Summer 2021

MAY 2021 | SUMMER

The fight for freedom | Tracing the roots of anti-asian racism in North America | Drug use is a social thing | Generation wars | Cocktail recipes to try for the summer | Alumni spotlight featuring Sheldon Lynn | and much more!

Letting the new tide wash in

It’s the end of what may have been the longest and weirdest school year ever. We are saying goodbye to spring, shelving away BCIT for a little bit (if you are not enrolled in summer classes) and for some, like myself, it’s putting a close to this chapter of your schooling journey.

What words would you use to describe a whole school year of studying during a pandemic?

Good? Bad? Comme ci, comme ça? Is it okay to say it was a good school year because you learned how to study independently, even though the world around you seemed to be up in flames with rising COVID-19 cases? Would you say it’s been tragic because you don’t remember the last time you stepped foot on campus? Or do you give in to indifference because there is no way of fully capturing what you would have enjoyed or you’re glad you’re missing out on?

The answer to all those questions isn’t simple or linear because it’s been a unique learning experience that the class of 2021 will take with them as a parting gift. It’s also a learning curve for everyone who isn’t quite done with BCIT yet.

It’s layered. It’s infinite. It leaves an impression. The full school year of learning during a pandemic is like footprints in the sand of time.

For this reason, we wanted to reflect on that by focusing on all the things students did in their virtual school year: self-love, creating or finding their communities away from campus, and local travel.

There’s no way of predicting what the summer of ’21 may hold or truly knowing where the recent graduates are all headed, whether that means entering the job market immediately, or taking a break from industry pressure. I like to think that this uncertainty is layered with a pleasant surprise tucked away somewhere so I encourage you to head into summer with some grains of optimism.

The pace at which this school year ended was like sand dripping through an hourglass and summer might just keep up that pace. So, enjoy it as much as you can, use it to your advantage, and let that sand slip through your fingers.

Chantel Tanaka, Senior Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

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SUMMER READING

5 SELF-LOVE LANGUAGES

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SO, YOU WANT TO SPEND TIME OUTSIDE....

GENERATION WARS

ALUMNI FEATURE: SHELDON LYNN ART FEATURE: NAZANIN HOSSEINMARI

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DRUG USE IS A SOCIAL THING LOOK FORWARD

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FINAL WORDS

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ISSN 0715-5247 (Print) ISSN 2562-3257 (Online)

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Printed editions are distributed to all five BCIT campuses & additional content is published online at linkbcit.ca

We welcome writers, photographers and artists of all backgrounds and abilities.

Our purpose is to provide a collaborative platform for student expression, and to connect you with one another’s stories and experiences.

DESIGN by Chantel Tanaka & Christy Chan

COVER by Steve Carty

Chantel Tanaka, Senior Editor Jonah van Driesum, Associate Editor Christy Chan, Associate Editor Stephanie Bohn, Associate Editor Shaleeta Harrison, Publications Manager

STAFF

editor@linkbcit.ca | linkbcit.ca

SUMMER COCKTAILS

3700 Willingdon Ave. SE2 Building, 3rd Floor | Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2 | 604. 451. 7191

Link Magazine would like to respectfully acknowledge that it is printed and distributed on the traditional & unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples.

ANTI-ASIAN RACISM

Have an idea? Contact us!

THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

CONTRIBUTORS

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Katie Dalziel, Solongo Orkhon, Nazanin Hosseinmari, Angelina Ravelli, Cali McTavish, Zach Blaney, Alicia Plesich, Jasper Chu, Nelson Ellis,

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We feature exceptional people in our community, big ideas in a changing world, and evolving social dialogue.

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summer reading

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Katie Dalziel

I love summer reading! Preferably by a body of water; pool, river, lake, or ocean, I am not picky. But honesty compels me to confess I also love winter reading, fall reading, reading on a plane, reading on a train, a book is essentially my green eggs and ham.

Despite the ubiquitous presence and joy of reading, there are some distinct attributes of summer reading that distinguish it from the rest of my reading life. Allow me to recommend these distinctions to you too! Without the weight of classes, summer break is a time to read what you want to, not what you are required to. The portability of books makes them the perfect companion to a Canadian summer outside and off the grid.

THE CITY WE BECAME

If you love to read speculative fiction or would like to try some, I recommend N.K. Jemisin’s The City We Became. In a summer when travel and crowds are a distant memory or hope for another time, this novel transports the reader to New York City and its five boroughs. It is imaginative, funny, and disturbingly timely.

DUNE

Perhaps you want to get a head start on reading before the deluge of post-pandemic movies. In that case, the classic Dune

by Frank Herbert is the book for you. The world building is intricate and innovative and the environmental issues it raises are perhaps even more pressing than when it was first published in 1965. A new movie adaptation starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya is slated for release later in 2021.

PERSUASION

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Maybe the 400-plus page-count of Dune intimidates, and if that is the case, then maybe you need some Persuasion. Jane Austen’s last complete novel offers an opportunity to get ahead of not one but two productions. There is a modern-day retelling starring Dakota Johnson produced by Netflix in the works and another adaptation starring Succession’s Sarah Snook coming.

Persuasion ticks all the genre boxes for romance but it is also a quiet celebration of resilience after grief and trauma.

After this year I know that these themes resonate with me and bring to mind another book, a graphic novel, When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Set in a Kenyan refugee camp it is a story of displacement, waiting, and creating home wherever you find yourself. A Long Petal of the Sea, a novel by Isabel Allende, also tells the stories of displacement and migration, but this time from Franco’s Spain to Chile. It is a story of political catastrophe and survival over the decades.

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WHEN THE STARS ARE SCATTERED A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA

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WHY I WRITE

For another lens on the Spanish civil war there is the brief and powerful collection of autobiographical essays by George Orwell, Why I Write. His observations on the ways that political language obscures reality and creates conditions that foster totalitarian government remain relevant. If you have absolutely no interest in politics, this book is still worth the read for the advice on how to write.

VALUE(S)

Perhaps politics and economic theory are exactly what you want to be reading. In that case, Mark Carney’s book, Value(s), explores how Capitalism is working or not working and what levers we could pull if we decide to value the environment and people within the current economic system.

WELCOME TO THE GODDAMN ICE CUBE

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Finally, for that week when it gets too hot and you start to wish for the end of summer there is Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North by Blair Braverman. Set in Norway and Alaska this story is packed with adventure, sled dogs, wilderness, and courage.

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I hope that you have found a book or two that will delight, entertain, or maybe even edify you this summer.

May your summer reading restore any curiosity that this last hurried semester might have stolen from you.

May it comfort and surprise you. Happy reading.

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Illustration by Nazanin Hosseinmardi

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Solongo Orkhon

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—Diane Von Furstenberg

Last year, I read a book called The 5 Love Languages by Gary Marshall. His philosophy is that all individuals receive and give love differently, so knowing your love language and communicating it to your significant other, family, and friends can help you save misunderstandings and create a more loving relationship. You can also use the concept on yourself to practice self-love, which I will share below. If you don’t know your primary love language, you can take the test here1.

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“The most important relationship you will ever have is the one with yourself.

Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.”

can’t agree with Diane Von Furstenburg's quote more. No matter what happens in life, you will always have yourself. Hence why it is SO important for all of us to learn how to love and take care of ourselves, our mental health, our mind, and our overall well-being. Additionally, no one will ever love you more than you love yourself, because you are the only person who knows yourself the best. When you start loving yourself, you start to feel good, and you will look good as well. You will start to disconnect from all the things that don't serve you well, you will start to make decisions that’s best for you, and you will teach others how to treat and love you by showing them how you treat yourself. Choosing yourself over everything may anger other people, but how others react to your decision is none of your concern; your goal is to stay loyal to yourself. Always remember that you are worthy of love and that the relationship you have with yourself affects all the others in your life!

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WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

If your primary love language is words of affirmation, you can practice saying or writing mantras to yourself like, “I accept myself. I am worthy of love. I am enough.” You can even write love letters to yourself like I do. Doing so can be very powerful, and it can fill up your love cup throughout the day.

QUALITY TIME Quality time can be a time of solitude. Try setting aside some time for yourself every day. It can be 30 minutes to an hour.

During this time, allow yourself to simply relax, watch a movie, practice yoga, or whatever it is that you would like to do. If you live with other people, let them know you are not to be disturbed during that time in your room.

PHYSICAL TOUCH

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If you fall under the category of physical touch for your primary love language, you can benefit by giving yourself a massage, rubbing lotion on your body, or taking a relaxing, hot bath. Even stretching your body, dancing, and taking deep breaths while placing your hand on your chest will help. Basically, this love language is about being gentle and kind with your body.

For example, I like to do a facial massage for myself and pamper my skin.

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e To: M Me : e v o L

RECEIVING GIFTS

If your love cup fills when receiving gifts, I encourage you to treat yourself to something special once in a while. It can be buying that book you have been wanting to read, or simply picking up a pretty seashell from the beach. I usually allow myself to buy hazelnut cappuccino occasionally. Just make sure you’re treating yourself within your financial means.

This can be challenging if you feel loved by the acts of kindness other people do for you, but you can totally do this for yourself by simply creating a to-do list that will make your life easier and happier. It can include tasks like organizing your closet, rearranging your bookshelf, or decluttering your drawers. As acts of service is my own primary love language, I love to organize my closet, clean my makeup brushes, fill up my diffuser, and wash my trainers! The process even allows me to feel good, and I feel so much love the next day when I see my closet nicely organized and my brushes clean and ready to use.

Self-love isn’t just important—it’s essential. It’s not something to accomplish and move on from, but rather something that requires daily practice because it’s a journey with yourself, for yourself. I know it can be challenging at times, but I believe with small steps every day, we can come to a point where we love and honour ourselves for just the way we are and continue nurturing ourselves. Self-love is central to living a joyful life and attracting the love we deserve, because it is important to know how to love yourself before you love others. As one of my favourite human beings, Maya Angelou, once said, “I don’t trust people who don’t know how to love themselves and say, ‘I love you.’”

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5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/

To-do list

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ACTS OF SERVICE

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Explore & Revive a guide to getting outside this summer

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Cali McTavish

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It feels as though, despite our most earnest longings (though perhaps not most committed efforts) we still find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic.

So as summer rolls in, to shake off our collective case of the blahs, here are a few ways to get outside.

While I will try to provide you adventure suggestions for places that are off the beaten path, when it comes to hikes, I am not likely to succeed. The regional health authority travel restrictions make these excursions trickier, but not impossible as Vancouver is a city full of hiking and walking trails.

Safety is important even if you are an experienced hiker going somewhere you think will be safe. It's vital to tell someone where you are going and what time you will be back. North Shore Search and Rescue saw a 300% increase in incidents in 2020. Don’t be that person. Ensure that you have a GPS map on your phone, your phone is fully charged, and that you have an extra charger pack. Also, it's always a good idea to carry the 10 essentials.

A high-quality mask is also an asset, so you can safely manoeuvre if you run into larger groups of people. Caveats aside, here are a few excursions for you to try:

DAY HIKES BEGINNER: LIGHTHOUSE PARK Lighthouse Park offers spectacular views of Howe Sound, Bowen Island, and back towards UBC and Vancouver. Great if you’re not in the mood for elevation gain. The bluffs also offer many nice spots for picnics, especially at Juniper Point.

Student Nate Lewis described how the area is a haven for birders:

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“One time there were a bunch of turkey vultures going after something near the shoreline and they were swooping all over the place! I've often seen eagles around there as well. So much avian activity!”

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Lighthouse Park by Cali McTavish

INTERMEDIATE: EAGLE BLUFFS Eagle Bluffs is on Black Mountain, beside Cypress Mountain. A popular destination, this hike offers views of the Howe Sound that are second to none – and often many eagles! You can access it from the Cypress Mountain parking lot, and while it never hurts to have a map app, in this case it is very easy to follow the sign posts.

ADVANCED: BRUNSWICK

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The Brunswick Mountain hike kicks off from Lion’s Bay, and I highly recommend checking out the Lion’s Bay Café when you go. It's a great place to meet up with a friend, or grab an extra snack before heading on your way. Brunswick is a fairly grueling 15km hike, made worth the challenge by the snow-capped peaks you get to stand among. As one of the tallest peaks in the range, it offers a great opportunity to scope out your next adventure.

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Eagle Bluffs by Cali McTavish

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Conveniently located on the north shore, just east of Grouse Mountain, Mt. Fromme offers great beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain when you are just looking to get a lap in at the end of a long day. Mountain biking is a sport I only got in to last year, but as an avid skier (aka someone who likes to go fast downhill) I quickly found it was right up my alley.

Mountain biking is also a great way to learn biking uphill isn’t so bad, since you get to enjoy a choose-your-own-adventure roller coaster ride on the way down. To find the trail that suits your ability use Trail Forks. The app has kindly colour coded the runs with green for beginner, blue for intermediate and black for advanced.

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MOUNTAIN BIKING: MT. FROMME

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ROCK CLIMBING: SULLY'S HANGOUT *For this article I am focusing on sport climbing, not trad climbing. Sport Climbing uses bolts that have been secured in to the rock. Trad climbing means using your own gear in cracks in the rock.

Sully’s Hangout is located in the Lynn Canyon Area. Take the Lynn Canyon loop hike to where the well-established trail breaks in two. Turn sharply right off the path and head steeply uphill for 500m. The trail is marked but poorly, and the wall should appear magically before you. In order to not get lost, I highly recommend using Gaia GPS. Sully’s is great because it is very easy to set-up top ropes. At Sully’s, you feel one-with-the-forest, climbing mossy rock slabs surrounded by big old cedar, fir and pine. If you’re new to the sport, start on the far left and work your way right. I am not a super advanced climber, but this location has everything from easy to highly advanced climbing spots, so everyone can find their puzzle to play with.

A quick history: climbing routes in BC are graded using the Yosemite Decimal System.

Originally, the system was used to grade hikes and mountaineering routes by the Sierra Club. For example, an easy hike would be a one, while a challenging, steep hike would be a four. You will often see hiking and scrambling books using this system. Five was meant to imply “only to be attempted with “artificial aid,” aka ropes. This is why everything in climbing starts at 5 point something.

STAND UP PADDLEBOARD/KAYAK: DEEP COVE I am assuming, seasoned adventurer, you have probably heard of Quarry Rock—the popular day hike that starts in Deep Cove and ends at Quarry Rock. If you have not, I highly recommend checking it out, though you will find it crowded on weekends. But, another great adventure can be launched from this little hamlet by the sea. Kayaks or SUPS (Stanup Paddle boards) can be rented from Deep Cove Kayaks right in the bay. An army of teenagers will even pull your craft in to the water for you and give you an only slightly condescending safety run-down. Then you’re off! Some options to shoot for: Racoon Island is only a short (1hr) jaunt away. This is a perfect destination for a day paddle.

Twin Islands is your first potential camping destination. It’s only about a two-hour paddle away, so a good destination if you’re looking for somewhere to camp, but also heading out after work. It has lovely wooden tent pads, outhouses, and is generally well maintained.

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Granite Falls: If you are looking for a full day of paddling and a spectacular kayaking experience, head up to Granite Falls. Because it is an inlet the waters are usually quite calm, with no major currents. Depending on the time of year, you may even see whales. It's nearly guaranteed you'll find yourself followed by inquisitive and friendly seals. At Granite Falls, can set up a tent in the forest or in a grassy meadow, and there's lots of space to walk explore.

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Deep Cove by Cali McTavish

I hope this article will lead to many adventures for you. I especially hope you

end up trying something new! Enjoy your “one-dose summer” friends, and I look forward to seeing you back on campus in the fall.

PeakFinder

Gaia GPS

Fatmap

Trail Forks

Adventure Smart

The Crag LINK | MAY 2021

APPS TO CHECK OUT:

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GENERATI Angelina Raveli

If you want the exact numbers, Millennials were born between the years 1981 and 1996, whereas Generation Z was born between 1997 and 2010.

It may not seem like too big of a difference, but the generational war between the two have only become more evident throughout the years.

To begin, it’s safe to say each generation, though raised around each other, has apparent differences. But many go unnoticed, for example, attention span. According to a study done by Oberlo, Gen Z has an attention span of around 8 seconds, while Millennials have an attention span of 12 seconds. According to Tradable Bits, a marketing blog, advertising is now directed to fit the new generation 8 second attention span.

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The online world is everything these days, so when Google conducted a study trying to figure out why teens turn to online shopping, the answer

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was not as exciting as you’d think.

One word: convenience. As a part of Gen Z, I think I speak for many of us when I say, why make your life any harder than it already is?

But it’s not to say Gen Z is anti-social in any way. In fact, they might even have better social skills than Millennials. Millennials were pioneers of the digital world; witnessing phones become an essential and modern technology become a part of regular life. 74% of Gen Z say they prefer face-to-face contact with colleagues in the workplace. Gen Z grew up with technology and is said to have a better balance between the tech world and their real-life interactions.

Growing up around so much technology, we have advantages of all sorts. Gen Z is the most profi-

ION WARS When it comes to education, the divide is evident. According to Sparks and Honey research, 75% of Gen Z believe there are many other ways of receiving proper education than the typical college route. It is common to see Millennials these days who are still paying off student debt. 44% of recent college grads are employed in jobs that don’t even require a degree.

With wisdom, generations seem to learn from past mistakes.

But when all these differences are brought to life, conflict may occur. Over the last couple years, stereotypes and lingo towards those in other generations were created. Phrases like ‘Karen’ and ‘Boomer’ were made by Gen Z towards older generations.

The term boomer is used as a comeback towards Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964. The term is used as a response to any arguments a Gen Z person could be having with. And according to BBC ‘the term Karen widespread meme referencing a specific type of middle-class white woman, who exhibits behaviours that stem from privilege.’ These stereotypes stem from differences of age and mindsets, which change throughout the years.

With evolutionary changes to society and standards, conflicts between generations are always going to be something generations may not see eye to eye on. Many factors play into these differences, whether it is the evolution of technology or the significant worldwide events that occurred as we grew up. Now, this isn’t to say one is clearly superior, I guess that is up to interpretation.

Would you rather be able to do three things at once, or be able to focus for over 10 seconds?

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cient generation when it comes to multi-tasking. This could include watching a movie while researching and completing an assignment.

They have trained their brains to handle multiple things at once, and if not challenged enough, will likely get bored.

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SUMMER COC Zach Blaney

One of my favourite things about summer is sitting on a patio and sipping an icecold drink while the sun shines down.

Whether it’s a cocktail, a coffee, or some other tipple, that first sip washes over me like a wave and soothes my sun-beaten soul.

Sadly, getting out to bars isn’t easy right now and, let’s be honest, it gets expensive. But there’s an easy way around this—make your own cocktails! Craft cocktails can seem a bit elitist, but, at the end of the day, making a great cocktail is as simple as measuring some liquid and shaking it up. Sure, part of the fun is playing around with exotic ingredients and obscure techniques, but the basics are all you need to make a fantastic drink.

Those basics are measuring carefully, using fresh ingredients, and, most importantly, making it your own. The six recipes below offer a starting point for the aspiring cocktail maker. They are simple, use basic ingredients, and focus on BC producers. Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail drinker or just diving into this creative outlet, you’ll find a drink for you!

CKTAILS

PREPARATION NOTES Ingredients: Quality of ingredients is important for cocktails; you get out what you put in. You can make a decent cocktail with pre-squeezed lime and lemon juices, but fresh is best when you can get it.

Liquors: I chose these cocktails for a few reasons (beyond

the deliciousness). First, each spirit is flexible and works in a variety of drinks. Second, these bottles are standard at most liquor stores. Lastly, there are local producers making fantastic versions of every bottle on this list. So, if you like supporting the local guys, you’ll be making “West Coast” versions of all of these drinks.

Measuring: I list everything in oz because it's how I learned, and adding in all the conversions really muddies the recipes.

If you want to convert the recipes, two tablespoons (30ml) is equivalent to one ounce.

Tools: While cocktail making can undoubtedly be expedited with the correct tools, all you really need is something to shake with and a measuring tool between ¼ oz and 1 oz.

A mason jar works well as a shaker, and you probably have one lying around.

SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE Making simple syrup is extremely easy. You take equal parts sugar and water, heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool.

Boom! You have one of the most common cocktail ingredients. You can go wild with syrups—swap the white sugar for brown sugar; add a few cinnamon sticks; soak some raspberries overnight—but the goal of these recipes is the ease of production, so a basic simple syrup will do.

Ingredients o 1 Cup Sugar o 1 Cup Water Method o Add both ingredients to a pot and heat gently, stirring occasionally o Mix until you no longer see granules of sugar in the liquid o Cool and store in the refrigerator

HONEY SYRUP RECIPE Honey is a delicious ingredient for cocktails with its delicate variations and comforting sweetness, but in its traditional form, it’s a little too thick for mixing. The solution is to make honey syrup! This is even easier than simple syrup. You just add some water to the honey to remove some of its viscosity, and you’re done.

Ingredients o ½ Cup Honey o ½ Cup Water Method o Add ingredients together and mix until combined o Store in the refrigerator

BRIGHT & REFRESHING This batch of cocktails is perfect for the summer. All of them have a bit of fizz to them, which keeps all the drinks light and refreshing.

MOCKTAIL: PEACH FIZZ This mocktail was inspired by childhood trips through the Okanagan. We would come home with flats of peaches, and my mom would spend an afternoon canning them for yearround enjoyment. If you can get your hands on some local peaches, this cocktail will taste that much better! It’s sparkly and delicious, with a sweetness balanced by the tart lemon juice.

Ingredients o Half a Peach, peeled o 1 oz Lemon Juice o ¾ oz Simple Syrup o Sparkling Apple Juice o Peach Slices for Garnish Method o Place the peach half, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a highball glass o Muddle the peach until it is a pulp o Add as much ice as you like, top with sparkling apple juice, and enjoy!

AP

This with and Cass flavo

In

M

PPROACHABLE: CASSIS 75

s is a simple riff on a French 75—champagne h a healthy dose of gin, balanced by syrup d lemon juice—that adds a splash of Crème de sis, a delicious fruity liqueur. It’s light, full of our, and dangerously drinkable.

ngredients o 1½ oz Gin o ¾ oz Lemon Juice o ¾ oz Crème de Cassis o ¼ oz Simple Syrup o Sparkling Wine, about 2 oz o Lemon Twist for Garnish

Method o Add the gin, lemon juice, crème de cassis, and simple syrup to a shaker tin. Fill with ice and shake for 12 seconds o Strain into a champagne flute and top with sparkling wine o Garnish with the lemon twist, and enjoy!

CHALLENGING: AMERICANO The Americano was first mixed sometime in the 1860s and has been a staple in cocktail culture ever since. This is probably due to its simplicity and complex flavour profile. It is the precursor to the famous Negroni cocktail and is a perfect way to develop your palate for that beautiful drink.

This drink is sweet and light with a pronounced bitter character from the Campari.

Ingredients o 1½ oz Campari, Woods Distilling’s Amaro, or Roots and Wings Olitais Bitter o 1½ oz Sweet Vermouth or Esquimalt Wine Co.’s Rosso Vermouth o Sparkling Water, about 3 oz Method o Add the two ingredients to a highball glass o Add as much ice as you want o Top with sparkling water and enjoy!

UNIQUE & COMPLEX

This batch of recipes ge little more. Be careful, a rabbit hole that is cockt

APPROACHABLE: PINEAPPLE GROG The Navy Grog is a cocktail that has been around for hundreds of years. It was initially a drink that mixed a few rums, citrus, and water. It has evolved since then, but it has remained a top choice for tiki bartenders ‘round the world. This version simplifies the rum blend and adds a splash of pineapple for some tropical feel. It may seem like a ton of ingredients, but trust me, it is well worth the shake.

Ingredients o 1½ oz Dark Rum or DeVine’s Honey Shine Amber o 1½ oz White Rum or DeVine’s Honey Shine Silver o ¾ oz Grapefruit Juice o 1 oz Pineapple Juice o ¾ oz Lemon Juice o ¾ oz Lime Juice o 1 oz Honey Syrup o Mint, for garnish Method o Add all the ingredients except the mint to your shaker tin o Fill two-thirds full of ice and shake for 12 seconds o Empty the entire shaker into your glass, ice included, garnish with the mint, and enjoy!

BLO

This drink a splash o additions well-balan this cockt This drink Woods A that play

Ingred o 2o o 3/4 o 1o o 3/4 o 3/4

Metho o Ad o Ad o Str

ets a little funkier and pushes your palate a as these drinks can open your eyes up to the tails. And believe me, that tunnel is long!

CHALLENGING: OOD ORANGE SOUR

k follows a basic sour recipe but adds of blood orange and bitter. These two s bring in a ton of flavour and create a nced cocktail. Fruity, sweet, sour, bitter, tail has become my go-to on hot days. k, in particular, blends well with the Amaro, as it has beautiful notes of citrus well with the blood orange.

dients oz Gin 4 oz Lemon Juice oz Simple Syrup 4 oz Blood Orange Juice 4 oz Campari or Woods Distilling’s Amaro

od dd all the ingredients to your shaker tin dd ice and shake for 12 seconds rain into your glass and enjoy!

MOCKTAIL: MOCK PENICILLIN The penicillin is a whiskey cocktail with ginger, honey, and smoky Islay Scotch. This version swaps the liquor for lapsang souchong style tea, which brings the funk and smoke character to the drink.

This is an excellent mocktail for fans of more complex cocktails, as the flavours are truly unique.

Ingredients o 3 oz Lapsang Souchong Tea o 1 oz Lemon Juice o 1 to 1½ oz Honey Syrup (to taste) o 1 tsp Ground Ginger Method o Make three ounces of tea using the lapsang souchong, add the honey and ginger, and let steep for 10 minutes o Strain the tea into your cocktail shaker, add the lemon juice, and shake with ice for 12 seconds o Strain into your glass, add some fresh ice and enjoy!

CONCLUSION

There you go! Six cocktails that feature a little something for everyone. Hopefully at least one of these drinks has inspired you to experiment and try something new. Remember, these recipes are starting points and you should adjust them to suit you. Say you try the Cassis 75 and find it a little too sweet, reduce the Crème de Cassis to half an ounce the next time you try it. Maybe you have a bottle of Amaro that’s gathering dust, try adding a splash to the americano. Part of the fun of making cocktails at home is tailoring them to your tastes. My favourite cocktail producer, Greg from HowToDrink, has said “if the drink you like is in the glass, you did it right.”

"If the drink you like is in the glass, you did it right."

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The Fight for 32

Alicia Plesich

Freedom

H

ave you ever wondered what history, culture, and government have in common with each other? The answer is these are all factors that form and represent the grounds for freedom.

In this article, I want to take you on a journey across the Pacific, along the silk belt road, to a densely packed region on the southeastern tip of China. The city here is alive, but the people feel trapped. This city is Hong Kong.

All good things seem to end however, and it seems like Hong Kong is suffering this fate. To understand the current developments in Hong Kong, we must go back in time.

British Rule and Influence

Hong Kong was colonized by Great Britain from 1841 to 1997. Aside from a brief period where it was under Japanese occupation during the Second World War, Britain ruled over Hong Kong during the First Opium War, the Second Opium War, and the First World War. Britain’s efforts to occupy the three large islands that Hong Kong comprised of lasted half a decade.

Finally, in 1898, Britain signed a 99-year lease with the People’s Republic of China so that they could continue their rule in peace.

Demographics, Economy, and Expansion: the 1950s and after

During this period, Britain regained sovereignty over Hong Kong from Japanese occupation as the Second World War came to an end. Further west, the Chinese Civil War was occurring in Mainland China, which promoted a huge surge of Chinese refugees and businesses to escape to Hong Kong for a better life. By the mid-1950s, Hong Kong’s population had risen to a staggering 2.2 million, one of the densest populations in the world at that time. The stability and security of the British law and government also enabled Hong Kong to flourish as a center for international trade, allowing it to become a massive gateway for shipping and to grow within the trading business as an entrepot.

While political chaos continued to plague Mainland China, the standard of living was

LINK | MAY 2021

Hong Kong is small in landmass, but by no means is it small in population or development. It has now become a melting pot of cultures and an internationally recognized business capital. With over 7.5 million residents of various nationalities in a 1,104-square-kilometre area, the city’s intricate history is a wonder to many people.

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growing steadily in Hong Kong. A strong work ethic bloomed throughout the city as more people joined the workforce. Companies also began to diversify their business models, and Hong Kong soon became a city that contributed to manufacturing and producing products to other countries alongside its shipping exports and imports.

As a result, Hong Kong continued to expand in population and GDP, becoming Asia’s Fourth Tiger along with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The pe never be

By the 1980s, many ethnic Chinese people had become major business figures in Hong Kong. Amongst these billionaires was Sir Li Ka-Shing, who had become one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest people.

Handing over Hong Kong: the Sino-British Joint Declaration

Britain and China reopened talks of handing over Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China as the 99-year lease was coming close to an end. On December 19, 1984, the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed between the two countries, and the handover occurred on July 1, 1997.

The joint declaration highlighted two policy agreements, stipulated in the Hong Kong Basic Law:

1. “50 years of no change,” which refers to the continuation of Hong Kong’s successful capitalist system and its way of life for another 50 years, until 2047.

2. Have Hong Kong become a Special

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Administrative Region so that the rule of law—which guaranteed that everybody, regardless of race, rank, politics,

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or religion, equally and fairly subjected to the laws of the land and the right to freedom of expression—could continue to be practiced and represented. China would agree to honour this separation.

The term “one country two systems” is frequently used to describe this agreement.

This was all possible because as a crown colony, Hong Kong’s administration began to formulate and model after British standards. At the time, this was the Westminster system1, which consisted of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. Although it was based on English law, it was organized in a way that

of the most internationally recognized and successful cities we know today. However, in 2047 when the 50 years is reached, no one knows what will happen or what stance China will take towards the Special Administrative Region. People are getting nervous as China continuously oversteps their agreement. The younger generations who have grown up in the 21st century are especially concerned in regards to their freedom and future, and China’s treatment of free expression and accessibility to free information has only increased their doubt.

eople of Hong Kong have een a censored population.

The Supreme Court of Hong Kong was the highest and ruled on all civil and criminal cases in the colony, and after the handover, it became the High Court of Hong Kong.

The High Court has operated with the rule of law since the handover in 1997, and it was only in 2020 when this all changed.

21st Century and The Capitalist System

The evolution of Hong Kong is powerful, as it went from being a fishing village to one

The fight for freedom in Hong Kong accelerated through protesting, and many movements were led by young adults and students. In June 2019, almost 2 million people2 had peacefully protested their disagreement with the extradition bill proposed to be enforced in Hong Kong.

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allowed Chinese customary law to take a secondary role in civil cases involving Chinese residents.

Many youngsters continue to ask themselves and their leaders what this means for Hong Kong’s state of democracy. China has a totalitarian rule of law, and the state of governing is far different from the system adopted in Hong Kong. The people of Hong Kong have never been a censored population; they have grown up in a society where rights, law and order, fairness, and freedom are openly protected and fought for. They are upset with how easygoing the current leaders of Hong Kong are when it comes to China meddling with their laws.

The confusion, combined with growing distrust in their leaders, has led to escalated movements that have reached global news in the past two years.

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only way we can start the conversation and work towards change is by being educated, humble, and open-minded. Learning history is the first step.

On a local scale, we can bring awareness to situations like Hong Kong within our communities by learning more about it and encouraging discussion. Many people in Hong Kong are still searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. If you meet someone from Hong Kong, try to understand them before placing judgment.

Hopefully this article has been eye-opening. Keep these perspectives in mind, and remember to stay kind and be curious.

As the struggle between protesters and law enforcers grew, peaceful protesters became violent, as did the police officers.

The people of Hong Kong are aware of Communist China’s view on protesting, and with the Tiananmen Massacre tragedy still burning at the back of their minds3, distrust has only grown.

Why Should You Care?

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On a global scale, understanding the histories of our neighbours allows us to be more connected. In addition to China, there are still a handful of other countries across the globe that have not yet arrived at a democratic state of rule, and we can begin helping by making an effort to learn and read about these countries. The people in these countries are suffering at the hands of their governments. Canada is a beautiful country where its residents are very fortunate to have a government that protects the freedom of speech and the rule of law. It should be a human right, but it is not. The

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The Letters Patent formed the constitutional basis of the colonial government and the Royal Instructions detailed how the territory should be governed and organized. The Governor of Hong Kong was the executive head, who was appointed by the British monarch to serve in Hong Kong. Executive power was highly concentrated with the Governor, who himself appointed almost all members of the Legislative Council and Executive Council and also served as President of both chambers. While The British government provided oversight for the colonial government, the Foreign Secretary formally approved any additions to the Legislative and Executive Councils and the Sovereign held sole authority to amend the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions.

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TRACI

OF ANTI-A Jasper Chu

IN NORT

A mass shooting of three East Asian spa parlours in Atlanta, Georgia left eight dead on March 16th, 2021.

ASIAN RACISM

TH AMERICA

VIRTUAL SERVITUDE OF ASIAN PEOPLE

This issue goes back as far as the 19th century with Chinese immigrant workers being brought to the United States and Canada to work, most notably in the California Gold Rush and building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. They were often working in a role of virtual servitude, being paid very little for working in extremely dangerous conditions. That on top of the fact that Chinese alongside other East and South Asian ethnic groups faced extreme prejudice from civil society, the public sphere, and the general public. It was this prejudice that played a major factor in the institution of the US’s Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, Canada’s Chinese Immigration Act in 1885, and subsequent amendments that later led to a complete ban on Chinese immigrants.

SINOPHOBIA IN NORTH AMERICA

Anti-Asian racism would also play a major role during World War Two (WWII) and the early Cold War. Due to the Japanese Empire’s role in WWII, Japanese immigrants, many of which were citizens of Canada and the United States, were distrusted or seen as a threat, even if they weren’t born in Japan or had any ties to the Empire. It was

LINK | MAY 2021

ING THE ROOTS

This isn’t much of a surprise given the rise of Anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States and Canada. Anti-Asian racism, prejudice, and Sinophobia has been around long before coronavirus. It’s been pervasive as a political scapegoat throughout the 19th and 20th centuries... until recently. For a long time, this issue was rarely addressed in mainstream media, only ever treated as isolated incidents or bigotry from a miniscule fringe.

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this that led to their eventual internment and incarceration throughout the entirety of the war. Japanese people were also the subject of racial discrimination from elements of the general populace in the early days of WWII.

country of China. Calling COVID-19 the “China Virus” also had the added effect of making Asian-American immigrants and communities seem complicit with spreading the virus in some form.

During the mid 20th to early 21st century, Anti-Asian racism has rarely been brought up as a political issue during the election cycle, yet multiple depictions of China have helped reinforce racial prejudice, be it intentional or not. This is generally centered around the news covering China’s human rights abuses, authoritarian government, and economic power. It is beyond denying how repressive the People’s Republic of China is, and the media needs to call out it’s central government and it’s ruling party for it’s disrespect and mistreatment of their own citizens. However, how the media has covered these developments has been extremely flawed, often referring to China as a country, being the perpetrator of these actions rather than the Chinese Communist Party or it’s central government. This has the consequence of assuming that the Chinese people are endorsing or even being complicit in these actions.

WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

When the above mentioned is combined with Chinese government’s Communist ideology, and growing economic power at home and abroad, it gives off the skewed perception that the Chinese people, immigrants especially, are wanting to gain control over our economic system and spread communism outside Chinese borders. It is this that very likely led elements of society to directly associate these factors with inherent un-trustworthiness, sneakiness, and greed. One factor significantly worsened all of the above: Donald Trump. Among some of Trump’s most notable policy positions was his aggressive stances against China, threatening to tariff Chinese products being exported to America and counter China’s geopolitical expansion and assertiveness. This has had the added effect of reinforcing the inherent untrustworthiness of East Asians, Chinese especially. When COVID-19 emerged in China at the beginning of 2020, Donald Trump began calling COVID-19 the “China Virus,” very likely intentionally to place blame on the whole

I’m sure that many people have had some hunch that there is growing mistrust directed towards Asian immigrants. Among online magazines and mainstream media it is becoming covered as an actual issue (as it should be) but the fact it’s taken this long speaks a lot about how the media has played a role in what systemic issues face the general public and public sphere.

Going forward, there are two areas where we can fix this problem. The first is in our everyday lives, where we have to be aware of the preconceived notions or stereotypes we have about the Asian community. Research the historical contexts behind such notions to get a better understanding of where they come from and what is the reality. Interact more with individuals from the Asian community that you’re acquainted with either online or in person. Over time, you’ll understand that the differences between individuals in the Asian community are just as multifaceted and complex as any normal person would be.

This is an issue that also needs more discussion between friends, colleagues, family, or peers in private and public life, especially on social media. We need to not just discuss the problem, but discuss and champion solutions whatever they may be, from civic initiatives, all the way to public policy.

Organize and discuss with friends and acquaintances ways to break down bigotries and stereotypes, to give proper historical contexts to these complex situations, and ultimately to better inform the public.

In the end, we all need to equip ourselves with the historical aspects of this or any situation with regards to our interactions with those of other ethnicities or races. The more we know, the more we could understand, and the more we could understand, the better off we’ll all be.

We have to be aware of the preconceived notions or stereotypes we have about the Asian community.

Photo by Steve Carty / CBC

alumni feature

SHELDON LYNN BCIT Alum on the Great Canadian Baking Show

Lynn is a self-described “home-baker” who grew up watching the Great British Baking Show, and in turn, the Great Canadian Baking Show. He said his love for cooking and baking was inspired by his family from early on in his toddler years. “I grew up in China until I was six, and I have fond memories of being in my grandparents’ kitchen and watching them cook for the whole family and having the whole family connect over food,” said Lynn.

He added that his more recent focus on baking continues to fuel his curiosity and connection to food, as he sees food as a form of cultural and personal storytelling.

This interest in storytelling through food was something he did on the show by

paying homage to his Chinese heritage in different baking weeks. “For cookie week, I did a portrait of my sister, mom, and I, and it portrayed our move from Sichuan, China to Vancouver. [I got to tell] a little bit of my family’s story and above all to honour my mom because she was a single mom who immigrated with two very young children to a country where she didn’t really speak the language or know anyone, but she did it to provide my sister and I better opportunities and a better life.”

Lynn said he wanted to use his time on the show to explore aspects of the immigrant experience because “we are a country of immigrants but sometimes it’s not something everyone talks about.” In his case, he drew inspiration from his Chinese roots to tell the story of the kinds of sacrifices immigrant parents like his mom make continuously to provide a better future for their children. He added that showing this story on the show not only resonated with a lot of viewers who watched the show, but it was a complete surprise for his mom who was touched by the gesture.

LINK | MAY 2021

BCIT Computer Systems Technology graduate, Sheldon Lynn, has always had a creative side. When the pandemic kept people in their homes, he saw it as an opportunity to work on one of his creative passions. Little did he know that passion would land him on the Great Canadian Baking Show, where he appeared in six out of the eight episodes.

words Chantel Tanaka photos Steve Carty / CBC & Geoff George / CBC

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Photo by Geoff George / CBC

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As a BCIT alum, Lynn said his time in school in his CST program prepared him in more ways than one for his time on the show.

He said that the pressure of going through school at BCIT rang true to the same pressure he experienced as he prepared for the different baking challenges under time constraints in the infamous tent. “BCIT was a really intense experience, and the baking show was also an intense experience... It was a culmination of a lot of little things.”

Lynn shared that in preparing for the show, he was working full-time and would devote all his free time to baking. “I would get off from work and bake from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and then bake all day on the weekend because there were so many things to prepare.

It was draining but so satisfying,” said Lynn.

Lynn’s creative ingenuity shined through in every showstopper and signature bake category he was in. For his first appearance in the signature category, Lynn presented a Bundt cake, beautifully adorned with a sugar dragon decoration. In his showstopper round during cake week, he made a captivating Georgia O’Keefe inspired layered cake that had a glistening mirror glaze.

With no formal training in baking, Lynn noted that he sees baking as both “a science and an art,” and jokingly added that whatever he lacked in talent, he “made up for it in enthusiasm.” He added that although baking on the show seemed daunting at first, getting over that initial feeling of imposter syndrome helped him continually work to “beat his last bake” each time he was in the tent.

Lynn’s excellent play of flavours and colours stood out most in the Italian themed baking week where he was dubbed the star baker. He infused summer camp flavours into his biscotti that built up to a fun and creatively plated smoky bake. His showstopper tower themed bake blew the judges away, not only for its wonderfully plated idea that used the physics principle of tensegrity, but also for the texture and

For episode two, which focused on the art of bread making, Lynn incorporated a Japanese cooking method for his French tart tropézienne and infused flavours from British Columbia into it. The use of these multicultural influences paid off, as the flavours and textures of his tart were well received by the judges in the signature bake round.

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colour combinations. Lynn’s showstopper was a triple threat star bake made up of sfogliatella pastry, almond croquante, and a lemon and almond flavoured amaretti. To watch episodes of Lynn on the Great Canadian Baking show, you can find them on the CBC Gem app.

Since leaving the show, Lynn has continued developing his passion of baking and said he plans on expanding his online presence for his bakes on different platforms of social media. He said the key to getting started on the art of baking is finding a signature bake and building one’s skills from there. “Keep making the same thing over and over and take notes each time and tweak it here and there, as opposed to the inclination to try a bunch of recipes.”

Lynn remarked that it felt surreal to be on his favourite TV show, but the one thing he took away from the experience that challenged his creativity and skill, was the baking family he now has. “We have the most lit group chat where we talk about just baking and we troubleshoot together.

There is just so much love.”

In speaking with Lynn, it was evident how important it is for anyone to find passions outside their work, trade, or career path, because those passions can take you to unexpected places that are just as rewarding.

Photo by Steve Carty / CBC

art NAZANIN feature

HOSSEINMARDI “Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it.”

—Danny Kaye

Art is an effort to create beautiful and satisfying images of what has been seen or experienced. It is a tool to record our feelings and to express them. For me, nature and life are masterpieces I can learn from by looking deeply at their combinations of colours and shapes. I combine my feelings and emotions with my understanding of nature when I paint. As an artist of realism for more than 15 years, I try to reflect the peace and relaxation I find in the environment around me to my audience. Even when I paint from imagination, I am inspired by nature. Painting is the only way I can feel relaxed and it's how I release daily stress to refresh myself. I still have a long way to explore, learn, and reflect.

drug use is a social th For many people, the first time they use drugs they are not alone. People use drugs for all sorts of reasons: relaxation, pain reduction, anxiety relief, and addiction are just a handful that we can easily name.

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A study from the US Department of Health and Human Services showed that people fall into drug use through a combination of social, economic, and genetic factors, though social and genetic tend to be the dominating factors.

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However, the social factor is a major part in reinforcing drug use behaviour in its most dangerous form because according to the study “rewarding and reinforcing effects of drugs depend on whether other individuals are immediately present and whether those individuals are also using drugs.”

This means that whenever we use drugs with friends or in a high-pressure social situation, it reinforces the part of the brain that tells us drugs are okay and fun. The study shows that drug users bring others into the behaviour because they feel worse about their drug use when they are alone.

I went and interviewed a few people who use drugs regularly to understand these situations and the reasons they use. Some are students, some are not, but all will remain anonymous.

The most common first experience with drugs I have heard from the people I have asked is smoking weed with friends at a party or with a partner. A few people have said they used LSD or cocaine at those first experiences, but pot tended to be the first

Jonah van Driesum

drug because it can be bought legally from older friends or can be purchased by older siblings or family members. While the substance used or the setting has often varied, the social nature of that first exposure to drugs struck me.

Richard said he first got into smoking pot in college. “They were just passing around a bong, and I had never tried anything before. I felt so gross, but the rush was unreal.” Richard said that smoking pot has allowed him to make new connections.

“We all go for walks to one of the nearby hiding spaces and you will just randomly run into someone else smoking a bong.

I have made all my new friends from this year from those adventures.”

Fiona said that she uses it after work with

her partner to help deal with her anxiety.

“It is expensive as hell, but I am just fucking done and so is he. Plus, everything is funnier and tastier when you're high.”

Despite these seemingly positive effects, there are downsides to pot use. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services and the American Lung Association, cannabis use has been shown to potentially lead to schizophrenia. They say when consumed through smoke, it contains many of the same chemicals as cigarettes, leading to lung damage and potentially lung cancer from heavy long-term use.

Those using drugs are also self-aware of the damage they are causing themselves. Jane, a regular pot smoker, described the experience as mixed. “I

LINK | MAY 2021

hing

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struggle with a lot of pain. If I don't use cannabis, I cannot sleep; I will lie awake until four or five in the morning tossing and turning. I try not to wake my partner but if I am sore, I just cannot lie still.

Once I smoke a little, I am out like a light. The problem is that it has fucked up my lungs.”

cern over their use. Some figured they will never quit, some are actively trying to, and some have quit only to fall back into it.

Charlie, a daily smoker said the effects on his body have been terrible. “I will just wake up in the morning, my mouth will be dry, and I will just ache, so the first thing I do is I go have a smoke to take the edge off.” Despite attempts to take a break, Charlie said that he has perpetually fallen back into the habit. “I know I am addicted to it, but I have just kind of stopped caring.”

More supports and information are needed to understand drug use and help those struggling with substance use disorder.

However, even within the use of one type of drug, we see the diversity in the reasons for use. As diverse as those reasons are, the reasons to quit are just as diverse.

These symptoms and ups and downs with use are typical for all drug use. The problem is that smoking pot and drinking are normalized during the ages of 18 to 30, and the social nature in which people are introduced and use these substances can lead to dangerous patterns of behaviour.

References

In my conversations with these people, they expressed different degrees of con-

“I had quit for a year or so, but then I started partying again and yeah. Is what it is I guess,” Fiona lamented to me. “I just wish it was easy to get rid of it.”

American Lung Association. n.d. Marijuana and Lung Health. lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/ health-effects/marijuana-and-lung-health Strickland, Justin, and Mark Smith. 2014. “The Effects of Social Contact on Drug Use: Behavioral Mechanisms Controlling Drug Intake.” Department of Health and Human Services Public Access.

The social nature in which people are introduced and use these substances can lead to dangerous patterns of behaviour.

Christy Chan

Look Forward

My routine back then was simple: I'd wake up at 8 am, head to school where I was volunteering as a research assistant at a psychology lab, meet with a handful of participants to run them through the experiment, have picnic lunches with my lab teammates, and then head home at 5 pm. Typical.

At the time, I was just like any other busy student trying to finish their degree, too worried about the future and what to do after graduation to worry about anything else. The world continued on as it normally did in the background while I focused on thinking ahead for the upcoming year about places I wanted to go, things I needed to do, things I had to do.

Even then, there was no real sense of urgency behind them, since the days, especially during the summer, felt like they stretched on endlessly. Those things I planned to do solely depended on when I decided to do them.

That was the mindset I kept when I graduated that November. Through the mixed feeling of being excited to step out into the real world yet uncertain about where to start, at the back of my mind was the constant reassurance that there was no need to rush—the world would continue on.

Until 2020 came.

2020 was the year that none of us predicted, and the pandemic quickly put the world on pause, shifting a lot of things into perspective.

It made us realize how much we took things for granted. Our face-to-face interactions, our everyday routines, and even those mundane errands we usually dreaded doing suddenly became things we missed. On top of that, when I started studying at BCIT, our learning environment had changed so most classes shifted online. Years ago, I would’ve been more than willing to attend a lecture right from my bed, but while going to campus and sitting in lectures felt almost like a chore sometimes (shh, you didn’t hear it from me), at least being there made me feel like I was a part of something.

At least I didn’t feel like I was alone, in my bed, only knowing my classmates by their names without a face to match it to.

It’s scary to realize that the world could change so much in such a short amount of time. For many of us, the abrupt transition of having to isolate ourselves for a year took a toll on our mental and physical health, and every day started to blend together monotonously; it felt like there was nothing to look forward to.

Compared to the summer of 2019 where the days felt endless, the days of 2020 made us feel lost. Now, as those days slowly bleed into the summer of 2021, we start to wonder when will we get back to that normal we were once so familiar with.

Looking back at how the world was like pre-pandemic feels both bittersweet and nostalgic but looking forward to how the world will be like post-pandemic seems too hopeful. It’s hard to keep optimistic when the world around us is still so unfamiliar. Even as we're slowly progressing and vaccines are being rolled out, ironically, the thought of returning to that normal we knew—like the news that we’re expected to transition back to campus in September—might make us feel wary, too.

It will stay that way for a while, that faint, creeping feeling of uneasiness. Just like how seeing crowded Skytrains and buses during morning and evening rushes will feel unsettling, and how the friendly faces around us will continue to be masked (literally) by a feeling of unfamiliarity, serving as a constant reminder of our current reality. I don’t want to be cliché and say that we have to stay optimistic, but the important thing to remember is that life will move on, so we will have to keep moving forward, too. Things are difficult, things are scary, and it’s easy to fall back into that negativity that the good days still feel so far away. But eventually things will pass, and they’ll get better.

As we head into the summer, relax. Do things you enjoy. Find a new hobby. Bask in the sun.

Although our plans and routines might be different from how they were two summers ago, the world as it is right now won’t last forever.

So, through that uneasiness we feel now, let’s keep our heads up and look forward.

LINK | MAY 2021

Two summers ago, I squeezed myself into an overcrowded Skytrain every day.

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final words

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It is a strange feeling to write this. Typing these words knowing it will be the last thing I ever submit for Link. I’ve had this same feeling about so many things lately: tests, assignments, labs, etc. I do all of them thinking, “Wow, it’s the last time I’ll have to do this for BCIT.” At the time of writing this I have just started an internship and begun my transition into the “real world.” This chapter of my life is ending, and a new one is just beginning.

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The theme of this month is newness, and I think it is a fitting theme to end the school year on. So much of what we had to go through was new. We experienced online learning, having arrows on the floor, having

Nelson Ellis

hand sanitizer in our pockets, and masks on our faces. For better or for worse, this was a year filled with new experiences.

For some people leaving school feels scary.

The world is even more chaotic than usual, but school gave structure, and the assignments could give you a sense of purpose. We are now leaving that familiarity behind to try and figure our lives out in a fast changing, chaotic, and unpredictable “new” normal. Some might see this as an exciting way to break out of the endless monotony of textbooks and late-night cramming sessions. I, like a lot of people, feel I fall a little in the middle. I’m happy to have more free time to pursue my own

“

This is goodbye... it's been fun, but now it's time for bigger, better, and newer things.

I also had the really sobering realization that I have spent most of my life in school. I did take two gap years, but that was always to save money for school.

But now? I AM DONE! I mean, I’m sure I’ll go back one day to get a bachelors or something—but I don’t plan on returning to post-secondary for a while. I’ll be able to live my life not thinking about saving

money for school, what credits I need, or how I’m going to find time to study while balancing shifts.

It’s funny to look back at the start of the year. I remember wondering what it would be like to work on getting my diploma remotely. I don’t know how I did it, but I did. We all did. As we finish up our exams, book our internships, and apply for our first non-retails jobs, we will no doubt face new challenges and obstacles, but we will also encounter new opportunities.

This is goodbye. To Link, to BCIT, to my time as a student. It’s been fun, but now it’s time for bigger, better, and newer things.

LINK | MAY 2021

hobbies, work in a “real world” environment, and put my skills to use, but I’ll also miss the community that comes with being a student. As I said in my earlier article “Why Do I Miss BCIT?” there’s this great feeling that comes with learning some new in a group of like-minded people.

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