The Carillon - Volume 65, Issue 20 - March 16, 2023

the carillon

the staff editor-in-chief holly funk editor@carillonregina.com

business manager thomas czinkota business@carillonregina.com

production manager shae sackman production@carillonregina.com

advertising manager holden norrie ads@carillonregina.com communications mehrnoush bahramimehr comms@carillonregina.com

web manager jaedyn whittal web@carillonregina.com

multimedia/graphics editors multimedia@carillonregina.com safal gangwani graphics@carillonregina.com lee lim copy editor aurel dumont copyeditor@carillonregina.com

news editor gillian massie news@carillonregina.com

a&c editor wren gessner arts@carillonregina.com

s&h editor vacant sports@carillonregina.com

op-ed editor hammad ali op-ed@carillonregina.com

distribution manager sun sidhu distribution@carillonregina.com

staff writer amina salah

staff writer victoria baht

staff writer vacant news writer josh king

a&c writer will bright s&h writer sophia stevens contributors pall agarwal, campbell stevenson board of directors holly funk, thomas czinkota, will bright, hammad ali, shae sackman, and amina salah

The

We may be hitting the final few issues of this academic year, but we’re not slowing down with hard-hitting coverage on topics of student interest. With new information on URSU’s plans post-AGM, interviews with university professors, and updates on campus club activities, we’re proud to continue keeping students up to date on what’s happening in this community.

If you’re passionate about student life, student rights, and the support available to students, please check out the back page of this issue and consider getting involved with your students’ newspaper! We currently have opportunities through our board of directors (nominations are open until the end of March 23), contributing articles or photography this semester, or applying to be on staff in the next academic year. Illegitimi non carborundum.

students forego AGM p. 3

We talked with students around campus following URSU’s AGM and learned that not only did many not go, but many weren’t aware it was happening.

the paper

227 Riddell Centre University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada

S4S 0A2

www.carillonregina.com

Ph: (306) 586 8867

Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB

The Carillon welcomes contributions.

Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are entirely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff.

The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization.

land acknowledgement

The Carillon is written on Treaty 4 territory. As such, staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The Carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without demonstrating our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of this land to its sacred place.

the manifesto

In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over sixty years.

In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower.

The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.

the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe

academic freedom p. 4

Academics internationally are having their academic freedom challenged or directly infringed upon. When does the scale shift from protecting people to punishing ideas?

K-dramas pop off p. 6

Though Korean dramas had been in boom long before Netflix got involved, its part in globalization has aided in the sweep of this genre across the world.

U of R biology prof Dr. Andrew Cameron was interviewed on pandemic responses, how COVID mutates and transmits, and how we can best prepare moving forward.

Banff trip recap p. 9

Read what U of R students had to say about the Ski and Board Club’s trip to Banff over reading week, and what’s in the works for future club outings.

In light of mayor Masters personally declining the RCPTC’s challenge to use transit for 48 hours within two weeks, Holly Funk writes on the highs and lows of Regina transit.

University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 march 16, 2023 | volume 65, issue 20 |

Student interest in attending URSU meetings dwindles

of

holly funk editor-in-chief

This week’s Carillon on the move article was originally pitched to our news editor as an opportunity to learn about students’ perspectives on the Annual General Meeting (AGM) hosted by the University of Regina Students’ Union’s (URSU), which was held over Zoom and was scheduled to start at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

The AGM is a place where both URSU board members and general members (students) can propose motions to kick-off or amend current policies and initiatives, where current URSU executives present on their job performance over the past year, and is one avenue for students to vote on what happens with student levies after the university collects them and transfers them to URSU. Other writers have covered, and will continue to cover, the events of the AGM itself, but we were curious about how students on campus were feeling following what ended up being nearly a four-and-a-half hour Zoom call. What the Carillon learned through these interviews was that students interviewed do not make an effort to attend URSU AGMs or to stay up-to-date with the actions of their students’ union, which is the group meant to advocate on their behalf. Of the students interviewed for this

piece, one student who elected to remain anonymous explained that they hadn’t even heard we had a students’ union and was not aware an AGM had taken place until they were notified through questions in the interview for this article.

Similarly, other students only learned of URSU’s existence over the last few weeks of the winter 2023 semester. As a police studies student in her first year, Samantha Carnie noted that she first learned about the union when someone currently running for a position on next year’s board stopped her in the hallway to campaign for her vote.

“I heard about it because I had someone come up to me about their campaign,” Carnie noted. “So, I’ve kind of heard from that, but that’s about it.” This first-year student mentioned afterward that she had heard nothing about URSU’s AGM in advance of the meeting.

Another student named Kathlene Puertas said “I know it [URSU] exists, I get emails from them, but I’m not particularly involved.” When asked about the AGM, she said she hadn’t made communications from URSU about their AGM a priority. “I’ve somewhat skimmed emails about it, but not really read it or anything.”

To summarize, Puertas added “I just wasn’t really particularly interested in being a part of it.”

Kinesiology student Emily

Blackmore claimed that she wants to be more involved, but due to her already demanding student schedule she simply cannot make the time. “I’m not that involved in too much here. I wish I was more, but even just taking a bunch of classes and stuff is already a lot, and I still try to socialize and do intramurals.” Blackmore hadn’t heard about the AGM in advance of the meeting, and noted she likely wouldn’t have had time to attend regardless.

Social work student Dagan

Vala noted that while he was involved with the actions of the students’ union through his first degree which he completed in 2016, he has not maintained the same level of engagement through the second degree he is currently pursuing. “I guess I had friends who were more involved so I kind of tagged along with them, but then they all graduated. So, then I came back, so again I haven’t really made it a focus for this time around.”

Vala also claimed to have heard nothing about the AGM in advance of the meeting, and closed with the sentiment “I suppose this time I didn’t really focus on engaging too much, just trying to get my degree and get out.”

While URSU did advertise their AGM in advance, it seems as though their methods were not successful in drumming up student interest in URSU and their governance this semester. It remains to be seen whether URSU

One of the largest events of the year to ‘speak out & get your answers’ showcased an underwhelming amount of the student population.

will opt for new methods of outreach to engage the student population, and whether current stu-

Solutions for a smoother SGM come from a rough AGM URSU SGM scheduled for April 12

The University of Regina Students’ Union’s (URSU) Special General Meeting will be held in a hybrid setting with options to attend in person and online. The vote passed unanimously to hold the Special General Meeting (SGM) at 2 p.m. on April 12. The decision to start the SGM earlier was made hoping students can set

aside more time if the meeting runs late.

“We are hoping that more students will attend in person,” said URSU General Manager Talha Akbar, who also noted the online component will still be in an option for immunocompromised students.

The URSU AGM was held

remotely on Zoom on March 2. The meeting began with a late start due to a “Zoom bomb” of bots (virtual participants, not real people) in the chat. In a matter of minutes, the participant count went from 600 to 250 while URSU staff worked to kick bots out of the chat. Many students were left frustrated with the delayed start and left the meeting early after it ran an hour later than its estimated end time.

“I don’t think we’ll get Zoom bombed again, but now that it’s happened, we’ll be much more prepared for it,” said Akbar.

Akbar explained these options will hopefully help hike the attendance and deal with potentially racist and inappropriate comments – something that was an issue in the Zoom chat during the AGM.

“It will create a more accessible space, we’ll be able to provide free food to students,” said Akbar. “Hopefully more of a collegial environment so that we don’t have some of the same kind of issues around targeted attacks or racism.”

URSU members are trying to incorporate measures into the SGM that will address the issues

that clogged the AGM. Different approaches will be taken prior to the SGM to help students feel more comfortable about the rules of voting, submitting motions, and workshopping motions. “It should help to help students engage in that student democratic system,” said Akbar.

Concerns were raised in the AGM on March 2 about motions on the agenda violating the Saskatchewan Non-profit Corporations Act. The SGM will have a committee of board and executive members who can help work with students to submit a clear and concise motion. Style Stenberg, LGBTQ+ board chair and member of the committee, said this will be an opportunity to work with students who have elected URSU board and executive members into their positions .

“One of the things I really want to do is connect with everyone that submitted a resolution, talk through the resolution with them, make sure that they’re on the same page,” said Stenberg. “They can then understand the process, how it’s going to happen, answer any questions they have about it, and how to make it a little bit less scary.”

dents can be bothered to engage with their students’ union.

Stenberg hopes that this committee will stick around for future AGMs and SGMs to eliminate any confusion for students. There are still 21 motions to be voted on, but movers will have the opportunity to improve or strike their motions from the agenda before the SGM.

In addition to the SGM committee, URSU will have members available at noon on April 12 to answer any questions students might have about how processes in the meeting work before the meeting itself at 2 p.m.

There was no URSU AGM in 2022. This is because the URSU board of directors voted to change the scheduling for the AGM to the typical end of a student year rather than the end of a calendar year. AGMs have still been held during the URSU fiscal year, just based on different decisions made by different URSU members. Akbar explained it will be up to future years of URSU members if they want to have the AGM in November or March.

While some who were engaged now disregard, others only learned

URSU weeks ago

Academic freedom faces threats worldwide, controversy close to home

Are they threats, or do they just not align with your agenda?

josh king news writer

Academic freedom faced record breaking threats worldwide in 2022 and several controversies have already erupted in 2023. Universities around the world rely on academic freedom in order to pursue the truth regardless of the consequences, though many are not clear on the definition of ‘academic freedom.’

Dr. Marc Spooner, an education professor at the University of Regina, said it is commonly confused with freedom of expression. While freedom of expression is a right that everyone has, academic freedom gives additional leeway to academics to ensure “teaching, research, and service” at universities are free from interference. Academic freedom grants certain rights freedom of expression does not, such as the ability to criticize your employer or gain tenure.

Dr. Spooner called academic freedom “a tool that’s required for us to do our work.” He compared it to how hockey players can body check someone without getting an assault and battery charge, like a normal person would if they hit another person. Similarly, academics need more leeway with their expression than the normal person in order to pursue their research.

However, as reported by the Scholars at Risk Network (SRN), a network of over 500 universities that is devoted to supporting academic freedom worldwide, 2022 saw 391 attacks on higher education communities. The report notes that this was largely spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, a military coup in Myanmar, and a civil war in Ethiopia. Although, the SRN warns these attacks “also occur in more open, democratic, and stable societies.”

For example, closer to home, several historically Black colleges and universities in the United States faced bomb threats throughout 2022. Throughout the months of January and February 2022 alone, historically Black colleges and universities faced 57 bomb threats.

Also in the United States, the report details how legislatures across the country were “restricting higher education institutions from teaching so-called ‘divisive concepts.’” SRN clarified that divisive concepts often meant “race, gender, and sexuality.”

An example of this that has been shared widely on social media is the syllabus for a US-wide advanced placement African History course that was changed after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that it would not be taught in Florida schools, because according to DeSantis, it included critical race theory, queer theory, and intersectionality. Advanced placement courses are taken by high school students for university credit, so they’re created by the US College Board. The College Board disputed that the change

was made due to political pressure.

However, in a February editorial, Holden Thorpe, editor of the world’s third largest academic journal, said that this response by the College Board was an attempt to “gaslight America.” Explaining further, Thorpe pointed out “the material that DeSantis ap-

to do with the specific wording rather than an issue in principle.

Regardless of the perpetrator, SRN concludes their report by saying these attacks all have one thing in common, which is their “motivation to punish and silence ideas.”

Here in Canada, Dr. Spooner explained that academic free-

port, some think Canada can do more to help protect scholars internationally. In January of 2023, CAUT reported that Nasim Niknafs, a music professor at the University of Toronto, is unable to return to her home country of Iran due to her research. While she is happy to be working in Canada, Nasim Niknafs reports

to say things that were counter to the government of the day’s position.” Dr. Spooner could do this because his position was “not counter to the best available evidence.”

In the end, Dr. Spooner thought his experience showed “I wasn’t silenced. It [academic freedom] actually worked.”

In nearby Alberta, academic freedom has made the news more recently due to an ex-professor and self-described Marxist, Frances Widdowson, coming to the University of Lethbridge to give a talk called “How Wokeism Threatens Academic Freedom,” as well as lectures critical of Indigenous ways of knowing. Her invite initially came from the head of the department of philosophy, though it was later rescinded by the University president. When Widdowson showed up to campus anyways, she was met with hundreds of students protesting her presence.

Widdowson claimed that this was an academic freedom issue. Dr. Spooner believes that the case is “more a matter of freedom of expression.” Dr. Spooner still supports Widdowson’s right to speech but says “it doesn’t mean it has to happen on a university stage.”As detailed in emails that Widdowson released on her own website, Widdowson threatened University of Lethbridge professor Dr. Caroline Hodes with a defamation lawsuit for telling people on campus that Widdowson was a genocide denialist, in regard to Widdowson’s comments on residential schools. Widdowson was formally fired from Mount Royal University for denying the negative impacts of residential schools.

In a commentary published by CAUT and authored by Hodes about academic freedom in Alberta, though not directly refencing the Widdowson case, Hodes expressed doubts “whether my academic freedom will be defended as vigorously as those who occupy space on the political right,” pointing to the fact that the University of Lethbridge’s women and gender studies department is “currently under threat of amalgamation and cancellation.”

Are we free or free falling?

Illustration: Lee Lim

proved of was left in.”

A similar occurrence almost happened in Canada. In October of 2022, the Alberta United Conservative Party held a caucus vote on whether to ban the teaching of intersectionality, anti-racism, or critical race theory. It failed. Though, a third-party at the convention told the Calgary Sun the issue with the resolution had more

dom is a “negotiated right,” often bargained for by unions. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is a trade union, which represents around 70,000 university teachers nationwide. They are often involved in academic freedom cases on behalf of professors in Canada.

While no cases in Canada were mentioned in the SRN re-

that she faced delays in getting a visa, which interfered with her ability to continue with her research in Canada.

Here in Regina, Dr. Spooner recounts how he faced political pressure when he spoke up against the effectiveness of standardized testing in primary and secondary education. Despite the pressure, Dr. Spooner “was able

On January 31, CAUT sent an open letter to the University of Lethbridge president in support of Widdowson’s ability to speak on campus, stating “a university should welcome controversial speakers.”

While some cases can be controversial, the SRN did find an overall decrease in respect for academic freedom in many countries and a rise in threats to academic freedom.

Dr. Spooner said this is an issue because academic institutions play a key role in democracy. “One of them is to provide the best available evidence, even if it’s counter to prevailing thought or powerful interests.”

Holden Thorpe warned if politicians are able to “paint academics as master indoctrinators,” then it “sets the stage for attacking similarly rigorous material from any course.”

“Academic freedom grants certain rights freedom of expression does not, such as the ability to criticize your employer or gain tenure.”

– Josh King

Navigating a Pap smear

Peace and love through your next cyst-ers check

victoria baht staff writer

Have you turned 21 years old?

Did you know that getting a Pap smear is highly recommended at the age of 21 for people with vaginas? Pap smears can be scary and uncomfortable at any age, although they don’t have to be. Information from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention can help navigate any questions there may be.

A Pap smear is a test that looks for cancerous cervical cells. The specific cells doctors are looking for are known as “cervical pre-cancers,” which are cells that indicate they may develop cancer later in the patient’s life. The Pap test is a way of observing these cells to look for something abnormal. If you get a Pap smear done, your doctor will contact you afterward to explain what the next steps are for you, depending on whether your tests come back normal or abnormal.

If your tests are normal, your doctor may state you can wait a

few years before coming back because there is currently no sign of troubling cell growth. If your results are abnormal, your doctor will contact you about how to move forward with these results and possibly about treatment.

I recently attended a clinic called Meadow Primary Health Care Centre. They ran their first official “Pap Day” last month, and they made it very approachable for people at any age. It was my personal preference to have a woman doctor do the test. I wanted a doctor that did them regularly and I wanted to approach it at a personal level, because quite honestly, it is a very personal test.

Meadow Primary Health Care Centre did all the things I wanted. There were exclusively women doctors in the clinic that day and the setup was amazing. I started with an easy consultation where they talked to me about the steps, my choices, and what will happen throughout the test. Then they took me in and did the test, and it is as short as one minute of the total examination time. After

the test, I could also get tested for sexually transmitted infections. They sort of aimed for a one-spot check and got everything done at once which made it even better.

The last Pap Day that took place was in February, and they are hoping to do more soon, but no official dates have been given yet. Maybe give them a shout if this is a place that interests you. Other clinics that offer Pap tests are YQR Women’s Clinic, Planned Parenthood Regina, or even possibly your regular family doctor or a regular clinic near you!

We hope this article creates awareness, made you feel more comfortable about Pap smears, and connected you to resources that you may not have realized you had access to. Personally, going to Meadow Primary Health Centre was a great experience. Call and check in at (306)-7666399, and they may be able to help you get an appointment or get in touch with other resources that are out there.

Student-supervisor relationship panel sees pointed discussion

Tips and tricks for the best communication between advisors and graduate students

Research is an essential element for a student pursuing a master’s degree or PhD. The University of Regina has a lot to offer in terms of research, and once explored, there’s a long way to go. A student might face obstacles like maintaining a long-standing, healthy relationship with a supervisor.

In partnership with the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School’s Student Association, Anastasiia Sheichuk hosted a panel discussion called ‘Student Supervisor Relationships 101’ to help students learn how to maintain student-professor relationships.

Sheichuk is currently pursuing a master’s in public policy and is on the University of Regina Students’ Union’s board of directors, representing graduate students. The panel discussion was held at the University of Regina College Avenue campus, and students from all walks of life attended this event to learn how to build a productive relationship with their supervisors which is integral for the success of their research.

The panel discussion emphasised the importance of effective communication skills in research, especially in the early stages to set up clear goals and mutual expectations. Meeting a shared goal of bridging the knowledge gap and promoting equity and inclusion, Sheichuk eventually mastered this skill and found it great to help other students out in this journey. In a recent conversation with her, she shared from personal experience how challenging it can be to build a productive relationship with a supervisor without a knowledge base on how to do it, which most students are not given. She mentioned how the qual-

ity of research diminishes if the researcher has to waste their energy on miscommunication struggles with their supervisor instead of spending the time required for research.

The panel discussion covered how important it is that the student-supervisor relationship be healthy and supportive, as it can result in a win-win situation for everyone involved. This could

also help in the institution’s generation of revenue, with research going a long way to help earn the university accolades. It gives the university a chance to gain more traction for international students

looking for opportunities.

Sheichuk mentioned it is especially challenging for international students who come with different cultural expectations of relationship building and communication with their supervisor. If an international student and a supervisor do not dedicate time to establishing clear communication and expectations, it can negatively affect their research. Navigating life in a new country and dealing with the nitty-gritty of settling in, international students are prone to feeling overwhelmed due to lack of clear communication with their supervisor.

Maria Velez Caicedo, associate dean of engagement and partnerships in the faculty of graduate studies and research , moved to Canada as a professor and supervisor. Having worked in various countries in the field of research, Caicedo has gathered the box of tools to handle and navigate students in research. Caicedo mentioned the introduction of ‘Letter of Understanding’ which is a list of expectations or guidelines that gives clarity for students and supervisors on how to move ahead. This is a reference guide and a starting point for both the supervisor and researcher to facilitate their communication and set expectations.

Learning to overcome the challenge of communication and becoming a better researcher, students face a lot of hurdles. Panel discussions like these can be very helpful, and having regular conversations with people can help bridge the gap and obtain results as expected.

arts & culture

The amazing world of K-dramas

amina salah staff writer

Korean entertainment is an industry that has boomed over the last decade. Thanks to globalization, we are now able to access entertainment from different corners of the earth. If the world is not watching Korean dramas, they are watching Turkish dramas, Japanese dramas, or Taiwanese dramas.

A decade ago, Korean entertainment was difficult, if not borderline impossible, to access. The most popular sites at the time were Viki and Drama Fever. Drama Fever was particularly loved because it had a subscription service, and it was considered ‘the Netflix of Korean dramas.’

joined in on creating its own exclusive Korean content.

What we are seeing now is that Netflix is not the only brand that is trying to host Korean content. Other well-loved subscription services such as Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video now also have their own exclusive Korean entertainment.

What I find so unique is that there is an abundance of choice for consumers today that did not exist even five years ago. Korean dramas are unique because they introduce viewers to different forms of film making, art, creativity, directing, producing, script writing, etc. One of the reasons why they are so beloved is that they do not follow traditional Western filmmaking or storytelling.

Moreover, I particularly enjoy learning about history that I normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to discover. I enjoy seeing historical stories visualized into a show. When presented with the costume or set design, you can see how much goes into making all of the small details come to life. It is a skill, it is an art, and it is something that must be praised.

The genres within Korean entertainment are so diverse that there is something unique for everyone. Whether you are someone who prefers slice of life, crime and justice, court room, romance, historical, comedy and family, or elaborate dramas about the scandalous lives of wealthy elites, you will find something amazing to binge watch. Korean dramas are unique because they allow for

is always growing at rapid rates. The most fascinating thing is how there are new shows that are rolled out every single month like clockwork. If one ends, another will begin airing immediately after. This ensures that viewers always have something to watch. The unique thing is that the industry also has what is known as ‘variety shows.’ I find that Korean variety shows are completely different from Western variety shows. The country has comedy variety shows about parenting, marriages, relationships and navigating human connections, beauty, lifestyle, and more. These offer an opportunity for viewers to learn about the different issues that plague our society and how to overcome them. My favourite thing about Ko-

people cannot be bothered with Korean dramas if they don’t speak Korean. The reality is that you are missing out on so much about life and how interconnected we all are regardless of our cultural backgrounds. We are more alike than we are different.

It is why I always go back to the beautiful quote by Bong Joon-ho, the South Korean director behind the Oscar winning film ‘Parasite.’ In his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, Bong Joon Ho stated “once you overcome the one-inch barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”

The reality is that by choosing to discard something due to subtitles, there is so much nuance and awareness regarding a different culture that we are missing

Everything was easily accessible through the site. By 2018, Drama Fever announced that it would be shutting down.

When Netflix swooped into the world of K-dramas, it was planning on eliminating any competition. Prior to that, most dramas were made by South Korean entertainment agencies. Today, K-dramas are made by those same agencies, but Netflix now has license to a lot of shows. Furthermore, Netflix has even

I am someone who enjoys slow burns and romance that is not too in-your-face. I don’t enjoy watching a show and immediately being presented with characters making out. To me, it’s distasteful and overdone. It is recycled. In K-dramas, hand-holding alone is a big deal and it is something that rarely happens. If you grew up reading Jane Austen and you appreciate the slow romance of her novels, then I believe you will enjoy Korean entertainment.

viewers to get an opportunity to see day-to-day culture, customs, mannerisms, and ways of speaking from Korea.

The biggest issue I have is that the industry still has a long way to go in terms of how it chooses to tell women’s stories. At times, I find that women are portrayed as helpless and weak, or evil and awful. I wish that there was some form of healthy balance.

Additionally, the industry

rean entertainment is that there is a genre known as ‘healing.’ These are Korean dramas that focus on complex issues such as trauma, PTSD, depression, the difficulties of life, growing pains, and show characters who are healing from the horrific realities of life. This is a beautiful genre that I rarely see in Western entertainment. I believe that Western entertainment has a lot to learn from Korean entertainment.

It is unfortunate that many

out on. After all, in the age of technology, it is important that we take advantage of it by exposing ourselves to the content and entertainment that exists in different parts of the world. This is ultimately how we stay connected. It is incredible that someone living in a place such as Iceland can learn about Korean dramas or even Bollywood as a result of a simple Google search.

“It is unfortunate that many people cannot be bothered with Korean dramas if they don’t speak Korean. The reality is that you are missing out on so much about life and how interconnected we all are regardless of our cultural backgrounds. We are more alike than we are different.”

– Amina Salah

The anti-folk tradition

Explore a new genre of music

made. It was called the Fort and it was in the Lower East Side of NYC. The opening of the Fort was also called the New York Anti-Folk Festival.

Music is taken seriously by many people. The music they enjoy is something they feel possessive over. No one likes to hear that their favourite genre is considered terrible by someone else. Sometimes the people who feel most serious about their music are the industry and the artists themselves. That’s where anti-folk comes into the picture.

In the 1980s, the music industry was incredibly serious, and there were some artists who preferred to mock the industry rather than join its ranks. Thus, anti-folk was born. It was born with the intent to poke fun at how serious music was and as a protest against the seriousness.

Another reason anti-folk started was because folk artists were struggling to find gigs at places most folk artists were playing, mostly in Greenwich Village in New York City. Instead of fighting to get gigs at those places, like Folk City, a new place was

The songs that fall under the anti-folk genre are raw and real. However, not in the way you may think. When people talk about music that’s raw or real, they tend to talk about lyrics that reveal what the artist is thinking or feeling. With anti-folk, it’s the sound that is raw and real. The instrumental feels rich and outspoken in a way you don’t hear with popular music nowadays. Yes, the lyrics are also often deep and real, but it’s the lyrics matched with the raw instruments that makes it beautiful and cohesive.

My personal favourite anti-folk band is The Amazing Devil. I’ve written about their most recent album Ruin in depth, so if you want a song-by-song review, I’d check that out. Their music feels like the things your soul wants to shout when you’re alone in the middle of the woods at night. It takes your fears, your wants, your loves, and puts it into

music with hauntingly beautiful vocals. If you’re a fan of Netflix’s The Witcher, one half of the duo is Joey Batey, a.k.a. Jaskier.

If you’re trying to think of an anti-folk song you’ve heard before, your best bet is probably Regina Spektor. Her song “Two Birds” has made the rounds on TikTok quite a few times. Her notoriety comes straight from the anti-folk source at the East Village in NYC. Her music is imaginative and fun, and you’ve probably heard more of it than you think. Her music has been featured on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Mother, 90210, and more.

My second favourite band is called AJJ, formerly called Andrew Jackson Jihad. The band members have changed a few times, but the music is still great. They tackle heavy themes like morality and death in a way that still feels like you can dance to it and not even realize what the song is about. They also get stuck in your head so easily, so if you check out any AJJ, which I highly recommend, be prepared to have

The Whale: a unique take in film

A movie to bring to light hidden biases

Written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Darren Aronofsky, The Whale is a film released in 2022 based on a play of the same name. The film stars specially-selected, renowned actors such as Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton, and more. The film focuses on an English teacher’s final days as he struggles with morbid obesity. The teacher is also desperately trying to connect with and restore his relationship with his teenage daughter. The Whale premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival where it received a six-minute standing ovation.

The main character, Charlie, teaches college-level English courses online. He prefers to turn his camera off whenever he is teaching. The reality is that Charlie feels ashamed of his own appearance and wants to hide himself as much as he possibly can. The one person in his life that is remarkable is Liz, who happens to be a nurse and the only friend that Charlie has. Liz has asked Charlie to visit the hospital because he is at risk of congestive heart failure. Afraid of the overwhelming amount of debt that he would be left with, Charlie refuses to see a doctor. Through all of this, Charlie wishes he could reconnect with his teenage daughter and work on re-establishing their relationship.

What I find so profound about this film is that the more we watch it, the more we are faced with our own biases and negative preconceived notions that we must actively work through as we watch the film. In each scene, we see Charlie in ourselves. There is

the realization that we are more similar than we are different.

Through it all, we start to see the charm of Charlie; how kind he is, how warm he is, how passionate he is, how inviting he

their lyrics on replay in your head for days.

If you’re tired of music that seems too serious or artists that promote their songs on TikTok for months before releasing

them, listen to some anti-folk and let yourself feel carefree in rich instruments and melodies.

is, and most importantly, how authentic he is, even if we are not prepared for his authenticity.

Brendan Fraser brings light into the character that he plays. It is difficult to imagine another actor

Are you for pro-folk or anti-folk music?

gles and judgement. This is the only way that we are able to receive Charlie with kind, open arms.

I also enjoyed the references to Moby Dick. When Charlie is in distress, he finds himself reading passages from a student’s essay about Moby Dick. This gives the title of the film a deep discomfort about the double meaning of The Whale

Sadie Sink also played her character beautifully. It is impossible to imagine the film without Fraser and Sink. Their ability to cast a new light on common film tropes is unique.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of films that focus on the topic of obesity. In most of these films, characters lose weight or struggle with it through the lens of love and romance. What I love about The Whale is that it strays away from stereotypical depictions of weight and looks at it from a place of humanity and empathy. Regardless of how you feel about the film, this is what makes it different from the rest of Hollywood: the film invites viewers to grapple with their own biases and focus on the humanity of Charlie.

doing what he has done through the role of Charlie. Fraser brings the character to life.

The only way to be able to get through this film is to work through our own internal strug-

Illustration: Lee Lim

Could you make it through a reading of Moby Dick?

Illustration: Lee Lim

U of R prof on COVID in Sask.

being more transmittable or even as likely to mutate compared to COVID-19.

It has been three years since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which shifted how many people view and respond to viruses. Since the pandemic first hit, there have been 153,255 total cases recorded and 1,882 deaths reported due to the virus in Saskatchewan. The impacts of COVID-19, including new measures and procedures, the preparedness of all levels of government, and the effects of longCOVID, should all be examined.

It is important to reflect on the failures and successes of handling the pandemic in Saskatchewan because it will help the province, and other provinces, be prepared during the next pandemic (while this one continues course). When asked about the provincial government’s health measures and handling of the pandemic, University of Regina Associate Professor Dr. Andrew Cameron – who specializes in bacteriology, molecular genetics, and microbial ecology – stated how Saskatchewan’s ability to flatten the curve and provide testing were key in minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. Cameron explained that “By and large, things that worked really well that we can see globally was countries and provinces took the approach of testing and really flattening the curve, [they] were the most successful at protecting those who were the most vulnerable.” The flattening of the curve allowed for less pressure to be placed on health care services, and protected vulnerable individuals from being infected.

The increase in access to testing allowed health agencies to track hotspots and outbreaks of the infection as a form of pre-

During the 2003 outbreak of SARS, Canada became one of the most impacted countries. Canada saw roughly 400 probable and suspected cases of SARS along with 44 SARS-related deaths. This ended up preparing Canada for future coronaviruses in ways that other countries didn’t experience.

The Public Health Agency of Canada oversees infectious disease outbreaks across Canada, while each province also has its own disease control lab. Dr. Cameron explained that “provincial disease control labs [have] a huge portion of the work, and mandate to monitor and try to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.” This means that each province, including Saskatchewan, has the capability to monitor and track infectious diseases, including COVID-19, in hopes of preventing further outbreaks.

He expanded by saying that provincial control labs work together and support each other in creating networks which have been strengthened by COVID-19.

Dr. Cameron described that the Public Health Agency of Canada, since the beginning of the pandemic, has sent personnel to all of the provincial labs with the goal of being more collaborative in the prevention of infectious diseases in Canada. This allows for more co-operation and collaboration among Canada’s national lab and its provincial labs.

COVID-19 is unique in its high mutability (its ability to mutate in one person once they’re infected) and high transmission rate (how fast it can pass from person to person), but also in the fact that lingering symptoms associated with the virus can continue even after people test negative.

age and other damage, including neurological persistent problems, that even ten years later there were people who were not fully recovered.” This showcases that

main source of protection against COVID is to keep up to date on vaccine booster shots. According to Dr. Cameron, a vaccine still “remains the best solution and intervention we have” against COVID-19.

This is a virus that still poses certain questions involving the potential for new variants, and the long-term effects the virus can have for some individuals. As a society, we have learned to adapt and respond to a pandemic during a century of heightened globalization and an era of increased technological advances.

In the case of COVID-19, Canada was prepared in understanding the causes and effects of other coronaviruses, which helped in implementing public health measures.

COVID-19 showcased how some infectious diseases can cause long-term effects to individuals, impacting many lives – including professional athletes. In a recent statement, Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said he is “still dealing with the symptoms of Long COVID [sic] and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome,” which may yet result in the captain sitting out the rest of the NHL season.

He went on to say “It has been really challenging to play through these symptoms. In the last few weeks, it has reached the point where I had no choice but to step back and concentrate on getting healthy.”

vention, not just reaction. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the world knew about six coronaviruses, which included four from the common cold, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). However, these types of coronaviruses were not seen as

Dr. Cameron explained that similar circumstances occurred with individuals affected by SARS, which provided Canada the opportunity to explore the long-term effects of the virus even closer. Dr. Cameron went on to say that “Those people that were infected and developed the severe disease had so much tissue dam-

coronaviruses had the potential to leave significant lingering symptoms post-initial infection, even before COVID-19.

Dr. Cameron also highlights that long-COVID is a condition that will require more knowledge and continued learning of how COVID-19 affects people in coming decades. As of right now, the

Provincial governments across Canada, including Saskatchewan, were able to co-ordinate access to testing and the distribution of vaccines in a quick and timely manner. The scientific and medical communities were able to effectively create COVID-19 vaccines to help in the prevention of a previously unknown, highly-transmittable, and highly-mutable virus.

Research into treatment and potential risk factors for longCOVID have become important in helping individuals back to health. It’s critical that, as a society, we reflect on the effectiveness of health measures, the preparedness of our country and the international community, and the lasting impacts that this virus has left and will continue to leave on us.

The tools we had to respond well, and how we need to use them to do so

sophia stevens s&h writer

Was the night out at Stabbos really worth it?

Illustration: PaliGraficas via Pixabay manipulated by Lee Lim

“By and large, things that worked really well that we can see globally was countries and provinces took the approach of testing and really flattening the curve, [they] were the most successful at protecting those who were the most vulnerable.”

– Andrew Cameron

Hitting the slopes hit the spot

Freezing temperatures were fared well and nobody got hurt, so future trips are already in the works

campbell stevenson contributor

The University of Regina Ski and Board Club delivered on their promise to provide an “opportunity of a lifetime.”

Reading Week couldn’t have arrived any sooner. For many, it was a well needed break from the constant pressure of university life. For 92 students, this time off meant spending a few days experiencing one of Canada’s most treasured ski resorts. Those who reserved their spots on the ski trip to Banff, Alberta didn’t know what to expect.

Thrilled to have been able to cross skiing off his bucket list, campus friendly face Zuhruf Zarooq enjoyed his time in Banff. “This was the first ski trip I’ve been to. I would have never learned to ski if it wasn’t for the Ski and Board Club,” said Zarooq. “It was fabulous. The accommodations were good, I would probably go to the next one.”

The university’s Ski and Board club is proud of their accomplishment, and everyone is savouring the success of the trip. “It was great. It took us a lot of effort to organize it, and it took a lot of time. We were able to do everything to the best of our extent,” said club president, Damond Wagner.

The trip to the Sunshine Ski Resort was off to a rocky start the morning following their arrival, as extreme cold weather conditions delayed their excursion to

the hill. Having to adjust to this would be no small feat, and being responsible for almost 100 people on a trip can be nerve-racking.

However, advanced skier and environmental systems engineer Mathew Saleski saw no stress among the club organizers. “I think the club organized it pretty well, and handled the hill being delayed due to the cold pretty well,” said Saleski. Once the

weather was tolerable, everyone was successfully brought to the hill. From there, skiers of all skill levels enjoyed themselves.

“Sunshine was a good mix of easy and harder trails, and I think no matter the level of the skier there were trails for everyone,” said Saleski. It comes as a relief that no matter what skill level, all students were able to enjoy themselves and leave Banff with no in-

juries.

“I’m glad I’m still alive,” Zarooq jokingly said. “Going to Banff as a beginner, I feel lucky.”

A survey the club posted showed positive feedback to the trip. “Out of 43 responses that we got in the survey we did, 20 of them told us it was a 10 out of 10 [experience], 16 of them told us it was a nine out of 10, four that said it was an eight, and three that

Brady’s legacy pre- and post-retirement

said it was a seven. Overall, that’s pretty good reviews,” said executive assistant Solstice Morrell.

“I think it just shows how our teamwork came together,” said Wagner. The overwhelming positive response has influenced the club to begin planning for future trips almost immediately. “Right now, we’re planning a couple Mission Ridge nights coming up. For our trip next year, we’re going to start planning in the summer,” said Wagner.

“To get good prices and stuff in Banff, the trip needs to be booked months and months in advance,” said club vice-president Aidan McMahon. The main goal will be to acquire more funds from a diverse group of local business owners. They will also turn to URSU for future funding. However, a higher demand of students for future trips would require a larger sum for funding.

“We would like to take more but the big problem with that was the funding, and we can’t supply lessons just because of the prices and we just didn’t have the funding for that. That’s something in the future that we want to try to lower the cost of or incorporate within our trip,” said Wagner. The university’s Ski and Board Club is pre-emptively planning for the next big trip. Moving forward, they hope to offer more opportunities and unforgettable experiences.

Started at the bottom (of the draft pick), now we’re here (holding enough records to make heads spin)

Who is the greatest athlete of all time? This is the ultimate question for sports fans, and is a hotly contested debate across all sports. One of the athletes considered to be the greatest of all time is former NFL quarterback Tom Brady.

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. He is the most accomplished and successful National Football League quarterback in the league’s history. Brady is known for his extreme health regimen, which allowed him to play 23 seasons in the NFL.

His health regimen involves transcendental meditations, yoga, hydration, and a diet known as the 80/20 diet. His diet avoids most fruits, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, coffee, Gatorade, white sugar, flour, gluten, diary, pop, cereal, white rice, potatoes, and bread. Brady explains his diet through the TB12 method, which includes recipes that follow his strict diet – a diet which has been seen as controversial. Athletes who are considered the greatest of all time often use extreme regiments in all aspects of their lives in order to accomplish their goals, dreams, and aspirations. Tom Brady is no exception.

Brady started his elite football career at the University of

Michigan. He was then selected 199 overall by the New England Patriots in the 2000 NFL draft. He became the starting quarterback during his first season when Drew Bledsoe got injured in week two of the 2001 season. Brady spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, where won six Super Bowls in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

During his 23-season, career Brady started 381 games, which included 333 regular season games and 48 playoff games. Brady’s 2008 season was the only season he didn’t play due to an ACL injury. He also has the most career games in the Super Bowl, with 10 games. In 2020, Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won his seventh Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Brady has been awarded Super Bowl MVP five times, NFL MVP three times, NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice, NFL Comeback Player of the Year once in 2009, and has made the Pro Bowl 15 times. He holds records for most career quarterback wins, most career passing attempts, most career passing completions, most career passing touchdowns, and most career passing yards.

On February 1, 2023, Brady announced his official retirement

from football. Brady will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame starting in 2028. In addressing speculation that he would run for political office, Brady explained in 2022 that he doesn’t “think anyone’s fond of politics these days.”

In 2020, the New York Post reported that Brady signed a $375 million deal over 10 years with the NFL on Fox. Brady is set to begin his role as a lead colour commentator for the NFL on Fox in 2024, where he will join playby-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt to offer background information and an expert look into each game. It will be interesting to see his transition into the commentary booth, since some athletes’ transitions to commentary have been rocky.

His career is considered extraordinary due to having a career of over 20 years in the NFL – a league whose acronym has been parodied as ‘Not For Long’ – along with his incredible accomplishments throughout his career, and all considering he was drafted 199 overall back in 2000.

All aboard for ski and board!

Photo: courtesy of Solstice Morrell

He’s not really gone and will never be forgotten, but we’ll be missing Brady’s impact for a long while. Illustration: Lee Lim

Mayor turns down transit challenge

I started taking the city bus in Regina when I was 14 years old. I had just hit high school, and I auditioned my way into a couple of choir groups there which I was excited about. But practices were in the south end of the city and started almost an hour before morning classes, which was when my three younger siblings had to be at school.

out. I think it should be up to the city to figure out how to make a transit system useful to individuals, and I’m also confident that more people would use the transit system if it were simply designed to be used by more people.

The mayor’s response to the transit challenge from the Regina Citizens Public Transit Coalition (RCPTC) demonstrates my point for me. RCPTC is a group of locals seeking to better the transit system for everyone in Regina, and they recently

is evidently unable to use the transit system for even 48 of the 336 hours in that twoweek period. There could be many reasons for this, and assumptions of course range from charitable to stereotypical. It could be, for example, that Masters and the staff at the mayor’s office did try to shuffle around her schedule to make the transit challenge possible, but there are meetings that she must attend that cannot be rescheduled. I would still find it hard to believe that 48

scenario, I have spent three-and-a-half hours in a single day just commuting from my house to campus and then back home again.

I’d argue it would be understandable if our mayor cannot make that sort of time for either reason, because, realistically, neither can I. The difference is that I don’t get the option to opt out, much like the majority of other people who regularly use city transit.

My average income from jobs over the

My parents with their house in the north end didn’t want to make two trips across the city each morning, so I would wake up between 5:30-6 a.m. a few times a week to catch the bus alone that could get me to rehearsal before 8 a.m.

City transit has been my main mode of transportation for roughly the last decade, and I will ever be grateful for the U-Pass I have now, but I’d describe my overall experience as bittersweet. Walking to the bus stop in the early morning for the most part is serene, whether it’s just snowed and you get to be the first footprints to crunch through the drifts, or the summer sun’s beginning to beat down while dew still twinkles on the lawns you stroll by.

To contrast, missing your bus transfer in minus- or plus-40C can mean you’re stuck outside at an unsheltered stop in that weather until the next bus is scheduled to come. This can be a full hour later, and that’s if you’re lucky enough there’s still another bus scheduled that day.

There was one winter night when I was planning to bus home late after work, but the last bus for the night didn’t show up. I was stuck walking home in the late evening of early January, and my feet were frostbitten red and yellow from the cold by the time I got there.

That was six years ago, but our transit system even now still leaves it up to the individuals who use city buses to figure things

challenged city councillors and the mayor to use public transit for 48 hours within the two-week period of March 6-19, 2023. At the time of writing, there are two councillors – Shanon Zachidniak of Ward 8 and Cheryl Stadnichuk of Ward 1 – who have announced they’ll be participating in both

hours could not be made from the 336 total hours to choose from, but at my most charitable, this is what I’d wager.

Edging toward the stereotypical side, I would also entertain the wager that Masters and staff deemed this challenge unnecessary due to its inconvenience. Many

past decade sits around $13,000 per year, meaning a vehicle and its upkeep – never mind current gas prices – are simply out of the question. Without including any sort of bonus or job perk, mayor Masters’ salary in 2021 was $150,217, so I doubt that she’s (recently, at least) had to operate under similar circumstances.

She simply does not have to ‘make things work’ because she can afford not to, and because she has people to help her work around this system. The irony here is that Masters is still a part of the public and that the transit system is meant to be a public service, so this clearly displays that this public service is not a service to all of the public. Add to that the fact that Masters is not a member of the public who has no other option, and it’s apparent that her decision to not participate in the RCPTC transit challenge is a ‘canary in the coal mine’ moment.

the challenge and RCPTC’s experience survey afterward, but Mayor Sandra Masters will not personally be participating in either element.

The mayor’s office relayed to the Regina Leader-Post that, due to “scheduling constraints,” she will not be able to commit to completing the challenge. Masters

people who don’t frequently take transit in Regina don’t realize the amount of time it can take to get to your end destination. It’s roughly a 12-minute drive from my house to the university, but bussing there can take up to 75 minutes – and that’s only if the buses are on time and I’m able to make my scheduled transfer downtown. Worst case

The transit system’s current model is that those who need to use it just have to make things work. We’re seeing with this challenge that that’s just not feasible, even for someone who primarily works downtown, which is where most bus routes are designed to service. If things are rough for Masters, if she is truly unable or unwilling to make the current transit system work for even 48 of 336 hours, how does she think the rest of us are faring?

holly funk editor-in-chief

For many, the challenge of using Regina public transit is simply a necessity

Sad as this may be, wading through a mountain of snow is often the easiest part of taking a Regina transit bus. Image: OpenClipArt-Vectors via Pixabay, manipulated by Lee Lim

“

City transit has been my main mode of transportation for roughly the last decade, and I will ever be grateful for the U-Pass I have now, but I’d describe my overall experience as bittersweet.”

– Holly Funk

A day for everyone

Since March 8 was International Women’s Day, I thought I would talk about what International Women’s Day means to me as a woman. Quite frankly and personally, I see it as a day to be thankful, a day when I get to recognize who I am as a woman, and the chances and opportunities that I have as a woman that we as women did not always have. The history and the movements that women have had to go through over the years is quite lengthy and honestly some of the best history that I have learned about in my life.

Did you know that once upon a time women did not have the right to vote? Or that they didn’t have the right to work? The duties of women were mainly to stay at home, reproduce, and take care of children. Being a woman is very important to me and I am sure to many other women in the world. Over time, women have gained rights and have managed to change their rights and their purpose in life and in the world. This is only the beginning of why I am thankful to the women of history. Many women have fought for the chances that I get now to live my life every day the way I choose.

I am a very fortunate woman in that I get the chance as a 23-year-old to attend university and work hard to get a bachelor’s degree in a subject that I am very passionate about! Not only do I get the chance to study at university, I get to work two well-paying jobs. With those jobs come opportunities for me to pay for food that goes in my body, food that fuels my body to go to the gym and get stronger both mentally and physically, and to take care of my health. I also get to reward myself with things that I enjoy, like shopping, travelling, spending time with friends and family, and so much more.

I’m not trying to brag and say that I have all these chances and things that other people do not. That is not my point

here. I am trying to say that International Women’s Day helps me recognize what to be thankful for! It helps me realize all the chances that I get that not all women do. Do I feel sorry for everything that women in the past had to do for us to be where we are? Of course I do, and that is just more reason to be thankful and recognize the passion, history, strength, and worth that we as women have in the world that we did not always have. I think it is very important for each and every one of us to be thankful for this day and to be thankful for the history that is history. Whether you are thankful for yourself, for a mom, for a friend, for a daughter, your boss, or whomever it may be, International Women’s Day can help you stop and recognize what to be thankful for.

But I do not just want to talk about International Women’s Day, even though it is one that holds a special place in my heart. I want you to think of all the things and all the reasons you can be thankful.

As I look right now at a list of international days, there are a few that may hold a sweet spot for you readers. Did you know, according to the United Nations website, the year is just filled with international days that you may not even be aware of? January 24 is known as International Day of Education, March 1 is Zero Discrimination Day, March 8 is International Women’s Day, April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, April 7 is World Health Day, May 12 is International Day of Plant Health, June 1 is Global Day of Parents, July 30 is International Day of Friendship, August 9 is International Day of the Worlds of Indigenous Peoples, September 17 is World Patient Safety Day, October 10 is World Mental Health Day, November 14 is World Diabetes Day, December 10 is Human Rights Day, and the list of days goes on!

Whether or not you knew these days existed and whether they speak to you or not, these international days can help us realize what we may and may not have. These days can help us recognize what to be thankful for, or maybe be just a little extra thankful for on that specific day.

We all live very busy lives. Whether you go to work every day and come home and take care of your kids, go to university or work a job, each and every one of us has our own busy life, and sometimes those

world, maybe go for a hike in an open field or a swim in open water.

All of these international days can help you recognize what and who to be thankful for. Some days may speak louder than oth-

tend to get in the way. They tend to take us away from our loved ones or doing the things we love. Maybe these international days can help you recognize to be thankful and do something for yourself or those things or people around you!

I am not saying you have to go all out. But maybe on April 2, World Autism Day, if you know or love someone with autism, give them a call and just chat, help you recognize that day and who they are. Or, on April 7, World Health Day, explore the

ers, and that is okay. You get to choose how these days affect and represent you. There are a lot of days in the year and we all have busy lives, but that does not mean certain days have to go unnoticed! So be thankful, and maybe the next international day that speaks to you, do something special for yourself or someone else! That is what international days mean to me!

victoria baht staff writer

Special days are an opportunity to be mindful of things we take for granted

Every day is a celebration, even if just as an excuse to have cake Illustration: Lee Lim

“

We all live very busy lives. Whether you go to work every day and come home and take care of your kids, go to university or work a job, each and every one of us has our own busy life, and sometimes those tend to get in the way.”

– Victoria Baht