In a city shaped by fossil fuels, a generation confronts their future. How does the climate crisis fuel Calgary's youngest citizens? Does it impact what they learn, how they live, and who they want to be? This three-part podcast, hosted by teen journalists, explores Calgary's climate future.TranscriptsEPISODE 1: What do Calgary teens learn about climate change? Welcome to Youth Rising YYC, where Calgary teen hosts from Zed News YYC explore how Calgary’s fossil fuel industry impacts their generation’s views and aspirations during the climate crisis. What are youth learning about climate change? How are they responding to global warming? What do they envision for the future of their hometown? A recent poll by Leger Marketing found 69 per cent of Alberta students were worried about their future in relation to the economy and the environment, yet one in five thought the topic was too controversial for the classroom. This podcast brings in the voice of experts and activists, with most of those voices being that of teenagers. I’m Silvana. In today's episode, your host Heather Park welcomes Calgary teacher, Adam Rob, to discuss what students are talking about in the classroom when it comes to climate change. Heather: Welcome, Adam. So tell me about the optional high school course you're teaching. Adam: I teach an environmental studies course, for high school kids across the city, anyone whose of high school age can come and specialize in our program to do a hands-on course in environmental studies. And so we mix students all together from grades 12, to grade 10, and we cover everything to do with environmental studies, from looking at wildlife issues, to climate change, to urban sprawl, and everything in between. Once the students get a background in some of these topics, then they get to choose their own direction and create their own project based on their own interest. And then my job is to just help them along to complete that project. And the parameter of the project is -- it has to make the world a better place in some way. So it's a pretty loose parameter. Heather: Who created this course? And why? Adam: Yeah, luckily, I got to help create most of the course. But originally, my friend Catherine was in on the ground floor when the Calgary Board of Education decided that they wanted to have a department focusing on the study of natural resources. And there was actually some sponsorship from oil and gas companies to start a program to help create students that were more literate in environmental issues. Heather: What environmental topics do students express the most interest in? Adam: It's a good question. It really is as diverse as the students are that come to see me. So I would say climate change, obviously, now is sort of the center point around which a lot of our projects are centered. So I would say in the last two to three years, the interest in climate change has completely shifted amongst youth, from something that was just for the most absolute tree hugger student in the school to be interested in, it's now become an interest of students in all career pathways. And it's been really exciting in my job, because I was teaching something that was kind of on the fringes of mainstream ideas for youth, and now it's right at the center. And we've seen a huge demand in students wanting to know more about the climate and more about conservation issues and national parks. I would say, yeah, wildlife issues is probably right up there as well. Green technologies, including green architecture, seems to be- once that door is open to students, they find that really fascinating as well. So I think elementary schools do a really good job introducing all of those environmental topics and attachments to nature. But typically, that study sort of dies out, they become too mature to put their hands in the dirt. But if they do get that opportunity, which is what we try and provide them, they seem really, really engaged in all sorts of environmental issues, from food security, to water quality, to fast fashion. I could go on and on. Heather: How do you think the Alberta curriculum addresses climate change? Adam: Directly? It's not a lot. I know that in grade 10 science, there's the final unit is supposed to be centered around that. But what most students tell me is that the teachers kind of teach that unit all in one day at the very end of the semester. And it's not essential learning, so to speak, so it is part in that form. So at the high school level, unless your school has a program that focuses on anything from agriculture to wildlife issues, then there's probably no availability for you to learn about climate change as part of your high school credits, they might do it in an eco club or something like that more commonly, but my experience is that most students, and I would say 90% of students graduate with very little understanding of climate change. Heather: So how do you handle the controversy around climate change in your classroom? Adam: I don't mind a little controversy. So I'm quite comfortable in that role. But what's interesting is that I bring in people, experts, because I'm, I'm not an expert, I bring in experts from all different fields in relation to climate change. And we hear it directly from the scientists, we hear directly from the people working in the energy industry to try and combat climate change themselves. We just, we go to the source. And that's where we start. So our class doesn't start from a question of does climate change exist? It starts from the point of climate change exists and humans are causing it, so how are we going to fix it? How are we going to adapt to it? And that's where students get to choose their project direction. So we go through the basic science, and we talk to experts, and I've never had any blowback with that formula before. But I have heard of other teachers getting blowback from parents about teaching climate change. Heather: What would you change, if you could change one thing in the curriculum? Adam: Just one thing? Okay, I would make- is this one thing? I would make it essential for every high school student to spend at least one week outdoors learning about nature, with no cell phones, out somewhere far from home. And I think if every high school kid did that, then all of our standardized test marks, every single measurement of learning would go up, and mental health would be improved at the same time. Heather: Is there anything you'd like to add? Or anything I didn't ask you? Adam: I have a sort of optimistic look, our perspective on what's happening in terms of environmental education in our province. I've been doing this a long time, as you can tell, I'm really old. And so I've been in teaching environmental education for 15 years across the province. And like I said, it used to be, I used to be by myself on a little island, teaching these things at the high school level, and then I met someone else doing it. And then I met someone else starting to do it in all corners of the province. And with that small group of people sort of leading by example, and sort of showing that it can be done in a way that's not overly controversial, and really positive for student engagement, there are now many, many more programs offering environmental education across the province. And that's very exciting. So this past year, I've posted a number of webinars about how to teach the environment to teachers. And it was unbelievable how many teachers signed up for these workshops, from kindergarten to grade 12. And so it's not only students who are demanding more climate change education, we're finally at a point where teachers are demanding this as well, and they're, they're finding ways to implement that sort of education into their regular classroom routines. And so that makes me really, really hopeful and excited. Heather: Thanks for joining us today. Adam. Adam: My pleasure. You guys are doing some exciting stuff. Episode 2: How do teens feel about the future of Calgary? Welcome to Youth Rising YYC. We're Calgary teen hosts from Zed NewsYYC explore how Calgary's fossil fuel industry impacts their generations views and aspirations during the climate crisis? In today's episode, your host Priya Migneault and Kristina Lanuza. Welcome Ivana Mendez , Mendez Jimenez, Caleb Glass, and Miranda Bickert from Earth Guardians YYC to discuss how they feel about the future of our city. Kristina: Today I'm here with Earth Guardians YYC. Can we go around and state your name, age, grade and reason why you care about the planet. Miranda: My name is Miranda. I'm 17. I'm in grade 11. And I care about other living creatures on the planet that are suffering from human’s actions. Ivana: Hi, I'm Ivana Mendez. germanus. I'm 18. I'm in grade 12. I really care about the diminishing bee population in particular. Caleb: Hi, I am Caleb. I am 14. I’m in Grade 8. And I care about plastic pollution. Kristina: Thank you. Miranda first, why did you choose to become an Earth Guardian? Miranda: I chose to join after my class started talking about plastic pollution. And I was getting really concerned and stressed about it, and I really couldn't find out a way that I could help aside from not using plastic. Then I saw a flyer for joining Earth Guardians YYC. Krsitina: Ivana, why did you choose to become an Earth Guardian? Ivana: Kind of the same reason I was also getting pretty concerned. And I was really overwhelmed and I couldn’t, like, find little steps to be taking. So I met Priya at a climate rally. And then I joined the group, and it kind of helped, like sort everything out and start taking little steps. Kristina: Caleb, why did you choose to become an Earth Guardian? Caleb: My sibling mentioned it and then continued mentioning over time, until it got to a point where I was worried about it. And then I also met Priya at a climate strike. And I went to the first meeting. Kristina: This is just a question in general for all three of you. What does the Earth Guardians do in schools? Ivana: Well, currently,we're working on our Flower of Waste [sculpture], waste management presentation, from grades from kindergarten to grade six. And we're kind of just talking about, you know, air pollution, plastic pollution, ways to reduce plastic usage. So through recycling, reusing, upcycling, yeah, kind of just spreading the word around of how you can make a difference in your everyday life, basically. Kristina: That's really nice. Miranda, why do you feel that this work is important? Miranda: Well, everything that you do counts, even if it's a small thing, changing, like people's perspectives on it, even if it's one person at a time is just as important as changing your whole group. Because you can always work up to it. So everything counts in the end. Kristina:That's great. Ivana: I think especially with, like, younger kids, I think it's really important to get the message in while they're young, how important it is to care for our planet. And you know, what's happening to our planet right now during the climate crisis. So I think it's an important step to take in educating people on the issue. Caleb: Spreading the awareness about this is important, like Ivana said, at young ages, just to start the thinking process going. Kristina: Can you tell me how you wish to see our city develop in the future for things like job opportunities and climate mitigation? Miranda: A pretty general hope for the future -- sort of a step away from non-renewable resources such as coal, natural gases, all that kind of stuff, move towards something more renewable. That might be a bit of a stretch for Alberta, but we can always hope for a nice future. Kristina: We can always hope. Ivana: Yeah, I think in our city in particular that we have so many highways and cars, I think that something really important is to really expand our transit, especially our train lines. I think that would A) create a lot of jobs and B) will create a way to reduce our Co2 emissions as a city. Caleb: I hope our city will consider green job opportunities for the city, instead of very heavy on the oil and gas like Alberta is. Kristina: What's one thing Calgary could do to be a greener city? Miranda: A realistic option or a nice dream for Calgary? Kristina: Good question. Priya. What do you think? Priya: Let's say, a dream. Let's go big or go home. Kristina: Go big or go home. Miranda: I guess one thing I have noticed, or have been, I guess, especially sensitive these days is the number of ridiculously large vehicles that people have when they have absolutely no need for it. People, like, on my street alone, there's got to be at least 10 giant pickup trucks. And I know for a fact that they do not do a lot of deliveries of, like, wood or anything. So I think moving away from the idea of having a big car as being better than, and moving towards having, I guess, more efficient vehicles. I don't think that moving away from oil and gas is something that's going to happen anytime soon. But perhaps we could shrink the size of cars that people use. Kristina: Ivana, what's one thing Calgary could do to be a greener city? Ivana: I think that if we could grow more of our own food, I know it's a little difficult with our climate. But I think it would be really cool if we could, you know, grow some more of our own fruits and vegetables instead of having to import them. It would also be good for our own economy as well. Caleb: I hope that Calgary can start to move away from oil and gas, and towards, like, cleaner opportunities, which is very far fetched for a Calgary. Like Miranda said that would be amazing. Kristina: That's great. What are your worst fears around climate change for Calgary? What are your best hopes? Miranda: So two opposite questions on the same spectrum? I guess one would be, like, for the fear for, I guess Calgary and the whole world in general, but people not doing enough, not enough action happening in climate change gets to the point where there is no going back. So you can only expect the inevitable. Hope, on the other hand, I guess would be to reverse or at least prevent climate change from getting any worse than it already is. Ivana: I think my worst fear is that I see like all over the city and in the surrounding areas. There's a lot of, like, destruction of natural areas, like even a recent example is the Save Alberta Parks issue. I think that one of my worst fears is, even all over the world, that our natural areas are all going to be taken away and taken too far. And we just won't be able to get that back. And I think one of my hopes is also to be able to reverse a lot of the damage that we've done, especially in plastic pollution. Kristina: Caleb, what are your worst fears around climate change for Calgary? And what are your best hopes? Caleb: My worst fears for climate change in Calgary will probably be not putting enough awareness about it in Calgary. And then like Miranda said, my best hope is spreading enough awareness so that we don't go past that point … or hopefully we are able to stop, we are able to go back to something that's better and cleaner for the Earth. Kristina: Miranda if you hadn't joined Earth Guardians, where do you think you'd be now? Miranda: It's a good question. I don't actually know. I probably wouldn't have joined another group because I am, say, socially anxious. But actually, my mom forced me to join because like, I pointed it out to her and she was like, yeah, go join us. I was like ahhh, she was like, go, I was like, okay, it's a good decision … because the Guardians is really close to where I was, so if I didn't want to join, you know, no lost there, but a lot of the groups aren't particularly close to where I live. So it's a bit more of a problem to actually get there for meetings. Kristina: Ivana, if you hadn't joined Earth Guardians, where do you think you'd be now? Ivana: I honestly don't know. I'd probably still be in my thinking and overthinking and worrying and not doing anything phase. Even being with Earth Guardians has helped me like, choose what I want to study in university, and stuff like that. So I really couldn't tell you. Kristina: Caleb, if you hadn't joined Earth Guardian, where do you think you'd be now? Caleb: As I said before my sibling kind of showed me this. So I feel like if I hadn't joined Earth Guardians, I would probably be still trying to do something. What that something is, I have no clue. Kristina: Is there any questions, comments or concerns that you'd like to add in at the end. Ivana: I think that there's like a give and take with every source of energy, like you said, with solar panels, wind turbines, and all that they can be harmful to wildlife, and they are very expensive. And like with oil and gas, obviously, we've been on it for so long, it's the easy choice. And I guess it's relatively cheap. And like nuclear power, obviously, can be very dangerous if it gets out of hand. So I think it's more about, like, damage reduction, and seeing what's best for the environment in each case, like if there is enough funding. Miranda: To add on to what Ivana said, everything has its downfalls. But if you put everything side by side, and you weigh the pros and cons, which one is the best for the environment? And you can also look at, which is the one that you can fix the problems that it causes the easiest? Wind turbines, you have problems with birds getting caught in it, what's a way that you could fix that? It's certainly a lot easier than pulling Co2 in the atmosphere. Caleb: I just add on to what Miranda and Ivana have said, but there's downsides to everything. As like, we don't quote me on this, but I believe solar panels and wind turbines, since Alberta is, like, flat-ish. It would actually be cheaper for us to use that. But since we're already in oil and gas, and we already, like, we know how to do that, right? Like, we've gotten down to a fine practice. They just don't want to transfer over because it’s so much work to transfer over. But in the long term, it would be so much better. Kristina: Thank you all for being on our podcast today. It was a great pleasure having you all here and answering our questions. We're really thankful to have your opinions and we're really happy that we get to share your voices out to the rest of the world. Episode 3: What are youth doing now to fight climate change?
Kristina: Welcome to Youth Rising YYC, where Calgary teen hosts from Zed News explore how Calgary's fossil fuel industry impacts their generation’s views and aspirations during the climate crisis. I'm Kristina Lanuza and in today's episode, your host Priya Migneault welcomes Jade Jensen, with Lives with Less Plastic, and Sadie Vipond with Our Children’s Trust, to discuss what they are doing to help fight climate change and make lasting positive environmental change. Priya? Priya: Thanks, Kristina. Welcome Jade. My first question for you today is what got you into climate change in environmental activism? Jade: It was actually like a project in grade seven. And it was whether we thought plastic straws and bags to be banned, and not directly connected to climate change. But that was such a little thing we could do. And I was like, yes, plastic straws and bags should be banned… it has grown from here as an environmental movement in my community. In Cochrane there aren't any other environmental groups other than [Cochrane Environmental Action Committee], which is a group of adults, pretty much. So it was like this is how I can get involved, create this organization that looks at climate change, and then the plastic crisis. Priya: Yeah, that's really cool. And then who do you look up to in the environmental movement, and why? Jade: Greta Thunberg. She's done so much. And she's maybe like, she's a year older than me. Also, there's my mom, she's in an environmental nonprofit, and that's just been a big person in my life, right? So being able to have those people to look up to and see, oh, they're making a change. And even though they're adult, I can still make a change, even though I'm just a teenager. Priya: What is Lives with Less Plastic? Jade: So Lives with Less Plastic ...is a youth led organization in Cochrane, and what we strive to do is educate mainly the younger populations. So teach kids in grade one to grade four to grade eight. So the elementary school, middle school age, about plastics, sustainability, and how they are affected by the environment, what they do to the environment. And then we take all these facts, information, and I teach them to these kids… We know all these stats about all this ocean pollution, and the microplastics in the water … but then lots of kids, or people in general, don't know how to apply these facts to real life. So then we say, these are the facts, and this is how you can help. This is how you can make a difference every single day. Priya: That's awesome. And just curious, how many presentations have you done? And in which provinces? I've seen that you've gone quite far. Jade: Alright, so this school year, I've done 21 different school visits, plus presentations in Alberta, and then one in Ontario. So we've definitely grown and they've operated all virtual, but it's allowed me to reach out to more people, because I don't have to drive there, right? So it sucks being virtual, but we've been able to do a lot more this year. And reach, reach a lot more students. Priya: And so that kind of ties into our next question, what are you and your organization doing right now to fight environmental issues? So other than the presentations? What else has your organization been up to? And what have you guys done in the past? Jade: Well, we recently just did Earth Week. And so we have this Earth Day, and it's just a day, right? We extended it to the entire week to make more of a difference. Last year, we did Plasticless August, which we're going to do again this year, so it's super easy for people to get involved. It's just through social media, and then garbage cleanups. Now, unfortunately, with new COVID restrictions, we're not sure how that's going to play out, but we're definitely gonna try and do more garbage cleanup. And then yes, the school visits are definitely a large part of that education aspect. Priya: That's awesome. And what do you do to get more people involved in your cause and organization? Jade: I think social media plays a very big part. We have a website, we're on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, all that kind of stuff. And I tried to push for it at my school, but it's hard to get people involved with something like this. It's not like ‘join a sports team,’ right? It's a little bit different. But I think social media has been a big part of that. And then just news articles on the Cochrane online newspaper, which really allows us to have a bigger reach to get more people involved. Priya: What do you think would be the best way for Alberta to adapt, and or fight, climate change? Jade: Well, one of the things Alberta has actually started to implement is the Extended Producer Responsibility Act. So this is more based on recycling plastics, but we, we have companies producing so much waste, and then they are not responsible for the waste they produce. We have like a plastic water bottle ... it's gonna go into the environment, but then the company that made that plastic marble is not responsible for that. So they're not responsible if that plastic water bottle doesn't get recycled. So having extended producer responsibility, I think is a very big thing. Everyone should implement it and Alberta has definitely started to do that. Because all the action is not placed on the consumers... it's placed on the producers, the pressure is put on them. So they're going to make changes because they know that it's gonna cost them in the future. Priya: That's awesome. I've never heard of that act. So that's really cool that Alberta is doing that. Is there anything else you'd like to add that we haven't talked about already? Jade: This in general, I think it's very important for youth to get involved, we might seem like oh, I just had such a small voice. But in the grand scheme of things we are the leaders today. It's our future. And we need to really make a difference. So you can have something little like organizing community garbage cleanup, or on your way home, from the bus stop pick up garbage. I think it's really important that everyone gets involved. Because who knows what it's gonna look like in 10-20 years if we don't make a difference now. So just getting involved, making that difference now, every small change, difference, creates a larger impact that will have a massive change in the long run. Priya: Thank you so much. That’s a really good closing note. Kristina: Thanks Priya for that informative interview with Jade Jensen. I hear you have another guest for us, Calgarian youth plaintiff Sadie Vipond with Our Children’s Trust. Priya: Yes. Sadie was recently a part of a lawsuit against the Canadian government on behalf of the environment. If her case is appealed, her team and her would go on to push the Canadian government to create and act on a fact based climate solution plan. Priya: So Sadie, what got you into climate change and environmental activism? Sadie: My dad was super involved with the climate crisis. So I kind of became involved by consequence of that. And also, I do a lot of hiking, lots of time spent on the Rocky Mountains. So I really feel a need to protect the wild places that I've basically grown up in. Priya: How much of a difference do you feel your actions make? Sadie: Well, directly, not too much, because our claim was struck down by the government. But indirectly, I hope that I have made a difference, because I've spoken to the City Council, and then that was a majority vote in our favor, so, I hope I contributed to that a little bit. And of course, the Friday's for Future strikes. And I hope I've informed people with doing these talks and stuff. Priya: Tell me about the lawsuit against the government. And what is that about? I know, you said to me about a claim and you're talking about your actions. Do you want to talk a little bit more about what that lawsuit looked like? Sadie: Yeah, of course. So it was basically, if we win the government has to implement ... a science based climate recovery plan, which the government would have to find ways to limit their emissions and put laws... to make sure they're, like, climate friendly. And so it's basically me and 14 other youth from across Canada. I’m the only youth in Alberta, but there's quite a bit of diversity in our group. And we are helped by our Children's Trust and David Suzuki Foundation. Priya: And so right now, did that claim just completely get dropped? Are you still working with that team to do something else? Sadie: Um, yeah, our claim was struck down, but we're going to the court of appeals sometime in the summer, I'm pretty sure. Priya: Awesome. That's super cool. Sadie: Yeah. Priya: Could you tell me more about what you did with City Council? Sadie: Yeah, so it was, I'm not 100% sure of the details, but it was some kind of, like, climate plan. And I was in grade six, I believe, and I had this speech that I wrote by myself about a metaphor of Harry Potter and climate change. So basically, my metaphor was, Voldemort is the climate crisis, Harry Potter and his friends are the people fighting the climate crisis. And then the Ministry of Magic refuses to believe that Voldemort or the climate crisis exists, so that would be like government officials or climate change deniers. And then once the Ministry of Magic realizes that Voldemort is real, then they put all their efforts into stopping Voldemort as well. Priya: That's awesome. I've never heard that before. That's great. Tell me about walking out for schools on Fridays. And what was the point about that? Sadie: So Greta Thunberg strike for climate was, or like is, I guess, even though it's been closed down because of COVID. It's an amazing movement. It's really awesome. Because it's gotten so many people informed and I don't know, it feels really powerful to walk out of school for the things that I care about. Priya: And then what did it mean for Alberta that Greta Thunberg came here in 2019? I know, she stayed at your place, as well. So what did that mean to you as well? Sadie: I thought it was really cool that she came to Alberta, especially because it's, like, the oil district of Canada, you would say. And it was super powerful to see her speak to all the people and especially though she might have known that she would get ridiculed more than ever because of Alberta, but she was really brave and coming and coming here, and I admire for a lot for that. Priya: And what do you think would be the best way for Alberta to adapt and or fight climate change? Sadie: I think awareness would be the best way, awareness on how the oil impacts our, our nature and our environment and awareness that the government isn't doing enough to stop that. And so with that awareness, we could start to push more with the intention of getting more protection for the environment. Priya: And what do you hope to see changed in the future that would benefit the planet? So similar to the Alberta question, but on a global scale. Sadie: Globally, as well, just awareness learning, I don't know, it's kind of the same. Just pushing our government officials because they're the ones that can make huge change, and they're here to represent us. So they have to, like, be in tune with the public's opinions and if public values combating climate change, then that will change. I hope at least. Priya: So kind of like actions equal awareness. Sadie: Yeah, exactly.
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Looking back and looking forward. The Zed News YYC teens chat with their future selves about what's happening and where they want to go.TranscriptsDear Heather, It’s been a while since I wrote my last letter and I’ve learned a lot about myself since then, since the beginning way before the pandemic I've always been the type of person who would degrade myself and always talk negatively. Since the pandemic I've learned that only thinking negative thoughts don’t really get me anywhere. The more I started to degrade myself the more confidence I lost and the more I compared myself to others, with the pandemic going on I had a bit of time for myself and noticed that I have to start loving myself before loving others. I remember looking back at the previous letter to myself and noticed that I have tried my best to be confident in everything I do. The pandemic also helped me realize that I shouldn’t take everything for granted, and to keep your friends closer. If I look back to the time I first wrote my letter I noticed how far I’ve grown from being the person I am today, I can truly say that I hold myself with confidence and have grown closer to my friends than I ever was before. Which is why future me, I want you to remember the words you’ve always repeated to yourself and be a better person. Future me, I want you to treat others with care even if they look down on you and think you're not worth it. You are unique and special in your own way and nobody can stop you from being you, so don’t lose hope we’ll get through it and soon it will be a memory we can all laugh about. Best wishes Heather. Dear Silvana S. It was on Sunday, March 15, 2020, I was scrolling on YouTube until my mom said that school was canceled for two weeks. I was devastated. Not only was I forced to stay at home but at the worst possible time. On Thursday & Friday, my grade had recognized me for the famous magazines I make. The next week was the book fair & then there was spring break. So went my plans of summer, er spring vacation/cleaning. Which sounds more epic than it sounds The next time there is a pandemic, the one thing I would do differently is, The day before the lockdown is announced I would scream/run around touching people. And I would say I need to touch you before it’s too late. I would wipe my snot on them, I would blow my future tears on them, I would lick them like a dog. Before it’s too late & I have to stay at home for 365 & 98.5 days. Never take for granted not having to follow covid protocols, be grateful for the privilege of breaking into someone’s house & instead of them yelling wear a mask, they’ll call the cops on you. I miss having after-school activities at school & I miss not having to stare at a screen for 8+ hours every day. I miss other people, amusement parks haven’t opened & you can’t go on vacation. Dear future me, never forget to be weird. I know you’re older & you’ll be a dumb teen drinking and having a boyfriend & living on your own, but remember to always be you. Always were prom or wedding dresses whenever to go. Not to flirt with the mental boys, but because you like dresses. And you love the color pink. People have to tell you to speak quieter & because you’re nice you do, I mean you always should. Your brain works 2-3 or even 4 times faster than people so you often have to slow down your speech so other people can understand. Consider it a compliment, they’re just not smart enough to understand. I can’t say never forget how you used to be because I remember when I was a baby. But be strong me & always remember, Edu is annoying, Girls are mean/Boys are stupid & that's my middle school. And when you marry someone force them to take your last name. In fact, you’re the boss of the family, haha, even better the man of the family aka the girl of the family. Keep on taking TaeKwondo so you can defeat a man if he ever tries to kidnap you. You are a freaking Queen & go be you & yell at people what square roots are. Always love 7-11. Say you’re not paying for their medical bills & say heck yah after every sentence. Silvana Dear Future Me, During this pandemic, even though I was isolated from all of my friends, I feel like I was able to get much closer to others than I ever have before. Isolation means that I can’t meet my closest friends in person, but it doesn’t mean that I’m completely disconnected from the outside world – in fact, I feel as though this entire experience has worked towards making me closer to both friends I’ve already known and friends that I’ve come to know. Being here has brought me to people that I would never have connected to if I wasn’t alone in my home. Now, I am talking to and interacting with people that share the same interests as me and don’t discriminate or poke fun at me for liking what I like. These are people that feel the same way as I do, and talk with me as though we are close-knit even though we have only known each other for a few days. As for my current friends that I’ve known since before quarantine, I feel closer to them due to the fact that we talk on a more frequent basis through apps such as discord and whatsapp which serve to connect people during these times of disconnect. Even though I cannot see them, I can still hear them and talk to them as if we were there in person. Something that these experiences have taught me about myself is that I am a person that craves affection and attention from others, as much as I like to say that I don’t need it. Talking with my newly-made friends gave me the experience of being noticed and paid attention to by others and talking with my old friends showed me that I want to be noticed by them even though I don’t talk much and back off when I’m talked over. To the Future Me that may hear this, remember that it is alright to act like who you are instead of just backing away due to fear. You want to be paid attention to, and that’s fine. It isn’t as selfish as you think and it’s ok to embrace that. Kristina Dear Future Priya, Last year around this time we created a letter that expressed where we were in life and what had happened so far in 2020, and somehow things went a little farther down hill globally since then. The last letter covered the Australia wildfires, Iraq and USA debacle, the start of quarantine, got confirmation that UFOs exist, and the Black Lives Matter Protests. Since then Lebanon had a massive bomb go off on one of their ports, American democracy almost crashed in one day, there were massive protests for women’s rights and a highlight on sexual harassment globally, and there is now rising tension and violence in Palistine/Isral. Not everything is awful though. We’ve now been in quarantine for 15 months now and I’m watching Taylor Swift’s documentary on Netflix and eating ice cream, while writing this letter. In May we got our first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which has been administered worldwide to millions of people and we are already seeing case numbers drop drastically. In Alberta we are suppose to be restriction free and out of quarantine by July 1st. I hope this happens as it would be the greatest gift I could ask for in my final semester of high school. It’s crazy to think that we’ll be done high school in January, and already be done our graduation ceremony in less than a year. I’m so scared of what comes next, but also really really excited. I feel burnt out and exhausted with school and I’ve felt that way since my first semester of this year, which is a sign that I am ready to physically move on to something new. However, what that is is entirely undefined and my choice. That’s the scary part I suppose, is that I have so many options to chose from. I could travel for the few months I have until September or take a full gap year. I could go to university and college or not. I could get a full time job working for someone and have benefits and security or I could run my own business. I could move out of my parents house or stay with them for the next few years. There are just so many possibilities and for the first time in my life I’m not obligated to be somewhere or be someone. It is all very frightening and exhilarating, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think when this pandemic is over I would like to do a few new things I haven’t tried to dip my toes in the waters of possibility. Maybe I’ll take a cooking, zumba, poetry, pottery, and/or sailing. Maybe I’ll join a photography club, start a new business, and/or start a blog. I would really just like to enjoy what it’s like to be free and adventurous again. The self-love we’ve been nurturing over the last year has really paid off. I’ve never been more happy, joyful, and content with who I am and where I am than now. We still do yoga almost everyday in high school with an instructor for over an hour, which is why I’ve lightened up about doing every weekend. I’ve been eating a really balanced diet, with lots of variety and have become more loving towards how I look and don’t feel guilty for enjoying sugary things. I’ve learned to prioritize and stand up for myself, while practicing saying ‘no’ to certain things. I journal out our goals everyday, and work to make a mental list of things we’re thankful for throughout the day. And every 11:11 I make a wish, which helps me appreciate the moment I’m in and pay attention to my surroundings. I’ve stopped feeling guilty for having ambition, goals, and dreams because not everyone will agree with the path I’m choosing to be on, but it’s mine and I want to see where it goes. There’s so much more I want to tell you about our life this past year, but I can’t fit it all in this letter. The main thing I have learned is that things get better and you can always find joy and love in every moment so long as you look for it. I love you so much Future Priya. Love, Priya P.S. Peppermint tea is the absolute best thing ever, so go pour yourself a mug. |
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