KidSport UofA After School Program

 

There's a KidSport club at the University I'm in, and if you don't know about KidSport, its an organization that aims to let children of whatever background have access to sports resources. My University club recently established a trial run for an after school sports program to be held at an elementary school every Friday. The first session was two weeks ago on the 14th, and I was part of that group. We had about 8 volunteers, which fit perfectly to a 1:1 ratio of children who showed up. It had been a half school week that week and presumably the other children just forgot to show (20+ kids had signed up). We did some warm up exercises and some basketball drills (dribbling, passing) before going into a game (the sessions are only an hour long). Though I want to work with children when I graduate I had forgotten how much energy kids have, and it's really refreshing.

 

Because of the amount of volunteers who signed up, we had to be split into two groups with each group alternating going on Fridays. Another group went last week and I was supposed to go today, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to road conditions (it's beginning to snow pretty bad). Since this was a trial run, there is only one session left next week, which the other group will be doing, and I was disappointed.

 

However, I have just gotten news that this program will be continued next year and I'm so excited for it! Kids need the opportunity to expend their energy and playing sports as well as interacting with older kids (like myself) who can act as other role models for them is, I feel, very important. I'm so glad this opportunity came along and I can't wait for next year!

Right to Play UofA Tunnel Ball World Record

On Wednesday, the official Right to Play club at my University-- the University of Alberta, attempted to gather enough people on the Quad to break the Guinness World Record for highest number of people to participate in tunnel ball. It was supposed to start at 3 o'clock but by then it looked like we didn't even have 50 people, so we waited, and waited. And then we begin a demo round around 4 which turned into practice which kept going for about half an hour. In the process we got more people to get in and by the end we had 129 people! The previous world record was a 120 people. I didn't think it would be that difficult to find 120+ people in a university setting but I guess it was. So glad we did it and managed to raise funds for the Right to Play organization. Definitely go check them out!

World Partnership Walk

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, I was lucky to be part of this huge event here in Edmonton. I volunteered to help out and got assigned to be a route volunteer. The World Partnership Walk is a 5km walk to raise awareness and funds to end global poverty (especially those of mothers and children) and 100% of the proceeds goes to the Aga Khan foundation. A spectacular event with a huge turnout of more than a thousand people walking with a purpose. And I know approximately how many people walked because I had a counter (those old school clicky ones) and did my best to count every person that passed me.

It was a pretty fun day and I was standing 90% of the time, so am pretty exhausted right now. But the main advantage of volunteering at events like these (apart from helping a good cause) is that you meet new people and make friends. I have definitely become more open and less shy around new people since I've been here and that's a good thing. I'm not saying I'm no longer an introvert (I'm pretty sure I always will be), but that I am now less uncomfortable and awkward around those I have just met.

I feel like I am experiencing life right now, and what better time than in university huh? Being all on my own and exploring new places, opportunities, people. These few years are going to be fun. I'll definitely want to help out next year (this is a yearly walk).

To end, here is a picture of me at the event grounds:

Defend Our Climate!

So yesterday, on the 10th of May, was Canada's national 'Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Communities' day. This day opposes the government's relationship with oil companies-- especially against the tar sands and pipeline productions.

In Edmonton, a mock ceremony was held to depict the 'too-close' relationship between the government and oil companies. Here is the news coverage of that day: http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=361502&binId=1.1203428&playlistPageNum=1
And if you want to watch the whole ceremony, it's on here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6h5IiWq3X018 minutes long, but it's pretty funny.

I actually did not know we were going to have quite a big turnout. It was pretty epic even though there were some mishaps and problems along the way (especially with the weather). This was an event organized by Greenpeace, and I was one of the volunteers. I was supposed to be at a table giving out information leaflets and flyers to people who wanted them, but it was too windy and at some point it started to snow, so we didn't set the table up.

Not the best day to be out and about at a wedding, but it was definitely worth it. My only regret is that I didn't take a picture at the end with the backdrop. Well I'm just glad that there are so many people out there who cares about our environment. Even young children participated. And it was across Canada, in places like Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria which had much bigger turnouts, though I personally feel that ours was more epic.

You don't have to be in Canada to defend our climate. Defend yours with small steps at a time! Leave your environmental footprint behind and let people know that you care.

I was here, were you?

Happy Earth Day!

It's Earth Day!

On top of that, I had my last finals today, so I'm doubly happy. =]

Yesterday I volunteered at an Earth Day event with Greenpeace Edmonton. It was just a few organizations gathering to promote what they do and raise awareness in the community though, nothing big.

There were also activities planned for children, as it was located in a community centre, and one of the activities was learning basic sign language. I joined that one, and yay I can sign most of the alphabet now. I forgot a few letters, but know enough to spell my name!

Here's a little poster to get you thinking.

 

Think of everyday as Earth day. If the Earth dies, you do too.

Do what you can to save this world, one footprint at a time. 

Why study overseas?

I've just finished my first term here in Canada, so have been here for about 4 months. During this time, I've told people that I'm an international student about a billion times. I got many responses to that and quite a lot were to do with why I came here. I don't know what it is exactly (and I mean no offence when I say this) but people here are pretty self-involved. They don't know much about the world outside of their own and that just seems kind of ignorant to me. Don't get me wrong, they're nice people, and of course I don't expect them to know every culture in other countries, but it's like they only focus on their own. Maybe that was offensive.. OK honestly, it's probably a culture shock since I come from a country that is very multicultural.

Anyway, one of the responses I got when I said I was from Malaysia, was, "But Malaysia has a lot of good schools as well, no?" Yea, no. For those of us who can, getting an education abroad paves the way for a better future. It is a great experience as well becoming independent in a new country, but there are times when I have thought, if only Malaysia had a better education system, then I wouldn't have to move halfway across the world. Not only would it save a ton of money, I would also be able to stay with my family and friends. But then I wouldn't get to explore other cultures; I guess there are pros and cons to every decision. I just really miss driving around and honestly, the food as well. Before coming over, I was adamant that I would not miss the food, because I eat whatever and don't really crave anything. But...how I miss dim sum.

Just part of growing up I guess. Adapting to new changes and working hard for the future. I've been pretty busy these few weeks, been volunteering and stuff. I'm looking to volunteer in more places.

Here's a list of my volunteer activities:
Recently, I volunteered at an event in my university which was called PositiviDAY. It was hosted during the last day of term and was aimed at uplifting people's spirits for the coming finals. A very fun day and it brought a lot of smiles around. Stay positive people!

I've also attended a Greenpeace volunteer meeting, and will be attending these regularly as well as participating in any other events planned.

And March 29th was Earth Hour! I participated in a Lights Out Flash Mob, which was just us going around in pairs switching lights off around campus. That was a fun night as well. Many don't see the point of Earth Hour, but it's baby steps. If the world can collectively switch their lights off for an hour then it raises public awareness and we can progress from there. (I hope you switch off any electrical iterms when you're not using them).

So that about sums up the past few weeks. Paying it forward one footprint at a time. I was here, were you?

HELPing Hands Run



So this morning I went on a charity run called the 'HELPing Hands Run' which was organized by HELP Univeristy. This was to help underpriveliged kids and the homes they were from to get resources for a better education. If you want more information on this then go to their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/events/405355206178588

There was the 3km, 5km or the 8.5km route and my friends and I did the 5km one. I consider myself a sporty kind of person but running is definitely not my thing. I walked about 70% of the way. I feel terribly unfit now. And I am terribly sleepy eventhough I had already taken a 40 minute nap just now. I am most likely going to take another one in a few minutes..

Well mission accomplished!

Rack up another footprint for me!

Doing what we can

Here is a music video by The Click Five, with this MV, it made me like them even more.

The MV is about human trafficking and the fact that they made a song and video about it tells me that they care and are helping by spreading awareness of human trafficking to their fans.

There is a line in the song that goes, 'I wonder if my words are making any difference'. Let me just answer this, they are I promise you. Any word you say, no matter small, big, simple or complex, they do make a difference. Though sometimes it may seem that its not worth it and that nothing changes, however it will turn out for the best.

For example Mohamed Bouazizi from Tunisia set himself on fire and that ignited the revolution throughout several Arab countries. Of course I am not saying you have to set yourself on fire, just put your words out there or share some stuff with your family and friends. All it takes is a click.

Again I stress that you do not have to be famous or anything to spread the word. I am not famous, you don't even know my full name..hopefully. And yet you are still reading this, I take that as a positive sign of me getting through to you, or at least someone who agrees with me about the importance of helping others.

The Click Five was here. Were you?

Pay It Forward

I seriously recommend this movie to EVERYONE!!
Pay it forward is about a movement started by a primary school boy to basically pay good acts forward.
One of the best child actors in history (Haley Joel Osment), obviously he has grown by now since this was released in 2000, but I have not seen a more mature child actor as he had been.

This movie is one of my favorites which made me tear up, and thats saying something.
Pay it forward, one footstep at a time.

Awareness

Even some celebrities have helped in one way or another. I know that Leonardo Dicaprio has done some green stuff...I heard it quite a while ago on the radio, not sure what he did though...maybe he bought a hybrid or something. 
Anyways the main celebrity that I know who is also an ambassador for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) recently visited Syria (a hell of a place to go to with all the fighting). She is the one, the only Angelina Jolie.

Of course you need not be a well-known person to make a difference in the World. It is the small acts that make the big acts possible.
I myself have not done any big acts but I recycle everything that I can from my home and bring them to my school where there is a recycle bin.
I have also rescued 3 stray puppies and took in another 2 as my own pets.
I have done community service a few times, as part of a school project. You might say that that doesn't count, however I did it nonetheless and hope to do more. The starting point is always the hardest.


With that I hope that more people will be opened up to the reality that in this World, we need to be a collective population. (As in think of others as well, not just ourselves)

One footprint at a time.

Help in all areas

When I speak of help, I don't just mean to humans.
There are a lot of other ways to leave a footprint behind.
Here are some of the areas that could benefit from some help:

                                -Environmental causes
                                -Causes involving animals
                                -Refugees
                                -Areas affected by natural disasters
                                -Orphanages
                                -Disabled children/adults

And that is only a fraction of all the issues out there.

Discover a cause that you believe in and find an organization near you to get started!

Let us leave many footprints behind.

Beyonce was here

A truly beautiful song.

This video is actually the inspiration for this blog. And though this blog has been created for my Computer Science course, I hope that my words here have atleast some effect on some of my readers.
Yay for peer evaluation!

Beyonce was here. Were you?

Have you left a footprint?

How long have you lived on this Earth? How many footsteps have you taken but never actually left a single print behind?

Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Do what you can with what you have where you are." 

There is no limit to the amount of things we can do to help others.

I was here. Were you?