Barbara Lehtiniemi is a writer and photographer from Ontario. She’s a graduate of Athabasca University, having completed her Bachelor of General Studies degree in 2018.
A regular contributor to The Voice Magazine for over ten years, Barbara has also contributed to other publications including Chicken Soup for the Soul and Maclean’s. Barbara writes in several genres, including non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. She’s eternally grateful to The Voice Magazine for providing the opportunity to explore an array of topics and writing styles.
Barbara has a fondness for travel, used bookstores, everyday absurdities, and oversized wine glasses. Originally from urban Southwestern Ontario, she now lives on a windswept rural road in Eastern Ontario.
For years, my Mom and I had a weekly tradition called “Mom Night.” Well, I called it Mom Night, I’m not sure what she called it—perhaps “Barb Night.” It did begin as Barb Night. I was balancing full time work and part-time studies along with the demands of a house and family. To preserve my… Read more »
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would have thus been kept active through use. The loss of these tastes is a loss of… Read more »
Have you applied for an AUSU scholarship yet? The deadline for the current award period is May 1, only days away. don’t let these ships sail without you! AUSU holds two scholarship periods each year, during which students can apply for five award types. Additionally, AUSU accepts applications year-round for three types of bursaries. Full… Read more »
AUSU’s annual report for 2016 was presented at the Annual General Meeting on April 7, 2016. If you weren’t at the meeting?and I suspect you were not?you missed the official presentation of the report to the membership. Not to worry. You can access the AUSU 2016 Annual Report from AUSU’s website?look for Annual Reports under… Read more »
AUSU council appears to be on a lock-step march to amend Article 10 of its Bylaws. Astonishingly, some councillors?armed with what I can only describe as incomplete information?seem to believe that removing a valuable safeguard from AUSU bylaws is not only a good idea, but necessary. Article 10 currently prevents any AUSU council from amending… Read more »
Easter weekend means a three-day?and for some a four-day?break. This first long weekend of spring means many things to many people. For some, the Easter weekend pivots around religious observances. For many, Easter means a family gathering, a tasty meal, and lots of chocolate. If nothing else, for most Easter at least means a long… Read more »
The first day of spring is still two days away, but I feel like It’s already arrived. An unmistakable aura of spring hovers above the lingering snow, bringing with it a sense of renewal and optimism. I took my first walk along our rural road this week. Walking is unsafe in winter when snowbanks hem… Read more »
How can you ensure your scholarship application stands out from the rest? Last month, in Swimming in Scholarships, we looked at the plethora of scholarships available to students through AU, AUSU, and external organizations. This week, we’ll examine how to give your application its best shot at producing that oh-so-sweet scholarship cheque. Check your qualifications…. Read more »
There was much rejoicing in Ontario streets when the Good Fairy of Postsecondary Education announced that university and college tuition would soon be free?for some. Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne’s government announced last week that college and university tuition for low-income students will soon be free. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, students whose family income… Read more »
Nothing can brighten a student’s day like free money. Being awarded a scholarship feels a little like winning a lottery. Having that inflow of cash can help counter the outflow of tuition, textbooks, and invigilation fees that accompany a postsecondary education. The best part: a scholarship, unlike a loan, does not need to be paid… Read more »