Volume Six Edition Two American School In Taichung
All the Way from San Francisco: A New By Grant Wang Director Arrives Change is coming to AST. Mr. Ir- ences was “spending his last summer win Stein, our current director, has in South Africa, working with teachbeen with us since 2001—making his ers and principals from rural schools.” stay a total of 8 years. During these 8 In addition to working with them on years, AST students and faculty have how to improve their schools, “[he] experienced many major changes, in- was ‘blown away’ by their singing.” cluding the addition of the TAIMUN While in South Africa, Mr. Corcoran conference and the creation of many was also concerned about the apartnew activities and programs. With the heid that plagued the nation; this is arrival of Mr. Andrew Corcoran, old one of the reasons he fully supports traditions will be the Model United maintained, while Nations program. new ones will be Not only has Mr. introduced. Corcoran visited Back in FebruSouth Africa, Taiary, Mr. Stein met wan, and Hawaii, privately with Mr. but he has also visCorcoran in San ited 5 of the 6 popFrancisco. After ulated continents. a long, “worthThe only continent while talk,” Mr. he has not been to Mr. Corcoran at his old office. Stein happily conis South America. cluded that Mr. Corcoran was “very As the new director, Mr. Corcoran friendly and knowledgeable about the wishes to introduce and implement process of education. He cares for stu- new programs and ideas, but says that dents, and believes that activities play “it is just as important knowing what a major role in a student’s learning.” new things to implement as knowing Before he came to AST, Mr. what old things to keep.” He looks Corcoran had spent 27 years first forward to seeing the success of the teaching High School Mathemat- students of AST, and to ensuring the ics, History, Economics, and Futur- great futures of the graduating seniors. istics, and later as the director of the To achieve this goal, Mr. Corcoran Maryknoll High School in Honolulu, pledges that “teachers will have the Hawaii. (Futuristics is an intriguing support they need to have interesting course that predicts what the world and engaging classes so that students will be like in the next few decades.) can learn in a good environment.” For the past 8 years, he has been the When asked about AST’s prodirector for the Chinese American In- grams and curriculum, Mr. Corcoran ternational School in San Francisco. was impressed by its organization. Mr. Corcoran has experience as a He strongly expressed his approval teacher and director, with both provid- of the continuation of Model United ing different feelings and initiatives. Nations because “it was one of the As a teacher, Mr. Corcoran had “the things that made [him] interested satisfaction of seeing [his] students in AST.” Mr. Corcoran is intrigued excel.” However, as a director, he was by TAIMUN because it “provides a able to help teachers educate students. sense of uniting. TAIMUN is a place Another of his amazing experi- where people not only talk, but hear.”
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After his first short visit to AST, Mr. Corcoran “was very impressed. [He] enjoyed meeting everyone, and even though it was a short visit, [he] felt very welcomed.” After being persuaded by Ms. Anna Lee and Mr. Stein, Mr. Corcoran visited for a second time, during the week of April 26. Mr. Corcoran thinks that AST is unique because it is “smaller, and definitely quieter, since there are fewer students.” Mr. Corcoran also thinks that AST is “bucolic,” because of the flowers and trees that are planted around the school. AST is also different in the fact that “with so few students, AST has so many sports. [He] was quite shocked when [he] found out that AST has around 24 sport teams!” Mr. Corcoran is a funny man. He loves to read—reading books by famous authors, such as Hugo, Dumas, Verne, and Stendhal. He also loves to exercise, and has a profound sense
Mr. Corcoran dressed as an emperor during the Chinese New Year Festival.
of humor (although he tries to appear stern). If he were to describe himself with five adjectives, Mr. Corcoran would declare himself “tall, chubby, thoughtful, inquisitive, and happy.” We are all glad to have Mr. Corcoran as next year’s director. We look forward to the many changes that he will bring with his new position.
Eagles’ Eyrie
Crazy Creations Club
By Kylene Harrington
Every Friday, something special takes place in Ms. Danziger’s room during lunch: the “Crazy Creations” Club. If you ever wondered about this club, there is no need to guess anymore. “I think Crazy Creations club is a fun place to construct objects and spend time to play and share our creations with friends,” said Sandy Tang when asked for her opinion. Sebastian Chu, the founder and leader of the club, said that its purpose is for people to learn how to make physical devices by themselves. The word “crazy” is part of the club’s name because modern people do not think it is normal to make things by hand when robots can make everything. This is related to why Sebastian started the club in the first place: “In the twenty-first century, people use devices without actually understanding how they work.” It is the “do it yourself” aspect of the club that is its most important part because by making things with their own hands, people can figure out how their creations function. Past projects have involved cone shaped blow guns, origami ninja stars, battery-powered cans that are able to roll on the ground by themselves, and kaleidoscopes. By Pierre Thomas
Science Club
Why science? After all, what is the quantum configuration of an atom? What is a simple harmonic pendulum? Why is Taiwan so hot? Science club will answer all these questions and more. How do students come across such heady knowledge? Well, every week a few members of the science club begin researching a topic that interests them. During Tuesday’s lunch period, they meet to present their findings to the class in an eloquent presentation or exciting experiment. In a recent interview with Ms. Hsu, she mentioned that science club was a good idea overall, but she would like to conduct more experiments rather than have presentations. Experiments do not always work perfectly, as in the case of the infamous sodium explosion. Richie Wang, a 6th grader, showed up
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Those mentioned creations sound pretty complicated, but the club has a way to organize meetings. They have group discussions in advance to decide what they want to make next. Then Sebastian brings the necessary materials to the next meeting. The club uses a variety of materials, ranging from metal to plastic to wood to paper. So, what has been the “craziest” project so far? Sebastian believes it was the blow gun that fired darts at high velocities. This alone proves that the club is not just an average arts and crafts group. Although Sebastian does not consider the club popular, he encourages people who are curious, like to experiment, or want to know more about physical devices to join; no permanent membership is needed to participate. Anyone who feels like making what the club is making is welcome to drop by. There you have it; an entertaining and creative club that lives up to the name “Crazy Creations.” Sebastian might only lead it until the end of this year, but he thinks the club will continue without him. Hopefully, the “Crazy Creations” club will keep meeting here at AST and delight the rest of us with even crazier and crazier projects.
at science club on that day to make a presentation on sodium, which turned into an experiment. While everyone was eating peacefully and chatting, Ms. Danziger, the other science teacher, arrived with a big beaker in her hand and a small rock in her other hand. As usual, no one paid attention. Ms Danziger quietly dropped the piece of sodium into the water, which promptly sizzled and released a dense cloud of smoke. A moment later, BOOM, the piece of sodium exploded, showering the lab table with smoking fragments and boiling water. It didn’t take long for the sodium to get broken down by the water. With such great action, thrills, and knowledge, science club becomes fun and educational for students who want to join. So why science? Join science club and find out.
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Eagles’ Eyrie By Karen Sims
TAIMUN: Distinctly AST
What is this ‘Tie-Men’ everyone conference to increase productivity keeps talking about? What is this and flow during merging. However, ‘conference’ that takes place once Secretary General Carol Lin believes a year and gets everyone hyped up that these administrative changes and energetic for weeks on end? It is are not enough. “Adjustments of AST’s pride and joy: our very own delegates’ attitudes and conference Model United Nations conference, Taiwan Model United Nations (TAIMUN). Elementary school kids participate in UN Day to prepare for the day when they will enter the world of Model UN. Middle School students attended the first ever Middle School TAIMUN at Taipei American School. All this will lead to the one day when they join the High School TAIMUN The officers sit onstage during the opening held by the American School in Taiceremony while Mr. Stein speaks. chung. In order to uphold TAIMUN’s pres- schedule have to be made in order for tige, the conference works to improve the advantages of the changes to be itself year after year. For TAIMUN fully experienced,” said Carol, who VIII, the conference implemented described this year’s conference as new committees and required dele- having been “enlightening—in an ungates to send in resolutions before the orthodox way.”
By Stephanie Yang
Outside of debates and lobbying, the Conference also has a student-run admin staff, headed by Isabel Chen and a press team, which produces the quality newspaper, TAIMUN Times. Furthermore, in keeping with most Model United Nations conferences, TAIMUN VIII held a dinner dance, which took place at the Plaza Hotel. First time attendee of TAIMUN, Sandy Hsu, exclaimed that the dinner dance was “pretty exciting,” but did not seem too keen on the choice of DJs. Meanwhile, Maria Challand, another MUN first-timer, simply stated, “how do I put it nicely…” Despite varied opinions of the TAIMUN dinner dance, TAIMUN VIII was an overall success. Delegates, admin staff, press members, and advisors left the closing ceremony with a sense of accomplishment and the overwhelming desire to come back to TAIMUN, bringing something more to add to the conference.
Beginning New Traditions
High school students from inter- message: “we can start a movement.” national schools around Taiwan Youth should not be an inhibition tohave been involved in Taiwan Mod- wards expression; whether children el United Nations for the past eight take immediate action towards situayears. However, this year, middle tions is their choice. school students had a chance to repThe first day of lobbying went well; resent their delegation and most im- AST students became main submitportantly, themselves. Model United ters in all four committees. In the EnNations is an opportunity for students to interact with world issues and train themselves to become better writers and public speakers. This year, Taipei American School hosted the first Middle School Taiwan Model United Nations, also known as MS TAIMUN. On April 28th, 22 delegates The middle school MUN delegation smiles and four chairs from AST traveled happily at Taipei American School. to TAS for MS TAIMUN. During the opening ceremony, two college vironment Committee, Tiffany Lieu, students who founded groups in Tai- the delegate of Philippines, made a wan to help Haiti made the keynote convincing speech on the issue of safe speeches. They gave the delegates a drinking water.
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Kelvin Paul, a delegate in the Health Committee said happily, “This is my first year of MUN, and I’m glad that Jeffrey’s resolution passed, because it is a very good one.” Lily Hsu, the delegate of China in the Human Rights Committee, submitted a resolution that eradicated child labor. After her main submitter speech, several placards shot up, but she was able to answer of all the questioners without doubt or hesitation. After six rounds of points of information, she walked off the podium satisfied, successfully persuading all nations that her resolution was the solution for the issue. At the end, delegates were exhausted from the 12 hours of conferencing, but they thought that it was worth the experience. Both delegates and chairs remarked that they look forward to MS MUN II.
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Eagles’ Eyrie By Emily Lu
Echoes of Future Stars
The 2010 Spring Concert held on Bells played three difficult pieces. April 29 commenced with blaring ap- Priscilla Huang commented, “Alplause as the attention of the entire au- though we encountered several obdience turned to the stacles, especially the part trying to stage, where the first match the rhythm performer, Andy with the melody, Chen, entered. With we worked hard the emergence of his mirthful melody, to make it perfect.” The next the atmosphere sank act came as the into tranquility and MS Music Mix delightfulness. All Elementary students Andy, Hames, and the young musicians violinists played Raymond play “Clinking Coins.” were able to conquer the classy and eltheir nervousness, and complete their egant piece, “Canon in D.” Although piece of music. As the elementary per- it was a difficult song, the middle formances came to an end, the grade schoolers were still able to play three to five students used their en- it perfectly. The resounding clapergetic voices while displaying their ping echoed across the theater as the dancing talents with the song “Turn next group of performers– the actors the Beat Around.” The disarming and singers of HS Drama– entered. smiles on those adorable faces brought Their creative costumes along with cheering and booming applause. their ludicrous movements brought When the intermission ended, the laughter to the audience. The selection middle and high school students of songs from the musical, The 25th swarmed the auditorium. The first Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, handbell performance was by the including “Magic Foot” and “Pandechipper middle school musicians. MS monium,” left the audience wishing By Jason Tang
High School Bell Choir. (Left to right) Iris, Alice, Rose, Isabel, Andrew, Daniel.
forget my lines. However, I still had confidence in myself, so I kept telling myself that we won’t mess up.” The last performance by the HS Bells was the romantic song, “Beauty and the Beast.” While the hand bells rang with ecstasy, the minds of everyone in the audience followed along with the cadence of the tune. When the last note reverberated against the walls of the theater, Mr. Stein tossed a bouquet of flowers to Mr. Wiles as Mr. Time drew an end to our Spring Concert.
A Spelling B-E-E
E-L-A-N-G-U-E-S-S-E-N-C-E. Ding! “That is incorrect.” This year, HS Drama brought a most captivating production called The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to AST. There were brilliant boys and girls traveling from numerous districts to participate in this spelling bee: Chip Tolentino (Patrick Lo), Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Karen Sims), Leaf Coneybear (Robbin Yang), Marcy Park (Winnie Liao), William Barfée (Hunter Putzke), and Olive Ostrovsky (Mary June Manno). These kids were the winners of their own district bees and were not only prepared but eager to face a huge new challenge: The County Bee, hosted by the lovely Rona Lisa Peretti (Katja Putzke). Spellers needed courage, knowledge, and a truckload of luck to be able to win the bee. There were opponents. There were friends. There was joy. There was disappointment. But
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for more. Jasper Tsai, playing the role of a counselor, remarked, “One difficulty I had to overcome was to not
every speller took on this impossible mission, and word pronouncer, Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Jason Tang), did not let them off easily. He threw words that required strenuous thinking at the poor spellers and audience volunteers, words such as thalposis, xerophthalmiology, epicalyx, and cow. A tiny mistake, a tiny misplaced letter triggered the clear —Ding! —of the bell and sent the speller home with a juice box from Mitchell M. Mahoney (Jasper Tsai), the comfort counselor. Even as the sadness of the eliminations struck home, humor reigned, especially as the two gay dads (Connie Wang and Grace Chen) encouraged their daughter, Logainne, to work harder. The drama production was a complete success, in large part to the hard work of the advisors, Ms. Lee and
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Mr. Wiles as well as the stage crew/ prop handlers (Alice Hsieh, Maria Challand, and Miko Shih). Finally, it would be remiss to overlook the wonderful piano accompaniment performed by Grace Wang. From the very nice beginning to the musical excitement in between and all the way to the very nice ending, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee had audience members leaving the auditorium humming and chuckling, eagerly awaiting the next HS drama production.
Eagles’ Eyrie By Jason Hsieh
In a small quiet town of eight hundred where everyone knows one another, no one seems to know anything about the old lady. In Wallace, Texas if you set foot outside of your house, some friendly folk are bound to say howdy. No one has ever talked to the old lady because the old lady has never left her house. Allow me to explain how I came to know all this information before you go off thinking I’m a no-good, devil-dealin’ crook who spends his time snooping around. My name is Andy and I work at the local grocery, Wayne’s Produce. Wayne’s Produce is owned by Jonathan Duncan, who began this delivery service 40 years ago as a favor to many of the elderly residents. I deliver groceries to the town’s elderly and disabled. I have delivered groceries for 30 years for Jonathan. I deliver groceries to folks like Old Man Reggie who is the oldest man in Wallace at 93, and David Horton’s little boy, Jared, who just came back home about 4 months ago from Iraq. Jared left his legs there. Anyway, I basically just drive around town in a white truck with the Wayne’s Produce logo on the side and the trunk full of groceries and deliver them to people in need. The old lady’s house happens to be on my route. The old
Mrs. Williams lady’s name, as listed on my delivery list, is Edna Williams and it says she has been a registered customer for over 30 years. I have a delivery to her house every second day, and it’s been the same order for thirty or so years. I pull up to her house, take out her groceries, and march into her garden of meter-high grass up to her front steps. It’s a sorry sight. Her house, that is. It is more of a shack, a beaten up and weathered shack that has its paint peeling everywhere. Surprisingly, all the windows are still intact, but the window sills look like they are ready to fall right off. I have never spoken to Mrs. Williams on my deliveries and I am instructed to just leave the groceries on the front steps. I’ve spoken to Mrs. William’s neighbors several times and they have never seen her open the door for her groceries. They told me sometimes when they peer out their windows before they hit the hay, they can still see the bag of groceries on the front steps, with the bright green “W” on the side of the bag. Mrs. Williams just sits in her house. I have seen Mrs. Williams through the large window of her living room, sitting and staring out the window, with a candle burning on the coffee table next to her. Her expression is blank and she
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doesn’t seem to focus on anything in particular. The boys around the area have come up with the rumor that Mrs. Williams is a witch. The older folk around town say she’s insane or escaped from a mental asylum or something. But I know those rumors to be false, I can see it. Mrs. Wil-
liams is suffering from a broken heart. Someone broke her heart and that someone left her there alone. That must be why she hasn’t spoken to anybody in so long. Just yesterday I drove up her street towards her house. The bagging boy must have packed in one of those large jugs of milk; something was soaking through the bag and darkening the bright green “W” on the bag. I pulled up in front of Mrs. Williams’s house and killed the engine. No matter how many times I have delivered to Mrs. Williams, walking up her house is always unnerving. I grabbed the bag of groceries and carefully walked through the chaotic front lawn and stopped at her front door. Like all the other times I’ve been here, I knocked. Like always, no answer. After a few more seconds I let out a sigh and left the bag of groceries on the front steps for my mother. Image source: http://farm4.static.flickr. com/3567/3492440868_b3ef30d45e_o. jpg
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Eagles’ Eyrie
Semester Two January
By Johnny Teng
Feburary
JV Boys Basketball “This year’s season was fantastical and was the best season of my high school career. We came really far as a team and by the end of the tournament we were playing as one.” - Vincent Chi
MS Soccer Girls “They fought like true Eagles. Every game they would chase down loose balls, hustle to the passing position and stifle the other team’s offense. They enjoyed themselves on the pitch.” - Katja Putzke
JVB Boys Basketball “This year’s JVB basketball team showed great promise. Over the course of the year, the team drastically improved and it showed at the year-end tournament.” - Jasper Tsai
JV Girls Basketball “We had several freshman and sophomore players but we still beat the teams that were more experienced; it felt awesome. I look forward to playing next year.” - Stephanie Yang
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Eagles’ Eyrie
Athletics Recap March
April
May
MS Soccer Boys “It was my first year coaching and for my first year I’d say it’s been a rather good one. I really enjoyed coaching them” - Pierre Thomas
MS Basketball Girls “I had high expectations for this year and they did not let me down. They improved a lot and the outcome was very unexpected. I think that they impressed a lot of people at the tournament, myself included.” - Connie Wang
Cross Country Hunter Putzke came in first in his grade and broke the record for the course. Tiffany Lieu also won gold for her race in the middle school division. Finally, Mr. Hart won the master’s race, nabbing the third gold medal for AST.
MS Basketball Boys The middle school boys did great this year; they played well against MCA and KAS. They played with confidence, passed the ball numerous times before shooting, and displayed great sportsmanship.
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Eagles’ Eyrie
We Are What We Eat
By Tina Fun and Michelle McNeill
Don’t you love the feeling of biting into that fresh strawberry, savoring the sweet juices dribbling down your chin but also relishing the fact that it is organic? Farmers who grow organic food try to give their crops a healthy diet and restrict themselves from feeding their fruits and vegetables pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Vital for the diet of children are organic foods, which have higher nutrient levels and are free of food additives such as artificial preservatives and sweeteners. If you are interested, every Saturday morning at the National Chung Hsing University (250 Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung, Taiwan) the NCHU Organic Farmers’ Market is open from eight a.m. to twelve a.m. Red and white tents pop up as families set up their fresh food on tables to sell. Organic farmers from Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, Hsinchu, and Taitung gather at the university to bring a variety of organic products to the table. Potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, pineapple, strawberries… whatever is in season can be found there.
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Farmers’ markets have been on the rise. In the United States during the year 1994, there were 1,755 farmers’ markets. In 2009, there were 5,274. This dramatic increase has brought food from sustainably managed farms that conserve soil and provide habitats for wildlife to the forefront f public awareness. These markets also benefit society by keeping important social ties strong and bonding rural and urban populations. Taiwan, in recent years, has become aware of the consequences of bad food resulting in bad health and has begun to create more markets throughout the small island. Farmers’ markets not only benefit the customers with the elimination of unnecessary wrapping and exporting fees, but the farmers themselves profit reasonably without pressure from agri-business. On September 1st, 2007, an agricultural professor, Dong Shi Rui, founded the NCHU Organic Farmers’ Market. He had studied in Florida and the local farmers’ markets in his town inspired him to promote this idea in Taiwan. Soon after the Organic Farmers’ Market put its wheels into motion, financial and product problems struck. Farmers lacked the needed financial support and the organizers struggled to find organic farmers in Taiwan who were willing to explain their methods of growing their crops or participate in the market. Nevertheless, with determination and hard work, the Organic Farmers’ Market now has over a thousand
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members with about thirty participating organic farms. On any given Saturday, the NCHU Organic Farmer’s Market swarms with people. Table upon table of deliciously enticing food beckons. Fruits and vegetables make up a large portion of the wares, but there are veritable columns of tea leaves and soya products. Many farmers bring foods that never see the lights of grocery stores and calmly explain what they are to confused bystanders. The chatter between farmers shows the strengthening bonds carefully cultivated by weekly meetings at the farmer’s market. The Organic Market never fails to offer wonder and amazement to all customers. Like a baby needs help from his mother to learn how to take his first step, the NCHU Organic Farmers’ Market needs your help to keep their culture sustainable.
Eagles’ Eyrie By Karen Sims
Community Service
Model United Nations, Twelve Days of Giving, Charity Walkathons: these are just a few of the activities AST participates in to impact our community for the better. However, simply participating in these events is not always enough. That is why a minimum of 25 hours of community service is required for graduation from AST. However, other than to gain school credit, why do community service? What do we get out of it? That is the beauty of community service. You get no material reward out of it, but at the same time you are given an unforgettable experience that will profoundly affect your thoughts and actions in the future. Community service usually gets students thinking about different opportunities to help out in their community. It gives students a chance to think about what matters to them, and how they can do their part to improve their world. Community service provides students with a chance to actually get out there and make a difference with their own time and effort. Eventually, students are no longer providing community service because they have to; they are doing it because they want to. Some AST students who have gotten first-hand experience in community service include sophomores Jessica Cheng, Robbin Yang, and Christine Lin. Robbin and Jessica
have helped out at retirement homes for the elderly, while Christine has volunteered at a children’s library, where she organized books. “Organizing books is tiring! We have to appreciate the people who volunteer to do all the work for us in our lives,” said Christine. Jessica Cheng helped out at a school for disabled children. She even organized a group of Belle Wu reads a book to a young girl. several AST students to go the time during the long summer break. Huei-Ming School for the DisFurthermore, not all community abled. Christine Lin said the experience had a profound effect on her. “I service has to do with humans. There think…I’m too greedy. People who are a lot of things people can do for are disabled are very determined, the environment or for animals. Maand work hard. I’m always complain- ria Challand spent a week as a veting and stuff, which I shouldn’t.” erinarian’s assistant. She said the She said, “[My experience at Huei- experience was especially rewarding Ming] made me a better person.” because she learned so much. “I’ve Jessica Cheng shared with us a pas- decided not to become a vet…because sionate response regarding what she I can’t stand to watch animals die,” learned from her community service says Maria. “It taught me to make the hours at Huei-Ming. She talked about most of everything because you never how fortunate we all are, and how know when you’re going to lose it.” Whether you wish to help save we often take this for granted. “People complain although they already animal lives, or to make life a little have almost everything they want, brighter for the disabled or elderly, right? …I complain a lot too. And in community service will not only Huei-Ming, people aren’t rich, people help you discover more about your aren’t perfect, people don’t get what world, it will also teach you more they want, [some of them] can’t even about yourself and your personal besee, but they always keep a smile on liefs and values. Take the extra time their face.” Jessica strongly encour- to improve someone else’s life, your ages other members of the student life, and the community we all share. body to pay a visit to Huei-Ming. “I don’t know how to describe For more information on fulfilling it…” Jessica finishes, talking about your community service requirements, the emotions she felt after help- please visit Mrs. O’Sullivan to find ing out at Huei-Ming. “I just know out about community service forms that they are special. It’s a plea- and how to fill them out properly. sure to have them in this world.” A great time for community For more information regarding comservice is during the summer. An- munity service at the Children’s lidrew Yang volunteered at Tung- brary, call the Taichung City Cultural hai University last summer vaca- Affairs Bureau, or students can call tion, and helped out with some the library directly at 04-23727311. administrative work, such as carrying books from place to place. Huei-Ming School for the Disabled You too, can feel the love and experience Andrew said that it was a reward- can be contacted at 04-25661021. gained from community service! ing way to spend some of his extra
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Eagles’ Eyrie
Bon Appétit!
By Michelle McNeill, Anderson Yang and Tina Fun
Today’s Menu Crab and Avocado Crostini
Food is both a love and a hobby for many of us. For some, food is a way to ease pain or to bring smiles to faces. For others, it’s their life. Food is deep, soulful and intense. It can bring one to fame or ruin one. Three bold AST students step out into the spotlight. They have taken on the challenge of organizing and preparing a full meal. This is a life or death situation. Or not. These three friends have gotten together to have fun and experiment with food. They selected a few recipes from the internet and added a twist of their own. Now, they have brought this opportunity to you. You now have the chance to explore the world of culinary arts and experiment for yourself. Enjoy!
Baked French Onion Soup Shrimp and Scallop Risotto Chocolate Souffle Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream
Crab and Avocado Crostini 1 French baguette 3 Tablespoons and 1/4 cup of olive oil 1 Lemon, juiced Salt and fresh ground black pepper 1 Yellow bell pepper, seeds removed and diced 1 Avocado, halved, pitted and flesh diced 1 Shallot, finely diced 8 Ounces of lump crabmeat 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). 2. Slice the bread into 1/2-inch thick slices. Lightly brush the bread slices with the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet fitted with a rack and bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before topping with the crab mixture. 3. In a large bowl whisk together the lemon juice, 1/4 cup of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside. 4. Add the yellow pepper, the avocado, shallot and the crabmeat to the lemon vinaigrette and toss gently, so as to not break up the crabmeat. Top the bread slices with about a tablespoon of the crab mixture and arrange on a serving platter. <foodnetwork.com>
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Baked French Onion Soup (serves 6) 3 Tablespoons of olive oil 4 Large onions, sliced 2 Cloves of garlic, minced 2 Tablespoons of flour 3 Cups of beef stock 1 Cup of dry white wine 1/2 Teaspoon of dried thyme 1 Bayleaf Salt and pepper to taste 6 Slices of crusty French bread 3 Tablespoons of butter 3 Cups of grated Swiss cheese 1. Saute onions in oil over low heat until tender and golden yellow, about 20 to 25 minutes. 2. Sprinkle flour over onions; cook a few minutes more, browning the flour well. Add stock and wine and bring to boil; add thyme and bayleaf. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes or so. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Spread bread slices with butter and toast, watching carefully to avoid burning. 4. When soup is ready, spoon into 6 ovenproof bowls; top each with a slice of toast. Divide cheese evenly sprinkle over toast in each bowl. 5. Place bowls on cookie sheet and bake in 400F(205C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. <cdkitchen.com>
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Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eyrie Shrimp and Scallop Risotto (serves 5) 5 Scallops 5-7 Shrimps of any size 4 Tablespoons of olive oil 2 Large garlic cloves, minced 1 1/2 Cup of (Arborio) rice 4 Cups of vegetable or chicken broth 1/4 Cup of crumbled Feta cheese 1/3 Cup of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1/4 Cup of Parmesan cheese, grated Freshly ground pepper 1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Pan fry scallops and shrimp until well-cooked and set aside. 2. Heat the remaining oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Stir in rice and saute for 2 minutes. 3. Add 1/2 cup broth and cook until liquid is almost absorbed, stirring constantly. Add the remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is nearly absorbed before adding the next. 4. Remove from heat, stir in feta cheese, parsley and Parmesan cheese. 5. Serve onto plates and top with shrimp and scallop.
Chocolate Souffle (serves 10) 7 Ounces of finely chopped bittersweet chocolate 4 Tablespoons of unsalted butter 3 Large egg yolks 1 1/2 Teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 3 Tablespoons of warm water 1/2 Cup and 2 tablespoons of sugar 8 Large egg whites 1/2 Teaspoon of fresh lemon juice 1. Brush ramekins with butter and coat with sugar. Preheat oven to 400F (205C). Put chocolate and butter in heatproof bowl and place in a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted, remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Set aside. 2. Combine egg yolks and warm water in bowl and beat until frothy. Gradually add two tablespoons of sugar and beat for 5 mins. Lightly fold yolks into chocolate mixture. 3. Put egg whites in bowl and add lemon juice. Beat with mixer until frothy. Gradually add the 1/2 cup of sugar. Quickly, fold about 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate. Fold in the remaining whites until blended. Ladle mixture into ramekins and level off surface. Bake for 18-20 mins. Serve immediately after baked. <foodnetwork.com>
Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream 2 21cm pie crust 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice 6 Red apples 1/4 Teaspoon of cinnamon 10g of unsalted butter 1 egg 100g of granulated sugar 1. Slice each apple into 8 pieces. Peel skin and remove seeds. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium fire. Add the apples and sugar in the pot. Shake the pot to coat the apples with the sugar. 2. Turn fire to high and use a wooden spatula to mix the apples. When apples start to dehydrate, add the lemon juice and cook. 3. Cook for 10-15 minutes and shake the pot. When apples turn soft and light brown, remove from heat. 4. Let apples cool. Place pie crust on pie pan. Place apple mixture into a strainer and drain completely. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the apples evenly to your taste. Put the apples in the pie crust in a slight mountain form. Make sure the top is even with no gaps. 5. Beat the egg and paint the edge of the pie crust with the egg. Place the 2nd pie crust over the pie and push the edges together. Put in the fridge for 15-20 mins. Preheat oven to 200C. Cut edges off of pie with knife and make beautiful according to your taste. Use egg glaze and brush over top. Poke several holes in the top. Decorate as you please. Put in oven until the pie color changes, and decrease the heat to 180C. Bake for 40-60 mins. <myhomecooking.net>
Photo credits to: the cooks; nerdfighters.ning.com; istockphoto.com; foodnmore.wordpress.com
Volume 6, Issue 2
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Eagles’ Eyrie
The Eagles’ Guide to Dining Etiquette By Christian Leong
At home or at fast food restau- toward the dinner plate from the main close to your body, which rants, people eat however they outermost utensil. creates good posture. Never talk want. It is normal for people to The napkin must be used prop- with a full mouth. In addition, if use only spoons, forks, chopsticks erly. When you are seated, remove you are going to cough or sneeze, or even their hands while eating. the napkin from the table, unfold cover your mouth with a napkin. They do not have to act formally it and put it on your lap. Do not If you are dining with a guest or or wear formal clothes. How- shake it open. At some restaurants, a person older than you, start eatever, there are restaurants where the waiter might unfold the nap- ing only after the guest has begun etiquette is a large portion of the kin for the customers. The napkin to eat. If you dislike the taste of dining experience. Sometimes, we is used to protect your lap in case the food in your mouth, or you get don’t know which a piece of somespoon or fork to thing inedible, do use while eating or not spit it on your how to act formalplate; instead, ly in front of othspit it into a paers. The following per napkin. When suggestions will a meal is served, teach you the findo not begin your er ins-and-outs of meal right away, dining etiquette. or swallow too On the table, quickly. Try takyou will see forks, ing smaller bites, spoons, knives, a chewing more and napkin, wine and swallowing with water glasses, a your mouth closed. bowl, a plate, a If you spill a drink This is how the table will be set up in a formal restaurant. butter knife, and a while eating, be calm and bread and butter plate. There will you accidentally spill liquids or apologize before wiping it up with be three different forks: a salad drop food from your plate. Your a cloth napkin. If you are served fork, a dinner fork and a dessert napkin should rest on your lap un- food that can be eaten with the finfork. On the other side of the table, til the meal is over. Never use the gers, use the thumb and the index there will be two spoons: a soup napkin to wipe your face or blow finger to pick it up. Always use spoon and a tea spoon. All uten- your nose. If you excuse yourself the right hand while eating these sils and dining objects are placed from the table, fold the napkin and foods. in a specific order. On the left side, put it on the right or left side of the These suggestions should guide you will see the napkin, followed plate. Never leave your napkin on you through the treacherous trap by the salad fork, dinner fork, and your chair. of formal dining and proper etidessert fork. Right above the forks Dining manners are very im- quette. Dining etiquette can be a are the bread and butter plate and portant when eating with guests little frustrating and wearisome the butter knife. Between the forks or during a formal meal. The fol- at first but once you are familiar and spoons, you will see the din- lowing instructions are crucial for with all the rules you will get used ner plate and the soup bowl. On your success. An important rule to behaving properly all the time. the right side, you will see the din- of formality is to say “please” and Above all, do not worry about ner knife, tea spoon, and the soup “thank you” when asking for some- making a mistake. As long as you spoon. Above the spoons, you will thing. When dining, it is important learn from your mistakes, you will see the water glass and the wine to have both hands on the table. be able to perform better the next glass. While eating, you will work However, your elbows should re- time.
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Volume 6, Issue 2
Eagles’ Eyrie By Timothy Edstein
Don’t Trust Hollywood
Could humanity meet its end in 2012? Will we be drowned by massive tsunamis, boiled by erupting volcanoes, burned by an unforgiving sun, or crushed by shifting continents? Did the Mayans really predict our demise? Fortunately, every doomsday theory surrounding the Mayan “predictions” has been proven wrong or misinterpreted. Here are five doomsday predictions that have been grossly exaggerated.
1. The Mayan “End” of Time The Mayan long-count cycle lasts for 5125.37 years and the cycle ends on December 21st, 2012. However, this does not mean the apocalypse will occur at that date; just that a new cycle will begin. Think of it just like our calendar: it ends on December 31st every year. The Mayan calendar will just begin again at a “Day Zero” when, chances are, an apocalyptic event will not occur. 2. The Planet X Collision The idea of Planet X, also known as Nibiru, destroying the Earth’s magnetic poles, originated with Nancy Lieder, a Wisconsin woman. She claims that she was abducted by grey extraterrestrials who told her to spread their message of impending doom to humanity. She claims to be in constant communication with said extraterrestrials via a chip implanted in her brain. While NASA adamantly denies the existence of Nibiru, she accuses them of covering up its existence. The
problem with Nibiru: if there were such planet, anyone with a telescope could see it because it is supposedly four times the size of the Earth and it is in the same orbit as Jupiter. If such planet existed, it would have been expelled from the solar system because of Jupiter’s gravitational pull. 3. Killer Flare This theory is based on how a solar flare could disrupt the Earth’s magnetic poles, which would cause a massive amount of heat and radiation to penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere. NASA has predicted a solar flare in 2012, but not one of that magnitude. Due to the below-average number of sunspots in the past decade, the solar flare should have a minimal effect on the Earth’s magnetic field. One important factor that people must remember is that the Sun is a very stable star without many fluctuations. Most planets with a disrupted magnetic field exist in solar systems with either an unstable star or a binary star system.
4. Supermassive Black Hole Alignment The theory revolves around how an alignment with the Supermassive Black Hole in the center of the Milky Way would hypothetically create a gravitational pull so large that it would pull the Sun towards it, creating havoc on the Earth. However, scientists from NASA have disproven this theory, as our solar system is
Volume 6, Issue 2
on the outer rim of the galactic disk and the alignment has no astronomical significance. Conspiracy theorists rely on people’s lack of knowledge of astronomical vocabulary. They use words such as “great rift” to create fear in people. A “great rift” is a collection of large dust clouds in the empty space of the galaxy. 5. Apocalypse 2012 Before the end of World War II, Nazi scientists developed the “Der Ubermann” program in Antarctica. This program was designed to create super soldiers, who can live without food and survive the harshest conditions known to man. The project was a fall- back for National Socialism to protect itself from the poisoned ideologies practiced by capitalist America and communist Russia. Der Ubermanns reproduce by biting the necks of their victims, which will also create the world’s first Zombie Apocalypse. The Nazis selected Antarctica as their project site for one very specific reason: Global Warming. They knew that American corporate greed would slowly devour the atmosphere, thereby melting the world’s ice caps. After the ice caps melt in 2012, an army of unstoppable Ubermanns will conquer the world. As we all know global warming is a farce and corporations have not polluted the oceans, so America has once again defeated the Nazis with pure Laissez-faire capitalism. Image Sources http://www.2012-decoded.com/images/meteor-hitting-earth.jpg http://quarterbloom.com/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2009/11/mayan_calender2_vnm1.jpg
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Eagles’ Eyrie
Stinky Tofu Revealed By Johnny Teng
ed in a mysterious brine filled with a variety of spices and ingredients. The traditional brine usually consists of rotten vegetables, dried shrimp, garlic, exotic spices, and many more “secret” ingredients. Other variations of brine include rotten eggs, spoiled milk, and decomposed meat. In order to Fried stinky tofu is a very common grow bacteria, the brine is Taiwanese “street food.” exposed to the air, which can draw Many Taiwanese people have no maggots and other pests. After the problem eating stinky tofu. They be- brine has been fermented for at least a lieve that it is xiao chi that smells and month, the fresh tofu is then marinattastes like paradise. Foreigners, on the ed in the brine. However, some stinky other hand, think that the dish smells tofu producers do not want to wait a rotten and tastes nauseating, and when month, so in order to speed up the ferthey smell the strong odor coming mentation of the brine, these producfrom stinky tofu stalls, their facial ex- ers add in unsanitary or contaminated pressions twist into masks of disgust. substances. For example, some add in In contrast, Taiwanese only exhibit human urine or manure, rotten food an expression of starvation and crav- waste from the trash, or dangerous ing. To the Taiwanese people, stinky chemicals to speed up the fermentatofu is more like “fragrant tofu,” seen tion process. Since the Taiwanese auas having a wonderful aroma that thorities cannot interfere with the “secan take you on a voyage of satisfac- cret” ingredients in the production of tion. the brines, there are no strict controls However, most fans of stinky tofu on the sanitation of the brines. are unaware of the process behind this When the brine is ready, the fresh Taiwanese street food. white tofu is marinated until a white Clean, white tofu becomes stinky or, grayish mold grows on the tofu. tofu after it has been fermented, be- The tofu is no longer white and incoming a big petri dish for bacterial nocent; instead, it is now hairy and growth. Before it starts growing bac- malodorous. The hideous mold is teria, the fresh white tofu is marinat- then washed from the stinky tofu be-
fore preparation and cooking. Once the stinky tofu is free of mold, it will be prepared in a variety of ways. Vendors will sell steamed, spicy, grilled, or, as the most commonly seen in Taiwan, deep fried. Despite the horrid process behind stinky tofu, it has been scientifically proven that stinky tofu contains bacteria that are beneficial to the human body. After Eagles’ Eyrie revealed the process of stinky tofu, many people responded that they will continue to eat the Taiwanese delicacy, despite the fact that it is fermented tofu marinated in brine filled with rotten ingredients. Andrew Lih is still willing to eat stinky tofu as long as it does not hurt the body. Anderson Yang’s reaction to the process of stinky tofu was indifference. He said, “Although stinky tofu has a disgusting process behind it, it still tastes wonderful and has health benefits.” On the other hand, Winnie Liao was disgusted after discovering the process. She added that she never liked to eat stinky tofu due to the repulsive smell. Next time, keep in mind the image of the making of stinky tofu before you dig in. Pictures taken from http://bayleung.files.wordpress. com/2009/10/55425_1.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com /2599/4187649352_65dd134462.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/ 2037043989_1c66d37477_o.jpg
On the left is stinky tofu during the marinating process. On the right stinky tufo before it is fried.
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Volume 6, Issue 2
Eagles’ Eyrie By Hunter Putzke
Broken Physics
Reality seems quite boring. We es toward the ground, screaming. A sion. Quite the freak accident, but the don’t have floating mountains, bizarre set of hands reach over and snag the way cars act in films, it is surprising aliens that still look humanoid, cars victim with bare inches to spare. The we actually use cars at all. In short, that explode with the slightest tap, crowd cheers and the day is saved. cars very, very rarely explode. Gasoconveniently placed garbage trucks Unfortunately, how did the victim line is flammable, yes, but only in speoutside bathroom windows for when survive the MASSIVE deceleration cific amounts when mixed with air. we need a quick escape, guns that caused inches above the ground? It is possible to douse red hot metal fling people like dice, or superpowers. After all, the ground was going to in oil or gasoline. In fact, when used But some people, the author included, do the same thing the arms just did: with oil, you create tempered steel, have wondered “what if?” Indeed, stop the victim. Ah, the laws of phys- vital to the creation of strong swords. The conditions for ignition are rarewhat if you had super speed? ly present outside of the engine in a Could you make it possible for a car to explode with a light car. A well-designed gas tank (i.e. touch? How can you make a almost all of them; look up the Ford mountain float, anyway? Many Pinto sometime) will actually contain pop culture heroes break laws; a fire and prevent it from spreading. but most people don’t know that In movies, a well-placed bullet they break the laws of physics. can cause a car to explode or a bad Let us begin with super speed. guy to soar through the air with the On the surface, super speed greatest of ease. We just learned that would be totally awesome. I No magnetic field could maintain this without chang- the car will not explode, but let us ing the planetary magnetic field. can travel faster than speedlook at the flight of the matter. In ing bullets! Of course, there are a few ics: ruining comic books and movies. the movies, someone shot usually Now, floating mountains are will soar through a plate glass winproblems with super speed. First, the question of kinetic energy and inertia. pretty awesome. Magnetic fields to dow and flip over a table. Now, this Kinetic energy equals ½ mass times support them? Okay… that seems scene is broken. Why? “For every velocity squared. This equation is the vaguely plausible. But I sure hope action, there is an equal and opposite reason why bullets go through things there is not metal anywhere near reaction.” Newton’s third law of mowhile weighing very little. A person those mountains, because that would tion means that if the person receivtraveling at this speed would have a be bad. Let us say that you are wear- ing the bullet flies backward ten feet, frankly terrifying amount the shooter should fly backward of energy, potentially on about ten feet — and another par with a small nuclear movie cliché bites the dust. weapon. Now, while in To wrap up, the laws of physmotion, this energy is not ics are routinely crushed into too bad, but stopping betiny pieces by movies. But now comes a problem. Namethat you know, it can be fasly, there is a reason why cinating to re-watch movies race tracks are designed while watching for the laws of with lots of space: slowphysics. Try it sometime. I recing down hurts. Imagine ommend a superhero movie or you are in a car and the car something in space for maxiYou cannot curve a bullet. I’m sorry. in front of you slams on the brakes. mum enjoyment. And now you know, When you slam on the brakes, you ing a metal bracelet and someone but always remember the Mystery Scislide forward into your seatbelt. Now turns on an MRI (Magnetic Reso- ence Theater 3000 mantra: “It’s just imagine that feeling all across your nance Imaging) machine close to a movie; I really should just relax.” body when you stop on a dime from your wrist. Snap. Now multiply that Images from traveling at your ludicrous speed. by a thousand because the magnetic http://cache.gawker.com/assets/ Well, I should probably say you would field is supporting a gigantic mounimages/8/2010/01/avatar-18.jpg feel that, but only for a moment. tain. Hope you have health insurance. http://www.vgnetwork.it/images/ While you are in the hospital for This question of deceleration plagues Wanted_Weapons_Of_Fate/wantfiction. You have probably seen this your magnetically-induced trauma, ed-weapons-of-fate-01.jpg scene before: a helpless victim plung- say hi to the victim of the car explo-
Volume 6, Issue 2
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Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eyrie By Sandy Tang
The Chimerical World
Have you ever thought about how everything was created? The earth, our ancestors, and all those living creatures? According to scientists, everything in the universe was created through an explosion called the Big Bang and all of the different species of life came to be through evolution. But what if the Big Bang theory was not true? Then who or what created everything? The Chinese believed during the ancient times that the god Pan Gu lived inside an egg which was dark like the universe. 18 thousand years had passed before he was roused from his long sleep. As he woke up, the light part of the egg, the yin, rose and formed the sky, while the heavy part of the egg, the yang, drifted down to form the earth. Pan Gu stood up, separating the sky from the earth. Another 18 thousand years later Pan Gu died. His body parts transformed into the different elements and features of the earth such as the mountains, river, and plants. This is how our planet was created according to the Chinese mythology. However, the Iroquois thought differently. They believed that in the beginning, there was only the Great Blue and no land to live. Up in the sky, there was a woman who loved to dream. One day she was punished and was thrown into a well because she caused the tree that lit up the sky to disappear. Down she fell, and below her was the Great Blue. She thought that she was going to drown in the waters, but a hawk saved her. Afterwards, the hawk called for the aid of all the other creatures. Together, they dug up mud from the ocean floor and put it on a turtleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shell. Soon enough, it was big enough to allow the woman to rest. The animals continued building the land until they made a whole round earth. The turtle holds up the Earth to this very day. The gods were happy with their creation of this new world. Their next job was to make living beings. Some creation myths say humans were the first to live on earth. Others, on the other hand, explained that animals came before humans. However, the first beings were created in different ways. In Mayan myth, Tepeu and Gucumatz, the Forefathers of Maya, wanted to create a race of beings to worship the Forefathers. First came the animals, but they only knew how to howl and squawk. Because of this, they could not worship their creators and were banished to the forest. Then the gods made men out of mud, but they were fragile and dissolved once it rained. Next they made wooden humans, who had no minds nor souls nor hearts. These beings could not worship their makers. Finally, the gods made men out of maize, who were the suitably respectful race that Tepeu and Gucumatz had wanted. According to the Norsemen, humans were created by the gods, who shaped men from trees and women from vines. In Egypt, people were created from the tears of Atum, a manifestation of the sun god Ra. Men were also created with mud in the Chinese myth. But the Ainu, a Japanese tribe, believed that the first people had bodies of earth, hair of chickweed, and spines of willow sticks. Not all versions of creation myths were the same. In central Africa, the Boshongo of a Bantu tribe believed that in the beginning, there was only darkness, water, and the great god Bumba. One day, Bumba had a stomach ache, which caused him to vomit. The sun came out, which dried some water, leaving land. Bumba threw up again and the moon, the stars, the leopard, the crocodile, the turtle, all the other animals and finally some men came out. However, in South Africa, the Zulu thought that their Ancient One and Sources: Creator, Unkulunkulu, came from the http://www.livescience.com/ reeds. history/top10_intelligent_deThey simply believed that Unkulunkulu created everything and brought forth humans to the world. He then taught the Zulu how to hunt, make fire, and grow food. This is how the first humans, the Zulu, began their life on earth. Every culture has its own myths and legends about the creation of the world and the first human race. Although they may seem unrealistic, this is what people have believed for generations. So just remember that reality is myth, math, metaphors, and a pinch of magic.
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Volume 6, Issue 2
signs.html http://www.magictails.com/ creationlinks.html
Eagles’ Eyrie
AskPutzke: All Questions Answered
Disclaimer: All views expressed herein are not the views of Hunter Putzke or Eagles’ Eyrie. They are the thoughts of a collection of neurons residing in Hunter’s head that do not respond to the rest of his head. In short, the “Putzke” here is a fictional creation. All answers are meant to be either humorous or crazy (except for the math question which is totally true) and are the product of a slightly deranged imagination and therefore cannot be used against anyone in a court of law. Also, you may have noticed that the tone of the answerer changes. Kudos for noticing! Thank you, and have a nice day. If a green boat with white spots is 50m long and 10m wide, going at 50km/h from Antarctica to Moscow, with a tail wind at SE 50 degrees, with a crew of 25 people, and three times more the average of half of the workers are obese, knowing that the water has a salt concentration of 10 to 20%, varying depending on the place, and that it contains terrorists, what is the age of the captain? I believe you forgot about the time dilation. See, this problem becomes unanswerable if we’re not told the speed of the Earth’s rotation, the color of the ship’s flag, the meals served in the cafeteria of the Mexican Secretary of State’s office building, and the average number of stripes on every tiger in Southern Asia south of Laos. And the captain and parents’ age. How much milk does the Milky Way contain? It’s 50% M. I. L. K. Anything that’s 50% milk is healthy and delicious. Delicious things are unhealthy. Cardiac arrests cannot be predicted, just like the stock market. Therefore, milk caused the Great Depression.
What do you prefer, today’s happiness or tomorrow’s happiness? Today’s happiness brings joy, just like sugar. Sugar makes people bounce around. Basketballs bounce. Therefore, basketballs are people too, and we shouldn’t dribble them without asking them first.
How many boards would a Mongol hoard if a Mongol horde got bored? The Mongol hordes would hoard as many boards as the Mongol hordes could hoard if the Mongol hordes got bored. No, but seriously, assuming that one Mongol could hoard a dozen boards (extrapolated from horse carrying capacity, the assumption of 2x4 boards, recognition of the nomadic lifestyle, and other such factors), a Mongol horde could hoard approximately 2400 boards (assuming a horde of 200 warriors). However, if we take an entire Mongol community into account, we should arrive at *hands slapped away from keyboard*
We all know that Mr. Stein’s mustache is his source of magical power. So what would happen if he shaved it off? Let’s find out! Where’s my razor and shaving cream?
Throughout these years, how do you feel about the mistakes you’ve made? Are you ashamed of them? Or proud? I’m proud of my mistakes. They’ve made life that much worse for everyone else.
Volume 6, Issue 2
Why did the gecko climb into my bag and rot under my books in sixth grade? Death is life interrupted. Interruptions are inconvenient. Inconveniences are also known as annoyances. Therefore, death is annoying and should be banned… Was it squishy when you pulled it out? Can you do pages 515-516 in the pre calc book? Yes. Yes I can. To prove it, here’s number 50. A+O=185, 2A+3O=452 A=185-O 2(185-O)+3O=452 370-2O+3O=452 O=82 A+82=185 A=103 An eight ounce glass of apple juice has 103 milligrams of vitamin C and an eight ounce glass of orange juice has 82 milligrams of vitamin C. Looking at the room with nothing inside, what is the most complex thing in this room? Simple is as simple does Empty nothingness floats Across an open sea This room should have moats. On the other hand, the concept of the room itself. Really, once you begin thinking about the massive amount of calculations that our brain runs you begin to sympathize with people trying to do brain research. Of course, the syntax of that sentence will cause even more headaches for science. Thank you to Carol Lin, Eric Yeh, and everyone else who sent in questions!
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Eagles’ Eyrie
Can You Take Good Pictures? By Mary June Manno
When was the last time you took a picture worth looking at? You have probably seen many pictures on the internet as you think to yourself: Wow, that is amazing! How come I can’t take pictures like that? Owning a good quality camera with a variety of functions helps. That does not mean having special gadgets that add photo frames or stickers to pictures; it means having the ability to take a picture of something that is moving quickly, like a person kicking a soccer ball. First of all, you’ll need to know the basics. The three main qualities of a functional camera are ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. All cameras have these three attributes. ISO is used for light sensitivity. Be careful though, because higher ISO not only means a brighter image, but also more noise for lower-end cameras (i.e. any camera that is not a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera). For those who haven’t heard of the term, noise is the dots you may see in a picture if the image is made too bright. Shutter speed is also partly about the brightness of an image and how much light goes in with each snap of the shutter. The shutter speed is how fast the picture snaps and therefore, how much light gets into the snap shot. With a low shutter speed, there will be a brighter image, but if your hands aren’t steady or you’re not using a tripod, then the picture might be
blurry. This is because it takes longer to take the picture. If you use a high shutter speed the picture is taken in an instant, unlike a low shutter speed where you have to hold down the button for a while until it takes the shot. The third main function on a camera is the aperture value. This also plays a part in the amount of light that gets into the picture. The aperture is inside the lens, and the aperture value determines how much it opens. When the aperture value is small, the aperture opens a lot; when it is large, it opens a little. When it is a low value, there is a shallow depth of field. This means the camera focuses on closer objects and blurs the background. A high aperture value means the This is one example of a good picture which follows the golden ratio. image will be darker. These three functions all space between the head, which should work together; like “rock, paper, scis- be in between the two vertical lines, sors,” they cannot function properly and the top of the photo. If you are without each other. taking a scenic picture, make sure you On a DSLR camera, there is a button put the main subjects you want where with different letters on it. One of the the vertical and horizontal lines cross. letters is P, which stands for “program This is the same for taking a picture of auto.” “Program auto” means that more than one person. Make sure that when you take a picture, everything is the picture is not too cluttered so that automatic. This is usually used when the camera can focus on one thing. you don’t have a lot of time to adjust This way, the photo-viewer knows all the settings and functions to make what to look at, and what is the most the photo perfect, and you just want to important object in that picture. take an acceptable picture. Basically, Another basic way of taking a it is just a very convenient picture is not to just stand straight in button to turn to when you front of an object when taking its picdon’t have enough time to ture. Move around; have a little fun manually set up the pic- experimenting with different angles ture. through the lens of the camera before The most important and taking the picture. Don’t just stand in effective technique of tak- one stance, or one direction. Make ing a picture is the Golden it more three-dimensional and realRatio. The golden ratio looking by capturing the shadows and is 1.618. Some cameras symmetrical shapes of objects and the show a grid with two ver- natural affects of nature. Rememtical and two horizontal ber, reading is a whole different thing lines, forming nine boxes than actually experiencing and testwhich you should follow. ing these tips out. Try taking pictures If you’re taking a portrait, of different scenery and people. The This is a failed attempt at getting three people into one then it should be from the more you take pictures, the better you picture. The colors are underdeveloped and unbalupper thighs and up, but will get. So take your camera out and anced, which means the photo is blurry and dark. make sure to leave some start shooting.
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Volume 6, Issue 2
Eagles’ Eyrie
Shots of the Year
“Panorama, Australia” by Jesse Chang
“Sparkly Surface” by Michelle McNeil
“Thailand - Koh Pangan Beach” by Ms. Danzinger
“Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut” by Mr. Hart
“Italy: Venice Water Street” by Ms. Danzinger
“Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut” by Mr. Hart
“Sydney Operahouse Sunset” by Jesse Chang
“The Girls” by Carol Lin
“Malaga, Spain”by Pierre Thomas
“Dancers” by Carol Lin
“New Zealand Scenery” by Michelle McNeill
Volume 6, Issue 2
“Boracay, Philippines”by Pierre Thomas
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Eagles’ Eyrie
The AST Crossword
Across
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 14 16 18 19 28 29 34 35 37 40 41 42 45 Down 47 Scrambled Brain Cells 49 Singer of “Life is a Highway” 51 (Misspelled) 54 Monday after lunch 57 Thought about, scrambled 58 Everyone has this bright blue book 61 Teacher’s Assistant 65 Not a hoax 67
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What happens after 62208000 seconds of school Sweet pudding Girl Between E and F? Harp by Apple Inc. It’s okay, you’ll get over it Art of persuasion Ötzi and his pals A billion years Found on vacationing cars To formally change a document “Love” to Juan Device and an action down a mountain White robe in a Christian Church Those who compete against the Mustangs Registered nurse Last option in Pokemon Grey’s Anatomy Sandra a.k.a. wooden croc Remember to zip this up Foolish person A synagogue Makers of Madden Square root of a warlord in the Eastern Han Dynasty Moi Solo Synonym of clip Demonic creature from Middle- Earth Giant wave Collect $200 Ahead in the game Angry Rabbit food ____ and Nancy Washes or blows away slowly Agency responsible for the response to Hurricane Katrina First two letters of H2O Oodles of _______ Algebra student’s worst nightmare Save our ship Length between birthdays __TV Canadian Question Capper
By Belle Wu and Hunter Putzke
“Flower” to Paloma The Golden Compass heroine and her clones Never gonna give you up… British Kiss A novel by Stephen King Famous Actress Zellweger a.k.a. AST _____ like a star, scrambled The land of Sunny K-12 Strength building exercise for runners Tar and _______ Emeril’s Catchphrase, scrambled Beavers, maple syrup, snow A for Morrison or Ivy Unit of resistance Language of the Jewish people in Germany Cancerous growths Like rich soil Big no in Mr. Parker’s class Fancy student’s plea Popular clothing brand Character in “The Incredibles” Suddenly, I ____! Online AP course on our transcript Six points in football
Volume 6, Issue 2
Summer Music Playlist Halo/Walking on Sunshine -Glee Summertime -Chet Baker Island in the Sun -Weezer Sunrise -Norah Jones Our Last Summer -ABBA Pocket Full of Sunshine -Natasha Bedingfield When it Rains -Paramore Merrimack River -Mandy Moore The Girl from Ipanema -Any Cover