TWWS

TWWS
T H AT ’ S W H AT W E S A I D
Issue 5 - September 2015

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Editing Team:

Editor-in-chief: Hemangini Raina

Deputy editor-in-chief: Hisham Husain

Editor: Anuja Jaiswal

Design and Photography:

Head of design: Yazad Dhunjisha

Co-deputy heads of design: Maha Taher and Meeraal Zaheer

Head of photography: Elzé van Achterbergh

Photographers:
Abbie Tedford

Sarah Roos
Shreya Choudhary

Writers:

Adam Wilson
Athena Puri
Charlie Moulder
Elzé van Achterbergh
Gugulethu Kembo
Hemangini Raina
Himaja Rajakaruna
Hisham Husain
Jude Almutawa
Lucy Cocker
Maarya Khan
Meeraal Zaheer
Michela Badro
Nayanika Cherian
Rushil Puri
Yasmeen Jassim
Zahra Ahmed

CONTENTS

FEATURES

What Does it Mean to be Happy?................................................................4
An Escape into the Land of Wine...................................................................6
Bahrain Walkathon......................................................................................8
BumblefootinBahrain.................................................................................12
Feminism.........................................................................................14
Let’s Talk About Teenage Depression........................................................16
That’ssoBrutal...........................................................................................18
Why My Class StillDoes Secret Santa............................................................20

CREATIVE WRITING

The Silent Killer.........................................................................................22
Can’t Rememeber The Stories.....................................................................23
Slave .........................................................................................................24

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Gone Girl...................................................................................................26
Mockingjay................................................................................................27
Interstallar..................................................................................................28
Nutcracker..................................................................................................30
TheAmazingSpider-Man.............................................................................31
Thor, Meet Thor........................................................................................32

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Fighting Sickle Cell Anaemia.......................................................................34

INSPIRATION

Kailash Satyarthi: The Unsung Hero..........................................................36

FEATURES

What Does it Mean to be Happy?

This is a question photoshopped Barbie dolls usually when people try
many people don’t in ads and think that’s not to be sad they do loads
consider in their normal, when in reality of stupid things to avoid
conscious daily life. everyone is spectacular feeling depressed, when in
Does being happy mean in their own ways. reality it makes them even
to be beautiful? Kind? more upset deep inside.
Smart? Content? Or There are two things that An example
does it mean to be all people mix up even though of this can be seen in the
four of those things? they are very different: classic French book “The
Little Prince”, written by:
In our modern, developed ‘Focusing on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
society, we are now living a being happy, and
better standard of life than focusing on not “What are you doing
we ever have in the history there?” he said to the
of humanity. However, being sad.’ tippler, whom he found
reports have shown we as settled down in silence
people are not so happy. The reason these two before a collection of
We don’t see our beauty. things are extremely empty bottles and also full
We think we’re worthless different is because bottles. “I am drinking”,
and ugly as we see fake replied the tippler, with a

4 Issue 5 - September 2015

Maarya Khan
Sarah Roos and Abi Tedford

lugubrious air. “Why are physical activity and more when she could try to gain
you drinking?” Demanded fruit and veg. enough self-confidence
the little prince, who not to care.
was already sorry for Everyone is struggling
him. “To forget that I’m with something, whether Self-confidence is one of
ashamed” The tippler it is being overweight, the keys to being happy. If
confessed, hanging his underweight, having a you focus on the positives
head. “Ashamed of what?” lower IQ or a high IQ or about you, then you will
Insisted the little prince, being bad at something. surely love yourself more.
who wanted to help him. However, you should
“Ashamed of drinking!” Take a look at this quote: always work on fixing your
The tippler brought his ‘Don’t kill yourself, kill the mistakes.
speech to an end...’ part of you that you don’t
like’ -Shane Dawson. After trying hard, making
Although this may be quite sacrifices and doing what’s
humorous, many people go This quote is so true, not right you will feel happy
through this, not just with just for suicidal kids, but about being you, and you
drinking, but also with for everyone, because if will stop caring about the
emotional eating and that fat guy Bob did go haters. Always remember
many other things. for the wrong choice of to reward yourself to
eating his feelings away he a certain extent but
Being happy is different would slowly eat himself remember too much of
as you are positively to death. anything is bad.
impacting yourself to
make you happy, for Everyone has flaws; some Furthermore, being happy
example, say there was a of us cannot accept them. is not as complex as it
fat guy called Bob who was There was a girl who was seems, just make sure you
in depression because he born with big ears that make the right decisions
was fat. Instead of over would stick out and people and do what makes you
eating because he’s sad he called her Dumbo, it would happy.
could make his lifestyle be stupid if she got plastic
healthier with more surgery to change that

Issue 5- September 2015 5

FEATURES

An Escape to the Land of Wine

Going to France, where for celebrities ranging from were further grouped on that
the beaches are the Rihanna to the Kardashains. basis.
warmest, the food is Welcomed by representatives
the tastiest and the boys at the airport, we got our I was lucky to be a part
are the cutest is every girl’s first look at the splendour, of the intensive course
dream and, there I was, magnificence, luxury and takers. The course lasted
standing in the Nice Cote elegance of this Heaven for 2 weeks and at the end
D’Azur airport. Impatient on Earth. The drive to the of it we were assessed and
tourists rushed around me, school was through the city’s given certificates at a small
desperately trying to find most beautiful avenue - the graduation party. I don’t
their luggage. I looked for the Promenade des Anglais. This remember the best thing
friends I had made on the trip magnificent Mediterranean that happened in Nice, but
from Bahrain and together seaside stretches a few I’d argue it was between
we got ours sorted out. With kilometres, with luxury eating flower-scented ice
all the apprehensions of hotels overlooking the sea. cream, and walking down the
travelling with a group of As we got closer to the coast, boulevard next to the rough,
unknowns having faded away mansions with detailed dark sea where we went
at the Bahrain International architecture and large paragliding. Being at the
Airport, we were off to Nice. gardens started to fade away beach at sunset was splendid;
and charming apartments trust me when I say that it
This trip was the outcome with traditional French has to be the most beautiful
of winning the Jules Verne balconies emerged. beach I have ever seen.
Scholarship, a dream come  Pebbled beaches with green
true for me, to learn French The campus was a vast and water, fading to turquoise
in Azurlingua, a well known beautiful site, with the graduating to purple on the
French institute in Nice. school on one side and our horizon... it reminded me of
boarding house on the other. the descriptions in Sidney
France always meant only The morning hours were Sheldon books.
Paris to me till I went to Cote dedicated to learning French,
D’Azur last summer. Cote with basic to intensive We started our city
d’Azur (the French Riviera)- courses, but the afternoons, explorations at the Nice’s
in the city that cradled the nights and weekends were heart, Cours Saleya M arket
Greeks and Romans, rich all about exploring and Square, which is one of the
lords and artists, museums excursions. The school liveliest areas of Old Nice
and fashion, thousands boasts of students from more – where fruit and flower
of tourists and now, me! than 60 countries and I found markets during the day
It may not be marketed that it was no exaggeration. later transformed into a row
internationally with a of sidewalk cafes by night.
tagline like ‘Truly Asia’ or Student representatives This is the perfect place
‘Incredible India’, but this to shop for meat, bread,
could be one place where God came from all over the world; olives, cheese, herbs and
built a land, and man made spices. That same week we
it a paradise. While the world Russia, Korea and Malaysia... also visited a confectionery
envy the French for the Azur nearby where we witnessed
is a perennial playground they were all there. We were the making of traditional

put through an exam on the

first day to assess our level

of French knowledge and we

6 Issue 5 - September 2015

Nayanika Cherian
Nayanika Cherian

French sweets and tasted microstate carries a unique Gods spreading specks of
local bonbons and jams. In atmosphere of elegance and benediction as bright as day.
those two weeks we also went wealth, serving as another 
to the MAMAC museum, playground for the rich It is no wonder that Scottish
where we experienced a with its famous casinos writer Tobias Smollett
journey through the creation (particularly the ones in described the French Riviera
of today’s modern art; The Monte Carlo, which we got as:
Museum of Archaeology to take a look at). In Monaco
where we got a taste of we also got to gape at the ‘A piece of
French history; and the sea from a height of 300 paradise,
Picasso museum in Antibes. metres, and go shopping for where the light
 souvenirs. was extremely
Our field trips included going intense and the
to Eze, a small village in the The second and last whole sun shone more
mountains on the way to day excursion we had was to than anywhere
Monaco, where we visited a Cannes, where we were taken else on the
famous perfumery regularly on a tour around the Cannes
visited by Leonardo Dicaprio. Film Festival arena, and then Earth’
The view from the top of the on a trip to a deserted island.
hill was breath-taking and Cannes- once a small fishing My heart still yearns to go
if you’re lucky, then Eze village- is today transformed back to this heaven. I would
is a place where you could into the world’s most like to give thanks to the
actually meet Prince Albert glamorous and expensive St. Christopher’s School’s
of Monaco. However the seaside town. It has had the Student Management Team,
more exhilarating field trips privilege of welcoming most Madam and Monsieur from
were the ones to Monaco, of the world’s stars. the French Embassy and our
and Cannes, where we went French teacher, Mr Bazzouz,
on full day excursions. On our last night in Nice we for making all this happen.
attended the celebrations
The first whole day excursion for the Assumption of Mary.
was to Monaco, a Monarchy The festivities filled the
located between the South air with spirited music and
of France and Italy. The the sky with fireworks, like

Issue 5- September 2015 7

FEATURES

Bahrain Walkathon

An hour before much of the airwaves. I had It was November 14th, the
registration for the chosen the time I had due to
World Diabetes the expectation that when 23rd annual World Diabetes
Walkathon was to begin, The I interviewed Dr Nasreen Al
Lagoon was oddly bustling. I Sayed, medical director of Day, introduced by the
had anticipated that, in the Gulf Diabetes Specialist
classic Bahraini fashion, Center, I wouldn’t have to International Diabetes
most of the participants hold my phone too close to
would show up five minutes her face. Federation (IDF) and the
before registration was
supposed to end. Instead, Unfortunately, neither of us World Health Organization
the southern stretch of was given that luxury.
the complex, where the (WHO) in 1991. World
walkathon was to begin, was We resorted to the quietest
filled with the sounds of location in the area we could Diabetes Day was created
children playing as they and find, a space to the side of
their parents waited for the the main stage, where nearby with the intention of
opening of the registration a child giddily bounced a
booths. That, along with the large inflatable ball onto the ‘[uniting] the global diabetes
hurried preparation of stands concrete path.
and the (very loud) inflation community to produce a
of a bouncy castle, dominated
powerful voice for diabetes
8 Issue 5 - September 2015
awareness and advocacy,

engaging individuals and

communities to bring the

diabetes epidemic into the

public spotlight.’ To coincide

with this important day,

the Gulf Diabetes Specialist

Center held the ‘World

Diabetes Walkathon’ at The

Lagoon in Amwaj.

Hisham Husain
Meeraal Zaheer and Shreya Choudhary

Dr. Al Sayed, a specialist beta-cells, so type-1 diabetes factors are family history
endocrinologist’ (a physician is therefore known as an of diabetes, obesity,
focused on treating diseases ‘auto-immune disease’. Its overweight, hypertension,
in the glands, such as those cause is unknown, and the high cholesterol, [a] very
in the pancreas, the organ distribution of it is fairly stressful life, [and a] lack of
affected by diabetes) ‘and equal throughout the world, exercise and activity. So
diabetologist’, chose to all unlike type-2. these are all risk factors...
specialise in diabetes due to my advice is to all people who
the prevalence of it ‘in this Al Sayed believes that type- can see that they have some
part of the world...Bahrain 2 diabetes is particularly [or] one... of these factors [is
[and the] GCC countries.’ rampant in Bahrain and that] they definitely seek
the GCC for a variety of checking their blood sugar
Type-2 diabetes, the form reasons. Besides ‘genetic at least once a year. And this
that is highly prevalent here, predispositions’, it can also should be through visiting a
is an acquired disease that, be attributed to ‘lifestyle very close-by office [a clinic,
according to The Diabetes changes’, with ‘people... a hospital, etc.] and checking
Association, is ‘when your becoming less active... [and] their blood glucose level, like
body does not use insulin the type and quality of food a simple blood test, then...
properly. This is called and diet [having changed] they can know whether they
insulin resistance. At first, dramatically over the past are at risk or not.’
your pancreas makes extra years’. In fact, ‘we’re now
insulin to make up for it. seeing type-2 becoming Continuing, she also spoke
But, over time it isn’t able more prevalent even in kids, about type-1 diabetes. ‘It’s
to keep up and can’t make because of the increase in an autoimmune process and
enough insulin to keep your obesity and overweight’. because it develops [this
blood glucose at normal way], so far we don’t know
levels.’ This differs from I asked Dr Al Sayed: ‘So, if what triggers the immune
type-1 diabetes, which I you could give one piece of response exactly. It could
myself have, which isn’t advice to someone who is be viral, it could be toxins,
acquired in the sense type-2 worried about developing it could be several reasons...
is. Type-1 diabetes is when type-2 diabetes, what would so we can’t really say how
your body doesn’t produce that be?’ we can prevent autoimmune
any insulin. This is due to type-1 diabetes.
the body’s immune system She replied: ‘Talking about
attacking insulin-producing type-2 diabetes, the risk ’For people who already

Issue 5- September 2015 9

FEATURES

Bahrain Walkathon

have diabetes, Dr Al Sayed that people who maintain [a others, diabetic neuropathy
emphasised the practice of a healthy lifestyle] in terms can be painful, disabling
healthy lifestyle. of exercise [and] healthy and even fatal.’ (According
diet...are less prone to have to Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit
‘The slogan for this year [any] worsening of their medical organisation).
for this World Diabetes diabetes over the years
Day is focusing on diet and and they have... [higher] There were also stands for
exercise. So healthy lifestyle survival [rates] and [are less checking blood pressure,and
is [the] number 1 priority likely to develop] diabetes for information about various
in diabetic patients and complications.’ forms of diabetes treatment,
non-diabetic patients. The like the ‘insulin pump’, a
message is diabetic patients Besides the actual device that continuously
should know that relying on walkathon, which was held to pumps insulin into the body
treatments, different options promote exercise, the event via a catheter, as opposed
whether insulin or oral anti- also had a variety of stands to the usual treatment
diabetic agents [is] not really educating people about the involving injectable insulin
the mainstay or the main disease. A variety of tests ‘pens’.
thing that will solve and were on offer, such as those
treat their diabetes. simply categorising you into Dr Al Sayed is
normal, pre-diabetic (those ‘very optimistic’
‘Lifestyle predisposed to diabetes), and
changes [are] a diabetic; to those testing regarding the
very important your HbA1c (the average finding of a cure
part of really storage of sugar in your
blood over the past three for diabetes,
treating and months); to one screening believing
getting your for diabetic neuropathy, a
diabetes under complication of diabetes strongly in the
with symptoms ranging future of stem
control.’ ‘from pain and numbness in cell research.
your extremities to problems
Several studies have shown with your digestive system, Here, the main limitations
urinary tract, blood vessels
10 Issue 5 - September 2015 and heart. For some people,
these symptoms are mild; for

Hisham Husain
Meeraal Zaheer and Shreya Choudhary

currently lie in ‘the importance of fundraising like we’re currently doing
durability of the cells to help ‘needy people for Ebola, we can try and
when they are injected [obtain] medications that beat this horrible disease.
in human beings and how they can’t afford’. ‘There
they can tolerate it’. This are several medications The leading cause of
is primarily due to the probably not in Bahrain,
destructive auto-immune [but] over the world that amputation, blindness and
process that defines are pretty expensive, and
type-1 diabetes, which these medications need kidney failure, diabetes
results in the rather quick to be taken in the long
destruction of the injected term...forever.’ She also resulted in the death of
cells once they are able to believes that ‘awareness
begin producing the insulin is equally important’, as 1.5 million people in 2012
diabetics need.Regardless, if people can realise ‘how
Dr Al Sayed believes a cure much they are at risk, according to the World
is ‘very close’. then [they] can really start
taking it seriously, learn Health Organisation.
Along with research for from it and then apply it
a cure, new treatments in their life.’ This makes it the eighth
are constantly in
development. Recently, I certainly did walk the deadliest disease in the
the American Food and walkso-to-speak; clad in
Drug Administration (FDA) every piece of merchandise world as of right now.
approved a new drug, I could buy to support the
known as ‘Afrezza’, a form cause. I intend to do this About 347 million people
of inhalable insulin, as an every year that I am able worldwide have diabetes,
alternative to injectable to, for as long as there is a a number greater than the
insulin. This is the first need to. entire population of the
form approved since United States. The disease
pharmaceutical company I encourage everyone to is predicted to become the
Pfizer released their take part in this event, seventh leading cause of
inhalable insulin product, not only on the 15th of death in the world by the
which was unfortunately November 2015, but the
discontinued in 2007. year after that, and the year 2030.
Although fundraising for ones after that. Together,
research is important, like we do for cancer, like
Al Sayed believes in the we do for HIV/AIDS and

Issue 5- September 2015 11

FEATURES

Bumblefoot in Bahrain

Jam Up Bahrain hosted their first ‘If you name one song that
event in December, running from I can’t play, I’ll buy you
the 3rd to the 5th with stars such as anything from this store.’
Bahrain’s Ala Ghawas & Likwid, Dubai’s
Point Of View, and the Guns N’ Roses And, true to his word, he was able to play
lead guitarist Ron Thal, better known as every song requested, not missing out
Bumblefoot. The event was organized to a single one. During the entirety of his
promote local musical talents in the GCC, mini performance, the crowd sang along
and proved to be a success among the to the songs, and shouted out requests,
many Guns N Roses fans around Bahrain. keeping the mood and atmosphere lively.
At one point during the event, Thal even
His arrival kicked off with a free meet performed some of his new songs that were
and greet at Virgin Megastore, where to be featured in his upcoming album!
he talked to fans, signed autographs, On the 4th, Bumblefoot made his way
and even played a couple of songs. His to RIA, a school for autistic children,
performance was a particularly memorable supporting the cause for Autism
event. After he had met everyone and awareness. Artology Bahrain collaborated
signed all the posters and guitars that with Thal and set up special canvases
people had brought, as well as taken for the children, teaching them various
photos with them, he headed up onto the painting techniques to enable them to
makeshift stage, and began to strum a create an abstract piece, while Thal
few chords before looking up to the crowd helped and played some music for
and giving them the privilege of choosing them.
what song he should play. He promised

12 Issue 5 - September 2015

Meeraal Zaheer
Google Images & Artology Bahrain

The paintings the children made were Thal’s experience in Bahrain ended with
then signed by the all the musicians his concert at Ibrida on December 5th.
and later auctioned off at RIA’s festival He played songs varying from Sweet Child
to raise money for the school and its of Mine to Knocking on Heaven’s door,
facilities, creating a better environment and did not fail to live up to his world-
for the renowned name. His supporting bands
children. left a remarkable impression on the rock
fans attending the concert and are surely
All of this was followed by a series of going to be remembered by them all.
exclusive Guitar Clinics at Room to Rock,
with Royden Mascarenhas from Point of The entire event, hosted by Jam UP,
View and Ahmed Abdulaziz from Likwid, was a complete success, helping to raise
followed by Bumblefoot, who ended the awareness of local bands, while giving
night with a great set of tips for all the Bahrain the opportunity to share its
guitar players and fans who took part in culture with Bumblefoot. I was lucky
the evening. It was a small environment, enough to help out at the events, and spent
in which only the few who had managed some time individually with Bumblefoot,
to buy the selective number of tickets and the only thing I can say is that I’ve
got in. This created a great atmosphere never met someone so accomplished be
that made you feel very comfortable and so humble and down to earth He certainly
intimate with the guitarists. Ron Thal’s wasn’t what I expected, but I can easily
down-to-earth personality came through say that I was glad to be a part of this
even more that night, and I don’t think experience.
anybody could disagree with that.

Issue 5- September 2015 13

FEATURES

Feminism

In November 2014, TIME magazine fact that “feminist” was also on the list.
released it’s fourth annual “word I couldn’t understand why a movement
banishment poll” asking it’s readers that called for equality deserved to be
to vote for which word should be banned banned. I’ve seen countless memes bash
in 2015. Among a few words on the list the term, and the problem is many people
were “bae”, “basic” and the classic phrase fail to truly understand what feminism
we’ve all used at least a dozen times: “I actually stands for.
can’t even.” But what shocked me was the

14 Issue 5 - September 2015

Yasmeen Jassim
Elzé van Achterbergh

Feminism is defined as “the advocacy of women. While the Sex Discrimination Act
women’s rights on the grounds of political, which was passed in the UK in 1975 bans
social, and economic equality to men.” discrimination in employment, education,
People often associate misandry (a hatred training and harassment, women still face
of men) with feminism and it couldn’t be inequality in almost all of these sectors on
farther away from the truth. Feminists a day to day basis. According to the U.S.
believe in equality and one of the biggest Department of Labor, some 50 to 80% of
misconceptions about feminism is that women in the U.S. experience some form of
feminists believe that woman are better sexual harassment during their academic
than men. Feminism is about men’s rights or work lives. The facts get worse and
too. Feminism says that a man should be worse. Inequality isn’t just restricted
able to express himself without feeling or to a few countries, it’s something faced
being considered less masculine. Feminism worldwide. Not a single nation can say
says that a man shouldn’t feel compelled to that they’ve achieved complete equality
pay for dinner. Feminism says that a man and the sad reality is, it’s going to take a
and woman should be treated as equals while before this happens.
and neither should be considered better
than the other. In her iconic UN speech We’ve been able to land a spacecraft on
Emma Watson said: “I have realized that mars and we‘ve been able to create 3D
fighting for women’s rights has too often printers. We’ve been able to clone human
become synonymous with man-hating. If cells and we’ve been able to simply Google
there is one thing I know for certain, it is a question instead of spending hours
that this has to stop.” looking through an encyclopedia. The
world has come so far, but when it comes
‘Feminism aims to destroy to equality it’s like we’ve taken two steps
the patriarchal society we back.
live in and create a better,
stronger and more equal ‘Until women are seen as
equals in every way, by
one.’
everyone, we need
It’s 2015 and equality is something we feminism.’
still haven’t achieved. Unfortunately we
still live in a world where a woman gets Ignorance is the only thing that’s
paid less than a man for the same job. In stopping the world from correcting
fact, in the UK, the gender pay gap stands itself. The sooner we realise that, the
at 15%, with women on average earning sooner things will start to change.
£5,000 less a year than their male
counterparts. Women have more graduate
degrees in neuroscience, however less than
a third of faculty are actually made up of

Issue 5- September 2015 15

FEATURES

Let’s Talk About Teenage Depression

‘Depression’ is a word There are several reasons pain, including headaches,
that is thrown about why a teenager might become
quite casually in depressed. Poor academic stomach aches or fatigue
conversation: we use it to mean performance, social status, »»Difficulty in concentrating
sad, or down in the dumps. In sexual orientation and the
fact, depression is a mental external environment can each or making decisions
disorder that affects between have a profound impact on a »»Excessive or inappropriate
15 to 20% of adolescents by teenager’s sense of worth and
age 18, and according to the self-esteem. This list is by no guilt over situations
World Health Organisation, means exhaustive- there are »»Irresponsible
major depressive disorder is a plethora of other factors behaviour,
the leading cause of disabil that can trigger depression-
ity in Americans aged 15 to but when a person is unable such as skipping class or
44. Yet, our cavalier treatment to find satisfaction where they
of a serious disorder suggests normally would...there is a forgetting obligations
a greater problem at hand: strong chance that they have »»Loss of interest in food,
a lack of awareness. Even in teen depression.
the 21st century, depression is or compulsive overeating
highly stigmatised, and those What are the
who suffer it are unlikely to symptoms of resulting in rapid weight loss
seek help or treatment. teen depression?
or gain
Previously, people believed that Research has determined »»Preoccupation with death or
it was impossible for children that depression manifests
to be depressed, and teens with in adolescents differently to suicidal thoughts
depression were dismissed as adults, where teenagers tend to »»Feeling hopeless and/or
being ‘moody’ or ‘difficult’. We change their outward behaviour.
did not know that depression They lose motivation, which worthless
can increase a person’s risk could lead to a drop in grades, »»Withdrawal from friends
for heart disease and diabetes, and tend to withdraw »»Use of alcohol, drugs or
among a wealth of other related from previously enjoyable
health problems. activities. Teenagers may engaging in promiscuous
sleep excessively, experience
‘It is time changes in appetite, and sexual activity
that we, as a in extreme cases, exhibit
society, agree to criminal behaviour. All of these While the above list gives
objectively view symptoms are a combination a general idea of the
depression for the of physiological changes, along most common ways that
serious mental with the way that they react to depression presents itself, it
disorder that it being depressed. is important to remember that
is, and set aside not all teenagers will react in
our assumptions Experts agree on some common the same way. It is common
signs of depression in teenagers, for adolescents to experience a
about it.’ although not all teenagers will combination of any of the above
present all of the symptoms: symptoms, along with behaving
16 Issue 5 - September 2015 in a way that is uncommon for t
»»Apathy, or a feeling of hem. It is difficult to reduce
numbness a mental disorder such as
»»Feeling unexplained physical depression into a finite
checklist, because it is not
something that is easily
identifiable.

What are
the types of
depression?

Major Depressive Disorder

According to the National
Institute of Mental Health,
major depressive disorder is

Hemangini Raina
Elzé van Achterbergh

characterised by a combination for around two years, and counsellor. Understanding
of symptoms that interfere patients may also experience
with a person’s ability to periods of major depression. that depression is not your
work, sleep, study, eat or enjoy While the cause of dysthymia
once-pleasurable activities. It is not known, experts believe fault, and that you can share
is very different from having that genes may play a role,
a bad day, or even a bad week. since patients tend to have a your thoughts confidentially
Major depression, or clinical family history of depression,
depression, lasts far longer and although this is not always the can make all the difference.
has real-life-repercussions on case. Abnormal brain chemistry
a person’s life, which prevents is thought to be involved with Depression can distort your
them from functioning causing dysthymia, along with
normally. An episode of clinical major emotional upheaval or perception of what is real, where
depression might only occur chronic illness.
once in a lifetime, but tends to your mind starts to believe in
recur throughout a person’s life. How is
Moreover, a major indicator of depression the feelings of hopelessness,
clinical depression is a
persistent depressed mood or treated? so opening up to someone
loss of interest. If symptoms
persist daily for more than two Even though psychotherapy can help you to readjust your
weeks, it is recommended that is highly stigmatised in the
you seek help. Middle East, including Bahrain, perspective.
it is highly recommended that
Manic Depression or you seek a professional help. ‘Always
Bipolar disorder A professional evaluation
can be of significant help, remember that
Bipolar disorder, also known as especially if your symptoms
manic depression, is complex are severe. While there are depression is not
mood disorder that alternates not any specific medical tests
between periods of clinical for detecting depression, a weakness.
depression and episodes of health care professionals can
extreme elation, or mania. diagnose based on interviews It is not weak to
There are two subtypes of and psychometric testing.
bipolar disorder, I and II. While anti-depressant drugs ask for help.’
Bipolar I disorder is identified are viewed as a miracle cure,
by a history of at least one the truth is that medication We have come a long way
manic episode, with or without does not always help. In in terms of understanding
a depressive episode. Bipolar some situations, dependence depression, and finding ways
II disorder requires patients to on medication can further to help those who suffer from
have a history of a minimum of aggravate problems. Talking it. One of the many difficulties
one episode of major depression, about your problems, and of mental disorders is that
and one mildly manic episode. having an open discussion is there is no hard evidence; no
one of the best ways to alleviate X-ray or MRI that the doctor
Chronic Depression depression. can point to so that we can all
accept that it exists. Perhaps
Chronic depression, sometimes If professional help is not an that is what makes depression
referred to as dysthymia, is less option, it is worth talking to so dangerous: people that are
severe than major depression. someone you trust, such as suffering from it don’t even
The depression symptoms can a parent, friend or a school know that they are depressed.
linger for a long period of time, However, we have a long way
to go in terms of accepting
mental disorders for the serious
problem that they are. We have
to stop sweeping our problems
under the carpet of stigma, and
have open, honest discussions.
It is time that we make the
conscious decision to move
forward, as a society.

Issue 5- September 2015 17

FEATURES

That’s so Brutal

Meet Mister Metal-Head: Heavily suggests that the most psychopathic fans
tattooed with long, flaccid hair are those who like rap music the most.
and several piercings located Metal takes a close second place, so there
around his body. He is a member of the is little real proof there that rappers are
elite fans of metal music. With vulgar slurs more dangerous than those who enjoy
and a slight lisp, he pretentiously shows heavy rock to metal music. However, both
off his knowledge of the (overly) intricate of these types of fans are below 70% on the
sub-genres of his favourite type of music. psychopath-scale – as scale that should
Anyone who claims to enjoy similar songs really only ring alarm bells if a person
to him must be shunned if they do not receives a score higher than 90%; even
know the difference between metalcore then, being a psychopath does not mean
and thrash metal. Mister Metal-Head that you are innately prone to becoming
contributes to society through pointless Leatherface from ‘The Texas Chainsaw
ranting on internet blogs and detracts Massacre’. Hence, we can assume that
from it via bouts of maniac episodes, which those who listen to rap or metal are not
leave damaged street lights and bleeding all that
puppy heads in his wake. Pick up any frightening, right? They are just more
book on mental illnesses, open it and you frightening
are bound to find something he probably than those who enjoy jazz, classical and
has. He is addicted to the macabre, void dance music.
of empathy and lacking in a sense of
responsibility. He is a psychopath. He is ‘Hence, you must not
just like all those metal-heads. listen to rap and metal.
You will lose all sense of
An interesting study being conducted on
the internet by Professor Kevin Dutton humanity if you do.’
(author of ‘The Wisdom of Psychopaths’)

18 Issue 5 - September 2015

Elzé van Achterbergh
Google Images

It is fascinating how simply scrolling vastly from one metal-head to the next.
down to the comment sections of various The assumption that people who listen
music videos on YouTube can give you an to metal music are walking nightmares
idea of what culture each genre has. A is simply unfounded and results in some
common characteristic of the so-called rather uncalled for stereotyping.
heavier music genre is the infamous
emoticon ‘\m/’, symbolising the devil The effect of stereotyping affects all
horns so often used by rockers. Oh, genres. You have to wear baggy pants,
run and scream everyone! A person as have golden teeth and have no knowledge
insignificant as everyone else is making of grammar to be into rap music. You
a symbol with their hands! Armageddon must be a preppy, simple-minded teenage
is near! girl to enjoy pop. You’ve got to be some
recluse with partially shaved-off hair to
The general assumption is that those like dupstep. You must be above the age
who listen to metal music are everything of thirty to listen to pre-21st century
described in the first paragraph. Indeed, music, and above fifty to like classical.
some people will fit cosily into that And you’ve got to be gothic and stricken
archetype. However, as with many with anti-social personality disorder to
stereotypes,it is very inaccurate for the like rock and metal. Music genres of all
majority of listeners of the music. I am sorts should not be thought of as cults.
not going to preach about how metal- If you listen to a song and enjoy it, you
heads are secret Mother Teresas, but I should feel no obligation to act a certain
am going to say that people who listen to way or be judged for what is on your MP3
hard rock and metal will have interests, player.
opinions, ideas and skills which vary

Issue 5- September 2015 19

FEATURES

Why My Class Still Does Secret Santa

It was a Sunday when had been someone I barely have possibly gotten - the
one of my fellow pupils knew.) I sat back down desperation. Days went by
shouted, “we’re going and proceeded to think and I still didn‘t know what
to do secret Santa!” She about all the possible gifts to get my friend. Annoyed
had (in a fairly large bag) I could buy when my best and frustrated are words
pieces of shredded paper friend (sitting on my left) that come to mind when I
containing the names of all interrupted my reverie and try to describe my friends
the children in the class. suddenly blurted out that during this time - I still
I watched as each student she had picked my name. hadn‘t told them!
took a slip out. Although I did appreciate
this, I was a little irritated The weekend started and
‘This was no as I’d wanted the mystery finished as fast as light. I
easy task. The to be preserved - jokingly, I still had not come up with
tension rises threatened her: a present; I wanted to make
as you wonder it special - something cute
whether your “Now that but not over the top.
name has been you’ve told me,
our friendship Ultimately I bought a
picked, who could be at stake cupcake piggy bank
picked it? Is it a depending on decorated in mint green,
friend? Enemy?’ brown and cherry red
your gift.” paints, bracelets and silver
Will it be a sweet, cleanly nail polish. I carefully
wrapped present picked out She wasn’t the only one. wrapped it up in a blue
carefully or a scruffy gift The rest of my class had snowman bag and slipped
put together last minute, not stuck to tradition and in a Christmas card. I had
the kind that comes from all decided to find out left a clue inside: a small
the closet of leftover who their secret Santa’s inside joke in the card so
unwanted gifts at home? were. I, however, didn’t she’d know who her secret
say anything, deciding Santa was. The bag was
Who thought Secret Santa to keep it a secret and stuffed with pink confetti,
could be so complicated? stick to the rules. People not only to make the bag
pestered me all day trying look plump, but also so
Finally it was my turn; I to find out who I’d picked, that when it was opened,
gingerly put my hand into yet I did not utter a word the confetti would fly out
the bag and felt for a paper. piquing their curiosity and and scatter. Everything
This was the moment of interest. Two of my friends was planned out. On the
truth...it was a close friend! made a table showing who way to school last minute
(Imagine the stress if it picked who and tried to uncertainties buzzed in
‘calculate’ who I could my mind - ‘Will she like
20 Issue 5 - September 2015 it? Should have I added
something else?’

Athena Puri
Elzé van Achterbergh & Sarah Roos

When I reached school my that it was cute and looked them) I was incredibly
friend who organized the really nice. I was pleased pleased and turned to hug
Secret Santa ran up to me and saw her slowly open her my best friend - “I guess
and breathlessly asked: package. She was confused our friendship won’t be at
‘Did you bring it?’ I nodded, when confetti went flying stake.” I whispered. She
immediately discerning everywhere and started to laughed. The friend who
what she was talking about, laugh; she held up- had received my gift came
and pointed to my bag. up to me to thank me and
She sighed and a smile My present was placed said that she really liked
swept across her face. on my desk, and my gaze it. I was happy that my
Apparently, many people went straight to the orange class did Secret Santa.
had forgotten. After the parcel sitting right in front The room was buzzing
bell rang, I learned that the of me. My Secret Santa with excitement; people
exact figure was 5-7 people. (who hadn’t received a were swapping gifts here
Thankfully my best friend present that day) watched and there, laughing and
wasn’t one of them- I WAS me open it hoping for a enjoying the morning. I
GETTING A PRESENT! smile. I loved the way it loved my ‘unusual’ present
was wrapped; it looked like and was glad that my
She slid down in her chair a parcel from the Victorian friend hadn’t gotten me a
and whispered in my ear: times - orange tissue paper standard lotion and scrub
with a pink ribbon tied to set (which, of course, all
‘I am not too it. I ripped it up, wanting girls love),
sure you’ll like to see inside - but it wasn’t
my present it’s a over. Bubble-wrap was ‘She’d thought
bit...unusual.’ tightly wound around my out of the box
present. After battling my
I raised my eyebrow and way through, I found myself and got me
smiled- my friend was looking at a beautiful something that
always full of worries. bookmark with an object described our
When the presents were hanging from it that said:
handed out and people’s ‘love, hope, dream’. There friendship -
faces lit up - clearly, they’d was a Japanese woman with unusual.’
stopped daydreaming about dark hair and with a map
escaping the prison we call drawn on her face. I got a Everyone was happy and so
‘school’. Finally my present mood ring that was painted was I.
reached my friend. She said with little dots...and a snow
globe! (She knew I collect Issue 5- September 2015 21

CREATIVE WRITING POEMS Himaja Rajakaruna
Amindii
The Silent Killer

I creep up on you
Ever so silently
You won’t know I’m there
I show only the slightest hints of my presence
They call them symptoms
They don’t understand
I win. I always win.
I ruin lives
I take up time
And then - only then - do you start fighting for your precious life
I can do this to anyone
No one - I repeat
No one is safe
Not until the very last moment
If you’re lucky
You’ll find me at stage I
Easier to get rid of me
But, discover me by stage IV
I would have already consumed you by then
I’m a curse -Ask anyone
I will change you - mentally and physically
I may even help you
Look at life in a different light
You can’t go back; it’s either life or death from now on
Who am I?
I am a silent killer
I am cancer
And let me tell you something
You can’t hide from me
But I can hide from you
Doctors say catch me if you can
Before it’s too late
But here’s what I’ve got to say
Live life to the fullest
Treasure every happy moment
And maybe, just maybe
You will overpower me
The most important thing to remember-
I might be life threatening

22 Issue 5 - September 2015

Can’t Remember the Stories G

Athena Puri
Google Images

Remember me Lisa?
I used to read to you when you were very little,

The stories you heard,
Don’t you remember?

I was clean, brand new,
All fixed up, with the help of some glue,

Had 50 stories that I read to you,
Don’t you remember?

Every night you would pick me up,
Choose a story and say ‘yup’,

I still remember your favorite story, the one about the little pup,
Don’t you remember?

50 days past and you never gave me a glance,
Am I that old, do I have a weird stance?

Please pick me up one last time, I’m the one that’s
told you all those stories, won’t you give me a chance?

Don’t you remember?

All that we’ve been through, you don’t seem to care,
I guess it has something to do with what I wear,
Is it my torn spine?
Or the ragged edges?
The pine-print design
or the fact that your words mean nothing when
you say you are mine,
...You don’t remember.

Issue 5- September 2015 23

CREATIVE WRITING SHORT STORY

Slave

The hum is almost making evident the squalor ‘home’. To me, it remains
clinical, coupled of my surroundings. The but a plaster box in which I
grimy pillars are juxtaposed lay my tired frame to rest, a
with the austere against the glow, casting set of receptacles in which
spears of darkness on the to deposit my worldly
feel to my surroundings. filthy tiles. The sense of possessions. To call it a
decay is tangible. home, a place of comfort
The elongated chamber and belonging, would be a
I turn to escape, towards grave error. It is a dry and
asserts an aura of precisely the stairs- only to wince soulless place. Usually. But
as I am cruelly rewarded tonight is different.
subdued whiteness. There with the sound of my own
footsteps. Crunch. A rustle The heating has failed
is something ethereal to of movement snatches my yet again. Not that that is
eyes to the right, and I see particularly unusual: the
it. It emits a quiet, gentle a row of ominous bundled earth that once provided
forms. I know what they are. for us has no riches left to
influence, willing me to I brace myself, and try to be plundered. That seems
slink past them, not daring to be the case today, as
surrender myself to it, to to look. I have seen enough it was yesterday, and the
of the hollow scowls, the day before. The daily rape
submit the pull of sleep. I shattered, leering, pitiful of our life-giving soil has
visages that peer out from borne no fruit. Or at least
fight back, suppressing the nests of discarded rugs and not enough, not enough to
coats. support the demands of our
urge with frenzied thought. decadence, the heights of
Why do the homeless our hedony, the collective
I must not sleep, not now. inspire such intensity of suicide of our race!
feeling? Why can we not
My stop is soon. If I miss come to terms with those So it is cold, the kind of
who our ruthless society chill that attacks the very
that, there will be more to has broken and discarded? marrow. It is a comforting
It is guilt by association: frigidity; though bitterly
endure. a terrible, psychic terror. painful, it is better than the
One mutters something, placid, conditioned, non-
My gentle train of thought a plea, a whimper in the temperature that seems to
is abruptly interrupted void. I run. be in vogue.
by the sound of a clipped, I fall, my dank form
exact, evidently artificial I have always had an collapsing onto the
female voice: “Next station: aversion to this place, my crumbly, tarnished bulk of
Jobs Boulevard”. It seems
that now I am reaffirmed in
the certainty of my arrival,
my subconscious is all the
more desperate to pull me
under.

Somehow, I survive the

consequent minutes,

and I am standing on a

platform which is in stark

contrast to the sleek balm

of the mag-lev. Here there

is ugly, flickering yellow

light, succeeding only in

assaulting the senses and

24 Issue 5 - September 2015

the couch. I cannot bear clear. Not that it takes Adam Wilson
to turn on the lights; even much determined striding Google Images
if functional, I could not to get across the room;
stand the searing glare. I about four steps suffices. I My hearing goes. I am in a
am content sitting, gazing reach my goal: the bank of void, formless, alone. Only
at the exquisite interplay of computers set against the my thought remains, but
light being shot across from wall. Interestingly enough, that too begins to depart
the window, illuminating there is always enough from me. I release a last
the jutting shapes of my power for them. scream into the abyss, a
prison in a lurid spectacle last defiance, petering out
of garish, plastic-y colour. I sink into the nearest into a pitiable whimper.
(and only) available chair,
I dismiss the fear of the and ready myself. This will functions release to into
past few days, pushing it take time. I pinch the steel scream am a switch out
back into the recesses of end piece of the cable, alone. defiance, into but a
my mind. I can feel it throb, driving it home towards a slowly, Slowly, begins in
and brood, and surge back the expectant orifice in the thought depart void, I goes.
with ever greater tenacity. nape of my neck. I pause, hearing goes. last Only My
There is no logical reason I and for a moment I am that my formless, remains,
should be afraid! Yet I am. I repulsed at the act. My to vision fiutcnons
am consumed by it. realese to itno scaerm am a
The thought passes swicth out aonle. decnfaie,
Though cold, the air is quickly. After all, it will be itno but a a slwoly, Sowlly,
dense: oppressively womb- over with soon. Without bgeins in tohguht dreapt
like. even another faint glimmer viod, I goes. hianerg goes.
of hesitation, I thrust it in, lsat Olny My taht my
I make an attempt to calm letting the machine into flermoss, rmeians, My to
myself, staring ever more my mind. I close my eyes, voisin 66 69 75 74 63 6e 6f
intently at the dance on the and wait to black out. 6e 73 2072 65 61 6c 65 73
wall. A shrill electronic peal 65 20 74 6f 20 69 74 6e 6f
tears me from my pensive But I don’t. This is bad. 20 73 63 61 65 72 6d 20 61
state, accompanied by a The primal fear washes 6d 20 61 20 73 77
ghostly visage plastered back over me, and I am 69 63 74 68 20 6f 75 74 20
across my field of vision. panicking. I try to move, 61 6f 6e 6c 65 2e 20 64 65
to rip it out of me, but I 63 6e 66 61 69 65
DISK STAT: 09.98/10.00 am frozen, bound by forces 011001100110100101110
EB beyond me. I scream, but 101011101000110001101
there is no sound. Nothing 101110011011110110111
I release a sigh of moves. Absolute and utter 001110011001000000111
abatement. Just a routine silence- a great emptiness, 001001100101011000010
memory swap. I propel an infinite despair. 110110001100101011100
myself through the 110110010100100000
scattered paraphernalia Slowly, torturously slowly, 0111010001101111001!
I have amassed, striding my functions begin to
across the room, my target switch off. My vision goes. 010100110110110001100
0010111011001100101!

Issue 5- September 2015 25

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Michela Badro
Google Images
Gone Girl

Gone Girl is a beautifully made film
directed by David Fincher. It’s about
a man whose wife’s disappearance
becomes the focus of an intense
mediacircus, consequently dragging him
into the spotlight when it is suspected
that he may not be innocent.

Fincher excels at creating an extremely
intense thriller which is dramatically
intimate. With this dark and intelligent
thriller that plays to Fincher’s magnetizing
style, you are bound to be entertained and
on edge throughout the entire film. Filled
with plot twists, Gone Girl will definitely
cave its way under your skin. Even when
it fails to be logical at all times, it is
thoroughly engrossing.

At the same time, the movie portrays a
rather realistic commentary of modern-
day marriage; there are definitely some
hidden messages in this psychological
thriller. It is also worth mentioning that
Rosamund Pike’s performance for this
movie was impeccable and outstandingly
wonderful.

I completely recommend this film to other
Fincher fans and/or thriller movie lovers.
Artists this creative should be cherished!

Rating:

26 Issue 5 - September 2015

Mockingjay Lucy Cocker
Google Images

Jennifer Lawrence puts on a stunning
and charismatic performance in
the third instalment of the Hunger
Games saga, ‘Mockingjay’. This, combined
with the frequent fiery combat, makes it a
jaw dropping and thrilling film you don’t
want to miss out on.

The story begins when Katniss Everdeen
awakens from the trauma that occurred
in the previous chapter, Catching Fire,
and is faced not only with underground
confinement but the apparent betrayal of
Peeta. The remainder of the film focuses
on molding Katniss into ‘the face of the
revolution;’ in a series of passionate and
intense moments.

The film features many unexpected and
disturbing twists that keep your eyes glued
to the screen and leave you desperate for
the answers to be revealed in Part 2.

Many critics argue that the film did not
live up to the high expectations that were
set from the brilliant first two chapters,
however I strongly believe that the film
excellently portrayed the dramatic and
intense action from the book, and it would
be impossible to have put on a better
performance.

I would strongly recommend anyone to go
and watch this film to enjoy a stimulating
cinema experience.

Rating:

Issue 5- September 2015 27

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Interstallar

Initially going into the cinema I had is that inorder for the scientists to be able
high hopes for Christopher Nolan’s to travel to potential planets they have
latest film Interstellar and that is to travel through a wormhole. In order
partly because the director, writer and for the space travel to appear realistic,
producer has 7 films (which includes the Christopher Nolan, along with his writing
one I am reviewing here) in IMDB’s 250 partner and brother Johnathan Nolan,
best films of all time including 3 in the worked with theoretical physicists in
Top 20. After 2008’s The Dark Knight and order to try and make the movie as
2010’s Inception, Christopher Nolan has scientifically accurate as possible, and it
established himself as one of the most they certainly succeeded in doing so to
visionary and creative writer/director me.
combinations in Hollywood, and his latest
film Interstellar could be regarded as his The movie itself is led by fantastic
most ambitious film yet. performances by Matthew McConaughey
(who has now proved that his Oscar® win
The film takes place in the not too distant was not just a one-time thing), Jessica
future. As the Earth’s climate becomes Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Sir Michael
more hostile, crops start to slowly die out Caine, John Lithgow, Casey Affleck
and worldwide starvation appears to be and Matt Damon. All these actors give
looming on the dust-ridden horizon. the Nolan brothers’ script depth, the
characters life and the audience the
Humanity’s last hope relies on a team of ability to have a connection with the
scientists/astronauts who have to explore characters and genuinely feel when
space in order to find a possible habitable things go wrong. Matthew McConaughey’s
world for humanity to relocate to in order character Cooper, throughout the movie,
to avoid extinction. The premise itself is just wants to go home in order to keep
as ambitious as a science fiction movie a promise to his daughter who did not
could get, but what gets more complicated want him to leave in the first place.

28 Issue 5 - September 2015

Charlie Moulder
Google Images

This produces heartbreaking moments to up close and personal shots which
throughout the movie and I could tell make you feel like the character on
it was heartbreaking because during the screen is breathing down your neck. The
both times I saw it people were crying in special effects and the way outer space is
the cinema. This of course shows that depicted are similar to 2013’s Gravity. The
McConaughey portrayed his character parts in space where there was no sound
and gave real emotion in doing so. looked exactly like pictures you would see
taken from the Hubble telescope, making
The technical aspects of the movie are it more realistic an adding more to the
just as fantastic as the acting and the overall excellence of the film.
writing. The composer Hans Zimmer,
who had previously worked with Nolan This movie has been considered to be
on Inception, produces a fantastic score Nolan’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, and like
which in parts gave me chills, made my ‘2001’ it is just as thought provoking and
heart race and also made me feel epic and visionary, but in a different ways. If I were
all of these feelings were due to his use of one of the Oscar® voters this year I would
the organ. be rooting for Interstellar to win across
the board for the excellent performance
‘I have never heard a by Matthew McConaughey, its excellent
composer use the organ cinematography, visual effects and of
this much and in these course editing (you cannot put everything
ways before in any film I together without some editing), as well
as an excellent script and equally as
have ever seen.’ strong direction from Christopher Nolan, all
making it an amazing film. This movie has
The cinematography was excellent as it established Christopher Nolan as the future of
had everything from long, sweeping shots motion pictures.

Rating:

Issue 5- September 2015 29

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Zahra Ahmed
Google images
Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is the story of a and helped the audience relate to the
young girl called Marie who dreams characters and feel the same way they were
of an adventure with her wooden feeling. It was written all by the famous
nutcracker doll. Preformed by Mariinsky chaikovsky, so most of the songs seemed
Theatre, a Russian ballet company that familiar. The dancers were nimble, quick
has been in business for two centuries, and kept in time with the music, dancing
The Nutcracker is an unforgettable without flaw. It was amazing to see how
performance. long they could stay on their toes.

At Christmas, Marie’s godfather arrives They could have talked a bit quieter
and gives Marie a wooden nutcracker though, because I heard some shouting
doll. Jealous of the special attention in the wings!
Marie receives, her brother Fritz breaks
the doll. Her uncle fixes it, and they all It was also interesting watching the
go to bed. Suddenly, all the toys start to backdrops change with just a pull of
grow and she finds herself in the middle a string. One of the backdrops even
of a battle between the nutcracker and had an inside and a functioning door!
the mouse king. To distract the mouse The lighting for the snow was also very
king, Marie throws her slipper at him. realistic, so it made the audience feel
The nutcracker then defeats the mouse as if it was actually snowing. Overall, it
king and turns into a prince. made you feel like you were a part of the
story.
With the prince, Marie meets the dolls
and they are together crowned king and For those of you who haven’t been to
queen of the candy people. But Marie the Bahrain National Theatre, I highly
then wakes up, and she wonders if it was recommend it. It has1001seats to
all a dream. represent 1001 nights. The Nutcracker
is, definitely, a must see.
I thought The Nutcracker was a stunning
performance. The music was beautiful Rating:
30 Issue 5 - September 2015

The Amazing Spider-Man Gugulethu Kembo
Google Images

If I had to describe my experience to improve on those movies’ failures.
with “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” But to the movies credit, the action
in one word I would have to say scenes are a joy to watch. Spider-Man’s
“déjà-vu”. Despite the spectacular mid-air acrobatics are beautifully done
performance by Andrew Garfield as our as he swings with wild abandon through
hero, Peter Parker, and the endearing New-York city. Encounters with
acting of romantic interest Emma adversaries like Electro (Jamie Foxx),
Stone as Gwen Stacy, the movie falls The Rhino (Paul Giamatti) and The
short of fans’ expectations. Green Goblin (Dane Osborn) are filled
with creative stunts with unwavering,
It saddens me to say that the plot could high paced superhero action goodness
be summarised as “characters enjoy coupled with quips galore.
witty banter then Spider-Man thwarts
a villain’s nefarious plot”. The actual As a whole, the movie is more
plot is a disorganised mess of: Peter annoying than bad; all the exhilarating
struggling to keep his relationship fight scenes feel like a distraction to
working, facing the challenge of numb the pain of Peter unearthing his
combating his three deadly foes and parent’s secret life again. It’s fine for
trying to unravel the mysterious past an occasional viewing but this feels
of his parents. If any of this sounds like a betrayal of the franchise as it is
familiar- it’s because this all happened more like a feature length Sinister Six
in “Spider-Man 3” and the previous teaser than it is a Spider-Man film.
The Amazing Spider-Man movie, but
director Marc Webb made no attempts Rating:

Issue 5- September 2015 31

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thor, Meet Thor

Comic book movies are raking in billions of dollars in revenue every year,
and one can’t deny that Thor, Loki and Odin are some fan-favourites in
the Marvel franchise. But, how do the comic book characters compare
with the original Norse mythology deities? Well, there are a lot of differences,
but to name a few...

The Comic Books The Mythology

Loki and Thor are brothers, with Loki Loki is Thor’s uncle. He and Odin are

having been adopted. described as ‘blood brothers’, even

though they have different parents.

Gaea is Thor’s mother, and Frigga Thor’s mother is actually a Jotunn

adopted her (although, in the movies, (Frost Giant), and Thor is not Odin’s

it appears that Frigga is Thor’s birth favourite son. Instead, Baldr (the god

mother). of light) is his favourite son.

Odin is a peacemaker. Odin usually starts the battles. He
Sif has black hair. even told the goddess of love, Freya,
to set two kings up against one anoth-
er to start a war.

Sif has blonde hair, which Loki shaved
off as a joke. He promised to fix the
problem after Thor threatened him,
and had some dwarfs forge hair made
of gold for Sif. She literally has golden
hair.

No one can pick up Mjollnir Mjollnir was stolen by some dwarfs and
given to the Jotunn Thrym. The quest
to get the hammer back involved Thor
dressing up as a bride.

Loki is a villain, who only temporar- Loki is actually just a jokester who

ily helps the ‘good guys’ to further his sometimes takes things to the ex-

own evil schemes. treme. He has helped the gods more

than purposely trying to harm them –

although, much of the time, he helped

them out of situations which he start-

ed. His only truly evil deeds are killing

the god Baldr and starting Ragnarok.

Loki is Thor’s greatest enemy. Thor’s greatest enemy is the World
Serpent, Jormungand, who wraps his
body around the oceans of Midgard.
This is one of Loki’s monstrous chil-
dren.

32 Issue 5 - September 2015

Elzé van Achterbergh
Google Images

Loki’s most famous power is creating Loki’s most famous power is shape-
illusions and holograms (often of him- shifting (he can even turn into a fly).
self).

Loki did not know that he was a Frost Loki always knew he was a Jotunn
Giant until it was tragically revealed.

Baldr is murdered by Loki, who is res- Baldr is murdered by Loki, and Loki

urrected! ensures that he is not resurrected.

Hela is the powerful and majestic god- Hela is one of Loki’s monstrous chil-

dess of the underworld. She was alleg- dren. She is physically half dead and

edly the daughter of Loki, but this was half alive. She was forced to never

proven false. come to Asgard, due to her hideous ap-

pearance, and thus governs the under-

world of Helheim.

Thor regularly visits and befriends The closest thing Thor got to mor-

mortals. talfriends were two teenagers (a sis-

ter and brother), who were given to

Thor by their father. They were slaves.

There was definitely no Jane Foster in

the mythology.

Sif is the goddess of war. Sif is the goddess associated with

earth.

Ragnarok is the end of the universe, Ragnarok is the end of the universe,

but its actual events are always evaded and it is inevitable. Newly all the gods

(and will probably always be evaded, or will die (including Loki, Heimdall, Odin

else Marvel will be lose all its superhe- and Thor), and only two humans will

roes). remain to repopulate the earth in the

following era.

Issue 5- September 2015 33

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Fighting Sickle Cell Anaemia

‘The Success Story of Carmani Boozer’

Carlos Boozer is an American At two months old, Carmani suffered of
professional basketball player swelling of the hands and feet. Often,
and a two-time NBA All-Star. He his temperature went up to 40°C.
had a son, Carmani, who had sickle Carlos and his wife, Cece, quickly
cell anaemia. Sickle cell anaemia is a realised their only child Carmani had
genetic disorder where red blood cells a severe case of sickle cell disease. The
become crescent shaped, instead of more the Boozers found out about the
the normal disc-shape. This means disease, the more scared they became.
sufferers can’t carry enough oxygen to
their organs. Their blood cells can get Desperate for a cure, they turned to
stuck when travelling through small bone marrow transplantation, the only
vessels and clog blood flow, causing known cure for sickle cell anaemia
pain that can start suddenly, is mild with an 85% success rate. However,
to severe and can last for any length bone marrow transplantation is very
of time. Other symptoms include risky, has potential serious side effects
strokes, organ failure and sometimes, and could even lead to death. This is
even death. why it is only used in severe cases

34 Issue 5 - September 2015

Jude Almutawa
Google Images

of sickle cell disease, and even then he could die. On his tenth day in the
only for children who have minimal hospital, he received the transplant.
organ damage. Additionally, for the It was successful, and Carmani Boozer
transplant to work, the bone marrow was cured of sickle cell anaemia. Now he
must be a close match. can lead a normal life and the chances
of him getting sickle cell again are less
The couple could not find a match than 5%. As his father, Carlos, said:
on the register of donors; they tested
themselves and weren’t a match “Carmani went through the
either. They were then told that the roller coaster and came out
best possible match would be a sibling.
However, not willing to take the risk smiling.”
of having another child that could also
end up suffering from the disease, they It was a long, difficult journey that
turned to IVF (in vitro fertilisation), many might not take even to save a son.
and produced 26 embryos. Ten of The Boozer family’s courage is truly
them carried the disease, and were admirable. “I’m sure a lot of people
destroyed. Luckily, two were found would be, look, that is completely
to be the match that they needed and wrong.’ Said Carmani’s mother, Cece.
were implanted into Cece’s womb.
‘It’s not the God given way.
The Boozers had twin boys, and stem I needed a special baby,
cells were immediately collected that’s what my two angels
from their umbilical cords to use for are, they’re my two special
Carmani’s bone marrow transplant.
Before the transplant, 15-month-old angels.”
Carmani had to receive high doses of
chemotherapy to make sure he had
no infections, as even the smallest of
illnesses meant there was a 10% chance

Issue 5- September 2015 35

INSPIRATION Kailash Satyarthi:

The Unsung Hero

Mention the word ‘Nobel’ and we ‘She didn’t expect to win.
all instantly think about the But she did.’
renowned Peace Prize. Indeed it is
this prize that garners the most attention, While considered a favorite, bookmakers
and consequently the most controversy. predicted she would get overlooked again-
We had the prize going to the EU in 2012 for citing her youth. However beating out
supposedly continuing ‘the advancement the likes of Chelsea Manning and Dennis
of peace and reconciliation, democracy Mukwege, Malala was announced on the
and human rights in Europe’, with critics 10th of October as being
recounting the EU’s failure in preventing one of the recipients for this year’s peace
the Kosovo genocide; Barack Obama, prize. One.
9 months within his presidency (really
now?) with the man himself questioning Indeed this year’s prize was not Malala’s
whether he deserved the award and above alone for the taking. Kailash Satyarthi,
all- the failure to award Mahatma Gandhi an Indian, was announced as the co-
the Nobel Peace Prize. History was made recipient of the prize. The first question
in 2014, with the announcement that on everyone’s lips: who? One can be
Malala Yousafzai was a recipient for the forgiven for this blunder as not even in his
Nobel Peace Prize. native India is Mr. Satyarthi well known.

At the age of 17 she is the youngest And yet he has saved 830,000 children
laureate, in any field, as well as being only from child labour and abuse.
the second Pakistani to receive a Nobel
Prize. Her tale is now known throughout Giving up his lucrative career in
the world. Out of Pakistan’s ‘Valley of engineering, he formed the ‘Save the
Death’ it was her voice, demanding a girl’s Childhood’ movement in 1980, which
right to an education that sung out. She focuses on ending child labour, human
first came into prominence through her trafficking and bonded labour. These
blog on BBC Urdu. Gradually she became are all major problems in developing
even more vocal, making speeches and countries, in particular, the BRICS.
touring the country. In October 2012 she
almost paid the ultimate price. Shot in the ‘For over 30 years Satyarthi
head at point-blank range, by a Talib, she has fought, at personal
was not expected to survive. Instead she risk, to combat these
defied the odds, and now her miraculous serious problems and has
victory has led her from Swat Valley to
the halls of the General Assembly in New succeeded.’
York. In 2013 she was shortlisted for the
Nobel Peace Prize, but was not expected
to win. She didn’t. In 2014 she was once
again shortlisted for the Peace prize.

36 Issue 5 - September 2015

Rushil Puri
Google Images

With over 30 years to his name it is therefore winner’. While the majority of Pakistanis
quite surprising that international were overjoyed with the news, a few
media seems to have relatively ignored questioned Malala’s achievements- with
Satyarthi, in favor of his much better the minority claiming she hadn’t done
known co-recipient. A search on Google enough.
for ‘Nobel Peace Prize 2014’ will open up And indeed it can be questioned- is Malala
articles on Malala and her achievements. too young to receive a Nobel Prize? She
There are dozens of articles quoting is only 17. She is bound to continue her
Malala’s gratitude at winning; her many campaign and only make it stronger. There
campaign speeches; her life story. Kailash is no doubt she won’t stop inspiring us all
Satyarthi, however, remains in the dark. with her immense achievements. But in
Online news sites, such as CNN and BBC, all honesty, her campaign has only been
lead articles and headings with Malala around for around 4 years. Is this enough
and her achievements, before rounding or too little? Should the committee
off articles with a small paragraph on have waited until she was older and seen
Satyarthi. whether or not her campaign continued?

The most criticism for Malala being in Regardless, taking a bullet for what you
the limelight and Satyarthi being ignored stand for is an immense act of bravery;
has surprisingly come from Pakistanis one that very few of us would be willing
themselves. Quite a few of Malala’s to do. While there has been bias towards
countrymen took to social media, claiming Malala and Satyarthi: they deserve all
that she was undeserving of the award. the accolades they are receiving. This
In a country well known for conspiracy award will no doubt inspire the duo to
theories, Malala’s tale has generated continue their works, which have been
quite a few; with many commenting on truly inspiring and something we should
her ‘rags-to-riches’ story. Having escaped all learn from. Interestingly however, the
the ‘Valley of Death’, her family now lives Committee decided to award an Indian and
in the UK- a fact that critics have latched a Pakistani together. Having witnessed
on. an interview the two them took together
it really is a sign that the two countries
Despite the rivalry between the two can work together and hopefully mend
nations, Pakistanis have praised
Satyarthi’s work, calling him a ‘deserving diplomatic issues.

Issue 5- September 2015 37