“This spring, I went to Peru to volunteer at a boy’s home for troubled youth. It was amazing, but it was tough at times to see people my age or younger experiencing things that kids should never have to go through.” Mira, 15
Youth of YYC: Mitchell, 17
“I was just doing my thing and it just happened randomly. I was getting into the car and I had a spontaneous lung collapse. So that’s kind of affecting my music in a huge way, I’ve had some really cool opportunities because of it but I haven’t been able to play my trumpet, something that I miss because it’s been a huge part of me. I’ve put so much effort into it over the years, I practiced two times a day, and now being away from it for such a long time, it’s tough. But as a result, I can learn jazz piano and focus more on conducting and composing.” Mitchell, 17
Married before eighth grade
March 15: Grade 7
You’d thought of your wedding day once or twice before, but it had always been a pleasant thought. All the people would be celebrating, your friends would be crying and so would your parents. You would walk down the aisle, majestic music filling an old cathedral and light trickling through old stained glass windows. Each step would bring you that much closer to the love of your life.
But that vision would never come to be. A lot of things had changed since only yesterday’s dive into the unknown.
March 14:
You had been walking home from school. It was a beautiful spring morning, only a touch of snow had blanketed the grass. You’d struggled to text your friends through your bright pink mittens and had been thinking of that cute guy in your class, when you entered your home and saw a strange man sitting with your parents in the front room.
They had turned to look at you and you smiled politely, waiting for some sort of introduction. And when it came, you wish you’d never gotten it at all.
“Hello,” your father had said, “May I introduce you to your fiancée.”
Fiancee? Questions flew to the tip of your tongue and confusion brought a faint blush to your cheeks. The man smiled at you and got down on one knee to propose. Ring in hand.
“Will you…” he asked, “Marry me?”
You knew it wasn’t a question and that your parents had already accepted, rendering this no more than a formality. You weren’t able to force out an affirmative reply so you merely nodded and felt a cool ring slip onto your left hand. Your parents’ claps echoed in the small space and they smiled proudly at both of you.
And just like that you were expected to marry a man you had just met that was barely younger than your father.
**
You woke up the next morning, dreading that math quiz you had just remembered. And then everything suddenly came back. The man, who’s name you still didn’t know, the proposal and the coming wedding.
You weren’t even sure if you’d go to school anymore depending on what your…you couldn’t bear to think the word, what your parent’s friend wanted. After all, your commitment was now to him and would be ‘until death did you part’.
You swallowed your tears and pushed yourself into a sitting position. You held yourself back from reaching over and grabing your phone because you knew that even your best friend could never know. She would never ever know. You felt ashamed that you were unable to change your circumstances and had no decision in the choice that was supposed to be yours but still not for many years.
You stared out the window at the ironic sun that beat down upon the glorious day. The minutes blurred to hours and you found yourself in a dress shop, awkwardly draped in the first of many dresses you were to try on. When your mother first noticed, she was moved to tears as her ‘little girl’ was ‘all grown up’.
You stared into the eyes of your confused reflection, both feverishly searching for the answer to the question ‘why’ and for some way out of this situation that was going miles too fast. Running your hands through the yards of white fabric you marveled at it’s delicacy that contradicted it’s figurative weight.
I am to be married. I am about to be married.
Days passed in the same sort of blur. Things hadn’t slowed down unfortunately. The cake had been ordered and wedding magazines were strewn throughout the house. The dress had been found, sized and ordered and things were going along exactly as planned.
You had been pulled from school until the ceremony to help with plans and preparations and although the excitement was contagious, you seemed to be immune. Every day, you waded further and further from the shore, further and further from what you knew.
**
The day arrives. That ‘joyous’ April 17th. A day that you are expected to celebrate for the rest of your life.
You try to put on a brave face as the photographers arrive. Your parents are so so happy and you can barely muster a grimace. The cameras leave and you quickly excuse yourself. All the relatives have arrived for your big day and there’s barely a moment of peace to be found.
Breath in, breath out. Swallow your tears. Yet again, repeat and repeat. Your whole life now revolving around a man you didn’t know only months before. But you will do this. Maybe not for yourself. But because it’s just the way things are going to be now. You quietly open the tap of the bathroom and watch the water slowly running as your sadness fades away to be replaced by a regretful acceptance.
Hours later, you’re walking the aisle. The red carpet beneath your feet is worn and threadbare in a comforting way, like a child’s blanket. It’s going to be alright, you tell yourself. It has to be. Please let this be alright.
One step forward. Another and another. Not headed towards your true love maybe but headed to the future. Every second stretched by until you now stand before him. Until death do you part.
“I do.”
–
Although you might find this strange to hear and almost a relief that it’s not your reality, for many it still is. 39,000 girls every year experience underage marriage despite it’s illegality in many countries.
There are many different reasons for this occurrence; mainly cultural background and tradition. Girls as young as five are betrothed to men many years older than them and have little to no say in what will become their future.
**The photos included in this article were staged by a Norwegian girl in a fake, publicly planned wedding to raise awareness on the issue. These photos were included as to not point fingers at specific cultures in which underage marriages are more common.**
Images courtesy of: http://boredsloth.com/little-girl-married-in-norway
Blueberry… muffins? (Go your own whey #1)
In a world where new health foods are popping up left, right and centre, it can sometimes be difficult to find not only food that works for you, but that actually tastes good. I mean, c’mon, how many times have you decided to try some new-fangled health supplement or buy into a food fad that turned out to be absolutely disgusting? *Cough cough, more times than I can count…* That being said, after much trial and error, I did find one thing that I felt I could actually stand using. Whey protein. In this series, I will be exploring different recipes that incorporate whey protein. I can’t guarantee that they’ll be any good… this is just a log of my experiences. If I like the recipes, I’ll be sure to say so. Throughout the course of my adventures, I’ll be using unflavoured, unsweetened whey protein powder. This way, I can make pretty much anything and not have to worry about having some weird taste make its way into my food. Armed with the Internet, an iPhone camera and a spatula, let’s go!
Week 1: Blueberry muffins, I guess?
I know, this is off to a weird start already. I found this recipe on livestrong.com (let’s not get into the Lance Armstrong controversy, just focus on the recipe) and I decided that it looked interesting. The first thing that I noticed is that they don’t contain ANY flour. How can you have a muffin without using flour? The whey protein replaces the flour, which is unconventional, to say the least.
The Baking Process
The first step is to combine cream cheese with cinnamon. Simple. Then, all of the other ingredients except the blueberries are combines into a separate bowl. First of all, it smelled disgusting. I was gagging pretty much the whole time I was mixing it. The one good thing is that you can’t overmix it. Whey does not contain gluten, which is what causes coning and tunnelling in overmixed muffins. When I combined the two mixtures, it did not go well. I couldn’t get rid of the clumps of cream cheese and make the batter smooth. As it turned out, that was fine, but it was definitely a concern of mine. When I finally mixed in the blueberries, the batter went purple because I used frozen blueberries and the colour leached into it. I managed to get a dozen muffins out of it, which for the amount of ingredients used was pretty good. Lastly, I just had to put them into the oven like all other baked goods. Things got weird when they came out of the oven…
What the muffins?
When my muffins came out of the oven, not only had only risen minimally, but they had also split down the middle and were all grown to one side. Not only that, but they were smooth and shiny on top, as if I had glazed them, but they were dry; they weren’t even slightly greasy. It was at that point that I got a bit apprehensive. These are muffins, you say? They certainly don’t look like it. But they smell good now, so I must have done something right. Despite my confusion, I decided that they were worth attempting to eat.
The taste test
The most surprising part of these muffins was that they didn’t even taste like muffins. To my surprise, they tasted more like mini cheesecakes. When I tried to get one out of the muffin liner, most of it stuck inside, so I had to eat it right out of the paper, looking like a fool. As truly bizarre as my whole experience was, it all turned out better than expected. I probably wouldn’t make these again, but they were ok. Meh.
Conclusions
For my first whey protein baking experience, it could have been worse. I would have liked if my muffins had looked or at least tasted like muffins, but it was a good experience nonetheless. I wouldn’t exactly recommend this recipe, but it you’re adventurous, they’re worth a shot. They may have tasted different had I used a flavoured protein powder, but I doubt that it would have made a huge difference. Overall, this was worth my time and I’m excited to do it again next week!
Laughter is the best medicine: Something to brighten your day
In the midst of numerous exams, extracurriculars, and the additional everyday stress of life, I must say that it has all been taking a bit of a toll on me. Yet, through it all, I have learned that it is necessary to take a bit of a breather and to laugh because sometimes, all you can do is laugh. For me, laughter has always been the best means of therapy. Whether it is watching a few episodes of Friends or seeing a cute baby become fascinated by the smallest thing, it helps me gain perspective on life. I realize to not sweat the small stuff.
So today, I want to share with you some of my most prized videos that have always brought a smile to my face. I know these videos are never a permanent solution, but it can help us keep going and to keep smiling. Sometimes, all you need is a quick laugh to brighten up your day.
Love to eat, and love to laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28579n2EkvM
This list would not be complete without a cat video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tntOCGkgt98
Japanese humour is the best sometimes:
I love Jimmy Fallon, especially when the 80s are involved:
Artist in profile: Jan Lisiecki
A few weeks back I had the absolute privilege of seeing classical pianist Jan Lisiecki perform alongside the Calgary Philharmonic in a dazzling display of ability and virtuosity. If you’re a classical pianist residing in Calgary, then you’ve probably heard a thing or two about Jan Lisiecki, the local Polish-Canadian pianist who captured the attention of the world at a young age due to the maturity and imaginative nature of his playing. I was absolutely blown away at his skill and how connected to the music he was, and it was definitely those combined factors that compelled me to write this artist in profile about him. Past YAA bloggers have also met Jan – check out their posts about the experience here, here and here.
Born in Calgary in 1995 to Polish-immigrant parents who both had no backgrounds in music, Jan’s skill shocked those around him, including his teachers, Mount Royal Conservatory’s Colleen Athparia and Glenn Montgomery. At the age of nine, after only four years of playing, Jan became the youngest winner of Calgary Concerto Competition history. He would reprise that win in 2006. The following years would prove to be hectic for Jan, who skipped four grades and balanced his career as a pianist alongside studying under the International Baccalaureate program at Western Canada High. Nevertheless, he graduated from high school at the age of 16, in accordance to his theme of being wise beyond his years.
Today, at the age of 19, Jan is studying at the Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto. He has been nominated for a Juno, won countless prestigious awards, played in Carnegie Hall, as well as alongside other seasoned musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma. He has also performed extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia. Not bad for someone who began to pursue music at the suggestion of a school counselor.
Being a classical pianist who also studies at the Mount Royal Conservatory, I had heard so much about Jan from people around me. Their rave reviews of his playing were definitely without fault. I strongly encourage everyone to listen to his recordings and to hear him live. Jan is currently touring, and though he doesn’t have a scheduled performance in Calgary in the near future, keep your eyes peeled on his calender! You never know what may arise. In the meantime, have a listen at this recording of Jan performing the beautiful Schumann Piano Concerto in a-minor (opus 54), which he played with the CPO in the concert I attended.
http://youtu.be/dz_tahEgMtI
Stunning, isn’t it? As a friend of mine would say, “no one has flow like him.” And as I would say, “He also has great hair.”
For more about Jan, visit his website at http://www.janlisiecki.com/Jan_Lisiecki.html
What to see in YYC: Weekend Preview Oct 24-26, 2014
Have nothing to do this weekend? Have no fear, Youth Are Awesome is here to help you plan an amazing weekend. Calgary has so many awesome and cheap events as it is, but with Halloween just around the corner; I can assure you your weekend will be action-packed!
1. Halloween Events
Whether you want a family friendly event to show of your costumes, or something a bit more scary, we’ve got you covered.
Family Friendly
Spooky Skeleton Sleepover @ the Calgary Zoo (Saturday Oct 25)
Monster Mash-Up @ Telus Spark (Oct 25-26)
Screamfest (Oct 25-26)
2. Theatre
Calgary loves theatre, and this weekend you can catch an amazing ballet, a show for kids and a classic story with a creepy twist.
The Three Musketeers @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (Oct 23-25)
Disney’s Cinderella Kids @ Wright Theater Mount Royal University (Oct 23 and 25)
Pinocchio @ Vertigo Theater (Oct 24-26)
3. Sports
There’s plenty of sports activities going on this weekend. Try catching a hockey or football game; you can even run a marathon if you’d like!
Stampeders vs Roughriders @ McMahon Stadium (Oct 24)
Royal West Show Jumping Tournament @ Agrium Western Event Centre ( Oct 23-Nov 1)
Confederation Park Relay XC Grand Prix @ Rosemont Hall, Confederation Park (Oct 26)
4. Special Events
Make sure you don’t miss out on these special events, because before you know it they’ll be gone.
Calgary Women’s Show @ BMO Centre (Oct 25-26)
Jewish Fair Trade Festival @ Calgary Jewish Community Centre (Oct 26)
National Geographic Live @ Jack Singer Hall (Oct 26-27)
If any of your friends complain about having nothing to do this weekend, they obviously haven’t read Youth Are Awesome’s Weekend Preview. And if you think these are the only events happening this weekend, think again; there’s plenty more for you to see. Calgary’s a busy town filled with hundreds of awesome events, so make sure to check out some this weekend!
As always, you can check out our event calendar for full event listings here!
Video of the Day: Society’s impossible standards
From a very early age, we are bombarded with standards of physical beauty that are impossible to achieve. Plastic is a short film that deals with the obsession of body image. While Anna is preparing for a first date with Henry, a man she has secretly loved for years, everything goes wrong until she discovers the impossible – to sculpt her appearance like clay to any shape she desires.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpJFE8UcFcU
How many of you can relate to this girl’s frantic rush to get ready for a date? What’s a little less relatable is the magic jar of cream she discovers that allows her to shape her body any way she wants. Of course, she plays around with it for a while, until an unrecognizable person is staring back at her in the mirror, but what she does at the end really hit home for me. I love messages that encourage men and women to have a positive view of their body image, and this video does just that! This is a short film called Plastic, made at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
Five soundtracks for the horror connoisseur
I started watching horror movies in Grade 7, giving myself quite a scare with my first run at The Ring (the original Japanese version, which I think is way better than the remake). Needless to say, I steered clear of the horror genre for a good few years after that.
During Grade 9 however, I devoured Stephen King’s collection of essays on horror, Danse Macabre. That same summer, I took part in an advanced music history course with an incredible teacher who took liberties to expose us to some very intense, very fascinating music, including a piece in the list below. Since then, I’ve developed a love for horror movies, but even more so for their soundtracks. Here are just a few of my favourites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV8i-pSVMaQ
Jaws (Steven Spielberg, 1975) – Main Title (Theme from Jaws) by John Williams
Starting off this list is the Academy Award winning, immediately recognizable Jaws theme. Held together by a sinister-sounding, persistent ostinato bass, this piece utilizes the inherent tension of alternating between the leading-tone and tonic degrees in a simple two-note pattern. It’s suspenseful, grinding, and fills listeners with nervousness.
2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, 1968) – Atmospheres by György Ligeti
Any musical score that can make a black rectangle seem dangerous is pretty incredible. 2001: A Space Odyssey isn’t a horror movie, but Stanley Kubrick’s intelligent pick of György Ligeti’s shimmering, unsettling Atmospheres gives its scenes a nervous tension. Through the use of micropolyphony and measureless, uncomfortablely vague tonalities, it creates an impression of a slow strangulation.
Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978) – Halloween Theme by John Carpenter
Atonal and minimalistic, Halloween’s theme song was composed by the director himself and is based upon a very simple piano melody written in compound ⅝ time. It’s among the most iconic of horror movie soundtracks, and I imagine that getting home after hearing this music is one of the scariest experiences in the world.
Rosemary’s Baby (Roman Polanski, 1967) – Lullaby by Krzysztof Komeda
This opening melody from Rosemary’s Baby is beautiful and fragile. In other circumstances, it would, as its name would suggest, be a comforting lullaby, but there’s something in this track that gives it a haunting, disarming chill. Instead of the jump scare that so many soundtracks aspire to, Lullaby slowly immerses you in the movie, slowly peeling back layers to expose the vulnerability of the protagonists and the disturbing nature of the situation they have found themselves in.
Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960) – The Murder by Danny Elfman
The aggressive, screeching strings used in Danny Elfman’s The Murder theme are what make the legendary shower scene as scary as it is. Watching the movie without sound makes it very clear just how crucial the score is. This track is jarring, shiver-inducing, and succeeds tremendously in terrifying audiences.
Honorable Mentions: Silent Hill, The Shining, The Silence of the Lambs, Shutter Island
The Beginning of Everything book review
In The Beginning of Everything, the story centers around Mr. Perfect, Ezra Faulkner. He’s a 17-year-old boy who’s living the life. He’s the captain of the tennis team, has the best looking girlfriend, and he’s part of the in-crowd. It seems too good to be true, except when everything he has comes crashing down around him at the year-end party. The night ends for Ezra as he’s leaving the party to find that his girlfriend has been cheating on him with his best friend. On top of that, he ends up getting into a car accident, leaving him with a totaled car and a shattered knee, ending his sports career before it even started. From there on, he experiences the beginning of everything. He returns to school the following year, reuniting with his childhood best friend and befriending a new girl. Friendships blossom and love kindles.
This book is filled with laughter, tears, love, death, and of course, an animal best friend. There’s so much to love about this love story. There are twists and turns and mysteries like no other. Cassidy, the new girl, is a big enough mystery on her own. Robyn Schneider weaved jokes and riddles so harmoniously throughout the entire story. The characters themselves play out to be larger than life. Their problems become yours, their thoughts become yours. I could picture myself as Ezra thinking about what I would do if I were in his situation. Every single little aspect of the story wove its way into my heart. The way Schneider worded everything within itself had me swooning. She has got bits of John Green and David Levithan’s writing styles incorporated together. Her writing style is such a change for me that I was just waiting for her to pour out more of her wonderful words. The plot that Schneider played out projected like a movie in my head, as cliche as it sounds. I could envision everything perfectly.
This is a must-read novel. It shows you the ups and the downs and it plays out the way real life would be. If you happen to stumble across TBOE in a store, pick it up. It is worth the time. Everything about this book had me mesmerized, least to say that I’m head over heels for The Beginning of Everything. I definitely recommend it for anyone who’s interested in high school romances. 10/10 for sure. But remember, not all nice things have happy endings.
A painting for Halloween? DIY costume inspiration
Is it just me, or does it get harder and harder every year to find something to dress up as for Halloween? Sure, you could go as something generic, or you dress up as a character from your favourite TV show and risk no one recognizing who you are suppose to be. That was the case for me and my friend last year when we went as Sherlock and John from the BBC adaptation of Sherlock Holmes (however, no one recognizing who you were supposed to be was much better than those who thought we weren’t dressed up at all! As if two teenagers would wear long black trench coats and draw mustaches on their face as a daily style choice).
Though I’ll probably spend my Halloween this year dressed up as Mulan and greeting trick-or-treaters, it doesn’t mean I can’t share ideas for costumes! I came across this terrific idea on Pinterest a little while aback, and I find it incredibly creative and very unique! So when the idea of dressing up as a witch for the third year in a row loses it’s appeal, look no further. Instead, go as a painting for Halloween!
Gustav Klimt, “The Kiss”
http://www.maibri.com/blog/2012/10/31/gustav-klimt-the-kiss-halloween-costume/
Grant Wood, “American Gothic”
Johannes Vermeer, “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”
http://www.thelovens.co.uk/PeriodCostume/?p=183
These are just a few examples of paintings brought to life as costumes, and can be done with essentially any painting featuring human subjects. Get creative this Halloween and create your own interpretation of famous paintings!
Awesome youth in profile: Nicole M’Carthy
Nicole M’Carthy is a Grade 11 student at Western Canada High School who was nominated in the Leadership category for the 2014 ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (a program of Youth Central). Nicole pulled through as one of three finalists, and ultimately received the award. I had the pleasure to sit down and chat with Nicole about the experiences that have led her to where she is today. As I was also on the YODA steering committee, it was amazing to be able to put a personality to the sheet of paper we received months ago.
“Nicole M’Carthy not only speaks of change, she initiates it and she never misses an opportunity to be part of a process that will lead to positive change. A visit to her native country of Ghana left an impression and led her to question why disparities in quality of life exist among countries and people. She came to the realization that education was a vehicle that could not only free the mind but also empower people and improve their quality of life. Nicole has made education the cornerstone of her activism both locally and abroad.” – YODA 2014 Bio
I continued my tradition of holding interviews at the Devonian Gardens, and I must say that Nicole is definitely model material. We had a good time and even bonded enough to go shopping for a little bit afterwards. But alas, I am not the most coordinated person on this planet… After my interview with Nicole (two months ago), I accidentally hit the delete button on my recording, thus delaying this blog post for weeks. Despite her busy schedule, the lovely Nicole has taken the time to answer all of my questions once again, which I present to you today.
Q: Give me some details about the project you were involved in.
“I moved to Calgary in June 2012, and as I was packing I realized that I had so many books from my childhood that I had no use for. There was definitely the option of giving them away or selling them, I later passed them on to my younger cousins. However, I wondered how many other kids had books just chilling in their basement? So in Grade 9, I decided to host a book drive at school. In the end, we raised 2,000 books which we split between two schools in Ghana.”
Q: What was the moment that really inspired you and made you realize this is what you’re passionate about?
“From a young age, it wasn’t evident that I would become a leader (if you would say that I am today). I was more of a rebellious toddler! From the age of five to maybe 12 I was very defiant and rude. My inspirational moment wasn’t necessarily a moment, but throughout my Grade 4 year. My Grade 4 teacher was amazing; she was patient and I was really inspired and partially confused by her commitment towards me. So I asked her what it was that she found worth her investment, and she told me that I was worth the investment, and like every investment, you’ll either reap more money or you’ll lose some. However, she told me that the returns of her investment lied completely on and whatever I set my mind to because I was capable of accomplishing anything. I believe she feels her investment’s worth today.”
Q: Why does this issue matter to you?
“It matters so much to me because I was that kid who was sitting at school unengaged and unmotivated. So from my own experience, I understand the impact that can be made when you tell someone that there are no limitations to their achievements. Therefore if I can provide someone with the same passion that was passed along to me then, that’s a big deal to me.”
Q: What has been your favourite experience/memory from all this?
“My favorite experience was when I presented at the assembly at my school and told students what they had accomplished; they seemed overwhelmed with joy. For most students, the statement ‘you can change the world’ comes off as a cliché. However, through the book drive students realized that though they didn’t change the entire world, they were capable of changing someone’s world. It’s the most amazing image to see kids who fully believe in their abilities and capabilities.”
Q:What would you say was the hardest obstacle?
“The biggest obstacle was fear. From the beginning, I was very scared of the possibility of not raising enough books and sometimes I would pass by classes and see empty books and it would discourage me. Or another fear was that I wouldn’t find a way to get the books over there to the students in Ghana and once again it became an apparent issue when UPS rejected my request for some help; I felt like there was no way out. Everything that I worked for no longer mattered because it wouldn’t even reach those in needs. It seemed like everything I feared came to pass. It was amazing that at the exact same time my church was sending a cargo to Ghana so that really helped me with the shipping. It also reminded me not to give up or allow the nos to prevent me from seeing the yes.”
Q: What advice would you give to a “kid” who wants to make a difference, but aren’t sure that they can or don’t know how to go about it?
“My road has definitely not been the easiest. The biggest challenge for me was changing the outlook I had on myself. Due to all the negative comments from teachers, it was hard for me to see the leader everyone was constantly talking about. However, I’ve learned that nothing anyone says about you is true until you believe it. So whether it’s doubt about your capabilities or doubt about a recent project you’ve undertaken, their opinions aren’t valid until you decide to accept it. So as long as you believe in yourself and your passion there is nothing that can get in your way.”
Q: What are your plans for the future? Are you going to stay on this path?
“I would love to hope another book drive and get more involved with students here in Calgary through any means. However, I also hope to collaborate with passionate students and adults all over the world, I recently joined the I AM Powerful Council (CARE Canada) here in Calgary and I am excited to make contributions on a mask scale. After my high school career, I hope to get my undergraduate and then pursue a law degree. I really hope in working with women to help provide education and conquer poverty.”
Q: What does it mean for you to be a leader? How did you become one?
“I think being a leader is simply using your passion and sources of inspiration and allowing others to find their own. I am not necessarily trying to prove to others why what I care for is best however I encourage others to search within themselves and pull out what inspires them. Our passions may not be connected but passion is the beginning of change. I don’t necessarily think there is a process of becoming a leader, but rather a moment where you just have to fight for what you believe in. At the moment, I just believed that I deserved better and could do better than I currently was. My leadership began as a simply demand for a better version of myself and I ultimately turned to others demanding a better world.
Q: And finally, is there anything you’d like to add that you don’t think we’ve covered?
“There is no set of traits that comes along with being a leader, you don’t have to talk a certain way or even lead a certain way. We each lead in our individual ways because we are individuals. Leadership isn’t always giving a speech or protesting against human right issues. It happens in art class or a school sports team; leadership is passion, passion that multiplies in those that surround us and results in change.”
Thank you so much for meeting with me, Nicole. You are such an inspirational person! And of course, we can’t forget the selfie.
Battle songs (Dean’s playlist)
Being a dedicated player of high-stakes, all-out-war multiplayer games such as Battlefield and Call of Duty, I often try to find any kind of advantage to enhance my enjoyment. One of those advantages, besides camping in a corner where I can’t be seen (I hate doing it but it works), I like to listen to music while I play. Music adds a completely different feel on the virtual battlefield which not only enhances your enjoyment in-game, but it makes a victory all the more satisfactory. For those musical gamers out there, here’s my top three choices of songs to game with, why I’ve chosen them, and how to use the song to your advantage. If you don’t game, then that’s no sweat. These three songs are still really good for pumping you up!
Before I begin, I’ll be using Call of Duty and Battlefield as prime examples, just because I’m more familiar with them. Alright, let’s get started!
1) Champion by Clement Marfo and the Frontline
Why I chose it: I like songs that I can use to play multiple games with, and this song is one of them. Champion blends hard hip-hop beats with motivational, upbeat lyrics, and in my opinion, a chorus that is bound to hype you up as soon as it starts and replays. This amazing combination has helped me conquer numerous games of Battlefield Three and Four multiplayer because when I’ve got a virtual weapon locked and loaded, and I’ve got this song ringing in my head, I already feel like I’m a champion.
How to use it: I love to carry this song with me whenever I play close to medium range game modes, such as Rush from Battlefield and Domination from both Battlefield and Call of Duty. The quick pace of the song matches with the constant danger in a close to medium range game mode, but the lyrics and the beats help me push through and win the game. Outfit your virtual soldier with any assault rifle to balance gameplay intensity with the song, and you’re good to dominate.
2). Help is on the Way by Rise Against
Why I chose it: Right from the start, this song punches you into a storm of guitars and drums. Multiplayer games aren’t that different, so you better be prepared. The intense guitar playing throughout the song, mixing that with strong vocals and a somewhat-violent tone throughout, you’re going to own the battlefield. Plus, when I’m rocking Battlefield as a Combat Medic, I like to heal my teammates while listening to this song. It just fits. Me when playing Battlefield: “HELP IS ON THE WAY! (They said, they said) HELP IS ON THE WAY! (They said, they said) One by land, two by sea, right there in front of me! HELP IS ON THE WAY!!! RIGHT HERE!!! RIGHT NOW!!!
How to use it: Help is on the way is ideal for close-quarters battles, preferably Call of Duty Team Deathmatch or Free-for-All because let’s face it, Call of Duty maps are just way too close, no matter what game mode you play or what weapons you use, so dropping enemy players is a lot easier. I like to outfit my soldier with one of the strongest weapons in the game, such as a light machine gun or shotgun, giving an overpowered advantage. Pair that with this intense song and you’ll find yourself mowing down hundreds of enemy players with every strum of the heavy guitars.
3). Bones by Young Guns
Why I chose it: Bones is my favorite song to game with. Hands down. It’s literally a perfect song to me, not just in gaming but in general, it’s arguably my most favorite song ever. Beautiful vocals, battle-like drumming, amazing instrumentals, and a chorus that is so easy to love. Battlefield, Call of Duty, Playstation, Xbox, one vs one or one vs an army, when I’ve got this song ringing loud and long, oh, the enemy team is going down.
How to use it: At close distance, it’s a war song that will motivate you to mow everyone down. At medium range, it’s a perfect song to drop everybody and anybody down onto their backs. At long distance, the feeling of picking enemy players off is just too savory. Use this song anywhere, anytime, with anything and I promise, there’s nothing that will stop you.
This week’s challenge is a special one for all of YAA. I challenge you all to write about three of your choice songs for studying, reading, writing, anything really. This was a fun post to do, a nice change-up from what I usually write about, and I’m sure you’ll have just as much fun with this kind of post so ladies and gentlemen of YAA, have fun with this challenge!
Image Sources
http://www.deviantart.com/art/War-cry-91647447 (featured image)
A few must-reads for this Halloween
Halloween is filled with times nobody can forget, full of scares, screams, and sugar-rushes, a time to put on a mask and a hood and become someone entirely different. Halloween is the one evening of the year that nobody can really explain, or ever match the festive spirit it brings. We’re often so wrapped up in what/who we want to dress up as, as well as what kind of candy to give out, and what we’ll be up to that night to remember how many ideas it’s sparked in the world around us. To help spread that spirit in a different way, I’ve put together a list of books that truly live up to the chilling, looming, undeniably exciting nature of October 31.
1. Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
This book is told from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy named Jacob. Due to family issues and an unfinished legacy left behind by his grandfather, Jacob travels to a small island off the coast of Wales, where he happens upon something beyond supernatural; a portal to the past, and within it, an orphanage of children who don’t really consider themselves normal. The peculiars, they call themselves, live in a large house on the island, governed by the headmistress Miss Peregrine, but while it may be the same location, they live in a loop that takes them 74 years into the past. These peculiar children possess a wide array of abilities, like one being able to reincarnate, another being invisible, or one girl named Emma being able to channel fire from the palms of her hands. As Jacob learns more about the peculiars, he realizes that this is the legacy his grandfather left behind, and that he might have little more in common with them than he thinks. This book, overall, was phenomenal, everything I would’ve hoped for in a creepy novel with just the right amount of humour to make it a superior, high action, utterly out of the ordinary adventure, using vintage photography and clever character development in the most unique and enthralling way, always leaving the reader wanting more.
2. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
A bold action-packed sequel to Miss Peregrine’s, Hollow City features the characters of the first novel by with a much faster, more intense plot line that answered all the questions left open-ended in the first book. It not only followed through with the theme of the first novel flawlessly, it also brought many new ideas into the equation, and with the danger they’re being put in from peculiar-hunting monsters, the kids are on the run. It’s difficult to explain this novel without telling a reader the ending, but I can promise that this book features everything a book of this spooky genre should have, and even more. With chilling new characters, and further elaboration from the previous novel, the Peculiar Children series is an absolute necessity on your bookshelf this October.
3. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Based on a 19th century nursery rhyme about the deaths of “Ten Little Soldiers” who die one by one, Agatha Christie tells an extraordinary tale of a group of 10 strangers brought together on an island only to be trapped there from a torrential rainstorm. One by one, the people die, corresponding eerily with the nursery rhyme left for them on the kitchen table of the mansion they’re staying at. The murderer cannot be found, but even scarier, the murders themselves cannot be explained. Little do the people of the island know that they all share a connection they least expect, and it may be the reason they’d been quarantined in the first place. Truly a classic, Christie brings to life a poem with such frightening connotations, and drops her own false leads and curious clues that the reader can’t help but wish to read on, no matter how bizarre and frightening it may be.
4. Batman Noir: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb
Set in the early years of Batman’s crime-fighting, this graphic novel tells the story of a bloodcurdling murderer who attacks only on holidays. Alongside District Attorney Harvey Dent, and Lieutenant James Gordon, its a race against time to unveil the murderer before he claims his next victim. This book has readers constantly on their toes, never knowing who’d done it, and what their next move may be. The sketches in the novel, done by Christoper Nolan and David Goyer (director and writer of The Dark Knight, they also write an introduction for the book) are an incredible addition to the book for those who enjoy extra pictures, creating a complete Halloween experience for anyone.
Interview tips from a beginner
A couple of weeks ago, I had an interview for a volunteer position. It was my very first time, so I was pretty nervous. Although I am a beginner and don’t know much about interviews, I can tell you a few tricks I used in order to succeed.
1. Appearance
Before an interview, try to make sure you look your best, smell good, and remember to brush your teeth. You don’t want someone who is smelly and has bad breath. In terms of looks, try to wear a dress shirt and dress pants. The interviewers want people who genuinely care about their appearance. Although these factors aren’t part of the interview, they still matter because the interviewers will always take this into consideration.
2. Speak with confidence
When you are asked questions, smile and try to be enthusiastic. You don’t want to be boring. Try to be excited and outgoing. Remember to talk loudly, and clearly. Make sure the interviewers understand what you are saying. At the same time, try not to be too formal. Adding examples from personal experience when answering questions is also great. Be confident. Sit up straight, and speak with confidence. Try not to stutter or leave big gaps between what you’re trying to say. This is one thing they look for too.
3. Act professional
Remember to act professional, be mature, and act your age. The interviewers look for someone who is responsible and professional. Try to show this through your words, appearance, and the way in which you answer questions.
4. If you can’t come up with an answer, stall.
In some cases, you might encounter difficult questions that you may not be able to answer quickly. I had come across one of these, so I decided to stall. If you have a water bottle, take a quick sip of water after they ask the difficult question and try to quickly come up with an answer. Another way is to talk really slowly. If they ask a question, you can simply say, “Well, from personal experience,” and say this really slowly. During this time, try to come up with an answer. The one strategy I used is re-asking the question. In this time, you can also try to come up with an answer.
5. Be friendly
The interviewers are looking for someone who is smart, but someone is also able to work with different types of people, and someone who is personable. Try to make eye contact, shake their hand, and thank them for their time.
Overall, these are a few tips you can use during an interview. They might not be the best, but I assure you that they will definitely help.