By Alexa Sy, Year 13

Sometimes I surprise myself.  

Far from the familiar elation that the end of the school year usually brings, my mood last June was unexpected and my sense of humor is still nowhere to be found. With less than two weeks until the close of the academic year, I found myself overridden with a surprising sense of melancholy. The aftermath of many months of revision and two seemingly endless weeks of exams was celebrated with two birthdays and a boodle, followed by a star studded evening made for us crazy fools who dream. However, despite my best efforts to settle into a summer holiday frame-of-mind, the exhaustion that came with constantly having to look forward uninvitingly decided to linger a bit longer, and, ready or not, I knew that the first of my many lasts had already begun.

Reflection was necessary. Soon, I realized that the past 13 summers were my reasons for all this unease. Every single one has seen me leave and return to the only school I have ever known; and while this August was no different, it was clear that this would be the last time during my student life that I was returning to my second home. As that idea set in, I was reminded of a favourite quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”  Whether it was Dr. Seuss or Gabriel García Márquez who first penned these words, I repeat them to myself now as if they were my own. In my last year of high school, I will refuse to only look forward, as the college-bound tend to do, and make a conscious choice to enjoy the here and now.

This year, although there will be deeper, darker IB demons to face, there is also

more cornflake chicken, quesadillas, and blue schlurp to be had, and, with some good luck, a few more Quizlet sessions and Kahoot dance parties to be enjoyed.  I will return to Mr. Cliff’s wonderful smelling classroom, with its wall of history memes, and soak up that scent that comforts and satisfies in the same way as when you press down on bubble wrap or hit a tennis ball dead center in the middle of your racket. I shall rant to Ms. Johnson and know that she won’t hold it against me, and poke fun at Mr. Bowen who most likely will.

I will dine with my family, the familiar faces whom I have sat with forever and watch in astonishment (and envy) as Mica consumes more rice than her small frame lets on. I will laugh as Max bursts into song  (#yabang #gwapo) , and smile when Ian takes the time to help us struggling psychology students grapple with Ms. Seed’s newest lesson. I will cherish the witty banter with my little friend.

As I walk through the corridors, past the nipa huts and make my way up to the common room, I will take note and remember all the faces I see along the way. I will hear the leaves blow in the wind and feel the cool air escaping from the clusters with the warm air pressing right up against it. And although I may still cry when it’s over, I promise to smile as it all unfolds.

By Gabby Uy, Year 10

People often talk about self-love like it’s some kind of magic bullet. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you. Believe in yourself and your dreams will come true. Love yourself first and maybe, just maybe, your two word-long Chemistry I.A. will write the rest of itself for you before the deadline at 11:59 p.m. tonight.

Now that’s all well and good, but what they don't tell you is that being comfortable in your own skin is hard - especially when that skin is an ugly amalgamation of eczema, Red Skin Syndrome and MRSA.

Long story short: In January 2015, my immune system decided that it wanted to attack absolutely everything and I conveniently became allergic to the things I loved most. My skin would burn and crack and flare like a stoplight every time I danced, swam or - God forbid - ate pizza, so I did what anyone would do when confronted with red on a highway: I stopped.

But the problem was that I didn’t stop loving ballet. It was how I had defined myself, what I had done for ten hours each week for ten years of my life. So in those first few months, I’d stretch as soon as I got home, do crunches in the bathroom and avoid gluten, dairy and half a million other allergens like the plague in the hopes of retaining my flexibility and dancing again as soon as possible. However, unlike pirouettes and grands jetés, there are things that can’t be fixed with steely determination alone - and my condition was one of them. Medicine only made things worse; at one point, I couldn't even smile or bend my arms without tearing skin. The healing cycle went one step forward, two steps back and after five long months of this, it finally dawned on me that there was no way I would be able to dance anytime soon... or ever again, for that matter.

So things got bad fast. I had given up everything - ballet, swimming, even chocolate - but the raw red welts on my arms still refused to leave. My frustration soured into resentment; I was angry at the universe for literally distorting my face beyond iPhoto recognition and angry at myself for not being able to pick myself up and dust myself off for a reason as stupid as being allergic to dust. I saw myself as a “had been” -  I had been a dancer, I had been a swimmer, I had been a baker and a painter and an avid pizza eater. Left with no visible aspirations or talents, I defined myself with self-deprecating sarcasm; I was what I could not do. And loving yourself is hard when you don't know what you're supposed to be loving.

I’ve always been an insecure person, so I was desperate to prove to the world that I hadn't let my illness take over my life the way it did my appearance. For all the wrong reasons, I ruthlessly threw myself into my studies, replacing late night choreography sessions with late night CrashCourse episodes and later, late night procrastination on a National History Day exhibit that ended up taking me halfway across the world. I stretched myself figuratively, by joining MUN and writing for Winston. Into these things I poured all of my energy and my rage, my ambition and my self-doubt - but ultimately, it wasn’t external validation that turned my life around.

Rather, what actually led to lasting happiness was the reignited fire of purpose and passion that had lain dormant ever since I last took off my pointe shoes. School became my True North and my anchor; it reconnected me with my past and pulled me ahead into the future. I was able to move on, if only in a different direction.

Sure, my life changed because I lost my flexibility and because I lost my speed in the pool - but more than that, it changed because I didn’t lose myself. Not my optimism, not my ambition and not even my Perfectionist Ballerina Grit. And this time, I’ve learned to accept my flaws, let go and live life to the fullest.

There are still rebound flare-up days when I look into the mirror and feel scared and frustrated all over again, so unless you’re looking for a dairy free granola recipe, I don’t have much advice on happiness. But I will tell you this, in case life hits you so hard you forget:

You’re not invincible - but that doesn’t mean you’re weak, either. I know I’m not.

You’re so much more than the sum of your shortcomings, or even your talents and achievements. I know I am.

Finally, your glass may be half empty, but it will always be yours for the filling. I know mine is - and I hope you do, too.

By: Piper Yu, 7NPA

Whether you're still in school or college or a graduate, braces have made their mark in the world as an extremely common and a very painful extra accessory that’s pretty much stuck in your mouth but for  an excellent outcome. If you have braces, you’ll definitely relate to a few of the things down below!

When you have nightmares about getting your braces the night before your appointment (or earlier).

That phase everyone goes through - especially if it’s your first appointment.

When you first get braces, your friends just keep making you show them to the point that it gets seriously annoying because multiple people ask you multiple times to open your mouth just so they can see your braces.

Please. They’re  just braces, a pain but no big deal. Stop making me open my mouth just to show you my braces. It’s really creepy…

When your friend whose teeth don’t require braces says they want them.

Trust me. You absolutely do not want braces.

Choosing colours for your braces was so HARD!

That feeling when your orthodontist presents you with like 20 different colors, and you have no idea which one to choose.

When you try using the wax they give you.

You decide that it’s ultimately time to use the wax because the metal from your braces is  too hard to bear, but then it doesn’t stay on for more than a minute.

If you have elastics, you never want to yawn or laugh too loudly.

When you just can’t open your mouth too widely as the elastics might snap - I totally understand.

The time you tried to avoid taking off your elastics while eating.

Those times.

The time you wanted to drag the person who said, “You don’t need braces! Your teeth are already straight.” to your mom or dad to convince them you didn’t need braces.

You’re not alone. I totally understand your pain when that happens.

The time you couldn’t eat candy during Halloween.

When you decide to eat candy on Halloween, and it was  either really crunchy and made your teeth ache for eternity, or was really sticky and made you spend ages trying to get it out of your braces.

When you have to miss out on ice cream cake because your braces just hurt way too much.

Sad, sad.

Trying to get the particles of food out of your braces.

Furiously trying to get food out of those braces 12/7

by: Xiying Tham, Year 7

Panicking over Valentine’s Day gifts for your friends? Don’t fret - here are a list of creative gift ideas that your buddy would love!

1.Valentine’s Day Pepero

These adorable snacks are sure to make you and your friend smile! Everyone loves Pepero, but the Valentine’s Day editions comes with a different pick-up line for each flavour. With lovable characters on the box saying lines like ‘you’re beary cute’ and ‘I’m nuts about you’, this is definitely a cute snack that you can both share!

2. Customised Brownies

Sure, chocolate is always a ‘yes’ during Valentine's day, but you can make and decorate your own brownies, giving them a touch of dedication and personalisation. Get a heart shape box and place your brownies in! And if you can’t find an empty heart shaped box, you could always buy a box of chocolates and eat them for yourself to free up some space ;) Check out our pick for an easy brownie recipe!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vik5nUga_6w

3. Heart-shaped picks

If your friend loves to play the guitar or ukelele, this is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for them. Cute and functional, this is a meaningful gift for the musician in your life!

4. DIY exploding Valentine's Day card

This DIY is so much fun to make, and though it’s a little time-consuming, it’s definitely worth it. We’ll say no more. Check out this video to find out how to make a card with (literally) explosive impact!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxQG60hu94

5. Rose Origami

Finally, sometimes simplicity always wins. This origami is so easy and fun to make, and it’s a guaranteed way to make your friends smile!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm_4hFPFAOU

Have a great Valentine’s day everyone!

By Gabby Uy, Year 10

What does it mean to be Chinese?

Ask the movies and they’ll tell you that we like maths. We’re quiet, we’re good with chopsticks and we speak in rapid incomprehensible gibberish. Ask me, someone who is 100% Chinese by blood, and I probably won’t give you a much better answer: while I can be fairly quiet, maths is one of my weaker subjects, I have terrible chopstick etiquette and my mastery of Hokkien is limited to a smattering of numbers and the ability to tell when my parents are angry at me. However, I can understand Tagalog just fine and have lived in Manila all my life. Throw globalisation, pop culture and an international school into the mix and you get an amalgamation of conflicting identities, as well as a whole lotta confusion. Really, I have no answer for you.

So it’s pretty funny how a single sitcom can explore this contentiously complex question head-on, bring light to Hollywood’s pallid excuses for its lack of diversity and still leave viewers clutching their sides with laughter. I’m talking about Fresh Off the Boat - the ABC comedy based on the memoir of Taiwanese-American celebrity chef Eddie Huang. Released in February 2015, the series chronicles the daily struggles, triumphs and hilarious antics of the Huang family, who move to Orlando to pursue the proverbial American Dream.

To say that the show and its nearly all-Asian cast has been successful would be an understatement. Fresh Off the Boat has obtained over 4 million viewers worldwide, as well as a whopping 93% on Rotten Tomatoes as of 2017 - it’s relatable, it’s heartwarming and just plain funny. And I mean really, really funny. I’ve witnessed many a Chinese Polite Fight and Success Perm in my life and watching these inside jokes play out on television is like looking into a funhouse mirror - hilarious, personal and uniquely reflective. Casting directors often argue that Asians can’t be “bankable” stars, but as long as Fresh Off the Boat exists, we can be assured that this is far from the truth.

But the name itself is a bit of a political hot potato, so it’s no surprise that the show is one too - and its humour is where a lot of the controversy has arisen from. Critics have complained that while characters remain well-rounded, the show often blows up existing Asian stereotypes for the sake of comedy to the point where more sensitive viewers take offense. The perpetuation of typecasts can’t be good for Asians in Hollywood, or Asians anywhere else for that matter. In effect, the show runs the risk of furthering existing stigma - jokes are about exaggeration, but when this contradicts a pro-diversity message, you’ve got a problem. Should hard-earned digression from prejudice really be sacrificed for the sake of an inaccurate and hyperbolic portrayal?

However, the reason why the show isn’t representative of Asians worldwide is that it was never meant to be in the first place. It only aims to document one man’s experiences, not those of a community 4.5 billion people strong. Whether viewers believe that the show’s entire content is - or should even be - applicable to half the world’s population is entirely their choice.

And surprisingly, according to Huang, none of these “more sensitive viewers” are actually Asian. My Chinese peers and I, on the other hand, rejoiced at the airing of the pilot episode. Honestly, it isn’t hard to see why: Fresh Off the Boat is probably the most realistic portrayal we’ve had on mainstream television since… well, you get the idea.

Characters shatter the Asian cookie cutter mould - to quote the Guardian, “no one is characterized into neat stereotypes”. Jessica Huang is your typical Chinese tiger mom, but she enjoys mac n’ cheese and Denzel Washington movies. Yes, Emery values his grades, but he isn’t quiet or shy. Asian characters are three dimensional; they aren’t simply Extra #6 or the butt of the joke - yet they never forget their roots.

Ironically, a significant reason why the Chinese community has responded so enthusiastically is because of how uniquely relatable the allegedly racist cultural references are. Just like the Huangs, my parents expect good grades (B for bad!). Just like the Huangs, sibling rivalry is rampant in our family. And yes, just like the Huangs, we do take home the free hotel shampoo. Would I still relate to the show if none of the cultural clashes, none of the inside jokes and none of the common experiences existed? Probably not, because Fresh Off the Boat would simply be a comedy about a quintessentially “white” middle class family wearing Asian faces. To claim that cultural background is irrelevant would only be to perpetuate Hollywood’s diversity problem; your race shapes your upbringing, your lifestyle and your values, yet it does not define who you are or what you can or cannot do - and Fresh Off the Boat captures this perfectly.

At the end of the day, as Huang put it; “I want Asians in rollerblades, I want Asians in mountains, I want Asians flying planes and I want Asians driving garbage trucks. I want us to be viewed as whole people; not people who can only do this or only do that.” I’d like to think that we can do so without forsaking what it means to be Asian - whatever that might be to you.

by Gabby Uy, Year 10

As any bookworm knows, finding your newest escape from reality isn't always easy; you’ve read John Green more times than you can count and your copy of The Hunger Games has more dog ear than cover. Come on, put Harry Potter down already - here are five more under-the-radar books you absolutely have to read.

1. More Than This by Patrick Ness

Patrick Ness may have won his Carnegie Medal for A Monster Calls but this book is arguably just as deserving of an award. It begins with the “death” of the protagonist, who later wakes up perfectly healthy in a post-apocalyptic world with no memory of his past. If you like existential crises, science fiction and having your brains twisted into pretzels, then this is definitely the book for you. Seriously. My copy has dents from being dropped out of shock multiple times. 

2. Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs

By now, you’ve probably seen or read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, but even some of the most ardent fans of the series I know haven’t heard of the more elusive companion book released just this September. Tales of the Peculiar is a compilation of (usually gruesome) folktales about peculiars, who are sort of like the mutants in X-Men for those of you who haven’t read the series yet (shame on you). None of the stories are based off of any existing fairytales, which is what makes them so refreshing. This book is a perfect way to join the ever-growing fandom (and trust me, you want to). 

3. It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini 

Centred around the life of stressed overachiever Craig Gilner, It’s Kind of A Funny Story perfectly encapsulates the pressure to “succeed": to get ‘The Right Grades,’ to get into ‘The Right College,’ to get ‘The Right Job.’ While it does have some heavier topics, it balances these out with a hilariously self-deprecating tones - to quote Teen Vogue, this is “A book about depression that’s not the least bit depressing.”

4. Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

Horrorstör - a traditional haunted house story set in not a creaky old mansion but a furniture superstore - may be the lightest read on this list but it’s also one of the most original. Three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour night shift at the local Orsk branch, which presents the staff with broken bookshelves and smashed wardrobes every morning even though security cameras reveal nothing. As the name suggests, the novel is terrifying, despite the fact that it’s disguised as an innocent furniture catalog. Let’s just say that after reading this, you'll never want to step into Ikea at night again. It's a must-read if you like gore, dry humour, mystery and gore. Did I mention gore? 

5. Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Sleep will be lost - enter at your own risk! The Asylum series follows the story of Daniel Crawford who joins a summer programme at a college which was once known as Brookline Sanatorium, an asylum for the criminally insane. Brookline is strangely reminiscent of a more macabre Hogwarts: both have colourful histories, hidden secrets and of course, the occasional serial killer. The dialogue is amazingly witty and to top it all off, the novel is full of haunting (sorry not sorry) vintage photos. This is my personal favourite on this list and I would certainly recommend it for any of you horror movie junkies out there. 

Hopefully your shelves won’t seem so basic now. Happy reading! 

by Piper Yu, Year 7

Ever found your life close to unbearable because of the countless amount of things you have to do to finish a task? Well, I would like to introduce Life Hacks. Life Hacks are just a simple ways to shortcut life.. So here are 10 super easy, useful life hacks using things you will most likely have in your home.

Life Hack #1 

Switch your phone onto airplane mode to prevent ads from popping up when playing games. Or, when on a website, load your page then turn on airplane mode so you can still view your online page without the irritating ads 

Life Hack #2

Place Transparent glossy tape over your camera lens (whether on your phone or a real camera) to make the photo much, much clearer. You have no idea how much this helps in photography!

Life Hack #3

Setting your phone onto airplane mode enables it to charge faster when at a low battery. The same rule applies when using a power bank or a charger

Life Hack #4

If you are using your camera to take a photo and you want to focus on something but you keep switching angles, thus making the camera blurry over and over again, hold on the item you want the camera to focus onto for a long time and it will go onto AF lock which will focus on that certain item even if you move the angle of the camera. (Note: this works only on iPhones)

[Tip: If an item is on AF lock, pressing onto it for a while will remove the AF lock]

Life Hack #5

Putting your charger through paper clips attached to a table helps organize your chargers for different devices.

Life Hack #6

Tie a knot on your left earphone plug to prevent confusion between the left and right earphone. This will help you instantly know which one is left and which one is right.

Life Hack #7

You can use a graphite pencil to fix the zipper teeth by rubbing the pencil lead on it. Works like a charm!

Life Hack #8

Use accented letters for your passwords to make them harder for people to crack.

Life Hack #9

Use the sticky part of a post it note to run through your keyboard keys to collect crumbs and fluff between keyboard buttons.

By: Aleah Sia and Kimberly Tanchay Yr 12

From our spontaneous sing alongs to failed attempts at rapping, it’s quite hard to imagine life before Hamilton took over our music library. Taking home an outstanding 11 Tony Awards, it took the title of 2015’s best rap album- beating famous rappers such as Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Based on the life of America’s founding fathers, Hamilton shines amongst other broadway production with it’s racially diverse cast and unique storytelling. The Hamilton cast album blessed our ears with 46 beautifully written songs by Lin Manuel Miranda that it was near impossible just to pick 10 songs for our favourites.  

1. Nonstop

In ‘Nonstop’ , Lin Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. successfully portrayed  Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, both intelligent men and exceptional lawyers,  and how their personalities are completely different. It is no wonder they were both nominated for ‘Best Lead Actor in a Musical’ during the Tonys. This song successfully ended the first act in a flux, leaving us fans eager to watch/listen to act two. Filled with its catchy phrases , we could not have agreed more that this song deserved to be in first place.

2. The Schuyler Sisters

Amongst other songs in this album, this is probably the most fun to sing along with your friends. I cannot tell you how many times we scream out the lyrics to this song even during inappropriate moments. This head-bobbing catchy beat will get you shrieking “WORK!” faster than you’d realise. It has the perfect blend of Angelica’s killer rapping, Eliza’s beautiful voice and our spirit animal, Peggy.

3. Satisfied

Hands down, Renee Elise Goldsberry slayed in this song. Who would've thought Angelica Schuyler could rap like that?! Among the album, this song is the most overplayed, therefore, making us familiar with the rap lyrics. If anyone is under the situation where they are in love with someone they cannot be with, such as the Treasury Secretary of the United States, this song is worth listening to.

4. Alexander Hamilton

This song will forever have a special spot in our hearts as it was the first Hamilton song we’ve ever listened to that got us completely hooked. This is the perfect starting song to an amazing album that introduces the early life of Alexander Hamilton. With it’s great melody and amazing lyrics, you’ll completely forget you’re singing along to a song about one of America’s founding fathers.

5. My Shot

This song provides a perfect reminder to ‘Not throw our shot’ especially with all the opportunities we are surrounded with, today. Moreover, this songs perfectly sums up the thematic idea of the musical- Hamilton never giving up, Hamilton always craving for more , Hamilton never being satisfied. Listening to this song would just make you wish to be part of Hamilton’s squad.

6. Helpless

Cutest. Song. Ever. Can we all just take a moment to appreciate what a cinnamon roll Eliza is? Philippa Soo’s voice (original actress of Eliza) is a whole new level of angelic and this song really highlights that. Before all the heartbreak and sadness, this is one of the songs that will definitely brighten your mood. You can’t help but gush at Alexander sweet promise to Eliza that you really don’t blame the girl for falling head over heels for him.

7. Say No to This

FYI Maria Reynolds is played by the same actress as Peggy Schuyler. Who wouldve thought?! The racing music and intense conversation between Hamilton and Maria feels surreal that you may actually feel a hint of empathy towards Alexander and his mistakes. This song creates a perfect finale with Jasmine’s fantastic high-pitched note.

8. Yorktown (The World Turns Upside Down)

2 words, 6 syllables: HERCULES MULLIGAN! One of the most epic rap, in our opinion, throughout the whole album. Played with rock cellos and even a violin, this song covers America’s victory during the Revolutionary War against Britain. Educational and fun to rap? What more can you ask of a song?  

9. Guns and Ships

Stand aside rappers and try to  quickly rap about American history  in a French accent. Round of applause for Daveed Diggs show-stopping performance as Marquis de Lafayette. After months of non-stop listening, we can’t even perfect the rap. This perfectly explains a key moment in the Revolutionary War, that lead America to win, in the coolest and most fun way possible.

10. Wait For It

If there’s anything you learn from this song is that Leslie Odom Jr can definitely sing. This song introduces the idea of the ‘villain’ of the story as a much more complicated, sympathetic character that we can all root for.  One of my favourite lyrics from this album comes from this song. Burr is so right when he sings, “Death doesn’t discriminate, Between the sinners, And the saints, It takes and it takes and it takes.”