Showing posts with label have fun. Show all posts
An Old-School List of Things To Do During Halloween
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| Photo courtesy of: Nick Taylor |
Did you know that over half of the world doesn’t celebrate Halloween? (Well, now, you know!) Of course, that does not mean it is less important than other annual celebrations.
Because the country where I was born does not celebrate Halloween, it was one of the exciting things I had looked forward to when I first came to Canada. I had heard fantastical tales all about the wonders about this festival which gives free, yes FREE, candy to children as long as they dress up. When the day actually came along, I was more than self-conscious about wearing a bright-orange smiling pumpkin (though I was only 11). Of course, there was nothing to be scared about; Halloween is great fun, always spiced with scary stories, regularly filled with autumn treats, and there is never a lack of things to do. Ever year, Vancouver offers various events and activities that enliven the Halloween spirit in the city.
The Fright Nights at Playland is one of the quintessential Halloween events that a typical Vancouverite goes to every year. I think it is overrated, but it is a great experience to have; you get to experience free rides and 7 haunted houses (I strongly suggest the carn-evil), some performances, plus the usually Playland stock. The decorations are amazing, with dressed-up professionals hiding amongst the visitors ready to scare the crap out of you. A word of warning though, line-up can get crazy the closer it is to Halloween (up to 1-2 hour waits for Haunted Houses). But overall it is a memorable experience, definitely worth a try.
There are also haunted houses located all over Vancouver, be it renovated homes, temporary set-ups, or rented community centres--someday we’ll probably start seeing haunted vans roaming the streets! These are great if you like a good scare. A couple of good ones I’ve heard about: the Dunbar Haunted House, the China Town Haunted House, and the Reaper’s Haunted House and Maze.
You can also go old-school and do the neighbourhood trick-or-treat. Just dress-up, ring the doorbell of any decorated house and say the magic words. Try to stay in the suburbs though, as apartments usually don’t hand out candy (some business districts also hand out candy: Yaletown, Metrotown, and parts of downtown.) On a side note, I would like to remind you not to eat any sketchy “candy” that has been opened or is “self made”!
If you are feeling more of the I-just-want-to-stay-at-home vibe, there are still a multitude of fun things to try. For example, I spent an entire Halloween carving pumpkins. They are cheap, they look great pretty much regardless of skill…and if you can’t carve them all, you can eat them! It is also a great time to make…more interestingly shaped foods (‘finger’-biscuits, meringue ghosts, anything pumpkin spiced…) and stretch back to enjoy some cheesy, or really, really, scary (or both) movies.
Really, the possibilities are endless. This fun and scary holiday is not one to miss out on! This week, don't miss out on fun Halloween activities--head outside and discover the wonders of Halloween!
- Selena
YES!: A Jason Mraz Album Review
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| Photo from jasonmraz.com |
I’ve been a listener of Jason Mraz since 2002, when “Sleep All Day” started playing on the radio. Ever since then, I’ve watched him progress from this young, spontaneous, rockstar kind of guy to this now harmonic, spiritual, and easy-going person. Recently, he just released an all-acoustic album, containing 14 tracks of “love” songs. This album is collaborated with Raining Jane, a band he’s made music with for a long time now (“A Beautiful Mess” and a few of Jason’s hit singles were written with the Janes). This album is called: YES!
This summer, I’ve been in long road trips and I tell you, this is a great album to listen to on the road! I know summer is almost over (cries), but it’s still fitting to play the album during a sunny day. The order of the tracks is made so that listening to the whole album is like listening to a love story. The songs itself are all hits! Each song is written to connect to the listener; to put to words how the listener is feeling. I could easily say that half of the songs in the album are my favourite songs of the album! By the way, the word “love” is mentioned in all the songs in this album (and most of his older songs).
According to Jason, he titled the new record “YES!” because “(he) just (wants) it to be simple.” The title is so because the “writing process is all yesses, and that’s the word that made Jason and Jane happen.” One of Jason’s missions is to spread positivity and harmony in his work. What better way to articulate positivity than the word YES? According to Jason, the album is all-acoustic to bring back the coffee shop/busker days, where it all started. And of course, Raining Jane had an impact on the sound of the songs as well.
On October 23, Jason and the Janes will be playing the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Come watch, and feel loved and inspired!
Say YES! to giving the album a listen!
All the yesses (and then some),
- Jose
Summer Activities in Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful city. It is beautiful in autumn, in winter, and in spring. But in the summertime, Vancouver's beauty shines as bright as the summer sun. Since summer is the only time of the year that Vancouverites get more sunny days than rainy ones, it is the time to go out and enjoy the city's beauty. The following is a list of fun things to do to make the most out of your summer in Vancouver.
Watch the Celebration of Light
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| Image source: Jon Rawlinson |
Grouse Grind
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| Image source: Mike Kamermans |
Picnic or Camp by the Lake
Summer is the only time of the year that Vancouverites get to experience more sunny days than rainy ones, so this is the perfect time to go outside and enjoy the sun with the people you love. Take advantage of it by having a picnic with your friends or camping with your family. Greater Vancouver Area is home to a lot of breathtaking lakes which are ideal spots for picnicking, camping, and other fun outdoor activities. If you are not sure which lake to visit, this list might help!
Go to the Beach
Vancouver is blessed to have beaches that are just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. If you find yourself a little bit too overwhelmed by the city life and want to de-stress, enjoying the sun by the beach will help! If you like playing sports, Vancouver beaches also have spaces for badminton, volleyball, Frisbee, and other sports! Check out the Vancouver Parkboard's website to know which beach best matches what you want to do!
Bike Around the Seawall
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| Image Source: Arvin Asadi |
The Fair at the PNE
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| Image Source: Raul Pacheco-Vega |
Attend Free Outdoor Movie Events
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| Image source: Yaletown BIA |
Shop at Night Markets
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| Image Source: GoToVan |
We only have a little over a month of summer left (I know, time flies so fast!), so make the most out of it!
Sean
Some Cheescake?
It’s almost summer
time! What does that mean? The days are longer, and the nights are
shorter. Temperatures are going to rise,
and we’re all going to be on our shirts and shorts. More time to go out!
What’s fun to do
during the summer? There’s this little café my friends and I go to called
Cheesecake Etc. What’s so special about it is that they open at 7:00 pm and
close at 1:00 am. They have a piano and sometimes musicians play on it. But
that’s not the main attraction. This place has the best cheesecakes in town!
They offer a variety of cheesecakes (there’s regular ones, chocolate ones, and
many more) that you can treat yourself too. They also offer a variety of
delicious hot drinks that can accompany your cheesecake. (Check out the menu at their website!)
Did I mention the ambiance of the place
is dim and fancy-like?
Where is it
located? It’s not far from downtown. The café is along Granville and 6th
Ave W. If you have a date and you don’t
know where to go, Cheesecake Etc. is a place to go. If you don’t have a date,
then go with your friends!
Have a nice day!
Jose
What's Up, Vancouver? (May 2014)
Looking for fun things to do this month? Listed below are some fun happenings in Vancouver this May! Click the links to know more about the event:
The Edge Academy Auditions (Theatre Acting Auditions)
May 1, 2014 to June 1, 2014
International Summer Night Market
May 9, 2014 to September 14, 2014
Richmond Night Market
May 16, 2014 to October 13, 2014
GO Fest (Whistler's Great Outdoor Festival)
May 16-19, 2014
Victoria Day at Burnaby Museum
May 19, 2014
Backstreet Boys: In a World Like This Tour
May 20, 2014
Productivityist Mastermind Workshop
May 22, 2014
North Vancouver Night Market
May 23, 2014 to September 2, 2014
Vancouver Comic Arts Festival
May 24-25, 2014
Youth Nerd Poetry Slam (Featuring Duncan Shields)
May 26, 2014
City of Bhangra Festival
May 29, 2014 to June 7, 2014
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
What's Up, Vancouver? (February 2014)
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| Robson Square Ice Skating Rink courtesy of Jason Pier |
Robson Square Public Skating
November 15, 2013 to February 28, 2014
Hot Chocolate Festival
January 18 to February 14, 2014
CBC Toque Sessions - Free Concerts in Vancouver
Thursdays and Fridays from January 23 to February 28, 2014
February 8, 2014
24 Hours of Winter at Grouse Mountain
February 8-9, 2014
BC Family Day at the Vancouver Art Gallery
February 10, 2014
After Hours at Vancouver Aquarium
February 12, 2014
YOUnique Free Youth Conference
February 15, 2014
Youth 4 Action Leadership Clinic: "Beyond the Bin - Strategies, Actions and Inspiration for Zero Waste Schools"
February 15, 2014
2014 Metro Vancouver Sustainability Youth Summit
February 19, 2014
Disclaimer: The events page is for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, we are not affiliated with the hosts and organizers of the events listed on this page.
Giving Back is Good
Currently, my schedule consists of
going to school, volunteering here and there, and simply hanging out with
friends or family. There have been many times where my parents have talked to
me asking when I will look for a job, blah blah blah. I mean, that’s good-
that’s what I must do- I must go get a job and plan for the future. But there’s
something inside me that has a different idea.
When I graduate from
post-secondary (which I hope I do), all I will be doing is work, work, and more
work. So I’ve been thinking, why not have fun and do what I want to do while
I’m not at the working stage yet? I volunteer my time helping those in need of
assistance. I volunteer because I want to, not because I have to. Why? Because
I feel like the world has given me enough, and that I should give back.
Giving back to the community is
good. Sometimes our lives aren’t always about the individual us, sometimes it’s
about the collective us. What does that exactly mean? Your life isn’t always
about you. It’s also about the people around you. There are people living in
the streets, new immigrants struggling to communicate, and others- all things where
we can intervene and help. It feels good to know that your acts help other
people, and make other’s lives better if not easier. On the other side of the
spectrum, knowing that someone is there to help when in need feels good. It
gives life more meaning. It makes living more meaningful.
Just think of a world where every
individual stops being selfish and starts helping each other out. How perfect
of a place would that be! There’s a Coca-Cola commercial that sang “Give a little
love and it all comes back to you. You’re going to be remembered for the things
that you say and do.” I never knew I would look up to an advertisement phrase
before. But these lines are accurate, and you shall try to believe in. The more
we give, the more we get after all, eh?
I invite
you to be active in the community. My New Year’s Resolution is to get involved
and volunteer more. Make it yours too. You can begin by helping others in need
such as helping an old person cross the road, or offer a seat to the elderly
while in transit. You can also volunteer in other places like libraries and
community centres.
Together, we can make the world a better place. Together, we
can make a difference.
Be the change!
Jose
If you are looking for ways to volunteer, do not forget to check the volunteer section under our RESOURCES menu.
