The Artichoke Vol. 7. No. 5

New Year, New Problems, and New Ways of Ignoring Them

JANUARY 2018 | VOL. 7 NO. 5

REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS

ARTICHOKE

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor-In-Chief

Safa Gangat

Assistant Editor

Lamia Abozaid

Writers

Carl Cachero Genevieve Canavan Alexandra Caprara Katherine Collier Kelly Estomo Maddysin Fisher Kabeer Garba Michael Petruzzelli Sierra Riley Lilian Rubilar Francesca Smita Soni Zlatko Tyulev Maya Vukov Jessie Whyte

Design Editor

Sarah Wong

Designers

Bri Coggans Kristina Pura-Cruz Holden Kao Samneet Mann Sarah Manyoki Mars Quave Elisabeth Yoon Michelle Young

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WINTERS

IN THIS ISSUE

Feature 04

Creative Letter from John Mayberry, Head of Winters College

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Inizio Katherine Collier

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“I Need (A New) Space” Kelly Estomo

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BITCH BOI Maddysin Fisher

Feature/Entertainment 06

12 Things To Do This Semester Sébastien Lalonde

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Lifestyle 14

“New Year, New Me” Is Canceled Alexandra Caprara

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Just Keep Swimming Lilian Rubilar

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New Year, New Look at Resolutions Genevieve Canvan

ARTICHOKE

Dear Winters Students, LETTER FROM JOHN MAYBERRY, HEAD OF WINTERS COLLEGE

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FEATURE

welcome to 2018!

I hope you all had a chance over the break to refresh and recharge, or at least enjoy a change of some sort, to prepare you for the second term. This time of year can be the most challenging for students, due to the weather, the workload, and the fact that sometimes the September bloom of anticipation and good intentions has started to fade.

So, I encourage you all to embrace our Canadian winter life, when we traditionally spend our time engaging in some kind of hardy outdoor activity (skating, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, sledding – even just getting out in the dark to look at the stars), balanced with lots of cosy, indoor pursuits like having coffee with friends, snuggling under a blanket to watch movies together, etc.

The most important thing, during these next couple of months, is to help each other. It is much easier to get through a Canadian winter, and to get through the long academic haul to April (which will, paradoxically, go past like an arrow) if we talk to each other, listen to each other, and try to provide support for each other.

Many of you know about the Let’s Talk campaign on Jan. 31, but real sustainable mental health means constant, ongoing attention to our collective and individual well-being, and I encourage all Winters students to be vigilant and exemplary in looking out for each other. This is a wonderfully supportive community, where I hope all of you can find an ear or a shoulder when you need one.

If you need any kind of help or support, and do not know where to turn, you can come to the College Office (WIN 121), and we can offer suggestions of where to find appropriate help.

As always, if you have any concerns, worries, suggestions, complaints – or if you just want to have a chat over a tea or coffee, drop in to my office (WIN 121), or send me an email at mayberry@yorku.ca.

Have a great Winter Term!

Cheers, John

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ARTICHOKE

BY SÉBASTIEN LALONDE

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welcome back, winters! there is not much time left of the year, so before it gets too hectic, I wanted to share with you all a few reminders of great events, tips, and tricks to keep you energized and your social life blooming this semester!

1. DEVISED THEATRE FESTIVAL March 12th - 18th The fourth year students within the Devised Theatre program have been working hard and they are ready to deliver! If you are looking for a great show contributed to by various theatre companies made form students within the program, I highly recommend going to see the show!

With the pay what you can system, it’s a great way to see great theatre at an affordable price!

2. PLAYGROUND February 14th - 16th For students, by students. This is York University’s platform for all things student theatre. Come out and watch amazing shows written by, produced by, acted by and conceptualized by York’s very own students! Under the work of the Artistic Directors Yasaman Nouri and Sierra Riley, we are sure to be in for quite the treat!

3. SPARKS - YORK DANCE ENSEMBLE CONCERT, FAIRE FECAN THEATRE (A.D SUSAN LEE) February 14th - 16th, 2018 They have been sweating, working, and they are ready to showcase!

Having a roommate and best friend in York’s very own York Dance Ensemble (YDE), I know how hard these students work and it is not a joke! If you are looking for a time filled with beautiful movement and intricate artistic expressions, this is the show for you! Come out and support our dancers!

4. BLOOM April 14th-15th York University’s Dance Students’ Association (DSA) is proud to present Bloom, an emerging dance artist production, once again this year. Artistic Director, Meghan Van Der Giessen is dedicated to fulfilling Co-Founding Artistic Directors, Olivia Faveri and Josh Murphy’s vision of providing emerging artists with real-world opportunities and

FEATURE/ENTERTAINMENT

experiences, while exploring larger issues through the art of dance. The production showcases nine new works choreographed and performed by selected undergraduate students in the Dance program that spark conversations about the environment, ideals of masculinity, and the darkness of one’s own mind.

Bloom was created as a project of passion and dedication, and is teaching and challenging York University dancers to become valuable artists and creators.

Where: Dancemakers Centre for Creation 9 Trinity Street Toronto, ON Studio 313 (Information provided by Meghan Van Der Giessen) 5. WINTERS VS MONTREAL February 22nd - 25th Winters College Council is running its yearly Winters Vs. Montreal trip once again and we could not be more excited! Happening this coming February, we are taking 150 students with us to explore the beautifully artistic city that is Montreal! Join us for four days and three nights of exploring, dancing and some beautiful Instagram pictures!

Hurry up and buy, tickets go on sale January 31st at 11:59pm!

6. WINTERS FORMAL April 8th Winters College Councils biggest event of the year! Anticipating over 500 people for a night of beauty and glamour, Winters College and guests come out dressed to Impress!

With transportation to and from York University to the beautiful venue, we look forward to spending

a magical night with you all with the chance to announce to you your new President. Orientation Chair and Assistant Orientation Chair!

Join us to find out!

7. SELF-CARE Your agendas and planners are not just for meetings and class times!

Being on top of your schedule is super important, but most people forget that in order to stay productive and assure a healthy life style, you should also include all yourself care times! These times could be a time to color, call a family member, having lunch with a friend or even just getting off the YU campus! Schedule these times so you know they’re just as important as that 1:00pm class or that 3:00pm meeting!

8. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES This event is empowering.

Regardless of your gender, your sexual orientation, your skin color, the Vagina Monologues tackles the real world issues of women around the world.

9. GO TO THE ABSINTHE PUB & COFFEE SHOP! The only on campus student owned and student run pub. Winters College Council would like to invite you to the Ab to try our signature drinks, the Sleazy Treat or the Suffering Bastard! (Not for the faint of heart!) Come out to Wednesday Karaoke Nights or our Thursday pub nights! If nightly events are not your thing, join us during the day and use the vibes for a nice chill study date with friends!

10 . SPORTS SPOOOOOOOORRTTTTTSSSSS! Winters loves sports and it is not too late to sign up either! This semester we have games from Jorky Ball, Volleyball, Basketball, etc.! Reach out to our Vice-President Athletics, Sonya Mwambu for more information at her e-mail: vpathletics@winterscouncil.com!

11. GO TO THE EWAG The Eleanor Winters Art Gallery!

Tucked away in Winters College, this hidden alcove houses a beautiful art gallery with a bi-weekly alternating exhibitions! Come support your fellow Winters College peers and explore the world of visual arts! What is more, is every last Tuesday of every month, we hold our Winters Word Night! Come out for a night of signing, acoustics and spoken word!

12. BREATHE Whether you run, meditate or take time to do some mindful breathing, do not underestimate how important it can be to take time to breathe!

Take it from someone who gets severe migraines due to stress and not taking time to take a breath. Figure out what works for you - all it takes is thirty seconds to regulate your breathing and clear your head.

With that, I wish you all a wonderful semester and I hope to see you all out and being active within our wonderful community! Let's make it count!

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ARTICHOKE

Inizio 8

BY KATHERINE COLLIER

my eyes opened to reveal an inky blackness that penetrated even the recesses of my mind. It was as if by opening my eyes, I had given the black permission to enter my soul.

The only light in the room coming from a digital calendar alarm clock on my night table, its own little refuge. It read “01/01/18 5:59 AM.” L’inizio dell’anno my mother would say; the beginning of the year.

Of course, I would not be able to catch a break even on the first day of the new year. 2018 had arrived with little fanfare, the stroke of midnight being greeted by my snores. There was no getting drunk or going to parties in my life, I was lucky to have eight hours of sleep to myself.

This year was to be different.

New Year, New Me, right? Well, that was how it should have been, but the last-minute call to go into work because someone had not shown up for their shift as well as the notice from the boss that New Year’s day I had to be in bright and early, there went my plans for the night or any possibility of them. But I had taken the shifts, knowing that everyone I knew already had plans and was busy. Even my best friend had already made plans without me, and I could never bring myself to become a third wheel at a party. I was better off at home.

Alone.

CREATIVE

9 My body moved stiffly, getting ready only by the sheer force that was my daily routine. My mind was only awake enough to think that my new year’s resolution had already been broken. The promise to myself that I would not over work myself and I would try to improve my quality of life.

The irony.

The day moved slowly, as we had all assumed at work the day before, but of course I was one of the only ones who had to be in today. They had only asked because they knew I would not say no. And thus, the boring day was filled with questions of existence and whether it was even worth still being here.

This year would be the same as the last, nothing changing. I would gain a few pounds, work like a mad woman, contemplate going into therapy, try and make friends with people I had only just met, believe I could change my ways, but in the end what use was it. It would all be the same.

I would have no one. I would be alone in an empty apartment, my schedule molded by when I would work next. I could not see the point anymore really. It would not make a difference to anyone else.

“Hey, someone found this outside. Can we keep it in the back until someone comes to pick it up?”

My co-workers voice broke through the mists of my mind and my eyes took in the small bundle in

their arms. From the bundle came a soft whimper, and a small nose poked its way out from the soft blanket and attached to the nose was the face of a young dog, not a puppy, but not still fully grown. It was a mutt of some sort, but cute as could be.

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it, do not worry.”

And there came the glimmer of hope that would turn my year around, making every thought I had had that day a distant memory.

There was a light, right in front of me, banishing the blackness from inside that had fought so hard to root itself into the deepest recesses of my heart. This half-frozen bundle would be my 2018. My Inizio.

ARTICHOKE

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BY KELLY ESTOMO

(a new)

CREATIVE

if i met you again, there’s no doubt that I’d still feel lightheaded, like you knocked me out of the world’s orbit.

I’d see stars in a déjà vu, or a cloud shaped like your face in a dimension where I don’t know you.

But I’d hope that if I had to meet you again, for the first time, that some of the planet’s will misalign, and I’ll feel it like a crack in my bones, like a tilt in the atmosphere, like something isn’t going to be as right as it feels right now.

A stop sign bends at its trunk to bow at the grass, the same minute a tree forces itself into the dashboard of a car (it’s praying for the oncoming tornado to cease).

It’s funny how nature will always know before us, how the earth will self destruct 19 minutes before the radio hosts can announce that we’re dead.

I mean, 19 minutes is 19 minutes lost to run, except, the tree will still collide head first into a car; the earth will still self destruct whether you had a radio or not.

So I wish that I missed you by 19 minutes, to save me just 19 minutes of my life to disengage.

I’ll thank my lucky stars that in this world, you live 19 miles away, because I can settle on distance as a way to convince myself that the world aches for me and the pollution you made.

But you see, Neptune is far enough to freeze, and Mercury is close enough to burn, and I learned that here on Earth, no matter where I am or what time zone I’m in or what planet I’m on where I happen to meet you, for the first time, again, you will surely find a way to fuck me up.

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ARTICHOKE

BITCH BOI

BY MADDYSIN FISHER

This is dedicated to a man who is no longer a part of my life nor will he ever be. Although I respect him now, this poem still has meaning.

Please enjoy this slam-poe and remember that just because one boy is a little bitch, does not mean they all are. Leave the toxic people in 2017 and say hello to happiness in 2018.

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CREATIVE

introducing, bitch boi:

He was so perfect, Yet I was out of focus The aesthetic ideals he proved fell flat as he uttered the words, “I admit it” Bitch boy said he was done with being a fuck boy, But tinder spoke to him on a metaphysical level So say boy bye.

I would lay in his bed of roses, but after the sexual sensation, I realize he is the king of thorns.

As I sunk deeper into the box spring of illusion, I was awoken.

A part of me rose from the ashes of his past victims.

I felt every inch of body burning with the sensation of what my mind finally wanted to say.

I felt the words roll off my tongue torturing him with every syllable.

13 I felt every inch of body burning with the sensation of what my mind finally wanted to say.

I felt the words roll off my tongue torturing him with every syllable.

I felt the pain I was causing and with no remorse I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed every word, every sentence, and every moment.

I freed myself through the rage I never was able to feel.

That fire lead to passion And that passion lead to me leaving And leaving lead me to relief Relief to say boy bye to the bitch boy who remained a fuck boy even through “loyalty”.

Snaps for that.

Love, MadFish

ARTICHOKE

“NEW YEAR, NEW ME” IS CANCELED

BY ALEXANDRA CAPRARA

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you have heard it everywhere. it is your friend’s Instagram caption on their latest post even though it has been over two weeks since January 1st. It is what was said by the person you were standing beside at your New Year’s Eve party the second the clock hits midnight. It is the epitome of overused clichés referring to the new year. Yes, the ever so catchy: “New Year, New Me!” that literally everyone has said at least once, ironically or otherwise. Because let’s face it, if you say you have not, stop lying and join the club.

Listen, I get it. The idea of reinvention is irresistible, and New Year’s Day sounds like the perfect time to get started on the new, better version of “you”. Whether it is making a list of New Year’s resolutions, changing your hair, or cutting toxic people out of your life, the phenomenon seems like a concept that will never be passed its prime. Everyone does it in some shape or form, because everyone else they know is doing the exact same thing; a nearly universal routine that everyone just kind of accepts without really questioning it.

But its 2018, Winters. It is time to end this madness, and say once and for all that this fondly overused statement is canceled once and for all.

But before you face an existential crisis due to a

lack of having a mildly comedic phrase to refer to the new year, hear me out on this.

The pressure to do something drastic at the start of a new year is hard to ignore.

Everyone you know is going to be asking you about your New Year’s resolution or what your goals might be going in to the year. Goals and resolutions that you set for yourself are great- amazing, even. If you want to use this time to better yourself, be more healthy or active, or whatever your resolution may be, power to you, friend. But let me ask you this: why did you need to wait until the new year to make this dramatic change? Why do you feel like you need to change at all?

The simple answer most people will give you is that the new year introduces a clean slate, ready for any mishap or triumph the year has on its way. But forcing the reinvention of yourself can be more harmful than good if you are only doing it because you feel like it is simply the thing to do this time of year. If anything, it feels forced on us because everyone else is so focused on the idea that they need to make some drastic change just to show other people that you have, in fact, changed over the past 12 months. When you really think about, the idea that all of accept

LIFESTYLE

” this time of year as a time to change your life now or be doomed to people thinking you’re a change hating monster is just silly. Yes, we all want to look forward to a year with positive change and exciting new things, but if you like yourself the way you are you should not feel pressured to fall into the slippery slope of endless hashtags, all about creating a new and improved version of yourself for all your followers to see.

Let me remind you of where you were a year ago.

Look at how far you have come. Look at how you have changed, and look at everything that’s helped get you to this point. Regardless of any negative experiences you may have had over the past 365 days, each of those experiences are things you have endured so you could make it to today. That feat alone should be just as celebrated as the idea of starting over, do you not think? Acknowledging yourself and the things you have accomplished, or even the mistakes you have made, is the kind of self-love and growth I think all of can forget we need this time of year.

So who needs a champagne filled holiday as an excuse to reinvent yourself? If you like yourself the way you are, celebrate that. If you want to make a positive change, trust yourself and jump into whatever you want. Run with that little fire in your belly to do something and throw out the idea of waiting until next year to start whatever that thing is. Instead, see the new year as 365 days that are entirely yours. Yours to fill, to take the time to appreciate every little thing that comes your way, and maybe to reinvent yourself- but only if you want to. Even if you decide to do so in the middle of July.

Winters, this year is yours. It is here, and it is ready for you. Whatever version of you that may be.

(But seriously though. Just find a more interesting internet caption. Please. It is time.)

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ARTICHOKE

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BY LILIAN RUBILAR

LIFESTYLE

it has become a common tradition for us to establish a New Year’s resolution, even if you are not one to advertise it on social platforms, it has probably come across our minds at least once during the holidays. The reason I believe people make New Year’s resolutions, is as an effort to reinvent oneself, to escape our cultural procrastination and to cultivate motivation. It is all about that “new year, new me” slogan, where we try to ditch parts of us that we think is detrimental to our growth. Although, the pressure that we put on ourselves to change can sometimes be demotivating. I believe that the way we carry out and think about our resolution progress can be extremely helpful to achieving our goals, sometimes all we need is just a different perspective.

Do not beat yourself up. Just start over. Being too strict on yourself is very problematic when it comes to achieving change. Sometimes, we set goals that involve changing a large part of our lifestyle, and just like everything else we have to remember that practice makes perfect. It is extremely common for most people to want to give up once they already ‘cheated’ on their goals, and it can be extremely discouraging

and oftentimes leads us into some negative thinking. For example, I have goals of following a routine each week that consist of vegetarian meal prepping, studying, and doing yoga. I have realized that although this is a very positive change, it is foreign to my body and there’s been many times I had difficulties follow my schedule for that day.

Giving up is a very easy thing to do, I could quit anytime I want and no one would hold me accountable. Although you may last a day, two days, or even a month, just start over and begin with a positive attitude. Each time you begin there may be a newly discovered tactic that you can use on your next try.

It is not absolute; it is a work in progress.

When your goals start to feel less achievable each day, instead of focusing on your failures, just continue to remind yourself that it takes time to achieve goals, It is easy to forget that change comes with time, practice, and discipline. Look back at all your achievements so far, and how far you have come. If you find yourself not exactly where you want to be, it is okay, just keep swimming.

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ARTICHOKE

NEW YEAR,

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BY GENEVIEVE CANVAN

LIFESTYLE

ah, it is a new year! you are going to do yoga every day, eat super healthy, travel to Bali, Australia, and maybe Spain if you have time, get all of your homework done way in advance, and never make a mistake again, right?

I know these New Year’s resolutions may seem familiar to you, or you may have made similar ones. I have made those exact and similar ones myself. It can be hard to completely change your life in the first few months of the year. While making those resolutions might come from a good place, it can be a lot of pressure to put on yourself, and if those resolutions do not happen? Well, the possibilities for feeling bad for yourself are endless.

Do not get me wrong! Wanting to start a new, make improvements to your life, try new things, are fantastic ideas. But believing overhauling your life will make you happy, is a slippery slope down the rabbit hole.

I have always found when I made these gigantic, grand resolutions that I fell short of them, and I would get really down on myself. I eventually decided to set goals-achievable things I could actually get done in the New Year. Losing 30 pounds versus getting a gym membership, the difference is in the phrasing. By saying I will lose 30 pounds, I am predicting the outcome.

Getting a gym membership is easy and doable. Then after, I can make a smaller goal of going to the gym once or twice this week.

Sounds like there is not a big difference, but keeping goals in the day, or in the week helps so much! Also, the feeling of getting that goal done is awesome!

Moral of the story: New Year’s resolutions can be mistaken for completely changing your life. Make those changes, by all means! But also remember that it is okay to not have resolutions and it is okay to change, alter, or get rid of them entirely. Just do not get too down in the dumps if they do not come true. Make small, attainable changes. You will see the more progress there.

For the record, all that cheesy stuff about a new year being a clean slate of 365 blank days where you can do anything, is true. Make this an awesome year, because after 2016 and 2017, we need it!

“New Year, New Me!” is overrated, you are already pretty great in my opinion.

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ARTICHOKE

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