Features

<p>Jenna Marble’ latest YouTube video has me thinking about rudeness in public. It’s the ghost hand that comes out of nowhere at the grocery store, the person who cuts you off at the escalator, the person taking over your rack in the clothing store, not to mention the person at the bar who’s all elbows. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The day of love seems to be, ironically, the most hated day of the year. It seems un-cool to enjoy Valentine’s Day. What is it about the holiday that makes people want to throw Valentine’s Day sucks parties, or drown their sorrows in ice cream? Is it really that depressing, or are we just succumbing [&hellip;]</p>

<p>For years, my brother and I would wake up on February 14 and walk downstairs into our kitchen to find two red, heart shaped boxes and a card for each of us. Our parents made sure we felt loved every day of the year but receiving those gifts on Valentines Day became normal for us. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Sean O&#8217;Neill has always been a big guy. At six feet, two inches and 265 pounds, he’s hard to ignore. But he used to be much bigger. &#8220;I was in Grade 10 in 2002 when I got my school picture. I still have the ID from that year in my wallet. My face is super [&hellip;]</p>

<p>I&#8217;ve been asked several times by friends to set them up with training plans. Usually, the conversation starts like this: &#8220;So&#8230;you run, right?&#8221; Yes, I run. I also study. Sometimes, I watch TV. But no one asks me for advice on that. I find it a little unnerving how people are always so impressed someone [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The prof tells us to meet our group and pick a presentation topic. I find the guy whose name matches the one on my paper. “Where are you from?” he asks. “New Hampshire.” “Oh… Americaaaan,” he says in a long sarcastic snarl. His eyes narrow as he leans as far in the other direction as [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Campbellton,NB Spencer Thompson There was an old passenger ferry anchored at the wharf in Campbellton. It had seen better days, having shuttled passengers from more luxurious cruise ships to the shallow ports of Barbados. It was living out its years like some used-up junkie, peddling drinks as a floating bar for the summer. The captain [&hellip;]</p>

<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; When Lydia Sellers was five, she woke up to find out her family would be going on a plane ride. Next thing she knew, she was in the USA. She was born in Indonesia to an Indonesian mother and an American father. The family lived [&hellip;]</p>

<p>She walks into her bedroom, places her purse and books on her bed and begins to undress. She puts on a pair of blue jeans, high-heeled boots and a fur lined sweater. Sitting at her computer, she enters her password, turns on the webcam, and starts work. She is Mistress Katie. She is catering to [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Very few people knew how far I had truly fallen and those who knew didn’t speak of it. By then I was well aware the depression was winning. How had I gotten here? Within a span of months, I graduated high school and left everything I knew, joining a government youth volunteer program, Katimavik. I [&hellip;]</p>

<p>(This article was written by Adam Wright for a journalistic writing class and  published in the Aquinian in 2010.) I woke up in the intensive care unit after more than 10 hours in the operating room. I’m no stranger to procedures – I’ve had over 40 surgeries in my life – but this one was [&hellip;]</p>

<p>I realized this summer I would be graduating in less than a year. Afterwards, a number of thoughts flashed through my head, all with an undercurrent of panic. What if I don’t pass my courses? What if I’m not a good enough journalist to succeed in the real world? What if I don’t get a [&hellip;]</p>

<p>My earliest impressions of the Rwandan culture were that the climate was pleasant, the terrain was marked by thousands of hills, and the people cherished a strong sense of community that made me feel more welcomed and comfortable as each day passed. I spent over three months living in the mountainous northwest of Rwanda last [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The decline in residence parties this year at St Thomas University is clear and conscious change. Many students are wondering, though, where the raucous attitude has gone. “There&#8217;s definitely a huge difference in the party scene compared to last year,” said Conor Dougherty, a second-year student. “Residence was a lot wilder, and less controlled. Students [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Luke Randall feeds his cats canned tuna and lives alone. The smell of paint and wood mixes with the smell of home cooking in his kitchen. Dozens of original paintings cover every inch of wall space in the dining room, and even the dishes are handcrafted pottery. The owner of Endeavours and Think Play on [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Until Christmas, I hadn&#8217;t stepped into a tattoo shop. But when my friend said she was getting inked, I couldn&#8217;t resist a peek. We sat in her car staring at the plain tattoo studio front. “Peep Show,” the sign said. I started to second-guess my enthusiasm for accompanying Kelti. Suddenly the door opened and a [&hellip;]</p>

<p>My cab driver turned left into the parking lot beside Brian Mulroney Hall. He sighed as he pulled the van to a stop and said ‘I remember having classes here’. That’s when it occurred to me. My cab driver was a St. Thomas graduate. I tipped him three dollars and after walking onto the frozen [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Chris Rice was on the deck by the side of the family pool, enjoying small talk with his brother when he slipped on a wet pool toy, plummeted into the shallow end and hit his head. &#8220;I thought I was just stunned,&#8221; said Rice. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t realize it was more serious than that.&#8221; Rice began [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Swastikas make for bad decorum these days in the West. Ever since the last world war, sporting a swastika is right up there with wearing white at a wedding in terms of bad taste. It’s an understandable stigma, but is unfair. When asked what a swastika means, most people will mention Nazis, Hitler, World War [&hellip;]</p>

<p>On Christmas day, many families gather around the tree to open presents and enjoy each other’s company. Danielle Andrus’ morning is a little different. Andrus opens gifts to the soothing sounds of the Swiss Chalet channel. “The rotisserie chickens are just turning and turning,” said Andrus. “My dad turns it on while we&#8217;re opening presents [&hellip;]</p>