Vol 17 - The Velja Approach To Schooling - Ver. 2.0

Note : I have prepared a Petition to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia following the guideline sent to me by the British Columbia Office of the Clerk.

The petition can be found here.

If you are interested, you can print a copy of the Petition, sign it, perhaps even get several signatures, and mail the Petition to me (send me an Email and I will happily provide my Address). My apologies for the bother of having to mail me your signed petition. Petitions require original signatures, in pen, to be considered by the Assembly (otherwise, I would have an online petition). The signed Petitions are then presented by an MLA to the Legislative Assembly.

Once tabled by the Legislative Assembly, Petitions become public property. This does ,in fact, mean that anyone would be able to look at the Petition and the signatures & addresses it contained. Please do not sign the Petition if you feel that this fact makes you uncomfortable. I feel it is pertinent to indicate, however, that Petitioning the Government is an old practice and that if it had been subject to a great deal of privacy complaints, it would have been discontinued. Furthermore, if you feel passionately about changing the school system, I think signing this Petition is an excellent step on the road to doing so, and worth a little, barely tangible discomfort.

I have revised the presentation of my idea for a new approach to schooling introduced in my 3^rd pamphlet. This new outline should make it easier to get a good idea of what The Velja Approach to Schooling proposes.

What Does “Velja” Mean?

“Velja” is Icelandic for “Choose”. So, in other words, this new approach to schooling could be called : The “Choose” Approach to Schooling. I think “Velja” sounds cooler though. Also, Icelandic has Viking influence, and Vikings evoke images of strong, adventurous, confident individuals, exactly the kinds of student school should be producing.

What Is The Velja Approach To Schooling?

Simply stated :Student-Directed Learning. Students decide what they want to study. Teachers are sought out by students for guidance, but studies are Student-Generated and Motivated.

How Would It Work?

When students finish Elementary School and enter Grade 7, a specific pre-established curriculum is abandoned and a student's education is placed firmly and confidently in their hands.

Students have access to all the school's facilities and can use them at their own discretion.

Students have unrestricted use of their time and can dedicate it to engaging in whatever activities they wish.

Students can seek out the guidance of Teachers when they have questions in a particular subject.

Oh, and there is no School Bell tyrannically dictating anyone's day.

For The Adults

The Velja Approach requires and needs adults to have complete faith in their pre-adolescent.

Think back to when you were a preteen. How much could you have accomplished if the adults around had truly believed in you and given you the freedom to pursue those things that captivated and inspired you?

Were you lazy? Did you need your hand held? Did you like being forced to attend classes in areas you weren't interested in? Were you old enough to tell adults what you found interesting and what you did not? I think you could have guided your education just fine. I think your kids can too.

Why not give them that chance?

A Vitally Important Question :

Does School Succeed In Teaching?

I suppose the definition of “learning” varies from person to person, but I propose a very simple test to determine if school genuinely imparts knowledge to students.

Give an adult one of their old school tests and see if they can pass.

Anything beyond reading/writing and basic arithmetic will do, so anything beyond around Grade 5 or 6.

The result of the little test will be, sadly, with almost certainty, the poor adult could not pass.

Is that why that show is called Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader? I don't think the title of the show was meant to be complimentary to adults or the school system which supposedly prepared them for life.

Adults who do succeed in passing an old test of theirs, will do so if it is in a subject which they were interested in. One which they did extra reading in, just because they loved it. One which they did extra assignments for, just because it was fun. One which they pursued in University, because they wanted to make it their life's work. Where's the magic of learning come from? Being interested. Being captivated. Being enchanted.

What Are Teachers Doing?

While students are spending their day directing their own learning, what are teachers doing? The same thing. Just because humans become adults does not mean that the thirst for knowledge slackens. In The Velja Approach teachers are spending their time not teaching further advancing their own knowledge. Teachers are in the library. Teachers are in the various school laboratories (chemistry, biology, cooking, computer). Teachers are in the Gym or running laps on the track. In The Velja Approach school is a Place of Learning, not just for the students, but for their teachers too.

I mean, hey :

“Why shouldn't students and teachers have lunch together in the cafeteria?”

They would if they spent time shooting hoops together, sharing Brownie recipes, or having a music/jam session.

3 Short-Stories : Student-Life In The Velja Approach

Justin loves Basketball. During the beginning of the year, he spends most of his time in the Gym practicing. He's on the school team and practicing for nearly 6 hours a day has made him an excellent young player. By November though the routine is becoming somewhat boring. Justin continues to attend practices dutifully, but he finds 6 additional hours everyday too much.

Justin's girlfriend Ashley encourages him to come join her in the Chemistry Lab and try out some experiments together. Ashley prepares a simple Volcano experiment with Vinegar & Baking Soda to show Justin what happens when an Acid & a Base mix. Ashley teases Justin that's what his stomach looks like when he eats the hamburgers he loves because the digestion of Carbohydrates requires the stomach's digestive juices be Basic, and Proteins require an Acid solution. Ashley is glad Justin has gotten Basketball out of his system somewhat so she can explain digestion to him and get rid of the Rolaids she always has to carry in her purse.

Ethan is forever in the school's Computer Lab. When he's not playing World of Warcraft, he's rapidly teaching himself C++ and Python because despite the fact he's 13, he's already decided he's going to program games for a living. His buddy Nick is in the school's Drama Program. They belong to the same guild in Warcraft and go adventuring together often. Nick doesn't find raiding quite as much fun as Ethan does though. In November, Nick joins Ethan only a handful of times for a raid; Ethan wouldn't admit it, but he misses Nick's company. Nick, being an empathetic 13 year old, senses this and encourages Ethan to come down to the school's Theater and lend a hand with the program's production of Romeo and Juliet. Ethan finds Warcraft less fun without Nick around, so he relents and tries it out. Ethan finds the program fascinating. Not only does he get a lot of exercise (which he finds he actually does enjoy), but he gets to watch an epic story unfold in real life! He also secretly has a crush on Janika, who happens to be playing Juliet (but so does the entire male portion of the 8^th Grade). Still he gets to watch her up close everyday. = )

Ethan is still going to be a programmer when he grows up, but maybe he'll get into design too...and start working out...

Melissa loves Italian. It's not her first love though of course. She already has an excellent grasp of French, Spanish, and even some Latin, having studied them with an insatiable appetite nearly all day, everyday, for the past 4 years, but Italian is her heart's latest captor. She and her friends ,Noemie and Jade, are actively raising money for the Language Program's trip to Italy over March Break. All 3 girls are 16 and have already succeeded in raising a lot of money for the trip with after-school jobs and tutoring Spanish and French speaking exchange students with English difficulties. Their final financial push will take the form of a Soccer Tournament. The girls have already formed many friendships in the Spanish and French speaking communities (both rabid Soccer afficionadoes). Both communities will be fielding numerous teams for the Tournament. Both the girls and boys school Soccer team will be participating and even some teams from other schools. The school's own Awesome Rock Band has offered to play a free concert for the after-party, with the Carpentry Program contributing a beautiful, hand-made Kitchen-Furniture set as a prize. The school's Fashion Program is donating a totally unique, new Wardrobe (all student designed) as a prize. The school's Automotive Shop is donating a package of free Tune-Ups and Oil Changes as a prize, and the school's Animal Lover's Club is donating vouchers for free Dog-Walkings (which they love to do anyways). The girls are sure they'll make plenty of money for the trip and have a blast doing it too!

This is the power of giving bright, infinitely energetic students the complete freedom and adult-faith to do what their young and curious hearts and minds draw them to.

This is what real school should be, and must be, to raise happy kids.

The Meditation Room

The Velja Approach does propose adding one additional facility to all Secondary Schools : a Meditation Room. In this soundproofed room, students would be able to sit down in a comfortable chair or on a large cushion and allow their mind to rest peacefully or focus with greater vigor.

There might be Environmental Music playing in the background, and the décor would be serene and contemplative.

When one's surroundings are quiet, and the body is at peace, one can hear one's inner truth speak.

Good for studying. ; )

Vol. 16 - Part B - My Beauty Advice

Avoiding “Accordion Brow”

Mel Gibson used to be such a good looking fellow. Now the poor guy's forehead looks like the pleats of an Accordion. Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp also have trenches being dug into their cranial fronts. Sigh...I have a nice one running down the middle of my forehead with the signs of more on the way. I so very sincerely wish someone had told me the following when I was younger.

Don't Wrinkle Your Forehead. Just envision poor Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and most older guys and you should have more than enough motivation not to wrinkle your forehead.

1. Wear A Hat With A Brim. Keep the sun OFF your forehead. The sun will turn your skin into a cracked and parched desert. Again, picture most older guys.

2. Moisturize Your Forehead! God. I sooooooo wish I had realized this back when I started my moisturizing routine at 23. I thought my forehead skin didn't need moisturizing, because it was “tough”. I was also worried about acne. Still have acne, and fine wrinkles now too. Sigh. I do moisturize my forehead now though.

Currently, I'm using Yes To Carrots : Deliciously Rich Body Butter. [Edit : I am now using Yes To Carrots : C Through The Night, Night Moisturizing Cream] My forehead is nice and soft, and the lines are softened somewhat.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), or

So Long Shafts (of hair, that is)

I'll be blunt as a broadsided bat. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is more than likely total crap for your hair. It's a detergent (cleaner) and the ingredient responsible for making all that foam. It's a main ingredient in Garage Floor Degreasers (yikes), and, unfortunately, it denatures protein too. Hair is made of dead protein (I know...oh oh). SLS is probably destroying your hair.

I feel bad for bald guys. Or those guys with that big bald spot on the top of their head. It doesn't look too great.
, _ , I used to have super thick hair. I was quite proud of it. But, it's been getting thinner and more lanky. It was especially thin 2 years ago when I was shampooing everyday.

At the time I was using Down Under Naturals. It's 2^nd ingredient is SLS's cousin : Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Once I realized my hair was really starting to get thin and I could be on my way to balding I raced to the internet for info.

I suspected the cause was my shampoo and another of those evil chemicals company's indiscriminately use to cut costs, boost profits and the rest of that inhuman Capitalist puke.

Once again I was right. Sigh. The whole Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware) thing is getting exhausting isn't it?

Read the back of almost any Shampoo Bottle. SLS will almost guaranteed be the second ingredient.

Or if not SLS than it's cousin Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Suflate.

Nowadays I use Jason's Aloe Vera 84% Shampoo and Aloe Vera 84% Conditioner. [Edit : I am currently using Mill Creek's Biotin Shampoo and Mill Creek's Biotin Conditioner. It's 2nd Ingredient is Biotin a B-Complex Vitamin which is essential for healthy hair. Products list ingredients hierarchically by quantity, so Biotin being the products 2nd Ingredient means it is very plentiful.]

On the Shampoo bottle it clearly states No Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates. [Edit : As does Mill Creek's Shampoo and Conditioner.]

If SLS wasn't bad news, why would there be products with alternatives?

My hair is far from the thick healthy looking crop it used to be, but, I'd say it looks pretty good for a 29 year old guy in today's society. That said, I wish no guys had to endure baldness, and I'd say SLS is one of the reasons.

Here's my hair care advice :

1. Wash your hair every 2^nd Day. Your scalp produces oil. Oil is ESSENTIAL, because it keeps your hair lubricated and moist. Hair is like grass. When it is full of moisture and healthy it bends and springs back easily. When its dry, it's brittle and breaks easily. Washing everyday will dry your hair out.

2. Leave your Conditioner in your hair after your shower. I leave my Conditioner in my hair for 2 hours after showering, and my hair is SUPER soft and awesome after I rinse and let it dry.

Shaving : The Less, The Better

The day I realized that I couldn't shave my face to its baby-like smoothness anymore was painful. “I'm becoming an old man damnit!”

I could have delayed the depressing day if I had shaved less frequently.

When I was working as a Front-Desk receptionist at 20 years of age, I shaved nearly every day. That likely did my poor skin in. sigh. People shouldn't have to sacrifice their appearance for their job.

Here's my shaving advice for guys :

1. DO NOT shave after showering. Soap emulsifies and removes the naturally produced oils of your skin, those oils are skin's natural lubricants. Running a sharp blade over skin when its been stripped of its grease is, well...ouch. Shave after you wake up in the morning when your skin is all nice and greasy (and less likely to become ground beef under the blade).

2. Aqua Velva and other “Alcohol-based” Aftershaves are crap for your skin. Alcohol is an excellent antiseptic because it sucks the moisture out of germ cells (unfortunately it does exactly that to your healthy skin cells too. Not good.)

3. I use Jamieson 2000 IU Vitamin E Cream as an Aftershave (contains Parabens though, so looking for an alternative). It doesn't hurt and it softens great. [Edit : I am now using Yes To Carrots : C You In The Morning, Day Cream. Works great. NO Parabens.] Where'd the stupid idea come from that men are supposed to suffer stoically come from anyway? Why do we have to sacrifice our skin for a primitive , backwards belief? Answer : we don't.

4. Consider shaving infrequently. I shave every 2-3 weeks, or when I'm concerned about looking good for the ladies. Facial hair doesn't interfere with me performing any of my responsibilities, so why should I sacrifice my appearance for social mores. I don't want to become one of those poor guys who shaves in the morning and than has a thick 5 o clock shadow by the evening.

Here's my shaving advice for girls (I used to shave my legs when going to the gym regularly).

1. Use Shampoo as a Shaving Lotion. It works and works beautifully. The gelatinous consistency of the shampoo creates a slick layer of protection and gliding surface for the skin. I never cut myself once.

2. I used my Mach 3 men's razor and it worked just fine.

3. Try using long strokes, mostly because it makes the whole boring process go by faster, but it also presents less risk of a cut (the Shampoo technique should insure that never becomes a problem though : )

4. Use blessed Aloe Vera as an Aftershave. No burning. Much softening and smoothing.

5. I love smooth legs as much as the next guy, but the same rule applies to guy shaving. The more you shave, the faster and coarser your hair will grow back. Shave when you want to impress guys, otherwise, no need to accelerate the “brushing” (turning skin into something like wild brush on the plain) process.

All these techniques apply to shaving the armpits too (which I did while going to the gym regularly).

Deodorant

Anti-Perspirants block the pores of your skin with a chemical reaction causing a gel to plug and block your sweat glands. Wait a second, don't I need to sweat to cool my body down and regulate my body temperature? Yup. Not sweating is Not good. So, AP's are no good.

When it comes to buying a Deodorant consider choosing one which is Paraben (them again), Aluminum (causes chemical reaction which blocks pores), Alcohol (again, good for killing germ cells, and, sadly, healthy cells too) and Propylene Glycol (a petroleum derivative and skin irritant).

I use Lafes Natural and Organic Deodorant found in Save-On Foods. It has a refreshing, fresh scent.

Since I work hard and sweat hard I also use Herni Bernard's Natural Crystal Deodorant Spray. The mineral salts suck the moisture out of odour causing bacteria (killing them, same as a poor slug) so : no b.o.

The combo keeps me odour free, smelling nice and my pits rash free.

Acne

First, I believe the main cause of Acne is : diet. What you put in your body will show up on your skin. Eat lots of cleansing fruits and veggies. Fatty and Salty stuff will manifest itself in angry, red breakouts.

I personally hate Acne medication. Using Clearasil's Astringent and Clearasil's 5% Salicylic Acid cream resulted in me permanently “burning” acne marks into my temples.

I recommend washing with good ol' soap and water. I like Ivory. Soap removes the oil from the skin which blocks pores and cause acne. I recommend soaping up only 'once' a day though. Dry skin is wrinkle prone skin. [Edit : I am going to be switching to a 100% Glycerin soap in the near future. From what I have read it is the mildest soap available.]

Soap and Water, and, most importantly, diet should keep you relatively acne free. Oh, and don't pick or rip off pimples. The poor skin will scar without fail.

“You've Got To Develop A Thick Skin [In Life], Then Moisturize And Wear Gloves.”

Will & Grace. Funny n' Educational.

[Edit : All Beauty Products I list can be found in Shoppers Drug-Mart or Save-On Foods or both : ) ]

Vol. 16 - Part A - My Beauty Advice

Writing this pamphlet is cathartic for me. I believe that beauty care should be as widely taught as reading. I could have avoided all the painful physical degeneration I am currently experiencing. Well, with this pamphlet I want to aid people my age and older in mitigating their own appearance-despair, and, especially dear to my heart, help guide young people into never having to experience the horror of premature aging themselves.

The Sun

Source of All Life, and,

Source of All Wrinkles

The following is far and away the MOST important beauty advice I can give to anyone.

The sun is responsible for 90% of wrinkles. In other words, practically ALL wrinkles are caused by the sun.
80% of the damage is likely already done by 20 years of age. I love the sun for making life possible, a bit upset it gave me wrinkles.

I'll review what I wrote about at length in my first pamphlet.

The sun produces 3 types of UV rays, 2 of which make it through the atmosphere and affect our skin.

UVA : Ultra Violet Aging radiation. Penetrates through the epidermis and damages collagen (gives skin its plumpness), elastin (skin elasticity) and skin cell DNA.

UVB : Ultra Violet Burning radiation. Produces the “sun burn” effect. Damages the epidermis of the skin and is responsible for skin cancer.

A tan is not a good thing. It's your body's way of protecting itself from UV rays through the production of the pigment melanin. Basically, your poor body is raising its arms up to ward off blows from the sun's rays, but eventually it becomes exhausted and the UV rays start wailing on your poor skin and leave it, well...a mess.

Don't tan. You look good how you are. I think White girls are hot ; p.

SPF on a Sunscreen bottle is 'only' an indication of the amount of 'UVB' protection offered, not 'UVA'.

Most Sunscreens only protect against UVB effectively. There are currently only 5 ingredients which offer protection against UVA (the radiation which makes your skin look old). Parsol 1789 (aka Avobenzone), Mexoryl SX, Mexoryl XL, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (the white pigment found on Lifeguard's noses).

Parsol 1789 breaks down easily under the sun's rays,so the sunscreen MUST also have Octocrylene (stabilizer) in a ratio of 2:1 (2 parts Parsol to 1 part Octo).

I use Wal-Mart's Equate SPF 45 sunscreen on my body and neck, and L'Oreal's Ombrelle SPF 45 sunscreen on my face and forehead.

Edit : [I have recently been introduced to Cliniderm's SPF 45 Lotion which uses a combination of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide at a very high concentration to deliver UVA/UVB protection with exclusively physical blockers (the other UVA ingredients I mentioned are chemical blockers). It's expensive, but apparently it does not break down at all under sun exposure, needing to be reapplied only after being physically wiped off. I will be investigating more.]

Wear Wrap-Around Sunglasses which clearly indicate 100% UVB/UVA protection.

Wear a Hat with a pronounced brim (I am very fond of The Legionnaire style hat from Australia with its neck cape to prevent burns to that area)

Consider wearing sun protection even on cloudy days (clouds are just water vapor and no impediment to UV rays)

Don't forget protective Lip Balm. I like Polysporin's brand.

Aloe Vera is fantastic if you get burned. I use Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera found in Wal-Mart.

Remember, if you see wrinkles on anyone (including yourself) 9 times out of 10 it's because of sun exposure (the 1 time it's not is because of natural creases formed by the movement of muscles below skin).

For The Young People :

Watch For The Signs

I remember when I was young, my Mom would encourage me to put Vaseline brand cream on my hands, so they wouldn't get dry. I thought doing so was a “girl's thing” and I already didn't feel particularly “tough” nor “manly” so I didn't want to add to my deficiency. I also figured “moisturizing” was an “old-person” thing. Something old ladies did in a desperate attempt to regain their lost youth. I felt kind of bad for them, but I was more preoccupied with trying to find some meaning in my young life. Too bad I didn't know I could do both.

Dear Young Person Reading This Pamphlet : I know you likely think as I thought when I was younger, so I won't prompt you to start moisturizing right now. I would just like to ask you to Watch for the Signs. When you see that first wrinkle form on your forehead, or under your eyes, or on your neck, or on the knuckles of your hands, don't wait as I did for the wrinkles to deepen. Start moisturizing. After all :

“There is no shame in getting old, only in getting ugly, because that really is a shame, since it is so easily preventable.”

My Skin Care Routine

Here's my Skin Care Routine which I follow every, single night, and has helped me to manage the damage cumulative sun exposure and not having started moisturizing earlier has already caused.

1. I apply Jamieson Eye Cream under my eyes. It has been awesome. The lines under my eyes have been seriously softened by this great stuff. I'm going to give Yes To Carrots Eye Contour cream a try though. I just like their products vibe, like they care and they're cool. Oh btw, DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES! Under-eye skin is very thin and creases fast.

2. I apply Life Brand 100% Vitamin E Oil to my horse lines (smile lines) and my goatee line (jaw line).

3. I used to apply Life Brand Vitamin A Night Cream to my forehead and face. But I've discovered Parabens are yet another potential evil, so I'm using Yes To Carrots : Deliciously Rich Body Butter instead and I've noticed no deficiency.

4. I apply Life Brand 30,000 I.U Vitamin E Cream to my neck. I also use the Carrots Body Butter there too sometimes and everything still looks good (except for the ugly wrinkles I got while baking under the sun tree planting a few years ago. Sigh. Wear Sunscreen!)

5. I apply the Life Brand Vitamin E Cream to my hands, but, now I'm also using Yes To Carrots : Hand and Elbow Moisturizing Cream. I put on my “Moisturizing Gloves” after and go to sleep. -_- zzzzzzzz

I wake up in the morning with my skin wonderfully soft, but, the old wrinkles still present. Sigh. Laser Resurfacing I'm coming!

Picking Beauty Products :

The General Rules

1. If The Company Does Not Test Their Products On Animals, They Probably Care About People Too. Unfortunately Down Under Naturals Shampoo follows the rule, but they still use Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Sigh.

2. The fewer chemical names you don't have the slightest clue as to what they do or are, the better.

I have been using Jamieson brand for years now and it has been wonderful. I have used Shoppers Drug Mart's : Life Brand generic knockoff more often admittedly, because of the price difference (and no noticeable difference in quality).

This January 09 I found a gift box of Yes To Carrots brand products on sale for $15. The cream alone was normally worth $12, so I bought it. I'm changed. I like the company's attitude. They say stuff like, “we love each and every one of our products” and “Each product has been prepared with your happiness as our number 1 goal.” and “Try Yes To Carrots and live happily ever after!” These guys are spunky and alive. I like that. Also their products are all Paraben-free. Parabens are used as preservatives because they are, wait for it, cheap. They aren't “scientifically-proven” to be bad yet...but, they just might be carcinogenic. Sigh. Why can't I buy stuff and not have to worry about being slowly poisoned to death? I guess because Humanity doesn't love itself yet...until we do, I do my utmost to avoid Parabens if at all possible.

Laser Resurfacing :

Smoothing The Landscape Of The Skin

When I was trying to understand what Laser Resurfacing was I sought a real-life example that would help me visualize the process. The one I currently find satisfactory is that of landscaping. The skin is like earth (the dark, rich soft kind). Wrinkles are like furrows and trenches in the earth.

Laser Resurfacing is like going over those furrows and trenches with a hoe. The hoe removes the top layer of dirt completely. The furrows and trenches are no longer so deep because the surrounding dirt has been lowered. The more laser treatments you have, the more times you pass the hoe over your skin, the shallower and shallower wrinkles become until they aren't wrinkles anymore, they are once-depressed skin which is now at the same height as the surrounding skin.

Just applying creams to my skin has only reduced my wrinkle's appearance. To remove my wrinkles, I believe I need to change the infrastructure of my skin.

When I can afford it, I'm going to give the Micro Laser Peel Treatment at Dr. Joanna Day's clinic on Broadway a try. The only reason I have wrinkles, is because I wasn't taught how to take care of my skin at a young age. I want my lost time and beauty back.