The Scorpion

SCHOOL LIFE

Writers: Seung Hyun Lee Danny Sun Esther Lam Minjun Kim Minjun Sun Minseo Rhee

Introduction to YCIS Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) belongs to a network of schools under the Yew Chung Educational Foundation which was founded in Hong Kong in 1932. The school in Beijing itself was established in 1995 and has since grown to its current size.

As a school YCIS follows an internationally recognized curriculum; students at the school will take courses in Key Stage 3, the IGCSE, as well as the IB. The school has been successful in teaching students these courses; in the 2010-2011 year the average IB score in the senior year was 38.1 out of 45 with 100% pass rate.

In addition to academics students in the school are actively involved in sports with teams from YCIS participating in competitions with other international schools.

YCIS is a unique school in its commitment to bilingualism; classes in Primary School are taught by two fully qualified teachers, one of which teaches in English and one who teaches in Chinese. The teachers cooperatively plan the lessons together to expose students to a level of bilingualism not seen in other schools. Furthermore YCIS has two co-principals, one Western and one Chinese, who work collaboratively to lead the school and provide an example of cross-cultural teamwork to the students in the school.

The school also has programs unique to the YCIS schools such as Experiencing China trips as well as

World Classroom trips. Experiencing China trips allow students to travel China and experience local Chinese culture in locations ranging from Yangshuo to Qingdao.

World Classroom trips are trips where students from all the schools under the Yew Chung Educational Foundation meet and travel internationally to learn firsthand about major cultures in the world such as African, Middle Eastern, Anglo-American, etc.

YCIS is a unique school, that though is relatively small, offers a lot to students who to study in the school.

I hope that you have learned more about our school and gained insight into the school’s unique features.

School Motto Yew Chung International School (YCIS) is a visionary international school that values internal growth over academic growth and promotes education with the following school motto:

Over the past few years, YCIS has been organizing charity events and community services within and outside of Beijing. We organized programs such as “Pack of Hope” and visiting the Hope school during the Experiencing China trip.

“Packs of Hope” is a charity program that brings encouragement to the local village students by proving basic school equipment which the students do not have access to. These “packs” allow the students to have a higher motivation on their academic studies and improve the level of education provided in the local school.

Students also visit the Hope school during the Experiencing China trip. Before students leave for the Experiencing China trip, they are required to plan out activities that can be enjoyed with the local students. While the objective of the activity is to teach English to the local students, we also learn how to love and care for each other. In addition, through engaging with the local students, YCIS students also learn how to love and care others.

From these charity events and trips to different schools in different regions, we learn as individuals how to love and care, but more importantly how we acknowledge that in giving we receive.

interesting experiment in the morning to present to teachers and other students. Through these experiments, Students are given a chance to learn a lot more science outside of classrooms that occurs in our daily lives. For example, how the amplifier works or how does the wind power station work. At the end the winners of this event gets an award. But this does not put an end to science day, by the end of the day there is a science quiz, which you get a prize at the end for the correct answer you say. During this quiz, people can easily see YCIS students’ diligence.

Last is the managebac program, which we recently implemented. It is a program which promotes our school’s paperless policy. Through this program, teachers send us assignments and homework with due dates given, which easily catches the students who did gave in their homework late.

The recently implemented program is managebac. It is a website which helps teachers and students manage their time wisely but more importantly it promotes our school’s paperless policy. By uploading and downloading homework and assignment given, it will save paper but it would also keep students aware of what will and is happening in school.

Therefore, this program not only helps YCIS to learn how to use computer, but also helps YCIS learn how to manage their time.

The school is developing from many different areas, it is preparing the students as an all rounded and committed person. Not just from science day and the managebac program, there are a lot more other school activities which encourages the exploitation of science and technology, building the foundation of becoming a global student.

Science and Technology

Art and Culture

Lately, the school has been hosting a few more interesting science and technology based activities. Science day is one event that has just been launched last year. YCIS students get to make an

As an international school, Art and Culture is really important to be engaged in our school.

There are many YCIS students who are involved in the school’s performing arts clubs such

Yew Chung will align with

Love and Charity

Science and Technology

Art and Culture Love and Charity

as orchestra and jazz band. Every month, these students organize a great performance to the audience and often collaborate with the other clubs for a more advanced performance. ….

Our school orchestra and jazz band is a typical example of our school’s promotion of art. For every month our school have orchestra and jazz band performance, which highly excites the audience who comes to visit. Sometimes, these bands make a nice musical with drama group, an another typical example of art promotion,

Poetry day is also a way that YCIS aligns with art and culture. During this poetry day, everyone in the class writes a poem about a scheme which they can talk about their own culture. For example, the theme this year is game, which required students to write about their traditional game in their own home country.

YCIS is built up with students from different regions of different areas in different countries. Events such as poetry day where the cultural aspects of students are all different, it gives the student a very good opportunity to blend in and bond with one another building on from their own culture. During this process it will help them build up a global perspective, making them a more global thinking citizen of the world.

Art and culture is very important when being an international student.

From culture, students learn and accept different culture and faiths, in art, it is another great opportunity to learn and experience more from different people and different pieces; bringing more creativity and thinking into their academic life.

With the alliance of all we will build a better foundation and a better understanding of what a global student requires; also it helps bring us a step further to becoming role models and leaders of our own specified fields. YCIS educates us academically but more importantly it builds our inner-self.

Do

IGCSE & IB

you know what kind of curriculum does YCIS provide? If you don’t know here are some information about what kind of curriculum does YCIS provides for secondary students.

IGCSE is for students in year 10~11, during these two years; they will be given opportunities to visit different places in China, providing services and helping people who need our helps.

During their years in year 10 and 11, they will have opportunities to visit different local schools and teach them English, and to get along with children, giving them a nice opportunity to help other students to learn English as a junior student in an international school. IGCSE gives a wonderful opportunity for students to decide their particular subject area for their future. In other words, IGCSE can be said as a period of preparing and choosing courses you want to enroll in future. Students can choose their own subjects they want to hear, so they can try different subjects they are interested in. Trying out for all kinds of subjects will also help them when they are choosing subjects in IB; since subjects you chose in IB are the subjects and courses that you want to study in college and other degrees.

IB, International Baccalaureate, is an extension from IGCSE; it makes students to be more specific on their subject areas so that they can go to a specific kind of University for student’s future career. It gives students an opportunity to learn deeply on the subjects they used to learn or even deeper by choosing at least three subjects as their Higher Level subjects (For IB, students are required to choose at least three Higher Level subjects in order to start focusing towards what they are going to learn in University). For IB students, they are also required to take a class called TOK, short term of “Theory of Knowledge”. TOK is a class where requires you to think about questions like “What is knowledge? And how can you prove that your knowledge is right?” In other words, TOK helps students to learn what kind of knowledge they are learning. Therefore, as a result, students, through TOK lessons, are able to broaden their minds or think “out of the box”. IB also requires Extended Essay.

This is also a preparation for University. It makes students to choose a subject, and write a long essay about what they want to ask according to this particular

subject. For example for literature class, students can ask themselves, “Why did this author made this character die at the end.” Through this essay, students are able to experience the reports they need to hand in university later on. Finally, CAS is also required for students who take IB, CAS stands for Creativity, Action, and Service. This is an activity that helps students to build up their participation in schools. It makes students to join different activities, such as charity raising, and sport teams, then make the students to write reflections about what they have learned from these activities. Therefore, it also helps students to think back about what they have experienced and learned through these activities, not just joining activities for nothing. CAS also gives students an opportunity to become a “balanced” person, since students need to do all sorts of activities for Action, Creativity, and Service, it makes students to join sports teams to fill up Action part, even though they are not really athletic or to join orchestra even though you are not really talented in musical area.

As you can see, IB requires lots of works, which makes the students to also build their ability for time management, which is one of the most important skills that students should have in order to carry on working in the future.

As we can see the word “international” in both IGCSE and IB, they are globally accepted; not only in western Universities but also in Universities in Asia. Therefore, it allows students to be able to join different universities in the country they want to learn in. One of the advantages that students can gain through taking IB course, is that some of the universities give students credits for the subjects they have taken as Higher Level subjects, since, by taking HL, students have already learned some of the materials they will go through in University.

Hope these information was able to give you basic knowledge about what kind of curriculum you would go through in YCIS, and was able to know more about YCIS.

Experiencing China - Yang Shuo Experiencing China trip is one of unique factors in YCIS, and as the student who came to YCIS this year was able to experience a marvelous time.I went to Yangshuo, which is in Guillin. The trip was able to give me an opportunity to have fun, to collaborate, and to challenge new things and the most of all, I was able to help children in Hope School to learn English.

We did lots of things there like hiking, walking long distance, cooking, watching play and hope school helping children. These activities were all fun, exciting and memorable, these activities were all challenging, but they all gave me an opportunity to recognize my limits, which helps me to know in what sort of area I need to improve on.

The most memorable part of the trip was going to hope school and helping out students. For hope school, before going to the trip, I was asked not only to collect the winter clothes for those kids who are lack of winter clothes but also to collect some water and materials that we can give them and use it for our teaching. Teaching those kids

were very challenging and difficult, because I was not fluent in English and those kids were also not fluent in English. However, I used body languages and some mixture of Chinese and English; luckily they could understand what I was asking them to do. First time they were bit shy, but when as teaching went on, they started to act and communicate. It was worthwhile teaching them, since they always gave me bright, smiling face, which I was also able to recognize again that “I should not complain about my current living condition, they are smiling even though they are not in a good condition like me�.

This trip was very reasonable and I was able to bear in mind that when went to this trip it was not just exciting for having fun, but also exciting for being able to know my own limit and to help the local people in that area.

This way it was truly a memorable trip.

After School Activities - Personal Experience There are number of ways for students to release the stress they may receive from the heavy load of work and pressure from school and parents.

Examples can be having a good rest, hanging out with friends and listening to music. For me, joining sport teams is a great way to release my stress.

Before I joined the school sports team, I was overwhelmed by the stress which made me demotivated to study. However, soon as I joined sports team, I was able to control myself from getting burned out from stress. Although I still get stressed from school work, I am now able to control myself by involving in physical exercises. Currently I am involved in the school tennis team and I am learning more about tennis. Because this is my first time joining the school tennis team, so I was worried

about my tennis skill. However, I felt very welcomed in the team and the team members were very sportive. Now, my tennis skills have vastly improved and now I am able to rally with other players well.

Yew Chung provides many diverse school sports activities. Other than tennis, our school provides volleyball, basketball, and many other sports teams for the school students to enjoy. I will be joining the badminton team after tennis and I am very looking forward to it. I hope more students to participate in the school sports team to release their stress, build up sport skills and meet new friends in the school.

TOP IN THE WORLD IGCSE

FOOD

Archena Sharma, You Jin Song, Andree Kong, Anthony Guo and Matt Jang

MCDONALD’S VS. CHINESE FOOD “Not only is Chinese food unhealthy, but Chinese food is also generally more expensive than a meal at McDonalds.“ One Big Mac contains 590 calories, 11 grams of saturated fat, and 1,070 milligrams of sodium.

On the other hand according to a study done by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), an average plate of Kung Pao Chicken has about 1,400 calories, 13 grams of saturated fat, and 2,600 milligrams of sodium.

A plate of stir fried vegetables has 900 calories, 11 grams of saturated fat, and 2,200 milligrams of sodium.

All of this does not include rice, which comes at 200 calories a bowl.

Even if we were to share three average Chinese dishes along with four bowls of rice, among four people, the average calorie intake would exceed 1,000 calories and the sodium, 1,800 milligrams.

That’s equivalent to about two Big Macs per person.

There is often a false perception that Chinese food is healthy, what with all the green vegetables that decorate the menu. But even vegetables are loaded with calories and sodium; the fatty sauce and salt contribute to making the dishes unhealthy despite their deceptively healthy appearances.

Not only is Chinese food unhealthy, but Chinese food is also generally more expensive than a meal at McDonalds.

Furthermore McDonald’s is one of the cleanest restaurants in China; quality standards that apply to an international company like McDonalds do not apply to local Chinese restaurants. Just go to any local Chinese restaurant’s bathroom and then go to a McDonald’s bathroom to see the difference for yourself.

McDonald is almost a symbol for a generic fast food restaurant serving fatty unhealthy food at cheap prices. That reputation is unfair given the improvement in the food that McDonald serves—McDonald’s cooking oil is trans-fat free while food quality has become more consistent. Not only that but other restaurants are often no less healthy than

McDonalds despite the perception that no restaurant can be less healthy than McDonalds.

This is not to say that you should always avoid Chinese restaurants and go for the McDonalds on the next corner. Some types of dishes, such as shrimp, are much healthier than the average McDonalds with low saturated fat and calories.

Consumers should be aware that there are healthy alternatives to the normal deep fried chicken. The CSPI advises consumers to order dishes with vegetables; avoid meat that is breaded, battered, or deep fried; keep the fatty sauce on the platter and off your rice; and to refrain from adding more sauce to Chinese dishes.

Just remember the next time you eat Chinese food that what you’re eating isn’t any better than a Big Mac and a Coke from the McDonald’s at the next corner.

For further information visit http://cspinet.org/new/ pdf/wok_carefully.pdf

What comes into your mind when you

Beer - the End of History

hear the word beer? A fresh can of beer? Then get ready to be shocked, ‘The end of History’ by Brewdog comes in bottle covered with stuffed animals,

The world’s most

stuff animals that were once alive. This

expensive chocolate is

beer costs $765 per bottle.

Chocopologie by Knipschildt Chocolatier.

Chocopologie is a handmade artisan product

THE

by the founder of Knipschildt Chocolatier and also a famous chef Knipschildt. The chocolate is made of 70% Valrhona cacao, which is blended into a creamy ganache with truffle oil.

Chocolate Chocopologie

Tea Tieguanyin

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE FOODS AND

DRINKS

MATT JANG

The most expensive tea in the

Chef Hubert Keller is founder/restaurateur of the

world is a rare Chinese oolong tea

acclaimed Fleur de Lys, the

called Tieguanyin which is priced

Burger is made with Kobe beef

about $1500 per pound. The tea is

truffles and foie gras. It is sold

named after the Buddhist deity Guan

Mandalay Bay for $5,000 and

Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy).

1995 Chateau Petrus.

Burger Bar. Keller’s Fleur and is adorned with black at Fleur de Lys in Vegas’ is accompanied by a bottle of

Hamburger - the Fleurburger

RESTAURANT REVIEW: BAOYUAN JIAOZI WU YOU JIN SONG

Food: ★★★★☆ The restaurant offers a wide range of handmade, local Beijing-style dumplings which have various fillings.

Examples of ingredients used include pork, mushroom, tomato, cabbage and shrimp.

The dumplings also come in multiple colors, ranging from plain white to purple. Other usual Chinese dishes are also offered, and are delicious as well.

Although its exterior is not so unique, its interior definitely has a “Chinese” atmosphere and flair to it because of its Chinese lanterns and decorations. The restaurant has a clean dining environment and has most of its tables filled with tourists and foreigners.

Price range: 40–50 RMB per person

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT!

Services: ★★★☆☆ The staffs are friendly and usually attentive. The food is generally served quickly without much delay.

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Six dumplings (一 ) costs around 10 RMB, which is a fairly reasonable price.

(You can only order at least twelve dumplings for each type.) Drinks are not too expensive.

Overall: ★★★★☆ Baoyuan’s extensive dumplings are definitely worth a try even if you don’t like dumplings. This restaurant is a safe and reliable choice – with savoring dumplings at a reasonable price, good services and atompshere – even for those who don’t know much about Chinese food!

Address 朝

区麦子店街6号楼北

侧(海悦名

西)

Telephone number 010–65864967

宝源饺子屋

RECIPE: ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

YOU JIN SONG

Here’s a list of combinations of ingredients you might want to try: Combination 1: almond croissants cut in half + cherryvanilla ice cream Combination 2: crackers + peanut butter + vanilla ice cream Combination 3: chocolate-covered donuts split in half + coffee ice cream Combination 4: banana bread + chocolate ice cream Combination 5: graham crackers + peanut butter + raspberry jam + black raspberry ice cream To build a better ice cream sandwich: 1. Freeze your base before building the sandwich.

2. Use firm ice cream, not softened.

3. Scrape the ice cream instead of scooping it.

4. Freeze sandwiches at least an hour before serving.

YANGSHUO EGG DUMPLING ANDREE KONG

Cooking method:

At the beginning of this year, our school’s Year 12s went on an Experiencing China Trip to Guilin, Yangshuo. During the trip, the Year 12s attended a cookery class. Let us share a dish with you!

1) Beat the egg and set aside.

2) Mince the garlic and chop the coriander, place them with the minced pork.

3) Add the marinade and stir around clockwise with chopsticks until they become sticky.

4) Heat 1 tbsp of peanut oil in the wok.

Ingredients: Minced pork Coriander Garlic Egg Water Peanut oil

1 1/3 bowl 2 tbsp

Marinade: Salt Black pepper Oyster sauce

5) Pour 1/2 tbsp of egg.

100g 2 sprigs 1 clove

6) Place a teaspoonful of filling on a side of the omelet.

7) Fold the omelet over and form a crescent shape, move it to the side of the wok.

8) Repeat until the entire ingredients are used.

1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp 1 tsp

9) Turnover and place all dumplings in the middle of the wok.

10) Pour 1/3 bowl of water and cover it with a lid.

11) When the water has evaporated, ready to serve.

ALIO OLIO ITALIAN RESTAURANT 艾利欧意大利餐 ANDREE KONG

After a full day class, dropping off at Alio olio is a wise decision!

Address: Alio Olio West Gate No. 1, Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District 朝

区朝

公

西

一

北

Open: 11am-11pm Contact number: 010-6594- 0938

RMB

The newly opened Alio Olio offers a huge number of topping options, and you can easily divide the pizza into half with different toppings if you can’t decide. Pizza begins with a doughy crust, and the prices are only from 26–76 RMB, in two sizes!

They are all made in a wood-fired oven, therefore quality is certainly high compared to other pizzas in Beijing. For heavy eaters, this is definitely a great place for you; just knock strain off! For dessert lovers, a nice finish comes with a wedge of creamy cheesecake (18 RMB) which makes your day! Besides that, a kid’s menu is provided, and this makes Alio Olio very family-friendly. In addition, while some smoke does waft down, the non-smoking downstairs is another nice touch. So why don’t you come and visit this cozy little room and enjoy a relaxing meal?

INDIAN CHICKEN CURRY ARCHANA SHARMA

50 to 30

TRY THIS!

Chicken curry is one of the most popular and delicious meals of the main course. India is a diverse country with myriad groups of people.

Every group has a different way of cooking chicken curry. I come from North India, and after trying chicken curries from the South, West, and the East, I feel that the most delicious chicken curry To make the chicken curry, you hails from the North. will need the following In order to cook North Indian chicken curry many ingredients: Cardamom spices are required to add to the texture, Cinnamon fragrance, and most importantly, taste. I personally Cumin Powder enjoy the gravy better in which the spices are finely Salt pummeled. Therefore, I advise you to pummel the spices before using them for the gravy.

Red chilly powder

Turmeric powder Tomatoes Minced fresh garlic Ginger Finely chopped onions Chicken (skin removed) Chicken Curry Powder

ART 798 798 Art Zone District is a part of Dashanzi (大山子) in the Chaoyang area that houses a thriving artistic community, among 50 year old decommissioned military factory buildings of unique architectural style. Then the factories are moved outside of 798 by government, and in 2002, artists began to use the buildings as galleries, cafes, bookstores, and turned the entire district to the artistic place. In 2006, the Chinese government selected 798 Art Zone as one of the ten culture, creativity, and industry-concentrated districts, and now it has become the largest artistic street in Beijing and an icon of Beijing art culture.

I like the fact that 798 Art Zone used to be the military factory and the buildings have still been preserved. The 798 Art Zone has a lot of galleries with their own creative artworks. I want to visit 798 Art Zone again someday!

Writer: Paul Ahn

Group members: Ji Yoon Hwang Seung Yeon Nam Michael Myung Daisy Chau Rosa Kim Paul Ahn

Art Zone

UCCA

Photographer: Michael Myung & Rosa Kim

Brace The Frontier: UCCA Center for Contemporary Art

Step into the gallant lobby of UCCA and you are greeted by the warm smiles of its two beloved founders, Guy and Myriam Ullens – straight out of an art piece, that is. Out here everything is straight out of an art piece. Those who have the privilege of convening a journey here certainly will not miss out the abstract piece by Liu Wei carried out in line-art of vibrant colors, as well as the gigantic installation showcasing some 200 pieces of liner-shaped black porcelains “pouring down” from the mighty walls. Equally patronizing are other 2000 items absorbed by the Ullens couple into their collection, and equally ‘Chinese’, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ullens’ immense captivation toward the art of contemporary Chinese artists. After all, the regard for emerging Chinese creativity is just what UCCA was born out of: the objective to raise international recognition for Chinese talents and to

provide a world-class platform for the exchange of aesthetics and originality.

“Of all the places UCCA could be located, it was decided it should open in China,” quoting UCCA director Jerome Sans, “China is one the most exciting places in the world.” Indeed, the man’s word does not render less true when we marvel the location which the constitution occupied, modified, and turned deliberately into a phenomenal art space. Standing on the heart of the 798 Art Zone of Beijing, UCCA flourishes among others the like, popping out with its unique integration of exhibition halls, dinning space, and artistic stores.

Alright, enough advertisement. Go make the most of it yourself!

Writer: Daisy Chau

Ask Teachers!

How well do we know our Art/D&T teachers?

Let’s explore their art worlds J

Q.Tell us something Q.Do you think you love and don’t artists are lonely?

I hope not.

Q.Who/what is your love about your art TB: CL: In some cases yes, but not TB: Love: Finishing a large project. anymore than other creative people. favourite artist/ Don’t love: Anything involving pastels Some artists are very sociable. (they’re very messy) OL: More like need some personal artwork?

CL: I love the fact that everyone has space, have a rich inner-life TB: Mr Thomas Burns CL: Mr Christopher Lee OL: Ms Olivia Liang

TB: My favourite piece of contemporary architecture is the Shard building which is currently being built in London.

CL: Escher, Van Gogh, Art Deco, David Hockney, Futurism and Kandinsky. To name a few, I can’t pick just one!

OL: Claude Monet, typical but something about those colours

Q.What are your inspirations?

TB: The built environment.

CL: Travel. I really enjoy visiting new places and looking at the landscape or architecture. Places like India, Jordan, Italy, Dubai, Egypt, Kenya and even China! Gallery visits are also a great source of inspiration, seeing real artwork first hand can help to trigger your own ideas. I am also inspired by monkeys in trees!!

OL: Internet, you can find everything there

Q.How would you describe your own style?

TB: An over reliance on geometric shapes.

CL: Vibrant colour fused with abstract architecture and pattern.

OL: Craft, I still work with the tools from primary school just because it feels organic

an opinion about art; it gets people talking on so many different levels.

Hate is a strong word, but as far as art goes I’d say I very much dislike Mark Rothko’s ‘work’.

OL: Love: anything works. Don’t Love: everything works

Q.Do you think you are naturally artistic or trained to be artistic?

TB: I think some people have an almost natural ability at art but everyone can be trained to create their own style.

CL: I’ve enjoyed drawing and painting since an early age, so I suppose it was some I did naturally. Whether I’m a natural or not is a different matter! I think people can train themselves to be good at art; it’s all about having keen observational skills, imagination, desire and commitment.

OL: Both, it’s a combination of starting with a curiosity for art then going further with in when you choose to study it

Q.Describe yourself in five words.

TB: Indecipherable. What did he say?

CL: Random, British, Linguist (!), Owl, Explorer OL: Spirited, contradictive, traveller, savvy, learner

Q.What food inspires you?

TB: A can of Irn Bru and a deep friend mars bar CL: Fish & Chips! McDonalds breakfast!! I like dates, good cheese and avocados too! I am not inspired by fish heads, scorpions or chicken feet!

OL: Epicurious.com has some nice collections of menus to get the ideas from. All food from Julia & Julia the movie was also something that made me want to cook – the culinary arts.

Q.What superpower do you have?

TB: The ability to fill out questionnaires quickly.

CL: I have the ability to swim underwater for 1 hour without breathing. I can see through walls (but only sometimes). I am working on the ability to teleport from home to school but I am yet to complete this power. I also have the ability to spot a monkey in a tree from 2000 metres.

OL: After watching The Incredibles, being elastic would be great because you can transform

Questions written by: Ji Yoon Hwang and Seung Yeon Nam

t

STUDENT WORKS

ART

is the stored honey of the human soul Theodore Dreiser

Deokwon

Robert Zhang

Ellie Chen

Laura Yu

Phoebe Woo

Photographer: Seung Yeon Nam

TRAVEL

With your fellow columnists, Francesco, Aurelie, Jackie, Alex and Alyssa

FROM THE CAFE-LINED STREETS OF ITALY..

Francesco Cianfarani recommends the most heavenly pizzas ever made on the planet and what he reckons is the most beautiful city in the country The best pizza in Milan can be unique architecture of the Roman found in a restaurant called “La Empire.

Taverna”, itʼs a restaurant where Probably the best pizza in Italy traditional pizza is still made with can be found in Naples. “Sorbillo,” fresh ingredients. is a restaurant that is full of local Other great pizzas can be eaten in Italians chatting away while Rome! Of course, you are entitled chomping down on delicious to your own opinions. But I reckon, pizza, toasted and baked to the best pizza of the city can be perfection. However, this eaten in a restaurant called restaurantʼs heavenly pizza is “Antica Schiacciata Romana“ It ʻs usually accompanied with a long a different kind of pizza and is only wait for a table. But I still found in a few places in Rome. recommend it anyways!

The restaurant is not situated in a tourist-y area of the city. However, in the case you do decide to get out of your comfort zone and make your way to this restaurant, this is a rare opportunity to get a taste of the local cuisine and meet local Italians as well as appreciate the

[1]

Sorbillo, Naples is located in the neighbourhood of Pendino, Via dei Tribunali 32, in Naples. Reservations can be made by calling 081-446-643.

VENICE

“..Venice offers something that no other city can..”

Italy has a myriad of places for tourists to visit, both in nature and culture. Most tourists visit Italy to get a sense (and many pictures of course) of the rich and historic culture of the country. So here is my take on sightseeing in Italy.

I am hardly saying anything about Italy that is new. Lonely Plant probably wrote this in their travel books but Iʼm going to say it anyway. The city that caught my eye and had me mesmerized since the first moment I arrived was Venice.

Iʼve lived in three different continents, visited innumerable cities and seen all sorts of different types of architecture, but Venice offers something that no other city can. The colors and atmosphere of Venice are magical. Other than these mystical elements, the city has a variety of Arabic, Christian, Orthodox, Gothic and Neoclassic building styles which at least around 1300 and 200 years old. The building

[2]

that impressed me the most was the basilica of Saint Marc. The whole roof of the basilica is made of mosaic colored precious gems and makes it a priceless masterpiece.

So all this writing has made me hungry. Anyone up for some pizza?

Venice, Italy is approximately a 13 hour flight from Beijing. Flights from Lufthansa, KLM and a range of other different airlines fly to Italy and can be booked on various travel websites or travel agencies. Ask your parents to take you there!

GREETINGS FROM SANTORINI , GREECE! Alyssa Than has complied some of the most beautifully, HD-captured videos for you to experience the magnificence of these countries yourself!

Santorini’s five islands were initially one, named Stroggili, until a volcano erupted in the middle of the island and seperated the land in 1645 BC.

Iceland, recently affected by the Global Economic crisis, has opened its doors to tourists with its new “Inspired by Iceland” campaign.

Not only does the website suggest many fun and amazing activities in Iceland, tourists can arrange homestays with local icelanders and even schedule a meal of traditional Icelandic pancakes with the Prime Minister and his wife!

Góðan daginn from Iceland!

[3]

TIBET (CHINA)

Aurelie Lesage

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Bright blue skies, warm rays of sunlight, glittering sandy beaches, crystal clear water and occasionally, a baby shark swimming near the coastlines. What might this place be? Well, this is The Maldives.

This summer holiday, my mother and sister planned a trip to go to the Maldives for a weekʼs long vacation. Through the vacation, I realized that my sister had done a lot of research and planning for the perfect, hassle-free holiday.

And that is why I bring to you: Tips for a Budget, Hassle-Free Vacation to the Maldives!

Tip 3: Buy lots of sun block or sun tan oil – depending on whether you want to bask in the beautiful Maldivian sun. If not, I recommend bringing along hats and sunglasses to protect you from UV rays.

Underwater cameras and your own scuba diving gear are extremely important when you dive into the deep, clear waters and take pictures with colorful schools of fish.

These can be bought from websites such as Taobao.com in Beijing. I found this all to be expensive in the Maldives and buying them before hand would save you a fortune.

ACTIVITIES

Tip 4: DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE the Tip 1: There are many good travel sun. It may be warm and beautiful, and advisors online such as TuNiu.com (途牛), you may not feel the UV rays penetrating your skin but SUN BLOCK IS which usually offer cheaper and affordable ESSENTIAL, if you do not want to come prices on both ticket and hotel rooms. back from your trip looking like a burnt Fear not, if you want to have a tour-free and peeling lobster. vacation, these websites usually offer services such as Zi You Xing(自由行), Tip 5: Most Importantly – Learn to RELAX which simply means you can book your and soak in the calm of the island. The own hotels and plane tickets, and decide Maldives is not usually where people go on your own trip schedules! sight seeing, or have crazy early morning tours. Take a deep breath and enjoy the Tip 2: Surf the web or read up on the clarity of the sunny blue skies and smaller surrounding islands that have sparkling Turquoise Ocean. A myriad of island resorts within the border of the activities are also available such as Maldives. Many of the bungalow and hut snorkeling and scuba diving or taking a style resorts are situated near the sail boat out. The island resorts are also beaches, and provide a personal butler famous for their spas and of course, service, waiting at your every beck and massages. call. Many restaurants and cafes are located all over these islands, giving you a My last note for you, dear readers: Take variety of different cuisines to pick. As advantage of the time you have in the such, I recommend researching which Maldives to escape and get away from the island would be suited for you and your hustle and bustle of Beijingʼs polluted accompanying travel party – be it family or streets and most importantly, ENJOY friends!

YOURSELVES! " " Alex Chang

Activities in Maldives In maldives, you can do a variety of activities. Such as Sunset Fishing, Sunrise Fishing, Near-Coast Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Deep-Ocean Diving.

Island and Bungalows

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L.A.

When people are asked to define LA, their answers would be among Hollywood, Disneyland, and Universal Studios. Hollywood, where worldly r e n o w n e d c e l e b r i t i e s g a t h e r, Disneyland, where Walt Disneyʼs characters are running around the amusement park, and Universal Studios, where it provides an experience of actually seeing the process of making a ʻHollywoodʼ movie, are all located in LA. To begin with, Hollywood, as it is the Mecca of movie industry, the whole place around Hollywood is developed focusing on movie industry. For example, there will be a souvenir shops selling a replica of the Oscarʼs award trophy or a signature of a movie star. Also, there are people in costumes in Hollywood, which synchronize a real movie character.

Surely, this will be an experience that people canʼt come across often.

Along with Hollywood if you go to the downtown of LA, you could visit the Universal Studios, where visitors can actually see the special effect of a movie making process. Moreover, visitors can ride a tram through various filming simulation studios and feel the effect using their 5 senses.

Compared what the Universal Studios

LA Theme Park

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provides the ticket is too cheap for a lifetime memory.

Lastly, the place that everyone in the world knows is the Disneyland.

Disneyland California, which is the original Disneyland, is a place that children love, as characters that were in cartoons actually run around several places in the amusement park. Also, the attractions in the park are even appealing for teenagers and adults, as in the Disneyland Adventure right next to Disneyland provides the thrill that people love.

After enjoying your day at Disneyland, the park will provide the visitors a fantastic firework parade, which is held every night. Since the scale of the fireworks is gigantic, at any places visitors can enjoy viewing the fireworks.

Combining, Hollywood, Disneyland, and Universal Studios, LA is the place that people are looking for to spend their vacation. How about this time, your family and you also try visiting LA?

#

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Jackie Choi

CULTURE LA FESTIVAL - TOP FESTIVALS IN EUROPE AND OCEANIA Celebrating public holidays has been one of the longest traditions in the

educational, rewarding, and possibly actually useful.

human history, present in every culture.

Its name and date might differ from

The Carnival of Venice is a festival

countries and continents, but its main

held in Venice, Italy, and has been one

purpose - to provide people some time

of Europe’s most anticipated

to rest and to reflect on their cultural

celebrations since 1268. The festival

and religious background, as well as to

holds nearly all aspects of what is to be

honor what is important to them -

expected from a typical cultural

stayed the same. Nowadays, in a

gathering – exquisite Italian food and

globalized world, it has become easier

wine, parades, classical Italian music,

and more common to share cultural and and the star of every festival, elaborate religious backgrounds, and, through

masks worn and displayed everywhere,

knowing and caring more about others,

that add a sense of timeless mystery to

enjoy ancient holidays internationally.

the now modern celebration.

The regions of Europe and Oceania,

Then there’s the Cheese Rolling

from which modern western culture has

Festival every May in Cooper’s Hill,

risen, are well known for their rich and

England, whose name just about explains

profound cultural and religious

it. It is traditional in every way, holding a

backgrounds. As a origin of many

century’s worth of history, but as

significant events, from rising of

everyone can imagine, it’s just about as

Christianity to Renaissance, Europe with different from the Italian culture-based Oceania also is an origin for many

Carnival of Venice as could be. The

different public holidays, from

original idea was to have a master of

Christmas to ‘la Tomatina

ceremonies release cheese wheels down a

Festival’ (‘Tomato festival’ in Spanish).

steep, high hill, and have people run after

Many more, generally unknown and

them in a race of sorts.

unheard-of, have been passed down through the ages, and by reading on, you will no doubt find something

[1]

Writers: Steven Chun Sherry Gu Sangwoo Jung Iris Yoon Yeon Ho Hong Ye Jin Ham Min Uk Seo

Continue of “La Festival” Then there’s the Cheese Rolling

and perhaps a bit of wine to raise excitement levels.

culture is very ancient and diverse, and

Festival every May in Cooper’s Hill, England, whose name just about

Well, there you have it. Western

The fight, which has no rules apart

with that comes the thousands of

explains it. It is traditional in every

from the request that tomatoes must

years’ worth of holidays and festivities.

way, holding a century’s worth of

be squished in the hand before

Each celebration contains a story, a

history, but as everyone can imagine,

hurling, lasts no more than an hour,

faith and endless efforts for

it’s just about as different from the

but it is after the frenzy hour that

preservation, which had allowed them

Italian culture-based Carnival of Venice

people emerge as if survivors of a

to pass down for a long period, in

as could be. The original idea was to

recent and brutal massacre covered

some cases hundreds of years, and

have a master of ceremonies release

with bloody tomato juice. More

maintain its true meaning. They are

cheese wheels down a steep, high hill,

surprisingly, with another couple of

lively forms of museum; they represent

and have people run after them in a

hours, the city gets cleaned as if

the history and the culture in actions.

race of sorts.

nothing happened earlier.

Unfortunately, running almost

Moomba (means to ‘let’s get

always evolves into rolling, tumbling,

together and have fun’)! It is the

and sliding in every which way. The

Oceania’s largest environment festival,

sport may come off as entertaining

lasting for three days in a row and

and amusing, but one of the most

involving millions of people. It actually

important members of the festival

started as a small festival in March to

every year is the ambulance team from

show the natural beauty of the city

a nearby hospital, as no participants

Melbourne in 1955, but after setting

emerge unscathed, and many are

the theme as ‘environment festival’, it

often carted off for treatment in

grew rapidly and globally, and now it

hospitals. Now, doesn’t that sound

became the Oceania’s largest festival.

fun?

During the festival week people Scream, Food Fight! August is red

officially don’t have to go to work for

in Spain, red with ketchup and

three days, and many different free

tomatoes that have a tendency to be

concerts will take place in each part of

flung. As La Tomatina unravels in

the city Melbourne. People will also be

Bunol, Spain, the world’s largest food

able to enjoy different kinds of foods

fight is played with vigor. What had

from different countries and also enjoy

been just few tomato farmers throwing

Australian wine. The highlight of this

their tomatoes in the main square to

festival is at the last day of the festival,

show their angriness with the

where people who are dressed up as

significantly low tomato price in 1944

polluted creatures and destroy the

had quickly grown out of hand into this

nature, but soon gets defeated by pure

city-wide festival which involves just

and clean creatures. After this parade

under a million pounds of gooey

ends, everyone will join the grand

tomatoes, and more than a few

party which takes place along the

citizens run amok with a certain fruit

Yarra River, watching the fireworks and enjoy the international foods as well as the live concerts.

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FOR MEXICO OR FOR AMERICA? - Mexicans illegally migrating to U.S.A They say America’s rich, with a GDP

Over the years, as Mexicans are entering the United States in the dark of the night, with little more than their basic necessities, districts have

of $14.526 trillion. They say America’s

been set up all over California, districts

free, with the constitution declaring

that are overflowing with Mexicans,

equal rights for everyone. They say

districts with graffiti and broken

America has more jobs, better services,

windows, fading paint and haunted

and a better environment. That’s what

doorways. People are poor, crime rates

they say. That’s why for decades,

are high, and the whole ‘American

Mexicans have been streaming across

Dream’ has vanished long ago.

the Mexican-American borderline both

Unfair treatment, discrimination

legally and illegally, in search of a better and racism. Because of the biased views of Americans, the only jobs that

job, a better life.

According to the most recent

are available for Mexicans are jobs dirty,

estimates of Mexican immigrants to

dangerous or dark. Although Mexicans

America, more than one third of the

are taking all the unwanted, underpaid

immigrations were undocumented ones, jobs, people are still claiming that these and therefore, illegal. It was shown that immigrants are stealing jobs from the the population of Hispanic Americans

Americans that rightfully deserve them,

has been growing rapidly over the

which in turn increase unemployment

years, and now, there are 50.5 million

rates and weaken the economy.

Americans of Hispanic descent, with

But low paid wages mean more

64% of Mexican descent. The numbers

profit to the American companies, and

indicate that a larger proportion of

so they can afford to set lower prices,

people in the region of America are now and will have more customers, who Mexicans and the numbers are growing, spend more, and contribute to the which explain the Mexico’s cultural and growing economy. Who said Mexicans economic impacts in America.

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are dragging America down?

Then, more importantly, there is

Mexican culture gets passed on, from

America results higher GNP for Mexico,

that cultural impact on America. The

Mexican to Mexican-American, from

also because those workers send most

most people used to know about

Mexican-American to American.

of their money back to Mexico, more

Mexico were that the food was great,

Americans have always been

and more dollars are going towards

but spicy, and that the country is most

fortunate culture-wise. The nation was

Mexican banks. There are also cases

probably based on drugs. Well, for one

founded on British culture, and Ellis

where Mexicans who have migrated

thing, Mexican food served in America

Island served its purpose in admitting

before return with more knowledge and

isn’t really Mexican. As for drugs, which

immigrants from all over the world into

skills, helping the society and improving

country doesn’t have a drug problem?

the new nation. Cultures from every

the economy. Last but not least,

The thing is, people have never really

corner of the earth melded it selves into international immigration increases the

bothered learning about their

the unique culture America calls its

global awareness of the country. Even

neighboring country because, let’s face

own, with different religious

though Mexico is still a LEDC, with low

it, American culture is young but

celebrations, contemporary art and

GDP and GNP, and has no trading

already diverse and very, very modern.

literature works, blues, jazz, pop, rock,

business that dominates in its area, it is

They had fashions and fads, the

country and other music forms as well

surprising that Mexican and Latin

signature American cuisine, a burger

as the American slang and the

American culture are one of the most

and fries, and a history a couple

American Dream. Pure Mexican culture

widespread cultures in the world, and

centuries old. What else do they need?

will only strengthen the country’s

Spanish (Mexico’s national language) is

They need, apparently, to be

culture diversity, and open up the minds the second most spoken language in

forced to accept the culture of the

of Americans to an exotic tradition that

people that walk among them. Mexican

they never thought to understand.

offspring born in America may

Sure, American’s are

the world.

Are Mexican people immigrating to America bad? To be honest, it is

eventually end up speaking American

complaining that they get more

impossible to answer this question. As

English, but they also grow up eating

immigrants than they bargained for

mentioned before, international

the intensely-flavored and diverse

from Mexico, but Mexico should be the

immigration has advantages and

Mexican food, listening to Lila Downs

one to file complaints. The already poor

disadvantages to both receiving and

and Susana Harp singing traditional

country is losing valuable labor as its

loosing countries. Perhaps the best way

Mexican music, watching Mexican

farmers leave their fields, their wives,

to solve problem is to change our

television and listening to the stories

their children for that rich neighboring

perspective and treat everyone the way

their Mami and Papi tell about that poor

nation. The loss of labor means less

you want to be treated. Americans

but beautiful and free land in a faraway

output, less GDP, and, more

should get rid of their prejudice, and

place called Mexico.

importantly, less food for the country’s

Mexicans should realize the reality of

starving people.

American dream.

And when they grow up, they’ll have that history with them. They’ll tell their friends, their classmates, and their

And as the young men leave villages, local women find it hard to find

colleagues about the soccer they played suitable marriages, and the farms are in the midst of broken down buildings,

left to the old and young to tend. So, as

the fiestas they went to and the

a result, Mexico is left with women

Mexican dancing they enjoyed, the

unable to support themselves,

traditional costumes they wore to

neglected farms and in some cases,

school on Cultural Day, and maybe

ghost towns. How about Mexican

show them a bit of Diego Rivera,

economy? The only direction it could go

famous for his murals, and tell them

is: down.

some stories of a place they had come from but never been to. That’s how

Of course, every situation has two sides. More workers working in

[4]

BUDHISM - The reality of traditional largest religion in Vietnam, after Buddhism and Roman Catholicism.

Asian religion

It has 7 to 8 million followers in Viet Nam and about 30,000 members elsewhere, primarily in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States. Caodaism’s main religious center is in Tay Ninh, about 60 miles (100 km) North West of Saigon. It is also called Dao Cao Dai in Vietnamese, where “Cao” means "high" and “integrity/morality”). Although this "Dai" means "palace". As we can idea of Tao and De was originated see from its name, Caodai refers to the supreme palace where God from ancient Chinese philosophers, it still exists reigns. Caodaists believe that the God divided his spirit into many nowadays in a slightly different form. Except for the concept of parts and created the universe.

TaoDe, all Taoic religions are also This led them to think that every animal and plant contain a part of similar in their place of origin, practices, and beliefs. For gad’s spirit. They believe that instance, many of them are mainly animals and humans have 3 come from China, Vietnam, and components, which are physical Japan, and are believers of body, spirit from the god, and its own soul (personality). Like many monotheism and Karma.

Caodaism, Shinto and Mahayana other religions, Caodaists believe in Karma and reincarnation. Their Buddhism are the most representative Taoic religions. unique practices include praying at Caodaism is a Vietnameseleast once a day, eating from a vegetarian diet at least ten days centered religion, since it is originated in Vietnam and most of each month and observing five interdictions. Interestingly, its followers are Vietnamese.

Being one of Vietnam’s official interrelated to Confucianism and religions, Caodaism is the third Buddhism, their Separated from other Asian religions, East Asian religions share many unique features with each other. Another name for these religions is ‘Taoic religions’.

The name ‘Taoic’ comes from the fact that all these religions focus on the East Asian concepts of Tao (道, “the way”) and De(德,

[5]

practices also include three duties and five virtues of Confucian and meditation.

Unlike Caodaism, which is relatively ‘global’, Shinto is originated and is almost uniquely believed in Japan. The name ‘Shinto’ was adopted from the written Chinese (神道, shén dào), where 神 means ‘kami’ (spiritual essence) and 道 means philosophical study. Although Shinto is not a wide-spread religion, it is still regarded as a large branch of Taoic religions, because of its affinity with other religions. For instance, it is so similar to Mahayana Buddhism, that some people even call it a “Japanese Buddhism”. Even Shintoists themselves emphasize their ancestry of traditional Buddhism. Like Mahayana Buddhists, Shintoists build temples, use donation of propert as means of salvation, and practices meditation. Shinto was very firstly recorded and codified in the written historical records of Kojiki and Nihonshoki early in the 8th century. These include many

folklore, history and mythology that are almost regarded as ‘common knowledge’ for Japanese.

Mahayana Buddhism is one of the most wide-spread and wellknown East-Asian religions.

However, unlike other Taoic religions, Mahayana Buddhism was originated from the Northwestern Indian subcontinent in the 1st century B.C.E. After having about 300 years of consolidation process in India, it started to rapidly prosper in East-Asian countries like China, Korea and Japan. It particularly prospered in China partially because of Han dynasty’s chaotic situation and people’s spiritual need. Mahayana Buddhism named ‘Mahayana’ to highlight their openness and to be separated from traditional Buddhism, called Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism is different from other Taoic religions in a sense that itas no sacred time. The believers explain this by saying that Bodhisattvas (assist believers) always present and active in the world, thus all-time can be understood as sacred.

However, there is there is sacred space, like temples and Mandalas, and Mahayana Buddhism also believes in Karma, reincarnation and Dharma. In their sacred place and daily life, Mahayana Buddhists practice complex meditation, ritual devotion to Buddhas and Bodisattvas, visualization, pilgrimage and mantra recitation.

MUSIC

THE INFLUENCE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC 20th century rock and pop music

!

It is hard to believe that what people refer to as rock and roll and popular music in the last century is actually derived from that ʻboringʼ music that we refer as classical music.

If it wasnʼt for great composers like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and whatnot, bands like the legendary Queen or ABBA would have never emerged. The sweet shredding solos of guitarists Eddie Van Halen or Brian May would have never surfaced. This is the story of how the music that society has been listening to is actually just a product of what was created so many years ago. !

When people think of Classical music, the first thing that comes up in their head is the image of a big orchestra with pre-dominant

violins playing the melodic lines of a piece of music that lasts beyond ten minutes in length. This is why many people have difficulty associating this genre of music with popular music we listen to everyday. Then why do orchestra all around the world play the music of bands like ABBA or The Beatles? Why do many orchestras collaborate with Rock bands to perform brilliant pieces of music? The answer is simple: classical music never died; even if a child never properly listened to the works of Beethoven or Mozart, his approaches to music are still very similar. The famous chord progressions that bands like the Beatles or ABBA seem to have introduced to popular music, have actually been there for hundreds of years and are the inventions of

1]

notable composers like Bach. After all, modern music is simply a spinoff of what we call ʻClassicalʼ music; the only reason we call it ʻClassicalʼ is because of its history not because of its musicality.

FAME

Change in peoples mind A trend that seems to take place more and more frequently is the use of either an orchestra or a small ensemble to enhance modern music. Early stages of this are found is songs like the Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’, where a small string ensemble is incorporated. This is a clear example of how a ‘classical’ incorporation in this song (string e n s e m b l e ) , i f l i s t e n e d independently, can be seen to Dit both the context of a ‘Classical’ music piece, as well as a modern day piece by one of the most pop bands in the world-­‐ The Beatles.

Another example of how rock/pop songs integrate ‘classical’ elements is ‘Comfortably Numb’ by Pink Floyd. This song is considered to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time and is said to have one of the best electric guitar solos ever recorded. Indubitably, the Pink

2]

Floyd’s great song-­‐writing is shown, however through the use of an orchestra, this song has been enhanced a great deal. In my opinion, David Gilmour’s famous guitar solo is so impressive, not only because of the guitar playing itself, but also because of the accompaniment provided by the orchestra. This collaboration seen between the orchestra and Pink Floyd, vividly illustrates the close link between classical and rock music.

Do you know ?

David Gilmour’s father, Douglas Gilmour, was a senior lecturer in zoology at the University of Cambridge

Rock and Roll scene

rock music. A great example of a

The 20th century rock and roll classical influenced guitarist is scene was one of the most Brian May, whoʼs numerous guitar s i g n i fi c a n t t i m e p e r i o d s f o r solos are a clear representation of instruments like the electric guitar. classical music through the Here, its use was really developed electric guitar. This emergence of and this was the important the electric guitar, being used as a transition of the instrument from a s o l o i n s t r u m e n t a s w e l l a s mere accompanying application, a c c o m p a n i m e n t , c a n d r a w to one of providing main melodic parallels to the development of lines as well as solos. The electric instruments from the Baroque Era guitar in the beginning of the 20th to the Romantic Era. Here, the century was used in Jazz music, choice of soloist instruments for when blues music emerged its the concertos changed a lot, and growth rapidly grew. Now, we the development of the guitar from have guitarists playing all types of an accompaniment approach in music, from the traditional blues the Baroque Era to nowadays like B.B King, to the fuzz rock of electric guitar soloing is a clear Jimi Hendrix, to the neo-classical example of modern day rock and shredding of Yngwie Malmsteen. p o p m u s i c i s s i m p l y a T h e e m e r g e n c e o f e l e c t r i c development of what is referred as guitarists is an important aspect of ʻclassicalʼ music. the link between Classical and

!

The importance of classical musicʼs influence in the music we listen to today is vital, as only by looking at the past and our origins can society ever move forward. Most modern rock musicians reveal that the music of the past was a great influence to them and continues to help them explore music. Music is one of the most important things in society and by looking back at its derivation, not only are we appreciating the knowledge that has been passed onto us, but also looking towards the future as it is only a matter of time before society starts referring to modern day music as ʻclassicalʼ.

rock and roll museum Cleveland, Ohio

3]

Classical music Today - How is it going ?

Classical music is mostly replaced by the popularity of pop, rock, R&B, country and even reggae music since the end of the Second World War, and modern classical music has usually been gone unnoticed for quite some time already. In this article, we discover the hidden world of modern classical music and admire at its bizarreness and sometimes strange nature compared to the ʻpopularʼ music we hear almost daily.

Modern classical music is often portrayed as a ʻnewʼ kind of music in which the music rules for composing them is not abided. For example, the use of Asian percussion instruments in an orchestra, the stuffing of tissue in flutes, hitting a piano chair, compose a melody consisting of E major and E-flat major together, or even employ 40 minutes of silence in an 80 minute piece. Whatever possibilities that creativity can come from music, the composers were

often criticised by the general public that their pieces donʼt make sense, and fail to portray a story or tune that audiences would find catchy or recognisable. In addition, many composers suffer the fate that these pieces may not sell well, putting them into financial struggles that a businessman may not likely face.

One famous piece that defied the law of ʻgood musicʼ was written by the famous Russian Composer, Igor Stravinsky (1882~1971). His

4]

breakthrough piece which led to the worst riots Paris saw, and the revolutionising of how this music affected how modern music is composed. The piece was the ʻRite of Springsʼ. It is a violent ballet that depicts the life of Native Russians in Siberia in which the divinity between man and nature, the sacrifice of young women, and the art of fortune telling are represented through protrusive notes, loud unimaginable sounds, raw timbre and extreme technical difficulty. Today, he is revered as one of the top twenty most influential classical composers to date, and due to the success of his ʻavant-garde musicʼ his music influenced movies, cartoons, other composers, and the like.

While extremism was used in the ʻRite of Springsʼ, Aaron Copland (1900~1990) took point in creating simple music that eventually gave America its musical image. ʻAppalachian Springsʼ, originally a ballet for a few instruments was expanded into an orchestra. Here, we can listen to the catchy tunes of clarinets, beautiful flute talents, and

authentic American melodies from the horns, soothing sensations of the trumpets and the walks down the East Coast and containing the sounds of string instruments. Why this music is considered modern because it is the chords and harmonies that create a spacious feel when listening to a piece, as if one was flying. This spaciousness makes the piece light, simple and almost empty.

Chopin and his Europe modern classical music festival. this year the festival gathered an impressive cast of exceptional personalities of the piano word, such as: Elisabeth Leonskaja, Dina Yoffe, Ingrid Flitter, Plamena Mangova, Janina Fiałkowska, Alexander Lonquich, Denis Matsuev, Dmitri Alexeev, Alexei Lubimov and Nelson Goerner.

Other pieces could involve strange noises that donʼt than twenty composers from around the world to have come from instruments. Such as the composer, Edgard claimed to be influence from this French Composer.

Varèse (1883~1965). Here, he uses electronic sounds to produce his music, making little or no sense when listening to it. However, during the premier of

Today, modern classical is still evolving as more pieces become ever more avant-garde and more barriers are being broken. Although the

his piece: ʻPoème Électroniquesʼ, he allowed his audience to roam around a room of

general public is guarantee to strike back with plenty of criticism, the reality is that art

mathematical dimensions and pictures

and music take time for people to appreciate

spread out like an art exhibit. The music uses sounds like door slams, bells, strange springy

them. By this time, the composer may be well dead, but if his pieces were well preserved,

noise, vehicle sirens, other instruments and ambient noises. This piece contains no melody or

we shall be able see the evolution of music from the beginning until end. In modern music, there is

harmony, but pure confusion and vagueness. Today, More no such thing as returning to more traditional forms of

5]

Sports

Asian Women’s Volleyball – China Defeats Japan The match between Japan and Chinese Taipei was breathtaking.

Held in Taipei Friday late afternoon, Taipei triumphed over Japan in a four set match 3- 1(25-16, 25-17, 25-27, 25-17). This gave China their twelfth Asian Senior Womenʼs Volleyball Championship Title.

Both China and Japan started the first set strong. They threw at each other strong spikes and tied at the start.

China then took the lead and seemed to be crushing Japan at 14-5 and the set ended with Chinaʼs win of 25-16.

Attacks started the second set and Japan leaded the set with 4-1.

Unfortunately for Japan, China eventually caught up. When the set was 15-11 in Chinaʼs favor, Japan subbed a player and delivered a few powerful spikes. However, China still showed control with the attacks and won 25-17 leading 2-0.

The whole stadium was holding their breath when Japan made a service

error and was trailing 22-24. But Japan amazed the crowd when they caught up to 24-24 and also taking the third set with 27-25.

Following the third set, Japan started strong and lead the set 6-3 in the beginning but China turned the set around by attacking aggressively and won the last set with 25-17. !

[1]

!

A VERY UNBIASED TAKE ON A VERY HEATED TOPIC: AMERICAN FOOTBALL (GRIDIRON) OR RUGBY? First off, I would like to clarify that in this short article, the reference to “American Football players” refers to NFL players, the best Gridiron league there is; while the reference to “Rugby players” refers to both the Rugby Union and Rugby League players.

Now, the inspiration for this article came when a Walsh citizen in my network called American Football players “girls in pads”. Utterly amazed, I went online and found many others that sympathized with this view, namely Kiwis who were trying to protect their national sport. At the same time, I found many fellow Americans who understood the truth, and a heated debate took place in almost every webpage I openedprimarily about toughness (the element this article is focused on).

The UK influenced countries attacked the game of Football with the sole argument of “they wear pads”, while the Americans refuted with points such as “if American Football was played without Helmets and pads, theyʼd all be dead”.

Before we go on, I would like to state the NFL players and Rugby League players are both tough to the bone, and have absolutely no regard for human life.

With that being said, Iʼm not downplaying either of the games, nor am I trying to compare them, as they are essentially two completely different games with very different fules, and doing so would be like comparing an apple to a pear. Ok bad example. But when it comes to toughness, shear toughness, the table is fairly even. Granted, Rugby is more physically demanding in the sense that it requires you to be fit and demands one to have a high stamina to survive. There are limited subs per team throughout the course of a game (unlimited in Football), thus

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players stay in longer and are forced to run back and forth playing both offense and defense (in Football, teams are very specialized and the players train to master there one position, either on offense or defense) in a flowing, continuous 40 minute halves, (unlike in Football where the play stops usually 15 seconds after the snap) with a very short half time break in-between. “The advantage in American football is that you get seven months to prepare for a fourmonth season. In rugby, it seems like you get two weeks to prepare for an 11-month season.” - Richard Tardits played both professionally.

On the flip side, while Rugby is more of a game or endurance, American Football is more of an Athletic, Explosive game. In American Football, hits on the head are legal, and a study was taken that found over 60% of all NFL had at least one concussion throughout there career, 40% with over three. Thatʼs with hardcore helmets on. It can be said that the armor for them players is like a double edged sword. With it, they are somewhat protected as it absorbs some of the contact, yet also, with the gear on, players can now do things they wouldnʼt have even thought of, dared of without it. Another sports science study was taken and showed that the average “cornerback” one of the lightest defenders on the field had 4x the impact in terms of force on average than an elite Rugger.

Both sports are special in their own right, and I guess that it summed up as Rugby being an contact enduring sport, while American Football is a Quick Collision sport.

NBA Lockout: Necessary?

It has been more than 100 days since ownersʼ lockout players after the expiration of the last collective bargaining agreement on June 30. Numerous bargaining sessions have taken place since then and the results are this: Training camps have been postponed indefinitely, entire preseason has been cancelled, and now the entire NBA season (which starts on Nov 1st) is in jeopardy. Even though the NBA players are trying to find ways to play basketball, they know deep in their hearts they want to get back on the real court and win a championship. The question that seems to be on everyoneʼs mind: Is a NBA lockout really necessary? !

These issues, seems simple enough to solve. If it is, then why hasnʼt the NBA lockout ended yet?

It looks very straightforward, but yet the players and owners just canʼt seem to agree with each other. The lockout has lasted for too long and both sides to start compromising. This is the way I think the lockout should be resolved.

First, the players should just agree to the 50-50 split.

Theyʼre already millionaires! What more do they want?

They get paid about $5-10 million a season. That should be more than enough to live a normal to wealthy lifestyle.

They should consider themselves one of the more fortunate in a regressing American economy.

Theyʼre wasting their time on talking about one number that could decide their new paychecks. Theyʼre still going to get paid with seven or eight digit numbers, so there is nothing to bargain about. Just take the 50-50 deal. Itʼs better than a number below 50 which is what owners demanded in earlier bargaining sessions.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to greed. Itʼs a battle between greedy millionaires VS greedy billionaires.

If this battle keeps up, not only will the NBA start to decline and lost its attractiveness, but other businesses will falter as well. Workers and staff will lose their jobs and everything else will only get worse. Both sides need to have more give and take in order for a deal to be made soon. Had this happened a few months ago, I wouldnʼt even be writing about this lockout because a new collective bargaining agreement wouldʼve already been in place.

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FOOTBALL: Interview with YCIS U19 & U14 soccer coach Mr.DEsopatis

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What do you think is the most important position in soccer?

All positions are important in football but as a coach I feel that the defense is the one part of the game that must be solid. A team with a strong defense always has a chance.

What kind of players do you position them in that such position?

In the defense I always try to field players who read the game well. Players who are able to make tackles and position themselves well.

What do you want the students that you are coaching to improve?

I have always wanted the boys to become more defensively responsible but the key is for our players to realize that it is a team game and that they have to work hard on the field to support each other.

What do you think about the U14 boys’ soccer team?

Today the u14 team just won the ISAC Tournament. They won because of hard work and determination. We have a good group of players and the future of Yew Chung football looks to be in safe hands.

What are you planning for the U19 boys’ soccer team?

I am really excited about our U19 team this year. We had a successful season last year and we didn't lose many players since then. Also some very talented players have since joined the school. If the boys continue to work as hard as they did last year and continue to improve, I am sure we will be pushing for awards again this year.

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A Guide to eating healthy for sports and everyday Athletes have different nutrition needs to that of their peers or average people, because they work out more and will generally need more calories than the average person. This is because they need to full their body to maximize their peak performance. The total calorie intake of an athlete can range from anywhere between 2000-5000 calories a day depending on the energy levels that they use.

Not getting enough: Not eating enough calories due to poor body image or peer pressure from friends , family and coaches can lead to serious problems. This means you are less likely to preform to your best or achieve peak performance you usually could, you may even break down muscle rather than build more. Athletes who donʼt eat as much as they should will not be as fast and strong as their competitors and will not be able to maintain their weigh. Extreme calorie restriction can lead growth problems and other serious health risks for both boys and girls.

Breakfast Getting a good breakfast in an essential to starting your day and everybody should be having something to start their day.

Studies show those who do eat breakfast.

Kick start their metabolism.

Tend to eat fewer calories throughout the day.

Tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day.

Do better in school, and Are more active and healthy .

Some good breakfast are – oatmeal , boil or poached eggs, fruit and yogurt and whole- grain cereals or breads. ( whole –grains are a healthier choice as they are not refined carbs such as white bread which means they leave you feeling fuller for longer unlike

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TV & FILM [1]

歲月神

Release Date: March 11, 2010 (Hong Kong) Director: Alex Law Kai Yu

聽說

Release Date: August 28, Directed by: Fenfen Cheng

Summary: The film uses the sad but longing 1960s old Hong Kong as its backdrop. The story follows the travels of a small family - the father (Simon Yam), a shoemaker who makes new shoes everyday but yet always wears a pair of broken shoes, the optimistic and protective mother (Sandra Ng); the oldest son (Aarif Lee) - smart, athletic and optimistic about the future and love and the younger son (Chung Siu To) who is curious, can recite his alphabet backwards, and has the ability to make his parents laugh. As a family, they live in old Hong Kong marked by the East-West cultural mix and the rich and the poor coexisting together. The film follows how the family faces life's challenges, ups and downs, and the tears within laughter, and the laughter within tears.

Comment:

Summary: Tiankuo(Eddie Peng) who is an ordinary boy living in taiwain experiences an unique feeling meeting yangyang(Ivy Chen) who he thought is hearing impaired. He felt an invisible connection between them that without a single sound, he was able to hear the birds and feel the spring…The two youth ignores the strange feelings that popped on the surface but goes on living their busy life. Coincidently, the two meet and discovered the fact that yangyang has a sister who lost hearing ability. But to fulfill her sisterʼs dreams of participating in the Paralympic Games, she practices with her daily after long hours of work. No stress at any point was showed in fact the whole movie was played in a rather lively atmosphere, what we see is just plain or even boring.

However, what we feel without any sound is the movement of the two characters; we sense their emotions when it is soundless.

Comments:

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This movie indicates the low class Hong Kong peopleʼs lives in 1960s when Hong Kong was still a colony of UK. The family in the movie is only one of the typical families at time, using different simple stories to express the realities. One of the great successes of Echoes of the Rainbow was that the movie was not only attracted the viewers from 1960s and also a lot of teenage fans, this would all because that the movie doesnʼt have so much decorations but every events in the movie were thoughtful and real which make people to think a lot while they are watching.

--------Cherry Sang

It is pure love we seeing between these youth that is not distracted by the ʻreal worldʼ nor sound. We ʻfeelʼ how two unrelated people were given the power to shine in front of the one that they are destined to love. They love not because what is around them, but through what they feel.

-------------Margret Zhao

Summary: A princess from fairytale & a New Yorker lawyer…

Edward and evil step-mother appears in New York…

Enchanted is an exquisite combination of fantasy, romance and comedy! It is about funny episodes happening between a princess, who believes in true love and love in the first sight, and a New Yorker, who does not believe in true love at all.

Comment: <Enchanted> is a really enjoyable movie with fantastic connections between cartoon and real movie, and brilliant songs to hum with. It is overflowing of exaggerated and fun episodes; you would never get sleepy once Giselle appears on the screen! Also, apart from the unimaginably creative and fascinating story line, the little battle between Robertʼs view of the world and Giselleʼs view of the world gently forces us to contemplate about what the ʻtrue loveʼ might be like. As we grow up, some of us might have lost the positive view of innocent and romantic ʻtrue loveʼ. Well, it is a movie which anyone can be strongly recommended to watch. <Enchanted> will definitely make you feel a pure happiness and impression just like when you dreamed your love with a prince or a princess!

Princess Giselle falls into New York from fairy-tale due to her fiancéʼs evil step-mother. She meets Robert, a single father lawyer living in New York. Robert decides to take care of Giselle, who does not know where to go, for a while in his apartment. At first, Robert regards Giselle as an immature and unrealistic girl who hasnʼt tasted the bitterness of the reality but the sweetness of nonsense fantasy only. However, his closed heart starts to open some more and more. Eventually, Giselle and Robert experiences indescribable and unique feelings surging between them. However, their fairy-tale story starts to get more complex as the Prince Summary: Inception is a 2010 American science fiction action film written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.

Dom Cobb, a thief who extracts information from the subconscious mind of his victims while they dream. Unable to visit his children, Cobb is offered a chance to regain his old life in exchange for one last job: performing inception, the planting of an idea into the mind of his client's competitor.

Development began roughly nine years before Inception was released. In 2001, Nolan wrote an 80-page treatment about dreamstealers, presenting the idea to Warner Bros. The story was originally written as a heist film, inspired by concepts of lucid dreaming and dream incubation.

Enchanted

Released date: November 21st, 2007 Director: Kevin Lima

Inception

--------- Rachel Cho Feeling he needed to have more experience with large-scale films, Nolan opted to work on Batman Begins, The Prestige and The Dark Knight.

Comment: This movie is highly recommended, and you have to watch it at least once in your lifetime. The story starts from failing a mission, and recruiting new members to start a new mission. However Cobb has always remembered his first failure that caused his wife died.

Itʼs a fantastic movie, and its really deep. Youʼll have to watch few times to get the point but the effects and the story can be rate it as a 5 out of 5.

-------------Hovin Wong

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Release Date: July 8, 2010 (London), July 16, 2010(USA) Director: Christopher Nolan

Drama -­‐ City Hunter (SBS)

Music Show – Music Bank (KBS)

Entertainment Program – Infinite

Casting : Minho Lee, Minyoung Park, Junhyuk Lee, Sangjung Kim, Hara Koo

four politicians suddenly cancel this plot and send some people to kill those twenty spies.

Fortunately, one of these twenty Story : In 1983, North Korea spies survived, and he raised his exploded a mountain where South companyʼs son to take a revenge Korea president and guards were on these four politicians. And this staying in. For the revenge, five son, named “YunSung Lee”, politicians secretly send twenty commenced the revenge when he South Korean spies to North becomes an adult.

Korea. However, as soon as these spies were arrived in North Korea,

On every Friday, around twenty singers sing on this music show on live. And at the end of the program, it decides the best song of the week according to its own chart called “Music Bank K-Chart”.

This “Music Bank K-Chart” is 60% based on “digital chart”, 20% based on “TV appearances”, 10% based on “preferences”, and 10% based on “album sells”. “Music

Bank K-Chart” was first started on September 7th of 2007, and the first winner was Bigbang. The next winner was FTIsland.

Hosts : JaeSeok Yoo, MyeongSu program as guests. Many actors, Park, Junha Jeong, Hyeongdon musicians, and sports athletes Jeong, HongCheol Noh, HaHa, Gil have appeared on this program.

Some international celebrities This program has been produced have appeared on this program. since April 23rd, 2005. It has four For example, Fedor Emelianenko seasons with 260 episodes(as of (PRIDE heavyweight champion), July 30th, 2011). This program has Thierry Henry(football player), been produced to make watchers Maria Sharapova(Tennis player), laugh. The hosts have missions and so on. on every episode, and sometimes some celebrities appear on this

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Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) finally released the newest Hong Kong series called the “Forensic Heroes III” (10 th October – 20th November). It is currently the hottest Hong Kong series. In this drama series it contains a huge amount of criminal psychology. In total, there are 12 mystery cases for the forensic scientists, doctors and police to solve.

Genre:!$ Drama

$

Country of origin:$

法证先锋 3

Police procedural, Hong Kong

Number of episodes:$

30

荃加福禄寿探案 “Super Snoops” is a comedy Hong Kong series that is currently being played during the weekdays (3rd October – 28rd October)! It is suitable for people of all ages; best for family gathering. It contains twenty episodes in total, bringing the audience back to society in Hong Kong during the 1960s.

Genre:!!

!

Country of origin:$

60s Comedy Hong Kong

Number of episodes:$

20

料理情人梦

Latest romantic comedy drama specially released for girls! Played every Sunday starting at 10pm can be watched online if episode is missed! So what are you waiting for? Enter a world of romance!

Genre:!!

!

Country of origin:!

Romance, Comedy Taiwan

Number of episodes:!

TBA

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