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New Butterfly Species in Waterton National Park

Sukrutha
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New Butterfly Species in Waterton National Park

In April 2025, a new, geographically isolated species of butterfly, known as the Curiously Isolated Hairstreak butterfly, was identified in Waterton Lakes National Park. This butterfly species was found in a grassland area called the Blakiston Fan.

Physical Characteristics: 

This small butterfly has brown wings with black spots surrounded by white rings on the inside. The wingspan of male curiously isolated hairstreaks is 25 mm, while that of the females is slightly larger and paler.

The name “Hairstreak” pertains to the hair-like tails that are present on the forewings of this butterfly species.

Habitat and Niche:

The only known population of Curiously Isolated Hairstreak lives 400 km away from its closest relative, the Half Moon Hairstreak butterfly in British Columbia and Montana. The Curiously Isolated Hairstreak’s habitat is confined to the alluvial grasslands of the Blakiston Fan. An alluvial fan is a cone-like deposit of sediments falling from a steeper, valley-like area to a wider, flat area. The Blakiston Fan is at the edge of the mountains in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Along with occupying a distinct habitat, isolated from other butterfly species, the Curiously Isolated Hairstreak relies upon a different host plant, the silvery lupine. It is also in a symbiotic relationship with an ant species, Lasius ponderosae. The butterfly larvae produce a sugary substance called honeydew for the ants, while the ants protect the larvae from parasites.

Distinct Genetic Patterns:

Previously, this butterfly species was categorized as a subspecies of the half-moon hairstreak butterfly. However, researchers from the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo analyzed all the DNA sequences of the insects in the Blakiston Fan region and found that the curiously isolated hairstreak was both genetically and geographically isolated from other butterfly species more than 40,000 years ago.

When a single species becomes geographically isolated, it experiences different selective pressures in its environment. Consequently, they develop different adaptations and are unable to reproduce with each other, leading to the formation of new species.

Significance of this discovery and next steps:

Although the discovery of this new species is a step forward towards biodiversity conservation efforts, the highly specialized niche that the butterfly occupies makes it an endangered species.

As the population of the Curiously Isolated Hairstreak has been critically low throughout history, its genetic pool has low diversity. Low genetic diversity is a result of inbreeding and genetic drift, which can occur in low population sizes. Decreased genetic diversity also reduces the population’s ability to adapt to climatic or habitat changes, making conservation efforts more challenging.

According to the Wilder Institute, tailored, site-specific conservation strategies would be the next step forward in the conservation of this unique species.

As well, Parks Canada and the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo are collaborating to better understand the life stages and ecological interactions to make conservation decisions and plans.

What can you do?

According to Parks Canada, these two steps are the best way to stop the spread of invasive species that can affect the butterfly species’ survival.

  1. Ensure your hiking gear is clean and free of plant matter.
  2. Staying on marked roads and hiking trails.

TL;DR

The discovery of the Curiously Isolated Hairstreak is a step forward for Canadians to preserve our biodiversity. Although much more study and care are required to ensure that the newly identified butterfly species thrives, this discovery emphasizes the power of genetic tools and research collaborations in conserving Canada’s rich ecosystems.

Sources:

Curiously isolated hairstreak butterfly – Waterton Lakes National Park

SECRETS OF THE BLAKISTON FAN: ISOLATED BUTTERFLY REVEALED AS NEW SPECIES | Wilder Institute

‘Curiously isolated’ butterfly species discovered in Waterton Lakes National Park | CBC News

Curious animal isolated for 40,000 years found living in Rocky Mountains | Discover Wildlife

Seize The Moment! How To Conquer Performance Anxiety

Suha Arvapalli
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Seize The Moment! How To Conquer Performance Anxiety

Whether is a piano recital, dance competition, or big presentation, performance anxiety makes itself known in every field, whether its sports or music. Performance anxiety can get so severe that it can impact your everyday life and mental health, hindering your ability to do your best. There’s nothing worse than working hard just to get cold feet during your big moment.

Thankfully, there’s many techniques you can use to conquer performance anxiety before your big day. With time and experience, you’ll figure out what methods work best for you, and you’ll know exactly how to prepare for your next performance. Each big moment allows you to do better for the next one!

These tips are what helped me the most during preparations for my performances, so everything below is from personal experience. This means that not all of it will work for you, but it’s important to try everything you can before jumping to conclusions!

News Flash: Deep Breathing and Positive Affirmations Actually Work

Photo by madison lavern on Unsplash

I used to think positive affirmations were pointless, but I realized that “fake it till you make it” applies to performances as well. Prior to your performance, if you essentially gaslight yourself into thinking everything will go well, you’ll develop more confidence in yourself and do better. Tell yourself you’re prepared and ready, and that the audience is there to support you and encourage you.

I spoke to a few veterinary medicine students at the University of Calgary, and they told me that their professors would make them hold a superhero pose for a minute before their OSCE exam to boost confidence before the big test. It may feel silly right now, but it truly helps in the long run.

Along with positive affirmations, positive visualization helps some people before their big moment as well. Picture yourself getting on the stage and putting out the performance of your lifetime, receiving a standing ovation from the audience and feeling an immense amount of pride afterwards. This tricks your brain into thinking the moment is real, boosting your confidence and motivation.

Once you start to feel anxious, use methods like box breathing or 4-7-8 breathing to get more oxygen into your system. Studies have shown that these techniques aid your nervous system during times of high-stress. Remember that the anxiety is temporary and is merely your nervous system reacting to stress. By placing the anxiety at the very back of your mind, you can focus on giving the audience your best performance.

Recognize Patterns of Overthinking

Photo by Alazar Ferrazzini on Unsplash

Prior to your performance, you may experience patterns of overthinking as you prepare. Negative thoughts, being constantly overwhelmed, and being unable to think about anything apart from the big day are all signs of overthinking. It’s vital to recognize these patterns so you can focus on stopping them.

When you find yourself unable to think about anything but your performance, that’s when you know you need to step back and think about how to divert your attention. Call irrational thoughts for what they are, and show yourself some compassion. Most people worry about making mistakes on stage, but remember that mistakes are a part of being human. Instead, practice making mistakes and moving on smoothly during your performance, ensuring that the mistake doesn’t affect your overall presentation.

Counter your negative thoughts and ensure you stay rational. Dedicate times in your day specifically for mentally preparing yourself for the performance. Remember that your performance is meant to be a gift that you give to your audience, not an opportunity for embarrassment. Ensure you dedicate your time to other hobbies as well, and stop any thoughts of the performance outside of the time slot you give yourself.

Preparation is the Key to Success

Photo by Wan San Yip on Unsplash

The more prepared you are, the less anxious you’ll feel. Being as prepared as possible will ensure that you don’t choke on stage. If it’s something like piano or dance, being extra prepared allows for muscle memory to take over in case you freeze on stage. Ensuring you give yourself a reasonable amount of time each day to practice (not too much, not too little) allows you to be ready. Set goals for what you want to accomplish each day, and work until you meet these goals.

When you practice, mimic the real performance environment. Put on the outfit you’re going to wear, put on your dress shoes, get friends or family to watch you, do anything that’ll allow you to visualize yourself at the venue. Search up the place you’ll be presenting at beforehand and look at pictures of the stage. Doing so will allow the performance to feel less alienating and more familiar, and you’ll feel more comfortable on stage.

If you can’t practice in front of other people, recording your practices is also a great way to both prepare for the anxiety you’ll face on stage and also find weaker sections to improve on. Performance is a skill, and the more you perform, the more you can develop this skill. Knowing how to use the stress and anxiety you feel on stage to your advantage and practicing keeping your calm are both things that need experience to get good at.

TL;DR & Conclusion

Performance anxiety is extremely common, whether it’s a recital, competition, or presentation, and it can be frustrating when nerves get in the way of something you’ve worked hard for. But good news is that it can be managed with the right mindset and tools.

  • Things like deep breathing, positive affirmations, and visualizing success go a long way.
  • Overthinking is a huge part of anxiety. Recognize when it’s happening and be kind to yourself. Practice getting over mistakes without hindering your overall performance.
  • Preparation is the biggest confidence booster. Practicing consistently, stimulating real performance conditions, and recording yourself can help ease your nerves.

I found myself stressed for a month prior to a piano recital, and I regret wasting all that time worrying for something that went really well. I found that distracting myself by putting that energy into doing things I enjoy took my mind off of the nerve-wracking day coming up. It felt like I was walking towards my impending doom, but in reality, I had a great time. I was grateful to have the opportunity to display what months of hard work got me. The performance wasn’t perfect, but if I could do it all over again, I would. Now I have the ability to prepare even better for the next one!

Each performance is a step toward getting better, and you’ll grow with every experience. You’ve got this!

Sources: 1, 2

The Story Behind the Castle: Disney Studios

Kheta
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The Story Behind the Castle: Disney Studios

Whether it be birthday parties or theme parks, Disney has shaped our generation’s childhood through its legacy in animation. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney has been creating extraordinary movies for its audience since 1927 when Walt Disney Studio was first established. Disney has a significant role in shaping the childhood of an entire generation while also attracting older audiences with its more recent productions such as Marvel. In this article, we will discuss iconic movies and moments where Disney gained traction!

 

How it All Started:

Unsplash By kaleb tapp. Published on August 22, 2022.

Disney was an idea Walt Disney had in 1920 when he first entered the animation industry through Kansas City Film ads. In a few years, other animators and friends collaborated to create the first animated/live-action movie by Disney which was Alice in Cartoonland (1923). As soon as they released this movie Disney declared bankruptcy however the movie piqued the interest of the audience and demanded for more. Upon this success, the team made more movies related to the Alice theme in Hollywood. Afterwards, Disney made its first fully animated movie (with the character of Oswald) however, contract issues with Universal Pictures led to the creation of the iconic Mickey Mouse!

 

Disney’s First Hits:

One of the first successful creations of Walt Disney, after setting up the first impression of Disney Studios with Mickey Mouse was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. An animated movie which released in 1937 and was an instant success as it paved the road for future animations. This movie was presented in the new three-strip technicolor technology which essentially made the colours brighter in which the cameras presented red, green and blue. What makes this movie even more iconic is the fact that it received lots of hesitation and hopelessness from Walt’s surroundings. Despite the barriers, Walt never gave up;

“I think [Snow White] is one of the more perfect plots – I mean, basic all the way through. From the very start you have sympathy.” -Walt Disney

Unsplash By
Leópold Kristjánsson

Another famous movie from Disney is Pinocchio! The filmmakers started this project as soon as Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs was released. The purpose of Pinocchio was to experiment with 3D models as well as establishing water effects in animation. The production of Pinocchio involved frequent use of the multiplane camera technology ( a camera which adds depth and creates illusions).

Thirdly, Disney released Fantasia in The Broadway Theatre in 1940. Unlike the previous movies, Fantasia focused on sound while also reinstating Mickey Mouse. The audio system which was integrated into theatres was called Fantasound. Fantasound was the building block of modern spatial audio. The sound system incorporates multiple channels of sound rather than one single source hence, producing a realistic experience.

“Fantasia, to me is a whole new opportunity. For my medium it opens up unlimited possibilities. Music has always played a very important part since sound came into the cartoon.” –Walt Disney

While both Pinocchio and Fantasia are classified as iconic in today’s era, the movies did not profit in the 1940s therefore, Disney went into a financial crisis. Upon such difficulties the film Dumbo released in 1941 became the next profit for Disney. Additionally, the production of Dumbo occurred around the time of WW2 in which Disney had a low budget. The success of this movie proved Disney’s animation capabilities even at lower budgets and shorter timespans. Furthermore, the movie’s budget was $950,000 while its grossing was a whopping $1.3 Million

Unsplash By Taha

The Impact of Disney Theme Parks:

Walt Disney’s vision with animation and creativity didn’t stop at theatres in which he felt the need to expand Disney. When taking his kids to entertainment spots he realized how unsatisfied the adults feel. His vision was to create something every age group can enjoy while further establishing Disney characters through tourism. On July 17, 1955 the first Disneyland was opened. The construction of this particular theme park was under the direct supervision of Walt Disney making it authentic. Notably, the opening was supposed to welcome 11,000 people however the park was overcrowded with 28,000 people! The rising fame of Disneyland attracted national tourists but also international political authorities including queens and prime ministers from countries such as India, Nepal, Iran, European nations, Africa and South America! Soon after Walt Disney’s focus shifted towards land in Florida where he initiated the globally recognized EPCOT theme park. Nevertheless, Walt Disney was not the only individual behind the success of Disney in which many famous businessmen and artists were a part of the journey of Disney.

 

Unsplash By
Mauro Lima

TL;DR

  • Disney was established by Walt Disney and his peers in 1920
  • Its first film was Alice in Cartoonland (1923)
  • Soon Disney went into Bankruptcy in which Mickey Mouse was crafted
  • Disney experienced a rollercoaster of situations in the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo
  • The company developed its technology and animation style in this journey
  • Walt Disney thought of theme parks as a great family experience and established the world’s first Disneyland in 1955

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

How Science Fairs Sparked My Love for Discovery

Natania V
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As a second-generation immigrant with a passion for stories, cultures, and human experience, I always saw myself as an avid humanities lover. My heart always leaned toward literature, history, and the messy beauty of human connection. Science? That felt like a world for math geniuses and lab-coat enthusiasts. Yet, that all changed when I started doing science fair five years ago, not just as a thinker, but as someone who discovered a love for psychology, neuroscience, and even machine learning. If you’re a kid (or a parent reading this), I’m here to tell you why science fairs are for everyone, even if you don’t think you’re necessarily “science-brained.”

My Science Fair Journey

Five years ago, I entered my first science fair as a nervous middle schooler. I wasn’t a science kid. I was the exact opposite. I spent my time writing poetry, fiction stories, and I wouldn’t leave the house without a book. My mom encouraged me to try, so I picked a topic that sparked even a little interest, the psychology of mnemonics. That project sparked a curiosity I didn’t know I had. That first project sparked a curiosity that only grew with each fair. Each year, I looked into further research applications of different streams within psychology. Fast forward to 2025, I was analyzing fMRI scans to understand how exactly acculturation, the process of adopting the values of a new culture while still retaining the original culture, shapes brain connectivity. I was even able to build machine learning models to predict cultural stress. A humanities kid coding AI models, that I never thought was possible? I owe that to science fairs.

The pinnacle was competing at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, Canada’s largest youth STEM event, hosted by Youth Science Canada. CWSF was a whirlwind of inspiration, with hundreds of students from grades 7-12 showcasing mind-blowing projects. The energy in the room was electric, with 400 finalists presenting groundbreaking ideas in Fredricton, New Brunswick. I felt part of a vibrant community of curious minds, all united by a drive to explore. This week-long event included lab tours, talks from STEM leaders, and even a long-standing tradition of pin trading, where you trade pins from your regions with other finalists. CWSF wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of like-minded individuals, full of creativity and connection.

Why Science Fairs Are for Everyone

You don’t need to love physics or chemistry to shite at a science fair, local or national like CWSF. Here’s why every kid should try one:

  1. It’s About Your Questions: Science fairs are about asking “why” or “how.” My questions asked over the years, from the psychology of suicide, to the analysis of brain scans, came from my own lived experiences and all my interests. Whether you love music, sports, or stories, you can turn your passion into a project. Love history? Looking into how culture impacts mental health. Love art? Explore how colour influences emotions. CWSF’s diversity of projects, from health to engineering, proves there’s a place for every interest.
  2. The Research Process is Magic: I fell in love with research. Digging into studies, connecting ideas, and building something new became part of my life. It’s like solving a mystery, whether you’re analyzing brain scans or survey responses. This skill translates to any field, from writing essays to tackling real-world problems. At CWSF, I saw how my humanities-driven storytelling made my data come alive, earning praise from judges.
  3. You’ll Discover New Passions: Science fairs led me to psychology and neuroscience, then to machine learning. Fields that 10-year-old me would have never dreamt of exploring, but now have become something I do for fun! My project on acculturation revealed just how much integration strengthens brain connectivity, sparking my fascination with the mind. Coding an AI model felt like a dream. You might start with a simple idea and uncover a field that changes your future forever.
  4. Resilience and Creativity Thrive: Science fairs teach you to pivot through setbacks. I spent hours fixing blurry fMRI scans and buggy code, but each challenge only made me sharper. My humanities passions brought creativity to my projects, blending personal narratives with data. The collaborative environment of science and the amazing people, with peer feedback and expert input, amplified this creativity further.
  5. A Community of Curious Minds: CWSF, as well as Calgary Youth Science Fair, connected me with hundreds of finalists from across Canada, all sharing a passion for discovery. We were able to trade ideas, cheered each other on and finally formed lifelong friendships. The fair’s STEM Expo and lab tours showed us just how academia and professionals work, making science feel accessible, exciting, and a reality for driven youth.

How Science Fairs Shaped Me

Science fairs, especially CWSF, helped me understand myself. My projects on acculturation mirrored my bicultural experience, showing how integration fosters neural resilience while marginalization raises stress risks. These findings weren’t just data. They validated my life and the lives of millions. Collaborating with experts at CWSF gave me the tools to turn personal questions into rigorous science.

CWSF was a turning point. Presenting to judges, engaging with peers, and exploring world-class showed me the power of STEm to address human challenges. The fair’s vibrant community and nearly $1 million in awards and scholarships highlighted the value of youth innovation. It taught me that curiosity, not a “science brain,” drives impact. I went from a humanities lover to someone dreaming of a science-based career.

My Advice to Kids (and Parents)

If you think science fairs aren’t for you because you’re not “science-y,” think again. Start with a question that excites you. Maybeit’ss about music, culture, or even your favourite game, whatever it is, start a project. Join a local fair, aim for CWSF, and dive into the research process. You’ll mess up, learn, and grow. Parents, encourage your kids to try, even if they lean towards humanities like I did. Science fair’s mix of competition, collaboration, and celebration will show them they belong in STEM.

Science fairs, especially CWSF, were my bridge from stories to science. They showed me that every question can spark change, and that collaborating with experts can turn ideas into a reality. So take the leap. Your idea might just change your life and the world.

How to Start Summer Maxing: The Ultimate Guide to Make The Most Out of Your Summer

Justin Slisko
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How to Start Summer Maxing: The Ultimate Guide to Make The Most Out of Your Summer

Summer Is Finally Here

Summer just started; school is finally out; exam marks are in; and the temperature is going wild. With students rushing out of classrooms, a totally new, vibrant presence fills the air. Deadlines are gone, and longer, sunnier days accompanied by free time have finally arrived.

For many students, summertime can act as a reset button. Now that school is over, schedules are more open, which results in everyone scurrying around to find something to do. It’s the perfect time to utilize this new motivation and make the most out of these few months of freedom.

How To Summer Max

When I say summer max, I don’t inherently mean spending the summer looks maxing. What I mean is trying to make the most out of your summertime. It means find something new to do, to better yourself as a person, and find ways to maximize your potential. A lot of us have been in a situation where someone asks, “What did you do over the summer?” Most of the time, people answer with “nothing” because they literally just slept and weren’t all that productive. Trying to make the most out of your summer is a great way to avoid that awkward answer and actually have something meaningful to share.

There isn’t necessarily a set of rules when it comes to trying to make the most out of your summer. Each individual person has different views or ideas on what making the most out of summer actually means. I’ll be providing you with suggestions on what you can do, or what you can avoid doing, to try and be as productive as possible this summer.

floaties in a pool spelling out the word summer
Photo by Warren Umoh on Unsplash

1. Pick Up Hobbies

Picking up hobbies is a great way to learn something new, build skills, and fill up your free time. There are so many different hobbies you can try with a school-free schedule. You can learn an instrument, start drawing, learn a new language, take on DIY projects, pick up a new sport, garden or plant a small herb, bake or experiment with new recipes, or journal, just to name a few. The potential for new hobbies in the summertime is endless, and for most of them, all you need to get started is some motivation and free time.

 

2. Volunteer or Work

Volunteering or working is a great way to meet new people, build your skills, and gain valuable experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. There are plenty of job opportunities in the summertime so finding a position may not be too difficult. Many different organizations also look for youth volunteers, including some you might not even expect. For those of you already involved in a volunteer organization, it never hurts to volunteer with multiple groups.

 

3. Start A Side Hustle

Starting a side hustle gives you the opportunity to earn passive income. It gives you full freedom to explore starting your own small business or diving into topics you enjoy. It also allows you to take your hobbies to the next level. Side hustles can be an amazing idea if you’re looking to make money this summer.

 

4. Social Media Break/Detox

With social media taking the world by storm, it feels nearly impossible to live life without it. Taking a break from social media can provide a much needed cleanse and a reality check. Summertime is the perfect opportunity to try stepping away from social media. It doesn’t even have to be long. Giving it up for just one weekend can be a huge step toward exploring new things.

 

5. Physically Glow Up

This summer, you could start prioritizing your physical health by trying new workouts or routines. With motivation and free time, who knows, you might even have a glow up.

6. Set Goals and Create A Planner

Filling your schedule with lots of new hobbies or a job can be hard to manage. Without proper planning or setting goals, it is easy for things to slip through the cracks. A simple goal, such as practicing an instrument twice a week for one hour, can help you build habits and prevent you from giving up. Remember, it is okay if you let something go this summer. Just because you did not stick with it does not mean it was a waste of time. Having all this free time gives you room to explore and find out what you enjoy.

a person writing inside a journal
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Avoid Doing These Things

If we really want to make the most out of the summertime, it would be helpful to avoid some of these things. However, that does not mean these activities are bad, and you should not feel like a failure if you do them. There is nothing inherently wrong with them, just remember they can interfere with trying new things and being productive.

 

1. Ignoring Your Goals

Ignoring your goals can cause you to stop trying new things and make you forget why you started in the first place. Trying something new can be challenging so it is important to prioritize creating smart, long-lasting goals that you will follow. These goals can help you overcome the initial obstacles when starting something new.

 

2. Bed-Rotting

Bed-rotting is when we spend the entire day in bed without doing daily activities or chores. Getting up, experiencing the world, and trying something new can help us make the most out of summer. We all need our sleep, but there is definitely cases of over doing it.

3. Fear Of Missing Out

Avoid letting the fear of missing out stop you from exploring new things or from taking a break. Missing out on social events or gatherings can be scary, and it’s a completely normal feeling to have. Constantly forcing yourself to do things just because you’re worried you’ll miss out can lead to you overdoing it. Remember, it’s extremely important to take time for yourself to recharge. It’s okay to say no if you’re not up for it, you shouldn’t feel guilty for that.

4. Don’t Burn Out

Trying all these different things in the summertime can lead to burnout. When we burn out, we are not fully enjoying our time, and we may end up giving up on some of the activities we started. It is important to take breaks when we need them and to avoid overworking ourselves.

TL;DR

Summer is here so there’s lots of opportunity to build skills and fill our schedules. You can pick up new hobbies, find a job or start volunteering, explore a side hustle, take a break from social media, build new routines to improve your physical health, and create goals to ensure you stick with your new schedule. It is also important to avoid ignoring your goals, letting the fear of missing out hold you back, overworking yourself, or bed-rotting all day.

Meaning Behind the Assyrian Lamassu

Bowen Zheng
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Meaning Behind the Assyrian Lamassu

What Are The Lamassu?

The Lamassu are ancient deities of Assyrian culture that are depicted as giant winged bulls; these were extremely prevalent in the Assyrian Empire. The creature had the combined body of a bull, wings of an eagle, and the head of a human. The symbolism for these different body parts are as follows:

Bull body: Strength and Perseverance

Eagle Wings: Swiftness and Freedom

Human Head: Intelligence and Wisdom

The Lamassu were meant to embody the ideal aspects of a guardian. As a result, colossal statues of these creatures would often be placed in front of palaces or city gates. Aside from artistic purposes, these statues were also meant to ward off evil and protect the Assyrian kingdom.

 

Origin of the Lamassu

Lamassu have been seen mostly in ancient Assyrian art, but were originally rooted within Babylonian traditions and culture. They were mostly described as protective spirits and were also placed as figures who could repel chaos. Some of the earliest references of these mythological creatues date back to over 4000 years ago!

 

Where Are They Now?

As we know already, the Lamassu were originally found at the gates of ancient Assyrian cities. Many of these statues were found in the ruins of what is now Northern Iraq. After being discovered, many statues were sent to lots of museums around the world, such as the British Museum, the Louvre, etc. However, there are still statues of Lamassu in Iraq that are located in local museums, and ones partially buried in ruins. Many were damaged by conflict and recent wars unfortunately.

Free battle battlefield canon vector

 

Why Are They Significant?

Lamassu are not only important for mythological pruposes, but they were also important because they showed what ancient people valued. This is due to the Lamassu’s combination of strength, wisdom, and freedom, symbolizing the traits that Assyrians admired the most. They’re also important because they are overall just masterpieces of art. Some Lamassu can range over ten feet tall and weigh many tons, and the statues also create an illusion where they look still from the front, but seem to be walking from the side.

 

Conclusion:

I hope that you’ve learned more about ancient Assyrian culture and understand the meaning behind the Lamassu. I highly recommend visiting the museums listed above to go visit these statues. It’s mindbreaking how colossal and majestic these statues are in person!

 

Title Image:  Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

 

Second Image:  Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

 

Sources: 1 , 2

High School Advice

Crystal Lattice
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0
High School Advice

As part of being a 2025 high school graduate, my 3 years of high school (in Alberta) has come to end. For me, these past 3 years were filled with incredible friends; melodramatic interactions and academic stress; and  heartwarming and heartbreaking memories. Whenever high school is mentioned, one of the most common descriptions about it is that it goes by fast. Truth be told, it really does; as one that had just graduated, the first day still feels like yesterday.

Before I graduate out of this blogging program, I hope that you too can have a wonderful high school experience that lasts a lifetime. This blog will contain 5 pieces of advice for high school. While they don’t necessarily have to apply to everyone, I hope that at least one will have enhanced your high school life.

 

High school
Image by lxxxm379 from Pixabay

1. Connect with the people around you

Part of the high school experience is that you are able to meet and become familiar with the people around you. Unlike post-secondary, many high schoolers come from similar surronding elementary and junior high schools. Therefore, the majority of high schoolers are familiar with one another, able to develop and thrive during high school. Even if this is beyond your comfort zone, connecting with these people in any way – this could be through clubs, class participation, or even just a somple greeting – can fill your high school memories with lots of bonds and memories.

Friends
Image by 13687374 on Pixabay

2. Challenge yourself with certain classes

These classes don’t have to be prestigious or rigorous like AP and IB classes. They could be theatre, language, or career related (like mechanics and foods). Going out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself into new and/or harder things adds to the high school experience. In the end, you’d only be leaving those classes feeling rewarded. Even if you drop out, you would end up knowing it is not for you, giving you a better idea for what is.

Learning new language
Image by Katja Fissel from Pixabay

3. Develop as much lifelong skills as possible

High school usually happens before adulthood. It is a safe haven for you to develop and adapt to as much life skills as possible. These could range from social skills, time-management, concentration, to balancing life. Before things start to stack up and get more serious, making yourself a better person alleviates that transition into adulthood.

Artist
Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay

4. Understand when to take breaks

It is understandable to not be able to juggle between academics, friends, extracurriculars, and other commitments. To be honest, those moments will happen throughout life so struggling with them is normal. In high school, times do become stressful and unbearable, especially during exam season. However, those times teach us that part of the balance that we need in life requires breaks; we need time for ourselves, away from life’s troubles. When times get rough, simple breaks like eating a snack, walking outside, answering that person’s message, will make those times easier. Additionally, getting into that habit makes future occassions more tolerable.

Exploring Iceland
Image by Vladan Rajkovic from Pixabay

5. Create as many memories as possible!

Last but not least, from the friends to classes to self-care, high school only lasts 3 years. With that short amount of time, a lot of memories can be carried forward. Someday, those simple moments of hanging out at one’s house every week could turn into every year. Once graduation comes up, so will the final opportunities to make high school an unforgettable part of life. Whether it be deciding to go to the dance alone or exploring the city with friends, the unfortunate truth is that those moments will soon be part of “the good old days.”

On top of that, break your comfort zone! The advantage of having such a short amount of time is that embarassing moments are also short. Even if you know you’ll have a strong recollection of those in the future, others will not. High school will inevitably have those exciting and embarassing moments, but they will all become an incredible memory to look back at. So create as much of them as you can!

Memories
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Closing

Despite how frightening the entrance may have been, high school is an exciting place. Once it is over, it will all be a bittersweet feeling, knowing that you can be glad that certain things happened in there. High school is a part of many milestones; graduation is only a checkpoint to the potential that we all have. It is true that life moves on, but moving forward with a memorable high school experience is an incredible blessing that connects childhood to developing adulthood.

High school
Image by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay

TL;DR

High school only lasts 3 years and here are some tips into making the most out of it.

1. Connect with the people around you

2. Challenge yourself with certain classes (doesn’t have to be rigorous – it could challenge certain skills, like theatre, language, and career-related classes)

3. Develop as much lifelong skills as possible

4. Understand when to take breaks

5. Create as many memories as possible!

With these, high school not only challenges you to become the best that you can be, but ensures that you can thrive forward in life with awesome memories! Graduation may only be a checkpoint of your potential, but having amazing high school experiences is a blessing that connects childhood and developing adulthood for life.

3D Printing–A Cool Technology

Hanrong
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0
3D Printing–A Cool Technology

A futuristic technology for creating products

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an important application in many aspects of manufacturing. Invented in the 1980s (which was not too long ago!), 3D printing has gradually expanded to take up important roles in various industries. For example, Boeing employs 3D printing technology to produce some of the “titanium parts” required for its 787 aircrafts. 3D printing also has the potential to decrease the complexity of the objects that it creates. For example, General Electric “created a helicopter engine with 16 parts instead of 900”. This demonstrates the potential for 3D printing to make production more efficient.

The actual process of 3D printing is that a 3D printer produces and aligns thin pieces of a desired material, usually “in the form of liquid or powdered plastic, metal, or cement”. Then, it will typically fuse all of these thin layers together.

 

A transformative method of manufacturing

According to this Investopedia article, currently “3D printing speeds are too slow to be used in mass production.” However, that is not to say that 3D technology already significantly improved manufacturing productivity in certain areas. 3D technology has been especially handy at “reducing the lead time in the development of prototypes.” For a manufacturing company, the lead time is essentially the elapsed time between the start and end of a production process. Although 3D technology is not as suitable for mass-production in our current age, making one product, the prototype, typically faces much less problems!

3D printing replaces many other production processes, like “drilling, welding, [and] injection molding.” All of these make the production of prototypes easier and cheaper. In addition, 3D printing technology is actively used in medical sciences. Some even anticipate that “in the future, organs and body parts may be created using 3D printing techniques”. 3D printing is extremely versatile, in which each object it creates has the potential to be unique. However, the precision in production is also maintained, determined by how the object was first designed on a computer software.

 

Conclusion

With 3D printing being employed in so many different fields, undoubtedly, its potential for future growth is immense! With designing softwares becoming increasingly advanced, the 3D printers themselves will also evolve to be more precise at creating objects. Perhaps, they will be able to produce more complex items as well! 3D printing is truly a fascinating technology.

Romanticizing Your Summer

Daniella
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Romanticizing Your Summer

Summer isn’t just a season; it’s a feeling. It’s the golden light; the smell of sunscreen; the hum of sprinklers. Big plans aren’t needed to capture the magic of summer. Romanticizing summer means slowing down. Noticing small things. Making everyday moments feel special. Here’s how to do it, even if you’re just staying home.

 

Chase the Golden Hour Like it’s Your Job

Golden hour is pure magic. It bathes everything in warm, soft light. Step outside or open your windows and let the light fill your space. Take a moment to just breathe it in. It turns the ordinary into something special.

 

Turn Simple Rituals into Celebrations

Make your coffee or iced tea an event. Use your favourite cup. Add fresh mint or a slice of lemon. These small moments become little celebrations. They make your day feel more intentional.

 

Create a Summer Soundtrack

Music sets the mood like nothing else. Pick your favourite summer songs. Let the music carry you through the way and suddenly, even chores can feel lighter. Summer sounds make memories stick.

 

Collect Tiny, Tangible Memories

Press flowers on a walk. Save a ticket stub or candy wrapper. These small things can hold big memories as they become your personal summer scrapbook. Years later, they might even bring stories back to life.

 

Wear your Summer Wardrobe with Intention

Put on your favourite summer clothes, even if you’re just at home. Dressing for summer can help you feel the season. It’s a simple way to boost your spirits.

 

Savour Seasonal Flavours

Eat watermelon slowly, sip lemonade with fresh mint, or try a new ice cream flavour. Taste connects you to summer itself. Each bite or sip can be a small celebration, a way to fully enjoy the moment.

 

Find Beauty in the Ordinary

Look at the shadows on your wall. Watch clouds drift on a hot day. Listen to cicadas buzzing nearby. These small things hold hidden beauties, and noticing them can turn your regular day into something beautiful and poetic.

 

Slow Down. No Multitasking Allowed

Put your phone away and focus on one thing at a time. Read in a hammock or watch the sunset. Being present will make moments richer and help you truly live your summer days.

 

Romanticizing summer isn’t about perfect photos or big plans. It’s about enjoying small details, giving yourself space to be present. Slow down this summer. Make your days feel like a story worth telling.

 

Sources

2025’s Colour of The Year: Trend or Dead End?

Justin Slisko
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2025’s Colour of The Year: Trend or Dead End?

Pantone Picked It, But Did Anyone Actually Stick With It?

For the last 25 years, 26 different colors have received the prestigious title of Pantone Color of the Year. But are these titles self-proclaimed? Does being crowned the Color of the Year actually mean anything? And how, if at all, do these colors influence trends in design, fashion, or even technology? Lots of people are incredibly skeptical about whether this title is just a marketing scheme, while others base all their artistic choices for the year off of this color. In many ways, colors can be reflections of mood, culture, and innovation. With 2025 being halfway done, we’ll be looking not only at 2025’s Color of the Year, but also taking a closer look at where we’ve seen this year’s color so far.

 

What Even is The Color of The Year?

Now that the stage has been set, let’s dive a little bit deeper into what the Color of the Year even is. The Pantone Color of the Year is an annual selection made by the Pantone Color Institute, meant to capture the global mood or cultural climate at the time. The selection encourages the design community to engage with color more intentionally, sparking conversations about the potential connection between color and culture. The Pantone Color Institute is a division inside of Pantone, specializing in color trend prediction, color psychology, and brand consultancy. Starting in the year 2000, what was initially a branding move to expand Pantone’s influence in the fashion and design world later became a global conversation regarding how color reflects the human experience. Each year a new distinct color is chosen; so what makes these colors unique?

The color selected each year is a lot more unique than your everyday color. This is primarily due to why the color was even chosen in the first place. For each respective year, the selections are based on trends, how culturally relevant it was, as well as the potential symbolism and storytelling the color is associated with. Let’s use 2021 as an example. In 2020, as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns happened. 2021 was the year immediately following the most controversial and world-changing year in a long time. Because of this, going into 2021 was a very emotional time for a lot of people. This definitely altered Pantone’s selection, as for the second time ever, they decided to elect two colors for Color of the Year. The colors chosen for 2021 were Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. Ultimate Gray is a calming, neutral gray, symbolizing the resilience and peaceful, quiet strength the world had going into 2021, as well as the fatigue and fear many individuals faced in the middle of a global pandemic. Illuminating was meant to give a duality to the neutral feeling of the gray. It is a bright, ecstatic, hopeful yellow offering optimism and a joyful contentment to the end of the pandemic. Two colors were used to contrast each other to better fit the cultural emotion everyone was having into that year. As you can see, the selection process isn’t entirely random, and there’s an actual discussion on what color should be selected each year. With that being said, those were the colors for 2021; so what about 2025?

a group of milk chocolates ontop of a wooden mocha coloured table
Photo by Hrushi Chavhan on Unsplash

2025’s Color of the Year

Now that you know a little bit more about what the Color of the Year is, let’s talk about 2025’s chosen color. The Color of the Year for 2025 is Mocha Mousse, an airy, light brown shade layered with hints of a rich, chocolatey undertone. In recent years, especially with new blooming technologies, such as AI, everything has been a lot more fast-paced. Simple tasks have never been easier, and people’s attention spans have been declining. With Mocha Mousse’s soft, earthlike tone, it offers a comforting and reassuring effect. It’s believed Pantone chose it to represent 2025 as a message for people to slow down and reconnect with simplicity. The name is obviously inspired by a dessert, evoking a sense of luxury and pleasure, connecting to the movement of self-care, reminding people it’s okay to celebrate smaller victories and to indulge more in this very busy world we’ve created. With the simplistic theme, it’s very likely those could both be potential reasonings, but has anyone even caught on?

Where Have We Seen Mocha Mousse So Far?

Half the year is already over, and Mocha Mousse has set a few trends. In the worlds of interior design and home decorating, multiple paint brands like Benjamin Moore, PPG, and Behr have created Mocha Mousse inspired shades, such as Cinnamon Slate, Grounded, and Purple Basil. Fabrics like velvet have been often paired with Mocha Mousse and similar shades. Many appliances now come in vintage, lighter brown shades, such as Mocha Mousse. In the fashion industry, many runways and red carpets have showcased softer brown shades known as “latte,” heavily inspired by Mocha Mousse. More luxurious designer brands, such as Gucci or Fendi, are now offering many mocha colored leather products, such as outerwear or luxury suede items. Even graphic designers have been using Mocha Mousse for branding and print, as well as utilizing it to bring an earthlike luxury vibe. Social media, such as Pinterest and Instagram, have seen a popular rise in mocha toned aesthetics from outfit ideas to home decor ideas. This adoption shows Mocha Mousse is more than just a simple trend. It has the potential to influence what society wants in the world of clothing, products, and comfort.

Brown Sweater on a white table with pinecones, and drawing utensils next to it
Photo by Meghna R on Unsplash

Do These Trends Mean Anything?

So after going through where the color has mainly appeared this year, do these trends even mean anything? The trends are suggesting that people crave a more calming, warming, and securing atmosphere. During these fast-paced digital times, it’s hard to reconnect to a more earthly, slower environment. This color helps bring that out, and the trends surrounding the color can help show these feelings to real people and society. The popularity of cozier colors and materials emphasize a more comfort focused style of life that is all about simplicity, sustainability, and permanence. Fashion brands capitalizing on this color ties into the idea that it brings a sense of luxury. This is not necessarily the luxury of being rich, but the luxury of being able to relax. Ultimately, it tells us that society in 2025 is valuing comfort and simplicity as a contrast to the fast-paced digital age we’re currently living in. Understanding this allows us to form a stronger psychological connection with what it means to be human, giving everyone hope for the future of humanity.

TL;DR

Overall, Mocha Mousse was selected as the color for 2025 to help provide a sense of security in these fast-paced digital times, appearing in and influencing many different fashion and social trends. Its rise allows us to better understand what humanity may be seeking in this rapidly growing digital age.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The Marvelous 4DX Cinema

Kheta
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The Marvelous 4DX Cinema

Throughout the years, new technologies and innovations have allowed entertainment to be displayed through various forms. Whether it be virtual reality or movie theatres, the audience can connect with artists through movies. While movies are available on various streaming platforms which can be viewed from home, movie theatres provide a unique experience. In particular, 4DX movies build a special experience where the audience interacts with characters in adventurous scenes through scent, motion and texture. In this article, we will unpack the concept of 4DX movies!

 

Moving Seats:

One of the main experiences in a 4DX movie is being able to move with the camera. The movements occur through motion codes, a set of instructions for specific movies. A common term used for movie experiences, such as 4DX and D-Box, is haptic technology. Haptics are a system which uses actuators to develop vibration, motion, and texture to a specific scene. These technology cues depend on the audio and visuals presented in the movie; hence, synchronizing your experience with the characters. Motors are placed under the seat while other vibration sensors may be placed behind the seat to create a dramatic shake during intense action.

Pixabay-By Peggy_Marco

Scents:

What makes 4DX special in particular is the various scents that match the visuals. For instance, there is a smell of burnt rubber for racing scenes and the smell of a lush green forest during an adventure scene. These aromas are released through timed sensors near or beneath the seats. The fumes often fill the entire theatre, though the scents may be faint depending on the movie and individual theatre maintenance. Furthermore, customized scents are used for various movies. For example, the movie Wonka had a customized chocolate scent!

Unsplash by Martin de Arriba

Mist and Wind:

Another cool effect of 4DX is incorporating a light spray of water during scenes such as rain or rafting. For instance, in How To Train Your Dragon live action, there is a few scenes in which the dragon splashes the camera with water. The mist is generally placed in the seat in front of you where it wouldn’t hit your face directly but rather at an angle. Additionally, some theatres use snow and fog for various movies. Snow is made with a soap bubble mixture and is often complemented with wind. One of the most apparent environmental effects a theatre can offer is wind. The gusts of wind during a fast action-packed scene allow viewers to be completely immersed.

Unsplash By Dainius N.

Is it Available in Calgary?

Yes. Surprisingly, Canada only has 2 theatres that have 4DX with the first theatre in Toronto and the second in Calgary! The Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Chinook is a great place to visit with friends to truly dive into a movie. This theatre option initially became available to the public in 2019 while the theatre in Toronto opened in 2016.

Pixabay By Peggy_Marco

Why isn’t it so popular?

While the experience can be exciting and unique, not all viewers prefer constant motion and exposure to different smells for multiple hours. Additionally, the cost of maintaining such theatres is quite high considering all the machinery required for a single theatre room. Furthermore, 4DX is designed for action-packed and horror movies. Therefore, light-hearted movies and other genres are less likely to be displayed. Some common movies displayed in 4DX include: Fast and Furious, IT, Annabelle, A Quiet Place, Mission Impossible, etc. 

The entertainment industry will continue to expand its use of technology in which we could be exposed to a whole new realm of digital creation. While this article went through the summary of 4DX cinema, the only way to truly understand 4DX is to experience it yourself!

Movie Magic: 7 Must-Watch Films for Every Mood This Upcoming Weekend

Elizabeth A
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Movie Magic: 7 Must-Watch Films for Every Mood This Upcoming Weekend

Whether you’re curled up with popcorn, hosting a movie night, or escaping the weekday grind, there’s a perfect film for every mood. From heart-pounding thrillers to heartwarming stories, here’s a handpicked selection of movies that will keep your eyes glued to the screen.

1. Feel-Good Favorites

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Genre: Adventure/Drama

Why Watch: A visually stunning and emotionally uplifting story about breaking free from routine. Ben Stiller plays an office worker who embarks on a globe-trotting adventure that’s both literal and metaphorical.

Perfect for: Dreamers, creatives, and anyone needing a dose of inspiration.

 2. Mind-Bending Thriller

Prisoners (2013)

Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller

Why Watch: Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver powerhouse performances in this haunting mystery. It’s gritty, tense, and morally complex—perfect for fans of layered narratives.

Perfect for: True crime junkies and fans of slow-burn suspense.

 3. Comedy Gold

The Nice Guys (2016)

Genre: Action/Comedy

Why Watch: Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe are an unlikely comedic duo in this hilarious detective story set in the 1970s. It’s sharp, stylish, and genuinely funny.

Perfect for: Anyone craving clever dialogue and retro vibes.

 4. Tearjerker

A Man Called Otto (2022)

Genre: Drama

Why Watch: Tom Hanks stars as a grumpy widower whose life is slowly changed by the kindness of strangers. Bring tissues—you’ll cry, laugh, and maybe call your grandpa afterward.

Perfect for: Fans of emotional, character-driven stories.

 5. Sci-Fi Spectacle

Arrival (2016)

Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama

Why Watch: A rare sci-fi movie that values communication, emotion, and thought-provoking ideas over explosions. Amy Adams gives a career-defining performance.

Perfect for: Sci-fi fans who also love a good cry.

 6. Underrated Indie Gem

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

Genre: Adventure/Drama

Why Watch: A modern-day Mark Twain story about a man with Down syndrome chasing his wrestling dreams, and the unlikely friendship that forms along the way.

Perfect for: Lovers of heartfelt road-trip stories.

 7. Dark but Brilliant

Get Out (2017)

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Why Watch: Jordan Peele redefined the genre with this razor-sharp social thriller. It’s smart, terrifying, and unforgettable.

Perfect for: Horror fans, psychology lovers, and those who like their scares with substance.

Final Thoughts

No matter your mood, there’s a film here that promises to entertain, provoke thought, or tug at your heartstrings. Got your own must-watch movies? Share them in the comments!

Supporting Small Businesses: 5 Calgary Companies to Check Out!

Suha Arvapalli
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Supporting Small Businesses: 5 Calgary Companies to Check Out!

Calgary’s small businesses are vital for the development of our city. So many unique amd niche businesses can be found in the streets of downtown, selling homemade candles, pastries, socks, and more. As a thank-you for all the hard work that goes into each and every one of these small businesses, I compiled a list of Calgary-based companies that deserve some appreciation.

If you’re looking for a new place to shop, this post is for you!

1. Yann Haute Patisserie

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Address: 29, 23rd Avenue SW T2S 0J3 in Calgary

Yann Blanchard is an internationally-recognized chef who settled in Calgary after studying in Paris, France. He seeks to continue his father’s legacy through his craft and opened Yann Haute Patisserie in 2009, with the business consisting of 10 employees. This pastry shop functions inside of a big yellow house, which Yann and his team renovated into a bakery. Citizens of Calgary are raving about his delicious delicacies and claim that him and he is the best at his craft. If you’re interested in buying delicious macarons, cakes, croissants, and more, check out Yann Haute Patisserie!

They do deliveries as well, and have a separate delivery menu. For more information like store hours and contact information, check out there website here.

Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

2. MilkJar Candle Co.

Address: 1450 28 St NE # 7, Calgary, AB T2A 7N6

Milk Jar is a Calgary-born small business started in 2016 by Holly Singer. Holly’s mission was to raise money for programs supporting people with disabilities, and she began in her kitchen hand-pouring candles to sell at local markets. Her goal was to raise $500, but her work began to gain immense popularity in the Calgary scene, and MilkJar is now a rapidly-growing business. They boast “inclusive employing” and provide jobs to those who are disabled, while creating plant-based, phthalate-free, “clean-burning”, deliciously scented candles. They have raised over $400,000 so far and aim to create a safe, inclusive workspace for everyone.

As if they weren’t amazing enough already, they offer workshops for people to create their own candles and diffusers. If you’re interested, check out their website here!

3. Noto Gelato

Photo by Hilda Gea on Unsplash

Address: 236 4 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3S2

Noto Gelato is the talk of the town, catering to everyone’s gelato needs. They aim to bring authentic Italian gelato to Calgary, and have gained immense popularity doing so. Their gelato is handmade, and their ingredients are imported directly from Italy. They have a wide range of flavours and a welcoming ambience in their NE location. They offer stellar deals such as “Free Scoops for Dads” on Father’s Day, and many reviewers continuously mention the great service and staff.

If you’re craving a sweet treat, learn more about Noto Gelato here!

4. Moonstone Creation

Photo by James Kovin on Unsplash

Address: 1219 10 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0W6

Moonstone Creation is a beautiful and authentic Indigenous-owned shop located in the heart of downtown Calgary. Run by a mother-daughter duo, this boutique carries handmade pieces such as beaded jewelry, moccasins, leatherwork, and art made by over 60 Indigenous artists across Canada. Their goal is to preserve and share Indigenous culture through art and storytelling, creating a space that celebrates creativity and tradition.

Every piece sold at Moonstone has meaning behind it, and by supporting their store, you’re directly uplifting Indigenous artists and their communities. If you’re looking for a gift, statement piece, or just want to learn more about Indigenous culture, Moonstone Creation is the place to go! Check out their website here.

5. Labode Shoppe & Interiors

Photo by Minh Pham on Unsplash

Address: 812 49 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1G8

Labode Shoppe & Interiors is a charming little boutique tucked away in the neighbourhood of Inglewood. Owned by a mother-daughter duo (Bobbi and Mercedes), this shop is a carefully curated space full of cozy home decor, unique gifts, and lifestyle pieces that bring a soft, minimalist aesthetic into your space. Everything in the shop is inspired by European culture, from handmade ceramics to textiles and glassware.

This boutique specializes in timeless styles, offering items that provide comfort and elegance. If you’re looking to elevate your living space with something thoughtfully made, Labode is the perfect place to visit. You can learn more about them on their website here!

Conclusions

Calgary is composed of hundreds of small businesses, each offering new and unique products. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fit more of my favourites like Wakado Ramen (I’ve already mentioned my love for this place in previous posts) and The Silk Road Spice Merchant into this blog post, but I want to end off by encouraging everyone to go and explore the amazing businesses our city has to offer.

From greenhouse-boutiques to stores specializing in vintage eyeware, there are so many lovely companies to shop from if you take the time to look. Taking the current state of politics into account, it’s becoming increasingly more important for us to shop local and support our small businesses. I hope you found some cool spots to check out after reading this post!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Run Like A Girl by Amaka Egbe– A YA Debut

Areej C
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Run Like A Girl by Amaka Egbe– A YA Debut

In her debut novel, Amaka Egbe writes the story of a young Black girl, and new reality as her life is sprung into chaos after moving in with her estranged father. 

Before delving into this review of author Amaka Egbe’s ‘Run Like A Girl’, I would like to take a moment to thank those who sent this book. Being given the chance to read it was a privilege, and I’m grateful for such an opportunity. Getting to experience a story like this, and to be exposed to such an amazing book is truly special. 

Amaka Egbe’s debut YA novel ‘Run Like A Girl’ follows protagonist Dera Edwards through her transition from the familiarity of her childhood home with her mother, to the new predominantly white suburbs of West Harmony to live with her distant, emotionally unavailable father. As an athlete, Dera finds partial solace in the chance to continue her pursuit of her Olympic track dreams at her new school, until she is crushed when told her new school doesn’t have a girls track team. Shocked, Dera decides to take a leap of faith by joining the boys track team instead, where she quickly realizes her new teammates are much less than welcoming. 

Now as the only girl on the team, Dera navigates the newfound challenges of such judgement, pressure, and social isolation as one of the only Black girls in the school. To fend off the rumors and challenge how she’s seen at her new school, Dera teams up with school journalist Rosalyn, to change her narrative through a feature in her blog, as well as to maybe get closer to Rosalyn’s cousin, Gael. As Dera fights for space on the track team and within her own life, she journeys through highschool while dealing with the weight of reconnecting with her absent father, learning the complicated truth of her parents divorce, fighting through her new online fame, and figuring out her feelings towards Gael, her fellow track star with his own story to tell.  

For me, this story was a thoughtful reminder of the constant struggle of young girls, specifically young girls of color and their journey to overcome the struggle of overcoming perceived notions, and stereotypes to grow into their identity. Dera, a young Nigerian girl, faces new pressure from an environment where she is constantly questioned, whether from within her school as the only girl on a boys team or to her home where her father lacks emotional availability for her. Dera is written as a complex and strong female lead, who pushes the bounds of her expectations, her running capabilities, to pursue her sport with determination. Winning her first race was the moment, her character challenged her belonging, that said somehow she didn’t fit on this team, or simply that girls couldn’t compete at HER level. 

What sets this book apart from other YA novels is its portrayal of family. More often than not, YA novels avoid overcomplicated family structure or oversimplify complex emotions felt when discussing the struggle of divorced parents, or an absent figure. This book didn’t, Dera’s parents are clearly divorced, and we are brought through Dera’s emotions and thoughts behind each day, and her parents’ choices. To Dera, her mother is familiar and comfortable, but her father, who she didn’t grow up with, is often awkward and isolated from Dera. For many immigrant children, and children who deal with unique family structures and circumstances, this is reality, with children like Dera stuck between adults who have their own history. A history Dera hoped to find, and that shaped how she saw herself. This representation is often not seen in YA reads, and is more than accurate and truthful, and allows for readers to view Dera’s progression through understanding her parents, and her father in particular. 

Most of all, this book speaks to girls, and particularly young girls of color who are told to shrink or change themselves entirely to fit into spaces where they are questioned. The title Run Like A Girl flips a phrase that’s been used as an insult and turns it into something empowering.This phrase doesn’t ask Dera to reject that she is a girl, it asks her to embrace it and stay true to herself. The author reminds us that being a girl is not something to overcome, but is a gift and identity. Dera’s story isn’t about proving she’s as good as the boys, but that she was already enough, and always was. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an inspirational, feel-good read that doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. It’s a story about growth, identity, and showing up for yourself, even when everyone around you is hoping you’ll give up. It’s a reminder that being a girl isn’t a limitation. It’s a reason to run harder, faster, and louder. To Run Like A Girl, and be proud of it!

Jeremy Lin: A Look Into His Short-Term Prime and Everlasting Legacy

Bowen Zheng
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Jeremy Lin: A Look Into His Short-Term Prime and Everlasting Legacy

 

First Of All, Who Is Jeremy Lin?

Jeremy Lin is a professional basketball player who came from Taiwanese and American descent. He was born on August 23rd of 1988 in California. His basketball career started in high school, where he consolidated himself as one of the best players on his junior varsity AND senior varsity basketball teams. He then went on to play for Harvard University’s basketball team, where he had an outstanding career. Therefore in 2010, Jeremy Lin made the bold decision to declare for the 2010 NBA draft.

Free Basketball Sport photo and picture

 

His NBA Journey

Despite his incredible performance for his school teams, Jeremy Lin unfortunately went undrafted in 2010. He then signed as a free agent for the Golden State Warriors in the 2010-2011 season, where he then bounced around teams, until he finally found his place in the New York Knicks in the 2011-2012 season. For this season, Jeremy Lin’s role was nothing more than a benchwarmer. However, when some of the starters such as Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis were injured, Jeremy Lin was given a chance to start in the upcoming games.

Linsanity

Upon coming off the bench, Jeremy Lin blew away expectations, he shocked everyone by scoring huge numbers in a consecutive amount of games, one of these games included 38 points against Kobe Bryant on the Lakers, who was also nominated as the 12th best player in the league. This massive scoring streak led to the viral phenomenom “Linsanity“, which refers to the insane scoring nature of Jeremy Lin for this time period (get the play on words?). For the inspiring weeks in which Linsanity happened, Jeremy Lin averaged 22 points and 9 assists, for seven consecutive games! This marked Jeremy Lin as a global icon, especially for Asian-American communities.

Free Basketball Professional photo and picture

The Downfall

Although Linsanity was great, all good things must come to an end, and during the peak of Jeremy Lin’s prime, he suffered a knee injury which took him out for the rest of the year. The New York Knicks then decided to sign him away to the Houston Rockets, which shocked many fans as Jeremy Lin was a pivotal piece in thier team. After signing to Houston in 2012, things never felt the same for Jeremy Lin. He was getting less playing time and was being overshadowed by better performers, such as the Houston star, James Harden who was averaging 26 points and 6 assists.

What About Now?

After being traded around some more, Jeremy Lin decided to stop playing in the NBA and play overseas for Taiwan, where he is currently playing for the New TaiPei Kings. He has not officially retired from basketball yet, but in many interviews he has hinted at this idea.

His Legacy

Although his prime was short lived, Jeremy Lin captured the worlds attention and broke lots of barriers for Asian-American athletes. His legacy and career can serve to remind us that it doesn’t matter how long you do something for, it matters how well you do it.

Free Crowd Of People Crowd photo and picture

 

 

 

 

Featured Image: Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/u_ntrcp32xc7-26505288/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=7605637″>u_ntrcp32xc7</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=7605637″>Pixabay</a>

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/tortugamediaservices-5195555/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2258650″>Varun Kulkarni</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2258650″>Pixabay</a>

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/keithjj-2328014/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1544370″>Keith Johnston</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1544370″>Pixabay</a>

 

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/keithjj-2328014/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1488213″>Keith Johnston</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1488213″>Pixabay</a>

 

 

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