You’ve been challenged to present what you’ve done to make the world better place in front of the entire human population. Sure, you could prepare a marvelous speech but the catch is, you only have 90 seconds. “What an ordeal!” you may think. But wait, there’s more. Who is your competition? Only the world’s elite-…
During this time of year, it’s all about celebrating for us. With gifts, good food and family activities, it’s easy to think that this time of year is the best . But, seeing how we live in cozy, economically stable and safe Canada, it’s hard to imagine that there are millions of children all over…
Ladies and gentlemen, I am a short girl. In a society where the average Canadian female is 5 feet 4 inches, I fall below average at a whopping 5 feet 1 inch. Personally, I have no problem with my height. It’s a part of who I am, and I’ve learned to embrace it! With that being…
Dear Younger Me, It’s almost 2017, can you believe it? We’ve made it through a whopping 15 years; and in those 15 years, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned things I wish I knew when I was younger. Things that would’ve made everything so much more different, but I suppose you’ve got to make the…
Dear 2017, Please be kind. I’m sure you’ve heard by now, 2016 has been rough. It’s been a year of hatred, of ignorance, intolerance, inequality and of senseless acts of tragedy. Yet we’ve all survived, clinging to the hope of the rebirth of the new year, of new beginnings, and a fresh start. I pray…
We all have those days when it seems that the whole universe is making sure that not a single thing goes our ways. It can start from the very moment you open your eyes in the morning. Your alarm doesn’t go off and you have fifteen minutes to get ready and run to the bus…
With diploma exams around a month away, myself and many others have just been hit with the realization, “Holy cow, I have to get studying!” As someone who hates studying with a burning passion (read: doesn’t know how to study without getting bored or distracted within minutes) and can’t find a way to take notes that…
In 2014, 17 year old Reshma Qureshi and her sister were making their way to an exam center in Allahabad when they were attacked by her sister’s hostile husband and two other men. Reshma, being mistaken for her sister, was pinned down and doused in sulfuric acid, leaving her with severe burns to her face…
Have you ever gone someplace new feeling all excited, then realizing all you want to do is go back home but soon you adapted? Then, when you go home again, it isn’t what you expect? Well that roller coaster of emotions is called Culture Shock. Culture Shock is the concept of entering a new environment,…
Standing at just barely 5 feet tall, Jessica Vu is a force to be reckoned with. A grade 11 student at Lester B Pearson high school, she is currently the female with the most YVC hours in Calgary, and recently received the World Changer Award, for having volunteered 1000 (or more) hours with Youth Volunteer…
Can you believe it’s almost Christmas?! It’s less than a week away, and if you’re a procrastinator like me, you probably haven’t done your Christmas shopping yet! But, don’t you worry, I’ve got your back. I’ve compiled a list of cheap and easy DIYs you can make for all your friends and family! I promise,…
On Thursday, December 1, I got the wonderful opportunity to go and see Theatre Calgary’s production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I recommend that you go and see this as soon as possible, it’s really worth it! The next day, I was lucky enough to talk with the star of this amazing production, Stephen…
Every person you see, every person you know of, including yourself, is constantly after something: power. Power over your life decisions, over your relationships, over your life; but sometimes, this desire for power extends beyond oneself. The average person, when is unable to control what’s happening around them, begins to feel insecure and frustrated. If…
Dear Friend, I would first like to apologize for being quite long-winded, but I have a lot to say and this letter does not even scratch the surface of what would like to express. I do not pretend to operate under any pretence that religion plays an active role in my life any more than…
Captured during my adventures at Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Often times body language speaks louder than words and when life gets busy we rarely take a minute to reflect and breathe. Every creature needs moments of stillness, where we can find our calm and ground ourselves amidst the chaos. Even the “monk-eys” are meditating to…