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Lunch, waffle-style

Julia
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Summer is great and all, but spending my days inside with little to do can get boring. I spend hours on my laptop (#addicted), and sometimes I come across… recipes. Or, articles like this. Many times I go on a site, which you may have heard of before: Buzzfeed. Where I come across articles like this. Long story short… I LOVE to find creative ways to spice up life. “Life” meaning food.

waffle_FotorSo… when I came across the idea of cooking a variety of foods in a waffle iron, I obviously had to give it
a try.

To a) keep it healthy, and b) keep it simple, I decided to “waffle” a sandwich made using a wrap, kind of like a quesadilla. Inside, I put sweet potato hummus (which is amazing, go buy some), kale (from a U-Pick), and meat (the first time ground chicken, the second time turkey deli meat).

The result? YUM. Because of the waffle-ing, my lunch was full of crunch. The wrap was perfectly crispy in
places, but still soft and delicious. When I used deli meat, the turkey was cooked in such a way that it almost tasted roasted. Sweetness was added by the sweet potato hummus, and an interesting yet delightful texture wasadded by the kale. waffled_Fotor

Warm, crisp, delicious…

WAFFLED.

Now the question is: what are YOU going to waffle???

 

Need some inspiration? Check out these links:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/waffled-tomato-grilled-cheese-recipe.html

http://www.willitwaffle.com/blog/2010/03/02/waffled-falafel-and-secret-to-perfect-hummus

http://www.willitwaffle.com/will-it-waffle/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/caitlinmorton/17-unexpected-foods-you-can-cook-in-a-waffle-iron-a3z1

http://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/foods-you-can-make-in-a-waffle-iron#2tfb4dy

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/12-recipes-you-didnt-know-you-could-make-in-a-waffle-iron.html

 

Written word in the new age

Carol Zhang
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DNA Bookcase by Reverso @ laughingsquid.com

From the time our parents told us stories of princesses with inappropriate footwear and golden-haired home invaders, we were storytellers too. Every time we played pretend or recanted a funny memory or told an elaborate lie, we became a little better at telling tales, one story at a time. We turned to books and writing to put our stories to paper.

Growing up around technology, some of us may have lost our enthusiasm for the written word. Perhaps we decided that YouTube videos were more appealing than the pages of a novel, or found television shows more immersing than the worlds in a book.

However, with the introduction of eReaders (that just won’t stop getting fancier) and the popularization of digital novels, books have taken a step closer to reasserting their status as one of the oldest and long-loved storytelling formats. One of the most prominent bestseller lists in the world, the New York Times Best Sellers now includes an entire section dedicated to bestselling e-Book titles. Our own Calgary Public Library also includes a large e-library collection. In more than just a few ways, the written word making a transition into the digital age.

On Sept 11, the third book in Sarah J. Maas’ “Throne of Glass” series will be released. Attaining New York Times No. 1 Bestseller status with her second novel, Maas has quickly become a rising author of young adult fiction. But what makes her now well-known story unique was that its original inception took place on Fictionpress.com, titled a decade ago as “Queen of Glass” under the pseudonym sjmaas. With the help of a massive online fan following and hundreds of readers, her debut novel – dedicated in the end to those same readers – was propelled to publication.

“Throne of Glass” is among a small group of published novels in North America that started out online. Elsewhere, however, the market for online literature is much larger.

China is among the leaders in online literature, with 12.2 million users accessing its top ten literary websites every day, according to Internet market research firm iResearch. Readers pay a small amount to authors through literary websites in order to read one thousand words, and through this simple model top authors have earned millions and risen to great fame. Online novels have become incredibly popular in China; 23 of 100 bestselling titles on bookseller dangdang.com were online novels that had since made it to print. Many others have been adapted for television dramas and movies.

Despite the success of the online literature market in China, it has also been heavily criticized for their system which demands hundreds of thousands of words that an author must write in order to profit. Critics however cannot deny that online novels have and will continue to shape the future of popular literature.

Here in North America, Fictionpress.com and wattpad are two of the most popular online literature sites. Trying to end a book drought? Passionate about writing but don’t know where to start? Want feedback from fellow writers? Pop over to one of those sites and check some stories out. I promise it’ll be worth your while.

 

Sources:
http://www.tealeafnation.com/2013/04/whats-behind-chinas-growing-legions-of-online-readers/
http://sjmaas.livejournal.com/

The corner of forever we call today

Carol Zhang
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dandelion_fluff_2_by_noctilucentme-d4ahvfb

Approaching the ever-daunting challenge of adulthood, it’s easy to feel lost.

Visiting big-name universities, seeing the accomplishments of others, and wondering if our own future accomplishments will even hold a candle to those of the people around us… We all have moments when we wonder about our place in the world in a few years. It’s human nature to want to be wanted, to be a part of the whole. We want to fit in in our school, our community; the world, the universe. And so sometimes, we might sacrifice a bit of ourselves for the sake of what could be.

HERE IS TODAY (hereistoday.com) puts things into a bit of perspective. Created by Luke Twyman, it’s an interactive HTML5 site that illustrates the universe and the fraction of history that is today.

As you click through HERE IS TODAY – which you should be definitely doing now if you haven’t done so already – you’ll be startled by how miniscule “today” is in comparison to the lifespan of the universe.

There are a few ways you can take this. You can go ahead and be a pessimist and assume that everything will all be for naught because in a few billion years the sun will swallow up the Earth anyway and nothing you (may or may not try to) do about it will matter. And why try, anyway, if all your accomplishments, no matter how big, are just going to be a speck next to the universe?

I personally cannot subscribe to this line of thinking mainly because I think it’s just plain sad.

Although it is true that everything is just a speck next to the universe, it is those very same specks that made up the universe. It is drops of water that make up an ocean; colonies of stars that make up a galaxy; todays that make up a forever. Ultimately, each and every one of those drops of water and stars and todays matter just as much as the next.

Maybe it takes a bit of convoluted logic and naiveté to say this, but after the earth has been swallowed up by the sun, the person who invented hovercars is going to matter just the same as the person who invented peanut-butter-and-ketchup sandwiches. In the grand scheme of things, the fact that you loved what you did with your life is going to be greatest legacy you will have.

We’ve all got our own place in the world and not enough time to spend trying to fit into someone else’s. So when you return to your hallways and classrooms and start thinking about tomorrow again, take a moment to breathe. Don’t forget about today.

 

Image credit: Noctilucentme @ http://noctilucentme.deviantart.com/art/Dandelion-fluff-2-259494743

HERE IS TODAY: Whitevinyl by Luke Twyman @ http://whitevinyldesign.com/

What to watch: The Mindy Project

Thalia
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“Mindy Lahiri can quote every romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan that exists. She loves the good ones and the bad ones, because the girl always gets the guy. Mindy is determined to be more punctual, spend less money, lose weight and read more books – all in pursuit of becoming a well-rounded perfect woman… who can meet and date the perfect guy.

Mindy is a skilled OB/GYN and shares a practice with a few other doctors, none of whom make life any easier for her. Jeremy Reed is the walking definition of total bad news… Danny Castellano is a hothead and guys’ guy who has a habit of stealing Mindy’s patients.

As Mindy attempts to get her career off the ground and meet a guy who passes her red flag test, only time will tell if she gets her romantic comedy ending.”
–pogdesign.co.uk

I’m normally one to favour one of the many horror movies or action shows over a rom-com series on Netflix. It was to my surprise that when I clicked on THE MINDY PROJECT one night, I found myself laughing and genuinely having a good time. The show is well paced and does not stagger off the plot. Though admittedly my first impression of the main character wasn’t all that great, over the episodes Mindy Lahiri (played by Mindy Kaling from The Office) showed her great likability and reliability through strong jokes and dialogue. This show comes in knowing what kind of story it wants to tell and does so. A refreshing watch compared to many series in the same genre that consistently feel like they’re struggling to make ends meet with questionable plot moves.

This is a fun series full of awkward moments, an unconventional protagonist, debatable outfits, witty dialogue, and a great cast featuring A-list celebrities like James Franco. Originally airing on FOX network show, the first two seasons of this charming series can be found on Netflix. When you finish the episodes and are left wondering if that’s all there is to it, fret not because the third season will be airing on September 17, 2014. If you’re looking for something to watch and want to have a good laugh, THE MINDY PROJECT is the way to go.

 

What YAA loves about fall: Reading in a coffee shop

Hui Wen Zheng
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Fall is my favourite season for many reasons. One of them is the fact that I (finally!) get to whip out my impressive collection of scarves. Apart from being able to put away what scarce of a summer wardrobe I have, the ‘heavier’ books on my reading list that have been neglected during the light summer months can finally be read. There’s always something about the way the air begins to get nippy and the leaves begin to turn gold that makes me want to curl up in a coffee shop with a hot drink and a good read. Being a huge bookie with an ever-expanding to-read list, I thought I would share some of the books I plan on reading this fall over a steaming cup of tea.

glass-castle-book-cover-377x600

1. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Having resurfaced in popularity after being published to critical acclaim in 2005, Jeannette Walls’ memoir about growing up with unique nonconformist parents has been at the top of my reading list for a long time now. A tale about finding success in the most unlikeliest of situations, unconditional familial love, as well as overcoming challenges, this book promises to astonish readers. What’s more? A movie adaptation starring Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo is being negotiated, making now the prime time to pull out this coffee shop read.

 

2. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

This was recommended to me by one of my language arts teachers and is loosely based on The Book of Genesis. It is centered around and narrated by Dinah, the daughter of the biblical Jacob and speaks of her role in society. This novel weaves a rich tale of ancient womanhood, and celebrates the lives of women.

(Tip: if you’re looking for a new read, ask your teacher for their personal recommendations! It’s a great way to get to know them better!)

 

3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

15 year-old Christopher John Francis Boone describes himself as “a mathematician with some behavioral problems.” He has remembered all the capitals of the world’s countries, hates the colour yellow, and possesses many other unique quirks. Due to his unspecified condition, Christopher lives in a highly logical world. His delicate illusion is shattered when the neighbour’s dog is killed. Following the footsteps of his (and everybody else’s) favourite detective, Sherlock Holmes, Christopher aims to solve the case. This is a revealing story about the human condition and how one’s downfall may turn out to be their salvation.

 

4. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Oh boy. Since it’s publication, this book has been through enough controversy to become a soap opera. Originally published as a memoir, the novel tells the story of James Frey and how he overcame addiction after spending six weeks in rehab. It opened to wide acclaim, and was cherished by Oprah—even making it into her prestigious book club. All of this fell through when it was revealed that the book was fictionalized to an extent. Subsequently, James Frey was publicly slammed by Oprah. Personally, it does not matter to me whether the book was fictionalized as long as the story is riveting, and I can’t wait to crack open this book.

 

5. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

I’m usually a bit reproachful about the books Goodreads recommends me because I have never seemed to be interested in them. This book, however, I am intrigued by. When the main character, Ed Kennedy, stops a bank robbery by chance, he begins to receive notes that send him on missions. Fulfilling them often means that he must help or harm others with his actions. Through all of his missions, both readers and Ed are left wondering about the origins of the messages. Being a sucker for a good adventure/mystery novel, I have a feeling I will love this book.

 

These are my Fall reads, what are yours? Feel free to share some of your Fall book recommendations in the comments below!

A PhD in chocolate?!

Malika Daya
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yummm

If I told you, you can now get a PhD in chocolate, would you believe me? Would you believe that you could major in a dessert? For all of you with a sweet tooth perhaps this is your perfect opportunity? According to statesman.com this is now a new program being introduced to Cambridge University in the U.K.

Graduated from high school, have no direction as to what to do? Perhaps done your undergrad and still in the search for your passion? Maybe this is it. Maybe your sudden and crazy cravings for chocolate have brought you here!

However this is no jolly ride, nor is it anything like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! This is real business. The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology are in search for Ph.D student to do research regarding the “melt-ability” of chocolate. Requirements to do the study include having studied sciences especially physics, chemistry, or engineering for the past four years!

yum

“Sadly, a long history of polishing off family-size Galaxy bars in front of Gossip Girl won’t count as credentials.” Metro writes! 

Cambridge says the applicant should figure out how to keep chocolate from melting in warmer climates yet have the same quality when purchased and eaten by the consumer. However this entire project is “mainly experimental.”

Interested? Not yet? Well wait till you hear this! The internship is fully paid for and will last three and a half years. Can you believe it? What more can a chocolate lover and dreamer want? Too bad not all of us have the qualifications to Major in Chocolate. I know if I did the chocolate would be gone before the research even started.

What are your thoughts? Would you Major in Chocolate? Would you be able to have the self restraint? Would you enjoy working with chocolate for three and a half years?

For more information check out this link: statesman.com!

cho

 

 

My favorite scrambled eggs

Mavis Li
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It has many benefits, such as supplying your body and mind energy for the day. As well, having a healthy and hearty breakfast is part of a better life style, and can help you in dieting, or maintaining a strong body. If you’re like me, then you don’t have lots of time to spare for making breakfast. Many times I find myself having milk and cereal, but I like hot food too – most of all, scrambled eggs! Here is my go-to recipe for quick and delicious scrambled eggs – you can make lots of variations for your own favorite eggs:

from [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB7sBOu_rlU/ULeA68Ze68I/AAAAAAAAAME/iTfH3OXwvwE/s1600/ScrambledEgg.jpg]

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 1/4 shredded cheese
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Grease a skillet with oil, and heat to medium heat.
  2. Beat the eggs and the milk with a whisk, until bubbles begin to appear.
  3. When the oil is hot, pour the egg mixture into the skillet.
  4. As the eggs begin to set, move spatula around to form large curds.
  5. When the eggs are almost fully cooked, lower the heat to medium-low and add the cheese on top of the eggs and allow it to melt.
  6. Cook until the eggs are thick and soft, but not dry. Remove from heat.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Video of the Day: After Us

Eryl David
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“Ultimately the path to recovery is not to find someone new for yourself, but to find someone new in yourself.”

Many of us have all gone through break ups of relationships, whether they be romantic ones or not. This new video I found on one of my favorite YouTube channels, Wong Fu Productions, takes that singular experience of a break up and turns in into a story we can all relate to by some degree. After Us is an endearing video that is sure to strike home with some viewers when it comes to dealing with the aftermaths of broken relationships, and a video that makes us completely empathize and relate. It is one that I hope when viewed, can give you some peace of mind on the road to recovery in a situation like this one.

Medic?! MEDIC?! (Battlefield 4 Meets Life)

Dean
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1

We all know by now that supporting somebody else is not only important but extremely beneficial as a whole, right? Well, there are times when people can’t seem to understand that there’s figuratively no “I” in “team,” “teamwork,” “support,” “help others,” and “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, HELP THEM!!!” Let’s analyze that as I take a look into DICE’s Battlefield 4 as the kickstarter to my Meets Life series, a weekly post where I break down an important theme from either the biggest or smallest things in choice video games, movies, TV shows, and Anime.

An official wallpaper for Battlefield 4
An official wallpaper for Battlefield 4

Battlefield 4 is a first person shooter developed by DICE and published through Electronic Arts. It is currently available for current generation consoles (Xbox 360, Playstation 3 with modest visual graphic quality), next generation consoles (Xbox One, Playstation 4 with great visual graphic quality) and PC (HAVE YOU SEEN PC GAMEPLAY OF THIS GAME?!) In the multiplayer of Battlefield 4, there are four Soldier classes you can choose from, each branding their own unique weapon class as well as their own abilities to assist the team. The Assault class, also known as the Combat Medic, have the ability to revive downed players with a pair of defibrillators, as well as toss medic bags that automatically heal injured players. That should surely support your team forward to a victory, right?

Yeah, being an avid player of this game, this is generally how all of the Assault Soldiers are like whenever I’m down.

I’m serious. NO COMBAT MEDICS pick me up. Generally, when there’s a huge firefight already happening and I’ve been killed in that, I can understand when I can’t get picked up. But when there is literally NO enemies in view, and I’m lying down expecting this:

I get this, and then return to the spawn menu:

Here’s what’s worse: when I do get up, it’s at the worst possible time, like this:

You’d think that with practically everything in each glorious map set out to kill you, from the Soldiers themselves, armored vehicles on land, in the air, and even in the water, not ONE Combat Medic does his obligation to the team and revives you. Ugh.

Now take the deep, deep, and utterly pointless-to-you struggle I’ve had with this game and those Combat Medics and apply it to life. The whole idea for a Combat Medic is to support your teammates by picking them up. Take a moment to reflect on your own personal self, acknowledging all of the times where someone whom you needed their help from simply ran by and left you alone. It’s terrible, isn’t it? Expand on that and acknowledge all of the people out on our streets who’ve been needing something for a long time and we just casually walked by.

Now acknowledge organizations like the YWCA and the Food Bank here in Calgary who are committed to serving help to those who can’t get up on their own. The Calgary Food Bank has been providing food for over 30 incredible years! That’s amazing! The YWCA is hosting an event for the city in hopes of supporting women in their everyday struggles at home, work, and their own personal lives by giving us the opportunity to “walk in their shoes.” That’s really, really sweet and I urge you to follow this link: http://support.ywcaofcalgary.com/site/TR?fr_id=1060&pg=entry if you’d like to learn more.

You and I, we’ve suffered before but that doesn’t mean we can allow someone else to. As a challenge for my fellow YAA bloggers and the readers this week, help anybody in any situation that could greatly bring them back up, whether it be with homework or simply listening to them when they want to talk. You can’t comprehend the gratitude they’re going to express when you’ve helped them.

This is an amazing feeling, like honestly.
This is an amazing feeling, like honestly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjV6tsxdxE8 Now, to wrap up this post, follow the link I’ve just attached so that you may behold the beauty that is DICE’s Battlefield 4.

3 cool places to check out in Calgary

A N
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The title says it all, these are my 3 favorite places to go whenever I’m out in our city. They are all unique, trendy and totally awesome, so go check them out!

1. Via Cibo

source
source

This Italian “street food” restaurant is the best place to go get some lunch in Calgary! They make awesome Italian food, that isn’t too fancy or expensive. This restaurant doesn’t only serve delicious sandwiches, pastas and pizzas: they also serve style. When you walk into Via Cibo, it’s like walking into a trendy restaurant you would find in New York, LA or Toronto! Everything looks high end, modern and super sleek. Even the presentation of each dish in stylish! Their patio is perfect to sit on during the summer, and you can even cool off with some homemade gelato or Italian soda!

Best Menu item: Panino Pollo Alla Griglia

Location: Deerfoot Meadows

 

2. Blame Betty 

blame betty

Located on the trendy 17th ave, Blame Betty is an cool boutique with a twist: they specialize in Pin-Up clothing. Their accessories are cute and their dresses are to die for, but unfortunately, they are a bit more expensive. With that said, they are amazing quality and one of a kind: you definitely can’t find a pin-up dress in Forever 21! The store’s exterior and interior are also a sight to see, the outside kind of looks like an old house and when you walk through the doors, you are greeted by awesome artwork!

 

3. Recordland

source
source

I have quite a large collection of records, and whenever I’m downtown, I always go to Recordland. They are literally running out of space for all of the records, cassettes and CDs in their store! Each and every row is filled to the brim with cool old classics like the Beatles, Pink Flloyd and the Rolling Stones. They have also recently added a section of brand new records from modern day bands and artists like Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys and the Black Keys. Even if you don’t listen to records, I highly recommend checking out Recordland. It’s a unique experience you can’t get many other places, they play records and blare them through the speakers to enjoy as you try to maneuver your way around boxes and piles of records and CDs, and the staff is always friendly. But fair warning, if you are claustrophobic, definitely wait outside!

Location: Inglewood

 

2014 MTV VMAs Recap

Davinder Malhi
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Sunday night was the night when the legendary MTV VMAs took place. This years VMAs were anything but ordinary. So I, being a hip and on the scene type of dude, will recap and breakdown the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards for you.

Red Carpet:

Sadly, this year’s VMA red carper wasn’t crazy or wild. Instead, most of the celebrities kept it classy. Here is a look at the fashion from that night.

Beyonce: Need I say more?

Screen Shot 2014-08-24 at 8.52.17 PM

Katy Perry & Riff Raff: This outfit isn’t quiet a fashion critic’s cup of tea. The only reason that I like it is because it’s a homage to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s 2001 infamous VMA ensemble.

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.02.54 PM

Nicki Minaj: Nicki shamelessly self-promoted her new song ‘Anaconda’ with her snake print dress. Sadly, it’s a really boring outfit.

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.03.01 PM

Taylor Swift: Taylor is finally flaunting her long legs, but her attire is just ok.

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.03.09 PM

Iggy Azalea: Igyy showed up looking really fancy. She was probably one of the best dressed celebrities at the 2014 VMA’s.

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.03.24 PM

Ariana Grande: Wow Ariana! A ponytail?! Thigh high boots?! I’m getting sick and tired of Ariana wearing the same thing all the time!

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.03.33 PM

Miley Cyrus: Finally! Miley looks great!

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.03.40 PM

Kim Kardashian: Kim decided to show up in an Ikea rug this year…

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.03.49 PM

Ed Sheeran: Not too shabby Ed.

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.04.02 PM

The list of celebrities goes on and on. But I don’t want to bore you by reviewing all their fashion choices. Now it’s time to discuss the important stuff, the award show!

The Preformances:

The show was kicked off with an out of this world performance by Ariana Grande. Ariana performed her latest hit single, Break Free.

ari

Then Nicki Minaj came out and spiced up the show with her Anaconda performance.

nicki

 

If that wasn’t enough, Jessie J decided to join both of these women for their smash hit, Bang Bang.

bangbang

 

Next Taylor Swift hit the stage for the crowd, revving Shake It Off.

taysw

 

Following Taylor’s performance was rising star, Sam Smith. Sam preformed Stay With Me.

2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Show

 

The Boyband 5 Seconds of Summer took the stage to perform Amnesia.

5sos

 

Later, we had the famous female duo Rita Ora and Iggy Azalea perform Black Widow.

blackwidow

 

For the grand finale, we had Queen Bey preform a medley of her latest album BEYONCE. Her performance made all the other performances look like opening acts.

beyonce

 

These were not all of the performances and the 2014 VMAs, but just the most talked about. We’ve viewed the red carpet and performances. What could be left? Duh, the award winners!

The Award Winners:

Video Of The Year: Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball

Best Hip-Hop Video: Drake ft. Majid Jordan – Hold On (We’re Going Home) 

Best Pop Video: Ariana Grande ft Iggy Azalea – Problem 

Best Rock Video: Lorde – Royals (I still don’t understand)

Best Male Video: Ed Sheeran ft Pharrell – Sing  

Best Female Video: Katy Perry ft Juicy J – Dark Horse 

Artist To Watch: Fifth Harmony 

The Highlights:

Even though this award show was quite eventful, there were some moments that stood out brighter than others. One of the great moments was when Miley Cyrus used her acceptance speech to bring attention to an important issue. Let me just say, that Miley has restored my faith in her. Watch the speech:

Another highlight from the show was Taylor Swift’s infamous dancing.

The biggest highlight from the night was obviously Beyonce’s legendary performance. And her acceptance speech for her Video Vanguard Award.Here is a link to Beyonce’s performance: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/1066933/mtv-vma-video-vanguard-medley.jhtml#id=1729744

Sorry to break it to you, but if you didn’t watch this year’s VMAs, you missed out on a lot! But don’t worry, you can still watch the VMAs on MTV.ca. This year’s VMAs were absolutely amazing! Now it’s time to start counting down for the 2015 MTV VMAs!

 

GlobalFest 2014: Calgary’s most explosive festival

Michael Xie
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0
GlobalFest 2014: Calgary’s most explosive festival

This year, I had the pleasure of volunteering at GlobalFest, Calgary’s annual fireworks festival. This was my first year at the festival and I can say that this is a must-do for Calgarians during the summer. GlobalFest is a fireworks festival first and foremost, but gf7it is also a celebration of Calgary’s diverse collection of cultures. The five countries featured this year were Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, France and Canada. Each day, fireworks told a different story about one of those countries, from the invasion of Vietnam to a beautiful love story about trans-Atlantic lovers from Paris and Calgary. This year the festival ran on August 14, 1gf66, 19, 21 23 from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with the fireworks show officially starting at 9 p.m. Most people start to file into Elliston Park at around 7 p.m. to claim a spot around lake to watch the fireworks. What confused me was the fact
that many people did not seem to know or care about the “global” aspect of the festival. After setting up camp, the proceeded to promptly sit down on their towel and took out their phones to, I’m assuming, madly tweet and post statuses about how exciting GlobalFest is. When they did get up, it was to go get food from the various food trucks around the park. Not only does GlobalFest feature fireworks it is also a cultural gathering with pavilions from countries all around the world. If you ever attend GlobalFest, I strongly encourage you to just wander around the park and visit as many of the 19 pavilions as you can. My personal favorites were the Scottish and Spanish tents.

As a volunteer, I was stationed at the Children’s Village. This was a tent and play area set up specifically for younger kids to enjoy themselves. The tent was a hub for craft-making while the play area consisted of bouncy houses from Shaker’s. As I have no artistic skill whatsoever, I was mainly outside manning the houses. Though my opinion might be biased, as I have only volunteered at the Children’s village, I think that this position was one of the more engaging and gf4exciting ones available. On the first night I was there, August 16 (Thailand), we started to receive a steady stream of children, along with some rather exasperated parents, starting around 7:30 p.m. By 8:30 p.m., we had a constant line of around 30 kids. One of the things that I personally think volunteers should do a lot more is interact with the participants of the events. If you are doing something similar to my job, take the initiative and talk to the kids, it often helps them loosen up and not be so nervous about going to play. It’s also always amusing to see kids really start to open up and ramble. While I was there, I had two kids attempt to vie for my attention by listing various activities and accomplishments they had achieved. At one point, the girl told me that she does gymnastics and has won several medals. The boy looked at the girl, seemed to consider his options, then promptly responded: “Well, I can do a cartwheel.” He stared pointedly at the girl as if that ended the discussion and let out a satisfied “hmph” before crawling into the bouncy house. At around 8:45 p.m. everyday, we would close dowgf 9n the village so the volunteers could go and watch the fireworks show.

I really don’t think that my description nor my photos do the fireworks any justice, as they are something that really must be experienced live and in person. Each firework is fired to be in time with the music being played and perfectly fits in with the theme. Sparkling waterfalls, fizzling crackles, flashing strobes, smiley faces and stars fill the night sky with a medley of colors that come together to paint a mesmerizing picture on the black canvas of thgf6e perfectly dark night sky. I would highly recommend visiting each of the five days, as each show is completely different. If you do want a five-day all-inclusive pass make sure to buy it online around December when you can get it for about $25. Even if you don’t plan to attend all five days, I still recommend getting this pass as a regular single-day admission is $20 in August. You can order advance tickets here. I know that I will definitely be there again next year as both a participant and volunteer, and I encourage you to do the same.

Doctor Who: the new Doctor’s here!

Shruti Tangirala
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The Doctor (middle), with his companions, Clara (left), and Danny (right)
The Doctor (middle), with his companions, Clara (left), and Danny (right)

It’s finally here! The much awaited season 8 of the British science fiction television show, Doctor Who! The Whovians have been waiting, with bated breath, for the regenerated Doctor to make an appearance in their favourite television show, and they weren’t disappointed. While the 10th and 11th Doctors showed their bright sides to the audience, the 12th Doctor shows his darker side, which is quite a huge difference compared to the previous Doctors. Another surprise is the transition from the young, joyful faces of 9, 10, and 11, to the old, serious face of 12. The previous Doctors have showed compassion for human beings, however, 12 doesn’t understand them.

Peter Capaldi, the actor who plays the 12th Doctor, has refrained from having any romance between the Doctor and his companion, Clara. He states that he chooses so due to the huge age difference between himself and Jenna Coleman, and he says, “I’m not your boyfriend,” to her at the end of the new episode, Deep Breath.

The new season 8’s first episode, featuring Capaldi, is based on the new Doctor and his regeneration. There have been mixed reviews from the audience, both positive and negative. Many love the new, dark side of 12, but others have complained about Capaldi’s age, and they’re having a hard time coping with the huge change from the younger, happier Doctors. They have become attached to Matt Smith, the actor who plays the 11th Doctor.

I, personally, couldn’t wait for the new Doctor, although I was in no hurry to see Smith leave the show. I love the Doctor’s different side, and it brings a whole new plot line to the show. The previous Doctors had romantic flings which had heartbreaking endings, and having no flirting or love is a nice change from the usual story. What are your thoughts on the new season and the new Doctor in Doctor Who?

The joys of wisdom teeth

Talia Santarossa
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Almost every teenager and young adult has had to go through the wonderful procedure of getting their wisdom teeth removed (that is, unless they don’t have any…). It has been a week since I went to the surgeon to get mine out and I feel that since I can finally stop taking painkillers, I am coherent enough to write about my experience and have it make actual sense. I can definitely say that my experience was better than that of many people and that I did not experience any complications, thank goodness. I’m still a little bit sore and swollen, but it gets better with every day. I was lucky that I was given many tips to help me through, so I think that it would only be fair that I share some of them with you.

Eat a lot the night before

My procedure was in the morning and I was instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. To try to make up for the fact that I would be unable to have breakfast, I ate a really big supper and I snacked on and off until I went to bed. In the morning, although I was still very hungry, it went better than I had expected. I was also not allowed to even have water after the midnight deadline either. This one is tougher because if you drink a lot before bed, you will more than likely be awakened in the middle of night needing to go to the bathroom. All I can say is to try to push your stomach’s and bladder’s limits before the procedure because it will make matters much easier.

Invest in soup, Jell-o and ice creamwisdom-teeth_01

Your diet is really restricted, especially on the first day, where you can’t really eat anything that hasn’t taken a trip through the blender. It’s really important to keep your nutrition up, even if you feel like your face is so swollen that you can’t fit anything in your mouth. Soft foods are really good for this purpose. In the days following your extraction, you can progress onto more solid foods like pasta. However, be warned that smoothies are off of the menu unless you want to eat them with a spoon. You can’t use straws for a week and depending on what you put in your smoothies, the seeds could also pose a problem. Just stick to your pudding and you’ll be fine.

Follow the instructions you are given

In order to make a quick recovery, it is vital that you follow the rules given to you. If you are told to ice your face, do it. If you are told do take a certain medication, take it. If you are told to lay around for a few days and not do anything, do just that. The guidelines that you are given by your dentist or oral surgeon are designed to make things easier for you and following them will make your life a lot easier.

Overall, the whole experience of getting wisdom teeth extracted is not as bad as it seems. Although you can either get them removed under conscious sedation, general anesthetic or local anesthetic if you get them pulled out later in life, the recovery process is fairly similar. As long as you can accept the fact that you will be an incoherent chipmunk for a little while, do everything that you’re told to do and take it easy for a few days, you should be fine.

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Awesome youth in profile: the volunteerism of Sukhneer Kaur

Malika Daya
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Awesome youth in profile: the volunteerism of Sukhneer Kaur

I had the fortunate opportunity of interviewing the ConocoPhillips Youth Of Distinction Awards 2014 finalist for volunteerism, Sukhneer Kaur. Not only is she a determined and passionate individual but she is also a confident and humble spirit that aspires to make a change in the world we live in. After interviewing Sukhneer, I realized the beauty of being grounded in your principles, and the miracle of karma. She inspired me, and hopefully she will inspire you too! 

Without further ado, introducing Sukhneer Kaur:

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1) What’s her story?
Sukhneer immigrated to Canada about three years ago from Punjab India, enrolled in Lester B Pearson and later on switched to DC2. Alike to any student transferring to a new school, she was quite shy and very academically focused. Her teachers offered her the amazing opportunity to attend We Day feeling that it would inspire her. Unknowing of what to expect, Sukhneer attended and was amazed by the speakers and left aspiring to do something for society. This was the initial point that occurred in her life that inspired her to get involved and volunteer her time!

2) What were a few memorable moments she had while volunteering, that made her internally feel good?
One of Sukhneer’s feel good moments was while volunteering for the Free the Children water initiative, she had high regards for her experience and said it was amazing because “you are doing something good but for someone else not for yourself.” The second feel good moment Sukhneer has experienced was at a Senior Citizen’s home, where she played games and interacted with the elderly. She believes that the seniors too need attention and somebody to love and care for them, and the satisfaction she got when she left filled her heart with joy.

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3) Who is Sukhneer Kaur’s inspiration?
Instantly the first person Sukhneer referred to was her maternal grand father, a politician who was very interested in philanthropy! She described him as a very genuine and pure man, whose goal was to help people in India.

4) Future plans?
Sukhneer aspires to become a nurse and do her RN in the future years. Not only does she want to help people in a hospital but she also wishes to travel to India and put a stop to the increasing rates of domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Being a feminist, Sukhneer wants to educate the women of India and fix the corruption within the system. Punishment and justice is necessary and Sukhneer plans to serve it!

5) As a feminist what is her advice for women?
“Women should be stronger, we shouldn’t think they are weak. Because today’s women are educated, and we should stand up for ourselves.” Education is a great facet to have and Sukhneer especially believes that the of education in India amongst the females is a deficiency. She also believes that the first time she was threatened of assaulted she should gather up the courage to put a stop to that and get justice. Sukhneer believes that if women come together, no force in the world would be able to stop them!

6) A core value or belief she tries to live up to everyday?
“The battle of choosing right over wrong over something dear to me like my family.” She believes that the battle of the truth and what’s right is the correct battle to fight even if it means losing her dearest pleasures. Sukhneer feels as though in both places you will be losing something so why chose right over wrong where you will have a clean conscience.

7) What gives Sukhneer the strength and motivation to fulfill her dreams and aspirations?
“I would say my friends give me strength and keep me going, they were their in my bad times and my good times.”

8) Thoughts regarding technology in our society?
She feels as though at some point technology is taking away the good from our society because prior to the technology era people used to go out and spend time with their families rather than with their phones. She also believes that if their was a limit to usage people would be more driven to do other things with their lives like volunteer and give back to society.

9) Advice to youth upon volunteering?
“I think we should give time to others too from our lives, we all have busy lives but even if its once a month for one hour and we do something for someone else that would be great.”

10) A quote or phrase she lives by?
Truly live everyday of your life, and believe in the magic of karma. If you do good deeds, good will happen to you, if you do bad deeds, don’t expect flowers and roses.

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