Time for a girl revolution

It's not always easy being a girl, whether you live in Canada or Afghanistan.

This morning I spoke at a local junior high school on a "Girl Revolution" panel. (With Meghan Swim, pictured on the left, and April Macleod, right.) I'm not going to sugarcoat it—this was a tough crowd. The 100 or so kids shuffled in their seats and talked over me and the other two speakers. When it was time for questions, there were none. My co-presenter April Macleod pointed out that we were the only thing coming between these kids and their lunch. While some in the room showed interest, it was cooler for others to horse around than engage with our message about following their dreams and how girls and the boys can be successful in whatever field they decide to pursue provided they work hard, seek help, and learn from their mistakes rather than become defeated by them.

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The other side of 40

Oct. 28, 2010. Today is my 41^st birthday. That’s a lot of candles on a (hopefully) big cake.

Some of you must be thinking: “Alison couldn’t possibly be 41. She doesn’t look a day over __.” (You fill in the blank. I suggest 26.) No, it’s true. And to my surprise, when I tell people my age they don’t even feign surprise. While I may feel 26 apparently I look 41, however that appears. Let’s just say I haven’t been carded at the liquor store in a very long time.

Now you may wonder why I was not musing about this a year ago, as many do when they turn 40. Two reasons: 

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