Thornton Academy – AP Language 2018-2019

While the adjustments that Daylight Saving Time bring usher forward dreams of summer and longer days, the “spring ahead” time change also leaves many citizens in practicing areas drowsy and unhappy. Though the practice occurs in roughly 70 countries today, the history behind Daylight Saving Time is not widely taught, and, for many, is just thought of as another inconvenience.

    Some sources credit U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin with the idea of the time change, but it is a common misconception stemming from a satirical piece written by Franklin. Though similar practices occurred in ancient civilizations thousands of years ago, the creation of modern DST is attributed to New Zealand scientist George Vernon Hudson, who first proposed such a shift in 1895.

    The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time is to conserve and make better use of daylight in the summer, but there are other benefits as well. During the months where Daylight Savings is in practice, studies have shown that less power is consumed to light appliances as a result of the longer hours of light in the evenings. Additionally, the number of nightly traffic accidents in summer months have been shown to decrease, seemingly as a result of the extended light.

   Though Daylight Saving Time can be hard to adjust to, there are benefits that often go unnoticed by the public. Even with the plethora of myths and negative stigma surrounding it, DST contributes some positive aspects to the countries who continue to practice it.

The winter months. This is often a cold, icy, and gloomy time of the year, in the lives of many Northeasterner’s. Some people struggle more with the frigid and challenging weather than others. The one thing that tends to get most people through this difficult period of weather, is the hope that spring is inevitably around the corner. Generally, spring tends to be an all around more favorable season, compared to winter.

Firstly, people are inclined to spend more time outdoors during the spring, due to the nicer weather. This often includes group activities, hikes, walks, or peaceful afternoon strolls. This might also increase socialization, versus the often common winter isolation, and encourage people to get closer to nature instead of overuse electronic devices, phones, television, etc. . By the change in climate from the colder months making the outdoors seem more available, people now feel like they at least have the choice to venture outside, instead of be forced to coop up inside.

Similarly, the spring months offer opportunity for more physical activity and better physical fitness. As spring time approaches, there is a new found opportunity to move exercise or workout sessions outdoors. As previously mentioned, this may also increase the likelihood that this is a group activity. The positive part about the group aspect, is that people are more likely to encourage each other to stay true to their fitness and overall wellness goals. Also, the obvious factor of a more aesthetically pleasing, natural environment to workout in, may be enough encouragement.

Another important point, is that commuting is made much easier in the spring, compared to the winter. In most instances, there isn’t any ice to worry about on the road, any incoming snow to watch out for, or any slippery slush that is a common road hazard. Driving anywhere is generally easier and safer, making people want to travel more. Furthermore, warmer or more comfortable weather and temperature, gives greater opportunity for “on foot” transportation. Additionally, this may include travel by bike, roller skate, and so forth. This would save the individual money and reduce carbon emissions.

At the end of the day, winter isn’t necessarily a terrible season. It is just usually more challenging to endure than spring. It’s important to appreciate whatever weather we currently deal with in order to persevere through… but there isn’t any harm in picking an obvious favorite.

It could be argued that the American Dream has changed as much as the weather over the decades. But is this really a true thought? Each individual person must make this decision for themselves. However, before doing this it is only fair to look at both sides of this subject in an educated way so that we can make the best decision.

There is no doubt in any American’s mind that times have changed and have brought about many new developments. With the massive progression in technology and education American culture and society has shifted its focus. The stress on a good education as well as a stable job has jumped dramatically today as America’s way of leading and keeping up with its fellow countries.

Many people believe the American Dream to be an idea of having this “white picket” fence life, with no baggage, a good house, family and job. Despite all of these ideas, the principles of American Society seem to remain the same. No matter what, there is still the idea that children with hard work and determination can achieve anything their heart so desires, whether it be love, money or status. This was even seen in the days of the Great Gatsby and it can be seen today, with just the mentality of Americans. It seems that this might be the basis of the American Dream. So before making these decisions, it would be good to consider both sides to the story.

The 1980 film, 9 to 5 is a fantastic one. It stars some of the most iconic women of Hollywood, with names Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton at the forefront of its cast. The story of 9 to 5 is an empowering one, revolving around the idea of women stepping up and taking charge, and though the approach the film takes is extreme, the overall wackiness of the plot makes it all the more entertaining and simply a joy to watch.

9 to 5 is centered around Doralee Rhodes, played by Dolly Parton, Violet Newstead, played by Lily Tomlin, and Judy Bernly, played by Jane Fonda. All three have suffered under their terribly sexist boss, Franklin Hart, dealing with sexual harassment, belittlement, and general nastiness by his hand. They joke of the fantasies they have of doing the deed and offing him for good, but things take a turn when Violet believes she has accidentally actually poisoned Mr. Hart after discovering that the packaging of the sugar and rat poison in the office look awfully similar. Though Violet has not killed her boss, the miscommunication leads to a number of debacles, including but not limited to the stealing of a corpse from a hospital.

9 to 5’s main theme, getting its namesake from the movie itself, is a Dolly Parton classic, but is far from the only thing that makes the movie so good. 9 to 5 features leads that are no-nonsense women, all of whom are smart and capable but don’t fit into the same exact mold. Though abducting your boss may not be the best advice, the refusal to tolerate sexist attitudes and behavior is, and that is the sincere message in 9 to 5 behind all of the farcical scenarios and shenanigans the ladies of the film find themselves in.

9 to 5 is nothing short of iconic and is a film everyone should see at least once (or many more times) in their lifetime.

For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the name Taika Waititi may bear some familiarity.  Waititi is the director of Thor: Ragnarok, a movie famous for its deadpan comedy in the MCU community.  While the humor of Thor: Ragnarok seems very unique—at least when compared to fellow comic adaptions—it is a staple of Waititi’s curious style.  

This style fits into the larger genre of New Zealand comedy, the country of Waititi’s origin.  New Zealand humor opposes typical American comedy in its polite humor, managing a seemingly impossible task: comedy without offense.  As Waititi describes it, New Zealand humor is “the comedy of the mundane”, although much of the humor is dark.  This darkness is present in a common theme of Waititi’s work, that of family dysfunction.  A particular topic that when combined with New Zealand deadpan comedy forms his unique genre, “Happy Sad”.

Happy Sad cinema is Waititi’s specialty.  The phrase, an oxymoron, perfectly describes the emotions the viewer is confronted by when watching such films, a whirlwind of love and hate, hope and disappointment, of fantasy and reality.  These poignant contradictions are exposed in a way that allows the viewer to laugh at themselves and the characters, while simultaneously being confronted by the tragedy of the situation.  In his films, he plays extreme and unusual characters in the straightest of ways, exposing human flaws and virtues concurrently.  It is, a lighter side of tragic.  A side that allows us to analyze ourselves with humor, to laugh at the hilarity of the human condition and learn acceptance of our flaws.  

 

“Your heart breaks in June-”

That’s an incomplete statement that depicts how I feel every June since I began my high school years at Thornton Academy.

The week before finals is the week tears raced down my cheeks. My big sisters and brothers were leaving for college and their home countries. The day my best friend left with two heavy suitcases, I knew that she also carried a piece of me with her. All the sleepovers in her room, the midnight conversations, the groceries shopping trips, the Thanksgivings, and all the time we almost fought would be treasured. Another friend hugged me so tight the day she left and told me that she would always support me and would be waiting for my visit to her hometown. One other girl bursted into tears right before she opened the door of Stasio Hall for the last time, and our friend group followed her lead, sobbing in the rain.

Nothing lasts forever.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, let your heart be broken. Don’t let the fear of getting your heart broken consumes your capacity to love. I keep the memories and the lessons in my heart, and I know many of their stories as if they were mine to tell. The fact that they were here for only a short amount of time pushes me to make the most out of the time we had together.

“(…)and [your heart] falls in love again in September.” – Monika Kaczorowska, Thornton Academy Class of 2018.

Isn’t fall the perfect season to fall in love?

As the leaves of the Eastern Trail’s change their hues into different colors, the TA campus welcome new students with a variety of cultural backgrounds. I find myself helping girls navigate their new journeys once again; watching them grow makes me a proud dorm sister and helps me see Thornton Academy from a new perspective. Furthermore, these girls teach me a lot about their cultures, which gives me a greater glimpse of the world.

Besides, I believe that as long as you try your best to maintain relationships with friends who live halfway around the world, whatever will be, will be. Only then would there be no regrets, for you have done all you could.