Carpe Diem

CONTENTS EDITORIAL
TO BE
A TEACHER
by Doina Cheramidoglu
This issue’s cover features king of
pop Michael Jackson, one of
world’s legends. Speaking of
legends, read the COVER STORY.
CONTENTS
24
hat is teaching like today? Who should do it? And who
shouldn't? This Education World series features essays
on teaching by teachers as they answer the question, "If you had
it to do all over again, would you still become a teacher?"
Michelle Pfeiffer once said that being an actor allows her, with
every new character, to learn something new, immersing
herself in a distinct universe with each project. Being a teacher
is that and so much more.
My life has been so blessed by being a teacher. I would choose
this profession over any other again and again. There is
nothing more fulfilling than the brightening of a child’s eyes
when understanding has occurred in his or her mind. That “aha!”
experience is the most exciting one in life. My goal has always
been, that by facilitating those “aha!s,” my students will seek
those experiences as a crucial part of their journey through life.
This is my twenty-sixth year of teaching, and even though many
negatives have been thrown at the teaching profession, the joy
of inspiring the personal learning of each individual child far
outweighs any adversities teachers face today.Teaching is a
challenge. Because so much of a teacher’s profession is caring
about children, creating ways to improve personal teaching is a
sixteen-hour-a-day-seven-days-a-week job….that continues
through the night in a teacher’s dreams.
Teachers are seemingly not appreciated by society….until each
individual member of our society remembers that special
teacher who made a positive difference in his or her life.
Teaching is all about making that difference. Teaching is all
about hope. Teaching is the most important career path that
anyone could choose to take. It’s a blessing.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Freedom of thought
Carpe Diem
4
5
Sunk in thoughts
Dear Mr. Mayor
LET US ENTERTAIN YOU
The film diva of the 70’s
Legends
6 Gossip girl
Family Guy
TEENAGE ANGST
The statement of intelligence
8 Album review: Lady Gaga
The world is not a place you’d want to save 10 Top 5 places to hang out in our city
Being yourself
12 USEFLUL STUFF
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
11 The environment
This one peculiar day
13 COFFEE BREAK
2010 Horoscope
WE THINK IN ART
In my own world
15 The 15 Minute Crosswords
Poems
16 This issue quote
COVER STORY
18
19
20
22
23
24
26
27
29
30
30
FREEDOM OF THOUGHT
by Diana Bălaşa
A life is like a book. A book is like a box. A box has six sides, inside and
outside. So how do you get to what's inside? How do you get what's
inside, out? It’s all about thinking outside the box.
Even in our everyday life, people look strangely
ree thought is the concept of having
at someone who has the courage to express
your own opinions (based on
scientifical and logical facts) that are not his extreme point of view. It seems weird to me
that in a so called “democratic” country, films,
influenced by traditions, authority or any other
books and songs, the mass-media in general is
belief.
still being banned.
You probably heard of “freethinkers”, but what
This looks like a denial of our freedom of
do you really know about them?
thought, which is obviously wrong.
The Buddhists were the first to define the term
“free thought” , but the begging of free
One should not be banned, scolded or called
thinking is around the year 1600 when the
“crazy” if he has a different opinion about
Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno was
something. You might be surprised, but most
executed by the Holy Inquisition. He had
contrary opinions to the Catholic Faith, he dealt of the time that person you are making fun of
is right.
with magic and divination, therefore he was
considered an heretic. He was killed just
because he thought differently. This doesn’t
sound too fair, does it?
Galileo Galilei was another famous free thinker
who stood up for his ideas. Also considered an
heretic, he had contrary opinions to the Holy
Scripture and thought that the Earth moved
around the Sun. His works were banned and his
future publications were prohibited.
Free thinkers include atheist, agnostics and
rationalists. Some of you might wonder
“Do free thinkers have any moral beliefs?” . Well,
it’s not like any moment now a free thinker will
come and backstab you. For them, what is
moral is simply what does not hurt others.
Kindness is the term which sums up everthing.
Nowadays, the freedom of thought is one’s
most basic freedom. Without it, freedom of
speech would not make any sense. Even
though freedom of thought is listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in some
countries information on the World Wide Web is
controlled and banned.
4
HELLO? - December 2009
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
CARPE DIEM
by Ana-Maria Gallan
How do you apply the motto ”Carpe Diem” in your everyday life?
ou don’t, but you think you do. No
body does. Nobody ever takes a
chance, no one lives on the edge, no one
will ever scream “I DO!!” when everybody else
says “ we don’t.”.
We think we know how to live our lives 100%,
but we need someone to wake us up, because no matter how bad things could turn
up to be when you ‘live your life’, not living it
is even worse.
For example, I’ve randomly asked a few people if they think they do things to feel the
thrill, and 10 out of 10 answered positive, but
0 out of 10 gave an exact answer to my secondary question, referring to WHAT they do
to feel that thrill.
Some of you might not get the message I’m
trying to send here, and I feel sorry for
you, but for everyone else, for all of
you that understood that I’m not trying to
push you to use drugs or skip school, but
make you realize that there are some small
gestures that generate giant life changing
things; for all of you that understood that,
congratulations.
I will get a tattoo, some day. Something
small, to remember me of the times when I
fought with my destiny and chose another
path, one leading to my happiness, and I
struggled to remain calm and optimistic.
Thanks to this signal, some of my friends
decided to do things they never thought
they would do: paint, sing, skate, dance. You
never know what hides under the plain surface of things.
December 2009 - HELLO?
5
COVER STORY
LEGENDS
by Irina Nițulescu
You got a guitar for your birthday. You start
singing in your garage with some friends. Ten
years later you find yourself touring Europe,
being member of the most popular band in
your days. What’s next?
lifetime of fame, wealth, pleasure and fun; the rock
star life! That’s where people usually stop.
But they didn’t.
Who are they? John Lennon, who used his honeymoon as an
anti-war activity (the famous “Bed-in for Peace”, idea which
was later re-interpreted and re-used by various artists like
Green Day’s lead singer), Queen, band which, after the death
of lead singer Freddie Mercury, founded a charity
organization that fights AIDS worldwide and organized “The
Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness”, Bono,
lead singer of U2 who is the world's best-known
philanthropic performer of our days are just a small part of
the names of famous people who weren’t satisfied with
those things only. They wanted to do more, not for them,
but for those who really needed help.
One of the most famous big-hearted celebrities remains
Michael Jackson. Jackson founded the "Heal the World
Foundation" in 1992. The charity organization brought
underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch to enjoy theme
park rides that Jackson had built on the property. The
foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to
help children threatened by war, poverty, and disease.
During his “Dangerous” world tour he raised millions of
dollars, all profits going to the "Heal the World Foundation".
He also sold the broadcast rights to his Dangerous world
tour to HBO for $20 million, a record-breaking deal that still
stands.
6
HELLO? - December 2009
Following the illness and death of Ryan White, Jackson
helped draw public attention to HIV/AIDS, something that
was still controversial at the time. He publicly pleaded
with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton's Inaugural
Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and
research.
Even through his music, Michael made a change. "We Are
the World" is a song and charity single recorded by the
supergroup United Support of Artists for Africa. It was
written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The historic
event brought together some of the most famous artists
in the music industry at the time.
These are the people who will never die, the legends.
They will always exist through the thing they did, through
us, who remember and admire them, through the lives
they saved and the millions of people who thank them.
December 2009 - HELLO?
7
THE STATEMENT
OF INTELLIGENCE
by Cristina Negoiescu
When living in a society, we must obey its rules.
oreover, we contribute directly or indirectly when making these rules (if you are
lucky enough to be part of the majority). So, establishing these rules/laws result as
economical, political, educational, etc. systems. Stop! Educational system. What’s an
educational system? How should a ”modern” young adult be like when finishing school?
What values and knowledge does our current educational system propose to its citizens?
With what result?
Education in its broadest sense, is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the
mind, character or physical ability of an individual.
8
HELLO? - December 2009
TEENAGE ANGST
First of all, a young product of our
educational system should be able to
support himself at a certain point of his
life (quite impossible at the beginnig,
since only few corporations or enterprises would hire an inexperienced
youngster who has just finished a
college or an university) and
contribute to the quotidian taxes.
Moreover, he/she should be able to
integrate himself/herself in the modern
life, to be an useful element to the
society’s wheel, to dissappear in the
huge „bank of fishes” and not represent
a threat to its leaders. Finally, the young
adult must give all his sweat and cost
as less as possible.
The educational system follows to
cover numerous scientific notions : a
large area of foreign languages, and
the achievement of technological skills.
How does a student make proof of all
this knowledge? The DIPLOMA - the
statement of our intelligence.
Sacred. A modern bible. The essencial
proof of performance. Primary to
everything. Even to knowledge. We
would do anything to achieve it.
We read and solve magical books that summarise
the vital information, we become redutable actors
to play the envolvement... or we take a part time
job to get the right „passport” - money - (or we
just ask it from our parents). We drink secret
potions, we sell our soul...
we do this.... and that... and that too...
Come on! We need that diploma! You’ve got it?
Good! Now take it and run! Make a parade with all
your knowledge. As long as you have your
diploma, nobody will know that your knowledge
actually flows away from your brain, that half of
that information was not digested. Watch out or
you will start to throw-up formulas... Finally you
are free to not care anymore about the horrible
social cases proposed by your NGO
(non-guvernamental organisations) that you
pretended to militate for. Let the other beggars
now. You are done.
So... the educational system has a mass
production line of individuals with diplomas.
Diplomas kill culture and real knowledge.
Sad view. Of course, this view is not always the
same for all of our youngsters. For some of them,
a diploma is just a piece of paper, all the
knowledge being from their inside. As for all the
others, too bad that paper becomes yellow after a
while.
December 2009 - HELLO?
9
TEENAGE ANGST
THE WORLD IS NOT A PLACE
YOU’D WANT TO SAVE
“
by Ana-Maria Gallan
We just have to choose if we’re on the Devil’s
side or not.
ars, fights, blood, drugs.
Where is this world going?
What will happen to us in the
end? Why do people fight for power?
Why did guns always solved this
problem? And why do people still
promote violence, such as nudeness and
alcohol? Maybe the world wouldn’t be
ruined if the video clips wouldn’t have a
lot of scenes that “anger” the poor
youngsters that cannot be original and
copy everything that is on the
television.
We have to know how to choose.
Honestly, if you want to have the power
don’t hit him, use your brain, manipulate
the person. It would be less harmful.
10
HELLO? - December 2009
Somehow, we don’t care about the world
that we live in, because we know that we
can’t change it. We cannot stop people
from listening to junk music out loud in
the busses, we can’t stop people from
screaming on the streets, for playing
music too loud, from selling themselves
for pleasure and other things just not
worth writing here.
And for all of you out there that really
think they’re angels, try spending a day
without thinking about anything,
without doing anything, because
EVERYTHING we do is bad nowadays.
Maybe that’s what makes think interesting, that is the cycle of things. People
have to die for other people to live.
TEENAGE ANGST
BEING
YOURSELF
by Ana-Maria Gallan
Nowadays people are showing the world another face of their
personality.
man's personality is brought into the
light from an early age. Each
individual searches for his place in the
society, relying on his qualities and trying to
avoid bad situations.
But are we always true to ourselves? Do we
always find the courage to express our
personality? Nowadays, this is one of the
biggest problems people deal with. They find
themselves so concerned about other
people's opinions that they prefer to be liked
by others for something they are not, instead
of being appreciated for who they really are.
Those are the people who lack
self-confidence. Some of them just don’t
seem to find proper solutions or smart
answers, so they prefer to stay in the shadow,
12
HELLO? - December 2009
hoping not to be asked again. Others are
shy or just too afraid to speak up, so they
tend to easily get manipulated. One way or
another, it can be well noticed that the
number of people willing to assert has
decreased considerably. However, more
and more stars are making way through
the crowd, eager to show the world
their perfect silhouette, in expensive
clothes. They usually become famous
over night, due to a stupid song they
recorded and became a hit or to an
unexpected legacy. We are living times
dominated by humans' great desire of
being noticed and envied, not necessary
for their skills, but for the face they set up.
What about you?
THIS ONE
PECULIAR DAY
CRAZY LITTLE THING
CALLED LOVE
by Ana-Maria Gallan
This one peculiar day, as I am wandering along a shabby alley, a little boy runs into me. He
is running so fast, that when he hits me, we both fall on the crunchy ground.
I rapidly realize that he might be hurt, so I help him lift, but as soon as I touch his wobbly arm,
I feel his cool blood. I look into his eyes, seeking an explanation, but they’re even colder.
They’re hiding desperation, fear, terror under the hazel cover. I’m afraid that, if I ask him, I will
open Pandora ’s Box.
The boy pulls back his hand and crawls to the nearest corner, where I can nearly see him
transform from human to an empty shell. His eyes are wide open, as though he were too afraid
to blink, his body is shaking, his hands are checking the safety of the ground. His knees, bent
closely to his face, shiver like two slinkies.
His mouth is mumbling something unknown, like a witch trying to put up some safety walls
around him.
I finally decide to put up with the newly-born ideas from my mind and go there to help him.
I stop in front of him, gaze at his beautiful candy-like eyes, but it’s as if he’s looking through
me, through my eyes, into my soul. As if he lost his own soul, and is now in search for another
one to find comfort in it.
After minutes that passed like hours of just staring at each other, a smile appears on his thin,
rose lips. I smile too, although there’s nothing to smile for, but I need to help him. He finally
blinks relieved, and stars laughing in the most beautiful way a child could ever laugh. The
sound of his thrill is like seeing an oasis in the middle of the desert.
Comfort. That’s all he needed. I did not even ask. Maybe that’s
all we need when we feel lost, someone to trust
us without having to move their lips so
make us feel safe.
December 2009 - HELLO?
13
WE THINK IN ART
IN MY
OWN
WORLD
by Diana Bălaşa
I took a journey inside my soul. I was eager to find my
inner self in a time of dissapiontment. Everyone should
do that once in a while. What does this world look like?
I saw a river of unanswered questions and doubt
folowig gently along the banks of uncertainty. Strolling
in my own mind, I came across a young tree of wisdom.
I sat beneath it for hours, contemplating its beauty. I
discovered the ackward birds of beauty flying up into
the blue, blue sky.
I came across the meadow of innocence and I felt pure
like a dove. There was also the lake of joy in which I
bathed and felt happy again.
I wondered lonely as a cloud through this magnificent
world and came across the mountain of love. I felt the
fresh air of freedom running through my veins.
Ending this journey I no longer felt unhappy and weak.
I was now strong and ready to conquer the world.
December 2009 - HELLO?
15
WE THINK IN ART
WHITE
MADNESS
White madness…
Once,
Twice,
A million times
I walked this road
Stepping carefully
‘ did what I was told
And here I am
Alone and cold
In the white madness of their world
The youth of the young
In the hands of the old…
I carry a soul in the tip of my toes
And nobody knows;
In fact how could they know?
“so young, so dumb…”
I try to stay away
From their useless charades
And games that they play
So they won’t step on my toes.
They said white power,
But then they raised the white flag,
And now, every minute of every hour
They release a white lie
And white light so they can illuminate our mind…
So they promise the white dove,
With the peace, and the love
And a future of understanding…
Because you see…
In their foolish thoughts
They reversed it all
And tied all in knots
Creating most of the covers you see today
Like a strength jacket
For the few of us joes who have something to say…
The white madness…
16
HELLO? - December 2009
Hello…
I’m that guy I told you about,
The guy with the soul.
I rest my head against the wall
Against its verticality
Against its man made greatness you all seem to
care about
In fact…ignore the wall;
I opened the door:
I’m the guy I told you about,
The guy that never knocks,
The guy that runs with scissors .
Poems by Mihai Păun
SHE NEVER
KNOWS
The dirty silence outside
And your dark eyes,
Black hair blackening the blade of my pocketknife
…
She plays along I guess
And nevertheless…
She never knows.
I’m that guy I told you about,
The guy with the soul…
Maybe we’ll meet someday …
But don’t say a word,
You’ve already heard
I’m just that guy I told you about.
December 2009 - HELLO?
17
WE THINK IN ART
SUNK IN THOUGHTS
by Elena Ciunga
e live in a world that makes us wonder if we could ever discover all her secrets.
World “lives” in a bigger place called universe. I have always wondered, is the
universe so big that no man could ever find its edges?
We all live in an unfounded place. Our eyes will never have the capability to see the
truthfulness. Have you ever thought that someone could fool you? Have you ever asked
yourself if you are the person in the mirror? Maybe the colors that we see are only in our
imagination and things look different for every person.
Perhaps we are just too curious and we want to see more. Maybe there aren’t other
interesting things that people want and need to see. It sounds crazy, but maybe we’re
just the same and our curiosity makes us wonder if we are different. So we are stuck up
against a brick wall.
Life is just too short and unpredictable. No man in this world was ever succesful in stopping
the phenomenon of death. It’s the one thing no man or no science has been able to
challenge. Life is indeed fragile. What’s after death?
18
HELLO? - December 2009
DEAR MR. MAY
OR,
I am writin
g to compla
in about so
problems of
me local
our city, th
at I think th
more attentio
ey deserve
n.
To begin with
, the street
s are in a ve
level. The dr
ry poor
ivers grumbl
e at deep po
walkers are
tholes and th
disappointed
e
by the sidewa
constantly se
lks that
em to be city
sites. It wo
to have well
uld be nicer
paved street
s that will
tourists from
not amuse th
more advanced
e
Furthermore
countries.
,in Constant
a the number
cars is incr
of private
easing and it
will not be
the traffic
long untill
will become
heavier and
polluted. I
the city more
think that it
will be a go
all of the ci
od thing for
tizens to en
courage publ
by reducing
ic transport,
the price of
the commutat
Although I
ion tickets.
have sent ma
ny letters to
nothing has
the council
been solved
yet. Many ot
I are still
her people an
waiting for
d
the measures
promised us
that you
you would ta
ke
.
I hope that
this matter
will receive
attention an
your immediat
d it will be
e
finally reso
lved.
Yours faithf
ully,
Ailin Menabi
l
December 2009 - HELLO?
19
by Ailin Menabil
THE FILM DIVA
OF THE 70’S
Audrey Hepburn: life, elegance, awards and curiosities
hy Audrey Hepburn? Because she is talented, ambitious, beautiful, charming,
intelligent, has a great fashion style, being a model for me and for many other
teenagers around the world.
Have you ever heard of Audrey Hepburn? She was one of the most successful film actresses
in the world and performed with notable leading men as Gregory Peck, Rex Harrison, Fred
Astaire and Cary Grant.
But how did she become so successful? Despite her modeling
career – which was, in fact, a part time job - she took ballet
lessons, this being her true passion. Her ballet instructor as
sured her that she could have a great career in this field, but
was too tall and skinny, things which could keep her from
becoming a prima ballerina. Audrey Hepburn trusted him
and decided to pursue acting, a career in which she at least
had a chance to excel. With hard work and ambition, she got
her first leading role in 1952 in the movie “Roman holiday”.
Audrey Hepburn is one of the few people who have
won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony
Award. She was also named the most naturally
beautiful woman of all time by a panel of experts.
I have first came across the name “Audrey Hepburn”
as a fashion icon, but later I have discovered that it
was also the name of one of the greatest
actresses of all times.
20
HELLO? - December 2009
“
My loo
Hepbu
sungla
LET US
ENTERTAIN YOU
Perhaps it was the elegance she possessed or that little black dress combined with white
gloves in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or the way she made the basic Capri pants, ballet flats,
button-down men shirt, turtlenecks and trench coats to look unique and special.
But that’s not all. On top of all her qualities, she also had a big heart. The actress was
named goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Children’s
Fund because she helped impoverished children in the
poorest nations.
Sadly, like any beautiful story, her had to reach an end too.
She died of appendiceal cancer at her home in Switzerland
at the age of 63.
Did you know that...
- she turned down a role in the film "The Diary of Anne Frank"
because, as a young girl in Holland during the war, she had
witnessed Nazi soldiers publicly executing people in the
streets and herding Jews onto railroad cars to be sent to the
death camps?
- She had a breed of tulip named after her?
- Audrey Hepburn loved to garden and won an Emmy for
hosting the PBS series Gardens of the World.
- was honored with a US. Postage stamp?
- Audrey Hepburn was fashion designer Givenchy's muse. He
designed the wardrobe for her in many of her movies including
the iconic black dress worn by Holly Golightly in
“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”?
- Was trained as a dentist assistant ?
- Hepburn's travels were made
easier by her wide knowledge of
languages; she spoke French,
Italian, English, Dutch,
and Spanish?
ok is attainable. Women can look like Audrey
urn by flipping out their hair, buying the large
asses, and the little sleeveless dresses.
December 2009 - HELLO?
21
GOSSIP GIRL MANIA
by Tania Nancu
“
And who am I? That`s a secret I’ll never tell. You
know you love me.
asically the show is mostly about a group of teenagers aged around 14-18 who
attend a rather elite high school, St Jude’s, in New York's Upper East Side.
Gossip Girl is the narrator, who is unseen during season 1. They attend elite
academic institutions while dealing with love, drugs, and your basic fun, dramatic,
dangerous teenage issues. The characters are spoiled brats that have an easy life that
deals with economic benefits, partying all the time and love interests. Also, their main
conflicts take part when "someone" or "something" doesn't behave or happen
according to the unwritten rules of popularity or social conventionalism. The
character of Gossip Girl is someone who receives embarrassing "gossip" via text
message, the news being then forwarded to practically everyone in the school.
Featuring an ensemble cast, the series mainly centers around the lives of former best
friends, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester).
These two share a love interest in Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford). As outsiders
looking in, Dan (Penn Badgley) and Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) don't run in
the same social or financial circles as their peers - but are drawn into their lives
nonetheless. Chuck Bass (played by Ed Westwick) is the son of a wealthy businessman
whose mother died giving birth to him. Chuck is portrayed as a regular drinker and
marijuana user and with very little morals.
Gossip Girl is more than a superficial movie, it’s an original idea. This show is fun to
watch, easy to follow and the costumes alone make me wish I could be a part of the
lifestyle for just a moment.
22
HELLO? - December 2009
LET US
ENTERTAIN YOU
“Family Guy is an animated American
television sitcom created by Seth
MacFarlane and airing on Fox. The show
centers on a dysfunctional family that lives
in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode
Island. The show uses frequent "cutaway
gags," jokes in the form of tangential
vignettes which parody american culture.”
(wikipedia.org) It all started one day when I
was bored, surfing on the internet for
something really fun to watch. Found this
cartoon, Family Guy, watched the first
episode and immediately got into it. Simply
one of the funniest, smartest and dare I say it
most underrated shows I ever watched.
Family Guy, Vol. 1
(Seasons 1 & 2) (1999)
by Cristian Ursea
Where else on TV would you find an
baby with delusions of grandeur, a talking
dog, or a bunch of supporting characters
quite as colorful as the ones who surround
the Griffins? The show kind of leaves the
impression that this is what The Simpsons
might be like if it were on a bit later and
appealed to a slightly older demographic.
If you've never seen it and you're unlikely to
be offended by close-to-the-bone humour
and cartoon characters spouting very edgy
oneliners and engaging in some frankly
ridiculous storylines then you should give it a
try.
Buy on Amazon.com for $13.99
December 2009 - HELLO?
23
ALBUM REVIEW:
LADY GAGA
THE FAME MONSTER
by Cristian Ursea
The most wanted album of this moment finally came out on
November 23. “The Fame Monster”, the material of a
complete artist, who sold over four milion copies of her first album. It’s Lady Gaga, who
leaves us speechless everytime she appears on the screen.
“The Fame Monster” is a revelation, and while I wouldn't go as far as calling it the pop
album of the decade, it has to be in the running for the best release of 2009. Lady Gaga
has given birth to that rarest of creatures - a consistent and coherent collection of 8 electro-dance anthems that not only entertain but occasionally stretch the boundaries of
popular music.
Bad Romance
Strangely, I absolutely hated the album's lead single when I first heard it. "Bad Romance"
initially struck me as a rather lazy re-hash of "Poker Face" - only with really annoying
chanting ("rah rah rah rah") and poorly pronounced French lyrics. Since then it's grown on
me like a bad case of Athlete's Foot and I can't seem to get that epic chorus out of my
head. I'm still not completely taken with the verses and I think RedOne has learned some
tricks from the Stargate/Timbaland school of beat recycling but this is still an impressive
piece of work, made even better by its brilliant video clip.
Alejandro
Unlike "Bad Romance", it was love at first listen with "Alejandro". I love the clear influence
of 90s Eurodance and the sweetness of the chorus. Lady Gaga does dark and dirty dance
better than just about anyone but this is a rare example of the diva encroaching on Kylie's
joyous brand of soft and pretty pop. I'm slowly losing interest in RedOne as a producer
but this proves he's more than just a one trick pony. The strings and elegantly arranged
synths perfectly compliment the wacky spoken interludes and cute lyrics. As much as I
love lyrics about riding disco sticks and bluffin' with muffins, it actually makes a nice
change to hear Lady Gaga sing a relatively straightforward love song. This would make
my short list of potential singles.
Monster
When talking about the album, Lady Gaga listed Eastern European discos as an
inspiration and "Monster" kind of sounds like an extremely polished Romanian Eurovision
entry and I mean that as a compliment! From the corny intro to the camp chorus and sublime middle eight, this little gem is a burst of pure pop. I love the juxtaposition of Lady
Gaga's gory imagery with the insanely perky melody and RedOne brings his usual sheen
to the proceedings. Having said all that, "Monster" is still probably one of the album's
weaker tracks - making it pretty amazing filler.
24
HELLO? - December 2009
LET US
ENTERTAIN YOU
Speechless
Lady GaGa channels Freddie Mercury and the result is one of the best tracks of her budding
career. "Speechless" is an absolute triumph. It not only underlines Gaga's incredible versatility
but also showcases the diva's most overlooked asset. Her pipes. The ease with which she
slips into 70s rock star mode is astounding and Ron Fair's organic production gives her voice
an unexpected warmth. I never thought I'd be interested in a Lady Gaga ballad but this is
brilliant stuff. If I had one criticism it would be that "Speechless" sounds slightly out of place
next to the electro-dance tracks but I'd love her to pursue this sound in the future.
Dance In The Dark
This gets my vote as the album's equal best track along with the Beyoncé duet. "Dance In The
Dark" is dance-pop perfection. Fernando Garibay effortlessly blends modern electronic
elements with an orchestra of synths that sound like they were stolen from Madonna circa
1985. Fernando is really on fire at the moment. "Nothin' But Love" is perhaps the best song on
Whitney's amazing comeback album and he achieved the impossible by making U2 sound
slightly interesting on "I'll Go Crazy, If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight". This is the perfect sound
palette for Lady GaGa's attitude filled verses and anthemic chorus. A future gay classic.
Telephone (featuring Beyoncé)
I've already devoted a post to this amazing duet, so I'll keep this brief. In a nutshell, "Telephone" is probably the best superstar duet since Barbra Streisand joined forces with Donna
Summer on "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)". The song isn't particularly deep or original
but it does put a new spin on the always popular genre of female empowerment anthems
and allows both parties to shine. Lady Gaga displays her usual fierce attitude, while Beyoncé
almost steals the show with her best crazy woman impersonation. Only fan fatigue (the two
divas have released about 216 singles between them in 2009) will stop this being massive.
So Happy I Could Die
RedOne returns with another fairly standard production straight from his Swedish conveyor
belt of catchy pop tunes. What saves this from being RedOne by the numbers is Lady Gaga's
quirky lyrics about doing her hair and touching herself. "So Happy I Could Die" should be a
load of rubbish but there are more hooks than a tackle shop and I have a soft spot for meaningless pop songs with dirty lyrics. Not exactly single material but still pretty damn good.
Teeth
It's a shame that "The Fame Monster" closes with its only stinker. That's probably a bit harsh
but the Teddy Riley produced "Teeth" is the kind of over-sampled mess that was hot about
five years ago. It's unlike Lady GaGa to be so off trend so I guess she was probably trying to
be ironic or revive an old sound but this is an epic fail on every level. I hate the lyrics, the
non-existent melody and busy production. It's a sad day when J Lo did it first and better.
December 2009 - HELLO?
25
LET US
ENTERTAIN YOU
TOP 5 PLACES TO HANG
OUT IN OUR CITY
by Ana-Maria Gallan
It doesn’t matter what kind of music you listen to, or what’s you
fashion style, these places basically gather up everything you like.
Friends & co.
Hangout
It’s very close to school, between the
Sports Center and Domino restaurant, next
to the Marco Polo restaurant. What’s great
about it? It’s very chill, anyone can feel like
themselves here, because it gives you the
feeling that you’re home, and going there
with your friends unconsciously sets your
mood up. It’s cheap AND it’s a great place
to meet new people.
Although some people consider it’s not situated in a safe neighborhood, it’s a place
I’d always go. There’s a style difference between this pub and the other ones, but I’m
going to let you discover what that is. What
I love the most about it is that every time I
go there I meet someone I know. People
think it’s a place where only junkies and
graffers hang out, but I’ve seen all kinds of
teenagers there. And adults never hang
out there, so it’s strictly a teen place.
Phoenix Club
This is where music happens.
It’s the center of concerts
and karaoke sessions. There’s
something happening every
weekend. It’s big, it’s live,
what more could you want?
It’s situated in the North
Tomis, next to the Ciresica
Church.
26
HELLO? - December 2009
Doors Club
Also pretty close to
school, on the Ferdinand
Boulevard. Although it’s
not a very small pub, it’s
intimate and warm, and
they have tasty smoothies.
Cafe D’Art
Although I’m not a fan of
going out in places where
adults often hang out and
discuss business, this place
is lovely decorated and it
has good food. If you feel
classy or like joining the
upper society, this is the
place to go.
USEFUL STUFF
THE
by Cristiana Andreea Voinescu
ENVIRONMENT
What responsibilities do you
think individuals have towards
the enviroment?
ll the people in the world should be responsible of the environment be
cause, if they continue to pollute it, we won't be able to live in this world
any more. Therefore, people must be responsible and become more
conscious when it comes to nature.
People must learn to recycle, to replace gas fuels with natural ones; they must
stop cutting down trees and think twice before buying something made out of
endangered species’ fur or skin.
Authorities should develop certain programmes to explain people what consequences their actions have. There should also be special classes in schools in
order to teach children how to help nature.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that contribute to the pollution of the
environment, using old cars, throwing wastes in public places, not caring.
EDITORIAL
STAFF
The biggest problem of our planet is not the global warning, which little by little
will destroy our planet, but the people which cause it.
TEACHER ADVISOR
EDITORS
Cheramidoglu Doina
PAGE DESIGN
Ciungă Elena
Bălaşa Diana
Gallan Ana-Maria
Meneabil Ailian
Nancu Tania
Negoiescu Cristina
Păun Mihai
Voinescu Cristiana Andreea
Niţulescu Irina
Ursea Cristian
PHOTOS
EDITORS IN CHIEF
Niţulescu Irina
Ursea Cristian
www.sxc.hu
December 2009 - HELLO?
27
STUDY IN
THE
UK
6 USEFUL CARDS
Visit www.ukstudy.com for more universities & colleges.
Coffee break
2010 HOROSCOPE
Aries
This year will be the year of changing. You will be
able to affirm yourself with people in order to your
own personality more easily. This year will be good
because frustrations you have been bearing for three
years will go away. You will be able to make changes
you have been thinking about for nearly five years.
Taurus
This year 2010 is announced favorable, particularly to
the continuation of plans you have already followed
for three years. So, polish your strategies, pose the
last stakes. You feel more the need for cooperating
with your environment : you should follow your
instinct which sticks to concrete realities.
Gemini
This year 2010 comes to wake up in you an intense
desire of affirmation near your entourage. You give
your opinions with vehemence and ease, even if it
means to shock your audience. This period dyed of
unconcern is favorable, because you will see finally
the resolution of some of your interior worries in all
simplicity. Those who envy your ease won’t dare to
be pointed out, you take interior balance positively,
your confidence in you reinforces your effectiveness.
Cancer
This year 2010 is heralding a fluidity renewal in your
life on all plans. You will have art to simplify things all
while affirming you more, which will surprise people
around you. Contrary to your discretion practices,
you will need to be heard … This will enable you to
make essential developments in your entourage. This
year is highly favorable to know deeply yourself.
Leo
This year 2010 will enable you to advance more
quickly towards achievements which hold you with
heart. Your conscience to be, amplified comes to
reaffirm your values and your aspirations, you test
the need to say them high and strong to which
wants to hear it well. You feel your major values more
highly still than usually, chance is at your sides to
clear up trailing situations. You take things in hands
in the good sense !
Virgo
This year 2010 announces a revival, a realignment of
your objectives in the broad sense, a general
development which will enable you to be more
precise in your actions. Indeed, you feel necessary to
re-examine your assets with clearness, in order to
advance more effectively, you seek to eliminate all
that is superfluous. You return to your personal
objectives, which enables you to show your true
limits with your entourage.
Libra
This year to come announces a very good period with
regard to your social life, like your relations with others
in the broad sense. You feel an increasing desire of
freedom, at the same time as a need to create or
reinforce certain alliances. You have capacities to
combine these two facets from your natural
diplomacy, but the need to impose yourself will be
stronger than usually. You tend to harmony, this time
by asserting your desires firmly.
Scorpio
This year, you start a new cycle of your life. It is in you
that many changes will finally occur in a visible way.
You are ready to concretize aspirations you have
contemplated in the shade for three years. Your
external vitality is increased during this time, you feel
strong impulses to live fully in harmony with your
ideals.
Saggitarius
This year 2010 will enable you to light your road of a
new light, which had been lacking to you for two
years. The period will be ideal to leave a situation
which comprises too many constraints compared to
your possibilities, what is in the professional or
relational plan. You need personal evolution, which
has all the chances to be concretized this year.
Capricorn
This year 2010 will be carrying results in the broad
sense, and more particularly those which will allow
you awakenings essential to your personal blooming.
You feel a need for progress which rightly shows you
the way to be followed. You are during one ideal time
to project you in the future because you dominate
concretely events.
Aquarius
This year 2010 announces one period in which you will
be more optimistic than usual, and more arguer at the
same time. You matured many events, as private
individuals those of three years ago, you feel now
ready to rectify the situation, to draw right
conclusions, to set out again of a new foot. The
friendly life is highlighted, you feel the need to bring
you closer to those who share your ideals.
Pisces
Your imagination will agree more to concrete realities
of your life to enable you to act according to your
personal goals. You will feel that it is time to think of
you, and you will manage to make the share of things
between your true motivations and those of others.
This year 2010 contains a potential of chance, it is only
due to you to seize it. You finally will be able to buckle
a situation which limited you.
With permission from
www.divinologue.com
December 2009 - HELLO?
29
Coffee break
Pages by Cristian Ursea
THE 15-MINUTE
CROSSWORDS
ACROSS
1. UK Vehicle (5)
4. Vivien (5)
10. WWI Commander (7)
11. Concerning (5)
12. Aquatic pachyderm (5)
13. List individually (7)
15. Finished (4)
17. Sty inhabitants (5)
19. Proverb (5)
22. Verdi Opera (4)
25. Panacea (4, 3)
27. Of the nose (5)
29. Jordan’s port (5)
30. Windflower (7)
31. Baffle (5)
32. Skill, boat (5)
THIS ISSUE QUOTE:
DOWN
2. Wildflower (5)
3. Former Burmese capital (7)
5. Dodge (5)
6. Lambent (7)
7. Wood-turning machine (5)
8. Eleison (5)
9. Mount (5)
14. Jazz style (4)
16. Bovine cut of meat (4)
18. Merit, permission (7)
20. Asunder (anag) (7)
21. Fight, a bit (5)
23. Greek Epic (5)
24. Foreigner (5)
26. Tocsin (5)
28. Eat, rubbish (5)
30
HELLO? - December 2009
“
I think that perhaps we always fall
in love the very first time we see
the man of our dreams, even
though, at the time, reason may be
telling otherwise, and we may fight
against that instinct, hoping
against hope that we won't
win, until there comes a
point when we allow
ourselves to be vanquished
by our feelings...
-Paulo Coelho
”