The Monthly: February 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE MONTHLY

Editor's Note

Editor's Choice: The Quirks of Quarks

Current Events

‘India: The Modi Question’: The Controversial BBC Documentary

A Grim Echo of the US Capitol Invasion: Brazil Congress Stormed

The Plight of Palestine And The Coming Of The Third Intifada?

Bloodshed in California

Rishi Sunak Sacks Nadhim Zahawi

The Murder of Tyre Nichols

STEM

The Science of Addiction

Is AI Taking Over the Workplace the Best Idea?

The 5 Senses and Love

Inspirational and Advice

14 Things This February

How to Find and Express Your Love Language

The Formative Impact of Self Love

Bridging Cultural Gaps

Sports

Death of Richard Steadman: Pioneer of Alpine Olympic Surgery

The Djokovic Open

Trending

Learning Love Through Tropes

Review of ‘36 Questions to Fall in Love’

Rating the Weddings of 2022

Valentine’s Day Trends Around The World

The History of Valentine's Day

EDITOR'S NOTE

“We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond”

- Gwendolyn Brooks: an American poet, author, and teacher who became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1950 for her poetry book ‘Annie Allen’.

Despite being the shortest month, and often overlooked, February is no less special. Within these limited days, many celebrations take place worldwide from Thaipusam to Tsagaan Sar and, of course, Valentines Day. February provides a period of unity across continents and cultures in a positive and peaceful manner; as an homage to this sentiment, we have elected the theme of ‘A World Intertwined’, focusing on the connections we form with those around us.

In true reflection of this theme, our talented and hard working writers have produced broad articles including, how to bridge cultural gaps, the storming of Brazil’s Congress, the science of addiction, and Valentine’s Day traditions around the world - something for everyone in this edition. February also rings vital in Northern America with Black History Month. Thus, in honouring, our marketing committee have dedicated Instagram Story posts in admiration to influential black figures throughout history.

Connection, bonding, relationships, it’s what makes us human, and moves us forward in an ever changing world. Every word we say, every action we take, has an impact on someone, somewhere. During the month of love, remember to cherish those around you, whom you have a positive impact on, and who positively impact you.

As the world becomes increasingly intertwined, we are reminded of the words of Adrian Henri in his poem ‘Love Is’. The question is raised: how will you celebrate this intertwining world?

REGARDS,

THEQUIRKSOFQUARKS

Ever wondered what atoms were made of? Yes, protons, neutrons and electrons. You knew that, but do you know what these subatomic particles are made of? That’s what this article is all about!

The idea of the atom was first brought up by the Greek philosopher Democritus in 450 BC. The literal definition of the word ‘atom’ is indivisible This was the concept of the atom, a fundamental particle that makes up all matter in the universe. However, now we know that this is not the case Atoms are, in fact, not indivisible Moreover, protons and neutrons are made of smaller subatomic particles called quarks Democritus begged the question we would colloquially think of: “If you took any object and split it in half over and over again, would there reach an end, or will it keep dividing infinitely?” We are unsure of the answer to this day, but we can say that quarks are as small as we have gotten

Two physicists who worked independently from each other, Murray Gell-Mann and George Zweig, discovered quarks between 1964 and 1973 Evidence of quarks’ existence was discovered at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (laboratory at Stanford University)

Quarks come in six different kinds, and their names are interesting, to say the least: Up, Down, Strange, Charm, Top and Bottom The arrangement of these quarks determines whether a particle will be a proton or a neutron Let’s look at the different arrangements of quarks Protons are made of 2 up quarks and 1 down quark Neutrons are made up of one up quark and two down quarks. Have you ever wondered why neutrons have a neutral charge and protons have a positive charge? Quarks are the reason! Quarks have charges, up has a +⅔ charge and down has a -⅓ charge. If you do the math, neutrons will add up to have a 0 (or neutral) charge

But quarks don’t just make protons and neutrons They make other things as well, such as baryons and mesons which make up hadrons. So many confusing words! But one particle that I have not mentioned is the electron Are electrons also made up of quarks? No, scientists do not know what electrons are made of. Scientists are even unsure if they are made of anything

There are many questions left to answer, and even more, left to ask Many have their theories, but let’s take a moment to acknowledge the quarks that make up our protons and neutrons, the protons and neutrons that make up our atom, our atom that makes molecules that go through endless reactions; these endless reactions are what make life, from single-celled organisms to even complicated organisms such as ourselves That is what I call a world intertwined.

Zainalabdeen Zainal, 6F01, Y12

‘INDIA: THE MODI QUESTION’: THE CONTROVERSIAL BBC DOCUMENTARY

TW: SOME GRAPHIC SCENES DESCRIBED

The Partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, was a decision to avoid animosity and promote peace between warring factions within the population, yet it resulted in several years of cross-community violence, particularly between the Hindu and Muslim populations After years of instability, India ratified its constitution on January 26th 1950 This was its official declaration to be a democratic state, with unstifled pluralism and secularism 73 years later, the violence of that era has reverberated to the present, with charged tensions becoming palpable

Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) conveys that democracy is the only form of government which is consistent with human rights, as civil liberties are legally insured Freedom of expression is arguably the most essential pillar of democracy, as it allows citizens to voice dissent to criticise the government and prevent the emergence of autocratic leadership But this integral structure is also becoming the most vulnerable around the world; being subjected to blanket censorship of media - which is considered to be the megaphone of public opinion Recently in India, the government invoked emergency laws to ban the controversial BBC documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ which criticised the actions of the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he was the Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat

To provide some context: The 2002 Gujarat riots were a period of inter-communal violence in Gujarat. According to official figures, the riots culminated with around 1,044 casualties (790 were Muslim and 254 Hindu), and around 150,000 people were displaced. It is widely speculated that this explosion of violence was triggered after 59 Hindu pilgrims died in a fire on a train returning from Ayodhya, with some alleging that some Muslims had started the fire, thereby prompting attacks targeted at them. Muslim women and children especially were forced to bear the brunt of this communal furor.

Modi, who has risen through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was the Chief Minister of Gujarat during the riots. His government at the time was accused of condoning the violence, either by failing to quell the riots directly or by tacitly supporting the Hindu Mobs themselves. His government has vehemently denied accusations that he failed to stop the rioting and in 2013, a Supreme Court panel confirmed that there was insufficient evidence to fairly prosecute him.

‘INDIA: THE MODI QUESTION’: THE CONTROVERSIAL BBC DOCUMENTARY

TW: SOME GRAPHIC SCENES DESCRIBED

In the aforementioned BBC documentary, researchers explore the approach taken by Modi’s government towards India’s Muslim community and the various associated conflicts The conclusion of the documentary cites a report from the British government, that states that Modi was “directly responsible” for the “climate of impunity” which allowed the violence of the riots to precipitate

The documentary was met with outrage from India’s government which described it as a piece of “propaganda” that poses a risk of undermining the integrity and authority of the current administration, thereby classifying it as a threat to national security as it could lead to civil unrest. The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi has criticised the documentary stating that “the bias, lack of objectivity, and continuing colonial mindset is blatantly visible”, emphasising how the documentary is focusing on previously discredited information and is pushing a harmful narrative that is skewed towards British perspectives, thereby essentially compromising the political institutions in India. To support this defence, Kanchan Gupta at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the government had ordered social media to take down dozens of accounts that were illegally distributing and promoting clips of the Modi documentary on the basis that it was “making unsubstantiated allegations” that had already been refuted by India’s highest court.

In 2022, India fell eight places in the press freedom index to 150 out of 180 counties, and the ban on the documentary will further exacerbate this. India’s climate for journalists is becoming challenging, with media censorship laws tightening and journalists and critics being subjected to judicial intimidation.

To conclude, I will pose a question: should civil liberties be sacrificed in order to defend national security?

Desiree Menezes Y13 (6F14)

BRAZIL CONGRESS STORMED

After hundreds of Jair Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the government buildings in the nation's capital, Brasilia, damaging buildings and eliciting censure from the government - with President Lula denouncing them as ‘fanatical fascists’and the international community, Brazil was in disarray on January the 8th.

Since the riots, more than a thousand individuals have been detained, according to Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino, who told reporters that there had been "around 1,500" arrests in Brasilia The violations occurred a week after Lula da Silva took office Lula da Silva had been out of office for 12 years before defeating Bolsonaro in a run-off election on October 30

A post inviting members to the festa da Selma, or Selma's celebration, circulated on far-right messaging groups days before supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro assaulted Brazil's centres of power Dedicated supporters of the populist leader camped out in front of army facilities after his narrow election loss at the end of October, asking for a military coup in the nation's capital Brasília to stop Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's inauguration However, they made the decision to take matters into their own hands one week into Lula's new administration Selma's party was a codename that was a pun on selva, the Brazilian army's war cry The extreme right intended to launch its own intervention in the absence of true military assistance

A GRIM ECHO OF THE US CAPITOL INVASION:

BRAZIL CONGRESS STORMED

Bolsonaro's supporters poured into major government buildings, smashing windows and using furniture to form barricades against security forces, driven by unfounded allegations of election fraud and donning the national colours of Brazil and the national football team, both of which became central motifs of Bolsonaro's campaigns.

Lula da Silva spoke on the situation in the nation's capital, Brasilia, at a press conference, describing the event as “barbaric”, claiming that “a lack of security” had allowed Bolsonaro’s supporters to contravene military barriers outside the congressional building, the Supreme Court and the Planalto Presidential Palace.

“These people are everything that is abominable in politics,” he said. “All the people who did this will be found and punished.”

What comes next for the Brazilian Congress after this grim echo of the US Capitol invasion?

The Plight of Palestine… And The Coming Of The Third Intifada?

It is a particularly dangerous time for Palestine as a series of deadly attacks in the past few weeks have culminated in a month of violence, during which Palestinians have experienced the highest level of aggression at the hands of Israeli settlers in more than a decade. This has given rise to international concerns about the region being on the brink of a Third Intifada - the uprising which started in September 2000 and lasted for five years, leaving approximately 1000 Israelis and 3000 Palestinians dead.

2023 started with Israel launching one of its deadliest operations in years in the occupied West Bank in January, with the aim being to kill militants stationed in the Jenin refugee camp. Ten Palestinians, including a 61-year-old woman, were killed in the raid. These events provoked retaliation from the other side, and a Palestinian gunman shot seven Israelis outside a synagogue in East Jerusalem. This region seems to be trapped in a cycle of back-and-forth aggression as increased Israeli raids across Palestinian towns and cities have killed more than 40 Palestinians so far.

This bloody start to the year comes shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s triumphant return to office in January, with his government’s exclusionary guidelines plainly stating that ‘Jewish people have the exclusive and indisputable right to all parts of the Land of Israel’ and thus dismissing any prospect of a two-state solution. The most right-wing, and anti-Arab government in Israel’s history has already taken steps to further strengthen Israeli settlements, and push punitive measures against Palestinians. The result has been the displacement of hundreds of Palestinians, as dozens are forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

The Plight of Palestine… And The Coming Of The Third Intifada?

The underlying issue is thought to have been the US-backed proposition of a two-state solution. Support for a two-state solution has obviously shrunk significantly amongst both Palestinians and Israelis, having fallen to its lowest point since polling began two decades ago. Palestinians view their land as being continually consumed by Israeli settlers, and human rights institutions have frequently referred to this Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as a form of ‘apartheid’. Despite all these developments, however, many Arab nations continue to advance their deepening ties with Israel. Likewise, the United States has maintained a close partnership with Israel, showing continued support for a two-state solution but without much progress

It is clear that the age-old tensions between the two groups remain high, having become significantly more dangerous in recent years, with a rise in brutal attacks and forced displacement of civilians. However, not many nations appear to be willing to undertake any real action to prevent matters from spilling over into unrelenting bloodshed of the victims of a colonial power. The idea of a peaceful resolution is still being held onto by some optimists, despite hopes for Palestinians living under occupation being at the lowest point they have been for more than half a century.

Bloodshed in California

Journalist Zahra Bandukwala reports upon ongoing gun violence in The States, turning moments of celebration into horrendous tragedy.

Monterey Park

Lunar New Year 2023: Year of the Rabbit. A celebration of the arrival of spring and the start of a new year in East Asia. A symbol of good fortune, prosperity and joy The colour red adorning streets and houses; red lanterns swinging on doorways, signifying good health and vitality.

On the other side of the world, the colour red drenched the floors of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park where eleven people were brutally murdered at the hands of a 72 year-old gunman who opened fire during a celebration of the Lunar New Year on Sunday, 22nd of January, 2023 at around 22:22 local time. Another 10 people were also wounded in the shooting. Approximately half an hour later, the man responsible for the deadly attack, Huu Can Tran, arrived at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra. He entered the studio but two people were able to disarm him and take possession of the weapon before he escaped.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that the weapon used was a semi-automatic assault pistol with an extended magazine. This particular firearm with an extended magazine is illegal to possess in California

Authorities scoured the area in search of the gunman for hours before a SWAT team located a white van in Torrance at around 13:00 local time on Monday. It was determined that the suspect had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene soon after.

Half Moon Bay

A spate of shootings in California has resulted in the loss of multiple lives with the latest tragedy occurring in the coastal community of Half Moon Bay, merely a day after the horrific shooting at Monterey Park studios and a week after the

Bloodshed in California

Journalist Zahra

Bandukwala

reports upon ongoing gun violence in The States, turning moments of celebration into horrendous tragedy.

Half Moon Bay (Continued)

murder of six people, including a teenage mother and her baby, at a property in Goshen, central California.

The most recent bloodshed took place at 14:22 local time when deputies were alerted to a shooting in an area of San Mateo County which was nearly 30 miles south of San Francisco. The 66 year-old gunman, Chunli Zhao, attacked a mushroom farm and nearby trucking facility, resulting in the death of four and three victims respectively. An eighth wounded victim was also found at the first location and was quickly transported to a hospital for surgery and is now in a stable condition, reported Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus.

At 16:40 local time a sheriff’s deputy located the suspect, with a semi-automatic handgun which was illegally purchased, in his vehicle in the parking lot of a sheriff’s base in Half Moon Bay and was immediately taken into custody.

The operator of the mushroom farm later confirmed that the suspect had actually resided at one of the two locations attacked. While there were no clear factors or motives behind the attack, this was not the first time Zhao used violence against someone he worked with. One of Zhao’s coworkers, Yingjiu Wang, who also lived with him in a San Jose apartment, wrote in a court declaration that Zhao’s violent behaviour started after he quit his job in March 2013. Wang recalled Zhao marching into his room demanding his salary and when Wang asked him to collect it from the restaurant where they work, Wang was threatened with Zhao saying he would kill him through suffocation.

Zhao was indicted in Redwood City, California on Wednesday 25th January, 2023

By Zahra Bandukwala 6F14, Y12

Rishi Sunak Sacks Nadhim Zahawi

Spending nearly four months in office, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already undertaken major decisions, including the dismissal of Nadhim Zahawi, a leading Member of Parliament since 2010. Zahawi is an Iraqiborn British politician, who has occupied various ministerial positions under four prime ministers: Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and most recently Mr Sunak himself In addition to that, he has also served as Chairman of the Conservative Party from the 25th of October 2022 until the 7th of February 2023

Despite Zahawi’s extensive experience in the political field, he fell below the Parliament’s high standards by carelessly failing to declare his involvement in YouGov, a market research and data analytics firm which he co-founded.

Zahawi’s tax affairs were amid investigation since last summer, before the removal of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, and Johnson himself was alerted about the affairs by the Cabinet’s Office Propriety and Ethics Team but chose to ignore them. However, considering his recent repayment to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), plus a penalty, this matter can hardly be neglected.

Although Zahawi took no shares in YouGov, his father’s Gibraltar-based company Balshore investments previously held 42 5% of its shares before they were sold for approximately 27 million pounds between 2006 and 2018, with an estimated avoidance of 3.7 million pounds in capital gains tax. Zahawi claimed that he made no earnings from these shares and added that HMRC had agreed he had never set up an offshore structure, declaring that "I am not the beneficiary of Balshore Investments''. However, his team refused to comment on whether he had previously benefited from the company.

Sunak couldn’t withstand further scrutiny from the public - following him being fined for not wearing a seatbelt and MPs' disagreement with his rejection of tax cuts - and hence requested further investigation into Zahawi’s tax matters by Sir Laurie Magnus. After careful deliberation, Zahawi was removed from his position in His Majesty’s Government, in the face of his claims of innocence.

Maya Almoataz Year 12, 6F14

The Murder of Tyre Nichols

A new victim, same perpetrator. Yusuf Kamran unveils the systematic prejudice in the justice system of the United States.

On January 7th 2023, Tyre Nichols was arrested for alleged reckless driving by 5 police officers: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. Body cam footage begins with police pulling out guns and exclaiming “Get out the car… You’re gonna get blown up!”. Nichols did not get out of the car, but was then forcibly pulled out to the ground.

Nichols stated “okay” multiple times as he was slowly getting on the ground to which officers stated “I’m gonna taze you”. Nichols got on the ground and had his hands behind his back, but was not lying down on his stomach The officers began to threaten him with “I’m gonna knock you out… I’m gonna break you”. Nichols was getting closer to being stomach down, but when the officers pepper sprayed him in the eyes, Nichols attempted to run away. When caught, the officers injured him multiple times whilst the others held Nichols’ arms back. The officers struck him with a baton multiple times. Nichols is then slumped against a police car for 20 minutes with his hand behind his back before receiving aid for trouble breathing.

Tyre Nichols’ autopsy reports coupled with his mother’s statement have revealed the details of his critical condition: swollen shut eyes, bruised and swollen head, broken neck, extreme extensive bleeding, cardiac arrest, and failed kidneys. His mother describes how her son was beaten by “over 1000 pounds” whereas he weighed only “150 pounds”. On the hospital bed, his mother unfortunately knew he was “gone” solely at the sight of him. Tyre Nichols unfortunately died 3 days later on the 10th of January 2023.

The officers approached the vehicle with unjustified excessive force (pointing their firearms is an example of excessive force that can only be used if there is a life threatening case) They verbally threatened to kill and harm him, whilst using profanity. The officers arresting him did not state his charges. Nichols was listening to the orders to get on the floor and put his hands behind his backalbeit he did not respond to the order to lie down on his stomach instead of his side, an action that did not require the police to use pepper spray.

The Murder Of Tyre Nichols

A new victim, same perpetrator. Yusuf Kamran unveils the systematic prejudice in the justice system of the United States.

The officers approached the vehicle with unjustified excessive force (pointing their firearms is an example of excessive force that can only be used if there is a life threatening case). They verbally threatened to kill and harm him, whilst using profanity The officers arresting him did not state his charges Nichols was listening to the orders to get on the floor and put his hands behind his back - albeit he did not respond to the order to lie down on his stomach instead of his side, an action that did not require the police to use pepper spray.

The only force Nichols showed was to run away, yet still not warranting pursuing him with gruesome levels of force. Furthermore, none of the officers fulfilled their legal duty to call for immediate medical aid or assistance for Nichols' condition. In fact, officers were seen laughing, making jokes, bragging - one officer even sent a picture of Nichols to officers. All 5 officers displayed immense unprofessionalism and deliberate violation of legal conduct They were under investigation on January 18th, fired on January 20th, and have been charged with murder in the second degree. In total, the officers were charged “with seven counts each: Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Kidnapping with Bodily Injury, Aggravated Kidnapping in Possession of a Deadly Weapon, Official Misconduct, Official Misconduct – Refrain, and Official Oppression,” TBI reported

This is one of the few police brutality cases where both perpetrator and victim are black individuals. This shows us that despite racial prejudice in law enforcement, there is also rife misconduct and negligence of training In addition, such a successful arrest has not been seen in the past when white police officers have been the perpetrator. In fact, Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, was successfully convicted 7 months after he murdered George Floyd (black victim): a conviction far past the average 30 day arraignment of a trial after arrest.

We grieve Nicholas’ death, further due to the devastating condition in which he passed. But the success in arresting the police officers responsible, reminds us of the many injustices that have occurred in the United States. The problem is not over yet, the bare minimum has been done by arresting the officers responsible in due process This must be implemented in all cases, even when the perpetrator is a white police officer. Lastly, the case reminds us of the international concern on whether police training is adequate if police brutality is immensely common. Attention is needed on this matter, as the American Society can not be sacrificed for the simple recognition of wrongdoing Until then, SAY THEIR NAMES!

The Science of Addiction

CONTENT WARNING: This article is not suitable for all audiences.

Addiction is defined as “ a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking behaviors despite harmful consequences”. It is a mental health problem that affects 35 million people around the planet.

Contrary to popular belief, there is more than one theory surrounding the causes of addiction. It is widely accepted that all theories are valid in understanding why addiction occurs.

In some cases, people are born with more vulnerability to addiction, due to their naturally reduced number of dopamine receptors in their neurons. This leads to less dopamine flowing through their system than normal, making them more likely to seek other forms of dopamine sources, including recreational drugs. Their biology makes drugs much harder to resist.

In other cases, psychological effects play a role. A history of trauma and diagnosis of other mental health problems like anxiety pose a major risk to developing addiction. Furthermore, peer pressure and the seeking approval from others plays a part, especially in certain age groups like teenagers.

Consumption of alcoholic drinks is the most common addiction worldwide. Consequences include a high blood pressure as blood vessels become narrower. More fatal effects like liver inflammation stop the digestive system from working efficiently, which can lead to organ failure.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer. This is because of the carcinogenic chemical tar. Tar also damages the hair particles cilia, which are responsible for cleaning the air tube. This allows dirt and dust to fill the lungs.

All drugs work in very similar ways on the body. However, the chemicals involved slightly differ depending on the drug. Usually, the drug mimics certain neurotransmitters that bind to receptors and allow the release of dopamine into the synapse. This means that more dopamine activity occurs than normal, altering cognition and behavior.

Aside from the biological effects, substance abuse can lead to family breakdown. When drugs become one’s top priority, other responsibilities like work are constantly pushed aside, leading to severe financial problems. In the US, 10,360 car crashes caused by driving under the influence were reported, many of which killed innocent people.

Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the drastic outcomes of addictions on both ourselves and also those around us.

I s A I T a k i n g O v e r t h e

W o r k p l a c e t h e B e s t I d e a ?

W i t h r a p i d a d v a n c e m e n t o f A I t e c h n o l o g y , i t ’ s b e c o m i n g i n c r e a s i n g l y c l e a r t h a t A I w i l l h a v e a m a j o r i m p a c t o n t h e f u t u r e o f w o r k a n d b u s i n e s s e s .

H o w e v e r t h e r e a r e a s p e c t s t o c o n s i d e r w h i l e t h i s p l a y s o u t ; t h a t r o b o t s a n d

A I w i l l t a k e j o b s a w a y f r o m h u m a n s . S i n c e 2 0 0 0 , r o b o t s a n d a u t o m a t i o n s y s t e m s h a v e s l o w l y p h a s e d o u t m a n y m a n u f a c t u r i n g j o b s ; 1 . 7 m i l l i o n o f t h e m . D e s p i t e t h i s d i l e m m a , i t ’ s p r e d i c t e d t h a t A I w i l l c r e a t e 9 7 m i l l i o n n e w j o b s b y 2 0 2 5 !

A s A I c o n t i n u e s t o i m p r o v e a n d a m a z e , t h e s a m e t a s k s w i l l n e e d l e s s h u m a n s t o w o r k o n A I i s b u i l t w i t h p e r f e c t i o n , t h e y d o t h e j o b e f f e c t i v e l y a n d e f f i c i e n t l y . H u m a n s , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t e n d t o m a k e m e a s l y m i s t a k e s t h a t t a k e t i m e t o f i x . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s , A I m a c h i n e s d o n ’ t n e e d t o b e p a i d , o r n e e d h o l i d a y s ; t h e r e f o r e m o r e p r o d u c t i v i t y e q u a l s m o r e r e v e n u e f o r c o m p a n i e s a n d b u s i n e s s e s A I a l s o h a s t h e a b i l i t y t o s a v e h u m a n s f r o m h a v i n g t o p e r f o r m t e d i o u s r e p e t i t i v e t a s k s t h a t a r e p a r t o f t h e i r o v e r a l l d u t i e s s o t h e y ' r e f r e e t o f o c u s o n m o r e c o m p l e x a n d r e w a r d i n g p r o j e c t s !

A l t h o u g h A I p r o v e s t o b e t h e b e t t e r e m p l o y e e t h e o r e t i c a l l y , A I s i m p l y c a n n o t b e t h e b e t t e r s a l e s m a n . A w o r k i n g e m p l o y e e i s o n e t h i n g b u t a b r i l l i a n t s a l e s m a n ? E m o t i o n a l i n t e l l i g e n c e i s o n e d i s t i n g u i s h i n g f a c t o r t h a t m a k e s h u m a n s f o r e v e r r e l e v a n t i n t h e w o r k p l a c e . T h e i m p o r t a n c e o f e m o t i o n a l i n t e l l i g e n c e i n t h e w o r k s p a c e c a n n o t b e o v e r e m p h a s i s e d , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n d e a l i n g w i t h c l i e n t s . A s s o c i a l a n i m a l s , o n e b a s i c , u n d e n i a b l e n e e d o f h u m a n s i s t h e n e e d f o r e m o t i o n a l c o n n e c t i o n w i t h o u r k i n d W e a c h i e v e t h i s c o n n e c t i o n t h r o u g h t h e c h e m i c a l a n d b i o l o g i c a l i n t e r a c t i o n o f s e v e r a l h o r m o n e s a n d e m o t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e p a r t i e s i n v o l v e d . A I d o e s n o t p o s s e s s s u c h e m o t i o n a s i t i s c o m p r i s e d o f s o f t w a r e a n d c h i p s , n o t b i o l o g i c a l c e l l s . T h e w o r k p l a c e i s d e f i n i t e l y f u l l o f s u r p r i s e s , s u c h a s i n c o r r e c t d a t a , e r r o r s i n m a n u f a c t u r i n g e t c S o , w h e n t h e d a t a i n p u t t e d i n t o t h e m a c h i n e d o e s n o t i n c l u d e a n e w a r e a o f w o r k , o r i t s a l g o r i t h m d o e s n o t i n c l u d e u n f o r e s e e n c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e m a c h i n e b e c o m e s u s e l e s s . L e t ’ s l o o k a t w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g c u r r e n t l y w i t h A I t a k i n g o v e r j o b s . A s s e m b l y a n d i n d u s t r i a l r o b o t s c o n t r o l l e d b y c o m p u t e r s c a n a s s e m b l e c a r s a n d o t h e r p r o d u c t s , a n d h a v e b e e n i n u s e s i n c e t h e l a t e 1 9 5 0 s T o d a y , a l m o s t a l l l a r g e m a n u f a c t u r i n g j o b s u s e r o b o t s t o m a k e m i l l i o n s o f d i f f e r e n t p r o d u c t s e f f i c i e n t l y a n d a t a l o w c o s t . A n o t h e r e x a m p l e i s b u s d r i v e r s , t a x i d r i v e r s , a n d t r u c k d r i v e r s . S e l f - d r i v i n g c a r s a r e b e c o m i n g m o r e o f a r e a l i t y . W i t h t e c h n o l o g i e s a l r e a d y u s e d t o d a y l i k e T e s l a c a r s a n d a u t o m a t e d U b e r t e s t c a r s , m o r e c o m p a n i e s a n d s e r v i c e s a r e b e g i n n i n g t o u s e t h i s t e c h n o l o g y

A s s e l f - d r i v i n g c a r s s t a r t t o b e

u s e d

m o r e , t h e p o t e n t i a l o f j o b s l o s t i s

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

m i l l i o n s o f b u s d r i v e r s , t a x i

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

t r a n s p o r t a t i o n j o b s . N o t t o

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

t e l e m a r k e t e r s , a n d r e c e p t i o n i s t s ;

w e ' v e a l l b e e n o n t h e r e c e i v i n g e n d

o f a n a u t o m a t e d c a l l , l i k e a t e l e m a r k e t i n g c a l l . A s v o i c e r e c o g n i t i o n a n d s p e e c h s y n t h e s i s b e c o m e m o r e a d v a n c e d , i t g e t s e a s i e r f o r c o m p a n i e s t o i m p l e m e n t t h e s e s y s t e m s a n d h a r d e r f o r p e o p l e t o k n o w i f t h e y ' r e t a l k i n g t o a h u m a n L a s t l y c h a t b o t s ; A c h a t b o t o r c h a t t e r b o t i s a s o f t w a r e a p p l i c a t i o n u s e d t o c o n d u c t a n o n l i n e c h a t c o n v e r s a t i o n v i a t e x t o r t e x tt o - s p e e c h , i n p l a c e o f p r o v i d i n g d i r e c t c o n t a c t w i t h a l i v e h u m a n a g e n t . I t ’ s d i f f i c u l t t o i m a g i n e t h a t A I c a n c o m p l e t e l y r e p l a c e t h e h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e b u t t h e f u t u r e i s i n t h e h a n d s o f a n y o n e w h o u n d e r s t a n d s a n d k n o w s h o w t o p r o g r a m A I . S o i f t h e r e i s a n y t h r e a t a t a l l i t ’ s f r o m t h e p e o p l e w h o c a n c o n t r o l A I .

The 5 Senses and Love The 5 Senses and Love The 5 Senses and Love

We have all heard the infamous saying, “Love is blind”, but to what extent is this statement true, when our 5 senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch, play a role in who we fall in love with?

Sight:

Numerous studies suggest that eye contact is important for social interactions. According to a brain-scan study conducted by Takahiko Koike et al, when participants made continuous eye contact, they started to blink at the same time, and after a while, their brain activity truly synchronised. These prolonged stares have the power to increase romantic attraction In addition, in a series of 1989 experiments, people who had never met before reported feeling more passionately in love with one another after staring into each other's eyes for two minutes

Making eye contact also implies that the other person might want to return your devotion As determined by other research, individuals are more drawn to faces that are smiling and, most importantly, that are gazing right at them. The researchers concluded that their findings "suggest that attraction is impacted not just by physical beauty, but also by the degree to which a person looks receptive to engaging the observer."

Smell:

Even though it is often difficult to detect, smell has a significant influence in attraction. There is evidence to suggest that people unconsciously consider smell when searching for compatible partners, even if the research is not entirely conclusive.

In a well-known experiment, researchers got volunteers to sniff dirty t-shirts that had been worn by someone of the other sex to see if they were attracted to the fragrances of potential partners Women seem to prefer the scent of sweat from males whose immune systems are genetically different from their own, according to several variations of this sort of research. Theoretically, this prevents mating between relatives, and raises the likelihood that their offspring would have robust immune systems.

Humans are not historically renowned for having a heightened sense of smell compared to the majority of other animals. Recent studies have revealed that humans do, in fact, rely on their noses to detect chemical signals in a possible partner when it comes to falling in love. These signals, called pheromones, provide the brain with little bits of knowledge that, when combined with our other senses, aid individuals in determining the legitimacy of a developing romantic attraction

Sound:

Songs with a common significance between two people can stimulate favourable emotions from both parties, which is another way that music supports romantic sentiments. By sharing musical tastes, couples can use lyrics and melodies to express their thoughts in an effort to imprint those sensations on their partner's mind

Taste:

It was found that people are more likely to want to pursue a romantic relationship with someone they see in a photograph after they've consumed sweet-tasting food (cookies, sugary drinks).

These foods trigger the brain's pleasure centre, filling it with dopamine and creating a strong drive to reproduce the behaviour, which is the incentive of a relationship with that person

Touch:

Unlike other sensory touches, romantic touch is unique. One brain-scanning analysis revealed that imagining touching a loving partner triggers a different region of the brain than imagining touching an inanimate object. The degree of intense love the partners indicated on a survey was shown to be connected with this brain activity, the researchers discovered.

Furthermore, using a gentle touch effectively depends on the situation. Women were more inclined to accept a man's request to dance when they softly touched her arms. Touch enhances the brain's response to an emotional circumstance, according to additional studies.

To conclude, there’s no single ‘love spot’ in the brain to tell us how we feel, which is why our 5 senses work together to help us identify desirable characteristics, and guide us toward that perfect someone.

Things This February

A month that symbolises sincerity and adoration must be filled with acts of appreciation for our loved ones. Typically Valentine's activities are based around significant others, but there is no reason why our friends and family can’t be on the receiving end of our amity.

“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you”

Jane Austen

1) Letters of Appreciation: handwritten notes, although seem outdated, are very effective in expressing your feelings towards your loved ones. You can incorporate core memories, photographs, drawings, and quotes!

2) Movie Night: select a few movies that interest you and the people you will be celebrating with, and then discuss your reasons for enjoying the film. Post movie discussions can be quite enlightening as they serve as an opportunity to understand others better

3) Annotations: if you and your valentine both have a love for reading, pick out a book that interests them and annotate it with your thoughts in one colour Once you’re done, give it to them so that they can annotate it in a different colour. The difference in ideas will serve as a chance to better connect with one another

4) Homemade Picnic: cook some food and pack a blanket for you and your friends! Go to a place that means a lot to you all and have a meal there. Games such as UNO, JENGA, and Cards are also great ways to increase conversations

5) Flower Crowns: Flowers are a large aspect of Valentine's Day, and can sometimes become overbearing. Instead of giving someone a bouquet of flowers, you could make them a handmade flower crown; this will make the gift personal and add sentimental value to it.

6) Painting: instead of canvas/paper painting, change it up this year by painting on tote bags and T-shirts!

7) Pottery: does your family member have an unhealthy relationship with caffeine? You can go to a pottery class and learn how to make the perfect coffee mug for them! While it does take practice, it will be a very cherishable present for them.

8) Bracelets: use morse code to make bracelets for one another; this way you can write a

Things This February

unique and personal message to your valentine while also giving them a handmade gift!

9) Secret Valentine: have a large friend group? Inspired by Secret Santa, become each other's secret valentine and do acts of kindness and love for each other the whole month!

10) Puzzles: although this may not be an enjoyable activity for some, puzzles are quite amusing when done with others. Find the largest puzzle you can and invite over family or friends to help you complete it

11) Breakfast: wake up an hour early to make breakfast for your family! This will not only put a smile on their face but will also make them have a positive outlook for the upcoming day

12) Paper Roses: instead of typical red roses, write notes to your valentines and use that paper to make a bouquet of roses for them!

13) Playlists: create a playlist that matches both your and their music taste! Take turns adding songs, and choose the perfect name for it. Don’t forget to talk about the reasons behind your choices

14) Baking: one of the most well known activities of valentines day, bake anything from cookies to cakes! You don’t need to stick to the colours of Valentines’ Day but remember to enjoy the experience.

“I wish I had done everything on earth with you.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

How to Find and Express Your Love LanguagE

‘Love is in the air.’ A phrase commonly used in music, down the streets of Paris, and, of course, around Valentine’s day Every individual has their own way of expressing love. Like any other emotion, it can only be understood when experienced. Hence, using this idiom is a truly beautiful demonstration of the myriad of ways love can be expressed, and the sense of comfort one feels when they are on the receiving end.

Below is some advice on how you can find your Love Language, and communicate your appreciation for your loved ones in the best way possible:

1

Observe your responses to other people’s actions

Usually, people’s love languages tend to be similar to what they like to hear For example, if you turn to someone for comfort and advice when you feel upset, your love language may be words of affirmation. Often, we are able to connect best with people when we reciprocate the actions that make us feel good

2 Put others first

Having a connection with someone (romantic or platonic) means making sacrifices for them At times, it’s important to put other people first, and express your love in a way that will best support them. Although most people have primary love languages, it’s key to remember that there are still other ways of demonstrating your care for someone

1.

Strengthen your emotional intelligence

All relationships require both individuals to be equally involved Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you’re emotionally present, and able to understand each other. This will help improve your ability to convey, perceive and understand love; further developing your relationship.

1.

Communicate your needs to ensure your love is being reciprocated

Relationships are a two-way street. It’s unfair to expect your partner or a loved one to act a certain way if they aren’t aware of your needs, and how you feel It’s crucial to maintain a level of trust and openness to ensure the love you express is being reciprocated in a manner that makes you feel comforted and cared for.

The Formative Impact of Self Love

Many people view self love as an act of vanity, selfishness, and something that should cause immense guilt, however self-love serves as both our fuel and the cornerstone of who we are. This foundation is the base upon which everything else is built, and life feels unstable without it Additionally, because your views about yourself are based on how you feel about yourself, learning to love yourself is the one skill that will greatly improve each and every part of your life. Gandhi once wrote: ‘‘Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habit, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny’’. Learning to love yourself will not be a smooth journey, but it’s impacts and effects will be forever invaluable;

1- You will find it easier to accept good things that come into your life

As you grow into the love within you, you will begin to accept the good things that come into your life; you will no longer feel ill-deserving of your successes, and will not be greatly affected by forms of guilt such as impostor syndrome, and so will truly celebrate your efforts and their outcomes

2- You will begin to take responsibility where it is due. The basis of self-love is taking ownership for your actions, and clearly defining the way you want others to think of you. Many people adopt a victim mentality as a result of a refusal to acknowledge their own contribution to their circumstance. You start to see your experiences differently when you start to put self-love first Learning lessons is more important than trying to ignore them

3- You will have a better understanding of yourself. Self-love encourages you to attend to your own needs You'll learn to take care of yourself, which will help you grow into the person you want to be. You'll get a firmer understanding of who you really are and you'll relish the grace and freedom of being honest to yourself. Self-love enables you to connect with your authentic self

4 - You will set comfortable boundaries. Your ability to recognize what is and isn't good to you will grow as your capacity for self-love does Simply put, you will accept being treated badly less the more you love yourself You will slowly but surely set boundaries based on what you know benefits you, and not what others want you to.

5- You will find joy in yourself and the things around you

Self love gives you the power to stop looking for happiness outside of yourself (e.g. in friends, material items etc) , where you will become dependent on external factors for your own wellbeing. Instead, it prompts you to look to yourself, where you will always be with you, giving you the longest lasting happiness. There is nothing wrong with finding joy in external factors, however, when you’re finding joy in yourself, all of your other joy will be amplified since you’re in a place of positivity.

Bridging Cultural Gaps

In a world filled with cultural diversity, bridging the gap between cultures is an increasingly important and difficult challenge. Without the ability to understand each other's culture and beliefs, many issues that we encounter daily can quickly become more complicated. With more open lines of communication between people of different cultures, many misunderstandings, problems, and potential conflicts can be avoided

One way to bridge the cultural gap is through increased awareness and education. Education on cultural differences can begin at a very early age Schools, through initiatives like curriculum-based activities, can provide a way for students to learn about the differences and similarities between various cultures and even to visit (or virtually visit) other cultures and see them in person. Learning about each other can help foster better understanding and respect, which are essential for people of different cultures to be able to interact positively and peacefully.

Another important aspect in bridging the cultural gap is by encouraging positive dialogue between different groups People of different cultures need to be able to discuss and share their ideas and beliefs openly. Hosting workshops and other events that focus on getting people from different backgrounds together to discuss various topics can be extremely beneficial It provides a space where people can be open to new experiences, different points of view, and even have fun with each other.

Ultimately, in order to bridge the gap between different cultures, the emphasis must be on accepting and embracing diversity, rather than on forcing everyone to fit into the same mould. Encouraging and practising open communication and understanding will go a long way in creating positive interactions and relationships between people of various backgrounds Bridging the gap between cultures will take dedication and effort, but it will lead to a much more harmonious and peaceful society for everyone.

As a rapidly globalising world continues to shrink, it’s more important than ever for people from different backgrounds and cultures to interact in positive ways. Bridging the gap between cultures can create a powerful environment that enables growth and understanding for all involved. But in order for this to happen, it is important to know the strategies for creating and sustaining these relationships.

In addition, it’s essential to take the time to learn about different cultures and appreciate their unique qualities. Taking an interest in another culture’s language, customs, traditions, art, and music can be an effective way of establishing an understanding between cultures Even simply engaging in dialogue and showing an interest in learning more can make a world of difference in fostering connections.

Finally, having respect and an open mind when approaching conversations between cultures is essential. Everyone comes to the table with their own individual beliefs and backgrounds, and it’s important to respect and honour diversity. By cultivating empathy, acceptance, and trust, relationships between different cultures can grow and help people reach a mutual level of understanding

Bridging the gap between cultures is a key element of success in today’s increasingly global world. In order for different cultures to work together and benefit from one another’s ideas, it’s essential to focus on effective communication, appreciation and respect. By utilising these strategies, people from all backgrounds can come together and create an environment where all individuals can feel included and valued in this world intertwined

From kneecaps to ankles, from ACL’s to MCL’s - Richard Steadman’s operated on them all. Athletes remain at the forefront of newspapers and sponsorships but the rehabilitation and support they receive remains integral to their success. No matter the sport, sportspeople around the world entrusted Richard Steadman with their health and livelihood.

Dr J. Richard Steadman was an orthopaedic surgeon from Texas who died peacefully in his sleep on the 20th January 2023, aged 83. He gained legendary status and an induction into the American Sports Medicine (ASM) Hall of Fame for his expertise in helping professional athletes return to medal winning victories and trophies following possible career-ending injuries. He is most commonly known in medical circles for his ‘microfracture’ technique used on articular cartilage injuries (injuries in the knee caused by strong impacts or falls). This method uses a keyhole surgery, where a camera and small surgical tools enter the body through a small incision in the knee in a tube and is used to fix damages to the knee. Secondly, athletes usually faced injuries to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) It was common for athletes to end their careers over this injury but with the help of Richard Steadman’s infamous technique dubbed the “Healing Response'', this issue was eradicated. He developed a process that helped heal ACL tears with enough success that sports players returned to their sports.

He’s known for treating hundreds of alpine skiers for many decades who won Olympic medals after his surgeries, notably Phil Mahre, a 2 time Olympic medalist and 9-time World Champion. Basketball legend, Kobe Bryant personally visited Steadman in 2003 and underwent this exact procedure, which elongated his career and helped him win 2 championships later in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Furthermore, British footballing icon and past Ballon D’or winner, Alan Shearer also credits Steadman with saving his career and preserving his presence at top tier football for many years. Steadman’s outstanding resume doesn’t end here! His clinic was known for frequenting Martina Navratiolva, the 3rd most successful women ' s tennis player in history and an NFL Hall of Famer with an illustrious career called John Elway

His constant success and amicable character cemented his place among the surgical legends. His death leaves a large hole in the community. No sport barriers nor any nationality barrier could stop the sports world from rejoicing and celebrating a man who placed patient care and athlete success over any reasoning. May he rest in peace, and may his mesmerising innovation continue to save sporting careers for years to come.

The Djokovic Open

Yet again, we came across those two weeks when Novak Djokovic dominates the Rod Laver Arena. The stadium relentlessly vibrated with chants of “Nole, Nole” as he savoured his unprecedented 10th Australian Open and record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.

Although his journey was met with trenches of boos and jeers, as he has won half of his Australian Open finals in straight sets, he makes it seem all so easy. Not even setbacks, such as being prohibited from defending his title the previous year due to his controversy regarding the Covid-19 vaccine and a three-centimetre torn hamstring, could hinder him from enlarging his collection of “The Happy Slam”.

As Djokovic found his way back to where he belongs, his seemingly unstoppable stream of tears perfectly encapsulated what it meant for him; despite doing it a previous 9 times. Not only has he cemented his greatness upon the world of tennis, this year’s trajectory left Stefanos Tsitsipas - a favourite to succeed the “big three” of tennis - a victim to the invincible combination of Djokovic and his racquet.

Only four when he began his upwards climb through war-torn Serbia, sixteen when he turned professional, now at age thirty five, as he approaches the inevitable end to his unparalleled glory, his fights against the wind imprint Novak Djokovic amongst the best to have ever stepped on the court.

22 Grand slam titles

Hriday Dawani 10H

NOTE: Content rating for books vary. Check suitable age recommendations before proceeding.

How can love be displayed? How can love be shown? Where can love originate from? Love can develop through a myriad of ways, and we’re going to be exploring these in terms of their representation in books, using 5 tropes. (+ examples of tropes in books!)

Enemies to Lovers

I thought we’d start with the classic knife against the throat scene, falling for your enemy, the one person you’re supposed to hate. Over the course of the books, once two enemies learn to overcome their differences and appreciate one another’s presence more. The ‘enemies’ part can vary in terms of how deep it is, and can involve anything from mild, harmless banter to lethal hostility. Sometimes, two characters in this trope may not be aware of their feelings for each other, and thus may display it through harmless rivalry or nonstop banter. Examples of books with this trope are:

Forced Proximity

The idea of involuntarily spending time with someone you supposedly cannot stand - this trope can fall under enemies to lovers. Forced proximity is when the two characters are 'in each other's faces', much to their dismay. They are obligated to spend time with each other, whether it’s for a mission, sharing a house, etc. , where they may need to work together. Through the countless hours they are forced to spend together, they can learn to appreciate one another’s presence more. They are able to push aside what irritates them in each other and work on their relationship - an entertaining trope enjoyed by many readers. Some books that show this trope are:

Sara Khader, 6f02, Year 12

NOTE: Content rating for books vary. Check suitable age recommendations before proceeding.

Love Triangles

How do you know who to choose? Should you pick the first choice, because if you really loved the second then you would not still be in love with the first; or do you believe in “If you love two people at the same time, choose the second, because if you truly loved the first, you wouldn't have fallen for the second”? In the end only one of them will stay. Love triangles are tough, you do not want to make the wrong choice. Imagine picking the wrong personwould the right one take you back? In love triangles, 2 or more people are competing for the love of a single person. For their undivided, full attention. Some examples of enjoyable reads that include love triangles are:

Forbidden Love

Romeo and Juliet type of love. Love that can get you killed, in some fictional worlds. When two people are in love, but are forced apart due to their families, beliefs, distance, ec. The extent in which the love between the characters may be mild, such as parents not approving of who their child wants, or greater, such as Romeo and Juliet or Rose and Jack. Whether these forbidden loves last can vary greatly. Some last and some do not - they can face strenuous opposition, which would lead to a decrease in motivation, thus decreasing the probability that the relationship will last. Examples of the forbidden love trope are:

Grumpy Vs Sunshine

Romeo and Juliet. Love that can get you killed, in some fictional worlds. When two people are in love, but are forced apart due to their families, beliefs, distance, etc. The extent of disparity may be mild, such as parents not approving of who their child wants, or greater, such as Romeo and Juliet, or Rose and Jack. W Some loves last, and some do not - they can face strenuous opposition, which would lead to a decrease in motivation. Examples of the forbidden love trope are:

REVIEW OF REVIEW OF

36 QUESTIONS 36 QUESTIONS TO FALL IN LOVE TO FALL IN LOVE

Dr.ArthurAronfirstproposedthe'36questionstofallinlove’studyin1997.Its aimandpurposewastocreateintimacybetweentwostrangersinashortperiodof time.Dr.ArthurAronconductedthestudyatStonyBrookUniversityinNewYork. Hepairedupamanandwomanandgavethemalistof36questionstoanswer. Afteransweringallthequestions,theyhadtoundergofourminutesof uninterruptedeyecontact.Hisstudywasasuccessas6monthslater,2ofhis participantsweremarried!Thequestionsarebrokenupinto3sets,witheachset beingmorepersonalandintimate.Withquestion1being'Giventhechoiceof anyoneintheworld,whomwouldyouwantasadinnerguest?'’toquestion36 'Shareapersonalproblemandaskyourpartner'sadviceonhowheorshemight handleit.Also,askyourpartnertoreflectbacktoyouhowyouseemtobefeeling abouttheproblemyouhavechosen'’Thesequestionsforceyoutobeopenand vulnerabletoyourpartner,alreadybreakingboundariesanddevelopinganintimate relationship.'

Thesequestionsweresettobeusedbytwocompletestrangershowever,youcan completethesequestionswithfriendstobuildcloserrelationshipsaswell.I personallydidthesequestionswithafriendandfoundthattheydoformcloser bondsandenableyoutobefullytransparentwithyourpartner.Goingthroughthe 36questionsisalengthyprocessassomeofthequestionsarevague.Vaugequestions areagreatadditionastheyallowtheconversationtoflowandgointomultiple differenttopics.IthoughtthatIknewalotaboutmyfriendandcouldalmostguess theanswertoeachquestion,however,Iwasverywrong.Someofthe

questionsareincrediblypersonalandleadtoaverydeepand privateconversation.Asthelatterquestionsdelveintotopics suchasfamilylife,personaldisappointmentsand expectationsofapartner,theyprogressivelygetmoreserious. Thesequestionswouldtakeyouaminimumof45minutesto complete,however,inmycase,ittookusabitover2hoursas wewouldunintentionallydiscussothertopicsaswell.

36 QUESTIONS 36 QUESTIONS TO FALL IN LOVE TO FALL IN LOVE

Personalitydetermineshowwellthese36questionswouldworkforyou.Someone moreopenindiscussingsensitivetopicswillhaveabetterchanceofbuildingcloser relationshipsusingthesequestions;however,ifyouaremoreclosed-offtheymight notbeforyou.Nevertheless,thiswasanincrediblyentertainingactivitytocomplete andIwouldrecommendit.Itmaynotmakeyoufallinlovebutdefinitelywillbuild intimacybetweenyouandyourpartner.

Rating Weddings of 2022

We all are Twilight fans whether we admit it or not. To kick off this list, the universal childhood crush of all 2010s babies, Taylor Lautner, tied the knot to his long time partner Taylor Dome. It has been reported that it was a small, strictly family affair open to about 100 of each of the newly weds’ loved ones and was organised at the artisan vineyards of Epoch Estate. Both Taylors were elegantly dressed on their special day as Dome donned a floral-embroidered tulle A-line gown and a cathedral-length veil. While Lautner wore a classic black tuxedo. It’s safe to say we rate this wedding a 7 out of 10.

Modern Family star Sarah Hyland and her partner Wells Adams followed the trend of winery destination weddings and from the Trending team this already checks off our box for an ‘a la mode’ occasion! They celebrated their marriage at the Sunstone Winery in California. The wedding was highly star studded as many of Hyland’s onset and offset family were in attendance including Sofia Vergara, Julia Bowen and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. We give this wedding a 10 out of 10.

'Jenny from the Block’ and ‘Gone Girl’ lead Ben Affleck also said ‘I do’ for the second time with an intimate celebration in Georgia in front of many of their friends and family. In attendance was Jimmy Kimmel and his wife, along with Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso who witnessed the swapping of nuptials. Jennifer Lopez was spotted donning a custom Ralph Lauren dress that saw more than 1,000 handkerchiefs and 500 metres of fabric cut into ruffles to make an elegant version of Ralph Lauren's classic turtleneck column dress. For the custom yet rebranded R.Lauren dress this wedding gets the stamp of approval and a solid 10 out of 10.

Bill Nye the Science Guy also celebrated his matrimony to journalist and author Liza Mundy at a private ceremony in Washington D.C at the Smithsonian Institute. Their vows were officiated by Star Trek star Robert Picardo as the icing on the cake to any Trekker geek’s dream wedding! To conclude the night, the bride and groom danced the night away to a rendition of Sam Cooke’s ‘What a wonderful world’ and Mundy swapped out her heels for some casual pair of sparkly sneakers. If we are promised a Bill Nye comeback, then and only then would we give this wedding a 10 out of 10 but who are we kidding, to commemorate the month of love and happiness this wedding gets an 11 out of 10 from us!

By Safia Abdiwahab, 6F10, Y12

Valentine's Day Trends Around The World

What is Valentine's day?

Valentine’s day, which is set on February 14th, is celebrated globally in the name of Saint Valentine to embrace love as well as remind citizens of the world to show some gratitude towards their loved ones.It’s said that ‘Valentine’ was a priest that served in Rome in year 260 AD, the emperor at the time announced that single men made better soldiers than those with families and wives as they were not sacrificing as much, he outlawed marriage for young soldiers which Valentine was not on board with. After hearing about the law, Valentine decided to defy the emperor and perform marriages for young lovers in secret. After the emperor discovered this he beheaded Valentine on February the 14th 270 AD which led to the celebration of love in commemoration to Sir Valentine’s act for ongoing love.

Here are a few different ways that Valentine’s day is celebrated around the globe:

France

As Paris is known as the ‘City of Love’ be assured that France does not hold back on Valentine's day. The Eiffel Tower is lit up red the entire night as an homage to St. Valentines and red roses are also handed out at the lift for tourists It is also believed that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card originated in France, when the Duke of Orleans sent love letters to his wife from prison in 1415. The French village called “Valentine” turns into the epicentre of romance between the 12th and the 14th February.

South Korea

Romantic couples in South Korea celebrate the day of love on the 14th of each month ‘The Day of Roses’ is celebrated in May, “The Day of Kisses” is celebrated in June, "The Day of Hugs" in December etc. Single people also nationally celebrate ‘Black Day’ during April by eating black noodles as a way to embrace their relationship status.

Ghana

In Ghana, February 14th is celebrated as ‘National Chocolate Day’ It was part of a step that the Ghanaian government took in 2007 to increase tourism in the country. Ghana is among the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. On Feb 14, one can attend performances, music events, and restaurants that have themed menus for this special day

Japan

Japan does Valentine’s day unconventionally compared to the rest of the world It is celebrated on the 14th of February as per usual, however, only women buy gifts and chocolates for their male companions , coworkers or lovers The men of Japan can not hand out gifts until the 14th of March, which is known as “White day”, where all the men who received presents a month earlier are expected to return the favour. In Japan, the colour white is linked to an innocent form of young love and is regarded as a symbol of purity, which is why the day was given this name. On White Day, men are supposed to give their girlfriends gifts that are typically two or three times as expensive as the ones they gave them a month before

Mexico

You don’t have to be in a romantic relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Mexico. February 14 is known as "El Día del Amor y Amistad," which translates to the "Day of Love and Friendship" This is where everyone in Mexico (regardless of their relationship status) can celebrate the love they have for the people in their lives with flowers, cards, stuffed animals and a huge festival After sunset, the citizens of Mexico enjoy a magnificent festival with lights and performers all dressed in red to signify their love for one another.

Italy

Valentine's Day celebrations last four days in Verona, the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. In order to celebrate their love and culture, the locals can enjoy free concerts at the Piazza dei Signori, watch heart lanterns light up the city, participate in a contest to write love letters, and even partake in one of the many dinner specials being offered at Italian restaurants throughout the city.

Marya Hussami 6F10, Y12

The 14th of February

commemorates the annual festival of love. A day to celebrate intimacy and the heart-eye fealty. But, while today’s meaning of this fete is entrenched in romance, summoning ideas of romantic flowers, and candle-lit dinners; the history of this celebration can be drawn back to the Romans, and is in fact violent, egregious, and, truth be told… just complicated.

THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY

Giselle Menezes

10B The origins of Lupercalia can be traced all the way to the 6th century BCE, with the legend of Romulus and Remus. It is said that the festival is to honour the she-wolf who nurtured the twins; and to please the Roman God of fertility: Lupercus. Historians have noted that the sacrifices were public displays, performed by groups of priests in several different locations - within Roman open air, the Lupercal cave, Palatine Hill, and even the public meeting place called the Comitium. One or more male goat -- a symbol of innocence -- would be offered to Lupercus, alongside a dog.

There is no definite beginning to this festival. And, although its name comes from the martyred Christian saint, many historians have recognised Valentine’s Day as a branch of the ancient pagan festival of Lupercalia. Unlike the themes of Valentine’s Day, Lupercalia was a bloody and erotic festival, awash with animal sacrifice in order to avert evil spirits and infertility.

The feasting would then begin. Young men would draw the names of women out of a pittacia (lottery), in which they would be coupled together for the rest of the festival, or longer, if the couple was deemed fit by the priests.

However, the festival of Valentine's Day as we know today, was only assembled after the execution of two men on the 14th of February (on separate years) by the Roman Emperor Claudius the II: Valentine, and Valentinus. Their martyrdom was honoured by the Catholic Church, both becoming Saints. While many legends surround their executions, the Catholic Church expressed that Valentine was a priest, performing unauthorised marriages for the outlawed young men of Rome.

During the 14th Century CE, Pope Gesalius combined Valentine’s Day with the festival of Lupercalia, in order to expel the ‘unholy’ pagan rituals, and make it an official holiday in the Catholic calendar. The festival became more of a loose interpretation of what it was before.

The holiday gained popularity in the rest of the world after its romanticisation in contemporary literature - i.e. the festival was mentioned in some of Shakespeare’s plays like Hamlet. Hand-made paper cards became the sign of love in Middle Age Britain. Eventually, the tradition travelled to the New World (the USA); and in 1913, Hallmark Cards began mass producing Valentine’s Day cards. Today, the holiday has become a symbol for love; and, while it can be said it has become extremely commercialised, it is a day to fully appreciate your loved ones. Sending heart-felt messages of affection to family and friends (i.e, ‘Galentines’), or giving gifts of flowers and chocolates. Despite its violent roots, the 14th of February has become an international celebration of love for all.

March Opportunities

Networking & Building Relationships:

Relationship building requires time, effort, and shared interests. For success, develop and maintain your professional networks. The majority of employment opportunities are found through networking. Here, you'll learn how to build relationships with people you already know, look after the relationships you already have and keep your professional network active.

https://www.skillsoft.com/channel/networking-building-relationships2769d7c0-e71b-11e6-9835-f723b46a2688

High School Resume:

Learn how to build a CV as a school student. This is good for students who are looking for work experience. What to include and also it provides templates for support.

https://novoresume com/career-blog/high-school-resume

SAT Bootcamp:

This course helps cover the most effective SAT question-solving techniques Then, while concentrating on developing critical thinking skills, learn how to apply these strategies to a variety of question types. They have choices from pre-recorded videos or to be part of their live event.

https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/events

BMAT Ninja:

BMAT Ninja is a combined online BMAT study guide and question bank. Since the medical application process can be challenging, hopefully you will find the website to be enjoyable and helpful

https://bmat.ninja/

TED talk on love:

This TED talk from Columbia University professor Skye C Cleary explains the concept of love from different philosophers from Plato to modern feminist Simone De Beauvoir

https://youtu.be/yJSiUm6jvI0

Butterfly Lovers:

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this four-minute Ted-Ed describes the Chinese folktale about the 'butterfly lovers'

https://youtu.be/6MiOTB-Kpzw

The New York Times: An American study had revealed that intimacy can be accelerated between two strangers with a set of questions, which are now recognized as The New York Times' 36 Questions, test your luck this V-Day with friends or even family!

https://www nytimes com/2015/01/09/style/no-37-big-wedding-orsmall.amp.html

Important dates for March

Last Day of the Spring Term - Early Finish Tuesday 30th March 2023

Ayushi Karani (6F10,Y12) and Laila Ibrahim (6F14 ,Y13)

Alfred Eisenstaedt

Eisenstaedt is a German self-taught photographer who established himself as one of the first and most important photojournalists. The Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm served as his first assignment beginning his professional career, in 1929. He immigrated to America in 1935 and worked as a freelancer for magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Town and Country, among others. Alfred Eisenstaedt was one of the Europeans who, following the war, introduced their expertise to American media and pioneered the use of the 35-millimeter camera in photojournalism. Many photographers at the time focused their work on specific types of events or geographic areas. However, Eisenstaedt was a generalist and a favorite among editors for his eye and talent for taking excellent photographs of any situation, circumstance, or event. His images are memorable historic and artistic records of his time due to his nonjudgmental yet keenly sensitive eye and his skills in composition.

Written

by Reema Zowayed, 6F04, Y12

Photography by: Feras Hasan, Reema Zowayed

Alfred Eisenstaedt