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Are The Sciences For Me? (Career Advice Part 3)

Elvin Limpin
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This article is on the math based sciences, which takes a different take at the sciences…

Math teachers, they come in all shapes and sizes. Although, from my experience, they all seem to be pretty normal people. They’re the exact opposite of English and/or Biology teachers who all have their interesting quirks. Math teachers are often just down to earth, relaxed, and humble beings.

But don’t be fooled. The fact that they enjoy math must mean they have some nuts unscrewed up there.

I remember my Math 30 teacher insisting that everyone should consider being an Actuary. You may or may not have heard  of that career before. It seems like the dream job: high pay and low stress. It’s ranked consistently as one of the best careers out there, being recession proof and stable on top of other perks (study time during work hours[I KNOW, THAT’S CRAZY]). But man, you’d be doing lots of math all day as an actuary.

I’ll get more on that later 🙂

Physics

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Physics, just like biology, is very broad and fascinating science. It explains how the world works the way it does, and thus undoubtedly makes for a great number of careers.

Right?

Well, yes and no.

Electrical/Mechanical/Structural/Nuclear Physics

There’s definite a lot of demand for these fields. Just no jobs, because all the corresponding Engineering majors are seen as more qualified for them. Who’s to blame employers? Engineers, unlike physicists, are taught to apply the science. Other branches of physics are a different story, and so I would recommend taking either Engineering or a different branch of physics if you considered one of the above fields.

Astronomy/Astrophysics

Employment Prospects: F in 6 years, B- in 10 years
Courseload: 8/10 undergrad, 10/10 grad

Just like paleontology, Astronomy is fascinating, but a niche job nonetheless. Astronomy majors get to have one of the most fascinating labs, observing the night sky and learning about space. PhD research required a lot of hard work (publishing, proving yourself, serving on comittees, etc), although they are in demand. There is, however, a different  possible route if your goal is to work with Astronomy professionals: through mechanical engineering. As the case for many sciences, taking it’s equivalent engineering program might offer a broader range of jobs that are more in demand and that overall take less effort. Whichever route you take, taking the astronomy options that interest you the most would not hurt.

Geophysics

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Employment Prospects: B- in 4 years
Courseload: 9.5/10

Geophysics work closely with geologists, specializing on interpretation of seismological data and other physics related data in exploration or environmental work. Career wise, much of my advice for geologists work for geophysicists. The one major difference is really that you won’t be studying the same thing. Geophysics is very much more demanding than a geology degree or a physics degree. In fact, it’s almost on par with the course load of engineering. The technical nature of geophysics makes it a wee bit more in demand than geologists as trade off for the course load. Another path one might do to remedy this demand is to take a general physics degree and later take a masters in Geophysics. This would mean more money and time, but the masters might be an advantage.

Similar to geology, a Professional geophysicist (P. Geoph) designation is oftentimes just as important as a degree itself to employers.

Quantum Physics

Employment Prospects: C+ in 6 years, B+ in 10 years
Courseload: 8/10 undergrad, 10/10 grad

This might be the only ‘pure’ Physics degree that is in demand (Biomedical engineers might slowly take over soon unfortunately, 🙁 for optics/imaging work at least). Quantum physics is the physics about particles way smaller than atoms, the most well known one being photons (light). Most quantum physics jobs require a PhD or an applied and specialized masters. The market, fortunately is less saturated than biology and chemistry PhDs. There is also often less lab work—a trend you’ll see in more math based sciences.

Applied Mathematics

Employment Prospects: C in 6 years, A in 10 years
Courseload: 7/10 undergrad, 10/10 grad
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Applied Mathematics is math. But applied. Its main selling point is its flexibility. Industries where math majors thrive include:
Finance – with enough business options, math majors can often take on finance work. Of course, a degree in econ or finance would also be effective.
Actuarial work – actuaries don’t need an Actuarial Science degree. Some are originally math, business, or econ majors. More on this later. L
Programing – certain industries where computer science people are employed require deep mathematical understanding. Majoring in computer Science while taking math options would also be another route to this industry.
Education – High school math teachers are among the most paid in the school, on par with the administration. Unlike the above industries, taking a math degree is pretty much the only way to become a math teacher.
Research – hardcore Mathletes sometimes take math to the PhD level for more opportunities. This is often not a bad idea, as math degrees do not require lab time.
In many industries, math majors can seem overshadowed. But know one thing about math: math topics build upon each other, and so as it gets more abstract, math stops really about knowing how to calculate. Some people appreciate this, and some do not. If you are one of the kids who though Math 31 was easier than Math 30, you’re probably one of them. Then majoring in Math would be for you, if you appreciate its flexibility.

Statistics, computer science, and economics on the next article 🙂

Jazz YYC: an Interview With David Steele

Emily Donville
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Ever since I picked up the trumpet in 7th grade, I’ve had a vast appreciation for music and its many genres. It didn’t take me long to discover Jazz and from there on out, a love affair was born. My love for Jazz only blossomed when I entered High School. I’ve had so many crazy opportunities, such as working alongside industry professionals such as Dick Oatts, Luis Bonilla, Terell Stafford, Christine Jensen and Brad Leali. One of the things I like to do with my friends is go out and watch jazz concerts, which I try to do as often as possible. There’s something almost ethereal about watching live music as opposed to a recording- “Ethereal” being a word I often associate with jazz. Last month I had the opportunity to attend David Braid’s concert with the Lands End Chamber Ensemble, an event put on by JazzYYC as part of their JazzYYCIllumin8 concert series. With Jazz being one of my passions and April being International Jazz Month, I figured what better way to bring together my passions, music and writing, then through an interview. Through a series of corresponding email’s, I was able to speak to JazzYYC’s past president, David Steele, on topics ranging from the importance of youth getting involved with music to the details of International Jazz Day, which is on April 30th.

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When was JazzYYC established?

“Jazz YYC started in 2010 and 2011 with a series of meetings with stakeholders, musicians, educators, funders etc. who were interested in jazz in Calgary and preserving it after the Calgary Jazz Festival cancelled at the last minute in June 2010. The legal name of JazzYYC is The JazzIs Society of Alberta, which was a non-profit society which had provided a handful of jazz concerts over the previous ten years or so. That society had unblemished history of providing such concerts and had credibility with funders and musicians. Meetings and strategic planning sessions led to new bylaws and a new board and turned the public name into JazzYYC.”

What made you decide to work for JazzYYC?

“I was asked to come back on the board of JazzYYC in January 2014. Previously I had been President of The JazzIs Society of Alberta, stepping down in the early days of the meetings to establish JazzYYC as other volunteer commitments demanded my volunteer time. I was asked to come back on the board because I love jazz, I have lots of experience with non-profit boards, and I’m interested in governance, which is one of my responsibilities with JazzYYC.”

What is JazzYYC’s mission?

“JazzYYC is Calgary’s jazz collaborative. It’s Vision is to serve and nourish the growing and vibrant jazz community in Calgary and beyond. The JazzYYC Mission is a sustainable society creating and facilitating accessible, memorable jazz experiences.”

JazzYYC obtained it’s charity status last fall, can you talk about why you guys decided to do that and why that change was important?

“Having charitable status gives people who want to donate to JazzYYC to support what it does the chance to get a tax receipt so they get that benefit too.”

In your opinion, how important is it that youth get involved with music?

“Music is important for everyone! It is important for young people to appreciate music in all its forms – they are the musicians and audience of the future. That is why JazzYYC has the Youth Lab Band encouraging high school students in Calgary to nurture their interest in playing jazz.”

Are there any ways youth can get involved with the local jazz scene?

“Youth can get involved in the local jazz scene by volunteering and going to concerts to support the music and musicians.”

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How did International Jazz Day come to be?

“International Jazz Day is something started by the great jazz musician Herbie Hancock who played in Calgary a few years ago. It’s purpose is to celebrate jazz every April 30th and importantly, to celebrate how music, and jazz in particular, can help bring people together, with jazz being a common musical language for all. That is the reason International Jazz day is sponsored by the UN, through UNESCO. This year is the 5th International Jazz Day this coming Saturday. We are proud of the fact that Calgary’s International Jazz Day is the second biggest in the world after Paris, which has the headquarters of UNESCO.”

For a list of Jazz events happening in Calgary on Saturday, April 30th, click here.

Have you been inspired by any Jazz musicians? If so who, and how have they influenced you?

“Dave Brubeck, who played last in Calgary in his late eighties and played jazz concerts until he was 90, had an integrated quartet, with a black bass player. He steadfastly refused to play where there was any hint of segregation in the audience or where the bass player was required to stay in a segregated hotel. Making a stand like that helped the civil rights movement. The alto saxophone player in the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Paul Desmond, was my favourite jazz musician and famously suggested he wanted his playing to sound “like a dry martini.””

Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring young musicians?

“Music is important and the best way to learn about music is to go to concerts and appreciate it. Anyone aspiring to be a musician should think about trying to join the JazzYYC Youth Lab Band. There is an audition process for that. Anyone interested in that can just send an email to the Contact link on the JazzYYC website, and someone will be in touch. We have a Juno winner and another Juno nominee on our board as well as some of the leading musician in Calgary, so there is a wealth of experience for advice just on our board.”

For further information on local jazz events and how to get involved, visit JazzYYC’s website here.

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Zero Waste Lifestyle: The Latest & Growing Trend

Hafsah Syed
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Imagine yourself cheerfully living your life without producing any garbage whatsoever, in your house and outside. Furthermore, imagine yourself creating your own homemade, chemical-free, hygienic and cleaning products, including makeup, shampoos, and toilet cleaners, with the comfort of knowing that you aren’t polluting the world.

 

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Lauren Singer holding her three years worth of garbage. source

The zero waste, or waste-free, lifestyle is defined by Lauren Singer as “not producing any garbage, not sending anything to the landfill, not throwing anything in a trash can, nothing. However, one can recycle and compost”. Lauren Singer is a young and popular New Yorker who has been living zero-waste for three years now in an incredible effort to protect the environment and reduce her environmental footprint. After news went viral that Lauren’s now three years worth of trash fit into a single mason jar, young people worldwide were inspired to begin their own journey to living zero-waste.

In my opinion, living zero waste must be difficult with all the chips, chocolates, and other goodies we crave packaged in non-recyclable wrappers, which ultimately means that individuals living zero-waste wouldn’t be able to buy it. However, as Lauren disclosed in her TedTalk video,

I’m just an average, lazy person and I wouldn’t live this lifestyle if it was difficult. In fact, the benefits of living this lifestyle far outweigh the negatives that you can imagine. -Lauren Singer

 

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She then continued to passionately express how her life has changed for the better because of her zero-waste lifestyle, taking into account that she

  • Saves money by buying in bulk, creating her own products, and by buying second hand, recycled, clothes
  • Eats better because of the absence of processed foods in her meals
  • Has a safer lifestyle because of the absence of the harmful chemicals that would come with store-bought products
  • Lives happier for all these reasons and because of the satisfaction that she lives in alignment with her values

 

These individuals are literally living their values, achieving what today’s world would have thought was impossible. Where do they get their motivation from? Why, or for what, have they changed every aspect of their lifestyle? 

The small answer is reducing what sits, and will continue to sit, in landfills and pollute our air for generations to come- domestic trash. The big answer is ultimately fighting against the phenomenon that endangers all of mankind and all of the animal kingdom; a phenomenon that is taking place at a rate faster than the world has ever seen before, all because of us; climate change.

Without going zero-waste, what can you do about it? The small answer is a lot. To answer the big, I present to you the amazingly enlightening video below.

 

 

 

 

 

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Video of the Day: Somewhere in America

Sana Samadi
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In an amazing performance done on “The Queen Latifah Show,” three teenagers (Zariya Allen, Belissa Escobedo and Rhiannon McGavin ) presented the poem: “Somewhere in America”. This poem discusses the problems in society and the harsh realities facing our current generation. In their performance they discuss rape, censorship, poverty, LGBTQ rights and the ignorance presented by society.

Check out the mesmerizing performance below:

My Favourite Korean Dramas Part 2

Katie Kim
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So this is what most people think- that I don’t have a preference for a specific genre when it comes to movies, books, or TV shows. Instead, what determines a good book, movie, etc., for me is the story. I’ll even like a horror movie as long as it has a good story-line.

(And no, not all Asian dramas are like that).

This makes it hard to describe to others what I like and what I don’t like. I have to watch the whole thing before I can say that I do or don’t like it.

 

So here’s a list of different things that, at least for me, make Korean dramas more appealing than Western TV shows.

1) The length of the shows

K-dramas are divided into two types: mini-series, and daily. The mini-series, like the few I mentioned last week on my blog post, are generally 15 to 20 episodes long, each one hour. They end as one season and rarely, a season 2 is made. This makes the stories fast-paced, and there’s no room, most of the time, for me to be bored. This is very different from Western shows like Grey’s Anatomy or Pretty Little Liars that have 10 or more seasons with 30 minute long episodes. Especially with shows like Pretty Little Liars, the storyline becomes repetitive: there’s a new A, it turns out to be one of them, etc.

2) Cinematography

I find that with many of the shows I really end up enjoying have really high quality cinematography. This especially seems to be the case with Descendants of the Sun.  The choices that the cameramen and director make to put together amazing visuals were just outstanding and each scene is very memorable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ySqD76Lvnw

At the end of this particular scene, the close up of the two characters’ feet was actually very memorable. It evoked a lot of emotion and it was beautiful visually as well. (I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to spoil it).

3) OSTs

A lot of popular dramas are coupled with amazing OSTs (Original Sound Tracks) that end up being popular as well. Another reason why Descendants of the Sun was popular was because of its mellifluous OSTs. There were 10 in total and all of them were lined up as the top 10 on all of the music charts in Korea. These OSTs are good as stand-alone pieces, but they’re even better when accompanied by the drama itself.

This one is my personal favourite: ‘Always’ by Yoon Mirae.

4) Fashion

Although many people are disturbed by the product placement (PPL), I find that, if done well, it is an inseparable element of the dramas. A lot of outfits worn by characters in these dramas are sponsored by different companies. They become instantly popular once featured. I think it’s a win-win situation. From the trend, more people are looking for products that remind them of the dramas and the fashion industry is getting more consumers.

 

Korean dramas are not just “shows.” They have impact in many different aspects of life, including fashion, music, etc. Even the site of films become popular tourist attractions. With Korean dramas’ increasing international popularity, I can for sure vouch that they are something that everyone can enjoy if you are open-minded.

Prince : A legacy

~ Chu ☆ ~
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Thursday morning, April 21, 2016. Paisley Park, Minneapolis.

A panicked call to 911. An unresponsive male in an elevator. Paramedics rush to the scene, performing CPR, but alas it is too late. Prince Rogers Nelson is pronounced dead at 10:07 AM.

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The world goes into shock. At only 57 years old, a legend has died. Rumors start circulating. Hushed whispers, hesitant questions. What happened?

 

But as the world seeks for answers, all we can do is try to remember him, in any way we can. Remember who he was, what he did, what he accomplished, and now, what he left behind.

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It almost would feel wrong to just sit here and not try to pay tribute in some kind of way. Prince was a legend. No doubt about it. There’s no way to deny the incredible impact that he had, which transcended beyond just music.

I think Frank Ocean said it beautifully, in this tumblr post : “I’m not even gonna say rest in peace because it’s bigger than death. I never met the man (I was too nervous the one time I saw him), and I never saw him play live, regrettably. I only know the legends I’ve heard from folks and what I’ve heard and seen from his deep catalog of propellant, fearless, virtuosic work. My assessment is that he learned early on how little value to assign to someone else’s opinion of you… an infectious sentiment that seemed soaked into his clothes, his hair, his walk, his guitar, and his primal scream. (…) He was a straight black man who played his first televised set in bikini bottoms and knee high heeled boots, epic. He made me feel more comfortable with how I identify sexually simply by his display of freedom from and irreverence for obviously archaic ideas like gender conformity etc. He moved me to be more daring and intuitive with my own work by his demonstration – his denial of the prevailing model, his fight for his intellectual property – ‘slave’ written across the forehead, name changed to a symbol, an all out rebellion against exploitation. A vanguard and genius by every metric I know of who affected many in a way that will outrun oblivion for a long while. I’m proud to be a Prince fan(stan) for life.”

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Now, I don’t have the privilege of saying that I was raised on Prince. I can’t tell stories of how my parents used to always play “Purple Rain” in the house. Honestly, the only story you’ll get out of me about Prince is that road trip, with my poor parents, who had to listen to me trying to imitate his piercing vocals from “Kiss” in the car, for hours on end. But I know that he was truly incredible. His music, an indescribable hybrid of pop, rock, funk, and soul, was limitless. He wasn’t the type of musician to be fit into a perfect little box. No, he was dynamic, diverse, crazy, wild, bursting at the seams with creativity and expression. And he was a true musician, in every sense. He never did it just to be famous, or to make money. It was always truly about the music. One of the most fascinating things about his first few albums, I think, is that he actually played all the instruments on the recordings. He was very much a solo musician, because he was truly invested into creating exactly what he wanted, and what he wanted the world to hear.

His impact can be heard even today. Artists like The Weeknd, Beyonce, Lenny Kravtiz, Pharrell, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys, and Beck are all influenced by the amazing music that Prince created.

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And he was an inspiration beyond his music. He pushed boundaries of art, changed standards on gender roles, on masculinity and femininity. He fought for justice, often addressing issues like police brutality, or intersections of race and class. He was a humanitarian, devoting time and money into helping others, although most of this was out of the public eye. And above all that, he was truly a legend.

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And I’m not going to pretend that I can summarize his life, his impact, and his legacy within a post, because gosh, how do you even begin to talk about Prince? But all I can say is that although he was taken away from us far too soon, he leaves an incredible legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world, and I really hope that’s what he wanted. To leave a mark. And he certainly did.

 

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YYC Food Trucks Spring Frenzy 2016

Hellen Kang
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YYC Food Trucks Spring Frenzy 2016

As summer approaches, there seems to be a lot more festivals and events in Calgary. This weekend, I went to YYC Food Trucks‘ ‘Spring Frenzy’. It’s an opportunity to support local food vendors and enjoy local artists (and pet lots of local dogs!). I had so much fun, despite the moody weather, and I’ll definitely look out for my YYC Food Trucks events during the summer.

Here are some of my highlights – be prepared to feel hungry and 100% ready to attend the next Food Truck gathering.

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Our first stop was Take It and Go, an East African food truck. Something that my friend and I noticed was that many of the food trucks had a local twist to it, or combined ‘Canadian’ food with classic dishes from other countries. Here we ordered the Butter Chicken Poutine; it was a surprising taste at first – cheesy, cumin-y, and sour – but I definitely loved it.

 

 

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Next we got some traditional perogies from Perogy Boyz. Again, this mixed traditional cuisine with Canadian cuisine: Ukrainian perogies topped with bacon and caramelised onions, a very Canadian topping in my opinion. Not only did it look colourful and filling, it was also extremely delicious. This one was, without a doubt, my favourite of the day.

 

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Finally, we had an assortment of tacos from The Happy Fish Truck. We had a tempura taco, fish/mango taco, and a beef bulgogi/kimchi taco. They were really photogenic but a little too healthy (a.k.a. not enough sauce) for my taste. I would recommend ordering the fish and chips here, they had a few samplers and those were really good!

 

 

Aside from the food, there was live music and many, many dogs. We bought some mini doughnuts and sat down to enjoy Lexi Strate‘s performance. She’s extremely talented and has such a mesmerising voice. I was so excited when she sang one of my all-time favourites, No Scrubs by Bastille.

YYC Food Truck Spring Frenzy was really enjoyable and delicious, make sure to keep an eye out for the next event!

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All photos are mine.

A Q&A with Author and Geek Extraordinaire: Sam Maggs

Dhriti Gupta
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The other day, I was lucky enough to come into contact and interview author, writer, host, feminist, and expert in all things geek, Sam Maggs. In addition to writing for a gaming company, having her work featured across the web in publications like the Mary Sue, and hosting the Cineplex preshow, Sam has recently taken the next step forward in her career and released her new book: The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks. The quirky and crash course-esque novel encourages women and girls everywhere to embrace and take pride in their interests, explains fangirl terminology and lifestyle for rookie geeks, and offers firsthand advice and guidance on how to make your voice heard and respected in the nerd community.

Thanks to the lovely people at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo and Wordfest and of course the amazing Sam Maggs, I was able to have the opportunity to interview Sam about her new book, childhood, and trials and tribulations as a fangirl in the modern world:

Sam MaggsHow were you first introduced to the geek world?

My parents are huge geeks – they saw Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope over 20 times in theatres. So I was toast from the start.

When you were younger, were you ever teased by your peers for your interests? If so, how were you able to persevere and would there be anything that you would like to say to younger geek girls going through the same thing?

I mostly hid my interests from other people, because I was afraid of being judged. I wish I could go back and tell myself to just be who I am and like what I like, because that makes you so much happier. You can find so many people with similar interests online and in comic shops now!

Do you have a favourite comic series or fandom?

This is such a hard question! I really love the Dragon Age fandom, the Valkyries (the collective of ladies who work in comic book shops), and the Stargate SG-1 fandom, though it’s a little empty these days.

Is there anything you would recommend to newcomer fangirls or others just getting into the world of geekdom?

Try a little bit of everything! Go online for recommendations, and once you find something you like, try to get involved in the fan community on Twitter or Tumblr to make new friends.

As a passionate LGBTQ+ activist and feminist, I greatly admire your work and your writing has truly inspired me, and lots of others I’m sure, to be my unapologetic self. Are there any strong female or queer individuals who have had a significant influence on your life and your writing?

Thank you so much! There were a lot of indie webcomic artists and publishers, like Kate Leth and Janelle Asselin, who were very vocal about their sexuality in their work and online when I was in my early 20s. They helped me realize I could really examine myself and the things that I was feeling and really made me see myself as “normal.”

Do you have a favourite fan experience or a moment in which you were really glad to be able to spread messages of positivity and empowerment to young fangirls?

Whenever a girl tells me that Fangirl’s Guide made her feel understood or accepted, I cry a little bit. It’s so humbling. I am so glad to be able to give that experience to other girls.

Often fandoms and other subdivisions of geekdom can be quite exclusionary and patronizing towards minorities like women, people of colour, people with disabilities, as well as people of the queer community. What are the major issues that you think need to be addressed and brought to light in regards to intersectionality and inclusion in nerd culture?

Of course! I think that it’s really important that we have these conversations, especially in social media spaces where they become very visible, because it allows us to educate people about what intersectionality and intersectional feminism actually are. We need to keep clamoring for better representation in games, comics, TV, and movies for people of all genders, races, ethnicities, classes, abilities, etc. The more we are clear with our voices and our money what we are looking for in media, the more we’ll get through to the people responsible for creating it.

Photo Credit: Candice Ward
Photo Credit: Candice Ward

I understand that you have some very interesting tattoos that have been inspired by or represent some of your geekier interests. Would you mind maybe explaining your connection to one of these tattoos and what made you want to get it?

Sure! My most recent tattoo by Suspiria is a portrait of Veralidaine Sarrasri, the main character from my favorite book series of all time, Tamora Pierce’s The Immortals. Daine is a young woman who comes from nothing, discovers her special powers, and goes on to save the world in her own very special way. She’s so inspiring to me and one of my all-time favorite female characters, and I really wanted her on me forever! That being said, I don’t think you should need a special connection to something to get a tattoo of it – even if you just think something looks cool, you can totally go for it!

I personally have never tried cosplay myself but I have always found the concept to be very intriguing, and I think it’s such a creative and unique platform to express your love for something. What significance does cosplay have to you and do you have a favourite costume or persona that you have taken up through cosplay in the past?

It’s really fun! I particularly enjoyed dressing up as Booker from Bioshock Infinite because I like Rule 63 cosplay. Cosplay is amazing because it’s just another way in which fans can express their love for something; some people write fanfic, some people create fanart, some people craft and sew and fabricate incredible outfits. Plus, you can really become that character for a day, which is really freeing and exciting!

For me, writing and literature is and always has been a very important part of my life. As I got older, I soon realized I wanted to pursue a career in the field of journalism. However, from hearing what others sometimes have to say about the reliability of the career path and seeing how the industry seems to be going downhill, I get a little discouraged from time to time. Do you have any advice for me and other budding authors on how to stay focused and make our voices heard in the vast world of writing?  

I think that any arts field is always going to be a little bit difficult to break into, and you really have to forge your own path. But the great think about social media and the internet as it stands now is that there’s no barrier to entry to getting your work out there; you don’t have to sell a book to have people read your fiction, or be hired by a big paper to write about the things about which you’re passionate, or get a call from Marvel to make a comic. You can just make the things you want to make and bring them directly to the audience that wants them. So just start creating what you want to create and never stop.

Are you excited to see how the nerd community is becoming a more and more inclusive and diverse space with the progression of time? Is there anything else you would like to see result from this collective and societal movement for freedom of expression and accessibility for all?

I am absolutely excited about it! Though we no doubt have a long way to go, the progress we’ve made in such a short period of time is really remarkable. Hopefully we’ll start seeing more female leads, and more diverse female leads, in starring roles in books and games and comics. Everyone benefits from diversity in storytelling. It’s so much more interesting and representative of the real world!

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What’s next? Is there anything new and exciting that we can look forward to seeing from you in the near future?

Yes! My next book from Quirk Books, Wonder Women, comes out on October 18th and features profiles of 25 amazing women throughout history who were scientists, doctors, inventors, spies, and explorers. Plus, I just started a job as an Assistant Writer for a video game company called BioWare, so hopefully you’ll see some games work from me soon as well. Hooray!

Overall, it was an absolute pleasure getting to know Sam and I am so thankful to have had the chance to interview such an amazing, powerful, intelligent, and innovative woman. If you haven’t already, I definitely recommend getting your hands on The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks, it’s an absolute must-read for seasoned nerds and newbies alike!

Sam will also be attending the upcoming Wordfest right here in Calgary on April 27, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm for an audience Q&A and book signing! If you are interested, the Calgary Expo has organized an exclusive giveaway for Youth Are Awesome readers in which 2 lucky people will get the opportunity to attend this event! For a chance to win a ticket, you can enter below!

 

[rf_contest contest=’2089′]

 

[header image // source] [image 1 // source] [image 2 // Candice Ward] [image 3 // source]

Emily Expo’s Tips to Survive Your First Calgary Expo

Talia Santarossa
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As many of you know, the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo is just around the corner. I recently had the awesome opportunity to chat with Emily Expo, the face of the convention. Since she began working with the Calgary Expo shortly after the 2010 year, she has seen the event expand in all aspects, from attendance, footprint and in terms of fan base and how the entire city gets involved.

It’s really fantastic to see the community embrace it and see people really championing their interests. Being a nerd isn’t something to be ashamed of. To me, that’s the biggest way that it’s grown and really the most positive way that it’s grown.

During Emily’s first visit to the Calgary Expo in 2010, she had several people ask her if she was the girl from the logo. She ended up meeting the event’s promoter, and after beginning to help with content writing for the event, they came up with the idea of assigning a name and a personality to the logo in order to better connect with the fans, and Emily was born.

This year will be my first time going to Calgary Expo, and she was glad to give me some great tips for my first time out.

  1. Wear comfy shoes! You’re on concrete floors and will be doing a lot of walking, so comfort is key if you plan on staying on your feet all day.
  2. Stay hydrated and bring a water bottle that you can refill throughout the day. With the heat of the building and all of the crowds, it can be quite dehydrating.
  3. Keep an open mind. You may stumble upon something you never thought about and didn’t know that you’d like because you had never tried it before.

You don’t know what you’re missing until you realize that you’re missing it. […] Get out of your comfort zone a little bit, check out different things and see what captures your imagination!

As for what to check out this year, Emily recommends checking out a lot of the industry panels with creators, especially for those interested in comics, art or getting into the arts as a career, because there are great resources to be found. Additionally, for all Harry Potter fans, Tom Felton and Jason Isaacs (Draco and Lucius Malfoy) are appearing together at a convention for the first time, which will be really special. You can check out all of the programming here on the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo’s website. They also have an app that you can download to view programming and build your own schedule.

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Want to take these survival tips and make good use of them? Thanks to the Calgary Expo, we have two sets of two single day passes up for grabs – enter the contest below for your chance to win!

[rf_contest contest=’2086′]

Encounters With Canada: My Experience

Emily Donville
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Encounters With Canada: My Experience

On Saturday April 9th, I boarded a plane destined for Ottawa with one of my best friends in tow (shoutout to Furyal!!). I think it’s safe to say that I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into at that point. Two months prior, Furyal approached me about Encounters With Canada over Facebook Messenger, urging me to go. Encounters With Canada  Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I’d get the opportunity, but on a whim, my Father convinced my Mother into letting me go and just over two months later, I met my friend at Calgary International Airport for what would possibly be the best week of my life.

Now that line might’ve sounded intense, however I can’t find any other appropriate line to perfectly encapsulate the week. We arrived in Ottawa at 11:30pm eastern standard time and within a few minutes, I was seated at a table beside a Tim Hortons with my friend and two other participants, one of which I can say is very close to me now and easily one of my best friends. We ate sandwiches and joked around until all the participants arrived and soon after, we left the airport on a small bus full of teens from across Canada.

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I went to bed a short while after arriving at Ottawa’s Terry Fox Youth Centre, which housed us for the week. That first day was slow going as we waited for the rest of the attendees to roll in on that first Sunday. We ended up walking an hour to Rideau Hall (home of the Right Honorable Governor General David Johnston) and while I was totally unprepared attire wise and soaked my shoes, the walk was rather picturesque and I enjoyed walking by several embassies.

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On Monday, April 11th, we visited Parliament. I’ve been to the Edmonton legislature beforehand on a band trip back in 2014, but nothing compared to Ottawa’s Parliament Building. It was rainy and cold, but I couldn’t help but admire the architecture of the building as 102 of us waited outside to get in. The extravagance didn’t stop there, as the whole building was a piece of art. The carvings inside the building are made with incredible craftsmanship and you can find large, lovely paintings all over.

We had the opportunity to watch Question Period that afternoon. If you’re unsure of what that is, it’s the show on CTV that you watch to put yourself to sleep. Jokes aside, it’s definitely something everyone should see. It’s basically a giant roast where MPs bicker for a 15 second cameo on national television, although often times it can be serious. Later that evening, the politicians gathered to discuss the Attawapiskat suicide crisis. According to Alberta Conservative MP Martin Shields, everyone was civilized, debating politely and working . The Attawapiskat suicide crisis was a topic a few of us were fixated on for a couple of days. I recall sitting in the tv room with a number of fellow participants, our eyes glued to the news as the story was unfurling. A number of debates ensued that week over the suicide crisis, as well as other topics. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be in a friendly environment surrounded by like minded individuals.

The following days consisted of preparing a campaign for our very own mock election, watching various guest speakers and touring around Ottawa. Some of my personal highlights were getting to see Liberal MP Peter Schiefke talk and watching representatives from Parliament’s Page Program come in and talk about their program, which you can read more about here.

I had the fortuitous opportunity of performing Last Post during the week’s peace module at Beechwood Cemetery, which included a visit from a war veteran and a special ceremony honouring fallen soldiers. It felt important being there as not only was I honouring these soldiers, but my Grandfather who passed away in 2012 was buried at Beechwood. I’d never seen his grave, and I still haven’t, but it felt good knowing I was close to him.

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The week culminated in a shopping trip in ByWard Market on Friday morning. Though I didn’t get to have a beavertail, I had a great time. The night culminated in a banquet, a talent show, a talking stick circle (where we all expressed our feelings towards the week), and lastly a dance. It was a great end to a great week with some amazing friends, though all that is good must come to an end. The dance ended at around 3:00am EST and I watched as the first batch of participants left the centre to travel on a bus back to the airport. I stayed up for another 3 hours, watching some of my closest friends depart the centre, not knowing when I’d see them again. I can say this experience was truly a test of my emotional strength as it’s hard to say goodbye to people you’ve grown attached to and can’t see very often.

Around 3:30pm on Saturday, I departed, leaving my temporary second home behind. I can wholeheartedly say that parts of me have gone off in different directions with all these amazing people I’ve met. There are things I learned there that I could never learn in a class, and it’s those experiences that I’m so grateful for. A lot of us are already planning to meet up in Vancouver this summer, and I’m so excited for what the future has for us. I met some of Canada’s brightest youth that week, and I see big things for our future. Until then, I’ll be planning the best cross country road trip anyone’s ever seen, with plenty of stops at Tim Hortons.

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To learn more about Encounters With Canada, visit their website here. This article can’t come close to explaining how life changing this experience was. It was the best week of my life and I highly encourage looking into this amazing program and attending a theme week!

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Sketch EP: The Magic in Making Music

Elvin Limpin
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Years and years now just going wherever life would draw me to, I’ve reached the culminating moment of my hard work.

Limited Edition CDs with cute pictures and the Cover Art is also available. Contact me on social media if you’d like a copy 😀

So this is how it all started

Well, long story short, My passion in music has lead to delve into electronic music production. Inspired by the ever so easy to access variety of electronic music from the record label Monstercat, I’ve set out to create works of art of my own.

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How I did this

Step 1: Inspiration

Making music does not start from arranging pre recorded loops and to claim you made something original. It starts from listening. It starts from being in awe of the sounds around you, organized or otherwise. Draw inspiration from there.

Step 2: The Context

It’s one thing to listen, and it’s another to know how to listen. I didn’t get formal theory education when I was a kid, but I did listen to a lot of music. I didn’t know where else to access music but from my sister via bluetooth on the old nokia phone I owned. I kept on repeating songs and analyzing the lyrics and patterns to the music (ABABCB, 4 chords, drum patterns).

Step 3: Learning an Instrument

For most electronic musicians, piano training is essential. The piano is a historical invention made to put the capabilities of the whole orchestra in the hands of a single player. It’s fitting that electronic music made the piano it’s instrument of choice.

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Piano roll of Renegade Red showing the notes and the dynamics

Step 4: Making Actual Music

Maybe start with just composing on the piano. Maybe whistle a tune you made and write harmony for it. Get some original ideas buzzing up there.

Step 5: Sound Design, Recording, Mixing, Mastering, and More Magic

Youtube tutorials will be your friend for this. It’s a whole new set of theory that you’ll have to understand the technology used in an electronic music song. At this stage, you will need an actual DAW (digital audio work station), studio headphones (monitor speakers might not be worth investing for at this point), a midi keyboard, and other gear that you feel would be necessary. Just don’t go over the top.

It's my room. I make music here.
It’s my room. I make music here.

Step 6: Releasing Music and Getting Feedback

It’s exactly as it sounds. Create a soundcloud.com account and share your music to your friends and the online community. Take in suggestions and keep grinding at it. This might be the most difficult and time consuming part of all.

Step 7: Selling Your Music

To create CDs are really expensive, but they might be worth it. I wouldn’t like to disclose how much I spent on sketch, but I don’t expect to make profit. It’s never about that with art, anyway. It’s about getting yourself and your ideas out there – do not lose track of this.

Bandcamp.com is a good website for indie artists to distribute their music online. It might be a better option than creating CDs. Who buys those things anyway nowadays?

So who is “DJ Nestryle?”

Music, whether during a concert, thumping in the club, playing through ear buds on a bus ride home, blasting in your room during a sleepover, or in the background of an emotional scene in a movie, adds flavour to life. Just as art decorates space and makes views more beautiful, I see music as a way to decorate time and enhance the aesthetics of a situation. The arts is the toolbox wherein DJ Nestryle is set to change the world and make it a little bit more beautiful one song at a time.

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The release of Sketch EP really is a defining moment for me. It inspired people to follow through and pursue their art, and that means everything to me. The fact that friends and family would pay for my music means a lot, even though I might have bad prospects of breaking even.

I’m so darn excited to showcase my music to market collectives, my piano recital, old friends, new friends in university, and to anyone else willing to take the time to listen.

But Sketch has never been just about me.

It’s about friends eager to share my music to their friends. It’s about my piano + band + electronic music teachers who have not only taught me but inspired me. It’s about my music friends who pushed me to be the best. It’s about my family and my neighbors putting up with the loud noises in our house. It’s about my parents who knew music lessons and equipment would’ve eventually been worth the time and the money.

It’s about each and every one out there who believed in me; because really, you are the magic that made this all happen. 🙂

http://nestryle.bandcamp.com

Why you shouldn’t be afraid to quit something

~ Chu ☆ ~
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So I wanna quit piano.

 

And you’re probably reading this right now thinking “Big deal, you want to quit. Why do I care?”

 

Well, I should probably give you some background info.

 

You see, piano was the first instrument I learned. My sister played it, and she taught me a few basics, before my parents eventually nudged me into taking lessons, and I complied.

When I was younger, I never liked practicing the piano. Like seriously, I would fake stomach aches and muscle pains just to avoid practicing. But at the time, it was the only instrument I played, and I didn’t really have anything to compare it to, so I just assumed that it was only natural to hate practicing.

But fast forward a few years to last year, when I decided that I wanted to learn the high pitched, squeaky, noise-maker that is the violin. My parents were pretty concerned at first, considering that first year violinists make the most horrendous sounds you will ever hear, but they let me rent one anyways, and I started lessons.

As the months progress, I started to realize that violin felt… different. When I played piano, I always felt that any new accomplishment was just for my teacher, or for my parents, or for an exam or festival. But when the violin came along, practicing and achieving new heights felt so fulfilling, and it was just this great feeling of self-accomplishment, and I honestly loved it, despite the fact that the violin was ugly and screechy and the piano was graceful and smooth.

And this year, when I got my clarinet, again, I started to realize that piano wasn’t something that I was doing because I loved and had passion for, but rather something that I was limply persevering with, in the foolish hope that if I stayed, things might get better. But they didn’t. Practicing piano was something that I would constantly put off, and piano lessons became nerve-wracking, and I started to notice how much it was hindering me from doing so many things I wanted to do

And at this point, you’re probably asking : Wow Ronica, why all the hate on piano?

Okay. Now, don’t get me wrong. Piano is a great instrument. It can do awesome things that no other instrument can, and I absolutely adore so much of the music that’s written for it. If you play piano, that’s awesome!

And I am so grateful for the piano. Learning it as my first instrument has taught me so much about music, and I’ve learned so much music theory from piano that has helped me to really progress in my other instruments quickly. But pure appreciation of an instrument doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be playing it. Take Beethoven for example. Although he was originally a piano player, he composed pieces for a large variety of instruments (violin, cello, string quartets, symphonies, etc). And I’m sure that he loved all of these different instruments, or else, why would he have composed for them? But that didn’t mean that he was going to suddenly start learning all of them because they were nice instruments. And I’m not going to continue learning the piano just because it’s a nice instrument.

And this decision is especially hard for me, because I’ve always had the mentality that if you start something, you should finish it. But if that thing is something that hinders your happiness, or is not something that you want to be doing, that is not contributing to you living a happy life, you shouldn’t be ashamed of wanting to quit, or to remove it from your life, whether that is an instrument, a person, a school program, or whatever.

There is a difference between persevering, even when it’s a challenge, and stubborn, (and, oftentimes, stupid) persistence. Just like there’s a difference between quitting of laziness and quitting because it’s what’s best for you.

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Even famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma didn’t magically pick up the cello and immediately decide that that was his instrument. He actually started on violin, and tried viola before he fell in love with the cello. This may have shown a quitter-like attitude to his parents, who actually had their sights set on his sister becoming the professional musician, but because Yo-Yo Ma was smart enough to realize that violin and viola weren’t his instruments, he ended up becoming one of the best cellists in the world.

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But essentially, my point is that if there is something, anything in your life that is not making your life better, and you’ve thought it out thoroughly, don’t be afraid to quit it, or get rid of it, or cut it out of your life.

So I’ve made my decision. I’m gonna do a few festival things, do a final exam, go out with a bang, but after that, I’m quitting piano. But as Steve Prefontaine once said : “Don’t be afraid to give up the good and go for the great”

 

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(featured image source)

 

Tell Me A Secret

Richard Lee-Thai
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Perhaps you have something you have never told anyone about yourself… perhaps there are thoughts you have never shared… what do you hold in the deeper areas of your heart, soul and mind?

 

My secret is that although I may seem confident, I often doubt myself too.

There is a constant internal tug of war between self-doubt and self-confidence. I feel like most people view me as someone who is smart and successful, but in a way, that is also dehumanizing. It builds up an expectation that I am invulnerable to problems, when in reality, I go through the same worries that other students have too. However, I still feel like people are intimidated by me or that I am above them, in an academic or social sense.

That is the exact opposite of what I want.

I strive to help others and treat them as equals. I have earned the respect and friendship of others, but there have been times where I have hurt others as well. I am imperfect, but that is what makes me who I am. Those who only see the confident side of me do not understand me fully. That is why I want to share the darker side of myself. I can acknowledge my insecurities, but then recognize all of my strengths.

Darkness is needed to in order to show light.

I fear that I’m not good enough or that I’m going to fail, especially when it comes to being a musician. I applied to the music faculty at the University of Calgary with the goal of one day becoming a music teacher. I have the academic requirements, but I also have to audition at the end of February and that will determine if I get accepted or not. The problem is that I have no formal music training and I lack performance experience. I get intense stage anxiety, which causes my lips to quiver. It’s painfully obvious because my sound starts shaking.

However, it is something that I am working on overcoming. I have been told I am talented and I genuinely believe that. I still have to put in hard work, but even if I don’t make it, I know it’s not the end of the world. My second program of choice is English, which is something I am also passionate about. Failure is an unavoidable part of life, but it can be treated as an opportunity to improve, rather than something to be ashamed about.

I also fear that I don’t take enough risks. Although I have accomplished many things, I can’t help but compare myself to other youth. They are the same age as me or younger, but they have started their own non-profit organizations, won prestigious awards, and were involved in everything. I view them as role models, but at the same time, I beat myself up for not stepping out of my comfort zone more often.

With a mixture of self-deprecation and jealousy, I think to myself:

I could’ve done that too.

After that, I come to the realization that they are human as well – that they are more than their achievements. They face their personal challenges, just like me and everyone else. How I view them is the same as how some people view me. Therefore, I should treat them as equals. Not to diminish their accomplishments or elevate my own, but rather to recognize everyone has self-worth. A person is more than their grades or awards. Everyone has their own place in the world and something to contribute. It is not a competition. I play my small role in the school community and the world at large.

That is all I can hope for.

I am who I am, and I accept myself for that. Others accept me for who I am, and that gives me great confidence. However, there are still times when doubt creeps in and my conviction wavers. I can lie awake in bed for hours, obsessing over all of the problems in my life. The next morning, there is a sense of renewal and another opportunity to make the most of my day, instead of wasting time worrying.

My life is a series of pushes and pulls. It is more like a continuum than a dichotomy of doubt and confidence. I exist somewhere in between. My identity can be compared to the Taoist symbol of the yin-yang. Light and darkness, or in this case, confidence and doubt, are part of an indivisible whole. They are contrary forces, but can also be complementary and interconnected. I can find hope in all of my fears, and silver linings in all of my mistakes. I am not always confident, nor am I always doubtful.

I am the sum of my confidence and doubt, and to understand that is to see the true me.

As an introductory assignment to English 30, we had to tell our teacher a secret about ourselves. Whether it was something as large as our place in the world or so small that only we would think about. The writing was to be accompanied with a visual. I wrote this back in January and it’s interesting to see how things have and haven’t changed. Namely, my audition for the Bachelor of Music program didn’t work exactly how I envisioned, but I’m still happy. I got into a similar program and I was still be pursuing my love of music.

This is one secret that I’m want to share, though it’s not much of a secret anymore. Often it is an individual’s secrets that reveal the most about their character. It is often this candid vulnerability that other people can relate to the most. As John Koenig, the creator of the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, eloquently puts it: “It’s the kind of basic human vulnerability that we’d all find familiar, but is still somehow surprising when we notice it in others. It’s an open question why we have such public confidence, and such private doubts.”

Looking back, I am reminded of his video about “Socha: The Hidden Vulnerability of Others”. Although I wasn’t aiming for it, a lot of my ideas presented in this writing assignment are reflected in this video.

 

 

Are The Sciences For Me? (Career Advice Part 2)

Elvin Limpin
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| Featured Image Here | Part 1 Here |

Environmental Science/Agrology

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Employment Prospects: B- in 4 years
Courseload: 7.5-9/10

Ensci is an applied Science, which in essence means jobs outside research. In Canada, environmental Science positions often require the professional Agrologist (P. Ag) designation. The designation is obtained through experience in the industry and careful degree planning. Ensci is also one of the few science fields where a 4 year Bachelor’s is often more than sufficient to get into the workforce. Agrologists often work as consultants with a team in either the Oil & Gas industry or environmental compliance.

Oil and Gas

This side of agrology deals with clean up. They ensure that the environmental impact is controlled and that areas can be restored. As with most oil jobs, this industry is often lucrative but very cyclical.

Compliance

Agrologists in compliance ensure that government standards and regulation are met by companies with regards to their environmental impact. Agrologists would often specialize in a field (GIS, water pollution, carbon emissions, ecology, etc) and work together to provide assessments.

Ensci would certainly be a very employable major, and I would recommend the it over a pure science. Then again, Civil Engineers can often do a lot of EnSci work while having other career options open.

Kinesiology

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Employment Prospects: C in 4 years
Courseload: 8/10

There’s many misconceptions about this particular major. Kinesiology, in essence, is exercise science. This broad discipline encompasses topics from biomechanics, to coaching, to athletic therapy, to mind sciences. There’s thus not really a set job for Kinesiology majors. So what jobs is kines good for and not good for? Kinesiology is good if you want to get into medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or Kinesiology research. To become a trainer or a coach, a kines major isn’t of much benefit. In fact, University might not be the right place to study for such careers. Certification and experience in the industry is often times more important for less academic and more applied jobs. Being a relatively new major, Kinesiology degrees might eventually be modified to help with receiving certifications. On the other hand, kines makes for a good pre-med major for those aspiring doctors who are also interested exercise and athleticism. Nursing, Economics, and Biomedical Engineering are objectively better pre-med majors however, if interest in exercise and athleticism is disregarded.

Geology

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Employment Prospects: B- in 6 years
Courseload: 9/10 undergrad

Geology is also an applied science, affording demand in multiple industries. Calgary is, interestingly, home to more geologists than any other Canadian city. This is mostly due to the oil and gas industry. The nearby Canadian Rockies, dinosaur Badlands, and oil sands also prove to be valuable geological research areas.

Exploration

Exploration Geologists often frequently work alongside Geophysicists and Engineers. In fact, they sometimes have similar responsibilities (and paychecks). Geologists are especially in demand, however, when exploring new oil or mineral reserves. They use their geological knowledge to predict earth composition and map the underground. They’re pretty much treasure hunters (although not really at $28 a barrel 😛 ).

Hydrogeologists

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Hydrogeology requires more math and less rocks, similarly to engineers. Hydrogeologists deal with mapping water rather than mapping the ground, often working with Civil Engineers, Agrologists, and the likes. Hydrogeoloical work is often less cyclical than exploration, although it does not pay as well as exploration.

Research

Some Geologists take the academic route and into research. This makes their prospects akin to Chemistry and Biology majors. Paleontology is an especially interesting branch of geological research, but it is nonetheless a niche industry.

Geology majors often only need a Bachelor’s to work unless a specialization later on is pursued. It’s import to note that acquiring a designation as a Professional Geologist (P. Geo) is necessary to advance as a Geologist. A lot of geology positions go to Civil Engineers due to its overlap. It might be worth considering Civil if you would like to be in the field.

I want to be a scientist!

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Good for you! If you’re planning on taking an applied science (eg. environmental science), much of my advice for engineering majors would apply. For pure sciences (eg. chemistry) expect to have most of your hard work to occur in University. You would have to go through a phase with long hours and bad pay, but, hopefully, great satisfaction after 🙂

More science coming up with a mathematical sciences article: Physics, computer science, math, etc. Stay tuned!

Blogger of the Month, April 2016- Hafsah Syed

Danielle Leong
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Blogger of the Month, April 2016- Hafsah Syed

hafsah syed

Introducing: Hafsah Syed, April 2016 Blogger of the Month!

Not too long ago, I had the enlightening opportunity to get to know outstanding Youth Are Awesome blogger Hafsah Syed.  (actually, we chatted on her 17th birthday!)  We sat down at Good Earth Coffeehouse, and didn’t end up eating or drinking anything, but I still  learned a lot about who she is as a person.

good earth cafe

Although Hafsah hasn’t been blogging for long, the quality and thoughtfulness of her content is something worthy of applause.  A grade 11 student at Crescent Heights High School, Hafsah’s life is exciting and fulfilling with her involvement in student council ( she’s an executive member), Youth Volunteer Corps (she’s a student leader!), social issue advocacy (she’s a chairperson of the Syrian aid club at her school!), and of course Youth Are Awesome.   Hafsah joined Youth are Awesome because she appreciates how it truly gives youth a platform to express their voices.

“Even if only one person read my blog, I would still be satisfied with the knowledge that I affected that person with my words.”

Hafsah’s blogs are indeed very effective and touching, and her work is quite inspiring.

She also is the only girl among her 3 brothers, and makes a loving daughter and sister.
Although Hafsah loves learning, thinking, and philosophizing about a LOT of subjects, her favourite subject is biology (she is only  in grade 11 but is finished taking this course), because she is fascinated by the systems which uphold our bodies and planet.  Her favourite happens to be the nervous system.  With a love for this particular science, she is considering entering medicine or veterinary medicine, both which she would excel in. Why?  Well, as Hafsah says:

 “If you are passionate about something, you will do well in it.” 

 Hafsah herself is full of life and passion.  Not only does she love biology, but she also truly cares about issues in society, especially  those of poverty eradication and helping Syrian refugees.  Ever since she has come back from Pakistan, Hafsah has realized that she would really like to find the solution to poverty eradication.  She recognizes that it is an extremely complicated issue which calls for an effective plan, and she says that if she ever brainstorms a solution she will share it right here on Youth are Awesome.  While we were talking, she told me about her recent trip to her homeland, Pakistan, which she traveled to for a wedding (exciting!):

“I’d never actually been to a third world country until then.  When I saw grandmas sitting on the streets taking care of babies, it touched my heart.  When I saw little boys walking around on the roads selling balloons, it touched my heart.  But the people who live there on a daily basis- they simply walk right by these sad sights, because they’re so used to seeing it everyday.”  

Hafsah also mentioned that even if you give poor people money once, you won’t be able to make a truly significant difference. “It’s very difficult to be in a position where you want to help, but you really can’t. “

poverty in paki

 When Hafsah mentioned this, I was touched by it as well, and I was also inspired to ask her another question.  It’s well known that as youth we hear about current events and sometimes we discuss them, but rarely do we ever actually get up and try to make a difference.  Which is why I was in awe of Hafsah and her club to help Syrian refugees, which has arranged the successful adoption of 6 refugees already. (wow)  I asked Hafsah what everyone else our age can do to make a difference when it comes to social issues which need to be addressed.  In response, she told me a motto which she lives by:

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(an excellent motto)

Now Hafsah has undoubtedly discovered her passion, but many individuals of all ages are still on the search.  When I asked her how she discovered what she is passionate about, she answered:

“You know you are passionate about something when your thoughts wander to it a lot”.

Hafsah actually brainstorms ideas for her innovative blogs by simply sitting on her bed and thinking.  Her thoughts inspire her to create unthought-of and creative posts, which we enjoy reading.  Hafsah is constantly on her toes, kept busy by her courseload and extracurriculars, yet is able to put outstanding effort into everything she does.  However, she is still a teenager, and like the rest of us, she sometimes procrastinates.  But instead of letting the procrastination get the better of her, she takes advantage of procrastination!  Basically, she procrastinates by doing other work, which leads to minimal procrastination.

“When I get off track and start to procrastinate, I immediately start doing something else productive.  For example, if I am supposed to be studying and I start to procrastinate, I will go and work on a blog post.”

hafsah 2

Hafsah is a role model for bloggers everywhere, including myself.  (But when I mentioned this to her, she humbly stated that she does not see herself as a role model, but views others as role models for herself). When asked who she herself looks up to, Hafsah took a moment of thought, before stating these very touching words:

“It’s not the famous people or historical figures that most inspire me.  They aren’t the poeple who I look up to the most.  The people who I look to the most are normal people.  They are normal, regular people who have struggled through lives. I look up to the grandmas on the streets of Pakistan who have had hard lives themselves,   Just looking at them, I find courage in myself.  If these people can do what they are doing, I can do what I am doing.  Also, with my teachers, who come in every day exhausted, I am inspired.  We just look up at them as teachers, but they are people.  They have their children, their families, their lives.  I can visually see my teacher being absolutely exhausted, yet she comes to school every day with such passion.  So, yeah.  Those are the people who I look to, every day of my life.  They’re just normal, regular citizens.”

Hafsah also appreciates her parents, who immigrated from Pakistan, leaving everything behind, to raise her and her brothers in a safer environment.  It was clear that Hafsah is able to embrace her family, something that many youth are unable to do until later.  For example, many of us only learn to truly appreciate the presence of our parents when we are much older, and time is running out.  So of course, I was curious as to how Hafsah has cultivated such a deep appreciation for her parents at such a young age.  She told me a concept that she applies not only with her parents, but with people everywhere- the concept of understanding.  To Hafsah, healthy relationships and a safe world is based off of understanding each other.  If we put ourselves in other peoples’ shoes, and try to understand where they are coming from and what they are experiencing, it often opens our own eyes and allows us to be more forgiving and compassionate.

I had a wonderful time interviewing Hafsah, who is extremely worthy of the title of April Blogger of the Month 2016.  Congratulations Hafsah- I am sure that you will accomplish all that you set out to do.  Also, Happy Birthday once again!

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