From the Editor
New Year, New Opportunities
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appy New Year! As we embark on a New Year, Teen Spirit would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all our readers who have started the New Year with us. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to bringing you new and exciting content during the year. The year 2011 has come to a close, but is still very fresh in our minds, with many noteworthy events taking place. Jamaica now has a new Prime Minister after Portia Simpson-Miller and the People’s National Party (PNP) defeated the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Election Day, gaining a 42-21 majority in parliament. As we move forward into 2012, let us focus on developing personally, professionally and in every sphere of our lives. Jamaica is celebrating 50 years of independence this year and as we move closer to August 6, it is important for us to highlight our achievements as a country and develop ways in which we can continue to build Jamaica. For many young persons, that
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time of the year is usually known for the series of parties taking place on the Western side of the island. For this year, let us also use the opportunity to recognise the strides we’ve made as a country, and where we intend to go. In your personal lives, it is also wise for you to focus on school, work or any other goals that you might like to accomplish. This is the year to put doubt and fear behind you and focus on achieving all that you were created to do. It’s the year of new opportunities, a time for you to make changes in the way you view and approach the world. If you haven’t already decided what year you intend to have, it is never too late. Starting now, jot down what you would like to see in 2012 and how you plan to achieve them. This way, you will have a clear plan for the year and you will know exactly what needs to get done. Carpe Diem! Have a happy, productive, blessed and fruitful 2012. Keresa teen spirit eZine
Entertainment
Movie Review
by Alana Gardner
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol PG-13
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appy 2012 everybody! The New Year is finally here and I hope you’ve all had a great holiday and made your New Year resolutions. School has already started for some and I have to say that I am caught between being excited and completely annoyed about how fast my vacation has gone. Anyway, for this week’s review, I went to go see a Tom Cruise movie. Honestly I am not a big fan of Tom Cruise, but I’ve always liked the movie Risky Business (1983). Although it was made way before I was even born, it truly made the underwear dance great and influenced me to watch his other films, which in my opinion sucked, except a few like Jerry Maguire (1996) and of course Mission Impossible. So it will come as no surprise what the decision was to watch this movie.
Watch This!
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is the fourth installment to the Mission Impossible Series and this time, the IMF (Impossible Missions Force) is shut down when it’s implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization’s name. Now the storyline was good and far better than any other in the series, but for the first time since I started watching the Mission Impossible films, I actually looked up what the IMF stood for and I just have to ask. Am I the only one that thinks that’s a stupid name? But I guess that’s the thing with action movies; they don’t have to make any sense, they just have heart pounding action sequences and beautiful women to top it off, and I am glad to say that director Brad Bird succeeded on both counts. I immensely enjoyed the film and felt that Cruise reigned in his return to the iconic role of Ethan Hunt, while Paula Patton was absolutely breathtaking.
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Entertainment advertisment
Out of all the things I loved in this movie, the thing that I loved the most would have to be something shiny, has four wheels and moves like a dream, the BMW i3. Yes, I am a girl that prefers cars to shoes, but hey to each his one right? So whether or not you are a Tom Cruise fan, a Mission Impossible fan, or whether you are a car fan, you have to watch this movie, it has something for everyone and I promise that you will enjoy it. Good luck in 2012, there are many more movies to see! Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol earns full five stars. Mission Impossible is an action-adventure film from Paramount Pictures and directed by Brad Bird. Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Paula Patton.
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New Year NEW YEAR, NEW YOU? by Justine Powell
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appy New Year guys! 2011 is finito. Let’s not just make 2012 a fresh start on old habits but instead, let’s make this new year worthwhile and successful and one to remember. Oh, and by the way, we aren’t getting into those delusional attempts to correct one’s shortcomings, r-r-re-resoresolutio- NO! But here are a few things we can work on!
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2012 assignments to complete? That
makes two of us – I bet we’re all so behind on those SBAs and IAs having been too caught up in the Christmas spirit and election fever. Well, no more procrastination, just get to work. Give yourself deadlines and actually get things done. Turn off that data service if you must! Maximize your time and PRIORITIZE. Is seeing that movie or attending that party more important than your grade? I think NOT, unless you want your eight CSEC grades to add up to 40 (5+5+5+5+5+5+5+5).
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Healthy Living- Forget that F word-
yes, fast food! Try more home-cooked meals & avoid all those fried goodies! To achieve this, try spending more hours in your own kitchen and less in those never-ending junk food lines. You might be surprised at the outcome. Don’t want to push it, but maybe you can even put a little exercise into the equation, start working on that hot summer body- a few early morning walks might just be the trick to get rid of that love handle that isn’t so lovely. Get a realistic workout plan and stick to it! something new- new year same 3 Try you?
BORING. How about starting a new activity; maybe a sport, cooking, yoga or even volunteering. Not only will this help with your personal development but it will look pretty good on that resume of yours.
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With the season of giving just behind us, I’m sure we’re all broke…or almost. Well, time to start saving again! Create a saving goal and work towards it, get a piggy bank if you have to. With summer just around the corner, ok, well not really, but, positive thinking right?
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5
Spirit Fingers- Psalm 144 “Praise be to the
LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer.” Let us stay connected with our Lord & Saviour in this new year and not forget to give thanks.
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Cover Story
keida
Gets "Wicked" for 2012 by Ava Gardner Photos by Marlon James by Ava Gardner Makeup by Krystle Karee Photos by Warren Buckle
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hythmic and beautiful, 24-year-old Makeida “Keida” Beckford took the island’s dancehall and reggae scene by storm starting with her first single, “Jamaican Boy” in 2009. Teen Spirit caught up with the busy artiste, who last year won the Jamaica Star People’s Choice Awards for Best New Female Artist and Best Sing-jay, to find out what she has in store for the new year.
TS: What encouraged you to pursue a career in music? Keida: It wasn’t something I planned. I just recorded a song with Leftside. We were just messing around in the studio and after we finished recording, everybody liked [it]. That’s when I was encouraged to record my own song, “Jamaican Boy”. After a lot of airplay, that kind of encouraged me to take it seriously and produce more songs. TS: Where do you get your musical inspiration from? Keida: Everyday life. I get musical inspiration from my own and everyone’s experiences. TS: Did you expect “Jamaican Boy” to have as big of an impact and receive such a great reception? Keida: No, it was my very first song and I did take into consideration that this was the music industry. Musicians just don’t record a song and it’s played on the radio or whatever. “Jamaican Boy” went in a good direction that I didn’t expect at all. I
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didn’t release the song and thought I would automatically start doing music. “Jamaican Boy” was something I had just done, and the next step was to just put it out there, and it ended up receiving a lot of good feedback.
TS: You sing about a Jamaican boy in your song, do you have a special Jamaican boy? Keida: No, I don’t have a Jamaican Boy. “Jamaican Boy” was just a brainchild of Leftside. It was his idea to sing a song about Jamaican boys. It was kind of like an ode to Jamaican men on a whole. It wasn’t really about any specific person. TS: You sing about love a lot, is it something your very passionate about ? Keida: Definitely! In life, that is one of the most important things. First to love yourself, then to love people whether it’s a show of affection or intimate love. TS: What was like to collaborate with the famous soca artiste Shurwayne Winchester for “Good Vibrations”? Keida: That was a great experience! One, it was my first time collaborating with an international artiste and I like when things aren’t really planned. I like when things just unfold and that was what really happened with Shurwayne. It wasn’t the case that our management met together and decided on the collaboration, we just started talking about music and that’s where the idea came about. teen spirit eZine
Cover Story
TS: Your music videos are very entertaining. Do you have any involvement in their directing? Keida: Definitely. Starting from the beginning of “Jamaican Boy”, the concept of the video was created by the director, Jeremy Whittaker, but I chose the locations. I have contributory roles in like, the styling of the videos and the suggestion of ideas. I try to play as much of a part as I can in designing, directing and so on. Even in my other videos, “Bubble Up”, “Dancefloor”, and “Good Vibration” with Shurywane Winchester, I worked along with my director, Krystle Karee. TS: What do you think makes you different from other Jamaican and Caribbean female reggae and dancehall artistes? Keida: Well, I already say, once you just be yourself, there is no way you can imitate anybody else. I just be myself and I think that’s the purest form of individuality.
but it’ll [also] feature some new tracks, tracks from the reggae genre, dancehall and possibly soca.
TS: Is music something you want to do for the long haul? Keida: Definitely. From day one when I chose it as my career and I started to really record songs, I definitely knew it was something that I would stick to. I’m the type of person that, when I decide to do something, I stick with it for the long run. No matter how hard it gets, I stick with it. TS: It’s the beginning of the new year. What plans do you have for 2012? Keida: Well, firstly as I said, the release of my mixtape. Also, the continuation of We Are the West Indies Campaign. The next upcoming destination of the campaign is Antigua, where I’ll perform at the cricket matches. That’s what I’ll be doing for the first part of the new year. On top of that, my manager and I are planning to do some touring in Europe.
TS: Are you releasing any new songs or videos soon? Keida: Yes. I’m actually working on my mixtape, “Wickedest Thing”. It’ll feature some tracks that have been released already,
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Fashion
What's In, What's Out by Ava Gardner
Fashion Out: Neon We are either back from the past or back from the future, but neon coloured clothing has definitely run its course. I thought this fashion would never get old, but it has. It has kind of become repelling, like a cautionary danger sign.
Time’s up! Some fashion ‘trends’ just have to go. As we enter the new year, some fashion choices are allowed an extension, while others need to go and make space for new ones. Here’s my list of fashion ins and outs:
Fashion In: Pastels I’ve found rich, pastel-coloured clothing to be very interesting, especially tops. They really brighten up any outfit without the unnecessary illumination like neon.
Fashion Out: Colour Block dresses I’ve felt that this style was a goner since last summer. Colour block dresses are technically obsolete at this time; a depleted trend and are unrenewable pieces of clothing.
Fashion Out: Slap bracelets I don’t even know how this was ever in, but I’ve gladly held the timer for this trend. I could appreciate silly bands and Boobies bracelets, but these flexible wide rubber bracelets that close due to some elastic potential energy were just not that appealing. Fashion In: Cut-out dresses Cheers to cut-out clothing! Colour block dresses with cut-outs are tolerable and their extension has been approved. However, you need to get rid of the others to make room for the new trend. I think they’re so sexy and the placing of the cut outs so intricate that they’re perfect and definitely in for the new year!
Fashion In: Shamballas A lot of males and females love this growing trend. I’m not in love with it, but I can definitely appreciate it. The trend has stemmed from popular Hip-Hop musicians such as Lil Wayne and Jay-Z, so I understand its following, plus I prefer them in comparison to slap bracelets.
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teen spirit eZine
Tech Laptops vs Netbooks vs Tablets by Najique Gayle
wondered which mobile computing platform is the E ver best suited for you? Having trouble deciding on whether
you should go out and get a notebook, netbook or tablet? Luckily for you, Teen Spirit has decided to help you to find out which device is best suited for your needs.
Laptops
First up is the notebook or laptop. These devices are definitely one of the most widely used and known portable computing devices.
Pros:
• Laptops are very well rounded: high performance capacity, loads of storage space, good processing speeds and a decent sized screen. Most modern models will typically have no less than 3GB of RAM and 250GB of Hard Drive storage space. • Laptops are more durable than both netbook and tablets.
Cons:
• They might seem a bit pricey. Good quality laptops usual go for at least 400 USD. • Some laptops may also be a bit on the heavy side since most fall within the weight range of 3 to 9 pounds. The weight of laptops makes carrying them around really annoying and tiring at times.
Netbook
Next are netbooks. A netbook is basically a mini-laptop.
Pros:
• Netbooks tend to have a weight range of 2-3 pounds and they are more durable than Tablets. • Netbooks are the least expensive of the three devices. • Netbooks are very small and compact making them extremely easy to carry around.
Cons:
Limited graphics capabilities. • No CD drives.
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• The small size of the netbook’s screen and keyboard may be awkward to some users. • They usually are low performance machines and may appear inadequate when compared to a full-featured notebook.
Tablets
Last are the Tablets. Tablets are extremely portable, fully touch screen operated, computing devices.
Pros:
• The screen may be operated by your finger or a stylus therefore facilitating a more interactive gaming experience. • Compared to laptops, these devices are smaller and weigh a whole lot less. Most tablets range from a 7 inch to a 10 inch display screen and weigh less than 1 pound.
Cons:
• These devices attract hefty price tags considering their limitations. An equally priced laptop usually has considerably more features, faster processing speed and more available software. • No CD drives. • Some tablets do not have USB ports for example the iPad 2. Even if they do have, many USB devices might not work with it. • Touchscreen display is completely exposed and if it is damages it would render the device useless. Deciding between a laptop, netbook and tablet all depends on your budget, needs and personal preference. If you intend to carry the device around for long periods of time then the Tablet might be the best choice for you. Maybe you do not relish the idea of a fully touchscreen-operated device with no physical keyboard but still intend to carry your device for long periods, then the netbook might be the choice for you. However, if you need a more powerful, all-round machine and don’t mind the heavy load, your choice will probably be the notebook. Compare and contrast different products to see which ones have the specifications you are looking for. teen spirit eZine
Jus Buss
Pencil: Writing His Way Into History by Justine Powell
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any of you may have met 17-year-old Brandon ‘Pencil’ Bailey as the winner of Ourdancehall’s Mic Check Competition during the summer of 2011. Well, Teen Spirit met with the pulsating new artiste to get the details about his newly evolving career as an artiste. The Kingston College student is a regular teenager who found his calling with lyrical clashes among his fellow schoolmates and describes himself as a ‘lyrical lunatic’. His stage name stemmed from a discovery at basketball training of his slim-built appearance as well as his outstanding ability as a song writer - a genius at putting pencil to paper - hence the name ‘Pencil’. With his most recent song ‘Hit That Spot’, the up-and-coming artiste hopes to achieve many things, including defining a new genre of music - alternative dancehall, which he describes as “not just spitting lyrics but delivering more substantial messages with emotions and vibe.” He also anticipates building his fan base, gaining more recognition and delivering more music. Pencil is currently studying sociology, economics, literature and communication studies at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) Unit One Level, though he has no other desire than to become a successful DJ. When performing, the young talent is most concerned about satisfying his fans in addition to just enjoying himself. He specifically admires the work of local entertainer I-Wayne who he believes is humble, preaches positivity and has an exceptional outlook on life. The promising artiste believes that his strongest asset in the industry is his lyrics and more importantly, his lyrical structure. He went on to tell Teen Spirit that he receives much support from his mother and father and his manager and friend, Mark Banton. He says he owes much to Our DanceHall for the competition that started it all. When asked to describe his music in four words or less, the vibrant lyrical cutthroat said “unique, substantial, exciting.” He also told Teen Spirit that in the business, it is most challenging to receive airplays even when your work is exceptional due to the overcrowding and competitiveness within the industry.
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However, “this only motivates me to put out 100 per cent and to differentiate myself from others,” he said. “Do what you love. Be persistent and determined and don’t do things for the wrong reason,” is his noble advice to all you Teen Spirits. Be on the lookout for Pencil’s mixtape entitled ‘Penmanship’ by producer Takunda ‘Tactics’ Ababio coming soon in 2012!
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New Years
Reasons To Love 2012 by Ava Gardner
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ndeed, its 2012 and well, I’m glad the world has not ended as yet, as there are so many reasons we ought to be happy it’s the new year.
Other than more fun and exciting Teen Spirit issues, we can look forward to more opportunities to create new and better memories. You’re young, and life is for your enjoyment. Make this year your most eventful year to date. With this year, we are given over three hundred days to identify our problems and make corrections to these and our accumulated mistakes. 2012 is another chance, and in this game of life we shouldn’t take our chances for granted. We have an additional opportunity with our goals, dreams, relationships, family, schoolwork, ourselves and any other matters of interest. It is known that people tend to forget their New Year’s resolutions shortly after the conclusion of all the New Year’s excitement, but just like any important personal information, it is necessary to write them down. Write down as well all your other goals for the year. Post this list somewhere important where it’ll be constantly in your field of vision. I’ve chosen the ceiling above my bed. This way every night and morning I’ll be reminded of this year’s goals and additions along the way.
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The phrase “fresh start” is definitely exhausted by commentators every year, but it’s very true if you actually allow it to be. This year, we literally have the ability to move forward. Baggage carried and feelings caught over the year should only be highlights of previous years. It is hard to move forward when the past does in fact form some parts of the future. And, this is why we need to be young adults; be brave and courageous and take big steps forward without any hesitation or looking back. No one is going to change our lives or circumstances, except ourselves. This year we have time to cut out all negativity in our lives, simply because we owe it to ourselves by now to live a life full of positivity. In closing, I’d like you to know that 2012 is yours! And, not because the year begins and starts with the same digit, or any mysterious or mystical reason like that. It’s yours because, it is simply your time. Your opportunity of time to seize, and utilize it to the fullest. Your time to do the things you want to do; things you didn’t get to do last year and in previous years; and new things you’ll ultimately discover and want to do over the course of the year.
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