warm winters

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It's almost over,

Wow, i can't believe it. My first semester of University is almost over and although i am so excited for it to end, i can't get to ahead of myself; i still have 3 more years to go. Soon my entire university career will be completed and i can finally enter into the world as a professional actress; thank goodness. When you think about it... 3 more years?? That seems like forever, but just like my first semester it is going to fly by quickly, so not thinking about it helps time speed faster.

I submitted my new schedule for the winter season and already people feel like there is much work ahead of us compared to this semester. But, of course i looks can be deceiving. Despite, all the negative vibes i have been getting from people around me I believe in God. I believe in remaining positive. If God can help me through my first semester, he will guide me through all of University. Who says I can't be successful? Of course i can. As long as i believe in myself and most importantly God, i can always expect a positive beginning and completion. It's about faith and thats what i live by daily.

Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote to “be the change you want see in the world” has played a huge part in my character and humanitarianism towards social issues affecting our generation. About 2 years ago, I created Living A Dream, my first blog of insight into a world of social media and inspiration. I later created another blog called Warm Winters. These blogs have been the gateway to not only media of interest, but of daily experiences that I feel carry a powerful message. I am very connected to many types of mediums and a popular form of media you will notice in my entries is photography. Over time, I would like my blogs to become greatly known. My goal is for others to see my blogs as empowering, entertaining and intriguing. I want to evoke effortless beauty and creativity in my art that can touch people’s lives. In previous posts, I have written about my experience facing human realities. During my Grade 12 year at Fletchers Meadow Secondary School, my classmates and I were presented with an extraordinary opportunity from our Drama Instructor. We would explore the art of journalism in the Ossington and Queen area of Downtown Toronto; where the largest mental health hospital in Ontario was being built. The main objective for the assignment was to create a story evoking the rising social issues and human conditions of our society through any medium. My desire to become a broadcast journalist made me very excited to begin the assignment. It was a great opportunity to develop my skills in creative media to powerfully investigate human nature; it was a mind- blowing start. When October 29, 2010 finally arrived, I started my exploration with a point and shoot Canon camera and Photography as my artistic medium.

I will always remember that day; I was able to create something open and unforgettable. The school bus stopped in front of the construction area where the mental health building was being built. As we continued walking down Queen street, I recall seeing a long line of men and women standing outside a closed building in the cold weather. Once I read the sign I realized these people were waiting for their first meal of the day at the St. Clair Soup Kitchen. Seeing those impatient and tired faces made me sympathize for their situation as one man yelled, “Come on!” with great frustration. I began to think of the food easily given to me and how I would act if it didn’t? Although, there were many people I encountered on the streets of Toronto there was one young man that stood out to me. He didn’t look deeply homeless, but he seemed to have been affected by poverty in some way. He was quite different then what I expected to see and he opened my eyes. A sign stood before him that read, ‘Street Poetry. My Poems are free but donations are appreciated. God bless. Namaste.’ He had a welcoming smile and he gladly shared his work with us. His poetry was moving and interesting; it spoke about change and the tenacity to see a society grow and restore itself with peace. As he spoke words of inspiration, the smile he wore never left his face. My friends and I gave him a donation and shortly after we witnessed him use the same money to buy something to eat. This young man didn’t live an ideal life, but used his poetry to spread hope and insight for a better world. It made me wonder if there were more people like this man who maintained a positive outlook despite the circumstances. It’s terrible to see people abandon their hope at a time when it’s most needed. But rest assured, I learned that if you offer a little kindness you could change the life of someone in need. Since then, I have realized how comfortable our society has become with relying on others to start change instead of doing so themselves. Each of us can be become a leader and John Legend proves in his song If Your Out There, that I “searched for a leader and the leader was me.”

I have come to the understanding that what has held us back as a society is our misconceptions about serious issues without seeing the truth behind it. There were many social issues I witnessed on Ossington and Queen that day and to be able to completely understand these realities I had to face them in person. I had to ask myself, what do I think about homelessness? In doing so, I was able to understand where these preconceived notions were coming from. Many people will have different ideas based on what they have learned and how they were raised. Though, people may assume those in poverty have chosen that lifestyle, it isn’t the case for everyone. People are often given no choice because of disabilities, job loss and unstable family homes (more pertaining to teen homeliness); everyone has his or her own story. Having an opened mind helps to better understand others and as time progresses, I hope the number of active supporters for social issues will increase. Growing up, the news has always fascinated me with its combination of media and social awareness. I am a visionary and being more aware of my surroundings has made me a better person; one who is knowledgeable, determined and inspired. Following our trip to Toronto, I began to think about organizations that I admired and was greatly passionate about. I chose Breast Cancer/ Cancer Research and the Sick Kids Foundation. I am always hearing about people around the world and the family members of my friends whose lives have been threatened by sever illnesses. It fuels my desire to see a solution found so young children and adults can live and maintain the healthy lifestyle they need. Observing human nature has reveled the impact we have on this earth and the conditions in which we live in nowadays. Every time I watch the news, I feel more informed and powerful. I am able to ask myself, who am I? What do I stand for? My goal is to continue transforming into a better leader so I can impact the life of one person at a time. Since that day, October 29, 2010, I will always be reminded that one man’s smile can be another man’s blessing.

This is the reality for many people living in Downtown Toronto. People who wait by the street corner collecting any change and eating what they can afford with barley a decent coat on. People who stand outside the doors of a soup kitchen waiting to eat there first meal of the day. I witnessed this behavior and my eyes were opened to the realities of life. Yesterday, I went on a trip to the Ossington and Queen area of Downtown Toronto, were the biggest mental health hospital in Ontario is being built. Apart of our assignment was to capture poverty through an artistic medium. I used photography. Through photograph, I am creating a story of street life through the eyes of struggling humans. What caught my attention was walking down Queen street and noticing a long line up of people waiting outside the St. Clair Soup Kitchen. Someone shouted 'Come on' with great frustration. While I captured that moment, it touched me that this many people were going hungry and I am blessed with food whenever I need it. Interaction was also a big factor. There was interaction happening between street people and those they knew. While my friends and I were walking down on Queen street we spoke to someone who shares his poetry for free. He shared his latest poem and donations were appreciated. My group and I then witnessed him use the money he made to buy himself something to eat. Overall, this trip was exciting and informative. It gave me a chance to break out of this 'bubble' and be apart of the action around me. I was able to gain greater understanding and sympathy for hose living on the streets and inspired me to be a bigger humanitarian.

Reality is merely an illusion, ableit a very present one

- Albert Einstein

Homelessness isn't always a choice, its an alternative. Our society is wrapped around the idea that homelessness is something we chose to bring upon ourselves, when many people are forced into this lifestyle. Reality is that homelessness can be anyones alternative, you are not immune. But since homelessness isn't always a choice, how do people become homeless? Mrs. Thomas inspired me to explore the topic beyond what society is used to believing. Homelessness has many reasons. Many people become homeless when they have been overwhelmed with certain circumstances. Mainly among teens, events such as abuse, divorce or illness can cause this effect when they are surrounded with an un-supportive family and friends structure. Along with broken homes, is injury and medical illness.

Many people become homeless because they cannot properly hold done a job because of their ability. However, people who are well treated still find it hard to find a job because they have been held done with medical bills or bad credit history. Furthermore, Mental Illness is also a huge contributor to homelessness. The area of Ossington and Queen has the Largest Mental Health Hospital in Ontario. With this being said, those dealing with this issue, may be able to receive treatment; thus, creating a possible decline in homelessness or potentiality of it in the area. Abusive situations has been said to be a popular reason for homeless women as a means of escaping. Though, there are many reasons for ones decision to be homeless, we should no longer view the issue as a means of bad choices, but lives given no choice. I met a young man, who appeared to be homeless or struggling of the sort. He was very kind. He shares his poetry for free and performed his latest poem. He was accepting donations and i graciously gave me what I could. People stereotype, homeless people as dangerous and mean. There may be those out there, but not all of them has to be have that way,they could actually be very friendly. If we have homeless people out there, who have the potential at success we should aspire for change. I know i walked away inspired. But, to begin changing the way you think of it and letting those around you know can make a very big difference in society.

write about yourself. :)
hi my name is Rochelle and this is my blog. ;) "If you can imagine,you can create it. If you dream it, you can become it" -William Aurthur Ward

write about yourself. :)
hi my name is Rochelle and this is my blog ;) "If you can imagine,you can create it. If you dream it, you can become it" -William Aurthur Ward

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past months. September 2011 November 2011

» Keep Em' Coming
» MY SILENCE IS NOT CONSENT
» B E A P A R T O F T H E A C T I O N: REFLE...
» THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
» Oz
» ILLUSIONS
» ONCE UPON A TIME
» GLASSES
» LIGHT