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.
Does this sound familiar? It’s Monday morning, and you hear an alarm begin to wail, signalling the start of another long day. You drag yourself out of bed in a groggy haze and go through the same tedious routine that you go through every morning, only to eventually end up at school, working for those seven hours that of course everyones LOVES…
Buuuutttt… Now that school and the torturous exam season are over, we can all take the chance to relax and ditch the alarm clock. Instead of having to wake up at some ungodly hour to catch the bus, get to an early morning practice or for whatever reason, we can stay in bed and enjoy a bit more beauty sleep. Not only are the extra Zs appreciated, but they can be really good for our overall health.
By getting a bit more sleep every night, you reduce your risk for various health defects, like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. You also lower your risk of getting hurt, as you are more alert and less likely to be unaware of your surroundings or just tuned out to possible hazards. On top of all of that, you are naturally in a better mood, your thinking becomes clearer and your memory power and attention span are boosted.
So bust out the pillows and comfy pyjamas and turn off your alarm, because that little bit of extra sleep that you’ll be getting will let you reap some great rewards. Not only is the extra sleep pleasant and leaves you well rested and ready for the coming day, but it offers benefits that we don’t always tend to think about. And to think that just a few hours can make all the difference!
After school had ended, some relatives from overseas had come to stay with us in Calgary. Ever since, they have been taking us to IHOP once a week. This was the first time I had ever been to IHOP, and trust me, they have some fantastic dishes you wont want to miss. In case you’re wondering, IHOP stands for “International House of Pancakes.” This will be my first restaurant review, so please bear with me.
IHOP offers several mouthwatering dishes, and has different types of food for each part of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). I only go to IHOP in the morning, so I will direct this review more towards their pancakes. IHOP is located on 70 Shawville Boulevard in SE Calgary. Unfortunately, there is only one IHOP in Calgary, but I really hope they open up a few more locations to make it more accessible for customers.
Initial thoughts: When you first walk into IHOP, you will instantly feel “welcomed.” The colours of the restaurant are rather plain, but I find it works well with the food they serve. The restaurant is very clean, and you can tell the employees work hard to keep it in good shape. Restaurant I have been to in the past leave the customers hanging, and are a bit “depressing.” I feel that IHOP, however, always caters to the needs of their customers, and the employees always give off a good vibes.
Restaurant Layout: For the most part, the layout in IHOP works well. They have different sizes/types of tables that can accommodate for different numbers of customers. The seating, however, is somewhat uncomfortable. When I went to IHOP, I sat at the table that could seat up to 6 people. There were two “large” seats on each side of the table. There was cushioning on the table, but not enough. I enjoy seats that have more cushioning, because it maximizes customer satisfaction. I felt that the IHOP seats lacked cushioning, and was a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn’t too bad. The spacing in the restaurant works well, but I feel that some parts of the restaurant are a bit awkward. Many of the seats are tall, which offers privacy for the customers. At the front of the restaurant, there just have rows of tables and seats. Although IHOP is trying to make use of their space, it lacks privacy. You can see everyone around you, and it is a bit awkward. Rating: 7/10
Tables/Seating: The tables at IHOP are fantastic. You have an unlimited supply of syrup for your pancakes. The fork, spoon, and knife are wrapped up in a napkin with an IHOP sticker around it. The tables are clean, for the most part. I would also recommend IHOP works on their leg room. When I was sitting down, my feet would often come into contact with the person sitting across from me. IHOP offers an average menu, nothing too fancy. The table is very organized, which was nice for customers Rating: 8/10
Wait Time: I think the wait time is something all restaurant can work on, including IHOP. Maybe I’m just impatient, who knows? Depending on what time you arrive, when you first enter the restaurant, you may have to wait a good 10-15 minutes to be seated. This can be a bit annoying, because IHOP does not offer anything to keep customers entertained while waiting. After being seated, you have to wait another 10-15 minutes for food, but it really depends on the amount of people you have. Despite the long wait time, the waiters do supply drinks immediately after being seated, which I personally enjoy. Rating: 7/10
Employees: The employees are probably the greatest part of the restaurant! They are cheerful, friendly, helpful, and always willing to help. They will do whatever you want them to do, and they never get frustrated. They radiate positive energy! The employees at IHOP are truly amazing! Rating: 9/10
Food: And now, for the most important part of the restaurant, the food! IHOP is famous for their delicious pancakes. Lets take a look at their original buttermilk pancakes. They are definitely the best pancakes I have ever tasted in my life! They are nice, soft, buttery, and really tasty! I would recommend putting on original maple syrup when having the Buttermilk pancakes. The New York Cheesecake pancakes are also a fantastic choice! Its soft, really tasty, and the cheesecake taste makes it a good choice for customers. For sides, I personally enjoy the hashbrowns. Unlike classic hashbrowns, the ones at IHOP have a homemade style, but the taste is great. Overall, I would say the food at IHOP is pretty delicious. Rating: 8/10
Overall Rating: As we can see, IHOP is a top choice for many customers today. It has excellent food and employees. The layout, spacing, and seating are pretty good, but there is room for improvement. So next time you’re going out for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner, I would strongly recommend going to IHOP.
Born in Romania, Cristian Mihai is a self-publishing author by choice as well as a dedicated blogger. I’ve been following his daily posts closely as of late and he reminds me of the struggles and triumphs of being a writer. It’s more than a job, it’s a lifestyle. Sometimes, that can mean tough times trying to balance doing what you love while still making a living.
He’s currently in need of money to keep his blog alive and I want to support him. An important note: It is your completely your own choice to contribute, but I would like to spread some awareness.
Compared to my other posts, this one will be different because I will be sharing my beginnings as a writer and how Cristian actually plays a significant role up to this day.
“A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.” – Junot Diaz
I had a passion for writing long before I started writing here for Youth Are Awesome. Around two years ago, I decided to create my own blog and it was my first encounter with the wide, wide world of writing. Looking back, I was young and inexperienced, which resulted in posts that lacked quality and organization. However, that didn’t stop me from finding great joy even if a single person enjoyed my work.
I remember distinctly that Cristian was one of the first few who supported me by dropping off occasional likes as well as following the blog. After browsing his profile and realizing that he had followers in the five-digits (he has 80,000+ now), an overwhelming feeling of pride washed over me, knowing that he cared about my tiny personal blog. It sparked my passion to continue writing.
Over the course of the next several months though, I gradually lost my motivation for writing and ultimately, the blog died. It had become something that I did for attention, rather than for pleasure. I knew I needed time off to reconnect with my values and hopefully someday get back into writing. Along with my break, I had also forgotten all about Cristian and my other supporters.
It was only recently that I was reminded of him, while writing posts here for Youth Are Awesome. Despite never meeting him in person, I feel a strong connection with him. I dreamed of becoming a writer and he was one of those who supported me. I believe it’s only appropriate that I return the favor now that he’s pursuing his dreams and needs help. It shows how small acts can lead to large changes in the lives of others.
If I didn’t have to borrow from the Bank of Mom and Dad, I would probably donate some of my cash towards keeping his blog afloat. The next best thing I can do is raise awareness, which I think he deserves. I want to see him achieve his dreams, because I know I’ll be in the same situation someday.
His articles stick out to me because they are about writing. He shares his perspective on what being a writer is like, and to me, that’s an inspiration to keep going. Here is an excerpt from one of my favorite posts:
“We are artists because we hope. We hope that our art will change something. We hope that our words will make a difference.
We are artists because we love. We love in a way that most people would never understand. We love life, we’re not trying to escape it. We love life so much that we want to show others that it can be beautiful, that the life they want can be won.
We are artists because we’ve conquered fear. We’ve found freedom in the form of a story, or a song, or a movie. And we give others part of that freedom.
Art is not about fame, glory, money, or fans. It’s not about adoration. It’s all about happiness, and finding it in a way that doesn’t tie you to anyone else on this planet.
There’s nothing quite like it.
And, yes, sometimes it seems impossible. Sometimes it seems like a waste of time. Sometimes you want to give up.
Summer is the perfect time to feed your soul, to recreate yourself, to let go of all the stress accumulated through the school year. Summer is your time to do the things you love whether its a sport, an art form, or even meditation. With the school year coming to a close, and a new chapter beginning in your life, you need to put your best foot forward. This is your chance to be whoever you wish to be, I like to think of it like a clean slate, a chance to improve who I am as a human being.
In order to reinvent yourself, there are a number of things you should consider doing:
1) Forget about what society has to say, be free, be you. Step outside the boxes we are confined in, and open your mind, heart and soul to the endless possibilities that life has to give us.
2) Carefully analyze the relationships in your life. Do they help you grow, shower you with love and happiness, do they inspire you? If not, maybe its time to let go of those insignificant relationships that usually cause your grief and pain. Recognize that you are in control of your life, and you chose who hurts you and who doesn’t.
3) Clear your mind- whether that means mediation, going on a road trip up the Rocky Mountains, travelling, listening to music, playing a sport or indulging in an art form. This is your chance to let your mind be at peace with the world.
4) Try something new, whether it is painting lessons, salsa dancing, tennis, golf… anything, really! This may be your chance to discover hidden talents, or just experience new things. I believe the experiences you have is what shapes you into the person you are.
5) Love yourself. Whether that means treating yourself to getting your nails done, fixing your diet, or going for a run everyday. Treat your body right. Occasionally treat yourself to ice cream, do the little things, make the minor adjustments that allow you to feel good about yourself. And don’t forget to compliment yourself when you look into a mirror, you are beautiful on the inside and the outside.
6) Meditate. Many may not be able to handle sitting still and concentrating on your breathing, however I guarantee you feel a sense of awakening when you are finished. As if all your senses are intact, it is refreshing and allows you to take time out for just your own self-satisfaction. Meditation allows you to become one with the world for a few minutes, all your pain and stress floats away. You are no longer sitting down with your eyes closed, you are in a different world.
7) Reflect upon your life. By a journal and just write, whether you consider yourself to be a good writer or not. Reflect upon your life, and realize that life is made up of good days and bad days it all depends on your attitude.
The summer weather is finally here! And you know what that means… Whether this word makes you cringe or ecstatic, it is once again time to break out the swimsuits. There are so many opportunities to go swimming at the pool, lake, beach, or perhaps you want to chill in a bathing suit in your backyard. Wherever you sport your suit, do it in confidence.
I’ve seen so many articles popping up recently about getting your “bikini body ready” or “how to look good in your swimsuit this summer” and I understand that they’re trying to generate morale, but I can’t help but feel that these articles are a bit biased towards women. Yes, you may not fill out your top completely or you may not have “hot dog legs,” but our male counterparts probably feel the pressure too. Everyone deals with insecurity at some point, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve thought almost all these things at one point as well, but eventually I got tired of worrying about how I look and not actually having a good time.
Today’s article is going to remain as gender-neutral as possible in hopes of convincing you to stop dreading going out in the water.
I feel awkward exposing my skin. Well, you don’t have to. Invest in a mumu, wear swimming shorts/trunks and just throw on a shirt over top. Just because everyone else is barely clothed does not make you strange for not wanting to do so.
But I’m just so pale. Last time I checked, tanning was just a sign of skin mutations. I will be joining you in the slathering of sunscreen (which everyone should do, no matter your skin color), my friend. Don’t let your skin tone discourage you from wearing a swimsuit.
Don’t make me sit down, you’ll see my rolls. You can’t stay standing forever, and you definitely can’t hide in the water either. I 100% guarantee that you will not be the only person at a place who has stomach rolls when you sit down. There is nothing wrong with having some fat – everyone does. If it really makes you that uncomfortable, you can wear a loose shirt or use a towel to cover up. But it’s really nothing to be embarrassed about.
The camera adds 10 pounds. Which means that there will be 10 more pounds of you to love. If you naturally shy away from the camera, I guess it’s understandable, but don’t feel like you have to dig yourself a hole whenever someone pulls a camera out. Having fun and goofing off with your friends are times that you will want to remember. Don’t let an insecurity now ruin your memories for years to come.
That person over there looks so much better than me. But they don’t have your amazing friends and family with them, now do they. The people around you love you for who you are already, and if they haven’t left you yet they’re certainly not just going to after seeing you in a swimsuit. I don’t know who your friends are, but if they see a public area as some sort of swimsuit competition, you have more problems than “not looking good” for a few hours.
I forgot to shave. We’re humans, not turtles. If someone comes to the beach expecting not to see a spec of body hair then they should really ask all of the dog owners to leave first.
Finally, I leave you with some quotes to inspire a bit more confidence, not just in a bathing suit but for every day you don’t love yourself to the fullest.
“Life is too short to spend another day at war with yourself.”
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you already are.”
When I was assigned to interview the group, Got a Penny for Clean Water?, a finalist for the Environmentalism – Group category of the ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards, I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out that, coincidentally, the group that I was to interview were my classmates, which made me feel warm and fuzzy to know that students at my school are actively providing and caring for the environment. It made me feel like I was part of a better community than I thought I was.
The finalist I interviewed was Arianna, who is currently in Grade 8 at Westmount Charter School. She is a determined and hard worker who puts 100% into everything she does and is always driven to help others. She worked with two peers, Andrew and Sara, and her sister (Natasha) to create a clean and safe well for the people in Kenya who didn’t have the daily luxuries of clean water at their disposal. Arianna felt that she had to contribute after seeing the dire situation in Kenya in person and up close. Eventually, they achieved their goal, and provided a safe and clean water resource for local Kenyans to access.
What was your project about?
For my project, I worked with three other peers to raise money for a village in Kenya called Ngosuani. We were using the Adopt a Village Program of Free the Children to provide the community with clean water, medical care, agriculture and food Support, education and alternative income and livelihood. We heard about the program at We Day and we decided to help. Our original goal was $100, but it quickly became $25,000 because we realized that $100 wouldn’t suffice for this project.
What was your driving purpose for this cause? What inspired you to raise money?
When I saw a picture of their water source, I was stunned. Their water was brown and completely unsanitized. The people in Kenya had to walk hours everyday to collect this water that wasn’t even clean. This inspired my group to take action and do something that might improve their living conditions.
Do you plan on continuing this project?
We have already reached our goal and have finished the project, essentially. Our group has been working separately and we’re working on different projects such as aboriginal fundraisers and donating books. Since we already accomplished our goal, we are working on separate projects. One project I have recently gotten myself into is helping at the Calgary Zoo. Helping them recover from the flood and other animal care duties I might have.
What did the project do for you?
The project helped me understand what other parts of the world are experiencing. It helped me realize that I matter as well; that I can make a difference if I try.
Arianna and her group had an amazing and fun time fundraising for this cause, and it helped raise awareness and contribute to Kenya’s worsening water conditions. Way to go!
^ This is a picture of the worsening water conditions in Kenya. The child is drawing water out of a sewage system^
What does water mean to us today and people around the world? To us, it is just another resource we take for granted, but for people suffering around the world from water shortage like families in Kenya, water is life. This environmentalist group brought this to light, and in the process I also bumped into a few other organizations that work toward the same effort. One that I particularly thought was worth noting was ‘The Water Project”. This non-profit organization also contributes to Kenya’s water quality, but on a larger scale than enviro-groups. If you are interested in looking further into this cause check out their website at: http://thewaterproject.org/why-water
The birds chirping, the sun shining, the wind whispering, and the grass swaying. What could this be but a gorgeous summer morning!
I don’t know about you, but early morning walks are just about the best things ever, second only to Netflix, maybe. It’s a great way to release all that stress from homework, exams, projects that you have accumulated over the year; a time to just clear your mind and have fun!
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ” In the morning a man walks with whole body…and in the evening, only with his legs.”
The mornings are simply the best times to go for a walk because of the lack of bugs, as well as getting energized for the rest of the day. I feel much more committed and focused to a task or an assignment when I have had some fresh air and a bit of exercise.
So next time you fellow blog readers decide to sleep in on a lazy weekend morning, think of all the benefits you’ll miss.
The annual Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is here! This year, there are 32 new foods that you can check out here. I have picked the top five most delicious foods to share with you.
1. Red Velvet Mini Donuts:
These delightful new treats will definitely attract customers to buy.
2. Tequila Fries:
Spice up your day with some Tequila fries!
3. Chocolate Dipped Cookie Dough on a Stick:
Cookies are delicious, but cookie dough is even better! These will surely light up my day.
4. Turkey Dinner Poutine:
This is something I would definitely eat as a meal. It sounds absolutely scrumptious!
5. Deep Fried Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups:
I’m not sure whether or not these really are going to taste good, but I’ll definitely give them a try!
Facebook reformed its data use policy, four months after the experiment occurred. (Retrieved from Forbes)
Facebook has recently been under fire for conducting an experimental study on its users to test the effects of their newsfeed on users’ emotions. It was found that the more positive posts on a user’s newsfeed would result in generally more positive status updates and other posts. According to the Wall Street Journal, approximately 700,000 users were affected in this experiment by researchers from Facebook and Cornell University.
The controversy over the matter arises when the public realizes the gravity of the access to user data that companies like Facebook have. When a company that has 1.3 billion users accessing its services, the potential for that company to affect more people grows exponentially. It is staggering to comprehend the extent that social media has the possibility of controlling what users think and feel. Ethically and socially, it is apparent that there is a gap between how these companies need to proceed in such matters.
However, it is not just Facebook that has been scrutinized by the public for its manipulation of user data. Google was denied by the US Supreme court to appeal its accusation of breaking privacy laws (BBC News). In 2010, it was revealed that Google accidentally gathered personal data from unencrypted wi-fi networks while constructing its Street View program. As we extend our reliance on these types of resources, the dangers of sacrificing our privacy become more of a reality.
As we move forward with advancing technology that brings our globalizing village closer together, we must consider the ethical repercussions. The power of social media is inevitable, but the consequences can be given at the hands of consumers. Next time, be wary of what you “like.”
Don’t you just love summer? The long days, the sun, and especially the road trips! Personally, I think road trips are the best part of summer. Nothing is better than spending hours on the open road. So, I came up with the top five reasons I think road trips are awesome.
1) Road trips relieve stress
Road trips are great stress relievers. When you’re on a road trip, everything is taken off your mind and you forget about your worries.
2) Road trips are flexible
Usually, road trips are flexible. They give you a chance to be spontaneous, take detours, check out cool places you didn’t plan on checking out, the possibilities are endless.
3) Road trips give you chance to bond
Summer road trips are a great way for family and friends to bond after a long hectic year. Being on the road for a couple of hours is really nice because you can have genuine conversations and experience great moments with the people that matter to you.
4) You can explore beautiful places
Unlike travelling by plane, road trips give you the chance to see everything in between your starting point and destination. And a lot of the time, you find yourself getting out of the car to go explore some great sights. The places and things you see are pretty amazing.
5) Road trips are fun!
Road trips are just generally fun! Spending time with your favourite people, travelling, playing silly games in the car, feeling the wind in your face. These things are what make road trips memorable and fun. If you have not been on a road trip, you are missing out on a great time.
Stampede season is back and with new and exciting new food types! Check out the full list of the 32 new foods here.
1. Scorpion Pizza:
You might have heard of this special type of pizza, but it is definitely worth putting here as it is one of the weirdest pizzas out there!
2. Thai Noodle Wrap:
This is a weird sight as Thai noodles are served as a steaming bowl of specialty soup not normally in a wrap. Although the stampede is definitely not a ‘normal’.
3. Poutine Burger:
Now wouldn’t this burger be hard to eat? I really love poutines and burgers, but together would just be a weird but delicious mess!
4. Bacon Wrapped Corn
Salty, Maplely sweet, and corn sweetness added together maybe just your jam. Or maybe not. Nevertheless, it is one of the weirdest foods going to be seen at the Calgary Stampede!
5. Porcupine Corn dog:
So…is this going to hurt when we bite down on it? I think this might be one of the coolest names for a type of corn dog.
Featured Image Esther Honig’s unedited headshot versus an edit by someone in Argentina.
Freelance journalist, Esther Honig, decided to put beauty standards to the test in her project “Before & After.” Honig sent her headshot to 40 different individuals in 25 different countries, simply asking that they “make [her] beautiful” through the use of Photoshop. The software that dominates such a large portion of visual media can alter the looks of a person quite drastically, and after viewing the photos from this project (which I have linked above), it is quite shocking to see just how much a person can be altered with technology.
If you aren’t aware already, let me be the first to break it to you: Almost everything (I say “thing” because many animals and food items are targeted) you see in the media is Photoshopped. There are instances where you might not believe a picture has been edited, but the media alters appearances in the most subtle of ways. It can be something as obvious as shaping a person’s body to appear thinner or more muscular, but it comes down to a point where models have their fingers elongated or their eyes rotated at 0.45 degree angle. Photoshop has allowed the media to create these impossible standards of “beauty,” but this is only the beginning.
Living in North America means that we are constantly exposed to Western ideals of beauty (and occasionally East-Asian cosmetics ads too), but have you stopped to think what someone in Sri Lanka or Serbia or Morocco finds beautiful? When you put beauty into a global perspective, it becomes so much harder to achieve what we have thought for so long is truly “beautiful.” Our perceptions are ever morphed by our surroundings and culture, and there is no one “real” standard of beauty.
Now, I’m going to share some of the more subtle photos from this project.
Bulgaria
VietnamItaly
And here are some of the more dramatic edits.
MoroccoPhillipinesUnited StatesUnited States
That’s all I’m going to include because I really encourage you visit Esther Honig’s website and check out “Before and After“ for yourself where you can look through a side-by-side comparison slide show. (All photos retrieved from here and here.)
It’s interesting how in some pictures the stray hairs on the left were taken out and in some they were left be, same goes with the large chunk of hair sticking out of Honig’s bun. There were some subtle adjustments to mask her dark circles and fix her eyebrow shape whereas others took the time to change her eye color, give her new hair, and a whole new facial structure altogether. When you see how much difference Photoshop can make to a person, it’s hard to idolize the looks of celebrities in magazines or even on Google. You never know when a picture has been tampered with and the standards set by Photoshopped pictures are merely arbitrary.
I’m not going to say which ones I find “beautiful” or not because this project has really shown me that maybe there is no such thing. Your preferences are based off of where you grew up, your family’s ideals, who you hang out with, your teachers, strangers on the street, anyone or anything you come into contact with. The main lesson to take away from today is that beauty cannot be defined or measured. You will appear beautiful just the way you are to some and others will feel the need to change almost everything about you. At the end of the day, what’s important is that you are comfortable with yourself and accept every inch of the way you look.
The Calgary Zoo celebrated the new arrival of the new Eurasia animals and newly re-named Eurasian Gateway building from June 27-29.
As a volunteer at the event, I enjoyed it a lot. There were many activities are going on such as free photo booth which I helped at, face painting, bouncy house, crafts and the beautiful live Enmax conservatory .
The new rhino is 10 years old. We will hopefully get a female rhino in 2015. The female komodo dragon is 28 years old and we have four upcoming six months old baby komodo dragon in the summer.
The zoo is now recovering from the flood. It is nice to visit the zoo with your friends, family or some one special. Enjoy the nice day, check the animals around the zoo and take some nice pictures.
Approximately how many people do we encounter in our lives per day? Per month? Per year? Well, I’m no statistics major, but according to the blog Golden Ripples you meet approximately 733,000 people in your lifetime. I’m not sure how accurate that statistic is, but regardless, we all encounter many people from various walks of life who tend to inspire us, support us, guide us, love us, and care for us. And how many of these people do we express our gratitude for?
My performing arts instructor and life coach once said to me, “The more you express the gratitude for the happiness you have in your life, the higher the chance of it continuing to bestowed upon you.”
Undoubtedly that is the truth. With the everyday pressures of life and expectations society has of us we tend to forget to appreciate the people in our lives that act like a candle light in the dark tunnel of overwhelming stress and everyday issues that occur in our lives. Unfortunately we neglect to recognize the people whom encourage us reach for the stars and accomplish our dreams and aspirations. We neglect to appreciate those who love us for our angels and demons. “We often take for granted the very little things that most deserve or gratitude.” -Unknown
The people you meet in your lives will be transient, no one ever stays forever, however those who leave a mark and inspire you to strive for excellence are those you must be thankful for. And no, being grateful isn’t just thinking about how fortunate you are to have such people in your life, but being grateful is expressing that gratitude to let those people know you appreciate that impact they have in your life. Because when people feel like they are making a positive difference in others lives, are wanted and loved, they tend to want to continue being that optimistic energy in your life.
So today I challenge you to express your gratitude to the individuals in your lives that love you without all the layers of paint you protect yourself with against the expectations of society, I challenge you to tell them what they mean to you and how lucky you are to have them in your life. Because who knows if they will be here tomorrow, the future isn’t permanently sketched into stone, the future is in your hands and if you wish to have the people you love apart of your lives, always acting like your guiding light, be sure to express your gratitude. It’s as easy as saying “thank you for being apart of my life.” Do you think you can do it?
Gratitude is a precious and underused gift. It is worth more than a million dollars and can be given whenever and where ever. Be sure to pass on this beautiful gift to those who inspire you to let them know what they mean to you. From experience, it is better to do it now than later, because there is always the possibility that later never comes.
PicMonkey is a free photo editing website that I use to create visuals for my blog posts. Today, I’m going to share easy tricks and tips to adding some jazz to your images.
First off, why should you edit your photos at all?
Whether it’s for blogging or personal use, photo editing can give images a more professional look and allow you to add your personal touch. Best of all, it’s simpler to do than most people think. With a few clicks and drags, you can transform an average photo into something special.
Why should you use PicMonkey?
Unlike other photo editing software like Photoshop, which can be pricey and complicated to master, I found PicMonkey to be easy to learn while still providing a variety of quality editing tools for free. Not only is the interface user-friendly, it is also constantly updated with new features. PicMonkey can be used for basic editing, adding filters, text, touch-ups,making collages and much and much more.
I will not be going every single feature in detail, but I will equip you with enough information to try it out for yourself. So without further ado, let’s begin!
You’ll be taken to a home screen similar to the one above. Click on Edit, select your image or one of their preexisting images and you’ll be taken to the editing interface.
I’ve chosen this photo of my writing at enjoying some Starbucks (mhm) I’m going to be showing my typical process with editing.
The Basics
The editor defaults to the Basic Edits section, where you can find the standard tools of the trade.
Auto Adjust will automatically adjust the image to what it thinks looks best. It’s good if you’re lazy, but for any project, the more effort you put in, the better it looks.
Crop is like any other crop tool. However, it has the added feature of being able to select specific dimensions such as 4×6 or 8×10. This is useful if you’re planning to print your photo at a studio.
Canvas Color is not recommended because it will completely replace your image with a solid color. It should be used in Design (found on home screen) where you start off with a blank canvas.
Rotate allows you to straighten any slanted images and also flip them clockwise/counterclockwise.
Exposure will need to be adjusted on most photos. Common cases are images being too dark or overexposed. Use exposure to make sure you have the perfect lighting.
Colors adjusts saturation and temperature (how blue or orange the images are) It also has an added feature of Neutral Picker where it will balance the picture if your colors are off.
Sharpen is useful to sharpen an image that is slightly out-of-focus. Be wary though, because if you adjust it too much, it can turn out to be scratchy and unnatural.
Resize is useful for resizing images without losing quality.
The Fun (Filters)
On most camera apps, you’ll have filters that will add an effect to your image. Well, PicMonkey has an abundance of them for you to experiment with.
There’s too many to go into depth about what they do, but the visuals should give you an idea.
I should mention that some features are Royale, indicated by a small white crown. This means that in order to use these features without a PicMonkey watermark, you must pay a small fee. I personally don’t use them because there are already enough features to meet my needs, but if you’re interested: http://www.picmonkey.com/#register
Examples
I played around with different effects, but decided on a combination of Black and White + Dusk. Since it was a bit dark, I made some tweaks in Exposure to fit my taste.
The Cool (Textures)
In Textures, you’ll be able to overlay images on top of each other to create interesting effects. The two above were created using Space and Light Trails. If those don’t satisfy you, you also have the option of usingYour Own textures, which is what I did.
I scoured the web for some photos and found an awesome one that fit my idea. With a bit more fine-tuning, this was the final product:
Other Goodies (Text, Overlays & Frames)
We have a finished piece, but I didn’t get to showcase the other cool features that I often use for my blog posts.
PicMonkey already has a collection of stylish fonts and it allows you to use the ones downloaded onto your computer as well. My go-to’s are Tall Dark and Handsome and Amantic Small Caps.
Clicking on the butterfly icon will take you to Overlays, but I like to think of them as stickers. There you’ll find an assortment of objects ranging from facial hair to banners that you can insert into your design.
Lastly, there is the Frames section where like a real photo, you can frame your masterpiece. My favorite is Museum Matte.
Using a mixture of techniques, I was able to create the header photo for this blog.
Conclusion
I hope you learned something new today and apply it to your lives. It’s all about exploring – you’re encouraged to play around with the different tools. For beginners and veterans alike, there’s always fresh ideas to try out in PicMonkey.
I didn’t get to cover every single thing, so I may write another post in the future covering other topics. If you do have questions, feel free to comment below or search online. Remember: photo editing can be a lot of fun.
Resources
There’s a great “Top 10 Tutorials Made By You” posted by PicMonkey, where bloggers like us share their unique spin on how to use PicMonkey.
Does this sound familiar? It’s Monday morning, and you hear an alarm begin to wail, signalling the start of another long day. You drag yourself out of bed in a groggy haze and go through the same tedious routine that you go through every morning, only to eventually end up at school, working for those seven hours that of course everyones LOVES…
The editor defaults to the Basic Edits section, where you can find the standard tools of the trade.
