a peek inside the fishbowl

14 Mar, 2007

All aboard

Posted by andrea tomkins in: Misc. life

It doesn’t happen often, but last night I had the opportunity to talk about myself ad nauseum. I was contacted recently by the cousin of a friend. Her sister has a daughter (you still with me?) who is contemplating a move to Carleton to do a journalism undergrad. Would I chat with her and answer any questions she may have? Sure!

We met at Bridgehead for cider/tea/coffees. I talked my heart out for nearly 90 minutes straight. My mouth was a train that was hurtling along the tracks with no one at the controls. Oh how I talked. And not just about the wonderful, word-famous journalism program at Carleton. I found myself revealing many nuggets of information about myself as well, regardless of how relevant they were to the subject at hand. How is it that I got on the subject of my boyfriend in second year? And that I met my husband on the Internet? Hmm. I felt mildly dorky as I walked back into the Spring night sky.

But I had fun. Really.

The people I was set up to talk to were good folks: two moms who are about to send their two daughters off to school. (Omg, that’s going to be me someday. Ack!). There are a lot of really great things about the j-school program and I was able to share my thoughts with someone who was keen to hear them.

Last night I realized how greatly the time I spent at Carleton affected my life, and ultimately directed who, and where, I am today. It was life-altering. Was it more life-altering than any other program? I like to think that it was, because so much we did was hand-on learning, and played out outside of regular classrooms, essays and exams. It all just seems surreal now.

I met so many people. I walked away from there with a diploma and a brain full of funny stories. Remind me someday to tell you the one about the guy in the cemetery. Or how a lady let me film her egg-retrieval for a documentary about female infertility. Or how I interviewed Tom Green as he balanced coffee cups on top of each other at the now defunct Bagel Bagel.

And now, twelve years after graduation I’m finally getting back to the thing I love most. I have been spending a lot of time on my script these past couple of days. I am so happy to be on this particular road again. Next stop: who knows.


2 Responses to "All aboard"

1 | Sharon

March 14th, 2007 at 1:24 pm

Avatar

We all love to talk aobut what we DID. And When it helps someone WOO HOO! Good job. I missed going to University becasue I decided art school was better. How WRONG I was. If I could do it again I would go. FOR SURE> One of the biggest regerts of my life. I’m sure it would have shaped and changed me too. NOT a mistake I’m going to let my daughter make.

You go GIRL!

2 | Kate1976

March 14th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

Avatar

I went to university but I can’t help feeling I didn’t get out of it what I wanted to get out of it (still with me?!). I met two very good friends. I got a degree that got me my jobs (although another degree would have done the same) and I am now wondering if I should have studied something else. It is great to see that you had such a profound and enriching experience. Also great that you feel back on track – yay you!

comment form:

Archives

Me and my pet projects

Ottawa Bucket list

Subscribe via email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


  • Gretchen Humphrey: I had a beautiful bee& birdbath filled with a solar fountain and dozens of antique marbles that were suddenly disappearing. At first I thought my
  • Jinjer: I am sobbing reading this post. And you're right, companion is not enough. Little furry treasured gifts that they are. Thanks for sharing cutie-pi
  • Karen: Dear Andrea, Mark and your daughters I am so very sad for your family xxx Piper was/is my favourite Instagram post. You shared with us so intimately
  • Christina Banuelos: Thank you for sharing Pipers life with us. Your posts of Piper brought me joy. Every time I see your post and see what kind of mischief Piper was gett
  • Carla Slocum: I am sitting here yet again crying at your loss. We have known that loss with Asta the WFT our first pup but now have the enormous gift of Stryker the
  • Janelle Brown: Dear Andrea Thank you for sharing Piper’s story with her followers. I empathise with your grief and emptiness as I lost my 14 year old Westie last
  • Natasha McReynolds-Nicholl: My god reading this is heartbreaking. December 1st was the as you describe longest day of my life, we lost out beautiful WFT hazel. Pipers final momen

The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

If you'd like to contact me, please use this form. If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here. Thank you for visiting!

 


Connect with me at these places too!

Still calling it Twitter