My heartbeat accelerated, nerves tightened and palms sweated as I fought back a sudden onset of flatulence. I had become victim to the horrendous symptoms of food poisoning.
I always thought I knew my body, but it wasn’t until it turned against me that I realized otherwise.

Have you ever asked yourself, “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?” This summer, I answered that question.
In November, when I was accepted to attend the summer term at the Bader International Study Centre (BISC), affectionately known as “the castle,” flying across the Atlantic Ocean seemed like a lifetime away. As the days until I left decreased, my excitement increased exponentially.

Above one of Tibet’s three greatest Gelukpa school monasteries, Sera Monastery, is an abandoned sky burial platform. Located at the top of the mountain, this platform was once the main sky burial site in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

This summer, how cool you are is directly proportionate to the number of Iggy Azalea lyrics you know. Every bar, tavern, club and shanty has been blaring at least one of her massive hits on repeat since May, and if you’re not rapping along yet, you’ve still got a month or so to learn.

“People are often intimidated by “style” as if it’s a set of rules governed by magazines and blogs. Style is developed by you, the wearer, and is unique to your own likes and dislikes. If you like it, wear it and develop your own sense of style. I’m here to promote fashion as a form of self-expression. Be confident in being you and the clothes will follow.”
— Martyne Alphonso, third-year English and Devs student

I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into the Sleepless Goat Café for my first POCTALK event on July 18.
POCTALK, otherwise known as a “People of Colour” Talk, is an open-mic series aiming to provide a safe place to people of colour, mixed race and Indigenous background to share their lives, poetry and histories.

Earlier this month, Canada celebrated 147 years of independence and although our night skies were streamed with red and white, there remained an asterisk. While Canada’s place on the international stage is resolute and we have held our independence in practice since the Statute of Westminster, our head of state is still not Canadian.

It’s bad enough having to experience the sudden resignation of one band member, but when it happens multiple times and the remainder of the group still continues to make music, you’ve stumbled upon something special — just ask Kingston band Vorasek.

From magic to music to fire shows and everything in between, Kingston Buskers Festival is an annual event that showcases the talents of individuals and groups from all over the world.

Kingston’s Modern Fuel Gallery welcomed Toronto-based contemporary curator, Yan Wu, to curate the gallery’s current exhibit Another Space Gallery.

A new website created by the Seung Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) allows anyone, from any background, to become fulfill their dream of becoming a neuroscientist.

Nothing says summer better than citrus.
I experimented with grapefruit cupcakes after I realized I became bored with lemon or mock cocktail desserts and wanted something a little different. Grapefruits were the unexpected and yet obvious choice for my summer cupcake recipe.
When I first shared the idea with those around me they were pretty skeptical about how it would taste, though. Apparently grapefruits are a divisive fruit.

It’s often quite hard for the common fan to sympathize with unions of professional athletes and groups of owners looking to lockout part or all of their season due to a labour dispute.
From an average fan’s perspective, it can seem like the difference between the two groups is often just a matter of whoever is less greedy. Fans are left often distanced from the negotiations with no real source of input.

Fireworks? Check. Sparklers? Check. Friends and family? Check. Outfit? Outfit???

Claiming positions on this summer’s absolute must-watch lists, Maleficent hit the big screen with a bang on May 28, grossing $170 million within the first week alone. Recreating a beloved Disney tale, this film is perfect for kids in which an age-old villain adopts a heart of gold.

Kingston-native musician Chris Koster isn’t afraid to take risks when it comes to the potential betterment of his sound, and releasing three albums next year is his newest gamble.

Your thankless, irrelevant summer job doesn’t have to be meaningless.
Come May, many of us put down our books and get a job. Some find work that allows them to pursue their passion and build their resumes, while some others aren’t as lucky. Some of us have to settle for less-inspiring gigs to pay the bills, while others struggle to find any work at all.

Between your grueling summer job and your extra summer classes, there must be a way to just relax. Yes, it’s true that some of the best television shows take a hiatus for the summer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a bunch of great new shows just waiting to air. So put down the Netflix, and pay attention to these seriously awesome must-watch summer shows.