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.
I don’t know about you guys, but ever since I learned about Climate Change and Global Warming, I have been hyper aware of climate disasters and have wondered, is it all connected? To me it seems very odd that some of the world’s deadliest and extreme disasters have all happened in the last five years, the precise time when we have been called to action to help bring the carbon measurements in the atmosphere down. Anyways, I have to admit I am not very well educated on the subject of climate change but what I can also admit is that I am a strong believer in the concept of: If we can do something to help the state of our beautiful earth in the future, why not do it? I was inspired to write this post after reading this article on 350.org, which is a great website trying to mobilize people with regards to climate change and world-wide environmental degradation. The article doesn’t offer us a lot of concrete science but of course it gets us to think… and really wonder, where is our world headed, and what can we do about it? I attended the COP15 conference on Environment last December in Copenhagen, Denmark. I was there to show my solidarity, to lend my voice for those around the world that couldn’t; for the families in Sri Lanka- a country that is threatened to be nearly wiped off of our planet in the next few years if sea levels continue to rise, among others.
This is a picture of our sign at COP15:
I truly believe in this sign! We don’t have a plan b or an option b. We have to be stewards to the environment and this earth now, before it’s too late… if it’s not already. What do you think?
This post was submitted to Youth Are Awesome by StudyBlue.com.
As Student Relations Intern for StudyBlue.com – an online community of students who believe in efficient and effective studying for all (and for free) – I am excited to contribute to student successes on Youth Are Awesome by spreading the word about how to create a digital backpack.
StudyBlue takes studying to a whole new level. All class notes are saved online and can be converted into tools like online flashcards, which lets you transport your notes with ease. Through StudyBlue’s online community, you can share and compare your class notes with notes and flashcards from people who are currently in the same class, have taken the class in the past, or are studying the same subject in other schools.
StudyBlue has also created mobile study apps for Android and iPhone that will allow you to carry your digital backpack in your pocket. Now you can review for tests, such as Biology, while waiting in line for coffee or while riding the bus to class. When you’re done studying, you can set a reminder to study again in the near future.
Ditch the old-school index cards and trade up to online flashcards. Not only will it keep your backpack light and organized but it will also help you review anywhere and everywhere.
Recently, I went to Cardel Place on Youth Night. Youth Night is especially a fun night at the Cardel Place, since there a lot of activities to do and this event attracts a large group of youth almost every week. The end of the month is even more entertaining at Cardel Place due to a pool party held at the Cardel main pool. During this night, there are various activities like water polo, water basketball, swimming tag etc. Although I should recommend that Youth Night at the end of the month is only really fun when you are with friends.
Some activities that occur during a normal Friday on Youth Night are activities like basketball, badminton, wall climbing outside the gymnasiums and even ping pong. There is, of course, the pool and the hot tub for visitors to enter and there is also a centre for video games, board games and a corner to watch movies. There is also an exercise centre for working out. If referring to just a normal visit, a person can also come individually and there are also rooms at Cardel Place that you can reserve for parties and personal events.
The Cardel Place is a great place to meet new friends and just hang out. Although many people do sports-related activites, there are still plenty of options for the non-athletic groups of people. Even though it is more common for the crowd in the NE/NW area, there is still large population of youth, adults and children that visit Cardel Place on a regular basis.
Did you know that YouTube pays people if you have a lot of subscribers? Based on how many people watch your videos, you generate money! So if you get more views, your revenue will increase as well. This is probably how some people can create Youtube videos for a living.
On YouTube, there have been some great channels dedicated to charities! This means that if you subscribe or watch a video on that particular channel, they receive funds that goes towards a good cause. Here is a short list of the popular charity channels on YouTube! So even if you aren’t an avid YouTube fan, subscribe or click a video and it will help someone in the world!
Those are just some of the YouTube charity channels out there. Here is a list of all the non-profit channels that generate funds through views and subscribers! So if you’re stuck at home with nothing to do… click and watch to your heart’s content! You shouldn’t feel guilty whatsoever. If your parents ask why you’re not doing homework or studying, tell them you’re helping charities raise funds!
Assuming you have a Facebook account, you’d quite literally be insane not to have this app. Watch your news feed, send messages, upload photos, stalk that individual you so dearly desire… o.o
iBooks is a great all around app, it allows you to read ebooks and pdfs on your iPhone, and it even allows you to upload your own pdfs, such as formula sheets and manga!
I thought about leaving this one out because it costs money, but I think that this app is especially important. Having saved numerous lives before, this app gives you hundreds of pages and videos that you can easily access in an emergency to save a life. CPR, seizures, cuts, wounds and more.
For the next photo of the day, I want you guys to tell me what to take! Leave a message in the comments telling me what you want a picture of, and I’ll do my best 🙂
With the final Harry Potter movie installment coming out July 15, Cineplex has offered up the opportunity to experience the first seven movies on the big screen once again!
For $24.99, Cineplex Sunridge and Chinook are selling Harry Potter Passports that will allow you to go to showings of the movies starting May 28 for the next seven weeks. They play on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. or Mondays at 7 p.m. Just by buying the passport, you also have a chance to win a trip to London for the premiere, you get 700 Scene points (just 300 short of a free movie!) and you can download any of the first seven movies for $7.99 each. If that’s not enough, as a passport holder you can buy advance tickets for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 starting on June 3.
If all seven movies is too much for you and you just want to catch up on a couple, tickets to each movie are $5.
The first clip is of Evan Longoria saving a reporter from being hit by a baseball. Here he displays amazing (unbelievable) reaction time and hand-eye coordination.
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The second clip is of a reporter who makes a backwards half court shot without even knowing it.
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And the last clip was what the reporter in the previous clip was talking about.
On Friday May 13 I had the great pleasure of attending the A Cappella Fellas’ annual concert and the University of Calgary’s MacEwan Ballroom, supporting the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. For those of you who don’t know, “a capella” is literally a genre of music which involves
Noel Johnson
singing without instruments, meaning the singers have to produce all the instrument effects with their own voices! Although I had heard of the Fellas previously, I had never really experienced their music before and I waited for this night with much anticipation – I was not disappointed.
This concert was hosted by Candice from the X92.9 fm radio station. It started off with Samantha, a 17-year-old cancer survivor, sharing her experiences with the disease. She told us how she has always been determined to live her life to the fullest and also told us of some of her incredible experiences including climbing a mountain with her prosthetic leg and how the Kids Cancer Care Foundation has helped her reach many of her goals. Samantha was a true inspiration!
On a side note, all the money raised through this concert was donated to this amazing foundation. This included all the money raised through the silent auction which took place throughout the concert’s entirety – it featured cool items such as a music themed gift basket, a spa gift certificate and a professional photography portrait session among other things.
Next, the concert opened with three local artists. First up was Melissa Papp, followed by Sidney York (performing on her adorable Ukulele) and finally Noel Johnson. All these artists were each featured in a different song with the Fellas later on in the concert. I encourage you to check all of them out on Facebook! The audience was even paid a visit by the King of Spain – seriously, this classy and eloquent royal graced the audience with his presence.
The A Cappella Fellas
Finally, the audience reached the highlight of the evening – The A Cappella Fellas themselves, and I was truly blown away by their music. The Fellas are some of the most versatile musicians I have ever heard where their genre of music is concerned and I don’t think there is a style out there that they cannot perform. As well as performing a few of their originals, they covered artists from Michael Jackson to Frank Sinatra to Simon & Garfunkel and they also performed popular classics such as “Stayin’ Alive and “Lean on Me.” These oldies but goodies won over the hearts of the older audience members. Remember that the Fellas perform all these pieces without the help of any instruments and each member of this five-man-band has a specific part to play in each song, taking different role from the back beat to the high soprano melody line. Not only can the Fellas sing, they sure can dance! Each of their songs was choreographed with fun and unique moves, really completing their style. In the A Capella Fella’s words, the concert ended with “eruption of applause, standing ovation and fainting audience members from excitement” and was finished with an outstanding cover of “Don’t Stop Believing.”
Although, this year a new version of the iPhone isn’t set to be released, Apple has come out with a new colour for the iPhone 4 – white! So if you’re in the market for a new iPhone you will have to wait another year for the iPhone 5 to be released.
Some of the coolest features of the iPhone 4 are:
– FaceTime calling
– Retina 960 x 640 display
– Multi-tasking
– HD video recording
In addition, Apple has released a 4.3 iOS software update which includes:
– AirPlay enhancements. AirPlay is a wireless technology that lets you stream content from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your HDTV via Apple TV.
– Boost to Safari preformance
– iTunes home sharing
– iPhone 4 personal hotspot, so if you don’t have wi-fi but you can access 3G, you can create a wi-fi signal with your iPhone 4.
San Francisco is one of the top destinations I have been to! The culture, the people and just the natural sights of this American city held me in wonder. A funny fact I learned about San Fran is that it doesn’t snow EVER (well, it has snowed only once since 1976… so I guess it’s really RARELY), but the temperature allows San Fran to get very very foggy- cold, but no snow. This is a picture I took of the amazing Golden Gate Bridge, hidden in the mysteries of the fog.
Maybe it’s your birthday. Maybe you just won a full-ride university scholarship, and it’s time to celebrate in style. Or maybe, you just really, really like steak. Whatever your purpose, Ruth’s Chris offers a high class environment and excellent food. Located at the base of the Calgary Tower (294, 115-9th Avenue SE), Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the “perfect place for any occasion.” Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses can be found across North America, the first location founded in New Orleans in 1965 when Ruth Fertel, against all odds, mortgaged her house to buy a neighbourhood steak restaurant: “Chris Steak House.” Ruth quickly re-named it “Ruth’s Chris Steak House” and entered the competition of a male-dominated business. Ruth’s inspirational story has developed into an international success, and for a good reason.
I had the great pleasure of dining at Ruth’s Chris, and actually sat in one of the booths pictured above. I was travelling in Brazil for Valentine’s Day, and upon my return I felt a fine dinner and Ruth’s Chris Steak House was about the best make-up Valentine’s Day gift I could give. I was right….
Design and Decor: Featuring impressive mahogany wine racks, alcoves with glass art, brushed limestone walls, and a great stone fireplace, this restaurant creates a luxurious and tasteful atmosphere. Views of downtown and the central location have given the setting an urban feel, while also making it convenient for those meeting during the work day or after a theater production, etc.
Cuisine: Served with appropriate breaks between dishes, I savoured each dish, and look forward to visiting Ruth’s Chris Steak House again to taste other menu items.
Crabtini: Picture a martini glass. Now fill it with a spicy crab salad (including strategic additional ingredients, such as tomatoes and chives) and you have a trendy, tasty appetizer.Tempura Onion Rings:With a honey Thai sauce? Delicious. I gave in to the temptation of a breaded treat, and I don't regret it. However, eating them redefined my definition of and standards for onion rings. Ruth's Chris Steak House takes a much-loved snack food and up-scales it to a fashionable treat.
Shoestrings: Extra thin and crispy - I had to try it. C'mon, "shoestrings?" I half-expected them to be tied in a bow. But no, favouring crispiness over floppiness, this dish had all the fun and light-heartedness of Hickory Sticks, with all the class of crème brulee (which incidentally, is also served at Ruth's Chris Steak House). Signature Steak : From the start of Ruth Fertel's business, she only served "the best" beef. Only two per cent of all beef qualifies for the high standards at Ruth's Chris. I experienced these high standards when I had one of the 14,000 steaks served everyday internationally. To retain natural juices and flavour, steaks are sliced into thicker cuts: 12-22 oz. servings. I found that the resulting flavour was so satisfying, that very little seasoning was needed: the light addition of salt and pepper was a basic touch, though effective. Steaks are served on hot plates, so that my steak arrived at my table still sizzling tantalizingly. I savoured every bite, letting the flavour sink in and satisfy my taste buds. I feel the steak was definitely the highlight of my meal.Chocolate Sin Cake: Although I was satiated by the end of my meal, I am a lover of desserts, and I was thrilled to try the chocolate and espresso blend "Chocolate Sin Cake." It was rich but not too sweet, and the drizzle of sauce added a kick to make this a killer dessert.
I departed the restaurant full and grinning, having enjoyed a night of fine dining and service.
Ruth Fertel had the philosophy of giving people “the very best.” After one visit, I feel this philosophy has been the cause of the international success Ruth’s Chris Steak House has achieved. This spring, why not celebrate with sizzling steak? Click here to see the full menu, click here to book reservations, and click here to get directions!
Drapey shorts have become my new obsession. These are shorts that sit higher on your waist with pleats along the top; and have a loose, almost baggy, effect on the shorts itself. I’ve noticed that many stores are starting to carry these types of shorts for this spring and summer season. In this outfit, I wore my black drapey shorts from H&M with black sheer tights. I changed out the belt that came with the shorts to a braided brown one because it gave me a more defined waistline with a baggy outfit. I wore a plain black tank top underneath from Forever 21; as well as a blue cardigan that was tucked in to look like a loose top. This outfit is business-casual with a summery feel, and I love it because I use pieces in my wardrobe with an unexpected twist.
Although, this year a new version of the iPhone isn’t set to be released, Apple has come out with a new colour for the iPhone 4 – white! So if you’re in the market for a new iPhone you will have to wait another year for the iPhone 5 to be released.
