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Edition june 2016
COVER STORY
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FEATURES
10
KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE
LIFEHACKS/DIY
easy cookie recipes
Here’s all you need to cook up some delicious easyto-make cookies for this Ramadhan.
26
feature
unconventional tips to scoring A+’s for spm
It’s June and it’s time to prepare for that dreaded exam – SPM! I kid you not. Read these tips to ace that exam.
40
Case StudY - IT clickbait quizzes
Here’s everything you should know before agreeing to take a quiz on social media.
44
Case StudY – Science THE GOLDEN RATIO
There are many constants in mathematics. Here we talk about how the golden ratio is used in architecture.
48
Case Study - Business
JOURNALISM VS CREATIVE WRITING
They both require different sets of writing skills. If you want to know the difference, read all about it here.
52
Case Study – English
CONVERGENT & DIVERGENT-TYPES OF THINKING IN PROBLEM SOLVING
Here we explore the different kinds of thinking styles and how these thinking styles are used in problem solving. 2
CONTENTS
ARTS AND CULTURE
Say goodbye to Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur. Here’s a look at our favourite cultural joint with all the traditional arts and craft.
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SCHOOL ED
14
COVER STORY
A HEART OF ART-TIAN HUEY
Read all about a 17-year old who creates beautiful art pieces with passion and a vision in wanting to constantly innovate and create.
SIGHTS & INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITOR
takenote
JUNE 2016
FROM THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL
THE TEAM Mac Sivanesan
Publisher
MAC@CMR.MY
Editorial Director
Subashini Nair
Deputy Editor
Geetha Bai
Writers
Eusoff Andrei
SUBA@cMR.my
geetha@cMR.my
eusoff@cMR.my
Nur Amira Nazeha Abd Aziz
Follow us on: <Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/campusplus> <Twitter: http:// twitter.com/campusplustweet > <Instagram: http://instagram.com/campusplus> <www.campusplus.com.my>
MIRA@cMR.my
Christopher Yee Seng Hong
To all the fathers, uncles and caretakers — we are grateful for each and every one of you — I wish you a very Happy Father’s Day. You da man!
T
he number of fathers in my life increased in the last several years. When I married, I gained his father and my husband joined the ranks of fatherhood when we had our first child. I realise how important the role of a father is to a child and family.
Being overseas and away from the family is hard enough. Despite the long travels and coming home exhausted and desperately in need of rest, he quickly cheers up and immediately goes cycling with the children. A sacrifice most fathers are prepared to make for their families.
chris@cMR.my
Contributors
Nadhirah Rafidz
General
Editorial
CREATIVE
NEWSDESK@CMR.MY
Art Director
Suzanne Chuah
Senior Graphic Designer
Lam Jian Wei
Junior Graphic Designer
Ahmad Faidhi
Visual & DI
Kamil Haziq
ZANNE@CMR.MY
jw@cMR.my
FAIDHI@CMR.MY
CORPORATE
Do check out our cover story on Tian Huey, a young artist with great creativity on page 14. Last but not least to all muslims, have a blessed Ramadhan.
a
Sub
HAZIQ@CMR.MY
Corporate Communications
Nancy P
Events Managers
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nancy@CMR.MY
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HILMAN@CMR.MY
Biz Development Manager
Eva Lee
Biz Development Executives
Derrick Wong
eva@CMR.My
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Jonathan Tan
SPONSORS
Father’s parent differently. While both mom and dad rock in their own ways, some things dads just do better. Generally, they are more fun and somehow home crisis involving kids seem like a fun challenge they look forward to. We honour all men!
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SCHOOL ED
© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,includingphotocopying,recordingorbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpriorpermissionin writingfromCampusMediaResourcesSdnBhd.Thepublisherhasmadeeveryefforttoensurethatthecontentsofthismaterial is accurate at the time of printing, and therefore will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Opinions and advice expressedbyadvertisersandcontributorsinthismagazinedonotnecessarilyrepresentthoseoftheeditors,staffandthepublisher.
NEWS
JUNE 2016
KidZ & Tech @ Kidzania KL
KidZania Congrezz member Chloe Soh Ke Er (right), 8, from SRJK Yuk Chai demonstrating robotics with help from fellow KidZania Congrezz member Lishyen Shisehir Indran (left), from Tenby International School.
KidZania Kuala Lumpur launched the KidZ & Tech Programme which will run from 28 May to 12 June where children get to experience a series of interactive workshops, themed role-play opportunities, and online activities that brings the future within reach. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft Malaysia, Sasbadi Holdings, Panasonic, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Multimedia University, the entire programme is a collection of activities designed to inspire interest in science and technology. The partners are behind the four key activities which will take place during the programme: Coding, Robotics, Augmented Reality, and Holography. The scheduled workshops are also supported by exclusive online activities hosted on www.kidzania.com.my/kidz-and- tech, where kids can get to know more about notable people in technology as well as test their tech knowledge in the ‘Tech Geek of the Week’ Facebook Trivia Contest, which comes with a weekly prize of Virtual Reality Goggles and a Grand Prize of a 3D Doodler.
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Junior Chefs make debut at Ayam Brand Cooking School at KidZania In a busy, busy world that’s opting for convenience rather than nutrition in their daily diets, nutrition and cooking is an extremely invaluable skill to have in order to be in control of your own diets. By sparking children with a passion for the culinary arts, and giving them the skills necessary to achieve that, Ayam Brand hopes to bring back a healthier, more independent generation of children. The course concentrates heavily on a healthier, sweeter version of the famous Italian cuisine, Margherita Pizza. Young chefs will also learn how to make meals like Love
Sardine Sandwich, Tuna Puff, funny Face Sandwich and many more. Those who have participated at the Cooking School can even download their Junior Chef Diploma on their website to show off the skills they have accrued over the course.
NEWS
Acer launched their limited edition Hello Kitty Acer Revo One with only 600 units available in Malaysia at the Hello Kitty Gourmet Café located at Sunway Pyramid. The cute, small form factor Acer Revo One Hello Kitty edition features the iconic Hello Kitty on a pink background and is described as ideal for digital entertainment and multimedia sharing with its life-like cinematic experience of high-quality audio and video. This Hello Kitty edition offers the same functionality of the award winning Acer Revo One, including the Acer Revo One Suite app which turns any Android phone or device into a remote control for this lightweight home PC.
JUNE 2016
Acer Revo One Hello Kitty Edition
The Nexus Way
The Nexus International School Putrajaya recently opened its doors to share a deeper understanding of the Nexus Way of education with members of the media – all organised and conducted by the students themselves. Through the Nexus Way learners are engaged in active learning and provide a holistic experience that brings out the best in every individual equipping them with confidence, skills and competencies from pre-school right up to Pre University. Learners aged 10 to 18 years can also board at the school through the Nexus Boarding programme. Established in 2008, the school is part of the Taylor’s Education Group and has approximately 700 students and 104 teachers. 8
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ARTS & CULTURE
Keeping
JUNE 2016
Traditions Alive
Saying goodbye to our childhood haunt- Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur
BY: NADHIRAH RAFIDZ
N
estled in the midst of a bustling city is Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur- a throwback to our roots and culture that surprisingly, not many know about or take the time to appreciate. This gem serves as a connection between youth and their nation’s diverse artistic roots and allows them to not only appreciate its beauty and uniqueness but try their hand in traditional craft. The “throwback” atmosphere is further amplified by the traditional Malay architecture and “kampung” community concept. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and this hub of traditional arts is no exception as it will be demolished later this year in the name of modernisation, namely, the MRT project. Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur held its last “Hari Kraf Kebangsaan” exhibition from 24th February to 6th March before it is moved to underground Dataran Merdeka.
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The Craft “Kampung”
The Craft “Kampung” is where the real magic which brings Malaysian traditional craft back to life lies. In this nostalgic community, you will find friendly resident artisans and craftsmen who will guide your inexperienced hand and
teach you the wonders of traditional art. There are so many options, from weaving to pottery to wood carving, the chances of being bored are slim and the experience is one of a kind. By far, the batik painting is the most popular activity and it’s enjoyed by both
Unique textiles from every state were sold at reasonable prices during the “Hari Kraf Kebangsaan”
Kuih Karas which originates from Langkawi made right before your eyes
Encik Lazim has been teaching batik painting for more than 30 years
Drinking water kept in a “labu sayong” is said to cool the body, relieve coughs and cure fevers
children and adults alike. Fellow artist Lazim Ismail, has been practicing the art of batik painting for 35 years and loves to share his craft through teaching. Contrary to popular belief, batik painting is not a dying art; in fact Lazim said that he has many students as young as three years old, regularly coming to him for lessons. He believes that the younger generation genuinely enjoys the art and does not see batik painting made obsolete by time or technology.
Need of some heavy dose of culture? In the craft complex’s museum, the painstaking detail and meticulousness that goes into creating these seemingly simple crafts are brought to light and your appreciation for these amazing artists will skyrocket. Bits of information is accompanied with visually stunning models, pictures and videos- giving
you a real in-depth experience of the creation of such crafts and its vibrant history. What are the stages of making a “labu sayung”? How many different motifs and materials are used in weaving? What is the history behind “kain songket” and who were allowed to wear them in the old days? All these questions will be answered in the museum. If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch a demonstration or two outside its doors.
Lelong, lelong! Okay, so Craft Complex Kuala Lumpur isn’t exactly a place for auctioning but it’s a thriving marketplace for traditional handicrafts and knick-knacks. There are over 400 shop owners and tenants here and the products sold, whether its cloth, ornaments or furniture are all high in quality and reasonably priced if not cheap. You will find beautiful handiwork from every state and there is certainly something for everyone -from Sarawak rattan furniture to Kelantan made batik textiles to quirky baubles that will make perfect mementos. Locals and foreigners alike enjoy perusing through the various stores and find the traders extremely friendly and warm. Without a doubt, your shopping bags will multiply, your wallet will get slimmer and hours will zoom by just from flitting from one shop to the next. SE
Pandanus leaves are scorched lightly over a fire till they turn yellow in order to make the leaves softer and more lasting.
WEIRDWACKYWORLD
www New Home Fsor Old Dog
JUNE 2016
The Trembling Giant Of Utah
Pando (which literally translates to “I spread” in Latin) is the name of clonal colony of roughly 43,000 male Quaking Aspen (Populus Tremuloides) that are connected by the roots. While other plants and trees reproduce through flowers and sexual reproduction, quaking aspens reproduce asexually by sprouting new trees from the lateral root of the parent. Despite looking like a normal, 106-acre forest, experts have determined that every single tree has sprouted from the roots of the original Aspen tree, and is therefore a single organism. This makes it not only one of the oldest living organisms at 80,000 to 100,000 years old (even scientists aren’t particularly sure), it is one of the largest as well.
O give me a home, where the Labradors roam, and the Shiba and Terriers play. Japan has opened its very first nursing home for canines and hounds alike named Roken Honpo. With around-theclock veterinary care, a specialist gym and swimming pool, the elderly dogs there are well taken care of, allowing them to live out the rest of their days in peace and comfort. Due to the many people in Japan who are reluctant to put down their pets when they get too old or too sick, many opt to put them in this home where they can be well taken care of, especially if they are too busy with their careers. Headed by Mie Kawaguchi and her team, Roken Honpo deals with many ailments that range from Alzheimer’s to failing eyesight.
fact: Due to the ravaging of drought, insects, and disease, the gentle giant seems to be slowly withering away. In hopes of rejuvenating it, scientists are currently looking into ways that they can get the tree to sprout young Aspens at a faster rate.
fact: There are currently more registered pets than children in Japan. With a whopping number of 21.3 million at 2014, they triumph over the number of children under 15, which is under 16.5 million.
The Sound Of Silence Written by John Cage in the year of 1952, the song 4’33” (4 minutes and 33 seconds) is a 3-movement song written for any amount of performers. However, what makes this classical piece different from the sonatas of Beethoven and Mozart is that instead of the soaring rhythms of violins and pianos, the audience are treated to 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence from the performer. The idea was that, instead of concentrating on the music of the performers, the ‘music’ is made by everything else happening around us – the shuffling of people in their seats, the quiet coughs, the puzzled but hushed whispering. For 4 minutes and 33 seconds, the avant-garde song (or lack thereof) makes the audience shift their attention to themselves, making them the performer instead of the one on stage. Hence, no two people will hear 4’33” similarly, and no two performances of the song will be the same. The song has been an often debated piece, with some insisting that it is music, while others arguing that it is not.
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fact: John Cage has also been the composer of other similarly experimental ‘pieces’, such as the song Imaginary Landscape #4 for 24 performers, in which 24 people will adjust the tuning of radios to specified frequencies, and the resultant ‘music’ is what comes out (or does not come out) of the radio.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art has been constant and it has become a part of who I am. It is my main outlet of expression. Loving something and being good at it are two different things, but loving something means being willing to always make it betterâ&#x20AC;?
COVER STORY
a HEART for ART
Tian Huey S
ee Tian Huey, a self-taught artist in Malaysia enjoys making everything aesthetically pleasing. She describes herself as “the weird girl doodling in a corner while making faces at everyone”. In her mind, she’s the eccentric artist type with royal blue hair wearing a distressed jacket covered with patches and paint. Tian Huey’s art is a definite eye candy and has a loyal following of over seven thousand people (and counting) on Instagram. Without a doubt her journey as an artist, documented in pictures and Snapchat videos, is a source of inspiration to many.
SE: What is your favourite creative medium? Tian Huey: This, for me, is constantly changing. When I was younger, my main
mediums were in the ‘crafting’ sort of category, namely, clay and fabrics. I sewed little plush toys and sculpted figurines which I soon got tired because they were mostly ‘cutesy’ and not very substantial as art. I then ventured into proper drawing and colouring art forms. I was obsessed with colour pencils for about 2 to 3 years. I’d sit at my table for hours on end blending colours together tirelessly until I was satisfied with the result. Currently, my favourite medium is watercolour. Upon pursuing IGCSE Art, I realised watercolours are the fastest way to get pieces done. With the guidance of my teacher, my colour work improved leaps and bounds. Crayon stained hands and paint spattered clothing has been a constant from the day
BY: NADHIRAH RAFIDZ PHOTO CREDITS: SEE TIAN HUEY
Only 17 and she’s already a renowned artist in her own right with a following of more than 7,000 followers
Tian Huey was born. Her debut was at the age of five- rebellious art in the form of circles drawn repeatedly on pristine white walls. Unfortunately, her parents didn’t appreciate the genius behind this piece of artwork and quickly supplied her with paper.
SE: What kind of creative rituals and routines do you have? Tian Huey: I always, always put a movie or TV show on when I draw. I think my mind just can’t work in quiet, and I need background noises to distract me. That’s why you’ll always see me
watching the same movies or shows over and over again. A huge part of Tian Huey’s inspiration lies in the collective mass of creativity from social media. She’s influenced and inspired by fellow artists, both older and younger than herself and the visuals she discovers on different platforms. It is also a form of motivation as her aforementioned seven thousand plus followers push her to produce great artwork and constantly improve her skills.
SE: What are your thoughts on the local art scene in Malaysia? TIAN HUEY: Unfortunately, many people are too quick to assume that Malaysia doesn’t have an art scene, or that the art scene is dull. Maybe because the most displayed works are usually more ‘traditional’. I used to share this belief until I had the pleasure of sitting down with an art journalist who
shared all the great Malaysian artist’s works with me. I haven’t had the opportunity to explore Malaysia’s art scene much, but I do know many talented Malaysian artists. What’s her favourite artwork? That’s a cruel question to pose to Tian Huey because it’s impossible for her to choose her one and only all time favourite. However, she’s amazed at Monet’s water lilies and quite likes Andy Warhol’s
soup cans- not just aesthetically but in the way it celebrates the importance of consumerism in an artist’s career. Tian Huey isn’t just limited to her pens and paper. Since the debut of “Circles”, her repertoire has expanded to painting with watercolours, portrait drawing, sketching, sewing, digital art and more. She fearlessly charges headfirst each time she picks up something new and believes that trying is the best form of learning because “in art, there are no cliff notes or hacks. It’s okay to make mistakes because you will make mistakes.” Her favourite themes revolve around drawing people especially their faces. As hard as it is to get the proportions right lest she becomes the next Picasso, Tian Huey feels there is something about bringing these faces to life which really connects her to these absolute strangers she will (probably) never meet. “One trick pony” is the last way anyone would describe Tian Huey. If her mile-long list of artistic mediums she has mastered isn’t validation enough, she also has a strong affinity towards writing. When she’s not in the mood for art, she’d let words, not shapes, flow out of her pen. It helps calm her and accent her artwork – what a creative bug. Her journey as an artist has not been all rainbows and butterflies either; in fact, she experienced many moments of self doubtfrom the start till the end of an art piece. But this is something Tian Huey finds normal as an artist because art is creating something out of nothing, thus there’s a great deal of pressure to convey her message and vision properly. She overcomes this by pressing on- albeit hard but crucial. Sometimes she reminds herself that
the work she produces is her own and for her eyes only unless she chooses to reveal it to others. Therefore, the only critic you have to please is yourself.
“Art is seen as a lesser subject- which is quite sad. People don’t realise that artists have shaped and molded their everyday lives. The beautiful cars they drive, the homes they live in, the expensive designer clothes that they lust after. People are blithely unaware of the fact that artists created all these out of nothing” Her biggest challenge however was being proud of her art and its worth. “How can you not be proud of such amazing talent,” you might ask. Well it’s because of that age-old stereotype- that pursuing science is much more respectable than pursuing art as a career. It nagged at the back of her mind that many would view an “A” in math as “better” than an “A” in art. Tian Huey felt caged knowing that her passion and heart was in art but there would always be some preconceived notion that she was stupid or dumber than her science stream peers surrounding her. “Art is seen as a lesser subjectwhich is quite sad. People don’t realise that artists have shaped and molded their everyday lives. The beautiful cars they drive, the homes they live in, the expensive designer clothes that they lust after. People are blithely unaware of the fact that artists created all these out of nothing” However, she has stayed true to her heart by choosing the arts stream
in school and this decision is something she doesn’t regret. She’s grateful that more people are becoming aware of the false stereotypes surrounding art students. At the moment, Tian Huey is interested in pursuing a double degree in both Communication Design and Marketing. Don’t get her wrong, she loves art but she also has an aptitude for business (is there anything she can’t do?) thus leading her to be interested in the commercial side of art. However, her ultimate dream would be to own a magazine publication- not unlike the glamorous life and career of Miranda Priestly. Well, if she were to make that dream a reality, I’d definitely subscribe to her magazine. SE
BOOK REVIEWS
JUNE 2016
d no man nee ’t don o wh ds lea ale fem ite our fav our of o tw Here are to save them from trouble.
Author: Sarah J. Maas Published: Fall 2015 I’m not much of a romantic person- despite it being pretty much a default sub-genre in the YA (young adults) world. And despite Sarah J. Maas being notorious for her (multiple) romances, I picked the first book to this series, Throne of Glass, anyway. All my doubts and skepticism disappeared after reading Queen of Shadows- it was truly and exciting read and Sarah J. Maas is dominating the YA fantasy world with her books. The level of escapism was real and I felt totally immersed in Maas’s world of blood and magic. Looking back at her previous books, you can really see how much the plot has developed from simple to wild (in a good way) and characters become more complex. The one thing that has remained a
constant is Celaena being a tough person with an “I take no nonsense” attitude and the men around Celaena obsessing over her (ugh stop, we get it, she’s the sun and the moon to the male species). Also, to be honest, the grand and dramatic proclamations of being a tough person in the book were getting a bit old. Moving along, I feel the addition of Manon Blackbeak, the cutthroat witch leader of the Thirteen really brought the book to another level and I found myself getting more excited reading about her than our main characters. If you love action, fantasy, headstrong female assassins, faeries, swoony romance and treacherous witch clans that ride on dragonlike beasts, then pick up this book.
Favourite Quote: “She was a cloud of death, a queen of shadows, and these men were already carrion”
Author: Renee Ahdieh Published: Spring 2016 Renee Ahdieh managed to completely pull me into the world of sand dunes, Arabian nights and magic carpets with her evocative writing. However, I have to admit that I felt a slight tinge of disappointment after reading this last installment of The Wrath and the Dawn series. While it was rich with fantasy and witty quips that I love from silver-tongued Shahrzad, the plot felt rushed and loose ends were tied up too easily. I kept anticipating plans to go awry, secrets to be discovered leading to havoc and heartbreaking betrayals but no- evidently lady luck was firmly on Shahrzad and Khalid’s side. On a brighter note, new characters were
introduced in this book and despite the short period of time, I have come to adore them as much as the recurring characters. It was also a delight watching the characters mature and grow throughout the book by tackling their inner conflicts that have plagued them since the first book. I’m so glad that Renee Ahdieh did not fall into the typical pitfalls of love triangles, overly angsty characters and lusty romance that eradicated any logic possessed by the characters. In conclusion, it was a very entertaining read (despite many plot holes) and the ending will leave you with heartache and warmth.
Favourite quote: “Destiny was for fools. Sharhzad would not wait for her life to happen. She would make it happen.”
WELLNESS
JUNE 2016
Eat
Right
For Your
Skin
Having Problematic Skin Conditions Can Be Very Challenging To Take Care Of
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H
owever, you do not have to spend a bunch on cosmetologists to tackle the problem. What can you do? First, know your skin type, and second, eat right! It’s that simple. One important thing to keep in mind - every skin type needs a minimum eight glasses (two litres) of water every single day.
#1 The Normals
with lemon zest as a healthy snack. These are all great for keeping the moisture of your skin within the normal range.
#3 The Dry-s It is exactly what it sounds like. Your skin has
that rough look, dull, and very small pores. Sorry to say, but you are more prone to wrinkles and fine lines compared to those with other skin types.
Congratulations! You do not have to worry much about your diet. You pretty much have won the lottery ticket of all skin types. You, the Normals, will have skin that is not too dry nor too oily, and you pretty much do not have any problems to sort out. You can, of course, maintain your skin by keeping it hydrated by consuming a minimum of two litres of water and reducing caffeine, but other than that, you are good to go!
#2 The Oily-s When your fellow Dry-s lack moisture on their skins, you have too much of it! The silver lining is, you are not prone to fine lines when you reach a certain age. The excess oil will keep your skin moisturised, and reduces the possibility of being wrinkly early! Most of the food to avoid listed down here is probably in your favourite foods list. But do not worry, peeps! You do not have to avoid them completely, only reduce the amount consumed. 1. Fatty meats (this includes red meats and those steaks!), or what the French calls ‘those meat with saturated fats in it’. Some studies show that these are good for The Oily-s, but red meats definitely add up oil on your skin! 2. Dairy products (yes, milk and cheese, and milk-based produce). You, The Oily-s, have skin that is very acne-prone. Dairy can definitely aggravate acnes. You definitely do not want that. 3. Fried foods (this is out of the question, isn’t this?) You can start eating high-fibred food though! Not only is it good for your skin, but for your overall health too. Citrus fruits (oranges, lime and lemons) has the acid content that is able to wash away most oil in your system, so two oranges a day for breakfast it is! The other option is having oatmeal topped with berries and sprinkled
with your favourite choice of nuts and tiny cuts of melons and other fruits!
#4 The Sensitives This is the trickiest skin type ever! It is prone to redness; itching, burning, dryness and acnes usually come with the package. But do not worry, with the right treatment and diet, you will be able to look as good as the others. First of all, you have to clean your face religiously, and gently, and when you are feeling clean, you can splurge on all the sashimi you want! Salmon works wonders for people with sensitive skin as it is rich in Omega-3 that supplies your body with anti-inflammatory properties. Supplement that with an egg (or two!) for breakfast, topped with flaxseeds!
#5 The Combination
What to eat? Well, water! Most of us do not drink the amount of water our bodies need in a day – 8 glasses of them. But remember, the more water you drink, the more hydrated your skin will be. Attention to all you Dry-s and sashimi lovers! You can increase your daily fat intake by consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids (good fats). Where do you get good fats from? Salmon, of course! As a side dish, you can have oysters and other sorts of seafood. That is not all though, you can replace your usual vegetable oil with coconut oil for cooking. It’s not only better for your skin, it works wonders for your hair as well. When snack time comes, you can have fresh fruits and vegetables, for instance, melons and cucumber – these two are the best solid source of water. Also consider lettuce, beans, avocados, tomatoes, zucchinis, and various types of nuts. Another good snacking option would be oatmeal topped
As you have guessed it, combination skin comprises the two most general skin types – oily and dry. You may have oily skin on the T-area, and dry on the other areas – or vice
versa. It is annoying, but at least you have a little bit of everything! In general, keep foods with high antioxidants in your list! Having some green tea during tea time with a couple of your favourite cookies and berries on the side will do! For lunch, you can have Chinesestyle sautéed broccoli with garlic and some spinach like what Popeye eats! These are good for your skin maintenance. Now that you know that you can splurge while maintaining the health of your skin, your mealtimes are going to be twice as fun as it already is! Remember, do not entirely stop on one food, just reduce the intake amount of them so you get to kill two birds with one stone. SE
JUNE 2016 | SCHOOL ED | 21
LIFEHACKS/DIY
JUNE 2016
Easy
Cookie Recipes
We’re in the month of Ramadhan, the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar. While observing the fasting month, those who are celebrating might also be preparing for Raya open house. Guess what comes with the preparation? Baking. Lots of baking. We at School Edition are all for Raya cookies hence, in celebration of the coming Hari Raya festivities, we’re including some of the occasion’s most popular cookie recipes! 22
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Cornflakes Cookies You need: 2-3 cups of cornflakes 200g salted butter 150g fine sugar 2 eggs (lightly beaten) 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 300g all-purpose flour 30g corn flour/corn starch Mini paper cups
•
Kueh Bangkit You need: 500g tapioca flour 220g sugar 250g coconut milk 3 egg yolks 5 Pandan Leaves (washed, dried and cut into 1/2” pieces)
Method: • •
• •
Chocolate Chunk Cookies You need: 230g butter 300g brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 5g of fine table salt 2 eggs 380g all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon of baking soda 300g chocolate bar, chunked up
Method: • •
Sift flour and baking soda to loosen up to avoid clumps. Cream butter, brown sugar, eggs, salt, and vanilla essence until light and pale.
• • • •
• •
Pour the tapioca flour and pandan leaves into a pan. Dry fry the tapioca flour with pandan leaves for about 10-15mins over low heat (until the pandan leaves dry up). Sieve to remove pandan leaves and leave to cool overnight. Warm up the coconut milk then add in sugar and stir until sugar is fully
• •
•
melted. Leave aside to cool for about 20-30mins. Add in egg yolks and stir until well blended. Pour coconut mixture into tapioca flour and mix until the dough is able to stand on its own. If the dough is too soft, add in additional flour. If the dough is too dry, add in some coconut milk and egg yolks. Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutter (about 5mm thickness). Line baking tray with baking sheet, then line the cut cookies on top of it and bake over low heat at 160°C until whitish in colour. Remove to cool before packing into containers.
Stir in sifted flour mixture. Add in the chocolate chunks and mix well to combine as evenly as possible. Grease baking trays lightly with melted butter, preheat oven to 180 °C. Roll teaspoonfuls of mixture into sized balls; arrange them on trays, slightly pressed down. Make sure it’s all well spaced-out as the cookie will grow twice the size. Bake in a preheated oven for 15-20mins or until cooked and golden brown. Leave cookies to cool slightly on the trays then lift them out onto wire racks to cool completely before packing them into airtight bags or containers.
Method: • • • • • • • •
Pour cornflakes into a bowl and use a flat bottom cup to crush it. Pour it into a sieve to remove all the powder crumbs. Place remaining coarsely crushed ` cornflakes into a separate bowl. Spend some time crushing the cornflakes. Beat butter and sugar till it’s well mixed, pale and creamy. Add vanilla essence and continue mixing until it’s combined. Stir in the lightly beaten eggs. Slowly pour in the flour and fold in the flour mixture including the corn flour.
• • •
• • •
Pre-heat the oven at 180°C. Arrange mini paper cups onto your trays. Using a teaspoon, scoop out about one teaspoon of the cookie dough and gently roll it into the coarsely crushed cornflakes. Place it onto the mini paper cups and lightly press onto it. Bake for 23 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from tray and place on the cooling rack to cool for 30 to 40mins then store in an air tight container.
BEAUTY
No money for spa? The secret to great skin is as close as your kitchen! Treat your skin to these few easy, homemade single ingredient masks.
JUNE 2016
Time to Steal from your Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Groceries!
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Mixing it up Oily Skin Recipe Option One – 3 tbsp. banana + 1 tsp. honey + a few drops of lemon juice Option Two – 3 tbsp. fineground oatmeal + 2 tbsp. yogurt + ½ tsp. honey Dry Skin Recipe Option One – ½ very ripe and soft avocados + ¼ cup honey Option Two – 1 tsp mashed banana + 1 tsp plain yogurt + 1 tsp honey Warning It’s very important to test the mask before going full on. Certain ingredients or recipes might work for some people, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work for you. Different people have different skin types and needs, thus always test to see how your skin reacts to it.
Banana Mash up a piece of ripe banana, and then apply the smooth paste on your face and neck. Leave it for 10-20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. Banana is filled with antioxidants and is a great natural moisturiser.
Milk Mix ¼ cup of powdered milk with just enough water to form a thick paste, and then spread it over your face and leave it till it’s completely dry and stiff before rinsing with warm water. Milk has been used as a beauty aid for centuries. Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt is one who swears by it. It’s great for whitening and helps soothe skin irritation.
Yogurt Scoop about one tablespoon of plain yogurt into a separate bowl and light-handedly spread a thin layer over your face. Let it sit about 20 minutes then rinse with cold water. It contains zinc for anti-inflammatory properties and lactic acid that helps to prevent premature skin ageing.
Honey Chill your honey in the fridge before applying a thin layer onto your face. Leave it for about 5-10 minutes then rinse with warm water. Honey not only contains powerful antioxidant properties, it’s also blessed with antiseptic and antibacterial properties to fight acne, cuts and burns.
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FEATURE
JUNE 2016
Unconventional tips to scoring A+’s for SPM “June already?! Wasn’t January just last week??”
C
ue Form 5 students collectively hyperventilating as they count the months to trial exams and the dreaded SPM. Panic sets in and cortisol levels rise at an alarming rate because there isn’t a lot of time left- how are you going to ace all your subjects? Here is the answer: start now, no more procrastination and here are some SPM preparation tips to help ease the process!
The unfailing reality check The deadliest illusion is the abundance of time. It’s so common and has the power to utterly tank the grade of even the nerdiest student. This is where the “reality check” formula comes in handy- it gives students an accurate idea of how many chapters (of each subject) you need to study per day in order to be fully prepared by “D-day”. Number of chapter: the number of chapters (per subject) tested in the upcoming exam. Number of repetitions: number of times you need to study the chapter in order to fully understand and memorise it (at least twice).
Number of days before exam: the remaining time span you have left for studying (the bigger the number, the better). Using the results, you can plan your schedule properly and more accurately. Don’t leave your studying up to “my mood”- always have some sort of game plan!
Understanding is the new memorising The moment you understand something, you’ve pretty much cut your memorising workload by half (especially when it comes to Science subjects). It’s a sign that you’ve truly mastered your studying material and you can sleep in peace knowing that you’ll be able to answer any SPM question with ease. Tip #1: You know you’ve fully understood a topic when you’re able to confidently teach it to someone without referring to your textbook every five seconds. Tip #2: If you don’t understand a topic, try reading about it from different sources (i.e. different textbooks and notes from friends) or watching YouTube videos.
Put your textbooks away (Yes! Finally someone said it) The closer SPM gets and your forehead starts to sprout (more) pimples, swap your back-breaking textbooks for workbooks. The technique of answering is just as important as the facts themselves so make sure you’re able to identify and meet the question requirements. Tip #1: Randomly ask your school teacher to check your answers (for essays
Complete the holy trinity: past year papers, SBP past year papers, MRSM past year papers These books will expose you to questions that are interesting, mind blowing and challenging. After completing these three books, you will come out feeling like a changed person- no lie. Also, keep an eye out on the internet for the current SBP, MRSM and state trial papers that would probably be released around September or earlier. Many of the teachers that set the SPM paper also set these state trial papers so you’ll definitely find relevant and important questions. Tip #1: Compare the topics that have been questioned in all the current trial papers. If you find a recurring topic in most of the papers, make sure you brush up on said topic.
“hot” topics that year (this does not mean you completely ignore other topics though) Tip #3: Many predictions of what will be questioned in SPM based on analysis can look pretty convincing but don’t take it as gospel truth. You can use it as a guide but don’t completely ignore the chapters which have not been predicted.
Banish thy phone, it distracts thine mind The phone is the ultimate weapon to destroy any ounce of self-discipline and concentration in a student’s body. When using it, some sort of Twilight Zone time warp takes place and five minutes suddenly becomes an hour. So, before you succumb to its siren-like calls, put it away - far away. It doesn’t belong anywhere on your desk or even in the same roomnowhere within (teenage) walking distance and that usually means it must be in another room or better yet on a different floor. You’ll be surprised by how much more productive you’ll become. Tip #1: During examination period, temporarily delete your games and social media apps. That way there won’t even be a reason to seek it out.
Study smart not more It’s about quality not quantity! Don’t spend four hours torturing your brain over something that can be learnt in 30 minutes. Learn to be able to pick up key points from texts instead of memorising a whole chunk of it (this is especially true for Sejarah). The first round of studying should encompass every topic while the second round should be more focused on predicted and popular ones. Tip #1: It’s useful to find out what kind of learner you are to find the most effective way of studying. Are you a visual, audio or kinesthetic learner? Tip #2: Also, through doing many questions, you’re able to discern which are the
Finding your perfect zen zone Believe it or not, your mood to study heavily depends on your environment and its “feel”. During my SPM year, I moved my study zone every couple
of months from the study room to the living room to the dining room then to my room then- yeah you get the picture. Find a spot that you feel is most comfortable and will facilitate your “rajin mode” to its maximum capacity- even if it drives your mom bonkers like it did mine. If your house just isn’t doing it for you, there are plenty of libraries you can go to or quiet cafes that are perfect for studying.
On the eve of battle With the remaining few hours, you should only go over topics that you find difficult and are very likely to come out in the examination tomorrow. Compile all your important worksheets, previous exam papers and mistakes you’ve made into one folder and then write down short notes of all the facts you struggle to remember. That way, you have easy access to them without needing to frantically flip through multiple reference books and have a panic attack just before the exam. During the last few minutes, all you need to go through are your compilation of previous mistakes and that stack of quick, crucial notes. Tip #1: Do not pull an all-nighter. There have been cases of exam candidates oversleeping or not being able to think properly during exams because their minds are dull and fuzzy from lack of rest. Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep by thinking caffeine can make up for it. SE
BY: NADHIRAH RAFIDZ
and subjective questions) because many a time, the answers provided by the workbook are inadequate or incomplete. Tip #2: Put markers on the pages where mistakes are made so you can refer back to it easily.
WIREDUP
JUNE 2016
Wiko LENNY2
This 5â&#x20AC;? device comes with a 1.3 GHz Quad Core processor, 8GB ROM which can reach 64GB with the micro SD card. Available in a variety of colours from black and white to coral, blue and bleen, this device is equipped with a dual SIM slot and makes for an ideal entry level device. The LENNY2 carries a 5-megapixel main camera and 2-megapixel front camera. In five years, Wiko has become the number two smartphone vendor in France. The brand currently has seven million users in more than 30 countries. Price: RM299 http://my-en.wikomobile.com
Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum
Nikon COOLPIX B700
This device presents an advanced balance of mobility, zoom performance and imaging technology for a vast zoom range. The most compact ultra-high-power 60x optical zoom, 120x Dynamic Fine Zoom camera in its class, the B700 with 20.3 megapixels backside-illumination CMOS image sensor enables its owner to capture vibrant scenes and portraits in sharp detail, both day and night. Combining technological refinement with lightning-fast performance, important moments are never missed. Locking on to subjects is even faster with highspeed autofocus at approximately 0.09 seconds, aided by a pre-focus function which enables quick focusing when the camera detects composition change and camera shake. Price: N/A www.nikon.com.my
This professional-grade wireless gaming mouse features industry-leading wireless technology, an advanced optical gaming sensor, a flexible ambidextrous design, customisable lighting, mechanical pivot button design and lightweight construction for maximum performance and comfort over long gameplay sessions. With a one-millisecond report rate, and highly optimised 2.4GHz wireless connection, the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum outperforms both wireless and wired competitors. Its exclusive clock-tuning technology, which significantly reduces power consumption, enables it to be used continuously for 32 hours. Users will also have the freedom to configure the mouse according to preference as it can be transformed into a truly leftor right-handed mouse, using the included magnetic button covers. Price: RM699 http://www.logitech.com/en-my/home
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Acer Revo Hello Kitty Edition
With the Acer Revo One having won the Red Dot Design Award 2015, Good Design Award 2015, Best Choice 2015 (Gold Award and Best Product of the Year), Computex 2015, and Taiwan Excellence 2016, Acer has released a Hello Kitty edition which is surely good news for fans of the iconic character. Packed into its small form of 106.5 (W) x 106.5 (D) x 155 (H) mm is a powerful 7.1 surround sound system, HD resolution, and a huge storage space which makes the Acer Revo One Hello Kitty edition stylish in looks and big in capabilities. Price: RM1,499 / RM2,099 www.acer.com
Logitech G610 Orion
The Logitech G610 Orion Brown Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features Cherry MX Brown mechanical switches, as well as customizable bright white LED key backlighting and dedicated media controls. Cherry MX switches are rated over 50 million keystrokes and actuate precisely for a reliable gaming experience. In addition, low-noise Cherry MX Brown switches have a tactile bump for feedback while you type. Every aspect of the device from the simplest details, such as fingerprint-masking matte texture and a durable braided cable, to the most complex details, including advanced bright white LED key backlighting – is precisely engineered. Price: RM599 http://www.logitech.com/en-my/home
vivo V3Max
Featuring an aluminium magnesium alloy body covered with a glossy surface, the vivo V3Max features a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display which is protected by 3rd generation 2.5D Gorilla Glass. One thing to look out for is the “CPU mode smart recognition” which allows the CPU to run in various ways according to a user’s requirements. The device’s Dual-Charge Circuits provide a faster rate of charging as vivo claims that plugging the device in for 5 minutes provides 2 hours of non-stop music playback. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 652 1.8GHz octa-core processor. Price: RM1,399 www.vivo.my
JUNE 2016 | SCHOOL ED | 29
FEATURE
Of Myths
JUNE 2016
W
hen you were younger, there’s a high chance that your parents told you not to shake your legs when you’re sitting down, or that you’re not supposed to whistle, or even that you’re not supposed to spend any amount of money at night. These beliefs are based on myths and legends, which is what this article is all about. Here’s a compilation of some of the more interesting myths and legends from across the globe! The Chinese Widow of Mount Kinabalu Country of Origin: Malaysia
We all know Mount Kinabalu as the highest peak in Malaysia and the fifth highest in Southeast Asia. But did you know, Mount Kinabalu might have gotten its name from the term “Cina Balu”, which means Chinese widow in Malay? According to local folklore, a Chinese prince was cast away to Borneo when his ship capsized in South China Sea. After he was rescued, he fell in love with a local woman and bore children with her. One day, he decided to return to his native country to visit his parents. He had promised to come back to Borneo as soon as he could to bring his newfound family to China. Sadly, that was not to be, as his parents disapproved of his new wife, stressing that he had already been promised to the princess of a neighbouring kingdom. The prince was forced to obey, and could never return to Borneo. Meanwhile, his abandoned wife grew increasingly worried, and soon decided to scale the highest mountain near her village to keep a lookout for her husband every day. Eventually, she fell ill and died at the top of the mountain. It is said that the spirit of the mountain was so moved by her loyalty that it turned her into a stone facing the South China Sea, so that she could wait for her love for eternity.
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and Legends The Changer of the Seasons Country of Origin: Greece
Zeus, the king of the gods and ruler of Olympus, had two brothers and three sisters, which included Demeter, goddess of the harvest and Hades, ruler of the Underworld. Demeter had one daughter by the name of Persephone, who was very beautiful. The mother-daughter duo often played in the fields together, and when Demeter was joyous the crops would prosper. One day, while out on a jaunt in his chariot with his three-headed dog Cerberus in tow, Hades laid eyes on Persephone and fell in love with her. Before anyone knew it, Hades had kidnapped the
young maiden to the Underworld. Once she was held captive, Persephone was offered all sorts of delicious food, but took none as eating even one meant she could never leave the realm. However, one day her hunger overwhelmed her and she ingested six pomegranate seeds. Up on Earth, crops were suffering and the people were getting hungry because Demeter was too distraught to tend to them. When Zeus saw this, he intervened and struck a deal with Hades: Persephone would wed Hades and stay with him for six months each winter, and return to earth in spring for the other six. Whenever it was time for her beloved daughter to return, Demeter would bless the land with bountiful crops and beautiful flowers. According to the Greeks, that was how the different seasons came to be.
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Yin and Yang Country of Origin: China
More than just the long held philosophy that opposing forces are needed for balance, Yin and Yang is also an intriguing ancient tale of strange creatures. In the Great Beginning, there was said to be an entity called Chaos, which comprised the energies of Yin (light) and Yang (dark). When the egg holding Chaos and another divine being called Pan Ku burst, Yin floated up to become the heavens, while Yang sank down and formed the earth. However, they were still fighting with each other, so Pan Ku eased the conflict by pushing them apart, which made him grow bigger and bigger over time. After 18,000 years, Pan Ku had grown so big that the distance between Heaven and Earth was as vast as it is today. At this point, his work was done, so the very worn out and aged creature laid down on earth, ready to die. Before he did, however, a miracle happened. His hands and feet were transformed into the four quarters of the earth. His head was made into the mountains, his eyes into the sun and moon, his breath into the wind and clouds, and his voice into thunder. Lastly, the fleas and lice on his hairy body turned into the humans that have roamed earth ever since.
The Secret Name of the Egyptian Sun God Country of Origin: Egypt
The Egyptians worshipped many gods, one of whom was Ra, the sun god. He was believed to have created the world and named the other Egyptian gods. His real name had to remain a secret, however, for he was infallible as long as no one knew it. Once he had created the human race, he turned into a man and ruled over Egypt. His human form eventually grew old, and sometimes he would dribble, just like any other old man. There was a wise goddess named Isis who wanted to dethrone him, so she followed him wherever he went, waiting for her opportunity. One day, she gathered the saliva that Ra had dribbled and mixed it with the mud of the earth, before fashioning a living, breathing cobra out of it. The cobra then bit Ra, sending venom throughout his veins and making him cry out in agony. Isis told him she could draw the poison out of his body, but only if Ra told her his real name. He relented, on the condition that Isis would never tell anyone else. Once Ra was healed, he could no longer rule the earth, so he ascended to the heavens. Ancient Egyptians believed he travelled across the sky every day and crossed into the Underworld each night, providing safe transport for the souls of the deceased.
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The Enchanted Dolphins of Encantado Country of Origin: Brazil
Do you recall having an attractive, well-dressed friend who’s ironically really into sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll? Does that friend also have an affinity for water and disappearing for long periods of time? We hate to break it to you, but your buddy is probably an Encantado, a legendary creature of Brazilian folklore. Encantados are most commonly viewed as a type of freshwater dolphin (also known as the pink dolphin) or sea snake that has the ability to shape shift into human form. These musically inclined and seductive creatures are especially attracted to parties and are known to dazzle and spitefully impregnate human party-goers by abducting their targets back to Encante (their undersea home). Through the practise of various mind control techniques, the Encantados can inflict illness, insanity and even death. They are also said to be fond of kidnapping children born of their illicit love affairs or just anyone near the river who can keep them company! For this reason, Amazon River townies are often terrified to go near the water. The only problem with Encantados’ shape-shifting abilities is that when it’s a human, it’ll always have a bald spot on top of its head where its dolphin blowhole remains. Thus, they tend to keep their heads covered with a straw hat.
Yamata no Orochi Country of origin: Japan
Known as Orochi for short, this legendary eightheaded and eight-tailed serpent is recorded in Japanese mythology and history. According to legend, this serpent would come out from its cave annually to consume a daughter of two Earth deities (according to Shinto beliefs, there’s a deity for almost anything). This tragedy had been going on for seven years and Orochi was about to devour the deities’ last daughter. Crying for their last daughter, the two deities met Susanoo, a Shinto storm-god who had been expelled from Heaven. Feeling sympathy for the deities, he decided to slay Orochi. To do so, he prepared eight towers of Sake, which Orochi couldn’t resist. As all eight heads drank the Sake, Orochi began to feel intoxicated. Wasting no time, Susanoo began to cut the giant serpent into pieces. JUNE 2016 | SCHOOL ED | 33
MUSIC
JUNE 2016
REVIEWS
Beautiful Lies | Birdy
Mind of Mine (Deluxe Edition)
Having skyrocketed to fame via her cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’, ‘Beautiful Lies’ is British musician Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde aka Birdy’s third studio album. It is relaxing, to say the least. Beautiful Lies is one of those albums where you just get lost in it at one point. Tracks to look out for include ‘Shadow’, ‘Wild Horses’, ‘Lost It All’, ‘Words’, ‘Beating Heart’, and ‘Start Again’.
The debut studio album by former member of British band One Direction Zayn Malik, Mind of Mine, is reflected well in the way the track titles are spelt: it’s just all over the place. At times you’ll skip the track without hesitation while at times you’ll stop and listen in amazement. Aside from hit singles ‘PILLOWTALK’, ‘iT’s You’, and ‘LIKE I WOULD’, look out for ‘rEaR vIeW’, ‘BoRdErSz’, ‘TiO’, ‘BLUE’, and ‘SHE DON’T LOVE ME’.
Lukas Graham
Weezer aka The White Album | Weezer
| Lukas Graham
Danish pop-soul band Lukas Graham’s self-titled album, their second, shot to fame with the release of their hit single ‘7 Years’. The band has a gift of telling stories through their music while managing to stay relatable and not make it seem like it revolves around them. Tracks of note on their first worldwide studio album include ‘Happy Home’, ‘Better Than Yourself (Criminal Mind Pt. 2)’, ‘What Happened To Perfect’, and ‘Funeral’.
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| Zayn
Weezer is back with their tenth studio album which lead singer Rivers Cuomo described as a “beach album” – perhaps rightly so. The album is relaxing and is one of those albums that you would play on a lazy Sunday. After all these years, it’s safe to say that they’ve still got it. Be sure to look out for ‘Thank God For Girls’, ‘King Of The World’, ‘L.A. Girlz’, ‘Jacked Up’, ‘and ‘Endless Bummer’.
MOVIE REVIEW
JUNE 2016
A
n Avengers mission in South Africa takes a destructive turn when an accident occurs and civilians die- much to the horror of the avengers. Governments are now on edge and they want the Avengers reigned in under the UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s control. Thus the Sokovia Accords are drawn up. Stark, burdened with guilt and suffering PTSD, is all in to sign the accord but Captain America still believes the Avengers should have the liberty to call the shots of justice. Philosophical differences just gets more personal with the appearance of amnesia-suffering Bucky Barnes who is framed for murder. In attempt to protect his long time best friend, Captain America goes against the law *gasp* by saving Bucky and joining him on the run to clear his name. Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mightiest Heroes are split between following Cap or Iron Man- thus the civil war ensues. This movie excelled where the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice debacle failed. It was
uncontrived, heart wrenching, action packed, funny and thriving with compelling dialogue. This is a two and a half hour movie that didn’t have me wringing my hands at the flimsy plot driven over a road littered with plot-holes and face palming at the character’s idiocy every 10 minutes. Safe to say I did not feel cheated out of my time, money and brain cells while watching this explosive treat. Marvel’s characters are unshakablethey stand true to who they are, they’re relatable and are each flawed in a way that just makes them feel even more metaphorically alive. They play off each other’s persona perfectly with wit, charm and emotion that could only be done with a skilled cast and excellent script writers who understood the essence of each character. This movie focuses on the differences in ideologies between superheroes, mainly Captain America and Iron Man, who are both neither wrong nor right. The emotional battle (which becomes personal towards the end) between these two characters is totally heartbreaking and every physical blow traded off between them was a sucker punch to my heart. You really can’t pick a team for this movie- it shows each side so well leaving you floundering for a clear answer of “this is right and this is wrong”- which doesn’t exist- and that’s the beauty of it. I entered
the cinema hall proudly proclaiming myself as #TeamIronMan but left as #TeamIronAmerica. On a lighter note, I found myself heartily laughing numerous times despite the doom and gloom. The cameos made by Spider-Man and Ant-man were the humorous icing on the cake. The re-vamped Spider-Man played by Tom Holland made his debut as an adorably enthusiastic and innocent teenage boy who fanboys over the legendary superheroes like Captain America and the Falcon while punching them in the face! T’Challa gets to shine too in the movie and manages to lay out a solid foundation for his upcoming solo movie in 2018 as the dignified and deadly Black Panther. What’s an action movie without the tussle right? Captain America: Civil War has no shortage on blows and mass destruction. Even though the cinematography was jarring at times, the fights were awesome. The allstar rumble between Team Cap and Team Iron Man at Leipzig airport in Germany will forever be iconic. For the first time, Marvel has made a villain that pretty much fades into the background of the movie (to be honest I struggle to remember his name and significance). He wasn’t really a villain; more like... a chess master orchestrating a catalyst which leads to the Avenger’s civil war. After that, he’s pretty much yesterday’s news. He’s a normal man (literally) with an effective plan- I don’t know how I feel about this. Comic book movies can no longer be an action-buff’s eye candy. The Russo brothers have set the bar with Captain America: The Winter Soldier and now Captain America: Civil War. We now demand layers in our characters, a story worth watching and a roller coaster ride of all the right feels. I hope DC is taking notes.
MOVIES
JUNE 2016
PREVIEWS
Me Before You
Central Intelligence
STARRING: EMILIA CLARKE, SAM CLAFLIN, JENNA COLEMAN, CHARLES DANCE, MATTHEW LEWIS
STARRING: DWAYNE JOHNSON, KEVIN HART, ED HELMS, AMY RYAN, DANIELLE NICOLET
RELEASE: 2nd June 2016
RELEASE: 16th June 2016
Adapted from a 2012 novel of the same name, the movie follows Will Traynor who is paralysed following a motorcycle accident and has lost his will to live – until he meets his new caretaker Louisa Clark that is. While he takes a while to warm up to her, he eventually realises that she brings with her the light that he needs in his life.
Once the bullied overweight Bob Stone gets himself in shape and becomes part of the CIA, he takes care of bullies on a larger scale. When confronted with the final piece of a puzzle, he turns to Calvin, former Mr. Popular in high school turned regular accountant, for help. After all, saving the world takes more than a big Johnson – you need a little Hart too.
Finding Dory
The Legend of Tarzan
STARRING: ELLEN DEGENERES, ED O’NEILL, TY BURRELL, KAITLIN OLSON, ALBERT BROOKS, EUGENE LEVY, DIANE KEATON
STARRING: ALEXANDER SKARSGARD, MARGOT ROBBIE, CHRISTOPH WALTZ, SAMUEL L. JACKSON, DJIMON HOUNSOU
RELEASE: 16th June 2016
RELEASE: 30th June 2016
The much awaited sequel to Finding Nemo, this movie takes place about a year after. When Dory drifts off unexpectedly in her sleep, Nemo and Marlin chase after her and discover that Dory is having flashbacks of her childhood and she sets out to find her family with her only clue being a memory of “something about the jewel of Monterey, California”.
Having left behind the jungles where he grew up for a gentrified life in London with his beloved wife Jane Porter, the man once known as Tarzan has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament. However, there is a much larger plot at hand which revolves around greed and revenge, master-minded by the corrupt Belgian Captain Léon Rom.
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2.
ANIME
1.
JUNE 2016
3. 4.
e u r T r o F
s r e Lov
Can’t get enough of your favourite anime series? Not to worry, as we have listed down spinoff series which I am sure you can’t wait to watch. You’re welcome.
1. Soul Eater NOT!
2. Attack on Titan: Junior High
3. Itachi Shinden: Hokari to Yami
A year before The Prologues Arc which is the first arc of Soul Eater series, comes a story of Soul Eater NOT! If you don’t already know, the Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA) is a place for special people with the ability to turn themselves into weapons and the wielders called meisters. Out of the two classes, EAT and NOT, the Normally Overcome Target (NOT) students enrol just so that they’ll be able to control themselves from bringing a harm to others and themselves. Tsugumi Harudori is one of them and she embarks on a journey of friendship and self-discovery. There is nothing much to say except for this anime is worth your time.
Attack on Titan is a big hit from the start and the series fans will be thrilled with the new spinoff named Attack on Titan: Junior High. Riding the wave of the original Titan series, AoT Junior High is a parody version that stars some of Titan’s familiar characters including Eren and Mikasa. The age of the characters is cut down by a few years and we get to see them in high school uniforms. AoT Junior High basically tells the story of how titans and humans try to co-exist in the same school. We can say that some of Titan’s loyal fans weren’t that happy with this parody but if you watch it with the notion that it is a separate series than
The excruciating sufferings Naruto fans had to go through whilst waiting for the fillers to end can temporarily be forgotten by sinking their teeth in this new series starring one of the most beloved character in Naruto, the invincible warrior of Konoha, Uchiha Itachi. This short TV series follows the journey of Itachi before the infamous incident of Uchiha clan’s slaughtering. Viewers will be able to watch a different side to Itachi who dreams of nothing less than world peace. If you want to see the softer side of this legendary character, don’t hesitate to watch this character spinoff anime.
4. Blood-C
5. Salaryman Exorcist: The Sorrows of Okumura Yukio
The success of the Blood franchise by CLAMP created a third instalment following the massive acceptance of Blood+ anime series and the movie Blood C: The Last Dark. Blood C stayed loyal to the original plot of a mysterious high school girl that protects the world by slaying the creatures of the night (vampire). Yes, Blood fans were excited when this spinoff was announced but it was a huge disappointment. This spinoff does not live up to the other two Blood series and its story built up is very slow. Even though it gets better towards the end, some viewers stop watching mid-series due to head-spinning start of the anime.
Attack on Titan, you might actually enjoy it.
The title itself makes all Ao no Exorcist fans smile because they understand the pain Okumura Yukio had to go through in the anime. Although this is a manga, anime fans should definitely check this out. This spinoff is dedicated to the half of Okumura twins, Yukio, who we agree, deserves his own bloody spotlight. Being the responsible one, this more serious yet amusing character is portrayed in a more humorous way in the manga. Although we won’t mind if Yukio lightened up a bit, fans still prefer his original personality. Nevertheless, you should give this a short spin off a chance.
JUNE 2016
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CASE STUDY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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he average internet user is wise enough not to divulge personal information online, or transfer money to the bank account of a Nigerian Prince lost in space in hopes of rescuing him (in what is now recognised as an infamous online scam). Therefore, cyber con artists are looking at more creative ways to continue doing what they do best. Users of social media platforms such as Facebook, should by now be well aware of the constant bombardment of posts and other interesting material such as articles, quizzes and memes on a regular basis. These posts are usually angled in ways that pique the curiosity of the social media user. This content that appears randomly on your feed, and compels you to click against your better judgement is commonly known as click bait. The analogy itself is self-explanatory, a worm is dangled, and a willing fish bites the bait! Quizzes such as “Find out the true colour of your heart”, “Which fairy tale princess are you?”, “Which Tellytubby is your true soulmate?”, “Are you smarter than Einstein?” are so hyperbolically titled, yet succeed in grabbing the attention of the bored social media user. After all, wouldn’t you want to find out if it’s Tinky Winky or Mo who’s your true Tellytubby soulmate? or if you could actually be destined to live in a castle with Prince Charming? Internet security experts caution that online thieves employ click baiting as a technique to access and harvest information from personal social media accounts. While the lure of click baiting is hard to dismiss, and even if you’re feeling pretty confident about your privacy settings on Facebook, these quizzes are potentially harmful. Updating your antivirus software regularly would not be able to protect you from harm if you don’t think before you click. What social media users fail to realise or simply dismiss is that, when you agree to take such quizzes, the fine print states you are granting permission for the creator of the quiz to not
only collect information from your account, including your friend list, but also access to your account. Every detail that is carried in your account, age, sex, birth date, IP address, pictures and posts are then harvested. These sites may sell your details to third party sites. Upon getting the result of the quiz, most users would then repost it, encouraging their friends to click, thus propagating the cycle of data mining. Personal information and surfing habits pays a huge bounty in the age of targeted marketing and advertising. Advertisements that pop up on your sidebar when you’re surfing the web or using your social media accounts are usually tailored to your interests and surfing habits. For instance, if the information these sites have gathered from your personal computer or mobile device reveal that you’re female, in your teens, interested in fashion and living in the city, then you may be a target for advertisers selling you makeup, clothes and even modelling courses.
Advertisers rely on personal information to sell you the stuff you would likely be interested in. Some quizzes access other important information such as your household income or buying habits, others angle their quizzes in such a way that would give you reasons to divulge personal information, such as a health condition, which they would sell to drug makers, in this era of targeted marketing. You’d then be bombarded with advertisements for health products specific to your needs when surfing the internet. Another potential risk of taking clickbait quizzes is it could compromise your online security. Upon being granted permission to access your account by taking such quizzes, unscrupulous parties could
deploy harmful viruses or malware into your computer, thus damaging it or use your Facebook account in ways that you may not know. For instance, the post that you click on might appear on your timeline although you did not share it or even spam your entire friend list. These posts could self-propagate themselves by posting themselves on your friends’ timelines as well, and again this all occurs without your knowledge or consent. After taking several quizzes that revealed the colour of her aura, and her birthstone, a Facebook user received complaints from her friends that they had received a request from what was a duplicate of her account. It had her picture and all her personal information. It was very clear to her then, that these quizzes had gathered her personal information and used it to create a fake profile. This is a scary consequence and could lead to identity theft and identity fraud. Duplicate profiles could be used in harmful ways that could shame you or get you into legal trouble if found to be responsible in posting malicious or seditious
content online. You could be dragged to court and find yourself floundering in a legal fish net. There are other online phishing scams that seek personal information, including your name, bank account or credit card details, together with login information and passwords, or even passport or driver’s license details. Once a hacker has harvested all your personal information, he could potentially use it for financial mileage, at your expense. This is potentially dangerous and could lead to various problems for the user. This kind of identity theft often goes undetected, until you are slapped with a hefty credit card bill or discover that an imposter has taken a huge loan under your name, and you’re left to clear it up, only then realising that a huge sum of your hard earned savings is missing from your bank account! Some points to ponder over and discuss are; • Do you find targeted marketing and advertising beneficial or detrimental to your internet surfing experience? • What are measures you can take to protect your information on social networking sites? • What are some of the legislations in place, designed to protect your personal information from being used without your consent? SE
CASE STUDY SCIENCE
TH E
N E D L GO TIOφ
JUNE 2016
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Contributed By: Leong Sow Chew (leongsc@utar.edu.my) Lecturer, Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar) Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
T • • • •
here are many constants in mathematics, the more well known being:
(pi) , which is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter; φ (phi), the golden ratio, which is the ratio of the sum of two lengths to the larger of the two lengths; e, which is the base of natural logarithm, and is numerically equal to; y (gamma), the Euler’s constant, which is the limiting difference between the harmonic series and the n 1 natural logarithm, 1n n lim k=1 k n and has value
It is amazing that the exact values of these mathematical constants are yet unknown to man even with the help of modern supercomputers. They are numbers which are neither whole numbers nor
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fractions and they contain decimal numbers that never end and the decimal numbers do not show any repetitive pattern. The constants and φ find their genesis in geometry and were investigated by the ancient Greeks while e and y are relatively modern and were intensively studied by the great Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) and his contemporaries in the eighteenth century. is found in school textbooks and is used by primary and secondary school students in their studies of mathematics whereas φ is seldom mentioned. This article attempts to explain what φ is and give some insights into its applications. It is hoped this will arouse the interest of students to investigate φ further. The Golden Ratio,φ The Greeks first studied the golden ratio (variously known as the golden mean, the golden section, the golden number or the divine proportion) because of its frequent appearance in geometry especially in the
construction of pentagrams. Euclid (~325 – 265 BC) provides the first written definition of the golden ratio: A straight line is said to be cut in golden
a a+b a a>b = , if a ratio, b , where b
a
a+b
b
a+b a = = φ where a > b > 0 b a
Therefore,
b 1+ a = φ
1 =φ φ φ 2 φ 1 = 0 φ = 1+ 5 2 Since φ > 1, 5 φ = 1+ = 1.6180339887... 2 1+
Constructing a Golden Ratio Rectangle A rectangle with sides that satisfies the golden ratio can be easily constructed. The steps require only basic skills in using a pair of compasses.
Step 2: Construct a midpoint M on the side AB
Step 1: Construct a square ABCD of any length:
D
C
D
C
Length of AB is P MB = AM = 2 By Phytagoras’ Theorem, the length of MC is
Let the length of one side of the square be p.
A
B
Step 3: Construct an arc CE of a circle with its centre at M and radius of length CM. Connect B to E to form a straight line ABE
D
C
Length of ME is
5
P 2 Length of AE is ME = MC =
AE = AM + ME
5 = 1P+ P 2 2 M
A
B
M
A
E
The completed rectangle AEFD is one with sides in golden ratio. D F
2 P MC = 2
B
MC =
2
5
+ P
2
P
2
Step 4: Construct a perpendicular line FE on AE. Join C to F to form a straight line DCF F D C AE Ratio of is EF 5 1 P+ P 2 2 AE = EF P 1+ 5 =φ 2 AE = φp =
M
A
B
E
It is intriguing that if we remove a square section from the golden ratio rectangle, the remaining figure is also a golden ratio rectangle. For example, if the square section
E1 EFF1 is removed from AEFD , the remaining AE1 F1 D is also a golden ratio rectangle.
For rectangle
D
F1
F
p
AE1 F1 D
AE1 = AE - E1 E = φp - p
E1 F1 = EF - p
A
φp
E A
Similarly, if we remove the square
AE1 E2 A1
, we obtain another golden-ratio rectangle
D
F1
F
AE1 F1 D A1 E2 F1 D
E1
E
AE1 + E1 F1 E1 F1 = φp - p + p p =φ
from
On repeating the procedure a few more times, we obtain the figure below:
E2
A1
A
E1
E
JUNE 2016 | SCHOOL ED | 45
If we draw circular arcs connecting the diagonal corners of the squares, each with radius equal to the side of the individual square and centered at one of the remaining two corners, a nice spiral is produced.
Since antiquity, the artists and architects find objects shaped according to the golden ratio fascinating and visually pleasing. They made efforts to proportion their works that approximate the golden ratio. In addition to its physically aesthetical appeal, mathematicians study golden ratio because of its unique and interesting properties, particularly its relationship with the recursive Fibonacci series.
Golden Ratio in Nature Many objects in nature have shapes that comply with the golden ratio. Here are two examples that may astound the unsuspecting reader. (1) Snail shells and nautilus shells have shapes that follow the spiral of the golden ratio, as does the cochlea of the inner ear. (2) The seed heads of sunflowers provide a great example of the spiraling patterns of the golden ratio.
Golden Ratio in Architecture (1) The Parthenon in Athens, built by the ancient Greeks from 447 to 438 BC illustrates the application of the golden ratio in its design.
The entire face of the Parthenon has a golden ratio rectangle with a golden ratio spiral overlay on it. Many other parts of the building also have golden ratio proportions. (2) Notre Dame in Paris, built between 1163 and 1250 appears to have golden ratio proportions in a number of its key designs.
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Golden Ratio in Art (1) Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”.
Golden ratio was extensively used by the Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). In his famous painting “The Last Supper”, all the key dimensions of the room, the table and ornamental shields had golden ratio proportions. (2) Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam”
The Italian artist Michelangelo (14751564) used many golden ratios in his composition of the painting “The Creation of Adam” on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. SE
CASE STUDY BUSINESS
JUNE 2016
m is
l
a n
r u o J
S V
E V TI G EA IN R T C I R W They require a different set of writing skills yet many, even media students, are confused between the two. Natasha MH helps to briefly explain what sets them apart.
Contributed By: Natasha MH, Senior Lecturer in IACT College
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J “
ournalism and creative writing are two opposite ends of the literary rope. Their difference is grounded on the fact that journalism relies heavily on the truth, facts, current events, and knowledge. Creative writing, on the other hand, comprises much on art, fiction, and imagination. This is why these two ends don’t meet,” wrote writer Angelo Lorenzo in his article Truth And Creativity: Journalism Vs. Creative Writing. And I thank him for that elucidation. The problem is, many people confuse these two. The worse is when people who are good in creative writing assume they would have the knack for Journalism (only to question their credibility later). Not necessarily true, and hopefully this article can help to demystify the apples and oranges. Throughout my career in writing, I noticed that many of my news reporter colleagues were not from a journalism background. Some were previously lawyers, some studied accounting or political sciences, were literature majors like myself, but the one thing they all had in common was their analytical talent for understanding statistics, interpreting data, induction and deduction reasoning. With added training, these misfits of sorts rose to become some of the best writers in the country. Interestingly, I find that the ones who struggled the most to adapt were those who had a flair for frivolous writing,
loved reading novels and possessed a transcript of A’s in English composition. So why couldn’t they adapt, you ask? It’s not difficult actually, only a slight misunderstanding of expectations. Journalism stems from honesty and grounded observation. The ability to be objective is crucial for fair and balanced judgement. Creative writing stems from desire. The pursuit of the imagination - the wilder the better - and the luxury to be subjective. Therein it separates the literary psyche between the two. Journalism began as a way for people to chronicle their daily events that helped to disseminate information about their town in as early as
1400. Creative writing existed much earlier – with pictures carved in cave dwellings as a form of expressive thought, a need or yearning to share a story. Ask a creative writer to explain how the avalanche took place in less than 10 words, and he will give you a cold stare. Ask a journalist and he would respond, “That’s more than enough for people to know.” Thus, it’s all about keeping it short and simple. This is why if you’re good at writing hard news, chances are you have a good shot at copywriting too where the basic principle is akin to journalism: “minimal words with maximum impact”. Writing hard news is a challenge of construction. Word economy, accurate diction and pressure from deadlines can affect newsworthiness. So you have to mince your words thoughtfully but skillfully. Creative writing is about exposition. A stunt you
can even pull at the eleventh hour if you’re a confident wordsmith. You are more liberal to expound a simple description, add fluff, spice and what have you, while news reporting requires accuracy, brevity and being apt. To be succinct takes discipline and it is not surprising that someone who can write hard news well can also double as a great feature writer. Their narratives are terse and tightly woven like high quality tapestry. The case may not always be so with the opposite.
A good creative writer may not necessarily be skilled at writing hard news let alone in mastering journalism. When a creative writer is so accustomed to being free with his prose and word limit is not so stringent, it becomes a slippery slope to write a convincing hard news without being idyllic with your words. You may find it harder to compress 700 words of explanation into a 300word account. What becomes of the other 400 equally important words, you may gasp in frustration? To a creative writer, those words are seminal to evoke one’s senses, provide depth of thought or to develop a profound imagery. To a journalist those words are simply redundant and cost space and
money. And thus, this brings us to the point of functionality and purpose. But fret not. Both skills can be honed. The key is to know how different they are so you know when to switch gears. That is why in mass communication schools, students are exposed to the various types of media writing because well, there are so many: writing press releases, copy for advertising, scriptwriting, speechwriting, to name a few. Once you can tell the difference, you will be able to sharpen those writing instincts. SE
CASE STUDY ENGLISH
JUNE 2016
CONVERGENT & DIVERGENT TYPES OF Thinking in Problem Solving
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onvergent and divergent thinking are two different thinking styles used in idea generation for creative problem solving. According to psychologists, these are basically two ways in which a person views the world. Convergent thinking, simply put is bringing together all possible solutions to a problem, to identify the best possible one. Convergent thinking focuses on the single best or most frequently correct solution to the problem. Convergent thinking is used when a problem could have one possible correct outcome, while the other available option is clearly wrong. As such, there could be no possible ambiguity in the solution. This type of thinking is generally applied in school, where you are given a set of possible outcomes in the form of multiple choice answers. You would then pick one correct answer, and all the other answers would be wrong. IQ tests measure convergent thinking, as they usually present questions that have one possible outcome. For instance, in a sequence of shapes that have one missing unit, only one possible shape could be the ultimate outcome, rendering all other options wrong. Covergent thinking analyses and evaluates logic flow thought, pattern recognition, problem solving capacity and also tests facts or knowledge. It is in fact a great tool to measure knowledge and encourages logical deductions to be drawn based on preexisting information. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in school, answering tests and sitting for examinations, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re most likely using convergent thinking to find the best answer or solution. By contrast, divergent thinking promotes opening up your mind in many different directions to develop possible solutions. While both thinking strategies are used in problem solving, each has its own area of application. Divergent thinking encourages
you to explore solutions that do not seem apparent or obvious, and to come up with a large number of possible solutions within a time span. Divergent thinking is usually used in brainstorming processes, whereby a greater number of ideas or solutions is born of the original idea. As the question or idea may return multiple answers and vary significantly from one person to another, the outcomes drawn may be arbitrary and even unconventional but all of equal value. Most of the solutions derived from this type of thinking are novel and unusual. Divergent thinking can be encouraged and honed by performing simple activities such as creating artwork, mind mapping, and building questions. Divergent thinking helps develop imagination and complex thinking skills, enabling you to conceptualise intricate and layered ideas inventively. This usually gives rise to original ideas that are fresh and unique, helping you become a more daring risktaker. It encourages curiosity in seeking and gathering more knowledge or information about ideas or solutions and also promotes elaborating and expanding upon a given idea. In time, you can expect ideas to flow more fluidly and you become capable of viewing an idea from various perspectives, thus deriving a range of flexible thoughts and ideas. Once the step of divergent thinking is complete, participants can derive the final solution or answer
by applying convergent thinking, arriving at the final solution by picking the best option. Now you can practice honing your divergent thinking skills by working in groups
or individually to come up with the best solutions for these scenarios. • •
•
Take two objects from your surroundings and draw associations between them. You can explore these objects in terms of colour, texture, design and so on. This exercise helps you explore and draw conclusions on random objects. Once you’re happy with the findings, apply this same exercise on three random objects or more. Build your own questions using your imagination to the fullest. Here is an example to get you started: Pretend you live in a world where all the animals could talk, just like humans. Now, create a cabinet of ministers, each with his own portfolio and assign each type of animal to head each ministry. Explore all your options and come up with the best cabinet you can think of, all with relevant justifications. You are also encouraged to create your own scenarios and seek solutions for them. Remember that
•
divergent thinking is novel and inventive, with no absolute wrong or right answer. Construct ideas with simple construction materials. Imagine you lived in a world where the only materials available are paper and plastic. Use these limited resources to find problems to everyday solutions. For example, in this world, how would cars be made? Explore all other possible outcomes of such a world. For instance, would car accidents be fatal? Also, how would daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning be affected? Create your ideas and design objects for this new world. Find novel and inventive solutions to various problems you may face on a daily basis. For instance if you’re late to school regularly, what are some creative solutions to these problems? Explore options such as alarm clocks that can push you out of bed, magnetised hovering cars that do not require roads that allow you to beat the jam, and other ways to get you to school on time. • Encourage and stimulate divergent thinking in others through fun activities. Look around you and pick an object. Then, find as many uses of the object with your friends or siblings and list them
down. Make a game out of it and do it as many times as you like. For example, a vase can be used: • as a paperweight • to store flowers • to hide a rolled-up note • to store loose change • as decoration • to serve drinks • as a weapon • to serve a soft boiled egg • as a pencil-holder Some points to ponder over and discuss are; • Do you regularly use convergent or divergent thinking when trying to solve a problem? • When in school or doing homework, do you feel sufficiently exposed to both thinking styles equally? • What are some typical scenarios in your daily life, that are best solved using divergent thinking? SE