Volume 8 Issue 3

theGAMUT

VOLUME VIII, ISSUE III // OXFORD ACADEMY // 5172 ORANGE AVE., CYPRESS, CA 90630 // DECEMBER 2, 2011

More than human

DECEMBER:

Theresa Phung

SATURDAY, 10 // ACT

SATURDAY, 3 // SAT

FRIDAY, 23 // WINTER BREAK BEGINS MONDAY, JAN 9// SCHOOL RESUMES

IN THIS ISSUE:

PAGE 2 OXFORD REACHES OUT PAGE 4 HOOPS FOR HOPE (ABOVE): A Hope High School student warms up for the game.

Hope Homecoming offers smiles, laughter, and memories

On Thursday, Nov 17, Oxford Academy hosted its first Friends for Hope event: Hope Homecoming.

Hope High School is an AUSHD establishment that provides educational services to students with developmental disabilities and specialized health care needs.

Friends for Hope, an unofficial club brought to Oxford by teacher Nathan Taylor, formed a partnership with Hope to benefit students from both schools.

“When I came from Savannah to Oxford I recognized a lot of the commonalities that most people don’t see between these two schools,” Taylor said. “I know that there are a lot of students here who have the ability and the intuition and the sensitivity to change lives for some of these special need kids and I wanted to give them the opportunity to do that.”

And Oxford students latched on to such an opportunity. The turnout for the Thursday night event was enthusiastic. Students from Oxford, Hope, Savannah, and Loara saturated the stands, held banners, screamed their lungs out, and did haphazard waves when cued.

“When you look at Oxford, we have so many advantages--academically, extracurricular--but they don’t really have that. They get stared at when they go out in public. They’re judged,” president Savannah Esquivel said. “We have to remember that [Hope students] are the same age as us.”

The event pitted Hope High School’s alumni against its students for an intense game

of basketball with the score continuously teetertottering. With current students donning red jerseys and with the alumni in white, Hope students were assisted by Oxford’s own varsity basketball teams.

“The Hope students looked like they were having a lot of fun and I just wanted to help keep that spirit up,” varsity co-captain Nathan Kimura said.

At half-time, Hope cheerleaders took the stage, and then handed it over to Oxford’s Hip Hop Club. After multiple b-boy demonstrations, Hope seniors, Myra Soriano and Luis Llamas

“

It’s about your life being made up of emotions and connections and again, real happiness...

were crowned homecoming queen and king and were quickly followed up by the last half of the basketball game. After having lagged for the first half, the white alumni team charged forward and won the game.

“Most people don’t know our population so they just assume they can’t do anything. But we have a lot of kids that love to do basketball,” Ellen Evans, a long-time volunteer at Hope, said. “Some kids that think that one day they’re going to drive—it’s a goal. They need goals to achieve.”

With the basketball game ending on a

high note, Hope students and parents were directed to the multi-purpose room for the Homecoming dance. With rows of chocolate cookies and lemonade, a yellow and red balloon arc and a crowded dance floor, Hope and Oxford students intermingled and gave a new definition to ‘dance like nobody’s looking.’ No uncomfortable grinding, just teenagers holding hands, throwing their arms haphazardly in the air and having a genuine good time.

“The Oxford students have worked really hard to make us feel welcome, to help us make this event a memorable occasion for our students,” said Jeanie Van Der Linden, chairman of the Hope Homecoming event.

Working hand-in-hand with Oxford’s student run organizations such as Friends for Hope, Varsity Basketball teams, and ASB, Van Der Linden asserted that out of her nine years of volunteering, this year was the best yet.

Friends for Hope allowed students to step out of their usual boundaries and flex, as Taylor puts it, their “compassion muscles.”

According to Esquivel and Taylor, the Hope Homecoming was not only an experience for the Hope students, but one for Oxford’s own.

“It’s not just about tests; it’s not just about making money and getting a good job and economic security,” Taylor said. “It’s about your life being made up of emotions and connections and again, real happiness at the deepest levels is when you work for another’s happiness.”

PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT PAGE 6

PIANO PRODIGY PAGE 8

PAGE 8 DIY PROTEST PAGE 12

S T A F F ALI FIGUEROA....................................NEWS EDITOR

GAIANA MORALES............................STAFF WRITER

SARI ZUREIQAT..................................STAFF WRITER

AMY CHI.............................................STAFF WRITER

GRACEE KIM.......................................STAFF WRITER

THERESA PHUNG..............................STAFF WRITER

AMY TESHIMA..........ASSOCIATE EDITOR/LAYOUT

HANNA JEONG.....................CENTERFOLD EDITOR

TIMOTHY TORNO..............................STAFF WRITER

CAROL LEE..........................ILLUSTRATOR/ LAYOUT

JESSICA LIM..................................EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

VINCENT NGUYEN............................STAFF WRITER

CHRISTINE KIM..................................STAFF WRITER

JORDAN REYES..................................STAFF WRITER

YONG-SHING CHIANG.....................STAFF WRITER

DAVID PHAM.....................................STAFF WRITER

KEITH YODER................................................LAYOUT

YVONNE NG......................................OP-ED EDITOR

DUSTIN NGUYEN..............................STAFF WRITER

KEVIN LUONG...................A&E/LIFESTYLE EDITOR

ELLY SHIN...........................................STAFF WRITER

MATTHEW VERGEL DE DIOS........PHOTO/LAYOUT

HIBA TAYLOR................................................ADVISER

NEW FACES

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News

December 2, 2011

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theGAMUT

more charitable canned food drive Timothy Torno

Oxford ASB encourages community service through its annual school-wide drive

Hoping to raise awareness of impoverished families throughout Orange County, the Associated Student Body and the H.O.P.E. Foundation are hosting this year’s canned food drive from Nov 7-18. By spreading the word through conversation, social networking, and video announcements, ASB hopes not only to make students aware of these less-privileged communities, but also to find ways to get involved in the coming months.

“Every year, clusters just go for the prize… they bring the huge, cheap cans… [and they] forget about where the food actually goes,” Junior Sally Yoo, ASB secretary, said. “[Now] we’re raising awareness for these unfortunate victims.”

The victims Yoo refers to are not just the homeless, but the numerous families across Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, and Los Alamitos dependent on one of the H.O.P.E. Foundation’s many

meal programs. Because the turnout drastically increases come the holidays, the foundation runs an extensive screening process.

“We sort out the needy by age, sex, residency requirements, number of family members, [and] income level,” H.O.P.E. Chairman Bob Sggoba said.

“We also have a [separate] screening process based on federal guidelines for the homeless.”

Unlike most charity organizations, H.O.P.E. relies mainly on its food bank, and by extension the public’s time and efforts, to meet the immediate needs of its beneficiaries.

“We’re a smaller organization dollar-volume-wise,” Sggoba said, “but what we can’t provide to people [financially], we provide for [through] food and shelter.”

Over the years, the organization has expanded its programs to support customers on a daily, monthly, or yearly

basis.

“Homeless people come in 365 days a year… [But] we distribute twice a month, on the first and third Saturdays of that month,” Sggoba said, “That’s why we provide [so many kinds of] community service opportunities for students from any school.”

Thus, to help the foundation as much as possible, ASB’s greatest challenge this year was finding a balance

“

Oxford students and staff members can come together and help others in need.

between the school budget, the students’ general interests, and the donation requests of the needy. After a brief debate on cluster incentives, the conflict was resolved by several revisions to the process, most notably the addition of a second cluster prize.

“[The H.O.P.E. Foundation] requested cereal boxes…” said Yoo. “That’s why this year we have a prize for most cereal boxes. We ended up with two winning clusters.”

To make the donations more accessible to families, cash donations and pre-mixed foods replaced the conventional sack rice, bake mixes, and bulky fruit preserve cans. The changes not only ensured the fairness of the cluster contests, but also made the distribution of goods quicker and more efficient.

But rather than relying on the generous donations of each cluster class, ASB members found ways to personally take part in the drive. The goal was to make the event seem less obligatory and more memorable for the entire student body.

“We’ll visit cluster classes

to check up on their progress, visit the H.O.P.E. Foundation on Nov 18, and have a video announcement [showing] how we distribute the items,” Mina Obieta, Community Service Commissioner, said.

For Obieta, Yoo and the other representatives, the drive continued long after the winning cluster was announced.

After sorting out the goods in the teacher’s lounge and packaging them into larger crates, they again prepared them at the H.O.P.E. foundation to be shipped to their final destinations. Even so, the members remained optimistic, seeing their circumstances as invaluable learning opportunities.

“This [year’s drive] has definitely been different,” said Obieta, “…[Planning] it made me see what a big deal these donations are and how much of an impact they make in other people’s lives. Also, I got to see how Oxford students and staff members can come together to help out others in need.”

Because of the drive’s overwhelming success, H.O.P.E. can provide more goods for the holidays after Thanksgiving. The foundation will carry out its largest giveaway of the year on Dec 17 with toys, boxed foods, and canned goods. Student participation is again greatly welcomed. But as of now, the foundation is content with all that it has received.

“On a regular basis, we have young people putting hours of service to meet their school’s needs… but also to supplement their lives,” Sggoba said, “This year, Oxford [was no exception]…

ASB did a great job. Thank you very much to all those [who were] involved.”

Candid Kindness (LEFT): ASB representative Daniel Lee sorts and stacks canned goods before they are sent to the H.O.P.E. Foundation.

Editor’s Note

A culmination of textboxes and drop-down menus, the college application is an intimidating report of GPAs and standardized test scores that are almost too concrete, too blunt. The vibrant personalities, the inside jokes, the high school dances fade to the background as the academic statistics take a prominent spot in the daunting paperwork. Though a means of explanation, justification, or elaboration, personal statements end up sounding structured and somewhat distant from what you wish your life sounded like on paper. Worse yet, the self-suspicion arises that perhaps you’ve fallen into some stereotype that admission directors will breeze over in the midst of 40 thousand applicants.

As corny as the phrase is, this is the season to remember exactly who you are. Nearing the end of the year and the start of the next, the comforting illusion of a fresh start will be a chance to confront weaknesses head-on. College application deadlines for the Peter Pan syndrome seniors are not an excuse to shy away from personality, but a motivation to polish it. Drowning in the stress of competition and feelings of inadequacy calls for methods to de-stress, as addressed in this issue by Hanna Jeong’s “101 ways (or less).” With speculations on the more solemn effects of stress and pressure, Yvonne Ng proposes the importance of adhering to a passion, a creative outlet. Though faced with challenges, winter sports teams persevere to show results.

So this season, despite trials and tribulations and winter gloom, all must take precautions to preserve the individual, to not submit the self to numbers and regrets.

- Amy Teshima, Associate Editor

Letters to the Editor:

The Gamut welcomes all viewpoints. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited or republished in any format. Please include your name, grade, cluster teacher and email address. Do not send any attachments. Letters should be emailed to thegamut@gmail.com.

The comments and opinions expressed in The Gamut are those of the editorial staff and do not necessarily represent those of Oxford Academy or the Anaheim Union High School District.

December 2, 2011

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News

theGAMUT

YPW introduces its focus on Cambodia Yong-Shing Chiang

Using colorful visuals, Silent Vigil spreads awareness of the armed conflict and sex trade in Cambodia

As Youth Philanthropy Worldwide’s first event of the year, Silent Vigil, a weeklong event lasting from Nov 14 to Nov 18, introduces students to this year’s cause.

Serving as a precursor to future events such as Awareness Week and Bandaid, Silent Vigil serves to inform students of the armed conflict and sex trade in Cambodia.

“[Silent Vigil] is silent in that we don’t do anything interactive,” co-president Nara Kim said. “We do strictly visuals, so the whole school will be covered in paintings, murals, and statistics.”

Even without hands-on activities, the posters and silhouettes found around campus help educate students on the difficulties faced by young Cambodians.

“Human trafficking is a brand new issue we’re concentrating on this year in YPW as a whole,” co-president Melody Lee said. “A lot of children, both boys and girls from ages as young as five years old, are being sold as sex slaves or just slaves in general to countries all over the world.”

Understanding that students are often unaware of global issues, YPW planned Silent Vigil well before Awareness Week to prepare students with a greater understanding of the problems in Cambodia before actively seeking the student body’s involvement and raising funds.

Distinguishable from the usual school events that publicize through means of announcements and videos, Silent Vigil emphasizes its cause through symbols and statistics, paradoxically using silence to convey a more powerful message.

“It’s kind of going to be like the Day of the Dead,” Kim said. “Our murals are very colorful and dramatic, so a lot of these visuals end up attracting people.”

Though YPW was unable to accomplish everything they had planned, their focus on visuals proved effective in promoting student involvement.

“Last year we had the prayer flags, but they were pretty small,” senior Lauren Orozco said. “[This year] the kites were big, [and] they are right [there] when you enter, so it forces you to look at them.”

Noticing the silhouettes and symbols around the school, students have become aware of the harsh reality of struggling countries and the poor conditions people continue to live in.

“It’s pretty interesting to see all the statistics everywhere you look,” senior Daniel Lucak said. “There [are] so many students from Cambodia here, and it’s eye-

opening that in this day and age there is still [armed conflict and child prostitution] going on.”

In becoming more aware of the issues in Cambodia, students have also developed a greater desire to be informed through this event.

“Spreading awareness to all these people [allows us] to have students be more educated about what happens in the world we live in” junior Ronald Estebon said.

Beyond the educational aspect of Silent Vigil, it has allowed students to have a greater appreciation for the security and

Club Feature: Film

comforts of their homes. This newfound appreciation, however, does not encourage complacency, and instead urges students to actively reach out to Cambodia—the focus of this year’s philanthropy.

“[Silent Vigil] makes you thankful for where you’re living,” senior Blanca Ramirez said. “You’re grateful for what you have, but you also want other people to have what you have.”

A Colorful Representation (RIGHT): YPW’s mural contrasts the slums of Cambodia with a beautiful dancer.

Club

Jordan Reyes

Film Club officials discuss the club’s purpose and addresses common misconceptions

Though well known around campus, Film Club is often subject to certain misconceptions, particularly regarding what goes on at its meetings. However, CoPresidents Marisol Sierra and Victoria Sevilla aim to break such misconceptions by laying out their goals for the club.

Sierra, an avid film lover, made the decision to create the club last year, as she was dissatisfied with the lack of an artistic pathway offered within the academic curriculum.

“I’m really into film, and I figured there were others students at Oxford that felt the same way,” Sierra said. “We have a club for the health pathway and business pathway, but like there isn’t really one for entertainment. So we just wanted to create a club that allowed students to express their artistic vision though the medium of film.”

The objective of Film Club,

therefore, is not simply to watch movies. Each film that is watched is carefully chosen in order to educate club members on filmmaking techniques.

“We tell them how [each movie] relates to film making,” Sierra said. “Like we say ‘notice how the music in this scene adds to the drama’ or ‘notice the camera angle’ and then we teach them how to mimic it when making movies.”

One of film club’s major goals is to have different teams in the club come together and create their own films.

“Our goal is for our members to learn how a film is created both in a technical and artistic way.

“We want to achieve this by doing guild activities, watching films, et cetera. Our main goal is to prepare all members to break off into smaller guilds and produce their own

films for our OA Film Fest,” Sierra said.

Film Club’s major event for the year is to organize an Oxford Film Festival. The Festival will feature student-made films, and a panel of judges will vote to determine the best productions.

“The films are created by Oxford students, and we welcome those who aren’t in the club so they can see what they can be doing, too,” Sevilla said. “It would also be really fun to see what their friends made.”

Students have generally had a positive reaction to the new club. Film Club experienced a high amount of student interest when it was first introduced.

“When I heard about the club,” member Philip Corachea said, “I was excited about it, because I love making films as a hobby, and I was happy that there would be a club for film making.”

Despite high interest in the beginning stages of the club, member turnout decreased but has since remained at a steady thirty or so members.

“When we had Friday meetings, our room was so full people had to sit on counters,” Sierra said. “But since we moved it to Tuesdays there’s only about thirty, maybe.”

The members they currently have, however, are excited about their upcoming film project. They have already begun discussing ideas for their first film as a club.

“We are currently working on a movie with the screenwriters. I can’t reveal too much on the film because not even I know what it’s going to be about,” Sierra said. “There are too many distinct ideas from ‘Checkers: The Movie’ to a film about a friendly train engine named Timmy.”

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December 2, 2011

Op-Ed

theGAMUT

To Hit or Not to Hit Christine Kim

As children learn behaviors, they are often rewarded or punished in accordance with their actions.

It is not uncommon that rude language or disobedience may warrant a smack on the bottom. In legalese, spanking, smacking, caning, and other such physical forms of discipline are called corporal punishment, which is legal in domestic situations for all states.

Surprisingly, corporal punishment is still allowed in public schools, albeit restricted to twenty one states. In fact, 65% of American parents approve of domestic corporal punishment, according to a poll by ABC News.

Of course, the physical method of reprimanding a child is not without advantages. For domestic discipline, it provides immediate compliance. In the case of educational discipline, it consumes less time and money than a detention program would.

When carefully regulated and used sparingly, corporal punishment is an effective last resort for behavioral correction.

But it is precisely the lack of regulation and control that makes corporal punishment dangerous.

The boundary between abuse and punishment is not clear enough, giving parents too much disciplinary power.

For example, a recent viral video released by Hillary Adams shows her father, a family law judge, beating a teenage Adams with a belt for downloading illegal music. The use of a belt for intense beating on a sixteen year old is not illegal, as there is no comprehensive definition of corporal punishment under U.S. state or federal law.

The border between severe corporal punishment and child abuse has become a hazy grey area. Without situational guidelines advocating

and outlawing specific procedures, discipline can be excessive, leading to abuse.

Without clear standards, corporal punishment can go too far. For example, the controversial To Train Up a Child by Tennessee pastor Michael Pearl recommends the systematic use of “the rod” to teach children to submit to authority.

Although Pearl might have had good intentions in writing the book, it can easily be misinterpreted as a justification for beating one’s children.

The misinterpretation of this manual has caused the recent deaths of three children, as well as the hospitalization of a fourth. For example, advice that “a little fasting is good training” inspired Larry and Carri Williams to deprive their children for days at a time and whip them, leaving marks on their legs. Their eleven-year-old daughter Hana was found in the family’s backyard naked, emaciated, and dead from hypothermia and malnutrition.

When it comes to effectiveness, such drastic or ritualistic use of corporal punishment fails to teach children right from wrong.

This also undermines the convenience of a method that should only be a last resort.

In this way, children will misbehave when their parents are not present to administer punishment. By promoting violence as an appropriate method of communication, corporal punishment cannot correct behavior.

In addition to failing as a disciplinary method, corporal punishment infringes on the rights of children and in extreme cases, dehumanizes them by taking away their sense of dignity.

It is an unethical system based on fear.

Illustration by Carol Lee Using brute force on a child for convenience is degrading, especially since children feel humiliated after physical punishment. Enlightenment thinker John Locke holds that the mind is a tabula rasa, or blank slate until sensations and experiences forge an identity. If violence becomes part of a child’s blank slate, the child’s character and future will reflect that.

Ideally, discipline should be a learning process in which parents mentor their children as the role models they are meant to be.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child offers insight on

the proper way to discipline children.

Behavioral correction must start with the child’s understanding of their wrongdoing and with respect for the child’s rights.

Perhaps someday, the United States will follow the examples of the twenty-two European countries that have banned corporal punishment altogether. But even as the American majority is reluctant to ban domestic corporal punishment, the United States should clearly define restrictions for corporal punishment in homes to protect children as much as possible.

Leases on Marriage David Pham

A new bill proposed in Mexico would drastically alter Mexico City’s civil code in the hopes of decreasing the divorce rate in the country. If the renewable marriage bill passes, couples will have the option of placing term limits on their contracts. In this “testing-the-waters” situation, couples can attempt to share marital duties for a minimum trial period of two years and simply divorce if the marriage does not work out.

Let’s say a similar bill was passed here in America. It is true that divorce rates in both Mexico and the United States have skyrocketed for the past decade. High divorce rates raise both legal and moral problems for the American family. They not only clog an already over-burdened legal system, but also induce emotional pain and financial expenses for the family. The heart of the problem with divorce, however, lies in American society’s morals, not its legal system.

The only way to fix high divorce rates

is to change society’s perception of marriage in the twenty-first century and the “throwaway culture” emphasized in the American media.

First of all, the proposed bill only simplifies marriage into a financial contract. It allows couples to pre-plan how they would budget their money on marital duties such as childcare. However, the financial problems of marriage are insignificant in determining the likelihood of divorce when compared to the strength of the couple’s bond and willingness to cooperate.

The marriage leases allocated by the bill are unnecessary because dating and engagement periods already allow sufficient time for couples to decide if they want to spend the rest of their lives together.

Even worse, if renewable marriages become the norm in our legal system, they would reinforce the decline of marriage’s moral significance in today’s society. The

proposed bill attempts to fix the practical, fiscal side of marriage, but leaves the underlying moral issues of marriage unresolved.

The bill would not only neglect to rectify these moral problems, but also reinforce today’s split-family culture by encouraging short-term relationships. Children would be most affected by parents who fail to form long-lasting marriages. In separated families, children often feel pressured to choose between two different households. Furthermore, if divorced parents enter new relationships, the children may have difficulty accepting the new spouse. Without witnessing a loving relationship between their parents, children may develop a disillusioned attitude towards relationships as a whole.

Whether religious or not, almost everyone agrees that marriage is a serious topic and that couples should carefully consider this path before they tie the knot. But if this bill

were to pass, it would only reinforce society’s moral decline and devalue marriage. Couples should already know if they are meant for each other well before they get married.

Proponents of the bill advocate that, if passed, the bill would insulate couples from the expense and emotional pain of divorce by anticipating it early, but the legislation fails to reduce divorce cases while maintaining a moral standard for family relationships.

Ultimately, it boils down to our morals, which government cannot change with a bill or new law. The increasing influences of pop culture and trivialization of marriage and love in media shows that the problem with divorce lies not in our legal system but in our own morals. We have to revisit our own morals and fix them before we can reinstate stable family relationships in today’s society.

December 2, 2011

Op-Ed

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theGAMUT

National Insecurity Kevin Luong

For decades, Sesame Street has permeated the minds of inner city and suburban children alike, teaching them letters, numbers, and the value of education. It is one of the stronger media forces in children’s television, being broadcasted on public programming throughout the entire country. Thus, it was no surprise that the introduction of a new Muppet character drew attention from news sources and think tanks. Lily, a pink, energetic Muppet whose family struggles with food insecurity, was brought to life in a special episode, entitled “Growing Hope Against Hunger.”

Lily’s uniqueness as a television character points to a deficiency of media coverage related to poverty.

Her specific problem, however, may not be the most prevalent symptom of poverty. According to the Heritage Foundation, only four percent of poor American children have actually experienced food shortage. On the other hand, according to Feeding America, 14.6 percent of Americans have food insecurity, or the potential for food shortage. Looking at these statistics, the ambiguity of “food insecurity” weakens Lily’s message.

At the same time, Lily’s message brings attention to other more important problems associated with poverty: lack of proper education, the absence of opportunity, and discrimination.

Too often today, the media simply passes over these issues. For instance, coverage of the economy usually focuses on the decline of the middle class

rather than the continuing suffering of the impoverished. According to Pew Research, the second most covered issue in July was the News of the World Hacking and the third the heat wave.

It needs to cover these issues hidden beneath the suburban lawns of America, no matter how “un-newsworthy” editors and media managers may deem them.

Lily provides an important addition to a street that those in need can relate to. To kids, she is just like the other Muppets, yet suffers from her own unique problem. She tackles a tough issue with pink cheerfulness.

Perhaps her mission could be slightly altered, to address all the problems of those in poverty and the lower class,

rather than just to reflect a problem that only plagues a small--though still significant--percentage of children.

Her message would be far more powerful if she encompassed multiple problems of poverty, rather than just one. Sesame Street has the potential to inform an entire generation about the plight of their fellow citizens.

Illustration by Carol Lee

Essential Paraphernalia for College Applicants Yvonne Ng

As the first wave of admission decisions approaches for seniors applying early to college, it’s easy to forget that colleges judge personality as much as academic merit.

One seldom mentioned reason for the rigor of admissions is that colleges don’t want students to feel pressured in an environment that doesn’t suit them. At the same time, it’s almost impossible for colleges to ensure the applicants they accept would be happy on their campuses, even with more personalized application materials like interviews and essays. As a result, students must consider how well the colleges they apply to fit their personalities rather than the colleges’ prestige and reputation.

Unfortunately, it’s hard for some students to place this consideration first in an academic culture labeling the Ivy Leagues as the best possible option for highachievers. Rather than considering their interests and career goals

realistically, students often fall for the Sirens’ call of unreasonable perfectionism—a significant factor behind mental illness and depression among many bright college students.

This is partly why more than 1000 suicides occur on college campuses each year, with prestigious colleges like MIT and Cornell University having become notorious in this respect. Of course, teenage suicide and depression is a complex issue with many causes difficult to discern.

Social isolation and relationship problems with family, friends, boyfriends, and girlfriends often contribute to depression along with feelings of personal inadequacy.

But for bright college students used to feeling the adrenaline rush of achievement, the challenges they face at highprofile colleges can undoubtedly be a hard blow to self-esteem. Even the top students today will someday face obstacles to internships, medical school, law school, or other

competitive programs he or she plans to pursue.

These students quickly learn that academic pride is a flimsy piece of equipment that will falter against the turbulent seas of college, where even the best get bested in their fields.

That is not to say, however, that students should not apply to more selective colleges.

Unfortunately, an important trait that not all of these applicants have is the ability to deal with inevitable roadblocks in their academic and professional lives. A support network of friends, family, mentors, and counselors is, of course, essential paraphernalia for dealing with challenges.

But unfortunately relationships are not always the most enduring—they can’t always support the high-achieving student suddenly pulled down by impediments in their academic careers.

Since relationships can only do so much, students must rely on a more durable tool—a

creative outlet for escaping from the culture of competition.

Life simply becomes more valuable for students who would eagerly spend hours on drawing a sketch, practicing an instrument, working out a math problem, or writing a short story. For these students, the usually definition of achievement and failure becomes irrelevant the moment they start engrossing themselves in their creations.

In regards to college, the trick to a meaningful experience is to find the right environment for fashioning these quirks and obsessions into what is called a career.

Applying to colleges doesn’t mean trying to get an acceptance letter from high-profile colleges for an adrenaline rush.

Ultimately, the only tool students can always depend on is the wisdom to consider their happiness first, and the socially defined ideals of success and prestige last.

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December 2, 2011

A&E

theGAMUT

Live Review: Crystal Castles Hanna Jeong

Crystal Castles is a Toronto-based punk-synth band known for its chaotic live shows.

Composed of producer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass, this experimental duo stands out from the rest of the typical boy-girl acts as they effortlessly churn out original, danceable tunes with elements of punk and noise rock. Taking inspirations from AIDS Wolf, New Order, and Death From Above 1979, Crystal Castles’s music attacks the ears with lo-fi, distorted vocals and a flurry of synth beats reminiscent of 80’s arcade games.

Crystal Castles’s success is largely the product of the Internet generation. Singer Glass’s secretly recorded mic check was laid over a sample track and titled “Alice Practice.” This track, which spread like wildfire through media sharing sites like MySpace, ultimately launched their career. Crystal Castles’s origins may have been purely accidental, but it has established itself as a dedicated band with the release of the albums Crystal Castles and Crystal Castles II. With just two studio albums and a handful of singles, the band has demonstrated an ability produce a wide range of sound; they can craft addictive, soothing pop tunes like “Celestica” and “Not In Love” just as well as harsh, abrasive cacophonies such as “Birds” and “Mother Knows Best.” Along with establishing a rapidly growing fan base, Crystal Castles has a tendency to ignite controversy. Alice Glass’s on-stage antics during the Glastonbury Festival in 2008 forced security to shut down their set early; such an incident hints at the band’s reputation as a must-see live act.

After seeing their brief set at Coachella earlier this year, I was eager to experience them up close at a smaller venue. The Galaxy Concert Theater in Santa Ana provided a dark, intimate

ELECTRIFYING (CENTER): Crystal Castles performs at The Galaxy Concert Theater on Oct 26. atmosphere, with no rails to separate the band from the desperate hands of the crowd. The majority of attendees consisted of excitementdeprived teens anxious to escape the mundane suburbia just for a night. Waiting in line, several enthusiastically began prepping for the show with consumption of alcohol and certain illegal

hallucinogens. Everyone came dressed in black head to toe; this uniform was news to me as I stuck out of the crowd like a sore thumb, having come dressed in obnoxious shades of red and orange.

The crowd begins to grow restless after waiting through the opening acts, and the

air buzzes with anticipation as the crowd begins to chant the band’s name. Loud cheers erupt as Crystal Castles finally enter the stage. With first few bleeps of “Intimate,” the crowd suddenly turns into a pack of uncontrollable animals, climbing on top of each other to be closer to the stage. Heart-attack inducing strobe lights flash as thick smoke engulfs the stage, synth beats blare at an unbelievable volume, and vibrations sweep through the mass of sweatslicked, dancing bodies. Having meekly entered the stage, Alice Glass assumes a fierce persona and transforms into a hysteric, wailing banshee.

The crowd watches mesmerized as Glass skips, twirls, and thrashes wildly about. Her whispers turn to shrieks as a song dissolves and another starts. She riles the crowd, spitting out whiskey and blowing clouds of marijuana smoke into a few lucky mouths. Security must wage a tug-owar with the aggressive crowd and beg them to let go every time Alice fearlessly dives into the pit. A hoodie obscuring his face, Ethan avoids the spotlight, standing in the darkened corner punching out beats and pounding the synth with minimal movement.

After an encore of “Doe Deer,” “Untrust Us,” and “I Am Made of Chalk,” the band abruptly stops and crawls back to the darkness. Crystal Castles notoriously remains mysterious offstage; interaction with the crowd remains purely physical, the band enters and exits the stage without a single greeting or acknowledgement of the fans. This cold, apathetic attitude ultimately leaves the crowd hungrier and more desperate to be part of the whole “Crystal Castles” experience.

The place begins to empty itself out. Sweaty bodies shuffle out slowly; in hoarse voices they compare fresh bruises and brag about how long they were able to hold onto Alice.

A Show Stopping Performance Dustin Nguyen

“Can we get a drum roll please?” said ASB Senate President Brian Han moments before announcing this year’s talent show winner: Brian Chen.

On Thursday night November 10th, a passionate performance on the piano landed first place for the freshman contestant. With the effort required of auditions and a week of rehearsal, Chen’s success was well warranted.

“I usually practice one and half to two

hours every day. I practice three hours a day on weekends,” Chen said.

Pitted against thirteen other acts in the show, including three other piano acts, Chen stood out as the most skilled on the instrument.

Chen also faced dance numbers, musical performances, and comedy acts.

“I’m confident after playing many sets, but before the talent show I hadn’t played [in a while],” Chen said. “I felt a little nervous before

the talent show.”

All of the contestants were tough competition; regardless, Chen stood out.

In the midst of a dark room and a crowd still settling down from a playful Harry Potter introduction, the curtains pulled back and lights focused on center stage. Applause and whoops from the crowd greeted a suited young man and a shiny piano, both in deep black. The audience turned their attention to the last contestant of the night. As the last act of the fourteen total contestants, Chen’s performance was the showstopper.

Chen rapidly attacked the keys, only leaving perfect notes in his wake. A rendition of Rachmaninoff’s “Musical Moment No. 4” went from high to low and back again in a matter of a breath; Chen’s fast paced accuracy blew away the crowd and the judges. Then he started to use his other hand.

As if to hide his true potential, Chen would play with only one hand in the midst of transition without missing a beat. The entire Kennedy auditorium resounded with the music of the piano. At times, Chen would slam down on the keys, jerking his entire body with true artistic passion. He played with confidence as he struck the keys down with full force.

The rollercoaster ride of music came to a grand finale as Chen slid his hands down the keys and brought his hands down on one final chord. Chen stood up from his seat, faced the audience head on, and took a bow as the lights went out. Cheers followed him into the dark.

After moments of deliberation from the judges, two special performances, and many

thanks to those who set up the show, the results were in. In third place was the group, Paolo’s Angels, who put on a reenactment of a skit from The Whitest Kids You Know. Second was Gloria Kim, who sang a strong cover of Skyscraper

by Demi Levato. Finally, Brian Chen’s piano performance took it all.

“Even with a busy Oxford schedule, I make time for the piano,” Chen said. “I feel honored and lucky for winning.”

This is not the first time Chen has tasted victory. The then 7th grader took home first place in the Oxford Academy talent show two years ago for a similar act. Outside of the talent show, Chen has shown skill in international piano playing competitions.

“I go to competitions three to four times a year. I got honorable mentions at the Los Angeles Liszt Competition.” Chen said.

Chen has undoubtedly grown over the years since he began playing the piano.

“I started playing piano at six years old,” Chen said. “It came naturally, definitely naturally. All you have to do is get the basics out really well at first.”

Future applicants of the talent show should be wary of the standard set by Chen.

Towards the end of talent show he took center stage for the second time that night, proudly holding his giant $200 check in one hand and the “Goblet of Talent” in the other.

WINNER OF THE TALENT SHOW (LEFT): Performer Brian Chen holds up his prize.

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A&E

December 2, 2011

theGAMUT

The Other “F” Word Carol Lee

Photo courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories

“A little anarchy can be a lifechanging experience,” reads the tag line for The Other F Word. For punk rock veterans, anarchy was not supposed to come in the form of dirty diapers and floors littered with toys. As reassuring as it is to hear Tom Waits and The Ramones proclaim “I don’t wanna grow up,” it’s inevitable that every rebellious youth subculture will eventually grow up and join the system. But what exactly happens to when graying punk rockers encounter the other F word—fatherhood?

Punk rock exploded as a subculture and lifestyle to solve both the morally bankrupt mainstream culture and the soporific lethargy of the 60s ever since it body-slammed itself into existence in the 1970s, shocking parents and seducing teens with its raw energy and anti-establishment

vernacular. The best bands enthralled their audiences with careening charm; the worst served as a reminder of punk’s radically democratic, DIY ethos. But it also presents special challenges to those who attempt to study it: it has been associated with a bewildering array of ideologies, traditions, and values. Punk rock is a jungle of bedeviling contradictions, a culture that refuses definition, rejects method, and denies expertise. Documentaries focusing on the punk rock lifestyle, however, appear to thrive on contradictions of the subculture, between the impositions of storytelling and the desire to analyze and interpret, between the obstinate reality they purport to capture and their necessarily limited means.

Penelope Spheeris’ Decline of Western Civilization captures a

groundbreaking moment in history before the punk rock movement became completely “market-worthy”—when bands would play in dingy clubs to an audience that had as much self-respect for themselves as they had for the bands. It embraces the raw, furious screeds of The Germs’ Darby Crash and the crudeness of Fear’s Lee Ving. Decline of Western Civilization compiles numerous viewpoints on the meanings of the punk rock movement, revealing articulation of whys and wherefores of their lifestyle.

What comes through most strongly is the lucid commitment to the punk ethos: instead of burning out, the punk tribe splintered in spectacular fashion during the ’80s, spawning innumerable local scenes around the world and mutating at the steady clip required to be seen as an amorphous, enduring force in broader culture. The culture formed a patchwork of attitudes and competing ideas that permeated not just music, but art, literature, and film.

Another State of Mind, which features the bands Social Distortion and Youth Brigade touring in a dilapidated school bus, presents an informative sociological look in the youth subculture—were these kids simply the “flower children” of the 80s, or did were they a breed fueled by a violent strain of Reagan-era nihilism? Previous interviews feature the varying ideologies and ethos of some of the quasi-idols of L.A.’s punk scum, some dead, some living, some hard-working in the scene.

The Other F Word prompts older and wiser participants to deconstruct their early punk attitudes, leading to a penetrating cultural breakdown that invokes Watergate, soaring divorce rates, and other downers of the era as the seeds of their institutional disdain. Watching foul-mouthed, tattooed punk rockers fit themselves into Ward Cleaver’s smoking jacket provides some consistently hilarious situational comedy, but the film’s deeper journey into a generation of artists making

amends for their broken homes could strike a resonant note for anyone who has stumbled into family life. Some, including The Adolescents’ Tony Adolescent, returned to the working world, compartmentalizing their wild youths as a part of the past. Others, including Jim Lindberg of Pennywise and Fat Mike of NOFX, are forced to live as spectral versions of their younger selves, torn between the desire to settle down with their families and the financial necessity of touring.

The Other F Word captures an acute picture of situational absurdity: it’s a shock to the system to see Ron Reyes, former singer of Black Flag, one of the notorious anarchic scene leaders, carting his van full of kids around Canada. The silly fish-outof-water absurdities and domestic ironies of rock ‘n’ roll fatherhood continue with that game of catch with a dirty diaper, or the kid getting reprimanded for use of the word “turdface.”(Quick cut to Papa in concert, shrieking, “F- you all!”). The shock value continues throughout, as Nevins’ checkered subjects perceive their dive into parenthood as the ultimate F-you in a lifetime of punk rock F-you’s.

Epitomizing the future the “No future!” and “Live fast die young!” driven gigs featured in Decline of Western Civilization and Another State of Mind, The Other F Word reveals that punk identity can grow and mature rather than remaining fixated on the limited conceits of raucous youth counterculture. The past figureheads of a raucous youth subculture are now unwitting representatives of a lost generation, with one foot in the punk rock past, the other in a familial future; they are the embodiment of an entire era of fury rolling to its finish line.

DOMESTIC IRONIES OF ROCK ‘N’ FATHERHOOD (TOP): The figureheads of the punk rock subculture steps into a familial future.

Tales For Teens Vincent Nguyen

The Brothers Grimm would probably not recognize the dramatic, gory, and sexualized interpretations of fairy tales today. Two new shows: Once Upon a Time on ABC, and Grimm on NBC especially show how fairy tales have changed over the centuries. Once Upon a Time is intended invoke familiar sentiments and relatable scenarios in its viewers while Grimm uses the tried and true less talking more killing method that action aficionados will enjoy.

Once Upon a Time balances its focus of drama over action by creating a unique plot and setting. The plot revolves around the idea that all the fairy tales take place in one integrated universe. During one of the opening scenes, a wedding between Prince Charming and Snow White, characters like Jiminy Cricket and the Fairy Godmother are seen. Naturally, the Witch comes out of nowhere to crash the wedding and deliver a menacing omen of unhappiness, a rolling black cloud that curses the fairy tale characters and traps them all in the real world. The catch to the curse is that the characters forget that they are fairy tale characters, so they continue

to lead mundane lives in the human world.

The only one not oblivious to this is a young, adopted orphan named Henry (Jared Gilmore). None of the town dwellers believe his fantasies, attributing them to an active imagination. Henry’s birth mother, Emma (Jennifer Morrison), is the protagonist, while his legal mother, The Evil Queen/ Mayor (Lana Parilla), is the antagonist, who poisoned Snow White in the story. Emma learns that her new purpose in life is to deliver all the ignorant fairy tale characters back to their fairy tale paradise. She proves to be a key player by influencing the events in the real world that give the character his/ her fairy tale ending.

Grimm, on the other hand, is a much more relaxing sit back and watch a fearless cop, Nick (David Giuntoli), shoot bad guys kind of show. The back-story here is less intricate, with the main character discovering that he is one of the last Grimms when he realizes that he has the ability to see through the hideous, vicious, and mythical, creatures’ human facades. Nick’s 60 year old aunt, Marie (Kate Burton) who happens to be one of the most feared Grimms, tells

him that it is his job to “hunt down the bad ones”, and then conveniently goes into a coma leaving Nick to deal with his newfound identity by himself. The plot is advanced through a mixture of police investigations, random monster assassination attempts, and Nick’s efforts to keep himself and his loved ones alive while keeping to his ancestral duty by killing things. It has many characteristics of a police show, although the cases are not the focus of the show. Rather, they serve to slowly reveal the mysteries behind the protagonist and the people out to get him.

Although there are only a few episodes out for these two TV series, the distinctions are clear. Once Upon a Time takes the magic of fairy tales and attempts to integrate it into more realistic and relatable modern themes. For example, Emma must deal with the Evil Queen’s/Mayor’s corrupt and authoritarian rule of her city as she struggles to break the curse. It is also a battle between two mothers, giving these characters a level of complexity not found in the original fairy tale versions. Grimm also deals with similar themes and complexity.

Not all monsters in the show are evil. Some pointlessly kill humans, while some are reformed, but generally there is a pretty clear line between the hero and the villain.

After watching a few episodes from both of these shows, similarities emerge in episode structure. Although there is a central plot connecting them, each individual episode in both shows focus on a certain fairy tale character. This is more apparent in Grimm, where each new detective case revolves around unusual deaths caused by a new supernatural being.

Once Upon a Time also loosely follows this format, as each episode focuses on one fairy tale character by paralleling the events in the past life with current progressions the real world. The characters in Once Upon a Time are more plentiful and their stories are more intertwined and complex than the characters in Grimm (probably because in the former show new characters are not usually shot to death like in the latter), but both shows manage to deliver its own appeal. Of course, if you can’t choose between them, there is always the option of just watching both.

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Lifestyle How to Make Bánh Xèo

December 2, 2011

theGAMUT

Vincent Nguyen

Yes, Vietnamese people have food other than pho and spring rolls. Welcome to the wonderful fried, floury bánh xèo, a delicious and filling Vietnamese crêpe that is meant to be eaten for lunch or dinner. It is unlike the sweet French crêpes that most people are familiar with, but it is satisfying entrée that is quick and easy to make. Here are the steps.

4. Pour some of the crêpe batter into a pan and swirl it around to coat the bottom. Add the meat over half of the crêpe and sprinkle the vegetables evenly on top of it. The sizzling noise as the batter cooks is what inspires the name bánh xèo, which is roughly translated to “sizzling cake”.

1. Mix together a bag of special bánh xèo rice flour, turmeric powder, 3 cups of water, 1 cup of coconut milk, and chopped green onion together in a bowl to make the crêpe batter.

The flour and powder are sold together at any Vietnamese supermarket.

5 2. Prepare and stir fry the meaty portion of the stuffing, usually pork and shrimp, with 1 tablespoon of oil and minced scallions and garlic.

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3. Prepare the vegetable portion of the stuffing. Only mung bean sprouts and onions are needed although extra vegetables can be added.

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4 5. Fold the crêpe in half and serve with lettuce. To eat it properly, break off a piece of the crêpe and wrap it in the leaf along with a few leaves of cilantro or mint. Then dip this into watered down fish sauce mixed with lime juice and chili to add a salty, sour, and spicy kick; eat it with soy sauce if you’re not used to the taste of fish sauce. Enjoy eating this delectable.

Protest “Guide” Hanna Jeong

What once started out as New Yorkers protesting against wealthy lobbyists of Wall Street, Occupy Wall Street has sparked numerous inspired protests in various cities.

Rallying cries of “we are the 99 percent” can be heard across the nation, from Occupy Oakland to Occupy Chicago. Protests are a form of selfexpression, and anyone with enough burning passion can form one. In light of all that is happening, here’s how to start your very own protest movement.

First, come up with a cause. Think of the most irksome thing that just has to change.

Ask yourself, “What has simply got to stop?”

The cause can be from the most trivial things to a global issue. Why doesn’t my father ever put Photo courtesy of David Shankbone

the cap back on the toothpaste tube? Why are corporations so greedy and evil? Anger, whether it is blind fury or mild irritation, must serve as the main motivator for the protest. Whatever gets you mad goes.

Then, gather the people. Assembling the allies can take a few days or even months, depending on the urgency of the cause. Abuse the power of the Internet if you must. You hit the jackpot if you have a college nearby; campuses are swarming with permanentlypassionate student activists. Pass out fliers at the local farmer’s market; hippies are absolutely essential for a protest to function smoothly. Visit underground vegan cafes to gather some of the “alternative” crowd. Persuade bystanders to join

your cause; appeal to them, “what if your father never closes the toothpaste cap and germs get in and it could possibly kill you and your whole family?” or “what are these greedy corporate pigs doing while we slave and toil away for minimum wage?”

To attract attention, make lots of signs! Signs are perhaps the most important aspect of a protest. In order to get media coverage, a protest must have eye-catching signs. The wittier it is, the more you can wave it furiously at the reporter and the cameraman.

Write it in a bright red to emphasize your rage.

Use cardboard if you must, but remember, the quality of your posterboard shows your level of dedication to the protest. Put disturbing

pictures, unproven statistics, and altered Bible verses. Extra points if you can Photoshop your opponent’s face onto a picture of the devil, an irrelevant animal, or a terrorist.

To draw even more attention, perform dramatic demonstrations. PETA supporter’s trademark demonstration is public nudity. The advocates of marijuana legalization opt for civil disobedience by openly blazing in public. Radical eco-terrorists go as far as to set fire to car dealerships to “protect the environment.” Sit-ins are the most common, and little energy is required.

Tie a piece of cloth around your head, grab a megaphone, and rant at the top of your lungs.

Sure self-mutilation or destruction will get attention, but is it really necessary?

It is important to note that you must always be ready for opposition. Violence may or may not occur. Just in case, be prepared for tear gas bombs, plastic bullets, and the riot squad to come marching and arrest all of your protest buddies. Don’t feel bad if a cop shot at you even though you didn’t do anything wrong; just sit back and proudly take in the chaos you helped create. If the National Guard has to be brought in, someone up high has heard you.

Finally, evaluate. Determine the success of your protest. How many hash tags did it get on Twitter? Are there any good photos of you online? How many bloggers and journalists are writing about it? If your protest has its own Wikipedia article on it, give yourself a pat on the back. Now really, really think about it. Did it change anything?

WE ARE THE 99% (left): Unions march in Occupy Wall Street.

Lifestyle

December 2, 2011

Walking Into Watson’s Dustin Nguyen

Your classic 50’s diner with a twist

Located not far from the Glassell and Chapman roundabout famously titled the Orange Circle, Watson’s Drug & Soda Fountain at first glance appears to be a normal eatery without any outstanding features. A brick exterior with large windows allowed me to catch a glimpse of the inside. When I first happened upon the restaurant, I was simply looking to grab a bite before heading home. As I walked inside the restaurant, however, I was in for a big surprise.

Watson’s is no ordinary restaurant.

Half convenience store, half diner, the establishment is divided right in the center by a wall of candy and old-timey merchandise. To the left of the wall are dining tables with red and white picnic covers. To the right is a drug store filled with candy, a bakery, and convenience store goodies, looking like an entirely different building altogether.

License plates from all fifty states shine on the wall above the entrance as customers walk in. Decked out with model

airplanes, television show posters, and other past memorabilia forgotten over the years of technological brainwash, Watson’s embodies a world that once was. Even a working jukebox plays oldies at the front of the store. Behind the bar counter, cheerful waiters and waitresses dressed in red and white striped uniforms are ready to serve. After enjoying a meal, customers can take home souvenirs of colorful candies and sodas whose brand names are now unrecognizable.

Its atmosphere alone would trump many restaurants, but nobody goes out simply to enjoy sitting down; they go out for food.

Watson’s faithfully delivers. As a soda fountain, Watson’s is well known for their shakes and malts with flair of the 50’s. Retro root beer floats, strawberry milkshakes, and banana splits line the menu for customers to indulge in. Customers have the option of enjoying their food at the bar, seated inside the store, or outside with the rest of Old Towne Orange.

The classic combo of burgers, fries,

and malts are all offered as nostalgic heroes of past burger joints. As if the restaurant was actually independent of time, the large portions are completely unaffected by the economy. My friend and I were able to split a Portobello mushroom burger, seasoned curly fries, and a fresh vanilla malt between the both of us for a little over ten dollars, and we were both quite satiated by the end.

The burger came with the works and a meaty taste. Unlike fast food burgers who claim to have meat, Watson’s burgers have a full patty with all of the flavor. The highlight of the meal was the malt to finish it off. The creamy, refreshing vanilla was exceptionally sweet and tasted better than the mass produced In-N-Out milkshakes. The malt was more than just stirred up ice cream, it was rich with vanilla flavor and was smooth until the end.

Unlike grandiose franchise diners such as Johnny Rockets or Ruby’s, the store stands alone as a product of its own pride.

With small, overpriced portions, Jonny Rockets cannot compare to the value and quality of Watson’s. Ruby’s diner may deliver the food, but every establishment is packed; its service does not match the cozy comfort of Watson’s diner, with a cheerful staff who delivers food quickly.

Watson’s helps people remember a simpler time, one with good food and dessert.

It is a safe haven for all vintage foodies and anybody looking for a unique dining experience. Watson’s delivers the experience for those who were born too late to enjoy the 50’s. Although the time has passed on these historic diners, Watson’s remains open now in the 21st century. kid,” she said.

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theGAMUT THE MIXTAPE PROGRESSIVE ROCK

Song: Hoppípolla Artist: Sigur Ros Album: Takk...

Lyric: Brosandi / Smiling Hendumst í hringi (Spinning round and round) /Höldumst í hendur (Holding hands) /Allur heimurinn óskýr (The whole world a blur)/nema þú stendur (But you are standing) Description: A beautiful song representative of Sigur Ros’s iconic whimsical sound and lyrics.

Song: Your Hand in Mine Artist: Explosions in the sky Album: The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place Lyric: Instrumental Description: More post-rock, a derivative of prog rock, the song is an amazing, emotional example of what can be created only with a few instruments.

Song: Us and Them Artist: Pink Floyd Album: Pulse Lyric: Us and Them/And after all we’re only ordinary men/Me, and you/God only knows it’s not what we would choose to do Description: From one of the masters of psychedelic and progressive rock comes a song that embodies the style and jazz influences of progressive rock Song: All I Need Artist: Radiohead Album: In Rainbows Lyric: I’m the next act/Waiting in the wings /I’m an animal/Trapped in your hot car Description: This demonstrates the influence of progressive rock today, which pairs wonderfully with Thom Yorke’s crooning

RETRO RESTAURANT (LEFT): A jukebox welcomes customers to as they walk into the store.

Acupressure Carol Lee

For an ancient Chinese custom that causes patients to resemble roadkilled porcupines splayed beneath the moon, acupuncture is surprisingly popular these days. America’s growing interest in alternative medicine and the quasi endorsement of the Food and Drug Administration (which took acupuncture’s extra-fine needles off its list of “experimental” medical devices in 1996) have helped create a sharp spike in demand for the prickly procedure. An increasing number of Americans are willing to become human pincushions for complaints ranging from gallstones to migraines to allergies to lower back pain. In fact, even dogs and horses are trotting off to see their acupuncturists. Acupuncture is becoming more widely accepted by doctors and health insurance companies for treating patients who find standard treatments inadequate, but there still remains a mystique about acupuncture.

The concepts of the internal and external environments are crucial to the philosophy of traditional Asian medicine. According to its theories,

the human body encloses a perpetual flow of bioenergy, or life-force, called “chi”. It flows into the body and along pathways called “meridians,” influencing the functioning of all the organs. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we remain healthy when the flow balances internally and externally, and become ill when external or internal events disturb the flow.

An important aspect of TCM is the concept of energy meridians and acupressure points. These acupoints are active points that affect the body or mind when stimulated. The usual form of stimulation in Traditional Chinese Medicine is inserting thin needles into the points and leaving them there for about 20 minutes. A simpler form of acupoint stimulation is acupressure, which can be practiced virtually by anyone without studying TCM. In acupressure, the same acupoints are stimulated using pressure in lieu of needle insertion, which makes it more accessible to general population without having the look of porcupine road kill.

Feeling Nauseous?

Acupoint P6, located between the tendons in the middle of the wrist, is known to control nausea. It’s the reason commercial anti-seasickness wristbands work.

Yawning control The next time you have trouble stifling a yawn during yet another mind-numbing PowerPoint, clasp your hands together, so that the pointer finger of one hand is resting on the top portion of the wrist on the other hand. Press your thumb down on the inside of the palm and slide your hands apart. Continue to apply pressure to the top of the wrist until the need to yawn subsides.

Claustrophobia If you’re ever trapped in an elevator, apply pressure for 15 to 30 seconds on each side of your inner wrist.

The belief is that a treatment, such as acupuncture, can have a powerful effect on the mind.

It is difficult to study the physiological mechanisms of acupuncture, as the placebo effect is strong and the pain relief it provides is real. The body’s response to stabbing needles and pressure points evokes physiological responses in the nerves and brain, but ultimately the psychological perception of reduced pain may be the most influential force.

Perhaps the largest difficulty in the popularization of acupuncture is determining whether the ancient practice is simply a mind game or effective medicine.

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December 2, 2011

theFort�

theGAMUT

RELAXATION SENSATION 101 WAYS (OR LESS) TO DE-STRESS // HANNA JEONG

Winter months can be full of fun and excitement: sleeping in, having family reunions, taking a break from school, enjoying the sweater weather, and eating extravagant full course meals on every approaching holiday. But don’t look only on the bright side; be realistic. Beneath all that fun, stress levels are increasing. One can only put up with his or her nagging family and overwhelming relatives for so long. The house that’s been empty and quiet for half a year is bustling with activity.

The list of presents to buy is long, but the budget is tight. Walk through a mall and it is easy to notice that there are more worried faces than merry ones. The sly consumerism market further fuels the pain by offering blowout sales, Black Friday, pre-Christmas sales, post-Christmas sales, New Year’s sales, and so on, tainting the name of any other available holiday to get you to buy stuff. Your mother feels obligated to attend every single one of these bargains and guilt trips you (“We don’t spend any time together, you’ve been so busy with school!”) into being her right-hand man. Seniors, in addition to all these immediate concerns, have their future to worry about. Deadlines for applications and supplements and impending interviews fill a senior with anxiety and can possibly bring about an existential crisis. Soon your head will be spinning with the thoughts of “Kwanzaa Sale? Nothing is sacred anymore,” “I wish my uncle would stop stinking up the restroom,” or “Did I really waste six years of my life at this school?” As a student, shopper, family member, and possibly a college-doomed senior, you need to manage your stress levels. Learn to relax and let go once in a while. Here we offer methods, some affordable, effective, or ridiculous, to combat stress caused by the season of joy.

1)Breathing exercises 2)Change your appearance; dye your hair a funky color 3)Make playlists according to your mood 4)Play childhood games: handball, tetherball, Chinese jump rope, kickball 5)Have a marathon of your favorite TV show and pig out on ice cream 6)Take a nap (for 30 minutes or even 12 hours!)

7)Buy your favorite candy bar and savor it very, very slowly.

8)Look through a magazine while playing “If I had a million dollars…”

9)Daydream and make a bucket list 10)Write cheesy or angsty poetry 11)Clean out closet and donate unwanted clothes to Goodwill 12)Find a smell you love and breathe it in deeply 13)Take a hot bath (bubbles optional) 14)Learn to say “no” and refuse people 15)Flirt with that one cute girl/guy you see everyday 16)Volunteer for your community 17)Take the public bus and go without a destination 18)Use your pillow as a punching bag 19)Call a friend and vent 20)Yoga and meditation 21)Watch funny YouTube videos 22)Don’t feel overwhelmed; make a to-do list and do one at a time 23)Visit a shooting range or a batting cage 24)Paint or draw 25)Get a neck/back massage 26)Read articles on humor websites like The Onion or Cracked.com 27)Crank up the stereo and drive aimlessly 28)Experience nature; go to a park and take a walk 29)Sing loudly and obnoxiously in the shower 30)Have a chat with your funniest friend 31)Spend some quality family time 32)Write a journal entry and rant 33)De-clutter and clean your room (or mess it up) 34)Visit your old elementary school and play on the playground 35)Go to a library and smell books (borrowing some too!)

36)Find an isolated area and scream, curse, wail at the top of your lungs 37)Get an unwanted item and destroy it until you’re satisfied 38)Perform a random act of kindness for a stranger 39)Drink something hot and soothing, like coffee or herbal tea 40)Play an instrument 41)Read Dr. Seuss books and other childhood favorites 42)Sit in a spinning chair and spin, spin, spin 43)Take a walk at midnight 44)Watch Miyazaki films and other Japanese animations 45)Flip aimlessly through the TV channels until you find something you like 46)Cook/bake and leave the dishes for the next day 47)Complain and vent to an inanimate object 48)Knit or sew

De -stress Playlist

courtesy of Stella Jeong Some soul, jazz, classic rock, and electronic drum and beat Mika – Relax, Take It Easy (Raymond Loewy Remix) Feist - My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Remix) Netsky – Take It Easy Augusto Pablo – Take It Easy King Harvest’s – Take It Easy Mad Lion – Take It Easy Foghat – Slow Ride Truck Stop – Take It Easy Altes Haus Jorge Ben - Take It Easy My Brother Charles Duke Ellington – Take It Easy Eagles – Take It Easy Surfer Blood - Take It Easy 49)Make a voodoo doll and torture it until satisfied 50)Rainymood.com!

51)Go people watching 52)Look through DIY blogs and make something new 53)Pig out on junk food without feeling guilty 54)Clean out your email inbox 55)Throw a party 56)Crash a party 57)Have a pity party 58)Have a bash party 59)Go to a junkyard with a bat 60)Cuddle with your dog/cat/hamster/snake/fish 61)Give yourself a mini spa treatment 62)Go to a mall and window shop 63)Browse through online shops; make yourself a wish list 64)Karaoke night with friends 65)Watch stupid reality TV shows and make fun of the cast 66)Chick flick marathon (tissue box optional) 67)Google image hot celebrities 68)Go for a midnight/early morning jog 69)Read travel guides and plan a dream vacation 70)Play videogames/shooting games 71)Paintball or laser tag 72)Doodle to your heart’s content 73)Pop bubble wrap 74)Facebook stalk friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers 75)Give yourself a makeover 76)Redecorate your room and rearrange furniture 77)Pull a prank on your most gullible friend 78)Write a hate letter (We don’t recommend sending it) 79)Make a bonfire and burn old homework 80)Read old diary entries and laugh at yourself 81)Feed pigeons at the park 82)Run away from the waves at the beach 83)Mutilate an old stuffed animal 84)Lie down in a fetal position and rock back and forth 85)Try on expensive clothes at a boutique (it doesn’t cost a cent!)

86)Chocolate therapy 87)Take pictures of everything you find beautiful 88)Aromatherapy; light some candles and relax 89)Make some prank calls 90)Video chat with a friend who’s far away (or three feet away) 91)Sit on top of a roof and look at the stars 92)Befriend a stranger, hear his/her story 93)Exercise your brain: Sudoku, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles 94)Take personality or dating quizzes from teen magazines (don’t take it seriously) 95)Play beer pong (with water of course!)

96)Buy a tie-dye kit and tie-dye everything you own

December 2, 2011

Sports

11

theGAMUT

New Players on Court Gracee Kim

Girls basketball gains experience with newcomers

Despite having only two returning players, girls varsity basketball is determined to work with new members to build a successful team for the upcoming winter season.

Junior Varsity captain junior Aimee Morita, expressed her concern in familiarizing new members to the rules and strategies of a well-structured team.

“Since there aren’t many returning members, when it comes to playing and learning how to play organized basketball, it’s going to be chaotic at least for the first few weeks,” Morita said. “In basketball, if there’s

“

Because of the influx of new members, several varsity players expect alterations to practice methods in comparison to previous years. Instead of targeting more specific areas of playing, members anticipate exercises focusing on fundamental basics and skills.

“[Practices] might be a little more basic. Instead of assuming that people already know certain things, we might have to take more time explain drills and different moves,” said sophomore Hannah Khiev.

Though the girls do consider winning a crucial feat in the season, they also look forward to learning and

gaining experience.

“We might not have enough experience to play together as a team right now, but the benefit is that we’ll be good in the future,” Khiev said.

Effective interaction between the girls is also a crucial factor in reaching success and playing cooperatively.

“Even though we’ve only practiced together for so long, our teamwork skills are pretty fine. The key to our teamwork might be because we know how to communicate with each other,” freshman Maxine Pak said.

Despite having young, new players on the varsity team this year,

the girls hope to take the best from their experiences and improve together as the season progresses.

“I think we have enough time to prepare for the season. Hopefully, we’ll learn from every game. You learn from your mistakes, and every game is a new opportunity. It’ll be crazy at first, but it will get better,” Morita said. “To be honest, it’s going to be a lot of fun but a challenge at the same time.”

FOCUS (RIGHT): Sophomore Kassandra Schneider concentrates on her form as she makes her free throw.

You learn from your mistakes, and every game is a new opportunity.

five people on the court, all five of them need to know what they’re doing.”

In response to the challenge of replacing lost team members from last year, players this year have stepped away from normal routines in order to gain a solid start into the season. Likewise, the girls’ coach has made adjustments to his decisions and plans.

“I’m used to [the coach] having all the varsity players set and having his plans ready for both varsity and JV. But this year, because there’s so many people, he made a trial week to see how the players are,” Morita said. “[The team] is gonna have to be patient with him, and he’s gonna have to patient with us.”

Indie Sports: Cricket Sari Zureiqat

Chirp, chirp.

No, that isn’t the sound of the awkward silence following one of my jokes. That’s the sound of cricket, an internationallyrenowned game that the American population knows far too little about.

Originally an English game, cricket was expanded to many of the countries under Britain’s imperialistic rule.

It spread to countries like India, Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa, where it is still popular today.

Like baseball, cricket is another bat-and-ball game. Both sports involve scoring runs and attempting to get batters of the opposing team “out.”

Similarly, each game is divided into innings (although compared to baseball’s nine, the number of innings in

cricket is much fewer and varies per match) where one team attempts to score while the other attempts to keep that team from scoring.

Cricket, however, sets itself apart from baseball in a number of technicalities. Cricket involves a wicket—a set of three vertical posts (“stumps”) staked into the ground with two smaller sticks (“bails”) balancing in between those posts— positioned behind the batsman.

The object of the batsman is to defend the wicket from being knocked over by the pitcher’s ball by hitting it away.

The central rectangular strip of the field, known as the pitch, is the main center of the action. To score a run, the striker on one end of the pitch, after hitting the ball, runs and trades places with a partner on the other

end.

No player is allowed to wear hand padding or protection in cricket, except for the wicketkeeper. His position is comparable to that of an umpire’s, kneeling behind the wicket.

Ironically, however, a cricket ball is harder than a baseball, making the players much more prone to hand injuries.

Although such rules add risk and danger to the game, those very rules also make it more suspenseful and exciting.

Also, if scoring may seem tedious in baseball, cricket will not disappoint. In the course of the few innings, hundreds of runs are scored—per game.

This is largely due to the fact that batters in cricket are not obliged to run after hitting, and they also use a flat bat that allows for increased

control. More focus is placed on the batter, therefore, rather than the pitcher, to direct the ball when hitting. Cricket, with its ellipticalshaped field, gives the batter more freedom without the risk of foul balls, a commonality in baseball.

Simply, cricket presents a game that is different. To both those who either passionately love or energetically loathe baseball games, cricket is an international game that is worth watching or playing.

It is similar enough to baseball to allow for easy understanding of the game, yet still is very unique in its history and gameplay.

So set the familiar baseball glove aside; it’s time to try something new.

You won’t need mitts or gloves in cricket, anyway.

12

December 2, 2011

Great

Sports

theGAMUT

Boys varsity basketball

Expectations hopes to repeat success Gaiana Morales

Drastic changes raise team efforts for improvement

Amy Chi

Team practices more rigorously than ever to surpass limits and exceed expectations

Another season of demanding practices and excitement-filled games has arrived for the boys’ basketball team. Although the boys have lost key players in their bid for CIF, they still maintain a positive outlook for the season and even higher expectations for themselves.

Boys’ soccer is starting its season with new coaches, dedicated players and a fresh outlook. Through a revived and increasingly unified team dynamic, the players strive for more personal improvements and team success in their league.

To work toward this goal, the team must first make up for the loss of four players from last year: Jonathan Berry-Smith, Steve Criss, Tyler Kim and Kasra Jafroodi.

“We lost a lot of leadership when we lost our seniors, especially J.B. and Steve, who were our captains for three years. Thankfully though we’ve had our captains this year really step up,” Shahid Tam said.

The loss of seniors however is only one of the changes that the team has experienced. The introduction of the new coach, Salvador Zamora, will also be an adjustment for the boys as Coach Zamora brings a new focus to the team.

“We focus on the fundamentals of plays, such as short passing and controlling the ball. Coach has been also been working to improve the chemistry of the team,” Ryan Ly said.

As a result of these changes in training, the team is confident in its abilities.

With many returning juniors and seniors, the team still has a fighting chance at making it to CIF this year.

The team’s personal investment in the game, in addition to team chemistry is a motivating factor that drives the players to success. Players arrive early to practices, push themselves to the limit during scrimmages, and will themselves to rise under the pressure.

Several seniors have take it upon themselves to make sure the team is run how it should be, with the right attitudes and discipline, especially after the loss of their star players and coach.

“I really want to lead by example. I put and encourage one hundred percent effort not just in the game but in practice too,” Ly said.

Thanks to individual effort and steadily increasing morale, the team is hoping this season will be memorable and successful, just like the last.

“Soccer is fun and you get to know a lot of new people. It is a great way to relieve stress too,” Shane Min said.

The team has high expectations this season but the outlook for the team this year is optimistic.

“We have a new coach, a new style, new players to adjust to. We’ll be the betterthan-average team again,” Rodrigo Dimas said.

(CENTER): Sophomore Sam Park remains in control during a scrimmage match.

it’s worth it when we play the games, because whether we win or lose, it’s still a fun experience.”

Scrimmaging often has also helped the boys improve their game. Not only does it give them experience in real game situations, but it also helps them to see their immediate strengths and

“We made it to CIF for the weaknesses more clearly. first time in Oxford history [last year] “At a glance, the obvious and we expect nothing less than that,” weakness is our height as a basketball senior varsity player Daniel Lee said. team,” senior varsity player Paul Tiamzon “People may doubt us now because we said. “But we do try to compensate by lost our two best players, Amer El Hariri being a quicker team and hard practices and Joshua Icasas, but we take it as has definitely helped develop that motivation to work harder to try and fill quicker play style. As players, though, the gap. We’re ready to step it up this we all try our hardest and hit or miss, year.” we’re all gonna leave it on the floor at the

With the loss of these valuable team members, the basketball team is taking its training farther and more seriously. Practices have become more rigorous as the team conditions and practices drills to strengthen its game.

end of the day and have no regrets.

Besides physical drawbacks, though, the team also has more technical weaknesses that they are working hard to rectify. With the season just begun, the players are still adapting and

“It’s gotten tougher.

The adjusting to each other’s playing styles practices are more of a real game and coordinating themselves as a team. situation, and [our coaches] have “We haven’t really played as a definitely been pushing us more,” team yet,” Tiamzon said. “All throughout sophomore varsity member Robert summer and preseason, there were guys Niscior said. “There’s a drill where we always missing […] We don’t really know have to shoot 120 baskets, and each each other as players and when we’re practice he tries to up it by five, so we on the court that hurts severely. But get better and better and faster and now that season is here and everybody faster. [The practices] are hard, but is here, I know that we’ll develop as a

team.”

For many members, basketball is an intense passion, both on the court and off. “Basketball is like life. You grab it by the ridges, and just shoot it through the hoop,” said Niscior. “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”

The boys know that they have to strive to succeed. For them, basketball is about believing in themselves, and finding the ability to fulfill their potentials. It’s about surpassing limits, and exceeding expectations. It’s about proving to everyone else that they can achieve anything, and with such drive and determination, the boys’ basketball team surely has a promising season ahead of it.

“Our ultimate goal is repeating the success we had last year—reach CIF […] This time, though, we want to advance deep into the playoffs instead of just being knocked out in the first round,” Lee said. “But more than that, our focus is to change the reputation of Oxford basketball.

“Don’t doubt us just because we don’t have Amer and Josh. I see this as an opportunity for the rest of the team to step up and fill that void they left and ultimately pass the mark that they set.“

Girls varsity soccer gains fresh talent Elly Shin

Team hopes for successful transition

With the replacement of half the team from last year, the girls varsity soccer team has not only brought in new players, but also new strategies to exceed previous years’ records and successes.

The team faces the loss of seven seniors and two juniors. Nine new players have been added to the team; six transitioned from the junior varsity team and three joined for the first time.

The drastic change within the team means new relationships need to be built between the players in order to improve their dynamic and performance on the field.

Despite this, the team is optimistic about the transition and the strength of the team.

“I feel we are going to do really well this season because we have so many new promising players and we work well together,” Junior Katya Sutil said.

For many of the new players, including sophomore Adriana Macias, the transition from junior varsity to varsity has been smoother than expected – demanding but worthwhile.

“I played a few games with varsity last year

so I kind of knew what to expect,” Macias said. “It’s definitely more challenging, but I feel like this will be a good opportunity to improve my technique and gain new skills.”

The new players, however, are not the only changes in the team this year.

Coach Daisy Hurtado hopes to increase the intensity of the team’s drills to match the players’ full potential.

“This year my practices will be more direct,” Hurtado said. “I will work more on scrimmages, level one and two.

We worked on a lot of touches last year and I have noticed this year the team is more developed within their touch. They have understood the importance of hard training and the girls are more prepared with their athleticism and hard dedication.”

Amid the many adjustments in t he team, one aspect has stayed consistent: the team’s strong defense.

“Katie Ha, Alex Moctezuma, and I have been a strong defense since our freshmen year. Daisy has shown confidence in us the past year and considering we have played well together the past three years, I

can honestly say we are a strong trio,” senior Alyssa Ancheta said.

For now, it seems the team’s immediate objective is to improve its teamwork and ability on the field with the new players. Aside from working with the adjustments and the addition of new players, the team has another long term goal in mind for this season.

“I think our goal every year is always to qualify for CIF,” Ancheta said. “The seniors and I this year made it to CIF our freshmen and sophomore year. We did not make it last year, so I think it would be cool to finish off our high school career strong.”

The team is hopeful for a successful new season in spite of the many adjustments and with its strong defense, the team’s future looks bright.

“I think this year the team will be more fun and relaxed. Our seniors are really good players and they know how to have a lot of fun while still training and playing hard.

I think this will help our team bond more together,” junior Katie Ha said.