I Like to Ride my Bicycle
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 12
Bicycles are undoubtedly a great alternative to fossil-fuel operated and greenhouse gas emitting automobiles. You don’t even need a license to ride one. All you need is a helmet and some reflective gear and of course, a functional bike!
Plenty of Vancouverites appreciate and support the two-way bike lanes that Mayor Gregor Robertson has promised in his mayoral position. That said, as long as there are proponents, there are also opponents. The bike lanes have come under a lot of criticism, particularly for the fact that accidents have occurred. In November of last year, an 80-year-old pedestrian was hit by a cyclist; he passed away later in hospital. The two-way bike lanes do make it safer for pedestrians, but how do they benefit drivers who are frustrated with the traffic issues that have arisen?
Drivers of automobiles complain that the two-way bike lanes, scattered throughout downtown Vancouver, provide a hindrance to traffic. There are even less lanes than before, and for a fast-moving population such as the one in downtown Vancouver, this is extremely frustrating. Time is money – and opposing taxpayers are probably questioning why their tax-dollars are being spent so that they lose more of their valuable time sitting in a traffic jam every morning.
It’s possible that this obstacle could provide another bridge of opportunity to switch from unsustainable modes of transport to mass transport systems, such as transit. If more buses were deployed and skytrains routes are extended, it would also encourage more people to leave their cars at home. It’s certainly less expensive than filling up a car with a full tank of gas, only to have it slowly wasted while idling in a congested street.
I’m not a biker, but I support the use of bicycles to reduce our carbon footprint. I think it’s an effective and relatively inexpensive way to save the Earth. However, as a pedestrian, I’ve noticed some improper biking behaviour. The thing that gets me worked up the most is when bikers ride on the sidewalk instead of on the road or bike lane. To me, it seems rather snobbish, making me think that that person doesn’t appreciate the lovely bike lanes that cost Vancouver $3.2 million to build! Bike lanes with special markings and concrete barriers are juxtaposed by cyclists sharing the sidewalk with disgruntled pedestrians. Riding on the sidewalk can be dangerous for pedestrians. Vancouver is filled with seniors who aren’t agile enough to jump aside when a biker comes barrelling through.
Now that we’re transitioning into spring, more and more people will be using their bikes to get around. Vancouver is a great place for bikers. There are plenty of bike lanes throughout the city that allow cyclists to stay off the sidewalks. Biking is not only a form of alternative transport; it’s also great for your health. So put on your helmet, slap on some reflective stickers and start biking! J
Funny comic: http://www.explosm.net/comics/2317/
Too Asian? Too Bad!
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 12
Macleans magazine published an article in November describing the enrolment controversy in Canada; an article better tag-lined as
“too Asian”. It attempts to delve deep into the issue of universities and other post-secondary institutions in the U.S. limiting the enrolment of Asian students in order to maintain an artificially high record for Caucasian student enrolment. The article addresses the concerns that this phenomenon may be spreading to Canadian schools. First and foremost, I pose this question to the readers: what does it mean to be ASIAN?
The word “Asian” is used to describe many things. Firstly, it is a common term (used in Canada) to describe people whose ethnic backgrounds trace back to nations in Asia, mostly the Eastern parts. In the last couple of years, the usage of the word has shifted from describing one’s ethnic background to that of a description of someone who is also overtly studious, eats rice at every meal, is a strong advocate of chopsticks etc. Accompanying the humorous connotations that come with being “Asian” are elements of social stigma. As well, Asians are often included as the punch-lines for jokes. Your momma’s so fat – she’s got more chins than a Chinese phonebook!
Jibes like these reflect a poor image of Canada, where racism and prejudice still exists. Frankie Mao, a 22-year-old Arts student at UBC, recalls an encounter with a “Canadian” mother who told him that he was the reason her son wasn’t accepted to a university. He also states that the mother went on to comment that “all the immigrants in the country are taking up university spots”. Robert Sweet, a retired Lakehead University professor, conducted a study to determine the pathways of high school students after graduating. The study reported that immigrant students from East Asia produced the highest percentage of students continuing on to university at 70 percent, while Europeans followed with 52 percent.
These statistics show us where some of the prejudice, as exampled above, comes from. Asians are more likely to enroll in university. It’s part of the Asian culture; Chinese parents, specifically, instil in their children at a young age the importance of a university education, as it opens up more economic opportunities in the future. The underlying vibe of Asian culture emphasizes studying and working hard – all to achieve economic stability as well as success. Going back to the previous example: how could a person blame an Asian person for working hard when that’s all they’ve been taught since they were young? Cultural differences like these have resulted in balkanization within universities. Students have split off into their own social and ethnic cliques. This only adds to the notion of a school being “too-Asian”. What better way is there to enforce the impact of a school’s Asian population than when they all congregate at once?
I ask this question: Why should students be judged and admitted based on their ethnicity instead of their high school transcripts? In this case, I believe that it’s not who you are that matters, it’s what you do. If you get good grades and volunteer a lot, you should be admitted based on that.
Let’s face the facts. Schools being referred to as “too Asian” are just ridiculous. How many Asians students must be enrolled to qualify as “too Asian”? It’s true that some universities might have higher Asian student enrolment but there are also universities where the numbers are not as prevalent. In the Macleans article, Alexandra (name changed), a girl described as looking “like a girl from an Aritzia billboard”, chose to attend the University of Western Ontario instead of the University of Toronto. She explained her decision based on the fact that UT has a “reputation of being Asian”. In other words, the school’s academic reputation was a turnoff for both her and her brother. Her choice was a common one among her peers and upperclassmen.
Here’s what I propose: being “too-Asian”, although sometimes said in a joking manner, should be transitioned into its truly humorous roots. Schools in the U.S. are using reports of being “too-Asian” as a weapon toward justifying their limitations on Asian student enrolment, which might rub off on Canadian institutions. Let’s give being “too-Asian” a new definition. Instead of being used to characterize areas or institutions with high populations of Asians, here’s what it should only be used to describe a person who:
- Is a very studious person that is very serious about school OR
- Is excessively good at video-games OR
- Is exceedingly skilled at Math or Science OR
- Eats too much rice OR
- Knows about twenty different ways to incapacitate someone with nothing but a pair of chopsticks
Etc, etc!
Too Asian? Too Bad!
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 12
Macleans magazine published an article in November describing the enrolment controversy in Canada; an article better tag-lined as “too Asian”. It attempts to delve deep into the issue of universities and other post-secondary institutions in the U.S. limiting the enrolment of Asian students in order to maintain an artificially high record for Caucasian student enrolment. The article addresses the concerns that this phenomenon may be spreading to Canadian schools. First and foremost, I pose this question to the readers: what does it mean to be ASIAN?
The word “Asian” is used to describe many things. Firstly, it is a common term (used in Canada) to describe people whose ethnic backgrounds trace back to nations in Asia, mostly the Eastern parts. In the last couple of years, the usage of the word has shifted from describing one’s ethnic background to that of a description of someone who is also overtly studious, eats rice at every meal, is a strong advocate of chopsticks etc. Accompanying the humorous connotations that come with being “Asian” are elements of social stigma. As well, Asians are often included as the punch-lines for jokes. Your momma’s so fat – she’s got more chins than a Chinese phonebook!
Jibes like these reflect a poor image of Canada, where racism and prejudice still exists. Frankie Mao, a 22-year-old Arts student at UBC, recalls an encounter with a “Canadian” mother who told him that he was the reason her son wasn’t accepted to a university. He also states that the mother went on to comment that “all the immigrants in the country are taking up university spots”. Robert Sweet, a retired Lakehead University professor, conducted a study to determine the pathways of high school students after graduating. The study reported that immigrant students from East Asia produced the highest percentage of students continuing on to university at 70 percent, while Europeans followed with 52 percent.
These statistics show us where some of the prejudice, as exampled above, comes from. Asians are more likely to enroll in university. It’s part of the Asian culture; Chinese parents, specifically, instil in their children at a young age the importance of a university education, as it opens up more economic opportunities in the future. The underlying vibe of Asian culture emphasizes studying and working hard – all to achieve economic stability as well as success. Going back to the previous example: how could a person blame an Asian person for working hard when that’s all they’ve been taught since they were young? Cultural differences like these have resulted in balkanization within universities. Students have split off into their own social and ethnic cliques. This only adds to the notion of a school being “too-Asian”. What better way is there to enforce the impact of a school’s Asian population than when they all congregate at once?
I ask this question: Why should students be judged and admitted based on their ethnicity instead of their high school transcripts? In this case, I believe that it’s not who you are that matters, it’s what you do. If you get good grades and volunteer a lot, you should be admitted based on that.
Let’s face the facts. Schools being referred to as “too Asian” are just ridiculous. How many Asians students must be enrolled to qualify as “too Asian”? It’s true that some universities might have higher Asian student enrolment but there are also universities where the numbers are not as prevalent. In the Macleans article, Alexandra (name changed), a girl described as looking “like a girl from an Aritzia billboard”, chose to attend the University of Western Ontario instead of the University of Toronto. She explained her decision based on the fact that UT has a “reputation of being Asian”. In other words, the school’s academic reputation was a turnoff for both her and her brother. Her choice was a common one among her peers and upperclassmen.
Here’s what I propose: being “too-Asian”, although sometimes said in a joking manner, should be transitioned into its truly humorous roots. Schools in the U.S. are using reports of being “too-Asian” as a weapon toward justifying their limitations on Asian student enrolment, which might rub off on Canadian institutions. Let’s give being “too-Asian” a new definition. Instead of being used to characterize areas or institutions with high populations of Asians, here’s what it should only be used to describe a person who:
- Is a very studious person that is very serious about school OR
- Is excessively good at video-games OR
- Is exceedingly skilled at Math or Science OR
- Eats too much rice OR
- Knows about twenty different ways to incapacitate someone with nothing but a pair of chopsticks
Etc, etc!
One Man, Many Wives
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 12
Polygamous marriages have existed throughout human history. The term, polygamy, refers to a marriage where a person has multiple spouses, as opposed to a monogamous union of only two people.
Since 1892, polygamy in Canada has been illegal, although the matter has been brought to court. In the future, the ban might even be lifted. Advocates of this case state that the law is a violation of religious freedoms, as outlined in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
British Columbia is home to Bountiful, an acknowledged Mormon community where polygamy is practiced. In early 2010, James Oler and Winston Blackmore were each charged with one count of polygamy. Winston Blackmore was accused of having twenty wives, while James Oler was accused of having two. The charges were thrown out on account of the fact that the former provincial attorney general, Wally Oppal, had gone ‘special prosecutor shopping’ when the first special prosecutor would not proceed with the charges.
Oppal, who was not re-elected, stated that the case was about the exploitation of women, and not so much polygamy itself. This fact has been disputed by Angela Campbell, an assistant professor of law at the University of McGill. In a case to assess polygamy, she has filed two affidavits, a legal document that supports the claims made in a legal case, claiming that the law against polygamy has been harmful to the polygamous communities. The residents of Bountiful ‘feel ashamed, stigmatized, and highly anxious because their way of life is branded criminal.’ She also stated that the laws against polygamy have done little to prevent or even ameliorate the harms involved in plural marriage. Campbell has conducted several research studies for the polygamous town of Bountiful, even receiving funding twice from Canada’s largest law firm.
I find Angela Campbell’s testimonies a little hard to swallow. The people of Bountiful gathered around 1946; Canada’s anti-polygamy law, aimed at Mormons in particular, has been around since 1892. Campbell’s statements, which were made in 2010, state that the people of Bountiful feel shame and anxiety that their way of life is criminalized. Anyone who is alive to feel that way definitely has not been around since 1892, when the law was put in place! Polygamy continued regardless. Angela Campbell also continues by defending the women in the Bountiful community, stating that marriage involving adolescent girls is prohibited, while some women are allowed to choose their own husbands. Reading this, my eyes immediately go to the word ‘some’. This word tells me that a portion of the women, but not all, are allowed to choose their husbands. Arranged marriages still exist in the world and alongside walks the stigma developed from Canadian society and by opinionated youth who like to have a choice.
Polygamists and advocates often argue that the law against polygamy is a violation of the freedom of religion. Every Canadian is instated with this fundamental freedom. But I ask – how far can we extend this freedom? A terrorist could detonate a bomb in a public place and defend himself by saying that it was part of his religion; God told him to purge the world of sins. This would obviously not be accepted in a court of law. By offering this extreme scenario, are you, the reader, able to see my point?
We shouldn’t all just jump on the bandwagon and say that polygamy is ‘OK’, but we shouldn’t condemn it entirely. A friend of mine brought up the point that for polygamists, this is what they were brought up to believe, or it is a belief that they developed on their own. As surely as we would defend our own rights, they would defend their own unique lifestyles; because that is what they believe in.
Sorry, Sorry
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 12
The former 13-member Korean idol group, Super Junior, chants ‘Sorry, Sorry’ in a song that shot them to 
superstardom in 2009. What was it about this song that made millions of fan girls (in Korea as well as across the pond) swoon? The song is about a guy apologizing for falling for the girl-of-his-dreams. That’s hardly something to be repentant for. Regardless, people like to hear that you’re “Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…” We receive apologies on a daily basis; from people who bump into us in the hallways to misunderstandings between our peers and ourselves. What constitutes an apology? Is it the words? Is it the intention behind the words? Or is it the means of delivery?
Apologies are great ways to build a stronger relationship with just about anyone. Instead of ignoring your fault, you are acknowledging that you’ve done wrong and trying to make amends. Even if the other party doesn’t accept your apology – you can still say: “At least I tried.” In a study done by the University of Waterloo, women were found to report more incidents where they received apologies. The results showed that men were less likely to apologize than women; does this mean that men are not as sorry? This is not necessarily true; it was found that women in the study just reported more instances of giving apologies or encountering situations where an apology was thought to be deserved.
Men are often given the short end of the stick; in an argument with their significant others, they are expected to concede and apologize. Their better-halves misunderstand this gesture because of exterior factors – men don’t always apologize when women believe they should, but as women sometimes believe, only when their backs are up against the wall will they finally utter the word, “Sorry.”
Does this cause hollow apologies? Is the feeling of remorse still present in an apology we have been cornered into? There’s no use in bullying the other party into apologizing. I believe it is acceptable to say that, if an apology is appropriate, it will be delivered.
As a kid, I was told to apologize by my parents, teachers and sometimes my peers when I did something wrong. Just to get them off my back, I’d blurt out a quick “Sorry!” and then retreat back into my shell of tenaciousness believing that I’d done nothing wrong. I never stopped once to think about why I was apologizing – I only thought about the injury to my pride. It’s been years since my peers have shoved me and childishly shouted in my face: “Say sorry!” Since then, I’ve thought long and hard about why I apologize and what I should apologize for. I won’t apologize for something that was obviously not my fault entirely (i.e. the recession, world hunger, Rihanna getting ‘Chris Brown-ed’). I’ll make proper apologies at the right time. If I have offended a friend, I won’t brush it off with a casual: “Sorry!” If I bump into someone in the hallway, I won’t get down on my knees and plead for forgiveness. That is, of course, unless the other party has sustained an injury, in which case a better idea would be to obtain medical assistance.
Here are a few tips to making a good apology:
1. Make eye contact. If you’re looking at your feet the whole time, it kind of defeats the purpose of seeking forgiveness.
2. Don’t flower an apology with gifts and sweet words. Presenting a gift with an apology is like bribery. I’ll give you this _insertlovelygift_ if you forgive me!
3. Any animosity you feel toward the other party should be discarded. How many times have you received an apology that went like: “I’m sorry I wronged you; but it’s also your fault!” Accusations only make matters worse. Like when you write an essay (about your love for peaches, for example), you shouldn’t stray from your thesis and start talking about the other fruits that you also happen to think are great.
4. Apologies should be thoughtful and sincere. Don’t apologize with the expectation that your gesture will be reciprocated.
To Whom It May Concern
To Whom It May Concern,
A month of school has already sped by – cheers – we’ve done it! This week is Walk to School Week. Turn down the offers of a ride to school; lace up your walking shoes, slip your fare-savers into your back pocket, or dust off your bicycle. Alternative transportation for the win! October is one busy month – following this week is Homelessness Action Week, from October 10th-16th. Check out different ways you can help the homeless by logging onto Facebook and joining the Homelessness Action Week group. It’s only October – but there are lots of ways to get involved at school; by joining a whole bunch of clubs on Clubs Day (October 13th), WCP, attending Student Council events… the list goes on! Last but not least, remember to give thanks on Thanksgiving. Things to be thankful for: friends, family, school, toilet paper…
Happy October! On behalf of the Word Committee,
Valerie Wong
10 Things I Love about Going Back to School
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 12
Regardless of whether you love going back to school, hate it, or are indifferent to the feeling, remember this: the public education system is a gift. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent every year to ensure that we don’t have to pay to go to school. Be grateful for the numerous textbooks and limitless stationary at your disposal. A lot of people in other parts of the world would love to have the same opportunities that you do! So instead of compiling your own list of things you hate about going back to school, think positively! What are the ten things you like about going back to school? Here are mine:
1. Seeing my Friends. Where else can I spend six to seven hours a day surrounded by my ‘homies’? None other than school, of course! In the adult world, a get-together only happens during the rare times when everyone is available. In the student world, a get-together happens in the morning, at break, lunchtime, and the five minute breaks between classes. Not to mention during classes as well!
2. Meeting New People. A new school year means that there will also be new students which create opportunities to make new friends. Nice.
3. New Goals to Conquer. As a generation of young adults who have grown up on fast-moving video games and television, our attention spans are sometimes limited; we like diverse mental stimulation. School is the place that provides us with that. No two years of high school are ever the same; I welcome changes and obstacles and quickly set about accomplishing fresh feats. Whether my accomplishments are academic or extra-curricular, I always look forward to new challenges.
4. Cooler Weather. Summer has always been my least favourite season for one reason. It’s too warm! Since I’ve spent a lot of June, July, and August soaking up the sun, I won’t claim to openly dislike the summer weather. Although when autumn rolls around, I’m usually the first to abandon my shorts and t-shirt attire for jeans and sweaters; no more SPF 60+ for me!
5. Freshly Sharpened Pencils. Even though a majority of the student population has abandoned yellow number two pencils for mechanical ones in the twenty-first century, I still prefer to use the old fashioned, wooden kind. They’re aesthetically pleasing and they feel more wholesome when you hold one in your hand. And I won’t deny the feeling of accomplishment after sharpening my number two pencil to pointed perfection.
6. Sharing Sun-Soaked Summer Memories. It’s inevitable that we’ll be sitting in classrooms by the first Wednesday that we’re back at school, so it’s good to have something to talk about with the people surrounding us in our perpetual classroom seats. What better to discuss than the long months that we spent away from said seat? There’s a lot to catch up on; we were apart for two months, after all! Also, summer memories make great conversation when we’re out of other things to say. Just ask the question: “How was your summer?”
7. New Textbooks. Remember those things that we carried around in our backpacks for 10 months? Yes, those heavy textbooks that held more information than we would ever learn in a single school year. The great thing about new textbooks is that I’m not fed up with carrying them and seeing them around… yet!
8. Motivation. Summer time is a period in our life where we are required, if we choose, to do nothing at all. Though this lack of purpose might be nice for the first couple of weeks, but it gets old fast. For me, I like to have something like an impending due date or a looming chapter test to keep me on my toes.
9. Extra Curricular Activities. I’m a person who likes motivation and purpose. And what is better to motivate me than a group of little people who await their leader (me) at their respective after school clubs? What gives me more purpose than working backstage at school performances, benevolent Phantom of the Opera style? Or being a part of student council? Or ACTION? Or all the other fun and awesome clubs offered at school? Nothing; that’s what!
10. Clean School. I can’t deny the relaxing, serene feeling I get when I pad down the hallways on freshly waxed doors, or when I gaze out clear glass windows. It’s up to us, the students, to keep the school as beautiful and sparkling clean as it is when we walk through the doors in September!
Patent Leather Death Traps
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
Smooth, patent leather encases the length of a classic pump with just enough of a peep-toe that makes your feet appear slender, and your legs magnificently lengthened. The heel is a flattering shape – not too skinny and not too chunky. The perfect shoe sits next to its perfect twin – a mirror image of flawlessness.
The first thing you think when you see them is that they’re beautiful.
Excited to spot the shoes of your dreams, you ask the salesperson for your size. You’re ecstatic to hear that they have it in stock. The shoes lay under a thin layer of tissue paper; you uncover them and stifle a gasp. They’re sooo pretty. You slip one shoe onto your foot, and then the other. Then you stand up and…
…. the pain hits you. You can’t determine where the pain is coming from. Perhaps it’s in your toes; on each foot, five toes are squished into three parking spaces. Or maybe the problem is in your ankle: could it be a sprain? The pain might even be in your knees; maybe you don’t drink enough milk. Whatever the source might be, you can’t imagine that such suffering was inflicted on you by an innocently gorgeous pair of shoes.
Plush 3-Ply Butt-Wipers
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
It’s soft. It’s white. It’s like nothing you’ve ever touched. The contact of it against your skin is like a thousand tiny little beads sifting through the cracks between your fingers. It’s soooooo lush. It’s the softest thing you’ll ever wipe your butt with.
So, we all know what toilet paper is. It’s the thin paper layer that you clean yourself with after using the toilet. Most of us go through life without giving a second thought about what we use to wipe our bums. So why is it that big companies, like Kleenex or Scott, spend millions upon millions of dollars researching and advertising their softest toilet paper ever? They promote the image of disposable toilet paper that doesn’t leave behind bits (Ew, why bring that up at all?), leave your bottom soft and moisturized, and is the strongest blend of thin tree you will ever find.
The Irony down There
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
In places in the world, such as Sierra Leone, young girls are being forced to undergo a female circumcision, which is 
extremely painful and leaves the patient extremely susceptible to disease, infection, and other complications throughout their lives. These women who experience FGM (Female genital mutilation) are pressured by societal values and a need to be accepted. Compare this with the Western world’s culture, where your genitalia are not a common topic of discussion or acceptance.
First, there are of course medical reasons for the women in more developed countries to have the procedure called labiaplasty. Much of the reason behind it has to do with elongated clitoral hoods, which could cause a woman discomfort during exercise and sexual intercourse.
What Can We Do For Haiti?
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
An earthquake rocked the world of the citizens of Haiti on January 12th, 2010. The natural disaster left thousands dead and countless others injured and missing. The government of Haiti is running around like a headless chicken, scrambling to put disaster in order.
With a disaster like this on our hands, you’d think that developed countries like Canada and the United States would be first in line to help. You’d think that our government is super keen on the idea of disaster relief. It would certainly ease the heat on them now – what, with the human-rights controversy surrounding prisoners of war in Afghanistan.
Blood Diamonds
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
Deriving from the Greek word adámas which means unbreakable, diamonds are the hardest natural substance in the 
world. Not only do they hold much use for industrial purposes (ex. Diamond coating), but they are also beautiful gemstones. People save up for months to buy the perfect diamonds with perfect cut, colour and clarity. As we empty our wallets, we don’t know whose lives were lost in order to harvest our gemstones.
There is blood on our fingers, blood on our necks. Blood trickles from our wrists, and blood drips from our earlobes. It’s ridiculous how we, in developed countries, sit almost completely unaware of the blood that was shed for the diamonds we wear so casually. The term ‘blood diamond’ refers to the diamonds mined and their profit used in war; in funding warfare by purchasing diamonds. Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe currently hold high place in the world’s top diamond suppliers.
Handle Your Pandemics Well
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
Anyone who’s seen the newspaper headlines in the last few months knows that H1N1 pandemic is no joke; hence being 
classified as a pandemic by WHO (World Health Organization). There have been reported cases of patient mortality [not representing a large percentage of reported infections] – but aside from avoiding going out and large crowds [and civilization entirely] have we all thought about more modest, suitable methods of protecting ourselves that do not involve becoming a hermit?
You might ask yourself when the last time was that you saw your neighbour. Then you realize he’s locked himself in his house, turned off all the curtains and hiding under his bed. There’s hardly a day that you can take a stroll and not spot those conformity rectangular face masks, concealing the mouth and nose of its wearer from that ‘nasty, contaminated air’ that you’re breathing. It’s a ridiculous precaution – you’ll quickly learn in first aid – those paper-thin masks do not do much in filtering the air you breathe when wearing one. It’s a scam that allows companies to get away with the customer’s money, selling them something that doctors and nurses do not wear for the same reason. You’d think, with the more-or-less recent Avian Flu and SARS outbreaks in the past few years, citizens would be less likely to freak out, panic and take drastic measures and more likely to pick up that bottle of hand-sanitizer at their local grocery store and stop avoiding pork! Eating pork will not increase your chances of contracting H1N1! It’s important to figure out what is fact and fiction when it concerns your health and lifestyle.
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.
Committee’s Message
Hey Warriors! You guys made it through the first month of school! I know right, it’s already OCTOBER; which of course means another issue of the Windermere WORD! However, I know what you all must be thinking right now, why is the Word coming out in the morning instead of lunch? Well, we thought it was time for some change! Most newspaper’s get delivered in the morning and most people read the newspaper in the morning so, the committee and I thought that we’d go for a more “real” newspaper release. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy the articles in this month’s issue because your peers have worked really hard on writing those articles and the committee has worked just as hard to put it all together. In addition, if you have any feed back for us or would like to write for the Word, don’t hesitate to email us at whs_word@yahoo.com. New Writers are always welcome!
On the Behalf of the Committee,
Gurjita Gadey
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Hey, warriors! This month’s issue is packed with some excellent content, including an article about over-commercialized holidays, such as Halloween! Speaking of Halloween; what’s your costume going to be? Remember your manners when going trick-or-treating, and check the weather before you go out – October’s been a rainy month so far! Sit back and read about movie reviews, horoscopes, climate change and more! Also, find out who won this month’s Warrior of the Month. Enjoy October’s issue of the word – 2 issues down, only 8 more to go. For me, personally, I’m really excited to see the Word take off – as we are expanding our newspaper by distributing it to the elementary schools! This month’s issue is a mix of seasoned and new writers – wish them luck in issues to come! A big, huge, colossal thanks goes to the committee and everyone else who contributed to this month’s issue of the word! Keep it up!
Valerie Wong, Editor
To all aspiring writers out there, the Windermere Word is looking for fresh faces to write for the upcoming issues of the Word. Interested? Send an email to whs_word@yahoo.ca!
Back to School Hatred
By: Valerie Wong, Grade 11
3 Reasons Why Kids Hate Going Back to School
Reason 1 – WE DON’T WANT/NEED TO BE REMINDED!
Advertisements for special deals for back-to-school shopping start airing on radio and television from late July to early August. Also, since many summer school students don’t get out of school until the first few weeks of August, they definitely don’t want to be reminded that they only have 4 weeks before the educative incarceration begins again. Don’t let stores like Old Navy and Staples tell you that you need to start shopping for school before you’ve developed a flip-flop tan. (more…)
Prohibiting the Rights of Women
By Valerie Wong, Grade 10
Afghanistan has proposed a new law that prohibits Shiite women from refusing to have sex with their husbands. This new law also requires women to gain permission from their husbands before leaving the house. Is it just me, or are we going back to the dark ages? Has the agony and pained determination of centuries of suffragettes been completely disregarded? What happened to the hundreds of years that women have been fighting for their own rights? For the Afghanistan men supporting this bill, why are they devolving into chauvinists? These are all questions rising out of this controversial bill.
This new law, if passed, will put the following injunctions on women’s rights and give men the power to do this:
- A woman cannot refuse her husband asking for sexual favours. The husband may ask his wife for sex every 4 days. Another side of this part of the law ‘protects the woman from sexual neglect’, requiring the man to have sex with his wife at least once every four months.
- A woman cannot leave the house without the permission of her husband. He may keep her inside for as long as he would like.
- A woman will not have custody over her children in case of a divorce or separation. The husband will have sole custody.
New Years Resolutions Questionaire
by Nicole Yu
Kylie Rondpre, Grade 9: Oh. I will give more to the needy; I will help raise awareness [for] poverty, not only other countries, but also our own; I will reduce waste; I will gain super powers and save the helpless; I will show my appreciation for others, [and] I will accept what comes to me.
Nicole: That’s great!
Kylie: I will also read to old people, hahaha.
Allison Ferreira, Grade 8: In 2009, I will… hm… I will try to volunteer in the community more!
Music Review featuring Justin Nozuka
Album: Holly
Artist: Justin Nozuka
Release Date: Canadian Release – 04/01/2007
First off, I bet a bunch of people have this review in their hands and are scratching their heads and wondering, “Who the heck is Justin Nozuka?” Does anyone remember 2006’s hugely popular song, “Talk to Me” by George? Well, Justin Nozuka is the equally talented brother of George. George has his super-smooth dance moves – whereas Justin hones his skills on the guitar.
