youth are awesome.com

Over the course of summer, some exciting volunteering projects definitely occurred, such as GlobalFest, Afrikadey!, Shakespeare in the Park, ExpoLatino, and the Bow River Flow Festival! However, Camp Bonaventure spans over the whole summer, and is undoubtedly one of the most fun and unique volunteer projects available through Youth Central! Every day is different, and I definitely recommend the project, as it was both a blast and a extremely eye-opening experience for me.

Organized by the Between Friends Club, it’s the only summer camp in Calgary that provides silly and fun camp songs,  enjoyable and challenge-oriented activities, and a friendly, engaging environment for individuals with disabilities. Also available to those without disabilities as well, Camp Bonaventure focuses on creating a experience of a lifetime with adventure, lots of fun and the chance to make new friends. Learn more about the camp here.

Minnows, Chipmunks, Otters, Badgers, Wolverines, Coyotes and Grizzlies, oh my! With Day troopers?! These are the names of the various age groups that campers are split into, with minnows being the youngest, and the day troopers being the oldest age group.

Did I mention we needed camp names?! When you volunteer at camp, how do you get into the spirit of exploring “the great outdoors”? Singing lots of silly but fun camp songs, and a distinctly unique camp name. Luckily, I chose my camp name before stammering, and thus was given one on the spot. Mine became NINJA, however my friend, unluckily, was thought of somewhat resembling corn, so she became CORN. Another friend became SUNFLOWER, and another DAISY. Perhaps I should have stuck with the theme of yellow plants, and been CANOLA. Oh well, because once you choose a name, you’re stuck with it for the rest of your volunteering-at-camp-life. It’s even better when you have names in your same group that just naturally form cooler words when combined. Such as an individual possessing the name SOLAR, and just for kicks, picking the name ECLIPSE, so there can be a SOLAR ECLIPSE in that group.

Worth mentioning are the awesome adventures and activities these campers get to participate in, such as: horseback riding, wall climbing, canoeing, golf, sailing,  swimming, and several other activities involving arts and crafts! Although I didn’t participate in sailing and canoeing like I hoped, swimming was definitely a great experience! Reserving the entire pool that day for the use of the group, many campers proved to have excellent swimming ability, though many campers chose to faithfully stick to inflatable tubes, volunteers, staff and aids for the duration of time we spent in the pool.

Camp Bonaventure is a project that rewarded my volunteering efforts with a learning experience, like volunteering at the Drop-In Center. At first, I had to admit, I was simply petrified and nervous. I don’t encounter many people with disabilities in my daily routine and lifestyle, and this camp was the first time I’ve ever experienced them in a large group and was responsible for their care. I was frankly in a psychologically uncomfortable position. However, as the day went by, I learned most campers were happy, friendly, and quite verbal people that were rather easy to get along with. They weren’t all that different from people without disabilities, with the exception of developing and learning at a different pace. For a while, you completely miss the difference and start truly enjoying your camp experience unguarded. So I thank this volunteer experience, as it completely taught me to not simply tolerate individuals that pose different aspects from us, but to accept them as no different as you or I. I mean we all have one goal: to have fun.

So if you are in for an exhilarating adventure a or a meaningful learning experience, either way, you know, you’re going to have fun.

Desiree Dang is a hopeful dreamer.

Why?

She faithfully believes in the good of others and brings out their best. This amazing actress lives life in the moment and shares that it’s not only okay to channel your childhood, but we must also embrace the youth that often escapes the heart, like the simple happiness milk and cookies may bring.

This kind and compassionate soul inspires youth to let go and overcome the inhibitions and hurdles that prevent us from being who we are or who we may become.

Read on to find out more about Pearson graduate Desiree Dang and her charismatic opinions and advice on self discovery, life and success.

Desiree Dang

YAA: Please provide a quote, inspirational, happy, doesn’t matter.

Desiree: “Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

YAA: Describe your involvement at Pearson.

Desiree:  I was mainly involved in a school play called Wedgie. I was more of a drama kid. I enjoyed plays, or being in them, or even just on stage.

YAA: Describe your involvement in your community.

Desiree: In my community, you can find me at the playgrounds playing with children. Sounds kind of creepy, but there was a kid alone, and guess who played grounders with him or her? I hate seeing little kids upset when someone doesn’t play with them. Kinda reminds me of how when I was in elementary, it was so hard to fit in. Nowadays kids just want to grow up, with make-up and all that stuff. Funny, when we grow up we want to be young again. I love being a kid, and I think kids should be kids.

YAA: Describe why you believe you are successful.

Desiree: There’s this quote “There are three kinds of people: those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those who don’t know what’s happening.” I make things happen, and I’m confident in what I do.

YAA: Share a favourite memory that was at Pearson.

Desiree: Remember Wedgie!

YAA: Describe some of you hobbies that you do in your spare time.

Desiree: I like to listen to music, be on the computer, spend time with my friends, and play at the park for the most part. Other times I’m trying to make something, like web sites- HTML! Or trying to learn how to cook. Or even colouring.

YAA: Provide some advice.

Desiree: You will have your ups and downs, lose yourself, find yourself in a dark place and feel like there’s no one out there. You have to keep hope, and believe in yourself. You will always find that when you are looking for yourself, you will grow, cry and everything in between, you will find things that’s you really love doing. People are going to hate, but who cares- live and love life to the fullest, and who you will be is what you will become.

YAA: Describe what you are planning to pursue after high school.

Desiree: I plan on pursuing acting after I finish accounting, and perhaps invest in singing and dancing lessons.

YAA: Why do you choose to be who you are?

Desiree: I might be loud, crazy, silly, but that’s who I am. A lot of people know me as the girl that doesn’t care what people think.

YAA: Describe your personality.

Desiree:I am a hyper, funny, happy, go-lucky girl and really outgoing. I like to go with the flow, let things happen naturally. If I do something wrong, I will go and fix it. I want to live life to the fullest, and I believe in the impossible. Dreams do come true, if you at least try for it. I do zone out a lot, and I’m clumsy, even when I try not to be, and then end up falling or spilling something. I love my cartoons, like Pokemon, and I enjoy milk and cookies before bed time- so I guess you can say that I’m a big kid at heart. I will also go out of my way to help someone, and I will be that friend that helps pick up a friend when they are down, or is having a bad day. I stand by my friends no matter what, because I believe in them. Sometimes maybe a little too much at times, but its to make people smile everyday, that’s my goal in life.

YAA: Do you believe you are a positive role model for other youth?

Desiree: I think I show youth that it’s okay to be yourself, be silly, and crazy.

YAA: If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?

Desiree: Global warming, it’s killing the poor polar bears.

YAA: What do you hope to gain through your pursuing your passions?

Desiree: Happiness.

I have a bike, I have a river, and I have some time. What should I do with all three? Volunteer at the Bow River Flow Festival, or bike around the Bow?

The Bow River, Image Credit: Kevin Saff, Wikimedia Commons

I did both at the second annual Bow River Flow Festival, promoting self-powered transportation, environmental art, and celebratory music occurring alongside Memorial Drive. Not so long ago, this festival encouraged self-sustainability for Calgarians and other modes of transportation – not only cycling, but transit, walking, and even skateboarding. This celebration aimed to educate and engage Calgarians- even with guest speaker and Olympic medallist Kristina Groves, who gave a press conference on taking responsibility and realizing the impact her carbon footprint made. This Clean Air speed skating champion was definitely a motivational and charismatic character, encouraging myself to be aware of my own carbon footprint and reminding me of the natural beauty of the Bow River, often taken for granted by sensually-adapted Calgary.

This festival also meant to highlight and celebrate the Bow itself, as a central component of Calgary culture, recreation, leisure, attraction, and much more, being directly located in the heart of Calgary. The habitat for many ducks and geese, (not to mention a lot of fish!), rocky shores lined with dusty pebbles and bike paths, eroding shelves of soil, turbulent rapids- a perfect destination for glorious pictures and running regiments on paths harbouring beside the Bow- we sometimes forget to appreciate this river that flows through our city. So many families and individuals stopped by and joined us, invited to draw colourful and lively chalk pictures on the road, dip their feet into pails of colourful paint and decorate the sidewalks, and even participate in mini bike races along Memorial Drive! Many mayoral candidates certainly enjoyed their mini bike race they partook that day, judging from the youthful delight in their faces, and the hilarity in the general difficulties of operating a child-sized bike.

Mayoral mini bike race, Couresty of Bow River Flow

My favourite aspect of this event was when I was able to battle against a peculiar man in a red and white checker suit. The duel you ask? Well, I could hardly pass the chance to participate in one of my favourite pastimes being that of- CHESS. Hunkering down onto a quaint folding chair, and facing my opponent across a painting of a chessboard, set in a majestic gold frame, the peculiarities of playing against a man in a checker suit and on a painting did not stop there. To my surprise, I was intrigued by the fact that I had all 18 of my ebony wooden pieces to play with, but my opponent did not. He had a depleted army of seven pieces, consisting of pawns, two knights, and a lonely bishop! He had played previous games before mine, and had quaintly given his pieces away to each adversary that had dared to challenge him, acknowledging their game. With little difficulty, my oppressive and overwhelming army successfully checkmated his king, and I in succession had received an autographed chess piece (a pawn, and sitting quite respectfully on my bedroom table) as a memory of our epic chess battle.

Don’t worry, there was a subsequent lesson from this rather strange chess game, even though the man in the checkered suit wasn’t even a professional chess player! He was an advocate for the arts in Calgary, and suggested in a cryptic answer, even when probed, was perhaps the game represented the Bow River itself, the more we take away from the river, the less dividends we can expect to be returned. The more chess pieces he gave away, the less likely it was he was going to win the subsequent game.

Nonetheless the afternoon was fairly enjoyable despite the unexpected downpour, and involved many families in activities that not only engaged Calgarians, but also educated and encouraged them to “ride the drive ”- carpool, take transit, ride a skateboard, bike, rollerblade or walk instead of driving a car.

The Bow River, Image Credit: Wikipedia

For more great volunteer projects to get involved in, visit Youth Central’s website here.

Two weeks ago, my very last meeting for the summer Youth Volunteer Corps steering committee ended! With our very small group of no more than 3-4 volunteers meeting at a time, this year’s summer YVC meetings were dedicated to organizing a major project for next year’s YVC’s steering committee, Empty Bowls 2010/2011.

The Summer YVC Steering Committee researched into potential “celebrity” scoopers for this year’s Empty Bowls, experimented with different methods to create “thank you” mosaics for our sponsors, approved potential YVC projects, and discussed redesigning the traditional “fill-a-bowl” aspect of Empty Bowls, deciding what they should look like.

Be sure to volunteer for this year`s YVC Steering Committee to get involved in this fantastic project!

For more, and how you can get involved, visit the website here.

This is Part 2 of the Awesome Youth in Profile: Erica Ho, Unstoppable Believer. Part 1 can be read here.

YAA: Provide some advice, about life in general or about high school or about discovery of one’s self.

Erica: One of the most regretful experiences of my life so far was not doing something. So my advice is to always do. The more that gets done, the more that is learned. And speaking of learning, always keeps an open mind because that’s when everything once gloomy becomes beautiful. Oh, and never let anyone tell you to “chill out dude” because in the end, each second of hard or stressful work put in will lead to a reward unlike anything else!

I’ve had many self discoveries, but I think one that is the most significant is actually my self re-discovery. There were many moments in high school when I struggled with what I wanted to do after I graduated, but in the end I realized that the things we loved doing, and I mean like TRULY LOVED DOING, when we were small will stay with us forever. I re-discovered myself, and now, I know I won’t regret what I do in the future.

YAA: Describe what you are planning to pursue after high school.

Erica: Film studies. Unsure of what occupation, but if you love what you learn, there will always be something made for you.

YAA: What is it that you love about life and why.

Erica: Through all the pain, suffering, unfairness, blood and tears, life is beautiful. A beautiful disaster. The world isn’t perfect because it wasn’t meant to be. Everyone has a different way of seeing things and different ideas. This makes life difficult. The world however also gives happiness, joy and love. Now life is looked upon as dark chocolate. Bittersweet. I love that life holds so many surprises and when you pay attention you realize that everything and everyone is actually connected. It’s empowering when sharing or hearing stories from each other, and it’s magical when delicate beings like butterflies land right on your fingertips. To me, life starts when you’re born and the first thing you see, hear and feel is already a million reasons to be satisfied with life.

YAA: Describe your personality.

Erica: Not naturally good at anything. Tries hard and never rejects. Artistic, emotional, sensitive, determined, brave, flexible, weird and simply complex. I have roles I like to play in life. I can be the helper, the friend, the inspirer, the superstar, (laughs) anything that fits with the moment and the person I’m with.

I also like to make things complicated for myself. I love multi-tasking and can’t stand slowness. Sometimes I can be really abstract, but most of the time I’m really realistic (I need to be if I want something impossible to happen!) I dream a lot, I let myself day dream throughout the day. I could never hurt anyone or anything. It’s easy for me to let things go, and I never really miss too many things. I laugh hideously and I love it. And I’m full of secrets that will never be told, because those secrets are what makes everyone unique.

YAA: Do you believe you are a good role model for other youths? If so, why, and do you believe you affect others in a positive way?

Erica: I think something I do for other youth, and for anyone really, is I listen. I listen and try my hardest to really hear what they mean to say. A lot of the time, action speaks more than words. A picture is worth a thousand words.

YAA: Why do you think I considered you to be an awesome youth?

Erica: I put myself out there and am not afraid to be destroyed. I enhance my flaws and try my best to inspire others to shine.

YAA: If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?

Erica: The world’s obsession over money.

YAA: If you could relive any part of your life, or a moment, what would it have been and why?

Erica: The moments of make belief as a child. I still do it now but those character’s my childhood friends and I became, and those stories we made together were more than phenomenal. Things I wish I wrote as a child and kept until now.

YAA: What do you hope to gain through your pursuing your passions?

Erica: More perspectives than I have already.

YAA: Why do you choose to be who you are?

Erica: Because I can laugh at myself, cry with myself, dream of amazing things, and because I can.

YAA: If there are any questions that I have not asked, but you would like to answer, feel free to! And any last words?

Erica: Screwing up is a part of experimenting. Experimenting is a part of making something come true.
Having flaws is a way of connecting.
Lisachino is my favorite part of the day (=

YAA: This strong willed youth and independent over achiever, lives life to the fullest by realizing with unprecedented maturity that hard work to achieve new perspectives, is not only necessary, but is the path to experiencing happiness, joy and love. Her zest for knowledge, voluntarily attending IB theory of knowledge (TOK) classes, empowers her sensitive and complex perspectives on life. Having just completed a multitude of classes in the fine arts program at Lester B Pearson High School, this future student in film studies, is an inspiration to people across the globe, emplifying amazing self discipline and faith pursuing her passions and dreams, as Erica calls for other youths to use your hearts and not your heads.

This incredible triple threat performer allows the creative genius of art, music and life to influence and guide her wholehearted passions for the fine arts to incredible heights. However, this doesn’t prevent this realistic dreamer from compulsively volunteering her time to many things, be it animals, people (young and old) or the environment.

I’m extremely proud and privileged to introduce my philosophical mentor and this Pearson graduate, Erica Ho, and her inspirational views and advice on self discovery, life and success.

Erica Ho

YAA: Give a couple adjectives that describe you.

Erica: “Love at first sight” or “unstoppable believer.”

YAA: Describe your involvement at Pearson.

Erica: Oh boy. For three years, I’ve been an active member of the Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz, Women’s Choir and Choral class at Pearson. I’m also a writer for the school newspaper (often writing about upcoming events and performances in the fine arts department), Speech Club competitor and REGIONAL CHAMPION WINNER (for solo acting), and was Leadership Co- Chair (which I was involved in pretty much organizing and carried all of the school’s events: Terry Fox Run, Spirit Week, Breakfast of Champions, etc.).

Also having been Parent Council meeting representative, drama kid, musical theatre performer, dance performer, choral performer, and unless I’ve forgotten something, I think that’s most of my involvement at Pearson.

YAA: Describe your involvement in your community.

Erica: I was a member of Youth Training and Action (YTA) through the Red Cross, in partnership with All Nations Theater, a program that promotes youth to share, expand and act upon actions and ideas to deal with local and global humanitarian issues. I’m also an active volunteer with CCCSA (with various types of task such as helping, performing, and visiting seniors, city clean ups, etc.) and mentored children through the Calgary Public Library. I love caring for cats, bunnies, and hopefully dogs one day at the Calgary Humane Society. I also answer the teen line at the Distress Centre for those in need of support and advice.

YAA: Name any notable achievements or awards you have earned.

Erica: Appreciation and helping others are my real achievements. The only awards I’ve ever earned proudly were those related to music: Vocal Jazz 15 award, Concert Choir 35 award and Choral 20 awards.

YAA: Describe why you believe you are successful.

Erica: I never stop moving, growing and learning. I’ve felt that I’ve touched the hearts of many as they have for mine, and I never stop believing in the possibilities of the impossible.

YAA: Describe what inspires you to live your lifestyle, and why. How did it get this far?

Erica: People inspire me. The artistic, creative, and just pure genius and wonderful things that people do. Whether it be picking up garbage off the ground, or holding the door for someone, or finding a cure for a disease – in the end the world is connected. I truly believe that no matter how bad somebody is being looked at, or how many sins someone has committed, in the end, everyone is beautiful, emotional and pure.

YAA: Share a favourite memory that was at Pearson, a moment that had inspired you or a moment when you experienced success.

Erica: Musical Theater. Performing and being able to have the chance to become a different character and really move the audience is a memory and a gift.

YAA: Describe some of your hobbies or what you like to do in your spare time.

Erica: I love exploring music. I love feeling the intensity each artist provides through their amazing music. Video gaming is also huge part of my life, and has been since I was a young girl. Anything from first person shooting games to adventure to strategy games. I also love films. I like reading on film theory and visioning different scenes out of random. Hopefully I will come out with a short film, and many more mini projects as well! I really love learning about nature. Be it animals of the ocean, astronomy or even bugs. I just love learning about the natural things that happen all around us! And I could go on forever about the endless projects I dive into such as scrapbooking, photography and singing. In the future I plan to make sky diving, paragliding and many other similar sports a regular hobby.

Watch for Part 2 of my interview with Erica tomorrow!

GlobalFest 2010 will be an explosive fireworks festival that will bring different countries together to compete against each other to produce a huge and spectacular display of fireworks! Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain will compete this year to try to produce the grandest choreographed display of fireworks, with an extra element- the compulsory musical piece, Grand Pas de Deux form Ludwig Minkus’ Don Quixote to be incorporated- contributing to these pyromusicals being entirely unique global premiers. GlobalFest’s aim is to showcase our community’s cultural and artistic diversity within Calgary and around the world, appealing as a fantastic international destination for everyone.

What’s new this year to GlobalFest is the OneWorld International Night Market, a non-fireworks night where you can come to Elliston Park, which will be free to public to access, and explore the tents set up to display and sell art and merchandise from around the globe!

Located at Elliston Park, with entrances located at the corner of 17^th (International) Avenue and 60^th Street SE and the festival operating between 6 pm-11:15 pm, tickets are still available online at www.globalfest.ca , so come down and check out GlobalFest!

Here’s the fantastic line-up:

Friday, August 20- Germany (Opening)

Sunday, August 22- Italy

Tuesday, August 24- Portugal

Thursday, August 26- Spain

Saturday, August 28- Finale

But what can be better than simply enjoying the park and watching a brilliant display of glittering lights in the sky reflected off an immense and sparkling lake? When you can VOLUNTEER and be part of a celebration of one of Calgary’s unique festivals celebrating cultural diversity and art! You enjoy many other added benefits of volunteering with GlobalFest, such as a free GlobalFest shirt, parking, snacks and drinks during your shift and a site pass (for access to all five nights of the fireworks). Find out more at www.globalfest.ca!

I know I’m going to enjoy being involved in this fabulous festival; I’ve got placed at the Kiddie Korral, but how about you?

Image credits:

GlobalFest logo: http://www.ama.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/ama/web/savings_Global-Fest-12484.htm?link=txt

GlobalFest display: http://www.skagit.edu/directory.asp_Q_pagenumber_E_462

Gloabfest logo: http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/events/GlobalFest/3300763/story.html

I recently had the chance to visit San Francisco, CA, to explore, for the first time, America!

A popular tourist destination, San Francisco is known for its cool summer fog, intimidating rolling hills and streets, famous land marks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz federal penitentiary, cable cars and its massive Chinatown.

The sprawling city of San Francisco was definitely a fascinating and remarkable experience for me, the first time ever I crawled out of my comfortable and familiar shell of Canada. Green, and occasionally blue, cabs will grab and astound your attention, if you are not first thrilled by the steep, descending and ascending hills which many streets and houses are built upon. Expansive and sprawling masses of wire hang overhead, many like gathered cobwebs, (called “lines”), which zero emission buses transport and ride. Its summer time, but it may not feel like it, what with the cool fog subtly creeping and rubbing its chill into all parts of the city, you can barely feel the sun’s dim radiance.

With snowfall even more unlikely than once in a blue moon, gigantic palm trees (and other oppressive kinds of vegetation) grow rampant; these massive trees reining for miles and miles on end, creating awe-inspiring landscapes and parks.

Mistakenly referring to San Francisco’s merry and antique cable cars as “trolleys,” I also discovered San Francisco as a relatively liberal city, lined with many breathtaking harbours, bridges and beaches.

I didn’t get to ride the cable cars though.

My favourite place that I visited was California’s Academy of Sciences, with a planetarium, aquarium, and is one of the largest museums of natural history! It contained some pretty amazing sights, such as an extremely rare albino alligator.

There were impressive exhibits, such the realistic dioramas containing common African creatures, a translucent overhead glass aquarium, an interactive, hands-on display of shore creatures such as sea urchins, starfish and seaweed, a spiralling staircase exhibiting rainforest butterflies and other insects, plus more than enough skeletons, preserved, and stuffed animals to satisfy the biology nerd in me.

Second to the California Academy of Sciences that I thoroughly enjoyed was the San Francisco Zoo!  Of course, it goes without saying, that seeing unusual and fascinating animals are always enjoyable.

However, there were several bizarre and unusual animals worth mentioning, such as the Mandrill. Being related to baboon, males have bright red noses, pale blue cheeks and equally colourful butts.

Not to mention that San Francisco being the liberal city it is, there just had to be a gay penguin couple at the zoo! Pepper and Harry were a male-male couple that reared another penguin, Chuck Norris, together. These penguins also reminded of the hilarious penguin troupe in the movie, Madagascar, standing cautiously aloof atop the rock platform.

San Francisco is definitely the place to visit if you get the chance!

Indeed the unexpected philosopher, this down to earth and modest individual houses an old and compassionate soul,  rivaling to that of a Jewish rabbi or Buddhist monk. This tech-savvy youth also has an interesting and philosophical take on life, so read on to find out more about this Pearson graduate, Kimberlee Becking, and her inspirational opinions and advice on self discovery, life and success.

YAA: Please provide a quote; inspirational, happy, doesn’t matter.

Kim: Wer nicht hören will, muß fühlen- Which basically translates to ‘Those who won’t listen must feel.’

YAA: Give an adjective that describes you, followed by a characteristic that describes you.

Kim: Unexpected Philosopher

YAA: Describe your involvement in the community and Pearson.

Kim: I am currently most involved in, mainly the Anime, Manga and the Gaming, Cosplay and the flourishing and fantastic art website, Devainart, community.

YAA: Name any notable achievements or awards you have earned.

Kim: I can’t name any material achievements, as I do not believe they define who I truly am, but its making it this far through life with all the awesome friends I’ve gained, and to be blessed with their smiles and support that they have given me.

YAA:  Describe why you believe you are successful.

Kim: The mere thought that I made it this far and am alive today to meet all the wonderful people that have become connected to me.

YAA:  Describe what inspires you to live your lifestyle and why. How did it get this far?

Kim: It’s how I view the world. Your own opinion of yourself and how you look at life is really the resume to your life. Just being able to see others smile or know that they can turn to me with a kept secret with trust really has kept me going till now.

YAA: Share a favourite memory that was at Pearson.

Kim: My most inspiring moments came from my social 30-1 class and teacher. How he has shared history and events to the class really caught my interest to keep digging within the subject and vast areas of history itself.

YAA: Describe some of your hobbies or what you like to do in your spare time.

Kim: I really enjoy photo shoots, photography, amv’s, and many other aspects branching from it.  I also play both flute and bass, tennis, and I’m very widely versed in all genres videos games.

YAA: Provide some advice about life in general, high school or about discovery of one’s self.

Kim: You can’t start something without that first step. You never know what form that step may take but when you take it will open endless roads on your journey. Look to expect the unexpected; life is unexpected you never know what is next but that’s the beauty of it. Take a risk at something since after all life is made from your choices the worst you can do is nothing.

YAA: What is it that you love about life and why?

Kim: I’m able to live my own life in my way. Life is too short to think about every detail, if you do you’ll never see the bright side to the dark.

YAA: Describe your personality.

Kim: It’s that of a person who is shy, but if you take the chance to look at me again you’ll see I can be rather outgoing and alive. First impressions are something but you can’t judge a person by looks alone.

YAA: What or who is it that motivates you, and why? How did it get you this far?

Kim: There are several people that I can credit to this. Each have motivated me, the real me, in ways I didn’t think would. For the people close to me, they know exactly what to tell me, whether I want to hear it or not, as it’s the truth, and I’d have it no other way.

YAA: Do you believe you are a good role model for other youth? If so, why, and do you believe you affect others in a positive way?

Kim: I believe I am, for the fact that I can relate and listen to other quite well.

YAA: If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?

Kim: I would like to see an improvement on all forms of discrimination. In my life I know many who are unfairly judged by the norms society places on us.

YAA: If you could relive any part of your life, or a moment, what would it have been and why?

Kim: My childhood. I have lost touch with my child side and how my life was back then; you can look at photos but still have no memory come to you, so id at least like to see how random I was back then.

YAA: What do you hope to gain through your pursuing your passions?

Kim: I want to live my life to its fullest so going after something or someone you love to me is one way to really be alive. Since you gain more then you can lose so even if today was your last day you know you’ll die doing something you love.

YAA: Why do you choose to be who you are?

Kim: I choose to be me because if I was someone else I’m no longer me.  I’m loving my life because it’s mine and it’s different from someone else.

YAA: If there are any questions that I have not asked, but you would like to answer, feel free to! And any last words?

Kim: Always keep looking on the bright side. You may think you have it bad, but everyone has a story. So even when you hit rock bottom, you’ll always rise back up, with the support form the people you had some connection to in life. If you’re ever interested in the anime community of Calgary, drop me a line, and in the great words and song by Journey: Don’t Stop Believin’~

Resident Evil,  Call of Duty, Pokémon and Legend of Zelda are some of our generation’s favourite graphic, fantasy-based and realistic video games that stimulate our visual perceptions of our imagination. But what was there before graphic designers, before these visual manifestations of our imagination? Books? Well, sure your imagination certainly creates images, but you don’t necessarily choose if Harry Potter dies or not (if I were cynical, maybe). However, for once I think I would like to be in control of my own adventure, where I’M the HERO, and I’ll be the chosen one. First introduced in the thrilling, spy-based television show series, CHUCK (this television show series definitely appeals to the romantic, thrill and espionage seekers in all of us), and later delved into in my computer science class, is the wonderful world of ZORK! With so many versions of Zork, I’m going to focus on the third edition: Zork III: The Underground Empire.

Zork is an interactive, fantasy-based computer game, set in an expansive and mysterious underground labyrinth, leading into the “Great Underground Empire.” You, the nameless hero, adventure into the depths of this menacing and threatening labyrinth, to finish and return with treasure and glory, defeating this perilous journey’s many challenges and monsters.

A basic and familiar plot for most gamers, what distinguishes Zork in terms of the fantasy genre is the fantastic and pragmatic storytelling, appealing to a player’s five senses and humour, the humorous, and unexpectedly sophisticated, text parser, which surprisingly recognizes complicated commands that involve prepositions and conjunctions.

So how exactly does this interactive computer programming work? A small descriptive paragraph or sentences will appear onto your computer screen, the starting paragraph to always begin:

“West of House                                                                                                                                                    You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door.

There is a small mailbox here.”

The amazing interactive ability you have with Zork is that you can ACTUALLY TYPE IN A COMMAND, and Zork WILL RESPOND BASED ON YOUR ANSWER. Pretty cool, huh?

So basically, you could type in “Open mailbox”, which will give you following response:

>open mailbox                                                                                                                                                              ”Opening the small mailbox reveals a leaflet.”

and further interaction would be like this:

>take leaflet     “Taken.”

> read leaflet                                                                                                                                                   “ZORK is a game of adventure, danger, and low cunning. In it you will explore some of themos amazing territory ever seen by mortals. No computer should ever be without one!”

Okay, simple commands and simple descriptions. However, if you continue the fascinating gameplay, and manage to enter the house, an extremely descriptive and option-leaded paragraph appears on the screen.

> enter house                                                                                                                                                 “Kitchen                                                                                                                                                                You are in the kitchen of a white house. A table seems to have been used recently for the preparation of food…A dark chimney leads  down  and to the east is a small window which is open. On the table is a elongated brown sack, smelling of hot peppers. The glass bottle contains:

a quantity of water.”

So many options, leading to so many senarios, equals awesome gameplay.

If you wanna try this game, play here

Wanna try your hand at creating a similar interactive program?

Welcome to the world of C++.

Image Credits:

Resident Evil: http://www.twistysdownload.com/forums/games/76993-resident-evil-5-hotfile.html

Modern Warfare: http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/Call-of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-Mobilized-Reaches-the-DS-This-Fall-2.png/

Legend of Zelda: http://wallpapers.pixxp.com/18__The_Legend_of_Zelda_Twilight_Princess.htm

Pokemon: http://www.bitmob.com/mobfeed?tag=pokemon-heart-goldsoul-silver

Zork II: http://struckus.tripod.com/Legacy_of_zork.htm

West of House display: http://www.myabandonware.com/game/zork-the-great-underground-empire-1j

Grue display: http://www.redbubble.com/search/infocom

Zork Nemesis: http://www.vaxdungeon.com/zork.asp

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all which may appear to give one piece of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from out encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new different sun. ”

- C . J . M

Upon almost finishing up my diplomas and final exams, reflecting upon my school years at Lester B. Pearson High school, leaving is definitely going to be a tough experience for me! Having been so enthusiastically involved in so many positive and inspiring opportunities at Pearson, many memories and lessons have been ingrained into my lifestyle and well being.

Along my high school journey, I have met delightful and inspiring individuals that deviate from the norm, seeking out to create their own passions, and having chosen to pursue each of their own unique dreams and goals! Being inspired by each individual`s extraordinary tales, I have personally been grateful and privileged to interview several bright and talented youths, whom each have in their own ways, contributed to their community, invested in a brighter future and just plain makes the world a brighter and better place to be. Each individual defines their own perception of what “success“ means to them, notable achievements, and what motivates them to be an awesome youth!

Each one of them has personally touched me and had made my life more meaningful, whether they know it or not, and I believe that each and everyone one of them should not be recognized just for their academics, citizenship, philanthropy, and other notable achievements, but for also being genuinely kind and compassionate youths that never fail to bring smiles to others and their own faces! 

This is my personal way of thanking each and every one of you for being positively outstanding and passionate individuals by writing extremely introspective and meaningful articles, thus raising the status of notable alumni of Lester B Pearson high school!

Look for a post depicting one or two of these exceptional youths each week!

Philosophical observer, but by no means passive, an incredible artist that magically paints and draws the world to her own accord, and a fantastic soprano, sharing her talent by lending her voice to Vocal Jazz and Concert choir, Carmen Khuu’s passionate interests in the Fine Arts could be seen as anything but narrow.

Read on to find out more about this Pearson graduate, Carmen Khuu’s, and her inspirational opinions and advice on self discovery, life, and success.

Lisa:  Please provide a quote, inspirational, happy, doesn’t matter.

Carmen: “The most wasted days is that on which one has not laughed.” – Nicholas Chamfort,
“True masters are those who have chosen to make a life rather than making a living.”- Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations With God)

Lisa:  Give an adjective that describes you, followed by a characteristic that describes you.

Carmen: Philosophical Spectator

Lisa: Describe your involvement at Pearson.

Carmen: For the past three years, I have been involved in extra-curricular activities such as Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz.

Lisa: Describe your involvement in your community.

Carmen: I am part of a Red Cross program called Youth Training and Action, which is open to all youth to share and expand their ideas concerning both the local and global community. Through YTA, I have conveyed my opinions and concerns to the community by being involved with artistic projects such as photography, performing in various drama skits and creating visual art. I have also worked with All Nations theatre to create a skit that was performed in the annual Global Fest 2009. Also, as of recent, I have volunteered to create a mural for the Village Square Leisure Centre.

Lisa:  Name any notable achievements or awards you have earned.

Carmen: I completed IB Art, and have received a Certificate of Achievement from the Canadian Red Cross for my involvement with YTA.

Lisa: Describe why you believe you are successful.

Carmen: I believe that I have achieved success by being able to express my thoughts effectively through different types of media. Being able to tell stories and to open a window to a new perspective for other people feel very gratifying, especially if I know that I am able to change or alter a person’s life for the better, no matter of how little significance it makes.

Lisa: Describe what inspires you to live your lifestyle, and why. How did it get this far?

Carmen: Honestly, it started off as passive, nonchalant acts, because my initial thoughts were that it had no negative consequences for me. But what has caused me to go beyond the surface, and what has became a big inspiration for me are my friends; they were the ones who have inspired me to live the way I do, and, in my opinion, they give so much to the community and are such a positive influence in my life. The reason that I could get this far is because of the unconditional support and guidance of these close friends.

Lisa: Share a favourite memory that was at Pearson, a moment that had inspired you or a moment when you experienced success.

Carmen: The evening of our IB Art show has been, and will always be, a treasured memory of mine. I felt very successful knowing that my art was able to provoke thoughts and to stir up emotions from the viewers.

Lisa:  Describe some of you hobbies or what you like to do in your spare time.

Carmen: My spare time is wasted on the usual teen-y stuff. Whenever I don’t feel like exerting much brain-power or energy, (which is the majority of the time,) I am usually watching TV or on the computer (After all these years, I still love Spongebob!)

On some occasions, I enjoy reading – lately, I have been into reading non-fictional books concerning psychology. As for hobbies, I love the arts and literature, and whenever I am hit with a bolt of creativity, I will either sketch or write in order to let it out (most of my art and writing are half-processed thoughts because I usually get side-tracked…) Also, I have been trying to carry around my digital camera so that I can capture shots of anything that tickles my interest when I’m out of the house (I’m aiming for the professional, better-than-real-life cameras one day!) Ever since I’ve joined Concert Choir, I have been gutsy enough to belt out songs in the heat of the moment (not sure if you consider that a hobby…), and I have also been trying to learn to play the piano. A strange hobby that I have is to collect things – I’m such a pack rat, but I love to collect sheet music and (MP3) music. I also search for quotes and keep them in my ‘database’, and I love collecting cosmetics, even though I barely use them (so… much… colours!) …I don’t think you really needed to know of the latter of the “hobbies”… sorry for getting carried away! (Haha!)

Lisa: Describe what you are passionate about.

Carmen: If you haven’t realized from previous answers, I love the fine arts! Ever since I was a child, I loved to draw and colour, and on several occasions, I have wanted to become an artist. My fondness of the arts grew as I mature, and I developed a love for English literature, music (including, yes, classical music!) and photography. I find it ironic and somewhat funny that everything I found “boring” as a child has become the things that now gives meaning to my life!

(more…)

A graduating senior at Lester B Pearson High School, we were offered the chance to celebrate our graduation at a banquet, located at the BMO Center, providing the opportunity for students to display their beautiful, jewelled and satin dressed and their smart, pressed and expensive suits. Similar to prom our adjacent neighbour, the States, celebrate, this year’s theme of Eastern Fusion called for mysterious dim lighting, patterned pale orange umbrellas, and vintage eastern lanterns and decoration to adorn our hall.

I’ve decided to write about my experience at my school’s graduation banquet in hopes of informing and exciting future youths as to the rewards and possible experiences they might become involved in, perhaps inspiring them to graduate and come out of their long journey of learning, participating in an experience, I believe, was filled with memories that I will never forget. Besides, after all those exams, all-nighters, assignments and stress, I’d figured it was time to unwind and take a little to celebrate graduating with my graduating class.

The event was truly a memorable one, as my friends and I were hopelessly the “noisy neighbours” at our table, distracting them from their nice, quiet meal. Initially distraught at only being permitted to sit eight family and friends at a table, we were luckily able to order tables that were in close proximity of my other various friends and their family members as well. The night was a whirlwind of chatter and conversation, as our waiters and waitresses served us a pre-determined meal, by our Grad Committee of: Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Tomatoes and Chickpeas, our Entree as an Oven Roasted Chicken Breast with vegetables and Pesto mashed potatoes, and our dessert as a Cranberry Chocolate Truffle Cake with Passion Fruit Coulis.

However, no one in mind paid the $ 70 tickets for the food, because frankly, besides my table noting the apparent dryness of the whole meal, and overly sweet dessert, many graduates chose to skip the banquet altogether, and opted to eat at other arranged venues, or made other arrangements to celebrate the night. However, in my opinion, the $70 was a small price to pay for the priceless memories of seeking out my classmates sparsely spread out throughout the hall, being delighted surprised at the unexpected individual donning princely or princess-like garments, and enthusiastically taking photos with them, or of them.

To cordially end the formal evening and our dinner, before any dances were initiated onto the dance floor, inspirational speeches and performances were presented to entertain, salute and toast the Pearson gradates of the night.

Provided below are some videos of the night of: an amazing vocal performance and a salute to the graduands of 2010, to allow you to experience Pearson’s amazing night as well!

“”

“”

The exhilarating moment finally came for many graduates of Lester. B. Pearson high school when “walking the stage” would be a reality. The ceremony was momentously held on a late Friday afternoon, 2 pm to be exact, at the University of Calgary, Jack Simpson Gymnasium. Frankly a rather an odd place to graduate, but despite the quaint location, the gymnasium was wonderfully transformed into a regal and formal observance befitting to celebrate the proud completion of our high school journey.

Through a tedious procession, hundreds of Pearson graduates were fitted into brand new red gowns, though the feeling of wearing such ceremonial gowns resembled that of wearing very large curtain drapes- slightly uncomfortable and dragging a bit. However, many of us didn’t mind, as the robes that many graduates donned were associated with pride and happiness, as pressured by conduct, arrived early with friends and family to record the day and our appearances. Our TA teachers, faithfully watching our growth and development, were present to marshal and bear witness our final passage out of high school, as able adults ready to take on the world. Lights flashed excitedly, smiles were worn wear, and organized chaos ensued, as more than 500 graduates gathered together, outside the gym entrances, all anxiously waiting for call time.

Privileged to be a choir member, call time meant for all individuals involved in choir to arrive early, practice our graduation farewell performance in our precedent dressing room, and to breathe. The piece we had chosen to perform is called “Ieligama”, a wonderful African song that called for our choir, without too much difficulty, to move with the beat and to sing our hearts out, for which many of us did.

Concert band played a lovely rendition of “Heart of the City”, a captivating piece that was also accompanied by “March Pontificale” to introduce the graduates, and “Ceremonial Recessional” as our Pearson graduates exited. Both performances would be the last time twelve graduates would ever perform while still with Lester B Pearson High School, and were defintely overwhleming and tearful notions for many.

Otherwise, actual call time meant lining up with one’s TA, instructed to remain (but not surprisingly failing) to remain formally silent, perhaps to allow the eyes of nervous graduates to frantically search the limited white walls that surrounded us, in the mistaken hopes of calming the mind.

Hundreds of spectators, with piercing, but endearing stares met our own deer like stares as we finally filed into the gym, nosily settling into our folding chairs, as similarly, the bleachers creaked in a welcoming response to our sudden appearance.

Our proper procession was a lengthy one- an impressive three hours of simply sitting on flat-folding chairs and clapping for the speeches made and the names called.

The teachers had advise everyone- students, parents, and valued guests- that everyone must wait and clap at the end of each announced Teacher Advisory (TA) group, but this suggestion was jovially dismissed as each individual’s name was honoured with variations and combinations of loud, joyful and exhilarating clapping and shouts.

Following the insightful and inspirational speeches made by various board members, it was the time for many graduates, to walk the stage. Unable to speak for the other graduates, I will simply state what my thoughts were at that very precise moment in time, my thoughts extremely vivid and unimaginably unforgettable. The gym’s immensity disappeared, and narrowed into the small world of just three components: the stage, the principle and my folder. Holding onto one primitive and simple, but unconsciously collective thought was to: get across that stage! Seriously, your friends will claim that they had hollered in excitement and had clapped furiously when your name had been called, but you won’t hear them. At least I didn’t, for I couldn’t hear anyone or anything, it was as if time had stopped in anyone’s world but my own, and my movements became shuffled and slow. I had posed to have a picture taken with my principal, (my poor principal had to hunch to accommodate for my height), I had received a congratulatory folder, and I had shaken the hands of many important figures, but time caught up to me again, with the moment I could hear my own breath, had indicated as such.

A heart warming and quite astute valedictorian speech ended off the ceremony, happily bragging to you, the masses, that I am privileged to have shared the same T.A as our valedictorian did:

My teachers, always the realistic and sensible adults that were now guiding us through the ceremony reminded us, “The ceremony meant nothing until you completed your final exams and diplomas.” Given the privilege to walk the stage, we were not guaranteed our high school diplomas just yet. Many gradates were anxiously anticipating when they would write their Social Studies 30 or English Language Arts 30 diploma, needing to pass both courses to meet the requirements to complete high school.

So congratulation to all high school graduates, Class of 2010! We did it!