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.
As more fashion lovers flocked to New York City, the bi-annual New York Fashion Week ended with a bang. Ending on the 17th, various fashion designers from around the world will be presented their 2016 spring/summer collections for the first time. Out of those designers is a label commonly seen on celebrities and both Michelle and Malia Obama have been spotted wearing the designer on several occasions. Founded in 2002 by designer and CEO Stacy Bendet, Alice + Olivia has since become synonymous for feminine charm and practicality. Their designs are comfortable and daring, yet manage to be unexecessive unlike some other “daring” designers of the day.
Alice + Olivia’s SS16 collection played up the returning 70’s theme in fashion with denim on denim, flowery embroidery, and woven fabrics. Personally, I’ve found it very hard to enjoy the overplayed motif of 70’s fashion; flare jeans are really not my thing. However, I will admit that Alice + Olivia’s collection was able to capture the essence of the 70’s tastefully by tying in hints of Mojave-inspired style. This combination creates a rustic yet girly aesthetic.
Perhaps my favourite part of this show was the makeup look and the amazing jewelry designed by Lindsey White that supplemented the collection. The bronze crowns and arm cuffs were industrial yet dainty and was the perfect match for the theme of the collection. Models were given a natural look but the eyes were emphasized with a golden-bronze that added an ethereal and feminine element to truly complete the looks.
In terms of fashion items, below are some of my favourite looks from the Alice + Olivia SS16 collection. I’m gushing about the elegant use of bright colours, the inspiration of the desert, and Alice + Olivia’s ability to make anything dainty and elegant.
When I was younger, one of my favourite places to go was the Science Centre. I found everything there entrancing, and I never wanted to leave. I remember the sensation of the needlebeds, making gunk, and watching movies in the huge theater. What I just described was the ‘old’ science center- in my opinion, the science center couldn’t have gotten any bigger or better than it already was. But then it did- when the new TELUS Spark Science Centre was opened on May 29th, 2011. Somehow, the geniuses behind the city’s best science exhibit had done it again. Now, our Science Centre explores every nook and cranny of the science world, from Energy, the Earth, and prototypes. In order to truly experience the wonders of the Science Centre, you’d have to stay there for at least a day or two. If you know a kid who loves to play, or if you yourself want to know the answers to your questions about life, or if you just want to try something new, this is the place to do it. Of course, I am the Media (Science and Technology) Editor, so my preferences when it comes to spending my free time are a bit biased. That’s why I brought Didi along, though- she prefers the Languages and the arts, and she enjoyed our experience just as much as myself.
Didi and I in front of TELUS Spark!
A few days ago, fellow YAA blogger Didi Moffat and I were very lucky to actually be able to visit the TELUS Spark Science Centre. Although everything there was new and shiny and advanced, what really stood out to us was the Brainasium. Being one of the newest (and coolest) exhibits in the updated Science Centre, it’s huge, colourful, unique, and fun.
So where do I even begin to describe the Brainasium? Picture this; Think of the playground that’s closest to your house. Once you’ve got that image in your head, multiply the size of the playground by 10. And then, along with the swings and monkey bars, add a 63 foot slide, giant periscope, and sound tubes! So far pretty neat, right? The Brainasium could be described as playground for everyone of all ages, because there is actually something for every age group to be entertained by. (who would want to go shopping or get Starbucks when you can visit a gigantic mega-playground instead??) The Brainasium has exhibits you’ve never heard of or probably even dreamed of before. It’s almost as if it’s a museum, except in this museum you can touch and climb on and explore the artifacts.
Didi at the entrance to the Brainasium
Didi looking through the gigantic periscope
Me waving my arm beside this obstacle and probably not using it right
The photos above are only 3 of many, many things that we both would strongly recommend you try out. Now Didi and I had quite a blast trying out everything, but ultimately I think we’d both agree that the most entertaining and thrilling activity for us was going down the 63-foot slide. At first, I was a bit intimidated- in order to go down, you have to climb up through a series of nets. I’m not the most flexible person, so this was an interesting experience for me. Once we finally reached the top though, the feeling of accomplishment was more than enough to make up for our monkey-like struggle.
A different type of mirror selfie at the top of the slide
Me in front of the very, very long slide
If I’d had the strength, I would’ve gone on that slide again and again until my hands were too rope-burned to function anymore- that’s how fun it was.
The next time you want to try something new, Didi and I will tell you to go visit TELUS Spark. You may think you’ve seen some of it or heard about it, but until you’ve experienced it you’re still in the dark.
A huge thank you to the TELUS Spark Science Centre for letting us visit! Check them out on Twitter and Facebook!
We Were Liars is a 2014 young-adult novel by E. Lockhart. Centred around a rich family that owns their own private island and visits it each summer, this book follows the story of protagonist Cadence Sinclair and her extended family and friends. The story explores self-acceptance, family morals and the consequences of mistakes. At first glance, the book is not what you’d expect. Filled with many different twists and turns, it keeps the reader captivating and craving more. To be frank, I haven’t felt so addicted to a book since I read The Hunger Games, which is definitely a positive.
The cover features three blurry figures wading in the ocean, and it looks like any other summer-focused teen novel, but a quick glance at the text inside it and the synopsis will reveal that this book is much more than just a summer romance story. What drew me in was the mystery and particularly the writing style. E. Lockhart wrote in the standard prose style, but occasionally wrote in poem form too. As well, she often used nouns as adjectives, which I very much enjoyed and found refreshing.
“Gat seemed spring-loaded. Like he was searching for something. He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee.”
~ Quote from We Were Liars
We Were Liars is a story that is quite literally “more than meets the eye”, and I loved that. The story feeds you enough mystery and suspense to keep you hooked. While most of the characters are very conservative, the stories surrounding them make them so much more complex and interesting. The Sinclairs are seemingly perfect, but as you make your way through the book, details and stories are revealed little by little and finally at the end, it all clicks. It’s like one huge puzzle piece that you slowly fit together and you get this beautiful picture in the end, although I must warn you that it might not be so beautiful at the end of this puzzle.
I went into this book completely blind, and that’s the best way to enter it. The twisted fairy-tale that is We Are Liars is begging to be discovered, and if you’re looking for a YA novel that is tragically beautiful, poetic, suspenseful and gripping, this is it. I didn’t know what to expect jumping into it but it’s become of my favourite books. Soon after finishing it, I quickly went to Social Media to share my feelings because my pain demands to be felt (Yeah okay that was a TFIOS joke.. You got me.) and this book deserves to be shared. It’s a book that makes you go “Wait, what?” by the end of it and it’s definitely worth reading in all.
This is Aaron Friesen. He lives in a rural town about an hour and a half east of Edmonton.
Aaron’s been in a wheelchair since he was born, due to his cerebral palsy, which tightens the muscles in his legs.
Ever since he was little, he wanted to be able to drive and be independent, but he wasn’t sure if that was ever going to happen, because he needed a special van that would accommodate his wheelchair.
Last year, he entered the Mobility Awareness Month contest, in hopes of winning that van, but unfortunately, he didn’t get enough votes.
This certainly did not stop Aaron. He and his community started fundraising, in hopes that he would have a car for his final year of high school.
It took just a year for Aaron to raise 50 000 dollars, enough to buy his special car.
He passed his drivers test in one go, and was ready to start driving, just in time for the start of school.
Photo: https://twitter.com/localminivanman
On September 2nd, 2015, Aaron drove himself to his first day of high school, to a crowd of cheering classmates.
Congrats Aaron, and keep up the determination!
Watch his story here : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d_kMmnCVe9g
I first heard about local organization Little Hippies Kids Yoga while reading the “giving back” section in issue 2 of Dote Magazine and the idea behind it immediately caught my attention. Since its conception in 2013 by Jenna Galloway and Chloe Dusser, the local organization has become known for its charitable work in providing free yoga classes to children who are sick, recovering, disabled, low-income, or simply in need. Little Hippies operates under the “buy one give one” system, which means every time you purchase a class from them, you are giving a free class to a child in need. Prior to reading about Little Hippies, I had always thought of yoga as something that requires the focus of adults. However, the more I thought about it, the more the idea made sense. Yoga is known for its physical and psychological benefits and is a tried-and-true stress reliever, so shouldn’t kids who are facing stress and anxiety get to enjoy those benefits? These ideas are just some of what drove Jenna and Chloe to be where they are today.
Jenna was only 21 when she first got the idea for Little Hippies. She was (and still is!) a student at the University of Calgary who had worked with kids with autism quite extensively while studying Health Sciences and wished to find other ways to benefit those with disabilities. Having turned to yoga in stressful times of her own life, she soon put up an ad around the city asking for yoga mat donations to kickstart her idea. That’s when Chloe reached out to her and together, they became the founders of Calgary’s kid’s-only yoga studio. Since then, they’ve transformed their Bridgeland home into a beautiful and functional studio, taught countless classes at locations such as the Children’s Hospital, traveled to Mexico together to receive their yoga certifications and just extended their program to teens as well!
If any of you have tried to attend a yoga class at a studio in town as a minor, you probably known how complicated the process may be. Most studios require a parent to attend or to sign a bunch of consent forms. Luckily, Little Hippies makes the process quick and easy; just print off their waiver from their website beforehand and you’re good to go! This makes it easier than ever for teens to de-stress after a long day. The schedule for their new teen classes are on the image below.
Having recently entered the second and arguably most stressful year of high school, I often get the feeling that I’m not taking enough time to wind-down and reconnect with myself and as much as I’d like to believe it, binge watching The X-Files doesn’t really count. Truthfully, part of it was that I didn’t know how. Last Thursday night I had the pleasure to attend one of the first teen classes and enjoyed my experience completely. After a short walk from Bridgeland LRT Station, I was greeted at the door by the incredibly welcoming Jenna and her and Chloe’s (adorable) pups Ollie and Henry. While I was there, Jenna introduced me to the concept of Little Hippies and gave me a glimpse into the merchandise with their artful logo on it. The merchandise is extremely soft and great for casual wear or your yoga class, I just had to have one. I attended the Yang/Yin class, which places focuses half on traditionally-paced yoga movements and half on slower, stretch-based movements. This makes it the perfect class to attend at night before you tuck in for a night of rest. After a long day of school, a relaxing yoga class is the perfect anecdote. I know for sure that I’ll be back in the studio when I’m stressed (soon!). If you’re looking for a relaxed, non-judgmental environment to practice yoga and relieve-stress, give Little Hippies a try. All their classes are drop-in for $15 a pop, and passes are also available. All classes are taught by certified instructors and yoga mats and other supplies are all provided, though you can of course bring your own.
Thanks for the shoutout!
If you’re looking to try a teen yoga class, I’m happy to announce that Little Hippies will be giving away a free teen yoga class to YAA readers! The giveaway winner will receive a free yoga class of their choice (refer to previous image with class times). To enter, simply like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and like our Facebook post about this blog (x) or retweet our tweet about this post (x). The winner will be selected and contacted through the social media platform they entered through on September 23rd. Hope to see you in the Little Hippies studio soon!
xperience, seeing the product of your work and talent was incredibly inspiring, not the mention how great partaking in your class was! To find out more about Little Hippies, visit their website at http://www.littlehippieskidsyoga.com/ and be sure to follow them on the social media links on there to get the latest news and updates.
“When you want something all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”
On my sixteenth birthday, a close friend of mine gifted me The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. The novel wasn’t just any fictional story but within it held prominent and heart-touching philosophies that served as a method of motivation and encouragement for me during a time of confusion, stress, and chaos. The story was a journey of following one’s dreams and learning the language of the world. But what’s the language of the world? Well that’s to be sought out in the various signs life gives us of which we are usually oblivious to.
While reading this book, seven quotes/sayings really stuck out to me and touched my heart forcing me to dig deeper within myself to be able to connect and resonate with this journey. Those quotes still play a major role in my life especially during adversity, confusion, or when the feeling of being “lost” consumes me. The Alchemist is one of my dearest possessions and of which has taught me the significance behind of having a soul and what life truly means.
It’s easy to admit we live in the digital age, where communication is easier than ever and the ability to share your message is as fast as a click of a button. I can share news-worthy stories within an instant, add my 2 cents to discussions and be tagged in those embarrassing childhood pictures my mom boasts about, easily. But this privilege also comes with a lot of side effects: hate is more easily spread-able and let’s not forget good ol’ moral outrage is more present than ever. As of late, there’s been quite a lot of moral outrage, especially surrounding Cecil the Lion and the European Migrant Crisis and I’m all for continual recognition of these issues, but I’ve never been a fan of moral outrage. Sure, it’s a great way to cause awareness, but does it really aid the cause besides generate awareness? More often than not: no.
Don’t get me wrong, awareness is fantastic! Without it, the ALS society wouldn’t have received nearly as many donations through the awareness the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made, but there’s a point in time where the hype deteriorates and it disappears from the news for a bit. Weeks back, the killing of Cecil the Lion created quite a big stir, making waves across the world and with it, came a wave of moral outrage. You couldn’t go on social media without seeing news of it somewhere but the dentist who killed Cecil, Walter Palmer, returned to work and there weren’t 6000 protesters, nor 600 or 60, but a seldom 6 protesters. It makes you wonder if issues like these are less important than the daily lives of the Jenner/Kardashian clan, because the amount of times I see them on my news feed compared to other serious issues makes me seem like we’re in a Hollywood obsessed society where Kylie Jenner’s 18th birthday is way more important than what happens across the world, and maybe we are and I just refuse to accept it?
From observation, I notice some individuals are quick to share a message, but refuse to act on it. As an example, our earth is quickly changing from the effects of global warming and some will acknowledge it, but some will also choose to ignore it and leave it to the next generation to deal with, consequently creating a unhealthy cycle that could leave devastating impacts on our environment. My Social Studies teacher told me if you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly heat it up, the frog will die before it notices the change. If you throw it straight into a pot of boiling water, it’ll jump out, which is exactly what most humans are doing. Our society ignores what is happening around us until it’s too late. We don’t act on stuff until it gets to a certain level of “bad”, which is also what happened with the European migrant crisis. It was definitely in the news, but I believe it wasn’t as mainstream until the image of the young Syrian boy washed up on the shore of Turkey surfaced. It poses the age old question of “How many people have to die before there is action?”. The Syrian boy wasn’t the first, and he won’t be the last, but the awareness that has been circulating will not fade out in vain.
In conclusion, I must reiterate that moral outrage is not a solution, but the awareness made through it is a start. Let us not forget that the most effective way to make a change is through action. Talking about issues that you feel passionately about is great, but sitting waiting for a change won’t help. If you feel this strong sensation to make a change, volunteering around your community, signing petitions or sending letters to the government is a great start. Change starts with a spark, so don’t be afraid of the flame; embrace it.
s of now, our Calgary is most famous for the Calgary Stampede. It’s “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”- complete with fireworks, stage performances, you name it, the Calgary Stampede is hands down one of the most looked forward to events in this city. It’s a shame it couldn’t last longer, or there isn’t another show that measures up… But wait, there is now!
Although it’s a young event, Beakerhead is among stunning shows and festivals such as the Calgary Stampede, Globalfest, and the YYC Food Truck Festival, and it’s rapidly expanding in popularity. Beakerhead is a week-long festival in September, where famous performers, musicians and inventors congregate to show off the best of what they can do for the public- you! I’m not gonna lie when I say it’s pretty cool- after all, it’s the first event that combines science, art, and engineering in a showstopping blend. We are very fortunate to have it held here in our hometown.
Now I could go on about the wonders of this celebration, but with the help of my past boss, YAA Program Coordinator Clea ( If you’re reading this Clea, thank you for all you’ve done!), I got the idea of interviewing a creator of Beakerhead! Which is how I had the amazing opportunity to speak to Mr. Jay Ingram, co-founder of Beakerhead. But first, you should know. Mr. Ingram isn’t just the co-founder of Beakerhead. If you think that name sounds familiar, maybe you’ve watched Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel, which he hosted. Or read OWL Magazine when you were younger, in which he wrote articles. Jay has a huge cabinet of accomplishments and milestones, so you can imagine I was pretty excited when I had the chance to interview him, although we only had time to focus on Beakerhead.
Jay Ingram and Mary Anne Moser, the founders of Beakerhead
How did you come up with the idea of Beakerhead and why did you decide to create it?
As I mentioned before, Mr. Ingram actually co-founded this festival, with cohort Mary Anne Moser. They decided to create Beakerhead because they realized that nothing of it’s sort really existed. There was nothing that really combined arts and science, so that is exactly why they decided to create Beakerhead.
Is there a reason why you named this event “Beakerhead”?
Beakerhead is possibly the most innovative name I’ve heard for anything, so I was dying to know what compelled it’s creators to give it that name, Originally, it turns out that Ms. Mary Anne Moser had two ideas for the name of the event. The first of those two ideas was “Robertson”, which is the name of a Canadian screwdriver. The second, if you couldn’t guess, was “Beakerhead”. According to Jay, that name just came out of nowhere- but it was a very neat word to say the least. Out of either Robertson or Beakerhead, Beakerhead was the more enigmatic of the two. And there you have it! Beakerhead. Right now, I can’t imagine it being called anything else. If you ask me, it suits the event perfectly because both the name and the festival are fun and creative.
Which component are you most looking forward to this year and which would you recommend to the youth of Calgary?
Mr. Ingram could not give a single answer for this question. And who can blame him- how is one supposed to choose a favourite from a plethora of amazing and completely different events? There are approximately 60 events and workshops (holy smokes), so one is bound to catch your own personal interest. I couldn’t possibly name everything, so check out the program guide for everything you need to know. However, Mr. Ingram was able to recommend one particular event. On the opening night of Beakerhead, which by the way is held in the world’s largest sandbox, there will be a stunning light show on the history of the Universe. For all you space, science, sound maniacs, or anyone who’s looking for a good show, check out the Rock and Roll history of Space Exploration. This event will take you through the journey of how the Universe was created, more than complete with sound and visual effects. Who’s presenting it? Mr. Jay Ingram himself- he’ll be speaking with a band playing in the background. There are also going to be two astronauts there, along with a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and stories from Clara Venice. At the end of the night, the festival turns in to a dance party! Sounds out of this world.. (hahaha)
Some other highlights of #Beakerhead2015 include the Science of Coffee and Catapult Competition.
How many hours and people are involved with the preparations?
Beakerhead is a huge, huge event, and it lasts for a week, so I cannot begin to think of the amount of hard work poured in to it. But in this case especially, hard work will most certainly pay off. According to Mr. Ingram, one can not even count the hours contributed to this event. The amazing thing is, though, that there are really only 5 employees. Imagine doing that for a job- working all day for 15 hours. I know that I for one am excited to enjoy these individuals’ very hard work. Of course, these 5 employees couldn’t have prepared such a fantastic show without help. There are many, many volunteers who’ve also filled their days with Beakerhead preparations, and that’s not even counting the performers and engineers.
What do you hope will come out of the Beakerhead experience?
Mr. Ingram hopes that out of the Beakerhead experience, many things will be gained. Beakerhead is hoping to entertain people (which it most certainly will) and attract even more people to come. He wants one of the first and foremost things that people realize to be that there is a lot of engineering and science in art, and a lot of art in engineering and science. When people think of either art of engineering, they view them as single-minded concepts – either one or the other. But that could not be more wrong. There is no such thing as only being an engineer, or only being an artist – in everything, there is everything else. Beakerhead is hoping to inspire a creativity in art and science that usually goes unseen. If you attend Beakerhead, you will discover that engineering is so much more than just building, if you are an engineer, you can be more than a builder. You are a designer, a creator, and an artist. Mr. Ingram then brought up a very good point, and I could not agree more. Streaming students and young people in to either a technical path or an artistic path is useless and limiting. When you have skills in both areas, you should not have to cut out one side to forget about one part of you, just to focus on the other. Beakerhead aims to inspire you to see the combination of art, science, and engineering as one, in which you can truly have a good time.
What do you see in the future for Beakerhead?
Compared to other events, Beakerhead is still a baby, and I was curious to see how it’s going to grow up. Beakerhead is definitely going to be around for a long time and right now, the planners are thinking long term. They aim to continue to expand Beakerhead and eventually they want public awareness on a worldwide focus, and not just in the province. Hopefully one day when tourists think of attractions in Calgary, Beakerhead will be right alongside the Calgary Stampede, Sled Island, or Calgary Folk Festival.
If you had to sum up everything that Beakerhead is one word, which word would you use?
“Spectacle.” It’s hard to put it in one word because it’s an unfamiliar concept that people haven’t seen before.
What do you think is the most effective way of getting young people interested in the sciences?
There is no denying that especially in our era, science is one of the most important concepts. In order to promote awareness of it amongst youth (us), you’ve got to break down the barriers? How do you do this? By finding out what people care about – music, sports, and social life, and then relating to them. The thing is, those concepts are what the human experience is about. Science stands a bit outside that of those. You see, in school when you learn about science in facts and equations, that poses a problem. Students get the idea that science is all about the logistics, but it is so much more than that. In fact, if people got to know renowned scientists and engineers, they would find out that they aren’t just equation solving geniuses, they are just like the rest of us.
I noticed that you’ve written a number of science related books. Is there any one book that you’d especially recommend for the youth of Calgary to read?
You are a role model for many people. Is there an individual who has inspired you or who you look up to yourself?
I had to ask him this question, because it always puzzles me. Do people who are role models have role models themselves? It turns out that although Mr. Ingram does not have a specific person who he looks up to, he does admire certain individuals. The type of people whom he admires most are those who break down barriers and try things no one else has tried, which is essentially what Beakerhead is doing now. For example, Mr. Ingram states, Elon Musk, Elon invented Tesla Motors, a new and unheard of idea. In essence, he admires those who take ordinary ideas and tweak them into completely different things.
And that concludes this q&A with Jay Ingram! Thank you again Jay for giving YAA the pleasure of meeting you, though briefly.
All of you should check out Beakerhead on at least one of the days- it will be a memory you won’t forget soon. Follow Beakerhead on twitter and Facebook!
It’s September, and while most of you are adjusting back to your school schedule, the need for the fun that summer radiates isn’t quite gone. Everything is changing, whether it’s your transition to a different school or the season. Nonetheless, September can offer a wide range of fun opportunities so don’t let fall pass you by without checking out these fun things to do around the city!
What: Billy and the Boo invite you to Calaway Park. Dress up and enjoy tricks and treats as well as “spook-tacular” rides. There will be face painting, a scavenger hunt and more! On Saturday September 12th, the Boo Crew Costume Party will be taking place. Make sure to dress in your coolest costumes!
Where: Calaway Park (245033 Range Rd 33, Calgary, AB)
When: Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday Mondays, September 5th to October 12th 2015
What: The Calgary Mini Maker Faire is two fun-filled days seeing cool projects that often stay hidden in basements, garages, and barns. This event showcases the passion of the people who build these cool projects and it’s an event that is sure to leave you feeling inspired and amazed.
Where:TELUS Spark (220 St. George’s Drive NE)
When: Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 12th, 2015
What: Willow Park Village is hosting a market to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Along with shopping at local vendors’ booths, there’ll also be a fashion show, awesome live music and plenty of food trucks. This event is in support of the Women’s Centre.
Where: Willow Park Village (10816 Macleod Tr. S.E. Calgary , AB)
When: Saturday, September 12th 2015
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Circle the Wagons
What: Circle the Wagons is a non-profit travelling “carnival” of local food, beer, music, art and performers. This is the 2nd year in the event’s history and their goal is to raise funds for community initiatives and deliver urban experiences outside of the downtown core.
There was a video posted by a YouTuber named Nicole Arbour that has received over 17 million hits and a lot of controversy since being posted. The video is titled “Dear Fat People”, already it is obvious that Arbour is addressing a very sensitive concept that goes around and around constantly on social media because of something called body shaming. The video has since then had video responses by popular YouTuber Grace Helbig and TLC star Whitney Thore.
The word fat has always had a negative connotation associated with it, although I have since heard a different opinion stating that it is just a word, an adjective describing a person. I have met people who refer to themselves as fat because that is what they are and it doesn’t have to be a negative word. At the same time though, the word can hold a lot of heavy emotional stress and offense which is completely understandable especially with women and the unrealistic standards surrounding people today. Body shaming can happen whether you are overweight or skinny or were in an accident or were born with a disease or disability. Body shaming is a huge issue that can lead to depression and just so much emotional trauma.
All this being said, Nicole Arbour has a point behind all of the offense associated with the video; she is saying that all these things were brought onto themselves. Which could be true in certain situations. The health issues and the depression would possibly go away if people exercised regularly and ate healthy but she is being insensitive. It is just not that easy. It is not easy to stop being lazy and enjoying your life because food is great and a lot of people are healthy but they aren’t necessarily happy either. There are genetics and there are conditions that people are born with. All of this shouldn’t concern anyone because it is not your life and you don’t know what is going on with their health or how they feel. Everyone is just trying to get by in this world and maybe they are happy just how they are living.
Nothing is going to change unless you do something about it. So if you are unhappy with your weight or your health is compromised because you do not have a healthy lifestyle, if you have complete control over this then yes, you can change it because we want you to be happy and love yourself. If you already love yourself, then don’t change, because you just do you. This is a completely personal issue that should not be addressed in this way. Be funny without being mean or else you aren’t really funny. Everyone is aware of who they are and what they want and it is up to them to find out what makes them happy.
Grace Helbig was one of the many people who addressed the video and made a response, if Grace Helbig thinks something is not okay, then it’s not.
We are all human, we are all the same. Do not make someone feel bad about anything, you do you. You do you in a way that doesn’t compromise your well being. Life is this extremely unexpected and hard thing that we can’t understand and everyone is just trying to be happy in their own way, so the way Nicole presented this opinion was inappropriate, crude and insensitive.
As a student, I often find myself neglecting everything because ‘I have homework’ or ‘I’m too tired’. Although the school year has just started, my lunch quality has plummeted dramatically because it seems like I don’t have time to make my lunch (mostly because I wake up fifteen minutes before my bus arrives). Yes, many people do buy food from the cafeteria or nearby fast-food restaurants but, in my opinion, spending $5-$10 dollars a day for food does not sound ideal. So to help everyone out there with lunch issues, myself included, I compiled a list of quick and easy lunch ideas!
The first recipe is a quesadilla-like recipe which sounds fancy but honestly, it takes maximum five minutes to make. There is no set ingredient list but no worries, you can personalize it however you like.
Ingredients:
Tortilla
Cheese (grated or sliced)
Any other ingredients you have in your fridge (I like to put spinach, cream cheese, chicken, and/or ham)
Directions:
Place your ingredients on the tortilla with the cheese as the base layer.
Bake the tortilla at around 375°F for ~7 minutes (this is based on personal experience so feel free to use your own judgment) or microwave it if you don’t have time. Fold the tortilla in half and you’re done!
This can also be altered to make a wrap by adding lettuce/other vegetables and wrapping it up.
Lasagna is a little harder to make but I like to freeze a tray of lasagna and defrost it whenever I don’t have a lunch or I’m too lazy to cook. The ingredients should cost you no more than $15 and one tray usually lasts one to two weeks.
Ingredients:
Lasagna noodles
Ground beef or ground pork (optional, you can just use pasta sauce if you’d like)
Pasta sauce (one jar)
Cottage cheese/ ricotta cheese
Parmesan cheese (grated)
Mozzarella cheese (shredded is ideal)
Baking tray, make sure to grease it!
Directions:
Cook the beef or pork in a large skillet until it’s golden brown. Then add the pasta sauce and cook it until everything has been warmed. (If you’d like to add in extra ingredients, make sure you do it before adding in the pasta sauce. I always like to include onions, celery, and corn.)
In another pot, bring water to boil and cook the lasagna noodles until they are edible but still a little hard. Make sure to drain your lasagna noodles before layering.
In your baking tray, pour a thin layer of pasta sauce.
Now it’s time to layer! Lasagna noodle → cottage/ricotta cheese → mozzarella cheese → pasta sauce → repeat → sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese
Cover the tray with foil paper (optional) and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Cut the lasagna to your liking and freeze it or eat it! If you’re freezing it, make sure to take out a slice the night before and put it in your fridge (so it can defrost).
3. TUNA AND CRACKERS
Now onto the very last minute ideas! Tuna and crackers is a super quick, nutritious, and delicious lunch idea. I usually store up on tuna and saltine crackers so I end up bringing a can of tuna and a Ziploc bag full of crackers. This idea is also very cheap since a can of tuna is ~$1 and an entire box of crackers is ~$4.
4. BAGUETTE/CROISSANT
I used to live on sandwiches when I was in elementary and I was okay with it but now, sandwiches just seem extremely bland. A simple alternative that my family uses is baguettes or croissants (which come in huge boxes= extra convenient). Basically, cut the croissant/slice of baguette in half so it resembles a sandwich. Then add whatever you’d like and you’re done! I like to put sliced cheese, cream cheese, ham, garlic butter, or salted butter and I switch it up so it never gets too repetitive.
5. SALAD AND FRUIT
This is an extremely healthy lunch idea and it’s really just a compilation of everything you have at home. Toss together lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables to make a salad. For the salad dressing, it’s a good idea to put it in a small container first and pour it onto your salad when you eat.
For our last recipe, I’m going to include one of my most common lunches. Fried rice is ideal if you have leftover rice from dinner and you still have a bit of time before you have to leave for school (around fifteen minutes).
Ingredients (per one serving):
Rice
2 eggs, beaten (make sure to add a pinch of salt into the eggs!)
Green onions/corn/peas/ham or sausage
Salt and/or soy sauce
Directions:
Chop the green onions, ham, and/or sausage into cubes. These ingredients are optional but based on my experience, the fried rice tastes way better with them.
In a medium-sized skillet, add two(ish) tablespoons of oil and scramble the eggs. Add in the green onion/corn/peas/ham/sausage and stir it so that everything is equally distributed.
Add in the rice and make sure that all the ingredients are equally dispersed (as above).
Sprinkle in the salt and/or soy sauce for taste.
Try something new: if you like roe (fish eggs) or if you want to try it, it’s a nice addition to fried rice. Just add a spoonful of roe before you stir in the rice (or after, it doesn’t really matter)!
This post ended up way longer and way cheesier than I expected (cheese is in almost every recipe whoops). Good luck to everyone with the new school year and I hope these six recipes help you out as the school year progresses!
As much as I hate turning everything into an argument for why my gender is oppressed, the reality of women’s clothing is that it’s often tight and specifically cut- which means that 95% of body types end up simply looking awkward. And while there is great diversity in women’s garment styles that makes this deficiency a bit easier to navigate, certain basic or “staple” items like tank-tops tend not to vary much from this “one-style-fits-all” norm- and we are left with 5 critical ways that tank tops set out to ruin our lives.
The one with the donut roll.
Do you know what I mean? One minute, all is well and you are walking to your first period class, and the next you sit down to discover that your tank top has rolled up to above your belly button, giving you a nice muffin top. There’s no going back at this point; for the rest of the day, you’re basically condemned to be a giant, unflattering fruit roll up. The worst thing is the feeling of fabric angrily sliding up your back when you sit down, leaving you to wonder whether the person behind you can see your underwear.
The one with the mile-long straps.
I’m talking about those tank tops that you pull up every 5 seconds and they still manage to malfunction with enough vengeance to give everyone a good look at your bra. And don’t even think about bending over; the fabric covering the front will lift off of your skin to give you a surreal, out-of-tank-top experience.
The one that says, “Oh, remember the 5 pounds you gained last month? Screw you.”
Some tank tops have a special way of making you look like you’re sporting a small inner tube around your waist. But in case there was any doubt, it makes sure to hug the inside of your bellybutton and reassure passerby that it actually IS your stomach. Except 10x bulgier than normal.
The one with all the awkward cut-outs, or with a weird cut.
There are lots of bras around nowadays to fit every body type and make everyone look great; however, they do their best work behind-the-scenes. The worst things are those tank tops that set out to awkwardly frame your bra straps for the whole world to see, making you look like you’re conspiring against all of those moms and teachers who told you that bra straps were evil. Not to mention, the mosaic formed by this criss cross of fabric is sure to give you the worst tan lines ever.
The see-through one.
I wish I had a real-life statistic to use for this, but probably 4 out of 10 tank tops are slightly sheer in a most unintentional and unflattering way. I’m looking at you, Aritzia.
In brief, never trust a tank top- especially one you meet on the internet. Maybe someday you’ll walk into a store and find your perfect match- but if you end up like me, jaded and cynical, just remember that we only get two months of summer here anyway.
YouTube is a world-renowned platform for artists and makes for a very personal outlet for many. At the beginning of the summer, I was starting to get bored of the content I was watching until I stumbled upon a YouTuber by the name of Ben Brown, a UK travel vlogger & blogger. He has a vibrant and welcoming website, and his videos made me fall in love with vlogging. I started looking at other YouTube channels similar to his and really made connections with their goals and the passion that they had for traveling, charity, and being open-minded, genuine people.
I have always had the goal of becoming a photojournalist, traveling the world, and taking pictures. These videos gave me an inside look on what their daily lives consist of.
Here are a few of my favorite travel vlogging channels based on personality and genuine content:
Ben Brown
The genuineness that he possesses is truly inspiring, and his passion for photography and living a full life makes him a must watch for modern travel vlogging. Some of my favorite videos he has produced are the ones he made when he visited the Rocky Mountains in Alberta back in January (a little bias because of Banff ;))
Mike & Jay Explore
I love their videos because they are very polished and key in on the beauty of the cities/countries they visit. They do a wonderful job of capturing the places they see and continue to engage me in their weekly videos.
Hey Nadine
I have to say if you are looking for down-to-earth videos, Hey Nadine is the channel you should watch. Although not all of her videos are travel vlogs, she does incorporate the more typical YouTuber-esque vibes with some challenges and tags thrown in. These videos may not be my cup of tea, but her travel videos prove to me that she deserves my subscription.
If you get the chance, these channels are worth your time and might put that travel bug at ease… for now.
As a young girl, I always dreamed of being a “real” singer. For Kate Stevens, this has become her reality.
The radio today is filled with auto-tuned songs that essentially play on repeat. Sometimes it seems like music is dying. But with down-to-earth performers like Kate, music can be a down-to-earth experience again.
I’m lucky enough to be in choir with Kate at my school, and I’ve also been able to hear her perform multiple solos for our school’s Vocal Jazz ensemble. There’s a reason she’s chosen for solos: her sound is rich, colourful, and smooth.
This summer, I was out shopping on 17th avenue, when I heard someone singing and playing the ukulele. I looked over, and it was Kate! I sat and listened until the end of her set, and I was super impressed. Why? Not only does Kate sing with an amazing voice, she also plays the ukulele while she sings, and she writes her own songs.
Kate was a contestant on CBC Searchlight this year and was a regional finalist. She’s performed at numerous farmers’ markets, cafes, festivals, and events, including Canada Day at Olympic Plaza, where she blessed tons of people with her sound.
On September 3rd, our school’s choir performed at the United Way Kick-off, and Kate performed the opening solo for hundreds in attendance.
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![IMG_6734[1]](https://youthareawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_67341.jpg)
As a young girl, I always dreamed of being a “real” singer. For Kate Stevens, this has become her reality.
This summer, I was out shopping on 17th avenue, when I heard someone singing and playing the ukulele. I looked over, and it was Kate! I sat and listened until the end of her set, and I was super impressed. Why? Not only does Kate sing with an amazing voice, she also plays the ukulele while she sings, and she writes her own songs. 
