Shsid Times September And October 2014 Edition

Transcript

Persistent, Aspiring, Noble, Diligent, Achieving SHSID|TIMES SEIZE THE KNOW PAGE 21-22 THE HISTORY OF CARPE DIEM PAGE 38-39 CARPE DIEM: CASE STUDIES PAGE 9-14 IB AND AP: INSIGHTS PAGE 2-3 September and October 2014 Edition Staff List Editor in Chief Martin Guo Thomas Wong Matthew Yuan Vice Editors in Chief Chelsy Wu Cheryl Jiang Xiaoxiao Meng Lifestyle Kyra Chong Jasmine Jiang Vania Liu Min Chiang Darren Sung Dave Zhang Tommy Zhao Wendy Fan Peter Luo Jessie Wang Creative Directors Albert Lin Kenneth Lin Director of Photography Elaine Shen News Grace Zhou Rachel Wang Kyra Chong Jasmine Jiang Jinyoung Yoon Minji Suh Docha Ting Grace Kim Student Journal Martin Guo Edie Guo Cheryl Jiang Harry Chen Science and Technology Cheryl Jiang Jackson Chen Xiuwen Shen Jeffrey Fu Kenneth Lin Jerry Ding English Literature Xiaoxiao Meng Ashley Wu Chloe Tan Rachel Wang Xiuwen Shen Michael Shi Chelsy Wu Darren Sung Sabrina Chen Wendy Fan Matthew Yuan Jerry Ding Mickey Zhou Cloe Huang Jessie Wang Chinese Literature Cecilia Zou Karen Mao Ruby Yao Jessica Hong Laura Lu Publicity Coordinator: Ms. Zhang, Nan Supervisor: Mr. Ma, Feng Anna Tsai Cloe Huang Julia Xu World News Grace Zhou Rachel Wang Kyra Chong Jasmine Jiang Jinyoung Yoon Minji Suh Dochia Ting Grace Kim Sports Grace Zhou Jinyoung Yoon Ruby Yao Raymond Luo Tommy Zhao Photography Elaine Shen Chloe Zhao Nancy Wu Daniel Tian Amy Zhou Mark Wu James Zhu Celine Sung Jonathan Shaw Michelle Lee Maggie Gao Vicky Chan Alisha Tay Erica Ji Julia Xu Design Kenneth Lin Albert Lin Wendy Kim Angelina Ding Anerlise Ishii Koken Mike Hu George Ng Ellen Fu Michelle Lee Candy Tang Angel Chen Illustration Albert Lin Chelsy Wu Kenneth Lin Shine Jeong Ashley Wu Eden Cui Lynn Zhao Dave Kim Julia Xu Table of Contents 1 IB and AP: Insights 2-3 New Faces in Zhongxing Building 4-5 Comic Club 5 Exchange Program 6 The Giving Tree 7-8 My Biology Internship 15-16 What AIDS Patients Need 17-18 Interviewing Yido He 19-20 Venus and Gradient 25 活着 26 Dancing Farce 28 Others MIDI Music Festival 27-34 37 The History of Carpe Diem 38-39 Others 40-44 WORLD TECH EVENTS LIFE STYLE LITERATURE STUDENT JOURNAL COVER STORY NEWS Class Posters Carpe Diem: Case Studies 9-14 Seize the Know 21-22 Megapixels for Moments 23-24 Microsoft Introduces Windows 10 Worldwide Growth in eLearning Others 35-36 NEWS Class Posters Written By Grace Kim To celebrate the beginning of a new semester, passionate students redecorated Xianmian Building with creativity and uniqueness. The outdated contents from previous posters have been replaced by up-to-date news and most recent information, along with posters revealing artistic talents and individuality. The posters all assume varied forms, reflecting a diversity of tastes. The designs range from simple phrases to intricate artworks. For instance, the class poster of 11(3) provides an elaborate gradation from black to indigo blue embroidered with glitters, and the words “Welcome” are depicted as coffee trickling down from a cup. Julia Li, the designer of this splendid poster, gave a detailed account of her experience. “Our poster delivers a message to pour out the coffee that keeps us awake and enter a state of imagination. The act of pouring the coffee also indicates leaving the past behind and entering a new world.” More cheerfully, she added, “I want to thank all my friends for their cooperative efforts. It was a refreshing experience to ponder on the designs and discuss the message behind the illustrations with my classmates!” Other classes bedecked the rooms with characters from famous animations and cartoons, including Bugs Bunny and Mike from Monsters Inc., or frequently used phrases, such as “Keep calm and love Monday”. 1 The distinctive students of 12(9) put their homeroom teacher Mr. Ma Kaicheng’s face on display. took an unconventional approach to the poster. The distinctive students of 12(9) put their homeroom teacher Mr. Ma Kaicheng’s face on display, drawing others to visit their classes solely to see the poster. To this inspirable work, Chris Lin, a student of 12(9), commented, “It’s just great. No one has ever done this before.” Not able to keep himself from laughing, Mr. Ma Kaicheng, the teacher responsible for the hilarious incident, made additional remarks. “My students are incredible. That sketch seems identical to me, and I’m glad to see it in my class.” Every year volunteers from each class devote their time and efforts On the contrary, some classes SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 to create exquisite posters that will accompany them for the rest of the year. Knowing how posters play a vital role in constructing the ambience of the class, students endeavor to contribute their artistic and innovative talents. By taking part in the creation, some students discover their potential talents, while more experienced students enjoy the benefit of aesthetic expertise. The cooperation of ardent students brings a sense of accomplishment to both the creators and onlookers, accompanied with awe and admiration. In some classes, all students contribute to the design by suggesting ideas. The new IB class of 11(1) B held a dispositive survey in the wechat group chat to settle between Garfield and Charlie Brown for the class illustrator, Jade Khotjak, to draw. With supports from the survey, Jade successfully completed a perfect reproduction of Garfield in the back of the classroom. All students seem to enjoy the diversity of the posters. Jenny Shin from 11(10) mentioned, “The posters convey the different atmospheres and individuality of the members of each class. Every time I walk into a different classroom, I admire the extraordinary features. I don’t tell a class by the class number; I tell it by the class posters.” The posters all assume varied forms, reflecting a diversity of tastes. NEWS IB and AP: Some Helpful Insights Into the Two Programs Written By Amber Li and Tommy Zhao Both IB and AP are rigorous programs that are accepted by colleges and universities worldwide. In 1995, two years after SHSID was established, SHSID became an International Baccalaureate (IB) world school. Soon after, the school was authorized by College Board to administer Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and AP classes were integrated into the school system. Both IB and AP are rigorous programs that are accepted by colleges and universities worldwide. The school requires that students during the second half of their sophomore year choose whether to take IB or AP as their school course for the next two years. The comments and the advice of a few students currently in IB and AP will hopefully shed some more light on the two programs and help those not yet in their junior year gain a better understanding of each course. IB Why IB? During the last few months of tenth grade, students all faced an important choice: AP or IB? Which is more suitable? In this case, the reasons for choosing IB varied among students. “Originally, I wanted to choose AP because they made IB sound […] intense,” Jade Khotjak from 11(1) B said. Ultimately, after consulting her parents and teachers, she decided to take IB. “It’s more comprehensive and helps you develop skills beyond the academic scope,” she explained. Jayden Liu from 11(1) B stated that he was greatly influenced by what his former tenth grade English teacher, Mr. Zach Sanders, had to say about the IB program. “I learnt from him that AP was actually an exam that could be taken even if you didn’t take the course, while IB was a curriculum that had both a compulsory course and exams,” he said. “AP does have more flexibility in the selection of courses,” he added, “[but] the tests are more multifaceted in IB.” Taking these factors into account, he chose IB as his eleventh – twelfth grade course. Opinions Although only a month has passed for the 2014 – 2015 school year and eleventh grade IB students are still relatively new to the program, several of the students have their own comments about the classes so far. Both Jayden and Jade expressed their interest towards the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class that is taken as a compulsory IB class in eleventh grade only. TOK is central to the educational philosophy of the IB Diploma program. The course requires students to understand how the Ways of Knowing, including language, sense perception, emotion, reason, imagination, faith, intuition, and memory, affect how we analyze the different Areas of Knowledge, including mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences, history, the arts, ethics, religious knowledge systems, and indigenous knowledge systems. Essentially, as TOK teacher Brian Moczygemba puts it, TOK is a class in which students examine “how we know what we know.” “TOK is especially interesting and I like the freedom of thought it facilitates,” Jayden said. “The main things [about IB] that stand out to me are TOK classes,” Jade agreed. Apart from classes specifically, she also added that “the notion that the IB class is like a ‘big family’” is solacing during difficult times. However, Jayden pointed out that an inconstancy between the IB syllabus and some textbooks used in class “creates some difficulty when learning, as some concepts are explained differently.” Overall though, the general attitude towards the course is one of enthusiasm. “I look forward to what the next two years have in store,” Jade commented. Challenges Two words: time management. “The workload [and] review work is challenging to manage, along with extracurricular activities,” Jayden points out. “TIME MANAGEMENT,” Jade emphasized, as well as the challenge of recalling the knowledge previously gained in ninth and tenth grade, which yes, will be needed and will not be re-taught in detail in eleventh grade. Jacqueline Zhu from 11(1) B said that because of the workload, leaving them to the night before the deadline is not wise and will “drive you SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 2 NEWS crazy.” Despite these struggles, Jayden retained a positive outlook and believed these challenges will in fact help in the long run. “I think in learning to cope with these challenges, I’ll really be able to improve my time-management skills,” he said. Advice So what do current IB students have to say to those who have yet to choose what courses to take? The first is to make informed decisions. When it comes to choosing IB or AP, make sure to fully understand the situation before deciding which program to take. “IB or AP, it’s your choice,” Jade said. “Think it over yourself, talk to parents, counselors, and/or even friends for advice and maybe some moral support.” Jayden added, “Universities view AP and IB equally. So the things to consider are where you want to go for college. Write out plans, lists, schedules. Use every tool and resource at hand, including college counseling and teachers.” Jacqueline stated that “it would be better if you choose those subjects you have the strongest interests in, because IB courses require a lot of self-study.” In terms of coping with courses, Jacqueline brought up finishing work as early as possible. “This is actually the most effective way to keep away stress,” she said. Jade placed emphasis on commitment. “You’ll be surprised at how much you can actually accomplish when you put effort into it,” Jade said. “In other words, have faith in yourself.” AP Why AP? The term AP stands for Advanced Placement, numerous college level courses which high school students could choose from having already finished with high school courses. It’s not only a reliable source of GPA, but also a highly flexible program that allows the students to choose according to their interests and such. A student with a clear and distinct goal in mind could highly benefit from AP courses as they offer extremely specialized courses that are 3 SHSID|TIMES The first is to make informed decisions. constructed around the student’s needs. Wendy Fan from class 11(6) said: “AP is a really specialized course that I find challenging and satisfying”. Unlike the IB program, the AP is a fast paced oneyear course. It offers a unique blend of self-dependence and interactions with other students as one big community. Because AP classes generally have a larger class size and more varied combination of students, it is relatively easier to interact with more people. “Almost all my classes have different classmates so I made a lot of new friends”, said Jeric Sim 11(6). The AP exams also utilize a grading method based primarily on multiple choices, giving the students a more objective perspective towards the knowledge presented to them. Challenges The AP’s challenge is also its greatest asset, it does not have a clear time schedule—in fact it doesn’t have a time schedule at all. This is due to the fact that you alone pick the courses you wish to attend, and when you attend them. The time and subjects you take is purely based on your own decisions, and you must carefully construct a curriculum that best fit your needs. In order to do so one must take an introspective approach and analyze what his/her greatest strength is and such. Time management is critical as you must plan and allocate certain portions of your time to areas where your weaknesses lie, dedicating them to balancing the amount of time SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 spend on each. However, with challenges come improvement, “AP pushes me to an extreme I have never experienced before and it greatly enhanced my learning and time management skills through a variety of challenging tests”, said Sabrina Chen 11(2). Advice “Manage your time, challenge yourself, but also know your limits and priorities. ” SHSID is a prestigious school with an intellectual atmosphere, and with such an atmosphere individuals with high potential are often recognized and remembered. Most of us have heard stories of students with an insane amount of AP 5’s and a full GPA. These mystical people righteously known as ‘xueba’ (学 霸) have decorated our high school life with a mixed feeling of both awe and envy. These individuals have encouraged us to also push ourselves to the limit, however we don’t always know exactly where that is. Theoretically yes, it is possible to get 15 AP 5’s. But in reality? It is very difficult and requires large amounts of self-discipline and time management skills. We often get distracted from our goal or procrastinate despite having exams and projects due. While it is recommended that you try to challenge yourself and take as many AP courses as you can, you should also know exactly where your limit lies and avoid tipping over and imploding. It is important to balance between the intensity of schoolwork with the extracurricular activities you have. Above all stay optimistic and hopeful, that will increase your chance of success and help you keep a positive attitude towards the AP exams. NEWS PHOTOS BY MARK WU New Faces in Zhongxing Building Written By Rachel Wang and Jenny Moon It’s only been a month since the start of the school year, and the students of the Zhongxing Building are already bustling around, eager to get on with their lives. In the midst of all this hurry, new faces can be seen everywhere, from the student community to the school’s staff members. New members of the staff this year include Ms. Gina Aylward and Mr. Ryan Kalb. Ms. Gina Aylward Born near Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ms. Aylward grew up in the United States. She attended college at the University of Michigan, earning a dual B.A. degree in English and Sociology. After college, she worked at the University of Michigan’s teaching center as a tutor. Currently 24 years old, she came to Shanghai on August 21st. As Ms. Aylward had never been to Asia before, she was curious about what life here is like and wanted to experience it. She’s not really sure why she decided to become a teacher, but she loves the English language and wishes to pass her knowledge on to her students. Mr. Kyle Whisler, who taught tenth grade H-level English, recommended SHSID, and that’s why Ms. Aylward’s here as a member of the staff today, teaching ninth grade H+ English and H-level English Writing. Overall, Ms. Aylward’s first “Students sometimes rely too much on verbatim notes and only copy what teachers write on the board.” month in Shanghai has been a positive experience. She states that “There are new things every day, and though there have been some negative experiences, it’s really nice here.” Throughout this month, Ms. Aylward has mostly stayed in the area around SHSID, walking around and trying out the different types of food sold here. Nevertheless, she has also been around Shanghai to places like Xujiahui and Xintiandi, where she enjoyed taking strolls and exploring the city. “Being a teacher is quite fun,” she declared when asked about her job. “I get to learn from my students and at the same time, they also learn from me.” Her first month in SHSID has been a great time, and she believes that students here are able to grasp high-level ideas and mature enough to understand what she teaches. Though she likes how her students are paying close attention to everything she teaches in class, she believes that they sometimes “rely too much on verbatim notes and only copy what teachers write on the board,” often ignoring her when she discusses important points and only paying attention to what she writes. She recommends that students should contribute more to class discussion. Most students in Ms. Aylward’s classes enjoy learning from her. In particular, Wendy Xu from 9(7) thought that “she’s really pretty and sociable, and she has a really deep insight on literature.” Ms. Aylward encourages high school students to be open to new ideas and read constantly to gain a broader world view and learn more about themselves. In her free time, Ms. Aylward likes to read, listen to music, and try out Shanghai’s local food. She also has a cat named Oliver in the United States, which her roommate is currently taking care of. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 4 NEWS Mr. Ryan Kalb to live in, especially in Shanghai!” Mr. Kalb is from New York City, U.S., and graduated from NYU, where he majored in literature and cultural studies. As a university student, he shaped his own goal of becoming an English teacher who is “able to influence how students perceive the world.” Now beginning his career as an English teacher in an international school, he was taking his first step to accomplish his goal in this completely ‘foreign’ setting of China. Mr. Kalb chose SHSID as a place where he would like to teach because of the fact that our school offers both IB and AP programs. He said that he would like to ultimately teach IB or AP, and especially IB. He preferred IB because he opted for the “latitude in terms of curricular choices” in our school’s IBD program. “I’m also quite interested in the Associated Student Body. I like the way they plan everything and lead the school’s major events,” he added. When asked about the reason he came to China, he responded with a simple yet ambitious remark, “adventure.” With a broad smile, he added, “I just wanted to experience something foreign. And of course, China is an exciting place Although he absolutely enjoyed his first month of teaching in SHSID and was getting more and more used to his life in Shanghai, it was undoubtedly true that he did encounter many difficulties. “One of the most difficult things I’ve experienced so far at school was the ‘Law- “One of the most difficult things I’ve experienced was the ‘Lawson translations’ with the ladies.” son translations’ with the ladies,” Mr. Kalb said, “I’m currently learning Mandarin, though, so hopefully I’d become more comfortable in communications in the future.” Finally, when he was asked about his primary concern about teaching, he proudly remarked, “My ultimate goal in my career as a teacher is to let my students learn in a multiple-studio perspective. Since they all come from different cultures and have been exposed to different languages, I want to teach them how to view things from multiple perspectives and make use of that advantage!” PHOTO BY MARK WU Comic Club Written By Tommy Zhao The annual Club fair was held weeks ago on September 15 signaling yet another productive school term, staying true to our traditions that unite us as a loving and helpful community. Among the numerous successful old-school organizations such as MUN or Roots & Shoots, a new and promising club emerges. Its raison d’être? To explore the boundaries of our imagination and artistic values through the appreciation and creation of graphic novels, bringing forward new ideas and concepts that were previously unknown to us, summing all of it up in one word—comics. Brought to you by the artsy minds of Laura Ye 11(9) and Lulu Ye 11(5), the Comic club takes place every Thursday in Xian Mian Building room 308. It is open for all grades and essen- 5 SHSID|TIMES tially anyone with an interest or passion for either drawing or appreciating comics. “We gather to share, enjoy, and explore the amazing art that is the comic. Comics aren’t just entertainment for Children. It is our goal to let more and more people to know that there are much more that comes out of the art of comics”, said Laura Ye. For every meeting held, members of the comic club will come together to discuss and renovate conventional, well known characters or create a brand new superhero weaved from the fabric of their imagination. “Comic club is a great learning experience”, exclaimed one of its members after her first meeting. This is not a rare occasion as numerous members have expressed their content and optimism towards the club after their first meeting. Laura and Lulu built this tightly constructed circle in order to promote comics, which are often viewed more as entertainment than appreciated as an art form, and show the world for SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 what it truly is. It is also a club full of diversity and style; some would prefer the sardonic cynical story telling of DC while others prefer the excitement and enthusiasm that Marvel bombards upon its audiences. Members ranging from 9th to 12th grade all contribute and enjoy the experience that they themselves construct and preserve. One of the 9th grade members exclaimed that “This is my first time joining a club like this; I’m excited and am looking forward to future events and activities”. The comic club not only provides an interesting experience, but will also serve as an important and practical cornerstone for those who are likely to or have a clear goal of pursuing visual art as a profession. Above all it trains your skillset as an artist and serves as a fantastic extracurricular activity. NEWS Exchange Program Written By Min Chiang On Friday September 19th, a group of students gathered in Xianmian Building, room 310. With the tables and chairs pushed against the walls, they stood in a circle that spanned the length of the entire room. Curiously, there were students wearing black shirts, with the words “I <3 SHS” printed big and clear on it. Students who walked by the room looked in, their unasked question clear on their face: what the hell is going on in here? Can I have some of that pizza on the desk? To answer the first question, the students were attending a meeting— a meeting that included students from both the local division and the international division. This meeting is a result of four students, and it starts with two students who met during the summer. Over the summer, our campus hosted the weeklong summer program, HSYLC. Hundreds of students were in attendance, including students of Shanghai High School local division and international division themselves. Here, Alex Liu 12 (1) from SHSID befriended Audrey Wang 11(6) from SHS. “I’ve always wondered why we never interacted with the SHS kids, they’re some of the best students in all of China, and we’re literally only 5 minutes from them,” Alex said, “Geniuses, and we’re com- pletely missing out on the opportunity to get to know them.” “It’s gonna be really cool if we can find a way to bridge the gap,” said Audrey. Thus, hoping to “connect” the two groups of students, Alex and Audrey contacted students who might be interested in the program. Chris Lin of SHSID and Sabina of SHS joined and helped Audrey and Alex. The meeting, or “exchange program”, is, according to Chris Lin, “designed to foster the creation of a common identity.” During the meeting, Audrey and Chris each called out from their respective lists of names, students who were called on introduced themselves and their hobbies. Now and then, friends would tease each other, resulting in bursts of laughter. When Alex introduced the “Math Gods” Matthew and Allen from SHSID, Audrey called out to their “International Math Olympiad Gold Medalist”, earning laughter from around the circle. The circle dissolved as soon as introductions ended; however, almost immediately the sounds of students chatting filled the room. “Most people were able to hit it off and chat with each other”, Alex recalled. Groups of two, three, four, five students stood together, attentively listening to each other. Students talked about their own Students who walked by the room looked in, their unasked question clear on their face: what the hell is going on in here? “The borders dividing us are, at best, artificial.” –Alex Liu school life, clubs they attend and its activities; the three math enthusiasts stood together in the corner of the room, talking passionately in their own world. From these fellow students, we learned that they are from the “出國班”, meaning they will not be taking the high school examination 高考, and unlike other students, will be able to participate in clubs during their senior year. Cindy Zhang from SHSID said, “Personally, as a member of the international division’s Roots and Shoots Club, I loved talking to these few people representing the Green Club. They were eager and enthusiastic and I was able to exchange ideas on areas of cooperation, like setting up a campus wide reusingthemed garage sale.” As a result of the first meeting, the Debate club and MUN are going to collaborate. Students from SHSID will be judging debate competitions held by SHS students and participating in their mock committees. As of now, the meeting is held on a small scale due to the limited space. The organizers are looking to find a way to encompass more students from both divisions. In the future, there will be more similar meetings held. Hopefully, not far from now, SHSID students will be greeting SHS students when they see each other on campus like greeting old friends! SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 6 NEWS The Giving Tree PHOTO BY VICKY CHAN Written By JinYoung Yoon Starting from Week Two, the sign-ups for the annual Giving Tree program began in Zhongxing Building, signaling a new year of charity and benevolence. The ‘Giving Tree’ program started five years ago in SHSID, when one of the student’s parents introduced this program to our school. This program is mainly about donating and giving presents to migrant children whose families are not financially privileged. The Giving Tree is a program held by the Community Center Shanghai (CCS), a nonprofit organization made up of international commu- The ‘Giving Tree’ program started five years ago in SHSID, when one of the student’s parents introduced this program to our school. nities all over Shanghai. There are several other international schools cooperating with this organization, including American Schools and Japanese schools in Shanghai. Our school has one of the highest number of students participating in this event with around 200 students joining every year. The Giving Tree program has now become an annual event in our school. This year in SHSID, the Giving Tree will be taking place in Li Min Primary school(利民小学) in Pudong. Students will receive a bag containing a wish list that children wrote and act as a Santa Claus for them every Christmas. Students attending this program will visit schools themselves and give the presents directly to them. In the gift bags, there are not only presents but also items that will be useful to 7 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 NEWS them in multiple ways. Since this program is held during Christmas, gloves, hat, scarfs and other winter supplies can be included.When students visit the schools, there will be small gatherings, where students give brief speeches and enjoy performances that will be held. Many students in SHSID are encouraging this event as well as actively participating each year. This program is a great opportunity for them to actually take part in the charity and act out to contribute to the community. Most students view this program very positively. When asked about the “giving tree” program, students gave positive simple replies such as “good’”or “I think it’s very nice.” The majority of the students supports this program and is looking forward to it. “I really enjoy this program because I think this would be a good chance to actively help the children myself,” said one of the students. Teachers as well view this program in a positive view. “I think this program is very influential to helping students develop a sense of compassion and generosity, and I hope many students can join this program and share their love” said Ms. Gao from 10(6). Despite the positive feedback, there were also some suggestions for improvements. “I wish I could donate money or something useful to the children rather than presents, this way it can be much more helpful to their education as well as their future”, said James Zhu from 10(5). All in all, many students as well as teachers find this program very supportive and encouraging! PHOTO BY DANIEL TIAN When asked about the ‘giving tree’ program, students gave positive simple replies such as ‘good’ or ‘I think it’s very nice”. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 8 PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COVER STORY Carpe Diem: Case Studies in Initiative Written By SHSID|TIMES Staff INTRODUCTION Summer often provides students with a time for respite and relaxation. Gone are the days of daily homework, monthly exams, and weekly extracurricular activities. Instead, students are free to forget about the burdens of school and pursue interests that are unique to them. Every summer, many students achieve great accomplishments or experience many unique events that show that their summer was not wasted. With the recent passing of Robin Williams, SHSID|Times has decided to explore a pervasive concept in one of William’s most famous movies, Dead Poet’s Society: Carpe Diem, which translated literally means “seize the day”. Multiple interpretations exist that attempt to explain the implications behind this phrase. The general meaning as intended by Horace, who first wrote the phrase in his Odes, is that The two detailed case studies that are in this article are personal experiences written directly by the students involved. The two studies differ greatly; the first is about a math tournament, while the second is about an Arctic expedition. Yet the common aspect about the two is that they both show that the students involved have partaken in something that they felt was meaningful. MATTHEW YUAN STANFORD MATH TOURNAMENT: JERRY DING & MATTHEW YUAN Many people don’t think highly of math tournaments. They think competitors do hundreds of practice questions, go into a classroom, take a test, and then leave and wait for their scores —just like the AP Calculus tests. However, after we took Stanford Math Tournament China this summer, we didn’t feel that way. Most tests only have 10-15 questions, but getting even half of these correct easily places you in the top 10%. 9 it means to do everything you can do today to create a better future. The interpretation that we took, however, is slightly different. We took the phrase to mean to take initiative and seize the available opportunities today rather than wait for the future. Many students follow this principle. These students used their summer time efficiently and took opportunities that reflected their demonstrated interests or curiosities. SHSID|TIMES The SMT is renowned for its difficulty—most tests only have 10-15 questions, but getting even half of these correct easily places you in the top 10%. Participants compete in teams of up to 8 people. There is individual algebra, ge- SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 ometry, advanced topics, and an easier general test that incorporated a bit of the other three topics. In addition, there are two team rounds: a proof-oriented Power Round, and a fill-in-the-blank Team Round. It sounded fun to us. After our math teacher introduced the tournament and after we were awed by the difficulty of the practice questions, we quickly formed a group of 8 challengers to take the test. The SMT China took place at an international school in Beijing, so we arrived there a day early to get ourselves oriented (and do some last-minute cram- COVER STORY ming for the test). We were getting nervous over the test topics that weren’t as familiar to us—the advanced topics dealt with concepts we haven’t formally studied until we did practice questions, and the other tests required approaches that wouldn’t come to mind in a normal math test. Some of us were cramming the geometry formulas we had learned in 9th grade. Others were making and memorizing “cheat sheets”, pages describing the patterns seen in past tests. At the same time, we were also quite excited to escape from our homes in summer and see the Chinese capital. The next day, we attended the opening ceremony for the first SMT China. There, the faculty gave a lengthy tribute to the school hosting the tournament. They announced their goal of exposing us to insidiously difficult mathematics, applauding the beauty of cracking these problems with an elegant solution. In the end they introduced the Stanford students that had written and solved the problems we were going to face. Just before we left for the tests, they said they had fun writing the questions, and hoped we’d have fun solving them. We understood what they meant when we took the individual tests. In the end, regardless of the topic, all of these tests asked questions that seemed to mockingly tease us. The questions were worded in an understandable way, and most contestants didn’t find their premis- JERRY DING es confusing or their requests incomprehensible. But after quickly understanding the question, we often realized we didn’t have even the faintest clue how we could find the answer, so we just stared at the question until we gave up. Other times, we would mistakenly think that some method would do the job, and realize after digging deeper into the question that we had to make 2014 mental calculations to find the answer. At times, we trudged on with a bad method, wrote out a huge formula, and spent a good half of the allotted time on one question. Lastly, at times our approach seemed to miraculously give us easy numbers and simple mental calculations. We felt like we hit a jackpot and hurried on, and eventually rejoiced when we finally reached an answer, sometimes a number as simple as ‘2’. Throughout the tests, the formulas and cheat sheets didn’t help much. These questions required creativity and intuition to solve, not raw math experience and memorization. The questions didn’t look like “Please find the volume if this curve were rotated around the yaxis”, but more like “Find the last digit of 2^(3^(4^(5…^2014 ) ) )”. No computer in the world can actually calculate that number, let alone a person with a 50 minute time limit. Even the easier general test had, among typical questions we’ve done in high school, some tricky Imagine frantically explaining your insights to your teammate when there’s 10 minutes left, and failing to make your teammate understand. questions that defied our expectations, questions like “You have $15. Apples cost $0.20, pears cost $0.30, and oranges cost $0.50 each. How many different combinations of fruit can you buy?”— which sounds easy but will laughingly mock you if you give it a sincere attempt. The team tests of the SMT China had a different feel from the individual tests. On the one hand, teammates can discuss their ideas and collaborate with each other, sharing inspirations and speeding up the problem-solving process; on the other hand, many communication problems may arise between members. Imagine frantically explaining your insights to your teammate when there’s 10 minutes left, and failing to make your teammate understand. Or swap roles and imagine frantically trying hard to explain why your teammate’s inspiration isn’t going to work out. We sometimes faced problems just like those; a pair of teammates solving a SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 10 COVER STORY problem isn’t as efficient as one person with two brains solving it. Either way, communication was crucial in this team test, and our teammates were constantly jotting down notes, or passing papers in an attempt to explain their ideas to others. Sometimes, one of us would get the answer in a spark of inspiration, or he would slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together to solve the problem; he would then phase out of our conversations and work his problem alone. Some of us initially did not know why the Power Round was named that way, but after 90 minutes of nonstop whispering, thinking and writing, we walked out of the test room exhausted, and learned firsthand how much “power” that test required! Some of us spent more than half of the allotted time tacking a difficult proof question, filling pages upon pages of logic trying to convince the grader. The regular team test went by similarly, except there was more of the blank staring just like in the individual tests; notably in that test, at the last minute someone in the team had an inspiration for a question, and wrote down all the steps as quickly as possible. The answer was ‘1’. After taking the tests, our last source of worry was the award ceremony. We were wondering how well we’ve done, and whether we’ve flunked the tests or not. We first noticed that the top prizes were consistently being given to one school, The High School Affiliated to Renmin University. We then noticed that none of us fell in the top 10 for any of the four individual tests. We weren’t very sure if we could get any prize. But when the staff began to announce team awards, we discovered that our group was consistently in the top ten, somewhere between the 4th and 6th place out If you’d like to take participate in the SMT in the future, we’d suggest you exercise your creativity and insight. of about 80 teams in total. In the overall score we also scored 4th. We were so happy and ignored the fact that the 4th place contestants received the same certificates as the 5th-10th place, whereas the top 3 received medals. Needless to say, The High School Affiliated to Renmin University received the first place for all these prizes, and their overall score was far ahead of the second place. We noticed that each contestant wore multiple overlapping medals. In conclusion, the math tournament was an intellectually rich experience where we all had a chance to see how difficult math can be. It makes me wonder how mathematicians working on century-old unsolved problems got their crucial insight to finally crack out an answer with an irrefutable proof. Our questions are questions college students SHSID|TIMES If you’d like to take participate in the SMT in the future, we’d suggest you exercise your creativity and insight. Grab one of the questions and go wild thinking of plans to simplify the question to something trivial. Look for common properties of the numbers they give you, add something extra to make the equation nice and symmetric, slash out 2013 terms by considering what remains invariant; try everything you can think of. With enough skill, I’m sure you can get a score above 60% and stand alongside the Renmin University champions. ARCTIC EXPEDITION - A FROZEN SUMMER: MICHELLE WANG We first noticed that the top prizes were consistently being given to one school, The High School Affiliated to Renmin University. 11 created, and still 9 times out of 10 a high school candidate would have no idea how they could even begin solving the question. And we knew that those candidates from Renmin University must’ve been really good at math, not as in the sense of being able to multiply 5-digit numbers in their heads (though they might also be good at that), but in finding the crucial initial step and eventually solve algebra, special topics, and geometry questions alike. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 This summer I had the very fortunate opportunity to attend an Arctic expedition group led by Professor Shuyi Zhang from East China Normal University. Professor Zhang is my Dad’s colleague, and he recommended me to him for this program. I was very excited for this trip, and I almost couldn’t sleep the night before the flight. On the morning of July 19th, I and a group of 37 other students from all over China gathered at Pudong International Airport to begin our journey. We started at Stockholm, a beautiful city in North Europe. My stay at Stockholm was a transit point to the main adventure—the cruise through the Arctic. Our Arctic expedition started on July 22th when we arrived at Longyearbyen, Svalbard in Norway and boarded the ‘Akademik Sergey Vavilov’, an expedition vessel from Russia. As our ship left the dock, we realized we were COVER STORY heading to a grand and mysterious Arctic land where few, if any humans live. On the boat deck, we saw huge mountain chains, the gray plain sky and the boundless ocean. In contrast to the bustling atmosphere in Shanghai, the atmosphere here was much more tranquil. The temperature in the Arctic was colder than anything I could ever imagine. I could feel the severe chill in the air in each time I took a breath. Our schedule for this expedition on the vessel went about in a fixed way. We would wake up at 7:00 AM and eat breakfast by 7:30 AM. By 9:00 AM, we would change into our outfits and head out onto the zodiacs, small boats that allowed us to explore the ocean, and go on land. Every day we went out on the zodiacs twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. There would be ten people per boat, with each person wearing a heavy outfit that consisted of a technical jacket, outdoor pants, high boots, waterproof gloves and sunglasses. By noon, we would return to eat lunch. By 2:00 PM, we would go out for our second trip, where we would usually go on land, and return by 5:00 PM. After eating dinner at 6:30 PM, most of us students would go to the lounge and get to know each other better. Before we went to sleep, we would all write diary entries to summarize the day. We saw many different types of Arctic animals. It felt magical. We saw Arctic terns, glaucous gulls, bearded seals and reindeers; these wild animals that could hardly be seen in zoos were moving vibrantly just in front of us. Birds were standing on rocks and flying throughout the sky. Seals were resting It felt magical. We saw Arctic terns, glaucous gulls, bearded seals and reindeers on the ice, not paying attention to the students observing them. It can arguably be said that polar bears are the main characters in the Arctic world. We did not see that many; we were lucky to see four polar bears during our whole expedition. For safety reasons, we could not get too close to these carnivores. One time we saw a polar bear swimming in the sea searching for fish. It was such a good swimmer that we were worried that it would suddenly rush at our boat and drag one of us into the sea. Another time a polar bear was eating a dolphin with a group of gulls flying around it and waiting for it to finish. The sharp red color of the blood stained and contrasted with its snow-white fur. It reminded us that under that pure and adorable appearance was a fierce beast. It really changed the way I thought about polar bears. Before, I had thought polar bears were cute and cuddly, but my initial thought upon seeing the half-eaten dolphin was: “Wow, it’s a predator”. It was a scary experience. Sometimes we went on the land if no polar bears were spotted. If there were, we would not go on land due to safety purposes. When I first set foot on land, I was mesmerized by its grandiose and eternal nature. We were on land that no human has lived on. Everything was just so natural—there were no human traces, and everything was covered by SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 12 COVER STORY vegetation. Reindeers and birds blended in with the natural scenery. The crewmembers who led us were all experienced and renowned Arctic explorers and scientists. They told us about the different types of bizarre plants that we encountered during our walk. All the plants were low on the surface of the land to protect themselves from the severe weather. The crewmembers put great effort in protecting the environment. We were always supervised and not allowed to leave any human traces on the land. They made sure that we did not do anything that could damage the state of nature. This was one of the few places left on Earth that was still considered pure, and we felt that we each had a responsibility to protect it. On July 27th our ship had arrived at 80 degrees north (approximately 1109 km from the North Pole) and we had a great party on the deck to celebrate the great time we all had together enjoying the amazing gift of nature. We enjoyed that we were in a separate world that was untouched by the hand of humanity. By July 29th, we had returned back to Longyearbyen. 13 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 For ten days, we went away For ten days, we went away from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai to relax in this calm and peaceful world of nature. from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai to relax in this calm and peaceful world of nature. We went to areas where mountains and glaciers, which have witnessed the rises and falls in this simple, yet beautiful part of the world, have been standing for centuries, Despite the environmental extremes, life still flourishes here, growing and reproducing, for only the strongest ones manage to survive. This experience has encouraged me to contemplate, to change and to love. I respect the fact that such animals can live in such extreme conditions. They do not possess the luxurious desires that we humans have, as they just go about living their lives. Communication with among crewmembers and fellow students was also simpler. As there was no Wi-Fi or cell phone signal, we did not just sit around, staring at our phones. We had meaningful conversations about our COVER STORY lives back home, our thoughts about the day, and other topics. This journey has undoubtedly been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in my life. With Professor Zhang as a guide, we 38 students hope to publish a book documenting the events and writing about what kind of impression this trip has had on each of us. We will write about what we saw, how we felt, and how this expedition has changed us. This entire trip has made me realize just how small humans are in relation to the world. We must be like those Arctic animals – persistent and diligent—no matter what the surrounding conditions are like. FINAL WORDS Our purpose is not to put these students on a pedestal and say that they have had a more “superior” experience than other students; rather, we are using these two to show the extent of variety of pursuits that SHSID students have taken. The preceding two case studies are just two of the many pursuits that students have taken apart in. The student body of SHSID is too diverse for these two to be representative of the whole —each student will have their own individual story to tell. Each student will have their own interpretation as to what they consider meaningful. No matter in what way, no matter in what channel of expression, we believe though that it is important for students to take the opportunity and “carpe diem”. As to how a student can achieve this, this is up to them to decide. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 14 STUDENT JOURNAL Things tend to go wrong in Biology experiments. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHERYL JIANG I have always wanted to major in biology. But many of my teachers and friends have kept telling me that it would be better to experience what it felt like to be a biologist before i actually decided on my major. After all, sometimes reality can be harsher than imagination. So this summer, i seized an opportunity to get an internship at the shanghai institute for biological sciences so that i could live the life of a biologist. My Biology Internship Written By Cheryl Jiang “Don’t be surprised if your experiment fails, be surprised if it doesn’t.” a researcher at the lab told me. After one week of watching other researchers do their experiments such as comparing the different concentrations of a tumor-inhibiting protein in cancer cells and normal cells and learning all the safety precautions and basic experiment procedures, I was finally given the chance to do my own project to experience what it felt like to be a researcher. With the help of my instructor and other researchers, I finished my experiment design and handed it in to my instructor in merely two days. It was a very simple project: testing the effect of garlic on the growth of colon cancer cells—just add a few drops of garlic juice on cancer cells and test to see if they are alive by using chemicals to dye the cells that are alive and count how many there are in different concentrations of garlic juice solutions. That’s why I was so surprised that the first comment my instructor made was: “This is quite a complicated project. It’s going to take you quite a long time to finish; one to two months if you are lucky.” 15 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 I dismissed it with a laugh; I was confident that I could finish this simple experiment quite quickly. That night, I made a schedule of my experiments. If nothing went wrong, I could finish the entire project within one week. To my greatest horror, everything went wrong during that week. My very first step in the experiment, culturing cells, was met with terrible failure. The day after I thawed my two plates of colon cellsi, I went to observe them under the microscope. The plate of colon cells which belonged to the cell line SW480ii was very healthy—each cell was huge and blobby; parts of the cell were stretching out like tentacles, grasping hard onto the cell plate. The multiple nuclei in each cell seemed to smile back at me. However, my satisfaction didn’t last very long, because as soon as I looked at my other plate of colon cells which belonged to the cell line SW1116, I was devastated to see them look so lifeless: small, circular half-transparent black blobs floating STUDENT JOURNAL aimlessly around. I searched around the cell plate and found the source of contamination: a gigantic blotch of crystalline monster. to add in the ingredients and half an hour to wait for it to concrete. One hour later, it was still as viscous as water. I asked my instructor for help. “It’s a fungi contamination,” my instructor pointed out calmly. “Reread the protocol and see if you missed any of the safety procedures.” Oh the safety procedures. I forgot to read them. It turned out that this time I had failed to notice a line of teeny-tiny words on the acrylamide bottle that said “shake before use”. “When heating the cells to 37 in a water bath, do not let the bottom of the lid sink into the water.” I did just that when I thawed my SW1116 cells. At least my SW480 cells survived. If I read the protocol more carefully next time, I should still be able to finish my experiment within one week. I couldn’t have been more wrong. My second failure was a western blot experimentiii. It was quite a complicated experiment that would take a long time to finish, so I had to start in the morning. My instructor had showed me how to do it the day before. I had taken very detailed notes, read the protocol three times and even highlighted the important steps. I was very confident that the experiment would succeed this time. My first step was making the geliv for the experiment. It took me half an hour I remade the gel again, this time, taking care to shake the acrylamide bottle really hard. Nothing would go wrong in that experiment after that…or so I thought. The next day, I came very early in the morning to add the antibodies onto the protein that I had extracted from the western blot experiment. As soon as I walked into the lab, I was horrified when my instructor told me I had forgotten to put the protein into the refrigerator. I quickly rammed through my memories and realized I had planned on putting it into the fridge but was distracted by my mom’s phone call, and only ended up leaving the protein on the desk right beside the fridge. I banged my head on the wall. I had to redo the entire experiment all over again. TOP PHOTO: The healthy cells prospering. BOTTOM PHOTO: Contamination, seen as the black spot on the left, hindering normal growth. i All cells are frozen by the last user for a longer preservation time. ii Cell lines are types of colon cancer cells originally extracted from a patient and mutated so they can keep growing and dividing forever. Every cell in a cell line is divided from the original cells extracted from the cancer tissue of that patient. This SW480 cell line is originally taken from the colon cancer cells of a male Caucasian patient at the age of 52. iii A chromatography for proteins. The proteins are first pulled straight into stick-like shapes, and then coated with a layer of a negatively charged substance called SDS. That way, the bigger proteins would be coated with more SDS and thus have more negative charge on them. After that, the proteins are run through a gel with electricity where the proteins with a larger charge will receive more force and move faster. This way the proteins will be divided into several layers in the gel according to their different sizes. iv A site for the chromatography-like process that separates proteins in the process mentioned in the endnote iii. This gel contains a web of acrylamides that creates little holes which allows proteins to pass through. I couldn’t be more wrong. And so, the first week passed with barely any progress made. According to my plan, I should have already finished my entire project by now, but instead, I barely began. In the following few days, I kept doubting whether I really did want to be a biologist in the future. Every successful data point I collected was preceded by countless failures. But after two months passed, in the last few days of my experiment, as I organized and evaluated my data, I suddenly understood that every single chart of data I made was a small corner of the universe no human has ever explored. My conclusion that garlic can suppress colon cancer cells line SW480 was a discovery that no one has ever made before. Instead of simply learning knowledge, I was creating knowledge. Knowledge is like a building that everyone lays a stone on. Even if my discovery is only an insignificant piece of pebble, I have contributed to this great project that many scientists have contributed to for hundreds of years. And this is what makes all my failures worth it. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 16 STUDENT JOURNAL WHAT PATIENTS NEED Written By Matthew Yuan My perception of AIDS patients was that they were weak, moribund people lying helplessly on hospital bunks. I believe many of us have been busy over the summer. Some students have participated in summer programs, some students have competed in tournaments, and others were doing internships at various institutions. What I did, however, was volunteer at Dali No. 2 People’s Hospital in the rural area of Dali, Yunnan. Though it may not sound grand, it turned out to be a very fulfilling experience. As summer barely started, I embarked on my journey to Dali. My luggage only contained a few sets of clothes, and the rest was packed with gifts, such as jumping ropes, markers, and notebooks, for the HIV-infected kids I would meet. I expected to spend the next 4 weeks with them to help them cope with their disease and brighten up their lives. What I did not expect, however, was how much my life would change. I had learnt of this hospital from Barry & Martin Trust, an interna- 17 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 tional AIDS charity, and had heard that an American college student helped out previously. Before I visited the hospital, my perception of AIDS patients was that they were weak, moribund people lying helplessly on hospital bunks. I thought I would mostly assist nurses to take care of the patients, helping them recover from surgery and intensive therapy. I would also try to make them cheer up, and relieve their psychological stress, whether through small chats or other ways. After I had arrived at the hospital, however, my image of them proved to be completely wrong. Most HIV-infected patients lived a relatively normal life, visiting the hospital only for occasional check-ups and medication. The HIV-infected kids I met received the disease from their mothers in the womb, and they appeared the same as everyone else. Their medical needs were covered by the hospital, and they received free checkups and medication; my job was to provide psychological assistance for the STUDENT JOURNAL families treating us with hospitality and smiles, I felt relieved that I was welcomed by them, and proud that I could bring happiness to the family, and I felt my time volunteering very fulfilling and rewarding. Although, this discrimination is unsubstantiated, it still causes people to ostracize and distance themselves from them. patients, particularly for HIV-infected children, through various activities. The American college student taught children English for five weeks, leaving an excellent impression on both the hospital and the kids. This year, however, we neither had the funding support nor the human resources to gather the kids, some who live quite far away, together, so we arranged for other fun activities with the kids. As I met up with a British volunteer from the same grade who came here with the same inspiration and motivation as me, we discussed our activity plans for the children. As I soon learned these children, although apparently normal kids, in fact endured significant pressure in their daily lives, as do their parents. First, their illness is concealed from neighbors, friends, classmates, and teachers, for fear that they will be discriminated because of their disease. Second, they must take antiviral medication daily, which produces many adverse side effects. As a consequence, they seem a bit more cautious and quiet than normal kids, and are more obedient to adults. To relieve their mental burden, we decided to organize some playful activities with them, including skipping rope, making origami, and playing ball games. We wanted the kids to loosen up—and they liked it! They were attentive when making paper cranes and crowns, and proudly held up their work when done. Although some kids were reluctant to join the group at first, they were moved by other kids’ joy and finally participated in the games. Seeing gleeful smiles on their faces, we planned another activity with them, bringing them to KFC for lunch and a movie afterwards. Since these kids normally lived far from towns, there were excited to have fast food and watch 3D movies, and enjoy life like other kids. It was very rewarding to see how these initially shy kids gradually opened up and began to talk to us as friends. Later on, we paid home visits to a number of kids and their families and got the opportunity to chat with them, while we got to see for ourselves what their ordinary lives were like. The kids were thrilled to see us after getting to know us from numerous activities, and showed us around, introducing us to the sights and scenes in town. One little boy eagerly took us to meet his family and showed us around the village, where people were preparing for the Torch Festival, a major summer holiday among the Bai ethnicity. With the kids and their Not all of our activities went as smoothly as planned, however. We originally anticipated for 20 kids to join us; only 10 showed up. Some children could not attend because of inconveniences in commuting; some simply didn’t want to go to the hospital. When we had scheduled visits to patients’ homes, one cancelled it when we were at their doorstep, after travelling a long way. The reason probably was that they did not want our arrival to alert their neighbors and cause unnecessary speculation. This incident exemplifies patients concealing their condition from neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, and even family and friends, because they are afraid of discrimination from them, which can be even more devastating than the disease itself. Although, this discrimination is unsubstantiated, it still causes people to ostracize and distance themselves from them. We, as educated people, should respect their equal rights and treat them as normal people. Through this trip, I have learned a lot about the everyday lives of AIDS patients—including their happiness, their hardships, and their endurance. I have learnt more about the diagnosis, treatment, and development of the disease, and have understood the importance of raising awareness of HIV information and stopping bias and discrimination. Moreover, I have genuinely felt the joy in helping others and bringing them happiness. Making these kids who have endured so much smile was definitely the most rewarding part of this trip to me. Why not join a volunteer group and start helping others out? Like me, you will not regret this valuable experience! SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 18 STUDENT JOURNAL Interviewing Yido He Written by Edie Guo Yido He is in grade 11, and he started playing the violin when he was 5. He plays the violin in a piano trio outside of school, and is also the president of the school string ensemble. This means that other than playing the violin he has to adapt the articulation of the piece of music to make it more suitable for playing, and also act as the conductor to guide others in rhythm and dynamics. Having played years of violin, he has come to understand and appreciate classical music. He believes that it is not a lack of passion that prevents many from loving classical music, but a lack of discovery. Here he talks about his views on classical music, and wishes readers to understand that classical music is something that all people can enjoy. Yido strongly recommends the speech “The transformative power of classical music” by conductor Benjamin Zander. Readers who are interested can search up this speech on Youku or TED. Edie. How were you first exposed to classical music? Yido: When I was 5, a student from the music conservatory used to come to teach me violin, and for a long time, I didn’t actually play; it was more just me listening to her play. When I first took violin lessons, my mom would play some classical music CD on the car rides to and from lessons. By listening to music first, I was able to develop my passion for violin because as a little kid, I became fascinated by the interesting sounds that came from the violin. PHOTOS BY ELAINE SHEN 19 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 E. When you first began practicing violin, were you really enjoying the process, or was it tedious? Y: When I first began, and I think this goes for most kids, I was attracted to the element of novelty. When that wore away, practicing became more “homework” oriented. However, my parents were never too strict with my practicing, so I was still able to develop some personal interest. I think I really started to enjoy practicing violin in grade six, when I began playing Canon in D in an ensemble. STUDENT JOURNAL Classical music is still music — it’s just the music of people who lived many years before. E. How has learning classical music changed you as a person? Y: Well, practicing violin, or any kind of instrument, requires a lot of work and patience. Decent practice sessions require a lot of work and patience. So right now, I find that I am able to things with a lot of patience. Also, practicing has taught me to focus better. E. In your opinion, what are the major difference between popular music and classical music? Y: Classical music is really just the popular music of the people who lived hundreds of years ago. It just evolved throughout the centuries. The reason that the standard of popular music has changes is because the world changes. Music reflects what is going on in the world, and people tend to listen to music that they can relate to. So if you think back on the history of music, you would realize that Baroque music reflects the extravagant culture, Classical music reflects the balanced society, and Romantic music reflects the release of freedom. Since popular music is evolved from classical music, they share many characteristics. E. Was there a time period when you felt like you could not understand classical music? And how were you able to come to appreciate it? Y: Yes, so when I was little my parents would take me to classical concerts, and I would fall asleep because they were all really long and I did not know what to listen for. However, I soon realized that there were always these elements that kept repeating in the piece of music-which I learnt later are called motives. So, now when I hear the motives, I pay attention to how the music is developed. E. Classical music is one of those areas that is full of jargon which makes it very difficult for an individual to appreciate the structure, development, and graceful details in music. Do you see any simple ways that an individual could come to understand music? Y: I think this perception is somewhat biased because classical music is not actually that complicated. Classical music is still music- it’s just the music of people who lived many years before. The people who attended the concerts back then may not all be music professionals, but they were still able to appreciate the music. For example, everyone knows when a piece of music is ending. Non-professionals have a feeling that the piece is ending, and know when to clap. But when you analyze it from the professional perspective, you feel like the piece is ending because the return to tonic triggers that instinct. So I think people appreciate classical music the same, whether they have studied music or not. You will gradually learn to appreciate music if you keep listening. There are small things that you can start doing though, like trying to find the motives, and paying attention to the gestures of the conductor in a symphony. E. Do you think classical music will make a comeback into the modern culture? Y: I don’t think pure classical music will ever come back, but since popular music is influenced by classical music, you can always find traces of classical music in popular music. Some obvious examples are the modern electric replications of famous classical pieces like Beethoven’s sonata, and symphonies. However, there are also some very subtle ones, like how tonality is evolved from western classical music, and how many melodic ideas in popular music are inspired by the ancient Greeks. E. How do you think classical music could fit into SHSID? Y: There are some resources at the school, like the orchestra, where the students study classical music once a week. I hope in the future, there will be more performances for students and teachers to enjoy. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 20 TECHNOLOGY ...where "Seize" is Used In Its Broadest Possible Defin tion, Either to Confiscate or to Obtain... Information travels at the speed of light with today's technology. What seemed to be next to impossible just a few years ago are slowly, one by one, coming to life. One of the more intriguing fields of rising technology is the realm of the wearable. The concept of a "computer" on a wrist fascinated many for ages, and has been attempted numerous times in the past, with varying degrees of success. With the LG G Watch, and Google's newly launched Android Wear platform, Google intends to bring this age old dream of a wrist-mounted computer to reality, while incorporating the concept of having limitless information, seizing knowledge and providing convenience at a glance. The LG G Watch's appearance is best described as understated. It certainly is not as striking to look at as LG's other products, such as the pseudometallic mega-phone G3, or the novel and literally pliable G Flex. The watch takes the shape of a rounded rectangular prism, with a sizable black bezel and the usual straps hanging out its top and bottom. The watch is noticeably thick, and has a rim of dark metal around the side. On top of the watch there is a 1.6 inch IPS screen that is bright enough for indoor usage, but hopelessly dim and reflective under the sun in even the cloudiest of days. The underside of the watch is predominantly occupied by the promi- nent LG logo, and is complemented by a series of small dotted charging spots. The design is extremely uninspiring, as if an overworked designer was tasked to make some watch and then simply drafted a five-minute job. Perhaps the beauty of the G Watch's design appears once it turns on. Weirdly, the watch contains no power button. Hence, the only way to switch it on is by attaching the watch to its commodious magnetic charging cradle. That's when the G Watch enters a whole new world, and the bland design begins to take flight. Once the screen is on, and the watch is functioning, the design just doesn't matter anymore. The passive design seems to take a step back, as if it were a thoughtful butler, getting the job done silently while remaining dormant and reposed. The quiet design allows Android Wear to take the center stage, with it functioning as a side in the gourmet main course. In this watch, the hardware is the soothing background music as the software, and more importantly, the content, takes the center stage. In this case, the content of the watch is inexplicably Google. As such, the watch needs to be paired with a reasonably modern Android smartphone SEIZE THE KNOW A Review of the LG G Watch Written by Kenneth Lin 21 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 TECHNOLOGY with the Android Wear app. Everything in the watch is presented in "cards", with each card containing textual information as well as a graphically relevant backdrop. Using the G Watch gives an overwhelming impression of attentiveness and attachment: it knows you well. The watch certainly "feels" you very well: it switches on and brightens when you maneuver your arm to glance the time, and dims into a black and white power-saving status as your arm goes back to its usual position. Quietly, the gyroscope and accelerometer work in unison detecting your every movement, counting steps and determining position. This sense of overwhelming connection is continued in the software: the watch just knows what you are up to. Most of this almost intimate knowledge of you is based on Google Now, which since its release two years ago, has been the spotlight of digital assistants. Google Now lives in the Android smartphone, and connects seamlessly to the G Watch. It tracks your searches, your YouTube activity, your interests, your location at various times of the day to weld a lurid picture of your life. Using this web of information, Google Now pushes information cards to the watch that it deems useful to you. The result is a constant stream of relevant information at the right time, such as traffic details to school at 7:40 AM or the weather at 6:00 AM, displayed on the watch. Of course, like any assistant, Google Now is not infallible. Foremost, the very design of how Android interacts with the user in a watch poses a unique inconvenience. Most inputs to the G Watch are based on voice recognition, which at a glance, sounds like things of the future. Indeed it is a thing of the future, and still will be a thing of the future for a few more years. Voice recognition is actually more accurate than one would expect, only confusing a few words in moderately noisy environments. However, the biggest issue of voice input, aside from the ghastly awkwardness of talking into a black rectangle, is simply the monumental pool of wisdom required to recognize speech. The watch relies on a constant internet connection with Google to obtain data and decipher inputs. However, due to various controversial local concerns, the watch can't always connect with Google, and therefore can't always "know" your inputs. The state of the internet seizures where we live also means Google Now is functionally depleted, often displaying error messages, such as "Disconnected", when attempting to refresh the weather. Most of Google's services crucial to the watch, such as Google+ and Google Keep, simply become decoration. At this point, the watch ceases to be in the know, and transforms into an expensive and tragically overpriced accessory, awaiting the future to provide emancipation to knowledge. We reside within a context that is hostile to the very presence of knowledge. Certainly, knowledge is a powerful thing, keeping the G Watch in the know, and silently powering the G Watch, allowing it to recognize what it can do to its owner. Knowledge fuels every aspect of the G Watch, be it the intimate knowledge of its location and presence, the sizable dictionary that powers its voice recognition, or the limitless information sourced from the internet. Knowledge also makes the G Watch truly infinite a powerful tool to interact, discover and enjoy. Perhaps it is simply the power of knowledge, the power of criticism and the power of innovation that intimidates some. The restriction of knowledge deals a heavy blow to the functionality of the G Watch, perhaps exposing the biggest flaw of knowledge itself: in a world where one cannot seize the know, restrictions bewilder, raze, and pillage, sending potent and often times benevolent ideas to their graves. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 22 TECHNOLOGY MEG Written by Jeffrey Fu In this era of the smartphone, seizing the day, putting it in your pocket, and sending it to your friends over WeChat has never been easier. 8 megapixels. 16 megapixels. 41 megapixels. Pixels are the building blocks of pictures, the minute squares that together form the picture. A megapixel is one million of these pixels. When we graduate from SHSID, grow old, and rock in our chairs, these precious pictures will be our most treasured memories, recorded in megapixels. However, any wellversed smartphone geek could probably tell you: great megapixel counts do not the great camera make. The true deciding factors of the quality of a smartphone camera are the sensor and the image processor. rarely reveal the specifications of their camera sensors, but when they tout an insane megapixel count, be cautious! Caution: the below information is greatly simplified The image processor is what determines the time between your pressing of the capture button and the actual capture of the moment. Weak image processors may lead to long delays and blurred results, hardly an acceptable performance when it comes to preserving memories forever. The software loaded in the image processor is also a determinant of the final result. Light, when captured, is first converted into digital data, before the image processing software converts it back into the image your eye sees. This translation of data into light depends on the camera designer’s judgment, as different cameras process the interpretation of color, sharpness, and shadows uniquely. The sensor is the magical eye that captures that beautiful sunset, or the chicken crossing the road, or the shock on your friends’ faces when you dump a bucket of ice water on them. In general, the larger the sensor, the more pixels can be fitted on the sensor, and the more light can be collected. That means more vividly preserving that rosy light, that flash of white, that splash of blue. However, cramming more pixels onto the sensor actually increases the noise, the graininess of the photo, because the same amount of light was captured, but is divided into more pixels. Modern smartphone manufacturers often exploit the intimidation factor of numbers when they proudly declare the new roof-busting number of megapixels in their camera, but fail to increase the sensor size to match the new number of megapixels. The end result is a very large, but very grainy picture. Smartphone companies But how many megapixels is enough? Consider the following. The biggest screens around, 4K TVs, only have around 8 megapixels. The Time magazine (the original Time magazine, not SHSID Times) used for its November 2012 cover a picture taken by the 8-megapixel iPhone 4S. People in both Canon and Nikon have pointed out that for A4 sized papers, 5 megapixels is a sufficiently high resolution. Moreover, the more megapixels each photo is, the more storage space it takes up on your phone. Those megabytes really bite when you have a year’s worth of high-resolution (but not necessarily high quality) photos all stored. So in the future when you hear an advertisement about the amazing hundred-megapixel smartphone camera that is sure to come, smile and search for more modest megapixel phones with better camera sensors and image processors. 23 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 TECHNOLOGY GAPIXELS FOR MOMENTS PHOTO TAKEN BY MARK WU SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 24 Venus Written by Chloe Tan The skies they were vivid and bright As the stars pointed to morn As the moonlight hinted of morn It was day when my maiden betrayed And my lustre heart was torn My seraphic sinner betrayed As my sound sanity was torn It was night when my maiden was sleeping And I kissed her heart goodbye When I kissed her spirit goodbye My maiden was silently screaming When I cured her and made her mine PHOTO BY CELINE SUNG LITERATURE The skies they were ashen and grayed The trees they were leaden and sere The trees they were senescent and sere It was day when nature portrayed My maiden hanging here Not one shall disturb the marais Of my maiden hanging here It was night when my maiden ceased breathing For the lingering illness has past For the pandemic and pain has past The cancer that is called living My maiden was cured of at last GRADIENT Written by Sabrina Chen flowering buds. fragile existence with only valediction tears falling, falling, drip, pool, each dissonant. clear to pink,the stained then steeped turn to lycoris billowing, descending, spiraling, into 25 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 PHOTO BY VICKY CHAN LITERATURE 活着 作者：毛春嘉 如往常一样，罗纳德在早上 飞快似乎迫切地想要逃离那已经 被不可控制地侵蚀、陨灭。时间 快要翻涌到他们头顶上的浓厚乌 与空间不停地扭曲旋转着，自我 六点准时出门。 云。到处可见的排列整齐的特 变得如此的渺小，如此的微不足 他身穿宽松的灰色西装， 警，脚步统一，面部僵硬毫无表 道。就在那一刹那间，他突然意 衣服已经三天没有洗了，灰尘和 情，给这城市带来灰色的安全 识到这并非只是一种幻觉，也是 汗渍早已融为一体。他走到他所 感。罗纳德抬眼看看大厦，天空 现实生活的一种存在。他被这真 住的那一层的角落，手边是一张 已经被大厦挤压成一小块灰色的 实的幻觉吓坏了，紧忙从口袋里 熟悉的画报，沿着昏暗的通道， 有褶皱的布，而那些儿拔地而起 随便挑出一颗药丸，慌忙吞了下 他走下了积了一层厚灰的台阶。 的大厦，都有要穿破天空的劲 去。很快，刚刚的恐慌犹如昨夜 这楼梯直通向一个勺形的小弄 头，穿梭在这中间的人群，就像 的一场噩梦已然被清晨的阳光温 堂，那里面只住了两户人家。左 卑劣的爬虫试图在皮鞋下四处冲 柔地抹平，脑海中什么都没有 边的那一户是一位单身母亲，听 撞，寻找苟延残喘、奄奄一息的 了。 说她已经精神错乱很久了，他唯 希望。 他继续走着，过了二十分 一的儿子也因为无法忍受她而毅 路边本来是架有一个张贴 钟，在路过了无数大同小异的 然决定去当兵。虽然那位单身母 亲鲜少出门，但是路过这个弄堂 着中秋月饼的广告牌，现如今已 摩天大楼后，他最终在一座小办 的人们总能听见从那里发出来嗤 经改成路灯，美其名曰是为了道 公楼门前停了下来。他走进去， 嗤的笑声，时断时续。而住在对 路，实则是为了建一个隐藏在路 对自己最好的朋友微微一笑，便 面的是一个沉迷于网络的叛逆少 灯里的秘密摄像头，窥视着整个 径然走进办公室。办公室墙面上 年，这两个月来，没人看见过他 城区所有的变动。罗纳德看着身 的总统候选人文根的画报早已撤 出门，门口红色的地毯显得格外 旁的玻璃，其反射出他的身影， 下，墙后的裂痕和老鼠居住过的 神色狰狞，他身后的背景是由一 痕迹一览无遗。 醒目。 栋栋大厦的黑白条纹和神色匆匆 他打开电脑，看到了熟悉的 罗纳德走出弄堂，踏进这 路人留下来的一道道黑影所组 个城市最繁华的地方。马路上， 成的复杂纹理。在他梗着脖子试 画面：纯黑色的背景下有两个加 上班族们皆神色紧张凝固，走得 图去看清这纹理的过程中，逐渐 大的粗体词：活着。 IMAGE FROM BAIDU SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 26 LITERATURE 蒲 公 英 一摇一摆 合着风的节拍 藏匿于绿的屏障 一星一点 如浮沉陨落 飘然而去 作者：姚劭美 忽闪忽烁 飘扬于柔光下 迷失于流风中 若隐若现 似落花流水 倔强地浮现 若即若离 任风游离 而自定落根处 ROM EF IMAG SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 .COM SHSID|TIMES NIPIC 27 LITERATURE G N I C N E A D ARC F Written by Wendy Fan They say it’s Pronounced carpay Dee-um reminds me of crustacean catalogs, stubby eyes accusing, a dead forceps’s failed grasp; “Seize!” and the crab shakes my hand, we dancing, the mock turtle’s trajectory waltz: square roots of life in triangular steps “we are born to clasp hands”! Born to grasp his And her hands, they laughtheir feet churn dust like eggbeaters, and clouds rain pride on, their crowns hands shimmying to his and her own pretty tune, they seize, each otherthe dance, fearless plights and regretless, no days before yesterday the Gryphon beckons BUT, I don’t, know how to dance? He had an awkward smile; the pretty man steps in, and onto my toes, it hurts so we sit down and cry And the Dance breaks Into five skinny lines and we are left holding hands. We lie, on the curb, the unseen footsteps punish our waterlines with “what ifs” “if only-s” and “only if-s”; Come back! She pleads, finally sitting up from concrete bowels of a city, long gone and people moving, on, on, on to sidewalk squatters with bruised toes—wear socks next time, it’s o.k. dance Dance, blue appendage They’re off to tomorrow to Days after tomorrow’s tomorrow, leaving footsteps dipped, in tomorrow’s Tempo not other, tuneless yesterdays SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES I DEN CU N BY E RATIO ILLUST 28 LITERATURE To Hayley Written By Ashley Wu IMAGE BY ASHLEY WU One by one, the guests had departed in their grim suits and thin gloves of mock sophistication. Desperate to save their got-done hair from the pour of rain, they had leapt into their identical little cars and said goodbye from their seats, leaving our poor mother waving by the concrete curb. They don’t understand, and they never will. They’re not like you; I know you would’ve wanted it to rain, and you would’ve tittered at how cliché it was—a gloomy drizzle at a funeral. It’s almost magical. We didn’t have an after dinner. The other deathly ceremonies were enough to pay for, and besides, none of these people really deserved a meal in your name. Distant relatives who never cared for you showed up, muttering distasteful complaints about you even now. Those you’d once called your friends had the decency to stay away; I expect them to be flossing their gleaming white fangs in a mall somewhere. Mother left last, with Aunt Laurie. She’d told me that she couldn’t stand to stay in this field any longer, especially since you’ve become a part of it now…but I could. I kissed her on her pale cheek, and I could feel the wrin- 29 SHSID|TIMES kles around her temples, miniature valleys creased by nights of weeping. The last of the raindrops were now cradled by leaves and flower petals, so I sat and settled at the damp ground, alone, just outside of the cemetery gate, left in the dust of leaving cars and you. It was the evening before you went missing. “Hayley,” I called from the kitchen counter. I guess I’d always been a brother more protective than most; at least ever since I noticed that I had a sister who needed one. You stepped out of your room, the hideaway you resorted to everyday after school, and revealed your tear-streaked face.“Tell me what happened.” “Life is a marvelous thing, Hunter,” you told me instead, after a brief hesitation, with a smile almost as brave as your voice, “I am marveled too much by it to give it up for a few snarks.” Silence. I didn’t know what to say, and I never found the words that would’ve SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 possibly made a difference. I rose and strode over quietly with the attempt to reassure you with a hug, but you tensed in my embrace. “But Hunter…I’m thinking…I might be able to give this one up,” you whispered suddenly and barely audibly, and I would be lying if I said those words didn’t chill me. “This life for another. For a better one.” “Shh…it’s okay. You’re safe now.” Perhaps desperately, I held you closer. I felt the need to know that although your mind was dangerously drifting away, you were still solid in my arms. “You’re safe.” “Magic…I figured it out, Hunter,” and in saying so, you sounded less broken and I could hear a smile creeping back onto your lips, and in that moment that’s all that I thought had mattered. “I figured it all out. Magic—the real kind—will rescue me from this place, all these horrible people, and all these things they say…” “That’s right, Hayley. It’s all okay…” I recall murmuring, again, without fully comprehending what I LITERATURE was agreeing to. I was always aware that she still clung onto the idea of magic, the one that neighbors said was her way of understanding the world too cruel for her. But neither story was one I dared to invest belief in. “But of course, I’d miss Mother, and you, and the sunflower field…” Little had I known then that you treated yourself seriously, and that perhaps if I had, too, matters would’ve been different. As in, you wouldn’t have disappeared at around 10 a.m. the next day. As in, you wouldn’t have been found 52 hours later, floating in saltwater and engulfed in the shadow of the cliff you took your final, determined step from. As in, you wouldn’t have given up this life—and the brother who loved you so dearly—for the afterlife you fantasized about. When it comes to belief, there’s always the touchy subject of whether or not it is the truth. Is there a creator of the universe? Does a supreme being of all evil exist, taking responsibility for what darkness we see? Or, like you insisted, is there an unexplained force Did it take you where you wanted to go? that explains all, otherwise known as magic, driving life and reality forward? ILLUSTRATION BY DAVE KIM Did it take you where you wanted to go? I settled on not deciding. I figured it all out, Hayley, and I will settle on this: reality is defined by our own beliefs, therefore it varies with each one of us. There’s no point in trying to uniform our perceptions of the world; we are bound to see things differently, as how stars against the midnight sky form images unique to every new pair of eyes. another, better one. At least, in your magical reality, you’re where you wanted to be. I will settle on that. I dusted off my pant legs—the ground had dried at this point—and prepared for the long walk home. Goodbye, Hayley. “That foolish girl…I hear she gave up her life for an impossible fantasy of…magic!…She was so young…” “She lived in her confusion and finally died for it…” They can keep grumbling because you, with your shining gaze, saw beauty and magic that most chose to ignore–me included. While you lived, you twirled amongst the spring firstblooms to your own unheard tune, as if nothing bothered you. Yet that was a lie. You knew it. You then died not just believing but knowing that there was a life you were yet to be living, and you wanted to be part of it. “You believe what you see” is false as we know it; what we don’t know is that we won’t begin to see certain things until we believe in them. I don’t know what else you believed in, but I’ll respect that in your reality, you had, like you said, given up this life for PHOTO TAKEN BY ERICA JI SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 30 LITERATURE The Magic Box Written By Jerry Ding Research Log #53 It’s completed at last! PHOTO TAKEN BY ERICA JI After a decade of frustration, I’ve built an anti-chronological telephone (antitelephone). I combined the transmitter, receiver, and processor components together and sorted them out. The machine can only send one message before it fails, but I think we’d all agree that’s already very impressive. I’m surprised to even make it this far. Just five years ago, when I was still researching the causality and structure of time, a successful antitelephone only existed in my dreams. I was afraid I’d fail like the mad engineers ridiculed in the news. My acquaintances deserted me the moment I told them my aspirations, as if I were another madman. (I hope you all burn in the flames of hell! This antitelephone is the product my hard work alone; turns out I never needed any of you!) It is late. Tomorrow, I shall begin my first experiments and prove that my device is operational! 31 SHSID|TIMES Research Log #54w the design of my machine. Today I performed the experiments, and received the definitive proof I needed. This is a pivotal moment for mankind. The machine hummed all day, receiving research logs and metamessages such as “If you receive this, your future self’s experiment was a success…”or “My expectations will be completely blown if I receive this… ”Every experiment idea I could think of was done, and I was left with nothing to test. I am in awe. This device is like a magical box, churning out words that I both have and haven’t written. It unites the past, present and future. With my Magic Box, I can transcend time. I am the first person to do so. I am the inventor of the time machine. Perhaps the tale of me and the Magic Box shall become an everlasting legend. The moment I plugged the device in, I was greeted with dozens of messages. This was startling; I haven’t sent any messages through time yet. But I knew what happened once I opened the messages. The first message was “Hello world!”, followed by “Research Log #54”, a log praising the machine written in the same style as my logs. That author was undoubtedly my future self. He said he received a “Hello world!” message, and even mentioned sending the research log back in time as a second experiment—an idea I had long ago. Next was “Research Log #54b”, where another future version of me writes about receiving a message from his future self. He experimented with sending a message to a point in time before he received “Research Log #54”, and verified that it failed due to SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 Research Log #68f With this device, my productivity has increased ten-fold. I no longer have to sit at the development corner for hours, designing and worrying over petty issues. All our plans are ready to LITERATURE go. The Magic Box told me precisely what I needed to know to increase its transmission capacity. I can now send photographs and audio instead of mere text messages. One upgrade leads to the next. I received an incredibly detailed blueprint for a remote access add-on. Now I can receive messages on the go, and with a click of a button I can use the Magic Box. The Magic Box and I are now inseparable. Life is boring. Nothing surprises me. I never have to send a message, I can sit back and the Magic Box will tell me everything I need. Is this what omniscience feels like? People glorify the gods, but never speak of their boredom. Research Log #83q Research Log #100 It appears I have started conducting social experiments. On the road I receive descriptions of the sights I’ll see, and exact transcripts of the words I’ll hear. The same cars park by the road. Conversations with me flowed the same way every time as long as I answered them in the same way. How predicable people are! They are enslaved to time, sacks of chemicals that behave according to strict, exact rules. I am the chosen one. Time does not control me; I have tamed time. It is now my tool, a powerful weapon that is solely mine. I can use it to my advantage, guide my fate, and do whatever I want. I am but one instance of myself among infinitely many, spread across a continuum of parallel universes, accounting for the infinite possibilities in life. I possess the power to change the actions of others, but not my own. Perhaps that’s why they punish people with terrible luck: just for laughs. Even if they already know what will happen. I continue on in this leftover universe, along with the depleted Magic Box. Those copies of me who performed the first experiments must’ve learnt the truth long ago. I wonder they are doing now; I will never know with certainty. That past me who received my warning; I wonder how he will respond? He has yet to learn that his success is built upon the shoulders of future versions of him, and will continue to live on more ignorantly than any of them. ILLUSTRATION BY DAVE KIM I cannot escape consequence; I cannot escape cause and effect. A future version of me caught on my thoughts, and outlined another experiment for me. It’s a prediction of the stock market—ah, how clever of me. Research Log #99x To others, I am the one of the luckiest people in the world, making just the right investment decisions and winning lotteries several times. They can never see the world from my perspective. I know exactly which share to pick, which ticket to buy. I know exactly how greedy I can get and how often I should exact my plans before anyone becomes suspicious. I learn the exact point where it becomes boring and pointless to continue. In fact, continuing beyond attracts unnecessary attention. A truth no one but I can see. So I have nothing left to do. The Magic Box cannot annul this. Today, I pressed the button to send a message, expecting the universe to dissolve, undo my actions, and deposit me into a new universe while leaving me the satisfaction of completing them. It accomplished nothing, and now I am locked in a dark room, fearful of the unknown future. Perhaps I have long gone mad. My Magic Box may be nothing but a fantasy, my past years nothing but a hallucination. Time travel is impossible, and those who disagree are simply in denial over their fates. Perhaps the Magic Box is real. My messages were sent to a past version of myself separate from me, and SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 32 LITERATURE 关 于 那 些 未 完 成 的 事 徐丹怡 当你穿梭在人海中时，会 不会慢慢放松了警惕，因为人群悄 声无息地与你擦肩而过；你甚至都 不会抬起头，去在意周遭的事物。 你是不是从没有觉得自己很幸运， 偶尔还会抱怨生活的不顺利和天气 的糟糕。但你不知道的是，你拥有 的，是整个世界。 你应该承认，你的关心太少 了，你在意的范围太狭窄了，或者 说，你像南宁一样，只是一个在生 活中挣扎的卑微人物。那个没有风 的下午，南宁照例在下午最后一节 文学课后放空般地走在去宿舍的路 上，老师枯燥的声音让他疲倦，脑 子里一片空白，仿佛刚才上过的课 已经离他很遥远。就在那片空白里 的一瞬间，他的世界从此暗了。 当南宁在头痛中醒来时，先 听到了水滴的声音。他企图睁开眼 查看自己的处境，眼前却还是一片 黑暗。眼皮像是被黏上了般沉重， 他伸出手，颤抖的手指触碰到缠绕 在眼睛上的绷带，黑暗中传来尖锐 的刺痛。一扇门在这时被打开，他 终于意识到自己躺在医院的病床 上，他记起了那辆朝自己冲过来的 摩托车。 一个低沉但悦耳的男声在南 宁耳边响起：“你醒了，感觉好些 了吗？” 33 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 “我的眼睛……” “我们尽力了。车祸让你的 眼睛失明了。我明白这很难接受， 但你一定要逐渐适应。虽然看不见 了，但还是有很多方式可以接触你 周围的世界。你不是一个人。” 南宁没有回答，只是把头 转向了一边。他记得，小时候的他 一直以他的视力为豪，他想做一名 飞行员，因为他有优势。可是失明 意味着什么？他的飞行梦终结了， 那些他想读的书，他的学业，他 的独自旅行，他的那些未完成的 事，都在一瞬间倾塌。“为什么是 我……”，他在深夜时喃喃自语， 眼睛滚烫。 在医院的日子，南宁整天都 躺在病床上思考。从感到阳光照在 身上的时刻起，再到晚风拂过脖颈 的时候，他一直在后悔自己的不谨 慎。如果自己当时能注意到那辆摩 托车……可是生活没有如果。人们 在生活的齿轮下混沌地前进，南宁 终究只是其中一个渺小的部分；他 的遭遇，也是渺小的。时间淡化了 他心中难以发泄的恼怒，从眼球传 来的疼痛也不再剧烈，他年轻的生 命似乎就此尘埃落定。南宁，你就 是个一事无成的瞎子。他听到一个 声音如此说道。那坚定的声音就像 是南宁脑海里的留声机重复播放着 而每天都会准时响起的沙沙声却被 他忽略了。还有，那声音间断的次 LITERATURE 数在不断变多，间隔也逐渐加长。 就在他消沉了七天零八个小 时后，有人走进了他的病房。那时 南宁还沉浸在他的瞎子悲剧里难以 自拔，起初那陌生人走路时所发出 的沙沙声是如此细微不易被发觉， 直到那人终于停在南宁床前，才把 他从混沌里拉了回来。 “小伙子，我注意你一段时 间了。”一个沙哑的声音。 “……您是？”南宁没有反 应过来。 “我在医院打扫卫生。前段 时间扫地的时候看到你在哭。” 南宁尴尬地别过头去。 “你长得和我的小儿子很 像。他和你一样，很安静，什么事 都自己藏着不让别人知道。我们家 穷，所有的积蓄都用来供他上学， 他也很争气，我们全家都以他为 豪，可是，可是……”老人开始哽 咽。在慌忙中，南宁伸出手摸索 着，抓住了老人粗糙干燥却温暖的 手。 “就在他上课时晕倒后被送 到医院我们才知道他已经是重症肌 无力晚期，是不治之症。一个人就 这样慢慢变得很虚弱，不能动…… 到后来，他连书都拿不起来了…… 可是他却没闲着，开始叫镇上的孩 子到家里来给他们背诵他在课堂上 学的课文，教他们懂得欣赏知识， 还劝我把那些原来为他存的学费拿 来帮那些孩子上学……他咽气的时 候还在和我讨论怎么分摊他剩下来 的学费……”老人已泪流不止。他 就那样迷离地看着眼前被缠住双眼 的男孩，就像他儿子在家养病时那 样，总是一个人在夜里独自抹眼 泪。但是面对现在的这个男孩，他 要让他好好活着。 “……小伙子，你多大 了？”这是老人在许久后才憋出的 问题。 “今年刚大二。”南宁克制 着自己的哽咽。 “桥良走的时候也差不多你 这个年纪……” 南宁的嘴唇颤抖着。他何 曾想过要坚持下去。他甚至连坚持 下去的意思念头都没有。就在几分 钟之前他听说了一个与他年龄相仿 的男孩的故事。他没有意识到那么 一个平凡的清洁工的儿子的故事会 对自己造成什么样的影响，他只是 感到了一丝释然，在脑海里不断重 复的声音也在不知什么时候完全消 失。 此调侃自己。他开始想重新振作起 来了，他记起了他的那些未完成的 事，他更想替清洁工的小儿子骄傲 地活下去。即使不能有所大为，也 比不为来得好多。无力与黑暗不能 将他打败，他平庸的躯壳经得起打 磨。在离开医院前，南宁又拜访了 那位老人，他们笑着道别，南宁忘 不了老人干燥温暖的手。 往后的日子，南宁瞒着父 母回学校办了离校手续。他暂时不 想让他的父母为他担心。他知道 那个时候终究是会来的。书本再次 出现在了南宁平静的生活中，只是 这次，书桌上，地板上，都堆满了 各式各样的盲文字体的教学书。时 常在某个宁静的下午，他会坐在窗 边，手指轻抚着书上凸起的圆形文 字，嘴角轻轻上扬，然后就此定 格，时间仿佛不存在般的，就在恍 惚中他似乎看到，彼时的自己，独 自坐在一架纸飞机上冲向天空的另 一端。清风拂过，朝曦的温暖笼罩 着他。世界又在一片光明之中。 总是在那样安和的夜晚，晚 风吹动着书页，仿佛诉说者城市里 所发生的故事。 一股暖流涌进南宁的脑海， 或许那是对生活的热情吧，他如 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 34 WORLD EVENTS By Rachel Wang PHOTO FROM MICROSOFT The fertile farmland of Uganda's Kasese is one of the biggest banana growing areas in this east central African country. A group of landmine victims have formed a cooperative association to make rope out of banana fiber and sell it for a profit. After using water to soften the leaves, the members of the Kasese Landmine Survivors Association split them into small pieces depending on the color and the thickness of the rope they want to make. Once the banana fibers are weaved together, they sell it to various clients. The banana fiber project started two years ago, and since then the prices have almost doubled. Some workers can now earn $4 a day—in a country where nearly 40% of the population lived on less than $1.25 per day according to UNICEF in 2011. Wilson Bwambale, the coordinator for this non-profit Anti-Mines Network, says that the benefit to the workers isn't just cash, “the rope project brings them together." The Worldwide Growth in PHOTO FROM OURELEARNING.COM eLearning SHSID|TIMES On Tuesday, September 30, Microsoft announced its Windows 10 operating system in San Francisco. While the announcement was not a complete launch of the new system, Microsoft focused on the major changes between Windows 8 and Windows 10. These changes include the return of the Start Menu, which was removed in Windows 8, and multiple desktops, the ability to create and swap between different desktops. However, as the Windows 8 Start screen worked well for touchscreen tablets, Microsoft stated that the new Windows system will adapt automatically depending on the device used. Exact release dates have yet to be announced, but Windows 10 will probably see a full consumer release by 2015. Bananas plants give landmine victims a new way to life By Dochia Ting PHOTO FROM CNN World Event in 5 Minutes 35 Microsoft introduces Windows 10 By Jasmine Jiang A recent market report on eLearning, learning conducted by electronic media, revealed that there is a rapidly increasing demand for eLearning products. This high demand for eLearning products is predominant in Asia: seven out of ten countries with the highest growing demands for such products are in Asia. Some countries in Africa have also been exposed to the eLearning market, and have started to adopt the ways of eLearning. This global trend is due to the digitization of learning material, the launching of online learning sites, and the shortage of teachers. As stated by the report, “it is now possible to see the contours of a global eLearning ecosystem.” SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 PHOTOS FROM SINA.COM By Minji Suh The 2014 Asian Games WORLD EVENTS The 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, from September 19th to October 4th. During this time period, approximately 13000 athletes from 45 Asian nations and regions competed in 36 events, including swimming, soccer, baseball, and etc. One of the most popular contests in the Incheon Asian Games was the match between China’s Sun Yang and Korea’s Park Tae-hwan in By Grace Zhou PHOTO FROM CONDENAST.COM Nobel Prizes The Nobel Prizes are awarded each year to intellectual achievements that are considered to “have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind”. The prizes are awarded in six fields: economics, peace, literature, chemistry, physics, and physiology/medicine. This year, the Nobel Prize of peace was awarded to 17-year old Pakistani girl Malala Youzafzai, a female education activist, and Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights activist. The prize of economics went to Jean Tirole, who won for his work on market power and regulation of powerful firms. The Nobel Literature prize was given to French author Patrick Modiano for his works on the theme of memory, loss, and identity. The prize of physics went to Shuji Nakamura, Isamu Akasaki, and Hiroshi Amano for the invention of blue light-emitting diodes, which enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources”. The prize of physiology and medicine went to John O’Keefe and Norwegian couple May-Britt and Edvard Moser for the discovery of the brains “inner GPS”. Finally, the prize of Chemistry was given to Stefan Hell, William Moerner, and Eric Betzig for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. All the prizes will be handed out on Dec 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. men’s 200-meter freestyle race, in which Sun Yang won the silver medal and Park Tae-hwan the bronze medal. China had the largest team of 900 athletes and dominated the medal standings in the games. The closing ceremony was held on October 4 in Incheon Asia stadium, where the Asian Games flag was transferred to the next venue: Jakarta, Indonesia. UK Universities Fall in World Rankings By Kyra Chong PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA This year, a falling trend seems to exist for UK universities among the world rankings. Only ten of the twelve UK universities that were in the top 100 of the international league tables last year are still there. Apart from Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, Durham, and University College London, quite a number of top universities fell in its rankings. According to BBC, Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education rankings, and Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group of leading universities, investment in education is needed in order for the universities to maintain their positions. Leading Asian universities have billions being pumped into their research-intensive higher education, which is starting to pay off. If the UK does not start to see the importance of investing in their higher education to achieve growth, they will be outmaneuvered by other countries that do. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 36 LIFESTYLE MIDI Music Festival Written By Darren Sung If you’re free and you want to party, or simply want to enjoy some good music, then the Midi Festival is your place to be. The semi-annual Midi Music Festival returned to Shanghai for an amazing three-day performance starting October 1st and ending October 3rd. With a total of 9 stages and more than 200 artists, the all-day Midi Festival is a series of breath-taking performances that will blow you off your feet. The Midi Music Festival started out in the year 2000 as a show case event for the students of Beijing Midi School of Music, but quickly became a huge event for Chinese alternative and rock bands to play live at. Starting in 2004, the Midi Festival has been held in public parks and other open-air venues, and has been a role model for other music festivals to be held in the future. Now, the Midi Festival is held many times a year in Beijing, Shanghai, and many other cities. Although known as a rock and alternative stage, there are many traditional performances like 《情探－阳 告》which is a Cambodian show involving cultural dancing and singing. In addition, the Midi Festival holds a stage just for children, so audiences can not only enjoy the performances of adults, but also those of determined youngsters. Bands by teenagers including 指人儿 and 火精灵 have members with an average age of 13. Although they may not be as experienced as the poppy DJs or the wild rockers, they bring what they have to the table, and are just as entertaining as any of the other groups. But the most exciting performances aren’t held by those that showcase only one musical style, but by those 37 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 that mix and match different genres. These genres range from traditional and folk music from the Song and Tang dynasties, to the heavy metal and dubstep of the modern era. The fusion between these types of music is completely fresh out of the pot, and generally enjoyable. There are two types of tickets available for audiences. The first is ¥150 for a one-day entry. The second, designed for ambitious music lovers who strive to experience the performances of all 200 artists, is ¥350 for three days. The three-day ticket, though, requires that you camp in the area overnight, and be constantly enveloped in music. The morning is usually intended for the teenage bands and the traditional performances, while the afternoon is left for rock, heavy metal, and alternative artists. For night visitors, the Midi Festival has prepared many unique and animalistic DJs to bring your favorite night club out under the stars, including DEXTER, Subject Zero, Chris Jobs, and Shanghai Ultra. But keep in mind, if you want to leave some memories or buy some souvenirs, you should bring lots of money, as all sorts of gifts, ranging from imprinted blankets to traditional grass shoes, are sold on site. If you’re visiting, you definitely won’t want to miss out on this chance! The Midi Festival is held every year in May (1~3) and October. If you’re free and you want to party, or simply want to enjoy some good music, then the Midi Festival is your place to be. It’s definitely worth the while, memorable, and most importantly, lots of fun! LIFESTYLE PHOTO FROM GARYDWYERPHOTOGRAPHY The History of Carpe Diem Written By Wendy Fan “Carpe diem” is a Latin aphorism originating from Horace’s first book of lyric poems, Odes. The original line, line eleven, “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero”, translates to “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the future”. In Latin, carpe is the second person present active form of carpo, meaning “to pick, pluck, pluck off, cull, crop, gather” according to Charlton Lewis’ An Elementary Latin Dictionary. While dies, meaning day, is in the accusative case: diem. Together, “carpe diem” translates to “pluck the day” or “enjoy the day”, but is commonly transcribed colloquially as “seize the day”. As popular as “carpe diem” is now, as a catchphrase or motto, the word went through a period of disuse until Lord Byron integrated the phrase back to Modern English. In his Letters written in 1817, published in 1830 by Thomas Moore, carpe diem is included in “I never anticipate, —carpe diem— the past at least is one’s own, which is one reason for making sure of the present.” Although this inclusion brought the aphorism to light, “carpe diem” was ultimately popularized and sent into mainstream culture by 1989 film Dead Poets Society. The film achieved critical acclaim, winning an Academy Award and other prestigious nominations. One of the most famous lines in the movie immortalizes the phrase, when English teacher John Keating, portrayed by Robin Williams, urges his students: “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary”. Together with the film, “carpe diem” inspired millions and future generations. Although today, it may just seem like the more sophisticated way of saying “YOLO” (“you only live once”), the aphorism has nothing to do with justifying reckless behavior. “Carpe diem” is more inclined towards working hard for a fulfilling day and life while the teenage cultural connotation has “yolo” more as a denial for handling responsibilities. Since the concept of making the most of one’s day is not a foreign concept in most cultures, “carpe diem” has evolved to take on personal definitions for every individual. Instead of a “yolo” mantra, why and how should one “seize the day”? In Shakespeare’s collection of poems, “Carpe Diem” makes an appearance. It is also included in Twelfth Night, Act Two, Scene Three, where the Clown, also bard, sings a tale for three lords who choose “a long song” over a “song of good life” (cautionary tale). Here, “carpe diem” can be as simple as enjoying the “present laughter”. Spending a day in pursuit of “true-love” seems to be as fruitful and fulfilling a day can be. “O Mistress mine, where are you roaming? O stay and hear! your true-love’s coming That can sing both high and low; Trip no further, pretty sweeting, Journeys end in lovers’ meeting— Every wise man’s son doth know. IMAGE FROM WIKIPAINTINGS What is love? ’tis not hereafter; Present mirth hath present laughter; What’s to come is still unsure: In delay there lies no plenty,— Then come kiss me, Sweet-and-twenty, Youth’s a stuff ill not endure.” SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 38 LIFESTYLE Slightly more existential than Shakespeare, popular band Green Day questions why we “seize the day”. To “celebrate”, to learn, to “die”? It seems that in the current age, “carpe diem” has become a “battle cry” or empty motto people live by. The real essence of having a fulfilling lifetime for even just a day seems unreachable. How many, or how few, actually realize the goal of celebrating, “living”, “killing”, “forgiving” what they have in mind? “Carpe Diem” questions the mindless trend of many for following “carpe diem”: it doesn’t provide an answer. “Gonna seize the day Bottle rockets and celebrate, celebrate, celebrate Carpe diem, a battle cry Are we all too young to die? Ask a reason and no reply Are we all too young to die? Making a living Making a killing What's worth forgiving? Alright” “Youth isn’t wasted on children. They enjoy every minute of it. If your life is too predictable, don’t go postal. Take a ridiculous ride back to whatever it was that gave you joy as child…” – Nick Vujicic, Life Without Limits. People often relate youth to a carefree and irresponsible period of their life, thus the saying “youth is wasted on the young.” But Nick Vujicic argues that it is the youthful that ultimately seize the day during play. Playing, Vujicic elaborates in his book, is not only an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but also the easiest way to have a fulfilling life. Nick Vujicic, a man with no limbs, inspires thousands in his inspirational seminars. He believes having a fulfilling life isn’t necessarily related to being irresponsible. Plucking the day can be as easy as focusing on a single task. “Take a ridiculous ride back”! “Throwbacks” don’t just exist in photographs and long forgotten inside jokes, it can be part of the present. Have fun seizing the day, and Vujicic sees no problem with jumping on the bed while you’re at it. Although the word “Carpe diem” may be in Latin, thousands of years old, and hard to pronounce, it’s still definitely a worthy goal to aspire to. Before you chant carpe diem (pronounced correctly, of course), think why and how. 39 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 LIFESTYLE The Trick Behind Trick Art Written By Jasmine Jiang Trick art challenges the way you see the world, defies your perspectives, and brings you much amusement. Walking on the ceiling. Being five times larger than your friend. Sitting in a vault of money. Tiptoeing on the edge of a balcony of a one hundred-story building. Shaking hands with Obama. Yes. All of this can be done, and—wait for it—it can all be done at one single place, the 3D Art Museum in Shanghai. This museum presents the quintessence of trick art, an exciting and intriguing form of art. This increasingly popular type of art has already been displayed in numerous trick art museums all over the world, from Japan to the US, even though being relatively new. Lyndsey Chung from 9(9) remarked that, “It was intriguing and creativity when I found out the paintings there were actually 2D art, when I thought they were 3D from pictures prior to my trip.” Even if the name of the 3D Art Museum in Shanghai may suggest that the museum consists of real 3D objects, it is nothing of the sort. In reality, most of what is in the museum are 2D wall paintings that play with perception, which is known as trick art. Trick art creates the illusion that the objects of the paintings are physically there and are not just two-dimensional images. Human beings have the natural instinct of wanting to perceive and judge things correctly. However, it is also habitual for the human brain to jump to certain conclusions and make assumptions based on our sensory stimulation, which can cause the brain to falsely make conclusions based on what we see. These psychological facts are exactly what trick art artists take advantage of to create sensory illusions, and cause us to perceive that a balcony of a one hundred-story building is physically there instead of it merely being a painting. Usually, the paintings require the visitor to pose next to it, so the 2D painting can be brought to the level of 3D art through comparison; therefore, challenging our perspectives as a 2D art transforms into a seemingly 3D painting. The Shanghai 3D Art Museum also features trick art that are not paintings, but rely on props. For example, the artwork “Monster’s Dinner” uses mirrors to generate the effect of a floating head on a plate. They work with the same general principle—using visual tricks to get the viewer to believe in something that defies our natural understanding of the world. According to the Takao Trick Art Museum of Japan, recent studies show that trick art causes changes in the brain “due to the excitement caused by the challenge to the basic human instinct of wanting to judge what is observed correctly,” causing it to be a truly brainstimulating and fascinating type of art. Successful trick art needs to look as real as possible in order to deceive the human eye into believing the 2D image is a 3D image. Needless to say, the shadowing of the art, the colors and the shapes have to be immaculate. The angling of the camera is also important if one wants to capture the essence of trick art in the photo; the Shanghai museum marks the best spot for capturing the photo using a sticker to mark the spot on the ground. Usually it involves much interaction with the visitors of the museum. One is able to capture a photo where one is handing a rose to a squirrel, meditating next to Naruto, or pretending to be in a painting. Trick art challenges the way you see the world, defies your perspectives, and brings you much amusement. It takes something supposedly flat and brings it to the next level, challenging the way viewers once saw the world. In addition, since trick art is so new, contemporary and not all over the Internet, it multiplies the fascination it brings to people. The gallery leaves Shanghai at the end of year, so do not miss your chance—bring your imagination and fascination and you will see a world behind art you have never been in contact with before. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 40 LIFESTYLE Pilates THE NEW FITNESS TREND written by jessie wang PHOTOS TAKEN BY MICHELLE LEE Pilates focuses mainly on the control of body movements, balance, coordination, toning, the building of muscles and breathing. Pilates requires people to do central, focused, and effective movements. Have you ever thought about toning up your body? Have you craved some effective exercises to help you do so? I believe a lot of us have. But maybe cardio exercises are too intense, or perhaps you don’t want to bulk up like a cardio bunny; and yoga is probably too slow, and takes longer time to see results. Then what is something in between that can tone your bodies without wearing you out too much? Pilates. 41 Pilates is a fitness system develSHSID|TIMES oped by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, and is practiced the most in the United Kingdom and the United States. Pilates focuses mainly on the control of body movements, balance, coordination, toning, the building of muscles and breathing. Pilates requires people to do central, focused, and effective movements. Just like yoga, it requires control in breathing—a balanced circulation of oxygenated blood to every part of the body. Many Pilates movements need people to hold theirs legs or arms up against gravity to really build the strength in their center cores—which Joseph Pilates called the ‘Powerhouse’. Only when the center cores are built up, can the abs and muscles really be revealed—remember, everyone has abs, it’s just being covered up with a surface of fat, and once the fat is burned and transferred to lean muscle, the abs underneath will be visible. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 If you’re convinced, and want to give Pilates a try, here are some basic Pilates moves that you can do. Swan prep is a great move for the beginners, and it highly resembles the Cobra position in yoga. To do this spinal stretch, you need to lay on your stomach with your arms close to the sides of your body, and start stretching your abs and lengthening your spine. Another move that is easy and super effective is called the ‘Hundred’. To do it, you just need to lie on your back and bring your knees close to your chests, and then lift up your head and shoulders and lengthen your arms and reach towards your knees with controlled strength. Both of these exercises engage your entire body and put almost all your muscles at work—they help build up your abs, lengthen your spine, tone up your arms and your legs and strengthen your shoulders. If you just want to target a specific area in your LIFESTYLE Who doesn’t want a healthy body that is fit and lean? bodies, here are a few options: Single and double leg stretches for your legs, the bridge pose for your lower backs, the hamstring kickbacks for your thighs and waists, plank for your legs and your center cores. There are so many different Pilates moves you can do to target every part of your body and shape them into healthy forms. Who doesn’t want a healthy body that is fit and lean? But there are positive ways to achieve it, and negative ones, too. So many people try to lose weight or try to get leaner bodies by starving themselves, or forcing themselves to throw up after eating. Some others just whine and cry and complain about their body shapes all day without doing anything about them. These are all very negative actions and attitudes. Pilates, on the other hand, is a positive way to achieve a healthy body. You have to work for it, put effort into it, stay strong and have belief throughout the exercises. In the end, you will get the healthy body that you deserve. Not by starving yourselves or with endless complaints, but by hard work and positive attitudes. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 42 LIFESTYLE From Toprock to Power Moves; Dance to Culture: Written By Dave Zhang Ever since hip-hop originated in Bronx, New York, American culture underwent a great revolution much like that of the jazz scene fifty years ago. The first b-boys and b-girls were not actually called b-boys and b-girls; breakdancing hadn’t been invented yet, and they were all just kids at a party. Today, hip-hop and breaking (slang for breakdancing) is a multi-million dollar industry spanning the entire globe, with b-boys and b-girls gathering periodically at major dance conventions. The kids at that party are now in their fifties and would be proud about the evolution of hip-hop culture. Picture this: it is the mid-seventies, Grandmaster Flash scratching his turntables, Afrika Bambaataa writing lyrics for his inventive rap songs, and the Beastie Boys playing at every party in town. An outgoing adolescent with nothing else to do decides to join his friends at a party down the street. He walks inside and feels the beat of the record rocking away while everyone else is crowded around in a circle watching someone moving around on his hands and feet. This youngster in the circle is one of the few new-age dancers, later called breakdancers. Some time after breakdancing became popular in parties, breakdancers started incorporating moves from 43 SHSID|TIMES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 LIFESTYLE acrobatics and other forms of movement. Eventually, after taking creative liberties from different fields of art and dance, breakdancing evolved from a party dance into a whole new genre of dancing. Young people could watch Michael Jackson doing the moon- walk, see the neighborhood kids skipping rope on the sidewalk, take some tapdancing lessons on the side, and try to imitate these styles of movement for themselves. The result was a subgenre of breakdancing called “c-walk”, which was specifically focused on footwork; no hand movements, and little body movements. This allowed more people to build upon the foundation of c-walk, and invent new moves (most of which are popular today) like the shuffle, which was made popular in LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem. But the greatest change of all came from the acrobatic side of breakdancing. Breakdancers who were daring enough tried to incorporate highflying flips and spins into their move sets came up with all sorts of freezes, power moves, and groundwork variations. They started out with simple handstands, which quickly became popular as there were different ways to pose with a regular handstand after a dance routine. These became more inventive, spawning a whole other series named freezing. Today, we have simple freezes like the baby freeze (which is for babies, since it is so easy) to more advanced freezes like the air chair, where a breakdancer lifts himself up with only one hand. As for the kind of breakdancing often seen in commercials, it typically features power moves involving spinning around on a body part or flipping upside down to wow the crowd. These flashy moves were invented as b-boys played around with acrobatic tricks. They were instantly popular since they displayed a high level of expertise and required much practice to perfect. Old-school moves include the headspin, the windmill, and the flare. Popular moves today like the 1990/2000, the halo, and the air flare have taken their place, though old-school moves are just as admirable as these new ones. The main difference is the level of extremity that was brought into the game from acrobatics. These popular moves involve spinning on one’s hands more often than spinning on one’s head or back. Simply put, the moves that b-boys perform on TV now are much more extreme and power-straining than the headspins that old-school breakers did. The culture of breaking has diffused all over the world. The culture of breaking has diffused all over the world. Breakdancing conventions and competitions are held in many countries each year. Some of the biggest conventions are sponsored by companies like G-shock and Red Bull. Breakdancing is also becoming more common on reality TV shows that showcase dance like America’s Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance. Movies have been made revolving around the culture of breakdancing. Breakdancers who were daring enough tried to incorporate high-flying flips and spins into their move sets came up with all sorts of freezes, power moves, and groundwork variations. So you want to give breakdancing a shot? You want to be able to move like the b-boys and b-girls on TV? It could never be easier, with the help of video recording and the internet. Learning a new move is now as easy as watching a 5 minute tutorial video. And o n c e you get good at it, maybe you could be the one to bring in a new era of breakdancing. Just know that despite being a highly popular sport now, and that a stronger, faster, and more experienced breaker might be right around the corner waiting for a dance showdown, in the end it is the personality and the character that you bring to the scene that helps win the battles. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014 SHSID|TIMES 44 SHSID|TIMES September and October 2014 Follow SHSID|Times on Wechat by scanning the QR Code above. Shanghai High School International Division 400 Shang Zhong Road Shanghai, China 200231 Website: www.shsid.org