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Video of the Day: Harry Baker – Slam Poetry Champion

Kandace Peroramas
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Witty poet, Harry Baker, makes his TED Talk debut in Exeter, Devon, England. After winning the 2012 Poetry Slam World Cup in Paris, he has gone on to perform at slam poetry events around the U.K. and internationally.

I discovered Harry during my daily routine of watching TED Talks, and was already laughing 30 seconds in. I enjoy the emotion he evokes in his poems, and how I don’t know when to expect his sly humor. His awkward personality adds to the charm, too!

In the first poem, called “59”, Harry happily shares the love story of two prime numbers. It may sound odd (excuse the pun), but I’m sure you’ll have a smile on your face by the end.

“…distinctiveness made them better.”

In “Paper People”, the poem that won Harry the Poetry Slam World Cup, he delves into issues that surround our lives, and how we must learn to overcome them:

“You see, people have potential to be powerful. Just because the people in power tend to pretend to be victims, we don’t need to succumb to that system. And a paper population is no different.”

Finally, what happens when Little Miss Sunshine turns the Sunshine Kid’s world upside down? Find out in the last poem, “The Sunshine Kid”. It will warm your heart in every way possible!

“All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light from a single candle, so how the hell can they handle your light? Only you can choose to dim it, and the sky is the limit, so silence the critics by burning.”

If you enjoyed this video, I suggest you check out Harry Baker’s website, and like/follow/subscribe to him on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Don’t miss out!

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂

Self Worth & Letting Go

Emily Donville
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In my fifteen years of life, I’ve definitely had some amazing experiences and well, some not so great experiences. As with most people, I do have regrets and I wish I did some things differently, whether it be trying that thing that always poses a “What if?” doubt in my head, or wishing that one comment or situation didn’t affect me as much as it did, but the reality is time is unforgiving and you can’t go back and change things.

 

Two things I really regret are not recognizing my self worth soon enough and not cutting ties with toxic people. I prided myself on the fact that no matter how many comments I’d get, I’d persevere and not let them affect me as much as they did, but they did and as a result: my self esteem suffered.

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The early months of 2014 were the hardest. I shut people out, hit my lowest point ever and it took me a long time to realize that this wasn’t right. That I really wasn’t happy. I’m not one to voice my concerns often, and that’s one of my problems. I’ve grown to think that people are way off worse, and that my problems are so much smaller in comparison to those of my peers, but I realize that’s wrong. If it’s one thing I’ve learned on the road to appreciating myself, it’s that you have to put yourself first and realize that everything about you, including your desires and problems, are valid and there is no problem that is irrelevant. Don’t ever let someone make you feel small because your values are valid.

 

I posed this question: “How do/did you improve your self esteem?”

 

“I always complimented people (making people feel good made me feel good). I started surrounding myself with people who liked me for me, and I stopped talking to the people that made me embarrassed to be myself. I started drawing and writing more (being creative and expressing myself really helped me feel good). I listened to a lot of music performed by empowered women because it inspired me to be an empowered female.” – Emily

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“Don’t compare yourself to others because it can be destructive. A healthy tip to have high self esteem is to remember what you’re good at and how you’re better than you were before. Also worship yourself and remind yourself why you’re great. Remind yourself of your beauty, and remind yourself why you’re beautiful and why you’re great.” – Ethan

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Another thing I continually struggle with is knowing when it’s time to cut ties with someone and if I should. In the past, I’ve been close with the odd individual who hasn’t been the best friend you could ask for, but I’m always too blind to see that I probably shouldn’t be friends with them. You’d think that after being in this situation at least twice now, I would’ve learned, but alas I found myself in this situation yet again this year. I put everyone ahead of my feelings and failed to realize that this particular individual didn’t care about me as much as I cared about them. Some important things to consider when thinking of terminating a friendship is reflecting on it as a whole and asking yourself if your friend would make the same sacrifices for you as you did for them, and if they wouldn’t or haven’t, maybe it’s time to let them go?

 

I asked: “What are some signs that it’s time to remove someone toxic from your life?”

 

“They do not apologize to you, they try to tell you what to do/ what not to do, they question your other friends (“why do you like them?”), and they try to make you feel guilty for not talking to them.” – Zoe

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Another important thing to keep into consideration is if someone makes you feel uncomfortable, there’s nothing saying you have to be friends with them. If things aren’t working and you don’t like how they’re treating you, let them off easy and move on.

 

“I can definitely say that the moment you should remove a toxic person from your life is the moment they make you feel bad for being your genuine self. If you feel like you have to be a different person around them or else they’ll get angry or make fun of you. If someone’s affecting your self esteem negatively instead of positively they don’t belong in your life.” – Erin

 

With these tips in mind, I hope you know your worth and stand up for yourself, because there is nothing worse than putting up with less than you deserve and feeling down about yourself. Remember to put yourself first because nothing is more important than your health and happiness.

A beginner’s guide to podcasts

Katja
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I have something to admit. I think I’m addicted to podcasts.

Sure, I’ve been a casual listener for a few years now, but since picking up a monotonous summer job with earbud liberty, I’ve been hitting 30+ hours of podcasts a week. Yeah, it’s that bad.

Is that really bad though? I’d say there’s a pretty good case to be argued in favour of the audio shows. First of all, you can listen to them practically anytime. Gone are the days of wasting hours in front of a TV screen; podcasts can be consumed while you’re on transit, at the gym, doing dishes, cleaning your room, on a road trip, etc, etc. The possibilities are endless, and they can breathe new life to daily activities. Also, the fact that they’re free is pretty liberating— there’s no harm in downloading 20 episodes of a dozen different shows only to find out that they don’t really suit your taste.

In light of this, I’ve put together a list of podcast recommendations and I guarantee you’ll find one for you. I’ve linked to the podcast creator’s websites, but all of these can be found on the iTunes store.

If you love knowledge + fun facts:

og_imageStuff You Should Know —  For lovers of useless insightful information on a variety of topics from history to technology, science to culture, this is the podcast for you. There are weekly episodes and no obligation to listen to them in order, so scroll through the topics and find one that sounds interesting to you. (For a twist on this one with female hosts and topics about life as a woman, be sure to check out Stuff Mom Never Told You)

 

99% Invisiblelogo — For an insight into the largely “invisible” world of design and architecture, this is a podcast that delivers short episodes investigating a variety of topics that you’ve never even thought to consider. It features radio clips, interviews with experts, great music, and is hosted by Roman Mars, the founding member of the podcast network Radiotopia.

 

 

If you love humour:

tumblr_luz1d6gX8g1qzzhapThe Chapter Titles Were So Good — Basically, three guys who were massive Harry Potter fans as teens reread the series a chapter at a time and hilarity ensues. This was the podcast that started it all for me, and 2 years later I’m still an avid listener. It’s best to start at the beginning, but not required.

 

 

Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids — The title for this cover170x170-1one is pretty self-explanatory, adults read poetry, diary entries, and stories they wrote as children in front of a live audience. Go check it out and you won’t regret it.

 

 

If you love crime + mystery:

Seri20141110_030857_serialal — This is a podcast that took the world by storm in late 2014. More than anything else I’ve ever listened to, it’s addictive. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is a 12-episode series examines the true story of homicide trial that took place in the late 90s. It crucial that you listen to this one in order, so start at the beginning and enjoy!

 

 

22719_a11615podcastlogocourtesyrgbfCriminal — Unlike the 12-episode arc of Serial, this podcast presents a new story each week. These are only about 20 minutes long, so stream one next time you’re cleaning your room or making dinner. I promise it will keep you engrossed.

 

 

If you love stories + people:

invisibiliaInvisibilia — A fairly new podcast that focuses on the “invisible forces that shape our lives” (yes, I’m aware how vague that sounds). The episodes are quite long, but they touch on emotional and psychologically stimulating topics that leave you thinking long after the episode ends.

 

 

Strangers_logo_KCRW-1Strangers — A weekly podcast that provides a look into the exceptional lives of ordinary people. I decided to start at the beginning and work my way through this one, but there’s no reason to. I promise any episode you try out is a great place to start.

 

 

If you love conversation:

cover170x170Dear Hank & John — If you haven’t heard of Hank or John Green at this point, you’re probably living under a rock. This is an “advice” podcast (I’m using that term loosely because I’m fairly certain it’s just another excuse for brotherly banter) that will give you all of the weekly updates on Mars, AFC Wimbledon, and cover topics like YouTube culture, individuality, and anything else that pops into the brothers’ heads.

 

Hello+Internet.003Hello Internet — From the men behind the Youtube channels CGP Grey and Numberphile, this is a podcast that truly defines the genre of “Two Dudes Talking”. Grey and Brady’s differing approaches to YouTube, work, and life in general make for an engrossing exchange. It’s best that you listen to this one from the beginning, so head back to the debut episode and prepare to get addicted.

 

 

I hope that you found something that caught your eye, and be sure to give me a shout on Twitter if you have any feedback or further questions related to the wonderful world of podcasting.

All post images are from the respective linked webpages, and the feature image can be found here.

 

A Different Perspective On Instagram

Ailin Li
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Instagram

The above photo was taken by me two days ago at Maligne Lake during a little family adventure. During this trip, I posted many beautiful scenic shots to my Instagram page. Was I trying to brag about the fun I was having? No. Was I trying to paint a perfect picture of my mini vacation? Again, no. So what was I doing on Instagram, then? If I’m not attempting to boast about my life or seek validation from strangers through little hearts, why I do I need to post pictures on social media?

Since the photo sharing app came out, the values underlying Instagram have come under question. Those who take pictures of their food get attacked and selfies are often ridiculed. Over the years, we have adopted this mentality that the only reason a person would post to Instagram is to seek attention. For those who don’t use Instagram for attention-seeking purposes, this stigma can get highly frustrating.

Why Do I Use Instagram?

We are so fortunate to live in a time where everything we do can be documented and stored on the Internet, away from burglaries or house fires. You can look at any technology in a negative light, or you can choose to embrace it with optimism, like I do. Instagram allows you to share a moment in time, knowing that it will be there forever (unless your account gets hacked). Unlike the days of yore, in the 21st century, we don’t have to worry about wasting film or waiting painstakingly for the right lighting or be frustrated when someone walks in front of the camera. Digital cameras and photo editing apps are at our disposal to allow us to angle and edit a scene to look just how you want it to be preserved in your memories.

By no means am I a professional photographer. Depending on your personal opinion, my photos may not even be good. But Instagram doesn’t discriminate. Anybody with a phone can use it to express their creativity and capture their favourite moments. Although I am broadcasting my life to an audience of followers, I’m not doing it for them. Anybody close enough to me will know what I’m doing even if it’s not on social media, and those who I don’t know could probably care less about my life. That’s why I use Instagram for me, to be able to preserve pretty moments in my life in a safe, organized, aesthetically pleasing place.

What Is ‘Location Services’?

Put simply, I use Instagram for the location services. Yes, this may seem like a strange reason, but it is basically one of the only reasons I log on every day. If you’ve never used it before, it’s that little upside-down teardrop with a dot in the middle. When you click on it, you are taken to a map that displays all the photos you’ve taken with an added location.

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Out of all the places I’ve been to over my years on Instagram, I have never failed to find a location for anything. It does require that you have your location services enabled for both Instagram and Photos (if you’re using an iPhone), so if you don’t have cellular data then you might be out of luck.

For locations that are registered on Instagram, the text will appear in blue above your photo. On the odd occasion that your location is not in the database, you can add your own and it will appear in grey. When you click on the location , it will take you to a page that features all the photos other people who have also checked in there have taken. (This feature only works for registered, blue, locations.)

What’s So Great About Location Services?

At the end of the day, it’s highly satisfying to go to my map and see all of the photos I’ve taken pop up all over the place. One day, I hope to have these picture icons all over the world. It’s my way of leaving my mark on a place without actually having to physically alter anything.

I love to use this feature for restaurants, as you can see exactly what the food looks like when it’s not taken by a professional photographer. (If you are a professional photographer on Instagram, I respect your work, too.) The same goes for travel locations or really anything else you can think of. Because the photos are more amateurish, you can see the place for what it really is and not have overblown expectations that you otherwise would looking at pictures professionally shot and edited.

The Final Verdict

If you were to scroll through my Instagram page, you would probably find random selfies or other photos that don’t have a deep meaning attached. There are also photos that don’t have a location added, which is scandalous, I know. While I do use Instagram as a travel-diary-scrapbook-esque contraption, I do also let myself post other photos that I think look good.

During waves of boredom, nostalgia, or maybe even loneliness, I can look back through my photo diary and remember all of the emotions and conversations attached to each image. Even though I’m only sharing the good moments of my life, I don’t consider it lying to the world or trying to paint a perfect picture. The rough patches in my life are times that I would rather not remember, let alone immortalize for the public eye. I will keep the lessons I learned at heart and think about the situation on my own time, but there’s no obligation to share everything. Should other people think that you’re perfect based on your social media posts it will only reflect how little they actually care about the person you are or getting to know about your life. 

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At the end of the day, we’re all entitled to post whatever we want. People will try to tell you that there are ‘unwritten Instagram rules’ that you must abide by in order to be a good Instagram citizen. Truth is, no one will really care—they’re probably too busy worrying about themselves. Everybody has their own tastes and thoughts regarding what a ‘good’ photo looks like, so don’t be discouraged by your number of followers or likes. (If you seek validation from strangers on the Internet, I won’t be the one to judge you. In fact, the entire point of this article is to remind people to tone down the judgement a few notches.)

Again, I’m not a photographer, but I do like taking pictures. The photos I’m particularly proud of and enjoy end up on my Instagram account. Using hashtags is a convenient way for other people who have similar interests to find said pictures. Using photo editing devices lets people see exactly what I do by adjusting the brightness or saturation settings. You can call me an attention seeker or whatever else you like. It won’t stop me from doing something I enjoy. 

I have an eye for aesthetics and when I see an opportunity for a good photo, I take it. (Get it? Get the puns? Okay, I’ll leave now.)

You can find me on Instagram @littlemissailin!

10 personal thoughts WE are afraid to express

Malika Daya
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They say actions speak louder than words,
but sometimes it is the hidden emotion behind those actions that hides the truth. 


Disclaimer: All opinions shared in the blog post were anonymously sent in by a number of youth. We request that the opinions are respected as they are quite personal and reflect the deep-inner feelings of many youths. 

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1.

I am afraid to say I am a Muslim in fear of the automatic stereotype referring to how all Muslims are terrorists. I don’t want to face prejudice or discrimination.

2.

I am afraid to say I love you, in fear of being considered stupid and weak. I don’t want to be taken advantage of again. I don’t want to be a doormat.

 

3.

I’m more comfortable admitting my sexuality online to strangers than to my friends and family because I fear the judgement I am sure will follow.

 

4.

I’m afraid of telling people that I want to pursue a career in the arts in fear of being belittled just because I am doing what I love. A popular stigma around the arts is that it is a career route for people who aren’t “smart” or have “bad grades”. I don’t want my passions to be judged or have my intelligence belittled just because I’m doing what I love.

 

5.

I’m afraid to say out loud is how easily anxious and overwhelmed I get. I stress myself out doing both simple and difficult tasks because I feel like everything I do decides how favorable my future will be. This then leads to taking on a lot of tasks in a short period of time. Even if projects and problems, mine or otherwise, pile up on me, I won’t complain because it’s my way of always seeking approval. This vulnerability means being taken advantage of, and I’m not sure how I’ll handle that.

 

6.

I’m afraid of apologizing. I find often when I apologize for someone who’s “wronged me”, they continue to do whatever they were doing and I’ve grown to find apologies for me are quite empty and don’t mean anything to anyone. I’ll apologize and just end up being hurt later on and that’s why I don’t like apologizing unless the situation requires it or I trust the person.

 

7.

I am afraid to stand my ground when it comes to personal arguments in fear of offending someone I love and care about, I always end up just letting go of what hurts me so I don’t hurt others.

 

8.

I am afraid to say goodbye in fear of closure and new beginnings, I don’t like change. Change scares me and so do goodbyes because with every goodbye comes a feeling of loss that I can not tolerate.

 

9.

I am afraid to say I’m gay in fear of my parents disowning or hating me. I want to be accepted but within the community I am “apart of” it’s still not widely accepted nor recognized as normal.

 

10.

I am afraid to say I have cancer in fear of being pitied and not treated like a regular human being. I’m also afraid to express it out loud because it reminds me of the little time I have left.

 

 

Keep Clapping Along

Henry Ma
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Keep Clapping Along

Extra-large shoes. A pink cane. The smile of glory. A man destined to make others laugh.

In a town of cheers and laughter, a group of acrobats performed back-flips, high-wire routines, and played with fire on the corner of an intersection. A rush of adrenaline filled the man’s heart. Adjusting the bowler hat on his head and swinging the cane in circular motion, he stepped through the crowd, and into the acrobat’s flaming act.

The crowd’s cheering and awe subdued. All eyes glared at the man with the extra-large shoes. He waved his arm to dismiss the acrobats. He motioned for one acrobat to step forward and to place his hands in front of him. The man lunged forward and launched himself into the air.

The crowd held their breath in. Their hearts pounded like the storms of thunder. They anticipated the man’s epic act. Only one person in the world has ever launched themselves into the air, landed on the hand of someone else, pushed off that hand, and performed a triple back-flip in the air, and landing on their feet.

The man descended from the air. His foot landed on the acrobat’s hands.

The crowd dispersed. The acrobats cursed. Men cursed. Women cursed. Children cried and complained to their parents.

The man did not launch himself into a triple back-flip. He simply placed his foot on the acrobat’s hands. Then he bent over to tied and polish his extra-large shoes. A torrent of pride filled his heart. “What an epic act!” he thought, “A few more of these performances and I’ll be wanted by every theatrical company in this country.”

One’s humour may not incite chuckles or laughter or people falling over their chairs. But entertainment is not a talent. Yes, nobody found him funny. Yes, everybody cursed at his face. Did that dissuade the man with the extra-large shoes from his dreams? You see, it’s actually simple to achieve your dreams. All you have to do is keep clapping along and eventually you will reach the pinnacle of your dreams.

5 Exciting Summer Movie Releases

Sara Naqvi
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Everyone loves going to the movie theatre. It’s the perfect opportunity to inhale bags upon bags of popcorn and enjoy a nice film at the same time. The summer months are well-known for their exciting film releases, and this year has been no exception. Here’s a list of some of the most exciting upcoming movies to look forward to.

 

Paper Towns:

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Based on John Green’s bestselling novel of the same name, Paper Towns is a comedy-drama film with a mysterious twist. The film recounts the adventures of Quentin Jacobsen and his neighbour Margo Roth Spiegelman as they embark on an all-night, revenge-seeking expedition. The movie stars model/actress Cara Delevingne, and Nat Wolff, who viewers may recognize from his role in The Fault in Our Stars.

See Fashion & Beauty editor Ailin’s review here.

 

Pixels:

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Starrring comedic heros Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad, Pixels is a sci-fi comedy film which all video-game lovers will enjoy. When a group of aliens recieve video-feeds from classic arcade games and misinterpret them as being declarations of war, an unexpected army of friends must rise to save the world from the wrath of video-game modeled assaults.

 

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation:

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The fifth installment in the series, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation brings Tom Cruise back to the big screen as character Ethan Hunt, who must assemble his team to defeat an organization of assasins known as the Syndicate. This action spy film was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and stars the likes of Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Pegg.

 

Fantastic Four:

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This superhero film narrates the adventures of a foursome who are teleported to an alternate universe, altering their physical form and abilities and forcing them to work together to save the Earth. The film stars Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell, and is based on the Marvel comics superhero team of the same name.

 

Shaun the Sheep:

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This stop-motion animated comedy film is based on the television series of the same name. The movie tells the tale of mischievous sheep Shaun, who finds himself leading his flock into the big city after wanting a day off from life on Mossy Bottom Farm. Justin Fletcher voices the character of Shaun, and the film was written and directed by Richard Starzak and Mark Burton.

 

 

That concludes this list of movies to look forward to. Make sure to check out these films as they release, and have a great summer!

Cultural Appropriation: Where Do We Draw The Line?

Hui Wen Zheng
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It’s a topic that’s been heavily featured in the media recently. In fact, you’ve probably already heard of it from Kylie Jenner’s controversial cornrows (read Emily’s article about that here) and the banning of headdresses at Montreal’s Osheaga music festival. Cultural appropriation is an issue that has come to light recently and it proves to be incredibly complex.

Upon thinking about it, can’t almost everything the categorized as cultural appropriation? Anything from the tea we drink to the sushi we eat, aren’t those all aspects derived from other cultures? Where do you draw the line between a cultural export to outright appropriation? What’s to say that cultural appropriation can’t be branded cultural appreciation instead? Ultimately, does being sensitive to cultural appropriation mean that I can’t get a henna tattoo? These questions all point to the inevitable, that there simply isn’t a clear that outright declares what cultural appropriation is or isn’t. Sure, some examples such as the headdress are more obvious, but the principals behind others become much more vague.

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Everyday Feminism Magazine states that, at it’s core, cultural appropriation is “when somebody adopts aspects of a culture that’s not their own.” This definition is unbiased, which makes it difficult to establish whether cultural appropriation is a bad thing or not. In order to delve further into the different perspectives on the issue, I decided to go to Urban Dictionary (quite a good source for biased opinions, really). The two most popular definitions are as follows:

1. The ridiculous notion that being of a different culture or race (especially white) means that you are not allowed to adopt things from other cultures. This does nothing but support segregation and hinder progress in the world. All it serves to do is to promote segregation and racism.

2. When a person takes something with cultural significance from another culture for their own, but doesn’t respect or understand the cultural significance the something has. Instead they only claim to ‘like’ the culture because of what they can gain from it.

It’s no question that I personally identify more with the second definition with the keyword being “significance”, and had thought that many would agree. However, it got more thumbs downs than ups; it seems that many believe that cultural appropriation is not an issue that we should waste time on. If you feel it is so, I raise you this (non-cultural) example to help you better understand the significance of this very prevalent problem:

The Wedding Ring Example

Byzantine wedding ring (Source)

A ring worn on the left ring finger has long been used to commemorate marriage and engagement, some believe that it is a tradition that dates back to ancient Egypt. For wearers, it is a symbol of love and continuous devotion. Now imagine what symbolic value it would hold for those who are married or engaged if it suddenly became “trendy” for everyone to wear a diamond ring on their left ring finger. Sure, the act itself may not be seemingly harmful to anyone, but it degrades a symbol that possesses powerful meaning for a certain group of people. This is what happens to entire cultures when a meaningful symbol is appropriated for the entertainment and trivial enjoyment of others who disregard the significance of it.

Another common grievance people tend to have about cultural appropriation is the question of “does this mean white people can’t have their own culture appropriated? How come white people are always the ones accused of cultural appropriation?” Of course the culture of white people can be appropriated, the reason why it isn’t often brought up is due to a combination of factors that range from past discrimination against non-white cultural groups and the fact that Caucasian races generally have stronger control over their culture. Items of religious significance to the Christian faith, of which is practiced by many races, such as the rosary or the cross can be appropriated and often have been by POCs and whites alike. This can also be said of the American flag.

Cross-appropriating clothing from Forever 21

Going back to one of the first questions I asked earlier, is your eating sushi or drinking tea considered cultural appropriation? To me, the answer would be ‘no’. This is largely because of my belief that cultural appropriation involves the appropriation of things that pose a major significance to a group of people in terms of spirituality, morality, etc. Personally, as a Chinese individual, I don’t feel offended when people that are not of my race eat food from my country casually as I don’t have heavy emotional connections with the food. However, when a group of non-Chinese people begin to see eating Chinese take-out as a cool and alternative thing to do but show distain for those who are Chinese eating the same thing on a regular basis, it becomes a problem for me. Another example of this would be when traditional garb such as the qipao is appropriated by mass media for being ‘stylish’ and ‘trendy’ like the bindi has come to be seen, I can’t help but feel that the patriotic symbol is less meaningful. That is not to say that I wouldn’t allow a person from another culture to wear it. If the cultural significance of the item is realized, acknowledged, and bore by a person with a non-discriminating attitude, I would happily see it on.

Actress Nicole Kidman wearing a qipao in the movie “Australia” (Source)

What I’ve realized as I have explored this issue is that cultural appropriation and an individual’s perspective on it will differ between everyone, even if it is in the slightest of ways. This is because of the moral nature of the issue; what you find to be an example of cultural appropriation is largely based on your personal mindset. When Amandla Stenberg pointed out her disdain for Kylie Jenner’s cornrows, another perspective from an individual from the Nigerian community points out the opposite, stating that “if other people want to appropriate the style, I think that’s a good thing.” (Source) The conflicting opinions coming from two people who share an appropriated culture is a hint into how vast the possibilities are regarding this issue. Every case is different. You may have an individual who is totally indifferent to their appropriation or someone who recognizes it and respects the underlying importance. It is up to you to decide where you stand on cultural appropriation and whether you feel morally just in getting that henna tattoo.

Cultural appropriation is a complex issue and I have barely scratched the surface. To find out more, I highly recommend you do some further reading:

What’s Wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal Its Harm

A Much-Needed Primer on Cultural Appropriation

The Difference Between Cultural Exchange and Cultural Appropriation

All opinions expressed are my own. 

Feature Image: Michael Tran/Getty Images

 

YAA’s Monthly Music Favourites: July 2015

Kandace Peroramas
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Another month comes to a close and we are that much closer to going back to school. Although I can hear your groans loud and clear, I hope we’re all too busy to think about it until mid-August. But if your definition of “busy” is watching Netflix all day, take a well-deserved break by listening to these tunes brought to your attention by the YAA bloggers:

• Arrival of the Birds by The Cinematic Orchestra

If you love the movie, The Theory of Everything, like Malika does, then this instrumental piece might sound familiar! “Although it has no lyrics,” says Malika, “it really relaxes me and allows me to feel zen, it also arises deep emotion which is interconnected with the experience I felt while watching the movie. It is just a beautiful piece that inspires me to find peace within myself.”

• Bright by Echosmith

For Ailin, its “the whimsical and innocent lyrics that just talk about feeling good” that make this song a July favourite. “Everything in the universe is just in the right place, you’re sleeping under the stars, you’re happy, and nothing can stop you because the ENTIRE COSMOS wants you to be happy. It’s just so cute. Plus she kind of sounds like Taylor Swift, from back in the good old days, and I feel all the nostalgia.”

“Life is good and that’s the way it should be.”

• How to Save a Life by The Fray

This somber song is a reminder to Wayne that despite being lonely before, there is an importance to friendship.

“I would have stayed up with you all night.”

• As She’s Walking Away by Zac Brown Band

Discovered by Kristy through Apple Music’s country radio, she loves this song because of “the lyrics that are very sweet and the [soothing] tune.”

“You might fall down on your face, roll the dice and have some faith.”

• Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy

Richard reminds us of the beauty of classical music with this intimate movement from Suite Bergamasque. “French for “moonlight”, it’s a piece that always make me feel calm and reflective, like how the pale moonlight would glimmer gently in the quiet night.”

• Have We Met Before? by Tom Rosenthal

“It’s a short song but whenever I listen to it I always feel calm and taken away by the simplicity of the music,” says new blogger, Sarah. “The lyrics are a series of kind of silly questions but to me when I listen to them they remind of two people on a first date and you just can’t help but smile when you listen to this song.”

“Can you count to ten in German? Can you whisper? Can you lie? Did you design your own website?”

• Waiting For Love by Avicii

If you need a little pick-me-up during the week, this upbeat song (and its music video) will do the trick!

“If there’s love in this life, there’s no obstacle that can’t be defeated.”

• Honeymoon by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is back with this spine-chilling track! Who is as excited for her new album as I am?

“I’m not scared, there’s nothing to lose now.”

• Fire N Gold by Bea Miller

For those lacking inspiration, the lyrics to this song will motivate you to do and be anything you desire. Go for it!

“Though I don’t believe in magic, I believe in me and you.”

Happy listening,

Kandace  🙂

5 Engrossing Celebrity SnapChats to Add

Didi Moffat
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We’re all familiar with snapchat. A social media for sharing moments of our lives with others. It’s very different from all the others; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. On these apps as well, celebrities can be easily identified unlike snapchat. It’s hard to find the celebrities on here, but when you do, there’s this fascination by the realness that makes up their stories. It’s the only form of social media where you really get to see the celebrities being so real. In my search for some interesting celebrities to add and eliminate my moments of boredom; I discovered a few:

Kylie Jenner

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Kylie Jenner is probably one of the very few celebrities on snapchat who posts a lot on her stories and actually has people complaining about the amount of seconds that make up her story at a time. But you can almost forget how much of your data is being used up in watching her story through her real, care free and celebrity friends filled stories.

Calvin Harris

calvinharris

If you’re looking for a laugh whenever you click on your recent snaps, Calvin Harris is the person to add. All his snaps are undoubtedly hilarious and watching them instantly brightens up your day.

Dorothy Wang

dorothywang

From Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, you already have an idea of what to expect, snaps filled with lavish and luxurious living. Dorothy’s always on the move and having fun with friends just like her, who can have all money can buy.

 

Ariana Grande

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Ariana Grande is absolutely cute both on and off the stage. Her stories give you an extension of what you see on stage. They’re the cutest recollection of moments of her days.

Shay Mitchell

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She’s nothing like what you see in ‘Pretty Little Liars’. She’s so confident with her snaps and they’re such a refection of who she is as a person. She’s not afraid to go all out and show who she really is; it’s a real glimpse into her life.

 

These are my favourite celebrities on snapchat and great ones that you can start off with in your venture into celebrities on snapchat. But, there are also many other celebrities whose snapchats are just as fascinating.

What to see in YYC: Weekend Preview July 31 – August 2, 2015

Kandace Peroramas
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Forecast:

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Looking for ways to ring in the new month? Here are 15 events to add to your weekend festivities:

FRIDAY ONLY

1. Smoke’s Poutinerie Eating Tour

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What: Smoke’s Poutinerie World Famous Great Canadian Cross-Country Plaid Gravy Train Fries Curd and Gravy Weird Wild and Wacky Poutine Eating Tour 2015 stops in Calgary on July 31. Stop by the location in Mission to eat a free poutine, to watch an extreme poutine making demonstration and to try and win some Smoke’s prizes. There’s also an amateur speed eating competition going on, where all the competitors can try to win an all-expenses paid trip to Toronto to compete in the World Eating Championships. (Source)

Where: Smoke’s Poutinerie (111, 1800 4 St. SW – near Yoga Santosha & lululemon)

When: 12pm-1:30pm

Cost: FREE admission

Visit the Smoke’s website here.

2. MRU’s Emerging Artists Recital

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What: the artists of Mount Royal’s Morningside Music Bridge will be performing one last time as the 2015 program comes to a close.

Where: TransAlta Pavilion @ Mount Royal University (4825 Mt Royal Gate SW)

When: 1:30pm (arrive early due to limited seating capacity)

Cost: FREE admission

SATURDAY ONLY

1. Inglewood Sunfest

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What: this festival is not to be missed with its booths, food vendors, street performers, and youth-friendly activities lining the heart of Inglewood. Make sure you and your friends & family bring hats, sunscreen, water and walking shoes as the sun can wear you down.

Where: Main street Inglewood

When: 11am-5pm

Cost: admission is FREE; vendors may vary ($5 minimum)

More details are on the festival website!

2. Kensington Beach in the City

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What: Dance in the sand at Kensington Crescent to local Calgary bands with beach balls and hula-hoops, play mini golf for your chance to win prizes from our 10th Street local shops, let your little ones take on the Bouncy Castle obstacle course, and visit a variety of our patios for cold drinks and delicious bites. (Source)

Where: for deals and information on the day of the event, please visit the information booth in front of The Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Rd NW).

When: 11am-7pm

Cost: FREE admission; patio food may vary ($5 minimum)

SUNDAY ONLY

1. Riding Through Time

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What: See spectacular motorcycles that have been lovingly restored up close and in person. The 3rd annual Riding Through Time display will include motorcycles from the 1930s up to 1975. Owners will be on hand to share stories and facts about these beautiful machines. (Source)

Where: Celebration Field in Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr SW)

When: 10am-4pm

Cost: Summer Day Rates ($13.25 – $25.75); more info here.

MULTIPLE DAYS

1. Art for the Long Weekend

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What: FosterMAK artists, Edie Vlooswyk, Nicole Brooks, and Anat Gat will be showcasing their beautiful art and photography!

Where: Centre Court of Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade SW)

When: FRIDAY & SATURDAY from 11am to 6pm

Cost: FREE, FREE, FREE!

2. Shakespeare by the Bow: The Tempest

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What: sit back and watch as Theatre Calgary’s drama students perform William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Where: Prince’s Island Park – there will be signs to guide you once you are on the island!

When: FRIDAY (7pm), SATURDAY (7pm), and SUNDAY (2pm)

Cost: pay-what-you-will

Additional information and downloads can be found here.

3. Slide the City

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What: Summer time is upon us, and we are bringing 1000 feet of slick vinyl to brighten your city streets. Come dressed to impress because it’s not every day you can strut through town with your hot bod, cool dance moves and slick slides. (Source) If you were lucky enough to have gotten wristbands before they sold out, then make sure to bring your inflatable tube!

Where: next to Riley Park (1101 10th St NW)

When: SATURDAY & SUNDAY (arrive early for your wave time)

For Slide the City goers, read all the important details here.

4. Shaw Chip ‘n’ Putt Challenge

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What: golf buffs of all ages and levels will have the chance to participate in a four-hole showdown that includes three holes of putting and one chipping contest. Participants will kick-off the contest by playing a four-hole challenge to earn the daily top score. The top scorer of each day will then advance to the semi-finals on August 5 and on Thursday, August 6. (Source)

Where: Stephen Avenue (239-8th Avenue SW – just outside ATB)

When: FRIDAY, SATURDAY, and SUNDAY from 8am to 6pm

Cost: FREE

Further details can be found on the Downtown Calgary blog!

5. Historic Calgary Week 2015

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What: Break out the silverware – it’s the 25th Anniversary edition of Historic Calgary Week! Come celebrate with us in this milestone year with 65 events, including several special one-time events. (Source) Everything you need to know about HCW can be found on the Chinook Country Historical Society website and on this PDF.

Where: multiple locations all over Calgary

When: FRIDAY, SATURDAY, and SUNDAY @ various times

Cost: FREE to paying a small fee depending on the event

6. Calgary International Blues Festival

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What: 4 days of non-stop blues music + nightly dance parties = the perfect summer. This event is not to be missed!

Where: performances @ Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Ave. SW) & Twilight Blues dance parties @ Kerby Centre (1133 7 Ave SW)

When: FRIDAY – performances @ 5pm; Twilight Blues @ 10pm, SATURDAY – performances @ 11am; Twilight Blues @ 10pm, and SUNDAY – performances @ 11am; Twilight Blues @ 10pm

Cost: $60 per day

Browse through the Blues Festival website for the lineup and schedule!

7. Calgary Fringe Festival

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What: this theatre festival allows creativity and expression to flow through both the performers and spectators! There are no boundaries.

Where: multiple venues all over Calgary!

When: FRIDAY, SATURDAY, and SUNDAY @ various times

Cost: all ticket prices and packages can be found here.

If you need something to do on Heritage Day (August 3rd)…

Forecast:

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1. Festivities @ Heritage Park

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What: Do more than celebrate our heritage this Heritage Day, live it at Heritage Park! Join us for a interactive history-filled day, that’s sure to delight the entire family. Wander through the exhibits, try your hand at old-fashioned activities and take a tour of the Park on an authentic steam train or horse-drawn wagon ride. (Source)

When: 9:30am-5pm

Cost: Summer Day Rates

*Be one of the first 500 guests through the gates before 10:30 a.m. and enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast in Gunn’s Dairy Barn.

2. Festivities @ Fort Calgary 

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What: Experience Heritage Day 2015 at Fort Calgary with family-friendly activities. This year, we explore the reciprocal relationship that heritage in Alberta has always had with our natural surroundings. (Source)

When: 10am-4pm (schedule here)

Cost: Fort Calgary entrance fees may apply; admission to the Interpretive Center and Community Garden are FREE; vendors may vary ($5 minimum)

3. Bowness Heritage Day Street Festival

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What: like Inglewood Sunfest, you can expect lots of vendors and street performers!

Where: main street Bowness

When: 11am-4pm

Cost: FREE admission; vendor prices may vary ($5 minimum)

Visit the festival website!

Happy weekend,

Kandace  🙂

Blogger Of The Month, August 2015: Emily Donville

Malika Daya
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Blogger Of The Month, August 2015: Emily Donville

I had the great fortune of speaking with our blogger of the month Emily Donville, over Starbucks and a gelato, about her experience and on Youth Are Awesome and her journey as an individual in her own life.
So without further ado ladies and gentlemen presenting our talented and diligent blogger, Emily Donville!

Emily

What does blogging and Youth Are Awesome mean to you?
“I think I enjoy blogging because it gives me a platform to express my ideas. I wrote a poem for my junior high grad and apparently it was “too serious” and they said that this isn’t the platform for me which definitely disappointed me. However Youth Are Awesome has become a place for me to express myself and not feel like I’m confined in boundaries.”

Where does your inspiration come from in terms of the blogs you write?
“I think I find a lot of my inspiration from Tumblr because I follow a lot of blogs that are all about human rights and black lives matter. I considered writing a post about Sandra Bland because that is a really important topic to discuss. Tumblr is also how I found the Don’t Crash Crop my Cornrows video and Tumblr in general has just provided me with a lot of material to work from.”

You wrote an article about the Generation of Body Diversity, if you had to give advice regarding that topic to someone what would you say?
“Be yourself and don’t be you’re own enemy. Be your own best friend and just don’t care about what others think because it really doesn’t matter. Your own healthy and happiness is what matters.”

Aside from blogging what are some other interests that you have?
“I really like to draw, I enjoy writing stories, and I love to play music. I play the trumpet and the piano.”

How does the art in your life affect who you are as a person?
“Writing really allows me to discover myself more and express myself. I also like to do art but at times I get disappointed because I critique it way more than my writing. Partially because I am more confident in my writing abilities because of the successes I’ve had. I really can’t see what else I’d do with my time.”

What are some challenges that writing has helped you overcome?
“On a personal level it allows me to own up to how I am feeling and to reflect myself. It allows me to confront my emotions. I am a very firm believer in the fact that it is not healthy to bottle up your emotions and writing helps me evaluate how I am feeling and act up on it. Writing allows me to be the happiest person I could be.”

What has been your favourite blog to write about?
“Generation of Body Positivity and Don’t Crash my Cornrows because I am speaking about issues that are really relevant, even on a global scale. I like writing about human rights and mental health because it is really affecting our generation.”

Speaking about issues relevant to our generation, what’s your take on the advancements of technology in our day to day lives?
“The fact that teens are becoming more shy and nervous to talk to a person face to face is scary, they are hiding behind their technology. People used to walk to their friends house to talk but now its over texting which is causing a gap. A communication gap. I see people texting in class and that’s just an example of bad usage of technology, you should be focusing on the material you are learning. We need to take a moment and ask ourselves if we are using technology appropriately, everything is okay in moderation, just don’t let it control you.”

How important is education and what meaning does it add to your life?
“I love gaining new information, I really like to stand behind Malala she is one of my biggest role models because there are females in other countries that don’t have access to education where as boys do. If I could write about that and leave an impact that’ll be amazing. I know that one day we will reach equality but not at the moment. I will definitely advocate for it because education is really important to me.”

Who is your number one fan that encourages you to always do your best?
“My number one fan is definitely my mom, whenever I write blogs she posts it on her Facebook and is overall just so supportive.”

How do you feel when your work is being appreciated?
“It’s a really big boost for me, especially when it is positive, it helps me grow as a writer. In the past I have received some negative feedback which hasn’t made me feel the greatest, but you know when you’re writing you have to deal and learn to handle with the positives and the negatives.”

How do you cope or deal with that negativity?
“I think I usually tend to brush it off, there have been some people in my life who haven’t been the best of friends, which an upcoming blog post will tell you more about, but basically I just have learned how to remove toxic people from my life. It’s okay to let people go when they are only bringing you down. I am a firm believer that if you are friends with someone who wouldn’t care for you as much as you care for them, don’t stick around, because you deserve people who will love you unconditionally.”

What advice to you have for other youth?
“This is going to sound really cliche but seriously just be yourself, no need to be someone you’re not. I see a lot of people who are trying to be someone they aren’t and it is just not worth it. There are plenty of people that will love you for you.”

Road Trip Games

Tammy Ma
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Who is going on a road trip soon, or who has already gone on a road trip but wished it were more fun? Well, fear no more because I am about to tell you three fun games to play while on a road trip.

I Spy

A classic game! To start off, one person is on a lookout for an object. Once that person has found an object they say, “I spy with my little eyes, something that is ____”. They would fill in the blank with a hint about what the object looks like. The others try to find that certain object. Try to pick odd objects—those tend to make the game more entertaining. I like to make my family and friends look for signs, vehicles, and animals.

I spy

That License Plate

This game requires a good pair of eyes. All you have to do is search for license plates from different places, and whoever finds the most wins the game. This game is definitely my favourite. I have played this game during a recent road trip with my family and it was interesting to notice how different and unique license plates look. I have seen license plates from Minnesota, Washington, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nevada, Alaska, Ontario, California, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. See what you can find!

license_plates_1025

Build a Story

To play, one person starts off by saying one word and the others follow by adding a word, that would make the story head in a fascinating direction, to the first. Continue on until you have finished a creative story. It doesn’t matter if the story makes sense or not. The objective of this game is to make the tedious times in the car more fun. During my road trip, my siblings and I made a hilarious story based on a house (look at picture below) we saw. Humour is a great way to past time. If humour isn’t your cup of tea, then create a horror story or invent a new fairy tale. Stories create adventures, even if you are stuck in a vehicle.

These games helped to make my trip more memorable and worth sitting within close proximity with my siblings. Create amazing memories and adventures with these road trip games!

New Relationship, New Me (Kind Of)

Brenda Odria
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I used to look at couples and think, “Yikes, I’m never gonna be like that.” Now I look at myself and think, “Wow, I love this.” All you singletons better think twice before you puke, because we relationship people used to feel that way too. So, let’s break it down. I’m not saying a relationship should change who you are, not at all. If anything, a relationship just helps you see who you are more clearly.

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  1. Love yourself!

Yes, it’s true. That super cliché thing you hear all the time that you might think is stupid is not. It’s become controversial that a relationship is the key to making your life everything you ever wanted. Well, sorry to break it to you but a relationship isn’t going solve all your problems. Don’t get into a relationship unless you are 110% sure that this person is going make you a better you. You aren’t going to find someone to ‘fix you’. Truth is, you’re the only one that can make yourself truly happy. Finding this inside yourself might be tough at first, but you might be able to use that special someone to just help you see what a wonderful and lovable person you really are.

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  1. Honesty is the best policy.

Don’t try to keep secrets. If something is bothering you tell that person even if it seems super scary. The relationship is not going to work unless you tell each other everything that might stir up some uncertainty. A healthy relationship will only happen if you solve a problem before it even is a problem.

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  1. Work for it.

Don’t underestimate all the effort that goes into a relationship. Remember that awesome show Friends? Spoiler Alert! Monica and Chandler have their first fight and Chandler just goes and assumes that’s it for the relationship. Literally me. That is not at all how it is; you fight and then you make up. Although, don’t be like Chandler and propose to your significant other (we’re teenagers). Apologize, buy them flower,s and acknowledge whatever it is you did wrong. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

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  1. “I love you.”

Something not a lot of people think about is that there is no timestamp on love. You can say it after two years or after two months. You feel it when you feel it and you can’t change that. Just remember, don’t say it back unless you mean it and you’re ready. It is a big step to make yourself this vulnerable so just make sure they deserve your vulnerability. Check out this article that helped me chill a lil bit. 

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  1. You deserve it.

Something big for me was accepting the fact that there’s someone out there that loves me. Acknowledging that I’m worth something and I’m worth loving. Everyone has the capacity to be loved and to love. You deserve it and I deserve it. Don’t let your insecurities get in the way of that, let that person love you. Invest yourself in the relationship and remember that they’re just adding to the awesomeness of your life; so keep in touch with everything else. Don’t be that friend that ditches the squad for bae.

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  1. Get your head in the game.

Do not falter, don’t be stupid. You might think that you like the attention you were getting from other people but that was all temporary and this is for real. I only just realized that I don’t need a safety net anymore, because in a relationship you are safe. Let go of whatever trail of exes you may or may not have left behind. You’re in this for the win.

Relationships are about enjoying life together and realizing that it isn’t just you anymore. Life is already a beautiful adventure, now you just have someone to go on the adventure with you. Don’t let that person change you. Let yourself grow with them and through them. Things might just seem a little brighter and you have a hand to hold when you walk down the street. Don’t psych yourself out, just go for it.

3 times Pluto proved itself

Rebecca Yang
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In July 2015, the New Horizons Mission passed by Pluto to explore the dwarf planet and its five moons. Much too long neglected and often belittled upon, here are some of the defining moments that embody a new dawn for Pluto:

1. I’m bigger than you think

 

2. I have a “young surface” of mountains:

It is revealed that there is a vast array of young mountains, ranging upwards to 3 500 metres, as new images of Pluto’s surface surface. Surprisingly, the surface is not riddled by craters, but appears to be one of the youngest surfaces seen in our solar system.

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3. I am a part of a historical mission and Stephen Hawking agrees

 

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