APRIL 2016
SP
NR. 4(10)
FORMÄ€TS The monthly newsletter of Turiba University's Student Council
TER
NATIONAL
Spring is taking over! Editor: SIGNE SENE
Hello dear readers! We are already halfway through April and it is impossible to think about work. Spring has taken over our minds and hearts and there is no stopping. It is pulling us away from all the serious stuff – work, studies or exams, because it is really, really hard to say “no” to a sunny spring day. Remember those autumn days, when we all thought, that spring is so far away and there is no need to think about such far future as the beginning of writing your Study Paper? Well, it is here and it is annoyingly hard to gather strengths to finish this semester. So, what can we do? How do we survive this month, when everything has to be ready and finished, and handed in? Should we close all doors and windows, lock them, close the curtains and stay in until everything is finished? Or is there some other way to do everything? My advice – try to keep it balanced. Yes, maybe you should have started to think about all the papers you need to hand in a bit earlier – two or three months ago, but you cannot change it now. Take a deep breath, make a to-do list and get it cracking! And after you have finished something, go and reward yourself with some wonderful time outside. Everything we do in university is quite important, but some free time is also important. We are not machines or robots and we cannot work 24/7, even though some
Photo: from SIGNE SENE personal archive
of us are students, who have left everything for the last minute, so, take a break. April can be really tough, but we can survive it by keeping calm. Let`s find time not only to fill all the deadlines, but also to reboot our
batteries by enjoying some sun. Together we can do it! Good luck! Best wishes, Signe
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Health and wellness in Turiba Editor: SIGNE SENE
The second Health and wellness day will take place in the premises of Turiba University on Saturday16th April. It is organized by the association “Feel Good” which is created by Guna Bilande – the founder of the natural health center “ReCure” and Līga Andžānethe author of the blog “Happy Whispers” which is dedicated to healthy lifestyle.
Photos: from internet resources
Lectures in the main auditory
a discussion about most important, but sometimes seemingly not so important factors which affect our health and self-feeling in everyday life. Ilze will also talk about how not to lose the ability to be healthy in circumstances when the fear in modern medicine is used as motivating factor in the process of treatment.
As the first one with his lecture will perform Australian naturopathic John Filder at 11:00, who will speak about many-sided aspects of health. We have to look at health problems from all possible aspects and views not only looking at dietary habits. John Filder will look at many not so familiar aspects we face every day including those who At the same time Arstarulsmirus The aim of the event is to inspire have been mistakenly considered will begin his speech in one of the everyone to live healthier making to be healthy not harmful. smallest auditoriums at 14:30. Scievery-day choices that helps to be entific and educational center’s British Naturopathic Alex Johnson healthy and allows feeling great. “The man and the universe" develwill be next to performing with a Within the “Health and wellness lecture about how to raise healthy oper and music producer, previousday 2016”, there will be different children at 12:30. There will be ly known as Gustavo, will talk about educational lectures and practical viewed such topics as preparing for the close relationship of inspiration lessons all day long in several premconceiving a child, healthy pregnan- and discipline. Also he will share ises of Turiba University. cy, natural childbirth and other im- experience about how to learn to The day will begin with two morn- portant aspects of childbirth, also discipline yourself and get out ing yoga sessions at 9:30. Ashtanga care of the baby, making a close some results from doing everyday Vinyasa – yoga for beginners will be relationship in family, the role of tasks without emotional violence to taught by Liene Krauze-Luste who is breast-feeding, methods of natural yourself and others. the founder of “Urban Yoga”, but treatment, etc. In the second small auditory at Hatha yoga in Iyengar traditions Afternoon lectures and lessons for 14:30 will take place the meditation will be taught by Ilze Dzenovska of love with the title “I love myself who is the founder of yoga studio all tastes very much” which will be given by and self-cognitive space “Joga Pa Lectures will resume after a small Simona Karklina. If we love ourSaulei”, also in the US certified yoga lunch break at 14:30. Experienced selves then the love freely flows to teacher. homeopath Ilze Aizsilniece will perthe direction to other people. If we form in the main auditory initiating have closed our hearts for some reasons it is hard to love and get some love. Meditation will encourage feeling that peace and harmony are always in our hearts despite of external conditions. Feeling of heart- everything happens easy, lightly, happily and with love.
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After the meditation in the same premise at 16:00 will begin lesson of Kundalini yoga with percussions taught by Laura Vanaga-Mickevica from the yoga center “Savitriji” and Kundalini yoga’s teacher King Pol. Teachers will invite everyone to stop for a moment and enter into ourselves by Kundalini lessons and percussions. Lesson will include exercise set which will be devoted to gaining new and sparkling energy. In the second part will be relaxation in which King will chine the gong, but Laura- Hung drum. Sounds of the instruments will help to focus on present- being here and now.
Reitere. She will tell about juice cure and fresh eating in spring, as well as she will share the experience how to make curing ointment, herbal decoction, herbal tea, flower’s scrub, herbal bath, slumber pillow and incense stick. During the lecture Latvia’s wild herbs will be viewed – poisonous and protected, edible and others. You will also discover seed oils and green recipes with wild herbs. Prices of tickets and regulations To attend the event you have to buy a full-day entry ticket. Tickets with the price 21 euro are limited in number, all other tickets- 25 euro. The price for students - 18 euro.
et for yoga lessons for 5 euro in addition to a full-day entrance ticket. (Tickets for morning yoga lessons are valid only together with a fullday entrance ticket! You have to take your own yoga mat with you.) Students who will have purchased full-day student’s ticket will have to show a valid students’ card at the entrance. The entrance for the lecture of John Filder for students, employees and graduates of Turiba University will be free of charge showing employee’s, graduate’s or ISIC card and filling the application form. After a lecture there will be a possibility to attend a free-of-charge yoga class.
Meanwhile in the main auditorium at 16:45 will take place a meeting To participate in morning yoga clas- Find out more about the purchase with Ventish “herb’s wife” Līga ses you have to buy a separate tick- of tickets on www.turiba.lv
Swim into the session review Editor: SIGNE SENE
Photos: from BATSP.LV
On a sunny and beautiful Thursday afternoon, March 17th, more than 450 students had a great time in the aqua park „Līvu Akvaparks” and gathered strength and positive emotions before the exams in a pre-session event – “Swim into session”.
some more adventurous, but all of outside, but you are in your swimthem fun and exciting. ming suit in a warm pool. Great relaxing and way to calm down beSecondly, everyone could dance fore the session! along to the sounds created by DJ Regmix. And you were able not only to dance on the floor but also in the pool as well which can be a challenge and an exercise at the This year the theme for the event same time. was – cruise ship, and there were Also, if someone was not interested things to do for people of all interin catching adrenaline in the slides ests. Students were able to spend or dancing in the pool, there were four hours in various activities. some relaxing alternatives too. First of all, there were the water- Many saunas, Jacuzzis and even slides. „Līvu Akvaparks” has many pools with underwater bicycles slides which you can enjoy alone, in were waiting for the students. One pairs or even together with two of the most popular spots of the more friends. The slides were quite night was an outside pool. Everydifferent from one to another. one enjoyed a moment outside – Some were more peaceful and gazing at the stars, it`s a cold night (Continued on page 5)
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The hosts of the event created fun activities and everyone were entertained by illusionist Krišjānis Kallings. Everyone had a chance to win gifts from our sponsors. Also, the most stressful students were able to have a professional massage to welcome the session as
relaxed as possible.
Good luck in exams!
If anyone was able to gather some strengths after the four hours in the aqua park, there was an afterparty at Just bar, where the fun and music didn`t stop until morning.
For a successful event we have to thank our sponsors - Red Bull, Fantasy Park, Mevi Gym, BTA insuarance, Turbīndēlis, Golf club "Viesturi, VisasDāvanas.lv, Coffee Inn, Madonas karameles, Nuteko, Max Supreme, Blue Box, Wood koozie, Padejosim?, Izjādesarzirgiem.lv, Joker taxi, Fly taxi, Power Balance, Lavender Toys, Lūzumpunkts, Tymbark, Radari.lv, Discomania, Coffee Inn, Cinamon, Long Chips!
The photographer took many photos and everyone can find them on the Students` Council`s homepage www.batsp.lv. Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the event!
The Big Cleanup Editor: SIGNE SENE
Photos: from internet resources
A lot of people already know that Latvians are really attached to nature. We love our nature and we are proud of it. Every year there is an event – The Big Cleanup, when we come together to make Latvia even more beautiful. So, SP Formāts International decided to tell you something more about this event.
is the motto of this event. And the aim of all this is to make our country the cleanest and tidiest place on the map of the world until its 100th birthday in 2018. And also give nature an opportunity to heal, by cleaning it from the waste, as well as encourage citizens to upgrade and take care of the environment around them.
This year the event “The Big Cleanup” will take place on April 23rd at various places throughout Latvia. Every year it sets out a motive to invite the public to pay attention to how much our daily behavior is related to the environment and health. This year it is – Latvia to be green!
The idea of the event is based on voluntary participation in cleaning the environment, creating unity, positivity and a sense of job well done. The author of the Big Cleanup is writer Anna Žīgure, but the idea was borrowed from the Estonians who organized their first national-scale environmental cleanup on 3 May 2008.
In the framework of the Big Cleanup, people are invited not only to gather waste, but also do other good works - plant trees, create beautiful flowerbeds, build birdcages, restore fences, benches, bridges, etc. “Let's live beautifully!”
The tradition of the Big Cleanup began six years ago - with a cleanup on 13 September 2008, which was a gift for Latvia on its 90th birthday. The next cleanups were organized on 18 April 2009, 24
April 2010, 30 April 2011, 21 April 2012, as well as 20 and 27 April 2013 (due to weather conditions, the cleanup officially took place for two days), 26 April 2014 and 25 April 2015. Rough estimates show that during these years more than 1 000 000 enthusiasts have participated in the environmental cleanup events. If you are interested into participating in this event go to www.talkas.lv to find out more information about this event and nearest place of the Big Cleanup for you.
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Where to look for spring? Editor: SIGNE SENE
Probably most of us have noticed that we have said “goodbye” to winter and welcomed spring into our everyday lives. The sun is shining bright, everything is starting to bloom, birds have returned and the main question is – where should I go, to completely feel spring? Here are some answers. Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk (Lielā Ķemeru tīreļa laipa)
The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk is a popular tourist destination in Ķemeri National Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the bog and its inhabitants. The boardwalk takes visitors to the world of moss, small pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes, and the smell of wild rosemary. The astute visitor will notice the carnivorous plant of sundew, and a variety of birds – wood sandpipers, white wagtails, tree pipits, and also will hear cranes further away. Those who prefer shorter strolls can take the small boardwalk arc (~1.4 km), while those who choose the great arc (~3.4 km) will be rewarded with the opportunity to climb an observation platform that offers a magnificent view of the bog from above. The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk
Photo: from internet resources
has become a popular place with photographers of sunrise and sunset scenes in Latvia, regardless of the season or weather.
Vecāķi, Vakarbuļļi and Daugavgrīva are the beaches in Riga and you can get there by public transport or train.
There is no admission fee and more Sigulda information you can find here: Due to its hilly location, Sigulda is http://www.latvia.travel/en/sight/ referred to as the Switzerland of great-kemeri-bog-boardwalk Vidzeme. Sigulda is situated on the Mežaparks and Riga ZOO banks of the River Gauja, 53km from Rīga, and its borders also enCloser to home, there is Mežaparks compass the historic centres of Tuin Riga, where you can have a walk raida and Krimulda. The vicinity of through the Riga ZOO and later Sigulda is part of the Gauja National continue walking deeper into Park, so the town is surrounded by Mezaparks. It is a great place for woods, while the banks of the River long walks if you don`t want to Gauja are dotted with sandy caves. leave Riga. It will be just like a walk The highest viewing points in town through the forest and the end of overlook Latvia’s picturesque wild nature. In Sigulda there is something for everyone: cable car above river Gauja, Turaida Museum reserve, Gūtmaņala (Gutman`s cave), new Sigulda castle, Livonian order Sigulda castle, bobsleigh track and some more active things as well, it, you can enjoy a beautiful sight at for example, Tarzāns, Sigulda adthe coast of Lake Ķīšezers. venture park where you can find toboggan track, chair lift journey Find more information about the and many other activities. Riga ZOO here: http://rigazoo.lv/ public/index_en.html More information: http:// www.latvia.travel/en/city/sigulda-8 The Seaside Spring is the perfect time to go out, The sea is always a great destinaexploring places around you. These tion, so why not go there? There were only a few tips, where to go, are many beaches around Riga, just but even going out to the nearest an hour or even less – and you are park can be a great way to feel the by the sea, where you can enjoy spring and life around you, so put beautiful sights and the sound of on some comfy shoes and go out waves. into spring!
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April Fools' Day. What is it? Correspondent: DARIA DONTSOVA
Photo: from internet resources
April Fools' Day is celebrated every year on 1st April by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. The jokes and their victims are called April fools. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country. Although this day is already behind us, SP Formāts International would like to share some ideas with you so you can trick friends or family next year. Change your contact info in your button when done to stop the wigfriend's phone and send weird gling. Go to Settings > Wallpapers & messages from "Mom". Brightness > Choose New WallpaAre you interested in spending a per and set their Home Screen wallfew minutes here and there prank- paper to the screenshot you just ing your target all day? Whenever took. Stifle your giggles from across you're able to snag your friend's the room. phone, switch your name to "Mom" Perform a hostile takeover of your and switch Mom’s to yours, and friend's autocorrect then let your freak flag fly. Unless you've got a mother like mine, who Nothing like ducking autocorrect, routinely sends messages that you right? By now, we all probably can only respond to with a half- know how to hijack our friend's smile, a disapproving and confused shortcuts, but in case you've never head shake, and a "WTF are you tried it before, follow these instructalking about?" text, then your tions: On your friend’s phone, go to friend is going to be quite surprised Settings > General > Keyboard > by Mom's mood today. Add New Shortcut, then change “OK” to “why." Feel free to make Freeze the home screen on these swaps as personal as you someone's phone. want... and even replace entire Simple, extremely annoying, but phrases. So evil and so easy, betotally innocent. Take a screenshot cause let's face it – you can't unof the home screen (press Power + send that message. Home buttons at once). Hold the Classic soap prank Home button until their apps start wiggling; drag all their Home This is simple, cheap and involves Screen apps to the right onto an- very little preparation. Buy the other screen. Press the Home same soap as your target uses in
the bath/shower/wash basin and paint it with clear nail polish. Don’t leave any gaps, as you need to seal in the soap so the water can’t get in. Let your soapy masterpiece dry – then replace their usual bar with the April Fools’ soap. And wait for their complaints to begin… Replace Oreo cream with toothpaste If you are soulless and would like to mess with your friends' food, I'm here to give you more ideas. Offer your object a few Oreos, the centers of which you have artfully scraped away and replaced with your preferred brand of toothpaste, and watch as they become nauseous. This is an awful, awful thing to do to someone you love, mainly because toothpaste is not eatable. So, with all this ideas we guarantee that you will have a happy and hilarious April fool’s Day. Wish you all the best and be cautious!
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Brace yourself. The session is here I N T E RV I E W W I T H T W O S T U D E N T S : A L I A X A N D R A B E L AYA A N D A N N A K O L O D I Y Correspondent: DARIA DONTSOVA
It is April already and for Turiba students it means only one thing: exams are here. There many tips and hints for students about how to survive the session and don’t worry much online. However, SP Formāts International doesn’t believe the Internet and decided to ask for some advice our students. Hopefully, they will share their experience.
Photo: DARIA DONTSOVA
Do you feel stressful before the A.K: I just try to concentrate on upcoming exams? something good, think positively and be sure in yourself. A.B: Actually yes, but at the same time, I’m confident and I under- What advice can you give to other stand that now I have enough students who are yet not sure in knowledge to show on the exams. themselves? So I feel the teachers support as A.B: Eat before the exam. It may they have given me that calm your nerves and give you knowledge. enough energy to show the world A.K: Not really, but when they are what you are capable of! closer, I, of course, will start to feel A.K: Keep calm, don’t be nervous anxious and even if I think that I’m and just believe in yourselves! You ready and know everything, I get know everything! nervous and immediately can get Well, as for SP Formāts Internationlost and forget what I know. al, we can only wish all students to Do you think stress can influence successfully pass all the exams and the results of examination? enjoy beautiful Latvian spring! A.B: 100% yes. However it can be both: good and bad way. It depends on your personality. Sometimes it helps you to be in appropriate mood, but at the same time it may make you forget a lot of stuff. A.K: Yes, because it may falsely scare you so you will forget everything you know. Especially if you go to your first session, you don’t know what to expect and stress may overcome all your knowledge.
Could you please introduce yourDo you use any techniques to overselves? come stress? A.B: Hey, I am Aliaxandra, International Communication Manage- A.B: I drink coffee before the exams and the night before an exam, I ment student, 1st course. usually watch some fully or enterA.K: And I am from Business Admintaining videos that make me relax. istration Faculty, 2nd course. My name is Anna.
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Photoreport from Swim into session Photo: KRISTA PAŽARAUSKA
Editor: Signe Sēne Correspondents: Daria Dontsova, Raymond Lau Reviser: Annemar ija Gr asmane Desktopper: Kr istīne Šņepste Design: Sandijs Br īze In the case of publication permission from Student Council of Turiba University is required. In case of citation reference of „SP Formāts International” is required. Publisher: Student Council of Tur iba Univer sity, C218, Gr audu str eet 68, Riga, phone: +371 67607750
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