Full Closet – Fat Wallet – A Monthly Shopping Guide
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
This column is a series of articles dedicated to the majority of us out there who aren’t of the voting age – never mind being in a position where we can actually shop until we drop!
Introduction: Who am I?
Hello there! My name is Valerie Wong and I’m currently in grade 11. I love fashion; clothes, shoes, accessories, you name it! I like to keep my style eclectic; I like the flowing hair and carefree/casual look – but I also like structure and clean lines. My shopping motto is: “Whatever looks good should make your wallet feel good, too.” Like a typical teenager, funds are often quite limited! We can’t go around just asking our parents to satisfy our every fashion whim, so I’ve developed my own fashion identity that definitely does not involve going out and buying everything at once.
In Flander’s Fields
By: Puneet Riar, Grade 12
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)
November’s Warrior of the Month
By: Emily Chan, Grade 11 & Puneet Riar, Grade 12
PRESENTING! Your November 2009 Warrior of the month: Chanel Ly!
Congratulations Chanel! You’re November’s Warrior of the Month! So, first of all, why do you think you were nominated?
C: I don’t know exactly… I didn’t even know I was nominated until I heard I won!
ARE YOU SERIOUS! It was, like, all over school! Haha! Jokes! Anyways, what kind of extracurricular stuff are you involved in?
C: Hmm… Currently, I am coordinating Windermere’s organic garden and I teach piano at elementary schools. I’m also this year’s community service liaison.
You have such an expensive name. How does it feel to be named after a high end fashion line?
C: It’s pretty handy to be named after the brand because my name would often be spelled wrong. All I have to do is refer to the brand.
White Poppies For Peace
White poppies first came out back on Armistice Day in 1933. At that time there was a lot of domestic and international tension. Plus, many were concerned that the countless lives that had been lost in the war to end all wars would now be followed by an even worse war. The white poppy was a symbol of this concern by mainly women who were mothers, sisters, widows and sweethearts of men killed in the First World War.
The white poppy has become a representation of our inability to resolve conflicts without turning to war. Many wars later and after the many lives taken for our so called freedom, the white poppy continues to remind us of the world’s failure to put a stop to war. While the red poppy raises money for the British Legion, the white poppy’s goal is to promote debate and gather support for resistance to war. It is a symbol of grief for EVERYONE harmed by war. However, more importantly it signifies a commitment to work for a world where conflicts are solved without violence and with justice.
Support both the red and white poppy campaigns and wear both close to your heart!
-Gurjita Gadey, Grade 12
SOURCES:
http://elizamagazine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/justinclayton_artwork.jpg
War on the People
By: Brendan Chan, Grade 11
Our society exists in a world where money is everything. Business is everything – this is a world where presidents and CEO’s provide our country with the life we all enjoy. In other words, ours is a society where Friedman’s belief of the global free trade system has been entrenched into our minds; but it wasn’t easy. Although Milton Friedman won a Nobel Prize in economics, his capitalistic ideas weren’t an easy concept to pass, especially since he lived during a time of nationalization. Eventually, Friedman had his way, and his ideas evolved into our current free trade system, where almost everything is owned by a private company. This rise of capitalism is how Friedman created an economic miracle. Yet the majority of people didn’t know the terrible and shocking truth that was the result of Friedman’s ideas.
Milton was a man who believed that having restrictions on companies only slowed them down and didn’t bring out the full potential of the profits that could be made; he had to change how people thought. He did this by using what the CIA calls “cleaning the slate,” or in other words, emptying a person’s mind. As a result of ‘cleaning the slate’, Friedman could fill vulnerable minds with his ideas.
Our Deteriorating Natural World
By: Cassandra Ly, Grade 11
Do you have a pet at home? Dog? Cat? Bird? How about a ferret? Just a thought: How would you feel if your furry or feathery friend became an endangered species? Gradually disappearing? It’s reality and it’s the truth. Our animals are slowly dying. Not just a couple hundred species, approximately more than 1000 have been placed under the Endangered Species Act, and the numbers are continuing to rise. The environmental, social, and trading impacts on our world are beyond what we as humans could have ever imagined. Evidently, it has caused our natural world to deteriorate at an appalling rate. I look at these images of animals and think to myself: What has our world become of? The 10 animals listed below have been declared the most endangered species in our world, according to the World Wildlife Fund. We all are capable of preserving the lives of animals, no matter how big or small.
Style Watch
INTERVIEW: Mr. Beetlestone
What would you say about your personal style?
I have 2 different styles. One is more professional, that I would wear to work. It consists of dress pants a button up shirt and nice shoes. The other is a more casual and laid back look that I would wear when I am not working. I like to go for a more European look which includes skinny jeans, V-neck shirts, cardigans and more slim fitting clothing.
What are you wearing right now?
My black diesel shirt, pants I bought from Zara and a great pair of shoes I 
purchased from Aldo. I think that you shouldn’t have to spend a lot for good clothing. I like to shop at stores that sell clothing at reasonable prices like Urban Outfitters. I believe people should try and be more creative with there wardrobe and that doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money. Like this one jacket I bought from a thrift store was $10 and I love it. My friends are always asking where I got it from. But, the one thing I believe you shouldn’t cheap out on is jeans.
Halfway Around the World…
By: Riya Talwar, Grade 9
Money, cars, cell phones, iPods, televisions. I step outside and hear the cars honking and people swearing. I see the fierce competition of businesses, vying for sales. I walk to school and listen to the spare change clinking in my pocket. When I get to school and put everything in my locker, I notice that my mom has packed me a tuna sandwich with fresh slices of cheese and lettuce. Ugh, I hate tuna, I think as I walk over to the garbage can and throw it away. When the bell rings, I head off to class. The teacher distributes worksheets. A small paper cut is a cause for terror. Holding my wound, I get a band-aid from the first aid box. The day moves on and when the bell rings for dismissal, I take out my cell phone and turn up the jams. The screen lights up – I have just received a text message from an anonymous sender. It reads: I dream of what it’s like halfway around the world…
Poverty, Blisters, Lack Of Education, No Food, Contaminated Water. The sun is beating down on my face, sweat trickling down my cheeks. I woke up this morning with the intent of going down to the river to get water for my family. Today is my birthday; I’m six years old. I’ve been hungry all day, but right now, my family needs me. My bare feet are covered in blisters filled with dirt and pus. As I walk across the rocks and sand, I hold back the tears of pain, knowing my family is waiting for me back at home. They’re all that I have and all that I live for. My dream is to go to school with my friends, but we can’t afford it. I reach down with my water container and fill it to the brim with 20 litres.
November Horoscopes
Aries – You will find yourself slacking off a lot this month, both from school 
work and physical activity. Don’t procrastinate, and maybe start walking to school.
Taurus – Easily distracted? Perhaps instead of doing homework in front of the TV,; try doing it at the desk. You’ll be back on track in no time.
Gemini – Your weakest subject will seem like the easiest this month! You will be speeding through assignments, and doing way better than usual. However, your best subject will seem harder. Just keep trying and you will do fine.
Remembering What?
By: Emily Chan, Grade 11
It’s a day of remembrance, a day for thought, and a day of memories. For some, the memories will be of a loved one, killed in war as a prisoner. For others, thoughts and prayers will be with the soldiers currently fighting in 
wars around the world. Remembrance Day is “a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War.” In other words, we are meant to remember the veterans and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We wear the red poppy to show our remembrance and support for the troops. The symbol of the poppy is to honour the poppies that bloomed among the worst battlefields of World War II; the red colour came from the bloodshed. The significance is also credited to the Canadian Lt. Colonel and physician John McCrae, and his poem, In Flanders’ Fields.
The Philippine’s Typhoon Aftermath
By: Jhona Binos, Grade 12
If you were given time to prepare for an encroaching typhoon, what would 
you do first? Would you be grabbing your iPod, clothes, food, or important papers perhaps? That’s not the case with many citizens in the Philippines who went through a sudden flash flood that changed their lives forever. Even though the people were given a heads up of an approaching storm, they were overwhelmed of how quickly the water built up in a short amount of time.
JOHN F. KENNEDY: SECRETS OF A HOMOCIDE?
By Puneet Riar Grade 12
Picture this: Dallas, Texas 1963. Thousands of people line the streets, some holding signs that read “Welcome Mr. President”. Little boys on daddy’s shoulders patiently waiting for the president’s blue convertible as it turns the corner and starts approaching. The adoring crowd jumps on its feet, waving, cheering. From the president, a smile and a wave back. Suddenly, some commotion; a glint in the distance – BANG, BANG, BANG. Silence, birds fly. A body in the blue convertible slouches back; bloody and motionless. People run. Screams, confusion and chaos ensue as the blue car speeds away.
Homelessness Action Week
By: Christopher Ly, Matina Kamdar, and Thea Sample, Grade 9
Homelessness Action Week On Wednesday October 14, a group of Windermere students volunteered at Rosary Hall in downtown eastside during the Homelessness Action Week. The event lasted for one week. At the event, volunteers came to help the homeless. Many organizations and volunteers were needed every day of the week in order to make this event successful. Some of the things that were offered to the homeless were clothes, hygiene kits, haircuts, housing information, social services, a healthy lunch, and pet food. As for the volunteers, our job was to hand out hygiene kits and interview people about their everyday life experiences. The hygiene kits consisted of band-aids, a basic emergency kit, shampoo and conditioner, nail clippers, socks, gloves, a toothbrush, deodorant, and hand sanitizer.
You Know What Grinds My Gears?
By Jenny Ho, Grade 11
You know what really grinds my gears? The media’s extremely unhealthy image of an ideal person.
As you may have seen on some websites (namely Perez Hilton’s fashion blog), Ralph Lauren, a hard-hitting brand in the world of fashion has been under a lot of flame. It all started with the advertisement with the freakishly skinny model Filippa Hamilton. Turns out, it was simply an image of her that made her look extremely malnourished, thanks to Photoshop. I personally don’t understand how the editor can make such a big mishap. Obviously, something is very wrong when her head and shoulders are considerably bigger than the rest of her body. Sadly, she reminds me of one of those bobble head dolls that sit on the corner of my desk.
GLEE for AMNESTY!
Finally the wait is over! We know that your anticipation for Amnesty International has been increasing every minute of every day. It’s a fun and intense approach to global human rights and a great experience. As we noted before every month we will focus on a different issue. This month’s human rights topic will be on the “Rwanda Genocide”. If you are even the least bit interested on the topic or even if you just want to know what it is, please join us for the FIRST meeting on Wednesday, Nov 4th. If for any reason you are not interested in this month’s topic then stay tuned for next month’s issue. Thank you for reading and hope to see YOU soon!
Sincerely, Nikki S. & Puneet R.
Girls are Fluff, Boys are Rough
By: Lucas Chan & Kaitlyn Fung, Grade 9
Back in the medieval days males were considered more superior than females. Men were supposedly stronger, more intelligent, and were believed to be better than women in many ways. On the other hand, women were thought of being 
delicate and not made for physical labor, but rather for bearing children and taking care of the house. Today, we have more equality amongst females and males. For example, females are generally allowed to take on any job a male can. Even though there is much more equality between genders, there are still many people who believe that one’s gender determines his/her abilities, characteristics, and many other attributions. There are still many men and women out there that use stereotypes against one another. However, many of those stereotypes have been classified as being sexist and have been proved to be incorrect. People tend to assume that girls aren’t fit or strong, but are either smart or shallow. Girls are often said to be smarter than boys in the academic category, but when you actually look at some of the test results, the results of males and females are very similar. Acknowledging this, many people tend to think modern girls care more about their appearance than their grades, prompting such sayings as: ‘a pretty girl is a pretty dumb one’. If a girl cares about her appearance, does that necessarily mean that she can’t be smart because of that? Appearance and intelligence are very different and do not affect one another.
Capitalism: A Love Story
Capitalism: A Love Story (120 mins)
Directed & Produced by Michael Moore
Review written by Jenn Lin, Alumnus
8.5/10
It strikes me as obvious that most teenagers will not choose to see this movie on a Friday night. That much is incredibly evident when you realize that it is two hours long and that it does not have any vampires or Transformers in it. And even though the title mentions the words, “love story,” it is more of a tragedy than anything. Yet I feel compelled to write this review because what is said in this documentary affects us all.
Canucks Update
By: Jasmin Gadey, Grade 8
One month into the regular season, the Canucks have shown lots of 
inconsistency. Their current play has them wandering around the .500 mark. Plus, if you’ve been keeping up with the games, you’ve probably noticed that they have had an unpredictable pattern of wins and losses. In fact, they didn’t achieve their first win until their fourth game; beating the Montreal Canadiens with a 7-1 victory. Many think that the reason behind our recent mediocre play would be because of our team injuries. At the moment, six players complete the injury list; all of them critical to the success of the team. Some of the injured players include, Alexandre Bolduc, Jannik Hansen, Ryan Johnson, Daniel Sedin and the Canucks captain, Roberto Luongo. Although at first it seemed that with Daniel out, Henrik wouldn’t be able to contribute but Henrik has been doing surprisingly well without his brother.
Barack Attacks the Nobel Prize
By Mitchell Agostinho and Puneet Riar, Grade 12
In 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Frédéric Passy and Jean Henry Dunant for making the world a better place. On October 9th, 2009 it was awarded to Barack Obama for doing nothing. Well, it’s said that it was “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”. There is little to no description, which leaves this pair of writers puzzled. Obama is the fourth president to win the award behind Wilson, Carter, and Roosevelt. Though Obama won the peace prize, we still think the shoe that Bush won was a more deserving prize. Many, many people have voiced their outrage for this victory while few have said it was well deserved. Needless to say this award came with some controversy. Let’s explore, shall we?
