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.
Relaxing can begin by being organized.Relaxing is also knowing that you have everything in place, and ready to go.
School can be tough, with loads and loads of homework. Also, between your social life, school life, and family life, there is no doubt that we are looking for ways to help us eliminate stress. If you are also looking to be stress free, in the small amount of time you do find or even while studying, check out my list. If you are a new student you may be wondering how to relieve stress when studying.
1. Naps
This is one thing that is very beneficial for many students. However, the naps should be no longer than 20-30 minutes as they should be short, power energy naps. No wonder we are always so busy because when we think of naps, we know that 20-30 minutes is not enough! Although, you can just set a timer, as 20-30 minutes is all we really need to be refreshed and recharged.
2. Visualizing
This is something that is unique, and is a great way to help with anxiety. If you are ever under study stress, try to meditate using visuals. You would have to close your eyes, and then imagine yourself being present in a peaceful location. It could be your dream house, the beach, or even drinking tea at Starbucks, anything to make you feel less stressed. Next focus on your breathing. Try to tighten every muscle as you inhale, and release when you exhale. It’s great to involve your body into this, and senses. Try to think about what you would seem feel, touch, hear at your peaceful location. Once you feel you are good to go, it’s time to start studying.
3. Exercise
Exercising is a key component in life, and I am sure you have heard that many times before, but it had to be on this list. As student, I’m sure finding a way to exercise would be easy. There is always an opportunity for all students of any age to bike or jog to school. If you are in university, there is also usually an option to hit the gym or a health centre. In addition, I am sure there are some high schools who do the same as well. The rates for these are fair, and are a great way to live a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise is a great way to stay fit, and be able to pull of those all nighters (if needed), wake up for school, focus in school, and feel/look great.
4. Music
This is probably already included into your daily schedule everyday because of course music is an easy way to realize stress. Music helps stimulate your mind and soul, and releases good vibes. Also, it can help you study better, as it does not get boring because we all know it’s difficult to sit and read for a long time. Music also keeps you energized, and you can create the playlist, or even the music.
5. Positive thinking
Negative thoughts are not only bad for your mind and soul, but can take a toll on others life as well. Instead of focusing your feelings on the bad and negative things in life, try to think of the positive. I know it sounds like truism, but it is something that someone needs to be reminded of. A lot of people say that some things are useless, and they are never going to do it in their life, but with positive thoughts you can combat the negative. Tell yourself that you will do fine because sleeping is important too, and spending time with positive friends and family.
What are your opinions and thoughts on these tips? I am sure you have some of your own so feel free to always lay back and relax for a bit. Have you used any of these tips above, and did they help you focus better?
Miss Representationis a documentary directed and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom which tackles the representation of women in the media and the effects on both male and female perspectives. The documentary focusses mainly on the roles of women in America and what being powerful can mean or cost. I am a bit of a documentary junky, and this has to be the best one I’ve seen so far without verging on feminist propaganda. But there are still a few single-sided arguments being presented in this film.
In case you haven’t caught on yet the documentary’s title, “Miss Representation,” is a play on words regarding the misrepresentation of females in our society. More than just a documentary, it is a launching pad for The Representation Project which aims to rewrite stereotypes about gender and correct the injustices these stereotypes have caused. Lucky for all of us, it is available on Netflix and I strongly recommend that you all view it with an open and inquiring mind.
The one overall praise I have for this film is its incorporation of male perspectives. I watched it with my little sister (10) and she also commented how it was nice to hear about this issue from guys. As Emma Watson said in her UN speech, “How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited?”
Now, I didn’t force my sister to watch it with me, but I’m glad she did. Body image is a huge issue, and something a lot of people brush off. But the effects of media on this younger generation is going to be a huge problem if we continue to ignore it. I’ve noticed with my sister that whenever she sees a new person, whether in cartoons or real life, the first comment she makes is on the person’s weight or appearance. It’s either, “Why is that person so fat?” or “How come he/she’s so ugly?” Sometimes she’ll come into my room when I’m changing and just simply say, “You look fat today.” Considering she’s only 10, it’s pretty concerning to me. I try my best to teach her right from wrong, but I can’t be there to control what she sees or hears 24/7.
I think showing her this documentary has helped her understand the media and its unrealistic ideals a bit better, but it’s going to take a lot more than 120 minutes of her life to correct the hours and hours of information planted in her mind up until now.
What I do have to criticize about this film is its self-contradictory message. The quote above is presented at the beginning of the documentary to get viewers prepared for what lies ahead. And I do agree with the quote, I do. But the film moves on in its later half to address how women are the only people who have the power to correct media stereotypes and discrimination.
Don’t get me wrong, I wholly believe that women need to learn to support each other more, but that doesn’t mean men can’t either. One large reason feminism received (and continues to receive) so much backlash is because of the claims by “feminists” that men are the problem. If we are not understanding of men and don’t make them feel like feminism is their place, nothing will ever get better. Feminism is simply the fight for equality among human beings; not making women better than men and not making men lesser so women can overpower them.
Feminism is everybody’s issue. If we can’t reach a happy equilibrium in life, none of the other problems in our world can truly be fixed either. The issue may sound grandiose, you might feel like one person’s actions won’t change anything, but I promise you that you can make an amazing difference. Taking action doesn’t require you to join a petition, protest, or devote your life to advocating. It can be as simple as educating yourself, sharing your knowledge, and always questioning what you see or hear.
Ever since I discovered the power of makeup (it’s like plastic surgery in a bottle!), I have being obsessed with eye liners. If used properly, eye liners can define your eye shape and open up your eyes, giving you that fresh look that makes you look super awake even though your mind is half asleep. In addition, you can transform a day look into a night look simply by playing with your eyeliner.
Although there are millions of eye liners out there, choosing the right one will complement your look while making a bad choice will make your skin sob. That’s why I’m here to suggest the best eyeliners that I have ever tried!
Liquid eye liner
Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Jet Black: $26 at Sephora
Let me just say that this is actually one of the blackest liquid eye liners that I have ever tried, it is just straight out amazing! This specific eye liner has a super thin tip so when you apply, the liner is easy to control, allowing you to draw a perfect thin/thick line. In addition, it will not turn you into a panda when you hop into the pool or rub you eyes. It is truly waterproof as promised.
PS: For people with greasy eyelids, this eye liner does not smudge at all!
Retrieved from https://www.shesaidbeauty.com/angelablog/blog/-312172
Gel eye liners
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner: $28 at Sephora
Retrieved from http://roseannetangrs.com/2011/01/review-bobbi-brown-long-wear-gel-eyeliner/
This liner is a personal favorite because it can be used to darken the lash line to give the affect of fuller lashes. For girls like me who have short, stubby and non-existing lashes, this liner is a life saver. Similar to the Stila liquid eye liner, this gel liner has the perfect consistency, and once it is dried, it is waterproof and smudge proof. Also, with a brush, this eye liner can create the most precise line and can be manipulated for many astonishing effects. On top of everything, this eye liner is an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner!
Pencil eye liner
Retrieved from http://chicprofile.com/2013/01/chanel-spring-2013-jeux-de-regards-collection-new-le-volume-de-chanel-mascara-info-photos.html
As I believe everyone has heard of Chanel, the famous perfume brand. I recently found out a program that they offer – the replenishment program, which they ship another one of the same products after a specific time interval. At the time which they ship out the product, the cost of the product is automatically deducted from your credit card. Since there isn’t a contract, you can cancel your subscription at any time you want. The limited edition eye liner Chanel released, Stylo Yeux Waterproof is just as convenient, as the super smooth liner is held in a retractable pen which allows you to keep your eye liner clean and keep your strokes precise. Also, there is a sharpener built into the other side!
Our fascination with wild animals is nothing new. Since as far back as 1250 B.C., zoos have entertained millions with exotic animals behind bars, but we’re not living in the dark ages anymore.
Despite claims that zoos play an important role in conservation and education, they are unnatural and inherently cruel. To put it simply, they do more harm that good.
From a young age we have been going to zoos. When people look back to zoos they think about a wonderful and magical place. But are we just being short sighted?
We should oppose zoos because cages and cramped enclosures at zoos deprive animals of the opportunity to satisfy their most basic needs. The zoo community regards the animals it keeps as commodities, and animals are regularly bought, sold, borrowed, and traded without any regard for established relationships. Zoos breed animals because the presence of babies draws zoo visitors and boosts revenue. But the animals’ fate is often bleak once they outgrow their “cuteness.” And some zoos still import animals from the wild.
In general, zoos and wildlife parks preclude or severely restrict natural behavior, such as flying, swimming, running, hunting, climbing, scavenging, foraging, digging, exploring, and selecting a partner. The physical and mental frustrations of captivity often lead to abnormal, neurotic, and even self-destructive behavior, such as incessant pacing, swaying, head-bobbing, bar-biting, and self-mutilation.
Proponents of zoos like to claim that zoos protect species from extinction—seemingly a noble goal. However, wild-animal parks and zoos almost always favor large and charismatic animals who draw large crowds of visitors, but they neglect less popular species that also need to be protected. Most animals in zoos are not endangered, and while confining animals to zoos keeps them alive, it does nothing to protect wild populations and their habitats.
Returning captive-bred animals to the wild is, in most cases, impossible because animals who are reared in zoos are denied the opportunity to learn survival skills, can transmit diseases to their wild counterparts, and often have no natural habitat left to return to because of human encroachment. Breeding programs simply produce cute baby animals to attract zoo patrons and generate revenue, creating a surplus of unwanted adult animals. As a result, zoos often become extremely crowded, and older animals may be “warehoused” behind the scenes or shuffled off to shabby roadside zoos, animal dealers, or auctions.
Even after people are aware of this cruelty that is going on millions of people still visit zoos. A popular elementary school field trip is to the zoo, and it encourages children to visit the zoo more often. How do we humans find enjoyment out of animals being forced to live in a cage or small habitat? What have these innocent animals ever done to deserve this cruelty?
I am officially boycotting all zoos. After all life is short and nobody deserves to be stripped from their freedom. Show zoos that you don’t believe in their cruel practices by boycotting them, and instead choose to support animal friendly entertainment and educational activities.
You can also visit these amazing organizations to learn more about how we can help minimize animal cruelty:
Note: There will be spoilers here! Make sure you’ve watched the first two episodes of Season 4 before reading on.
Avatar fans, it’s finally time! The final season of the Legend of Korra is out, with the first two episodes already released and a third one on the way this week. This article is just the first of my weekly review posts on this last season of Korra. Being an Avatar fan since its very first season, I’m a little sad to know that after this it’ll all be over, but I’m looking forward to what this season may hold.
After a touching and heartbreaking Season 3 finale, many fans, including myself, were shocked to learn that the final season of Korra would be coming back so soon. As exciting as it was, it just brought up the knowledge impending end to the series. Despite that, I was still interested in just what this season would hold. After a somewhat lackluster Book 2 and a improved Book 3, I was hoping that that Book 4 would give me what I felt I lacked in the previous seasons. And wow, does it deliver!
Episode 1 gives us a little look into all of our cast’s lives since the three years from the Book 3 finale. Team Avatar’s Asami has been successful in saving her family business in Republic City; Mako now is the bodyguard of Prince Wu, the apparent relative and successor to the Earth Queen; and Bolin, working for Kuvira in her military for her goal of uniting the Earth Kingdom, believes he would help others. Korra is nowhere to be seen until the very end, and her reveal is quite a shocking one, barely keeping her own and losing in what appears to be an Earth kingdom brawl ring. Not only that, but she sports a new look, and when mentioned on her resemblance to the avatar, denies it. I knew that Korra was proabably suffering from PTSD issues during the finale, but seeing her getting beat up so easily definitely shows the extent of her ordeal on her ability to fight. She’s able to move around again, but doesn’t seem to be able to fight very well.
I thought that the first episode was a really good establisher episode overall.We got brief glimpses at what everyone’s been up to, including the airbenders Kai and Opal, who have been going around on peacekeeping missions in the earth kingdom.
Nice new outfits too!
We also get to see our new Season 4 villian, Kuvira, who was first seen in Book 3, and got a taste of what type of person she is.
She’s different from the villain’s in previous seasons, but also very interesting. From what we see, we know that she is very capable in combat and manipulating people into joining her cause, almost forcing them. She doesn’t like it when things don’t go her way, and I suspect that when she was trying to convince the state of Yi to join her, she was working with the bandits to sabatoge Kai and Opal’s attempt to help so that the governor would sign the contract. The bandits suddenly having the plane so they could steal the supplies from the airbenders so soon after Kuvira left the state of Yi was just too coincidental to not be suspicious. The fact that Bolin is working for her is something I think will become a point of conflict later in the series, seeing as how Opal was also not very approving of what Bolin was doing. Bolin seems to have a bad track record or working with the bad guys, (Varrick, Triple Thread Triad) but it always manages to somehow help expose just what the villains are really doing.
There’s a lot of interesting things going on in this first episode, but I’m going to go on to the second one, since that one had a lot of things that I’m really happy about.
First off, the episode title is definitely a homage to an earlier episode of Avatar, as it is called “Korra Alone,” focusing on Korra and her character growth the same way “Zuko Alone” did for Zuko back in Book 2 of the original trilogy. That was the first thing I personally noticed, and it’s a nice throwback to the original. Second, Avatar fans rejoice, for the melon lord is back! I didn’t expect to see Toph so soon, but it sort of makes sense, as she seems to be the person at the moment who is going to help Korra regain her ability to go into the avatar state and be herself again.
TOPH!!!! 😀
Seeing Korra’s personal struggles in this episode made my heart hurt for her, because you could see how painful it was and just what effect Zaheer’s attack had on her. I really liked how the episode showed how Katarawas the one who helped Korra recover, at least physically, because that definitely seems like something she would do. After being pushed into the background for much of Season 3, I was happy to see her again.
It was also really nice to see how Mako, Bolin and Asami care for Korra, by sending her letters of what’s been going on with them and how much they miss her. Each person’s letter had their own voice to it, and I just felt their bonds between them all and Korra. Seeing how Korra only wrote back to Asami also made me like their friendship so much more, because I hadn’t really felt like they were really friends until Book 3, which I enjoyed. It was a nice but bittersweet part, because you can see the effect her friend’s words are having on Korra, who, unable to do anything, is stuck at her home recovering where she feels useless.
In this episode, we see things from Korra’s perspective, and see her reason’s for lying to her parents and her whereabouts for the past half year. We learn that Korra is unable to go into the avatar state, and has flashbacks of her fight with Zaheer whenever she tries to fight, inhibiting her. From what I can tell, the “dark avatar” hallucination she sees may just be some kind of manifestation of some soft of Vaatu, but that’s just my guess. It could just be her PTSD affecting her somehow. We can see now that when she went into the earthbending arena, she was just really seeing her opponent as fighting herself.
When Korra lies to her parents to go on a soul-searching journey, we see her cut her hair and abandon her identifying water tribe clothes for some earth tribe garb. I kind of feel like this was her way of trying to shed her old self and rediscover who she is, since she still isn’t able to fully recover. There was that nice bit of throwback to Aang in this episode, which was a comic relief and easter egg to the fans, that I loved. Seeing how even though in the flashbacks Aang seemed serious but still retained his silly self was a welcoming sight.
When Korra went into the swamp, I knew she was probably going to meet Toph, since Aang saw Toph in a vision there in the original avatar trilogy. So when I saw this:
http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Korra
I was practically squeallling at the screen, wanting to see old Toph. And when I do and she calls Korra “twinkletoes,” I just feel that immense satisfaction and happiness at how Toph knows who Korra is, and still calls her by the same name she used for Aang.
While this second episode primarily focuses on Korra, I liked it just as much as the first one, since it gives a better perspective of the person Korra is now compared to who she was before. Now that we have all the characters in place, all that’s left is to observe what happens next.
This week’s episode is this Friday. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen from here!
I prefer reading then going to a lame social gathering. I prefer romantic relationships in novels compared to having one in my real life. I prefer living in the lives of characters in novels than my own, at times. After admitting the truth: my own little world consists of paperback romantic novels and my dreams are based on those characters in those paperbacks, I have come to six undeniable conclusions about being a book lover:
1. We love the smell of new books.
2. Any piece of paper in near reach becomes a bookmark.
3. We always love the book more than the movie.
4. You always want to know what the person next to you in the library or at Starbucks is reading.
5. Unintentionally falling asleep while reading in the mid hours between sunset to sunrise.
6. Wanting to live in a bookstore. Story of my life.
With the chilling array of badly produced horror films out nowadays, here is my personal list of horror films that will surely give you a scare.
1. Identity: This is my all time favourite horror film. The movie embeds a flabbergasting plot twist. Identity is more than the simple tale that people may initially perceive it to be. Rather than the gore that is presented, it is the foundation of the idea that chills one to the core.
2. 1408: What makes a great scary movie is the core exploration that the film takes you on. 1408 causes the viewer to journey through the tribulations of life and the definition of one’s purgatory. This nightmarish idea captivates the audience. Can you sense the underlying tone of John Cusack?
3. The Shining: Jack Nicholson’s performance combined with Stanley Kubric’s iconic directorial skills create a spectacular classic. This is a must-watch film for any movie buff. It is just the right amount of horror and fantasticalness.
Enjoy your scintillating journey through film. Halloween is the perfect time to explore the human condition through the use of horror and wonderfully terrifying narratives. Have a safe and happy Spooktober.
The Telus World of Science in Edmonton opened it’s doors to an exhibit on Saturday that showcases over 100 props from the Indiana Jones films as well as some real life relics that have been discovered all over the world by archaeologists. The interactive exhibit teaches you about history and archaeology by relating it to the Indiana Jones films with the help of a digital tablet given to you at the entrance. You can also catch a screening of the Raiders of the Lost Ark in the center’s IMAX theatre during your visit. The exhibit will be on until April 6 and only costs $19.50 for children and $26.50 for adults. You can click the link here to get a more in depth look at some of the props being shown and to watch an awesome video that gives you an inside look into the exhibition.
Think the drive up to Edmonton is too far? Nonsense! It takes about three hours from Calgary to get there; that’s equivalent to one and a half Indiana Jones movies! So make sure to check out the Indiana Jones and the Adventures of Archaeology exhibit before it’s too late!
A common misconception about vegetarianism is that with the absence of meat, protein is much harder to come by. Despite the belief of a surprising portion of the population, it’s entirely possible to get enough protein without eating any meat. Even if you aren’t a vegetarian (I know I’m not), it’s helpful to know things like this, especially if you are an athlete, are on a high protein diet or simply want to cut down on your meat consumption without sacrificing your protein intake. It is said that you should consume 0.8g of protein per kilo of body weight or 0.36g per pound daily. With most of the adult or fully grown population weighing in at around 68kg or 150lb, that equates to a recommended intake of roughly 54g of protein per day.
Meat-free Options
Dairy
Everything from greek yogurt to cheese to straight-up milk, dairy products offer high protein content, as well as calcium, plus they’re delicious (I may just have a slight cheese addiction…)!
Eggs
I know that eggs are not technically meat, but are still not eaten by some vegetarians. No matter, a large egg contains about 6g of protein, so even an omelet could contain upwards of 10g of protein. It’s a great option, however be aware, for eggs contain a large quantity of cholesterol, which consumed in too large of quantities, can cause health problems later in life.
Whole Wheat Pasta and Breads
Among grain products, these are great not only because they offer a good protein supplement, but are also low in fat and are packed with complex carbohydrates. Two pieces of toast in the morning or two cups of cooked pasta for lunch or supper can get you upwards of 12g of protein.
Vegan Options (These foods contain not only no meat, but no meat or animal by-products)
Quinoa
This nutritious grain is all the rage these days. You’d be surprised at some of the innovative recipes that people have come up that integrate quinoa seamlessly. 1 cup of cooked quinoa contains around 8g of protein and is not only low in fat, but is also high in fibre and magnesium.
Nuts and Seeds
I’d say that these ones are essential. Most types of nuts and seeds have around 30g of protein per cup. But be aware; as delicious and addictive as nuts like almonds can be, they contain a ton of fat, so only eat them sparingly. That being said, they contain only a very small amount of saturated fat in proportion to their serving and no trans fats, so the fats they contain are healthier in comparison to those found in meat.
Beans/Peas
Ah, legumes. Pretty much everyone has heard the little rhyme about beans and how they give you gas (which is, by the way, due to their high fibre content) but who’d’ve thought that they contain so much protein? Even if you don’t like beans and peas on principle, you can easily integrate them into meals without it being gross by any means. Bonus fact: Peanuts are in fact not a nut, but are also a member of the legume family like beans and peas are.
Soy Products
It has been known for a long time that you can morph soy into pretty much anything and make it taste good. Not only is soy inherently healthy, but it offers a dietary diversity that allows it to be used in so many different ways. Soy is a great meat substitute that can certainly help you meet your daily protein quota without meat. Caution: Over 90% of soy grown now is genetically modified (GMO). At the moment, possible health effects stemming from GMOS are still unknown, so take precautions and read labels.
Leafy Greens
This includes things like spinach, kale and lettuce. Although it may not seem like they contain much protein at all, they are great supplements. In a salad, smoothie or however you choose, these veggies can add a little bit of protein without being the focal point of a dish. Not to mention that they’re packed with other nutrients that are essential to maintain good health.
Every year, you see a variety of Disney princesses and superheroes running across the lighted streets on Halloween nights. Even though these costumes are easy to find and super cute, they gradually lose their originality and people begin to classify you as “one of the princesses/superheros”. However, there are several Halloween costumes which are super easy to make but it will make you pop in a crowd.
Inspired by Lady Gaga, we are going to make Coke can curlers which takes very little time to put on and to remove. Let’s be honest here, who actually has the energy to remove a costume for an hour after a tiresome night of trick-or-treating?
You need:
1 hair brush/comb
5-8 empty coke cans (CLEAN)
Bobby pins
Hairspray
To-do:
Clean out approximately 3-5 empty soda cans, or if you have hair that is long and thick, clean out 8-10 cans. Wrap a hair band around each of the cans.
Comb hair thoroughly to remove any tangles.
Section hair into the five sections or more. The sections do not have to be perfectly even. However, each strand should not be too thick as bobby pins may not be able to support.
Spray hairspray on a strand of hair, and wrap the strand of hair around a aluminum can. Pin the top and the bottom of the curl with bobby pins. Repeat this step with the other strands.
Check out yourself and fix all the strands and YOUR DONE!
Get your Gaga mode ON!
Retrieved from http://sophieannaliese.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/diy-halloween-costumes-the-classics/
With the arrival of fall, comes the arrival of new trends in the fashion world. Last saturday Calgary got to witness some of the most unique fall pieces created yet by Canadian designers at PARKLUXE 2014.
PARKLUXE was an evening out into the beautiful world of fashion and art which aspired to showcase local designers and professional artist’s work. The designers’ work showcased on the runway this year were: Caitlin Power, Laura Seigel, Malorie Urbanovitch, Workhall Boutique, Paul Hardy Design, and Maison Matthew Gallagher.
The clothing this season really stood out to me, very bold and unique, borderline edgy, and very very sexy. I really loved the edgy look portrayed on the runway this season. That sense of danger and edge made the outfits look super hot even with the slightly bland fall colour schemes. Although I am not a personal fan of fall colours because I find them very plain, this season these plain lifeless colours came to life, and when combined correctly looked simply astonishing.
This ravishing piece was designed by Paul Hardy, and I’m simply in love with it! Firstly I love the fur, in my opinion it looks incredibly cozy and comfortable and it also makes a bold statement. Comfortable and trendy, what more can a girl ask for? Plus fur is always in, this foxy outfit is definitely an eye-catcher!
Caitlin Power blew me out of the park with this piece! I admire the combination of black and the pop of blue! This jacket definitely caught my eye due to the leather arms and of course the colour. The leather created an edgy touch, and the layering of the jacket made the outfit look 1000 times hotter.
I’m not going to lie, Laura Siegel’s collection was definitely my favourite! Her entire collection screamed unique! Let me start with the colour scheme… I absolutely hate those shades of green but when I saw the both of them pieced together with that gorgeous necklace and sexy headband, I fell head over heels for it! The black headband adds a sense of alluring danger and in my perspective adds a sense of mystery to the outfit and person wearing it. This edgy look is fascinating.
They say simplicity is key to beauty, and if that’s true then Matthew Gallagher definitely knows what he is doing. I really liked how Matthew used a light colour like this white/beige extending it to the neck and all the way down, it makes the outfit look very classy. The black fabric portion, in my opinion, makes the outfit deserve a second glance. If I had to describe his entire collection in one word I’d definitely call it glamorous.
Workhall Boutique: I need a pair of those glasses, I’ve fallen in love with them! This look is just so edgy and raw, its killer. I think the simplicity of the black top and the way it is designed around the collar adds a classy look to the outfit, but for me the glasses are the show stealer. Favourite accessory throughout all the collects would definitely be these glasses.
Now for my favourite outfit of the night, a Paul Hardy design. What’s not to love about this outfit, its unique, edgy, glamours, sexy, and beautiful all in one. The silver fabric added richness to the outfit, where as the black gloves added danger and edge. Undoubtedly, this piece is my number one pick from all collections seen on the runway!
As time evolves so do fashion trends, and I’ve got to say the designers at PARKLUXE 2014 are magic makers and trend setters. All five collections, were stunning and amazingly designed! Hats off to all the designers and everyone apart of PARKLUXE 2014 that made it such a memorable night!
“Everyday is a fashion show and the world is a runway.” ~Coco Chanel
In my personal opinion, I believe debate is something everyone should get into. It is one of the best extracurriculars you could do. I began debating in Grade 8 for Tom Baines Junior High, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Debate is something that develops a bunch of your skills: it improves public speaking, note-taking, researching, it helps you learn how to effectively structure a speech, and most importantly, debate helps you with your logic. In other words, you can win every argument you will ever get into if the other person is a non-debater. I can vouch for that from personal experience.
What I have noticed is that many people don’t seem to know about debate. And the ones who do have huge misconceptions. So, I have set up this mini-series of blogs to help people take their first steps towards debating.
Before anything else, I will give you a profile on my debate background. I started a debate club, with my fellow YAA blogger Sunand at my junior high school. This club was hastily formed and as such, did not enter the official competitions. However, in Grade 9, with much more planning, we were able to set up an officially registered debate club. As a school which had been removed from competition for over five years, we fared incredibly well in our first year back, collecting various medals throughout the season. My team won second place at the Webber tournament while I placed first and we also performed exceptionally well at Calgary regionals. As of now, with no new tournaments having started I am currently the 2nd ranked debater in Calgary in my age category. Now, what I want all of you to keep in mind is that this was my first year in debate. I literally learned the format of the rounds two weeks before I attended my first tournament. But, as I debated I learned and by the end of the year, I could debate as well as anyone. Debate is not hard to learn – the rules are quite simple. As long as you have the confidence to succeed and the drive, you can be great at debate. Don’t get me wrong, you will stumble at the beginning, or like me, fall flat on my face (I placed 46th in my first tournament), but you need to get up and say: “I was not very good that time around; what am I going to do to improve?” Debate is about building on your mistakes. No one, not even prodigies, are able to nail the first debate they attend. It’s simply not possible. So, I hope that through this first blog I have calmed your nerves and has piqued your interest in debate. I will see you next week when I’ll introduce how to establish a new debate club and how to register with the ADSA.
Female Indian scientists celebrating their spacecraft entering Mars orbit (pri.org)
This picture became viral these past two weeks, as it showed a collective group of Indian female scientists congratulating one another on a mission success. It is truly a rare occurrence to see a third-world country with such a capable space program, but India shattered the convention last month when their Mars orbiter spacecraft successfully entered the Mars orbit after a nearly 10 month journey. The world watches with exuberance and awe, as the arrival of the space age for India is a sign of it becoming a first-world country. (advocate.jbu.edu)
The spacecraft (Mangalyaan) was launched on Nov. 5, 2013 to much criticism and doubt. A developing nation such as India surely is not need of a space program, when it has crippling poverty to tackle. Nonetheless, the 74 million orbiter was launched into an elliptical orbit with Earth, where it gained enough momentum to launch itself towards Mars.
Despite the low budget, the spacecraft will perform a variety of tasks while orbiting Mars during its 10-month mission. This includes measuring Mars’ atmosphere for traces of methane, as it is an important indicator of life. Methane is a main component in waste produced by micro-organisms, but it would escape Mar’s atmosphere relatively quickly due to it being rather thin. This means that if the Mangalyaan does detect any methane, it could indicate that it had to have been produced recently, serving as evidence to signs of life on Mars. (collectspace.com)
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) received overwhelming praise from around the world for its ingenuity. The ability to not only send a spacecraft to Mars with a relatively low budget, but to also have it successfully orbit the planet, could open doors for India to lucrative space deals with U.S. and Europe. Other Asian countries, including China, has recognized India’s achievement in their effort to be a part of the space industry. To put ISRO’s mission budget of $74 million in perspective, a normal U.S. Mars scouting mission cost around $500-$600 million; and the movie “Gravity” had a budget of $100 million. The ISRO had also matched the U.S. in terms of speed. Mangalyaan was launched on Nov. 5, 2013, and arrived on Sept. 24, 2014, and took 324 days to make the trip; while the U.S. MAVEN mission to Mars launched on Nov. 18 2013, and arrived on Sept. 22, 2014 took 309 days.
All in all, India has set a milestone in space exploration. Not only did they reach Mars on their first attempt, but the amount of resources they had poured in this project were limited. India has proved that one day, actually travelling to space will cost less than making a movie about space. One day, space travel will not be economically possible, but achievable. For India, that day is within reach.
Here are two problems we face in being on time for school, and how to solve them.
Are you very particular in how you look?
This mostly goes out to all the ladies out there. We all have to admit that applying makeup is not an easy task, and it takes experience/practice for you to get that eyeliner perfect every time. Some people just have to make sure they feel confident before they leave the house. It’s great if you look your best everyday, but if that is keeping you from getting somewhere on time, you should try to come up with a simpler routine. There are many YouTube channels that help you decide on a quick and easy morning routine. Ask yourself, can you tweak it to be more efficient? Could you rework so that you still have enough time, and don’t run late?
Do you try to do too many things at once?
Perhaps you feel the need to do too many things all at once. You may think that this technique is a time saver, but I can be more of a disadvantage if you do not organize yourself. Remember, multi-tasking is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially not in the mornings. Maybe you need to empty the dishwasher and straighten your hair. I always have so much to do that because I am trying to do so many things at once, I miss the bus! I just have to focus on the fact that I can finish it when I get home, or even on the bus. If there is something you have to do in the morning because you did not have time the night before then make sure you wake up a bit earlier. Always be in schedule for your day, and make sure you stayed focused on leaving the door at the right time.
People who are really well organized are the ones who have higher chances of succeeding with their goals. I hope all of you are able to catch the bus on time, or manage your time properly, and change the reasons behind why you are always running late!
Oh, English grammar, I love you. From the amazing, quirky website, Mentalfloss, comes an article with seven sentences that sound crazy and nonsensical but are actually grammatically correct. Thinking about how interesting these sentences were, I thought I’d share them on here. Word to the wise, put your thinking caps on; these sentences require a bit of thinking! Thankfully, the article had enough explanation for me to get the gist, so I hope my interpretation/explanation of these make some sense to you. If they don’t, feel free to look at the article which explains it better.
1. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas.
At first glance, you might be reading this as
One morning [I shot an elephant] [in my pajamas].
It makes sense structurally and grammatically, but there is another way to structure this. The other possible, and still gramatical reading would be
One morning [I shot] [an elephant in my pajamas].
This is one of those sentences I find to be quite eccentric and yet still amusing.
This one took me a while to fully really understand, but this sentence is called a garden path sentence. It is basically a sentence that when we first read over interpret it incorrectly, making out the sentence to be different from its meaning. These types of sentences are illustrating the fact that when we read, we process the language one word at a time. The “garden path” of the sentence refers to us “being led down the garden path,” or being misled. So basically, as you read you structure your words in a way that should make sense, but then go onto the next word in the sentence and realize the structure becomes inconsistent with the new word, or the path down that you had been led. At first, we just read “the horse raced past the barn,” but the addition of the word ‘fell’ makes us have to readdresses the structure.
3. The complex houses married and single soldiers and their families.
Another garden path sentence, you may think something along the lines of, the complicated houses married single soldiers and their families, which makes no sense. this one is more understandable when you realize that “complex” here is not the adjective, but the noun, that “houses” is not the noun but the verb, and “married” is an adjective instead of a past tense verb. Still with me? Basically, the complex (apartment) houses (holds) married and single soldiers and their families. Make sense? It’s a weird one, but a lot less complicated than the last one.
4. The rat the cat the dog chased killed the malt.
This interesting sentence uses multiple centre embedding, where you put a phrase in the middle of another phase with the same type. Something like “I knew this guy, who knew this girl, who knew this kid, etc.” If it’s still confusing, you can watch this video, I’m sure you’ll get the idea if you don’t already. 😉
So then, what’s going on in this sentence? Well, the rat ate the malt, then got killed by the cat, who was chased by a dog. The grammar works, but figuring out what it means is a little more difficult.
5. Anyone who feels that if so many more students whom we haven’t actually admitted are sitting in on the course than ones we have that the room had to be changed, then probably auditors will have to be excluded, is likely to agree that the curriculum needs revision.
Okay, I’m actually lost on this one. I included it for the sake of seeing if anyone really understood it, because really, even with mentalfloss’ explanation, I still have no idea what it’s saying.
My favorite sentence is this one right here. This sentence never gets old. As a starting point for understanding this, note that “buffalo” is a noun, a city and a verb meaning to intimidate. Seeing as how I’d probably mess up the explanation for this, just check out wikipedia’s explanation.
This should explain it.
Confusing? Yes. But oh so fun to say, just because.
7. This exceeding trifling witling, considering ranting criticizing concerning adopting fitting wording being exhibiting transcending learning, was displaying, notwithstanding ridiculing, surpassing boasting swelling reasoning, respecting correcting erring writing, and touching detecting deceiving arguing during debating.
That’s a lot of “-ings.” And it apparently means, “This very superficial grammatist, supposing empty criticism about the adoption of proper phraseology to be a show of extraordinary erudition, was displaying, in spite of ridicule, a very boastful turgid argument concerning the correction of false syntax, and about the detection of false logic in debate.” Still kind of complicated to me, but I get the gist.
Well, all these are great and wonderful examples of the wonders of English grammar. I hope you enjoyed that little brain twister, and have gained a better appreciation of the English language.
Article from here, sources from sentences: 1. Groucho Marx; 2. Bever (1970); 3. Wikipedia; 4. Chomsky & Miller (1963); 5. Chomsky & Miller (1963); 6. William Rapaport; 7. Goold Brown (1851).
helps you with your logic. In other words, you can win every argument you will ever get into if the other person is a non-debater. I can vouch for that from personal experience.
Before anything else, I will give you a profile on my debate background. I started a debate club, with my fellow YAA blogger 
