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.
A good chunk of the people reading this right now are probably around the age where the pressure to get a job is building. Or maybe you already have a job and so are keen to read more about the job world. Either way, I thought I’d share my opinions and experiences by comparing non-traditional youth jobs to those that generally include “Would you like some fries with that?” or “Do you need another size?”. A.k.a. retail and fast food.
First of all, I was automatically turned away from wanting either of those job types for a simple yet strange reason. They just seemed too normal. Too average. All of us can only be teenagers once, so why not search for something more interesting? Something where you aren’t just driven by the money?
Speaking of money, let’s bring up the subject of minimum wage. Chances are, that’s the number you’ll see on your pay check if you go for the fast food business, or even retail, at least when you start. Non-traditional youth jobs allow more variety, which may very well mean more money, and more chances for a raise. Considering most teenagers want a job solely for the money, I’d say its worth searching around.
And then there’s the other reason many teenagers want a job. Experience. That could mean for college or for future employment, but either way, it’s key. Take a second and think about it: if you were choosing someone to accept into post-secondary or a job, would you be more impressed by a part-time burger-flipping shift, or a job using numbers are letters or maybe helping others? I’d say the answer’s pretty obvious.
So. There are some basic thoughts to think upon, and I invite you to share your opinions in the comment section below.
Also, you might be wondering “So that’s great, but what kind of ‘non-traditional’ jobs are out there for youth?”. I’m no expert, but here’s a couple:
Page position at the library
Golf courses
Recreation centres
Tons of other jobs that I can’t name because my mind isn’t an instant database of youth jobs
Last but not least, don’t get me wrong! Retail and food jobs can be super awesome, just make sure you give it some thought and look at your options. This post was to get you thinking, not to tell you what’s right and wrong.
Here’s another fantastic DIY by the amazing swellmayde. Summer’s almost here and lemonade is the perfect drink for the season. This beverage as delicious and low sugar. To make it, you’ll need:
1 cup frozen strawberries, defrosted (1 tablespoon of liquid from defrosted strawberries for coloring)
Spring in Calgary means an awakening for all of us to start enjoying the street life that we have. Taken a look at this display of vibrancy from GlobeTrotterAlpha on Youtube with footage taken last year!
Update (6/5/13) – There is also a Stempede edition from last year too:
These tours are super long, but super fun to see how we are so familiar with these surroundings. 🙂
If you spend most or even all of your summer reading, this is perfect for you! I have created a list of my favourite books and separated them into categories to create the ultimate summer reading list for all of you!
P.S. You can find a synopsis of most of the books mentioned at www.goodreads.com!
Fantasy
Fallen series by Lauren Kate
September Girls by Bennett Madison
The MortalInstruments series by Cassandra Clare
Spellbound series by Cara Lynn Shultz
Fallen series by Lauren Kate
Romance/ Feel Good Books
Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Check out my review!)
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Will and Will and Abundance of Katherine’s both by John Green (because I am assuming you’ve already TFIOS and Looking for Alaska)
Shattered by Elizabeth Lee
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Suspense/Science Fiction
13 Days To Midnight by Patrick Carman*
Gone series by Michael Grant
Witch & Wizard series by James Patterson
The Future of Us by Jay Asher
Hourglass series by Myra McEntire
Age Of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did!
And once again, like all of my book reviews, I suggest only reading these books if you are 13 or older, there is sexual content and language, I give you my fair warning.
* 13 Days To Midnight is fairly scary and slightly disturbing, lots of “blood and gore” kind of subjects.
P.S. my next two blog posts will be Summer Movie lists and Songs Of Summer so I am writing a little segment in order to keep your summer awesome and entertaining.
Do you watch a lot of movies at the Cineplex Entertainment theatres? Do you like free stuff? Then why don’t you have a SCENE card?! Here’s a summary of this awesome rewards program:
About
Earn points for free movies every time you see a movie
Get 10% off movie snacks, like popcorn, drinks and candy
Save 10% more on Tuesday movie tickets
Enjoy exclusive SCENE member contests and special offers
And it’s free to join
Earning points
Get 250 points just for signing up
Earn 100 points every time you see a movie
If you are a SCENE member you can earn 100 points for your individual ticket purchase. The Primary SCENE Member placing this order will earn a bonus 20 SCENE points for this online purchase. Child Tickets in this order will earn the Primary SCENE Member (only) an additional 50 SCENE points per Child Ticket purchased (maximum 100 SCENE Points)
Earn up to 150 points on concession combos, PLUS save 10% off movie snacks every time
Earn points on DVDs, Blu-rays and digital movie downloads
Rewards
Enter exclusive contests, download music, and more!
Free movies, starting at 1,000 points
Concession combos – large popcorn & a large drink – starting at 1,000 points
Night out packages, starting at 1,500 points
Tickets to special events, like WWE or Met Opera Live in HD, starting at 1,200 points
DVDs, Blu-rays and digital movie downloads, starting at 1,500 points
For a while, Cineplex have had special deals on Tuesdays. Tickets are discounted at 40 percent, including general, 3D, UltraAVX, and IMAX admission. SCENE members get an additional 10% on Tuesday admissions, saving them a ton of money!
The following is a chart I made outlining the ticket prices and theatre locations. Just for your information, the tickets at Eau Claire Market Cinemax are a few dollars cheaper!
Hi everyone! Just realized it’s JUNE! The HOT summer is on the way. I have noticed some of my friends are already on holiday (SO JEALOUS), enjoying the sun and the sea (maybe lakes). Here are some tips for guys and girls, to keep your skin healthy while still enjoying the sun 🙂 and sunbathing can actually be healthy for you!
1. BEST TIME : 9:00 AM & 4:00PM
These are the best times because the sun is still out but the ultraviolet ray levels are lower. It can promote body metabolism and avoiding getting a full sunburn. Be careful not to stay out in the sun for more than 20 minutes at a time! If the sun is really “ACTIVE” never over 5 minutes.
2. Never white clothing
White clothing reflects the sun’s ultraviolet rays really well. A good thing? Watch out because often this reflection is towards your legs or face and can cause sunburns. Red or light blue would be a better choice because these colours are in the middle of the spectrum, reflection will not be as harmful. Remember to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes!
3.Go outside!
Never Indoor! Some research found the sun’s ultraviolet rays level indoor are at least 2% lower than outside = Less benefit. Remember sunscreen too!
4.Relax and let it come
The sun has Vitamin D. The sun is a natural source of it, enjoy it but never more than 20 minutes each time!
5.Drink water & eat fruit
After your wonderful sunbathe, you may have lost quite a lot of water in your body. So, drink water and eat more fruit with Vitamin C, like oranges, to keep your skin nice and healthy.
UPDATE (6/29/13) – Now instead of the Heritage Park project, we’ll be helping out with flood clean-up in Sunnyside. Yay! 🙂
UPDATE (6/26/13) –In the wake of our flooding (see all of YAA’s coverage here), the project at Heritage Park has been cancelled. We are looking for an opportunity for our volunteers who have signed up to instead help with the clean-up efforts. DM @YouthCentralYYC if you can provide any for around 40 youth volunteers.
So many familiar faces on one banner! 🙂
To say that I enjoy volunteering with Youth Central is rather an understatement really. I think I’m right on the money to describe our Youth Volunteer Corps’ (YVC) fellow youth volunteers as passionate, on-task, and certainly welcoming; new volunteers evolve from being perhaps intimidated by other experienced volunteers to becoming those busy figures themselves.
No matter how long and in what roles they have involved themselves in, our volunteers will tell you in their testimonials for sure that their very first project was the prelude to the fantastic recollection of their devotion. What took many of these young figures and YC alumnus to being a vital part of their communities were those significant baby steps into the realm of confidence.
Yet simple things such as having a not-so-ideal experience at your first project may alter that vision slightly. In many large and small events alike, it’s loneliness that seeps in as a result of others around them socializing with one another but seemingly not with them for some reason. Those kind of misunderstandings can just happen by accident, you know? I’m guilty of falling into this trap myself and realizing only after a project that it must have been extremely awkward for those fellows who didn’t get invited into our conversations.
For those that are unsure whether to join Youth Central or not, their worries are certainly understandable; it’s difficult to make yourself feel at home right away.
Our wonderful committee! (You see, I really don’t look great with sunglasses and a moustache)
So it is for this reason, as a member of the YVC Steering Committee, I am more than excited to announce our inaugural Bring A Friend Day! Make sure you set your calendar for June 30th because that’s when Heritage Park will be filled with Youth just like you with endless potential! 🙂
Just as the title says, this is a special project not only to facilitate a “volunteer reunion” party of sorts, but also to welcome any friends (especially those that are currently not involved with Youth Central) that you think would be an amazing fit for volunteering! Starting at 8:30 AM, all of the attendees, including the friends you have brought with you, will be split into groups where they will do icebreakers (a YC tradition), then work hard at gardening and beautifying areas in Heritage Park. Don’t forget that we will play classic camp games too during the day!
If free food is your thing, (just like me), lunch and refreshments will be provided to reward you and your new friends after a rigorous morning! After replenishing your energy, you can expect an afternoon of fun too with our music and cheer for the day to propel you through with excitement in finding new acquaintances! All the summer team leaders will be in attendance too so familiarize yourselves with them and you will be all set for all the amazing summer camps, recurring mainstays, and some of Calgary’s busiest festivals!
Not only will your friends have gained hands-on experience through their first project, there will also be brochures, many of our coordinators, and other promotional materials to inform youth about all of our programs, such as right here on Youth Are Awesome. Don’t just get them exposed to YVC volunteering, get them exposed to the other programs too! These opportunities for both you and your friends are a great way to launch a new era in your personal community involvement.
You can RSVP on the Youth Central Database by June 19th and our volunteer coordinator, Giang, will sent you an email asking for the information of the friends you will bring! Yummy burgers, hot dogs, livelihood, and the possibilities of other fellow youth that you’ll meet awaits!
Thanks to those on our projects/Hunger Dinner sub-committees who have spent meetings and meetings shaping up this event! (This blog post is a fraction of what they’ve committed themselves to :P)
To empower and encourage others to take action and volunteer in our communities is an inspirational act. To present this opportunity to your friends is to open new doors!
So I’ve been roaming around on YouTube for quite some time now, and today, I decided to take the time to look over my profile, subscriptions and all that jazz until I realized that I am subscribed to 156 different channels. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22~’ Ha, just kidding, but in all honesty, 156 is A LOT, and it ranges from make-up tutorials to documentaries on cannibalism.
The truth is, there are so many interesting videos to watch on YouTube, the more famous ones, NigaHiga, Michelle Phan, Jenna Marbles, Epic Rap Battles of History, ELLEN! (omg, my guilty pleasure), just to name a few. But today, I want to take the time to share with you guys someone really special, Kim Petras.
Here, check her out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVe2QneeFM8
Now I know she might look like an ordinary girl singing covers of her favorite songs using self-made tracks on garage band, but really, she’s not only a teen pop icon in Germany, but also…. dun Dun DUUUUN, a transgender! Yes, this gorgeous blond German beauty is biologically a BOY! *Gasp* I know.
Aah its that time of year again, children going nuts in preparation for a summer full of delights. Most of them are driving their parents wild, like my neighbour’s 10 year old son, Thorgan. Thorgan just wants to have fun! He tells me he is so done with “the boring school” and wants cool stuff like cool food. At the top of his list is his mother’s classic chicken fingers recipe which are a summer treat only. I tried to find something similar online so you can recreate the feelings.
” Breaded morsels of chicken make great appetizers with your favorite dipping sauce, or pile several on French bread or in pita.”
INGREDIENTS:
-1 pound skinless, boneless chicken
breast halves – cut into bite size pieces
-4 tablespoons butter, melted
-1 1/4 cups Italian seasoned bread
crumbs
DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2.Roll chicken pieces in the melted butter or margarine, then roll in the breadcrumbs
3.Bake the chicken fingers in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Turn them over and cook for another 10 minutes or until they are brown and pierce easily with a fork. Ready to serve!
One of my earliest memories as a child was going to Prince’s Island Park in Calgary every June to walk The World Partnership Walk. Back then, I looked forward to it because we made it a family affair. I would head down to the park with my family and it seemed that in exchange for walking a mere 8 kilometers or so, I would receive a delicious chili lunch, have a chance to part in some fun activities, get my face painted and even come away with a few prizes (it was all well worth the stickers). These early June excursions have persisted throughout my life and it was only in recent years that I really questioned why I walk – besides a chance to really experience one of Calgary’s most beautiful parks, that is.
The walk is a Canadian affair and is initiated by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) which is a non-profit international development agency, working in countries in Asia and Africa to find active solutions in combating global poverty. The walk was actually started by a small group of Vancouver women way back in 1985 who had come from Asia and Africa and wanted to give back to their home country. They convinced 1000 fellow citizens to join and raised $55 000! Imagine how much the walk has grown since then. 40 000 people participate every year across our country and so far, over $75 million dollars have been made to make a difference. $7 million was raised across 10 cities in 2012 alone.
The World Partnership Walk isn’t just taking steps to end global poverty, it’s taking strides. What’s unique to this fundraiser is that absolutely 100% percent of the funds raised are used to fund international development; not a single penny is spent on administration or running the organization. The projects the funds are used for are designed to provide sustainable solutions which can make a long-term difference in communities in need. Whether those dollars are implemented programs in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Egypt, Mozambique and countless other countries, the projects make a phenomenal difference in the lives of people globally. Because of AKFC and Canadians’ support, children are being given further chances at education, access to maternal and child health services is being improved, midwives and nurses have a chance at Canadian training so they can transfer this knowledge back to their homeland, aspiring and previously impoverished entrepreneurs are being given loans and training and farmers around the world are improving their skills – just to name a few ways the dollars are used.
If you come out and join Calgary’s 2013 walk on June 9th, I promise you that it will not be a wasted step. You will be joining citizens in Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Regina, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Kitchener in helping the Aga Khan Foundation’s organization make great leaps! Did you know that the Partnership Walk is Canada’s largest fundraising event against global poverty and is run by thousands of volunteers? Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity and come out to Calgary’s Prince’s Island Park to enjoy some exercise, purchase some refreshments and even experience some entertainment. Bikers, rollerbladers and those with pets are also welcome! If you can’t make it, you can still donate online to support someone you know participating in the Walk.
Be sure to visit the Facebook page to stay connected!
Do you need more motivation to finish your homework? Are you free tonight to listen to inspirational speakers across the city? Well PechaKucha Night #16 is today at the Theatre Junction GRAND. The event is for FREE because your $10 becomes an Invest YYC gift card. The best part is you’ll get a chance to mingle with local celebrities such as Tara Slone, co-host of Breakfast Television and the Founder of Crave Cupcakes! HOW COOL IS THAT?!
Here are all the speakers listed and what role they have in our city:
Sweet Sixteen. The end of innocence. A turning point or inflection point that marks the end of the beginning and the beginning of maturity. Yet still an awkward time. It isn’t all worked out yet, and it sure isn’t all sweet. We all have these moments in our lives. Sometimes we can’t wait for them to happen, sometimes we dread them. But we’ve got to get through them.
Speakers include:
Nazima Ali, Business and Marketing Strategist
Col Cseke, Co-Artistic Director, Verb Theatre
Jessica Dollard, Life Coach
Sheliza Kassam, Philanthropist
Pam Krause, Executive Director, Calgary Sexual Health Centre
Dr. Michael Lamoureux, Department Head, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary
Chris Maric, Musician and Graphic Designer
Carolyne McIntyre Jackson & Jodi Willoughby, Co-Owners, Crave Cupcakes
Tara Slone, Co-Host, Breakfast Television
Tony Tran, Dance Artist
Hosted by Kelly Doody
Ready to be inspired? The event starts at 7 PM and we hope to see YOU there!
Here comes June, the month of torturous final exams, the month of enthusiastic, long-anticipated good-byes to the monotony of school; yet, it is a month of change and perhaps, with that, comes the aching of one’s heart.
Whether it is transition into a new academic school year at the same school, transition from junior high to senior high, transition from high school to a post-secondary institution, or transition from high school into society, the confrontation of one’s fear of the unknown is inevitable.
For myself, the shift from a protected high school environment into the boisterous, colossal world of university life is more than frightening. The prospect of living on one’s own is comparative to the departing of Europeans for the New World; it is impossible to tell what lies ahead. Without the presence of one’s support group – friends, family, teachers, colleagues – the world may seem like an endless abyss. However, change is necessary for one’s growth, and because we cannot control the future, we can only prepare ourselves the best we can, both physically and mentally. Change is not necessarily a detrimental event – sometimes it is good to venture into the four corners of the world, explore, and face challenges with integrity. Change can prepare us for the worst that lies ahead and the best that may occur. Just remember, Wherever you go, go with all your heart(Confucius).
“Break open a cherry tree and there are no flowers, but the spring breeze brings forth myriad blossoms”(Ikkyu Sojun)
Long considered Calgary’s unofficial kickoff to summer this year’s Lilac Festival (Sunday May 26th) brought close to record breaking crowds, an estimated upwards of 120,000, to 4th street. The weather was probably the cause of this; the day was warm and sunny, with a clear blue sky. The Lilac festival is a great way to spend a day immersed in vibrant street culture, and offers something for everyone to enjoy. Next year’s festival will mark a quarter century of the event, and organizers are eager to hear feedback on what people liked or didn’t like about this year’s festival.
The festival was first held in 1989 in celebration of the lilac flowers. The one day festival is held annually the last
The crowds at Lilac Festival
Sunday in May and features attractions such as entertainment stages, street performers, and a variety of vendors.
This festival is definitely not for the crowd shy however, nor can one go to the event with the expectation of a short trip; the streets are jam packed, making movement near impossible.
Vendors offered a broad range of items, many of them handmade and unique. Food vendors included restaurants which put booths outside of their business, food trucks, carnival food choices (like mini donuts and cotton candy), and more. Join fellow Calgarians in celebrating the start of summer next year, during the 25th annual Lilac Festival!
If you’re a music junkie like me and absolutely need a good dose of music to even function properly, then these apps are for you! Generally, I’m fairly open to any kind of music, and these three apps have definitely helped me discover new artists, genres, and types of music. However, even if you listen to a specific sound only, these apps are also great for satisfying your needs as well:
1. Music Tube: not exactly an app that gives you musical suggestions or anything of the sort, but still a great and convenient app. Downloading songs onto my phone is always a pain, because I have to go through the whole process of plugging my phone into my computer, connecting to iTunes, and then converting the music from my computer onto my phone. It’s not exactly the greatest when there’s no computer around and you’re dying to download a particular song. This is where Music Tube comes in handy- not only can you download and save songs to your phone directly from your phone , all the songs you choose to download are free. If the “free” part wasn’t good enough,- well, it gets better. Not only are the songs free, but you also download the songs off of YouTube, meaning that along with the free song comes a free video. I’ve tried many apps similar to Music Tube, but it is the easiest and most convenient app by far. And as if the word “free” wasn’t used enough in the mentioning of this app, I guess I should also mention that the app itself is free as well. I couldn’t believe it at first, either.
2. Songza:This app is probably already too well known, but I had to include it. Because it is so popular, I won’t go on too much of a raving tangent like I did with Music Tube, but if you haven’t, please do download Songza. It’s definitely the perfect app for people on both ends of the spectrum, including people who are receptive to all music, and people who are more confined to listening to one genre only.
3. TuneIn Radio: This is one of the best apps for listening to the radio from anywhere across the world. Not only are the selections of music stations beyond limited, you can also tune into radio stations covering all subjects, including weather and sports. If you have an iPhone, this app is particularly wonderful as for some odd reason, they don’t yet have built in radios.
A good chunk of the people reading this right now are probably around the age where the pressure to get a job is building. Or maybe you already have a job and so are keen to read more about the job world. Either way, I thought I’d share my opinions and experiences by comparing non-traditional youth jobs to those that generally include “Would you like some fries with that?” or “Do you need another size?”. A.k.a. retail and fast food.
