I’ve been a single parent for much of my adult life. It is a difficult road, and although there are a few compensations, they do not always outweigh the disadvantages. Being single, I can make my own choices without having to answer to a spouse. I can go where I please, when I please. But… Read more »
Dear Sandra, Why do we say “Bless You” after someone sneezes? Just Curious Dear Just Curious, Well I’m not an encyclopedia, but I am pretty good at hunting down stuff like this on this Internet and this is what I found. On the Urban Legends References pages at http://www.snopes2.com they state: The origin of saying,… Read more »
This week, The Voice is pleased to present another instalment of Student Fiction from new Voice contributor, Marilyn Oprisan. To learn more about Marilyn, read her bio in AU Profiles, this issue. The King’s Creek outpost was far enough north that in summer there was neither warmth nor darkness. The half-dozen Mounties stationed there were… Read more »
Yet again doing the channel-flipping thing I bumped into a film I would not have watched without seeing some of these well-crafted performances unexpectedly. The Baby Dance is a 1998 television production that should have garnered major awards. I don’t know how some of these fantastic films ever get ignored! Laura Dern stars as Wanda,… Read more »
Autism is a spectrum disorder containing many different “levels” that fall under an “umbrella.” Under the “umbrella” there are high functioning individuals who can talk and communicate their feelings and thoughts like familiar characters from movies such as “I Am Sam,” and “Rain Man.” However, the opposite extreme contains subjects who may never progress beyond… Read more »
STUDENT: Marilyn Oprisan Marilyn, tell us a little about yourself: “?Oprisan’ is a Romanian name with a squiggly thingy under the “?s’. You pronounce it Oh-pree-shun (The whole word, not just the squiggly thingy). Tell us about where you live, and your family? I’m a Torontonian born and raised, married to a Romanian whence comes… Read more »
CLEANING UP AFTER THE UNITED STATES The Government of Canada has committed 100 million dollars (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/852562900065549a85256250006cbb1a/636a2afa0f8e6b1e85256cf400585a09) for humanitarian aid in Iraq. I am terribly torn on this issue. On the one hand, I do not want to advocate not aiding people who are in desperate need, on the other hand why should governments of other… Read more »
As I write, the snow falls past my window, looking so lovely and innocent that I can hardly bring myself to resent its presence. Still, only two days from what appeared to be the onset of the long-awaited warm weather, I cannot help but try to convince myself that perhaps the snow is just some… Read more »
These last few weeks have been extremely busy with various events and activities requiring my participation. One of the most important was attending the Athabasca University Governing Council (AUGC) meeting on March 21, because the final budget decision for 2003-2004 was being voted on. The preparation of the budget and any proposals for fee &… Read more »
Last week we asked readers to send us comments on their AU tutors. For next week’s Sounding Off, send me your thoughts on the following topic: How safe are we? With the SARS virus killing people around the globe, mad cow infecting our meat, and increased salmonella contamination of food products, do you feel that… Read more »