During a typical day at CBU, I carry around numerous school books, a notepad, and my laptop… a beloved MacBook Pro.

I use my laptop for everything! Staying in touch, writing countless essays for school, and for writing and designing each issue of the Caper Times. I also travel frequently with my laptop in tow.

As with most other students, owning a laptop has become a bit of a requirement for university. You can use the library or numerous computer labs dotted around CBU to get work done, but most opt to invest in a laptop mainly for convenience.

To keep your investment safe during the daily trek to CBU, or to just avoid any bumps and scrapes (or swims) your laptop may run into… a laptop sleeve is essential.

Here are some of my top picks for a laptop sleeve that is both functional, economical and just a little bit stylish.

"Feather than the best" sleeve via Modcloth.com for $36.

Incase Neoprene sleeve via Futureshop.com for $49.99. (I've had this one for 3 years and it still looks great!)

"Spring Fling" sleeve via Macys.com for $18.

"Stitched Virginia" sleeve via Rebeccaminkoff.com for $98.

"Stardust Glitter" sleeve via Juicycouture.com for $68.

Alkr "Urban" sleeve in Neon Military via urbanexcess.com for $18.84.

Alkr "Urban" sleeve in Melon Shock via Urbanexcess.com for $18.84.

"Cooperative Trompe L'Oeil" sleeve via urbanoutfitters.com for $28.

Cargo sleeve in Lime Green via Builtny.com for $34.99.

"Live Colorfully" sleeve via Katespade.com for $60.

CBU students, if you are interested in getting involved with the CBU Students’ Union, now is your time!

Nominations are now being accepted for the following seats:

-President

-Vice President Academic

-One Representative from residence

-One Representative from the senior class

-One Representative living off-campus

-One Representative from the Aboriginal community

-One Representative categorized as an international student

-One Representative who is a non-traditional student as defined by Academic Regulations of CBU

-Two Representatives from the School of Arts and Community Studies

-Two Representatives from the Shannon School of Business

-Two Representatives from the School of Education, Health and Wellness

-Two Representatives from the School of Science and Technology

If you or someone you know may be interested in one of these seats, visit the Students’ Union reception desk from 9AM-4PM.

Nominations close tomorrow (January 24th) – so don’t delay!

Last week I was lucky enough through my role as Editor-in-chief of the Caper Times to attend the 74^th annual Canadian University Press national conference in Victoria, British Columbia.

I was looking forward to the conference for a few reasons. One, I’ve never been to Western Canada. Two, I worked with Canadian University Press last year, so I couldn’t wait to see old friends. And three, the conference is highly invigorating, with many incredible journalists from North America coming to impart their wisdom to student journalists.  The conference is five days in total, with four full days of speakers and workshops – and one day dedicated for plenary: basically deciding collectively where the cooperative will go in the future.

The conference was wonderful, as usual. You learn so much about journalism and how to “make it.” Highlights for me were CBC’s Anna Maria Tremonti, Esquire writer Chris Jones, and Dave Zirin, a sports writer and documentary maker. The keynote speakers were all were insightful, hilarious and down to earth – they have all left me inspired, with much to think about.

Victoria's parliament building.

Victoria also lived up to expectations. It is a lively city that somewhat reminds me of Halifax. I enjoyed the beautiful streets dotted with coffee shops and I definitely made sure to have a few meals away from the conference to try some interesting restaurants. Again, everything was laid-back and really pleasant.

Peanut butter banana waffle. Yum!

Victoria's harbour at dusk.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse. On the second last night, all of the conference delegates (over 350 student journalists) attended an awards ceremony, and then we were supposed to go to a dance at the University of Victoria’s campus bar that had been shut down for our group. Buses were ordered to take us there (as they were last year, too)… but things didn’t go as planned. On the buses, people started vomiting everywhere. I won’t go into details – but trust me, it’s not something I ever want to do again!

The dance was cancelled, and more and more students kept falling ill. At the time, I was fine and generally just worried about the situation. Two hours later, however, I would find myself in a similar situation.

Fast-forward 24 hours, and I was feeling more myself. At this point, we learned that over 140 delegates, hotel staff and speakers were infected with norovirus: a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis… think of it as a horrible, intense stomach flu.

CUP staff was great treating the sick delegates – myself included. They came to stop by with Gravol, Tylenol and Gatorade, and made sure we were all okay. It was quite an experience!

After a few days, I am definitely beginning to feel better, although I am weary to travel for a while and am making sure to get lots of rest. Ironically, the last thing I blogged before traveling to Victoria was tips on how to fight the flu… little did I know! Now, I’m making good use of them.

That’s it for me, and don’t worry: I’ll be back to CBU Monday, virus-free.

Winter is here! Snow flurries are a daily occurrence, and post-Holiday fatigue has set in. The mix of cold weather and hectic schedules creates the perfect recipe for catching the flu – which is not something we want to ring in the New Year with.

There are many ways to get the flu… maybe not dressing warm enough outside in the freezing temperatures, or perhaps, just being in the vicinity of someone who is already sick with the flu. Catching the flu is undesirable –obviously- and can seriously put a damper on your life. So, how do you know if you have the flu, and, how do you get rid of it?

Flu like symptoms often include: sore throats, a cough, headaches, a stuffy nose, aches and pains, feeling fatigued, and sometimes having a fever. It sounds like fun, right? Not!

Once you have the flu, here’s what you can do to feel better in a flash.

• Get lots of rest. This means staying away from class and work.
• Keep hydrated. Drink water, hot tea or smoothies to fight the flu.
• Eat up. Eat regular, healthy, immunity boosting meals to nourish your body.
• Get your vitamin C. Take a vitamin C supplement, or get it through orange juice. Vitamin C can help lessen flu symptoms.
• Wash up. Keep your hands clean to prevent the flu from spreading.

These are just some tips to feel better faster when you have the flu. What are some of your flu-fighting tips?

To avoid catching and spreading the flu in the first place, follow these steps CBU has prepared:

1. Get a flu vaccine (available at the Max Bell Center by calling 563-1358).
2. Stay home if you are sick.
3. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Try to cough and sneeze into your elbow.
4. Keep common surfaces sanitized.
5. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
6. Keep your hands away from your eyes or mouth.
7. Distance yourself socially during flu season.
8. Be kind to your immune system.

Enjoy winter and keep healthy!

Since we’re back to the grind of school, work, and working out – I thought I would make a fun to-do list for the month of January.

Here is the list, so feel free to get to work!

1. See a Capers game. Capers games are fun, affordable and entertaining. For the current schedule of home games for women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball, visit www.gocapersgo.ca or visit them on Facebook. Don’t forget to wear your orange!
2. Go to the movies. There are tons of great movies out right now that you and a few friends can go see. I personally loved Sherlock Holmes 2. Go on Tuesday for “cheap night” and for extra money saving: bring your own snacks! I suggest M&Ms, sparkling water, and pretzels. To see what’s playing in Sydney, check out http://www.empiretheatres.com/.
3. Meet ‘n’ Greet. New to CBU? Attend the Meet ‘n’ Greet in the Learning Commons on January 10th from 11:30AM-1PM. Learn about what services CBU offers (writing centre, academic counselling, etc) and meet faculty and staff. For more information, visit http://www.cbu.ca/events/new-cbu.
4. Volunteer. Volunteering feels awesome, and opens up a lot of doors: meeting new people, expanding your horizons, and improving your resume. Volunteer with the Students’ Union and participate in Swim and Gym – every Saturday from 3-5PM. Contact su_goodwill@cbu.ca for more information.
5. Have brunch. After a particularly challenging week of class, arrange to go to brunch with friends on Saturday or Sunday morning. Places like Smitty’s are great for your classic brunch fare for under $10. If you don’t feel like going out, opt to eat-in and cook up an extravagant breakfast-lunch feast.
6. Dress up. All too often us students forget to… look nice! Trade in your hat hair for combed hair, and ditch the sweatpants! Find inspiration for your 2012 look via magazines, clothing stores or fashion blogs. Here are some of my favourites: http://www.collegefashion.net/ and http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/. You don’t have to dress up everyday, but make a point to do it once this month – you’ll be glad you did.
7. Do something you’ve been dying to do. Is there something new you’d like to try in 2012? Spinning, sewing or cooking? Get the ball rolling and do it this January. Stop the procrastination and live your dreams.

Print blank to-do lists on apairofpears.com.

Good luck fulfilling your January to-do list

My, how fast a year goes by. It seems as though the older I get, the faster time flies. Although it feels like 2011 was over in a blink of an eye, so much happened in my life and in the world.

For world events in review, I personally enjoyed this video that Google put together, titled “Zeitgeist 2011: Year in Review” which was based on some of the most popular Google searches of 2011. Google covers the world’s population hitting 7 billion, the Royal Wedding and much more. Check it out for a quick, entertaining recap of 2011.

Next, what have I blogged about in 2011? Here are some of my favourite moments.

- Canada had an election, and youth all over the country targeted voter apathy. I voted – did you?

- Students studying at CBU don’t always have the funds to go out all of the time to have fun, so, I created a list of my favourite things to do in Sydney for under $5, perfect for a student budget.

- I’ve been a research assistant for almost four years at CBU, and wrote about the benefits of being a student researcher. As well, I highlighted the great student researcher lecture series that took place (and continues to as far as I am aware).

- I traveled to some pretty incredible places, including New York, Italy, and Czech Republic.

- CBU welcomed a new, beautiful building to campus. The Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment (CSEE) is a wonderful addition to the school.

What are your top moments of 2011?

Wishing all a safe, happy and healthy 2012. See you back at CBU on January 4th!

In two short days we will be ushering in 2012.

The new year is a time to reflect on the past, and to make resolutions for the future.

Common resolutions may be to quit a bad habit, to finally get in shape, to work harder at school or to do something new and exciting: cook more or travel somewhere exotic, perhaps?

It’s an exciting time, where anything is possible. Do you make resolutions with the new year?

I like to make resolutions, although, I rarely put anything in stone.

This year, however, I may just succumb to making an inspiration board! A neat, visual reminder of your goals and resolutions for the oncoming year.

Inspiration board via fitnessista.com

Inspiration boards come in all shapes and sizes and will depend on how you want them to look. The type of inspiration board I have seen the most is a collage on poster board that you can hang in your room or office.

fitnessista.com

Make them colourful and fun.

The other option is to begin “pinning.” The Internet site Pinterest has a cult following now – no exaggeration! Pinterest is perfect for creating an online inspiration board full of lovely ideas, images and information. You can “pin” from many categories, including fashion, travel, technology, music and so on. It’s addictive, but if you’re pinning the right stuff, it can be very inspirational and helpful when achieving your resolutions and goals.

These are some of the ways I will be welcoming 2012. What about you?

In the meantime, enjoy the reminder of the break!

Yesterday I arrived back in Cape Breton after a quick two-week Europe trip. It feels great to be home, although, things are about to get very busy again with Christmas in a day.

The trip was wonderful, and I will share a few photos with you as a recap of what I did. I would elaborate, but I am very jet legged and seem to have picked up a cold while traveling. How am I fighting it? I am drinking lots of fluids, resting, gargling with warm salt water, and keeping my meals well-balanced and nourishing. What are your go-to tricks for fighting colds and flus during this season? I hope to kick this one by the weekend (fingers crossed) so that it doesn’t interfere with my holiday plans. Here are 9 tips to treat your cold and flu naturally if you happen to get one, like me!

Alas, I am off to rest and I leave you with a few of my snap shots from my two weeks in the Czech Republic this December.

Prague's famous Christmas Market in the Old Town Square. Very festive and beautiful!

Prague is a city you have to visit. Add it to your bucket list today!

The Dalai Lama in Prague. A momentous occasion! (More on that later.)

Warm cafe mochas with traditional Czech Christmas cookies. Every sweet tooth snacker's ideal snack.

Picture perfect Karlovy Vary in Bohemia, Czech Republic. The posing pigeon was a major bonus.

Happy holidays, Capers near and far!

The Holidays are about coming together with the people you love, and what better way to do that than with the following activities?

Host a potluck

Everyone loves a Potluck. Whether you make it a theme night, or just get everyone to bring their favorite dish, Potlucks are the best for securing lots of laughs, and full bellies.

Organize a cookie swap

Cookie swaps are no longer just for our Moms. Cookie swaps have become quite popular, and I can understand why: lots and lots of cookies. Find the ultimate cookie recipe and prepare to be the star of the… swap.

Attend or host an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Wear the ugliest knitted Christmas sweater you can find and hit up an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with friends. Remember to take a camera so that you can relive the embarrassment for years to come!

Have a movie night

Pop up some popcorn and let your favourite Christmas movies roll. I would stick to classics like Elf or National Lampoon`s Christmas Vacation to keep the mood light and the laughs coming.

Get crafty

Totes a la Martha Stewart

Crafting is a fun way to get creative with your friends, relax and catch up. Make Christmas cards for your family, or DIY presents like tote bags for groceries, or book marks for every book worm in your life! Thoughtful, and affordable on a student budget.

Work it out

Work off all of those cookies with your friends. Have a festive game of hockey, or partake in a fitness challenge. Who can run the fastest mile? Who can do the most push ups? This stuff is surprisingly enjoyable with friends. You can also opt for a scenic walk outdoors.

Order take out

It`s delivery.

Order some Chinese or pizza for a night-in with your pals. This is your chance to brag about winning the push-up contest, or to look through the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party pictures.

Arrange a Secret Santa exchange

Secret Santa is very exciting, whether you`re 5 or 25. Keep the spending limit low (under $25) and wait for all of the unique, hilarious and sweet gifts your friends will come up with.

Go caroling

Caroling is not reserved for die-hard choirs, Glee clubs or Charlie Brown. Get the musically gifted friends of yours to play some tried and true Christmas songs for everyone to sing along to. You don`t have to knock on doors around the neighborhood, staying indoors for a Holiday jam session can be just as nice and merry.

Decorate a tree

Inside or outside – find a lonesome tree and get decorating. Decorations can be made from popcorn strung together on string, or buy some on a trip to the Dollar store for ornaments and candy canes. As they say, ¨friends that decorate trees together, stay together¨… or at least, they should say that.

What are your favorite things to do with friends over the Christmas break?

As the end of the year approaches, 2012 graduates look not only into the new year – but also into the future.

What is next after earning your undergraduate degree at CBU? Graduate studies, travel, a job?

Perhaps some of you have it already figured out, but for others (myself included), the pending choices can be quite nervewrecking and exciting, too.

It may be December, and therefore we still have a few months to figure it out, but graduate studies often have application deadlines in the early new year. And, if you have done any research on graduate studies: you know that the application process takes time, organization, and concentration. While December may be a great time to kick up your heels – it is also a good time to get thinking and working on post-graduate plans.

Internships are a great way to spend a year if you want more experience in a field before committing to graduate studies in it. To find the perfect one will take a lot of looking around! I suggest aiming for the stars here, and going straight for your dream internship. From there, even if you your dream job doesn`t offer internships – they may have some ideas as to where to go from there. Follow all of your leads and ask questions. Internships are also a good way to mix work with travel. Spend 6-12 months interning anywhere under the sun.

If you really just desire a break from your academic and career pursuits: travel for a year. You gain valuable experience and knowledge by seeing and understanding the world. Go with a tour group, friends, or solo. But, a word of advice: start planning now! Figure out your finances, where to travel, how you will get around, and so on. It is not something you want to rush into come graduation.If you have a job lined up: congratulations! That is not an easy thing to accomplish these days. I cannot offer any suggestions as to what to do, asides from what I would do: booking a well-deserved vacation somewhere tropical to relax post-grad, pre-job.

So whether you have got it all figured out, or are taking the so-called ¨scenic route¨, do some reflecting on yourself and your dreams over the break. The new year will be here fast, and graduation will be here before we know it.