Author: Vittoria

Have you even been in a situation where being too kind ends up betraying you? Well, all my life, my mom has taught me to help others anywhere, everywhere, and at any time. Throughout my life, this has become more present because I have learned that helping others makes me really happy because I enjoy seeing others happy. However, I have also learned that by being too kind and exposing myself too much, my actions have consequences. Since I arrived at Brookes Westshore, I have placed helping others as my priority, and it has come incredibly well. Ive become a great and helpful person; however, recently I got in trouble with a school work. Some friends needed my help in a class, so with all their trust, they came to me, and of course I helped them. They did not understand a single question, so I gave them my response and also explained it to them for them to at least understand the question and be ready for the test. I at first did not understand the question either, so I used Google, which I consider a great friend because it makes things way clearer when the topic is too hard or when you don’t completely understand your teacher. After giving them my response, I felt like a good friend because I knew they would do amazing with my help. However, I got into trouble for sharing my responses and using Google, which, even though I understand the point of view of the teacher, maybe understanding the situation and having compassion for their students could have been a better response than immediately placing me at 0 with no way of fixing it. Finally, I have understood that maybe some teachers understand kindness in school to a certain level when others do not, and that’s totally acceptable.

As I sit at my bed in Canada, surrounded by my small bedroom, with tight walls and the cool breeze coming through the window, my thoughts wander to a place filled with sunshine, laughter, and the aroma of delicious food – Mexico. Growing up in Canada has been an exciting experience, but as the days pass, I find myself eagerly anticipating my return to the vibrant streets of my home city.

I’ve been exposed to a world of opportunity and diversity since moving to Canada. Every day is an adventure, from the beautiful surroundings to the diversity in the city. By making friends with people from every aspect of life, I’ve been able to learn about their traditions and customs, which has greatly expanded my perspective.

But even with all of Canada’s natural beauty and diversity, there’s a part of me that misses the cozy comforts of Mexico. It’s not just about the food, even though I can almost taste the delicious tacos and cool agua fresca; rather, it’s about the feeling of community that comes from being with loved ones.

The longer the days get and the colder it gets, the more excited I get about my next trip. I’m looking forward to the happy reunions, the exciting get-togethers, and, of course, the opportunity to savor the tastes of home. Mexico has a unique way of using food to unite people; it’s more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of community and culture.

Not to mention the weather—I miss the sun’s warmth on my skin! I get excited at the idea of changing my winter coat for shorts and flip-flops. I’m excited to enjoy every second of being able to go outside without being weighed down by multiple layers of clothing.

I can’t help but think about how my identity has been shaped by the distinct mixture of cultures as I get ready to return to Mexico. Although living in Canada has extended my perspectives and provided invaluable knowledge, my Mexican heritage serves as a source of pride and stability.

So, as I eagerly count down the days until my departure, I find myself enjoying the contrast of my cultural identity. Canada may be my home away from home, but there’s a special place in my heart for Mexico – a place where the warmth of the sun is matched only by the warmth of its people.

“Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley and “Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil Postman are both powerful critiques of modern society, especially how technology and entertainment affect our lives and the way society works. In Huxley’s dystopian world, pleasure and distraction are the most important things. Postman’s analysis, on the other hand, looks at how too much meaningless information from sources like TV makes it harder for us to think critically about the world around us. Even though they are set in very different times and places, both works have a lot to do with how hard it is for people today to find a balance between technological progress and keeping meaningful human connections and intellectual engagement.

In fact, Postman’s claim that “Brave New World” has something to do with the present is very moving. There are a lot of similarities between Huxley’s made-up society, where people are constantly entertained, and our own, where a lot of digital distractions keep people from having serious conversations. Both works warn us about the risks of being lazy and uninterested in technological progress. They also remind us how important it is to keep our independence, critical thinking skills, and ability to connect with others in a world full of distractions. Therefore, reading these texts makes us think deeply about the direction our society is going and the values we hold most dear as we shape our shared future.

I love pizza. it’s like a flavor party! Crunchy crust with yummy toppings, each slice is a tasty masterpiece. Whether it’s classic cheese or something exotic, pizza makes me smile with every bite.

Sushi is another fave. Fresh fish, rice, and seaweed dance together in my mouth. It’s like a mini trip to Japan, where time slows down, and all I taste is pure deliciousness.

Let’s not forget chocolate! Whether it’s a dark truffle or a gooey brownie, every bite is a celebration. It’s like a tiny escape to a world of sweetness and joy.

These foods are like experiences in my life, bringing joy and memories with every taste. They’re the simple pleasures that make my world delicious.

I hate my birthday.My birthday creates mixed emotions, particularly on November 18. The day brings a sense of guilt and heart pressure, surrounded by the tradition of receiving gifts and hugs. The act of people spending considerable money on me and singing happy birthday creates discomfort, making the day less special to me.

However this last birthday here on Brookes with my friends I actually enjoyed it. It changed the perspective on my birthday. It made me calm down and actually realize the good things. All the hugs, cheers, smiles, and gifts I received made me have for the first time a good birthday experience. All my friends and my family from far away made it so special in many ways and It just makes me be so thankfully for them.

I can see a personal growth in my attitude towards my birthday. I anticipate a transformative shift on November 18 next year, where a big smile will grow on my face, and I’ll appreciate the moment. My perspective has evolved, and I now regard my birthday as a truly special day to celebrate with the people I love most.

 

The anticipation of Christmas each year is a feeling that stirs within me with an undeniable sense of excitement and hope. It’s not about merely wanting the holiday season to arrive earlier so I can bask in the twinkling lights, fragrant pine trees, or the joy of giving and receiving gifts. No, it’s a deeper yearning, one that transcends the festive decorations and traditions.

Christmas, for me, represents a unique season where the world seems to collectively slow down just a bit. It’s a time when hearts open wider, when acts of kindness and compassion are more readily shared, and when a sense of unity fill the air. As the days grow shorter, the chill in the air becomes more pronounced, and the first snowflakes fall, there’s an undeniable and almost magical transformation that takes place.

The holiday season isn’t just about celebrating the birth of Christ or marking the passing of another year. It’s a time when people, from all walks of life and across the globe, decide to be a little kinder, a little more generous, and a little more understanding. It’s as if the collective spirit of humanity reaches its high point during this time, reminding us of our capacity for love and empathy.

I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Christmas because it’s a season that embodies the very best of humanity. It’s a beacon of light in the darkest of winter nights, a time when we collectively embrace the idea that, despite the challenges and chaos of everyday life, there is still a wellspring of hope within us. So, I long for Christmas to arrive early not to rush through time, but to embrace the spirit of love and unity that it brings, and to be reminded that we can carry that spirit with us in our hearts year-round.

 

Being in a place where they don’t speak your first language is kind of hard, you don’t have the same humor nor the same cultures or traditions. People use to say that going into an exchange year is easy, that is like a sabbatic year but not in my occasion. When I arrived to Canada it was like a dream everything was easy and I couldn’t believe that this would be like vacations for one year. School started and reality came through, everything was way different that in Mexico, I got desperate and stressed cause I did not understand this new things. The reality is that exchange year is not easy and even more if they use different things such as ManageBac, I hate ManageBac I couldn’t understand it at first but through the last couple of days I have understand it way more. However I love Canada, its normal to feel stressed at the beginning, you just have to adapt yourself to the situation with help of others or just placing way more strength into the situation, through the time goes by everything will fall into place I just have to keep pushing my self.

Winter was one of the reasons why I came to Canada. In Mexico everything in winter is so much different than here, there’s no snow and it’s not that cold, however here in Canada is a dream come true. I love snowboarding, which means Canada is specialty in snowy mountains.

Winter is a season that fills me with wonder and excitement. When the first snowflakes start to fall, it’s like a magical moment straight out of a storybook. Each snowflake is unique and beautiful, and they come together to create a soft, white blanket on the ground.

One of the things I love most about winter is how quiet it becomes. The world seems to slow down, and everything is so peaceful. I can hear the crunch of my footsteps on the snow.

Winter is also a time for cozy moments. I enjoy sipping hot cocoa by the warm fireplace and wrapping myself in a soft blanket while watching a good movie. It’s a season for spending time with family and friends, making memories together.

Im counting the days for winter to arrive in Canada, even though we are right now in autumn I want winter to arrive right now. Winter makes my nose turn red making a realization that it arrived, also its starts smelling like cinnamon and pumpkin spice, meaning Christmas is here! Definitely Winter is the best.