Khamenei’s End and Iranian Liberation Nearer Than We Thought?
By Anonymous
The Israel-Hamas war has intensified in the last few weeks. After much blood-filled flirtation, the war has now expanded into one that can potentially involve Lebanon and now Iran. With Israel behind the explosive pager operation in the capital of Lebanon that sent missiles into Lebanese sovereign territory and ground military operations causing civilian casualties, tensions may have potentially reached a point of no return. Israel has undergone an operation to assassinate key top officials in the terrorist organization Hezbollah located in Lebanon. One of the most important leaders who was recently assassinated was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who had friendly relations and support from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. For context, the Iranian government funds terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. In retaliation, on October 2nd, Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles headed to Tel Aviv, which were mostly successfully intercepted thanks to collaboration with American intelligence. However, this series of events has made the war much more serious in the Middle Eastern region. During his most recent speech, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, “The vast majority of Iranians know their regime doesn’t care a whit about them. [...] Iran’s tyrants don’t care about your future, but you do. When Iran is finally free, and that moment will come a lot sooner than people think, everything will be different. Our two ancient people, the Jewish people and the Persian people,
will finally be at peace. Our two countries, Israel and Iran, will be at peace. [...] Iran will thrive as never before: global investment, massive tourism, brilliant technological innovation, the tremendous talents that exists inside Iran... Doesn’t that sound better than endless poverty, oppression, and war?
You deserve better. [...] The people of Iran should know—Israel stands with you. May we know a future of prosperity and peace.” (IsraeliPM 0:562:57) This is important because he is indicating a determination to defeat the religious regime, which would pave the way to restore Iran to how it was before religious rule—a modern Persian country that was free and ready to thrive.
To many, the thought of Israeli war expansion into Iran is stressful because of the possible destruction, danger and displacement it would
cause to family members still living there. But at the same time, to an equal many, the idea of an external power wanting to overthrow the religious totalitarian Iranian regime is great news many didn’t think would happen anytime soon or even within their lifetime. It was always known that Iran had few paths to liberation and the freedom it once had. Many scholars and Iranian nationals living abroad hypothesized the religious regime could be toppled by the successes of either a carefully planned coup/revolution. An external power interfering and defeating Khamenei and his religious regime, or poor political organization and state weakness after the Supreme Leader Khamenei has died. But so far, he has become old and sick with not much progress towards being six feet under.
With the U.S. possessing suf
ficient military power but showing no intention of intervening, few options remained beyond hoping for Khamenei’s swift departure. Now, Israel (especially at this time) may not have been the expected external power to potentially go to war with Iran. But for many Iranian parents and grandparents living abroad, this piece of news brings a small hope, a hope that they one day may be able to return to the Iran they love and used to call home—an Iran with personal and political freedoms, an Iran free to embrace Pars culture, a cosmopolitan Iran—before the tyranny and terror in the times of the Sha and current religious regime. War is never good, but if Israel has the boldness and power to pull the trigger against the Islamic regime, it might be the only good thing that comes from the war.
The Iranian government and military have everything to fear with potentially escalating the already hostile tensions with Israel. With anticipated military responses from Israel and Iran in retaliation for the ballistic missile launches and the assassinations of Hezbollah leaders, they are bound to get bloody. But Iran’s defensive and military technology cannot compete with the power of Israeli military intelligence, and they are not as militarily powerful as Israel. So, my fellow Persian friends, classmates, and Persian food lovers, I would get my passport renewed because something tells me that soon, those of us who call Iran home will be able to go back, leaving fear forever behind the door and in the past.
photo: Wikimedia Commons
PRO TEM
Editor In Chief/Éditrice En Chef
Amie Sosa
Chief of operations/Chef des opérations
Flo Iyam Tierra
Layout Designer/Maquettiste
Roxanna Khosravi
Photographer/Photographe
Dona Nissangaratchie
Section Editor/Rédactrice de sections:
Leanne Eyre
Campus Life/Vie étudiant Arts & Entertainment/ Arts & Divertissement Metropolis Métropole
Christina Savoiardo
Issues & Ideas/Actualité & opinions Expressions/Expressions Health & Wellness/Santé & bien-être
English Editor/Rédactrice Anglaise
Destiny Chan
French Editor/Rédactrice Française
Natalia Tovilla-Bátiz
English Journalist/Journaliste Anglais
Connell Simkin-Watt
French Journalist/Journaliste Françcaise
Iris Capron
Bilingual Journalist/Journaliste Bilingue
Geneviève Stacey
Letter from the editor
Boo! Happy Halloween, Pro Tem readers! As the shadows grow longer and pumpkins appear on every doorstep, we welcome you to the spookiest day of the year. Before we dive into the tricks and treats, let’s take a moment to celebrate officially surviving midterms! It wasn’t easy, and I know some of us were *this* close to becoming academic ghosts, but we’ve made it through, stronger than ever.
Un énorme merci à Flo, notre cheffe des opérations, qui a orchestré Open Mic Night de A à Z, depuis les nappes jusqu’aux papiers administratifs! Grâce à son organisation et à son attention aux détails, l’événement a été un succès incroyable. Si vous la croisez dans les couloirs, n’hésitez pas à la féliciter (elle mérite plus que quelques bonbons!)!
Bien sûr, Halloween marque aussi un moment charnière dans le semestre. On a passé la mi-parcours, et tout semble devenir un peu plus lourd. Si l’idée de laisser tomber ce cours dans lequel vous êtes pourtant bon vous traverse l’esprit, rassurez-vous, vous n’êtes pas seul! Cette fatigue de mi-session nous touche tous. Mais tenons bon—la fin du semestre est à portée de main.
This month’s edition has taken on a more introspective tone with articles that dive deep into personal expression. Maybe it’s the shorter days or maybe it’s just that winter chill creeping in, but there’s a noticeable shift in mood. The pieces we’ve published reflect that, exploring feelings and emotions that many of us are likely experiencing as we head into the colder months.
Alors, enfilez vos pulls les plus confortables, prenez une boisson chaude et plongez dans ce numéro. Les jours deviennent plus courts, l’air se rafraîchit, mais les mots de nos contributeurs réchaufferont votre cœur. Pro Tem est là pour vous accompagner à travers cette transition saisonnière, avec du contenu qui parle à l’âme et des événements qui nous rassemblent.
Stay spooky, stay warm, and let’s keep moving forward—one event, one article, and one (sometimes terrifying) class at a time. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for updates at @protemglendon, exclusive content, and more. We’ve got an exciting semester ahead and we can’t wait to bring it all to life with your input and support!
For now et à bientôt,
Amie Sosa
Leslie Frost : connaissez-vous vraiment celui qui a donné son nom à notre bibliothèque ?
Par Iris Capron Journaliste Française
Chaque jour, pour travailler efficacement dans un endroit calme, des dizaines d’étudiants s’installent dans la bibliothèque Leslie Frost. Certains ne savent pas qui est l’homme dont le nom est inscrit à l’entrée du bâtiment, d’autres connaissent sa profession, sans accorder une réelle importance à sa vie et à ce qu’il a accompli politiquement. Je vous propose donc une petite biographie de cet homme qui a marqué l’Ontario du XXème siècle.
Leslie Miscampbell Frost est un homme politique canadien, connu pour son rôle de Premier Ministre de l’Ontario de 1949 à 1961, après lequel il cède son poste à John Robarts, Ministre
de l’Education. Douze ans de valeureux services à la province qui l’a vu naître.1
Né en 1895 à Orillia, dans une famille où les discussions animées autour de sujets tels que le gouvernement canadien ou les lois de l’Ontario sont une habitude, il s’intéresse rapidement à la politique. Cependant, une période de sa vie est marquée davantage par sa volonté de servir son pays : la Première Guerre mondiale. En 1915, Leslie est enrôlé pour servir en France et en Belgique, territoires dominés par les bombardements ennemis. Les moments qu’il vit durant ces années de combat le marquent à jamais et les leçons qu’il en a tiré se retrouvent dans les politiques mises en place par la suite en Ontario. À son retour de guerre, il rejoint une faculté de droit et s’engage politiquement auprès du Parti progressiste-conservateur de l’Ontario dont il devient le leader en 1949. Ce poste lui permet d’accéder rapidement à celui de Premier Ministre de l’Ontario. Son accession au pouvoir ontarien se fait à un moment de boom économique pour le Canada.2
Pour encourager cette forte croissance, Leslie Frost et ses pairs soutiennent l’industrie privée et développent les voies de communication avec la construction de lignes de train par exemple. Avec son gouvernement, il met égale-
The Glendon Dance Team is back!
By Glendon Dance Team
Welcome to the 2024-2025 season of the Glendon Dance Team (GDT)! We are super excited to embark on another year filled with dance, connection and growth. More than just a team, we are a community that values inclusivity, personal development and creating a space where everyone can freely express themselves through the art of movement. Our biggest event of the year, The Winter Showcase, will take place on January 11th and 12th in the Glendon Theatre. We can’t wait to share the magic of that moment with you. It’s a chance to not only display our hard work but also the passion and creativity which drives everything we do. This season, we’re also thrilled to collaborate with fantastic partners like the GCSU, Lunik, Radio Glendon, the Media Lab, Protem, Alteri and other clubs, bringing even more exciting and creative experiences to our community. If you didn’t get a chance to join the permanent team but are still looking for opportunities to dance, please stay tuned on our socials for updates about drop-in workshops and other events. We’re so grateful for what’s ahead and can’t wait to share it with you!
ment en place des lois progressives concernant la santé mais aussi l’éducation et les droits de l’Homme, tel que l’Act to Promote Fair Employment Practices in Ontario en 1951.3 Il fait aussi de l’Ontario la première province d’Amérique du Nord à établir un Code des droits de l’Homme. Son parcours et les avancées qu’il a permises en Ontario font de Leslie Frost un homme inspirant pour tous les étudiants du campus de Glendon.
1. C« Premier Leslie Frost (1949-1961) », Legislative Assembly of Ontario, www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/about-parliament/history-heritage/timeline/premier-leslie-frost-1949-1961.
2. Leslie Miscampbell Frost, Premier of Ontario, 1949-61 », Ontario Heritage Trust, www.heritagetrust.on.ca/pages/programs/education-and-outreach/presentations/leslie-miscampbell-frost-premier-of-ontario-1949-61.
3. Roger Graham, « Leslie Frost », The Canadian Encyclopedia, le 19 juin, 2007, www.thecanadianencyclopedia. ca/en/article/leslie-frost.
LIBRARY HOURS
HORAIRE DE LA BIBLIOTHÈQUE
MONDAY/LUNDAY ..................................... 8AM-7PM TUESDAY/MARDI
8AM-6PM SATURDAY/SAMEDI
Bienvenue à la saison 2024-2025 de l’équipe de danse de Glendon (GDT) ! Nous sommes ravis de commencer une nouvelle année remplie de danse, de connexions, et de croissance. Plus qu’une simple équipe, nous sommes une communauté qui valorise l’inclusivité et le développement personnel, créant un espace où chacun peut s’exprimer librement à travers l’art du mouvement. Notre plus grand événement de l’année, notre Showcase d’Hiver, aura lieu le 11 et le 12 janvier au théâtre de Glendon, et nous avons hâte de partager la magie de ce moment avec vous. C’est une occasion de montrer non seulement notre travail acharné, mais aussi la passion et la créativité qui animent tout ce que nous faisons. Cette saison, nous sommes également ravis de collaborer avec des partenaires incroyables tels que le GCSU, Lunik, Radio Glendon, le Media Lab, Protem, Alteri, et d’autres clubs, pour offrir encore plus d’expériences passionnantes et créatives à notre communauté. Si vous n’avez pas pu rejoindre l’équipe permanente mais vous cherchez toujours des occasions de danser, suivez nos réseaux sociaux pour être au courant de nos ateliers ouverts à tous et autres événements. Nous sommes tellement reconnaissants pour tout ce qui nous attend et impatients de le partager avec vous !
Her
By Vee The Playwright
She is everywhere But nowhere to be seen. Everyone has seen her go Everyone but me.
She is everywhere But nowhere to be seen. She is a living ghost. When she is seen, It’s easy to avoid her.
Little as she is.
She can be anywhere all at once. With her dark signature looks, And her innocent focused face. She can be seen from a distance. Only to be hidden in the middle of a crowd. She is noticeable if you pay close attention. And then you start to wonder Who she really is.
She strikes as fast as a bolt of lightning, Through the walls of the old manor, Through the green, wide-open park. Or in the background of the Hilliard Walls. When you pass her, it is a second of wonder. A second missed to reach her.
When you pass her, You know she noticed you, With her wide-eyed gaze. You know she hasn’t forgotten you. Until you turn around. And ask yourself where she’s gone.
Anguish
Siddhart Ramotar
Let there be anguish And fortitude for thee.
Let there be anguish
But come back to me.
If only to say
There is no hope.
If only to leave
Making me cope.
Please return
If only to say bye.
Please return
To inflict a cry.
Let there be anguish, But come home once more.
Let there be anguish, And finish our lore.
Snuff out the dream
Of us as a team.
Give me some closure, No matter the extreme.
Let there be anguish.
Le deuil
By Gabrielle Quesnel
When I was a kid
I never saw the benefit of speaking French. I never understood why it was so important to hold onto it. To 10-year-old me, it was just a hassle to practice my father’s maternal tongue. I would laugh whenever my middle school teachers would utter the phrase “Parlez en français, les filles!”
But they were just trying to hold on To the little pebbles that remained of their Mountain of a language. We would tease them because this Minority language was just such a bore, Such a confusing language.
We knew English already, why the need for this dying one? Nowadays, I wish I didn’t take that beautiful language for granted. I wish I was proud to know that beautifully spoken word.
I already couldn’t utter the one on my mother’s side, why did I not care to grasp onto this one with such force?
I wished so often that I didn’t need to go to a French school, And I just as much hoped I could get out of The town that still spoke it.
But moving to a bigger city, to one where I don’t hear câlisse or tabarnak It feels strange.
And when I feel my voice crack as I go
From speaking in French to English with a classmate, I feel strange.
And when I go home for the holidays, Hear ma p’tite soeur talk to my mèmère in English.
And my poor mèmère responds in English, As if she’s given up too on a language she could once fill the silence with. It all just feels so strange.
I don’t want to lose this part of myself, Something I once saw as a burden Because now I know it’s importance, I don’t want that part of me to be gone. I refuse to give up. I refuse to let go.
Will You Survive?
By Model UN Club
Will you survive
When the Model United Nations arrive At Glendon this Thursday?
We don’t care if you’re dressed like a mummy Or think that you’re a dummy We want to discuss and debate
To strengthen our traits
From 6 to 9 pm
Join the joyous mayhem
Inside the Manor
GH 102
See you there very soon!
ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
&
The 10 Biggest Storylines Heading Into the 2024-25 NBA Season
By Connell Simkin-Watt English Journalist
The 2024-25 NBA Season is approaching quickly. After a busy offseason around the league, there are plenty of notable storylines heading into the season. From star players joining new teams to teams hiring new head coaches, here are the biggest storylines.
1. LeBron and Bronny James Making History
Bronny James, the son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, meaning he will join his father on the Lakers roster. This marks not only the first time in NBA history that a father and son have played in the NBA at the same time but also the first time a father and son have played as teammates1.
2. New York Knicks Make Big Offseason Splash: Adds Bridges and Towns
The New York Knicks were one of the more active teams during the NBA offseason. They made two of the biggest moves by trading for Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Mikal Bridges and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks sent Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite and Shake Milton, as well as a plethora of draft picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Bridges and traded Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick to Minnesota for Towns2.
3. Paul George Signs with Philadelphia
In one of the biggest moves of the offseason, former Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul George signed a four-year $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia and their core, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, have struggled in the playoffs in recent years. The signing of George could help them become championship contenders3 .
4. Seven Teams Hire New Head Coaches
The Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets have all hired new head coaches. Former Wizards’ assistant coach Brian Keefe, former Milwaukee Bucks’ head coach Mike Budenholzer, former NBA player J.J. Redick, former Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, former Golden State Warriors’ assistant coach Kenny Atkinson, former Celtics’ assistant coach Charles Lee, and former Sacramento Kings’ assistant coach Jordi Fernandez have become the next head coaches for the respective teams4
5. Klay Thompson Signs with the Mavericks
Longtime Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson signed a three-year $50 million contract to join the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson is one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. While he hasn’t been as good as after his ACL tear in 2022, he is still a great three-point shooter and should have the opportunity to make plenty of three-pointers in Dallas, especially after joining forces with Luka Doncic, one of the best point guards in the NBA5
6. Can the Celtics Become the First Team Since 2018 To Win the NBA Finals Twice in a Row?
The last time a team won back-to-back NBA championships was the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Since then, the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics have won the Finals. It’ll be interesting to see if Boston can win back-to-back championships for the first time since 2018, especially since Boston had the best record in the NBA last season and only lost three games during the 2024 playoffs6.
7. Can the Memphis Grizzlies Become Contenders Again with the Return of Ja Morant?
In the 2022-23 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies had the second-best record in the Western Conference, and they were looking like a promising young team. However, this was largely derailed when their star point guard, Ja Morant, was suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season by the NBA after showing a gun on an Instagram livestream. After returning from his suspension, Morant suffered a season-ending injury. As a result, he only played in nine games for Memphis last season. Now that Morant is healthy again, will the Grizzlies make a return to the playoff picture7?
8. How Will Victor Wembanyama Perform in Year Two?
Last year, the San Antonio Spurs drafted French center Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick. Wembanyama was arguably one of the most hyped-up draft picks since LeBron James. He did not disappoint in his rookie season; putting up 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.6 blocks. He would eventually go on to win Rookie of the Year. Following an impressive rookie season, Wembanyama is only going to improve in his second year, especially with the Spurs adding Chris Paul, one of the best passers in the NBA, who is sure to give Wembanyama lots of open looks8.
9. Can the Phoenix Suns’ Big Three, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, Lead Phoenix Back to the Finals?
In 2021, the Phoenix Suns made the NBA Finals, ultimately losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. In the years since then, they have failed to reach the Finals again, despite trading for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The main problem the Suns’ trio had last season was that Booker, Durant and Beal were all ball-dominant players, meaning that they did not pass the ball too often. This offseason, the Suns added head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was the Bucks’ head coach when the Suns made the NBA Finals in 2021. They also signed free agent point guard Tyus Jones, who, over the past six seasons, has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio. While the addition of Jones should solve Phoenix’s biggest problem, and the hiring of Budenholzer brings some championship experience, it is uncertain if Phoenix can reach the Finals again this season9
10. The 2025 NBA Draft Looks Stacked –Which Teams Have a Shot at the First Overall Pick?
The 2024 NBA Draft was somewhat underwhelming, with NBA scouts and experts considering it a weak draft class following a great 2023 draft. However, the 2025 NBA Draft is set to be filled with talented players, such as Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, Rutgers freshmen Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, North Carolina freshman Drake Powell, as well as international players like Nolan Traore of France and Rocco Zikarsky of Australia. While Flagg is seen as the best player in the draft class, there is a multitude of talented players, and, as a result, many teams will be looking to land a high draft pick, with teams like the Pistons, Wizards, Raptors and Nets looking like some of the early favourites to land the first-overall pick10
1. Shaun Powell, “Basketball world anticipates historic LeBron-Bronny pairing on NBA floor,” NBA.com, September 28, 2024, https://www.nba.com/news/24-storylines-lakers-lebron-bronnyjames. 2. JJames Herbert, “The conversation: How high is Knicks’ ceiling after Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges blockbusters?,” CBS Sports, October 9, 2024, https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/theconversation-how-high-is-knicks-ceiling-after-karl-anthony-towns-mikal-bridges-blockbusters/. 3. Sam Quinn, “76ers land Paul George: All-Star forward agrees to four-year, $212M deal in NBA free agency,” CBS Sports, July 1, 2024, https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/76ers-land-paulgeorge-all-star-forward-agrees-to-four-year-212m-deal-in-nba-free-agency/.
4. Steve Aschburner, “Key Storylines: Which coach will have the biggest impact on his new team?” NBA.com, October 8, 2024, https://www.nba.com/news/key-storylines-coach-biggest-impactnew-team.
5. John Schuhmann, “After storied Warriors career, Klay Thompson takes new role with Mavs,” NBA.com, September 29, 2024, https://www.nba.com/news/24-storylines-mavericks-klay-thompson. 6. AJ Salah, “2025 NBA Championship Odds: Knicks the Talk of the Towns,” Covers.com, October 33, 2024, https://www.covers.com/nba/finals/odds.
7. Shaun Powell, “Will Grizzlies be contenders with the return of Ja Morant?” NBA.com, September 27, 2024, https://www.nba.com/news/24-storylines-grizzlies-ja-morant.
8. Doric Sam, “Chris Paul: Chance to Play with Victor Wembanyama Influenced Spurs Contract,” Bleacher Report, July 9, 2024, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10127734-chris-paul-chanceto-play-with-victor-wembanyama-influenced-spurs-contract
9. Ben Rohrbach, “Phoenix suns 2024-25 season preview: Kevin Durant and the NBA’s combustible contender,” Yahoo Sports, October 8, 2024, https://sports.yahoo.com/phoenix-suns-2024-25-season-preview-kevin-durant-and-the-nbas-combustible-contender-155134422.html.
10. Ben Couch, “Key Storylines: Top-tier talent will be available in 2025 NBA Draft,” NBA.com, October 12, 2024, https://www.nba.com/news/key-storylines-2025-nba-draft.
Pro Tem? More Like Picturesque Team
By Flo Iyam Tierra Chief of Operations
Nous aimons Glendon en toutes saisons! Cet automne, nous avons pris soin de nous arrêter pour apprécier sa beauté. Lorsque le soleil brille à travers les feuilles des nombreux arbres, il s’illumine comme un vitrail aux multiples couleurs d’automne : rouge, orange et jaune. Les lieux eux-mêmes semblent aussi si vivants ; les murs du manoir semblent dégager une lueur chaleureuse tandis que la roseraie fleurit sans cesse.
Glendon’s Autumn has been nothing but golden and picturesque—something that our staff at Pro Tem know all too well! Over the last few months, Pro Tem members had the chance to do a few photoshoots around our beautiful campus. Check it out!
Glendon’s
ARTS ENTERTAINMENT &
&
ACTUALITÉ OPINION
Finding Destiny in France: Confessions of a Female Solo Traveler
By Destiny Chan English Editor
So, you’ve made it abroad. You got on that plane and went elsewhere. You’re doing the thing—your exchange or international job… Famous cities are waiting for you just one to two hours away. What cities would you travel to? Paris? London? Rome? Barcelona? Tokyo? Singapore? Hong Kong? Dubai? Miami? They all sound like very sexy cities, but do you have the guts to go and discover them? Even if no one else is with you?
You’re a female-presenting person. You haven’t travelled much in your life and don’t have many friends yet in this new city with the time, energy, or funds to go with you. You’re scared. You keep hearing how dangerous it is from friends and family back home and the news. You’re frightened of men. What would happen if they accosted you? What would happen if you were a female travelling alone?
My name is Destiny Chan, and I am a Glendon student currently taking a gap year in Montpellier, south of France, as an au pair. An au pair is basically an after-school babysitter for your host family’s kids in exchange for room, board, and pocket money. I plan to write a column for hopefully every issue, each with a different topic like a new word, culture shock, experience, etc.
It all started at the end of September when I went on a 3-day trip to Marseilles to visit my friend studying there. C’est Marseilles, bébé! It’s chill, slowpaced, punk, chaotic, Mediterranean life and attitude. The oldest city in France, spanning back to Ancient Greek and Roman times, its Vieux Port is one of its main attractions, as is the seafood soup, bouillabaisse One of the top 5 sunniest cities in the world, it is also known for its diversity, graffiti, rap, drug gangs, and more. Marseille is two hours away by bus, and the departure and return tickets cost me roughly €13. I used Flixbus, which I’ve heard mixed reviews about, spanning from being affordable, accessible, safe, and easy to horrible and late. I did experience the lateness, but other than that, I cannot complain. My Toronto travel experience includes taking the GO train and bus countless times from Markham to Toronto in a near-empty bus terminal with only security guards and homeless wanderers around. I’ve run on an empty Front street outside Union Station, up the escalators, and through the hallways to catch the 2 am bus by one minute, with only 2 other male passengers and the bus driver. I think it’s safe to say that when it comes to travelling, especially as a female at night, I have some balls. Whether it’s freedom or recklessness, I find the answer depends on the perspective of the person you’re asking, how affected they have been by the patriarchy, and their own deep-rooted insecurities about female safety, control, mobility, and independence. To provide some context, my dad is an extremely overprotective immigrant parent who would not even let me ride my bike for fear of being hit by a car or abducted. He would drive me and my sister’s bikes to a park where we could then ride them. He would have CP24 on 24/7—a constant stream of stabbings, shootings, break-ins, record-breaking weather forecasts, car crashes, etc. He would say, “Don’t stay out late. Are you crazy? Get back home right now, or
else I can’t sleep. Beware of the weather; it’s better to stay home. Don’t do this. You can’t do this.” On and on and on and on. Until the cage is now mental. You become afraid of ever leaving your city, ever leaving your house. You’re afraid to see the things you’ve dreamed of seeing. You don’t feel comfortable on the street. You’re left to fester in your room with all these unrealized travel dreams and, to some extent, unrealistic fears. I spent most of my childhood fighting back. Fighting to be able to join this sports team (apparently basketball and volleyball are dangerous), this afterschool club (more time when I’m not home where it’s safe), fighting to have sleepovers, fighting to be driven to this event or church because I couldn’t drive yet, and so forth.
All of a sudden, I moved out. I had nobody around to report where I was going, how I was going, who I was going with, or what time I’d be back. Though sometimes lonely, it was mostly liberating. Growing up, I saw how my single dad took his car and went wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, with whoever he wanted. Why can’t I do the same? I see how most men can walk alone at night without a care in the world. Why can’t I? I hear all these warnings of what is out there. All the scary things and reasons why I shouldn’t do what I want to do. It is grating on my ears. It makes me want to prove them wrong. It makes me want to teach them the self-defence moves I learned in mandatory Grade 9 girls’ gym class.
I know and I get it. Everybody presents themselves in this life in ways directly correlated to their own experiences. Many immigrant families flee from horrible things—loss of family members, warfare, government corruption, abductions, sexual and physical harassment, and more. It’s made them fearful and distrustful of the world, and rightfully so. I can understand; I can sympathize. But the minute you start listing all the things I can’t do or shouldn’t do or experience according to your limited worldview is when I draw the line. It’s true. In many countries, it’s unsafe for a female to travel alone. In many neighbourhoods, even in Canada, yes, it’s true. However, there are many cities where it is safe to do so, especially if you are clever and vigilant with how you go about it. Not every person on the TTC is getting stabbed, even if stabbings happen daily.
How much will you let fear dictate your life? How is it fair that people of privilege can do all the things you are afraid of doing? Be on that beach? Climb that mountain? I’m aware there are dangerous people in this world. However, I look at other solo female travellers who have shared their experiences on YouTube and other social media. From backpacking across southeast Asia (@kayli_king) to living with strangers on sailboats and farms in Europe (@leahsfieldnotes) to taking themselves on dates in Paris (@ HitomiMochizuki222), I see all they can accomplish through moments of bravery and self-determination, and I know that I can do that too.
I did end up seeing Marseille alone for a day. It was scary but it was glorious. I walked along the Mediterranean Sea at La Plage de Catalans, saw the Vieux Port dock with rows upon rows of sailboats, collected seashells, and watched the sunset go down.
I saw a lot of females alone. On the beach by themselves, tanning or reading a book. One had left their whole carry-on luggage and their towel on the sand after being in the water for hours. Some were topless—I had never seen topless women at the beach before. One such tatted-up traveller left her stuff on the beach while they went in the water. They also had left their fanny pack, which I assume holds their cash and phone, with a friendly stranger. Going from UofT libraries where there are signs all around saying not to leave your stuff at a desk so it doesn’t get stolen to people leaving their belongings in the open air while enjoying the water at the beach? That’s the kind of confidence I want to manifest—especially in places where other women are already doing the same and it’s safe enough to do so.
Did men approach me? Yes. Two asked for money. One said, “Ma princesse,” in my general direction. Another said, “Ni hao”, and again screamed, “NI HAO” when I didn’t respond. One named Jems flung himself off his scooter as I was walking to tell me that I was beautiful and that he was célibataire and asked if I wanted to spend the night together. People also approach you in Toronto. You get used to it, ignore it and move on.
Dining in a restaurant alone is something I have yet to conquer here in France. All the restaurants along Vieux Port were very fancy, touristy and filled with couples, friends or families. Instead, I went into a mid crêpe shop—ordering one salée jambon, œuf et fromage. Another solo person, a male, ordered a Nutella crêpe and took the seat beside me. He didn’t try to talk to me. He had his earbuds in. He was wearing a suit and had his briefcase with him, so maybe he was just getting off work. I finished my crêpe, left the shop, took the subway, then the 10 pm bus, then walked 20 minutes back home at night when nobody was really around. At this point, some might say I’m adventurous or suicidal, but it sure does give me a rush. In the morning, I made it to the Flixbus station with 5 minutes to spare, took a Gravol, and slept cozily the whole darn way back to Montpellier. Am I crazy and stupid for travelling alone as a female? Maybe. But I’ll take crazy, stupid, and in love with travel any day rather than be stunted, fearful, and stuck at home.
ISSUES IDEAS
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Confessions of a Female Solo Traveler (continuation)
By Destiny Chan English Editor
I have a Paris trip coming up during the Toussaint holidays (the kids have two weeks off from school, and I have one week off from work). 6 days, 5 nights in a hostel, one female dorm, shared with 3 other girls and one night train back. I want to go to Paris, so why wait until one of my friends gathers up the courage, time, and funds to go? Why not make friends at the youth hostel? Or why not take yourself on solo dates because you’re worth it? I have things I want to see—the obvious ones like le Louvre, la Tour Eiffel, le Château de Versailles, l’Arc de Triomphe (though Montpellier already has one), le musée de l’Orangerie, Giverny, la SacréCœur and more. I’m staying in Montmartre, so I’ll be in the centre of Paris, breakfast included, and according to a website about good hostels to stay in for females—safe and worth it. I’m going off on my own. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. It reminds me of the first time I went to explore downtown Montpellier and my host mom had dropped me off. As such, and in the spirit of Halloween, here is a poem below talking more about that day. In any case, wish me luck in France, Paris, and all the other cities I hope to travel solo to. It’s scary, but in the end, it’s always worth it.
Frankenmother
As we said goodbye
After arriving at the tram station
The little yellow manual car Idling by the side of the road
Alban and Elliot in the back
Not paying attention
Too young to understand How sweet and precious some goodbyes are
They didn’t look back when I said “Amusez-vous, tout le monde”
Claire said, “Thank you, Have fun this weekend too”
I closed the door
Too gently
Went to close it again
But she was first
Leaning forward
Lean body extended over the controls
And said, smiling, “By the way, Destiny, You’re beautiful”
Surprise
Breath out of lungs
Struggled
To get out thank yous
“You’re beautiful too”
Just like that
Door closes
Off with the kids
Vroom
In a flash
Like a superhero
Turning around
Towards the platform
It hit suddenly
Like never before I am alone
The person just now,
The one who had dropped me off
And said goodbye
So sweetly, Cared about me
Like a mom
Asking me to text
When I arrived
When I’m back home
And for the first time, It was like wishing that Mom had come with me
Or that I stayed in the car
Or that I was hers and she was mine
Can’t remember
If the woman I knew
Ever said I was beautiful
Can’t recall many things
Blocked it all out
So maybe I’ll tell Claire Eventually
How much her words
Her care
Her love
Mean to the little girl inside
The little girl with nobody to pick her up
Orphaned
By force
Some would say By choice
Now grown up
Into a young adult unwilling to take care of herself
Would Claire be willing to take care of her?
To be there?
At her graduation?
Her wedding?
Beyond?
Or will her part
In her story
End
Like all the other temporary
Mother figures
In her life?
I wonder
If she pieced together
All the fragments
Of a mother she’d received
Throughout the years
Of her existence
Of her childhood
And held desperately onto the pieces, Would she get
A Frankenmother?
And her Frankenmother would tell her she’s beautiful
And pack lunch for her
And give her good dating advice
And not use anything and everything she tells her against her
Would I be able to make her?
Frankenmother?
Would she say “By the way, Destiny, You’re beautiful?”
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RAFFLE WINNERS OF THE OPEN MIC EVENT
‘Tis
the Season of Surprises: The “End-of-Year Plot Twist”
By Christina Savoiardo Section Editor
You might have seen the online trend where people mention how “October, November and December are when the biggest plot twists always seem to happen”. For some reason, people talk about how these months always seem to have life-changing moments, positive or negative. The question is, what are some of the reasons this happens?
One (obvious) reason this might happen is because it is the end of the calendar year. When the end of the year approaches, people usually tend to reflect on the past twelve months. They think about all their accomplishments, failures and all the lessons they might have learned. With all those thoughts, many people create resolutions for the new year to try and gain more control over their lives. Whether it’s emotional, financial or health goals, self-improvement is one of the biggest factors to reflect on for the upcoming year. With that said, sometimes people might not be satisfied with how things have gone for them. Maybe they’ve struggled with mental health, developed a bad habit, or just want to improve themselves as a person. Reflecting on the negative experiences might lead to a person making significant changes in their life, such as leaving toxic friendships, quitting their supposed dream job or moving away. From another perspective, someone who experiences these changes in their life as a result of someone else’s decisions might see these changes as plot twists.
Another possible reason for these “end-ofyear plot twists” is seasonal changes. As seen here in Ontario, the weather drastically changes between October and December, going from breezy fall weather to cold winter air. According to studies, weather changes can affect mood and behaviour, possibly leading to decisions being made. For most people, a high mood is associated with warm weather and sunny skies, and a low mood with dark skies, fog, and precipitation.1 However, it depends on the person; some people might be happier in gloomy weather conditions, and some might feel down in sunny and warm weather. How does this relate to these plot twists? The seasonal changes from fall to winter can symbolize a time of change, which might lead to changes in a person’s life. With seasonal changes, some psychological factors might be the cause of sudden changes in a person’s life, such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This mood disorder usually occurs at the end of the year when seasons change.2 People who experience SAD might deal with serious mood changes, which might impact behaviour and decision-making. They might experience constant feelings of sadness or emptiness, irritability, worthlessness, decreased energy and difficulty making decisions.3 Dealing with these emotions is not easy and the distress caused by SAD might contribute to “end-of-year plot twists”. People might experience mood changes leading to certain decisions; they might have the urge to change something in their lives; they might need to end relationships or distance themselves from others; or they might struggle with
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SANTÉ BIEN-ÊTRE
productivity and career-related issues. Generally, understanding the impact of SAD helps make links to the perception of plot twists occurring during the end of the year, knowing that all the different factors can affect a person’s decisions or behaviours.
From my personal experience, the “end-ofyear plot twist” is a real thing. For the past two years, I’ve experienced many sudden changes in my life during this time of year, some of which were incredibly hard to deal with. On top of this, constantly struggling with mental health, trying to heal from the past and just figuring things out about myself and my life is a challenge, especially when I can’t control the outcome. Whenever I think about these moments, how things might seem impossible, and what I can do to deal with certain situations, I always try to remember that everything is a learning experience and will make me stronger. Of course, at first, I’ll feel broken into a million pieces, grieving for weeks, and stressing about everything, but it’s important to understand that no matter what plot twist comes, I need to prioritize myself. It might seem cliché, but taking care of yourself when things are hard is incredibly important. Do things that make you happy, talk to someone you trust, spend time with loved ones, practice self-care and just be patient with yourself. Whenever something doesn’t go the way you hoped and it feels like your world turned upside down, remember to take it one day at a time. Things will work out. Your feelings and experiences are valid. Don’t let anything or anyone question your worth.
1. Psych Central. “Does Weather Affect Mood?,” August 29, 2014. https://psychcentral.com/ health/can-weather-affect-your-mood
2. “Seasonal Affective Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).”
3. Ibid.
Gain Power at the End of the Interview: A Guide
By Natalia Tovilla-Bátiz French Editor
Nothing is more nerve-wracking than the pressure to perform well during a highly anticipated interview. After submitting countless applications, your priorities at this stage of the game are to make this callback count. As you interview more, you realize it’s not just about showing you have the skills to succeed. More precisely, the challenge is standing out to the hiring team in a mere 20-40-minute conversation, especially when you know you’re not the only candidate being interviewed. Often, it can be intimidating, especially with the obvious power imbalance presented before you. The competition is high, the stakes are high and the need to make yourself stand out from beginning to end is paramount.
Whether the interview is now or in the future, the questions I am about to share with you have been composed with great reflection on what is important to me as a young female employee, eager to look for a right-fit working environment. One that prioritizes productivity, employee well-being, work-life balance and negotiable flexibility with higher management. They are also designed to allow you to leave the interview with the most internal information possible before potentially being offered that job. This can be regarding workplace culture, professional expectations, potential challenges, employee services and more. These questions allow you to leave as the candi
date most informed about the organization or company you are trying to join, leave hiring managers with an impression of your genuine and serious interest and make you the most capable person able to make the most informed decision. This gives the power back to you at the end of the interview (and after).
Primary Questions:
1) How is my performance evaluated in this role and how is success defined and measured?
2)What professional development opportunities are offered to the person in this role or this organization? (eg. employee learning, career development, etc).
3) What are the top three goals to have accomplished in the first six months?
4) Do you have good funding? Is there room for upward growth/mobility?
5) What services are in place for employee wellbeing within the organization? Does this job come with a benefits package?
Secondary Questions:
6) What percentage of the role addresses ad hoc requests from other teams?
7) Can you please describe the organization’s current work culture?
8) What is the onboarding/training process for this role?
9) What does workplace flexibility look like in your organization? Can you please give me an example?
10) What other roles have previous employees transitioned into after having performed well in this role?
Whether you use this list of questions for a retail, research, or entry-level job, it may take you one step closer to eventually getting you your dream job. Asking 2 or 3 questions from this list will guarantee to leave you with the power of confidence and a lasting impression of genuine interest. Remember that not every job is meant to be taken, especially if the answers you receive are not the ones you are looking for. If you’re timid, remember you have a right to inquire and you are worth their time so ask the hiring team while you can!
GAMES FUN
Autumn Mysteries: A Trilingual Fall & Halloween Crossword
By Amie Sosa
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ACROSS:
5. La hoja de este árbol se vuelve roja en otoño. 9. Gardien des champs, il effraie les corbeaux.
10. Prenda acogedora usada en clima fresco.
DOWN:
1. La tallamos para Halloween
2. Alteri’s Halloween event
3. Rides a broom on Halloween night.
4. Un feu extérieur chaleureux pour les rassemblements.
6. Popular fruit for pies in fall.
7. Eight-legged creature seen in webs.
8. Effrayant et invisible, il dit souvent ‘Bouh!
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Toronto Sidequests
By Flo Iyam Tierra Chief of Operations
The leaves blush a deep fiery red as the sun streams through, turning them into wisps of color, like little ghosts hovering gently, tethered by the branches. I tend to misplace my glasses often, but through my blurry vision, Autumn takes on a softer, golden glow, more lovely than usual. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you want to reconnect—with nature, with friends, with old hobbies. In a way, October invites everyone to fall in love with life all over again. Though we’re nearing the end of Autumn, there’s still a little magic left to savor before Winter arrives.
Over the past few years, I’ve explored more of Toronto and discovered a surprising amount of things to do. Here’s a list of my favorite spots so far:
Toronto Flower Market
First on the list is the Toronto Flower Market! Each year, from May to October, vendors gather monthly to showcase an incredible variety of flowers, potted plants, and other botanical products. The blooms are captivating, and I was able to visit on most market days. My best advice is to go early to avoid big crowds, bring ribbons or other decorative items, and carry a bag of water if you’re out for the whole day so your flowers stay fresh until you get them home. Beyond the flowers, my favorite items are the pottery, vases, lavender essential oils, and unique resin pieces. While this year’s events are over, keep an eye out for next season’s market dates!
The Toronto Dark Arts Market brings a touch of magic and mystery to the city every other month, each time with a different theme. This unique market features artists and artisans inspired by all things gothic, spooky, and alternative. I love going with friends and meeting talented creators with a range of skills. Admission is free, and with high-quality products from dozens of vendors, it’s a must-visit!
I didn’t think I’d have a favorite café until I found Bom Dia Café & Bakery. This gem offers cozy loft seating and a wide variety of food and drinks. I first visited with my best friend—we weren’t planning on it, but a craving for coffee led us to this bakery nestled along Queen Street. As we walked in, we were welcomed by the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked treats. After hours wandering around Toronto, Bom Dia was like an oasis, serving del cious food and drinks at great prices. My go-to order is an iced lavender latte paired with one of their pastries. Last time, I tried their dulce de leche cupcake—it was incredible, like everything else I’ve tried!
To be honest, Bom Dia has seen me laugh, cry, stress over assignments, and celebrate small victories. It’s not just a café; it’s a place to study, meet friends, and relax. Definitely worth a visit!
Toronto Dark Arts Market
Bom Dia Café & Bakery
image: Flo Iyam Tierra
image:
Flo Iyam Tierra
image: Flo Iyam Tierra