One of the facts of my life is that I still live with a school-year mentality. Working at a university does that to you. Life centres around the 12 week semester, followed by two weeks of exams, and somewhere between 1-3 weeks of in-between time where we wrap up the semester that was and prepare for the one that’s coming oh-so-quickly. This time of year, that in-between time includes a week off at Christmas. #perkofworkinginhighered.

Currently, we’re in the two weeks of exam time. Good Luck everyone! But, because it’s also December, walking around campus (aka work) you can feel the weird combination of stress and relief floating through the air among the holiday decor of menorahs and Christmas trees.

In the meantime, here’s some random things I’ve been wanting to share:

• To share or not to share? On choices and judgment with online privacy decisions.
• Last Randoms post I commented on some cultural appropriation related to food. With the gift buying season upon us, this article about supporting Indigenous artists, not Indigenous-inspired items seemed timely.
• What’s on your holiday playlist? In the era of #metoo, things are getting heated around some well-known Christmas carols – particularly “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. I love a good debate, but was getting a tad-bit annoyed with what was starting to feel like a lack of nuance to the argument. And so I appreciated a share from a friend of this older commentary on Listening While Feminist and then found a CBC opinion piece to share back her way. Both seemed to capture some of the messiness of these arguments in a way that makes sense to me. So yes, this song is staying on my holiday playlist.
• Who knew the Eastern Bloc had so many matchbox designs? Apparently @maraid and @presentandcorrect did! And thankfully, they pulled together an Instagram account that makes me smile and wonder.
• I don’t read a lot of self-help books – and I don’t need to because I have Kristen and Jolenta do it for me! I love the podcast By the Book  they host and am happy it’s still being made despite big changes in podcast land with Panoply.

and finally….

• Two surprising ways to make your holidays less stressful. A quick ready on how acceptance and gratitude can make life that little bit better.

It’s been a busy semester and I’m looking forward to my holiday break coming up soon. I’m loading up on podcasts and books for the 23 hours train ride east in a couple of weeks. I’m so looking forward to the break. And listening. And reading. And eating. And FAMILY!

Happy December!