ORGAN DONATION
SUMMER JOB RUSH
WHERE TO NOM IN LONDON
APRIL 2014
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editor-in-chief: NICOLE GOODBRAND creative director: DANICA OLIVA copy editors: CAITLIN COOPER, MELISSA JIMENEZ arts editor: ELORAH FANGRAD lifestyle editor: MEGAN HERTNER news editor: KATYA HECKENDORN opinions editor: SARAH RITCHIE layout designers KRISTA MITCHELL journalists ELORAH FANGRAD, SAM GRAY, MEGAN HERTNER, MELISSA JIMENEZ, TODD DIAS, CAITLIN COOPER, EUNSEO NAMKUNG, NATALIE ROMAINE, THERESA O’NEILL, MEGAN LOBZUN, KATRINA YOUNES photographers DANICA OLIVA cover art DANICA OLIVA huronsgrapevine.com facebook: huron’s grapevine twitter: @Huron_Grapevine GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE HURON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE WESTERN ROAD 1349 LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA N6G 1H3
Dias X
FUNDED BY HURON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STUDENTS’ COUNCIL GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE • APR 2014 FREE PUBLICATION
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CONTENTS
19
5 Contributors.................................3
NEWS
South Sudanese Conflict.........5
OPINION
Self Titled: the Definition of a Women............................................19 The One and Only Leonardo DiCaprio.........................................22
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12 LIFESTYLE
Organ Donation..........................9 Summer Job Rush......................12 Gender: Interviews around The Province!......................... ...............14 Where to Nom in London........17
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ARTS
Book Recomendations..............24 Book Review: Quiet by Susan Cain..................................................26 Joan Cormorant for El Presidente...................... .............27 It Totally Always Happens Like This ........................................29 Boundaries....................................31
Poems by Todd
NEWS
The South Sudanese Conflict By Melissa Zuleta Jiménez
On December 14, 2013, a civil conflict erupted in South Sudan when President Salva Kiir accused former Vice President Riek Machar of instigating a coup d’état with the support of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Machar has denied all of Kiir’s allegations and has accused the President of engaging in power politics. Since December, the conflict has spread beyond Juba, South Sudan’s capital, and throughout the state of Jonglei, which has previously been prone to ethnic clashes. On December 19, the South Sudan Liberation Army captured Bor, the capital of the Jonglei State. After a week of violence in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator, put the death toll at over 1,000 people, while the number of internal refugees is estimated to have surpassed 100,000 people. On January 23, 2014, government and opposition
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NEWS sides reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development. However, the agreement did not last longer than 24 hours. In order to bring readers a clearer understanding of the conflict, I interviewed Emanuela Bringi, a key member of Voices Against Violence’s National Youth Advisory Board, who is dedicated to raising awareness of the heinous human rights violations being committed in South Sudan. All eyes are on the world’s newest nation and hoping for the best. First off, I was wondering if you could provide a breakdown of the conflict in South Sudan. Who are the key actors and the main tribes involved? Emanuela Bringi: I will start off by clarifying that the conflict in South Sudan did not start off as a tribal conflict. Tribes were manipulated and targeted in order to gain followers and support in the conflict. From my understanding, the violence erupted over a power struggle from the opposing leaders. Salva Kiir just so happens to be from the Dinka ethnic group, while Riek is from the Nuer ethnic group. Historically, there is tension between the two ethnic groups and this is why it was easy to fragment the conflict and gain followers. Both Kiir and Machar are incompetent leaders; Kiir has yet to make any type of progression in our country and has forced many people to regret the secession. Machar is known for his betrayal of his South Sudanese people when he defected during the civil war and sided with the Arab north. The sole fact that Riek is VicePresident is mind blowing; it is inconceivable that he wants a higher position with his terrible history. It is important to realize that the conflict is not about two tribes, it is about the stake of the South Sudanese people in the hands of two power hungry individuals.
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Who are the ones most affected by this conflict? EB: From the most current updates there are about 646,400 internally displaced peoples and around 123,400 who have fled to neighboring countries. Almost all states have been affected by the violence, with the exception of Northern Bahr al Gazal, Western Bahr Gazal and Western Equatorial. This means that about 70% of the country has been directly affected and, if continued, these three remaining states will be harmed as well. We need to think about the men who are sacrificing their lives to fight, the women and children and the dismembered families and displaced peoples. South Sudanese that are out here in the Diaspora are affected as well: those unable contact and communicate with their families, the families that have lost loved ones, and those who are neglected denied the opportunity of visiting their families due to this conflict. All South Sudanese who claim some sort of connection to that land are affected and cannot be accounted for. 3) What are the implications of the ceasefire? Do you believe this will last? EB: The Ceasefire agreement was calling for both sides of opposing parties to lay down their arms and ultimately focus on dialogue in order to reach a democratic resolution. The agreement did not last. According to reports, the agreement was broken in less than 24 hours of the signing. 4) Explain some of the projects you have been involved in to raise awareness of the conflict. EB: When the conflict erupted, I, along with some South Sudanese youth in London, Ontario, organized a peace demonstration. The turnout was very good; we hope to organize another one in the future. I am now working on a short documentary which focuses on the lives of South Sudanese women, their experiences and what hopes they have for the future of our country and its leaders. I am also involved in a project that is working on opening a clinic in areas that are occupied by
NEWS internally displaced peoples: Mal Clinic. 5) You have recently traveled to the United States as part on some Advocacy Training conferences held by The Voices For Sudan Organization. Could you expand on what you gained from this experience? EB: Voices for Sudan is a non-profit organization that focuses on resolving the humanitarian crisis. Their mission is to give a voice to the diaspora community of Sudanese and South Sudanese in the global discussion to resolve the humanitarian crisis. In the training, we learned effective ways of telling your story, ways to gain support for a cause by members of the local government, fundraising strategies and ways to engage media in the cause. I also gained the importance of recognizing that together, we are stronger. The training was for the Sudanese diaspora, meaning North and South combined. Everyone had the same goal, which was peace and togetherness, regardless of region, tribe,
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ethnicity, etc. If we are able to find common ground with members of North Sudanese, we will find peace with our fellow South Sudanese. 6) Do you believe the conflict could have a peaceful end or do you predict the conflict could drag on for years? Especially for such a young nation as South Sudan, a civil conflict could further weaken the state. South Sudan is a very rich country but the leaders are poor spirited. I only anticipate on change coming, I have no predictions. All I have is love for my country and people, and I will use my voice as much as I can to speak against the violence in South Sudan and plea for peace.
Facts
Civilians are taking refuge in states that have not been affected and have migrated to Sudan and Ethiopia. 10, 000+ people have died including civilians and soldiers
NEWS
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LIFESTYLE
Organ Donation By Megan Hertner
Once and a while when I take a deep breath I think of Kayla Baker. In Canada, about 1,500 people are placed on the organ donator waiting list yearly. Less than half of those waiting become recipients from a deceased donor. Kayla Baker was one of these people that had to wait, but did receive her gift. At only fifteen years of age, Kayla Baker was in need of new lungs. As a baby, she battled cancer and due to the chemotherapy treatments, she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis years later when she was 11. Last Spring, Kayla
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underwent surgery to have a lung transplant. The city of Cambridge was captivated by the young women’s story of courage and perseverance. Green ribbons covered the streets, hung from trees and were worn by supporters. While Kayla worked to re-establish her own health, she thought of ways to help others in a similar position. Kayla and her family founded the Runalung foundation with the goal of raising awareness of organ donation, as well as in support of SickKids Hospital. The event was massive success raising
$78,000. Proof of Kayla’s impact is not only measured in the dollars raised, but also by the amount of people she inspired to sign up as donors. As of February 2014, 911 people have become donors in her honour. On New Year’s day, Kayla Baker passed away after she developed cancer once again. Her vivacious spirit carries on throughout the community of Cambridge and by those who like her, care so much for others. Although Kayla is no longer on this Earth in body, hope is not something death can defeat. In an article with
LIFESTYLE
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LIFESTYLE the Cambridge Times, Ms. Susan Tremblett, Kayla’s mother explains, “It’s not just about Baker’s dream anymore. It’s much bigger than that now. The dream is really now how we can make a difference for others,” she said. “Organ donation will be a big part because if we can get more people to register and speak to their families, fewer people will have to wait for their hero, their second chance at life.” According the Trillium Gift of Life network, just one person can save up to 8 lives. Why is it that 85% of Canadians surveyed were in favour of organ donation, but only 25% are registered as one? Just think of how amazing this gift of life is. There is no better final act one could have on earth, but to reach out to another human. Keep an eye out for Huron’s own awareness campaign next month. The decision to register is one of importance and requires great maturity. If you feel compelled to register visit: https://beadonor.ca/ For information visit: http://www. giftoflife.on.ca/en/ or http://www. runalung.ca/
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LIFESTYLE
Summer Job Rush By: Eunseo Namkung
Looking for employment can be a very stressful process. Summer employment can be even more so because it could potentially turn out to be four months of wasted time. I met with Clare Tattersall, Manager of Career Development and CoCurricular Learning, to provide readers with some tips on how to get your dream summer job. Common Mistakes Made by Job Seekers 1. Not researching the company What is the company looking for? Knowing the culture, values, and mission statement of the company are important to know. These pieces of information can help one better understand the particular workplace and gauge whether it is a right fit.
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2. Not tailoring your information It is incredibly important to have a great, polished document that will catch your potential employer’s eye. Moreover, it is important to not make a generic resume. Clare suggests choosing 6 places you would like to work and tailoring your resume to each company. A generic resume is often too broad and fails to communicate with the organization why they need you to work for them. A second crucial tip for writing resumes is to edit.
excuses like saying they are too shy to network, but this is a skill that all students will have to develop. Friends, parents, and parents’ friends are all incredibly valuable sources. Having connections can help by giving the job seeker a “one up” on other applications. For example, being able to know the hiring representatives’ name to direct your cover letter too. In some cases, a personal contact may even direct your resume to the hirer or provide a recommendation.
3. Failing to Network This is probably the biggest mistake students make during their job search. As Clare says, “Networking is like dating. It’s not fun, but it’s necessary.” Many students often make
4. Failing to be Professional Many students make the mistake of thinking that they can get away with not being professional. It is important to address e-mails with “Dear Mr. or Mrs. X”. One must also arrive
LIFESTYLE to interviews in business attire. Having a professional image is crucial to set a good impression – it shows that you take yourself seriously and respect the employer. Other Alternatives to Summer Employment 1. Volunteer work If you are interested in working in the non-profit industry in the future, volunteer work can be a great alternative. “Learning is valuable,” commented Clare. If your values align well with the organization, it could be very fulfilling. One could possibly be doing high level work and gaining references for down the
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road. One should be warned though, that if the organization is a profitable business, the student should be paid for their work. Clare advises that otherwise, it is simply not fair. 2. Entrepreneurship Tasks like mowing lawns and babysitting can help one gain high level skills such as customer service, marketing, and time management. A program like CollegePro is a possible opportunity for students who wish to break out of the confines of usual employment.
Resources Many resources exist to aid students in their search for summer employment. Visit Clare’s blog www. whatcanyoudowiththat.com for useful articles and resources. “TalentEgg” and “Western’s Career Central” are also good tools for entry level jobs. For final words of advice, Clare offers, “Nothing comes from nothing.” Only if one is willing to take the time and put in the effort, will success arrive. Only when one stops trying will one fail. Clare is available for appointments for all Huron students. She can help to sort out options and provide any other advice. Good luck everyone!
LIFESTYLE
Gender: Interviews around the province By: Natalie Romaine People always feels better when we can understand exactly how something works or feels, and then assign a label that fits accordingly. This begs the question; can we accept something that we do not fully understand? Can we support something that does not fit within the boundaries of our carefully constructed labels? What if it’s not a thing, but rather, a person? Can society accept a human being that transcends the strict black and white binary that it has created? Acceptance of the LGBT+ community is on the rise. Homosexuality is much more accepted in today’s society than ever before. Several countries have legalized same-
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sex marriage in the past ten years, including Brazil, France, England, Wales, Spain, Canada, and more. Homosexual characters are much more prevalent in the media, and education systems are making a larger effort to protect LGBT students and promote equality. However, homosexuality is only the ‘L’ and ‘G’ of the LGBT+ community. Other, less mentioned groups, include bisexual, transgender, transsexual, asexual, pansexual, and genderfluid individuals. Humans will tolerate something so long as they can understand it. Many individuals are now willing to accept the existence and legitimacy of homosexuals by accepting that yes, some males are attracted to other males, and some females are attracted to other females. It is when people begin to push against the
boundaries that a new problem arises. I interviewed four university students who are part of the LGBT+ grouping, but whose gender and sexual identities are some of the most forgotten and pushed aside, about their experiences. First, I asked Fiross Alam, a student currently attending Sheridan College, about their experiences. Fiross identifies as genderfluid, which is nonconforming to the gender binary of exclusively male or female. Could you please give me some insight on what it’s like to be genderfluid in the LGBT+ community, and at university? Usually it’s just normal. Sometimes it irks me a lot when I see a form and they list Gender: Male/Female? (it’s different if it says SEX: male/female). If I see stuff like that I have a hard time filling the form in, and I kinda feel shitty afterwards.
LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE
There are days I feel really gross when people call me ‘she’, even though it’s sometimes not a big deal and that’s the reason I go with ‘they’. And people just don’t remember that. Or they go, ‘well it’s not really a thing, I’ll just call you she’ which is very hurtful and kinda makes me want to cry sometimes. …Mostly what annoys me is when people don’t respect the fact that I sometimes want to be called he/they or Fiross… It doesn’t happen too much here, since there are a lot of queer people in my school. I really like people who ask me which name/pronoun I go by at the time they see me…I have a few people like that here now. For the most part, the people in the LGBTQ+ community that
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I associate with are really open minded and accepting, so there’s never really any issue with that. The other thing that annoys me… is that if I want to be referred to as he, or a boy, I have to dress like that. Like if I wear a skirt but I’m like, in a boyish mood, and I want to be called he, it’s like, not a thing that’s possible? I dislike that I have to somehow ‘make up’ for my lack of masculinity in order to be considered gender variant. I also interviewed two asexual individuals about their experiences in university and the LGBT+ community. First, I spoke to Evan-Rose Nelson, a student at Trent University. Could you give me some insight
on what it’s like to be asexual in the LGBT+ community, and in university? There are plenty examples of the emphasis for LGBT+ rights and acceptance being focused on the LG part, and I would like to know about any experiences you’ve had with that? I don’t really have much connection to the LGBT community directly… My involvement with it has mainly been indirect, and in terms of my experiences with exclusion, I find that it usually takes form in ignorance more than anything. And I mean that both in the sense of ignorance, and ignore-ance. The fact that there is still an argument over whether the A stands for allies or asexuals is proof of this. I mean, these are cis-gendered heterosexuals who are, in some cases, being labeled as more of a part of the community than asexuals, and that’s a problem.
LIFESTYLE In university specifically, you’re being bombarded with imagery telling you that you’ve got to be sexy. This is college-it’s when you have sex, and party, and experiment, and get ‘wild’. There’s this kind of background radiation permeating the environment that says as long as you’re doing someone, you’re good. The LGBT community often is very sexualized as well, so this can be pretty isolating to an asexual person. Not to mention that bringing up the point of being asexual usually results in confusion or outright disbelief. I also spoke with Kate Hornby, an asexual individual attending the University of Toronto, St. George. Do you find there is less support for asexual individuals in the LGBT community than there is for other groups? Have you ever experienced something like that yourself? Oh yeah, totally. People constantly tell me asexuality ‘isn’t real’ or ‘you just haven’t found the right person yet’. Not many people outside the LGBTQ+ are aware that asexuality exists, and explaining can be confusing. I once had a girl tell me I’d never be able to be in a relationship unless I was willing to have sex. And how have you found your university experience as an asexual individual thus far? Really fine! I make no secret about it and people are very accepting and interested when I explain it. In addition, I interviewed Matt Mac, a
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genderfluid student at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus. Who explained that his experiences as genderfluid in university have been mostly positive, stating, “The LGBT community at UTM is insanely accepting, actually. Everything is very inclusive and there’s ‘positive space’ posters everywhere.” The insightful responses from these individuals suggest that universities in Ontario have become widely accepting of LGBT individuals. However, it is also evident that ignorance still remains. In order to ensure that everyone feels welcome and that everyone is respected, we have to ensure that we keep an open mind, and are willing to change our way of thinking. If you believe people can only exist as male or female, and that only girls can wear skirts or boys must dress masculine, then you
are marginalizing and harming genderfluid individuals through ignorance. If you believe that a relationship can only exist with sex, you are ignoring the identity of asexual individuals and telling them that they are undesirable partners. This mode of thinking needs to stop and both members of the LGBT+ community and Allies need to be prepared to expand their horizons, and stop falling into the human trap of only accepting things that fall within a certain label or box.
LIFESTYLE
Where to NOM in london
By Theresa O’Neill
O”Zen 607 Richmond Street www.ozenlondon.com Located on Richmond Street near Victoria Park, this cozy venue offers authentic Korean cuisine combined with Japanese favourites. Rows of benches and long tables fill the entirety of O”zen’s dining area, so be ready to get snuggly with some strangers! This place is great for those who are ‘unsure’ about sushi (ahem, myself before I discovered just how tasty it can be). All of the main courses come with a few pieces of yam and avocado roll, which is a great way to sample some sushi without the commitment of ordering an entire roll. The food is great and the portions are large!
http://butchbellah.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Wasting-Time.jpg
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LIFESTYLE
Chil Frozen Yogurt Bar 620 Richmond Street www.chilfroyo.com This place boasts having the most toppings in all of Canada (over 125!). Chil is the first to offer Greek frozen yogurt in Canada. In addition, it’s organic and sometimes vegan. This frozen yogurt is like no other, it’s addictively good. The toppings range from fruit, M&Ms, and brownie bits to sriracha sauce, organic honey, peanut butter, cheesecake, and sometimes a house-made pie (still warm!). Always be on the lookout for Chil’s amazing coupons scattered around bus stops or online. Speaking of online, you can now order a custom Chil fro-yo treat online and it will be delivered to your doorstep. Warning: you will crave Chil regularly once you try it. London Covent Garden Market 130 King Street www.coventmarket.com Not too far from campus you can find this gem of a market. Opened all year round this place is ideal for an afternoon spent shopping with friends or a fun place to take a date. Each vendor inside is local and is oneof-a-kind! There are a plethora of eateries that feature types
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of cuisine from all around the world. A personal favourite is the börek stand where you can get one freshly made. Who doesn’t love a combination of phyllo dough filled with feta, vegetables, or meat?! If you have a sweet tooth you will be glad to know there is also
vendor that sells French macaroons and one that sells chocolates (I highly recommend the lavender flavour).
OPINION
Self- Titled: The Definition of “Woman”
By Melissa Zuleta Jiménez
December 13, 2013: a day christened by the Internet world as “Beyoncéday.” Forget T. Swift’s birthday, Britney’s “Britney Jean” album, or even Lady Gaga’s “Artpop” coming out that month. December was Beyoncé’s. After just three days, Beyoncé became the fastest selling album ever from iTunes, both in the US and worldwide. According to Apple’s Press Info site, her video album sold 828,773 albums worldwide in its first three days. BEYONCÉ also broke the US first week album sales record with 617,213 sold and proved to be an international success going to number one in 104 countries. I am not here to discuss the brilliance of her album or admire her team’s intelligent marketing tactics; no, I am going to explore the topics she touches on in her songs, more specifically a phenomenon I call the “Resurgence of Feminism of the 21st Century.” A long title, but allow me to elaborate. Over the last couple of years, scholars, activists, and (more recently)
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OPINION
artists have risen more than ever calling for the respect of women’s rights, equality for women, and the empowerment of women in society. There has been a surge of artists, especially female artists, whom are capitalizing on the idea of women’s empowerment and gain increased support from this demographic in the process. This is both a positive and a negative thing. In a way it has reinforced women’s independence and pushing women to be confident in themselves. On the other hand, the extreme sexualisation of some of these artists (for example, Miley Cyrus’s rebirth at the MTV music awards) can lead women, especially teen girls, in believing that in order to gain respect from their peers, they need to base their value on their sexuality. There is one question that still troubles me: what does “woman” mean? And even more important, what does “being a woman” mean? According to Beyoncé, it is being able to feel sexy in your own
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skin, enjoy having sex with your partner, being a mother, losing a child, being insecure, and also being able to admit that you are a human that makes mistakes. Beyoncé has embodied the complexities of womanhood in her 14 songs and 17 music videos, making it her most mature and ambitious work to date. Of course, the album has been riddled with controversy. “Pretty Hurts” touches the topic on loving yourself and talks a lot on how “perfection is a disease of a nation,” which many people have found offensive since Beyoncé has been criticized of bleaching her skin. Another of her songs, “XO”, begins with a recording of when the Discovery Shuttle was experiencing difficulties and later exploded killing the astronauts within it. She has been accused in being insensitive to the families of the victims. Being a woman, and womanhood itself is hard
OPINION to explain, and even harder to experience. I believe there is still a long way to go for women in order for us to be viewed as equal members of society, especially when subjects, such as sex remains to be a taboo topic for society as a whole. Beyoncé features part of a speech by the Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, which speaks about women, from a young age competing against one another for a husband, rather than seeking a career and a strong professional life. Even in this day, where women are allowed to go to school and educate our minds, we are forced to make the decision of either pursuing a professional career or raising a family. I am not saying we can’t do both, but it is
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extremely difficult. I admire women who decide to raise a family, as much as I praise women who work their way up the corporate ladder. We make our own definition, and womanhood is what we make of it. I’m not going to lie; I have listened to this album more times than I would ever admit (unless you took a look at my iTunes, you would never know the truth). However, I would not go as far as claiming Beyoncé as my religion, as some on the Internet claim her to be. She’s really proven herself as one of the best pop artists of this time, and personally, I can’t wait to see what’s next in her career.
OPINION ARTS
By: Meagan Lobzun
I went on a date last night. I’ll try to be modest, but I must admit he was a hunk. He had these big blue shining eyes that made me feel like I was flying. His chestnut brown hair was slicked back, making his eyes seem even brighter. His angelic lips were asking, “Does Daddy get a kiss from both of his little girls?” I was just about to say yes when a man shuffled in front of me mumbling “excuse me” on his way out of the theatre. I grudgingly moved my feet out of the way while craning my neck around his body so as not to lose eye contact with my
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boyfriend on the big screen. Okay, so maybe I wasn’t exactly on a date with Leonardo DiCaprio, but I did actually watch the Wolf of Wall Street, which is his most recent starring role. Leo (as I call him) was cast as Jordan Belfort, a Wall Street stockbroker who learns how to manipulate stock prices and makes more money than he knows what to do with— a dilemma Leo successfully combats with his philanthropy in real life. I first met Leo in 1997 as the
ARTS OPINION 20-year-old Jack Dawson heading for America on the illfated RMS Titanic. I fell in love with the artistically talented young man, blushed as he drew Kate Winslet’s character Rose, and cried as she let Jack slip into the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland. If it had been me on that boat I would have “never let go”! Since Leo’s breakout success in the 1990s he has had many challenging roles that have shown his ability to play any character. He can play a charming young man in the 1960s on the run for writing bad cheques, a son seeking revenge for his father’s death in the 1860s, a famous
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aviator suffering from an extreme obsessive-compulsive disorder, a diamond smuggler, a U.S. Marshall investigating a wayward psychiatric facility, an extractor of dreams, a cruel plantation owner in the preCivil War South, and a 1920s millionaire. The only role that he hasn’t played is a woman. It’s fairly common knowledge that Leo is a talented— and let’s not forget beautiful— actor with an extensive filmography including 29 movies since 1991. What isn’t common knowledge is that he is also a dedicated environmentalist. Leo’s commitment can be seen in his personal possessions: his
house utilizes solar power, his cars are hybrids or completely electric, and in 2009 he bought an island off mainland Belize that he plans to use for an ecofriendly resort. His dedication can also be seen in his financial contributions. In 1998 he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which funds environmental and wildlife preservation. Leo made his documentary debut in 2007 with the 11th Hour which he wrote, produced and narrated. It focuses on the environmental issues we face today and provides solutions for a more sustainable future. It seems there is nothing he can’t do!
LIFESTYLE ARTS OPINION
Book Recommendations By: Caitlin Cooper
1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes Publisher: Penguin Books Format: Paperback Genre: General Fiction Plot: Louisa Clark is a vibrant young woman living an exceedingly average life, having never traveled outside of her town in England. After her workplace goes out of business, she works as a caregiver to Will Traynor who is wheelchairbound after an accident. Will has always lived an adventurous life so he hates that he’s prevented from travelling and doing extreme sports. He’s moody and sarcastic, but Louisa won’t treat him like glass. They begin to bond so when she learns that Will has a shocking plan, she wants to show him that life still has worth. While the novel tackles controversial subjects, Moyes handles them with delicateness and skill. The true message and beauty of this novel is the protagonist’s transformation. Louisa learns, with the help of Will, that life should be a fun adventure. We should do what we want to do now, not later, and we should never settle for what doesn’t make us happy. For that reason, Moyes’ novel is important and powerful. It’s a deeply emotional read, but it’s balanced with the hopeful tone of the epilogue. The poignancy of Me Before You left me thinking hours after I’d finished reading it.
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ARTS OPINION
If you’re interested in contemporary fiction novels that deal with personal growth and feature travel, then here are two amazing books you may want to read.
2. Just One Day by Gayle Forman Publisher: Speak Format: Paperback Genre: Young Adult Plot: Allyson Healey feels trapped in a life that is rigidly planned by her parents. Near the end of her trip to Europe the summer before college, she meets actor Willem. He invites her to abandon her plans and come to Paris with him for a day. Allyson’s craving for adventure prompts her to do something not on the itinerary: she says yes. Her impulse leads to a day that is the catalyst for transformation. Forman’s novel is easily relatable for people our age because the protagonist is challenged by the same experiences that college and university students face. The book follows Allyson’s Europe trip prior to first year and takes us through her full freshman year at college. Allyson expresses universal feelings, from worries about the future, trying to take control of your life, and learning and loving who you are. Another strong message is that it’s easy to get caught up in making others happy, but we should go after what we want. Just One Day left an impression with its meaningful messages and gave me a bit of the travel bug. Check out the sequel, Just One Year, told from Willem’s perspective.
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FEATURE LIFESTYLE ARTS OPINION
book Review: Quiet by Susan cain By Eunseo Namkung
Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, Eleanor Roosevelt, Barack Obama. What do these people have in common? Susan Cain author of Quiet points out that all of them share the quality of introversion. Although the book focuses primarily on introverts, it is also relevant to extroverted people as well. This is because it is important for both types of people to learn about the personality characteristics of others. Cain touches on a lot of different areas such as creativity and success to provide an
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insightful read on the power that introverts have. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I think it’s a great source to use to understand your weaknesses better, come to terms with them, as well as learn about your strengths. I know it might not be a book that one would pick up for fun, unless one was interested in the topic, but I think it would be useful for pretty much anyone. Parents, professors, businesspeople, and leaders, can all benefit from this read
because the topic is universal. The book was so enjoyable because it highlighted the many positives personality traits commonly held by introverts. This is refreshing to hear because qualities like shyness or being timid are constantly undermined in society. For example, Cain makes the case that brainstorming is done better when working individually. Most introverts enjoy a quiet setting which is an ideal setting for creativity to flourish. Hence, brainstorming is shown to actually be more effective when working individually. This book allowed me to evaluate aspects of myself, and prompted me to think of how I can use my introverted nature to my advantage. The book is very insightful, well-organized, easy to read, humorous at times, and everyone has something to gain from it. I think the reason Quiet is such a universal piece is because it forces us to think about the human temperament and rethink the way we approach various situations. There’s a bit of something that everyone can relate to. Pick this book up if you get the chance!
OPINION ARTS
Joan Cormorant for El Presidente By Elorah Fangrad and Katrina Younes
A platform overview compiled through interviews by Elorah Fangrad and Katrina Younes Fellow students, are you tired of ineffective student government strategies and broken promises? It is irrelevant as to whether or not you despise politics or are a dedicated fan of the Conservatives, Liberals, NDP, Green Party, Christian Heritage Party, those people in Quebec, or the monarchy. I assure you that I have only the best intentions for the Huron student body. If we are to be the leaders of tomorrow, we need leadership today. Vote Joan Cormorant for El Presidente. As a dedicated journalist, I have a way with words–– and minds. I am multitasking, innovative, and coherent. But wait! There’s more. I’m the treasurer of the London Paranormal Investigation Society and working towards becoming a
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certified cake decorator. My experience is paramount to understanding controversial issues that students face daily. Image: Branding that portrays Huron as an upright academic institution is always a priority— if all else fails, at least make the sweaters look good. I will order Huron apparel designed for fashion-conscious students, including UGGs lined with beaver pelts and Canada Goose parkas trimmed with beaver fur—like it’s 1863 all over again! Publications: The Grapevine will receive all the funding that Huron pays rich old smart people to lecture about philosophy once a year. Finances: My limited comprehension of economics has led me to promote a tuition reduction model, refunding students $50 for each lecture they attend. I project that this
expenditure will cause no great loss to the budget. Considering my personal accountant’s advice that some profit must be made, I will keep the fees charged for late tuition payments. OSAP’s refusal to provide students the full sum of their loans in August makes this decision particularly profitable. Capitalism. Only the best succeed. Academics: I will consult with faculty in order to offer credits that will bolster any liberal arts degree: Interpreting Made-Up Words Used in Global Studies Publications, Mathematics in Real Life, and Winning Arguments Using Greek Logic (anti-requisite to Poli Sci 1004). I seek to improve the behaviour of all students through discreet social engineering and permitting professors to deploy the dreaded “hat of shame” upon their young charges (rumour has it it’s topped with a pineapple).
OPINION ARTS Student life and health: Security is all the rage continent-wide. Dorm locks will be replaced by biometric scanners, thereby eliminating the need for key cards that demagnetize three times per day (my budget-friendly option is actual keys). Toasters, Magic Bullets, panini makers, fondue apparatuses and waffle irons will be permitted in residence to combat malnutrition.
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Philanthropy: You’ve probably guessed that I do a lot of charity work. I am currently coordinating Huron’s purchase of a 100% sustainable organic llama farm in Ecuador. The proceeds from the sales of fine wool and llama steaks will go to charity and also work to mitigate the $683 million deficit I’ve already created through my embezzling scheme. Wait. I’ve got to blame that on my intern!
Overall, the primary reason that you should vote for me is that I have never been idealistic, nor I am addicted to being idealistic. That and my opponent has 25 more Facebook friends than me and therefore will probably be elected instead.
OPINION ARTS
It totally always happens like this By: Sam Gray
Jacques rushes out of his room, set to be late for class. Realizing that he forgot his key card, he cries on the inside during his sprint through the door that he forgets to open. Luckily, there’s a gaggle of beautiful ladies on the other side poised to enjoy the humour of Jacques’ lack of coordination. Continuing through the door, letting the ladies pass by, Jacques attempts to appear cool, calm, and collected. He quickly removes this mask as he rushes down the stairs, doing them 10 at a time, finishing the last set with a backflip. With three minutes to go, Jacques races to class, nearly breaking his neck on ice patches five times before he hits the Huron Dining Hall. Jacques totally hasn’t eaten yet and could really use some deep fried crunchy white eraser, but he can’t stand to be that guy who walks in late while Dr. Big is explaining his lack of tolerance
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for lateness— again. The few steps of world-class speed walking turn into what feels like a snail marathon as a group of a kajillion people feel obligated to take up the whole sidewalk. Jacques jumps over the railing just outside the tunnel and pulls ahead. As he hears them all muttering about him, he half-jogs just far enough past the group to be out of earshot…only to find the sidewalk packed with even more snails than before. Jacques makes eye contact with that friend he hasn’t seen forever, but quickly looks away to avoid a conversation that might make him late. Dodging people like it’s his day job, Jacques ponders becoming a football player. Then he realizes that there is a pole directly in front of him, and there are people on either side. Well, that was awkward. Jacques ponders telling the world he’s okay
FEATURE OPINION ARTS until he realizes that they just don’t care. Merging into the herd of American Goose™ jackets, Jacques feels left out and decides he must get one to fit in. A long rant about social pressure and not conforming to the norm ensues in his fashion-plagued mind. Jacques only has two minutes left until class. With the coast clear, he sets up for a fullon sprint, checking to see there is no one who recognizes him around. He passes by flowers on the way, contemplating the age-old saying: “Don’t forget to smell the flowers.” Jacques feels badly for not smelling the
flowers. Boom! Yup. Another door. This one also opens to the outside. Thankfully there is no one on the other side of it, but there is that good looking cat (you know, like cats and dogs, but with people) in his class behind him. As he holds the door for her, surrendering to the fact that he’s going to be late, he decides that it was worth it. Turns out class was cancelled. And that’s always how things go.
By: J. Cormorant, Editor of The Abundant Wildlife of Southwestern Ontario
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ARTS
Boundaries By Todd Dias
I let what I want in. Tell me more about love. I am in awe of this word. Like a child dreaming of Kings and Dragons I’ve lived my life in innocent anticipation. To this day I am unfulfilled. But let us not walk through barbed wire and grassy knolls: I am here but disconnected. Disconnection was always such a biting, bitter word But now I choose it as a means of self-preservation. Wanting breeds suffering, but I will let you walk in. Open, not as a wound, but as a door that is unlocked. I can remember a time When the world came to me
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threatening and adoring, an invasion from without. Now I am well aware Of how the tape plays on While I can be A man on my own. I let what I want in. Not as a drawbridge opens to a castle But as glass which discriminates as to what can pass through: only light. I remember a time when I lived in my own world: “Silent rider; distant star.” Nothing got through and I could not join the game. Now I know that I can have an open heart: “Accept and you’ll be accepted.” The dance begins today. I let what I want in. But, willing to love, I have learned boundaries.