Archive for March 2014
TED Talks Tuesdays: My Immigration Story
Today’s Ted
Talk Tuesday is about the immigration story of Tan Le. Tan Le’s talk grabbed my
attention because of her puzzle pieces analogy. She compared each of her family
members and her immigration adventures to a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Her
story, she said, is not yet finished; it is a one big puzzle that is still
being put together.
What
captivated me the most from her story was how her mother worked two jobs whilst
getting a college degree. I can personally relate to this. Ever since I moved
here to Canada with my family, my mother has always protected and nurtured us. During
my first few days here, it was like being a child again; I had to rely heavily
on my parents. Looking back, I actually think it was a good thing for it strengthened my bond with my parents.
Going back
to Tan Le’s story, she shared their journey to Australia where they had to hide
in a concealed boat to escape her mother’s cruel
life. Her mother brought poison with her, which they were ready to drink
in case their boat got caught. I cannot
possibly imagine myself having the same courage that she had—the courage of
walking in a thin thread, to be ready to jump off a cliff when the situation
begs it.
Tan Le ended
her story by revealing the last piece of her puzzle. As she stabled her life and finished her law
degree, she realized that she could not get a career in law. She thought that
there had to be another piece. Soon enough, she found it. And that is, the realization that is okay to be
an outsider, a recent arrival, new on the scene. She says that it's even “something to be thankful for” because “being an insider can so
easily mean collapsing the horizons, can so easily mean accepting the
presumptions of your province”. Sometimes, it is better when we are in a strange
place. It gives us the chance to grow, be braver and be smarter.
Favourite quote from the talk: “I have stepped outside my comfort zone enough now to know that, yes,
the world does fall apart, but not in the way that you fear.”
10 Vancouver-Based Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
It cannot be denied that social media has been changing the world in many ways. It has changed our way of communicating, way of learning, and view of the world. According to a recent research, the fastest growing social media platform in the world is Instagram. Because I always see people on transit, at school, and in malls scrolling through their Instagram feed, I have no trouble believing this.
Since social media is an effective source of information and it is popular especially among youth, I have decided to make a list of Instagram accounts that I think would be helpful to new youth immigrants in Vancouver. So if you are on Instagram and want to learn more about Vancouver, here are ten Vancouver-based Instagram accounts that are worth following:
1) Vancouver Aquarium (@vanaqua)
Vancouver Aquarium is the largest and most popular aquarium in Vancouver. Whoever handles their Instagram account is a genius because each post makes you love and care for aquatic animals -- regardless of whether you are an animal lover or not.
2) Vancouver Is Awesome (@viawesome)
Each day, this account features a photo taken by Vancouver residents and tourists. Browse through its posts and you'll immediately see the photos that make Vancouver awesome, which were taken by different people at different places during different times of the day!
3) Vancouver 4 Life (@Vancouver4Life)
Vancouver 4 Life posts photos of Vancouver events, stores, food, public places, and nature that are sure to make you fall in love with the city. The account perfectly captures the lifestyle of Vancouverites.
4) Chris Bruntlett (@cbruntlett)
Chris's account shows Vancouver's beauty from different angles, under various weather conditions, and at different times of the day.
5) 604now (@604now)
Follow this account if you want to catch the latest updates on Vancouver news, events, and entertainment scene!
6) Vancouver Coffee (@vancoffee)
Love coffee? @vancoffee features different specialties of various local Vancouver coffee shops. Follow this account and discover your next favourite drink!
7) Vancouver Park Board (@vanparkboard)
If you want to do some recreational activities, or are looking for great hangout spots with your friends, follow @vanparkboard.
8) Vancouver Foodster (@vanfoodster)
@vanfoodster is handled by Richard Wolak, the founder of vancouverfoodster.com. If you are looking to find your next favourite food and/or Vancouver restaurant, this account is for you!
9) StreetCheek (@streetcheek)
Curious about the latest fashion trends and most popular fashion choices of Vancouverites? Don't fret, @streetcheek has you covered.
10) Dreamin' On Transit (@dreaminontransit)
If you are going to follow only one of the ten Instagram accounts that I have listed here, follow @dreaminontransit. This account takes photos of all the people taking a nap on Vancouver transit. You better make sure you look presentable when you sleep on transit!
Sean
What's Up, Vancouver? (March 2014)
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| Roundhouse Community Centre |
Looking for fun things to do this month? Listed below are some of the biggest happenings in Vancouver this March! Click the links to know more about the event:
Baker's Market
March 2 and 9, 2014
Gateway Theatre Presents Drear and Izzy
March 5-15, 2014
Workout to Conquer Cancer
March 8, 2014
Vancouver's Celebration of International Women's Day at the Roundhouse Community Centre
March 8, 2014
Good Day Sunshine: An Afternoon of Groovy Folk, Pop, and Intercultural Music
March 9, 2014
Think Global, Link Local (Networking Breakfast)
March 14, 2014
LEAP (Learning Early About Playwriting) 2014 Festival
March 15-23, 2014
TED2014 Vancouver
March 17-21, 2014
The Art Of Marketing Vancouver
March 19, 2014
Youth Poetry Slam Finals featuring Britta B
March 21, 2014
Shane Koyczan at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
March 26, 2014
Next Generation Digital Storytelling Conference
March 27, 2014
The Friends of Chamber Music: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
March 25, 2014
China Talk and Dim Sum with John Atkin
March 30, 2014
TED Talks Tuesdays: My Escape From North Korea
Today's TED Talk is by Hyeonseo Lee, who was born in North Korea. When she was younger, she thought that her country "was the best in the world". However, when she was 14, there was a period of terrible famine in North Korea. To survive, she escaped to China to be in company of her distant relatives.
There, her life was put to danger when she was brought by the Chinese police to a station for interrogation. Since North Korean refugees are considered in China as illegal migrants, she was very close to being imprisoned or repatriated. Thankfully, she was able to answer all the questions calmly and was let go. The years that followed were spent covering her real identity from the Chinese officials. After 10 years of doing this, she decided to take another risk by going to Seoul, South Korea.
There, she greatly struggled to adjust with her new life, confessing that she even experienced identity crisis. As she was trying to cope up with her life in Seoul, she received a call saying that the North Korean authorities intercepted the money that she had sent to her family. You won't believe what happened next..
Watch Hyeonseo Lee tell her riveting story about escape that inspires hope, bravery, and persistence:
