The Insider February 2026

Special thanks to

Lauris Mencis, Raimonds Balodis, Elīna Kičigina, Roberts Silgals, Reinis Zirnis, Anastasia Kikalia, Ēvalds Dans Felsbergs, Evelīna Kuciņa, Ance Aināre, Jēkabs Prodnieks, Gustavs Zīverts, Auguste Kripaite, Edvards Reksnis, Benas Brazaitis, Patrīcija Paula Linde, Anna Ģērmane, Vlada Dzene, Elīna Bībere, Marta Ciema and all the gossipers ;) and the beloved team of Insider

In case of any queries, contact insider@sseriga.edu or zkalnina@sseriga.edu (Editor-in-Chief)

Welcome, welcome!

This time of the year, school life feels somewhere in between Hunger Games reaping and a classic Euphoria episode Times are not easy, we know But the Insider is here just in time to lift the mood back up (dare I say, even more than strong coffee)

February is freezing, booked and busy, but it is also the month of love. Of course, the Insider could not miss the opportunity to embody a cupid Therefore, besides the regular issue, we also prepared a Valentine’s post, where anyone had the chance to drop their nerdiest pick-up line, such as “My utility goes up when you ’ re around or “You re my positive NPV :)

This issue, the theme is THREADS - all about connections - the ones that hold, the ones that slip, and the ones we try to tie back. Threads can be found in our daily habits and routines, distance, or simply in our beloved sweaters that keep us warm in the freezing lobby

Some threads are tight knots, some are loose ends, some are barely there, but they shape the way we move through life

In this issue, we are exploring the ups and downs of human interactions - the first meetings, fall-outs, and reconnections You’ll be guided through the geometry of meeting people in your life and reminded to maintain beloved friendships as falling out can happen quicker than connecting There is also a quiz in which you will get the chance to find out what kind of threads connects you

On a romantic note, you’ll have the chance to snoop into some of the publicly exposed Valentine’s letters, find out how one of the most beloved desserts - tiramisu connects with Gen Z conservatism, and reminisce while reading poems (perhaps together with someone special this time?)

But don’t worry if you are alone this February - because the Insider will always keep you some company So, light a candle, snuggle into a comfy blanket, and substitute your research paper readings with the newest issue!

May the odds be ever in your favor!

xoxo, The Insider

GEOMETRY OF MEETING

What do soulmates and geometry have in common? Actually, more than you think! This piece explains the strange math behind missed connections, right-person-wrong-time moments, and lots of more

? d

q k at this wonderful celebration and most importantly, the night where deadlines were forgotten

JUST A LITTLE TREAT

From wartime cosmetics to matcha lattes and TikTok mini-indulgences, we keep turning to small treats when life gets chaotic Why do tiny purchases, whether a lipstick, in-app extras, or small quirky treats, give us comfort and a little spark of hope?

Sitting in a freezing apartment in Riga, tons of missed calls and friendships that fade away can make you feel colder than the winter air sneaking in Why do some connections freeze while others keep us warm, and is it worth melting every single thread that is frozen?

Secret admirers, anonymous confessions, and secret admirers once again What happens when students get the change to send anonymous Valentine messages? Let’s see how the messages are flying around SSE Riga

all threads are equal: some bring drama, some build strong connections between people and some keep everything from falling apart Which role do you play in SSE Riga’s social web: gossip, support, opportunity, memes, or the silent force holding everyone together?

Associates of the Month

Raimonds Vilcāns

As the ex-chief, Raimonds has onboarded the new chiefanother Raimonds A smooth transfer has been made, with all of the small details and quirks of the AA

Karlis helped with the Welfare Survey Results Report, especially by creating graphs from the survey results data He focused on developing clear visuals from the survey results which made it easier to see the main findings and trends

Marta Voiciša

Although the pace in the Alumni committee is only picking up, Marta has been a great Alumni insider weapon with creative ideas and the drive to improve

Sanija even though she recently joined the committee has already become an active and reliable contributor to the team She also helped with creating graphs for the Welfare Survey Results Report focusing on comparing this year s data with previous years which helped bring more depth and understanding to the report

Luīze Reinšmite

Whenever you give a task to Luize, you can be 100% sure the job will be completed with excellence She has a true talent for finding sponsors like a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat

Vlada has been an incredibly active and a reliable member of EduCom ever since joining She has made multiple posters and is very active in our events

Amanda Graudiņa

Amanda is truly locked in when it comes to helping Y2s survive FE Without her, CofFE wouldn’t be possible She’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife- amazing at bringing in new sponsors and capturing fantastic photos for them

Arina Hakele

A pillar of reassurance

Although Rezija recently joined as an associate, she volunteers for every event and was a big help in organizing the Mental Health Week

Joris Jaloveckas

Despite being a new associate, Joris has already helped a lot by spending hours on reorganizing the Student Material Storage

Mareks Ulmanis

An endless pit of priceless advice

āvids Rimkus

Always eager to do more and better

Ģērmane ALWAYS ready to help!! From the incredible board pictures to brainstorming ideas Anna has contributed a lot to the committee this past month

Graudiņa & Lu

Luize and Amanda has helped a lot with CofFE promotional materials, from pictures to posters Huge Thanks!

Reinis Zirnis

Reinis, even being our buscom chairperson still manages to make room for sports events and makes sure that in our events we have the best snacks!

Anastasia Kikalia

Anastasia joined sports com only recently, however, she is the bright mind in the creation of the half time games for the hockey game, always very responsive and active!

Rihards has proven to be one of the most active and trustworthy participants in the sports committee as he has been the first to help in almost every event with any task required

Tomas Markauskas

Major THANKS for designing the ticket sale page!!

Sanija Melnbārde

Vlada Dzene

The economy as a sweater (?!?)

By Mor ten Hansen

That was a tricky one from The Insider –they specifically asked: “If the economy is a sweater, which thread do people keep pulling that ruins ever ything?”

Now, think of the famous economist, David Ricardo, 1772 – 1823. If you haven’t had international economics yet, fair enough if you don’t know him; if you’ve had it and don’t remember, then shame on you…

But he made the per fect economics sweater via his ideas of comparative advantage. He made an example using Por tuguese wine (interesting) and English cloth (boring) but let ’s make it up to date with the recent free trade agreement between the EU and MERCOSUR, a bunch of South American states. With fewer/no tariffs on e.g. beef from Uruguay, millions of Europeans will get access to this at a lower price and thus be better off. South Americans will get access to cheaper machiner y and pharmaceuticals from the EU and, equally, they will be better off. Ricardo would have said “win-win”, if he had known that term (unless he would have hated it as much as I do). Free trade creates the per fect sweater!

But it gets worse and that is because the world is not, as implicitly assumed by Ricardo, a place of friendly nations. Today, not many t-shir ts are produced in Europe. That is Ricardo at work – this can be done much cheaper in Southeast Asia. Losing that industr y is manageable – but we might not want to lose our capability to produce cars, electric batteries etc. by being inundated with (so far) cheaper alternatives from a hostile China, which may be less interested in trade and more interested in breaking European manufacturing and supply chains. Therefore, we contemplate tariffs to protect European manufacturing –and more threads are sticking out from the sweater.

So, the sweater is far from Ricardo-per fect; rather it is quite torn but it can still be worn: When I look around in my living room where I write this column, I can spot really many foreign goods. Ricardo’s principles live on!

So why did it take 26 years to agree on this per fect EU-MERCOSUR arrangement? This is where some threads come loose. Although both societies are better off, not all individuals are. European beef farmers are unhappy about losing par ts of their home market and South American biotech companies are unhappy for similar reasons. Both of these groups are small compared to the many beneficiaries but they can lose quite a lot compared to the millions of small gains for consumers and thus we often see French farmers demonstrating against loss of trade protection – whereas you won’t see me on the streets shouting, if I don’t get my steak 10% cheaper.

We have matched

Record_Breaking

2 0 0 m e n t o r - m e n t e e p a i r s

T h i s ye a r t h e A l u m n i m e n to rs h i p p ro g ra m m e h a s

g a t h e re d a n e w re c o rd o f m e n te e s w i t h t w o -

h u n d re d a n d o n e . W h i l e t h e m e n te e a pp l i c a t i o n s

w e re s to r m i n g t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e m e n to rs

w e re a b i t to u g h e r. A s a m e n to r h a s m o re

e x p e r i e n c e a n d t h i n g s to ta l k a b o u t , t h e l e s s h e

h a s t i m e to a c t u a l ly to m e e t a n d s p e n d t i m e w i t h

a s t u d e n t . N o n e t h e l e s s o f t h e b u s y s c h e d u l e s t h e

s t u d e n t s g e t a n a m a z i n g e x p e r i e n c e w i t h o n l i n e

a n d o n - s i te m e e t i n g s w i t h S S E R i g a A l u m n i t h a t

h ave w o r k e d a n d s u c c e e d e d i n t h e i r re s p e c t i ve

i n d u s t r i e s . A lt h o u g h t h e p ro g ra m m e s ta r te d i n

A u t u m n a n d e n d s i n M ay, We t r u ly h op e t h e

c o n n e c t i o n s m a d e w i l l b e l o n g l a s t i n g a n d t h e

p a i rs w i l l s tay i n a p h o n e c a l l’ s re a c h f o r ye a rs

a n d ye a rs to c o m e .

Top industries

Some known faces among mentors

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o f S o c i a l - M e d i a

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l o n g - t e r m p e r fo r m a n c e o f

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m a ke m o n e y i s b y

c o n v i n c i n g p e o p l e t o i n v e s t

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i n v e s t o r s j u s t l o s e m o n e y b y

t r u s t i n g t h e f i n a n c i a l g u r u s .

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t o ke n s a t t h e i n f l a t e d p r i c e ,

s e c u r i n g a p ro f i t wh i l e

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w o r t h y o u r t i m e ; h o w e v e r,

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s o c i a l - m e d i a f i n a n c i a l

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s e e t h e re a l i t y o f t h e i r

b u s i n e s s m o d e l i n wh i c h y o u

a re n o t t h e s t u d e n t o r t h e

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t h e s e g u r u s s o l e l y d e p e n d s

o n t h e c o n v e r s i o n r a t e o f

t h e i r a u d i e n c e a n d n o t

t h e i r a c t u a l i n v e s t m e n t

s t r a t e g i e s

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t h a t n o t a l l o f t h e s e g u r u s

a re t r y i n g t o s c a m y o u .

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s h o w c a s e t h e i r s t r a t e g i e s ,

b u t t h e y m i g h t n o t w o rk fo r

y o u , b e c a u s e t h e s t r a t e g y

m i g h t t a ke l u c k a n d b e a

o n e - i n - a - m i l l i o n c h a n c e o f

b e i n g i n t h e r i g h t p l a c e a t

t h e r i g h t t i m e w i t h t h e i r

b u s i n e s s s t r a t e g y ( i n v e s t i n g ,

d ro p s h i p p i n g , e t c . ) .

T h e r e f o r e ,

f i n a n c i a l

s u c c e s s i s v e r y

r a r e l y f o u n d

b y f o l l o w i n g a

m a p t h a t

s o m e o n e e l s e

i s s e l l i n g f o r a

l i v i n g .

p a r t n e r a r t i c l e b y : Jo r i s Ja l o v e c k a s

- y o u a r e t h e

r e v e n u e

s o u r c e .

d e s i g n b y : M a r t a Vo i c i s a

UNCONVENTIONAL

The Most the Decade

S t r a t e g y , f o r m e r l y k n o w n a s

M i c r o S t r a t e g y , s t a r t e d o u t a s a

s o f t w a r e c o m p a n y h e l p i n g b u s i n e s s e s

a n a l y z e t h e i r i n t e r n a l a n d e x t e r n a l

d a t a . T h i s s i d e o f t h e i r b u s i n e s s i s s t i l l

o p e r a t i n g t o t h i s d a y , b u t i n r e c e n t

y e a r s t h e y h a v e s t a r t e d p i v o t i n g

t o w a r d s b e c o m i n g m o r e o f a B i t c o i n

t r e a s u r y c o m p a n y . T h e y a r e n o w

k n o w n a s t h e l a r g e s t c o r p o r a t e h o l d e r

o f B i t c o i n , w i t h a p p r o x i m a t e l y

6 8 7 , 0 0 0 b i t c o i n s i n t h e i r h o l d i n g s ,

w h i c h i s m o r e t h a n t w i c e t h e a m o u n t

t h a t t h e U . S . g o v e r n m e n t o w n s . S i x

y e a r s a g o , t h e y s t a r t e d a l l o c a t i n g

t h e i r e x c e s s c a s h t o t h i s a s s e t , b u t

o v e r t i m e t h e y i n t r o d u c e d a d d i t i o n a l

c a p i t a l - r a i s i n g t o o l s , l e v e r a g i n g t h e i r

i n c o m e , a n d t a k i n g o n m o r e r i s k t o

p u r s u e t h i s s t r a t e g y .

T h e i r p r e v i o u s C E O , a n d n o w E x e c u t i v e

C h a i r m a n , M i c h a e l S a y l o r, w a s t h e m a i n

s u p p o r t e r o f t h e i d e a t h a t t h e c o m p a n y

s h o u l d s t a r t i n v e s t i n g i n B i t c o i n . H e d e s c r i b e s i t a s “ d i g i t a l g o l d ” a n d b e l i e v e s i t i s t h e

s u p e r i o r s t o r e o f v a l u e , w h i c h i s w h y h e w a s

p u s h i n g f o r i t t o b e t h e c o m p a n y ’s s o l e l o n g -

t e r m a s s e t a n d n o t s o l d . F i r s t , t h e y u s e d t h e i r

e x i s t i n g c a s h , w h i c h w o u l d h a v e o t h e r w i s e

d e p r e c i a t e d i f l e f t s i t t i n g . A f e w m o n t h s l a t e r,

t h i s a p p r o a c h l e d t h e m t o t a k e o n d e b t f o r

f u r t h e r a c q u i s i t i o n s , w h i c h t h e y r e p a i d u s i n g

t h e c o m p a n y ’s p r o f i t s .

S t r a t e g y w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 9 8 9 . T h e

c o m p a n y e x p e r i e n c e d r a p i d g r o w t h i n

i t s f i r s t 1 5 y e a r s , f o c u s i n g o n

e s t a b l i s h i n g i t s e l f a s o n e o f t h e

l a r g e s t b u s i n e s s i n t e l l i g e n c e

c o m p a n i e s . F r o m a r o u n d 2 0 1 0 t o

2 0 2 0 , t h e c o m p a n y b e g a n t o

s t a g n a t e , w i t h i t s r e v e n u e a n d g r o s s

p r o f i t r e m a i n i n g r o u g h l y t h e s a m e ,

d u e t o h e a v y c o m p e t i t i o n f r o m o t h e r

d a t a s e r v i c e p r o v i d e r s a n d t e c h

g i a n t s . T h i s l e d t o a s i t u a t i o n w h e r e

t h e c o m p a n y h a d a l o t o f a c c u m u l a t e d

c a s h a n d i n v e s t m e n t s b u t s t r u g g l e d t o

g r o w i t s b u s i n e s s .

O n e o f S t r a t e g y ’s m a i n w a y s o f r a i s i n g

c a p i t a l i s b y i s s u i n g c o n v e r t i b l e b o n d s . T h i s i s

a n a t t r a c t i v e o p t i o n f o r l e n d e r s , a s t h e y c a n

e i t h e r c o n v e r t t h e b o n d s i n t o t h e c o m p a n y ’s

s t o c k i f t h e p r i c e r i s e s , o r r e c e i v e t h e i r l e n t

m o n e y b a c k w i t h i n t e r e s t i f t h e p r i c e f a l l s .

T h i s a g r e e m e n t k e e p s i n t e r e s t r a t e s l o w , w h i c h b e n e f i t s S t r a t e g y . I f t h e s t o c k p r i c e

i n c r e a s e s , t h e c o m p a n y s i m p l y i s s u e s n e w

s h a r e s , c o n v e r t i n g d e b t i n t o e q u i t y . I f t h e

s t o c k p r i c e f a l l s , t h e y m u s t r e f i n a n c e o r r e p a y

t h e d e b t , w h i c h t h e y c a n d o u s i n g t h e i r

i n c o m e .

R e c e n t l y , i n 2 0 2 5 , S t r a t e g y b e g a n i m p l e m e n t i n g a m o r e a d v a n c e d b o r r o w i n g

s t r a t e g y b y i s s u i n g p r e f e r r e d s t o c k . U n l i k e

c o m m o n s t o c k , p r e f e r r e d s h a r e s d o n o t

p r o v i d e o w n e r s h i p i n t h e c o m p a n y . I n s t e a d , t h e y a c t l i k e d e b t : i n v e s t o r s d o n o t r e c e i v e

r e p a y m e n t o f t h e p r i n c i p a l , b u t t h e y r e c e i v e

h i g h e r d i v i d e n d s . E a c h s h a r e h a s s l i g h t l y

d i f f e r e n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s d e s i g n e d t o a t t r a c t

d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f i n v e s t o r s , b u t t h e y s h a r e

t h e s a m e i d e a o f t r a d i n g a t $ 1 0 0 a n d

o f f e r i n g a n a p p r o x i m a t e 1 0 % y i e l d , w h i c h

i n v e s t o r s c a n b u y o r s e l l a t t h e i r f r e e w i l l .

I s s u i n g n e w s h a r e s o r m a k i n g b u y b a c k s

a l l o w s t h e c o m p a n y t o k e e p t h e p r i c e c l o s e t o $ 1 0 0 . T h e r a t i o n a l e b e h i n d t h i s s t r a t e g y i s

t h a t M i c h a e l S a y l o r e x p e c t s B i t c o i n t o r e t u r n

2 9 % p e r y e a r o v e r t h e n e x t 2 0 y e a r s . P a y i n g

o n l y a 1 0 % d i v i d e n d , w i t h o u t r e p a y i n g t h e

p r i n c i p a l , t h e r e f o r e a p p e a r s v e r y a t t r a c t i v e t o h i m .

A t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f 2 0 2 6 , S t r a t e g y h a s e n o u g h c a s h o n t h e s i d e l i n e s t o c o v e r

a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h r e e y e a r s ’ w o r t h o f d i v i d e n d

p a y m e n t s , p r o v i d i n g a b u f f e r i f t h i n g s d o n o t

g o a s p l a n n e d . H o w e v e r, i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o

c o n s i d e r t h a t m u l t i p l e o b l i g a t i o n s c a n

a c c u m u l a t e . I f t h e p r i c e o f B i t c o i n f a l l s

d r a s t i c a l l y , t h e c o m p a n y w o u l d n e e d t o

m a n a g e d i v i d e n d p a y m e n t s , c o n v e r t i b l e l o a n

o b l i g a t i o n s , a n d t h e p r e f e r r e d s t o c k p r i c e t o

p r e v e n t i t f r o m d r o p p i n g t o o f a r. T h i s

s c e n a r i o w o u l d l i k e l y p u t t h e c o m p a n y i n a

s t r e s s f u l p o s i t i o n , w h i c h c o u l d b e r e f l e c t e d i n

a f a l l i n g s t o c k p r i c e . T h e r i s k o f b a n k r u p t c y ,

h o w e v e r, a s o f r i g h t n o w i s u n l i k e l y , a s t h e

c o m p a n y h a s b o t h r e g u l a r i n c o m e a n d

s u b s t a n t i a l c a s h r e s e r v e s .

S t r a t e g y i s c l e a r l y t r y i n g t o s t a n d o u t f r o m

o t h e r c o m p a n i e s a n d a c h i e v e s o m e t h i n g

e x t r a o r d i n a r y . T h i s a p p r o a c h c a r r i e s

s i g n i f i c a n t r i s k s , w h i c h c a n r e s u l t i n h u g e

r e t u r n s i f t h e y a r e c o r r e c t , o r s e v e r e l o s s e s i f

t h e y a r e n o t . I n v e s t o r s i n t h e c o m p a n y a r e

a w a r e o f t h e s e r i s k s a n d o f t e n u s e t h e s t o c k

a s a d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n t o o l t o g a i n e x p o s u r e t o

B i t c o i n . T h e c o m p a n y d o e s n o t a p p e a r t o b e

s l o w i n g d o w n i t s a g g r e s s i v e s t r a t e g y

a n y t i m e s o o n . I t s f u t u r e i s c l o s e l y t i e d t o

B i t c o i n , i n w h i c h i t h a s t h e u t m o s t c o n v i c t i o n .

Article by: Leonards Alksnītis

Design by : Patrīcija Paula Linde

6 or trend check list

7

Let’s start academically. Wikipedia-academically: A trend is defined as “a general direction in which something is developing or changing.” Simple enough. But in real life, trends are the small signals that show how we live, work, eat, think, and recharge. They show up in our shopping carts, our group chats, our step counters - and even in our workplaces. So the focus is not only on what’s trending, but on how these shifts are reflected in real life. At “Maxima Latvija”, we don’t just follow trends we are part of them.

Let’s Check Our 6 or 7 Trends!

1.

Devil in the details.

Before anything reaches you, we check it all : the quality of our products, the smoothness of our processes, the fairness of our prices, the reputation of partners, the recipes created by our chefs before they appear on our shelves Trust is built detail by detail

2.

Teamwork = Dreamwork.

Yes, strong individualism will always be in trend But let’s keep that for personal goals and solo missions At “Maxima Latvija ”, our colleagues are our essence We truly believe we are great only together And in 2026 , teamwork might just be the smartest trend of all

3.

Purpose is trending.

If you can’t answer why you’re doing something, it’s probably time to rethink For us, purpose means going beyond business, giving back and supporting healthier futures

“Maxima Latvija ” supports the Poga Children’s Rehabilitation Center and the Ē stprieks initiative, created together with the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Clinical University Hospital to support young patients with care and wellbeing We also actively invest in youth sports and healthy lifestyles through cooperation with Ghetto Games, as well as hockey initiatives like the Young Goalkeepers Program and the “Maxima Superkauss ” youth hockey championship Because real purpose isn’t a slogan, it’s action

4.

Work Wellbeing.

Yes, we work hard but there is also benefit of that – many friendships starts due to that reason That’s why work wellbeing isn’t optional anymore, it has to be trending At “Maxima Latvija ”, we focus on real support for our people: flexible schedules, smart benefits, and opportunities to grow Students can earn while they learn Additionally to that, each summer around 400 school students gain their first real work experience This people- first approach is also why we have earned the “Family - Friendly Workplace” status, recognizing our commitment to work – life balance, a safe and inclusive environment, flexible working time, professional development and many other positive initiatives

6. 5.

Smart Technologies and Continuous Development.

Technology should give us more time for a better quality of life, not take it away At “Maxima” stores, technology makes shopping easier and smarter from Scan & Go shopping and self - checkout systems to AI solutions that help ensure shelves are stocked with exactly what people need, in the right quantities, while reducing food waste Continuous development goes beyond digital solutions alone . We also invest in building new stores, upgrading and reconstructing existing stores, and improving our food production facilities This creates a modern, convenient and sustainable environment for both customers and employees . Today, convenience is no longer a luxury it is both a trend and a standard

Sustainability.

Yes, sustainability sounds like a corporate slogan But in real life, it’s about small steps that actually work Second life for everything . Sort . Compost . Deposit . Reuse . Sustainability isn’t activism anymore, it’s routine . We do it . Do you?

We’re going even further by installing a total of 123 electric vehicle charging stations in total. Better infrastructure, greener habits, smarter choices And sustainability also lives in food . Plant - based products are no longer niche, they’re routine That’s why “Maxima Latvija ” was the main partner of the “Don’t Eat the Planet” initiative 2026 , making sustainable meals more accessible every day .

7.

Shoppertainment.

Shopping is no longer just about buying things ; it’s about discovering them People don’t just shop for products ; they shop for themes Exploring new favorites on “Maxima

Latvija ” trend shelves is half necessity, half entertainment

Saving money is smart, fun, and never goes out of style . With the “Blue price - low price” initiative, regular prices have been reduced for nearly 4 , 000 products, on average by 22 % It turns out the most fashionable color of 2026 might actually be blue .

At Maxima, these trends aren’t just something we follow — they are a fundamental part of how we work and live every day.

INSIDER SPECIAL

Say

‘yes’ more often than ‘no” when opportunities arise

After some break, INSIDER SPECIAL is back! In this issue, we sit down with Lauris Mencis, CEO of Swedbank Latvia, to reflect on his time at SSE Riga, the steps that shaped his path into banking, and his perspective on Latvia’s financial literacy and the long-term choices around pensions.

Please introduce yourself and your background in SSE Riga.

My name is Lauris Mencis I graduated from the SSE Riga Bachelor ’ s programme in 1997 and completed the MBA programme in 2012. Currently, I am the Chairman of the Board of Swedbank Latvia, where I have worked since 2002.

Please tell us a little about your time at SSE Riga. What ’s your favourite memor y?

Over time, both major external shocks and industr y wide transformation cycles have made the work challenging — but at the same time even more exciting and meaningful It may sound like a cliché, but in all my roles at the bank, I have felt and still feel that I have the best job in the world.

What is your assessment of the level of financial literacy among Latvians?

Financial literacy in Latvia is improving, but we still have a long way to go as a society

Getting admitted was a major milestone it became my goal as soon as I learned that the school was founded in 1994 My favourite memories revolve around the strong sense of community and the friendships and experiences that have stayed with me long after graduation

Beyond academics (who can forget Financial Economics and Anthropology course by late professor Ķīlis!), I treasure memories from the SSE Riga choir and was truly humbled to join them on stage for the school’s 30‑year anniversar y concer t.

When did you realise banking was the direction you wanted to take?

Right after graduation, banking was not on my “wish list ” However, a few years later I had the oppor tunity to join Hansabanka which later became Swedbank and quickly discovered that working in a universal bank within a dynamic economic environment offers excellent professional and personal growth oppor tunities. I was also inspired by the bank’s open and non hierarchical corporate culture, which resonated strongly with my personality and values.

Meaningful progress requires coordinated and systematic effor ts from all stakeholders schools, public institutions, and the financial sector On that note, I am proud of Swedbank’s longstanding commitment to strengthening financial literacy and suppor ting the education domain more broadly in Latvia. It remains one of our strategic priorities.

This year, Lithuania introduced more flexibility in second‑pillar pensions, including options to exit and withdraw par t of savings. Should Latvia consider a similar approach?

In my view definitely not Considering demographic trends and structural shifts, the sustainability of Latvia’s pension system is already under increasing pressure Allowing early withdrawals, especially with the current levels of financial literacy, would create significant long term welfare risks and could lead to future political and social challenges

Instead, Latvia should focus on strengthening the current system for example, by increasing contributions to the 2nd pillar and offering stronger incentives to accumulate savings in the 3rd pillar.

What advice would you give current SSE Riga students — something you wish you had known yourself ?

I would encourage students to stay curious across a variety of subjects and topics, be active, and find a healthy study–life balance. I must admit though, I leaned a bit more towards the “life” side

Say “ yes ” more often than “ no ” when oppor tunities arise and practice patience. It will be invaluable in the future

The Geometry of Meeting

Article by Marta Ciema Design by Elīna Bībere

Ma n y p e o p l e b e l i e v e i n f a t e .

S o m e b e l i e v e i n z o d i a c s i g n s , s o m e i n r e l i g i o n , s o m e i n u n s e e n c r e a t u r e s , a n d

s o m e i n n o t h i n g a t a l l . We a r e a l l , i n o u r o w n w a y s , t r y i n g t o e x p l a i n t h e c h a o s ,

t h e r a n d o m n e s s , t h e p a i n , t h e c o i n c i d e n c e s , t h e m o m e n t s t h a t f e e l t o o p r e c i s e

t o b e a c c i d e n t a l . W h e n r a t i o n a l f o r m u l a s f a i l t o e x p l a i n o u r e m o t i o n s a n d

i r r a t i o n a l i m p u l s e s , w e t u r n t o w a r d m y s t e r y To w a r d f a i t h To w a r d s t or i e s t h a t

h e l p u s m a k e s e n s e o f b e i n g h u m a n .

O n e s u c h b e l i e f i s t h e t h r e e - m e e t i n g t h e o r y

A c c o r d i n g t o t h i s t h e o r y, t r u e s o u l m a t e s m e e t t h r e e t i m e s i n t h e i r l i f e t i m e E a c h

m e e t i n g h a p p e n s u n d e r d i f f e r e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s . E a c h t i m e t h e y c r o s s p a t h s , i t

i s n e v e r t h e s a m e a s b e f o r e . T h e m e a n i n g o f t h e c o n n e c t i o n c h a n g e s a s t h e y

c h a n g e .

I w a n t t o e x p l o r e t h i s i d e a t h r o u g h t h e l e n s o f l i n e s

m e e t i n g i s t h e q u i e t e s t o n e .

T h e f i r s t

I t f e e l s l i k e p a s s i n g b y .

T he F i r s t

M e e t i n g :

Pa r a l l e l

L

i n e s

Yo u m i g h t k n o w t h i s p e r s o n a s a

c l a s s m a t e , a c o l l e a g u e , a f r i e n d

o f a f r i e n d , o r e v e n a k i n d

s t r a n g e r. Yo u r l i v e s r u n

a l o n g s i d e e a c h o t h e r, c l o s e b u t

s e p a r a t e . T h e r e i s n o s t a t i s t i c a l

s i g n i f i c a n c e , n o a w a r e n e s s t h a t

t h i s p e r s o n c o u l d o n e d a y

m a t t e r t o y o u d e e p l y. Yo u e x i s t

i n p a r a l l e l T h i s s t a g e m i r r o r s

E u c l i d e a n g e o m e t r y.

I n m a t h e m a t i c s c l a s s , I

w a s t a u g h t t h a t p a r a l l e l

l i n e s e x i s t : l i n e s i n f i n i t e l y

l o n g t h at n e v e r m e e t , n o

m a t t e r h o w f a r t h e y

e x t e n d . T h e y d o n’ t e v e n

m o v e c l o s e r t o e a c h

o t h e r. T h e y d o n o t d r i f t

a p a r t T h e y s i m p l y l i v e

t h e i r o w n l i n e a r l i v e s .

A t f i r s t g l a n c e , l i f e f e e l s

l i k e t h a t t o o E u c l i d ’s F i f t h

P o s t u l a t e d e f i n e s t h i s

i d e a I n a f l a t , t w o -

d i m e n s i o n a l p l a n e ,

p a r a l l e l l i n e s a r e a b s o l u t e .

O n c e p a - r a l l e l , a l w a y s

p a r a l l e l .

T h e n t h e r e a r e p e o p l e w h o s e l i n e s

a l m o s t c r o s s .

T h e s e a r e t h e n e a r - m i s s e s T h e r i g h t

p e r s o n a t t h e w r o n g t i m e T h e f i r s t l o -

v e t h a t n e v e r w e n t a n y w h e r e T h e s t r a n -

g e r s y o u f e l t s t r a n g e l y c o n n e c t e d t o b u t

n e v e r m e t a g a i n . E n c o u n t e r s t h a t f e l t m e a -

n i n g f u l , b u t s o m e h o w u n f i n i s h e d P a t h s t h a t

s e e m d e s t i n e d t o c r o s s , b u t d o n’ t A t l e a s t , n o t

y e t I n m a t h e m a t i c s , t h e s e r e l a t i o n s h i p s r e s e m -

b l e a s ym p t o t i c p a t h s , a c o n c e p t f r o m a n a l y t i c g e o -

m e t r y a n d c a l c u l u s . A n a s y m p t o t e i s n o t d e f i n e d b y

i n t e r s e c t i o n , b u t b y a l i m i t . A s o n e l i n e o r c u r v e e x -

t e n d s t o w a r d i n f i n i t y, t h e d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n i t a n d a n o -

t h e r l i n e a p p r o a c h e s z e r o It b e c o m e s s m a l l e r a n d s m a l -

l e r, e n d l e s s l y s h r i n k i n g , y e t n e v e r d i s a p p e a r i n g . T h e l i m i t

T he S e c o n d

M e e t i n g :

A s y m p t o t e s

L i v e s c a n g e t i n f i n i t e l y c l o s e w i t h o u t a c t u a l l y

t o u c h i n g e a c h o t h e r. T w o p e o p l e c a n g r o w

e n d l e s s l y c l o s e - e m o t i o n a l l y, s p i r i t u a l l y,

i n t e l l e c t u a l l y. T i m e p a s s e s . C o n v e r s a t i o n s

d e e p e n U n d e r s t a n d i n g s h a r p e n s T h e

s p a c e b e t w e e n t h e m n a r r o w s u n t i l i t

f e e l s a l m o s t i m a g i n a r y A n d y e t , l i k e

a c u r v e a p p r o a c h i n g i t s a s y m p t o t e ,

t h e y n e v e r t r u l y m e e t i n t h e w a y

t h e y w e r e m e a n t t o N o t b e c a u s e

o f l a c k o f f e e l in g , b u t b e c a u s e

e x i s t s , b u t t h e m e e t i n g d o e s n o t . L i v e s c a n b e h a v e t h e s a m e

w a y.

s o m e i n t e r s e c t i o n s a r e e x c l u d e d

b y t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e p a t h i t s e l f .

I n f i n i t y o f n e v e r a c t u a l l y m e e t i n g , j u s t b e i n g i n f i n i t e l y c l o s e t o e a c h o t h e r. An i n f i n i t y o f a l m o s t s . N o t

e v e r y s t o r y r e s o l v e s i n i n t e r s e c t i o n . S o m e a r e g o v e r n e d b y l i m i t s i n s t e a d . A n d m a y b e t h a t , t o o , i s a k i n d

o f f a t e .

T he T h i r d

M e e t i n g :

C u rv e d S pac e

T h i s i s t h e m e e t i n g t h a t

h a p p e n s a f t e r t i m e h a s d o n e

i t s w o r k . A f t e r b o t h p e o p l e h a v e

l i v e d , c h a n g e d , b r o k e n , h e a l e d .

T h e y n o l o n g e r m e e t a s w h o t h e y

o n c e w e r e, b u t a s w h o t h e y h a v e

b e c o m e U n l i k e t h e f i r s t m e e t i n g ,

t h e r e i s r e c o g n i t i o n . U n l i k e t h e

s e c o n d , t h e r e i s a l i g n m e n t .

T h i s i s t h e m e e t i n g i n

w h i c h t w o l i v e s a r e f i -

n a l l y a b l e t o e x i s t i n

t h e s a m e p l a c e , a t t h e

s a m e t i m e . T h i s i s t h e

m e e t i n g w h e r e l i n e s a r e n o

l o n g e r m e r e l y c l o s e , b u t a l l o w e d

t o c r o s s

T h e t h i r d m e e t i n g i s t h e d e c i s i v e o n e .

T h i s i s n o t a p a s s i n g e n c o u n t e r, n o r a n o t h e r a l m o s t

Hu m a n l i v e s a r e n o t d r a w n o n

f l a t p l a n e s . T h e y c u r v e

L a t e r, I l e a r n e d t h a t i n t h e u n i v e r s e ,

t h e E u c l i d e a n p r o m i s e o f e t e r n a l

p a r a l l e l i s m d o e s n o t a l w a y s

h o l d E i n s t e i n’s t h e o r y o f

g e n e r a l r e l a t i v i t y s h o w e d

u s t h a t s p a c e i t s e l f i s

c u r v e d . L i g h t b e n d s .

S t r a i g h t p a t h s a r e

i l l u s i o n s T r i a n g l e s

d o n o t a l w a y s s u m

t o 1 8 0 d e g r e e s . L i n e s

t h a t a p p e a r p a r a l l e l c a n

c o n v e r g e o r d i v e r g e d e p e n d -

i n g o n t h e s h a p e o f s p a c e - t i m e

A n d s u d d e n l y, t h o s e l i n e s b e g i n t o

d r i f t . R e a c h i n g , p u l l i n g , c u r v i n g f o r

e a c h o t h e r u n t i l , a t s o m e p o i n t ,

t h e y f i n a l l y c r o s s We a r e l i k e

t h a t t o o

a r o u n d t r a u m a , g r o w t h , l o s s ,

t i m e , a n d d i s t a n c e .

E x p e r i e n c e s b e n d u s C h o i c e s

r e d i r e c t u s T i m e r e s h a p e s

t h e s p a c e w e m o v e t h r o u g h .

L i v e s t h a t a p p e a r p a r a l l e l f o r

y e a r s c a n s u d d e n l y t o u c h

a g a i n a f t e r d e c a d e s , n o t b y

c o i n c i d e n c e , b u t b e c a u s e t h e

g e o m e t r y o f t h e i r e x i s t e n c e

h a s c h a n g e d .

We m e e t a g a i n b e c a u s e l i f e i s

n o t f l a t

U n d e r m y a x i o m , t h e r e a r e n o

t r u e p a r a l l e l l i v e s . O n l y l i v e s

t h a t h a v e n o t y e t i n t e r s e c t e d ,

h a v e n o t y e t c u r v e d , h a v e n o t

y e t t a n g l e d , c o n n e c t e d , a n d

d i s c o n n e c t e d y e t

Ar ticle by Iurii Simuchenkov Design by Zane Kalnina

ARussian phrase “to gnaw on the granite of science” means to persistently study a cer tain area In the XXI centur y this phrase is used ironically to showcase one ’ s lack of intelligence compared to professors of the past. Its connotation builds on the imposter syndrome. It is filled with egoism and golden age thinking.

For some reason, being born in Russia means you will get shamed for your lack of knowledge It could be the immense weight of all the ancestors' advancements or the puffiness of the educational system. Like ever yone else, I felt that weight on me for as long as I can remember myself. As I got older, I found fictional characters that contor ted this purely negative shaming into a possibility to por tray myself as an all-knowing, coldblooded, calculated persona Adding an appealing layer to a vile fundament is not much different from the effects of propaganda And propaganda works quite effectively However, it turns out it isn’t uniquely Russian; the narrative exists universally

When talking about interests, people star t a conversation with a question that seemingly tests your actual knowledge. One of them is “ name three songs ” , and I don’t have to tell you how present it was on social media one or two years ago I, myself, was quite scared of it I have an AC/DC t-shir t Could I name three songs on the spot? Cer tainly Here you go: “ go ” , “f **k”, “yourself ” I feel quite vulnerable being tested on the decisions that don’t impact anyone

The music industr y fans for one turned into competitors with people measuring how intricate their top three ever albums are However, no one knows what the rules of this race are Who is the number one music champion-connoisseur, for example? Anthony Fantano could be the answer, but I’d like to test him on the knowledge of Prata Vetra.

There are no rules, and there are no winners.

The only outcome is that at least one of the two fighters in this music knowledge match will get quite upset And both of the fighters will lose the joy from music. Because they don’t listen to it to enjoy it, but just to compare themselves to others. And nearly ever y area of life has such a competition. Yes, social media plays a big par t in it, but it definitely has other roots.

It is an amusing and concerning obser vation that some people will get an oppor tunity to compete ever y single time Can’t say that any of us are different though One of the core memories of my childhood and something that I see from time to time as well is how kids compete For them it isn’t about arguments, the quality of them, no, it ’ s quite simple: you just name something either louder or quantitatively larger.

-”I can do 50 push-ups!”

-”And I can do 100!”

(You can turn around to look at a bird that flew by, and when you come back to the conversation, the intensity of it will stay the same.)

-”I can do a hundred thousand push-ups!”

(And so on )

Obviously such a conversation is pointless from an objective point of view there is no limit on the numbers But subjectively it ’ s pointless as well. How many people on the playground will care how many push-ups they can actually do?

In a per fect world none. But unfor tunately parents with an inferiority complex that they project on their children exist

And this is exactly what any debate on the intricacy of one ’ s taste looks like. The fact that in any area where a quality of one object can’t be directly compared to a quality of another (think ar t, music, style, happiness), whenever we want to know a person ’ s preference we ask them,

“ What is your top three ?”, and any other variation of this question. Which takes away the humanity of a person, the question seems more like an evaluation rather than interest. And that is something that I don’t like So, in order to avoid such dialogues, here is my manifesto of questions

Ever y single year of living by myself, I wish I had star ted gathering people in my flat or had made it a little bohemian space Ever y time we gathered, there would be a topic: a drink of choice, a garment you always wanted, etc And while it would be quite broad, ever y item or stor y that someone would bring would have their personality in it. It would be an ideal setting for a warm dialogue, sometimes filled with gentle worr y or with nagging past

However, the comfort of the environment would come from the knowledge of the topic, the people, maybe wine

but there is no way that an answer to ever y question would be formed in advance. Because some of them are painfully simple that we don’t even think about them Yet they give the person who replies absolute freedom in their answer

One of my favourite questions ever is whether there is a tradition in the morning that has never failed to let one feel their day the way they wanted to. I definitely have it making brown bread with ricotta, simmered cherr y tomatoes and basil for breakfast Perhaps that ’ s because I quite recently discovered what a routine is As I was able to construct one with the intention of not being productive, but of star ting a day meaningfully. I always feel like people might have something small that helps them feel like the person they really are And yeah, I am an absolutely deadbeat romanticising an Italian grandpa But that is a question that I would ask at one of those gatherings

A thing that I haven’t ever talked about, but always wanted to is spontaneous collections A set of multiple objects that appeared not because it would be a good conversation star ter or because it looks good, but because you have been doing something often enough to get multiple things from there A normal collection usually implies that you are always looking for ways to expand it, whether these objects are useful or just decorative

But an unintentional collection has no value to anyone apart from you.

I keep accumulating jerseys from different backyard football teams that I played for. Ever y single one of them has a stor y; altogether, they form quite a big par t of my life. And God, do they look disgusting, we were abhorrently bad at designing jerseys at 14 Never theless, they do hold a big par t of me

And everyone has such a collection; no matter how insignificant it always tells a great story.

And something that I have never had experience with is the choice of furniture Most of my recommendations are filled with beautiful, designer flats with ever y piece chosen and fitted into the picture itself. While it isn’t realistic, probably because of the current economy, I think it reflects the comfor t space of the person. And finding something for your room is nearly always a hassle

So, I want to hear stories of how people went to the flea market or took a trip to Ikea, and let it be with as many details as possible, please Because last time I went to Ikea, I got fined on the bus for not paying the ticket, but it didn’t shake me at all because I was excited to buy something new for my room!

In my world, a meaningful, intentional question always has some background of the person asking it

And all of the interest comes down to the interest in how people live, where ever ything connects to ever ything through the person themselves I hope that I will finally make a gathering at my house, now that I have a playstation and a turntable I hope that I will ask questions that will be interesting for both people involved in the conversation. Because the problem is rarely the intention, it is the interest in the person ’ s way of thinking, but how the question is asked and perceived The dehumanisation of a rating will never make you feel valued, but a genuine interest in choices will. All I'm saying is, stop making questions feel like constraints; let them be optional directions.

ChrisFormal

COMMON THREAD

W H Y W E C A N ' T

W H Y W E C A N ' T

R E S I S T A S M A L L T R E AT

R E S I S T A S M A L L T R E AT

ARTICLE BY PAULA ESMERALDA DEKSNE DESIGN BY ELĪNA KIČIGINA

The stock market dips, gas prices rise, and headlines scream DOOM — yet somehow your bag is heavier than usual, brimming with lipsticks, lip pencils, and glosses. Economists have a name for this phenomenon: the Lipstick Index.

OUR SPENDING HABITS ARE THE VISIBLE THREADS OF AN OTHERWISE INVISIBLE ECONOMIC ANXIETY.

Leonard Lauder, previous CEO of Estée Lauder, coined the term during the 2001 recession, after noticing a spike in lipstick sales during the economic dip

THE LOGIC?

When you can’t afford a house or a new car, you buy a $25 lipstick to feel the rush of luxur y without the financial ruin.

HISTORY BACKS THIS UP.

Academics traced the pattern and found that beaut y has long defined downturns: during the Great Depression cosmetics sales rose rather than eroded Same during World War II on both sides of the Atlantic The government even classified lipstick as a

"NECESSARY COMMODITY,"

exempting it from rationing to keep morale high.

more recently that neat correlation HOWEVER, between tough times and nicely-painted lips has smudged a bit. With our lips and half of our faces covered, makeup sales fell sharply; Lipstick, in par ticular, took a significant hit. During the pandemic and ensuing economic chaos, Forbes repor ted that lip product sales declined by 15% in 2020, a deviation from what the Lipstick Index would predict

The pandemic, it could be said, put an end to Leonard’s Lipstick Index. But it didn’t put an end to the impulse!

THE SUBJECT ( THE LIPSTICK ) MIGHT HAVE CHANGED. BUT THE OBJECT ( THE LITTLE TREAT ) REMAINS.

Market analysts can no longer watch for that one indicative spike in lipstick sales. Instead, a thousand tiny spikes yes, luxur y beaut y, but also bag charms, collagen supplements, fridge organisation containers, books, and any thing else that provides joy, relief, escapism, strength

We haven’t stopped buying little indulgences; we’re just spreading our bets. Oat matcha lattes for 6 euros. A Temu impulse buy. An in-app purchase, or an expensive movie streaming fee.

HOPE.

SMALL LUXURIES LOOK DIFFERENT IN 2026, BUT THE PSYCHOLOGY STAYS THE SAME.

I don’t think it’s about indulgence, not really. I think it’s about controlclaiming a moment of self-agency, maybe even defiance, in a day/week/month/life ridden with anxieties big and small, sinister politics, intrusive technology, and historically high self-repor ted stress levels.

Social media trends like TikTok’s “underconsumption core” reflect this shift. Emerging last summer, the movement encouraged simpler beaut y routines and showed that even Gen Z is feeling over whelmed by the constant flood of new products

So perhaps the Lipstick Index isn’t dead it’s just been REBR ANDED. No longer confined to a single product, it now lives in a constellation of small purchases that promise relief, distraction, or a sense of order. You’ve probably felt it yourself: that pull toward one small thing that makes ever y thing feel manageable again.

Here’s the matter: you may or may not know that I turned legal in Latvia last winter and this is where my partying experience kicked off. The party culture is a big thing here and it was easy to integrate in it And in Georgia, I never got to see the party scene, so I was quite excited to go back home in the summer after the end of the first year and have some fun with my lifelong friends. To my disappointment, my friends were quite abstinent and we never got past dinner meetups. But I was quite busy with my internship so I never thought too much about it, and I felt very content and grateful to spend time with those people one way or another.

My recent trip back home to Georgia has inspired me to write this article. In fact, I am writing it right there, in my childhood bedroom because I could not contain my thoughts until returning to Latvia.

My internship team invited me to a new hot spot in town (I would draw a parallel to Tallinas kvartāls, but it has more food spots and is more sophisticated interior-wise). We drank, danced, and had a lot of fun I decided to tell my best friend about my night out and said that it would be very nice if we go out like that sometime as well, to which I got an odd response that she does not do that kind of fun That’s when I started realizing why all of our hangouts have failed to feel like we are just two teenagers. The worst part of all of this is that this is a common attitude towards partying, and she is not the only one with such a perspective. In Georgia, conservatism is emerging among teenagers and people in their early twenties

Even in the bar I went to yesterday, the only relatively young people were me and the second intern from the summer who lives in NYC

Whilst reading this article you might get the impression that I am writing this as a judgmental rascal but I am genuinely writing this out of curiosity and a slight concern from the observations I have made while being here

Article by Anna Gogebashvili

Design by Elīna Bībere

After returning here at the winter break after the first semester of this study year, I started noticing that my friends and other acquaintances my age were really prone to posting the type of hang-outs I would witness in my home when I was little and my father had his friends over for some sort of celebration –singing traditional songs, drinking in a Vakhtanguri (when two people cross their arms and drink that way as a gesture of unity and friendship) style, etc I mean, there is nothing wrong with embracing tradition but the frequency of this kind of content on social media got me thinking

that conservatism is back more than ever My thoughts were proven right when I started feeling judged for often having night outs in Latvia. And the last nail in the coffin was last night. I was hoping to run into some classmates, but instead I ran into my thirtysomething year-old cousin with his mistress (here’s some drama for you). And I was not in the wrong place – this is THE spot in Tbilisi right now Today I had another interesting encounter I went to get dinner with another friend and, while ordering a dessert, I got judged for ordering

a Tiramisu because it has alcohol inside When I asked the girl what the deal was, she said that she refuses to drink and it is not ladylike for her. I definitely find all of the above weird. And if you are going to defend this behavior by bringing up cultural differences, I have an answer for you My parents’ and my older cousins’ generations spent their teens and twenties partying, and they feel the same about this entire thing as me (I was so weirded out that I had to share my thoughts with them over dinner tonight).

The habits of Georgian young people had me thinking about how this speaks a lot about the country’s ideological and political stance. The current ruling party (which has been in power for over thirteen years now) is right-wing and conservative as well as pro-Russian They are trying to push outdated social values and slash norms into the people to show everyone that the European Union, which is full of too much freedom and LGBTQ+ communities, is far from being good for us morally and that Russia is our Orthodox friend where more appropriate values lie Now that I see people my age thinking and behaving the way they do, I would say that the propaganda is working I am not implying that refusing alcohol or enjoying quieter social settings is inherently political. What unsettles me is the moral framing that often follows – the unspoken implication that certain behaviors are inappropriate, unladylike, or simply not acceptable.

TI am not writing this to glorify excess or to argu moral obligation of youth. What worries me is how nal choices for my peers have started to feel like ru reason to judge others I get the traditions and soc ues, but I can’t get behind the fear that comes with stepping outside them. When self-restraint starts getting praised and freedom comes into question, it’s not really about nightlife anymore. It starts feeling like a bigger shift in society that’s hard to ignore

And after all, should I start pre-gaming parties with tiramisu?

Frozen Frozen hreads hreads

With frozen thoughts in my head, I instinctively pick up my phone and call my landlord to solve the life-threatening situation as an adult.

With frozen thoughts in my head, I instinctively pick up my phone and call my landlord to solve the life-threatening situation as an adult

As an inter national student, I have finally finished the first semester at SSE Rig a Has it been g reat here? Yes But also, after coming back from a holiday break, I am sitting in my little apar tment in Rig a that should bring me war mth and comfor t, and I feel none of that. In a literal sense. T he indoor ther mometer is stuck on the hor ror-evoking number of 14°C, aising g oosebumps along my ar ms

As an inter national student, I have finally finished the first semester at SSE Rig a. Has it been g reat here? Yes But also, after coming back from a holiday break, I am sitting in my little apar tment in Rig a that should bring me war mth and comfor t, and I feel none of that In a literal sense T he indoor ther mometer is stuck on the hor ror-evoking number of 14°C, aising g oosebumps along my ar ms.

Unsur prisingly, I g et no answer Of course, I could be mad, but who am I to judg e if I rarely pick up a call either

Unsur prisingly, I g et no answer Of course, I could be mad, but who am I to judg e if I rarely pick up a call either.

MAYBE MY LANDLORD HAS AVOIDANCE ISSUES?

Obviously, the second, the most reasonable thought is that she is just busy. T he more you live, the more things you have to squeeze into your head, and it does g et crowded: work tasks, health wor ries, various appointments that need ar ranging, and all the relationships you ’ ve g athered throughout the years pile up

A single call can be easily missed, and if it’s just your tenant who cares, you can always call back

Obviously, the second, the most reasonable thought is that she is just busy T he more you live, the more things you have to squeeze into your head, and it does g et crowded: work tasks, health wor ries, various appointments that need ar ranging, and all the relationships you ’ ve g athered throughout the years pile up. A single call can be easily missed, and if it’s just your tenant who cares, you can always call back

(PLEASE, I BEG YOU)

However, the unanswered call ling ers in my head long er than it should, as I think of calls that I did not pick up and never made this year. Of course, I could be lying to myself and saying that I have been busy, but I can’t count the messag es from friends and loved ones that I read, planned to respond to, then quietly let sink into the archive of “later” And slowly,

However, the unanswered call ling ers in my head long er than it should, as I think of calls that I did not pick up and never made this year Of course, I could be lying to myself and saying that I have been busy, but I can’t count the messag es from friends and loved ones that I read, planned to respond to, then quietly let sink into the archive of “later” And slowly,

THE THREAD CONNECTING ME TO A PERSON BEGINS TO FREEZE.

T he re plies come later and later T here are no ir relevant pictures or glimpses of each other’s lives, no spontaneous messag es without hello attached at the star t, or unexpected calls Finally, you understand that the person becomes just somebody you knew, as you do not know about their new interests, daily routine, and future

dreams T his lack of intention can become an acute issue, since kee ping people around isn’t just about seeing them regularly anymore, but about actively investing time, attention, and interest, especially when you do not live in close proximity anymore

T he re plies come later and later T here are no ir relevant pictures or glimpses of each other’s lives, no spontaneous messag es without hello attached at the star t, or unexpected calls. Finally, you understand that the person becomes just somebody you knew, as you do not know about their new interests, daily routine, and future dreams T his lack of intention can become an acute issue, since kee ping people around isn’t just about seeing them regularly anymore, but about actively investing time, attention, and interest, especially when you do not live in close proximity anymore.

Nonetheless, some relationships are meant to freeze up. And it does not mean that it counts as a failed one Even if you no long er talk to someone, a piece of them often stays with you It could rang e from the smallest thing, like a song they showed you, a verbal tic that never left your mind, to memories that chang ed your perspective on living I tr y to search in my mind for those traits and moments, but my hands are g etting cold from the temperature, so I open up a sag e metal tin and a gush of tea scent hits my nose, exactly the same as the first time when I had this brand four years ag o at a friend’s house for breakfast. I do not remember the last time I called that person, but I never stopped drinking the tea And while the mug fills up with boiling water, I star t to feel an invisible 300-kilometer string lin king herbal leaves tog ether. But maybe that person does not even drink it anymore I could ask them about it, and

Nonetheless, some relationships are meant to freeze up And it does not mean that it counts as a failed one Even if you no long er talk to someone, a piece of them often stays with you. It could rang e from the smallest thing, like a song they showed you, a verbal tic that never left your mind, to memories that chang ed your perspective on living. I tr y to search in my mind for those traits and moments, but my hands are g etting cold from the temperature, so I open up a sag e metal tin and a gush of tea scent hits my nose, exactly the same as the first time when I had this brand four years ag o at a friend’s house for breakfast I do not remember the last time I called that person, but I never stopped drinking the tea. And while the mug fills up with boiling water, I star t to feel an invisible 300-kilometer string linking herbal leaves tog ether But maybe that person does not even drink it anymore. I could ask them about it, and

THOSE FROZEN THREADS COULD BE WARMED UP SO EASILY

But is it necessar y?

But is it necessar y? IS IT BETTER TO BE TIED BY COUNTLESS THIN THREADS TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, OR BY A FEW STRONG ONES TO THOSE YOU TRULY WISH TO SEE IN YOUR FUTURE?

As I kee p wondering about it, my thoughts g et inter r upted by a ding from my phone, and I quickly star t texting nonsense to my best friend about how As I kee p wondering about it, my thoughts g et inter r upted by a ding from my phone, and I quickly star t texting nonsense to my best friend about how

I HAVE GONE INSANE AND DELUSIONAL , AND HAVE STARTED SEEING STRINGS COMING OUT OF ME AND LINKING ME TO OTHERS

Perhaps, if those threads were not imaginar y and frozen, they would fill up my whole room and I would not need to call anyone to fix the radiators, because the chunk y strands would wrap me up in war mth, I think, while I search for a knitted sweater, since the temperature bar plummeted even lower than the number of hours I have been slee ping recently So, after freezing for a few hours, I decide that the only way to communicate with the landlord is to pull her by the avoidance string by avoiding the letters of rent.

Perhaps, if those threads were not imaginar y and frozen, they would fill up my whole room and I would not need to call anyone to fix the radiators, because the chunk y strands would wrap me up in war mth, I think, while I search for a knitted sweater, since the temperature bar plummeted even lower than the number of hours I have been slee ping recently So, after freezing for a few hours, I decide that the o nly way to communicate with the landlord is to pull her by the avoidance string by avoiding the letters of rent

Ar ticle by: Evelina Pilat Design by : Patrīcija Paula Linde

Ar ticle by: Evelina Pilat Design by : Patrīcija Paula Linde

t

t o g e t h e r a g a i n S l i p p i n g t h r o u g h m y f i n g e r s S l i p p i n g t h r o u g h m y f i n g e r s S l i p p i n g t h r o u g h m y f i n g e r s

S o m e f r i e n d s h i p s a r e s e e m i n g l y s t o w e d aw a y i n

a t t i c s , t o r n a n d f r a y e d , k e p t d e s p i t e t h e d a m a g e

b e c a u s e t h r o w i n g t h e m aw a y f e e l s t o o f i n a l .

E m o t i o n s a r e s t i l l l a t c h i n g o n t o e v e r y l o o s e

s e a m . Yo u t e l l y o u r s e l f t h a t o n e d a y, o n t h e

r i g h t d a y, y o u w i l l f i x i t a n d o c c a s i o n a l l y y o u

d o Yo u s i t d o w n w i t h c a r e f u l h a n d s a n d t r y t o

p a t c h i t u p , c o n t i n u i n g w h e r e y o u l e f t o f f . It i s

n o t t h e s a m e a s i t o n c e w a s , a n d m a y b e i t n e v e r

w i l l b e , b u t s t e p b y s t e p y o u c a n t u r n i t i n t o

s o m e t h i n g n e w S o m e t h i n g d i f f e r e n t , p e r h a p s

s t r o n g e r, p r o o f t h a t s o m e t h i n g b r o k e a n d w a s

d e e m e d i m p o r t a n t e n o u g h t o r e p a i r

O t h e r s a r e f o l d e d c a r e f u l l y a n d f o r g o t t e n a s t h e y e a r s p a s s a n d l i v e s m o v e i n d i f f e r e n t d i r e c t i o n s . T h e y s i t a t t h e

b a c k o f t h e c l o s e t , u n t o u c h e d , n o t o u t o f r e s e n t m e n t b u t o u t o f n e c e s s i t y A n d y e t , w h e n y o u s t u m b l e u p o n t h e m a g a i n , w h e n a n a m e a p p e a r s u n e x p e c t e d l y o r a f a m i l i a r l a u g h d r i f t s b a c k i n t o y o u r l i f e , i t f e e l s l i k e n o t h i n g h a s

c h a n g e d a t a l l . Yo u c a r e f o r t h e m s t i l l , a n d y o u w i l l f o r e v e

E v e n w h e n a c o n n e c t i o n s t r e t c h e s m i l e s aw a y, i t c a n s t i l l b e w o r t h f o l l o w i n g . D i s t a n c e d o e s n o t a l w a y s m e a n d i s c o n n e c t i o n . S o m e f r i e n d s h i p s e x i s

T h e r e a r e a l s o n e w o n e s F r e s h l y k n i t t e d , b ri g h t a n d e x c i t i n g , t h e k i n d y o u l o v e s o m u c h y o u d o

n o t e v e n n o t i c e t h e y e a r s p a s s i n g o r t h e f u z z

b e g i n n i n g t o a p p e a r. Yo u f a i l t o s e e t h e w e a r

b e c a u s e t o y o u t h e y s t i l l l o o k j u s t a s e n c h a n t i n g

a s t h e d a y t h e y e n t e r e d y o u r l i f e T h e y f i l l a h o l e

i n y o u r l i f e y o u n e v e r r e a l i z e d w a s t h e r e , b u t

n o w y o u r d a y s f e e l u n i m a g i n a b l e w i t h o u t t h e m .

i d

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B u t n o t a l l u n r a v e l i n g c a n b e s t o p p e d A t a c e r t a i n p o i

b o n d i s c o m i n g a p a r t f a s t e r t h a n i t w a s e v e r k n i t . S o m

c a r e l e s s o f t h e g a p s a l r e a d y f o r m i n g , j u s t e n o u g h s t r a

o r b i t w h i l e b e i n g c h i l l i n g t o t h e t o u c h . T h e y h o l d y o u i n t h e i r e m b r a c e a l l t h e s a m e

L

e t t i n g g o i s r a r e l y g r a c e f u l . A t t i m e s i t t a k e s s n a g g i n g

s w e a t e r o n a n a i l , a s h a r p m o m e n t t h a t f i n a l l y f o r c e s y

y o u r s e l f l o o s e o f w h a t i s h o l d i n g y o u i n p l a c e . T h e f a b

T h e b o n d i s i r r e p a r a b l y d e s t r o y e d i n t h e p r o c e s s A n d

y o u s t a n d t h e r e h o l d i n g t h e r e m a i n s , w o n d e r i n g i f i t w

S o m e t i m e s , i t i s B e c a u s e k e e p i n g s o m e t h i n g j u s t b e c a

h a d i t f o r a l o n g t i m e d o e s n o t m e a n i t s t i l l f i t s . S o m e

m e a n t t o b e m e n d e d S o m e s w e a t e r s a r e n o t m e a n t t o i n s t e a d h a v e t o b e c o m e d i s t a n t m e m o r i e s y o u u s e d t o

F r i e n d s h i p , l i k e k n i t t i n g , i s a n a c t o f p a t i e n c e It

r e q u i r e s t e n s i o n h e l d j u s t r i g h t To o l o o s e , a n d i t f a l l s a p a r t . To o t i g h t , a n d i t b e c o m e s u nw e a r a b l e .

T h e b e a u t y l i e s i n t h e b a l a n c e , i n k n o w i n g w h e n t o r e p a i r, w h e n t o r e s t , a n d w h e n t o f i n a l l y l e t t h e

t h r e a d s l i p t h r o u g h y o u r f i n g e r s

It s h o u l d b e e v e r y o n e’s h o p e t o f i n d t h e

k i n d w o r t h h o l d i n g o n t o f o r d e a r l i f e T h e

o n e s y o u w i l l f i g h t f o r t o k e e p b y y o u r s i d e T h o s e t h a t b r i n g o u t t h e b e s t i n y o u

a n d g i v e y o u r e a s o n s t o s t a n d b y t h e m e v e n t h r o u g h a n y s m a l l r i f t s a l o n g t h e w a y Yo u w i l l f i n d i t e a s y t o g r o w a n d c h a n g e a l o n g s i d e t h e m A s t h e y e a r s I n t h e e n d , w h

Dear Valentine...

S.M. Y1, If a doctor asked wh my type was I woul show him your pictu

Dear R.S. Y1, You are the reason why I get up from my bed and why I wish for more P.S. accept me on Snap

Are you high demand, and low su Because your’re PRICELESS! Your make me dreamy, and smile makes tremble. Your intelligence makes me But for real tho, stay amazing, intell fun, amazing! Lots of LOVE. -secret admirer

Dear R.J. Y2!

You are my sunshine, when day is low. Thank you for the love you bring to this world -R.M.

K.S. Y1, Your eyes look like diamonds, your smile makes my heart melt. I’m so scared to confess my feelings but I fell in love with you from the 1st sight. Please be my wife. From your secret admirer

Heyy A .C. Y2, You probably don’t know me. But for me, you have caught my eye recently. Maybe this time I will stay anonymous. But trust me, soon we will meet :) You amaze me ever yday! Thank you for inspiration to live

Your a*s is the size of the MOON and your heart is the size of the PLANET r) dding?

Are

You don’t reply fast, you reply intentionally. The silence builds character and keeps things interesting. Happy valentines day!

Mielas M.B. Y2, Do you have intraday future data perhaps? If teip we can d some maža arbitraža and then karštas vynas :) Tie vienintelini

Please buy milk, eggs, apples and wine

Thanks P.S. i failed an exam

If I had some money, I would fly you out to Machu Picchu

I.S Y3 u alpha? Because ep outperforming ectations!

To coordinator, K.A. Y2 Can I be your shadow? I have a crush on u. (u know cause u are the shadow coordinator)

J.L.P

-LandE You are a able

A.G. Y1, Roses are red Your bedsheets are blue In a dark alley, I will shadow you

I cannot sto about you evening w pent together! I imagine how your strong hands slide on my body and fulfill me. Your sweetheart N.L.

Ducks are yellow

This pen is black When results will be out I’ll get your back

To the Insider board,

R.M. Y2, The birds chirp and sun shines, where you step! Add me on Snap

We love you! Kisses, Zirnis!

Dear Walter, Even though we sometimes have our disagreements in class, I would like to take you out for a Latvian Kvass We disagree about your political leader, but I’m so sure with you in my bed we don’t need a heater.

I hope you know who this wrote, and perhaps we’ll sit together in my Carribean love boat.

I D. Y2, Feels like we’re a world away, but we’re in the same. Be my girl at least

I know that I’m not that important to you but to me you’re so much more than gorgeous

When I walk through the halls every day the day gets better, when I see your face

R.M. Y2, I wanted to confess my feelings long time ago, but I don’t know how to tell you... You are incredibly beautiful, your eyes and smile makes the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. Kisses

y g, y e the best and the brightest rainbow in my life! With love.

R.M. Y2, I saw you long time ago, looking from the last row You are not as smart as me, of course, but you still attracted my attention. I added you on Snap and you did not add me back... let’s be homies?

R.J. Y2,

P.K. Y1 six seven eight nine will you be my valentine ???

I remember the first day when I saw you at this moment, in which the heart did not know how to be silent, where the gaze revealed itself, and the world so casual and wide, focused only on you Aij, the words are s**t...thanks that you are!

You are my light. My sun. My sky My universe. You are everything to me. You mean everything to me.

E.B Y2

Are you down for making memes while listening to bad bunny?

Dear Roberts,

I know there are a lot of jokes about you but you have seriously caught my eye. Sadly I have only seen you at teambuilding (IFund) & have not had the chance to talk to you. I wish we had the chance to talk.

(dw I won't call you bunny)

A .R. Y1, I want to hit a ball in your golf hole!

R.M. Y2, You are my rainbow on a rainy day!

Dear Robert!

You smile when others cr y. You fight when others run away. Your a a wolf ! And I want a wolf

I’d never insure your house.... unless it’s a naked policy and you’re the payout ;)

tavo slaptas gerbejas

Miela Milda,

Unfinished conversations

Article by Vlada Dzene

Design by Amanda Graudina

Y o u o p e n e d t h e m e s s a g e h o u r s a g o a n d n e v e r r e p l i e d .

Yo u ’ r e e a g e r t o c o n t i n u e t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n , a n d

y o u f e e l t h e s a m e f r o m t h e m . S u d d e n l y , y o u s e e

t h e “ t y p i n g … ” b u b b l e , h o p i n g t h a t t h e

e x c h a n g e i s a b o u t t o c o n t i n u e , a n d j u s t l i k e

t h a t , e v e r y t h i n g d i s a p p e a r s : t h e b u b b l e p o p s

a n d t h e p e r s o n o n t h e o t h e r s i d e s t a y s s i l e n t ,

s i g n a l i n g t h a t t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n i s “ e n d e d ” . I s

s i l e n c e t h e n e w b e s t w a y t o s a y g o o d b y e ? I

d o n ’ t k n o w . B u t I k n o w t h a t m o d e r n

c o n v e r s a t i o n s d o n ’ t e n d , t h e y j u s t s t o p .

N o t b e c a u s e y o u d i d n ’ t c a r e , b u t s i m p l y

b e c a u s e y o u d i d n ’ t k n o w h o w t o f i n i s h t h e

c o n v e r s a t i o n , o r , m a y b e , b e c a u s e y o u t h i n k

t h a t s i l e n c e a l r e a d y s a y s e n o u g h ? S o t h e

t h r e a d s t a y e d o p e n , s u s p e n d e d s o m e w h e r e

b e t w e e n i n t e n t i o n a n d s i l e n c e . P e r h a p s y o u ’ v e

s p e n t a l l e v e n i n g h a v i n g a n e n g a g i n g

c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h a r a n d o m , o r m a y b e n o t s o

r a n d o m , p e r s o n , d i s c u s s i n g a l l p o s s i b l e t o p i c s

i n t h e w o r l d , s t a r t i n g f r o m y o u r f a v o r i t e c o l o r

a n d d r i f t i n g i n t o t h e m e a n i n g o f l i f e .

T h e r e w a s a t i m e w h e n s i l e n c e m e a n t d i s t a n c e o r c o i n c i d e n c e . N o w , i t o f t e n f e e l s d e l i b e r a t e , c a r e f u l l y p l a c e d b e t w e e n t w o m e s s a g e s t h a t w i l l n e v e r a r r i v e . G h o s t i n g , d e l a y e d r e p l i e s ,

p a s s i v e d i s e n g a g e m e n t – - a r e n ’ t a l l t h e s e w o r d s f a m i l i a r t o y o u ? I b e t t h e y a r e , s i n c e

t h e y ’ v e b e c o m e a q u i e t h a b i t o f m o d e r n c o m m u n i c a t i o n . T h i s i s e x a c t l y w h a t l e a v e s o u r

m e s s a g e s u n d e l i v e r e d a n d o u r c o n v e r s a t i o n s u n f i n i s h e d .

B u t h o w i s t h i s p o s s i b l e , w h e n i n a w o r l d

f u l l o f e n d l e s s t h r e a d s , c o n v e r s a t i o n s a r e t e c h n i c a l l y a l w a y s o p e n ?

T h e m e s s a g e s l i n g e r , n o t i f i c a t i o n s p e r s i s t , a n d y e t s o m e h o w , t h e d i a l o g u e r e m a i n s u n f i n i s h e d . T h e r e ’ s a l w a y s a p l a c e f o r

d i a l o g u e t o b e g i n : D M s , g r o u p c h a t s , c o m m e n t t h r e a d s … A l l o f i t m a k e s y o u t h i n k

a b o u t h o w e a s y i t i s t o s t a r t a m e a n i n g f u l , h i g h - q u a l i t y c o n v e r s a t i o n . A n d t h i s i s

e x a c t l y h o w i t u s u a l l y g o e s : w o r d s , p h r a s e s , s e n t e n c e s , a n d t h e n … s i l e n c e .

Ye t s i l e n c e i s n o t t h e e n d . E v e n w h e n a

c o n v e r s a t i o n s t o p s , t h e m e s s a g e s r e m a i n .

T h e y c a n b e r e v i s i t e d , s c r e e n s h o t t e d , o r

a r c h i v e d , t e c h n i c a l l y a l w a y s a l i v e ; a n d y e t ,

t h e d i a l o g u e f e e l s s u s p e n d e d o r u n r e s o l v e d .

I n t h i s w a y , t h e d i g i t a l t h r e a d b e c o m e s

e t e r n a l , w h i l e t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n i t s e l f n e v e r

t r u l y e n d s .

S o m e t i m e s w e s t a y s i l e n t n o t b e c a u s e w e d o n ’ t c a r e , b u t b e c a u s e

r e s p o n d i n g f e e l s c o m p l i c a t e d . F e a r , u n c e r t a i n t y , o r s i m p l y t h e m e n t a l l o a d o f c h o o s i n g t h e r i g h t w o r d s c a n f r e e z e u s , l e a v i n g t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n h a n g i n g . O n e p o s s i b l e r e a s o n f o r p r e f e r r i n g s i l e n c e i s

o v e r s t i m u l a t i o n : s o m e p e o p l e f i n d t e x t i n g a n d r e p l y i n g e x h a u s t i n g , l e a v i n g t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n o p e n w h i l e q u i e t l y a s s u m i n g t h a t i t ’ s o v e r .

O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , s o m e p e o p l e s i m p l y b e h a v e t h i s w a y b e c a u s e i t

b e c a m e j u s t a c o n v e r s a t i o n a l m a n n e r , n o t a s i g n o f d i s r e s p e c t o r

i g n o r a n c e .

Yo u o p e n e d t h e m e s s a g e h o u r s a g o a n d n e v e r r e p l i e d . N o t b e c a u s e

y o u d i d n ’ t c a r e , b u t s i m p l y b e c a u s e y o u d i d n ’ t k n o w h o w t o f i n i s h

t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n , o r , m a y b e , b e c a u s e y o u t h i n k t h a t s i l e n c e a l r e a d y

s a y s e n o u g h ? S o t h e t h r e a d s t a y e d o p e n , s u s p e n d e d s o m e w h e r e

b e t w e e n i n t e n t i o n a n d s i l e n c e . P e r h a p s y o u ’ v e s p e n t a l l e v e n i n g

h a v i n g a n e n g a g i n g c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h a r a n d o m , o r m a y b e n o t s o

r a n d o m , p e r s o n , d i s c u s s i n g a l l p o s s i b l e

U n f i n i s h e d c o n v e r s a t i o n s r a r e l y d i s a p p e a r o n t h e i r o w n .

I n s t e a d , t h e y l i n g e r i n o u r

m i n d s , s h a p i n g h o w w e i n t e r p r e t

s i l e n c e , i n t e n t i o n , a n d

c o n n e c t i o n . T h e m a n n e r o f

“ e n d i n g ” t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h

s i l e n c e l e a d s u s i n t o

o v e r t h i n k i n g . C o n s t a n t t h o u g h t s

a b o u t t h e f e e l i n g s o f t h e p e o p l e

w e t a l k t o , q u e s t i o n s a n d

t o r t u r i n g d o u b t s a b o u t t h e i r

i n t e r e s t i n u s , a s w e l l a s

r e r e a d i n g m e s s a g e s a n d t r y i n g

t o f i g u r e o u t t h e p r o b l e m i n

o u r s e l v e s o r t h e w a y w e

c o m m u n i c a t e . S i l e n c e i s n o t

q u i e t ; i t ’ s l o u d a n d m e s s y ,

f i l l e d w i t h d o u b t s a n d

m e a n i n g l e s s a s s u m p t i o n s ,

p l a c i n g u s i n e m o t i o n a l l i m b o :

c o n f u s e d , w a i t i n g f o r s o m e o n e

o r s o m e t h i n g t o c h a n g e , o f t e n

n o t r e a l i z i n g t h a t t h e g a p i s

m o s t l y u n i n t e n t i o n a l .

P e r h a p s t h e p r o b l e m i s n o t t h a t c o n v e r s a t i o n s n o l o n g e r e n d , b u t t h a t o u r i d e a o f c l o s u r e h a s

c h a n g e d . I n a w o r l d w h e r e s i l e n c e s p e a k s a s l o u d l y a s w o r d s , w e ’ r e l e a r n i n g t o l i v e w i t h

u n c e r t a i n t y i n s t e a d o f r e s o l u t i o n . M a y b e s i l e n c e i s a n e w f o r m o f h o n e s t y , o r m a y b e w e ’ r e l e a r n i n g t o l i v e w i t h a m b i g u i t y ?

W

e l l , I ’ m m o r e t h a n s u r e t h a t n o t e v e r y c o n v e r s a t i o n n e e d s a d r a m a t i c e n d i n g ,

b u t s o m e d e s e r v e c l a r i t y . S o m e t i m e s f i n i s h i n g a c o n v e r s a t i o n i s a n a c t o f c a r e -

f o r o t h e r s a n d f o r y o u r s e l f .

The body is a temple

and no G od

Af ter skimming through the Insider ’s gossip page, it of ten becomes clear that a known student at a par ticular event has misbehaved, and misbehaved horribly. I think to myself; if I were in their shoes, no doubt you’d never see me again. Not a day goes by, and I see them at school, smiling ear to ear in the middle of the lobby, and my gossip-based judgement evaporates as if it never were. In that sense, rigid unapologeticness is what saves them. How is that achieved? Were they born that way, raised with their chins up, or is there something that can be done to foster such an attitude?

The title for this ar ticle is stolen. It originates from a lengthier twitter post on people obsessed with physical wellness having little substance. God bless unrelated to the focus of this ar ticle, so I claim neither endorsement nor dismissal of the notion. But it’s a beautiful illustration of the admirable and vehement wording met daily on this media. Perhaps purely individual, but what meet s my eye are typically extensive and ridiculously judgemental social commentaries that criticise not only the “ the other ” but also the writers themselves. Twitter is so openly selfish, playful and consistently keeps me questioning the sincerity of it’s sarcasm, that it refreshingly por trays how words can affect attitudes.

Not the best example, but a post may resemble something like “ they are a f ***ing lunatic, socially condemnable and abominable. I like them!” and I am lef t wondering what’s even good or bad.

And so I have come to recognise that, very of ten, Twitter is where I go when I deal with suffocating shame and regret af ter a poor decision or two. It relates to me without gentleness or ignorance, blatantly pointing at my weaknesses, making them look fashionably cool.

Instagram, on the other hand, attempt s to do this but fails. The new feature only showcasing reels that have already passed through the funnel of your “friends” and have been blessed with a "like", allows connection that wouldn’ t have happened otherwise. In the best-case scenario, it consistently present s a small group of people who are not in your inner circle, but emerge as like-minded. But the more interesting phenomenon I observe on the “friends" section is a revolving cast of seemingly confident people liking something that admit s their unfavourable self-awareness.

show

If I compare sing a comf you better o in a sense, a making you Surely, thes yet the com recommend perception,

Some of us But what a curate at le you consum is your temp

A bit unfair not knowing littered for content tha self-loathin you have a A duty to cu it fosters yo Stay unapo

There are so many words kept in silence Between people

Between two people who haven’t figured out their communication. The accepted language. The correct words they should say to each other So they choose silence instead Questioning her thoughts Questioning his thoughts Eyes becoming the only means of communication

No touch can compare to the intimacy of silence

How long will they stay in silence?

Now we bleed emotions even in the way we drink our coffee

Maybe we were never meant to find each other, to look into my eyes, to hold your hand.

YOU MAY NOT.

Life is full of maybes. You may You may not And still I keep it

BWhy do we try to guess our names?

As if being named is as being known?

Why does a person even need a name after all?

There are 2,474,854 girls named like me

Should we all be the same?

Or can we recognize each other in ways that don’t need names at all?

Maybe you could recognize me by the lines under my eyes that appear only when I smile

And I could recognize you before you even speak, just by the sound of your footsteps

Recognize you by the undertones of your cologne

Recognize me by the perfume on your clothes

The scent my body remembered too well

There are a million pieces of our uniqueness. All we have to do is choose one.

And forget all the names we were once tied to.

I don’t even have a name after all

Maybe that’s why I can still slip through your hands without being caught

E E N

i e m a

When I was little, my mom gifted me an origami book I learned how to take a simple page of paper and turn it into stories Into characters Into animals that came alive when I fell asleep

But then

My origamis started to appear at the bottom of my bag They slipped through my notebooks, got squeezed between books They slowly became plain paper balls All my stories disappeared I forgot about my animals My characters grew old and they never found their way back home.

But then.

When I was twenty, you gifted me origami. It felt like seeing it for the first time again. Like remembering something I wasn’t ready to lose. You taught me how to take care of them. How to listen to their stories. Now I carry your origamis in my bag, wherever I go. They protect me. They protect my dreams. Like small guards. Like promises And when I fall asleep, I can feel them coming alive again, watching over me

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But then I learned how to make origami myself And it felt like returning home

Back to my stories, my tales, my characters

But what if I don’t want to live this fast-paced life I’ve never wanted to slow down this much I want to learn how to love in slow motion To leave space for imagination For plans that were never planned To leave air to breathe Maybe even take a step back So we can actually see each other

We stood too close I could only see your eyes You could only see my lips But I want to observe you from a distance Learn how you walk How you talk How you eat How you hesitate when you’re not sure

So let me stay unfinished for a while Let me be someone who hasn’t been created yet Someone who doesn’t have to explain herself Someone who doesn’t have to prove she is worth loving

I want to keep the mysterious part The part you’ll have to find on your own

a thought and another thought and then a thought about the first thought that was thought remembering a thought after that thought a thought and another one. and this compounding thinking made a thought atom. an atom that found another atom and then there, sitting lonely in the corner, another thought atom.

so many thoughts. are they the right thoughts? are they thinking correctly? are they allowed to be thought? should i ask?

no never

ag ke

bu

in the most vulnerable of moments the most intimate ones sometimes dressed up with fancy adjectives, derivatives of falling

i don’t believe it

i know you don’t understand it still, again and again, i hear you say it

falling should feel like no gravity not desperately swinging wings just to be heard, to be seen. but freedom.

falling with the deepest sense of calm because you trust it, trust him powerless, but assured caught

four letters yet monumental, carrying the weight of misuse, of fake meanings, fake reasons

i do wear my fake gold earrings but i know they are fake i am not expecting more from them

i think it is care caring indefinitely caring so deeply that time

NEVER BE LIVED AT LEAST A HUNDRED IDEAS OF MOMENTS THAT COULD HAVE TURNED DIFFERENTLY IF-

JUST IF MAYBE I OVERTHINK, OVER-IMAGINE WHAT YOU WOULD SAY, WHAT YOU WOULD ANSWER OVER-IMAGINE YOUR EYES LOOKING OVER, YOUR SMILE LANDING MY WAY YOUR BODY WANTING TO BE NEAR ME

BUT YOU STAY SILENT NOT A SINGLE WORD, NOT A TEXT

NOT A SMILE I COULD CATCH AND SAVE FOR LATER AND THEN THERE IT IS A WORD, OR TWO IT’S ENOUGH TO START IT AGAIN: ANOTHER POT OF IDEAS NEW SCENARIOS

I CAN MAKE A WHOLE UNIVERSE FROM A SINGLE TEXT, NEW PLANETS WITH NEW MOONS MAYBE A GALAXY OR TWO.

MILLIONS OF THREADS KNOTTED TO THE OLD STORYLINES THAT KEEP REPEATING IN MY HEAD LIKE A BROKEN VINYL STUCK IN A LOOP

AND I KEEP SEARCHING FOR YOUR EYES KEEP LOOKING OVER JUST FOR THAT MILLISECOND GLIMPSE

AS IF YOU’D SEE THROUGH ME, AS IF YOU’D HEAR MY HEART BEATING, MY EYES ASKING FOR MORE MY LIPS TREMBLING TO SAY YOUR NAME

BUT YOU NEVER LOOK

HOW CAN I TURN IT OFF? IS THERE A SWITCH? A STOP BUTTON?

PLEASE, TURN IT OFF

If I could be any fictional character, I would be Spider-Man I have always loved the movies and I can imagine myself swinging across the busy Brīvības street on my way to school I'd also love chilling on rooftops and watching the chaos of the city in the summer.

I’d choose to be Jessie from Toy Stor y She is ver y fun, outgoing, sarcastic, and emotional all in one I have always loved her and it would be pretty cool to be her

f I were a fictional character, I would be Anakin Skywalker as I relate to his intensity, passion and confidence I appreciate when talent can be combined with practice and intelligence - when put to use it can be he start of great things. I would also like to have a ightsaber ofc, who wouldnt. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility, as Roberts Silgals would agree, I would not turn into Vader.

If I were a fictional character, I see myself being my childhood idol- Masha. I'm always down for an unplanned side quest, fueled by my natural endless energy and curiosity with sweet treats by my side

P S I h l t d t t the pink porridge fro

I’d definitely be Bing Bong from Inside Out because he’s positive and he’s all about holding onto that childlike joy Plus, he’s made of cotton candy, which I LOVE and honestly don’t think I’ll ever outgrow

THE BOARD

If I were a fictional character, I think I’d be Mike Wazowski I relate to the little green guy on a bunch of levels: we ’ re both energetic, witty, and a bit sarcastic, but at the same time focused and responsible Just like he had his eye on Monsters University, I had mine on SSE Riga for a long time And just like he got into his dream university, so did I Now I’m just tr ying to thrive and do my absolute best here the way he did at Monsters University, minus the screaming and the getting expelled, of course.

SABOA SABOA

The fictional character I resonate most with is Tom from “Tom and Jerr y ” . The way I see it, Jerr y, is the manifestation of Tom’s problems His soul purpose in life, being a cat, is to rid his owner ’ s house of the troublesome mouse Similarly, I am constantly tr ying to find a moment of solemn peace in my

and Matiss Dancis’s home, away from all the university stuff

Nevertheless, throughout the show, there are many instances where Tom and Jerr y put their problems aside and become friends I like to view the relationship between me and my responsibilities in the same way Despite constantly finding myself

In a race against time tr ying to manage studies, work and the committee responsibilities, the gratification I feel when receiving a decent grade, rent money or successfully organizing an event is immense At that ver y moment I’m grateful for the responsibilities SSE Riga citizens have entrusted me with That’s the cheese.

I would be Suns Funs, a funky dog from a classic Latvian stor y authored by Imants Ziedonis We share some similarities For a start, the wind has been a real pain in my assholes this winter, and I would love to become Suns Funs and at least gain the ability to tease the wind a little bit. But I don’t really hate the wind, and Suns Funs doesn’t either. Throughout the stor y, he learns to appreciate the wind, and that is why I’ve ultimately chosen to be Suns Funs - because he learns to appreciate the little things in life, even those that are inconvenient at times For me, that is what life is all about!

I would like to be Peter Parker, as I would describe it, I am capable of a lot but I usually stay lowkey about it I have a good sense of responsibility and have an eye for details others might miss

If I were a fictional character, I would be WALL E because he finds happiness in something as simple as a little plant despite ever ything. I find that super cute, and I relate to it because I also get sentimental over small memories, like drinking tea at SSE Riga ever y day or eating potato pancakes at BetterCafe. Those little routines end up being the highlight of my day

Mr Ping is the father of the most famous panda in the world The noodle loving duck is always caring and supportive about the people around him Just like I am when I give you coffee ever y morning I would also like to have a noodle shop and eat a LOT of noodles and compete with BetterCafe since I am ver y competitive and love providing things for ever yone at school I will cook, clean and be the Mr Ping that you need! I am always tr ying to find something positive even when the percolator for coffee isn’t working and the Y2’s are getting mad Mr Ping is just like this, even when his big son had to go fight the scar y cat he still believed that he would come back to eat his BIG and JUICY dumplings

PLAYLIST

CRO S SWORD

Crossword by Ruta Svarbaca Design by Elina Bibere

Acro s s

2. y2 treatme nt during the sta rt of 2nd seme ster

5. Soro s has never hea rd so much laughter as during

7. the week for pause and recha rge create d by a com-org collab

9. the one who made y2 s cry on a Thursday (surname)

1. ready to conquer Soro s again (surname)

3. where to find the “Tainte d love”

4. the invisible thread that binds souls to ge ther

6. the reason everyone survive d FA (name)

8. first stude nts vs alumni game of the year

9. where distance briefly disa ppears

G O S S I P S G O S S I P S

R.F. was going wild

I heard I.V got lucky, no?

Certain president position candidatehonestly, idk what you were hoping for when applying…

there probably was NO single guy that certain y1 didnt touch on the dancefloor at christmas formal

Elections this year were so boring so many positions with just one candidate, zero competition for presidential couple position (let’s be honest). But good luck to the ne w board, there is potential!

looks like one friend group is going for estonians only

I guess a lot of people saw that TikTok about “time for the last plot twist,” because the dance floor was honestly full of unexpected plot twists

I just love how our math TA couple is trying so hard to deny they’re a couple… and then a new event happens and the exact same thing repeats, again and again.

I feel like marketing results were kind of rigged and V O actually won the position of Marketing Chief

M.E.K. and I.V. fire duo

Since when did certain y2 start showing up to events while her boyfriend is sitting home?

Is certain y2 now officially together with P D (y2)?

Wonder how O.L.’s new girl would feel about the way he was moving on the dance floor but then again birds of a feather flock together…

certain y1 really out here changing guys like gloves

So happy about the new board shout out to all the girlies!!

G.Z. Y1 crowned scholarship golden boy. Interesting how a controversial past magically vanished the moment the Y1’s stopped paying attention Selective blindness must be part of the criteria because that win left jaws on the floor and whispers everywhere.

A certain sports com chief candidate who couldn’t handle the L. Took it straight to the ego so much so that he stormed out midevent Guess sportsmanship doesn’t apply when pride’s on the line.

All the Year One guys were clearly thirsty honestly, as a Year Two, this is kind of embarrassing.

A certain Y1 guy and Y3 girl slipping away to their friend’s car and let’s just say, five minutes later, that car was shaking and steaming like it was a sauna of secrets

Looks like certain y2 has claimed the title of the new party queen caught stumbling on the dance floor, throwing up in the bathroom, and then heading straight back to the bar for more shots

the rumours about certain y2 couple? Very real. Close, intense, and impossible to look away that wasn’t just dancing, that was pure passion on display XOXO

Spotted: M.V. working the dance floor like it’s his personal playg round. From corner to corner, charm on full display and yes, even the blonde baddie couldn’t escape the attention Someone clearly woke up choosing chaos

Did E.K. really feel so threatened by all the gossip that he skipped the party entirely

R.S. Y2 looking completely gone on the dance floor- stumbling, laughing, living like there’s no tomorrow Question is was he really that happy to finally leave the board?

Not gonna lie, the P’s ran the night. New confidence, new energy. A new era or just a well-played moment? And for how long?

a Y2 guy got way too wasted and left a disaster in the girls’ bathroom. Absolutely vile.

One red-haired guy caught locking lips with a mystery woman in the parking lot - and let’s just say he returned looking sweaty, wet, and very guilty.

And O.L.? Don’t let the innocent act fool you. Halo slipping fast ,dancing a little too close, hands wandering, and disappearing with a different girl every ten minutes S weet on the surface, scandal underneath..

V.O. mysteriously absent after that loss. Too embarrassed to show face,?

P B shows up with multiple guys already interested in her. One guy gets super jealous and, instead of dealing with it, he goes and hooks up with PB’s friend, AG.

Entered with a blast, then completely vanished Where did the Y1 chatty redhead go? Left with some girls but how many exactly?

M.T. Y1 may not have taken home the presidential couple title, but let’s be real he won where it actually mattered. Pure kindness, effortless charm, and those dance floor moves? Heart-stealer behavior

New board is totally goated. Lovely people. Waiting for their cooking

Looks like someone was tryharding for that internship

Formal was kinda lame, next party better go wild again are I.V and M.E.K official??

How ca n certain y2 be chief if she is so mean??? Nobody wants your man girl

If R.A sharpen AI guy asks you out too, make sure his gf of 2.5 years know it as well. Talking from experience

V O should have won

Y1 M V left his long-term relationship just to look completely desperate for any girls attention while dancing. Yikes!

Too bad the Y3 hearthrob R.K. is taken now, P's would have had a field day when he retu rned

Dancing on Christmas Formal felt slightly awkward because every time you turn your head, someone’s making out like it’s a hotand-steamy audition.

J.E.Š. cant let go of his prime

New educom chief A K is such a sweetheart, and her bangs look amazing

E.H, when are you going to ask your girl on a date?? we all notice the looks

R.S. got slimed again

Pinkroom was a blast

Two years in a row now the line to enter the club is several miles long. How hard is it to let the people in? And if you stand in the line, 90% of new people cut in front of you. Smh.

Where was white girl music?

R.K and KKK seen passionately making out near activities

Music was bad, we need our own DJs PLEASE

R R back at the game, this time with the everyones favourite graduate

some Y2 seen with IK Y3 for the second party in a row... is a r omance blooming there?

R V destroyed the dance floor

E L , make up your mind

Campus corridors are buzzing and the tea is piping hot! Word on the street is that R.V. was spotted looking a little too cozy with a mystery boy who’s rumored to be from LU Eyewitnesses claim the two were getting noticeably touchy-feely, sparking a frenzy of whispers and double takes from onlookers. Was it an innocent moment bl own out of proportion, or is there a secret story waiting to unfold? Social circles are already in detective mode, trying to connect the dots

One thing’s for sure, this unexpected sighting has everyone talking, and the gossip mill is working overtime! Stay tuned, because this drama might just be getting started. He probably doesn't remember though since he was totally plastered.

You’re in your “I am so back” phase, but this time it’s not just talk February pushes you to change something visible: your look, your routine, your goals - anything that reflects who you are now A surprising opportunity comes through a weird connection: the kind that makes you go “how did this happen?” Say yes

February feels like your intuition is on loudspeaker Dreams hit different, music hits harder, and you will read between the lines without even trying The danger is romanticizing something that’s actually mid End of month will bring in a quiet win that makes you feel safe in yourself

Pisces Pisces Pisces

In February, you will expect instant results, but this month rewards the ones who wait So, it is better to pick one thing to focus on, and baby it for a longer time with extra care and precision Around mid-month, you will get an urge to text someone you swore you were over But please - pause, breathe, and decide if it’s curiosity or chaos

Aries Aries Aries

This month is basically you collecting sidequests like Pokémon cards You will be everywhere - mentally and physicallyand somehow it works A random message, a casual chat, or a “lol what if” idea could turn into something real Just don’t say yes purely out of boredom Be aware, someone might be misunderstanding your tone

The theme of this month for you is: “I deserve nice things” You will be drawn to comfort, but in a mature way: better food, better skincare, better people. There’s also a surprise change to plans that ends up being a blessing, even if you complain first February wants you to stop negotiating with your standards Raise them quietly and watch what happens

February has “protect the heart” energy, but not in a sad way - in a strategic way You will notice who drains you and who refills you Family/home stuff becomes a bigger focus: rearranging, cleaning, fixing something that’s been annoying you for months Late month brings a warm moment that feels like proof you ’ re not asking for too much

You’re not here to chase attention this month - attention is chasing you February gives you a “spotlight by accident”: people will notice your work, your look, your confidence Say thank you and accept it instead of pretending it’s embarrassing One tiny risk pays off (high risk, high return :D)

This month is about choosing vibes that don’t cost your peace You will want pretty surroundings, nice conversations, and zero tension - but February also asks you to stop being polite when something is not okay A relationship dynamic shifts when you say one honest sentence You might also change your mind about something you swore you wanted

February is like your life got a new update: same app, fewer bugs You will be in a cleanup mood - not just your room, but your habits, your schedule, and your mental clutter You might get picky about who gets access to you, and that’s fair A problem you ’ ve been overthinking solves itself when you stop trying to force it

February gives you detective brain You will notice patterns, motives, and tiny details other people miss - use that for clarity, not paranoia Something behind the scenes becomes obvious, and you’ll know exactly what to do with that information Financially, it’s a good month to cut one unnecessary expense

Your month feels like “booked and slightly unprepared,” but somehow successful There’s a chance of spontaneous travel, a new interest, or a plan that starts as a joke and ends up being real You will do best when you stop trying to keep every option open Choose one direction and commit for once – you will be just fine, I promise

February is less “work harder” and more “work smarter and stop pretending you ’ re fine ” Rest isn’t a reward - it’s part of the system A serious conversation will go better than expected, especially if you don’t rehearse it like a courtroom speech This month asks you to loosen your grip a little The world won’t fall apart

Libra Libra Libra

Virgo Virgo Virgo

Scorpio Scorpio Scorpio

WHAT IS YOUR

Dream date?

Anna cover designer

Kristiāna chief writer

Amanda writer

Elīna designer

Rūta writer

Marta writer&designer

Daniels writer

Iurii writer Kārlis writer

Madara writer

Patrīcija designer

Snowboarding at alps

Annija designer

Zane Chief

Patrīcija chief designer

Aleksandra writer

Elīna designer Pint at labietis

Paula writer JFK Jr

With Kemba Walker

Coffee + walk

We split a bottle of wine and talk about EVERYONE else s business

Making exploding cocktails, while exploiting arbitrage opportunities Sleigh riding

(P S I am the cringeboyfriend)

Practice insider trading

Ilze writer&designer

Planetarium

The museum of art

We go to a facebook event of my choice and he pretends it’s a valuable experience Gauja Pub golf + hearing about things the other is passionate about

Perform arbitrage with my cringe boyfriend

one where a guy talks

Simas designer

Paulius writer

Arina designer

Evelina writer

Marija designer

Margret designer

Beatriče designer

Anete writer

Daniela designer

Jēkabs writer

Rebeka designer

Anna writer

Dominika designer

Gunta writer Kārlis designer

Arīna writer

Vlada writer

Timurs designer

Toms designer

Anna writer&designer

Dancing the night away

Watching every minions and despicable me movie again

Any place that sells hot chocolate

We watch reels

We go for a walk on Jurmala beach and I fall into the freezing water

Evening bike ride to the beach

A few beers and a random side quests in a new city

Hiking in the mountains

This Sahara desert

Trying to find kangaroos in Australia Summer night Empty beach

Making ramen at my place Flowers and the beach

Switzerland mountains With Ance Wine tasting

Hiking the dolomites

A day of snowboarding in the mountains