She will see a robin catch a worm. She will be a vampire. She will not give up on the bees. She will dig up dinosaur bones. She will own five hamsters and five snakes. What have I been up to this week? WTF Wednesday: Crest’s sexist toothpaste commercial xoxHillaryDiMenna.comxox
Recently, The Toronto Star published an article called, Low-income ‘streaming’ in Ontario high school alive and well, report says. Streaming was a process where students were separated into groups or, streams. Lower streams comprised of low-income families, recent immigrants and minority groups. White, middle-class (The reference to a middle-class emphasizes this was in the past) made up the higher streams. In 1999, when I started high school, streaming was said to be gone after several studies proved the method was doing more harm than good. Now, students choose what ability level they want to take for each class. The arts and health are open but math, English, French, science, history and geography are divided into applied, academic or locally developed. The French Immersion program…
Tagged: Academic classes, Applied classes, high school, high school education system, Low-income ‘streaming’ in Ontario high school alive and well report says, Ontario education, Ontario high school, Ontario high school education system, People for Education, streaming, The Trouble with Course Choices in Ontario High Schools, Toronto Star
I don’t think a child’s imagination is given enough credit. Though touted by marketers as a toy-gimmick, it is something that occurs naturally. We’re told we need to be stimulating our young minds constantly. Yet, somewhere along the line family bonding lost to big company gadgets. Imagination needs batteries and expansion sets. I live in a low-income neighbourhood, school bus stop chatter consists of the need of children needing their own TV, computer and gaming system in their room; separate from the ones in the living room. Somehow I got by playing with spools of thread for dolls and making board games out of cake boxes. Necessity breeds creation, creation grows from imagination. It is for free, of course someone wants to sell you…
Tagged: children's toys, consumerism
Confused on how to get from Building A to Building B, I followed the footsteps someone else left imprinted in the Ontario snow. With faith I allowed them to lead me, and it was a success. I laughed at the thought of someone trying to follow my footprints. They’d be lead in circles, through dangerous paths, stumbling where things got topsy-turvy and they may even trip over the indent of where I fell on my bum. It kind of scared me to think someone would follow my clumsy feet. Then it hit me, that’s what my little one IS doing.
Tagged: parenting
My online portfolio got pretty spiffy! Still working on some stuff but here it is! hillarydimenna.com Tips, comments and, of course, compliments are welcome and invited xo MM
Tagged: birthday, fifth birthday, Sweet Clip Art
“A mother can be an inspiration To her little son Change his thoughts, his mind, his life, Just with her gentle hum”
Tagged: Different People, No Doubt, No Doubt Lyrics, No Doubt Video
I’ve had quite a few new followers via e-mail, WordPress and Facebook (If you haven’t already, “Like” the page for extra stuff!) And I figured I should re-introduce myself on this blog. MUCH LOVE FOR ALL THE NEW AND CONTINUED SUPPORT XOXOXO I’m a twenty-something mom and soon-to-be-graduated journalism student. My five-year-old skateboarding ballerina has made me see things differently, and inspires me to really make some positive change in the world. She is my favourite song and my first love. But, I will admit the girl is annoying. I always joke about her being the worst roommate ever. We’re a small family in a small apartment. It’s her, two cats and me. I need alone time. I have always found a retreat in reading and…
Tagged: blogger, journalism, parenting blog, single mom
My friend snapped this shot when my little lamb followed me to school one day <3
Hey! Things have been slow lately but will be picking up again. I do appreciate all the feedback, messages and support and think about this here project daily. Things have been changing and I figured I’ll update everyone on what’s been going on. I’ve been doing work for Missy/Ink Magazine, and keeping up with school (DC News, Rogers TV and two ebooks which I will post links to after they are marked.) In April I will be interning with This Magazine and in June I’ll graduate from Journalism Print and Broadcast at Durham College! After that our little family will be calling Toronto home. Of course I’ll still keep up with this blog. If I didn’t, I’d go crazy. As for the blog, I’ll…
