Brutus 2 2017

Second Semester ~ 2017 Read all about sĂŞr season

15 First year things #rooMGoaLs FInD some inspiration

All about German culture

Get that summer body in winter!

Anatomy of the fridge

Contents page NEWS: 6 Sêr-season— Anri Magerman HEALTH AND BEAUTY: 8 Summer body exercise—Mieke Kleynhans 10 Stain removal and basic fashion —Anja Brink RES LIFE: 12 DIY Nerina style—Wilma de Waal 15 #roomgoals—Janke van Schalkwyk 18 American Pancakes—Nerita Kluyts 19 Exploring hot chocolate—Hesmari Basson 22 Wifi down?—Kishalya Haridass 24 Anatomy of the fridge—Hannelize Joubert

REFLECTVE: 26 Meet Steph—Dané Eloff 28 Crazy phobias—Stefani van der Merwe 30 15 Firstyear things—Lané Katzke 34 Change—Karla van Rensburg 36 Student Stressors—Charlize Herman OUT AND ABOUT: 38 German culture—Monique Jakob 42 Throwback vs 21st century—Elsje de Wet 43 A Stellenbosch 3rd term—Genna Warrington 44 COMPETITION: Crossword

LETTER from the To my fellow Nerinas It is with a heavy heart that I write this last editorial letter to you. I look back on this journey and just realise what a journey it has been!

“Each season has a reason—a blessing or a lesson.”

I believe that life is build up of various seasons. In every season we are faced with different challenges and opportunities. How we use these opportunities and how we overcome the challenges influences the setting of our next season.

Some seasons are not as nice as others, just like we maybe like summer more than winter. As with life we can’t continue to the next season until the current one is finished. In every season you will learn something about yourself or discover something new. This comes in the form of a blessing or a lesson.

Our goal must be to receive every blessing with open arms and to see every lesson as an opportunity to learn. So go out: count your blessings and remember your lessons!

All my love Mari-Louise Vermaak 4

Daar staan geen huis met beter naam op vaste fondament Waar elke dag a vreugde is en vriendskap waarde het Nerina is ‘n huis waar jy ook jouself sal vind Want hier sal almal saamstem, Dis liefde wat ons bind Laat ons almal saamstaan, laat ons almal bou Kom laat ons Nerina aan Hom toevertrou Hier waar ons kan lewe, ons erfenis kan behou Hier beloof ons nou vir jou Nerina ewig trou

5

NEWS

“Some

say the world will end in fire. Some say ice. With the way we’re treating it, it might just die”. Kleinsêr 2017, was bigger and better than ever before. It is Stellenbosch’s own Pitch Perfect! Our very own Nerina’s took part and this year, their theme was titled Saving the Environment. The theme involved music which depicted how badly, we as human-beings, treat the environment and it moves on to how we can “heal the world and make it a better place”.

The year started off with a skakel melody which comprised of cartoon themed songs such as The Simpsons, Kim Possible, The Adams Family, Odd Parents, Phineas and Ferb as well as The Flintstones. It was a great ice breaker as we all familiarised with each other’s voices and we got to learn a lot about music. We practiced three times a week and I promise you, music started boiling out of our ears.

During the June holidays, the Sêr group came back a week earlier to have a week of team building. We rehearsed every day with a few breaks in between. The camp was amazing, but the entire week was not all sunshine and roses, which is to be expected from team work and I learnt a great deal from that experience. We finished all our music and choreography during our stay and got to learn a lot about each other simultaneously. We ended the week by celebrating Amanda’s birthday, where we had sundowners on the roof. That was probably the highlight of the week, seeing everyone relax again. But, practice had just begun…

When classes resumed for second semester, we practised every single day up until the preliminary round which was on the 5th of August. Despite our physical and vocal exhaustion, we still made the most of our practice sessions and made the most of our time together. We had formed such great bonds during our time on camp that everyone was encouraging the next person to keep the momentum going.

6

NEWS

Friday evening the 4th of August, we decided to rest our voices so that we can be ready for the big day. We came together early on the Saturday afternoon, so that we could settle the nerves, but also to mentally prepare ourselves for the competition. Nicole Brand, the Sêr’s own resident make-up artist came up with a funky make up design and everyone pitched in to help get ready and pretty for the day, the fruits of team work for me were already being harvested. Lizane, or “Mamma-Liz”, came up with an amazing costume idea.

We were dressed in all black which represented the destruction of mother nature. Thereafter, we would remove floral skirts, which we neatly tucked away, which represented the beauty of nature and how we should love earth.

While we were preparing, we kept our voices warm by continuously singing and drinking some OBS (Old Brown Sherry). I have to admit, this kept the momentum going and everyone felt more confident in singing.

We hit the stage and everything became so real. We sang our hearts out and we performed like there was no one sitting in the Endler Hall. That night flew by so quickly and 6 months turned into a few hours. No one can truly understand what that feels like until you go through it. It feels like blinking, one minute it’s there and the next, it’s gone. Unfortunately, we did not make it through to semi-finals, but performing was so rewarding and the friendships created were the ultimate prize.

Being part of Sêr has been such a fruitful experience and I would recommend it to everyone who loves singing. Yes, there will be times when you ask yourself if it is even worth sacrificing so much time, but it is such a beautiful moment when you walk onto that stage and stare at everyone - you can see the anticipation on their faces. Nerina, my liewe. I have no regrets!

Anri Magerman

7

Health and beauty

How to stay fit in the colder months Try a class.

Can't seem to motivate yourself on your own? Try taking a class — it's a lot easier to keep going when there's someone telling you what to do. Also: You paid for these classes, so you're less likely to skip out.

Grab a partner.

Find someone to hit the gym with so it encourages you to actually go. You can take classes together and set goals together, which can even make it fun.

Keep up maintenance on the rest of your body.

Look good, feel good. If you're keeping up with the rest of your appearance, you're only going to want your body to match. So don't skip those trips to the nail or hair salon.

Feeling good is just as important as looking good — and your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

DON'T FORGET TO DRINK. Even when it’s cold, you still lose water through sweating. So it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the winter.

8

Health and beauty Plan a vacation.

It's hard to keep yourself motivated if you have nothing to look forward to, which is why planning a trip can help get the ball rolling.

Just make sure not to fall back into your bad habits once the trip is over.

Workout DVDs / Apps Following a workout DVD or Cellphone App is another way to exercise while stuck indoors due to cold weather. There are many DVDs to choose from—everything from body sculpting for your legs, arms, hips and abs, to yoga and Pilates for your balance, coordination, flexibility and muscle tone.

Choose different DVDs and rotate them to prevent boredom.

Dance Classes Whether it's hip-hop, jazz, salsa or ballroom dancing, you will burn calories, strengthen your balance and coordination and learn a skill that you can use at your next party or wedding. Ask your local dance studio for it’s group class schedule for a low-cost way to get your groove on.

By Mieke Kleynhans 139

Health and beauty

The basic fashion formula 1 basic (dark jeans, skirt, top)

+ 1 interest piece (color, pattern, texture, shine)

+ 1 completer piece (jacket, cardigan, belt)

+ accessories (bag, jewelry, clutch, shoes)

= Done 10

Health and beauty

Laundry stain removal guide (After each treatment wash the garment as normal)

Coffee, tea or juice Treat with distilled white vinegar, then wash.

Wine Mix and apply liquid detergent and hydrogen peroxide before blotting the stain away.

Foundation Pre-treat with liquid dish soap, then wash in hot water.

Sweat Soak in cold salt water, then dry in sunshine.

Mud or dirt Soak in cold water with a mixture of liquid dishwashing detergent and white vinegar.

Anja Brink

11

Res life

DIY: Res style

When first moving to Nerina we all are hit with the reality of how we are going to make sharing a small room with a roommate possible. How are you going to make your small space feel like your home away from home? Well, have no fear when Wilma is near. The DIY’s below are a few ideas of how to make your space more homey.

For more ideas go to pintreset.com and search dorm diy ideas.

DIY #1: One of the first things that caught my eye when moving into my room here in Nerina is the green counters that doesn’t go with anyone’s room decor. Something that can help you get rid of the green counters is using designfolie.

All you have to do is choose your design and paste your designfolie onto the counter. It is like a huge sticker.

12

Res life

DIY #2:

This is my personal favourite DIY. If you are one of the Nerinas that has a love for displaying your initials in your room, this is the DIY for you. This DIY uses fake flowers but you can substitute it with anything that best suits your personal style for example sequins, mosaic, fur etc.

What you need: Cardboard Glue gun Glue sticks Scissors Pen Flowers

How to DIY:

Put the glue stick in the glue gun.

Plug in the glue gun.

Draw your initial with the pen on the cardboard.

Cut out the initial.

Apply glue to the fake flowers.

Stick the glued flowers onto your initial.

Wait for the glue to dry.

13

Res life

DIY #3:

When moving into res it can be difficult decorating your space because you are not allowed to drill holes into the walls. Here is a DIY on how you can decorate a big empty wall by hanging a backdrop to make your room feel more cosy.

What you need: Your backdrop Double sided tape Washing pegs

How to DIY:

Stick the double sided tape onto the washing pegs.

Stick the double sided tape with the washing pegs onto the wall.

Hang your backdrop by clipping it with the washing pegs.

When looking for ideas to spice up your room in res remember that Pinterest is your best friend. The DIY’s above is only a small glimpse of what you can find on Pinterest. There are a lot of different innovative ideas to choose from. DIY’s are the best way for students with a tight budget to decorate their rooms. I’d recommend it even if you’re not on a tight budget because you get to put your personal spin on new trendy room décor.

14

By Wilma de Waal

Res life

#roomgoals Tips & Tricks from fellow Nerinas to make the res-life easier.

Check out these cool things (some big and some small) that makes your res room feel a little bit more like home. They include: A kitchen and food station Wallpaper to cover your desk and even the cupboards.

Hooks and rails to hang up all your scarves etc.

A coffee station (for those late night studying sessions)

15

Res life

16

Res life

17

Res life

American st yle pancakes: Ingredients: 500ml flour 10ml baking powder 10ml baking soda 5ml salt 200ml castor sugar 2 eggs 750ml buttermilk 60ml melted butter 2 cups of blueberries Golden syrup or honey for serving Method: Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Mix the eggs, buttermilk and butter in a separate bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the blueberries. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes and then start baking!

Recipe by Nerita Kluyts 18

Res life

Globe traveller’s hot chocolate—3 ways France Le Chocolat Chaud: Ingredients: 1 ½ cups milk ½ cup double cream 2 teaspoons icing sugar ½ teaspoon espresso powder (optional) 225 gram bittersweet chocolate, at least 70%, chopped Giant bowl of whipped cream, for serving

Method: In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, icing sugar and espresso powder until small bubbles appear around the edges.

Do not allow the mixture to boil.

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until melted, returning the sauce to low heat if needed for the chocolate to melt completely. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream.

19

Res life

South African Steri Stumpie Hot Chocolate (serves 2): Ingredients: Chocolate Steri Stumpie Fresh cream 1 slab milk chocolate Mini marshmallows Cocoa powder

Method: Melt milk chocolate in a bowl over hot water.

Once melted, drizzle the chocolate into mugs.

Add one part fresh cream and four parts chocolate Steri Stumpie to each mug.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Top with mini marshmallows.

Place the oven proof mugs in the oven for 5-8 minutes or until the marshmallows are toasted.

Drizzle the remaining melted chocolate over the marshmallows.

Top with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Serve with your favourite biscuits for dipping.

20

Res life

India Chai Hot Chocolate: Ingredients: White chocolate 1 cup milk 1 cup water ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 whole clove 1 whole black peppercorn

Method: Take two mugs and place one tablespoon of white chocolate into each. Set aside.

Place milk and water into a small saucepan. Whisk in the spices. Place over medium heat and allow to slowly come to a boil. Whisk occasionally.

As soon as the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat and remove the clove and peppercorn.

Whisk vigorously to distribute the spices and create foam on top. Remove from heat.

Pour half of the milk mixture into each mug. Stir to melt the white chocolate. Spoon some of the foam onto the top of each and serve.

Recipes by Hesmari Basson

21

Res life

How to Survive In Res Without Wifi Here I will be describing the impossible, touching on the unknown and delving into a dark place: res without Wifi.

When all seems hopeless try these 5 tips to get your mind off the next episode of Game of Thrones that you're going to miss because your laptop could not connect to ‘matieswifikoshuise' It might seem scary but you should take a walk outside.

There are so many places to see like the Botanical Gardens for one. If you have a car even more places are open to you like Spice Route or Route 44. Stellenbosch is a beautiful town and I think we forget that when we spend too much time with Scott and Stiles running around beacon hills. (For those with extreme cases maybe take baby steps and try opening the windows. Don’t worry: that weird smell is fresh air.)

If it's too big of a step to leave res maybe go knock on your friend’s door and pay that long-awaited visit since you no longer have the excuse “I'll come after this episode”. Her story about what happened in Catwalk last night might be more interesting than that episode of Pretty Little Liars.

Who knows, her inetkey might be working.

22

Res life Food is always a great way to forget your problems. Also, you

won't have to go far, Enroute has got your back. That milo slushy is just as comforting as the Big Bang Theory's theme song. If you’re feeling adventurous there are many great places to eat in Stellenbosch like Col’ Cacchios if you’re feeling like pasta, The Armory if you’re craving pizza and Hudsons if you’re into burgers. Sure, you can’t Instagram your aesthetically pleasing meal but you can always send the picture to your friends back home and create some well-deserved jealousy.

Use this time offline to remember your hobbies. We are all good at something that doesn't involve avoiding spoilers. So, whether it be drawing, singing or martial arts I'm sure you're still good at it. If you didn't have a hobby since you've been working so long in the field of 'series watching' go find a new one. Even if it's joining The Wine Society and pretending to taste the “oaky undertones” in that third glass of wine. Doing something you love will decrease your stress levels so your mind is well rested and ready for the strain that the next season of American Horror Story brings with it.

This is possibly the worst alternative to series watching. Go study. Open that laptop and login to sunlearn (You don’t need inetkey for that). Do that online test, submit that assignment.

Throw yourself into work whenever you can. Staying on top of things will help you free up more of your time, so when the wifi does come back you'll be ready for a night long marathon.

I hope this short list helps you get through these difficult times.

But if you can't handle the pain always remember YouTube doesn't need inetkey. It may not be the same as whatever series you were bingeing but I’m sure you can find enough cat videos to keep you entertained till you get more inetkey.

By Kishalya Haridass

23

Res life

Anatomy of a res student’s food inventory According to Google’s second definition of ‘anatomy’, it is “a study of the structure or internal workings of something”. Well, I have attempted to study and analyse the internal components of the res-life food supply and what I have found probably won’t shock you, my fellow Nerinas…

First we will have a look at the heart of the food supply: the fridge.

(Cue dramatic ‘duh-duh-duuuhhh’ sound effects). In the door of the fridge you will find milk – the staple item in the refrigerator. Those of us with a very strong will-power might still have half of that sneaky slab chocolate every girl needs now and then, but that, unfortunately, is never the case in my fridge.

In the centre of the fridge we find half a packet of soup that most likely has an expiration date in a day or two that “must” be eaten soon. Behind this soup you will find half a block of cheese (because when is a block of cheese ever left untouched?) to go with those Provitas you have in your cupboard for a midnight snack when three meals a day just is not sufficient anymore.

Next to this you will find two or three units of any type of citrus fruit.

The sole purpose of this is to tell your mom not to worry about your health; you have refrigerated sources of vitamin C, you won’t get sick.

Ha-ha. The faith we put in a piece of fruit is mind boggling.

24

Res life There may be some frozen veggies in the freezer compartment to convince yourself that you are following a balanced lifestyle, even though you know those veggies are going to stay in the freezer.

There will most likely be a few frozen ‘mammapakkies’ to heat when you miss home too much. That, my friend, is what a mother’s love tastes like. You might even come across the occasional textbook somewhere in the fridge.

In the cupboard of any res student is at least one (usually multiple) packet(s) of two-minute noodles, because can you even say you are living the res life if you have never had a gourmet dinner of twominute noodles? I think not.

You will also definitely find tea and/or coffee. As students, we need excuses to procrastinate during those long nights of cramming for a test and what better excuse to leave the room than for the preparation of a hot beverage? Fluid intake is crucial, people.

Sometimes one will come across a bottle of honey – be it for sweetening tea or medicinal purposes, it always comes in handy.

In the cupboard of any student that plans ahead, you will find canned foods, because they know they need to stock up for the hard days (a.k.a. the end of every month) when you’re not sure about your security in terms of purchasing meals. Cereal will of course, also be found here, because why walk all the way down to the dining hall when you can eat breakfast in the comfort of your own bed?

You will also almost definitely find rusks. This is frequently another component of the aforementioned “mammapakkie”. The presence of this serves as concrete evidence that your mother loves you. A shortage of dishes and utensils to prepare and eat the above mentioned items with/without will usually conclude the res dining experience in entirety.

By Hannelize Joubert

25

Reflection

Seconds with Steph...

As we know her, irresistibly fun and remarkable.

Questioning our Executive leader for 2016/2017 on...

On res-life...

It’s been fun all experience through and I have no doubt it will continue to deliver in the years that lie ahead.

Can you recall some awkward moments in res and would you mind sharing one?

Having a friend catch me red-handed in the stealing of her food (she still loves me though!).

What would your advice be for Nerinas who plan to still be around for a while?

Take initiative and ask the NCC for resources – not permission.

With what words would you like to leave Nerina with?

“Good luck!”

Sum Nerina ladies up in one word: Interesting...

On being Exec...

Did you ever have a moment of really winging something and had to pretend you were actually well prepared?

More often than not!

One life lesson being executive leader of Nerina taught you...

Rightness is a strange phenomenon in that no one is ever right, but everyone is.

26

Reflection What would you never want to change about the hard times of being exec/NCC? The crisis management. For leadership in its purest form is appropriate reaction to external pressure, social responsiveness so to speak.

On life...

If you could start studying again, would you choose to study the same course?

Well, there is only so much creativity the law permits. Perhaps I would choose something that develops and celebrates this aspect of myself.

Describe your dream job...

Seeing the manifestation of that which constitutes my ideation – in whatever field I choose to pursue.

What can we expect of future Steph?

A presidential campaign.

In conclusion: any favorite animation quote?

To infinity... and beyond!

27

Reflection

Phobias so strange they’ll scare you At some stage of everyone’s life, one feels afraid or scared of something. I used to have a fear of German sausages - I feared the Wurst!

We compiled a list of phobias to make you feel better about your phobia: Acousticophobia - Fear of noise. Basically every vic & route inhabitant during exam times.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - Fear of very long words. Believe it or not, it’s a thing.

Consecotaleophobia - Fear of chopsticks. It’s okay to eat sushi with a fork!

Arachibutyrophobia - Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. If you are one of those peanut butter lovers - like myself - spreading that crunchy gooeyness over everything from oats to rice cakes and apples, you might have encountered what it feels like to have peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth. It’s a scary phenomenon.

Carnophobia - Fear of meat.

Achluophobia - Fear of darkness. All right, I will admit this fear of mine and bring it to the light. Walking down Nerina’s corridors 12 o’ clock at night when nature calls at an unconvenient time is not exactly what I will 28 describe as easy.

Reflection Genuphobia - Fear of knees. (Don’t laugh at this one, if someone fears it - it is none of your busi-knees).

Koinoniphobia - Fear of rooms.

Lyssophobia - Fear of becoming mad.

Agyrophobia - Fear of streets or crossing the street. If you can relate to this, I really do not know how you get around in Stellenbosch. My best wishes to you!

Metrophobia - Fear or hatred of poetry. If you can relate, I will not debate, I’ll simply sit here and concentrate.

Thermophobia - Fear of/ intolerance to high temperatures. In other words, Stellenbosch in the midst of summer.

Obesophobia - Fear of gaining weight. (Also commonly known as “First Year’s Spread”).

Hypnophobia - Fear of sleep. Whatever the opposite of this fear is called - I have that.

Do not be afraid if you do not see your particular peculiar fear on this list - these fears are merely a few.

All jokes aside for a moment: always remember that fear has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run; or Face Everything And Rise.

The choice is yours.

by Stefani van der Merwe 25

Reflection

The “real” Freshman 15 Being a Firstie is tough. It’s a rollercoaster year filled with ups and downs, and everyone promises that it’s the beginning of the best few years of your life. So, to celebrate 2017’s Firsties reaching the threequarter mark of the year, here is a list of 15 unmistakable, characteristic and (hopefully) relatable things about being a Firstie!

Adult-ing

This is probably the most obvious and daunting thing we encounter for the first time at varsity. Dishes. Laundry. Budgeting. Time management. Grocery shopping. We may be legal eagles now, but I am pretty sure we wouldn’t mind having our parents and/or PA’s here to help in this department. Independence is great and all that, but really, sometimes these basic tasks make me wonder if it’s really worth it… Or maybe I’m just lazy and unorganised. But that’s also fine. I’m still alive, aren’t I?

Welcoming

Ah. The crazy, terrifying, wonderful, tiring first two weeks of varsity life.

It’s filled with so many fun activities that ended up as one big whirlwind in my memory, but I do clearly remember the dining hall yodel song we came to love, the incredible amount of Nerina gees, matching shirts, Vensters rehearsals, and meeting so many new people I knew I would probably never end up seeing or speaking to again. Regardless, I look back at this time with fond nostalgia… what a sweet, sweet taste of life without academics…

30

Reflection Getting lost

Finding your classes during your first few weeks at varsity is definitely no easy task. For someone with as bad a sense of direction as me, finding practically ANYTHING in Stellies was a huge struggle.

I owe a huge shoutout and wave of gratitude to my friend Google Maps for helping me through these utterly trying times.

So. Much. Walking.

As firsties, we are in the unfortunate position of generally not having cars and/or parking to our disposal. And so, we are forced to pick up dem feet and walk. Everywhere. All the time. I am pretty sure by the end of first year, I will have enough kilometres under my feet to have travelled all the way home from Stellies. I am not even kidding.

Student cards

Sisters, I think we can all agree that these little plastic cards have become one of the single most important things in our lives. It is a necessary accessory, a part of you, a way of life. No matter how flattering or (un)flattering that picture of you looks, you guard this little fella with your life. It opens the doors to your education (literally), so you LEARN to love it.

The Neelsie

This crowded, loud, lively place quickly becomes a sort of haven for you on campus. If there is a second to spare between classes, you can bet your bottom dollar to find me in the My Brew queue or wandering around in circles trying to decide what today’s lunch will be.

(Even though it always ends up being exactly the same thing, thanks to the convenience food aisle in Spar.)

31

Reflection Procrastination

If you didn’t learn this craft in high school already, you are sure to master it in your first year. Especially in res, there will ALWAYS be something or someone to turn to in times of utter lack of academic motivation. Don’t worry hey, you will get it done. Just not now.

Sleeping patterns

This ties in with the previous point. In my first year, I have come to the conclusion that the human body can indeed run on the absolute bare minimum of sleep. My biggest tip for survival would be the blissful remedy of daytime naps. Anytime, anywhere. Even if it’s a sneaky one during class. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

Marks

It’s a widely known and accepted fact that your varsity marks are not going to meet the standard you set for yourself in high school. The work load, difficulty and available time make it nearly impossible. The best thing you can do is, of course, only your best. But keep in mind that university really is about more than an education, as cliché as that sounds.

Homesickness

That first goodbye to your parents on move-in day… And then the strangeness of living in a new town, a new room, with new people, new everything! It’s overwhelming and of course it can make you long for the familiar. But, as I am sure most students will agree, I promise, it gets better!

Seeing people from your high school

This. This is definitely one of the most awkward experiences I’ve had as a Firstie. You know, randomly spotting someone you used to go to school with, someone from back home. Even though you might not necessarily have been friends, the whole dynamic is just so strange.

Do you say hi? Are you automatically friends now because you’re both in Stellenbosch? Can someone please just give me the 411 on 32 this already ??

Reflection “Skakels”

A completely new concept for many of us. A kind of forced meet-andgreet, mingling, acquaintance-making sort of situation with the opposite sex. It can be a little weird and awkward, let’s be honest! But hey, if not, why not, right? I’ve met some really nice guys through this strange and (possibly?) age-old tradition.

Turnitin

Sure, in high school we were told that plagiarism is not cool. But varsity steps it up to a whole new level with Turnitin. And it’s absolutely terrifying, I’m not going to lie! I have spent so many hours trying to figure out the Harvard method and I still just wing most of it. It’s complicated and scary and I really don’t want to be expelled for accidentally not giving enough photo creds where it’s due!

Wikipedia? What is that?

Now, I have been an avid user of this website for many years. I fully trust and accept every statement ever made on it. That is, until I was told it is not a “reliable academic source”. So now I am thrown into the void that is Google Scholar, desperately missing how easy and uncomplicated old Wiki made everything… le sigh.

“A Whole New World”

– (from the Aladdin soundtrack. What

a tune.)

And finally, on a “let’s-be-honest-Nerina-to-Nerina” note, first year is incredible. You meet so many new and interesting people. You are exposed to new cultures, habits, ideas, languages, beliefs and it is so wonderful! You learn, experience, challenge and grow. Your horizons are broadened so much and you realize that the world is so much bigger than your hometown and the people you grew up with. University is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, and your first year lays the foundation for the rest of the journey. I am thankful for having gotten to spend it with you, Nerina.

By Lané Katzke

33

Reflection

Change The only constant thing in life is change – in a student’s life, it might be in the form of coins.

Seasons are changing once more, and even though I feel like we have four seasons a day and twelve a week, I can feel one season finally passing. I just hope nobody describes me like I’m describing Silly season, as finally passing.

Silly season was the king of chaos for us who weren’t prepared for the change of pace which the new semester would bring. After taking the first week like only a Nerina lady can – with grace – it was time to realize that the animals who survived through the ages were the ones who adjusted best to change.

The thing that broke my brain most was: do I need to adjust to the changing circumstances, or do I need to change because of my circumstances?

Adjusting to change is something that will happen. You might not like it, but everybody adjusts – it just takes time for them to get used to the change. If a tree wasn’t bearing fruit, the farmer would first change the environment of the tree, the tree would adjust and use the change in environment for its own advantage. It will bloom and bear fruit and reach its full purpose. If a boat at sea waited for the wind to change, it would wait days. Instead, it can adjust the sail and reach its destination.

If it is hot outside, you can adjust by taking off your jacket. There is power in adjustment, but is adjustment powerful?

Are you making a difference by adjusting, or are you just accepting and acclimating to the world's new season? To what degree is adjusting a good thing? Can you change the world by adjusting? Or do you need the world to adjust to you?

34

Whenever a season changes, it is a shock to your system and it feels like your life has a degree of chaos somewhere , even if it happens to be your overflowing closet. All great changes are preceded by chaos. Is that great change going to be you or what you do in the world?

I think by changing yourself, bettering yourself, you are adding new factors to the situation and placing them into this season and creating new circumstances. Your relationships changes. Your mindset changes.

Your attitude changes. The people around you change. The world as you see it changes. The world changes.

Reflection Albert Einstein once said that the measure of intelligence is the ability to change. There was a full stop after “change”, not a blank space to fill in a missing word. He was talking about yourself. He was talking about the me, myself and I situation.

I might seem arrogant asking of you to change yourself, but be patient.

Write down the things that make you happy. Write down what you do everyday. Compare these two lists. Do you need to make an adjustment?

If you do, you are adjusting yourself to yourself – changing yourself for yourself. It's silly things like this that changes you.

Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain.

Learning to dance in the rain must be one of the biggest changes of mindset and attitude a person can make. You stop caring about your hair frizzing, your mascara running and your shirt clinging and you choose to enjoy a single moment in time. Changing yourself is not fighting who you are or used to be, it’s placing all your energy into building the person you want to be. It’s focusing on becoming the girl that you would’ve admired as a little girl.

If changing yourself makes you different, there is nothing wrong with it.

We need to be different and not the world's definition of different. We need to be authentic. Sometimes when we change, we change to be differently the same. We strive to be different in a way that closely resembles the people around us in order to still fit in. In doing so we lack to remember that even monsters are all different, yet we call them by the same name.

So be you, bravely. Change yourself into the most wonderful being you can imagine because that is why you are able to imagine that being.

We need to be different – it takes different weights and measurements to bake a cake, after all. It takes all kinds and more to add spice to life and life to Nerina. Maybe we should call the coming season Silly Season and start doing the little silly things that make us so happy and content. We could name it Silly Stellenbosch and start doing things that seem silly, but in essence will be what will change the world.

It can start with something like a smile. You smile – I smile. If someone can think of a collar for a cup, you can think of a reason to smile at a stranger.

The most exciting thing about change, I found, was the adventure in expecting a change in outcome. So be brave enough to expect and expect big.

Karla van Rensburg

35

Reflection

Here for holiday?

Student stressors.

The perception of a student life is often that it is a three year period of social events , parties and stressless living. For some parts - this might be true , but the stressors of being a student may very well be of the greatest in life. Student challenges are life changing and carries the most weight even when the experience is perceived to be a "holiday" for 3 or 4 years.

Firstly in the adaptation phase , we encounter various of these challenges. Becoming entirely independent sounds easier than it is. Not only do we have to carry the responsibilities of basic living (cooking and caring for ourselves - by the way 2Minute Noodles!) , but we have to deal with financial , social and personal pressures.

Varsity life tests our boundaries and stretches our comfort zones more than any other phase of our lives. Regarding finances we now have 3 years to decide what OUR individual needs are and we have to start planning for the future. When looking at social pressures , I believe that Peer-Pressure has also graduated form high school and found it's way onto the university campus. Now more than ever you have to set your limits and try (as far as possible) to stay strongly set in your ways.

36

Reflection Then we get to the core, personal pressures - we are squeezed into an enclosed environment (although we feel much more free) to figure out who to spend our time with and WHAT the core things are we value. Happiness is not something to be found , but to be created and I believe this window period called : Varsity grants you the opportunity to learn HOW to do just that. In a residence scenario you have to learn to deal with and accept personal space issues and needs , time management , cultural differences , group dynamics , leadership - I don't

know about you - but I feel like this is not always the equivalent of lying on the beach.

What makes you happy? Such a clichĂŠ , yet sometimes unanswerable question.

What makes you a content human being lies in the centre of what you participate in and what makes you feel alive. We often can get dragged into scenarios where we "think" we are happy. University poses this question daily and does not take no/nothing for an answer.

Fitting in , finding lifelong friends and even a life partner , managing finances , realizing your self worth , adapting to new environments all whilst (hopefully) studying - doesn't sound like a mere holiday to me, Mom! To all the students that are sometimes overwhelmed by something they don't know the name of - just know that these pressures are real. Face them now and shape your being.

To all the outsiders that think university life is an extended party : I am pretty sure you realized some feelings of stressors you experienced under the radar at the time - or still will.

It is one of the most special , confusing , intimidating , exciting and amazing periods of your life. Make the most thereof.

Charlize Herman

37

Out & About

Typically German...

If you are ever planning on visiting Germany, here are a few bits of information to lessen the culture shock that is about to hit you. But it’s not all bad. Germans can be a little odd at times, but once you get to know them better, they can be really nice people. (I really don’t want to offend anyone, but being somewhat German myself, I can’t help but notice that we have some strange habits) What do you need to know to look a little less out of place when you visit the land known for its beer, efficiency and lack of sense of humour?

Let’s start with the most important aspect. Food and drinks.

Breakfast

The German breakfast generally consists of Brötchen, which are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, NOT to be confused with those Hotbreadshop things they try to sell you at the petrol station and some grocery stores. Toppings usually consist of cheese, jam, cut up cold meat or “Rohhack” which is a special kind of minced meat eaten with salt, pepper and gherkins on the Brötchen. Please also note the pronunciation bʀøːtçən not bretschen.

Kaffee und Kuchen

16h00 is known as “Kaffee und Kuchen” time, which translates into coffee and cake time. And what do you do? Easy. You drink your coffee and eat a slice of cake or cookies or cupcakes or donuts or whatever sweet treat you can find.

38

u

-

Out & About Water

German people LOVE their sparkling water. When you go into a restaurant in Germany and simply order a water, chances are, they will bring you sparkling water. And if you want sparking water, be sure to specify whether you want regular or medium sparkle.

Beer

Germany is famous for its beer. But what makes it so different from other beer? There is a law in Germany, called the “Reinheitsgebot”. It is the German beer purity law and prevents German breweries from using any ingredients other than water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Most beers outside of Germany are not brewed according to this law and may therefore not be sold as beer.

While we are and topic of laws and regulations, here are a few things on that topic too.

Recycling

German people are big in recycling, actually it’s more like HUGE. In Germany recycling starts in the supermarket. Most of the packaging, such as cereal boxes, is recycled in the supermarket already. There are designated areas in the shop with recycling bins for those purposes.

39

Out & About Special routes

German people like to ride their bike and in some places, there are separate routes for cyclists and pedestrians. If there is a cyclist on a pedestrian walk way, or the other way around, things can get pretty ugly. They also built special bridges over the highways, so that wild animals can cross the road.

Driving

Be careful when you cross the road, since cars drive on the right side of the road in Germany. You don’t want to look left, when the car is coming from the right. Also, there is no speed limit on the highway, so be careful when you drive and stay on the right, because everyone around you will be faster and they don’t like slow cars blocking the street.

What are German people like? Pretty much like everyone else, but you should still take note of a few things.

Punctuality

Have you ever heard people joking about the German punctuality? Yeah, it’s no joke to us. There is a saying, it is simple but true. “Early is on time and on time is late.” When you have a meeting, you show up a minimum of 5 minutes early. I am absolutely serious about this one, arriving two minutes before the time might not be late according to the clock, but it’s still late.

No small talk

Germans don’t like to start a conversation with small talk. It’s not that they don’t care about your day, it’s just that they would rat her get the important stuff out of the way first. You can 40 always have a nice chat afterwards.

Out & About No sense of humour

Actually, Germans do have a sense of humour, but some of them just don’t like to show it. It is often a dry sense of humour. Once you get to know them better, they can be really funny.

Here are some more cultural aspects.

Dialects

You know how people speak different English accents in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, etc? It the same within Germany. There are soooo many different dialects in Germany, some worse than others. Sometimes, people can’t even understand each other.

Socks and Sandals

Yes, there are Germans who wear those two together, no, I don’t know why they would do that and yes, there are other Germans who disapprove as well.

Fun fact

Have you ever seen one of these before? This thing is called an “Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher”.

It is both the most genius and most stupid name I have ever heard, but it could not be more accurate. It directly translates into “egg shell predetermined breaking point causer”.

41

Out & About Have you been faced with the ever continuing 21’st century problems?

Eagerly typing your essay a few hours before the Sunlearn deadline after using Google for a bit of research. Firstly, your computer finished its software update, but now requires that you restart it then the laptop displays “low battery”, but your charger is all the way upstairs then … darkness… load shedding…again. Imagine this scenario a century ago with your candles on, a pencil in your hand, paper, no fear of power outages and you already made a trip to the local library for your research.

It has become evident that we’re experiencing quite a few new challenges in the 21’st century. Born too late to explore the world, but born just too early to explore the universe. Although, it is still true that we use pen and paper, but google maps instead of our parents’ book maps, some may be wondering in which century they are really living in.

Therefore, if you can relate to any of the following examples, it may become clear that you are living in the 21’st century with our own set of new problems. When you wake in the morning you tend to go online before getting your coffee. Immediately on Instagram you see everyone is tagged in a photo, except the cute one you wanted to stalk. Next you want to lay on your side while texting, but your smart phone auto rotates the screen again.

If the above-mentioned examples prove challenging to you, you have crossed paths with a few 21’st century problems, but hopefully someday we will learn to put our laziness aside and overcome these challenges.

However, some might just finish reading this article, return to googling quotes with the frustration of finding a suitable Instagram caption for a photo, a week after you wanted to post it.

42

By Elsje de Wet

Out & About

Silly Season So Silly Season has come and gone and I still am none the wiser on what it truly entails. Does it refer to the abundance of huisdances during that period ? The going out every day of the week ending in a ‘y’ ? Golden week ? Maybe all it entails is just doing a silly dance with your friends…But either way, during all the chaos and confusion I happened to notice four types of people during this season.

Firstly, you get the ‘Elke Huisdans’ people. These are the ones that seem to be primping and priming every Friday and Saturday to be whisked off to another dance that night. They are the ones flooding Instagram and Facebook with picture-perfect snaps of good food, good wine, and beautiful people.

We all know at least one person who fits into this category.

Next, we have the “Every day is a Saturday’ people. These are the ones with all the best stories, and few to none snaps of the actual happenings of the night. They are also much easier to identify. All you need to look for are the ones with glassy eyes, stamps crawling up their arms that weren’t bothered to be washed off, smeared mascara, and dirty, stained shoes. If you still can’t identify one of these, just follow the smell of second-hand smoke still clinging to hair and clothes and it will lead you straight to them.

Thirdly, you get the ‘Homebound’ people. The one’s that never go out or to any Huisdans or party, even their own. They also tend to be the ones that complain the most about never being invited to anything, even though they know that they would prefer to be in bed that night anyways.

Lastly, you get the ones like me. The ‘I Don’t Know What’s Going On’ people.

They are the ones who only find out it is their Huisdans a week prior to the event, the ones who don’t understand what Silly Season and Golden Week is until its done, and the ones who keep forgetting that it’s a Wednesday, and wonder why town is so full.

But, no matter which category you fall into, if you fall into some, none, or all, we are all here to have fun and be young while we still can, while still making the most out our education. I have concluded that Silly Season is what you make it. If that’s out in town, at a wine farm, snuggled in bed or just at home with friends and family for you, then so be it. It is what you make it, and I personally hope that you have made the most out of Silly Season 2017.

By Genna Warrington

43

Crossword Competition

44

Across 1. One of the Rubix values.

4. Nerina primaria 2013.

6. Section of the year in 2011.

7. In 2013, Nerina and __won the Toneelfees.

10. MariĂŤtte __ (an old Nerina) represented SA in the Olympics in Beijing.

11. Nerina and Pieke won __ in 2007.

12. Our residence head - Tannie __.

Down 2. The communication NCC of 2017/2018.

3. I change colour when exams start looming.

5. Miss Nerina of 2003 - Leandi __.

8. One of Nerina's core values.

9. The 7de Laan actress that was a beloved Nerina lady.

45

All articles are written by ladies currently in Nerina and all images are taken from Google. Views represented in Brutus does not necessarily represent those of Nerina Residence.