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The Human Genome Project and it’s impact on Science

Iman Alvi
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The Human Genome Project (HGP) transformed biology and was one of the great feats of exploration in history. Rather than an outward exploration of the cosmos around us, the Human Genome Project was an international collaboration that turned inwards to successfully sequence and map all of the genes — together known as the genome — of members of our species, Homo sapiens. Not only that, but the project exemplified the power and necessity of large, integrated, cross-disciplinary efforts that just encouraged ​​more international collaboration. The HGP had impacted not only the field of medicine and biology, but impacted society as a whole.

What is a Genome?

To start off, a genome is an organism’s complete set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a chemical compound that contains the genetic instructions needed to develop and direct the activities of every organism. Each strand of DNA then contains four chemical units, called nucleotide bases. The bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). However, in order to understand what exactly each segment of DNA does, scientists have to know the order these base pairs come in, which is where DNA sequencing comes in. DNA sequencing is the process used to determine the exact sequence of bases in a DNA molecule, and the importance of such a process will be highlighted with the Human Genome Project. 

What were the goals?

The main purposes of the Human Genome Project were first created in 1988 by a special committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and later adopted through a detailed series of five-year plans jointly written by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. The HGP goals were to read and record the genetic instructions contained within the human genome and provide that information to researchers worldwide freely and without restriction. They also aimed to create physical and genetic maps of the human genome, which were accomplished in the mid-1990s, as well as the mapping and sequencing of a set of five model organisms, including the mouse and fruit fly. They did this using DNA sequencing and all of these goals were achieved within the time frame and budget first estimated by the NAS committee. Beginning on October 1, 1990, and completed in April 2003, the project gave humans the ability, for the first time, to properly read nature’s fully complete genetic blueprint for a human being. 

What were the impacts?

Since the Human Genome Project made its information on the complete human genome sequence public, it represented a defining moment for both the biomedical community and human society. The HGP developed new tools to obtain and analyze genomic data that are used beyond the project to help benefit many areas of biology. The project gave the science world the equivalent of having all the pages of a manual on how to make the human body, and now researchers have been given the task of reading all of those pages and then understanding how the parts work together to discover the genetic basis for health and the pathology of human disease. In this respect, it carved the way for medical science to be able to develop more effective diagnostic tools. The biomedical field can also better understand the health needs of people based on their individual genetic makeup, and perhaps even design new and effective preemptive treatments for disease.

Additionally, the project gave rise to many more social and ethical implications that have changed the science world. Biological research had always traditionally been a very individualistic enterprise, with research going after medical investigations more or less independently. However, the sheer magnitude of both the financial investment and the technological challenge prompted the HGP to assemble interdisciplinary teams, encompassing engineering, informatics, and biology; automate procedures wherever possible, and concentrate research in major centers to maximize economies of scale. As a result, further research involving other genome-related projects (such as the International HapMap Project to study human genetic variation and the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, or ENCODE, project) is now characterized by massive, cooperative efforts involving many different international institutions.

Those involved in the project also encouraged public debate and provided the public information about the ethical, social, and legal implications of looking inside the human genome. Those committed to exploring this field specifically do so through the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) program, where the program provides an effective basis from which to assess the implications of genome research.

Everything is theoretically impossible until it is done. 

– Robert A. Heinlein

The Human Genome Project led to unprecedented advancements in human understanding of the genome, and it opened many avenues in biology, medicine, technology, and computation that we are just beginning to explore. It also, however, let to many more biological questions for scientists to take on as well as social and ethical issues for us all to consider.

Featured Image

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

6 Ways to Learn a New Language Quickly.

Diya Devendra Patel
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Learning a new language can be hard, especially when you are just starting out. Understanding that everyone is a beginner when learning a new language. Learning the key steps and a few hints on how to quickly master a new language can lead you to fluency. Here are a few tips and tricks on how YOU can learn a new language quickly! 

1. Listen to the radio or music of that Language

Listening to a language is an amazing way to passively learn a language. While your listening, you can try to write down unfamiliar words in order to expand your vocabulary. In this way you can jam/enjoy the music or radio you are listening to, while learning the language you want to learn. 

2.  Talk to People that already know the Language: 

Talking to people is a great way to understand the information you have retained in terms of memory. Talking can help you connect and build relationships with those around you. In doing so, you can learn from the individual you are talking to and get some pointers while you are at it. The more you start talking the more you will start understanding what you are saying. This will bring the foundation needed to be fluent at the language you are learning. 

3.  Use Language Learning Programs 

Programs like Duolingo or Busuu are great ways to learn languages for FREE. These programs are adequate ways to tell you what you have to revise and what you already know. They can teach a good balance of what is necessary to understand throughout the day. Not only that, yet you get a daily reminder to practice in order to remember to dedicate 5-10 minutes out of your day for practice. 

4.  Take Baby Steps 

When learning a language it is NOT adequate to learn the hardest to the easiest. Although it’s great to challenge yourself, it is important to build a foundation for yourself to understand what you are learning. Learning simple words and sentence structures can be the stepping stone to complex vocabulary and sentence structures. Remember a little goes a long way, it will take time but you will get there. 

5.  Learn the Language Everyday

Based on what scientists have studied about memory retention, the more you practice something the easier it will get. Learning to set 5 minutes or 10 minutes out of your day to dedicate to learning a language will set you up for success. Ensuring you are studying smart and learning new vocab words and testing yourself based on what you have learned will help you learn the information quickly. 

6. Practice Makes Perfect:

Integrating the understanding that there will be curveballs thrown at you through your journey of learning a language, but it’s always crucial to know how to pick yourself up from these situations. Combating certain scenarios and wanting to combat these battles will show how much you want to learn a certain language. Mistakes happen, but learning from them and not making the same mistakes again can allow you to get a step closer to fluency. 

Although learning languages can be hard and take many steps to get there it will work out in the end. You have to maintain consistency in what you are learning, and learn to study smart NOT hard. In doing so, learning languages will be easy and understanding those around you WITHOUT google translate can be your biggest flex. 

Sources: Featured Image /1

The Elephant Rope- a Parable

Claire Li
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The Elephant Rope is a well known parable with many different versions told all around the world. Because of its eye-opening message, I decided to re-tell the story and remind everyone (including myself) on what we can learn from this simple parable.

The Elephant Rope: a re-telling of the parable:

A young man was strolling through a quiet town on a bright, sunlit day. As he walked through a local elephant camp, the man noticed how the captive elephants were not trapped in large cages, but rather, were simply tied to a flimsy rope. The man frowned as he observed. Standing at touring heights, the elephants were built with sturdy muscles. “Couldn’t the elephants easily break the rope to escape the camp?” the man whispered to himself.  How could such a small piece of rope encage such powerful creatures? 

Baffled and confused, the young man inquired a nearby trainer. “How do your elephants not escape?” he asked.

The trainer replied, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

What to Take Away:

The Elephant Rope shares a powerful message about how people often refrain from achieving things due to limitations that exist only in their minds. It often seems like we each have our very own rope that ties our legs together, preventing us from growth and achievement. These mental ropes often come from our own past experiences with failure, or it can sometimes come from what society tells us we are not capable of achieving. It is important to let go of our doubts sometimes, as they are often the only thing preventing us from success.

As you may reflect upon the Elephant Rope story, it is important to think about what ropes are tied to your own feet, preventing you from trying new things.

Featured Image/Source 1/Source 2

Peanut butter and chocolate no-bake cookies

Zainab Majid
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I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a fan of no-bake desserts that are easy to make and don’t take a lot of time. One of my favourites (that I discovered while I was trying to satisfy my sweet tooth one day), was this peanut butter and chocolate no bake recipe. I almost always have peanut butter in my pantry, and the recipe doesn’t require real chocolate. We use cocoa powder instead. I’m sure you’ll have everything in your kitchen to make this tasty snack. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

Food Network’s Peanut Butter-Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

*This recipe makes about 60 cookies! I usually cut it in half.

Ingredients:
– 2 cups sugar
– ½ cup milk
– 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
– 1 cup smooth peanut butter
– 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
– Large pinch kosher salt

Directions:
1) Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment.
2) Bring the sugar, milk, butter and cocoa to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then let boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
3) Add the oats, peanut butter, vanilla and salt to the same pan, and stir to combine.
4) Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, and let sit at room temperature until cooled and hardened, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

I always enjoy making these because it’s a one pot recipe, so less clean up time for me! Feel free to adjust the quantities to your liking, and of course, please don’t try this if you have a peanut allergy!

 

Sources: 1

Earth Day: How Youth can Advocate for our Planet

Aarushi Bhargava
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April 22 marks Earth Day, a time to become environmentally conscious and advocate for environmental concerns. For you, I have compiled some ways to get involved.

1. Get Educated and Encourage others around you to do the same

Education is an incredibly powerful tool especially when it comes to protecting the environment. It aids an individual in being more environmentally conscious; you can understand how your decisions directly have an effect on the environment. Furthermore, it can give direction to our actions to ensure that we are moving in the right direction. If you are interested, check out this list the Ontario Teachers’ Federation has compiled.

2. Fridays for Future

#FridaysForFuture is a youth-led organization that began in August 2018 when Greta Thunberg and other youth activists stood in front of the Swedish parliament to protest the lack of action on climate change. Here in Calgary, youth have been gathering outside City Hall to protest each week. You can check out Fridays for Future Calgary to see how you can get involved.

3. Start an Environmental Club at your school

If you are passionate about the environment, get others involved! Starting an Environmental at your school is a powerful way to get younger students involved and spread the message. Additionally, it is a chance to start some school-wide environmental initiatives, whether it be fundraising events or making pollinator houses.

4. Sustainable Youth Canada

Sustainable Youth Canada is a non-profit organization that provides a platform for high school and university students to lead and engage with environmental and energy sustainability. Each region of the organization hosts unique opportunities for high school and university students to get actively involved in making our world a better place. Check out the website to the Calgary branch, here.

As youth, there is so much that we can do to push our world closer to what we want it to be. We have the power to make our world sustainable. So, what are you waiting for?

Credits:

Image: https://www.keysight.com/us/en/about/corporate-social-responsibility/the-environment.html

Sustainable Youth Canada: https://www.sustainableyouthcanada.com/calgary

Fridays for Future: https://fridaysforfuture.org/

 

What does it mean to mature?

Penny Per Thought
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Maturity is a concept that, as we reach the brink of adulthood, we are more likely to come face to face with. What is different between an immature child and a mature adult is the ability to handle ourselves and our emotions. Maturity in the emotional/mental state that comes from reaching a stage in our mindset where we can achieve levels of understanding of our thoughts and guide our behaviours in appropriate manners. With more experiences of life, and all it holds in store, people can learn to mature: to grow their mindset, to understand the effects of themselves and their existence on others and how to dictate those behaviours.

I doubt my own maturity a lot, even for someone who will be a legal adult soon. An example of this at play in my life is my never ending fights with my parents. A specific argument I had about my mom was about expectations. My mom was explaining how my cousin was finishing medical school and how she would come back from abroad to get certified here. Somehow, I found myself telling her about the med school process here. The extensive criteria and levels of excellence that are required. She countered that it was a field that required great commitment and that it would only take a dedicated and accomplished person to succeed. Instead of taking her comment as being harmless, I took it hot headedly arguing with her that life didn’t amount to just the person and their capabilities. That perhaps the people who didn’t succeed in the field or else didn’t pursue it simply were not interested, not that they couldn’t commit or were any less accomplished. I think the comment rubbed me the wrong way at that moment. What if that was my goal and for a million different reasons I was deterred from completing it? Is that what my parents would think of me? Would my failure boil down to my lack of commitment, my inability to be determined or accomplished?

Upon reflection, it was a moment of sheer immaturity. I didn’t take the moment to consider that she wasn’t aiming her words to make me feel that way. Perhaps she spoke in respect for the field. Or perhaps she was speaking to support me to be determined and aim to achieve my goals rather than be deterred. If I had been able to think clearly and consider that my mother didn’t mean to offend me in any way, I could have been able to respond without taking offence, and perhaps without ruining the moment for myself. This is a very simple example of how maturity can take effect in our everyday lives.

The ability of teenagers to mature into adults comes from a place of self understanding, and understanding of our environments or situations. In the context of my example, I may have understood how I was feeling and aimed to communicate that in the moment, but I was unable to capture the tone of the situation and understand that my reaction, in the way that I voiced it, wasn’t necessary. The ability to rationalize and understand your feelings and how to approach challenging situations is the basis of being able to grow up. A word in my mother tongue that explains this is “ehsas,” it means to understand your actions and be aware of the impacts of them. If I were to throw a tantrum at every raw emotion I felt and every challenge I faced, I would be no different than a child who was still accommodating to the ways of life and human interactions. As we grow older and witness the repercussions of our words and actions, we begin to internalize the understanding of how our behaviour affects others. I am now willing to open myself up to conversations instead of arguments, to take into consideration other points of views and why they are relevant points. This, perhaps, is only the beginning stages of maturity, but I am still learning and perhaps my willingness to learn is an extension of the maturity that I am developing.

Recipe: Homemade Fudgy Brownies

Natasha
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The weather this past week has been dreadful, leaving most of us holed up in our homes. While we may not be able to go out with friends or play sports outside (or go outside at all…), we can still learn a few new recipes. I posted a mochi brownie recipe a couple of months ago. While they are great and have a very unique texture, sometimes the original is the best. These brownies are easy, can be made in a couple of hours, and are perfectly fudgy. The addition of olive oil also creates a deep, rich flavor. 

 

This recipe is adjusted from Love & Lemon’s “Best Homemade Brownies” recipe!

 

Ingredients:

 

1-1.5 cups granulated sugar

0.75 cups all-purpose flour

0.66 cups cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy

0.5 cups powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy

0.5-0.75 cups dark chocolate chips (semisweet works as well, or a chopped dark chocolate bar)

0.75 teaspoons sea salt

2 large eggs

0.5 cups extra-virgin olive oil (or canola oil)

2 tablespoons water

1-2 teaspoons vanilla

OPTIONAL: Topping of choice (I used candy eggs!)

 

Steps:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, water, and vanilla.
  4. Sprinkle the dry mix over the wet mix and stir until just combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan (batter will be very thick) and use a spatula to smooth the top.
  6. (Optional) Sprinkle topping of choice on top.
  7. Bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached.
  8. Cool completely before slicing & serve.

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe!

Sources: 1, Feature Photo

Four Breakfast Spots in Calgary You Should Try

Gabrielle Cadiang
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it replenishes lost nutrients in our bodies and helps restore energy. Since the majority of my blog posts on Youth Are Awesome consist of me writing about local restaurants in Calgary that every Calgarian should try, here is a list of four local breakfast spots that you should try.

Brekkie Cafe

Where is it located? 20 Westpark Link SW

How much does it cost? Food ranges from $10-$30

Serving up comfort breakfast food, Brekkie offers a wide majority of breakfast foods. From french toast to eggs benedict, Brekkie has a lot of breakfast options for you to try. The service is super quick and all the servers were very friendly when I went for a brunch date with my mom. Brekkie also serves Phil and Sebastian coffee, and as a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I enjoy having a good cup of coffee alongside my breakfast! When I went to Brekkie, I ordered a mocha latte and the braised beef cheek poutine, while my mom had the strawberry rhubarb french toast.

ZCREW

Where is it located? 401 11 Ave SE

How much does it cost? Food Ranges from $10-$25

A quaint and small breakfast spot in Victoria Park, ZCrew offers some of the most innovative dishes as they mix Western cuisine with Asian cuisine. From poke bowls to their signature Belgian waffles, ZCrew has to be one of my favourite breakfast spots in the city. ZCrew also offers some pretty cool drinks, like their Spanish Lattes and Iced Chocolates. The building the restaurant is in is small, but it gives a cozy and comfy feeling when you walk into the doors of ZCrew. I went to ZCrew with one of my friends, and I ordered the Boston Cream French toast while she ordered the Matcha Pancakes.

OEB Breakfast Co.

Where is it located? OEB has four locations within the city.

  • Bridgeland 825 1 Ave NE
  • Downtown   222 5 Ave SW
  • Beltline  2207 4 St SW,
  •  University 4132 University Ave NW

How much does it cost? Food ranges from $10-$30

OEB Breakfast Co. is a local restaurant chain that has multiple different locations in the city and also around the country. Known for their breakfast poutine and eggs benny, OEB is for sure gonna support you in having the BEST start to your day. The interior of the restaurant is colourful and lively, and the food is just absolutely immaculate. I usually get their Croque Madame and a hot chocolate. Everyone should go to OEB, they serve up some of the best food I’ve ever had.

The Bro’Kin Yolk

Where is it located? The Bro’Kin Yolk has three locations in Calgary

  •  Signal Hill 5691 Signal Hill Centre SW
  •  Mahogany 7 Mahogany Plaza SE
  • Symons Valley 12580 Symons Valley Rd NW

 How much does it cost? Food ranges from $10-$25

Another Calgary breakfast staple, The Bro’Kin Yolk serves up what I think is brunch done right. From their breakfast poutines to their eggs benedict, (both very strong staple breakfast foods) they do breakfast food right. The restaurant itself is a fun experience with lively and joyful ambience. The food is absolutely delightful, and the people inside the restaurant make it very welcoming. My favourite thing to order at The Bro’Kin Yolk is their Apple and Cinnamon Waffles with a Nutella Hot Chocolate!

sources | featured image,  1, 2 ,3, 4,

 

 

The Calgary Flames: Looking Back On A Historic Season & Heading Into A Highly Anticipated Playoff Run

Daniyal Sait
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C of Red, buckle up. We’re days away from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Calgary Flames are heading in as Pacific Division Champions. Not only does this secure home ice for at least the first two rounds, but it’s a perfect cherry on top of an already magical season. After a season full of milestones and accomplishments, winning streaks and high-scoring affairs, the C of Red is as fired up as ever – and the team will look to continue the upward trend with the hopes of winning their second Stanley Cup. While the final days tick down, let’s dive into some impressive statistics, interesting facts, and an overall analytical perspective of where the Calgary Flames stand.

Note: All statistics are as of April 22nd, 2022.

The Calgary Flames are the only Canadian team in the National Hockey League with multiple division titles in the past decade, as they add this year’s divisional crown to that of the 2018-19 campaign – in which they also topped the Western Conference. The Flames have won the division eight times in franchise history.

Earlier this season, the Calgary Flames became the first team in NHL history to sweep a homestand of seven or more games. They did so during a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak and 11-game home winning streak. So, having home ice in the playoffs will with no doubt be of great value to the team.

With four games left in the regular season, the Flames are closing in on 50 wins (they are currently sitting at 48). They are also in the race for the William Jennings Trophy, which is awarded to the team that allows the least goals during the season. They are floating in the ranks of many top seasons in franchise history – often below only the 1988-89 season, which ended with the Calgary Flames lifting the Stanley Cup.

The Calgary Flames became the first team with nine shutouts through the first 40 games of the season since 2003-04. On the offensive front, they became the first team since 1995-96 to have four different players reach the 30-goal mark by the 65th game of the season. These four players were Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, and Andrew Mangiapane. Fast forward to the 78-game mark, and Tkachuk is the first Flame since Jarome Iginla to hit the 40-goal plateau. With Lindholm sitting at 39, Gaudreau at 38, and Mangiapane at 35 markers, it’s not unlikely that the 40-goal club gains some more new members by the end of the season. All of these numbers are career highs, too.

And, an entire section for Johnny Gaudreau & Matthew Tkachuk:

In February, ‘Johnny Hockey’ made his sixth career All-Star appearance – the most appearances  of any 2021-22 NHL All-Star, save for Claude Giroux and Steven Stamkos with seven each.

Johnny Gaudreau’s 38 goals, 71 assists, and 109 points are all career highs. 

Matthew Tkachuk’s 40 goals, 60 assists, and 100 points are all career bests, too.

Both American wingers are among the league’s top scorers. League-wide, Gaudreau is 3rd in points and 4th in assists; Tkachuk is 7th in points and 8th in goals. But beyond establishing themselves as one of the NHL’s top duos, the entire Calgary top line is shining in hockey’s biggest stage. The top 3 players in plus/minus in the entire league? Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, and Matthew Tkachuk. But perhaps what is even more impressive than a single line sweeping the top three of a league-wide ranking is the fact that Gaudreau’s plus/minus rating of +60 is the highest of the century. His 85 even-strength points are a century-high as well, meaning that even the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Connor McDavid have never had such numbers. In fact, Gaudreau is just the 18th player in NHL history to have 85+ even-strength points. These stats speak volumes about number 13’s dominance at 5-on-5 and his much improved defensive play – all solidifying his case as a potential Hart Trophy candidate, an honour awarded to the league’s most valuable player of the season.

Gaudreau reached 500 and 600 career points in the same season, along with 200 career goals. His 603 career points in 598 career games played put him just above a point per game rate.

This year, Johnny became the first player selected in the 4th round or later to record 100 points in a season since Daniel Alfredsson in 2005-06. He also became the second U.S.-born player in the past 25 years to achieve the 100-point feat, joining Patrick Kane. Days later, American forwards Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk would join that club as well. This season is the third in NHL history to feature at least three U.S.-born players with 100 points. Gaudreau and Tkachuk are also the fourth pair of Flames teammates to both tally 100 points in a season.

For a read on Calgary’s current roster and the addition of Coach Darryl Sutter, feel free to check out the middle Sports section of one of my previous articles: Putting Calgary on the Map.

In the future, it could be worth taking a look at some era-adjusted stats, MoneyPuck’s analytical evaluation of the Flames’ Stanley Cup odds, and more player comparisons. But for now, the Calgary Flames will round out the regular season with players like Johnny Gaudreau chasing both franchise and league history – before heading into a playoff run with the hopes of bringing Lord Stanley home.

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To Pray- A Poem On Religion

Alex K
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Hello Friends,

It is Ramadan, that holy month of the year in which many Muslims feel most connected to Allah, our creator. As I wake up everyday to eat, fast, and pray, I cannot help but think of my future as a queer Muslim, and as a queer Pakistani.

It is a hard thing to do; to reconcile religion and sexuality, especially in Islam, when so many people think that it is inherently antiqueer. But I’ve been noticing lately that there really is a profound satisfaction in praying, and in being connected to my people through prayer. So in this month of Ramadan, take this journey with me; hold my hand as I take you through what I have been feeling in regards to my culture and religion these past few weeks.

نماز, To Pray:

There comes an age

in almost every Man’s life

where they realize

there is something sacred 

In prayer.

 

Satisfaction,

Fortification,

Honour,

what more do we want

Other than a purpose?

 

what more could I want?

from the time of my birth 

I have always wanted

I would sit on my Father’s lap

and take his keys into my small

fragile hands.

 

My first words,

“More”

and my last word

will be Enough.

 

What more could I want?

than to relish each stride

Of my sunkissed legs?

to perish neatly,

In a world of my design.

 

But Allah made me

With honeygold eyes

And gifted me my nose

passed down from those before

It was in his image I was created

moulded from mud by his haggard hands

So it makes sense

that I inherited his sins

 

When the cold dust settles

after the grand day has come to pass

What will he make of me?

something bold,

something which Reflects.

 

Oh Allah, is it your mighty hand I crave?

 

My blood runs

because my people 

Shed theirs

 

My blood runs

because I am my Ancestor’s heir

 

I carry the same crown of black hair

their commanding brows

Hooked nose and golden features

 

How could I betray them so?

 

when they breathed for me,

Fought for me,

taught me to carry my culture 

with the same honour

That a camel carries his master?

 

How could I be so queer?

 

Every year on the anniversary of our Nation’s birth,

My Mother would sit me down and hold me to her breast

and she would tell me stories

Of the brave 

Handsome

Muslim 

Men and Women who had fought for us.

had fought to better a world they never saw.

 

Brave Islamic warriors

Strategic and headstrong

Courage and prayer their main weapon

 

But my Mother,

does not do that anymore.

 

It used to make me angry

 

I would don my petulant suit of armour

and duel everyone who dared share a glance

salt would fill my wounds

but now all that occupies them now

 

Is sorrow

 

Sometimes I feel a connection in silent acts.

the way I wash my face,

Oil my hair,

a motion preformed 

by so many others.

 

I sit and think

would these streets be this empty 

In the place from where I fled?

Are the markets of Karachi

just as lonely?

 

but now I feel him

there is a grandeur of nature

that even the most pessimistic cannot ignore

Vast plains and snow-capped mountains

Are as omnipotent

As the arms of the creator

 

So now I arise

In the deadpool of night

from my infamous slumber

my skin ashen 

eyes tired

 

I look to the glorious چاند

because the sun would stain me

and there I realize

That Allah

Is merciful

Surely, if he made me this way,

It cannot have been a mistake

 

If Allah has made me gay,

who am I to repent,

To act as if I am waiting for a saviour?

 

Who am I to waste my ambition

my god-given gifts,

the Mashallah of aunties

spoiling in my room?

 

Nay

I will live my life

With honour and pride

I will take my Family name

I will take my Family’s nose

And carry it onto the battlefield

And die a temptless death

 

My Name,

ذو الفقار

The Name of the Prophet’s sword

The Name which means justice,

And to lead.

 

I will be like the Men

In my Mother’s stories

I will pray.

 

Featured Image Source(s): 1

 

A Day In My Life [Poem]

D P
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A Day In My Life [Poem]

7:10 A.M.

I wake up, tired wanting to sleep

7:15 A.M.

I get ready for school

7:50 A.M.

I leave for school

8:00- 2:30

my mind swirls as hour after hour passes,

my brain numb.

As the bell rings for each and every class,

I grab my stuff, and hurry to the next room, pleading for this day to be over.

 

School is great!

but i’m tired and i keep getting pushed in the halls by “accident.”

yet the longer i stay in the halls, the longer i want to sleep.

I just want to curl up in a ball and sleep.

 

2:30 P.M.

the bell rings

my day over

I go home

sleep

and the day repeats

over

and

over

again.

Our Great National Parks – Netflix’s Newest Nature Documentaries

youthareawesome
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Those ecosystems ravaged by human industrialization and expansion are a greater force than you’d think. Netflix’s newest nature documentary, Our Great National Parks, addresses this. With the proper protection and changes, any ecosystem can rebound. Narrated by Barack Obama, this is a truly inspirational series showcasing the goals and achievements of conservation.

Our Great National Parks. Cr. Netflix © 2022

Our Great National Parks

The series comes in 5 episodes, just over 50 minutes each. They cover four specific national parks in depth, following a briefer general episode. These four parks are as follows: 

  • The Chilean Patagonia
  • Tsavo, Kenya
  • Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
  • Gunung Leuser, Indonesia

In addressing these four, they emphasize the research, practices, dynamics, and interactions that occur within each complex and different ecosystem. In fact, being able to research such ecosystems properly allows scientists to redefine their perspectives of animal behaviour. Doing so enables them to make even greater protection decisions in the future. 

The entirety of the show  reveals gorgeous moving cinematography. The producers employed many full landscape and drone shots for a variety of perspectives. Many of these scenes are just breathtaking, which emphasises the importance of protecting such sceneries. Cinematography is the first quality I look for in world documentaries, and this series handles it spectacularly.

Our Great National Parks. Cr. Netflix © 2022

Our Great National Parks’ Tone

Barack Obama is a highly skilled speaker, which is a trait necessary for presidency and leadership in general. However, I’ve seen many individuals online disagree. While I’d say that his voice fits the inspirational and informational tone of the series, many reviews I found believed the opposite. It’s really up to personal preference, as there was a mix of positive and negative feedback on his voice. I want to note however, many negative reviews gave 1 star, while just criticizing his voice and nothing else. Therefore, its likely that some of these were only negative due to Obama’s political affiliations. 

I do not link this image in the end as I screenshotted it. Imagine it doesn’t exist if you look at the image links.

Regardless of American Politics, the message of the series is still vital to address. If we initiate the proper protective measures, we can counteract years of damage to ecosystems. If humans suddenly disappeared, nature would not care. It would regrow and find it’s balance. However, despite this hypothetical that will never happen being a fun discussion topic, we’re still here. Therefore, we have to coexist with protecting wildlife, and living our own individual lives. 

Our Great National Parks. Cr. Netflix © 2022

As with most nature documentaries, it spins descriptive narration for each animal it depicts. This creates that engagement, with a tight flowing storyline. I’d say all of the production elements kept my attention, with its narration, visuals, pacing, and fitting music. I want to specifically mention how gorgeous the soundtrack was, complementing the mood with captivating drama. 

What are the Criticisms?

Our Great National Parks does a very good job as a documentary, though the information isn’t insanely revolutionary. The production is like any other nature documentary, but with a twist narrator. I don’t think Obama’s narration in the series is as strong as his peak orating abilities. Regardless, he’s still engaging and it’s enjoyable to hear a newer voice. Part of me wishes there was more about conservation and specific practices. A deeper dive could be more useful for average city-dwelling citizens. However, there isn’t enough time to address everything with these parks, with how complex the ecosystems are.

If you’re a nature lover, I’d heavily recommend watching this. If you’re not, I’d still recommend it, unless you’re on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. However, I’ve never met an avid nature hater.  It reveals ample information to shift your perspectives, and teaches a lot within its short span. It’s not groundbreaking, but the production, cinematography, and overall freshness had created a fantastic new documentary series.

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Aesthetic Cafés Everyone Should Try in Calgary

Pareen Cheema
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From my own experiences, I think I can confidently say that going to exciting new cafés in the city is one of my favorite ways to spend my time with friends and families. Not only are cafés a great place to hang out and study, but they also have unique menu options. At the same time, the appealing décor in these cafés makes the overall experience so much better. So, if you love to take pictures, some of these aesthetic cafés located right here in Calgary are perfect for you!

And Some Flower Café

And Some Flower Cafe: New concept opens in Calgary | Dished

And Some Flower Café allows visitors to immerse themselves around beautiful flower décor and staple menu items such as lattes and cheesecakes. You can look around to see roses, tulips, lilacs, and many more bouquet options to find the one that works for you and also enjoy brunch! Furthermore, they are known for creating custom bouquets! Visiting this café is perfect for the upcoming Spring season, and you can take amazing pictures in front of their flower walls or other charming parts of the café. I love the unique concept of this café as I have never seen something like this done before. In my mind, flowers and pastries are the best combinations to having a great time out with friends and family. Make sure to check them out if you are in the Sunnyside area.

Regal Cat Café

Regal Cat Cafe

The Regal Cat Café is one of the most interesting places to visit on this list! If you love animals or cats in general, this café is the perfect place for you as you have the opportunity to spend your time with cats and even meet adoptable ones. One thing to note is that you have to make a reservation in advance in order to meet the cats as there is a coffee room and a separate cat room. Aside from that, you can also enjoy their various menu options and have a relaxing place to study and talk. Some menu items that caught my attention would be their Iced Caramel Macchiato and box of macarons. All menu items are reasonably priced, and there are many beverage options, including both hot and iced. The overall aesthetic is welcoming and vibrant, with minimalistic décor and bright turquoise floors. You will definitely have a great time at this café located in Kensington!

Hexagon Board Game Café

The Hexagon Board Game Cafe opens in Calgary | Dished

The next café I wanted to mention on this list was the Hexagon Board Game Café. I recently visited this lively café with my friends, and it was a great experience. When visiting this place, you are welcomed by a vast selection of games to choose from and menu options that remind you of home. There are many beverage options, including coffees and teas. You’ll never run out of games to play as they have over six hundred options in their game library. Additionally, they offer snacks such as chocolate covered pretzels and grilled cheese sandwiches. Moving along, the ambience is cozy with wooden accents and neutral colors. Overall, Hexagon Board Game Café allows you to have a great time with friends and family and try out many new board games. Consider visiting them the next time you are in the Kensington area for a memorable time! 

Thé Moon Tea House

THÉ MOON TEA HOUSE - 10 Photos - Bubble Tea - 14th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB - Phone Number - Yelp

One of my favorite places to visit is Thé Moon Tea House, as they have the most aesthetic décor and a very creative menu. They are located in the downtown area, and their menu consists of a seasonal drinks, milk teas, fruit teas, coffees, and desserts section. Currently their seasonal menu is inspired by Spring and features drinks such as the Melon Grinch, which has hints of honeydew alongside their signature Moon Pearls. One of my favorite options from their menu is their milk tea soft serve with various toppings such as mochi, red bean paste, and Moon Pearls. This local tea house has an appealing white and green color scheme accentuated with plants and dainty décor pieces, which makes it the perfect spot to hang out with friends! I would encourage you to visit this vibrant tea house to try some new drinks and have an enjoyable time. 

In the end, I hope by reading this, you have learned more about local cafés that offer a wide range of beverages, lunch items, and desserts. Going to any of the places listed above would ensure an exciting time spent with the people close to you, and you can take great pictures! 

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Think globally, act locally; Method in Business

Lucy Choi
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When I was writing my application for a summer camp, there was a question about the meaning of “think globally and act locally.” It is well known as a famous business philosophy related to entrepreneurship. Big brands know that they have to speak to people locally with many different implications and applications while maintaining global thinking at the corporate level. This business philosophy is well proven, and many experts recommend embracing this philosophy to any brand, company, or individual that aims for globalization. Of course, everybody has different perspectives of explaining things, but I want to describe the general definition and examples that are now used in current society. I hope you can learn about this principle from this blog and add your own perspectives to it.

“Think globally” means thriving the global standards for products and services, and “act locally” means providing products and services at the local level and caring for various communities’ different implications and applications. This is an act solution-oriented principle, which means that I need to foresee how global impacts may have certain actions. For example, they pursue global issues like environmental issues, and they make policies related to environmental concerns to make global impacts, but then they start with local areas. Like, reducing the carbon footprint is a global issue, but the steps taken are implemented locally. The company that aims the philosophy of thinking global and acting locally resulted in an environmental issue. Panasonic moved its North America headquarters to a prime location from a suburban area and pursued the principle of “acting locally.” This resulted in reducing carbon footprints which is a global concern. Johnson & Johnson provides another “think globally, act locally” example. To achieve their global aim to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2020, in their Sweden site, they use electricity or fuel that doesn’t contribute carbon emissions to the atmosphere.

The most famous fast-food brand McDonald’s, is a company that has one of the leading success stories with “think globally and act locally” principles. McDonald’s is a food-chain company that prioritizes standardization of the whole food-preparing process. When it was first merchandised within the States, it managed to ensure one standard quality. With the internationally high demand, when expanding through Europe, the Middle East and Asia, some hits in States were missed in Asian markets. Even though the processes of burgers, quality and products were the same, there was still a problem related to identity. At this point, the philosophy of “act local” helped McDonald’s to succeed, especially in the Asian region. South Asian cuisine was different than that of States or Europe, so they had to create flavours that could speak to locals. Afterwards, they included some local spices and excluded some global ones. This boosted their sales and demonstrated the importance of localization.

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Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and its Role in Cystic Fibrosis

Claire Li
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As the month of May approaches, so does Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month. Over 70,000 people worldwide suffer from Cystic Fibrosis (CF), including many of the people we know and love. That being said, it is important to shed a light on CF research to allow for a better understanding of the disease!

First of all, what exactly is Cystic Fibrosis? 

People get CF through a gene mutation which results in an abnormal function of the CFTR protein. This protein is essential for cells in the body to move chloride to the surface of the cell. Without a properly functioning CFTR protein, cells are not able to move chloride to the cell surface, resulting in thick and sticky mucus to develop in organs such as the lungs and the pancreas. CF patients often get long-lasting lung infections, struggle with breathing, and have serious digestive issues. One of the most common and life-threatening causes of lung infection is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogen.

What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa and what is its correlation to Cystic Fibrosis?

P. aeruginosa is a bacteria that can be found in the environment. When spread to CF patients, P. aeruginosa is able to colonize the lungs, resulting in severe lung damage. However, there is  controversy surrounding the predominant way P. aeruginosa is spread.

Epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in British Columbia, Canada

Experts from various health institutions in British Columbia conducted a research study on the Epidemiology of P. aeruginosa. Some of these experts were from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia. Others were from institutions that had a Cystic Fibrosis clinic. 174 patients with CF and P. aeruginosa were included in the study, and their P. aeruginosa isolates were studied through processes such as gel electrophoresis. The scientists concluded that CF patients were not at a high risk of obtaining P. aeruginosa from other patients, but rather, the predominant mechanism by which patients acquired the bacteria was from basic interaction with the environment.

Ongoing Research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in CF patients:

Researchers all over the world are working on understanding how P. aeruginosa is able to colonize the lungs, and what signals control their spread. The long term goal of the continued research is to find new ways we can help Cystic Fibrosis patients who contract P. aeruginosa. However, all research is in hopes of finding better solutions for everyone who has CF, as it is a chronic disease that results in premature death. If you want to make a difference in Cystic Fibrosis research and awareness, feel free to visit Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

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