By: Zed News TeamAlthough love is once again in the air during this month, be careful not to take a big breath of it unless you are six feet away from other people. There is no doubt that this has been a crazy 11 months, but with the fast approach of Valentine’s Day those of us at Zed News have decided to share some of our opinions and experiences on this holiday from years past and suggest some cute romantic movies. By: Priya MigneaultTo All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You is the second film in this series of young love. The first film starts off with Lara, a 16 year old from Virginia, having her secret love letters she has written over the years accidentally sent out, one of whom is her sister's ex-boyfriend Josh. Lara and Peter, one of the recipients of her love letters, pretend to be a couple in order to make Peter’s ex jealous and persuade Josh that she no longer has feelings for him, however as the film unfolds Peter and Lara end up falling in love with each other and becoming a real couple; this continues on into the second film. In this installment to the series John Ambrose, another one of her love letter recipients, enters the picture, causing conflict between the couple. I think we can all admit that Lara Jean Covey (LJ) and Peter Kavinsky are cute and so is their teenage romance throughout the films. However, this movie exaggerates high school love and allows for unrealistic expectations about dating, school, friends, and wealth. In all honesty the school boards are not busting out a ton of money on dances and decorations, and neither are teenagers when they go on dates because we do not have a ton of money to spend. In the film there are pieces that are realistic such as when LJ is dancing in her room getting ready for her date, the awkward family gatherings, the doubt that LJ and Peter both feel in their relationship, and the uncomfortable but necessary conversations around sex and intimacy. High school romance is wonderful in a lot of ways, yet there are challenges and tuff conversations about boundaries that need to be had and I think this movie demonstrates that. On the other hand, in real life ex’s are not as mean as the show portrays, when I was dating someone me and their ex’s actually became good friends and we were completely chill around each other. There are also unrealistic expectations about Valentine’s day, romance, slow dances, love triangles, and money. Although a lot of young couples would like to go to dinner or to a nice ski resort in the mountains, they simply can not afford it and shows like this sometimes raise ideals of high school romance that just can not be met. Also, it is rare to find even one amazing guy, let alone two who are openly interested in you. In my last romantic high school relationship Valentine’s Day was not a massive deal to my partner and they made that very clear when they were surprised that I bought them a nice gift. For the occasion I bought them a poetry book and made them a card; this was keeping in mind that I spent a lot of money at Christmas on them and we went out for dinner downtown and to the zoolights. We were both short on income and I told them they could combine my 16th birthday and Valentine’s Day gift, to which they bought me a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. I thought it was funny, but I also thought they were kidding because they are vegetarian and they could not even have the chicken with me. As a matter of fact they were not and I probably should have seen to the end of our relationship then and there. All this to say that the allure of young love is rarely ever the kind portrayed in the media. It’s not glamorous, filled with dinner dates, slow dances, or flowers. It is showing up for each other when one person is showcasing something they are proud of, cute walks along the river, skating trips, Tim Hortons coffee, late night texting, trips to the beach, and stay in movie nights. Young romance is not like the movies and does not follow a script, but there still is a lot to love about it and a lot to learn from it. I hope that everyone experiences it at some point and is able to put the ideas they have of it aside and focus on what is in front of them. By: Kristina LanuzaDirty Dancing Dirty Dancing is definitely a classic romance film, first released in 1987 and taking place during the early 1960’s. It’s a popular film and it’s still iconic to this day, and for good reason — it’s a genuinely good film that depicts romance in an almost fantastical way, leaving you either cooing at the main couple or finding it hard to watch the screen during incredibly cheesy moments. Frances “Baby” Houseman is fresh out of high school when a summer spent at a resort with her family happens to lead her to what would soon become love with the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny. Dire circumstances lead her to become his dance partner and, through multiple dance sessions and considerable growth from beginning to end, they fall into each other's lives perfectly. The two’s relationship was, in its own way, really cute and reflected the views of what love was back when it was being filmed and released. A man and a woman, slowly but surely hopelessly falling in love with each other. A forbidden love, looked down upon by Baby’s father, yet she wrings up the courage to continue on pursuing her relationship with the charming dance instructor. Well, the fact that we still love a good forbidden love story hasn’t changed since then and neither is the fact that people still look to chase ‘true love’, or a love at first sight. One thing that has changed for sure, however, is the apparent roles of each person in a relationship and stereotypes placed on those relationships. While now we would say that gender roles don’t really define a relationship, you can see a clear placement of who plays what part in Baby and Johnny’s relationship. The male partner is typically depicted as stronger and overall the protective type, there to look over the more delicate girl — although, Baby does have moments in which her own determination and courage definitely shine through. It’s a great film, that’s for sure. It portrays finding love and romance as this turbulent journey, kick started by one major event and leading you by the hand into an unforgettable dance and that take on romance is both cheesy and enchanting at the same time. It doesn’t speak to all romances in real life, not everybody has the chance to be swept away to a summer resort that could change your life forever, but it plays to our fantasies of what we want that spark between two people to feel like. Dirty Dancing is definitely something that you should eventually watch, whether it be for that 80’s romance charm or simply for the iconic lift scene and banger soundtrack. By: Heather ParkLegacies Legacies is a tv-series filled with action, magical world, and also romance. The first season aired in 2018 and it is still going, they are releasing their third season that airs every Thursday, although from the amount of romance we see and the undying love truly makes you gush and love the show all over again. Legacies is based around a girl in ‘the Salvator School’ which houses and teaches young supernaturals such as vampires, witches, wolves, and even a phoenix (Landon) on how to control their powers. At first because of some chemistry between Landon and Hope they have a very rocky beginning, after Landon lies to Hope about a magical artifact being stolen she has lost patiences with him. The show itself starts off with little to no romance indicating that not all romances are ‘love at first sight.’ It tells us that every romance story is long and hard to keep those we love close even if by circumstances the boy breaks your heart over a million times. The show gave me many exciting moments that made my heart flutter at the cute scenes, and it also reminded me that I would prefer show and mature type of romance shown in the TV series, veruses the students who go all lovey dovey in hallways while I'm trying to get to class. I believe this series is a perfect show to tell us that romance isn’t always easy, and in the end people need to lean on others in times of need. By: Silvana S.My Girl My Girl is about Vada, a 11 year old girl whose father lives in a funeral home in Madison, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1972. Her mother died two days after she was born and always thinks she’ll join the dead in the funeral home. Her grandma has a disease which makes her unable to sit down and control her mind. Her best friend is Thomas, an unpopular kid. They ride their bikes around the neighbourhood and hang out. They hang out by a treehouse by the lake. Throughout the film there are signs Vada misses her mom, never knowing her. Her dad Harry is in love with Shelly, which grosses Vada out. Vada has a crush on her fifth grade teacher. Vada steals money from Shelly's cookie jar to afford his writing class. In the writing class Vada is the only kid and when she is asked to write a poem she makes it out to be about ice cream. But the adults in the class tell her poems should be based on something a bit more serious. I picked this because at the time I was Vada's age and it doesn't have dumb romance, it's still a valentines day movie but not in a love way. It connects with Valentine's day because it's about friendship. The movie says a bit about friendship but really portraits the show don't tell aspects of cinema. It shows Vada and Thomas hanging out but they're just friends, they have aspects that they care for each other but not in that way, it really explains that not every girl and boy relationship is romantic. Again this movie certainly doesn't have a love triangle, unlike all, (most) of Valentine's day movies it focuses on friendship, not what makes you throw up. I've thrown up once in my life and trust me it is not fun. Want to read more? 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The Alberta Student's Glossary of Online Learning School During a Pandemic - A First Person Account A Look at COVID-19 Cases Among Calgary Teens Stargazing Tips for February 'Terramara: Mara's Transformation' Book Review
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Alberta officials have forced the Zed News’ team back into online learning in hopes of stemming a surge in Covid-19 cases. We’ve created a glossary of terms to help you manage the shift from classroom to computer. Online schooling: A type of education that involves staring alone at a screen for seven hours a day while simultaneously texting your friends and scrolling Instagram. Remote learning: We call it learning, but do we actually remember what we learn online? Googly Eyes: The result of online school screentime murdering my poor eyes. Code Jacking: Somebody with a code obtained from the student black market, crashing your Google Meet, screaming a random message, and then getting kicked out. Google Fail: Sharing videos just suck. Whyyy Google Meet why….??? Google Classroom: The irritating source of 70 percent of my emails. Deadlines: Every moment of a really fast paced quarter system where the teacher is trying to cram everything in. Digital shaming: When your teacher calls you out for turning in an assignment late and the whole class eavesdrops. Virtual tests: The period of stressing and panicking at how fast the time is going, while also procrastinating life. Enhanced answering: Using the privilege of being online to search up test answers. It's way easier than in person to use your phone and if they see your phone, what can they do? Every test is an open book test when it’s online. Asynchronous Learning: This occurs when you're stressed and running five minutes late for class, only to log on to discover your teacher, who tells you that you are only reading a short story on your own. To which you log off and do everything but that. Synchronous Learning: I have no idea what that is. Why call it that? The Sea of Regret: The moment you forget to mute yourself. An entire sea of regret and an existential crisis. Second Language Training: When you curse in another language and the teacher stops teaching to look at the screen in confusion. Gizmo: Why do we need to use a probability spinner for math? The probability of me dying after this online class is certain! Chatbox: The land of chaos that occurs when you give a large group of sleep-deprived or screen-crazed teenagers the ability to talk to each other in a messaging system. Wifi Problems: When students or teachers have a bit of trouble with their wifi. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Just connect all ready! Wifake Problems: When students pretend to have trouble with their wifi or to be frozen to get out of class. Breakout Rooms: When your teacher expects you to work once you log out for ‘homework time’ but really you're just watching videos and texting your friends. VIP (Virtually Improper Parent): When parents make a cameo appearance on your video stream. Online Choir Practice: When your parents scream at you and you scream back to the delight of your online classmates. Second Language Instruction: When you curse in another language and the teacher stops to point you out and you go oops. Lunchtime: A speed round of 'who can cook or make and eat a half decent meal in under 30 minutes while simultaneously thinking about the unit final fast approaching.' It also can be extended into your class time, as long as you have your mic and video off, and let's be honest, majority of us are eating or cooking in the middle of English anyways. I gotta fit in that Christmas baking somewhere. Zoom Fatigue: Starting with everyone in my class in a hoodie on their PJs minutes before class starts first thing in the morning and ending with people looking like zombies with messy tied hair and a hoodie to cover up what we call our face at 3:30 p.m. Mistaken Identity: When you're too tired and accidentally send something to a friend instead of a teacher. Emoji: Wanting to put an emoji at the end of your sentence, then remembering that you’re on the laptop and you’re too damn tired to pull up the entire emoji menu for a single character, but somehow going deep to pull it off because there is no such thing as too many emoji’s. Headphones: If you don’t have any, you’re dead. I’m sorry. Looking cool isn’t an option if you want to hear people talking. Options Classes: This is the class that you actually arrive at half-dead but happy, or you skip by logging on and muting yourself with no video. It’s also the class that no one has enough supplies for and are using whatever scraps leftover from your childhood (glitter, sticks, costumes, makeup). No Escape: The well-deserved early release from online school so you can have extra time to chat up your friends on Discord and scroll through Instagram. Potty Block: When you need a bathroom break but the teacher keeps teaching and you're afraid to miss something. Early Release: Slamming a computer shut and preparing to toss it out of the window the moment the teacher says class is over, but then remembering the computer costs money so just running outside and screaming “freedom!” Alternative Learning Playing Among Us, Geometry Dash, or watching Tik Tok. Learning to swear in other languages. Racing around the room, knocking over tables (exercise, am I right)? You may also want to read: School During a Pandemic - A First Person Account I Want More and More K-Pop With media saying one thing and the government saying another, it's time to talk to the people who are actually on the front lines... the students. Zed News YYC reporters offered their views on what junior and senior high school is like right now for them. Do you feel safe at school? SS: Yes I do I feel safe with all the safety protocols. If the school did have a positive COVID test the rest of the class or grade wouldn’t get it. PM: I feel very comfortable at school, but I also feel that COVID is going to spread no matter what protocols are in place due to how far it travels. What is the difference between how the news media portrays what school is like and how it actually is? KL: The media places a lot of hype around the changes in the school and how it’s different compared to before, which is true, but every day goes on like a normal day— it doesn’t really feel like what the media says it is. SS: The news media’s portrayal of school is that it’s dangerous even though it's not. PM: The government and media seems to be playing the situation down and acting like everything is going according to plan, however many of the staff and students are struggling to make ends meet with supplies and materials due to the budget cuts in 2019. There also is no social distancing in the halls. The media portrays the more accurate side of what is happening, whereas I find the government is not accounting for how students and staff are feeling about their plans, and treating this as the best solution for people's mental health, but many students are more nervous being back in-person. Are you worried about missing classes or learning this year? SS: No, I’m in school this year so I’m not missing anything. KL: I’m not really worried about missing classes or learning because the information is also posted online. HP: Yes, because if I miss one class it is like missing a month of lessons. It is because our classes are in quarters and each class is 2 hours and 30 minutes. So if I catch a cold I might have to catch up on school work as well. PM: No, because I skipped quite a bit last year (every Friday - #fridaysforfuture) and didn’t fall behind. If we move online I will most likely do better mentally and in the sense of grades. How did you feel before you went to school and how have your feelings changed? SS: Well this is probably the first year that I’ve been excited to go back to school. Before I hated school because of how mean some people were and how boring some of the work was, but after online school I found a new appreciation for actual school. There are still some jerks that tease me, but they don’t bother me as much and compared to online school the work is a huge upgrade. It’s a big step from 6th to 7th grade and I can’t believe I progressed even though I missed 3-4 months of school. P.A.T’s (Provincial Achievement Tests_ got canceled and I’m kind of glad (Even though I’m an above average to straight A student) I would have failed my science one because of how bad I am at trees and forests. KL: Before I went to school, I was kind of hesitant about it because COVID, and quarantine made it so that having a lot of free time every day was the norm. Going back to school would mean losing that free time, especially going to school in person. Now that I am in school, my views of what is ‘normal’ has changed once again and now, I’m used to having work to do during my free time. PM: I had the briefest sense of wanting to be back in the first week, but that ended fairly quickly because I don’t see my best friend at all during the day because of separate lunches and their are so many procedures to follow that it isn’t worth being back in my opinion. I am now happier after the first few weeks of getting use to things, but I am definitely finding it difficult to maintain that motivation to be in-person. What is it like to wear masks in school all day? KL: It’s not all too hard for me to breathe in the mask, although there are times when it can get warm and stuffy inside the mask which makes it uncomfortable. The straps of the mask around the ears can also hurt because it digs into the back of the ears, so you have to constantly adjust the straps of the mask so it doesn’t hurt as much. SS: It’s kind of annoying but you get used to it, you can take it off at snack time if you spread out, Gym & Lunch too. PM: It is something every student is still getting use to, but I find it rather annoying because even though I am six feet away from other students and staff in my seating plans I still have to wear a mask. When do you take the mask off? HP: I take my mask off when we go outside for a snack break during drama class, as well as lunch when we social distance. SS: During snack, lunch, and gym class. KL: I can only really take my mask off during lunch periods when it isn’t crowded and before/after school when I’m socially distanced from others. We don’t get mask breaks during class, so we can’t take our masks off during the day. PM: I only take my mask off at lunch for 30 minutes and during my spare when I am off campus Do the masks make it harder to learn? If so how? HP: Yes, because I take drama and it is harder to make facial expressions and the mask sometimes muffles our voices making it harder to hear people. SS: No, it can just get irritating covering my face. PM: Yes, it makes harder to hear my peers and teachers. It has been especially hard in English because we typically have group discussions and seminars that require conversation. Do the school staff enforce the new rules? KL: The teachers and staff enforce the rules concerning sanitizing hands and desks every time you enter a room and they also try to enforce direction rules in the hallways (though that’s harder). SS: Yes they do, they give us friendly reminders they don’t get infuriated if we’re 5 feet apart instead of 6 PM: Yes, our principal, vice principals, and school police officers enforce the rules when we are in the school. Do your teachers seem stressed out or cool as cucumbers? KL: Our teachers seem pretty chill teaching, although there was some confusion at the beginning of the school year about who’s teaching what and where. SS: Cool as cucumbers PM: I definitely noticed that the teachers are stressed out, but they are trying to stay as cool as cucumbers When is it hard to social distance at school? KL: During class changes and lunch hours when student activity is at its highest. SS: During Lunch, Gym, and Snack time, and when you have partners for a project. HP: It is hard to social distance at my school during drama class because drama involves interactions and talking. It is also when we have lunch because we have a lot of students so it is harder to sit where we don’t have enough room for everyone to sit and eat. PM: There is no social distancing in the halls when the bells ring because there isn’t enough room and on buses to and from school. My math class is also full with over 35+ students so there is no way to socially distance. Have you changed how you get to school because of COVID-19? KL: The way that I get to school has stayed the same (getting dropped off by my parents), however the way that I get back has changed. Before, I used to take public transport but now I also get picked up by my parents. SS: My transportation has changed, and I can’t believe I’m saying this but I miss doing the stupid Bus G board. I miss checking people’s name’s off and scolding Hussain & some of the junior highs for being late. I miss Lucy, Ava, Ayla, Isabelle and Claire’s whining. I miss Manuel and Cohen blasting either baby songs or extremely inappropriate (Not clean at all) songs on their phones/ speakers. I miss Adam, Suleman, Hussain, Bowen, Kagan, Merve and Beyazit swearing at me & my friends. I miss playing Filthy Rats and annoying Adam and his friends as revenge. I miss getting to sit with Ivy and the little kids at the front of the bus on Fridays. I miss the bus driver stopping in the middle of the road and scolding us and constantly screaming at us, Bus G will always live forever in our hearts. HP: yes, before COVID I would take the city bus to get to school but now because of COVID my mom drives and picks me up. PM: Not really, my parents are not super concerned about COVID so I have been mostly taking the bus. The main difference is I now I have my license and drive to school on my own when my parents don’t need the car. Has any of this changed your friend group? KL: My circle of friends hasn’t really changed in terms of school, we still keep contact over apps like Whatsapp. However, I have been able to expand my friend circle outside of school on Discord, due to the increased amount of time we had to ourselves during to COVID quarantine, SS: No not really occasionally we hang out separately in small groups but usually together sometimes half of us go somewhere and the other half go elsewhere. HP: My friend group has grown because I’ve invited a bunch of grade tens into my friend groups so it hasn't really stayed the same. PM: It has because we alternate lunches and last year we all bounced off each other but now we have a different dynamic. I don’t see many of my friends anymore because of the alternating lunch times, which has definitely made me less inclined to continue with in-person learning. I chose to go back because of the social aspect and now it is harder to get back into the flow of it. Why did you decide to go to school instead of learning online?
SS: Because Online school is boring I could barely survive three months let alone one year or one semester! KL: I decided to attend school in person because I personally find it hard to keep my pace when it’s not checked on and it’s all left up to you. When I learn in person, it’s easier for me to keep track of work daily and to reach out for help. HP: I decided to attend because online school is going to be harder so I wanted to get good grades since I'm in grade eleven. PM: I chose to go back in-person for options and for the social environment. What are your biggest concerns? What would you have done differently if you were the government / health minister / school board? SS: I’m worried what would happen if someone in my school tests positive KL: My biggest fear concerning school and COVID would most likely be a positive case potentially spreading and shifting again to online classes. PM: If I were the government I would have not sent high schoolers back to in-person learning because they are capable of taking care of themselves at home and doing online learning. At the very least I would have done a blended program, where students come for a few days a week and spend the rest at home working on previously assigned schoolwork. Whereas younger kids are unable to and should have the option to go back to in-person to help parents that work full-time. Do you think Grade 12 students should have to write diploma exams this year? SS: I think they should, because it will really affect their future if they don’t. HP: I think they should take the diploma because the marks are what the university looks at in order to decide if they can be admitted into the school. PM: No, because this past year has been extremely stressful for students and taking six months off has definitely affected how much of the pervious curriculum was taught. How do you feel about reporters asking students questions about this issue? KL: I would be fine with being interviewed because it’s a topic that I’m comfortable with discussing and have strong opinions about. Personally, I feel it’s important to get all views of people touched by this pandemic and especially the people that are directly affected by COVID - the students. SS: Nervous, don’t judge me, I don’t want to be interviewed about a subject I don’t feel comfortable with (although I love being in front of a camera) I don’t want to be broadcasted on millions of screens across the Country (World). HP: I would be extremely nervous because I get extremely shy when talking in front of people I'm not comfortable with. I also tend to shy away from the camera. PM: I think it’s important that the media gets students perspectives on the matter, however I don’t agree with asking elementary and Jr. High students due to their age and the need for parental consent. Reporters should be asking high school students about their opinions with their consent and ensuring that the student is not busy or skipping classes. The idea of treating high school students as people=on-the-street makes the most sense to me, while they are at lunch or before school. By: Priya Migneault"When you look at remarkable individuals(...) I mean people who are successful in whatever they set out to do. You'll find that the thing they have in common is that they have nothing in common. These are individuals who've figured out what their unique gift is the universe gave them when they incarnated, and then put that at service of their goals," says TedX speaker Caroline McHugh. See we are always look at influential people as if they are larger than life, but we shouldn't because no one is larger than life. These people grow into the spaces their lives were given when they entered this world, and the reason you may think they are larger than life is because you haven't taken up nearly the space you were meant to in this world yet. We all have a place in this world and your mind is limit to which you achieve in your life. But in order to grow and take up space you need to first know who you are. "Your job is not like to be like the people I have (on my screen) behind me. In fact your job is to be as unlike them as you can possibly be," says Caroline. By this she means you aren't meant to be anyone, but yourself. You are not here to be a replica. You are here to be you. But mine and Caroline's question is "Who do you think you are?" Caroline, who did this TedX talk in 2013, says "Just be yourself. The word "just" is what I find interesting because it implies two things. Number one, that was an easy thing to do. Number two, that that was an original piece of advice." Being yourself and figuring out who you are are not easy tasks. You need to dig deep. During her talk, Caroline, also asks people to instead of looking at your life expectancy look at what you want to get out of life. What do you expect from life? And what does life expect from you? Both are challenging questions, that require quite a bit of thought to go behind them. Now most people don't consider tapping into the voice that can answer these questions until there old. "You get to this stage of life, and you realize there are more summers behind you than there are in front of you and everything intensifies. You become more honest; you become less compromising," says Caroline, "We call our oldies 'eccentric'. But in fact what they're being is authentic." When we are young we are great at being ourselves because don't know any different, but once we hit the age of about seven we learn to adapt to social conformity. From there we don't decide to be ourselves for many reasons, mostly social, and then come back to realizing who we are when we are much older. It's like an hourglass. When you think of yourself or the I, you usually come from one of these two mindsets; superior or inferior. When your in a superior mindset someone needs to be below you, and when you are in an inferior mindset someone has to be above you. In between these two extremes of the ego we come to the interior mindset, where outside beings don't effect you and you have no competition, because no one can compare to you and you can't compare to anyone else. But in order to get to the interior self you need to know who you are, and there are at least four different versions of you. The first version of you is the one everyone else sees. It is the perception others have of you in there minds, and there are millions of perceptions of you. You are different in every persons mind. Kinda crazy, right? The second version of you is the one you wish everyone saw. It is the way you want to be perceived by others. For instance, when you walk into a job interview you want to seem confident and so you put on that outer appearance. Now, the two more inner versions of yourself are what is most effected by change. The change needed to effect these versions has to be deep and you will usually know when these 'intervals of possibility' as Caroline likes to call them, will happen. You will feel it. "You know there are times in your life where you come to a burification on the path and you sense that the potential for change is heightened. You know if you make a change, the speed of your life will change," says Caroline. “Unfortunately, some of these intervals of possibility, are catastrophic. If fact, most of them are catastrophic, because most of us would rather sleepwalk until something happens to wake us up. And what will happen is someone you love will get sick, or you’ll get sick. Or maybe someting impersonal (happens), like 9/11. But something happens that rocks you back into your inner self, and makes you ask the question ‘who do you think you are?’” You need to be able to figure out who you are and ask this question before catastrophe happens, because when catastrophe happens you are weak and fragile. You need to ask yourself this question when you are strong and supported. Now, you need to ask this question 'If you could be the person of your dreams, who would you be?' This question forces you to think about the third version of yourself, the one who you think you are. Sometimes this third version of you can actually get in the way of you becoming the person of your dreams. The third version is what we call 'the ego'. “You have good days and bad days. There are days you wake up and think you’re the bee’s knees. And other days you wake up and you can’t even say your name. When you wake up and feel like the bees knees it’s not even you’ve got a reason. It’s like free flowing joy in your body. Everything works on those days, and other days nothing works," says Caroline, "Those are two extremes of your ego. You need an ego, if you didn’t have an ego you’d be toast. But your challenge is to take your ego from its dominate position and pull it back, so it is in service to you. (For that) you need to find the still point in the middle of those two extremes. And it is the state of mind that cannot be changed by anything that happens outside of you.” An example of this is the sky. The sky doesn't get depressed when it is covered with clouds, but it also doesn't think it is the bee's knees when it has a rainbow, it just simply is. It is able to understand the impermanence of clouds, just it understands the impermanence of the rainbow. That is humility. "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less," says Caroline. A great way to gain humility is to change your mindset from thinking 'I'm the centre of attention' to 'You are the centre of my attention'. When you are standing up in front of your peers don't think 'there all gonna be looking at me', think 'I'm gonna be looking at all of them'. The fourth version of you is your true self. It's not what anyone else thinks of you, it's not even what you think of you, it is who you really are. Some people may refer to this you as your spirit, maybe your inner voice, call it what you will but it is the you that can answer the question of who you are. “You’re a spiritual being that happens to be in a physcial body." Caroline says, she learned this phrase in India, and while she was there she also learned how people leave a message on the world. The message you leave, like everyone else, is your life. What you did and how you lived are the message you leave on this earth and how you will be remembered. The thing is in order to live a truly authentic life you need to tap into the inner voice, the fourth layer of you, and live from there. Caroline ends her talk by saying, “If you can (tap into your inner voice) not only will the speed of your life get quicker, not only will the substance of your life get richer, but you will never feel superfluous again.” If you like to watch her full TedX talk click here. Hopefully this inspires you to take a look at who you are and who you wish to become. By: Priya MigneaultThe End of the F***ing WorldThis series has two seasons and both are super interesting. The End of the F***ing World is a dark British drama that features two teenagers, portrayed by Alex Lawther (James) and Jessica Barden (Alyssa), who runaway from their small town to get away from their families. The major twist is that James is not leaving with Alyssa to only get away from his single father, he also is a psychopath on a mission to kill Alyssa. Will he manage to kill her before the police find them or will they be caught before he gets the chance? You won't know until you watch the series. The End of the F***ing World is rated R and contains scenes of violence, gore, and sexual acts. It also brings up the topic of rape, if any of these things trigger you don't watch the show. I would say mature 16 year olds and older should be okay to watch this. LuciferLucifer has four seasons and is in the process of creating their fifth and final season. Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) is an LA nightclub owner and he's also the actual devil. After one of his friends is murdered he joins Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) with the LAPD to solve the case. Will the devil manage to contain his thirst for revenge and see the murder brought to justice by the detective or will his natural instincts to punish the evil take lead? This series contains violence, sex, and coarse language. Common Sense Media recommends that you be 14 or older to watch this series and I agree. The Good PlaceThe Good Place has three seasons on Netflix with a fourth one coming. Eleanor (Kristen Bell) dies and arrives in the Good Place where she is united with her soulmate Chidi (William Jackson Harper). She quickly reveals to him that she shouldn't be in the Good Place and that they somehow got the wrong Eleanor. Chidi, who was on earth a professor of ethics and morals, has to decide if he is going to teach Eleanor how to be a good person in the afterlife or let her be caught and sent to the Bad Place. This series is super fun and charming. I would recommend it to anyone 12 and up. By Hari Menon What’s the number 1 problem facing our community today? Covid 19, which is a respiratory disease caused by a virus called SARS Cov-2. It is highly infectious and has now become a pandemic, thus affecting people across the world. The most common ways people get it are by droplets and touching surfaces. By March 31 it had killed 89 Canadians. I've been thinking about what kind of technology would help and I've come up with a concept I'd like to share. 8-Bit is a robotic nurse designed to improve healthcare worldwide. This remarkable droid is programmed with over a 1,000 medical procedures including providing hand sanitizer, gloves and masks for their patient which is essential in preventing Covid-19. 8-Bit is a multidimensional wonder, he lumbers along like an arcade cabinet on legs. 8-bit was programmed with considerably impressive strength; he can lift 1,000 pounds considering he is made out of the strongest metal known to mankind, it's no surprise. His body is like a maze of buttons consisting of a spray button, inflating mask button, providing gloves button. His aesthetics are simply irresistible as he has a splendid shade of red and black, as well as a beautiful mix of white and turquoise, 8-Bit 2.0 has a remarkable rainbow spectrum and is immensely appealing. He deactivates into his case when you say “I am satisfied with my care.” Best of all though he is portable and can be with you 24/7 provided that you carry him in his case. Such a remarkable product won't come at a cheap price. Keep in mind quality over quantity. 8-Bit would have an astonishing price of $2,500. But, just ask yourself, with all these numerous features and capabilities what could top a robotic nurse? 8-Bit is just an idea right now. But robotic nurses are real. To read about a real robotic nurse in Texas check out this article: https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/26/what-moxi-the-robot-is-learning-from-nurses-in-texas/ By: Priya MigneaultNow that your local coffee shop or drive thru Starbucks has closed it's doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic you might be thinking about how to make some warm drinks at home, we got you covered. Matcha Green Tea LatteTo make yourself a Matcha Latte you'll need
Hot Chocolate with a KickFor this amazing hot cocoa you'll need:
In order to make this drink you need to put the milk and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. Let the cocoa powder dissolve. Mix in the maple syrup, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt. Take it off the stovetop, taste, and add things as needed. Place in mug. Enjoy! This very warming drink helps boost the metabolism and relaxes the nerves. Turmeric LatteYou need these ingredients for the latte:
Warm milk in saucepan over low to medium heat and add spices. Once dissolved add coconut oil, vanilla extract, and your choice of sweetener (honey or maple syrup). Remove from heat, taste, add spices or sweeter as you see fit, and enjoy. This drink is a delightful blend of sweet and savoury. It's also a great anti-inflammatory drink. By: Priya MigneaultThrone of GlassBy: Sarah J. Maas "Meet Celaena Sardothien. Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness. In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, Celaena, an assassin, is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world." This eight part book series is full of plot-twists, romance, adrenaline, and adventure. I would not recommend reading this is you are under 14, as there is a few sex scenes throughout the series and there is quite a bit of intense trauma the characters have to work through. *Warning: the characters grow very closely to your heart throughout the series* https://sarahjmaas.com/throneofglass/ A Court of Thorns and RosesBy: Sarah J. Maas "When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it…or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever." If you couldn't tell already I think Sarah J. Maas is a fantastic author and I absolutely adore her books. This series has four books in it currently, with a fifth one coming soon! The series also contains plenty of romance and adventure that will leave you wanting more. It is not the same as Throne of Glass, with very different world constructs and characters. Again, I would not recommend for people under the age of 14 for similar reasons. https://sarahjmaas.com/court-of-thorns-and-roses/ Gregor the OverlanderBy: Suzanne Collins "When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever." This series contains five books, all of which are suspenseful and adrenaline pumping. Suzanne Collins is more famously known for writing the 'Hunger Games' series, but 'Gregor the Overlander' is also another piece of incredible work from her. This series does contain violence, death, and topics of loneliness but it is suitable for anyone over the ages of 10. http://www.scholastic.ca/books/view/gregor-the-overlander-book-one-in-the-underland-chronicles By: Priya MigneaultExpedition HappinessThis hour and half long documentary will leave inspired and eager to travel all around the world, but especially North America. A couple and their dog from Germany renovate an old school and turn it into a home on wheels, that they travel North America in. They start off their journey in Canada during the winter months and end up arriving in Mexico, all the while enjoying the breath taking scenery and culture. I won't spoil to much, but it is definitely worth the watch. It shows the highs and lows to traveling, and what maybe to expect on a cross contential trip. Our PlanetOur Planet is an awe inspiring TV series that contains beautifully captured scenes from our planet. It is a limited series that I highly recommend. It covers topics from animals, to plants, to humans and explains how we as people can help our home thrive. The show really does cover how we all are apart of the same ecosystem and how we need each other to survive. Tales by LightThere are three seasons of this show available on Netflix, all of which cover this beautiful and vulnerable world we call home. The episodes in the series range in topics from ocean conservation to disappearing cultures around the globe. Tales by Light sparks hope and action in it's viewers and leaves you with a deep appreciation for biodiversity and humanity. By Heather Park and Kristina Lanuza Bowling DepotIf you're looking for a place to relax and hang out with your friends Bowling Depot is for you. This place is for everyone so we don't have those age limits. You can buy food and enjoy a calm and non-competitive games. Come join us!! #5255 McCall Way NE Calgary, AB Kensington Escape Room If you're looking for a challenging or an easy fun activities with your friends? Well this is the place for you. The Kensington escape room may be expensive but it's definitely worth your time. Even better yet you can have a birthday there!! I've tried it, everything from the price was good. I hope all of you have an opportunity to enjoy and solve real live escape rooms with your friends and family. 1139 Kensington RD NW Calgary, AB Hexagon Cafe If you’re looking for a casual place to munch on some snacks and play cards or if you want to spend an entire afternoon playing board games, then this place is for you! The Hexagon Board Game Café, with a selection of hundreds of board and card games, presents a warm, welcoming environment with even warmer staff members to help you and your group game and chill. A gaming fee of $2.50 per hour per person and a reservation is all it takes, so come on down and play! #200 1140 Kensington Rd NW Calgary, AB 403.209.2881 [email protected] Super Smash Cafe If video games are more you’re style, then head over to the Super Smash Cafe! A warm cup of coffee and a few controllers could be all it takes to have a memorable night of fun here – they host multiple gaming events throughout the course of a month. Book a reservation here and you’ll be in for a great session of gaming! 1240 16 Ave NW Calgary, AB [email protected] The Rec RoomIf a bustling atmosphere and a great variety of both physical and video games is up your alley, then The Rec Room is the way to go! This place is a perfect combination of eats and entertainment, with a variety of Canadian Classics to eat and over 80 games to play with your friends. No matter the size of the group, all you need is a reservation and you're good to go!
1180 - 901 64 Ave NE Calgary, AB 587.535.6077 [email protected] |
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