Luis - 9 - Good Looks (Does It Matter)

Good Looks (Does It Matter?).

How do you like other people remember you? What is the first impression that you produce when the other people look at you?

The society impose fashions and  idols on us to follow. We don't have to follow the rules, but, Do you think the look is important?

I think yes, I don't want to sound superficial, but I'm sure that you prefer talking and living with people that look good. Besides, having good looks can help you to feel as part of the society and in many other ways.

In this society which is consumer society, the most important thing that you need to sell is yourself. If you can sell yourself well, the world is open for you.

First, having good looks can help you with self-esteem, when you look good, you feel powerful and with energy, also, you feel more happy, and when other people look at you, you project all those things.

Moreover, having good looks  can help you to have a good job, because, in the interview they can not only see your abilities, also, they can see a complete brand in you. When you are part of a company, you represent the company, So, if the you look goodl, the people think that the company is successful.

Moreover, for the men, the style is the most import  tool you can use to conquer  a woman's heart. When you have good looks, all the women look at you so, don't feel shy.  Let's go and make the transformation. Show the best part of you and dress to kill..

Mayra-11-Wasteful Society

Are we a consumer and wasteful society?

Nowadays, people buy a lot of things that they don’t need. Sometimes we are unaware of what we really need. Moreover, we are a consumer society who is buying things and spending money on clothes and food every day.

For example, when we go to the supermarket and buy a lot of food and things, without paying attention to expiry date and we have to throw them away, it doesn't matter if we ever open a can, a box or a package.

About clothes is the same situation, constantly we are buying clothes for each season of the year, we accumulate clothes, and we don’t wear them, almost all the time we just wear them one time and then we go to buy more, for a simple reason, the brands create false needs for us so that we need to buy their stuff, because we like to be in fashion. But that isn't true, we don’t really need, but we allow them to persuade our mind to spend our money on them.

Actually, our society is being one of the most consumer oriented and wasteful, because we can’t understand that we can spend our money on things that we really need, we only think to buy the most advanced gadgets and expensive brands, because that make us feel good and fashionable. We are immersed in an environment, where the most important factor is buying and throwing our money for getting what we think is the best, without realizing that there are millions of people who really need all that we can appreciate.

Wendy-12-Wasteful society

Are we a wasteful society?

Are we a wasteful society? Yes we are! But, do you know that we have also another surprising ability ?We have become a disposable society. There is a growing tendency that we want to hurry and to take it easy when we're working on something. So, we try to make disposables for our convenience. Now, there are too many overflowing trashes. The problem is we think nothing about that. Look around and realize how serious the situation is. We've reached the point where we need to find the solution. Action will carry some weight more than just words.  

Let's take another view, are we wasteful to ourselves? Of course, YES! It's also shocking that we are.

These days everything is changing continually. So, there are lots of many things which are new! Moreover, Some people want to show  their possessions. For this reason, they usually not only get lots of goods whenever they want, but also throw things away without difficulty. Is that a right choice for us ? In my opinion, they think much of appearance. Appearance is just a shell, it's limited for showing.  

How about our personality? We can make good personality endlessly. Let's take all the possessions away from us. It's perfect in terms of changing.

Jude. 8. Shaped appearance, shaped life

Shaped appearance, shaped life

 Many media such as TV, magazines and newspapers, contain zillions of articles about entertainments; for example, Emma Watson, Taylor swift, Brad Pitt and countless stars, who are surprisingly good looking and you would notice at once, decorate and dominate media and a lot of people follow them. Some worry about this phenomenon because they believe following stars would make people follow vanity and less satisfy themselves. I, however, don't think in that way. Having an idol is a great motivational tool and useful tool that will take you far in life.

      

 Once you look good, you will give a good impression to others. Needless to say, this good impression would be very helpful for you to form good relationships with others. Whether you have good physical appearance in born or have a sense of 'beautying' yourself, that really doesn't matter. Looking good to other doesn't necessarily mean having technical pretty face and body (Well, that would be really glad).

 If you are reading this, then you are already born and nothing about your appearance is changeable. Now what you really need to do is love and care about yourself more. Try to be seen neat, gentle, or beautiful to others. By making an effort to look good and being recognized by others, you will be more confident and diligent.

 In short, people who always keep themselves up to date will go far in their lives. They don't have to have good-looking heritage but necessarily and passionately keep themselves in shape. Keep yourself in shape and build a beauty inside and outside at the same time.

  

Larissa - 6 - Wasteful society

I'm done.

We should be called the disposable society. I can't agree more and my reader should know why. According to a study done by UN (United Nations), 1/3 of the food in the world is wasted or we can say that the rich countries spend the same amount that South Africa can produce.

The study also says that  when we talk about North America and Europe, the numbers show about 100 kilos or 220.462 pounds are wasted by each consumer every year. Isn't that scary?

To make matters worse, do you know how many people don't eat well to be considered healthy?

About 925 million people. Yes, isn't that insane?!! Also a very curious thing that I did not know is that more than  half of these people live in Asia and in the Pacific.

Wow, we should be shocked with all these numbers, but mainly the people would read and say: - Well, there's nothing I can actually do. But I will say: - Yes, there is !!!

First: - Stop wasting food! (Pretty simple, eh?)

Second: - If you have leftovers in your fridge, why dont you donate it to the food bank? It's a place where you can donate food and they feed people who cannot afford to buy anything or who live in the streets.

Let's stop thinking that everything we can do is to put the guilt on the government and say they don't do anything; It is our duty as citizens and people.

As a saying in my country goes: One hand washes the other and both wash the face, it means, if we help each other  we can create the opportunity to live in a place better for everybody.

Mayra-10-2033

Going to 2033…

How will our live be  in 2033? Great question!!! I have never thought about this. What will happen to me? will  I have my own house, husband, and kids …?

So now is time to think about this…

I would like my future life be like a dream, but I'm going to tell you how it will change: In twenty years or more, I will be older and will be an amazing woman who has found her soulmate and got married, when she was twenty seven almost twenty eight with a really awesome man, who was twenty nine, a professional and the man that did the impossible to be with me, this is the first part.

After that, we will be together for the rest of our live forming an adorable family. I would like to have three kids, yes three!!! That is amazing, right??? Actually I would like but I'm thinking about  having less, because if I had three, I wouldn't have enough money to spend it off, that sounds horrible!!! But I would like to have a big family, my kids will be very nice to other people and my husband and I will give them the best.

I would like to work in borders and customs office until my last day, that my husband and my children support me in my decisions and finally I would like to live close to the beach, because I will be living close to my job and I will enjoy to play with my sons and daughter on the beach.

Jude. 7. Only in Korea

Nowhere else but only in Korea

 Nowadays Korea is getting unveiled and showing itself to the world; for example, performing well in many athletic competitions such as Olympic and World cup, and selling Korea-made products everywhere in the world like semi conductors, cell phones, cars, technologies and systems. Most noticeably, Korea is also selling its culture known as 'Hanryu' such as K-drama, K-movie and K-pop. 'Gangnam style' is a good example. However, Korea is still not completely discovered by the rest of the world. That's why I like to answer questions such as 'what is special about Korea?' or 'what are things can be found only in Korea?'
Let me answer those questions.

 First, Age calendar is not the same as any countries. My age in Canada and other countries is 24. Sadly but true, I am 26 in Korean calendar. Let me explain why I am older in Korea. When we are born, we are already considered one year old and when new year comes all Koreans get one more year. So Koreans can have age gaps up to two years compare to other calendars. It is because our ancestors took into account the the lifetime of the baby during pregnancy.

 Another thing is that Koreans do love spicy foods more than any others. There is a restaurant near my house famous for its super spicy cold noodle. When I went there first, I bet that noodle was designed to kill people. I even got angry for eating that but after I went there a few more times, I got addicted and cried and ate at the same time. Many foreigners think that if the food is too spicy then, it would paralyze the tongue so you'll taste nothing. Well, it is partially true but not really. The more spicy the food is, the more it sells in Korea.

 There are countless more things only or almost only in Korea such as 'couple look', tough towel called 'Italy towel', law to respect one's parents, parallel 38 which divides north and south Korea, 12 hour-studying-students and my lovely parents.Come and check what's so special about Korea.
 

Bahar - 1 - 2033

Me in 2033

Daydreaming is one the best things that makes people feel good and positive about the future. We can place ourselves wherever we want no matter how impossible it is. However, the reality is totally different. I have experienced that what we expect or plan never comes completely true.

Some say it is up to us and the way we look at it. In my opinion, planning is not a good idea as we might get disappointed when we face the results.

Of course we shouldn’t be pessimistic about our lives, so I will try to picture myself in 2033, and write about how I want to see myself. Twenty years from now, I see myself at my own hotel which is such a peaceful and nice place. It is by the sea and has a swimming pool. Every morning I am waking up happy and thankful for life and after having breakfast, I am reading the newspaper, getting ready for the day. I see myself taking care of the hotel and talking to the guests. I have two dogs and I am single as usual, surrounded by my good friends instead.

In years, people change their minds, start looking from different perspectives. At the age of 49, I won’t be feeling the way I feel now and the idea of having and managing a hotel will probably seem to be out of question to me. Strangely I cannot see myself in the future in any place other than having something that belongs to me. The city where I live would be by the sea but I have no idea where it is. Everything seems to be blurry to me.

I hope I will be lucky and won’t fail in life. Learning from the mistakes, I will be more mature and wise to   enjoy life.

Luis - 8 - 2023

How I see myself in 10 years

I remember I made that question 10 years ago, and for it was really easy to answer it because I wanted to get a Master degree in University, to travel around the Europe, to see France, Italy and Germany. and finally, I wanted to study English and travel to Canada because I wanted to live there. 

Now, I have done all those things.... Actually I'm in Canada... So, What is my next step?

First, my short time goals when I back to Mexico are looking for a good job. Nowadays, I really feel  confident to be able to find a good job in a very good position in a company. That job, I want to be in a foreign country if possible, or have a relation with a foreign language, because I enjoy not speaking in my mother language with my friends. After that I want to buy a new car, I have always wished a Mazda, So, I think now I can permit myself to buy a car like that. 

But the most important goal in short time is preparing to get a good score in TOEFL, and start with my preparations of Certificate in Project Management.

Besides, my medium range  goals are passing the test of Project Management, and after that I'm want to look for a possibility to get  a Master of Business in a foreign country. While, at the same time, I want to start a real esate business, because we have on  many vacant apartments, so, I want to spread that business and maybe get into constructing buildings.

Finally, my long time goals, I'm want to work in a good job with  conected to technology or have my our business. Also, I want to live in a foreign country and try to visit all my friends that I have met around the world.

denise- unique things of my country

Follow the Culture 

Is it possible to see a man on the street with a wheelbrow which has a big tray of rice&chicken in USA? In Turkey yes it is possible. How about a man with a suitcase full of fake perfume packs? Maybe in China you can, but I'm %100 sure that you can't see a pair of shoes which is Adisas or Noke branded. These are some small street businesses which uniquely belong to Turkey.

 We Turkish behave differently; the process usually starts seriously then we end up with full of love. Especially people who are in late 20's and 30's, like to talk about politics after a couple of drinks. We call this conversation as 'saving the World'. More alcohol make us more creative then we can solve almost every problems of our lovely country. When we become tipsy, we get sensitive. Suddenly we realise that how much we love our family, our co-workers and our friends. Then we start to hug the person that we were drinking with to show our love, it means we're ready to finish the night. If we have had so many drinks, correction, if we have so much love then we may want to hug with other people too. Nobody thinks that this person is weird because it's normal for us. In the same pub you can see different people who have the same acts at the same time.

Turkish people like to have guests. In small cities where there aren't a lot accommodation facilities, foreign people are welcome in local people houses. There were some interviews that I remember, about foreign authors and photographers who were guests in a local person's house, they were saying that these people were so pleased. It's because local people invite foreigners to their houses, it doesn't mean that these people can speak in English and they are rich. Usually it's opposite. In our tradition if somebody needs a place to stay we should treat this person as a 'God's guest'.

Turkish cuisine is one of the richest one in the World. You don't know that fact it's because we don't like advertising. We have some different eating habits. We love olives in breakfast, we put lentil ball on a leaf of lettuce, we spread butter with honey on a slice of a bread and some other things which are founded weird by foreigners.

Different cultures have made our World rich. Instead of envy the most popular one, we should save our own culture.It is the most valuable thing that a person may have.

Larissa - 5 - 2033

2033 - How do i imagine my life ?

I was just thinking with myself today how difficult  those questions are that they ask you in interviews. How do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years...it's really hard to imagine myself in a time so much ahead.


Because, more than ever we concentrate on the present. CARPE DIEM! Enjoy the moment.

 But, if this question was asked I'd say that in the future I'd see myself married with two kids, maybe two boys, Jonah and Joshua. Being a very successful ESL teacher in my own school.

By that time I would have already had a degree in English and also a masters in communication and Iwould have a house here in Canada and one in Brazil. I would have learned Italian, Cantonese, German, Korean, Japanese. And traveled around the world by myself and with my family.

Well, so many things to see and to learn. It's hard to make plans for the next 20 years. Do you imagine how different the world would be from today?
Yeah, I can't imagine that either. But maybe I'll have my own flying car eh?
I just realized that I should be living now so the future can come faster!! Instead of wondering how my life would be, Let's focus on present. See you dear reader in 2033!

Jude. 6. Let others know you love them.

Lose your 'I-love-you-ginity' 

 Mommy and daddy are, needless to say, by far the people I love the most as I am for them. I am a person who expresses my affection quite often and well and all members in my family as well; my mommy and I kissed on the cheek until I came to Canada. My father still plays a joke on my mommy and enjoys seeing her reaction. Also even my brother who looks introverted and calm compared to others in my family, likes cuddling doggies.

 We do believe that love becomes bigger and deeper when we express it and say what we think, right? When it comes to expressing affection between dudes, well, it is kind of awkward to say 'I love you' but I hug and praise and it strengthens the friendship.

 Praise is also a magical tool. Let me tell you of one happening when this magical stuff worked for me. I once had a big fight with my ex-girlfriend and we had no contact for several days. One day, she wanted to meet me and I assumed the moment to break up has finally come. I lied about her new hair style and said it was more beautiful than before. This.. let's not say lie. Thanks to this small praise we started a conversation very smoothly and could get along for a while from then on. 

 Sadly but true, expressing affection is not as common  in Korea as Canada, but that doesn't mean that people in Korea love others less than Canadians do. I like my way to love. Try this way. Say 'I love you.'

Luis - 7 - The Best Gift I Ever Received

The Best Gift I Ever Received

I don't have a doubt that the best gift that you can receive need to have feelings...but, Did you remember what kind of gift you received? If you remember that, Is because I'm sure that you really yearned for the toy. 

In my case, I remember one special Christmas night when I was 8 years old. A that time I had one Brother, and we were really exciting about that night. We wished the same thing from Santa Claus, because we really wanted the same thing. That night We went to bed early.... 

The night passed and in the morning, I tried to wake up as early as I could. When I woke up and saw the  gift I felt super overjoyed, I screamed and I ran to wake up my brother, after we screamed of happiness

Yes, We received our first Nintendo...

So When you are child, You don't think much about feelings,it is important to receive the thing that you really wanted. With the passage of the time, the stuff that you want is more complicated, for example, car, house, money, good job,etc. But some times, Don't you want to go back in time and feel the same when you were a Child?.  So, The lesson is... Buy the stuff that your children want at Christmas, no socks, no clothes please.

Mayra-9- How I express my affection

All my love to my family and friends

How do people express their love to their family and friends? In my case, I really like to show how much I love my family and my friends.  They are so important to me and every moment I remember that they are one of the most amazing things in my life that I’ll never change.

When I'm with my family, I enjoy giving them huge hugs, because it’s one way to show them that I'm so happy when I'm with them, it doesn't matter if we meet every day or every week, the time apart doesn't mean that I don’t miss them.

Actually, I'm so far from my family, but I really like to call my parents and say to them that they are so important to me, that I miss them and I’ll be back soon. I don’t like that they are worried about me. And when I'm with them, I try to spend all my week days with them, I don’t mine if I'm not doing anything, just enjoy being at their side and talk about everything they want to tell me.

 The same feeling is to my real close friends. I'm worried about them and I usually call or send messages to them to have news and know what is happening in their life. Also I like to send messages in the morning to say Good morning!!! and wish them a nice day. I think this one way to show them how special they are to me.

denise- life style differences

Differences

There are so many differences between Turkey and Canada. I can not classify them as positive or negative; they are just the result of different environment and culture.

If you 're a tourist in Vancouver, the only thing that you need is a map. Because of the simple city layout, you can find everywhere easily.There is no doubt about getting lost. Unfortunately in Turkey map doesn't work in the same way. Of course you have to have one but just for a general information. Because of the complex layout of the cities it's hard to find a place that you find easily see on the map. Local people are always ready to help you to find your direction but if you're in Istanbul you have to ask at least 3 people to make sure. It's a big and very complex city where also confusing even for local people.

Drivers are respectful both to each others and to the pedestrians in Vancouver. Although it's green for drivers, they always let pedestrians go. In Turkey it's opposite, pedestrians always have to be careful even it's their turn to pass. I think drivers think that it's because they have a car, they're safe, they can do everything. Because of that reason I'm a big threat for drivers here. They wait for me to pass, at the same time I wait for them. So if I'm on a sidewalk for 5 seconds neither cars nor I move. When driver's run out of patience, they try to tell me to pass with body language then I feel safe and move.

Police officers don't wait in traffic here. I don't see them while sitting in their car and checking traffic and people. When there is a driver who does something wrong, a police car comes from no where and makes that car stop. That's a good system which is going well. In Turkey almost on every busy point in the traffic you can see police officers. It is supposed to make drivers stop breaking the law but doesn't work. Still crazy drivers are the biggest problem in my country.

Whenever I go out with my friends in Turkey it doesn't matter who pays the bill. We know that next time it will be somebody else's turn.It's not a big deal for us. Here in Vancouver I saw people who were calculating the money that each of them have to pay. Sometimes it takes sometime and they have patience to wait for it. If I were one of them i would say 'Guys, please stop calculating.We're friends and there shouldn't be money issue between us.! I'll pay this time, next time you can pay, no worries'

Wendy-11-How do I express my affection to my family

 

How do I express my affection to my family ?

How do I express my tender feeling to my lovely people !

I've been here for almost 5months. It means that I've been staying alone without my family! It is first time to part from them for me . So, I often feel homesickness. I'm always trying to keep in touch with them whenever I can. However, it is such a difficult thing for us because of the difference in time. For example, I can call mom when I can connect Wifi only. Moreover, I always attempt to say "love you guys so much" but when I say love to them.. I'm so so shy but I don't know why. I think that I rarely say that, so that's why I always feel so shy. These days, most parents are working, so families don't have enough time to talk each other. Fathers are always busy at work and come home late at night. They rarely talked to their children and wives. Mothers also worked full-time and scarcely spend much time with families. After that, this situation causes them to have less communication. They also can't express their mind. Now, it's time to make some changes and show lots of love!

Everyone like to hear "love you so much" more than anything. We should express anything we think and we want ! Let's talk to our families sweet whispers of love " you guys are the best gift I've ever gotten". I'm going to say that right now ! :)

Larissa - 4 - How to express my affection to my friends and family?

Love beyond limits.

Love between people is getting more limited. Yes. limited. People are not loving each other anymore for what they are, for their personality, but for their possessions or what they can offer. It's getting more common to see arrangements like: a guy taking care of a girl's bills so they can have a relationship and, of course,  on the other way too.

Not also but people seem to be more selfish and care more about themselves first than to help another person which is in a difficult situation. Nowadays, it's almost normal for a person to feel alone in the middle of a crowd. We think is easier to find a boyfriend/girlfriend, friends now with all technology however I believe that it is much harder to find truth and loyalty within these relationships.

All the time people talk about endless love and then they break up in two weeks. People  used to use the symbol of infinity with  permanent relationships but now they even use for affairs. Nobody is really showing and making an effort to show their true personality. Expressing affection is tacky, caring about the others is something of the past.

Love cannot be shown by the amount of the money you have, the possesions or for your social status. Love is only shown through your acts. I consider real love is when a person that can see your flaws and even still love you unconditionally, usually like parents' love. A person that will say something sometimes that you do not want to listen to but deep down they do not want you to get hurt.

Real love can be felt in the difficulty situations, on the concern from other people to you. On your effort to make them happy, on their effort to make you happy. love without prejudice. love without boundaries.

Mayra-8-Intercultural Relationship

                          Intercultural Relationships can be success???

Some people can be answer "no", but what about people who will answer "yes"??? Everybody knows that have a relationship with a person from another country could be complicated.

There are many differences between each one, such as culture, manners and lifestyle, but nowadays this doesn't matter, people are having relationships day by day. I think this is easy when you and the other person are in the same country sharing a same culture and trying to adapt a new lifestyle, where you both can enjoy  to be together, living a new experiences with mutual friends and everyone will learn from each other.

Having a intercultural relationship brings some problems, when people realize that they have to go back to their countries, when this day arrives they must make a really important decision, and they must choose if they want to keep the relationship, break up or be together in the place where they have been knowing?

Some will decide to keep the relationship knowing that the distance between them could change their mind and maybe someday they will break up, but there are people who take the risk to be with the person who they love. They are willing to leave their countries to stay with the person that make them feel happy. They know that everything will change, they have to adapt a new life with their partner, she or he will respect each other, because everyone has their own personality and they will need time and space to live together and start a new family.

Jude-5-No border under Love

No border under Love

 There are two different persons who were born and raised in different backgrounds for more than two or three decades such as country or even continent, language, food, religious, belief and personality. Can this couple be successful in their relationship so be together for a long time or get married beautifully? For sure! Definitely! Actually, this is more about love itself. Love itself is difficult, isn't it? Even for people who are from same country and share same language, similar culture and surroundings, love is not easy. Before I say why I believe will work out, I would let you know how hard love is in general. 

 What factors can be obstacles in love and when it comes to an international relationships? Money, ready for commitment, house, car... that sort of package? Sadly but true, these which are not romantic but realistic factors are not becoming essential. In addition to these, in intercultural relationships, there are more obstacles that make hard to keep relationship such as difficulty in communication, different belief and customs... far more odds to list than I thought. Among these, one possible big obstacle is absolutely that when one move to another's country.

 Let me tell you about one of my memories from younger ages. I visited Switzerland to see my girl friend and stayed there over three weeks. Everything was going well and was so sweet; we walked along the lake in Zurich, had a cozy dinner in Basel, took a picture together in the old castle in Ticino, visited friends' house, and went to her grandma's house and listened old story from her child hood. Only a tiny thing, nevertheless, that slightly made me slightly hard was when they talked in German. Since people I met there were all nice and respectful people they usually tried to speak in English but occasionally, they couldn't. I did not understand at all. What if they talk in German all the time forever? OMG..

 Yet, that was the only a few problems I could find. 

Luis - 6 - Intercultural Relationships.

3 Tips To Conquer The Girl In Vancouver

First I want to be honest, the international relations can have two both of side, one of the side is really awesome and exciting. On the other hand, It can be difficult and maybe is the suicide. But I'm sure that you don't care about that warning, so, we can enter in matter.

In my case, I'm a Men and when I arrived to Canada, I have never thought that the Koreans and Japaneses are really beautiful, and I don't want to mention of the Brazil and North of Europe, they are out of this world.
When you see those girl, is very easy to fall in love in the first sight. The first idea that you have is, "Those girls are impossible for my", How do you think I can have a relation with those girls?.


The first step that you need to do is, overcome the fear. You need to speak with the girl, the most common world actually is Hello, because all know English. So you say "Hello". Go ahead Boy!! Is sure that when you say "Hello", the girl answer with "Hello". Don't be shinny, you need to arrive sure of your personality.

Second,try to speak in English, but in case that not result, try to explain with mimic or drawing, remember that the important is make smile the girl, all the girls find attractive the man's when they are sympathetic.

finally, ask for out when you have the best opportunity, the best opportunity is when you are alone. I recommend you a good place and cheaper that you can go. For example, Stanley Park, there you can wait for the sunset,  English Bay or Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge.