Publication: Calgary's Child Magazine
Creative Boredom Busters
Looking for fun and entertaining ideas to spend time with your family? Coming up with what to do on family nights can be quite the challenge and outings can get expensive and repetitive. It’s time to use some creative suggestions that make for a more entertaining and meaningful time out (or in.)
SUSHI, ANYONE?
Learning a new skill or cooking a simple dish can make for a lot of fun and laughs with the family. A sushi kit costs about $20 to $25 and includes a rolling mat, chopsticks, serving plates, dipping bowls, rice paddles and a guide with step-by-step instructions. They can be found at book and grocery stores. It’s safe (since there is no flames or oil involved), and delicious – regardless of your rolling skills – and very funny to watch!
Not a fan of sushi? Try tacos, paninis or a souvlaki platter that includes souvlaki, homemade taziki and Greek salad, if you’re really up for a challenge! All these dishes require minimal use of a stove, making them safe and fun!
MOVIE-RAMA!
Instead of going to a theatre and spending money on overpriced snacks and expensive movie tickets, rent a movie and recreate the experience at home. Movie rental stores have deals for when you sign up, you have a huge selection of movies to choose from. You can’t go wrong with movies like Shrek or Patch Adams. To enhance the experience, prepare small servings of everyone’s favorite snacks and turn up the volume. If you have the time, preparing finger food can be an event before the movie! This combination makes for a much more entertaining night because it includes your favorite movie, snack and, of course, pyjamas!
EXPLORE THE CITY!
The City of Calgary offers ample opportunity for quality entertainment including its recreation facilities and libraries. The recreation facilities include wave pools that offer a mosaic of playgrounds and the ocean mixed in with a pool and diving boards! Whether you enjoy a giant slide or splashing around in the waves, your choices are many. The facilities also include a hot tub and steam room, which are the perfect way to relax before heading out.
If swimming is not your thing, then head out to a library on a lazy Saturday afternoon and let the kids explore knowledge. Most libraries have a decorative kids section with cozy seating (and sometimes even fireplaces that the parents love!). Going to a library is a win-win situation as everyone gets to indulge in a topic of their interest and can make for much needed quiet time, although reading with the children is also a fruitful proposition! More information can be found at: calgary.ca and calgarypubliclibrary.com.
Making family time fun and entertaining only takes a few tricks! Team up these activities with others or break them down depending on how much time you have. Remember to have fun, play, and laugh until your belly hurts!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Nectar
Publication: UNICEF Alberta
By: UNICEF Alberta Youth Leader
Every flower has the right to blossom, every animal was born to be free. Bees collect nectar from flowers without hindrance. Being free and having liberty, is simply the law of nature. I’ve always wondered what issue is of utmost importance to me and have concluded it is human rights. It is when the law of nature is disturbed, that imbalance is caused.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the “The Convention on the Rights of the Child,” in 1989. It is the most endorsed human rights treaty in the world, ratified by all but two countries. It celebrates childhood and codifies in international law the rights due to every child.
The reason rights, specifically children’s rights, are so important is because they are defenseless and naive. What is a child to do if the mother who bears him hurts him? How can a child go against the hand that feeds him? A poster against child abuse I once read stated, “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.”
By: UNICEF Alberta Youth Leader
Every flower has the right to blossom, every animal was born to be free. Bees collect nectar from flowers without hindrance. Being free and having liberty, is simply the law of nature. I’ve always wondered what issue is of utmost importance to me and have concluded it is human rights. It is when the law of nature is disturbed, that imbalance is caused.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the “The Convention on the Rights of the Child,” in 1989. It is the most endorsed human rights treaty in the world, ratified by all but two countries. It celebrates childhood and codifies in international law the rights due to every child.
The reason rights, specifically children’s rights, are so important is because they are defenseless and naive. What is a child to do if the mother who bears him hurts him? How can a child go against the hand that feeds him? A poster against child abuse I once read stated, “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.”
Children are learning from the day they are born, and do not know what is right or wrong. Our role as a society is to nurture them instead of punishing them for mistakes they are unable to comprehend.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that every child should have the right to an identity, play, thought, conscience and religion and protection by law. It discusses the importance of the development of a child, education and nurture.
Not only is it recommended to support the convention, it is crucial. After all if bees couldn’t collect nectar, this world wouldn’t be as sweet a place.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child requires that every child should have the right to an identity, play, thought, conscience and religion and protection by law. It discusses the importance of the development of a child, education and nurture.
Not only is it recommended to support the convention, it is crucial. After all if bees couldn’t collect nectar, this world wouldn’t be as sweet a place.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
GO-EXPO: Gas and Oil Exposition
Publication: Oil and Gas Network
Heavy Oil the Future of Alberta?
GO EXPO
Petrobank offers a solution to increase production of heavy oil in a demanding oil industry that caters to a global market. The solution is producing more heavy oil. “There is probably three times of heavy oil in the world compared to light to medium oil,” said Chris Bloomer, SVP and COO Heavy Oil, Director of Petrobank.
A fundamentally technology driven company, Petrobank is moving beyond the pilot stage of their technology THAI™ and are in the feed engineering stage of their product, now moving to commercial.
THAI™ is an evolutionary new configuration for in-situ combustion which combines a horizontal production well with a vertical air injection well placed at the toe.
“We have basically proven in the past three years [why] we use this technology and demonstrated it,” said Bloomer. “It’s a heavy world going forward, it’s all about heavy oil,” he added.
The system designed by Petrobank has no corrosion in the pipes making it very straightforward.
It has no delay, “we inject the air and get the combustion,” said Bloomer. The process does not use pumps and works completely on gas pressures.
The line drive combustion is ideal for oil. Its horizontal design results in oil having a lower permeable point. Bloomer said Petrobank knows conclusively that air in equal’s air out daily in their system. The production is at approximately 12 degrees API and therefore has very low viscosity.
“This is dramatic, day in day out pipe line spec oil,” said Bloomer. “[This is the] only place in the world where this is being done,” he added.
The THAI™ system also has lower environmental impact because of its negligible fresh water usage, 50 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions, smaller surface footprint and easier reclamation.
Still a technology company, Petrobank is looking at enhancing creative technology.
“We want to build an integrated technology that has long term sustainability,” said Bloomer.
“This is cookie card, design one build away,” he added.
Our Planet: Small, Flat, Smart
GO EXPO
IBM gave a glimpse of what they call a smarter planet, at the gas and oil exposition this year. The world is smaller and flatter and this evolution to a smarter planet has impacted our ability to deal with goods and services.
Steve Edwards, a Partner of IBM Global Business Services, said the use of interconnected technologies is going to change the world. A global world means frozen credit markets and limited access to capital, economic downturn and future uncertainty, concern for climate change and volatility in price and demand for energy worldwide.
There is little doubt that the world is connected economically, socially and technically. “Globalization produces many benefits but challenges as well,” said Edwards. In a new world of interconnectedness the need for progress is clear.
On an average it takes 90,000 man hours to execute turnaround effort every two years on an offshore platform. By adopting best in class asset management strategies the amount of man hours spend can be reduced by 10 per cent.
New technologies that can make seismic mapping efficient by 85 per cent, increase 1.5per cent of oil recovery and improve asset utilization by 10 per cent also exist.
The three key factors to be successful in these changing times are to meet the worlds growing requirements of energy, energy affordability and environmental impact.
IBM emphasizes the need to transform raw data into actionable insight. To do so companies need to become instrumented, interconnected and intelligent.
There are now 1 billion transistors for each person on the planet.
“We have an internet community of one billion people, we have four billion mobile phone subscribers,” said Edwards. This technology can then mould itself to a consumers need and help connect with others in entirely new ways. The intelligence then propels the system further, bringing it all together.
“What makes it the mark solution is the intelligence, it is the next step we need to make,” he said. Using intelligent technology also enables companies to make quick and accurate changes to plans and ensures better results by predicting and optimizing for future events.
Adapting this technology is risk free and many companies are following IBM’s footsteps, some of which have collaborated with IBM.
Calgary can speed up its ability to do reservoir modeling by five to fifteen per cent.
This is important to ensure global supply of [oil], retain decade’s worth of expertise and because it is possible to do some of these things now.
“You can first time really look at a range of operations and fields, something that is actually very hard to do,” said Edwards.
IBM invites companies as they move forward to harness “the ability to make the world smarter and [an] easier place to live,” he added.
GO EXPO
Afina Energy’s technology may be the answer for making SAGD green in a world where being environmentally friendly is becoming increasingly important. “We are looking at developing a commercial prototype,” says Guido Bachmann, CEO of Afina Energy.
SAGD can be green, says Bachmann, and should be in light of the continuous negative attention the oil and gas industry receives. Though the “dirty oil card” will continue he says.
“SAGD producers have to think about this like energy producers need to think of global warming,” he says. It does not matter if global warming is happening or not when a large population believes it, therefore action must be taken. “Here we go, it’s starting, and it’s starting now,” he added.
Post carbon removal is too costly making pre carbon removal the easier option. The BioSyn Gasification Process, a Canadian developed technology, reduces environmental impact in SAGD operations via low severity gasification. The process goes through thermal oxidization of feedstock. “It[the process] does reduce environmental impact,” said Bachmann. The cool down and heating session of this technology is significantly less in comparison with current technologies. The expected efficiency of the Afina system is approximately 50 per cent higher with much lower utility and operation costs as well. This system requires 1000kPa of pressure compared to the current average requirements of 10,000 kPa.
“[The] Gasification process is not in itself enough,” said Bachmann. An additional oil processing island would remove the top end of the diluent and the bottom end of oil. The recovered diluent would be sent back to SAGD.
The systems modules are sized for 10,000 BDP but can be smaller or larger, using multiple modes, if necessary. At this point a consumer of this system can decide what they want to do with the syngas.
By using this process companies can acquire gas credits and avoid 90 per cent of carbon emissions in comparison to natural gas. Almost all of the CO2 of syngas is removed in this process.
Bachmann predicts that conservation of water will be the next concern after carbon emissions. “Water is even more important,” he said. Not only does the low severity gasification to SAGD significantly reduce carbon emissions it also reduces waste water disposal, diluent usage and associate transport, energy intensity of SAGD operations, and gives producers the ability to produce the environmental products from syngas.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
It's about you!
Publication: UNICEF Alberta Newsletter
Regional Update – Alberta
UNICEF ALBERTA YOUTH
It’s about you
The dictionary defines youth as someone with the appearance of freshness, vigor and spirit. Our minds are not yet contaminated with the fears, sorrows and disappointments the adult world has to offer. As we take our first steps through this life each step we take will define and nurture our very being.
In today’s world it’s easy to get lost as the news, our environment and our society leaves us disheartened. We can easily lose our vigor to make a positive change in the world. But isn’t life just a matter of perspective?
As that old adage goes, the glass can either be half empty or half full. We can either give up on life before it has even begun or we can realize that it’s our duty as youth to make a difference. Every human being is defined by their choices in life and their impact in the world.
Volunteering with UNICEF is not just about helping others, it’s about defining oneself. It’s about shaping our hearts and minds in a way that when we die we feel like we shook some leaves before we left and maybe, just maybe, leave this earth a little better then when we first got here. If we do this not only will we leave this earth with a sense of fulfillment but we’ll ensure that those around us also share the same blessing.
Let’s talk UNICEF
After reading this you might ask why I chose to volunteer with UNICEF. This is a valid question. My answer – I love the idea of kids helping kids because for me it’s easier to connect and help other youth because I am one! I get it! No one understands the emotions of a chocolate lover as good as another chocolate lover you know?
Not only that but its fun helping kids. I love kids, I love being a kid – it’s like jumping on a bed – not only is it fun but you get a good workout too! My list could go on forever but I think you get the point. So next time you want to jump on a bed, think of UNICEF Alberta and the fun you’ll have making a real difference in the lives of children and youth around the world right here in our own province!
By: UNICEF Alberta Youth Leader and Fellow Chocolate Lover
Regional Update – Alberta
UNICEF ALBERTA YOUTH
It’s about you
The dictionary defines youth as someone with the appearance of freshness, vigor and spirit. Our minds are not yet contaminated with the fears, sorrows and disappointments the adult world has to offer. As we take our first steps through this life each step we take will define and nurture our very being.
In today’s world it’s easy to get lost as the news, our environment and our society leaves us disheartened. We can easily lose our vigor to make a positive change in the world. But isn’t life just a matter of perspective?
As that old adage goes, the glass can either be half empty or half full. We can either give up on life before it has even begun or we can realize that it’s our duty as youth to make a difference. Every human being is defined by their choices in life and their impact in the world.
Volunteering with UNICEF is not just about helping others, it’s about defining oneself. It’s about shaping our hearts and minds in a way that when we die we feel like we shook some leaves before we left and maybe, just maybe, leave this earth a little better then when we first got here. If we do this not only will we leave this earth with a sense of fulfillment but we’ll ensure that those around us also share the same blessing.
Let’s talk UNICEF
After reading this you might ask why I chose to volunteer with UNICEF. This is a valid question. My answer – I love the idea of kids helping kids because for me it’s easier to connect and help other youth because I am one! I get it! No one understands the emotions of a chocolate lover as good as another chocolate lover you know?
Not only that but its fun helping kids. I love kids, I love being a kid – it’s like jumping on a bed – not only is it fun but you get a good workout too! My list could go on forever but I think you get the point. So next time you want to jump on a bed, think of UNICEF Alberta and the fun you’ll have making a real difference in the lives of children and youth around the world right here in our own province!
By: UNICEF Alberta Youth Leader and Fellow Chocolate Lover
Monday, February 15, 2010
Summer Travel Guide
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott® Kelowna
Publication: Calgary's Child Magazine
Overnight Sensations
CHILD-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS
PICK FROM THE QUICK DRIVE, PERFECT WEEKEND
OR ADVENTUROUS WEEKEND!
There’s nothing like enjoying steaming hot tubs, delicious breakfasts and movies in the company of the ones you love! Looking to get away this summer to children-friendly destinations? If great-service destinations and activities sound like your ideal vacation, surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains or lakes and vineyards, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a list of different destinations around Calgary that are sure to be popular with children and parents. Pick from the quick drive, perfect weekend or adventurous weekend!
FOR THE QUICK DRIVE:
Canmore, Alberta – Distance: 100 kilometres
Located an hour away from Calgary, Canmore is the perfect vacation close to home. If long drives aren’t for you, this is the perfect short drive to the Rockies. Fromfishing, golfing and hiking to cycling and rock climbing, Canmore has a lot to offer. The summer is a great time to enjoy events hosted in Canmore such as the Canada Day Parade and Celebration and the Canmore Folk Music Festival. Finish up your trip with a visit to the spa or a picnic by the Bow River that kids will love!
Featured hotel: Mystic Springs Chalets and Hot Pools
Rating: 4 Stars.
Canmore Mystic Springs is a gem in the Rockies. The property has 44, fully
furnished beautiful chalets that are great for families. The two stories in the chalets include a full kitchen, separate living room with fireplace, a music player and much more. The design of the property enables full privacy and security, as the chalets are located around a common courtyard. The courtyard offers an outdoor
heated pool and hot tub and a barbeque and communal area. Parents can watch their children in the courtyard through the glass windows in the dining room or join into the fun themselves!
The children-friendly property offers complimentary movie and Xbox rentals, ping-pong tables, volleyball games, arts and crafts activities for younger children, guided mountain biking and outdoor movies in the parking lot throughout the summer. The facility is also pet-friendly, as long as it’s pre-arranged, and offers pet amenities such as organic dog treats and water dishes on arrival. Call in after a day of hiking and the friendly staff will have warm organic pizza waiting for you in your room!
FOR THE PERFECT WEEKEND:
Banff, Alberta – Distance: 126 kilometres
Banff is sometimes a forgotten destination for many Calgarians as many people have been there multiple times. So unless you love skiing, Banff doesn’t get to
hear from you very often. With every trip to Banff, you will discover something new you love about it or rekindle with something you already love. Whether it is
the very reasonably priced season pass for the Gondola or the stunning hot springs placed in the heart of the majestic Rockies, Banff has many things to offer!
Featured property: High Country Inn
Rating: 3.5 Stars.
The recently renovated High Country Inn is a welcoming, family-owned property in Banff. Located only two blocks from downtown, it is the perfect location to unwind but still be close to downtown attractions. Relax in the indoor pool, hot tubs and dry cedar sauna or park your car in the underground parking lot and head
out to the mountains!
All guests enjoy a deluxe continental breakfast that includes everything from fruit and cereal to waffles and pastries. Ask the knowledgeable staff about activities in the area and return to the Inn to enjoy dinner at Ticino’s Swiss-Italian Restaurant. If you aren’t convinced yet, the dedicated air conditioners in each room are sure to lure you in this summer! Contact information: banffhighcountryinn.com; 1-800-293-5142.
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS:
Kelowna, British Columbia – Distance: 600 kilometres
Kelowna is the perfect destination if you’re looking for great weather, water activities and a long drive. The largest city in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley,
Kelowna offers scenic views, exquisite wineries and orchards and many activities for water sport lovers! Enjoy a hike through the mountains or golf in one of Kelowna’s
championship golf courses. With delicious fresh treats and everything from canoeing to boating in the lake, Kelowna will keep you and your kids entertained!
Featured property: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott® Kelowna
Rating: 3.5 Stars.
If you’re looking to stay at a place with pleasant staff and an exquisite property to back it up, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is for you! All guests enjoy a
deluxe hot and cold breakfast every morning that includes everything from French toast and parfaits to cheese omelettes. Located just off of Highway 97, it is close to restaurants, amusement centres and a five-minute drive to the beach!
The outdoor pool with a water slide will keep your children amused while you can relax in a hot tub nearby. An attendant is present at all times to ensure all
safety regulations for the water slide are being met to ensure the safety of its users. Movie machines can be rented for all the rooms and the breakfast area turns into a mini theatre at night, on request. The friendly staff, fun pool and delicious breakfast won’t disappoint you! Contact information: marriott.com; 1-800-228-2800.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Home
Publication: Multicultural Women & Seniors Services Assocation's Magazine
Home, what an interesting word. One filled with memories of parrot green uniforms and rainy days for me. Whether it was running to the school bus on hot Mumbai mornings, or laughing amongst friends, Mumbai was definitely home. Moving to another city, let alone another country, seemed unthinkable. “Why? There is no reason to,” I’d wonder, “I don’t want to leave home.” But like many other broken desires, I found myself on Cathay Pacific Airlines, eating foreign food, with foreign people, far far away from home.
One afternoon, a few years after I moved, I found myself taking a basic cooking course in high school. My cooking group including a few girls, most of whom I had befriended. We’d talk, cook together and have a good time. There was one girl in the group who was very quiet, she seemed sweet but was shy. For most of the class I did not converse with her beyond the requirements of the course. One day, I was planning to study after school and thought having company would be nice. I casually asked the quiet girl in my group if she wanted to join me in studying, not expecting too enthusiastic a reply. I’m not sure why I asked, we didn’t talk much, but I suppose she seemed sweet enough.
We dragged our heavy bags to the sparsely populated cafeteria where we planned to study. Hours later, we were lost in conversation, speaking as if we had known each other for decades. The quiet girl was in fact a very funny girl from Kohat, who had much in common with me and could she ever talk!
Talking, is exactly what we’ve been doing for the past seven years and sometimes I wonder which one of us is listening! Somehow between our friendship and teenage addictions ranging from pancakes to chocolates and more testing times such as studying all night for a math exam, a beautiful conversation has emerged. A conversation where I feel at ease, as if I’m home.
So maybe home isn’t just where you live, maybe home is just a place where you can be yourself and connect with someone. Maybe the parrot green uniform and the friendships are what actually made Mumbai home for me. Maybe, just maybe then, no matter where I go, with hot summer days or cold winter mornings, I’ll always be home.
Home, what an interesting word. One filled with memories of parrot green uniforms and rainy days for me. Whether it was running to the school bus on hot Mumbai mornings, or laughing amongst friends, Mumbai was definitely home. Moving to another city, let alone another country, seemed unthinkable. “Why? There is no reason to,” I’d wonder, “I don’t want to leave home.” But like many other broken desires, I found myself on Cathay Pacific Airlines, eating foreign food, with foreign people, far far away from home.
One afternoon, a few years after I moved, I found myself taking a basic cooking course in high school. My cooking group including a few girls, most of whom I had befriended. We’d talk, cook together and have a good time. There was one girl in the group who was very quiet, she seemed sweet but was shy. For most of the class I did not converse with her beyond the requirements of the course. One day, I was planning to study after school and thought having company would be nice. I casually asked the quiet girl in my group if she wanted to join me in studying, not expecting too enthusiastic a reply. I’m not sure why I asked, we didn’t talk much, but I suppose she seemed sweet enough.
We dragged our heavy bags to the sparsely populated cafeteria where we planned to study. Hours later, we were lost in conversation, speaking as if we had known each other for decades. The quiet girl was in fact a very funny girl from Kohat, who had much in common with me and could she ever talk!
Talking, is exactly what we’ve been doing for the past seven years and sometimes I wonder which one of us is listening! Somehow between our friendship and teenage addictions ranging from pancakes to chocolates and more testing times such as studying all night for a math exam, a beautiful conversation has emerged. A conversation where I feel at ease, as if I’m home.
So maybe home isn’t just where you live, maybe home is just a place where you can be yourself and connect with someone. Maybe the parrot green uniform and the friendships are what actually made Mumbai home for me. Maybe, just maybe then, no matter where I go, with hot summer days or cold winter mornings, I’ll always be home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
