CBC provided 30 students with the opportunity to put on an evening news broadcast in Vancouver.

Students produced stories, reported on stories and did streeter paks and promos. The team of finalists were chosen from over 150 applicants. These students worked with top journalists like Mi-Young Lee and Alan Waterman to produce their stories. Time in the editing studios, production and reporting were well spent.

This great opportunity happened on November 26th 2009. Interested? Check out the website below and apply next year!

http://www.cbc.ca/bc/newsday/

 
About Catherine

My full name is Catherine Méthot.

I’m a 17 year old Canadian student from Northern Ontario. I lived 12 years in Quebec and my primary language is french, but I also understand and write in english. 

Some of my interests are music, concerts, sketching, reading, writing, photography and outdoor activities. I have a great passion for animals and it lead me, a few years ago, to get implicated in animal-related issues.

I always wanted to help, to heal, to save every living creature and thought of becoming a biologist or a veterinarian. Although I don’t think that heavy studies are a good idea for me, I know I will always be able to make a difference by EDUCATING, and being an editor of this blog is the perfect opportunity to do so. 

Now, I can write and help animals at the same time.

I consider myself as an open-minded, curious and creative individual, but also very shy with a self-esteem to work on. This is why this experience means I’m probably going to get out of my comfort zone, but I hope to be able to make the most of it and learn as much as you do.  

Take care!  

Cath  

—–
 
 

À propos de Catherine 

Mon nom complet est Catherine Méthot.

Je suis une étudiante Canadienne de 17 ans ayant grandi au Québec et résident présentement dans le Nord de l’Ontario. Ma langue maternelle est le français mais j’ai également appris à communiquer en anglais.   

J’aime la musique, les concerts, les arts visuels, la cuisine, la lecture, l’écriture, la photographie et les activités en plein-air. Ma grande passion pour les animaux m’a poussée a m’impliquer dans diverses causes reliées au bien-être animal.

J’ai toujours voulu aider, soigner, sauver tout ce qui vit et plus jeune, je croyais vouloir devenir biologiste, infirmière ou vétérinaire. Je ne crois pas que ce soit une bonne idée pour moi maintenant, mais quel que soit mon futur, je sais que j’aurai toujours un moyen de faire une différence : par le biais de la senbilisation.  

Ma participation à la rédaction de ce blog me donne la chance de fusionner mon amour de la composition a celui des animaux.

Je me considère comme une personne créative, sympathique et ouverte d’esprit, mais aussi timide. J’espère que cette expérience me fera grandir, apprendre et repousser mes limites.

Maintenant que vous en savez plus sur moi, bonne lecture!

Cath  

//for a change I’m talking about work on this blog today//

Today, I had the honour and privilege to attend this

Termed #digitalnomads, #zaCSO the ability to learn and hear about interesting ways to harness social media for their particular cause or area of interest. Coming in with real-life applications, true success stories and useful tips, the Uthango team put together a programme that is not only inspiring but, also practical.

I know that I am privileged enough to have good backing in terms of management at HIV-911 and I am able to, what we call, “go exploring”.

But, the truth is that, real interactions that have become real products and true partnerships have happened through our social media presence and foray into online networking. And in a sector that is sometimes scared or unsure of how to handle social media, it’s brilliant to know that organisations like Uthango, and my friend and inspirational man, Marlon Parker, are truly enabling organisations to discover and learn about social media, through their initiatives to empower the non-profit sector to engage in social  media.

It makes me happy to know that things are happening in this space. The personal, yet professional space. I had always said, for years, that the personal is the professional. And the personal is real. The personal is what truly matters to me and, being able to take the organisation I work for during the day and have it be present in a space that is interactive, is just so very empowering.

I’m proud to be part of this community. Excited that it enables and does not frown upon failure. In fact, the power of failure is one of the key lessons I took away today. I know that Cath Luckhoff recently attended a workshop on the power of failure, and found it empowering and inspirational. Being humble, being  real…being authentic and responsive is key.

I had the pleasure of finally meeting the infamous powerhouse Dave Duarte, who think may now think I am a complete madperson. And I am okay with that. Heh. I got to share our experiences, as HIV-911, in the mobile and social media space.

It’s nice to know we kinda get it.

I learnt alot today. Something that I haven’t really paid attention to is SecondLife. And I will, as a result of today’s presentations, be looking in to the sphere of Virtual Worlds, and not just from my own history as a girlgamer.

A big thanks to Karin Veltman, Jack Kruger, Dave Duarte, Dorette Steenkamp and Erna Sittig for a good day.

It’s a Friday that’s left me inspired. Thank you.

By Michael MacLeod

FLOWER power millionaire designer Cath Kidston says having cancer helped her avoid credit crunch debt.

Before launching her worldwide empire of floral-print shops, the Queen of kitsch was hit by a brutal cancer that deprived her of the chance to have children.

But she says the deadly disease helped her avoid bankruptcy and sparked her imagination to launch a business which now rakes in a staggering £31.3 million per year.

She believes her crafty firm is riding the wave of the recession because people are being forced into DIY and making or adapting their own clothes.

The 50 year-old, whose dad Archie was chairman of the Clyde Shipping Company, launched her self-named company after losing both her parents to cancer.

Speaking in a weekend interview she said: “I don’t have debt, I couldn’t have the stress of it.

“When I had cancer I decided to avoid that. A lot of people would say it’s foolish not to have debt and that I grew slowly as a result, but I didn’t set out to make a fortune.

“I wanted to earn a living and enjoy what I do. The fact the business is very successful is phenomenal.”

It was while battling cancer that Kidston decided life was too grim to feature anything but brightly-coloured polka-dot aprons and cheerful homeware in her stores.

Breast cancer saw her undergo an emergency mastectomy in her mid-thirties.

She said: “That was very much a positive that came out of something negative.

“With cancer we have no idea when it might come back again. I thought, if anything happens to me I don’t want to feel haven’t really lived my life to the full and taken risks.

“I thought, to hell with it, how will I feel in five years time if I don’t do it.

“Both my parents died of cancer that was inoperable, so when you’re told you have breast cancer and you can do something about it that’s not so terrible. If you go through something painful, it gives you strength.”

Kidston lists Glasgow’s Tam Shepherd’s Trick Shop as her favourite store, having stopped off there to buy whoopee cushions and fart gas every summer during childhood holidays.

She said: “The best outing is to go there and stock up. We always used to go when we went to Glasgow.

“I’m very proud of my Scottish roots. There’s a Scottish side to me I wish I was more drawn to because I’m a bit extravagant.

“I was so proud of my dad and he was such a lovely, funny man.”

Cath Kidston Limited now has 34 shops worldwide including two in Tokyo, one in Osaka and another due to open in Heathrow airport.

See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel,  Deadline TV.

hapi bertdi

catherine
(sep 30)

He’s playing corners all over London and we hope we bump into him.

de·tox·i·fi·ca·tion:

The metabolic process by which the toxic qualities of a poison or toxin are reduced by the body.

I breathe deep and attempt to slow my heart rate.  My palms are sweating and my lungs itch.  I need a cigarette, but I’ve quit those too.  I want to be clean.  I want to be free.  I want to live and laugh and love again.  I want to be happy.  I want a life.

Vodka stings the back of my throat. I am attempting to start a new addiction to hopefully help curb the old ones.  The sensation of the glass is not like that of a cigarette between my fingers, nor is it your hand in mine, and so doesn’t quite fill that void.  The taste is familiar, but by no means replaces the tingle of menthol, or the taste of your lips. With the familiar taste comes a familiar feeling.

I miss you as I miss smoke in my lungs.  I miss you as I miss blocking dopamine receptors. I miss you as some men miss needles in their veins.

You are my vice, my addiction.  You are my poison. You have poisoned my world.  You have poisoned my soul.  What initially felt euphoric and blissful now feels as an all-over, under-the-skin burning. I am once again experiencing the negative effects of your touch and influence.  How drab the colors of the world, the sounds of nature, the tastes of food have become without you.

Withdrawals, loss of appetite, cold sweats, mild headaches, vomiting, auditory hallucinations, tremors, insomnia, rapid pulse, anxiety and restlessness, they come and go.  And with every good month comes the idea that I’ve kicked my habit.  I am convinced that I am no longer addicted to what I can’t have anymore. Only for my addiction to rear its ugly head yet again.

A relapse.

ad·dic·tion:

The state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence.

I see you there. Tempting me with the oh-so succulent ways that you twist and turn. Haunting my thoughts and dreams with the promise of shiny new beginnings and a life of hypnotic bliss.

I had been content in my life up till now. Not knowing or wanting to know where I’m swimming to, or even why I’m swimming there in the first place. My lifes only mission being to not become food for something else. I had no purpose or drive. Only natures instinctual motivation to just keep swimming.

And so I do. Day in and day out, swimming aimlessly along. Happy.

I am neutral. I am Zen.

I am swim.

I am not hot. I am not cold.

I am swim.

I am swim in schools, and I am swim alone.

And then there was you. Beautiful, shiny thing. Appetizing, heavenly thing. Dancing, laughing thing. I was not hungry until I saw you. I was at peace. I was in harmony with myself and my surroundings

With that in mind, I will cautiously approach.

With that in mind, I will bide my time. Lie in wait. Prod and probe. Examine you with all the vast knowledge I have in this universe – to swim.

But you are so inviting. Beckoning me closer with every tug and thrust. Bringing me nearer with every contraction. Promising me ecstasy. Pledging to love and never harm me.

I am a fool.

I will bite, and at first you will be all that you promised. I will bite, and at first there will be bliss, at first there will be ecstasy, but only at first. Then your true purpose will be revealed.

Pain and anguish as your hook tears my flesh. Fear and panic as I thrash from left to right to be free of you. But your hook is sunk. You have done your job well. You have me, and there is no letting go. You have me and there is no turning back now. I know what you are. I know the secret that you kept so deceitfully.

And while I am happy for the full stomach, and delicious meal, I am sorry that I let my impulses get the best of me. I knew that you were no good for me. I knew you had no business being where you were. But I am the sucker. I am the gullible one. I am the mark.

I made you my victim.

And you made me yours.

You are my baited hook.

Wow. What a whirlwind, wonderful week, hey?

It started with the Sheena Surprise lowdown…

Then work got really hectic and very exciting.

Then we presented to 200 rowdy, hormonal, brilliant high school boys.

Then came the 27dinner in Durban last night. If I could draw a heart aroud each person’s name who was there last night, I would. Thank you.

And this morning, this morning my latest article on Parent24 went live. It’s here.

I think I’m allowed a quiet weekend, yes?

So i’m completely at sea as to how to write this post without sounding cheesy, emo or like some shitty hallmark card with roses on the front.

You’re my mate despite all the shit you know about me.  You’re completely honest with me when i ask for an opinion and even if i disregard that you’re still behind me 100%.

We dress the same, have the same love lives and the same mind.

you even knew when i was in labour ffs.

So this is just me telling you, on your birthday, that you fucking rock

and

i love you THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES much

I’r tro gyntaf ers fy Mam wedi marw, dw i’n teimlo’n well.  Ar ôl hynny ddigwyddiad wythnos cyn diwethaf ac mae Babi Gwyn yn dod sâl wythnos diwethaf, teimlais i fel uffern.  Dim i gwyno ond yn y mis diwethaf, roedd rhaid i fi sefyll arholiadau mawr, derbynais ’summons’ i lys i ddamwain twp ym mis Tachwedd diwethaf – ie, 7 mis yn ôl! – collais fy Mam a derbyniais hysbysiad y bydd fy swydd yn ddiwedd ym mis Medi.  Digon yn barod!!

Felly, dw i ddim wedi teimlo fel gwneud unrhywbeth, cynnwys Cymraeg.  Arbennig ar ôl i fi dderbyn traethodau yn ôl o’r athrawon ac maen nhw wedi dweud bod i ddim yn gallu ysgrifennu Cymraeg.

Rhywsut, dangosodd popeth gormod ymdrech, chi’mod?

Daeth Gwyn o’r ysbyty bore Sul, er fyddai e ddim yn dal bwyta.  Ffodus, ddechreuodd e fwyta prynhawn Sul felly roedd e’n gallu aros yn ei gartref.  Ac roeddwn i’n fy lliniaru’n fawr.

Neithiwr yn helpu yn fawr.  Y fwyaf, yn wir.  Canodd y Côr gyngerdd yn Llandeilo Ferwallt neithiwr.  Roedd cyngerdd hwyl a theimlodd da i fod yn ôl canu gyda grŵp eto.  Collais gwpl ymarferion achos bod holl o hyn.

Beth bynnag, ar ôl y gyngerdd, gwahodd cwpl aelodau côr bawb i’u tŷ.  Roedd noswaith hyfryd, tywydd perffaith, lleoliad hyfryd a mwynheuon ddiodydd a bwyd yn yr ardd. Mor neis ymlacio a sgwrs gyda ffrindiau.  Gwnaiff hynny’r byd yn ei olwg cywir wedi’r cyfan.  Gwnes ofnadwy – dw i ddim wedi bod siarad Cymraeg llawer yn hwyr.  Ond gwnaeth e roi yn ôl i fi fy brwdfrydedd i’r iaith.

Dw i ddim yn edrych ymlaen at fy nhaith Americanaidd yn gwpl wythnos.  Bydd e’n adeg trist wrth claddwn ni fy Mam – dw i’n dal ei cholli a dw i’n meddwl amdani hi yn aml.  Dw i’n meddwl ‘o, tynnaf llun o hynny i Mam” neu, ‘aros nes ddywedaf wrth Fam – bydd hi’n ei garu!’  Wedyn, sylweddolaf dyw hi ddim yna bellach.

Ond yn ffordd, bydd taith yn dod â diwedd i bethau.  Dw i’n credu’r bydd hynny yn helpu.  Bydd e’n anodd, er hynny.

Ar yr ochr disglair, mae fy nith wedi dod â gefeilliaid tadol mewn i’r byd!  Bachgen a Merch.  Felly, efallai gallaf ymweld â nhw yn Idaho i damaid bach cyn i fi ddod yn ôl adre.  Byddai hynny yn wych.  Dw i byth cwrdd â’m ‘grand’ nith a, nawr, neiaint.  Rhywbeth i edrych ymlaen ato yn bendant.  :O)

Travel with the heart of adventure. Seek freedom from limits and imaginary lines. The east and the west are yours, and the north and the south are yours. The efflux of the Soul is happiness- here is happiness;
I think it pervades the open air, waiting at all times; let yourself be rightly charges, let the happiness flow on to you.

Gosh, I’m feeling so tired and lazy today. I had set my alarm for 7am, but as usual, I just hit snooze and away I went… I was hoping that I’d wake up and my room would magically become clean, but it’s still the same mess it was yesterday, which is a bit unfortunate. The election results have started streaming in and so far, the DA is winning in the Cape pretty comfortably, while the ANC is still hovering around 66% for the national vote, so that’s not such great news…

Went to Religious Studies today, but our lecturer didn’t show up, so Cath, Chelsea and I decided to get some coffee and find a comfy spot. We managed to park ourselves right next to the boerie roll stand and everything just smelt sooooo good, but I decided not to spend the money on it and rather just have my packed lunch (which was pretty yum). In our REL3034F class, we did this reading by the Comaroffs and it was simply insane how difficult it was and the worst thing was that basically, the reading had no point because it just wanted us to “wait and see what happens”. I mean, seriously, who makes undergrads read those sort of things? Oh wait. nevermind. I tried to work for the post-meridian period, but the rain was so beautiful, I kinda just got lost watching it pour down the glass of Leslie Social. Afterwards I decided to go wait for Narny outside her lecture and managed to get some nice photographs.

Catherine Allison

Me and my middle Man Easter Saturday enjoying the sun

German researchers have developed a new metal-free guide wire to allow for the use of MRI, instead of X-rays, for imaging the location during catheterization procedures. Clinically, the benefits of the MRI approach is that a contrast agent is not required to be injected into the patient, the precise location of the catheter’s tip can be easily identified on the computer screen, and no one has to be exposed to unnecessary radiation. We think such a technique can potentially improve outcomes in coronary and general vascular caths, by improving the precision and duration of these procedures.

From Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft:

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen have now found a way of avoiding both the radiation and the contrast medium. In collaboration with colleagues at Philips and University Hospital Aachen, they have developed a guide wire made of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. “Because the guide wire is made of plastic the imaging can be performed by magnetic resonance tomography instead of computer tomography,” says IPT scientist Adrian Schütte. “This is not possible with metal guide wires as the metal wire acts as an antenna and heats up too much – this would damage the vessels, and could cause proteins to clot.” Magnetic resonance tomography has many advantages for doctors and patients. It does not produce ionizing radiation like computer tomography, and soft tissue is clearly visible, so there is no need for a contrast medium. 

For the manufacture of the two-meter guide wires the researchers use the pultrusion method, which is the standard procedure for making continuous profiles from glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. “Diameters of half a millimeter or less are required for the guide wires – that’s the absolute minimum,” explains Schütte. The new guide wires will be presented at the JEC trade fair in Paris (Hall 1, Stand T18) from March 24 to 26 and will be used in hospitals for the first time in the next few months.