Family and Cars

The vision I have of my future has both cars and family in it. When I say family, it's not just blood family, in fact sometimes it's not blood family at all. Family for me is who's there with me when I need them.

There are three special cars in my life, two are my dad's, and the other is mine. One of my dad's has been made into a tribute car, while the other is in the process of becoming one, and my car is very special to me because if it weren't for someone very dear to me I wouldn't have it. The special someone, who the two cars are being meant to tribute, is the same person who made it possible for me to have my car. This vision of my future is so perfect that it scares me because there is always something that goes wrong. The whole reason the cars my dad owns are tribute cars is because things didn't go the way we wanted them to. The very person who made it possible for me to have my car, also never got to see it. She also never got to see the one car my dad had, at the time, finished. This is why the tribute cars have become tributes, but they were not bought with that intention.

Family has become way more important to me over the last year. My family has grown because I consider more people family because they were there when I needed them. The one thing with family is that no matter what they'll always be reunited, it just might be a lot longer of a wait then most hope. When my dad and I are in these cars together it feels like that wait to be reunited is over, even though it's still a long way out. In these cars we feel connected to her even though she's gone. That's the reason cars and family are the key points in my future.

-By Brett Gross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgKAFK5djSk
This is a link to the song "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa. Much like the cars, this song is like a tribute to the person I have lost.

The Shadows of My Life

In my everyday life, I do my best to hide my vulnerability in situations that I’m uncomfortable with, like a big group of people that I’m not familiar with. I don’t know why, but I do distance myself. I will usually spend most of the time on my phone when I’m in a big group of people I don't know. I get anxiety in situations like that because I have trust issues. I’m not afraid of people judging me, but always in the back of my mind lies the thought of not being good enough. I don’t know why I question my self-worth, I just do. I’m vulnerable, but I do my best to keep my vulnerability hidden in the shadows. Not many people understand what its like to question their self worth, or get anxiety during a time that is odd to get anxiety in. Personally, I believe that anxiety is a demon that keeps you captive in the dark shadows of fear. Everyone tells me anxiety is just fight or flight, but to me all I wish I could do is take flight out of my body when the big burden drops on my chest like a 200 pound boulder. The bright side is what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. I know as I grow up that I will learn from these experiences that I am going through and I will be an even stronger person. Day by day my courage grows because I stand up to my personal issues every morning as I get ready for school. At the end of my journey all these issues will help shape me into a stronger, better, and happier man.

-By Nolan Brooks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXl6QpWQ5xo
This is a link to the short film "Nothing Will Stop Me".  It is a motivational video, reminding               us that "there is nothing as powerful as a changed mind."

Pow

When I think of what I am passionate about I imagine myself on top of my closest local mountain at Castle. I love every moment of it! Looking at my best friend right beside me, then looking down to pick my line, the wind and the snow hitting my face like a wall of pins and needles. Every time I carve I get I get a slash of pow in my face, inhaling it, suffocating me like I’m under water. Let’s not forget that adrenaline rush! It's almost like I can just feel it rushing through my veins.This is what I love. I love every bit of it, even sitting on the chair looking at what’s next to ride, building that courage to look for harder terrain, waiting on the chair for that next run in, the bumps and bruises, the laughs, and especially the memories made with the ones I’m lucky to share my passion with. It’s been quite hard to pursue it this year being that I’ve been to busy with work and school. Going to school all week and work on the weekends makes it quite difficult to get up to the mountains and shred some pow but I haven’t let that stop me from getting out. I’ve only been out four times this past season which is better than nothing, but I just hope I can find more time next year and in the years to come.   

-By Saje Pitre

The Humbling Rains

Photo taken by Tristen

With the smell of spring rains I simply cannot help but feel the pain ease away. Water like me, is so delicate and purifying. The rain hits my face with its cool embrace. The sound of thunder shakes the earth, and the river flows among the rocks. My breath is taken away in these moments, my mind and body feel at peace and numb. I watch the water as it shimmers, my reflection in these small moments, and my thoughts trail off to simpler times where as a child I ran and played in the rain. So innocent and fragile I was. My life now flows like the river, with grace and harmony. Water always seems to ground me to the earth reminding me that I too belong among-st the trees and sky, reminding me that we all drink from the same flowing river, and we are united in one. Water brings me comfort it reminds me to embrace the changes in life with humility and welcome challenges with courage. I am grateful everyday, for what I have, what I have achieved and even what I have lost. As I live in these moments I begin to cry, but I don't ask why because my tears brings me hope that I can begin to let go. Like the river I know I may hit the rapids, but I remain on the same pathway. I've never been afraid to cry or ask the world why. My tears are my cleansing rains and are humbling. I've learned a lot about who I am inside.  With courage and humility I am able to achieve this: my sense of self and my drive to change. These traits come from my humbling rains and remind me that I am on the right pathway. 

-By Tristen Cook

https://mail2.holyspirit.ab.ca/owa/redir.aspx?C=kkFBlw1XeVDznmwLksEUFd-uLFRiPmXANhNja0s9PvVG45q053rUCA..&URL=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dO0YxeTjFn70
This link is to a music video by Puscifer.  This piece, entitled "The Humbling River", mirrors the metaphor I have established in my blog piece.

Breaking Free

Anxiety - seven-letter word that struck me out of nowhere. When my anxiety became a “thing”, it took me off guard. It spiraled into my day to day life. An anxiety attack feels like your mind is fighting against you. It says “you can’t do this”. “why do you think you can do this?” your body reacts, your heart is racing, your lungs ache, fighting to breathe as your breath shallows. Unknown faces paralyze me, I hate crowds, concerts, and movie theaters . I used to love these but now, it’s out of the question. I hate buses and planes because there is no easy way you can escape. I think too much. I think ahead, behind, sideways. If it exists, I think about it. It’s like living in a world with fog all the time- a world without color or laughter. It makes me feel like I am tiny seed stuck at the bottom of a pot. The more I try to grow and break free, the more dirt and soil falls on me, suffocating me and pushing me down. I feel heavy, weak and tired all the time. When I was admitted to the hospital, I felt sadness, anger and hate but also love and happiness. Distorted and fleeting as these positive emotions were, they were enough to convince me recovery was possible.  From my experience, I had to work hard for what I wanted because it won’t come without a fight. You must be strong and courageous and know you can put your mind to anything you want to.  

-By Kourtney Sazaski

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtuOk0IFjiY

This is a short video entitled "Things About Anxiety Nobody Talks About". It is a very informative video outlining the various difficulties people with severe anxiety face.

My Heroes

This story has been told by my both of my brothers and my mom and it tells about how much they love me and everything they did for me. Everything started in El Salvador where I was born. My dad wasn’t there for me and brother, or my mom. I was a baby and I didn’t know any of this. My brothers were there for me when I needed them the most.  My older brother used to take care of me and my other brother; they were my heroes. I thank God because I have the best brothers in the world. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to do much. My brothers gave me everything they could and even though they were young they tried their hardest to feed me and take care of me. When I turned two years old one of my brothers went to live with his aunt, and I was left with my other older brother Alex. 

 Alex is the biggest hero there is; I feel like he is an even bigger hero than superman because he is stronger than superman; he is everything to me. When kids, my age bullied me my brother Alex stepped up and protected me and it didn’t really matter if he lost the fight he would protect me from the bullies. Sometimes I wish I could have done the same thing for him as well, but I wasn’t strong enough.  I was scared, but Alex gave me the courage to be stronger and he has been my hero all the time. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother. 

When we came to Canada he protected me even more and he helped me on homework because I didn’t understand much, but as time went on I started to do it by myself and he started to change.  He acted different and I thought he didn’t like me anymore and wouldn’t protect me anymore, but he was still there for me and he continued to protect me from fights I got into. 

Three years later after we came to Canada my older brother came as well, I missed him so much and was eight years since the last time I visited him.  I hugged him and thanked him for taking care of me while I was a baby. I really love that I have the best brothers ever.  They will always be here for me when I need them the most even though sometimes it’s hard for them, but they try to give me the best. My brothers motivate me to do even better at boxing and motivate me not to quit easily, so no matter what I have to try it first and if it doesn’t work I have to finish what I start with their help.  My brothers Alex and Brian are the biggest inspiration for me and I hope I can be the same role model for my younger brother that I can teach him what my brothers taught me. 

-By Melvin Ariza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s1wOJUIkx4
This is a link to the song "Hasta el Final".  This song is about never giving up in life.  This relates to my brothers because kept pushing me to never give up once I started something I wanted to accomplish.

Because I Dance...

Passion to me is doing something that you love and never getting tired of it. My passion is dance; dance has been a huge part of my life. I've been dancing for 5 years, and these years have been the best years of my life. Before I started dancing I was really shy and had no confidence at all. Then I found Urban Beat Dance studio; I fell in love with dancing and the feeling of a kind and welcoming studio. I started dancing hip hop for 3 years until I recently started tap dancing  last year.  I love to dance because I get to meet new people and be a part of team that I call my dance family. I have gained confidence from performing in front of hundreds of people at competitions every year and plus I have become a better person from dancing. Probably my favourite thing about dancing is all the fun and pretty costumes that we get for competitions and the adrenaline I get right before I hit the stage. Dancing is a good therapy. If I am having a bad day or something is bothering me I dance because dancing clears my head and makes me not think about the situation. This year will be the last time I get to dance with my dance family and share the competition stage with them. Dance has taken me from a shy awkward teen with a low self esteem to a self assured confident young women I am today.

-By Keely Cernetic

https://www.facebook.com/urban.beat.5/videos/1435722876469273/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_ExXKEE4Q5jR2ZsQWJKR0E2TXdaTC1hdVRsRHhtZVNseThZ/view

These links are to some recorded videos of my "dance family" and myself practicing.

Connections Across the Ocean

I am passionate about a few things in my life, but the most important has been learning anything to do with Japan. Last summer I had the opportunity to go to Japan for two and half weeks with Catholic Central, travelling to our sister school in Sendai called St. Ursula’s.  The first part of the trip we toured around Kyoto for a few days taking in many sights. Then we took a bullet train to Sendai to meet up with our host families. In Sendai, we would tour the city and spend time with our host families after classes.

I already knew who I was staying with In Japan because I meet her when she was an exchange student at CCH in Grade 11. The student I stayed with was Ginga Watabe. I first met Ginga when she was in my Science class first quarter In Grade 11. By talking each day and hanging out together at school, we both knew if I ever came to Japan I would stay with her. At the time, I did not know for sure that I would be able to stay with her but hoped it would happen. Ginga and I both enjoyed the times we had together in Canada.

At the end of the school year it was time for me to go to Japan. I was excited and also a bit nervous travelling such a long way. When I first saw Ginga again in Japan, I was so happy that I was able to spend a whole week together with Ginga and her family. They took me everywhere and treated me like royalty. They were so very kind and welcoming towards me. Even though I had never met her family, I felt as if I had known them for a long time. They would always thank me for the helping Ginga when she attended our school in Canada. I do not think I did anything special, but to them it meant so much. There were times when there were language barriers between us, but I would always try speaking the language to the best of my ability.

There were many fun things we did together during my visit. Fireworks was one of my favorite things with Ginga’s family. I think they celebrate any happy occasion with fireworks. We lit off fireworks a few times while I was there. Fuga, Ginga’s younger sister, was the one who taught me how to properly do fireworks the first day we got there. Ginga’s Mother and Father would always teach me new Japanese words and tell me about their culture. Throughout the day, I would use the little bits and pieces of Japanese that I knew to talk with them. My host family would always ask me questions about Canada and I would try explaining as best I could in English so that they could understand. We would always be laughing and enjoying the time together no matter what we were doing.

Close to the end of my trip we went to the bookstore. I asked Ginga’s father if there were any books on how to learn Japanese in English. We ended up finding a few books. When I was going to pay for the books, her father insisted paying for them. He told me It was a present from him and that the next time we see each other we can talk in Japanese. This made me want to learn the language more because of the gift he gave me. I am taking Japanese class at school to learn a bit more of the Japanese language. One day I hope I can talk to Ginga and her family and be able to tell them things I was not able to before.

From the moment I was there, until the time I left Japan, I felt a part of Ginga’s family. The connections I made across the world are very memorable and I will hold dear to my heart. My experiences there have made me even more passionate about Japan and the culture. Every day was a fantastic time and there was not one moment where I was not smiling and having fun. I would take a trip like this again if I had the opportunity.

-By Sarah Cassidy

https://cchjapan2016.wordpress.com/
This is a link to the CCH photo album from the 2015-2016 trip to Japan.

Living With Demons

Sometimes I feel as if I’m in a dark room by myself, and all I can hear are voices. Sometimes I think it’s my voice or someone else’s voice but I don’t recognize it, it’s very vague sometimes soft, sometimes harsh. Then I hear “be afraid” be afraid of what? Life, the people around me, and the risks I take? Then I start to think to myself “maybe I should be afraid.” Then when I want to talk to someone about what’s going on nothing comes out of my mouth. It’s like I’m screaming what I want to say, but nothing is coming out. From the second my eyes close to the second they open up, the demons inside me never leave.

I am now familiar with the feeling of not being able to catch my breath, the feeling like the walls are closing in, the feeling of passing out, and the feeling of never ending shaking is the worst thing in the world. I would never wish this upon anyone it’s like a nightmare but you’re and awake and it never ends.

When I try to explain what’s going on people think I’m crazy or there is something wrong with me, they say “you need help” or “or you need medication” but what is medication going to do for me? Keep me sane? Yes, but I don’t want to be on medication my whole life. I need to take charge of my life and be in control, I need to find the courage inside of me to fight and have the hope that one day it will all be okay.

-By Briana McKenna

http://thoughtcatalog.com/jacklyn-krol/2014/01/what-its-like-to-have-severe-anxiety/
This is an article that explores what it is like to have severe anxiety and how debilitating it can be.

Hope and Fears of My Future

There are some things about my future that I am looking forward to and other things that I am really scared about. Some people have told me that I will never be able to achieve my goals, but I believe I can achieve my goals as long as I have hope and as long as I work hard. After graduating high school, I plan to go to college and get a job operating construction equipment. I am looking forward to being able to live how I want, without anybody telling me what to do or how I should live my life. I am excited about being able to work a decent job, do the activities I enjoy and live my life how I want to.

There are some things that worry me though. Since social media is becoming more and more popular, I am worried that I will not be able to talk to as many people face-to-face because everyone will be using their phones to “interact” with each other. Also, I do not want to be one of those losers who are in their homes all day making YouTube videos for money. I want to be working outdoors, driving vehicles and interacting with people face-to-face.

I do have hope for my future though, and that is all that matters to me. As long as I have hope and work hard, I believe that I can make my future life the best life a man can have.

-By Daniel Lueke

Left Astonished

Every once in awhile, I go up into the mountains with my family. Driving up, I love looking out my window watching all the trees and wildlife pass right before my eyes. Opening the windows to smell the clean air always makes me happy. Whenever we arrive in the mountains, we set out to explore.  Hiking is my life.  Whenever I hike, I let go of my worries. When I hike, I always look around me to see all the wonders that mother nature made for us

to love and cherish.  I follow paths that I know will leave me breathless.  When I get to the special spot the path leads me to, it always leaves me to be in awe and astonishment that we live in a world like this. There’s always a lake at the end of my destination. Dipping my feet in the cold refreshing water makes me be relaxed and comfortable for what I have accomplished. As I sit there, I listen to all the wildlife around me with my eyes closed, reliving my adventure to get to where I am now, enjoying that I feel free and renewed. I see with my own eyes the beauty from my hike and take pictures to have the memory last longer. The reason I’m passionate about hiking and the mountains is because of my mom. She always looks so at home whenever we are away from everyone else, with just her family and nature to keep her company.  She looks like her self again - happy, young and full of life. Seeing my mom like this makes me happy and relieved because she works so hard and cares for everyone.

-Hannah Irwin

Cowardly

You want to tell how you feel, but you can’t because you’re too much of a coward to see his reaction. You don't know if it’s good for you or if it’s bad, but what if you’re too late to tell everything…

    I found out that you’re in love again. Well, it’s  good thing that you’ve already moved on from the past. I am happy for you, yes I am, but i can’t stop my heart from breaking because you’re in love again, and i’m not the lucky one.

    The moment the news came out, I lost all my senses and reality struck me. I found myself in a dungeon of emptiness. You are in love and it’s not with me. I guess it will never be me. I can’t blame you for that. I can never blame you for that because it is I who never found the courage to tell you how I feel. It is the cowardly me who chose to stand in the quietness of my feelings. I chose to keep you on standby not telling you how I feel, but I guess I am losing you forever with all the "what ifs" haunting me.  I wish I had the courage. I wish I can outgrow these feelings soon. For now, I’ll keep my distance. Just let me heal this shattered heart in silence.

After long months I’m back in the Philippines. There’s someone who told you that I’m here. I didn’t expect that you were going to message me. You asked me to go out with you and I accepted. I didn’t expect that I would see you again. We ate, we watched movies, we did the things that we used to do when we were still together. All the feelings that I felt for you is back. There’s a hope that build in my heart; I’m hoping that we can be together again and hoping that we can still fix our broken relationship, but I remember  that you already have a new one. Maybe this is  not the right time for us, but I’m hoping that someday when we meet again you’re free already, and hoping  we can still have another chance. When the right time for us has come, I’m not going to let you go AGAIN.

 - Alexandra Bias

For Fun

As my father and I lined up to race in the 2000m obstacle course I was happy I was finally turning seven and could do the obstacle course, as it was a dream of mine. I lined up against all of the other kids in this obstacle course. As the gun goes off we all take off at a full sprint, and I reach my first obstacle, its a single handed monkey bar over top of mud and the bars covered about 30 meters. I leaped and started my way as I swung across the bars. Looking down into the deep mud I started to doubt myself as if I were facing gravity against me and so I fell. I looked up and saw all the other kids passing and looking down at me. I start to get up and head to get out of this pit of mud, but it was up to my waist, but I hear my father shouting go go! I’m finally back on land, but trenched in mud. I had to run 470m to my next obstacle that was a huge wall we’d have to climb. It looked so tall that I couldn’t see it all, it must of been twice or more the size of my father and he's about good 6 feet tall. Finally, as I got over the wall I got myself into 7th place out of 20. Next, I’m army crawling through the dirt as there is a net over top of me not allowing me to to do any other action, but crawling. Finally, the net ended and I can stand. I go into full sprint passing 3 others it's about 750m to the end of this obstacle race course, so I start to give everything I have I’ve got about 100m left. At this point it’s another guy and me left, but my legs start to give and I trip and he takes the victory, but I wasn't mad I got 2nd because even though I didn't win I was just trying this out for fun.

-By Gopi Parmar

Passion and Meaning

We discover passion and meaning when we are doing what we value and love the most, we grow as individuals because we realize what really matters to us in life and not just what makes us happy. We truly discover passion and meaning is when we find that one thing in our life that you absolutely love and cannot get enough of.  When you find passion and meaning you’ll know you’ve found a love for someone or something. That is what passion and mean mean to me.  It is like when I get to wake up at 5:00 am and drive two hours just to go fishing in some of the most pristine waters that Canada has to offer and then after the day of fishing in Fernie, BC.  I go out to a restaurant to eat and have a drink then drive and drive two hours back to Lethbridge in the pitch black, after a day of catching amazing fish in beautiful back country where the bears and cougars roam. The reason why this gives me a sense of passion and meaning is because at the end of every school week I have something to look forward to, and at the start of a tough week full of exams and nonsense the fact that I know that I’m going to be able to go fishing on the weekend just keeps me going.  If I didn’t have that in my life it would be very tough to make it through the week. 

-By Lucas Ferguson

Not Ever Losing Hope

Hope and courage found in people who never give up, they keep going even when there’s no reason to, and why is that they have something inside that helps them keep going. I think of the darkness in my life as the part that wants me to fail. It wants me to give up and agree with my inner demons, taunting me to go back to failing class and doing bad things. I don't want to give up to the darkness. No matter what happens to me, no matter how beat down, I always have hope in the future of my life because I know there's going be a better time. I look forward to the positive. Sometimes I want to give up and give in to my demons, but I always imagine the damage I'll do to myself. It hurts sometimes and I don't know how to deal with it other than keep looking forward and stay positive.  

Right now I'm currently mourning my great auntie. She passed away yesterday and I had to call my cousin last night to let her know that everything is going to be alright. Everything isn't going to alright though. I had to deal with my grandfather passing and he was like a second father to me. I didn't really feel like the same person after he passed and I still don’t. I've been through a lot this year and honestly I've thought of giving up. I never did though and I never plan to. The plan is to hang on and let life take its course.

-By Mark Duckchief

Career Choices

When I was a little boy, I've wanted to be an aircraft pilot because I had a passion for airplanes. From the fighter jets to the passenger airlines, to me they were the coolest thing ever. Though my parents told me that I have to work hard in school to be a mechanic, back then I thought I had it, I thought that I was going to be an actual pilot. But, as the years go by my marks started going down slowly, to where I started struggling in class. Struggling to pass math was the biggest challenge, and it still is because I'm not good at mathematics, I never was.

In grade 9, a speaker came to class talking about apprenticeships all those post secondary related things. He talked about how I can get an apprenticeship as a mechanic, and I thought to myself, "would a mechanic be something that I'd like to be for the rest of my life?" I looked into it further, and took the classes that I needed to be one.  It turns out that I only needed a couple of classes and I was set for the academic portion of it. I got hooked into the job because I started appreciating cars more.  I appreciated how little things that need fixing can do so much and how little damages can impact a car's performance. I was determined to be a mechanic and I've come a long way on that path and I don't intend to stop, although several times my mother would tell me that there are other jobs than that and they pay more, but I want to enjoy what I do, not work at a place where I'm thinking of quitting every time I'm there.

-By Stefano Badilla

My Super

My superhero in my life is my mom, since I was one. Since I was one my mom has raised my brother and I. She has always been there for us no matter what and she never complains or gives up on us because we were too  difficult. My mother even went back to school to become a nurse so that she could support my brother and I. My mom is incredible and sometimes I don't think she knows it. I'm so glad to have the mother I do because I know that whenever I need help she will be there to help me. My mom works hard all the time so that my brother and I can enjoy ourselves. My mom works so hard and never asks for anything in return; she is the most amazing person. This is how I know not all superheros wear capes. I didn't realize how much my mom did for me until I got old enough and saw how hard my brother and I were to raise. She didn't rely on anyone and she did everything for us; she is amazing I don't know anyone stronger than her.  I will never take my mother for granted she has the strongest will I have ever seen she has an incredible amount of perseverance. My mom is my superhero, who is yours?

-By Zachery Martin

https://youtu.be/plwuxMmIAek

Getting Past My Monsters

Everyone has monsters in their lives. Everyone's monsters are different whether it be school, or simply going through any hardships. The monsters in my life are the little things that build up and get to me. The things that trouble me are trying to juggle school, work and helping out around the house. Sometimes it's just too much for me and I try to hide it or just get away for it for a while, but it always seems to come back. I feel like I don't help enough with little things around the house and it seems I really get to my mom and I don't know how to talk to her. She has done so much for me and I just want some way to repay her for all her effort of raising me and my sister by herself. It's hard dealing with all of these things in my life and I wish I could gain the courage to overcome them and be a better person because of them. That's why I deal with my monsters by always trying to put in my best effort in life and keep all my doors open and I try to help more and to overcome these monsters that hold me back in life. From these experiences I will try to take every opportunity life throws at me and try to seek advice from people who have been in my position and ask how they over got over their monsters.

-By Dalton Huehn 

The Struggles of Life

Life is definitely not easy. I remember when I was younger when times were simple and I didn’t have to worry about anything. I miss those times and I feel like I didn’t get enough of it. Growing up was easy for me until my mom and dad split up. I was about 12-13 when they split up, so it wasn’t easy for me to accept because I knew what was happening, it wasn’t like I was oblivious to their divorce and the fact that I knew that happened changed me in some sort of way. After their divorce I would shut myself out to others and would just keep all my emotions bottled in and I still do, so when my parents split my sisters went to live with my mom and I stuck by my dad's side since day one and I can tell ya that we’ve been through so much crap, that when I look back at it I just laugh in amazement that even through our worst times we got through it all and made the best of those situations. It’s crazy that with a little courage and hope you can make the best of situations. With even a little bit of courage and hope you can accomplish big things. When my Dad and I were at our worst moments it seemed like there was nothing we could do to make things get better, but as time went on we slowly but surely started making the best of what we had. My Dad told me that if I wasn’t with him at our worst he would’ve given up. We kept each other going and kept pushing ourselves to do better. Without my Dad I probably wouldn’t of been here in Lethbridge. I honestly think if I stayed in Calgary I would’ve started living the life my dad always wanted to me avoid and without me who knows what my dad would’ve done. I'm glad that I stuck around with my dad because if I didn’t I don't think I could've lived with myself if anything happened to him. He was my motivation and I was his. Without having each others back who knows what life we could’ve been living right now. My Dad is the most important person in my life. He always gave me hope to have a good life. I’ve seen all the crap he’s been through and I know what he has done. Knowing all of his struggles in life gives me motivation to make sure that I will have a good life. He’s told me numerous times that he doesn’t want for me to live the same life as he did. He wants me to be successful and to live a happy life. Hearing those words is what gives me courage to do better and makes me hope for a good life.


-By Mario Sicay

Demons

Talking about your vulnerabilities is a hard ,but necessary to grow. We must embrace these vulnerabilities because they make us, us. I may be skinny but it doesn't mean I’m weak. I don't go out often and stay comfy in my room, but I’m not scared. I may go on my own, but that doesn't make me alone. We all try and hide our vulnerabilities, but when we do we just make ourselves more like everyone else. It takes a lot of courage to hold our hearts on our sleeves and show everyone who we really are. Some of these vulnerabilities can turn into anger and sadness which we refer to often as our demons. These demons inside us stop us from doing what we love or just being us. Inside me these demons make me constantly worried about what others think of me. WE ALL push these demons down deep inside us and try to hide them. I workout to become bigger, or I hide worry and fear with laughter, or I just act tough. We find ways to push these demons down, it could be by eliminating these vulnerabilities or dulling them with drugs and alcohol. I will admit that when times get tough or I'm just down in the dumps I will turn to alcohol. Alcohol is a bandage that we use to fix small problems or pick us back up. Too many people including me use these bandages, but these bandages won't???work and help us through the waves that life constantly hits us with and pull us out of the holes we find ourselves in. All in all these vulnerabilities make me me and that's why they won't really change or may only change on the outside.

-By Casey Schneider

Demons by imagine dragons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWRsgZuwf_8

http://data.whicdn.com/images/129947865/large.jpg