Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Homelessness


INFO --> / The root of the problem /

There are many reasons why people become homeless. High cost of housing, poverty, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addictions and so on.   First of all, poverty is the biggest problem.  Someone who earns a low income can’t care for their basic needs which is housing, health care, food, transportation and utilities. These days, housing costs in Vancouver are too high, so some people can’t get their own houses because they earn about $300 a month, that’s why they live on the street.  Also, domestic violence is a really big problem, particularly for women with children. Many youth and young adults who are homeless have experienced violence in their home/life so they are shocked which creates mental and emotional problems. It can lead them to drug and alcohol addicitions. This addiction lures them to the streets, it's a vicious cycle. Finally, we thought, if they want to get a job they need their own ID card, but it is impossible to make ID cards without an address, and they don't have an address because they are living on the streets. by Claire and Ji Won

NEWS --> / Tent city /Oppenheimer Park / Vancouver.






Oppenheimer Park is in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside on Cordova and Jackson Street. Homeless protesters set up camp in Oppenheimer Park in July 2014. The organizer of Tent City supports homeless people living there until the government provides adequate housing for low-income residents. However the residents of the neighborhood want to kick them out and the city issued an eviction notice to protesters who have been camping in the park since two month ago, and this week is final week.

I’ve never seen homeless camps in the park in Taiwan. I think there's too many homeless people in Vancouver and they need some place to live that’s why a lot of homeless people were moving to Oppenheimer Park. The government has to organize a way to provide adequate housing for homeless people or help them with education and employment.   By Nick Li



OUTREACH --> / Carnegie Community Center / 

    There are many programs to help homeless people in Vancouver, Carnegie Community Center, located on main and Hastings has many Outreach programs. This is to help homeless people to be social, healthy, providing housing services. Also outreach staff petrol the alleys on weekday evenings and 12hrs a day on weekends. They support emergency aid, shelters, food, clothes, etc. The homeless outreach team works to ‘fast-track’ them onto welfare and into housing.
·     - Recreational programming helps to build relationships with clients and staff on site (by supporting artistic expression and community development)
·     - Peer mentors gives them work with Carnegie outreach staff who are already helped by that program
·      -Community projects enhance the street environment to provide meaningful creative outlets for DTES (e.g. Murals and other art projects)


  I think this is meaningful because it is evidence that Vancouver city is trying to help homeless people. In Korea, also these kinds of programs and organizations exist. But volunteers run them and homeless people were provided just some place like metro station. (Actually illegal). I’m impressed at some programs were fulfilled by Carnegie Community Center. Particularly, the peer mentor program where people get closer to homeless people and provide them with detailed help, which is what they really need. It is better that these kinds of programs are increased. We need more to make a difference.
by Aiden Han


Monday, 29 September 2014

Digital Era > Smartphone Addicts

Tim Kim
Technology will become more developed as time goes on, and the smartphone market will also become bigger. Perhaps, everything in life that happens from the moment one opens their eyes in the morning may become digital. My reason for saying this is not for us to return to the analog era. For example; Manual toothbrushes do not disappear because of electric toothbrushes and manual doors do not disappear because of automatic doors. Just like this, I am hoping that modern men can keep a distance from a civilization full of electronic conditions among the digital world and take more interest in the natural life around them, socializing with real people in real time and reduce the damage caused by technology addictions!
Claire Chang
Today’s cell phones are “must have” items and are sometimes fun to own. Maybe, we can’t live a single day without our cell phones. They have many functions such as cameras, mp3-players, games and GPS.We can also use the internet; they give us information and entertainment. These are the reasons we now just focus on 
cyberspaces without talking while we are spending time with friends or family. We have to think about this situation. We might be losing our real time and relationships. Eat and socialize with friends and family members and be present.   
Nick Li 
How long have you seen the world through your smartphone ?
Advances in technology have brought us a lot of convenience.Smart phones are the most popular social devices now. We spend a lot of time  using our cell phones that bring us close to each other and make our lives simpler. Send a Message,take a picture, listen to music and surf the internet, what ever we want, but we are becoming machines, we don't have real conversations any more, we don't have the chance or the time to be with each other. I think it's time to put down our phones and experience life as real people and not devices.
Aiden Han
Enjoying the moment!
 Nowadays there are many kinds of social media that exist. And there are so many people that live inside it. If I want something to eat or if something occurs, first we just take a picture to prove what we have done or what we have eaten. But we need more time to just enjoy as it is. Many people are going to experience things through instagram or other social media, camera roll. So we forgot our experiences easily. Of course, the memories that are getting older are easier to erase from my head. Don’t experience life through your smartphone camera. Always enjoy it as it is. Just see the sunset first, eat first, and than the memory is more intense in our head.
Ms T. Florian
It seems that in this age of digital culture we have become reliant on our techno-tools (smart phones, ipads, tablets, ipods, laptops etc). In the beginning they made our lives so much easier, providing us with information, easy ways to connect with each other and helpful apps to keep our lives in order. However, as this technology advances, it is no surprise that we now have a very serious addiction problem on our hands. Instead of connecting with others we are disconnecting ourselves and allowing this technology to suck us in to its toxic world of instant gratification. I feel like a balance is in order. Smart phones are not going to disappear, nor do we want them to as they help us in many ways, but we need to take a step back, look up, and start reconnecting with our real lives. NOT sticking our heads so far into cyberspace that we miss opportunities to meet people, have beautiful conversations and be apart of wonderful experiences. We need to fight the urge to constantly check our messages, notifications, likes etc and begin working on our /human/ communication skills; verbally, physically and emotionally. Because an emoticon just can't tell you how I'm really feeling and adding me on facebook is not getting to know me as a person and or friend. So please, the next time you reach down to check your phone, during break, class, or when your bored, stop yourself, look up and start a conversation instead and if no one is around find peace with yourself and the environment around you.




 These photos were taken last week at I.H, of students at break time. You can find all  the rest of the photos and our smartphone confessions on our poster across from the computer lab. 
(Please feel free to add to the confessions) 
Thank you. 
> Now get off your computer and go do something exciting < 


Sunday, 14 September 2014

THE ALPHABET


The Photo and Blogging class created this project by searching for forms, objects and architecture that resemble the Letters of the Alphabet. When we put them together the result was pretty cool.Open your eyes, take a closer look around and you'll find Letter art is everywhere!!!
     Photos by: Tim, Derek, Clair, Saki, Hitomi, Saori, LJ, Tiago, and Hiro.


 
                                               


 
                                             






Monday, 25 August 2014

Camping Culture

In Canada, camping is a huge part of the culture. Spending time in the forest, in the mountains, by the ocean, on a lake, ANYWHERE in nature. This blog post is very special and is a combination of Mike's City Talk and Talya's Photography and Blogging. We all spent the past few weeks researching the best places to go camping, visiting the best equipment shops in Vancouver as well as learning how to set up camp first hand. It was great and a lot of fun! We hope this inspires you to take advantage of this beautiful summer and the wonderful places British Columbia has to offer the adventure seekers out there!! Now go gear up and GET OUT OF THE CITY!!!

BACKPACKING CHECKLIST
While gear can add to your wilderness adventure, it is possible (and some say better) to take as little as possible. Add or subtract items to match the weather, and your trip plans. (MEC)
THE ESSENTIALS
Map
Compass
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Food
Headlamp/flashlight
First-aid kit
Water
Matches – in waterproof container
Fire starter
Knife
Repair kit
Trip plan – left with a friend
Whistle
CLOTHING  
Hiking boots
Gaiters
Socks (liner and outers)
Base layer top/bottoms
Insulated top
Long-sleeved shirt (for sun protection)
Underwear
Rainwear or outer shell top/bottoms
Short-sleeved shirt
Insulating hat
Pants
Shorts
Gloves or mitts
Sun hat
CAMPING GEAR
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Stove and fuel
Cooking and eating utensils
Water treatment or filter
Toiletries (including toilet paper)
Garbage bags
EXTRA ITEMS
Binoculars
Rope
Camera and accessories
Notebook and pencil
Deck of cards
Sandals
Biodegradable soap
GPS
Watch or alarm clock
Change of clothes – at trailhead
Vaccuum Flasks (Also known as Thermos Bottles)
Insect repellent or bug shirt
Tips and tricks to help you lighten your backpack to travel faster and farther take a look at the MEC (Mountain Equiptment Coop) website here: http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673992033&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302887158


SETTING UP CAMP
by Zdenek, Derek & Yuping 
Instructions

 TO GO CAMPING!
Let us introduce you to some of  the methods to set up camp. Follow steps below:




1. Unpack - tent, canteen, stakes(pegs), poles, cooking equipment, lamp, axe, LED light, chairs, folding table, sleeping bag, fishing tackle, etc.  Unpack to make sure you have everything to set up your tent and other things for the night.

2. Fire building -  axe (to chop woods), blocks of wood, kindling(small sticks/twigs), matches, fire starter, paper, blow on the fire to start fire


* How to start a campfire *:

- you should chop the blocks of wood 
- you need an axe/ hatchet
- crumple up paper before you build kindling
- you need a match or lighter to set it on fire
- when you blow air, be careful not to inhale the smoke.


3. Bear proofing - bear mace(spray), rope, bear bucket, hoist bucket up the tree.
- hang your food pack from a tree limb that is at least 10 feet off the ground, or suspend it from a horizontal pole set between two trees. Some campsites have a "bear pole" which everyone uses. 
- don't leave food in your tent, ever!
- leave tent flaps open so that a bear can walk in and check the place without resorting to violent.
- when you encounter a bear, use bear Mace and then back away slowly















4. Cooking - tinfoil, grill/ stove, charcoal, water, pot or frying pan.* Always bring a cooler for your food so it doesn't go bad or bring food that has preservatives to keep for a few days.

Recommended food: potato, sausage on a stick, smoked chicken, sweet potato, beers, soda, vegetables, sangria, marshmallow and s'mores = roasted marshmallow, chocolate between two graham crackers, they are a delicious Canadian tradition!
Jinhee roasting marshmallows.












You can cool your drinks in the river.
( but do not leave them there!!)


PLACES TO GO

Bella Pacifica Campground
Location : 400 Mackenzie Beach, Tofino, BC.
Price : Off season : $ 28 ~ $32 / Peak season : $ 42 ~ $52
http://www.bellapacifica.com/images/photos/photos-1.1.jpg 
Bella Pacifica Campground is a great destination for families visiting Tofino, Long Beach and Pacific Rim National Park. It has private oceanfront campsites and the wilderness setting enables you to experience the wonder of the Old Growth forests and the clean beaches famous in the area.

 To be honest, I have never been there before~. hahaha. But I found some information on many websites( I will write the address in the end of this post). It is located near MACKENZIE BEACH and surrounded by a huuuuuge forest( I don't know the name, sorry)!!!!!. So you can enjoy the water and the mountains at the same time!. I am planning to go there maybe in 2 weeks, after that I can show you guys pictures that I will take here. ALSO, I will describe more details and try to make you able to imagine like it is happening in front of your eyes.......I hope hahahahahaha
And if someone knows this place well or has been there, please leave some comments or tips for me. It would be very helpful for me. PLEASE. 
THANKS FOR READING.  -KI

site map

 Porteau Cove 
Location :North of Vancouver on Hwy 99, 20 km south of Squamish,             
 Price : 30 dollars (per group /night)


Porteau Cove is situated on the most southerly river crossing in North America, the park features waterfront campsites with a view over Howe sound to the mountains beyond. An old ship has been sunk to provide interest for scuba divers and to attract ocean life.There are special facilities for divers. *Close train tracks are active and occasional noise disturbance may occur.
 I think it's a good place for student camping because it's close to downtown Vancouver. It's not expensive for group camping, we can swim in the summer  and kayak as well.As you can see in the picture it's a really beautiful place, the scenery is nice and we can feel the real nature.This place is a really famous place for camping and many people want to go so you must reserve right now!!


ROCKY MOUNTAINS
You can stay in Golden at one of the local campsites, or explore the surrounding areas between Banff and Revelstoke in British Columbia's Rocky Mountains on the Trans Canada highway #1, some of these are:
  • Burges & James Gadsden Provincial Park
  • Yoho National Park
  • Lake Louise
  • Marl Creek Provincial Park
  • Glacier National Park
  • Bugaboo Provincial Park
  • Kootenay National Park
  • Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park
  • Banff National Park
Add caption
/  Equipment shopping at MEC, 3 Vets, and Sports Junkies  /






/ ! NOW GET OUT THERE AND EXPLORE THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY! /
Special thank you to Mike and his City talk class who made this collaborative project so much fun!!!