The Other Press - Feb 15, 2022

Page 1


Is marriage still worth it?

Photo by Anna Machuik

››Take my super single opinion at your own risk

Matthew Fraser Editor in Chief

T

hough much ado has been made on the “Manosphere” as to the dangers of marriage and the alleged bloodsucking, gold-digging nature of women, I have always just assumed those guys were shitty individuals to begin with. As such, their constant rallying cry of “Hate all women and be the alpha male they can’t resist” has always seemed foolish and hollow to me. But at the same time, I’ve never been interested in marriage myself. Maybe I have spent so long in singlesville that the allure of cohabitation and forever commitment has been lost to me. However, COVID-19 brought about a widespread increase in relationship strain and divorce. According to one Torontobased lawyer, the first Monday of January is colloquially known as “DivorceDay” due to the sheer number of people inquiring about leaving their spouses on that day. In an interview with Global News,

Russell Alexander of Collaborative Family Lawyers reported a 68 percent increase in divorce inquiries this January relative to the previous high set in July of 2021. But does that mean marriage is dead and holy matrimony is worthless? Though I am happily single, I’d say no, there is still much to be gained for those who seek to be married. For some, I think the symbol of commitment in the ceremony and the ring are worthwhile traditions that should be continued. It might seem like an antiquated and largely senseless procedure for many of us but I do think that it holds individual value for many couples. It could just be the formality of gathering everyone's family and friends to witness one of the most important moments in your life that helps the symbol stand out. Alternatively, it c0uld just be the lavish nature of one’s dream wedding that makes it important Plus, for some, I think the act of getting married helps mark the transition between young adults into full adulthood.

It’s an important step from initial independence to full responsibility and intention. That certainly doesn’t mean you can’t be a responsible adult without a wedding ring, but it does mean that the act of taking on responsibility can be both heavy and meaningful when a couple stands at the altar. However, the altar brings me to an important consideration, how will marriage have to change in the forwardmoving world we live in? For some people, it has meant a small informal ceremony with friends and loved ones devoid of government paperwork but filled with the honest heart of commitment. For others, it has meant the awkward transition between cohabitation and common-law spouses. Regardless of what level of formality is used, the essence of the commitment is still there.

The Other Press has been a student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eightperson board of directors appointed by our staff. The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada. The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.

 theotherpress.ca  editor@theotherpress.ca    theotherpress

matthew fraser

Matthew Fraser Editor-in-Chief  editor@theotherpress.ca

Martha Alejandra Espinoza Illustrator

Jonathan Pabico Senior Columnist

Nhi 'Jenny' Vo Layout Manager  layout@theotherpress.ca

Anna Machuik Staff Photographer

CJ Sommerfeld Production Assistant

Billy Bui Staff Photographer

Ash Sabinin Mo Hussain Win Pyae Pyae Phyo Contributors

Position Open Assistant Editor  assistant@theotherpress.ca

Arnaldo Fragozo Staff Photographer

Athena Little Illustrator

Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

Udeshi Seneviratne Illustrator

Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

Cover layout by Udeshi Seneviratne and CJ Sommerfeld Feature layout by Udeshi Seneviratne and CJ Sommerfeld

Credit

Lettitor


Have an idea for a story?  news@theotherpress.ca

News

news // no. 3 • Out of 25,000 universities in the world, B.C. ranks pretty well • Ou with the old, in with who knows who ...and that's everything!

Where top B.C. universities rank globally ››Out of 25,000 universities in the world, B.C. ranks pretty well

Mo Hussain Contributor

M

Photo by Billy Bui

ost British Columbians have a pretty good idea of where their universities rank within the province. However, not many are aware of how the top B.C. universities rank compared to other universities around the world. Here is how the top four universities in the province fare on the global stage. University of British Columbia (UBC) UBC is often dubbed as one of Canada’s ‘ivy league’ schools, and rightfully so. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings listed UBC as the 37th ranked university in the world. In Canada, UBC was ranked second in terms of its reputation by Maclean’s Magazine. Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU is often looked at as the second-best university in B.C. and holds its ground

pretty well nationally. MacLean’s ranked SFU as the 11th best university in terms of its reputation. The world rankings have SFU ranked between 201st and 250th compared to other Universities in the rest of the world. That might look like a bad ranking until one reads that there are over 25,000 universities in the world. University of Victoria (UVIC) Although this institution may be far from SFU within the province, it’s not as relatively far behind SFU in terms of its rankings. The University of Victoria, Ranks 14th on MacLean's reputation list, and between 301st and 350th in THE rankings. University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) The university with the biggest geographic distance from the rest of the universities mentioned is UNBC. MacLean ranked the Prince George-based university 41st in Canada. THE ranked UNBC between 801st and 1000th universities on the global stage.

Conservative leadership shakeup Matthew Fraser Editor in Chief

S

hortly after the Conservative Party of Canada lost in the federal election, rumours and opinion pieces began to swirl calling for leader Erin O’Tooles’s removal. In November of the same year, Rupa Subramanya wrote an opinion piece for The National Post both outlining the scandal at that time as well as making the case for O’Toole’s removal. Subramanya first explained that a Conservative senator named Denise Batters had begun the public campaign to remove O’Toole. Batters accused O’Toole of position inconsistency on issues including guns and conscience rights, positioning himself to close to the Liberal party as opposed to the centre of the Conservative party and demanding fealty from the party to him personally. Additionally, Batters is said to have accused O’Toole of being untrustworthy and in this way, unable to become a trusted leader of the nation. According to Subramanya, the Batters petition exceeded 2,000 votes in less than 24 hours. By January 25, CTV News reported that three separate Conservative riding associations had expressed interest in

an O’Toole leadership review. Shortly thereafter on January 31, CTV News reported that O’Toole was welcoming of a leadership review and seemingly confident in his statements. In a January 31 tweet thread, O’Toole stated: "I'm not going anywhere and I'm not turning back." Though O’Toole presented himself as confident and in touch with his party, MP Garnett Genius had released a statement the same day stating that roughly one-third of Conservative MP’s had signed a letter further backing a leadership review. On February 2, 73 conservative MP’s voted to remove O’Toole as party leader vs the 45 who voted for him to remain. As such, O’Toole resigned as party leader. Though O’Toole will no longer serve as party leader, he will continue as MP for Durham Ontario. In their reporting on the vote, CTV News quoted Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux as saying: “We must rebuild trust amongst Canadians and show them that we are strong and stable leaders who are rooted in our conservative values while also understanding that we can evolve, learn, and modernize our party to reflect all.” In the wake of O’Toole’s ouster, Jeneroux sees an “opportunity” for the party.

Of note is the fact that the method for O’Toole’s removal was the 2015 Reform Act created by Conservative MP Micheal Chong. CBC reported on June 22 that the bill aimed “shift some power away from party leaders and toward members of Parliament has been passed by the Senate.” As reported by CBC one of the key components was the ability for MPs to forward leadership reviews and remove failing leaders if necessary. In an October 2022 interview with The Hub, Chong argued that: “All the Reform Act has done is said that we need to have a process that’s clearly laid out in writing, so that when there is a crisis in leadership in the parliamentary party, there are clear rules on how to deal with it, how to review, and how to remove the party leader.” Chong pointed to previous efforts being “ad hoc and chaotic” as a defence for the act. Following the vote, MP Pierre Poilievre announced that he would be running for Prime Minister. Though he

Illustration by Athena Little

››Ou with the old, in with who knows who

did not specifically name the conservative party in his announcement, he did garner near-immediate public support from MP’s and voters alike. MP John Baird from the Ottawa area declared Poilievre a “very strong leader” in an interview with The West Block. In addition to Baird, at least 15 other MPs have endorsed Poilievre thus far, according to a list compiled by CBC.


Sports

Have an idea for a story?  news@theotherpress.ca

sports // no. 4 • Vancouver Canucks host Anaheim and Seattle at Rogers Arena • Predictions for the second half of the NBA season ...and more

Top three most Super Bowl wins in history

Photo by Anna Machuik

››The odds to win one is 3.1%, imagine the odds of winning multiple

Mo Hussain Contributor

W

ith the 2022 Super Bowl finally being one without any powerhouse teams, it’s interesting to look back on how dominant some teams were during their time. The odds for any team to win the Super Bowl every year is extraordinarily low, let alone win multiple championships over many decades the way these teams have. Here are the six teams ranked with the top three most super bowl wins in history.

1st: 6 wins

2nd: 5 wins

Tied for first: New England Patriots—six wins The second NFL team to have won six Super Bowls is the New England Patriots. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were primarily responsible for all those wins. The Patriots won their first three Super Bowls in the early 2000s with a win in 2002, and back-to-back wins in 2004 and 2005. The second half of those Super Bowl wins wouldn’t come until the late 2010s. The Patriots won in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

Tied for second: Dallas Cowboys—five wins With the Steelers dominating the late 70s and the 49ers dominating the late 80s, it’s only right to mention who won big in the 90s. The Dallas Cowboys had an incredible run in that decade picking up back-to-back Super Bowls in 1993 and 1994 and winning one in 1996. The team also performed quite well in the 70s, winning a Super Bowl in 1972 and 1978.

Tied for first: Pittsburgh Steelers—six wins The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of two NFL franchises that can say they’ve won six super bowls. The bulk of those came in the late 70s and into the 80s. The first pair of Super Bowls were back to back in 1975 and 1976. They then won back-to-back Super Bowls again in 1979 and 1980. The remaining two Super Bowls wouldn’t come until the 2000s when the team managed to win in 2006 and 2009.

Tied for second: San Francisco 49ers—five wins After the Steelers had their run in the late 70s and into the early 80s, the 49ers viewed it as their turn to make history. The team was a perennial contender throughout the entire 1980s and proved it by winning in 1982, 1985, and back-toback Super Bowls in 1989 and 1990. The team then also managed to pick up another Super Bowl in the following decade, after winning in 1995.

3rd: 4 wins Tied for third: Green Bay Packers/ New York Giants—four wins The two teams tied for the third most Super Bowls are the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. The Packers were the first Super Bowl champions in history, winning back-to-back championships in 1967 and 1968. They then managed to win one in 1997 and another in 2011. The Giants’ four Super Bowl wins were back to back and then in quick succession. The team won two Super Bowls four years apart in 1986 and 1990. They then did that again in 2007 and 2011.


issue 20// vol 48

sports // no. 5

Predictions for the second half of the NBA season

››Some teams are going to get it together, while others should just sit this one out Mo Hussain Contributor

T

Illustration by Athena Little

he NBA season has essentially reached its midway point with the trade deadline and all-star weekend past us. This time of the year is when fans usually get an idea of who’s in the running for MVP, NBA Finals favourites, and which teams have a shot at making the playoffs. Here are some predictions fans can keep in the back of their minds for the rest of the season. The Lakers might bounce back This one is quite a hot take given how the Lakers have performed this year. As of February 11, the team’s lost seven of their last 10 games and are currently ninth in the Western Conference. They’ve been losing some games they shouldn’t be losing like the February 9 matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers had LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the court, and they still lost to a Trail Blazers team who’d just traded CJ McCollum and didn’t have Damian Lillard in the lineup. With all that being said, the team is still led by LeBron James and has Anthony Davis, arguably two of the five best players in the world. James’s also been in this situation before with an arguably worse 2018 team, and he took that squad to the finals. He’s averaging the most points since the 2007-08 season and is the type of guy to help rally his squad when they need him most. It’s not necessarily going to win them a championship, but James isn’t going to allow the Lakers to have to be in the play-in tournament either.

The Nets will bounce back People should also look forward to the Brooklyn Nets climbing back up the rankings after the recent move they made. The team was the talk of the trade deadline after trading away James Harden and Paul Millsap in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks. Not only does the team get a lot of value from the recent trade with an elite point guard, a shooter, and some size in the frontcourt, but they also have Kevin Durant coming back from injury in a couple of weeks. As of February 11, the team’s lost their last 10 games which placed them in the eighth seed. But with the assets from the trade, and Kevin Durant’s health getting better, they should have no trouble climbing back up the Eastern Conference standings. Kawhi Leonard isn’t coming back Los Angeles Clipper fans hoping for a miraculous return from Kawhi Leonard shouldn’t get their hopes up. Leonard’s been sidelined with an ACL injury since June last year and isn’t showing any signs of coming back this season. Clippers Head Coach Tyronn Lou even said in a February 3 press conference that Kawhi’s “probably not gonna come back.” And why would he? The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are dominating the Western Conference right now, and the Clippers are in the eighth seed as of February 11. Combine this with the fact that Paul George is dealing with his injury issues, and there isn’t really a reason for Kawhi to rush coming back. Even if the Clippers make the playoffs, the odds of them making a meaningful run to the championship is low. He could sit out this year and fully recover alongside George and make a healthy comeback next year.

Canada Bringing Bronze Medals So Far ››2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games Week One Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist ust a few months after the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, another city that last hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 2008 is attempting to do the impossible hosting the Winter Olympic Games. When Beijing won the right to host them seven years ago, many people were wondering how it was going to work in a city that barely receives snow during this time. Most of the venues that were used during the Summer Olympic Games are reused and retrofitted for winter sports while machine-made snow is produced and put on top of a ski slope nearby for ski and snowboard events. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games are happening while other major historic events are happening including the Coronavirus Pandemic where fans still cannot watch the events in person and a possible Russian invasion in Ukraine. Also, many government officials boycotted going to the games as a response to China’s human rights record and the cultural genocide of Uyghur Muslims. Just like the opening ceremony in Tokyo 2020, this opening ceremony was also simple with a different type of high-tech technology and musical presentations that showed the patriotism of the host country.

Illustration by Athena Little

J

The Captain of the Canadian Women's Hockey Team Marie-Phillip Poulin and short track speed skater Charles Hamelin in his fifth and potentially final Winter Olympic Games were appointed flag bears. They carried the Canadian flag and led the rest of the Canadian Olympic Team into the Birds Nest Stadium. After President

Xi Jinping declared the games open, two Chinese athletes including one of Uyghur descent lighted the Olympic flame which is the Olympic torch in the middle of a snowflake. At the time of writing, Canada has 12 medals so far and they are predominantly bronze medals. Maxence Parrot got the country’s first gold medal in men’s

slopestyle snowboarding after a long battle with cancer that he was able to beat. His fellow snowboarder Mark McMorris got his third bronze medal in the same event as well. In snowboard cross, Canada was awarded a silver and bronze medal for Eliot Grondin and Meryeta Odine’s respective performances. Canada won medals in skiing events including alpine skiing, ski jumping, and freestyle skiing where Mikael Kingsbury won a silver medal. So far, speed skater Isabelle Wiedemann got a silver medal and a bronze medal in the 5000m and 3000m events respectively. While in short track speed skating, Kim Boutin who previously won a bronze medal in Pyeongchang four years ago after a South Korean short track speed skater was disqualified got another bronze medal in the 500m and Steven Dubois got a silver medal in the 1500m. The Canadian Women's Hockey Team won every game that they played so far including against the United States and the men's team just began their tournament which will get more exciting in week 2. Although, the women's tournament is probably going to be more exciting than the men's tournament. Despite the uncertainty of what is happening around the world right now, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games are so far doing well and maybe Canada could get the most medals when the games are done.


Love in the era of Millenials and Gen-Z ››Is it dead or just different? Matthew Fraser Opinions Editor

W

hen I first started collecting records I quickly fell in love with Bossa Nova; the Brazillian Jazz fusion contained countless layers and tones for me to explore and a near-limitless number of records for me to lust after. As I purchased more and more records, I eventually stumbled across “Insensatez” by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. Though almost every version is perfect, the one performed on Jazz Samba Encore! with Maria Toledo singing struck me the most. As the song's intro slips away, Toledo sings the mournful words of someone foolish, insensitive and ultimately undeserving of love. Though Stan Getz comes in with a powerful and almost redeeming solo, the bleak nature of forlorn and unhappy heartbreak remains the song's core even as the last notes fade away. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me what love meant. Unbeknownst to me, they had begun the process of a divorce and were lost in their own world of heartbreak and indecision. But I realized shortly after the question was asked that I had no answer. I had no idea what it was that poets say sets the blood aflame or causes hearts to break. I didn’t even have a frame of reference in loneliness and longing to set forwards as a touchstone. As always, when Valentine approaches, singles and couples alike must be absorbed into the actions, images and desires that we broadcast to the world as love. But does love just mean flowers and roses? Is love summed in the word devotion or totalled in the value of a ring? Does love exist beyond just a word or is love now a long dead and forgotten thing lost to most millennials and Gen-Z?

If just one thing has been blamed for the end of love and the precipitous decline in marriage in this generation, it’s hook-up culture and pre-marital sex. Dating gurus have spoken plenty on it while youth pastors and religious teachers have warned against it. Even the ever-so-popular and controversial public intellectuals Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro have jumped in the ring to let everyone know of the dangers of casual sex and its deleterious effects. Yet, in a 2019 New York Times article biological anthropologist Dr. Hellen Fisher is quoted as saying “The first date has changed—it’s time-consuming and expensive. Now [millennials] have a sex interview with a person to see if they want to invest in a first date.” Though I think referring to things as a “sex interview” is both weird and overly formal, the core concept is correct; there are some people in whom you don’t want to invest relationship energy. Even if older generations feel that pre-marital sex is the worst way to figure that out, it hasn’t stopped Millenials the world over from doing it. But the willingness amongst Millenials and Gen-Z to engage in casual sex isn’t the defined end of love and marriage as that would imply that previous generations did not have pre-marital sex and thusly were more interested in the sex withheld from them before nuptials. Any movie watcher who has seen movies made in the ’70s and onwards is fully aware that youth sexuality was just as much a topic before as it is now. And when one considers 90’s classics like Kids or Cruel Intentions it becomes even harder to argue that today's sex is ruining the sanctity of marriage that was previously unsullied. But not all millennials are making it to this “interview” stage; rather, if there is much in the way of pre-marital sex happening it seems to be restricted to a relatively small group while the rest are left on the wayside. Insider dedicated a brief article to a January 2021 study by Rutgers and Albany Universities which outlined a significant decrease in the amount of casual sex 18 to 23-year-olds were having versus the same age group 10 years prior and in a more interesting turn, The Harvard Crimson found that 60 percent of the freshman class of 2022 self-reported being virgins. If

Though I think referring to things as a “sex interview” is both weird and overly formal, the core concept is correct; there are some people in whom you don’t want to invest relationship energy.


It might be time to realize that we have collectively crossed the rubicon and it is time for us to stop asking our parents for advice in a world so drastically different from the one they experienced in years long passed. has an answer to the problem. As a matter of fact, it's almost guaranteed that no one can even define the problem in a way that makes sense in the modern world. Are we talking about the decrease in people at the altar or are we talking about a drop in “committed” relationships? Between the prevalence of homosexuality and bisexual relationships, coupled with the increasing acceptance of transgender people, much of the old way of defining relationships makes little to no sense in the modern-day. Next is the fact that what defines success has drastically changed. It used to be that the nuclear family of a stay-at-home mom and a hard-working but emotionally unavailable husband raising two kids while concealing their fights, differences and at worst, abuse were still considered a success. Now, a family where the woman is the primary breadwinner is no less successful or, one in which they have no kids is just as healthy. Once again, adding any of the modern sexual dimensions like homosexual couples or throuples (a romantic group of three) make a relationship just as successful on a personal level, though a complete failure if not abomination by old standards. As a result, it may just be time for current youth floundering in the dating market to realize that there are no cheat codes for the modern state of love and maybe there are no definitions to give. It might be time to realize that we have collectively crossed the rubicon and it is time for us to stop asking our parents for advice in a world so drastically different from the one they experienced in years long passed. That doesn’t mean that practices like ghosting are suddenly great or acceptable, but rather that we are going to have to define love and relationship success for ourselves on a near-case-by-case basis and hope that future generations don’t rip up our definitions as we have destroyed old ones. Love exists in the year 2022 and all future years, but it might look less and less like the male-female couples of our old movies and more like the free-love of a religious nightmare. For some, it will undoubtedly be better to take the traditional route and stay monogamous, for others, it might be the freer nature of CNM or a two-plus-two relationship. However, regardless of the root taken, there will always be friends to ask what love really is and moments to belatedly listen to “Insensatez.”

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

anything, these numbers lead to the long-feared theory that the youth are suffering a “sex recession.” Conversely, there is the burgeoning group of involuntarily celibate people, i.e., people who would be sexually active if given the opportunity. Although incel often derogatorily refers to men who hold hateful views towards women, the term actually originated in the 1990s from a Canadian woman named Alana. However, the presence of the term underlines the fact that more than just sexual activity amongst a relatively small section of the youth population is causing the marital dearth that currently grips the western world. At times it has seemed apropos to blame dating apps and websites like Tinder or Bumble for the lack of marriages. Often called the paradox of choice, the theory holds that as your options increase and you have more to choose from, the harder it is to make a decision. The problem with too many options is said to be the fear of making the wrong decision. While this may explain some of the lack of long-term relationship building, the idea of “settling” or “dating someone below your league” is certainly not new and quite likely to have had similar effects. The next big bugbear accused of halting the advancement of love and marriage is the march towards consensual non-monogamy (CNM for short) and alternative lifestyles. People have been doing it for years with varying degrees of success, but only recently has it become relatively mainstream. Gone are the days when the husband and his secretary were an open but shameful secret. Now the idea of being “The Other Man” is an all too common possibility if you spend enough time on dating apps and websites. But that hasn’t seemed to spell the doom of marriages and a collapse in the total quality of relationships. Far from it as some relationship experts believe that it is often beneficial for the right couples. In a 2020 BBC article, Samantha Joel assistant professor of social psychology at Western University explained that “people in CNM report having open communication [because] it is difficult to be CNM if you are not talking about boundaries. Whereas in monogamous couples, those discussions about boundaries often don’t happen.” Likewise, in an article for Psypost, Justin K. Mogilski of the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie referenced research that found CNM benefits to include “diversified need fulfillment, more frequent social opportunities, and more fluid sexual expression.” But what does all of this say about the future or even the current state of millennial love? For one, it's probably safe to say that no one person


sports // no. 8

theotherpress.ca

Vancouver Canucks host Anaheim and Seattle at Rogers Arena ››Quinn Hughes is expected to return to the lineup after being in COVID-19 protocol Brandon Yip Senior Columnist he Vancouver Canucks returned from the NHL All-Star break. And unfortunately, the team is not getting any “breaks” from players entering COVID-19 protocol. At the time of writing, Vancouver’s record is 21-21-6. They are still seventh in the Pacific Division with 48 points and six points out of a Wild Card playoff spot. Sportsnet reported on February 7 that Canucks defenceman, Quinn Hughes, entered the NHL COVID-19 protocol. The 22-year-old defenceman, in 45 games played, has two goals and 32 assists. The Province reported Hughes must stay in the US under NHL protocol quarantine guidelines. He is eligible to return to the lineup when Vancouver plays on the road in San Jose on February 17. Rick Dhaliwal, c0-host from the Donnie and Dhali television program posted on Twitter an update about Hughes’ status: “Just talked with Jim Rutherford on Quinn Hughes in [COVID-19] protocol—[he] was at the all-star game in Vegas, tough break for us, we are scratching and clawing to stay in this race. He will not be available for us the next 3 games, hoping Feb 17th in San Jose.” Canucks coach, Bruce Boudreau, spoke with reporters on February 7. He said the loss of Hughes hurts the team, but other players will need to step up their performance. “If you look at the amount of goals that [Hughes] creates from the back end, (on) a team that is somewhat offensively challenged...I mean, that’s going to be the challenge right there,” he said. “He’s a great player. We’ve gone with [JT] Miller and (Bo) Horvat being out at the same time. We’ve gone with (Thatcher) Demko being out and (Jaroslav) Halak at the same time, so we’re going to go through with this.” The Canucks held a practice on February 7. Canucksarmy.com reported Tucker Poolman, Matthew Highmore and Elias Pettersson were absent from practice. Sportsnet later reported that Bruce Boudreau stated after practice that Pettersson was away due to non-COVIDrelated flu symptoms. Vancouver played the Arizona Coyotes on February 8, winning by a score of five to one. The next evening, the Canucks lost to the New York Islanders by a score of six to three (Canucks were losing 5-1 after the first period). The Islanders’ fifth goal was scored by Coquitlam native, Mathew Barzal (with friends and family in attendance)—before Vancouver’s starting goalie, Jaroslav Halak, was removed. Thatcher Demko played in net the rest of the game. Bruce Boudreau said after the game, the Canucks played better in the second period—and scored two goals to make it 5-3. But being down 5-0 in the first period is insurmountable: game, set, match to the Islanders. “You give up five goals in a period, I mean, there’s not too many good things to say,” he said as reported by Sportsnet. “It’s crazy but they looked twice as fast as we did in the first period. I thought in the second period, we looked a lot faster than them. We’ve just got to be ready to play. I can’t explain it any better than that.” Since Boudreau replaced Travis Green as head coach in December 2021, the team won eight of nine games (80-1). But after January 1, the Canucks have only five wins in their last 14 games (5-6-3). Also, discussion continues with fans and media about the play of Elias Pettersson. In 48 games this season, he has 27 points (13 goals and 14 assists). Boudreau told the media that he wishes Pettersson would just shoot the puck more. “It’s not like he hasn’t been told,” he said. “I try to tell him to be more selfish. Matter of fact, in Nashville (a 4-2 Canucks loss last Tuesday), I told him to start shooting the puck more, and next shift he went out, shot the puck and hit the cross bar. But that was his last shot of the game. I would love him to get four or five shots on goal a game. And I think...the rest of the group would too.” In other NHL news, NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, held a press conference in Las Vegas on February 4 during NHL All-Star Weekend. Bettman stated that he may move the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, scheduled for July 7 and 8 at the Bell Centre in Montreal if COVID-19

Graphic by Martha Alejandra Espinoza

T

restrictions are still in place. “It has been extraordinarily painful to see [the Montreal Canadiens] play in an empty building, particularly, as I understand it, people are going to restaurants and bars,” he said as reported by Sportsnet. “This is very frustrating for everybody.” Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly, sitting beside Bettman, stated the NHL Entry Draft may go virtual—with Bettman interjecting: “No. I think we might go somewhere else.” Lastly, NHL coaches are “hired to be fired” and that philosophy came to fruition once again with the Montreal Canadiens firing head coach Dominique Ducharme on

February 9 as reported by TSN. Martin St. Louis was named interim head coach for the Habs. The next day, Sportsnet reported the Edmonton Oilers fired head coach, Dave Tippett, replacing him with Jay Woodcroft. St. Louis, during his press conference as reported by Sportsnet, displayed his sense of humour—making light of his limited experience as an NHL coach (coaching only peewee hockey): “Well, if (there’s) anything this team needs right now, it’s to have fun. I know when they were peewees, they had a lot of fun. So, you know, I’m probably the most qualified guy right now.”


Have an idea for a story?  arts@theotherpress.ca

Arts

arts // no. 9 • Here’s a K-pop valentine’s day playlist with heartfelt feelings • Some classic love stories on the big screen ...and more

Romance Movies for Valentine’s Day

››Some classic love stories on the big screen Ash Sabinin Contributor

Photo by Anna Machuik

V

alentine's Day is right around the corner and sometimes going out to celebrate is just not an option. Instead of competing for space at the local restaurant like everyone else, how about having a nice movie night from the comfort of your own home. Here are my top 3 favourite romance movies to cuddle up and enjoy either with that special someone, friends or by yourself. First up is a classic, everyone loves it and it’s clear why; it’s The Notebook starring the beloved Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. The Notebook was directed by Nick Cassavetes and debuted nearly 20 years ago. Funnily enough, Gosling was given the part because Cassavetes didn’t think he had the typical “handsome” look we’ve grown to expect from movie stars. If you don’t already know the plotline, it tells the story of a young love torn apart by the disapproval of family members, yet somehow, magically, prevails in the end. Within this movie, one of the most memorable scenes from any movie takes place; the kiss in the rain, a moment that changed the idea of romance forever. When people think of romance movies, this is definitely one of the most well-known ones and for good reason.

The next is One Day, which debuted back in 2011. Anne Hathaway plays a loveable character with dreams to change the world and Jim Sturgess plays Dexter, who came from a wealthy family and thinks that he owns the world. The story begins with two college graduates who meet once a year, on the date of their graduation to catch up and follows how their relationship grows and develops throughout the movie. The audience gets to fall in love with the characters, while they fall in love with each other. It’s a beautiful movie with enthralling characters, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a great movie worthy of a good cry. And last but absolutely not least, we have The Time Traveller's Wife which is a great movie that stands at the intersection of romance and science fiction, with a little bit of drama sprinkled in. This movie received tons of attention when it first was released back in 2009 and was a box office hit, raking in around 100 million dollars worldwide. Again, we have Rachel McAdams (a romance movie legend) and Eric Bana star in this movie as two lovers under strain. One of them has a genetic disorder that causes involuntary time travel and yet despite it, they manage to create a beautiful relationship built on patience and faith. This story is a beautiful balance between romance and sci-fi, and the changing perspectives keep the viewers enthralled till the very end.

Love is in the air! ››Here’s a K-pop valentine’s day Win Pyae Pyae Phyo Contributor

M

usic is a creative and expressive art that can embody human emotions. It elicits strong feelings and overwhelming delight in individuals, influencing mood and behaviours, as well as ideas and sentiments. For this reason, music's power should never be underestimated. “What is Love” by Twice is upbeat and the vocals are cheerful making you want to sing along. The girls in this song are pondering what it means to be in love. The lyrics are highly detailed as they ponder this mysterious emotion. It appears that their amazement for love originates from movies, literature, and dramas. They utilize cliched instances of how love is defined to convey the idea that love is a euphoric emotion that the ladies have never experienced. They wait for love to come to them but get frustrated until they can't stand it any longer. When translated into English, the chorus says: "I want to know/ What is love?" Practically screaming that they are really interested in learning more about love.

Now, let’s move on to a slight shift of genre with a soulful R&B song called “Only” by LeeHi. It's about a never-ending love for your one and only, which lasts a lifetime. The phrases convey how much the protagonist values her relationship as she describes her true love. A highly passionate composition with R&B instrumentals is used to accompany the words, bringing forth the finest of feelings. Despite all of this, the singer's voice remains the song's main highlight. LeeHi's soulful voice, in my opinion, is an essential component in making this song beautiful. Next, it’s “Love Letter” by SEVENTEEN. Has Valentine's Day truly been celebrated if we don't discuss love letters? In this gentle version, SEVENTEEN does it for us, hesitantly confessing their affections by putting down their thoughts in the style of a love letter. This song makes your heart skip a beat, and the words are sweet and introspective, conveying love and compassion. Another song, which I recommend, is “I.L.Y” by The Rose. I clearly remember this song randomly showing up on my YouTube recommendation and

Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash

playlist with heartfelt feelings

I accidentally tapped the video and listened to it. I instantly fell in love with the song and clearly, it was the best mistake that happened to me. I discovered a gem without realizing it. "I.L.Y" is such a soothing song. The gentle piano intro is beautiful, the vocals are very stunning, and the way the other members back the lead singer throughout the chorus is flawless. When they sing, "I love you, our love is sincere...

hold me," I feel chills every time I listen to this song. The lyrics are touching and during the winter, I find myself gravitating toward more calming music. I hope you appreciate listening to the music that I have recommended. It's a diverse collection of songs that you may listen to on Valentine's Day to feel warm and cherished. Listening to these hidden treasures will undoubtedly help the day fill with warmth and fondness.


arts // no. 10

theotherpress.ca

Yoko, Ceramics, and Shakespeare’s First Folio ››Current exhibitions at the

Photo by Arnaldo Fragozo

Vancouver Art Gallery

Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

W

hen I go to a science centre or a museum, I take my time to look at all the things in the exhibit so I can learn and look at the details of objects. It allows you to get the idea about something and to appreciate it more. Going to an art gallery would require more time to fully immerse yourself in art as well as interacting with it which was the case for one of the exhibits that I saw during my first visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery. There were times in the past few years when I could have gone inside to see a specific exhibit. But I finally wanted to go inside when I found out that an exhibit on Yoko Ono is going to be showcased. Originally, I was going

to explore the art gallery for two hours. However, because the feature exhibit had a lot of artwork and activities, it took me four hours to see everything including Yoko Ono: Growing Freedom. While Yoko Ono is often blamed as the person that broke up The Beatles, Paul McCartney has stated it was not her fault since the band was already breaking up. Her artwork presents her and Lennon’s philosophy of giving peace a chance and using peace as an act of protest which can be avant-garde and clever. When you go inside the exhibit, the first thing that you will see is footage of Ono doing an art performance where she just sits down, and people go on the stage and cut parts of her clothes until she barely wears anything. Participation is key in the first half of the exhibit “The Instructions of Yoko Ono” where you contribute to her artwork like

putting a nail on a wall, playing chess and making an art piece with broken plates. The first time that Ono and Lennon met was during an art exhibition she was presenting in London where he was amazed when he went up a ladder and used a magnifying glass on a wall until he could see the word “yes.” In a similar fashion for this exhibit, there are art pieces that you can do with your head while reading Ono’s words of wisdom. The second half of the exhibit entitled, “The Art of John and Yoko” highlights their marriage and presents photos and artifacts from their infamous bed-in protest in Montreal where they record the protest song “Give Peace a Chance”. In the end, there are more interactive exhibits and a special showcase on local Indigenous artists curated at the request of Ono herself with “Water Event”.

After going through that exhibit for a long time, I went upstairs for two more exhibits. In “Jan Wade: Soul Power,” another collection of protest art is presented addressing the struggles of being black and Wade showing her pride as a mixed African Canadian. There is an area where you go through a pathway of a colour collage to demonstrate the moment when Eric Garner says the famous last words as he was suffocated by a police officer, “I can’t breathe.” Next door to it is “From the Earth” where Emily Carr’s oil paintings and the ceramics of UBC professor Edith Heath are showcased; both are inspired by the land and their adventures around British Columbia. The last exhibit “For All Time” is a quick one where a rare copy of the first publications of William Shakespeare’s plays is displayed.

My visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery allowed to me learn more about art and creation as well.


issue 20// vol 48

arts // no. 11

FBI agent Fox Mulder: The truth is out there (that it rains a lot in Vancouver)

››David Duchovny’s sardonic comments about Vancouver’s rainfall caused outrage 25 years ago Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

avid Duchovny became a star while filming the highly popular Fox television series, The X-Files. The series’ first five seasons were filmed in Vancouver. His character, FBI agent Fox Mulder, was always searching for aliens, UFOs and other unexplained life forms—while adhering to the show’s popular mantra: “The truth is out there.” But twenty-five years ago, Duchovny let the truth be “out there” regarding his thoughts about the weather in Vancouver. During a 1997 appearance on the Late Night with Conan O’Brien television program, Duchovny, who is known for his quick wit and “dry” sense of humour— quipped about the amount of rainfall in Vancouver: “Vancouver is [a nice] place if you like 400 inches of rainfall a day.” Ouch, then he added, “It is kind of like a tropical rain forest without the tropics.” And like the downpour of rain in Vancouver, there was a downpour of outrage from Vancouverites. Duchovny’s comments caused a plethora of newspaper articles and news segments, making him public enemy number one on the “wet” coast. The narrative of the local media included the desire to defend Vancouver’s precipitation reputation. Many residents reacted as if to say: “David Duchovny, how dare you say this about our beautiful city?” Duchovny had also expressed his desire to have the X-Files production moved to Los Angeles, so he could be closer to his then-wife, actor Téa Leoni. But one thing is for certain, Duchovny was only making a joke about the rain in Vancouver. And Vancouverites took it so personally and really overreacted. A few days after Duchovny’s comments about the rain in Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver organized a press conference—to do some “damage control.” Janna Ross, a spokesperson for Tourism Vancouver, defended the weather in Vancouver: “It does rain in Vancouver. But I think the [important thing] is, rain is very romantic.” During a break in filming, Duchovny met with the Vancouver media to address his comments. It was a meeting that was both humorous and odd. “I love this city,” Duchovny said. “I don’t know what’s going on?” Then even more perplexing was Global BC (then BCTV in 1997) weathercaster, Norm Grohmann, dressed up as a tropical ice forest princess named “Mist Vancouver.” He stood beside Duchovny and serenaded him by boasting and praising about the beauty of Vancouver’s weather and especially the “rain.” Grohmann uttered to the X-Files star, “I can certainly understand you wanting to be close to your loved ones. And I suggest you bring them here. We have lovely shade and the sunshine. It’s not raining today, David! And I can provide shade for you anytime you want. I’ll take roots!” Duchovny looking very bewildered, interrupted Grohmann and said, “I’ll stay here [in Vancouver], as long as you keep this man away from me!” Duchovny explained that he had no issues with the rain in Vancouver. “I love

Graphic by Martha Alejandra Espinoza

D

the rain, I’ve been here [in Vancouver] for four [years],” he said. “I’m from New York City. Rain and snow, I [do not] care about the rain. Rain is fine, it’s a beautiful city you have here.” As well, Duchovny said he did not believe he needed to apologize for his remarks: “[I am] sorry for the misunderstanding. [I am] not sorry about what I said. But [I am] sorry that it was taken in such a serious way.” After meeting with the Vancouver media, Duchovny was filmed with a BC flag and umbrella in his back pocket. He then entered a vehicle, waved to the cameras—and was driven to another location to film more scenes of The

X-Files. Ironically, Duchovny speaking with the assembled media occurred when the weather was sunny. Duchovny would later get his wish as the production for The X-Files moved to Los Angeles after five years in Vancouver (1993 to 1998). Duchovny has returned to Vancouver several times, to film two X-Files movies (The X-Files in 1998 and The X-Files: I Want to Believe in 2008). In addition, he was again in Vancouver to film episodes for The X-Files (season 10 in 2015 and season 11 in 2017). Duchovny is also an accomplished musician and performed twice in Vancouver in 2015 and 2017.

Yet, some still have not forgiven Duchovny for his comments about Vancouver’s weather. Some establishments are still holding a grudge that has aged like fine wine. In 2017, when Duchovny was in Vancouver, the No. 5 Orange strip club placed a sign on their marquee: “David Duchovny, you’re still barred.” In the end, the biggest lesson that can be learned from the David Duchovny quip about the rain in Vancouver 25 years ago is Vancouverites really overreacted—and need to learn to have a sense of humour.


life & style // no. 12

Have an idea for a story?  lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

Life & Style

• McDonald’s first Canadian restaurant opened in Richmond 55 years ago • Thoughtful, memorable Valentine's Day gifts for your loved ones ...and more

Still lovin’ it

››McDonald’s first Canadian restaurant opened in Richmond 55 years ago Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

eading to a fast-food restaurant whether in person or via the drive-thru is a regular routine for most people. We do not hesitate to order fast food because it has become engrained as a significant part of our lives and food culture. McDonald’s is one of the largest fast-food chains worldwide. This year marks 55 years since the first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Canada on June 1, 1967. And it was right here in BC, in Richmond—on No. 3 Road, just north of Bennett Road. Notably, five years earlier on June 23, 2017, the Richmond location had celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special re-opening event. Two days prior, McDonald’s Canada issued a press release stating, “the restaurant is celebrating loudly and proudly with some nostalgic elements, including original uniforms, a vintage car, classic images over the past 50 years and a throwback to 1967 with a special one-day $0.67 hamburger special.” As well, the original arches sign was installed outside the restaurant. Joe Guzzo, McDonald’s Richmond Franchisee, said he was proud to be associated with the restaurant’s historic milestone. “Returning the iconic Golden Arches to their original home is a very special moment, and one that we are happy to share with the community, residents and long-time guests,” he said as reported in the McDonald’s Canada press release. “I am thrilled to build on the rich history that this location has by modernizing the restaurant and the experience for all our guests. We look forward to welcoming the City of Richmond and all community members back to the restaurant to check out our new look while enjoying some fun little nuggets from our past.” Shelly Hansen, Regional Vice President, Western Canada, McDonald’s Canada, stated the Richmond location symbolizes the start of McDonald’s success in Canada. “This restaurant is a tremendous source of pride for our McFamily,” she said in the same McDonald’s Canada press release. “[In 1967], we were thrilled to start our McDonald’s Canada journey, right here in BC. Today, we feel [happy] and fortunate to celebrate this significant milestone with the community that has supported us for so many years.” Daily Hive reported in June 2017, Joe Guzzo said preparations had begun five years before in anticipation of the 50th-anniversary celebrations. McDonald‘s had collaborated with the City of Richmond. The then Richmond location was demolished to build a new restaurant. According to Guzzo, while building the new restaurant, it revealed a remarkable discovery: original white and red tiles from the first version of McDonald’s from 1967. Daily Hive also mentioned customers “...will see some of those original tiles set in concrete near the sidewalk at the front of the No. 3 Road location, along with a commemorative plaque.” As well, the refurbished restaurant contains stone finishes and modern wood— along with a McCafe Bakery—and touch-screen ordering kiosks.

Photo by Billy Bui

H

According to the McDonald’s Canada website, today over 2.5 million customers (about twice the population of Hawaii) visit Canadian McDonald’s restaurants every day. McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited (with its franchisees in Canada), owns and operates over 1,400 restaurants with more than 90,000 Canadians employed across Canada. About 85 percent of McDonald’s restaurants in Canada are locally owned and operated independently in communities across the country.

OTHER MCDONALD’S MILESTONES • • • • • • • •

In 1968, the Big Mac first appeared and the first Eastern McDonald’s opened in London, Ontario In 1976, the Egg McMuffin made its debut, as well as the McDonald’s Canada breakfast menu was introduced In 1981, the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Toronto In 1995, the first McFlurry was served in the town of Bathurst, New Brunswick In 2003, the McGriddles breakfast sandwich was added to the menu In 2008, McDonald’s Canada incorporates the use of trans-fat-free Canola Oil Blend cooking oil In 2011, McCafé espresso-based coffee drinks first appeared In 2015, McDonald’s Canada announced the transition to cage-free eggs by 2025

As the Richmond McDonald’s location marks its 55th anniversary in 2022, it is interesting to note why Richmond was selected to be the site for Canada’s first McDonald’s restaurant. According to Joe Guzzo, in a February 2017 interview with the Richmond News, it all had to do with proximity and the “L” word: location. “The story goes that Ray Kroc, McDonald’s founder, came out here and was looking for sites and decided No. 3 Road was a main thoroughfare and opened here,” he said. “Part of it was also the proximity to the airport. It’s been [a remarkable story] for the company and for Richmond.”


issue 20// vol 48

life & style // no. 13

Introduction to 5 love languages

››Ways you can express heartfelt commitment to your partner, family, and friends

E

very individual shows their loved ones how much they care and are committed uniquely. Maybe it’s their family member, maybe it’s friends and companions, or even maybe to your significant others. These acts are done with affection and care knowingly or even without noticing. You may not be aware of them but as time goes by, these unconscious actions you show to the people who you truly love will gradually make you realize why you continuously act differently to certain people. It’s never wrong to start asking yourself how you express your devotion towards beloved ones impacts them. Words of affirmation What comes to your mind when you think of words of affirmation? To define words of affirmation, it’s the verbal communication that supports, empathizes, or uplifts another person. If I were to list a few words, it would be comfort, motivation, and complement. Imagine, “Your presence radiates positivity,” “You make my day better,” “Thank you for helping me and I truly appreciate it.” Such sentences may seem simple but deep down it adds positive, sentimental feelings to someones day. It adds pure happiness deep down to your soul and gives you the energy and encouragement to become a better individual. “I love you,” “I see my future with you,” “You are the person who made me become the person I dreamed to be.” These genuine compliments honestly

bring so much gratitude and sincerity. The feeling of receiving these wholesome affirmations is inexpressible. You shouldn’t hesitate to compliment someone with sincerity. Avoid making demoralizing or harsh comments and critiques. Quality time It is not the proximity that is important, togetherness is the most significant aspect of quality time. What matters is that being in each other's company and going about our everyday routines fills the room with warmth and affection. Spending quality time together is also a fantastic method to strengthen the bond. It allows us to share common interests as well as have fun and laugh together. All of these events contribute to the development of intimacy and exclusivity in relationships with loved ones, not just in couples' relationships. Postponing dates, not paying attention, or listening, and distractions are all actions to avoid. Act of Service Let me ask you this simple question: can washing the dishes and doing the laundry be an expression of love? Absolutely! Just like the idiom “Actions speak louder than words,” this language is fundamentally about love displays. A physical expression of a thoughtful gesture. Their actions are done with consideration and willingness “Let me do it for you," "I'll take care of it.” Such phrases are spoken with care and consideration. Laziness, broken commitments, and putting additional pressure on your partner are all actions to avoid.

Receiving Gifts Gifts and gestures show people that they are cared for and cherished. Many derive pleasure out of the thought and effort that goes into creating a visual depiction of love. In other words, it's the physical manifestations of love that actualize someone's feelings for somebody. Giving a gift is a demonstration of affection and caring since it demonstrates that the individual was thinking about you while you were away and wanted to find a way to make you happy. The gift also serves as a physical reminder of a special occasion, experience, or sentiment. Avoid giving thoughtless presents and forgetting birthdays or anniversaries. Physical touch Touch, physical proximity, and other types of physical connection are used to express and receive affection. Kissing, hugging, holding hands, and sex are all physical contact love languages. Touch as a love language means that tiny physical gestures, such as partners putting their arms around each other in public or snuggling up close on the sofa while watching TV, mean a lot for the relationship. Neglect and abuse of any type (physical or verbal) should be avoided at all costs.

Graphic by Martha Alejandra Espinoza

Win Pyae Pyae Phyo Contributor

Understanding love language is crucial in a relationship but also, in family relationships and friendships as well. Knowing your partner's love language enables you to anticipate and satisfy their needs before they express themselves. If you know how to communicate with people on their level, you are less likely to encounter misunderstandings and difficulties. The more fluent the love language between you and your partner, the deeper the level of the connection and the stronger the bond.

Thoughtful, memorable Valentine's Day gifts for your loved ones Win Pyae Pyae Phyo Contributor

V

alentine's Day is approaching, and although a card is always appreciated, a thoughtful and personalized gift may go a long way toward making your lover feel particularly special. Whether you're searching for a romantic present for your significant other, a sweet surprise for the family, or a thoughtful gift for your closest gal pals, here are a few ideas to get you started. First up is a handwritten letter; this is a personal artifact that can become a cherished memory. Comfortably expressing your innermost thoughts to someone is genuinely adorable and that is what makes this classic, old-fashioned and heartwarming gift so appealing. Writing down all your raw emotions on paper is intimate and authentic. In the letter, you can express the traits you love and appreciate about your partner, your gratitude for their existence, as well as words to let them know how important they are to you. You can customize it with stickers, doodles or put a polaroid with your favourite picture of them. The effort,

dedication, love, and devotion in the letter is a perfect gift that fills someone’s soul with raw happiness. The moment when you see your partner reading them with soulful eyes is pure bliss. Next is the thoughtful, custom playlist. I hope I’m not the only one who thinks that devoting time to making a list of songs especially for someone is darn cute? It’s a delicate art form to express one's true thoughts toward a mate through a music playlist. They might be fourhour-long collections that you never get around to finishing, or they can be as brief as a single song. Finding a way to express meaning through the music you pick is a crucial component of creating a playlist. I also feel that sharing the music we listen to has a profoundly human effect and that the playlist is an embodiment of that. Music intrigues me because of its potential to build deeper understandings between yourself and others in such a simple way. Besides, it's the relationships I've formed via mutual sharing of music that have had lasting effects on my life. In this way, the playlist becomes a strong medium for self-expression. When you create playlists for others, you're deciding how you want to be regarded based on the

music you include. At the same time, you're sharing a piece of yourself with another person, which is thrilling because it's intimate in a very approachable manner. Another gift is a basket with a bouquet, chocolate or other whimsical items. A collection of their favourite flowers, snacks or ice cream can show someone how much you know them and care. Flowers are the best bet as they often symbolize romance, devotion, and friendship. Plus, I find it adorable when someone gives me the snacks that I absolutely enjoy eating. Be sure to be creative and find things above and beyond what’s mentioned over here. Jewelry, you can offer your loved ones a necklace, a ring, a pair of earrings, or a bracelet. These things indicate the value

Photo by Billy Bui

››Some ideas to make those you care about feel special

and care you feel for your significant other, family members or friends in the form of tangible objects. Jewelry, in my opinion, is the ideal method to express your feelings for someone important. Gifts are a concrete way of expressing thanks and affection for someone. It makes no difference whether the presents are extravagant or modest. What matters most is the genuineness with which you give the gift.


Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.