Sara's blog

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Having a social life during COVIS-19

For the past few months, we are all on our little side of the world, occupying ourselves as more as we can. We have explored all the rooms of our homes and cleaned them up 10 times. Sadly for us, our main source of pleasure, socialization as been taken away from us. However, there are many devices ready to help us communicate with others. You have guessed right, social media! There are useful in different ways. As an example, Facebook is useful to share funny videos and seeing some positive celebrities sends to us. Zoom, for instance, is way better in talking and joking with a bunch of people. However, I have to say that I have a favourite device is skype. Skype has a high video quality when you are calling someone and has a good interface where you can chat with many people, create groups and share with others. I find that with Skype, I was able to connect more with others and overcome social distancing!

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How would I think about Coronavirus in 20 years.

Here we are, still all in quarantine! However I heard the news today and this period where we are lockdown is to be done soon. During this time, I though about the future and more precisely, what would I think about COVID-19 20 years later, when I will be 38 years old!

Well thinking about it, I would probably laugh at people’s stupidity. Firstly, for no clear reasons people started to buy as much as toilet paper as they could, emptying the rows of supermarkets. Consequently, people who really needed some were not able to obtain some. Secondly, taking example on the USA, people do not care about the virus!!! A lot of people have protests against the Coronavirus, which is a natural disaster and not a thing humans can control. I would think about how humans could have weird responses to a stressful events. I would also think about how people do not think and act in order to save themselves and not the others. However, what they do not understand is that we work better as a community. 

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Is Canada a cool country?

Jessica Johnson identified Canada as a "cool place" in her essay “Welcome to Canlandia”. She says that back in 2016, Canada has had a turning point and has find its own identity. However, is it still the case in 2020? 

I think that Canada is still a very cool place to be! Firstly, it has free health care! Canadian doctors will take care of you regardless you social status. As long has you are Canadian, you can be cool with your health issues. Secondly, Canada has one of the most diverse population. If you walk down St-Catherine street in Montreal or Yonge Street in Toronto you will almost be sure to meet every possible ethnicity! And we are able to live in peace with each other, respecting each other’s human rights. Thirdly, Canada is very open towards people in the LGBTQ+ community. We have very colorful and wide pride parades and festivities where people respect each other and simply have a lot of fun! 

In brief, Canada is a country where everyone is accepted for who they are and have free health care! This is why I think Canada is still and will be a cool place!

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COVID-19

This incredible virus has changed the way we behave as a society. It as also shown some of our weaknesses and strength as a country.

Canada took a very long time to force its citizen to isolate themselves. Italy, France and many other countries already started quarantine to prevent the damages of COVID-19, but we did not take example on them. Now many people are dying because of it. Also, our prime minister does not demonstrate the right example by travelling from Ottawa to Quebec for having some good time with his family. On that point, Canada has to work a little harder.

However there are some Canada did to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus. Many radio stations and T.V show have advertisement on Coronavirus. They tell us to wash our hands and to stay home and protect others. They also have instore many new rules in stores such has a maximum number of people. Finally, the health care as taken really good measures regarding COVID-19 and you can be sure that hospitals will take care of you if you have that virus!

Finally, Canada is doing its best to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and to protect its citizens. Stay safe!!

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Privacy

Privacy is a very complex thing in our world because now things have changed. Now we have all sorts of things such as social media, where we can share whatever we want, whenever we want. Platforms such as Facebook keep collecting data from us and we are not even aware of it. Nowadays, privacy is a big subject and is part of many debates all around the world.  

By definition, privacy is freedom from unauthorized intrusion or the ability to be apart from observation. Privacy also means that people are able to have their own choices and lifestyles secret, without anyone else judging or knowing it. However, because of our society, privacy may not be a right anymore. Some people are arguing that it is a privilege some people have while others say it is a right. I personally think that we have a right to it because we choose what we want to share on social media or in public. By having that control, we have the right to protect or to give up on our privacy. 

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Stuff can once in a while, makes us happy.

In her text, "Stuff Is Not Salvation," Anna Quindlen argues that the material world is not salvation. Meaning that objects will not make us happy in any regard. She criticizes our society for over-consuming things, thinking that the more objects you have, the better you will feel. Like if you just had salvation. To a certain extend, she has a point. However, she forgets that gifts we receive at our birthday or chocolate gave by our loved one on Valentine's day rarely make us upset and sad. 

Sometimes, a wonderful gift can reunite people together or create new friendships and relationships. In that kind of situation, people who just created new relationships will, in fact, experience salvation and happiness. Another example is when you get some food for yourself or for others. Did you ever see someone sad or depressed eating a hot-dog or a very good meal in a restaurant? Probably not because this “stuff” makes people feel good and fulfilled. Here we have another situation where people will feel good and fulfilled. I would then argue against Anna Quindlen by saying that yes, “stuff” can make us feel good and happy depending on the regard we have on it. Yes, over-consumption is a problem in our society but there is no link to stating that stuff does not make salvation.

Sara Giraldeau

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The definition of authoritarian

I had no idea of the existence of the word authoritarian at first. However, after a few research and some article that I have read in class, I knew what was the definition of that word.

 As its basic definition, authoritarian means to favourite or relate to a certain leader for his strong authority on the population. It means that people who relate to an authoritarian person are being controlled by various techniques such as lying, physical or verbal violence and manipulation. 

Authoritarian is a type of government in our society that has become more popular. Like I said, this type of government has as a goal to control its population and people are voting for it, even if the consequences are enormous.

Sara G. 

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Myself

Hi, my name is Sara and I am studying at Champlain college in social sciences, profile psychology. I really like my program! 

I am living in a family of 5 people, having a little brother and a little sister, a mother and a father (indeed). I am working in two different part-time jobs that I enjoy. I also have a car (fun fact!)

I am someone who is curious. I love to learn new things and read about certain subjects that make me feel emotions like passion or sadness. I think that it makes me learn new experiences. I am someone who is very creative. I love to write, to draw, to read, to takes pictures etc. I am also someone who is a hard worker. I am not a work-alcoholic but I am kind of a perfectionist. 

So this is a small summary of me as a person. I hope this semester will be fun and educative!

Sara G.