The disaster in Japan By Casey (Casey.) On March 11th 2011 a massive earthquake struck Japan. The 8.9 magnitude was the largest earthquake to hit Japan in over 140 years. It caused multiple aftershocks and tsunami waves that struck several parts of Japan and the tsunami waves hit parts of Hawaii and other pacific islands too. The earthquake caused massive damage and the tsunami destroyed hundreds of homes, taking many lives with them. The disaster in Japan was escalated by unstable...

What is HIV and AIDS? By Casey (Casey.) AIDS. You've heard the term before. You have probably never thought of it affecting you. You have never known anyone who has AIDS, and you don't want to. You fear people who have AIDS. You may view them as unclean and dirty. But what do you know about AIDS really? Not much? Sure you know it's a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be deadly . But what is AIDS? How do you get AIDS? What is AIDS? Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS,...

Ways to conquer phone anxiety By Cassie (cynefin) What is phone anxiety? Phone anxiety is when someone struggles with, or has a fear of making calls, answering them, or leaving a voice mail. While phone anxiety is associated with social anxiety, someone can also have difficulty with using the phone even if they do not have social anxiety. Symptoms often consist of anxious thoughts such as: "What will the person on the other end of the line think of me?" or "What if I don't know what to...

Autumn themed treats for any occasion - not just Thanksgiving By Cassie (cynefin) Thanksgiving, though not worldwide, is a holiday that is known for gathering with those important people in your life, sharing a meal, talking about what you're thankful for, and reflecting on history. The Canadian Thanksgiving has already been celebrated, but the American Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away. Below are some crafty snack ideas that could also serve as little center pieces on the table....

Queens of Geek: A review By Jenna (~Abibliophobe~ ) The novel Queens of Geek by Jenn Wilde focuses on two characters named Taylor and Charlie. They are best friends but they have very different personalities. Taylor is quiet, shy and deals with things like social anxiety and generalized anxiety. These things make it hard for her to speak her mind and be herself. Charlie is outgoing; working to become an actress and is a YouTube sensation. Charlie, Taylor and their friend...

The Clubhouse Model as a resource for mental health By (Komorebi_Sisu) I joined a local Clubhouse about ten months ago. Someone had mentioned to me that it would be a good idea for me to have a place to go especially when I am having a difficult time at home and tend to feel a sense of isolation. This article will discuss key points in what the Clubhouse Model is and how the Clubhouse Model has been helpful for me and how it may be helpful to you too. What is the Clubhouse model? ...

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI By Jack (Coenred) and Adam (Rachael98) The Origins of the Papacy The first Pope was Saint Peter, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus. Jesus told Saint Peter that he was to be the ‘rock’ on which Jesus would build his church (Matthew 16:18). The title of ‘Pope’ however, didn't come into use until 366 A.D. under Pope Damascus I. From the beginning, the Pope has been considered to be the leader of the Catholic Church. Amongst other denominations...

Staying away from home By Cassie (Cassado) While some people may find overnight stays to be fun and adventurous, others can feel intimidated, anxious, or uncomfortable with the idea of them. This anxiety can be difficult to deal with, but it can be alleviated through planning ahead. This article will suggest things you can do to decrease your anxiety when you have planned an overnight stay away from home. Before you prepare for your trip, ask yourself what about staying...

New Year's Resolutions By Jenna M. (Fernweh.) Each November and December, we decide on our New Year resolutions, saying we will quit or change something that is detrimental to our well-being starting from January 1st. This seems like an easy thing to do, right? Telling yourself “I will begin doing…” or that “I will stop…” at the beginning of each year. Some people even stop doing one thing that might be harmful and begin something that is healthy or beneficial to them. ...

Combating Constipation By Cassie (Cassado) Constipation is the inability to make a bowel movement. It can be uncomfortable, worrisome, and inconvenient for many people. It can be difficult to do daily tasks when you're worrying about using the restroom. This article will discuss a few causes and symptoms of constipation as well as different remedies to try if you are constipated. A variety of things can cause constipation. Preexisting conditions such as irritable...

Delivering a eulogy By Cassie (Cassado) Eulogies are meant to honor the deceased while giving comfort and closure to their loved ones. While being asked to deliver a eulogy is an honor, it can feel overwhelming for many people. Some people don't like public speaking, while others fear struggling with their emotions while speaking. This article will discuss a few tips to help you give a eulogy. Practice as much as you feel you're able to. If you can, stand up while practicing...

Know Your World: Iran By Casey (Casey.) Most of us learn about our own nations in school, but usually there is little time or energy placed into knowing the world around us. The world is a magnificent place, with almost two hundred nations. We hear about some of these nations on the news every day, especially right now with the turmoil in the Middle East,but what do we actually know about these countries and the people who live there? The Islamic Republic of Iran, or simply Iran, is a...

Debunking the myths of the Gardasil 9 vaccine By Dez (Melancholia.) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is transmitted through anal, vaginal, or oral sex. There are more than 150 different strains of HPV. This condition can be transmitted even when the person affected does not have any symptoms. Symptoms can also take several years to appear. It is so common that almost everyone gets a strain of HPV during their lives. While HPV cannot be cured, and it usually clears up on its own,...

Guatemala Shelter Fire By Brittany (.Brittany.) History of Guatemala Guatemala is a small country located on the southern part of North America and borders with Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. As of July 2016, Guatemala has a population of approximately 15,000,000 people, and is 109,000 sq km in size. Since Guatemala is so close to the equator the climate is primarily hot, humid, and tropical. Guatemala's location makes it more susceptible to earthquakes, hurricanes,...