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Six months after the Japan earthquake, progress with pictures!

ali
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I was reading through some blogs the other day and stumbled across this fascinating time lapse of progress after the Japan earthquake. A truly remarkable display of human ingenuity and spirit. Not trying to get to political here, but it’s a shame we didn’t see this sort of recovery and camaraderie following hurricane Katrina. Source at the bottom.

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If you like these please check out the original blog:

http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2011/09/japan-marks-6-months-since-ear.html


Video of the Day: Boo, the most adorable dog on Earth

Bona
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DryVmGDArTY&feature=related
Take a look at the most adorable dog on Earth.
Feast your eyes; a live teddy bear.
Your heart melts.
Love.
<3

Roots & Shoots: the ultimate worldwide youth program

vicky
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Dr. Jane Goodall at the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore). Photo courtesy of asiaisgreen.com.

Last week, my school (Sir Winston Churchill High) was blessed to be in the presence of Dr. Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist. Dr. Goodall is internationally known not just for her extensive research on the behaviour of chimpanzees, but is also appreciated as a leading humanitarian and conservationist.

Every minute of Dr. Goodall’s speech at Churchill was completely inspiring. However, we should have known that a woman of her accomplishments would never waste time just talking. Dr. Goodall spoke to us about her Roots & Shoots program, a worldwide network connecting youth of all ages and cultures which aspires to make a difference in the world.

Roots & Shoots first began in 1991, when a group of 12 Tanzanian teenagers approached Jane to discuss problems regarding the welfare of animals within their country. The compassionate youth decided to work towards projects that would improve the environmental state of the world, in however small a way. The first Roots & Shoots project involved educating villagers on the humane treatment of chickens at home and in the markets, but now encompasses tens of thousands of members in dozens of countries, all striving to improve both local and global communities.

One particularly motivating story Jane told us at her presentation last week was about a Roots & Shoots member who was moving across the world. While he was scared to be so far away from home, and surrounded by people he didn’t know, he found comfort in knowing that where he could find a Roots & Shoots group, he would find his family. Dr. Goodall told us that this story was one that embodied Roots & Shoots as a program, for it represented global unity and a common initiative.

If you’re interested in joining the great program that is Roots & Shoots or learning more about it, you can visit its website at www.rootsandshoots.org. The program is a great opportunity to become involved in the global community, create lifelong friendships, and bring about positive change for people, animals, and the environment.

Tips for applying to university

missCarrie
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Dear Grade 12 students:

I know you’re worrying about university applications, getting enough credits to graduate high school and getting awesome marks to get into an awesome school. But make sure you’re not concentrated on just one thing in your life, and you’re set! If you’re just into studying and academics, you’re competing with too many people; you need something to set yourself apart from other applicants. Volunteer, start something, or even join academic clubs. As for people who volunteer all the time? Make sure you don’t slack off in school! Marks are still important, even if it’s not the number one most important thing in life.

Also, it may be too late to tell you, but do not wait until your last year to join clubs and do activities. It will look strange on your application. The person might think that you’re only doing it because it’s your last year and it looks good on your application. They like commitment and if you’ve joined a club (and actually got involved instead of simply existing at the meetings), then your application looks 10 times better.

On another note, you’ve got scholarships to think about! Make sure you apply for the Rutherford at the least, and some schools should have entrance scholarships based on your marks. I know the University of Calgary deducted a portion of my tuition because of my marks. Try to maintain at least an 80% average each year. If you didn’t get stellar marks in the first two years of high school, you just might not be able to win a scholarship. But don’t fret; try to find what you’re good at and excel at it. Electives are good average boosters, and who knows? You might find what you’re in love with.

Also, apply to any scholarship you can find. You might not qualify, but some people don’t even apply for them and you could possibly win the scholarship by default. Oh, and if you’re someone who wants to take all three Sciences, I caution you: you will probably not have a lot of freedom in terms of getting into electives. And if you’re someone who needs two science-related courses, find out if your school has Computer Science. The University of Calgary, University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge accepts Computer Science 30 as a replacement for Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Physics 30. I did, and it was a huge average booster for me. Computer Science doesn’t have a diploma and it requires logic, but you don’t have to memorize fifty bones in the body or apply Newton’s Laws. Just a suggestion for those struggling in the main sciences!

And don’t worry if you don’t want to go to university or don’t get into your first choice. University isn’t for everyone! There’s also SAIT, which is a fantastic school for trade work. The difference between a degree and a trades is flexibility. Most degrees don’t limit you to any kind of job (unless it has specific criteria), but a trade usually limits you to that one particular field. If you love baking, engineering or mechanics, then a school like SAIT would be perfect for you. A school like SAIT also tends to be cheaper than university, and usually requires two years of study instead of four. Another plus for SAIT is that it involves more internships and practicums, which allows you to gain real-world experience and looks great on your resume.

I hope this letter helps you in some way. Just avoid freaking out, panicking and having break-downs. Good luck, and I hope you succeed in whatever you do!

Thai Ngoc: the man who never sleeps

Juliet
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1

And you thought polyphasic sleep (https://youthareawesome.com/polyphasic-sleep-guide-sleeping-2-3-hours-day/) was a miracle. Thai Ngoc, a Vietnamese farmer born in 1942, claims to have stayed awake for over 38 years. Supposedly, his story was that after coming down with a fever in 1973, he hadn’t been able to sleep a wink. He’s tried medication, traditional folk remedies, and even liberal doses of alcohol. Yet, nothing seems to have an effect; this man has endured over 12,000 sleepless nights!

However, unlike normal humans who, when deprived of sleep, can succumb to all kinds of internal malfunctions, Thai Ngoc seems to still be in perfect health. In fact, he carries two 110-pound sacks of rice over two miles to his house every day. He even told Thahn Nien News: “I don’t know if the insomnia has impacted my health or not, but I’m still healthy and I can do the farm work normally like others.” Moreover, the physicians who have examined Thai Ngoc claim that he’s in perfect health, despite evidence of slightly impaired liver function.

But, is Thai Ngoc a medical miracle? Some researchers think not. Dr. Wadhwa believes that some insomniacs lack the ability to observe the difference between sleeping and being awake. Consequently, Thai Ngoc may actually be having “micro naps” (naps that last only a few minutes each) and be completely unaware of ever having them. However, the answer for this question is yet to be found, and researching options are limited in that Thai Ngoc is afraid of tests and refuses to travel abroad for testing. Meanwhile, let the rest of us who have the ability to sleep treasure it while we can.

Three Things For Calgary

Nico
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Three Things For Calgary

My 3 Things for Calgary!

1. Mow the neighbor’s lawn

Through mowing neighbor’s lawns, it is entirely possible to maintain the aesthetic appeal of ever street and neighborhood in Calgary. In doing this, the general atmosphere surrounding the Calgary area will become more visually pleasing.

2. Organize a Block Watch

As Calgary grows in population, the rate of crime will inevitably increase. Setting up Block Watches in each respective neighborhood or community will help to make the city a much safer and reliable place.

3. Join Volunteering Services

Again, as Calgary’s population increases, the availability for volunteers proportionally increases. Thus, as volunteer opportunities are readily available, joining them will allow help to better our city as a whole.

Video of the Day: Bernhoft – Cmon Talk

ali
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Beat boxing, sampling, and guitar! Phenomenal sound

3 Things For Calgary

Bill
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3 Things For Calgary

When I think of Calgary, I think of a four letter word: home. It’s the place that I’ve grown up in, and what better way to give back to my home than to partake in Mayor Nenshi’s “3 Things For Calgary” campaign?

My plan is simple. All it takes are simple notions that people will acknowledge, but never really know who did it. In other words, doing tasks without expecting thanks and more often than not, without people even know it’s you who’s doing it.

In Calgary, it’s inevitable that we will have a harsh winter. I’m sure everyone knows about the knee-deep snow that we’re all accustomed to shedding tears at the sight of the soon-to-be mountain of snow from all the back-breaking shovelling. What if, when the opportunity arises, I’d go and shovel as much of the sidewalk as I can. It would save a lot of people a lot of time to shovel; and more importantly it would save all the pedestrians cold, wet feet!

Regarding my neighbourhood, it’s generally quiet and peaceful. However, a new high school opened down the street recently and that without a doubt means that there will be more activity around my community. It might be for the better, it might be for the worst. But why test it? I happen to know a big chunk of students attending that high school, so if I talk to them and express how I want my neighbourhood to be- essentially accepting new visitors with open arms while still wanting peace of mind- then hopefully their presence will be for the better!

As for my city, my home, I’d like to proactively get the youth involved with more events going on around town.  In this day and age, it seems like more and more kids prefer staying at home playing video games or going out with friends without doing anything special in particular. If by letting people know about the amazing things this city has to offer, it’d get the youth involved again and make Calgary more united.

With all of these things, none of them particularly places my name in shining lights, but I’d get the satisfaction of knowing I made an impact, and by never expecting a thank you, I would continually do it, willingly and with my best efforts.

Hot Yoga; Stress Management

Sarah
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I started practicing hot yoga about a month ago and have seen how great its benefits can be. I have never sweat so much in my life, but it is calming and relaxing activities while still getting a great workout. Our lives are very stressful with school and exams, but everyone need that chance to have time to relax and enjoy the calming atmosphere of hot yoga.

Relaxation
  • Benefits of hot yoga: 

    • Lots of sweating which removes toxins from the skin
    • Heat allows you to stretch and go deeper into poses
    • Higher heart rate which allows you to work harder
    • Gives a more intense workout
    • Strength, tone, flexibility, and cardio workout
    • Heat helps relax the body, improves breathing, and focuses on the mind as it helps develop better mental concentration
    • Helps with weight loss
    • Muscles become stronger and at rest burn calories at a faster rate
    • Detoxifies body
    • Helps circulatory system and increases metabolism
    • Controls ones apatite
    • Increases calorie loss without adding extra stress on joints that running would do
    • Increases oxidation of fat cells
    • Decreases stress and tension
    • Reduces anxiety through doing exercise and deep breathing which is the number one cause of emotional, physical, and endocrinal issues
    • Hot yoga is extremely helpful during stressful times like exams!
    • Promotes healthy joint movements reducing stiffness and soreness
    • Stretching warm muscles prevents likeliness of tears that happen more when stretching muscles that are cold
    • Helps people heal from earlier injury
  • Risks of hot yoga:
    • Dehydration
    • Heat exhaustion
    • Dizziness, fainting or strokes
    • You must be hydrated when practicing hot yoga because the liver and kidneys are key organs that eliminate toxins, which are released a lot through sweating that may compromise these organs.

Tim Cridland: tolerating pain

MJ
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Pain. Certainly anyone in their right mind would say that pain is an unplesant experience they would like to avoid. But not Tim Cridland. He doesn’t experience it the same way most people do. He doesn’t cringe or flinch or run away from the source of pain.

Studies on Cridland has shown that he’s able to withstand a significantly higher level of pain than most people (maybe he should try giving birth). He can push needles and skewers into his skin. He can tolerate extremities of weather. But no worries, he has studied the human body extensively, to ensure that none of his stunts are fatal. Many of his stunts involve electrocution, skewers, fire eating and sword swallowing.

DO NOT watch the following videos if you think you’ll find his stunts appalling.

[youtube 4x88yl4KRrA]

Check out his website by clicking here.

Video of the Day: Halloween Light Show

dhruv
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[youtube UfcNoMnKjrY]

3 Things for Calgary: My Version

E
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On Friday, mayor Nenshi launched a campaign called “3 Things for Calgary” – advocating for a better community by encouraging our community members to do three things that will make Calgary a better place.

When I heard Nenshi said, “It could be big things like, join your local community association or it could be small things like have a front yard barbecue and invite your neighbours,” I thought I’d give my “3 Things” a try! I mean, they couldn’t be THAT hard, right? So here’s what I’ve come up with for my street, neighbourhood, and city:

1. Recycle and pick up unwanted litter!

2. Host a fundraising event in my school to raise money. Our club is planning a project that involves making presents for the children at the Children’s Hospital at Christmas.

3. Raise awareness in the city. We did a social studies project last year that requires us going into our community and help others, or an organization of our choice. My group decided we go busking downtown – and ACTUALLY found it more fun than purely just completing a school project — it was such an amazing experience that we decided that we’re going to do it again this year!

That basically sums my 3 Things! What’s yours?

November events in Calgary

Erica
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There is nothing more disappointing than hearing about an event that you would love to go to… and then finding out its over already! After missing out on some fantastic opportunities in Calgary, I began making sure that I stayed “in the loop” concerning all the exciting things happening in the city. Here are a few upcoming events that haven’t gotten the attention that they deserve:

Green Art Market

Nov 4 – 5

Hillhurst United Church

Local artists, designers and artisans will sell their environmentally themed work at the Hillhurst United Church in early November.

http://greenartyyc.org/market/

 

Calgary SnowFest

Nov 4 – 6

Canada Olympic Park

Calgary’s first annual SnowFest boasts Big Air Demos & Extreme Sled Tricks, bon fires, a pancake breakfast, an outdoor Colossovision movie premiere, and more!

http://www.canwestproductions.com/Snow—Calgary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marda Loop Justice Film Festival

Nov 15 – 20

River Park Church Auditorium

The Marda Loop Justice Film Festival shows several documentaries that provide insight on international issues and provide a deeper understanding of our global community. An NGO village where you can buy free-trade products will be set up during the festival as well. Several thought provoking films are being shown, and titles such as The Market, The Chocolate Farmer, Blood in the Mobile and Burning Water have me interested already.

http://www.justicefilmfestival.ca/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A private garden in Scotland based almost entirely on fractals and mathematics!

ali
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The Garden of Cosmic Speculation, located at Portrack House near Dumfries in Scotland is a private garden created by Charles Jencks. It opens once a day each year and funds raise money towards cancer research. And people say math isn’t beautiful…

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Source

 

Joseph Pujol: the fart composer

MJ
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Joseph Pujol was no ordinary man. He could fart the high and low notes. That’s right, fart. To him, farting wasn’t merely a way to release bodily gases. It was a creative way to express himself, as strange as that may sound. He was capable of imitating sounds such as animal calls, musical instruments and thunder. Not only could he produce those sounds, he could produce sounds using actual musical instruments.

And how did he come about his strange yet amazing talent? One day at the beach Pujol submerged under the water and while he held his breath, he felt a cold sensation rushing up his butt. Panicking, he went ashore and shockingly, water was pouring out from his rear end. His doctor told him that it was normal. (Normal… really?) It was then that Pujol realized he had control over his sphincter. Not only that but he could also suck in air… through his rear end.

When he was in the military, he would amuse his fellow soldiers by sucking up water and spraying out the water a few yards away like an elephant can. And while working at the bakery, he would amuse his customers by pretending to play an instrument, when really imitating the sounds by farting.

Believing that no talent should be left in the dark, he decided to perform on stage. He made his debut in Marseille. Pujol’s act was successful; he moved to Paris and proceeded the act to Moulin Rouge. His stage name was “Le Petomane,” or “The Fart Maniac.” But only two years later, he decided to leave to pursue his own travelling show called the Theatre Pompadour. And so for the next decade, he performed “softer” or “gentler” acts by imitating animals. His greatest performance however, was the imitation of the San Francisco earthquake.

When WWI had broken out, the dismayed composer returned to Marseille to continue working at the bakery. Pujol, the controller of his own rectum, had passed away in 1945.

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