Senior Elyse Makar makes mugs in her free time

Read a Book Catch up on your reading and grab that book that you’ve been telling yourself you were going to read and haven’t yet. Some page-turners to consider are “Testaments” by Margaret Atwood and “Educated” by Tara Westover. Explore the City There are plenty of places to go right here in Kansas City. Consider trying your hand at axe throwing at Blade and Timber, or get a group of friends together to try to break out of an escape room. Let’s Eat Soup and chili are the perfect hearty meals to warm you up and cure those winter blues. Make an event out of it and cook with friends and family or try a new foodie hotspot like BIBIPOP (pg. 25). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WHAT TO DO WHEN WINTER HITS YOU Treat Yourself A cold day is the perfect opportunity to invite some friends over, put on a face mask and watch a movie on Netflix. Taking time to catch up on sleep and chill out at home. Cheers What’s winter without a hot drink to keep you toasty? Hot chocolate, coffee and chai tea lattes are essentials for keeping your hands warm and giving you a little pick-meup. These fan favorites can be found at Crow’s Coffee, Oddly Correct or your favorite cafe. Get Crafty Break out your pipe cleaners, paintbrushes and beads and hop on Pinterest to have a day of DIYs. It will make you feel productive and accomplished when you see the finished product of your masterpiece. Get on Your Feet Whether it’s a cycling class, morning yoga or your daily gym routine, getting out of the house and exercising gets your endorphins pumping and helps with that winter slump. Lace Up Ice skating is a fun activity to do on a cold day. Meeting some friends at the ice skating rink on a snowy afternoon is a great way to relieve stress and have some fun. The Ice at Park Place is close by and only costs $12. Catch a Film Multiple new movies have come out this season and going to the theater makes for an easy way to spend time with friends and family. Movies like “Little Women” and “Just Mercy” have received great reviews and are sure to lift your spirits. Things to do in the lull of winter. BY CATHERINE CRAYON REPORTER A&E

BACHELOR The Return of The

ABC’s and Ken Fuch’s “The Bachelor” has returned for its 24th season and is addicting as ever. So watch it every Monday evening from 7-9.

There’s an epidemic. And it’s taking over Americans all over the country. Actually, the word “epidemic” does not encompass the obsession that plagues the world of Bachelor Nation. They provide virtually year-round mind-numbing bliss for the hopeless romantic, with “The Bachelor,” “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Let’s focus on the show of the hour: The Bachelor season 24. This season features Peter Webber and 30 women who think they have the potential to be Mrs. Webber. Eventually, all of the potential Mrs. Webbers get eliminated until he finds “the one.” Because what reality TV couples ever break up?

This show may have to be deemed as “vivacious,” ”sexist” and “stereotypes on steroids,” and those are all completely true. Let’s just say that a high IQ and a long attention span are not needed in order to enjoy this show. But in all honesty, the ability to zone in and out of the millions of meaningless conversations is what makes “The Bachelor” so addicting. As long as you’re attentive for about 30% of the show, you’ll soon become just as invested in it as the Bachelor himself. On to the main reason we indulge in such a pointless show: the drama. From week one, drama is erupting, and although they say this every season, it’s looking like this one is going to be the most dramatic one yet. Most of the fun lies in how everything is taken so seriously and how intense it can all get in the span of a few minutes. It’s the perfect show for someone who eats drama up, but prefers to stay out of it in their own life.

But the basis of this indulging drama is morally corrupt. Though yes, the viewers understand that “true love” can’t be found while neurotic “social media influencers” fight over Mr. God’s-gift-to-earth, the whole concept is twisted. Forming alliances and nemeses from day one in order to end up with Mr. Right goes against every aspect of being a “grown up” and seems to bring the girls down to sneaky, high-school level pettiness and drama. Not only that, but all of the “dream” body types and expensive destinations set unrealistic expectations for future relationships.

However, one of the reasons this show is so insanely loved is because of its unrealistic expectations. The Bachelor provides a glimpse into the redefined, more realistic fantasy of “love” egged on by Disney movies. By showing the hair raising drama coupled with the stunning backdrop of Greece or Croatia, this show proves that everything is not as glitz and glamour as the princess movies made it seem. BY GRACE HILLS REPORTER

Bachelor contestants Jenna Serrano, Maddison Prewett, Alexa Caves and the Bachelor Peter Webber are the new subjects of “The Bachelor” season 24. (Photos used with permission from WDTV Press)