Homemade Holiday Treats!
Hi Everyone! Christmas is fast approaching!
I found some Christmas themed videos from YouTube and I think that they're really cute and awesome, so I wanted to share one with you guys!
I know a lot of you are planning to cook or make some homemade foods over the holidays, so I'm sharing Bethany Mota's "Easy & Yummy DIY Holiday Treat Recipes"!
-Bam
I know a lot of you are planning to cook or make some homemade foods over the holidays, so I'm sharing Bethany Mota's "Easy & Yummy DIY Holiday Treat Recipes"!
-Bam
My Christmas Jam
Hello fellow Homo sapiens! I, a self-proclaimed person who has a good taste in music, want to share my Christmas playlist!
These are
the songs that I play when it’s December or at the Christmas dinner (That’s
right, I’m the DJ in the house). It is a
mixture of different genres: from up-beat to classic and of course to blues
#foreveralone
Did I just
use a hash tag? Anyways, let’s get to the playlist. In no particular order of
favoritism, here it goes:
10. Rockin’
around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
No one can
resist this classic song. And thanks to the commercial of JOE, this song is
stuck in my head. It is catchy and we know what catchy songs do to us...
ROCKIN’ around the Christmas tree...the bathroom, the kitchen and even on the
sidewalk.
9. The
Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) by Nat King Cole
Aaah ... Nat
King Cole. His Christmas songs are the ones that make you want to sit on a sofa
with all lights dimmed, have a coffee and be nostalgic about life. Play this
song if you have your grandparents in the house...they’ll love it.
8. Have Yourself a Merry little Christmas by Frank Sinatra
Like fellow
Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra is one of the best crooners of not just Christmas
but of all time. Can you imagine how sad this song really sounds? Just read the
title. Anyways, there are covers of this song which I really like such as
Christina Aguilera’s and Judy Garland’s
7. All I
Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
I’m pretty
sure that this is one of the songs that never get old during Christmas. It will
be impossible not to hear this song in December, whether in the mall or in your
own house. I memorized the lyrics not
because I intended to but, because it’s ridiculously overplayed (Admit it. It goes
the same for you). Nevertheless, this up-beat song surely brings out the merry
in Christmas.
6. Silent
Night by Boyz II Men
The definition of acapella. The classic
Silent night is covered by many artists but one thing that remains is its
solemn essence. I like this song a lot because it just shuts up all the noise
in the world (Pun not intended) you know, when you play it, it lurks in the air
and turn everything into a melody to soothe your ear.
5. Baby It’s
Cold Outside by Joseph Gordon Levitt and Lady Gaga
WHAT? This
exists? Yes! I just found out today as well. I was looking for Zoey and Will’s
version but this showed up. After I played it, sorry folks, but this is now my
favourite version. It is adorable how they switching the role making the boy
who wants to go because of fear his parents might scold him!
4. Little
Drummer Boy by Harry Simeone Chorale
Let’s admit
it, we don’t really know the other lyrics to this song aside from the RA-PU-PUM-PUM
bit. No? Okay it’s just me then. This one is probably one of my favourite
Christmas songs sung by a chorale. And thanks to Peter Griffin for staining the
memory of this song (If you don’t know what I’m saying google Family Guy’s
version of this song)
3. Santa
Claus Is Coming To Town by Bruce Springsteen
OH you
better watch out you better not cry! You better not pout I’m telling you why,
Santa Claus is coming to town. 1) You sang this while reading it and 2) This is
mostly the part where you know the lyrics. I LOVE this song. It has the u-beat rhythm that makes you sing
along no matter where you are or even if you’re sad. (‘Cause Santa is coming
;))
2. Ave Maria
I did not
put any artist because there are a lot of varieties of Ave Maria (Personally, I
like Pavarotti’s) This song is played in a lot of occasions Christmas, funerals
or even weddings. Nevertheless, Hail the Holy Mother Mary.
1. O Holy
Night by Christina Aguilera
I know I
said this list is in no order of favoritism but, this one has to occupy the
first place. Fall on your knees indeed, this song gives goose bumps. Regardless of who the singer is, I love this
song or should I say poem. This truly captures the soul of Christmas. Everyone
is united and adores the Holy Night.
So that’s
it! I tried to make it even with blues, classic and up-beat! Hope you enjoyed
the list!
Happy
Holidays everybody!
-Anonymeh
“Geronimo”
- The Doctor
Slowly Floating Snow Flakes
 |
| (Photo by David Joyce) |
Back home in the Philippines,
there are only two seasons: the sunny and the rainy season. Here in Canada,
there are four: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. As of December 21, seasons
change from fall to winter. And let me tell you, winter could go good or bad.
Only here in Canada have I
experienced snow. When I first encountered it, I felt like a little kid opening
presents during Christmas day. I rejoiced for many days. I built snowmen and
igloos, and even fought friends during snowball fights. (Gosh, I miss those
days.) For those who have not been drizzled with yet, falling snow is
delightful. When it slowly floats around, it is enlightening. The skies turn
brown, and everything is illuminated. Sometimes, snow precipitation gets really
strong- that’s when I enjoy it the most because it gets powerful.
During the winter season, it is
fun to go up in the mountains and experience the winter sports. There are
activities for funsies such as snow-tubing and snow shoeing. There are also
other activities that require more effort and practice: skiing and
snowboarding. Make sure to try them out while the snow is fresh!
Although the snowfall could be
fascinating, it also brings hazards to the people. Of course when the snow goes
down, it piles up in the ground. When there’s a lot of snow in the roads, it
gets pretty slippery and dangerous (especially when added with rain). When the
snow precipitation is mixed with rain, it is called “slush” which is the most
annoying and dangerous. However unlike other Canadian cities, Vancouver’s
snowfall is not a whole lot. The most consecutive days that it would snow is
probably around three days.
Winter is just around the corner,
so you better be ready for it. Wear a good amount of clothing to protect
yourself from the cold and the rain. Vancouver weather is unpredictable, so
bring an umbrella around. Enjoy the snow as much as you can, but take extra care!
Stay toasty,
friend.
- Jose
Being a 'CS'
 |
| (Source) |
Have you heard about the
term CS in your school before?
You might notice that sometimes there’s a
student in your class who just sits at your teacher’s desk, marking some
papers, doing something on the computer or just organizing some of your
teacher’s files. When I was still new in Canada, I was really curious why
he/she didn’t do any work or project that the teacher assigned, so I asked my
friend and she said, “Oh! That’s a CS.” Since
then, the idea of a CS has made me curious. So I tried being a CS this year. I
have a free block (which means I have a period on a day where I do not have any
class), so many people advised me to take CS. I think it is a very good
opportunity for me.
What is a CS?
CS stands for Community
Service. In some schools, it might be called a “service block”. In high school,
it is usually associated with two meanings. CS can refer to the Community
Service class itself, which is a period in your timetable that requires you to
help or give “service” to someone. CS is also the term used to refer to people
who are in taking that class, volunteering to help a teacher or any staff at
the school.
What does a CS have to do?
A CS has to help teacher
from what she/he assigns. Sometimes, CS might have to find information from the
internet, check student’s homework, or type the assignments. (depends on who is
the teacher you are CS for)
Benefit of being a CS?
You will have free blocks!!
Yeahh!… just kidding. It actually depends on the teacher. For me, it is not
actually a free block. My teacher usually gives me some work to do. However, she
is really nice and she assigns easy tasks, which is why I regularly have free
time during that period. Another beneficial thing is that you can receive
credits for being a CS, too. The credits are the same as the ones you get for your electives. Being a CS is really worth it because you get to help others, get graduation credits for yourself, and do something interesting outside of your own home works/projects/quizzes!
How can you become a CS?
Well… My friend told me that
you have to be in grade 11 or 12 first. For the international students, you
have to be in grade 12, so you can take CS. I am not pretty sure about this, it
might depend on the rules of your school. Also, you have to have a free block
so that you have time allotted for helping someone (usually a teacher).
Probably the hardest step to becoming a CS is finding a teacher that you want
to help. This is really hard because usually, the teacher that you want to help
is going to be chosen by other students who are taking Community Service.
Chances are your favorite teacher has already been chosen by somebody else. But
after you select a teacher that you want to help out, you have to get the form
from the counselor’s room and fill in the form.
I definitely recommend
signing up for Community Service!
-Bam
A Teenager Finally Finds His Voice
As youth, it is important to let the world hear our voice. Oftentimes, however, finding our voice is not that easy. Many factors may hinder us from speaking out. In the case of Musharaf "Mushy" Asghar, his impairment prevented him from speaking out. His impairment not only made the process of speaking out difficult for him, but it also gave bullies a chance to tease him. In this video, we learn how important it is to recognize that everybody experiences different types of difficulty, and that bullying will not make anyone's difficulty easier. Thankfully, Mushy's teachers never stopped supporting and encouraging him. Watch him bring his classmates to tears as he find his voice:
Because of his strong will, determination, and the support of his teachers, Mushy was able to overcome his impairment, and his classmates were able to hear him speak out for the first time. This video reminds all of us, youth immigrants, that even though there may be factors (such as language issues and/or an environment that's entirely different from our country of origin) that make it difficult for us to speak out, it is never impossible to find our voice.
- Sean
Sweater Weather?
When one tries to
small-talk with another, the first topic to talk about that comes to mind is
the weather.
The weather in Vancouver is unpredictable, and sometimes bi-polar.
From where I came from, there were only two seasons: the rainy season and the sunny season. But here in North America, there are four: winter, spring, summer, and autumn/fall!
Currently, we are in the autumn season, where the leaves start to yellow and fall. This is the season when it begins to get cold and frosty. In December 21st, winter begins!
So what is it about the Vancouver weather? A Vancouverite must know the infamous moniker named to the city- RainCouver. The name says it all; it almost always rains in Vancouver.
Do not be fooled if it's sunny in the morning and haven't checked "The Weather Network" yet. It could potentially rain! There have been many days when the sun was shining up high, the sky cloudless. Then a few hours later, it starts raining like cats and dogs. Also through past experiences, most of the time if it's sunny, it's cold. On the other hand, if it rains, it's not as cold.
Of course, the statements said here are not scientifically proven but are from experiences of my peers and mine. This coming winter, make sure to bring an umbrella with you at all times unless it's certain that there would be sunshine.
When the rain and the cold come, just remember to keep calm and cozy!
Have a grand day. Jose
The weather in Vancouver is unpredictable, and sometimes bi-polar.
From where I came from, there were only two seasons: the rainy season and the sunny season. But here in North America, there are four: winter, spring, summer, and autumn/fall!
Currently, we are in the autumn season, where the leaves start to yellow and fall. This is the season when it begins to get cold and frosty. In December 21st, winter begins!
So what is it about the Vancouver weather? A Vancouverite must know the infamous moniker named to the city- RainCouver. The name says it all; it almost always rains in Vancouver.
Do not be fooled if it's sunny in the morning and haven't checked "The Weather Network" yet. It could potentially rain! There have been many days when the sun was shining up high, the sky cloudless. Then a few hours later, it starts raining like cats and dogs. Also through past experiences, most of the time if it's sunny, it's cold. On the other hand, if it rains, it's not as cold.
Of course, the statements said here are not scientifically proven but are from experiences of my peers and mine. This coming winter, make sure to bring an umbrella with you at all times unless it's certain that there would be sunshine.
When the rain and the cold come, just remember to keep calm and cozy!
Have a grand day. Jose
A Place to Call Home
the noise of the
turbines,
the abundance of
x-ray machines,
the chatter of people
some with tears, some
without;
they start to get to
me.
I walk.
left.
right.
while pulling this
bag of mine, I think:
this is it. I’m
leaving home.
it starts getting in
to me.
this is it, I’m
leaving home
in hopes of finding a
better place
to call home.
- Jose
How I Met My Best Friends
(This is a post about my first day
of school in Canada and how I met my best friends.)
It all started when I was still waiting for the result of my assessment examinations. One morning during the first week of my school here in Canada, I got a call from my mom. She told me to dress up within 15 minutes! She said that we have to go to the school. I was really hurried because I didn’t even prepare myself. When we arrived to school, my counselor came to talk to us. He also introduced me to another new student. He is Japanese and also my first friend at the school! The counselor said that we had to start school the day the day after. On the next day, I was really nervous because I didn’t know anyone. I went to the counselor’s room and waited for the bell. After the bell rang, my counselor took me to the first class. When we got to the classroom, we were shocked to see an empty room. My counselor and I were like “where are they”? So my counselor asked the student that just passed by….. and guess what he told us? My classmates and teacher were all at the garden!! That meant I had to help them planting and cleaning up the school instead of English class.... which was interesting!
Regarding my best friends, I didn’t really have friends for the first class because most of them were ESL students who rarely talked to me because of language barrier. Luckily, in my dance class (on the same day), I met a person from the same country as me! So she brought me to eat lunch with her and her friends. I was really happy and thankful for her for bringing me to this group. I am so happy to know that we have lots of things in common and yes.. they are my best friends now!
5 Stages You'll Go Through When Adjusting To Your Life As a Youth Immigrant
1)
Early excitement
At this stage, you are very
excited about a lot of things. That’s normal. You are new to this country, so
you try to imagine all the amazing possibilities that can happen to you in this
new place. You think about the new friends you will make, the new places you will visit, and the different type of freedom you will experience in this country. For those of
you who moved from a tropical country, you might be excited about winter
and/or the snow. (I must admit I was at the beginning!) Then come winter, you'll be disappointed to find out that the snow melts so fast because of rain.
2)
Shock and longing
At this stage, you realize that moving from
one place to another is not that easy, especially if this is your first time
doing so. After being excited for the first few weeks, you now feel
overwhelmed. You now know that your life here will never be the same as your
life in your motherland. You realize that it will take a lot of time before you
build friendships as meaningful as the ones you have made in your home country.
You start to miss your best friends and relatives back “home”. Feeling like you
can’t cope up with the changes that are fazing you, you constantly debate with yourself trying to figure out whether
moving here is the right choice or not. Tears may or may not be part of this
stage.
3)
Gradual adaptation
After being overwhelmed with your new
surroundings, you now realize that there’s no better person to help you with
your adjustment but yourself. You now start making friends with people who
understand you and whom you understand. You slowly let go of your fears. You
begin trying out new things, becoming involved in your community, and exploring
the city you’re in.
4)
Optimism and renewed excitement
After letting your guard down, excitement
starts to fill your mind and heart again. You are once again excited about the
numerous opportunities that this country offers. You start discovering your potential, which empowers you to remain involved in your school or community.
You now regularly hang out with your newfound friends, and you enjoy their
company a lot. Waking up for school is now less dreadful than it was during the first month of school. Now, you look forward to living a new exciting life
in this country—as a student and as a youth.
5)
Continuous swim between the currents of two (or
more) cultures
You are now well adjusted to your life in
this country, but that does not mean that there will not be times when you will
suddenly miss your motherland again. Every now and then, you think
about what your life could have turned out to be if you did not emigrate your
home country at all. You will constantly ask yourself where your true “home”
is. Oftentimes, there will be no clear answer. That is okay, because here’s the
truth: the country that you left, and the country that you are now in are, in
one way or another, both your homes now. Do not worry about being confused as
to where your true loyalty lies. Even though you now are having a blast in this
country, you will still long for some memories that you created in your native
country. You can never entirely abandon your love for either country. So
there’s no point debating where your true home is. Just remind yourself of how
blessed you are to have two places that you can call home--not everyone is
given that chance.
- Sean
- Sean
What I Will Tell You
As I sit in front of my computer and stare at the
blank document with that annoying cursor that is continuously blinking in front
of me, I wonder and wander what to write and share to the rest of the world. But
mostly, I am thinking about what I will tell you.
You see,
there are a lot of things that I want to tell you. But I don’t know where to
start and how exactly I am going to tell you. I want to say it in a way that
you will understand –maybe not today but someday. Someday when you finally figure out how to
navigate your way into this place you now call home. Into the life that you are
unfamiliar with but will later call your own. Someday when that frown and
confusion will turn into smile and realization. Someday when you are the one
sitting in front of the computer and thinking about what you will tell them.
If I am
going to tell you something, it might sound like this.
I will tell
you that it is okay to be nervous on your first day of school. It is okay to
feel that heart pounding against your chest. Take a deep breath. Close your
eyes. And remember, that you are not first person that felt that way. And if
they survived their first day – you will, too!
I will tell
you not to feel awkward and perhaps a little embarrassed about your accent. It
will always be a part of who you were, who you are and who you will be in the
future. It will always be a reminder of a place you once called home, a part of
your identity and something that makes you even more special.
I will tell
you that as you adapt into the new ways of living in your new home, you may or
may not have a lot of questions about your identity. You may question who you
will give your loyalty to. You may or may not question where you stand and
where you really want to be. So I will tell you, you don’t have to choose. You
can have the best of both worlds. You can love both without being guilty. You
can love your home country and your new home at the same time. No one will take
that away from you because that will always be a part of you.
I will tell
you that as time passes by, you will have a lot of experiences –good and bad.
So the best thing that you can do is take something from it, learn from it and
use what you have learned as you move forward.
I will tell
you, that someday, you are going to look back and realize how far you are from
where you started. And you may be confused right now, but I will tell you, it
gets better.
But the
most important thing that I will tell you is that it is always up to you. No
matter what I say or what other people will say, it is up to you to make the
best of everything around you. It is you and only you that will decide what to
make of and do with what you have. It is up to you to paint the world as you
see it fit. It is up to you to decide where you want to be and who you want to
be. It is up to you to become the best version of yourself and embrace the
experiences you will have along the way. It is you who can tell what you can
and what you cannot do.
As I look
up and read what I have written – or typed, I realized that I have a lot more
things to tell you. But if I will tell you something, it will definitely sound
like this.
- Janine
- Janine
