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MARCH 2015
MONTH Celebrating cultural diversity and equality!
#FEATURES #HAPPENINGS#STUDENT LIFE #SPORTS & FITNESS #SOCIETIES #INTERNATIONAL #STAFF #EDUCATION #POETRY ART PHOTOGRAPHY #ENTERTAINMENT #CULTURE & LEISURE
#EDITORS’ NOTES DIVERCSITY Feedback 2014/15 Our committee put together 7 page-turners this year and we’d love to know how we did! We will be having a People’s choice award for our best column and issue - so vote and give your favourite some well deserved recognition! Leave your name and email at the end of the form and be in with a chance to win a €15 Clarendon Medical Voucher! We’d also love to get some feedback and suggestions and hopefully some solutions to make DIVERCSITY 2015/16 even better. Thank you for your enthusiasm, interest, support and contribution to our first year of publication and hopefully for many more years to come! - Cheers DIVERCSITY 2014/15
Feedback Form: http://tinyurl.com/DIVERCSITY2014 Find this link on our facebook page, group page, website and Moodle page Scan this QR code ->
EDITORIAL TEAM OF SENIOR EDITORS
FEATURES - AISLINN KILLIAN RCSI NEWS - CATHAL DELANEY STUDENT LIFE- HANNAH DUNNE & DIONDRA MILLER SPORTS & FITNESS - CIARAN STANLEY SOCIETIES - SAIED ALI INTERNATIONAL - YUSUF JALY EDUCATION - ARIMIE MIN CULTURE & LEISURE -LUKE WALLIS CONTENT TEAM OF ARTICLE COLUMNISTS CYRILLE PAYNE, IARLA O’DOMHNAILL, ANU MENON, REBECCA JAGOO, SIMI POWAR, MOYOWA BOYO, ARUN B, DAPHNE YEN, SARAH KEYES, LAYVEENIEA ANANTHAN, MICHAEL RYAN, SAMANTHA KNIGHT, LOUISE ELLIOTT, CORMAC DUFF, HONG MING, LISA MCNAMEE, MOHIT BUTANEY, COREY NIXON, STEPHANIE TUNG, CHEW JEN PIN CONTENT TEAM OF ARTICLE CO-ORDINATORS MUHIMMA SULAIMAN - PHOTOGRAPHY & POETRY, AISLING MCGRATH, NIKITA RANE- ART & ILLUSTRATIONS, OLUDARE ALABI - SOCIETIES, ABDULAZIZ ABUL - STAFF IT & MEDIA TEAM SOCIAL & EVENTS - ORLA DONOHOE, WEBMASTER- DAPHNE YEN, STAFF ASSOCIATES CORRIENA BRIEN & SANDRA BONNETTO - CONTENT REVIEW, STAFF CO-ORDINATORS PROF CLIVE LEE- WRITER: ANATOMY, TANYA CHAPPLE - WRITER: SUDOKU JANE BURNS- COPYRIGHTS & PLAGIARISM ADVISER MARCH 2015
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#EDITORS’ NOTES The first issue of the year! Spread some love for our fabulous February issue! Wooo!! We hope everyone has adjusted well into 2015 and that you are still following through with all those New Years Resolutions from last month!
A TASTE OF THE ISSUE: This month is all about the diversity and equality! Rebecca and Iarla got in touch with some International faces for Students of RCSI. Oludare, Saied and Yusuf give you a hint of what to expect from this year’s International Night perfomances. Simraaj and Gourmet Soc give us a taste of International Food Night with delicious student recipes! Cathal discusses the diverse LGBTQ community as DIVERCSITY reminds you to vote YES for equality. Shane Carr shares his SU experience and advice for the upcoming SU elections. Ciaran Carney gives us a dose of the newly implemented Pharmacy PLT and discusses its importance in the school of Pharmacy.
SUBMISSIONS: EVERYONE is welcome to submit! You can submit articles on any topic as well as poetry, photos, art work or creative writing. Our favourite submission piece of the month will win the Editor’s Pick title and our giveaway for the month! To submit, go to moodle > view all courses > open access courses > DIVERCSITY. You will then be prompted to enroll in this course, and once you have done that you will be able to submit your work by uploading it on that page. DIVERCSITY will then come up in your courses which will make submitting easier in the future. In an effort to blur the lines between print and online, we have decided to use QR codes. We hope to link videos and websites for further reading and enjoyment in this way. You can download a QR Reader as an app on your phone and have a go scanning a code in the paper!
SPECIAL MENTIONS: This month’s cover photo was created by Muhimma Sulaiman. The cover was inspired by a poster created by the SU of University of Sunderland. The photos used include photos taken for Students of RCSI and photos taken by RCSI PhotoSoc. We’d like to thank Yasoda Subramanian for taking some of the photos for Students of RCSI. We’d like to thank Student Services for their continued help and support with the paper. A special thanks to Corriena Brien and Tanya Chapple who helped with photos needed for our issue and liasing with the SU. A big thanks to our collaborators for this months feature articles.
- NIKITA RANE AND CAITRIN O’LEARY Directors and Editors-in-Chief
FACEBOOK PUBLICATIONS PAGE: facebook.com/DIVERCSITY
FACEBOOK GROUP SOCIETY PAGE facebook.com/groups/ divercsitysignup/
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Students RCSI
Rebecca Jagoo and Iarla O’Domhnaill
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#FEATURES What do you think tourists should know about your country before visiting?
Country: Norway
orway is an incredibly beautiful country, but the first thing you should know before going is how expensive it is. A friend told me last year that he spent more money buying lunch in the airport than he spent on the plane ticket to Oslo. As a student, you should definitely try to avoid eating out as much as possible when you´re in the ‘big’ cities. The same goes for alcohol, tobacco and to some extent sugary food, as they are heavily taxed. Bring that stuff with you!
It may give you a headache, but the tax means that you can expect well working public transport, police and other social services. If you get sick or for some reason need medical help, it´s all free and fairly smooth, even as a tourist. In general, I would say that you can feel absolutely safe pretty much anywhere. Also, due to environmental laws you can legally and for free, camp in any park or at any public space. Bring a tent and you´ll save hundreds of euros! Socially, Norwegians can seem pretty cold towards strangers, unless drunk. We don´t like to meddle, but if you need help, people are definitely there for you. Norwegians are also very interested in foreigners, so being a tourist is a great icebreaker. Just don´t say sorry for absolutely everything like in Ireland or sit down beside people randomly and you´ll fit right it. Seriously, you will see people standing on the bus to avoid sitting down beside strangers. By the way, don´t spend all your time in Oslo or some other city. They´re cool, but if you´re in Norway you really want to do something amazing. In summer you should explore the fjords on a boat, go hiking mountains in the midlands or just chill at a beach on the south coast which believe it or not becomes a summer paradise. In winter you should travel north to see the northern lights, climb glaciers, or simply stay at a cabin in the middle of nowhere learning how to crosscountry ski. Summer and winter in Norway are two completely diifferent worlds. Where I live outside of Oslo, temperatures often range from -25/30 in winter to +30/35 in summer. During winter you´re deep in snow, skiing, ice-skating, chilling inside with hot chocolate etc. And in summer it´s all about sailing, surfing and ice cream! I think Norway is definitely worth two visits, but if you´re on a tight budget you should consider waiting it out or befriend a Norwegian (me!).”
– Axel Emil Nissen-lie
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Country: Sri Lanka
eaches, beauty and brilliance are just a few of the innumerable compliments that come to my mind when mentioning the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka being an island means that beaches are practically never-ending, along with a plethora of breath taking sceneries wherever you look. So don’t forget to bring an extra roll of film. This little island is also filled with a lot of culture and historical background; from sacred religious relics to Sigiriya, the rock fortress belonging to one of our many kings back in the day. Also for those of you who enjoy a nice cup of tea, Sri Lanka has one of the finest and richest teas in the world, the Ceylon Tea, handpicked in the fields of Nuwara Eliya, which will entice the finest of palates. You should know that we’re big on wildlife! You could visit the world renowned elephant orphanage, Pinnawalla, or if you woke up on the adventurous side of the bed, take a trip down to Yala national park where you get into the wild hands- on. Speaking of which, you might need to bring some mosquito repellent if you’re not used to the tropical weather. It’s definitely a place worth visiting when we’ve got our summer break and leave our stressful med school life behind us for a bit. Don’t leave your sunscreen behind!
– Thimaya Premarathna MARCH 2015
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#EDUCATION #FEATURES
What’s your favourite local dish from home? And why?
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Country: Kuwait
achboos - it’s delicious and you crave it after you try it! Machboos is basically rice and chicken, but the rice is cooked in the chicken broth for extra yumm-ness! You can also change it to suit your taste; as it can be made with chicken, beef, lamb, or whatever! Also, every household’s machboos is different, so it’s interesting to try out the different takes on it. - Zainah Jamal.
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Country: Malaysia
up guys, Malaysian speaking here. So I know you guys have probably heard a LOT about Malaysian food and know how proud we are of it. But here’s one that takes the cake for yours truly. Hokkien Prawn Noodles. Why is that the quintessential must try dish out of all the awesomeness that is Malaysian food? Imagine noodles (ramen, yellow, rice, pasta your call bruh) cooked in pork and prawn broth that has the best mix of sweet and salty. The bowl is filled with boiled eggs, roasted and crispy pork belly, shrimp pieces, and garnished with crispy fried shallots. Salivating yet? Well it isn’t even over buddy. Each bowl is served with a scoop of chilli paste, that rather than overpowering the broth if generous amounts are put in (for all you guys who get a kick out of the spicy), it enhances the whole dish! Sounds unhealthy don’t it? Well guess what, truly tasty and authentic Hokkien prawn noodles use less oil because you can then have the option of adding crispy (yeah crunch is awesome) lard! Ok, all this is making me hungry already so I’m gonna go out on a limb and ask you dear reader to sponsor me a ticket back home so I can bring the dish back and show you
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paradise in a bowl! – Lim Jin Ji
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What do you love most about your country?
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Country: Nigeria
f I were to pick one thing, it would be our hospitality. Nigerians are very welcoming, and I think this is tied to our strong sense of community and the desire for connectedness with the people around us.
The smallest of associations can form strong bonds, which is why a business partner of your father may be invited to stay at the house when in town, or why a group of women at your church may gather to cook and deliver a week’s worth of food for the visiting priests.”
– Catherine Uhomoibhi.
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What is the biggest celebration in your country? How and why is it celebrated?
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Country: Trinidad
would have to say that the biggest celebration in my country is, without a doubt CARNIVAL. Carnival stems from our French Creole history, and was celebrated by the slave masters before the beginning of Lent and on that night; the slaves would mimic their masters for their own entertainment. The tradition has morphed a lot since then over time but has remained with us and has managed to become a huge tourist attraction and the longest street party in the world. Carnival is celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday as decided based on the catholic calendar. But in Trinidad, where we love to party, Carnival festivities actually start on the Thursday night! I would personally consider it the festival of colour as it consists of the most beautifully decorated and brightly designed costumes worn by masqueraders. Very early on Carnival Monday, or very late on Dimanche Gras (Carnival Sunday) , people take part in what is called J’ouvert (Day break), which is traditionally a mud party, but paint is used as well, where persons revel in the street till the sun comes up. Carnival Tuesday is the last day of the party and so masqueraders go all out and don their extravagant costumes which could range from 500€ to 1400€ depending on one’s band of choice. Why so expensive? These costumes are designed by locals like Peter Minshall, who also designed the opening the Olympic Games… Twice! During the entire week, Soca , a local combination of Soul music and Calypso is played infecting EVERYONE with Carnival Fever as they dance down the streets in their glee and most importantly as the masqueraders cross the ‘stage’ to bring the carnival festivities to an end. After such a great build up to such a fantastic celebration, the country recovers from extreme partying on Ash Wednesday. That is when the Carnival Tabanca sets in, and Trinis start their count down for next year’s Carnival!
– Arianne Cooper.
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Country: Canada
ur biggest celebration? Where do I even begin?! Canada is an effortlessly multicultural mosaic at its core. It’s a society that celebrates different ethnicities, religions, values and principles with unprejudiced generosity. Religious celebrations aside… the biggest event would be Canada Day which celebrates the passing of the Constitution Act uniting the first 3 colonies into one country. Magnificent firework displays are seen across the sky from anywhere in the country. Niagara Falls is transformed into a spectacle of gorgeous light displays and packed with tourists from all reaches of the globe. Thanksgiving is another statutory holiday across the country celebrating the bountiful harvest and the other blessings of the past year. Then there’s nothing quite like the Calgary Stampede - the world’s largest rodeo; celebrated alongside open-air concerts, casinos and carnivals. Music lovers adore the Montreal Jazz Festival held in the city’s downtown district and the Toronto Film Festival is second only to Cannes. If you love the vibrant enthusiasm of Caribbean Carnival, you’ll be captivated with Caribana; a Caribbean inspired street festival held during the summer months in Toronto every year. Skating down the Rideau Canal in Ottawa is one of my personal favourite childhood memories, and a celebration in itself! Beaver Tails and hot chocolate complete the most romantic day out for even the clumsiest on ice (i.e. me). And of course you can’t forget the Stanley Cup Playoffs! That’s just off the top of my head, but I guess that’s the great thing about Canada – there’s a little something for everyone.– Mashal Sophia Khan.
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Country: Singapore
he biggest celebration in Singapore is National day which falls on the 9th of August every year! There is a big parade at a stadium which occurs every year where around 27000 people attend. The parade starts in the evening and last for about 4 hours. Those who can’t watch it in the stadium can watch it live at home on all the local channels in the various different languages. I usually watch it at home and drive out to see the fireworks which come at the end of it. The only time I have been is during school. The parade consists of a military parade, parachute stunts, patriotic songs, colourful multicultural performances and fireworks. The ministers and the president would grace the event as well at the stadium.
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Up to this day you would feel the spirit of National day as most houses would hang our national flag out. There would be this wave of red and white in Singapore starting about a month before the event. Also in schools, one day before the parade there would be celebrations at school where we would learn to sing the patriotic songs. The parade shows different performances depicting the different cultures we have in Singapore. This day and the parade are important to all Singaporeans as it is a day which shows how we are equal despite all the differences in race, religion and language. That is why there is this song which I remember that goes like, “One people, One Nation,
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One Singapore”. - Prithee Gowthaman
What’s one thing that everyone should do at least once when visiting your country? Country: India
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hen people think of India, the first few images that flash through one’s head are probably- Elephants, the Taj Mahal and Slumdog Millionaire. I wish I could tell you that this is not India- but it actually is! Of course there is a lot more to my home country than animals alongside cars in traffic- we have skyscrapers, cricket stadiums, shopping malls, great food, a little over 780 languages and dialects, and of course- Bollywood!
Fancy restaurants are one thing but Indian street food is a MUST! Once you taste the mouth-watering pani puri and variety of chaats, your life will suddenly seem full of flavour and happiness. Well, since we’ve already put you on the street (frantically searching for water at a convenience shop!) you might as well take some time out to look around yourself and discover the wonders of the Indian footpaths. Footpaths where the moms know the best fruits and vegetables are sold, where people from all over the country set up and showcase their art and handiwork, where you can buy second hand books for less than half the price and last but not least- where escape from the heat by drinking a coconut is not uncommon. Welcome to India. My country. – Divya Gautam
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Country: Ireland
don’t believe there’s a “one shoe fits all” approach to anything in life. If my brother and I were to describe our ideal holiday he’d be clubbing every night in Ayia Napa recovering in the sun and I’d be running up mountain sides, jumping out of planes and city hopping in hostels. It’s always nice though to see the country and experience the local people.
Ireland has some pretty unique characters, especially in rural towns, and some immense beauty in our countryside. I would recommend going off the beaten track and visiting some of Ireland’s national parks such as Glendalough, Cliffs of Moher or Connemara (whether it be by car, campervan or bicycle) and getting lunch in a stereotypical country pub in Ireland. Once there, talk to the locals and ask them questions. Listen to their stories (most of which will be utter nonsense) but get a sense of the people and the culture. There is no better way of experiencing a country that to engage the locals. - Simon Foley
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#FEATURES
INTERNATIONAL FOOD RECIPES!! Article Co-ordinators: Simraaj Powar and Gourmet Soc
International food night is coming up this March 13th at 6:30pm in the Exam Hall. Here is a small preview of some of food and culture that will be represented this year.
The History of the Nanaimo Bar: Why is it Canadian? -Natasha Mcnamara (Canada)
The Nanaimo Bar is a three-layered dessert bar that has been named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia. In June 2006 it was voted as “Canada’s Favourite Confection”by the National Post and was up against some tough competition, including: Beaver Tails, Laura Secord Chocolate and the Tim Hortons’ Iced Capp. Fun fact: The Nanaimo Bar even has a place in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary! But where did it originate? Short answer: No one actually knows the true origin of the Nanaimo Bar. The recipe first appears in ‘The Ladies Auxiliary to the Nanaimo General Hospital’ (1952) where it is under the title “chocolate square”. The first published copy under the name “Nanaimo Bar” dates back to 1953 in Edith Adams’ Cook Book (14th edition), which is on display at the Nanaimo museum. Although the ingredient of Bird’s Custard could suggest that this dessert has English origination, there has been no further tracings of the recipe and so Nanaimo city proudly boasts its origin to this day. The recipe provided here is just one version, as there are many varieties and flavours that can be found. So don’t just stop with this one …find your favourite – mint chocolate, peanut butter, lemon, etc.
Kabsah (extra simplified version): -Fahad Alabdullatiff (Saudi) (image above)
INGREDIENTS • 3 tomatoes • 250g lamb • 600g rice (2.5 cups) • 1 tsp Black pepper • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 2 cups Graham cracker crumbs • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 2 Tbsp. Bird’s Custard Powder (or vanilla custard powder) • 3 Tbsp. milk • 2 cups icing sugar • 4 oz. Semi-sweet Chocolate DIRECTIONS Instructions:
Chop onion into small pieces Add 1tbs olive oil into a cooking pot then add the chopped onions and cook for 10 min (until onions begin take on a golden colour). Chop tomatoes and into the pan and cook for an extra 10 mins. Add the lamb into the pot and cook no more than 2 mins Add boiling water. Water surface should cover all the meat by at least 3 cm Add the salt and pepper 7) cover the pot and leave to cook for 40-45 mins. 8) turn heat to minimum, then add the rice. Water surface should be approx 2cm away from rice surface. If not, then add water. (Note, amount of water is crucial! Too little or too much will spoil the rice). 9) wait for 20 mins (or until rice is cooked). Done!
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Nanaimo Bars: Servings: 32 (1 bar = 33g) (image next page, bottom) Nutritional info: (if you must know. 150 calories/bar)
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter • 1/4 cup white sugar • 5 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder • 1 egg • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • 2 cups Graham cracker crumbs • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • 2 Tbsp. Bird’s Custard Powder (or vanilla custard powder) • 3 Tbsp. milk • 2 cups icing sugar • 4 oz. Semi-sweet Chocolate
DIRECTIONS
Bottom layer Mix 1/2 cup butter, white sugar, cocoa, egg and vanilla in a sauce pan. Stir over low heat until mixture is of custard like consistency. Add in graham crumbs, coconut and nuts and stir. Press onto bottom of 9” square pan. Then allow to cool. Middle layer Combine custard powder and milk in medium bowl with whisk until blended. Add 1/4 cup softened butter and stir. Gradually beat in icing sugar until creamy and blended. Spread over bottom layer. Refrigerate 15 min. Top layer Melt remaining 4oz. chocolate and 1 Tbsp. butter (approximately 2-3 min. on MEDIUM in microwave). Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over middle custard layer. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled before cutting into bars.
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#FEATURES Nasi Lemak (image below)
- Kanendra Kumar Balaeswaran (Malaysia) I thought to myself which Malaysian dish can I write about. All of them are so amazing. We have the ‘roti canai’, the ‘char kuey teow’, prawn noodles, our symbolic ‘nasi goreng’ and so many more dishes to choose from. After giving it a real good thought, it finally came to me, I shall write about our signature ‘nasi lemak’.’ Nasi lemak’ is one of our traditional dishes and if you were to ask any Malaysian about it, their mouths probably start watering just talking about it. The special thing about ‘nasi lemak’ is that it can be literally eaten for every meal. We have the small ‘nasi lemak’ packs which cost us about RM1 which we could have for breakfast or a snack or even supper. Then there are the more extravagant ‘nasi lemaks’ which cost a little more but can fill you up till you feel like you are about to explode. So what makes up the ‘nasi lemak’. The basic ‘nasi lemak’ is made of coconut rice, our traditional sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, a boiled egg and cucumber slices. Let’s say you wanted something a little bit more extravagant, you can always add in some ‘chicken rendang’, some ‘squid sambal’, fried eggs, fried chicken and so much more. The great thing about ‘nasi lemak’ it can actually be found almost anywhere, be it the roadside stall, a gourmet restaurant and even your local ‘mamak’ stall which for those of you who do not know is a place where Malaysians just go to hang out and grab some grub and some ‘teh tarik’. The ‘mamak’ stall is equivalent to a bar in Ireland except instead of alcohol, its more food. If there were to be any dish I say I miss the most from Malaysia, obviously besides my own ‘amma’s’ cooking, it would be ‘nasi lemak’. So if ever you pay a visit to my homeland Malaysia and you only have time for one meal, grab yourself a ‘nasi lemak’ and enjoy the beauty of the dish.
Sweet and Sour Chicken: - Stella (China) (image below)
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CHICKEN •1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks •Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup cornstarch • 2 large eggs, beaten • 1/4 cup vegetable oil FOR THE SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE • 3/4 cup sugar •1/2 cup apple cider vinegar • 1/4 cup ketchup •1 tablespoon soy sauce • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9x13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray. To make the sauce, whisk together sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic powder in a large bowl; set aside. In a large bowl, season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in cornstarch and gently toss to combine. Working one at a time, dip the chicken into the eggs. Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; discard excess oil. Add chicken to prepared baking dish. Top with sweet and sour sauce. Place into oven and bake until the sauce has thickened, about 55 minutes, turning over every 15 minutes to evenly coat the chicken.
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#FEATURES
Liqeemat:
- Hamdah Salem Liqeemat are little balls of batter deep fried in oil. This recipe makes a huge batch which is good for two days or as one batch to have for your house and more to share with your neighbors.
INGREDIENTS
•1 teaspoon yeast •1 teaspoon sugar • 1/2 cup warm water • pinch of flour • 4 cups of flour • 1 teaspoon cardamon powder •1 generous pinch of saffron • 4 tablespoons sugar •2 to 2 1/2 cups warm water • 2 tablespoons rose water • date syrup (locally called “dibs”)
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, and the pinch of flour. Mix well with a small whisk and leave in a warm place to rise. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cardamon powder, saffron, and sugar. After about 30 minutes, add the yeast mixture, 2 cups of water, and the rose water. Using a large-head spoon mix the batter until there are no more lumps. If you need to add an additional 1/2 cup of water you can but do it a little at a time. Your batter will need to be very thick, almost elasticky (it will definitely be thicker than pancake batter). Now you need to set this batter aside in a warm draft-free place (inside the oven or microwave is ideal) and let rise for at least 2 hours or until it has doubled. Now for the fun part! You will need a medium-large wok because you will fill it up half way with oil. Heat up the oil and then reduce the heat to low. For me, because I hate the feeling of the batter, I use two dinner spoons to make the dumplings. Dip the spoons into a bowl of water (the water keeps the batter from sticking to the spoon and the batter will then easily slide into the oil). Next, with one spoon scoop up some batter. With the other spoon, you will scrape off the batter into the oil. With this first dumpling, you will be checking the heat of the oil. If the oil is too hot, it will brown very quickly and the inside will not be cooked, so you will need to decrease your fire and then start adding more dumplings. Put about 11 dumplings into the oil. You will need to constantly turn the dumplings with a big round spatula so that they will all be evenly browned. Once the dumplings are evenly browned, remove from the oil and let drain on a large baking dish covered with paper towels. Once all of your dumplings are cooked you can place about 18-24 pieces on a medium-sized bowl plate and drizzle with the date syrup.
Farni:
- Hamdah Salem Milk pudding of some sort with some Arabic aroma. INGREDIENTS Serves 4 •2 cups whole milk •1/3 cup rice flour • 4 tablespoons sugar • 1 to 2 tablespoons rosewater • 1 teaspoon Cardamon • a bit of saffron
DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, whisk the milk, rice flour, saffron, cardamon and sugar together. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened and has reached a creamy consistency. Add rosewater and stir for an additional minute. Remove the cream from heat and ladle into individual bowls. You can serve the cream warm, at room temperature, or cold. When serving, decorate with dried rose petals or ground pistachios.
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#FEATURES South Asian Cuisine, including the cuisines of modern day Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is rich with the influences of years of migration and climate diversity. The exodus of populations across the subcontinent has left the region benefitted from a number food influences. In addition the range of climates across the area - from dry desert land to the hot tropics to the Himalayan peaks - has substantially broadened the availability of ingredients across these neighboring nations. Whether it be through the exclusion of certain meats or vegetables, or variations in killing and cooking methods, many would observe that food has become a strong marker of religious and social identity. To introduce this area of cuisine, we have chosen to focus on 2 popular dishes. Though variation exists in the degree of spice and specific ingredient preference here and there, we feel these are the most representative of classical of South Asian cuisine.
Gajar Ka Halwa/Gajrela:
- Mashal Khan It is tradition in South Asia that after a spicy meal, one should cleanse their palates with a sweet dish. One of the most popular, Gajar Ka Halwa, is a sweet carrot based pudding that originated in northern India/Pakistan. This is an item eaten popularly during all major festivals – cold and refreshing in the hot months, or warmed up and served after a fresh sautee in ghee during the warmer months. INGREDIENTS (serves 8-10): •Carrots 1kg •Milk 2.5 cups • Sugar to taste • Cardamom Powder ½ tsp • Butter 3tbsp • Almonds 10 •Pistachios 10 • Cashews 10 •Handful of raisons
DIRECTIONS
Wash, peel and grate the carrots Heat a pan with butter and put the grated carrot on a low flame until the raw smell disappears Add milk and boil until a thick sauce forms Once the thickening begins, add sugar and stir continuously until the butter separates from the mixture. Garnish with nuts and raisons Your Halwa is ready! Serve hot or cold!
Biryani
- Mashal Khan While the origin of this dish is uncertain, it is traditionally thought to have been brought to area by the Mughals in the form of Pilao – a milder version of the dish. Ancient texts reference this as a dish of different meats or vegetables marinated in a yogurt base before being layered and steamed in rice fried with aromatic spices. While Biryani can be cooked as a vegetarian main consisting of potatoes, tomatoes and cauliflower, it is more commonly seen packed with chicken, mutton or seafood. For International Food Night, we’ll be making ours with a chicken base. Recipe as follows - from my Mom’s kitchen to yours! INGREDIENTS (serves 8-10): ** For the chicken ** •Chicken 1.5 kg pieces cut into chunks •Onions, chopped 2 large • Vegetable oil • Minced ginger 1 tbsp • Ground black pepper 1/2 tsp • Ground cumin 1 tsp •Tomatoes 2 medium • Mint chopped 2 tbsp •Cinnamon stick 1 •Potatoes 4 small •Garlic cloves, minced 2
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•Chilli powder 1/2 tsp •Ground turmeric 1/2 tsp •Salt 1 tsp •Plain yogurt 2 tbsp •Ground black cardamom 1/2 tsp ** For the rice ** •Basmati rice 1/2 kg •Small Cardemom 5 pods •Cinnamon stick 1” piece •Chicken stock 4 cups • Vegetable oil 2.5 tbsp • Saffron powder 1” •Cloves 3 •Ground ginger 1/2 tsp • Salt 1.5 tsp
DIRECTIONS
Add 2 tbsp of oil to the skillet and fry onion, garlic and ginger until the onions are soft, golden and almost transparent. Fry potatoes in a separate pain in 2 tbsp of oil until brown. Drain excess water and put aside. To the first mixture, add chilli, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt and the tomatoes before frying, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add yogurt, mint, cardamom and the cinnamon stick. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes are cooked to a pulp. It may be necessary to add a little hot water if
the mixture becomes too dry and starts to stick to the pan. When the mixture is thick and smooth, add the chicken pieces and stir well to coat them with the spice mixture. Cover again and cook over very low heat until the chicken is tender, for approximately 35 to 45 minutes. There should only be a little thick gravy left when chicken is finished cooking. If necessary cook uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the gravy. Meanwhile, wash rice well and drain in colander for at least 30 minutes. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and fry the onions until they are golden. Add saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and rice. Stir continuously until the rice is coated with spices. In a medium size pot, heat the chicken stock and salt. When the mixture is hot pour it over the rice and stir well. Add the chicken mixture and the potatoes, gently mix them into the rice. Bring to boil. Cover the saucepan, turn the heat low and steam for 20 minutes. Your Chicken Biryani is ready! Serve with yogurt and salad!
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Corn Soup:
- Ruth Emmanuel / Rebecca Jagoo (Trinidad) INGREDIENTS Serves 6 •4 cups fresh corn kernel or 2 cups cream style corn •1 cup chicken stock • 2 tbsp. margarine • ½ cup chopped green onion or chive • ½ tsp. minced garlic • 3 tbsp. chopped sweet pepper • 3 cups milk • 1 tsp. salt •½ tsp. white pepper • Hot pepper to taste • Chopped parsley • 3 tbsp. chopped sweet pepper
DIRECTIONS
Combine corn and stock in an electric blender and puree. Melt margarine, cook onion, garlic and sweet pepper for a minute; add corn puree and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat. Add milk, salt and pepper and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Garnish with toast and chopped parsley.
Coconut Fudge:
- Ruth Emmanuel / Rebecca Jagoo (Trinidad) (image above) INGREDIENTS (Makes 36 squares) •4 cups coconut milk •2 cans condensed milk (14 oz.) • Pinch of salt • 2 lbs. granulated sugar • ½ tsp. minced garlic • 2 tbsp. or 1 oz margarine
DIRECTIONS
Double fried Prawns: - Khaled Alshatti (picture on right)
Combine coconut milk, condensed milk, salt and sugar; cook to soft ball stage. Remove from heat and beat in margarine until candy loses its gloss. (Electric beater could be used). Pour in greased pan. Cool and cut into squares.
INGREDIENTS Serves 6
•Make sure you cut the horn on the head and devein the prawns. Marination • 3 tablespoons mustards •1/2cup corn flour, •3 tablespoons vinegar • splash of lemon • salt • turmeric • paprika • pepper • Chopped dill is optional • 3 tbsp. chopped sweet pepper
DIRECTIONS
Marinate for 30 minutes. Deep fry until it’s golden colour.. Take them out then rest for 3 minutes.. Deep fry again to golden brown. Serve with your option of dip. You can eat it whole with the head. If you fear heads, cut it off
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Equality for
LGBTQ
I
Cathal Delaney Co-President RCSI LGBT Senior Editor
was asked in my capacity as co-president of the LGBT society in RCSI, to write this article about the diversity of the LGBT community and to raise awareness of the many different ways people express their identity. In our professional and personal lives we will meet many people from different backgrounds and ways of life. It is important to have awareness of this and to come to the conversation with some understanding. I am no expert. I did my best to educate myself and hope to represent these identities as well as possible. LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. Another acronym LGBTQIA is also used to include other identities such as questioning, intersex, or asexual and many more. I have used the gay and lesbian alliance against defamation website, more commonly known as GLAAD, to assist in describing these identities
It can be difficult at first to understand the differences between sexuality and gender identification, or how transgender is different from being gay. They are different. As someone once explained it to me, sexuality is who I want to go on a date with; gender identity is who I want to go on a date as. Being asexual means not having feelings of sexual attraction for members of either gender. An ally is someone who stands up for the rights of members of the LGBT community. Someone who is questioning is still exploring and discovering their gender identity, gender expression and/or sexual orientation.
Being Gay means someone is “physically, romantically and/or emotionally attracted to people of the same sex”. This can describe both male and female, with Lesbian being another way of identifying a woman who is attracted to other women. Being Bisexual means a person who “has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of another gender”. Transgender is “An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth”. Gender identity is “One’s internal, deeply held sense of one’s gender”, while gender expression is “External manifestations of gender, expressed through one’s name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics.”
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It is important to respect how others identify themselves despite what your own opinions are. If someone tells you their name we don’t say “ no I don’t agree with your name, you don’t look like that name, so I’m going to call you something else.” In the same way if someone tells you who they are and how they identify, it is best to accept it, they are the expert after all. There are a number of definitions and identifiiers in this article. Some may be new to you, some you may already know, some you might not understand yet and some you might not agree with. For me, although it is important to have these identifiers to form a sense of belonging and community, they all represent people; human beings just like anyone else. They make up part of a person, they are not the whole person, we identify by them but are not defined by them. Those who identify as LGBT are deserving of all the respect and dignity any person should be given.
We have heard in recent months and years of tragic stories of LGBT people, many of whom are children, who have felt the need to end their own lives due to the adversity and bullying they faced on a daily basis. Unawareness, and a lack of understanding and compassion creates intolerance which leads to such unnecessary tragedy and loss of young lives. How many of these young LGBT people could have gone on and discovered cures for disease, advanced technology or created change if only we as a society made it easier, and acceptible for them to express themselves, and live as their fullest selves. It is for this reason that I feel it is important to raise awareness and promote acceptance. In Ireland we are on the cusp of making great strides for equal rights in the upcoming marriage equality referendum. RCSI LGBT are very hopeful of the passing of this referendum. It would send a great message of acceptance to those struggling with their identity, and ensure equal opportunity for all of us to marry the person that we love. RCSI LGBT are always very welcoming of new members and are proud of the community we have created, both of those who identify as LGBT and allies. If you want to get in contact look for our facebook page RCSI LGBT or email us at glass@ rcsi.ie. It is a great way to meet new people and have a supportive network around you. I thank you for taking the time to read this article. We as a college celebrate and embrace our diversity with people from many cultures, backgrounds and religions. The simalarities and differences between us make life interesting, and allow us to make connections and discover new things about ourselves and others. Long may it continue.
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#FEATURES Nikita Rane
A
s Student Unions elections are around the corner, DIVERCSITY caught up with former SU president Shane Carr (above). Shane kindly agreed to meet up on the 11th of February and answer all question related to his experience in SU. Now a final med Graduate entry programme student, Shane and his SU team - Clara Alighalib (Cultural Affairs Officer), Moya Culliton (Events Entertainment Officer), Sami Backley (Education Officer), Baillie Allen (Welfare Rights Officer) Tariq Elsayeh (IT Communications Officer) and Emma Poff (Secretary Treasurer), were in office in from 2013-2014. (Picture on bottom right)
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ikita: So what was it that got you interested in running for SU? hane: I had two friends who ran for it before (it would have been a year before I started), I chatted to them about it. I was interested in getting involved with something in college, just getting to know people and seeing how things run also contribute a little back to college life. I suppose was the main motivation and seeing how much fun my friends had doing it and I thought it would be a great year.
MATTERS
the team will be helpful. A lot of people in the class have been in college once or twice before so in the point of view of being on a team they do have a lot of experience being on committees and being involved in college life. It used be a “us and them” sort of thing but its good that there is more interaction since we are going to be intergrated in the same class, that was one of the goals I had suppose personally. It shouldn’t be a thing where in first day in fourth med when where everyone comes in and try to get to know each other - they should feel like they are part of the college and know people already. It makes life a lot easier.
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: How did you go about finding information about the SU? : I approached Naude (former SU president) and he was extremely helpful and a really nice guy. They had an extremely good team and were very forthcoming when it came to helping me out. I met up with him and I went through the constitution to see what was involved and rules.
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: Have there been GEPs on the previous SU teams? In the past I heard a lot of GEPs weren’t really getting notified of events. : Maybe 1 or 2 GEPs might have been on the SU. I do think last year we did a good job integrating the GEPs with the rest of the college. With all things aside I know it is hard when you are not on campus at all times. We got class representatives from each of the GEP class for all the events and we would deal with them directly, we’d give them a number of tickets that were kept aside since they were only in college once or twice a week and just make it easier to integrate them. : Do you think it should be compulsory to have a GEP representative on the team? : I don’t think it should be compulsory, but I do think it helps the fact that it’s very to understand the demands of the course if you are not in the program, it makes it easier to figure out the timetable and when things are being done. I think to have a well-rounded team you should have someone from every course. Having a GEP on
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: How did you form your team? Did you know any of them beforehand? : I didn’t really know any of them from before. I did know of Sami, since he just hilarious and he knows everyone. It was really word of mouth of who might be interested, approaching people one or two people who I thought would be good, asking them what positions they would be interested in - with Moya, she would have helped Sarah the year before, and Moya did an unbelievable job with the events. Fortunately enough I ended up getting a great team together. We all (Sami, Baillie, Moya, Tariq, Emma and Clara) really get along well together and we still meet up for things - so it was lucky in that aspect that I really got in touch with the right people.
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: You mentioned Naude’s team - was it intimidating coming in after them? : They were very high functioning effective kind of team. They really did achieve all of the things they set out to achieve. They raised the bar in terms of the way SU was run. So in that point of view it was a little intimidating because they achieved so much the year before and they were really well liked. So it was more of trying to make sure we kept the bar high. I knew I had a lot to learn so I suppose it was a learning curve at the start which was a bit daunting. But having a good team around you makes that measurably easier - we all shared the load a little bit. With anything it’s good to push yourself a little bit and get out of your comfort zone and you usually end up getting the best out of yourself.
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: You mentioned the constitution, is that a set of rules? : The student constitution basically outlines the rules and regulations of the SU. It outlines what their remit is, what they can and can’t do, with how the elections are run, how the student council is run, how different amendments can be brought about. It is a general outline and it is quiet a big document, yet comprehensive enough. It was written by my two friends I mentioned earlier.
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: Your team was only team running at the time despite extending the deadline for SU team applications. Do you think you would have enjoyed it if there was another team running? : It would have been more interesting, not sure if enjoyed would be the right word! It would have been more stressful trying to run around. Obviously it’s a bit more fun when there are a few more teams running. It would have been easier to not have been bothered, but we wanted to make sure we carry on the way the SU was run. We made sure we got out to every class and made sure we were approachable and ensured everyone knew our faces. We went to all the classes in Sandyford, Blanchardstown, Beaumont and in college.
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: Was there anything you looked for when you formed your team? : The main thing for me was that the people were approachable and friendly. You have to be approachable, talkative, easy going and chatty. Like for me, it would have been dealing with a lot of students who are younger and you can’t be intimidating. You have to have an open door policy, so you’d have people coming in just to say hello.
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N S
: Was there added pressure since it was just a Yes or No vote system in place? : Yeah - it would have been fairly disastrous if we lost! But I wasn’t too worried about it. You had to have some sort of voting system in place to have accountability since you are representing the student body.
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: Looking back at last years campaign week. Do you think they ought to be a stronger defined set of campaign rules and perhaps more clarity? : The thing is the rules sort of stop with the SU and it can be really hard to regulate things if you are in the middle of exams. It is not our full time job. And for the people who are running for it, you have to be conscious of that fact. The way you conduct yourself during campaign week sets the bar for the way you will conduct yourselves in the eyes of the student body and college. You need to abide by the rules that are there, you are not children, rules are there and you have to follow them. Things got a bit heated up, but I suppose that’s what made it more exciting and entertaining. There was probably more stress for us than last years campaign! I guess that’s the part of politics - if people think they can get away with it, they’ll probably try!
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: What about the Campaign week, in terms of the budget and the expenses? : The winning team gets to claim back the expenses for campaign week. But usually before Elections, the teams sit down and agree on a budget cap. You are supposed to provide a receipt of your expenses to Student Services to make sure it is all order because money should never dictate who wins. Then again in politics everything has an influence and you’re trying to eliminate that as much as you can.
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: What were the difficulties and challenges you encountered while in the office? : It is a pretty challenging role trying to accommodate everyone in college and represent everyone - it’s such an international college, there are so many cultures, religions, its very diverse. What one person may see completely okay, someone else may take offense to it. In terms of making things change, it can be hard, since there is always a ladder of fixed communication and it can be difficult to make sure you are able to represent all aspects of student life to the college. You have to be patient, a lot things take time and you have to have a long term view. You are only there for a year and you need to keep the ball rolling. Events are hard in RCSI. I think it’s really going towards the academics and I don’t necessarily think that’s a good thing. It is very hard to get people to go out and pack events - which can be stressful.
inclusive and fun. Try to accommodate everyone and that you are not putting pressure on people when it’s near exams. Obviously with the courses people are doing, being in the library is an important part of student life, but you need to make sure you are having fun too and enjoying yourself in college - that part of college is equally as important as your books. We tried to make sure everyone was involved and the events were - I enjoyed them anyways!
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: What are some of the fondest memories and moments you take from the SU experience? : Making the team and becoming, really, friends for life. We still in keep and have a great laugh - we probably wouldn’t have had a whole lot of contact. if it wasn’t was for this. So that was surely the highlight. I suppose College
in costumes and everyone had a great laugh. It is something all the colleges always do and I think it is a really nice gesture, that as a student body we are giving back to a charity, especially since we are in healthcare.
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: I know it is a bit of an unfair thing to ask, but do you think there could be an arrangement whereby you will be able to find an officer in the office at most times? : Its like what Naude’s team did, make sure the office is open everyday of the week at a set time and that everyone knows that someone would be there. And if during day someone was in the office, always have the door open. It’s just about making an effort and remembering it’s your job and what you signed on and being committed to it. It is guess having the societies union integrated adds in another person.
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Ball - that was a really nice evening. It was the accumulation of the whole year, everyone was having fun. I think from a personal point of view the money we raised for charity for the year (MS Ireland). That was a big goal of mine at the start of the year to try to raise the most that anyone has ever raised for chairty. We presented the cheque (in October - picture below) and that was really nice to give something back and make a difference.
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: Now that you mention it, I do remember charity was emphasized a lot and was a big thing at all events. I took part in the bucket collection on Grafton Street! : It is good to be able to have fun and give back. We had the charity run and tried to make sure everyone had the day off to spare some time and get involved. People showed up
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: Do you have any advice to share to people who are forming teams or if anyone is keen on forming teams? : Make sure you have a well rounded team, again you need people who are approachable, reliable and will get work done. You need people where you know you can leave them with a job and expect to have it done. No matter what position you are in you can’t always be on top of things. There has to be a balance of being able to take each others slack, especially when they are exams. We were lucky that everyone could kind of compensate for each other when someone was busy. I suppose pick one thing that you’d like to see changed regard to how student life is run and make that your goal for the year. There are a lot of little things that you can get bogged down trying to do. But if you achieve on one or two big things for the year and aim for that and that is a success. And it’s not just a year, you are just keeping the ball rolling for the students and making sure that students are having fun as well. It makes it better for everyone around and makes your college experience a whole lot better too. I don’t think there is anything I would have liked to changed. Then again I am a bit biased!
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: Is there anything you’d like to see the future SUs change? : I don’t know, haven’t really thought of it. I guess unlike every other college, where you take a year off to do things, you are limited that you are doing this upon a very very heavy academic study schedule as well. There is not a whole lot of room for massive change due to time demands. I think being conscious that you are representing everyone. I think the current SU and the previous years team have both done a really a good job.
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: I mean, you rarely hear people who have made friends from group projects, it’s only really bond through nighouts and events. : Exactly. you are not going to remember the times you were with your head down in the library, you remember the memories and what you did out with people. The biggest thing is to try to have good events, make sure the events are
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Calling All Artists and Illustrators! – Would you like to illustrate a children’s book?
FIGHTING WORDS is a creative writing centre . It is located at Behan Square, 13 Russell Street, Dublin 1 – in the shadow of Croke Park. We offer free story-writing workshops for primary school students each weekday morning, Monday to Thursday. Each story is accompanied by 2-3 line illustrations.
Primary School Writing Workshops– What We Do Imagine that you are 7-12 years old and you enter a colourful, magical place and spend two hours writing your very own
book. Fighting Words runs workshops in the mornings led by teams of volunteer writing tutors – and the illustrator is a very important role! They work with a class of primary school students who produce a book together (well, mostly together – everyone finishes it separately). School trips with primary school children (first to sixth class) take place each weekday morning, 10am-12pm. Working together with the help of the Fighting Words team, the class writes an original story which they will see being projected up onto a big screen as they write. The children decide on the characters and plot and go through the story together sentence by sentence, editing as they go.
The story artist illustrates the story as it is being written – a cover and 1-2 illustrations included in the text. Children will have the opportunity to write their own individual ending to the story. Throughout the session, tutors will work with the children to encourage them and assist them as required. Their work will be bound and each child will receive an illustrated copy of the book they have written to take home.
How can I find out more? If you want to join us – to volunteer or take part or just to get more information, visit the Volunteer page on www.fightingwords.ie or contact Sara Bennett at sara@fightingwords.ie. Volunteering at Fighting Words is totally flexible - our illustrators and tutors choose the days that they come to the centre, so there is no minimum commitment. Volunteers are subject to interview, reference checks and Garda vetting. Fighting Words is committed to equality of opportunity. MARCH 2015
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SoS Survivors of Symphysiotomy
Even in the late 20th century Ireland, the present-day standards of evidence based practice and informed consent were not valued in every day medical practice. Medical practices were influenced by many factors, including religion, tradition, and available resources, while exercising a strong hierarchal dominance. SoS – Survivors of Symphysiotomy is a non-profit organisation set up to help support the women affected by the barbaric maternity care practice of symphysiotomy that was practiced in childbirth in Ireland from 1942 up to the late 20th century. It was considered a better alternative to caesarean section, the then standard for difficult births, for over 1500 Irish women for reasons that were not medical. SoS claims they were done as a cheap alternative to caesarean section, and also were a way of controlling family sizes, as a woman’s potential to have a large family was inhibited by having a caesarean. Caesarean sections also required pain relief, which was frowned upon by some religious obstetricians, and these symphysiotomies were done without pain relief.
Orla Donohoe
But worst of all, these procedures were done without the women’s consent. Chilling accounts by survivors tells of legs held up in stirrups, arms held down by midwives, and their pubic symphysis being severed, under the watchful gaze of a room of medical students.
One in ten of the babies died. The physical result for the women was lifetime disability, incontinence, and chronic pain. Most of the women have died, and the remaining sufferers are in old age. The UN Committee Against Torture ruled that these procedures amounted to torture and the perpetrators should be punished. The Irish Government have offered redress to these women, but after failing to acknowledge these procedures as a crime, SoS have brought a case to the High Court and the UN. They seek to fight the current state position that these violations were “appropriate” at the time. What do you think?
More information symphysiotomyireland. com, and www.facebook.com/pages/ SoS-Survivors-of-Symphysiotomy.
India’s Daughter
The recent controversial banning of a BBC documentary in India titled India’s Daughter has cause uproar internationally. The documentary covered the harrowing 2012 Delhi gang rape case of Jyoti Singh a 23 year old medical student. The documentary follows the events of the nightstarting with when Jyoti was returning from a movie at around 8pm with her male friend. Five men on the bus harassed the couple to “teach them a lesson” as they deemed the girl being out late with a man “indecent”. The bus was driven around for hours as the men continually raped her and beat the pair of them. Later presuming her dead, they threw both bodies out on the road. In the documentary the gynecologist chillingly recalls the events of the night when Jyoti arrived to hospital, bloody but still conscious to describe the inflicted violence of kicking, biting, rape and penetration with the use of a rod, which had pierced into her abdominal cavity. Six men (including the driver) were arrested, including a 17-year-old juvenile. One of the men died in prison from an alleged suicide, the four other men were sentenced to death (and still remain on Death Row). The juvenile was given 3 years of imprisonment, the longest term in the juvenile jurisdiction.
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Nikita Rane
The documentary exposes the deep embedment of patriarchy in the Indian culture. It is in particular the interview footage of the rapist (28 years old) that has caused outbreaks of rage with him saying, “A girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy … A decent girl won’t roam around at nine o’clock at night … Housework and housekeeping is for girls, not roaming in discos and bars at night doing wrong things, wearing wrong clothes.” The rapist also adds that giving them the death penalty will only worsen things for women, as now when men rape, they will not “leave the girl” like they did, but kill her instead.
The case brought to light the of how young independent women are perceived in an otherwise progressive Indian Society - opening up debate in a society where women are ready to progress that stands on a ground of tradition that has always suppressed them as the lesser sex. Jyoti’s mother questions the law that allows the marriage of girls at the ages of 12 and 13 but not take serious the monstrous offense done by the juvenile. The riots and public out cries in 2012 are described as the fight of justice and accountability that India needed, with protests led by mostly younger people continuing for months in several parts of India.
The documentary features a snippet of the defense attorney stating “If my daughter or sister engaged in pre-marital activities and disgraced herself and allowed herself to lose face and character by doing such things, I would most certainly take this sort of sister or daughter to my farmhouse, and in front of my entire family, I would put petrol on her and set her alight.” These disturbing comments and many more, expose the mindsets that are greatest hurdles in the fight to giving women the equality and respect they deserve. “If we can tell our women how to behave, why can’t we tell the men how to conduct themselves?” asks Jyoti’s mother.
India’s Daughter was meant to be broadcast on the 8th of March (International Women’s Day) but was broadcasted earlier on the evening of the 4th and was soon posted online on YouTube where the video went viral. The Indian government responded by obtaining a court order to block the broadcast of the segment and the video, since the interview with one of the rapist was conducted in jail. The response by the Indian Parliament has been heavily criticized by the Indian public and International media, with the capital city maintaining it feared that the film’s screening could “create a situation of tension and fear amongst women in the society” and that a ban on the documentary was required “in the interest of justice and maintenance of public order”.
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Cultural Diversity MALAYSIA #2 #4
VIVIENNE (MOLDY WART)
When it comes to Malaysia, the reaction I get from people generally ranges from ‘Wait, you mean Singapore, right?’ to ‘Oh yes! I’ve been there—so beautiful!’, and recently ‘Have you found the missing plane?’ It made me realise that, no matter how many times you’ve read about Malaysia, talked about Malaysia, or travelled to Malaysia, unless you’ve lived there for a significant amount of time, you’ll never know what it truly means to be a Malaysian. Thus, I present to you—
The Top Five Things You Need To Know About Malaysia
#1
It’s NOT All About the Beaches.
Yep. You heard me right. Malaysia is not all about the beaches. We do have a lot of those, and they are admittedly VERY beautiful, but that’s not all there is to Malaysia. If you’ve ever seen a Malaysian Tourism Ad, or been to a Malaysian event, you will notice how vibrant, how colourful, how immensely extensive the Malaysian culture is. (If you haven’t, shame on you!) We have a multitude of traditional festivals, costumes, food and games, and the best way to discover them? The kampungs. No visit to Malaysia will be complete without a trip into the kampungs, the small serene clusters of villages housed under the forests of coconut trees. Wooden houses stand haphazardly among the trees, while mini ‘Ronaldo’s, ‘Messi’s and ‘Rooney’s run around kicking an inflated ball, bare-chested. Chickens—hens, chicks, cockerels— flitter around you as you scavenge for ripe mangoes hanging from the trees (discreetly). Uncles in sarongs and aunties in baju kurung or saris can be spotted doing household chores under the mild morning sun while you iimitate a one-legged duck hopping in the ting-ting boxes with the local kids.
The ‘Lah’
You are walking along the maze-like streets of Dublin, battling the strong winds when you hear ‘YALAH! MICROBIOLOGY SO DAMN HARD LAH!’ Malaysian – identified. We don’t really know how to define ‘Lah’; it is one of those words where nobody knows where it came from, how it came into use, or what it actually means, but we all use it—excessively. While there are many other very Malaysian words, such as where got, belanja, cincai, mempersiasuikan etc, one would have to agree that the perfect Malaysian accent is centred around the Lah. An incredibly versatile word, you can use it •On its own (Lah, liddat you also don’t know?) •As an add-on (so awesomelah this lecture) •Or just to annoy people (Lah lah lah lah lah lah lah lah la... You get the gist). You can vary the meaning of Lah as well; it can convey happiness, anxiety, sadness, frustration; basically every emotion known to humans. But that doesn’t mean you randomly insert a Lah anywhere you want. Its usage is an art that can only be perfected by a lifetime of Malaysianness. Some examples : Gossip Yalah, that guy really got smile at me Frustration So fed up lah! Complaint So cold lah today! Awe Wahhh, so pretty lah your dress! Giving Up Whatever lah Agreement Okay lah Reciting a list They have nasi lemak lah, roti canai lah, char kuay teow lah; all also got lah!
#3
The Family
Malaysians are just one big happy family. Everybody you see is your kak (sister), your Auntie, your pakcik (Uncle) or your boss . This phenomenon is most apparent when you visit hawker centres, kopitiam and mamak stalls . A very common scene in a mamak stall would go like this – Male 1 : Boss, Roti canai satu! (Boss, one roti canai please!) Male 2 : Eh, not enough chairs. *turns to table on his right* Kak, this chair got people? Kak : No no no, no people use. Take lah. Male 2 : Thank you ah! Eh brudder, you got order for me not? I want roti canai also lah! Why you liddat one? So selfish! Male 1 : Sorry lah. I forgot cannot ah? Boss, roti canai dua! (two roti canai please!)
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The Hand
The Hand. Everybody knows it. In fact, we all have utilised it at least once in our existence. The Hand is all-encompassing, powerful and versatile, and most important of all? It requires no effort. Executed like checking for hepatic flap, you simply raise it, palm facing outwards, and automatically, everybody understands you. Want to say thank you? The Hand. Want to give the go ahead? The Hand. Want to say sorry? The Hand. Forgot to bring your student card and have to go past the guard? The Hand will guarantee you entrance (even if you’re not actually a student there). However, like the Lah, you cannot use The Hand whenever you please. Its usage depends on the situation, the people involved and your intention. Its usage is, like the Lah, an art form perfected over years of trial and error. Tip : Don’t go waving your hands at the police when they pull you over for illegal racing; it’ll just get you a criminal record. And the last, but never the least….
#5
We couldn’t forget the FOOD
Where to start? I have to say, besides the beaches, everybody knows about Malaysian food. It is that good. What can I say? When your country is made up of so many different cultures from so many different countries, you bring together thousands of recipes and traditional cuisines which –over time—merges into something that can only be described as Malaysian. Let me give you an insight into my life (and why I can never weigh myself without having a myocardial infarction). Early morning, I am awaken by the aroma of nasi lemak (literal translation = Fat Rice), a coconut-milk infused rice topped with sweet spicy sambal, with a side of fried egg, anchovies and peanuts. Mouth watering already at the smell of it, I rush into the kitchen to discover an assortment of kuih, delicious bite-sized sweet or savoury desserts waiting for me. Karipap (puff pastry filled with fragrant curry with potatoes, sometimes sambal and even eggs), seri muka, onde-onde, kuih lapis, pulut panggang, putu piring ….Gah. Choices, choices, and so early in the morning.Having stuffed myself full, I go to school, my head already dreaming of the lunch I’m going to have. Char Kuay Teow would be perfect, with the succulent cockles and prawns, a distinctive bite of chilli paste, juicy beansprouts and slippery flat noodles with a slightly charred crunch, all stir-fried together in a huge wok of perfectness. I shall ask the kak for extra prawns as well. YUM.
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#FEATURES Classes finally over by six, and my stomach is growling for dinner. Too mentally worn-out to cook, I walk to the nearest hawker centre in search for food. Aaaaand I smell Bak-kut-teh! Originating from the Chinese population in Malaysia, this delicacy originates as a health tonic accompanied with strong tea (teh). Meaty ribs (Bak-kut) are cooked and boiled together with a variety of mushrooms in a broth of herbs and spices for hours until the meat is succulent and shreds delightfully as you chew. As for a balanced diet - the nearest fruit stalls had me binging on nangka (jackfruit), cempedak , mangosteens and rambutans. Note to self – don’t make weird noises when enjoying the juicy succulent flesh of these exotic fruits. People stare. It’s now almost 9.00pm, and having Facebooked studied the whole evening, it’s now supper time! I ventured out in search of roti canai , the famous flying bread. Dipped in dhal or chicken curry, it comes also with several variations—roti telur (grilled with eggs in the flatbread), roti sardin (with sardine), roti maggi (with instant noodles) and roti pisang (with banana). Accompanied with a cup of Neslo, a hybrid of Nescafe and Milo
(Malaysia’s favourite chocolate malt drink), all the microbiology-related stress melted away like cheese on burger patties.
Article Co-ordinator: OLUDARE ALABI
Often unfavourably compared to our neighbours to the south, Canadians have for many years (well, since 1867) proudly professed an identity steeped in reference to our majestic land, polite manners, multiculturalism, Tim Horton’s coffee, and lest we forget -hockey. The stereotypes aren’t far from the truth, but the subtle cultural differences are the stuff of childhood memories, adult habits, and simply those things that cannot be found away from home. Read on, and ask your Canadian friends if these Canadianisms apply to them, eh?
1.
The Loonie/ Toonie
The Canadian one dollar coin pictures a national bird, the loon. The coin is hence known as the “Loonie” and is extrapolated to “Toonie” for the two dollarcoin.
2. 3.
CANADA
Ketchup Chips/Crisps
The condiment-turned-chip-flavour is a favourite among elementary school kids.
Bunny Hug
A regional term from the province of Saskatchewan referring to a hooded sweater/jumper.
4. 5.
Parkade
A mash-up of the terms “park” and “(arc)ade”- a multi-storey car park.
Metric system…but not
Canadians officially use the metric system, but as a remnant of our British ancestors, we colloquially quote height in feet/inches and weight in pounds.
NIGERIA
Nigeria has a few customs that may come across as strange to the international community. Some are as follows:
• •
I wouldn’t say there aren’t any laws put up to protect children from abuse, but it is fairly normal for a child to get the wide end of a cane or the rough side of a belt for doing something wrong. This punishment comes only from the parents. As a child, I never understood why I was never allowed to eat as a guest in other people’s homes. Apparently it is a widely observed prac tice (especially amongst the mothers)
MARCH 2015
• • •
However, my comfort food has always been –and always would be—the roti tisu KLCC : roti canai with a Malaysian twist. An extreme variant of roti canai, this flat bread is spread paper thin (hence, tissue) and grilled to a crispy perfection, topped with sweet condensed milk and sugar, served piping hot. You might cringe at the way we tear into it with our bare hands, but with the extreme crispiness, there’s no way to use our utensils or table manners. Also, the sheer euphoria when you crunch down on it, and the burst of slightly charred sweetness overwhelm your senses… Let’s just say there’s no way your brain can habituate to that. There’s just way too many food to fit all of these into just one article. There’s still the satay (chicken/ lamb/beef skewers, sometimes made a bit more adventurous with pork intestines), rendang, nasi kerabu, wantanmee and who can forget The Ramli Burger?! In short, you have to be there, in person, to fully benefit from what can only be called, the Malaysian Food Experience. ALYSSA VERELLI
6.
Mickey
Not the mouse. A 375ml bottle of spirits. Equivalent to the Irish “naggin”.
7.
Plugging in cars
8.
Milk bags
Not a reference to electric cars. During the grips of a frigid winter, Canadians are well known to have extension cables linking their cars to parking lot plugs to keep the engine warm, and prevent the battery from dying. Another regional variation. Western provinces like to tease the Eastern provinces over their strange distribution of milk in plastic bags.
LANRE BALOGUN
It is almost a taboo for a child/teenager to acknowledge an adult’s presence with a first name, regardless of familiarity with said adult. The culture of respect in Nigeria demands that when a child, teen or young adult is to collect anything from an older person, he/she must collect it using their right hand or both (never the left alone). Doing otherwise shows disrespect to the individual giving the item. Sarcasm is a huge part of Nigerian culture for reasons unknown. It is an essential part of conversation, and hence should be expected from all those of Nigerian Heritage.
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International Night CAS
T
his year at International Night, the Caribbean & African Society (CAS) promises to put on a sensational show! We look forward to sharing several aspects of our diverse and dynamic culture on a night which promises to be nothing short of spectacular. CAS is well known for its energy driven performances, fusing different styles of music and dance which reflect the vibrance and creativity of our people. The audience can look forward to sampling a taste of Afrobeats music which fuses elements of Nigerian and Ghanian traditional music with percussion, jazz and funk. Onlookers will also be treated to the rhythmic bele folk dance which originated in the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Dominica. This unique dance is a product of West African and European influences and truly highlights the richness and diversity of Caribbean culture. Indian song and dance will also be incorporated into CAS’ presentation in order to reflect the cultural traditions of the multi-ethnic Caribbean society. Finally, CAS has decided to share another unique aspect of Trinidadian culture which is guaranteed to capture the attention of everyone in the audience. We’re bringing a bit of Trinidad Carnival to RCSI! Trinidadian Carnival has frequently been described as one of the largest and most exciting festivals in the world! On the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, masqueraders parade the capital city in jaw-droppingly beautiful costumes, creating a sea of colour and splendor on the city streets. The steel pan, which is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, can be heard ringing out through the atmosphere as masqueraders dance and revel in the Carnival frenzy. On International Night, we look forward to entertaining the audience with sweet, melodious tunes played on the steelpan by one of our very own talented musicians. Come support CAS for International Night 2015! We promise to deliver a performance filled with energy, zest and lots of good “vibes”.
A
MIDDLE EAST
lthough the Middle East has recently been a region of conflict, we at RCSI work to unite all Arabs and put aside our differences. Through our dance we are going to present all styles of middle eastern dancing ranging from belly dancing, mostly popular in Egypt, to different styles of Dabkeh from the gulf and other parts of the middle east. There will also be a modern twist added to the dances to keep the audience on their feet. Moreover, props and costumes will be used to be able to portray the culture accurately and help with picturing the storyline.
MARCH 2015
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#FEATURES
Article Co-ordinator: SAIED ALI
PIBS
ne might say that South Asians are known for three things: Our colourful festivals, our spicy food and our energetic dances. I would proudly agree. This year for International Night, the Pakistan-India-Bangladesh-Sri Lanka society (PIBS) will be performing four different dance styles, all from different regions while representing who we are and the different aspects of our culture; Bhangra, Bollywood, Traditional and HipHop. To give you a bit of a history lesson, the Bhangra dance originated from the Northern region of India, Punjab, initially to celebrate the harvest. The Bollywood dance is based off of the biggest film industry in the world, which happens to be rooted in India, Bollywood. The traditional dance is a more classic style of dance, in which a story can be told from every dance move and hand gesture. It encompasses many traditional styles of South Asian dances. Lastly, Hip-Hop has become a passion for many of us because of our exposure to Hip-Hop from migrating across the world. We’re excited to present just a small portion of our culture to you this International Night, and hope that you enjoy the show we put on for you!
I
IRELAND
rish people can’t dance right? Well no, now you mention it we can’t. But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to try! Under the expert guidance of a couple o of our talented Irish dancers and musicians, Irish Soc brings you the Ballroom of Romance; a look back at a time when Irish people could dance and weren’t half bad at it either. Picture Riverdance -with fairy lights -and a lot more swinging round and round in circles. Or better yet picture the stage of Mansion House thudding to the sound of hard shoe dancing (if you don’t know what that is, you’ve been missing out) -combined with live high tempo traditional Irish jigs and reels and singing. If you’ve been wondering what Irish culture actually is, then this is your opportunity to find out about all the lovely culture we have and just don’t use very often! Equally if you’re Irish and missing a bit of a trad session or feeling nostalgic for the céilís from your gaeltacht days, then this is the place for you!
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#HAPPENINGS
College Ball 2015 Aviva Las Vegas!
College Ball 2015: Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas! I can see it now. Lights, sequins, Britney, Elvis, fishnets, feathers. It’s going to be spectacular! Understandably, I’m not sure if SU can arrange for all of these things, however, I’d like to think that when I walk into the Aviva Stadium, come March 14th, I will be transported to that oasis in the middle of the desert known as VEGAS.
CYRILLE PAYNE
In preparation for the magnificence that is yet to befall me and in celebration of the end of yet another rotation I went in search of some decorative attire. As I stalked store mannequins and racks, waiting for my eye to alight on the perfect garment, my mind started to wander back to the College balls of yesteryear.
the heat. In the centre of the floor was the phrase “ice, ice baby” fashioned into a lovely ice sculpture bathed in blue light. I had a Cinderella moment that night, as I lost not one but both pairs of shoes. Actually I wouldn’t say lost per se, more like my feet rejected them. Anyway the night was absolutely amazing nonetheless.
Last years’ was an afters only affair for me. The theme was “Midnight in Paris”, which was quite eventful, as we were welcomed by a string quartet, got lost near the Eiffel tower, had a photo shoot under the tunnel of love and had quite a bit a difficulty finding our way to the door and back to Dublin at the end of the night. Eventually, we did make it out, more culturally enriched than we were before. Needless to say, when I woke up to find a piece of bread and a rose in my bag I wasn’t even surprised.
Every year the SU puts on an amazing ball and this year is poised to be the best yet. So go right now, and cash in some Euros and take a gamble on a college ball ticket if you don’t already have one. Girls put on your sequins and high heels; maybe bring a pair of flats in your bag to get you through the night. Boys don those waistcoats. To the collective I say, prepare for a night in Sin city that you will either never forget or hardly remember.
College ball 2013 took us to the Oscars in Hollywood, a true stage for a star such as myself. I walked the red carpet like a runway model with the paparazzi at my heels. A magnificent golden Oscar statue greeted us at the entrance, as we stepped into a world of fame and celebrity. Girls were wearing gorgeous, floor length gowns, and guys were suited up to perfection. Photo booths adorned the corners of the room and I was feeling classy in a little navy-blue and gold number. If I could, I would relive that night just one more time.
When you wakeup the next morning with a baby in your closet and a tiger in your bathroom, maybe some chicken wings in your purse or pocket, just “shake the glitter off your clothes” and remember the golden rule “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”.
That being said there is absolutely nothing that can compare to that first time. The night began with a little champagne. The lights were dimmed. Music filled the air and serenaded the crowd. The room was hot. So this is what all the hype was about like I thought. I had always wondered, but now I knew for sure that it was just as good as everyone had told me. True to the “Fire and Ice” theme, the room was bathed in a red glow and you could feel MARCH 2015
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#FITNESS
RCShape
Changes aren’t overnight,
START NOW!
DAPHNE YEN & ARUN B
Summer is only a couple of months away!!! Prior to summer, many of us will be sitting exams and going through a stressful period. During exams, your diet and your workout may be affected. Nevertheless, remember the stress handling techniques, which were mentioned in previous issues to cope with the upcoming stressful episode. With summer comes the idea of wanting a summer body; achieving this physique needs hard-work, determination and discipline. If y’all have been following a strict diet and a steady workout regime, you should have experienced some changes both physically and mentally experienced. Do drop us an email to the divercsity page sharing your experience and the changes you see, and you might be a motivation for others! One training technique recommended by many athletes to cut down fat and gain definition is HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training.
What is HIIT?
Sample HIIT Routine
HIIT is a training idea in which low to moderate intensity intervals are alternated with high intensity intervals. It can be applied to running or to exercises such as squatting.
What is the Benefit?
HIIT is considered to be much more effective than normal cardio because the intensity is higher and you are able to increase both your aerobic and anaerobic endurance while burning more fat than ever before.
• • • • • • •
Challenging Efficient Do it anywhere Burn fat Lose, weight, not muscle Increase metabolism
• Healthy heart
Remember:
Whenever there is a change in training program, you have to change your diet to suit your training. So if you are taking up HIIT, make sure your diet changes. • Bring back the carbs; stick to complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatos ,brown rice and oats • Keep the high protein intake for muscle recovery; try lean protein such as chicken and turkey breast to achieve optimal results. Limit intake of fatty red meat MARCH 2015
• Row 500m at 80% effort • 30 Dive Bomber Push ups • 40 Goblet Squats • 50 Weighted Russian Twists -Repeat x 3 Dive Bomber Push Ups: Begin in a “downward dog” position: Hands & feet on the ground, hips high in the air. Bend your arms and lower yourself face-first towards the ground in a “nose dive” motion. Straighten your arms - allowing your back to curve up & belly brush the ground - into an “upward dog” position. Reverse the “nose dive” movement and push yourself back to the starting position. Goblet Squats: Hold a dumbbell or Kettlebell with both hands in front of your chest while you squat. Russian Twists: Sit on the ground and lean back, lifting your legs off the ground and extending them in front of you. Find your balance on your sit- bones. Grab a weight (medicine balls work best) with both hands, twist to one side & tap the weight on the ground behind you. Con tinue twisting from side to side with the weight, keeping your legs off the ground. There are many online available guides to help you plan your HIIT workout. Not all workouts fit all individuals. Find the one, which suits you, and start getting closer to achieving your summer body! Find out more about HIIT : http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/hiit-vs-continuous-endurance-training-battle-of-the-aerobic-titans Credits : https://www.codyapp.com/plans/hiit-workouts/workouts/2112
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#FITNESS
Men’s GAA
R
CSI’s Men’s GAA team completed one of their most successful seasons in the college’s history this year by reaching the final of the Corn na Mac Léinn football competition. The team, managed by RCSI-graduate Mark Sheehan and captained by Noel Lynch (4th year Pharmacy), qualified for the Sigerson Cup weekend off the back of an impressive quarter final victory over Law School, played in UCD on Thursday 12th February. RCSI beat Law School on the night by a scoreline of 0-8 to 1-4, with points scored by Gareth Murray (0-3), Bill Duggan and David Dunne (0-2 each), and Eoin O’Neill (0-1). The win marked the second time in two years that RCSI had qualified for the prestigious weekend. Losing no time for preparation, the team was back out training hard in windy conditions at the College’s home pitches in Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA, on the Monday and Wednesday night. A two-day drinking ban was put in place, showing the seriousness with which the team regarded the opportunity, and ensuring the players optimal fitness before the semi-final on Friday 20th February. A solitary team bus departed RCSI at 6.30am on the frosty Friday morning, transporting the team the three and a half hours to the UCC football pitches in Cork, but not before stopping for a light
RCSI Club News breakfast in Cahir, Tipperary, where it is understood that defender Eoghan “Mallow” Farrell had pancakes. The semi-final against GMIT threw-in at 11:05am, allowing the final spectators time to take their seats before the much-anticipated match began. RCSI got off to the perfect start, and finished the first half of football up by three points. The team worked hard again in the second half, knowing the final awaited the victors the next day, and held on to beat GMIT by a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-08. With commanding performances from corner-back Fionn Maguire (2nd year Pharmacy), corner-forward Michael Anthony Kelleher (2nd year Physiotherapy), mid-fielder Eoin O’Neill (1st year Medicine), wing-forward Gareth Murray (2nd year Medicine), RCSI were the deserving winners. The team then rested and recuperated before their final on Saturday 21st February, aided by the hydrotherapy pools in UCC’s sports complex. This would be the first time since 2007, the second time in the College’s history, that the RCSI Men’s GAA team had reached the final of the Corn na Mac Léinn competition.
Iarla O’Domhnaill
they meant to continue it, finishing the first half leading by a scoreline of 0-5 to 0-2. The match featured standout performances from Noel Lynch, who contained UU Magee’s dangerous full-forward with ease, Fionn Maguire, whose hard work helped keep the team moving forward, and RCSI’s goalkeeper Marty Ryan who went into the game with an injured shoulder and still managed to make some excellent saves. Unfortunately, RCSI were not able to hold on to their lead as they had done the previous day, and failed to keep out the unrelenting UU Magee attack, eventually losing the final by the most narrow of scorelines, 0-9 to 0-8. The scorers for RCSI were Michael Anthony Kelleher (0-6), and Bill Duggan and David Dunne (0-1 each). Although disappointed by the result of the final, and what they were so close to achieving, RCSI have many positive aspects to look back on and build upon for next year. With only one player on the team graduating from RCSI this year, and the fact that next year’s new recruits will only strengthen the team, the future of RCSI Gaelic football is bright, and next year will hopefully bring even more success to the College.
The final, on Saturday, again threw-in at 11am, this time against the University of Ulster Magee, from Derry. And again, RCSI began the match as
Back Row, left-right: Shane Kelly, Iarla O’Domhnaill, Patrick Lynch, Brendan Brennan, Eoghan Farrell, Bill Duggan, Killian Cox, David Dunne, Philip Bogue, Eoin O’Neil, Gareth Murray, Paul Dillon. Front Row, left to right: Kevin Hanifin, Paddy Farrell, Michael Anthony Kelleher, Paul Fox, Noel Lynch, Marty Ryan, Fionn Maguire, Ian Kelly, Mark Sheehan. MARCH 2015
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DIVERCSITY.COM
#FITNESS
Hold on, this will only take a Wicket!
ANU MENON
The Men of the Match
Our unlikely band of heroes made their way to the faraway land of Belfast to compete in an epic intervarsity cricket tournament this past February. Battling the odds, in search of glory, for them, this weekend was more than just a game. It was a test of fortitude. A display of skill and form. A chance to prove their worth on the hallowed grounds of the cricket pitch. And prove they did. Comprised of: Asham “Deviliers” Khan, Zain “Slice&Dice” Hasnain, Venga “The Ever Hopeful” Dasalam, Waleed “Wicket Master” Saeed, Samuel “BabyFace” Gunaratnam, Amandeep “Risen from The Ashes” Chughand Captain Anoj “The Marine” Easwararaj at the helm, this team together experienced the pitfalls and joys of one of the most beloved sports on earth, and emerged more united than ever. Winning matches against DCU and the University of Ulster, the team was ranked #3 in their division, only marginally missing out on the semifinals. Both Venga Dasalam and Amandeep Chugha were recognized for their batting, while Anoj Easwararaj and Waleed Saeed cinched it in the bowling department! Here we are in conversation with two members of the 2014-15 RCSI Cricket Team, who reveal why they are passionate about cricket and what in fact went down in good ol Belfast.
1.
Explain cricket to someone without a clue what this sport is? *collective “uuuuuuhhhh”, blank stare, thoughtful looking into the distance, return to staring, and finally a 5 minute discourse on the definition, strategy, and course of the game* Yes, completely, I totally understood all of that, thank you boys.
So how did you get into cricket?
2.
Anoj: Cricket was one of those sports I always wanted to play. I
used to watch the test match back home in Australia during the summer as a child, and played the game in the backyard with my sister and friends. My mum never allowed me to play cricket for school or club because of the hard leather cork ball that can cause serious injury, but when I came to RCSI I took the opportunity to see if I would be good enough to play with the members of team. And well…since then, which was 5 years ago, I have fractured and dislocated my fingers on both hands! [So, moral of the story…mothers know everything!]
MARCH 2015
Amandeep: I got into it as a young kid in Australia, around the age of 10. I loved the competitiveness of it all, pushing myself to hit the ball harder, bowl the ball faster. Being both Indian and Australian means that, no matter what, I was probably going to have some interest in the sport! But, yeah, I’ve been playing for a really long time, and it’s one of my favorite sports. It’s really the team dynamic that draws me to cricket, the camaraderie and unity that is built over time, with each game, each practice.
3.
Crowning career moment? Anoj: 2 years ago, in a match against DCU, I took 5 wickets with the ball.
Amandeep: In a match last year, I was only 2 runs away from scoring a century, meaning 100 runs in the game. [For those of you who don’t know a lot about cricket, much like myself before talking to these dudes, these two basically were killing it during their respective games!]
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#FITNESS What is the strength of this team?
4.
Amandeep: We have a very well-rounded team, we aren’t relying
on one specific person for batting or bowling. It’s a solid team effort! And we never take anything too seriously. Which doesn’t mean we don’t try our best, but at the end of the day, win or lose, we’re still laughing and joking around and having fun!
5.
8.
As a captain, how do you motivate your team? Anoj: Motivation comes through dedication to the game, and that
means coming for practice sessions every Sunday and playing in the matches. As captain I believe a big part of motivating the team is through your own performance both on off the field. Whether it’s taking the wickets and scoring with the bat against the opposition or simply arranging training sessions and keeping the players informed of what’s happening for this season. Before each game I round up the players and emphasize what we need to do and make sure each player has the confidence in their own ability to bat, bowl and field well. [Words fit for the likes of any professional coach or captain!]
6.
Best team memory? Anoj: Best team memory was the recent Belfast trip. Carrying our
kits on our back, we walked 5km to get back to our motel after our first loss since we couldn’t get a taxi. It was a great team building moment where the lads were able to reflect on the loss and to look forward for our next match. Also we stopped over in McDonalds on the way and ate 15 burgers between 6 players! Amandeep: …Yeah the McDonalds was definitely a highlight! And, I mean, of course, the games were fun too…but 15 burgers!! [Sigh. Boys. Give em some burgers and they’re happy as can be. Typical!]
9.
Cricket games last a million hours approximately. What are you really thinking for most of that time? Anoj: During the game I’m thinking about how to best limit the
runs made by the opposition and how to get them out. If we are batting, it’s how to best make the runs to prevent the opposition from winning. Amandeep: HOW TO WIN! But, yeah, games can be long. So, let’s say, on occasion I let my mind wander…don’t tell Anoj I said that! […too late!]
Why should someone join the RCSI Cricket Team? Amandeep: It’s just a really good time, hanging with your mates and enjoying a common interest! You get in some exercise, and it’s a chance to take your head out of the books! I’m sure our Captain could give you more insight though! Anoj: RCSI’s cricket club is one of the oldest in the college. There is a lot of tradition in the club one such example is the annual cricket match against Trinity College known as the Colles Cup where we play against Clive Lee’s Trinity team with Prof. Hill playing for the RCSI side. All these exciting matches and events we hope to build up in the near future would seriously make people think twice if their interested in joining RCSI Cricket. We go on several tours around Ireland such as Galway and Cork and all the way to Northern Ireland. We are trying to establish contact and play some games with the teams in the Netherlands and RCSI Bahrain which would mean the team travelling to these destinations. If someone like me who never played cricket could take up the sport and now Captain the team there is no excuses for others who are interested and want to learn and play the game to come for our training sessions on Sundays. We are always looking to grow the team sport both in RCSI and in Ireland so if you’re interested please try make contact with us either through existing members you know or by joining our Facebook page! There you have it, folks! Now come on, who wouldn’t want to hang with this bunch of happy, smiling dudes?
7.
So, this may sound like an odd question…but what is a silly point? Amandeep: Ah yes, this, the silly point. Well, we actually just have to put the most ridiculous person in that position. That’s all. [So they put you there, am I right?] No, no, I’m just kidding, the silly point is a position that’s just re-
ally close to the batsmen, so there’s a high chance of getting hit by the ball. So, that’s why we generally put Venga there!
MARCH 2015
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DIVERCSITY.COM
RCSI Debate Society’s Trip to Leiden 2015
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#SOCIETIES
Randhir Seetaram
n Thursday 26th February, a couple young men, myself included, boarded an Aer Lingus flight destined for Schipol International Airport, where the intention was to represent The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at one of the most prestigious debating tournament in Europe.
Leiden, stands as the home of the oldest Dutch university, which is named after the city. With an impressive 20,000+ student body, hosting an International Open did not appear to be too much of a hefty task. We arrived at 9am on the subsequent day at one of the University’s location for five intense rounds of competition. The calibre of the debaters was second to none I had ever experienced before. The articulation, in depth analysis and abilities to persuade left me in awe as I realised how passionate people can be about this art. The five basic motions included topics revolving around euthanasia, taxation laws, amnesty provisions, religion and political relations. Our two teams, one composed of me and Marc Choong and the other of Joseph Morris and Nirmal Sadasivuni, unfortunately weren’t able to break into the semi finals. However, not only should this serve to remind us as to how much harder we can work, but also provided that platform for us to compete with simply the best. Here are the views of the other members of the Team that went to Leiden:
I
MARC CHOONG (IC1)
have been debating for nearly six years now, starting just before I began my fourth year of high school. During this time, I have seen and indeed had the privilege to debate against some of the best debaters in my country. However, we always wondered what it would be like to see debaters from the best universities in the world speak. Thanks to this competition, I have finally gotten the chance to see such people in action. To say that I was impressed when I watched the speakers from Cambridge debate (and win) would be an understatement. However, it wasn’t just these people who astounded me- every round I spoke in had speakers who provided such depth to their analysis that I could sometimes only stare in awe. The point I am trying to make here is that this competition has not only just been a great experience, but a reminder of just how much more I can push myself in the field of debating. However, it wasn’t just the experience and knowledge that I have gained that I am grateful for. Through this competition, I was able to meet people from all over the world, some from countries that I had not even heard of before. What struck me was the fact that everybody was extremely friendly to each other (when we weren’t bashing each other during the rounds). A perfect example would be our host during our stay in Leiden, a Dutch girl named Cecilia. As “crash” host, all she had to provide us was a floor to sleep on. She proceeded to provide a couch that was converted into a bed for 2 people, a sleeping bag, a mattress, enough food to feed an army and, of course, her great personality. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting such people, it really opened my eyes to just how great people from all over the world are.
MARCH 2015 2015 SEPTEMBER 2014
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NIRMAL SADASIVUNI (JC2)
e had only a bit of free time in Amsterdam and we were going to make the most of it. After exploring the city, I can conclude that Amsterdam is a modern, liberal city with a lot of history and too many canals. The people of Netherlands have proven to be incredibly nice and really infatuated with bicycles (seriously, there were bikes everywhere) it proved to be the most picturesque city I have ever set foot in. The sunny weather and the beautiful canals, with the coffee shops, and all people simply walking to enjoy the day with their families will always be what I remember Leiden by. In terms of debating, it has been a very educational experience for me. “Knees weak, arms are heavy. There’s vomit on his sweater already. Mom’s spaghetti. He’s nervous...” (Lose Yourself by Eminem.) These lyrics capture my feelings before I go in front of people to speak. This phobia has shadowed me throughout my life and debating has been an excellent way for me to shine a light on it and eradicate it. The Leiden Open debate competition has been an excellent tool for improvement, not only in terms of speaking, but also debating skills. On the day of the competition, we faced 5 debates throughout the day with breaks in between for lunch and dinner. The sheer volume of the debates and their frequency coupled with the feedback sessions at the end of every debate made for an excellent learning environment. When confronted with so many debates, the ability to implement what you learned in the last debate truly shines. You can pick up a lot of skills as you compete with experienced debaters, and watch the final round of the debate - from how they phrase their sentences to what their train of thought is - it is a spectacular thing to watch and absorb. My purpose in taking part in this trip was to act as a sponge. I have only debated a few times before, and I was willing to learn as much as I could. This competition, with the sightseeing that we were able to squeeze in, was excellent.
W
JOSEPH MORRIS (JC2)
e boarded a train to Leiden where the debate competition was to be held. The city is picturesque, full of life and history and totally avoids the gaudy, tourism-orientated areas you find in central Amsterdam and Dublin and so many other cities. We met our “crash” host (the person we would be staying with during the competition, probably in a sleeping bag on the floor). Her name was Cecilia and she showed off the famous Dutch hospitality perfectly by being, quite possibly, the sweetest, kindest person that I have ever met. She went above and beyond her role and we were so surprised, as were the other two people crashing with us (Joe and Anya from the University of Cologne). In any future competitions, crash will be a huge disappointment when compared to her! Competition over the weekend was fierce. Sixty teams from all over Europe and even Australia competed across five rounds, a semi-final and a final round where, surprisingly, the four debating teams were from Great Britain (victory went to Cambridge but I still think “We don’t give our jokes away for free” should have been victorious). That final round had the highest standard I’ve ever seen in a room and proved how much more I need to learn! We are all students from completely different parts of the world, studying completely different course but we are all connected by our passion for British Parliamentary debating. The competition let me see for myself the diverse, fascinating community that I am part of and it’s hard not to walk away without a sense of pride for being a part of it. I am not at the standard of the top debaters but I will not let that discourage me. If anything, it gives me a new level to work towards. This was my first international debating competition and I am definitely not letting it be my last. I’ve tackled my nerves on a world level stage, met some brilliant people in the process and got to experience uni life in a culture different from my own. Definitely worth the few days of studying lost!
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#SOCIETIES #EDUCATION
PHARMACY PEER LED TEACHING Ciaran Carney
L
ate 2014 saw the beginning of a new initiative amongst students from the School of Pharmacy- Pharmacy Peer Led Teaching (PPLT). Following on from the very successful peer led teaching program that is already established in the School of Medicine and similar programs in other universities, pharmacy students with the assistance and guidance of lectures and staff have sought to start a peer led teaching program to cater to the needs of students in the pharmacy program. As part of the program’s pilot year, the group work Pharmacy Peer Led Teaching Committee. will focus on providing useful academic resourc- Front (L-R) Fiona Mannion, Jennifer Toney, Patricia Ryan, Katie McCormick es to complement and supplement course work. Back (L-R) Philip Larney, Ciarán Carney, Nora Fitzgerald, Julie Clifford, Henna Rashid Panjwani. Peer leadership and feedback from students will Absent- Aoife O’ Reilly, Clara Alighalib, Peter O’Donnell be the main steering forces for the group’s work, aiming to take into account student’s experiences and opinions when deciding what direction to take. This year’s group is currently made up of both intermediate cycle and senior cycle students, with the group’s work being headed up by Peter O’ Donnell and Clara Alighalib who are currently in their pharmacy intern year. The group’s work will initially focus its efforts on the senior years of the pharmacy course, and some of its plans for this semester include running OSCE workshops (the first of which will take place this month) compiling of a calculations resource and student led and directed tutorials. It is hoped that the program will in the future expand to include students from all years working to fulfil the needs of students at all stages of the pharmacy course. The enthusiastic response with which the PPLT program has been met with so far from students has made us optimistic for its success and the continuation of the program as a useful, worthwhile approach to learning and will provide students with a valuable opportunity to not only practice coursework and clinical skills but also to learn from the experiences of other students. The PPLT committee would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to Dr. Orna Tighe, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. James Barlow and the staff of the School of Pharmacy for their support and assistance with the PPLT program.
MARCH 2015 2015 SEPTEMBER 2014
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#EDUCATION
PROF CLIVE LEE HEAD OF ANATOMY
J
Anatomy WITH Clive Lee
CONTEST QUIZ QUESTION!!!
ohn Benjamin Murphy was the son of Irish immigrants to America and studied in Chicago (MD, 1879) and in Vienna under Billroth. He became Attending Surgeon at Cook County Hospital, best known recently as the setting for the TV series ER.
He gave his name to a rectal fluid infusion, ‘Murphy’s Drip’, and to the cessation of inspiration due to an inflamed gall bladder when an examining hand is placed on the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, ‘Murphy’s Sign’. We now tend to refer to the surface marking of the fundus of the gall bladder as ‘Murphy’s Point’.
The surface marking of the fundus of the gall bladder is at the level of: A. B. C. D. E.
L2 T12 the sub costal plane the tip of the 9th costal cartilage the tip of the 10th costal cartilage
BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN OUR MONTHLY GIVEAWAY! Winner will be announced and contacted in the next month’s issue. Submit your answer on our Moodle page: https://vle.rcsi.ie/course/view.php?id=844
DIVERCSITY SUBMISSIONS ON MOODLE (SCAN THIS CODE USING A QR CODE READER APP)
MARCH 2015
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Draw MD
Medical Apps Reviews
#EDUCATION SAMANTHA KNIGHT THE MEDICAL PULSE
Calculate
Medscape
Have you been asked to obtain consent from a patient for a procedure or surgery? Open up the app and select the correct anatomy page. You can then draw on the diagram while explaining to your patient how the procedure will be preformed. The app comes in various forms for all the different surgical sub-specialties such as OBY-GYN, Urology, Cardiology, etc. with the appropriate anatomical templates. With this app you can visually communicate concepts in anatomy, conditions, and procedures to your patients to improve their understanding, retention and ultimately quality of care.
This medical calculator has it all, from diagnostic and prognostic criteria to dosage calculation, and is extremely helpful to have in your pocket. It incorporates 150 calculators that cover a wide range of medical specialties. Determine the prognosis of lymphoma, TIA, pancreatitis. Find the proper dose for chemotherapy or tPA. Manage DVT or PE. Stage lung or renal carcinoma.
A great resource for keeping up to date with the medical news and breakthroughs. Think of it as your own personal medical newspaper subscription. Read the latest news broken down over 30+ medical specialties covering information about recent FDA announcements, conference news, and recently published poignant journal articles. The app also contains drug treatment information and diagnosis management for key conditions.
5/5 Stethoscopes
5/5 Stethoscopes
4/5 Stethoscopes
Recommended for: SC-Beyond Available for: iPhone, iPad Price: FREE!
Recommended for: IC-SC Available for: iPhone, Android, iPad Price: FREE!
Recommended for: Everyone! Available for: iPhone, iPad, Android Price: FREE!
Follow, Like and Subscribe to RCSI Library! RCSI Library is slowly taking over the Web...we’re now on Blogger, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. • On our YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/rcsilibrary - you will find a number of videos that will help you make the most out of what the library has to offer. We have instructional videos on a range of topics including searching the library catalogue, finding a full text article, using clinical summaries, searching the PubMed database, accessing and navigating e-books and more. • On our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/rcsilibrary - there’s information about opening hours, new resources, tips on using library services and general library news. ‘Like’ our page and help us reach 1000 likes, we only need 101 more!
MARCH 2015
• We’ve just joined Twitter in the last few weeks; follow us @RCSILibrary and we’ll keep you up to date with the latest library goings on as well as interesting medical news from around Ireland and further afield. • The RCSI Heritage collections blog is definitely worth a look; visit it at http://rcsiheritage.blogspot.ie/ and find out about our unique and amazing collection of material relating to the history of medicine in Ireland and abroad. You never know what you’ll find here...the latest post looks at the connection between RCSI, Valentine’s Day, meat juice and murder!
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Science!
#EDUCATION
The Element of
Space Exploration
One More Step for Mankind or Humanity’s Last Hope?
MICHAEL RYAN
E
lon Musk, the multi-billionare technological genius behind PayPal, has founded a space exploration company company worth $12 billion (USD) called SpaceX. Its aim: to set up a permanent space colony on Mars by reducing the costs associated with space exploration. Even though there have been some hiccups (including a recent crash of a test rocket), it has had some successes, with it being the first private space company to successfully launch and return a rocket from orbit, winning both private contracts and work from NASA. Another company has gone one step further; Mars One is a Dutch based non-for-profit organisation that aims to send astronauts in groups of four to Mars every four years, starting in 2024. There is however one catch, it is a strictly one way trip, once you are there, there is no turning back and you will eventually perish on Mars. Despite the strictness of conditions (no normal food, no personal relationships for example) and the fact that the entire process is to be filmed and broadcast as a reality television show, over two hundred thousand people volunteered for the initial process. Exploring the space beyond our small rocky planet is the focus of numerous science fiction pieces and movies. Such examples are Star Wars, Star Trek, Avatar, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Alien, to name but a few. Our fascination may be well-founded however. The Sun (the source of all life on our planet) is estimated to be approximately 4.5 billion years old, about halfway through its lifespan. As it approaches its end, it will start to expand and heat up, becoming a red giant, which will burn up and eventually engulf our planet. In the more immediate future, the risk of disease, nuclear war or even a meteorite strike could necessitate the evacuation of the Earth. Mars is of course the most obvious course; similar in size and close in proximity to Earth, it would make an ideal first world to colonise. However it is also associated with many problems, including the inhospitability of both the atmosphere and the high levels of UV radiation seen on the planet’s surface. Overcoming these problems is possible and could even be financially sound. Humans have always been explorers – who knows where this latest line of exploration will lead us?
MARCH 2015
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SUDOKU BREAK
#ENTERTAINMENT TANYA CHAPPLE STUDENT SERVICES
DIFFICULTY: EASY
solutions! easy
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM medium
DIFFICULTY: HARD
MARCH 20152014 SEPTEMBER
hard
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Korean Drama Fever!
#ENTERTAINMENT HONG MING
If you ask anyone what is the most popular entertainment from South Korea, most people will probably say K-Pop. However, before the rise of K-Pop, Korean dramas have been spearheading the K-wave in many countries. Korean drama or K-drama refers to televised dramas in the Korean language, made in South Korea, mostly in a miniseries format. Korean dramas can be set in contemporary times or in historical settings and appear in many genres. Korean dramas are usually helmed by one director and written by one screenwriter, thus having a distinct directing style and language, unlike American TV series, where often several directors and writers work together. Also unlike Western TV Series, most K-dramas only have one season, with 12–24 episodes, with each episode being 45 minutes to 90 minutes long.
Stairway to Heaven
The 2000’s is an important decade for K-dramas as it was in that decade K-dramas gained enough international fame to start being exported to foreign countries, indirectly leading the spread of K-wave around the world. 2004 is a particularly impressive year with classics like Full House, Love Story in Harvard and Stairway to Heaven. Stairway to Heaven is probably the most classical example of the K-drama tragedy genre. It tells the story of Jung-Suh and Song-Joo, who were childhood friends but were separated due to Jung-Suh’s tragedic circumstances. For people who started watching K-dramas, Stairway to Heaven has amazing, though sad, plotlines which will be used again and again by future K-dramas, including love triangles, deaths of characters and family obstacles. I thoroughly recommend it to adventurous audience who don’t mind shedding a tear or two. Fans of this genre can also check-out Autumn in My Heart, which is another important classic, aired back in the year 2000.
My Name is Kim Sam-Soon
This poster of Stairway to Heaven is used by the South Korean Tourism Department to promote their country! This shows how big an impact this drama has made on audience worldwide.
The following year marks the debut of the huge hit My Name is Kim SamSoon, which tells the story of Kim Sam-Soon, a baker and Hyun Jin Hun, a somewhat callous but sometimes considerate man. By sheer coincidence, JinHun needs a baker for his restaurant Bon Appetit and hired Sam-Soon to be the chief baker. They have frequent fights but start to have feelings for each other later on. Things get complicated when Jin Hun’s ex-girlfriend Hee-Jin comes back from the States intending to win him back. Again, it uses the classical love triangle plotline but this show is hilarious and coupled by great acting by Kim Sun-Ah and the now hugely popular Hyun-Bin, it is a must-not-miss for people who enjoy rom-coms.
Princess Hours
What makes My name is Kim Sam-Soon so popular is because it is realistic and the titular character is so galvanising!
The following years marked the meteoric rise of the oh-so-perfect Yoon Eunhye, who is also my favourite Korean actress! For younger fans like myself, huge hits like Princess Hours and Coffee Prince is a must-watch, even if you are not a fan of Eun-hye. Lesser, but still popular works of her such as The Vineyard Man and My Fair Lady are worth a watch as well. Princess Hours is set in an alternate timeline where Korea has retained its monarchy and imperial family. The series focuses on the lives of Crown Prince Lee Shin of Korea, and his new bride, the lovable but headstrong Chae-kyeong. The supporting cast also played a major part in making this rom-com a huge success, and one of them, Song Ji-Hyo, eventually gained international fame co-hosting the popular South Korean game show, Running Man. Its spinoff, Prince S, is a Adorable cast + refreshing plotline + humour = win for Princess Hours!!! disaster. Don’t watch it!
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#ENTERTAINMENT
Coffee Prince
Secret Garden
Coffee Prince tells the story of Han-gyeol (played by the gorgeous Gong Yoo), a smart young man who reluctantly takes over the responsibility of running a café. One day, he meets Eun-chan, a cheerful girl who has an unpredictable personality, and together they manage their coffee shop while learning the meaning of true love. Yoon Eun-hye played the tomboyish Eun-chan in this drama, adding a refreshing look into the cast of this drama. And who doesn’t like coffee shop love stories!
I am going to finish by recommending 2 more popular K-dramas from the scifi genre. Secret Garden tells the story of Kim Joo-won, a famous actor and Gil Ra-Im, a stuntwoman Joo-won mistook for a famous actress. The story follows them as they began to switch bodies and 2 more characters joined to form a complicated relationship.
Han-gyeol initially doesn’t know Eun-chan is a girl, so there is homo-erotic humour floating around – people who don’t like these jokes, you have been warned!
Jumong In year 2006, the big hit Princess Hours is only beaten to the top spot by the even bigger hit Jumong, which is a contemporary K-drama. Jumong examines the life of Jumong, founder of the kingdom Gorguryeo, and his queen So Seono. The setting, the actors, the plot and the battle scenes are sights to behold, by my favorite part of the show by far is the costumes!
Jewel in the Palace
Arguably an even more scorching hot series from 3 years before Jumong, is Jewel in the Palace, which I am sure is the most popular contemporary K-drama, or even K-drama in general, known by foreign audience. Jewel in the Palace, also known as Dae Jung Gum, tells the story of an orphaned kitchen cook, Jang-geum, who went on to become the king’s first female physician. It is based on the true story of Jang-geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty. This is a very, very good drama that apart from the amazing plot and an epic opening musical piece, also offers accurate insight into the lives of the people in the palace, as well as being a good platform for the audience to learn about traditional Korean culture like Korean royal court cuisines and traditional medicine. Although it is long (54 episodes), it is definitely worth it you have the patience to finish them!
Poster for Jumong (left) and Jewel in the Palace (right)
MARCH 2015
Poster for Secret Garden
My Love from the Stars My Love from the Star, tells the story of Do Min-Joon, a handsome alien who landed on Earth 400 years ago and still un-aged, now teaches as a professor in a university. He falls in love with actress Cheon Song-Yi, who also happened to be his student and neighbour. The series follows the development of the romance between them as Min-Joon faced the choice between going back to his planet and staying on Earth to be with the woman he loved. These 2 K-dramas offer a fair share of funny and touching moments, and they are guaranteed to satisfy most audience with their gripping sci-fi plot.
Poster for My Love from the Stars
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Culture, Ephemera and Craic! #CULTURE&LEISURE
LISA MCNAMEE
JDIFF 2015 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
This year’s festival is packed with gems and the celebrity list that will be in attendance is quite long. Screening 130 films in ten days is no mean feat, but JDIFF always manage to curate a meaningful and exciting programme. Russell Crowe, Kim Cattrall, Alan Rickman, Julie Andrews, Kenneth Branagh, Danny Huston, Robbie Sheehan and many more will be attending the various red carpet premieres. Get your tickets ASAP as they sell out fast!
Festival Highlights
...
The Price of Desire – Mary McGuckian – Opening gala March 19th Tells the life story of the controversial Irish designer Eileen Gray.
A little Chaos – Alan Rickman (Director Alan Rickman will attend)
A new period drama set in the French royal court starring Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman.
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence – Roy An-
dersson Winner of best film at Venice and if there were prizes for best film title, this would have another accolade under its belt. It’s composed of 39 Nordic sketches, ranging from the comic to tragic.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels A special screening of the cult Brit film.
Cinderella – Kenneth Branagh (Director Kenneth Branagh will attend) A live action version of the fairytale starring Cate Blanchett.
Visit
jdiff.com
MARCH 2015
for the full line-up 34
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Looking for an alternative to college ball?
#CULTURE&LEISURE
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is hosting (in conjunction with Film Fatale) a Prohibition party on March 14th. Something a bit different from the traditional dinner dance… If you’re a fan of early 20th century glamour and dirty martinis, this is the night for you. The Great Gatsbies provide the night’s entertainment and IMMA is also an unconventional and creative party space whose vaults are always full of surprises. Dress code - 1920s fashion; flapper dresses and gangster suits, though black tie is also an option. Visit filmfataleevents.blogspot.ie
St. Patrick’s Day
...
No discussion of March events in Ireland can leave out St. Patrick’s Day, but…if I’m being honest this is one weekend where the locals tend to leave town, and for good reason. If you’re determined to stay and have no house parties to go to, then there is the St. Patrick’s Festival 14th – 17th which has a variety of interesting things on.
Irish Beer and Whiskey Festival – Sunday 15th in the RDS Funfairs – Merrion Square will be turned into a funfair for the entire weekend. Street theatre on a grand scale Saturday14th @12:30, 2.20pm, 4.10pm South King Street Liffey boat races - Trinity v. UCD Saturday 14th
More at stpatricksfestival.ie MARCH 2015
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In a crunch f unch?
Odessa Great place for simple brunch items, including many of the classic brunch
#CULTURE&LEISURE
MOHIT BUTANEY, COREY NIXON, STEPHANIE TUNG
meals and a full Irish breakfast, but has some great twists on old classics.
A great change to the typical eggs benedict is the salmon eggs benedict! Think mixture of salmon lachs and eggs benedict - to make a wonderfully delicious combination! The full Irish is perfect after a night on the town with just the right amount of greasiness and carbs to get you going and when they say full, they mean FULL.
For the adventurous tasters out there, there is also a new special item every Sunday. The Duck Hash special was tasty, but lacked substance leaving you feeling empty after the meal. Poached eggs were also overcooked - being hardboiled inside instead of the soft gooey yolk we were expecting Overall - Would recommend Odessa especially if you are a fan of the classics and would like to try some varieties Price - Decent. €10-15 for a typical meal with drink
San Lorenzo’s
Sunday brunch could not come with a more exquisite menu than San Lorenzo’s. This South Great George’s Street establishment serves up a decadent lobster benedict, scrumptious crab cakes and Mexican variations of your favourite Irish dishes, so there’s something for everyone. Unlike so many brunch restaurants, this place cooks their eggs the right way, the poached eggs are cooked just perfectly and the scrambled eggs are not watery or clumpy. Their ‘Breakfast of Champions’ is truly a fry up for champions. Overall - Would very highly recommend San Lorenzo’s brunch. Great tasting and extremely satisfying. Be sure to get there early or make a reservation to ensure you don’t miss out on a fantastic brunch experience. Price - A little steep. €15-20 for a typical meal with a drink
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#CULTURE&LEISURE #EDUCATION
Cinnamon
This Ranelagh eatery is a popular brunch spot for south side Dubliners. Serving up breakfast/brunch every day of the week to the neighbourhood masses. It also has a reputation as a popular hangout spot for the Leinster rugby team and their families. If rubbing elbows with sports celebrities isn’t a big enough draw, the delectable window display of freshly baked goods should be sufficient to tempt any passerby. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere with comfy couches and wifi access, perfect for anyone looking to get some work down over a meal or a nice cup of coffee. One dish that stands out on their menu is their homemade buttermilk pancakes, which were light, fluffy and perfectly balanced by some tart blueberry compote. They also offer their very own homemade buttermilk scones in some exciting flavours such as brown pumpkin seed and honey. Classic breakfast items such as eggs benedict, full Irish breakfast and omelettes are also available. They also offer solid options for our fellow vegan and celiac brunchers. Price - Decent. €10-15 for a typical meal
Fumbally’s An honourable mention once again since the Cheap & Delicious first article in September. With its laid back rustic vibe and open air kitchen, what you see is what you get at Fumbally’s and we mean that literally. Here at Fumbally’s, fresh ingredients make even the simplest of dishes, simply unforgettable. Always a great stop for their healthy, hipster (ie. locally and responsibly sourced) variations of breakfast favourites. They also offer up heartier lunch options such as tender pulled pork sandwiches, epic falafel plates and a lunch-time special of the day. They also offer up some of the best coffee in Dublin, in particular their flat whites (or perhaps that’s personal bias talking). The in-house kitchen also serves up delicious, healthy dessert options including the best vegan chocolate cake and gluten-free treats. Personal recommendation: Green eggs and ham, perfectly seasoned scrambled eggs on brioche toast with avocado and freshly chopped tomatoes (sometimes they even offer a special with spicy chorizo!). The menu items also change on a weekly basis for a new flare every week. Be aware that this rustic establishment is closed on Sundays and that seating is first come, first served. Price - Affordable. With breakfast/brunch items starting as low as €5.
Hatch and Sons
Located in the basement of ‘The Little Museum of Dublin’ right on St.Stephens Green, this quaint and beautifully decorated restaurant is easy to miss if you are not actively searching for it. Walking down the stairs from the busy streets of Dublin into Hatch and Sons will immediately transport you to a countryside cottage kitchen. The relaxed and casual atmosphere with the scent of great food combines perfectly to ease you into your Sunday. Their ‘blaa’s’ and take on the classic Irish fry-up have quickly made this place extremely popular. Although most people can’t resist having fun with the name ‘blaa’, the blaa is actually a popular square white bread roll originally from Waterford. They keep their sandwiches simple and do justice to celebrating the bread itself. The fresh ingredients Hatch and Sons claim to use definitely translate to their meals. Their rustic take on the Irish fry-up is a must try. Double baked eggs served in a skillet topped with two delicious sausages, well done rashers, roast tomato, brown soda bread, and farm fresh butter - this is the perfect Sunday brunch, surprisingly leaving you without feeling like a total glutton. Given that a meal here should leave most people culinarily satiated, the alluring baked goods at the cash counter might be hard to resist. Price - Affordable. With most items below €10.
MARCH 2015 2014 SEPTEMBER
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#CULTURE&LEISURE
THIS MONTH IN
Do-blin!
CHEW JEN PIN
MARCH
CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES 1/3 SUNDAY 8:00 pm - The Gloaming @ National Concert Hall
2/3 MONDAY 7:00 pm - Europe @ The Olympia 8:00 pm - The Gloaming @ National Concert Hall
3/3 TUESDAY 7:00 pm - Spandau Ballet @ 3Arena 7:30 pm - Tune-Yards @ Vicar Street 8:00 pm - Death @ The Academy
4/2 WEDNESDAY
The Button Factory @ Curved Street, Temple Bar
7/3 SATURDAY
9/3 MONDAY 7:00 pm - Royal Blood @ The Olympia Theatre
7:00 pm - Ryan Adams @ The Olympia
6:30 pm - Country to Country @ 3Arena (The O2) 7:00 pm - Joan Armatrading @ Vicar Street 7:30 pm - Vann Music @ The Button Factory 8:00 pm - The Answer @ Whelan’s
6/3 FRIDAY
8/3 SUNDAY
11/3 WEDNESDAY
7:30 pm - Clean Bandit @ The Academy 8:00 pm - Karen Egan (Album Launch) @ Whelan’s 8:00 pm - This Is The Kit @ Workman’s
6:30 pm - Country to Country @ 3Arena (The O2) 8:00 pm - Southern Tenant Folk Union @ Whelan’s
7:00 pm - Lionel Richie @ 3Arena (The O2) 7:00 pm - Walking On Cars @ The Olympia Theatre 7:00 pm - Hobbie Stuart @ The Academy (Green Room)
7:00 pm - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds @ 3Arena (The O2)
5/3 THURSDAY
10/3 TUESDAY 7:00 pm - Royal Blood @ The Olympia Theatre 8:00 pm - Art Garfunkel @ Vicar Street
12/3 THURSDAY
7:00 pm - Kamelot @ The Button Factory 8:00 pm - The Unthanks @ National Concert Hall 8:30 pm - Lucky Peterson @ Vicar Street The Academy @57 Middle Abbey Street
FEBRUARY MARCH 2015 2015
13/3 FRIDAY
7:00 pm - Ella Eyre @ The Academy
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#CULTURE&LEISURE
14/3 SATURDAY
21/3 SATURDAY
5:00 pm - Room 94 @ The Academy 2 7:00 pm - Derek Ryan @ The Olympia Theatre 7:00 pm - Glass Animals @ The Academy 8:00 pm - All We Are @ The Workman’s Club 8:00 pm - Angel Witch @ Voodoo Lounge
7:30 pm - Idlewild @ The Academy
15/3 SUNDAY 7:00 pm - Hirax @ Fibber Magees
17/2 TUESDAY 2:00 pm - Dropkick Murphys @ Vicar Street 7:00 pm - All Time Low @ The Olympia Theatre 8:00 pm - Dropkick Murphys @ Vicar Street
22/3 SUNDAY 8:00 pm - Ward Thomas @ Whelan’s
26/3 THURSDAY 8:00 pm - Sleater-Kinney @ Vicar Street 8:00 pm - Bipolar Sunshine @ Whelan’s 27/3 FRIDAY 7:00 pm - Architects @ The Academy 8:00 pm - The Handsome Family @ Whelan’s
28/2 SATURDAY 8:00 pm – Sean Rowe @ Whelan’s
18/2 WEDNESDAY
29/3 SUNDAY
8:00 pm - Chuck Ragan & The Camaraderie @ The Workman’s Club
7:00 pm - Hoodie Allen @ The Academy
20/3 FRIDAY 6:30 pm - Usher @ 3Arena (The O2) 7:00 pm - Papa Roach @ The Academy 7:00 pm - Gavin James @ The Olympia Theatre 8:00 pm - Peace @ Whelan’s
31/3 TUESDAY 6:30 pm - Nicki Minaj @ 3Arena (The O2) 8:00 pm - A Place To Bury Strangers @ The Workman’s Club
Olympia Theatre 72 Dame Streetw
Things to do... Fusion Sundays Happens every first Sunday of the month at the Dublin Co-op. It’s hipster. Very hipster. Let’s just say you gotta experience it for yourself to comprehend how hipster it is. Stalls sell handmade crafts from Bolivia, Brazilian turbans, organic grains and Greek soap. There are African drumming and dance performances as well as workshops (a tad expensive at 10 per hour-7.50 if you bring a friend-but nonetheless an interesting one time experience). There’s also usually a Shivam yoga choreography (man that dude can bend). Don’t miss it! MARCH FEBRUARY 2015 2015 2015
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Fighting Words, the creative writing centre: Volunteers Required! FIGHTING WORDS, founded by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love (former director of Amnesty International Ireland), is a creative writing centre located on Behan Square, Russell Street, Dublin 1 - in the shadow of Croke Park. Fighting Words is open to all children and young people who want to write and it¹s free.
What does Fighting Words do? Opened in January 2009, the Centre offers free story-writing workshops for primary school students in the mornings, creative writing tutoring for secondary students in the afternoons, and workshops for adults in the evenings and at weekends. The workshops at Fighting Words are designed by, and students are mentored by, teams of our volunteer tutors.
What kind of opportunities does FW have for volunteers?
We are looking for anyone who just enjoys working in a creative environment - experience in creative writing is not necessary! Below is a list- but it¹s not exhaustive - of what our volunteers do: • Primary Level Workshops: Imagine that you are 6-12 years old and you enter a colourful, magical place and spend two hours writing
your very own book. Fighting Words runs workshops in the mornings led by teams of volunteers. They work with a class of primary school students who produce a book together. There are opportunities for people who like to write stories, people who like to draw (all our books are illustrated) and people who like to work with small groups of students to encourage their creativity.
• Secondary Level Workhops: Fighting Words runs workshops in all types ofcreative writing, e.g. short stories, script writing, poetry,
journalism, to name a few - for second level students. We need volunteers to help us run these two-hour workshops as well as providing oneto-one tutoring support to students working on individual projects. Imagine being that person who inspires and encourages young people to express themselves in ways they did not think they could. At Fighting Words, you can.
When does Fighting Words need volunteers? At what times?
Volunteering with Fighting Words is completely flexible - we use a secure online calendar so you sign up for the sessions that suit your schedule. We provide training for volunteers and this will run throughout the year, usually twice per month. As many of our programmes take place during the school day, we need people who are available on weekdays. Even if you only have a few hours to spare in the evenings and weekends, however, we¹d like to hear from you. If you want to join us to volunteer or take part or just to get more information, visit www.fightingwords.ie<http://www. fightingwords.ie> or email us on info@fightingwords.ie or ring Sara Bennett, Manager, on 01 894 4576.