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.
Since winter decided to get a head start before fall came around, I’d figure it’d be slightly appropriate to try and bring out some good points of this premature snowfall. I hope that at least these few points can lighten up your Calgary weather experience. 🙂
Event of the year
What other city can say they got their first snowfall of the year in the second week of September? Or is that snowtember? Seems like thanks to this strange event, the #snowtember has been trending on twitter. Quite fitting, I must say. As the snow’s all gone and melted, and you’ve all posted various pictures of disbelief and sadness, this year’s first snowfall is going to become a fond memory. Or this year’s highlight, whether it was good or bad for you. It’s rare occurrences like this that make for a great story to tell all. It’s like a once in a lifetime thing really. And for some, the power outages and cancelled classes were just an added bonus. 😉
I’d have to agree on this one though.
Snowmen (and various other snow creations)
It doesn’t have to be a snowman… sorry, I went there. But in all seriousness, what else besides shoveling it is there to do with snow but make a snowman? Or snow fort. Or snow angel, monster, whatever you so desire. Release your inner child and create something amazing out of snow. It may not last long, but the feeling of accomplishment after and joy at your new snow creation was always something fun I loved. As an added bonus, you can even have a snowball fight if you want. Those are always fun.
Hot drinks galore-
Too cold outside for you? Head on to your local cafe or coffee shop, and treat yourself to a hot beverage. Relax a little and just watch the snow fall outside for a few moments. It may not be the appropriate time for it, but it is pretty stuff. The cold it creates gives you an excuse to stay indoors for the time being, anyway.
It’s SNOW!
What more can I say? It may be totally out of season, and about three months too early, but it’s still snow. Go outside in your snow gear (I’m serious) and have a little fun. After all, it won’t last long.
Thanks for reading this to the end, I hope I made your day just a bit brighter over this recent weather.
I wanted to write this blog simply to address the fact that numbers are defining who people are, and that being present in your community, in your home, school, and the world is something we seem to see less of nowadays. For a place where truly anyone is being oppressed, as well as where all are being threatened with oppression, it is inevitable that as long as the education system is actively contributing to this maintenance in which the world is actually riven by numbers, standardized tests, also the anxiety of slipping grades then there can never truly be any real talk of anyone being free from this stressful weight. Let alone educating “real” people of the world. I feel that I speak on behalf of many people who feel the same way as I; there is a need to show school systems which are an industry of social service, that are educating young minds, that there are ways in which students should be #voiced and integrated, in more ways than just clubs and teams.
Activism is something that we all can be a part of but sometimes we tend to tell ourselves that it probably won’t pay off. However, with activism, change cannot be guaranteed, but at least the amazing leadership/ownership experience can. In addition, we should not be memorizing paragraphs in our textbooks like it’s our religion. We can all recite Pythagorean theorem in our sleep, but what use is that? What are we being involved in, and are we being given full rights? Then question rises: can change the fate in our sporting events, exams etc. The truth is we can, and we don’t think about how great our voice actually is. Thus, this blog is up to inspire and replace thoughts of just going to school for the purpose of the degree etc. Try to make a big or small change in your higher education institute, or even high school.
The thing is, some education systems have students involved to voice other students’ opinions, and though it is a both good and bad thing. The whole student body should be involved in decisions. Instead of a student representative, students themselves should just simply be asked. These students were simply students without a title of “representative,” etc. But, since they strived for change, they received it. They knew they were a leader on the inside. Below I have listed some people who worked towards making a change in the higher education lives.
Annie Clark and Andrea Pino are students at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. What they did was initiate a great effort that would address a matter in regards to the sexual assaults in their own UNC campus. After they experienced insensitivity and lack of action from their school, it was decided that they should launch a great national movement. One of the results from this were that the U.S. Department of Education became involved more extensively when it came to campus oversight. In addition, they released 55 identities of schools that are under federal investigation.
A group of students that were at Stanford University, Fossil Free Stanford, decided to lead an effort that reached a climax regarding a decision by the university’s board of trustees. The decision was to divest the coal companies from the school’s endowment portfolio. Stanford’s portfolio of investments happens to be one of the largest ones in the country, and it was estimated to be $19 billion at a time. Since then, more than 400 higher education institutions have decided to invest in the fossil fuel industry.
Several initiatives have been actually been launched to bring change in how the NCAA, which is the governing body in relation to sports in college, does its business. One example would be where the Northwestern U football players filed a petition. They filed it to bring awareness to the fact that they should be classified as employees. They sent this petition to the National Labor Relations Board. Furthermore, they wanted lifetime medical/health insurance, and voice in athletic government. The petition was actually able to be affirmed by an initial ruling which was done by NRLB regional director, and now the matter happens to be under great review at the national level.
Again, the examples above shared a common theme: activists which are students are giving a kick to the higher education so that it would act more like a social institution, so that the right decisions are made for the people. However, isn’t that something that should be expected to be there rather than asked for? The answer to that is of course, but it is not truly happening as much as it should be. There seems to be narcissism in higher education with some institutions focusing on other things like grades rather than the students themselves. Lawrence Wittner even reported in the LA Progressive that in 15 years, American education has actually added 10x the amount of administrators rather than faculty members.
Thus due to this repetitive activist theme, hopefully you found the activist in you, and are inspired to be #voiced.
Hi everyone! Alright so since my last post about autumn, I recently went on a spree to Sephora that included a couple lip products… AND  A BIRTHDAY GIFT! If some of you don’t know, Sephora has a birthday gift program for their members where you can go grab yourself a free little gift the month of your birthday! Now since I have been venturing away from my classic draw-my-eyebrows-on makeup look, I’ve been experimenting more with lipsticks! I’ve always envied those who could rock a vampy lip (or any lipstick colour that isn’t natural for that matter) an decided this year would be the YEAR I WEAR LIPSTICK AND GET AGGRESSIVELY EXCITED ABOUT IT. So without further ado, I present to you: THREE LIPSTICK LOOKS THAT I’D LIKE TO SHOW YOU SINCE IM COMFORTABLE WITH THEM (and am like 90 per cent positive I won’t lead you astray)
1. The Au Naturale
MUFE Rouge Artist Natural in N9
Alright if you’re just getting into lipstick, I highly, highly suggest you get a lipstick that is in a my-lips-but-better shade (MLBB, if you will). This is the metaphorical dipping of the toe. The lipstick I’m using here is Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural in N9, which is a sampler lipstick I got in my birthday gift.
So as you can see it is a very nice coppery-pink that is universally flattering. I have seen this lipstick on every skin tone there is and NOBODY LOOKED BAD. This thing is genius. Now I realized this is on the steeper side at about $25 CAD, So a couple more budget friendly lipsticks are Mauve It Over by Revlon, Just Peachy by Wet n Wild, and Peach Fuzz by NYX. This one goes on creamy, lasts long and looks AMAZING for both spring and fall.
2. Â The Transition
Lancome Color Design in Wannabe
ALRIGHT FOLKS. I have worn this out on occasion and I think it’s a great lip to transition from summer to fall, considering it has a foot in each path, so to speak. The lipstick here is Lancome’s Wannabe, which I think is discontinued (I stole this from one of my mom’s many free gifts that she hoards in our bathroom pantry). This lipstick I think can brighten up a sallow winter face or compliment a great summer tan – hence, THE TRANSITION. Now please excuse the eventual wear and tear of my lips as I swatched all of these on the same day under the span of about ten minutes. Wrinkles galore! Since this is discontinued (and if it weren’t it would also be on the expensive end), budget friendly counterparts include Maybelline’s ColorSensational LipColor in Fifth Ave Fuschia, Covergirl’s Lip Perfection LipColor in SpellBound, and Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fuschia Fusion.
3. Â THE LOOK I WISH I COULD WEAR ANYTIME ALL THE TIME
Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Bramble
Also known as the metaphorical cannonball dive. This is my absolute favourite FAVOURITE look of the three. This simultaneously gives me a feeling of crippling anxiety but also ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN THE WORLD – and that’s normal! This beautiful miracle is Bite Beauty’s (a lip-centric makeup brand) High Pigment Pencil in Bramble, a gorgeous, warm red current shade. It is definitely my beauty goal to make sure I wear this at least once during the fall and winter. Also on the high end – but worth the $23 splurge if you ask me. Budget-friendly lipsticks include MILANI Cosmetics’ Color Statement Lipstick 21 in Sangria and Wet n Wild’s MegaLast Matte in  #908C Sugar Plum Fairy.
Well those are my three – what are yours?
Look forward to a tutorial on how to make lipstick last!
Whenever I think of the fall, I think of that amazing Pumpkin Spice smell. As soon as Sept. 1 hits, I get right down into eating some of that pumpkin spice goodness. I’m not a coffee fan, so you won’t see me sprinting to Starbucks to get my daily pumpkin spice latte, but I do enjoy a pumpkin spiced muffin, or a piece of delicious pumpkin pie every now and then. Here are a few recipes that I have found to help you cure your pumpkin spice cravings!
Tips to make your pumpkin spice experience even better
Pace yourself: Now I know that this may sound funny, but if you have all of your pumpkin spice fixings now, you’ll be too sick of it to continue for the rest of autumn! Take it slow; let the experience last.
Ingredients are key: I love to add certain ingredients to my pumpkin spice muffins to make them extra delicious. To mix it up, try adding some chocolate chips, walnuts and even zucchini into your next batch!
So there you have it, the ultimate pumpkin spice guide! On a side note I do apologize for saying the words “pumpkin” and “spice” about 100 times total throughout this post, but I’m just so excited for autumn!
Meet 10-year-old Robby, otherwise known as Kid President.
Together with his older brother-in-law, Brad Montague, they created their first Kid President video in July 2012 out of the simple belief that kids have voices worth listening to. (http://www.kidpresident.com/whoweare.html) Nowadays, the dynamic duo continue to create inspiring and thought-provoking videos about how to make the world more awesome!
Do you remember what it’s like to be a kid?
When you’re filled with youthful vitality, see the world in simpler terms and have each day be filled with laughter? I’ve forgotten. At some point in the murky waters that is being a teenager, my inner child slowly disappeared. Or has it? It was such a refreshing change of pace to see the unadulterated enthusiasm that Kid President demonstrates. It reminded me.
We were all children once. As a child, I had the misconception that all adults do is work, that their lives are devoid of fun. Now that I’m older, I realize that’s not true. We just gradually create a shell around our inner child, with all the pressures of society that surround us – the need to “act our age” and to “grow up.” However, we should always try to maintain a healthy balance between childlike wonder and adulthood maturity.
Whatever you are planning to do this year, perhaps a little pick-me-up is important to get you through the tough days. I’m sharing three Kid President videos that I’m particularly fond of. As he would say, the time to be awesome is now!
The True Story of Kid President
We get to see behind-the-scenes of how the videos are created as well as the type of person “The Robster” is. He is diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that makes his bones more prone to fracture (Wikipedia) Despite having over 70 breaks, he keeps getting up and dancing.
That kind of resilient spirit is something that we can keep in mind in our lives too. It doesn’t matter how many times we fall, what matters is if we keep getting up. That courage is recognized by others, and gives them the strength to keep going.
How To Change The World (a work in progress)
Who said kids don’t know much about the world? In fact, Kid President brings up good points on some of the ineffective ways that people approach changing the world, such as complaining or ignoring problems. “The world is changed by ordinary people,” says Kid President. That means you and me.
One incredible project that he did with ordinary people was Socktober where he challenged people to donate socks and other basic supplies for the homeless. To learn more: http://soulpancake.com/socktober/ and to see the results of this project, click here.
Pep Talk to Teachers and Students
What are you teaching the world? We’re all teachers and we’re all students. It’s important to remember that as we’re going through our day-to-day life. Someone is watching what you do, just as much as you listen to what the teacher has to say in class.
I’m changing the world by writing about issues that are important to me, because someone out there needs to hear it too. I also learn from people like Kid President on how to live a more meaningful life – it’s not all about homework and grades. We make history each day as people become a part of your story and you become a part of theirs.
I hope you’ve been reminded of your inner child, no matter how old you are. I certainly have. Here on Youth Are Awesome, we showcase what our generation is doing to change the world. Kid President is a great example.
DFTBA! (Don’t Forget To Be Awesome!)
Further Reading
http://kidpresident.com/ Their official website where you can find blog posts and learn more about who they are.
Soul Pancake Youtube Channel Your place for finding Kid President videos and other amazing videos on the Soul Pancake channel. There’s many videos that weren’t shown in this post, so I highly recommend you check out the rest.
Though it doesn’t technically start until the Sept 23, fall (or with the snow… actually, winter) is evidently upon us in Calgary. The glorious two months of freedom we all know as summer is over. Most of us are back to school, and as the weather begins to get nippy, we may find that the upbeat and vibrant songs we so loved in the warmer months may not be suited for the fall (AKA winter if you live in Calgary). To remedy that, I’ve compiled a list of songs that I feel create a unique fall vibe.
I’ve sorted my playlist into genres to make exploring these songs easier, and since I’m a big fan of alternative and indie music, you’ll find a lot of that here (sorry top-chart lovers). Pull on your jacket and plug in your headphones; it’s time to celebrate fall with these melodies!
Alternative
Song for Zula –Â Phosphorescent
Brooklyn based artist Matthew Houck started performing in 2000 and has since then produced 7 albums. Song for Zula was featured in the official soundtrack for The Amazing Spiderman 2.
Morning – Beck
I’ll be honest here, I hadn’t heard this song prior to hearing it in If I Stay a few weeks ago, but I did know Beck through his works on songs such as Blue Moon (which is also fantastic). He is definitely an artist to watch out for!
http://youtu.be/GZo8_IV0IGQ
Went to War – Amason
Amason (Amazon) was started in late 2012 by 5 Swedish indie pop artists. Though they have only released three singles and one EP, Amason was nominated for the Best Newcomer Grammy in 2014.
Dance, Dance, Dance – Lykke Li
Another Swedish artist, Lykke Li stepped into the limelight after the release of her first album, Youth Novels, in 2008. She has performed at events such as Lollapalooza and Coachella and has collaborated with Bon Iver on occasion.
I Will Be There – Odessa
After suffering from a near-fatal bike accident, singer Odessa gave up her career playing violin for bands like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and began her own band. I Will Be There was also included in soundtrack for the film If I Stay.
http://youtu.be/IHZ0Oq24Hd8
Gold – James Vincent McMorrow
Scottish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow has been my stand-in Bon Iver ever since the band went off-cycle indefinitely. Gold is one of my favourite songs from his second album, Post Tropical.
Indie Folk
Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes
The indie folk scene basically belongs to the Fleet Foxes. From their humble beginnings in Seattle, WA, they have redefined the folk genre.
http://youtu.be/6mR8Z-gmK1g
Lonesome Dreams – Lord Huron
Another big name in the world of indie folk, many may know them from that Peoples Jewelers commercial that was airing during the Sochi games… (x)
1904 – The Tallest Man on Earth
There seems to be an endless supply of fantastic Swedish artists (thanks, Sweden!), and Kristian Matsson is certainly one of them. He has toured under his stage name with Bon Iver and his vocal style has been likened to those of Bob Dylan.
http://youtu.be/ibEwxlV1ac4
Can’t Help Falling in Love – cover by the Fleet Foxes
Man, I love the Fleet Foxes. Their cover of this hit Elvis song just makes me love them more.
IndieÂ
Candy – Wake Owl
Wake Owl is a band originating from Vancouver that is fairly new to the music scene. Their tracks have been extensively broadcast by CBC Radio 2, and the group was nominated for a Juno in the Breakout Artist category in 2014.
Stronger Than That – Bahamas
Having just released his 3rd studio album, Afie Jurvanen was born in Toronto. He has worked with other exceptional artists such as Feist and Jack Johnson.
Dead Flowers – Coeur de Pirate
I first found out about Quebecois Beatrice Martin when my elementary French teacher showed us a music video for her song Comme des enfants. Since then, I have really loved both her French and English works. This year, she released her soundtrack album (all of the songs being covers) for the Radio-Canada TV show,”Trauma”. Dead Flowers is her mellow take on the Rolling Stones song.
http://youtu.be/6sCp6vyfo_E
Music When the Lights Go Out – Coeur de Pirate
You know that feeling of complete joy that you get when you find the perfect album? For me, Beatrice Martin’s Trauma album was it. This song is another great cover from the compilation.
http://youtu.be/c1ErI_9WCQk
Now at Last – Feist
You have probably heard Canadian singer-songwriter Leslie Feist’s music from Apple commercials. For those who attend Bishop Caroll High School here in Calgary, did you know Feist also studied there? Now at Last is a soft and melodious song that was included in her 2004 album, Let it Die.
Rock
Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
This one might be a throwback. The Dexy’s Midnight Runners have been around since 1978, and after a 14-year break up from 1986, the band was reformed in 2003. Come on Eileen is arguably the most popular song ever produced by the successful British pop rock band, and was also featured in the movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAvfjqzwsW0
Classical
The Four Seasons: Autumn – Antonio Vivaldi
Even if you don’t know the name of the piece or the composer, you are guaranteed to have heard a movement of The Four Seasons at some point in your life (just search up the spring movement). Â What better classical piece to listen to in autumn than the autumn movement of The Seasons?
Piano Sonata in G major Op. 14 No.2Â Mvt. 1- Ludwig Van Beethoven
Yes, I’m one of those people that love to listen to classical music. I suppose that would happen since I also play classical music… Being a musician, I like to listen to pieces that I am currently working on so I pick up on the stylistics of the playing. Right now, this piano sonata is in my repertoire, and Daniel Barenboim plays an absolutely fantastic interpretation of it.
Cello Concerto in B-flat Major, Wq 171Â – Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach (C.P.E)
I initially heard the first movement of this composition (allegretto) performed by the Calgary Youth Orchestra (CYO) and it was breathtakingly beautiful. Seriously, I’m encouraging you fans of classical music to go out and see more live shows at the CPO or CYO because they are so much more engaging than recordings.
I was browsing YouTube and I came across a modified cooking video with some sad music added to the background. I found it surprising and funny the difference it made on the video. First, the original video:
My first though was that this video was a little bland and boring. Especially because the chef looked very sad. Now look at the difference the sad music makes.
As you can hear the audio really fits the video. It is hilarious how this video has gone from a bland original version to a more entertaining and fitting modified version. This goes to show how music can go further to set the mood of a situation.
As we all know, summer is coming to and end, and winter is approaching (sigh). But, there’s still time to mountain bike! Fortunately, the “summer” hill will be shutting down on Oct. 6, so you still have time. I was introduced to DH mountain biking this year while volunteering at a camp for a few weeks, and I must say, its a crazy fun sport. I will be looking at some of the best DH runs (in my opinion), and talking about how everything works!
COP provides excellent service, products, and is a great place to mountain bike. You can purchase a summer pass for $169 if between the ages 13-24. Day passes for different age groups can also be purchased. Bikes, helmets, and protective gear are provided in the rental store if you don’t have any equipment, and can be rented for a decent price. All of the mountain bikes are supplied by the company Norco. Norco supplies quality, long-lasting bikes. If you’re interested, you can go check out their website: www.norco.com. There is also a shop where you can purchase water packs, protective gear, biker apparel, and much more! The hill has two chairlifts, one for skyline luge, and one for mountain biking. Besides the DH runs, there are some dirt jumps, a skill park, a discover park, and upper and lower Narnia (beginner runs located near the carnival tent). There are many x-country runs which can be accessed for free. These runs are also referred to as the “East lands.”
There are a variety of different DH runs at COP. You can access both the west and east trees. The west trees consist of three blue runs (Dragon Slayer, Safari Planet, Double Jeopardy) and two black runs (Lazer Fade, Haircut Rabbit). Dragon Slayer is a fairly easy run and consists of many bridges, rollers, and quick turns. Safari Planet, which is my favourite run, consists of several jumps, wide turns, and is very high speed. Double Jeopardy is kind of like Dragon Slayer and Safari Planet put together. Haircut Rabbit, along with Lazer fade, are two difficult runs created for advanced riders. Haircut consists of huge jumps, quick turns, and hard terrain. Lazer Fade is very similar. If you’re interested, you can check out this video that features two riders cruising through Safari Planet to Haircut Rabbit:Â https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5dN0nD1HUg
http://www.avenuecalgary.com/
The east trees consists of one green run (Green Tea) three blue runs (Tender Vittles, Fired Up, Bankers Hall) and one black run (BBQ-Jello). If you’re a beginner, Green Tea would be a great choice. It has terrain of moderate difficulty, and features many berms, bridges, and minor jumps. Tender Vittles, Fired Up, and Bankers Hall are all very similar. They are like Green Tea, but the turns are sharper and the terrain is more difficult.
Overall, the Mountain biking at COP is awesome! It features X-Country runs, DH runs, dirt jumps, a discover park, and a skills park. Both the facility and service is great. The rental and tech shop provides excellent equipment and bikes. The store provides excellent accessories that are ideal for the average mountain biker. So, if you’re looking for something to do before winter comes, why not go for a mountain biking adventure at COP!
Most of us (especially me!) love indulging our senses in the fine aromas and tastes found around the world. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing your food arrive while at a restaurant.
For a foodie like myself, travelling means sampling the foods of that particular region, thus I bring to you:Â Around the world in 15 plates, through which you see the soul of the people through the foods they create.
Nestled in the Pacific Ocean, far northeast of New Zealand, lie the Fiji Islands. Palusami is the traditional dish of this tropical country, and if you are to ever visit Fiji, make sure you try this!
Another coastal delicacy, Dhon Riha is a tuna delicacy from the coasts of Maldives. It is one of those dishes one would love to have in the vicinity of a serene beach, which Maldives provides!
For those, like myself, who would like to try this regardless, here‘s a recipe!
We Calgarians don’t experience much of what the autumn season has to offer (mostly because autumn lasted for three days), but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make the best of it. As a Chinese Immigrant, The one event that I look forward to when the leaves begin to fall is the Mid-Autumn Festival. A time of moon cakes and Chinatown festivities, who wouldn’t love it?
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by the Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cultures alike, to give thanks to a bountiful harvest and to our friends and families, so technically it is the Asian Thanksgiving. The exact date of the festival shifts every year, as it is based on the Chinese Calender. The festival occurs on the 15th day of the eighth month, which is Sept. 8 this year in our calender.
The festival is a very exciting time for the Chinese, as there are many ways to celebrate. Lanterns coming in various sizes, colors, and designs are lit by children and adults alike to signify the coming winter and the wish for the warmth of the sun. The Calgary Zoo is will going a step further next year. In order to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and the eventual arrival of their Asian animals, such as the Komodo dragons and the one-horned rhinos, they will be launching a Lantern Festival in Autumn, 2015. Featuring many of the Zoo’s iconic animals in display as lanterns and LED lights, reminiscent of the Zoo Lights Event.
Of course, we can’t forget about the delicacies known as mooncakes. Baked sweets with lotus/bean/yolk fillings, with almost 600 calories per piece, it might be more fattening than a turkey. Shaped like a moon with intricate designs, it represents the moon worship part of the festival, and the act of sharing a mooncake with family members meant the reunion and closeness of a family. They usually come in a box of four cakes (although the box is very pretty, your parents will most likely use it to store sewing supplies), and can be found from the shops in Chinatown to even your local grocery (If they have an international food isle). Better get them now or else you’ll have to wait until next year!
So if you’re tired of drinking pumpkin spice lattes everyday, maybe you just need some mooncakes to shock your taste-buds back to life. You can experience some new culture and find a new way to give thanks this year by celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Fall does not only brings warm sweaters, falling leaves, and pumpkin flavored everything, it is also the time when the new TV 2014/2015 season is set to start. Though it is nice to look at the scenery that the falling leaves provide, sometimes what’s needed is to sit on the couch and enjoy a little entertainment with a warm cup of cocoa. With many returning hit shows like Supernatural (Oct 7) , Modern Family (Sep 24), and Game of Thrones (April 2015) this season, it might be hard to see yourself expanding your horizons and delving into yet another story. I’ve got to say that with the research I’ve done, you might want to give it a go. Here are a couple of the new TV shows set to start that seem have great potential!
1. Â Heroes: Reborn (2015)
When I heard about this I flipped. This reboot is like the original, about people with superhuman abilities. Definitely worth checking out!
Source: bosslogicinc.com
2. Â A to Z (Oct2 2014)
Cristin Milioti from How I met Your Mother stars in this rom-com series about a young couple’s relationship from the beginning to the break-up.
Source: televisionpromos.com
3. Â Constantine (Oct24 2014)
Hands down my most anticipated new show. Nice to see more shows involving the supernatural coming out!
Source: comicbook.com
4. Â The Flash (Oct7 2014)
This show is based on the superhero of the same name and it is to be a spin-off of Arrow, set to be in the same universe.
Source: kdramastars.com
5. Â Gotham (Sep22 2014)
This show is based on Detective James Gordon and Bruce Wayne, both characters published by DC comics. Cool concept, will for sure watch.
Source: fox.com
6. Â Gracepoint (Oct2 2014)
Adapted from the British show Broadchurch. This mini-series follows two detectives as they set out to catch the killer of a young boy in a small town.
Source: fox.com
7. Â iZombie (Coming Soon)
Not too crazy about the name, but the plot seems interesting enough. It’s about a med student who reluctantly has to eat brains to keep her humanity. It’s based on a comic book series of a similar name (i, zombie).
Source: dccomics.com
8. Â Marvel’s Agent Carter (Jan 2015)
As a MARVEL fan the news of such a great female character getting her own show is super exciting. This show is centered around Agent Carter, most notably from the Captain America movies and comic series.
Source: comicbooktherapy.com
9. Â The Messengers (2014)
Strange objects fall from the sky, people are chosen to be “The Ones,” and there’s also an apocalypse involved. You know, the usual… but different?
Source: sfseriesandmovies.com
10. Â Red Band Society (Sep17 2014)
Follows the lives of five teens in a hospital. Looks to be a heartwarming show about friendship. Will for sure try it out.
Source: hollywoodreporter.com
11. Selfie (Sept30 2014)
Karen Gillian from Doctor Who is back in this show, loosely based on My Fair Lady set in the world of social media.
Source: moviestorm.eu
12. Â Stalker (Oct1 2014)
Detective show about stalking incidents. Watch the trailer; it seems like it could be a good show.
Are you craving a chewy and chocolatey brownie, but you’re worried about all the sugar and artificial flavours? Well, have no fear because this is not only a better brownie, but it is a superfood packed with amazing ingredients. To add on to it’s greatness, it is only 59 calories. It is no bake, dairy-free, and gluten-free. This dessert recipe is great for anyone out there craving brownies, but without all the guilt.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raw cashews
9 dates, pitted
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 ripe banana
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS
Put the oats, cashews, dates, cocoa powder and salt inside a food processor, then blend it all together until it is smooth and floury. After that, you add banana and applesauce and continue to blend until it becomes a thick, sticky dough. Spray a 7×11 pan lightly with coconut oil or cooking oil. Put the mixture into the pan firmly using the back of a spatula. Top with the walnuts, pushing them firmly into the dough. Next step is to place the pan in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up. Cut into equal sized squares of choice, and store the extra brownies in the fridge.
Note: you can always add a scoop of ice cream for extra yum!
When I mentioned Arne Duncan in my summer break post (which can be read here), I also recalled how he dominated at the Sprint Celebrity All-Start Game. Surprisingly, Mr. Duncan used to be a professional basketball player in Australia before becoming the Secretary of Education for the Obama Administration. Enjoy.
Whenever I’m feeling down, or just want to have a lazy night in, I never regret cozying up in bed and shamelessly watching a cheesy old-school chick flick. Though hardcore film enthusiasts may turn at this admission, I really do love them. Yes, they have their fair share of cringe (and swoon!)-worthy moments, but they are often unfairly stigmatized. At the end of the day (or in this case, movie), a good chick flick always sends a valuable message to the audience, and there’s no shame in liking that.
I have provided here a list of my personal favourite chick flicks. These comedic and uplifting movies are surely the ultimate solution for curing the blues. Time to get comfy and enjoy!
1. Clueless
I have to say, out of all the chick flicks out there, Clueless has got to be at the top of my list. I love the 90s attitude and vibe this movie gives off, and the humour is fantastic as well. An accurate (if not slightly dramatic) portrayal of the hectic teenage life, it tells the story of Cher, a popular and rich teenage girl whose outlook on life changes when she vows to makeover a new student. Be prepared for an abundance of pleated skirts and chunky phones, as well as some important life lessons. A funny and romantic watch, it’ll take your mind off heavier topics. Plus, it has Paul Rudd in it, which is a reason to watch the movie in itself.
2. 27 Dresses
If you’re looking for something slightly more contemporary, 27 Dresses will probably be a good match for you. A classic romantic comedy, it shapes the story of Jane, a woman who has played bridesmaid in 27 weddings so far and yet has never been a bride herself. On her way in between weddings, she meets Kevin Doyle, a reporter. Â You can probably guess what happens next…
3. Sleepless in Seattle
I may be slightly biased towards this film due to my love for the city of Seattle, however, with such a wonderful cast this movie is great nevertheless. Tom Hanks plays Chicago resident Sam Baldwin, a man who loses his wife to cancer. Wanting a new start for him and his son, he relocates to Seattle where he finds he still cannot move on. Meg Ryan assumes the role of Annie Reed, a reporter for a newspaper. Their lives intertwine in the unlikeliest of ways when Annie tunes into a radio show. A fantastic and classic romance film, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan will make you laugh and sympathize in this story of true love.
Everything about autumn is perfect to me. The slow slanting light, the crunch of the grass in the mornings, the last moment just before the wind pinches your cheeks with frost and the world is covered in a blanket of white. Autumn is full of moody hues, cold one second and warm the next. It is also a beautiful palate pronounced by brilliant oranges, scarlets, and crispy browns as the leaves wave goodbye. Fall fashion expresses the year’s last, loveliest smile and I am going to share with you all some of my favourite fashion finds of the upcoming season!
1. Bring back the leather: moto jackets
Moto jackets are a mix of edgy and retro. Pair it with a pair of skinny jeans and you’re good to go!
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2. Floppy hats, baseball caps, and beanies
Not only are they in trend right now, but they also give your outfit a warm vibe.
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3. Chunky knit sweaters, cardigans and scarves
Over sized sweaters do not only look relaxed, but they are also great pieces for layering.
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4. Flannel Scandal: PlaidÂ
Whether it be wrapped around your waist or simply put over a tee, you’ll still look flattering!
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5. Black outfits are hardcore (and so are basic tees)!
Who said that you can’t wear only one colour?! All black outfits are in trend this season. Basics (v-necks, t-shirts, stripes) and jeans also make you look awesome by the way.
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6. Layers for days
A sweater on top of a collared shirt is very sophisticated. Anything layered looks comfy. Â No effort put in as well. (Nobody knows that). Score!
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7. Slip-ons, booties, runners and riding boots
What can I say? They’re comfy and they kind of work with everything you wear. 🙂
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8. You look good no matter what you wear. Chin up, you! Rock your fashion, your amazing genes, and hope you anticipate the chilly winds and warm drinks as much as I do!Â
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Disclaimer: All photos do not belong to me. Credits go to the rightful owners.
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  