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BASE Program
March 6, 2017 | Volume I, Issue 2
File your Income Tax in Canada
By International Student Experience
Did you earn money in Canada in 2016?
You have to file income tax!
 
Filing your annual income tax return is an important duty for all residents of Canada. Your 2016 income tax return is due to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by April 30, 2017.
 
The Accounting & Finance Student Association (AFSA) is holding tax clinics for low-income students and families from March 24-27. During this time, AFSA volunteers will complete your 2017 income tax return for free if you bring the necessary documentation and meet their eligibility requirements. Visit the AFSA tax clinic website for details.
 
Another option is to register for one of a hands-on workshop to learn how to complete your tax return on your own. There are workshops for international students with taxable income in 2016 and no taxable income in 2016. Important note: We will not be covering information on foreign/world income (which includes home country scholarships) or dependents (spouse and/or children). Remember to bring your documents and laptop with you.
A knock on the door.
By Connie Chong, Arts BASE student
A knock on the door.

When someone knocks on your door, what do you do?

Imagine you are having a big dinner with 20 neighbours, when there is a knock on the door. A knock on the door. Someone knocks on the door and breaks the silence.

When I was a child, I was told not to answer the door when someone knocks because you have no idea who is behind that door. A seven-year-old would always play a ‘knock-knock’ game with me. When having a conversation, she would say, "knock, knock". I would need to answer immediately, "no one’s here", even if I am right here, standing right next to her.

A knock on the door. People who are in need knock on the door, but they do not receive an answer because we are taught not to open a door to a stranger.

A knock on the door.

The person who knocks on your door could be anyone: a young woman who asks you to tell her something about your hometown, an old man who begs you for money, a child who simply wants to say “hi” to you, a group of people who wants to talk to you about Jesus, or even your new neighbour who wants to invite you over for dinner.

You know someone knocks on your door because you are the only person with a wooden door.

A knock on the door.

With a knock on the door, you have a few seconds to decide whether you are going to open it or not.

A knock on the door.

You could be the one who gives hope to the person who is waiting at the door.

Dr. Mary Jo Leddy is a writer, theologian, and social activist, and was the Sawatsky Lecture speaker at the University of Waterloo this year. She is the author of seven books, including At the Border Called Hope: Where Refugees Are Neighbours (1997) and The Other Face of God: When the Stranger Calls Us Home (2011). Dr. Leddy spoke at Conrad Grebel University College last week.

Dr. Leddy told her story about a knock on the door.

It was on a Wednesday evening. Sitting at the table that was right in front of her, I could see an older lady standing in front of a wooden desk, speaking into the microphone. Her crisp, blue eyes with vivid reflections. Perhaps it was the light gleaming off her eyes or some tears that held the dearest of stories. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what it was about, but what I can tell you is that her tales made me feel like I was a little child again, basking in the innocence of childhood. It was as if I needed someone to knock on me to wake me up.

Mary Jo lived in one of four temporary houses with a small, quaint backyard in the middle of the complex. These houses were for refugees who were new to Canada and they could live there for a year to adapt to life in Canada.

As a writer, Mary Jo was in a writing group. Once, it was her turn to host the group for dinner with twenty to thirty people. She spent the whole day preparing a meal, a big meal, a sumptuous meal.

Waiting.
She was in one of the temporary houses.
She was waiting for the knocks on the door.
No one came.
She called her friend and asked, "Where’s everybody?".
"The event is tomorrow."

And now, she was standing in front of the tables with all of the food. No one came. No one knocked on her door. No one.

No one knocked on the door.

Rather than wasting all the food she cooked and her efforts, she went to other temporary houses around her and asked people and their friends to enjoy the meal together.

Around twenty people gathered in her house. Not expecting anyone else to knock on the door, they started having the marvelous meal when someone knocked on her door.

A knock on the door.
A knock on the door and Mary went to the door.
A knock on the door.
There was a man with his suitcase.
"Hola, hola", the man said.
"Hola… ", Mary replied, hesitatingly.
"Hola, you’re expecting me!" the man smiled.

It was his first day coming to Canada and he was told to have a meal in this house.
Mary did not know how to answer.

"Yes, I guess we are…"
Peaking through the door and seeing the people and giant heaps food on the tables, he asked with excitement.
"Did you make all of this for me?"
"I guess we did..."
He smiled. It was the brightest smile she had ever seen.

A knock on the door. Mary did not expect that a knock on the door could be such a joy to her and her neighbors that very evening. A knock on the door.

A knock on the door.

It was an April evening when the group sang the only Spanish song that they knew for the man who knocked on the door, even though it was well past Christmas.

Laughter, by Pete Stacey"Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad… I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas…"

A knock on the door. The joy. The gratitude.

A knock on the door.

It is all unexpected when someone knocks on the door and bring in such happiness and joy.
“The minute refugees have a face and a name, something human happens, and people invariably respond with decency, tolerance, and generosity.”, she said.

The food were cold but the house could not be any warmer. It was not Christmas but a knock on the door ended with the man’s house bustling with noise and excitement just like in Christmas.

Photo credit:
Laughter, by Pete Stacey
Ask, Seek, Knock, by Ministry to Children
Do you need help with MATH 137?
Math 138 tutors from the Math Tutorial Centre can now help with your Math 137 course!

» Sundays
  
4pm-10pm, MKV Residence (MKV Multi-purpose Room)
» Monday-Friday
  
8:30am-5:30pm, Math Tutorial Centre (MC Room 4066)
» Mondays
  
7pm-10pm, MKV Residence (MKV Multi-purpose Room)
» Tuesdays
  
7pm-10pm, MKV Residence (MKV Multi-purpose Room) 
» Wednesdays
  
7pm-10pm, Village 1 Residence (V1 Great Hall)
» Thursdays
  
7pm-10pm, MKV Residence (MKV Multi-purpose Room)

This upcoming Saturday, you can also receive additional assistance exclusively for BASE students! 

Systems Design Engineering student Christos and BASE Peer Leader Fiona will be available on Saturday, March 11 from 1pm-3pm in Room 1918 for a study session. 

Get the support you need to be successful with this credit course, Engineers!

BASE Events This Week
» BASE REP TEAM MEETING
Monday, March 6
4pm-5:30pm, Room 2106


» CHECK-IN MEETINGS
Monday, March 6
Tuesday, March 7
Check the BASE Bulletin Board for time/location

You must attend your meeting.


Check in
Click on the image to view this week's full schedule.

» NEWSWRITING TEAM MEETING
Tuesday, March 7
3:30pm-4:30pm, Room 1928


» INTERNATIONAL FAIR
Wednesday, March 8
10am-2pm
Student Life Centre

Your BASE Rep volunteers are hosting an International Fair for all UWaterloo students in the SLC with interactive games and activities! Join the festivities.

To attend: Go to the SLC to participate.

» CULTURAL CARAVAN
Thursday, March 9
6:45pm - 9pm
Meet in Atrium to go to SLC

Check out an amazing cultural talent show with dance performances, musical acts, and other great cultural demonstrations! More than 600 students check out this huge event each year!
To attend: Register on the BASE Bulletin Board. Meet Crystal in the Atrium at 6:45pm to walk to SLC.


» BADMINTON GAME
Friday, March 10
7:45pm - 10:00pm
Let's go play badminton! Join us for a fun evening of exercise as we go to play badminton at PAC.
To attend: Register on the BASE Bulletin Board. Meet Crystal at 7:45pm in the Renison Atrium to walk to PAC.


» MATH 137 STUDY HELP SESSION
Saturday, March 11
1pm-3pm
Room 1918, Renison
Renison ELI is Hiring!
Are you looking for a student leadership role that will help you build your cross-cultural and communication skills? The Renison English Language Institute is hiring for the spring and fall terms!

We have a total of 26 student positions available that are varied based on time commitment, level of experience, and opportunities for development.

View the job postings
Social Media Champion 
Johanna Pinargote wins two weeks in a row! 

A new week has now begun!
Compete this week for your chance to win...

» The book "The Concise Canadian Writer's Handbook", by Messenger, de Bruyn, Brown, Montagnes
» A stainless steel water bottle with tea infuser, donated by UW Food Services
» Waterloo Engineering USB key, smartphone speaker keychain, and smartphone kit
» Cool UWaterloo swag!

Good luck!
Visit the Facebook Group
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