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A Year of Volunteering

Jasmine
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It’s almost the end of the school year, a time for celebration and reminiscing on the year’s achievements and memorable moments. This year was one of my highlights in terms of volunteering in that I was introduced to many amazing and unique volunteering opportunities. These are two of my favourite experiences.

1. Otafest

At Otafest I volunteered as a Sketch Drive artist; an artist who draws caricatures of customers within 10-15 minutes. At first, I was extremely nervous for my audition into the sketch drive team, however, upon meeting the coordinator, I was surprised by how lax and gregarious the Otafest team was. After the volunteer informational meeting, I found that the team wasn’t extremely formal, but still managed to be organized and inclusive of everyone. I loved being a part of the SketchDrive team and I sincerely hope I can be a part of the Ota-community next year as well.

Day 1: Have you ever gone to a volunteering event forty minutes early and still end up a minute late? Well… That was me on the first day. Although we were introduced to the building already at the volunteer information session and there were signs literally at every corner, I still managed to get lost in the University of Calgary on my first day at Ota. When I arrived (finally) we had the chance to decorate a banner and I had the pleasure of seeing all of the artists’ drawing styles and unique techniques for the first time. It was eye-opening to see so many talented artists who shared the same passion and hobbies (everyone was so amazing at art I felt like kneeling in a corner and crying because of my incompetence). Unfortunately, for my first day, I didn’t attract any customers, but I had the chance to observe the talents around me.

Day 2: SO. MANY. PEOPLE. The second day was almost exactly opposite of my first, as people crowded the stands. I served around 12 people in my shift and my hands were sore afterwards. It was a great work experience.

Day 3: The last day was freedom. Although I still had one shift, I was able to go into vendor’s hall and trade pins. I also took a bunch of photos of cosplayers and meet with friends. All in all, Otafest gave us a lot of flexibility and genuinely wished for us –as volunteers– to have the same experience as guests.

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Mike Cosplayer 🙂
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Handing out drawings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Otafest Merchandise

2. Canadian Open Badminton

The Yonex Canada Open was one of my biggest volunteering highlights this year as badminton is a sport that I favour among others and enjoy watching. Although I only signed up for one shift (I regret not signing up for more), my experience was fairly positive. The training and volunteering were both nerve racking as I was afraid to make any mistakes due to how this was an international competition. It turned out that I was anxious for a good reason due to how many line judges who made mistakes weren’t allowed to judge more important matches, however, it wasn’t as difficult as I thought to line judge. The chance to watch players up close was the real attraction due to how the matches were so intense. Some lionized players came as well, such as Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia, an olympic silver medallist, and Michelle Li,who was the first Canadian woman to win gold in the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to approach players unless allowed (which was rare especially with the more decorated athletes), so I wasn’t able to obtain photos of players. One thing that startled me was the lack of aesthetics and general decoration there was at the Canadian Open. The place in which the competition was held was within a hockey rink and the only extra decoration was curtains and red carpet. Some signs were made of cardboard as well, and directions were fairly ambiguous. However, the general experience and opportunity to volunteer for the Yonex Canadian Open was amazing.

Move over dogs and cats- Scientists have discovered these adorable new animals

Danielle Leong
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When you picture your favourite animal, the image that pops into your head is likely that of a dog, a cat, a dolphin, or a similar cute animal.  Species such as these have dominated the hearts of humans for many years, but with these recent scientific discoveries the tides may be changing. I don’t know about you, but I for one believed previously that all the “cute” animals had already been discovered. But take a look at these!

1. The “Adoribilis” (it’s so cute scientists want to name it after the word adorable!)

adoribillis

A relative of the Octopus, this cute ocean species was discovered by a Marine biology researcher Stephanie Bush in the deep, dark depths of the ocean’s waters. The official name of this species is leaning towards “Opisthoteuthis adorabilis“, or “adorable octopus.”  With it’s puppy dog eyes and ears, this sea creature will certainly make a name for itself in the future.

2. The Pika

Pika

No, unfortunately it’s not the related to the Pikachu Pokemon, but this Pika is equally as cute. This mammal was actually discovered twenty years ago in China, and was not rediscovered until recently. Scientists actually set up specialized cameras to track this animal. The Pika could be playing the world’s best game of hide and seek! Because this furry creature is so hard to track, little is known about it’s habitat and needs.

3.  The Squee! (This relative of the frog will have you “squee-ling” with joy!)

squee

Scientists have recently discovered seven new species of frogs in the Rainforests of Brazil. Each frog is smaller than a thumbnail! (Maybe it’s the size that makes this creature so irresistible.)  An interesting fact about these frogs is that they actually come in a rainbow of colours.  The species in the picture actually has Leopard spots, earning it the name of “Brachycephalus leopardus”.  

4. The Yeti Crab!

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Alright, so depending on how you view this species, it’s either cute or creepy.  From the cute point of view, it looks a bit like a furry scarf you could wrap around your neck.  From the creepy side, it reminds some of a furry white spider.  However, this species is new and interesting nevertheless.  It’s not called the “Yeti” Crab, or “Kiwa Hirsuta” for nothing! The Yeti crab was discovered during the Easter Microplate expedition to the southeast Pacific, led by MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Insitute) scientist scientist Bob Vrijenhoek.  A fascinating fact about this crab is that it lives on lava flows, while it’s distant relative the Hermit Crab prefers ocean tides.

References:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/06/16/adorable-octopus-name/#.VZTCi_lVikq

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/03/27/rare-pika-photographed/#.vymwgabthkm

http://www.livescience.com/51085-tiny-frogs-found-in-brazil.html

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/9-newly-discovered-species/look-what-we-found

 

 

5 Tips to Easily Look Fabulous

Didi Moffat
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Every day one of the hardest decisions to make is what we’re going to wear. During the school year, we’re always in a rush but we always want to look good. In the summer, we don’t want to be stressed over outfits, we want to be out having fun. These tips will show you how you can easily look good with little effort and make it in time to head out for a party/event/etc or…. to catch the bus.

1. Make Tank Tops  Your Go To……. They are easy to wear, cheap to buy, and they go with anything. Pair them with your everyday leggings, pants, shorts, your favourite skirt and you’re set for the day.

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2. T-Shirts Should Be Your BFFS…… While they may look simple, sometimes simple is what you need to make the look. Using one shirt, you can make your look classy, formal or laid back. You can never go wrong with a t-shirt.

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3. Slip On A Romper…… It literally takes a minute to put on a romper and you’re set. These one piece outfits are in style and are so cool. Rompers can be worn by every one and can be bought in reflection of so many styles. There are even male rompers now!

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4. Own Suspenders……. They’re chic and can be worn in anyway you’d want. Personally, I love suspenders. I’m always in a rush when I’m going anywhere and they’re not only easy to put on but they go and look good with everything.

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5. Never Go Anywhere Without A Piece Of Jewellery…… We all focus on our outfits and most times don’t even consider other things that make a look extra fabulous like jewellery. They are just as important as the clothes, the shoes, the bag. Going for a lazy day? throw in some jewellery to lighten up your look. A simple bracelet could work, a necklace, a chain, a watch, earrings, studs, anklets. Even when you’re outfit is set, a simple bracelet couldn’t really hurt. Really, always think at least one item of jewellery, never leave yourself bare.

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A Whiff Is More Than A Whiff

Mariell Hombrebueno
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Scent drives our perception inevitably. It plays a predominant role when it comes to attracting the opposite sex, attachment to memories, and presenting oneself.  Some people are more deeply conscious of the influence and impression a scent can bring, utilizing it to create an extension of their personalities and attract wanted success into many areas in their lives. While some……well……don’t really care, making them a little less inviting…….

Think of scent as a powerful tool that can either make you or break you, especially when it comes to first impressions. People will judge and possibly evaluate your whole being on the first whiff they get out of you, so it’s essential to pay more attention to how you smell on a daily basis. And no, I’m not telling you to buy a full-sized Chanel Number 5 and be a seductive beast like Marilyn Monroe; I’m advising you to pick a scent that will compliment your personality and help you project something positive about yourself.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/31-candid-photos-of-marilyn-monroe-in-new-york?sub=2516213_1495500#.fyYD70xgl
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Tip # 1: (For guys only) Men notice the physical attributes of women first. Women notice the smell of men first. It’s scientifically proven that a woman sees a guy more physically attractive if he smells good. In reality, majority of women, if asked, would say that they think proper hygiene and a good taste for fragrance are some of the most important attributes they would want a guy to exhibit. You can own a luxurious car, have loads of money, have a charming personality, but if you smell atrocious; then that’s a definite deal breaker. Also, some fragrances (men or women) are known to contain human pheromones, which are single or small sets of compounds secreted by humans to trigger a reaction from its own kind, making the wearer more enticing to the opposite sex.

Here’s a list of fragrances that will help you land the girl:

And here are some affordable options (for us teens)

http://www.apluslife.net/2014/07/friday-confessional.html
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Tip 2: (For women only) Wearing a specific type of perfume can make you appear slimmer and more attractive.  “Studies have shown that women who smell of floral and/or spicy scents are perceived to be 12 pounds lighter,” explains Dr. Hirsch. Floral scents are also proven to improve memory.

Here’s a list of the best floral/spicy perfumes  on the market

And here’s list of more affordable options (if you’re on a budget)

Tip 3: Aromatherapy is proven to increase productivity. Fragrances that have a strong scent of oranges, lemon and rosemary are known to energize and invigorate the senses. This is useful when you are suffering from fatigue due to an all-nighter or when you find it hard to concentrate due to the hot weather.

“One study found that when lemon oil was diffused throughout a Japanese office building, productivity among data entry operators increased by 54%. Scents can also be used to ward off mid-afternoon brain fog by revving your concentration levels.”

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Tip #4: Peppermint makes you feel more alert and improves sport performance! This is also the reason why many sports fragrance incorporate peppermint into their concoction. Mint is also proven to boost cognition, improve problem solving and memory.

 

http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/item/rf-219/-peppermint-fragrance-oil.html
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Tip # 5: Wearing your favourite perfume will enhance your mood and boost your confidence! Putting on your favourite perfume in times when you feel sluggish and moody will instantly make you feel more invigorated and ready to to go!

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How you can improve on your writing

Richard Lee-Thai
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How you can improve on your writing

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You can improve on your writing.

That’s the main point I want you to keep in mind while you read this article. Writing is one of those things that is required in one form or another in most of your school courses. I know many people who would rather that they didn’t have to interpret literature and craft analytical essays. I fully understand that. Writing can be quite challenging, but nonetheless, every individual has the ability to improve on their writing. Just because you may be struggling right now, doesn’t mean that you don’t have the potential to get better in the future.

While some people may be born with a natural talent for writing, I believe that it’s more important to realize that writing skill is nurtured over time. I say this because I feel like many people get disappointed when they invest blood, sweat and tears into their writing assignments only to have the teacher to hand it back with a less than desirable mark. It sucks. I certainly faced those moments in my junior high years while I was still developing and trying to find my writing style, but it was through those failures that I realized that writing is only improved through practice. I wouldn’t say that I have a natural talent for writing, but rather that I put in the time to identify my weak areas and work on improving them.Positive-Attitude

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Maintaining a positive and constructive attitude towards writing is half the battle. If you already tell yourself: “My writing is horrible, I won’t ever be as good as other people” or “I should just give up because I’ll never be able to improve” then you’ve severely impacted your chances of ever improving. You are what you think. It’s extremely difficult to change this type of attitude especially if it’s been ingrained in you for a long time, but it’s necessary. It’s about looking at your situation from a different angle:

“Although other people may be better than writers than me, I shouldn’t let that discourage me. They had to struggle to get to where they are too, and there’s a lot I can learn from them rather than letting them hold me back. If I keep working hard, I’ll be able to improve.”

After this long preamble, it’s time for some practical tips and tricks that you can start applying today:

 

1) Read a lot

girl-red-nail-polish-reading-book-wide-hd-wallpaper(Image Source)

Actively reading helps to improve your writing as a whole. You are allowed to see how other writers structure their ideas, what type of vocabulary they employ, what analogies they draw on, etc. If sitting down and committing hours to a traditional novel doesn’t interest you, I would encourage you to try reading online writing. There’s a wealth of writing here on Youth Are Awesome and other websites. They’re generally easier to digest while still giving you the benefit of being able to see a variety of different writing styles. If how someone phrases something catches your attention, make note of it, and try to incorporate it into your own writing.

2) Vary sentence length

 

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Although this may sound simple, it actually adds life to your writing. I first became aware of this after the writer Gary Provost gave this fantastic example:

“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.

So write with a combination of short, medium, and long sentences. Create a sound that pleases the reader’s ear. Don’t just write words. Write music.”

3) Keep your audience in mind

 

Teacher marking assignments

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Who you’re writing for will affect how you should write. If you’re submitting a formal essay to your teacher, it’s probably best not to include slang words or text abbreviations like “lol”. You want to sound professional and get a good grade. However, in other settings, it’s appropriate to adjust your writing style to match your intended audience. My audience is youth right now. So it makes sense if I use first-person and second-person points of view because I want to engage with you, the reader, and provide my personal insight. Additionally, if you’re trying to write an informative piece, it would be best to use a factual tone. On the other hand, don’t shy away from using sarcasm and humor if you’re trying to be satirical.

4) Take advantage of your resources

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You’re not alone when it comes to writing. Take advantage of the technological age that we live in and use websites like dictionary.com or thesaurus.com in order to enhance your writing. If there’s a word you don’t understand or you’re looking for synonyms, search it up. Your resources also include your peers and your teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask them for feedback. It’s always great because it will make you realize things about your writing that you didn’t notice before. Perhaps some ideas were unclear or they could’ve been phrased stronger. Accept those criticisms humbly and do some editing.

5) Have a plan

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A plan provides structure and direction for your writing. My biggest mistake with my writing in junior high was not having a plan. There’s a certain freedom associated not having a plan and letting the writing grow organically. However, this sometimes led to me submitting writing assignments where it was extremely disorganized because I would constantly go off on tangents. In terms of an essay, it’s worth it to spend extra time to plan out your thesis statement, your main ideas and your supporting evidence. This applies to all types of writing: If you go into it blind, there’s a higher risk of it turning out all over the place.

6) Ask good questions
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A good writer asks good questions. Whatever you may be writing, you’re always answering questions. In essays, you’re answering the topic question. For example, one of my topics in English this year was: “How does adversity shape an individual’s identity?” The goal of the essay then would be to answer that question and support your claim. Outside of essays, other types of questions are answered as well. A common one is the 5 W’s (Who, What, Where, When, Why). Keeping these questions in mind while you’re writing will make sure you’ve covering all of the essential elements. A good question is the starting point for a good article and that’s why the majority of my posts are answers to questions, including the one you’re reading right now.

7)  Don’t stop writing

KeepCalmWrite

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Last, but certainly not least: keep writing. While it’s great to read about how you can improve you writing, the real improvement happens when you apply the knowledge you’ve gained. The only way you’ll get better at something is to practice. It can feel like an uphill battle, but one thing that I’ve recognized is that you’ll learn a little bit from everything you write. You advance a step further than you were before. With enough steps, you’ll finally be able to get to the destination you want to go. Every little bit counts. You may see successful writers and feel like you’ll never reach their level, but you don’t know how many rejected drafts and crumpled manuscripts they had to go through to get there.

You can improve on your writing.

Don’t let other people’s success deter you from achieving your personal goals. Focus on yourself. You have the capability to improve on your writing. I genuinely hope some of my tips and tricks are useful to you. I’m aware that there’s still a lot of room for improvement personally too. So let’s work together on improving our writing!

If there’s any topics and questions that you want me to address with regards to writing, feel free to let me know.

Andy Nguyen- The Genius Behind 6streets

Malika Daya
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andy

A week ago I was privileged to be able to meet with the designer of 6streets, Andy Nguyen, and talk about his story. I can say without hesitation that Andy is one of the most down-to-earth and inspirational individuals I have interviewed and perhaps met till this day.

So how did Andy Nguyen become who he is today?

Andy obviously didn’t start off automatically as a designer, it was a passion and a hobby, but he truly began his journey in business. Post-highschool, Andy studied business and did quite well for himself working at Coca-Cola and Anheuser Busch while reaching new heights in his career. However there came a point in time for him when he realized it just wasn’t what he wanted out of life, he wanted something “more” to truly give him happiness and that “something more” was and is 6streets. Making that decision to move on was easy for Andy, however persevering through it was the opposing challenge. When telling friends and family about his change in career choices there was undoubtedly hesitation and some judgement coming from those he told. Some people found it difficult to understand why Andy would leave a company where he was doing so well, making great money, and technically stable. The simple answer to all of these questions was passion. Andy’s passion for fashion is what gave him the motivation to dedicate himself to 6streets and succeed when doing so; he said there is no for sure guarantee in life no matter what you do, so he decided to just go for what his heart desired.

However how does one keep motivated?

A mantra Andy lives by is “let your passion be your alarm clock.” I asked Andy how he stays motivated and he replied by saying it is his passion and love for what he does that encourages him to stay inspired. He doesn’t consider his work an obligation, for him it is a privilege of which he is extremely grateful for. Andy’s passion is his drive, dedication, and success. He feels as though he is living the dream and seems to fill his life with positive vibes by giving back to the world around him.

What core values does Andy live by? 

“Living in the present and gratitude.” At the end of every day Andy writes down three things that he felt for grateful for during his day; gratitude for him is a way of realizing all he has and being content with his life. It is also a way of counting his blessings and gaining optimism and motivation to keep doing what he is doing.
Living in the present means truly enjoying each moment and gift presented to us in life, Andy reminded me of how important it is to that. His whole life is modelled around this buddhist belief of being present and aware. He focuses of giving his complete energy and attention to the task he is currently working on or people he is with, he has learned to enjoy the little things in life from it. I believe this is a value mankind needs to really understand and learn and is a message that Andy is sharing and teaching the people around him. We need to be completely alive in the present to truly gain anything from it, this in itself has made Andy, the down-to-earth and humble individual he is today.

However no one is able to be who he/she is without a support system, so who is Andy’s? 

Andy spoke very fondly of his cousin in Vancouver who really supported him throughout all of his endeavours even when he hit bumps along the road. She was his “right hand man” and really encouraged him to follow his heart and pursue what made him truly happy. She was there for him in good times and bad times, and didn’t double think when Andy told her he wanted to be a designer; she knew he could do it and stood by him through it all.

We all need inspiration and we all have the one person we look up to, in Andy’s life that is his mother. She was a single parent being both Andy’s mother and father and having gone through a lot in her own life, she is someone Andy will always look up to for inspiration. Sometimes we don’t realize that the most amazing and inspirational people in our lives are people we interact with everyday and Andy definitely made me realize that. The people who love us aren’t to be taken for granted and once again gratitude is what allows us to acknowledge them and recognize that they are crystals in disguise!

Any individual following his/her heart will come across obstacles, it is just the way of the world. 

For Andy an obstacle when it came to 6streets was budgeting, like any local brand in Calgary it is quite difficult with the market here. However instead of moving out to Toronto or Vancouver, he decided to stay here and set the foundation for a fashion industry with a streetwear/lifestyle brand for men. Having a background in business combined with talent in design and style has also given him an edge and benefit in overcoming this obstacle and the confidence needed to do so. Rather than taking the easy way out and moving up to a fashion capital in Canada, Andy decided to stay here and be a pioneer for the growing arts aspect here in Calgary which I and many others appreciate him for. He is a representation of how hard-work and dedication pays off, and we all salute him for that!

And lastly, a few words from Andy to us, the youth of today: 

Opportunity lies in every difficulty. Own this concept.

A bad attitude can be your worst enemy. It’s far too easy to feel defeated or depressed when things get difficult. You need to be your own biggest cheerleader, fire up your ambition to succeed and listen to your gut. If it’s telling you to get out of what you’re currently doing, or away from the path that you’re on now, listen carefully. Recognize that new opportunities are presented by your challenges, but also be aware that some opportunities are also distractions in disguise. Just because it’s a good opportunity doesn’t mean its the right one for YOU. Be true to yourself.

I’d personally like to thank Andy for taking the time out to talk to Youth Are Awesome and sharing his story with us. Individuals like him inspire us to follow our own dreams with hard-work and dedication and I thank him for being a reminder of that for not only me but for all of you reading this. We have the power to create magic, so let’s do it, let’s do what makes us happy.

 

 

 

What To See In YYC: Weekend Preview July 3-5, 2015

Wayne Lin
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Ya Hoo! Hello cowboys and cowgirls, here we are again. Stampede is here! We are going to see people wearing cowboy hats, shirts and jeans everywhere after today. This weekend, our topic is surrounded by Stampede. The stampede parade is also tomorrow so get your lazy bum up because you have to wake up early to see it! Also, if you really don’t want to spend the money at the gate for stampede this Sunday is family day. Free admission from 6-8 am at the Stampede park thus early bird eat the worm. If you are going, remember to have your friends to go with you to enjoy the day. There are free concerts and events around the Stampede park through out the day. If you want to know more, please remember to download the Calgary Stampede app for free at the app store. Hope you have a great weekend.

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Stampede：July 3-12  Parade: July 3 start 7 30 am
Location: Downtown Calgary
Admission: Free

Stampede is here folks! Are you ready to put on those jeans and rock that cowboy hat？You have entire week to do that. Remember to have your Stampede pancake/breakfast. If you going to the parade, remember to go early. The parade start at 8:45 but go around 7 30 to have a seat. Be sure to bring your stack up chair with you.

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Shakespeare by the Bow:  7:00 pm
Location: Prince’s Island Park
Admission: Free

If you are into literature, theatre or Shakespeare, this outdoor play is just for you. Every summer, Shakespeare at the Bow is there for you. This event lasts until August 16 so you could always find a chance to go.

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Spruce Meadows North American: July 2-5 Location: Spruce Meadows
18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W.
 Admission Rush seating $5; seniors and kids 12 and under free.

If you want to know more events around Calgary. Google Calgary Events and you will be able to find many! We sincerely hope you enjoy your stampede themed weekend!

NBA Draft 2015 Winners and Losers: Picks 1-5

Michael Xie
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Just this past week, the 2015 National Basketball Association’s amateur draft just occurred and some special young talents were taken by teams throughout the league. This short series of posts will look at the first ten picks made in the draft, draft day trades and their effect on the NBA.

Pick 1: Karl Anthony-Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

karl-anthony-townsGrade: A+

Personally, Anthony-Towns was one of my favorite prospects available in the draft. I was really excited when the T-wolves chose him over Jahlil Okafor. Minnesota needed someone to replace Nikola Pekovic in the middle and they found him in Karl. Much like Minnesota’s 2014 #1 pick, Andrew Wiggins, Anthony-Towns has a huge ceiling paired with breathtaking athleticism. With a great mentor in Kevin Garnett with his new team, look for Anthony-Towns to also fully develop his defensive game. With the number one picks from the past three drafts (the third being Anthony Bennett), the Timberwolves have cultivated a core worth building around.

Pick 2: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

Dangelo

Grade: A+

The Lakers pleasantly surprised me with this pick at number two. While most expected Jahlil Okafor to be taken, the Lakers chose to go with Russell, a 6’5″ guard who will eventually take over the Lakers from Kobe Bryant. At Ohio State, Russell flashed his versatile game, averaging 5 assists a game to go along his 41% stroke from three-point land. Frankly with his ability to create by himself, but also facilitate for his teammates, he looks to be the perfect replacement for the Black Mamba in Los Angeles. And with Kobe’s tutelage, look for D’Angelo to become a future star within the league.

Pick 3: Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Grade: B-

This pick by the 76ers admittedly confused me quite a bit when it was made. With Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid already both on the roster, adding another young center just screams conflict. But, true to Philadelphia front office tradition, they went with the best prospect available on the board. Okafor is undoubtedly the most NBA ready prospect in the draft. His size and smooth moves in the post will turn him into an automatic offensive contributor. Of course, in order to contribute, he needs minutes and with the logjam Philadelphia currently has, those may be hard to come by. This pick only got the grade it did because of Okafor’s offensive prowess, and his potential usefulness as a trade chip in the future.

Pick 4: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

porzingisGrade: B-

New York really followed the mantra, go big or go home, on this pick. Taking the relatively unknown power forward from Latvia with the fourth pick. I personally have nothing against the pick, Porzingis has flashed potential worthy of the number four spot. Of course, every other European prospect bust in the past decade have too (think: Darko Milicic and Andrea Bargani). They took a gamble on his upside and are hoping it will pay off. Normally, I would give this pick a B grade, taking a seven footer with a silky outside touch never hurts, but because the pick angered and confused such a large chunk of the Knicks dedicated fan base, I had to dock a couple of PR points.

Pick 5: Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic

Besiktas JK Istanbul v FC Barcelona Regal - Turkish Airlines EuroleagueGrade: A

The two most highly touted European prospects went back to back, and Mario Hezonja was the safer pick made by the Magic. With only Tobias Harris on the wing, the Magic needed a shooter, they found one in Hezonja. Other than Okafor, Hezonja is probably the most pro-ready prospect, having played professionally in the Spanish ABC league. The question for the Magic is how much value they will get out of Mario. Will he develop into a strictly spot-up shooter (think: Danny Green), or will he turn into a much more lucrative jack-of-all-trades type of player, capable of passing, rebounding and scoring (think: Jimmy Butler).

Picks 6-10 will be looked at in Part 2.

References:

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Karl Anthony-Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor, Kristaps Porzingis, Mario Hezonja

Beat the Heat in YYC

Emily Donville
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School’s out and it’s time to switch out that calculator for a nice cold drink. Whether you’re staying in Calgary this summer or spending it abroad, the heat can seem a bit overwhelming. Sunday, June 28th saw a heat wave sweep across Canada, sending people running for their fans or the nearest pool. If you’re like me, you’ll find the 20-25 degree celcius range is bearable but anything above that is incredibly hot and leaves you feeling sweaty, gross, and far from comfortable. It is days like this past Sunday where I must reconsider how well prepared I am for the heatwaves that may or may not be thrown at us this summer, which leads me to the question “Are my fellow citizens of Calgary ready for the heat?”. Maybe not, but maybe this article will help you survive this summer with ease.

Refreshing Food

 

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  • Frozen Grapes

Everybody has had grapes before, but maybe not frozen grapes. This idea was introduced to me a few years ago leaving me wondering where have these been all my life? All you need are grapes, a container and a good ol’ freezer. Stick the grapes in the container, stick them in the deepest part of your freezer and wait a few hours. You’ll find your plain old grapes have turned into a cool, refreshing snack.

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  • Juice Popsicles

Juice Popsicles are insanely simple to make and are a classic summer snack. All you need are juice, a mold for your juice (they usually come with plastic popsicle sticks as well), and your trusty freezer. Pour your juice into the mold, stick the popsicle stick into the juice, let it freeze and voila! You have a delicious yummy snack for yourself.

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  • Ice Cream Sandwiches

This snack is yet again very simple to make. All you need is ice cream and some cookies. Put a scoop of ice cream between two cookies and dig in. Super simple and very delicious! I tried it out last year and I must say, my favorite flavour would be mint ice cream between two chocolate cookies but I’m sure any flavour would be incredibly delicious!

Ways To Keep Cool

 

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  • Pools

One of the most obvious ways of staying cool this summer would be going to the pool. Calgary has an abundant number of pools (indoor and outdoor!), wading pools and splash parks. Splashing around in the water with your friends is a great summer activity and it beats the heat while you’re having fun. Some locations require you pay admission but some locations are free. To find out the admission price, visit this website and click on the location that suits you best.

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  • Sprinklers and Games

If you don’t wanna head out to the pool, playing in the sprinkler is a sure fire way to get cool in the comfort of your own backyard. As well, you can play fun water activities like Drip Drip Drop. It’s the exact same as Duck Duck Goose except you drip water on player’s heads. When you decide to choose the goose, you dump the cup of water on them. It’s a fun, refreshing game that is available for all ages to play. If you’re not up to any games, dumping a simple bottle of water over your head is a easy way of feeling refreshed without the hassle of running around.

I hope you found these ideas useful and be sure to carry around a bottle of water, sunscreen and whatever else you might need wherever you go this summer. It’s not fun being sunburnt or dehydrated, so make sure you’re always prepared.

Collections

Tammy Ma
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We collect what we collect because we care for the things that we are passionate about. When we collect things, we gather up memories, thoughts and adventures. It is significant to us and that’s what makes collections special.

Now, I’m going to show you some collections. The first one will be my collection of stamps, the second will be my friend’s collection of art supplies and the last will be my brother’s collection of transportation figures.

I collect stamps because I’m old fashion. I love to write and receive letters. Writing and sharing words pleasures me. The process of creating the letter, which will be given to a very much appreciated person, is somewhat relaxing to me. I let the pen dance on the paper and do it’s thing. Stamps add to the excitement of letter writing. There are special occasions when different stamps are created. Different places have different stamps. All of which are unique. That is why I enjoy stamp collecting. I can use a stamp to send a letter to someone, and I get to see the uniqueness of each individual stamp from different countries.

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I have a friend who loves to draw. The photo below is a picture of what his collection of art supplies can do.  He collects pencils, copics, rulers, pens, and sketchbooks. Drawing frees him from stressful moments. The action of placing ideas on paper is very much known to him; it’s like a second nature. Plus, the results are always stunning! It’s amazing how talented everyone is. My friend is planning on collecting more art supplies. It’s a passion for him and it is not stopping now.

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The last example I have would be my little brother’s collection of transportation figures. He started collecting when he was very young. The collection got bigger and bigger over time. He now has about over 100 figures! My brother collects these transportation devices because he is a free spirit. His soul travels and moves around in many different places and there’s nothing wrong with that. His planes, trains and cars remind him of freedom and travelling. Here is a picture of his much loved airplane.

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A collection of anything is loved. We collect because we choose to, because it’s something that we enjoy. Every single part of a collection contains a story and a journey. Each part  is special in some way. If you don’t have a collection, I highly recommend you to start one. Collect cards, coins, t-shirts, marathon bibs, cameras, postcards, etc., anything! Find something that interests you. Why not start now?

6streets- a Streetwear and Lifestyle Brand

Malika Daya
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For many fashion is a struggle, for others it comes naturally, but what truly defines an individual is his/her style. Style speaks louder than a million words and phrases put together; it is what creates a first impression and reflects one’s story: a story of individuality and a story unique to its circumstances.

Many of the guys I speak to refer to style as a self-esteem booster, our blogger Eddy says, “In my opinion having an appropriate sense of fashion or a personalized style can really boost self esteem and confidence, not to mention it can make you stand out from the rest of the crowd.“

Regardless of who you are or what you do, your style means something beyond fashion, your style is your statement mark that creates a long-lasting first impression. Calgary’s very own men’s streetwear and lifestyle brand 6streets is designed upon a foundation of your style being a representation of who you are and what you believe in.

6streets, designed and created by the very talented Andy Nguyen, is meant to “evoke emotions and create topics of discussion through our designs and to encourage the individual to define their own style with our products.” When speaking to Andy over coffee, he spoke about how his inspiration for the streetwear he creates comes from hip-hop/street culture itself. It is more so about the real underground magic of finding and improving yourself in a collective group that hip-hop culture presents rather than lyrics from any rap song. It is the culture of emotion that is reflected in his designs that also connects him to those who love his work and those who share a love for street culture.

As we can tell from his work, his designs are heavily influenced by the world around him and the adventures he embarks upon. Andy’s love for streetwear has got him travelling around the globe in search of inspiration; he has been to places like Vancouver and Indonesia, taking in the different styles of streetwear has across the world. All that he has seen has been incorporated into his work adding another dimension to his brand making it a lifestyle over fashion. An example of this would be the pockets he has on his tees; the material was bought in Indonesia and creatively made into pockets which fused together two different cultures of streetwear, producing some of the best menswear in perhaps the world.

6streets really reflects on concepts like self-growth and finding who you are through the clothes you wear, which is evident through the Kaizen Baseball Jersey. Kaizen is a Japanese word which is translation means “continuous improvement and self growth.” For Andy this philosophy is one he lives by and has become a “state of being and most importantly a lifestyle.” This brand doesn’t only create clothing that is appealing, comfortable, and bold but it also allows individuals to really discover themselves through the designs they model.

Here we have it gentlemen: class, self-growth, style, and appeal all in one. 6streets the streetwear and lifestyle brand has made its mark in the industry, and is more than just a fashion collection, it is a way of life.
The brand focusses on connecting people together and believes in this mantra:

“We are a collective of individuals. Know yourself. Grow together.” 

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Stay tuned for a personal one-on-one interview with the genius behind 6streets, Andy Nguyen, coming your way this Friday!

Playlist of The Week: O Canada!

Talia Santarossa
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For this week, I wanted to make a special list in celebration of our nation’s 148th anniversary. This playlist is made up of entirely Canadian artists from about the last fifty years. I’d like to wish you all a lovely Canada Day and I hope that you have the chance to get out and celebrate our country and spend time with family and friends. Now, without further ado…

1. American Woman – The Guess Who

This may seem a bit counterintuitive to be adding to a playlist celebrating OUR country, but hey, it’s a classic!

2. Acadia – Marianas Trench

Perhaps not one of Marianas Trench’s more well-known tunes, this song chronicles the tearing down of frontman Josh Ramsay’s childhood home. It also vaguely echoes Canadian history, which is a nice touch.

3. Cuts Like A Knife – Bryan Adams

One of Bryan Adams’ most easily recognized tunes, Cuts Like A Knife delivers the story of a love gone wrong with melody that sharply counters the message of the song.

4. Paint It Gold – Fake Shark, Real Zombie!

Vancouver band Fake Shark Real Zombie! have a sound that is, to be quite honest, quite out of the realm of what I normally listen to. That said, I find great enjoyment in their work, even if their music may be a bit less conventional.

5. Rock This Country! – Shania Twain

Shania Twain is without a doubt Canada’s queen of country. When I was little, she was my first “favourite singer” and I still remember bopping along to this song more than a decade ago.

6. Save The Last Dance For Me – Michael Bublé

Another favourite song of my younger years. A lovely tune for a night on the ballroom floor.

7. Oowatanite – April Wine

April Wine released Oowatanite in 1990 and it’s been rocking ever since, 25 years strong.

8. Breathing Underwater – Metric

Metric is one of today’s most successful up and coming bands. With their music beginning to grace mainstream radio, we can expect great things from the Toronto band in the next few years.

Happy Canada Day!

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Blogger Of The Month, July 2015: Didi Moffat

Talia Santarossa
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I recently had the fortuitous opportunity to sit down at Second Cup with the lovely Didi Moffat, this month’s Blogger of The Month. A quick bit of background about Didi: She is currently finishing grade 10 at Sir Winston Churchill High School and is in the full IB program.  After searching for a quieter place to sit and chat, we eventually gave up and surrendered to road noise and settled for an outdoor table. Although perhaps not the most ideal of places to set up shop, we made do anyway and tried to ignore the clamour of semis and car horns.

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We managed to find a spot outside of Second Cup,
where Didi allowed me to practice my mad iPhone photography skills.

 

Q: What made you first decide to join Youth Are Awesome?

A: Basically, I’m already a member of the Youth Volunteer Corps and I’m also really into writing. But I didn’t know that there was any avenue for youth to actually write and blog. One day I was browsing the Youth Central website and I came across Youth Are Awesome. I thought, “This is really cool. This is something that I would want to do because I’m into writing,” so that’s how I joined.

Q: Was there a certain goal that you hoped to achieve through blogging with Youth Are Awesome?

A: I had never really blogged before but it was something that I was interested in. I was basically already writing because I’m working on my own book, but I had never really done any blogging. I want to do this, right, because I feel like I could do it because I like writing a lot, so with Youth Are Awesome, one of the goals that I wanted to achieve was to first of all explore myself in the blogging area and just to push myself in terms of my writing and to improve overall.

Q: You’re a really diverse writer in that you cover a lot of different topics. Is there a particular subject area that you really enjoy writing about?

A: I really like writing about my views and such, so it’s not a particular subject area per se, it’s more that I just like giving my views on the things that I see around me. One time, I did a blog on when I went to a Model UN conference. One speaker talked about how humans should go back to the era where we were all hunters, and I disagreed with that, so I wrote a blog post about that: (See “Capitalists are the New Hunters“). I’ve also done a post of series that I watch, trying to give people insight into series that they could watch, so basically I would say that it’s not a topic area, more like I like to give my views on things I do and experiences.

Q: That’s actually really cool. Have you noticed your own writing changing since you started with Youth Are Awesome?

A: Yeah, I would definitely say that at first, just because the way I was used to writing was more formal, I would say that my first couple of blog posts were more formal, but as I started writing and getting feedback from Clea [program coordinator], I started to move into the more colloquial, well, not really colloquial, but more youth-oriented voice, expressing my own voice and not being too formal with how I write, so I would definitely say that it’s changed a bit.

Q: Sticking with this, how would you describe your own writing style?

A: I would say that my writing style is very formal slash informal in a sense; it’s very me. It expresses me. For example, when I would write about albums people should listen to, even if I was trying to reach out into all different genres, I still put in my opinions on it and my own spin on it. So it’s very me, it’s very casual, but it’s also very formal in the sense that I try to get a particular message across with each post.

Q: You’ve only been with Youth Are Awesome for a few months, but a lot has changed since you started. What part of belonging to this diverse group of writers are you enjoying the most, to date?

A: I really like it, it really makes me feel like I’m part of this little community, especially when we go to the meetings and we’re all talking and everyone is just so helpful. I know that if I need help with anything with blogging I can just reach out to other youth bloggers and that’s really what’s helped me. When I first did a blog post, I was really confused but just being able to reach out to other bloggers that I knew and even Clea, that really helped me to improve as a writer, as a blogger. I just like being part of this small community where I know that I can reach out to people, not just in the blogging sense, but in general, and improve myself through them.

Q: Of the posts that you’ve written up to date, which did you enjoy writing the most and why?

A: I’d probably say… I can’t choose between two. One would be the one where I wrote about series that I advise people to watch and that would probably be my favourite because series are something I watch a lot. Like, I mean, every day, I watch between 20-30 in full, like I’m really obsessed with them. I got my most views on that one and it was just really nice to see that it’s something that I do every day and that I can just write a blog post about and have lots of people see it. Also the post “Capitalists are the New Hunters” because it was really me and was really my opinion on something.

Q: What do you think makes you stand apart from other writers?

A: I would say that what makes me stand apart from other writers is the fact that I don’t really write about one thing or focus too much on one thing. It’s more about what I’m feeling that day and I feel like some other writers, they mostly want to write about one particular thing because that’s what they’re used to, but I try to reach out. I try to take a perspective on different things around me. I try to go into every different category I can write in, it’s just ‘what am I feeling like that day.’

Q: Has your experience blogging helped in other aspects of your life?

A: Haha, English. When I started blogging, I didn’t know, I think that as a whole, my writing got better and that really helped me in class in expressing myself when I was writing different essays and stuff. Also, in general, just by myself, because I noticed when I wrote my views, I was really sharing my opinion and it made me realize that I can actually do this. Coming into Youth Are Awesome, I wasn’t really sure if I’d be able to do this, but I wanted to give it a shot. Moving as I’ve been progressing, it’s started to help me to say “Oh, I can really do this,” and it’s helped me even with the book I’m writing on my own, to be able to have a better perspective on things and to write better.

Q: So this book, you’ve mentioned it a couple times, what is is about is it fiction… is it uhhh, historical? I really can’t think of any other genres off the top of my head.

A: In the starting point, I’ve written the beginning so many times but this time I really think that I’m really getting into it and it’s basically fiction, but in a way, it kind of reflects me. Like it’s fiction, but it’s also about me. It’s about this one girl, she lives in this isolated part of town, in a farming kind of area and then she moves to New York and it basically talks about her journey through there and how she was able to change and achieve all of her dreams through moving there. It’s really cliché, but in a way, I don’t know, it’s just so me in how I moved just recently.

Q: Where did you move from?

A: I moved from Nigeria about a year ago. It’s been good.

Q: So aside from blogging, what do you do with your time?

A: I do a lot of stuff actually. I’m a member of the Youth Volunteer Corps Steering Committee at my school, so I do a lot of volunteering. I try to do at least one thing every week. I also play field hockey, which is the main sport I play. I play squash and tennis with my family. I also dance, which I’m going into competitively.

 

A really interesting conversation with an equally interesting blogger. To check out what Didi’s writing , click here.

YAA’s monthly music favourites: June 2015

Kandace Peroramas
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Now at the halfway point of 2015, June was nothing but good to me! As you can see from my 6 other posts this month, I took advantage of my free time before summer school. In addition, my constant outings under the merciless sun left me with very weird tan lines (I’m sure you can relate). And unlike any other month, wouldn’t it be great to show you songs people have been loving, aside from myself? From now on, this monthly series will also include songs on repeat by your favourite YAA bloggers! With a wide genre of songs listed, I’m sure you’ll find one that you love:

• Air by Shawn Mendes ft. Astrid

Suggested by blogger, Jasmine, this is a heartbreaking acoustic ballad by up-and-coming artists, Shawn Mendes and Astrid. Shawn will be performing at the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Wednesday, August 5th!

“You don’t mean no harm, but you’re stringing me along and I don’t have the time to spare.”

• Sunshine by Young Empires

“The drum beat heard in the background is really laid back and the soft vocals, sweet lyrics, and captivating guitar riffs make it a perfect indie summer jam,” says Emily. “Perfect for walking along Steven Avenue, stroll in the park or sitting in a cafe.”

Young Empires will be performing at X-Fest and Sonic Boom on Labour Day Weekend!

“I swear somehow that you’re the only one I think about.”

• Cherry Wine by Hozier

This beautiful live rendition is a June favourite for blogger, Malika!

Hozier will be at X-Fest and Sonic Boom as well!

“…it’s a crime that she’s not around most of the time.”

• Tear It Up by The Dudes

While we know the pain of physical exertion, Talia puts this on her playlist to help “make running a bit less awful.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62P9Rw-2fhQ

“Who’s gonna dance right into your heart?”

• I Lived by OneRepublic

As grad season comes to a close and some bloggers move on to other endeavors, Ailin puts this song and its beautiful lyrics on-repeat for inspiration!

“I owned every second that this world could give.”

• Lost It To Trying by Son Lux

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• When You Left Home by Beat Cops

If you’re like Maddison and attended Sled Island last week, then I’m sure you’ve heard of these artists!

“What will we do now?”

• Slow It Down by The Lumineers

This song is sure to pull on your heartstrings with its lyrics and emotional vocals!

“And when she stood, she stood tall. She’ll make a fool of you all.”

• The Hurry and the Harm by City and Colour

After being introduced to City and Colour during dress rehearsals for the school play, I’ve been hooked ever since.

“Always trying to conquer that which does not offer anything more than a broken heart.”

• Mine by Phoebe Ryan

Fact: I went to great lengths to find this song after hearing it as background music in a video!

“I’ll put it together and fix myself eventually.”

• Pay No Mind by Madeon ft. Passion Pit

It’s not a favourites list without Passion Pit!

“I just want you to feel safe, I just want to make you glow.”

• Undercover Martyn by Two Door Cinema Club

This song is perfect for a dance party in your room!

“…many surprises await you.”

• Slip by Elliot Moss

Watch these dancers elegantly dance to this song on a subway platform that has garnered over 2 million views!

“Where’s that light I used to know?”

• We Won’t by Jaymes Young & Phoebe Ryan

This haunting collaboration expresses the feelings felt by people in a crumbling relationship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir6OEkVl_S4

“Can you stomach the doubt?”

• Stitches by Shawn Mendes

Like Jasmine, my last favourite song for the month happens to be a Shawn Mendes song! The catchy beat and acoustics make it the perfect pop song!

“Now I need someone to breathe me back to life.”

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂

Your guide to Canada Day in Calgary

Katja
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Canada-Dayyc-Logo-955This Wednesday, celebrations for Canada’s 148th birthday will bring over 250,000 Calgarians together for our city’s largest one-day festival. Festivities will be happening all around the city during all hours of the day, but I thought I’d share with you a few events that I’m the most excited about:

Canada Day Food Truck Roundup

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Between the YMCA and Eau Claire Market, 11am-11pm

Interested in trying out the diverse range of street food that Calgary has to offer? Head on down to the Food Truck roundup for music from local DJs and an assortment of the best street eats.

Chinatown Fest

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Chinatown, 3pm-10pm 

After last year’s incredibly successful debut, Chinatown’s Canada Day celebration is back! Come enjoy the sights, sounds, foods, and festivities all brought to you by the The Calgary Chinese Merchants Association to celebrate Chinese culture in Canada.

Calgary Stampede’s Canada Day

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Olympic Plaza, 11am-4pm

If you’re in the mood for a variety of fun activities including stage entertainment, photo booths, interactive displays and more, Olympic Plaza is the place to be on Canada Day. This year, there will beextra-special event celebrations for Harry the Horse’s 30th birthday, so be sure to come on out! Birthday cake will even be served to the first 2000 people at 1:30pm.

Fireworks presented by Hudson’s Bay

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Centre Street Bridge, approximately 10:45pm

It just wouldn’t be Canada’s Day without the fireworks, would it? This year’s show is presented by Hudson’s Bay and will be synchronized to live music broadcasted on 101.5 Kool FM and 95.3 The Peak. Make sure you find a location along the Bow River corridor for a great view of the epic finale.

These are just a few of the events happening around YYC this Canada Day, so if you’re interested in seeing if there’s more happening in your part of the city, check out the full events list. For information on the free shuttle busses happening between Canada Day event sites, this blog post from the City of Calgary is a great place to start. 

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