The Cascade Vol. 29 Iss. 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

VOLUME 29 ISSUE 25

Not ready to say goodbye since 1993

PERFECT STUDY SPOTS

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JUSTICE FOR WET’SUWET’EN

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FARIA FIROZ ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

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Q&A WITH KARDIAS QUING

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

Feature Editor Darien Johnsen darien@ufvcascade.ca

Sports Editor Teryn Midzain teryn@ufvcascade.ca

Digital Media Manager Jeff Mijo-Burch jeff@ufvcascade.ca

Arts in Review Editor Vriti Sehgal vriti@ufvcascade.ca

Jr. News Editor Rachel Tait

Production Assistant Niusha Naderi

Photographer Laura Ayres Staff Writer Danaye Reinhardt The Shuffler Aaron Levy

Illustrator Iryna Presley Illustrator Danyka Van Santen

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CONTRIBUTORS Caleb Campbell Anisa Quintyne Dante Cross

WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA

@UFVCASCADE FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE INSTAGRAM.COM/UFVCASCADE Volume 29 · Issue 25 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529

The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by the Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.

The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Pitch meetings will be digital for the remainder of the semester. Please email managing@ufvcascade.ca to be put on the assignment email list.

In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic, or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.

The Cascade is published on the traditional, unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples. We are grateful to be able to work and learn on this beautiful land.

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Illustrator Brielle Quon Distributor Gurtaj Dhami

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OPINION

Opinion Editor Sydney Marchand sydney@ufvcascade.ca

ARTS

Culture & Events Editor Steve Hartwig steve@ufvcascade.ca

Copy Editor Maecyn Klassen maecyn@ufvcascade.ca

NEWS

Production Manager Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca

Creative Director Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca

CONTENTS

FEATURE

Business Manager Tarini Sandhu tarini@ufvcascade.ca

Managing Editor Chandy Dancey chandy@ufvcascade.ca

CULTURE

Executive Editor Andrea Sadowski andrea@ufvcascade.ca

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14 Snapshots.......9

17.......Study Break

NEWS Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund......3

4...... Neighbours helping neighbours

Justice for Wet’suwet’en......4 OPINION Sex and Relationships.......5

5.......Editorial

The year of no goals.......6

6......Old growth forests

Conscious Consumer.......7

8......Mindfulness

CULTURE Cascade Kitchen......14 Fraser Valley winter hiking.......15

14.......Faria Firoz confronts injustice 15.......Campus Fashion

SPORTS Cascades recap......16 ARTS Arcane......18 Q&A with Kardias Quing ......19

19......On My Block

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

news@ufvcascade.ca

NEWS

UFV //

Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund established by UFV-initiated coalition CHANDY DANCEY In response to Abbotsford declaring a state of emergency on Nov. 17, UFV has jointly established the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund in coalition with the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) and the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce (ACOC).

According to the ACF website, “This fund will support front-line agencies providing essential services to affected families and businesses.” It will also provide grants directly to businesses that have been affected by flooding and related damages.

As for the role each organization will play within the coalition, the ACF will accept donations, issue tax receipts, and distribute funds; the ACOC will leverage its network and stakeholders in business to raise funds; and UFV will contribute “marketing and communications expertise, volunteers to help process donations, and fundraising leadership,” according to Anita Nielsen, the UFV Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations.

With regard to how businesses or agencies can apply for grants through the fund, Nielsen said: “Agencies will apply to ACF, and businesses will apply to ACOC. These applications will be made available shortly and our goal is to issue grants quickly and efficiently.”

Nielsen has been working with the ACOC and ACF for the past year on a study of the not-for-profit section. When the state of emergency was declared by Abbotsford, Nielsen reached out to the two organizations with hopes of partnering to raise funds for those impacted by the flooding. This collaboration brought together three organizations that “were already partners working closely together on community initiatives.”

“They agreed immediately and within six hours we had a logo, a donation page, a press release, and by end of day had already received several hundred donations,” said Nielsen.

As for measuring the success of the fund so far: “In their 43 year history, the ACF has not seen this number of donations — it’s a record,” Nielsen said. “The community — individuals, organizations, and businesses — have responded with

UFV Abbotsford. Building G with flooding in background. (Mitch Huttema/UFV)

great generosity and compassion during uncertainty and amidst massive disruption across the Fraser Valley.”

Funding is expected to be needed long term by Nielsen: “We know rebuilding after such a colossal disaster will take

months, even years, so we anticipate granting funds in the short, medium, and long term.”

Donations to the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund can be made on their website, abbotsfordcf.org/grants/disaster/

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

NEWS Community //

NEWS BRIEFS

Locality; neighbours helping neighbours RACHEL TAIT

Keeping a lookout for more flooding from the Nooksack River A series of storms brought heavy rainfall to Abbotsford and the surrounding Fraser Valley between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1. There was a concern from Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun that there could be more flooding if Washington State’s Nooksack River overflows yet again in the Sumas Prairie. While the dikes and pumps were reported by Braun as being capable of handling the heavy rain, Abbotsford maintained a watchful vigil on the Nooksack River for any detections that the river could overflow and reflood the Sumas Prairie. To avoid this from happening, Braun prioritized sandbagging as a strategy to counterattack any incoming floods, especially from the Nooksack River, whose flooding would reportedly need an 18 foot dike to stop.

- Rachel Tait

On Nov. 16, 2021, a relatively new organization known as Locality helped the community by acting as a central donation drop-off site. They worked with larger organizations such as Archway Community Services, Mamas for Mamas, Cyrus Centre, Abbotsford Food Bank, Salvation Army, Cedar Outreach, and more to help collect donations for those affected by the floods and landslides in B.C. They also had volunteers from the Islamic Relief Fund and Central Heights Church to help collect and box up donations.

One of the founders, Kimberlee Moran, explained that Locality acted as a triage nurse: they were the first contact for flood victims. They assessed what type of assistance they needed and provided immediate help.

Moran explained how donation boxes were flown in by helicopter to hard to reach locations such as Hope and Chilliwack, which were inaccessible by road. Locality was also able to raise around $75,000 cash and between $40,000-50,000 in gift cards. According to Moran, these gift cards will continue

A record breaking 540 mm of rain poured down on the city of Abbotsford in the month of November. Mayor Braun informed the public that the flood waters in the Sumas Prairie could take many weeks to fully recede, after which the land will need to be appraised for damages According to Braun, although there were heavy rains on Nov. 30, the water levels in the Sumas Prairie did decrease by 2.5 cm. The city is not expected to have further atmospheric storms or heavy rainfall in the next few weeks, and Braun hopes that he can allow people to return to their homes soon.

- Rachel Tait

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tral drop-off location in Abbotsford for [flood relief] supplies.” She recalls how their building was filled up and emptied of donated items 10 times in a day.

These items were organized by categories and boxed up to make it easier for larger organizations to pick up and distribute to flood victims.

“Just as quickly as boxes were coming in, they were getting loaded onto trucks,” Moran said. “We tried to stock all the organizations here in Abbotsford, to the point that they said ‘please don’t give us any more stuff. We can’t take anything else.’ Because they didn’t have room for it. …Which is the greatest problem to have.”

Moran was in awe of how quickly people acted. She said: “It was the craziest thing I have ever been a part of. I’ve never seen anything come together like that within a few hours and then have the impact that it had over a couple of days.”

The Locality team recognizes that there is a large percentage of the community that speaks Punjabi, and there will be Punjabi and English-speaking coordinators to help flood victims that turn to Locality for support.

Community //

People of Abbotsford express solidarity with Wet’suwet’en nation ANDREA SADOWSKI

A record high level of precipitation for Abbotsford, B.C.

to be given to flood victims as they are needed.

To help the community further as more floods continue to ravage British Columbia, Locality has launched heyneighbour.org to offer additional support for those affected by the floods.

Visitors to the site can choose the option to offer support or to receive support. They are also still collecting gift cards for stores such as Home Depot and Home Hardware and are asking for new work gear to be donated to help flood victims.

Locality was officially launched on Nov. 1, 2021, and started as an initiative on Instagram to collect winter coats for kids and adults in need in the community. However, on the morning of Nov. 16, the Locality team realized that the community was going to need more supplies than just outerwear and reached out to donors about the flooding crisis through Instagram. They altered their plans and posted a request on Instagram for donors to help flood victims and asked for key items such as “food, toiletries, towels, blankets [and] baby items.”

Shortly after posting the request, Moran recalls that they “became the cen-

On Saturday, Nov. 27, a group of over 30 people braved the rain in Mill Lake Park to show solidarity and support to those protesting the pipelines being built in unceded Wet'suwet'en territory.

The protest followed an injunction enforced by the RCMP on Nov. 18 and 19 that would prevent all protestors and land defenders from blocking an access road used by Coastal Gaslink pipeline workers. The RCMP arrested a total of 29 people who were blocking access to two Coastal Gaslink work camps along the Morice Forest Service Road.

Coastal Gaslink obtained an injunction on Dec. 31, 2019, against anyone who interfered with the construction of the pipeline. There was an outcry that sparked waves of protests and rail blockades across the nation early last year. Although the elected band council of the Wet’suwet’en First Nations approved the project, the Hereditary Chiefs were opposed.

People of all ages, from babies to retirees, came to the protest. Protestors reported they were present because they care about what is happening in the territory, were curious about the cause and wanted to learn more, and wanted to show support for the Wet’suwet’en leaders who still face detainment for defending their unceded territory .

Emmeret from Abbotsford said: “What is happening is outrageous and unac-

ceptable. They have militarized paramilitary RCMP invading Wet’suwet’en territory … you’ve got your state force working on behalf of a private corporation, and it’s outrageous.”

“Indigenous issues are all of our issues,” said event organizer Q, who organizes with a disability justice background and perspective. “Accessibility is my number one priority, and after that it is solidarity and doing things together for our collective liberation.”

The organizers gave a chance to let each attendee share about why they came to the protest and the event organizer read aloud a “Statement of Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation (and beyond),” a document signed by all who attended. The document expressed “solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Dinï ze' and Ts'akë ze' (Hereditary Chiefs), land defenders, and accomplices in their fight against Coastal Gaslink and the RCMP’s unjust and unlawful actions on their Yintah (territory).”

The document states that the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs haven’t given their consent for the Coastal Gaslink pipeline that is being built on their territory, and the violence enacted against land defenders by the RCMP is a form of colonialism against Indigenous peoples and their rights. It calls on the Canadian government to withdraw RCMP presence from Wet’suwet’en territory and to release all land defenders and accomplices arrested and detained for the legal right to defend their land.

The document for solidarity reads: “Our world sits on a precipice, with oceans rising and more extreme weather now the norm, with white supremacy, xenophobia, and corporate greed continuing to oppress and dispossess people, and with stories of difference and scarcity upheld as justification for cruelty. It doesn’t have to be this way. This world is built, on purpose, and we can un-build it, together.”

Abbotsford rally for Wet’suwet’en. Nov. 27, 2021. (Andrea Sadowskia/The Cascade)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

opinion@ufvcascade.ca Sydney Marchand — Opinion Editor

OPINION

Editorial //

Find your “thing” at UFV Hopeful parting words from a tired, graduating editor CHANDY DANCEY It’s been three years since I started writing for The Cascade, and my time at UFV is coming to an end. It’s bittersweet.

I’m sure many can (and cannot) relate to me since I was an honours student all throughout my degree. But don’t be fooled; during my undergrad I faced debilitating depression, had my fair share of loneliness, suffered from imposter syndrome, crammed for nearly every exam, and lost sleep worrying over grades that I felt defined me and my future (also, where was my interracial friend group to play frisbee with on the quad that was advertised in university brochures?).

I’m not afraid to say that I am afraid of what comes next — but at the same time, I’m excited to find out. Despite my doubts about whether I was smart or talented enough, I tried. What I’m coming away with is the fact that I’ve achieved things I never thought I could during my degree, and what I want to leave you with is this: pursue community where they say there is none and get the most out of your education at UFV.

Now, to get a little gushy (because it’s my inspirational TED Talk, goddammit).

When I came to UFV, I knew no one. I would sit alone in my classes, make small talk with the people sitting next to me, text them when I had questions about homework, and never really meet up with anybody outside of class. I kept thinking: am I the problem here? Can I not make friends because, perhaps, I inherently suck as a person? I couldn’t put it into words at the time, especially since I was battling with severe depression in my first few years at university, but I found comforting words soon enough — when I picked up a copy of The Cascade. Students were writing about the woes of university life, including the fact that UFV feels like a commuter campus. There’s no local pub-nights, events get little attendance, and the school spirit is minimal; it can feel inherently hard to achieve a flourishing social life at UFV without putting in a lot of effort. The writers at the paper were able to put my anxiety into words for me, and I found solace in knowing I wasn’t alone.

From then on, I was hooked on the narrative stream that came from the newspapers strewn about while I waited for

my bus. I began to recognize names and writing styles. I genuinely looked forward to each issue. I decided I would take the plunge and go from reading to writing. I went on to work for The Cascade as a staff writer (and boy was I proud, even though I was bottom of the rung), then moved to Arts Editor, then climbed to Managing Editor, and at one point was even interim-Editor-in-Chief for a few issues. I went from a scrappy reporter pursuing a passion project to one of the most knowledgeable editors on the board.

I’m not trying to toot my own horn with all this. What I want to say is that with determination, I was able to carve out a place for myself at UFV — and you can too. No one knew who I was when I started working at the newspaper, and there was a clique-like atmosphere that made it hard to make friends with the writers whom I had admired for months. I didn’t let that deter me. I genuinely believe in what we do as a newspaper, and I wanted to contribute to it in any way possible.

The newspaper is my sense of community and culture. We aren’t all interviews, news, and business. We’re also memes, pop culture, and food reviews. We pro-

vide a human narrative that often goes overlooked. When you see your name in print, it feels like it means something.

You’re making a permanent mark at UFV for all to see. What I want to encourage all readers to do is to find their own ways of getting involved on campus and making a mark. With your degree, you get out what you put in. If you want to contribute to the sense of a commuter campus — go to class, come home, do your homework, and that’s it — you definitely can. But there’s potential for so much more.

I’m fully aware that some UFV students don’t even know we have a newspaper, and it can be discouraging. At the same time, I know that what we do at The Cascade still makes a difference. We’re a legitimate news source for the community; we give people a voice. When making your mark, don’t worry about getting public recognition for it — it may or may not come. The friends you make, the events you attend or put on, the clubs you join, the chances you take, they all matter, even if it’s in a more nebulous, esoteric kind of way.

Column //

Sex & Relationships: Rejection The anguish of liking someone who doesn’t like you back ANDREA SADOWSKI Rejection happens to everybody. At some point in your life, you are bound to fall for someone who either doesn’t like you back, or who is not ready to give you the same level of affection and commitment that you are looking for. Trust me, I’ve been there. I have driven myself to absolute madness trying to devise a scheme in which a boy would magically fall in love with me and we would live happily ever after. There is no magic love potion, and no matter how sweet, funny, beautiful, intelligent, or charming you are, not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay.

Don’t get all down in the dumps over a silly, what-if relationship. Deal with your emotions, learn from your experience, and move on with your life. Be ready and open to find someone who will treat you like the royalty you are.

Rejection can take many forms — you ask someone out on a date who rejects your offer; after going on a coffee date with a cute girl you met on Tinder, she messages you saying she didn’t “feel a spark;” or perhaps you expressed your feelings for

someone who didn’t feel the same way. In whatever way you experience rejection, it hurts. There are even studies showing that your brain displays the same sensory response to pain through interpersonal rejection as it does through physical pain.

This is not hard to believe if you’ve ever experienced heartbreak so strongly that you feel a physical pain and tightness in your chest.

The first step after rejection is acknowledging these feelings of sadness. Recognize that it’s okay to feel hurt. Rejection sucks and if you need to wallow in your sadness for a bit with a tub of ice cream and reruns of The Office, that’s completely valid. However, don’t sink into a deep, dark pit lulled by a voice that tells you that you were rejected because you are unlovable and undesirable. This is simply not true.

Not only does the pain of rejection come with the loss of a potential partner, but it produces a shattered ego that leaves you questioning whether or not you should pursue anyone ever again. One excellent way to practise self-compassion is to make a list of all the reasons why you are an excellent partner. Why would someone be

happy to date you? Maybe you make the most delicious pesto gnocchi, maybe you give incredible head or hugs, you could be an excellent listener, or great with little brothers and sisters. Whatever it is that makes you a wonderful partner, write it down and read this list whenever you need a reminder that you do have wonderful, date-able qualities.

"No matter how sweet, funny, beautiful, intelligent, or charming you are, not everyone is going to like you."

You can only numb your pain with sweets or alcohol or weed for so long. In order to really heal from rejection, we need to connect with others. Humans are tribal animals who thrive from human connection, and the pain of rejection is often alleviated by being a part of a group. Whether this means going to church or a temple,

joining an intramural futsal league, or having a gingerbread-house-making night with your best group of friends, make an intentional effort to socialize.

It’s important to process all the emotions that come up after a rejection, but do so with your best friend, your mom, a counsellor, or anyone other than the person who rejected you. They do not want to hear about how sad you are that they said no to you and they do not want to be there to wipe away your tears or explain for the millionth time why this isn’t going to work. This is simply not appropriate, and they don’t owe you this. Talk it over with someone, but do so with the right person.

I know that healing from heartbreak is truly painful and it is never a fun experience to be rejected, but there are ways to alleviate the pain until the thought of them doesn’t consume every minute of your day and you don’t cry every time you think of their cute face. There will come a day when you don’t wake with the sharp, stabbing pain in your chest that comes when you remember that they are no longer a part of your life. It may feel like an eternity from now, but it will come.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

OPINION Life //

2022: the year of no goals Don’t let institutional standards set your goals DARIEN JOHNSEN As the year comes to an end, I have but one goal for when the clock strikes midnight and 2021 becomes 2022: have no goals.

That’s right. This new year I will set no goals for myself, and I will have no expectations. All that I plan to do, is just be.

I have realized recently that the goals I’ve been setting for myself throughout this year have been unrealistic and may not have been what I truly wanted. Students face a lot of pressures these days: pressures to graduate, perform well, have a social life, a gym life, a family life, a personal life. How many lives are we supposed to have and when exactly do these all become synchronized?

I believe too many of us are creating goals that appear purposeful — but I worry that we’re trying to achieve a surface level of achievement without developing our inner lives first.

Let’s start with gym goals. Fitness is a huge trend on social media right now, and physical activity is an important aspect of wellness. But when are we taking it too far, and what are our true goals underneath it?

It is not a coincidence that the global gym industry carried a worth of $96.7 billion dollars in 2020.

I can personally attest to the unhealthy

life of a fitness junkie. At the beginning of the year, I became a gym nut determined to reach the goal of getting ripped. I was hitting personal weight and rep records like you wouldn’t believe. Why was I doing this? The surface me would have told you that it made me feel good, exercise is healthy — that’s what all the doctors are saying, right? The reality? I had failed at accepting my body for what it was and was putting every effort into making it into something I felt would pass as acceptable.

This led to boys. Oh, the boys. The first sign of a girl with abs and a booty and they flock like moths to a dusty old light bulb. They came bearing gifts, dates, coffees, sweet nothings that floated from their false lips right into my weak longing-forapproval ears. Unfortunately, thinking I had finally succeeded at becoming someone lovable eventually left my bed empty the next morning, and my text messages left on read time after time. I know I am not alone on this. Too many people set goals of finding the right relationship, or seeking love as a way to validate personal feelings of emptiness or loneliness.

We need to first develop a relationship with ourselves before we can seek out healthy relationships with others. Learn about your boundaries, your needs, and how to love yourself first. No one wants to be around someone who is obsessively pursuing the betterment of their surface

level self, while neglecting important aspects of internal wellness and healthy relationships with others.

Our society puts so much pressure on young people to go to university, graduate, and land a stellar job making lots of money. In my own life, when my goals at love and beauty began to fail, I turned my

“How many lives are we supposed to have and when exactly do these all become synchronized?” attention to what I thought was a healthy goal: achieving good grades. Unfortunately, we can’t perform our best when we are feeling depressed or unfulfilled within ourselves. A’s are hard to come by when you’re having a mental breakdown. My midterm paper came back with a B-, and my GPA still isn’t high enough to get me into my dream masters.

The disappointment of repeated failure

eventually landed me in a mental health clinic. Which, ironically, required me to make more goals — healing goals, and even these seemed to be too much for me to take on. I just needed to rest. Our society does not adequately teach people how to recognize their emotional issues which can lead to people making unhealthy goals in the first place. There’s too much focus on “fixing” people and problems so they can continue to work - rather than actually solving them.

So, this new year, ask yourself if your goals are what will truly make you happy in life. What is your inner life like? Are these goals your goals? Or are they the goals of a society or economy that is crumbling and sick? Maybe even a family or relationship that is crumbling and sick? A church or health care system that is crumbling and sick? What are the goals of your inner journey?

St. Thomas of Aquinas spent much of his life as a top scholar, and was considered to be a philosophical genius. Shortly before he died he stated: “The end of my labors has come. All that I have written appears to be as so much straw after the things that have been revealed to me.” Aquinas, having discovered some internal, profound realization from God, never picked up his pen again.

B.C //

As floods rise, old growth can be a solution How old growth trees contribute to our climate and the natural drainage systems they provide ANISA QUINTYNE After the vast flooding disaster in the Fraser Valley, and in response to the everimpending threat of rising sea levels and record-breaking heat waves, it is clear that climate change needs to be addressed head-on. With these onset tragedies, the unfortunate truth becomes clear: this is only the beginning of a long, dreadful series of inconsistent weather patterns. There is, however, a window of hope during these trying times. It has been present in our landscape long before we stepped foot here and lingered for generations to keep our land stable: old growth.

British Columbia has a difficult history with preserving its vast forestry. According to the province, old growth is characterized as forests that vary in tree species, ecological function, and age. Because of human involvement, the old growth population in B.C. has vastly declined in the last 20 years, despite ecological demand.

According to the B.C. Ministry of Forests, trees that are older than 120 - 140 years are considered old growth in the interior and 250 years in coastal rainforests — with some trees leveraging up to 1,000 years.

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There are 62 million acres of old growth in B.C. — the equivalent size of the United Kingdom or the state of Oregon. B.C.’s old growth forests account for 43 per cent of all B.C. forests.

By removing carbon emissions in our air, old growth forests reduce the amount of

greenhouse gases in the environment and lessen the repercussions of climate change in the near future. With research gathered by the Pacific Northwest Research Station, the canopy provides a stable habitat for the delicate biodiversity, regulating the amount of rainfall by creating natural riv-

Illustration by Danyka Van Santen

ers and nursing the many plants that grow specifically under canopy openings. With these densely layered canopies, the covering can protect the soil below, which is a much-needed resource for fungal ecosystems to recycle minerals back into the old growth environment. Fallen wood that naturally decays from age is consumed by the forest floor, and dead, coarse, woody debris contains valuable organic matter that distributes carbon-rich nutrients into the soil, giving sustenance for fungi, mosses, and seedlings to feed on. They also house endangered species, such as the marbled murrelet and the Northern spotted owl. Without these animals, the ecosystem could collapse and threaten the already declining biodiversity.

While ongoing floods threaten topsoil stability, creating food insecurity and road closures, trees help to anchor topsoil by keeping it in place. According to Intact Forests, Safe Communities, trees can reduce the amount of water in the earth by soaking up rainfall and binding soil together with their roots. This protects the land from soil erosion, a situation that can

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

OPINION Column //

The Conscious Consumer: A new meat alternative Conversations about sustainability in an unsustainable world SYDNEY MARCHAND It’s no secret that plant-based meat alternatives have grown quite popular over the past few years. With the growing population of vegetarian, vegan, and plantforward lifestyles, more and more food companies are coming out with new and improved recipes for fake-out products.

Although Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat seem to be the leaders in the movement, a new prospect may be on the horizon: cultivated meat.

Cultivated meat, otherwise known as lab-grown meat, cultured meat, or cellgrown meat, isn’t another meat-free alternative like you may think. Rather, it is quite literally made in a lab and uses real animal tissue to grow large grafts of meat.

As science continues to build knowledge in the biology of stem cells and tissue engineering, companies are able to manufacture the biology of meat (components such as skeletal muscle, fat, and connective tissue) through the cultivation of animal stem cells. Sounds wildly futuristic, doesn’t it?

Supposedly, the process is entirely harmless to the animal. Cells are collected from a living animal, such as a cow, and are oxygenated and multiplied to create large stands of cell clusters — or a string of beef muscle. It would take about 20,000 strands of cells and upwards of eight weeks to create your typical burger.

It’s possible that people don’t give up meat because they “don’t like the taste,” or, rather, they could have larger ethical reasons for their decision. Many people make the switch to a meat-free lifestyle for ethical reasons, so a product like this could be perfect for people who advocate for animal rights. And since no animals are being harmed or exploited in the process of cultivating meat in a lab, this seems to be a

large ethical benefit to the cause.

Cultivated meat seems to be a promising development in the food industry. In 2019, almost 834 million animals were slaughtered for human consumption in Canada — the majority of which accounted for broiler chickens and laying hens — and despite the spike in plant-based interest,

this number continues to rise each year.

Therefore, if we could manufacture a large amount of cultivated meat to keep up with consumer demands, it has the potential to aid in reducing the amount of livestock bred purely for meat consumption.

It would also serve to decrease the carbon footprint that is associated with raising large quantities of livestock. Agriculture practices, which include livestock, were responsible for 10 per cent of the USA’s greenhouse gas emissions recorded in 2019. A large part of this, of course, is cow farts.

Methane produced by the cattle industry accounts for over a quarter of this percentage. This doesn’t even include methane emissions from livestock manure — another twelve percent of greenhouse gases produced through agriculture. Sure, you would still need to raise cattle to collect their cells, but the number of animals would be drastically lower.

There are more reasons to not eat Illustration by Brielle Quon meat besides just

ethical reasons. There are negative health risks associated with your consumption of animal products, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

So, does this really fix all of the problems associated with eating meat? I’m not sure.

In my opinion, the process of cultivating meat seems like a lot of work (and money and time) to only partially fix the problem of the industry — especially when there are so many alternative products on the market today that account for both health and environmental concerns.

But I do think that this is a step in the right direction. Regardless of the potential health benefits that a plant-based lifestyle brings, the reality is that the majority of society still consumes animal products.

To make it clear, I do think that living a plant-based lifestyle is a privilege. A person’s emotional and physical health, financial circumstance, and economic position all play a large role in the options that are available to them. Some people do not have the means to make personal choices in their dietary decisions, and so I speak more to those privileged enough to be able to make these types of decisions.

With that being said, though, I think that a product like cultivated meat could be a great option for those who struggle with making the switch to plants because it would provide them with alternative meat sources that are familiar to them.

While it will take large systemic changes in our food industry in order to sustainably feed the masses, some companies, such as GOOD Meat, have already found ways to produce large quantities of labgrown meat. We know that changes need to be made in the food industry in order to protect our planet, and this might be a way to speed up the process.

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VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

OPINION Life //

Mindfulness in the age of COVID-19 A simple exercise to help ease the stress and chaos of life DANTE CROSS As we move into the end of the year, I find myself, like many others, facing seasonal depression, which is tough all by itself without the added stress of assignments and tests.

A student’s life can be stressful at the best of times — work, school, family, socializing, the general upkeep of being alive. It can be a lot. And in these last couple of years, life has gotten harder due to COVID-19. The isolation and stress can feel overwhelming.

A lot of us struggle with self-care, so it's more important than ever that we take the time to incorporate it into our routines. But how do we manage that when so much of regular life is turned upside down?

The answer for me became meditation.

By taking the time to understand how and why my mind processes things the way it does, it’s possible for me to attend school in these wild times. And it’s not just me.

Studies have shown how meditation benefits students.

The practice of meditation can be the key to mindfulness and has been shown to reduce stress for students, potentially combating the effects of various health issues and cultivating peace of mind — and it’s so simple to do that it can fit in with any lifestyle or schedule. The most important thing to remember about meditation is that it isn’t about emptying the mind; it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s about learning how your mind works. Meditation lets us see how our thoughts can take over and leave us reactive instead of proactive.

I’d like to share a simple meditative practice I’ve done for years that has gotten

me through some incredibly tough times.

There are many types of meditation, but this is one of the most simple kinds. It has been called vase breathing, because you visualize your lungs filling with air like you would see a vase as it is filled with water. It is also sometimes referred to as transcendental meditation, and the beautiful thing about it is that you can do it anywhere. I often use it before my classes start to be ready to absorb information, or right before a test to calm my nerves. It doesn’t take long to master, and it can change your life by aiding you in reducing stress and boosting peace of mind. All it takes are a few short steps: 1. Sit somewhere comfortable.

2. Start taking slow, deep breaths.

3. Breath slowly in and out, following your breath down into your lungs and back out again.

And that’s all it takes! Congratulations, you are now successfully meditating.

Surprised? Let’s go over some of the steps in more detail.

How you sit doesn’t matter, as long as you are comfortable (but not so comfortable you fall asleep). Some people prefer sitting cross-legged, but sitting in a chair works just as well. I do this at my desk all the time.

Next, your breath should fill your lungs like you would fill a glass with water — from the bottom up. Imagine your breath traveling from the very bottom of your lungs and slowly filling to the top. Again, don’t make yourself uncomfortable. Most people aren’t used to breathing consciously, or this deeply, so don’t force it. Just be conscious that your breathing is deep and purposeful.

While doing this you will have intru-

As floods rise, old growth can be a solution CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 occur when too much water accumulates on topsoil faster than it can absorb, which can escalate into torrents of immense water — a catastrophe we’re all too familiar with. Older woodland areas also help create and improve soil fertility. Anyone familiar with undergrowth will find that during rainfall, droplets will slide off of leaves and land gently on the forest floor.

Rainwater on trees can also evaporate in the air, with the old growth environment acting like an absorbent sponge. This is an example of natural flood prevention, a mechanism used to lessen the rain’s impact on the ground floor and keep our ground intact. Often disturbed due to deforestation, without this intricate system roots are unable to retain soil composition, and stray water can travel off land to create mudslides.

Protecting old growth is critical for the

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health of our land, yet the province continues to enact mass deforestation projects.

Wood is harvested and desired by logging industries for the potential profit they contain, from valuable minerals in the timber to premium products that require lumber.

Loggers are responsible for the 200,000 hectares of forest in B.C. that are harvested each year. While companies continue to harvest these natural resources, protestors on Vancouver Island are fighting tooth and nail to stop the logging of old growth trees on Indigenous land.

B.C.’s landscape continues to decline with forest fires, floodings, and heatwaves — all within the same year. To ensure that B.C. remains intact and its natural resources unexploited, you can support local nonprofit organizations such as the Ancient Forest Alliance, who call for a “sciencebased plan to protect the endangered old growth forests in the province,” as mentioned on their website.

Illustration by Brielle Quon

sive thoughts. You might start thinking about dinner, homework, meeting up with friends, the dishes you need to wash, or the book you want to get back to. That’s fine. Don’t chastise yourself, and don’t try to force the thoughts away. Acknowledge them, then return your focus to your breathing. That is what meditation is about: learning to gently return our focus to one, simple place even when our mind feels like chaos.

This is a practice, so the more you do it, the better you get. But the goal isn’t something tangible. The goal is to learn that even in the middle of chaos, there can be peace. If you spend the next 80 years still gently returning your focus to your breath, then you will have achieved so much when it comes to mastering your own mind. And

it won’t take long at all until you can slip into that peaceful mindfulness with a thought!

You can do this as often or as rarely as you need. Five minutes or an hour. At home, on the bus, or in the few minutes before your next class. You don’t have to close your eyes in a hidden sanctuary. Do it where you are, and when you need it. The point of this practice is that it’s available to you anywhere.

In the words of Jack Kornfield, from his Buddha’s Little Instruction Book, “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”

I hope this helps you find mindfulness in this stressful age of COVID-19.

SN S AP HO TS

BRIEF BITS OF BITE-SIZED BREVITY

CURTAILED COMMENTARY ON CURRENT CONDITIONS

Illustrations by Iryna Presley

‘Tis the season to stress bake cookies

The worst breakup I’ve ever had Let me tell you about the worst breakup I ever had. I left this boy because our lives were going in two different directions: he was staying put while I was moving on to bigger and better things.

You see, I couldn’t take him with me because he was a cat who belonged to the nice lady who I used to rent a room from.

His name was Hector, and we became best friends the moment I moved in. He rested his bulky frame on my chest, rubbed his face against mine, and in doing so declared, “you are mine now.”

He was by my side at every moment of the day or night, save for those two precious points in the day when he would share a tin of wet-food with the five other cats of the house. He comforted me after tearful breakups; he sat on

my lap as I was stressing over research papers; he was a constant, calming presence in turbulent times.

It is speciesist to think that we can’t experience a deep love and friendship with an animal just because they don’t look like us or communicate like us. They have complex thoughts and emotions just like we do. You can develop deep connections with animals just as you do with humans — so deep that losing them causes the most intense of heartbreaks. Science may call it an interspecies oxytocin-mediated positive loop, I call it love.

As someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, I’m already considered a pretty stressed-out person. But during finals season, I hit a different level of stress.

But let me tell you, nothing has calmed my nerves more than my new coping mechanism — baking. Seriously. Cookies, pastries, muffins, cakes, brownies, loaves, bread — oh, the bread; sweet, glorious bread. My house turns into a damn bakery the moment I start to feel panicked. There is something so satisfying about turning on a podcast, flipping through an old fashioned cookbook, and spending an hour or so completely lost in a creative hobby and distracted from reality. Any pressure I feel from professors,

work, or myself just doesn’t feel as daunting when I’m measuring ingredients and whisking them together.

Honestly, I think that the mindless act of baking helps to remind me that I am capable of success. I mean, it’s almost like a guaranteed accomplishment. In 30 minutes, I’ll have two dozen cookies. In an hour, I’ll have banana bread to stuff my face with. It’s a predictable (and satisfying) outcome that calms my nerves and self-doubt — and let’s be honest, it’s pretty damn delicious.

Sydney Marchand

Andrea Sadowski

Finding peace in the storm of our lives I’ve found myself in some pretty interesting situations as we near the end of the semester. At one point when I was up far past my bedtime, agonizing over the woes of life in order to have a good excuse not to finish my final paper, I swear I turned into Jack from The Shining. I just started typing nonsense and laughing at my own jokes with mangled hair and a glass of whiskey beside me. It was not a pretty sight. But this past Sunday was the second week of Advent, and my church focused on peace, which was perfect for me because I often feel like the least peaceful person. And, lucky me, my pastor chose me to present the opening message, so I was forced to contemplate peace all week.

There is a type of peace that comes when we attempt to ratio-

nalize our way out of the tough emotions that come along with struggles of life. It’s a type of worldly self-assurance that often only results in a stifling of emotions. But there is also a type of peace that comes from God. Paul said in the book of Philippians: “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” By honestly and vulnerably lifting up our problems and burdensome emotions to God, we can access His peace right in the middle of the storm of our lives. How awesome is that?

Darien Johnsen

I’ll put it on my tab, please I am very particular about how I arrange my tabs on my web browser. When doing research or diving into a topic, I like to arrange my most important tabs on the left so I know not to touch them. Then from there I like to have about… 20 or so other tabs open to the right. Sometimes I even like to arrange different windows on my browser to have different categories of tabs (one being research related, another housing my study music and email, etc.).

There’s something so convenient about having all your sources open and available at your fingertips at any moment. I hate closing a tab and having to dig through my references to open it again. I mean, when

a detective works, they normally lay out all the evidence in front of them, right?

While some may say a “cluttered” web browser takes up mental space and makes them feel overwhelmed, it actually feels quite natural to me. I’m a proud maximalist, not a minimalist, when it comes to tabs. And the satisfaction of closing all those tabs one after another when you’re done with a work session? Unparalleled.

That serotonin keeps me going for the rest of the day. Now, be honest: does it sound like I have a problem?

Chandy Dancey

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Feature //

Study spots for stressed students Cafes, libraries, and everything in between: Reviewing study spots on and off campus Danaye Reinhardt It’s exam season, and that means it’s time to crack those knuckles and get down to studying.

The problem, of course, is finding the right place to study.

Studying at home is always an option for me, but in a world of COVID-19, I’ve been anxious to get out of the house as much as possible.

Emily Wang, a fourth year Business student who likes studying at the UFV library, appreciates the quiet atmosphere and the ability to keep herself accountable.

“All the other people around me are either studying or doing their homework, so it will be weird if I start doing other stuff rather than focusing on school work,” she said.

I can relate. My biggest motivation for studying in public is that I will be (presumably) judged by those around me; if strangers see I’m watching videos of cats falling off things, I know they’ll be disappointed in my work ethic.

Thus began my quest to find suitable study spaces on and off campus. Having recently moved to Abbotsford, I wasn’t familiar with the libraries and cafes around the city. This semester, I made it my goal to try out different study spots and review them, along with completely arbitrary ratings out of 10.

UFV Abbotsford library

9 / 10

Ah, classic. It’s no surprise that so many people like studying at the UFV library. It’s on campus, it’s free to use, and it’s designed with studying in mind. It also has a plethora of relevant books and academic journals at your disposal.

I appreciate the variety of seating options at the library.

There are armchairs with round, swivel tables; private study rooms; tables for groups of four or six; and individual desk spaces with power outlets.

Fourth year French student Leah Willms’ favourite study spot is the campus library, specifically next to the big windows.

“This is my favourite spot because I can enjoy the sunshine or the rain and the view of nature while studying,” Willms said.

“I also enjoy the peacefulness of the library, especially early in the morning. The library also has lots of comfy chairs and plugins for my laptop charger which is a must for hard-core study sessions.”

Second year student Joseph Labun studies Biology in the BS program. “I like the library study rooms because it’s a great place to have discussions, use the whiteboards, or hang out with friends.

I go there when I want to be more social — the librarians have only shushed me twice.”

Then there’s the stacks, the upper floor of the library with books available for checking out. Designed with introverts (or easily distracted people) in mind, it’s a “No Talking Zone.” Labun likes studying on the top floor of the library when he needs to focus.

The Abbotsford campus library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, with shortened hours Friday to Sunday. A downside of studying in the library is that you can’t eat food and you have to wear a mask at all times. If you can go several hours without snacking, however, I highly recommend it.

“I like the library study rooms because it’s a great place to have discussions, use the whiteboards, or hang out with friends. I go there when I want to be more social - the librarians have only shushed me twice.” — Joseph Labun 10

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

6 / 10

Student Union Building

The SUB at the Abbotsford campus benefits from a variety of study areas.

The main area is nice if you can find seating, but the small, round tables tend to be wobbly and the chairs are a bit uncomfortable.

The couches are nice for relaxing, but it’s not a place for easy studying unless you like balancing your laptop and textbooks on your lap. But you can always grab a drink from Fair Grounds Coffee while you’re there. 5/10 The Peer Resource and Leadership Centre lounge is a casual study area with a mix of tables and couches. It’s a bit of a gamble because they occasionally open up the sliding walls, which gets distracting with people entering and exiting the SUB. I appreciate that it’s attached to the student kitchen, so you can microwave your lunch or cook some noodles without losing your study space. 7/10 I’ve tried to study in the StrEats eating area a few times, but the loud, catchy music makes it impossible for me to focus. The upside to this is that I’ve never had a problem finding seating; it’s usually quite empty. 4/10

UFV Cafeteria

6.5 / 10

I always see people studying in the cafeteria when I go to microwave my lunch. The upside is that there’s plenty of seating, and the tables are large enough for all your papers and books. The downside to the cafeteria is that people are always moving in and out, so it can get distracting when you’re writing an overdue essay.

I don’t often choose to study there. There are a few quieter places on campus during the day, and sometimes the tables are dirty. However, it usually clears out in the late afternoon. During semesters when I’ve had evening classes, it’s been an eerily quiet yet relaxing place to pull out my books.

Beans and Leaves

8 / 10

I’ve enjoyed studying at Abbotsford’s Beans and Leaves: Coffees and Teas of the World Inc. because it’s usually quite empty. They have armchair seating, tables, and stool seating in front of their big windows. They have a relatively large menu with plenty of lunch and drink options.

I also appreciate their weirdly long name.

Beans and Leaves is usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Unfortunately, they limit people’s stay to two hours, but I’ve never had a problem when I’ve “accidentally” stayed longer.

Clearbrook Library

7 / 10

The Clearbrook library in Abbotsford is a nice change in scenery from the UFV library, with many of the same elements. It’s a library, after all; it has books, computers, and study desks. One downside is that, like the UFV library, there’s no food allowed. I’m sure you could sneak in a granola bar if you hid in an obscure corner, though.

I’ve studied there several times this semester and it hasn’t been very busy.

In fact, it’s one of the quietest places I’ve studied. For those of you who dislike studying in noisy areas or places with music, this is a great space.

The Clearbrook library is open 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Fair warning, though — the library computers automatically log out after 45 minutes, and you have to talk to the front desk if you want to get back in.

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SippChai Cafe

9 / 10

I’ve only studied at Abbotsford’s SippChai Cafe once, but the friendly atmosphere makes me want to go back. The staff was extremely friendly, asked me what I was working on, and joked about doing homework on a Friday. They interacted with every customer like they were friends — and it seemed that most of them were regulars.

They have round tables for one or two people, or groups of armchairs for a more casual study session. The decor is busy with Indian artwork.

As for the menu, SippChai has everything from butter chicken and Americano to Circle Square Donuts and their “world-class” SippChai latte. As a non-coffee drinker, I was satisfied with their amount of hot and especially cold non-coffee options.

My one concern is that they don’t have a lot of seating.

Also, if you’re socially anxious, their wi-fi password is not password protected, so you don’t have to ask for the password. SippChai is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. most days.

House of James Coffeehouse

8 / 10

Cedar and Moss Coffee

9 / 10

House of James Coffeehouse is a nice place for studying as well. Located in Abbotsford, it’s cozy and has a good selection of drinks and food, although I’m not too familiar with the menu. I especially like that it’s attached to the House of James Christian bookstore, which gives me an ample excuse to avoid my homework and wander through the bookstore instead.

Cedar and Moss is a hidden gem located at Charis Camp in Chilliwack. I spent a lot of time studying here during UFV’s online semesters. The cafe has an outdoorsy, camp feel with a small selection of drinks and delicious baked goods. The baked goods sell quickly, and the selection usually changes daily.

Second year Geography student Aidan Wouda’s favourite study spot is House of James.

Their outdoor patio (featuring a covered fire pit) sits right beside a running creek, although most of the outdoor tables are mesh and difficult to study on. Given that it’s December, their indoor area is a better option. They have limited seating, but it’s a quiet place and I’ve never had trouble finding a table. The chairs are cozy, the staff is friendly, and, best of all, they have a wood fireplace close to the tables.

“I enjoy studying here because of the comfortable atmosphere. Its primary patrons are senior citizens, and as such it is always a cheerful environment,” Wouda said.

The coffeehouse is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. It deserves bonus points for the bookstore and negative points for distraction, so I guess it evens out.

Cafe Amarti

8.5 / 10

Cafe Amarti is one of the more popular Abbotsford cafes for studying, and there’s good reason for it. The tables are large enough for all your papers and a laptop, and the menu, though expensive, is delicious. I’ve only had the grilled cheese and the eggnog latte, but I’d order both again.

If you’re popular, there’s seating for six to eight people for a great big study sesh.

If you’re a loner or you have one friend to your name, there are smaller tables too (and you’ll probably get more studying done). You might have to be strategic about where you sit, however, if you need an outlet. Find a table near a wall and you should be good to go.

My favourite part is the ambience. Have you ever listened to those YouTube videos of coffee shop noises? That’s exactly what Cafe Amarti sounds like — distant voices, mugs getting set down, and some light, mellow music. I rarely listen to music here because it’s the perfect blend of white noise to keep me focused. I am distracted by the nice decor, with rustic tables and draping lights.

A note for our unvaccinated readers: they have a notice that they require proof of vaccination, although they did not ask for it the last time I visited.

It is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Cafe Amarti remains, for me, a “special occasion” study space; I can’t justify paying $8 for a grilled cheese sandwich every week.

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I’m glad to feature Cedar and Moss because of its association with Charis Camp, which housed flood evacuees and migrant workers over the past weeks.

The coffee shop is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

Yellow Deli

7 / 10

The Yellow Deli in Chilliwack serves sandwiches, salads, and “the fruit of the Spirit.” Run by the Twelve Tribes spiritual group, it has a very unique atmosphere and is a calming place to study. The unique part of the Yellow Deli, besides the religious aspect, is that it’s open from Sunday at noon to Friday at 3:00 p.m., 24 hours a day.

English student Aleena Stoochnoff’s favourite study spots are local coffee shops or The Yellow Deli.

“24 hour availability, caffeine, and quality snacks are a pretty good bonus,” she said. “Since being stuck online, it’s been nice to have the option to get school readings and studying done elsewhere.”

Given its popularity, it’s probably best to avoid regular meal times if you’re planning on studying there for a few hours.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

8.5 / 10

Smoking Gun Coffee

Smoking Gun is certainly a vibe. Located in the newly renovated part of downtown Chilliwack, its decor and music sets it apart from your basic coffee shop. It has hanging vines, dried tangerine slices hanging from strings (who thinks of that?), and brick walls.

Hipsters and city folks, this one’s for you.

The tables are small, but it’s good for one or two people with their books — as long as you can focus with the bustling noise of a cafe.

It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“My biggest motivation for studying in public is that I will be (presumably) judged by those around me; if strangers see I’m watching videos of cats falling off things, I know they’ll be disappointed in my work ethic.”

Smoking Gun is a busy cafe, but if you can find a seat, it’s definitely worth trying out.

Twins Coffee

10 / 10

Jane Beimers, a third year Psychology student, recommends Twins Coffee in downtown Langley. It is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. most days.

“Upon approaching the cafe expectations are low, but once you walk through the glass and wood double doors the aroma of dark coffee and sweet baking fills your senses,” Beimers said. “Everywhere you look are plants — the corners, tables, and bar all have greenery surrounding them.”

Beimers likes to order a white mocha with an extra shot of espresso, and spends time studying on the wooden benches.

The Penny

9 / 10

Maia Fairbairn-Wiebe, a fifth year BA student, enjoys studying at The Penny in Mission. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mondays to Fridays, with shortened hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

“It has a lovely, cozy atmosphere with wonderful staff and rustic decorations,” she said. “The music is chill and the couches are super comfy, but there [are] also other seating options such as the long table with kitchen type chairs, or a window nook, nestled in the front of the store. I once took a 3 hour online exam at The Penny.”

The only problem, Fairbairn-Wiebe said, is the parking situation.

Most of the spots are parallel parking on a one-way street, and it can be tricky to find a spot. 9/10

Wendels Cafe

7 / 10

Wendel’s Cafe is located in Fort Langley. With breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and drink options, it’s an any-time-of-day place for studying. It’s a busy place and seating can be cramped.

Evan Von Riesen, a BA student in the CYC program, likes to study at Wendel’s. “I like Wendel’s because there is good wifi and the food and drinks are delicious,” he said. “I like the busier atmosphere with [lots] of people, and it is louder which I enjoy.”

Wendel’s Cafe doubles as a bookstore, so if you need a study break or just like to browse, there are plenty of books waiting for you.

The cafe is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, so it’s great for both early morning studies and late evening cram sessions. Proof of vaccination is required for dining.

“It’s usually not too noisy in the cafe as many students come to study there, although you do have to plan to visit at slower hours as the cafe doesn’t have an abundance of seating available.”

Home

7 / 10

Studying at home can be distracting for some and relaxing for others. For myself, I like to study at the kitchen table when my roommates are at work. However, I tend to drift toward procrastination when I study at home. Laundry, meal prep, and sleeping seem to take precedence. This might not be my home’s fault, however, given that I can procrastinate anywhere. It’s a talent I possess.

Labun enjoys studying in his bedroom. “I like my room because I don’t have to wear a mask and can get unlimited tea and play music loud,” he said. Let’s just hope he doesn’t have roommates.

When COVID-19 is over, I will definitely appreciate maskless study sessions. Unfortunately, I’ll be long graduated before that happens.

If all the libraries and cafes start to seem too repetitive for you, I have one final suggestion for a more unique, scenic study experience. Mind you, it’s a bit on the pricey side. Drive to Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen and board the ferry (walk-on is fine).

On your way to Vancouver Island, find a nice, cozy spot on the ship to study and enjoy the beautiful ocean view right outside.

When you arrive, turn around and purchase a ferry ticket back home. You’ll have yet another enjoyable study session right on the water.

Happy studying!

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VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

CULTURE

culture@ufvcascade.ca Steve Hartwig — Culture Editor

Column //

UFV //

Cascade Kitchen: Jar of Miso Soup

Local artist advocates for social justice UFV grad Faria Firoz finds art a “beautiful and meaningful way” to confront injustice STEVE HARTWIG

Jar of Miso soup. 2021. (Andrea Sadowski/The Cascade)

ANDREA SADOWSKI The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back bi-weekly for something new to try in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to culture@ufvcascade.ca.

If you know me, you know I love food in a jar. I am a big fan of meal prep, so whatever I can cook and fit in a jar to freeze or save for later, I am a fan of. When I discovered I could put this tasty miso soup in a jar without compromising taste or texture, I was on board. Now, this is not authentic miso soup you’ll find in Japanese restaurants, as I couldn’t find any kombu seaweed in any of the three grocery stores I frequent (if you know of a great Asian supermarket in Abbotsford, let me know!). But it does contain miso paste, a lovely fermented ingredient that can be used in many soups, sauces, dressings, and marinades.

Cook Time: 20 minutes. Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 cups water 2 cups vegetable broth 1/4 lb. shiitake mushrooms 5 oz. firm tofu, cut into small cubes 1 thumb freshly grated ginger 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce 1/2 cup broccoli florets 1/3 cup miso paste

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8 oz. soba noodles 1/2 cucumber, cut into matchsticks 2 green onions, thinly sliced Sprinkle of sesame seeds Method: 1. Bring your water and broth to a boil in a large pot then add the mushrooms, ginger, tamari or soy sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. While this is cooking, prepare your soba noodles in another pot until just soft, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop them from overcooking.

3. Scoop out 1 cup of the broth and dissolve the miso paste into the broth, stirring vigorously until it is all combined. Add your miso mixture back into the simmering broth.

4. Add your broccoli and tofu and simmer for another five minutes or so until the broccoli is soft, but not mushy.

5. Ladle your broth and veggies into two different jars, they should fill up a little over half of each jar. Divide your soba noodles into the two jars to float on top of the broth; they should not be submerged. Add your cucumbers and green onions on top of the noodles, and finish with a garnish of sesame seeds.

6. Leave the jars uncovered while they cool, and store in the fridge for up to three days.

University of the Fraser Valley artist Faria Firoz has overcome many obstacles on the way to receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal in recognition of her art and social advocacy. Leaving home in Bangladesh five years ago, adapting to the cultural differences in Canada, and finding the strength and courage to advocate for social justice are all hallmarks of her emergence as an artist.

Firoz graduated from UFV in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She thinks her double extended minors in Visual Arts and Graphic Design complement each other very well, and together create a strong foundation for Firoz to build a name and brand as an illustrator, artist, and social activist.

“Graphic design has really helped with branding myself and getting a sense of my identity. I knew what I wanted, but just learning to present myself to overcome the language barriers and cultural differences [in Canada] was important.”

Firoz says she’s always been passionate about art. In Bangladesh she completed her Advanced Level in Science, the equivalent to college in Canada, before realizing her desire to pursue a career in art. Firoz then completed her Advanced Level in Art and Design.

Firoz is a contemporary realist painter and learned from an early age to look at things around her for ideas that could influence her art.

“I started painting things from my surroundings that inspired me and as a way of keeping a memory alive. Painting is a beautiful and meaningful way to put it out there,” Firoz said.

Like other representational art, Firoz’s art is very detailed and focuses on technical skill and execution. What makes Firoz’s art unique is how she addresses culture and identity.

As a person of colour, she sees things from a different perspective and wants people to consider art as a universal language to help spread awareness of important social, political, and cultural issues.

Earlier in 2021, Firoz was featured in the Black Lives Matters Social Justice Art Project at UFV. Her submission, The Firefly, portrays a strong woman of colour in a traditional gown standing with clenched fists. The painting symbolizes the necessary struggle for equity and equality in the face of systemic racism.

“The Firefly,” writes Firoz on her webpage, “serves as a reminder for all of the innocent lives lost. This portrait depicts the strength of the Black community and how they have put

up a front against the unjust society of white supremacists. The Firefly strives to bring justice, strength, healing, and freedom to the black community and spread awareness to spark a conversation that would eventually instigate a change.”

The publicity Firoz received from the BLM Project led to her selection as one of four artists in the RBC Emerging Artists Project. This national program empowers organizations to

Photo courtesy of Faria Firoz

create opportunities for up-and-coming artists in film, literature, music, performance, theatre, and visual arts. The RBC Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to help artists like Firoz gain valuable exposure for their work.

Firoz believes UFV has been a huge part in her growth as an artist. The welcome she felt as an “outsider coming from a different culture” allowed her to find a place of acceptance.

“The teachers were tremendous at giving me resources, as well as the opportunities that I should apply for, to help me as an artist. I’m not from here, so these kinds of things aren’t known to someone that’s an outsider.

The professors were extremely helpful.”

Firoz also comes from an artistic family and works hard to carry on the family tradition. She includes an inspirational line from a song written by her father, Firoz Mia, who is a lyricist. She says the line holds a lot of emotion in Bangla, her first language. “চাঁদের হাসি পড়লে চোখে, কেন আঘাত লাগে

আমার বুকে!"Chander

hashi porle chokhe,

keno aghat lage amar buke!

“Why do I feel pain in my heart every time my eyes catch a glimpse of the smiling moon!”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

CULTURE Life//

Best winter hikes in the Fraser Valley Take a hiking break on your winter break

ANDREA SADOWSKI Don’t let your hiking end once summer is over. I plan to be outside hiking every moment I am not either working or sleeping during the winter break to make up for the lack of forest time I got this crazy semester.

Always remember to bring the 10 essentials with you on a hike, even if it’s just a short day hike; try to always go with a hiking partner; tell someone else of your plans; use a satellite device if you are out of cell reception; and be prepared to brave the elements on any winter hike. Some of these hikes are for advanced level hikers, so take extreme caution.

Chilliwack Community Forest, Chilliwack: This forest is magical when covered in a fresh blanket of snow. This community forest has an expansive trail network for people of all experience levels. Would highly recommend frolicking in the snow here.

McKee Peak, Abbotsford: This fairly short, relatively easy trail is not only great cardio, as you are going up a steady incline most of the way, but it is right next to a Christmas tree farm. So you can enjoy your time in the woods, then cut a little bit of it down to put in your living room and fill with ornaments.

Hunter Road Trail, Mission: This trail is an absolute gem — it’s perfectly suited for beginners and has the most stunning view at the end, overlooking Stave Lake and the vast forests and rivers surrounding it. When we went, there was even a group of hikers who brought up their little jetboil burner to brew a small pot of coffee at the

top. Genius.

Mount St. Benedict, Mission: This is one of the more advanced hikes as it requires a bit of navigational skills to know where you’re going, and with the high elevation gain you’ll likely run into snow within the first third portion of the trail. The starting point is off of Lost Creek Forest Service Road, and the trail entrance is almost completely hidden, with just a small pink marker to indicate there is a trail there. For the first part of the trail, you’ll be walking through a forest with a lot of zig-zags, and once you get out of the forest, you’ll end up on a logging road that will keep going up and up and up until you reach a lookout point. When I went, we didn’t make it all the way to the lookout point, but it was still a lovely little romp in the snow.

Dragon’s Back Trail, Hope: I have not yet had the pleasure of completing this trail, but it is definitely on my list. A friend of mine who did it relished in how fun of a hike it was. It has a doable elevation, a mix of stairs and rocks to hike up, as well as a view of a waterfall and the chance to try out a rope swing at the beginning of the trail.

Whippoorwill Point Trail, Harrison Hot Springs: A peaceful trail through a quiet forest that leads you to the most serene beach you can imagine. While there are a few steep, rocky sections, it was definitely a fun, light-hearted hike that makes for a great trail to do with a friend.

Zupjok Peak, Hope: Probably the hardest trail on this list. Only consider doing this trail if you would consider yourself an experienced hiker/snowshoer. If you don’t shy away from a challenge and would do

anything to get pristine 360 degree views of snowy mountain ranges that go on as far as the eye can see, then this hike is for you.

There are many other hikes for varying levels of difficulty in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, so if you’re not up for something so demanding, peruse through AllTrails to find the right one for you.

Hollyburn Peak, Vancouver: This one is outside of the Fraser Valley. It’s all the way

up on Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver, but if you are going out that way at any point in the break, this hike is definitely worth doing. It is a bit of a challenging incline up, but you are rewarded with incredible views not just at the peak, but during the whole duration of the hike.

Don’t let a cold day stop you from being outside. Gear up, find a hiking buddy, and get out into the forest.

Chilliwack Community Forest. (Andrea Sadowski/The Cascade)

Column //

Campus Fashion: Come thrifting with me @ Hidden Treasures RACHEL TAIT There is no shortage of thrift stores in Abbotsford, B.C., offering more equitable and sustainable clothing options for university students. A small but beautifully decorated thrift store known as Hidden Treasures is a great local option for students looking for trendy pieces to wear on campus, without paying the full retail price.

Located in historic downtown Abbotsford at 2657 W Railway St., Hidden Treasures is a predominantly volunteer-run organization that helps their community in several ways.

The store itself is well-lit, with items displayed beautifully throughout the store, which is aesthetically pleasing and affordable. They have their clothing divided by sections and colours and carry a lot of trendy clothing that are gently used or brand new. There were a lot of items with the tags still attached in the clothing section and included brand names such as Coach,

Zara, Lululemon, and Columbia. There were a lot of shoes, boots, and accessories that were in good condition as well.

The store manager, Maggie Klassen, has been working at the Abbotsford location since 2018. She graciously sat down for an interview on what she has noticed about university students coming to her store.

“We have a fair bit of university students that come in here to shop, as well as high school students. We’ve definitely seen an increase since COVID-19,” said Klassen.

Klassen also stated that students gravitate toward “mostly clothes, movies, records, and specialty items.”

She adds: “We definitely see more of them around during seasonal events like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Thanksgiving. Every now and again, they are very interested in vintage. It just depends on what kind [of] vintage they are looking for.”

In terms of sales, Klassen explains how Hidden Treasures works: “We always have a select number of clothes for 50 per cent off during the week, and we have other

specials we do throughout the month.

So, there is always some sort of discount available to them.”

About 25 percent of Hidden Treasures’s stock are brand new items that come from various boutiques and a specialty warehouse that the thrift store has contracts with. Klassen also adds that her staff always cut the original price tag in half when they sell it on the floor.

According to Klassen, Hidden Treasures is also helping flood victims: “Last week, as a matter of fact, we handed out over $700 worth of stuff to flood victims in need, and we help homeless people on a regular basis ... we have lots of people donating right now to help flood victims. So, we are getting more things ready and any single family that is in need that comes in, we give them [merchandise] for free if they are in a flood zone right now.”

Hidden Treasures further helps their community with the funds they raise, and one of the ways is through their parent company, M2/W2.

M2/W2 is a Christian organization that

focuses on helping “inmates integrate back into society and when they are on parole.”

“We try to help them with clothes and whatever they need to get started.” Klassen explains that Hidden Treasures aids them in helping to find work and settle back into society after being released on parole. “[We] try to connect with them in prison first and we also give them a chance to come here and work here…once they are released from prison on good behaviour.”

Klassen believes that the best aspect of her job is decorating the store, creating a peaceful atmosphere for shoppers and artfully displaying the merchandise.

She ends the interview by saying: “There’s a reason why we’re called Hidden Treasures. We have so many different areas of things hidden everywhere, and we want people to come in and browse and have fun looking around. It’s not a Walmart … you just don’t go in and find 20 of the same things for the same price. You have to go and look around and many people find their hidden treasure every day.”

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VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

SPORTS

sports@ufvcascade.ca Teryn Midzain— Sports Editor

Recap //

Near comebacks and strong halves for UFV volleyball, but still no cigars TERYN MIDZAIN Volleyball takes the spotlight in this final recap of the fall semester, and the UFV teams faced their final exam of the semester in the form of TWU men’s and women’s teams in their home court at the Langley Events Centre. Both TWU teams exerted their dominance early in each of their games this weekend, but our UFV teams played strong second halves in each of their matches for near victories. With both teams having strong latter halves, they have a positive foundation for winter training and a potentially stronger new year.

Dec. 2’s evening of festivities opened with the women’s game. TWU (5-1) took an early lead in the opening set that never wavered. TWU closed the first set 25-11.

UFV nearly matched TWU’s performance in the second and third sets.

Sadie Wilson led a near comeback charge in the second set, scoring a pair of aces that kept the score within five at the end of the game. The teams remained tight through the final set, with UFV keeping TWU to a two-point game until TWU’s Avery Heppell scored six straight points to close

16

the set 25-17 with a 0-3 match final.

Later in the night, our men’s team (0-7) fended off the no. 2 overall ranked TWU (7-0) volleyball team for four sets before finally suffering another defeat in a 1-3 final.

The first three sets were tight. UFV took the lead in both the second and third sets.

They lost out in the former after TWU went on a 4 kill streak at the end, but UFV held onto their early lead and won the third set 25-22. TWU had an explosive start in the fourth and final set. They led with 16-8 kills and never let UFV close the distance, with the final score of the set 2516, resulting in a 3-1 TWU victory.

Friday, Dec. 3, the teams held their rematches. The TWU women took control of their matches, winning all three sets of the match with a commanding force. TWU pushed UFV to their limits, closing the second set 25-8. UFV held on and fought through the third, keeping pace until TWU went on a 9 kill run to close the set at 25-18 and end the match 3-0.

The UFV men went the distance and played five sets against the undefeated TWU team, barely managing to lose out on their first win of the season. Nimo Benne led UFV with 18 kills throughout

the night, blasting off five in a dominant UFV first set win. TWU pushed back, taking the second set, and UFV answered right back again, winning the third set but losing the fourth. UFV led the fifth set 10-8 before TWU showed us why they are such a powerful team, going on a 7 kill run to close the extra set 15-12 and delivering a heartwrenching 3-2 loss to UFV. Our volleyball teams played four tough matches against one of the best teams in the Canada West standings. The strong latter halves of the matches show what our teams will be working hard for volleyball fans when they come back rested and ready for 2022.

Volleyball returns to us on Jan. 14 and 15 as our men and women return home to play in the UFV Athletic Centre. The men kick off the volleyball new year at 6:00 p.m and 3:00 p.m. respectively, and the women start at 8:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m. respectively.

UFV basketball arrives a week earlier. Our women and men continue their regularseason game against UBCO on Jan. 8 and 9 in Kelowna. Tip-off at 5:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. respectively for the women’s game, followed by the men at 7:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. respectively.

UFV Cascades Sports Scores Dec. 2 – Dec. 3, 2021

Women’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV Vs. Trinity Western University / Dec. 2, 2021 Score: UFV 0 TWU 3 Game/Date: UFV Vs. Trinity Western University / Dec. 3, 2021 Score: UFV 0 TWU 3

Men’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV Vs. Trinity Western University / Dec. 2, 2021 Score: UFV 1 TWU 3 Game/Date: UFV Vs. Trinity Western University / Dec. 3, 2021 Score: UFV 2 TWU 3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

STUDY BREAK Crossword //

Made by Steve Hartwig

ACROSS

DOWN

7. Pancha _ _ _ _ _, Hindu festival in December celebrating Ganesha

1. Annual celebration of African-American culture

8. Sikh remembrance of the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh

2. 12-day winter festival of Germanic people

10. Freakish festival of capitalism

4. Asian winter solstice festival

11. Last night of the old year

5. Buddha’s day of enlightenment

12. Holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus

6. Jewish festival of lights

3. Japanese end of year ceremony

9. We all need a break, but December is best for these

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.52) Sudoku //

2

3

9 4

6

1 8

6

3

LAST ISSUE’S

ANSWERS: Across: 2. Tornadoes 4. Drought 7. Wildfire 8. Landslides 9. Tsunami 11. Earthquake 12. Floods

Horoscopes //

8

Down: 1. Eruptions 3. Avalanche 5. Hurricanes 6. Firestorm 10. Duststorm

7

9

3

4

6

1

5

3 4

9 5

1

Your weekly life predictions as told by Shiva the Sage

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4

7

8 3

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Thu Sep 9 16:58:54 2021 GMT. Enjoy!

Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 You’re struggling to overcome bad habits, old thought patterns, and negative behaviors as you approach final exams. You’ll need to consciously refuse instant gratification and choose what serves you best long-term.

Recognize your self-control but also know when to admit it’s time to ask for help.

Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 Circle the option below to manifest it this week. Careful, it’s very potent.

A) You’ll see a cool rock.

B) You’ll be told your fly is down the next time it is before irreparable damage is done to your self-esteem.

C) You’ll find a dime on the ground.

Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 The end of the semester is stressful, but this week you’ll need to find the balance between work and rest. Embrace moderation, manage your emotions, and stay calm during stressful times. You’ll find that it will allow you to maintain your work ethic without burning out.

Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 This week you’re frustrated because your usual tactics that lead to success aren’t working anymore. Instead, realize you’re being called to embrace new opportunities and perspectives. You may feel stuck, but it’s only because you need to pause, reflect, and change before moving forward.

Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Before you start to panic about finals, remember to take breaks for your mental health and to nurture yourself. Sometimes self-care involves tough love, but this week will call for warm baths, dinner with friends, and chocolate — lots and lots of chocolate.

2

6

2

Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 You have a wide social network of friends, and this will be the time to draw on them.

As exams loom on the horizon, you’ll want to lean on loved ones for support, let others cheer you on, and open yourself to studying with classmates. This will let you connect with others while still being productive.

7

Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 As you head toward exams, remember that this too shall pass. While stressful times feel overwhelming, they are temporary. This week you’re being called to relinquish your control over circumstances; if you take a step back, you’ll find things work themselves out.

Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 Someone has been working hard this semester, and this week you’ll find time to bask in your abundance and preparedness.

You’ve been able to create a solid study routine and stay on top of things, and you’re ready to ride that to winter break. After exams, go one step further and get yourself a reward for all your hard work.

Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 Even though the end of the semester means crunch time, this week you’ll find yourself embracing a radiance and sense of success regardless of the outcome of exams. You know that things will be harder before they get better — but they’re definitely going to get better.

Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 You’ll be manifesting a new opportunity toward the end of the semester, and you’re excited about the possibilities it presents for growth in your career, schooling, or finances.

While these are exciting times, remember to stay grounded and to make concrete plans for how you’ll find success.

Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 Despite the stress of the last month of school, you’re learning how to gain control of your emotions. As a natural intellect, you lean on your maturity and logic to help you navigate challenges, but you’ll also want to draw upon your intuition and creativity. A careful balance is needed here.

Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 As a water sign and a Pisces, you can get overwhelmed by the sheer force of your emotions, and this week you’ll need to mediate this by leaning on others. Nurture the connections in your life — even if it means venting to a classmate about assignments or talking to a counsellor about exam stress.

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VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

ARTS

arts@ufvcascade.ca Vriti Sehgal — Arts Editor

Netflix //

Arcane is new, refreshing, and mainstream A win for gamers everywhere

CHARTS 1

The Halluci Nation One More Saturday Night

2

Ada Lea one hand on the steering wheel the other sewing a garden

3

Jada Klein Always, Forever

4

DijahSB Head Above The Waters

5

Mauve Shining Gold (single)

6

OK Vancouver OK Never Perfect

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

SHUFFLE AARON LEVY A VERY NAUGHTY BOY

CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy was pleased that UFV's Communications department has kicked off its new podcast in our studios with Lenore Newman, Director of UFV’s Food and Agricultural Institute and Canada Research Chair in Food Security and Environment. Below are a slew of songs that, to a degree, touch on food security and the systemic issues to do with agriculture industries globally that are in focus this holiday season, many due to tragedy.

Haviah Mighty — “Thirteen”

This song talks about the history, hegemony, hurt, and heritage involved in stratification, modern Arooj Aftab capitalism, slave trade, gender, Vulture Prince and societal norms as they've evolved over the centuries. They Missy D all stem from the financial pracDelete My Number (sin- tice of enslaving and exploiting people of colour and their famigle) lies to support neo-liberal maintenance of wealth.

Lex Leosis Terracotta Parlour Panther Retrograde

Saint Soldier — “Farmer Suicide”

Last month, a looming Indian election in the heavily agriculturHenry Nozuka al-dense province of Punjab has From the Echo of a Dream pressured Prime Minister Modi to rescind 3 key articles of law Erez Zobary that severely hampered efforts of Punjabi farmers, as local Indian In Bloom expats made clear this past year.

Lone Pine Radio Boys Saint Soldier was addressing this (That's How to Get to) issue years ago.

Memphis (Single)

Luke Michielsen — “Jack Pine”

14

V1nce Black I'm Lost (Single)

15

Etiblancko Symbiphonia

16

Tei Shi Die 4 Ur Love

17

deformatory Inversion of the Unseen Modest Mouse — “Cowboy Dan” Horizon

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The Smallest one Seasons EP

19 20 18

You probably won't know of Kitchener's Luke Michielsen yet, but this is the first track on one of his 10 releases on 2008's Burn To The Ground. "Mist on the water's edge / Feels good around me, but I can't see ahead / Same things that set us back / Help us go on."

"Standing in the tall grass / Thinking nothing / You know we need oxygen to breathe / Oxygen to breathe / Everytime you think Bob Stetson you're walking, you're just / MovBrand New Personality ing the ground / Every time you (single) think you're talking, you're just / Moving your mouth / Everytime The Fretless you think you're looking, you're just / Looking down."

Open House

CHANDY DANCEY Arcane is a three act Netflix series first released on Nov. 6. The show is based on League of Legends, a widely popular free-to-play game that boasts 120 million monthly players. Despite being a more niche franchise, Arcane was the number one show on the Netflix platform in 50+ countries, and is currently number two in popularity on IMDb at the time of writing — and all for good reason. Its story follows two sisters, who live below the utopian city of Piltover in the underground slums of Zaun, as they lose everything, including each other, and fight for justice and to reunite.

I had no expectations going into the series, and I still ended up being blown away by the attention to detail, the depth of the characters, the visually stunning animation, and the hard-hitting themes the plot touches on. The most important thing for non-League players to know is that Arcane is completely accessible to anyone. Viewers don’t need any background knowledge of characters, lore, or the game itself.

Diving into the series, the first praise-worthy aspect is the animation. It’s fluid, unique in its art style, and allows each character to feel distinct in terms of silhouette, facial markers like scars, and fashion style. There are also no cookie-cutter characters in this series. Each character embarks on their individual storylines, and they weave together effortlessly. From the heroes to the villains, each character is complex and has their own clearly-defined motivations and dilemmas. They feel genuine and alive. We watch them make mistakes with heavy repercussions, grapple with their morals, and make bad decisions. The fact that so many characters are juggled in the series, yet each manages to stand out as unique and memorable, speaks volumes for the thought and care that evidently went into this Netflix series.

The series also rocks a killer soundtrack that plays during crucial scenes. It’s grungy, bassheavy, and exceptionally well-utilized. During episode seven when two childhood friends fight, the close-up shots of their faces, dodges, and attacks are all timed to the music. The background melts away. The characters, in flashes, appear as their childhood selves play fighting — a time

before they were jaded and found themselves on different sides. One of the characters holds a stopwatch, pressing its button to bring everything back to the present.

Arcane also touches on the dangerous separation of classes. While Piltover prides itself on being a city of progress and opportunity, those unable to afford living above ground are forced into the darkness of the undercity, Zaun. It’s a mirror to our societies, and Arcane isn’t afraid to show the complexities of this system and how difficult it can feel to make a difference. The show delving into a political crime drama doesn’t read as overdone or too heavy; it comes off as refreshing with its adoption of fantasy elements. Magic, for example, is developed by a protagonist, Jayce, to serve as a means to empower the oppressed, but it quickly becomes just another tool to keep them in their place.

So, what does Arcane mean for Riot, the developers of the show and the League video game?

Everything. The success of Arcane sets a precedent because it means there’s a market for their characters, vision, and storylines — even for a non-League audience. And guess what? League of Legends has 157 champions you can play, and only a handful were selected to be in the Netflix series. There’s the potential for endless content.

I can’t deny that Arcane is an exceptional animated series. At the same time, it’s worth mentioning that although Riot profits off Arcane which, at its core, is a story about two sisters, the company has settled a 10 million dollar gender discrimination law suit against women. While Arcane’s themes make us sympathize with those without a voice, its parent company has also been accused of misleading employees about their right to speak up against harassment. Oops.

It’s easier to preach gender equality when it’s fictional, huh? I won’t tell you not to watch the series because of this, but viewers deserve to know about the business practices they’re unknowingly supporting.

If you’re looking to have your heartstrings toyed with, you breath taken away, or want to watch a Pixar film with less juvenile themes, look no further than Arcane. It’s just as good as everyone’s been saying, just with an extra dose of hypocrisy by Riot Games.

VOL. 29 // ISSUE 25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

ARTS Artist Q&A //

Kardias Quing’s spiritual connection with music So around that time, I really noticed how much I loved singing with people and harmonizing. I also sang a little bit at famKardias Quing is a Vancouver-based ily gatherings sometimes. singer/songwriter of Filipino descent who delves into the indie R&B and alternaHave you always had this inclination tive pop genres. In this interview, we talk toward music? about her passion for music and how music and spirituality go hand-in-hand for I think it goes way back to my dad’s her. She discusses how spirituality differs family. My grandfather on my dad’s side from religion, and describes her music as was a professional violinist in the Philipuplifting and focused on awareness. Qu- pines. But I never got to meet him. Also, ing’s new song “You Are” was released my uncles and my dad used to play on the on Nov. 19 and is available to stream on radio in the Philippines, a long time back, Spotify. and even my cousins are incredible mu-

VRITI SEHGAL

I see that you have been making your music for almost 10 years. How did you get into making your own music?

you are in a group worship. There’s singing and then there [are] just moments of instrumentation.

And in that moment, I could experience that feeling again, but without the context of religion. It was absolutely beautiHow did you form this connection be- ful to me and moved me to tears. So with tween music and spirituality? my music, I just wanted to re-create that space and that feeling. We truly are resilOne day, I think I was just cleaning the ient. And we just need to be reminded of house and blasting Bon Iver. I was listen- it. You can say my style of music is that ing to this song “Woods.” It’s a beautiful it's [an] uplifting kind of music. It’s almost song that keeps repeating the lyrics, “I’m like creating an atmosphere, a positive up in the woods / I’m down on my mind.” space. I think my music brings in a state It was almost similar to the situation when of honest awareness. With my music, I try to create and navigate unconditional love for yourself. sicians. There are just so many people in my family who play music. And my dad writes music really well. So I guess you could say that I have always had this musical influence.

What can you tell us about your latest song “You Are” and your other upcoming work?

It’s quite interesting because the music that I’ve released so far, the composition and production side has been through the amazing craftsmanship of my producer, who I’ve known for 13 years.

It all started with me and him just jamming and writing acoustically, and then we realized there was something special with us. When I started writing with him, things just came to me effortlessly. I almost reference it as like a holy space, the kind of flow I get into. It’s such a special thing to share with someone.

I remember being in high school, in a Filipino youth group, where we used to sing songs about God. It was an emotional experience to just surrender. And people who were not even good at singing used to sing too. I really admired that.

The song discusses how we are basically just taught that we are small. But there is so much more to us. Yes, it is spiritual, but if you really look at science, it goes handin-hand with spirituality. It was kind of a breaking point for me that our souls are so vast and there is so much potential within us. It has almost created a curiosity for me, just thinking what boundaries can we push past. I think the universe reflects back to you what you think and believe you are capable of.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Photo courtesy of Kardias Quing

Netflix //

Netflix’s On My Block paves way for its spinoff VRITI SEHGAL Netflix’s On My Block comes to an end with the release of its fourth season on Oct. 4. The show revolves around the life and friendship of four teenagers growing up in a majorly Hispanic and Black populated neighbourhood, with rivalry amongst gangs of the two groups.

Cesar Diaz, Monse Finnie, Ruby Martinez, and Jamal Turner have been a closeknit group since childhood. But things go south when romantic feelings arise between Cesar and Monse (played by Diego Tinoco and Sierra Capri). Throughout the seasons, we get to see their romance grow and their relationship evolve while they try to keep it a secret. I find the two totally adorable, as they try to overcome all obstacles in the way of their love. On the other hand, Jamal (Brett Gray) decides to go on a quest for the forbidden Roll-

erWorld money, which was supposedly buried somewhere in the town by ex-gang member Lil Ricky. And while everyone is busy in their own situations, Ruby’s (Jason Genao) sole purpose in life is to get a personal bedroom for himself in a traditional Hispanic home with seven family members.

Overall, the show is an excellent watch.

It is a perfect combination of slight predictability and constantly having viewers at the edge of their seats. It has some foreseeable plotlines and other episodes ending in cliff-hangers.

The characters portray unconditional loyalty and love toward each other, as their friendships are tested several times during the show. Whenever one of the characters is in trouble, or simply not going through a good time, the rest of their group re-prioritize their own issues and stand by their side, setting an example for ideal friendships. Along with themes of

friendship, trust, and romance, the show also tackles the issue of racism when Monse realizes that she was abandoned by her mother (who was a Caucasian woman) because she looked more like her father (who was of African descent).

The show sends a strong message about how racism is common in people’s everyday lives, to the point where they do not even realise they are being racially discriminative because tired stereotypes are unconsciously rooted deep in their minds. The way Monse’s character handles her mother’s behavior toward Monty (Monse’s father) is absolutely commendable. She gives up her comfortable life and private school friends as a way of disassociating herself from her mother and taking a stand for her father.

Another one of my favourite bits about the show is how all the characters are constantly on a hunt for something or the other, keeping the show exciting and let-

ting the viewers create their own theories about what could happen next. The show has a lot of mysteries going on at the same time (and it might even seem like too many to some). But this is what I really liked about the show. Every character had a personality of their own and dramatic revelations going on in their lives instead of just mooching off the storyline of another character. The show had passion, drama, thrill, romance, and was certainly not your average teenage TV show.

At the end of the final season, the creators teased a new spinoff for the show called Freeridge. No additional details have been released about the spinoff show, but the fans of the original show have something to be excited for. If you haven’t watched the final season yet, On My Block season four is now on Netflix and ready for you to stream.

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Note:

Some of these events require tickets, and most are online. If something catches your eye, take to the internet for more details, including those about social distancing measures for in-person events.

Community Event UFV Event Sports

december Grant Writing Workshop @ Online, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

A Wonderheads Christmas Carol @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m.

UFV Last Day of Most Classes This Wonderful Life @ Abbotsford Arts Centre, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas at Communitas @ 2776 Bourquin Crescent West, Abbotsford, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

This Wonderful Life @ Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

UFV Exam Period Begins UFV SUS Public Board Meeting @ Evered Hall Atrium, Abbotsford campus, 2:00 p.m.

UFV Bookstore Buyback @ UFV Bookstore, Abbotsford campus, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

UFV Bookstore Buyback @ UFV Bookstore, Abbotsford campus, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Arts Event Culture

UFV Bookstore Buyback @ UFV Bookstore, Abbotsford campus, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

This Wonderful Life @ Abbotsford Arts Centre, 7:30 p.m.

This Wonderful Life @ Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Ballet Victoria’s The Nutcracker @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 p.m.

UFV Bookstore Buyback @ UFV Bookstore, Abbotsford campus, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

UFV Bookstore Buyback @ UFV Bookstore, Abbotsford campus, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Ballet Victoria’s The Nutcracker @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 2:00 p.m.

Abbotsford Canucks vs. Tucson Roadrunners @ Abbotsford Centre, 7:00 p.m.

Abbotsford Canucks vs. Tucson Roadrunners @ Abbotsford Centre, 3:00 p.m.