GZAAT GAZETTE Issue #3 Christmas 2015
GZAAT Christmas Party: Tracing the Roots
Christmas Traditions: Looking Beyond the Familliar
Skiing in Georgia: Comfort and Adrenaline in Abundance
New Year, New GZAAT: Resolutions in the Air
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GZAAT GAZETTE
Year-End Holidays Across the Globe
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e all have our own way of celebrating the winter holidays, be it with friends or family, at home or somewhere exotic and beautiful. However, as we are celebrating we’re usually too busy opening presents or drinking eggnog (or something stronger) to think about what others from distant lands are doing. So, to remedy that, here’s a few fresh perspectives on the good old holidays from around the globe... Amena Rahjo - I’m from Afghanistan and most people in Afghanistan don’t celebrate Christmas because we’re Muslim, and it is not a national holiday. But ever since I moved to Georgia, about seven years ago, our family started to celebrate Christmas just like other people here. We cook food, light some candles, maybe exchange gifts and spend the day with each other watching Christmas movies and laughing. In Afghanistan, it’s very different. Some foreigners in Afghanistan celebrate Christmas in churches on military bases or embassies. Christians who live in the country celebrate quietly to avoid persecution. People who live in Afghanistan might decide to go to work or stay home to avoid attacks that are more likely to happen to Christians near Christmas. They would avoid decorations because they could attract violent people. Many Christians have already left Afghanistan because of the dangerous situation that exists there. I haven’t been in Afghanistan for a while but we never celebrated Christmas there. It was too dangerous. Urte Puodziunaite - I’m from Lithuania so we celebrate quite a European kind of Christmas. We do secret Santa throughout the month of December and we exchange gifts. This is something that they don’t do in Georgia, which I find quite sad, since it’s such a caring thing to do on Christmas eve. I have only been here for a couple of months so I’ve never seen how Georgians celebrate Christmas, but I’m very excited to find out. I’m going back to Lithuania for Christmas, and we’ll celebrate it how we always used to: cook food, invite friends and family and have a good day, open presents and exchange gifts and maybe go out ice skating. Saba Johnson - I’m half-American, half-Georgian, but I always go back to America when it’s Christmas. Even if we’re in Georgia for Christmas, we always celebrate an American kind of Christmas because I think it’s more fun. We exchange tons of gifts, we open our advent cal-
endars, we build gingerbread houses, cook nice food, maybe go to New York, which is something my family does a lot when it’s Christmas, because Christmas in New York is the most beautiful thing you will ever see. Just like any family would, we usually stay home and eat Christmas dinner and talk about random things. It’s very casual, but super fun. Aryana - I’m Iranian so we do a lot of Fasting throughout the month of December. For the first 25 days of December, a great fast is observed, during which no meat, eggs, milk, or cheese is eaten. It is a time of peace and meditation; a time for attending services at the church. When the fast is over, the feast begins. Plenty of meat is prepared for the Christmas dinner. Since I’ve been in Georgia we have been celebrating a Georgian kind of Christmas, which is really fun.
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Zazuka Asatiani- I like all other seniors will
meet the New Year with newly sent applications. It is my sincere wish to be admitted to my top choice colleges, and you know what, this is what all seniors want the year of 2016 to bring.
Ana Sandler- In my perfect world i’d like to
get perfect grades next year without putting so much effort into it also i wish i passed my SATs perfectly and i’d really love to finally write some descent fiction which will be known and liked among people if not in tbilisi at least in our school for the beggining (i have the rights to dream) xD yea i guess that’s all
Liza Lezhava- to study harder, i will be kinder towards others,and write better articles in thwe newspaper
Alex - I’m half-Armenian half-Russian, so I pretty much celebrate Christmas very similar to Georgians - On the 6th of January. We cook food, we sometimes do secret Santa but not always, we invite relatives, watch Christmas movies and sing a lot of songs. Eve Zhang - I’m from China, so Christmas is not a public holiday in my country. China doesn’t have much Christian cultural influence, and most of the people are not Christian (only 1% officially), though it is a public holiday in Macau and Hong Kong. Most Chinese people who celebrate Christmas do so as a happy occasion for get-togethers of friends, relatives, and couples, without any religious attachment. In Beijing, which is where I live, everything’s open. Cinemas, restaurants, shopping malls. It’s basically a winter wonderland. Frankie Canik
New Years Resolutions
George Bekuridze- I want to survive another semester I guess get the prize books in three subjects, last year I got only two help the newspaper come out on time
Tasia Kucan- My new years resolution for
2016 is to stop isolating myself. I’m going to try my best to expand my social circles and become a better communicator
Romin Salikov- New Years resolutions 1. Do things on time. 2. Be more creative 3. Form a schedule Sesili Koberidze - To become a better person
meaning more kind towards everyone
Sofia Javelidze- 2016 is one of the complicated year for me because i am going to pass SAT exams and i hope that i will get high scores. I want to change my daily routine because I don’t have time too meet my friends
Chief Editors: Mariam Aleksishvili Helen Ugulava Copy Editors: Nick Shashkini Tasia Kucan Visual Editor: Gigi Khmaladze Staff: George Bekuridze Anna Davitaia Sophie Javelidze Sesili Koberidze Vato Kizikurashvili Liza Lezhava Dasha Lochoshvili Ana Sandler Romin Salikov Leviko Kiladze Data Ketiladze Frankie Canik Barbara Baramidze Faculty Advisors: Anthony Schierman Ken Goff
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GZAAT GAZETTE
Ski Georgia: Focus on Gudauri
AAT Juniors in Gudauri 2015 till don’t know where to go on your holidays AATers? Don’t worry. With its unparalleled views, amazing colors, festive atmosphere, and the warm welcome for guests, Georgia offers something for everyone in all seasons. This is the time of year, of course, when good times can be had by all on the world-famous slopes of the Caucasus. Snowboarders, skiers and winter enthusiasts across Georgia are invited to enjoy Georgia’s many winter resorts. These resorts can be found at altitudes as much as 3,279 meters and boast 22 ski lifts to transport their guests to their snowy peaks. The best of these resorts may be Gudauri. It was named alongside ski resorts in Scotland, Italy, India, Morocco and others as places worth visiting by culturetrip.com. The site also noted that in the last couple of years, Gudauri has grown to become one of the “premier resorts in the entire Caucasus region.” The ski season in Gudauri runs from December to mid April. Although the snow on the slopes gets up to 2-3 meters deep, the weather remains warm and sunny. Gudauri has around 50 kilometers of tracks with different levels of difficulty, marked and prepared using snowcats. For professionals there are the slalom tracks, the giant-slalom, the super-giant slalom, and the speed slope. Gudauri is also renowned for its free riding opportunities down the virgin slopes. The deep snow and the absence of stones and any avalanche risk make Gudauri an incredibly safe place to ski. In addition, the resort is surrounded by a huge range of off-piste slopes for backcountry and heli skiing.
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Mariam Aleksishvili
Two Temperatures of Winter Holidays
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inter is here! This is the time when travellers choose between two kinds of destinations: cold and hot. Some go somewhere cold to ski while others go somewhere warm to enjoy the
sun. What are some specific destinations around the world that you can go to chill or to feel the heat? The most popular European destinations are Austria and Spain, the first for being the best for winter sports (skiing, snowboarding etc...) and the second the most popular place to escape the cold. In Austria there are two main destinations. The first is Westendorf. This is most fitting for beginning skiers and snowboarders. It is very quiet and doesn’t have a lot of tourists. This is the place is for those who seek a calm and welcoming environment with few people around them. Those who admire natural beauty and want to spend their time in a small, quiet village will be happy there. On the other hand, there is the St. Anton resort which is known for the seemingly unending number of bars and clubs. It has a lot of ski trails that would suit more experienced skiers. It is a good place to go with a group of friends to spend time together partying, clubbing, and skiing. For people who want to feel warm during winter, the best European option would be Spain. The first location would be Almeria. This is a great place because the prices in Spain for accommodations drop considerably during winter. To be more specific, the best location is Agua Amarga, a very warm city with a lot of beaches. Temperatures there rarely drop below 15 degrees Celsius and can reach as high as 22 degrees Celsius during the winter season. The people there are just as warm as the weather. Another warm Spanish vacation option is Murcia. I is a busy city with much more people compared to Agua Amarga. There you will be able to find clubs which give the perfect opportunity to have some fun. You could say it is similar to Agua Amarga but a bit livelier. Across the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S.A has a mixture of both hot and cold places. Aspen, for example, in the state of Colorado is perfect for ski lovers. Those who are more into calm, quiet holidays can enjoy themselves there as well, as it has a population of only 7,500 and expresses the spirit of small American towns. For those who seek other ways of entertainment, the town hosts a lot of festivals and an annual Winter X Games (extreme winter sports competitions). On the other hand we have Key West in Florida. It doesn’t get any snow during the winter and the temperature usually holds at 21. Fortunately it is located on the U.S coastline, allowing its residents to take delight in the wonderful beaches all year long. As a lot of bigger American towns it has clubs and bars so it has all the necessities of a warm holiday location. So what about students from our school? Where do they go during the winter break? Well, as most of you most probably already know, the two most popular places are Bakuriani and Gudauri. George Bekuridze
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Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens
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ver since the credits rolled in Episode III, the final chapter in the arguably disappointing prequel trilogy, Star Wars fans have been thirsty for more. Now, after more than a decade of waiting, a new trilogy is upon us. But, even as millions of people around the world flock to their local cinemas to begin a new journey in a galaxy far, far away, some questions still linger in the air. How does the film stack up against the classic episodes? Was Harrison Ford’s performance worth the hype? And, most importantly, is JJ Abrams’ vision enough to finally erase Jar Jar Binks from our memory? Let’s dive in. The Good Right from the start, we’re thrust into a coherent story that’s fun and easy to follow. (So, no more trade disputes and elections…) The action sequences are brilliant, as are the visuals in general. (especially the lightsabers) As for the characters, the old guard delivers a fantastic performance, Ford in particular. But, thankfully, the film doesn’t spend dwell too long on its returning cast, the new story being firmly in focus. The fresh faces don’t disappoint, either. The Bad At times, it feels like the film just expects the viewer to put off questions until the next installment. Background information on the new factions is pretty scarce, and the depth behind some characters suffers as a result. Of course, that may have been the case when A New Hope first hit the theatres as well, but it can’t be ignored that this approach hurts the film when viewed on its own. The Ugly The story takes more than a few cues from the original films. Granted, most qualify as homages, but there are a few notable exceptions, such as the final battle of the film which feels more than inspired by Episodes IV and VI. 4/5 stars Nick Shashkini
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GZAAT GAZETTE
Winter Trends at GZAAT Winter is right around the corner. It’s getting
colder and colder every day, which means that people have begun to pull out the winter wardrobes from the back of the closet as well as hit the shops for new additions to their cold weather classics. These seasonal trends can be spotted in the hallways of our school, and especially in the early mornings along catwalk leading up to our building as the students arrive for class. Last year, the most popular outfit for girls was a puffy down coat over a skin-tone or black knitted sweater, skinny jeans or leggings and of course - UGGs. For guys, it was a down vest, a dark or black turtleneck sweater, plain, semi-baggy jeans and sneakers. Even though there are some classics that never change, many trends have faded away and been replaced. For example, long, thin traditional scarves are being replaced by huge, blanket-like ones. These new scarves are better than the previous ones for various reasons: first of all, they are fuzzier. They are also warmer, bigger and cuter than the old ones. Everyone likes clothes or accessories that are comfortable, which is why UGGs are a staple when it comes to winter fashion. Timberlands, a type of lumberjack boot, are also making a comeback this season. Also, unlike last year, the number of bright colored and neon puffy coats is dramatically decreasing and being replaced with skin-tone, black or pastel coats that are thinner. Sweaters, jeans and leggings are here stay. Even in winter time, warmth is not the only criterion for choosing outfits, as our fashion correspondent discovered during her morning stakeout on the AAT catwalk, watching what her fellow students were wearing to school. Liza: Hi, Likuna! Why did you decide to wear a thin black and white knitted sweater and a pair of black pants? Likuna: Well, I really like to be warm and comfy, and this sweater is warm and kind of comfortable, so, why not? And those pants match the sweater. Liza: Hi, Mariam! Why are you wearing black onesie with a black jacket and black ankle boots? Mariam: Black matches my soul... Liza: Hey, Elene! Why did you decide to wear a black pair of pants, a nude sparkly sweater and a white coat? Elene: Well I rarely wear nudes, but today was kinda warm so I decided to change up my style a bit. Liza: Hey, Mia! I noticed you are wearing a nice poncho. Why did you choose to wear it? Mia: This is a very special poncho because my mom got it for me in Nepal so it has all oriental prints around it and it’s so warm and comfortable at the same time! I’m in love with it! Liza: Zakro, hi! Why are you wearing skinny jeans and a fuzzy coat? Zakro: Because it’s cold and it’s the first thing I saw. As you can see, there’s a great variety among what our students wear to school, and -- to be honest -- it seems that fashion is not really a pri-
ority for most. Perhaps because it’s the end of the semester and most kids are too busy getting their work done to think about fashion? Liza Lezhava
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of the first semester, students and teachers gather together at school and have fun instead of working. We, the faculty, and, hopefully, the students as well, think it is a great day, filled with positivity and good memories. Gazette: When does the Christmas party usually take place and who are the organizers? Tamuna: Last year we had the Christmas party on Thursday, one day before the school ended, so on the second day we could gather at school and share our impressions of the party. But this year we have decided that it will be on the 25th of December, on the last day before the break. As for the organizers, everyone usually tries to play some part in getting ready. The student body and some teachers prepare together; some decorate the school, some bring food and drinks. One of our teachers, Zuka, is responsible for technical things, like getting a DJ, setting up the lights and getting everything ready in general. Gazette: As I know, each year, a couple of students are chosen to be the anchors of the party. How are they chosen and what are their responsibilities?
The GZAAT Christmas Party: a Look Back
Tamuna: Each year two students from the senior class are chosen to be the masters of ceremony. We choose seniors so that every class gets a chance to present two students each year. They lead the “show”. They introduce bands, plan some games and generally try to keep up the good mood of the crowd. As for the games played during the party, we try to choose some familiar games that everyone knows and are very fun: like musical chairs, dance-offs and others. Gazette: And each year you have some nominations, right? Tamuna: Yes, each year miss and mister elegance are nominated and they get some symbolic prizes. Teachers and anchors are the judges. They observe everyone and by the end of the evening the winners are chosen.
The holidays are a magical time for many across the globe, and our school is no exception. At the end of each December, our students and faculty members have fun together at the school’s annual Christmas party. How did this tradition begin? We asked Dean of Students Tamuna Mikaberidze for a brief account of its history. Gazette: When did the tradition of the Christmas party start? Tamuna: The Christmas party has been a part of the school’s tradition since its establishment. In the first year, the faculty decided that it would be nice to have some kind of celebration for Christmas. Gazette: Has the idea been successful? Tamuna: Of course it has. Each year, after the end
Gazette: And lastly, Tamuna, why do you think that the Christmas party is such an important part of the AAT culture? Tamuna: The Christmas party is just a positive day in general. Everyone is feeling the Christmas spirit and everyone gets excited. We have a halfday on Christmas party day and students have some time to go home, get ready and then come back. It’s a day of celebration where faculty and students get closer together, everyone has fun and leaves with handful of happy memories. We hope that this year’s party will be as successful as last year’s. Sesili Koberidze
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GZAAT GAZETTE Dear Asmat
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to makeup, still follow the same rule: Focus either on eyes, or the lips. Start off with basics: Foundation, powdering and stuff like that. For such an occasion, try contouring and highlighting. When it comes to eyes, try some shimmery gold or silver shadows and their undertones. Base color and supporting ones should work as a whole, so experiment a day before if you are not familiar with doing eye makeup. When it comes to lips, try choosing either a beautiful shade of light colored liquid lipstick or a bold colored one. Avoid lip glosses and pencils. Use waterproof mascara. Have fun!
I am writing to tell you about my problems regarding what to wear at the Christmas party. I have been thinking about it a lot recently, but I have not made up my mind yet. What do you recommend? Thank you, Anonymous. Dear Anonymous, you’re not the only one concerned about what to wear at the Christmas party. It’s a big deal for everyone in school. Every year people try to do their best when it comes to choosing their outfits, because let’s be honest -- the photos and the memories stay for the rest of the year, if not forever. I definitely know what you are experiencing because even Asmat has trouble with choosing what to wear. The main advice I can give you is to start planning couple of days ahead so that you won’t stress about what to wear a few hours before the party. If you are a girl, any formal or semi-formal dress would do fine. Remember, don’t underdress, because most of the girls will definitely overdress. It’s like a tradition in our school. Girls, especially juniors and seniors, dress like they are going to the prom. If you are a guy, there’s less pressure because some guys are often too lazy to spend time on choosing a decent outfit. Still, the shirt and suit combo is the classic. It’s a once-in-a year event so put some effort into it! When it comes to shoes, girls love to look very fancy, but really, if you are going to spend whole party in the girl’s bathroom or literally crawling in the auditorium, DO NOT wear heels. No one is obliged to wear them and they can be really uncomfortable, so if shoes can ruin your day simply don’t wear them. Other than that, don’t forget to have fun, after all that’s what parties are for! Dear Asmat, There is going to be a huge winter-themed party near the lake. Do you have any tips on looking stunning for a New Year’s Eve event? Thank you, Anonymous. Dear Anonymous, For an event like that I suggest wearing a very formal dress, black or light brown heels or flats and a purse. If the dress is going to be black or of a plain color, try brightening it up with a statement necklace or a colorful bag. If your dress is shimmery, wear shoes that have only one color. The main thing to follow is that only one of the pieces of outfit should stand out. When it comes
Around the World in Five Christmas Dinners
American holiday of Thanksgiving in November. In France the long dinner named réveillon is usually held on Christmas Eve. A party, lasting till after midnight, follows it. Common dishes include smoked salmon, goose or duck. Traditional dessert is a Christmas cake “La Buche de Noel” made with cream, eggs, cocoa powder sugar and vanilla. In Eastern Europe there’s a tradition to serve twelve elaborated meatless dishes. They are usually served on Christmas Eve, December 24th, because pre-Christmas season is a time of fasting, not cooking. A traditional meal in the Czech republic, for example, is carp and potato salad. The main ingredients are carp, flour, egg milk, bread crumbs and vegetable oil. The carp is served along with the potato salad, which consists of: potatoes, carrots, onion, sugar, pepper, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. This tradition started after excessive increase of fishpond cultivation in the Baroque area. In Georgia, the, most traditional Christmas dish is satsivi, which is chicken served in a walnut, garlic, and herbs sauce. Also, no Georgian family celebrates Christmas without churchkhela, which is a string of walnut halves that have been dipped in a grape juice and flour mixture called tatara and dried in the sun. The other major holiday dessert is gozinaki which contains walnuts, honey, sugar, eggs. Barbara Baramidze
Globally, more than two billion people celebrate Christmas, celebrating this joyful holiday in different ways. Unique dishes and traditions are essential to them all. This article describes five different traditional Christmas dishes in five different cultures. In the United Kingdom, Christmas dinner is usually eaten in the afternoon. Traditionally, it consists of roast turkey or goose, or sometimes of ham or pork. The meat is served along with roast potatoes and different vegetable salads. A common tradition in the United Kingdom is to use the turkey’s’ wishbone to make a wish. Two people pull the opposite ends of a wishbone until it breaks, the person holding the larger side of a wishbone makes a wish. Many Christmas customs in the United States have been adopted from the United Kingdom, although other European influences are clearly distinguishable. Accordingly, the mainstays of the English table are also found in the United States: cranberry sauce, turkey, stuffing or dressing, corn, squashes, and green beans are common. Dessert often reflects the ethnic background of the participants, but examples include pumpkin pie (pictured above), marzipan, pfeffernusse, sugar cookies, panettone, fruitcake, apple pie, carrot cake, oreo pie, and mince pie. Ham or roast beef is often served instead of turkey, particularly since turkey is the mainstay at dinner for the
A Local’s Guide to Singapore From green corridors to hot springs, this hectic city-state has a skyscraper-free side that even locals do not know about. Singapore’s Grassy Train Line When the 23km-long railway line leading from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands was shut down in July 2011, the abandoned trail along the tracks experienced a surge in visitors hiking its quiet, green-lined tracks. The route starts near the central business district in Singapore and goes northwest, across railway bridges and through Singapore’s priciest and most beautiful real estate. While there is still debate as to what the land should be used for, nature groups are trying to save the area and turn into a “green pathway”. Today, these very groups lead strolls across the area, perfect for when you want to loose some extra pounds during the holiday season or if you’re looking for a way to relieve stress. Hot springs in Sembawang From the outside, the barbed-wire gated fence seems more like a military base than a hot spring, but once inside, you can enjoy the water drawn from a tapped underground spring. Take a plastic tub, draw some water from the tap, and sit back with the locals. First discovered in 1909, the springs had their water bottled by soft-drink company Fraser and Neave and were later turned into baths by the Japanese during World War II. The springs are still pumping out water 100 years on. This historical location is ideal for a soothing day out with some pals. Bukit Brown Cemetery How often do you find a cemetery that you want to visit just for the heck of it? Bukit Brown is Singapore’s oldest cemetery, containing a whooping 100,000 graves. Many of these graves are carved in Chinese-style etchings. If you really want to feel like you’re a local, take a morning stroll and observe the place where most of the country’s pioneers were buried.
Tasia Kucan
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GZAAT GAZETTE
A Stocking Full of Christmas Movies
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Meditation
Christmas Vacation
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oliday season is upon us once again. Time to gather consenting friends and family members, snuggle up on the sofa, fire up the TV and watch...Home Alone. Or is it? If you’re tired of watching the same old films, here’s a list of some holiday-themed films to spice up your viewing experience this year. Nick Shashkini
Scrooged
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hough the Vacation franchise is better known for its hilarious road trip movies, the Grizwold family is just as funny when it stays at home for Christmas. With Chevy Chase reprising his iconic role of Clark Grizwold, laughter will never be in short supply throughout your viewinag.
Love Actually
hen we think of meditation, we tend to connect it with spirituality and Eastern culture. Although, meditation did arise in the East, it is much more than spirituality and chanting ‘Om’. Believe it or not, sitting and meditating for 20 minutes twice a day makes a huge difference. Your field of consciousness expands, empathy grows, and stress is eliminated. Through meditation, you start having a positive attitude towards life and yourself. Research has been conducted on meditation programs at 250 independent universities and medical schools, and these are the results they came up with for those who practice regular meditation: · 21% increase in high school graduation rate · 10% improvement in test scores and GPA · Increased attendance and decreased suspensions for high school students · Reduced ADHD symptoms and symptoms of other learning disorders · Increased intelligence and creativity · 40% reduction in psychological distress, including stress, anxiety and depression
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n this hilarious modernised version of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a successful television executive who alienates people left to right with his cold-hearted ambition. But, if there’s a holiday that can change his mind, it’s Christmas. Fun for both friends and family.
It’s a Wonderful Life
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hough romantic comedies often get a bad name, this film is very much the exception in the genre. With big name stars like Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant, it’s at least a cut above the rest. Ten distinct plotlines intertwined through love guide and set the stage for a truly special Christmas. Recommended viewing for the more romantically inclined among you.
The Santa Clause
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hough the visuals may verge on the antiquated side of things more than half a century after its first screening, the film’s heartwarming message still rings as crisply as ever. James Stewart portrays George Bailey, a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve. But the world isn’t giving up on him yet. Angel Clarence Odbody, played by the lovable Henry Travers, takes George on a journey to show him how life would be different had he never been born. Sad and heartwarming at the same time.
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film that begins with a 38 year old man killing Santa Claus sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but somehow Tim Allen’s performance as the protagonist makes it work. Fun and unstereotypical, it’s a great viewing experience for people of all ages.
According to other studies, people who don’t meditate have strong neural connections between the Me center (Medial prefrontal cortex, processes information related to you) and the bodily sensation centers of the brain. This means that the emotional side of our brain overrides the frontal lobe, and inhibits non-meditators from making rational decisions. However, if you meditate twice a day for twenty minutes, the strong connections between the Me Center and the fear center begin to wither. As these connections break down, so will anxiety. After meditating, you will be able to look at things from a more rational perspective. Romin Salikov
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GZAAT GAZETTE Young Georgian Playwright Inspires AAT Community
On Friday, the 4th of December, Davit Gabunia, a young and popular playwright and translator, visited the American Academy as a guest-speaker and read a lecture on the topic “Why do we need a theater today?” He is the translator of two Harry Potter books as well as the works of Strindberg, Ibsen, Shakespeare, and some modern dramatists. In an interview with us, in speaking about his work as a translator he says: “I wouldn’t say that people should not read books just because they are translated, and it also depends on a translator of a book, although if there’s an opportunity to read a book in its original language, the chance should not be missed. In addition, the role of a translator is very essential and it is a great responsibility, as translators build bridges between different cultures. Because I am a professor of English and Swedish and I read a lot, I have a desire to share it with other people as well, that’s the reason I chose to become a translator. While being a translator you’re limited; you’re limited in expressing yourself, and you have to write something that someone else has already written.” Davit is a great dramatist as well, and his plays are put on the stages of various theatres in Tbilisi, Poti and Batumi. On being a playwright he says that he would advise young writers to not be afraid of being ordinary, and not to try to be original, because the ordinary events which happen everyday are always the most interesting for him, personally. He wants new writers to embrace simplicity instead of trying to say something extraordinary. According to Davit, if a person writes about something he knows best, it will make it the most original material. Davit Gabunia started the lecture by explaining how theater has influenced his life and is now a form of expression he can’t live without. He continued his speech with background information on how he started writing short stories and how his first comedy play, My Wedding Dress, was his friend’s idea. As he is interested in gender, in this play he imputed women’s problems to men, and as he answered the question from the audience: “He wanted to show a woman’s condition, who couldn’t develop and accomplish anything because of the traditions in the society.” In the interview he also talked about the main goal of his work: “To put it simply, there are some issues that bother me and I want to share them with
others, which I think is important.” In the lecture, he mentioned, that he has watched the same play, the Greek Tragedy by Euripides Trojan Women, more than seventy times and experienced different feelings at each viewing, although the play stayed the same and he knew each part of it by heart, the most important was how the audience reacted. It was contagious. and Davit repeats that the theater is a part of modern life for him. He tried to make his lecture a bit humorous and made “the forest of faces”, as he called the audience, smile many times. He also mentioned how he has discovered opera and has transformed from a teenage boy who was listening to Nirvana, to what he is today, though he still listens to this group sometimes. In answer to a question from the audience about the most memorable experience he has had in a theater, he remembered when he saw Othello about seven years ago on the big stage of the Marjanishvili Theater. It was a production by the famous Lithuanian producer Eimuntas Nekroshius, about whom, to his shame, he did not know anything at that time, before he saw the play. In the end of his lecture, he said: “In the 21st Century people say that everything can be put on a USB flash drive, nevertheless the only exception is theater.” Finally, we asked him about how he liked the audience and he stated: “I thought that more people would yawn, more of them would get bored, but it happened less than I expected.” More importantly, a number of students remembered his lecture and discussed it as an example in different classes. As for his collaboration with our school, he mentions his visit to our theater elective last year, and expresses his happiness at being invited again to the American Academy. As he says, he would love to collaborate with our school in the future, and it will be a great pleasure for him.
Levan Kiladze
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A Head Full of Cash
Coldplay’s 2015 album A Head Full of Dreams delivers an unexpected amount of oversold optimism, striking a sharp contrast to the 2014’s Ghost Stories. A Head Full of Dreams amplifies everything Coldplay represents, with the album emphasizing on how one should enjoy and live life, just like they used to before the release of Ghost Stories, which was influenced by Chris Martin’s breakup with the famous actress Gwyneth Paltrow. The return to the original core of the band has its side effects though, with the album being awfully similar to the 2011 album Mylo Xyloto, which just like A Head Full of Dreams, was a colorful album representing the happiness in life. That and a lack of originality in the album may mean that Coldplay, as a band have lost their driving force, which constantly made and helped them improve and expand the reach and the depth of their music. The guest appearances of artists such as Noel Gallagher, Beyonce and Trev Lo also shows us the kind of global band Coldplay have become, meaning that the days when they were used to be known for the quality of their music may long be gone and that the pressure from their enormous fame made them release an unfinished album which lacked originality, and sophistication. However, A Head Full of Dreams still delivers the outlook on life for which Coldplay is and was always known for. That may be the only upside of the album, which otherwise failed to deliver in terms of the quality of the content. The contrast to previous album, Ghost Stories seems to be deliberately made in order to make the album more marketable and appealing and make the band seem that they haven’t lost their driving factor, which may not be completely true considering the quality of the record itself. Data Ketiladze
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A Home for All - Catharsis
GZAAT GAZETTE
Catharsis is a network of social support centers for elderly people which has existed in six Georgian towns for 25 years. Catharsis is funded through the support of different organizations and donations, so everything in these centers is free for the elderly: library, gym, café, computer lab, second-hand clothes room, doctor’s cabinet, relaxing room, dining room, and shelter. On average, three hundred elderly beneficiaries visit the Catharsis shelter during the day and leave at night, but currently there are 14 people who actually live there. Most of them have lost their dwellings, or never had a home, thus having the special privilege of residing at the center. One of the visitors, Nodar Mamuladze, who has been visiting Catharsis for over four years, says “People, building, everything here is good”. A woman, who like many other has lost her home because of bank-related issues and now lives in the shelter, and says: “Catharsis helped me to get out of the critical situations in my life.” She also states that she has gained many close friends during her stay. Catharsis’s doors are always open for volunteers. There are all sorts of tasks for both boys and girls. The girls usually help out as waitresses in the dining room. The boys, on the other hand, do work which requires physical strength, such as cleaning windows and rooms. Volunteers also assist the passive elderly by reading books and newspapers, and serving them when they’re unable to stand up. Anyone who wishes to volunteer should register by writing a letter with a list of tasks they’re willing to do, and how often they’re going to help out at the center. This is a great opportunity for you to communicate, get experience, and most importantly give a helping hand someone in need. Dasha Lochoshvili
to maintain the illusion that it’s actually possible to maintain a 4.0 GPA? Well, according to a series of top-secret interviews that I conducted with three straight A students from grades 9 through 11, it seems that their accomplishments are based less on inherent genius and more on organization and dedication. According to these successful students, the best way to achieve academic success is to establish high grades as a priority and then develop a daily routine which will allow you to keep up with your assignments and reach your goals. Be concerned about what lies ahead of you Firstly, these straight A students seem to take the long view: all three expressed a concern about their future. According to them, they want to get good grades in school because this will help them to achieve their future goals. For Ana Sandler, a high GPA will increase her chances of future success in the form of admission to a great university and, later, a high paying job anywhere in the world. Freshman Luka Mgalobishvili states that he will be more likely to get accepted to MIT (his dream university), if he has a high GPA. Hard Work and Consistency To clear a common misconception, straight A students don’t study quicker in any way. They are simply consistent and hard working. On average, they spend 3-5 hours per night on homework. And although some say that they may be inherently intelligent, a daily routine is what keeps them in check. I’ve also noticed that straight A students tend to put their school work before leisure time activities because, they believe, ‘’it will eventually get paid back’’- Ana. Study All Subjects Equally While there are some subjects that they like more than others, straight A students tend to believe that learning all subjects is important. Elene Ugulava, from the 11th grade, claims that “in every subject there is at least one topic, or one book that will interest you, so it’s worth reading a few pages of seemingly useless information, if it’s going to help you find something you’re truly passionate about.”’ No Shortcuts
Work Hard, Don’t Play Too Hard
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ave you ever wondered how some students manage to get straight As? What dark secrets are they hiding from us? How do those ‘’smart-alecks’’ manage to do everything? Are they even actually human, or are they androids that have been planted among us by the faculty,
And if you have been wondering whether there are any shortcuts to studying, according to our diligent students the answer is no. Cheating, of course, is not a good idea either, because ‘’there is a high risk of getting caught, and it is of no use since you don’t learn anything,’’ (Ana) not to mention that it is dishonest and morally reprehensible. Once again, this shows that hard work is simply inevitable. To Schedule or Not to Schedule, That Is the Question. There seems to be no one single recipe for aca-
Issue #3
demic success, and different students take different approaches to getting their work done well and on time. It comes as a big surprise to learn that not all straight A students have fixed routines. For example, students like Ana and Elene have flexible schedules and somehow manage to do everything on time, while Luka starts doing his homework right away after school everyday. There is no better way to end this article than to quote Luka Mgalobishvili’s advice to the students of GZAAT: ‘’Learning in such a school as GZAAT is a privilege, and our parents pay a lot of money, so no matter how hard it is, put forth your best effort. Studying should be your number one priority.’’ Romin Salikov
Alumni Series
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or the third in our series of interviews with GZAAT alumni our correspondent interviewed Sophio Butikashvili, who left Georgia earlier this year to attend university in the United States. 1.When did you graduate from the American Academy? -I graduated in 2015. 2.Which university are you attending and what is your major? -Currently, I am studying in the Mount Holyoke College. It is a liberal arts college and I have not declared my major yet, but I am thinking about International Relations. 3.How is the system of education at your university different from the one at AAT? -Actually, the system itself is not very different. I have 4 classes: World Politics; Philosophy of Law; Media in the United States; Words Changing the World. All of them are reading and writing intensive classes. Almost in all of my classes, I have to participate in discussions as I used to have in AAT. The difference is in the size of classes. Here I have at least 40 people in each class and participation becomes even more difficult. There is a lot of work to do here compared to high school. 4.Can you tell us more about your university with its professors? -It is a very good university, academics are well known and respected. Everyone is very friendly here and everyone tries to help you. Mount Holyoke has a small campus set in a small beautiful town in the pioneer valley. Mount Holyoke is a part of a consortium with other schools in the area such as Amherst and Smith Colleges. This means we can take classes for credit in other schools. I am going to take a History class at Amherst College for the spring semester. The professors are friendly, they try to help you in everything. You can email the professor all your questions about the homework at any time and they will be happy to help you as soon as possible. 5.Can you tell us a little bit about your college friends? and people who attend generally? -Students are very nice to each other, you can usually have conversation with everyone. I made friends with people from my classes from my dorm. I have a very good roommate and when we have free time we try to spend it together. On weekends we try to explore new places, we go to the different towns near South Hadley. 6. What do you do in your free time? tell us more about yourself, your hobbies and your interests. -I don’t have that much free time, but when I do I try to participate in different activities. I am interested in foreign languages and I am trying to read books in different languages to not forget them. 7. Do you miss your home country? -I do, I miss Georgia very much but time passes very quickly and most of the time I am too busy to be homesick. 8. When you graduate from university, will you come back to Georgia? if yes, why? -After graduation, I am going to pursue a master’s degree here and I want to try to find a job to gain experience. When I think that I am qualified enough I will come back. I am going to major in International Relations and I think with returning to Georgia I will be able to help improve my country’s political situation. Sophie Javelidze
Issue #3
GZAAT GAZETTE After the Flood: Tbilisi Zoo Reopens with as Many Questions as Answers
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monkeys, and hoofed animals -- will be transported from other zoos in the region (Armenia and Azerbaijan) as well as from Europe.“These new animals will inhabit our zoo by spring,” Ms. Bochorishvili told us. ustavi 2 has been the widest, most developed But what about the zoo’s location? What if such and popular broadcasting company ever crea catastrophe is repeated? Are there any plans to ated in post soviet Georgian Republic. Founded transport the zoo to some other place? To this in 1994, the company served as a local station in Ms. Bochorishvili responded that there are plans the town of Rustavi. However, it quickly gained to move the zoo to a location near the Tbilisi Sea national acknowledgement and became well and that the borders have already been constructknown. Being a first free, critical voice at the time ed, however she also pointed out that this is going of Eduard Shevardnadze, this channel became to take several years so the zoo will remain at its revolutionary. Throughout the history, there have current location for the time being. In addition, been several attempts to close it, though with the Ms. Bochorishvili explained that the reconstruchuge support of the citizens, television managed tion of the current zoo location has become quite to maintain itself. The history of Rustavi 2 is full expensive and it is still in progress: “Even though of mysteries, continuing to confuse the society. the cages weren’t greatly damaged, the zoo had to The most famous and rumored was the murder be completely cleaned and new cages are currentof a TV host and investigative journalist Giorgi ly being constructed which requires much financSanaia (2001). As reported by the journalist’s Even today, six months after this tragic event ing.” Thus, the Tbilisi Zoo is still going through family for years, the murder was never properly took place, signs of the June 2015 flood which quite hard times in its history. investigated. Many cases connected to Rustavi ravaged sections of central Tbilisi are still visible. How do visitors view these ongoing events? In or2 show, that unresolved issues remain vividly a Although the “Akhali Gza” -- the road which runs der to find out, we interviewed some guests at the close link between politics and information, with along the hardest hit areas -- has been re-opened, zoo. It was discovered that, overall, the visitors uninterrupted attempts by the former/present the sections of the zoo which abut this road still are quite content with the new condition of the government to subordinate its own interests. The bear noticeable scars. Great, empty expanses of zoo despite the fact that some aspects still have chaotic and complicated aspects of this compacked earth cover the space previously occuto be improved: “Even though the sanitary levels plex relationship are likely to destruct the many pied by lions, tigers and bears and the row of seems quite low, the way the zoo looks now is steps forward made by the freedom of press and cages which previously housed the baboons and much better compared to what it used to be,” one information in Georgia. If we take a look at the other large mammals sit empty and surrounded visitor remarked. “What we’d improve here is the present, modern history, the same inference can by debris: a reminder of the tragic fates suffered level of cleanness,”added another visitors. Others be made about the events taking place in Sepby many of these animals. Repairing the zoo has pointed out that some of the animals seem to be tember 2015. A former co-owner of the channel, been an ongoing process, and while it was finally more comfortable in their new cages. However Kibar Khalvashi has claimed to be a current reopened in October, the situation remains far most people interviewed expressed dissatisfacowner too, causing a risk of bankruptcy and from normal. So what is the zoo like now? How tion with the zoo’s current location, thinking that closure of the company. Khalvashi has requested has it changed? How do visitors feel about its it mustn’t be situated in the center of the city. intellectual property of the logo and some procurrent incarnation? Finally, despite all the problems, the Tbilisi Zoo grammes, for which he required 500,000 dollars To learn more about this issue, the GZAAT Garemains a destination beloved by children: “We in damages. He also demanded back the shares zette spoke with Irma Bochorishvili, the direcalways have fun here with our kids on Saturdays... he purchased in 2004 and sold in two tranches tor of the Tbilisi Zoo’s Research and Education well, as much as possible of course,” said a visitor between 2005 and 2006, a transfer he states he Department, Ms. Bochorishvili’s responsibilities with a smile. was forced to perform by direct pressure of the include looking after the animals and the enviIn all, it can be seen that the local zoo has gone president Mikheil Saakashvili, who would later ronment in which they live, as well as teaching through many tough, even horrible events and use the channel as a propaganda tool for his gov- volunteers from different schools how to work even though it is still undergoing repairs, stepernment. The government of “Georgian Dream” with the animals. She also arranges field trips by-step it is improving and hopefully it will agreed with the claim and “helped” the court to with the volunteers for the same purpose. Accontinue to evolve into a very fine zoo in the notestablish a final verdict. Choosing a judge with cording to Ms. Bochorishvili, one of the major too-distant future. a criminal background, the ultimate verdict was problems currently facing the zoo is a lack of dictated by the people, instead of the judge. visitors: “For some reason, people think that the Ana Sandler Urktmelidze’s mother was accused of a murder zoo is still closed and they rarely come, while in of her son-in-law using the axe. It’s easy to guess reality it’s not true at all,” she said. Indeed, these the aim of the government. However, no one can days the zoo seems quite empty and lonesome, as deny, that Rustavi 2 was a quiet biased television if the tragic events of the past are still affecting it. at times, supporting a specific political party. Also, the zoo’s overall layout has changed, particStill, the quality of the product made by Rustavi ularly the placement of the animals’ cages: “We 2, was far better, comparing to any other televihave some new cages for lions, leopards and the sion. Finally, the story finished with a happy end. hippopotamus and a new cage for monkeys is in Rustavi 2 still continues working and creating a the process of being constructed,” Ms. Bochorproduct In my opinion, every kind of a unity of ishvili informs us. It can really be seen that the people, including a broadcasting company, has a conditions in which some of the animals live right to exist. For biased people expressing their have improved: the new cages are much larger thoughts, is also an unbreakable part of a freeand contain a bigger variation of flora inside. dom of speech. Along with a lack of guests, the flood has brought some other major problems, such as a great de Anna Davitaia crease in the amount of animals living at the zoo. “Many animals died in the flood, mostly predators,” explains Ms. Bochorishvili. But, according to her, this is going to be improved as various species -- including tigers and other predators,
Case of Rustavi 2– legitimate claim or political demand?
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