tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81499848680149637122024-02-07T13:32:38.781-05:00Kindness For Karma: The 52 Week Project“Kind words [and acts] can be short and easy to speak [and accomplish], but their echoes are truly endless.”
― Mother TeresaGeneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-13184669489573906062014-01-05T22:45:00.002-05:002014-01-05T23:29:28.266-05:002k14: k4k Retrospections<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exactly one year ago on this day, this project was merely an <a href="http://k4kproject.blogspot.ca/2013/01/introduction.html" target="_blank">idea</a> in my head. I’m proud to say today that fifty two weeks, ergo, fifty two random acts of kindness (and unlimited amounts of good vibes) later, I have reached my goal. Here are my thoughts on the experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started the Kindness for Karma year-long project for many reasons. The first and main one was of course to accomplish the actual acts in order to bring a little extra joy in some people’s lives. Seeing the reactions of my “victims” were always fun and encouraging, but I also liked the element of surprise behind it, which is why most of them were done anonymously. To receive something unexpectedly usually has more value or a very different kind of impact as when it is expected. It makes me happy to think that I was able to contribute to that effect, even in the simplest ways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pay It Forward ripple effect was the project’s by-product, which was also something I was very interested to see unfold. I have come across some amazing people who have been not only saying that it had brought positivity in their lives, but also just plain awareness. Then I have had people who have been thoroughly inspired and have voluntarily jumped knee-deep into it with me. For this, I have a couple of special thanks to give. One goes out to Maxime Nicholas, who, for the last eight weeks, has been also doing one act of kindness per week and posted everything on Instagram and Facebook to share with her friends and family. Another special person who has been extremely involved is my friend Véronique Sylvain. She has been suggesting ideas since day 1 and I have her to thank for continuously motivating me. Marianne Denis, Sébastien St-Amour, Ashly Dick and the kind folks in my building are also amongst the other people who have actively helped me complete my project. Thank you as well to everyone else who’s been supportive, with my mom being my number one supporter and friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.”<br />- Eric Hoffer </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a personal level, I wanted to see how the project would affect me and me in relation to the world. Sure enough, within the first couple of weeks, I started to see a transformation in myself. By being aware of Kindness and its effects, I felt like I was progressively becoming naturally more kind to others. I felt more relaxed, accepting and patient with my peers and most of the time, I would get those same reactions in return. I also noticed that even if I had pre-written my fifty two acts, I ditched some ideas as I found bigger and better ones as the weeks progressed by exposing myself to positive energy. This was a great growing experience and has taught me things that will probably stick with me for a long time to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a more technical side, the k4k project allowed me to get creative with my outputs and to use Social Media to my advantage, which, as a Communications Minor, was a very interesting domain to play with. I had fun with my Facebook and Instagram as I was able to share my project with my close friends and family and get instant feedback. I used Twitter to get in contact with external folks, such as <a href="http://www.payitforwardsj.org/" target="_blank">Pay It Forward Saint John’s</a>, who were the people who inspired me in the first place. I met up with one of the heads of the Organization, Nicole Paquet while she was in Ottawa on a business trip and we shared a ton of great ideas. We have been in touch throughout the whole year and they have shared my story to many, including doing an email blast to Xerox employees, a company with whom they have been working. Thanks to them, I also had the opportunity to have a Skype call with some students from River Valley Middle School, a middle school in New Brunswick who are also affiliated with PIFSJ and extremely dedicated to their initiative. Two radio interviews also came out of using these tools; one directed by a journalism student, Nicole Vair, from Fredericton University and another with Charlotte Bédard from Vague FM 88.1 in Penetanguishene. As for this blog, I found pleasure in seeing my numbers grow every week. My final statistics as of today are the following: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just for Fun</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The top three highest page views are the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Week Nineteen: Mother’s Day Card by Mail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– 86 page views</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tie - Week Four: Wool Socks for a Homeless Person. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– 54 page views</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tie - Week Five: Scholarship Reference Letter for a Former Katimavik Volunteer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">–</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">54 page views</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Week Eleven: Timmies Freebies for a Stranger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">– 50 page views</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To sum everything up, this past year has been a great journey which has taught me a lot about kindness, myself and even human nature. As you have guessed, yes, I will sign off with one last cheesy quote. As William John Bennett said, “A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward” and I couldn’t agree more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great 2k14.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G. </span><br />
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999345.4215296 -75.697193099999993 45.4215296 -75.697193099999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-77816325710939925842013-12-29T14:30:00.000-05:002014-01-05T23:03:32.256-05:00Week Fifty Two: Leaving Christmas Goodies at a Tim Hortons and a Local Restaurant. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, this is it pals. My very last post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my last week, I decided to fill a stocking full of candy canes, hot chocolate packages, jujubes, wafers, etc. when I was home for the holidays. I then drove out to a Tim Hortons closest to my hometown, which is in Sturgeon-Falls, to have a coffee with my brother and to leave the stocking and a card on a table. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not long after I put it down, an employee who was washing the tables came across the stocking and thought someone had accidently forgot it behind. She brought it behind the counter and opened the unsealed envelope and read the card out loud to her coworker. The card said: “I hope you enjoy every delight in this stocking as well as every other that will present itself to you in the New Year. Happy and Safe Holidays to you and your loved ones.” They both immediately sported a sheer look of glee on their faces and they shared a laugh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t however take the credit for this idea as it wasn’t mine. Véronique, a friend of mine who has been nothing but supportive throughout the length of this project, not only suggested doing this but also took a part in it. She bought a treat, wrote a note and left it at Brasseurs des temps, a local brewery/restaurant in Hull, for someone else to stumble upon it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s unbelievable how incredible some people are. Thank you Véronique for being wonderful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alas, this wraps up my year long project. I am very happy to say that I have successfully carried this through until the very end. It feels great to have accomplished this commitment that I took upon myself and in result, to witness the positive reactions and incredible support. I’d like to thank everyone who has commented, reached out to help, suggested or simply “liked” my posts throughout the year. This, amongst other reasons, acted as the best kind of encouragement to keep me going. So thank you all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read my overall thoughts on the project, click <a href="http://k4kproject.blogspot.ca/2014/01/2k14-k4k-retrospections.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading, you’re all pretty darn great. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G. </span><br />
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Nipissing Ouest, ON, Canada46.3679478 -79.92472989999998845.6672353 -81.215623399999984 47.068660300000005 -78.633836399999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-2859616414526737942013-12-21T10:23:00.000-05:002013-12-22T10:34:43.851-05:00Week Fifty One: Wrapping Presents with the BIA to Raise Money for the Local Food Bank.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, I had a bit of trouble to get into the spirit of the holidays. I’ve been busy and didn’t do much shopping since my brothers took care of most of it - which also means little to no present wrapping, which I really enjoy doing and gets me very much into Christmas. So I figured I’d lend a hand to my local BIA, (the <a href="http://www.bankstreet.ca/en/news/free-wrapping-centre/" target="_blank">Bank Street BIA</a>), whom I saw were organizing a present wrapping station and accepting donations for the Centretown Emergency Food Centre. Two birds one stone, I thought!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also had a food donation box as well as a clothing drop-off, which I found perfect since I could drop off the food donations I collected from the people in my apartment building in October. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, it proven to be a really fun time; I got to meet some great people and am now feeling the Christmas cheer a bit more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now next week will be the last act of kindness for my project. I can't believe it's already been a year since I started... It's been a good one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for week fifty two! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span>Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999345.4215296 -75.697193099999993 45.4215296 -75.697193099999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-28427385000581530492013-12-14T09:34:00.000-05:002013-12-22T10:14:48.859-05:00Week Fifty: Sending a Gift Card to the Local Fire Fighters.<div class="MsoNormal">
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thank the local men and women who puts everything on the line for the sake of
everyone’s safety, I decided to send these selfless people a gift certificate
for a coffee shop. Every day, these fire fighters come into work not knowing what to expect of their
day, so this is my way to restore a little bit of normal in their lives – and what
better way to do this over a coffee with some coworkers? </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s to wishing them
a happy and safe holiday and an even safer new year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-6009569136954227202013-12-07T09:27:00.000-05:002013-12-22T09:31:17.941-05:00Week Forty Nine: Surprise Shoveling a Neighbour’s Entrance While No One’s Home.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shoveling
sucks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone
hates it. It’s the last thing you want to do after seeing 5 feet of snow accumulate on your front porch. Nope – I’ll tell you what you want to do.
You want to curl up in a ball in front of a fire or some sort of artificial
heat next to your feline friends and only wake up when spring starts to show
its dewy and warm face again. I get it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is why
I thought it would be nice to do one of my neighbours a favour. After a massive
snowfall this week, I decided to grab a shovel, go over to my neighbour’s yard
and shovel their entrance while they were away. I thought it might be a nice
surprise for them to come home to.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-13GA1tnPRqmwrJOpUUU0MAuT-PRj7GtzyKR-ZswU4ZbKj_X-3UkC_6R3y-HCGfc5sZ10IJ3FXtNrs9krc8mlTbfplKthKrMx3XmI-LIcKtHZP2COtHII85cx5gg4gH8xfKUOinQH4Ss/s1600/IMG_20131218_084750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-13GA1tnPRqmwrJOpUUU0MAuT-PRj7GtzyKR-ZswU4ZbKj_X-3UkC_6R3y-HCGfc5sZ10IJ3FXtNrs9krc8mlTbfplKthKrMx3XmI-LIcKtHZP2COtHII85cx5gg4gH8xfKUOinQH4Ss/s320/IMG_20131218_084750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-4151520996094131582013-11-30T10:32:00.000-05:002013-12-09T10:34:07.975-05:00Week Forty Eight: Leaving Change at a Food Vending Machine.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s nothing
worse than having a snack attack and having no change to buy anything at the vending
machine closest to you. This week, I decided to take some change, put it in an envelope
and then tape it on a vending machine.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiQtazZ8sNp4eaT1xgQ4D8yWPhas22b8OVl8EA3SekDG3qwV9wGRBFo9AjvRPvx3cbAfjeLd-uDQ2c8srpe6Wb61rrwbY-tEH-43aPSgEEPoXbJ1PK6otHmnGgw76oQG29x4RD0cTtYc3/s1600/IMG_20131208_222033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiQtazZ8sNp4eaT1xgQ4D8yWPhas22b8OVl8EA3SekDG3qwV9wGRBFo9AjvRPvx3cbAfjeLd-uDQ2c8srpe6Wb61rrwbY-tEH-43aPSgEEPoXbJ1PK6otHmnGgw76oQG29x4RD0cTtYc3/s320/IMG_20131208_222033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being Hangry
is not a favourable state, so knowing that there might have one less snack
attack in the world makes me happy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-33470879323185210642013-11-16T10:29:00.000-05:002013-12-09T10:30:02.753-05:00Week Forty Seven: Sprinkling Salt on a Patch of Ice at a Bus Stop.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was out on
a stroll the other day and I noticed that the sidewalk conditions were less
than favourable for walking enjoyment. Then when I turned around, I saw someone
fall on an icy patch on their way to catch the bus. This is when I decided to
get some salt and lay it around the exact bus stop at which this person fell.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72rRMMSA5Tu6oJFwLuaEGdocoeMEw_Y8qoAlfBeyYhMfkVhSey7aQdUhwaQbXJWAPVRzMPXCM3xB_tOBlHg4E9XeCUX15lE-crjjwi2MPxhS1zJY9Oh1Ro1Vwx4T3dzaJCN0C5VILzcft/s1600/IMG_20131124_200331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72rRMMSA5Tu6oJFwLuaEGdocoeMEw_Y8qoAlfBeyYhMfkVhSey7aQdUhwaQbXJWAPVRzMPXCM3xB_tOBlHg4E9XeCUX15lE-crjjwi2MPxhS1zJY9Oh1Ro1Vwx4T3dzaJCN0C5VILzcft/s320/IMG_20131124_200331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hopefully
this reduced the amount of dangerous tumbles at this high traffic area, or at
least preventing rips in a pair of jeans or two.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-38661096251923250452013-11-09T10:27:00.000-05:002013-12-09T10:28:02.871-05:00Week Forty Six: Slipping a Note in a Book at a Used Book Store.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s
something about going through secondhand items that just brings me the best of
joys. That feeling of satisfaction you get from discovering a unique gem for
cheap is like none other, but the bulk of the fun comes with the imagery
guessing game you create in your mind of the previous owner. Coming across
markings, particular scents, signatures, etc. – you can’t help but create this
mythical story of the person that it formerly belonged to. So this week, I
decided to contribute to that mythical story formulating experience for someone
else by slipping in a note in a book at a used book store.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd5hydy74DRt9deFnL7z-hi7C-zA5QvZ2l4zgSIDOKQH70mhUGfuxVdYTej3de-AUy5xW-8UmlNxMwLpHTr5pqwUUpNZiKb1rm3j1WMvwiCCmYLaZOZ7GTMpHow5kYoIb1AhzBQ3qiPlI/s1600/IMG_20131124_181351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd5hydy74DRt9deFnL7z-hi7C-zA5QvZ2l4zgSIDOKQH70mhUGfuxVdYTej3de-AUy5xW-8UmlNxMwLpHTr5pqwUUpNZiKb1rm3j1WMvwiCCmYLaZOZ7GTMpHow5kYoIb1AhzBQ3qiPlI/s320/IMG_20131124_181351.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The message
was a simple yet significant one, reminding the finder of the note to live a
happy one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-8504466883594529232013-11-03T10:24:00.000-05:002013-12-09T10:25:56.150-05:00Week Forty Five: Giving a Pair of Gloves to a Homeless Person.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s so
cold outside.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inevitable phrase that will just slip into every small talk conversation you’ll
be holding for the next 6 months or so. Yep, Jack Frost is here and there’s no
avoiding him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much like my
fourth week when I started to do this project, I couldn’t help but think of
that percentage of the population who don’t have the luxury to turn up the
thermostat when it’s starting to get a little chilly out, or even have a
shelter to warm up in. Thus, I decided to bring a pair of gloves to a homeless
person in the effort of trying to help them stay warm. It was then that the woman glared at me
and expressed her ardent gratitude. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb8Z2lPBxQXt83QrdWhPMlNTmjrJuHcSQmCNFDyMCzL7oWqbMsIWOf4hW9PEWkbN4Nqv8bCDegph_0yt55da069kBFtFr2Trkg7IxcQgdv4bgWZ6PaqjqviLitimvh5lNQT9YPK0BbGeq/s1600/IMG_20131124_192033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb8Z2lPBxQXt83QrdWhPMlNTmjrJuHcSQmCNFDyMCzL7oWqbMsIWOf4hW9PEWkbN4Nqv8bCDegph_0yt55da069kBFtFr2Trkg7IxcQgdv4bgWZ6PaqjqviLitimvh5lNQT9YPK0BbGeq/s320/IMG_20131124_192033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay warm
this winter folks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-42317524325616321202013-11-02T22:36:00.000-04:002013-11-12T22:38:39.146-05:00Week Forty Four: Picking Up Trash at the Movie Theatre.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend, my mom and I went to go see a movie together, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in good mother-daughter bonding fashion</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. As the movie started, the rustling sounds of popcorn and candy bags filled the room. Those familiar sounds are a must in order to fully experience the box office setting. However, the first thought that came into my mind was: “I’m pretty sure 93.9% of the floor’s surface will be covered by those bags the moment the end credits will start rolling.” I couldn’t help but think of the massive work load that the poor schmuck working the front would have to face when stepping in the dark popcorn filled room after everyone has left. So as soon the movie was ending, I decided to pick up the extra bags that my messy single serving theatre buddies left behind in my surroundings. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25DFBYTfJ8GhWtK6ZPAweWuZeJru1Q7_JsPL_7H5UJiLImYpqik9LZ4GzK1CcvPTpe7wmQ-xdyVKJaJIT5BoonSYwiyIQmOm_x3VDwvQffGiHC51sqr425oRJ-rqYyy4WN_Q-xpSaD0mR/s1600/IMG_20131112_093627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25DFBYTfJ8GhWtK6ZPAweWuZeJru1Q7_JsPL_7H5UJiLImYpqik9LZ4GzK1CcvPTpe7wmQ-xdyVKJaJIT5BoonSYwiyIQmOm_x3VDwvQffGiHC51sqr425oRJ-rqYyy4WN_Q-xpSaD0mR/s320/IMG_20131112_093627.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It may not have been a lot, but it was that much less for the poor usher to pick up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><br />
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-47482076616275726352013-10-27T22:30:00.000-04:002013-11-12T22:42:13.912-05:00Week Forty Three: Leaving a Pumpkin at Someone's Doorstep for Halloween.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember one of the rituals I enjoyed the most about Halloween growing up was carving a pumpkin. To this day, I still do enjoy it greatly. The carving, the smell, cooking the seeds, etc. I wanted to offer that experience to someone else. I was walking through the neighbourhood this week and I noticed there were plenty of houses lacking of pumpkins on their porches. So I went and bought one and left it at a pumpkin-less house with a note. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this enhanced their Halloween experience!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZcuouwXSIHZ9rUFLO26gxqslBFajfvCf8OOUJcOQwT91XtDSREQ4OAJLuRZHp0DyHTQu7qxYn7QtGbENKB0oJj6NoGjXq_nSrIMSjcZ1n_tCRHJebMe9_OY4DZHC_NZRL_gPWN9ceLsC/s1600/IMG_20131107_222601+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZcuouwXSIHZ9rUFLO26gxqslBFajfvCf8OOUJcOQwT91XtDSREQ4OAJLuRZHp0DyHTQu7qxYn7QtGbENKB0oJj6NoGjXq_nSrIMSjcZ1n_tCRHJebMe9_OY4DZHC_NZRL_gPWN9ceLsC/s320/IMG_20131107_222601+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Special thanks to Marianne who gave me this wonderful idea! </span><br />
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-23715454289665066492013-10-24T10:01:00.000-04:002013-11-04T23:58:26.696-05:00k4k Contributors!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, some fellow friends have been reaching out, wishing to participate in any way they can in this project of mine. These messages encouraged me greatly, so about a week ago, I made a call out to anyone interested in contributing - to further expand this ripple effect of </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kindness </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spreading</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I asked them to send me a picture of their good deeds so I could share them with everyone. Every time I will get a new picture, I will update this post! All photos can be found on my Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kcontributors</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here they are - their inspiring stories: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Véronique - Bringing Food to a Soup Kitchen.</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submitted by Véronique, an old University classmate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Véronique selflessly brought carrots over to her neighbourhood's soup kitchen in Hull this week to help those who are less fortunate. Véro will also be doing some volunteering at this location. She is the definition of a good samaritan. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteYVzPGHV9VLB5NP4YgtQOkyeL8Oo_WPWmCcBYMIfby9Qp2SnCqEW0PjtFCrQQZsNKZOhdfdEwWE3FA2NGonAacoaiI9jLKLLoiaUy5C36KE4BYFrPe3fSCen5iVruiEYHv3w-kGHYa3R/s1600/IMG_20131022_214503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteYVzPGHV9VLB5NP4YgtQOkyeL8Oo_WPWmCcBYMIfby9Qp2SnCqEW0PjtFCrQQZsNKZOhdfdEwWE3FA2NGonAacoaiI9jLKLLoiaUy5C36KE4BYFrPe3fSCen5iVruiEYHv3w-kGHYa3R/s320/IMG_20131022_214503.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo sent by Véronique. #k4kcontributors</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Marianne - Helping Out a Stranded Stranger. </span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submitted by </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marianne, my brother’s girlfriend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marianne was coming back from visiting her sister late one night and noticed this gentleman stuck on the side of the road. The man had run out of gas and didn't own a cell phone, so Marianne decided to drive back to her sister's place to get a canister of gas to help the poor man out. About 40 minutes later, the man's gas tank was filled with enough gas for him to get home safely. He offered money to thank her but she had a feeling he probably didn't have much to spare. Instead, she asked that he pay it forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funney enough, the man told her that earlier that day, he had seen a post on Kijiji from a woman in the area who had lost </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a ring for which she held a high sentimental value. He happened to have a metal detector so he set out to help her. After a lenghty search, the man found the ring and contacted the distressed woman in order to give it back to who it belonged. A classic tale of what goes around comes around. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHqlPIWcn4HJ0EvuAMlGloNFQSjYy-v6GB5M_5KShisJXzaM4MLYdLzBwjOGiaiOBDpwUoLuHylDC4uHnbDWwGhyphenhyphenZdphlennOzOrOAOZc3DMuhMGE_XSBO9g5OHZLmN_9MoV0tsEesg7G/s1600/IMG_20131022_215615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHqlPIWcn4HJ0EvuAMlGloNFQSjYy-v6GB5M_5KShisJXzaM4MLYdLzBwjOGiaiOBDpwUoLuHylDC4uHnbDWwGhyphenhyphenZdphlennOzOrOAOZc3DMuhMGE_XSBO9g5OHZLmN_9MoV0tsEesg7G/s320/IMG_20131022_215615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos sent by Marianne. #k4kcontributors</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Maxime - Heartfelt Homemade Cards to Coworkers.</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submitted by Maxime, a friend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maxime decided to write up some homemade card and distribute them to her coworkers as a sign of appreciation of the work they do. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNbi5ZggfAkdfSgWtYBUz1wRbJL3THETv5MzcA2y_fcis1QXNKR6zgITof-u0tMf2xCvHWuh4P30sBbeBZ0kYfeQZfhm0QFbe7AYokkrhvh0LEcsTKC0YtwjUGSuZ34kQblfwP_F-uOV/s1600/IMG_20131104_221943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNbi5ZggfAkdfSgWtYBUz1wRbJL3THETv5MzcA2y_fcis1QXNKR6zgITof-u0tMf2xCvHWuh4P30sBbeBZ0kYfeQZfhm0QFbe7AYokkrhvh0LEcsTKC0YtwjUGSuZ34kQblfwP_F-uOV/s320/IMG_20131104_221943.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Regram from Maxime. @maxnicholas333 #k4kcontributors</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maxime will be joining me in my project and doing one act of kindness per week starting in November until the end of the year! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean, how much more awesome can one get?</span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-80373038818781827172013-10-19T22:26:00.000-04:002013-11-12T22:41:56.279-05:00Week Forty Two: Giving Directions to a Stranger. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week’s gesture is small and common, but a very helpful one. As I was rushing on my way to work one morning, a stranger stopped me on the street for directions. My bus was just about to arrive so I was debating on whether to stop or not in fear of being late for work. I figured, why not – this might help the person tremendously. So I did, and even assisted the person to her destination as it was on my way. Turns out I was able to help the person out and make it for my bus on time. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0qrVWuU5GTq9afRRJta8ZCSNloGLTlXBkhUxWebHomkTiqPxf7T97jwoOTMsYhLEdp2Q4NiPsg5imQEmD5gpqjpGZpo2APBmvbZYa3bMk0OsGg9C4m7ho75AyzyJlOlgBVOMaNONETVS/s1600/IMG_20131107_222232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0qrVWuU5GTq9afRRJta8ZCSNloGLTlXBkhUxWebHomkTiqPxf7T97jwoOTMsYhLEdp2Q4NiPsg5imQEmD5gpqjpGZpo2APBmvbZYa3bMk0OsGg9C4m7ho75AyzyJlOlgBVOMaNONETVS/s320/IMG_20131107_222232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes helping someone out does not require the least bit of sacrifices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><br />
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-25210988396626627102013-10-12T22:38:00.000-04:002013-10-23T22:44:59.333-04:00Week Forty One: Giving a Pair of Shoelaces to a Homeless Person.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every morning, I see this homeless man sitting in front of the grocery store on my bike ride to work. Every morning, I see him compassionately saying hello to all the passersby, never disrupting anyone nor causing trouble. This morning, I decided to hand him something that we don’t necessarily think as being important but that is almost imperative to our everyday lives; shoelaces. With the cooler weather creeping up on us, I thought it would be a good thing for him to have an extra pair of in his possession. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUTcgBa2MHcKKW9aWHtSukq5mWDCX4CbEbzKh9I1mUG8Lhsl18VzJElg_uMu_EvoN3ZlUcDZy2oMy4Yo1ZDW0zysI2tkyD5ilKXnGUiWAcR4tbhOYNTIi4nqm7k7eHw5AsN985nVhvMkf/s1600/IMG_20131023_104821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUTcgBa2MHcKKW9aWHtSukq5mWDCX4CbEbzKh9I1mUG8Lhsl18VzJElg_uMu_EvoN3ZlUcDZy2oMy4Yo1ZDW0zysI2tkyD5ilKXnGUiWAcR4tbhOYNTIi4nqm7k7eHw5AsN985nVhvMkf/s320/IMG_20131023_104821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: @geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the biggest smile I’ve seen anyone give in a long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><br />
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-6001679829036011882013-10-06T09:47:00.000-04:002013-10-17T09:54:19.363-04:00Week Forty: Starting a Small Food Drive.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Week 40; my project will reach its end in twelve weeks. What a self-reflective journey this has been so far. Every week I strive to be more creative and original with my gestures, hoping to affect, help and inspire and the responses has been incredible. Thanks to all who have been fallowing and supporting me throughout this past year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, October was my muse. A transitional and colourful month, where thanks are given and frights are had. Hunger, however, never takes a break no matter the time of year. According to Free the Children’s <a href="http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/campaigns/we-scare-hunger/" target="_blank">website</a>, 870 million around the world go hungry and from 2008 to 2012, there was a 31% increase in use of food banks. These numbers are horrifying to me – even more than David Hasselhoff’s performance in any movie, ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I thought I’d do my share and for Halloween, instead of collecting candy like I used to as a kid, this year, I’ll be collecting canned goods and distributing them to those in need (and save my teeth the aches). I took a box, stuck a note on it and left it in my building’s entrance. At the end of the month, I’ll be bringing whatever I collected to the local food bank. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgim8O9CNIIsFSnpnetoNwc99D1N768fN944QvoxIg109IWDnn5S6JH7HYBk0iiWYLAhAlF6VgjbbGvCpkZ4eYeTWcg0GzdH-Qm66iugbSCmHSto4DI6bobjeymNdI5ZvQ7qalRgotF71/s1600/IMG_20131016_104510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgim8O9CNIIsFSnpnetoNwc99D1N768fN944QvoxIg109IWDnn5S6JH7HYBk0iiWYLAhAlF6VgjbbGvCpkZ4eYeTWcg0GzdH-Qm66iugbSCmHSto4DI6bobjeymNdI5ZvQ7qalRgotF71/s320/IMG_20131016_104510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/geneseguin" target="_blank">@geneseguin</a> #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully my neighbours will get in the Halloween spirit and help scare the hunger away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-39502642589797982292013-10-04T10:14:00.001-04:002013-10-04T10:14:35.865-04:00Week Thirty Nine: Leaving a Single Use Camera on a Restaurant Patio Table.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been
getting back into photography lately. There’s something about capturing a
moment in still life that fascinates me. Moments that can never be recreated and seen through a third party's lens. Moments that would probably
pass right by you if they weren’t being documented; memories are created with a
single picture. It’s a feeling and a power like no other.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I decided
to pass on that opportunity to a stranger. I bought a single use camera and
wrote a tiny note. After taking a picture of the note with the camera, I left both items on a random restaurant patio table on
my way to work. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My goal was to remind the stranger who would come across it to
celebrate and remember everyday moments and experiences, as they often seem to
go unnoticed while being caught up in our routines. What better location to
leave the camera than a restaurant, I thought, where daily and/or weekly
meetings between friends and family occur. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFho5eNixtFYd9R40JanKbnR65xlyydTh6X_kIatokAusuVNh2NOvm5VETTsWFYfKMkXznYItQclCB0bpHMkf9N1GcFQ17LZ-KMjYPcJRvp1NobHwpRhQS7bU9TX5lnfRLQGJSdugF9nW/s1600/IMG_20131004_000449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFho5eNixtFYd9R40JanKbnR65xlyydTh6X_kIatokAusuVNh2NOvm5VETTsWFYfKMkXznYItQclCB0bpHMkf9N1GcFQ17LZ-KMjYPcJRvp1NobHwpRhQS7bU9TX5lnfRLQGJSdugF9nW/s320/IMG_20131004_000449.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m hoping
it pushed that person to </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">enjoy and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">think about the pleasures and people he/she
surrounded him/herself with on a daily basis. It's these little things collectively that makes us who we are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-79791077424661998522013-10-01T10:41:00.000-04:002013-10-01T11:13:08.267-04:00Week Thirty Eight: Paying for the Next Customer’s Coffee.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I walked
into Bridgehead to grab a coffee and read a bit before going to work one day this
week, a thought went through my mind. “Why not leave a bit of spare change with
the cashier to cover the next person’s coffee tab?”, I thought. The cashier
looked at me when I proposed this and asked: “Why?” with a confused smile on
her face. “Because I feel like it,” I said, “It’s that kind of day,” I responded.
She beamed at this simple yet refreshing response and kept two dollars on the
side. “Have a great day,” she said. “Oh, I will,” I replied, and went about with my
day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UYgEqUgO0JuPg6VeA0z6eDUr-NcqYRF4Cnq09R8LA9vN23y-tDUtdmtjsBmQvLUTJYWl7ZxTFDWrQuRG3i_WDzqcUJw1TtM2h0EfWjXQrcYkhQqT-OJuvC84zG0tNtiOisnVtgof786r/s1600/IMG_20130930_103757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UYgEqUgO0JuPg6VeA0z6eDUr-NcqYRF4Cnq09R8LA9vN23y-tDUtdmtjsBmQvLUTJYWl7ZxTFDWrQuRG3i_WDzqcUJw1TtM2h0EfWjXQrcYkhQqT-OJuvC84zG0tNtiOisnVtgof786r/s320/IMG_20130930_103757.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span></span>Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-29662624899731088832013-09-24T00:07:00.000-04:002013-09-24T00:12:41.582-04:00Week Thirty Seven: Buying Time for a Stranger’s Expired Parking Ticket.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was biking
in the market this morning, I noticed a by-law officer roaming around the
parked cars. He was viciously sticking tickets onto people’s windshields. “Hmm,”
I thought, “maybe I could spare a poor sap from getting a ticket.” So I put a dollar in
the machine and looked around for an almost expired ticket on a dashboard. I found one with 5 minutes to go so I tucked the new ticket under
their windshield.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPb-gWaWrx5BMyUPn9SsDv7j2B_t5OogZ63ME4HdQZ48zwzu0rjGiVWanSg99-uOda8WNrvurI8VBKNMAPb6SxJDMi4V-VoD-tYjp-hxCfb-a-ScrQ1A_zZq3S5Pns1aeu8Urepx7s00n/s1600/IMG_20130923_105031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPb-gWaWrx5BMyUPn9SsDv7j2B_t5OogZ63ME4HdQZ48zwzu0rjGiVWanSg99-uOda8WNrvurI8VBKNMAPb6SxJDMi4V-VoD-tYjp-hxCfb-a-ScrQ1A_zZq3S5Pns1aeu8Urepx7s00n/s320/IMG_20130923_105031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did a
couple of errands in the area and about fifteen minutes later, I saw the owner and
a friend standing next to their vehicle, laughing and taking pictures of the mysteriously
newly acquired ticket. As I usually don’t see the reactions of my “victims of
kindness”, this sight really put a smile on my face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was nice
to see the affect that a small thoughtful thing can have on others. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999345.4215296 -75.697193099999993 45.4215296 -75.697193099999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-90263369372605287312013-09-14T19:47:00.000-04:002013-10-01T00:31:44.519-04:00Week Thirty Six: Leaving a Little Taste of Summer in a Random Mailbox.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, Summer consumed and inspired me. I wanted to do something topical so I decided
to head to the grocery store and get the most summer-inspired drink there is;
ice tea. I wrote a small note and dropped it off in a random mailbox in the
Glebe.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oB45P5ThK5nMfAWhFa3O2KkxuiDoJpw9re4-mnvRL7Z6bb4pfsL4MWZwsoQR63vwDEMe6KZJqZFls9x20WuApD9Wzn2ua36ghxfq1Id7lk8MYP5hIlkUP43gRolpA5RtfKr-vvps1xoN/s1600/IMG_20130918_120154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oB45P5ThK5nMfAWhFa3O2KkxuiDoJpw9re4-mnvRL7Z6bb4pfsL4MWZwsoQR63vwDEMe6KZJqZFls9x20WuApD9Wzn2ua36ghxfq1Id7lk8MYP5hIlkUP43gRolpA5RtfKr-vvps1xoN/s320/IMG_20130918_120154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m hoping
this gave the recipient of this beverage a little push to go out and experience
the last bits of the season with the people who mean the most to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">G.</span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-55291056099366041002013-09-03T17:18:00.001-04:002013-10-01T00:33:23.629-04:00Week Thirty Five: Leaving Change at a Pay Phone in a Bus Terminal.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, as I was traveling back from Newmarket for the Labour Day long weekend, I noticed a couple of Bell pay
phones in the Toronto Union Station Greyhound bus terminal. I figured it would be nice
to leave some change behind - perhaps for someone who’s phone died and desperately needed to call a loved one to come pick them up, or for an
international traveler who did not have the change in the right currency in order to call a friend? </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYehiQpGt4Uf5xWZMqL8MDu3l7J3zHwdgDPz1mcQ7UDnwpQ9xixz8D0fnIrumYMak7AjW1EzVjcehwiwuDQLP-LvzxneEqPZUW4_HzNdKoWs_GOtUmoip41Q5tFfUzNPCGcGCT-1mExnbq/s1600/IMG_20130903_171007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYehiQpGt4Uf5xWZMqL8MDu3l7J3zHwdgDPz1mcQ7UDnwpQ9xixz8D0fnIrumYMak7AjW1EzVjcehwiwuDQLP-LvzxneEqPZUW4_HzNdKoWs_GOtUmoip41Q5tFfUzNPCGcGCT-1mExnbq/s320/IMG_20130903_171007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knows who actually used it. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I hope is for that one phone call to have helped someone out in some way.</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G. </span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-92125132968517073952013-08-25T16:41:00.001-04:002013-08-25T21:10:43.719-04:00Week Thirty Four: Helping Some Good Friends Move.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Losing yet
another close friend to the city of Toronto! Danielle, an old friend of mine
and ex-roommate of four years, got accepted in the Masters degree at York so
her and her boyfriend Ryan are packing up their bags and moving to the big city.
Danielle had asked me if I could help them out with packing up a load for their
first trip and I agreed without hesitation. I know how physically taxing and
stressful a move can be and so I thought I’d help them out. I know they would
definitely do the same for me.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoXOksXzPnmf7YcKOULnzSWEiG_ei7tYx5HSZQtda8Y2WGsaZb1iGeVddS60voDL5IetmKH8tm0IYXDXItXuNxPEVDyoHD7ya8R_5FlTszeRxtB5YO7KxeQRyscS_8hvgYx4kJDEne-Xv/s1600/IMG_20130825_154619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoXOksXzPnmf7YcKOULnzSWEiG_ei7tYx5HSZQtda8Y2WGsaZb1iGeVddS60voDL5IetmKH8tm0IYXDXItXuNxPEVDyoHD7ya8R_5FlTszeRxtB5YO7KxeQRyscS_8hvgYx4kJDEne-Xv/s320/IMG_20130825_154619.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Wishing them
all the luck - I couldn’t be happier for the two!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">G. </span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com1Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-49252525197338338402013-08-24T18:40:00.001-04:002013-08-25T17:15:49.694-04:00Week Thirty Three: Leaving a Kind Message to City Workers.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As hard
working folks, city employees who do the garbage and recycling run deserve much
respect and recognition for their profession. This week I thought it would be nice
to leave them a little note, thanking them for keeping our city clean.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchUYHA6A4QBPcQVT-s3kv_vqf0Sx-g_v4Xdf8Bkw3V5n03YkPSNf63fnG-Mi_cqaEp-a_HVKssSnHBI_XgoENO7W_STgbVSy_aBKqSfeW2841gClA-TGuYtskIzyUcyHAmOfjUKSKrBmS/s1600/IMG_20130822_091432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchUYHA6A4QBPcQVT-s3kv_vqf0Sx-g_v4Xdf8Bkw3V5n03YkPSNf63fnG-Mi_cqaEp-a_HVKssSnHBI_XgoENO7W_STgbVSy_aBKqSfeW2841gClA-TGuYtskIzyUcyHAmOfjUKSKrBmS/s320/IMG_20130822_091432.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A working class hero is something to be.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-84713905544451152612013-08-13T16:04:00.000-04:002013-08-25T17:16:08.415-04:00Week Thirty Two: Writing Up an Employee Review for Excellent Customer Service.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone who
knows me well knows that I’ve been having the worst luck with my bike lately. As
I use it for long distance commuting every day, the poor thing takes quite the
beating. Getting flat tires have become a regular occurrence in my life – and of
course this week, it happened on my way to work. Luckily for me, I was close enough
to my workplace that I could just walk the rest of the distance and was able to
get a ride home from my awesome coworker after my shift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next
morning, I went to get the tube tire replaced. I would usually change it myself,
but as I was a bit short on time, I decided to go in Kunstadt, the nearest bike
store to my place in order to try to get it done for me. I told the person
working there I only had 45 minutes to spare (har har, bike puns) – and he
responded by saying that he could have it done in 15 minutes tops. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb4iVRL0qeM9pl8cqdCAsAM7w7c1L_a4oOlWEwvwezDsSO5WlPPjfnOG035SszwcjDQfi8a-Y_bLqlOvjayVASdg25hyphenhyphen8SK5tg8frSGuusMmf1E2Az50SqTcEmE7UDTX-MqOG0JR3kX-L/s1600/IMG_20130822_110258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb4iVRL0qeM9pl8cqdCAsAM7w7c1L_a4oOlWEwvwezDsSO5WlPPjfnOG035SszwcjDQfi8a-Y_bLqlOvjayVASdg25hyphenhyphen8SK5tg8frSGuusMmf1E2Az50SqTcEmE7UDTX-MqOG0JR3kX-L/s320/IMG_20130822_110258.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure enough,
15 minutes later, the deed was done. As I was paying, he gave me tips and
tricks as well as a free spare part that would help me put air in my tires. Before
heading out the store, I asked what his name was and thanked him for all of his
help. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wrote up
an Employee Review for him because it’s always great to receive positive
feedback from costumers. He was great at his job and he enjoys what he does, which
showed and he should be rewarded for that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Too often do
people tend to focus on the negative situations that happened with clients in a
day, so I wanted to have a positive impact on his day – the same way he had one on mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060866 -76.988086599999988 46.1369726 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-41720302090819369632013-08-06T10:00:00.000-04:002013-08-25T17:16:40.528-04:00Week Thirty One: Helping Out a First Time Greyhound Traveler. <div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having traveled, I know how stressful it can be to have a destination but not knowing exactly where it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the bus going home from Ottawa this past long weekend, a shy young girl travelling alone sitting behind me asked me if I knew how much longer it would take to get to Sudbury. After telling her, I asked her where exactly she was going. She said that she was hoping to get dropped up in Markstay, which is a smaller town located right before Sudbury. I told her that since the bus was doing a local route and hitting small towns along the way, that maybe the town she wanted to get picked up in was already in the itinerary. I told her to follow me as I went to ask the bus driver if this was indeed already in the plan. The bus driver said: "No, not usually, but we can this time!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the bus driver and the girl finished talking, she came back to sit down behind me again and genuinely thanked me for the trouble I went through to help her out. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliemPdABFVxjbKGyr5x_e3xBrC78jM4oGGN0H6UqyJ2Nl_iNqNIydWjeCpPhudalLFcdDtThFJyX9Prs4cG8yVmXqUQMyUTQCgd6x_ff1oXabp24mrFxKQ9Y_a2vCQeDBRCACoy8u9u8z/s1600/IMG_20130803_161221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliemPdABFVxjbKGyr5x_e3xBrC78jM4oGGN0H6UqyJ2Nl_iNqNIydWjeCpPhudalLFcdDtThFJyX9Prs4cG8yVmXqUQMyUTQCgd6x_ff1oXabp24mrFxKQ9Y_a2vCQeDBRCACoy8u9u8z/s320/IMG_20130803_161221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I arrived at my location, I gave my goodbyes to the girl, wished her good luck and thanked the Greyhound driver. I told him that he was the best one I've had in over 6 years of taking the intercity bus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything is so much easier and pleasant when we just help each other out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">G. </span></div>
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Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060526 -76.988086599999988 46.1370066 -74.4062996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8149984868014963712.post-66185754113969761992013-07-28T15:01:00.000-04:002013-08-25T17:17:13.783-04:00Week Thirty: Bringing a Bag of Food to a Homeless Couple. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week’s
big 3-0 gesture goes out to my amazing mother who always seems to inspire me to
be a better person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Around this
time last year, she was explaining to me that an itinerant was hanging around the
chipstand that she owns near Sudbury. Everest was a harmless, kind and hungry man,
who would keep to himself and not harass anyone for money. My mom, not being
able to stand seeing anyone struggle, felt bad for the fellow and started
giving a free meal once in a while. Some loyal customers started noticing this. One day, one man gave my mother some money and told her to make Everest
anything he wanted. This other woman, who saw this occur, did the same, which
also encouraged a kid to give the rest of his change to the homeless man. Next
thing you know, Everest had a couple bucks in his pocket and was able to
sustain and nourish himself for a little while. A couple of days later, a cop
car drove up to the chipstand. The police were there to take Everest away in
order to find him a shelter and to help him get back on his feet. As the police
car drove away, Everest’s last words to my mom were: “Thank you for everything.
I’ll never forget you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where is
Everest now? We don’t know. We can only hope that those couple of days stay at
my mom’s chipstand not only gave him more time, but the right moral support to
inspire him to help himself as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What amazed
me from this story was the ripple effect that one little gesture initiated, which
eventually grew to bigger and better things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So this
week, I decided to do my own version of this by prepping a little bag of food
and dropping it off to someone in need. The designated recipients were a couple sitting on the street and who seemed to be struggling a lot. I asked them if they were hungry and with a despaired look in their eyes, they responded with a yes. I handed over the bag and they both thanked me repeatedly, sporting the biggest smiles on their faces. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmKkUSY7tBmgttDY8OmdoxYrq4nuB2ktR2w8yT1WTkYjXfss1dp4mK98uTJ5uSt-GOU_yfi7I3WjggUbBLu5hv_6RokHHxf-owUBwsgSfLqRmnp39YIyrJ8DOZZaNX4pfws0nDAuIcyc0/s1600/IMG_20130730_142307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmKkUSY7tBmgttDY8OmdoxYrq4nuB2ktR2w8yT1WTkYjXfss1dp4mK98uTJ5uSt-GOU_yfi7I3WjggUbBLu5hv_6RokHHxf-owUBwsgSfLqRmnp39YIyrJ8DOZZaNX4pfws0nDAuIcyc0/s320/IMG_20130730_142307.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram: geneseguin. #k4kproject</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I also have
to add that this week, I was also inspired by one of <b>Herdmag</b>’s article in their 4<sup>th</sup> issue named <i>HighJinx, Antiques & Vintage Oddities
With A Serving Of Soul. </i>I highly recommend grabbing one and reading that very
well written piece. In a nutshell, it talks about HighJinx, a locally-owned antique shop in
Ottawa who strives to help out vulnerable people in the community with the money that
they raise selling unique treasures and pieces. They think and operate outside the box by adopting a very different business model, and they know how to make it work. An
article well worth reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It makes me
happy that there are some good folks out there. I’m also delighted and feel
fortunate enough that my mother is one of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">G.</span></div>
Geneviève Séguinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15383052647234881132noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999344.7060526 -76.988086599999988 46.1370066 -74.4062996