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.
I once worked for a manager who encouraged her staff to learn one new thing every day. So strongly did she feel about this that she declared once we had learned something new we could go home early. None of us were ever brave enough to test her sincerity on that. We found it easier… Read more »
If I had a personal motto, it would be “never turn down the opportunity to learn something new.” Learning opportunities are occasions for growth. Everything I learn expands my horizon and increases my potential. Balancing studies with work, family, and the myriad other commitments and activities that round out our lives, there is a risk… Read more »
The middle of winter is a good time to make plans for the upcoming year. I like to ponder the year ahead, keep track of where I am now, and consider which courses to take next. So it was with great delight I received my 2014 Student Planner and AUSU Handbook in the mail last… Read more »
One of the most common internet experiences must be stumbling over one thing while looking for another. You begin with a very focused search, notice an intriguing menu item, and several clicks later you discover hidden internet treasure. That’s how I found the AU Students’ Union Discussion Forums. There’s no attempt to hide these forums…. Read more »
When did I lose control of my life? It happened subtly. Perhaps it was the overwhelming busyness of life—work and family obligations coupled with ongoing education and volunteer commitments. Somewhere along the way, my life began to run me. Opportunities got deferred to some magic future time when I wouldn’t be so busy. That time… Read more »
If you’re going to make only one resolution for 2014, resolve to make no New Year’s resolutions. Often they don’t work, they’re soon broken, and then the whole year is shot. There is a better way. The beginning of the year holds some special enchantment for resolutions, but it’s artificial. The first of the year… Read more »
“”Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter can be said to remedy anything.” Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. I view the state of maturity as relative, relative to me, that is. In my arrogance, I consider myself the epitome of maturity. Those individuals younger than me can only aspire to ascend to… Read more »
The concept of tradition always brings to my mind the image of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Shaking his elbows and dancing down the dirt track to his farm, he joyfully proclaims the traditions upon which he built his life. “Because of our traditions,” he declares, “every one of us knows who he is.”… Read more »
(AU Student Barbara Lehtiniemi went to Iqaluit and brought us back her observations. You can find the first part here.) Do you want fries with that? Our usual practice when travelling is to eat local. Yet our first few meals in Iqaluit were pizza, shwarma, or poutine. It took a bit of hunting to find… Read more »
The darkness of December weighs heavily on me, like a smothering blanket. These last few weeks before the winter solstice seem especially gloomy, each day shorter than the last. I pray for snow to brighten the landscape. My only comfort is that I don’t live in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, where the sun is… Read more »