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The End Of An Era…ser. Why One Professor Wants To Ban Them From Schools

Maddison Zapach
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Although it would have been a career-topping interview for me, someone else sat down with scientist and professor Guy Claxton to tackle the subject of erasers and their role in the lives of students.

I know what you’re thinking: “What new insight into the rubber industry could anyone possibly have at this point? It’s 2015.” Certainly, I once shared your same sentiment about eraser manufacturing being probably the most boring career in the world. But now, I have been informed, the job is up there with voodoo doll marketing and Satanic throat singing; according to Claxton, erasers are “an instrument of the devil.” Why? Well, the deceitful little demons make it seem like nobody makes mistakes, and that everyone gets it right the first time. Frankly, rubber is a gateway material to the more hard-core synthetic substances that make it seem as if we’ve got our lives together, like the ones used in plastic surgery, polyester wigs, and prosthetic legs.

If Claxton wanted to talk about a product that reflects the impossible standards set on children in our society, I feel perhaps Barbie or Vogue magazine would have been a more “straight and narrow” approach, but I commend the effort.

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I sure will miss those little guys, though. But then, it was a simpler time. A time of not having to be paranoid of making the tiniest mistake, because you knew that your rubber buddy would be there to bail you out. A time of running out of paper, and sacrificing your doodles and musings to fit another chapter of notes.  A time of raw exploration, of trying out words to see how they fit on the page, all the while knowing that you were not condemned to them. A time of filling in a bubble on a multiple choice exam as a placeholder, with the intention of going back to evaluate its merit more critically.

To celebrate 245 years of service, I have composed the following ode:

Office Max, Pentel, Staedtler, too

Silver-sleev’d aback my #2

I will never forget you

eraser

You never judged, for what I’d write

You don’t see colour; pink or white

You make Satan laugh with delight

eraser

It’s time to go, I am afraid

They’re on to your hellish crusade

We’ll keep the legacy you made

oh, eraser

(1770-2015)

I look forward to the day Guy Claxton’s toddler scribbles all over his white walls with a #2 pencil; perhaps, then, I will finally meet up with him at Staples, in the eraser section.

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TEDxYYC: “A Spa Day for the Mind”

Hui Wen Zheng
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TEDxYYC kicked off it’s 6th year at the Jack Singer Concert Hall this past Saturday to beautiful crowds and excited weather. Among the buzzing crowd were me and Ailin, marveling over the transformation of the concert hall into a modern and scholarly place. Guest speakers of the day included Emmy-Award winning filmmaker Ric Esther Beinstock, MIT doctoral candidate Steven Keating, and international dancer and motivational speaker Bobby Mileage. The event was once again hosted by the humorous and professional David Gray, who explained this years’ theme of “crafted”, as all speakers are talking about their own crafted experiences and ideas. For me and Ailin, our first TEDxYYC event was definitely memorable and enjoyable, see our adventures in her vlog. Read on to hear about the inspiring speakers and what ideas they had to share on the so-called “spay day for the mind.”

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Emcee David Gray prepares to start the show (Photo: CBC)

 

RIC ESTHER BIENSTOCK: Emmy-Award winning Canadian filmmaker

Out of the many amazing speakers that day, Ric was definitely one of my favourites. Her presentation was professional, funny, and conveyed her idea that finding similarities in completely different situations is crucial in order to understand people as they are and to tell an authentic story. She told stories of her travels.  One of the stories she told took place in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), where she was interrogated by an airport worker in hopes of earning meager wages. Through dinner, she learnt that the government was not paying its public servants, and that that was the only way to make a living. She also recalled discussing camera techniques with the entrepreneur and pornographic film producer and actor known as “Buttman”. Through her stories, she made clear that even in the most contrasting of situations, the best way to understand it as it truly is is to discover what universal similarities lie within.

 

KATERI COWLEY: Horse trainer and former Calgary Stampede Princess

Kateri is definitely a local idol for all cowgirls. She was the first and only woman to ever win the Cowboy Up Challenge at Aggie days, as well as the third women to be ever invited to the Red Deer Mane Even Trainers Challenge. Growing up, Kateri pursued her passion for horseback riding and training, and went to on achieve her lifelong goal of being a Stampede Princess in 2008. However, she also faced many personal tragedies in that same period, causing her to hide away her emotions in an attempt to reclaim her public life. While everyone else believed everything was fine, her horse was able to see through her facade and stopped responding to her signals. This last straw made Kateri realize that even though she had guided her horse, her horse was now guiding her. Through this personal awakening, she found that in order to guide others, you must learn to guide yourself first.

(Photo: Bob Murray)

 

CHRISTINE GIBSON: Doctor and Founder of Global Familymed Foundation

Calgarian doctor Christine Gibson recalled a story of her experience in Nepal during the devastating earthquake in April. However, despite being a trained doctor, she found herself unable to help in the dire situation in spite of the many around her that needed surgical medical attention. She saw many others try to help though. The efforts of international aid groups provided soap and toothbrushes to victims of the earthquake. Little did they know that they people they had been trying to help hadn’t seen water in days.  This made Christine realize that communication between doctors and patients is incredibly important in ensuring that the patient receives the best care. She revealed that on average, doctors cut off their patients 18 seconds into their first interaction and 30% of prescriptions go unused because patients don’t believe that they address their real problem. Through telling a gripping story about her personal experiences, Christine was able to bring to light an important issue that is prevalent in the medical community.

 

STEVEN KEATING: 3D printing pioneer and curiosity advocate

MIT doctoral candidate Steven Keating definitely stole the show on Friday. His speech was witty, interesting, engaging, and emotional. Steven’s advocacy of curiosity started at an early age, and ended up saving his life later on when he participated in an academic brain scan out of curiosity to which he was given access to the final results. He was assured that there was nothing unusual about his brain scan by several doctors, but his personal interest regarding a strange lighter-coloured area of his brain as shown in the scan perplexed him. Later, he would find out that it was a cancerous tumour which took up 10% of his brain and required an awake 10-hour surgery to remove. In the end, his medical “cell”-fie saved his life. This made Steven wonder why medical data is not made available to the patient that it concerns. At this point in the presentation, the entire concert hall erupted in quiet conversations along the lines of “why didn’t I ask about that before!” and “why shouldn’t I be allowed to view my own medical records?” Steven’s idea certainly made me consider the importance of open patient data and made me wish to see my own personal medical history, much of which I am unclear about.

“Cell”-fie (Photo: Steven Keating)

 

JOEL KLETTKE: Author, blogger, and digital content expert

Having worked as a digital marketer for most of his early 20’s, Joel knows all about manipulating Google to serve your needs. Most of us don’t question our dependence on Google, even give it the full trust to give us (false) medical diagnoses. By performing a simple Google search for “the best looking man in the world”, you’ll find a picture of Joel as the first result that pops up, an example that shows just how easily Google can be manipulated to serve the interests of advertisers. Joel’s talk was filled with humour and funny visuals that further reinforced his point; it’s easy to manipulate the internet so carefully consider the information you find on the internet (but don’t shy away).

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(Image: Joel Klettke)

 

LARS KRUTAK: Tattoo anthropologist

How often is it that you meet a tattoo anthropologist? Lars’ line of work has brought him to many indigenous tribes in Asia, the Americas, and all over the rest of the world. Through his speech, he pointed out that just as your own tattoo possesses great meaning to your values and attitudes, the traditional cultural tattoos of people all over the world serves that purpose as well. In fact, it is what mainstream tattoos have been derived from. Unfortunately though, the art of cultural tattoos is becoming rare. Many people advocate for the preservation of language, traditions, and other forms of cultural preservation, but as Lars commented, little to no one pays attention to the tremendous value and identity traditional tattoos play in the role of culture. Lars’ talk made me realize that culture comes in many shapes and forms, and all are valuable to the personal and collective identities of a society, indigenous or not.

(Photo: Lars Krutak)

 

RACHAEL L’ORSA: Telesurgical rootics expert and smokejumper

Many schools are now making their way into transitioning to become more progressive in their learning strategies. Student-directed schools such as Bishop Carroll and Robert Thirsk have been drawing the attention of educators and students alike, but is that really enough to give students the opportunity to diversify their learning? Due to her work with students during her time directing a robotics program, Rachael found that the mathematics and science courses taught at schools don’t adequately prepare students for the real world. She feels that the knowledge gained about those subjects at school cannot be readily applied to real-life situations, but it is the real life that students will have to face once they graduate and seek employment. Rachael says that for her students, the main problem with subjects such as math and science fall under a continuum of “too easy” to “too hard”, which just shows how learning has been compartmentalized to the point where students do not enjoy what they are learning anymore. By adopting adaptive learning strategies, students will be better prepared to apply their knowledge in the future.

(Photo: Erin Brooke Burns)

 

BOBBY MILEAGE: Dance Inspiration, entrepreneur 

Having faced a tough childhood in the slums of Boston filled with drugs, alcohol, and abuse, Bobby Mileage swore off of those things and dedicated his early life to training for football with the hopes of joining the NFL, knowing that it was a way out of his “personal hell”. During that time, he also picked up dance, something that he used to relax and escape his predicament. Although he was crushed by not making it into the NFL after trying out, Bobby graduated with a business degree and pursued a regular 9-5 office job. Shortly after, he was contact to dance in Will Smith’s Men in Black music video and toured with Mariah Carey. Needless to say, he quit his office job. Since then, Bobby has launched his own clothing line, all whilst dancing and providing inspiration for those who have faced childhood adversity and hardships. Through his interactive presentation (there was a bathtub and live dance performance), he inspired everyone to “make your own slice of heaven in hell”.

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(Photo: Neil Zeller)

 

CHLOE RUTZERVELD: Food designer

If you google search “3-d printed food”, Dutch food designer Chole Rutzerveld’s creations will appear on the first page. In a world where 3-D printing has just begun to become accessible, food printing has mostly been focused on unhealthy foods such as pizzas and chocolate desserts. Chloe, however, wants to change the way we use the lucrative technology. She has invented a natural, healthy, and living h’or d’oeuvres which are printed then given to the consumer, who can choose when to harvest the product (the flavours get stronger as time goes on, much like cheese or wine). Though she admits that she has in fact never operated a 3-D printer, Chole still encourages the use of the new technology for positive purposes such as providing a solution for world hunger and famine.

Healthy food, printed in 3-D

 

BLAKE SPENCE: Wiseguyz co-founder

In his Ted Talk, Blake Spence recalled the tragedy that made him the person he is today. As a child, Blake knew that he was gay but hid his interests in more “effeminate” subjects to avoid ridicule from classmates. There was another boy in his class that embraced his interests in those subjects however, though not without the constant taunting from peers. When that individual committed suicide, Blake knew that he would not be able to bear another event like this and knew that the social construct of masculinity needed to be redefined. Many years later, he co-founded Wiseguyz, a program of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre that seeks to educate adolescent boys about topics ranging from sexual health, social issues, and the concept of masculinity. Through the after school program, Blake and his colleagues hope to create a safe environment for boys to share their questions and thoughts about the issues that prey on their minds, as well as forge human and honest connections through vulnerability.

 

Though I did write about all the speakers at the event, artists such as the hip-hop duo Dragon Fli Empire, Alberta Ballet dancer Yukichi Hattori, and one-man orchestra Hello Moth all gave amazing performances at the event as well. Major thanks to TEDxYYC for sending me and Ailin to this amazing event, there is no doubt that I would go again next year! It may be quite a shock that all who organized this huge event were volunteers. A round of applause goes out to all of them:

(Photo: Steven Keating)

 

Disclaimer: Though Ailin and I were given tickets by TEDxYYC, all opinions expressed are personal and non-sponsored!

YAA Explores: TEDxYYC 2015

Ailin Li
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What’s better than watching a TED talk? Watching it in real life! That’s right, last week Hui Wen and I got the opportunity to attend TEDxYYC and soak in the wise words of some of the coolest people in Calgary.

Now, there are certain aspects of the talk that didn’t make it into this video because both of our phones ran out of storage multiple times during the presentation. I highly regret not getting a 64GB iPhone, but you win some and you lose some. This video will highlight some of the main points of each of the speakers and and tidbits of the entertainment.

Overall, the experience was fabulous. There was gelato provided by Fiasco Gelato and Craft Beer Market supplied some horderves for the reception after the presentation. Every single performance and talk was engaging, and five hours flew by before you knew it. As far as events go, TEDxYYC was put together super smoothly and nobody missed a beat. If there were any sort of issues going on behind the scenes, you could not tell as an event-goer.

Once again, I’d like to give a huge thanks to the lovely organizers at TEDxYYC for providing us the opportunity to attend the day’s festivities. Don’t worry if you weren’t there soaking in the awesome with us, I’m sure that you’ll be able to catch TEDx next year!

For those of you who just can’t get enough, head on over to Hui Wen’s article to read her reviews of each of the speakers.

FTC: Youth Are Awesome was provided with tickets to attend this event, but all opinions remain completely genuine. ♥

Top 3 Science and Technology Attractions

Rebecca Yang
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When one goes on vacation, the first thing that may not come to mind is visiting an establishment that caters to the science and technology scene. But with vast innovations, science and technology attractions are able to showcase some of the most important past, present and future revelations in space exploration, medicine, environmental progression, and beyond. With that being said, here are some of the best science and technology attractions throughout the globe:

1. Mauna Kea Observatory

Hawaii, United States 

From the summit of the Mauna Kea mountain, visit one of the best observatories in the world. The Mauna Kea Observatory boasts the world’s largest collection of optical and infrared astronomic equipment with 13 working telescopes.

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2. Dundee Science Centre

Dundee, Scotland

This dynamic centre located in Scotland, hosts an array of exhibitions about life sciences, robotics and so much more. Some of the shows include the Looking For Life Planetarium show as well as the Solar System Show.

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3. Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology

Oslo, Norway 

Celebrating the progressions in science, technology, industry, and medicine, this museum in Norway allows for all ages to explore  these topics through various interactive activities and exhibitions. Norway’s strong presence in the energy and manufacturing sector allows for significantly relative content to be available for the enjoyment of the public.

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What it means when #LoveWins: a new era of LGBTQ rights

Katja
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Every now and again, a moment comes along in your life when you can’t help but think: Wow, I’m living history. This is going to be a story for my grandkids. For millions of people in the LGBTQ+ community, that moment happened on Friday when after decades of divisive wrangling, the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had a Constitutional right to marriage. 

Opening up my social media on the big day, I was flooded with tweets, posts, photos, and reblogs boasting rainbow icons and the internationally-trending hashtag #LoveWins. It’s a triumphant milestone to say the least, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bit overwhelmed with the magnitude of the response. Don’t get me wrong, this is an important victory for LGBTQ+ Americans that radiates a crucial message: your rights are valid and they’re of federal importance.

But here’s where my apprehension begins — when articles like this one and this one are happy to declare that “hoorah! The era of LGBTQ+ rights has finally reached its descent! “Gay culture” no longer!”. With every claim that we’re closing the book on America’s homophobic past, we’re oversimplifying the issue horrendously.

We can’t pretend that Friday’s accomplishment was an end goal – the LGBTQ+ community faces marginalisation at so many levels, and the issue of same-sex marriage is just one step towards total equality. Let’s not forget the fact that even though LGBTQ+ Person X can now marry a partner of their choice in any state, if their employer finds out, they may be legally fired in 29 of those states. They may also legally be evicted from their own home because of their sexuality. Beyond the archaic laws that are still in place, there’s also still a societal attitude with room for improvement (frightening statistics on hate crimes towards LGBTQ+ people, anyone?).

Let’s consider, for a minute, the issue of civil rights in Canada. It is outlined in the Charter that no person shall be discriminated upon based on their sex and thus it is highly illegal for the gendered wage gap to exist. Unfortunately, that neither stops it from happening nor eliminates any of the other gender-based issues that Canadian women face. The reason for this is regretfully simple: a change in policy is not a change in society.

So while we celebrate this great step forward in LGBTQ+ rights —  and yes, by all means, rejoice about this long-awaited milestone! — keep the big picture in mind. There are still millions of people that actively oppose gay marriage. There’s still progress to be made. There’s still a conversation to be had. 

One thing’s for certain, though: June 26th, 2015 is going to be a day that goes down in history, just as it should.

#LoveWins – Marriage Equality in the U.S.

Kandace Peroramas
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It has been an outstanding year so far for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) community! With the likes of YouTube beauty guru, Ingrid Nilsen, coming out and former Olympian, Bruce Jenner, transitioning to Caitlyn Jenner, who knows what’s coming next? But if the colors of the rainbow on your social media feeds are any indicator, one of the most iconic political and social moments of 2015 was a victory for LGBTQ people and their supporters. On Friday, June 26th, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), declared that same-sex couples have the right to marry nationwide and will get to enjoy the same benefits and legal rights as heterosexual couples.

After a 5-4 ruling, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Anthony Kennedy, authored this legal interpretation of the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians, which has gone viral:

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At the White House, President Obama stated that nationwide legalization “is a victory for America” and that “all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.” He declared his support for same-sex marriage back in 2012.

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Major gay rights cases in the U.S. date back to 1995. By 1997, most states had Statutory Bans on same-sex marriage, which are laws made by the state’s Legislature. Alaska was the first to implement a Constitutional Ban, preventing recognition of same-sex unions; 31 states had this ban by 2012. It was in 2004 that Massachusetts became the first state to grant marriage licences to same-sex couples. It would be a decade later that only 14 states continued to uphold their Constitutional Bans. Ironically, it was the Supreme Court’s review of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection and fair treatment of people, that now allows marriage equality in the United States.

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While our neighbors to the South are taking in their newly-established law, Canada has legalized same-sex marriage for almost a decade. Through the enactment of the Civil Marriage Act (introduced as Bill C-38), “no person or organization shall be deprived of any benefit” and “a marriage is not void or voidable by reason only that the spouses are of the same sex.”

The news of marriage equality exploded across all social media outlets shortly after President Obama’s speech. With hashtags such as #LoveWins and #MarriageEquality, people from around the world showed their support for this historic event. Especially after debates and protests over the controversial Confederate flag (which some say is a reminder of segregation and slavery), the waving of the Rainbow flag symbolizes the equality America is striving for.

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To hit closer to home, Christian, whom I interviewed in my previous post, was happy to share his story and perspective on the legalization:

“When I was young (still am actually), I was unique from the boys in our neighborhood. I was the boy that hung out with girls; I did have guy friends, but I preferred being around girls more. I didn’t really understand why, but I was doing something that made me happy. I got teased and called “gay” often; I never knew what it meant, but how it was said was vile.

Later on, I discovered that it was an insult, a sin, and an illegal thing to be. The more people used it, the more it showed me that it was a negative impact on society. I was extremely scared and ashamed of myself. I built a fake identity, a characteristic which I was never proud of, and showed that to everyone. I acted like most of the boys in my neighborhood instead of showing my true self. I developed fake crushes just to prove that I belonged and be “normal”.  I caged myself in the closet and kept it tightly closed because I was frightened that I was going to push people away. I held this in for years until I came to Canada.

Being gay is a fundamental part of my being, the core of who I have always been, and the thing that I had repressed and ran from all my life. It has now made me realize that you are only strong if you let yourself be, and that is the decision I made to overcome my obstacles and truly show who I am. Being gay does not define you, it’s just part of your life. 

Everyone breaks once in their lifetime as a way of regaining strength. Picking up my life and understanding who I am as a human being allowed me to accept the good and bad of life… it is perfectly okay to be me. But it is not okay for people to waste their time being so locked in and afraid of opening a door that will…change their perspective on everything. If people are stopping you from being who you are, they don’t need to be part of your life. You are the same person, despite the fact you are gay.

People always say, “never judge someone without knowing their whole story.” But never explain who you are to people because each and every one of us is human and are the same. We function the same way, we love, and we live. In fact, that is why I believe labels should vanish.

This gave me a better look to what love is truly about. Love should never be shameful. We should never feel humiliated of who we get attached to, and I believe we are able to follow our hearts despite everything.

Taking risks are one of the best ways to express yourself, as it shows everyone that making that choice makes you stronger. It inspires people to never be afraid and escape what they are trying to hide from. Humans needs to learn to escape the negativity and give off positive vibes. We should never waste our time casting a shadow that blocks the beauty of life.

America has shown the world equality. In just one day, the news brought millions of people tears of joy, a parade of honor and happiness, and hearts that gained more self-confidence and self-respect.

Buckle up because we still have a lot of work to do.

Love wins and it will remain.”

This pivotal point in American history shows how times have changed since the 1990s. Things are looking up for those who have fought long and hard for marriage equality! To add to your daily dose of pride, here are pictures (and a video) that encapsulate what finally experiencing change looks and feels like:

Love is love.

*All opinions are mine unless stated otherwise.*

“For all our differences, we are one people—stronger together than we could ever be alone.” – President Obama

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂

SUMMER LOOK BOOK 2015

Paskalina
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Are you tired of your winter sweaters and heavy boots? Are they still your go-to? Look no further because I have personally compiled a list of my favorite summer looks for this year.

LIGHT & AIRY

This summer I am really looking forward to lights. Light colors, light fabrics, and generally brightening my wardrobe from the melancholy winter blues. My favorites include rompers, baby doll/t-shirt dresses, and sheer kimonos! Don’t be afraid to stray into prints here and there and just have a little fun.

 

DENIM

I am such a fan of denim but I have yet to find the perfect summer shorts. If you are looking for the staple high-waisted cutoffs, I suggest you ditch the lines and hefty price-tags. Cut them off yourself! Find your mom-jeans at the local thrift or use old jeans that you were planning to get rid of anyway. Here are some easy go-to guides to trimming (and distressing) the perfect pair.

 

ACCESSORIES

Crystal rings. Gold details. And watches! Also, whenever you have the chance, check out some of yyc’s festivals that are happening over the summer months. Countless of vendors come out to sell locally handmade products, including cute/eclectic accessories you’re bound to find and love. Last summer at the Inglewood Night Market, I was lucky to find a beautiful rose-gold leaf ring that I did not see anywhere else.

 

SHOES / SANDALS

Yes, Birkenstocks are on my list… No matter how popular they’ve come to be they are loved heavily for a reason. Besides their fresh minimal aesthetic on the summer sandal look, Birks are comfy and so easy to wear.

 

HAIR

Summer hairstyles… whether you wear them long or short, there is something beautiful about their messy, unkept looks. However after personally undergoing a ‘long do’ for the longest time myself, this summer I am obsessed with the short cut. Whether it’d be a bob or a pixie, short hair makes it effortless and easy to style.

 

Which look are you obsessed with this season? Let me know your personal favorites so we can continue the summer’s inspiration board!

 

Playlist of The Week: The Covers

Talia Santarossa
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For the fourth instalment of this playlist series, I would like to take a break from artists performing their original pieces and take a look at artists covering songs by other artists. I don’t know about you, but I love when I like a cover even better than the original.

1. Iris – Sleeping With Sirens (Covering The Goo Goo Dolls)

This is without a doubt my favourite cover of all time. Kellin Quinn’s voice fits the song perfectly and helps provide a beautiful rendition of what is one of The Goo Goo Dolls greatest hits.

2. Bad Romance – Halestorm (Covering Lady Gaga)

When I first listened to this cover, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’m not a huge fan of Bad Romance, but I held out hope that Halestorm could maybe change my mind. Long story short, this is one of my current favourite songs, period.

3. Drops Of Jupiter – The Latency (Covering Train)

Although their music was short lived, The Latency’s cover of Drops Of Jupiter nearly makes up for the fact that they only released one studio album.

4. Everlong – The Color Morale (Covering Foo Fighters)

Fearless Records has put together countless cover albums that are very well put together. The Color Morale’s cover of Everlong is off of Punk Goes 90s, Vol. 2 and is, in my opinion, one of the best covers from the album.

5. Fix You – Boyce Avenue feat. Tyler Ward (Covering Coldplay)

I think I may have found this one on a Songza playlist a while back and it’s one of the only reasons I still use Songza.

6. Dream On – Blessthefall (Covering Aerosmith)

Another cover from a Fearless Records album, Blessthefall offer up a stunning rendition of Dream On. Beau Bokan may have Steven Tyler on those high notes.

7. St. Jimmy – Bowling For Soup (Covering Green Day)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkETtWJZhm0

When Kerrang! magazine decided to amass a pile of artists and have them cover Green Day’s iconic album American Idiot, little did they know that it would be a massive flop. That said, Bowling For Soup still produced a rather appealing cover of St. Jimmy. Honorable mention to 5 Seconds Of Summer for not completely butchering the title track.

8. Little Lion Man – Tonight Alive (Covering Mumford and Sons)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCyxbf85SXY

Who knew that a pop punk cover of this indie folk track could be so drastically different yet so great at the same time? Jenna McDougall, I applaud your vocals.

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Magic crystal enables underwater breathing

Danielle Leong
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The ability to breathe underwater.

It’s known to be possessed by fish, seahorses, and sharks, among other lucky marine animals.  These sea creatures are blessed with gills which allow them to endlessly explore beautiful underwater sights. But this ability has never been held by humans.  In order to explore the depths of the world we’ve had either hold our breaths or use heavy gear that can often be burdensome.  We’ve only been able to swim under the surface for the amount of time we can hold our breaths for.  And being that the common time an average person can hold his/her breath for is two minutes (without assistance), exploring underwater has been difficult and rather limited for the every day individual.

underwater

That is, it was up until recently.  In 2014, Danish Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark made a life-changing discovery.  They have created a crystal which gives the every-day person the superpower to breathe underwater.  Danish Scientists

The “Aquaman Crystal” is composed of synthesized crystalline ingredients that can bind and store oxygen in high concentrations, and release the stored oxygen again when it is needed.  The researchers know that this technology actually works because they have used X-ray machines to study the arrangement of  atoms inside the crystal when it was filled and emptied of oxygen, and the results were proof.  An interesting fact is that this is not the first substance that reacts with oxygen- food, for example, can go rotten when exposed for prolonged periods of time.  However, this crystal fusion, unlike food, does not act irreversibly with oxygen.  Depending on the amount of oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere, this crystal can take seconds, minutes or days to absorb it. Heat and pressure trigger the release of oxygen.

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In case you didn’t get that, here it is in a nutshell.  Scientists have combined substances to create a crystal that absorbs then releases large amounts of oxygen when triggered.  Once this technology is developed enough, scientists hope it can be carried around in the pockets of individuals and chewed on when needed.

underwater breathing

Not only would this allow the average person to explore under water for fun, it could also be life changing. These crystals could hold the power to save a person from drowning, or even severely lessen the burden that medical patients carry.  Instead of having to carry around heavy oxygen tanks, lung cancer patients could potentially carry a few of these crystals in their pockets.  Imagine the convenience!  The list of uses for this amazing discovery is never ending- swimming, medical needs, space….. what will be next?

Aquaman

Over and over again, science has made possible what we thought could never be possible.  If you think about it, we humans have unlocked not only the supposed “superpower” of flying, but now the ability to breathe underwater too.  Who knows what’s in store for the future!

 

For more information on the Aquaman crystal, check this video out!   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2UpiHKLIOY

 

 

References:

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Summer “Art-spirations”

Jasmine
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Summer is often the time of year where I am found either outside and actively participating in summer-related activities or –-quite contrastingly— huddled in front of my computer. However, due to how using my laptop isn’t exactly beneficial for me in terms of health and it doesn’t always equate to productivity, I often find myself illustrating and doodling. These doodles and sketches are (most of the time) unfinished and left to sit in the corner of my room, forgotten and forever incomplete. So, to combat this, I innovated art ideas from using old doodles and also created new project concepts that anyone can do.

1. Silhouette Remake

If you happen to come across a doodle or drawing you are not particularly proud of, modify the outline of the doodle so it is distinct. Then, splash the page with colours and patterns and innovate, ignoring the original doodle. Make sure to do this so you can still see the outline of the original drawing. After finishing your mosaic of colours, use a dark colour or light colour (depending on the colours you used before) to outline the former sketch. Fill this shape in with the same colour you used for the outline and… finished! A fun tactic I love to use is to mix paint with a bit of water and dab the colour in the middle of my drawing. From there, I can use a straw to blow the paint and the texture of the paint creates an abstract effect. I repeat the process often with different colours and the intermingling of colours pleases me. 🙂

2. Carving

RAWR
This is an art project I did using the same carving concept but with dry wall.

Got Styrofoam? It’s perfect for this next project. For this idea, you must have paint, brushes and a carving tool (such as an exact knife, butter knife, etc). First, sketch your design onto the styrofoam (you might want to make sure the styrofoam is thick due to how you will be carving into the foam). Then carve your design out, keeping in mind depth, shading, etc.

3. Document Your Summer with a Comic

Instead of writing, videotaping or photographing your summer experience, why not redraw it? This time you go on a vacation, bring your sketchbook with you and sketch your surrounding and friends/ family posing for pictures (or should I say a drawing). Even if you aren’t good (trust me, I am fairly unexceptional in terms of drawing scenery so I can feel you), sketching and drawing constantly will assist you in honing your art skills. After sketching these scenes, you can scrapbook them to give your scrapbook a unique, personal touch.

4. No Lines

Find a photo or object and just colour — don’t use lines! Try making it as rough and as abstract as possible. Then, when you are finished the drawing, leave it on your table (or somewhere clearly visible) and leave your parents and friends in curiosity as they try to interpret your drawing. Then, ask them for interpretations and, if their guesses are completely off, draw their guess with an inking pen or normal dark-coloured drawing tool. This concept is great for the artists out there who love to illustrate abstractly. I usually like to use people I know as my reference photos because it’s fun seeing how my friends interpret their own faces.

5. Watercolour 

SHELL
Shell Example

If you happen to find a doodle of still life or want to draw still life but find it too boring to maintain realistic colours, this idea is a good and fun concept to try. Instead of using normal colours, find two colours that compliment or fight each other (try playing with colours you dislike to challenge yourself). Then, delegate each colour to a specific purpose (Ex. Green is for outlining, dark blue is for shadows and light blue is for light parts). If you feel the need to add decorations, feel free to embellish your drawing with lines and patterns of the colours you use.

What to see in YYC: Weekend Preview June 26-28, 2015

Malika Daya
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whattosee

Bored of routine? Want to explore and shake it up a bit? Here are a few “hot and happening” (sorry I’ve always wanted to use that phrase) events in Calgary this weekend, be sure to check them out and join in on a new adventure.

 

1. YYC’s Block Party

YYC’s Block Party is this Saturday at 1pm – 10pm at Eau Claire Market! It is an event to kick off summer the right way with some sick DJs, street dance battles, games, vendors, workshops and more. It’s goal is to unify and inspire youth in becoming leaders of their communities while leaving an impact and making a difference. For more details check out the YYC’s Block Party Facebook page.

BLOCK PARTY

 

 

2. Color Me Rad

Color Me Rad, a 5k colour run based on a Hindu tradition called Holi (meaning a festival of colours), is calling anyone who wishes to add some vibrance into his/her life. The run is coming to Calgary this Saturday from 9 am – 12pm and is supposedly an excuse to let loose and just have an awesome time. Initially everyone starts out as a blank canvas however throughout the run turns into an exquisite art piece of uniqueness built by colour and happiness. If this is something that interests you do sign up today!

color run

 

 

3. YYC Food Trucks Summer Frenzy

YYC Food Trucks Summer Frenzy: What’s better than food in this world? I say at times it can be a man’s best companion, if you’re a foodie this is the place to be and if you’re not it’s still quite the experience to take part in. Live music, beer (if you’re over 18), giveaways, entertainment, and a multitude of things to see and do. Today with a high of 29 is a perfect day for you to stop by East Village and check out 20 local food trucks , however the frenzy continues throughout the weekend waiting for you to take part in. Don’t miss out!

YYC_food_trucks_summer_frenzy

 

 

4. TEDxYYC

TEDxYYC is presenting speakers of excellence in areas such as technology, entertainment, and design this Friday from 1pm-5:30pm at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Art Commons, Calgary. Tickets range from $47.39-$87.39 for more information check out: http://tedxyyc.ca If you are looking for something brain stimulating or inspiring this is your go-to call from up above; grab these opportunities while they are here and don’t wait for tomorrow because tomorrow never comes. Stay tuned for coverage from bloggers Ailin and Hui Wen.

ted

 

 

5. Sheer Madness

Sheer Madness, is a play about mystery and madcap improv that takes place in a hair salon, throughout the play the mystery of a murder committed is unraveled in front of the audience allowing them to suspect, question, and solve a hilarious mystery in the “annals of crime.” If you want to spend a weekend immersed in art, this is a must see show, running till the 28th at the Vertigo Theatre. Added are all the details needed to make this happen!

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 Step out of your box and try something new this weekend; shake up your routine and cross something off your bucket list. You only live once so spend it doing something worthwhile we people you love. Enjoy life, we all deserve to, we just forget how to sometimes, so here is a little reminder!

August Drive-In Movies return for Summer 2015

Emily Donville
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Mark your calendars!

Ever wanted to experience a drive in movie? Well now’s your chance! Deerfoot Mall’s widely popular fun Summer Drive in Movie Series is set to host this fun event yet again this summer in their large parking lot. The NE shopping mall will show 5 fun movies on Wednesdays during the last week of July and throughout August.

The dates are as follows:

July 29, 2015

August 5, 2015

August 12, 2015

August 19, 2015

August 26, 2015

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The movies are yet to be announced, but in the past they have hosted movies like “Toy Story”, “Jaws”, “Ghostbusters”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and they have offered “viewers choice”, where guests get to choose what film they want to watch. For each date, viewers pull into the mall’s large parking lot and view the film. Guests are urged to come early as spots are first come first serve, to ensure they get the best viewing opportunity possible.

Along with the movie, there will be games and activities, bouncy castles, crafts and more. Admission is free and gates open at 5pm and though you are not obligated, donations are welcome and accepted at the door for the charity being sponsored. The films will typically commence at sun down.

According to Deerfot Mall’s site, Movies and Activities are set to be announced shortly, so be sure to check their website soon for more info. This event is free and sure to be plenty of fun for all ages. I sadly only learned of the event on the last date in 2014, so I am very excited to be able to attend this summer. I hope to see you there!

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Sources: I  II III

Big Dreams, Harsh Realities, and Meeting Halfway

Kandace Peroramas
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From a young age, we’ve been taught to have big dreams and do what we can to make them happen. But as we are exposed to the world’s harsh realities, goals we have might never be achieved. After a phone call with a friend, it dawned that I am a dreamer. I think far ahead into the future, paying no mind to the inevitable struggles that come with aspirations. But on the other hand, there are realists, using facts to see things for what they are. But the big question is: can you meet halfway with your dreams and the realities of them? This inspired me to interview 6 friends who have different perspectives on the question, plus more. Here is what they had to say:

Ellisha, 15

Q1: As a friend of mine for a few years now, I’ve come to know the kind of person you are, but would you mind telling readers a little bit about yourself?

A: I’m fifteen years old and the youngest child of three. I’d like to describe myself as a thinker; sometimes I overthink, but then I underestimate myself and don’t think at all. I go through the daily struggles everyone else goes through and complain 24/7! *laughs*

Q2: I’m sure that even from a young age, you had lots of goals that evolved as you got older. Although there are obstacles that get in the way of our dreams, what are some that come to mind that motivate you now & for the future?

A: For the future, a goal of mine is to be A. successful because, of course, everyone would want to be successful; B. is to be a good mother to my children, and I also wanna pursue something in the medical field. I don’t wanna be sitting at a desk for the rest of my life. If it’s giving IVs or medication, that’s making a difference.

Q3: Do you believe that the dreams you have are out-of-reach? If so, what is stopping you? But if not, what are the challenges you think other people who have similar dreams might face?

A: Yes, I do think that dreams are out of our reach, mainly because dreams are there to motivate us to continue to develop our personality. All you need in a dream is to become happy and content with your life. As we grow, we learn more about ourselves; sometimes our dreams aren’t what we’re supposed to be because it can be the complete opposite. One thing that really stops me is the feeling of not being good enough; not reaching all the expectations, not being as good as you were, not being as good as your older siblings, and not being the person you’re supposed to be.

Q4: Is there some way you can meet halfway with your dreams and the realities of them?

A: I don’t necessarily think that dreams are what we become. I think that they’re just motivation to help you grow. Yes, there are some people that do become their dreams, and I do hope that I become a doctor or nurse one day. We’ll see what life has in store for me.

Q5: What is some advice you can give to your future self & to our readers when it comes to finding a medium?

A: When there are troubles, count your blessings. Think about what you have and how your life situation is not the worst. I’ve been through a lot and I can still say that I haven’t gone through anything. Don’t necessarily become what your parents want you to be, but what will make you happy. I’m not saying don’t become an engineer because you sit around all day doing research, but because you want to and wanna learn more about the world. At the end of the day, you just need to know that you’re happy and content. I’d rather be poor and have a happy family with a job that I love to do than living a rich life alone.

Tanya, 15

“I’m fifteen, I’m vertically challenged…oh my God, who am I?

I’m very outgoing and I’m always open to new things, which I think is great! I may not be the smartest thing alive, but I’m not the most stupid; that will get me kinda far…it got me to high school!

One of my dreams is to travel, and if humans are able to go outside the world, then we’re able to go around it. If they are able to reach the stars, then so can I! But people may not have enough money to travel. Maybe they’re stopping themselves from committing the dream because they’re scared and don’t know if they’re gonna be enough.

It’s not like you’re gonna fulfill 100% of your dreams because that’s unrealistic. At least meet some point of it where you’re happy; I think that’s all that really matters in the end.

The only advice I can give is something that people tell me all the time: never be against yourself. There’s so many things in the world that are gonna be against you and your dreams, but all that matters is you.“

Kellyrose, 16

“My name is Kellyrose Castro, I’m in grade 10, and I go to Bishop O’Byrne High School. My favorite color’s purple, and I came from the Philippines in 2006. And my favorite food is spaghetti!

My dream is to have a career, travel around the world, have a family, and maybe help out children in the Philippines. My mom, when she was young, couldn’t really afford to go to school, so she had to work at the same time. And so, I want to help those kids so that doesn’t happen to them.

I don’t think it’s impossible to fulfill my dreams, but I think some of the problems that people who have similar dreams might face is financial problems. They might not have enough to money to travel the world or help the people around them. I need to work really hard and finish university so I can get a good job and fulfill my dreams. I can then help the children and travel!

Some advice that I will give to my future self and the readers is to work hard and to have hope that your dreams will actually happen. Never think about the negatives, but instead, the positives!“

Christian, 15

“I’m fifteen years old, I work at Tim Hortons, and I’m gay. That’s pretty much it. *laughs*

I wanted to be a chef, but now I’m trying to be a vet because I love animals; I could go to the zoo and volunteer!

My dreams are kind of stopping me because I can’t focus on my studies. But then, I would like to achieve my dreams so my family can be proud of me. Keep dreaming, but then go for what you want! My aspiration is to be successful, but I don’t wanna get my hopes up.”

Isabella, 16

“Hi, I am Isabella Guimet! I am from Peru and I came in 2009. I’m in grade 10 at Bishop O’Byrne High School. My interests are: skiing, hiking or anything that’s outside…I like reading too! My favorite color is light blue and I’m gonna be famous someday!

I want to know what I want to be when I grow up! I also want to grow my feet (somehow) because it’s hard to find the right shoe size. *cues laughing fit between the two of us* Another goal is to be better at skiing!

I think I can reach my dreams by working hard, determination, and perseverance. Challenges are: money and where you live. For example, if you want to surf and you live in Alaska, the water’s too cold, so you need to move to Vancouver! And also, the experience you have. Like, if you don’t know how to type and the job requires you to type, you need to learn that new skill.

Imagine that I wanna be able to fly. I can’t fly fully myself, but I can take a plane and fly! And then, I wanna get better at skiing, so every winter, I go to ski and get better everyday.

Something I would say to my future self would be: good job, you did well. Readers, to find a medium, you should be happy, rest, eat, sleep, and play! I think that someday I will be able to live my aspirations fully because I would have worked hard and am happy with the way things are.”

Mikaela, 18

“My name is Mikaela Nidoy and I am a grade 12 student at Bishop O’Byrne. I would describe myself as a child of the Lord and a dedicated supporter of many things such as Harry Potter, Ellen Degeneres, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, and Grey’s Anatomy! They added something in my life that really help me become the person I am. And lastly, I like food!

It was my dream to become a surgeon, but with the courses I took within my years of high school, I realized that that’s not a possibility anymore. But it’s not gonna stop me from wanting to save people and trying to be involved. I try to be helpful, not only to my family, but within the community. Other than occupation goals, I want to travel the world. Another goal is to put my family at ease because no one is ever financially stable.

What stops me is the mistakes I’ve made in the past. There are many dreams that I feel are out-of-reach because I’m more of a dreamer, but it can’t stop me completely as I have help from my family. There are many challenges, but I can’t just lay down and give up. One of my inspirations, J.K. Rowling, once said she hit rock bottom so hard that it became the foundation to rebuild her life. It’s hard when there’s too many things in your way, but I’m gonna do me. I’m on my own path and I think my path is pretty damn cool.

I hate compromising, so it’s hard being in the middle. But last fall, when I was part of the school play, I had to take some spares to go along with my studies and cut back on my work hours. You always have to make sacrifices and put a lot of work in order to have the intended result.

In order to be happy and seek out what is best for me, I pray and talk to my parents. Another thing is be open-minded and don’t be set on one goal that blinds you from everything else. There are many important things, like yeah, your trip to New York is important, but what about a trip to Paris? Everything you’re doing now should lead to your future, but don’t forget the present moment. Don’t just try to work on a life that you want for tomorrow; you have to be happy now as well.

If you’re sad, I have a friend that’s a fish who told me to “just keep swimming.”“

Was there a person/perspective that you related to most? Does this change your outlook on your dreams at all? Let me know what you think!

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂

A happier lifestyle

Tammy Ma
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Happy

What is happiness? To me, it’s the feeling of my cheeks hurting from smiling too much, it’s the feeling of energy flowing inside of me, it’s the feeling of happy tears falling down my cheeks instead of sad tears. I, personally, have had a hard time finding happiness in my daily life. I wanted to change that. Over the last few years, I have changed bits of me to create a happier me. Today I will be sharing some tips on how to have a happier lifestyle.

Let’s get started!

Tip #1: Start Appreciating

  • Start appreciating and stop complaining. I have stopped complaining so much. I told myself that there will be no more complaining about the gloomy weather and no more complaining about having homework and tests. Instead, I only allowed myself to think of the bright side. When it rains, I think of how happy I am that we get free water, falling from the sky, to water the trees and plants. And, instead of complaining when I get homework, I tell myself how thankful I am for it. Doing my homework will allow me to learn new ideas, plus it’s a great way to keep busy! I flipped everything around and have learned to dance in the rain instead of hiding under an umbrella, getting all grumpy. Once you begin appreciating, you’ll never go back to complaining. It gets easier and easier.

Tip #2: Start Adapting

  • There are some things in the world that just cannot change. I have tried to change certain things that, let’s be honest, can never change. So, I have decided to change myself. Now, understand, that this type of change, according to me, was for the better. The “old” me, shall I use, used to point out every sad thing on the planet. The “old” me could even turn brownies into something horrible! But, now, I only allow myself to see the great and bright things in life. I have changed to become more positive and it works! It turns out that if I wasn’t willing to change, that nothing in my life was willing to change either. Try it out! Change for the better, no matter how cliché that may sound. If you can’t change the world, adapt yourself to the world. In the end, you win because you get to become happier.

Tip #3: Add Excitement

  • “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Eleanor Roosevelt sure knew how to live with excitement! The point of that quote is not to tell you to scare yourself to death every single day, but to add excitement to your life often. I try to do something that scares me once a week. I will talk to someone I don’t know or am scared of. I ‘ll even watch a horror film even though I know that it will give me nightmares. A sprinkle of excitement in a mundane life will make your “mundane” life feel special and extraordinary. Always following the rules and playing it safe and boring may bring down a good mood. Not having any excitement in my life left me unsatisfied, so I started adding bits of excitement and it works! I’m happier, much happier. It seems like I wanted something more in life, and excitement and adventures were able to satisfy my craving  to be a part of something amazing. That fresh feeling I get after an exciting adventure just makes my cheeks hurt even more, from smiling of course!

The picture below was from a couple days ago when my friends and I decided to be spontaneous. It was quite the adventure!

The Jump

 I hope that you would try out these tips. Know that everyone deserves to be happy. They can be the worst person, the meanest person, the nicest person, or it could just be you. To start off your “happiness journey”, please accept my virtual support. Remember to start appreciating, adapting and live with excitement.

Good luck!

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Richard Lee-Thai
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Strengths and Weaknesses

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Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

Both our strengths and weaknesses make up who we are. It would be a mistake to think that that we have no flaws. Conversely, it’s equally detrimental to think that we’re worthless and that we don’t have any redeeming qualities. Recognizing our strengths and weaknesses is part of the ongoing process of bettering ourselves. What areas do I excel at? What are areas for improvement?

An individual’s strengths and weaknesses are like a diamond. They have to undergo significant stress and pressure before they emerge out of the fire as a sturdy jewel. In the same sense, both your strengths and weaknesses have to be put to the test before they can solidify into something valuable. It is only through practice that you realize what you’re good at. On the flip side, it is through embarrassing, painful or sobering experiences that you become aware of your flaws. However, like a diamond, those imperfections can be polished and you can emerge as a stronger, brighter individual.

As one of my close friends would say: There is perfection in imperfection. This is true in both a literal and figurative sense. Your imperfections are a part of who you are, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. To be human is to be flawed. So we should stop trying to chase that nonexistent ideal of “perfection” because we are already perfect when we learn to accept ourselves for who we are, not just the strengths, but also the weaknesses.

Since I think it’s so important to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, I have compiled responses to the following questions:

What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest weaknesses? How can you go about improving your weaknesses? And optionally, are you happy with who you are? 

I would encourage you as a reader to reflect on those questions yourself, especially if you’ve never done so before. Hopefully you’re able to relate to some of the responses below:

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“Personally I believe anyone’s greatest strength tends to be their greatest weakness. For me my greatest strength is my ability to open-heartedly connect with anyone I come across, however my greatest weakness is trusting too easily and getting hurt too frequently. Now I allow myself to be open and connect with people however I am not living to please them or cater to their needs, I have learned to love and respect myself.

Currently I am happy with who I am because I am confident and trust myself. This being said I am always looking for ways to improve who I am as a person and learn more about who I am.”

– Malika (YAA)

“To put it simply, my strength is having/showing compassion to others, my weakness is my lack of ability to have that same compassion for myself. Until I learn to love myself and trust myself and love LIFE, I’m not quite content with myself. Yet.” – Julia (YAA)honesty-inspiration-loyalty-quotes-Favim.com-1054171

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“For my strengths, I consider myself a very loyal person (I’m not one to turn others away when they need to vent or ask for advice) and creative. I use my creativity to benefit myself and others and often it pays off. It allows me to survey things in a different perspective that others cannot and exposes me to new, fun opportunities.

As for weaknesses, I think it would be opening myself too much and ending up hurt. Often I’ll establish relationships with people whom I care about but then we drift apart or they hurt me and I blame my openness for this. I think this is a blessing and a curse as I wouldn’t be able to have all my friends without my openness yet sometimes it costs my happiness.

As for how happy I am with myself, throughout Junior High I’ve tried to figure myself out. I’ve been happy, miserable and everything in between. I think I’ve finally accepted who I am so for the moment, I’ll say I am happy, but I will always want to improve upon myself.”

– Emily (YAA)Quotation-Leighton-Meester-time-success-happy-Meetville-Quotes-20912

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“A great strengths of mine is being able to process information quickly, clearly, and with an open mind. This definitely helps when school and extra-curricular events go by fast! Also, my ability to empathize with people and what they are going through emotionally and mentally bring me back down to earth when life becomes a matter of getting to point A to point B.

With that being said, a weakness of mine is not being to balance my own emotions and aspects such as my social and work life. I can lock myself in my room for days because I’m always thinking about what needs to be done, which stresses and tires me out on a constant basis. This further leads to beating myself up for little things I did or did not do.

To improve this, I need to just breathe and reassure myself that what I’m doing is good enough. It’s tough being my own worst critic, but when I stand back and look at what I have accomplished in life, it’s something to be proud of. And yes, I am happy with myself, but there’s always room for improvement!”

– Kandace (YAA)

 

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“My greatest weakness is the white knight syndrome – I feel naturally obligated to help any one of my close friends out of a situation, no matter how dangerous it can be. I am logical and intelligent enough to understand the consequences, yet I put caution into the wind and do it anyways. As a consequence, I’ve faced emotional pain and lost some friendships.

My greatest strengths are my ability to adapt to any situation with ease, my leadership skills as well as my fearlessness. I’ve applied these strengths in sports. For example, coaches often choose me to be the captain or co-captain like in volleyball.

I could have made wiser decisions in the past, but I am young. Live and learn. Sometimes, the heart trumps the brain, tossing rationality out of the picture. However, I haven’t really been focusing on the positives of helping others and that it’s not just a weakness, it’s also a strength. Overall, I am very happy with myself.”

– Peter, a.k.a. “Captain Serious”
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“My greatest strength to focus on is probably my personality! People always tell me that I am friendly, easygoing, funny and caring and that I’m a nice person to be around and to be friends with. I think this is a strength because I take my personality wherever I go and with a likable personality, it is easy to get along with everyone and end up being happy and successful. I also think I’m light-hearted for the most part, I can take jokes and other things in a light manner. Another strength I would say would be that I can express my feelings and thoughts well through writing. Words come easy to me but I also choose my words wisely while talking to others or writing.

My weaknesses are that I trust too easily! Until very recently I thought it was a strength but as I talked to others and my trust was tested, I realized that it’s much easier for me to get hurt if I trust people too much and too quickly. Another weakness is the fact that I cannot say no, or if I do, I kill myself over it. I just find that if someone asks you for help or anything, no is a strong word, and the wrong word since they can confide and trust in you to help them. It is a weakness because I often over commit myself and end up being overwhelmed with everything else, leaving me no time to think and no time for myself and doing things for me!

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I can work on these weaknesses by learning to take time in getting to know people and giving space and time in any relationship. I also learned that sometimes that mystery is necessary between 2 people in order to keep “the magic alive” so to speak. If you know everything about the other person. it’s easier to take those people for granted because they know you or should know you well enough to know how you feel. I also learned and am working on saying no to people who ask me for help too much of the time, or especially when I have a schedule or important things to do such as studying for an exam. Or else if I decide to help them, I limit my time and try to work everything out so I am not stressed by the end of the day!

I can proudly say, I am happy with myself! BUT there are still many changes I have to undergo and many experiences I have to go through in order to be the best person I can be!”

– Nabila

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“My greatest strength is making others happy. Even when I’m at my worst, I have the capability to brighten up others day. My weakness is the opposite, taking of myself. I tend to hide my feelings and deal with stress by myself so that I can spend my time helping others and making others feel better.

I’m very happy with who I am though, even though I’m full of flaws, I’m glad that I can make my parents and my surrounding friends happy.”

– Anonymous

“Well I think one of my greatest weaknesses is how my lack of inspiration affects me. I tend to get it mixed with the negative things in my life and I end up shutting down often for a day or two at a time. This looks like lying in bed avoiding everything, including my phone and anyone trying to reach me. So I suppose that’s a few weaknesses all in one.

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For my strengths, I’m a fighter. I fight for what I want/need. I refuse to settle for less if I don’t have to. I mean unless that course of action is dangerous to me or someone else. I’m very articulate, when needed. Actually I’ve been told that on separate occasions from different people, that I’m “very articulate”. I’ve learned how to take a step back when I’ve done something wrong, and take responsibility, do some damage control if I can. And also, how and where to find inspiration when I’m feeling lost. This has been helpful lately because I’m actually starting to get everything back together after 2 years of utter chaos.

I can work on my weaknesses through life experience and time. I need to find something solid that I can hold on to constantly that will provide me with the inspiration/motivation that I need. I also need to re-learn how to function when I am not feeling up to anything and just push through.”

– Anonymouslife-is-like-photography

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“I am a Grade 11 student and for past the five years I have faced a series of challenges which have tested my emotional, physical and mental strength. There have been good days and there have been bad and sometimes terrible days at which I stop to question the purpose of my life. Every day is a struggle. From early morning trying to pull myself out of bed to restless nights where my thoughts swing wildly. Even through my greatest challenges, I’ve continued to find a reason to keep going even on my worse days. My greatest strength as an individual is my resiliency.

With the school year wrapping up my time as Grade 11 student is reaching its end. The final chapter of my high school career is starting in just a few months and I’m at a loss for words. Growing up I had always imagined and planned for my life to be, finish high school, get accepted into university, graduate from university, find a job and work for the rest of my life. This was the ideal plan and it perfect to me but then, high school happened.
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Prior to entering into high school, I was student who excelled academically I would have considered myself as a competitive student among my peers. When I entered into high school, I was bottom of the chain. The student I was prior high school didn’t reflect who I really was. I was judging myself and comparing myself with others and this two digit percentage that determined my intelligence. I was and am constantly beating myself up for not achieving the grades I want and the goals I had set. My greatest weakness is comparing myself with who I was and with my peers.

I can improve my weaknesses by one understanding that grades don’t mean everything. Yes, they are important but only to a certain extent. I can continue to work hard to improve my marks and I can seek for help from additional resources however, I need to stop taking my marks and comparing them with my peers. I need to force myself to understand that everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are different. I may possess a skill that someone else may look at as their weakness. It comes down to the fact that we are not all the same. We all strive to fulfill different ambitions in our life.”

– Carman

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“I think my greatest strength is that I pay a lot of attention to detail. I know that probably sounds weird as a strength but I’m very analytical so I can pick up a lot of things that I don’t think most people pay attention to. To tie in with that, I’m also a perfectionist so I think the work I produce or jobs I perform are generally of high quality, if that makes sense.

In contradiction though, I also think that my greatness weakness is my analytical mind and attention to detail. I notice minor changes in attitudes and I over-think everything, sometimes creating problems that shouldn’t have even existed in the first place. My mind is always constantly observing and inspecting everything around me that I always find myself feeling stressed. I’m working towards being more laid-back and less in my head but I don’t know if I’ve made much progress.”

– PaulinePositive-Quotes-27

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“I think my greatest strength is my understanding. No matter who the person is and whatever may be going on between us I always try to see where they are coming from as well.

My greatest weakness… there’s a lot. I’ll choose my hypocrisy. It’s like if something happens to someone I almost never blame them for it. But if it happens to me, no matter what it is, I feel like I have done something to deserve it in some way.

Am I happy with who I am? That’s hard to answer. I know that I am a good person, I am pretty funny, smart, kind and overall someone with a lot of potential. BUT, as someone who lives with depression it’s hard for me to completely believe that. Because of this depression I see myself in a very distorted way. But I have an amazing care team at South Health who are helping me work on that.

Yes I have flaws, yes there are things about myself that are obnoxious and annoying, and yes I am sometimes very immature, but I am pretty happy with who I am. I have a lot of great friends in my life and I still try to see the positive in every situation no matter how depressed I am. So overall I’d say that I am happy with myself, but there are still some kinks that I need to work on.”

– Sara
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“I think my greatest weakness is that I think about doing things more than I actually do them. Sometimes I’ll over analyze every outcome of the situation, other times I’ll just have really high expectations. Either way, there’s always some sort of fear holding me back- fear or failure, fear of rejection, fear of getting into trouble. I end up not actually doing anything and then regretting it later.

I think the way for me to deal with this weakness is to realize that the fear only lives in my mind, and stop myself when I catch myself overthinking an action instead of doing it. Then I would slowly get into the habit of just doing whatever it is.”

I think my greatest strength is that I’m always trying to learn. It keeps me humble and it keeps me curious.”

– Naoreen

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Strengths and weaknesses are like a diamond.

That is to say, your strengths and weaknesses are both valuable. They are a part of who you are, and you should embrace that. In order to grow, you have to continually reflect on who you are. Ask yourself questions: What can you be proud of? What can you work on? Formulate a plan and work towards it one step at a time. Eventually you will become confident in your identity, flaws and all. Don’t worry if you don’t feel that way yet, because we’re all still struggling, learning and growing.

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