The Quill: Volume 1 Issue 3

The

Volume 1 Issue 3 November, 2013

Quill Senior Session

Isaac Porter Captain of Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team By: Poon Vorapanyasakul

LETTERFROMTHEEDITOR November 2013

Letter from the Editor Greetings readers, After a full week of October break, during which I hope you have all been allowed to rest and take a deep breath, we are back in school again, going through the same classes, repeating our routines day by day.

Who would have expected that, in our daily schedules, life would be so full of chaos and surprise. In the midst of an innocuous week, who knew that the fire alarm would ring a grand total of four times? What examtaking student would have predicted their brief escape to fresh air alongside the ear-splitting ringing? Who could have known that the protest against the amnesty would develop to be such a huge deal to the point where some schools would have to close?

The answer is absolutely no one. After all, life is full of unexpected events. Life is not about sitting and waiting for the rain to stop, but to go out and dance in the rain.

We can’t really hope the fire alarm would never go off or that Thai people would always live in peace. We all just have to learn how to ride the flow of our chaotic lives and benefit from every opportunity as they come.

In this issue, the Quill presents Poom Chiarawongse's first-hand report of the infamous "flaming art" fiasco, along with our various athletic victories. (1 more sentence) Once again, thank you for reading and supporting our efforts to both inform and entertain ICS students.

Quill-fully yours, Will Leelamanthep

Inside...

AROUNDICS Remembering Eagles Camp

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Fire!!! Fire!!!

4

Senior Session: Isaac Porter

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Eagle Eye: Pann Sermchaiwong

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ATHLETICS A Way to Conclude

7

Bump Set Spike II

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AROUNDTHEWORLD Cat’s out of the Bag: Real Cause of the Decline

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of USA 12

Tidbits of Higher Education

LIFESTYLE Cooking Show

13

Top 5 Headphones around $500

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OUROPINIONS Something Completely Different: The Number 42

15

Waikay’s Corner: When Foul is Fair

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTOGRAPHERS

WRITERS

Will Leelamanthep

Pann Sermchaiwong Time Chaiteerath Tommy Withayaruksun

Gid Jiranuntarut John Kim Keshav Garg Leah Robinson Poom Chirawongse Poom Sethabutr Poon Vorapanyasakul Win Leelamanthep YoungKwang Shin

ADVISOR Ms. Lissa Scott

SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONNEL LAYOUT DESIGNER

Grace Hsieh

Win Leelamanthep Teak Pornyuenyong

EDITORS

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Poom Sethabutr Prim Thientanakij Young Kwang Shin

Poon Vorapanyasakul

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November 2013

AROUNDICS

EAGLES CAMP A way to remind all of us the 2013 trip.

Remembering Eagles Camp

By Keshav Garg

Ambivalence appears to be a good descriptor for Eagle’s Camp of ’13. It was both a time of joy for some, and a disappointment for others. The trip started out as a lengthy bus ride which did seem to infect my peers in the bus with car sickness(speaking of car sickness, why exactly do they call it car sickness when travelling in a bus?).

I also found the environment around our resort not the most uplifting: it was brimming with gloomy trees, depressed skies, and dimly lit areas.

However, moments before arrival, I attained a panoramic view of the resort’s locale that gave me hope, like a lone candle in the darkness. Arriving at the resort made me wonder whether I had unintentionally reached nirvana.

The rooms were a delight, especially considering that I had to endure such bland scenery in the bus, and they were hard to leave behind even as my stomach petitioned for some supper.

After having dinner, we began to fulfill the real purpose of the trip, connecting with our inner selves and our friends. Starting with worship, we then dove into the “Battle of The Grades.” There were a number games, ranging from basic pig soccer to a

form of mask fencing. For me, the games proved that students age only in flesh - we participated exuberantly like children released for recess, albeit with less teasing. At the end of the day, the sophomores won the battle of the grades while sleep conquered me in the wee hours of the night.

The next morning I awoke at 4:00 A.M to the sounds of heavy thunder and rain tuned by strong winds. The combination compelled me to wake my friends out of fear and continue disturbing other rooms. The rest of the morning was spent with breakfast and worship. It was the second day of Eagles Camp, and I still didn’t understand the theme (identity) and how it was relevant to the trip.

Ignoring my incomprehension, I mounted the flow of the retreat.

From 12-6ish we were given free time. This was the time that almost everyone was looking forward too, including me. Many students began to party along the pool, while people like me hung out in our rooms. We started out with soft games like hide and seek, and moved on to harder games like pillow fights and

wrestling. Unfortunately, my train of happiness was wrecked by the sneezies.

This left me in my bed for 2 hours sneezing. It was hardly the way I

Keshav Krishna Garg Currently a freshman in high school, he aims to be an electrical engineer and a businessman in the future.

and I got to hear an interesting story by Miss Aimee bringing jumbled up thoughts in my mind. Soon, it was time to During the evening, I was only looking leave. After scanning my room for any forward to the merry devotions and forgotten items, I left with many others group time. After the devotions, we began towards the front lobby. to get into one large circle. We then passed the mic around allowing everyone We then got a group picture and left to have a chance to speak about what he for Bangkok. Only in the faithful Montri or she felt about the trip. Just listening to vehicle did I finally understand the their thoughts flow out awakened me and relevance of the theme. The definition of many others to speak as well. As the ‘identity’ is “the fact of being who or group time ended, I actually began to what a person or thing is.” Things started think about the theme. I would drift off to come together: the loss of identity the the sleep blanketed by the weight of my teachers were talking about, the sharing ponderings. The next morning, my peers time with our small groups, as well as the

AROUNDICS November 2013

envisioned myself spending these golden hours.

selfies. The entire trip was about knowing who we are, and relating with our friends.

After cracking the now simple case, I recalled the selfies. This was the one MAJOR complaint I held. The fact that girls love taking selfies really ticked me off and also the fact that they did it during worship choked me up. I’m uncertain whether this is a disparity in age or gender. Whatever it may be, I can discuss it in my next article; this article has gone one long enough. God bless.

Fire!!! Fire!!!

By Poom Chirawongse

On the 30th of October, at approximately 11.50am, 4th period, G-Block, a flame kindled and became a frightening spectacle. Intended as a component of a student’s artwork, heated wax in an electric cooker of HS 308 set itself ablaze when Mr. Tyler, the secondary art teacher, opened the lid of the cooker. A conjecture made regarding the cause of the fire states the lid served as a limiter of air and, ipso facto, oxygen, the feed of all flames. When it was removed, oxygen was free to flow. At the particular temperature and the fuel availability, the wax burst readily into flames and the alarm was set off. A fire extinguisher was brought in, but failed to function as one.

Worse yet, when a cup of water was thrown into the burning wax, the dancing fire multiplied and the bewildered Intermediate Art 2D-Design students darted out of the room in order to escape the inferno. (An explanation of why water provoked the blaze can be found on a Wikipedia page under the title “Wax Fire.”) Black smoke filled the area. The fire was put out soon later by persistent efforts of Mr. Tyler.

Ironically, being a failed work of art, the wax did create an abstract artwork of itself on the ceiling of HS 308.

The carcass and destruction left over from the ball of fire.

Left

This is how it all started, with a small fire on the wax.

Center

The fire is starting to light up.

Right

One, Two, Three, Boom. the ball of fire shot up in the air.

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AROUNDICS November 2013

with Isaac Porter

By Poon Vorapanyasakul

In this issue, Senior Session features Isaac Porter, captain of the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team. In this interview, Isaac gives us some details on the team’s latest win, as well as the team’s journey in the past season.

Q: Now that soccer season is over, can you tell us about the past season?

A: It was the most amazing season because we broke so many soccer records as well as getting 1st place in an 11-a-side tourney. We had the best soccer team in ICS history!

Q: The season has consisted of several tournaments, which is your favorite?

Why? A: ACSC in Chiang Mai because it was long, fun, and, of course, WE WON! Q: During the fall break, you and your team have definitely been busy with the ACSC tournament. What was that like?

A: It was fairly relaxing because we had a lot of free time to rest and prepare for games.

Q: Now that you’re a senior, do you have anything to tell your teammates and those

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who are interested in participating in sports teams?

A: I love my team with passion. Everyone should try out because you always create awesome relationships.

Q: You and your team have definitely done a wonderful job during the season, winning many games, and taking home several medals, but has the season always been a smooth ride?

A: Our beginning was rough because we were still learning how to play together.

Q: If you could describe your team in one word, what would it be? Why? A: Relentless. We got stronger and stronger each game.

Q: How many teams were there and what countries were they from?

A: 8 teams. They are from various places including Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The two teams from Thailand are f ro m B a n g k o k (us) and Chiang Mai.

Isaac Porter

By Poon Vorapanyasakul

In this issue of the Quill, Eagle Eye introduces to you freshman Pann Sermchaiwong.

He may seem like another ordinary ICS student but only few know of his talent: archery. In this interview, Pann tells us about his love for archery and the World Youth Archery Competition recently held in Wuxi, China.

Q: How many countries participated in this championship?

A: 63, I believe.

Q: Have you participated in any other archery competition or championships?

A: Yes. Most of them were held in Thailand. I participate in about 3-5 matches per year, but this is my second international match. It is also my first time at the Youth World Championship.

Q: At what age did you start archery lessons?

A: About 11 or 12 years old.

Pann Sermchaiwong

Q: Can you tell us about your time at the Wuxi World Youth Archery Championship 2013?

A: My flight took place on the night of October 10 and I arrived in Wuxi the next day. The first three days of my arrival mainly consisted of practicing and equipment inspections. On Monday Oct. 14, the qualification round for the junior category or U19 took place, in which I am not a part of. The following day was the qualification round for the Cadet category (U17) which is the category I participated in. The weather was pretty bad on that day. It was cloudy, windy, and especially cold for me because I was not wearing a jacket or any warm articles of clothing due to my expectation that it would not be that cold. I did not do well on the qualification day and placed 98 out of 114. It was not up to my standards at all.

The next day was the elimination round. The first eight places went straight to the 1/16 round and those who placed 9-104 had to shoot off in the 1/48 round. Being in the 98th place, I shot with a guy from India that was in the 15th place. I managed to win the 1/48 round with the score of 6-4 which sent me into the 1/24 round.

My next match was against a Malaysian guy who, I think, ranked 62. I lost the match with the score of 7-5 and was eliminated.

Q: What sparked your interest in archery?

A: Well, I've always thought that archery was cool. When I was younger, my grandmother would make me small bows and arrows out of bamboo, and I would pretend to shoot at my dog.

But it really started when I went to Hua Hin and visited a place that has ATV and archery, so I gave it a try and liked it. After that, I began to take lessons at the Hua Mak Archery Range.

Q: What do you like most about archery?

A: There are many things about archery that I like. I can’t decide what I like most. I like that it’s a sport that only depends on the player, and how much he can control his body and mind.

Also, I think that out of all the sports, archery is the most artistic. It’s like a form of art. I also like that the equipment look cool. It’s like photography; even if you aren’t good at it, you can enjoy buying cool-looking equipment (laughs).

Q: Do you have any other hobbies?

A: Yes. I enjoy photography a lot and I am also a photographer for the Quill.

Q: Would you suggest your peers to give archery a try? If so, why?

A: Yes, definitely! I think archery is a very interesting sport.

Even though it might look boring, it isn’t at all. It’s more about what goes on in your mind, posture, and form. It’s a sport where you can be with yourself. It doesn’t matter what the others do.

You focus on yourself to get the right form and release the arrow at the right time so that you can put it into the X.

AROUNDICS November 2013

with Pann Sermchaiwong

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November 2013

ATHLETICS

Girl’s Varsity Soccer Team Different skills, different nationalities, different personalities, one passion.

A Way to Conclude

By Leah Robinson

! ! Sweat,! tears,! rain,! and! dirt—not! a !lot! of! us!could! think! of,!being! in!a! than!laughter,!Minon!had!cracked!the! exactly! every! girl’s ! ideal! way! of! situation!where !we !were !facing!some! coconut! on!the !head.!We !werenNt! just! spending! their! time !after! school! and! of! the !fiercest! teams !known. !Pushing! playing! a!game!anymore;!we !wanted! on! weekends. !For! some !girls !though,! ourselves ! the ! hardest! we ! could! in! it! and! were !going! to!make !it! happen! the !thrill!of! the !game!penetrates !such! front! of! our! families,! strangers,! and! together.!Coming! home !with!a !thirdG girly! gruesome !even! if! they! have ! to! mess!their!nails!up!! Previous!champs! of! the!Phuket! tournament! last! year!as! well!as!consecutive !wins !in!just! about!

the !boys’! soccer! team,! we ! struggled,! cried, ! yelled! and! sweated! (buckets,)! but!despite !our!hardest!efforts !we !just! couldnNt! compete ! and! walked! away!

place !medal! was! an! accomplishment! we !will! never! forget.!From!being! the! underdogs,! or! the ! small! Christian! team,! to !being! the !ones!to!watch! out!

every! game ! and! tournament,! this! empty! handed.! As! you’d! expect,! for,!made!us!burn!with!passion.! year’s ! team! had! to! be! dynamite.! comments! at! school! about! the !onceG ! ! ! !Another!fantastic !growth!we !have!

Going! into! tryouts,! I! looked! around! victorious !girls’!soccer! team’s !lack! of! made !as! a !team! has! been! our! unity.! and! thought,!hmm…$okay, $I’m $the$only$ achievement! were ! rampant! and! Unity! seemed! like ! a ! farGoff! foreign! senior…$ Well$ this$ is$ going$ to$ be$ an$ cuPing.!However,!what! I! loved! most! language !word!at!the !beginning!of!the! interesting$ season$ with $ all$ these$ li7le8 about! being! on! the !soccer! team! as !a! season.! We ! didnNt! know ! each! other,! uns. !Scanning! heads,!I! could!only! see! three ! returning! players,! of! which! a! few !of!us !had!been!in!JV!and!UG15!for! the !majority! of! our! school! life.! Some!

senior! this! year! is ! the ! fact! that! we! didnNt! stay! down!when!everyone !else! expected! us! to.! Comments,! remarks! and! sniggers ! from! other! teams! and!

we !barely! knew! each! other’s! names,! never! mind! each! other’s !skills.!None! of! us! trusted! one ! another,! probably! because ! we ! all! had! our! liPle! baby!

of! us! started! to ! get! dubious ! about! even! some !of! our! own! ICS! students! balls ! and! werenNt! going! to! share ! it! what!this !season!was!going! to !be!like! have ! only! made ! us! stronger! and! with! anyone!because !we !were !afraid! especially! since !we !had! no!idea!how! pushed! us!to! fight! harder.!A! famous! they! would!drop!it!and!make !us!look! we !were !going! to! become !an! actual! quote ! from! our! first! successful! like ! a ! fool.! Now,! this! change ! didnNt! team! that! could! play! well! together! tournament! is!when!the !lovely! Minon! happen!overnight!–!we !donNt!star!in!a! and! learn!the !necessary! skills !in!time.! screamed!‘We !want!it!more!’!Laughter! soccer! musical! –! but! it! happened!

Fast! forward! to!our!first! tournament,! filled!the !air!between!desperate !gasps! gradually,!almost! as !if! something!has! after! practicing! only! a! week! or! two,! as ! we ! strived! to ! keep! up! our! stale! crept!up!on!us !without! warning! until! gulping! was!really! the !only! response! mate ! with! the ! RIS! team,! but! more! we !noticed!that!we !could! and!should!

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there !is !not!one !girl!who!would!be !left! ecstatic ! for! them! as ! well.! They! have !and!will! be !incredibly! happy! no! behind! running! at! the !back,! not! one! thoroughly! deserved! it! and! we! maPer! which! place ! we ! end! at.! I’m! girl!who!isn’t!encouraged!and!cheered! celebrate !their!victory!with!them.!Jolly! going! to !be !the !one !sad!senior! crying! for! trying! their! best,! nor! is !there! one! girl! who ! is ! not! supported! when! she! falls.! As! cheesy! as! it! sounds! it’s ! true! that!we !have !become !a!family.!A!family!

good! show! guys!!!!! Trying! to! follow! such! an! example !is !going! to!be !hard,! thanks !lads!! After! all,! we!have !a !final! week ! of! practice ! left! and! will! be!

in! the ! corner! because ! it’s! my! last! tournament.! But! whatever! happens,! we ! do! it! together, ! as! you! will! see! printed! on! our! future !team! bracelets.!

with! varying! levels! of! skill,! height,! heading! off! to!Phuket! on!Thursday! of! We !are !proud! of! our!achievements!no! nationality,!and!personality,!but! we !all! next! week.!In!some !ways,!it!seems!like! maPer! how! small! or! big,! and! will! share!the!same!passion.! we’re ! back! at! our! NIST ! tournament! never! forget! the !Girls’!soccer! team! of!

ATHLETICS November 2013

trust! each! other.! I! assure !you! if! you! tournament.!The !rascals!are !of! course! our!favorite !line!‘we !want!it!more’,!we! have ! a ! visit! with! our! practices! now,! very!proud!and!all!joking!aside,!we !are! will! fight! with! every! last! breath! we!

! ! ! ! A! mention!is!definitely! due !at!this! again, !the !one !where !we !got! thrashed,! 2013!that!never!gave!up! point! to! our! fellow ! soccer! boys! who! but!appearances!can!be!misleading.!As! stole!the !field,!and!of!course !won!back! for! the !Phuket! tournament,! our! girly! a ! trophy! from! the ! Chiang! Mai! family! will! be !rocking! up! screaming!

A PEEK A THE BOYS’ TOURNAMENT

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ATHLETICS November 2013

The male soccer teams, in addition to the girls at Phuket, had a tournament at Grace International School (GIS).

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By Win Leelamanthep

“Have fun, don’t get stressed” and “Always play smart.”

A less advanced, less adept, and less respected team is the junior varsity volleyball team. The team, undoubtedly, has had one of the toughest season beginnings in ICS history . Without any wins, the team entered BISAC with

ATHLETICS November 2013

Bump Set Spike II

doubts, yet one thing holds true, the oncourt behavior will reflect what each student has been taught in ICS to do.

As the team captain reflected, “The team has great potential, but it is sad that we didn’t have enough time to The Male Varsity volleyball team takes a photo at the hotel before heading to the tournament.

make it real. I don’t expect us to win gold from BISAC, but I do know for a fact, or at least want to believe, that the players will play with sportsmanship

With the finish of the first with us the highlights of the season: and great behavior. And although we athletic season nearing, ICS’s teams are “We had a really great season this year! may not be the best team in terms of finishing up their tasks and preparing I really had a good time with my team skills out there, I, we, will not be for the last tournaments. Two of such throughout the year, and although we verbally bash another team.” Another teams are the volleyball teams. had had our ups and downs, I really felt player on the team, John, reflected, “I Throughout the season, both the varsity like we grew a lot as a team and we hope the BISAC tournament will be a and junior varsity embarked on various became a lot better. I could not have day where our team will learn and challenges of all sorts and forms, and is possibly asked for a better way to end compete with other teams in a great to know that both team are feeling the season, being among the top 4 teams sportsmanlike manner.” With ICS confident about the end of the season. in every tournaments played.” Although hosting its first BISAC for the junior The varsity male volleyball team the team ended up with two injuries and varsity boys volleyball category, the finished their season in Hong Kong, no subs, they were able to play and earn team will definitely try its best and while the Junior Varsity is finishing up fourth place in both the BISAC and the display exemplary attitudes and great in its home ground on ICS for the first HK tournament. Perhaps ranked only sportsmanship. time.

In an interview, team manager Shane

second in importance to the players themselves, Coach Luc is one of the

most beloved faculty members, both gave us his opinions on the team, saying in the classroom and in the gym. As that the team played superbly and that reflected by various members of the teamwork was one aspect the team team, his positive attitude and method needed and discovered this year. He also of coaching was probably the decisive stated that the team did not get factor to each victory. One member frustrated, even though they were added that if there was one thing he heavily pressured by both the opponents wanted to take away from this during matches and coaches and peers amazing season, it was the coach’s during practices Captain Billy, a signature phrase he keeps repeating, contender for the MVP award, shared

Go EAGLES!!!

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November 2013

THE

AROUND WORLD

The government has shutdown due to the enormous amount of debt cause by the ‘predetermined-tobe-a-failure Public Health Plan’,

Cat’s Out of the Bag: Real Cause of the Decline of the USA

By Win Leelamanthep

Is the US government really undergoing

total household income to decline by 7.3%.

doing better after taking a three-day

a downward spiral? As some experts would say, the US government is generally worsening as time passes. But

It makes me wonder why the cat never confesses to the public that nation is in one of the worst recessions, in fact, the

vacation? I don’t think so, in fact, the US financial state had worsened, with its stocks losing value.

who is it that the people blame? The US has been such a big part of all our lives now, and if the US government collapses,

worst one since the Great Depression. It makes me wonder why the middle class, the largest group of people still allow the

almost all nations, if not all, will have to confront the aftermath. To the chagrin of its fellow nations, the Land of the Free is also the Land of the Rising National

cat back into office after the increased taxation lessened their income by around 5%. It makes me wonder why the people allowed this cat back, even with the

Debt. On whose shoulders the responsibility is to be hitched is a question that demands an answer as the US slowly

predetermined-to-be-a-failure public health plan. It is sheer nonsense.

fulfills its latter identity.

An analogy seems apt to describe my two cents on the matter. If a cat steals and

near the fish again last year, but they did.

With one year down and three more to come, we can expect much more. The first

eats a fish, it is not the owner’s fault, but the cat’s poor judgment and decision to eat the fish. However, it is partially the owner’s fault for having let the cat

year proved unhappy, with various events going on. The launch of the health care resulted not to differently the presupposed, although it may have been a

approach the fish at all. After all, it is the owner who is losing the fish, not the cat.

Other than being criticized by the public,

bit too quick. It is almost like saying hi to an onlooker, then immediately reciting farewells. When I play tennis and I know

including I, it does not lose much from eating the metaphorical fish. On the other hand, the owner is not so fortunate

that I’m losing my concentration, I take a break, rethink my tactics, gauge my stamina, then start playing again, almost

blamed, the cat or the owner? The cat won’t have it easy, but the owner is the one that deserves our sympathies. Three

always delivering an improved performance Is the government really

more years of feline mischief awaits him and his star spangled house.

A particular cat, 44th incumbent of its nest, within four years, has leveled the

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The people should not have let the cat

As a result of ever increasing debt, the Lincoln Memorial is now closed.

But once again, who ought to be

By Keshav Garg

Cornell University Ivy League University, #11 in terms of national universities, and #13 globally (ARWU, 13-14).

Notable Graduate Schools: S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Weill Cornell Medical College, and College of Engineering

Brown University

Duke University

Ivy League University, ranked as #15 in terms of national universities, and #42 globally (ARWU).

Ranked as #23 in terms of national universities, and #31 globally. Notable Graduate Schools: Fuqua School of Business, Pratt School of Engineering, Sanford School of public policy as well as School of Medicine.

Highly personalized curricula.

Notable Graduate Schools: Warren Alpert Medical School

• 17% acceptance rate

• 10% acceptance rate

• $59,591 tuition

• $58,140 total cost

• Recommended: SAT Scores of 2100-2400 as well as a rigorous high • school curriculum

• 14% acceptance rate • $59,528 total costs

• SAT scores: 2100 and above • Openly asks for SAT scores ranging from

1850-2400 as well as an interest in new ideas and concepts.

New York University

John Hopkins University

Carnegie Mellon University

Ranked as #20 in terms of national universities, and #27 globally. Notable Graduate Schools: Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture, and School of Law.

John Hopkins University: #15 in terms of national universities, and #17 globally.

Founded for biological research.

Carnegie Mellon University: Ranked as #23 in terms of national universities, and #51 globally.

Notable Graduate Schools: Bloomberg School of Public Health, Whiting School of Engineering, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing

Notable Graduate Schools: Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Institute of Technology, and School of Computer Science.

• 18% acceptance rate

• 28% acceptance rate

• $58,980 total cost

• $59,710 total costs

• 35% acceptance rate • $61,407 total cost, high tuition fees • SAT scores ranging from 1870-2400

• Recommended for students in biology .

interested

AROUNDIWORLD November 2013

Tidbits of Higher Education

• SAT scores: 2070-2400

• SAT scores: 1940 and above

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November 2013

LIFESTYLE

Let’s Cook.

Cooking Show

By Poom Sethabuthr

Although, to many students, chemistry while constantly assuring himself that he is might simply sound like that boring thing doing so “for his family”, yet driving his Mr. Steve drones on about inside his family apart day by day. His clandestine classroom, AMC has activities also draw the brought you the antiattention of his DEA hero of this particular agent brother-in-law, br anch of science.

Hank, who will stop at Breaking Bad follows nothing to bring the story of Walter Heisenberg down, yet White, an overqualified unknowingly sits down high school chemistry at dinner every once in teacher, who has been a while with the diagnosed with lung kingpin himself. Walt's cancer. Walt, unable to ordeals are also pay for effective numerous, as he has to treatment and worried struggle his way about the well-being of through an unfamiliar his family, must use his and hostile extensive knowledge of environment. His Walter White, an over-qualified chemistry to turn to a scientific knowledge high school chemistry teacher less than reputable resembles the lovechild who made and sold crystal occupation – making of Bill Nye and meth for a fortune. and dealing crystal M a c G y v e r, a s h e meth. He teams up with utilizes chemistry to a former student, Jesse Pinkman, a run-of- solve his major problems, some of which the-mill drug addict and avid fan of the include blowing up a drug-dealer's house term for female canines. Together, they with a tiny crystal, or another involving a manufacture their trademark blue meth with an unbelievable degree of purity. “ I am the danger! I AM THE Adopting the pseudonym of “Heisenberg”, Walt proceeds to create his drug empire

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body, a tub, and a few gallons of acid (which I fear I cannot mention for the sake of keeping this article PG). Join Walt in this gripping tale as he goes toe to toe with the both the nightmares that lurk under and the guardians that watch over society.

Watch his transformation from a meek teacher who cannot lie convincingly to a wall into a cold-hearted master of his trade. Every moment of the show becomes more intense than the last, and ever so often leaves you gawping at the screen, uttering out loud the same words - “Holy cow... that was awesome”. Will Walt ride off into the sunset with his money and family in hand? Will his lies – and more importantly cancer finally catch up to him?

Will he wind up in a shallow grave somewhere in Mexico for stepping on the wrong drug lord's toes? Or will the law learn of his identity and rain justice upon him? If you'd like the answer to these questions, you have a 5 season-long journey ahead of you. I can't guarantee that you will be fine with everything in the show, but I can assure you that it is, without a doubt, worth every moment.

ONE WHO KNOCKS!” - Walter White, Breaking Bad

Grado SR80i

off your ears even if you are running or

playing sports like basketball. If you have Google Glass, you can connect this They are open-back style headphones, headphone via Bluetooth. They cost

By John Kim meaning the sounds leak. This might be a around 4,900 Thai baht.

Music is magic. You can tell tons turn-off for people who listen to music in of stuff about a person just by listening public areas. But for those who play music to the kinds of music he or she loves. in closed rooms, the music quality is Audio Technica ATH-M50 Music can also influence the fantastic considering the low price. growth of plants, and music These do not include a noiseNext on the list is the Grado SR80i.

therapy has been proven to

cancellation feature, but the

be very effective. In other

amazing cost-effective sound

words, Music is all around

quality can cover that flaw.

us, and to truly appreciate

They cost around 3,000 baht.

the sensation of wonder

found only in music, it

V-Moda Crossfade LPs

The final pair I’d like to recommend is the

ought to be heard through a

Audio Technica ATH-M50. These are the The V-Moda Crossfade LPs are good pair of headphones. The ones that best headphones you can get out there in already very popular and nice terms of sound quality. And I have to say, come with your smartphones are headphones, and if you check out the these sound better than their overpriced “alright”, or “decent”. Nevertheless, the reviews on the internet, I Beats counterparts. They sound c o s t - e f f e c t i v e a n d h i g h - q u a l i t y guarantee you that

headphones that are available out there the overwhelming majority will be are choices that you will not regret positive. They paying for. Here are 5 recommendations, are absolutely all under the nifty price of $200. comfor table on

p e r f e c t i n h i g h r a n g e, midrange, and bass. They are also very comfortable for long use. They are portable –

you can fold them and they take your head and there up a much less space. I can confidently say are about five to six available colors. They this pair has no major flaws. They cost Beyerdynamic Custom Pro 1 have a wonderful, clear solid base and the around 4,700 Thai baht.

The “Beyerdynamic Custom Pro 1” is a midrange is blended beautifully. Speaking These recommendations are based on great introductory set of headphones for of comfort, this headphone features an my personal experience, backed by music-lovers who are looking for their first ergonomic steel-flex headband that weighs very lightly.

They cost “quality” headphones. The sound quality numerous reviews on the internet has been proven to be clear and around 3,400 Thai baht. solid for the price. As seen in the name of this pair, Jaybird Bluebuds X the side plates are customizable in The Jaybird Bluebuds X is an several colors. A excellent pair for sports. It is sweatb a s s p o r t i s resistant and quite durable as well. attached to this These pairs connect to your music headphone, on player via Bluetooth and still provide which you can adjust the range an excellent quality of music. The of the sound the headphone will amplify. battery lasts for seven to nine hours This feature is perfect for those who love after a single charge, and they mute both deep bass and high-mid sound. Oh, unnecessary noises pretty well.

made by professionals. The prices mentioned are based on Amazon. I highly encour age you to p e r s o n a l ly t r y o n t h e headphones before purchasing any of them. I hope this list helped you decide in purchasing a pair of

good quality

headphones.

and these pairs really look good. They cost These are very compact, around 7,000 Thai baht. and they rarely fall

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LIFESTYLE November 2013

Top 5 Headphones around $500

November 2013

OUROPINIONS

Parental academic expectations vary from culture to culture. Parents’ attitudes could put a tremendous upon the student.

Something Completely Different: The Number 42

By Gid Jiranuntarat

Before I begin this little never been rewarded for my studying or working has such a exercise in futility, I must inform slightly above average grade, negative stigma attached to it. people that no persons in this b e c a u s e t h o s e g r a d e s a r e And I would include myself in piece are related to anyone living expected of me. I was always the blame for this. School, or dead. Any similarities are praised for being “smart” not for students, parents, and even our purely coincidental. hard work, or studying. This is East Asian culture places such a I am smart. Or rather I am the problem with parental praise. horrible reputation to the so defined as smart by society in general. Do I consider myself smart? I would like to think I am.

Am I really smart? Highly

Parents praise and reward (or not reward) the wrong thing. Instead of rewarding the kid for being smart, you reinforce the idea that

called act of studying. Studying implies trying, and trying implies uncool. Because after all, only “nerds” try hard in school. The

doubtful. My inability to cook that grade was earned through simple act of studying results in instant noodles isn’t exactly my hard work. Because hard work in the person studying receiving a most intellectual trait. The only almost every aspect is better than barrage of insults towards is reason I am considered “smart” is being a natural savant. capabilities, and his capacity for because society deemed me as Sure being naturally smart is education. In the end, the only such. And this is exactly what’s great. I love being good at many way for us to look cool while still wrong with school or rather society in general. These labels we attach to kids at a young age tend to stick. And when they

subjects in school, it’s a hilarity maintaining great grades is to that I find amusing. The Asian just say “I didn’t study.” kid fulfilling his Asian stereotype This to me, seems wrong. whilst at the same time being While I know I have a problem

stick, they ain’t going away. The regarded as a lazy slacker. Not with procrastination and laziness, smar t label is par ticularly having to study but yet still acing I highly admire and respect the troublesome. Use me as an every test is a great feeling to be people who can spend hours at a example, because I don’t want to sure, but that same mindset had time working and studying hard accidentally offend anyone. I me receive my exam grade of 57 for their education. It takes a usually don’t offend myself. I had in Thai last year. The idea of certain quality to work hard, and

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persevere and work is a genius talent in in my life. So we end up just using that reason might be because I am absolutely itself. I feel like there are two types of excuse as well. “I’m smart, but I’m just incapable of performing a task. Then geniuses in this world: the natural that’s fine, that’s called admitting genius, and the hardworking genius. The results of both types of geniuses may end up the same,

your weaknesses and cutting down losses. So drop the class, and avoid your weaknesses. But you don’t get

but the process of the hardworking geniuses is drastically better. Working hard results in a correct mindset to life,

to complain about your failing grades when you refuse to remove yourself from your weaknesses. As an aside, it is actually usually a

and leads to a higher probability of success. The natural genius may be “smart”, he may be “great” at

much better plan to strengthen your strengths, rather than trying to bolster your weaknesses. Even in

certain areas, but when winds get rough, we break and shatter faster than anyone you’ll ever see.

Nerd? Studying is seen as uncool in school culture, so are schools really defeating its primary purpose?

The whole point of being a natural genius is to not work. In our lazy. That’s why my grades are bad. I’m mind, everything is supposed to come smart and I know this stuff. I just hadn’t easily. “I shouldn’t have to put effort into study that’s all.”

I’m not going to sugarcoat it, if I this, because I am capable of doing this

LIFESTYLE November 2013

that quality just isn’t in me. The ability to being the hardest thing I have ever done reason to their failing grades. A good

a purely investment standpoint, the investments in your strengths will h a v e a l a r g e r p ayo f f s t h a n

investments made in your weaknesses. A better plan is to improve upon your strengths, and avoid places that involve your weaknesses. I am a horrible

artist, and in fact I am horrible at most without effort,” seems to be the motto hadn’t studied for a test and I perform artistic tasks. The only creative process I natural geniuses. The common phrase poorly, then that isn’t an excuse for me to am sound in is writing. So I avoid most you’ll hear thrown about is “He’s smart, fail it. Not studying for a test is my own art classes, and mostly involve myself but just lazy. If he applied himself more, fault, and nothing else’s. I will gladly with logical proceedings.

Hard work will pay off. Not in all cases, but in most cases, if you work hard it will pay off. The magnitude of your success may vary depending on the situation, but success is almost guaranteed. The trick here is to know how and where to apply your hard work. If you work hard in a dead-end situation then nothing will come out of it. Likewise, if you pour forth effort into a weakness of yours, then don’t expect grandiose results. Knowing how, when, and where to apply hard work is the key to success in school, and potentially further in life as well.

Whether you agree with this or not is

he can achieve anything.” I’m going to tell you right now, as a person who fits under this category. That stuff isn’t easy. Not one bit. It’s not easy to apply myself to work. Those things aren’t there to be applied. The study habits aren’t there, the routines and schedules for work aren’t there, and absolutely nothing is there for us to draw upon. We end up worse than usual. The application of myself ends up

completely up to you. I know many people who would say the opposite that of which admit that whenever I had failed a test or was stated here, but I feel like the best a task, it was due to my inability to course of action is to remove the negative perform it. In no way can people keep stigma on try-hard and instead cast using the excuse of “laziness” as the shame upon the lazy and shallow.

“Hard work will pay off. Not in all cases, but in most cases, if you work hard it will pay off. The magnitude, of your success may vary depending on the situation, but success is almost guaranteed”

- Gid Jiranuntarat.

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OUROPINIONS November 2013

When Foul is Fair

By YoungKwang Shin Without my knowledge, there is apparently a war being waged for the minds of

this

generation. A certain Spider-Web discussion (a ploy of

the

Administration to destroy confidence and GPAs, but thankfully only in World History) brought the furiously stagnant and passionately passive battle to my attention in HD - if my memories serve me well, I greeted it

Grand Theft Auto, an epitome of online violence that causes distress amongst seniors of the world.

with an equally paradoxical sigh.

‘Twas a sigh that would foreshadow appointed, will cockily lead the siege objectionable materials. Whether it be further flaunting of my arrogance and against those who opine against movies, cartoons, or video games, this multisyllabic words (and taking violence in fiction. badness is undoubtedly the most advantage of the now-gone word limit The violence this Waikay is commonly employed form of conflict, by pointlessly informing the audience interested in this moment in time is the easiest device to show the audience t h a t I c o u l d ’ v e s u b s t i t u t e d that shown in fiction, and it is not that the plot is on the move. This is ‘multisyllabic’ with ‘big’). Exhausted merely confined to blood and gore. the the primary function of ‘badness’, not some corporate sleight of hand to cater to the repressed desires of basement dwellers and sociopathic reprobates. No good narrative can EVER (capitalization=importance) be constructed without violence of some kind. The main mistake the concerned mothers make is the confusion between the violence and the message the medium is attempting to convey.

Wouldn’t the sailboat adrift in the river of blood be drenched likewise when it arrives on the shores of the person’s mind? Such is a question the concerned mother would raise, albeit with going off on a tangent on the kind that ironically attracts the most much less poetically and pretentiously, first paragraph, I now hoist the heated online debates and angry mobs and maybe more passionately and banner to defend the youth from the of concerned mothers. No - it is the physically. Here, I must recount a tale. tendrils of modern media. General general ‘badness’ present in fiction, ( t h i s s h o r t s e n t e n c e d e m a n d s Waikay, self-sufficient and self- e n c o m p a s s i n g a l l i m a g i n a b l e

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of a word limit).

There was once a man who came to the house of his in-laws to pick up his wife, who had been unfaithful to him.

“The deeper this pit is, the more one can appreciate the Sun’s gaze and the Wind’s songs once he or she escapes. Those who cannot see this and stubbornly oppose the infusion of violence into their loved onces’ fiction are the ones who ironically deprive them of wonder and beauty.”

- General Waikay.

Her father showered the man with apologies and amenities, seeking to

reconcile with his son-in-law. Perhaps civil war that presumably razed the problems. And once the book is closed, the credits rolled, the bloopers seen, out of hurt, the man rejected his town, the innocent and guilty alike. elder’s effusive endeavors and departed

You have read a summary of an and the image-boards and tissues

LIFESTYLE November 2013

gratitude...I once again abuse the lack

with his wife after several days. The excerpt from the Bible. The shock of flooded, you begin your introspection. man arrived later at a city; it was the concerned mothers only betray It is said that fiction ironically provides nighttime. The couple were invited in

the suitable vista on which we can

by a kindly old man who couldn’t bear

observe ourselves ***(lots of things

to see them free ze under the

are ironic in this article. Prizes below

moonlight. However, the man did not

for those who can find them all)***

know that the city was a fiendish one,

Violence is then, the only platform

and its per verted residents

upon that vista through which the

cong regated by the house and

human condition is analyzed and its

demanded sexual favors from the

diseases diagnosed, but most

visitors. The old man, either acting out

importantly, it may be the only force

town’s depravity, offered his daughters

either previous ignorance or m, that can guide the man to value the preferably, a sense of awakening. The cure.

or even the man's wife. Perhaps out of

Bible too, is an example of a story that

The re-invigoration of Carl is

spite, the man consented, and the utilizes the ‘badness’ to convey its contrasting content. And as long as woman was raped until sunrise, you are not one of those fruity and resulting in her death. Perhaps out of hy p e r s e n s i t i ve at h e i s t s o f t h e grief, the man, just as responsible, cut “ Yo u t u b e ” c a l i b e r, y o u

meaningless without the death of

of good intent or reciprocating his

Ellie. Sephiroth’s downfall rings hollow without the sacrifice of Aerith.

The triumph of Mrs. Brisby is for naught without the disease of her child

understand my point lies and all the horrifying imagery Waikay beyond the example. as a child had to endure. (if you Violence captures the understand all of these references, we imagination. It thickens and shall be wed on Christmas). The deeper buoys the tension of the the pit is, the more one can appreciate story levels unreachable the Sun’s gaze and the Wind’s songs through the unanswerable once he or she escapes. Those who questions of

Dora the cannot see this and stubbornly oppose Runaway Child or the the infusion of violence into their

Sephiroth, a fictional character of the series Final Fantasy.

the corpse into pieces and provoked the

honeycomb principles of loved ones’ fiction are the ones who Barney the Boogeyman ironically deprive them of wonder and I n c a r n a t e . W h a t e v e r beauty. So declares General Waikay: attachment you’ve felt the war is over; it has been won,

repulse and fury of neighboring tribes toward the characters of any fabric of ironically, without an instance of by distributing them, instigating in a fiction intensifies, and you find yourself violence. immersed in the world and its

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