been the author’s intention to draw the human side of the story and dwell into the territory of each character’s emotions.

The language used is simple which makes it easy to understand. It’s not written in a scholarly fashion where words are hard to grasp, nor was it written with medical terms that could easily turn-off a vast majority of potential readers. I admire the novel for the way it is written and presented. It is unpretentious and bears so much reality in it, that one can relate in some way or the other, with each of the character’s loneliness. The subject of intersex may be of great interest already to anyone who hardly knows what it’s all about; but the other issues involved merit the novel a good number of readers.

Kathleen Winter’s Annabel is a unique and moving story that appeals to anyone who is in a search for a good and inspiring read. This is not a story of pure sorrow but a story of triumph that celebrates the courage and hope in every person, to express the true self within. Annabel is a must-read this 2010 and will serve as a good addition to anyone’s library of contemporary Canadian literary works.