“Real people, real stories”
QUALITY • PERSONALITY • SERVICE BRAND NEW OR PRE OWNED SUITABLE FOR ALL BUDGETS EXPERTS TO FIND YOU THE PERFECT FIT AND TRUSTED STAFF
SUPPORTING ALL COMMUNITIES
The Surrey Honda family believes in the vision that CloseLook carries as a non profit organization. We pride ourselves on being a helping hand in the community we not only work but also live in. As a supporter of the CloseLook project we can strongly say that we know our future is in great hands with the people at CloseLook guiding it. CLOSE LOOK 2019
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- Nasir Kamrudin GM Surrey Honda
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Our Team Marketing Team
Sunny (Manager) Chris Anna
Chief Editor
Harvinder Sandhu
Art Director
Jasneet Kaur Samra
Photographers
Close Look Team
Contributing Writers Coral Reef Dileep Nigam Ira Saini Jenny Chahal Laurie Morningstar Mai Le Manjit K Naaz Harika Raj Nagi Sohila Kaur Sethi Vanessa Smit
Publisher’s Note
SimmyCheema I remember the day when I showed up at my friend’s place in the middle of the night, crying endlessly. I was feeling very hopeless and anxious, and thought my life was over. Going to her place and explaining the situation wasn’t easy for me, but I am glad I opened up to her that night.
Our Previous Issue
If you don’t have a friend, or a family member, to support you in tough times, there are community resources and help lines that can help you. These resources are available online. “What comes to your mind, and what you think in the days of challenges, will determine your future.” The above statement can be your guide, as it was mine. We would like to give a big thank you to all our supporters for believing in my vision. Especially, my heartfelt thanks to God, my team, my family and the contributing writers who believe in making a difference.
Contact Info Ph: 604-999-1433 Comments or Feedback: sim1433@hotmail.com Copies Available Online at: www.closelook.ca CLOSE LOOK 2019
“The richness of this magazine is what makes it different than the rest. It is personal and connects with the reader. All articles and pieces included are heartfelt and abstract. The ideas used are expanding on issues that many members of our society have to deal with. If we take a look at the topic of this edition it is anti-bullying and that is showcased through real stories that show the issue and its effect in our society today.”
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-Goldy Harika, Surrey BC SUMMER - FALL
Contents TALENT
JOURNEY FROM GEEK TO MODEL PG.08:
Meenal Drock is a corporate woman, an entrepreneur, model/actor/anchor, choreographer, pageant & lifestyle coach, fitness freak and a fashionista who believes that if you are passionate about your goals in life then you can achieve it all.
MONEY MATTERS
THINK SMART! PG.29:
What is financial management? Knowing where your money goes and how you are using your money is part of financial management.
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Close Look wants to know. We want you to pick any catagories from our contents’ pages and write an article. It could be featured in our next issue. Because, to us “You Matter.” Close Look Magazine Real People, Real Stories
INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
7 INDIGENOUS FASHION DESIGNERS PG.21:
The second Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto is coming up on May 28 – 31 , 2020 at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto expresses Indigenous art and gives the artists and designers an opportunity to showcase cultural roots through their work and get it to a global scale.
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RIDING ACROSS CANADA PG.26:
I was born in Duncan on Vancouver Island. I learned to ride without training wheels at 3 and you couldn’t get me off my bike. My Dad, my superhero, talented at cycling and mechanics, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 6 years old and from that day forward my life changed.
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WORDS OF WISDOM
PG.38:
8 boys were standing on a track for racing. Ready ! Steady ! Go .... !
i support
HAND AGAINST RACISM PG.14:
Today we all have united here to talk about racism. The international day for the elimination of racial
SAM, SHORT STORY PG.16:
A pool of deep crimson stained the crisp fibers of the paper. His lifeless body clung to the agonizing words that he had kept inside him for so long.
LONELINESS PG.36:
When you come across this word, we all can think of an explanation or scenarios to define the feeling. SUMMER - FALL
Your articles can be submitted by email at: closelookproductions@gmail.com Call us at: 604.999.1433 Close Look magazines are available online at: www.closelook.ca
FEATURE STORY
ANXIETY PG.31:
Anxiety is a mental disorder that affects 1 in 5 Canadians according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
MAKEOVER
BEAUTY TIPS PG.39:
Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, or suntan lotion, is a lotion, spray, gel, foam, stick or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and which in return helps protect against sunburn.
p.28
“Real people, real stories”
CIRCLE OF KINDNESS
PG.37:
My first day as a barista was very stressful. It was my first job ever too, and while I had experience volunteering earlier, this was very different. I was very scared and could barely talk.
body, mind & spirit
AWARENESS PG.44:
Many people from all walks of life are barely making it through the day. Feeling helpless and powerless to make changes or are afraid to change as they are less than sure how they will be if they did...it is all they have known.
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SPEAK UP
ME PG.41:
“Is that a beard?” “Why does she have so much hair?” “She’s like a gorilla!” are just some of the comments and questions that have been asked and said by people, either to my face or behind my back, but my question was, “why am I like this, and why only me?”
CAREER/EMPLOYMENT
MANAGING DISTRACTION TO MANAGE YOUR LIFE PG.47:
Imagine a situation – you sat on the desk with the thought of finishing your college assignment, with the cell phone by your side and within seconds, you heard a notification.
TALENT
JOURNEY FROM GEEK TO MODEL not only perceive me as a geek but also like my overall personality. No matter how much we deny this or try to cover it, the fact remains that your physical appearance matters. The good news is that in modern days, you can change the way you appear with excellent tools such as clothing, makeup, energy, and attitude.
Introduction:
M
eenal Drock is a corporate woman, an entrepreneur, model, actress, anchor, choreographer, pageant/ lifestyle coach, fitness freak and a fashionista who believes that if you are passionate about your goals in life then you can achieve it all. I strongly believe in working hard, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, polishing your overall personality, balancing work life with other stress buster activities and understanding your inner beauty to reflect it on the outside. I like to stay busy for at least 16 hours daily and always focus on getting a good return on an investment I make on multiple projects.
The year 2016 to 2018 has been completely adventurous for me. Not only did I win the Ravishing Miss India Seattle 2016 U.S.A, but I have also become the face of several brands and made celebrity guest appearances in more than 85 events. I have had the opportunity to walk for several fashion weeks such as New York Fashion Week, Seattle Fashion Week, Redmond Fashion Week, etc... I was given the honor to be in the judging panel for Miss Asia WA, U.S.A Miss Africa WA, and Miss British Columbia. I had the opportunity to be a coach and mentor for the pageant girls prepping to compete. My association with brands and endorsements got me a step closer to my passion for marketing as well as promoting the brands.
After living in the U.S.A for 10 years, Meenal has recently moved to Vancouver and is excited to start her new journey in Canada. My Journey from being a Geek to a model & Miss India Seattle I have always been a geek throughout my school life. As I started university, I realized that the real world requires not only someone who has academic skills, someone proficient at sports, dance, acting, but also someone who has a presentable personality. At the age of 15, I did get bullied sometimes as my nerd avatar always camouflaged my physical appearance in a social setting. Describing myself in a few words back then, I was someone who was not noticeable and lacked social presence because I did not know how to be stylish or showcase my true personality. Due to my interest in learning, I decided to gain knowledge on how to shape my personality in a way that people CLOSE LOOK 2019
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RUNWAY SHOWS
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MUSIC VIDEOS
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THEATER PLAYS
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FILMS
CELEBRITY GUEST APPEARANCES
YMCA TEEN SUMMER
MEMBERSHIP
BE ACTIVE AND HEALTHY WITH A FREE YMCA TEEN SUMMER MEMBERSHIP!
We encourage youth to get active and meet new friends in a safe and welcoming community this summer. The YMCA Teen Summer Membership is available for teens ages 13-18 from June 15th to August 31, 2019 at any of the four YMCA locations. YMCA Teen Summer Members will have access to YMCA facilities and can: • Go swimming • Work out in the gym and on the weight floor* • Take a fitness class including yoga, pilates, bootcamp • Be with their friends in a safe and welcoming space • Enjoy all the benefits of YMCA teen membership - at no cost!
To get involved, sign up at your closest YMCA membership desk or call: Langara Family YMCA: 604-324-9622 Robert Lee YMCA: 604-689-9622 | Tong Louie Family YMCA: 604-575-9622 | Chilliwack YMCA: 604-792-3371 CLOSE LOOK 2019
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“It is high time that we all stop making judgement and false perceptions.”
I made red carpet appearances in IIFA Bollywood Awards, 2016 in NewYork as well as in Dabangg tour reloaded in Vancouver, Canada. I recently won Best Model/Actor 2017 award in IFAB awards, New Jersey. Current Platforms that I wish to create awareness on through Close Look: #SayNoToBullying One of the platforms that I am currently working on is to help all individuals who have been bullied in their early childhood or have been underestimated for being a nerd. My goal is to coach them towards being confident and having a personality that shines. My vision is to change the way people perceive that geek and beauty do not go together. Recently, there have been stories published with nerds that have academic excellence have excelled not only in their professional lives but have also excelled in their passion. One of my role models is Lyndsey Scott who is an American model, iOS mobile app software developer, and actress. She was the first-ever African American model to sign an exclusive runway contract with Calvin Klein. It is high time that we all stop making judgment and false perceptions. I urge that if you know of any individual that needs help in building up their confidence socially, please reach out to me. Build your inner confidence and stop being the victim. #SayNoToHeightism Platform Over the past 12 years, I worked for several non-profit orgs such as CRY, Hopes & smiles for Children. In the year 2017, I started work on creating my nonprofit platform called ‘Say No To Heightism’. In my opinion, Heightism is like Racism. It exists but no one is talking about it. This campaign ‘Say NoTo Heightism’ is very close to my heart since I have experienced height discrimination since the age of 16 when I first entered the world of Fashion. I spoke about it on various occasions from 2008 and on, but my cause did not gain momentum. I decided to not give up and felt the need to create awareness on a larger scale and with social media in power, I thought to leverage the platform to get more support. Currently, I have a group of 600 like-minded individuals who agree that the Fashion world needs to remove height eligibility criteria and along with these individuals, I have been interviewing with TV channels & radio stations to bring more light to this issue. Through social media, in 24 hours I was able to reach to 9834 people who liked the hashtag #SayNoToHeightism Why am I speaking up on this Heightism now? Well actually, I have been speaking about this since the age of 21. During my university days, I started a campaign to cast girls of all shapes, body type, and height for State-level Fashion competitions. I started discussing this issue with several designers I worked with and also with other fashion industry folks and I noticed that no one has a logical answer on ‘Why they have a height restriction in prestigious pageants and fashion weeks’? In some cases, I did get an answer stating, “These are industry standards set”. But when I cross-questioned on who set them, no one really knew the answer. An international designer mentioned that he prefers taller and slim models because then he CLOSE LOOK 2019
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knew the answer. An international designer mentioned that he prefers taller and slim models because then he has to spend less money on their clothing material. But in reality, the target consumer market may be anywhere between a petite size and shorter height individuals to an exceptionally taller body frame. So shouldn’t a designer consider designing clothes that cover the whole spectrum of height range and body type? How would a consumer whose height falls in the average or below average range imagine whether a particular outfit will suit him/her by viewing it on a body type that is not similar to theirs? One of the major reasons, I am bringing this issue up again is because now with the power of social media, I think we can get answers to some of these questions and maybe work towards a solution that allows every talented person to get an equal opportunity. Several shows do not even allow male and female models to audition if they do not meet a certain height requirement thus discouraging talented folks to even apply to showcase their talent.
ing n g i des um of r e nsid spectr o c ner whole pe?” g i s ty de s the y a d t o r ’ ldn t cove and b u o “Sh thes tha ht range clo heig
What is my suggestion? Since Fashion weeks and beauty pageants inspire people and act as youth icons, it is important for them to stop promoting Heightism and instead have mandatory allotments where 50% of spots in shows are reserved for models that fall in petite and average/ below average height range and remainder 50% is reserved for models above the average height. In my opinion, this will allow a spectrum of talent to audition as well as open the doors for female and male models that feel less confident or shy away from auditioning due to being short in height as per the industry standards. How can you be involved? I cannot run this campaign alone and I believe our voice is stronger when we speak as a team. So over the last few months, I have been working on expanding this group and have been adding as many petite and short in height female/male models that are interested to run this campaign. I have been fortunate that several international designers and other fashion leaders have joined the group and will actively support me. I have also seen interest from taller models who believe in the fact that models that do not fit the height criteria lose out on opportunities mainly because of height restrictions. Over the next few months, these voices will become champions to bring the change at a higher level.
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hat’s W
Mind? On Your
“Be a part of Close Look!
A great way to take part in our youth movement is competing in our annual talent show, “Close Look got talent” which is a platform that allows youth to showcase their talent. If you shy away from the big stage, send in an article to recognize your work and it can be featured in our Magazine.” Close Look wants to know what’s on your mind. We want you to write an article towards your views on any topic and it could be featured in our next issue. OUR CATEGORIES: • Talent • Inspirational stories • Words of wisdom • Money matters
• The Kindness circle • Speak up • Body Mind & Spirit • Career/Employment
Do you think you were made for the big stage? If you answered yes Close Look is on the lookout for hosts or interesting individuals to take part in our T.V discussions. CONTACT US: https://www.closelook.ca/magazine https://clufoundation.org/ CLOSE LOOK 2019
Phone Number:604-999-1433 Email: closelookunitedfoundation@gmail.com 13
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I SUPPORT
Sohila Kaur Sethi
HAND AGAINST
RACISM
“UNITY IS STRENGTH!”
SURREY TOWN HALL 2019 MARCH 21ST
T
oday I will be sharing my thoughts/discussing a topic which is just as important as bullying. This topic is probably one of the main factors in bullying. I am here to talk about racism! “The international day for the elimination of racial discrimination.” The term doesn’t fall easily under a single definition but it comes under many strong words. There can be a few synonyms used for racism, such as antagonism, bias, and discrimination.
What is racism, you may ask? Well, let me explain; It is the advantage of one group over another, calling out to one because of his or her skin colour, etc... Some of us have come from different countries and regions all around the world and have settled down here in Canada. We all are different and that’s what makes us all special. Because of our differences, we all have a unique talent and with these talents, we seek opportunities to make us shine as individuals. We have to make a better tomorrow to empower our future generations.
“THIS IS THE POWER OF DIVERSITY”. Racism shouldn’t have a place in our hearts, and our country. We should be here to educate ourselves, encourage hard work and create an environment where diversity should be valued.
We have to treat others with the same respect and dignity which help brighten ideas and make our country stronger, no matter what country/ religion they belong to. If you think about it someone from any religion, whether they are Indian or American has made a discovery that has made the world strong in some way. Even then, why are assumptions and judgments being made on the bases of skin or color? As we all are aware bullying happens in schools, colleges, and public places. Let’s suppose a student in University has come up with a magnificent idea, and this idea can positively change the world. Instead, this person might throw their wonderful idea away. Why you may? This is because they are afraid to showcase their talent just because of their religion and skin colour. That is what racism can do. Now think about it if every bright idea goes to waste how will the world/people strive for success. “TAKING A STAND” It’s not easy winning a game all alone. It takes participation from teammates, team spirit, coordination, etc...
So let’s take a stand together and show the world we will not tolerate this any longer. “Together we can make a huge difference”
By, Sohila Kaur Sethi, Grade 7 With the support of her mother Kanwardeep Kaur Sethi CLOSE LOOK 2019
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I SUPPORT
Sam
“The light pink hue that kissed
SHORT STORY BY JENNY CHAHAL
his cheeks seemed to grow darker as he glanced at me.”
A
pool of deep crimson stained the crisp fibers of the paper. His lifeless body clung to the agonizing words that he had kept inside him for so long. All the pain and torture he had been through, leaking out in the form of a furious red stream that blossomed from his arms. It was all so long ago. I’ve tried to move on, but I could never forget the way his laugh made butterflies erupt from within me. Every time I remember his smile, how easily it could light up a room, it tears me apart from the inside. His story remains etched in my soul, a constant reminder of the three words I never got to tell him. It all started on that warm summer night. Stars were splashed onto the jet black sky, glittering like diamonds in a sea of black nothingness. “Alright, why did you drag me up here Sam?” I said as we collapsed onto the grass. “Oh um… I uh… I’ll tell you later,” he replied. His emerald green eyes averted their gaze from mine and found their way to the sky. “It’s beautiful out here,” “Just like you,” I thought to myself. Sam let out a deep sigh as he brushed a piece of chocolate brown hair behind his ear. The light pink hue that kissed his cheeks seemed to grow darker as he glanced at me. “Is everything ok?” I asked. “Yeah…” he said as he smirked a bit. Stars bled into the horizon, and the warm glow of day swallowed the darkness. It wasn’t until later that day when Sam and I met once again that I began to worry. He met me atop the hill and stared at the once star-dusted sky. “Miles I need to talk to you…” he said. The pink hue on his cheeks turned ghostly white and his eyes seemed to grey. “What’s wrong?” I tried to keep my voice as steady as possible. “I…” he paused for a moment and sat up. “I um… Miles I...” “Sam, what’s wrong?” my voice began to shake as I looked at him. Dark circles hung below his eyes, and his lips stretched thin. “I… I gotta go…” he stood up hastily. I grabbed his hand and for a split second, I swore I saw his eyes shimmer. “Sam please… tell me what’s wrong.”
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paper. Sentences formed explanations. The further I read, the sicker I felt.
“I...I can’t…” He turned away and slipped his grasp from mine. Streams of salted water flowed down his face and blurred his vision as he took off down the hill.
“Dear Miles,” it read, “I’m so sorry it had to come to this. I’m so sorry I was too scared to tell you... Miles, I’m gay. I’m gay and I love you.” Ink ran as my tears fell onto the paper.“I was so scared you would hate me, I was so scared everyone was going to abandon me. My thoughts got to me; demons in my brain kept telling me nobody would love me if I came out. Petrifying voices constantly echoed in my head. I tried to tell you sooner but the words ate me alive from the inside and consumed me until this became the only option. I’m sorry Miles I really, truly am, but I can’t live like this anymore. Maybe in another life, I can express my love for you without fear of losing you, but in this life, I simply can’t. Goodbye, my love. I’m sorry.”
“Sammy...?” I managed a whisper. I had known him longer than I could remember, and then once beautiful memories of imaginary pirate ships and deep conversations under the moonlight now haunt me in the dead of night. Sam had never acted this way before. He had always been so full of life, but at the time he just seemed like a ghost. My heart shatters as I recall the last time I saw him. I found him sobbing in the dead of night atop our hill. His tears were illuminated by the twinkling stars, making them look beads of glass that ran down the cheeks of a porcelain doll.
“Sam,” I sobbed uncontrollably as I tried to gather my words, “I love you, Sam”.
“Sam…” I spoke softly as I pulled him close to me. He breathed into my sweater for a few moments before he was able to utter a word.
I held his lifeless body until my throat was raw from crying.
“I’m a disgrace,” he sobbed, “Everyone is going to hate me.”
“Sammy please, please come back. Sammy, I love you. Sam, I’m gay and I love you too. It’s ok just please come back to me...”
“Sam you’re not a disgrace, please tell me what’s going on, I’m so worried,” I pulled his face close to mine and wiped away his tears with my sleeve. I remember how helpless he had looked. I remember how I saw such agony in his eyes.
Although it’s been many years since I lost Sam, the guilt of his death still haunts me. I see him everywhere, no matter what I do or where I look, I can still hear his beautiful laugh echoing in the corners of my mind.
“Miles… I-” he choked on the words as he tried to speak. “I can’t tell you”
If only there was less stigma around being gay. If only the world could try to understand his fear. If only I had the chance to tell him I loved him. Maybe then my sweet Sammy would still be alive, and maybe then would people realize, love is not a choice.
“What can’t you tell me, Sammy?” “I...’m-” his tears prevented him from saying anything further. I held him as he sobbed until his tired body melted into my arms and his cries of agony turned into soft snores. I carried him back to his home, with plans of visiting him the next morning. “I’m going to help you, Sammy. I promise you.” I softly kissed his forehead as I tucked him into bed. “I love you, Sam… I do.”
“I can still hear his beautiful
The following morning is one that I never forgot. I rushed over to Sam’s house, without anything else in my mind but him. The memory of the agony I had seen in his eyes the previous night made something stir deep inside me.
laugh echoing in the corners of my mind.” FROM THE AUTHOR JENNY CHAHAL
“SAM!” I cried as I frantically banged on the door, “SAM IT’S ME, MILES!” Time passed with no response. Seconds felt like years, minutes felt like decades.
I wrote this story because I want to support LGBTQ issue. I strongly believe love is love and everyone should have the right to express their feelings towards their partner. I hope this story illustrates my thoughts, it breaks my heart to see people in pain and suffering because they dont have the freedom to express themselves because their are fearful of the consciences. I hope you like this story.
“SAM?!” In a nervous panic, I began to slam myself against the door. I threw myself against it with more and more force until it burst open. I ran into Sam’s room and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw him. The world slowed as I took in the scene. A puddle of deep red surrounded him. His eyes were shut. His body lay still. In his hand lay a crisp white paper. “Sammy…?” my voice shook with anguish as I collapsed next to his corpse. “SAMMY?!” I sat next to him for a long, long time and silently sobbed until I finally found the courage to look at what he held in his hand. Carefully constructed words formed sentences on the CLOSE LOOK 2019
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Young Adult Writing Contest Submit poetry, short stories, and comics to our annual teen writing contest. Young writers can submit once to each of four categories: Short Stories, Poems, Comics, & the Random category. The entry is free! The contest is open from June 3rd to Aug. 5th at 11:59 PM. Entries to the contest are judged on originality and style, as well as grammar and spelling. Be sure to read all the contest details and rules before submitting. Sponsors: Black Bond Books, Fast Signs, Imperial Hobbies, Pacific Coast Catering Group, Pico Productions, Surrey International Writers’ Conference, Surrey NOW-Leader Have questions? Send us an email: library-teens@surrey.ca
Teen Summer Adventure! Teen Summer Adventure: June 3 - September 3, 2019 Need some inspiration for how to spend the summer?
Surrey Libraries has the answer with our All-Access Passbook to summer fun! Our All-Access Passbook is filled with challenges, activities, a tracker for your reading, and more. Complete the activities to earn tickets that go toward weekly prizes and summer-end grand prize draws! All you have to do is pick up your All-Access Passbook from any Surrey Libraries branch. Complete the Passbook activities that interest you the most. Return to the library to receive tickets that go toward prize draws. It’s that simple. So join our adventure. Pick up an All-Access Passbook and see where it takes you! Weekly prizes will be given out by each Surrey Libraries branch.
Summer Reading Club Imagine the Possibilities!
Kids of all ages can join the summer reading club to earn stickers and a super reader medal by reading this summer! It’s free to join, and even younger kids can join and listen to stories.
Starts June 18, 2019.
What can I read? Kids can read books, comics, or listen to stories. Read at home, on vacation, or anywhere! Each day marked as ‘read’ should be 15 minutes or more of reading. Benefits of reading: • Summer Reading Club helps children succeed. • Grow literacy skills • Increase reading levels • Enjoy reading and prevent ‘summer brain drain’ • Better prepare for the new school year • Supporting B.C.’s new curriculum
Find out more info at www.surreylibraries.ca
EXPERIENCED MORTGAGE BROKERS IN VANCOUVER, B.C. Let me help you find the right mortgage for your needs. With access to multiple lenders, I’ll help you find the best rates and best mortgage options to help you buy your dream home. Whether you are an experienced property investor or new to investment properties, start by having a conversation with myself, to explore some of the innovative new options and great rates available today.
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Mobile. 604.866.0135 | Fax. 604.738.8121 gary.bains@4frontmortgages.com 105 - 950 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC www.4frontmortgages.com
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INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
7INDIGENOUS FASHION DESIGNERS To Watch At Indigenous Fashion Week
The second Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto is coming
up on May 28 – 31 , 2020 at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto expresses Indigenous art and gives the artists and designers an opportunity to showcase cultural roots through their work and get it to a global scale. This festival is a great way to support the Indigenous and First peoples and celebrate their communities traditions that have been practiced for many years. The IFWTO runs for four days to give all the art to be displayed and appreciated by the audience and this increases awareness to the Indigenous communities and their work. The programming for the festival is based on 60% women. This year they will be holding the second IFWTO, as the first was a huge success in 2018. In 2018 IFWTO was recognized through a front-page article in the Toronto Star entertainment section, sold out runway shows, feature article in NOW Magazine, a segment on CBC’s the National and coverage in Vogue and National Geographic, the festival was also covered by local and national mainstream and Indigenous press. The interest of IFWTO is to create new challenging ideas that still are connected to the traditions of Indigenous people. IFWTO features a runway with performances, marketplace, art exhibition, hands-on workshops, panels and networking events. They work closely with the artists that are chosen to keep detailed work with keeping it respectful to the sacred practices of the Indigenous people. The artists for the first festival had successful shows and their work was admired by many. The fashion was a great blend of modern art and traditions. The beauty of events like this are that they give the chance to communities to shine and are bringing attention to the hidden talent of the artists. By Naaz Harika CLOSE LOOK 2019
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*Images borrowed from: TORONTO RAPTORS
In 1892, at 30 years of age, Canadian
James Naismith wrote the first basketball rule book while teaching at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Naismith’s goal was to bring out the best in young people—a mission that’s still at the core of YMCAs today.
Since then the sport has grown across the world. Whether it’s EuroBasket, NCAA March Madness or the NBA championships, many people feel the buzz and excitement of this fast-paced sport that certainly has personality. Let’s fast forward 128 years to where we are today—the most historic NBA basketball series in our country’s history: The Toronto Raptors vs. The Golden State Warriors. This is the first time a Canadian team has made its way to the
NBA Toronto, Europe—all over the world are connecting digitally and in-person in the excitement of this historical time. We’re seeing fans join each other at away games, singing O’ Canada proudly and making friends all with the shared connection of simply being Canadian. Media is showing how “Canadian” we really can be, especially when it comes to trash-talking with lots of people opting to not speak poorly about another team—it really can’t get more Canadian. Even the proudest Torontonians would be amazed to see West Coast folks connecting, cheering and proudly wearing their #WeTheNorth Raptors gear.
Even Non-Sporty People Might Be Feeling Sporty The excitement, energy, and success of CLOSE LOOK 2019
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@Raptors Jun 15
our Raptors team has started to rub off on even the most sport-adverse folks.even the most sport-adverse folks. People that know nothing about the game or the league are jumping on board, and it’s creating fantastic ways for people to connect. The barriers to join the conversation are low, and that’s why we think this sport is genuinely helping people feel engaged and connected. It doesn’t matter if you’re a sportsperson or not. It’s more about sharing in the excitement. It is history in the making, after all! We can now say June 14, 2019, marks a significant moment in Canadian history the Toronto Raptors earned the official title of NBA Champions—a first for Canada. When speaking about this great achievement on Sports Center after the championship game, President
of Basketball Operations, Masai Ujiri noted the power and importance of positivity, believing and bringing people from all over the world together. To us, this shows sport has the potential to foster community. During the post-game broadcast NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, said, “…congratulations, basketball has come full circle in Canada. It was invented by a Canadian. The first NBA game was in Toronto. And, now, an NBA Championship!” As lovely as the title is, what we see is hard work, resilience, and determination paying off. We’re proud to see a team foster connection and belonging. Most importantly, we’re lucky to witness sport unifying not only a city but a country. It shows that positive energy is contagious.
We couldn’t be happier to see people feeling engaged and connected. We’ll be out here looking forward to cheering you on again and again, because together #WeTheNorth and well, more officially, #WeTheChamps! By Vanessa Smit
*Images borrowed from: @TorontoDateIdeas, @YorkRegionGovt, @NBACanada, www.rappler.com*
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“To me, riding my bike
symbolizes freedom and growth. I must keep my balance and keep moving forward.”
Riding Across Canada I was born in Duncan on Vancouver
Island. I learned to ride without training wheels at 3 and you couldn’t get me off my bike. My Dad, my superhero, talented at cycling and mechanics, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 6 years old and from that day forward my life changed.
I got answers to why I mentally and emotionally suffered. Riding my BMX across Canada is a dream I’ve had from 7 years old. Now my dream is a reality. I want everyone to know you can change your life – sobriety is possible!
I moved to Terrace BC, when I was 7. I rode bikes trying to make friends. Some of these kids were older and they sexually abused and tortured me. Not long after this my parents divorced and I blamed myself. I began to socially disconnect and in my teenage years I became an outcast. I started partying and hanging around with the wrong crowd. Hard drugs and drinking became my life at age 15. I lost a close friend and unable to process the pain of that loss in a healthy manner I simply did more drugs. I crashed my truck due to mixing drugs and medications, lost my job, overdosed and ended up in the hospital.
Sobriety is Possible
While in the hospital my mom showed me a news clip about the John Volken Academy. All I heard was long term. I was sold because I knew I didn’t know how to live. Once I was through the doors of the John Volken Academy I felt safe. After 3 months I experienced great personal growth. It was a challenge living in a Therapeutic Community, but it was what was needed. I learned about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and finally at the age of 30 CLOSE LOOK 2019
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Goal
I am attempting to set a world record for longest BMX bike ride. If successful, I will be the first person in the world to bike across Canada on a single speed BMX bike. I will be leaving from Halifax soon as weather permits. Approximately during the first week of May. The finish line will be the Parliament Building in Victoria B.C.
MOTIVATION
My motivation for the trip comes from a deep desire to give back to the John Volken Academy.
Interview with CTV Ottawa June 12, 2019
“I should have been dead a few times. After failing at 7 treatment centres, I found my recovery at the John Volken Academy.” Now that I have been sober for 3 years, I am excited about life. I went through 7 different rehab places. Nothing worked. I should have died several times. Then I found the John Volken Academy – it literally saved my life. The John Volken Academy Addiction Recovery Program is different – it really works. I am 3 years sober. The John Volken Academy Addiction Recovery Program changed my life. There is real hope for any addict.
Follow Mat on Instagram: @cyclingforsobriety
Made it to Nova Scotia April 18, 2019
Mentioned in The News June 5, 2019
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ACREAGES / BACKYARDS / BASALT STONE WALLS / FRONTYARDS / PATIOS WALKWAYS / WATERFALLS & WATER FEATURES / SPECIALTY DESIGNS & GARDEN LIGHTING
SCOTTY’S LANDSCAPING & DESIGN Scotty’s Landscaping & Design takes pride in providing personal landscape design services with professional results for South Surrey, White Rock and Langley, in beautiful BC, Canada. Phone: (604) 312-8924 Email: Scottyslandscaping@hotmail.com
www.scottyslandscaping.com An initial consultation fee of $150 is required for new clients. This covers our costs to begin the space evaluation and design process, and is fully refundable should you choose to hire us for your project. Hire the best in Surrey, White Rock & Langley! We also do service and maintenance calls starting at $150.
MONEY MATTERS
W
Think Smart!
expensive shoes you always wanted. But how do you get those without the help of your wonderful parents?
hat is financial management? Knowing where your money goes and how you are using your money is part of financial management. Often, people don’t realize that they are overspending on things they don’t need. How to budget your monthly allowance is the first step into financial management.
Why should you think about financial management already? Just because you are still underage or still living with your parents doesn’t mean you shouldn’t educate yourself on ways to better manage your finances. In fact, it is encouraging for children of all ages to understand the importance of money. As we all know, you can’t purchase food or go watch a movie with friends if you have no money. But is it always a wise thing to ask or beg your parents for money? Because when you can budget yourself and limit the spending, you can help your parents relieve some stress relating to financial issues, for example; paying for food, rent/mortgages, or making a payment for car insurances and other expenses that you don’t have to worry about because you’re underage and can’t afford it. Just be thankful that they don’t ask you to chip in!
Getting a Part-time job is one way, and there are always summer jobs available to youth out there. But what if you can’t start working yet? Asking your neighbours if they wanted you to mow their lawn for them is always a great start. Now that you got your hard-earned income, what’s next? Everything starts with planning. Plan on how to save your allowance, your part-time wages, or even the money you work hard selling bottle deposit! Remember that Income is the money you make, and expenses are what you spend your money on! Save your income and make a list of all your expenses. For example; you get your income from helping your dad mow the lawn, or pick up the garbage around the house. Then you minus your expenses for the things you wanted to spend on, for example, a movie ticket! Now do the math and see what’s left. Remember to put the rest in your bank account or piggy bank and save the leftovers! By Mai Le
But, even so; you want to enjoy doing the things you love to do, or hang-out with your best friends at the movies, or buy those
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FEATURE STORY
A
Anxiety
nxiety is a mental disorder that affects 1 in 5 Canadians according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The number of people affected by anxiety, the statistics that are available, consist of data taken from adults. However, I feel, this number is greater than the recorded number because it doesn’t consider the adolescents and people who think they don’t suffer from such a condition because may not be aware of the symptoms at all. The medical dictionary defines Anxiety as a disorder consisting of conditions such as; General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Phobias, Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Some of the main causes and contributing factors of this disorder are listed below:
“One symptom that all anxiety disorders have in common: constant fear or worry about things that may happen to you now or in the future.”
• Environmental factors, such as stress from a personal relationship, job, school, finances, traumatic event, or even a shortage of oxygen in high-altitude areas, genetics, • Medical factors, such as the side effects of medicine, symptoms of a condition, or stress from a serious underlying medical condition • Use of or withdrawal from an illicit substance Many symptoms are related to this disorder but there is one symptom that all anxiety disorders have in common: constant fear or worry about things that may happen to you now or in the future. Below are some of the other related symptoms. There are many symptoms that are related to this disorder but there is one symptom that all anxiety disorders have in common: constant fear or worry about things that may happen to you now or in the future.
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MAKE THE MOVE TO PROTECT THE ONES YOU LOVE
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MOHANPODDAR
Below are some of the other related symptoms.
Here is how you can be mindful and more aware of yourself; Imagine yourself as an observer of your actions. Catch the thoughts that come to you when you are about to do something. Do this repeatedly throughout the day to raise your self awareness.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
• Feelings of apprehension or dread • Watching for signs of danger • Anticipating the worst • Trouble concentrating • Feeling tense and jumpy • Irritability • Feeling like your mind’s gone blank • Hopelessness & lethargy
PHYSICAL
You will notice the little things you do so regularly, the thoughts that come to you and the habits that you hold. Every thought and action will have a reaction. As you start to realize and catch these reactions that you create for yourself, you will start to make more conscious choices in your actions. Try to catch your tongue before you speak a word, by doing this you can slowly better your conversation with others and this will also raise awareness in you because when you choose words that you speak more so carefully, speech will resonate with the listener more.
• Pounding heart • Sweating • Headaches • Upset stomach • Dizziness • Frequent urination or diarrhea • Shortness of breath • Muscle tension or twitches • Shaking or trembling • Insomnia
Now that you have a sense of what Anxiety is, here is what you can do to help yourself or your loved one cure this disorder. Medications often are used in conjunction with psychotherapy to treat anxiety disorders. There are two overall types of medications used to treat anxiety disorders:
• Anti-anxiety medications (sometimes called anxiolytics) • Antidepressants
Breathe better and fuller, when you breathe in, or inhale, your diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves downward. This increases the space in your chest cavity, into which your lungs expand. When this happens, focus on that breath instead of your thoughts, it will slow down your mind. Better breathing techniques help by sending more oxygen to your brain and helps increase blood flow throughout your body. There are many things that are in our control and some that are not. Regardless of these factors, how you choose to react to them is your choice. Be here, stop living in the future, in the past, stop being absent from the present. Learn and practice to live in the NOW! By Raj Nagi
Within each of these categories, there are subgroups of drugs that work differently and have their own benefits, risks, and possible side effects. Talk to your doctor or do further research on these medications but keep in mind that some of the medications will have side affects, so I would only suggest that you take such prescription drugs only if you suffer from severe effects.
“Tame the beast inside and conquer yourself, once you can conquer yourself, there is no end to what else you can overcome.”
Other ways you can reduce the symptoms if by being mindful of yourself and the situation at hand. Mindfulness creates awareness in one’s self, which can also be referred to as Cognitive-behavior therapy. This helps you identify and challenge the negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that fuel your anxiety. CLOSE LOOK 2019
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WINTER - SPRING
July 20 - 21, 2019 / 11am - 10pm Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Road
Named the “Best Festival” in the world at the Special Events Magazine GALA Awards in 2019, Surrey’s Fusion Festival showcases and celebrates the cultural diversity of our City. The two-day festival brings together over 50 cultural and community groups from around the world and more than 150 artists and performers. Live entertainment, food pavilions and interactive cultural activities will keep you busy throughout the weekend.
Fusion Festival
South Surrey Festival
July 27, 2019 / 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
July 27, 2019 / 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Newt Fest
Movies Under the Stars
South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre, 14601 20 Ave The South Surrey Festival is a fun, family friendly event that offers safe, creative and inclusive activities for the whole community. Join us for a variety of activities and attractions like: Entertainment at the stage, Face painting, Crafts, games, Shopping from artisans, vendors, Food trucks and much more.
Newton Mural Laneway, 13655 72 Avenue Looking for something new to do this summer? Why not check out the first annual Newt Fest on July 27, 2019? With a beer garden, food, vendors and live DJ onsite, Def3, this free street art festival celebrates public art and new entrepreneurs.
Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Road Different movie is projected on the big screen each week, and is joined by a showcase of amazing local performers, arts and crafts, games, and other fun activities for everyone to enjoy at no cost. The movie list this year features: Aug 3rd: Space Jam, Aug 10: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Aug 17 – The Lego Movie 2, Aug 24 Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse
Music on the Plaza
Fibre Arts & Crafts Festival Youth Art Show Field Trip
Every Saturday in August night at 5:00pm
July 17 - Aug 20, 2019 / 6:30-8:00PM
August 10, 2019 / 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
August 12, 2019 / 4:45 PM - 8:15 PM
Wednesdays in July and Tuesdays in August Music on the Plaza returns for 2019! Enjoy free live music at Surrey Civic Plaza in the evenings throughout July and August. All shows take place from 6:30 to 8:00pm. July Lineup: Wednesday, July 17: Beauty Shop Dolls Wednesday, July 24: Taylor Rae Wednesday, July 31: Pat Chessell August Lineup: Tuesday, August 6: Travis Ree Tuesday, August 13: Beauty Shop Dolls Tuesday, August 20: Bruce Coughlan
Museum of Surrey, 17710 56a Ave Explore the vibrant world of textile arts! We’ll spin the story of the cloth you wear with this family-friendly, interactive celebration of all things fibre. Watch spinning, knitting and weaving demonstrations.
Centennial Lodge, Queen’s Park, New Westminster / Join us as we cross the Fraser River to see The Art of Queer. This is a one-night show hosted by Youth for a Change, in partnership with Arts Council of New Westminster. This exhibiton showcases art of all mediums by, for, about, and in allyship with LGBTQ2SIA+. This show will also include artwork submitted through our recent Framing Workshop. No registration is required, but please email us or call us at 604-591-4194 if you plan on coming.
Check out other Information, News & Updates in the City! WWW.SURREY.CA CLOSE LOOK 2019 35 SUMMER - FALL
I SUPPORT
Loneliness...
When you come across this word, we
all can think of an explanation or scenarios to define the feeling. Furthermore, there are a lot of ways people might feel lonely but do not realize it or are not able to get help because other people cannot see it.
To me, loneliness is not only the feeling of being alone, but more about feeling like no one is there, or will ever be there for me when I need them. I’ve often felt this way because the situations I have faced with my family and friends are my personal battles, and I don’t know who would be able to help me out. Some examples of people feeling lonely can be their personal battles against something they are dealing with (some are not talked about often), older citizens who are not taken care of by their children who have grown up and started their own families, or even people who have lost their loved ones physically or mentally. According to some research I have done on the internet, loneliness not only has a
mental impact (such as depression), but it is also linked to cardiovascular diseases and has been proven to be as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. After reading this, you might as well be thinking, let’s get to the point... how do you prevent someone from feeling lonely? What is the cure? You see, it’s not that easy, due to the fact that not everyone knows, or would admit their feeling, because society does not always have a positive feedback or accurate solutions to this issue, which makes us more vulnerable to this feeling, and furthermore causing more pressure on us. Educating people about the risk factors of loneliness is one thing you can do so that it motivates people to get help for their loneliness. However, just being there for the person, or finding someone who would understand them better is also key. You see, people who are lonely just want someone to be there. It might sound easy, but it’s not. Life is busy, and people don’t always have time for a lot of people in life. Therefore, it is important that the person finds someone who truly deserves them. CLOSE LOOK 2019
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For me, if I felt lonely, which I actually have a lot of times, just due to the fact that I have a lot of different situations I am dealing with, and I don’t find it common among my peers, but I might just be unaware. To the point, if I were lonely, finding a place to keep myself busy or trying out new hobbies to distract myself from these negative thoughts would help me. I also know that my city has a lot of community and recreation centers with drop in events and registered activities that brings a lot of people together within the same age, and I have seen a sense of community among those people. Thus, proving these recreation centers do help with loneliness. Coming in contact with a lot of charities and asking for help is also a solution, or even talking to a counselor or a therapist. You see, there is no shame in asking for help, because we are all human, and we all experience different situations in life, but humanity is one thing every person in this world has in common, because of which we all should be there for each other. By Coral Reef
CIRCLE OF KINDNESS
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.
“While most customers were
By Ira Saini
patient and understanding, there was one who was in a rush and got very agitated at me...”
My first day as a barista was very stressful. It was
my first job ever too, and while I had experience
volunteering earlier, this was very different. I was very scared and could barely talk. While most customers were patient and understanding, there was one who was in a rush and got very agitated at me taking his order down wrong. My manager stepped in and apologized on my behalf. My confidence was pretty shaken by this point, and I was preparing myself for possibly losing this opportunity since I was obviously still on probation. Surprisingly though, my manager pulled me aside and told me a very inspirational story of how he started just like me, and how he believed in my ability to be one of his star employees one day. A coworker brought me a treat to cheer me up and gave me hug. I was so touched by their kindness. Such simple things can make such a big difference. I spent the rest of my training sharing tons of laughs and hugs with my coworkers, and made friends for life. By Jason, Age: 19 Author Bio: Ira is a freelance writer and traveler, who works to inspire and be inspired everyday. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Information Technology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver and has been involved in organizing, leading and winning contests at Model United Nation conferences at an international level. These conferences aim to simulate United Nations sessions and engage youth in coming up with ideas to resolve world issues. A philanthropist at heart, she truly believes in helping people grow and aspires to be a motivational speaker one day. CLOSE LOOK 2019
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WORDS OF WISDOM
8 boys were standing on a track for racing. Ready ! Steady ! Go .... ! With sound of Pistol all boys started running. Hardly had they covered 10 to 15 steps, 1 boy slipped & fell. He started crying due to pain.When other 7 Boys heard him, all of them STOPPED running.. STOOD for a while, turned BACK & RAN towards him. All the 7 Boys LIFTED the Boy, pacified him, joined hands together, walked together & reached WINNING Post. Officials were shocked. Many Eyes were filled with tears. It happened at Pune. Race was conducted by National Institute of Mental Health... All participants have cognitive disabilities. What did they teach ? Teamwork, Humanity, Sportsman spirit, Empathy, Sympathy, Love, Care, & Equality..... We Surely can NEVER Do this, because...We have Brains.... We have Ego...We have Attitude ...We have Complexes ....... with little or no place for the above virtues ! And we call them mentally disabled..... ??
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Beauty Tips
MAKEOVER
Do You Know the Importance of Sunscreen After a Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
S
unscreen, also known as sunblock, or suntan lotion, is a lotion, spray, gel, foam, stick or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and which in return helps protect against sunburn. Diligent use of sunscreen can also slow or temporarily prevent the development of wrinkles, moles and sagging skin. So, we need to protect it from factors such as sun-rays, dust and pollution Etc. After a Laser Hair Removal treatment your skin becomes more sensitive to irritants so it’s important to apply sunscreen to reduce irritation from the summer sun. Although a generic brand sunscreen can get the job done, a quality, Organic, Plant based sunscreen is much more beneficial not only post Laser Hair Removal Treatment but for daily use as well. Organic Plant based are more nourishing for your skin and less likely to irritate your sensitive post treatment skin. On the other hand especially in summer season if we plan on going out for vacation or taking any kinds of trips to countries with hot, dry or humid weather, we should do laser treatment a week before going out & put on sunscreen right after the treatment and keep powder form sunscreen in our bag so we could protect our skin from UV-rays to the best of our ability so we can have picture perfect skin. By Manjit K Kaloya Skin Care Spa & Laser
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shirts, which was not true. Thankfully, my mom asked for a note to see a specialist in this case anyway, and I had a visit to a kind, but very busy gynecologist. I say this, because I felt like I wasnt looked after well. Patients who came after me were looked upon before me. Am I not that serious? Regardless, she treated me with kindness and respect, and she was a genuine person too.
SPEAK UP
“Me”
“We told the doctor
I had irregular periods, abnormal growth of body hair, presence of facial hair, and a dark neck.”
Photographs by Edu Carvalho
I
“ s that a beard?” “Why does she have so much hair?” “She’s like a gorilla!” are just some of the comments and questions that have been asked and said by people, either to my face or behind my back, but my question was, “why am I like this, and why only me?” These questions and comments came up when I turned 13. I noticed these changes in my body that was not common among other girls I had known in my school years. I also had irregular menstrual cycles and dark patches on certain areas. “Is there
something wrong with me?” That’s what you would think when you notice something not common with other people you are growing up with, wouldn’t you? My mom tried to understand my pain, so she decided to take me to a doctor to make sure everything is fine. We told the doctor I had irregular periods, abnormal growth of body hair, presence of facial hair, and a dark neck. Even the doctor told me it was normal. She said it’s common for facial hair to be present in some women, and my dark neck was because I wear a lot of collared CLOSE LOOK 2019
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After a physical examination and a blood test, I found out I had a condition called PCOS- polycystic ovary syndrome. “What is it? Will someone explain what is happening to me?” The doctor said I will be fine, and she recommended me some pills, however my mom made that decision for me and refused it because she cared about me and didn’t want me to take artificial substances. Did I agree? I didn’t know what was going on, so I just said yes. After realization, I have no opinion about it. Present day, I already feel better through my own support network. Through some research, I found out PCOS is a condition when hormone levels become out of balance and you have cysts present in you. These symptoms that I face are just a few a woman can experience, other woman with the same condition must be facing more challenges, which is what inspired me to write this. These symptoms that I have been facing are actually more common these days, and it is OK to be different. There are more people facing this issue, and there are ways to overcome this... if only I had the motivation. The best way for me to get better with this condition is to lose weight by exercising and diet. At one point of time in my life I had gained enough motivation to live a healthy life. I started exercising every morning and controlled over my sweet tooth. Did it work? I would say yes, just a little bit, because I was unaware of the fact that PCOS makes you insulin resistant, which means my insulin does not always help me break down fats, therefore for me it would take twice the work of an average human to lose weight. If one can lose 1kg in a week, that would take me 2 weeks. Furthermore, external factors such as my own family discouraging or teasing me because I am fat, demotivated me. Now, here I am, still eating loads of sweets, and exercising less.
I can now walk more places, but my sweet tooth does not satisfy my weight with the exercise of merely walking. One of my main reasons for writing this article is because I feel like conditions like PCOS, even endometriosis and other reproductive or hormonal conditions that I might not be aware of, are not spoken about enough. I have seen videos and other articles on social media about people with these conditions, but do you think everyone you know around you, at work or school, has information about these conditions? Are there people to help you deal with the stress? Maybe for some, but not enough. I say this because I did not always have support. Through this I would like to get across a message to more people, making them aware about these conditions, and to allow people who are dealing with this to gain motivation. If you know a person dealing with any of these or similar issues, let them know that they are not alone and they will be ok.
regardless of these issues, and for the people unaware, please support the people around you. It might be a small gesture for you, but it could be a lifetime motivation for them. This article took me courage to write, because this is a very personal topic for me. People who know me and read this article might judge me for writing this, however I feel there are others who will be able to benefit from my story and know they are not alone. I would like to be a resource, an advocate and a support for people with these issues, even if it takes me to write a long article about it. By Coral Reef
For people dealing with these issues, I want you to know that there will be people who will understand you and accept you
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“Are there people to help you deal with the stress?�
W
e are students from Princess Margaret Secondary, an inner city school located in Surrey, BC. As members of the schools NASA club we have been working since November 2018, spending between 10-15 hours per week outside of school time, to design and build a completely realistic, fully functional city in space for thousands of people. This space settlement must take into consideration housing, health, education, recreational, nutritional, technological, and employment needs of the population. The 40 page proposal was submitted to NASA in April and at the end of June we received news that we had been selected out of
thousands of applicants to attend the Finals for the International Space Settlement Design Competition at the Kennedy Space Centre in Titusville, Florida from July 26-30th! Princess Margaret will be representing Canada and as one of the few schools to ever be selected, we will be competing against teams from all over the world! We are very excited and honored to be chosen for the competition as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Unfortunately, the competition does not offer any assistance in terms of subsidizing the costs for us to travel to Florida. We are responsible for flights, hotels, van rentals and meals CLOSE LOOK 2019
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for the duration of our trip. The financial burden of the trip to our families would be too much, especially given the short notice. We are asking for your assistance to help send us to the finals to represent Canada and put Surrey, British Columbia on the map!
Students from Princess Margaret Secondary, NASA CLUB
BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
“Awareness”
“These emotions get
Many people from all walks of life are barely making it
through the day. Feeling helpless and powerless to make changes
played out in all aspects of their lives including family, work and social.”
or are afraid to change as they are less than sure how they will be if they did...it is all they have known. When we begin the journey to self improvement/empowerment the first thing we do is seek help outside of ourselves, looking for tools. This is a great first step! There are many options, some very helpful for you and some options very helpful to others, all is perfect. After working in the field of emotional clearing for over 22 years, the one thing I have noticed is that there is nothing more to do. Your emotions are creating your reality. Release your emotions and completely change your state. Most people are completely bogged down and quickly overwhelmed when even thinking about what to do as they are wrapped up in the story rather than looking at the emotions creating the story. These emotions get played out in all aspects of their lives including family, work and social. It is an easy thing to shift and all you have to do is bring a situation to mind that you re dealing with that is less than desirable in your life. How do you look at that situation? Do you deny its heavy effects in your life and body? Do you see all the positives, even though you are unhappy with the situation and wish you could change it, or just settle as it is the way it is. Many people do this, some straight up refuse to even look at the situation or stare blank faced if they are told they can clear that energy that’s creating disharmony in the body and life, not even wanting to inquire ‘what do you mean clear?’. That question could lead to action... CLOSE LOOK 2019
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Back to that situation you have, how is the feeling in your body doing? Is it getting stronger, heavier, a sharp pain or even nausea? This is what your body is feeling from just that one emotion,
“ People rarely take the time to ask themselves ‘how do i feel about that?...”
other emotions will get stuck somewhere else. We store everything differently. There is a simple solution for clearing the discomfort and can be done with ease quickly. The first part of the technique you have already done. You’ve become aware that emotions are causing a problem in your body. That is the biggest step, for the simple reason people rarely take the time to ask themselves ‘how do i feel about that?’, because they are to busy doing....a lot of things and having little effect on shifting the reality they are living in. However, after awareness comes breath! When is the last time you took a deep breath? When you are busy thinking all the time about everything, barely able to be silent for a moment, you stop breathing except for a shallow just enough to keep you going breath. Feel that situation again, feel what is happening in your body as you think about it. Now take a deep breath as you use your imagination to see a gold light going into the area of discomfort. Feel as the breath exhales and makes the gold light brighter. Use a few breaths and notice how much better you feel as you direct even more gold light to the area...imagination is the best thing in the world and we have been told to stop daydreaming when it is exactly what we need to be doing. Emotional freedom and shifting your life into the right track is as
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
simple as becoming aware of what you are doing in every
Laurie Morningstar is an Emotional Alchemist, Ascension Teacher, Author and partners with Horses to facilitate healing with clients. Her book ‘The Alchemy of Ascension’ will be published in June and is short stories of Laurie’s life and technique Emotional Alchemy.
moment and using your breath and imagination to clear the stuck energy. If you use every person, place or event as the messenger (they trigger you) to clear your lower vibrating emotions, you will begin to create with higher vibrations such as love, happiness, joy, peace and harmony attracting all to you with just a thought. All situations will seem to effortlessly move into that vibration and you will create your dreams. Breathing as little as 12 breaths deeply when you will feel less than happy, will go a long way in supporting your well being. I wish you great awareness, breath and imagination as you breath into your emotions and resolve all situations.
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Managing DISTRACTION TO MANAGE YOUR LIFE By Dileep Nigam
DISTRACTIONS ARE A WAY OF LIFE
Imagine a situation – you sat on the desk with the thought of
finishing your college assignment, with the cell phone by your side and within seconds, you heard a notification. You picked up the phone and it was a ‘like’ by one of your friends, not so close to you, on your latest Facebook post. While browsing your FB page, you start sending likes to other posts by your close friends and before you know, you have lost 15 minutes. Does it sound familiar? We all have 24 hours and to be more productive, it’s not about managing time but about managing distractions.
THE ART OF MANAGING DISTRACTIONS
It might seem difficult to conquer distractions in today’s world, but one can definitely manage distractions and given below are a few ways to accomplish that. • Create Your To-Do List A feeling of accomplishment comes with success in doing your tasks. Break your projects into manageable portions, tackle each task, one bite at a time and inspire yourself by finishing your tasks on time.
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Plan your day, the night before. Be clear about 2-3 key tasks to be completed each day with total focus and this also allows you to de-clutter your mind. • 90-90-1 Rule - Prioritization For next 90 days, spend first 90 days of the day on single most important priority of your job. First 90 minutes of the day, you have most energy, mentally and physically and that needs to be devoted to your top priority. • Tight Bubbles of Total Focus Create environment of total focus to accomplish critical tasks early in the morning. Plan and lock 2 hour “Busy” slots in your weekly calendar during mornings and afternoons and let people know, you are not available during that time. Be very hard to be reached during this time and don’t feel embarrassed about it. These are your “Tight Bubbles of Total Focus” or be termed as “Creative Time” and also “Device free time”. • Avoid Multi-tasking Besides slowing down your thought process, it also pre vents you from being fully engaged in your priority task. Multitasking makes you prone to commit mistakes due to lack of focus and is likely to leave you stressed for missing out on your critical assignments.
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• Manage Internal Distractions Internal distractions are distractions of our own mind e.g. unwanted thoughts, personal chores etc. These can be managed by practicing and improving focus. A few exercises to improve focus are: • Meditation: You are just sitting doing nothing, de-stressing and getting control of your emotions. This helps you improve focus. • Pomodoro Technique: It involves focus sprints, followed by a solid break. You break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. These intervals are referred to as pomodoros. After four pomodoros, you take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes. The Pomodoro timer concept instills a sense of urgency in us and helps us focus on a given talk in a given time period. • Manage External Distractions External distractions include people dropping by to say hello, frequent checking of emails, taking all the phone calls, checking FaceBook and other social media notifi cations at each bell. • Stop your email, FB and other social media notifications to avoid distraction. Have a break-away session, say from 11.30-12.00 hr and 16.30-17 hr to man age emails. text etc. • Wear a noise cancelling headset to manage work area noise distractions. • Choose Peer Group Wisely Surround yourself with a social orbit of people who are operating at your level of performance. Sub-consciously, we model ourselves to the people we are surrounded with. • Clear Physical and Mental Clutter Having a clean organized desk helps reduce stress levels
and allows you to stay focused on your priority tasks. Spend a few minutes before close of each day to clean and de-clutter your desk.
BE INTENTIONAL TO CONQUER DISTRACTIONS
Time is life. It’s precious and irreversible. Remember, the minutes and hours you spend distracted don’t contribute to your success. But with a conscious effort and being intentional about it, you could manage and even conquer distractions.
DILEEP NIGAM
A Mechanical Engineer by training, Dileep has deep passion for coaching, mentoring and helping people overcome the issues pertaining to life and career. He is CEO of SimpliExcel Training International, a company focused on coaching and leadership training for youth/future generation and corporate leadership training. Dileep is a certified John Maxwell Success Coach, Trainer and a Motivational Speaker. Dileep firmly believes that true success of life is “not about material wealth but how many people are better off because you lived”.
“I would like to congratulate CloseLook on their efforts to showcase youth voices in our community. Providing a platform for youth to share their stories is powerful not only because of the positive experience and skills that the participants gain, but also because their stories can inspire others to make a positive difference in their community and lives. All the best to the CloseLook Team!� - Ken Hardie, MP Surrey, Port Kells
Jagrup Brar, MLA Surrey Fleetwood Government Caucus of BC East Annex Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Community Office c/o #301A-15930 Fraser Hwy. Surrey, BC V4N 0X8
It is with immense pleasure that I write this letter of support for Close Look Foundation. The people at the heart of Close Look have long dedicated themselves to supporting youth of diverse backgrounds from across the Lower Mainland. The myriad forms of support that such youth receive - informational, community promotion, increased social inclusion, and intergenerational transmission of knowledge and relationship-building. These areas are of particular relevance to our communities, which are currently striving to address drugs, gang violence, and crime in ineffective and meaningful ways. Organizations, such as Close Look, that commit to youth empowerment are vital elements to a robust social fabric. I look forward to more invaluable work from our friends at Close Look. Yours Sincerely,
Jagrup Brar, MLA Surrey Fleetwood
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