STEM (voice)

!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Hello MLC Girls, Welcome to the first issue of Stem! This magazine is brought to you by a team of nine year 11 Students to bring a voice to the students of MLC, and to provide you with entertainment and knowledge. This magazine is for all to share, with different sections: art, food, philosophy, general knowledge and literature, as well as some featured articles there are many reviews and fun short articles to read!

In the future we hope that this magazine continues, being the first MLC Magazine, which provides all students with a voice! We have put in time and effort during our enlightenment period to conduct research and provide a variety of articles with hand drawn images and photographs! Featured in this issue we have fun articles such as beauty, food and poetry and interesting articles such as philosophy, capitalism and literature. As this is student voice based, we hope to receive some great feedback!

We hope you all enjoy!

From the Year 11 Stem team: Simrin, Sarah, Sandhya, Bianca, Himalee, Nikita, Isabella, Tahlia and Madeleine

!

In this issue…

Introductory: “Bits and bobs” Current affairs: "A political comment" "The story of a confused youth" "It’s a wild world" "Bottle bother" "Do we need the Grinch to steal Christmas?"

“Join the green revolution" Time to think: "The 2012 phenomenon: a Myan myth "Bet your lucky stars" "Why does the moon shine?"

"The world is asking questions" "Mathematical beauty" "A bit of symbology" "Noetic science" Artistic: "Poetry - forlorn night & don't tell them" "Kent House showcase" "Bianca and Patrick" Reviews: "Recommended books" "Movie reviews" "Dyad 1929" A bit of fun: "Ballet for beginners: crash course 101" "How to plan the perfect picnic" "Thrifty eating" "Chilli mudcrab" "Cliquedy-cliques" "First day"

!

terra plana juniper.

Eureka! These gorgeous high heels are quite a find. The environmental shoes provide are lightweight, comfortable and sustainable, coming in a variety of vegetable tanned leathers, suedes and recycled quilt.

Go to www.terraplana.com and check them out.

i adore myself.

Yayoi Kusama's artistic philosophy is simple: make dots. Via never-ending replication, these dots morph into avant garde forms, from infinite phalli to watery fireflies. I adore myself follows the artist over one and a half years. We see Kusama's genius stretching from Japan to New York. This film shows an artist frightened by war, obsessed by love, ridiculously talented and brilliantly dotty.

You won’t even want to blink.

! pulp creative paper.

Forget smiggle, this store at 185 pittwater road manly is full of cute paper surprises for the creative junkies. They are open between 10am and 5pm from Monday through Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday.

Full of twee papers and decorative items, its perfect for Kris Kringle.

harvest.

With its modest street frontage and unique motif, this vegetarian restaurant provides a romantic European dining experience. The decadent wall paint and fairy lights bring strong character to the small restaurant. Pop down to 71 evans street, rozelle, any day but Monday for a scrumptious experience.

!

! ! !

the lost art of the fan.

The stiff structure of their society lead the lovely ladies of the Victorian era to find other ways to flirt with their victims.

Developing an entire language with flicks and flutters of their fans. Cool right?

Sounds better than hitching up your skirt at the station. If the 80’s are back why not the Victorians?

skull candy.

Add some colour to your school commutes! They’ll brighten up any dull morning, with hundreds of custom designs on offer. These supercool headphones don’t just produce great sound quality- they’re pretty much an accessory in themselves. Check out the range at www.skullcandy.com

! ! !

emperor puffs.

Tucked away in one of the main streets of China Town is a hidden treasure, invisible to the untrained eye; a tiny hole-in-the wall bakery, selling these delicious custard balls. These bite-sized pastries are filled with hot, delectable custard, and are pure ambrosia. At only a 30c a pop this has to be one of Sydney’s greatest golden little secrets.

grub and tucker lemonade.

Newtown boasts a diverse array of delicious delights to sink your teeth into, but this is definitely a favourite.

Located on King St the Grub and Tucker Café is a cheap and friendly place to grab lunch. Accompany your lunch with one of these flavoured lemonades.

Between blueberry, raspberry and cranberry, it is a tough decision to make.

WORDS SARAH PLUMMER, ISABELLA MARTIN, HIMALEE RAJ & TAHLIA DAVIES

Riding on the boom of the second industrial revolution in the 1870’s and the ideals of democracy America began its ascent to power and continued to establish its brand of laissez-faire capitalism through the 20th century, through this time America’s economy amounted to 20% of the global economy, however only 4.6% of the population. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, US politicians predicted a ‘New American Century’, based on America’s military superiority (in the post war period American military expenditure was more than all other nations on earth combined) and victory over communism. America became characterized as a hegemonic power; though criticized on the global stage for its lack of regulation in the market, consumerism, willingness to sacrifice social capital for material gain and use violence and threat as tools of democracy. However, the assumption of secure power was flawed and ultimately arrogant. The fact was, while America pictured the global stage as unipolar, globalization began to cause a tendency toward multipolarity and a rise of the eastern tiger economies such as China, India and Taiwan. This was fueled by the boom of outsourcing; new money. It is becoming increasingly hard to distinguish between the developed world and parts of the developing world such as Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taiwan.

a political comment…

Nikita Simpson Change is an almost impossible concept for humans to grasp; for fear of tomorrow is what always governs today.

But the fact is, in our global society, in view of recent events, we stand on the eve of change. We find it difficult to envisage let alone accept a world where the tables may be turned. However, this is exactly what is happening. Even 5 years ago, nobody would have contemplated that global economic and political power would have shifted, or even have the potential shift. All we have ever known is the domination of the

west, from the Roman Empire, to the era of European colonization and finally to American capitalism, the baton of power has been passed through the varying stages of the west, stretching its tendrils through the globe. For developing countries, westernization was synonymous with promise. For it was the west who had the better standard of living, the established infrastructure, military power, economic security and the power to iron out inequalities and abide by human rights. To become modern you had to become western, therefore western began to be imprinted on the globe.

Goldman Sachs has predicted that America will be eclipsed by China as the world’s largest economy by 2027.

This rise is not to be taken lightly.

China brand of communism with capitalistic principles has the potential to be lethal. China’s supremacy will not be simply economic; they may exercise their power politically, culturally and defensively; overturning the current international system. Will the western world be overshadowed by the growing strength of China? Will china become the world’s hegemonic power? Or will we continue on as a globalized society of conflicting political ideals?

!

the story of a confused youth.

By Nikita Simpson I have quite a love for observance, ever since I was a child, watching people go about their daily business has always been one of my favorite pastimes. Walking through the city streets, feeling part of a system, part of a society in all its diversity. Approaching Christmas time, we see a consumerist cloud of glitter and receipts descend on the city. The supreme irony, humility wrapped in gift wrap and sold to the highest bidder. While observing this, I asked myself the question, when exactly did we become so obsessed with materialist goods?

When did who we are cease being defined by our personal values, but by what we own?

am an idealist, I see the world in all its splendor, easily impressionable and ultimately naïve; but I have an idea of the stark truth: human nature is to want, to want more, and socialism does not this provide incentive of individual progression.

Socialism seems perfect, but maybe only in the eye of the beholder, in the eye of the idealist.

I have researched the other alternatives: communism? Society become clones, we have heard the tales of reporters and protesters who dare speak out. To keep the beautiful uniformity the country needs a little plastic surgery, those not up to scratch cut away. We see these drastic measures taken even in the 21st century. The Olympics last year were a huge success, but what we don’t see is the blood, sweat and tears behind the proud flag. Have heard of the poor rural farmers, working 7 days a week 12 ! hours a day for only 50 yuan, 6 dollars to build the national stadium. They are abused for ‘the good of the country’.

I could argue that this principle is now the basis of our society. For isn’t this exactly what capitalism is: a system of give and take, of free market, ruled by the banks and competition; a system glorifying greed. I suppose that’s only the bare bones, but however, it is the skeleton that structures the body. If this structure is rotting, if its principles are against that of humanitarianism, then how could we not predict collapse? The Global Financial Crisis, a direct product of the corruption and deregulation of America’s brand of lassiez-faire capitalism. The sub-prime mortgage crisis, the exponential job cuts, the ever growing socio-economic gap.

Now I must admit, I am writing this article directly after seeing Michael Moore’s manifesto ‘Capitalism: A love story’. But it is hard to pass by the images of thousands of people’s jobs being cut due to outsourcing, the neighborhoods of ramshackle houses plastered with foreclosure signs of repossessed houses juxtaposed with fat bankers in Armani suits cutting special deals to wave taxes.

Monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, fascist single party state?

In each idea there is a dark reality. Always an exploited few, breeches of human rights and democracy swept under the table. Those in power, through the ages, have hardly looked out for their people in the entirety.

So where does this leave me? With the thousands of other confused youth. We are politically aware but inexperienced, traces of innocence still tint our view of the world rose. We feel helpless; hating capitalism, finding no solace in socialism, picking out the flaws in communism, at a loss to the reality of human nature. Albert Einstein said:

Walking out of that cinema onto King St, I walked into a trap, a group of dreadlocked 20-something socialists descended at all angles eager to exploit my disgust. They offered to me an alternative view. The idea of a society without the growing gap between rich and poor, where a CEO had the same credibility as the worker he gives orders to, where same-sex marriage was legal and the wealth was spread around hovered like a mirage before my eyes. Socialism seemed like the answer.

But speaking to my counterparts, delving into history and hearing about the lack of satisfaction of many in socialist nations; maybe that was exactly what it was, a utopia. When we fight for the welfare of the nation, of the collective people, what happens to the individual? The world’s last truly socialist state is Myanmar. A nation where the government does not care for its population, with an appalling human rights record, major political critics imprisoned, a military junta waiting to suppress any uprising, peaceful or otherwise. Being young, the fact is, I

All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field.

So now doesn’t my future look bright. There is no single solution, my only conclusion is to learn from the mistakes of those before us; creating a hybrid of ideals; cocktail of good principles. We, as the new generation, have the world at our fingertips, we can’t let it slip through our fingers.

! !

it’s a wild world. !

AS GLOBAL CITIZENS, WE SHOULD ALL BE AWARE OF THE ISSUES HUMANITY FACES. HERE ARE A FEW IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS YOU SHOULD BE UP TO DATE WITH. WORDS ISABELLA MARTIN & HIMALEE RAJ

illegal organ trade.

An extremely disturbing issue, the organ black market is sadly a highly profitable and growing trade. The largest organ trade is the selling of kidneys; according to the World Health Organisation, a major increase in kidney disease has resulted in only 10 percent of the estimated need for kidneys being met. Egypt, Brazil, South Africa, Iraq and India are all key contributors to the market. Organ trading is illegal in all the aforementioned countries.

Able-bodied people in impoverished areas often sell their organs unlawfully, and out of desperation, for only a fraction of the seller’s profit. A kidney can sell for up to six thousand dollars, whereas a donor may only get 600.

The organs are sold to wealthy buyers, including those in developed countries. The larger problem in such a scenario is the primitive means in which the organs are taken, and the poor medical conditions available. Such a procedure often leaves people crippled, or even leads to fatality.

More disturbing than the poor selling their own organs, is organ theft. This crime is a shocking violation of human rights. The cornea of the eye is an organ in heavy demand, and is regularly stolen from bodies.

A case in China in 1998 reported the theft of 41 500 organs, all stolen from executed prisoners. The Illegal Organ Trade has been source of great controversy and ethical debate.

Driven by desperation and corruption, it is an issue that faces no simple solution.

scientology.

I presume everyone’s heard of scientology.

It’s hard to miss the latest drama in Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s life so frequently featured in New Idea. This so-called religion was formed by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, this self same founder has been quoted to say ‘I’d like to start a religion, that’s where the money is’. One of the biggest controversies surrounding Scientology is its status as a religion.

Considered a cult by many, a pseudo-religion by others, but a religion by law, Scientology rakes up the all the profits of a religion. This religious classification that the church holds allows for tax exemption. This encourages and attracts many wealthy individuals (celebrities included) to invest money in the church and reap in the tax-free benefits.

Scientology leaders have been involved in many court cases, including innumerable counts of fraud.

In France, scientology is not considered to be a religion and prosecutors even attempted to

have the cult–like group banned after convicting the church of fraud and fining the group $600 000. Members of the church had paid large sums of money to gain admittance, and when attempting to leave the church, they were denied a refund of their membership payment.

The values of scientology are also questionable, such as their disbelief in modern medicine. In 2007 a psychiatrically ill woman was warned against modern medication by the church of scientology. As her condition worsened she assaulted three family members, resulting in the death of two.

More recently, in November of this year, Australian Senator Nick Xenophon described scientology as a ‘criminal organisation’. He began an enquiry into the alleged abuse of several members of the church of scientology and into its tax-exempt status. Scientology is currently a cause for hot debate in the global forum and faces much disputation.

! !

taliban in afghanistan The Taliban was formed in the wake of the Soviet Troops withdrawal in 1989. The Soviets occupation over the previous 10 years in Afghanistan left the country in ruins. The Taliban was considered to be a revolutionary group that, quite ironically, fought corruption and restored peace in Afghanistan whilst the country was in a state of civil unrest. The civilians found comfort in the sense of security they provided, and their promises to defend the country from foreign powers. They were supported for their aim to restore the country’s Sunni Islamic ideals, and to enforce Sharia Law. Sharia Law comes from the Quran and regulates the personal and moral conduct of individuals. As all Islamic states are Theocracies, all religious text is law.

Unfortunately the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia Law is extreme and narrow minded.

Their version of the law prohibits women from many everyday activities and liberties.

If a person does not submit to the laws punishments are severe; theft is punished by the amputation of a hand. Rape, murder and

adultery are punishable by public execution.

In Kabul, punishments are carried out in front of crowds in the city’s soccer stadium.

Additionally, the following activities and artifacts are banned; women are prohibited from sports, education and employment. For the wider community, movies, television, pictures in homes, clapping during sports, kite flying, music and anything that produces music, chess, pool, masks, alcohol, lobster, nail polish, statues and sewing catalogues are among the articles banned.

The Taliban reigned in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, gaining much unpopularity in the global community for their strict laws.

They were overthrown in December 2001 by the US military and Afghani opposition forces following the September 11 terrorist attacks. In 2004 the Taliban rose to power again to overthrow the Afghani government, starting guerilla warfare. Today, American military forces are still fighting against the insurgency of the Taliban. This is still a major global issue as the factions of the Taliban are still in power in many other Islamic regions such as Nigeria and Pakistan.

! ! ! same sex marriage.

The Gay and Lesbian community has faced much adversity in their struggle for equality.

Homosexuality has long been a societal taboo, however, conventions are changing, and this change in society has bred acceptance. Homosexual marital rights have been subject to much dispute. The union of people of the same sex is frowned upon in many religious contexts, though many members of the gay community, as well as those supportive of the movement, claim that “hiding behind religion� gives no one the right to discriminate.

Currently, the only countries in which same sex marriages are legal, and bear the same status as heterosexual marriages, are South Africa, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain, Norway and Sweden.

Europe, Portugal and Iceland are all considering passing the bill, and Nepal has issued a statement that it will most likely be

! ! legalised in 2010.

2010 is said to be the year of revolution and liberation for the homosexual community.

Ongoing political negotiations are commencing worldwide.

Early this December, New York had a bill to try and legalise same-sex marriage, though unfortunately the bill was rejected.

Currently in Australia, homosexual couples can legally adopt children in Western Australia and the ACT. In Tasmania and the ACT, it is possible for same sex couples to get a civil union, which provides the couple with the same legal rights as marriage.

Today, many heterosexual couples abstain from marriage until gay marriage is legalised, as a form of protest and as a sign of support for the gay and lesbian community. The community hopes for a brighter future through equality.!

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”

“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”

And what happened then? Well…in Whoville they say, That the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day!

Excerpt from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

By Dr Seuss

!

Do we need the Grinch to steal Christmas?

We as a society are losing our touch With the true Christmas spirit we once treasured so much.

It was once about togetherness, charity, giving and good cheer, But now it is receiving, presents, food, wine and beer.

Wish lists are getting longer from nation to nation.

The season of giving has become all about expectations.

It has become a selling point, big business for the boss, As they sell Barbies, toy cars, and jars of apple sauce.

We seem too engrossed in the presents we score; Do we need the Grinch to steal Christmas to make it mean more?

So this festive season, we should take into account, Caring for all, as said in the Sermon on the Mount Where Jesus, the very reason for this time of year Said we should love one another. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

WORDS CHRISTINA KRINGLE!

!bottle bother. !DANGER IN EVERYDAY LIFE, BECOME !AWARE, MAKE A DIFFERENCE. !

WORDS SARAH PLUMMER & BIANCA BALZER

Bisphenol A, abbreviated as BPA, is a common organic compound used in polycarbonate plastic which is found in products such as water bottles, inside of food cans, toys, and many other consumer products. This chemical is suspected to be hazardous to humans as it is an disrupts the endocrine system, mimicking oestrogen in the body and can lead to negative effects on health such as increased risk of obesity, neurological issues, thyroid function, reproductive system damage but particularly the development of prostate and breast (oestrogen receptor positive) cancers.

Studies have linked increased BPA levels with an increase in the number of miscarriages a woman has, as well as an increase in the prevalence of heart disease, liver enzyme function and diabetes. Human exposure sources include leaking from the plastic lining of canned foods and through skin absorption. As the plastic heats up and ages, BPA is released and intoxicates the water.

It is important therefore that plastic water bottles and other packaging that contains Bisphenol A is replaced with recyclable, environmentally friendly, and most importantly, human friendly materials.

Alternatives include glass and aluminium bottles as well as the new-on-the-market BPA-free bottles. These new bottles are long lasting, light weight and are widely available from places that sell lunchboxes. Slowly, the product is being prohibited, and at this point in time, particularly for pregnant women and children under two.

join the green revolution.

By Bianca B-Diddy-Balzer

!

Guys! Guys! We really need to focus Fixing the environment is no hocus pocus Animals are dying as trees are being chopped It is a serious issue and needs to be stopped!

Abound in nature’s gifts, of beauty rich and rare Not for long though, Australia, as people forget to care.

The land of Oz is now a place of over consumers Keep listening, I promise, these aren’t just rumours.

We’ve forgotten to live sustainably, to nurture our land, From the majestic coral reefs to our sun burnt desert sand.

Our lack of conservation is eating up our resources And the homes of birds, tigers and vest-pocket sea horses

!

As cliché as it is, the message has to be said, We use too much paper, and electricity, so instead, Try to use less, conserve our natural world Live sustainably for the future, boys and girls.

Turn off your lights when you leave a room, Rethink your decisions before you consume.

Use a lot less paper. We each use 6 trees a year.

As we chop trees down like crazy, soon species disappear.

!

Reuse your containers, and plastic bags too.

Give our animals proper homes, and not just a zoo.

Reduce your carbon footprint, take the train to school.

Recycle all your recyclables. Trust me: It’s cool.

So now you are wondering the cure to this diminution Look down at your feet, BY GEORGE! A resolution!

Click your heels twice, I’m here with a solution Jump on and join the GREEN REVOLUTION

!

!

equality and androgyny.

IS THERE A LINE BETWEEN EQUALITY AND ANDROGYNY? WORDS TAHLIA DAVIES

Whether you like it or not, if you are reading this, chances are you are currently sitting on the brink of adulthood, about to enter a world of, terror inducing choices and I have decided (and I’m sure you’ll all agree) being a woman means we are going to have a particularly hard time of it.

Even after women’s liberation and claims for rights, we are living in a world where equality may be nothing more then a shimmering mirage on the horizon that we all believe we are living in but if you look close enough is lacking in substance. Is the equality we are carrying out nothing more than a skewed androgyny?

An androgyny based on women being expected to and trying to juggle the role of two genders.

It seems women still have equal if not more demands placed on them by our society then ever before. We have the opportunities to achieve personal success, entering what is still a “mans world” to dress like men and impress men, against all odds, with our ability to have independent thought. However in the work place, femininity is still often viewed as a negative attribute and to achieve the higher forms of success, one must sacrifice it, leading many women to cut their hair, only wear masculine clothing and keep their personal life to a bare minimum. The dedication of time to a family or the question of possible pregnancy doesn’t make you exactly the prime candidate for the next promotion. Not that this will ever be given as a reason. Although even if a woman has achieved great success in her career it is very likely for her

to be seen as unfulfilled or unnatural for not seeking family life. It is thought that in modern Australia 25% of women in the reproductive age bracket will never have children due to career choice.

On the other side of the spectrum, while we have made our way into a mans world by becoming “one of the boys” it is impossible for women not to be the automatically sexualised in a way that men are not, it is the image and role put on us by the media and media and society have an unfortunate habit of mirroring each other. I’m not saying that female sexuality is a bad thing, quite the opposite, it has a very favourable quality of allowing the race to continue but I am saying that we need a healthier interpretation of what female sexuality is. Is it really half naked women catering to the whims of a fully dressed male proclaiming himself as a king?

The sexual role of women is still a traditional depiction of the subservient, dependent and beautiful object. When will women stop being the sexual chattels and start being the sexual beings?

Women are asked to “have it all”, be the wife, the mother, the career woman. The demands can be overwhelming. In the words of Germaine Greer: “When people say to me, "Nowadays young women have it all, what have you got to say to them?" I say what I've got to say to them is, "They've got all the work, that's the only thing they've got all of."

! the 2012 phenomenon: a myan myth

!

We’ve all heard talk about the apparently impending apocalypse. Now Roland Emmerich’s newest “sci-fi disaster film” to hit cinemas, 2012, has added to the great brouhaha over the ancient belief.

So is it all just superstition and fallacy? Or is the end really nigh?

The belief originates from the Myan or Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar, which ends in 2012. Thus, people have interpreted its end as the end of the world.

Scientists have declared this as a ridiculous notion; they say no credible scientist has predicted a threat to the world in 2012.

The NASA website has likened the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar to the calendar on your kitchen wall; just because it ends on the 31st of December, does not mean the apocalypse will dawn on the new year- it merely means that it is time for a new calendar!

2012 may be the end of a long count period, but that just means a new long count period will begin.

Scientists have also dispelled the conspiracy that a rogue planet (such as the internet hoax Planet X or planet Nibiru) will hit Earth, or that an alignment of the planets will cause a phenomenon. If a planet heading for Earth were to arrive in three years, scientist would have detected it a decade ago, and no such alignments will occur in 2012.

The conspiracy has certainly gained an edge to its fear factor, following the release of 2012, but all credible sources advise the public to take into account that despite the “factual evidence” in the movie, it is all fiction- like, say, The Terminator; scientific dialogue does not make the world domination of killer robots real.

In fact, by the sounds of it, Judgment Day has a greater chance of being caused by killer robots than by an ancient calendar that ends in 2012.

! !

bet your lucky stars.

ANALYSIS OF STAR SIGNS WORDS SIMRIN NIJHAWAN Aries Symbol: The ram Element: Fire Ruler: Mars Characteristics: Fierce, competitive, dynamic, trusting, honest Celebrities: Leonardo Da Vinci, Claire Danes, René Descartes, Céline Dion, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Kate Hudson, Elton John, Thomas Jefferson, Norah Jones, Keira Knightley, Tennessee Williams, Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson, William Wordsworth

Cancer Symbol: The crab Element: Water Ruler: Moon Characteristics: Tenacious, emotional, sympathetic, intuitive, manipulative Celebrities: Pamela Anderson, Julius Caesar, Bill Cosby, Princess Diana, Harrison Ford, Nelson Mandela, Robin Williams, George W Bush, Tom Cruise, Sir Edmund Hilary, King Henry VIII, Ashley Tisdale, Liv Tyler, Lindsay Lohan, Will Ferrell, Drake Bell, Tom Hanks

Taurus Symbol: The bull Element: Earth Ruler: Venus Characteristics: Patient, practical, artistic, loyal, stubborn Celebrities: Bono, Buddha, Karl Marx, Barbra Streisand, William Shakespeare, George Clooney, Audrey Hepburn, Queen Elizabeth II, Tony Blair, Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Brönte, Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox, Adolf Hitler, Janet Jackson, Nikki Reed, Channing Tatum, Peter Tchaikovsky

Leo Symbol: The lion Element: Fire Ruler: Sun Characteristics: Dramatic, idealistic, ambitious, romantic, overbearing Celebrities: Fidel Castro, Bill Clinton, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Louis Armstrong, Eric Banner, Betty Boop, Coco Chanel, Bill Clinton, Amelia Earheart, Joe Jonas, Jenifer Lopez, Lil’Romeo, Princess Margaret, Barack Obama, Beatrix Potter, Andy Warhol, Luis Vuitton

Gemini Symbol: The twins Element: Air Ruler: Mercury Characteristics: Curious, versatile, changeable, talkative, restless Celebrities: Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Brooke Shields, Queen Victoria, Johnny Depp, Anne Frank, Elizabeth Hurley, John F Kennedy, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Heidi Klum, Paul McCartney, Sasha Obama, Queen Victoria, Alexander the Pope, Venus Williams, Natalie Portman

Virgo Symbol: The virgin Element: Earth Ruler: Mercury Characteristics: Gentle, humane, easily worried, sincere, dependable Celebrities: Sean Connery, Queen Elizabeth I, Keanu Reeves, Agatha Christie, David Copperfield, Elvis Costello, Roald Dahl, Cameron Diaz, Hugh Grant, Rupert Grint, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé Knowles, Pink, Nicole Richie

! ! ! !

! !

Virgo Symbol: The virgin Element: Earth Ruler: Mercury Characteristics: Gentle, humane, easily worried, sincere, dependable Celebrities: Sean Connery, Queen Elizabeth I, Keanu Reeves, Agatha Christie, David Copperfield, Elvis Costello, Roald Dahl, Cameron Diaz, Hugh Grant, Rupert Grint, Michael Jackson, BeyoncĂŠ Knowles, Pink, Nicole Richie Libra Symbol: The scales Element: Air Ruler: Venus Characteristics: Artistic, diplomatic, indecisive, logical, persuasive Celebrities: Julie Andrews, Brigitte Bardot, Mahatma Gandhi, John Lennon, Will Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Zac Efron, TS Eliot, Jim Henson, Hugh Jackman, Rachel McAdams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Phar Lap, Ichiro Suzuki, TI, Matt Damon, Avril Lavigne, Pope John Paul I, Catherine ZetaJones Scorpio Symbol: The scorpion Element: Water Ruler: Pluto Characteristics: Passionate, loyal, temperamental, private, determined Celebrities: Marie Antoinette, Prince Charles, Marie Curie, Jodie Foster, John Keats, Pablo Picasso, Julia Roberts, Margaret Atwood, Alexa Chung, Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, Grace Kelly, Kevin Jonas, Sylvia Plath, Martin Luther, Claude Monet, Mickey Mouse, Anne Hathaway Sagittarius Symbol: The archer Element: Fire Ruler: Jupiter Characteristics: Generous, daring, confidant, argumentative, blunt

Celebrities: Winston Churchill, Emily Dickinson, Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Mark Twain, Aaron Carter, Katherine Heigl, Frankie Muniz, Edith Piaf, Brad Pitt, Britney Spears, Steven Spielberg, Jimi Hendrix, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Jane Austen Capricorn Symbol: The goat Element: Earth Ruler: Saturn Characteristics: Cautious, responsible, unforgiving, hardworking, serious Celebrities: Perceptive, unpredictable, strong-willed, independent , curious Celebrities: David Bowie, Benjamin Franklin, Mel Gibson, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther King Jr, Elvis Presley, Nicolas Cage, Sienna Miller, Popeye the Sailor Man, Mary J Blige, Bradley Cooper, Patrick Dempsey, Zooey Deschanel, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Sir Isaac Newton, Michelle Obama Aquarius Symbol: The water bearer Element: Air Ruler: Uranus Characteristics: Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfery, Lewis Carroll, Ellen Degeneres, Neil Diamond, Farrah Fawcett, Alicia Keys, Taylor Lautner, Bob Marley, Ernest Shackleton, John Travolta, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Aniston Pisces Symbol: The fish Element: Water Ruler: Neptune Characteristics: Sensitive, adaptable, vulnerable, secretive, compassionate Celebrities: Albert Einstein, Cindy Crawford, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Liza Minnelli, George Washington, Barbie, Jessica Biel, Queen Lafitah, Levi Strauss, George Harrison, Drew Barrymore, Nicolas Copernicus, Dakota Fanning, Lleyton Hewitt, Michelangelo

!

Why does the moon glow?

Words Bianca Big Dipper Balzer For centuries, humankind has been perplexed and fascinated by celestial body they call the Moon.

They have worshipped the moon, even fantasized about it being made of cheese. Its phases were focus areas in ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian and Chinese religions, as well as present day Native American beliefs with links drawn with the growth and death of plants, animals and humans. It is the Earth’s only natural satellite and the fifth largest of its type in the solar system. In the 1950 and 60’s Space Race, Russia and America were in competition, constantly trying to better the achievements of each other in

exploring space. In 1969, NASA successfully sent a group on the Apollo 11 to be the first of our kind to set foot on the mesmerizing orbiting phenomenon. The light of a full moon has played an important role in pop culture, being the magic needed to turn Princess Fiona into an ogre, and to transform Professor Lupin and his werewolf pals.

It has allowed smugglers to transport their illegally brewed alcohol, commonly referred to as moonshine.

I sat in the car a few nights ago and thought to myself… “Why does the moon glow so beautifully?”. I expected that when I wrote into Wikipedia, I would be given a long, tiresome explanation. The moon illuminates the night sky because the reflection of the sun’s light on its surface. That’s pretty much it.

!

! the world is asking questions.

SINCE THE EARLY AGES OF HISTORY, HUMANKIND HAS BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS, WHETHER THEY BE ABOUT THE WORLD AND ENVIRONMENTS THEY LIVE IN OR ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL. THESE QUESTIONS MAY MAKE YOU THINK. WORDS SANDHYA RAMAKRISHNA & SIMRIN NIJHAWAN 'Is there such thing as nothing? If we call it Nothing, does that mean that it exists?’; ‘Does a banana have an opposite?’; ‘Am I the only thing that really exists? Can anyone prove to me that they exist?’; ‘Is every idea shared? Is there ever a single unknown unidentified idea?’; ‘What is truth? How do we know if it is really truth or a lie?’; ‘How do we know modern day mathematics is correct?’; ‘If you expect the unexpected, then doesn’t that make the unexpected expected and the expected unexpected?’; ‘The history of science has either been revised or rejected. How can we be so sure that science offers anything more than a set of beliefs, like religions or myths?’; ‘Can there ever be an event that is entirely random?’; ‘Science tells us that space is endless and ever expanding. But if it’s endless, how can it expand?

And what is it expanding in?’; ‘What happens to a moment of time after it occurs?’; ‘Are there any moral constants over time?’; ‘Do luck and bad luck exist? Or have they just been imagined in order to create excuses?’; ‘Should the tolerant tolerate intolerance?’; ‘Why are some emotions looked down upon? Why isn’t it just as good to be happy as to be sad?’; ‘Could God make a rock so heavy that He couldn’t lift it?’; ‘If every life ends in death, then how could life have any value?’; ‘How do words get their meanings?’; ‘What’s it like to be another person?’; ‘In upholding the concept of ‘race’, do we make racism possible?’

! !

\]

mathematical beauty

!

Is there ! universal

a natural aesthetic that corresponds to a order, and where is it manifested? What is its relevance and application? What is the relationship between beauty and mathematics? !

Elegance has been defined as the attribute of being unusually effective and simple, a standard of tastefulness, and refined grace. It is curious that many mathematicians derive aesthetic pleasure from their work, and many view mathematics as beautiful, an art form. Bertrand Russel has expressed mathematical beauty:

“Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty – a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture, without appeal to any part of our weaker nature, without the gorgeous trappings of painting or music, yet sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show. The true spirit of delight, the exaltation, the sense of being more than a man, which is the touchstone of highest excellence, is to be found in mathematics as surely as poetry.“ Kepler has also identified links with beauty and mathematics: “Geometry has two great treasures: one is the theorem of Pythagoras; the other, the division of a line into the extreme and mean ratio. The first we may compare to a measure of gold; the second we may name a precious jewel”.

Some of the earliest references to pleasures in ! mathematics are linked to Pythagoras, who observed certain patterns and number relationships within nature. !

Pythagoras noted the curious fact that the lengths, which emitted a tonic, its fifth and its octave, were in the ratio 2:3:4. This lead him to investigate the explanation of the order and harmony.

It is said that nature is beauty. If we examine the chambered nautilus, the beautiful, well-known seashell, and the chambers of the nautilus are built on a framework of a logarithmic spiral, reflecting a mathematical concept. Therefore it can be said that mathematics assists the creation of beauty.

Also, in music, primordial racial memories can be brought to the surface of the mind and it seems possible to relate familiar features of music to experiences of humanity, being the language of the unconscious mind. The explanation of the power of this stimulus is that these experiences are emotionally charged, and provide means of affecting this transfer.

The beat has a mathematical element, which once again connects mathematics to a concept of emotion and beauty.

These links within art, nature, music and mathematics can prove that discovering beauty within mathematics is not madness, but simply a development of appreciation.

A BIT OF SYMBOLOGY The Star Seen in many forms and styles, the star has multiple meanings behind it. In an eight rayed form it was seen to represent the planet Venus. In ancient Egypt, temples were aligned in order to allow the stars to illuminate the chambers.

Astrologists believe that starts can predict the future and can show omens. Whilst Europeans believe that shooting stars bring luck, the Japanese believe that they were spirits of the dead.

The Circumpunct Otherwise known as the circled dot. This symbol has multiple meanings behind it. For example, it sometimes can be seen as the solar symbol for the sun. In alchemy the circumpunct represents gold and in early Christianity it is seen as a symbol for the eye of God. Other meanings could be chaos, light, life, freedom, good, happiness, infinity, navigation and Existence.

The 33rd Degree A circle within a circle of masonry brotherhoods. It is one of the higher degrees of freemasonry where many secrets and rituals are held. Not only this, but Sir Isaac Newton (rumoured to be apart of the freemasons) invented his temperature scale, where 33Ëš is equal to 100ËšCelcius.

Coincidence?

Fleur-de-lis Means flower lily or iris. It appeared on the European coat of arms over centuries in association with the French monarchy in history.

It has also been seen in the arms of the King of Spain and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. It is also the emblem of Florence and Schlieren. As a religious symbol it could portray the trinity in its meaning as it is usually associated with the Virgin Mary. Images of Mary were seen in Notre Dame in Paris in 1146 showing her carrying either garden lilies or fleur-de-lis.

Triskele Otherwise known as a triple spiral, is found on many sights and tombs. It is an ancient sign of Celtic beliefs with many unknown meanings. One of the Christian Celtic meanings is the holy Trinity. It also represents the !three realms", being the Land, the Sea and the Sky.

The Eye of Providence This symbol can sometimes be seen as to represent the !eye of God". This symbol can also be seen on the United States One Dollar bill. It can be seen in Egyptian mythology, Christianity (the Trinity) and Buddhism. In freemasonry the symbol is a reminder that God, !The Great Architect of the Universe", over sees the thoughts and deeds of members of freemasonry.

noetic science. " “Today’s science was not so much making ‘discoveries’ as it was making ‘rediscoveries’.”

– The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown

WORDS SIMRIN NIJHAWAN & SANDHYA RAMAKRISHNA The word noetic stands from the Greek meaning of the word ‘nous’, which means ‘ways of knowing through the mind’. The fundamental of this science is that human consciousness can alter a physical state.

Noetic science focuses on the soul, spirit and human consciousness and has close links with many key ideas in philosophy, such as metaphysics, New Thought and A Priori knowledge. Philosophy of the mind is sometimes called the ‘Scientific study of noetic consciousness’ or the ‘study of mental phenomena’.

Immense thought can trigger us to speak, write, walk and produce so many wonders in this world. In western tradition, noetic theory has been strongly influenced by the theories of famous philosophers such as Anaxagoras, Plato and Aristotle. Author Gregg Braden suggests that ‘by watching an atom we can cause change’.

The idea may seem quite unrealistic to many but there are many forms of noetic thinking in today’s world. For example, when a person goes into immense concentration, the pineal gland within the brain, releases hormones, which heal the body. It is a perfect example of humankinds mind healing powers. Another example of the impact of human thought is after the 9/11 attacks. Scientists under going research said that their random number generators (probability machines similar to flipping a coin) picked up strange patterns due to the emotions that were flying around in the open air. This strange event also suggests that when millions of minds come together in grief it brings a sense of order from chaos. Consciousness is awareness, it is how people perceive and direct their attention and intention towards their current environments.

Much of this science involves research within the bible, but to make it clear, it does not put down the bible in any way, it simply uses science to make miracles appear more realistic. The miracles in the bible have a very close link with noetic thinking and we can see it through the many healing powers of Jesus in the New Testament. For example, when Jesus heals the man of leprosy by his hand, this could easily be an example of noetic science. Across the world many search for the ‘ancient mysteries’, which withholds the secret to a ‘God like’ power. Within the bible there are symbols hidden in passages, passing on messages.

For example, the ‘temple’ could represent the human body, ‘heaven’ the human mind, ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ the human spine and ‘manna’ could be seen as secretion from the brain. Putting these symbols into place, many passages could translate to the fact that our mind has the greatest power for healing and miracles.

What many don’t realise is that humankind has the potential for making miracles.

Noetics is a new science in today’s society but in actual fact, it is the oldest science found on earth. From the very beginning, famous figures such as Plato, Einstein, Newton and Aristotle began the study of human thought, producing radical theories and producing truths. As this science rediscovers what the world discovered in history, we will be able to conduct research that could change society, as we know it.

There are three main areas that will advance: !

Human nature and extended human capacities !

Healing ourselves and the world !

Wisdom, traditions and world views With research of the mind and thought we can discover truths of healing, which means advancing technology in medicine, improvement of what we thought the human mind could withhold and create and spiritual traditions and mythology research. This science really has the capacity to create changes in society. With thought processes since the beginning of history we have impacted our physical world, making it fast and efficient.

" epistemology.

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that differentiates what we claim is ‘true’ knowledge and what we claim is ‘false’ knowledge. For example, we are told many things through the media, with proof through footage and photographs but how do we know that this is real? Another area of epistemology is distinguishing knowing ‘that’ from knowing ‘how’.

There are many examples in the world, which show that you need to know ‘how’ and know ‘that’ before you are able to do something. For example, when adding numbers, you know that 2+3=5, but do you know how it equals 5. The same can be seen when riding a bike. You know that you need to maintain balance when riding a bike but you also need to know how the basic functions of a bike work.

a priori " When we process some information, we know that it is true through logical thought processes and therefore we know it is permanent and universal. This is in contrast to a posteriori which relies on knowing something through a sensory experience and observations. For example, if we see a red chair, we know that it is red because we understand the concept ‘red’ and because this is our interpretation of this specific wavelength of light. This philosophy is linked to epistemology and was embraced by Scottish philosopher David Hume who created the fork diagram as an explanation.

"solipsism.

‘Solipsism asserts

that each human being has his or her own way of seeing the world, and that this constitutes reality for that person’ # 101 Key Ideas Philosophy, Paul Oliver Under this branch of philosophy, many believe that their mind is the only mind that exists. This philosophy expresses that each mind is isolated from other minds, therefore interpreting the world individually and differently.

Some solipsists think: !That their most certain knowledge is the knowledge within their own mind !Experiences can be very private !There is no link between mental and physical

" "

metaphysics.

This philosophy is deals with the fundamental problems of the universe, investigating the principals of reality overcoming science.

The word ‘metá’ is derived from a Greek word meaning beyond or after and the ‘physiká’ meaning literally physical. Known as a ‘natural philosophy’ it can be seen in many scientific branches such as cosmology. For example, there is a question of the big bang theory.

Why did it happen? Where did the atoms come from? Why was therean explosion? Is the universe a spiritual atmosphere? These questions arise issues which concern the problems of the universe.

!

poetry. the forlorn night In the forlorn night you wander around The starry sky a blanket of sparkles.

The truth of which you are completely bound, Tugs at its last threads of deep crimson.

You sit in the corner counting the lilacs One, two… twenty-three and forty.

The cold night air tortures and whips your back.

The window you left open that hour, To lift and throw those sore sorrows away, You look out to the sky and shout from the tower.

The rain splatters down and announces its presence, And you face the clouds with a force, Of a courage found from the self of another, That sprouts the fearsome lifetime course.

WORDS SIMRIN NIJHAWAN

don’t tell them Don't tell them.

Do not let your tongue take the trip along your teeth.

Loop or dip, stumble; slip the confession because your heart is just too small to hold it anymore.

It's a stinging realisation but they will not be your salvation Please retract your statement so we can cross you off the list We will ask you one more time…

"Are you okay?" and they told me you were clever so please don't say you aren't.

I will not say yes and I will not say no but behold! and lo! what I see is not a star.

Those swirling sparkled wishes that never will come true.

And now each step I take; have taken in awhile feels as hollow as your eyes when you look at me and smile

!

I'm in a white washed wooden boat and water is pooling at my feet. there are cracks like spider webs running up my seat I can't see the hole but I promise you I'm sinking now I'm left to thinking If I call out through the dark and dear god all there is, is dark will someone call on back with the sweetness of a lark? or shall I pray now to St Anthony? because I'm well and truly lost and I can't bear the cost of calling out again just to have someone stand on shore have them grasp my hand take a flying leap to land…

So I won't say yes and I will not say no but I will have you know that my soul was torn to ribbons long before I met you I just tried to tie them up in bows make me pretty fresh and new but I guess that didn't work so I won't try it again I'll cut my crimson ribbons free so they can dance in the breeze.

This is how it’s meant to be.

All together; All Alone.

WORDS TAHLIA DAVIES

!

!"#$%&'()"%)&'*+,)"-% THE DIGGER’S STAR Carissa Long

TIME TROUBLE

by Amanda Sieber, Year 5

I spy him in the marching masses.

Face is craggy, gnarled and weathered, Somehow sentimental though haggard.

He totters proudly betrayed by feeble legs.

His row of medals glinting in the sun, One by one, they dance upon the breeze.

There was the sound of a carriage clattering down Bridge Street at full speed. Algie, was a young man of seventeen and was forever in trouble.

His lady, Maryanna, was about sixteen and had gold, flowing hair and rose, red lips. They ran for their lives as the carriage gained on them.

When they reached a broken wall that was on a hill, Algie tripped and fell. Just in time, Maryanna caught him. But, she was not strong enough to help him up.

She lost her grip on him and he tumbled down the hill.

Looking back, 1915, Boy soldiers, not yet men.

Brothers standing side by side, Mates anticipating adventure in a foreign land.

Maryanna watched helplessly as he rolled down the rock, covered hill, where he lay unconscious.

Just then, something cold and clammy grabbed her collar and pushed. It all happened in an instant and the force of the push was so great, that she too, tumbled down the hill.

When Algie regained consciousness he was surrounded by small, tanned people, talking in a strange excitable manner. Presently, he asked where Maryanna was. The leader of the group stepped forward and declared in broken English. “The Utar is in gaol” Algie guessed that “Utar” meant girl. “The only way to get her out is to get our orb.”

“Where do I get this orb?” queried Algie.

The bad people’s lair”, cried the leader, “or the Utar will be executed!”

Algie knew the tanned people were referring to London’s terror, The Scowres.

They were the people who had chased him that morning.

They lived at 22b Baker Street and getting the orb was going to be no easy task.

He waited till midnight and snuck in. But now he had to find the orb.

Algie wound his way through the endless passage ways till he found himself in a big empty looking room.

Suddenly, he saw an orb glowing up on a high shelf. He grabbed it

!

!

THE MELBOURNE CUP

By Emily Lakis, 4F

! and quickly stuffed it in his bag. “The sooner I get out of here the better,” he reflected.

So he did just that and he was soon half way to his destination.

When Algie arrived at the Palace, the guards escorted him to the admittance room.

Soon he had been accepted and he walked boldly into the court room.

He proudly presented the golden orb to the king.

“I have finished my task, sighed Algie with unmistakable relief.

The king handed the priceless ornament over to his magician. Their eyes met.

Then the king turned towards Algie.

“Your task is not complete.

You have brought us the wrong orb!!!”

Half the crowd was cheering, While the other half was fearing, That their horse would not win, As their chances were very slim.

Although I was absolutely certain that my horse would win, I couldn’t decide how much money to give in, In the end I gave them a five buck, And from then on it was up to my luck.

That fatal shore, that one mistake, Greeted not by a soft sandy beach, But hostile cliffs and a ruthless enemy.

He hunkers down in the rotting trench, Staring into the blanket of night, And thanks the lucky stars that shone down on him today.

Looking now, old warriors, crowned heroic men.

Still battling gamely side by side, Solemnity for absent mates replaces ardour’s spark.

As I contemplate this Anzac night, and those same lucky stars beam down on me, I ponder on the “superstars” we worship.

Not for me celebrities and pop princesses.

I’ll take the ones who sacrificed for freedom.

Give me those reluctant heroes of Gallipoli.

It’s been half an hour and my friends aren’t here, So in the meantime I bought myself a beer, It was in the middle of the race, When my horse lost it’s pace, And that made me very sad Looking forward, to hear.

Their bodies have betrayed them.

The crowd was shaking At last they reunite with longwith fright, As the finish line appeared lost mates, And as their spirits dance in sight, But with enormous speed, together with the stars, My horse got in the lead, We Will Remember Them.

And to my surprise the ! winner Was my horse “Cocktail Spinner”.

! !

! bianca and patrick AN EXERPT FROM A PROGRESSING NOVEL. WORDS TAHLIA DAVIES

He opened the door of the apartment to nothing but darkness and found Bianca collapsed in a bundle on their bed. Hauling her up onto her feet, she fell limp into his arms and with her recently shrinking frame it was as if he was holding onto nothing more than the crumpled violet frock that was slipping off her shoulders. Layers of chiffon; so gentle, easing over the harsh lines of her figure, both were fragile enough to fall apart at any moment, beautiful but hardly there at all. A frigid breeze gust in from a window left open and the dress billowed in a caress of her pallid skin. He wondered what would happen if he let her go. Would she too sway with such exquisiteness enabled by becoming nothing more than a whisper of substance? Her hair was curling at the shoulders now and he pushed the bundles of moon light blondeness behind her ears, searching the face for a girl he once knew. Blue eyes had become shallow; puddles that did nothing more than reflect an image of his own perplexities he was trying to push on her.

There was still the yearning for freedom he had always heard her cry for but nothing more. The cry for freedom had been part of the basic makeup of Bianca for as long as he’d known her but even it seemed different this time. The pain was more acute, the vacancy more confronting; hollowness echoed to the corners of her being. He led her into the next room and begun to fill the depths of the bathtub, placing her on the floor. She still looked up to him with silent eyes and although they were filling with tears she did not tremble. Parting nude lips, she let her poisonous voice pollute the room.

“Don’t do this anymore. I can’t bear it and I will not have you care for me a second longer. I need to tell you something and I want you to listen to me because I am being the most sincere and honest with you I have been in months.”

He sat down in front of the pathetic figure and she looked at him in such a way, he felt her words before she spoke them.

They were written across her heart before taking the trip along her tongue and it was this he could see.

“Patrick, I need you to know that I do not love you.” He stood up slowly and busied himself around the room, turning away from Bianca and her unwanted declarations.

“You don’t mean that.” He said.

Patrick became very still. Silently leaning his forehead against the tiles on the wall. He was a striking figure amongst all the harshness.

Downcast eyes half covered by his elegant hands. Like a bruised white peach, overly ripe and split, leaking saccharine juices. All he wanted was for Bianca to shut her mouth, let them continue living in a fantasy where he was what she needed and one day things would be better and so he didn’t answer her again hoping if he played dead she would get bored and move on.

“I should be happy and I’m not. So I’m asking...No, I’m begging you to please walk out that door and never turn back ” Patrick flinched at the brutal infliction and all at once was drowned in hatred with such passion that he never knew possible. Any momentary glance at her serene face made his body scream with the need to tear apart all her beauty.

He wanted to hit her just to see how she would react, if it would affect her at all, to see if she was still human. To revolt against this acceptance of emptiness she seemed to have decided upon.

“So that’s meant to be the end? You expect me to just leave you like this. Bianca I loved you.”

“Past tense.”

“Love you.”

“I don’t want a life line anymore and I don’t want your love. Neither of us deserves this. I can’t do it to you. Go find yourself someone who can handle all that heart Patrick and leave me alone. You don’t love me, I’m just all you’ve ever known.”

Not even he understood why but as her voice got more desperate and violent, he listened. He knew it was not what he wanted or what was the right thing to do but for once he gave into instinct and he ran. Instead of protesting and waging war yet again, Patrick simply got to his feet and walked away from the room. He walked onto the street and did not cease until the sun had gone down and he recognised the streets no longer. Burned into his memory that night and every night for the rest of his life, Patrick was haunted by his final image of Bianca. Broken on a white tiled floor. Silent tears leaking down her face.

Telling him to leave but eyes screaming for him to stay. He observed, whether it was an embellishment of his memory or fact that her dress had ripped when he had moved her from the bed and the delicate folds of the garment were disturbed and ruined. In the very back of his mind in a place he rarely dared to visit, he believed that he knew what would happen if he left and that he was relived that it did. He left. Just as she always told him he would. It was this that kept him awake at night.!

!

a short history of beauty: the painted lady "A WOMAN WITHOUT PAINT IS LIKE FOOD WITHOUT SALT," WROTE THE ROMAN PHILOSOPHER PLAUTUS.�

WORDS MADELEINE POWERS From Geishas to Egyptian Queens, right through to the Elizabethan ladies of the 16th century, women have always searched for ways to enhance their beauty.

Cosmetic brands we use today like Max Factor date back to the 1900’s. Nail polish can be dated back to 3000 BC when the Chinese used gum Arabic. Egg whites, gelatin, and bees wax to create varnishes and lacquers similar to the Egyptians who used henna to stain their fingernails. Although women have continually worn enhancing products over time, the reasons why they wear it, as well as the ways in which they wear it have changed dramatically throughout history.

renaissance.

During the 15th Century women in northern Europe would pluck their hairlines to create a higher forehead and tuck their hair under elaborate headdresses. At this point in time, blonde hair was considered to be angelic, beautiful and upper class. So women and men would attempt to lighten their hair with primitive bleaches, saffron and even onion skin dye. During the Italian Renaissance in particular, women would wear lead paint on their faces, unaware of the damage inflicted by lead.

elizabethan.

In the 16th century, women were inspired by Queen Elizabeth, the trendsetter during the time of her rein. The Elizabethan Lady would colour in her eyebrows and lips with a pencil. Women would attempt to copy her naturally pale skin and red hair by using large amounts of white powder, along with red wigs. The most successful means for re-creating Elizabeth's fair complexion was ceruse, or white lead, which was also later discovered to be poisonous, causing problems like gout, anaemia, and disfiguring scarring. Inspired by women of Italy, ladies of the Elizabethan era would also give a healthy glow to their cheeks by using lead-based rouge coloured with dye. Talk about mortal makeup.

the 18th century.

In the early part of the 18th century, women wore their hair in crimps or curls decorated with garlands or bows, nearing towards the latter half of the century hair was heightened with coiffures built over horsehair pads or wire cages. Tall hair was considered to be royal and highly sought after by any upper class lady. During the French Restoration powdered faces, red rouge and lipstick were all the rage. Make it your own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXCu1d_e_gM Or Go All out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgFkCz4wAmE

victorian.

During the Victorian Era, makeup was put on Hiatus while women opted for a more natural, puritanical beauty.

Heavy, colourful makeup was reserved for prostitutes and actresses. Cosmetics were seen as a health threat and many women's magazines warned against the toxic qualities of lead-based industrial cosmetics. Hair was worn sleek and prim, oiled and tied back in gentle curls and plaits.

!

1920’s

The ‘Roaring Twenties’ trends were mainly influenced by societal change. For the first time ever, makeup was seen as a marketable product. The birth of cinema and film stars triggered for the first time inspiration from celebrities like the brunette belles Louise Brooks and Clara Bow. Because of this the trends contrasted the prudish fashions of the Victorian era with the return of heavy makeup, shorter dresses, and the new short "bobbed," waved hairstyles. Women would wear white powder, crème circular blushes to the cheeks.

The eyebrows were plucked very thin and pencilled in with a high arch. Very bold dark red lipsticks that focused on the centre of the mouth were worn, the iconic shape highlighted the cupid’s bow of the top lip. Flappers would wear dark party eyes in very round shapes on the lids, usually in black, browns or deep greys. Create the look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZHD8Pg_dZs

1930’s

With the arrival of the depression in western society, women were inspired by the glamorous world of film more than ever. Cinema focused on the wealthy, fashionable people and became a world of fantasy for women who had quite contrasting living situations. This meant the rebirth of the blonde bombshell. Blonde was once again very regal and upper class. So women would bleach their hair to create the look of starlets like Jean Harlow and Bette Davis. The desperate desire for the fashionable life was so sought after by women, many would draw on stocking seams with a pen, falsely suggesting they could afford hosiery. In the early 1930’s, a rose complexion was most desired. Women would opt for ivory with a touch of pink for foundation. Nearing the mid thirties, women would vary their shades, looking for orange, cream and blue tones as well as pink. The lipstick look was still a similar shape to that of the thirties, though less round and in lighter, rosier shades of pink and red. Less eye makeup was also used during the 30’s.

Because of the economic crisis of the time, the average woman would usually only have 2 – 3 beauty products at the most. Create the look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0N0iyuYVNI&feature =sub

1940’s

World War II heavily influenced beauty standards and cosmetics use in the 1940’s. People were still feeling the effects of the depression. Men were being sent off to Europe to fight and die, women just weren't in the mood for excess and flamboyancy. So the look of this decade was red lipstick and usually a brown or cream coloured eye shadow. Most women wore this look during the war, as it was easy and only required minimum effort and product. Watch this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_9JwjRyD0E 1950’s The end of the war brought back conservative values and ideas. A woman was somehow expected to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, send the kids off to school, do a whole days household work while maintaining perfect hair, makeup and nails. The flawless woman was in, women would spend inordinate amounts of time pampering themselves. Women would usually wear shadow on the lids, eyebrow pencil, heavy eyeliner and mascara (false eyelashes on occasions). This was worn along with a fair complexion and brightly coloured lips (usually red). Hair, though seemingly quite simple, was intricately sculpted until flawless. It was teased, combed, styled and sprayed into a crown of perfectly formed curls and waves. Create the look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGIurzTRBI

1960’s

In the 1960s women were moving out of the house and into the workplace. As a result, women chose less time consuming hairstyles and often cut their hair short or left it out and straight. The one major makeup look for the 60’s was pale pink lips with dark eyes. This was the Trends were big and so were eyelashes. Women wore tones of mascara and false eyelashes to recreate Twiggy’s doe-eyed look. 60’s icon Edie Sedgwick would wear makeup full of contrast, in particular black and white eye shadow and liner, defining the eye socket. Create the look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_MFaEYados

1970’s

In the 1970s makeup had settled down from the full on shades and styles of the previous decade. Women chose to wear their hair and makeup in a more natural, carefree way. Makeup was usually one soft pastel colour on the lid, with rose or nude lips. Hair was often blow-dried away from the face or tied back in a low ponytail. The 70s also introduced the marketing of ‘healthy’ or ‘chemical-free’ makeup. Watch this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3QHzYtbWaAhepburn _0119.jpg

1980’s

Big hair, big shoulders and big attitude. The 80’s were a time of affluence with the presence of the economic boom. This shifted the focus from youth culture to the older, working people. All about excess, the 80’s were bursting with colour and suffocating in hairspray. Make up was all about the eyes and cheeks. Eyes shadows were bright hues of almost every shade, favouring mostly blues, teals and oranges. Bright pink blush was used to emphasize cheekbones. The general philosophy when it comes to 80’s was ‘the more the merrier’, the more makeup used, the better the result. Madonna was one of the most influential women of the time, from her dark penciled in eyebrows to her painted red lips. It’s hard to tell if everyone was delusion or just blind, but style is not a word associated with the 1980’s.

1990’s

Makeup in the 90’s certainly was a step back from the exaggerated colour of the previous decade. Cindy Crawford was one of the biggest beauty icons of the time, known for her trademark mole just above her lip. The signature colours of the 90’s were browns and taupes and other earthy colours worn as lipsticks, lip liners and eye shadows. Make up in the 90’s was understated and focused more on shading, highlighting and softening features. Despite the darkness often occurring in 90’s fashion there was modest gentility when it came to 90’s makeup.

To the 20th century woman, the year 2000 may have seemed like a door opening onto a whole world of new fashion, new hair, new beauty trends… but so far, trends have been recycled like the Sunday paper. Dior’s Autumn 2009 runway show featured makeup entirely inspired by women of the 1920s. In 2007 Alexander Mc Queen showcased his line of dark clothing with models wearing Cleopatra inspired makeup. Shortly before and after the release of the feature film ‘Coco Avant Chanel’ Chanel began a 1950’s trend with makeup. As well as the Prada 2008 summer line, that featured floral 50’s hoop skirts and dresses. What’s in now will be in again. Store your clothes, store your shoes, and store your ideas. They’ll be seeing you in a decade.

recommended books.

01. BEOWOLF One of the oldest works in the English language, Beowulf is an Anglo-saxon epic poem telling the story of a Christian hero struggling against the formidable monster – Grendel. It was written at a time of change in what is now Britain, the roman empire had just been driven out of the lands and Britain was prey to invaders, the Scandanvian Vikings and Germanic Saxons penetrating the Anglo defence and claiming parts of the land. Faith was also changing, century old pagan beliefs were being thrown to the wind for the salvation and piety that was offered through Christ. The romantic era of the middle ages was yet to come and Britain was a dark place. These social changes shape the legend. It has been retold countless times through history, only a single manuscript of the original remains.

02. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE Reading Burgess’ most famous work is like entering into a secret world, set somewhere timeless. Exploring the power of youth in a futuristic sense, a glorification of all things that shouldn’t be glorified set to a Beethoven symphony. A work of genius written even in its own language ‘Nadsat’, a mix of Russian and cockney slang. Its eccentricities are to this day the only of their kind. Recommended for older readers; senior years.

03. LOLITA The lyrical masterpiece that was Nabakov’s most famous piece explores issues of societal taboo with such cadence that they are mitigated.

His language entices the reader just as much as the character of Humbert Humbert entices the precocious Lolita.

Published in 1955 after many rejections, it was banned in the UK then in France for its explicit themes.

Now, however, it is regarded one of the greatest works of all time.

Recommended for older readers; senior years.

04. BOY This autobiography of one of the best children’s writers of all time is as colourful and enchanting as his best known books. Taken through Roald Dahl’s days from summers in Norway to his first ride in a motor car and his experiences with the Cadbury company that lead him to write Charlie and the Chocolate factory. I was read this for the first time in my year five classroom and still enjoy it today; this book is hard to put down for any age, a truly amazing life and a truly amazing man.

05. MALORY TOWERS The series of Malory Towers transports readers to another time. A simple time where girls rejoiced in midnight feasts in the “dormy” and rued their neglected french homework. It’s hard not to become emotionally attached as you follow the group of charming girls through their

high school years at picturesque boarding school “Malory Towers”. Not everyone’s cup of tea, you certainly have to be in the mood for the blunt attitudes and straightforward approach and not by any means modern take on the teen years.

However if it does fall within your area of interest it will find a treasured spot on the bookshelf in no time.

06. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Anne of Green Gables has captivated readers for generations with its delightful cheer and intensely likeable heroine, the fiery haired and fiery spirited, Anne with an E. This novel is certain to win you over with its beautiful descriptions and the plight of Anne Shirley, a once disadvantaged orphan with the ability view everything in a romantic frame of mind. A girl of imagination, Anne inspires our own imaginations to come alive once again and gives us a wonderful canvas on which to use them. Recommended for all ages.

07. GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING A historical love story told with poignancy and exquisite delicacy. This is a book that only unfolds further with each read. Detailing fictitiously the story behind Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece, Girl With a Pearl Earring, the characters are vivid and painfully relatable, despite their differing continent and time, due to the acute psychological introspection of the main character. Simply beautiful. !

WORDS TAHLIA DAVIES & NIKITA SIMPSON

! movie reviews.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a visual feast.

Bubbling with energy and saturated with colour, this movie is definitely not limited to the younger generation.

In fact the thing I found most baffling about my experience watching ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ was the reaction from the younger audience.

I turned around expecting to see 8 year-old eyes popping out of their heads. Instead this reaction was mirrored in the eyes of anyone over the age of 12. The running gags often hit the spot and weren’t limited to the humors of a child. The concept having come from a children’s book was greatly evolved to create an exciting, often mind boggling adventure. This film does not have the same impact of the recent human interest Disney Pixar animation ‘UP’, but it certainly does fulfill its requirements, Vibrant and mirthful, this film was an absolute joy to experience. 5/5

!

!

Paranormal Activity was the horror film of the year, without it being the slightest bit gory (well, it depends on which alternate ending you see).

Unlike other horror films, it doesn’t tactlessly rip the limbs off innocent human beings, but instead uses thrill and suspense rather than violence.

Although it took FOREVER for the movie to actually pick up, when that door unexplainably moved, there was a collective gasp for oxygen.

As the movie went on, it kept you thinking “Holy Mother of God, that nice couple is going to sleep again…I can hear the footsteps…wake up, goddamn wake up!!!” Paranormal Activity was done in a similar style to the Blair Witch Project and it had me convinced that it was a true-style documentary, but I was relived to find out that it was completely made up. Thank god. 4/5

The next instalment of the Twilight Saga had the biggest turn out in cinemas all around the world. In this movie, we see Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) still together as the duo in love, but after some unfortunate events they are broken apart from E-Cullen’s crazy mind set that he is ‘bad’ for her. This movie is filled with some cheesy moments, like Alice’s vision of a vampire version of Bella and like E-Cullen’s new smooching face. Another addition to the movie was the fight scene with the Volturi. Where did that come from? The highlight of the movie?

Definitely seeing the newly transformed Jacob Black (played by Taylor Lautner) and his awesome werewolf skills. 0.5/5

!

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

DYAD

!

! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

1929 ! ! !

I am not the biggest fan of contemporary art in all forms. I dislike the fact it habitually appears to lack skill and detail, and conceptuality does not often appeal to me. The Australian Ballet’s latest production Concord has however been an exception to this taste of mine. The Ballet was a triple bill, with the first two acts suiting a more traditional fancy and the final, a new piece created for the Australian Ballet, Dyad 1929, which took on a contemporaneous approach.

Dyad 1929, despite not being a story ballet, was a commemoration of Ernest Shackleton’s journey to Antarctica and the South Pole. The dancers played the notions of discovery and experimentation in the mission to Antarctica through post-modernism and pioneering choreography, drawing a strong parallel with the concepts exhibited by the Ballet Russes, a nomadic dance company of the early 1900s. The Australian Ballet has honoured the edgy and contextually newage work of the French/Russian dance company with its essence of invention and its developing influence on ballet and modern ballet threaded deeply throughout Dyad 1929 as well as many of their other works. Ballet Russes (French for Russian Ballet) is one of the world’s most famous and influential dance companies. It was active 1908 – 1929, founded by Sergei Diaghilev and was a development that branched off the Russian World of Art Movement Mir Iskusstva. The company was home to famous names Anna Pavlova (Namesake of the Pavlova cake), Alicia Markova (Prima Ballerina Assoluta and co-founder of the British National Ballet), Vaslav Nijinsky, Léonide Massine, and George Balanchine (Co-founder of New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet). Wellknown ballets produced by the company include Petrushka and Les Sylphides. Though today we would consider such ballets to be classical ballets, they were modern for their time, and embraced contemporary movements such as expressionism,

post-modernism, and orientalism. The company brought revolution to art, music and dance in their avant-garde pieces, aspects that are redolent in Dyad 1929.

Dyad 1929, though simple and what I expected to be pretentious like many other contemporary pieces I had been witness to, exhibited immense skill and detail in movement. Despite minimalistic set, costume and music, the composition had an unexpectedly captivating quality. The dancers performed with talent entertaining in itself, wrapping themselves around one another and creating lines so ethereally with the body. The moves choreographed by Wayne McGregor were intricate and dynamic. ‘But the body comes first for me in this instance… The body is the first hierarchy and I start with generating language which then we start to construct with the music’ he says in an interview within the company. This was made a point of contrast with the comment of traditional choreographer of another of Concord’s pieces, Alexei Ratmansky ‘The music comes first’. This contrast shows just some of the difference between traditional and non-traditional styles of ballet. The music in Dyad 1929 was a rhythmically layered double sextet composed by American musician Stephen Reich and did not say much for the success of the performance. The simplicity of the music went a little too far, and became fairly humdrum after a while. The set and costumes however were tastefully simple yet diverse and are open to interpretation by the audience.

Dyad 1929 was a tour de force evocative of the work of the Ballet Russes. This edgy dance style allowed the era of 1929, and in particular the growing knowledge of Antarctica to be portrayed as a time of progression and advance.

WORDS BIANCA BALLET-DANCING BALZER

BALLET FOR BEGINNERS CRASH COURSE 101 The Positions

First Position – Feet together, turned out.

Arms rounded, just below waist level.

Second Position – Feet shoulder width apart, turned out.

Arms rounded, held out slightly below the shoulders.

Third Position – Feet together with one foot slightly in front of the other, turned out. One arm in first position, the other in second.

Fourth Position – Feet apart with one crossed in front of the other, turned out. One arm in first position, the other in fifth.

Famous Ballets

Swan Lake: Princess Odette is cursed by the evil sorcerer von Rothbart so that she is swan by day, woman by night. Prince Siegfried, as he walks off his troubles by the lake one night meets Odette and they fall in love. One night, the sorcerer’s daughter, disguised as Odette attends the ball and tricks Prince Siegfried into marrying her. When the prince announces the engagement, he discovers he has been tricked as the real Odette arrives at the ball. He runs to apologize to her and they realize that her spell cannot be broken because of the accidental commitment he has already made to the imposter. To stay together, the two drown themselves in the lake and von Rothbart loses his powers.

!

! !

Fifth Position – Feet together with one crossed in front of the other, turned out. Both arms rounded, and held above head.

The Nutcracker: Clara, a young girl, is given a Nutcracker for Christmas by her mysterious uncle Herr Drosselmeyer. On Christmas Eve, when Clara sneaks down to play with the Nutcracker, a peculiar thing happens. At midnight, an army of mice comes to attack the Nutcracker and capture Clara. The Nutcracker comes to life as a prince and he and his army save Clara.

Together, they travel to a magical land, the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

After an enchanting visit, Clara returns to her home‌ was it a dream?

! ! ! ! ! !

Giselle: !

Giselle, a! peasant girl falls in love with Loys. He too claims to be a peasant !but in truth, he is a nobleman named Albrecht. When Giselle discovers this truth, she dies of a broken heart. By dying, she becomes a !

Wili, which is a ghost of affianced girls who have died before their wedding ! day. In the second act, the Queen of Wilis forces Albrecht to continuously dance but Giselle comes to save him. At dawn, the Wilis must return to their graves. Before Giselle does, she tells Albrecht that she forgives him, they then pledge their love for one another but because she is a Wili, she is separated from Albrecht for eternity.

!

! ! !

Don Quixote: ! !

In a dream, Don Quixote has a vision of Dulcinea, the wife of the king ! who has hired him to protect her, and falls in love. When he confesses his love !to her, the Don is embarrassed and so leaves his work. When he ! leaves, Dulcinea is captured by an malicious emperor. In remorse, Don Quixote !endeavours to set Dulcinea free. Driven by this vision when he wakes up, ! the Don travels to find his Dulcinea to protect her. In a village, he comes ! across a woman, Kitri, who he believes to be the woman of his dreams. She is in love with a man Basilio, however her father is suiting ! her to a man named Gamache. Don Quixote finds a way to let Kitri marry ! her true love Basil ! adventures. io and he! continues his !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

how to plan the perfect picnic

!

The picnic is a picturesque past time, the choice of families, lovers and children worldwide for days of old fashioned frivolity. This instruction aims at helping you in planning your own successful expedition.

Location, Location, Location Choose this carefully as it will set your tone for the day and you want plenty of room for all your fun picnic games and goodies. An oceanic setting can lead to a beachy theme, with Frisbee and acoustic guitar or alternatively you can have an ornate picnic under the leaves, with gourmet delicacies. Wherever you end up, don’t forget to bring a blanket and fold out chairs if sitting cross-legged doesn’t suit you.

Suggestions: Botanical gardens, Balmoral beach, Darling Harbor Packing a basket The food you bring on a picnic will be the most vital and exciting section of your outing and there are several important areas to consider when planning your menu.

What to drink: Something fresh and fun is best.

Buying things in singular bottles is very convenient, as you won’t have to deal with cups but this only works as long as you remember to collect them at the end of the day.

We Suggest: Pink Lemonade: This delicious candy coloured drink is delightful.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t even like pink lemonade; it is simply not a picnic unless you have it there and it’s just as fun to look at as it is to drink.

Sarsaparilla, Mango and Guava Juice, Iced Coffee.

What to eat: This is open to a lot of variation, differing with weather, location and if you’ve chosen a theme for your day. Keeping things small or bite sized is always useful and the less sticky, dietary requirements those attending have as an allergic reaction can really put a damper on the day.

We suggest: Cucumber Sandwiches:

! to put together and make you feel like a Easy society lady out to tea, cucumber sandwiches are charming and usually a hit among most people.

White bread? Cream Cheese? Cucumber? What’s not to like?

Other suggestions: Any form of antipasto, chocolate cake with cream, candied citruses, strawberry and cream, vine leaves.

What to do: Other than chatting away the hours in the sun, games are a regular occurrence at picnics and can come in many different forms. You can Activities: We Suggest: Limbo: Bring out the limbo pole and see once and for all how low you can go.

No bending knees! Whoever is left at the end should be crowned limbo queen of the picnic and treated accordingly.

Other suggestions: Ask a musically talented friend to bring along an instrument, twister, chess, trivia.

And there you have it! Your step-by-step guide on a basic picnic, of course as you become more experienced you can try out more lavish ideas and get creative with themes and locations. Once you try picnics, you’re hooked on them.

Pink Lemonade Recipe Ingredients 6 – lemons !2 – teaspoons grenadine syrup!1 /2 to 3/4 – cup sugar!

4 – cups water!

1 – cup crushed ice Strawberries for decoration Mixing Instructions This is a very easy recipe to make. Rinse lemons thoroughly, roll them between the palm of your hand and the kitchen counter top, to break up the pulp and produce more juice.

Cut lemons in half and squeeze. If you have a juicer, use it, if not just squeeze your juice into a bowl. Remove the seed from the squeezed lemon juice. Pour lemon juice into a pitcher and add grenadine syrup, sugar and water. Stir vigorously until sugar is completely dissolved. Add crushed ice and strawberries and serve immediately.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

thrifty eating.

by Himalee Raj Our dining budget shouldn’t deny us of the great culinary delights Sydney has to offer! Here are some of our tasty but cheap finds….

Saigon Pho, Flemington: Sugar Cane Prawns and Vermicelli Salad If you’re looking for a subtle taste, Saigon Pho is not the place for you.

Don’t let the cramped tables and cheap mirrors put you off. This place is the real deal; authentic Vietnamese, in overly generous servings.

Cooked to a golden perfection, the Sugar Cane prawn is a perfect balance of crispy skin, soft minced prawn meat, and firm, sweet sugar cane, and is dulcified by the refreshing salad of vermicelli, pickled carrot, sweet chilli sauce and mint.

Sapid and fresh, this is a perfect summer’s lunch.

If you’re feeling less adventurous, the seafood laksa is delectable.

Ice and Slice, Newtown:

!

Ichiban Boshi , Town Hall:

Roma Pizza Passion Gelato

Sukiyaki Donburi and Melon Soda

What better combination is there than homemade pizza and fresh gelato? Ice and Slice guarantees a relaxed and casual dining experience, and a great gusto in their full Italian flavours.

The Roma pizza is light yet satisfying. The flaky texture and strong flavour of the Parmesan compliments the soft, paper-thin prosciutto slices with an impressive perfection, while the peppery rocket leaves give the dish a kick.

You can’t go past the Passion Gelato, an enticing passionfruit and raspberry sorbet, served with meringue and fruit coulis. It’s fantastic after pizza.

You can also ask for a gelato cake, using any combination of their flavors!

Ask to be seated in the courtyard at the back- it’s the perfect spot for a summer night’s meal.

A great place for all lovers of Japanese cuisine!

Ichiban Boshi, found on the second floor of the Galleries Victoria is a restaurant of subtle and luscious flavours.

The shredded Sukiyaki marinated beef is succulent and tasty, and is served on a hot bed of rice. The scorching hot miso soup is a fantastic, full-bodied side dish. This is one of the few Japanese meals you can share with a fellow diner.

The melon soda is a must. Fresh and fragrant, the vibrant green drink is served in an old-fashioned sundae glass and served with a dollop of ice cream.

Conveniently located, Ichiban Boshi serves moreish and affordable food.

!

! !

!

!

!

The Flying Fahita Sistas, Glebe Speciality Flying Fajitas Enjoy all the authentic flavours of Mexico in this quaint little joint.

A place of great character; The Flying Fajita Sistas entreats you to these toothsome fajitas, and are served with a side of salad, cheese, guacamole, crema, salsa, olives, jalapenos, pineapple, frijoles and Mexican rice! The chorizo fahita has strips of tender homemade chorizo sausage, grilled to perfection. Their amazing range of hot sauces is mind blowing.

For desert, enjoy the decadent Orange, Coffee and Caramel Brulee- Fantástico!

The hearty food, low tables and lively crowd make for an enjoyable and quirky evening.

!

The Canton Noodle House, Burwood

!

Chicken Chow Mein and Taro Milk Tea with Pearls

!

The ultimate after-school destination; the Noodle House is just across from Westfield. This place ensures you get your money’s worth (you can get a whole flounder for $8)- without compromising their true Cantonese flavours. Their fresh taro milk tea is smooth and creamy-better than Easy Way’s! But don’t fill up on their Milk Teas if you expect to finish a meal; their portions are sizeable. The restaurant is not exactly aesthetically pleasing, but the tantalising smells wafting from the kitchen are enough to make you stay.

The Chicken Chow Mein is an explosion of flavour. The delectable sauce softens the crispy noodles, and the different varieties of mushrooms and tofu make for a meal diverse in not only flavours, but textures. Treat your palate, and visit the Canton Noodle House instead of heading to the Burwood food court- it’s a guaranteed best.

!

Banana Ricotta Pancakes At Bill’s

Okay, so not quite thrifty eating, but Bill’s is the ultimate breakfast or brunch destination. Their Banana Ricotta Pancakes are fit for Gods! The ricotta adds a creamy touch, and makes the pancakes airy and soft- they just melt in your mouth. The banana aroma is sultry and sweet; enough to make your mouth water. Their amazing range of pancakes beats Pancakes on the Rocks any day- Bill’s is a restaurant of intimacy and fine dining. An upmarket café, Bills is a bit dear, but the food is delightful.

!

Food Review CHILLI MUDCRAB Chilli mudcrab, commonly found in Malaysia and Singapore, is a delicious dish for all occasions. The crab is cooked in a masala and is served with sweet buns to mop up the sauce and cool down the mouth. The juices from the crab are sweet and compliment the flavours of the chilli sauce making it a delightful feast!

WORDS SIMRIN NIJHAWAN

! ! !

!

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

cliquedy-cliques. indie.

Society never fails to confound me, a not-quite harmonistic cocktail of different images, cliques and clichés. True uniqueness is a rare commodity, hidden under the slatherings of sub-culture applied to the outer layer. For human nature is to group, to fit in and search for people like oneself, or to make oneself like other people. The result of this long process of preening and trimming, of conjuring image and personality is the creation of a number of distinct sub-cultures. This, is your society.

Derived from the word independent, and growing from the root of film, music and art, the indie sub-culture is a mix of waify, vintage-obsessed, woody allen-watching 20-somethings with better hair than everyone else. Peppered with arrogance and intellectual snobbery they are widely read, widely watched, widely mainstream individuals. A kind of good-looking paradox.

Hometown: King St in Newtown Favourite Article of Clothing: their vintage leather brogues from C’s Flashback.

Worships: Amelié

! !

Food: Anything vegan Most Treasured Possession: Their Polaroid Camera Quote: ‘lets do chai in the surrey’ Mixtape: Patrick Wolf, The Smiths (even though they’re old), Neutral Milk Hotel, Regina Spektor, Conor Oberst, David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins, Sara Blasko, Vampire Weekend.

!

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

!

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

scenesters.

We all know them, the bunch of black-clad teenagers that reside in the urine haze of town hall. Keep your eyes low and your head down to avoid their violent stares of judgment. With multiple piercings in all nooks and crannies they run their hands through their violet streaked hair reveling in their image. When theyre shooed from Townhall they go straight to their myspace page updating their latest lovo shots.

Hometown: Townhall Favourite Article of Clothing: red skinny jeans and jayjays tee’s.

!

!

Worship: Oliver Skyes

! ! ! ! ! !

Food: Happy Meals

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Most Treasured Possession: their black eyeliner and dora the explorer backpack Quote: ‘happiness is hard to find when you feel like you’re dying inside’ Mixtape: Bring Me The Horizon, Escape the Fate, Alkaline Trio, Enter Shikari, Parkway Drive, System Of A Down, Bullet For My Valentine.

shirebabes.

! !

The bombshells of land beyond the bridge, their wardrobes consist of nothing but bikinis, I <3 THE SHIRE tees and havianas. Their blonde hair is constantly salty and parted in the middle pushed back with over sized sunglasses. Their stifling patriotism to ‘god’s country’ is simply a product of isolation.

Hometown: ‘Nulla Favourite Article of Clothing: roxy teeny bikini.

Worship: anyone who surfs.

Food: Milkshakes from the kiosk.

Most Treasured Possession: bottle of fake tan Quote: ‘the south is god’s country’ Mixtape: The Presets, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Lily Allen, Britney Spears and Rihanna.

! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

lads and lasses.

Probably the most distinct clique, they wear the uniform of nike caps and polo shirts. With a bumbag slung over their shoulders and a cigarette constantly hanging from their lips, they stauch and they gather. Their favourite past time being loitering, pumping akon from their phones and scaring innocent girls on their daily commute home.

Hometown: Burwood Favourite Article of Clothing: baggy sweat pants and them rebocks with the straps Worship: Themselves Food: Kebabs Most Treasured Possession: can of spray paint Quote: ‘eshays adlays’

!

the exclusives.

Most often found fanning themselves beside the pool of their Double Bay mansion, being fed organic grapes from silver platters, exclusives are exactly what their name suggests: exclusive. They’re always ‘doing’ coffee (each cup costing $7 and made with low fat, lactose free soy milk with extra foam) in poncy cafés and partying hard in their penthouses. Attending elitist private schools and juggling their modeling career on the side.

Mixtape: Akon, Tpain, T.I, Dj Sammy, Basement Jax, DMX, Nickasaur!.

! ! !

Hometown: Bondi junction Chanel store Favourite Article of Clothing: Chloé bag Food: Caviar Worship: Paris and Nicole Most Treasured Possession: Their Iphones and Acrylics Quote: ‘Daddy…’

Mixtape: Hall&Oates, Gwen Stefani, Imogen Heap.

!

FIRST DAY Words Simrin Nijhawan I still remember the fear and excitement I felt on my first day at MLC School. Knowing deep down inside that I would be gaining independence from catching the ‘school bus’ as all my life, I had been dropped to and from school. On the first morning, I proudly wore my new crisp junior uniform, with my shiny black school shoes and hair tied up in a neat ponytail. On my back I had my new blue school bag, which held my sandwich for lunch and that beautiful shiny white iBook G4 which, was manly used for exchanging icons and games like jelly boy and harvest moon.

In my schooling life, I have been to four schools, and somehow I knew that MLC would be the ‘chosen one’, the one I called ‘my’ school.

MLC sShool is the first widely multicultural school I had ever been to, meaning that all of the teasing was and is gone. Not only this, but the learning environment at MLC School is one of encouragement, technology and future focused learning.

One of the most remembers years would be my first, which was year 5. We learnt about the icy cold plains of Antarctica and the dancing black penguins. We decorated our classrooms to look like ice and fire. I remember the camp to Sovereign Hill, where enough of us were sick from that long 14hour bus trip! Then there was the Gold game. Teachers and IT staff dressed up as bandits trying to wrestle the gold we treasured out of our hands. The epic water fight with Mrs Hilson’s and Dr Drew’s class was a memory never to forget.

All those memories are cherished, but look at us now, here in high school entering year 11, with even more memories then before. So the message I leave to all MLC girls, is to have fun every step of the way, no matter how stressed or exhausted you may be. !