Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth.
YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them.
Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.
Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.
Yeah, yeah, the Patriots won the Super Bowl this year (can you tell I’m a West Coast fan?), but as usual, the day was more than the ultimate battle of football. The game comprised of an expected, dazzling half-time show courtesy of Katy Perry, and the illustrious Super Bowl time spot filled with a wondrous array of commercials. But this year, it seemed that the Super Bowl commercials enticed an additional war of emotions off the field. Yes, emotion is an effective tool that advertisers manipulate, but in 2015, we were exposed to a lost puppy, a PSA for domestic violence, an expected effort by Coca Cola to make the world a better place, the struggles of a #InvisibleMindy, and of course, Kim Kardashian’s desperate plea to save our data.
Check out some of the best Super Bowl 2015 commercials below:
Who could say no to an adorable puppy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAsjRRMMg_Q
The Super Bowl does it right and features a PSA on a very significant issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z_zWIVRIWk
We all just want to chase the sun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgevyjvywLs
Microsoft proves that technology is evolving, as they present a child the ability to walk again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLXRt-qRBfU
Congratulations to Jasmine for being February’s Blogger of the Month.
She may be young, but she is a literary force to be reckoned with. I am of course referring to Jasmine Ke, Youth Are Awesome’s Blogger of the Month. From the age of 14, Jasmine has shared with us her love for writing. This passion can be seen in some of her outstanding posts, such as, Finding Your Voice. She is a blogger who is never afraid to dive into the hard questions, like the debate between doing what you love or what reins in the big bucks when choosing a career. Her posts always provoke scintillating conversation and convey the essence of youth. Despite her young age, her eloquence is without a doubt beyond her physical years. Jasmine may seem reserved at first meeting, but through further conversation, one has the chance to peek into her fascinating mind.
Get to know Jasmine on a deeper level in our interview below:
Q. What/who inspires you to write?
I often like to associate myself with being a visual artist, as art is one of my stronger suits. Being an artist, I tend to observe my circumambient environment with more focus on details. By doing so, I find that inspiration comes from almost anything, from reading a new novel to watching the news or volunteering; inklings of creativity and inspiration is everywhere. I also tend to base a large portion of my articles on issues that I have and used to have with school life, writing, volunteering and so on. I believe I personalize my posts and address problems many youth may be experiencing. A place where I also draw revelations from is by conversing with peers, teachers or family and developing inquiries off of these discussions.
Who I draw inspiration from is difficult to pinpoint exactly. However, I can say that the wonderful volunteers at YAA are definitely one of the reasons for me to push myself more, as they are always a positive influence and continuously try to create a better environment for the YAA council.
Q. What made you want to join YAA?
At first, my purpose of joining Youth Are Awesome was to gain volunteer experience while enjoying my time by writing: one of the areas in which I was somewhat proficient in and loved to do. I also found this program to be an opportunity to practice and hone in on my language arts skills which are inextricably important to daily life. However, this quickly developed into more than just a volunteering experience as volunteering with fellow YAA youth assisted me in realizing that, with teamwork, youth can create a positive and influential environment.
Q. Many of your blogposts entice the youth perspective. How do you maintain this relevancy?
When writing my compositions, I often question myself using inquiries such as, ‘would I find this interesting’ and ‘how does this entertain and inform youth in an easy-to-digest fashion?’ I often bring my topics to my peers to ask if they would read such an article. Another tactic I use is interviewing youth the same age to gain perspective on my topics. However, more often than not, topics come from problems and difficulties I have; the articles automatically pertain to youth when written. In some cases, the ability for me to change an unrelated topic into a post that relates to youth involves transforming my compositions into editorials which can turn a story that is disconnected to youth into an opinionated piece from a unique aspect connected to youth.
Q. At your young age, what are your dreams and aspirations for the future? Do you think YAA can help you achieve this?
Although it is odd, I do not actually have any specific aspirations for my future. Many youth my age have already planned and structured their future education in order to achieve their objectives, however, I find that I am utterly useless in terms of determining a path for myself. In this manner, the answer to the question would be extremely vague as my ambitions for my career and future only includes the requirement of a challenging, changing and interacting career. What I impose through saying this is that I wish my job is one that will have different challenges everyday which I can discuss and analyze with different teams of co-workers. Through these expectations, I can say that YAA can assist me in gaining experience for working together with people and adapting and accepting others’ ideas.
Q. Which one of your posts is your favourite? Why?
Narrowing down all of my posts to a singular best piece is always something that I avoid, as I love all of my compositions. Because of this, I couldn’t choose one, but rather two. The first piece I would like to emphasize is my editorial on careers. I felt that this addressed a problem that many youth had, especially when nearing higher grades such as students in grade twelve or high school graduates. Although I did not have any firsthand experience, I developed two points of views from talking with my parents and researching opinion pieces online. I also believe that this piece was very personalized as well, as I was (and still am) having problems with choosing a future that I want to pursue. It was intriguing to see replies to my article as well, as I received feedback from many people expressing their opinions and I felt honoured that my article brought to many people’s attention.
My second composition was about volunteering and the controversy behind it… is volunteerism really an act of kindness in today’s society? I wrote this through observing my own faults as my motives of joining the YAA wasn’t to completely dedicate myself in the beginning either. However, I was exposed to an amazing community and, in some way, my source of propulsion changed. Through these observations, I created an article that had opinions contradicting YAA’s mission, making it my first ever ‘satyr-ish’ article. I really enjoyed composing this piece as well, as I could be as cynical as I wanted to be and show that there is a dark side to almost everything. Out of all my articles, this one was also the only one that had a negative, more critical tone to it, making it unique from my other compositions.
I sat down with my second book this week, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho. Let me point out that I have loved this man’s work, and I had hoped to read more of his stories after The Alchemist. It was one of the most recommended books on one of the lists I saw on Goodreads, which compelled me to buy it. Now that I’m done with it, I understand why it was so!
Plot
‘Eleven Minutes’ is the story of Maria, who, after being disillusioned by love at earlier stages in life, starts disbelieving in it. Her journeys take her from a small town in Brazil to Geneva, where she starts to work as a prostitute, having deep and insightful thoughts about herself and the world around herself all this while. She meets and falls in love with a painter, and her entire world turns upside down. She has to choose between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in this path of love.
Review
I absolutely loved the book! The characterization and plot moved at a wonderful pace. The writing was simplistic, and conveyed emotions very effectively. I can say that, because at one point, I broke down into tears because of all the feelings Maria’s thoughts invoked. Maria and Ralf were deep thinking well rounded characters, which was a nice addition to the plot.
The book is not just about love and sex, but also about life, and difficulties thrown at us by life. It contains important life lessons taught by Maria, as she overcomes the trials and tribulations that come her way.
“I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It’s all a question of how I view my life.”
Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
My favorite part of the book was definitely the ending, and those who have read the book know what I am talking about. I cannot say there were parts I didn’t like, because the book was perfect in every aspect. But as much as I liked the ending, it could have been less cheesier.
“Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.”
Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
Did you like the book? Let me know in the comments below, or on Facebook and Twitter. Now I’m off to read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
After Bianca discovers that she is the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) in her friend group, she sets out on a mission to find herself and and challenge the high school hierarchy. You can watch one of the many trailers above to get a taste of the vibe of the film for yourself. The film is rated PG-13, and if you’re not a fan of crass language, sexual innuendos, and partial nudity, then this movie may not be for you. If those three things I just described don’t bother you, then you are looking at a fun Friday night.
You can tell that the writers scooped all of the stereotypical characters from Mean Girls and Easy A, and gave the plot an online bullying twist. The story is about a girl in senior year of high school, Bianca, trying to find herself despite being “ugly” and “fat” in comparison to her super-hot best friends. The movie has received mixed reviews, and I must say that I am sitting on the fence about The DUFF as well.
First of all, I’d just like to say that the film ends exactly how you expect it to. (From the moment you see the girl-next-door living next to her super-hot childhood best friend, the end result is a no-brainer.) Now, I’m a sucker for cliches and cheesy endings, so I had no problem with this. Although, if you are somebody who hates predictability, then this movie may not be worth your time. There were some quotable lines and moments of unexpected humour, and despite the horrible things that happen to Bianca, the movie tries to remain optimistic and empowering. The entire point is to make everyone realize that it’s okay to be “the DUFF” and that not being pretty or thin doesn’t define who you are as a person. Speaking truthfully, I don’t think that this movie succeeded in getting that moral across.
The most controversy surrounding The DUFF comes from the fact that Mae Whitman, who plays Bianca (on the right in the picture), is neither ugly nor fat. The movie has tried to cover their tracks by stating that the DUFF doesn’t actually have to be ugly or fat, simply someone who is less attractive and more approachable than his/her friends. Alright movie, whatever you say to pacify the outraged crowds. Personally, the casting doesn’t bother me because I understand all the inner machinations of Hollywood. Also, since it’s rated PG-13 (as if people care about ratings anymore), I’m hoping that the people watching this movie will be mature enough to not be deeply psychologically troubled by the casting, either.
As well, The DUFF is based off of a novel by Kody Keplinger. According to fans of the novel, Madison (resident mean-girl) does not play as large of a part in the book as depicted in the movie. People are speculating that this was done simply to include Bella Thorne in a starring role, but I can’t really make any comment on this. I haven’t read the book, but the complaints people had about it seem to be reflected in the movie.
The entire plot is highly unrealistic and the characters are not very relatable at all. Yes, I understand that a movie doesn’t have to be realistic, but The DUFF has portrayed the stereotypical traits of each character to the extremes. It also plays up bullying and use of technology by teenagers to an extreme. Madison is mean and self-centred, but with the minimal character development you can’t even hate her. Wesley is a proclaimed jerk and airhead, but he’s only seen with one random girl in the entire film and actually consistently tries to be nice. Bianca’s two best friends, Jess and Casey, only have their “special” personality traits because those traits are essential to the end result of the plot.
At the end of the day, it’s just another love-cynical girl trying to change her image to fit in and conform to society’s beauty expectations. No matter how funny or quirky Bianca was, I just couldn’t see myself relating to her. I couldn’t even live her experience vicariously. The situation she was plunged into and the decisions she made before and after the incident were irrational and unjustified, despite the fact that she is painted as intelligent and responsible. Aside from Madison, every other character is also given a weak backstory. Where there is a backstory, it’s only to serve one or two punchlines and not to get you to connect to the characters. Despite not having fixed characters, there are times when out-of-character decisions are made. The verbal and physical humour seems to be the main focus of the movie. By doing this, any shred of learning or challenging of societal norms was thrown to the wind.
It seems to me that when The DUFF does eventually reach theatres, it’s going to be a hit-or-miss. There will definitely be articles upon articles written about setting back feminism a couple years, a sloppy portrayal of teenage girls, protest about body image in Hollywood, and complaints that it’s just another Mean Girls knockoff. On the other hand, there could be rejoice about a new-age entertaining chick-flick, thousands of people accepting their status as the DUFF in their own social circles, and girls/boys rising up to challenge the social hierarchy. Whatever happens, I will be sitting here with my popcorn in hand, waiting for the undoubtedly entertaining and controversial aftermath. Overall, I’d give the film 3.5 stars out of 5.
Those are just my two cents! In order to form your own opinions, catch The DUFF in theatres on February 20, 2015.
FTC: I was provided with passes to the advanced screening of this film, but all opinions remain completely genuine. ♥
Bananas. Immediately you may think of potassium and fiber; a fruit often eaten with your cereal and OJ. Yes, that much is true, but they are also much more beneficial than a simple sweet snack. Along with potassium, they are abundant with iron, zinc, amino acids, and antioxidants that give nutrients to your skin and hair. Bananas are a healthy source of vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well. However, what may not be as obvious of as a health source is the banana peel. The inner peel, is in fact, rich in nutrients as well!
Here are some of the great, yet unusual, ways to utilize the banana peel:
1) Teeth Whitener:
Cut off a piece of the peel and rub gently over your teeth, using the inner part of the skin. The high amounts of potassium, manganese, and magnesium in the ripe banana will help remove stains as well as whiten your teeth. Keep rubbing for 1-2 minutes, then rinse and brush your teeth right after.
It is true that cucumbers are popular for reviving tired, puffy eyes. Banana peels, however, can do the trick just as well. Simply lay the peels right on top of your eyes for a brighter, fresher look.
Banana peels are also ideal for targeting pesky blemishes and acne. Anti-oxidants and nutrients in the peels actually help reduce the breakouts. Just carefully rub the affected area with a strip of the peel. Do this for a few minutes and rinse afterwards. Try repeating this three times a day to reap in the most results!
Use banana peels as a moisterizer
4) Moisturizer:
Rub banana peels on dry areas to soften
and hydrate your skin.
Brighten skin with banana peels
5) Skin Brightener:
Using the same method as before, cut a strip and apply the inner side of the peel to your face. Rub gently and rinse afterwards. The minerals help brighten skin in the similar way it does for your teeth.
So, before you finish your banana and throw away the peel, stop and use some of these tips to get the most out of your snack!
I grew up watching cartoons on Cartoon Network, and I loved most of the cartoons that came on. However, there are just some cartoons that I absolutely despised, and I have listed three of the worst cartoons (in my opinion of course) here:
Dexter’s laboratory was quite a thrilling experience for me. The thought of having a lab that no one knew about was a pretty amazing secret to keep. I enjoyed this show throughout my childhood, until I watched an episode of it, a few days back. First of all, Dee Dee’s voice was so screechy and it drove me crazy! I also realized, very uncomfortably, that it contained a lot of mature adult content. I was really thankful that I did not realize this when I was younger. I feel like this ruined my childhood now!
This cartoon was never a personal favourite of mine, and I avoided it as much as I could. However, I was forced to sit through an episode of it once. I remember being super bored and the story did not interest me at all. Another thing I noticed was how the producers promote bullying. Ed, Edd, and Eddy keep bullying a small, insecure little boy named Jimmy throughout the show. The fact, that the bullying made children laugh all around the world, disturbed me very much. I, for one, was quite glad that the show stopped airing now.
Another annoying cartoon is Johnny Bravo. The plot-line is very boring and confusing, and it does not take long for your attention to move onto something else. Johnny, himself, is very irritating and constantly narcissistic. It was also immensely upsetting that I had to watch the episodes of that show while waiting for my favourite cartoon to come up next. Once my cartoon came, however, it felt like getting candy after being patient for a very long time!
The Mount Royal University Conservatory’s long awaited Bella Concert Hall and new facilities opened its doors to the public for the first time last Saturday in a lively open house that featured performances by members of their various choir programs, the Calgary Youth Orchestra, chamber groups from the Advanced Performance Program, and much more. Among the many talented performers who were some of the first to use the new conservatory was Yan Li, a 15 year-old high school student who has been playing the violin since the age of 5. Since her arrival to Calgary, she has made a name for herself in the MRU conservatory and has participated in many of their programs. I was fortunate enough to interview her about her experiences with the conservatory as well as what the new venues will mean for musicians like herself. The new conservatory is set to open this summer, and is definitely a must-see.
How long have you been involved in the MRU Conservatory and what programs have you participated in?
I am currently enrolled in the Advanced Performance Program and also have been a part of the Academy for Gifted Youth program since I was eight. I have also participated in the international exchange program Morningside Music Bridge for the past four years and was a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra.
How has the conservatory influenced you as a musician and a person over the years?
The conservatory is like a second home to me. The people I have worked with are amazing. Be it the conservatory’s very own musicians, visiting guest artists, or international students from Morningside Music Bridge, we simply connected through music. I was given the opportunity to work with other people who loved music, and those from different cultures too. We motivate each other through each performance and lecture. It’s truly inspiring for everyone and that’s what makes the conservatory a special place.
Can you describe your role in the groundbreaking of the new conservatory?
It felt like yesterday since I was invited to play at the groundbreaking. It was such a memorable date that indicated a start for a new project that benefits young aspiring artists like myself. The people in attendance included mayor Naheed Nenshi and the president of MRU, as well as the donors, who were the ones to start digging. There was actually a violin stored underneath the ground which the president pretended to play (although it was another person on the fiddle!). Following that, I began playing on the stage they had set up. It’s hard to believe the building is almost finished now and I will be one of the first in history to perform and learn in such a beautiful place!
How will the new conservatory benefit young musicians in Calgary?
Personally, it will be an incredible experience to play in such a nice concert hall with amazing acoustics. Such a nice venue will inspire us to play at Carnegie hall someday. As well, Bella will serve as a place for recitals and recordings.I will still think about the old building since it held many unforgettable memories in the narrow hallways and windowless practice rooms, nevertheless, I can’t wait to continue my passion for music in a new place and start a new adventure! I feel that my fellow musicians are just excited as I am!
What are you most looking forward to when it comes to the new conservatory?
I’m looking forward to everything including not having to fight over practice rooms and just having a more spacious and modern environment to learn in. The colour of the walls are nice and warm, which is comforting to practice in and the additional sound-proofing the in the new conservatory will make our practicing a lot less distracted. I’m most excited about the Bella Concert Hall, where the majority of the concerts will be held! Also, since the current conservatory has many smaller concert halls but not a larger one, the Bella will be a well-needed addition. I remember the entire CYO squished onto a stage that barely contained us! I am looking forward to the competitions, performances, and events that will be held there. The new conservatory is sure to become the epicenter for music here in Calgary.
Much thanks to Yan for sharing her thoughts. To see photos and a tour guide to the open house, check out Jessica’s post
The public eye has finally seen the inside of Mount Royal’s new Conservatory, as well as the beautiful Bella Concert Hall after 3 years of construction! While the building is still a work in progress, the open house on January 24th offered a sneak peek of the soon-to-be-glamorous musical palace.
Notably, the area went from this…
…To this! (Pretty impressive!)
A panoramic view of the building’s main entrance reveals a very modern and inviting design.
The color scheme coordinates beautifully with the interior scheme of creams, yellows, oranges, and browns.
Upon entering the building, the spaciousness and open-concept design become very apparent. You find yourself in a huge lobby, with the doors to the Bella Concert Hall in front of you, and a towering wall of glass behind you:
The Bella already has impressively engineered acoustic paneling in place to ensure optimal sound flow in the large, open space. Both the ceiling and the side walls are covered in wooden and plastic sound panels.
This is what you would see if you looked up at the ceiling… …And this is what you would see on the side walls around you
On the day of the open house, the esteemed Calgary Youth Orchestra (CYO) was performing inside the Bella as a prelude to the marvelous concerts yet to come. Since the stage was still under heavy construction, the CYO performed from the seating area instead. What an interesting reversal of arrangement!
This is the viewpoint musicians and orchestras would normally see audience members from. At least, it will be once the Bella is completed:
However, if your destination was not to enjoy a concert in the Bella, you would likely be headed down this hallway to one of the practice rooms or classrooms…
…Which look something like this! (Awesome paint and panel choices right?)
…Or this! (This one is likely for bigger masterclasses and recitals.)
The individual practice rooms are the same idea, just smaller:
The Open House was also an opportunity to see some of the Conservatory programs in action! Pictured here is the Calgary Boys’ Choir rehearsing together:
To end the tour, you would likely head upstairs to one of the West-facing rooms. Why? To observe none other than…
…The former Conservatory building!
How cool is that? You can literally look into the past and reflect on how far MRU’s music program has come!
Sometimes, I say words in English assuming that it’s an actual word, but turns out it isn’t? So I have compiled for you the English based Korean slangs that sometimes gets mistaken to be actual English words.
Some
This is the equivalent of “wheels” in nowadays English slang. It is when two people like each other and act like a couple. But they aren’t officially a couple because there was no spoken agreement that they are dating. Koreans say that you’re riding (like a wave) on some, which means that you have wheels. There, in fact, is a song that came out last year called Some.
Skinship
This is a mash up word of kinship and skin. It is used to describe intimacy, or the act of being intimate through a physical connection to the other person. It includes anything from tucking the other person’s hair behind their ears to holding hands to hugging and more. It doesn’t only apply in a male-female situation; you could be hugging your best friend of the same gender and still be considered to be doing some skinship.
This too is a mash up word of self and camera. While in English it is called a “selfie” in Korean, it is called selca. Similar to selfie, selca could mean a photo with a bunch of other people, but as long as you are holding up the camera to face yourself (and the other people) it is considered a selca. But the selfie sticks are called selfie sticks in Korean too.
Pronounced “hwaiting” or “pahiting”, people say this to cheer people on. It could mean “cheers”, “let’s go”, “do your best”, or “good luck.” No one really knows the origin of this word.
All-kill
In Kpop, this is a song that reaches the top in all music charts. However, it could be used for anything that involves levels and scores. The following song was the biggest hit in Korea. It is called Growl by Exo. It was awarded triple crown (first place for three weeks) on a music show and it had broke the highest selling album record that had not been broken for 26 years.
Antis
Specific to Kpop, these are the people who oppose Kpop. Not liking Kpop all that much does not make you an anti, you have to hate it, as much as the fangirls love it to be considered an anti. Antis can do anything from sending defaced pictures to celebrities to giving them a water bottle with glue in it.
Bagel Girl
It is another mash up word of baby in “baby face” and glamorous. This is a girl who has a baby face, a face that looks younger than the person’s actual age, but a glamorous, curvy body.
Bias
This is your favourite celebrity. A bias could be a single person or the entire group, in the case of Kpop idol groups. A bias ruiner, on the other hand, is a celebrity that threatens the position of your current bias. For example, one may say, “My bias was Sehun until I saw Luhan in his new movie. What a bias ruiner!” (Generally, the international, non-Korean fans of Kpop uses these terms). My bias is Sehun of Exo (as seen below), but I have not had a bias ruiner yet.
Short for commercial film, it is just an advertisement featuring a celebrity. Usually the CF not only promotes the product, but also the celebrity themselves. Sometimes CFs could be a parody of a song, drama, movie, etc. that the celebrity was featured in, or they could be just a normal advertisement that you’d see anywhere around the world. The following video is a CF filmed by Exo and the music is one of their own songs.
Comeback, concept
Both words have to do with Kpop, mostly, but they could apply to Kdramas too. Comeback is a new release (song, drama, movie, etc.). Concept is the theme they comeback with. Sometimes a Kpop group can have a single concept that they reuse with slight variations. Other times, they use a different concept with each comeback. The following is a comeback teaser video for Exo. (It will be coming out soon this year)!
In the winter, long hair is probably going to get static-y or frizzy due to the level of humidity and other factors. Over the years, I realized that rubbing small amounts (drops depends on the amount and thickness of the hair)of essential oil to the ends and surface of your hair may help to calm the frizz, but it will cause your hair to look greasy and revolting. However, I discovered that if the hair is braided after the the oil is applied, a sleek braid will be created. In addition, the oil will also moisturize your hair and prevent split ends to an extent.
Pull the right section over the middle section, so that now it becomes the middle section.
Repeat until there’s only one inch left of hair.
Tie off with an elastic band.
The Regular Braid
The French Braid:
The French braid is similar but also different to the regular braid. Starting at the top of your head, the french braid is began with 3 small strands of hair. Criss-Crossing like the regular braid, a new strand of hair is added to the original section every time the section is moved, resulting in the hair on the sides being added to the braid and the original section getting thicker and thicker. When you run out of hair to add, finish off the braid like an regular braid.
The Step-by-Step for French Braiding
The Fishtail:
The Fishtail is a detailed braid which incorporated characters of both the French braid and the regular braid.
Separate the hair into 2 similar sized strands.
Take a small strand on the very left side of the left section and cross it over the large strand of the left section. Join the small strand with the right section.
Take a small strand on the very right side of the right section and cross it over the large strand of the right section. Join the small strand with the left section.
Repeat!
The Fishtail Braid
If the braids don’t out perfect the first time, just give it a few tries. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Second semester is starting up again but that doesn’t mean the fun of exam break (the actual break part not the exams) has to end! Now is a great time to get to know some new people or hang with some old friends at some awesome events happening around Calgary! This weekend especially is not the weekend to stay in!
1) Form(al) Economics by Grier Edmundson
For the art lovers, history buffs or those who love a thoughtful piece, Grier Edmundson’s ‘Form(al) Economics’ combines a combination of Monopoly money, priceless antiques and several personal objects in several abstract art pieces to highlight and question how we define value.
When: January 31 from 12:00-6:00PM
Where: The New Gallery (208 Centre St. S.E.)
Cost: FREE – all are welcome
2) Dreaming Now
Vertigo theater presents “Dreaming Now”, plunging audience members into the world of a boy in the age of our digital overload – his dreams fragmented and pixelated still connecting him to others. How would our world be different if we were all constantly connected even in sleep?
NOTE TICKETS ARE LIMITED
When: January 31 @ 12:30 and 3:00PM, February 1 @ 12:30 and 3:00PM
Where: Vertigo Theater – The Studio (115 – 9 Avenue SE)
Cost: 15$
Ever wanted to try climbing a wall of ice? Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or just tentatively thought of putting that aside for a future bucket list, the time is now! Head up to Banff National Park for this fun icy festival where you will be pushed to the limits as you scale the icy wall!
When: Held from January 30 through to February 1st (8:00AM-9:00PM)
Where: Banff Avenue Square, Banff National Park
Cost: FREE
4) YYC Hot Chocolate Festival
Who doesn’t love a good cup of hot chocolate? In these cold months of pre-spring it’s always nice to get outside (within reason of course!)! So grab a friend or two (or three) and come out to the official kick off on January 31 and enjoy some free hot chocolate samples. Make sure to vote on your favorite!
When: January 31 @ 11:00AM
Where: Calgary Farmer’s Market – Food Court
Cost: Depends upon order.
5) Ice Festival
Bring the whole family up to see some amazing ice art and enjoy some fun outdoor winter activities! This festival is wrapping up but next week so make sure you get in on the fresh, locally grown, produce.
When: January 30- February 1 (10AM-5PM)
Where: Symons Valley Ranch (14555 Symons Valley Rd N.W.)
Cost: FREE
Hello!
It’s a little pricey I know,
But can I leave that link with you for you to just peruse?
(Hello)
Hello! Helllooooo!
I’ll just leave it there.
It’s really entertaining from your head down to your shoes.
Hello! Hi!
My name is (Jesus Christ!)
You have a lovely city (Hello)
For an amazing show!
Bonjour! Hola! Ni hao!
Mi llamo Elder Dean!
Are these your kids?
This show gives you the secret to eternal life (sound good?)
Eternal life (with Jesus Christ!)
Is super fun (Hello, ding dong!)
And if you save a seat we’ll show you how it can be done!
No thanks? You sure?
Oh well. That’s fine.
Goodbye (have fun in Hell!)
Hey now!
You simply won’t believe how much this show will change your life!
This show will change your life, your life
This show will change your life!!
*bzzzzzzzzzz*
Hello would you like to be offended by the creators of South Park?! It contains swears and everything offensive!
NO NO ELDER CUNNINGHAM THAT’S NOT HOW WE DO IT! You’re making things up again. Just stick to the approved dialogue. Elders, show him!
Hello (Hello!)
My name is (Elder Cunningham!)
And we would like to share with you this show of Jesus Christ!
Hello, hello, ding dong!
Hi ho, go watch this show!
It’s fun for you from me you see!
You simply won’t believe
How much this show will change your life (Helloooooo)
Your life, your life
So you won’t burn in
HEEEEEHEELLLLOOOOOOOO!
Hello! Hello!
You’re gonna die someday
But if you watch the show you’ll see that there’s another way!
To spend eternity, with friends and family
We can fully guarantee you that
This show will change your life (Helloooooo)
This show will change your life
This show will change your life
This show will change your life!
The Book of Mooooorrrmonnnnnnn
(Mooooorrrmonnnnnn)
Hello!!!
Hope you guys enjoyed the announcement of The Book of Mormon coming here to Calgary! Tickets are selling fast so go check on the official Broadway page I’ve linked so that you can save a seat. The show runs from March 31st to April 5th at the Southern Jubilee auditorium. Also, make sure you check out more material from the Book of Mormon along with the video I’ve linked to the beginning of the post. The full soundtrack is on Youtube so if you want a taste of this amazing show, go check it out! Make sure you save a seat! You won’t burn in Hell if you do!
Gummi Boutique is one of my favourite stores in Calgary. It is stocked with things beyond my imagination and what looks to be, things straight from the internet. Not only do they carry an excellent array of rare and delicious candy, they also sell great novelty doodads that make my geeky heart flutter. There are so many great things to buy and if you do go, I recommend you go in with a firmly set budget because otherwise oops there goes all your money.
Finger tentacles, mustache lollipops, band-aids that have Shakespearean insults, inflatable unicorn horns, inflatable beard of bees!?? COULD THINGS GET ANY BETTER. Probably not. This is it. They’ve reached maximum capacity.
Every time I go there the staff is excellent and friendly! I love walking around the store and seeing the new things they get.The decor alone is really fun, creative, and colorful.
Never mind. It keeps getting better.. WOW
My joy could not be contained when I saw Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans from Harry Potter there. Not only do they stock that, but they have Chocolate Frogs too! I one day hoped to play Russian Roulette with jelly beans and now it’s become a reality. I might regret things later on when I get a vomit, earwax, or rotten egg flavoured one, but for now, I’m ecstatic.
CANDY GALORE
The also sell things like the World’s Largest Gummy Bear, POP dolls, hard to find drinks, crickets, worms, and scorpion lollip- yes, scorpion lollipops.
This is a store that I recommend to at least visit once! This store is Calgary based and there are two locations. One in the Kensington area and another in Glamorgan. So if you’re ever near those areas, make sure to drop by. I’ve only gone to the Kensington one and consequently, all of the above pictures are from that location. To learn more about this store, like it’s hours, visit their online store!
All images were taken by me. So if you’re going to use them, please credit back. I now leave you with a bonus picture of a unicorn head mask thing. Thank you.
For most of us, we are in that period where our exams are over and we still have about a week or so before school starts up again. Usually people spend this period re-considering their career choices after they’ve received their final marks. But, instead of sitting around being sad and bored, why not put this time to good use? The only way to do that is by starting a new TV series. Me, being the television expert I am, decided to compile a list of some of the greatest TV shows you could watch.
1) New Girl
New Girl centres around a quirky elementary school teacher, Jessica Day, who is forced to move into a loft with three guys. This television show combines elements of both drama and comedy, while the characters deal with relationships, careers, and life. New Girl is an awesome “feel good” show, it’s the television version of comfort food.
2) Friends
This show is defiantly a classic. Friends is a comedy series about six great friends and their struggles and joys in life. This show is great for binge watching. But beware, once you finish this series, you will find yourself in a sad state wondering why it had to end.
3) Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl revolves around a mysterious blogger following the scandalous lives of Manhattans elite. This show is filled with scandal, drama, plot twists, and Valentino. The episodes are a-bit longer, but it is defiantly worth it.
5) The Mindy Project
The Mindy Project is much more like the first two television shows mentioned in this list. The Mindy Project is about a young doctor balancing her personal and professional life, surrounded by peculiar co-workers. This TV series is great if you’re feeling down and looking for something to cheer you up.
6) American Horror Story
Ah, now we enter the wonderful twisted minds of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. American Horror Story is set in many different locations and centres around different characters and their horrific stories. This show will leave you speechless and wanting more. American Horror Story currently has four seasons, but each season is set in a different particular area ( a haunted house, an asylum, a coven, and a freakshow) and has a different storyline. Don’t let that make you think you could skip any season you want, because they are all connected in strange ways.
