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How to get better from being sick!

Courtney Mel
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Today, I will be talking about 5 steps to help you get better when you are sick! With Spring here, it means allergies, flu and also colds! So what better way than to tell you how to feel better quick!

1. Medical Advice. If you are sick with something, it’s a good idea to go to the doctor to find out what is wrong and possibly get prescribed medicine. It is always the first thing you want to do when you are feeling sick.

2. Fluids and plain food.  When you are sick, the best thing to do is drink lots of water and eat plain food. Like toast or crackers! Never eat anything else that will make your stomach upset.

3. Warm baths. The one thing I like to do when I am sick is take a warm bath! It will make you feel great and it is good to relax in.

4. Lots of rest! The other most important thing when you are sick, getting rest of course! Lots of sleep helps you get more energy when you wake up, you will feel great when you wake up from getting lots of rest.

5. Tea! This is great for when you have a cold or a scratchy throat when you are sick. Is getting to drink some tea with some honey in it.

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Look in the Mirror: A Political Poetry Commentary

Elene Otte
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[Image Source]

For my fellow Albertans, we know that occasionally (well often) the political system can be frustrating. Recently, one of Alberta’s premiers was asked about the financial crisis many Albertans understand the reality of only too well. A comment about ‘looking in the mirror’ set not only Albertans on edge but trended Canada-wide on twitter (#PrenticeblamesAlbertans). He later clarified the statement but the damage had been done. Now we face a bi-annual election in the near future after the new provincial budget was released, reintroducing health premiums. The flipside to Prentice’s comment was not an accusation but rather a call to work together to solve the problems facing Alberta.

Seemingly obvious solutions conveyed through political cartoons. [Image source]

Money money money

The source of too many worldly problems

Trying to make ends meet

While they fray at the edge

–

We’re just looking for a scapegoat for our problems

Not owning up, not looking forward

Stuck in the past we’re so concerned with

Stuck in our ways we’ve always followed

–

People don’t change, not really

When things go well, we’ll support whoever

When things are bad, we want something new

Someone new

–

Not all of us can afford to just replace one with another

When the going gets tough we don’t see the tough get going

We see more people on the benches

Unwilling to be the change we need to see

–

And I’m right with you there

I’m happy on my warm spot on the bench

I’ve put my effort into comfort and stability

But it’s time to reach for more instead

–

We’re accusing our leaders that we elected, that we said we wanted

For being out of touch with us

Who made them leaders in the first place though

Are we any more in touch?

–

Just like with WWI blame is so hard to lay

It depends upon your stance and standing

It depends upon what you understand

Upon what you’ve been told

–

Would we make better leaders

Honestly ask yourself this

Would you understand me

Any more than I don’t understand you?

–

People rarely change

Because we don’t want to

We’re happy in our cocooned world

Of comfort and peace

–

Only when friction occurs

Are we willing to fix the cause

Smooth out the path before us

In the only way we see how

–

If the driving force of change is us

Then the driving force of sameness

Also resides in us, so maybe perhaps

Prentice is half right

–

We all need to look into the mirror

But not as an individual with a world of responsibility

But as a world of collectives capable and able together

To achieve the most incredible things.

[Featured image source]

Create change globally and locally

Simin Hans
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I am a girl in Grade 11, and I have access to education. Everyday I get the opportunity to read new literature, enrich my knowledge regarding chemicals, and physics, and am able to enjoy myself through my art class. I took school for granted, but in reality it is a luxury. In a society that has come so far, there are many children out there who do not have access to simple schooling.

 

Fact: 31 million girls are still out of school

Free the Children is an organization that strives to empower youth to create change for the better, and diminish global issues such as accessibility to education, clean water, and health security. They create alternative income, and food security. These five pillars are interconnected.

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We, the youth, can create change through small acts, and make a huge difference. Today, as I am writing this blog post, I am hoping to create change through raising awareness regarding global issues, and inspire you to take action and be part of this ongoing global movement.

BE PART OF THE CHANGE? How?

This April 16th be part of the We are Silent Campaign! For 24 hours go silent for the millions of girls who have been silenced in the face of harsh conditions such as poverty, and the exploitation and denial to their basic human rights.

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”
– Malala Yousafzai

 

Everyone Could Use Some Therapy

Jessica Liu
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The battle between the advocates for mental health awareness and the prevalent stigma surrounding the issue has become clearer than ever. I’d just like to take a moment and ask – why the stigma in the first place? While the habit to classify and categorize things is helpful in understanding them… taking the next step means acknowledging the fact that NOBODY IS PROBLEM-FREE! We could all benefit from some healthy therapeutic treatment now and then, even when things are going amazingly well in our lives. Just having the de-stressing opportunity to discuss, analyze, and reflect on yourself – in healthy doses – could unearth incredible discoveries! Becoming acquainted with oneself is an essential ingredient to true happiness and success… why else do you think we waste so much time (at least I do,) on BuzzFeed taking “if you were a superhero, who would you be?” type quizzes? Of course, regular therapy sessions are quite the wallet drainer, so it may not be ideal. Nonetheless, simply being open to talking things out, and to the idea of therapy would do wonders in the struggle against social stigma, whether you suffer from a widely recognized illness or not.

Ask yourself: “If there were no financial or scheduling burdens involved, would I be willing to have a conversation with a psychologist about my life? Even if I’m as happy as a bee right now? “

Often, we reject it for the wrong reasons, such as fearing the implications it has on our own “ability to deal with things”. But it’s never that simple, because therapy is NOT a magic potion. It’s more like a pair of flippers that help you swim faster to the shore. In the end, you’re still fighting the waves with your own strength, even if you’ve got some gear on your feet.

Other times, it’s fear for what others will think of us. But if they question your motives, just direct them back to this blog post!

If you’re still reading, thanks for sticking around! I’d like to express my gratitude with a few fun online quizzes, linked below for your convenience! 

Personality trait:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/lorynbrantz/can-we-guess-your-personality-based-on-this-one-question#.wyqLw8a4J

The first impression you make:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/emmamariemusic/what-are-peoples-first-impressions-of-you-11sp6#.opNVQv6Px

How much do you like chocolate?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jeanlucbouchard/can-we-guess-how-much-you-like-chocolate#.vqrQ5NE4X

Which Fast & Furious film are you?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/which-fast-furious-film-are-you#.dpPYjbnO3

Which 90’s Sitcom character are you?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/samweiner/which-90s-sitcom-character-are-you#.bwOl8dy7E

Which breakfast food are you?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/danielkibblesmith/playing-internet#.enzb40PqV

Which tiny little animal are you?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/joannaborns/which-animal-are-you#.nbbZnd5eg

What comforting thing do you need to hear?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/emmamariemusic/what-comforting-thing-do-you-need-to-hear-most-rig-11sp6#.gkBQzx7a4

Review: Danny Collins, The Movie

Serena Gadamsetti
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Second chances are rare to have, but when given, it’s basically the universe telling you to get your life together and own up to what you know you have to do.

Inspired by a true story, my biased towards Al Pacino and his portrayal of the golden boy eagerly claiming his fame with an aging audience, that resonated with me. Danny Collins is a proclaimed rockstar; living the high life, (literally) and partying like a 20-something year old. The satire in this film takes the serious and emotional edge off and Hope, Danny’s granddaughter brought a smile to my face every time she was on screen. So if you’re into happy endings and people changing for the better and cheesy, sassy jokes, you’ll enjoy this one.

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Filmed in present day, Danny is a 1970’s aging rockstar who parties hard, snorting coke from the cross he keeps around his neck and drinking himself into a stupor nightly. When his manager (Christopher Plummer) finds and gifts him a letter John Lennon wrote him 40 years earlier, Danny decides it’s time he turns his life around. The letter John wrote entailed that the lifestyle he was submerged in was not expected of him, “Stay true to yourself, stay true to your music.” It was his choice if he wanted to change his values and morals to fit the the fame he had, or continue living a life he was happy with, with the added luxuries. Danny needed to find where he fit into the mould, but never let it overcome him.

I usually enjoy movies based on true stories, or inspired by them and this one was no exception. The real life Danny Collins, Steve Tilston is a story that isn’t nearly as cliche and warming to the heart, but the man himself says he was definitely inspired by the letter he received from John Lennon.

danny-collins-foto-01

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Regardless of where you go in life, family is always something you need to keep a strong bond with. I liked that one of the first decisions Danny made was to try and fix things with this son and family. He didn’t completely have his life together yet, but he made a conscious effort to work on both, and his family more than anything.

Obviously like any feel good movie, it’s going to end in a positive way. Danny’s son, Tom was battling a rare form of leukaemia in his blood, but Danny, learning to be a caring father, sticked around to help him battle through. The emotional attachment was strong while watching it. Audiences don’t want to see anything bad happen to struggling characters that they feel a connection to, so as a result, it’s going to be a happy ending, unless directors want to change it up on you.

DANNY_COLLINS_ANNETTE_BENING

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Like any sappy film, there has to be a love interest. In the case of this movie, I genuinely enjoyed who they casted to portray Danny’s affection interest. Mary Sinclair, (Annette Bening), is a woman who doesn’t justify her success by a man. Yes, by the end of it she is very much infatuated by this genuine guy who has finally changed for the better. At the beginning she chose to stand her ground and make Danny work and wait for a date with her, I liked that. Even though it ended up with them being all cute and flirty, it’s nice to see both of the love interests have character development on their own. Pacino’s character being the lead, it was obvious there had to be character development there, but for Bening’s character it was good to see her loosen up and grow comfortable with Danny, but still keep her personality.

Danny-Collins-Movie

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Over all, I was a fan of the movie, I did enjoy it! Movie critics were generous for a film that was so predictable, but wasn’t bad at all. (It’s a feel good movie, everyone secretly enjoys those.) These are my opinions, but in order to make your own, catch Danny Collins in theatres April 10, 2015.

Danish Homestay: Attending School + Trip to Aalborg

Hui Wen Zheng
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0

Over the past few days I’ve gotten the chance to attend some classes here at Støvring Gymnasium and have definitely come to realize the major differences in the education systems of Canada and Denmark. It definitely does take very much explaination and comparison, something I will dedicate an entire blog post to once I am back in Canada (and cramming for upcoming exams).

In the course of our school visit, we have been completing a group project between Canadians and Danes that will see us comparing the differences in crime, education, healthcare, poverty, and the labour market. Our particular group received healthcare, and we have found that the systems are similar in many ways but also quite different. Both countries provide universal healthcare to its citizens, but what it covers is very different. Under the Canada Health Act, provinces have the right to choose what “essential” health services they will provide at their expense, which causes discrepancy between regions of Canada. In Denmark, it is all the same and much more is covered by the government here. Things like long-term care is all finaced by the government, which is definitely a stress-reducer, considering how problematic this may be for Canadians. Once again, this is a very broad topic that I would like to elaborate on later.

Canadian students followed their hosts to their classes on Tuesday, and in my case it was music. I found it interesting because rather than being a band class, they instead learned about all types of musical effects and instruments. The class even began with a few songs everyone gathered around the piano to sing. I had my doubts about who would sing since I would not have expected it in Canada, but the entire class more or less sang loudly. I was told by a friend who had lived in Germany and Switzerland in her childhood that they did that in her school too. It seems to be a very European thing to do and it brings to view their appreciation of the social value of  music and the enjoyment of it and universality of it. Rather than making the students learn an instrument, they can instead learn about the effects used in songs they listen to and music in general. That definitely opens up the opportunity to study music to those who cannot play an instrument and is much more inclusive. After school, which on that particular day ended at 2:10pm, we took the train to Aalborg, the 3rd largest city in Denmark, to eat and do some shopping in it’s plentiful pedestrian-only streets.

image

The city greatly reminded me of Copenhagen and housed many historical buildings and copper statues. However, it also had quirks of it’s own. The town centre is very close to the sea and the city has a large and valuable port for the import of goods. It also has a famous bar and nightclub street, Jomfru Ame Gade, that we took a stroll down. Our hosts had told us that they often come down to party there, which brings me to my next point of the Danes being very open to things like drinking. Scandinavian children are “confirmed” at church at the age of 13, and from then on they are given the same judgement as adults in many ways. This allows them to make conscious decisions for themselves about when to attend school and what they want to do, even if that includes drinking. That type of trust placed on a young individual is yet another example of the trusting nature of the Danes that I have encountered so much of during my stay here. It also highlights some major differences in social behavior from Canada to Denmark.

YYC Festivals: Volunteer Opportunities

Kandace Peroramas
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As Calgarians impatiently wait for the snow to clear up (permanently), the city can then officially welcome the start of festival season! This time of the year happily brings people from all quadrants to celebrate the lively culture Calgary has to offer. Having gone to a fair share of festivals myself, there is no doubt that those events could not have happened without the tremendous work of volunteers. Rain or shine, they are always willing to give a helping hand to all festival-goers. Although it is fun to experience the festival itself, being part of the behind-the-scenes stuff is just as rewarding!

Note: (**) means that there are information for that specific festival that has yet to be announced.

 APRIL:

1. Calgary Underground Film Festival

If you like independent films, CUFF is the place to volunteer!

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When: April 13-19, 2015

Where: Globe Cinema (617 8 Avenue SW)

• Sign Up here!

MAY:

2. Calgary International Children’s Festival

I will be volunteering at this festival, so if you have any questions about the sign-up process, contact me!

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When: May 20-23, 2015

Where: Multiple venues at Arts Commons (205 8th Avenue S.E.) and outside on Olympic Plaza (228 8 Ave SE)

• Sign Up for INDIVIDUALS here. School and Group applications have filled up.

3. FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival

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When: May 28 – June 7, 2015

Where: Venues can be found here and here.

• Sign Up here!

4. Fourth Street Lilac Festival

Shake off your winter blues and celebrate the start of festival season!

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When: May 31, 2015 (10am – 6pm)

Where: 4th Street SW from 13th Ave S. – Elbow Drive

• Sign Up here!

JUNE:

**5. Sled Island Music and Arts Festival

The perfect way to discover new music, films, and art!

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When: June 24-28, 2015

Where: Multiple venues – TO BE ANNOUNCED

• Stay tuned for this year’s sign up!

JULY:

6. Fiestaval Latin Festival

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When: July 17-19, 2015 (11am – 11pm)

Where: Olympic Plaza (228 8 Ave SE)

• Volunteer Information here and Sign Up form here (don’t be alarmed by the “FIESTAVAL 2014”!)

7. Calgary Folk Music Festival

FolkFest

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When: July 23-26, 2015

Where: Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave SW) – Map can be found here.

• Volunteer Information here; RETURNING VOLUNTEERS here and NEW VOLUNTEERS here.

8. Calgary International Blues Festival

Love Blues music? Now’s your chance to volunteer!

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When: July 27 – August 2, 2015

Where: Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9 Ave SW)

• Volunteer Information here and Sign Up here!

9. Calgary Fringe Festival

For the comedy and theatre lover!

calgaryfringe_logo

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When: July 31 – August 8, 2015

Where: Multiple venues – See the schedule here.

• Volunteer Information here and Sign Up here!

AUGUST:

**10. Inglewood Sunfest

I volunteered last year and it was extremely fun! I will definitely volunteer again this year.

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When: August 1, 2015 (10am – 5pm)

Where: Mainstreet Inglewood (9th Avenue SE)

• Stay tuned for this year’s sign-up!

11. Afrikadey! World Music Festival

Get to know the African culture!

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When: August 5-8, 2015

Where: Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave SW)

• Volunteer Information and Sign-up here!

12. Marda Gras Street Festival

Who said Mardi Gras can only be celebrated in New Orleans?

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When: August 9, 2015 (10am – 5pm)

Where: Marda Loop (33rd and 34th Avenues SW)

• Volunteer Information and Sign-up here!

**13. Calgary International Reggae Festival – Updated website coming soon!

{Source}

When: August 13-15, 2015

Where: Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB)

• Stay tuned for the Volunteer Application on May 15, 2015!

**14. GlobalFest

I attended last year and the food, night market, and fireworks were phenomenal!

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When: August 20-29, 2015

Where: Elliston Park – Access information into the park here.

• Stay tuned for Volunteer Information and sign-up in May!

15. Expo Latino

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When: August 28-30, 2015

Where: Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave SW)

• Sign Up here!

SEPTEMBER:

16. Calgary Highland Games

“Whether You’re A Scot….Or Not”

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When: September 5, 2015 (9am – last call @ 6:30pm)

Where: Springbank Park for All Seasons (32224A Springbank Rd)

• Volunteer Information here and Sign-up here!

**17. Beakerhead

For the future artists, scientists, and engineers!

{Source}

When: September 16-20, 2015

Where: Multiple venues – TO BE ANNOUNCED

• Volunteer Information here; RETURNING VOLUNTEERS here and NEW VOLUNTEERS here!

**18. Calgary International Film Festival

{Source}

When: September 23 – October 4, 2015

Where: Multiple venues – Information here.

• Stay tuned for Volunteer Information in the Summer!

I hope you found something you were interested in volunteering at! Have fun and enjoy the experience.

“Without movement there is no Life…We should use our energy to the fullest.” – Ai Qing

Best wishes,

Kandace  🙂

Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Race For Eight

Obayd
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As many of us know, the Stanley Cup playoffs are just around the corner! Hockey fans around the world are getting ready for 2 months of sheer joy. But before the playoffs begin, eight teams from both the eastern and western conference must qualify. This week I will be looking at the western conference, and the teams that have the best chance at qualifying.

http://www.mama-knows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/stanley-cup-playoffs.jpg
Image Credit

Currently, six teams have secured a playoff spot in the western conference. There are only two spots remaining, and with 2-3 games left to play for every team, things are getting heated. The Jets are sitting at 7th with 96 points, the Flames at 8th with 95 points, and the Kings at 9th with 93 points. Every team sitting below the Kings are out of a playoff spot, so two of these three teams mentioned will make it to the playoffs.

http://wallerz.net/calgary-flames/
Image Credit

It is very difficult to decide which one of these teams will qualify. Lets take a look at the Flames first. With only two games left to play against the Kings and Jets (how ironic) the Flames will be facing off against the two teams they are competing against for a playoff spot. I think that the Flames will win both of these games. Lately, both Hiller and Ramo have been performing extremely well as goaltenders. Hudler and Monahan lead the team in goals scored, and considering their aggressive playing style, they will likely give it their all against the Kings and Jets. Johnny Gaudreau has been the star of the Flames lately. He is currently leading all rookies in the league. Giordano and Wideman are also doing an excellent job on defence. With all of these players combined, we can expect the Flames to come up big against both the Kings and Jets. I also believe that they can win both games because lets face it, the Flames have been doing terrible for the past few years. They know that this is the last chance they will have until next season, and this extra drive will push them to do even better.

Image Credits: http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/HKN_NHL_TAMPA_BAY_LIGHTNING3.jpg
Image Credits

In regards to the Jets, I think that they will also qualify for the playoffs. They currently have two games remaining, one against the Avalanche and one against the Flames. If they beat the Avalanche, they will secure a playoff spot. Since they will be playing against the Avalanche first, this essentially secures them a playoff spot. Why, because Colorado has been doing awful lately. They are sitting near the bottom of the conference, and none of the players are motivated, because their season is basically over. The Jets are extremely eager to win, considering that they have also been doing terrible for the past few years, similar to the Flames.

Image Credits: http://sportspeak.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/dm_140403_nhl_kings_coyptes_highlight-512x324.jpg
Image Credits

The L.A Kings, in my opinion, will not have a chance at the playoffs this year, only for one simple reason. They are a very strong team, but they are not even half as eager as the Flames or Jets. Of course they want a playoff spot, but both the Flames and Jets have been dying for this opportunity for years, and the time has finally come. Both teams will play their hearts out, which is why I ultimately believe that the Jets and Flames, along with the other 6 teams that have clinched a spot will make the playoffs this season.

Weekly Pinterest Top 10 (#10)

Ailin Li
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Pinterest #10

{Original Image}

This is it! The moment I have been waiting for! The 10th instalment of this series. You have no idea how truly beautiful this moment is to me. Thank you, to those of you who have stuck out with me and this series for these past 10 weeks (probably more considering I didn’t actually post consistently). Alas, since this series has dragged on long enough, I think we’re at a good place to end it off. Life is getting pretty busy from here, and I just don’t have time for Pinterest anymore. If you would still like to see all of these posts, you can always make an account on Pinterest for yourself! For all the previous posts in this series, you can visit the links provided: Weekly Pinterest Top 10 #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, and #9.

{Art}

art

Being able to draw is a wonderful gift, one which I was not bestowed with. I have always marvelled at the amazing things other people have been able to produce with their hands and imaginations. Sometimes, though, artists need to take a step back and not take themselves so seriously. This hilarious Tumblr text post demonstrates that perfectly. Artists know that they have this wonderful power to create, and sometimes they get tired of living up to expectations for beautiful art. But these illustrations are still pretty beautiful in themselves.

{Beauty}

beauty

One should never underestimate the ability of lipstick to totally transform your face. That extra pop of colour can really highlight your features and give you a bold look, if done right. But the only pitfall to wearing lipstick is having to deal with the smudging and bleeding. This trick is often used in theatrics, and by privy makeup gurus, to help your lip colour stay on all day (without all that smudging and bleeding).

{Decor}

decor

Despite the heavy clouds and constant snow, it is undeniably spring time. Nothing says “spring” more to me than foliage. Potted plants, green leaves on trees, all that good nature stuff that we don’t see too much of anymore. For the most part, flower pots are boring. The more decorative ones, should you ever find them, tend to be quite costly. The obvious solution is to throw in a DIY! The paint-splattered look is super in right now and you can apply this idea to things beyond clay pots. The best part about DIYs is that you can alternate the tutorial however you want, to fit your personal preferences. Maybe this will inspire you to get some good ol’ potted plants in your home.

{Fashion}

fashion

The weather outside might be horrible right now, but let’s just admit that we all stay indoors most of the time, anyways. I’m the type of person who can never manage a big closet, because I always gravitate towards the same articles of clothing, and then end up wearing the same outfits over and over again. If you are like me, then it is perhaps time to consider making little charts like this with your own clothes. Here, the original poster has taken some very basic tops and bottoms, and some statement jackets, and thrown them into a variety of fashionable combinations. Accessories and shoes are what makes an outfit, not necessarily the clothes themselves. Try something new this spring, and invest in some nice bags and scarves!

{Food}

food

Today, we have yet another super simple breakfast recipe. All you need to do is throw together whatever ingredients you like as toppings, and then cook in a skillet. It’s super easy and will result in minimal dishes needing to be washed. If you tend to be lazy in the morning, you could also make these the night before and store them in the fridge. What I love about this recipe is how you can customize it any way you want. You can make it healthier meal or snack option, turn it into a healthy dessert, or some finger food for a college dorm party. The possibilities are limitless. (Disclaimer: The possibilities are limited, don’t get too crazy.)

{Hair}

hair2

Knowing how to part your hair can be a tricky ordeal. It’s one of the easiest ways to change up your look without having to change too much. It’s also the most reversible alteration, should you decide that you don’t enjoy your new part. You might have played with your hair before by adding bangs, having no bangs, changing up the colour, the whole nine yards, but a part change may be just what you need to start fresh.

{Laugh}

laugh

To this day, “my mom said no” is still the ultimate excuse to get out of doing something. You want to go see a movie? Sorry, my mom said no. You want me to help you build a table? Sorry, my mom said no. Nobody would dare defy a “no” from mom, but now, with modern technology, you can make you argument infallible.

{Live}

live

Ever since I found this little collage, I have been trying out the stress-relief and Quadratus Lumborum stretches (almost) every day. They really do help to take your mind off of things and limber up. I like to do the stretches when I get home from school, or about halfway through the day on the weekends. Stretching exercises (such as yoga and Pilates) my favourite form of exercise because they don’t require much equipment and are fast and convenient. You don’t have to convince yourself to get dressed up, plan out a route to the gym or to jog along, or worry about anything else. You could literally roll out of bed in your pyjamas, roll out a yoga mat (or not, you don’t even need a yoga mat, to be honest) and just stretch for a good 5-10 minutes. Then, carry on your merry way the rest of the day. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out blogilates and hit the mat!

{Love}

love

I hold a special place in my heart for dashes, because they are one of the most overlooked little guys in language. Being the total English nerd that I am, I have chosen to advocate for these forgotten ones. It’s infuriating to me when people don’t use dashes correctly. “You can’t even tell the difference,” many people protest. But I assure you, someone does. And one of those someone’s is me. Those of us with laser, hawk-eye vision are trained to hone in on your dashes when we see them; we have been trained for years in the Himalayas to discern the difference between those three lengths of dashes. Now that you know the difference, I’m sure that it will come to haunt you. Sooner or later. It will haunt you…

{Nails}

nails

Nail polish is all fun and games the first few days. You pick out a design, slave over getting the right colours, prep and paint, then wait to dry. But eventually, that nail polish starts to chip, no matter what heavy-duty top coat you use. Within a week, all that hard work is reduced to a chipping mess. Then, you have to go through the process of taking off all that nail polish and starting again. This last part, the nail polish removal, is what deters me from ever wanting to paint my nails. It’s damaging, time consuming, and smells bad. Luckily, the original poster devised a way to make the process a bit easier and less arduous.

Hopefully you were able to find something in this post that made you laugh, inspired you, or just wasted a good few minutes of your time! Again, you can check out all of the other top 10 lists I’ve made these past few weeks by clicking the links at the beginning. I will have a lot more, different and better, content coming out now that my time isn’t being used on these posts so look for them in the near future!

FTC: This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions are completely genuine. ♥

A History of Unusual Trends

Michelle Hua
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Large, Powdered Wigs

In 17th century Europe kings, nobility and aristocrats could be recognized by their large, powdered wigs. This trend began when King Louis XII was mocked for being prematurely bald. To conceal his head, he used a sizeable curly wig to demonstrate his status. It soon became a fad all over Europe, as it displayed wealth and rank.

Foot Binding 

Foot binding or “Lotus Feet” was a custom in China that usually represented wealth and was a symbol of beauty. Young girls  would have their toes and the arch of their foot forcibly broken and then bandaged in order to keep their feet at a desirable size. The upper-class would often be seen following this trend, as it showed they did not have to work in the fields and were therefore well-off.

Chopines

Like foot binding and large, powdered wigs, chopines were symbolic of status. Initially, chopines were created to protect a woman’s shoes and to help tread through the muddy streets. However, they soon represented the social standing of the wearer, the wealthiest women would be seen wearing chopines that were up to 50 cm tall!

Bird-like Masks

In the 14th century, most of Europe was infected with the Black Death. During this time people believed in miasma theory, which was the belief that the plague was caused and spread through bad smelling air. As a result, doctors wore a frightening costume consisting of a bird-like mask that was filled with sweet or strong scented things, an overcoat, boots and a stick to poke patients with to avoid being infected.

Patches

Patch

The Romans used patches of velvet or leather to cover skin imperfections such as blemishes and pretended they were beauty marks. Patches were often placed above the lip or near the eye.

Meet Albertan YouTuber Brendon Whatley

Thalia
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbX8M-iPJhE

YouTube is one of my favourite websites to date. You can find so many cool things there. You can learn how to Tibetan throat sing, fake an Irish accent or how to do your hair as if you were in the 1920s. You can also find a lot of cool people! They could be beauty gurus, be masters in DIY crafts, nerdy baking, good old vlogs, and they could perform very funny comedic skits.

YouTube is an incredible site that connects people around the world. It has allowed creative individuals an outlet for their ideas and helped expand themselves in their field. All of those people that we subscribe to started out somewhere, an idea.

A lot of these cool people can seem very far away and though the idea of maybe starting your own YouTube channel has come across your mind, it’s fleeted due to thinking it an impossibility.

Meet 17 year old Albertan YouTuber Brendon Whatley. He started posting videos on his channel in 2014 and throughout that time he has gained almost 2,000 subscribers and counting. Brendon grew up in a quiet, supportive Albertan household with his only sibling Evan. Throughout his life, Brendon was heavily involved in visual arts. To this day he still loves drawing & painting, he has even decided to take up animation in post secondary. However he has another passion on the side, making YouTube videos. Creating a channel has been an interest of his for quite a while but only recently has he decided to pick it up. He has poured hard work and dedication into all of his videos and is keen to improve his content with each new video as he goes on.

It’s hard to find YouTubers that aren’t on the other side of the world. Since it’s rare to find an active and engaged YouTuber near my tiny little world I thought it’d be interesting to interview him and ask him questions that perhaps you wanted to know as well about things YouTube related.

“If you’ve thought about it, do it. Don’t second guess yourself, that only wastes time, and if it turns out you don’t like doing it (for reasons other than hate) then stop, at least then you’ll know for sure.”

 

What inspired to start your YouTube channel?

I had always wanted to make a channel ever since I discovered YouTube, like 6 years ago but I thought I was too young, and no one would watch me or that I would get a lot of hate, so I never did start. But then just last year I found channels like NerdyAndQuirky or jennxpenn that are both around my age who also started quite a while ago. I immediately regretted not starting sooner, and I began regular uploads that summer.

What kind of style is your channel? 

I like to think of my channel as “genre-less.” I use YouTube as a creative outlet, and I don’t like to be limited to a certain area of content, sure I don’t make beauty tips videos, nor would I even be good at that but I create what I want to create and that’s how I like it.

What inspires you to make each video or just in general?

I get a lot of my inspiration just going about my day to day life, if I see something, read something, learn something, or if something happens to me it might spark some sort of idea to which I later expand on.

How do you come up with original ideas?

Personally, my brain is all over the place, and I think of random stuff all the time. Every once and a while, I realize “hey I could make a video on this.” And I type it out on this list on my phone before I forget. Then when it comes time where I’m in the mood to film I go to my list, pick an idea, write down some key words/topics I want to talk about in my video and begin filming.

Where do you want your channel to go?

In the end I just want my channel to be found by who it needs to be found [by], I love being able to cheer anyone up and if being goofy on the internet is the way to do it, so be it. I want to be able to turn someone’s day around, because sometimes a good laugh is all it takes.

Who are your favourite YouTubers?

Personally, I like anybody like Grace Helbig or Ricky Dillon because our sort of personalities are the same, I have the same humour mindset, and I can relate to them.

How did your family and friends react to your YouTube escapades?

My mother was a bit weary at first because she believed every other person on the internet is a pedophile, but I managed to convince her that wasn’t true. As for my friends I actually kind of hid my channel from that at first because I figured they’d tease me about it. They eventually found out and to my surprise they actually enjoy it a lot, so I hid it for nothing.

Was it awkward talking to a camera at first? Do you plan on doing vlogs? How do you think you’d handle talking to a camera in public?

It was IMMENSELY awkward haha. But I got used to it and now it’s just like talking to a friend, except they don’t talk back. I can’t even imagine public vlogging though, like I already get weird looks from neighbours if I film outside or if they drive by my window. If I do vlog in the future, I’d only do it if a lot of viewers genuinely wanted me too, and I’d probably make a separate channel.

What are your career plans and does it involve YouTube? What does the future of your channel look like? Are you going to continue YouTube in college?

If YouTube is ever able to provide me with enough income to live off it, I still think I’d have a casual job on the side, preferably something in the visual arts. I’m going to university in the fall for a 2 year diploma in 3D animation, throughout that I plan to still do YouTube, although it may cut back on my current two videos a week schedule.

Who’s your target audience?

I like to keep my target audience as wide as possible but primarily for people around my age since they’ll be interested in the same things as me.

If someone is on the edge of creating and not creating a channel, what would be your advice?

If you’ve thought about it, do it. Don’t second guess yourself, that only wastes time, and if it turns out you don’t like doing it (for reasons other than hate) then stop, at least then you’ll know for sure.

What negative factors have you had to overcome in starting your own channel?

I’ve been very blessed not to get much hate on my videos, but I still do get a few comments here and there. The hardest factor to pull through is channel growth. It is so so easy to want to give up especially when you have less than 100 subscribers because growth seems impossible, when it honestly just takes time. I’ve learned to look at analytics actually as analytics and nothing more, not as a discouragement or motivator but as an insight as too how I’m doing, and what people like.

How long does it take to edit?

WAY TOO LONG. Editing usually takes longer than filming its can take me anywhere from 1hour to 3hours, yes it is hard, and no it’s not a quick and easy process.

How much have you invested in this? 

I invest roughly 8 or so hours a week into my videos. And all the money I’ve spent was this past summer when I was starting up. In total I’ve spent probably $1300+ since I started but that’s over the course of several months and someone doesn’t need as fancy things to make good quality content. You could probably get the same quality for $500 or less if you’re thrifty enough.

How do you get viewers?

For views to come in you need videos, so the more videos you have out there the more likely someone is going to stumble across one of yours and find your channel. Also, I make sure to keep active on social media and I have my channel link in your bio wherever I can, it helps draw in just that bit of extra traffic and lets viewers stay up to date with me.

What’s your equipment? Do you others in your life help you in the making of videos? Do you get help idea wise?

I use the canon T5i which you really don’t need if you want to do YouTube, I just like it because I enjoy photography as well. If you’re just making videos, and you want a DSLR I recommend the canon T3i, its HD and it works great, but you can also just use a digital camera for way cheaper. Just make sure it’s got at least 720p HD on it. I have a really cheap tri pod that was literally $20 and for editing software I use Hit film express, but I also got it for free on a promotion. I strongly advise against paying for editing software especially if you’re just starting out, they are very expensive, and you can just live off 30 day trials or the default editing software that comes with your computer. Help wise, I’m actually quite independent, I don’t know why. I come up with my own ideas and what not but for filming my mom has helped me get a few tricky shots before, other than that I just work by myself.

 

How did you get connected to other YouTubers?

Twitter and YouTube go hand in hand. It’s probably the best way to get talking with another you tuber. If you make a channel I strongly suggest making a twitter account for it. If you want to get connected with someone, just leave some nice comments on some of their videos, tweet at them say you like their stuff and don’t be afraid to direct message them on twitter if you can. As long as they’re a smaller channel they will more than likely reply. Just be nice and genuine, maybe suggest a collab with them even, and you’ll be friends in no time.

 

So there you have it. Wise words from our fellow Albertan. You should definitely check out his YouTube channel over here.

His other social media can be found bellow:

Instagram @brendonwhatley

Twitter @BrendonWhatley

google+ 

 

Make sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel to stay up to date!

Danish Homestay: First Half of Family Stay

Hui Wen Zheng
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Since meeting and staying with my host family for the past three days, I have learned much more about the values of the Danish people – more than just being in the country ever could. In my few days in Copenhagen, I was able to notice a few primary differences between how our perspective countries functioned, but the collective values and beliefs were yet to be reaffirmed. Now however, I can safely say that there are many differences between the two nations in all aspects of life.

When I first met my family at the Aalborg airport, I was greeted by open arms. Though I was unsure of whether a hand shake or hug would suffice, it was so kind for a family who had never met me to be so warm and welcoming and to open their arms and homes to me while I am here. Canadians have a reputation of being polite and friendly, however, I feel that the Danes are much more trusting and open. This is definitely one of the points that was reaffirmed for me in the past few days as I have observed and participated in normal life here. At a dog park we went to on the first day, there were hand-painted rocks for sale at one of the gazebos and instead of having a person there to control the exchange of money, it was unoccupied and it was trusted that the people purchasing the goods would pay for the full amount and not steal the money box. Even the security in many establishments are very lax, perhaps because the average violent crime rate here in Denmark is one of the lowest in the world. Our first day together was spent relaxing and eating ice cream in their RV camp at nearby village Øster Hurup. We also walked the family dog, Rico, at the mentioned dog park. There were many dogs all over the natural reserv as owning pets is a very common thing in this part of Denmark, the rate being every other household.

Since it was Easter weekend when we arrived, the students did not have school on monday. Instead, Støvring Gymnasium organized a trip to Skagen, the northernmost tip of Denmark and the place where both the Baltic and North Sea meet. That makes it one of the few places in the world where stepping in two seas at a time is possible. The town was first established in the 1400s, but has been Denmark’s primary fishing hub since the 1200s. It is also home to the famous Skagen painters, those that painted the scenery of Skagen and its amazing lighting. We ate a packed lunch in the garden in front of two of these painters, Anna and Michael Ancher’s, home before touring it shortly after. The house is preserved in the same condition as it was as the couple would have lived in, and the abundance of paintings in the building is breathtaking. This is another thing that the Danish value. Traditions are very much respected here, and that leads to things like old buildings being preserved and used to this day. In Calgary, most historical buildings have been torn down to make room for modern buildings. This causes a lost of culture that I think would be atrocious to the Danes. Every street in Denmark seems as if it is filled with an extensive history of some sort. All houses in Skagen (and most other cities) retain their original façade with the classic Skagen yellow paint, white trimming and fencing, and a red roof.

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After a climb and calming beach walk, we made it to the tip of Denmark. It is a small island of sand that can only be accessible if you roll up your pants and waddle across. Of course I had to jump on the opportunity, and it made for a lovely photo-op.

The northern part of Denmark is prone to extreme winds from the sea patterns, which causes sand to move together inland to form dunes. The so called “moving dunes” can shift as much as 18m per year, and are much more massive than can be imagined. It was almost like being in a colder desert. The day concluded with a ride back to the homestay, which most of us slept through, something I should be doing right now as it is 11:00pm.

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Till next time,

Hui Wen

YouTuber of YYC: Gerald Hopkins

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So over spring break, fellow blogger Tasha Hou and I decided to take a look at some YouTube channels. During our search we stumbled upon a channel that we think needs to step up it’s game – Gerald Hopkins.

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On a series that Tasha and Iwill be doing, we will be judging YouTube videos based on video quality, content, and editing skills. Now, upon reviewing Gerald Hopkin’s YouTube Channel, we decided to review one of his earliest videos called “How to Not Be a Total and Complete Loser”. So when you first watch the video, the editing seems to be okay. The audio and text are alright, and suddenly there’s two of Gerald Hopkins! Great editing skills! And then you get to the video. First of all the video quality seems too unappealing. If we had a nickel for every pixel in the video, we’d have a nickel.

Screen Shot 2015-03-25 at 10.44.28 PM

We now move our focus to the the advice he gives. On a serious note, when we pressed the play button on the video, we first of all expected some sort of advice that would transform my life or better yet, make me a better person. Now, don’t get us wrong his video editing skills are phenomenal and we love the fact that he spends a lot of time on his videos, but there are some things that are better kept unsaid. One of the pieces of advice he gives out to his YouTube audience is the fact that what is on the outside reflects what is on the inside and on this note we agree, but if that means changing their personality or who they are on the inside, then we would totally debunk his advice.

After the title screen, we see this picture of Gerald Hopkins looking like a nerd. This is a very bad example of a stereotype that rots today’s society. Because of people like Gerald Hopkins who publicly projects opinions and prejudices about a certain group of people, the world believes it is okay to bully and generalize people due to the way they look, speak, and act. In addition, his voice throughout the whole video was a bit monotone. As a YouTube viewer, you’d expect the voice of the person you’re watching to be mind-blowing or at least exciting in order to carry you, the viewer, along.

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According to Gerald Hopkins, apparently if you are hot, no one will criticize you, or call you ugly. If you are “ugly”, then people will call you ugly. There are always people in the world who won’t think you are attractive, and therefore will think you are ugly to them. So if you get hate once, according to Gerald Hopkins you should give up on life and change yourself or you will never be accepted by society.

For more of his videos check out his channel here. Gerald Hopkins is a rising YouTube star and we decided to give him some constructive criticism in order for him to step up his game, so show your support.

 

 

What to see in YYC: Weekend Preview April 10-12, 2015

Rebecca Yang
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With unexpectedly and unpredictable benign weather set for this weekend, it is the perfect time to get to explore Calgary and the events it has in store.

 

Taking Flight: Festival of Student Work

A previous performance from the University of Calgary's School of Creative and Performing Arts. Photo from: Citrus Photography.
A previous performance from the University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts. Photo from: Citrus Photography.

When: April 10-11, 7:00 P.M.

Where: University of Calgary

Do not miss the last weekend to experience a diverse selection of readings and from some of the brightest playwrights that our city has to offer. For the schedule and more information visit here.

 

Light it Up Calgary- Shine a light for cancer support

 

Source
Join your community in supporting cancer survivors this Saturday. (Source)

When: April 11, 8:00 P.M.

Where: Starting @Eau Claire Market

Gather your friends and family and join Wellspring Calgary in supporting our community members who have cancer.  You have the decision of a 3km, 5km, or 10km course that can be completed walking or running. All ages are welcome. Light up a headlamp and light up the strength for our whole community. For registration and more information visit here.

 

Dance@Night

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Watch some of Calgary’s best dancers and choreography take stage this weekend. (Source)

When: April 10-11, 8:00 P.M.

Where: University of Calgary

A popular weekend for the fine arts at the University of Calgary, as they showcase the works of their senior dance students. Visit here for times and ticketing information.

 

Calgary’s Got Classical Talent

The winners of the 2015 Calgary Concerto Competition(C3), from right to left: Yunzhi Han, Nicholas Kwan, Yan Li, and Peter Wang. Source
The winners of the 2015 Calgary Concerto Competition(C3), from left to right: Nicholas Kwan, Yan Li, Yunzhi Han, and Peter Wang. (Source)

When: April 12, 2:30 to 4:30 P.M.

Where: Jack Singer Hall

Showcasing the brightest of Calgary’s young classical talent, the winners of the Calgary Concerto Competition (C3) will grace the stage with the Calgary Civic Symphony. For more information visit here.

Youth of YYC: Anonymous, 17

Wentao
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YouthofYYC52

”I just want everyone to have hope. It might not be the same as The Shawshank Redemption, but I’ve escaped death so many times. Thoughts of suicide is a serious thing and shouldn’t be ignored. You deserve to live and make memories until you’re satisfied. Have confidence in yourself. It’s easier said than done, but the world wouldn’t be the way it is without you.

Personally, I’ve been through lots of hardship myself. My mother left me with my grandparents at an early age to work abroad, and I grew up as a smart student with a big attitude that was always involved in fist fights and being violent all the time; it might be because my grandfather was a police man so I was taught not to act too clumsy or weak in front of anyone. When he passed away, I had to go to Canada and live with my mother and stepdad who I’d never met, and half brother who was just born. I had a hard time adjusting and I was bullied for being fob, and my parents had anger management issues so I was very lonely.

Long story short; I have clinical depression, I have been sexually assaulted, and I was doing really bad at school. I couldn’t really depend on anyone because my parents can’t know either because they’re the type who would blame me for thing I didn’t do. I thought suicide was the only way out, and I’ve tried doing it so many times, yet something inside me always tells me that it’s going to get better, just wait. Even if I’m still holding on to that small string of hope, I’ll depend on it. You never know what kind of amazing future you’ll be missing out on.”

– Anonymous, 17

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