Archive for July 2014

Summer Activities in Vancouver


Vancouver is a beautiful city. It is beautiful in autumn, in winter, and in spring. But in the summertime, Vancouver's beauty shines as bright as the summer sun. Since summer is the only time of the year that Vancouverites get more sunny days than rainy ones, it is the time to go out and enjoy the city's beauty. The following is a list of fun things to do to make the most out of your summer in Vancouver.

Watch the Celebration of Light

Image source: Jon Rawlinson
The Celebration of Light is the world's biggest offshore fireworks festival. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of spectators flock to English Bay to watch world-class pyro-musical performances put on by different countries across the globe. The first show was on July 26. If you were not able to make it last Saturday, don't worry - there will also be shows on July 30th and August 2nd!

Grouse Grind
Image source: Mike Kamermans

The Grouse Grind is a popular hiking trail located at the base of the Grouse Mountain Resort ski area. With a distance of 2.9 kilometres and a steep terrain that can go as low as 17 degrees, this trail is known for being challenging to hike.  It is usually open from spring to fall, but it is best done during the summer, when the weather allows you to fully enjoy the hike and view at the top.

Picnic or Camp by the Lake


Summer is the only time of the year that Vancouverites get to experience more sunny days than rainy ones, so this is the perfect time to go outside and enjoy the sun with the people you love. Take advantage of it by having a picnic with your friends or camping with your family. Greater Vancouver Area is home to a lot of breathtaking lakes which are ideal spots for picnicking, camping, and other fun outdoor activities. If you are not sure which lake to visit, this list might help!

Go to the Beach 


Vancouver is blessed to have beaches that are just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.  If you find yourself a little bit too overwhelmed by the city life and want to de-stress, enjoying the sun by the beach will help! If you like playing sports, Vancouver beaches also have spaces for badminton, volleyball, Frisbee, and other sports! Check out the Vancouver Parkboard's website to know which beach best matches what you want to do!

Bike Around the Seawall
Image Source: Arvin Asadi

The Vancouver seawall is one of the most popular cycling spots in the city. The seawall is divided into two sections: a path for walkers and joggers, and another for cyclists. With a designated path for cyclists, you can safely cycle at your own pace while enjoying the waterfront view. Tag along some friends to bike with you - a good exercise, a good view, and a good company is always an excellent combination!

The Fair at the PNE
Image Source: Raul Pacheco-Vega

Every summer, The Fair at the PNE attracts hundreds of thousands of people. With musical performances by popular artists, entertaining exhibits, exciting rides, and a wide range of food options, you do not want to miss this fair!

Attend Free Outdoor Movie Events


Image source: Yaletown BIA

If your typical summer day consists of relaxation, being outside, and enjoying the summer breeze, you should definitely try watching movies outdoors! There are a lot of free outdoor movie events across the province - this Facebook page has useful information regarding the location, time, and dates of outdoor movie events in British Columbia. (Heads up: Dumb and Dumber is going to be shown next week at Stanley Park!)

Shop at Night Markets

Image Source: GoToVan
Want to go on a food trip? Summer night markets are the answer to your food cravings. Try the rotato at the Richmond Night Market, the steak burgers at the Surrey Night Market, and the wheel cakes at the International Night Market.

We only have a little over a month of summer left (I know, time flies so fast!), so make the most out of it!


Sean

One Page at a Time




Being “you” is easier said than done especially when you are adjusting into a culture that you are unfamiliar with. As a young migrant, it can be tough to adjust to cultural differences between your adopted country and home country while you are trying to map out your identity as an individual.

As an immigrant, it is common that you are first identified by your racial background – a part of a greater whole – a culture with its own ways and tradition. But aside from that, you are also an individual molded by experiences and stories strengthened through time.  All of these can be a lot more complicated when you are parachuted into a new life – a new culture that may be different from what you are used to together with new experiences that shapes your new personality. And even then, there is a bigger question:

How are you going to fit yourself in this new culture or society with their own ways? How will you find a way to keep ties to your roots, fit into this newly introduced culture all while you keep on growing and mold yourself as your own person or as an individual?

It is fairly easy to get lost with these questions as it is a lot to take it all in at once. But each individual has their own ways of dealing with it. Some just go with the flow; some manage to paint it all together in one canvas – a mosaic with vibrant colours clashed together as an art. Sometimes it is a tug of war. It is a battle between keeping your identity and losing it in order to fit in and even then, there is no assurance or certainty that you win the game.

Finding balance is the key to answer the question. It is important to realize that being in a new place or country does not necessarily mean forgetting your roots nor does it require you to completely ignore the new ways of living and continue your old ways. Your roots, culture and tradition will always be yours and there is no shame of being proud of it. The same goes for trying out new things and exploring this new culture in front you for it expands your horizon and will let you explore greater things and experiences that will later on help you to become your own person and become a part of a larger community that is molded by individuals just like yourself – each with their own experiences and stories to share.

Trying to fit in does not mean forgetting.  Embracing your adopted country does not mean turning your back from your home country. Sometimes it is a matter of putting pieces together to create a bigger picture. It is a way of building bridges and opening a door to new possibilities and vital connections that put both aspects of old roots and new ties into a well-rounded individual with the capacity of living in the best of both worlds.

As far as individuality goes, it is a story with an endless possibility and the course of its progress is entirely up to the person holding the pen: you. So let your pen find its way to your paper because sometimes, being ‘you’ is a story written one page at a time.


Janine
 
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Vancouver Immigrant Youth (VANITY) Blog is an online space made for youth, by youth. Here, you will find stories and experiences written by youth immigrants who once felt how challenging it was to be a newcomer in Vancouver. If you are a newcomer in Vancouver (or anywhere in Canada), we hope to give you all the resources you need to feel comfortable in this country. We hope to give you tips and advices on how we adjusted to our lives here as youth immigrants. Through this site, we want to empower you to bring out your full potential.

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