About Hanna Hallgren & Johanna Gardell

Two second year students on exchange at University of Ottawa. During the winter term of 2014 Hanna studies gender & sociology and Johanna studies sociology & cinema. When not in school Hanna likes running and hitting the gym, drinking coffee and explore the Canadian music scene. Johanna likes pilates and indoor cycling, cooking and cheese. Common interests are hanging out in pubs and drinking beer & unexpected little adventures. When not in Canada Hanna and Johanna studies Diversity Studies at Malmö University.

Midterm Week

Idag börjar vår “Study Week”/ vårt “Spring Break”. Passar väldigt bra med tanke på förra veckans bravader. Undertecknad hade ett grammatikprov, en muntlig presentation, ett engelskaprov samt ett salsprov om postkolonial teori. Puh! Tror aldrig jag har haft så mycket examinationer under en vecka. Det skiljer sig verkligen från det svenska universitetssystemet, liknar mer gymnasieskolans undervisningssätt.

IMG_2388

Jag tror iaf att mina prov gick ok, och den här veckan kommer gå i sportens och kulturens tecken! Ottawa visar sig från sin bästa sida, strålande sol och härliga minusgrader!

/Hanna

Whitewashed.

IMG_2226

One of my course is called “Diversities of women: gender, race, class and (dis)abilities”. It is so interesting! We talk about colonialism, racism, white supremacy and different kind of oppressions. Last week, we watched a film called “Whitewashed, Unmasking the World of Whiteness” which is a documentary about whiteness, racial identity and racism. It really makes me think about my privilege in matter of being born in a white body. Also, the discussions in class is always interesting as well. The social context and discourse in Canada is different compared to Sweden in many ways.

/Hanna

 

 

Heja Kanada!

Mittens

 

Nu börjar OS och jag har inhandlat ett par granna “mittens”. Den här modellen är oerhört populär här i Ottawa, ungefär varannan person äger sådana här tumvantar (empirisk undersökning gjord av mig på bussen samt i köpcentrum). Nu är jag lika häftig som alla andra! 10% av försäljningspriset går dessutom till sportutövare.

/Hanna

For the love of.. skunks!

skunk

(Bild lånad från: http://bugaboopest.com/)

As we are still waiting for our first meeting with a skunk we thought that we could get to know these little fellows a bit better.

Fast facts – The striped skunk

Average weight: 3.25 kg
Average length: 57.5 to 80 cm
Average lifespan: Up to 3 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity

With small, short legs, the skunk is very slow. Because they can’t out-run predators, they rely on their scent glands for security. These glands, which are about the size of a grape, secrete a foul-smelling, oily, yellow musk. The spray of a skunk can reach up to six meters and the foul odor is strong enough to be carried almost one kilometre by the wind.

At this time of the year the striped skunk tend to be a sleep most of the time so the likelyhood of meeting one is slim.

And! The skunk seem to be self aware of the repulsiveness of its own odor — it will not spray in confined spaces and or in their own dens.

Information taken from http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids – Thank you!

Prisvärt och veganskt i matvarubutiken.

 

IMG_2383

Som vegetarian och student “at the same time” försöker en ju hålla nere på kostnaderna. Jag har upptäckt att vissa varor är mycket billigare i Ottawa än i Malmö. Ett exempel är de härliga mjölkprodukterna ovan, mandel och kokosmjölk för det rimliga priset 12 kronor styck. I Malmö skulle en få betala minst det dubbla.

IMG_2386Tofu är löjligt billigt i Ottawa, förpackningen på bilden kostade cirka 6 kronor. Och så brukar affärerna ha extrapris på spexiga köttsubstitut. Oven ser ni en slags kycklingfärsliknande historia. Blev gott med krossade tomater och champinjoner.

Annat som är billigt: sötpotatis och bananer (helst ekologiska såklart).

/Hanna

Central & Eastern European Cinema Since 1989

P1060681

 

Between January 24th and April 4th the group of ‘Central and Eastern European Studies Research’ at the Faculty of Arts hosts a film event to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 150th anniverssry of the Faculty of Arts.

There are 4 themes, After the Wall, After Yoguslavia, Re-visiting the Past and Life after Communism. All films are either from central or eastern Europe. We went to the first two films and are planning on viewing all 11 films! It is free and every film is being presented by someone who knows a bit about the historical context. For the full event schedule, click here!

When: January 24th – April 4th 2014
Location: Simard Hall, room 226
Time: Fridays at 7pm

Midterms

P1060676It has started to brew when it comes to our studies now as midterms are coming up!! Can’t believe that its time for midterms already as we’ve only been at UOttawa for a month.

My (Johanna) first midterm is on Thursday in my class of Canadian Society. We are going to be tested on our knowledge of sociology, policing in Canada, Canadian symbols & identity, Canada in the global era and cartoon character Captain Canuck.

No rest for the wicked

/Johanna