C loseLook
Magazine
Making a Difference...
DO
looks
matter? YOUTH | TALENT | INSPIRATION | HEALTH | OPINIONS | CAREER
$4.99
Summer 2017
closelook.ca
About the Publisher
Simmy Cheema
Thank you all for the positive feedback and encouraging words about our first issue of CloseLook Magazine. We started this project to inspire people through stories of our young Canadians who have the courage and determination to pursue their passion. I have learned from my own personal experience that our children should get proper support and encouragement before it’s too late. I strongly believe if this magazine can change even one life, it’s worth it. After moving to Canada as a live-in nanny, I thought my struggle was over, but who knew this was just a beginning of my journey to discover myself. I started feeling I had higher purpose in life. I strongly believe all of us are born with a special gift we have to offer to the world. Through thick or thin, I always felt God’s presence and believed “Things happen for a reason”. In this issue’s feature story - “Do Looks Matter” - came to my mind when one day I asked my friend’s daughter, (18 years old), about the job she was applying for. I was shocked to learn she decided not to go inside to the job interview because of her bad acne even though she had made the journey and arrived on time. She had felt 4
Our Staff Marketing team Sunny (Manager) Chris Anna Editor Harvinder Sandhu Art director Dilraj Singh Photographers HD Weddings Sharaj
so embarrassed and didn’t come out of her room for 2 days. Really? Can looks control your life? Maybe, maybe not, but looks do matter a lot, especially for Youth. I have also heard our young adults are thinking of surgical ways to improve their looks. Looks can affect people, but along with that, education, confidence, social skills and other personality traits are important and play significant role in our lives. What do you think?
Contributing writers Chantel Korhonen Ira Saini Justin Johal Peter McGee Alex Payal Naidu Tracy Tichelman Cover page models Jacky, Alex, Pranjil Muskaan, Arzoo Our Previous Issue
We also want to highlight Justin Johal’s story on living with Muscular Dystrophy. He so eloquently puts it all out there which I’m sure any other youth with similar diagnosis can relate to. I personally want to thank all my sponsors and supporters for believing in ‘Close Look’ and helping to make a difference in someone’s life. I’m especially grateful to God, my team, family and friends for being part of my life and journey with ‘Close Look’.
“I happened to pick your 1st issue a couple of weeks back and was impressed that at last there was a magazine with constructive matter to read and connect too compared to tons of so called news paper reams lost with no actual content but with only ads or adverts! Heartiest congratulations on your new venture.” - Sanjay
SECTIONS Talent 10 14 21 24
Chantel Korhonen
6
Close Look TV in Action
Inspirational Stories
22
26
28 42
Emily Williams
Your Financial Future
Close Look TV & Desi Close Look TV at various events
DJ A-Slam Manvir Johal
I Support Access 30
Money Matters
Elizabeth Tichelman
Justin Johal My Mom
Feature Story
The Circle of Kindness
Body, Mind & Spirit
32
36
38
Do Looks Matter?
Stranger & Bus Driver
Hiking Tips
Career/ Employment
Words of Wisdom
Makeover
Speakup
40
41 Live Purposefully
44
48
An Egg’s way of making another Egg.
Fuange P
to WIN great prizes go to Pg 50
8 Super-Easy Steps for Looking Flawless
Speakup - What’s on your mind?
“Talk to us”
Email: sim1433@hotmail.com Phone: 6049991433 Website: www.closelook.ca
Why I AM a part of Close Look... “My name is Harnoor and I am 11 years old. I felt so happy and proud y saw when my friends told me that the started I ine. my dad in CloseLook Magaz of it. I t par a thinking how can I also be to join me ted was thrilled when my dad invi ause bec ine him in distributing the magaz are who ple it is showcasing all these peo t tha e hop pursuing their passion. I also cle arti some day there will be an of me in the magazine.”
I would like to work for and with Close Look because the environment and the people in it are really nice, caring, and welcoming. I would like to continue working with CloseLook as I love acting, taking pictures, etc. I am more than happy to get the experience of working with them and hope to continue in the further years.
Harnoor
Kyle
Alysha
As soon as I found out about Close Look, I wanted to be a part of this amazing team. I love being able to showcase poeple’s talents and help contribute to our community through the work the team does.
I want to be a part of Close Look because I believe in the message they are trying to send through youth and how they are trying to get them involved within their communities to create a bettter community for everyone.
I decided I wanted to be part of Close Look because I want to help youth become excited about their future and motivate them to become something spectacular in life. I want youth to use their life experiences to assist them in reaching their full potential. Close Look helps to inspire our youth to be the best they can be!
Leah
I love dancing and makeup and Close Look would be amazing to be a part of because it’s for youth. They embrace all of these qualities and showcase it.
Ayush
Harshita CloseLook Magazine |
closelook.ca
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“Close Look provides a unique oppurtunity for the upcoming youth. I am proud to be a part of a media outlet that places high our future at the fore front.
Tina
Richard
I joined Close Look not just because of the things they stand for and the people they help, but because Close Look as a family. A family that when I first met them, they welcomed with open arms and I am blessed to be able to work with them.
Endorsements Endorsements
“Close Look Productions has worked effortlessly to provide a powerful impact on our youth. I fully endorse and recognize your ongoing contributions and the positive influence you have made on our community. Keep up the great work!”
Councillor Tom Gill City of Surrey
CloseLook Magazine is not just any magazine. It’s a magazine striving for higher ideals. It aims to project real life, real people and in today’s society this is quite unique. I am so proud to be part of a magazine like CloseLook Magazine that celebrates people to be who they are and be proud of it.
Joanna Moore Current Events Management Ltd.
I want to congratulate you for your focus on addressing challenges facing youth in ethnic communities. Youth need to see themselves reflected in our media. Major challenges are around drugs, gangs and oppurtunities for employment. All the best Close Look Team!
Jinny Sims Politician, Surrey Panorama
8
Talent
C
Here at CloseLook Magazine we strive to highlight stories of young men and women who have worked hard to achieve their dream. In every issue CloseLook Magazine will dedicate a page each to 4 deserving Talents. Here are the stories of the Talents for CloseLook Magazine.
Chantel Korhonen
by Chantel
and could barely watch the screen I was so scared. Looking back, I realise that movie is when my passion for special effects and horror makeup ultimately started.
Remember the first time you watched a horror film? Maybe you were secretly watching it at a friend’s house so your parents wouldn’t know. Remember the feeling of being terrified by the monster, or killer who was in the film? I always wanted to be the person behind the horror makeup for those monsters, the person that created the look that terrified thousands of viewers. Ever since I was about 12 years old I watched every horror movie I could get my hands on. Well, realistically, whatever my parents would let me watch. I remember watching 1984’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ for the very first time. I was about 13 years old 10
I’m from the little city of Campbell River on Vancouver Island and making my way in the city of Vancouver was one of the hardest things I had to face. I felt like this is where my heart is and where I belong, and I learned to persevere to reach my dream. Working my way through Blanche MacDonald Centre as a student over the last year has really opened up more of my creativity. I’ve learned so much about makeup and about myself thanks to the incredible team of instructors and makeup artists that are here to guide me and the other students. They really push you to be a better you, and put more drive into you becoming the best makeup artist that you can be and I’m forever grateful for their support. Now almost at the age of 26, I find myself referring to those movies that scared me as a child as inspiration. I also get my inspiration from all
I remember watching 1984’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ for the very first time. I was about 13 years old and could barely watch the screen I was so scared. Looking back, I realise that movie is when my passion for special effects and horror makeup ultimately started. sorts of things around me and the people I meet, especially my family; they are truly my most important inspiration. They have taught me so much and I continue to learn from them all the time. They are my support and cheer squad on the side; I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Most of the makeup ideas I create just sort of pop into my head when I’m not really thinking about it. It consists mostly of special effects and face paint, but I do some beauty makeup as well. I just enjoy doing something that people don’t necessarily classify as beautiful. I recently applied to be in the Vancouver RAW showcase and I was surprised to be picked. I was surprised not because I didn’t think I belonged, I was surprised because I wasn’t sure what people really thought of my work. I went in wholeheartedly and put all my skills out there. I believe it paid off and I gained a new level of confidence in myself that I never even knew existed, it feels great! I hope that one day I will be showcasing my work in one of those movies and that in turn will inspire someone else to become next generation’s makeup artist. 12
I’m still learning and growing my love for makeup every day and will continue to do so for the rest of my life because this is my passion and it makes me happy. In the wise words of Pat McGrath, “Creativity is your best makeup skill, don’t be afraid to experiment”.
E
Emily Williams
compiled by Harvinder Sandhu
“My skin had grown thick and I continued with my music and my life despite all the hate and abuse I got”.
Emile Williams, a young upcoming talent who loves to sing, shares with CloseLook Magazine on how far she has come after childhood traumas and fighting mental health stigma. Here is her aspiring story in overcoming adversity. At eleven years old, she and her sisters were hit by a drunk driver who drove through her bedroom wall, and into her older sister’s room as well. At that time she was sharing her room with her younger sister and all three of them were hit and suffered bruisers and scrapes all over their bodies. She had it worse as she was thrown from her 14
top bunk bed onto the back of the driver’s trunk, hitting her head badly resulting in her losing most of her memory of the accident. She shares how she only gets flashes of that accident come back to her and of course the resulting trauma as well.
This was a very traumatic time for her and her family, and it got worse for her when she returned to school only to find all of her friends had turned on her and started bullying her instead. “I didn’t know why this was happening, and it was devastating. I ended up having to switch schools because it got so bad,” shares Emily. She continues to
share how the bullying again started in high school, but by then, “my skin had grown thick and I continued with my music and my life despite all the hate and abuse I got”.
The accident along with the bullying, had affected her mental health, that by the time she left the university she felt she couldn’t function and had to do something to take care of herself. This was when she was diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder along with post-traumatic stress disorder and a host of other ailments associated with mental health. In the next few years things got worse to the point where she was suffering from depression, and anxiety
and eventually becoming suicidal. Even though it was terrifying for her, this was the time when she started to share her condition with others. She was surprised in how positive and supportive the people were who heard her story. Her parents were by her side to help her through this difficult time. She then started to take positive steps in her life, leaving an abusive boyfriend, and going back to school, putting her life back, little by little, focusing in the beginning on simple things like getting out of bed before noon and tidying her room. Emily credits the support of her doctor, friends, family
and her music to getting to this healthy place she is in now. Listening to music, writing music, performing, sharing her voice and songs with everyone also helped her deal with everything that had happened in a positive and healthy way. Also talking with people about mental illness has helped as well. “I was very privileged to in the middle of my breakdown, get to talk to a third-year psychology class about my mental illness and everything that was happening at that moment, and it was great to share that with them and give them the real-life experience for their future careers, but it also made me really think about things I hadn’t thought of before.” In her music, her inspiration in the beginning came from a singer songwriter named Michelle Branch. “Her songs just struck something in me and I’ve always wanted to be like her.” As she grew older, other singers started inspiring her, among them Kelly Clarkson and Demi Lovato. “Demi Lovato has also been more personally inspiring for me in the past couple years as well, because she also has Bipolar II Disorder. She is a huge advocate for mental health in the States, and her music speaks of her own personal struggles with her mental illness, and for me it is so comforting to see someone else in a similar situation still messing up, but succeeding in her life and showing what a true warrior looks like.” Emily has competed in and won many competitions, she’s also had the honor of performing the 16
E “I was very privileged to in the middle of my breakdown, get to talk to a third-year psychology class about my mental illness and everything that was happening at that moment, and it was great to share that with them and give them the real-life experience for their future careers, but it also made me really think about things I hadn’t thought of before.”
national anthem for both Canadian and American sports teams and for Remembrance Day assemblies. She also performs at all sorts of fundraisers for a variety of different causes, including mental
health awareness. Emily is very excited of where her singing career and her life journey is going now. She is working on original songs for her latest album and attending Capilano University for her Bachelor of Music Therapy.
Emily sees herself as a successful music therapist, and a successful singer and performer, using her love and talent for music to help others deal with trauma and mental illness.
Close Look Karaoke Night
Night
Tel: 604-580-6477 Jack’s Public House, where you can Sip, Taste and Socialize in style!
9082 152nd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 4E7 Facebook: Jack’s Public House | Twitter: @jackspublic Instagram: jackspublichouse
“When I came in to the John Volken Academy I was a complete mess. I could not sit still, nor could I think straight… to my surprise I was accepted. The staff at the John Volken Academy saw something in me I did not even see in myself. They saw a desire to change and a leadership ability I did not know I had. After several months I started to believe the encouraging words the John Volken Academy staff provided. I feel they have groomed me into a great leader… completing this program will be the first thing I have seen through to the end. I look forward to continuing to be an example for others. I now believe I have a lot to offer those going through similar struggles and that if I can turn my life around anybody can…” Grady W. “…I had to change my behaviours completely. It was a struggle that I overcame daily. With the help, guidance and love of the John Volken Academy staff I finally changed my way of thinking. Responsibility became a virtue, caring for others my new way of life. I have become a man that can be trusted, relied upon, and will continue to become the man I was intended by God to be.” Steve S. “I couldn’t make enough money to support my drug habit, so I started making money the “easy way” – dealing and stealing. I lost my job, my house, and my family.I ended up in jail. I felt there was nothing to live for. There was only more time in jail and there were so-called“programs”. Nothing helped. Living was hell. I wanted to die. The John Volken Academy stopped the downward spiral. Getting back was not easy, in fact it was a struggle, but I made it. I have two children that have…” Michael B. “When I came in to this program I was scared and ignorant. I had no motivation to do anything with my life. I tried a $20,000 program that was 45 days long, hoping it would break the chains. I was naive and foolish. Within 45 days of graduating the program, I realized it wasn’t just the drugs that needed change. I thought the second time around that it could be done in 30 days. It scares me to think of where I would be if I had not come to the John Volken Academy. Chances are, I’d be in full-blown addiction, jail, or I would be dead. This is the reality of where my life was going. Luckily, I found my way into this program. I realize now how it was not just my drug use, but my patterns of thoughts and actions. I thank God every day for helping me to find the John Volken Academy.” Josh S. “Thank you for providing this life-changing opportunity for myself and the thousands… You believed in me when others counted me out. The John Volken Academy has prepared me for everything life can and will throw at me.” Nick R.
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h t u o Y
Major
Events
Join the Band-Aid Youth Planning Group
Seek in Perfo g Youth rmers Surre y You for th Fe st
Deadline: Friday, August 18, 2017
Wednesdays (monthly) 4:30-6:30pm Surrey City Hall
- Do you play an instrument? - Like to Sing? - Write Songs? - Want to perform at Youth Fest? Check out Band-Aid—a development day for young local musicians— and consider joining the youth planning group. No previous experience required and everyone is welcome! Webpage: www.surrey.ca/ bandaid 20
Perform at Surrey Youth Fest–the City’s largest youth event of the year. Opportunities for local musicians, singers, dancers, spoken word artists, DJs, magicians and other live performers between 13-21 years of age on Sat, Sept. 23 at Guildford Recreation Centre. Webpage: www.surrey.ca/youthfest
Band-Aid: Youth Musician Development Day Saturday, September 9, 2017 | Surrey City Hall Young musicians join music industry mentors for a jam-packed day of workshops. Work, learn and collaborate with fellow musicians and music professionals. Performance spots for musicians at Surrey Youth Fest will be offered firstly to those who attend Band-Aid. If you’re a young musician living in Surrey, Band-Aid needs to hear from you. What workshops do you want to attend? Which industry professionals should we invite? What should the jam look like? Webpage: www.surrey.ca/bandaid
Surrey
Youth
Fest
Saturday, September 23, 2017 | Guildford Recreation Centre Revel in local talent–live music, dancing, cooking and lots of fun–at the City’s largest youth event of the year. Enjoy local youth performers, carnival games, dance battle, food trucks, cooking competition, collaborative art making and much more. Webpage: www.surrey.ca/ youthfest
M J A D -SL A Hussein “DJ A-SLAM” Alidina is a Juno Nominated artist, DJ, and producer who mixes Top 40, EDM, and Hip-Hop. He first made a name for himself in the world music market fusing hype beats with Indian influences. DJ A-SLAM’s talent and style has garnered him respect in the industry, with his single “For You” winning an international Hip-Hop/R&B song writing award. His Juno nomination was for the album he co-produced for Canadian R&B singer, Inez, called Sing Soul Girl, which also won several Western Canadian Music Awards.
He has proven his ability to get the dance floor bumping with his dynamic beats, opening for some of the industry’s leading artists such as Jay Sean,
Malkit Singh, Apache Indian, Fat Joe, Sweatshop Union, JOSH, Raghav and Aman Hayer. DJ A-SLAM has toured across Canada with H-Dhami, Imran Khan, Juggy D and Mumzy and performed with Stereo Nation at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. DJ A-SLAM has also taken his sound international, performing with Des-C
and Nasir Khan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With the help of the BC Music Fund, DJ A-SLAM has launched a new group called the “Global Party
Starters”. The GPS crew hails from Vancouver and Toronto creating sound following in the footsteps of groups like Major Lazer and a Tribe Called Red, combining electronic beats with hip-hop, and cultural influences. This project is also reuniting DJ A-SLAM with his long time music mentor Adam Hurstfield aka Adam H. The project will feature some of the best in Vancouver talent including Elise Estrada and J. Young. Staying true to his signature crossover style, DJ A-SLAM is yet again putting his unique spin on EDM ready for the 2017 Festival season. Checkout his website and youtube to watch the video for the single ‘Follow Your Dream’ it’s full of positive messages from other artists at the Toronto DesiFest. Also check out GPSMusic Bollywood Remix of this spring’s biggest hit “Shape Of You”
on their facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/ deejayaslam/ Check out other remixes and their own music on their facebook site.
CloseLook Magazine| www.closelook.ca | closelook.ca CloseLook Magazine
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Money Matters
Your
Financial Future by Balwant Mann There is a story about two nice people. One built his house on a rock and the other built his on sand. Rocks and sand have similar substance and composition, but react to weight very differently. The storms and the rains came. The house built on the rock stood fast, while the house built on sand fell. To weather the storms in our life, and they will come, we need to build our house, our future, on a strong secure foundation. We live in times of abundance, of materialism. In life we need to differentiate between our needs and our wants. We need to know why this is crucial to a secure future, especially the young generation, because they are the future, and will need to run their households and the country. I am going to share my understanding of finances and what to look for in starting one’s own money management. 22
1. Learn self control The sooner you learn the fine art of delaying gratification, the sooner you’ll find it easy to keep your finances in order. Although you can effortlessly purchase an item on credit the minute you want it, it’s better to wait until you’ve actually saved up the money. 2. Know where your money goes Budgeting is the key to finance, its awareness not a burden when we budget. It takes some time to get started and will become a habit once you do it. Here’s an exercise to do; write down for one month everything you purchase, no matter how small. At the end of the month, go through what you have recorded. Add up all the coffees, lunches, and miscellaneous spending so you can see on paper exactly where your money is going. This recording for a month will show you exactly what you are spending your money on. To ensure your expenses aren’t exceeding your income, budget these purchases. Have lunch outside once a week only, bag it the other days, cut down on the daily coffee, soon you’ll realize that making small, manageable changes in your everyday expenses can have just as big of an impact on your financial situation as getting a raise. 3. Emergency funds As a general rule of thumb,
an emergency fund should be about three times your monthly expenses if you are single, and six times your monthly expenses if you are married or have children. Open a TFSA account with an advisor. TFSA is the one of the best way to increase your wealth. Someone who was age 19 in 2009 when TFSA was started, can have $ 46,500 limit till 2016.
owe to any institute or service provider as it can affect your credit scores and borrowing power in the future.
4. Pay student loans last. Federal student loans offer much more flexibility than other forms of debt, which is handy if you hit hard times. Keep saving into your TFSA, even a small amount along with your loan payments, just in case you run into financial difficulty at any time. Many times we notice students with more than one designation or degree, it’s better to take the time to think and decide which job or career you really want before carrying on various studies and accumulating tuition debt.
8 . Get Protection As we all know, in our life time we will go through many up’s and down’s, never know when we will get sick or be in an accident. Disability insurance is the most important to cover all our expenses. It’s better to get the proper insurance in place as early as possible; age is a big factor in insurance premium payments. Premium payments are lower the younger you are when you get insurance.
5. Keep things as simple as possible. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the various financial management choices you may have, but the bottom line is that you need to save more and spend less in order to accumulate more wealth. 6.Credit score Watch your credit score; try not to skip payments you
7. Where you work Look for a company or work where you are offered extended health insurance or other benefits like matching RRSP. Everything counts, that is why we need to be alert about our finances all the times.
9. Set Goals Set short and long term goals. It is advisable to speak to a certified advisor to work on your goals; financial advice can give positive results. It’s advisable to go back and visit your goals from time to time so you can revise if needed. 10. Set boundaries It’s very important to set some boundaries in life, like lending money to your friends and family, it could hurt you in life if you act like an ATM. If you do lend out money, make sure that you have proper paper work done to get your funds back with some interest.
M
A talk with Manvir
Johal
Hosted & written by: Payal Naidu
Manvir: Ummm... 2 years ago. Host: And where are you originally from? Manvir: I am from the city of Chandigarh in Punjab, India.
Host: So in the movie, Sargun Mehta played your mom.
Manvir Johal is a child actor known for his Punjabi movie, Love Punjab. This film is about a journey of a family to find love, ties of families and fragrance of Punjab and was released on 11 March 2016. Here’s a glimpse of our chat on CloseLook TV with this charming, cute and shy celebrity.
Host: Hi Manvir, how are you? Manvir: I am good. (In a shy tone.) Host: Let’s get to know about you. How old are you? Manvir: I am 9 years old. Host: When did you move to Canada?
Who played your dad? Manvir: Amrinder Gill
Host: Did you always want to be a movie star or did this come as a surprise? Manvir: Whenever I used to watch TV, I’d tell my mom that I want to be on TV too. Host: Awe! Didn’t your mom or dad ever say that you should rather become
a doctor/ engineer or may be an architect? Manvir: No. They never said that.
Host: So they were fine with your interest in TV. Manvir: Yes, always.
Host: What was their reaction when they watched your movie? Manvir: They were very proud of me.
Host: I am sure! Tell us what happened at the auditions. Manvir: There were around 5 more kids. We were given a video clip. We had to reenact the clip. At the end, the best performer was selected.
Host: Were you nervous? Manvir: I was kind of nervous. It was also because of so many people and cameras around. Host: Hmm. Your dad told us that everything happened overnight. You were selected and were to catch a flight next day for the shoot. How was that moment for you?
Manvir: (With a wide smile) I was like, Wow! I wanted to be on TV but now I am going to be in a movie! On big screen! Unbelievable! (And the studio filled with happy laughter.) Host: All this happened 2 years ago. You must have been 7 years old then. Manvir: Right.
Host: The shoots for the movie must have made you skip school. How did your teachers react to that? Manvir: I was in grade 3. My teachers were very supportive. Host: Did you get some work to catch up while you were away? Manvir: (Happily) O no! We don’t get homework here. Not much!
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Host: Wow! No homework. No reading assignments. Party time! (And the giggles filled up the room again.)
Host: Did you like the work? Manvir: I really enjoyed it. I was never tired. Host: O really? How many hours did you work every day? Manvir: On the days of shoot, I was supposed to wake up at 5am. And I’d come back home at midnight. Host: Wow! That says a lot about you. You are a real hard worker. So how was your first day of shoot? Manvir: We were in a village. The director was right in front of me with the camera. I was facing the camera. I was getting instructions to say my dialogues. I was surrounded by people from the village. There was a big crowd. They thought I am playing childhood of Amrinder Gill. They didn’t know I am playing his son. My first shot was
‘okay’. There were no retakes. Everybody liked my work.
movie. And my school’s website had a post - ‘A Star Born in School’.
Host: Superb! Did you make friends with your onscreen parents, Sargun and Amrinder? Manvir: They were friendly. We used to play together. Sometimes we played on phone and sometime we played games like tag.
Host: You must be so proud! In future, do you want to make a career out of acting? Or do you want to do something else? Manvir: I want to make acting a part time career. But I want to grow up to be an engineer.
Host: Sounds like fun! Did your friends watch the movie? Manvir: They did. My teacher told our school’s librarian, who is a photographer, about my
Host: I think that’s a smart decision. Your parents must be proud of you. In the field of acting, what do you want to do next?
Manvir: I’d like to be a part of reality shows. Maybe something about dance or singing. I like to sing. Host: Nice! Which is your favourite song? Manvir: Closer by Chainsmokers. At this note, we ended this chat by making Manvir sing a few lines for us. His innocent voice was the best way to say bye. We wish Manvir good luck for his future. We hope he becomes a successful actor and an engineer.
CloseLook Magazine |
closelook.ca
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Close Look TV in Action Close Look is an “AWARD WINNING� community based inspirational TV show that captures the local talented younger generation of Metro Vancouver & beyond to uncover their stories!
Watch on Shaw on Thursday and Saturday Interviews can be watched at closelook.ca 26
Desi Close Look TV in Action ​ esi Close Look brings you the inspirational D immigrant stories in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English. Our focus in this program is people that have set an example for others, have something inspirational to share with the world or had the courage to do things that were challenging for them while they moved to a new country, which is Canada. Desi Close Look invites people of diverse occupational background like tradesmen, cab drivers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, etc. with no age bar as such. Watch on Shaw and Omni on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday Interviews can be watched at closelook.ca
CloseLook Magazine |
closelook.ca
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Inspirational Stories
Justin Johal
J
by Justin Johal
progressive muscle deterioration and weakness. It is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy.
My name is Justin Johal. I am 24 years old, and I have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by
DMD is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells whole. Symptoms commence during early childhood, typically between ages 3 and 5. The disease mainly affects boys, but in odd cases it can affect girls as well. Muscle weakness can initiate early on at age 3, primarily
affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders, and later the skeletal (voluntary) muscles in the arms, legs and chest. The calf muscles are often enlarged. By early adolescence, the cardiac and respiratory muscles also are affected.
DMD has an X-linked recessive inheritance blueprint and is passed on by the mother, who is referred to as a carrier. DMD carriers are females who have a normal dystrophin gene on one X chromosome and either an abnormal or absent dystrophin gene on the other X chromosome. Approximately 35% of cases occur due to a spontaneous mutation. In other words, it can affect anybody.
Until fairly recently, individuals with DMD typically did not live much ahead of their adolescent years. Thanks to advances in cardiac and respiratory care, life expectancy is rising and various young adults with DMD go to university, have careers, get married and have children. Survival into the early 30s is becoming more frequent, and there are cases of men living into their 40s.
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I have repeatedly found in my life that others have considered people with DMD, who accomplish things in life to be inspirational. I would like to dispute this scheme and leave a different point of view upon it. People may conceivably believe I am inspirational, apart from the
fact that there are other people in this world who have lived through much more strenuous situations than I will ever have to deal with in my life. I believe this perception has helped me an enormous amount throughout my life. I suppose it is worth mentioning for parents to treat their children with DMD like they would everybody else. I have become aware that a number of parents have harmed the personality and maturity of their children, through being meticulous by withdrawing them from the realities of their existence. Doing this is not helpful to the child, as the child needs to be treated like a normal person. One more thing I feel is imperative is that dying ought to be something a young individual with DMD must be conscious of, and to be encouraged to speak about confidently and logically. People normally
disregard the notion of dying for the justification that they are intimidated by it. Dying should not be considered appalling, since it is as normal as being born.
support from their family and the government, then there is no justification as to why they cannot contribute to society and live a gratifying life.
I may have conceivably missed out on an abundance of opportunities due to my disability,
except I can pledge that I have lived and am living a decent life. If people with DMD are given adequate
Major accomplishments in my life include: - Traveling to the United Kingdom, India, Hawaii, Florida, and California - Chosen torchbearer for Vancouver 2010 Paralympics - Completing High School - Completing a course in financial planning at BCIT - Currently attending University
- Experiencing sexual intimacy Considering that you already know, Muscular Dystrophy is an awful disease and can have a huge negative impact on people’s lives. Below is a quote with some coherent guidance.
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me….You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” - Walt Disney
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I Support
Elizabeth Tichelman By Tracy Tichelman
Elizabeth Tichelman, is a dancer who has danced in DISKORDANSE Company in a production named “The Collection” where she played a surreal bird. As a dedicated dancer her whole high school life, she brings that passion to her volunteer work She came to the attention of CloseLook Magazine for her humanitarian support. Here’s Elizabeth’s story: Elizabeth delayed her UBC acceptance until January 2016 so that she could fulfill a dream to take a longer and more meaningful service trip
30
Coast of Fiji.
than high school could have offered her. Using Latitude Global Volunteering to secure a volunteer position, she left in August of 2015 to embark on a three-month trip to rural Fiji to volunteer as a teacher at Koroinasau Primary School, a rural school along the beautiful Coral
While there, she lived with the school’s Head Master and his family. She was fortunate to volunteer with another girl from Australia. They worked together, each teaching all subjects to children from age 5 to 13. Before she left for her service trip, Elizabeth held a BBQ/ fundraiser, and raised $1,600 Fijian dollars to take to the school and spend on what they would need the most. She purchased a printer for the school, but then learned that the boarders at the school had difficulty paying the boarding fees. So Elizabeth decided to pay all outstanding school fees to date and for the rest of
that semester. At the next assembly, the Headmaster informed all the children that those who were being sent home could now stay as an anonymous donor had paid their fees. Elizabeth recalled the emotion she felt when she heard the screams of joy from the children when they heard the news. Elizabeth loved the children very much. She learned boarding was necessary as many villages were far enough away that it would take hours to get to school. She also learned that the boarding facility only sleeps 30 boarders. After a month and a half of work she and her volunteer partner decided to start a business and raise money to keep the kids in school. Since Elizabeth’s return from Fiji; she and her volunteer partner have started activities to raise the funds to keep the kids in the boarding school. She set up her charity “The Global Smile Project” to ensure that every child in her school in Fiji would be ensured a paid education. They currently have the 1st semester fully paid for and are working on the next two semesters, and hope to continue this cause. They also would like to raise money to build an extension so that more children
can board at the facility. While there, Elizabeth and her partner filmed a video
and created a movie in hopes to raise awareness. They are looking to make this a formal charity. For the time being they are accepting money from anyone who wants to help. For her humanitarian efforts in May 2016 Elizabeth won the Sassy Award for International Service. Since her return, Elizabeth has continued to support the Lattitude Global Volunteering program by speaking at her old high school about it and by assisting with pre-departure meetings for new volunteers at the program. Please check out the movie they created to raise awareness and funds to help the children: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wstu_tmXXSg Elizabeth and her partner would like to thank everyone in advance for supporting “The Global Smile Project” which assists every child at her school, Koroinasau Primary School, access education.
Feature Story
DO
LOOKS looks DO
matter?
By Payal Naidu and Harvinder Sandhu
In this day of fake everything, from glued extensions in the hair to eyelashes to Botox to implants, it seems everyone is doing something to make themselves look better. The time of just putting on makeup to enhance looks is long gone. Nowadays it seems we need to go the extra mile to look and feel good about ourselves by getting work done on our face to enhance our looks. The obsession with looks was started and perpetuated by the media. Beautiful people on cover pages of magazines are not real pictures of the people depicted there. Many people don’t know that computer programs are used to digitally enhance cover pages to sell us that non- existent “beauty norm”. The media has long promoted outer beauty that is unrealistic and the public is following along trying to match itself with what is on the cover pages of magazines. In Canada, there were more than 2,800 cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume stores in 2014, the latest available stats. In 2015, retail sales of cosmetics and fragrances generated approximately 2.89 billion Canadian dollars. Canadian households spent on average $249 Canadian dollars on make-up, skincare and manicure products in 2014, with the majority of consumers shopping for beauty products at least monthly. Does that mean these cosmetic brands have successfully convinced us that makeup is the way to “look good”? Are we letting our thoughts get manipulated? Let’s look at some facts, opinions and researches to understand this well. What is the real reason for “putting your face on?” Is it for beauty? Or is it for confidence? Or maybe to help deal with the fact that we need to make an 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning meeting after a Wednesday evening spent swimming? There are many reasons people wear makeup. The main reason behind a lot of these things is to build confidence. When you feel good about your appearance, it shows in the way you carry yourself. Researchers Alex Jones at Bangor University and Robin Kramer at Aberdeen University in the U.K. photographed 44 early-20s white women, all of whom had just washed their faces, with a Nikon D3000 SLR camera in a naturally lit room. Then they gave them “a range of best-selling foundations, lipsticks, mascaras and blushers,” and told them to apply the products as though they were getting ready for a night out. The women did so. The researchers took their photos again. Here’s an example of how the models looked before and after: Then, the researchers replicated, altered, and arranged each model’s photos so that they progressed in a series from cleanfaced to fully made-up. Each progression looked something like this, except with 21 images for each model:
They showed the photo series to 44 Bangor University students. The female participants thought the models looked better with slightly more makeup than the male participants did. However, all of the participants thought male observers would want the models to be wearing more makeup than female observers would. They were wrong—men and women preferred the same amount. And that amount was less than the models had actually applied. Specifically, people thought the models looked best when they were wearing just 60 percent as much makeup as they had actually applied. But they thought women would 32
want the models to be wearing 75 percent as much, and that men would want 80 percent. (Interestingly, the men thought other men wanted the women to be wearing ore makeup, even when they themselves didn’t.) “Taken together, these results suggest that women are likely wearing cosmetics to appeal to the mistaken preferences of others,” states the researchers in their findings. But then comes individuality and of course perspectives. There are some people who get lured with materialistic stuff, people who cease to see beyond materialism, people who don’t find wit, intellect and meaningful things attractive, they just can’t see beyond their own perception of beauty, which in their case is just, “looks”. CloseLook Magazine ventured
out to their readers, both young and older, to get their perspective on, ‘Do Looks Matter’. We wanted to know if the mindset of the general public is still the same that how we look matters in finding happiness. Below are our conversations with various individuals and their perspective on this important issue. Alex, 13 years old girl “I’m Alex and I am 13 years old. I love to dance and hang out with friends. I met Simi and the CloseLook team through a family friend, Richard Tichelman. Ever since I was born my family has always been my biggest supporters. Whether it would be by driving half way across town to the dance studio for rehearsals almost every day of the week, helping me get ready for
competition or just cheering me on in the crowd. I’m very appreciative of them and all they do to keep my passion alive. My mom is a very wise woman and if there is one thing I will always remember her telling me is that real beauty comes from your heart. She would tell me this even before I could talk and still reminds me of it today. Even when I was little I had a pretty good understanding of what that meant, I learned that beauty isn’t always on the outside, in fact it hardly is. I learned from a very young age that it doesn’t matter what is on the outside, it is your personality, your passion, your happiness, and your love that attracts people, not just your looks. I think these days a lot of people think that they can just cake on 3 inches of make
up and put on expensive clothes and they are suddenly beautiful, but that’s not true. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE clothes and makeup just as much as the next teenaged girl, but I don’t think you should have to rely on that to determine if you are beautiful. We all have flaws. There is nothing we can do about that. We should learn to embrace it, not hide it. I have become really good friends with the people I dance with. We call ourselves “the dance fam”. We see each other every day and talk about everything. We all have the kind of relationship where we don’t really care what we look like when we are around each other. We will walk into the studio with a bare face, our hair up, and wearing our comfiest sweats (depending on what class it is). The point is
“Let’s celebrate all looks as true beauty ‘is in the eyes of the beholder’.” Arzoo
Alex
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that we aren’t trying to impress anyone; we all know each other for who we really are. The fun, passionate, silly, happy girls that make each other feel good. In conclusion I don]t think looks should matter. The best relationships you will ever have will be with people that love you for who you are inside not what you look like on the outside. Before we start judging ourselves, I also think that we should take a second to realize that everyone else is in the same boat you are. Continue loving yourselves and be confident in who you are!”
lies in your ability to react to stress and adversity with grace and diplomacy and your decision to stay true to your moral values.” Pera Davidson, Student & Ex-corporate employee
Shelley Meyer, Educator
“In my opinion, especially young females have been conditioned through the media (TV movies and Magazines etc) to look a certain way and anything less than that translates into not being as valuable a person. It is only as you age and have experienced some hardships that your perception changes and you are able to realize that true beauty
“We go to interviews to sell ourselves. That includes our education, experience, personality, and yes, our appearance as well. The way we dress and groom for an interview speaks volumes to a potential employer about the level of effort we will contribute to the company. As the saying goes, dress to impress. As for the ladies, makeup should be kept to a minimum; clean and simple. If you must, aim for a natural look. Avoid dramatic eye makeup and shades of lipstick altogether; use lip balm instead. And when you do land that awesome job, keep your career growing!” Susan Wang, 20 years old Many people nowadays
worry about how they look. Whether if its to impress a girl or boy, or so people won’t judge you in public, it is important to remember that it is what’s on the inside that counts. People don’t like you just because you are pretty or handsome, they like you because you have a good heart and a nice personality. Girls, especially take hours to get ready to go out. Do you really need hours to get ready? Nobody is perfect and people should like you for what you are, and not only your looks. Arzoo, 20 years old female who moved Canada 7 years ago “Is it necessary to apply makeup everyday? Will anyone judge me? Do I look fat? Will anyone stare at me? I think I need to shop for more makeup? I have tons of acne, should I skip school? When we think about “Looks” our motive is towards getting noticed and to fit in the world. This has been going on for decades. Youth tries to fit in society in every way possible, with the reasoning “He or she does it, I have to”. Somewhere they are losing their capability of understanding situations and making right decisions. Nonetheless, this impacts youth so much, that it leads
to many serious problem. For instance; peer pressure, not able to concentrate on education, wasting time, scared to share thoughts. Looks are about reflecting who you are, not what others think about you. Teenagers should have confidence in themselves to understand “DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL”. Do what you love and think is right for you, even if that means not applying makeup at all, wearing your cultural clothes. It depends on how you carry yourself. Personally, I love wearing makeup and getting dressed up on special occasions. In conclusion, beauty comes from within and your faith.” CloseLook Magazine would like to encourage their readers to watch the link posted below and to share it extensively among their friends and peers. It is eye opening, and will help many young people, especially those who may be feeling depressed or think they are not beautiful or good looking enough. This video created by Dove Soap brand shows what magazine covers are doing to perpetuate the myth of perfect beauty, and that the media’s idea of beauty is not real. Let’s celebrate all looks as true beauty ‘is in the eyes of the beholder’. Please copy and paste: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U
“Is it necessary to apply makeup everyday? Will anyone judge me? Do I look fat? Will anyone stare at me? I think I need to shop for more makeup? I have tons of acne, should I skip school? 34
Circle of Kindness
s s e ! n d e n l i K irc C e h T
By Ira Saini
Altruism isn’t for a day. It isn’t even for cause. It really is a habit; one that spreads the smile in its own special way. It touches people. It creates an unspoken, untold bond that has the power to bind strangers, even if for just a moment, and cause the ripple effect to follow through. And this is why we bring to you the Kindness Circle, to recount the stories you can be inspired from, stories you can pass along and stories that will melt your heart.
The next morning, I walked out with our girls to drop them to school, and noticed “Get well soon” written on the grass
STRANGER
When my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, we were shocked, to say the least. She is a mother of two young children under the age of ten, and while we were trying to be optimistic since her cancer was still in early stages, questions like why something like this would happen so suddenly had left us in despair. I live in a condo in a cluster of buildings that houses about fifty other homes. There is a small park in the middle and I sat there with tears in my eyes late at night, in an attempt to hide my obvious fear from my wife. One of the neighbors walking by noticed me and asked if I was ok. I blurted something about my wife having cancer, and just apologized and headed back to my apartment in a state of embarrassment.
in the park with flowers. I called my wife outside and will never forget the look on her face. With smiles and tears, she picked up the flowers and kept them by her bedside as a reminder to stay positive. She is now in excellent health and fully recovered. The kindness of the stranger went a long way, and gave us both the renewed energy to keep going. It was one of the kindest gestures I have ever encountered and I have never missed a chance to pay it forward. By Eric Johnson, 43
BUS DRIVER
As a student trying to juggle jobs, volunteer work and university all at the same time, I often find myself misplacing things and losing them in a rush. This one time I was running late for an exam and hopped on the bus only to realize I had left my wallet, with all my credit card, cash and bus pass at home. I didn’t have enough time to go home and pick up everything and stood there rummaging through my bag while telling the bus driver about the situation. The kindness of the bus drivers in our city is often underappreciated because they are really so kind and supportive. The bus driver asked me how I planned to get home after the exam and I said I would still usually take the bus, but will think about what to do after my exam. He took out some coins from his pocket and not only bought me a ticket for the ride to university, but also gave me change so that I may be 36
able to make it back. I was so touched and happy. I tried returning the money to him the next day, but he asked me to keep it and wished me luck for my future. He said he immigrated to Canada as a student and remembers the days of struggle from when he had to run around all day trying to score well in studies while still earning a living and managing all the household chores. He was just glad he could help. I say hi to him every time I take that bus and only wish there were more supportive and kind individuals like him everywhere. By Deepak Verma, 21
Body, Mind & Spirit
Hiking Tips Summer is finally here! After being cooped up inside for the last few months in our unseasonably long winter it’s time now to get out of the house and enjoy the weather. One of the best things to do in the summer bedsides sitting on the patio and enjoying margaritas is going hiking. It’s a fun family outing that everyone can enjoy. Those who hike frequently know that hiking can be physically demanding, having said that novice hikers can start small, go for short hikes that are easier to navigate, no steep trails here, more like a meandering trail that is elevated at times but doesn’t make you crawl to the top. Before going on a hike, read the following tips to help you have a safe fun filled hike. 38
Common Mistakes Made on the Trail A mistake has the power to bring minor discomfort to hikers or it can cost them their lives. Many outdoor adventurers make mistakes but the greatest and most experienced ones will learn from their mishaps or prevent them altogether. Common hiking mistakes happen from simple carelessness like choosing the wrong path or not bringing a map. With a single mistake, hikers can lose many hours if they get hopelessly lost or even lose thousands of dollars if they lose valuable safety equipment The best hikers will know how to avoid typical mistakes that are committed every day on the trail. Before Going on the Hike Hiking is a fun, healthy, and affordable activity that is open to anyone. Anyone can get the most out of hiking and remain safe at the same time. Several
outdoor organizations promote a list known as the Ten Essentials that lists important hiking equipment. Some basic outdoor survival items include a compass, map, lighter, water, food, and weather gear. Other useful tips for hikers include informing family or friends about a trip, taking a cell phone, and gaining knowledge about possible natural dangers. Hikers should know about the location they want to visit, use any outdoor experience, and take advantage of their common sense. Long-distance hiking will increase the risks of dehydration, fatigue, hazardous water crossings, hypothermia, insect-borne diseases contractions, and animal attacks. Remaining aware and prepared in addition to planning ahead are the main ways that hikers can prevent disasters from happening. During the Hike Preparing for a hiking trip well beforehand is the most important step for hikers. When they travel into unknown
territories, they should know exactly what they are getting themselves into and take the highest precautions. Hikers are encouraged to have companions since they will be traveling a long distance on foot and the outdoors will make them very open to harm. One tip is that hikers who plan to camp should not do so within a half-mile of a oad or tell strangers where they intend to travel. Also, hikers should remain on marked trails so they can reduce their chances of getting lost. Evidently, adventurers must follow their instincts and use their best judgment.
Hiking Safety for Families A family hiking trek can bring people closer together, promote physical fitness, and encourage children to enjoy nature. Different members of a family will have different physical abilities when it comes to hiking long distances. The distance, environment, elevation, and weather are a few factors that should be
“A family hiking trek can bring people closer together, promote physical fitness, and encourage children to enjoy nature.�
tolerable for the group as a whole. Additionally, children are more sensitive than adults and tend to get bored or distracted more easily, so there are specific guidelines that will keep them safe. For instance, small children should stay close to adults so they are less likely to be attacked by animals. These young and inexperienced hikers will have greater problems with fatigue or dehydration, so a hiking group may have to stop an excursion entirely instead of struggle to finish it.
who are just sore should take the time to relax or massage their uncomfortable areas. In addition to monitoring health, monitoring progress is a task that involves writing updates about hiking goals, health, and experiences. Hikers should also review important hiking tips like the Hiker Responsibility Code on a routine basis.
After the Hike
There are all levels of trails, so the advice here is to do your research first, find the best suitable trail that you are comfortable with; follow the tips laid out and go enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Hiking can take a physical toll on many hikers who come from all fitness backgrounds and experience levels. Hikers should pay attention to negative body signs so they do not go beyond their limits. Even though conditioning will make hikers last longer on the trails, resting is just as important. Hikers who have become injured should not take their pain lightly and should obtain proper medical help. Hikers
Here is a link to our beautiful province’s hiking trails, http://www.env.gov. bc.ca/bcparks/recreation/ hiking/#Lower_mainBC.
Nearfieldcommunicationtags. com Nearfieldcommunicationtags. com Safety tips by Nearfieldcommunicationtag.com
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Career/Employment
of m y a w
An
egg's We would more likely take the stance that an egg is a chicken’s way of making
greater opportunities for position, income, authority and influence. How would it look, though, if we applied the
What’s a chicken? How would you attempt to answer this? The simplest, most logical way would be through descriptive words: “A bird” or “a farm animal” or maybe “delicious” (apologies to my vegetarian/vegan friends). What other ways are there to understand and articulate what a chicken is?
A CHICKEN IS JUST AN EGG’S WAY OF MAKING ANOTHER EGG.
(Read that again)
another chicken, not the other way around. It does make you look at eggs differently, though.
What is the purpose of professional development? The way we ubiquitously approach professional development is as a tool to advance our careers. More experience, education, training, and certifications lead to 40
chicken/ egg switch to professional development and career advancement? Rather than considering professional development as a way to achieve career advancement, consider career advancement as a tool for developing professional skillsets and capacity for growth. By thinking of experience, education, training and certification as means to an end, we downplay the significance of them. Alternatively, thinking of position, income, authority and influence as tools to
aking another
egg
access further knowledge and skills places due value on professional growth.
When I was in university, I’d often hear the remark “I’m paying my tuition for a piece of paper.” The piece of paper (diploma/ degree) is meant to signify to future employers that you’re a valuable asset. They should hire you because of this piece of paper. Translated, this means that the money, time, and energy involved in earning that credential are all means to a single end: to get a ‘good job.’ Would we not gain far more from our experience by seeking knowledge and skills as ends, while using future employment as the means of acquiring more of those ends? While this all may seem philosophical, I have a practical use for this shift in thinking. In your next job interview, when asked why you want the position, respond with the following: “I believe that in this role I’ll have the opportunity and resources to develop my
skills, learn this industry and become one of this company’s most valuable assets.” Once you’re offered the job, go celebrate with some classic Eggs Benedict!
By Peter McGee
CAREERS UNBOXED http://careersunboxed.com
Words of Wisdom
Live Purposefully
Gaitry Kaul is a Mahavastu Consultant and Astrologer sharing her words of wisdom in this issue of CloseLook Magazine. Here are her Words of Wisdom to live one’s life by. - Everything that we want to achieve is already present. We just need to be present with it to get it. - There is abundance of everything around us, but we don’t get it because we are not there; not in our own self. cunning or smart. Be genuine. Be positive. Positivity will infuse when you throw negativity.
- We all have to give something to others, like doctors give medicine to cure illness. Now, medicine is already there, he is only directing so that unhealthy become healthy. - Give something valuable. Be clear. Do not become
- Things will happen for you. Just identify what is to be done by you to live purposefully.
- If you find joy in whatever you do then definitely you will achieve the purpose of life. By Gaitry Kaul Mahavastu Consultant / Astrologer/ Palmist / Tarot Reader/ Vice President of Patanjali Yoga Committee / Trained Yoga Teacher/ Indian Classical Vocalist / Worked as TV/ Radio Host
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My Mom
By Suman Lalari, CPA, CGA
Recently CloseLook Magazine had the privilege of meeting a young professional who gave all the credit for her success in life to her parents. In particular, she wanted to pay tribute to her mother whom she looks up to. My mom, Jasvinder Lalari, is an amazing person who seems to have a positive impact on everyone she meets. She is someone I look up to and aspire to be like. The qualities I admire in my mom is her courage, her genuine heart, and always putting others first. She is a grandma of three, who constantly devotes her time to babysit so that her children don’t have to spend money on daycare. She is a daughter who helps her aged parents in all aspects of their life in Canada with their limited English skills. She is a mother of 6, who still takes great pride in making her children breakfast, lunch or dinner and taking care of them in any way she can. My mom has always been a smart lady, but never had the means to get an education while raising 6 kids. I am so proud of my mom for reinventing herself at 50 plus years of age. After losing her husband, my mom kept herself busy. She also started to finally do things for herself, such as travelling the world, getting certified to sell insurance and investments with WFG. Since she joined WFG she has enhanced her computer and sales skills. Joining WFG has not only improved her 42
existing skills, it has also increased her confidence and given her a new purpose in life. She is keeping her mind active, meeting new people and experiencing this world from a new perspective. The best part is she is passionate about what she is doing and having a lot of fun doing it.
"The qualities I admire in my mom is her courage, her genuine heart, and always putting others first. " About the author: Suman is the 4 th of 6 kids in her family and works as a Finance Manager for an aerospace company. In her spare time she loves to spend time outdoors being active, backpacking, hiking and running as well as travelling around the world. She lives by the teachings of her parents: work hard, have a free spirit and treat all others as equal regardless of race, status, wealth, or education.
Makeover
perfect
makeup
8 Super-Easy Steps for Looking Flawless — Fast! By Amber Kallor
up the foundation and help it glide. Expert tip: Want lighter coverage? Rub moisturizer on your hands before you blend for a sheer, dewy finish.
Step 3:
Reassess and Perfect!
Self-taught makeup artist 16 years old Naichal of Close Look team did the makeup for the model in this article. Naichal also shared the tips below with readers.
Step 1:
Step 2:
The first step of all: Apply a moisturizer with SPF to help concealer glide on smoothly. Then use concealer only where you need it, like on undereye circles and blemishes. Try a creamy formula in a shade that matches your skin tone. Apply in little stripes with a pointed concealer brush. Then blend using your ring finger for the lightest touch, and don’t tug on delicate undereye areas.
To get perfectly even skin the speedy way, use a foundation stick. It’s easy and gives you plenty precise application. Using the stick like a giant marker, draw thick lines down cheekbones, the sides of your nose and above brows, and blend with your fingers. Want to look a little more sun-kissed? Before blending, use a second stick that’s two or three shades darker in all the same places for a streak-free glow. Mix both colors together over your face and down onto your neck using your fingers the heat from your hands will warm
Hide Dark Circles A Touch of Base
Expert tip: To get at fine lines, use the point of your brush. 44
*If a pesky zit or mark is still poking through, go back and hide it with an extra layer of concealer. * Use the same kind as in step one or try a coverup that contains salicylic acid, which helps shrink blemishes while it camouflages. Dab it onto problem areas with a pointed brush instead of slicking it on from the tube. Right on top of the blemish, but to avoid cakey-ness, use your ring finger to pat its perimeter outward until smooth. Expert tip: For staying power, apply powder over top with a puff to absorb oil and to keep cover-up from sliding off midday.
Step 4:
Now Blush! *Forget shading and sculpting cheekbones with a brush and powder, and try
a cream blush instead for that glow-from- within effect. * Apply to the apples of your cheeks. The fast way to find yours: Smile! Then blend the color up toward your temples with your fingers. Bright, bold hues can look natural, but if you’re color-shy, build the intensity by gradually layering it on. Expert tip: Gone overboard? Defuse a clownlike situation by applying a bit of foundation over top instead of washing it all off and starting from scratch.
Step 5:
Apply Shimmery Eye Base *For pro-looking eye makeup in no time, apply a wash of sheer, shimmery cream shadow from lash lines to brow bones using your pointer finger. * Shimmer helps hide stray eyebrow hairs if you don’t have time to tweeze! If your skin is fair, try a silvery white shade. For medium to dark skin tones, opt for a champagne color instead. To get an extra brighteyed effect, dot the color onto the inner corners of your eyes too. Celebs use this trick on the red carpet all the time. Expert tip: If your lids tend to be on the oilier side, use a primer all over them first to help shadow last.
Step 6:
Make The Eyes Pop *Next, use bronze and gold cream shadows to give eyes more depth.* Apply the bronze shade in your creases with a flat shadow brush for more control, and use your fingers to smudge it down over the lids—avoiding the brow
bones. There shouldn’t be any harsh lines or stripes of color, it should look blended and effortless. To make everything budgeproof (important with creamy formulas like these), set the cream with a matching powder eyeshadow, or dust a colorless translucent powder on top. Then, to make eyes look even bigger, pat some gold cream shadow onto the centers of your lids and run a little along your lower lash lines with your finger or a small brush. Expert tip: Using gold under eyes looks luminous; darker shades can draw attention to undereye circles.
Step 7:
Add Some Definition *For more intensity, rim your upper lash lines with a brown liner pencil and smudge it
upward with your shadow brush.* Then set with the same powder eyeshadow used in the previous step. Finish off with two coats of mascara, on top and bottom—focusing on the outer lashes with the top of the wand. If your brows aren’t full, lightly fill in any gaps with a pencil and use a disposable mascara wand to brush the hairs up. Expert tip: To give eyes an even bigger boost, use an eyelash curler before you apply mascara. Start as close to the roots of your lashes as possible and gently pulse the curler forward bit by bit to the ends.
Step 8:
Get LushLooking Lips *If your lips are dry or at all chapped, gently buff with a damp washcloth and apply lip balm.* Let it sink in well, and blot with a tissue if it feels slippery. Using a strawberrycolor lipstick, straight from the tube, apply it to the center of your mouth (make a kissy face!), where color tends
to wear off first. Blend the lipstick out over your lips, patting the color on with your fingertip to help it last. This gives you that fresh, just-atea-popsicle look. To amp up things for night, add a layer of gloss for extra shine. Expert tip: Run a piece of ice over your lips before slicking on gloss to help color last all day and preventit from bleeding.
Ta-da, you’re done!
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SPEAKUP! Speakup
What’s on your Mind …
CloseLook Magazine has dedicated this page for their readers to post their concerns, issues and thoughts to share with all so anyone with similar issues or questions will know they are not alone… This is what you said…
Uniform in schools One of the issue which has been going on for decades is about uniform in schools. According to researchers, 2004 study makes the case that uniform do not improve school safety or academic discipline. A 2005 study, on the other hand, indicates that in some high school’s uniform may have improved graduation and attendance rates. In my opinion having school dress encourages discipline, identifies strangers in the school, changes the perspective on economic issue, makes school feel like a pride etc. We say “youth is our future”, the future needs to understand system and how they and people around them get impacted. By Arzoo Bansal
Can I do it? After my high school graduation I decided to take part in a trip called “Biking the Rockies.” This was a trip that entailed riding a bicycle (yes a bicycle) to Alberta. This trip required me to learn how to prepare for camp for the first time, get back on a bicycle after years of not riding and preparing myself for both physical and mental challenge. There were many times on this trip that I truly felt like I could not 48
complete this task anymore. I am happy to say that despite those difficult moments I faced, I was able to accomplish this challenge successfully. Why am I sharing this short story? There are many times in life where I question if I can really achieve the goals I set up for myself. This accomplishment taught me a valuable lesson. That lesson is if you put your mind into doing something that feels like its impossible to do… you can truly do it with just some strength! By Alysha
Nice gesture …. Hi, I am Arman Bansal, an immigrant from Chandigarh, India. I came to Canada with my parents about 6 years ago. My parents wanted me to continue my studies in Canada. I want to be a doctor and shine in my studies. Knowing it is a long process, I was scared to go in a total new environment and start everything from scratch. But, Canada being so respectful to different cultures and welcoming, helps everyone to explore more options for their future goals. I didn’t have to waste anytime and my studies are going smooth. Today, we have a beautiful house and I am halfway through my science degree. Furthermore, I find studies in Canada well structured and simplified. I will always thank my parents for making that life changing decision for me. By Arman Bansal
The high rates of tuition costs
Balancing life
I am an international student going to Capilano University. The tuition costs for international students double or even triple the domestic tuition costs. Luckily, my parents support my school and living costs until I graduate, but it is hard. Not many Canadian born people are fortunate like me. There are increasingly high rates of Canadian people who do not go to
post-secondary because of the lack of money and support. If the Canadian government can help with the costs, there will be more educated people in this world, which means more jobs. By Minie Liu, 20
I sometimes wish there were more hours in the day. I am 20 and currently going to university, working, playing sports, training, taking driving lessons, and occasionally volunteering. I need to have a balance between my activities. I always find that I am rushing in order to get to my next activity because the timing is so tight. By Susan Wang, 20
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- The word “queue” is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed. - Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon. - Of all the words in the English language, the word ‘set’ has the most definitions! - What is called a “French kiss” in the English speaking world is known as an “English kiss” in France. - “Almost” is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order. - “Rhythm” is the longest English word without a vowel. - There is a city called Rome on every continent. - It’s against the law to have a pet dog in Iceland! - Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day! - Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people - Your ribs move about 5 million times a year, everytime you breathe!
BRAINTEASER 1. One sunny day, a ship was in the Halifax harbour. Suddenly the ship began to sink. There was no storm and the ship was new, without flaws. It sank in front of the spectators’ eyes. Question : What caused the ship to sink? 2. Insert numbers 1 to 9 into the grid. Challenge: The sum of each column, each row and the two diagonals must have different totals. Find two solutions.
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