V O L U M E 1
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ATLAS COMMUNITY
emily Bradfield editor-in-chief & designer
Alexandra Bernard
Eliza Reilly
deputy editor
sponsorship director
Alexandra Bernard
Sophie Venz
cover artist
artistic advisor
contributors Alexandra Bernard, Haley C, Luke Freeman, Emma Griffith, Dinushka Gunasekara, Ashley Pillhofer, Johannes Sieber, Emily Smith, Mia Tarantini and Sophie Venz
ATLAS is your magazine. If you have a story idea, penchant for photography or even want to lend your eye for design, we’d love to hear from you via emily.bradfield@student.bond.edu.au The views expressed here are soley those of the author and do not reflect the views of ATLAS Magazine, the SDSA or Bond University. Follow us on Instagram @atlas.magazine, like us on Facebook and read on Issuu - atlas.magazine.
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FROM THE EDITOR
WELC OME Welcome back!
this edition that ATLAS has been professionally printed, this is a breakthrough for our little faculty magazine and new standard I aim to keep you all accustomed to.
I’m so incredibly honoured to be filling the role of Publications Director for the SDSA this year and hope I can continue to maintain the great standard set by my predecessors. I’d like to say a massive thank you to Chloe Alexander for her phenomenal work with ATLAS last year in raising the publication to such a high standard.
Volume Ten comprises of some amazing reading to keep you entertained for a while, with a whopping 40 pages of content. Lexie Bernard shares the life of a piano in her compelling creative piece and Emily Smith shares the daily struggle of being an architecture student. Mia Tarantini and special guest Haley C discuss gun violence problems in America while Emma Griffith takes us on an adventure across the globe in our new travel section ‘Escape Reality’.
As a journalism student, I have admired ATLAS for its substance and style for the past year and appreciate the opportunity it gives students to have their work published. This opportunity is one that I cherished, and I can think of no better way to finish off my degree than giving by students the chance to flourish as creatives and build a portfolio. After only a few months, being Editor in Chief of ATLAS has already been such a rewarding experience and I’m so excited for the year to come.
I’d like to take a moment to thank the SDSA committee for their support and encouragement over the last few months, while I found my feet. Also, a big thank you to all my contributors, your work is appreciated and enjoyed by many. Finally, I encourage all the creative spirits out there to take a step outside your comfort zone and explore the rewards of having your work published, ATLAS is a great place to start.
This year you can continue to expect an ATLAS every semester, with content varying from the disciplines across the FSD. You may notice a change in the ATLAS design, as we change up the character of the magazine. You’ll also notice
Happy reading!
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Emily x
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UP FRONT
FEATURES
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ATLAS COMMUNITY
10 ACHOO!
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FROM THE EDITOR
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THE ART OF SAYING NO
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FROM THE PRES
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MIDDLE C
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MEET THE SDSA
14 SHUTTERBUG 18
ESCAPE REALITY
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TOP END TRAVELS
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GET SCHOOLED 27
FEBRUARY 16TH
28 CINEMATOPHOBIA 30
OCCUPATION: ARCHITECT
THE BASEMENT 33 A GUIDE TO THE BEST FOOD AROUND CAMPUS 34 FIVE BOOKS FOR YOUR BEDTIME READ 35 SIX MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS TO STUDY TO 36
AUS-FLIX AWARDS
38 HOROSCOPES
FROM THE PRES Hello all students! This is something that you probably aren’t used to from the SDSA…Communication that is! I’m kidding of course, just a little something to grab your attention before reading on. I want to kick off by thanking the previous committee for all of their hard work during their term on the SDSA, through tough times, they persevered, and everyone should respect and acknowledge such resolve. It isn’t easy working on a Student Association, especially one which covers such a diverse range of disciplines. Now, let’s get down to business. As the new President of the SDSA, I want to give you my assurance that we are always here to help you. We will be establishing an Academic Subcommittee which will aim to provide us with a constant source of feedback on classes and where they may need improvement. Anything brought to our attention we will refer to the faculty as feedback. The SDSA also manages a Second Hand bookshop housing textbooks for students at a price lower than that of what you may find in the library bookshop, with whom we are collaborating with to create a supply network. These books are not faculty specific, we have FSD, Law, Business, and Health Sciences textbooks, we are open to everyone! Just pop into the office between 9 and 2 Monday to Thursday to enquire, or send a message to our Facebook page. Whilst we will be enhancing our academic focus, our social events are also going to see a Revival. We have some exciting changes to come to our major events and we hope that you will be as excited about them as we are! But, we can’t give away all of our secrets. Anticipation is half the fun! Another initiative that I will be pursuing personally is the creation of a President’s council. This council will consist of President’s from smaller societies and associations such as the Architecture Students Association, Bond Psychological Society, and the United Nations Student Association. The aim of this group is to increase the ability of the SDSA to communicate to all students across the faculty as it can be difficult with such a diverse faculty. We have a lot planned, we are going to revive the SDSA and bring it back to be of equal standing with the other FSA’s. I look forward to the year ahead, and hope to serve you all to the best of my ability! Blake Lam, President, Society and Design Students’ Association
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SDSA Squad 2018 Degree: Bachelor of International Relations and Laws I decided to run for the SDSA because I believe that it can be so much within the university, it has the greatest potential of all the FSA’s in my opinion and I decided to go for President because I want to at least make a start on getting it to its very best. In my term, I want to see the SDSA become a successful FSA on par with the like of the BSA and LSA.
Blake Lam PRESIDENT
Degree: Bachelor of Construction I ran for SDSA because I want to create an international representation for my peers as many of them call the FSD home. I hope to co-host well organised events with the other SDSA members and provide as much help to as many students in the FSD as I possibly can.
KlYDE Yang VIce-Pres
Degree: Bachelor of Communications I ran for the SDSA becausse I really wanted free food. in my term I hope the SDSA can return to being a high achieving committee and that we can all thoroughly enjoy ourselves through the process!
Sophie Venz Secretary
Degree: Masters of Project Management The SDSA is one of the largest clubs of the university. With that status, comes a sizeable amount of resources and a potential to yield great rewards for SDSA students. I really wanted an opportunity to represent and cater to my fellow students here at Bond. I have always been quite interested in ensuring that everyone is having a great time and has the opportunity to succeed in whatever they are doing. I intend to make this term be one of the SDSA’s best.
Nicolas Offroy TREASURER
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Degree: Bachelor of International Relations Cliche as it is, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and participate in uni life more. I also wanted to have a good reason to mess around on Photoshop making posters since I do that to procrastinate anyway! I hope to promote the SDSA and its events in a more exciting way and build the recognition it deserves. Building engagement is important to the success of a student association and a lot of responsibility rests on how successful the promotions and marketing is.
Olivia Marmion
Promotions Director
Degree: Bachelor of Journalism I wanted to run for the SDSA to help make it great again. I hope to get some brand new sponsors involved with the SDSA who will make events affordable and do some awesome deals for FSD students
Eliza Reilly
Corporate Relations
Degree: Communications majoring in Advertising I ran for the SDSA to meet more people within the FSD and take on a leadership role! I hope to get to know more people both on and off the committee, support the SDSA in helping it improve, and provide study opportunities and support for students!
Sarah Wyness
Academic Affairs
Degree: Bachelor of Journalism I’m Lexie and my role is Special Interests Director. I’m super keen to help FSD and the rest of the Bond community to give back and get involved in some great social justice initiatives coming your way. Look out for Dining with Social Justice next semester!
Lexie Bernard
sPECIAL INTERESTS
Degree: Master of Construction Practice & Masters of Project Management The SDSA was one of the major committees that I wanted to get involved in to represent post graduate students and create solutions to the problems we face. Through my involvement with the SDSA I hope learn more about myself and also learn valuable leadership and people skills.
Harsimran Singh
Post-GRAD Liason
Degree: Bachelor of Journalism I decided to run for the SDSA because it is an amazing opportunity to give back. ATLAS is such a valuable publication that offers students the opportunity to have their work published, giving them a headstart when they hit industry. As Publications Director, I’m proud to make this opportunity possible. My goal is to make ATLAS the biggest and best it’s ever been, representing the faculty as something we can all be proud of.
EMily Bradfield
PUBLIcations Director 9
Achoo! WORDS DINUSHKA GUNASEKARA You know how it goes:
While the definite origins of the saying are uncertain, the phrase is most widely attributed to Pope Gregory the Great. Back in the sixth century, when the bubonic plague was roaming the land, people were sneezing left and right, so good ol’ Greg declared that the only thing that could save them was God’s blessing and thus began the saying ‘God bless you’. Needless to say, the 25 million people who died of the Black Death were grateful for the phrase.
“Achoo!” “Bless you!”
“Thank you kind sir for giving me the expected response when my nostrils are tickled and I involuntarily expel air from my nose. Please continue on with your day.” Or, you know, something along those lines.
However, this isn’t the only theory out there and an alternative one, which supposedly came from the Middle Ages, hints at more of a superstitious explanation. Apparently, when a person sneezed, their soul escaped from their nose and blessing them was the only way you could stop the devil from grabbing that poor, defenceless soul. It also put up a verbal, soul-shaped shield so that the devil could not take refuge in that soulless hole.
It’s a pairing that goes together like apple and pie. Like strawberries and cream. Like existence and pain. But why do we do it? What does it even mean?
Contrarily, others believed that a sneeze was actually the body trying to rid itself of the devil and that saying ‘bless you’ was like an old man pulling out a rifle to scare away the kids on his lawn – it made sure they never came back. But if you thanked the person who blessed you, you were effectively inviting the devil straight back into your body to control you with his evil influences all over again. So, by being rude, you were actually playing the good guy. Strange. Whatever the truth is, the phrase has definitely stuck, even if it is with a lot less religious overtones. But next time someone reflexively removes something irritating from their nose, make sure you keep an eye out for that sneaky devil – he’s just waiting to get in your soul.
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The art of Saying
no . . . Without losing Friends or Alienating People WORDS SOPHIE VENZ
A few months ago, I heard someone say, “Most girls play hard to get, but I like to play hard to get rid of.” This line resonated with me personally, probably considering I moved into my boyfriend’s house without ever actually asking him (sorry Sam). Yet, it hasn’t just been my relationship that I thoroughly commit to. You see, I’m the type of person that likes to be involved in every single possible opportunity I can, which translates to me having a serious problem of saying no. While this can be a good thing as it means that I have plenty of experience under my belt, it can also leave me feeling as though I’m being pulled from every single direction, every single second of the day. A funny part of this is, this thought process all began when I first heard the humorous line. Do you want to know where I was? A conference. A conference that I agreed to go to, without necessarily wanting to go myself. So, why did I go? I was scared of what I might start conjuring up in my mind if I didn’t attend. Would I feel guilty? Would I regret it? Would I disappoint someone? These are questions I ask myself often, and they are questions I need to learn to not place so much emphasis on. I know I’m not the only person who practices this habit of self-destruction religiously, always believing I can handle much more on my plate than I really can. There’s many of us out there who need to learn just how detrimental this habit can be, and why we need to change it immediately. Firstly, when we are constantly saying ‘yes’ to more jobs, more commitments, and more responsibilities, we are obviously saying ‘no’ to something – maybe even without subconsciously realising it. If your plethora of commitments have you constantly saying no to social gatherings, a call from your mum, or a Netflix binge with yourself, then it’s probably time to re-evaluate. Sure, these opportunities might seem more important in the long run than having a few drinks on a Thursday night, but you won’t be able to achieve them with the exceptionality you desire if you don’t take the time out of your day to unwind. This leads me to my next point: health. Both our mental and physical health are absolutely paramount to be looking after, especially when we have such high expectations of ourselves. If we don’t have time for breaks, down-time and a bit of a relax, not only will our mental health suffer remarkably, but consequently our physical health as well. Anyone who knows me knows that I get sick, constantly. I have a weakened immune system so I’m already more susceptible than most (a story for another day, dear readers), so the amount of stress I throw on my shoulders only compounds to the problem. Regardless of whether you’re sickness prone like me or endure a slight-sniffleonce-a-year, stress is not healthy. My last point is simple: if we keep refusing to say no, other peoples’ priorities will take precedence over our own. While it’s great to help a friend in need, sometimes hearing about their latest boy drama can wait. And, while it’s great to get as much as experience as we can while at uni, sometimes you need to take time to reflect on what you’re doing for future progress – instead of keeping your schedule so busy you don’t even have time to think. We all need to remember to breathe sometimes and know we’re not the worst people in the world for putting our own needs before others. 11
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I see her through the window, weeding the garden, a streak of mud across her cheek. The rose bush has changed to a garden of daffodils. She pauses, listening to the sounds of Bach drifting through the open window. I watch him concentrating hard, his tongue between his teeth. He doesn’t play me much anymore, I don’t see him around. He has a woman with him now. I shudder when he presses a key, breaking the tune, but she looks at him and giggles. He nudges her in the ribs with her elbow. They move to the table as dinner is served. Roast lamb, still his favourite. He drips gravy onto his shirt, some things never change.
sit in the corner of the crowded music shop. People walk past me, some stop and look, others ignore me completely, more interested in the guitars hanging on the walls. A boy runs over to me. He can barely reach, standing on his tip-toes, as he bangs his sticky fingers on my keys. Softer please. Brand new and I already have marks from what I think is chocolate cake he must have eaten before coming in. An elegant woman comes over to the boy and pulls his hands away. Thankyou. She runs her hands over my keys. As her eyes follow her fingers and she smiles, revealing teeth as white as my keys. I like her, she appreciates something as nice as me.
A little boy runs over and bangs on the keyboard. Not this again. The man pulls his hands back, just like his mother had done to him. Sticky marks stain my keys, he must take after his father in his love of chocolate cake. The man sits the boy on the stool and begins to play. 1,2,3,4.
I’ve found a home. I sit against the wall of their salmon pink dining room, wedged between the spare chairs and the pot plant. The oak table sits in front of me and the window on the opposite wall gives me a great view of the rose bush. A lamp, a vase filled with roses and a photo frame sit atop my head. I watch as the table is set. They’re having roast lamb for dinner, I can smell it and the little boy has gravy dripping from his open mouth onto his shirt.
She sits on the stool in front of me, the leather is scuffed and faded and there’s a hole in the corner. A cotton shawl is wrapped around her thin shoulders. She rests her hand on my keys and softly presses down. As the tune plays, she smiles, emphasising the creases around her eyes and revealing teeth as yellowing as my old keys. A man comes over and sits on the stool; his hazel eyes meet the level of the music book. The walls have changed to blue grey and a vase of daffodils has replaced the dying roses. While he plays softer now, I still feel the same boy that bashed upon my board all those years ago. She has taught him well.
The rose petals drop one by one as each song is played. He turns the pages of the book, each turn an improvement. From the bashing of one hand to what is supposed to be ‘Mary had a little lamb’ to ‘Ode to Joy’. His mother’s sat beside him through every note, directing his fingers and softly counting beats. I count with her. 1,2,3,4.
As she closes my lid the wood splinters. The daffodil drops its last petal. I’m done and so is she. I won’t fit in her sons’ inner city apartment. I move out of the once salmon pink room, back to the music shop. I sit in the corner once again, but no one looks at me this time. I’m too old to be cared for, too dishevelled to be noticed. A young boy comes over to me and as he bashes on my keys middle C becomes stuck, never to be played again.
They sit at the table, roast lamb again. They do strange things sometimes, bashing their glasses together and spilling some of the contents. “Cheers,” they say. After they’ve eaten he sits at my stool and begins to play. His mother sits beside him once again, no longer needing to count. I still do though. 1,2,3,4. She smiles, her teeth are staining, same as mine.
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SHUTTER BUG ROUND SIX! THIS EDITION WE FEATURE BONDIE, LUKE NICHOLAS FREEMAN 14
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My photography truly is a reflection of who I am as a person. Despite the cliche, we all know a picture can says a lot, so every time I get my hands on a camera my sole question is: “how does this tell a story, and if the background context is weak, do the visuals make up for it?” While there is some artistic merit in commercial photography, recent trends have resulted in individuals taking flawless, but shallow images that don’t really express much of a signature. It’s my desire to produce images that show off my creative signature as an individual.
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If you would like to see more of Luke’s work, you can contact him at luke.freeman@student.bond.edu.au
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ESCAPE REALITY
THIS EDITION WE FOLLOW THE TRAVEL ADVENTURES OF BONDIE EMMA GRIFFITH
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NEPAL Many things amazed me about visiting Nepal, perhaps because I threw myself into a place for which I had no expectations. We escaped the busy streets of Kathmandu after several days and spent our time rafting the Trusuli river and camping in the jungle with the majestic Himalayan mountains in the background. We celebrated the 5-day long Hindu Festival called Tihar - the Festival of Lights and got to see the streets of Pokhara adorned with festive lights.
Walls and doorways were covered in garlands of marigolds, and pastel colored murals made from red mud and cow poo carefully painted in the front of every home in the area. Having the chance to meet so many extraordinarily hard-working people and explore this sublime landscape served as yet another reminder of why I love traveling and experiencing other cultures’ traditions. I yearn for these moments that I don’t even know exist until I am there, living in them.
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SRI LANKA Sri Lanka was a total treat. It was everything the depicted, utopian idea of “paradise� is made out to be. Picturesque white sand beaches, palm tree lined roads, tuk tuks zipping around and elderly locals hand plowing and cultivating their beautiful long stretches of rice paddy fields. Train rides through the winding jungle all the way along the coast, elephants romping around, starry nights, and a warm and welcoming culture. Using Sri Lanka as a base we easily slipped into a healthy daily routine.
We spent our nights in a small bungalow set on a property with peacocks, monkeys, fireflies and giant lizards. We woke up with the sun, surfed for several hours, went to the local market and bartered for the fresh produce, ate delicious meals, and unwound in the evening with yoga. Living in Sri Lanka for 2 months offered us an opportunity to alleviate any stress or tension from the previous months we had spent traveling and surrender to the relaxing, tropical island vibes.
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ICELAND Iceland is one of the most diverse landscapes I have ever experienced. From playing with sheep in rolling hills and green grass, to epic vistas and rigid cliffs swallowed up by the stormy sea. Herds of wild reindeer up north in the barren wild and icebergs colliding with crashing waves. Drives under bright rainbows contrasted with a dark sky, hikes to secret hot springs tucked along riverbeds and moonlit walks on top of glaciers to see the Northern Lights.
Natural thermal pools next to waterfalls overlooking the mountains of Northern Iceland and right along the coast the East Fjords. Walking around on lava rocks that look like Mars and watching geysers blow from the top of a volcano. The nature made me feel incredibly connected and grounded while paradoxically reminding me of the infinite and vast unknowingness. It is easy to get lost in the magic and enchantment of this Nordic fairytale island.
For more epic adventures and travel inspiration follow @gypseadrifter on Instagram. All business enquiries visit oneshoremedia.com
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toP End Travels WORDS JOHANNES SIEBER
My name is Johannes and I’m a 20-yearold international student from Frankfurt, Germany, spending one semester at Bond. I came to Australia, as I always wanted to visit this country and get to know its culture and history, plus the weather is very nice. As I am also a passionate photographer, I figured the Northern Territory would be perfect for me, so I flew to Darwin and did a three-day outback tour through Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. As these lands are inhabited and managed by Aboriginal tribes it is the perfect place to learn about Australia’s beautiful nature and its indigenous background. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Australia’s beautiful wildlife. The untouched nature and wild animals you are able to see are simply astonishing. Together with a really good guide, you will learn so much about Australia’s culture and nature. The Northern Territory, I believe, is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and you should visit if you ever have the chance.
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DAY ONE
Our tour guide picked us up at 6am in the morning and we started to make our way towards Kakadu National park. Our tour guide is half Aboriginal, so he was able to teach as a variety of things ranging from how to survive in the bush to finding water and teaching us the Aboriginal culture. We hiked through various indigenous places and looked at wall paintings more than 7000 years old. We also climbed a mountain to enjoy an astonishing view over the whole Kakadu national park. The group slept in tents in the middle of nowhere, taking us back to nature during our trip.
DAY TWO
The next morning, we woke up at 5.30am to go on a trip on the Yellow River. Using the blue hour before sunrise to take pictures was an amazing opportunity and I am very glad that I was able to do so. The most interesting part of that day was discovering that the Yellow River goes down by around two meters during dry season, making all the areas we accessed by boat walkable. Our tour guide identified a lot of the plants and animals living on the river, while I was busy filling up my memory cards with pictures. After a quick breakfast we continued our way through the national park, stopping at various waterfalls for a swim.
DAY THREE
We continued our drive to Litchfield National Park. Unfortunately, the famous Jim Jim Falls were closed due to the wet season, still, we were able to see the amazing nature hiking across the mountains for two kilometres. We ended up on a big cascade, a welcome stop due to the very high temperatures of around 37 degrees.
Follow @fstop.photo on Instagram for more phenomenal travel pics from all over the world
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GET SCHOOLED LEARN SOMETHING NEW WITH ATLAS
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FEBRUARY 16TH I don’t think I’ve posted a status on Facebook since 2013 but I just can’t think of anything else to do. Imagine leaving for school in the morning and not coming home. Imagine sending your child to school and then coming home covered in the blood of their class mates and teachers. Having lived in America, having family and friends and loved ones in America all of these shootings hit so close to home. It makes me so angry and desperately sad that kids in America are SCARED to go to school. That parents are SCARED to send their children to school. The fact that schools are trained for an event of a school shooting shakes me to my core. You’d think that after 21 1st graders were killed something would have been done. But for some reason , Americans can’t handle the idea of not having the RIGHT to own a gun. I’m sorry but your right to own a gun IS NOT as important as a child’s life. I am so sickened by the fact that America has had EIGHT school shootings THIS YEAR...as in, 2018. Something has to be done and I know my status, among others, will be lost and it won’t make a difference, but just remember how lucky we are in Australia to not be afraid of going to school. Remember how lucky we are to feel SAFE at our schools, our jobs, in public. Remember the lives of the hundreds of CHILDREN and teachers lost due to gun violence. I am so grateful that here in Australia we don’t have to be afraid. Be grateful for our safety and our amazing opportunities because not even in one of the most developed countries in the world can you send your child to school and not be afraid.
WORDS MIA TARANTINI the expense of 17 lives. No, at the expense of hundreds of lives. All the students, all the families, all the teachers and all the first responders. All of these people will be forever affected.
On February 16th I wrote a status that received a response beyond my expectation - Over 100 likes, tens of comments, messages and even a few phone calls. Now, I’m not the type of person who readily shares my opinion on social media, purely because I’ve just never really felt the need but on February 16th, I felt the need.
This shooting is out of the news now. It was out of the news 4 days after the event occurred, forgotten by the constant news cycle, gobbled up by celebrity gossip and other trivial dramas. But for these people, it will never be forgotten. It will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Something is seriously wrong with America’s gun violence. We’re all aware of the situation and regardless of if you believe that they need more guns, less guns or to take better care of their mentally ill, I think it’s safe to say we all believe that children being murdered in schools is unacceptable.
All I’m asking is that we remember. Every time we walk into university, send our siblings or children to school, remember those lives. Be remorseful. Be grateful. Be passionate.
Having lived in America for just under half of my short life, these shootings hit close to home. To think that it could have been me or my friends in that school is terrifying. No one should be afraid of going to school, to work or even simply out in public, and yet, in one of the most advanced countries in the world, things seem to be backwards.
Passion is what is making a change in America. Passion is what drove me to post this post. Passion from our generation is what will make the changes that America needs. With the power of passion and social media, young people are getting what they want. They’re contributing to create positive changes that we all deserve. The violence in America won’t end in a week, nor will it be over in a year. But with our passion and the passion of the survivors, things will change.
It’s so easy for us to turn a blind eye, offer a simple ‘oh how sad’ and get on with our day, that’s what I usually do…but for some reason this particular school shooting really resonated with me and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I felt a burst of sadness but, like most people, I was enraged. I was filled with a burning passion that I needed to externalise because what is happening is not acceptable. I could not believe that it had happened again, and at
In the meantime, keep fighting for what you believe in, stay passionate and be kind to one another. 27
Cinematophobia NOUN// THE FEAR OF GOING TO THE CINEMA AS MADE RATIONAL BY GUN VIOLENCE WORDS HALEY C Study abroad student from Boston, Massachusetts, Haley intimately shares her experience of living in constant fear of gun violence in the USA.
restaurants or discuss with family members who would cover the other if there were a shooter. This fear has followed me abroad to my studies in Australia. Speaking with friends from the US, we still scope out the exits just in-case and keep our eyes out in crowds for suspicious people. Then we remember where we are. In class recently, I noticed a man walking back and forth outside the classroom doorway. I saw him peek in to the window a few times, while I was sincerely contemplating how I would tell the professor. I was having a full-blown internal panic attack, wondering how I could hide or escape. My heart was racing while everyone else in the room was just calmly sitting and listening - It’s easy to forget that we are in Australia, where the guns are controlled, not distributed like candy.
The gun problem in America is more intimate than the sound of its name. It is not just a problem that affects shooters, victims, and law enforcement. It is not just seen on the news, then quickly forgotten about. It is a dark and crippling fear that haunts every citizen of America. This fear is in my everyday life, it is everywhere I go. It is a fear that consumes your thoughts, not simply something you get used to or easily brush off with each new breaking news article. Some people stop reading the articles or listening to the news, not because they don’t care, but because they cannot bear to hear what tragedy has happened next. On the other hand, there are those who simply can’t turn a blind eye, people like myself, my friends and family members. As a part of this majority, it always goes the same way – first you learn of the shooting’s exact details, maybe out of curiosity, maybe out of fear, but either way, you read the article in depth because you simply can’t look away. Next, you learn the setting of the shooting, usually a church, a movie theater, public transport, a concert, a shopping center, or a classroom. Places that we all go. Then, you find out how many victims have minor injuries, how many victims are severely injured, and how many are dead. After this, you learn the name, nationality, and life history of the shooter. Mostly male, usually an outcast in their personal life with a history of violence and disturbing content on their social media pages, almost a ‘copy and paste’ description of each shooter from the last. After learning all of this, maybe you go so far as to learn the ages and names of the victims.
“It’s common practice to point out exits with your friends at concerts and restaurants or discuss with family members who would cover the other if there were a shooter” Anger usually follows my attacks of fear. This is an anger that is commonly shared throughout the US, and this anger demands change. I demand an answer from our President, yet I am disappointed each time. Social media posts over the years have had a dramatic switch in theme, from “thoughts and prayers” to “policy and change.” I have been inspired watching the children of the Florida Parkland shooting and how hard they have been advocating for change. Governor Rick Scott has since signed a bill changing the legal gun age from 18 to 21 and changed several other restrictions, but it still is not enough.
The fear now manifests itself and creeps into every aspect of your life. I try hard to stay away from movie theaters, and when I do go, I’m terrified. The last time I went to the movies was a viewing of Black Mass in 2015 with my family. On our way to the theatre, I pretended I wasn’t afraid to walk in and sit through the whole movie. But, I know we all were thinking of the same thing. I spent half of that movie looking at the people around me, analyzing them and keeping my eye on the exits. My heart would sink into a panic any time someone would get up to use the restroom.
I was extremely disappointed when watching President Trump’s meeting with the Florida victims, as he told them that they would now arm teachers with guns to protect the students. So basically, we are going to have teachers engaging in gun fights with the shooter? At this point, I have even seen pro-gun people saying enough is enough. For Trump to find a ‘more guns’ solution to a ‘too many guns’ problem is terrifying and disappointing. I, along with countless other Americans, am hoping for a future where this problem can stop instead of grow. I am hoping for a future where we can feel safe to raise our children, or where we can even feel safe to go to the movies.
If all this sounds silly to you, I ask you to realise that this is our reality. This fear follows us everywhere we go. It’s common practice to point out exits with your friends at concerts and
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OCCUPATION: ARCHITECT WORDS EMILY SMITH
WE DESIGN FOR HUMANITY, BUT LOOSE OUR OWN IN THE PROCESS
Everything in our professional domain is critiqued, judged, and dissected. We seek to be released from the hypercompetitive clutches of this cross-generational obsession of self-betterment, upping our creative-anti, requiring to understand ourselves as human capital. It is the anxiety of the human capital value that feeds us into the blender, faced with the exhausting struggle of not letting our feet touch the slicing blades at the bottom. God save the architecture student who tells themselves they’re on top of their work, ‘cause they’ve just jinxed themselves to an eternity of never finishing.
In the line at the coffee shop - I am how you see me; a frightful shell of the human I was. What a startling effect it is to see an unfamiliar face staring at you, eyes like yours, with the spite of a highly unstable dictator forcing you to not break the gaze. This mirror is lying. This person isn’t me…is it? There is crust within my eyes, dark, hooded by perpetual sleeplessness. To any naive on-looker “I’m fine”, but behind the glamor of this well-constructed illusion, whose blood consists of 60% caffeine, there is a 100% mental deformation rate. I live in pain with some convoluted placement of my spine that I’ve just accepted as normal. My hands are a tapestry of tiny cuts, smudges of dirt, leaking pen, paint and glue. The smell of varnish, burnt plywood and sweat is the perfume of our species. Our minds are taught to neglect rest, convinced that our health is taboo.
I am exhausted by an unrested mind, this is a stamina sport after all. My eyes are heavy with the burden of another sleepless night. A week in the life of any one of us would reveal the treacherous sacrifices we make towards our health. Over the course of a semester you will find that 20 out of 100 days are lived without sleep, with the longest spanning 96 hours. And this is without the support of stimulants and drugs which many others regard as necessity. Architecture is a love affair, personal and something we may never completely understand. It feeds our creative souls as well as fuelling our highly rational intellect. Architecture is sleek, sexy and bold. It is alive, breathing memories as she encapsulates life. We forget that, that jolt of reality, its as though we’re awake but our minds are constantly rejecting life.
I am what you would call an architecture student; not an occupation, ‘Architecture Student’, but a damn lifestyle ‘Architecture. Student.’ A state of mind where the rot of a depressing state of mental health is fostered and taught to grow, to thrive in our intensively critiqued medium of expression. We create spaces that have the ability to manipulate a quality of life, yet haven’t a second thought to the perpetual damage of our own.
So why do we do it? Why subject ourselves to ill-health where the parts of our souls that react to life are turned comatose, made to sleep? It is because architecture is simply wonderful. We will forever be charting the geometry of our art, a luscious curve, a demanding sharp edge. There is a beauty in its infinite nature that flirts with our desire to create. We are addicted to the euphoria of biting into the velvet flesh of architecture’s ability to inspire, to transpire and to make us perspire. We are in awe of its magic, it is the keep-safe of our humanity, no matter how long we’ve misplaced it.
We are all too scared to rupture the sacred clause of architectural studies, the glorified interface of extreme standards coupled with the insatiable need to prove our creative worth. We draw, print, trace, scratch out, re-draw, cast, cut, render, contour, runpythonscript, unroll, and then start all over again because it’ll never be good enough. Forever without an escape or mental relief, it makes it all the more hard that we not only live and breathe our work in the gaol of our building, yet continue to shit it every other minute of our lives. It is around us constantly, whispering to our nightmares, tickling the retiners of our eyes as we are unable to peel away the layer of our last lesson.
This is an issue raised in response to the recent initiative that our Architecture Student Association and the Student Organised Network of Architects (SONA) have been trialling throughout the semester, with a focus directed towards combating mental unrest within our occupation. For more information or inquiries please contact ASABondUniversity@gmail.com 30
COMIC NICK MIAO 31
THE B A S EM E NT FOOD BOOKS MUSIC TV SHOWS HOROSCOPES
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Food//
WORDS ASHLEY PILLHOFER
THE DEFINITIVE (100% ACCURATE) RANKING OF THE BEST FOOD AROUND CAMPUS Trust me, I’m an expert Some would say seven semesters spent on campus eating Bra food is too much. I would have to agree with them. Although campus life can be great, it means that in the time I’ve spent living here, I’ve been subjected to just a few too many ‘mystery’ dinner bowls. If you’re tired of the same old slop, here’s a few never-fail suggestions to get you started.
1- MR PAD THAI’S PAD THAI
I don’t even need to explain why Mr Pad Thai has topped this list. If you know, you know, and if you don’t, I suggest you find out.
2- THE FISH
It’s Saturday, you’ve got a raging headache and a large amount of sympathy for yourself as you nurse your hangover from the night before. The Fish is the ultimate hangover cure and serves the best chicken salt skinny fries in the world (no exaggeration). Honourable mentions to pretty much everything else they serve also.
3- KRISH INDIAN
Coming in close behind The Fish, Krish is another go-to hangover meal. Filling, value for money and yum, you can’t go wrong here. I recommend the Chicken Vindaloo.
4- CIAO BELLA
Ciao Bella offers half price pizza on Mondays (yes please) and student beer discounts every Thursday night (even bigger yes). Another bonus- it’s literally around the corner. If you’ve ever ordered bra pizza and been disappointed Ciao Bella should be your next stop.
5- BLACKBOARD
Bondies love Blackboard. At least twice a day I watch the basic (but obligatory) Blackboard boomerang on somebody’s Instagram story. While there are plenty of good options, I die for a classic milkshake and smashed avo (Sorry Tim Gurner).
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//Books
WORDS ALEXANDRA BERNARD
FivE books for your bedtime read There’s nothing better than being able to snuggle up in bed with a cup of tea and your favourite book. Here are 5 suggestions to get you started. If you’re into modern history: Go for Ken Follet’s THE CENTURY TRILOGY. The three books cover the events of the two world wars and the Cold War through the eyes of several families in Europe and America. They comprise everything from teenage rebellion, to political dilemmas and have a few twists mixed in. They also have the added bonus of teaching you a bit of history along the way. If you’re into crime: Two words: Jo Nesbø. If anyone can write crime, it’s this Norwegian author. Be sure to read THE BAT, which keeps you guessing until the end. It’s also set in Australia, so it’s nice to see a few names of Sydney suburbs and other towns in NSW that pop up throughout. If you love Dan Brown: Check out his latest book ORIGIN, which was released at the end of last year. With all the mystery and adventure you’d expect from Brown, his latest read does not disappoint. Adding some futuristic technology, he still manages to keep readers interested and wanting more. If you want a quick and easy read: Go for Steph Bowes NIGHT SWIMMING.For a love story that’s a bit different, it’s definitely a winner. Combining small town living, coming of age and some crazy goings on, Night Swimming has a bit of everything. You’re also supporting a local writer in the process. If you want something based on a true story: Be sure to give SHANTARAM a go. Gregory David Roberts tells his story of living in India after escaping from prison in Australia. From living in a remote village, becoming a slum doctor and ending up in an Indian jail, the novel gives a great insight into Indian culture and life in Bombay. While it is fairly long, the stories told and the added bits of humour keep you hooked until the last page. 34
TUNEs//
WORDS DINUSHKA GUNASEKARA
Six Movie Soundtracks to Study To You’ve finally dragged your sleep-deprived body to the library and secured a seat among the masses. Signs say that you’re in the silent area, but every rustle of paper and squeak of chair catches your attention like a uni student to free booze. You put on your headphones to focus but what are you going to listen to? You can’t listen to Bruno Mars without dancing between the bookshelves and Adele just makes you cry. Your assignment is due in five hours and you’re still scrolling through Spotify.
3- KING OF PRIDE ROCK (THE LION KING) – HANS ZIMMER, LEBO M.
Well, hold your thumb because this playlist is here to help. Experts believe that music without words can help with concentration and, according to the ‘Mozart Effect’, classical music can even boost your intelligence. However, save Bach and Beethoven for the ballet and instead turn your studying into a Hollywood adventure with these instrumental tunes.
4- HE’S A PIRATE (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL) – HANS ZIMMER, KLAUS BADELT
1- HEDWIG’S THEME (HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE) – JOHN WILLIAMS
Like Harry seeing Hogwarts for the first time, your cram sesh begins with you looking at your assignment with wonderment and awe. It seems huge and unbeatable but this is your new home now. Under the epic notes of this iconic melody, there is an underlying tone of determination and spirit. Don’t worry, my stressed friend, you’re going to get through this.
2- TEST DRIVE (HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON) – JOHN POWELL
Hiccup was told to never befriend a dragon – let alone ride one – but did that stop him? No it did not and during this grand number he and Toothless soar through the skies and overcome adversity along the way. Similarly, your teacher may have told you that you can’t finish this assignment in one night, but you are going to prove them wrong. You are a Viking and your laptop is your dragon and together you can take on the world. Or, you know, just get your work done.
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No last minute study session is without its fair share of meltdowns and it’s about time for your first one for the night. As things look grim in the Pride Lands with Mufasa dead and Scar in charge, so does the fate of your GPA. But Simba will return as will your motivation, so take a page from Timon and Pumbaa and hakuna matata.
Stress? Where? Your fingers are flying over the keyboard and your brain has never been more alive. Sure, you’ve consumed three coffees, two Red Bulls and a protein bar and you probably won’t sleep for a week but it’s totally worth it. Assignment, you will always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.
5- ADMISSION TO DREAM (WARM BODIES) – BUCK SANDERS, MARCO BELTRAMI
The high was good while it lasted but now you’re a barely living zombie. The due date is almost upon you and you’re ready to admit defeat. There’s no need to eat brains when you have your work, though, because it’s just pure waffle.
6- THE ELLIE BADGE (UP) – MICHAEL GIACCHINO
As Carl floats away in his balloon-strung house, so do the last scraps of your will to pass. You put up a good fight and you did what you could. You tell yourself that from now on you’re going to start assignments the moment you get them – just like you did the last time you left something for the last minute and the time before that. There’s nothing you can do now so you try and forget about the assignment until you get your grade back. Hopefully by then you’ve acquired enough balloons to make your own escape to Paradise Falls. In the game of assignments and due dates, there are barely any winners. The music you listen to probably isn’t going to help you but it’s a great distraction. Just hand in what you can and watch all these movies instead.
//Tv Shows
WORDS EMILY BRADFIELD
Aus-flix Awards: Top Shows for you to binge this study Season What’s more common than coffee during study season? Procrastination. To aid you in your efforts, here are my top suggestions for Aussie TV Shows that are 100% worth watching on Netflix.
2- PLEASE LIKE ME
1- SUMMER HEIGHT’S HIGH
An all-time favourite and the definition of Australian culture, you can’t go past this mockumentary of an Australian High School. The series follows private school diva Ja’mie King, Tongan troublemaker Jonah Takalua and highly-strung drama teacher Mr G in their day to day lives at Summer Height’s High. Written by and starring comedian and actor Chris Lilley, it takes trivial dramas to a whole new level. Bonus – you’ll have two more shows to watch with the character spin offs Jonah from Tonga and Ja’mie Private School Girl. Do yourself a favour and get around it, you uncultured swine - it is the best trash you’ll ever watch, guaranteed. 1 Season, 8 Episodes (30mins) Awarded: Best Character – Mr. G
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If you’re into dark humour, this one’s for you! Written by comedian Josh Thomas, Please Like Me is a comedic retelling of his life. The show explores a plethora of issues facing young Australians through the eyes of a socially awkward, relatively emotionless twenty-something. Follow Josh and his friends as they try to figure out what being an adult is all about in a blatantly honest yet humorous perspective on everyday life - mental illness, discovering your sexuality, falling in love and grieving a loss. This show will have you laughing, crying, crying from laughing, and will seriously get you thinking. 4 Seasons, 32 Episodes (30mins) Awarded: Most Catchy Theme Song
TV sHOWS// 3- GLITCH
5- ROUND THE TWIST
4- A MOODY CHRISTMAS
6- KATH & KIM
An award-winning drama, this show will have you hooked from the start with its authentic storyline and compelling characters. Set in a fictional Victorian town, the story follows a police officer as he investigates why several people have risen from the grave with no recollection of their former selves. Relationships are tested and dark truths uncovered leaving you hungry for more - even my Dad got into this one so you know it’s gotta be good. The wellexecuted paranormal themes, unlike the typical Australian shows that hit the telly also make for entertaining watching. With long episodes, this show is perfect to get you in those holiday vibes. 1 Season (on Netflix), 6 Episodes (60min) Awarded: Best Storyline
Throwback to the ABC for Kids days with a binge of this childhood classic. Follow the Twist family on their magical and mysterious adventures as you rediscover your longing to live in a lighthouse by the beach. If you can put up with the first season of shoddy quality and basic script you’ll get to the good stuff and remember the old days when children’s shows weren’t censored to the nines. The show is a Paul Jennings creation, so naturally features some pretty snazzy content, but typical Aussie Netflix only offers one of the four seasons, so it won’t keep you occupied too long. 1 Season (currently on Netflix), 13 Episodes (20mins) Awarded: Biggest and Best Throwback of All Time
This lesser known Aussie comedy follows an average family on Christmas Day through the eyes of Dan, a photographer and the self-proclaimed ‘sane’ family member. Every episode represents a new year, each coming with its own disasters and dramas. Typical Aussie characters like the crazy uncle with new girlfriends each year, the train wreck brother and all his monumental cock-ups and the do-it-all Dad who doesn’t quite pull through, all come together harmoniously into one big beautiful mess. Follow it up with spin off series The Moody’s which gives further insight into the lives of the Moody’s on other celebratory days throughout the year. 1 Season, 6 Episodes (30mins) Awarded: Most Relatable
No list would be complete without the pinnacle of Australian television. Before the riots start, Kath & Kim would generally top the list except it’s not actually on Netflix (petitioning to change this), but I thought I’d make an exception, just this once. This show needs no explanation, a cultural pheomenan, if you haven’t seen it, what are you even doing with your life? 4 Seasons, 8 Episodes (20mins) Awarded: Most Quoteable Honourable mentions must of course go to: Rake, Upper Middle Bogan and literally anything else Chris Lilley has touched.
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HOROSCOPES
CANCER JUN 22 - JUL 22
*From www.sunsigns.org
Career prospects and outer success will dominate this month over psychological matters and family problems. This is due to the crowding of the planets in the northern hemisphere of the horoscope. Planetary power has moved to the eastern half of the chart this month for Cancer. Till more planets shift, you will have to balance your social capabilities with independence and free will. You are able to assert yourself, but you still need the cooperation from others this month.
TAURUS APR 21 - MAY 21
You are in full control of situations and people this month. This is due to the fact that most of the planets are in the eastern half of your horoscope. You have the full liberty to make necessary transformations to your life and guide your life the way you want. About 70 per cent of the planets are present in the 12th House. Hence there is a deep interest in spiritual matters along with family members for Taurus personalities in April. Spirituality has a deep impact on your finances, career and health. This will give you a chance to evaluate your past performances and make a strategy for future objectives and performances.
GEMINI MAY 22 - JUN 21
Career issues and personal success will play a significant role this month. This is due to the presence of majority of the planets in the northern sector of the horoscope. Most of the planets have moved to the eastern half of the chart and your own interests are taking precedence over the interests of others. It is important to shift your focus on self sometimes and accomplish your objectives from time to time. Planetary aspects are in favour of autonomy and enterprise for Gemini zodiac sign. So, go ahead! You can expect long lasting changes in your life due to the Eclipses this month.
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20
Emotional matters and family issues are more important this month. Retrograde of the career planet will slow down your professional progress and Aries born will have to keep their cool and wait for things to happen. This will give you an opportunity to finalise your career goals and the methodology to implement your plans in the future. Planetary power has moved to the eastern half of the chart and Aries personality has favorable aspects of the Sun and Mars. This is a happy situation for you as you can decide your targets and aggressively act upon them to fruitful completion. not controlling you and instead you are in full control of them. 38
LEO
SAGITTARIUS
JUL 23 - AUG 23
NOV 23 - DEC 21
This month foretells significant changes in personality, profession and public life. Planetary strength is located in the northern sector of the horoscope. Hence professional objectives are more vital than family affairs and psychological issues for Leo star sign. Most of the planets are in the western half of the chart. Others and interest of others will overrule personal ambitions and worldly success. Situations and people are dictating your progress. You have to get the cooperation of others to complete your targets in life in April 2018 during the Mercury retrograde
Personal ambitions and career goals are not vital and you are looking for more fun and enjoyment in life. Planetary power is situated in the southern sector of the horoscope this month for Sagittarius personality. You are able to attract children to you with your mysterious abilities and you are enjoying their company. Sagittarius zodiac sign is having a fantastic month in April 2018 with very high levels of energy and confidence. If you are into fine arts or other creative vocations, your ingenuity and innovations will come to the fore.
VIRGO
CAPRICORN
AUG 23 - SEP 22
DEC 22 - JAN 20
Family relationships and emotional welfare will be in focus this month. This is because the planetary power is situated in the southern sector of the horoscope for Capricorn zodiac sign. You should be careful before you get into any social service or humanitarian activity. There are better ways of helping human beings for Capricorn personality. Health issues will dominate in the month of April 2018. The House of Health is extremely weak and planetary aspects are not favourable for health. You should concentrate on improving your vitality and older people should take rest to prevent breakdowns.
Strength in the northern half of your horoscope predicts professional goals and worldly success will dominate your life this month. Family obligations and emotional aspects of life can be in the background for the time being. Most of the planets are crowded in the western half of the chart this month. You can accomplish your goals with the help of others and by using your social charm. Adaptability and collaboration are more important than independence and free will for you. Situations will dictate your success and you can just allow things to happen. This will reduce your responsibility and improve your patience.
AQUARIUS
LIBRA
JAN 21 - FEB 18
SEP 23 - OCT 23
Aquarius personalities are expanding their intellectual capabilities this month by studying new courses and attending educational conferences. These things tend to over- activate your mind and it will be a challenge to calm your head. Students and children will be interested in their academic careers and will excel in them. You will have plenty of opportunities to travel inside the country. Uranus, your Ruler Planet is entering your own sign. This will make you more aggressive and you will be having an irresistible impulse to change.
Others and their welfare will occupy your attention this month. Planetary strength is congregated in the western half of the horoscope. In addition the House of Love is very lively. Hence matters of love and public life will be your priority. This suits you perfectly as it is in your basic nature. You are able to accomplish your goals in life with the cooperation of others. Love and Health will be in focus this month for Libra zodiac sign in April 2018.
PISCES
SCORPIO
FEB 19 - MAR 20
OCT 24 - NOV 22
Self-development, emotional harmony and family matters will be important this month. Planetary strength is equally divided between the eastern and western halves of the chart this month. Hence personal interests will be as much important as the interests of other people. Social skills and aggression have to be balanced depending on the situation. Retrograde of your Ruler, Pluto and its movement from Sagittarius to Scorpio will force you to change some personal ambitions this month. Your character and self-esteem will be a priority over financial matters. The month is ideal for perfecting your basic character.
Career, finance and spiritual values will dominate your life this month. Uranus is moving to the 12th House of Spiritual Wisdom and Charity this month, which will result in important modifications to spiritual and humanitarian values of Pisces zodiac sign. You are moving over from present philanthropic organisations to new innovative ones. Pisces personality is seeking to find the scientific base behind spirituality.
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