Welcome! This is Giselle General and this is my personal blog, where I document thoughts and perspectives while living in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, as a Filipina-Canadian navigating various experiences!
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Blueberry Pie: When Food Literally was part of my Therapy Routine
By: Giselle General Content Warning: References to sexual assault, mental health treatment. This story is from my experiences between February and September 2017, a transformative and healing time for me as far as my mental health and outlook in life. February 2017 was when I had my first therapy appointment with the Sexual Assault Centre … Continue reading Blueberry Pie: When Food Literally was part of my Therapy Routine
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Book Review and Thank You Letter “The First Phone Call from Heaven” by Mitch Albom
By: Giselle General It may sound silly but yes, I am writing a thank you letter to an object, which is the Little Free Library in a neighbourhood that was a 20 minute walk from my home. These are my thoughts after reading a book I got from it, “The First Phone Call From Heaven” … Continue reading Book Review and Thank You Letter “The First Phone Call from Heaven” by Mitch Albom
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Transit Routes Made us Move! The Captive Transit User Series: Part 8
By: Giselle General This is part of an ongoing series of posts discussion issues I personally encounter while taking public transit in Edmonton. Links to other posts will be added on an ongoing basis: Part 1: Do You Want a Ride? Part 2: I Don’t Want To Be Raped Again Part 3: I’ll Make It … Continue reading Transit Routes Made us Move! The Captive Transit User Series: Part 8
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Community Resource Article – When Debt Issues Arise
By: Giselle General This article was also submitted by the author as a contribution to the Alberta Filipino Journal (a cultural/ community newspaper in the province of Alberta, Canada) in June 2022. Managing one’s finances is an important responsibility in order for us to have a comfortable life. But sometimes, unexpected things happen, and we … Continue reading Community Resource Article – When Debt Issues Arise
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Community Resource Article – Opportunities to Volunteer
By: Giselle General This article was also submitted by the author as a contribution to the Alberta Filipino Journal (a cultural/ community newspaper in the province of Alberta, Canada) in April 2022 In hounour of National Volunteer Week which is on April 24, I would like to share some opportunities and resources when it comes … Continue reading Community Resource Article – Opportunities to Volunteer
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Community Resource Article – Supports for Women
By: Giselle General This article was also submitted by the author as a contribution to the Alberta Filipino Journal (a cultural/ community newspaper in Alberta, Canada) in March 2022. These are some community resources that can help provide programs, inspiration, physical and emotional support and more for the women and girls in your life and … Continue reading Community Resource Article – Supports for Women
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“Matanim ay ‘di Biro!” On Indoor Plant Care
By: Giselle General Magtanim ay di biro, Maghapong nakayuko, Di naman makatayo, Di naman makaupo! (Planting is not a joke, as you need to bend over all afternoon, you cannot stand, you cannot sit!) This is a folk song I remember learning as a child, about the hard work that is required to plant rice … Continue reading “Matanim ay ‘di Biro!” On Indoor Plant Care
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The Courage from Admitting Fear
By: Giselle General “That is a cool idea, my love. But I don’t feel comfortable initiating that at all. If we’re gonna do it, I need you to set it up, or at least do it along with me.” When you are so used to being your own provider, advocate, and nurturer, when you are … Continue reading The Courage from Admitting Fear
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The Latest Sexual Assault Nightmare
By: Giselle General Trigger warning: Trauma flashbacks, nightmares, violent sexual assault I’m sharing this in time for Sexual Violence Awareness Month, which is in May. If you have experienced sexual violence, there is help. This is just one of the many amazing organizations that can provide support and healing. https://www.sace.ca/ On Easter Sunday, my husband … Continue reading The Latest Sexual Assault Nightmare
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Telephone Therapy Appointments: 3 Tips
By: Giselle General Therapy, the mental health kind, is something that I have been doing on and off since 2017. It’s remarkable how much time has passed since I first experienced going to a centre with a business-and-clinic vibe waiting room, and sitting in a cozy office with a couch-like chair and chatting with a … Continue reading Telephone Therapy Appointments: 3 Tips
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“Sprinting While Connecting” The Captive Transit User Series Part 7
By: Giselle General This is part of an ongoing series of posts discussion issues I personally encounter while taking public transit in Edmonton. Links to other posts will be added on an ongoing basis: Part 1: Do You Want a Ride? Part 2: I Don’t Want To Be Raped Again Part 3: I’ll Make It … Continue reading “Sprinting While Connecting” The Captive Transit User Series Part 7
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My “Turning Red” Story: When I Got My First Period
In honour of the soon-to-end International Women’s Month, and in appreciation of the recent Disney Pixar movie Turning Red, I’d like to share the memorable and also a bit scary experience I had when I got my first period. By the way, I got mine when I was in Grade 5, at 10 years old. … Continue reading My “Turning Red” Story: When I Got My First Period
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Book Review and Thank You Letter: Coming to Canada, the Ultimate Guide, by Chidi Iwuchukwu
The remarkable thing about volunteering in the community and pursuing community-focused endeavours is the gift of meeting amazing people right in the city. This is how I felt when during my election campaign for Edmonton City Council, I met Chidi Iwuchukwu. He volunteered a few times helping with door-knocking during the last month of my … Continue reading Book Review and Thank You Letter: Coming to Canada, the Ultimate Guide, by Chidi Iwuchukwu
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Pecha Kucha Speech Transcript: I made it out alive! My first attempt running for Edmonton Municipal Election during COVID
After a long hiatus no thanks to the pandemic, it seemed fitting that my first in-person speech activity was with the same event where I did my last in-person speech from 2019. It’s with Edmonton Next Gen for their Pecha Kucha night! This is the transcript of my speech titled “I made it out alive! … Continue reading Pecha Kucha Speech Transcript: I made it out alive! My first attempt running for Edmonton Municipal Election during COVID
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The Life-Changing Impact of School Choirs in My Life
By: Giselle General Humans of New York is a Facebook page I have been following for the past decade, with is compelling and artful way of capturing people’s portraits and their stories of the subjects, usually narrated from their perspective. A series of posts not too long ago talks about a subject that was dear … Continue reading The Life-Changing Impact of School Choirs in My Life
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My Current One and Only White Hair
By: Giselle General It was February 2020 and I was excited to do my bi-annual ritual with my hair. I let it grow for close to 24 months and I cut a large chunk of it to donate for charitable causes that make free wigs for kids with cancer. Usually I alternate between Hair Massacure … Continue reading My Current One and Only White Hair
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