Olivia-7-Vancouver Homeless people

The facts of Vancouver homeless people

 Perhaps your will be surprised when you come to Vancouver, because there are a lot of homeless people in the streets. It was also shocking  for me, and I wondered why there are so many homeless people who ask money or changes from pedestrians to get something to eat . I  heard some  facts about them; Why there are lots of homelessness in Vancouver.

 

 First, the reason why we can find homeless people in the streets easily is that Vancouver is the warmest city in Canada. Canada is very cold in winter so it is impossible to sleep outside in winter except Vancouver.  Every winter many homeless people die when they are sleeping in the streets in cities like Toronto.

                                  

 In addition, I wondered why the beggars where asking for money instead of working and making money. I thought they are lazy and I couldn’t understand why they don’t work even though they look  young and healthy enough to working. I found out the reasons soon. Most of these people are having psychological, problems and ,depression is very common. When I heard the reasons, I felt sorry for them.

The last thing that was surprising to me was the government’s support. The Canada government helps them with some amount of money which when they are working to the homeless people. However I think this is not a good way to help them. I guess this reason also make them not to work, they don’t have to work for their keep. I think it is better help for them that supporting their mental treatment and offering fit job for them.

It is better teaching how to fish than giving a fish.

I realized again that I should not criticize or judge by appearances without precise information. In addition, I feel sorry for them and  I want them to find a solution which can help them to live  like other people.

Wendy-7-Vancouver Homeless

Where are our taxes going to ?  

There are lots of homeless people in Vancouver. Especially, in the winter season. Because it is warmer than other cities. Every time I go downtown it seems they are there. When I came to Vancouver first, I was really surprised when I saw them asking for money,taking drugs and being drunk. Beggars are also common in Korea ,but they don't ask for money. I heard that Vancouver government policy offer some money to them for living. You know, Vancouver prices are among the highest in the world, such as charging taxes. Some of the taxes are also used for them. Moreover, If they have dogs, they're going to get more money than others. When I heard this, I was shocked. I thought that many people complain about a heavy burden of taxes because of homelessness!! I thought “They probably can make more money than I do.” So, I couldn't help thinking that they are too lazy and don't have challenges in life, because they can get money easily even if they do not work as other people. So, I've never been giving money to them. I usually get on skytrain at Granville station. When I go there, I usually see a homeless who opens the door with sign " Give money, Beer". So, I always use another door.


One day, I took a speaking class for free. Topic was thinking of homeless, so I said my opinion.
However, teacher told me that I should not have said that, because it's a very serious issue, I should not have concluded that laziness is a problem. In Vancouver, people are also really sensitive to the problem of homelessness. But on the other hand, when you see panhandlers smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, or doing drugs, you have to wonder if your spare change is even going to help them for the better. I think “They’ll just spend it on drugs or alcohol;giving money only encourages more beggars and doesn’t solve anything.”
If I meet them again anywhere, I would rather give some food than give money.

   

" Do you want to give money to lazy grasshoppers still ? "

Denise- living alone or with a roommate

                        Don’t Leave Me Alone, Just Give Me Some Privacy!

Preference to live whether alone or with a roommate depends on the person’s personality. There are some people who can not sleep alone, like my sister. But also there are some people who can easily wake up by
quiet footsteps, like me. This is the most important reason that I prefer to live alone.

When I moved to Istanbul, I rented an apartment with a person who was introduced to me by one of my close friends. We had not met before but we both needed a roommate at that time. Istanbul is an expensive city so it was nice to have somebody who can share all the apartments’ expenses with you. All positive thoughts about the idea of having a roommate were changed in a day. When I saw the mess in the kitchen after she cooked
and heard the noise she made on our first night, I knew that we’re not going to have a long history together.

I was planning to move as soon as possible.That’s why I was trying to save some money which took 3 months. In this period we had arguments about cleaning the house. I think it’s the most common reason of falling apart
with the roommates. She was such an untidy person and I felt sick and tired seeing her stuff in all over in the apartment. In addition to that she never cared about the rule ‘clean the bath tub after yourself’.

 If you have a roommate you always have to consider that person’s comfort. Unfortunately she didn’t care
about this aspect. Whenever she had some friends, I left the house or just stayed in my room to give them some space. My roommate wasn’t a social person so she was spending most of her time at home. When my friends came to visit me, she was sitting with us while staring at us in a weird way. She didn't let us talk about our private things. Because of  these weird attitudes I couldn’t invite my friends to my apartment as much as I wanted.

It’s ironic, but I also don’t like being alone. Yes, I prefer to live alone it’s because I want to have a party whenever I want! So, my dream is leaving in a beautiful apartment alone and being with my friends in comfort. I don't need to be alone, I just need my own private space whenever needed.

Olivia- #7- Good Bye 2012

Good Bye 2012 And Welcome 2013!

 In the last year, 2012, there were lots of changes and experiences for me.

First of all, the best thing and worst one are that I came to Vancouver!!

 On the first day of 2012, I promised that I would be  a more independent person and I thought how I can change my attitude. However I couldn’t change  until July when I decided to go to abroad. However, when I decided that many people  were worried and expected I might not go to Canada or come back to Korea early, but I have been here ever since!!  Of course, the decision was a huge and challenging decision for me, because before I came here I was very dependent on  people around me; parents, sister, teachers and friends and asked  them everything and I couldn’t do things by  myself.  This decision was needed  and it has made me grow more independent.

 However, I also regret coming to Canada impulsively in some ways because  I came to Vancouver without planning. I decided to come here only one month  before I left and then it was  final exam period, so I didn’t have preparatory period and exact plan. Therefore, the first and second months in here were very hard time for me, I had terrible stress and I couldn’t adapt to a different environment easily!!

Therefore I have sometimes thought that if I had come to Vancouver with enough time to prepare and study, I could have focused on studying more and improve my English better.  If I have a chance like this later, I will prepare thoroughly so I will never waste time and opportunity.

The 2012 made me  grow more and gave me a big lesson.
Good bye 2012 thanks to your teaching, I will never make the same mistakes!!!

Wendy-6-Good Bye 2012

Everything Would Be READY !

I had lots of experiences in 2012 and the time passed quickly. I graduated from University in January. After that, I was looking forward to getting a job, but I couldn't get a job. I tried to do that many times,

but I didn't get through the report on lots of companies. Because, I didn't prepare anything for a job such as certificates of qualification. I'd just wasted the time as enjoying with friends but, I didn't give up for getting a job and I kept going on studying. Fortunately, I had the chance of working in a company which sells liquor to people and manages the factory. So, I worked there for 3 months. Besides,

I had a job offer from the same company but I didn't accept it, because the work didn't fit me. Also, my parents  told me that if I wanted to come to Vancouver to study English. So, I decided to do that,

I thought that it would be a very good chance for me. Also, I realized that I had some trouble because

I always didn't prepare everyting. I decided not to put off evertything in  life.

 

Besides, as time goes by, I felt that I've missed most of people whose just met for a moment even some moments. I should never forget them who passed in 2012. And I should prepare everything which is useful to me. That could be a resolution for me all for this new year.

Elaine-13-Good Bye 2012

2012 - The year that people thought the world would end

Did you really think that the world would end last year? Did this fact change your behaviour? 

I am going to tell you some stories of people who thought that the end of the world was close and did unexpected things:  

1) A daughter-in-law who hated her mother-in-law - She was planning to kill her mother-in-law just to have the feeling of not having "that witch" in her life at least for half a year. But she didn't want to go to the jail in the last 6 months left of her life... So, she looked for a man who makes poisons. He prepared a poison and said: put this powder in her meal every day, but you need to treat her well, then people wouldn't accuse you of killing her. So, she got home and did exactly what the man had said. And every day she'd prepare her mother-in-law's meal and served her, trying to pretend that things were good. Her mother-in-law was appreciating her attitude and started to treat her better too. They started to get along well... and after a month she went back to the man and said: I don't want her to die anymore! Please, do you have any anti-poison? The man said: I knew that it'd happen. Don't worry, that wasn't a poison. It was just some vitamins for her better health. The woman was so relieved! Well, the world didn't end, but at least now they are friends!

2) A future criminal - A guy decided to steal everything he wanted and coulnd't afford. Then he would be able to enjoy them before he dies! Oh, sh-t... the world didn't end!!! Yes, now he is in jail!

3) A owner of a church - He knew that the world wouldn't end, but he wanted people to believe in it, then he would get rich selling places in heaven! So, he said to people: "The world is ending, so you need to get your place in heaven, and how do you do this?". One person in the middle of the crowded said: "Waiving our material things and giving our money for God?!?!". The preacher said: "Exactly!! Let's do it!!". So the man said: "Hey, everybody! Let's go!! I know a lot of charitable institutions that need donations!!!"... and everybody followed the man! Oh well, I consider that the owner of the church did something good indirectly!  The world didn't end...he is not rich as he wanted, the church had to be closed... but now people are helping institution that really need instead of "helping" only one greedy man.  

4) A man in-love - It has been 5 years that he loves a woman from his work... 

but he doesn't have the guts to tell her. When he heard about the end of the world, he thought he had nothing 

to lose. He decided to tell her about his feelings. As he did, the woman said: "I've also had a crush 

on you for a long time". Well, the world didn't end and now they are having the time of their lives together!!

5) An unhappy doctor - This doctor didn't like his profession. He just became a doctor because his father 

wanted, then he would have a good financial life. Well, since the world were ending in one year and he 

wouldn't need the money in a long term, he decided to quit his job and do what he likes: playing guitar and 

composing music.  Well, the world didn't end, and now he is famous and is earning more money than before 

doing what he loves!

6) 1) A 13-year-old girl - She didn't want to die being virgin. So, she looked for her cousin to "help" her 

with her situation. Oh, well... now she is pregnant and the world didn't end!

LUIS - 2 - Good Bye 2012

We shall never meet again...

2012 The year of change.... A lots of aspects of my life were changed in the last year. Maybe some changes were difficult, others easy, others happy and others annoyed... but I can remember and I could learn more from these experiences.

One of the change that I needed to make was changing the gym, because my gym closed for 3 months. When I changed the gym, I could meet my new coach, and he really helped me to improve in my exercise, because he gave me some tips and new routines to do.

Another change in my life was quitting my job and traveling to Canada. The decision was made in January of 2012, so I needed to prepare many things to do this, for example filling out the papers for the visa, and saving my money for living in Canada.The decision to quit my job was in September, I remember that day because I felt nervous and anxious.

Finally, the last important decision that I made, was to break up with my girlfriend. We broke up in August , and I felt bad, but the thrill about the travel to Canada was more, so now we are friends and we talk on Facebook.

There have been changes in my family too, because now my little sister has graduated and received her degree. She is an engineer and she has been looking for a job. My other Brother also participated in a course of Windows software development, so now he can make programs for cell phones with windows. I mention this because He had known program on Iphone.

Now I remember my bucket list and  I Think I could do a lot of things.... so in this new year I need to complete the rest of my list.

In a nutshell, ...  last year was awesome, but the life goes on.... so we need to improve ourselves.

denise-Goodbye 2012

it's a new dawn

Every December I feel nervous because of two reasons; first one is that I was born in December. So I

know that I'm getting older. Second reason is that it’s the ending of the year. So I have to revise my plans, make resolutions, set my goals and evaluate the previous year.

Evaluating the previous year is not always fun. Sometimes it’s hard to face the problems that you could not solve, wrong decisions that you made and disappointment that you felt. It’s easy to criticize somebody else’s life but when it comes to do the same thing for your life, then it’s hard.

I’ve already finished my evaluation of 2012. As a result I found myself pretty successful. I came to Vancouver, studied English, found a job, and went to my dream city, New York. I did everything with the money that I had earned. Feeling the success gives me confidence. Now I’m ready for 2013 with  full confidence.

I can’t deny that I’ve made some mistakes. I broke one of my friend’s heart which also made me sad. I was not aware of what I did to her. When I realized, it was too late. Unfortunately there is no way to turn back the time. I’m still waiting for the time when she forgives me.

With all the negative and positive memories, I can say that I had great time in 2012. It gave me the power to see my capability and also a chance to live in a different culture which improved my point of view in many ways. My family and I have enjoyed good health. What else a person can dream of?

December has passed, New Year just came. I have new hopes, new goals to achieve and new expectations.
As the song says:
‘It's a new dawn

 It's a new day

 It's a new life

 For me

 And I'm feeling good.’

Wendy-5-Holidays

We Can Enjoy Awesome Holidays in Vancouver; No Need to Go on a Long Trip !

I had 10 days off for holidays ! I started my holidays with special Nasser's party in Pera on  Friday.
It was very nice ! I want to say, " Happy birthday" again to Nasser and Happy New Year. I wish you good luck :)   Anyway, I really was looking forward to Christmas. It was the first Christmas in Vancouver for me. So, I went to Harrison Hot Springs on the weekend! It was the first time and It was so so AWESOME !
As soon as I arrived there, I had a nice dinner with live christmas song. That was a really romantic atmosphere.



After that, I went back to hotel and enjoyed the spa. When I was in the spa, although it was  raining lightly and cold but there were lots of people. Then, I went to bed with a bottle of wine and sweet things. The next day.
I started the day with a great buffet. There were various foods such as muffins, omelets, hot cakes, coffee, potatoes. I definitely will stay there if I go there again.

After the end of romantic short trip, I just stayed at home to rest even on Boxing day ! Because I already knew that Boxing day would be crowded with lots of people and most of things would be on sale until the last day of  December.

So, I went to oulet in New Westminster on last week after Boxing day. I got a pair of shoes and a hoody which were good bargain.

Finally, the last day of 2012 came so early ! I enjoyed the day at seson's restuarant which is in Queen Elizabeth Park. If you guys have never been  there, you should go there, but you should make a reservation before going there, it's so famous, seats are always taken. And I really wanted to see the sunrise of starting 2013. I couldn't do that because of the fog ! Seeing sun is a kind of custom in Korea. I was disappoind that, but I'm looking forward to enjoying the coming days in Vancouver.

Olivia-6- holiday

An Unforgettable Holiday !!

I know that I won't  be able to forget this holiday; there was a terrible bus accident with some people that I was traveliling.

The accident was that a bus slid from the icy road  the bus was coming back to Vancouver from the USA, and  26 people were hurt and 9 people lost their lives. We don't know why the accident took exactly, but some of  the passangers have said that the weather was very bad there was lots of fog and snow and they felt the bus was going too fast so some passangers had asked the driver to take another route.

The bus was hired  by a Korean Tour Company so almost  all of the victims were Korean. When I  heard the news, I  couldn't believe it and was really shocked and scared, because I also was traveling on another bus with the same  tour'  and I  sometimes got on the bus and had meals and spent a lot of times with passengers of the  bus in the accident.
Fortunately, all of my friends and me were on the other bus and we reached our home safey. Thanks God!   If some of my friends had been hurt, I would have felt guilty because I had asked them to travel.

When I came back to Vancouver, I received many calls from Korea to find out about my condition. Then I thought that perhaps in Korea they don’t know about the accident, but it was not so and I worried that my parent would worry about me so I tried to call my family but I couldn’t so the situation made me crazy.
As I had expected, my parents were shocked and worried about me and they asked me to cancel the other trip, and I will be  obey my parents. I also know that for quite some time I can't ride a bus and II will mourn for the friends we lost.

Luis - 1 - holidays

I'm from Mexico, and my first Christmas and new year in Vancouver was very exciting and totally different. Now I want to tell you about my experience and I want to share some tips with you..

First tip. If you want to pass the Christmas in Vancouver, you really need an umbrella, maybe this is the tip that all people can tell you (doesn't matter the season), and now I know why...., really!!! you need an umbrella and you need to carry it with you all the time (I'm not kidding). The rain is not strong, but it is really uncomfortable and annoying. it rains mildly, but  all the day. Remember also to carry with some clothes for the snow and if you want to do sky or snowboarding, you'll need boots and a strong jacket. it is rare to see snow in Downtown (Center of Vancouver).

Second tip. That you need to know. The 25 of December and 1 of January all... and really all of the stores and the attractions are closed (expect the parks), so you need to make plans for these days because if you don't have a plan, you can pass a bad time.

Third tip. If you can pass this season in Vancouver I recommend that you not spend much money on shopping until Black Friday or Boxing Day. In either days, the stores have good discounts, the only problem is that you need a lot of patience and energy, because all the malls are crowded.

Fourth tip. The best attraction of this season is sport on the snow, so you need all the equipment. But if you don't have all, you can rent for one day, the average is $145 in total with pass to enter to the mountain. Or the other option you can pay $400  for one pass for all the season. With this pass you can go wherever you want and include all the equipment. The best place to do this sport is Grouse Mountain and Whistler.

Olivia-5-niqab

  which one is more important??

The Supreme Court of Canada’s split decision in whether a woman can wear a religious veil, knows as a niqab, in the courtroom as a witness has created a lot of questions.

The Supreme Court ordered her to remove  her niqab that she was wearing as a witness; they said that facial expression is a part of the cross-examination but she refused. It has been an issue because many people think it interfere with her religious freedom. Finally, the Supreme Court ruled that a witness can cover their face in certain circumstances.

 These days, as we witness development of human’ right, there are many challenges between individuals’ freedom and society; above case and breast feeding in public places have become become representative models. It is very hard question which one is more important just like a hen-versus-egg argument.

 

However I think that social’s rule is more important than individuals’ right. When we try to keep our freedom, if we interrupt other people’s right it is unfair.

For example, you can image that some mothers  try to breast fed their babies in a bus; it makes people uncomfortable and confuse even if the mother doesn’t intend to make them like that.  Of course, we have a right to enjoy our freedom but we should enjoy our freedom without interfering with other’s right.

                                                                                 

breastfeeding

In many countries breastfeeding in public is forbidden by laws. The reason  is to save people’s right who are irritated by nudity. Another reason is that it might put some thoughts into minds of some kids  who are out of  guidance of parents.

Laws have to protect everyone’s right, from an adult mother to a one month baby. In this situation mothers who need to breastfeed their babies and babies who need milk have to be considered in the law. 

Except for some urgent moments, I don’t support the idea that mothers can breastfeed their kids everywhere and anytime. While saying that, I’m considering their own comfort and hygiene. While climbing up stairs at  Skytrain station, to see a mother who is breastfeeding her baby makes me feel that it is not right. All the dust that people make can easily get in the baby’s body while breathing. Also the feeding time must be the relaxing time for the babies. All the noise that people make I guess is not a lullaby for them.

On the other hand, I don’t understand people who support this law. In my opinion, when a baby cries the reason can be either hunger or feeling discomfort. First thing a mother does is feeding the baby. If a baby is still in breastfeeding period, mother breastfeeds her baby without thinking where she is. It’s her instinct. Nobody can blame her for doing this or nobody has a right to show her the appropriate way.

I strongly support the idea that every public place such as shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, etc must have a mother room where mothers also make their babies feel comfortable.

I also think that when mothers go out with their babies if they take enough milk in a feeding bottle or if they can fix their schedule according to the baby’s feeding time, there will not be a problem for any member of our society.