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YOUTH ARE AWESOME

Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth. YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them. Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.

Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.

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The Best Memes of 2017

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A lot of things happened in 2017, but one one of the constants of the year were the undeniably hilarious memes.

Some may have found the memes downright confusing, but for some, these memes were the only thing that kept them going this year.

Well, this is inevitably going to be a long post, so sit back, relax, and enjoy.

JANUARY

1. Salt Bae

Salt bae is the nickname given to a Turkish chef who went viral after a video was posted of him flamboyantly sprinkling salt on a slab of meat.

2. Cash Me Outside

“Cash me outside, how bow dah?” or, in English: “Catch me outside, how about that?”. This simply iconic phrase was said by 13 year old Danielle Bregoli on the Dr. Phil Show, after she got tired of the audience continously laughing at her. The phrase basically means to “catch her outside” for a fight.

3. Michelle Obama at Trump’s Inauguration

This refers to the series of pictures taken of Michelle Obama at President Trump’s inauguration, where she receives a box from Melania Trump and clearly does not know what to do with it.

Slow motion- even better.

What a queen. Michelle, if you’re reading this: just like you and that box, we also have no idea what to do with the fact that out of all people, Donald Trump is the American president.

FEBRUARY

1. Roll Safe

Roll Safe is the reaction picture of the man tapping his head that went viral this year- I know you know what I’m talking about.

This then escalated into hilarious variations.

2. What in Tarnation?

This became a meme after the online community began to poke fun at the common Southern American saying.

3. Drew Scanlon

This meme is actually known as the “blinking white guy” meme, which the Twitter community made popular by using it as a reaction GIF. It’s honestly my reaction to everything.

MARCH

1. Meryl Streep Yelling

I love this meme, mainly because I love Meryl Streep.

https://twitter.com/RynoOstar/status/843498722982006784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2F2017%2F12%2F09%2Fbest-memes-of-2017%2F

2. Student Athletes

This is a dialogue meme that mocked stereotypical student athletes on social media who constantly talk about their “grind”, their dreams, and how they never stop working.

Quick vocabulary session.

Grind:When an individual pushes his/herself to attain a goal. (Urban Dictionary)

APRIL

1. The Expanding Brain

This was one of the most ironic and longest memes to stay around this year. The meme is basically a series of images which compare tasks to brain size, but actually imply the opposite (the task with the largest expanded brain is actually something very foolish).

As with all memes, this one also came with its own variations. Here’s one directed towards dogs.

MAY

1. Fidget Spinners

We all know what fidget spinners are. You know, the toy designed to keep kids from fidgeting. Quite self explanatory. But after the craze took over the world, literally, the meme did too.

2. Mocking Spongebob

We’ve all done it or heard it before. Where we’re in an argument, and we don’t have anything to say back, so we just mock whatever the other person just said in a weird voice. This meme is basically the visual embodiment of that.

JUNE

1. Boneless Pizza

Boneless pizza is the somewhat confusing, what even meme of this year. It went viral after someone videotaped themselves prank calling a pizza place and accidentally asking for “boneless pizza”.

 

2. The Floor Is Lava

This meme is basically mocking the childhood game most of us have played, where we pretend the floor is lava.

This meme also had variations, in which people said “the floor is ____” with a picture of a jumping man, basically saying they’re avoiding it.

JULY

1. Hotdog Man

Over the summer, Snapchat released a new filter in which you could flip your camera away from your face and position a dancing hotdog-man on your screen, making it look like you’re taking a video of it. This in turn became a meme.

2. 3017

This meme originated on Twitter, where people would showcase others solving issues in weird and often irrational ways, captioning it based off of the original- “Y’all living in 2017, but this guy already in 3017.”

AUGUST

1. Trump and the Solar Eclipse

When the solar eclipse happened this year, the one thing we were all strongly advised to do was to never look at the eclipse directly unless using a pair of eclipse glasses, and even then, you shouldn’t look at it for prolonged amounts of time.

Obviously, Trump did the exact opposite. Memes followed.

SEPTEMBER

1. Distracted Boyfriend

This stock photo of a disloyal guy looking at another woman while with his girlfriend went viral because of the thousands (literally thousands of hilarious and relatable variations).

OCTOBER

1. Monkey Haircut

This meme is literally what it sounds like- a monkey getting a haircut. I for one, found it hilarious for some reason.

But then, people realized this picture can be photoshopped into any situation, so they took advantage of that.

NOVEMBER

1. Big Shaq, “Mans Not Hot”

This infamous song became popular after a verse of the song, called “The ting goes” verse went viral on Twitter. In that verse, Big Shaq makes odd gun noises with his mouth.

Then, people began putting it over footage, like this person, who put it over Big Ben’s final chimes.

And that’s all, folks! Now, let’s get to hoping 2018 brings us memes as funny and absurd as the ones of this year.

Sources:

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Unusual Christmas Songs for the Holiday Season

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The holiday season is right around the corner and with that comes, naturally, Christmas music! Besides your usual Christmas carols and songs, here are a few unorthodox Christmas songs that will be sure to brighten your mood this holiday season (in no particular order):

“Dominick the Donkey” by Lou Monte

The song describes Dominick, who is an Italian Christmas Donkey that helps Santa pulls his sled and bring presents to children because “the reindeer cannot climb the hills of Italy”. Overall, the song is extremely lively and catchy, and even includes its fair share of donkey noises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYlvfX3nwlc

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Bob and Doug McKenzie

Bob and Doug McKenzie are two fictional characters in “Great White North”, which were short segments of the 1980s TV show SCTV that was based upon Canadian stereotypes. In 1981, they released a music album which was called The Great White North. One of the songs included in the album was their version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Throughout the song there is plenty of hysterical banter between Bob and Doug, as well as plenty of stereotypical Canadian gifts. Contrary to the title, the pair only ever gets to seven items.

“I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” by Gayla Peevey

As the title suggests, the song is about a girl who wishes for a hippopotamus for Christmas. The song is over 60 years old, and has essentially become a Christmas classic. Interestingly enough, when the song came out in 1953, a campaign was launched to present Gayla Peevey (10 years old at the time) with a hippopotamus for Christmas. The campaign succeeded and the hippopotamus was donated to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo & Patsy

Although the song opens with the melody of Jingle Bells, the song provides a very different outlook on “dashing through the snow”. This song is about exactly what the title says, Grandma getting trampled by Santa and his reindeer. The lyrics of the song describes the events leading up to and after Grandma is run over.

BONUS: Pokemon “Christmas Medley”

Even if you are a Pokemon fan, you likely have not heard of the Pokemon Christmas Bash, a Christmas themed music album released in 2001 recorded with the cast of the English anime. The album features some interesting original songs and covers of well-known songs. The most notable song in the album is the “Christmas Medley”, which puts a Pokemon themed twist on eight classic Christmas carols.

I hope that these songs were able to amuse you as much as they amused me. Happy holidays to all!

Image Sources:1

On academically competitive culture… and why it’s unnecessary

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Being in grade 9 at the moment, I’m going through one of the more important processes 14 year olds have to undergo: high school applications. The wonderful time where one decides where, and how they’re going to suffer through their high school years. It’s a pretty big decision, especially with all the special education programs that are made available to us. IB, or AP? French, or English? Transfer to my area designated, or go to my GATE designated? Luckily though, being the keener that I am, I attended the open houses of all my possible schools during my grade 8 year, so the process would go as smoothly as possible. Finally, I decided on Western… which necessitates a transfer.

(source)

In previous years, applying for high school transfers was comparatively simple. But alas, due to the CBE placing harsh regulations concerning designated schools in order to discourage unnecessary transfers, the process has become increasingly difficult, almost to a degree of redundant bureaucracy. From submitting a comprehensive package (letter of intent, transfer request form, most recent report card, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship) to your designated school to be signed, to scheduling a meeting with the requested school discussing the transfer, it certainly gives me a headache just to think about. However, it quickly became evident that I had to make a strong case to get in; and I was ready to impress.

the struggles of math… (source)

For those applying for the international baccalaureate (IB) programme at Western, there’s a placement test for math, taking place in January. And believe me: in speaking to a few friends who took that placement test, I wasn’t exactly feeling warm and fuzzy about it. No, the sentiment was actually more along the lines of a) “Oh no, I don’t know math in English” (drawbacks of having 4/5 core subjects in French? Not knowing what a “cathète” is in English, and many other translation struggles: the series!) b) “Oh no, there’s trigonometry on the test, there is no way the Alberta math curriculum is going to teach me trigonometry before January”, and finally, c) “I absolutely refuse to go to math boot camp if I get under 20%, I am going to be in Toronto for the last two weeks of August if it is the very last thing I do”

This impending math test brought up quite a bit of ethical doubt about education, and how far I was willing to go to perform well on the placement test. There is a culture within high school (including junior high, and oftentimes, even elementary school), of pretty extreme academic competition. Perhaps being in the Gifted And Talented Education program for 3 years enhanced this culture; but personally, I always felt that I was dragging behind, compared to all of my peers. I saw all my friends taking Kumon, or working with tutors, taking wildly unnecessary courses outside of school to “get that academic edge”. I saw students in grade 6, doing booklets of calculus, grade 8, taking an ELA 30-1 course on Saturdays, kids not even in high school, preparing for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), or their Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

(source)

For someone who has never done Kumon, or had any tutor, or any additional instruction for a school subject, it starts to become a little discouraging when it feels as though it is expected that I already understand a concept before the teacher has even taught it just because everyone else already knows it… Up until a few weeks ago, I brushed it off, because I’d rather be receiving an education at school, then spending time getting ahead just to seem smart in the classroom. But let me tell you, looking at my prospects for that math test, I was considering doing some hard core supplementary math. I downloaded a collection of old University of Waterloo math competitions, and I asked around for anyone I knew to teach me trigonometry. In short, I panicked.

But one night, while working through a 1997 grade 9 math contest, I abruptly came to an epiphany, if you will. I would love to tell you that it was some profound, principled voice becoming clear, but honestly, I think I just became too lazy to keep working on unnecessary math. But nevertheless, here it is: why am I working so hard to get into a class that is too good for me?

It feels as though there is inherent pressure to study, and do well on this placement test, as to be placed into a good class. High school students love divides, they thrive off of categorizing, and labelling others, whether or not it is done consciously. And knowing the types of kids who are likely to go into the IB programme, the prospect of taking two weeks off their summer to have to go to math boot camp, or being placed in a 10-2 class is absolutely terrifying, and I understand that: for many students, there is a constant expectation that they always get good marks, and if that means taking extra classes so that school seems easy, so be it.

But I start to ask myself: What’s the point? Because the purpose of education, isn’t to show off, and already know what you’re being taught; it is to learn, to build knowledge, and understanding, and prepare you for your future. So why should I have to prepare so that I can come off as smart when I’m supposed to be learning the very concepts I’ve already finished? When did education become a race to run just slightly ahead of the group so that they felt inferior?

Of course, competition is healthy, to a certain extent. But the sorts of academic competition that is so common in school nowadays crosses the line. Students and parents alike are pushing to get as far ahead as possible, as early as possible, without stopping to consider what happens once they’re supposed to learn it. Because it reaches a point where certain students should not be at school; they show up simply to look smart, but aren’t learning anything. There is so much pressure, and such high expectations, that this starts to become the norm; and it’s honestly silly.

Education is not some sort of showcase to flaunt your knowledge; it should be a safe space to foster learning, and growth. I want that back.

 

(featured image source)

Kombucha!

I love tea.

Mostly, I drink green tea. Strong. No sugar, please. I’m also quite fond of milk teas, but less on the milky side and definitely no sugar- I’m more about that strong tea flavour. And then of course, there’s bubble tea. Actually, I’m too fond of bubble tea, but I always manage to convince myself it’s a reasonable indulgence because I always ask for no sugar, and even though it’s expensive, hey, I’ve got to treat myself from time to time.

And then, there’s fermented tea. Who knew this even existed? I didn’t, until I walked into Sunterra Market in Downtown Calgary and headed straight towards the drinks section, seeking something, anything, to satisfy my thirst. It was there that I saw it- Kombucha.

 

I was drawn in immediately by the interesting-looking bottle and the word ‘tea,’ and after pondering excessively as to what I should buy (as usual), I decided to go for the Blueberry Rooibos Kombucha because why not.

Photo by Nikoo

Being the idiot I am, I only realized how expensive the kombucha was after I went to pay for it… but I had already committed myself to trying the tea, and there was no turning back.

Photo by Nikoo

So I tried this new tea, and to be honest my first impression was something along the lines of ‘did I seriously just pay $5.50 for this?!’ The flavour was interesting, don’t get me wrong, but a fizzy blueberry drink didn’t seem like something worth the price- if I was going to pay that much, I might as well have indulged in bubble tea. But as I continued to drink it, it actually grew on me, despite several others asking me with concerned tones what I was drinking (I only realized later that the bottle looked like cough medicine- I can only imagine what others were thinking).

So this new drink came to be something I found fascinating, and I got curious about it… so let’s learn about this new drink!

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is essentially a sweetened green or black tea that has been fermented using a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), which allows it to accumulate lots and lots of healthy probiotics. The drink likely originates from what is now Manchuria, where it has been consumed for at least 2000 years. It is often consumed as a health drink, and though many claim it has helped in their various ailments, there is unclear evidence as to what exactly the drink provides in terms of health benefits. That being said, probiotics are known to support the immune system and fight infection, and kombucha is a healthy source of these.

 

Making Kombucha

Commercial kombucha is super expensive, and if it’s something you want to drink often, splurging $4-6 for every bottle may not be the best use of your money (AHAHA). Instead, a fraction of the cost can be put towards purchasing tea, sugar, and a SCOBY disk, and as long as you have the patience to wait a couple days for fermentation to occur, you can enjoy your own kombucha right in the comfort of your home!

(Thanks Dr. Axe for the recipe!)

 

If you don’t feel like reading through the recipe (or want to see how lovely a SCOBY disk looks), you can also check out this video below! (Thanks Munchies!)

Something to note- It has to be clear that in dealing with fermentations, one has to be mindful about the bacteria; that is, that you shouldn’t consume the product until it is fully fermented, as consumption in the middle of fermentation could possibly be unsafe. That being said, as long as you make sure to properly follow the steps, you’ll be rewarded with a good batch of probiotic-rich kombucha! I haven’t yet tried this (I don’t exactly have a SCOBY disk), but I intend to and will update if it goes well. 🙂

Information: 1/2

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What’s happening in Honduras

The presidential election in Honduras, located in Central America, has caused post-vote riots and put many lives in danger. Current Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernandez has decided to suspend all constitutional rights and has enforced a ten day curfew from 6pm to 6am with help from their military. Despite this, chaos has raged through the country’s capital.

An assumed scandal involving the counting of the election ballots have caused an uproar from the civilians. The opposition candidate of the presidential election, Salvador Nasralla called onto his supporters after claiming election fraud. Nasralla’s supporters have lit malls and stores on fire, forced people out of houses, supermarkets etc. Those spotted outside after hours have been ordered to be killed.  In Honduras’ capital, Tegucigalpa, protesters have lit tires on fire and used them as a blockade to roads and boulevards. Since, the government has called a state of emergency.

What happened with the votes? 

95% of ballots were said to be counted by December 3rd. The other 5% left (1 031 boxes) to be counted is now supposed to be counted by hand. The recent ballots revealed that Hernandez had pulled ahead by 1.5%. However, a few days prior, Nasralla had been ahead by 5% with more than half the votes counted. As a result, Nasralla claims it to be election fraud and both claim to have won. The electoral court refuses to release final results until all ballots are counted, which endangers the lives of civilians in Honduras. This crisis hasn’t gotten enough attention, it’s extremely important to educate people on what’s going on internationally and not just what is in close range of where we live.

Update as of 12/5/2017 : Honduran Officials are supposedly going to handle the final vote counts

Images : 1 2 3

5 Things You Should Know Before Your First Concert

Concerts. An exhilarating experience that evokes a unique rush of excitement and joy, yet also a laborious and draining challenge. My first concert experience was during Stampede 2014 at the Coca-Cola stage, eagerly waiting for A Great Big World. We didn’t know any songs by them other than “Say Something“, but we still decided to wait hours in front of the stage, trying to learn the lyrics to some of their other songs. The concert ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of that summer, and I’ve had a passion for concerts and live music ever since.

My first concert experience after the Coke Stage was quite intimidating because I had no idea what to expect. Numerous artists, venues, and shows later and I am still no expert, but here are some tips and tricks I learned along the way on how to optimize your concert experience.

NOTE: These tips are more geared towards General Admissions concerts (a concert with no assigned seating but a standing general admissions floor in front of the stage) because I am most familiar with them. However, I am sure these tips are still applicable to all concerts.

Pack for Success

One crucial rule to remember when attending a concert is to pack light. You don’t want to let aching shoulder pains prevent you from bopping to your favourite song, and it’s  kind of very irritating when the person in front of you has a huge backpack that hits you every time they make the slightest movement. Personally, I found that even a small cinch bag got in the way and hit the people around me, so it might be better to stay away from them, as well as backpacks. Small side purses with a shoulder strap work great but the ideal choice is undoubtedly a good old fanny pack. This beautiful species of bag are a) not of inconvenience to others b) gives full arm mobility to really dance to the music c) keeps everything in extremely comfortable reach and d) no shoulder pains!!!

Here is a short and sweet list of my concert essentials:

  • ticket- very important.
  • phone- also, very important.
  • cash- a lot of venues only accept cash for merchandise. Bringing cash is strongly recommended unless you’re okay with using an ATM and paying a service fee.
  • portable phone charger- your battery will drain quickly! This is a must!
  • water and snacks- for when you’re waiting outside to enter the venue.

Come Early

This tip only really applies to concerts with no assigned seating. If you really love the artist and want to be close to the stage, start lining up early. Extremely dedicated fans will wait from as early as 4 am to be at the barricade, depending on how popular the artist is. Yes, it is not the most pleasant experience to wait 5 hours outside in the middle of winter when you are fairly certain you are on the verge of hypothermia, but as long as you dress in layers, have a scorching cup of hot chocolate, and friends to keep you company, you will survive!

Stay Hydrated

I cannot stress this enough. Stay. Hydrated. There are a number of times that excited concert attendees had to leave the pit before the show began, or passed out in the middle of the set because they were dehydrated.  Either buy water at the venue (because a lot of venues do not let you bring in your own water) or, if you’re close to the barricade, ask one of the security guards for a drink. Oftentimes, they have water bottles with them to give to you because pulling out passed- out dehydrated teenage girls is not particularly high on their wish list.

Learn the Lyrics

Although live music is always a wonderful experience regardless of if you know the lyrics or not, I find a concert significantly more fun and exciting when you’re able to sing along to the songs. Singing at the top of your lungs to the point of losing your voice halfway through the show is a key component of the ultimate concert experience. I typically listen to the artist’s albums on repeat for months in preparation for the big day, and the blood, sweat, and tears put into all of the arduous memorizing is always worth it.

Don’t Watch the Show Through a Screen

This is hands- down one of my top tips. It is the biggest mistake my overly-enthusiastic 14-year-old self-made at that first concert a few years ago. I literally recorded the entire set but, to this day, have only watched the recordings once or twice. I do encourage filming your favourite song or particularly exciting moments of the show for memories sake, and also to help you get over that potential case of PCD (Post Concert Depression).

Most importantly, have fun and stay safe.

🙂

 Image: 1

The Creation of a National Icon

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Since the creation of Canada in the year 1867, our beautiful nation has gone through many different flags. Over the years we have adopted numerous designs which have all led to the beautiful red and white flag featuring our iconic maple leaf. This is the story about the creation of a national icon.

Up until the year 1965, Canada went through a plethora of flags, however, none truly represented the Canadian spirit which we know very well today. The first flag which Canada had as a nation was the Royal Union Flag, due to Canada’s connection to Britain. Even though Canada adopted a new flag in 1871, the Royal Union flag was still used by Canadian troops in World War I. Today the Royal Union flag is the national flag of Great Britain and still maintains importance in many Commonwealth Nations.

By the year 1871, Canada adopted its first unique flag which bore the arms of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The flag was known as the Red Ensign and became the national icon until 1921. During this time period, other arms were added to the flag to accommodate for newly joined provinces of Canada, causing the Red Ensign to sport numerous variations.

The Red Ensign

In 1921 the Royal Ensign was changed to bear the Royal coat of arms of Canada, or more commonly known as the Canada Coat of Arms. The Royal Ensign was added to Canadian government buildings across Canada and was also authorized to be displayed on federal government buildings. In 1957 the red Ensign received a modification which changed the color of the maple leaf from green to red. This flag was used until the modern flag we have today.

The Canadian Red Ensign
The Canadian Red Ensign

In the year of 1964 Prime Minister Lester B. Person believed that Canada needed to adopt a national emblem which would represent the values which Canada stands for. He proposed a flag which would truly represent Canada as a nation. However, it was not that easy, prior to the adoption of the flag in 1965 there was heated debate and stiff opposition.Ultimately Lester B. Pearson prevailed and a national icon was born. Today the flag of Canada is a national icon which is recognized around the world, no wonder it only took us 98 years to get it perfect.

 

Under this flag may our youth find new inspiration for loyalty to Canada; for a patriotism based not on any mean or narrow nationalism, but on the deep and equal pride that all Canadians will feel for every part of this good land.

Leaster B. Pearson

 

The National Flag of Canada

 

 

 

Image Source 1/2/3/4/5/6

Information Sources: 1/2/

This post explored the years 1962-1967 of Canadian History.

What To See In YYC: December 1-3, 2017

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December is finally upon us, 2017 is coming to an end, and holiday festivities are out in full swing! For once, it doesn’t feel like the winter season yet — and I won’t jinx it, but the chinook winds and warm weather are definitely welcomed in Calgary for a little longer… before the cold weather lull comes over us, check out these events going on around the city this weekend:

Theatre Calgary Presents: A Christmas Carol

When: Weekly on all days of the week (excluding Monday) – catch the December 2 or December 3 showings at 2 pm and 7:30 pm!

Where: Max Bell Theatre, Arts Commons, 240 9 Ave. S.E.

Cost: $35 admission

This annual production by Theatre Calgary is back starting November 28 until December 24! The staple Dickens’ classic has become this city’s tradition; if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check out this stage performance featuring Scourge and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. For more information, head over to their website and read our own blogger Kiana’s interview with Stephen Hair (starring as Scourge) here!

 

VegFest Vegan Holiday Market

When: December 2, 2017 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where: Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association, 1320 5 Ave. N.W.

Cost: Admission by donation!

It’s the second annual holiday market showcasing local companies that will suit all of your vegan needs! Definitely stop by to purchase an artisan gift, snack on some vegan and cruelty-free treats, and listen to live performances! For more information about all of the vendors attending, check out the Facebook event here.

Skate Nights with DJ CLAUZ

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, night and outdoor

When: Every Saturday from December 2 – December 23, 2017 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Where: Olympic Plaza, Calgary

Cost: Equipment/Skate Rental Available

This is a perfect outdoor activity to spend time with your loved ones. Lace up those skates and head over to the heart of Calgary’s downtown core to enjoy holiday tunes played by DJ CLAUZ. If you don’t have the equipment, Skate Hut will be on-site so everyone can enjoy the rink, amateur or professional. Click here for more information!

Light Up The Square at East Village

Image may contain: christmas tree, plant, tree and outdoor

When: December 2, 2017 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Where: East Village Calgary, 712 5 St S.E.

Cost: Free admission!

This Saturday, Calgary’s East Village will be bustling with the community’s annual tree lighting at the 5th Street Square. There will be all sorts of festivities going on, including cookies and hot chocolate sponsored by East Village Dental and Tim Horton’s, a one-horse open sleigh, carols, and photos with Santa! The lighting of the trees will be taking place at 5:30 pm, so come down to this vibrant area by the Bow River to get in on the holiday cheer! More information can be found on the Facebook event page.

Image Sources: 1/2/3/4/Featured

YouTube Recommendation: Buzzfeed Unsolved

Recently, I’ve been hooked on the YouTube series called Buzzfeed Unsolved. By hooked, I mean absolutely in love with and borderline obsessed.

Anyway.

You may have heard of this series for its growing popularity over the past few months, and let me just tell you that you have got to give it a try.

Buzzfeed is home to many series, but none of them can compare to the brilliance of Buzzfeed Unsolved. You may think I am biased, but let me explain.

Each episode revolves around an unsolved mystery. This could be relating to crime, paranormal activity, or supposed supernatural forces. Each episode involves Shane and Ryan (the hosts) talking about the specifics of each mystery, and going on to talk about some of the theories. In many of the paranormal activity videos, they’ll go out to explore the presumed haunted area as well.

More than the mysteries themselves, my favourite part of the show is Ryan and Shane themselves. Their friendship makes the show 100 times greater than it really is, because of their chemistry and humour.

Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej

I mainly find the paranormal videos funny because Ryan’s raw passion for it results in his raw belief in ghosts, which is completely opposite to Shane’s concrete belief that ghosts/demons/aliens are. Not. Real.

Therefore, when watching them investigate a place, you’ll always find Shane provoking and calling the ghosts names, while Ryan is clearly scared out of his mind.

As with any crime/ghost hunting show, the details can sometimes get hard to digest. Because of this, the creators have created (see what I did there) a genius way to keep the audience watching. Basically, you’ll hear the terrifying details of a crime scene, and then it’ll cut to Shane and Ryan making jokey commentary. According to TVTropes, this is called Mood Whiplash.

And by jokey commentary, I mean an actual script of their conversation being shown on the video. This is where the famous “wheeze” line has come from, because the dialogue almost always includes Ryan laughing in the form of a wheeze.

So, if you’re worried about being scared of the topics presented, I’ll let you know that Shane and Ryan have got you covered. In fact, I used to be someone that was easily frightened by anything even slightly scary, but never have I once gone to sleep fearful because of Buzzfeed Unsolved.

Now, if you’re still wondering whether or not you should give the show a try, I’ll provide you with a list of 6 of my favourite episodes to guide you.

Have fun binging!

1: The Ghosts and Demons of Bobby Mackey’s

 2: The Bizarre Road Trip of a Missing Family

3: The Murders That Haunt the Lizzie Borden House

4: Bigfoot: The Convincing Evidence

5: The Spirits of the Whaley House

6: The Horrifying Murders of the Zodiac Killer

 

How to Write Creatively

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How to write the most creative, butt-kicking pieces of contemporary literature.

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First things first, get into the spirit of creativity. Put on some outfits, blast some music, and get into the mood to be imaginative. Most important rule of creative writing is to be original! Nobody wants to read another already existing story, they want new stuff, and you gotta give it to them! Personally, I like to jot down cool dreams I’ve had and change the plot so it makes more sense. In your dreams, it’s all you, so that’s why I usually write original yet creative stories based off of my dreams because no one will have the same dream as me! And, it’s important that you make it interesting; that’s what separates creative writing from assignment essays. You don’t want your audience to fall asleep to your stories! Add in cool details, give it a touch of romance, or even better: an unexpected plot twist. All in all, you want your reader to be shook after reading your work. You want them to think, “Wowwwww, this is better than Harry Potter.”

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Don’t rush yourself!! Writing gets sloppy if you write it too fast. Make sure the different events connect; you don’t want a sudden change too fast. Slow and steady wins the race. DETAILS ARE GREAT! Tell me how your characters feel, try to relate it to your target audience. Try to avoid the stereotypical characters in your story, like the nerd, the bully and the pretty girl. The nerd has been crushing on the pretty girl since forever but she’s the bully’s girlfriend but in the end, the underdog gets the girl, etc. Blah blah blah… Very cute story, but how many times have you heard of that situation? Too many! Make it different; different is good, unique is good, bring something new to the table!

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It’s time to put all those daydreams onto paper! Like those scenarios you always think of while trying to go to bed, write them out this time! But always write about something you yourself would want to read. If you’re writing something you don’t even like, chances are, it’s not going to be too good. You have to feel the story, put yourself in your characters’ shoes! Remember all those great books you’ve read, what sparked your interest? Write towards genres you like. Write towards your likings.

Write from personal experiences! That’s easiest because then you’d already know the feelings instead of trying to imagine how it feels. Creative writing is fun! Make it fun for yourself! Try reading your work in different accents, or even imagine your short story as a movie.

Creative writing is one of my most favourite things to do. When you want to read something that doesn’t exist, you’ll just have to create it yourself, and that’s exactly what I do. You don’t ever have to write for anybody; write for yourself!

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Check out these websites for any writing prompts:

Here!

Or here!

Here is good also!


Happy writing, my friends!

Stay creative!

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Monthly Poem: November 2017

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With the month coming to a close, I thought it would be nice to start posting a poem each month for readers to step back from all the action, and take some time to relax while perhaps sipping a cup of coffee. Enjoy!

The Peace of Wild Things – Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers – Emily Dickinson

‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I’ve heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.

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8 Songs That Will Make You Cry

I like to think that I am a generally happy person– if you disregard the moments of school-induced stress and misery– and wish to spread this positivity to others. However, when it comes to music, movies, and literature, the ones that I cherish above all else are the ones that are able to evoke a level of sadness.

Here are my top 8 songs that I guarantee will make you tear up… or at least a little bit emotional.

8. Wasn’t Expecting That- Jamie Lawson

“Wasn’t Expecting That” by Jamie Lawson has been a favourite of mine since I first heard it in 2014. This song illustrates the story of a pure and loving relationship from the moment the couple meets, to the moment the partner passes away. The simple composition of the song, consisting solely of a guitar, piano, and vocals, gives the song a sweet and authentic vibe which is sure to charm the listener.

Then you closed your eyes, you took my heart by surprise…
I wasn’t expecting that.

7. The Fault in Our Stars- Troye Sivan

Before Troye Sivan’s music was being played on radio station’s worldwide, he was composing music on his own in his bedroom in Perth, Australia.  The song, “The Fault in Our Stars,” was written in 2013 after Sivan read John Green’s popular novel about two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love.  The ending of the book, “The Fault in Our Stars” (I won’t spoil it), left Sivan heartbroken and he decided to channel this emotion into his songwriting. Sivan produced the song, uploaded it onto Tumblr, and later contacted his local hospital to film a music video that featured strong and brave cancer patients. The lyrics of the song not only helps to give strength to those who are battling cancer, but also to those who are struggling to overcome any obstacle or hardship.

I just want to see the stars with you.

6. Trapdoor- Twenty One Pilots

“Trapdoor” is a song from Twenty One Pilots self- titled album from 2009.  The song tells a story of an individual who, during the day, puts on a facade to fool people that he is okay, but at night, is consumed by darkness and suicidal thoughts. The story of this man is not uncommon. Although not all may be suicidal, many individuals go through their day-to-day lives “[throwing] on a mask” in order to conceal their unhappiness or in attempts to change their identity to try and be more liked by others. This song is a reminder of how important it is to treat everyone with kindness and respect because it is impossible to know what anyone is going through.

Everyone gather around for the show. Watch as this man disappears as we know.

5. This Isn’t the End- Owl City

Owl City’s song, “Fireflies,” has a very special place in my heart as every listen always brings me back to my grade 5 year in Toronto–a city and time that holds some of my fondest memories.  Owl City’s song, “This Isn’t the End,” is just as moving. Although the song has a dark and painful subject matter, the chorus sheds some light on this darkness with a positive and uplifting message.

He told her he loved her and then he was gone.

4. Supermarket Flowers- Ed Sheeran

Earlier this year, Ed Sheeran once again captivated the world with his new album, “Divide.” Although I had the entire album on repeat for months, my personal favorite song was “Supermarket Flowers.” Sheeran wrote this song for his grandmother who passed away, and he shares this loss through his music.

You were an angel in the shape of my mum.

3. When You Love Someone- James TW

“When You Love Someone,” tells the story of a child who is struggling with the consequences of his parent’s divorce. James TW shares that “[his] parents are happily married“, but wrote this song about a student he used to teach drums to who found out his parents were getting a divorce.

You got to believe us, it’s all for the best.

2. I Don’t Like Mondays- The Boomtown Rats

Brenda Spencer leaves court in Santa Ana, California after pleading guilty to two counts of murder.

“I Don’t Like Mondays,” was inspired by a tragic event that took place in San Diego, California in 1979. Sixteen-year-old Brenda Spencer lived in a house directly across the street from Grover Cleaveland Elementary School. On the morning of January 29, 1979, Brenda Spencer pulled out her rifle– a Christmas gift she had received from her dad– and started shooting at the children waiting outside the school. After firing thirty rounds of ammunition, eight children and a police officer were injured, and the principal and custodian were killed. When a journalist asked Spencer  about the reasoning behind this atrocious act, she simply responded with, “I don’t like Mondays.”

You are sure to feel shivers as you listen to this song and imagine the amount of pain and loss that was experienced by countless children and families on that fateful Monday morning.

And the lesson today is how to die.

1.Tea & Toast- Lucy Spraggan

This song speaks for itself. Simply press play and prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotion.

After dawn there will be sunshine, and all the dust will go.

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From Sea to Sea: The Origins of Canada from Confederation

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Although Canada is as vibrant and thriving a nation as ever in its history, its past should not be disregarded in lieu of prospects of the future – and at the core of all Canada stands for today is its founding from a single Act of legislation, from a tiny fraction of the landmass it now has.

Timeline of Canada’s territorial changes

Initially comprised of scattered British and French colonies, with 80% of people living a rural life, history sees Canadians at that time living a relatively passive life. Unlike its neighbor, the United States, Canada didn’t endure a civil war to stabilize. However, witnessing America’s violent and brutal civil war was arguably one of the most crucial reasons for our country’s making: British colonies saw the chaos as a result of a weak and divided government and advocated for a unified central authority. This would also protect the colonies collectively from American expansion, a perfectly rational fear given the recent radical movements of the States.

In the Civil War, the North defeated the South, who possessed British support. With a strong military after the war, the victorious faction harbored resentment towards the British – and, by extension, their colonies in North America – and there was talk of annexing parts of Rupert’s Land (a part of Canada). Harsh restrictions were imposed on previously free trade between the two bodies; unification of the colonies would offer a balance to the hit that the economy would inevitably take.

Delegates at the signing of the British North America Act

On 1 Sep. 1864, a conference was planned to discuss the proposal of Confederation, in which the Maritime colonies and the Province of Canada (in the general area we now know as Quebec and Ontario) participated. Any progress, however, was scarce: many colonies showed a disparity in perspective, but also suffered internal conflict between the passionate looking for a better future, and the already prosperous who viewed Confederation as risky and dangerous. It took a total of 3 conferences between 5 eastward colonies (the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and PEI) to form a lasting unification – and only between the first 3. Regrettably, no First Nations parties were invited.

(In case you’re wondering, the Province of Canada later separated into Ontario and Quebec because of dissent among the English-speaking and Francophone communities.)

The original BNA Act

On 30 March 1867, America purchased Alaska from the Russians, validating colonial concern for America’s expansionist desires. There was also a growing opinion that Britain felt less and less inclined to defend its colonies, pushing delegates towards action. On 1 July of that same year, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the PoC followed John A. MacDonald’s practical suggestions on how Confederation would be achieved to become the foundation of Canada, signing the British North America Act that would consolidate their territories.

All in all, Confederation would be the first step towards true independence from European origins, spurred along as much by domestic interests and nationalism as by external influence.

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This post explored the years 1867-1972 of Canadian History.

History of “O Canada”

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Nothing is more patriotic to a country than its national anthem; for Canada, this is no different with our national anthem “O Canada”. Whether it is being sung at the start of a hockey game, before the start of an assembly, or after a Canadian wins a gold medal at the Olympics, the song is an important symbol of Canada for Canadians. Despite this, “O Canada” has only been the official national anthem for our country for less than 40 years.

Since Confederation, “God Save the Queen” (the national anthem of the United Kingdom) and “The Maple Leaf Forever” competed for the unofficial national anthems of Canada. However, both were unpopular among French Canadians, who searched for another national song. This is how “O Canada” came to be.

The tune to “O Canada” was written in 1880 by Calixa Lavalléeby and the lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.  Originally called “Chant National”, the song was first performed on June 24, 1880, to a banquet in Quebec City.

After that, the song continued to gain popularity within Quebec. The first known performance of the song outside of Quebec occurred in 1901 by a group of school children for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall on their tour of Canada.

The first English version was translated in 1906 by Thomas Bedford Richardson, and the lyrics were as follows:

O Canada! Our fathers’ land of old
Thy brow is crown’d with leaves of red and gold.
Beneath the shade of the Holy Cross
Thy children own their birth
No stains thy glorious annals gloss
Since valour shield thy hearth.
Almighty God! On thee we call
Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall,
Defend our rights, forfend this nation’s thrall.

The most popular English translation of “O Canada” was created by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908. The current and final version was based on his translation, which was originally:

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,

We stand on guard for thee.

Over the following decades, “O Canada” was believed to have become the de facto national anthem of Canada, however, regional bylaws and practices continue to vary.

In the mid-1960s, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson created a committee to begin the process of establishing one song as the official national anthem of Canada.  The proposed motion was to establish “O Canada” as Canada’s national anthem, and “God Save the Queen” as the Royal Anthem of Canada. Despite this, it was not until July 1 of 1980 that the National Anthem Act was passed, which finally established “O Canada” as Canada’s national anthem.

Unknown to most people and rarely sung, there are three additional stanzas to “O Canada”, they are as follows:

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western sea.
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!

Chorus:
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons, and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western sea.
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!

Chorus

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our Dominion in thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

Chorus

“O Canada” has played a critical role in shaping Canada’s identity for the last 150 years, despite only officially being the national anthem for less than a third of that. In the future, “O Canada” will continue to be a symbol of Canada. You can enjoy our national anthem below.

 

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This post explored the years 1877 – 1882 of Canadian History.

5 Superb Quotes Everyone Should Live By

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Stressed out about an overwhelming amount of work? Perhaps an extremely close deadline that just makes you feel like giving up? Or maybe you’ve recently just had something drive a wedge between you and someone you really care about. Whatever it may be, we’ve all had those times; when you’re just completely at a loss of what to do and feel like you might as well stop trying. Speaking from experience, it feels pretty miserable to be stuck in any of these sorts of situations. That’s why, I’d like to share some of my favorite inspirational quotes with everyone! Uplifting quotes can really have an impact on people, and help them on their way out of the gloomy fogs in their heads. Even if you may not be in a difficult situation right now, some of these quotes may provide some motivation and a positive different outlook on life. (I know they do for me!) Anyways, enjoy!

 

1.”With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Some wise words from a great woman who has indeed experienced many losses and unfortunate events in her life. Think of every new day as an opportunity to have a fresh start in something. Don’t let the troubles of one day affect what happens in the next!

 

2. “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” – Robin Sharma

A quote that speaks to how short our lives really are and how we need to make the most of it. Our lives are not meant to just be wasted. Don’t just stick to the familiar things in life all the time, try different things! Expand your boundaries!

 

3. “Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” – Farrah Gray

Don’t let others influence the important decisions that you make. Live the life YOU want to live. Achieve what YOU want to achieve.

 

4. “If it’s still in your mind, it’s worth taking the risk.” – Paulo Coelho

Again, go for it! Don’t be afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone.

 

5. “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me that I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” – John Lennon

Wow, that’s one sassy kid hey? But if you think about it, it does make sense. Why would you want to spend your entire life unhappy? You’d just end up regretting it in the end.


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