Sunday Magazine - December 23, 2018

December 23, 2018

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Sunday Times Magazine

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DECEMBER 23, 2018

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on Christmas Eve and the early morning hours of Christmas Day. Throughout the year, parents would tell their children to be nice if they want Santa to bring them presents.

So here are a few messages for Santa from some children.

Joelin Joseph, 8 years old

Ramesh Dipchand, 7 years old

Sudesh Lamazon, 3 years old

I have been a good girl all year and for Christmas, I need a bicycle. The reason I need the bicycle is because I want to ride to school. I hope I get this present for Christmas. Thank you very much, Santa.

Ulein Joseph, 6 years old

I am Ramesh and I live at Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

I am 7 years old and I go to La Grange Primary School. I love to play with my toys and I can never get enough. I love hymacs and excavators the most. This year for Christmas I would like to have a big truck that I can go in and drive it. Thank you very much, Santa.

I like toys and playing. I am not going to school as yet but next year I will be going to school. I cannot wait to go to school with my sister.

For Christmas, I want a big car and tractor so I can drive in the yard and play with my friends. Please bring that for me with plenty of sweets.

How are you? As for me, I am fine thank you. My name is Ulein Joseph and I am six years old. I am a very good girl and I do everything my parents ask me to. So for this year Christmas, I do not want a lot of things all I want is to get a ball, a big teddy bear and lots of chocolate. That is all I want. Thank you, Santa.

Vidya Lamazon, 10 years old

My name is Vidya Lamazon and I am 10 years old. I love school and have been a good girl for the whole year because I want to be on the nice list. My mother said that if I behave good you will bring lots of toys for me. I am writing this letter to tell you what I want. This year I would like to have a new tablet because the one I have is broken. I do use my tablet to play educational games and do my homework so I would really be happy if I can get a new one. Thank you, Santa.

Kamini Persaud, 8 years old

My name is Kamini.

For Christmas, I would like to have a big doll that I can dress up. I love playing dollhouse with my sister and cousins. We have so much fun when playing and that is why I would like to have another big doll. Also, I would like to have a cooking set too so I can make food to feed my dolls. Thank you, Santa.

Good day. I am Lourian Seanan and I am 9 years old.

I am writing this letter to tell you what I would like you to bring me for Christmas. I was a very good girl the whole year and I do not want plenty things so all I am asking for is a nice kitchen set and some new clothes for Christmas. I like dressing up and playing cooking games with my dolls.

I would really like to have Lourian Seanan, that two presents. Thank you, Santa.

9 years old

Nicholas John Hardeen, 11 years old

Emony Jack.

4 years old

How are you? As for me, I am fine. My name is Nicholas Hardeen and I love to play with my toys. I enjoy playing with cars and trucks.

So for this Christmas, I would be happy if you can bring me a big remote controlled truck so I can play with it along with my cousins.

My mommy said I was a good boy all year so I am on your good list.

Thank you, Santa.

I am Emony Jack and I a big girl. I am four years old and for Christmas please bring me a dollhouse and lots of toys. I like playing with my toys and does take very good care of them so if you bring me more it would last a long time.

I am a good girl. Thank you, Santa.

Natasha Seanan, 7 years old

How are you? As for me, I am fine. I am Natasha Seanan and I am 7 years old. I am a very nice girl and I love to read. This Christmas all I am asking for is new story books so I can read more.

I am learning to read properly and pronounce big words so I would like to have more books so I can be the best reader in my whole school. Thank you very much, Santa.

How are you? As for me, I am doing fine. My name is Shanti Persaud and I am 10 years old. I attend La Grange Primary School and I am in Grade Five. Like going to school and playing with my friends and cousins. This year I would like to have a big doll and a cooking set for Christmas so I can play with my sister and cousins. I would be happy if you can bring that for me for Christmas. Thank you Shanti Persaud, very much, Santa.

10 years old

Ashley Chan, 9 years old

My mommy said that I have been a good girl for the whole year. I eat my food, go to school and do my homework. I do not fight and I am very respectful. So for this Christmas can you please bring me a guitar set. I love music and I want to learn to play the guitar. I also love singing so please for a guitar set so I can practice and become a big singer one day. Thank you, Santa.

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C

hristmas holds different significance for different people.

For some, it is all about family while for others, it is about the reason for the season or a combination of both, but in every community and every household, the celebration takes its unique turn.

While the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ had not been a part of the ancient traditions of the Amerindian people, it is one of many they have adopted as one of the consequences of colonisation.

Christianity was introduced in the Indigenous communities of Guyana despite the inhabitants having their own religions, but it is something they have grown to embrace and today, in almost all of the Indigenous villages throughout Guyana, you can find a church.

Today, they make up a large part of the Christian community and since this is the season of celebration, we take a look at how the Indigenous Community in Guyana celebrates Christmas.

According to Romario Hastings, or Kapohn as he prefers to be called, in Kako Village located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Christmas is more of a community affair as opposed to just households celebrating it individually.

“Christmas in Indigenous communities

DECEMBER 23, 2018

as far as I can recall is a village celebration instead of (the) household enclosed family-type feature done here (on the coast).

I guess it stems from the fact that these families are widely extended,” he notes.

During the celebration, the villagers would gather and have a grand lunch and hang-out. It would also involve trading stories and lots of laughter since “humour is very significant during events like these”.

“So, in preparation, families make barrels of casiree, because that has been the primary alcohol consumed during this time in those quantities.

Some also make other local drinks, whether it’s from potato, yams, pumpkins. The men do hunting to some extent, but, nowadays, the Village Council normally sponsor meat such as chicken and fish for the lunch and do gift exchanges there,” he said.

“Church plays a key role in celebrations as well, especially in terms of Christmas Eve church service and carol singing.

Like in my village, the youths do gift exchanges as well,” Kapohn added.

The celebrations in the Indigenous Community usually mirror Heritage Month celebrations, but on a smaller scale, without thousands of visitors flocking the communities.

Over in Aishalton

Sunday Times Magazine

Auntie Mavis Gomes’s place all decorated for the annual Christmas Dinner

Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the villagers all look forward to aunt Mavis Gomes’s annual Christmas dinner.

Auntie Mavis would cook dinner for the entire village and have everyone over where they would all break bread, dance and enjoy the night away.

For the villagers, that is the highlight of their Christmas since it is a time where everyone forgets their differences and come together to celebrate as a unified community.

Ironically, while most of people’s traditional Christmas breakfast is that of pepperpot and homemade bread, in the Indigenous community that is their regular food.

But it is not something they would have to eat on Christmas morning.

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Sunday Times Magazine

he custom of burning the Yule Log predates medieval times. It was originally a Nordic tradition.

Yule is the name of the old Winter Solstice festivals in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe, such as Germany.

The Yule Log was originally an entire tree that was carefully chosen and brought into the house with great ceremony. The largest end of the log would be placed into the hearth while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room!

The log would be lit from the remains of the previous year's log, which had been carefully stored away and slowly fed into the fire through the Twelve Days of Christmas.

It was considered important that the re-lighting process was carried out by someone with clean hands. Nowadays, of course, most people have central heating so it is very difficult to burn a tree!

In Provence, France, it is traditional that the whole family helps to cut the tree down and that a little bit is burnt each night. If any of the log is left after the Twelfth Night, it is kept safe in the house until the next Christmas to protect against lightning. In some parts of Holland, this was also done, but the log had to be stored under a bed. In some eastern European countries, the tree was cut down on Christmas Eve morning and lit that eve-

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DECEMBER 23, 2018

ning.

The custom of the Yule Log spread all over Europe and different kinds of wood are used in different countries. In England, oak is traditional; in Scotland, it is birch; while in France, it's cherry. Also, in France, the log is sprinkled with wine before it is burnt, so that it smells nice when it is lit.

In Devon and Somerset in the UK, some people have a very large bunch of Ash twigs lit instead of the log.

This comes from a local legend that Joseph, Mary and Jesus were very cold when the shepherds found them on Christmas Night. So the shepherds got some bunches of twigs to burn to keep them

warm.

The origin of the folk custom is unclear.

Numerous scholars have observed that, like other traditions associated with Yule (such as the Yule boar), the custom may ultimately derive from Germanic paganism. Regardless of its origin, at Christmas, the Yule Log symbolises the battle between good and evil since it is believed that as the fire grew brighter and burned hotter, and as the log turned into ashes, it symbolised Christ's final and ultimate triumph over sin.

The Yule Log Cake

A Yule Log Cake or bûche de Noël is a traditional French dessert served near Christmas, especially in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Quebec,

Lebanon and several former French colonies, as well as the United Kingdom. Made of sponge cake, to resemble a miniature Yule Log, it is a form of sweet roulade.

The original Yule Log recipe emerged during the 19th Century. It is traditionally made from a genoise (Italian sponge cake), generally baked in a large, shallow Swiss roll pan, iced, rolled to form a cylinder, and iced again on the outside. The most common combination is basic yellow sponge cake and chocolate butter cream, though many variations that include chocolate cake, ganache, and icings flavoured with espresso or liqueurs exist.

Yule Logs are often

served with one end cut off and set atop the cake, or protruding from its side to resemble a chopped off branch.

A bark-like texture is often produced by dragging a fork through the icing, and powdered sugar sprinkled to resemble snow. Other cake decorations may include actual tree branches, fresh berries, and mushrooms made of meringue or marzipan.

The name bûche de Noël originally referred to the Yule Log itself, and was transferred to the dessert only after the custom had fallen out of use, presumably during the first half of the 20th Century. By 1945, it referred to the cake.

guyanatimesgy.com

By Andrew Carmichael

M

any people thought that the Caesar family were being stingy with their money and all in all, selfish when they decided that they were going to make all the decorations for their daughter’s first birthday a few years ago, but that “selfish” act has led to the formation of a new and thriving business.

In 2015, Anthony and Naomi Caesar did not want to buy decorations for their daughter’s first birth anniversary since that was too common. They wanted something unique, something one of a kind. They wanted all the decorations for the party to be different and it was this “selfish” desire that prompted the creation of a business.

AN&K Crafts takes almost anything and turns it into a piece of art.

“Was looking around for stuff from the various party stores, but all had the same things that everybody else was using, so I decided to make stuff from ground up seeing that we have the material available to make your own stuff,” Anthony said.

The birthday party was considered a success in terms

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

of the decorations, as the paper bags and Mickey Ears photo frames were all unique. Anthony now uses foam boards, foam sheet, velvet, felt, dry leaves, green sea moss, wire, wood, sand, stones, cardboard, paper, plastic, feathers and other things to create ornaments and indoor decorations, which most homemakers crave at this time of the year.

However, while much of the material is gathered from the bins of stores and from around the community, about 60 per cent of what is needed has to be purchased; for example, foam, velvet, felt, green sea moss, decorative stones, paper, plastic, craft wood and craft sticks.

“We might not get the right materials in Guyana, so we might have to improvise or order it from overseas,” Anthony said as he spoke on some of the difficulties associated with the craft business.

Currently, he and his wife sell their craft on the pavement in New Amsterdam on Strand opposite Guyana Stores.

“Some people are amazed at the work and probably have doubts in the mind when I say that the work was done by the family. My understanding is that most Berbicians move away from craft and prefer the Chinese mass production flower and home decor. Probably they are cheaper and af-

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fordable, but not long-lasting; that’s my take.”

According to Anthony, while he is not directly involved in the export of his craft, many of his customers indicate that they are sending the items overseas for family members or friends. The business of craft, which in other parts of the world and to a lesser extent in other parts of the country could be a flourishing business, is not in Berbice. The young businessman, who celebrates his fourth wedding anniversary on Monday, says sometimes it gets depressing.

“Because people come up and say they are really nice and neat, but those same people do not buy. It sometimes leaves me wondering ‘if it so great, why you don’t buy something then?’ I say to myself: ‘it is great, but not to be put in their homes.’ But then there is this one customer who would come and make you want to continue pressing on,” he revealed.

The ‘selfish’ act which was committed three years ago has resulted in dozens of wall decorations, scores of toys and scores of ornaments to fit just about any part of the home.

What is more interesting is that those ornaments and decorations if purchased from AN&K Crafts will not have to be replaced in the near future.

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Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Preserving our literary heritage by

H

e writes his own songs with significant amount of input from his wife. But many of his fans are not aware of this combination because very often the consumer sees only the performer thereby diminishing the role of the writer/s.

Songwriters are just as important as the performer, the lyricist or the musicians. This husband and wife team has ensured this team work and team spirit is communicated publicly not only via a by-line to the song but through their words and music.

Yes, without doubt John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul has become a household name in Guyana especially about this time of the year and he would not allow us to forget the contribution of his wife, Ingrid.

Ingrid Begging Me To Make Ah Stop!

She Don’t Want No Callaloo!

Trinidad Pelau Won’t Do! Is Guyanese Metemgee And Pepper Pot … Fuh She! Around this time of the year it is not unnatural to hear Slingshot on the airwave belting out his Christmas Songs umpteen times a day on a variety of programmes. And what he has to say connects to the Guyanese consumers instantly. For example in his first Christmas song, ‘A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas’, John DrePaul said that it was written ‘to teasingly capture the spirit of a typical Upper Corentyne Indo- Berbician Christmas ambience, with a tongue-in-the-cheek tease to those in the Diaspora…. the Xmas Eve visit to homes would be done by a ‘makeup’ band of just about anyone in the Villages; especially by yours truly, Shamboy, Marco, Neville Budhan, and others, as we play acoustic

guitar, blow mouth organ, knocking bottles, saucepans, bamboo joints, tincups, spoons, vigorously shaking the ‘shac-shac’ and just having a whaleof-a-time in typical rustic fashion’.

Man Christmas He Does Kill Two Ram! We Eating Loud Roti Wid Sheep Curry! Nuff Peppa!

‘Christmas in Guyana’ was released on DrePaul’s third CD ‘Home Sweet Home’.

Here’s sample of that song: Ah Very Merry Guyanese Christmas Wishing You Were Here We Guh Miss Yuh Company At Dis Festive Time Of De Year When We Pass Yuh House Christmas Morning We Guh Give Ah Shout Calling Out To Yuh Family As We Rub We Belly And Mouth... ..... In De Kitchen De Women Cooking Creole Food Non-Stop Eating Bake And Pepperpot Dey Gat Fuh Drag We From De Pot... .... All Around Is Music Playing Tassa Band Coming Down Dem Boys From Victoria Village Licking Up Kumfa Drum....

Ah Very Merry Guyanese Christmas Wishing You Were Here We Guh Miss Yuh Company At Dis Festive Time Of De Year Chipping Down De Road Knockin Bottle Iron And Saucepan Stop At Everybody Home Singing, Dancing Every Man...

‘A Very Merry Guyanese Christmas’, was released on the ‘Mash Fever’ CD in 2003 which included such hits as ‘Pirates’, ‘Tek ah Taste’, ‘The Golden Locket’, and ‘Wake Up My Guyana’. The song

‘John DrePaul is an affable and multi-talented entertainer, composer, musician, calypsonian, who grew up in Guyana’s rural Corentyne, Berbice, with No. 63 Beach as his backyard.

This would later prove to be the ideal landscape and inspiration for most of his poetry, songs, and short stories’ (Slingshot - A Short Biography by Dr. Parbhudyal Singh, York University).

‘Pirates’ seeks to address the copyright issue.

The next Christmas song

by John and Ingrid DrePaul was ‘Christmas in Guyana’ which he said spans ‘a much inclusive geographic span of Guyana, especially with the culinary samples depicted in the song…

However, the song itself keeps to Slingshot’s rural roots and capturing the essence of the rural appeal as well as the urban… Of note is the inclusive nature of all of ‘Slingshot & Ingrid’ compositions, whereby we span the diverse ethnic nature of Guyana’s population, all the while reflecting the ethnic, political & religious bent of the Village inhabitants… using names of real individuals living in the geographic area…’

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning Liming Wid Meh Friends And Family!

Greeting Everyone Around!

Eating, Dancing Getting

Petamber Persaud

Of course at Christmas time, we love to hear the old, time tested favourite songs and carols but many of us would like to hear how contemporary writers and performers deal with the subject of Christmas. And over the years, there had been many additions to this oeuvre of music but only a handful from Guyanese.

Slingshot has effectively filled that gap and given the response to his music and the popularity on which he is riding, there would be no doubt that he and his wife will come up with new Christmas music with a Guyanese/West Indian flavour (Ingrid was born in Trinidad).

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

Down!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning Everybody There Soca Dancing!

Masquerade Band Coming Down!

Mother Sally Prancing Round!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

Merry Christmas…!

There’s Nothing Like Meh Home On Christmas Morning, Garlic Pork And Black Fruitcake Baking!

Plenty Sorrel And Mauby!

Ice Apple And Nuff Sweetie!

Spending We Christmas In Guyana!

Every Time When Christmas Come Marco And Dem Boys Around, Drinking .... And Telling Ol’ Time Story!

Neville Budhan Is De

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow…

by Clement C. Moore

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 23, 2018

• • •

Snowman Candle Holder This snowman candle holder will bring a cheerful glow to any room and is the perfect decoration for christmas. The snowman holds a votive candle inside, and is made from a small glass fishbowl that you can buy at any craft store. The bowl is spray painted with frost paint, which creates a beautiful glow when the candle is burning inside. Its face is painted on with black glass paint, and a carrot nose is made from polymer clay. Its hat is made from craft wire mesh, which

can be found at most craft stores.

Materials Needed: • Six inch glass bowl (found in most craft stores, also called a bubble bowl or fish bowl) • Frosted glass spray paint • Black glass paint • Paintbrush • Orange clay • Wire craft mesh (found in craft stores near the pottery and clay) • Small length of ribbon • Scissors

Sunday Times Magazine

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Soup can Hot glue gun candle

Instructions 1. In a well ventilated area, spray paint the fishbowl with glass frosted paint and allow to dry completely. Check the progress after it is dry, and give it another coat if necessary.

2. After the frost paint is dry, paint on the eyes and the smile using black glass paint.

3. Shape clay into nose and attach with hot glue gun 4. Cut a nine inch circle from the wire mesh. Be careful while cutting and working with the rough edges of the mesh. Place a soup can in the center of the circle and fold up the craft mesh all around the can, forming it well with your hands. Then, make the brim of the hat by folding down the edge of the wire mesh all around the can. Remove the can and place the wire mesh hat on the snowman.

5. Decorate the hat by wrapping a length of ribbon around the hat, and securing with the hot glue gun

Materials needed Swim noodle Christmas balls Hot glue gun Instructions 1. Use hot glue gun to secure both ends of the noodle to shape into a circle.

2. Arrange christmas balls into preferred style and attach a ribbon to the back.

• • •

Materials • Cone • White glue • String • Decorations Instructions 1. Mix equal parts water

and glue and then soak string in mixture.

2. After string has soaked, wrap around cone creating a pattern of your choice.

3. Leave to dry and decorate to your liking

Materials • • • • •

2 x wire hanging basket frames with chains removed 4 x cable/pull ties can of silver spray paint fairy/christmas lights.

Pliers Instructions 1. Remove chains from the baskets. Fasten the two baskets together with the cable ties to create a sphere.

2. Cut the tails off of the cable ties. Spray entire sphere with silver paint. This isn't all that necessary but I find when the lights bounces off the baskets it looses its former image of the 'hanging basket' when it is painted.

3. Wrap the fairy lights around the sphere in every different direction. The small light globes will stop the wire from slipping.

Wrap until you have used all and only the fairy lights.

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Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 23, 2018

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DECEMBER 23, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine

a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in your brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain activity, leading to symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Risk factors

Risk factors for Parkinson's disease include: • Age. Young adults rarely experience Parkinson's disease. It ordinarily begins in middle or late life, and the risk increases with age. People usually develop the disease around age 60 or older.

• Heredity. Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases the chances that you'll develop the disease.

However, your risks are still small unless you have many relatives in your family with Parkinson's disease.

• Sex. Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than are women.

• Exposure to toxins.

Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may slightly increase your risk of Parkinson's disease.

P

Overview

arkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.

Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, your face may show little or no expression. Your arms may not swing when you walk.

Your speech may become soft or slurred. Parkinson's disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time.

Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medications might significantly improve your symptoms. Occasionally, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms.

Symptoms

Parkinson's disease signs and symptoms can be different for everyone.

Early signs may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides.

Parkinson's signs and symptoms may include: • Tremor. A tremor, or shaking, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. You may a rub your thumb and forefinger back-and-forth, known as a pill-rolling tremor. Your hand may tremor when it's

at rest.

• Slowed movement (bradykinesia). Over time, Parkinson's disease may slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk.

• Rigid muscles.

Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.

• Impaired posture and balance. Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of Parkinson's disease.

• Loss of automatic movements. You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.

• Speech changes. You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than with the usual inflections.

• Writing changes. It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

Causes

In Parkinson's disease, certain nerve cells (neurons) in the brain gradually break down or die. Many of the symptoms are due to

Complications

Parkinson's disease is often accompanied by these additional problems, which may be treatable: • Thinking difficulties • Depression and emotional changes • Swallowing problems • Chewing and eating problems • Sleep problems and sleep disorders • Bladder problems • Constipation • Blood pressure changes • Fatigue • Pain • Sexual dysfunction

Prevention

Because the cause of Parkinson's is unknown,

proven ways to prevent the disease also remain a mystery. Some research has shown that regular aerobic exercise might reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Some other research has shown that people who drink caffeine — which is found in coffee, tea and cola — get Parkinson's disease less often than those who don't drink it. However, it is still not known whether caffeine actually protects against getting Parkinson's, or is related in some other way. Currently, there is not enough evidence to suggest drinking caffeinated beverages to protect against Parkinson's. Green tea is also related to a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Diagnosis

No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Your doctor trained in nervous system conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson's disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination. Your doctor may suggest a specific singlephoton emission computerized tomography SPECT scan called a dopamine transporter (DAT) scan.

Although this can help support the suspicion that you have Parkinson's disease, it is your symptoms and neurologic examination that ultimately determine the correct diagnosis. Most people do not require a DAT scan.

Your doctor may order lab tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Imaging tests — such as MRI, CT, ultrasound of the brain, and PET scans — may also be used to help rule out other disorders.

Imaging tests aren't particularly helpful for diagnosing Parkinson's disease.

In addition to your ex-

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amination, your doctor may give you carbidopa-levodopa (Rytary, Sinemet, others), a Parkinson's disease medication. You must be given a sufficient dose to show the benefit, as low doses for a day or two aren't reliable. Significant improvement with this medication will often confirm your diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Sometimes it takes time to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Doctors may recommend regular follow-up appointments with neurologists trained in movement disorders to evaluate your condition and symptoms over time and diagnose Parkinson's disease.

Treatment

Parkinson's disease can't be cured, but medications can help control your symptoms, often dramatically. In some later cases, surgery may be advised.

Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, especially ongoing aerobic exercise. In some cases, physical therapy that focuses on balance and stretching also is important. A speech-language pathologist may help improve your speech problems.

Medications

Medications may help you manage problems with walking, movement and tremor. These medications increase or substitute for dopamine. People with Parkinson's disease have low brain dopamine concentrations. However, dopamine can't be given directly, as it can't enter your brain.

You may have significant improvement of your symptoms after beginning Parkinson's disease treatment. Over time, however, the benefits of drugs frequently diminish or become less consistent. You can usually still control your symptoms fairly well.

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Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 23, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Christmas is a holiday that is full of gifts, food, parties and more. As it is a special time of year make the most of it and dress for the occasion. You are going to be socializing a lot and maybe even attending a Christmas party or two so it is important to have some stylish and festive outfits. To give you some inspiration we have found some Christmas outfit ideas.

There is something for everyone from cozy to glam. Take a look and find your favourite.

CHIC BLACK OUTFIT WITH SPARKLE Going to a Christmas party? Then you need to take a look at this outfit. The outfit is black and sparkly on the top with plain black pants. You could recreate this look with a similar jumpsuit or with a separate top and pants. The outfit is all black but it looks festive because of the sparkle. Something like this is for the ladies who want to look elegant and chic during the holiday season.

GREEN VELVET CHOKER TOP Choker tops have been a must-have for a while.

The top has been made in a velvet fabric and is in a dark green shade. A top like this is glam and can be worn for any festive occasion. Dark green is a great Christmas color for those who want an alternative to red.

CHRISTMAS RED DRESS During the festive season say goodbye to the little black dress and hello to a red dress. Red is a must-have color for Christmas and will look super stylish. An outfit like this would look beautiful for any occasion from a work Christmas party to Christmas dinner with the family.

VINTAGE HOLIDAY LOOK Add some vintage glamour to the holiday season with an outfit like this one. This fashionista has dressed in a beautiful dark green tartan dress with red shoes. The outfit has combined two classic Christmas colors in an elegant way. An outfit like this would look beautiful for any occasion.

VINTAGE HOLIDAY LOOK Add some vintage glamour to the holiday season with an outfit like this one. This fashionista has dressed in a beautiful dark green tartan dress with red shoes. The outfit has combined two classic Christmas colors in an elegant way. An outfit like this would look beautiful for any occasion.

guyanatimesgy.com

• • •

Ingredients 8 medium potatoes 3 cloves garlic 3 tbsp butter

DECEMBER 23, 2018

• milk • •

Sunday Times Magazine 11

2/3 cup heavy cream/ Salt Water

Directions Peel potatoes and cut into 2-inch pieces then place in a large pot.

Add garlic cloves to the pot then add 1 tsp salt and cool water to the pot, covering the potatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until potatoes are soft when poked with a knife. Strain the potatoes and place into a bowl. Add butter and heavy cream and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes and garlic cloves. There will be a few lumps; if you prefer a smoother texture then use a ricer instead of a potato masher. Add salt to taste.

Ingredients 5 lbs chicken 2 tbsp green seasoning 1 ½ tbsp Dijon mustard 3 tsp salt 1 ½ tsp black pepper 2 cup flour 1 cup of milk 2 eggs Oil

• • • • • • • • •

Instructions Place cleaned chicken in a large bowl. In a small bowl mix green seasoning, Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and 1 tsp oil; mix well then rub over chicken pieces making sure it is well covered. Set aside.

Place flour in a large plate, and then add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper and mix to combine.

In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs and milk.

Coat chicken in flour, making sure to shake off any excess then quickly dip egg in mixture. Allow the excess egg mixture to drip off chicken before adding back to the flour. Shake off excess. Repeat with each piece of chicken.

Place a heavy bottom pan over high heat with 2 inches deep canola oil. Once oil is hot, lower the heat to medium low. Now carefully add chicken pieces into oil and fry for 10 minutes per side until golden brown.

Remove from heat and place on a plate lined with paper towel to drain the excess oil.

• • • Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

To make the meat sauce, place ground beef and chicken in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat and brown. Use a spoon to remove excess oil from the meat; discard. Finely chop carrots, pepper, garlic and onion(use a food processor to make it easy as pie). Add chopped vegetables, dried basil and dried oregano to the brown meat and cook for 2-3 minutes, then add tomato puree, tomato paste, sugar, salt and black pepper. Cook on medium low for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place ricotta cheese in a bowl and mix with 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, eggs and parsley and set aside.

To build the lasagna, spray a 13×9 casserole dish with olive oil spray. Spread a layer of sauce on the pan, then top with lasagna noodles. Next, add another layer of meat sauce, then top with ¼ of ricotta and spread to cover the meat sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and repeat the layers in the same order 3 more times. For the final layer, cover with lasagna sheet, then add meat sauce and spread to cover the lasagna sheet, then cover with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Spray one side of aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the lasagna with the aluminum foil with the cooking-spray side down. Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

NB: Cheddar could replace Parmesan and Ricotta Cheese.

• • • • • • • •

Ingredients 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 tbsp sugar 3 tbsp butter, melted Filling 3- 8oz package cream cheese(room temperature) 1 cup sugar 3 tbsp all purpose flour 2 eggs beaten 3/4 cup eggnog 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract dash of nutmeg fresh whipped cream or whipped topping

EGGNOG CHEESECAKE

Directions Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a small bowl. Place into a 9-inch spring form pan and press to form a crust. Place into preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

In a large bowl add room temperature cream cheese and beat with a mixer on high until smooth and fluffy. Add sugar and flour and beat for an additional 30 seconds. Add egg and beat until incorporated then add eggnog and vanilla extract and nutmeg and mix until incorporated. Pour mix over the crust then place in preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour until the top is set but the center will still jiggle a bit. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes then run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen cheesecake. Allow to cool until it’s room temperature then place in refrigerator overnight.

When ready to served top with whipped cream and a pinch of nutmeg.

12

Sunday Times Magazine

ACROSS

1 Broad valleys

6 "Foolish Games" singer 11 Newlywed

16 Like a frontier town

21 Ring-shaped reef

22 "-- -- a Rainy Night"

23 In-between state

24 Puccini work

25 Igneous-rock source

26 Swiped

27 Be of benefit

28 One kind of flight

29 Galleon cargo

30 Flat-topped hill

32 Ms. Winfrey

34 Egyptian boy-king

36 P.O. service

37 El -- (ocean current)

39 Prom attendees

41 Fragrant shrub

43 Zoo inhabitants

45 Trade shows

47 Mr. Greenspan et al.

49 Hounds' trails

51 Six-shooters

54 Due for payment

55 Norm's wife on "Cheers" 56 Nosegay

60 Stick fast

61 Flash on and off

62 Sea rover

64 Ms. Merkel

65 Outspoken

66 Feeling regret

67 Do a double-take

68 Pick up a lease

70 Brown of renown

71 Not digital

73 Hardly a wallflower

74 Mechanic's friend

75 Labor Dept. division

77 Planets or moons

78 Overhead

79 Goes beyond

80 Dwindles

82 Quips

83 Aherne of films

84 Dirt

87 Hocus- - 88 Answered a judge

89 Tattoo sites

93 Jinxes

94 Ina of "The Black Orchid" 95 Reinforced

97 "--! My Soul" (Little Richard tune) 98 The slow lane

99 Iris center

100 Goethe masterpiece

101 Get acclimated

103 Plains dweller

104 Orbit extreme

106 107 108 110 111 112 113 115 116 117 120 122 124 128 129 131 133 135 136 138 140 142 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 31 33 35 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 51

"Forget" a letter Hung around Porgy's beloved Frankenstein's gofer Beam Own up Check for typos Reunion attendee The "k" in 24-k "Yo!" (2 wds.)

Dissemble Movers and shakers Andrew's dukedom Suffix for "forfeit" Mao -- -tung "Fried Green Tomatoes" star Sizeable Aloha token Sri -Temporary peace Fridge maker Cover girl In a ferment Zenith opposite Cook's gadget Helmet plume Disreputable Famous last words Bowling score Keats' saint DOWN Friend of Pythias Video-game pioneer Get ready to surf? (2 wds.)

"Nightmare" street Marble block Fit of nerves Brings cheer Roused up Twilight, to a poet Fallon's predecessor Very obvious

52 Contenders 53 College World Series city

54 Osaka sash

55 Lose feathers

57 Team list

58 -- out (withdraw) 59 Becomes frayed

61 Implication

62 Football gain

63 Serviceable 66 Long, flat timber 67 WWII craft (hyph.)

69 Habitually 72 Woodworking chore

73 Force

74 Deadly snake

76 Heart outlet 78 Ding-a- -- (airhead)

79 "Heck!"

81 Poet -- Neruda

82

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- LAPIDARIAN (LAPIDARIAN: lap-ih-DAREee-en: Of or relating to the cutting and polishing of gems.)

Average mark 28 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 39 or more words in LAPIDARIAN? laid lain lair lanai land lard liar lidar lipid apian

aria arid paid pail pain pair paladin panda plaid plain

plan prandial inlaid darn dial drain drip radial radian radii

raid rail rain rani rapid rind nadir naiad nail

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Runs in neutral "Keep it down!"

Mishmashes Perfume bottles Scale unit Links champ Sam -Bored responses Tulips or daffodils Fur trader's goods Ms. Jong Diner's demand Hits the hammock "Maria --" Taboos (hyph.)

Ship's officer (var.)

Nitrous -Swamped Photographer -- Beaton Standing tall Queen of the Misty Isles Lara Croft player

83 Jaded

84 Cancel a launch

85 Very

86 Strongly advises

87 Cover the walls

88 Goody-goody

90 Trip itinerary

91 Customs

92 Drops leaves 94 "Get lost!" (2 wds.)

95 Used a parachute

96 Artemis, to Livy 99 Comic-strip possum

100 Paris cop

102 "Cool!"

105 Monklike

106 Rectify

107 The pits 109 007 111 Contract makers 112 Bus rider's need

114 115 116 117 118 119 121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Traffic circle Vitamin B component More eager Wahines' dances Blank a tape Gossipy type Piano composition Maureen of film Like days of yore Ms. Witherspoon Bagpipers' garb Sicilian volcano Barks shrilly Swimming-pool loc.

Novak of "Vertigo" Ford rival Atlas page Dot-com alternative

See Solution on Pg 14

guyanatimesgy.com

T

witter is offering users another escape hatch from its ranked timeline. The company said that it will introduce a prominent new toggle in the app to switch from the ranked timeline to the original, reverse-chronological feed.

The company says the move comes in recognition of the fact that Twitter is often most useful in real time, particularly during live events such as sports games or the Oscars.

Twitter began ranking the timeline almost four years ago. It was an effort to increase usage at a time when Facebook had

pulled dramatically ahead of Twitter, raising doubts about the company’s future and setting it on a course to reinvent itself.

Many users griped about the change, even though Twitter has always allowed users to switch back to the reverse-chronological feed temporarily.

The latest incarnation of the original Twitter feed can be accessed by tapping the cluster of small stars — the company calls it the “sparkle” and now so shall we all, forever — and switching to see the latest tweets. Over time, the company will learn your behavior. If you routine-

DECEMBER 23, 2018

ly switch to the latest tweets, Twitter will default you to them. This marks a change from the past, when the app would switch you back to the ranked timeline at unpredictable intervals.

Keith Coleman, vice president of product at Twitter, told The Verge that in tests, users who had access to the easy toggle participated in more conversations than average. The flagship Twitter app’s strange aversion to real-time tweets — the lifeblood of the service since forever — is the main reason I continue to use Tweetbot on every platform, despite how

Sunday Times Magazine 13

S

pam calls grew by 300 percent worldwide this year, according to a new report from Truecaller, a caller ID service. But while the scourge continues to grow overall, some countries actually saw a slight decline — including the US. The United States fell from the 2nd most spammed country to the 8th in one year, according to Truecaller. Truecaller users received about 17 calls per month, down from 21 in 2017. The bulk of calls purported to be about insurance or debt collection, according to the report.

While no reason was given for the drop, authorities have increasingly tried to crack down on illegal callers. The Federal Trade Commission has brought several lawsuits, while the Federal Communications Commission has considered various regulations to deal with the issue and in one case slapped an egregious robocaller with an $82 million fine.

The issue continues to escalate elsewhere. Brazil was found to be the most spammed country in 2018, with the average Truecaller user getting over 37 spam calls a month. This was likely due to calls from telecom operators and calls made related to the general election, the compa-

ny said. India, which was the most spammed country in 2017, has dropped down to second place, with a decrease of 1.5 percent.

Truecaller says that in total, its users received 17.7 billion spam calls between January and October. The report

counted a call as spam if it was flagged by algorithms or manually by users.

Since Truecaller doesn’t count data outside of its customer base, its results and rankings have to be taken with a grain of salt. Another report from a robocall blocking service called YouMail reported 28.5 billion spam calls occurring in the US within the first eight months of this year, a figure that vastly exceeds Truecaller’s numbers and seems more in line with the multiple-callsper-day nuisance many of us are contending with. (The Verge)

it gets worse every year due to API restrictions.

Twitter’s re-embrace of live tweets gives me hope that the company will continue to elevate real-time features across the platform. The company’s support for its pro app, Tweetdeck, is halfhearted at best. Investing more in features for power users will help ensure Twitter retains its place as the beating heart of breaking news around the world — and ignoring them creates opportunities for competitors.(The Verge)

I

nstagram is bringing some new features to its Stories format, including a new countdown sticker, and question stickers that can be used in Live videos and to share music recommendations. The latter are best described as “all of the current Instagram Story features remixed into each other,” which seems inevitable given how many there are now.

The question sticker becomes more versatile today, as users can now respond to questions with music. Tapping on a viewer’s response will play the song, and users can choose to respond with

a message or share the song to their own story.

Sharing a song opens up the camera for the user to take a photo or video as the music plays in the background, and there’s also new camera effects that’ll respond to the music being played.

Question stickers are also coming to Live videos to better organize Q&A interactions.

Before, questions could get lost inside the chaotic chat stream, but with today’s update, questions chosen by the user streaming will be shown on-screen, so all viewers can see which questions are being answered. Questions can be asked on the Live

user’s story before and during the Live video, and streamers can now also share photos and videos from their camera roll to their live video.

Countdown stickers are interactive stickers within Stories which let users count down to upcoming moments that could be as big as New Year’s, or as small as the end of a workday. Creating a countdown sticker will keep it in your sticker tray to reuse until the countdown ends. Friends can tap the countdown to follow or share it to their own stories, and it’ll notify them when the countdown ends.

(The Verge)

14

Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Netflix great for Indian talent to show capability to world, says Anil Kapoor R

A

ctor-producer Anil Kapoor, who has backed Netflix’s forthcoming show Selection Day, says the streaming platform is a fruitful opportunity for Indian talent to showcase their craft to the world. “This show (Selection Day) is an adaption of a really good novel (Aravind Adiga’s eponymous book). It will be screened on December 28 in more than 190 countries all over the world. I think Netflix is a brilliant platform for Indian actors and technicians to show off their capabilities to the entire world,” Kapoor said here.

Anil said collaborating with Netflix as a producer made him feel that production is no longer a thankless job. “Earlier I used to feel that production is a thankless job. In our family, my father, my elder brother and I have produced many films. After working with Netflix on this show, I feel that production is no longer a thankless job, but it’s the best job. When you are working with them, nothing gets bigger than that,” he said.

Anil was interacting with the media at the

premiere of Selection Day along with Kabir Khan, Akshay Oberoi, Sanya Malhotra, Rhea Kapoor, Samir Kochhar, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Farah Khan, Pawan Malhotra, Dalip Tahil, Rajesh Tailang, Yash Dholye and Mohammad Samad here on Tuesday.

On the basic premise of Selection Day, Anil said: “Cricket is in the backdrop of this show, but overall it is a coming-of-age story about two brothers and the beautiful bonding between the two. I can say that it’s about the dream of father and his kids.

“There are some parents who want to fulfil their own dreams through their children and there are kids who don’t want to listen to their father when it comes to choosing a career. So, all these things are there in this show.”

He said he was not nervous, but a “bit anxious” ahead of the show’s launch.

“I have made films on many stories over the years but this project was like a cricket match which we felt that we have won quickly. This show is a complete example of team work similarly like cricket matches,” he said. (Hindustan Times)

ihanna's vocal producer and songwriter Kuk Harrell has given fans an update on her new album, hailing the new songs "incredible".

Kuk Harrell - who worked with the star on her last LP 'ANTI', as well as co-writing her hit songs 'Umbrella' and 'Only Girl (In the World)' - recently responded to one of the 30-year-old singer's fans who asked for an update on Rihanna's new music.

During an Instagram Live, they asked him: "How's R9?", to which he replied: "R9 is great. R9 is amazing. It's incredible, And that's all I'm going to say."

The 'Diamonds' hitmaker last updated fans in September, promising new music is "coming".

Rihanna hasn't released any new music since 2016's 'ANTI', but she assured fans that she's working on new material and, although it's not quite ready yet because she's been busy focusing on her lingerie line, her make-up collection and film work - including 'Ocean's 8' - the new tracks will arrive in the near future.

Responding to a fan on Instagram who asked where her new music was, she replied: "I know I know sis. I'm doing music. Simultaneously doing lingerie, make-

guyanatimesgy.com

up, film, amongst a couple other things that I enjoy.

"When the music is ready, you won't have to ask for it. But it's coming. Just not today sis. I'm hype too tho, it can't come soon enough. (sic)" The Bajan beauty hasn't given much away when it comes to her next release, but it's believed she may be gearing up to drop a double-disc album next year.

A source said: "Rihanna wasn't happy with how her last album performed - even though she loved how it turned out, she knows she needs a new project full of smash hits to avoid two back-to-back flops...she's currently recording two albums - one full of chart-friendly songs, and another made up of moody and experimental tracks - and is considering releasing a double disc if she feels the songs won't mesh well on the same album."

Back in June, Rihanna confirmed that she had been back in the studio but she refused to divulge whether it would be ready in time for this Christmas.

She said at the time: "You'll have to wait and see."

There's no title name yet but her fans have been referring to it as 'R9' online.

D

irector Rohit Shetty is promoting his upcoming film Simmba starring actor Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan. The director was asked in a recent interview if he was sad about Kedarnath being Sara’s debut film instead of Simmba and he said that he would have been upset if Abhishek Kapoor hadn’t got the credit for introducing Sara.

The director told Mumbai Mirror,” No, I have always wanted Kedarnath to come before Simmba because Gattu (Abhishek Kapoor) had signed Sara before me. In fact, he was the one who suggested her to me for Simmba. I’d be upset if he hadn’t got the credit for launching her.”

Miss Malini also quoted the director as saying, “Nobody approached Sara.

She approached us herself.

She literally cooked my brain by messaging me so many

Crossword Solution

times. Sara happened because of Gattu (Abhishek Kapoor, director of Sara’s debut film, Kedarnath) because he also called me and asked me to cast Sara! He took the initiative and told me to watch some footage of Kedarnath that they had already shot.

Then I saw it and called her.”

Speaking of the ace director and ‘cooking his brain’, Sara had said, “I am a huge Rohit sir fan. I aspire for versatility, and I mean it. I messaged Rohit sir thrice and he responded on the third message. I think he is the king of commercial cinema. So, knowing that Rohit sir and Ranveer Singh were coming together, I had to.”

Simmba is slated to release on December 28 and is produced by Dharma Productions. The film will also see a cameo by Ajay Devgn, who will play inspector Bajirao Singham and bring two different cops under one roof. (Hindustan Times)

A

ctor Deepika Padukone is all set to play acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal in her next project. She will also make her debut in the field of production with the film titled Chhapaak, to be directed by Raazi’s Megha Gulzar.

A report in Mumbai Mirror has now confirmed that Vikrant Massey of Balika Vadhu has been signed opposite the actor. He will essay the role of Laxmi’s former partner, Alok Dixit. alking about Vikrant’s role, Meghna told the daily, “The cast is slowly coming together. Vikrant is somebody I’ve wanted to work with since Raazi, after seeing him in A Death in the Gunj. In the film, he plays a North Indian boy who used to be a professional before he decided to become an actor, then, started a campaign against acid violence which is how he came to meet Laxmi in real life. I speak for both Deepika and myself when I say that we are both really excited to have Vikrant play this part.”

Vikrant has worked in several films such as Lootera, Dil Dhadakne Do, Lipstick

Under My Burkha, Half Girlfriend and is currently being seen in web series Broken But Beautiful.

Deepika will be seen in different looks in the film because of the several facial reconstruction surgeries of the character. Laxmi was a school student when she was attacked by a man who had proposed her for marriage. According to the report, the film is expected to go on the floors in March next year.

Earlier in an interview to HT, Laxmi had said, “I believe art is art. I am so happy that Deepika is playing the role. I have no right to judge her. How can I judge someone for something which I can’t do! She has played wonderful characters on screen and I believe she will give her best. I want to thank Deepika ji, Meghna ji and the entire team who will be working together on the film. I am glad that the movie will spread awareness and will help people who are victims of such incidents to come out of it. They will get inspired that if she can do it than why not us.” (Hindustan Times)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 23, 2018

Archie

Emotions will surface when dealing with people (March 21who remind you of someone April 19) or something you loved and lost. Turn your mood around by sharing the good memories, not the painful ones.

ARIES

Step up and share a tale TAURUS that will make everyone (April 20- smile. Interacting with peoMay 20) ple you feel close to will warm the heart. Romance is encouraged, and a promise can be made.

Keep your life simple and GEMINI stick to the truth. If someone (MAY 28- says something questionable, June 20) don't get involved. Trust in the facts and avoid joint ventures.

CANCER

Put a little force behind your demands and enthusi(June 21astically share your ideas. An July 22) imaginative picture will entice others to join in and take part in your plans.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO Listen, but don't let some(Aug. 23- one persuade you to get inSept. 22) volved in something iffy. Don't lose sight of practicality, even though it is the time of year to give.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Your charm and quick wit will attract attention. Make sure you don't ignore someone who loves and counts on you while trying to impress new acquaintances.

Someone will use emotional tactics to try to twist your way of thinking. Don't give in when you should be speaking out and making your preferences clear.

Moderation is key, and SCORPIO sticking close to the people (Oct. 24who make you feel most comNov. 22) fortable will help you make wise choices. Romance is highlighted, and feelings and intentions should be shared.

Offer to help others, but SAGITTARIUS don't let anyone take advan(Nov. 23tage of you. If you boast, someDec. 21) one will expect more from you than you can deliver. Avoid indulgent behavior.

Calvin and Hobbes

Share, care and commuCAPRICORN nicate to avoid being faced (Dec. 22- with opposition. If you care Jan. 19) about someone, tell him or her. Make a point to appreciate and acknowledge the people you love.

Make last-minute changAQUARIUS es and requests, and keep (Jan. 20- things moving along swiftly.

Feb. 19) Your ability to take care of responsibilities will impress others and position you well among your peers.

Spend time with peoPISCES (Feb. 20- ple you know you can trust.

Mar. 20) Someone you don't know well will try to take advantage of you or tempt you to get involved in something you shouldn't be messing with.