Noa and her Love of Basketball

Last week I had the honour of reading my book Me and My So-Called Friends to the students at the JDD Adolescent Centre. This was my third time reading at this wonderful school, and I felt that it was time to ask the students a few questions instead of just me sitting there talking away. Particularly, I wanted to focus on exercise and how it makes someone feel.

I offered the opportunity to be featured here, on my website, and on social media to the students. I was also hoping that someone would be able to meet my obscene deadline. Which was the next day. Low and behold, super star Noa, sent me the answers to my questions later that evening.

Ladies and gentlemen, I pleased to present a proud JDD student. Noa and her love of basketball, and some other pretty cool things, too.

What kind of exercise do you do?

Before COVID I was apart of a REP basketball team. We would practice three times a week for 2 hours each. Due to the pandemic, these practices haven’t been happening. I still manage to throw some hoops around by myself when the weather permits around my neighbourhood. But it’s not the same thing and I miss playing with my team. During the winter, I have been spending most of my time, reading, baking, and watching Netflix.

How does basketball make you feel?

This exercise makes me feel happy because I get to socialize with my friends. I feel relaxed and calm afterward. Of course, there are days when I didn’t feel like going. After I push myself to play, I feel much calmer. 

Editors note: This just makes my heart sing. Noa and her love of basketball are bursting with benefits!

When you don’t exercise, how do you feel?

Sometimes when I don’t exercise I feel like it might affect my sleep schedule. I’m not working myself as hard and therefore I don’t get as tired.

What are your hobbies?

I have a lot of hobbies! Some I have only picked up since the pandemic started. A few of them are, reading, playing basketball, and watching movies. I have recently gotten into shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale” that battle more serious issues. I would also like to try to contribute to racial, cultural, and sexist issues.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is poutine (I guess you could say I’m very Canadian). Recently I have become a vegetarian and can’t enjoy this yummy meal anymore, but I would like to try vegetarian poutine.

Editor’s note: You can get it here: @freshrestaurants.

Favourite book?

My favorite book would have to be the series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan. I have always been interested in mythology. I had seen the movies first and loved them. However, this year I had recently gotten into reading and I found the first book at JDD and fell in love. One of the reasons I love this series is because it is narrated by the main character who deals with ADHD and dyslexia and this is something I can relate to as I have ADHD. I would also like to mention that Percy’s sense of humor makes the book ten times better. I convinced my mom to buy me the rest of the series and now I have to say that I have learned to appreciate reading books before watching the movies.

What do you like best about your school?

Some things I like best about my school would be that the classes are very small so the support is amazing. The reading program is amazing with many different varieties of books that I don’t think any other school has, not to mention, with diverse authors.

Editors note and/or thought: Would I be considered a diverse author?

Do you have anything else you would like to share?

An obsession of mine is my favorite TV show, “The Simpsons”. I started watching this show in grade four when my mom turned the TV on and “The Simpsons” was on and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the TV. I have multiple clothing items from their merchandise, created a “DIY” poster, and am a proud owner of a Simpson duvet!

It was such a pleasure to connect with one of the students at the JDD Adolescent Centre. I loved learning about Noa and her love of basketball, her appreciation of a good book, baking, and her obsession with The Simpsons. Hey, everyone’s got a guilty pleasure. Here’s mine!

 

I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write for a product or service you represent or for your own company, please be in touch.