From the Sidelines -- by Jenessa Chan

Obnoxious jokes are followed by endless laughter and the chewing of food.  Each table is stacked up with books, juice boxes, crumpled wrappers, and Tupperware containers.

     You enter by slowly taking a step down the short flight of stairs, your eyes squinting, as you examine the damage in which you find home from 12:40-1:25PM on Mondays to Fridays.

　 Keeping an eye out for an overly-familiar face, you had just rushed out of your third black classroom, after having to stay an extra two minutes to talk to your teacher.

　 All the familiar senses: relaxed, yet chaotic; calm voices, yet with much excitement; all of these feelings and observations echo up to the round, skylight window on top of the 35-foot high ceiling.

      A warm tap on your shoulder breaks your concentration.  Looking for a few faces in this crowded, popular destination is like finding Waldo.  You turn around, surprised to see your bed friend standing next to you.

　  "Oh, so we didn’t get a table today, huh?"

      "Welp, I guess not," you realize, grasping your brown paper bag.

      From the sidelines, it’s easy to believe that this place is nothing but a mess of hormonal, noisy students, releasing their energy that’s been built up for hours beforehand.

     You're on the sidelines.

　

Two Week's Spring Break ... what are you going to DO?

                Hey Wildcats! Spring break is just around the corner, and everyone is sure to be busy with schoolwork and other activities. Don’t worry, it’ll be here soon! And when it does come, here are a few things to keep you occupied and amused if you’re staying in Richmond during the first ever two week spring break!

Check out Richmond Centre’s new stores:

I’m sure you’ve all heard already, but just in case you haven’t, Richmond Centre has done some major renovations and store moving. We now have a Forever 21, improved Dynamite, and a Guess Accessories store. Whether you are a shopper or not, I’m sure you will be able to find some pleasure in at least checking these new options out.

See a Movie:

So yes, these ideas are all pretty generic. But…they work! The best thing to do during a break is relax and rejuvenate. Therefore, it is safe to say that lounging at home with some unhealthy snacks after months of stress and worry is exactly what the doctor prescribed. There have been plenty of great movies to come out on DVD recently, along with some great Oscar flicks. Check them out! Or, go to “theatres near you” to watch some of the newer ones with friends after a day of sleeping in.

Finally (like previously mentioned)…sleep!

Everyone knows that teenagers are just not programmed to be awake and ready to learn at the sinful hour of 8:20 am. It’s just not right! Take advantage of the break to sleep your troubles away and recharge your below empty batteries. Don’t waste your time, but a little extra sleep can’t hurt that much.

Basically, enjoy yourselves! If you are going away, have a blast and make the most of it, and if you’re not…do the same! Two weeks is definitely worth the nine extra minutes a day of learning, so use it to its full potential. Forget about your problems, worries and dilemmas in your life for the moment and just live life as it comes at you. Come back happy and maybe even tanned, and you’ll be ready to conquer third term. HAKUNA MATATA!

by Ana Pacheco