Throughout the year young adults cannot wait for the summer months to arrive. Yet once summertime does knock at our door, many people end up sitting at home and wondering what there could possibly be to do on a hot summer day in Montreal. Well, fear not, because there are plenty of activities available for all needs and preferences.
            For instance, whether you are an adventurous and outdoorsy young adult, or more the quiet and reserved type, I suggest going to Mount Royal. There are numerous trails to follow, all of which are surrounded by many hectares of well preserved forested land. There is also a lake nearby, the Beaver lake, which is a great spot to just sit down, relax and read a book or to get inspired for drawing. Not to mention that, whether it is by day or by night, the views from the lookout points are sure to please you. In fact, you can see all of downtown Montreal and the vast scenery stretches as far as to give you a glimpse of Mount Saint-Bruno and Mount Saint-Hilaire. Now, if you are sporty and think that it is way too easy to simply walk around a mountain, think again. You can easily spice things up by challenging yourself and a few friends to a bike ride from your house, all around the mountain and back again. You are sure to get a good workout while having fun with friends and enjoying the outdoor breeze.
           On the other hand, if you are a young history buff, why not take some time to enrich your knowledge of Montreal’s past? I am pleased to inform you that there are countless historic landmarks and museums available for yo to visit within the city. For example, on Mount Royal, there is a giant cross which is said to have been erected to commemorate the cross planted by the founding father of Montreal, Paul de Chomedy de Maisonneuve. Additionally, near the Old-Port of Montreal, the Château Ramezay , circa 1800, offers a look into the evolution of life in and around Montreal from its foundation to today. They also have fully costumed guides who are willing to share their in-depth historical knowledge for free to visitors. The best part is, all of this only costs six dollars for students and the tours last at least an hour and a half.  Whether you are Catholic or not, I must say that the Saint-Joseph’s Oratory is an important historic checkpoint in Montreal. There you can learn about one of Montreal’s most important historical figures: Brother André, the man who is known for his ability to cure crippled people. Plus, a visit to the Oratory is completely free. Aside from that, there are many other museums, such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée de Pointe-à-Callière who have permanent collections, free for you to discover.
            Now if you are more interested in taking advantage of the summer heat while listening to music, why not go to a free cultural festival or concert? You could even volunteer to clean up after a concert, which would be a great way to give back to the community in exchange for the free show.
           Similarly, you can head over to the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal and volunteer your time to help make a difference in your community. The best part is that you decide how many hours you wish to contribute and during which event. For instance, if you feel the need to help the environment, why not volunteer to clean up local parks? Just check out the Volunteer Bureau’s website under the ‘volunteer opportunities’ tab and see what’s available.
           Last but not least, if you are a fan of Japanese animation and culture, you will surely love to go to this summer’s Otakuthon at the Montreal Palais-des-Congrès in August. There you can watch anime, take part in costume contests, meet new people and check out their marketplace. Unlike some of the activities stated above, Otakuthon does have an entrance fee. However, you can become a volunteer helper and they will reimburse part of the cost for the ticket. That’s an awesome way to have the best of both worlds: Volunteering and having fun!
           All in all, no matter what your preferences are, you will find an activity in Montreal that is sure to please you. It’s just a matter of getting out there and making the most out of this summer!
Websites you should visit for more information on the activities
and events listed above:
Mount Royal
Website: http://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/fr/connaitre-le-mont-royal/accueil.sn
Château Ramezay Website: 
http://www.chateauramezay.qc.ca/en/activities-and-animation/guided-tours/
Volunteer
Bureau of Montreal : http://cabm.net/en/opportunities
Saint-Joseph’s
Oratory:  www.saint-joseph.org
Otakuthon: http://www.otakuthon.com/

          Everything is easier when you understand with what exactly you’re dealing with. To recognize procrastination reasons and to comprehend the justifications of your actions can help you take your behaviours under control. What is procrastination? It’s basically a habit of putting off something you were supposed to be doing. It can bring negative effects on your academic opportunities, your career, your relationships, your pride and more. Procrastination can result in stress, a sense of guilt, consequential loss of personal productivity, social disapproval and, done chronically, an underlying psychological disorder.

          Here are causes of procrastination (source from Yuen Burka, Richard L. Strub and James R. Evans):
The psychological causes of procrastination vary greatly, but generally surround issues of anxiety, low sense of self-worth, and a self-defeating mentality. Procrastinators are also thought to have a lower-than-normal level of conscientiousness, more based on the “dreams and wishes” of perfection or achievement in contrast to a realistic appreciation of their obligations and potential.
Research on the physiological roots of procrastination mostly surrounds the role of the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for executive brain functions such as planning, impulse control, attention, and acts as a filter by decreasing distracting stimuli from other brain regions. Damage or low activation in this area can reduce an individual’s ability to filter out distracting stimuli, ultimately resulting in poorer organization, a loss of attention and increased procrastination. This is similar to the prefrontal lobe’s role in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where under activation is common.

            Finally, how do we avoid this bad habit in academic matters? Here are a few tips! Note down the deadline and make your own little countdown, it’ll motivate you to work before it comes down to “1 day left!” Think in advance. Imagine how much you would have to work in the end if you don’t start the work when you have to. Try calculating the quantity of time it will take you to complete your task and remind yourself of this amount of time every morning. Reward yourself whenever you feel you’re doing the right thing, having an encouragement can make all the difference. Like William James says, “Nothing is as fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.”

          Although, what is love exactly? Love is a short and such a simple word. It isn’t hard to pronounce, but somehow its definitions has its deepest complications.”God is love”, they say. But, to go in quite a fewer details, love is the meaning of showing your affection or attraction to someone or something. It is to show and share your emotions to another and making the other feel the same way as you do. In love, you care, you help, you support, you comfort, you give and you share. Once those actions have been made towards someone, then that would be called love.

          But, be aware! Once love is shared by two or more, it can subject to minor or major consequences and problems. There will be times when you will be situated in two different choices and you will have to pick only one. Love, in return, generally gives you happiness and also sadness.

           Now, getting back to the topic, everyone wants to be loved. That is for sure. Most of you out there would want your families and friends or girlfriend/boyfriend to love you. You would want them to make you happy, make you feel special, care for you and, most of all, you would want their affection! It is, literally, impossible that no one would want love.

           However, many of us out there want a relationship. The question is… Why do we want a relationship? Because we want a partner. A partner who would love us back as we also do. We want someone to be there for us and live life differently as the way we live it with others. This means that, if we were in a relationship, we would do things specially and create unique bonds with our partner. That is one of the apotheosis of love. Personally, I find that relationships are profound to experiencing and obtaining the love and sensations in the world.

            After all, every single thing around us is made out of love. Everything comes from love. Every action comes from love. Now, would you want someone to treat you nicely with respect? I’m quite sure you do. Well, just for wanting that, it means that you want love. Because a good deed or action towards somebody is simply love. So, even without noticing, we human beings desire one so called love! But remember this… “Love desires you as you desire it”.

            Ultimately, my thought diverged to the Philippines, a tropical paradise. No more dangerous icy sidewalks to fall on, no more freezing hands when walking home, no more giant trucks to watch out for and, above all, it would still be sunny at 4pm! I cheered myself up by thinking of the up sides of living in a winter wonderland: snow days, tobogganing, hot chocolate, all the typical “Canadian stuff”. Honestly, it didn’t help. The treacherous snowstorm made it hard to believe there was anything good about this cold season.

             For all the newcomers, please be prepared (of course, this isn’t Alaska, but sometimes it can get very close).   Hat, scarf and a pair of gloves are very useful. Don’t get fooled by the teenagers only wearing a thin sweater and running shoes. Deep inside, they’re freezing. I have to admit being part of the group that always underestimates (or overestimates) the temperature. It’s better to be a Bonhomme Michelin and be warm, than a cool kid and die of hypothermia. I sound like my mother and I probably won’t take my own advice but “au pire” there’s only four months of winter…

             On the bright side, winter is a pretty season. Everything has a magical glow. The rooftops, the sidewalks, the trees, the cars, everything is covered in snow! If we forget the frustrations of cleaning up snow and take a second to just sit back and watch, we will see that it’s such beautiful scenery: a thin layer of snow on the streets, icicles on the rooftops, snowflakes in the air. The city is at its best at the start of the winter, when the snow is still fresh and white. I think anybody is in awe at the first snowfalls. Even a snowstorm can be pretty. Thousands of snowflakes raging outside can sometimes give me an overpowering feeling. Humans control so many things on earth, and yet a simple meteorological phenomenon changes our day and lifestyles.

             To all who can’t see the bright side, do not despair. You can tell yourselves that spring is only a few months away. We will make it through the storm!

It all started with the French colonies and la Nouvelle-France… but that was about 500 years ago. Between that time and now, the Canadiens Français have gone through a lot to keep their language and their beliefs, surviving attacks from the English and even from their homeland. This language held a whole population together through thick and thin. The reality is that it is rooted into the soil of this province and everybody who wants to live here needs to get accustomed to the language.

At the last Census in 2006, Statistics Canada estimated that more than 91% of Montrealers speak French and more than half speak French and English. Even if it is a cosmopolitan city, French is spoken by almost everybody. It makes us different from other multi-ethnic cities in Canada and even in the world. We should be proud of this.

Not everybody can balance two or even three languages like we, youth of Montreal, do. Most Filipino-Canadian youth in Montreal only use French at school, which brings up the question of the utility of learning an extra language. Outside of Quebec, everything is English. A lot of you probably wish that everything would be English here too. But what would Montreal be like without French?

There is no other place in North America that uses much of the French language like we do. It would be just another province with nothing special. It would, in a way, resemble other Canadian cities, like Toronto or Vancouver, not that it would be a bad thing. But a major piece of the landscape would be gone. No awkward translations on the billboards. No dépanneurs. No arrêt signs!

It just goes to show that Montreal wouldn’t be what it is without its French language. Even if it’s hard to learn, it surely comes in handy. Parlez-vous français? Oui, nous parlons français.

First of all, despite how comfortable it can be, curling up while sleeping isn’t the best way to position yourself when falling asleep. Sleeping all curled up can result to back pain. The most ideal way to sleep is flat out on your back. It may not be everyone’s favorite sleeping position, but it’s the most advantageous one when it comes to your body. Sleeping in a straight position on your back will give your internal organs more space to breathe. By giving your organs more time to “breathe” while you’re in your sleeping state, you’ll feel way better when waking up. Putting a pillow under your knees can maintain the natural curve of your body, making the position possibly more comfortable.

Second of all, this one is generally addressed to the females. Falling asleep with makeup on can cause dark circles around your eyes. Not only that, but it may cause irritation to your eyes while you’re asleep. Even the friendliest makeup isn’t made to be worn on a 24 hour day. Having makeup on for a long period of time can cause dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin. So, despite how tired or lazy you are at night, force yourself to remove your facial cosmetics. Make a simple effort to avoid further consequences.

Lastly, the most common one of them all is having an inadequate amount of sleep. Sleeping too much is as insufficient as not sleeping enough. We undoubtedly all love to sleep and whenever we have the chance, we sleep as long as we want leaving us a feeling of exhaustion. We tend to feel drowsy or sluggish when we don’t get the good quantity of sleep. It’s best to avoid afternoon naps. Generally, the amount of sleep varies on your age. The smart thing to do would be to consult your doctor and get the required number of hours of sleep you need to wake up at your best!

Now, here are some facts about sleep to enhance your knowledge! Did you know that:

- We naturally feel tired at two different times of the day: about 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
– Scientists still don’t know if animals dream during REM sleep, as humans do.
– Exercising regularly makes it easier to fall asleep yet exercising at irregular times or right before going to bed will make falling asleep more difficult.
– A desert snail can sleep for 3 years.
– People who don’t get enough sleep are most likely to have bigger appetites.
– Experts say one of the most alluring sleep distractions is the 24-hour accessibility of the internet.
– Divorced, widowed and separated people report more insomnia.
– A woman needs more sleep than a man does.
– The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes during a rocking chair marathon. The record holder reported hallucinations, slurred speech and memory, paranoia, blurred vision and concentration lapses.

First of all, let us ask ourselves. Where does the very root of all our problems lie? I am not a political analyst but it does not take an analyst to decipher where the root of our maladies lie. It is deeply drenched in filthy souls of the leaders of our so-called democratic government. Many a night I ponder and wonder, why can’t our society be like those small countries in Europe? So solemn, so free of crime, peacefully co-existing with each other. If my knowledge of current news proves me right, those countries are so crime-free that we can even reckon that they don’t exist anymore, kind of like a haven.

The catch is this, aren’t their governments the same like ours? They’re not communists, they’re not socialists. They are people led by their fellow people. Indeed in those countries, Abraham Lincoln’s immortal line proves to be true; the government is of the people, by the people, for the people.

But again, the question. Why are we like this? Is it because our country is marred by poverty, by desperation? Yes, without a doubt. But then again, history has taught us that nations rise and fall, empires surge and plunge. A number of nations have sunk and rose in the past century alone… And in all those cases, the leaders of both the glorious and the damned nations played the most significant part.

Leaders, yes, leaders. What do we look for in our leaders? The first quality the everyman looks for in a leader is intelligence and the ability to govern. Next is intelligence. But keenly pondering, virtually all politicians have those qualities, except of course for a few dumb ones who rely on their charisma only. Shame on them.

Yet there are some qualities which are always overlooked when people are made to choose amongst the aspiring leaders. Boldness, the resistance to temptation, and the might to crush all unruly opposition.

And that one quality we always, always, always fail to take into consideration – morality.

Law is extracted from ethics and ethics, from morals.

Definitely we do not want a leader who is morally upright but is weak, and the same goes for a leader who is bold but heartless.

But when will we have the leader who is brave, morally upright, and not to be subject to temptation brought about by the magnitude of power?

Ah, that remains to be seen, if it is still to be seen. And if our sheer hunch is to be listened to, morality is a forgotten word among most of our leaders.

I am strongly convinced that the few years after next year’s election shall determine the fate of our country.

I think that the leader who will deliver us from doom shall be born after a revolution. Regardless of the kind of revolution.

We have grown sick and tired of EDSA. It would be more effective, methinks, if an uprising reminiscent of the Bolshevik one would occur. I am not an activist. These are just the things running through my mind right now brought about by the culmination of the countless chaos haunting our poor country.

We need a revolution.

Christmas means two things: Going to church and spending time with family. The most important, of course, is going to Church. I have always believed since childhood days that Christmas time is a celebration of Jesus’ birth; He is the main celebrant of this day, not us. The preparation for the big day spreads out in four weeks during the season of Advent. The whole Church is preparing and I can really feel it. The little kids are practicing their Christmas play, the choir is singing Christmas songs, and red, silver and gold decorations everywhere. Each week builds up my anticipation for Christmas as I reflect on its essential meaning.

The equally important part of Christmas is my family.  As long as I can remember, I have always spent my Christmas with them… The joy and spirit continue as we gather after mass and eat dinner together. The party goes on, it is loud and fun – the adults sing karaoke and dance while I stay up and do cool stuff with my cousins and we wait… At exactly midnight, we all assemble again and even more loudly pass all the gifts. These are happy and joyful times that define my Christmas celebrations.

It obviously gets you thinking about the people that don’t have anybody or anything at this time of the year – the people living on the streets and those in underdeveloped countries. Christmas is a time for giving and warming up hearts, not only to the people that you love but also to those who need it. We can all share something because we received so much. There are many different ways – helping food drives, volunteer in nursing homes, or simply a smile to a person on the street. One kind gesture can brighten up someone else’s day.

Christmas Season … It fills up everybody with this feeling of expectation and joy. However, for me, it isn’t just the flashing lights or the happy songs that determine the vibe. It is the people around me, the warmth and happiness that cheer me up to endure the cold December weather. How I wish this Christmas spirit would last all-year round.

First of all, it is good to know the people in your class. A school day is not only the classes but also the people who take those classes. A silent group during break is probably not having as much fun as those who are talking in between classes. The trick is to not be shy to others in your group. The truth is you’re spending the whole year with these same people. Look forward to seeing your friends, mingle with them and build good relationships that would last for years ahead.

Another important detail in school is to have a good lunch (and breakfast, in fact). It sounds funny, but it makes sense. Hunger affects your mood and attitude. Having a full stomach will make you happier, especially in the morning. Plus, it will give better concentration.

Time can move faster with good concentration during class. Don’t think about how boring the teacher is but about what she is saying. It’s hard not to wander away in your thoughts but we have to stay focused on what they are teaching us. We should do what we are supposed to be doing – learning.

However, school is not only about sitting and listening to lessons. It is also everything around it, like sports, clubs and activities. Having a healthy lifestyle is as essential as cultivation of our minds. What better place to learn good habits and activities than school! In the end, you are not only learning subjects like math and science. You are also learning about life and how to be a better person. And most of the time, it is not easy.

The last trick is to use time wisely. At some point, we just feel overwhelmed by all the work and study. This makes school intolerable. That pressure and crisis could be prevented by dividing your time and not leaving everything to the last minute. In other words – don’t procrastinate! Do first things first and don’t let anything get in your way. It prevents lack of sleep and memory blanks. Most importantly, it keeps you on top of everything, relaxed and happy.

In the end, school is a part of life that can’t be escaped and we should be grateful for this opportunity. Like a lot of things, it isn’t always easy to handle. Just remember, all this is not for nothing and it will all pay off, one day…

Summer is in full swing and everybody has their plans to have fun. The perfect vacation for most teenagers would consist of sleeping-in, watching movies, hanging out with friends and doing nothing. Relaxing would be the main event of their vacation. Nothing else could seem more fun but the most enjoyable times were when they least expect it.

Family time can and will be longer during summer vacation. Especially with the summer trips and the barbecues, families get the time to really talk without a lot on their minds. Teenagers can’t escape to their rooms saying: “I have to finish my homework.”  Everybody will be glad of the bonding although long talks are not always that enthusiastic. Extreme biking and river rafting can be crazy ideas that will bring families closer one way or another. Then again, calm and soothing activities such as a trip to the museum or watching a movie will do just as fine. It might not be adrenaline pumping action but it’s definitely always a family adventure.

A summer job would rarely please any teen who just finished a rough year in school. However, it doesn’t always have to be relaxing during the summer after all the pros outnumber the cons in this case. Getting a part-time job could earn a good amount of cash just for you. There is one detail disregarded probably because it is only a little factor. Work is also a place to meet people. It is will be less fun when you are always cursing about life. A little smile will help along with the people around. Who knows, you might end up enjoying your work time.

An activity often over looked by teens is the summer camp. It is always thought to be a place for kids and often cheesy annoying songs. Maybe it is really a place with cheesy songs however you learn to love it with the right mentality. “Keep an open mind”, as they always say.  It helps to choose a camp that suits you. The start is always rough but as the weeks go on, you loose all self-consciousness and just have fun. The shyness has been long forgotten. Before you know it, you’re camp days are coming to an end. And you actually miss all the great friends you’ve made and the countless fun hours you’ve spent with them. This is proof that the less appealing activities can become unforgettable adventure of a lifetime!

Whether you’re on a long trip or stuck in a summer job anything can be fun with the right attitude. So keep a happy face and have fun wherever you are!

Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life. That’s the first phrase you see when you enter the website.  A university student’s little idea turned into the most popular site on the World Wide Web. With over 200 million active users around the globe, Facebook is one of the biggest social-networking sites. People from all walks of life have created a profile for various reasons, mainly to get in touch with their families and friends – not a bad idea! Now on its fifth year, it is worthwhile to review its pros and cons especially among us, the youth.

Having relatives on the other side of the world, Facebook can make us feel closer to our families–without having to wait for the mail or the next vacation to the Philippines, we share each others pictures, making funny comments and even chat once in a while. As for the issue of privacy, well, we just have to be careful not to post anything that we consider personal knowing that other people could use it against us.

Facebook is one of the many sites that steal the time among the teens. Even with all the bad media hype, Facebook has a lot of young users who have given the internet a big share of their lives. Some comment that computer has brought “socializing” out of the real world and on to the internet. In a way, it does influence the way we connect but nothing can replace a good time with friends at a movie theater or at the mall.

Spending countless hours in front of the computer, teens are often criticized as being addicted to technology. But among the teens on Facebook, only a few say that they could never live without it. Can Facebook do more harm to the youth than good? Well, it’s really up to the individual … So, let’s head out, put the computer aside for a while, breath the fresh spring air and enjoy the summer!

It seems the world is getting worse each day and we all know we have to do something about it. Climate change, exploitative child labor, deforestation and animal cruelty are some of the concerns. The answer I hear most often is that every little action will help. Personally, I try to always recycle my papers. Yet it never gives me the feeling that I just saved the world. The world’s problems are too big to be solved by only one person and one action.

Somebody once told me, “If you dream alone it is only a dream. If you are many to dream, it is the start of a reality”. Awareness of global issues amongst your family and friends is a big factor. Imagine if every single person you meet would do a little act to stop global warming. For example, they stopped using plastic bags to help the environment. The difference would be remarkable.

You should know that you are never alone in striving for a better world. A lot of organizations exist for different causes in your school or your community. Giving them your time and effort will certainly help their purpose.

 While Surfing the Internet, I stumbled across a Filipino Youth organization in America: ANAKBAYAN. Although there is no chapter here in Montreal, they seem to be relevant in a few American cities like New Jersey, Seattle and Los Angeles. 

Being the youth of our times makes us responsible of the whole world. The present problems in our society will be handed down to us sooner or later. We should really act together and without any delay because someday it might be too late.