Fesruary I, 2005

Island 2 Island: A Newfie’s Perspective...On Winter!

Julie Bull Reporter

Sometimes I wonder if I really am. some sort of magical fairy...honestly! The first two winters I was here I remember complaining to a point of no return that the winters here were just not winter enough for me. The last two winters, as I am sure you recall, have been quite something! Breaking records for snowfall, wind chill lows have reached new heights. And though I would like to think that Mother Nature is responsible for the torturous winters that we have been having, my friends like to say that it is my fault. Comments like “damn you people from Newfoundland,” “we cannot handle these kinds of winters,” or “come on, can you seriously like this crazy cold weather?” I am rather amused that people are having a hard time dealing with winter. A fter all, correct me if] am- wrong, we are in Atlantic Canada. Do you think there are gonna be palm trees growing here any time soon? I didn’t think so. Though I am from Newfoundland and have lived for a number of years in Goose Bay, Labrador (weather equivalent to the North Pole - Santa lives on my street) Tam having a hard time with this winter as well. Not because it is too cold, or because there are storms every Monday (how’s that for coincidence?), but because it is near impossible to walk from place to place without being killed, or at least severely damaged by a car, truck, or, my worse fear, a snow plow!

I know that people here are not used to as much snow coming down so fast, and that it takes time to realize what to do with it, but really, is it necessary to have pavement showing

in every direction in the middle of January? Where I come from, we are happy to see the winter and it’s effects on the road - at least then the potholes are filled with ice and snow! Honestly, I was driving with a friend the other day and I saw plows and dump trucks feverishly working to clear every last flake of snow from the parking lot near Indigo. All the while, there were many streets that were still only one lane and some that appeared more like a ski- doo trail than anything else. I don’t know about you, but it seems that the roads should be much more a priority than parking lots.

Don’t get me wrong, I realize that there are issues that arise when snow banks get too high and parking lots become smaller - heaven forbid kids should have fun building tunnels and don’t even get me started on the driving that takes place here in parking lots! Imay be Newfie, but even in my warped sense of reality, it makes a lot more sense to allow safe, clear road conditions that enhancing and maintaining parking lots for the shopping hungry consumer. Trust me; people will still go in to the store even if they cannot see the pavement of the parking lot!

I must qualify what I have just said, in fear that it has struck someone as offensive (I don’t really want to do that, but it is easier than having to deal with it later!). I am just simply making an observation and I mean no harm at all, to anyone. I am just continuously amazed and amused by the island way, a way that is so different from the island way that I am used to.

- Open to all disciplines of study, the goal of the fellowships is to build a cadre of young Canadians who

THE CADRE ¢ 14

* “FONDATION

Building Canada's Global Future J, ARMAND BOMBARDIER

J. ARMAND BOMBARDIER INTERNATIONALIST FELLOWSHIPS

z> 25 Fellowships of $10,000 each 2 Fourth Competition — Academic Year 2005/2006 2 f&pplication Deadline: March 1, 2005

can play a leading role in today’s knowledge-based global economy and thus contribute to the prosperi- ty of Canada and to society worldwide. Interested candidates must hold at feast one university degree, show outstanding academic performance as well as personal suitability and present a clear study plan or a combination of study and research or work at an institution abroad.

Fellowships are sponsored by J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, a private foundation created in 1965 to perpetuate the memory of the life, achievements and social and humanitarian work of Joseph Armand Bombardier. The program is managed by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).

Applicants are required to complete the online application form and forward supporting documents to CBIE by mail. For further information, please visit the web site http:/Avww.cbie.ca/bombardier/index_e.html or contact:

J. Armand Bombardier Internationalist Fellowships Canadian Bureau for International Education

920 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1550

Ottawa, Ontario KiP 5Z9

Tel: (613) 237-4820, ext. 234, Fax: (613) 237-1073 E-mail: SMelanson@cbie.ca

BCEI:CBIE .

POLITICALSTUDIES DEPARTMENT TEACHING ASSISTANT COMPETITION #76805

DUTIES: ‘ : Assist Political Studies faculty member with marking and various requested duties.

QUALIFICATIONS: Priority to University of Prince Edward Island students in accordance with Recruitment, Selection, Hiring and Employment, Policies and Procedures Manual. Priority will be given to Political Studies Graduate or a 4th year Political Studies student.

HOURS: Approximately 20 hrs. for the semester. Majority of time spent during mid-term and final examinations

TERM: February 14 - April 30, 2005

RATE OF PAY: $8.25 per hour (includes vacation pay)

CLOSING DATE: February 9, 2005

Please submit a letter of application and a resume listing names of three references to be received no later than the closing date to the Human Resources Department, Kelley Building, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3. Please quote the competition number in your letter of application.