I am taking a community social work class with a huge focus on environment, specifically climate change. The class is very interesting since it is exposing me to subject matter I am not exposed to in my other social work classes. Generally speaking I dislike group work but for some reason I was compelled to take part in group work for this class. Our task is to help raise funds for a Derrick Jensen talk that will take place in February. To raise funds we are screening "What a Way to Go: Life at End of Empire" next Wednesday and Thursday. If you are interested in the screening the information is below. When I have more information about the Derrick Jensen Talk I will post it.

Screening information

Date: November 28th and 29th 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Location: The Brunswick Theatre
296 Brunswick Ave (2nd Floor)

For more information about the film go to http://www.whatawaytogomovie.com/.
Go to http://www.brunswicktheatre.ca/ for information about The Brunswick Theatre.

We landed in Cancun at about 10:30am on Saturday. Three planes landed at about the same time so it was quite busy. The bus we were on had several stops to other resorts so it took about one and a half to two hours (I slept when other passengers permitted) to get to our resort (Barcelo Maya Beach Resort).

Saturday was a day of sleeping and eating. Buffet was sooo good I never want to cook for myself again. The variety was phenomenal. In order to not come back gaining 20 pounds I only had desert once per day and kept it to a minimum. I admit that I ate more than I should have the first 2 days. I also started reading The Count of Monte Cristo (I really enjoyed it :))

Sunday Duke and I got up at about 9am. After a Sunquest orientation we had lunch and decided to go into Playa del Carmen. To get into town you can take a cab which would cost about 150 pesos ($15 US) or for 10 pesos per person you can travel as the locals do. What does that mean you ask. Well rather than large buses to get around they have extended vans that stop off at places. The stops are along the highway/main roads. I found it strange that you don't pay till you get to your stop.

Playa del Carmen is really hot (I got heat stroke both times we went in to town). The shopping area for the tourists is along 5th Avenue. I must say I am not big on haggling system (I can't really call it bartering since I am not exchanging goods). I came out with a white linen skirt and wrap around top. Duke got a white linen top (actually perhaps it is cotton, shrug). I believe we returned to the resort at 4:30. For the rest of the evening we relaxed and I recovered from my heat stroke. That evening we had one of our a la carte dinners at the Mexican restaurant. Again the food was so good however the quantities were too much.

Monday was a day or reading and lounging in a hammock by the pool. We made use of the swim up bar.

Tuesday we went to Chitzen Itza. My film is being developed so if you want to see some pictures of the ruins then go here. We passed by several things on the way there. To name a few... A mexican prison, local huts, lots of forest/jungle. We made one stop before we got to the ruins/park. At the stop we had samples of Anise (unfortunately they didn't have any bottles left, it was really good) and tortilla.


I thought it was hot in Playa del Carmen... it was scorchingly hot in Chitzen Itza. Our tour guide talked about the ruins for an hour and then we had an hour to look around. I didn't know till I got there that the pyramid at Chitzen Itza is build on top of a pyramid. Duke and I climbed the inside and outside (we felt it for days since we foolishly sprinted up in the heat). We also found out that this will likely be the last year that tourists will be able to climb up since the ruins are made from limestone and are falling apart and because they are incredibly slippery to climb and descend. Did I mention that the steps are really steep and the inside is so humid you came out wet. After the tour we stopped off for a buffet lunch (It was ok, not as good as the buffet at the resort)

Wednesday was a day of rest and relaxation. More lounging by the pool and reading (finished The Count of Monte Cristo and I finished The Alchemist). We also had more drinks in the pool :)

Thursday was the wedding day. If you are going to get married that is certainly one way to go. I am in favour of short ceremonies. I have never been to a ceremony that was that short :) I don't think it was longer than 10 minutes.

Friday we took another trip into Playa del Carmen. I had a case of heat stroke again. Who would have thought you would be freezing in Mexico. The sad effect of heat stroke followed by the reality of going home.

Saturday we were up at 4am since our bus was scheduled to take us to the airport at 5:55. This time the bus ride was one hour since we didn't stop anywhere else. Arriving here was not fun since it is soooo cold in comparison. The temperature there was about 35 degrees versus the -7 it was here yesterday.

I haven't said anything in over a week and there is a reason for that...exams!

Current Mood: distressed

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I had a wonderful dinner care of Mary and family. The turkey has me sedated now :)

About school...
I have my abnormal psychology midterm this coming Thursday. I hope I can cram 7 chapters into my head. After that I can work on cramming my social psych material for my Oct 21 midterm. My college at Yorku is running a pilot mentorship program this year. I am one of a few lucky people that registered early and was matched. I have not yet met my mentor however I did receive a fax explaining why she was not able to make it which I appreciate. Hopefully I will be able to meet with her soon. I think more universities should have programs like this. One of the things I need to list are things I hope to get out of my relationship with my mentor.
To name a few objectives:

1. Friendship - It never hurts
2. Networking
3. I am not sure if my mentor went to graduate school however I was hoping to find out more about that process
4. What happens after you have the degree.

More things to come. If you are reading this what do you think should be an objective? I need to find more people who are in a graduate program who won't mind my questions.

Current Mood: lethargic

A) Person perception:
- first impression (appearance)
- behaviour
- attitude

B) Process that people undergo from meeting to liking someone:
- Proximity
- How you feel at the time
- Attitudes and Values
- Need for Affiliation

C) Evaluating Acquaintances:
- physical attractiveness
- attitude similarity

Current Mood: productive

I just love to learn. I especially love to learn about the mind hence the major in psychology. Last night we discussed anxiety disorders and Dissociative Disorders. One of the dissociative disorders I find interesting is Dissociative Fugue. People with this disorder will completely forget about their current identity, move away to another area ( another city ) and assume a new identity.

I don't think a lot of people are reading this however for those of you who are what do you think of the layout?

I finally own a camera! I got the Nikon Coolpix 4300. Not the most expensive or elaborate camera however it does have the option for automatic or manual settings to name 2 things I like. I have already broke in the camera with pictures of my friends at work. I have also already uploaded them to my pc at work. Whee!

Current Mood: excited

I am very pleased with my Social Psych class. We covered attitude, attitude and behavior, persuasion and dissonance.

Theory for today is:

Festinger's Dissonance Theory.

I got my report card in the mail and am happy to see that my overall cumulative average has gone up. I now have a total of 54 credits which means I have another 66 credits to go for my Specialized Honours BA. It is too bad I did not change my major earlier.

Current Mood: pleased

Last week in Abnormal Psych we covered phobias, panic disorder and ran out of time for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Term of the week - comorbid
existing simultaneously with and usually independently of another medical condition.

What did I do this weekend you ask...well let me outline it for you.

Friday
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Duke and I watched Underworld. It is about vampires and lycans (werewolves) so of course I was interested :) I recommend seeing it. Visit the official site.

Saturday
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Went to the Shwa to visit skanu and Danielle. Danielle will break many hearts in her time. She is absolutely gorgeous and changing all the time.

Sunday
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Went to a few open houses in my neighbourhood with my Mom. I can't believe how expensive houses are in my neighbourhood. In the evening Duke and I went to Fire and Ice. Fire and Ice is a restaurant on Hwy 7, east of the DVP. You choose your veggies and meat, they cook it and serve it to you. The portions are large so next time I will avoid the appetizers.

That is all for now. Stay tuned for what I learned in Social Psych.