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Snapchat Dysmorphia: The Cause and the Effects

Aiza
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In today’s world, social media has become an integral part of our lifestyle. The number of social media users and our amount of social media usage are both growing. However, plastic surgeons have observed another trend with our world today. More and more people, a lot of them under the age of 30, are seeking plastic surgery. In fact, instead of showing up to their appointments with photos of celebrities, as was the norm in the past, more patients walk into clinics with filtered selfies of themselves as what they want to achieve. This syndrome is known as Snapchat Dysmorphia. At it’s most severe, people with this disorder may want to surgically alter their appearance to look more like the pictures they post online. Dysmorphia refers to the disorder where someone is constantly worrying about perceived flaws in ones appearance.

So, what exactly causes Snapchat Dysmorphia?

Snapchat Dysmorphia is caused by the disconnect between people’s appearance in real life compared to what they look like in the filtered selfies they post. Just like they worry about their likes and followers on social media, users are also starting to worry about why they don’t look like their selfies in real life. More and more people today are thinking, “hey, I want to look like that”, and actually going to great lengths to get there. Statistics show that there is a clear link between social media use and depression and self-esteem issues. Social Media plays a large role in setting unrealistic beauty standards as people are constantly comparing themselves to the pictures of other people they see online as well as the images of themselves that they share with the world.

Social media is a great way to connect with people across the world, but excessive use of it can cause a lot of issues that are detrimental. Some good ways to change your social media habits include giving yourself breaks from social media. In fact, if you haven’t started using platforms like this, then you might want to consider not getting into them at all. Before you pick up your phone and start scrolling, ask yourself why you’re opening the app and what you need to find or accomplish. There are many disorders, including Snapchat Dysmorphia, that are caused by social media, but healthy usage of it can limit the impact these applications have on us.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Turn Waste into Something Tasty: Recipes for the Top 5 Wasted Foods

Helen
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Turn Waste into Something Tasty: Recipes for the Top 5 Wasted Foods

When I was younger, I had always wondered why world hunger was an issue. In the booming age of technology, why were we unable to serve a universal basic need to the world? 

The jarring reality that “17 percent of the total food production is wasted in households” had been so cruelly juxtaposed by the fact that “691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022”. Even given these statistics, you may be asking yourself… Why is it important that I conserve food and reduce food waste? 

Wasted food disregards the amount of effort and time and resources that were put into that food. Machinery, labor, water, fertilizer, and money go to waste when we throw food away. This makes us buy more food and therefore, contribute to the demand in food production – which accounts for 26% of global GHG emissions. Additionally, from an economic standpoint, it reduces  a family or an individual’s food security and the amount of food that is available, while leading to higher prices. Ultimately, food waste is a disadvantage for ourselves and the world – it contributes to climate change and can lead to significant loss of our money. 

 

Here I have the top 5 most wasted foods – attached with recipes you can make when it gets too old or stale. 

  1. Bread 
    1. Bread Crumbs 
    2. Croutons
    3. Bread Pudding
    4. Bruschetta
    5. Stale Bread Cake Recipe
  2. Milk 
    1. Ricotta Cheese
    2. Replace Buttermilk
    3. Soda Bread 
    4. Bolognese sauce
    5. Gardening
  3. Potatoes
    1. Shepherd’s Pie
    2. Potato latkes
    3. Ham and Potato Soup
    4. Oven-baked rosti cake
    5. Sweet potato hash with poached eggs
  4. Cheese
    1. Although there aren’t many recipes on how to conserve old and stale cheese, there are some important things to know on how we store cheese and whether we can eat moldy cheese. Unsurprisingly, soft cheese with mold cannot be eaten, however hard cheese can be eaten if you cut 1-inch around the mold spot. In terms of storing the cheese, it’s vital to wrap and store based on the type of cheese, but generally, you should wrap it in wax paper or plastic wrap after every use. 
  5. Apples
    1. Caramel Apple Pie Bars
    2. Apple Pan Dowdy
    3. Apple Sauce
    4. Apple Crisp
    5. Apple Butter

Sources: 

https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food#:~:text=used%20for%20agriculture.-,Food%20is%20responsible%20for%20one%2Dquarter%20of%20the%20world’s%20emissions,of%20global%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.&text=This%20includes%20emissions%20from%20land,transport%2C%20packaging%2C%20and%20retail.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/collection/10_easy_recipes_to_use_up_a_bunch_of_potatoes/

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day#:~:text=When%20food%20is%20lost%20or,emissions%2C%20 contributing%20to%20 climate%20change.

https://www.rivercottage.net/news/top-five-most-wasted-foods-and-ways-to-save-them-from-the-bin

https://www.foodhero.com/en/blogs/the-8-most-wasted-foods

https://www.delish.com/uk/food-news/a44699514/what-to-make-with-soured-milk/

https://www.thekitchn.com/8-smart-uses-for-not-so-great-apples-tips-from-the-kitchn-61086

https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/slideshow/stale-bread

https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/countertop-appliances/what-to-do-with-stale-bread.html

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/9-interesting-things-you-can-do-with-curdled-milk/photostory/88081207.cms?picid=88081226

Overcoming Nervousness: Four Different Breathing Techniques to Calm You Down

Bowen Zheng
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Overcoming Nervousness: Four Different Breathing Techniques to Calm You Down

                                                       Introduction:

Breathing techniques play a crucial role in helping one overcome nervousness because it regulates the body’s response to stress. When people are nervous, their heart rate begins to speed up and their ability to think straight is limited. Breathing techniques can be used in various situations such as when your about to take a big test, or preparing mentally for a sports game. By incorporating these breathing techniques into our lives, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the nervous system is responsible for relaxing one’s body after being stressed. The importance of breathing techniques in overcoming nervousness cannot be stressed enough. It is extremely beneficial in multiple situations, which is why I would like to share four different breathing techniques to help you calm down.

                                                      1. Four In Eight Out

As the name of the technique suggests, this requires you to breath in four times, and exhale for eight seconds. The four inhales need to be very sharp, lasting around 0.5 seconds through your nose. You should also make sure that the exhale is very whole and lasts eight seconds through your mouth. This technique can be used in situations where you are experiencing severe stress or have the jitters. I have found this technique especially useful to me before I play an organized game of basketball.

                                                      2. Animal Breathing

This breathing technique requires an individual to take a huge breath in, and a huge breath out. You should always do this through your mouth and the inhales and exhales should each last almost one second. Pretty easy right? This technique can be used in situations where you may feel sluggish and tired, not ready to commit to a laborous activity. Animal breathing can greatly increase ones energy levels. However, you should not do this technique if you are feeling nervous. This is because doing animal breathing when you are nervous may increase the emotions you are feeling and may make you even more nervous!

                                                   3. Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing is also known as belly breathing. To do this, you need to place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest. Then you breath in through your nose for four counts. While doing this, it is important to focus on how your abdomen rises. After breathing in, you then breath out through your mouth for six counts, also being aware of your abdomen falls. It is important to be aware of how your body is moving when breathing. This is because by doing this, you incorporate a sense of self awareness and meditation. You may do this technique in situations where you are feeling stressed from a big event and if your in your own head a lot, similar to the four in eight out.

                                                      4. Box Breathing

Box breathing is a simple technique to do, however, it’s benefits are huge. To do box breathing, you breath in through your nose for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale through your mouth for four counts. After doing this, you pause for four counts and repeat the cycle. The reason why the technique is called “box breathing” is because the four counts of four can be seen as the four sides of a box. This technique can be used in situations where you need to diminish a sense of stress instantly and keep your composure. This can be used in job interviews, or a high paced stressful work environment.

Conclusion

Breathing techniques benefits are endless and can benefit anybody in any different situations. Although these techniques may seem simple-minded and useless to some, I encourage you to go try them out in different situations and see the benefits for yourself. By regularly using these techniques in your life, you can begin to find more success in being able to get rid of stress, thus increasing productivity. I thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope that these techniques may bring you future benefits!

Bloodshed, Betrayal – The Tragic Downfall of Julius Caesar

Sukrutha
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Bloodshed, Betrayal – The Tragic Downfall of Julius Caesar

Who was Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar was a general and a politician who named himself dictator of the Roman Empire for less than year, when he was assassinated by a group of conspirators.

Caesar’s Rise to Power and Crossing the Rubicon:

Caesar was born on July 13, 100 B.C.E. to a noble family in the Roman Republic. During his youth, the Roman Republic was in a state of chaos and disorder. Caesar seized this opportunity to move up the ranks and briefly became the governor of Spain, a Roman province. Afterwards, Caesar returned to Rome and became the governor of Gaul, which is present day France and Belgium. His Roman troops conquered Gaul by taking advantage of existing tribal rivalries in the region. In addition to conquering the Gallic tribes, Caesar also plundered the region, and richened his troops with his newly gathered wealth. This came to his advantage when his rivals in Rome demanded his return as a private citizen. Disobeying their orders, Caesar used his newly gathered riches to strengthen his army. With his Roman troops, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, traveling from Gaul to Italy. This was when civil war between Caesar and Pompey, his rival in Rome, divided Rome. Caesar’s superior army defeated Pompey, and he stepped in as the ruler of Rome.

Caesar’s Short-Lived Victory:

After his victory, Caesar established himself as the dictator of Rome, and brought about many changes to the Empire within his short rule of one year. Some of these changes included enlarging the Senate, opening it up to citizens of lower-classes to join. He also made several government reforms, including granting property to retiring soldiers, and redistributing the land to the poor. As well, he relieved Rome of debt. Caesar, while known for being a proud and valiant dictator, was also known for the mercy which he showed towards war captives. Instead of killing the prisoners of war, he would grant them mercy in exchange for their swearing fealty to Rome.

Ambition lead to Betrayal:

While Caesar became very popular amongst the lower class citizens of Rome, there was growing unrest amongst the people in the Senate towards Caesar. This unrest stemmed from the fact that Caesar was gaining an unprecedented amount of power. It is important to understand that at the time, the Roman Empire had moved away from a monarchy, and had established a republic. The Senators began to see Caesar as corrupt, and as a threat to democracy. In 44 B.C.E, Caesar declared himself as a dictator for life, and wished to crown himself as king of Rome. This stirred agitation amongst the Senators, who began to plan a conspiracy against Caesar. A month after Caesar’s declaration to be king, Senators Marcus Junius Brutus, who was a close friend and second choice of heir for Caesar, and Gaius Cassius assassinated Julius Caesar.

10 Summer Activities For The Student Resume

Jeanne Y
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10 Summer Activities For The Student Resume

Summer is approaching, and as youth many of us have a lot of spare time because school is out. Most of us are in or approaching high school, and a lot of us are worrying about university application and resume appearances. After all, some universities and most scholarships don’t only look at academics now: extracurriculars, hobbies, and creative abilities are all taken into account. So how can we make ourselves a little more competitive and embellish our applications with the spare time we have in the summer?

The short answer is that you can do it however you’d like. If there is something you have a true passion for that you really enjoy doing and you’re highly skilled with, delve deep into it and see if you can publicize your passion by entering contests or sharing your accomplishments on social media. It doesn’t have to be fancy. As long as it’s unique and the quality of your work is high enough, you will gain recognition and eventually accomplishments from your passion.

But what if you don’t have a burning passion that you’re highly skilled with?

To answer that, I’ve compiled a list of 10 generally highly regarded activities for a free student summer.

**Note: Although the resume shouldn’t be your only reason for doing these activities (you should hopefully enjoy some of them a little), remember that it is totally okay to learn skills or pick up hobbies to streamline that application a little!

1. Learn to Code

Coding is an extremely high value skill in the current age of AI and computer science. A basic knowledge of coding can be very useful, and it opens up the doors to a whole world of digital arts and careers. If you love math, I strongly recommend you give coding a shot. Once you have a basic understanding, you can even gain employment with your coding skills. A few fields that you can go into as a student with a small knowledge of coding include:

  • Web Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Education (many places like CodeNinjas hire youth to teach their students)

The best part about learning to code is that it is completely free. There are so many platforms to learn different coding languages on. From my personal experience, I would recommend Khan Academy for total beginners because of its user-friendly structure. Khan Academy offers JavaScript and an introductory course in Python, both of which are great starting points for a beginner in coding.

For intermediate and advanced learners, I would recommend Codecademy because it goes further in-depth for each language and topic, and there are many more languages to learn. Codecademy thoroughly explains the connections between the languages as well. However, this can be quite overwhelming, so make sure you’re patient and persistent.

2. Volunteer!

This one is a bit obvious. If you have free time, why not devote it to a good cause? If you are consistent, it looks quite nice on the resume paper as well. There are many volunteering opportunities and organizations for youth, so you have many options. It’s a good place to start if you don’t have a passion or hobby, because the choices are so diverse. Some of the options include:

  • Youth Central’s Youth Volunteer Corps
  • Municipal government (city-level volunteering)
  • Public Libraries
  • Community Centres
  • Public pools
  • Animal shelters
  • Food Banks
  • Physical activity spaces like the YMCA or public gyms
  • Summer camps for children
  • Hospitals/Clinics

**please note: the age restrictions may differ across different areas and institutions so make sure you read all of the position policies and fine text

3. Complete an Internship

Also a bit obvious, but if you know which career path you’d like to go down, why not complete a summer internship? It’s a good way to gain experience in the career path, admissions and hiring managers like to see that you’ve had exposure to whatever it is you’ve interned with, and the additional bonus? Many internships are paid!

Although the deadline for many summer internships has passed, there are still a few that have spots left. Check with your school guidance counselor for details, or sign up for Indeed and keep a close eye on keywords like “Student Position” or “High School Internship”.

4. Learn a New Language

Language fluency and multilingualism is such an underrated skill. While university applications and scholarship essays might not look for it, you can be certain that most employers will consider it an incredible asset. Communication is everything, and when you live in a culturally diverse country, communication becomes even more important.

There are many ways to learn a language, but I recommend Duolingo. For those of you who don’t know, Duolingo is a free language-learning app (there’s a web-based version too) where you can learn many different languages. It’s a great tool, and has honestly saved me pretty often when I’ve had to learn the basics of a language over a short amount of time.

Storytime: In Grade 9, I signed up to take Spanish in high school at the high school level in order to transfer to a different school from which I was designated. I didn’t realize how much Spanish I needed to know, but I did a few Duolingo lessons a day. Fast-forward to the beginning of August, when I heard that the course would be taught in both English and Spanish, and that the majority of the kids already spoke Spanish somewhat fluently. So I panicked, and then I used August speedrunning the Spanish course on Duolingo. I ended up doing pretty well in the high school course!

Of course, you can’t rely only on Duolingo to learn a language and it is certainly difficult to learn a language fluently over a few months. So here are some other ways you can learn a little faster:

  • watch your movies and TV shows dubbed with other languages and English subs
  • watch foreign movies and TV shows
  • listen to mixed language podcasts
  • write as much as you can in your daily life with the language you are trying to learn

5. Start a Fundraiser

“Fundraised [x amount of money] for [really great cause]” always looks pretty on paper. So if you’re passionate about a cause, spend the summer to help fund something you really believe in! Some generic fundraising ideas include

  • bake sales
  • bottle drive
  • used [whatever] drive
    • ex: clothing, batteries, technology, recycling, craft materials etc. etc.
  • buy and resell products door-to-door

This one can seem a little daunting at first, so I recommend you try doing this with a team or a group of friends to make it a little more fun!

6. Start an Organization

Create a club in your community that gets together every week to pick up garbage. Start a volunteering organization in your own community. Create a card-making club that makes cards to send to the Children’s Hospital and cheer someone up. Whatever your idea is, being the founder of an organization or club in your community is very important for scholarship applications because it shows that you have initiative and you are willing to take action. However, it is also important that you are consistent and that you have some consistent members in the organization to make it impactful. Get together with some friends, and try your best to make it work! After all, if it doesn’t, you can just turn to another one of the ideas in this list.

7. Prepare for Contests

Personally, I’m a big fan of science and I try to participate in the annual citywide science fair every year. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Other contests that are highly regarded are math contests (University of Waterloo has a few) and debate contests. These kinds of academic competitions can be very nice to add onto university applications or scholarships because they show that you have a true passion for the subject. However, they can be incredibly exhausting and overwhelming when added to the pressure of schoolwork and exams once September rolls around and the season starts. For that reason, it’s nice to have a bit of prep work done to help aid your future self.

8. Join a Club/Organization

Although it might not look as impressive as starting one, joining organizations is also highly valued if you are consistent and contribute high quality work. It shows passion and drive for a certain cause. There are so many different clubs and organizations, so I’ll only name a few examples of organizations that you could join. Honestly it doesn’t really matter what you’re doing, so long as you are passionate about it.

  • Community associations
  • Book club
  • Being on the committee that hosts block parties
  • Knitting club
  • Community sports teams

9. Tutor

This one is a little overdone, but that also makes it easier to execute. Most of you reading this article will have reached the age where you’re old enough to tutor someone else, should it be a younger sibling or the neighbor’s kid. Regardless of who you are tutoring, whether or not you are tutoring with a registered organization, or how old they are, teaching others is a valauble skill that many employers might look for on the resume. It indicates your patience and temperance with those around you.

You don’t have to only tutor in-person either. There are many online platforms such as Superprof that allow students to tutor or receive tutoring from online. The struggle with online platforms however, is that it’s hard to get recognized because there are so many tutors. You are also exposed to complete strangers, so it is important to stay safe and practice good digital literacy. If you’re able to snatch a few students in-person though, I would definitely recommend that over digital tutoring.

10. Get a Part-Time Job

This one is listed last mostly because some universities don’t care about your employment status. But some do, and there are also some scholarships that are offered solely for students who work at certain organizations. As well, who wouldn’t like a little extra pocket money?

That being said, it’s not wise to work tirelessly at a job you dislike as a student unless you really need the money. If working is simply to afford your biweekly trip to the movies with friends, then make sure that the job you pick is one that is worth your time. Students often take their free time for granted and work at underpaid, easy-hire jobs that don’t provide any sort of skill training or character building because we’re inexperienced and we don’t know the worth of our work. If you’re offered that kind of job and you don’t badly need the money… please don’t take the job. There will be other positions that will be better. Don’t waste your time on a job that you don’t enjoy and doesn’t pay well.

Here are some jobs that I do recommend for students:

  • Lifeguarding/Coaching
    • Typically higher pay
    • Learn interpersonal skills
    • Interaction with people of all backgrounds
    • Show off your specific skill/proficiency in a sport
  • Babysitting/Day Camp Counselors
    • Interaction with children
    • High-energy
    • Entertaining
    • Shows patience and interpersonal skills
  • Retail
    • Interpersonal skills
    • Customer service skills
    • Organization and Marketing skills
    • Working under pressure/time limits
  • Worker at McDonalds/Burger King
    • In additional to all the same reasons as the retail jobs, McDonalds and Burger King both offer scholarship opportunities to their student workers

Some jobs that I personally would recommend to stay away from include:

  • jobs under minimum wage.
    • This should be self-explanatory. Don’t exploit yourself; your time is worth more than the $13.00/hr and you’ll find another job.
  • amusement parks
    • Typically transportation is far and expensive
    • Outdoors it can get really, really hot in amusement parks full of metal rides and handles. Combined with stuffy costumes, cakey makeup, and the constant smell of sunscreen and sweat, these working conditions can be gruelling
    • Customers are grumpier than even regular retail jobs from heat and exhaustion
    • Risk of heatstroke

TL;DR

There are many different opportunities for students to upgrade their experience portfolio over the summer. However, be sure not to waste your time on less-rewarding experiences and focus on developing your skills in something that you like. The 10 activities that are ideal for students in the summer are:

    1. Learn to Code
    2. Volunteer
    3. Internship
    4. Learn a new language
    5. Fundraise
    6. Form an organization
    7. Prepare for contests
    8. Join a club/organization
    9. Tutor
    10. Part-time job

Top 5 Indian Dishes to Try

Ms. Holmes
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Top 5 Indian Dishes to Try

Throughout the years, Indian cuisine has a reputation for being spicy yet flavorful, and has been loved by many. As a lover of Indian food myself, here is a list of my top 5 picks of Indian dishes to try!

1. Samosa

The beginners classic. A samosa. It is a triangular shaped pastry that is filled with peas, potatoes, and other veggies. Depending on your taste preferences, it can also be filled with beef or other kinds of meat, and the spice level can be adjusted to your palette.

2. Gulab Jamun

Do you love sweet desserts? Then you will love this! Gulab Jamun is a sweet, bite-sized, deep-fried ball made with milk, flour, sugar, and coated with sweet syrup. It is an excellent treat to try after an especially fulfilling meal.

3. Biryani

A beautifully fragrant and delicious rice dish. There are many different and unique versions of Biryani, but generally it is a dish with flavourful rice, spices, cinnamon, saffron, cloves, and meat (depending on if you are vegetarian or not). This dish is usually paired with a condiment like chutney. There are many variations of chutney (a type of dip which you pour over your biryani), such as mint chutney, or even spicy chutney.

4. Tandoori Chicken

This dish is hard to miss with its distinct bright red colour. It is chicken that is marinated in yogurt and spices such as masala, peppers, and cumin. It is then cooked in a ‘tandoor’; a type of oven. Which is why it is called tandoori chicken.

5. Madras Curry

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If you love even more spicy food, you should definitely try this curry. It tastes spicy (about medium-spice) yet tangy and flavourful. It’s a blend of spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin and hot chilis. It also contains meat of your choice, like lamb or beef, and ingredients such as tomatoes, onions and ginger. This curry is served well with naan or roti, or rice.

Thank you for reading! I hope that you will be able to find an Indian dish, which you will love! Keep in mind that India is an enormous country with many different versions and adaptations of food, each having its own unique flavor, so keep exploring, and I’m sure you will find your favorite!

Sources:

  • https://www.patelbros.com/blog/6-must-have-indian-dishes-that-everyone-should-try
  • https://www.tastingtable.com/772393/delicious-indian-dishes-you-have-to-try-at-least-once/
  • https://glebekitchen.com/indian-restaurant-madras-curry/

The Value of Friendships

Crystal Lattice
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The Value of Friendships

Remember those times where you would meet someone for the first time? Sometimes, you’ll only know them during that moment, but most times, you’ll meet them again. When you meet this person again, there’s a chance you’ll interact with them more and know more about them. Sooner or later, you’ll have made a friend that can contribute more life to your days. In other words, a friendship is created, and more can be made as the days pass by.

More friendships being created
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

All of the healthy friendships made in your life are the friendships that made it better. From being a group member for a group project to being a supportive person for your personal goals, friendships are a precious thing to cherish. Although some friendships can come and go, the memories made are not meant to do the same. Thanks to our eventful lives, friendships can form and give us many benefits that we may take for granted. The following are some of the benefits to having friendships:

 

Words associated with friendships
Image by John Hain from Pixabay

 

1. Makes life more enjoyable and exciting

First of all, friendships can make life more enjoyable and exciting. As you do things together and make more memories, there are always those times where you share each other’s humour and make usually boring events more fun. Although those moments can sometimes slow you guys down, those moments add color to your life. Going around certain and/or random places, sharing each other’s stories, teasing each other for absolutely no reason at all, are all moments that can allow you to cherish life much more. At the very least, your friendships are one of the first things to look forward to everyday.

Friends together
Image by Alexa from Pixabay

 

2. Can provide emotional support and help you gain confidence

When times get tough, hopefully you’ll have friends that are there for you. As a harsh reality, your true friends are the ones that support you in your hardest times. From things like heartbreak, trauma, and disappointment, your friendships can help you get through them. In short, your friends can provide you emotional support when you would need it. While, as mentioned earlier, they can tease you for no reason, friendships can have a balance between not being serious and actually being serious.

Teasing friendships moments at sunset
Image by 毅 巩 from Pixabay

Along with the benefit of providing emotional support, your friendships can help you gain confidence. Not only can they support you in your toughest times, but they can be there to support and motivate you whenever (they believe is) possible. On top of that, some of them can be ready to face the uncertainty with you. For example, when both of you are nowhere near ready for a test, there are times where you can hype each other up and make each other confident that you will pass. On the surface level, almost every friendships contains these kinds of support. These are the friendships where your friends believe in you with what you do!

A book with the words "Be You" and "Love Yourself"
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

3. Gives you a sense of belonging

Throughout every friendship, there is always a sense of connection that exists between the people. There is always that sort of common ground that allows that connection. With a friendship where this exists, it can give you a sense of belonging as you are aware that there is someone that acknowledges and somewhat welcomes you. Within a community, these friendships are basically the first thing to look out for. Without having a common ground, it can be difficult to achieve a sense of belonging. However, with friendships, this is possible and enhanced by all of the other benefits of having that friendship.

A hand heart made with two different people's hands
Image by Kaushik Chug from Pixabay

 

4. Helps with your mental health

With a friend that is there for you, especially as emotional support, the value of your friendship can also help with your mental health. Looking back at the previous benefits stated, friendships can make life well worth it. Starting with those little, random moments, life can become more exciting and ensure that there is always something to look forward to everyday; whether it is to hang out with a friend or to tease that friend as a way of living. By being something to look forward to, not to mention the fact that they can be there with you in your toughest times, friendships can overall help you avoid isolation and achieve happiness. They can allow you to be yourself and spend quality time together. Both of which helps with mental health.

Helping hands
Image by Htc Erl from Pixabay

 

5. Helps you develop as a person

Have you ever had a habit that completely does not align from you, but all of a sudden, it came from a friend? Perhaps certain words/sounds, certain ways of thinking, or certain looks? As a reminder, we are all unique people with our own special ways of life. With friendships, you are exposed to different people, which can allow you to explore, experience and try certain things to make a change for yourself. Hopefully, there are parts to your friends that you can find inspiring and/or motivational. These traits can allow you to grow and develop a better character our of yourself! While this is a straightforward benefit, this is the most critical one of the five mentioned. Friendships essentially shape who we are as a person. They are part of our identity and have a profound effect on our lives. As friendships progress, so do the friends themselves.

Developing mind
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Obviously, there are more than just five benefits to describe the value of friendships. While the value of certain friendships differ, note that every friendship offers something special to your life! Although certain friendships may make you think otherwise, every friendship allows you to grow in their own unique way, similar to how all of us are unique from each other.

Hopefully, this post encourages you to show appreciation for your friendships as they really do matter. Friendships are one of the biggest things that can add color to your life. They can make life incredibly exciting and worth it as they remind you that you are not alone. In short, friendships are like a reminder that you are not alone in this world and have friends that support you. Even then, you can make friendships in many different scenarios, including community events, volunteering, doing something on a regular basis (like walking your dog and seeing the same person on the same time every day), etc… . If there was one thing you can remember from this post, hopefully it is the idea that friendships are a valuable part of life that makes you cherish it in ways that you wouldn’t be able to alone.

Friends
Image by Nino Souza Nino from Pixabay

 

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5

Images: 1 (Featured Image), 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10

Cultural Heritage in Couture: Balancing Inspiration and Appropriation

Natania V
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Cultural Heritage in Couture: Balancing Inspiration and Appropriation

In today’s interconnected world, fashion and beauty trends can spread globally within moments, almost always with no regard for it’s origin, or cultural significance. We have seen it happen more and more commonly, especially after the uproar of social media, and the crippling hold it has on everyday society. This phenomenon is known as cultural appropriation, and it occurs when elements of a minority culture, are adopted by members of a dominant culture. Now, one of the beauties of a country with so many diverse cultures, is that cultures are bound to infuse. However, with these trends and fashions, they strip the tradition of its original context and meaning, essentially mocking the tradition and the values it holds. From the “clean girl” aesthetic to the glorification of cornrows, when worn by white celebrities, the beauty industry has repeatedly and rightfully so faced criticism for its extremely exclusive and selective embrace of cultural symbols, traditions, and clothing items. 

Erasure of Cultural Significance

When various elements of a culture are appropriated, more than not, their original meaning and contexts are often stripped away. Let us take into account the bindi. To provide context, the bindi is a significant cultural and religious symbol in South Asian communities, yet when worn as a fashion accessory by people who may not fully understand the cultural meaning, its spiritual and cultural importance is overlooked. This erasure diminishes the full value and understanding of the cultural symbols, reducing them to just a fashion item, or an aesthetic to accomplish. 

 

Reinforcement of Eurocentrism

Cultural appropriation reinforces a Eurocentric worldview, which is a term that describes a worldview, mindset, or rhetoric that centers around European, or white ways and traditions, as sole and superior in comparison to other cultures. We see this very clearly pointed out when looking at cultural appropriation in media. This perpetuates the narrative that cultural traditions are only allowed when worn and practiced by someone who is of European descent. This once again promotes this narrative that European aesthitecs are more desirable or superior. For example, recently there has been a trend known as the clean-girl aesthetic gaining hype on social media. However, what we’re noticing is things like slick-backs, hoop earrings, and lip gloss, are characteristics that many minority groups, specifically brown and black communities were made fun of. However, as soon as we saw many white people continue with the trend, it was considered clean, even though the same things were considered dirty, ugly, and even “ghetto”(please be aware that this term is derogatory, and shouldn’t be said or used in any context. ). 

 

Colonial Legacy

The fashion industry has been long intertwined with colonialism, even back when the Indigenous people of Canada’s resources and ways of living were stripped so people back in Britain were able to receive high-end furs and other fashion items. We see this same type of exploitation also happening today, as surprising as it may be. The appropriation of African prints and textiles is just one example. The use of “tribal” prints in mainstream fashion collections often overlooks the extremely diverse cultures and histories behind these textiles and printed, reducing them to exotic trends divorced from their cultural contexts. There have even been entire fashion shows around this theme of safari, even from high-end brands. 

 

Power Dynamics

High-profile fashion brands have constantly faced a lot of criticism for not involving the very cultures they are putting on display and excluding them from the creative processes surrounding these ideas. For example, we see this same thing when looking at Isabel Marant in 2015. French fashion designer faced criticism for her Spring-Summer collection, which included designs that closely resembled traditional indigenous patterns from the Mixe community in Santa María Tlahuitoltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. The designs featured intricate embroidery and patterns that were nearly identical to the traditional Mixe garments known as “huipils”, which hold significant cultural and historical value for those Indigenous communities. The Mixe community expressed outrage, stating that Marant’s designs were an appropriation of their cultural heritage without permission, collaboration, or credit. The community emphasized that the patterns and designs are not just aesthetic choices but are imbued with cultural meanings and traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

 

I would like to point out that even though fashion has its downs, there are some positive interactions as well! 

 

Cultural Exchange vs. Appropriation

Collaborations between fashion brands and Black and Brown communities can be a positive example of cultural exchange when done respectfully and with mutual consent. For instance, when Nike collaborated with Nigerian designer Amaka Osakwe of Maki Oh to create a collection inspired by Nigerian culture and heritage. It was known for a collection that honoured and celebrated the cultural heritage of Nigeria, while providing a platform for African designers to showcase their talent and culture on a global stage!

 

Ethical Sourcing and Fair Trade

Ethical sourcing and fair trade practices in the fashion industry ensure that traditional crafts are respected and artisans are fairly compensated. Stella McCartney is renowned for her commitment to sustainability in fashion, and ethical fashion. Her brand and fashion styles work with artisans across the world, paying fair wages and supporting all local economies. This approach not only respects and honour the cultural significance of traditional crafts but also the preservation of future generations by providing economic support to be communities that sustain them.       

In our very diverse society and global landscape, the rapid diffusion of fashion and beauty trends often endanger instances of cultural appropriation, where elements of minority cultures are assimilated into the more dominant ones, with little to no regard for origins and significance. This phenomenon is very clearly presented in trends such as the fusion of indigenous patterns in high-fashion collections and the quick popularity of spiritual symbols stripped of their cultural context. Such practices not only diminish the authenticity and meaning of cultural elements. Not only does it perpetuate power imbalances, but it also reinforces Eurocentric standards of beauty. The fashion industry’s historical legacy and reputation of exploitation and exclusion further complicates the issue, as seen in this article and hundreds of others on the internet. However, amidst these challenges, there are various opportunities for positive cultural exchange, such as collaboration between fashion brands and indigenous artisans to promote cultural heritage and empower marginalized communities. By prioritizing respectful engagement and inclusive representation, the fashion industry can celebrate and honour diversity, foster meaningful connections across generations, cultures, and countries, and put their best foot forward on the global stage. 

 

Who Is Amy Santiago?- A Deep Dive Into the Main Character From Brooklyn-99

Areej C
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Who Is Amy Santiago?- A Deep Dive Into the Main Character From Brooklyn-99

Who Is Amy Santiago? 

From the hit television show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, comes one of its main characters, Amy Santiago. Known for her colorful pantsuits and her talent for befriending school administrators, Amy is not just a standout individual; she’s renowned for her unwavering dedication and precision as a detective within the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Amy meticulously organizes every aspect of her professional and personal life, displaying an extreme commitment to perfection that often borders on obsession. Her constant pursuit of success and recognition from her peers and superiors, particularly her precinct captain, Captain Raymond Holt, stems from the external pressures she faced while growing up in a large American-Hispanic family. This highlights her character’s struggle for acceptance in both professional and personal settings. Throughout the series, Amy embarks on a journey of self-discovery and growth through various relationships within her workplace. She experiences personal and professional growth, forming close bonds with her colleagues, especially Detective Jake Peralta, with whom she eventually enters into a romantic relationship. Amy’s character development explores themes of vulnerability and the pursuit of acceptance, making her a beloved and relatable figure in the show.

Childhood

Throughout her childhood, Amy was subject to intense scrutiny from her parents, particularly her father, to follow in his footsteps as a detective. Victor and Camilla Santiago, are the spitting image of stereotypical traditional Hispanic parents, with their high, often unrealistic and damaging expectations. These expectations were further portrayed on Amy through comparison with her other 6 brothers. Amy’s parents brought favourites to another level, by decorating the family home’s mantle with images in order of the performance of the children. This created constant arguments, and competition in their home instead of a loving environment where the children were encouraged to grow. From Amy’s behaviour we see remnants of this trauma, with her constant need to appease her superiors and cater to their demands  that often aren’t her responsibility. Even when Amy and her siblings got older, the desire to remain on the mantle was instilled in them. These siblings were and still are willing to do anything to get the number one position. Amy’s oldest brother, Lieutenant David Santiago, who happens to be the other sibling aside from Amy to follow in their fathers footsteps, is Amy’s biggest opponent to achieve the success of her parents’ affection. In s.6 ep.9, at dinner with David, and her parents, David’s Captain shows up and requests to speak to David. This is when informed that a large quantity of cocaine was discovered in his desk and placed him under arrest. For Amy, this was the best day of her life, she celebrated by doing her cheesy celebratory dance, as the golden child had finally been something other than golden. Later, it was revealed that he had been framed by the Brazilian mafia, completely crushing Amy’s hopes of becoming the golden child.

Personality

As a perfectionist, Amy’s decisions are calculated and expected. Nothing that Amy does is out of the ordinary or out of schedule for her. The time she arrives to work, wakes up, eats, and leaves to go home is all scheduled on a strict timeline that cannot be broken. These choices are all made with perfect precision and adequate consideration for contributing factors. This allows Amy to make deliberate choices, making her an amazing problem solver and decision maker. This demonstrates how Amy solves problems and creates fitting solutions and plans. An episode that exemplifies her meticulous planning and attention to detail is when Amy arrives late in the morning, and everyone speculates about why she is 70 seconds late. If it were any other colleague, this wouldn’t even be remembered, but for Amy, it becomes a spectacle. This incident occurred in Season 2, Episode 6, and Amy was late due to the longer than usual line at her weekly planned bank visit. These behaviours reveal a lot about Amy’s excellent decision-making and planning capabilities.

NYPD

Despite the strain and pressure around her, Amy Santiago perseveres to strive to reach her full potential in multiple ways. Amy is a consistent goal setter, attributed to her dream path planned before joining the NYPD. Throughout the show, we hear her referencing her ‘timeline’ of when she aims to accomplish certain milestones. One significant achievement we witness is her becoming a sergeant and commanding her own squad of officers, due to her demanding work ethic. Early on, she attempts to ask her Captain to become her mentor, showing her willingness to learn and ask for help. However, this sometimes causes her to undervalue herself, as seen when she asks for a letter of recommendation for a mentor-mentee program but is mistakenly written as a mentor instead of a mentee. This highlights her consistency and willingness to grow, even when others already see her in a leadership position.

Impact Of Identity

As a Hispanic-American woman, Amy’s behaviour is significantly influenced by her cultural background and surroundings. Working as a detective in the NYPD, she faces challenges in a male-dominated environment where she and her female colleagues are often marginalized and objectified. Amy confronts daily issues related to gender norms and sexism, which impact her professional life. In Season 6, Episode 8, “He Said, She Said,” Amy recounts a disturbing incident at her previous precinct where a male coworker engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior towards her after her promotion, leading to her transfer to the current precinct. These gender norms and instances of sexualization require Amy and her female colleagues to constantly prove themselves and maintain professionalism, unlike their male counterparts. Amy’s Hispanic heritage plays a significant role in her journey, as highlighted by her husband Jake’s acknowledgment of her inspiring influence on young Hispanic girls worldwide. This recognition deeply moves Amy, underscoring her belief in breaking stereotypes and empowering others to pursue their dreams.

Conclusion

In summary, analyzing Amy Santiago’s character through various perspectives offers valuable insights into her unique personality. These perspectives can each be attributed to certain aspects of her behavior and specific actions she takes. From childhood trauma to perfectionism, all of Amy’s behaviors have been rooted and instilled in her through methods like reward, societal and workplace norms, undervaluation of herself, and willingness to grow. By understanding her and her psyche, we uncover the influences shaping her identity and actions, from early experiences to present-day motivations. Each perspective provides a lens through which we can better grasp Amy’s complexities and the psychological dynamics that drive her behaviour.

Sources:

Brooklyn-99 Show

Photo by Mollie Sivaram on Unsplash

 



 





Book Review: Long Way Down

Bowen Zheng
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Book Review: Long Way Down

                                             Caution: Mentions of gun violence and murder ahead!

                                                 Introduction:

Long Way Down is a novel written by author Jason Reynolds. It was published in October, 24, 2017. What makes this book so different from others is the fact that it is written in verse. This means that each page is written almost like a poem! The plot of the book is centered around the main character, Will. His brother Shawn has been killed in a shootout and determines to seek revenge for his brother.

                                                   The Rules:

The rules in the neighbourhood where Will lives consists of no crying (1), no snitching (2), and always take revenge (3). The rules are crucial in this story as they drive the choices made by the main character, Will.

Summary:

During one normal afternoon, Will’s brother Shawn is shot in cold blood in the middle of a basketball court. Devasted, Will goes home and searches in Shawn’s secret drawer that he never allowed Will to go into. In there, he finds multiple prized possessions of Shawn’s and most importantly, finds a gun. Will contemplates what to do with the gun and with some guessing, he comes up with the theory that a kid named “Riggs” committed the dirty deed. He comes up with a plan to kill Riggs and leaves his apartment building.

When he goes to the elevator to go down to the lobby, he is met for a long way down. Throughout his ride on the elevator, he is met by a ghost of a dead friend or relative on each floor. Each of the ghosts who go on the elevator have all been victims of gun violence and the rules. The ghosts who hop on the elevator consist of: Buck, Dani, Will’s uncle, Will’s father, Buck’s killer, and Shawn, in this order. Buck, Dani, Will’s uncle, Will’s father, and Buck’s killer, are a group of side characters with no huge role in the story. The role that the ghosts take in this story is to convince Will to not follow the path of gun violence and the reconsider his choices. Some causes for the deaths of some ghosts also help convince Will. An example of this can be shown with Will’s father and Will’s uncle. Will’s uncle loses a camera which he uses to take all of his valuable pictures with family, and decides to get money for a new one. He does this by earning some money illegally and eventually, a person wanting to steal his business, shoots him. Will’s father is furious and decides to track the person down and kill him, shooting him dead in the street 3 times. Only after the killing, does he understand that he killed the wrong person. The death of Will’s uncle can teach Will that he could be getting the wrong person, since he has no hard evidence Riggs did it.

Ending

While nearing the end of the book, Shawn comes on the last floor of the elevator. Will begs Shawn to know if he is doing the right thing and breaks the first rule doing so, no crying. Shawn begins to cry, though his eyes still look dead. Shawn refuses to say a word to Will during this time. The elevator finally stops at the lobby and everybody rushes out, Shawn stays back though, and asks Will.       YOU COMING?

 

                                                     Significance

The meaning behind the last words of the book is that Shawn is asking Will if he will choose the path of gun violence and join the dead. Hence, him asking if Will is going to come with them.

                                                      Conclusion

Overall, this book was a very dramatic read and I really enjoyed interpreting the different symbolizations and aspects of the story. The fact that it’s written in verse makes the impact sentences much much more impactful. I would almost recommend this book to anyone as almost all people with varying preferences can enjoy it. I would rate this book a 8.5/10

 

Calgary’s Studio Bell

Hanrong
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Calgary’s Studio Bell

Featured Photo by David Beale on Unsplash

A Unique Centre Showcasing Music

The Studio Bell, located in downtown Calgary, opened in 2016. It is a massive museum showcasing the National Music Centre’s collections of rare instruments and artifacts, including various Canadian musical artists’ stories of their careers. It truly offers a modern feel for everyone passionate or interested in Canadian musical and cultural heritage.

The National Music Centre (NMC) has a long history of collecting musical artifacts, especially keyboard, electronic, and sound equipment. According to the NMC, their “four pillars” of purpose are, exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education. In fact, one can book to experience live performances in the Studio Bell building, including musical pieces performed by artists with various instruments. Visitors can also learn more about music, through the “diverse range of inclusive and collaborative learning opportunities,” such as certain modules on the history of Canadian musical groups, as well as how the sound acoustics affect one’s perception of music or their emotional health.

Exhibitions

However, Studio Bell is still largely known for its exhibitions, such as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. This exhibition features the tributes and musical artifacts of many well-known artists, ranging across a long historical period, from Oscar Peterson’s generation to even Nickelback (which was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame just last year).

Located on the fifth floor of the building, the Hall of Fame recognizes Canadian artists who “have attained commercial success while making a positive impact on the music scene in Canada and beyond.” On the fourth floor, we also have the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, dedicated to a more specific musical genre. Additionally, we have the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the ADISQ (French: Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la video; English: Québec Association for the Recording, Concert and Video Industries) Hall of Fame, which “promotes the development of the music industry in the province of Quebec and recognizes the achievements of Quebecois musicians.

My Experience

I visited the Studio Bell personally last spring, and the experience left me with sharp memories that I still look back to even today. As I visited the Studio Bell with a few friends, we had a good time trying out the section designed for kids and adolescents, for example. Specifically, there was a room for visitors to create drums, and even guitar strings, from the materials provided. Also, there was wonderful and uplifting music playing throughout many of the exhibitions, helping each of us relax right before a critical exam season. Generally, the Studio Bell costs approximately twenty dollars to explore, but my friends and I certainly had some of the best times we could expect in a museum!

The wonderful thing about Studio Bell is that it is also relatively quiet and not crowded, allowing us to relax and stroll (without any rush) onto each floor, to discover more about Canadian music history. We listened to various songs and observed technicians unboxing antique music equipment, such as drums, guitars, and sound boxes. The overall atmosphere was extremely calm and chill, and the employees were also friendly and approachable. Definitely, I would say it was a worthwhile experience!

Conclusion

Whether you are a youth who is extremely interested in rock-n-roll music, or a senior who wishes to relax pleasingly, I believe that Calgary’s Studio Bell is for you! The Studio Bell is truly a unique museum, with many different features, all in a building with a modern design. If you would like any more information, you could also check their website here. Have fun exploring all the music and fun!

Combating Cruelness: Cyberbullying

Diya Kunisetty
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Combating Cruelness: Cyberbullying

What is cyberbullying?

As far as we know, cyberbullying is the act of using technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Through threats online, rude and aggressive text messages, and posting personal information (including texts and pictures) the purpose of cyberbullying is to ultimately hurt someone else. 

A lot of cyberbullying revolves around posting things that one wouldn’t want the whole world to lay their eyes on. For example, you may send a picture of yourself to someone you trust, but that person may post that online without your permission. You may then ask them to take it down, but because they are cyberbullying – they refuse. Another scenario may be if you send a picture to someone, they threaten to post it. By blackmailing you into giving them something, you’re trying to save yourself from embarrassment and humiliation. In other words, one form of cyberbullying is through posting and blackmailing, which ultimately aims to embarrass or scare you one way or another. 

Another form of cyberbullying is through personally attacking the individual. By making horrible comments on gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, or any other physical/mental qualities, this type of cyberbullying aims to discriminate against you for who you are. Discrimination is illegal in most parts of the world, and the police could potentially get involved if this went too far. If someone discriminates against you for who you are, through social media and technology, it would also factor into the whole concept of cyberbullying. 

So why do people do it?

There are about 3 possible scenarios for why a cyberbully may do what they do.

Number 1 could be “A joke that went too far”. This may occur when a person didn’t mean to “cyberbully” you, but it just started out as a joke that crossed the line.

Number 2 could be “A bully that was bullied. This may occur when the bully used to be tormented themselves and wanted to retaliate. They may have wanted others to feel as bad as they felt, and to go through all the pain and suffering they did.

Number 3 may be, “Personal Hatred”. This method occurs when the cyberbully has a problem with you in the physical or virtual world. Something you said or did, may have infuriated them, causing a spark of revenge. We never know why people cyberbully or just spread hatred in general, but these are 3 main possibilities. 

So what should we do about it? 

Tell someone. If you ever find yourself as the victim of cyberbullying, one of the most important things to keep in mind is – Do not be afraid to seek help. One of the best and most effective things you can do is to tell someone you trust. Regardless of who it is, whether it is a parent, guardian, friend, coach, teacher,  guidance counselor, or even the police – tell someone who you can trust. Many children and teens who find themselves in this situation may feel embarrassed or reluctant to speak up, but that is why the bullying progresses into something much worse. 

Walk away. Being the victim of a cyberbullying situation can be stressful and alarming. When you see something that personally upsets you online, distress and negativity may fill up inside of you. A great thing that you can do in that situation is to turn off the computer or put down the phone. You should go do something you love, like playing a sport or hanging out with a friend, so that you can take your mind off of the situation. Having a calm mind will definitely help you proceed to take the next steps. 

Report & Block the bully. Many apps on the internet have the option to report and block certain people online. This gives you the prime opportunity to exit yourself from the bullying situation. When you report and/or block someone online, the administrator cuts off all means of communication between you and that person.  

To conclude, let’s summarize. being the victim of cyberbullying can be a distressing situation to find yourself in. Whether it is through posts or threats, this method of bullying aims to ultimately humiliate the individual. There are great ways to combat this negativity;  Such as by speaking up about it, walking away, and blocking the bully. Technology is advancing each and every day, and cyberbullying is one of the negative effects of all these technological advancements.

Source(s): https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/cyberbullying.html#:~:text=Cyberbullying%20is%20the%20use%20of,hurt%20or%20embarrass%20someone%20else.

 

TTPD – A Review on the Top Songs for Taylor Swift’s New Album

Jeanne Y
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TTPD – A Review on the Top Songs for Taylor Swift’s New Album

A few weeks ago, on April 19th, an incredibly exciting event occurred. Taylor Swift’s long-awaited new album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released at midnight EST. The fact that 258.3 million adults in the US alone consider themselves Swifties, this drop of this album has been anticipated eagerly for months. As a Swiftie myself, I am no exception.

Even if you’re not a Swiftie, give this article and the tracks it discusses a chance. The Tortured Poets Department is truly such a sensation, and this article only breaks 5 of (what I think) are its best tracks.

Two hours after the drop of the new album, Taylor shocked us all with the surprise release of a second part to the album, which she called The Anthology. It included 15 other songs that had not been a part of the tracklist.

Unsurprisingly, the drop of the album broke world records. Within four days, the album had over 1 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the most streamed album on the entire platform. This week, it hit No.1 on Billboard 200 just weeks after its release, and even the physical merchandise sales, including vinyls, were incredibly successful.

In addition, there are so, so, so many details in TTPD and references to different events and underlying messages, but it would take five different blog articles to explain them all. If you’re interested in delving into the rabbit hole and learning about them, visit the Taylor Swift Wiki here, or just spend a bit of time on Swiftie Instagram Reels. You’ll discover just how much of a *mastermind* Taylor Swift really is.

If you’d like to listen to the album but haven’t the time for 31 songs, here are my reviews of the 5 highlighting songs in the album The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

5. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

A haunting breakup song, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived is one of the many songs in the album that Swifties strongly suspect as a reference to her recent breakup with Joe Alwyn after a six-year relationship. Some of the main themes in this song include betrayal, anger, and sadness… along with some biting insults toward her ex. If the rumours are true, Joe, you really messed up.

4. Fortnight

Although it’s one of the most popular songs on the album, I must admit that Fortnight wasn’t one of my favorites. However, it is such an iconic song that I needed to mention in this post, because of both its popularity and its contribution to the musical theme of the album. Mostly with pop synth and percussion, the song almost had the mood of a Midnights track but with less *shimmer*.

Rumour has it that Matty Healy, one of Taylor’s exes, was the inspiration for this song. She casually dated him for a short amount of time, and announced their relationship a month after publicizing her breakup with Joe Alwyn. Perhaps this brief romance sparked the name of the song?

3. The Bolter

Perhaps I’m a bit biased for this highlight. But I really, really do like this track. After listening to most of her more recent music, with its slightly more modern musical style, I really missed the acoustic sound of her guitar that first got her famous. The Bolter gives the acoustic feel and general vibe of her earliest albums, like a mix of Red and Fearless. It’s really almost a mashup of themes from different albums – the strumming guitar from the Fearless album, the storyline lyrics similar to the Evermore album, and the language choice of the Midnights album.

2. Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me?

There is so much to unpack with this song. But I won’t go into the symbolism or the deeper messages or all the rumours involved behind the song. Let’s get straight into why this song is one of the best ones in the album.

It’s among her collection of tracks across different albums that are really about her and reflect who she sees herself as. It’s mind-blowing to listen to this track and almost feel as if I can see inside the mind of one of the biggest music superstars. I really enjoy the growing theme of pensive self-reflection in more and more of her tracks. They have always existed in the vast majority of her music, but to see her expand the theme into more songs in her recent album and in Midnights.

Almost as if she’s reminding us all that she’s human too. Which honestly I think many of us forget because of how absolutely stunning Taylor Swift really is.

That brings us to the final track…

1. I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

This track is clearly about Taylor’s feelings during the Eras Tour. It is about how she doesn’t fail to paste a smile on and achieve all of her career goals (“hit all my marks”) despite being heartbroken. The last lines in the song are:

“Cause I‘m miserable,

And no one even knows!

Try and come for my job.”

This is one of her first songs where she incorporates situational irony into music. And it suits the song perfectly. She’s a musical genius.

Taylor pairs up depressing lyrics with a fast paced, cheery tune and a major key. It drives the message that much deeper – that despite her feelings and her mental state, she truly had to fake it ’till she could make it, and she did. Having to go on tour for years singing love songs for people you just broke up with? It must have been so tough… yet nobody could tell, she hid it so well.

This is honestly my favorite song in the album, because it reflects how we never really know what struggles that someone could be hiding behind a set of smiles and happy lies.

TL;DR

Why are you reading this? What do you mean, it was too long? I summarized an album of 31 songs into its 5 best highlights, and minimized all of the TS references. But if you insist, here’s a numbered list of the best songs on The Tortured Poets Department. Give them a listen, even if you’re not a hardcore fan.

  1. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
  2. Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?
  3. The Bolter
  4. Fortnight
  5. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

The Importance of Problem Solving

Crystal Lattice
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The Importance of Problem Solving

In everyday life, we always use the skill of problem solving. From managing chores, making decisions, to arranging yourself to prepare for big events, problem solving is an essential skill that everyone has. Ever since you began to think for yourself, you have the ability to solve problems. Problem solving is a gift that we all have, which should be cherished to the fullest. The art of problem solving is very important, and the main reasons why it is important are that they help you build confidence and become independent, it helps with your career, and last, but not least, it allows societies to evolve.

Problem Solving Maze
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

 

1. It helps you build confidence and become independent

As mentioned before, ever since you were able to think, you had the ability to solve problems. While we all start with solving the easy problems, like deciding what to wear for the day, the problems we face can tend to become harder. The easiest example of this is school. Although the earlier grades are where most of us develop certain things, it is the later grades that challenge us and master those certain things. Especially at a young age, the harder the challenge is, the more problem-solving and independence would be required.

Mirror for Confidence
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

In school, with quizzes, tests, and exams, a degree of problem-solving is required in all of them. While studying helps you get prepared, solving questions can eventually become a habit. The more you find success in solving questions and problems, the more confident you can be further on. However, at some point, you may hit a brick wall, but problem-solving and trial and error tactics can help you regain your confidence. Throughout our school lives, our problem-solving skills are challenged and force us to think differently and look at problems from different perspectives. From there, we gain a sense of confidence and individualism as our problem-solving skills are regularly put up to the test.

Independence based on which direction taken
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

2. It helps With Your Career

In careers, like engineering, lawyers, software developers, etc…, problem-solving is a necessity. Without problem-solving, then the career would feel repetitive and seem perfect, which is never the case in real life. Although some careers may seem like problem-solving is not needed, there are still moments where transportation, clothing, teamwork, etc… matter and problem-solving is still required.  In fact, these moments are the most evident when preparing for interviews, promotions, and being a supervisor. Despite their differences, problem-solving goes hand in hand with how you give impression. Problem-solving does not along help you obtain a career, but it helps you make a nice impression to the career, and not to mention, outside of your career.

Laptop for career
Image by Sara Torda from Pixabay

 

3. Allows Society To Evolve

Lastly, while the previous two facts are about individuals alone, problem-solving can allow our society to evolve. If you think about it, everyone has a degree of problem-solving skills. That means that everyone can look from any perspective. As a matter of fact, creativity is part of problem-solving.

Creative problem solving
Image by 愚木混株 Cdd20 from Pixabay

The difference between thinking critically and being creative is that thinking critically is about using logic and reasoning. Whereas, in creativity, it’s about being open-minded and making new solutions to problems. While at some point, we need the old-fashioned critical thinking, society craves for more creative people. In a world where scarcity exists, thinking of creative solutions can tackle more than just one problem; it can solve multiple problems all at once. To think about this effect more clearly, imagine a domino effect. When you set all of your dominos in a row, it’s all about tipping one over to tip the rest. In creative problem-solving, this is exactly what happens, but the dominos are potential problems instead. Thanks to creative problem-solvers, society can evolve as less action can tackle more problems.

Community
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

Closing Section

Ever since we began thinking, we had the ability to problem solving. While there are many more, the importance of problem solving is that it helps us build confidence and becoming more independent, it helps with our careers, and it allows society to evolve with creative thinkers. Depending on the situation, problem-solving could be overrated or underrated. Sometimes, we would get thrown with so many problems and find problem-solving overrated. While other times, we don’t get to solve a lot of problems and find it underrated. Despite this, the importance of problem solving is still dominant everyday. While this seems, every day, we will have to solve a problem, and sometimes they are incredibly easy, whereas they can be the hardest in other times. Problem-solving is a gift that is meant to be used almost all the time. It’s a gift that is not meant to be wasted!

Problem solving with other people
Image by Alexa from Pixabay

Sources: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4

Images: 1 (Featured Image) , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8

What are earthquakes?

Diya Kunisetty
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What are earthquakes?

The ground is suddenly shaking and there you are wobbling left and right to keep your balance. You notice the picture frames on your mantle are shaking and the chandelier above you is swaying back and forth. This unfortunate phenomenon is called an earthquake. 

An earthquake is a natural disaster that happens millions of times per year, across all the different parts of the world. Some earthquakes are huge and cause immense amounts of damage, while others are so small that you can hardly feel them. The damage-causing, more powerful earthquakes can cause many negative after-effects too. Such as tsunamis, landslides, and even flooding! But luckily, the monumental earthquakes don’t occur too often. 

The humble beginnings of earthquakes begin deep down below the surface. Thousands of miles below your feet. Imagine this analogy: The Earth’s core is the yolk, the mantle is the white stuff, and the crust is the shell. All humans and other living things live on the surface of the shell. Below the surface, but still above the crust are huge slabs of rock. These are called the tectonic plates. Across the Earth, there are 7 major tectonic plates: the African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North-American, Pacific, and South American. Because there are many bodies of water surrounding and in between these tectonic plates, we can make an educated guess that these plates are not connected. 

When immense amounts of heat escape from the Earth’s core, and creates currents in the crust. These currents then cause the tectonic plates to bump, scrape, or drag across each other (like bumper cars), causing what we now know today as an earthquake. 

Most earthquakes that occur commonly are too small, too far below the surface, or too deep in the seafloor to be felt. But on the other hand, the more destructive ones are so powerful that no matter how deep they are, they can still be felt by us and continue to cause havoc. The spot where an earthquake starts, just above the surface, is called an “epicenter”. This epicenter transmits ripples, called seismic waves, allowing us to feel the earthquake’s vibrations. 

To measure these earthquakes, scientists have involved a scale called the “Richter scale”. The higher the earthquake measures on the scale, the more powerful it is. If it measures in between 3 to 4.9, it would be considered a “minor earthquake”. From 5 to 6.9 would be considered “Moderate” or “Strong”. 7 to 7.9 would be considered “Major”, while anything above 8 is a “Great”  (even though the impact of it would be the opposite of great). 

Knowing what to do is vital if you ever find yourself in the middle of an earthquake. If you are indoors- make sure to stay there. Try to get under a desk or a table and hold onto it until the shaking stops. Or, try and move into a hallway or against an inside wall. You should never go near windows, fireplaces, heavy furniture, or appliances because the risk of injury is too high. Do not rush outside when the building is shaking because you may get hit by falling glass or debris. If you are outside, make sure to get into vastly open areas. Stay clear of buildings, powerlines, chimneys, or anything that can fall on you. If you are driving and an earthquake occurs, make sure to get as far away from traffic as possible and stop driving immediately. Wait inside your car until the shaking stops, and slowly maneuver your way to safety.

After reading this blog post, I hope that you are better educated on what earthquakes are and how to stay safe if you ever find yourself in one!

Resources:

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/earthquake#:~:text=When%20heat%20from%20the%20Earth’s,sometimes%20cracks%20like%20an%20eggshell

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-should-i-do-during-earthquake#:~:text=Get%20under%20a%20desk%20or,things%20can%20fall%20on%20you)

 

 

 

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