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Hello readers,

As the end off the semester approaches, I’d like to wish you all the best of luck in wrapping up the semester.

Have a wonderful summer!

Ellie

Hey everyone,

Some of you may remember my previous post about undergraduate research; this post is a follow up to the original article about why dabbling in research during your undergraduate years and interacting with professors in a one-on-one capacity may make your time at McGill a more meaningful one.

A lot of learning occurs when undergraduate students do research – learning that does not happen during traditional coursework. Classroom knowledge is reinforced and more completely assimilated when students are given the opportunity to apply that knowledge.

Research invariably leads to a better understanding of and a deeper appreciation for the discipline under investigation. Students’ career goals are usually clarified after they participate in research. How do you know you will enjoy being a biologist, for example, without getting a chance to do some of the thinking, researching and writing that a biologist does?

Research is also a significant confidence booster. The more students are mentally stretched (wrestling with surprising results or unanswered questions or pertinence to previous studies), the greater their sense of accomplishment upon completion of the project. This is especially true when a caring faculty member guides and encourages the students.

Establishing a relationship with a faculty mentor is another big advantage of undergraduate participation in research. It has been shown to increase retention and graduation rates. Students benefit from the wisdom, knowledge and experience of a mentor, while faculty members benefit from the questions students ask, the discoveries they make and the energy they bring to the project.

Of course, scholarly activity also helps make undergraduates’ CVs more attractive to graduate schools and prospective employers, and gives faculty mentors the ability to write more detailed letters of recommendation.

So why wait? If you are planning on staying in the city for the summer why not contact one of your favourite professors in the past year and see if you can work with them during your time off?

On a related note, there will be a Undergraduate Psychology Poster Presentation Session happening on April 11th from 2:00PM to 4:00PM (7th floor of the Stewart Biology Building). Yours truly will be there presenting empirical research on Sequential Orgasms (yes, you read that correctly). Hope to see you there!

Ellie

As residents of Montreal, we share the island with one of world’s most talented troop of entertainers. Cirque du Soleil was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier and is currently based in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, Montreal.

If you are looking for a break from crunch time, ask a few friends to come along and join you in their newest production, Amaluna.

The following information is available on their website, “Amaluna, directed by renowned American stage and opera director, Diane Paulus, invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, the queen of the island, a group of young men arrive, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor. Amaluna honours femininity, renewal, rebirth, and balance, and is Paulus’s first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.”

Details of the event can be found below.

Amaluna – Cirque du Soleil
Dates: April 19 to July 15, 2012
Telephone: Toll-free: 1-800 450-1480
E-mail: billet@cirquedusoleil.com
URL: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/amaluna
Metro : Place-d’Armes

               Getting injured is never fun, but it is a reality that every athlete must deal with at some point. Whether it’s a torn ACL, shin splints, a twisted ankle or a bruised baby toe, an injury can set you back in your sport by interfering with training and competition. As a soccer player and track athlete competing at a high level, I had my fair share of tendonitis, knee problems and shin splints to deal with. As aggravating as those problems were, when I visited the McGill sports medicine clinic last Thursday I found myself wishing that I was going to see a physiotherapist about IT band pain or a sore back. While these injuries are certainly debilitating and can majorly disrupt a training regime, at least they do not interfere with the rest of your life as profoundly as does a concussion.

                    I hit my head for the fourth time in 6 months while playing soccer at the beginning of March. At the time, I was completely symptom-free and ready to go. I was still careful not to head the ball and did not play as aggressively as I normally would, but I felt almost completely normal in sports and at school. Somehow, I managed to knock heads with a girl on the opposing team: not hard, but apparently enough to shake up the brain once again. All of my symptoms returned and I found myself unable to get out of bed for two weeks.

               I decided that my best bet in this situation was a trip to the McGill Sports Medecine Clinic to see a concussion specialist. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with Dr. Delaney, a man who is widely recognize for his contributions to this field. The first step of the appointment was taking the “IMPACT” test, a series of reaction-time, memory and spatial awareness tasks designed to make sure that my brain still exists. After toiling over that for a while and getting a massive headache, I finally got to meet with Dr. Delaney to discuss the test results and get his opinion on the best route to take in terms of recovery.

                     The good news is that I still have a brain!! And it appears to be working reasonably well for most cognitive functions. The bad news is that I am experiencing 21/22 concussion symptoms quite intensely on a regular basis. Dr. Delaney prescribed no physical activity of any kind for a month, no more than an hour at a time on the computer, avoiding loud environments, avoiding fluorescent lights, no alcohol and resting as much as possible. Basically, I need to completely drop the “university lifestyle” as most of us know it.

                   As an athlete, being told that you cannot do your sport for an extended period of time is always devastating news. As a student, being told that you have to drastically change your lifestyle in order to recover from an injury is a tough pill to swallow. Missing out on fun social activities in favor of resting in a dark room can be quite depressing, to say the least. However, an important part of recovering from any injury is staying positive and focusing on what you can do rather than on what you can’t do. I’m trying to take my own advice and stay as positive as possible in a difficult situation.

Looks like my hour of screen time is up!
See you next week!

- Martlet Girl

Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2012

The 188th Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 12PM on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the corner of Fort and Ste. Catherine and will proceed along the main road until the corner of Phillips Square and Ste. Catherine.

How Long Does the Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade Parade Last?

Attendees can expect the particularly jovial and animated parade to last about two hours, maybe three.

What Goes on at the Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

See for yourself. Check out these pictures of a previous Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade for a sneak peek.

What Goes on Before and After the Parade?

Lots. Several Irish pubs in the downtown area serve breakfast and Irish coffee prior to the parade, followed by live music after the parade. Please bear in mind that downtown area Irish pubs get really packed post-parade, so packed, they overflow with lineups.

St. Paddy’s Parade on Ste. Catherine Street, a Look through History

Held usually on the Sunday closest March 17th when Ireland’s patron saint is traditionally honored, Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeded along Notre-Dame Street in Old Montreal. But downtown’s commercial artery, Ste. Catherine Street, is the place to be to catch the parade in modern times.

St. Paddy’s in Montreal: A Wee History

The oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Canada, the Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been held every single year since 1824, and no circumstance, from snowstorms to wartime to economic depression, has stopped the parade from marching on. Historian Don Pidgeon claims Montreal has been celebrating St. Paddy’s Day decades earlier than that, just not in a parade format, since at least 1759, the year of the Conquest.

Fans of the Martlets and Redmen: it’s CIS national championship season! This winter, McGill teams qualified for the competition in a number of sports, including track and field, men’s and women’s hockey, women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. Although making a trek out to Winnipeg, Edmonton or Calgary to watch your favourite team play might not be realistic for most students, diehard fans will be happy to know that there is another option. As I discovered last weekend, if you have a computer and a comfortable couch, watching CIS action from home can be a great alternative to enjoying the live action.

While at home in Chelsea visiting my family, I enjoyed the CIS Women’s Hockey Tournament which took place last weekend at the University of Alberta. With a sister who has been recruited to join the U of A hockey team next year and a cousin who plays for the Laurier Golden Hawks, my family had a lot of interest in the outcome of the competition. On top of that, I love to watch CIS women’s hockey because it truly showcases the best talent in the world in this sport. Case in point: Hayley Wickenheiser herself plays for the University of Calgary Dinos!!!! If you’ve been living under a rock for the past 20 years, Wickenheiser has been a member of the Canadian National Team since she was 15 years old, has played men’s professional hockey in Finland and has won 4 Olympic medals (1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010). She has been a pioneer for women’s hockey and has inspired a generation of girls to get involved in the sport. To have Hayley playing in the CIS against the Martlets is basically the equivalent of having a younger Wayne Gretzky step out onto the ice to play against the Redmen! Inspiring, but also extremely intimidating.

It’s safe to say then that the Martlets were pretty unlucky when they were matched against the Dinos in their first game of the tournament. It was a very even matchup, but unfortunately the outcome was a 0-1 loss for McGill. That goal ended up being the only one that the Martlets conceded in the entire competition. Still, because of this loss to the Calgary, the McGill team failed to win their pool and were forced to play for bronze against the Laurier Golden Hawks. I had a tough time deciding who to cheer for (family loyalty or school pride?), but regardless of my allegiance the game turned out to be a 4-0 blowout in favour of the Martlets. In the final, Universite de Montreal faced off against Calgary and ended up being pummelled 5-1 in a game that was never close. Because of the bizzare tournament format, the true “championship final” probably took place during the second game when Calgary edged out McGill by a narrow margin.

If you missed out on all of this action last weekend, do not worry. There is still a chance to see McGill teams in CIS competitions coming up very soon. Men’s hockey, currently seeded in second place, starts their tournament on March 22nd. To stream the game live, click on this link. Women’s basketball, seeded 7th in the country, is also going for Gold this weekend. They start their tournament on March 17th. Click here for more information and to watch the game live.

Take a study break, find a comfortable seat and enjoy a game or two!
Go Red Go!

- Martlet Girl

It’s that time of the year again, with exams and terms paper galore how do you ensure you will maintain your mental health? The following are some tips to get you through this rough patch.

1. Keep a routine. Keeping a schedule can help students tackle one hurdle at a time, and as a result, feel more in control. Get a scheduler from a supply store and hang it up in your room. Write down everything you need to do according to what time, what place and when is it due.
2. Get plenty of sleep. If students sleep 7 to 8 hours a night, it will be easier to cope with stressful situations. Students will also be less irritable and tense.
3. Exercise regularly. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day can help alleviate stress, tension, and boost confidence. Go on the treadmill, run a mile, lift some weights.
4. Try to relax. Listen to relaxing music, take a long bath, watch a romantic movie or meditate. Relaxing for at least an hour per day can help get rid of that stress that is building up inside.
5. Have fun. Take a step back and remember to have fun with friends. It can be helpful to have a group study session. It will be entertaining and instructional at the same time.

Remember that before you have the energy to tackle any work you must be mentally and physically healthy. Don’t ever neglect your health over school—it’s just not worth it.

<3 Ellie

When I got back to Montreal last Sunday night after spending my Reading Break at home in Chelsea, I felt the usual sadness that comes with re-entering the city. The 25cm of gorgeous, sparkling, whiter-than-white snow that we had received over the weekend had been transformed by the city streets into a slushy, wet, grey annoyance. As I walked back to McGill from the greyhound station, getting splattered with slush from speeding drivers and already missing the ability to see the stars, I began to plan how to make the best of the situation.

Of course, I immediately thought of playing hockey, which I did earlier in the week at a new rink I had never been to before. As always, it was an amazing time and it felt great to be outside for a few hours. As the weekend approached and the temperature began to rise, I realized that outdoor hockey would no longer be an option. After dealing with the minor deprerssion that accompanied this realization, I began to consider alternative ways of spending my time and energy. Finally, it dawned on me: it was time to try something I had been meaning to do during each of the three winters I have spent in Montreal, but had never gotten around to before.

My adventure began at the Currie gym, where I rented my equipment. This in itself was a bit of a hassle because apparently you have to purchase the rental at client services before picking up the skis, boots and poles at the equipment desk. Anyways, after buying a rec activities card, returning said card, visiting client services and the equipment desk twice, and finding proper skis and boots that didn’t look they were about to fall apart, I was ready to go!

On Friday, conditions were absolutely perfect. The temperature was hovering around zero degrees, the snow was gliding and my wax was working well. Although I know the trails of Mont Royal from my running excursions, it quickly became clear that when on skis or snowshoes, there are many other options just off of the main path. I found myself following reasonably well-marked trails through the woods in all parts of the park. Trail 2, located at the top of the mountain, was particularly fun. It snaked through the woods in a loop and featuring lots of exciting ups and downs. At some points along the trail I actually found myself completely alone, and almost forgot for a moment that I was in fact at the heart of a major metropolis. Since this was exactly the feeling I had hoped to find, I was more than happy with my experience. When I finished my ski and began walking home with a huge smile on my face, I wondered to myself why in the world I had not cross-country skied on the mountain before!

Although there might not be many days of winter left, I would highly recommend the Mount Royal cross-country experience. You can rent skis from the Currie gym for as little as $10, and they do function as they should, Martlet Girl guarantee! Take a study break McGill, and get outside!

See you on the trails,
-Martlet Girl

Scenario: You have just received a paper back from one of your classes. Even though you had spent the past week working on it every evening you got home from school, for some reason you still managed to get a B-. You think about the next assignment that you have coming up and you can’t help panic a bit. If you tried your best and still didn’t get the grade you were hoping for how would you excel possibly in the class? You can’t send your papers to your friends to edit because they all have their own work to deal with and you can’t send them to your parents either cause they have no clue what your courses are about. “Isn’t there someone else that can help me?”

Yes there is.

The McGill Writing Centre (MWC) can help you to attain your academic goals. As a student in one of the MWC’s courses or workshops, you will learn essential writing techniques and tips that will help you to succeed both at university and in many different professions. Located in the McLennan-Redpath Library, the MWC provides a central resource for written communication, offering credit courses for both native and non-native English speakers. The MWC’s offerings emphasize writing strategies and techniques as well as self-editing processes that will help you to identify and eliminate common mistakes. The Centre’s instructors will show you how to organize your ideas, express yourself clearly, make convincing arguments, and reach the right audience.

To find our more about the centre call them at 514-398-7109 or visit them online.

Cheers,

Ellie

It’s late February, the time of year when most people are fed up with the cold and are more than ready for winter to finally be over. Most students may be dreaming of a far off day when they can leave the house wearing nothing more than flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt instead of taking 20 minutes to gear up for the -20 degree windchill. Those who were lucky enough to go down south for some sand and sun during Reading Break may be having an especially hard time coping with the snow and ice currently covering most of Canada. Although I can be sympathetic towards winter-hating people, I am definitely not one of them. I love everything about winter; from the frosty winds to the snowy slopes; from the ice-covered ponds to the freshly-groomed trails. I was extremely excited by the huge dump of snow we got last week, and am very happy to hear that more is on the way!

A great winter activity that I tried during last week’s break for the first time in 8 years was downhill skiing. I learned the sport at age 4, but ever since discovering the thrill of snowboarding I gradually skied less and less, eventually stopping altogether. Until last week, that is. I decided to leave my board in Montreal and borrowed a pair of my sister’s skis to hit the slopes of Mont Saint Marie, a hill about 1 hour North of Ottawa. I was told by friends and family that skiing is like riding a bike in that it is impossible to forget how to do it. I decided to take their word for it, hoping that this excursuion would not lead to another concussion.

With all of the fresh snow that fell last week, conditions were perfect. It was one of those ideal days, when everyone else in the world seems to be cooped up at school or work. We had the hill almost entirely to ourselves, and were constantly up and down the mountain doing as many runs as possible. I was a little rusty at first but my body quickly remembered what to do and soon I was speeding down the slope with more confidence. My only complaint came later in the day, when we were done skiing and had started heading towards the car. The walking made me realize quite quickly that my knees were killing me! Perhaps I overdid it a bit for the first time on skis is years. Despite the pain I felt for days afterwards, I enjoyed the experience enough to get excited about the sport again, and to begin looking forward to the next day at the hill.

If you are a winter-hater, I challenge you to challenge yourself and leave the comfort of your apartment for a day of skiing or snowboarding. There are so many great hills that are just outside the city, and only a few weeks left to enjoy them. Grab a few friends and convince them that speeding down a ski hill on a winter’s day is one of the great pleasures in life that should not be passed up.

See you on the slopes!
- Martlet Girl

Ps: best of luck to all of the varsity teams who are currently in play-off mode!

Hello people of blogoland,

In a conversation with some friends on campus I was surprised to find that many students are not aware of The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). The OSD has a range of information and services for students with disabilities at McGill; their main goal is to provide academic accommodations and services for McGill undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students who have a documented disability.

The OSD assists McGill students who have a disability through the principles outlined in the United Nations International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by ensuring to respect the dignity and the autonomy of the person. The OSD works hard to prevent discrimination and promote equality of opportunity. In addition the OSD supports the enhancement of both inclusion and accessibility and promote a respect for difference.

If you are a student with a documented disability I encourage you to contact the OSD and see what they can do for you.

As a student without disability there are various ways you can support the OSD, including signing up as a note-taker or exam facilitator.

For more information please visit their website.

Cheers,

Ellie

Last Friday I had the pleasure of dining at Pintxo, an incredibly warm and romantic Spanish restaurant complete with bare brick walls, white tablecloths, and courteous staff. There were about 15 pinxtos on the menu, ranging from tiny stacks of grilled vegetables to more substantial dishes, such as duck tartare, foie gras, shrimp, octopus, and the crowd-pleasing strawberry gazpacho.

Pintxo’s menu is small and precise. The top two-thirds are devoted to the pintxos themselves, in the $3–$5 range. There are also four main plates available, costing around $17–$20. A particularly good deal is the Tasting Menu ($28), which includes four pintxos (selected by the chef) and one main dish.

There’s a reason the restaurant’s called Pintxo—it’s these little dishes that the kitchen really excels at. My partner and I ordered the Tasting Menu and truly savored each bite we took. For my main dish I had the succulent lamb ribs while my partner went with the steak. The full bodied flavor that accompanied each dish was nothing short of delightful. The lively music in the background perfectly complemented the beautiful meals.

Unlike other places that I have outlined for student dining in past entries, Pintxo is definitely on the pricy side. I highly recommend saving the restaurant for a special occasion – a night you definitely won’t forget.

Cheers,

Ellie

Address: 256 rue Roy Est, Plateau Mont-Royal, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1M6 (Metro Sherbrooke)

Phone: 514-844-0222

Website: www.pintxo.ca

Spring Break is finally here! After a hellish week of three midterms, a quiz and two essays, I am more than ready to do anything that does not involve sticking my nose in a textbook. Personally, I find that the best remedy for a school-induced coma is to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Working out inside is great because it is convenient, there is very little risk of getting caught in a snowstorm and you don’t have to breathe through a neck warmer. However, there is something to be said for leaving the security of the gym to brave the elements and enjoy the mental and physical benefits outdoor activities can provide. Whether in a major urban center or a small town in the country, our Canadian climate and landscape offer ample opportunities to enjoy a variety of sports during the winter months.

Martlet Girl

As residents of Montreal, we have something very special within 15 km radium of us – Schwartz’s, the legendary Montreal restaurant famous for its smoked meat sandwiches. For those who have not heard of recent developments about the famous eatery, the restaurant was sold at the beginning of January for around $10 million to a group of investors that included René Angélil, the husband and manager of Canadian superstar Céline Dion.

Schwartz’s has enjoyed phenomenal success since it was opened in 1928 by Reuben Schwartz. Locals, tourists and celebrities alike flock daily to the restaurant on St. Laurent Boulevard for the famous smoked meats, fries, pickles and more. If anything, just ask the many people waiting outside in line. “Hours!” someone shouted, that’s how long how they are willing to wait for the delightful little piece of heaven.

I am little bit concerned with this purchase as I feel that Angélil may be in the planning stages of expanding the restaurant into a chain. As much as I’d like to have Schwartz’s anywhere else in Canada, and the world for that matter, I like the idea that when I bite into a Schwartz’s sandwich I have something original in front of me. And as we have seen again and again before, when something becomes a chain it loses its value and often times, its taste.

With this, I’m going to make plans to visit Schwartz’s at a least a couple of times before this transaction is finalized.

<3 Ellie

TRIVIA IS SO HOT RIGHT NOW. And considering that we’re blogging from the hippest office on campus, of course it was the theme of the most recent Rez Warz event (held last Tuesday at Gert’s). Want to continue on your quest for inane knowledge and facts? Here are some ideas:

Pub Trivia!

Monday nights at Brutopia (1219 Rue Crescent)

Wednesday nights at Ye Olde Orchard (20 Prince Arthur O.)

Sunday nights at Grumpy’s (1242 Bishop Street)

Online Trivia!

http://www.sporcle.com/

http://www.funtrivia.com/

http://www.trivia.net/index.cfm

This came up when I google'd "trivia"

Make Your Own Trivia!

http://www.google.ca/

http://www.wikipedia.org/

LEARN. GROW. KNOWLEDGE. FRIENDSHIP. FUN. TRIVIA.

Love!

Mad Dog and Billie