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The Beauty of Simplicity

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I got one more poem from Alex Dias for all of you reading this; it’s really sweet! He wrote about the simplicity of life and the wonder it holds! Take a look!

The Beauty of Simplicity
By: Alex Dias

The evidence of beauty,
Hidden within simplicity,
The simple Creation explicitly,
Shamelessly wooing man carelessly.

Complexity is often considered better,
Bought out by the go-getters,
The rich, constant change of technology.
Yet, complexity lacking compared to biology.

We miss out on a day’s sunset,
The gentle speaking breeze, we forget,
The fluttering butterfly we ignore,
In an alive slumber, we snore.

We miss the softness of the grass,
Instead dwell in houses of glass,
Ignore the depth of other’s eyes,
Cataracts, stress, makes us sigh.

We worry about our next meal,
Forget the taste we feel,
We are over-ridden by money,
If we continue, we die lonely.

sunset

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What do you like to do when the sun is setting down?

I just like to watch.

And to remember it.

Its still April

Still beautiful

Spring Music Preview No. 1

Spring has sprung and this year’s season has been blessed with the release of some fantastic records that I am personally looking forward to quite a bit. So take a peek at what’s coming out May 4th – a new Broken Social Scene album.

Broken Social Scene:
Forgiveness Rock Record

I love Broken Social Scene because they represent the coming together of a very large chunk the Canadian independent music. Members of Broken Social Scene are also members of Apostle of Hustle, Land of Talk, Metric, Stars, The Weakerthans, etc… Their sound is characteristically layered, featuring orchestrations of several guitars, brass instruments and horns, woodwinds and strings. It all comes together to create this amazing texture of sound that builds up and rolls over you like a wave.

Dropping tomorrow, Forgiveness Rock Record is the first (official) Broken Social Scene release since their eponymous third album in 2005.

The entirety of the new album, Forgiveness Rock Record is streaming at their site. Make sure you check out the first track, World Sick.

Yet Another Poetry Moment: Shel Silverstein’s Sick

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Check out this poem:

Sick, Shel Silverstein

“I cannot go to school today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay,
“I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more–that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue–
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke–
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is–what?
What’s that? What’s that you say?
You say today is—Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!”

I love Shel Silverstein! His poems are fun and enjoyable to read. What are your thoughts?

Pearson’s 2010 Grad Talent Show

During the last weeks before exams and the end of school, the fine arts department has defintely been keeping busy with serveral performances occuring at Pearson. A senoir, but possessing no stage show talents, and a fine arts student myself, I was extremely excited when my school hosted a grad talent show, ( to reduce the cost of grad banquet tickets) involving many of my talented friends. The night was incredible, raised over $ 1000 for out grad, and their were certainly phenomanal acts given. Many students came out and chose to perform their own slam poetry, an African dance, a hip-pop trio, improverb acts, a  piano solo and a baton act, show casing the excellent skills and talents many graduating Pearson students possessed. I was lucky enough to capture some of these acts on video, and perhaps watching these awesome youths, it may encourage you to develop some talents as well, because this talent show certainly has inspired me to polish my skills in choir.

[youtube gYibfpfOwcI 500 400] [youtube xgIndpsBoIY 500 400] [youtube ZhLXrm4zO4g 500 400]

Under the Wolf, Under the Dog by Adam Rapp

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When I was looking for a new book to read, I came across one with relatively high review. Despite its strange title, I decided to give it a try. So this time, I’m reviewing “under the wolf, under the dog”

This story starts off in Burnstone Grove, a facility for severely troubled youths. There, the teens are divided into groups. Red grouper (drug addicts), blue grouper (suicidal kids), and grey grouper (none of the above). The story follows a grey grouper named Steve Nugent. He is a highly intelligent sixteen year old who has experiences highly unfortunate events. Steven also tends to make a lot of bad decisions, which doesn’t help.

This is a heart braking story that causes to reader to feel sorry for the protagonist. But I do not believe that this story is depressing or melodramatic, just very serious 90% of the time. Despite its heavy themes, this story also contains just the right amount of light and hopeful moments.

Over all, this is a pretty good story, but in my opinion, this is not the best book of it’s genre. I still found it quite enjoyable and it did keep me up late at night, so I recommend this to readers ages 15 and above. I give this book a 4/5.

Ritchie Valens

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Do you remember Ritchie Valens?

Few weeks ago, I saw the movie “La Bamba” which is deal about Ritchie’s short but succesful biography. I didn’t even know his name. However after I saw that movie, I strongly fall in to his misic’s temptation.

Ritchie Valens (Ritchard Steven Vanezuela) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is well known with “La Bamba” as his most notable song which was originally a Mexican folk song that Valens transformed with a rock rhythm and beat that became a hit in 1958. It makes Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement. “Donnah” is also famous his music. It was made up for his girlfriend Donnah. He was born on May, 1941 and made his first debut with the group on 1957.

According to the movie, “La Bamba” , his was not that rich and there was rough brother. However he always loved music and guitar. When he had a group concert, Bob Keane casted him and he made his first solo music ; Come on, Let’s go when he was 16. At that time, or even now everybody in the world love his music. Unfortunately, when he just became famous, he was killed in a small plane crash in Iowa on Feburary 3, 1959. He was only 17. On the plane, there was four people include Ritchie and they all died. Don Mclean, Eddie cichran whom were quit famous that day were others and youg pilot. After they died, that day become known as The Day the Music died.

Even though he act as a singer only two years, he made his own music and when he died, the world wept for him. I am thinking that if he didn’t die, then he might probably have become a legendary singer.

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YW 2010: Saturday and Sunday

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The final (official) days of Youth Week 2010 are here!

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There are still a bunch of events happening this weekend, including LiveStyle: Urban Arts Festival (I heard there’s going to be a 2 on 2 bboy and bgirl battle), One Night Only at the Creative Kids Museum at the Telus World of Science (ever wanted free reign of the Science Centre? Here’s your chance!), and Empty Bowls, a youth-run mock soup kitchen event that raises funds and awareness for youth hunger and homelessness in Calgary!

There’s also a few events happening after the official dates of Youth Week (April 24 – May 2), so be sure to visit www.youthweekcalgary.ca for all the info you’ll need to take advantage of the great weather this weekend!

YW2010: Young Bloods Week

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Each year, Youth Week Calgary partners with Canadian Blood Services (CBS) for YOUNG BLOODS WEEK, which happens during Youth Week (April 24 – May 2, 2010).

During Young Bloods Week, CBS encourages young people (17+) around Calgary to donate their blood to those who need it.  Did you know that just by donated a pint of blood, you can save the lives of three people?

Check out the experience of Helen, one of our Youth Week steering committee members, as she donates blood for the first time.

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Interested in donating? Here’s all the info on this awesome Youth Week event:

Event:  Young Bloods Week

Held By: Canadian Blood Services

Location: Canadian Blood Services Centre Clinic (737 13th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB  T2R 1J1)

Time: 3:30-8:00pm

Cost:  Blood – Free to give, free to get.

Appropriate For:  17+

For More Info, Contact: sabrina.dicintio@blood.ca OR 1-888-2-Donate

Here’s what Canadian Blood Services has to say about Young Bloods Week:

Calgary youth are saving lives!  Canadian Blood Services is welcoming all youth donors 17 and older to make a lifesaving blood donation during Youth Week 2010!  We will special refreshments, prizes, and movies running in the clinic.  Call 1-888-2-Donate to book your appointment or contact Sabrina at 403-410-2729 / Sabrina.dicintio@blood.ca for more info.

For more info on Youth Week…click here!

Youth Vital Signs – Grades Released

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A few months back we posted an article about Youth Vital Signs.  This project is based on Vital Signs which is a report card on the city of Calgary.  Youth Vital Signs was open to Youth in Calgary and YAA is proud to announce that the results have been reviewed and the grades have been reviewed.  Click here to check out the report and findings.

A big “thanks” to all of the youth who completed the survey.  Your feedback, ideas, and comments were so amazing.  YAA would also like to thank Ros Doi and the Calgary Youth Foundation Steering Committee for their hard work on this project!  YAA would also like to recognize the Calgary Foundation and Telus for their amazing support on this project.

This project was organized by YouthCentral (formerly Child and Youth Friendly Calgary) which also manages Youth Are Awesome!  Keep your eyes peeled on more amazing projects that give youth a voice in Calgary.

Night time. Downtown. Calgary.

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It was on a Saturday night

and we’ve decieded to ride the C-Train to Downtwon

While it was rainning and windy outside

but it was fun

and it was a beautiful night

The 100 Greatest Hits of YouTube…

… in 4 minutes! This video claims to pull together the 100 greatest videos of all YouTube history, all in under 4 minutes, and I can assure you it’s worth your time. Yes, you do get Rick Roll’d halfway through, but it’s offset by the amazing display of diversity this world has to offer, as well as a few people coming close to winning a Darwin Award. Try to see how many videos you recognize, and enjoy!

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National Youth Art Contest

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If you didn’t already know, Canada is well on its way to having its very own human rights museum. Construction of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) started in 2008 and will open for business in 2012. The museum has stressed the importance of educating young people especially, so it’s only suiting that they’re holding an art contest for youth in partnership with Taking IT Global (TIG).

The contest, called Evoke, aims to give youth a medium through which to reflect on the past, present, and future potential of human rights movements and events. Open to youth aged 13-25, the contest will be open for submissions until the 25th of May. 13 winners will be chosen (one from each province/territory) and will be given the opportunity to travel to Winnipeg this summer to have their art exhibited during a ceremony for the CMHR.

For more info on submitting to the art contest, head here. If you’re interested in learning more about the museum, head to their website and check out the live construction feed. If there’s no construction going on in the evening, you can always watch the skaters in the skater park!

The Final Stretch: 2 – Fight Back!

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Lovely weather we’re having, eh? But the bright side to this horrid snow in late April is that it stops me (and everyone else really) from taking advantage of the nice weather we just had. Last week, I told you all about senioritis. This week, I’m going to tell you how I’ve been coping with my case of senioritis!

Since the weather is just dreadful, I’ve no longer been out much in the sun (we haven’t seen much sun regardless though). Instead, I’ve been able to accomplish more homework and be more focused. So, without further ado, here are some ways (that I’ve been using this past week) to cope with senioritis!

Study Library

1) Work With Others: Whether it be with classmates or friends, you’re more likely to keep each other on track since we usually feel bad about distracting others from their work. So, in a roundabout way, it gets everyone to focus on their own work more.

2) Plan A Work Schedule: Set out certain times for yourself where you will focus completely on your work (as in, zero distractions…keep that phone away!). Don’t forget to give yourself breaks too! Focused work sessions are usually much more productive than doing your work while multitasking.

3) Work At The Library: When you’re at the library, you’re hopefully not being distracted by any new tweets from Twitter or new Facebook status updates because you won’t be at the computer…or that’s how I spend my time at the library anyways. I don’t get any work done with MSN, Facebook, Twitter, and etc open on my computer at home, so when I’m at the library, I stop multitasking! I also don’t text as much since I can hear my phone keys being obnoxiously loud in the quiet library.

Don’t let these last few months get to you! Try your best and we’ll all pull through just fine. =]

A Single Shot

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Earlier today my friend sent me a message to check out this really cool video, and when she sends something your way, its generally REALLY cool. Today was a video  directed by Dennis Liu for Diane Birch’s song “Valentino”. Diane and the crew practiced for weeks to get one perfect single shot.

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Pretty cool hey? Now I’m sure you’ve already figured out how its done, but what’s even cooler than the music video itself is watching the “Behind the Screen” video, that even has the final cut of the music video playing off to the side.

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