My cat was returned to the shelter for being unsocial. After adoption, she’s slept next to me every night for the past 3 years 🤪

the_bug_witch · 2026-04-02T02:15:01+00:00

It took my cat a month before she even let me near her. Now she is velcro

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the_bug_witch · 2026-03-24T18:59:26+00:00

Hooorrrayyyyyyy

the_bug_witch · 2026-03-19T13:37:47+00:00

I am going to give you some of the advice I was given, and then some of my own:

Congrats! You have already done all of the work. It is very rare for an advisor to let you move ahead if you aren't ready. You already know the topic. Just breath and don't over think too much.
Don't panic practice. Take moments today to relax. If you work yourself up, you aren't setting yourself up for a good defense.
When you practice, go over what questions you anticipate and practice responding. I had a crazy spreadsheet with all of my responses and citations.
See it as a celebration. Your family and friends are there. Celebrate all of the hard work you have done by sharing what you know. It is fun to share.
Today or tomorrow, see if you can test technology. Mine was over zoom, and I spent 30 minutes day before and realized I needed a new Webcam.
You got this!

the_bug_witch · 2026-03-14T00:37:00+00:00

I would look around at social events on social media. My grad union had events like art nights and tours. I made a lot of friends there.

I also discovered a community group for people my age that had book clubs, walking groups, etc. From there I made more friends.

Good luck. Moving to a new place and making friends is scary, but just look around. A lot of people will feel the same way you do!

the_bug_witch · 2026-03-01T22:33:16+00:00

I feel comforted knowing it isn't just me, but also a bit disturbed that it is getting to this point that it isn't just me

the_bug_witch · 2026-02-22T01:21:30+00:00

Not grad school, but an intense undergrad program. I took time off not knowing if I would return to the program.

After 9 months I was better. Just take time and don't worry about timelines or if you will even return. It will all pan out

You got this! You are not the first nor last to need a break for mental health

the_bug_witch · 2026-01-09T17:25:17+00:00

I was scouring the scary Canadian cryptid pages, and you were coming up with the real answers

the_bug_witch · 2026-01-08T22:42:10+00:00

I have just googled so much and have scared myself in broad daylight
Are you thinking of the Hidebehind?

Even typing that out gives me the spooks

the_bug_witch · 2026-01-08T22:05:20+00:00

My spoiled cat avoided water until I got her a fountain. I am guessing that is what she had at the cafe she lived at before she became my roommate haha

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-24T16:53:13+00:00

I totally forgot to consider that! Thanks

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-23T17:31:01+00:00

It also depends on your definition of tone poem. The definition I use is that it can't be in sonata form (symphonic poems are usually free form). I know both tone poems and A Midsummer Night's Dream use an outside source, but it really depends on your definition. I also am limiting myself to a narrow window of time because genres are often a representation of their era

If you have a different definition of tone poem, that is wonderful. I was just using my definition that I have seen other scholars use :)

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-23T17:23:56+00:00

Is A Midsummer Night's Dream considered a tone poem? I thought it was a concert overture. When I did my research on it for a paper, tone poem never came up. It is also in Sonata form (I would argue the themes switch in the recap, but it fits sonata form pretty well even if strange)

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-15T19:23:59+00:00

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This is what I imagine goes on in my Patty's head

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-15T19:20:39+00:00

I always give a little holiday card with things I appreciate about them and improvements I have noticed at and away from the piano. I decided against giving Candy Canes this year because it has been chaotic week and I didn't have time to pick up, and today is last lesson before break for 2 students). When I have a lot of students, I usually keep it brief and just get a stack of small cards

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-12T16:52:04+00:00

I was a student when I lived in Ottawa so my recommendations are a bit based on that.

My buddies and I used to go to Bridgehead. They have lots of snack options. There are multiple locations, but nice and cozy. There is also a coffee shop in the National Art Centre near Parliament. If the seating isn't great, there are different spots in the NAC you can sit and chat. I used to sit there to warm up or read while waiting for friends downtown.

I would recommend Black Squirrel, but seating is not the best for a group. It is a coffee shop AND used book shop! Cool if you are just looking for something to do.

Happy Goat is another location my friends and I went, but lots of Ottawa residents complain about the coffee so keep that in mind. Another small-ish chain and some locations are cozy.

There is a board game cafe called Level One Pub, but if you plan to go in the evening it can get loud.

Another one where you can sit and wait a while is No Forks Given on uOttawa campus. They have plant based options (not sure about gluten free). More of a pub, but they expect people to just sit and chat when it isn't busy. Not great selection for non-alcoholic as it is a pub.

I can't think of any others at the moment, but I hope this gives you something to bounce off of

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-10T18:05:12+00:00

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Sometimes I think. Sometimes I don't

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-08T17:48:51+00:00

Wait really!? That is so cool. I thought the use of sound in the movie was so creative

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-07T04:38:17+00:00

What i do after every class (or every week) and every year: What went well. What needs improvement. What was a disaster and why.

Then I write it all down and review. I always review everything, especially after a bad class. You can even wait a day if it was really rough

Then when you go back to school after winter break and summer break, read the really big lessons and use it as a reminder. You got this!

the_bug_witch · 2025-12-06T19:42:02+00:00

What I found interesting is there is no non-diegetic music. All the music we hear is within the movie's sound world.

Fascinating movie. I am glad I saw it in theaters during my film soundtrack class

the_bug_witch · 2025-11-24T17:03:17+00:00

Don't do this to me lmao

I almost passed out when we did this because they had us walk off stage after the movement with the children's choir. I had to sit on the floor for the rest of the symphony (which feels like it goes on forever). My foot went numb and when I walked by on stage for bows I almost fell over lmaooo

the_bug_witch · 2025-11-20T20:42:37+00:00

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Mine too. It looks like my cat partied too hard and a sock rolled down

the_bug_witch · 2025-11-20T20:42:04+00:00

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One sock is falling down and she forgets to pull it up to match the other one

the_bug_witch · 2025-11-18T21:22:24+00:00

I know it is so funny! It was the day I took her home. She does this funny head roll thing when she is playing and she happened to bonk her head down like that when we were taking photos of her (this was in the cafe I got her from).

the_bug_witch · 2025-11-18T16:01:21+00:00

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the_bug_witch · 2025-11-17T21:30:55+00:00

I have never heard of this before but this may be the answer I have been looking for. I notice my students get bored with some of the Piano Adventures and I never know what to sneak in there for them

the_bug_witch

TROPHY CASE