Spice Up Your Life

16 November 2014Kimmi G, Hope ’15; Photos by Kimmi G, Hope ‘15

Stored on the back shelves for months, unacknowledged, it waits. Long before the jingle of merry carols erupts from 1-inch tall snow-banks, before sweaters become a necessity rather than mere cuteness, it emerges. Pumpkin spice. It is everywhere and it is questionable. There are people who feel obligated to get something pumpkin-flavoured at Timmy’s, or anywhere with the option, every chance available—I’m not proud to say that I’m one of them, but it is with good reason. Even after the Jack-o-Lanterns turn into black rot and before peppermint-flavoured drinks try to wedge their way into over-crowded menus, people continue to go back to that delicious combination of synthetized cinnamon, nutmeg, and, maybe, pumpkin. There are times, after one has treated themselves to too many drinks, that taking a sip of a French Vanilla Latte with a shot of Pumpkin Spice can be enough to ruin someone’s day. After paying $4 for it though, some things must be endured. Next time you’ll order a Caramel Macchiato instead, and then wonder why your debit card is evaporating so quickly. December Exams are not happening this year, but they are being replaced by the November Assessment Week, and many people are freaking out. Keeners are laughing, because they know their stuff and that Pumpkin Spice Latte is still sending them to cloud-nine, but many of us are being bombarded with bitter realization. Would utilizing prep to study, rather than staring at a wall or watching Netflix, have been a more productive use of my time? Yes, press pause on the Walking Dead, stop looking at the flowers, and use those valuable two hours for something! Or don’t, it is your life. #YouDoYou. Whether in the next week people become Ferris Bueller or Cameron Frye, obligations are going to start piling up — they are everywhere and they are questionable. Here are some students’ views on the Assessment Week: “The assessment week is fast approaching, sure. With university applications around the corner, I’m feeling tentative about the results it may bring, but it’s better that they aren’t as ‘make or break you’ as December exams,” Jordan S, Whittall ’15. “I’m happy we aren’t having the December exams because they were stressful, and horrible, and I was literally dying. I also don’t believe in exams or tests showcasing our learning and understanding. Going against the system, that’s me,” Cristina T, Hope ’15, spouts exasperatedly while searching for milk to put in some English Breakfast tea—obviously, a lack of Pumpkin Spice has directly influenced her opinion – but Cristina does not like cinnamon. Ted M, Hope ’15, the Holiday tree, opined, “I’m indifferent to all changes; I’m perennial.” “Pumpkin Spice as in a flavour? What aspect of Pumpkin Spice?” asked Rachel M, Hope ’15. “I’ve never had a Pumpkin Spice Latte, I don’t think I’d like it. About Nov. Assessment Week,– it’s pretty stupid. The teachers are not treating it with the same weight as exams. It’s just an extra thing to worry about on top of academics” Rachel M, Hope ’15. “I think it’s a good idea, its just Brentwood teachers may not listen—they’re probably going to be doing exam type things during December anyway– and I have big tests this week. It’s like Communism, good in theory,” states Tia P, Allard ’15. Kimmi G, Hope ’15; Photos by Kimmi G, Hope ‘15

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