the common room.CHRIstmas 2012 edition

the gsisschoolnewspaper:by studentsfor students

editorialcontents

Francesca MaresCO-EDITOR

HOBBIES //reading, eating frozen yoghurt and hanging out with friends

Yunyi YuLAYOUT & DESIGN;VISUAL EDITOR

HOBBIES //reading, drawing, listening to music, playing table tennis

Yunming YuCO-EDITOR

HOBBIES //reading, drawing and listening to music

fun factsaboutchristmas

page 3

theorigin ofsantaclaus

page 4

thebig bangtheory

page 5

gadgetround-upof theyear

page 9

interviewwithhilary kwok

page 20

The once-blue summer sky is now a cloudy grey, and T-shirts are disappearing under a multitude of coats and jackets. Yes, winter has come, and with it is a brand-new issue of “The Common Room”. And just as the season has changed, just as the times and world have changed, the members of the newspaper team too have changed. Well, not really – some dedicated journalists have remained from last year, but the bulk of us are freshly recruited. Actually, we editors are also part of the fluctus novus (i.e. the new wave, shamelessly translated with a certain Google Translate). Pleased to meet you. We’ll become great friends, I’m sure.

This term, there are loads of new articles for you to read. Simply acres, you know, stretching out into the distance, hazy in the heat; flowers waiting to be seen, picked, smelt, admired. Most of them shine light on different facets of the Christmas-crystal to see which is most brilliant, though the conclusion is yours to make. For those tired of merry-making, however, they can turn their minds to the speculative articles concerning the Big Bang, and surprisingly more humorously, the end of the world, as well as other features about sports, fashion and even technology.

We suppose you’re wanting to get on with things, so we’ll bid you a friendly good-bye here. ‘Hope you enjoy reading this as much as we did making it!’ we call, waving, before we leave. Until next time, then!

Your editors,Francesca Mares, Y12CYunming Yu, Y12D

ARTICLETiffany LeungWRITER

HOBBIES //eating, sleeping, drawing, listening to music, YouTubing and Internetting

Of course, we have all seen theories, science-fiction stories and movies about the complete destruction of planet Earth, the most popular theory being the Mayan Prophecy, about the end of 2012. Most people don’t believe that the world will end then, including the writer of this article. It’s too unrealistic, some may say. Others may think this is simply a way to scare the living daylights out of people and to extract money from them by selling pointless products that are “guaranteed” to protect you from the end of the world.And just what does “world’s end” mean? Will the impending apocalypse totally annihilate humanity and all other living organisms? Is there absolutely no chance of survival for all species on this planet? Or does it simply mean that most of the human race will be wiped out, but not all, like the movie 2012?What about the ways the world will end? Will super-intelligent computers take over the world and crush our attempts at keeping them under control? Or will it be alien invasions? Climate change, natural disasters on a gigantic scale and global warming are a popular choice for the environmentalists among you. Maybe a giant meteorite will collide with the Earth on the 21st of December? Will we even realise that the world is ending if it does?Here is a classic example of how the world may end (according to popular entertainment):Your stereotypical fatal and contagious virus starts spreading among people due to a leak from a biochemistry laboratory, causing many people to become terminally ill and leading to a pandemic. Some people may start to develop resistance towards this virus, but

unfortunately it mutates and kills everybody within hours of exposureto the virus.For those of you who tend to think outside the box, who says that the world will end in a reasonable way? Here’s something slightly more bizarre:Many people become severely addicted to coffee. There is a devastating frost in Brazil that prevents coffee beans from growing. Being a large producer of coffee beans, demand for coffee will then outstrip supply and people die from withdrawal symptoms, and survivors will be tea drinkers and coffee haters. Not to be confused with natural selection.On a side note, there are those who say that the Mayans never actually made any prophecy in the first place. According to our incredibly reliable and beloved friend “Google”, the Mayans simply liked to make calendars, their last one ending on December the 21st of 2012. Which leads to another round of mental exercise… “Who made up that big fat lie?”

the end of theworld

trivia

Lauren NgWRITER

HOBBIES //reading, sleeping, writing, and thinking about cute baby hippopotamuses

Sophia SungWRITER

HOBBIES //hanging around with cats

Random facts• According to Canada Post, Santa’s home lies within Canadian jurisdiction in postal code H0H 0H0 (reference to “ho ho ho”)!• On December 23, 2008, Santa Clause was formally awarded Canadian Citizenship. Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism said that, “The Government of

Canada wishes Santa the very best in his Christmas Eve duties and wants to let him know that, as a Canadian citizen, he has the automatic right to re-enter Canada once his trip around the world is complete.”• In 2002 and 2005, Santa was ranked first in the Forbes Fiction 15 - a list that ranks the fifteen richest people in the realm of fiction.

Christmas carols• Do you know that if you received all the gifts listed in ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, you would receive 365 gifts! • Carols weren’t sung in churches until they were introduced by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century.• ‘Jingle Bells’ was originally written for Thanksgiving Day.• ‘Silent Night’ was written for a choir when the church organ broke down.Christmas trees• Christmas trees used to be decorated by consumable food such as apples, nuts or dates.• The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern Germany with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly the 15th century.•It takes an average of seven years to grow a Christmas tree to the average retail height (6-7 feet), but it can take as little as four or as many as 15.

Christmas food• Turkey is now recognised as the central component to a Christmas dinner, but did you know that people ate swans and boars before it became a traditional Christmas food?• Did you also know that a traditional Christmas dinner in early England comprised of the head of a pig? • Despite being considered unpleasant, right up until the Victorian times, brawn (meat from a pig’s head cooked and pressed in a pot with jelly), was considered to be a favourite Christmas delicacy!Interesting facts• The 26th of December is often referred to as Boxing Day. The name derives from the Christmas gifts or money for the poor that were put into church boxes at Christmas.• In 1647, the English Parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal.

ARTICLEAs a child I was gripped every year with terror, a terrible fear of bumping into Santa Claus as he delivered presents to my home. As much as I loved him for bringing me presents, I feared his massive belly, his snowy white beard and his deep chuckle with every fibre in my being. Little did I know then that Santa Claus wasn’t always depicted with a big red fluffy coat, driving a willing team of reindeer led by the infamous Rudolph.

From Turkey via Holland to AmericaIn fact, Santa Claus didn’t even speak English! The original Saint Nicholas lived in the late 4th century in south-western Turkey, and was a Bishop of Myra. He was the source of miracles featuring sailors and children in desperate need of saving, and after his death became famous for his charitable work. As a tribute to his memory, a feast day was held in his memory every December 6th.

Around the same time as when Nicholas was alive, Pope Julius I established Christmas as a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Over the years, the two came to be known as a pair, and Christmas Day came to feature Saint Nicholas as one of its figureheads. A tradition of welcoming him with candy, nuts and other items was born. However, as Protestant beliefs spread through Europe from the 16th century, the idea of Santa Claus became less popular in most countries apart from Holland where he was called “Sinterklaas”. Dutch

immigrants would bring this tradition to America where the name would be warped into Santa Claus.

Reindeers and Red CoatsIn 1810 the tradition was picked up by various American historical societies, who would hold feasts to celebrate the Dutch tradition. As for his trusty team of reindeer, they only came to exist through a poem called The Night Before Christmas by an anonymous writer in 1823. The author had allegedly heard that in Scandinavia reindeer were used to pull sleighs, and so merged them into his poem.

The 19th century brought about change for Santa Claus; he was featured in a series of comics where he was shown wearing different coloured outfits in purple, red, yellow or blue. What brought Santa to stardom, however, was Coca Cola. In the 1940s they used him frequently in popular ads showing him in his red coat with white fur lining enjoying their very own drink, Coca Cola. This is actually where his trademark colours come from, as Coca Cola’s brand colours are red and white.

So perhaps this Christmas, around your Christmas tree, you can tell your loved ones the true history and evolution of Saint Nick. I hope you have gleaned at least a fraction of knowledge from this article, as my parents have (repeatedly) told me “Knowledge is the greatest gift of all”. Merry Christmas everyone!

Melanie SchmeelkeWRITER

HOBBIES //reading, writing newspaper articles and short stories,and watching films

the origin of santa claus

From left: Saint Nicholas of Myra was the primary inspiration for the Christian figure Sinterklass who in turn was the Dutch figure whom Santa was derived from.

feature ARTICLE

Big Bang what?The big bang theory was first suggested in the 1920s, by a Belgian priest who theorised that the entire universe had started off as just one single atom, and was in fact continuously expanding. It was a revolutionary idea, and was at first greeted with much scepticism; even the name ‘Big Bang’ was coined by an astronomer who was, ironically, using the term to deride the theory. According to standard theory, the ‘single primordial atom’ from which spawned our Universe was in fact not an atom but something else entirely, and is known as a singularity. Singularities are one-dimensional points of infinite mass, infinite gravity and infinitely curved space-time, where the fabric of space-time itself ruptures and the laws of physics break down. This singularity would also have been infinitely hot, gradually cooling as it expanded to form the Universe as it exists today. Red-ShiftWhat other proof is there for the big bang theory, though? One of the main lines of evidence supporting the hypothesis is Edwin Hubble’s discovery of red-shift in 1929. Red-shift is an increase in the wavelength of spectral lines from a celestial object towards the red end of the spectrum; essentially, it is when light emitted from distant objects in space appears redder.

There are three possible explanations for this. Firstly, there could be gravitational red-shift, which is when energy is used to escape a strong gravitational field, such as that of a black hole. This reduces the energy of the light, causing a longer wavelength and making the light look red. A second explanation is due to motion; if an object is moving away, the light is red-shifted, whereas if an object is moving closer, it appears blue-shifted. The third explanation is the one most relevant to our topic, and is known as expansion red-shift. This is the idea that the effect is caused not by the movement of an object away from us, but by the actual expansion of space between the Earth and the object. A simplified view of the situation would be that as space expands between two objects, the light waves between them become ‘stretched’, resulting in a longer wavelength and therefore more red-shift, since red light has the longest wavelength of the visible spectrum.Evidence for an expanding universeBy analysing the red-shift of different galaxies with relation to their distance from the Earth and from each other, Hubble found that there was a linear relationship between the two, showing that the red-shifting of many galaxies was directly proportional to their distance from other celestial bodies. This means that the further away a galaxy is from us, the faster it

{an amateur’sexplanation of

big bangtheorybrought to you by a combination of Bo Yee Lee,Tiffany Leung, and copious amounts of Googling

In the beginning the

Universe was created.

This has made a lot of

people very

angry and been

widely regarded as a

bad move.

– Douglas Adams

And with that lovely quote and no con-text whatsoever, ladies and gentlemen, we present to you:

“

”

BoYee LeeWRITER

HOBBIES //eating, sleeping, surfing the Internet, and Phantom Nemo

an amateur’sexplanation of

big bangtheory

is moving away, and similarly that the further a galaxy is from another galaxy, the faster they move away from each other. Since the rate of acceleration is constant, we can infer that whatever is causing this movement is caused by the fabric of the universe itself. The only explanation is then that the Universe itself is expanding, as postulated by the Big Bang Theory.Tracing the heat from Big Bang – Cosmic microwave background radiationAnother major supporting piece of evidence is cosmic microwave background radiation, the thermal radiation present everywhere in the known universe. If the Universe began as an infinitely hot singularity, as stated by the hypothesis, then there should be remnants of that heat in space, even though the universe is still continuously cooling. This remnant is the cosmic microwave background radiation. The reason why it is detected as microwaves is, again, due to red-shift; heat is in fact infra-red radiation, which has a wavelength just slightly longer than that of visible red light, but the expansion red-shift causes a further increase in wavelength to that of microwaves. How do we know that the cosmic microwave background radiation is a result of the Big Bang, though, and not from a local source? Studies have shown that the temperature of cosmic microwave radiation is more or less exactly the same regardless

of where on the Earth we measure it from, meaning that all cosmic microwave radiation coming from any direction has the same temperature. If the radiation were being emitted by a celestial body, the temperature detected would vary according to where on our planet the measurements were being taken; for example, the side of the Earth which was closer to the source would receive higher levels of radiation than the side further away. The lack of variation implies that the temperature of the radiation stays fairly constant throughout the rest of the universe, and is the main reason why the cosmic microwave radiation is believed to be remnant heat from the Big Bang.The limits of human knowledge – where did the singularity come from?And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a much abridged explanation of the big bang theory. It is important to note, however, that the big bang theory is just a model of what happened after the singularity appeared and the Universe was formed, and does not explain how and why this came to be. Before that, we have absolutely nothing to base theories on, because everything our laws of physics are based on – time, space, energy – began inside the singularity which would later expand to form the Universe we know today.

food

Mouthwatering Christmas ShortbreadNothing says Christmas like a batch of freshly baked cookies, and these delicate and buttery shortbread biscuits will definitely raise your holiday spirits. These biscuits have a soft and crumbly bite to them and make fantastic presents.

Yields: 12+ cookiesPrep Time: 45 minutesBake Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:• 200g butter, at room temperature • 90g caster sugar• 270g plain flour• 60g corn flour• ½ teaspoon baking powder• ¼ teaspoon salt• Cooking spray

Directions1. Preheat oven to 130°C, lightly spray baking tray2. Cream butter and sugar until well combined3. Sift the flour and baking powder into a butter mixture, add salt and mix until a dough forms4. Transfer onto floured surface and knead lightly5. Roll out dough on flat surface and cut into desired shapes and sizes6. Prick shortbread lightly with a fork and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes7. Sprinkle with caster sugar and bake for 1 hour8. Cool completely

Christmas around the world revolves around heartwarming family gatherings, delicious feasts and scrumptious sweets to enjoy. Try these recipes for sweet and simple Christmas treats which will make your guests “ooh” and “aah”.

holidaytreats to bake

Annette WongWRITER

HOBBIES //cooking, creating and sharing recipes, wasting her time onthe Internet and fangirling over K-pop idols

The Healthier Apple PieThis apple pie recipe is made healthier by minimizing some of the butter and eliminating a portion of the sugar. The moist, tangy texture of the sweet apple filling combined with the lush buttery crust is the perfect way to end a satisfying Christmas feast.

Yields: 1 x 9-inch piePrep Time: 40 minutesBake Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients• 1 x 9 inch double crust pie pastry• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon• ½ cup water• 55g unsalted butter • 100g brown sugar• 1000g green apples, peeled, cored and sliced• 1 egg, beaten

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 425°C2. Melt butter in microwave and stir in flour until it forms a paste3. Add water and sugar and bring to a boil and reduce temperature to simmer for 2 minutes4. Pour sugar and butter mixture on apples, add cinnamon, toss to coat evenly5. Place bottom pie crust in a baking and fill with apple mixture6. Cover with top crust and fold into the edges of bottom crust, coat with egg wash7. Bake for 15 minutes8. Reduce the temperature to 175°C and bake until crust is golden brown9. Cool completely

holidaytreats to bake

tech

It really comes down to your preference of the operating system. The two are quite similar in many ways - the number of apps, the video chat etc. Android can customise the interface legitimately, supports Adobe Flash, and allows video-chat with up to 9 people; iOS enables remote access with Find my iPhone, is lighter and has more apps etc. In terms of the OS, iOS is much more straightforward and simple, and Android is more comprehensive (enables tasking managing and battery usage composition by default), but really, you cannot decide for yourself which smartphone is better without using both of them, optimising each phone. (n.b. The new maps by Apple currently have a lot of omissions and errors, so if you use maps extensively then you may want to delay your purchase until there is an update.)

• Bigger screen• Better maps• More flexible, has built in task managing and battery usage checker (OS)• Longer battery life• Better clock speed• Supports Adobe Flash• Price: Around 5488 HKD

Perhaps you haven’t heard of the Nook. How- ever, the e-reader market isn’t dominated by just the Kindle. The Kindle offers a bigger pixel density, a web browser and cloud storage, but the Nook is slightly lighter and is ad-free with a charger at the same price. A comparison here isn’t too necessary as the only purpose of having one is to read books, but if display is your pri-ority, the Kindle Paperwhite is for you. Howev- er, if you want an e-reader which is marginal-ly lighter (by 16g - though it might help reading with one hand) and don’t want to pay more for ads and a charger (small fee of a total of 30 USD), then the Nook e-reader is for you.

• Lighter (197g compared to 213g)• Memory can be expanded by SD card• Lower charge time estimate (3.5 compared to 4)• No ads• Charger included• Price: 119 USD (Around 928 HKD)

The iPad is more suited to entertainment than the Surface is right now since the market for the Windows apps has only just begun. The free Microsoft programs and split screen make work more convenient on the surface, but you can only choose the free Office or third party apps. It can somewhat be substitute for a laptop device - being able to manage documents, etc. However, if you already have a laptop (one which focuses on mobility rather than performance) this may not be much of an addition (though the touch screen does help a bit), and not being able to have third party apps is a huge barrier to being a substitute. The Surface has a lot of potential and this is merely a few months after its debut. If you’re unsure or ambivalent about the Surface, then the iPad would be a more solid choice.

• More apps• User-friendly interface• Find my iPad – remote access• Higher resolution• Lighter (652g compared to 680g)• Price: From 3888 HKD

GADGET ROUND-UP OF THE YEAR 2013samsung galaxy siii

nook simpletouchwith glowlight

ipad 3

Peter AuWRITER

Matthew ZhangWRITER

HOBBIES //reading, playing PC games

It really comes down to your preference of the operating system. The two are quite similar in many ways - the number of apps, the video chat etc. Android can customise the interface legitimately, supports Adobe Flash, and allows video-chat with up to 9 people; iOS enables remote access with Find my iPhone, is lighter and has more apps etc. In terms of the OS, iOS is much more straightforward and simple, and Android is more comprehensive (enables tasking managing and battery usage composition by default), but really, you cannot decide for yourself which smartphone is better without using both of them, optimising each phone. (n.b. The new maps by Apple currently have a lot of omissions and errors, so if you use maps extensively then you may want to delay your purchase until there is an update.)

•Thinner• Higher pixel density• Lighter (112 g compared to 133g)• User-friendly interface• Price: From 5588 HKD

Perhaps you haven’t heard of the Nook. How- ever, the e-reader market isn’t dominated by just the Kindle. The Kindle offers a bigger pixel density, a web browser and cloud storage, but the Nook is slightly lighter and is ad-free with a charger at the same price. A comparison here isn’t too necessary as the only purpose of having one is to read books, but if display is your pri-ority, the Kindle Paperwhite is for you. Howev- er, if you want an e-reader which is marginal-ly lighter (by 16g - though it might help reading with one hand) and don’t want to pay more for ads and a charger (small fee of a total of 30 USD), then the Nook e-reader is for you.

• Higher resolution (212 pixels per inch compared to 167)• Cloud storage• Unlimited 3G at a slightly higher price• Price: 119 USD (about 928 HKD)

The iPad is more suited to entertainment than the Surface is right now since the market for the Windows apps has only just begun. The free Microsoft programs and split screen make work more convenient on the surface, but you can only choose the free Office or third party apps. It can somewhat be substitute for a laptop device - being able to manage documents, etc. However, if you already have a laptop (one which focuses on mobility rather than performance) this may not be much of an addition (though the touch screen does help a bit), and not being able to have third party apps is a huge barrier to being a substitute. The Surface has a lot of potential and this is merely a few months after its debut. If you’re unsure or ambivalent about the Surface, then the iPad would be a more solid choice.

• Interface confusing at first• Fewer applications• USBs can be plugged in with ease• Cover can serve as keyboard (expensive) - easy typing• Bluetooth• Splitscreen• Free Microsoft office Home and Student 2013 (RT version only)• Price: 499 USD (Around 3900 HKD)

GADGET ROUND-UP OF THE YEAR 2013iphone 5

kindlepaperwhite

microsoftsurface

fashionHain YoonWRITER

HOBBIES //reading, dancing, drawing, painting, shopping and eating

2012 has been crammed with innovative and unique trends. At the beginning of the year, we had simplistic street styles, baseball hoodies and oversized khaki coats. In the spring, it was neon, art deco graphics, athletic chic, diaphanous white and graphic floral. During the summer, we had the domination of hipster patterns: triangles and Aztec prints, hyper-colours and not to mention a time travel back to the sophisticated seventies, promoting a classical vintage look. Fall had more diversity, ranging from statement collars, pastels and lace to studs,

androgynous trench coats, oversized cardigans, knitwear and oxblood.

1. Military 2.Leather 3. Androgynous 4. Easternopulence

5. Baroque 6. Sci-fi

The top ten basic trends of this year’s winter season

top ten trends this year

7. Berry 8. Floralvs.

geometric

9. Gothic 10. Tartan

top ten trends this year

top 10 pieces of clothing you should have10. Pattern trousersAnkle-cropped and mismatched with a perky buttoned-to-the-neck blouse9.Patterned clutchUsed for day or night, teamed with boyish skinnies or crisp leather8. PeplumWith a wide waist-cinching belt, loose drop-waist, or the hem of a simple shift dress.7. Graphic patterned suitOver a crisp shirt andhyper-colour block heels6. ParkaOver a printed or graphic shirt coordinated with a jet-black leather miniskirt and everyday flats.5. Chunky bootWith a short miniskirt and an oversized khaki jacket for the simple military look.4. Oversized floral printOver a sheer blouse or dress.3. Homespun knitWith loose, shabby, battered jeans and creepers.2. Embellished or military jacketTeamed with super tightskinnies for a Parisian model look.1. KnitsKnits have been a Christmas season must-have for centuries! And it isn’t different this year! With knit sweaters, shirts, and scarves, Christmas is the perfect knit sweater weather! Knits can be worn any day and everyday throughout winter and can be teamed with skinnies, skirts, over a skater dress or clashed with interesting patterns and colours.

film QUIZwhich x’mas film

is for you?what would you do when your parents are out for

dinner?

stay at home to watch films go out and about, home is too boring

all time classic films? are you the silly one or the tricky one?

yay! nay!the silly billy the tricky trickster

do you like christmas? yes, i love it!

it’s your birthday;you want to...

go crazy withsome friends

do you everembarass yourself?

no. i amanti-christmas

A CHRISTMASCAROL[2009]

IT’S A WONDERFULLIFE

[1949]

have a nice nightwith the family

ELF![2003]

HOME ALONE[1990]

sadly, everyday

nah, i’mcool

Samantha LeeWRITER

HOBBIES //baking, reading, watching movies

A CHRISTMAS CAROL : 2009For those who claim to be ‘anti-Christmas’, I hope this can change your mind

because seriously, who can dislike Christmas?A Christmas Carol is a cross between a comedy and drama film. It is a modern

take on the Christmas classic and despite that it is animated, the audience can still connect with the characters. And honestly, Scrooge is just so funny to look at.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE : 1949This movie is so timeless; it is a classic, and a movie that people of all ages will love, especially your grandma!Something about the crazy jazz music, and the perfectly set hair make me so happy. Cheesy terms such as ‘life’s swell’ are frequently used and there are many ‘awwww’ moments too, so don’t say I didn’t warn you!

ELF : 2003Elf is the perfect mixture of heart, laughter and stupidity! Will Ferrell plays a goofy man-child, which sounds weird at first, but once you get into the movie trust me, it will be hard to imagine him as anything else. Most importantly, I do not advise you to drink too many fluids during the movie as there is a danger that some might get squirted out of your nose whilst laughing.

HOME ALONE : 1990What would you do when you are left home alone during Christmas? Honestly I

would just stay over at a friend’s house and eat all their food. But Kevin doessomething different, and manages to fool everybody!

The concept of Home Alone so witty, and I love how Kevin is just so ingenious. Never underestimate the capability of children.

CHRISTMASto-do list

Imogen YihWRITER

HOBBIES //watching British YouTubers while handling her feelings

Christmas is coming soon, and we’re all just counting down the days until we get to stuff ourselves with roasted turkey and candy canes. However, nothing says Christmas as much as dancing away to festive tunes like there’s no tomorrow. So below are our very own favorite Christmas tunes… From the classics to the latest hits, these festive tunes are guaranteed to make your insides tingle.

If you’re into more modern songs, here are a few songs thatwe recommend! 1. Shake Up Christmas – Train 2. Christmas Lights – Coldplay 3. White Christmas – Michael Bublé4. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey 5. So This Is Christmas – Céline Dion6. A Holly Jolly Christmas – Lady Antebellum7. The Christmas Song – Colbie Calliat featuring Justin Young8. Wonderful Dream – Melanie Thronton

The majority of these songs are covers, and ‘Shake Up Christmas’ is my favorite one. It’s upbeat, it’s festive, it’s fun. What’s not to like? Another one of my favorites is Coldplay’s ‘Christmas Lights’. The British rock band’s track is slow and soothing, and gives you a feeling of warmth on the inside. Although it doesn’t sound much like a Christmas song, the lyrics are truly beautiful. Another great original would be Melanie Thronton’s ‘Wonderful Dream’. The track is one of a kind, and is one of the very few tunes likely to become a classic in the future.

But if you find yourself enjoying more of the oldies, this is what we recommend…1. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms 2. Last Christmas – Wham!3. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano 4. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry 5. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee6. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love7. Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys8. What Christmas Means To Me – Stevie Wonder

So there you have it! Sixteen songs for you to count down the days until Christmas is here. Have fun jingling away…

our x’masPLAYLIST

advice

CHRISTMASto-do list

Rachel SinWRITER

HOBBIES //shopping, browsing Tumblr, reading, and writing letters

With the Christmas holidays right around the corner, everyone’s working around the clock finishing work and completing Christmas shopping. So here are a few pieces of advice to help you:

1. Secret SantaThis has been a part of every year at GSIS for me. My advice? Instead of trekking around half of Hong Kong looking for a reasonably priced present, buy presents

in an area with a wide variety of shops. Don’t forget to compare prices the same item could be a lot more expensive in one than another. Home-made presents for families are always good as well, so get creative and give it your all!

2. Christmas CardsTry to think of different ways of presenting a card and don’t buy the same Christmas-tree- or reindeer- cards. Look for quirky designs or even draw one yourself! It doesn’t matter if you’re not the most artsy person, your friends and family will appreciate the effort you’ve put into it.

3. Balancing ActTeachers sometimes give out loads of work right before the holidays. Trying to complete the work on time while getting Christmas shopping done can be difficult. If you live within twenty minutes’ walking distance to shops, run down every night and browse for a small gift. It’s an interesting way of getting exercise, a short break and finishing Christmas chores as well!

4. Clean SweepI hate to sound like your mother, but cleaning up your room in time for Christmas is a good idea too. It’s possible to find presents for your friends by cleaning up - an old gift that you didn’t like or one you bought but didn’t give yet could be somebody’s dream gift. As long as it hasn’t been opened, just wrap it up and it’ll make a good present. 5. Cook for ChristmasIf you have the ability to bake, you could always make food as a present! In my experience, being able to cook gives the impression that you’re responsible and independent, something that is looked upon highly by adults. Cakes, cookies, pumpkin pie and apple crumble are sure to impress.

6. Beyond ChristmasMake a new year’s resolution. It might seem pointless but it’s a good idea to really think what you want to achieve this year. Figure out what mistakes you made this past year and how you could improve, and get your priorities straight. You might think you know, but it’s worth a try to actually prove to yourself that you have included all the factors in your life and put them out as a list.

articleWith Christmas approaching, students may be hoping for adorable new pets, but there are many commitments and duties to be considered as well.

Our friendly vet’s number one piece of advice is: “Know what you’re getting into. Don’t just buy it and play with it for a week, then realize you’ve made a big mistake.” She suggests getting all the facts before you buy or adopt. Research the costs, watch training videos on YouTube, read blogs or even borrow a friend’s pet to see how you cope. Our vet also says check all your family’s allergies – “although it may sound silly, a lot of people have to give up their pets because they don’t know that a family member is allergic.”

Puppy ChallengesJenny Ko’s new puppy, Jang Gun, is a four month old long-haired Chihuahua. According to Jenny, the hardest thing has been house training him. “I didn’t know it was so hard to care for a puppy,” she told us. She overcame this issue by getting absorbent training pads from a pet store.

We asked the vet how long it takes to housebreak a puppy. “The length of time varies based on the age and learning history of the pet,” she said. “An eight-week old puppy is very different developmentally to a five-month-old puppy. With some puppies, it takes three to four weeks for housetraining, and with others, training can take four to five months or longer if the dog has had a less than ideal situation before coming to you.”

She adds: “Don’t punish your dog for a housetraining accident. Hitting the dog, rubbing his nose in urine, or screaming and yelling do not work.” If your dog has an accident, simply use a cleaner with an

odour killer that will remove the scent so the dog is not likely to use the “marked’ spot as a bathroom area in the future. If he does the job outdoors, give him praise and attention.

Pets cost time and moneyWhen Charlotte first got her pet hedgehog, Rosaria, she had no idea how much it would cost. She had to pay for the medical fees - the normal course of vaccinations, de-worming medication, blood and faecal tests. She also had to pay for food and equipment (such as bedding, treats, toys, and the cage).

With her puppy, Iona had to pay all of this plus training and socialization fees – which included puppy classes and one-on-one training. Our veterinary expert warns: “If puppies aren’t socialized, or exposed to many people, pets and situations in a safe and controlled manner, they can become overly aggressive, shy or insecure later on in life”. Exercising your pet also leads to healthy muscle development and maintaining a healthy weight – for both of you! (also, it wears them out which means you get a little rest time).

However, there are always things you can’t prepare for. For instance, the guilty feeling when you leave your puppy alone, or how much you’ll adore the four-legged creature that needs you for everything. Or how sad and heartbroken you will feel when that puppy becomes an old dog and either dies or you have to put it to sleep. If you tend to get very emotional, you probably shouldn’t look into getting puppies for Christmas.

Keep all of this in mind when getting a puppy or any other pet. After all, what it learns in its first year will lay the foundation for a lifetime of good behaviour.

Iona LockhartWRITER

from left: Jenny Ko’s puppy, Jang Gun (which literally translates to General in English); Charlotte Chan’s pet hedgehog, Rosaria; Iona Lockhart’s puppy

pets for christmas – and for life

Charlotte ChanWRITER

articleHilaire WongWRITER

HOBBIES //reading, writing, watching good movies, drinking coffee and having rambling conver-sations

In Nepal, you become overwhelmed by the sense of community, where even haggling over already-inexpensive prices in local shops turns into friendly banter. My time spent in Kathmandu was more than a mere Discovery Week; I have come to learn and love the place, the traditions, and the people. Kathmandu’s many stupas are remarkable. Stretched all around the white domed temples are colourful panels of prayer flags, fluttering in the breeze. In the sacred city of Bhaktapur, an assortment of pagodas and temples are grouped around a huge palace made of brick and wood. Idols of ancient kings perched atop of stone pillars, with guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries. The air was alive with Hindu music, the cries of street hawkers, and braying of cows and goats. It was a place where chickens literally crossed the road. However, the memories I’ll forever hold close to my heart aren’t the famous sights of Nepal or the panoramic vistas of Everest, but our visits to the Katja House orphanage.The kids warmed to us within seconds on our first visit, and we, too, were smitten on the spot. Their excitement was contagious and it was truly heartwarming to see their faces light up when we handed them books and new toys, or their eyebrows furrow in concentration as we taught them to read. In return, they showered us with love. I spent the most time with four girls, who made everyday an adventure for me. They showed me their simple bedrooms, and brought me up to the roof with its sublime view of surrounding houses and fields. They took me around the skirts of the campus, where one girl climbed up a tree to pick a fresh guava for me, completely ignoring my protestations for her safety.

One day I put makeup on the girls and painted their nails, loving the confidence it gave them. Another day they taught me how to fly a kite. We took walks along rough paths to hilltops and through the fields of wheat, where we’d sit on a rock’s edge and become mesmerized by the greenery that stretched out for miles beyond. On the last day, arm in arm, the girls took us on a long and strenuous walk to their school. They were surefooted; we were less so. After our tour, we were all famished. I remembered Bhidya telling me that her favourite food was pizza, so we decided to sit at a local restaurant to eat just that. We chatted happily over our meals, and afterwards were full and content. Then, Bhidya pulled me aside, looked at me with eyes that held all the earnestness in the world, and said, ‘Sister, thank you for fulfilling my dream.’ For a bizarre moment I wondered whether it was the pizza we’d bought for her. It wasn’t as if I had given her a million dollars, I hardly did enough to ‘fulfill a dream’. And yet the way she expressed such profound gratitude for the simplest things we did together touched me deeply. I saw her as a sister, too. I will also never forget the adorable “Eskimo kisses” from little Swarnima, or the folk dances Anjali and Mamati taught me. I wouldn’t trade the breathtaking views and memories I’ve gathered for any of the First World comforts. Life here in Nepal isn’t the ‘high life’ of the rich and famous, but at 10,000 feet it was my definition of the high life. I’d never thought I could feel so completely happy and carefree whilst staying in a country like Nepal. The pure, simple life I led in Kathmandu, even if it was just for a week or so, will stay with me the rest of my life.

reflections on nepal

sportsYu Yu ChanWRITER

HOBBIES //eating, watching TV, playing football, reading and sleeping

Football is an important sport at GSIS. You see people playing it every day. So we decided to interview Mr. Moon, the school’s A Grade football coach:--Who’s in your football team?A mixture of ESD & GSD players from Year 11 and above.--What is the best thing about teaching football at GSIS?Getting out of the classroom and into the sunshine, chasing a ball around and keeping fit.--When did you start teaching football?Since I came to GSIS nearly 8 years ago now.--When do you train? Once a week, on a Tuesday afternoon in Happy Valley.--Who’s your favourite football player? Right now? The deeply misunderstood Karl Henry, captain of his hometown team the mighty Wolverhampton Wanderers. Who are a bit rubbish, unfortunately. --What’s your advice for aspiring football players? Get involved; keep it as simple as possible and play with a smile on your face.So yeah, go try it out. If you haven’t tried out football and you’re in Year 11, go and support their team or join them!

German Swiss International School has many sports teams, such as for hockey, basketball, football and swimming. But did you know that the B Grade Girl’s Fencing Champion is from our school? Did you know that most of our cross-country team members get medals in HKSSF Competitions? Did you know that two of our GSIS Rock climbing team members came first place in a recent competition, the HK Open Sport Climbing Championships? Most of you may not have even known of the existence of a rock climbing team.

The GSIS Rock Climbing team consists of six students,

five in year nine and one in year twelve. These students are: Hilary Kwok (team captain), Luke Shaw, Laurence Huang, Jack Ng and Pierce Byrne.

Hilary came first place in the Girls A Grade and Luke came first in the Boys B Grade. The other three members, Jack, Laurence and Pierce, did not win any medals; however, this was their first rock climbing competition, and they all showed great potential.

Congratulations to the GSIS Rock Climbing Team!

GSIS Rock Climbing Team: First Ever Double Gold - Hain Yoon

interviewOne of the most popular school sports is rock climbing, so we interviewed Hilary Kwok, the head of senior sports climbing. She started climbing only last year but is now part of the Hong Kong Regional Squad through her passion and hard work.--How’s your ECA going?Basically, the rock climbing ECA runs every Wednesday after school, normally at the YMCA. It’s gotten a lot more popular recently... Last year there were just three guys and now, there are a lot - an explosion of guys from our year!(Year 12).--So what made you start rock climbing?I started rock climbing with the school ECA, I guess, because Mr. Shearman kept telling me to rock-climb! I have friends who were rock climbing already, so it was something we could do together. --You got into the Hong Kong rock climbing team, right? How did you do that?I participated in three competitions and I think they monitor the results of the competitions or something… [because] I got an e-mail invitation to the Hong Kong team.--Oh, that’s cool. How have you done so far?In my first competition, I [had only] climbed for three weeks, so I came fifth, and then [in] the Hong Kong Bouldering Championships, I came second because I made a mistake. (laughs) And then in my third competition, the Hong Kong Youth Sport Climbing Championships, I came first.--Wow, that’s pretty good. What’s your training schedule like, then? I basically train - actual Hong Kong team training - three times a week. Normally those are around three or four hour sessions.--That must be a lot of work. How do you balance that with schoolwork?Well, I try to do homework in advance. Not that that is always a successful venture, but I try to do homework

in advance... it doesn’t work very well with Tuesdays and Wednesdays, because I pretty much have no time.--Pretty horrible. So do you get nervous before competitions? How do you prepare for them?Well, I think for my first three competitions, because I was pretty new to rock-climbing, I didn’t really get that nervous. It was, ‘Oh, yeah, this is just a new sport. It doesn’t really matter how you do, I’ll just, you know, have fun with it!’ --We’re coming to an end with the interview. Anything you want to say to people who might want to try rock climbing?Um... Try it?--(laughter) OK. Thank you for your time.

photograph by Natalie Tao

I’m looking forward

to continuing working here, and

watch-ing over

the stu-

dents. I’m also

looking forward

to seeing the

[new] school

when the renovation is com-pleted.

It’ll be a fresh per-

spec- tive! Per- sonally

I’m hoping that every-thing will stay as it is, and that every- body can be happy and live in peace.

– Ah Fung, Cleaner

I’ll be

dead then –

Apocalypse. – Jac-quelyn Lai, Y12

Get-ting my braces off. Fi-nally! – Aman-da Sin, Y11

Going to uni!

– Aditi, Y13

I’m looking for- ward to

spend-ing

time with my

[recently] ex-

panded family over

the holi-days. – Mr. Cam- eron,

Economics teacher

what we’re looking forward to in...

interview conducted byFrancesca Mares & Yunming Yu