Capilano Courier | Vol 56, Issue 4 by Capilano Courier

Long bus lines, slow changes

Teacher, it’s cold outside

Score the Perfect Gift

HIBERNATION... Volume 56

December 2023

Issue No. 04

Samantha Hall (she/her) “Snowy with a Chance of Armchair”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

REAL TALK: WE’RE PUSHED TOO HARD FREYA EMERY (SHE/HER) Editor-In-Chief “I love to knit on the side! I just finished my fourth hat with a matching pair of gloves”

As I write this, it’s currently mid-November, the peak of cramming season for us university students. I’ve been grinding on school projects and work nearly non-stop. My health has taken a hit – daily headaches, constant back and neck cracking, and an exhaustion that’s hard to describe. Raise your hand if you can relate. Winter break is on the horizon, but it feels too far away. In the meantime, I’ve got a few habits that have helped me stay afloat, and I thought I’d share them. Now naturally, take this advice with a grain of salt because, let’s be real, I don’t always follow my own advice.

t Ditch TikTok and the socials. Yeah, I still have TikTok on my phone, and I’m active on social media. Guilty as charged. But seriously, cutting down on mindless scrolling can do wonders for your mental health. You might think that after working hard studying all day, you deserve some scrolling time. I highly recommend looking towards healthier forms of dopamine, such as going for a walk, listening to music, or eating your favorite foods.

t Sleep is your best friend. My mom compared finals season to training for the Olympics. As students, We might not look like athletes (sitting at our desks all day or pulling all-nighters), but we’re pushing ourselves hard. Take that afternoon nap, go to bed early, and give yourself breaks. Your body needs it, just like an athlete’s.

t Ask for Extensions if You Need Them This is such a taboo topic in university, but asking for extensions is valid. As students, we’re expected to work hard, sometimes too hard. If you can get a bit more time, take it. Just don’t use it as an excuse to procrastinate. I hope those little nuggets of advice help through the hell that is finals. Good luck, and ya’ll got this!! Your burnt-out Editor-in-chief -Freya

CREW COORDINATING EDITOR Matt Shipley (he/him) matt@capilanocourier.com “I just did a full condo renovation from start to finish by myself”

BUSINESS MANAGER Terrance Alanis (he/him) business@capilanocourier.com “Had a chin laceration playing hockey and had to get stitches ... .a day before my high school grad photoshoot.”

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Lucy Benson (she/her) communications@capilanocourier.com

NEWS EDITOR Bridget Stringer Holden (she/her) bridget@capilanocourier.com “I used to play basketball in high school, despite being only five feet tall.”

SPORTS EDITOR Mya Fraser (she/her) sports@capilanocourier.com “I have three siblings and we all have different colored hair”

FEATURES EDITOR Gates Annai (they/she) gates@capilanocourier.com “Ask me about the alternate universe in which I am buddy-cop detectives with John Mulaney”

CREW ARTS AND CULTURES EDITOR Gwen Pemberton (she/her) gwen@capilanocourier.com “This month my top priority is re-watching all of the Lord of the Rings movies.”

COMMUNITIES EDITOR Avery Nowicki (they/them) avery@capilanocourier.com “I’m an international superstar.”

OPINIONS EDITOR Jayde Atchison (she/her) jayde@capilanocourier.com “I try to go in the ocean as much as possible during the winter (supposedly it’s good for you?)”

COLUMNS EDITOR Sara Brinkac (she/they) sara@capilanocourier.com “My older sisters name is Teghan so, together, we are Teghan and Sara (we are not named after the duo my parents promise)”

ART DIRECTOR Angelica Blanch (she/her) design@capilanocourier.com “I can speak two languages fluently! Tagalog and English.”

PRODUCTION MANAGER & CREW ILLUSTRATOR Andy Poystila (he/him) production@capilanocourier.com “My favourite holiday treat is coal”

CREW VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER Laura Morales Padilla (she/her) videoproduction@capilanocourier.com “I always have pistachios in my backpack”

VIDEO EDITOR Ely Davidson (he/him) videoeditor@capilanocourier.com

VIDEOGRAPHER Dylan Smith (he/him) videography@capilanocourier.com

CREW WRITER Lea Krusemeyer (she/her) “In highschool I refused to learn spanish because I couldnt think of a reason why I would need it. Now I have a big latinx friend group and I wish I had learned spanish in highschool.”

CREW WRITER Kirsten Wiltshire (she/her)

CREW ILLUSTRATOR Chelle Lussi (Any) “No one Expects me to be left-handed, and yet…I am!”

CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Morales, Jenna Luscombe, Ashlea McRae, Mayumi Izumi, Mizuki Kinoshita, Ayla Maxwell, Mikaila Poirier, Ana Ximena Mtnz Lima.

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Laura Morales Padilla, Tara Asadi, Tasha Jones, Lauren Howard, Shruti Karthikeyan, Jasmin Linton, Tobin Elias, Bells White, Ethan Woronko, Cameron Skorulski, Liza Borissova, Anais Bayle, Hannah Bontinen, Natasha Lee, Alina Sandu, Sol Yoon, Apsara Coeffic-Neou, Tricia Tang, Eva Staub, Celina Zhong.

FEATURED ARTISTS Anaïs Bayle, Ethan Woronko, Natasha Lee Siobhan Barry, Tara Asadi, Andy Posytila.

COVER ART Sol Yoon.

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE? Email editor@capilanocourier.com for interested writers. For aspiring illustrators, they are required to send a portfolio or sample of work to production@capilanocourier.com. @capilano.courier

capilanocourier.com 7

Sasha Lun (she/her)

FEATURED ARTIST

TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTS & CULTURE

NEWS Long bus lines, slow changes

Over-Recruitment

New Dean of Business and Professional Studies Capilano Students Union Corner

16 18

20 is the Loneliest Number

Hobbies for Hibernation

Aging Out Showcases Vancouver at It’s Queerest

An Unconventional Gift Guide

Winter Traditions Around CapU

SPORTS Blues Soccer

OPINIONS

After the Final Whistle

Meet the Families

Leave Britney’s Memoir Alone

Score the Perfect Gift

Vanilla, Bacon, and Gravy

Hey NHL, I Thought Hockey Was For Everyone

Apple Cider, Glühwein, and Mocktails

Teacher, it’s cold outside

Giving is the New Getting

COMMUNITIES CapU Holiday Events Calendar

NYE Parties: Countdown to 2024

The Season of Giving Back

Ableist Policy in the Workplace

Mental Health Support at CapU

Starving Artists

Gwensday Movie Night: Trading Places (1983)

Airplane Mode

VOLUME 56 ISSUE 03

FEATURES

COLUMNS

HIBERNATION

Long bus lines, slow changes Construction and crowding at Phibbs Exchange a sign of bigger transit issues for CapU

STAFF WRITER ILLUSTRATOR

KIRSTEN WILTSHIRE (SHE/HER) ANDY POYSTILA (HE/HIM)

NEWS

“They cram a million students into one bus and we suffocate,” says fourth-year student Farah Tamim, whose sole mode of transportation to and from campus is the 245. Since July 24, 2023 all bays at Phibbs Exchange have been closed due to construction.

TransLink also told Kaur that there are no available articulated buses to swap out with the standard buses, as they are being used on other routes. They made no mention to Kaur of the space restrictions due to construction cited on the CPTDB Wiki.

In an update from TransLink, bus stops have been temporarily relocated to nearby streets for the duration of the project, which is set to finish in mid-2024. Although the upgrade will be a major improvement — with better lighting, design, accessibility and weather protection — in the interim there are few, if any, of these necessities.

The CSU has a two-pronged approach to deal with the current state of transit options. “We are trying to break it [into] short-term and long-term goals,” says Kaur. “[We’re trying to] increase the service levels of the 245, decrease the wait times, and hopefully, there’s a free articulated bus somewhere.” Longer term, the CSU hopes more bus routes will get added to CapU, rather than Phibbs—as that’s where the bus lines get really long. They’re also requesting that TransLink add CapU as a stop on the R2 route.

Not only have the conditions at Phibbs been barebones, but the lines for the 245 bus have been absurdly long. Tamim referred to the lines as a “nightmare.” The construction is exacerbating the issue by making the waiting time unpleasant, especially in inclement weather. Representatives from the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) have not been successful in their requests to TransLink for more buses on the 245 route and to add more routes to campus, despite having met with 21 public officeholders this year regarding transit. There are two bus routes that serve the university campus. The 245 goes between Phibbs Exchange and the University, with eight stops in between. The 255 has 49 stops and goes between West Vancouver (Marine Dr. and 25th Ave) and CapU. There is no direct bus from the student residence, located three kilometres away, to the university. Students must take a bus to Phibbs Exchange and then catch the 245. It takes about 25 minutes each way. In 2020, TransLink replaced the 239 route with two new routes, the R2 Marine Drive RapidBus, to serve the Park Royal to Phibbs section, and the 245 to fill in Phibbs to CapU. In the summer of 2023, the 245 route had articulated buses, the accordion-style dual buses that can accommodate twice the amount of people. However, according to the Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board (CPTDB), TransLink replaced those buses with the standard 40-foot buses due to space restrictions at the temporary Phibbs exchange location.

In a meeting last week with local MLA Bowinn Ma, the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the CSU received support from the minister for increased services. “They did tell us that the province has been funding public transit. So hopefully, they will be able to make some changes, but we haven’t heard of any updates yet,” says Kaur. As per recommendations from Ma, the CSU is working on a campaign to encourage students to fill out TransLink feedback forms to put pressure on TransLink to make the changes the CSU is requesting. “It’s not a Cap specific problem, I feel like everyone has been suffering the effects of post-pandemic transit projects,” says Kaur. When asked what students can do to accelerate the solutions, Kaur says that filling out the TransLink feedback form is the one thing that could bring attention to the severity of the issue. It seems that changes are necessary, achievable and would alleviate major transit frustrations amongst students and faculty. The only missing piece is buy-in from TransLink. Perhaps when the CSU rolls out their campaign, we’ll see those changes come to fruition.

“We have contacted TransLink a few times to see if they could increase service levels,” says CSU VP External Manpreet Kaur. “They have been telling us that they are at capacity due to funding constraints. So we’ve not seen much progress from them.”

OVERRECRUITMENT CONTRIBUTOR & ILLUSTRATOR LAURA MORALES P. (SHE/HER)

Part 1: Faculty insights on the largest intake of international students in the history of CapU The forecast for summer and fall 2023 course registration of international students was 4,000 and 8,400 respectively. Tally Bains, vice president, finance & administration, confirmed that the actual numbers were 7,773 and 14,760—the highest intake of international students in the history of Capilano University. “We’ll ignore the problem of domestic enrolment and we’ll take in as many international students as humanly possible,” claimed Faculty Member 1 (FM1), who has been teaching at CapU for over a decade and still struggles to understand the administration’s rationale behind the over-recruitment of international students during the 2023 summer and fall terms.

The forecasts are intended to provide enrolment estimates for upcoming terms so that the university can plan accordingly, but they are based on limited information, including retention rates from previous terms and deposits received up to date. These predictions are meant to navigate the changing political and economic environment; however, official numbers are known by the end of the registration period, leaving less than two months until the beginning of the next term for program departments to prepare. “We could plan ahead and hire enough instructors… But hiring takes a long time in academia,” explains FM2.

“If we accept a lot of students and they sit on the waitlist, there’s growth that doesn’t actually benefit the university… Even from a purely financial argument,” explained FM2, who started teaching at CapU in 2017.

FM4, who has been teaching at CapU for the past four years, adds, “The majority of instructors require a PhD, meaning our pool for applicants is small. Plus, the university does not provide relocation funding nor help with visas for international applicants.”

“We found out by word of mouth among faculty members,” stated FM3, a non-regular instructor who received hundreds of emails from concerned students trying to secure a seat in their courses. They added that there was no official statement or communication to inform instructors of the difficulties they may experience while the university found the way to accommodate the mass of students on the waitlists.

While the various faculty members interviewed for this piece shared the same interest in growth as the administration of CapU—a larger community of students allows for more instructors to be hired, more programs to be offered, more courses for students to choose from, and so on. However, when growth is not planned and program departments have little notice to accommodate a growing intake of students, they end

NEWS

up operating reactively—solving problems, rather than proactively—preventing problems from occurring. International students are a particularly vulnerable population, as they are required to register for a minimum of nine credits per term to meet the requirements of their study permits and remain in Canada. “I don’t see the evidence of planning and there certainly doesn’t seem to be enough consultation,” stated FM1. They explained how the Dean’s Advisory Committee used to work, “The coordinators and chairs got together with the Dean and gave advice on issues. We discussed things; we made decisions. Now, so much stuff is just top down.”

“

We could plan ahead and hire enough instructors… But hiring takes a long time in academia,” explains FM2.

Another challenging factor for forecasting addressed by a faculty member experienced with the administration side (FM5) is the transferring of students. They believe that offering more four-year degree programs would help retain domestic students and provide a more stable landscape to build upon. With this in mind, they mentioned that program departments are currently working on the development of four programs. “We do want to get away from being reactive— that’s one of the worst positions to be in, especially as a planner of an organization,” stated Toran Savjord, vice president, strategic planning, assessment & institutional effectiveness, during the Update on Integrated Planning and Budgeting Priorities on Nov. 8, 2023. He acknowledged that CapU has gone, “From one extreme to the other,” when it comes to enrolment, which is why his team is working on “strategic enrolment planning” that includes limits for international enrolment for the next three years. “We do have a robust Internationalization Plan, which includes a cap of overall international enrolment at 3040 per cent total FTE (full time equivalent),” explained CapU President Paul Dangerfield in an email exchange with the Courier. “It’s a better problem to have than the opposite,” recognized FM5, referring to the drop in enrolment numbers CapU experienced during the pandemic. However, the risk of a deficit shouldn’t transfer into risk for students in order to ensure surplus. “There’s just hundreds of students—it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that each one of those hundreds is a person who’s got a life plan that can be derailed.” FM5 added. If the goal is quality education, then the value of engaging the people who are directly working towards that goal is undeniable; as FM1 stated, “CapU needs to recover the inbuilt culture of consultation.”

NEWS

Part 2: CapU’s largest source of income has gradually shifted from government funding to student tuition

The consequences and challenges related to over-recruitment have been explored from faculty’s and the administration’s perspectives. Although knowing how it happened may help address some of the symptoms of this problem, understanding why is the next step towards addressing the cause. As an effect of over-recruitment, CapU’s effort towards open and accessible education paired with smaller classrooms created a specific set of challenges. However, it shared a common problem with public universities across B.C.—using student tuition to compensate for insufficient government funding. Like most public post-secondary institutions, CapU covers the majority of their operating costs with base funding received from the provincial government, alongside revenue generated through students’ tuition each year. A gradual but significant change is reflected in the percentage of CapU’s government funding, which decreased from 48 per cent in 2011 to 38 per cent last year, while the percentage of revenue from tuition fees increased from 34 per cent to 49 per cent. On the other hand, over the same period, international students’ tuition fees in B.C. have increased from being 370 per cent of domestic tuition fees, to 553 per cent. The reason for this is because, in contrast with the two per cent increase limit for domestic tuition fees, there is no limit for international fees. The rationale behind the difference between domestic and international tuition fees is that international fees are the actual cost of post-secondary education (plus commission paid to international recruitment agencies), while domestic tuition fees are partially covered by government funding. Although, if this were the case, the exponential increase of international tuition fees would be matched by a proportional increase of government funding. However, according to a 2018 submission from the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC, the percentage of government funding has dropped from 80 per cent to 44.5 per cent in the last two decades, while tuition revenue has gone from 15 per cent to 36.8 per cent due to “the growth in international student numbers and in the increased tuition international students are charged” (FPSE). CapU is not the exception for this tendency—in addition to tuition fees becoming the main source of income, the presence of international students has grown from 9 per cent in 2011 to 38 per cent last year (FTEs).

NEWS

The funding received from the B.C. government is determined by a model that has not been updated in more than 20 years, which explains why it fails to address the rising operating costs that the public post-secondary institutions (PSI) in the province are currently facing. To compensate for the insufficient funding received by the provincial government, PSIs have resorted to increasing their international tuition and enrolment numbers. This compensation aggravated after the federal government report released in August 2012 by an advisory panel on International Education, which envisioned to attract more than 450,000 international students by 2022—doubling the number Canada had at the time. Furthermore, according to a CBC News report on August 26, 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that Canada is receiving “around 900,000 international students this year… more than at any point in Canada’s history.” In March 2022, an announcement from the B.C. government indicated that the formula behind the funding operations was going to be reviewed, specifically for public PSI. The announcement states that the purpose of the review is to ensure “access to affordable, high-quality post-secondary education and expanding key student supports.” As part of this process, all B.C. post-secondary institutions received a mandate letter from the provincial government with ten questions regarding the university’s contribution to the economic, social and environmental health of B.C., the major challenges in enhancing this contribution, and recommendations that should be taken into account for the formula review. The written submission of the University of British Columbia (UBC) stated that, “reliance on international tuition in the absence of increases to provincial operating grants puts institutions, the PSE system, and the Province at risk of losing revenue if demand shifts unexpectedly or geopolitical issues emerge.” The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) submission described the main source of revenue based on international programs as “unstable” and mentions a recovery plan that aims to achieve a “sustainable financial structure.” In contrast, CapU does not mention the word “international” once throughout their submission.

“At CapU, we are not reliant on international student tuition to deliver quality education,” responded president Paul Dangerfield to an email from the Courier, inquiring if CapU is concerned about relying on international enrolment to cover rising operating costs. “We consider international students to be a critical factor in the distinct university experience students expect when they come to CapU,” Dangerfield added. However, CapU’s Audited Financial Statements from the last academic year presented a surplus of $2,663,363, even though the budget forecasted a deficit of $8,390,438. At the same time, both fall and spring term enrolments surpassed the forecast for the 2022-23 fiscal year due to international student increases in both terms, whereas domestic student enrolment declined in both terms, according to the university’s Institutional Accountability Plan and Report. According to this evidence, international students’ contributions seem to go beyond being a factor in the distinct university experience of other students.

“

International students’ tuition fees in B.C. have increased from being 370 per cent of domestic tuition fees, to 553 per cent.

A stagnant funding model, along with increasing operating costs and reliance on international numbers are shaping the current dynamic in public PSI. All across B.C. and Canada, post-secondary institutions are struggling in while contributing to an unsustainable post-secondary education system. Is Capilano University the exception?

NEWS

CapU Welcomes New Dean of Business and Professional Studies Laura Kinderman is thrilled to be here BRIDGET STRINGER-HOLDEN (SHE/HER) NEWS EDITOR FREYA EMERY (SHE/HER) ILLUSTRATOR Laura Kinderman was drawn to Capilano University for its approach Her first all-faculty meeting was on November 2. It was a to teaching and learning after spending 15 years at Queen’s chance for her to meet everyone, but also say goodbye to Dennis University in Ontario. Silvestrone, the outgoing Dean, on his last day. At Queen’s, Kinderman worked in a variety of teaching, research and administrative roles. Her work spans multiple departments, from her time leading a new initiative in health sciences to her assistant dean position in the faculty of law.

“There are a lot of dedicated people who are interested in improving from where we are,” Kinderman said. “And I don’t mean improving in the sense of there’s something wrong that we need to fix—I mean improving in that we’re thinking about the landscape and what lies ahead and trying to be as responsible Kinderman finds the Faculty of Business and Professional Studies— and accountable as we can in envisioning that—flexibility is the which includes the school of Communication Studies, Business and new mode for uncertainty.” Legal Studies—an incredibly unique fit for her. “My background combines a PhD in English, which is a synergy with communications; While she wishes there were more hours in a day, she hasn’t an executive MBA, which synergizes with business; and significant encountered any major challenges thus far. “I want to learn experience working with legal professionals in the Faculty of Law, quickly but learn well, at the same time, so that I’m properly which connects to legal studies,” she said. attuned to all the richness of opportunities that this place holds” she added. “Really, one of the critical questions is, how do we Recruited by an executive search firm, her first official day on campus think about positioning these unique education opportunities in was October 23 and she relocated to B.C. the week of October 16. their own right, as opposed to looking to compete with other institutions in the B.C. scene? It’s a distinctive institution in a Now heading into her third week at CapU, Kinderman is enjoying unique, wonderful, and special place, and so I’m just thrilled to North Vancouver. She finds it inspirational to be surrounded by be a part of that.” trees, knowing the mountains and ocean are closeby. Kinderman plans to continue asking herself questions such as: “It’s been a really wonderful start, incredible people, a wonderful “Where is education going? How can we continue to innovate? faculty, amazing students that I’ve interacted with so far,” Kinderman How can we position our students to be really successful shared. “I’m very happy to hear from students about their interests contributors to society, in the spaces and places that they and concerns—working with students is one of my favourite parts choose, and with the unique pathways that they pursue? How of the role.” can we work together—from an individual, to a departmental, to a faculty level—the most effectively? How can we be the Most of her time has been spent attending meetings and getting to most inclusive and equitable community?” know CapU’s systems and structures, but she sees great teaching and learning potential, including opportunities for applied research, She encourages students to reach out to her by visiting her on work integrated learning, and career readiness. the third floor of Cedar (CE372A), emailing laurakinderman@ capilanou.ca, or calling her office at 604 984 4988.

NEWS

Student Politics Report ILLUSTRATOR ANDY POYSTILA (HE/HIM)

Capilano Students Union Corner NEWS

Part 1: CSU By-Election Disqualifications Follow a Wider Trend Student election fraud has become more common in recent years across many Lower Mainland institutions COORDINATING EDITOR MATT SHIPLEY (HE/HIM) The most recent Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) by-election, for which voting occurred on Oct. 3-5, saw the disqualification of four candidates and a total of 19 decisions from the elections administrator. These decisions were made at the requests of students who felt that candidates were contravening the laws of the election process, through a publicly available form on the CSU website. Disqualification due to unlawful election conduct is nothing new at CapU. In the 2022 CSU general election, three candidates were disqualified during an election emergency procedure in which the Elections Administrator delayed the submission of the final election results due to an unprecedented number of complaints and allegations against candidates. “I think part of the answer is that misbehaviour has been allowed to go unchecked and so has become normalized,” said David Ennis, current CSU Elections Administrator. “Candidates, hoping to gain an advantage, campaign more aggressively than they should and for some students this is intimidating. But most students just ignore this behaviour rather than calling it out.” An Instagram account by the name of @international.student.union was rumoured to be interfering with the 2022 CSU general election, as well as many other student union elections in the Lower Mainland around that time. Many posts on the account show support for certain candidates in student union elections, in many cases incriminating them in slates together. Recently, the account has shifted to a more advocacy-based platform, running events and speaking to political figures in an effort to aid the lives of international students. They had no apparent involvement in the 2023 CSU by-election. The owner of the account, Jashan Sidhu, was seen on KPU’s main campus during their student association’s election cycle in early

NEWS

March 2023 and was asked to leave by campus security. He was not seen again on the premises. Jashan Sidhu denied a request for comment. While the International Student Union has changed, the effects of the elections it was involved in still continue to affect elections today. At CapU, the volume of election-related complaints has gone from an average of 1.7 per election* to 15 per election after the 2022 general election. At the recent CSU AGM, a decision was made to hire two elections assistants to aid in the Elections Administrator’s duties during these elections due to the number of complaints and decisions that need to be made. Elections proceedings and countermeasures, however, have remained as they were. “I think there is understanding of this problem on the CSU Board and CSU has, for example, included reminders about following the rules in its election announcements,” said Ennis. “I still think that more could be done to raise awareness among students and candidates about improper campaigning. If everyone understands what the rules are and works to see that they are followed, we can make elections fair and pleasant for everyone” *statistics were only available from the 2020 general election onward.

Part 2: CSU Divided On Absent Executive’s Pay Cultural politics feed a growing rift within the Capilano Students’ Union CONTRIBUTOR CAPILANO COURIER EDITORIAL TEAM (ANON)

On Nov. 10, 2023, five members of the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) voted to call a special meeting of the Board of Directors to overturn a decision made in another meeting on October 6. The decision in question was made to withhold the pay of VP Student Affairs Manmeet Singh following a months-long period of excused and unexcused absences from board meetings. The special meeting was called by the order of: International Students Liaison Karandeep Singh Dhillon, At-Large Representative Arshleen Kaur, Arts & Sciences Representative Abhijit Rai, VP Equity & Sustainability Manbir Singh and VP Finance & Services Akshit Kansra.

body and to engage in activities pertaining to their position. While it is plausible to pay Manmeet Singh for future months if his behaviour improves, there would be no reason to restore pay for the months in which he was not performing the duties for which he was being paid. Neither the defendant nor his supporters on the board could provide any legal reason to restore Manmeet Singh’s pay.

None of the listed executives responded to a request for comment.

After a lengthy discussion, in which the Board of Directors spoke in confidentiality, the meeting came to a vote. Seven members voted in favour of restoring Manmeet Singh’s pay, while seven members voted against. Abhijit Rai, meeting chair and one of the original supporters of the motion, declined to break the tie with his vote. Therefore, the motion failed, and Manmeet Singh will not be paid for his months of absence.

During the meeting, many amendments to the original motion were made in attempts to justify the restoration of Manmeet Singh’s salary. Karandeep Singh Dhillon, in support of the defendant, said that “it’s more about doing his job than it is about attending board meetings.” This comment received prompt criticism from multiple board members who noted that attendance was the “bare minimum” of an executive’s job.

Meeting attendants worried that this vote would erode CapU students’ trust in their students’ union. “It definitely made me lose a lot of trust in a lot of the CSU directors,” said a meeting participant who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution from those involved. “The fact that the vote was tied made me feel very uneasy. There are definitely some members who are speaking and voting with the best interest of students in mind, but others who seem to care only about the pay.”

Manbir Singh proposed that an amendment be made to the motion that would essentially put the defendant on probation for the remainder of his current term. Manmeet Singh would still receive all of the pay for the months that he was chronically absent, but would have pay suspended if he did not attend future meetings for any non-emergency-related reason. Critics of the motion reminded attendants that the duty of an elected official at the CSU is to represent the student

NEWS

Jerry Kambashi (he/him) “Portfolio Duo”

FEATURED ARTIST

HIBERNATION

Blues Soccer End of season wrap up

SPORTS EDITOR MYA FRASER (SHE/HER) CHELLE LUSSI (ANY) ILLUSTRATOR 24

SPORTS

Both the women’s and men’s soccer teams have officially wrapped up their seasons. While both teams had improved seasons from the last, it turned out to be an unfortunate ending for both squads. In saying that, both teams still have lots to be proud of.

the team had a lot of new faces this year, including coaches, hopefully they all stick around to make their mark next season, with a whole year of gelling together to benefit them even more.

Sebastian Cirotto led his team with a total of six goals, finishing in the top three scorers in the league on the men’s side. First year goalkeeper Brandon Lecce had an outstanding season, keeping his team in the running all season long. Despite not coming away with many wins, the goalkeeper did his part in minimizing goals against. He was named a PACWEST All-Star, alongside Tommy Alanah Dulong scored a total of eight goals, leading Millar. Millar was one of the team’s captains, and was both her teams and the league’s scoreboard. She was also recognized earlier in the season as a PACWEST named a PACWEST All-Star, alongside Aynsley athlete of the week for all his assists. Hurtado, Julia Peyton and Maya Smith. Adam Majuerae is a second year defender on the team. The team will say goodbye to five graduating players: When asked about the season, he stated, “I am proud Catrina Olstrom, Aynsley Hurtado, Alanah Dulong, of the progress that we have made as a team, especially Jessika Thaler and Julia Peyton. Although, the team’s with a new head coach. The team battled from the first hopeful captain Julia Peyton will come back to use her game to the last.” He mentions how it was upsetting that they were unable to seal a spot in the provincial last year of eligibility. finals, but that there are many positives to take away Thaler reflects on the season, saying, “I thought we from this year. “The guys gave their all and found a way had a great season overall. This season was probably to win games when it mattered the most. In the end, it one of our best over my 5 years playing at Cap. It just wasn’t meant to be. Nonetheless, we hold our heads had a very unfortunate ending though, losing in the high and remain hopeful for next season.” provincial final.” When asked about next season, he says he’s looking On her experience as a student athlete over the years, forward to building on the improvements from this Thaler states, “It is hard to sum up my experience as a season and keeping up the momentum that they have. student athlete. There are so many different components. “We narrowly missed out on the playoffs this year so However, I can definitely say that I am grateful for this we’ll be hungry to return next season for another shot experience. I deeply appreciate the unwavering support at provincials and nationals.” from dedicated teachers and staff. I also appreciate all of my teammates. We navigated challenges, celebrated Both the women’s and men’s teams may do some light victories and created amazing memories together that I training in the late spring, but are done for now. Pre season will commence in August of 2024. will have for the rest of my life.” The women’s team had a phenomenal season. They finished first in the league by five points, and only lost twice in the regular season. Both those losses were to the Douglas Royals, who went on to defeat them 3-1 in the provincial finals.

Even though next season is a ways away, the women’s side has lots to look forward to. Capilano University will be hosting the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer National Championship. That means they are automatically qualified to participate in the national championships, however the season turns out. On the men’s side, the team finished in fourth place. For the first time in years, they almost made the playoffs but were short by one point. Regardless of that outcome, the team improved tremendously from last season. As

After the Final Whistle 26

SPORTS

An athlete’s exploration of identity

Alanah Dulong has spent the last 17 years incrementally dedicating her time, energy and focus to the sport of soccer. Now, she stands on the other side of a five season run with the Blues. Over the years through soccer, she found her community. Upon graduation from Seycove Secondary, Dulong was scouted and landed at Capilano University in 2018. She graduated from the Bachelor of Business Administration program in the spring of 2023, but was able to stay on for another season to fulfill her five-year eligibility due to the canceled season in 2020. On Oct. 29, 2023, Dulong played her final game with the Blues squad. “On Sunday, I realized when we were changing out of our jerseys that this is the last time I’m taking this jersey off,” reflected Dulong, still in a state of processing the team’s abrupt ending to their season in a 3-1 loss to Douglas College at the PACWEST finals.

STAFF WRITER KIRSTEN WILTSHIRE (SHE/HER) ILLUSTRATOR TASHA JONES (SHE/HER)

The success of a team relies on the team’s ability to operate as one unit, making decisions that consider the goals of the team rather than the individual. In highlevel team sports, the responsibility of the individual is to consider how decisions will impact the team. A strong team has a collective identity. So, who then, does a player become when they no longer have a team to identify with? “I feel like I’m having an identity crisis,” says Dulong, still processing the team’s final game and the idea of not having soccer as constant in her life anymore, “I’ve tied it a lot to my identity.” One of the major challenges athletes face when transitioning out of their high level of sport is a confrontation of who they are. Athlete365 Career+, developed by the International Olympic Committee, is a program dedicated to helping athletes enter a new chapter of their lives. According to one of the program’s white papers, athletes spend the majority of their developmental years focused on their sport while their peers are in an exploratory phase. When athletes move on from sport they must confront that exploratory gap. What the IOC focuses on, however, is the transferable skills athletes gain from their experience in their sport. When Dulong looks back at her younger self, she notices a new kind of confidence off the field, brought on by the responsibilities of her veteran role on the team. “I can kind of take on more, talk to a team of people, organize something or share my ideas and feel more confident in myself, because [now] I just feel more secure.” Halfway through Dulong’s career with the Blues, she moved from fullback—a defender position—to midfielder, a dynamic position which requires defensive and attacking skills. It was an unexpected adjustment in her gameplay and one that pushed her out of her comfort zone. This past season she broke personal records and led the league with eight goals scored, blowing her previous record of three goals out of the water. “I never thought of myself as an attacker before,” she says. “So now, it’s cool to know that I can do both if I need to.” Dulong developed a new level of confidence she hadn’t seen in herself before “I’ve seen a lot of growth in that sense.” Any kind of life transition comes with its own set of challenges, but with challenges come new opportunities. For athletes, it’s a brand-new opportunity to get to know themselves in a new way. With a bittersweet affect, Dulong looks toward the future, sharing a determined approach to, “do things because I personally want to, not like trying to think of what other people would expect from me to do… it’s going to be interesting, but I’m excited to see where life takes me.”

SPORTS

Meet the Families Introducing the numerous family dynamics within the Blues’ Athletics SPORTS EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR

MYA FRASER (SHE/HER) LAUREN HOWARD (SHE/HER)

Playing alongside a sibling or being coached by a parent are things not everyone has a chance to experience. It’s an especially unique circumstance when it happens at a varsity level, and the Blues have multiple family dynamics within their Varsity programs. Anika and Vanesa Gatto are twin sisters in their fifth year from the women’s volleyball team. Vanesa Gatto has played all her years of eligibility at Capilano University, and won her team’s MVP award last season. Anika Gatto played her first two years for the University of Toronto, and another two years at Mohawk College, where she was named the Female Athlete of the Year in 2023. They have had many opportunities to play together in their youth, including high school volleyball, club volleyball and both even played on Team BC for a period of time.

Riley Marshall is a defender for the men’s soccer team. Before coming to CapU, he played a year for the University of British Columbia Okanagan soccer team. Riley Marshall is the son of Paul Marshall, the new assistant coach of the team. His dad coached him for the majority of his youth soccer, and even helped out when he played for Fusion Football Club. Having been a part of each other’s journey for quite some time, Riley Marshall commented his favorite part is “getting to spend time together doing something we both love.” Brighton Fraser is a first year defender for the men’s soccer team. Prior to CapU, he played for Mountain United and played a year on the Vancouver Whitecaps residency team. He took some time off the sport upon graduating high school. On what inspired him to get playing again, he stated, ”I played in a co-ed urban rec league with my sisters last year and it got me back into the game, so I decided to join the Cap team since my sister Mya played there and my sister Ayesha has just signed with the team too.” He also mentions how it’s fun watching his sisters play together, and he enjoys cheering them on.

On what it’s like playing with one another, Anika Gatto explains it’s similar to instinct, stating, “I always know where she is on the court. We almost have twin telepathy powers.” She goes on to explain the trust they have in one another, and how it benefits them on the court. Off the court, they are often still at each other’s side. Anika Gatto reflected, “I think since I moved away for so long, I forgot how great it is to have this time together.” Ayesha Fraser is a first year defender for the women’s soccer team. Before joining the Blues she played for the West Tommy Millar is an attacking midfielder for the men’s soccer team. Vancouver Football Club. On what it’s like playing with her Prior to playing at CapU, he most recently played in the 2023 older sister, Mya Fraser, she commented, “This is the first time New Zealand Northern League for the West Coast Rangers, and my sister and I have been able to play together. She has been also played a year for MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. my coach a few times but I definitely prefer getting to play Tommy Millar is the son of Steve Millar, the new head coach of the alongside her.” She also mentions enjoying all the free rides to team. He was coached by his dad during his youth soccer experience practices and games. On what it’s like having her brother on the in the BCSPL, achieving things like League Cups and Provincial men’s team, she mentions she’s excited to watch him play next Cups together. When he was asked what his favorite part about year since he was injured this season. playing under his dad was, he commented, “I am able to learn from him on a daily basis, and that he places high expectations and trust Whether it’s just for a season, or it’s something you’ve always in me, which makes me a better person on and off the field. Having known, playing amongst family is a special opportunity no one been able to share some of these moments with him is something takes for granted. that I’m very grateful for.”

SPORTS

e h t e r o c S erfect Gift P

SPORTS

What to gift an athlete or sports fanatic for the holidays

Shopping for athletes and sports fans can often feel like an impossible feat. What should I buy? What if they already have this? What if they don’t like it? But whether they’re a champion athlete or a fantasy football junkie, the perfect gift is out there for everyone.

CONTRIBUTOR

In the height of hockey season, a classic Canucks jersey is always a safe bet. However, why not take it one step further and buy your favorite Canucks fan an illuminated team logo sign? Prices start at $79 on LilaWoodDesign’s online Etsy page. Another unique Etsy gift is the “Smells Like A Canucks Win’’ candle by KhloeCat to burn for game day good luck at $31.

JENNA LUSCOMBE (SHE/HER) ILLUSTRATOR SHRUTI KARTHIKEYAN (SHE/HER)

When it comes to stocking stuffers, Amazon has unlimited options, but there are some essentials every athlete will be grateful for. FanVince winter gloves are $14 and are perfect for working out in cold weather due to their wind-resistant fabric and touch screen capability. The Muscle Rehab’s Bath Soak set for $17 a bag is amazing for sore muscles after a long workout. To further aid sore muscles and aches, every athlete’s stocking should include a bottle of icy hot, which goes for $7 a bottle. The popularity of Gymshark has been steadily increasing over the previous few years, and for a good reason. Their workout clothes are comfortable, sweat resistant, and perfect for all body-types. Some popular items are their Vital Seamless Leggings for $70, and the Crest T-Shirt for $28. Supplements are another great gift option for everyone, and Popeye’s Supplements is the perfect place to get them. PVL Whey Protein powder comes in a 6lbs container and costs $89.99. PreHD preworkout is $64.99, with multiple flavor options available, such as Berry Blast and Pink Lemonade. A box of 12 tasty energy bars is approximately $45, great for any mid-workout snack. The beginning of the new year is often a popular time to try new activities, and Canadian Tire has plenty of hidden gems to help with that. Pickleball is a low impact sport that is suitable for all ages, and starter kits range from $34.99 to $149.99. If your family is planning a beach vacation this holiday season, check out their portable SpikeBall game set for $89.99. Snowshoeing is the perfect winter pastime, and Canadian Tire has several snowshoe options at affordable price points. Many local facilities are offering holiday fitness passes this year, which are a guaranteed hit for any athlete. The West Vancouver Community Centre has a 10 visit personal training package for $599. Spin classes can be fun for the whole family, and Salted Cycle is offering a one-month Kickstarter program for $135. Yoga can be a great way for athletes to relax after training, and YYoga has a three class promo for only $57. As you navigate the holidays, these are just a few ideas one can give to athletes or sports enthusiasts to enhance their journey in the world of sports.

SPORTS

HEY NHL, I THOUGHT

COMMUNITIES EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR

SPORTS

AVERY NOWICKI (THEY/THEM)

JASMIN LINTON (SHE/HER)

HOCKEY WAS FOR EVERYONE Reflecting on the NHL’s pride tape ban Pride tape has existed in the NHL since 2016, though it first sparked controversy in 2022, after some players chose not to wear pride symbols on the ice, due to the league’s decision to ban all symbols for social causes from the ice. As a result of the ban, the NHL handbook now states: “Player gear cannot be altered to reflect theme nights, including pride, cancer, or military appreciation. Players can voluntarily participate in themed events off the ice.” NHL officials had stated that they would continue to support pride. As justification for the ban, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly claimed, “players felt uncomfortable supporting certain causes, and we didn’t want our players to be put in that situation going forward.” When asked about the ban, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Sportsnet, “I’ve suggested it would be appropriate for clubs not to change their jerseys in warmups because it’s distracting. All of our clubs - in some form or another - host nights in honor for various groups or causes. We’d rather those continue to get appropriate support and not be a distraction”. Though for many this begged the question, a distraction to who? During the Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 pride night, pride jerseys were not worn during warmup, though some players wore small pride symbols on their helmets. Russian goalie IIya Samsonov did not wear one. Sansonov gave no official statement on the matter. In 2023, The Toronto Star reported that Canadian-born NHL players Eric and Marc Staal chose to sit out for warmups against the Leafs due to the pride controversy. When asked, the brothers stated “after many thoughts, prayers, and discussions we have chosen not to wear a pride jersey tonight” stating that while they believe hockey is for everyone as the NHL’s slogan proclaims, wearing the pride symbols go against their Christianity. During the 2023 Vancouver Canucks’ pride night, Andrei Kuzmenko chose not to wear the pride jersey or attend the pre-game warmup. Canucks head coach Rick Tochett said “family reasons were behind Kuzmenko’s choice.” Brennan Roy-Bertin, vice president of The Cutting Edges Hockey Club stated, “there are geopolitical reasons overseas that are starting to infringe on what’s going on here in our own backyards.” He stated that Kuzmenko’s decision was individual and didn’t reflect the views of the Canucks. Last year, when Allison Dunne, co-executive director of Vancouver Pride Society was asked about the circumstances surrounding the Canucks pride night, she said “For Pride night, we are just really looking forward to our presence being there and for us to be able to further celebrate the trans folks

that make our community what it is. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I have compassion and empathy for those who aren’t there yet”. Morgan Riley of the Toronto Maple Leafs stated that “As players and as people, we’re going to need to support those people. Whatever statement that was made is fine, but as players we’re going to continue to offer support and be allies. We want to be a part of this community.” The co-founder of Pride Tape, Kristopher Wells stated that he found the ban to be “very disappointing from the NHL,” saying, “it was invented for players to signal their support without having to say any words”. In regards to the pride tape ban, NHL player Connor McDavid told reporters, “is it something that I’d like to see put back into place one day? Certainly”. David Palumbo, of You Can Play Project, stated: “Unfortunately, I can’t sit here and tell you that this [ban] is because someone has expressed concern over using camouflage tape to support for military families, or refuses to wear a hockey fights cancer jersey.” Brian Burke, former NHL executive and Canucks GM, said in an interview, “When pride sweaters were banned, I didn’t accept that but I understood that some players didn’t want to wear them, but the banning of pride tape to me makes no sense.” When asked about the NHL’s intention, Burke said “To me it’s a fight they didn’t need and didn’t want. Gary Bettman and the NHL have been wonderful supporters of LGBTQ+ causes. Our audience certainly supports this, and our pride events have been met with great enthusiasm. Military appreciation night, and hockey fights cancer night are causes that people generally support, but the disparity here is that no one called them up and said ‘we’ve got to get rid of those military appreciation nights.’” While the Canucks chose to follow the ban while it was in action, they will continue to host pride night in the 2023/2024 season, with a pride night game on Jan. 18, 2024 against the Arizona Coyotes, a team now infamous for defenseman Travis Dermott’s decision to defy the ban and wear pride tape during a game. This action ultimately led to the ban’s reversal on Oct. 24, 2023. The NHL released an official statement saying, “After consultation with the NHL Players Association and the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, players will now have the option to voluntarily represent social causes with their stick tape throughout the season.” Although stick tape is back in, themed jersey’s are not, meaning that although LGBTQIA+ fans can see their support on the ice, and players who chose not to participate have that freedom, some touchy subjects are still being swept under the rug.

SPORTS

HIBERNATION

CAPU

Holiday EVENTS

CALENDAR Your guide to celebrating the holiday season

CONTRIBUTOR ILLUSTRATOR 34

JENNA LOSCUMBE TOBIN ECKSTEIN (HE/HIM)

COMMUNITIES

Winter is right around the corner, and that means there are plenty of upcoming holiday events happening all over the city. Whether you’re starting a new holiday tradition with your friends or looking for family-friendly fun, Vancouver has many reasons to face the cold this December. Experience the magic of the holidays at the Shipyards’ annual Spirit of the Season Festival. On December 2, the district will transform into a winter wonderland, with ice skating, live performances and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause. The Shipyards will also be holding a Christmas Market on December 16 and 17 to showcase local artisan vendors in the Pipe Shop. Enjoy culture from all over the world at the Vancouver Christmas Market. Drop by to check out the unique, handcrafted gifts and taste holiday drinks and food. Tasty vendors include the Bratwurst Haus, Helmis Perogies, and Howling Moon Craft Ciders. Sing some holiday karaoke, take a walk through the beautiful tunnel of lights and warm up with a cup of mulled wine or whiskey. It will be taking place at the Jack Poole Plaza in downtown Vancouver from November 18 until December 24. If you’re looking for a fun night out with friends this season, check out Tinseltown on Victoria Drive. The North Pole themed pop-up bar is straight out of a Hallmark movie with decorated trees, lights, tinsel, and snow. Spread cheer with winter cocktails, warm snacks, adult games and a Christmas carol sing-along. Tickets are $19 and include a complimentary drink of cider or spiked hot chocolate. They will also be holding family-friendly sessions with mocktails for underage elves. It will be open every night, November 22 until New Year’s Eve.

Vancouver’s annual Big Elf Run will be taking place on December 9 this year. The event is offering a 5km/10km/15km run, and participants are encouraged to wear their best holiday costumes. The race begins at Lumberman’s Arch and winds through the tree lined paths of Stanley Park before looping through Coal Harbour and the Burrard Inlet. Along the way will be festive vendors and a DJ playing all the famous holiday tunes. With few inclines, this run is suitable for all ages, meaning kids and parents with strollers are welcome to participate. Prizes will be awarded for the top finishers, as well as wooden ornamental medals. Registration is open until December 6 on RaceRoster.com. One of the best parts of the holiday season is seeing all the beautiful lights, so make sure you stop by the 25th annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park, a fundraiser to support burn victims and their families across the province. Taking place from December 1 to January 1, the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund will be showcasing stunning photo ops in the scenic park. Come and eat delicious comfort food and craft with the elves in the North Pole Workshop. These are only a few of the activities happening on the lower mainland this winter. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, enjoying a night out, or seeking a taste of home, Vancouver has everything for you to make the most out of this holiday season.

NYE Parties:

Countdown to 2024

CONTRIBUTOR MAYUMI IZUMI (SHE/HER) ILLUSTRATOR BELLS WHITE (THEY/THEM)

The last day of 2023 is nearly upon us. Do you know how you will be celebrating New Year’s Eve yet? December 31 is filled with lots of parties, festivities and dancing. There are usually fireworks at Canada Place, but they are cancelled this year. Here is a list of things to do on NYE on a CapU student budget:

North Vancouver: There is a free New Year’s Eve skating event from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Shipyards Skate Plaza. It is conveniently located right under our CapU Lonsdale campus.

Downtown Vancouver: Robson Square Ice Rink is also free to skate. Skate rentals are only $5.00, and helmets are free of charge with the skate rental. You also have the option to bring your own skates. NYE hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Granville Island: The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver) has a Special Rockin’ NYE event from 9:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. Tickets are $25.50 to $32.50, and can be purchased online.

COMMUNITIES

Burnaby The Admiral Pub and Grill is hosting a New Year’s Eve Eve celebration, starting at 8:30 pm on December 30, with classic rock and a less expensive $6 cover (opposed to $95 on NYE). They are located at 4125 Hastings Street. No tickets are required, but you can reserve a table early at reservations@admiralburnaby.com.

Surrey Timeless NYE at S+L Kitchen and Bar (16051 24 Avenue) will have live music by Nettie from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and after Dark DJ from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $35. The Henry Public House (5708 176 Street) will have a complimentary midnight toast at Street. Their Timeless NYE will be from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and costs between $16.93 to $22.23.

Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit are always popular. I would recommend two games: Uno, which is a really fun and competitive card game, and Blank Slate, which I played for the first time on CSU’s Glamping trip at the beginning of October. Whether you decide to go to a New Year’s Eve party or stay in to celebrate with friends and family, close 2023 with a bang. Think about all that you accomplished throughout the year, what you are proud of, or what you would like to change. If there are some things to improve about yourself, make some resolutions that you can stick with and accomplish. And give yourself a pat on the back. You are pursuing your dreams and there are a lot of things to look forward to in 2024.

The alternative is to stay in on New Year’s Eve and stay up until midnight watching (formerly) Dick Clark’s NYE Party on TV, dance and open up the bubbly. You could call your friends and see how they feel about spending New Year’s at your place. Depending on how many people are invited, you could also make it a games night and have each person bring a board game.

COMMUNITIES

The Season of

k c a B g n Givi Charitable opportunities during the holiday season

STAFF WRITER

LEA KRUSEMEYER (SHE/HER)

ILLUSTRATOR

ETHAN WORONKO (HE/HIM)

COMMUNITIES

As soon as the first snowflakes fall, the spirit of Christmas fills most people’s homes. Staying on brand, and in the spirit of Christmas, here is a guide of ideas as to how we as students can give back to the communities we are a part of. Get ready for events, gift ideas and more. Many students are operating on a small budget, and buying expensive gifts or making big financial donations during the winter time is not a realistic option — yet there are still ways to help and contribute. One easy and convenient option would be contributing to the CapU Community Closet. Students can donate clothes as well as other items, such as gloves and shoes, and CapU will distribute them through the Community Closet located in the CSU Lounge in the Library Building. Another option, this one is off-campus, could be donating to the Distro Disco. They host a monthly donation drive on the first Saturday of every month, where they accept donations that will be distributed to the unhoused people of Vancouver. Information about what items are needed can be found in their Linktree on the organization’s Instagram page @distro_disco. Staying on the topic of donations, The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau is a great option for donating gifts. They take donations for kids and teenagers such as books, video games, dolls, and more. It is important to note that they only take new items and do not accept pre-used donations. To get in touch with them you can email the office at office@lmcb.ca to organize a toy drop-off. If you or anyone you know struggles with affording gifts for children and teenagers in their family, you can also reach out to them through https://www.lmcb.ca/registration2023 and register as a donation receiver. They accept registrations until Dec. 22, 2023. Donating to the YWCA of Metro Vancouver and sponsoring a family with gifts and groceries is another way to give back this season. This one is a little more on the pricier side, with the cheapest donation option being $200. With that$200 a family will be able to have food and gifts this winter season, which is a real

blessing for families in need. https://ywcavan.org/help/ donate/presents-of-peace is where you can find more information about their organization. Now not every student is in the position to donate material things, but that does not mean you cannot still make an impact and give back during the winter. Students can join the Union Gospel Mission as a volunteer.This organization hosts regular soup kitchens and other events catering to the unhoused and low-income families of Vancouver. They are always on the search for new volunteers and more information about them can be found on their website https://ugm.ca/volunteer. A more long-term way of giving back could be to become a mentor for Big Sister / Big Brother BC. This is an organization that matches volunteers with young kids in need of a role model in life. You can get matched with a kid and then go on and help them find their voice and space in the world. More information about how to become a mentor can be found on their website. https:// www.bigsisters.bc.ca/become-a-mentor/. Those are just a few suggestions as to how you can give back to the communities around you and to fellow students if you know about any other organizations and events, use your own social media platforms to spread the message, or organize a donation event with your friends and find a cause to donate to that is important to you. Overall, no matter how big or small your efforts are, everything matters, and giving back is always important.

COMMUNITIES

HIBERNATION

Ableist Policy in the Workplace How Corporations Force out Those with Disabilities

CONTRIBUTOR

ASHLEA MCRAE (SHE/HER)

ILLUSTRATOR

CAMERON SKORULSKI (HE/HIM)

FEATURES Recently, the job-hunting scene is becoming more and more cut-throat, with lofty expectations for experience, and qualifications that are not reflected in remuneration becoming the norm. Even for Canadians in the labour force without disabilities, pockets are running empty and living costs are continuing to rise. According to Statistics Canada, in 2017 there were 3,727,920 Canadians aged 25 to 64 with disabilities in the labour force. This number includes Canadians with both visible and non-visible disabilities. Furthermore, in 2017 37.3% of the total employed persons aged 25 to 64 with disabilities required one or more workplace accommodations. In the Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD), accommodations are also referred to as modifications in the workplace required to assist a person in the labour force in performing their duties. Lucas Nelson knows intimately the struggles of finding work as a person with a disability in Canada. When asked about the most difficult part of looking for work or navigating finding income as a person with disabilities, he said, “it’s difficult to pick just one thing, but probably the lack of accessibility. This is a broad concept, but it’s hard to pick anything else. Jobs are not designed to be accessible in any form. Job ads don’t specify if there’s any accessibility options, you often need to get to an interview to find out that you will be physically unable to do the job, and so on.” Christina Donnelly had her own experience with a hiring manager who continuously asked micro-aggressive questions surrounding her physical ability to do tasks around the workplace. “She sat me down at the desk and we conducted the interview, and she was just looking at me up and down and making all these… comments. Like, you know, we are a fast-paced work environment, we expect a lot of physical things, can you bend your knees – things like that.” Although these kinds of questions are not uncommon in job interviews, they are often asked from a place of judgement or preconceived ableist ideas. “I left feeling like crap,” Donnelly added. She also stated that in her following job hunt, she would include her physical accommodation needs in her resume, but she began editing out this information after applying and following up to dozens of workplaces with no response. With a topic that is as deeply embedded into our society as ableism, it can be difficult to fully grasp how people with disabilities are affected daily. Ableism can’t just be fought by adding a ramp to the entryway of a building, putting an elevator in a multi-story building, or equipping our public transit with lifts. Although these things do make a difference, there is so much more that needs to be addressed regarding the rights of people with disabilities. When asked about why it is important for workplace policies to reflect antiableist viewpoints, Nelson stated, “disabled people are simply people; we deserve to feel as welcomed and respected as anyone else. Disabled people would feel more welcomed if their needs were accepted instead of brushed off, and if discussions about accommodations weren’t viewed so terribly. Employers look down on employees who need any assistance, so much so that many people don’t ask for it. Of course, that results in people’s wellbeing being affected and oftentimes people having to give up on working.”

As for government support or income assistance, Donnelly explained that since plantar fasciitis is a temporary injury, she is not able to access disability funding from the government other than temporary employment insurance (EI) benefits. In June of this year, Bill C-22 received royal assent and became Canada’s first national disability benefit. Bill C-22 is based on two main principles, which is the reduction of poverty and increased financial security for working-aged people with disabilities, and that the income assistance will be delivered through changes to the Income Tax Act. “In order to get income assistance you have to have forms filled out by a doctor and done in a very specific way,” Nelson says. For him, it took a year, three applications, two different doctors, and his application was lost and had to be redone twice. “One got denied because there wasn’t any ‘proof of my daily living being affected’. For others it could take even longer. If you need housing assistance, I hear the wait to get into government housing is multiple years.” Additionally, as the cost of living continues to rise exponentially, government funding sees very little to no upwards movement. When the topic of change was brought up with Nelson, he explained that he would like to see an increase in income assistance and jobs being made more accessible. “The maximum rent allowance you can receive is $500, and my entire income is $1500,” Donnelly says. With a maximum of $500–some people receiving even less–there is little chance that it’s actually covering the rent of most people, “Many disabled people want to work but are unable. Changes in workplace policies could include letting people work from home when applicable, letting people sit instead of stand, having more part-time options, or just discussing with each individual person what accommodations would help them.” Donnelly wraps up her thoughts about ableism in the workplace by saying, “it’s almost not even underlying ableism in the workplace, it’s just blatantly there. We need to grab the reins from the older generations and start revamping a few things – because this isn’t working.” As bank accounts grow slim and job applications go unanswered, it becomes clear that something is amiss. For Canadians with disabilities like Donnelly, these struggles increase tenfold as they are forced to try and push through debilitating pain and are denied access to accommodations that they need. There are people like Nelson that are denied government assistance under the pretence that their struggles are not serious enough. Accommodations in the workplace are not simply an aid to make tasks accomplishable, but they are a necessity in order to welcome diversity in the workplace. Without accommodation for disability, a workplace isn’t inclusive, and people like Donnelly and Nelson are suffering for it.

This was recently the case with Donnelly, who was forced to quit her job after being continuously denied access to accommodations. “I loved working there, I did. I loved the team, management was alright,. But I was stricken – late last year, with plantar fasciitis.” Donnelly tried to continue her job without accommodations, providing her managers with several doctor’s notes, but after seven months, she could no longer walk or stand, “I asked if I could bring my own stool that I bought off of Amazon in – just to be able to sit, just to get off of the foot, you know. And no – it was just a straight up no. No from the management and no from the human resources team.”

FEATURES

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AT CAPU Shedding light on the avenues and challenges to accessing therapy as a CapU student

As the semester comes to a close, with final papers, projects and exams accumulating all at once, time becomes more and more precious. While deadlines rapidly approach, life doesn’t pause for university due dates. There are support systems for Capilano University students with services on campus and online, but the increased stress of the end of the semester sheds light on the challenges of accessing mental health support as a CapU student, and the cracks in the system may leave room for students to fall through.

STAFF WRITER

According to a 2022 report from the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations and the Mental Health Commission of Canada, one in three students reported that on-campus services do not meet the diverse needs of students, and only 28 per cent of students were aware of how to access services.

KIRSTEN WILTSHIRE (SHE/HER) ILLUSTRATOR LIZA BORISSOVA (SHE/HER)

“I am afraid that students give up looking,” says Keith Lam, co-ordinator and counsellor at CapU Counselling Services. “You should call us. We’ll find something… I don’t want people feeling like that; I have to wait for a month, and then it’s too late.” There are three main avenues for CapU students to access mental health support through the university; CapU Counselling, Dialogue (telehealth provider), and using benefits provided in the Studentcare plan. To gain a better understanding of the services available to students, I went through the process of accessing each mental health support avenue. CapU Counselling Services are available Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. online and in person. Counselling services are free for students enrolled in at least one course. There are six counsellors on the CapU team and bookings open up 2 to 3 weeks in advance, but 15-20 minute drop-in appointments are also available every day. Sessions can be booked online or by telephone. If there isn’t something available online, call the office at 604-984-1744. All sessions adhere to Canada’s counselling confidentiality agreement. “Check us out and see whether this is something for you,” Lam encourages. Additionally, there are self-directed resources online through CapU Counselling. However, CapU Counselling breaks over the winter as well as sporadically throughout the summer, meaning students must work around the limited hours available and may have to plan for weeks, if not months, without sessions. Another avenue is Dialogue, a virtual care and well-being platform that offers a variety of telehealth services included in the student healthcare plan. I could not find specific information detailing what is offered to CapU students on their website. It took me 15 minutes to make a Dialogue account and another 15 minutes to fill out their mental health intake form. The soonest available appointment was two and a half weeks away. A few days later, I filled out the

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intake form again to see if I could get an appointment sooner. I was told someone would be calling me shortly on my laptop to discuss options, but was then alerted that their wait times were longer than usual. No time frame was given, and I had a meeting to get to. The Dialogue support team informed me via email that they would give me a call for about 15 minutes to understand my situation better and then refer me to the appropriate professional on the platform based on the context and my symptoms. They also said there are four sessions allotted per case, with an unlimited number of cases. Full-time students at CapU who haven’t opted out of the healthcare plan through the Capilano Students’ Union have coverage for therapy outside of the counselling on campus and the services through Dialogue. Students can find registered mental health practitioners on their own or through the discounted services at Psyvitaliti. Psyvitaliti is a counselling service in BC that is part of the Studentcare Network, which means they come at a discounted rate for CapU students; $30 off each visit. They offer virtual and in-person counselling, and the soonest session I could book online was 2 days away. The Studentcare plan offers $900 of coverage per policy year, a total of about 6.5 appointments. It took me an hour and a half to sift through the Studentcare policy to find this information, sign up for a Blue Cross online account, link my bank to my Blue Cross for direct deposit, find documents from my therapy appointments, and submit a claim. Far better than simply paying out of pocket, but still a limiting factor. The 2022 report by CASA and MHCA found the top barriers to accessing services to be long wait times, lack of knowledge of services or how to access them and perceived quality of services. They also found that the “most at risk for negative mental health included: younger students, students with lower income, students identifying as 2SLGBTQ+, and those living with a pre-existing mental health concern.” If the counselling services on campus are intended to remove barriers to access, it would be unfair to assume that all students can find connections in the team the school provides. A relationship with a mental healthcare practitioner is highly individualized. In the 2021-2022 school year, the

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population of CapU consisted of 9042 students with 3724 full-time domestic students coming from all over the lower mainland and 1707 fulltime international students from 76 countries. The student body consists of diverse experiences, backgrounds and cultures, with a large variance in needs and support required. CapU’s slogan is “You Belong Here,” however, the mental health services provided by the university don’t necessarily reflect this affirmation of belonging. For example, with no Black counsellors available at CapU, a Black student looking for a mental health practitioner with a similar lived experience must take on the additional time and administrative detective work to find a therapist who aligns with their needs. The Indigenous student counsellor position is currently vacant, but Indigenous students are encouraged to use the counselling services nonetheless, with the assurance that Counselling Services is “working to establish ongoing culturally safe and relevant mental health support.” However, when asked if students can request a counsellor with a specific lived experience, Dialogue said they “[are] committed to hiring care team members from diverse backgrounds.” Though that may be an avenue for specified care, it’s not guaranteed. “At the moment, we are not covering all the aspects of the student populations. We cover quite a bit, but not all.” Lam wants students to reach out regardless of their preconceived notions about CapU’s services. “I’m a guy. I’m Chinese. I’m not born in Canada … if you look at me, I’m not most students attending CapU. But I hope that my experience over the years allows me to be working with a wide variety of students.” Lam hopes that students will reach out to Counselling services regardless of their circumstances, he says that at the very least they can be a launch pad to direct students to the help they need.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call 911. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of help contact 3106789 for mental health support. If you or someone you know is considering suicide call 1800SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).

FEATURED ARTIST Tricia Tang (she/her) FEATURED ARTIST

HIBERNATION

20 is the

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Number Psychologist Dr. Meg Jay tells how to thrive during the decade that contains “80 percent of life’s most defining moments”

FEATURES EDITOR GATES ANNAI (THEY/SHE) STAFF ILLUSTRATOR CHELLE LUSSI (ANY)

ARTS & CULTURE

“Research suggests that our twenties are one of the loneliest times of life,” writes Dr. Meg Jay. At this point in her book, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now, I breathed an unexpected sigh of relief. If you’re in your twenties, you likely relate to the clients that Jay works with. They describe thinking their twenties were going to be the best years of their life — full of fun, independence, partying, and creating lifelong friendships — and coming up disappointed when things didn’t turn out like they had been promised. What none of us were expecting was the endless road of uncertainty and crushing loneliness that comes with young adulthood in a world on our own. That is where The Defining Decade comes in, serving as a guidebook through what Jay says are the three most important parts of life: Work, Love and The Brain and the Body. To Jay, it is the shying away from life due to our uncertainty that creates this anxiety and loneliness, and the defense is to invest in our own lives, “Feeling better, then, doesn’t come from avoiding adulthood. It comes from investing in adulthood.”

already know that our brains don’t fully develop until around twenty-five, but Jay also writes that the entire decade is the best time to become the person you want to be. Your twenties are the years in which your brain is the most plastic after the initial language-learning phase when we’re babies, and the most plastic it will ever be again. By thirty, that plasticity has already begun to decrease. Overall, The Defining Decade is inspiring, relieving, and at times, healthily pressuring. In the sometimes dark, sometimes scary, sometimes impossible loneliness of twenty-something life, Jay says, “The future isn’t written in the stars… so claim your adulthood. Be intentional... Don’t be defined by what you didn’t know or didn’t do. You are deciding your life right now.” Pick up a copy for yourself, or a few friends, this holiday season on Amazon from $25.80 used, or Indigo for $25.99.

The Work section comes first in the book, detailing how twenty-somethings can invest more into their future career by developing identity capital now. Jay defines identity capital as “our stock of personal assets. It is how we add value to who we are, and it is what we have to show for how we have spent our time.” She describes many twentysomethings struggling with gaining identity capital through either being unemployed, or underemployed — which is to be stuck in a job that doesn’t add much to our resume, skills, or worse, our identity. Love is another difficult part of twenty-something life. How do you begin to choose a life partner? And when? Jay has the answers to these questions across six chapters–not only in dating, but choosing the person who will one day become your family (and extended family). She says the best time to work on your future marriage is before you get married. While planning that far ahead can seem daunting, Jay says that those of us who only start seriously dating at 30 often feel left behind by those that are moving onto marriage and parenthood. “Marriage goes from being something we’ll worry about at thirty to being something we want at thirty. When, then, is the time to really think about partnership? Spoiler alert: your twenties,” she writes. The Brain and the Body section ends off the book by explaining the literal brain development that occurs over the course of the twenties, which is… a lot. Many of us

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HOBBIES FOR HIBERNATION t

Activities that you can enjoy at home during the winter season in Vancouver

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CONTRIBUTOR MIZUKI KINOSHITA (SHE/HER)

ARTS & CULTURE

ILLUSTRATOR ANAÏS BAYLE (SHE/HER)

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t The winter season is cold in Vancouver, and there are many rainy days. Many people may not enjoy the season and avoid going outside. However, there are many indoor activities and hobbies that are low cost and easy to learn. With new hobbies you can enjoy the winter season more by yourself, with family members, and your friends. If you like to create, making handmade accessories is a fairly simple activity to relax at the end of a busy day. There are some videos on how to make simple homemade accessories, like beaded bracelets, on YouTube. For example, those from creator Danica Mae. You can buy a kit of tools or just some beads and string, and it is not expensive. You can enjoy it on your own or with your friends or family members, and even exchange them. Some people may find it harder to exercise because of the weather in the winter season. However, there are lots of workouts you can try at home. Yoga with Adriene is a popular yoga instructor on YouTube and she has many videos for people of all experience levels. MadFit is a good option for anyone looking for a more high intensity interval training (HIIT) style workout. You can choose the length and type of training you want to focus on as well. You do not need to go to the gym on rainy and cold days and pay membership fees. These creators, and others, provide a way to stay active from the comfort of your own home. If you like drawing, learning illustration is a fun option—the possibilities are endless. Try learning to draw your favourite anime or cartoon characters, or anything else that piques your interest. If you have the budget, buy some new pens or pencil crayons. Some new equipment can be the dash of excitement you need to try something new. If you like travelling or learning about other countries’ cultures, learning foreign languages that you are

interested in is a great choice. You can study by using YouTube and other online resources. Apps or websites, such as Duolingo and HelloTalk, can help you practice a new language and talk to native speakers. Stay warm at home and grow your horizons.

If you like cooking, making cultural dishes is also a good idea. Vancouver is a very multicultural city, so you can find lots of international foods at the grocery store. For instance, there are some Asian supermarkets in Vancouver, such as T&T, where you can buy meat, vegetables, and soup bases for a homemade hotpot. You can also order on delivery apps without going out and cooking. Big Way Hot Pot is a popular hotpot restaurant in Vancouver that offers delivery. Karaoke might seem inaccessible at home, but you do not need an expensive microphone. Karaoke versions of all of your favourite songs can be found on YouTube, which means that you can choose whichever song you like, no songbook necessary. You can enjoy and release stress while doing your own solos or singing with family or friends. Do you have plastic bottles? Don’t throw them away. If you have some, you can build your own bowling alley. You only need ten pieces of plastic and a ball. The rules are the same as usual bowling. You can make your own at-home bowling tournament with friends to decide who is the strongest at home or fly solo. It might sound silly, but it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon. There are a lot of fun activities that you can do at home during the colder (and darker) months. With the above options and more you can not only enjoy your down time, but try some new things, and be creative during the winter season at home.

ARTS & CULTURE

Aging Out Showcases Vancouver at It’s Queerest Breanne Williamson talks the premiere of her second short film and the community that made it a reality ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR GWEN PEMBERTON (SHE/HER)

ARTS & CULTURE

ILLUSTRATOR HANNAH BONTINEN (SHE/HER)

“There’s gotta be more people like me. Where the fuck are they hiding?”

a huge part of making the film happen. “[They were] so wonderful and we had a blast shooting there.”

That is the experience of a lot of people new to the queer community in Vancouver, including Breanne Williamson, the writer, director and star of the short film Aging Out. The film is Wiliiamson’s second short, a cozy holiday rom-com following Jen, a lesbian woman bordering on 30, as she tries everything in her power to win back her ex before her birthday on New Year’s Day.

Because the film was made up entirely of Canadians, shooting did not have to be put on hold due to the WGA/ SAG-AFTRA strikes, the latter of which only ended this November. This ended up being a stroke of luck for the low-budget indie, which might have had a hard time bouncing back from such a prolonged stoppage otherwise. Williamson also talked about the process of finding actors to round out the cast. She says during the process she thought, “This is why it’s so hard to get a role. Because everyone’s so fucking talented.”

The world premiere of Aging Out took place at the Rio Theatre on Oct. 17, 2023, and the Courier was invited to attend. Before the show even started, it was clear that Vancouver had come out to support. People made friends in the sold-out audience while they listened to a playlist — curated by Williamson herself — which would be the perfect soundtrack for season three of Heartstopper (if you know you know). The room was so full of love, and the premiere felt like a gathering designed to bring Vancouver’s queer community — particularly the lesbian community — together. Williamson said that was her goal exactly. Since the early days of Tumblr, Williamson has been something of a local celebrity. By around 2010, she had amassed 10 thousand followers on Tumblr and from there moved to YouTube, then eventually to Instagram as well. She also has a podcast called I Can Explain which she co-hosts with Sean Lusk. The podcast, about to release it’s 225th episode, is LGBTQIA+ focused and answers all the questions, “that you are too afraid to ask.” In fact, all of Williamson’s content is about LQBTQIA+ experiences, with a specific interest in her hometown, Vancouver. Coming Out was Williamson’s debut as a director. The eight minute short was released to her YouTube channel in 2019 and has since been viewed over 2 million times. The comedy spoofs the coming out process, and shows that it is not linear and in fact unending. The short was shot in part on the Bosa stages at Capilano University, Williamson herself being a graduate of the CapU Business Administration program. With Aging Out she wanted to go bigger. “I really wanted it to be long enough that it could feel like an event… like a way for folks to gather, whether it be in the comments or in person with one another.” The premiere at the Rio was the first step. Screenings are also planned in Seattle, L.A. and Portland. “Most of what I do is internet-based. So there’s something special about watching things in person and actually experiencing live reactions,” says Williamson, “I just see numbers and it’s hard to remember that those are actual human beings.” The community aspect of Aging Out was just as integral in the production of the film as in the release.

When it comes to the inspiration for this film in particular, Willimason drew on her love of romantic comedies. She noticed that there weren’t many that focused on the queer experience, and those that did exist were mostly coming of age, and coming out, stories. “I’m here for any sort of representation, but, you know, we live on past high school,” she said. Williamson wanted to create a light-hearted Sapphic film full of fully realized queer characters, “living their authentic lives and experiencing the normal hurdles and hardships of life.” Aging Out is much more focused on the uncertainty that can come with entering a new stage of life. Williamson was about to turn 30 herself when she developed the script, and was inspired by her own experiences, as well as those of her friends. She said as messy as her twenties were, she had always expected to have her life sorted out by 30, but as she got older and talked to women in their thirties, forties and fifties she realized, “it’s all a sham.” The film takes all that on and more, with Williamson’s signature wit and a showcase of local talent. Aging Out was produced with the hope of creating space and joy for Vancouver’s queer community, and it does just that. The film also manages to tackle what it means to be a young adult realizing that maybe you won’t ever have everything figured out. “While that’s a scary realization. It’s also kind of a fun one,” Williamson says, “life just doesn’t end. You keep getting to rediscover yourself.” Aging Out will be available to watch on December 15 at http://YouTube.com/BreanneWilliamson

Over $30,000 were raised to produce Aging Out, and everyone in front of and behind the camera is Canadian. Vancouver itself is also on full display. A large chunk of the film was shot at the iconic Numbers Cabaret on Davie St. Williamson says management was

ARTS & CULTURE

An Unconventional Gift Guide No stressful mall experiences needed OPINIONS EDITOR JAYDE ATCHISON (SHE/HER) ILLUSTRATOR NATASHA LEE (SHE/HER)

No matter how many holidays have passed in our lifetimes, we never truly feel prepared for December. Each year, procrastination gets the better of us and many think they are able to do the impossible and find the perfect gift in a shop days before the present exchange. Amazon is one way to get around the stress of crowded malls, streets or markets, but then you risk shipping delays and having your gift lost in the fray of underwhelming generic — well let’s face it — crap. Unless it’s something materialistic that has been on the wishlist for years or for sentimental reasons, the memory of a mundane item will fade and the last minute purchase you threw together won’t be remembered for long. Instead, shake things up and blow your loved one away with a thoughtful, unique and inexpensive gift that will stick with them for longer than any pair of reading socks will.

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For the sentimentalist in your life, you can craft an “I love you soup.” The ingredients are simple and can be found affordably at your local Michael’s (or Dollarama if the budget is extra tight this year). Collect some coloured paper, a mason jar or any receptacle of your liking, and a sturdy pen or marker. The way you make the soup is by writing down reasons you love the person receiving the gift and tossing them into the jar. Add some favourite memories and thank-you notes to spice things up. You’ll have them laughing and (hopefully) crying with a gift that was curated just for them. For the adventurer in your life, it can be hard to shop for them because they typically are boy-scout-level prepared for anything. For them, a scavenger hunt could make a memorable and exciting experience for you both. This can be done in a few different ways, but with the same overall

theme. If you are also an explorer of sorts, you can go to the sites ahead of time and hide items (photos, letters, picnic items) for the giftee to discover later. Alternatively, create a list of places that mean something to you both, go on the hunt together and keep the items in your backpack for once they have figured it out. It’s a fun way to rediscover past memories and spaces that hold meaning to the relationship. The most important thing when it comes to creating a holiday gift that will never be forgotten is to listen to the person all year and pick up on what outside the box ideas could work for them. If you have a book lover in your life, take them to a used bookshop. Offer a game of choosing a book you think the other would like, and buy both at the end of the day. If your person has been mentioning in passing that they wish they knew how to cook, organize a cooking class for both of you to attend (or if you’re good at cooking then you can cut out the middleman and offer a fun one-on-one lesson). People are easy to ‘shop’ for if you’re willing to take a deeper look into their lives. Instead of simply buying a candle and calling it a day, get creative and try and imagine if there’s a more meaningful way to celebrate the ones you love. In the end you’ll be contributing one less thing to the landfill, and probably being nicer to your wallet as well.

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Winter Traditions Around CapU CapU students share how their families celebrate the holiday season

CONTRIBUTOR ILLUSTRATOR

AYLA MAXWELL (SHE/HER) ALINA SANDU (SHE/HER)

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At Capilano University, the student body is made up of a wide Pongal is another winter holiday, celebrated in South India and variety of cultures from around the world, but how do these different around the world by the Tamil community. Pongal is a Hindu cultures celebrate the winter holidays? harvest festival which celebrates the end of the winter solstice. This three-day holiday is celebrated this year from January 15 While Christmas is one of the most popular holidays during the to 18. Some common traditions surrounding the Pongal festival winter season, there are a variety of ways to celebrate the holidays. include cleaning house and preparing dishes like Sweet Pongal, Lena Oppler, a student from Germany, shares her family’s traditions. made of rice, lentils and ghee; and Venn Pongal, a more savoury Where she’s from, they celebrate from the 24 to the 26 of December. dish made of rice, ghee and spices. Although this is a three-day tradition, Oppler says that the 24, “is the night where children get presents from the, we call it, ‘Christkind.’” Lastly, some students at CapU celebrate the winter solstice. Oppler’s family also celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25 Each year, the winter solstice falls on December 21, the shortest and 26. They make lots of food for this holiday, including Plätzchen day of the year. While this holiday is commonly associated with — which are small cookies — along with roast goose and potato paganism, it can be celebrated by anyone. During the solstice, dumplings, says Oppler. it is normal to eat squash, potatoes, and meat. Brian Reid, a student from Cumberland, B.C., says that they celebrate the Maria Coura added that her family, from Brazil, puts up a Christmas solstice by lighting a candle or a fire and inviting the ancestors tree, lights, and a nativity scene. Veronica Fiamma Crepaz, an Italian/ that came before them to come to this event. Reid then says German student, says that after dinner her family walks around the that he presents an “offering of food to both the gods I worship city and then watches Christmas movies together. and to my ancestors before burning a piece of paper which I’ve written down a goal or resolution on for the new year.” Reid In addition, many students at CapU celebrate Hanukkah, which also notes that he decorates with a Christmas tree, a Yule log, takes place from December 7 to 15 this year. The eight day Jewish and wreaths put around their house. It is also important to note celebration is marked by the exchange of gifts, playing of games, that every person that celebrates the solstice does it differently and lots of cooking. One very important part of the Hanukkah and that there is no ‘right’ way to celebrate. celebration is the lighting of a menorah, a candlestick holder. One candle on the menorah is lit every day for each of the eight days. By learning about these winter traditions, one will have better insight into the lives of their peers and help to foster an inclusive, Another important holiday to note is Kwanzaa. This holiday, diverse community at CapU. originally started in California in the 1960s, takes place from December 16 to January 1 and consists of the lighting of a kinara — which is similar to a menorah but with seven candles — and ends with a feast, called a karamu. It is important to note that this holiday is not affiliated with any religion, rather it is a tradition created in celebration of African-American culture and is designed to bring communities together.

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Samantha Hall (she/her) “Spirit of Winter”

FEATURED ARTIST

HIBERNATION

Leave Britney’s Memoir Alone A quick yet powerful telling

OPINIONS EDITOR JAYDE ATCHISON (SHE/HER)

ILLUSTRATORS FREYA EMERY (SHE/HER) ANDY POYSTILA (HE/HIM) ANGELICA BLANCH (SHE/HER)

When I was around eight years old, I opened a birthday gift—a small, thin envelope with something inside I wasn’t able to process. My grandma delighted in telling me the slips of paper were tickets to see Britney Spears in concert. As a pop girlie of the 90s, this was the greatest gift I could ever receive. Bless my sweet grandmother, who only knew one song that played continuously on the radio—she sat beside me as I jumped up and down screaming along to the woman I wanted to be one day.

Fast forward to the last few years and we see Britney is trapped in a conservatorship that is tearing her apart. #FreeBritney is gaining popularity and in November 2021 she escapes her hell and is a free woman after 13 years. At the end of October, Britney released her memoir The Woman In Me, and I couldn’t snag a copy fast enough. I heard rumblings of what to expect— insight into the ultimate 90s relationship, hot gossip but most importantly Britney’s side of the story.

As both Britney and I got older, I watched her go through things I didn’t understand. I witnessed the media put her down, push her over the edge and turn her into a running joke. I have memories of sitting in high school and discussing the viral “leave Britney alone” YouTube video. No one was taking Britney or her situation seriously. People just went about their business, because what’s one more celebrity scandal?

This book is a quick read and I was able to get through it in a day between errands. Miss Spears is not a writer in the book sense, but what lacked in prose skills was gained in passion. She threw caution to the wind after years of being silenced and gave readers a plotline we weren’t aware of. For years the narrative was that Britney was crazy, but her reality was filled

OPINONS

with abuse from her family, paparazzi and the men in her life. She was driven to the edge of sanity and was forced to toe the line. As I was growing up, I had wished to be famous one day but after reading her story I couldn’t have handled the level of fame Britney reached. When I was 19 and wanted to let loose with my girlfriends downtown, no one was following me with cameras and accusing me of alcoholism, drug use or being a danger to myself or others. I was able to be a dumb teenager without judgement, and Britney simply wasn’t allowed that same privilege. She was under scrutiny every day, and her writing explains how it impacted her. Once I devoured her book and processed all the crap she went through since I first saw her on stage in 2000, I saw the light the book offered. Britney endured hell on earth in order to be with her sons — she sacrificed years of freedom because her love and need to be a mother was stronger. The way she behaves now makes sense after diving into her thoughts. As someone who would browse her social content and thought it was strange, I now view every post with a new lens and can’t help but think “good for her.” Whether you’ve been a fan since childhood or you’ve just known her as a meme, The Woman In Me offers a side to the story that opens the door to bigger conversations. All you’ve been wanting to know from Justin Timberlake to the infamous buzzcut to taking back her life — Britney lays it all on the table.

Vanilla, Bacon, and Gravy

The do’s and don’ts of scented candles STAFF WRITER CREW ILLUSTRATOR

OPINIONS

LEA KRUSEMEYER (SHE/HER) CHELLE LUSSI (ANY)

The stanchions are out again in front of Bath & Body Works in downtown Vancouver. That means it is time for candle talk. From what I learned over the last couple of years of being a candle girl, the more is not the merrier. It is better to decide on one nice scent and stick to that. In the candle business, it is important to go for quality over quantity. The world of candle scents is a vast and diverse one, offering an array of options to suit everyone’s needs and desires. Let us explore the vast variety of candle scents and help you to find your perfect candle match. Beginning with an old classic and a favorite of mine — lavender. This scent does not just smell amazing, it also helps reduce stress and anxiety, as well as migraines and headaches. My grandma used to put a little branch of lavender under my pillow every night as a child, and burning a candle with the same smell transports me right back into those cozy childhood memories. Lavender does have the tendency to help induce sleep, so I would advise lighting up those candles in the bedroom and not in the living room. For the living room, my year-round favorite, Vanilla. Vanillascented candles are a little more on the subtle side and can help with creating a calm and cozy atmosphere, perfect for movie nights or reading a book curled up in your favorite blanket. A personal favorite of mine is the vanilla-scented candle from Anthropologie, it is a little on the pricier side but it lasts a long time and I can assure you it is worth every penny. Now let us talk about some of the more modern candle creations. Last year at a friend’s house I smelled a London Fog candle for the first time and it made me want to pick it up and take a big sip right there and then. This also works for chaiscented candles or any other variation of tea.

I did make the mistake of assuming that all warm drinkscented candles would be this amazing, and might have discovered the world’s most horrible smelling burning wick on that journey. On a cozy winter evening a few years back, I lit up a chocolate-scented candle and it is hard to describe the smell as anything other than sweet. All I could smell for hours on end was sweetness, like putting your head into a pot of melted sugar and taking deep breaths. This might sound like heaven to some, but for me, it was a nightmare. One trip to the garbage bin and a very long walk in fresh air later, I walked back into my house just to be greeted by the same smell lingering in the air. It took two days to get my house back to normal. Don’t be like me, save your house from chocolate candles. Light up some flowery scented candles instead — they might not immediately scream holiday, but traditions can be bent and no one is the candle police and can tell you what you should or should not be burning this winter season. A nice rose or lilac scent while you are getting ready to start your day, sipping your coffee will surely put you in a good mood. Now, before I let you turn the page and enjoy the next article, I must give one more warning. Do not buy any kind of candle that is food-scented. Bacon, chicken, turkey, or gravy— sadly I have seen all of those as options over the years and they have all disappointed. Who wants to lay in bed surrounded by the heavy smell of gravy all night? These smells have a nauseating effect and create an environment that is the opposite of calming or cozy. In the world of growing candle enthusiasts, everyone is entitled to make their own mistakes and discover what burns well for themselves. However, if I can stop even one chocolate-scented disaster, I have done my duty.

OPINIONS

Apple Cider, Glühwein, and Mocktails The holiday season leaves space for your favorite drinks

OPINIONS

STAFF WRITER

LEA KRUSEMEYER (SHE/HER)

ILLUSTRATOR

ANGELICA BLANCH (SHE/HER)

Imagine this — it is a winter day in Vancouver and you are supposed to meet your friends for drinks at a new restaurant. After making your way through rain and snow, you finally arrive at the location and order your first drink, after a taste test you realize it is horrible and all your efforts of making it to that new spot were for nothing. T avoid that, here is a list of drinks and spots in Vancouver that will not disappoint anyone’s taste buds.

It is my favorite bar in Vancouver and the drinks are so good. No matter if you are down for a night of drinks or rather sip on a mocktail, Shameful Tiki Room has it all on its menu. The “Designated Driver”, which just as its name suggests, is a mocktail, made out of pineapple, soda, and cinnamon, is my friend group’s favorite drink — the cinnamon gives it a little bit of a Christmas taste.

First, let us begin with a classic. The Vancouver Christmas Market with its broad variety of vendors has multiple spots in which visitors can purchase Glühwein and warm apple cider. A nice cup of Glühwein on a rainy day has brightened up many moods, including my own. The mixture of warm red wine, spices and fruits warms one up from the inside and it has a decently high percentage of liquor in it, so a little buzz is guaranteed.

Exploring different venues is definitely a memorable experience to try with your friends, but in the end, what matters the most during the holiday season is comfort and togetherness. Regardless of the quality of the drinks, what truly matters is the company you keep.

Also available at the Christmas market is warm apple cider, which is great for people who prefer non-alcoholic beverages but still want to experience a sense of Christmas. Visiting the Vancouver Christmas Market costs $15 to $20 and that only covers entry but the experience of walking from vendor to vendor and being able to try a variety of drinks and food are well worth the price. I went there last year and it was the second-best apple cider I ever tried, right after the one my mom used to make. If you and your friends prefer to stay warm and like to have a full restaurant experience while sipping your wintery drinks, the H Tasting Lounge in downtown Vancouver offers a variety of Christmas-inspired drinks every winter season. Last year they used Disney Christmas movies as their inspiration for their winter menu, and I am sure they will be just as creative this year. This place came to my mind because my best friend and I accidentally ended up there once after putting the wrong name into Google Maps, so naturally, we had to try most of their drinks since we were already there. This might not be a specifically holidayrelated drink, but their Espresso Martinis are to die for. Now if you are looking for a real escape from the rainy and dark weather, the Shameful Tiki Room is the place to go. Located on Main Street in East Vancouver, it is an exotic and tropical escape. I got invited there once by a friend and nothing could have prepared me for the decor and overall vibe of the place. There are no windows, so once you enter you lose all feeling of time and weather, and the decor makes you believe you are on a tropical vacation to Hawaii.

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Teacher, it’s

CONTRIBUTOR

ANA XIMENA MTNZ LIMA (SHE/HER)

ILLUSTRATOR

SOL YOON (SHE/HER)

OPINIONS

cold outside t t

The real nightmare before Christmas

In Vancouver, white days bring the city to a standstill. How is it possible that such a beautiful landscape can be so terrifying at the same time? We know that snowfall isn’t as common in Vancouver as in other parts of the country, but complete shutdowns have become the norm. We’ve become a meme across Canada, illustrating how the city comes to a halt with just a bit of snow. Exactly a year ago, in December 2022, I experienced my first snowfall in the city. What initially seemed like a magical and exciting moment soon turned into an experience I’d rather not relive this year. Driving and taking the bus in Vancouver were things I wanted to avoid at all costs. From cars sliding on some hills where the snow wasn’t cleared, to getting stuck while trying to park. More often than not, bus services were suspended, and I had to wait for the next one in the bone-chilling cold. When you have to go to school or work, the commute becomes a nightmare — minutes stretch out, and you know that anything can happen along the way. We’re aware that the approximate dates of snowfall coincide with the last days of the fall term, which also happen to be finals season, with projects and many pending tasks that require us to be on campus. Having the option of online classes during these days should be something all students and staff have. Many people live far from CapU, and whether they travel by car or bus, the snowfall affects them.

managed to get the brakes to work he urgently advised us to disembark as quickly as possible — emphasizing that we had to continue our journey on foot. Each person can recount their unique experiences with winter commutes, from humorous anecdotes to genuinely perilous moments. Our university is well aware of these challenges, and should recognize the risks that students, faculty, and staff take to make their way to campus. In light of these circumstances, hybrid classes should be considered an essential measure, and I believe that many people involved with CapU may share this viewpoint. These risks are not limited to inconveniences and delays but also extend to potential accidents and health hazards, making it a matter of utmost concern. By offering the flexibility of remote learning during adverse weather conditions, the university can ensure the safety and well-being of its students and employees, while also mitigating the disruptive impact that such weather events can have on education and work. This winter, let’s relish the snow and the beautiful landscapes without the worries of transportation and its challenges, all the while fulfilling our responsibilities.

While I was in the midst of my finals last year, I made the decision to study at a library in North Burnaby to focus a little more. As I left my place, only a few snowflakes were beginning to fall. I took the bus and spent several hours studying, completely unaware of the unforeseen events that would unfold later in the day. Upon exiting the library, the city appeared to have transformed into a winter wonderland, with the glistening lights and snow-covered streets resembling scenes from a Disney movie. As I boarded the bus to head back, everything initially seemed normal. However, it didn’t take long for a few buses ahead to get stuck, and the driver informed us that reaching our intended destination was now an impossibility. He explained that he would do his utmost to get us closer to the SkyTrain station, as it was getting late, and there would be no more buses running. As he cautiously descended a hill the bus began to skid and when he

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Giving is the New Getting Holiday joy is readily available to all who desire it… but ultimately, you’ll only get what you give

CONTRIBUTOR

MIKAILA POIRIER (SHE/HER)

ILLUSTRATOR

APSARA COEFFIC-NEOU (SHE/HER)

OPINIONS

Wintertime is here, and I feel much different about it as an adult. Long gone are the days of unadulterated joy and anticipation during the holidays. As a child, worries about time and money were far less prominent in my mind, and it was difficult to understand why my parents couldn’t always share my excitement. Of course, as I’ve aged it’s become obvious why the holidays weren’t necessarily the best time of year for the adults around me. Priorities begin to shift, and our focus naturally switches from receiving to giving. For a long time, I struggled to establish a healthy balance in my life during the winter. The culminating demands of school and work meant that buying gifts for my loved ones was just another thing to add to my list of responsibilities that I wished to avoid. In more recent years, though, I’ve been trying to rediscover the holiday magic through embracing this new role. I’ve started taking it seriously. As it turns out, buying gifts is actually a source of great joy for me when I leave myself enough time to think ahead and deliver something meaningful. Being a good gifter is an acquired skill; one that serves every type of relationship. When we view gifting as the delicate art that it is, the rewards to be reaped are far more valuable than the effortless thrills of receiving. Don’t get me wrong, the beauty in any gift exchange is just that: the exchange. Both parties get to share in the unique joys that both roles have to offer. Yet, historically, I’ve always felt that the pressure of opening gifts takes away from my ability to actually focus on the gift itself. Having multiple sets of eyes stare at me while I unwrap something makes it difficult to not lean into some sort of performance that nobody’s really asking for. When I’m in the role of the giver, however, the excitement I feel watching someone open the gift and the connection I feel with them when they actually like it are the most fulfilling parts of the season. This is where my holiday joy hits its peak.

Where it’s sparked, though, is in the act of planning. As much as I can, I like to avoid buying presents off of a wish list. There’s no romance in that. I’ve found that my best gifts are ones that have been plotted strategically over time, by way of paying attention throughout every season. People are always mentioning things they want or need in passing, and I’ve made a practice of keeping notes on these things year-round so I don’t have to do any mental gymnastics when the season of giving approaches. It’s a waiting game, but it serves two purposes; it provides them with something that will undoubtedly improve their life, and it demonstrates that their needs are valuable to me. Gifting in this way has strengthened my relationships and encouraged me to remain curious and empathetic towards those I love. As much as I miss the simplicity of childhood, these things wouldn’t be accomplished if my focus was still on receiving. For many of us, the holidays are bittersweet. Most of the familiar joys we felt growing up are still there; they just don’t quite look the same. Our responsibilities have changed, and the ways in which we experience these joys will continue to evolve as we do. Still, as with so many things in life, the power lies in our perspective. Giving can be expensive and time-consuming, but it’s also one of the loveliest things about this season. Amongst all the instability, I can always be sure that the feeling I get when I give authentically will stay the same. So when the stress sets in, just remember that the more gifts we have to buy each year, the more people we have in our lives who care about us.

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HIBERNATION

COLUMNS

THE STARVING ARTIST Broke-ass student recipes

COLUMNS EDITOR

SARA BRINKAC (SHE/THEY)

ILLUSTRATOR

TRICIA TANG (SHE/HER)

I’m Doing Fine Mom Howdy, it’s me again, The Starving Artist. I have returned after a month’s sabbatical to the inner realms of flavor and, boy, am I excited to share with you what I brought back. I got a lot of fan mail during November from readers begging for a new recipe and desperately wanting to know where I went. Speculations arised on message boards, sightings of me in Monaco, rumors of royal affairs, and increasingly outrageous tales. Indeed, it was all true. The best part however, is that it only cost me 5 bucks and a stick of gum. While it was hard to leave Prince Abdul Mateen, I knew I had a duty to return to my readers. The old adage of flavour-based monastic circles began to pull deep at my soul: “You can pull off an international diamond heist with a clove of garlic, but it means nothing if not shared with the greater Capilano Student Community.” So, here I am, your budget Messiah and with me I bring a greater wealth of knowledge than the Canadian Food Administration Board ever thought possible. A knowledge of self. A personal favourite recipe that has kept my brain and pride fueled for years. A tasty, customizable dish that makes you feel good about your nutrition knowledge and better about your wallet. I hope you all enjoy this sacred concoction, and if not … the nation of Brunei is willing to support me in military affairs.

Cost of Meal: $3.40 and your first born child 1 cup of rice 1 cup of water 2-3 eggs (I see you with that free range, good for you) Dash of salt Dash of pepper Dash of turmeric/chili powder (optional) 1 can of tuna 3-4 florets of broccoli (optional for the fancy pants) Ketchup (to taste) Soy sauce (to taste)

Directions

1. Grab some water, grab some rice and start the process of however you make rice. I’m an Instant Pot princess, so it’s a 1:1 ratio for me but I am understanding of the potboilers, rice steamers, and satanic incantations of the world. The important thing to remember here is to make at least two cups of cooked rice. 2. Now to make your mom real proud. Break off some florets of broccoli and steam them in boiling water. It is crucial you cook them until they are just tender then get ‘em’ out of that water stat and sprinkle a lil’ salt on them. Very little in this world makes me cry like an over-boiled and under-salted broccoli floret. Don’t make me cry.

having. Add salt, pepper, and, maybe, turmeric? Or, chili powder? (consider it) to your preferred level of taste. *PRO TIP: Skip the bowl and crack them in the pan then start whisking your heart out. Who needs to dirty an extra bowl and fork in this economy? 4. Alright, alright, alright, Matty Machonaughey says your eggs are cooked, your broccoli is perfect and your rice is ready. Now, for the magic. Serve yourself up a cup of rice, slide the eggs on, half a can of tuna and your broccoli boys. 5. Add soy sauce or ketchup to taste depending on your mood. Or, do both in separate parts of the bowl if you’re an indecisive queen such as I. 6. Be proud of your food pyramid dinner. 7. Realize you have an extra cup of rice and half a can of tuna after this process which means you can have this meal tomorrow with even less effort. 8. Cry tears of joy and set up an altar for me in your home. You’re welcome. Bonafide Appalachian! — The Starving Artist

3. While your little grains are gettin’ cozy, and your broccoli is having a lovely steam, start grabbing eggs and beating them up*. You can choose to beat two to three eggs depending on the day you’re

GWENESDAY MOVIE NIGHT: TRADING PLACES (1983) I was looking for an unconventional holiday movie, and I might have gotten more than I bargained for

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR GWEN PEMBERTON (SHE/HER)

Honestly, I just wanted to do something nice. I wanted to think outside the box and review a holiday movie that you might not otherwise have heard about. I could have watched Home Alone, or Christmas Vacation or even an oddball — and one of my family’s favourites — Office Christmas Party. But no.

I was slightly baffled when I went to look at reviews for Trading Places. Over and over critics and audience members referred to it as clever, witty, and sharp. A satire that cuts America down to the bone. I found a lot of the comedy felt much more like a blunt instrument. Aykroyd and Murphy do play well off each other, and the scenes in which they interact were quite entertaining, but most of the moments in between fell flat for me.

Instead I watched Trading Places, which just so happens to take place in and around Christmas and New Years. Despite the holiday setting, I would suggest skipping this one with your loved ones. It might lead to some uncomfortable conversations. Trading Places is a modern retelling of the classic Prince and the Pauper story. Dan Aykroyd plays Louis Winthorpe III, a stiffcollared, upper-crust finance worker. Eddie Murphy — in his second on-screen role — plays Billy Ray Valentine, a beggar and small-time con man. With some malicious interference, Aykroyd’s two executive bosses make a wager, curious if they can turn Valentine into a model employee at their firm, and simultaneously force Winthorpe into a life of common crime. Once their plan is set in motion the film plays out as you might expect. Valentine quickly adapts to a life of means, demonstrating his character and savvy once the road blocks of poverty are removed. Winthorpe slowly spirals as his friends abandon him and his creature comforts are stripped from him.

The satire of the film pokes fun at the vapid, greed-driven culture of the 80s, and it does have some clever moments. Murphy’s comedic timing was impeccable in the film. He and Jamie Lee Curtis as Ophelia, a sex worker saving up for retirement, were the highlights for me. Trading Places also has a surprisingly nuanced take on sex work for 1983, pointing out the false conceptions often leveled at people like Ophelia. She is sharp, funny, caring, and completely independent. Upon meeting Winthorpe she takes him under her wing and quickly sets him straight, saying: “The only thing I’ve got going for me, is this body, this face, and what I got up here. I don’t do drugs. And I don’t have a pimp.” Unfortunately, that was where the nuance stopped, for me, at least. I knew that a John Landis comedy from the 80s might not be the most comfortable watch by today’s standards. Between some flippant uses of the F-slur and some hard-core African stereotyping the first half of the film was off to a rocky start. The pacing dragged and the character development, particularly for Aykroyd’s character, felt extremely rushed. Unfortunately matters did not improve from there. Around the start of the third act my jaw dropped when one of Winthorpe’s bosses dropped the N-word, and my disbelief only grew when the third act incorporated Aykroyd in blackface, doing his best (read worst) impression of a Jamaican accent.

ILLUSTRATOR EVA STAUB (SHE/HER)

The parts that I did enjoy are best showcased in the climax of the film, which sees Winthorpe and Valentine team up to take down the men who conspired to ruin them. The banter, the satire and the timing all come together for an enjoyable ending. Although the fact that it takes place in the World Trade Center did serve as one final stark reminder of the times. Trading Places shows up on a lot of lists of unconventional holiday movies. Though I certainly agree, I wouldn’t jump to add it to the rotation. The chemistry between the leads and some smart comedy about the financial sector couldn’t save this fairly predictable comedy for me. Lacking a certain holiday charm and containing a lot more racism and homophobia than I was prepared for on a Wednesday afternoon, I suggest you trade in Trading Places for more traditional holiday fare. Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.

AIRPLANE MODE Life on layovers 72

COLUMNS

OPINIONS EDITOR ILLUSTRATOR

Being single is something I’ve always been good at. In a few months, I will have been single for the past six years, and it’s been some of the best ones yet. A part of me would like to find someone that puts a little pep in my step and shows me what a new kind of love can look like. However, I am in no rush to get there — the last thing I want to do is settle for someone that doesn’t truly make me happy. I will go on dates, flirt and put myself out there as much as I can, but at the same time I’m not often seeking it out.

timezone and the communication will dwindle after the initial “Where are you off to next?” I get it, I would have a hard time wanting to talk to someone that didn’t have service for up to 12 hours a day and only texted back at five in the morning. So instead of trying to find the one through online services (that only really give me the option for something short term), I have decided to rely heavily on the good old real world. Seems like a lot of people made it work for them before the internet, so I’m giving it a shot.

Dating in the 2020s was hard enough — a pandemic, lockdown and dating apps didn’t help me find “like,”— let alone “love”. Then, I added the hardest job to maintain a connection to my resumé. Being a flight attendant is a sexy sounding job, and it’s something that a lot of people want to romanticize and chase after, but the reality is that I have gone on fewer dates in the last six months than any other six month stretch.

So far I have gone on a few organic dates, which have felt much less forced, and have created some fun memories. One way to meet people while traveling is by hitting up spots people your age might also be interested in. In Montreal I had a layover that allowed me to have an evening out on the town. I donned my favourite dress and headed to a local mezcal underground speakeasy. I was genuinely excited to try the drinks, but as luck would have it, I was seated next to someone that turned out to be more interesting than the atmosphere. We ended up sitting together, getting into both light-hearted and deep discussions and suddenly the lights were coming on and we had inevitably closed out the bar; the last two remaining. It ended with a goodbye kiss, but turned into nothing more than a good travel tale.

My schedule has me away from home at least 25 days of the month. That leaves a scattered five or six days left to try and get stuff done in Vancouver. I already have a plethora of people in my life that I love, and I struggle to make time for everyone as it is. I do not have it in me to spend one of my days off going on essentially a blind date, trying to break through an awkward barrier of questions I’ve already asked 100 times. What do you do for work? Are you close with your parents? Should I be worried you don’t have any furniture in your house? It’s exhausting and I would much rather spend time with the people I don’t have to be scared to be myself around. Dating apps also become an issue while on the road. I will match with someone and then end up in a substantially different

JAYDE ATCHISON (SHE/HER) CELINA ZHONG (SHE/HER)

while they were a guest on my flight (in uniform). It felt less inappropriate to chat with someone in the back galley that was in the industry and it formed a base connection. The date led to an experience on the East Coast I wouldn’t have had the chance to do otherwise. While it didn’t progress past a first date — it was one I’ll never forget. Finding romance around the world sounds like it should be no problem, but it hasn’t been the easiest during my short time on the job. I am content to keep exploring the globe on my own or with my friends, but I will keep an open mind to the possibility of meeting a special someone in person, and I will keep packing a nice dress on layovers just in case.

People always ask if I ever meet people while working on the plane. The short answer is yes, but the long answer is that it’s complicated. I have met some very attractive people while working my flights, but I have to remain professional and don’t often accept advances from guests, because that is neither the time nor the place. I have held up a steadfast no dating within the workplace rule for many years, but I have accepted a date with another airline employee while in Halifax, who I had met COLUMNS

o e f p t i h c e e M o nt h R

A VARIETY OF DRINKS YOU CAN MAKE TO SPICE UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR COMMUNITIES EDITOR ILLUSTRATORS

GWEN PEMBERTON (SHE/HER) AVERY NOWICKI (THEY/THEM) ANDY POYSTILA (HE/HIM) CHELLE LUSSI (ANY)

These drinks are some of my winter favourites, and the perfect choice if you want something a bit stronger to get through the family get-together. These are crowd pleasers, sure to get everyone smiling, and more importantly, distract grandma from your new tattoo.

WHITE RUSSIAN (AKA SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER) l l l l

2 oz. vodka 1 oz. Kahlua Splash of milk Garnish with grated cinnamon or nutmeg

Pour your vodka and Kahlua over ice and top it up with milk (or your substitute of choice). Garnish with some grated nutmeg or cinnamon for a little holiday flair. This year Santa’s milk is extra special.

SPIKED APPLE CIDER l l l l

2 oz. dark rum 4 oz. apple juice Cinnamon stick 1 orange slice

In a pot or kettle, bring apple juice to a simmer with the orange slices and cinnamon. Amounts can vary, so adjust to your liking. Once the mixture is hot, pour rum in your glass and top it up with the spiced apple mixture. This cocktail is easy to make in batches as well. The cider can be prepared separately in any quantity you desire. Serve it without the booze if you want a more family friendly option. Feeling fancy? Garnish with an orange slice or grated cinnamon. This delicious drink will be sure to keep you warm through winter.

I am a firm believer that my beloved iced coffee can be enjoyed in all weather, whether I am melting on a desert sun or frozen in the tundra, I will have my big glass of iced coffee with me. Personally, I serve mine in a cleaned out 1kg Adam’s Peanut Butter Jar… but that’s just me. I do like to match the seasons, both in theme and temperature. To give my Iced coffee a metaphorical tiny Santa hat, I’ll be making…*drumroll* Candy Cane Cold Brew !

CANDY CANE COLD BREW l l l l l l

13 oz. dark roast cold brew (see cold brew recipe below, or use your half-drunk cup from this morning) Ice cubes ½ oz. Peppermint syrup 2 oz. Almond milk Whipped Cream 1 tbsp. crushed candy cane

Grab a tall class, fill almost.. full with ice cubes. Fill with 13 oz. (or ¾ full) with dark roast cold brew. Add ½ oz. of peppermint syrup and 2 oz. of almond milk, or any milk of choice. Cover with whipped cream, and coat in crushed candy cane crumbles. All done!

Now, to make the cold brew, here’s what to do: *It’s actually quite easy. l l l

2 tablespoons dark roast coffee grounds or grind 1 cup dark roast beans (coarsely ground) 4 cups water 1 cheeseclock

To start, grab a big jar and pour in 2 tbsp. coffee grounds. Pour 4 cups of water overtop and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Steep in the fridge overnight (min. 12 hrs). In the morning, pour coffee mixture through a strainer into a clean jar. Strained coffee can then be used immediately or stored in the fridge for up to a week. When serving coffee, feel free to dilute the mixture with as much water/milk as you prefer.

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CAPILANO UNIVERSITY is located on the traditional unceded territories of the LíỈwat, xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), shíshálh (Sechelt), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and SəỈílwətaʔ/ Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

We recognize our presence here as guests on this sacred land and deeply appreciate the privilege to work, study, and reside in this remarkable place. The Capilano Courier acknowledges that this gesture is just a starting point on the path to reconciliation, and we are committed to amplifying Indigenous voices and sharing their stories. THE CAPILANO COURIER is an autonomous,

democratically-run student newspaper that encourages literary and visual submissions. However, all submissions undergo editing for brevity, taste, and legality. We are committed to not publishing material that the collective deems as promoting sexism, racism, or homophobia. The views expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the Capilano Courier publishing society. Additionally, we prioritize a human-centered approach to content creation and do not support the use of AI in our editorial processes. We believe in the value of human perspectives and storytelling in our publication.

Maple Building 122

CAPILANO COURIER VOLUME 56, ISSUE NO.4