Changes Zine Issue #2: Holidaze by Changes Zine

BEFORE WE CONTINUE, A SHORT MESSAGE FROM US:

Editor's Note

This issue we welcomed many new members to the Changes family and it’s been a pleasure to get to know them! It’s always exciting to meet like-minded creatives and I am constantly surprised by how talented and driven our team is. I’m so proud to be a part of such a kind and welcoming community and I only wish I could have found it sooner. As a senior student, I’ve had plenty of terrible high school experiences — all of which have taught me valuable lessons — but I’m learning that it didn’t have to be that way. Our experiences shape who we are today, but as we grow we learn to identify which ones were necessary and which ones were not. Teachers that didn’t need to yell at us so we’d learn work ethic, classmates that didn’t need to tease us so we’d understand selfacceptance. And I think that the most interesting part of this journey is the resulting thirst for change. We don’t want our younger peers to go through the same things when we know it can be different. That’s why I love Changes. We provide a platform for young people to make their voices heard, and a safe space for them to make mistakes and grow. And if we can make high school just a little easier, make students feel just a little more understood, help our peers feel a little less alone — that’s more than enough for me.

Wishing a warm welcome to the second newest addition to the Changes family: issue #2! Issue #2 is a special one. It reflects this side of the holidays that we often forget about — that the way we celebrate is always subject to change. Did you know that in ancient times, during winter solstice, upper classes would have to repay their real or imagined “debt” to the lower classes? The lower classes would join together and ask rich people for food and drink; lest they don’t provide it then a trick would be played on them. Although our modern celebration of the winter holidays seems way lamer than that of a few hundred years ago, it shows us that change is always upon us for better or for worse. But this issue proves that yeah sure, the holiday season is a special time, but it’s because we make it special. Our individual experiences, stories, ideas, and traditions make this time special. And when we share what makes this time special to us, the more exciting this time can be. When you read this magazine — the poems, the stories, the reflections — we hope you’ll get at least a little bit more excited about the holidays this year. We hope that you’ll try something new (like maybe playing a trick on the rich if they don’t give up their wealth to charity). We hope that you’ll embrace changes in the holidays.

-Arik Creative Director and Editor

-Angelina Creative Director and Editor

The theme of Changes Zine’s second issue is Holidaze! The holiday season is a time full of celebration, family & friends, and relaxation. But like everything else, it’s not always as it seems. This year has been especially tough — with a pandemic keeping us from our regular traditions things can feel a little lonely. Changes is excited to spend this holiday season with you to remind you that you’re not alone. Whatever you’re feeling, we’re here to tell you it’s okay and help you get through it — with awesome activities, engaging stories and fun facts we hope to brighten up your holidaze. Happy Reading :)!

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CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020

CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020 | LIFESTYLE

Activities to Do in

Colder Weather This winter, don’t let the coronavirus pandemic dampen your festive mood. Make the most of the holidays by challenging yourself to the ultimate winter bucket list! From winter- themed baking to tobogganing, this bucket list has something for everyone, and will

encourage you to stay active, explore new hobbies, and focus on all the good things you have in your life. Below you will find 10 awesome indoor and outdoor winter activities that can be done safely this season. These activities are sure to keep you entertained all winter long.

Indoor Activities Bake Winter-Themed Treats Is there anything that can put a bigger smile on your face than a batch of your favourite cookies fresh out of the oven? This winter, put a fun twist on your baked goods by decorating your cookies, cupcakes, and other treats with winter-themed

designs such as snowflakes, snowmen, Christmas trees, and pretty much anything else you can think of! Try incorporating special ingredients such as peppermint or candy canes into your baking for an extra festive touch. Better yet, make

winter classics such as your own homemade gingerbread house or sugar cookies. No matter what you choose to bake, you can be sure your indulgent desserts will please everyone you decide to share them with — if you do plan on sharing, that is!

Have A Movie Marathon Can you think of a better way to spend a chilly winter evening than curling up on the couch for a movie marathon? Having a movie marathon with your family is the 9

perfect way to relax and take your mind off the stresses of everyday life. So grab a large bowl of popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show! From brand-new holiday

movies to winter classics, there are tons of great choices out there waiting to be discovered — see page 13 for our recommendations on what to watch this season.

Try A Winter Craft If it’s just one of those winter days you know, the ones that are so cold that just thinking about leaving the comforting warmth of your home is enough to make your teeth chatter - keep yourself creatively engaged with some unique winter crafts. Whether you’re looking to create the perfect homemade gift for a loved one, design festive decorations for your home, or just find an enjoyable way

to pass the time, there is a winter craft out there for you! Get creative by making your own wreaths, holiday greeting cards, snow globes, scented candles, and more… anything goes! Check out Pinterest and Youtube for inspiration, or come up with your own unique ideas. If you’re particularly ambitious, try your hand at knitting or crocheting. Handmade winter clothing is sure to come in handy this winter!

gift- giving a little more challenging this season, but you can still shop at many of your favourite stores online and have your purchases delivered to your doorstep. If you prefer not to shop, spoil your lucky friend or family member with a thoughtful

homemade gift, such as a fresh batch of baked goods or a personalized home decoration. Remember — when it comes to gift giving, it’s the thought that counts!

Exchange Gifts With Family And Friends Even if you aren’t celebrating any religious holidays or festivals this winter, gift- giving is a great way to show appreciation for the important people in your life and spread some much-needed cheer this season. COVID-19 restrictions might make

Create A Workout Routine From the snow-filled streets to your cravings for holiday treats, there are always obstacles to staying fit during the holidays. Challenge yourself to stay active this winter by creating your own indoor workout routine, whether it be focused on yoga, cardio, strength, or

whatever type of exercise you most enjoy. Despite common misconceptions, you don’t actually need access to a gym to have an effective and enjoyable workout — there is so much you can do right at home that requires no equipment at all! Home workouts have become

increasingly popular lately — check out fitness channels on social media for inspiration. You could even pair your workout with a holiday playlist for an exercise routine that is fun, festive, and rewarding!

Have A Game Night If your quarantine habits have been anything like mine recently, it’s probably been a while since you’ve last played a board game - on an actual board, not on a computer screen. Plan a game night for your family this winter break! Disconnect from technology and gather together for a fun-filled night of classic board games. There are plenty of options to choose from, including the beloved favourites Clue, Monopoly, Life, Sorry!, and

Trivial Pursuit. Spice things up by adding in an exciting card game such as Uno or Exploding Kittens. Not only are board games a ton of fun, but game nights also help everyone to reconnect with each other and relieve stress, so hosting your own is an ideal way to improve your entire family’s mental well-being. Take yours to the next level by preparing popular game night snacks; loaded nachos, anyone?

Outdoor Activities

Go Tobogganing There is nothing quite like the exhilarating adrenaline rush that comes from an epic toboggan ride. Some of my fondest childhood winter memories are of hurtling down snowy hills at breakneck speed. The cold wind stinging my cheeks, a soaring sensation consuming me as if I’m lighter than air itself. I know what you’re thinking, so before you protest — tobogganing is not just for children! In fact, the bigger you are, the faster you’ll be able to speed down the hills, and the farther you’ll slide once you reach the bottom, guaranteeing an amazing ride. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your toboggan and a family member, and head out to the slopes closest to you for an unforgettable winter experience!

Make Your Own Maple Taffy Treat yourself to a delectable winter classic by making your own maple taffy. Maple taffy is both delicious and super easy to make, and is probably one of the best-tasting things I’ve ever had. All you need is some pure maple syrup and a block of ice (or clean snow if it is available) to make your own taffy right at home. Boil the maple syrup, and then pour the concentrated syrup onto your ice or snow. Once it cools, you will have fresh, homemade, maple-flavoured taffy that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. This Quebec classic is sure to become your new favourite seasonal treat.

Winter Bucketlist

Take A Winter Hike From the merciless sun to the swarms of ravenous mosquitoes, it’s indisputable that hiking during the summer presents several disadvantages. This season, enjoy the great outdoors without the aforementioned nuisances by going

on a winter hike! Make sure to dress for the cold, bring along a warm drink, and take plenty of pictures. Nature during winter is a beautiful sight that offers a much more different perspective in terms of scenery than many people are used

to, and is sure to fascinate you if you have an appreciation for art or nature. Even if you don’t, a a winter hike is a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy some low-impact physical activity.

consecutive hits just as they’re about to declare victory. Such isare the epic highs and lows of a classic snowball fight. This winter, channel your competitive energy into a snowball battle with the rest of your family. In addition to having a great time, you’ll get to refine your

snowball making, throwing, and dodging skills… you know, just in case you’re considering a career in snowball fighting. With practice, you might become just as talented as Buddy in the movie Elf (a holiday classic you should definitely revisit this year)!

Have A Snowball Fight Splat! A cold, wet snowball smacks you right in the face (courtesy of your younger sibling) before you can even register it’s coming your way. Undeniably, such an event wouldn’t put you in the best mood, but here’s something that certainly would: getting them back with two

Holiday Movie Night

Theholiday holidayseason seasonisiswarm, warm,festive, festive,and andabove aboveall allelse else The theperfect perfectopportunity opportunityto tospend spendtime timewith withfriends, friends, the family,and andeven evenfoes. foes.Take Takae a break from exhausting family, a break from anan exhausting yearby byhaving havingaafew fewmovie movienights nightsthis thiswinter winterfeaturing featuring year thesetop-notch top-notchmerry merrymovies moviesand andTV. TV. these

WATCH

Quarantined

HOME ALONE (1990)

MR ROBOT (2015-2019)

DIR. CHRIS COLUMBUS FAMILY/COMEDY CAST: MACAULAY CULKIN, JOE PESCI, DANIEL STERN

CREATED BY SAM ESMAIL DRAMA/THRILLER CAST: RAMI MALEK, CHRISTIAN SLATER

“This is my house. I have to defend it.” A holiday classic with an oddly relevant title for a truly bizarre year, this Chris Columbus comedy starring the world’s most psychopathic child still holds up a whole 30 years after release. Macaulay Culkin’s charming performance as Kevin McAllister manages to rival his co-stars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, whose terrifying dedication to slapstick is commendable to say the very least. Whether you’re somehow watching it for the very first time or you’ve seen it past the double-digits, Home Alone (1990) deserves some respect for staying inventive and timeless after more than 3 decades.

“I wanted to save the world.” Commonly praised as the most accurate show about hacking ever conceived, Mr. Robot is an innovative mind-bending adventure that critiques all that is wrong about the world. Each and every episode pushes new limits on the possibilities of television, and strong performances from Rami Malek and Christian Slater carry the show into greatness. The fourth season is particularly festive, taking place entirely within the week of Christmas. Poignant themes of family and identity are prevalent throughout the show, and it is heavily recommended you jump in completely blind.

STREAMING ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

STREAMING ON DISNEY+

I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS (2020) DIR. CHARLIE KAUFMAN PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER CAST: JESSIE BUCKLEY, JESSE PLEMONS, TONI COLLETTE

“You can’t fake a thought.” One of the best films to come out this year, the ever-so-confusing auteur Charlie Kaufman has returned with a film that rivals his most thought-provoking pieces in the form of an unsettling winter tale. Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons bring Kaufman’s challenging words to life in an effective manner, but Toni Collette steals the show with her insane performance. It’s often debated what the true meaning of this film is, with popular theories being death, love, family, and dealing with the unforgiving nature of time. No matter what you choose to walk away with, I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020) makes it a personal goal to leave you confused and slightly terrified. Perfect for the holidays.

STREAMING ON NETFLIX

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (2011)

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002)

DIR. SARAH SMITH FAMILY/ANIMATION CAST: JAMES MCAVOY, HUGH LAURIE, BILL NIGHY

DIR. STEVEN SPIELBERG CRIME/COMEDY/ DRAMA CAST: LEONARDO DICAPRIO, TOM HANKS, CHRISTOPHER WALKEN

“In Santa we believe.” Often overlooked and initially a financial disappointment, Aardman Animations’ Arthur Christmas (2011) is heartwarming and a fantastic combination of visual comedy and witty one-liners. The story follows the son of Santa Claus himself, a purehearted and clumsy young man named Arthur Claus. He embarks on a journey across the world to deliver a gift to a forgotten child before they wake up to disappointment on Christmas Day. Aardman Animation has always valued quality over quantity, and it was a huge shame this film was swept away upon release. Do yourself a favour before the new year and give this film its longoverdue appreciation.

STREAMING ON NETFLIX

“People only know what you tell them.” Released on Christmas Day, 2002, Steven Spielberg’s globe-trotting biopic about famous con-artist Frank Abagnale (played by one-time Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio) is smart, fun, and emotionally poignant. Chasing after Frank is the seasoned and determined FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), leading to an exciting adventure that showcases Spielberg’s masterful direction and ability to craft human stories. With touching themes about family, friendship, and straight-up lying, Catch Me If You Can (2002) is perfect for the holiday season.

STREAMING ON NETFLIX AND AMAZON PRIME VIDEO 14

ere are some of my favourite albums from the year 2020. It was really difficult to narrow down this year’s favourites down to 6 albums so I hope my picks resonate with you as much as they did with me.

After Hours

Artist: The Weeknd Genre: Pop/R&B

After Hours is the longanticipated 4th studio album from Toronto singer-songwriter icon, Abel Tesfaye a.k.a The Weeknd. Taking home 3 AMA’s, The Weeknd has had quite the successful year. After Hours

delivers a reinvented new style of music that seamlessly combines Abel’s signature alternative R&B sound with elements of 80’s synth-pop and new wave. The synth leads and percussion throughout the tracklist (especially in the second half) serve as a huge stylistic throwback that adds to the glamour of the album. Speaking of glamour, there’s a lot of it. After Hours delivers a very dramatic narrative across its 14 songs. To summarize, The Weeknd is up to his toxic shenanigans again. The listener goes through a long overarching plot filled with apologies, infidelity, anger, revenge, relapse, more apologies, and self-realization (in that exact order). This is a very tragic

NO DREAM Artist: Jeff Rosenstock Genre: Pop-Punk

NO DREAM is the 5th studio album from former Bomb the Music Industry! frontman, Jeff Rosenstock. Throughout the past 5 years, Jeff Rosenstock has delivered some of the

catchiest and most intense pop punk around. Jeff has always explored themes of cynicism and distaste towards the current state of America, but on this album he really amplifies the anxiety, panic and hopelessness that comes with it. NO DREAM reads like a cry for help, reflecting on how hard it is to carve a worthwhile existence for oneself and how great it would be to get away, die, or even “Scram!” There’s a lot of anti-establishment sentiment with lyrics commenting on the separation of families at the border and other similar issues. One line in particular off the title track “NO DREAM” summarizes this nicely:

narrative that one has to listen for or they might miss it. After Hours is beautifully mixed with talents from all over the industry including Illangelo, Metro Boomin, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), and many more. Abel’s vocals are as strong as ever on this album with notable performances on ballads like “Hardest to Love” and “Scared to Live”, as well as the largest hit single of the year, “Blinding Lights”. Overall, After Hours delivers a very enjoyable new sound from The Weeknd along with a prominent narrative to back it up.

“The only framework capitalism can thrive in is dystopia”. The instrumentals and grooves on this album are stellar with Jeff’s signature shout vocals and gang choruses demonstrating his signature style. Another notable track is “***BNB”, which has a really engaging narrative about a person’s mother renting out their home while they were away. It has a very odd source of levity on the tracklist but damn, does the absurdly catchy hook hit hard. Overall, NO DREAM is another example of Jeff Rosenstock doing what he does best, making depressing but incredibly catchy pop punk that you can’t help but sing along to.

CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020 | LIFESTYLE

Song Machine S1 Artist: Gorillaz Genre: Alternative

Song Machine, Season 1: Strange Timez is the 7th full-length LP from iconic virtual band Gorillaz. Song Machine presents a very interesting blip in the Gorillaz discography with a

focus on singles rather than a cohesive album. Damon Albarn and crew have always been very stylistically diverse in their body of work, but Song Machine takes the cake in that regard. The album covers a lot of ground with features from the likes of Beck, Robert Smith, Elton John, SchoolboyQ, and many more. The genres get even more diverse, with tracks like “Aries” adopting new wave, “Momentary Bliss” embracing punk rock/ska punk, and “Friday 13th” experimenting with dub reggae. The eclectic nature of the band is more apparent than ever on this release with not only compartmentalized singles but some of the most

The New Abnormal Artist: The Strokes Genre: Indie-Rock

The New Abnormal is the 6th studio album from legendary New York indie rock band, the Strokes. The Strokes are back after 7 years presenting a new album that not only pushes boundaries but demonstrates 17

a shocking return to form. As the name suggests, The New Abnormal is the weirdest project the Strokes has released thus far, sporting Rick Rubin on production with his loud and compressed style. The Strokes change up their songwriting quite a bit on this project, experimenting with slower, meandering songwriting with multiple tracks surpassing 5 minutes. “At the Door” features bold bright synth leads wrapped up with Julian Casablancas’ expressive vocals in a package that screams blissful depression that I am 100% here for. The Album can be very derivative at times, pulling a lot from the 80s new wave genre. The songs “Eternal Summer” and

interesting feature combinations yet. For example, the track “The Pink Phantom” which features the talents of Sir Elton John and 6lack demonstrates such a jarring combination of styles. 6lack’s moody autotune vocals and Elton John’s powerful, overstated performance contrast each other, giving this track its charm and character. Song Machine is a shining example of a simple concept: if you make a bunch of damn good songs, you make a damn good album. It’s diverse, it’s eclectic, it’s some of the best work Gorillaz has released in years.

“Bad Decisions” respectively borrow and recontextualize the hooks from The Psychedelic Furs’ “The Ghost in You” and Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself”. The track “Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus”, although not explicitly borrowing anything, completely builds itself around this theme of 80s music, albeit in a more self-aware manner than previous tracks mentioned. “Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus” owns its 80s themes and presents a song with the strongest, catchiest hooks that the Strokes have written in years. Overall, The New Abnormal delivers one of the Strokes’ most interesting sounds yet and I enjoyed every peculiarity it presents.

West of Eden is the debut album from /RQGRQ URFN RXWĆW HMLTD. West of Eden explodes HMLTD onto the scene with the band’s unique blend of post punk, art, goth, and glam rock. The album is eccentric and elegant, while simultaneously disturbing and morbid; very ĆWWLQJ RI WKH JHQUHV DW KDQG There’s a lot of variety on West of Eden; from the soft synth pop ear candy “Nobody Stays in Love”, the elegant ballad about celebrity infatuation that is “Mikey’s Song”, or the separated narrative contained in “Joanna/ Where’s Joanna?”. The narrative in “Joanna/ Where’s Joanna?” is particularly macabre as it follows a person dealing with gender dysphoria, being ruthlessly bullied for it growing up, and engaging You’ll Be Fine is the second studio album from Michigan Emo band, Hot Mulligan. Accompanied by Midwest Emo’s signature tropes: the drop tuning, American Football style math-rock guitar riffs, and screechy vocals, Hot Mulligan delivers a sound that’ll make your inner Emo fan miss the good ol’ days. This familiar blend of midwest emo and pop punk doesn’t feel like something out of the year 2020. But that’s okay because the clear talent Hot Mulligan demonstrates on You’ll Be Fine outweighs the staleness of a semi-dead genre. On the exterior, Hot Mulligan seems like this fun, high energy pop punk band with goofy song titles like “Green Squirrel In Pretty Bad Shape” but a deeper dive into their songwriting proves otherwise. There’s a real self-deprecating tone with

West of Eden

in a sort of dismemberment fantasy trying to expel “Joanna” from their personality. The song “ Where’s Joanna” has a very panicked and frantic delivery that helps reinstate the morbidity of this mininarrative. The track “To The Door” is particularly interesting as well for its use of HMLTD’s post punk sound mixed in with spaghetti western-style guitars and really cool trap beat breakdowns you don’t often see in the genre. The production on West of Eden is solid all around: some notable highlights include the heaviness of “LOADED”; the aforementioned instrumentation on “To the Door”; and the lush atmosphere on Mikey’s Song.

Artist: HMLTD Genre: Post-Punk

Overall, the album is a glamorous musical experience that’s equal parts elegant and gruesome, which I believe serves as a great debut for HMLTD.

You’ll Be Fine

general depressing lyricism across the board. In the track “BCKYRD”, lines like “Say, what’s your interests? Tell me how you plan to give up on all of them” really hit hard (maybe that’s just my teen angst). “BCKYRD”’s main idea revolves around a reluctance to grow and change

Artist: Hot Mulligan Genre: Midwest Emo

“Things don’t get better just different”. This provides an interesting antithesis to the core values of Changes Zine. Overall I’ve fallen in love with the sounds delivered on You’ll Be Fine and I’ll continue to look back on this album and my late adolescence as a whole.

Check Out the Spotify Playlist!!!

Ask the world’s oldest toddler! Advice from your new best friend <3 How to be less indecisive? - Anonymous Hey Anon!! I know how hard it can be to make decisions, especially if there is a lot of pressure riding on them. Here are a few tricks I try to use depending on the situation: Let’s say we’re talking about ordering food, and there are multiple restaurants to choose from. This is a common scenario that can take forever to solve; first I’d recommend choosing what you do not want. It can be easier to figure out what you really don’t want instead of deciding what you do want. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a couple of options, you can look at the pros and cons of each:is there a specific thing you want from one place? Is one further away/more expensive? These techniques can help with sorting out simple decisions. More complex decisions are the ones that carry greater consequences, such as deciding what classes to prioritize or whether to buy an expensive item. I think with these types of decisions you can still try and sort out the pros and cons while also keeping in mind how this decision could affect other people. You may have a big test and 19

Do you have questions and are not sure where to ask them? Do you feel like they’re either too small for a professional or too big to bother your friends with? Well have no fear, my name is Apple and I love giving my opinion on other people’s problems. I would like to make it clear that I am a teen just like you, so I cannot give the professional advice you may need.

a group presentation to do on the same day, so how do you decide what to prepare for first? For me, I would prioritize at least keeping in touch with your groupmates, since you know that your contribution is necessary for you all to succeed. In short, to be less indecisive I would suggest weighing your options thoroughly and trying not to second guess yourself.

In the past year, a close friend of mine became distant due to a conflict that happened between us. The fault was on both of us. Now even though we have mutually agreed to be strangers/ acquaintances, there is a very tight tension and we don’t talk to each other. I personally think that they are a very respectable person but I’ve tried to reach out to them over the summer but they did not reply, should I keep trying or should I consider this friendship over? - Meiji Chocolate

Hello Meji! This sounds like a frustrating situation, and I totally understand how hard it is to lose friends, especially close ones. It seems like this person doesn’t want to reconnect, and maybe you should let this one go. It can be pretty difficult moving on from people you used to be very close with, and the memories of times together may tempt you to rekindle the friendship, but sometimes you just gotta move on. Maybe in the future they might be open to reconnecting, or both of you might completely move on, but right now it seems that pushing your friendship will only make things worse.

Hi! Recently, completely out of the blue, my best friend texted me saying that things aren’t cool between us. She told me that whenever we hang out, she feels like my therapist and it’s no fun hanging out with me. She also said that when a topic comes up and we both have opposing views on it, I don’t let her have her own opinion. She told me that we don’t fight unlike most friends because she just agrees with whatever I say coz I never let her have her opinions. She also told me that I’m not approachable at all and how when she comes to me with something I always turn the conversation towards me. I told her I was sorry and she told me she needed a little space for a while. What do I do? I was having a bad day too and she didn’t exactly phrase this in a nice way and I was a little offended. - Emily Hey Emily! That is a tricky situation, and it can be really hard to hear that something you thought was going well is actually going very poorly. Right now I think it would be best to give her some space, since she may need some time to herself. I still wouldn’t consider

this friendship over! There is still time for you to make it right. I’d recommend keeping an eye on how you talk to other people, and see if you notice yourself doing the things she commented on. In conversations, make sure to listen to the other person, and if you find that their view seems unreasonable to you, try to ask them for clarification. I don’t think fighting is a crucial part of friendship, but it is good to understand each other’s different points of view. As for her feeling like your therapist whenever you talk, I suggest you try and make sure you talk about a wide variety of topics such as different hobbies, shows that you’re both into, or even school clas. I completely get being stressed and wanting to vent, but you should make sure that that isn’t entirely what the friendship consists of. It can be very emotionally taxing to have a friend come and unload everything onto you without any warning, so it could be a good idea to check in with her before you start venting, and make sure that she’s open to listening. Also make sure you listen to her vent! And when you do, be cautious of making attempts to shift the focus onto yourself. I face similar issues, where my idea of trying to relate can seem like I’m making the conversation about myself, so what I try to do instead is ask questions about how the other person feels about the problem, or ask if they want to hear about how I dealt with a similar situation. This gives people the opportunity to decide if they want you to listen, or try to solve the problem. I hope this helps in any way it can. I wish you best of luck with your friend!

Thus concluding this issue’s advice column, I hope I was able to help you all in some way or another! Stay safe and sexy in these cold and wild times.

Love, Apple 20

Sociology of New Year’s Resolutions It’s the most wonderful time of year again, and as 2020 comes to a close, people tend to look back on what they wished to achieve, but didn’t. It’s common for people to look towards the New Year as a chance to set new goals in hopes of a more successful year. New Year’s Resolutions are a long running tradition in the Western world that involve setting personal objectives at the beginning of the year. The point of the tradition is a seemingly good one: to better oneself for the New Year. Yet many people tend to fail in following through with their resolutions. What is it that causes people to lose track of achieving their goals so quickly? Is it more a matter of setting the right resolutions than it is having the right mindset? New Year’s resolutions have existed in some form for several millennia — originating in Religious practices. The Babylonians would promise their gods at the beginning of each year to return objects and debts they owed. The ancient Romans had a tradition of beginning the year with promises to the god of beginnings, Janus. During the medieval era, Knights would make a “peacock vow” every Christmas season to reafﬁrm their chivalry. Modern New Year’s resolutions emerged in the Protestant Church, and became popular in the English-speaking world. Estimates have suggested that since the Great Depression, the amount of adults in America who set New Year’s resolutions has increased from 25% to around 40-50%. 27

31.12.2020

Pick up a hobby Get a better job Play more Read more books Drink less alcohol Eat less calories

Despite all the hype behind New Year’s resolutions, it’s common knowledge that they typically tend to fall through within one or two months, if not weeks. A study from the University of Bristol in 2007 found that out of 3000 participants, 88% failed at achieving their goals. The same study found that 52% of participants were confident in their success when setting their resolutions. A 2014 report from reporter Michelle Hutchison surveyed people who had failed at achieving their resolutions. The report found that out of those who were surveyed, 35% admitted that they had set unrealistic goals, 33% did not keep track of their progress, 23% forgot about their resolutions entirely, and about 10% claimed they had set too many resolutions to reasonably follow through with. Clearly, there is a problem at hand here. A vast majority of people do not end up following through with their New Year’s resolutions, with a large chunk of them either purposefully forgoing or forgetting about their resolutions entirely. With all the excitement, importance, and planning around New Year’s resolutions, most are dead in the water by February. This phenomenon has puzzled researchers and common-folk alike for decades, if not longer. The question of “is there a psychological or sociological explanation behind the failure of New Year’s resolutions?” is not a new dilemma by any means. In my experience, most New Year’s resolutions tend to be about self-improvement in some form. The most common resolutions I hear are about exercising more, doing better in school/work, and saving more. The people who I’ve talked to that set these resolutions tend to set them because they feel the need to live up to some form of expectations, and not necessarily because they themselves are invested in their goals. From my observations I believe that part of the reason people tend not to achieve their resolutions is because they feel pressured by familial or societal expectations. It seems worthwhile to look into any studies on the topic, to see if there’s been any light shone on this mystery in the scientific world. . Research attempts have tried to uncover the answers to this matter, and the results have been interesting. It may be the very fact that the resolutions are set on New Year’s itself that’s holding people back from fulfilling them.

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W “...out of 3000 participants, 88% failed at achieving their goals.”

year.

Respondents to surveys have commonly said that because of how arbitrary the date is for making resolutions, they rarely feel an emotional investment towards them. As a result, people tend to set vague goals with no real timelines or speciﬁc smaller steps aimed at achieving their goal. Of the people who do succeed, they tend to have a strong emotional connection to their resolutions either because it’s something they’re passionate about or something they’re doing to better themselves for a loved one. People who are not emotionally invested in their resolutions are typically motivated to set resolutions because they feel the need to due to societal pressure, not because of their own desire. So it seems we’ve found a possible answer for what might be causing the failure of so many New Year’s resolutions each year. The tradition just isn’t motivating enough to convince people to become emotionally invested in their goals. The few people who do achieve their resolutions, don’t do it for the sake of tradition, but rather that their goals are something that truly matter to them. This information may reveal something more important than just New Year’s resolutions — the nature of human motivation. In order for a person to achieve their goals and really change themselves for the better, they need to be truly passionate and dedicated. Otherwise you get half formed goals, vague objectives, broad deadlines, and ultimately, no progress. If someone really wants to bring change in themselves or around them, they need to bring their 100%. Their full passion.

CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020 | INSIGHT

How Have Holiday Gatherings Changed? There’s a certain warmth we feel from being with our loved ones during the coldest time of the year. The winter holiday season is seen as a time to get together. A time to drive past borders or fly over oceans to reunite with those we hold near and dear to our hearts. As we approach the middle of winter, many North Americans are divided on how exactly to go about hosting holiday events while in the middle of a pandemic. Some will be staying away from extended family altogether, which is the safest decision to take. But others regard the pandemic as a hoax entirely, and will undoubtedly rally their like-minded family and friends to join them in a viral cesspool of gatherings. Regardless of how irresponsible people may choose to be, it’s still interesting to observe the impact of COVID-19 on holiday gatherings this year. Health experts have told us time and time again that we should avoid large indoor gatherings. Although we might understand the importance of staying safe outside of the house, it’s hard to keep the same caution while in the comfort of our own homes. Just because you aren’t outside around strangers does not mean that every member of your extended family is perfectly safe to be around. For people that want to still physically meet up with their loved ones this winter, there are ways to go about it that won’t put any lives at risk. Common sense should be used, and everyone attending should get tested and wear masks for the whole event. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states that anyone wanting to host a holiday event this year should “rovide and/or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help everyone to stay healthy.

These include extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. Stock bathrooms with enough hand soap and single use towels.” Extra steps should be taken this year to have a safe holiday gathering, but those that truly care about the safety of their family members will go the extra mile. While inviting extended family into your household seems like a safe move as long as you’re following strict sanitization rules, it might still be a risky one. Outdoor gatherings are near impossible to hold in the middle of winter, so we’re more likely to see gatherings being held in a new area this year — the realm of video calls. As technology becomes more accessible to people all around the world, more people are able to communicate with each other through the convenience of their screens. Flights that could have been taken, and road trips that would have been feasible in a pre- time can be skipped over, as the hassle of travel is lifted from all those that simply opt to virtually connect with loved ones instead. This year, the average holiday gathering has been changed in ways we would never have seen coming. Could you have ever imagined grandparents having to enter into zoom meetings to join in on family festivities? Despite all that’s happening around the world, we all still find ways to socialize and connect with others — while still staying safe. Despite the rough year, we should all retain our holiday spirit, and find time to connect with those we love.

I Crave The air is thick, cold, burning my nose. I watch the snow fall slowly on the street; a blanket of fluff. I see families gathered together by windows, laughing, eating, their smiles beam. A lump begins to grow in my throat; I consume it. I walk faster. I arrive at my steps; not a single light is on. No lights strung up. I walk to the door at the end of the hallway. I kiss the crown of the person curled up in bed, whispering Merry Christmas. I fix myself a warm drink. Sit by the window and watch the lives pass by hand-in-hand. How I crave.

I Long The cold burns up my face and tickles my toes. I want to scream; the air is dark, dark like my decaying heart. I fall back, comforted by a blanket of white. Muffling my cries for help. No one comes. I sink lower into the blanket of snow. It engulfs me whole. I drift off to the smell of candy canes and the faint singing from others near. I long for that moment of peace.

Many avoid change. They may view change as unfamiliar and unexplored parts of their future selves, which ultimately leaves them afraid of it. As someone who seeks, believes, and encourages change, I can say that “changing” is a reoccurring and essential part in all human lives, this includes changes like a change in coffee preferences, a change in a place of residency, or a change in beliefs. Without change, many things would not have survived. As an example, our planet is the embodiment of change. Each year, it undergoes a series of changes which we call seasons. As humans, we depend on the change of seasons. We plan ahead to travel and explore different cities and countries in the summer; we enjoy fall’s extraordinary weather and beautiful yellow-coloured leaves; we decorate Christmas trees during winter; and finally, we love the smell of blossoms and the alluring presence of flowers during spring. With that being said, “change” is a fundamental part of our lives so it should not be avoided. Instead, it should be embraced.

THE HOLIDAYS The holidays. Oh, the holidays are exciting. You, my dear friend, are the type of person to bring out the hundreds of holiday decoration boxes from the basement as soon as November hits. You ARE that one friend that decides to plan for the holidays months in advance. No no no, your holiday decoration boxes are never dusty - the holiday season, is your prime time, and everybody knows it. Christmas tree hunting? Check. A full blown light set up all around your huge, beautiful house? Check. Gingerbread decorating and holiday baking? Check. Christmas shopping with the kids, and an allowed allowance for each? Check. Christmas party planning? Check. Oh, aren’t the holidays just wonderful? The holidays. Shivering, you walk into the cold, freezing room. God, is the heater not working again? Whatever. You throw on a couple of sweaters, and layers upon layers of socks. After all, you don’t want your feet to get cold, do you? Tossing on a beanie, you tiptoe to your room and soon enough, your door quietly closes and you can finally rest the entirety of your feet onto the floor. There are no lights outside your window, at least not for miles. And the snowfall is dark and muddy, covered with thick soot that just falls, and falls, and falls. Who cares anyway — it’s the midst of the holiday season, and that means plenty of extra shifts for you, and more food on the table. That’s what the holiday season is, right? The holidays. Click clack, click clack go the keys on your keyboard as you type away, literally and metaphorically drifting into a never-ending, dark,

swirling abyss. Fireworks go off outside. Clearly, some have decided to hold their celebrations outside. Click clack, click clack go the keys on your keyboard. What are the holidays anyways? Well. It doesn’t matter, because you have your keys to click clack, click clack away at. With a house on the monitor and a button ready to click, you zoom out of the screen - where is everybody else? Mom’s in her office, Dad’s in his room, and your brother is click clacking, click clacking away at his desk. Indecisively, your chair turns back and forth, back and forth. Should you go? Maybe you should bake a tray of cookies. Bring out the dusty, Christmas tree that hasn’t been out in, needless to say, years. Back and forth, back and forth, your chair goes. Click clack, click clack. Back to your keys you go. The holidays. A bright, wonderful time filled with jingles and cheer, when the wind whistles past as you stop at the local cafe for some hot cocoa. You tap your boots against the outer wall of the cafeonce, twice, thrice. As you walk up to the counter, a faint jingle rings and the door opens once again. A group of friends walk in, the smiles on their faces as wide and large as the crescent moon on a clear night. The type of wide smile with no worries behind it, the type that is so free, and happy, and joyful that you can’t help but smile right back at it —it’s contagious. With a little grin on your face, you order your absolute, favourite order, and continue back to your seat. Your steaming cup is full of everything that is chocolatey goodness, and a nice holiday tune drifts into your ears ever so smoothly, sliding its way in.

Changes Holiday Bops to Get You Through the Season Kelly Clarkson - Under The Mistletoe Lady Gaga - Rain On Me (with Ariana Grande) Looking for a holiday playlist to jam out to while you celebrate the holidays? Can’t make your own because that’s way too much work? Interested in a mish mash of recommendations from a crazy-awesome team? THEN BOY DO WE GOT A PLAYLIST FOR YOU. INTRODUCING CHANGES ZINE FIRST EVER PLAYLIST!

Vampire Weekend - Horchata TWICE - Merry & Happy Sia - Snowman Idina Menzel - Baby It’s Cold Outside (duet with Michael Bublé) Carly Rae Jepsen - It’s Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries Tori Kelly - Let It Snow (with Babyface) Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree Gloria Estefan - Gonna Eat For Christmas The Killers - Don’t Shoot Me Santa Fall Out Boy - Yule Shoot Your Eye Out Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm Jacob Collier - Moon River Jacob Collier - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) Phoenix - Alone on Christmas Day blink-182 - I Won’t Be Home For Christmas LOONA - The Carol Lil Nas X - HOLIDAY Post Malone - On The Road (feat. Meek Mill & Lil Baby) The Weeknd - After Hours Jim Carrey - You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch All Time Low - Fool’s Holiday Eagles - Please Come Home for Christmas

My Chemical Romance - All I Want for Christmas Is You Justin Bieber - Mistletoe Ariana Grande - Santa Tell Me Pentatonix - Carol of the Bells BTS - Crystal Snow THE BOYZ - Christmassy!

CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020 | OUR CONTRIBUTORS |

Our Contributors This magazine would not be possible without the contributions from our fabulous team! From writers to graphic designers to illustrators and photographers, our team has gone above and beyond creating pieces for our readers to enjoy! So without further ado, let’s meet the magicians behind the magical Changes Zine!

ANGELINA

ARIK

Angelina lives in Toronto, Canada.

Arik lives in Toronto, Canada.

Angelina’s memorable winter experience: “In the winter of eighth grade, I ditched school to go on a month-long trip to Europe with my sister. I think the best part of that trip was the fact that I was able to avoid spending the holidays with my classmates in those miserable middle school holiday parties. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything!”

Arik’s memorable winter experience: “When I was in the eighth grade, my best friend ditched me right before winter break to go on a 4 week trip to ‘Europe’ — leaving me to suffer through middle school holiday parties alone. Worst betrayal ever can’t believe I run a magazine with this one”

You can find Angelina on Instagram @ angiethecow

You can find Arik on Instagram @arik_ onions

Writers Parnian lives in Vancouver, Canada. Parnian’s memorable winter experience: “My most memorable winter holiday experience was when I came to Canada. Back in my home country, we don’t have winter holiday, so it was just super amazing to see how different the holiday was compared to my country. That year I spent most of my time exploring and noticing how unique each culture is. It was absolutely one of the best winter holidays I have ever had! Full of joy and secrets that I had yet to discover!”

PARNIAN

Faiza lives in Toronto, Canada. Faiza’s memorable winter experience: “The time my hair caught on fire cause I was too close to the fireplace lol” You can find Faiza on Instagram @fxiza_m

You can try and find Parnian in real life

Shayna lives in Mississauga, Canada.

FAIZA

Shayna’s memorable winter experience: “A few years ago, my family spent a winter weekend at a ski resort. It was my first time skiing, and I had an amazing time!”

Sidhant lives in Toronto, Canada.

You can try and find Shayna in real life

SHAYNA

Sidhant’s memorable winter experience: “Going to the movies with my friends, only for one of them to lose their phone downtown at 8PM, leading to us running around for half an hour to find it.” You can find Sidhant on Instagram @goptant

CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020 | OUR CONTRIBUTORS

SIDHANT

Jackson lives in Toronto, Canada. Jackson’s memorable winter experience: “In 2017, two of my classes had large projects due a little bit after the break, but that year I received a copy of GTA V for Christmas. Like the very responsible 9th grader I was, I decided to not do any work during the break in favour of the GTA V grind. The situation turned very stressful once school started again but in my opinion, it was definitely worth it.”

Writer/Graphic Designers Jasmine lives in Toronto, Canada.

You can find Jackson on Instagram @genuine_jackson

JACKSON

Maxine lives in Markham, Canada.

Jasmine’s memorable winter experience: “Man, quarantine winter is totally different. Canada hasn’t snowed a whole lot this winter, but I think that sitting outside in the evening while it’s snowing is still as magical as before.” You can try and find Jasmine in real life

JASMINE

Maxine’s memorable winter experience: “My family has a close group of family friends, and every year I look forward to our annual Christmas dinner! For a solid 9 (or more!?) hours, we exchange gifts, eat a ton of food, and just vibe with each other B)”

MAXINE

Jennah lives in Toronto, Canada. Jennah’s memorable winter experience: “Fishing for melted marshmallows at the bottom of a cup of hot chocolate with my family cuddles up in blankets around a fire”

You can find Maxine on Instagram @maxinebisera

JENNAH

You can find Jennah on Instagram @jennn.ah

Sharuka lives in Toronto, Canada. Sharuka’s memorable winter experience: “When I was younger, my sisters and I would always wake up early during the winter break to play and have fun for hours in the snow till our hands went numb and cold. We then all cuddled under blankets and pillows while sipping hot chocolate.”

SHARUKA

You can find Sharuka on Instagram @sharuka_kagemilk_ 46

Writer/ Illustrators

Mishal lives in Toronto, Canada. Mishal’s memorable winter experience: “Flying out to a wedding in a middle eastern country in the middle of winter! No coats were needed for the majority of my winter break. :)”

Ry lives in Toronto, Canada.

Ry’s memorable winter experience: “Every year during my childhood I would go over to my grandparent’s house and decorate Hanukkah-themed cookies for my family’s annual Hanukkah party! I’ve passed on the decorating duty to my younger family members now, but it was always something I looked forward to as a kid, and I remember it fondly!”

You can find Mishal on Instagram @mii.shawl

MISHAL Ali lives in Toronto, Canada. Ali’s memorable winter experience: “Getting an XBox in grade 5 was probably the best Christmas I could remember:) (Not that the others were bad, but nothing really beat that)”

You can find Ry on Instagram @ryannmzz (personal), @electr0kid (cosplay), and @chaoticry_ (art!)

Writer/ Photographer Tian lives in Toronto, Canada. Tian’s memorable winter experience: “I once tucked my cat in a little cat blanket in her little cat bed underneath a Christmas tree. It was magical.” You can find Tian on Instagram @tian.h.p, and on YouTube and Letterboxd @TianHP

You can find Ali on Instagram @ alxxndram and on Twitter @a1icat_

ALI

Writer/ Marketer

Anjuli lives in Toronto, Canada. Anjuli’s memorable winter experience: “During the giant ice storm that hit Toronto in 2014 I was at a friend’s house for her birthday. We did a scavenger hunt outdoors as one of the activities and having to stomp to step through the ice coating on the ground was really fun.”

TIAN

CHANGES ZINE | VOL. 2 | WINTER 2020 | OUR CONTRIBUTORS

You can find Anjuli on Instagram @daydreamerdraws

ANJULI

Illustrators

Cally lives in Toronto, Canada.

Lauren lives in Toronto, Canada.

Cally’s memorable winter experience: “Every year around the holidays, as a tradition, my friends and I would meet up to do an escape room together, then stay up for the most chaos-fuelled sleepover! There’s nothing like waking up with your friends at two in the afternoon!”

Lauren’s memorable winter experience: “Two Words: Grinch Punch ;)” You can try and find Lauren in real life

You can find Cally on Instagram and tumblr @bubblyernie

cally

Illustrator/ Graphic Designers

LAUREN Yoshi lives in Toronto, Canada.

Yoshi’s memorable winter experience: “I’m sorry, the only things I can think of are either really basic and uninteresting or too inappropriate to share”

You can find Yoshi on Instagram @yoshiradle Ané lives in Toronto, Canada. Ané’s memorable winter experience: “Last year, My family and I went to Mexico for the winter holiday, my parents soon realized they accidentally booked an adult party resort and forgot the sunscreen (ouch), but I had fun though.”

ANE

You can find Ané on Instagram @ane_klopper or @ artsy.ane

YOSHI Aarya lives in Mumbai, India. Aarya’s memorable winter experience: “Best part about winter is sitting in your blanket all cozy cozy, sipping your favorite tea and enjoying your music.” You can find Aarya on Instagram @aarya_p

AARYA 48

Graphic Designers Catherine lives in Toronto, Canada.

Kim lives in Orange County, USA. Kim’s memorable winter experience: “Once, me and my cousins had a gingerbread house building contest. Safe to say, we decided that none of us should become architects for the general safety of everyone.”

Catherine’s memorable winter experience: “When I first came to Canada, it was one of the coldest winters that Toronto has ever had. Not only was it -25°C but there was also freezing rain and because of that, our condo’s power went out so we had to spend Christmas at a friend’s house. Fun times.”

You can find Kim on Instagram @2saturated and @keemlie

You can find Catherine on Instagram @c.yanjx_

KIM

CATHERINE

Amita lives in Toronto, Canada. Amita’s memorable winter experience: “Wow I’ll never forget about that one time when I had to do a bunch of school work during winter break haha jk that’s been every year for the past 4 years. Anyways, I remember in grade 5 I got the ipod touch 5 and 10 year old me was so happy, I literally bawled my eyes out. Those were simpler times : )” You can find Amita on Instagram @ajonejart or @jonejaamita

Photographer

AMITA

Henry lives in Toronto, Canada.

Arian lives in Toronto, Canada.

Henry’s memorable winter experience: “When I was in Arian’s memorable winter experience: elementary, my mom joked that “Photographing anything winter-related she would only get me the lego has always been a pleasure of mine, christmas set of my dreams if I especially during Christmas’s personally walked to the mall gratifying atmosphere. I enjoy to get it. I had to walk for 4 holding my camera with one hours in the snow but I did hand, and drinking my doubleget the set!” double using the other one.” You can find Arian on Instagram @arian.bathaie

ARIAN

You can find Henry on Instagram @henry. doesart

Illustrator/ Journalist

HENRY

Congratulations on finishing the second issue of Changes! We’re so glad to have met you here. We hope you enjoyed the issue, gained some new insight or creative inspiration, and, most important of all, are excited and curious about holiday-related changes happening in your life. If you enjoyed this issue and want to continue to support us please consider filling out our feedback form and follow us on Instagram, @changeszine. The feedback form will help us see what you want in the next issue. Although this is almost the end of the issue, it is the very start for our magazine. We will only be coming out with better, smarter, and wittier content for you. Thank you for supporting and reading our magazine. Never stop changing. - The Changes Team

ANE

SHARUKA

AMITA